Guyanatime 20 march 2018

P10 World Water Forum Granger calls for action on protection of Guiana Shield’s water resources

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Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Issue No. 3508

Coalition politics has failed to live up to expectations – WPA Page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

2 chopped during Rose Hall brawl P5 Seawall shooting

Use of deadly force justified – Top Cop P2

…as threats of split from Govt gather steam

Major catastrophe averted at GPL

Guyoil halts credit arrangement with Region 6 admin

Page 9

Page 13

…regional vehicles grounded

…after blazing truck threatened fuel tankers Page 7

GWI rips down fences behind Bel Air Park homes

Leaning GPL poles worry P11 WBD residents

GDF ranks fined for P8 stealing milk, margarine from Camp Ayanganna Region 10 officials call for more welfare P12 officers …say 2 officers insufficient for 63 schools

Lodge man wanted for P8 fraud

…homeowner cites bullyism, to file legal action

More efforts Page 11 required to tackle crime in Guyana – US Ambassador …as Police receive US$20,000 in equipment

Think tank slams Govt for wasting money Page 9

…questions benefits, transparency of projects

Govt launches inquiry into David G boat accident P13

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tuesDAY, march 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Seawall shooting

Use of deadly force justified – Top Cop

A

cting Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine, is supporting the action taken by Police officers involved in the shooting death of three suspected bandits on the Kingston Seawall on Thursday last. He says the use of deadly force is justified.

Last Thursday, Police shot and killed Kwame Assanah, Dextroy Cordis and Errol Adams during a shootout on the Kingston seawalls. The men were reportedly about to rob someone who had just finished a transaction at a city bank and had headed to the seawalls.

“The Policemen acted in

keeping with the law. They were fired upon, and as law enforcement officers, (they) are authorized to use deadly force; as long as the deadly force is justified, as long as the deadly force is legitimate, to defend themselves. Were those Policemen in the situation (they) found themselves in expendable? Come on, let’s be real! We have to applaud what has happened,” Ramnarine told reporters.

Chronicling the events that led to the shootout, Ramnarine said that, a few days ago, the Police received information that the men were planning the robbery. He said it was through intense surveillance

and reliable information that the Police were able to execute their operation successfully.

Ramnarine said he has read social media posts and reports insinuating that the men were executed, rather than being engaged in a shootout.

“No Police officer sets out to execute a citizen. I’ve seen on social media, and read on black and white, (posts) which say in a very strong way that there was some semblance of execution, but I will tell you that the Guyana Police Force, with the strides we have made, the capacity and capability-building that we have done in the last years, no officer sets out to execute anyone,” he said.

Collateral damage

Ramnarine said that while the specifics of what happened could be debated, all the evidence points to the fact that the men were part and parcel of an arrangement to commit a criminal act which attracts serious consequences, and he is happy that was averted. He explained that, had the situation been different, there would have been a lot of collateral damage on Robb Street, Georgetown after the customer had come out of the bank.

“If the Guyana Police Force had not taken that course of action and that (robbery) would have happened there, a

Acting Top Cop David Ramnarine

lot of collateral damage would have happened on Robb Street, based on the info we received; it is good that it ended up on the seawall, in a more desolate location… I want to make the note that it is not the first time that persons who have left (a) bank would have ended up on the seawall and be robbed. It was not a novelty in that situation,” he noted.

During the shootout, one bandit was able to escape on a CG motorcycle and is yet to be apprehended. Ramnarine has said the Police have information on his whereabouts, and are actively pursuing him.

Following the shooting, Assanah’s relatives have called for an inquiry into his death, and claim that the he could not have been a criminal, since he had had a clean record. Their statement came in response to the Police claiming that he had had a record, however, that has since been clarified, with the Police admitting that no such record exists.

Ramnarine went on to say that despite the hullabaloo surrounding the death of Assanah, no one has come for-

ward to dispute his presence on the seawall in the company of the suspected bandits.

“Did we put him there? No one has disputed that he was there,” Ramnarine said.

The Police have said that at about 10:30h on Thursday, on Robb Street, ranks of an anti-crime patrol unit, in an unmarked vehicle, acting on intelligence information, began following another motorcar that two “suspicious looking characters” were reportedly travelling in. As the ranks continued to observe, the suspected criminals led them [Police] to the Kingston Seawall, where an individual who had left a city bank had parked his motorcar.

At that time, the law enforcement officials who were on the stakeout noticed the two individuals -- later identified as Assanah and Cordis -- exiting their motorcar and approaching the customer’s vehicle, so they intervened.

One of the men was reportedly armed with a gun, and he began to open fire on the Police, resulting in a shootout in which both men died. Two other men came up riding on a CG motorcycle, and they also opened fire on the Police, resulting in the death of Errol Adams, while the other man escaped.

A 9mm pistol along with a magazine containing seven live rounds and four spent shells were found next to the body of Cordis. The motorcar, which was driven by Assanah, was searched, and one driver’s licence, ten passports belonging to himself and family members, a key used by trunkers, two handcuff keys, a bandana and clothing were discovered.

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tuesDAY, march 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Tuesday, March 20 – 05:00h-06:30h and Wednesday, March 21– 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, March 20 – 05:50h-07:20h and Wednesday, March 21– 06:25h-07:55h.

Coalition politics has failed to live up to expectations – WPA …as threats of split from Govt gather steam

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Lightly cloudy skies are expected to be followed by light rain showers in the mid morning with thundery showers prevailing in the afternoon and the evening. Overall temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from East north-easterly to northeasterly between 1.78 metres and 6.25 metres.

High Tide: 06:19h and 18:42h reaching maximum heights of 2.81 metres and 2.77 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 12:15h reaching a minimum height of 0.37 metre.

WPA executive, member Tacuma Ogunseye

PNCR General Secretary Amna Ally

WPA Executive, Dr David Hinds

President and leader of APNU, David Granger

By Jarryl Bryan

matters have developed in this coalition is that the cabinet usurps both positions,” Ogunseye explained.

Ogunseye stressed that this is not how a coalition is supposed to work.

According to him, a comparison with the PNC’s dealings with the WPA and with the Alliance for Change (AFC) shows that the latter party is shown more consideration than his party, and for obvious reason.

“The AFC will have to speak to what extent they are satisfied…(but) the AFC

the PNC’s “moral decency” could hold it to the principles of coalition politics when dealing with the WPA. In the meantime, Ogunseye noted that the WPA has been forced to ac-

cept collective responsibility as a party on issues it played little to no part in. Far from improving, he expressed concerns that things were getting worse.

C

iting instances of decisions being made at Cabinet without consulting the smaller coalition partners among other exhibitions of strong-arm politics, a Working People’s Alliance (WPA) executive member is of the view that coalition politics in Guyana has failed to live up to expectations.

According to WPA heavyweight Tacuma Ogunseye, leaders of the party owe it to their members to put their

“...my knowledge of Guyanese politics tells me that any rupturing of that coalition would work to the disadvantage of the Coalition at the next election.”

– David Hinds

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continued involvement in A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on the agenda for serious discussion.

He noted that there are concerns that the party’s time in the coalition has not done the party, and the country as a whole, any good.

“Relations with the WPA and the PNC/R in the APNU, on a number of issues, have been a serious problem. It has created a lot of internal tensions within the party, both at home and overseas. And I believe that during the last almost three years in Government, many people in the party, both abroad and home, have varying views as to whether the WPA’s presence in Government has been beneficial to the country and the party,” Ogunseye disclosed.

He made it clear that after observing coalition politics and the way it has played out in Guyana since 2015, he is convinced it has failed to live up to his expectations.

According to Ogunseye, coalition politics has involved the cabinet making and executing policies with the WPA party leaders ultimately being informed through the press.

“I am disappointed that in the APNU, the way in which the coalition has developed over the last three years leaves much to be desired.

There is little consultation.

Little forum for articulating concerns and views; and in any coalition, the groups form policies and the cabinet executes the policies that are designed by the parties.

“But the way in which

is in a position to make the Government collapse. It’s a strategic position, (and) they have to deal with them differently,” he explained.

Additionally, he noted that the AFC negotiated an arrangement, the Cummingsburg Accord, with APNU. He pointed out that the WPA was not afforded the opportunity to negotiate a formal arrangement for the 2015 elections. As such, only

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tuesDAY, march 20, 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

Nature for Water

W

orld Water Day, celebrated on March 22 every year, is about focusing attention on the importance of water.

This year’s theme, ‘Nature for Water’, explores naturebased solutions to the water challenges we face in the 21st century.

The United Nations has warned that environmental damage coupled with climate change is driving the water-related crises we see around the world. Floods, drought and water pollution are all made worse by degraded vegetation, soil, rivers and lakes.

When we neglect our ecosystems, we make it harder to provide everyone with the clean water they need to survive and thrive.

Nature-based solutions have the potential to solve many of the planet’s existing water challenges. However, more needs to be done with ‘green’ infrastructure, to harmonize it with ‘grey’ infrastructure wherever possible.

Planting new forests, reconnecting rivers to floodplains, and restoring wetlands will rebalance the water cycle and improve human health and livelihoods.

According to a recent UN report on the state of the world’s water, more than 5 billion people could suffer water shortages by 2050, due to climate change, increased demand, and polluted supplies. The comprehensive annual study warns of conflict and civilizational threats unless actions are taken to reduce the stress on rivers, lakes, aquifers, wetlands and reservoirs.

The World Water Development Report – released in droughthit Brasília – says positive change is possible, particularly in the key agricultural sector, but only if there is a move towards naturebased solutions that rely more on soil and trees than steel and concrete.

The World Water Forum is the biggest single gathering of policymakers, businesses and NGOs involved in water management. It is being held from March 18-23, in the southern hemisphere for the first time, and is expected to draw 40,000 participants.

“For too long, the world has turned first to human-built, or ‘grey’, infrastructure to improve water management. In doing so, it has often brushed aside traditional and indigenous knowledge that embraces greener approaches,” says Gilbert Houngbo, the chair of UN Water, in the preface of the 100-page assessment. “In the face of accelerated consumption, increasing environmental degradation and the multi-faceted impacts of climate change, we clearly need new ways of manage competing demands on our freshwater resources.”

Humans use about 4,600 cubic km of water every year, of which 70% goes to agriculture, 20% to industry, and 10% to households, says the report, which was launched at the start of the triennial World Water Forum. Global demand has increased six-fold over the past 100 years, and continues to grow at the rate of 1% each year.

This is already creating strains that will grow by 2050, when the world population is forecast to reach between 9.4 billion and 10.2 billion (up from 7.7 billion today), with two in every threepeople living in cities.

Drought and soil degradation are already the biggest risk of natural disaster, say the authors. The challenge has been most apparent this year in Cape Town, where residents face severe restrictions as the result of a once-in-384-year drought.

In Brasília, the host of the forum, close to 2 million people have their taps turned off once in every five days due to an unusually protracted dry period.

The key for change will be agriculture, the biggest source of water consumption and pollution. The report calls for “conservation agriculture”, which would make greater use of rainwater rather than irrigation, and regularise crop rotation to maintain soil cover. This would also be crucial to reverse erosion and degradation, which currently affect a third of the planet’s land, a different UN study found last year.

Perhaps the most positive message of the report is that the potential savings of such practices exceed the projected increase in global demand for water, which would ease the dangers of conflict, provide better livelihoods for farming families, and reduce poverty.

By 2050, the report predicts, between 4.8 billion and 5.7 billion people will live in areas that are water-scarce for at least one month each year, up from 3.6 billion today; while the number of people at risk of floods will increase to 1.6 billion from 1.2 billion. Demand for water is projected to rise fastest in developing countries like Guyana.

Meanwhile, climate change will put an added stress on supplies because it will make wet regions wetter and dry regions drier. As the dry season approaches here, local authorities have already issued public advisories for residents to conserve water, and to monitor their water consumption.

Women dressed in traditional costumes ride motorbikes as they attend celebrations to mark the Gudi Padwa festival, the beginning of the New Year for Maharashtrians, in Mumbai, India (REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui)

Use of force is a part of the job

Dear Editor, On Thursday, March 15, 2018, there was an exchange of gunfire between the Police and suspected bandits at the Georgetown seawall. Three persons, including two who were on the Police radar, died.

There have since been conflicting reports in the media and elsewhere as to what actually took place.

Some relatives of the dead men are perturbed over the whole issue, and are seeking justice outside of the Police environment.

The debate on the use of force, including deadly force, rages. I am not au fait with all the facts in relation to the shooting, therefore I cannot say if the action of the Police was justified or not. Let me be pellucid: I hold no brief for anyone.

As a retired senior Police officer, I am aware that the work of the Police is a dangerous one, and can be unthankful at times. Sometimes the Police are left in a quandary -- damned if they do, and damned if they don’t.

The International Association of Chiefs of

Police sets the following guidelines for Police officers: “A Police officer will never employ unnecessary force or violence, and will only use such force in the discharge of duty as is reasonable in all circumstances. Force should be used only with the greatest restraint, and only after discussion, negotiation and persuasion have been found to be inappropriate or ineffective. While the use of force is occasionally unavoidable, every Police officer will refrain from applying the necessary inflection of pain and suffering, and will never engage in cruel, degrading, or inhuman treatment to any person.

“The job of the Police is not an easy one. Death lurks around the next corner. I can recall, during 1996, chairing the closing session of a course for Police sergeants, at Police Headquarters. The then Commissioner of Police, Laurie Lewis, delivered the closing address. Among the things he mentioned was that when a Policeman leaves his home to go on duty, he

does not know if he will return home alive. Six hours later, bandits riddled Constable 16418 Adrian Williams, called “Big Six”, with bullets not far from the East La Penitence Police Outpost. He died on the spot. He was the only child of his mother.

I subsequently asked Commissioner Lewis not to utter those words again.

During the last crime wave, 2002-2008, which was described as ‘The Troubles’, a total of 26 Policemen were killed.

The then Top Cop, Floyd Mc Donald, had the sad task of constantly attending funerals and paying tributes to his fallen heroes, rather than giving out awards.

The use of excessive force has always been difficult. The use of force, including deadly force, is sometimes a necessary part of the job, but determining what is reasonable is highly subjective. In the landmark case in relation to the use of force, Graham vs Conner (1989), the Court held that the calculus of

reasonableness must allow for the fact that the Police are often forced to make split-second judgments about the amount of force that is necessary in a particular situation in circumstances that are tense, uncertain, and are rapidly evolving.

According to Nowicki, “The standard according to this decision is the ‘reasonable objective officer’.

Nowicki, who is a “useof-force” expert, posits, “There are three rules relating to the use of force by any officer. Rule number one is that you go home the same way as when you went to work: ALIVE. Rule number two is that you don’t go to prison.

Rule number three is that you keep your job. If your use of force is reasonable, you protect yourself, your agency, the community, and even your assailant.

But when in doubt, always remember rule number one.”

Yours faithfully, Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)

Sports as a means of addressing abuse, suicide Dear Editor, The Caribbean Voice (TCV) applauds the initiative by Fruta Conquerors Football Club, in collaboration with the Titans Table Tennis Club, to organize a seminar on child care aware-

ness for all coaches, team managers and parents.

