Guyanatime 22 may 2018

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Issue No. 3571

SOCU charges

High Court blocks Chief Magistrate from hearing Singh, Brassington case

See stories on pages 3 & 9

... as another former PPP Finance Minister arrested

Gunmen storm Herstelling woman hardware store strangled to death Page 7 …escape

with millions

by reputed husband

See more details in Wednesday's edition

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday afternoon visited, Rosemary Lane (Tiger Bay) after a request was made by residents. During the visit residents raised a number of issues the community is facing and requested that he made representation on their behalf

Harmon to challenge Williams for PNC chairmanship

Page 15

Mother dies after Page giving 12 birth at NA Hospital

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PAGE ONE COMMENT

G

uyana Times has received a number of threats from persons who claimed to be agents of the Government to stop publishing news items which are critical of the Administration.

These persons have threatened that should this newspaper continue to pursue articles which are critical of the Government, its owners, management and affiliate companies will face dire consequences.

As an independent media house, Guyana Times has striven to express the views of all Guyanese irrespective of religion, race, creed, or political background. This media house, over the past 10 years, has stood firm as a watchdog of our democracy and against Government excesses.

Guyana Times, along with its sister companies Television Guyana (TVGCH 28) and Radio Guyana Inc (RGI), is housed at the Sanata Complex, Ruimveldt Industrial Site, Georgetown.

We are of the view that this threat is aimed at silencing us as a media house from performing our role as the fourth estate of democratic government.

Freedom of the press is protected by Article 19 of the United Nations Declaration. This article is explicit in its protection of freedoms and more significantly, points to: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

In the past, this media house has been threatened

by Government officials. In particular one Government official called for the torching of Sanata Complex, which houses among other entities, Guyana Times newspaper, Television Guyana (TVG-CH 28) and Radio Guyana Inc (RGI).

Guyana Times assures our readers and public that we will not be intimidated by these threats and will continue to report and cover the news fairly and fearlessly as it unfolds.

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tuesDAY, may 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

news

SOCU charges

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Tuesday, May 22 – 10:30h-12:00h and Wednesday, May 23 – 12:00h-13:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

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tuesDAY, may 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

High Court blocks Chief Magistrate from hearing Singh, Brassington case

Tuesday, May 22 – 09:50h-11:20h and Wednesday, May 23 – 11:10h-12:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Lightly cloudy skies will prevail during the day and evening. Temperatures will range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to Easterly between 1.78 metres and 6.25 metres.

High Tide: 10:21h and 23:12h reaching maximum heights of 2.29 metres and 2.24 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 16:32h reaching a minimum height of 0.90 metre.

sUNDAY, MAY 19, 2018

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MONDAY, MAY 21, 2018

DAILY MILLIONS 05 22 23 24 25 LUCKY 3 1 8 0

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Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall and Sase Gunraj surrounded by members of the press at the High Court on Monday (Carl Croker photo)

H

igh Court judge, Justice Franklin Holder has granted an application filed by lawyers for former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and former National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Head Winston Brassington, to halt the proceedings at the Magistrates’ Courts with respect to criminal charges of misconduct in public office laid against them.

The direction was made on Monday to have a stay of proceedings by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan until the High Court completed the challenge for the dismissal of the charges case.

This, therefore, means that Dr Singh and Brassington are no longer required to appear at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on June 5, 2018 as was ruled by the Chief Magistrate.

Three criminal charges were brought against the two former officials by the State through the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) in relation to the sale of lands.

Dr Singh and Brassington are being represented by a battery of lawyers, including former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, Senior Counsel Stanley Moore, Sase Gunraj, Ronald Burch-Smith and Mark Waldron.

Following the in-camera proceedings, Attorney Nandlall said that the Judge reasoned that the integrity of the legal process has to be protected.

“The reasoning is you can’t have an inferior court to hear and determine charges when their validity has been challenged in the High Court,” Nandlall told reporters.

He observed that Justice Holder’s stay of proceedings was granted in light of fixed date application proceedings, which are set to be heard before acting Chief Justice Roxane George. This relates to Dr Singh and Brassington’s application to have all of the charges quashed. The first hearing of that case will be on May 25.

On April 12, SOCU instituted charges against the former Government officials, who worked under People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administrations.

On May 8, 2018, Dr Singh and Brassington appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and were released on $6 million bail each.