For a while now, the Caribbean Voice has been calling for sports to be a vehicle fostering suicide prevention and anti-abuse. In fact, we recently had a meet-

ing with the West Berbice Cricket Board to this effect.

So we suggest that this kind of initiative be followed by sports entities across Guyana, and that future seminars also include suicide prevention and domes-

tic violence.

TCV is willing to meet with various sports authorities and/or interested parties to offer necessary help.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

tuesDAY, march 20, 2018

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News

2 chopped during Corentyne brawl T hirty-eight-year-old Rajindra Balkaran, called ‘Gomes’, and his uncle Vishnu Gopaul, called ‘Strokeman’ and ‘Balbala’, a pork vendor at the Port Mourant Market, traded chops on Monday afternoon at Kitten Dam, Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant Corentyne; and are now both hospitalized at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, with Gopaul being listed in critical condition.

Reports reaching this newspaper detail that Balkaran was under the influence of alcohol when he accused his uncle of being a “cochore”. After hurling several expletives at his uncle, Balkaran walked over to Gopaul’s donkey cart and pushed it into a nearby drain.

At that, Gopaul ran out of his yard with a cutlass. “Is the

Injured: Vishnu Gopaul

same cutlass he does use fuh cut meat,” one eyewitness said.

“The two of dem start to argue, and ‘Gomes’ (Balkaran) telling he that he is a cochore and

Would WPA really walk away from the Govt?

Dear Editor, There is no doubt that the Working People’s Alliance is a legitimate member of the Coalition Government, but after reading the party’s threats to perhaps walk away from the Government because of perceived maltreatment, I wonder whether its leaders fully understand what they are talking about.

I recall similar mumblings when Dr Roopnaraine had stepped down as Minister of Education sometime last year. The party had said then that it was not consulted on a replacement, and had fully expected that a leader of the party would have automatically taken Dr Roopnaraine’s place as a Cabinet Minister. This was not done, and its leaders had complained bitterly back then.

The Granger Administration must, however, take some of the blame for the way the WPA is feeling and seeing things. It is my firm belief that a system of ‘upfrontness’ with Coalition partners would go a long way in easing the feelings that the bigger parties have little regard for the smaller ones like the WPA. No one really believes that the WPA would walk away from governance, with

all the talk that the party is a mere shadow of what it used to be up to the time when its founder and leader, Dr Walter Rodney, was killed in 1980. Many observers also believe that the party would have brought very little votes to the coalition during the campaign, because I think that two generations of Guyanese would have grown up hardly hearing or knowing anything about the WPA. I therefore think that it might be prudent for the leaders of the WPA to fight their battles internally, rather than in the press, as this can indeed harm the coalition. I also would argue that the latest public display of anger by the leadership team has to do with the decision by the management of the Chronicle Newspaper to dispense with the services of WPA leader David Hinds as a columnist, and the belief that this decision was made by high authorities.

The little I know as a follower and sympathizer is that the AFC also has its grouses, but, to date, has not made any comments similar to the WPA’s. I suggest the WPA take its lead from the AFC. Sincerely, Peter Joseph

Gopaul cussing he (Gomes),” an eyewitness offered.

The argument intensified, and Gopaul reportedly chopped his nephew several times to the upper body. Balkaran received chop wounds to his hands and neck, but was able to overpower and disarm his uncle, and he turned the weapon on the pork vendor. Gopaul received chops to the face, neck, chest and hands, and is reportedly in a critical condition at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

When the Police arrived, Gopaul was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Port Mourant Hospital, from whence he was transferred to the New Amsterdam facility.

Balkaran has also been admitted a patient at the hospital.

Police are investigating the incident.

The donkey cart that was pushed into the drain

Is there cause to worry?

Dear Editor, Editor, in an earlier letter I have addressed the curious timing of comments made by the CCJ President, Sir Dennis Byron, about the need for substantive appointments of a Chancellor and Chief Justice in Guyana, when he was silent about the same state of affairs prior to 2015. I have also written about his frequent visits to Guyana and comments by the Attorney General, Basil Williams, made about ‘close’ relations between Sir Byron and the Coalition Government – comments that were made

by Williams on the corridors of the High Court.

I feel it necessary to

question linkages between Sir Byron and the Coalition Government, since I have received some feedback after my first letter on this issue and was told that there is no clear linkage between the CCJ President and the Coalition Government other that comments from the Attorney General.

Editor, aside from the Attorney General, personalities close to the Coalition Government also have close links to the CCJ President. In 2012, according to a Stabroek News article, dated October 13, 2012, it was Senior Counsel Donald Trotman (Minister Raphael Trotman’s father) and retired Judge James Patterson – current

Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission – who presented the petition for Patterson’s grandson, Richard Layne, to be admitted to the local Bar. Richard Layne – whose grandfather’s appointment is currently challenged in Guyana’s courts and could very well end up at the CCJ – is currently the Judicial Assistant attached to Sir Byron, according to his LinkedIn profile. Layne, among other things, prepares legal opinions and advice to the President on matters brought to the attention of the Court.

Also, Editor, Mr Layne’s matriculation is another curious matter, given that after his matric-

ulation he served at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and moved swiftly without any experience to his current position. Someone should question how this happened.

Editor, it was none other than Sir Byron who talked about an independent and impartial judiciary when he spoke at the Guyana Bar Association last August. But in light of worrisome linkages in Guyana, the question now is – Is there cause to worry?

Like I said in my last letter, Sir Byron has not clarified his involvement in local happenings.

Regards, Todd A Morgan

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Page

Foundation

Promoting

empathy

with your teen

…get your teen to easily follow household rules

By Ugo Uche

S

ome parents seem caught off guard that their once adorable child, who adored them dearly, and in whose eyes, they could seemingly do little wrong, now questions their every other directive along with a demand for answers. For a parent who is caught off guard by this sudden change in behaviour, the knee jerk reaction is to tighten previously established boundaries.

The problem with this move is that the teen in question has, more than likely, outgrown those boundaries, and you missed it. They are more fearless, or less fearful, they can now leave the home when they want to, they probably have their own network of friends, whose parents will let them stay at their place when they want to, and the list goes on.

For parents who find themselves caught up in power struggles with their teens, the first thing to understand is that you are playing a lose-lose game.

As the adult in the relationship, you are saddled with all the fiscal responsibilities regarding your teen’s care taking and your teen isn’t. While in most cases, your teen’s future wouldn’t look so bright if he or she continues to defy you, the reality is that he or she isn’t thinking about their future while defying you, only you and the other parent are.

In my experience, most teens who

guyanatimesgy.com

habitually engage in power struggles with one or both parents have for some reason or the other pretty much resigned themselves to a dull future. Often the parent or parents they quarrel with are the ones who are holding the teen to high expectations.

So, what do you do, the first or the umpteenth time your teen is overtly defiant towards you? Here are three steps to take.

Step one: Don’t make it about you Ego deflation is very important here, the rules are not about you, and never where. The rules are about the teen, and were put in place to aide in your teen’s successful growth. In your own words, this is what you are going to relay to your teen.

It can go something like this: “The reason we put the curfew hours in place is to keep you safe and provide you with the necessary structure you need to practice self-discipline. Are you suggesting that this isn’t working out? If so, I would like to learn why.”

This approach is compassionate and puts the onus back on your teen to explain his or her behaviour without feeling attacked.

Step two: Identify your teen’s goals and objectives Junior getting excellent grades in school is ideal, but why? Is there a path in

Junior’s future you and Junior have agreed he take, which necessitates excellent grades? If not, once you find yourself being prompted for an explanation of your rules, it is an opportunity for you and your teen to sit down and learn, what it is your teen desires in his future. If your teen has no clue, it would probably explain his lack of preparation for the future. Helping your teen identify goals and objectives for his or her future will also help strengthen the parent-teen bond.

Step three: Discuss and agree upon new rules appropriate for your teen For this step to be a success, step two must be an absolute success. If you and your teen don’t have time to figure out his or her goals and objectives for the future, then you can set some temporary rules down, until you two complete step two.

The reason step two is important is that for your teen to agree and adhere to set rules in the household, he or she must see themselves as having something to gain by following the rules, and subsequently a lot to lose by not doing so. Otherwise, when dealing with a defiant teen, who often tend to be self-reliant, the teen will see no reasons to follow any of your rules.

With realistic goals and objectives outlined for your teens’ future success, he or she will make it very easy for you when it comes to adhering to the rules of the household. (psychologytoday.com)

In high school, the kids are not all right …with social and academic pressure mounting, a teacher shares what he’s learned about tracking his students’ mental well-being Continued

By David Tow

future.

Remember your Maslow It seems trite to point this out, but in the midst of all the testing and the grading, we need to remind ourselves that mental health trumps academic performance every time. Students who don’t feel grounded or safe or healthy cannot do their best work.

Instead of constructing a classroom environment that operates at 100 per cent difficulty all the time, consider alternate models that allow students to feel supported and competent first – and then consciously and explicitly ratchet

Use the professionals The best attempts of teachers pale in comparison to the support, resources, and guidance of professionals. I cannot advocate enough for teachers and all school staff to get to know your on-site school psychologists or counsellors (if you are so lucky), or to find those very important names and numbers immediately. Every mental health professional I’ve met in education has impressed me with their sensitivity, care, and ability to identify underlying issues well beyond my knowledge, and they explain

up the difficulty and complexity as appropriate. I try to practice a type of curricular minimalism: lots of guided and independent low-stakes practice, culminating in a manageable set of summative exercises.

the connection between a student’s case history and my observations in a way that is both useful and crystal clear.

Although teachers tend to try to be self-sufficient and eschew asking for help from those outside the classroom, we aren’t mental health professionals – and this sort of assistance is necessary.

And don’t forget to talk to someone yourself. This last strategy emphasises self-care.

I’ve seen teachers look just as punch-drunk as students, sometimes suffering from the same anxiousness and depression. It’s important that teachers make an effort to talk to someone else – especially since the old truism that each classroom is its own kingdom is generally still true. A teacher who is burdened with the trials and tribulations of their hundred-plus students – and their own struggles to boot – won’t have the headspace to be a humane, observant, and effective shepherd.

Whether it’s in small doses with a spouse or significant other, structured sessions with a therapist, or even informational conversations with colleagues, getting those feelings and thoughts out of your head will make you more capable of responding to the needs of others. (Excerpted from edutopia.org)

Consider what matters I have often spoken with both past and current colleagues about makeup work.

Many are of the belief that if a student misses an assignment, they should be – and often must be – responsible for timely completion upon their return.

Others tend to recommend a gardener’s approach, pruning the material to its most vital branch. More specifically, when a student is out, it’s important for teachers to consider what work, what skills, and what benchmarks are actually important for outcomes.

When a colleague suggested to me that not all assignments matter, and those that do matter don’t all matter the same, I balked – but there’s plenty of wisdom in the idea.

When a student falls behind, consider dropping assignments or editing down the work and, most importantly, explain to the student why that exception is being made. They will appreciate the clarity and the empathy, and most respond by working with greater discipline toward more manageable outcomes in the

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tuesDAY, march 20, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GWI rips down fences behind Bel Air Park homes …homeowner cites bullyism, to file legal action

T

the line we have to look at, even behind Shelter Belt; we’re going to stop this,” he committed.

The first structure demolished is situated on the property owned by Ramsaroop, who serves as an advisor to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

He told Guyana Times on Monday evening that he is wondering if the move by

has been no correspondence from GWI; and in 2007, I had filed an injunction against the City Council from touching the property, because when I purchased the property, it came with prescriptive rights,” he stressed.

According to a source familiar with the matter, it may be difficult for applicants to win their cas-

such claims.

Guyana Times understands further that, long before the structures were erected, Bel Air Park residents had ventilated to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) their fears of being robbed. According to information received, operatives within City Hall had reportedly given the residents permission to take care of the

es, as the section under the law relating to prescriptive rights was repealed. In the past, individuals had to prove that they were occupying land for 30 years to gain legal rights, but at present, no one can make

land, but weed it to curtail the bushes. However, in process of time, home owners had started to plant permanent trees and construct structures such as gazebos on the reserves. (Shemuel Fanfair)

GWI’s Corporate Management Team, led by Managing Director Dr Richard Van West-Charles

he hammers of some 10 workmen attached to the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) were in forceful use on Monday afternoon as demolition works of structures located behind prime properties in Bel Air Park, Georgetown commenced.

The GWI is contending that the structures demolished are illegal encroachments built along the Lama Canal, but some of the homeowners claim they were not properly informed of the demolition; and property owner Peter Ramsaroop has told this publication that his battery of lawyers will be filing legal action against the GWI in the coming days.

“We are going to file court action against GWI for damaging the property and for giving no prior notice. They are creating security risks for people in (this) area, and yards would be compromised,” he highlighted.

However, GWI Regional Manager, Georgetown, Curtis Niles, who was on site at Monday’s exercise,

told this publication that the fences which the Bel Air Park residents had erected were affecting the GWI from clearing the canal, which provides water for the capital city.

“The fence is coming onto the reserve, and this will hinder cleaning of the [canal], which would affect our water quality. Removing these illegal structures would allow us to give Georgetown a better quality of water at a much cheaper cost; because if the weeds in the canal cannot be removed, it means more chemical has to be used for the water quality to be of acceptable standards,” Niles observed.

GWI’s Managing Director Dr Richard Van West-Charles was also on scene to oversee the demolition works. He pointed out that GWI had taken measurements of the area about three years ago, and had, in 2016, even attempted to meet the residents for discussion of the situation.

“This has been a long battle with the residents

behind Lama Canal. This has been a battle with the previous administration.

In 2015, when we took the original measurements, it was down to 180 feet from the road. Today, it’s 114 feet; so they’ve taken in about 60 feet already, and we can’t encourage this level of encroachment,” he declared.

Guyana Times was informed that about 10 to 12 of the homes in the affected area currently have extended fences, and in at least one case, a pool was constructed.

GWI says it fully intends to dismantle all of the structures, and this was confirmed by Dr Van WestCharles. “We are going to be taking action straight along to all those who are encroaching onto to Lama.

This is a bit of lawlessness; this is a reserve and they are encroaching without authorisation,” he stressed, indicating that it was a meeting of GWI’s corporate management that spurred the on-site visit.

“There are places down

Coalition politics has...

“We don’t believe it is helping the coalition. The coalition is not getting better. We don’t believe it is helping the country, because the country is not getting the best demonstration of coalition politics. Coalition politics is gradually becoming the politics of the past.”

No concern

Meanwhile, PNC/R General Secretary Amna Ally has expressed unconcern to talk of the WPA breaking away. According to Ally, things were being blown out of proportion.

When contacted, WPA Executive Dr David Hinds dispelled any ambiguity about the party’s intention.

He noted that contrary to Ally’s assertion, the party leaving has always been on the agenda, and its members have always been aware that the day may come when hard decisions would have to be made. Early talks of leaving, however, were suppressed in the interest of “the collective and country.”