In the three charges that were advanced by SOCU, it was indicated that Singh, being the Chairman of NICIL and Brassington being the CEO in December of 2008 by way of Agreement of Sale and Purchase sold to Scady Business Corporation a tract of State land (4.7 acres) be-

ing a portion of Plantation Liliendaal, situated on the East Coast of Demerara for the sum of $150,000, 000 “knowing that the said property was valued at $340,000,000 by Rodrigues Architects Associate, a competent valuation officer.”

Similarly, the other charge outlined that Singh and Brassington sold to Multicinemas Guyana Inc a plot of State land (10 acres) at Turkeyen for the sum of $185,037,000 “without first having procured a valuation of the said property from a competent valuation officer”.

Moreover, it was outlined that Singh and Brassington in 2009, by way of an agreement of sale and Purchase sold to the National Hardware Guyana Limited a tract of State land (103 acres), being a portion of Plantation Liliendaal and Turkeyen for the sum of $598, 659,398 (VAT exclusive) “without first having procured a valuation of the said property from a competent valuation officer”.

However, after these charges were instituted, Nandlall challenged their validity in the High Court. Since the institution of the charges, a number of legal scholars have commented on the matter, with former Speaker, Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran deeming the charges unconstitutional on the grounds that

Dr Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington

Singh and Brassington were not “public officers” in accor-

dance with the Constitution.

(Shemuel Fanfair)

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, may 22, 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

Dialogue and Development

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ccording to the United Nations, three-quarters of the world’s major conflicts have a cultural dimension. Given this reality, bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for peace, stability and development.

On Sunday, UNESCO celebrated the 18th World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. In 2001, UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, and in December 2002, the UN General Assembly, in its resolution 57/249, declared May 21 to be the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

The day provides all nations and all peoples with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the values of cultural diversity, and to advance the four goals of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, adopted on 20 October 2005. These point specifically to the support of sustainable systems of governance for culture; achieving a balanced flow of cultural goods and services, and increasing mobility of artists and cultural professionals; integration of culture in sustainable development frameworks; and the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Cultural diversity is a driving force for development, not only with respect to economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life. This is captured in the seven culture conventions which provide a solid basis for the promotion of cultural diversity. Cultural diversity is thus an asset that is indispensable for poverty reduction and the achievement of sustainable development. At the same time, acceptance and recognition of cultural diversity – in particular through innovative use of media and Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) – are conducive to dialogue among civilizations and cultures, respect, and mutual understanding.

Governments in plural societies much like Guyana have been making strides in keeping with the goals of the UNESCO Convention. In Brazil, for example, there has been initiated a move to unite against religious intolerance. Launched in January 2017, the report ‘Religious Intolerance in Brazil’ will be used to monitor and tackle discrimination.

“Worldwide, there is a growing wave of intolerance and restrictions imposed on the exercise of the right to freedom of religion or belief,” said the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed.

In her message to mark the occasion, Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, emphasised the need to protect the different forms of cultural expression – languages, arts, crafts, lifestyles – especially those of minority peoples, so that they are not swept away by the movement of standardisation that accompanies globalization. These, she said, are essential elements for defining individual and collective identities, and as such, their protection falls under respect for human dignity, and invites Governments and citizens to go beyond the acknowledgement of diversity to recognize the benefits of cultural pluralism, regarded as an ethical and political principle of equal respect for cultural identities and traditions.

“I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides, and my windows to be stuffed. I want the culture of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible.” With this imagery, Mahatma Gandhi was suggesting that culture is not a heritage set in stone, but one that is living and breathing, open to influences and dialogue, allowing us to adapt more peacefully to the changes in the world,” she stated.

Placing culture at the heart of development policy constitutes an essential investment in the world’s future, and a pre-condition to successful globalization processes that take into account the principles of cultural diversity. Development is inseparable from culture. In this regard, the major challenge is to convince political decision-makers and local, national and international social actors to integrate the principles of cultural diversity and the values of cultural pluralism into all public policies, mechanisms and practices, particularly through public/private partnerships.

The aim is, on the one hand, to incorporate culture into all development policies, be they related to education, science, communication, health, environment or cultural tourism; and on the other hand, to support the development of the cultural sector through creative industries. By contributing in this way to poverty alleviation, culture offers important benefits in terms of social cohesion.