“The strength of the Coalition is its (unity). Yet

the Minister is saying that she is not worried that one partner is so dissatisfied that some of its leaders are raising the possibility of leaving. How can a spokesperson of a Government and Coalition with a tiny majority in the National Assembly not be worried that there is grave dissatisfaction within the coalition?”

But Hinds made it clear that the idea of a coalition party was much more popular with voters than the idea of the individual parties: the PNC, AFC and WPA.

from page 3

He made it clear that none of the parties could have achieved victory at the polls in 2015 on their own.

“The Coalition won the election in 2015 because a small majority of the electorate perceived that a coalition of parties stood a better chance of defeating the incumbent PPP,” Hinds explained. “And my knowledge of Guyanese politics tells me that any rupturing of that coalition would work to the disadvantage of the Coalition at the next election.”

Workers dismantling the fence

GWI was political in nature.

Ramsaroop claims to have followed through with GWI’s orders in the past.

“I am the only one who brought my fence in 20 feet with a directive from GWI’s lawyer. Since then, there

8 NEWS

tuesDAY, march 20, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GDF ranks fined for stealing milk, margarine from Camp Ayanganna

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hree Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks were on Monday found guilty by Magistrate Leron Daly of stealing milk and margarine from Camp Ayanganna.

Richard Charles, 26;

Kevin Phipps, 26, of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, and Linton Logan, 27, of Hadfield Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, all pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

Following the trial,

Magistrate Daly found the men guilty of committing the act between February 13 and 14, 2018 at Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown.

The trio stole 11 25-kilogram bags of powdered milk worth $153,890 and seven

cases of Golden Cream margarine, property of the GDF. The ranks were fined $100,000 each. Failure to pay the fine will result in them serving one year in prison.

Fishermen remanded on piracy charge

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our fishermen were on Monday remanded to prison by Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus on a charge of piracy.

Sanjai Jangbir, 18; Vishnu Jangbir, 20; Rajendra Parsaram, 19, and Mahindra Sancharan, 25,

were charged jointly with the offence.

It was alleged that on February 9, 2018, while in the Cuyuni River, the men, armed with knives and guns, robbed the vessel of Anna Teresa of $4.6 million in items belonging to

Vickash Balkissoon.

Attorney Paul Fung-AFat, in a bail application, requested that his clients be released on reasonable bail, citing that his clients were beaten by the Police to confess to the allegations and to also sign a confes-

sion statement. However, Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence.

The men were remanded to prison until March 27, 2018.

Eccles resident denies trying Lodge man wanted to kill man during argument for fraud

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A

12-member jury was on Monday morning empanelled to hear the case of George Dover, who is on trial for attempted murder.

He is accused of stabbing the Virtual Complainant (VC), Kester Yamster about the body during an argument at the Eccles Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on April 10, 2015. He has, however, denied the charges by way of entering pleas of not-guilty.

The State’s indictment was presented by lead Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs, with the first count being attempt to commit murder

while the other was wounding with intent to disfigure, maim, or cause grievous bodily harm. Dover was committed to stand trial in the High Court in April last year and was placed on bail.

The defence team is led

by Attorney George Thomas while Retired Rear Admiral Gary Best and Keisha Persaud are also appearing for the accused. Shawnette Austin and Tiffini Lyken are appearing for the State in association with Prosecutor Gibbs.

Five witnesses, including the VC, are set to testify when the case begins before Justice Navindra Singh this morning.

he Guyana Police Force on Monday issued a wanted bulletin for a 34-year-old man for questioning in connection with obtaining money by false pretence.

Floyd Andrew Primo of Lot 80 D’Urban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, was accused of collecting a large sum of money from Leslie Glen between November 1, 2017 and November 30, 2017.

Persons with information that can lead to the arrest of Primo are asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 226-2870, 229-2655, 229-2289, and

Wanted: Floyd Andrew Primo

911 or at the nearest Police Station. All information, the Police stated, will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

GWI employee slapped with robbery charge

A

20-year-old man on Monday appeared in the Georgetown

Magistrates’ Courts after he was slapped with two charges of robbery with aggravation.

Randy Bowen, of Duncan Street, Kitty, Georgetown, is accused of robbing two persons while in the company of others in the vicinity of Irving Street, Georgetown.

The court heard that on March 16, 2018 at Irving Street, Bowen robbed Jillian Delouse of one black Alcatel cellphone valued $24,000.

Further, it is alleged that also on March 16 at Irving Street, Georgetown, in the company of others, Bowen robbed Royston Beveny of a cellphone worth $21,000.

According to the prosecution’s case, the Virtual Complainants (VCs) were waiting on transportation at Irving Street, Georgetown when Bowen, along with others, approached them and demanded the cellphones.

A report was subsequently made at the Kitty Police Station and the main suspect was identified and arrested. The court heard that a search was carried out on Bowen and one of the phones was found.

Bail was granted by Magistrate Judy Latchman in the sum of $200,000. The case will continue on April 9, 2018.

Blaming the victim…

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…in sugar he arrogance of this Government and its minions knows no bounds. Your Eyewitness still can’t get over the comments made by the PNC-appointed REO of Reg 6 at the event to commemorate the 105th anniversary of 14 workers murdered by the colonial government on behalf of the sugar producers in 1913. She said the 5700 fired sugar workers are too “timid and afraid” to take advantage of the Government’s “diversification” of the sugar industry, and wanted them to know what it took for them to be “enjoying the good life” delivered by the PNC Government!!

Can you believe this? Especially being delivered to folks whose parents were among the 14 killed and scores wounded. And yes, that kind of carnage couldn’t be inflicted by single-shot rifles, but by one of the new “machine guns” that would be used in the upcoming “Great War”. It was like shooting fishes in a tank. And they would have grown up on stories of their parents’ sacrifice, not delivered to them from books, but at the knees of those who lived to tell of the horror.

“Timid and afraid”?? Does this REO know of the grit and determination it takes to wake up even before the cock has crowed to head to the fields to cut their minimum quota of two and a half tons of cane? And then fetching those two and a half tons of cane ON THEIR HEADS to dump in punts after jumping dozens of drains? And to do that six days a week for months?

Does the REO know of the courage it takes to be a cane cutter, knowing before they turn fifty, “their hair will be grey but not with years”? And with broken bodies?

Defining them as “cane harvesters” – as the PNC did in the seventies – suggesting they were gathering cane like flowers, didn’t change anything about lives that were “nasty, short and brutish”.

But what “diversification” is the REO talking about. The PNC Government PROMISED that all right; but where was it delivered? Have they even SUGGESTED grading the fields that are specially adapted for sugar cane to accommodate, say, lentils? How about “aquaculture,” which was also mentioned? Is this another case of waiting till “you GOTTA go”, before you start building latrines? Well, the s***t has hit the fan…but sadly it’s the cane cutters who’re caught in the mess.

“Good life”?? Where?? Your Eyewitness isn’t even confining his question to the sugar belt…pick ANY community outside of the Government’s ministers and favoured insiders and let’s see this “good life”!

This is the kind of contempt that’s developed when a party knows it is assured of being returned to office.

By hook AND by crook!! Mostly by crook. …in green power generation Well, here it was, one citizen wasn’t “timid and afraid” to respond to the new Government’s call for the nation to “Go green”. But, unfortunately, he dared to believe the Government really meant for Guyanese to explore and exploit non-fossil sources for generating energy, and not just painting his Hotel APNU green!! The sad tale unfolded in the eastern end of our dear country (but no “wise men” advised this hotelier!), where the enterprising citizen imported a windmill that could generate 350KVA of electricity.

Being in excess of what he could utilise, he’s frustrated by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and GPL refusal to take off this power from his hands - in Berbice where power shortages and outages are endemic during the day. In so many words, the poor fellow confessed it was like tilting at windmills, and he’s about ready to ship the windmill from whence it came! (India, not Holland!!)

Seems like GPL has informed him that, unlike, say, California, where you can supply ANY amount of excess electricity to the grid (and be credited) in a process called “net metering”, you have to generate at least 1.5MW before GPL will look at you!!

The poor fella would’ve been better served if he’d painted his hotel green!!

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

News

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tuesDAY, march 20, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Major catastrophe Think tank slams Govt for wasting money averted at GPL …questions benefits, transparency of projects …after blazing truck threatened fuel tankers

The truck that was on fire at GPL's power station on Water Street, Kingston

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ire-fighters of the Guyana Fire Service managed to put out a blazing truck on Monday afternoon at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Water Street, Kingston Power Station, averting a major catastrophe.

Reports are that a truck, which was in close proximity to the fuel storage area, burst into flames about 14:30h. A quick response by the Guyana Fire Service saw the blaze being brought under control before contact with the fuel tank, located just metres away. However, some damage was caused to a holding area and other structures within the company’s compound.

When Guyana Times visited the scene, fire-fighters were seen battling the blaze with water and foam, and it was subsequently put out.

Present at the scene was Fire Chief Marlon Gentle, who stated that foam was used because of the different fire hazards present which posed a threat in the confined space.

“Just about 14:30, we got reports of a fire in this vicinity. The units responded and when they got here, there was a truck on fire in heavy fire condition which was almost to the fuel tank,” the Fire Chief said.

He noted that there was also assistance from the fire-fighting resources present at GPL who helped to contain the fire and pre-

vent its spread to the fuel tank, a situation that would have caused devastation.

However, there was some

amount of damage to pipes and a bridge which led to another building that was in close proximity to the burning truck.

“We were able to knock it down and prevent any further damage. So far as we could see, there is some [damage] to the truck which has been totally wiped [out] and also there’s some superficial damage to the pipes and other infrastructure,” Fire Chief Gentle stated.

While the origin of the fire is yet to be determined, assessments are to be made when the areas completely cool down. Gentle explained that investigations would be conducted shortly as to the cause of the fire.

Firefighters at the scene of the fire

noted that there are projects which lack clear compliance with procurement regulations, and a clear benefit to the public. Here they zoomed in on the controversial D’Urban Park project.

According to the report, the project should have been facilitated through a public tender process.

ness on how tax payer funds are actually spent every year.

“The misspending of public funds represents a significant loss to tax payers and the economy. Taxpayers are deprived of the opportunities that these expenditures were intended to create.

The total of almost 41 bil-

Head of the think tank, Economist Dhanraj Singh

T

he Guyana Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI), a think tank of financial professionals who have been analysing successive budgets from the Government, is of the view that funds were so poorly allocated that few will benefit from any trickledown effect.

This is expressed in the group’s report, ‘Guyana; Taxpayers lost almost $1 Billion to Financial waste and abuse at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure over two years’. According to the report, the Public Infrastructure Ministry was flagged for almost $1 billion in financial mismanagement, waste, abuse, and non-compliance with the law.

Described as their first in a series of reports, the group

Mired in controversy: the D’Urban Park Project

“For example, the $409 million spent on the controversial D’Urban Park development project, a project with no clear public benefit, was paid to a special purpose company (Homestretch) Development Inc,” the think- tank cites in its report.

The report also noted that the inefficiency at the Ministry has cost tax payers hundreds of millions of dollars. Yet, they observed, there is little public aware-

lion could pay for a new public road from Georgetown to Mahaica, or retain 500 sugar workers on a monthly salary.”

It noted that the 2018 Budget was presented under the theme “the Journey to the Good Life Continues,” but unfortunately, this is not referring to children, farmers and sugar workers; other low-skilled workers, or low-income families – the biggest losers in the budget.

Turn to page 15

10 NEWS

tuesDAY, march 20, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

World Water Forum

Granger calls for action on protection of Guiana Shield’s water resources

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resident David Granger on Monday issued a call at the opening ceremony of the eighth World Water Forum (WWF) for the introduction of further initiatives to protect freshwater resources, particularly the rivers of the Guiana Shield, which, he said, has an important role to play in ensuring global water security.

The Head of State also outlined a three-point action plan aimed at enhancing a global commitment to continuous attention and unceasing action; to increased collaboration among States, especially neighbours which share the waters of rivers; and to improve conservation of water resources and the protection of the environment everywhere in or-

President David Granger met with a South Korean delegation led by the Prime Minister of South Korea, Lee Nak-yon on the sidelines of the World Water Forum in Brasília

der to maintain the integrity of the earth’s rivers and lakes.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Forum in Brasília, Brazil, President

Granger said, “Guyana calls on this World Water Forum to take action to protect and preserve the Guiana Shield as a vital source of the world’s fresh-

water reserves. At stake is nothing less than humanity itself. Guyana, a small State, is part of the Guiana Shield, an area spread over 2.7 million square kilometres, making it bigger than Greenland. The Shield is a zone, which encompasses parts of Brazil, Colombia and all of French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname and parts of Venezuela. The Shield, described as the “lungs of the Earth” and the “greenhouse of the world” is a global resource because of the environmental services it provides.”

He added that the Guiana Shield was vital to global water security, because it contained 15 per cent of the world’s freshwater resources. The rivers of the Guiana Shield discharge an average of 2792 cubic kilometres of water annually, with one of the highest specific discharge rates for a zone of that size.

However, water quality and

environmental security are exacerbated owing to the adverse effects of climate change such as droughts, flooding, rising sea levels and other extreme weather events.

“The world’s freshwater supplies, unfortunately, are under threat. Water stress is increasing in many parts of the world. Aquifers are depleted faster than they are replenished. The growth of the world’s population will increase demand for water by 55 per cent by the year 2050, placing even further strain on freshwater reserves…. Rivers must be protected from pollution, including that caused by environmental degradation and the discharge of effluent from industry, mining, and agriculture. River pollution impacts adversely on water quality, on health, and the economic and social well-being of citizens,” President Granger is quoted by the Ministry of the Presidency as saying.

The Head of State also explained that protection of the sources of the world’s fresh water was essential to ensuring citizens’ entitlement to water, communities’ access to safe and sanitary water, and countries’ and the continent’s water security.

Meanwhile, in an invited comment, Head of the Department of Environment, Ndibi Schwiers, who is also attending the Forum, informed that World Water Day 2018, which will be observed on March 22 un-

der the theme, “Nature for Water”, will see the launching of the United Nations Decade of Action on Water.

Guyana, she said, must seize the opportunity to develop water management policies under a single coordinating agency. “It is important for us to start looking at developing an integrated water resources management policy, which is going to enable us to, once and for all, be more aware as to how we should manage our water resources. It is going to enable us to put proper policies in place to develop a more integrated approach to water management,” she said.

Schwiers further explained that in developing this integrated approach, it was imperative for Guyana to start looking at an evidence-based system in managing its water resources, noting that while the country may be “the Land of Many Waters”, steps must be taken to put measures in place to protect and conserve its water resources.

The Forum provides a unique platform where the water community and key decision makers can collaborate and make long-term progress on global water challenges.

The President is accompanied by Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, Director General in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ambassador Audrey Waddell and Guyana’s Ambassador to Brazil, George Talbot.

NEWS

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tuesDAY, march 20, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

More efforts required to tackle crime in Guyana – US Ambassador …as Police receive US$20,000 in equipment

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he United States Government, through its embassy in Georgetown, has donated several pieces of electronic equipment to further advance the work of the Guyana Police Force’s Strategic Planning Unit as the Force embarks on reforming the sector.