Each county, including Guyana, must accept that equitable exchange and dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based on mutual understanding and respect and the equal dignity of all cultures, is the essential prerequisite for constructing social cohesion, reconciliation among peoples, and peace among nations.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing people perform a Buddhist Guanyin Thousand Hand dance to mark National Day for Helping the Disabled in Kunming, Yunnan province, China (Reuters/Wong Campion)

Municipalities are mere custodians of reserves Dear Editor, I would like to suggest that an urgent and serious investigation be launched into what obtains on the strip of state reserve land that is located on the northern side of the Aubrey Barker Road all the way from east in South Ruimveldt westward to way past Roxanne Burnham Gardens’ area.

This reserve area, which was developed after the canal was filled in, belongs to the state, and not the Georgetown Municipality, who are merely custodians of the area. It has, howev-

er, disturbingly been cut up and sold by operatives of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown to sundry business persons.

The Council had first proposed that parcels of this area be leased to car dealerships, so that they could showcase and display their vehicles, without the placement of any structures allowed. The next thing one observed, however, was that this land was being parceled out and sold to Tom, Dick and Harrylall; and structures began popping up, businesses that were unrelated to car deal-

erships.

Now an attempt is being made to take away the playfield that is extensively used by youths in the area, in order for it to be sold to a business entity. This ought to be the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back.

The businesses operating on this reserve ought to be made to show what documentation they have that gives them the right to occupy these spots. They ought to say how much they paid, and to whom. The open spaces in our capital must be maintained as open

spaces.

Something is extremely wrong at City Hall, where a ‘cabal’ there has embarked on a land-grabbing exercise has illegally converted the specified use of designated open spaces, and is profiting from the illegal disposal of these state lands into private hands.

This situation is reminiscent of the Farnum Field fiasco, the Bel Air Park playfield debacle, and the Lamaha Park ignominy.

Sincerely, James Mc Onnell

Unanswered questions from CCJ President Dear Editor, Prime Minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart, in a viral social media video posted on Saturday, May 19, 2018, addressed the functioning of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), and promised that his country would break from the Caribbean Court of Justice in its appellate jurisdiction once his party is re-elected to office.

Editor, this Prime Minister’s comments carry much weight in Guyana, considering conflict-of-interest questions as well as other unanswered questions.

Prime Minister Stuart talks about “politicians wearing

robes” – a reference to the judges on the CCJ bench – and expresses concern about “attitudes” that impact the CCJ’s functioning.

For Guyanese, the reference to attitudes is an interesting one, more so considering the questions about the actions of CCJ President Sir Dennis Byron in Guyana.

Sir Byron has still not clarified his involvement in local happenings, despite questions having been raised in our own local letter columns about his involvement.

There are also unanswered questions about linkages involving Sir Byron’s Judicial Assistant, Richard Layne, whose grandfather,

James Patterson, was unilaterally appointed GECOM Chairman. Layne is also connected to the father of a sitting Minister, since it was Donald Trotman – who also has another controversial appointment as head of the Lindo Creek CoI – who presented his petition for admission to the local Bar. That certain top Government officials have displayed ‘inside knowledge’ about how the CCJ will rule in the third term presidential challenge remains something that the Court itself has not addressed; displaying instead a silence that is even more worrying when you factor in Prime

Minister Stuart’s recent comments about “politicians in robes” sitting on the CCJ bench.

Editor, in my humble view, the biggest worry that the CCJ has is about losing the confidence of people.

Once the Caribbean people lose confidence in the CCJ, there will be many ramifications. Looking ahead, you have to wonder if the CCJ will answer the unanswered questions and put to rest concerns, or allow the growing problem of confidence in the CCJ to fester.

Sincerely, Zeniah Talbot

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesdAY, may 22, 2018

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

M&CC campaign against Advice to Infrastructure Ministry wholesale vendors Dear Editor, The world is likely to face a food crisis by 2050, unless agricultural production increases. Guyana’s abundance of land and freshwater supplies for agricultural purposes places it in an enviable position to take advantage of the increased demand for food globally.

The President of Guyana has stated emphatically that, while Guyana is on the brink of self-sufficiency, the country must, as a matter of priority, achieve total food security.

His Excellency the President stated that what food security means is the availability of food for all, the accessibility of food to all, and acceptability of food for everyone in the country, from babies to young adults to the elderly.

Farmers from all over the

country have responded positively to the call, and householders from Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara have begun to plant kitchen gardens. But it seems as though the folks at the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown did not get the President’s memo.

When farmers and wholesales from the three counties travel to the Bourda Market to wholesale their produce, particularly on Fridays, they are prevented from carrying on their business by City Constables and Revenue Collectors from the Council. This situation has come about after a decision was made by the Town Clerk and the Market Clerk to give the wholesale vendors outside the market a mere three hours each day to ply their trade.

The question is: Why is

the Georgetown City Council being allowed to sabotage Guyana’s Grow More Food Campaign, which contributes significantly to the agricultural diversification strategy, and which is meant to expand production and marketing opportunities so as to increase and diversify incomes of resource-poor producers? The Georgetown City Council seems to have an agenda that is completely different from the national agenda.

Indeed, vendors with produce around the Stabroek Market are being prevented from operating this Friday and Saturday in deference to a carnival activity. The Council needs to decide on its priorities, and possibly number them.

Sincerely, Amber Valentine

How is closure defined in this instance?

Dear Editor, I cannot (and will not) pronounce on the guilt or innocence of the members of the Joint Services in the Lindo Creek massacre. That is the job of the chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, though I must profess my ignorance of the terms of reference of this inquiry.

However, based on the many

public utterances (not on the evidences presented nor on the testimonies given) of the honourable chairman of this commission, I must say that I would be very, very surprised if, in his final summation or compilation of his findings, the members of the Joint Services who went to Lindo Creek are not found to be culpable in the murder

of those miners, or are found to be guilty of those miners’ murders in the first degree.

If and when that happens, what next? Will these men be charged and placed before the courts? If not, how then is closure defined in this instance?

Respectfully yours, Reginald Sookram

Dear Editor, My family and dozens of other residents of Atlantic Gardens were thoroughly harassed when they were caught up in total traffic chaos on the East Coast Demerara highway on Mother’s Day at about 09:30hrs, simply because the persons responsible for road works do not give two hoots about commuters’ safety and convenience.

On Mother’s Day, my family had to travel from our Atlantic Gardens residence to attend a function at the Church of the Unification in Georgetown. They left in reasonable time to be punctual, but when they arrived at the turnoff into the highway, they were stunned to see unrestrained confusion and havoc in the traffic at the intersection.

They found out that the brilliant builders and Guyanese engineers had decided that Mother’s Day morning was the best possible time for them to do a major excavation right in the middle of one of the most heavily traversed highways in Guyana on one of the biggest observances in the year.

Furthermore, they did not think it was necessary to give the residents of Atlantic Gardens due notice in advance, and did not even see the need to put up a sign to let people know what they were doing. They casually went about their business while traffic built up all around, with frustrated commuters being clueless about where to pass.

Remember, it was Mother’s Day. Anyone with a brain knows that Guyanese get out of their homes and do a lot on this day. There are countless activities and

functions on Mother’s Day. Furthermore, many people go to churches and mandirs on Sundays. Sundays are big market days in some areas.

So, you can imagine the chaos that occurred because of the road works that caught everyone by surprise on the East Coast highway that day. Traffic was backed up left, right and centre, with frustrated commuters not knowing how or when they would get out of the mess.

Why didn’t they put up signs to alert people that they would have restricted entry to their communities because of excavation works? Why didn’t they inform the public of the time frame in which these works would take place? Someone could have also distributed fliers to that effect as people were entering Atlantic Gardens.

I have a video of an old lady walking with a cane crossing the road works by balancing precariously on a piece of wood.

My family was able to get out by crossing the muddy plank with their dress shoes. They were able to be on their way because someone on the road lent them a car to get to the event, and they arrived a bit late.

I am very disappointed with this short-sighted approach by persons overseeing road works. This is slackness; it reflects contempt for the public.

Let me point out to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, and the Government of Guyana, and the NDCs and REOs and whoever else has a stake in road works: when such work is being done, especially when it would disrupt a major thoroughfare or a bridge, entrance or exit to a highly populated area, signs have to be put up to alert the public.

In many countries, except for grave emergencies, major public infrastructure works are never done during peak traffic hours.

The people who are in charge of our road works have to get their act together, or there will be hell to pay.

My advice to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure is to create a protocol guidance for opening up bridges in areas where large numbers of people live. This is to prevent annoyance and complications when the works being done can become a major hindrance to traffic.

Sincerely, Roshan Khan Sr

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tuesDAY, may 22, 2018

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Foundation

By Jack Schafer, PhD

housands of children experience the stress of divorce each year.

How they react depends on their age, personality, and the circumstances of the separation and divorce process.

Every divorce will affect the children involved – and many times the initial reaction is one of shock, sadness, frustration, anger, or worry. But children also can come out of it better able to cope with stress, and many become more flexible, tolerant young adults.