The US$20,000 donation was made on Monday in the Police Commissioner’s Conference Room at Eve Leary, Georgetown.

Acting Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine, received the donation on behalf of the Force, and said it speaks to the intense collaboration between the United States and British embassies in Guyana. He said that, just

recently, the Guyana Police Force, with the help of UK Security Consultant Russel Combe, embarked on the Security Sector Reform Project to improve various sectors within the Guyana Police Force.

Ramnarine added that the Strategic Planning Unit is particularly responsible for that reform, and the equipment donated is much needed to enhance the image and functionality of the GPF. US Ambassador Perry Holloway said the donation is just another form of assistance given to Government through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative with intention to further increase the capacity of the Guyanese justice sector.

United States Ambassador Perry Holloway making the donation to acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine

He noted that the computer equipment would allow the Strategic Planning Unit to do more of what is

required to do, since strategic planning requires the help of modern technology.

“Since the establishment

of Caribbean Basin Security Initiative in 2010, the United States Government has heavily supported efforts to combat the drug trade and other transnational crimes threatening the region through capacity building, equipment donation, and technical assistance. The specific programme that US Embassy Georgetown administers seeks to strengthen our law enforcement capabilities…,” Holloway noted.

Holloway added that despite recording an 11 per cent decrease in serious crimes, much more effort is required to tackle the issue of crime in Guyana, since one crime is one crime too many. He also noted that sound strategies by policy

makers are what aids in enhancing the effectiveness of the ranks who receive training.

“Through donations like this and others in the future, the US Embassy commits itself to assisting the Government of Guyana’s law enforcement institutions to promote the development of accountable and professional criminal justice system,” he added.

Also present for the handing over was British High Commissioner Greg Quinn, who said the two embassies have been working closely with the Police Force.

The donation includes printers, scanners, a smart television, and other pieces of electronic equipment.

Leaning GPL poles worry WBD residents

The pole that poses a danger to Vriesland, WBD

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earing for their lives and those of their children, residents in two communities, along the West Bank of Demerara (WBD), are concerned over leaning electrical power poles in the area. The residents, who live at Vriesland and La Retraite, told Guyana Times that they have made repeated reports to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. They, however, observed that their complaints were being ignored, and expressed that the prolonged situation was a worrying one, as the power lines could snap at any moment which would cause even more danger.

This publication obtained photographs of the leaning power lines at the section of La Retraite that faces the river where five poles are leaning, with some so low that some residents can nearly reach the wooden supports.

“I don’t want no post fall and me get shock. People here want the post fix, but them ain’t bothering with we,” a mother of one explained.

She added that some time last year when the poles were beginning to lean, a GPL crew came and fixed one. Her contention is that

One of five leaning poles in the waterfront area of La Retraite

they should have rectified the other leaning poles.

Meanwhile, this newspaper also got a photograph of a leaning pole in a yard at Vriesland and residents pointed out that this one has been rotting for a while. It was noted that several houses on a few plots of land are fed from this single pole and according to the occupants, their complaints to GPL were similarly being ignored.

One sugar worker from

the community noted that he and other persons nearby have been making repeated reports to the power company so that it would fix the problem but to no avail. He revealed that the post, which is leaning on the fence of one family’s yard, was reported since November 2017, but the situation remained unchanged. The sugar worker indicated that some time ago, he nailed a board onto the post in an attempt to al-

leviate the situation.

Other residents told Guyana Times that many children have to traverse the track to attend school, and expressed worry that damage, fire or electrocution could occur if the pole snapped causing the wires to be ripped from the houses.

The residents in both Vriesland and La Retraite are hopeful that the power company can rectify the months-old issue.

12 news

tuesDAY, march 20, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 10 officials Contractor, Communities Ministry dispute call for more welfare officers Kitty Market

City Hall’s report on construction

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he Communities Ministry has stated, in relation to concerns raised at a City Council statutory meeting last Monday, that there is no intention of stalling works at the Kitty Market.

This statement came after the issue was raised by Councillor Oscar Clarke, who claimed that he was informed by the contractor that engineers from the Communities Ministry were interfering with progress on the market’s renovation.

“I visited Kitty Market and I met the contractor on the job, and the contractor informed me that his work on the project is being stymied by the engineers from the Ministry of Communities,” Clarke relayed to the City Council meeting.

Councillor Clarke went on to explain, “They told him (contractor) that he had to complete outside before he could start inside. But if a contractor has a job, I don’t know how the contractor can be told not to do work inside when we can do both outside and inside; and if he does that, then he can have the project completed ahead of time.”

However, Contractor Bernard Lord has stated that the construction was never stalled, and halting works was never on the agenda of the meeting with the ministry’s engineers.

During a telephone interview with Guyana Times, Lord was asked about the

The current state of the Kitty Market

request to finish the external work before moving inside, “No, they just wanted to prioritize the outside, to make sure they finish the outside before they finish inside,” the contractor stated.

He elaborated on the reason behind the engineers’ visit, stating, “They just wanted to do an assessment of the outside and the areas that are functional and ready for use now.”

After the issue became publicised, the Communities Ministry also issued a statement, which concurs with the contractor’s story. While highlighting that the first phase of construction is almost completed, the ministry’s public relations department has noted that there is no plan to stop the market’s completion.

The ministry clarified that an engineer attached to their entity met with the team from City Hall to garner their input and discuss the outline of the building; and, as such, a decision had

been taken that after the completion of the first two phases (external stalls and upstairs), any excess funds would be used to start internal works on the ground floor.

“An evaluation will have to be done to determine the cost of the offices upstairs, and the remaining funds will be used to finish off the ground floor,” Head of the Ministry’s Projects Department, Naeem Khan, explained.

“The ministry is basically there to monitor, and does not dictate on the project.

The designs, specifications and configurations are all decided by the council,” he added.

Slow business

Meanwhile, vendors who are still operating within the vicinity of the market are anticipating the reopening of the market. Declaring that they do not have an issue with paying dues, which amount to about $12,000 per

month, the vendors have expressed concerns about the slowing down of business.

“Well, it used to be slow, but when holidays coming, like Christmas and so, it does go and come. We are at the side here, so sometimes people don’t notice us,” one vendor told the Guyana Times.

While testifying that business has dropped significantly, another vendor stated, “They told us maybe in June or July, so let’s hope and pray they stick to their word this time; cause they told us three months we’ll be back there, but we been here for two years and a half.”

The first phase of the construction works on the market is almost complete, with 90 percent of the stalls and 80 percent of the sanitary blocs completed. The construction project is expected to cost some $25 million. This sum includes the construction of 15 external stalls, the sanitary bloc and the administrative office, inclusive of a revenue collection section.

Additionally, the building’s design was made to include the Public Health Department, Clerk of Market, Revenue Collectors, and a concert/conference hall which is expected to serve as rental facilities for community events.

There are also plans to better the facility’s power system by utilizing solar energy and installing a back-up power system in the event of blackouts.

WCD to see permanent sea defence in coming months – NDC Chairman

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he sea defences along the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) which were sent crashing down by massive waves during high tide will soon be permanently fixed in the coming months.

This was announced by Uitvlugt-Tuschen Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairman Vishal Ambedkar, who noted that the area was recently examined during a visit from Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) Chairman Julius Faerber.

Meanwhile, the temporary works along the coastline which were halted owing to a shortage of materials have not been restarted. Minister Patterson has indicated that the proposed works for the seawall structures would be sent to be tendered and this will be materialised in a matter of two weeks.

A section of the sea defence that was temporarily repaired with boulders

“We were told that within two weeks, the works will be going out to tender,” Ambedkar stated.

However, residents will have to wait for about two months before the tender is reviewed and there will be a better understanding

as to the requirements of the permanent structure.

From there onwards, a contractor who is deemed as certified will be selected to complete the rehabilitative works.

Presently, there are efforts to obtain more boul-

ders for the construction of the permanent sea defence structure.

The NDC Chairman also noted that there would be consultations among the villagers of the respective communities while they were waiting for the struc-

…say 2 officers insufficient for 63 schools

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ducation officials in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) have continued calls for additional welfare officers to be placed in the Region, noting that the two officers who are presently assigned are incapable of managing 63 schools, along with two additional institutions.

The calls were mounted at the hosting of this month’s Regional Democratic Council (RDC) meeting, where Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian, Councillors and an Education Department official voiced their opinions on the issue.

District Education Officer (Secondary) Sonia Fraser-Pearce, who was at the time representing the Regional Education official, was asked by the Regional Chairman what she believed was the ideal number of officers needed to properly service Upper DemeraraBerbice. In her response, she noted that there were presently 63 schools (nursery, primary and secondary) across the Region and there should be at least six welfare officers, as she pointed out that the welfare office of the Region was presently “grossly understaffed”.

“Presently, we have just two officers, who are trying their utmost and sometimes, they are stressed to the max...In addition to that, they are required to visit both hospitals and deal with the issues at the hospitals. So, they have approximately 65 institutions to deal with on a daily basis. And so, sometimes, it is really hard on them to get the work done. Sometimes, transportation is not available; sometimes, money is not available, and so they can’t move as they ought to,” Fraser-Pearce said.

According to Morian, there are issues at schools,

which should have already been solved but are still reoccurring. It was highlighted that the two officers were also responsible for schools in outlying areas such as Kimbia, Rockstone, and Kwakwani.

Further, Morian asked what role the Probation Department plays in lending support, to which Fraser-Pearce responded, “not much”. She went on to explain that there was support for truancy campaigns and such, but otherwise, there was no support.

“If they have their programmes to visit schools and do what they have to do that’s it, but to give us that support through the Welfare, no,” she explained.

Councillor Gordon Callender stressed that he would have raised the issue last year, noting that two officers were insufficient. He asked for a letter to be sent to the Social Protection Ministry so that the Welfare Department and the Ministry could work in close collaboration. He further highlighted issues with truancy in Linden, noting that had there been adequate staff this may not have occurred.

tures to be fixed.

“After it goes out to tender, then we’re in a better position to say what type of works. In the meantime, however, we will be having some discussions and meeting with the community, to describe the technical aspects of the works that will be undertaken.” he explained.

Earlier this month, waves from the Atlantic Ocean which were generated during a spring tide battered the seawall along the WCD, resulting in the destruction of four sections and major flooding. Immediately, members of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) were

dispatched to the varying areas, where sandbags were used to temporarily fill the gaps. When the water had receded, the Public Infrastructure Ministry had sent contractors to make temporary repairs by placing boulders along the gaps where sandbags were once used. However, these works were halted last week, and equipment was removed owing to the shortage of the boulders for the completion of the destroyed sections of the seawall.

Meanwhile, there is still no word on the promised compensation for residents who were affected by the floodwaters.

Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian

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tuesDAY, march 20, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyoil halts credit arrangement Govt launches inquiry into David G boat accident with Region 6 Admin

…regional vehicles grounded

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ehicles attached to various Government departments in Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) have been grounded by a lack of fuel.

Region Six Vice Chairman Dennis DeRoop explained that the administration has been recalcitrant in paying for fuel supplied, and the supplier has consequently pulled the plug.

“There is no fuel shortage, but Guyoil has stopped giving (Region 6) now because they have a big outstanding bill. This started to happen last year, and the oil company (stopped supplying) fuel; so all the important work has stopped (because) the engineers cannot go out in the fields…,” De Roop explained.

He, however, noted that Guyoil continues to issue fuel to ambulances attached

Regional Vice Dennis DeRoop

Chairman

a month’s holdover, and is expected to make payments for fuel in a timely manner; but has failed to so do, resulting in the company withholding issuance of fuel.

However, while some departments are made to suffer as a result of what the

are seeing it; at the regional level, we are seeing it; all over, you are seeing the incompetence. They just don’t have the right people to do the job, and residents are suffering because of this,” the Vice Chairman said.

He said this situation evolved last year when the fuel company refused to supply fuel until paid. He noted that January 2018 payment is outstanding; that should have been taken care of in February.

“We have money budgeted, and it is just to do the transaction in a timely manner. I never experienced (this situation) prior to 2015. We had some issues last year, and the ambulances were given fuel even though the bill was not paid. The REO [Regional Executive Officer] sees it fit to focus on other things,

A Guyoil service station

to Government hospitals.

According to DeRoop, the administration has money to purchase fuel from Guyoil, but under the current arrangement, the fuel is supplied and then billed for, before payments are made.

DeRoop explained that the administration is given

vice chairman calls negligence, some Government vehicles have been exempted from that type of treatment.

“We continue to see this negligence from top to bottom, and incompetence of persons put in a position to do a job. At the top level, we

when this is so important,” De Roop declared.

The Vice Chairman noted that the David G buses will also be affected, forcing hundreds of children who depend on the school bus to find alternative ways to get to and from school.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at the swearing-in ceremony with Retired Colonel Windee Algernon

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he Government has launched an investigation into the circumstances which led to the boat accident last Wednesday in the vicinity of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), in which four persons sustained injuries.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon revealed on Monday that a Board of Inquiry (BoI) has commenced after Colonel (Retired) Windee Algernon was sworn in as Chairman.

In brief remarks following the swearing-in of Algernon, Minister Harmon noted that President David Granger had mandated that an inquiry be conducted to probe the circumstances which led to the accident.

“It is required that you will look into the systems that were in place and whether in fact, there had been any breaches of those systems. [You would also] have to look at whether there is a need for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the David G vessels,” he stated.

Colonel Algernon, in her address, has pledged to do her best, noting that inquiries should be conducted so as to prevent the reoccurrence of such incidents in the future.

Reports are the three children injured in the accident – Sheniele Machette, Cleaveloyd Edmonds and Iola Thornhill – are students of the Bartica Secondary

School, who would cross the river to attend school on a daily basis.

However, they were returning home in the David G boat, captained by 21-yearold Kevin Adonis, when some mechanical difficulties were encountered which led to the accident. The four injured persons were airdashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they received treatment and were reported as stable. President Granger had later visited the Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit where he instructed that an investigation be launched into the matter.

Meanwhile, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) Chairman Gordon Bradford had indicated earlier last week that the vessel was inspected by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD).

The Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the inquiry state that the Board is expected to investigate, examine, report and make recommendations on the causes, circumstances and conditions under which the accident took place and to determine whether any systematic or regulatory arrangements contributed to the accident and the extent to which, if at all, the Captain and the crew are liable.

A report is expected to be presented to the Minister of State on March 27, 2018.

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tuesDAY, march 20, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Consultation to review pharmaceutical Draft Green State acts, regulations commences Development Strategy could be approved soon A

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overnment’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) draft framework could be approved in a matter of months.

This will pave the way for a final policy document that will guide the country’s plans for the environment, its eco-system, and how this will tie into the social and economic development here.

Environmental Consultant to Government, Andrew Bishop, made this disclosure at a workshop held by the Environment Department on Monday at Parc Renaye. The focus there was primarily on the RIO Mainstreaming Project, which is aimed at sensitizing media operatives on the Rio conventions.