The most important things that both parents can do to help children through this difficult time are: Keep visible conflict, heated discussions, and legal talk away from the children.

Minimise the disruptions to children’s daily routines.

Confine negativity and blame to private therapy sessions or conversations with friends outside the home.

Keep each parent involved in the children's lives.

Adults going through separation and divorce need support – from friends, professionals, clergy, and family.

But don't seek support from your children, even if they seem to want you to.

So it's vital for parents to keep giving this reassurance.

Tell your children that sometimes adults change the way they love each other or can't agree on things and so they have to live apart. But remind them that children and parents are tied together for life, by birth or adoption.

Parents and children often don't agree on things, but that is part of the circle of life – parents and children don't stop loving each other or get divorced from each other.

Give children enough information to prepare them for the upcoming changes in their lives. Try to answer

Breaking the news As soon as you're certain of your plans, talk to your children about your decision to live apart. Although there's no easy way to break the news, if possible have both parents there for this conversation. It's important to try to leave feelings of anger, guilt, or blame out of it. Practise how you're going to manage telling your children so you don't become upset or angry during the talk.

The discussion should fit the child's age, maturity, and temperament. But it should always include this message: What happened is between mom and dad and is not the child's fault. Most children will feel they're to blame even after parents have said that they're not.

their questions as truthfully as possible. Remember that children don't need to know all the reasons behind a divorce (especially if it involves blaming the other parent). It's enough for them to understand what will change in their daily routine – and, just as important, what will not.

With younger children, it's best to keep it simple. You might say something like: "Mom and dad are going to live in different houses so they don't fight so much, but we both love you very much."

Older children and teens may be more in tune with what parents have been going through, and might have more questions based on what they've

overheard and picked up on from conversations and fights.

Handling children's reactions Tell children who are upset about the news that you recognise and care about their feelings, and reassure them that all of their upset feelings are perfectly OK and understandable. You might say: "I know this is very upsetting for you. Can we try to think of something that would make you feel better?" or "We both love you and are sorry that we have to live apart."

Not all children react right away.

Let yours know that's OK, too, and that you can talk when they're ready. Some children try to please their parents by acting as if everything is fine, or try to avoid any difficult feelings by denying that they feel any anger or sadness at the news.

Sometimes stress comes out in other ways – at school, or with friends, or in changes to their appetite, behaviour or sleep patterns.

Whether your children express fear, worry, or relief about your separation and divorce, they'll want to know how their own day-to-day lives might change. Be prepared to answer these and other questions: Who will I live with?

Where will I go to school?

Will I move?

Where will each parent live?

Where will we spend holidays?

Will I still get to see my friends?

Can I still do my favourite activities?

Being honest is not always easy when you don't have all the answers or when children are feeling scared or guilty about what's going on. But telling them what they need to know at that moment is always the right thing to do. (Excerpt from kidshealth.org)

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Inference or conclusion fter presenting your premise and arguments supporting your premise, you must present an inference or conclusion. An inference or conclusion is based on the evidence and reasoning you presented with your arguments supporting your premise. Therefore, your inference or conclusion should mirror your premise. After my daughter presented her revised premise and arguments supporting her premise, her inference or conclusion was, “Therefore, I need a cellphone.” My wife and I found her argument to be convincing, so we bought her a cellphone.

Simple declarative sentences Use simple declarative sentences. Simple declarative sentences appear more truthful. Researchers have shown that readers and listeners judge simple declarative sentences as more truthful than longer, more complex sentences. A simple declarative sentence contains a noun and a verb. Introducing adjectives into a sentence changes the characteristics of nouns.

Likewise, introducing adverbs into a sentence changes the actions of the verb. The infusion of adjectives and adverbs introduces ambiguity. You must be very careful when introducing adjectives and adverbs into a sentence.

Every word you add to a sentence must have a deliberate purpose. Without exception, delete all extraneous words from your sentences.

Simple declarative sentences require only two punctuation prompts, a capital letter at the beginning of the sentence and a period at the end of the sentence. Many people today do not know how to correctly use commas.

Simple declarative sentences require no commas; therefore, you do not have to know complicated comma rules.

Sentences that contain punctuation mistakes make writers look uneducated, incompetent, or lazy. Writing simple declarative sentences eliminate punctuation errors.

Use simple words The purpose of communication is to inform, persuade, or influence listeners or readers. Most listeners and readers have a 500-word working vocabulary, which is equivalent to a fifth-grade reading level. If you want to inform, persuade, or influence listeners or readers, you must use simple vocabulary so your message is easily understood.

Another advantage to using simple vocabulary is that most writers know how to correctly spell simple vocabulary words. This significantly re-

duces the chance that you will misspell words.

One sentence, one idea or action By definition, simple declarative sentences contain one noun and one verb, which means that only one idea or activity can be addressed in one sentence. Assigning one idea or action to one sentence forces you to address one idea or action at a time, which avoids any ambiguity in your message. Writers often write stream of consciousness. Assigning one idea or action to one sentence forces writers to deliberately think through how to articulate each thought they want to translate into words.

Use active words Active words propel the reader from one sentence to the next sentence. Passive verbs also referred to as “to be” verbs, weaken sentences. You should try to refrain from using the following passive words, is, are, was, were, have, has, had, am, been, be, and being in your oral and written communications. The only exception to this rule is when you write a stative simple declarative sentence. For example, the sentence ‘I am a student’ states who you are.

The sentence ‘This is a book’ identifies the antecedent for the pronoun this. There is no other way to write these sentences. Many writers find eliminating passive verbs difficult because their working vocabularies are restricted to 500 words. You cannot physically act out passive verbs; whereas, you can physically act out active verbs. Choose words that you can physically act out.

Practical application This formula for effective communication is easy to remember and can be applied to many business and social situations. For example, if you want to convince your supervisor to pursue a particular course of action, succinctly state what you want to achieve, use simple declarative sentences with action words to support your position, and present your conclusion, which restates your premise. In a social situation, you may want to go to your favourite restaurant for lunch, but your co-workers may prefer other restaurants.

To persuade your co-workers to follow your lead, state the restaurant you want to go to, state the reasons why the restaurant is the preferred place to go, and state your conclusion, “Let’s have lunch at this restaurant.” This formula can be used in any situation in which you want to inform, persuade, or influence others. (Excerpt from psychologytoday. com)

news

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tuesdAY, may 22, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Gunmen storm hardware store …escape with millions

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hree armed men who brazenly stormed the R. Maye Hardware Guyana Inc at Providence, East Bank Demerara on Sunday reportedly carted off millions in cash and other items.

Reportedly at about 09:30h on Sunday, the three armed men entered the store and held the security guard and a sales representative at gunpoint.

They then proceeded to bind and gag their two male victims before focusing their attention on the company’s vault. It is unclear how the men were able to broach the vault, but Guyana Times understands that in excess of $15 million was taken.

Besides the money, the armed men relieved the security guard and the sales representative of their mobile phones and a quantity of

R Maye Hardware Guyana Inc

cash.

This newspaper was told that this is not the first time this business has been robbed.

Owned by a Trinidadian, the

business was opened in 2013.

A Police source told Guyana Times that the robbery was reported moments after its occurrence, and a

team of Police ranks was immediately deployed to the area. However, due to the geography of the terrain, by the time the team arrived, the men had already escaped.

“There are several roads that can lead you out from where the robbery occurred… one can lead you to Eccles, another can lead you to Mocha; and there are many cross streets which the bandits can use to escape,” the source explained.

Nevertheless, he noted that CCTV footage is being

reviewed, and the scene has been dusted for fingerprints as investigations continue.

The business owner, currently in his native country, was contacted moments after the perpetrators had escaped.

He has expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the Police have handled the previous robbery. Sunday’s robbery, he added, has deterred him from expanding his business, although the idea was being mulled.

(Bhisham Mohamed)

PSC requests sit-down with PPP, PNC, AFC – expresses concern over prevailing political climate

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he Private Sector Commission (PSC) has sought a sit-down with the three major political parties in Guyana in an attempt to mediate current political conflicts which it believes are having a negative effect on businesses.

The invitation was extended to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP); the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the Alliance For Change (AFC). In its invitation, the Commission registered concern about the existing political climate between the parliamentary parties.

According to the PSC, this climate could have a negative effect on Guyana’s international image, economic stability and future well-being. The PSC noted that this climate was manifested in headlines carried by the media.

“The Commission, as a consequence, has reached out to and invited the People’s National Congress Reform, People’s Progressive Party/ Civic and the Alliance For Change, in their individual capacities, to meet and discuss this unfortunate development with the Commission,” the PSC said on Monday.

Specific invitations were sent to PPP General Secretary and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo; PNCR General Secretary Amna Ally and AFC General Secretary Marlon Williams. There was no mention of anyone from the Working People’s Alliance and Justice for All, two of the parties alongside the PNC in the broader A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), being invited.