Bishop told workshop participants that the framework of the GSDS includes key provisions in the energy and forestry sectors that would control emissions. He said, too, that the Climate Resiliency and Strategy Action Plan is still being reviewed, to ensure it is aligned with national plans.

The former Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) also told media practitioners that Guyana’s reporting obligations to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNCCC) in the forestry sector, inventory of greenhouse gases, is ongoing.

Bishop said the ultimate goal is to mainstream the conventions with national processes, starting with a National Forest Plan, since it cross-cuts all the conventions.

S t a k e h o l d e r Management Coordinator of the Department of Environment, Aretha Forde, in her remarks, stressed the importance of the GSDS to the national development trajectory.

“It (GSDS) is intended to help Guyana achieve a green economy. So the green economy is the destination and the GSDS is how we will get there,” she told media professionals.

It was noted that there are public misconceptions about the strategy.

However, it was also noted that Guyana currently has a GSDS framework document.

Regional consultations will help to guide the formulation of a sound policy, but not without the input of citizens and other stakeholders.

Patsy Ross, a Multilateral Environmental Agreements Specialist with over 20 years’ experience, was one of the presenters at the workshop. She spoke about issues relating to the UNCBD.

frastructure, human health and well-being and governance.

The three conventions are: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), ratified August 29, 1994, the focal point agency of which is the Office of Climate Change (OCC); the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), ratified on the same date, the focal point agency of which is the Environmental Protection

Participants of the Department of Environment (DOE) and the United Nations Development Programme/Global Environmental Facility (UNDP/GEF) workshop for media workers

She said lands are being degraded globally, and the estimated economic cost is now billions of dollars each year. Based on this, it is estimated that there will be a demand for energy, food, water and other things by 2030.

“What is so important about the land? Land degradation affects fibre, fuel, nutrients cycling, carbon sync, regulating climate services, recreation, and eco-tourism among others,” Ross told the workshop.

The environmental specialist said deforestation in mining and agriculture are drivers of land degradation in Guyana; therefore, there is a need for these plans to align to livelihoods and sustainable development.

“There is also a reporting requirement on what has been done to address land degradation,” she added. Guyana is reportedly one of the first countries to volunteer to establish a programme to address this issue.

The GSDS comprises seven thematic areas, such as: sustainable management of the environment, renewable energy, resilient in-

Agency (EPA); and the United Nations Conventions to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which was ratified on June 26, 1997, the focal point agency of which is the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC).

As a means of getting the local press corps to cover more environmental issues, the workshop was hosted on Monday by the Department of Environment (DoE) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme/ Global Environmental Facility (UNDP/GEF).

The aim of the workshop was to improve public awareness on issues relating to the environment, especially in the area of climate change, land degradation, and water preservation, among others.

It also focused on increasing awareness and understanding of the Rio Conventions on climate change.

The workshop formed part of an implementing project titled, “Strengthening technical capacities to mainstream and monitor Rio Convention implementation through policy coordination.”

they all exceeded the prescribed limit for consumption of alcoholic substances. The first-time offenders were each fined $7500 and had their driver’s licence endorsed.

Ganesh, who operated motor car PNN 649, was stopped on March 11, 2018, and his breath alcohol level measured 121 micrograms.

Persaud, a hire car operator, had a reading of 92 mi-

crograms while driving HC 4047 when he was stopped and tested on March 9, 2018. Mohamed, who was driving PRR 2510, was also stopped on that date and his breath alcohol level measured 55 micrograms.

Presiding Magistrate Rushell Liverpool informed the traffic offenders that a default in payment of the fine would result in one week’s imprisonment.

consultation workshop began on Monday at Parc Rayne, Rahaman’s Park to review and discuss recommendations for the pharmaceutical acts and regulations in Guyana.

Present at the meeting were the Public Health Ministry’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud; Director of Pharmacies O’Neil Atkins, and representatives from the Pan-American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

In opening remarks, CMO Persaud indicated that while the existing legislation for the management of pharmaceuticals and other drugs could be viewed as effective, “there is a need for stricter enforcement”.

“We have quite a lot of very appropriate legislations; most of the time, it’s the enforcement that is lacking and sometimes we rush to say we need more, we need another law, but sometimes we don’t. What we need to do, is strengthen those existing bits of legislation,” Dr Persaud is quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying.

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While the stakeholders agreed that the review would eventually facilitate affordable and timely access to drugs and medical supplies while the law is maintained, the PAHO/WHO body pledged its continuous support in the upholding of these regulations.

PAHO/WHO’s Health System and Services Advisor in Guyana, Paul Edwards noted, “We know that the Government of Guyana is committed, along with the partnership of PAHO, to improve the timeliness, accessibility and adequacy of the supply of essential quality, safe, cost-effective, scientifically sound drugs and medical products to the health facilities in all regions.”

The Advisor also pointed out that the consultations will also address the fact that more has to be done in order for all health systems to deliver on the full range of essential drugs and other medical products required to treat NonCommunicable Diseases and other life-threatening health conditions.

The acts and regulations which will be under review are the Food and Drug Act and Regulations, the Antibiotic Act and Regulations, the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances Act and Regulations, the Pharmacy Practitioners Act, and the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance.

Adolescent Health Document

Public Health, PAHO officials meet with First Lady

First Lady Sandra Granger poses with representatives from the Public Health Ministry and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). From left: Dr Travis Freeman, Dr Janice Woolford, Cilandell Glen, Dr Beryl Irons, and PAHO Representative in Guyana, Dr William Adu-Krow

Drivers fined $7500 after F admitting to DUI

onald Ganesh, Janeshwar Persaud and Arif Mohamed were all fined for driving while under the influence of alcohol when they made a recent appearance at the Wales Magistrate’s Court.

They all admitted that when Police stopped them individually on the La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD) Public Road at various times,

Some of the stakeholders at the review of pharmaceutical acts and regulations consultation

irst Lady Sandra Granger, for her noteworthy work with youth in Guyana, was paid a courtesy call by representatives of the Public Health Ministry and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to discuss the Ministry’s Adolescent Health Strategy Document, which is currently in development. The meeting took place at the Office of the First Lady at State House, Georgetown.

Public Health Ministry Sexual Reproductive Health Coordinator at the Adolescent Health Unit, Cilandell Glen said that the First Lady’s far-reach-

ing work with youth across Guyana made her an ideal candidate for consultation. “It was important to get our First Lady on board in the development of this document because it’s … not only guiding our young people in Region Four [Demerara-Mahaica], but it’s guiding our adolescents, our young people, throughout Guyana and as a First Lady she could actually have significant influence on the implementation of our document and ensure that it reaches the wide cross-section of Guyana,” she is quoted by the Ministry of the Presidency as saying.

The Adolescent Health Strategy Document is being developed with support from UNICEF; the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and PAHO and will focus on reducing teen pregnancies, while boosting reproductive and mental health. Public Health Ministry Adolescent Health Services Officer, Dr Travis Freeman; PAHO Consultant for Strategy Development, Dr Beryl Irons; Specialist in Children, Adolescent and Women’s Health, Dr Janice Woolford, and PAHO Representative in Guyana, Dr William Adu-Krow also attended the meeting.

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tuesDAY, march 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

ICAO conference 2018

Trade between Caribbean and Africa top on agenda – official

ICAO Chief Economic Regulatory Framework official, Peter Alawani

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s Guyana prepares to host the 2018 International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Transport Conference later this year, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Government hosted on Monday a media launch wherein it was discussed that high on the agenda is the possibility of improving trade in the air transport sector between the Caribbean and African countries, through Guyana.

Representing the ICAO was Chief Economic Regulatory Framework official Peter Alawani, who told the media launch that the decision to host the conference in Guyana was not only based on the organization’s plan to support Guyana, but to place Guyana on a world map, and to see how it can further support and develop the area of air transport in the Caribbean, especially in small-island developing

states (SIDS).

“And this was the main purpose for which this event is being brought to this great country. ICAO, on its part, will support all the technical aspects of the event, and will ensure that the outcome is implemented not just in support of air transport in Guyana, but in the entire Caribbean,” Alawani stated.

But, importantly also for the ICAO, is to use this conference to assist in facilitating the existing framework between the African Union and the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

“This is the principal theme why this event is coming to Guyana,” the ICAO official further explained. He noted that it will help to not only enhance trade between the two regions, but could help to boost tourism and other areas of interest.

“Once a state is able to build human capacity, (it) can excel in other areas. In order to attract financing, you need the human resource that is capable enough to understand the complexity of private financing of such projects. ICAO is now backing more states to help them develop those capacities,” Alawani said as he referred to the need for more to be done to form partnerships to enhance infrastructure in aviation.

Director-General of the GCAA, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Egbert Field, was asked whether the conference would manage to get that type of engagement from participants. He responded in the affirmative,

GCAA Director-General, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Egbert Field, addressing the media launch of the conference

explaining that the Atkinson Field which was built in 1941 facilitated the transport of goods from the United States to the African region during the war. He recalled that Guyana’s bauxite was also sold through this hub, where the Americans landed frequently.

“If it had that connectivity during the war, why not during the peace time.

We are now moving into the commercial era, where commercial operators can utilize that route for the connectivity. There is a large (African) diaspora in Guyana, the Caribbean and South America. Why can’t Guyana continue or recommence what was started during the war? It is the perfect hub. I think we can not only benefit tremendously from that, but the entire region will be able to benefit from that connectivity,” he opined.

Field told the audience that the agenda for the conference, which will be hosted from November 19-23, 2018 and organized jointly by the ICAO, CARICOM, African Union and United Nations

GAM to conduct community building work through municipalities

“P

eople need to understand that Local Government is all about them getting involved and taking ownership of local governance.

This is what we have been fighting for years,” outgoing Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland noted.

Holland explained that come April, more of his focus would be on the Guyana Association of Municipalities (GAM). The body, which was reactivated in May 2017 after a 12-year hiatus, comes under the purview of the Communities Ministry.

Holland was elected GAM President last May and has since been advocating for the various municipalities to have one voice.

The sum of $10 million has been allocated for this organisation’s 2018 national budget. Holland told the Department of Public Information (DPI) with Local Government Elections slated to be held this year, GAM planned to work with the various municipalities, regional and neighbourhood officials to raise awareness on the importance of being involved in the elections.

“Power belongs to the people and that is only pos-

GAM President Carwyn Holland

sible if they get involved.

Hence, GAM will be working with the locally elected officials to inform citizens. If we want decentralisation, we have to work like that, otherwise we would contradict what we are asking of people,” Holland pointed out.

The outgoing Mayor believes that through the system of local governance, national development will be further advanced, since it allows for “the business of the people …from bottom up… people making decisions, to help the process.”

Holland further pointed out that this year, Guyana would be once again participating in the Commonwealth

Local Government Forum (CLGF). Following a hiatus, the country rejoined the forum last year in Valletta, Malta. That conference examined strategies for boosting Local Government’s resource base and capacity to improve performance, governance, and service delivery.

Among the GAMfacilitated projects to be executed this year are the hosting of an international business summit, municipal exchange visits, the creation of municipal corporations, a green farm project, annual fundraisers, and the establishment of an office.

The body has been conducting outreaches countrywide and will be carrying out more visits in the coming months, Holland explained.

The role of GAM and Local Government can be seen as an important platform in the economic boom, with the potential to unlock resources and create economic opportunities at the local level. GAM has a crucial role to play in strengthening municipal governance and management structures for national development.

World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), will be packed, and will look at critical issues affecting the industry.

Discussions will also surround creating deeper investment in aviation, harmonization and the economic benefit of aviation, and the liberalization of air cargo and other travels.

The conference will also deal with stimulating investment in financing the aviation infrastructure, creating a heliport in Guyana,

promoting air links between African states and diaspora in the Caribbean.

Invitation for this conference will be opened to all 192 member states of ICAO. GCAA said it anticipates that approximately 120 states will be in attendance, which translates to more than 400 delegates.

And President of the ICAO Council, Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, is expected to be in attendance.

Christianburg Primary School, Wismar Market to be upgraded

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The current state of the Christianburg Primary School

ommunities Minister Ronald Bulkan has committed to ensuring the long-awaited rehabilitation of the Christianburg Primary School is executed in a timely manner.

This follows an assessment visit by the Minister to the currently unoccupied facility on Saturday.

For a number of years, members of the ParentTeachers Association (PTA) of the school have decried its deplorable condition, which they say pose a threat to the safety of both the students and teachers. According to the PTA, numerous letters and complaints were made to the previous Administration concerning repairs to the

school, but those efforts proved futile.

“We have learnt from residents of the inconvenience it (the school) poses, because their children must travel a few miles to St Aidan’s Primary School.

So, it has been recognised as a priority for the Regional Administration – this rehabilitation of the Primary School and I’ve committed to looking into that issue and addressing it,” the Minister told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Minister Bulkan also visited the Wismar Municipal Market which has undergone repairs to the roof, including the installation of translucent sheets.

Think tank slams...

“At a time when 50 per cent of children and 40 per cent of adults are living in poverty, budget 2018 represents a missed opportunity for the Government to reduce poverty and give struggling families a chance at success,” it stated.

It also noted that while the budget included additional funding for education, and set aside some funding for affordable housing, these allocations are too insignificant to meaningfully impact the livelihood of families struggling to make ends meet.

According to the group’s website, the think- tank was founded last year by Economist and Executive Director Dhanraj Singh, a former Lecturer at the University of Guyana. Its Chief Financial Officer is Boamattie Singh, who holds a Masters in Accounting from the College of Saint Rose in New York. Also on board the think- tank is Susan Botros, a Policy Analyst.

Last year, the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

Chairman, Irfaan Ali, had requested further probing be done by the Auditor General into specific projects. Among those projects was the D’Urban Park Project, for which the AG, in his 2015 report, listed some $36.5 million in Lotto funds being used for rehabilitative works.

Ali had stated that these requests were in relation to follow-ups from the findings that had been included in the AG’s 2015 Report. In his 2015 Report, the Auditor General had said that following checks on the accounts, it was found that while Government transferred $1 billion of the Lotto money to the Consolidated Fund in 2015, it held onto just over half a billion dollars to remain under the control of the Ministry of the Presidency, and it spent $305 million on various activities.

But the audit into the D’Urban Park project has previously been hindered by a lack of access to pertinent information, with the Audit

He explained that efforts to further improve the facility are on the cards. “There’s a request for some additional support on the roof,” the Minister explained, adding that “in the period of heavy rainfall, there are some leaks, so the engineer will look into that issue to see what assistance and how immediate it can be offered, to address that particular problem.”

According to Minister Bulkan, there is also a request that a second floor be installed in the facility “to allow for other vending activities, like fast food booths.

That will also be looked into by the Ministry.”

From page 9

Office being forced to write to the Public Infrastructure Ministry requesting documents.

This was revealed by Auditor General Deodat Sharma, who spoke to the media after handing over his 2016 report.

According to Sharma, he wrote to the Ministry requesting information on Homestretch Development Inc. Notwithstanding the trouble to access information, however, Sharma had stated that the audit was still ongoing.

In January, Sharma subsequently stated in sections of the media that records from the company are yet to be provided, and that when a request was made to the Permanent Secretary of the Public Infrastructure Ministry, he had pleaded ignorance.