Since last year, the coalition Government and the

PSC Chairman Eddie Boyer

Opposition have been at loggerheads over a number of issues. These include the appointment of a Guyana Elections Commission Chairman, an appointment the PPP has challenged in the courts. The PPP has also

accused the Government of several instances of corruption, some of which have been reported to the Public Procurement Commission (PPC).

The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) even brought charges against two former Government officials last month. Former Finance Minister Ashni Singh and former National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) chief Winston Brassington were charged with misconduct in public office.

Both men appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who granted them $2 million bail on each of the three joint charges.

But the spectacle of these former officials handcuffed featured prominently in sections of the media. Former

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who was part of the defence team, described the act of handcuffing Singh and Brassington as a dehumanising one that sought to humiliate these two former senior Government officials, who served the country with distinction.

After the Government’s move to charge these former Government officials based on forensic audits it launched after assuming office, the PPP also filed private criminal charges against a number of current Ministers.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan; Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, and Public Service Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine were charged for the alleged breach of the Procurement Act. This is in relation to the expenditure of $906 million in public funds to a private company, Homestretch

Development Inc, for construction of the controversial D’Urban Park Project, which has, for some time now, been a contentious issue. But Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack discontinued the charges.

This is the second set of charges filed by the Opposition that the DPP has thrown out.

Just days before, she also discontinued charges against Government Ministers Volda Lawrence and Dr George Norton.

Those charges that were filed respectively over the sole-sourcing of more than $600 million in drugs and other pharmaceuticals for the Georgetown Public Hospital, and the rental of a house in Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown to be used as a drug bond at a cost of $12 million monthly.

8 news

tuesDAY, may 22, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden stabbing

“Cross Eye” slapped with murder charge

Dead: Claude DeJonge

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hirty-two-year-old Corwyn Arthur, also known as “Cross Eye,” of Lot 1038

Cinderella City, Amelia’s Ward Linden, on Monday made his first court appearance before Linden Magistrate Clive Nurse, before whom he was not required to plead to the indictable charge of murder, committed on 40-year-old Linden taxi driver Claude DeJonge, also known as “Sonno”, of Lot 915 South Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

The charge alleges that on May 10 last, at Lot 1074 Cinderella City, Amelia’s Ward Linden, Arthur inflicted on DeJonge injuries which resulted in his death.

Unrepresented by legal counsel, Arthur was remanded to prison until July 21, 2018.

Corwyn Arthur, also known as “Cross Eye”, leaving court on Monday

Recap

Taxi driver Claude De

Jonge of Lot 915 South Amelia’s Ward, Linden was killed after an apparent triangular love affair had turned tragic. He was stabbed to death while at the home of his girlfriend at Cinderella City, Amelia’s Ward, Linden. His body was found at about 00:10h, lying motionless in a pool of blood next to the front door of the house. He was clad in trousers, but his body bore several stab wounds to the neck, shoulder and abdomen. A post-mortem examination (PME) performed on his body by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh gave the cause of his death as shock and haemorrhage due to multiple stab wounds. (Utamu Belle)

Accused ganja trafficker remanded

F

orty-five-year-old Paul Smith of Lot 108 Thomas Street, Kitty Georgetown on Monday appeared before City Magistrate Judy Latchman on a charge detailing that on May 18 last, at Kitty, he had in his possession 4.934 ki-

lograms of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Accompanied by his legal counsel, Attorney George Thomas, Smith denied the charge, and Thomas, in a bail application, told the court that the drug was found in his client’s neighbour’s yard.

Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore, however, refuted this claim, and revealed that the illegal substance was discovered in the bottom flat of a house which Smith occupies.

Moore revealed that ranks acting on information contacted Smith with a request

to search the two-storey house he occupies. The cannabis was accordingly discovered, and the defendant was arrested and later charged.

Smith has been remanded to prison, and the case has been set to continue on June 11.

Almost 10 years later

Man freed of carnal knowledge charge

A

smiling Sherwin Marcus on Monday walked out of court a free man, having been acquitted of an allegation of carnal knowledge committed on a female under the age of 15 almost 10 years ago.

His case was heard by judge of the Sexual Offences Court, Justice Jo-Ann Barlow.

Marcus was accused of committing the offence between March 1 and 31, 2009 at a community in the county of Demerara. The female

was 13 years old at the time.