In the report, Sharma had related that while he intended to write to the company, he would wrap up his audit by year end, with or without the documents.

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tuesDAY, march 20, 2018

Regional

Colombia proposes IMF assistance Venezuela arrests exfor Venezuelan refugees oil refining boss for alleged graft – sources

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olombia proposed on Monday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) provide assistance to help several hundred thousand Venezuelan refugees who have fled an economic and political crisis to neighbouring countries, officials at the G20 summit said.

The proposal was discussed at a meeting on Venezuela by leading Finance Ministers from the Western Hemisphere, the European Union and Japan, including US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

“The consensus is that the situation is extremely negative and we must by any means possible try to influence a solution to the problem and a change in Venezuela’s situation, mainly from the humanitarian point of view,” Brazilian Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles told reporters.

The fund, to be decided by the IMF next month, would only be used outside

Venezuela is undergoing a major economic crisis, with millions suffering food and medicine shortages

Venezuela and not by socialist President Nicolás Maduro’s “regime,” he said.

More than 500,000 Venezuelans have crossed into Colombia and 40,000 have left for Brazil as an economic meltdown worsened and opposition hopes of fair elections faded.

There were an estimated 886,000 Venezuelan migrants in South America in

2017, up from around 89,000 in 2015, the International Organisation for Migration said in February.

An IMF spokesperson said of the proposal: “We look forward to subsequent discussions in which we would be involved.”

Secretary Mnuchin offered to host a follow-up meeting of the Finance Ministers on the margins of

the World Bank/IMF Spring meeting in Washington, in April, a Treasury spokesperson said.

“The focus was on coordinating economic measures to achieve democratic political objectives in Venezuela, addressing the economic and humanitarian tragedy, and constructive responses once Venezuela allows free, fair and regular elections,” he said.

The countries concerned with the Venezuelan situation also discussed sanctions and debt repayment as ways to encourage a solution to the crisis, Meirelles said.

Venezuela is undergoing a major economic crisis, with millions suffering food and medicine shortages, and Maduro’s Government is late in paying about US$1.9 billion in interest on its debt.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Monday barred US firms and citizens from dealing in Venezuela’s new cryptocurrency. (Excerpt from

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to name the date for the poll when the Parliament was dissolved earlier this month.

He told supporters that there have been several discussions regarding the date for the election that must be held within 90 days following the dissolution of Parliament and criticised the main Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) of telling the electorate that it has the answers to the socio-economic problems facing Barbados.

“Parliament stood dissolved from earlier this month…and there has been a lot of chatter coming out of the Barbados Labour Party over the fact that no election date has yet been announced. As I said last Sunday…an election date is going to be announced and as I said in 2013, I don’t know what all the hurry is about and Election Day is going to come, that election is going to be fought and it is going to be won,” he told

supporters.

“Nobody understood what I was saying at the time. I am saying it again tonight, the date is going to come. The election is going to be fought and it is going to be won and I hope that when those who are calling for it end up gnashing their teeth that they would not hold me responsible for it,” he said, adding “those who do not have teeth can gnash gums”.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Union leaders condemn Antiguan PM’s action

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rade union leaders have used some strong adjectives to describe the actions of Prime Minister Gaston Browne at an Antigua Barbuda Public Service Association (ABPSA) meeting on Friday.

The ABPSA called an emergency meeting at the Botanical Gardens to consult with its members over what action should be taken to resolve outstanding back pay.

Established workers came off the job to attend the meeting; however, they were also joined by Browne and Social Transformation Minister

Samantha Marshall, who both showed up uninvited.

The issue was discussed at length during the Big Issues programme on Sunday, with union leaders accusing the Prime Minister of allegedly “intimidating public servants”.

Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU) General Secretary David Massiah described the PM’s intervention as, “unfortunate, dictatorial, bombastic.

When I looked at the memo that was circulated by the public servant’s general secretary. It is more or less to

Prime Minister Gaston Browne (file photo)

garner their memberships’ input as to what would happen”.

Massiah added that the ABPSA erred by allowing

the last few months for alleged graft in oil-rich but crisis-wrought Venezuela, including former Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino and former PDVSA President Nelson Martinez.

PDVSA and the Information Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Luongo. (Reuters)

Latin America and the Caribbean edging towards eliminating tuberculosis

Reuters)

Barbados PM keeps electorate guessing but warns ruling party is now awake arbados Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart has likened his ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP) to a “sleeping giant (that is) dangerous when awaken” as he continued to keep the electorate guessing as to the date for the next General Election in Barbados.

Addressing the opening of a DLP office in the St Peter constituency office on Sunday night, Stuart again referred to his decision not

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enezuela has arrested the former refining boss of State oil company PDVSA for alleged corruption, two sources in the north-western coastal city of Punto Fijo with knowledge of the detention told Reuters on Monday.

Jesus Luongo joins a list of dozens of oil managers who have been arrested over

their “unwanted guest” to address the workers at the gathering.

“If I did not invite you to the meeting you could not speak in that way against me and still hold my mic. I was the one who brought my mic, so I will take it from you, whether you are the Prime Minister or not.

“You [PM Browne] did not come to their meeting behaving as the Prime Minister, because you dissolved Parliament, so as far as I am concerned, you are not the Prime Minister,” Massiah declared. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

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Tuberculosis is the world’s top infectious killer (Photo Credit: UN)

uberculosis is an ancient disease. Results from a 2014 DNA study of remains in southern Peru suggest that human TB was present 6000 years ago. This chronic familiarity of the disease no doubt makes it more difficult to generate the attention required to eradicate it from the human experience.

Observed as World TB Day each year, March 24 is the annual opportunity for advocates and interest groups to build public awareness about the disease, which killed 1.7 million people in 2017 and sickened more than 10 million.

The date marks the anniversary of the announcement in 1882 by Robert Koch, a German physician and microbiologist, that he had discovered the cause of TB: the tubercle bacillus.

Koch’s work was seminal in the treatment of TB—also known as the white plague— which was devastating populations in Europe and the Americas at the time.

Last year, WHO announced United Nations High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) on TB on September 26, alongside

the 2018 General Assembly.

The meeting is expected to build on the outcomes of the 2017 Moscow Ministerial Conference and commit to providing the resource and policy framework needed to end TB. Anyone can catch TB, which is spread when an infected and untreated person coughs, spits or sneezes.

However, it is still mostly spread in conditions of poverty and therefore more prevalent among populations in the global south.

In the LAC region, eight of 33 countries made the list in 2016: Haiti with 194 cases per 100,000 followed by Peru with 119; Guyana, 93; Dominican Republic, 60; Ecuador, 52; El Salvador, 43; Honduras, 43; and Brazil and Paraguay with 41 each.

While the incidence is far less than in parts of Africa and Asia, the disease remains a problem, correlated with conditions of poverty and particularly among Indigenous populations and people living with HIV. However, Latin America and the Caribbean is edging towards eliminating the disease. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Retired jurist sworn in as T&T’s 1st female Head of State

R

etired jurist Paula-Mae Weekes was sworn in Monday as Trinidad and Tobago's first female Head of State and called on citizens not to allow her ”to walk alone” as she sought a new light for the country during her term in office.

Soon after she was sworn into office by Chief Justice Ivor Archie, the retired former Court of Appeal Judge

said it “falls to each president to define his or her own role” in the absence of a constitutional guidance.

Weekes, 59, also indicated that she wanted to be known as a “humble first servant with a mandate to render service with enthusiasm” and was assuming office aware of the ills facing the country.

She told the audience that included outgoing President

Newly inaugurated President Paula-Mae Weekes

Anthony Carmona and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley at the open air ceremony at the Queen's Park Savannah on the outskirts of the capital, that she herself been witness to some of those ills, including the theft of her vehicles and having to wait long periods with family members for health care.

In addition, she also made it clear that she was aware of the troubles being experienced

on the sea bridge between the Trinidad and Tobago.

But the sixth President of Trinidad and Tobago since the island attained its republican status in 1976, told the audience that she never allowed such obstacles to prevent her from moving forward and as a result was counting on the entire country to shine a light that would pave the way for a better future. (Excerpt from CMC)

tuesDAY, march 20, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Uber halts self-driving Putin ready for “constructive” dialogue car tests after death R U ber said it is suspending self-driving car tests in all North American cities after a fatal accident.

A 49-year-old woman was hit by a car and killed as she crossed the street in Tempe, Arizona.

While self-driving cars have been involved in multiple accidents, it is thought to be the first time an autonomous car has been involved in a fatal collision.

Uber chief Dara Khosrowshahi said the death was "incredibly sad news".

"We're thinking of the victim's family as we work with local law enforcement to understand what happened," he said in a tweet.

Police said the accident happened Sunday night

The US is working on national safety guidelines for such vehicles

while the car was in autonomous mode. A human monitor was also behind the wheel.

Police said the woman, Elaine Herzberg, had not been using a pedestrian crossing. She was taken to a local hospital, where she died.

The US National

Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board said they were sending teams to Tempe.

Companies including Ford, General Motors, Tesla and Waymo are investing heavily in research to develop self-driving cars, which are often characterised as

the future of the industry and hailed as a way to reduce traffic accidents.

UK plans 200-mile 'country roads' driverless trial Many states across America have welcomed the tests in the hope of keeping themselves at the forefront of new technology.

However, there have been warnings that the technology is being deployed before it is ready.

Anthony Foxx, who served as US Secretary of Transportation under former President Barack Obama, called the accident a "wake up call to the entire [autonomous vehicle] industry and Government to put a high priority on safety".

The US is working on national safety guidelines for such vehicles. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Facebook shares slide amid privacy backlash

F

acebook's shares have fallen sharply as it faces questions from American and British politicians about its privacy rules.

The social network is under fire after reports on how Cambridge Analytica, which some believe helped Donald Trump win the US election, acquired and used

Facebook's customer information.

British Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman called the allegations "very concerning".

The UK's data protection authority is seeking a warrant to search Cambridge Analytica's London offices.

Facebook shares ended

trading 6.7 per cent lower at US$172.56, wiping some US$35 billion off the social network's market value.

The company is accused of failing to properly inform users that their profile information may have been obtained and kept by Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm.

The Information Commissioner's Office has confirmed it will be seeking a warrant to search Cambridge Analytica's offices today.

On Friday, Facebook suspended the consulting firm, saying it had acquired data from a researcher who violated the firm's policies.

ussian President Vladimir Putin has said he is open to "constructive" dialogue with other States after being re-elected President of Russia with an increased majority.

Saying there would be no "arms race", he promised to cut defence spending.

Congratulating him, German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for "sustainable solutions" to international challenges without specifying which ones.

However, French President Emmanuel Macron raised the poisoning of an ex-spy in Britain with him.

Putin officially won more than 76 per cent of the vote in an election from which the main Opposition Leader was barred.

Putin was warmly congratulated by Chinese President Xi Jinping, but his strained relations with Western States were clear in Macron's response.

In his phone call, the

French leader asked for the Russian authorities to "shed all possible light on who was responsible in relation to the Salisbury attacks".

The United Kingdom Government has blamed Russia for the poisoning in Salisbury of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia – an allegation Russia rejects.

In his conversation with Macron, Putin described the nerve agent allegation as "unsubstantiated" and said Russia was willing to hold a joint investigation, the Kremlin said.

White House spokesman Hogan Gidley told reporters on Air Force One that no congratulatory phone call was scheduled with President Donald Trump, according to Reuters news agency.

The head of Putin's campaign team, Andrei Kondrashov, suggested that the "groundless" British accusations had encouraged voters to rally around the President. (Excerpt from BBC News)

On eve of Trump-Saudi meeting, Riyadh calls Iran nuclear deal flawed

(Excerpt from BBC News)

“Sex and the City” star Pakistan ISI: Doctors Cynthia Nixon to run protest against spy for NY Governor

agency over beating

A

S

Cynthia Nixon is a lifelong New Yorker

ex and the City star Cynthia Nixon has announced she is launching a bid for New York Governor.

Nixon, who played Miranda Hobbs on the HBO series, plans to challenge incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo for the Democratic party nomination.

The actress announced her plans to challenge the incumbent Governor on Twitter on Monday.

The 51-year-old liberal activist, who had long been tipped to run, has never held elected office.

Nixon played a career-oriented lawyer from 1998-2004 on television show “Sex and the City”. She won an Emmy for her work in 2004.

It was presented to her by

another television celebrity – Donald Trump, whose presidency she has recently railed against. (Excerpt from BBC News)

uthorities in Pakistan's Bajaur tribal region have promised action against military personnel who detained and beat a doctor, sparking protests.

Medics went on strike and the military was criticised after Dr Abdul Hameed was held for several hours on Saturday.

Protesters accused the army and its Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency of "state hooliganism".

Campaigners say tens of thousands of tribal residents have been killed or disap-

peared during years of conflict.

Doctors in Bajaur called off their strike on Monday after the military made concessions. Protesters had threatened to extend it to other parts of the country.

The concessions include exempting doctors from being stopped at military checkpoints in tribal areas.

The army authorities also promised to curb the number of soldiers allowed to seek medical treatment at civilian hospitals, a constant source of complaint from locals. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman arrives at Lambeth Palace, London, Britain, March 8, 2018

S

audi Arabia called the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers a “flawed agreement” on Monday, on the eve of a meeting between the Saudi Crown Prince and US President Donald Trump who have both been highly critical of Iran.

“Our view of the nuclear deal is that it’s a flawed

India needs to grow faster than is expected – former Central Bank Governor

A

fter several headwinds over the past year, India is now back on track for growth of up to eight per cent per year, former IMF Chief Economist Raghuram Rajan said Monday.

But India, the third-largest economy in Asia, "needs stronger growth than that", noted Rajan, who was also the country's former Central Bank Governor.

"Without doing anything extraordinary, India

India is the third-largest economy in Asia

should be running at 7.5 to 8 per cent real GDP growth a year," he said at

the Credit Suisse Asian Investment Conference in Hong Kong.

"(But) India needs stronger growth than that. It needs to get to the Chinese level, the 10 per cent that China had in the early 2000s," added Rajan, who's now a finance professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

That's because there are 12 million people joining India's workforce every year and the country needs to produce enough jobs – good ones – for them, Rajan said. (Excerpt

from CNBC)

agreement,” Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told reporters in Washington.

The meeting between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Trump comes at a time when Riyadh and Washington have been strengthening their relationship after tensions under the previous US Administration, in part over Iran.

Jubeir called out Iran for what Riyadh has long slammed as Tehran’s destabilising behaviour in the region.

“We’ve called for tougher policies towards Iran for years,” Jubeir said.

“We’re looking at ways in which we can push back against Iran’s nefarious activities in the region,” Jubeir said, lambasting Tehran’s support for the Houthi militia in Yemen and support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

Iran denies interference in the region’s affairs. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TuesDAY, March 20, 2018

ARCHIE

Use charm, not bluster, to get what you want. If (March 21you try to manipulate a sitApril 19) uation, someone will push back. Being friendly and open-minded will encourage others to try things your way.

ARIES

Put your emotional enerTAURUS gy to work. Share your plans (April 20- in order to drum up interest May 20) and hands-on help. A physical challenge should be met with ingenuity as well as brute force.

dilbert

Take care of your personGEMINI (May 21- al finances and anyone else’s June 20) that you are in charge of.

Staying ahead of your deadlines will help you avoid complaints and interference.

A partnership will help you find your footing. Whether in (June 21- your personal or professional July 22) life, having someone to share the ups and downs will bring out the best in you.

CANCER

Peanuts

Be careful how you han-

LEO dle emotional issues, especial(July 23- ly if dealing with a co-worker.

Aug. 22) Don’t publicize your intentions or opinion. Work on personal growth instead of trying to change someone else.

Calvin and Hobbes

You’ll pick up valuable VIRGO insight and information (Aug. 23through using your skills to Sept. 22) bring about change. What you offer others will lead to an interesting proposal.

The voice of reason will LIBRA (Sept. 23- haunt you if you don’t make Oct. 23) overdue lifestyle changes.

Lower your overhead if possible, and discuss changes that need to be made openly.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — TORTILLA

SUDOKU

Try putting more effort SAGITTARIUS into helping address the (Nov. 23challenges that youngsters Dec. 21) or seniors in your life are facing. Settling other people’s affairs will be rewarding.

(TORTILLA: tor-TEE-yuh: A thin, flat pancake of unleavened bread.)

Average mark 29 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 41 or more words in TORTILLA? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — EXCLUSIVE else elusive elves evil excel excise excuse exile clevis clue

lees levies lexis lice lieu live lues luxe sieve silex

slice slue sluice ilex isle veil vexes vice vile vise

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

Make a point to nurture SCORPIO an important partnership.

(Oct. 24Having discussions to make Nov. 22) sure you share the same concerns with co-workers and/or family members will help you avoid setbacks.

solution for Puzzle

Stick close to home to get CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- the most done. Avoid travelJan. 19) ing, or dealing with relatives or anyone who might take advantage of you. Aim to stabilize your life to prevent chaos from taking over.

Do the groundwork and

AQUARIUS don’t share what you are do(Jan. 20- ing with anyone until you Feb. 19) have had time to master what

you are trying to accomplish.

Personal change and inner growth are encouraged.

Stay poised and be ready PISCES (Feb. 20- to take advantage of whatevMarch 20) er comes your way. Be energetic and enthusiastic to ensure that you get as much accomplished as possible.

tuesDAY, march 20, 2018

Windies players being offered US$25,000 to tour Pakistan C

19

CWI CEO Johnny Grave

ricket West Indies (CWI) is offering its contracted and non-contracted players major pay hikes as an incentive to play the series of three T20 internationals in Pakistan next month.

West Indies will announce a 13-man touring squad to tour Pakistan when the ongoing World Cup Qualifier concludes.

CWI did not confirm or deny the amount but it is being suggested that the touring squad are being offered around US$25,000 each for the three matches in Karachi on April 1, 2 and 3.

Depending on the contract status of players, that means they will be getting anywhere between 70% more and double what they would ordinarily be paid. Under the new CWI contracts announced in January, many of non-contracted T20 specialists got a raise of US$1725 to US$5000 per game, along with double match fees for all three formats.

Though CWI will be paying the players, the money for that to happen has come from a payment made by the PCB to CWI for this series - as it is outside the Future Tours Programme (FTP) as it stands. According to a PCB official, that payment to a touring side by the host

board is standard for nonFTP series and one the PCB benefited from in a 2013 ODI tour to South Africa.

is outside the Future Tours Programme, the PCB have made a payment to CWI that is being fully utilised.

any international team to Pakistan since 2009.

Foreign players were also offered extra money on

Big bucks are being offered for the Windies stars to tour Pakistan in April

"Pakistan are looking to play more cricket at home, by playing half of the PSL in Pakistan next year and a number of matches in upcoming bilateral series under the current FTP," CWI CEO Johnny Grave told ESPNcricinfo.

"However what they can't continue to do is pay international players additional fees to tour Pakistan or PSL. "So, considering this tour

CWI isn't making any money from the series, just supporting cricket going back to Pakistan."

The issue of paying players extra to tour Pakistan, which hasn't hosted regular international cricket since the March 2009 terror attacks on the Sri Lanka team, is a delicate one for the PCB. They paid Zimbabwe's players US$12,500 each for a tour in 2015, the first by

top of their contracts to play in the PSL final in Lahore last year. The players that toured Lahore as part of a World XI last September were also paid by the PCB. It is an extra cost the board could easily do without but, because the aim is to bring back cricket to Pakistan, it is seen as a long-term investment. The PCB gradually wants to end the practice - no extra mon-

ey was paid to Sri Lanka when they played a single T20 in Lahore last year, although it was a heavily depleted squad that came.

Grave did confirm that the boards have a separate agreement to play T20 matches in USA and Canada. According to an ESPNcricinfo source, CWI has reserved dates at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida for the weekend of August 4-5 to play a pair of T20Is. This is the last weekend ahead of the start of the Caribbean Premier League, for which all West Indian players were announced to be available from August 8-September 16 since it does not clash with any FTP requirements.

"As a trade off for this, we have their agreement to play regular T20 games in USA or Canada outside of the FTP to try and build interest in cricket in our timezone," Grave said. "We [CWI] have been very up front with players and told them all money we are getting for this series they will be getting."

It is unclear which members of the current squad in Zimbabwe will tour Pakistan, however.

According to sources close to players none of five of the Bravo brothers, Kieron

Pollard, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell - whom chief selector Courtney Browne attacked for choosing PSL over the World Cup Qualifier - were selected.

There will also likely be no place for Darren Sammy.

Russell and Dwayne Bravo are currently injured, while Narine also elected not to visit Pakistan, even before doubts resurfaced over his action after he was reported in the PSL. According to his representatives, Pollard does not feel comfortable traveling to Pakistan at the moment.

He had already decided not to travel with his PSL side, Multan Sultans, if they had made it through from the group stage.

Whether Darren Bravo was contacted about playing is unknown, but some likely squad members include veteran legspinner Samuel Badree, Rayad Emrit and potentially a recall for Denesh Ramdin.

Badree is set to visit Pakistan with Islamabad United and has the experience of going there with the ICC World XI last year.

Emrit, who was recalled for the January T20 series in New Zealand for the first time in a decade, also visited Pakistan for the PSL final in 2017. (Cricinfo)

Jaguars extend benevolence to Pike St fire victims

T

he Guyana Jaguars scored big but this off of the cricket field as they collectively orchestrated a charitable effort in assisting a victim from the terrible Pike Street, Kitty fire which engulfed at least four houses almost two weeks ago.

The recipient of the collaborative donation was Angela Dominic, a widow and mother of three children. Most of her house was razed by the early morning inferno; however the garage of the building was left standing and without any options left pertaining to living accommodations, Dominic and her three children is living in the garage under less than favourable

conditions.

The donation which was pledged by the team as a group under Captain Leon Johnson was handed over on Monday morning in Pike Street. The donation was a cheque of a sum which the Jaguars wished to remain undisclosed.

The pledge was made after Guyana Jaguars’ Steven Jacobs had organized for a donation drive on radio programme ‘Sports Vybz’ on NCN’s Vybz 100.1 FM. Jacobs who happens to be Dominic’s neighbour felt it was his civil duty as a citizen to help in any way that he could thus he used his network to come up with the donation drive.

Meanwhile, Johnson

Captain of the Guyana Jaguars, Leon Johnson hands over the donation on behalf of his team to victim of the Pike Street fire, Angela Dominic (Samuel Maughn Photo)

said that the entire team felt the devastation that the victims would have gone through; “Steven being their neighbour asked members of the team to pitch in something, the response was great, not only from the franchise but from everyone who would have contributed thus far.”

He reiterated that if there are persons out there who are willing to help in any way possible, they should step forward.

Thus far Dominic has related that she has been getting contributions in various forms, be it cash, food stuff, clothing and even materials to begin the rebuilding of her home, something that she’s very grateful for.

20 news

tuesDAY, march 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Amazon Level 3 Shoot – Suriname

"Top Gun"

GFF Elite League III…

Den Amstel Hopkinson ease past shines for Guyana Kings

G

uyana’s most active hand gun shooter, Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson has once again done his nation proud when he a silver medal in the Open Division at the Amazon Level 3 Shoot held in Suriname over the weekend.

The shoot which was sanctioned by USPSA/IPSC saw Dr. Hi of Suriname claimed the 1st place with Brian Armstrong of Trinidad and Tobago, third.

Hopkinson, the IPSC Regional Director for Guyana, using a Shay Akai Custom 2011, 9mm major, with a 171 power factor also placed 3rd to the Open World Champion, Christ Tiley in Stage 12 of the 14-stage shoot.

Nine countries took part in the competition, Aruba, Curacao, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Germany, French Guyana and host Suriname.

A total of 15 shooters competed Hopkinson’s category.

The Suriname competition was the second for 2018 for the self-sponsored ‘Topgun’ having already competed at the Florida Open. He now has his gun aimed at competitions in Aruba, Grenada, Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, among others.

– GDF & Buxton battle to draw

D

Harold "Top Gun" Hopkinson at the Amazon Shoot in Suriname

National Race of champions attracts Milerock claim more corporate support inaugural title T UDFA /Frank Watson U-15 football

Prems Electrical Representative Darshanie Narine (right) hands over the sponsorship cheque to GMR&SC’s Desiree Lee

T

he group two class for the upcoming National Race of Champions will be exclusively sponsored by Prem’s Electrical following the ceremonial sponsorship handing over on Monday.

The company has inked its name to the Prem’s Electrical group two class specifically for this event, with an eye to possibly sponsoring the year.

A statement from the company stated, “We are happy to be on board with the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club for the First National Race of Champions 2018.”

Meanwhile, the club believes that the continued

support of corporate Guyana is testimony to the work that is being done locally.

“Prem’s electrical has always been a stalwart sponsor of motorsport locally and we are happy that they continue to stick with us moving forward,” The club stated.

“We cannot thank the management of Prem’s Electrical for the continued support. They’re belief in us remains an important faucet in moving forward.”

The first National race of Champions is scheduled for March 25 at the South Dakota Circuit with STAG, Mohamed’s Enterprise and Tropical Shipping as the title sponsors.

he inaugural champions of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) organised Frank Watson memorial Under 15 title are Milrerock who despite being held to a 1-1 draw finished ahead of their six other opponents on Saturday afternoon at the Wisburg Secondary School ground.

Milerock walked away with the top honours after being held to their second draw, a 1-1 result against Hi Stars while in the other game played Botafago who would ended in the second position also had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Amelia’s Ward while the other game between Topp XX and Silver Shattas did not play as Topp XX again were unable to find a team.

Milerock remained the only team without a loss after playing six games with four wins and two draws for 14 points as Botafago with four wins , one draw and one loss for 13 points were second while another club with a similar record Amelia’s Ward placed third due to goal difference with Botafago scoring 12 and allowing four as the ward side netted ten times and were breached four times also.

Next were Silver Shattas with eight points from two wins, two defeats and two draws, followed by Hi Stars who also had two wins with three losses and one draw to get seven points. Topp XX were next on three points from one win and five losses to be ahead of Eagles United who finished on one pint due to five defeats and one draw.

The Milerock under-15 Football team

en Amstel squeezed past Victoria Kings on Sunday night when the two locked horns on in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League III at Camp Ayanganna Ground.

They sank their East Demerara opponents 2 – 1 in the opening match of the double header that saw the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) narrowly secure a draw against Buxton United.

Den Amstel’s Gideon Payne was the first to get a taste of goal in the 30th minute, but the opposition soon had a helping when Aubrey Gibson found the equalizer in the 42nd minute.

In the second half, neither team could find the outlet to get ahead but with the regulation time whistle fast approaching Delon Canterman scored the decider in the 80th minute.

By now when the crowd had settled in, GDF and Buxton began their showdown and to the defending champion’s surprise, it was the Buxtonians that drew first blood compliments of Denver Dennis who scored in the 32nd minute.

GDF searched valiantly for the equalizer but were denied on several occasions. It was not until the final minute of play Amos Ramsey (90th) was able to level the playing field for the army men.

Meanwhile, Western Tigers and Fruta Conquerors recorded wins at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Ground on Friday night when they took on New Amsterdam and Milerock FC, respectively.

"Screw" Richmond Schools football

Christianburg begin title defence sprightly T he defending champions Christianburg Wismar Secondary and Linden Foundation stopped their respective opponents 3-1 to begin their campaign in this year’s Edward Screw Richmond 10th Memorial Linden Secondary Schools Under 18 football.

Playing at the Wisburg Secondary ground against Harmony Secondary on Friday, the champions were led by a double from Michael Adams who netted in the 65th and 71st minutes after taking the advantage in the 20th minute through Andre Peters.

But the Harmony Secondary responded with a goal to tie things up through Bryan Culpepper in the 29th minute before the double from Adams pout things beyond them.

Then Linden Foundation Secondary made light work of Private Schools Combined with a 3-1 victory engineered by two goals off the boot of Shawn Jackson which came in the 23rd and 46th minutes of play and was further increased with another from Jamal Peters in the 54th minute for a 3-0 score line.

The Private Schools Combined however did pull back one goal when Javonte Lewis found the back of the net in the 65th minute as the game finally ended 3-1 score in favour of the Linden Foundation Secondary.

sports

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21

Jonathan Mangra and Priyanna Ramdhani

op National Players Priyanna Ramdhani & Jonathan Mangra will be attending a High Tech Badminton Training Camp “Road To Barranquilla” in Ciudad de Guatemala from March 21 to April 22, 2018.

The Camp organized by the Panam Sports & Badminton Panam Confederation and endorsed by the Guyana Olympic Association will see World Ranked Players from the Panam Region taking part.

Guyanese Players taking part also were chosen because Guyana’s Narayan & Priyanna Ramdhani are in the world rankings in the Badminton World Federation listing and because of this we were given two spots to attend this Camp.

Narayan is scheduled to be at the Commonwealth Games in Australia 2018 therefore Guyana’s number 2 ranked player Jonathan Mangra was sent in his place.

This Camp will benefit the Guyanese players as it will give them more ranking points and a place in the CAC Games scheduled to take place in Colombia from July 19 to August 3.

Post Phagwah Horse Race Meet

Settling Star puts away Storm Bird & Goodwill Boy left. Jockey Richmond used his experience to propel Settling Star to cross the poll in a time of one minute thirty-seven seconds (1:37); a half-length win over Goodwill Boy and Media Day. The fourth place went to It’s My Choice.

The win was worth $700,000 and the Metro Computer and Computer Supplies.

Six races were carded for the day. The “L” class race for non-winners which

taxi services GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 225-7878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

NOT RECEIVING YOUR

$180,000 was won by Orian with the second place going to Massapequa Dr. The “I” and Lower classed event saw Mischievous Maker with last year’s champion Jockey Colin Ross in charge. The second place went to Marry Ann ahead of Slim Shady.

K and Lower with a top price of $160,000 and over a distance of six furlongs was won by King Stanley and piloted by Jockey of the day Ronald Appadu.

ning purse was $300,000.

The second place went to Lucy Star with Got To Go and Mid Night Blue bringing up the rear.

The champion Jockey was Richmond who received the prize from former Jockey Abdul Latiff.

The champion horse was Settling Star and the top stable award going to the Sheriff Racing Stables.

Action returns to the Kennard Memorial Turf Club on May 20, for a one-

DAILY & SUNDAY COPIES OF THE

Champion Jockey Richmond receiving the Abdul Latiff trophy

GUYANA T TIMES

By Andrew Carmichael

in your area?

Contact our

Circulation Department on

Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 55

he powerful legs of Storm Bird were no match for Settling Star as the horse from the Sheriff Racing Stables gave a good display of itself on Sunday to win the feature event at the Kennard Memorial Turf Club Post Phagwah horse race meet.

The race classified “E” and Lower over a distance of seven furlongs saw six animals in an even brake.

All seven horses were locked together Goodwill Boy, Unsettled, Storm Bird, Settling Star, It’s My Choice, Media Day and Keep on Swinging.

As they hit the first turn, Storm Bird opened up its strides to be out of the turn first and by the time there

were on the back straight, Storm Bird was leading by five lengths and continued to fire on all guns.

At the four-furlong pole Jockey, Paul Delph started to spur Goodwill Boy pushing the animal beyond expectation and then off the saddle came Jockey Richmond as Settling Star held the middle of the track around the final turn.

Three animals were trading stride for stride with Storm Bird clearly having the edge as they went past the six-furlong pole but it had done too much too early and Goodwill Boy, Unsettled, Media Day and It’s My Choice all galloped past the early leader.

The race was not decided even with five seconds

Settling Star won the E class event to collect the Metro trophy

had a top purse of $120,000 and over a distance of five furlongs was won by Jungle Prince of the Ramsaywack Stables with the second place going to Uprising ahead of Te Rock and Silky Solomon.

The “L” class open race over a distance of six furlongs with a top prize of

The second place went to Secret Escape, Red Region and Irish Baby in a race that saw some of the country’s fastest animals going through the starting gate.

TNT of the Nand Persaud Racing Stables led from gate to poll in the race for animals classified as “H” and Lower. The win-

day meeting.

Meanwhile, the inaugural Triple Crown will go on as planned with the second being staged at the Port Mourant Turf Club April 1 after the first leg was cancelled. The third leg is scheduled for the Rising Sun Turf Club on April 29.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, march 20, 2018

Milo Schools Football 2018…

Chase Academy lodge protest over quarter-final exit …organisers say complaint “holds no validity”

By Akeem Greene

Still reeling from the effects of their shocking 0-1 loss to arch rivals Sir Leon’s Lessons in the quarter-finals of the sixth annual Milo Schools Football tournament on Saturday, Chase’s Academic Foundation has lodged a protest, on Monday, with the coordinators, Petra Organisation, based on the proposition that the tournament’s rules were not upheld. In documents seen by Guyana Times Sport, principal of the private institution, Henry Chase, made mention of a rule which, if paraphrased, states: “during the group stages, five changes [substitutions] will be allowed; while in the knock-outs matches, three will be permitted”.

Sir Leon’s made four substitutions during their duel, as opposed to

A snippet of the rules Chase had in his possession. However, this rule was adjusted with five changes by the organisers

Chase’s sticking to the three-player limit.

“I was informed by our coach the Leon’s team had four [substitutes] and it contradicted the rules. I didn’t set the rules, (they were) created by the organisers, and we believe (the situation) was unfair to us. It was an unjust situation to have, at that stage, a fresher leg coming onto play”, the Principal contended.

Teon Forde scored a match-defining goal in the 78th minute, and it is understood the fourth change was made in the 87th minute.

It was o n l y the

Chase Academic Foundation Principal Henry Chase

second loss for Chase’s in close to four years, as they have held the Milo crown for three consecutive years.

However, Chase distanced himself from the idea they are “sore losers,” as he says he is making a legitimate claim based on rules in his possession.

“It is unfortunate that persons would think it is petty. If you are going to create rules for the sake of creating rules, then that makes no sense,” he contended.

The Principal highlighted an incident which occurred during Chase’s final group match with Annandale Secondary, which was initially curtailed at half time due to a power outage when they were 3-0.

“We didn’t complain then. I asked the organisers if we have to play back the remaining time left in the game and they said no, it has to be replayed entirely. I know the guys [at Petra] are honourable, they are men of integrity and they will do just what is fitting in the game of football.”

He added, “If it does not change, it tells me where football is going, and I am one individual that dislikes

disorganisation. I don’t like losing, and I instil that in my students. It’s not about losing alone, but it is about the way you lose,” he explained.

Break in communication

In response, co-director of the organising body, Troy Mendonca, revealed that a slight adjustment has been made to the rules on the request of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

“Over the years, all our junior tournaments have been using five changes.

Apparently there was a typographical error which was brought to my attention by the Guyana Football Federation before they offered approval. The correspondence was sent to the Federation on January 31, but unfortunately, we erred by not communicating the same with the teams.”

Mendonca added, “We don’t see it [the substitutions] having any bearing on the outcome on the game.

The resolution is that we don’t see the protest holding validity, as it has nothing to do with the outcome of the game”.

Not taking chances

Chase’s Captain, Jeremy Garrett, speaking on the side-lines after the heart-wrenching defeat, admitted that the team did not convert their numerous chances.

“Most of the guys are young and inexperienced, and the team needed a finisher and we didn’t have it. So the opposition had two chances, and they scored one; we had about ten, and we couldn’t put away any,” he explained.

In 2017, Chase, with a more high profile team, ousted Sir Leon’s 2-0 in the semi-finals, but

Garrett said they did not take their opponents for granted, and now it’s about learning from the defeat.

“Now that we learn to lose, some of the players will stop talking a lot and being very confident. Most of the guys come, and they think Chase is just about winning and depend on other players. Some of the guys were not holding up. You have to learn to lose before you learn how to win,” he declared.

The national footballer added, “Most of the guys will come back. This is my last year, and I know Chase’s Academy can do it again”.

An invited comment from the Sir Leon’s camp stated: “Chase needs to accept the result. They defeated us last year and we came back more prepared a n d won”.

Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca

GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson U-15 League – EBFA

Timehri solidify top spot

T

imehri Panthers has further consolidated their hold on the East Bank Football Association leg of the GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson U15 Intra Association League when they hammered Samatta Point/Kaneville on Sunday when day-15 of action was contested at the Timehri Red Ground on Sunday last.

The home team posted their seventh consecutive win with another dismissive performance, trouncing their opponents 8-0 led

by Neron Barrow who blasted a hat-trick. Agricola Red Triangle lost their second match in as many days

going down to Soesdyke Falcons by the lone goal of that encounter which was scored by Tyrone Burnette in the 20th minute.

Kuru Kururu Warriors also continued their good form with win number six which has taken them to the third place overall behind Agricola in second and with the same points but better goal difference.

The Warriors edged Mocha Champs 2-1coming from behind while the other match saw Friendship All Stars taking full points from Grove Hi Tech which did not show up for their final match of the league.

Lethal Force! Timehri Panthers' marksmen from right, Neron Barrow, Shaquon Caleb, Paul Roberts, Prince Forde, Yohance Reynolds and Ishmael Pulsarran

Mocha had taken the lead on 16 minutes when

Genesis Lewis found the back of the nets. Kuru

Kururu Warriors never panicked and drew level in the 25th minute through a John Fredericks goal. The winning strike came off the boot of the Warriors’ leading forward, Kevon Scott in the 45th minute, his eight goal of the league.

But it was the Timehri boys which continued their marvellous run of form with another vintage performance. Their 8-0 triumph was crafted by the collective works of Neron Barrow who scored in the 57th, 64th and 68th minute.

Samatta Point put up a solid fight in the first half

as they only let in one goal which came in the 29th minute off the boot of their Captain, Prince Forde. But it was the second half that Samatta Point’s focus fell away and Timehri took total control of proceedings.

Their leading scorer, Ishmael Pulsarran (11 goals) converted in the 34th minute, Paul Roberts (45th), Yohance Reynolds (58th) and Shaquon Caleb in the 63rd minute being the other contributors.

Grove has completed its quota of 11 matches.

Matches will continue this weekend at the same venue.

TuesDAY, march 20, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

23

ICC World Cup Qualifiers…

Samuels, Holder help Windies avoid Zimbabwe scare and goi n g over i t

Jason Holder finished

H

alf-centuries from Evin Lewis, Shai Hope and Marlon Samuels helped the Windies chase down 290 to keep their hopes of making it to the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019 very much alive.

Choosing to bat, Zimbabwe posted 289, and while it may have been a few runs short of where they would have wanted to be, Brendan Taylor’s 138, gave them a total that had never before been chased down in this tournament.

The Windies kept the total to under 300 thanks to the efforts of Kemar Roach, 3-55, and skipper Jason

on a further four occasions.

W h e n Samuels left proceedings thanks to a good catch from wicketkeeper, Taylor, off with 4-35 the bowling of Blessing Muzarabani, 2-36, the Windies suffered a mini-collapse that threatened to make an easy win, a little more complicated.

Jason Holder cleared the rope with the first delivery he faced, before holding out to long on with his next delivery, while Shimron Hetmyer, who had replaced Hope, the middle order batsman caught at deep midwicket attempted a slog sweep, scored 13 from seven.

Hetmyer was also a little naïve in his batting, as although he brought down the scoring rate, making it easier for

with just two runs on the board.

Hamilton Masakadza and Solomon Mire added 26 runs for the second wicket before Holder struck again, this time sending Masakadza back caught by wicket-keeper Hope.

It got worse for Zimbabwe when, only three balls after Masakadza had been dismissed, Mire was hit in the helmet by a Roach bouncer. The ball beat Mire’s pull and lodged between the peak and the grille of his helmet, and after consulting with the team physio, decided to walk off.

He was on 22 at that stage.

The injury wasn't as serious as initially thought, though, as Mire managed to come out and continue batting later in the innings, after the fall of the fifth wicket in the 43rd over.

Mire's departure brought Craig Ervine to the crease, and he added 49 runs with Taylor to revive the

Shai Hope drives on his way to 76 against Zimbabwe Brendan Taylor brought out the shots against Windies

Holder, 4-35. Rookie, Keemo Paul, in his second ever One Day International was again competent, taking 2-55.

In reply, the Windies, who lost opener Chris Gayle for 17, were always positive, with Lewis scoring a patient 64 from 75 deliveries, while Shai Hope provided great support with 76 from 97 deliveries.

Hope was a particularly good foil for Marlon Samuels, who slammed 86 from 80 deliveries, peppering the boundary six times

those who came after him, his attempted hook over long on, only gifting Taylor the easiest of stumpings, was silly.

Ashley Nurse (eight) and Rovman Powell (15) then made sure there was to be no further trouble, as the Windies got over the line in 49 overs.

Earlier, Zimbabwe were dealt an early blow when hard-hitting opening batsman Cephas Zhuwao was caught by Paul off Holder for a duck in the second over

Zimbabwe innings, but it was after Ervine was bowled by Roach in the 20th over that Taylor took the mantle upon himself to up the ante and change the course of the game.

He brought up his 32nd half-century off 65 balls in the 27th over, and added 76 runs for the fourth wicket with Sean Williams, who completed 3000 one-day international runs during the course of his crucial knock of 34 from 31 balls, which ended when he was caught at

short mid-wicket by Nurse off Paul.

Taylor was unfazed by the loss of his partner, and continued the onslaught, and went past the three-figure mark – for the second time in the tournament – when he reverse swept Gayle for four in the 38th over. He celebrated by taking on Devendra Bishoo, taking him for three consecutive boundaries – a six and two fours – in the 40th over.

Sikandar Raza, who has been one of Zimbabwe’s stars in the qualifiers, didn’t have one of his better days, scoring a 33-ball 22, and Mire came back to raucous cheers from the crowd at the fall of Raza’s wicket, to Holder.

Taylor had motored on past 130 by then and looked good for more when he miscued one off Roach for Nurse to take a well-judged catch at short cover. His 138 came off 120 balls with 20 fours and two sixes.

Mire, batted on till the penultimate over with the Zimbabwe tail and took the total past 280 before he was bowled by Holder for 45,

scored off 33 balls with three fours and two sixes.(Sportsmax)

SCOREBOARD Zimbabwe Innings S Mire b Holder 45 C Zhuwao c Paul b Holder 0 H Masakadza c †Hope b Holder 7 B Taylor † c Nurse b Roach 138 C Ervine b Roach 14 S Williams c Nurse b Paul 34 S Raza b Holder 22 G Cremer (c) c & b Roach 0 T Chisoro c Nurse b Paul 18 K Jarvis run out (Powell/†Hope) 1 B Muzarabani not out 0 Extras (lb 3, w 7) 10 Total (all out;50 Overs, RR: 5.78) 289 Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Zhuwao, 1.3 ov), 2-28 (Masakadza, 5.5 ov), 2-30 (Mire, ), 3-79 (Ervine, 19.3 ov), 4-155 (Williams, 30.3 ov), 5-234 (Raza, 42.1 ov), 6-246 (Taylor, 43.2 ov), 7-250 (Cremer, 43.5 ov), 8-284 (Mire, 48.5 ov), 9-288 (Chisoro, 49.5 ov), 10-289 (Jarvis, 49.6 ov) Bowling: Roach 10-0-553, Holder 10-0-35-4, Paul 10-0-55-2, Bishoo 10-0-73-

0, Nurse 4-0-28-0, Powell 4-0-26-0, Gayle 2-0-14-0 Windies Innings C Gayle c Jarvis b Muzarabani 17 E Lewis c & b Raza 64 S Hope † c Raza b Williams 76 M Samuels c † Taylor b Muzarabani 86 S Hetmyer st † Taylor b Crem er 13 J Holder (c) c Raza b Cremer 6 R Powell not out 15 A Nurse not out 8 Extras (lb 1, w 4) 5 Total (6 wickets; 49 Overs) 290 Did Not Bat: Paul, D Bishoo, K Roach Fall of wickets: 1-38 (Gayle, 5.5 ov), 2-110 (Lewis, 21.2 ov), 3-245 (Samuels, 43.5 ov), 4-249 (Hope, 44.4 ov), 5-263 (Holder, 45.2 ov), 6-265 (Hetmyer, 45.4 ov) Bowling: Jarvis 9-0-49-0, Raza 7-0-58-1, Muzarabani 9-0-362, Cremer 10-0-63-2, Chisoro 7-0-38-0, Williams 7-0-45-1

tuesDAY, march 20, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Milo Schools Football 2018…

Chase Academy lodge protest over quarterfinal exit Pg 22

…organisers say complaint “holds no validity”

ICC World Cup Qualifiers…

Pg 23

Samuels, Holder

help Windies avoid Zimbabwe scare Jason Holder finished with 4-35

Marlon Samuels held his nerve to score a man-of-the match 86

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