After nearly three hours of deliberation, the jury returned with its decision in a 10-2 verdict of not guilty.

After informing Marcus of his freedom, Justice Barlow encouraged him to stay out of trouble, and informed him that whatever he does with his life henceforth is in his hands.

This case was prosecuted

by State Attorney Narrisa Leander, while Marcus’s legal counsel was Attorney Clyde Forde.

Freed: Sherwin Marcus

2 jailed for robbery under arms A rraigned in G e o r g e t o w n Magistrate Judy Latchman’s court on a joint charge of robbery-under-arms committed on May 15 at Hadfield Street, Georgetown, 21-year-old Donovan Richardson of Lot 12 River View, Ruimveldt and 18-year-old Anthony Prince (address unknown) both pleaded guilty as charged.

The charge stated that the duo, on May 15, 2018 at Hadfield Street, while being in the company of each other and being armed with a knife, robbed Osafo Hale of his cell phone, bag, and $15,000, all to a total value of $56,000.

Richardson told the court that he saw Hale being robbed, and he intervened by snatching the virtual complainant’s (VC’s)

phone away from one of the perpetrators who were attacking him. However, instead of giving the phone back to Hale, Richardson made off with it.

This prompted Magistrate Latchman to ask Richardson, “So it was a case of thieving from the thief?” and Richardson concurred.

Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore, however, disclosed that the duo approached the VC while he was heading home and dealt him a cuff to his face. They then snatched his bag, which contained the cash and phone, before they made good their escape.

An alarm was raised, and Police on patrol in the area responded. The two suspects were later apprehended with the articles in their possession.

Magistrate Latchman told the duo that in order to deter them and others from committing similar offences in the future, she would be sentencing them to spend the next four years and six months in prison.

Richardson and 25-yearold Denzel Wilson of Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) were also jointly arraigned for a robbery committed on Robert James.

The charge against them allege that on May 9, 2018 at Brickdam, while being in the company of others and being armed, they robbed James of two cell phones, one battery pack, and $78,000.

They denied the allegation, and were both remanded to prison.

Additionally, Wilson was charged for escaping from

Police custody while he had been detained for questioning on a robbery offence. He pleaded guilty with explanation to the offence of escaping from lawful custody.

Wilson told the court that an officer had told him to leave after he had willingly reported to the Police Station, having witnessed a robbery. He said that after giving his statement, he was told to leave; but while doing so, he was recalled and arrested for the same robbery.

Wilson told Magistrate Latchman that in the sight of several officers he was leaving, and none of them had objected to him doing so. As such, the Magistrate entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Both Wilson and Richardson will return to Court on June 11.

Rattled…

W …PNC

ell! Well! Well! Who woulda thought!! The PNC summoned their Congress and all they talked about was how to counter the PPP!!

Imagine, they’re the incumbent Government -- with all that that implies – and yet they are being so rattled by the Opposition PPP!! But really, it’s not just the PPP. Sure the PPP’s been waging a vigorous campaign to “oppose, expose, and depose” the PNC. But that’s what an Opposition’s supposed to do, isn’t it?

No…what has rattled the PNC is a section of their traditional constituency getting restive. Which segment?? The same segment which wouldn’t stand for their excesses under Burnham. And we know that segment ended up standing up to them, don’t we??

And this is what’s scaring the bejesus out of the PNC!!

This is the strata of educated, upstanding AfricanGuyanese who would’ve been in the League of Coloured People that initially opposed Burnham for being too crass.

Call them the “middle class” or what you will, they just can’t stand what they consider to be the “thug element” in the PNC. And they don’t need a soothsayer to tell them the present iteration of the PNC is being hijacked by that section.

Granger, as a card-carrying member of the LCP, had been expected not to go down that path…but here you have it!!

They’d been very upset at Granger’s undermining of the Rule of Law, undergirded by the Constitution.

They’d been livid at the gross ineptitude of the AG, who’s the CHAIRMAN of the PNC. What does it say of them if they’re being led by such an untutored mind??

The law is very important to this segment…it’s what helped to create their strata, to begin with! They’d been very upset at the economy being allowed to go into free fall – and putting all their eggs into that oil basket. They have much to lose. And it’s not as if the PNC hasn’t been warned about “Dutch Disease”.

So why the focus on the PPP?? Simple. The PNC’s signalling that strata: if not us, it’s THEM – the PPP -- who’ll be allowed to return. As the group that historically saw it as their birthright to rule after the departure of the whites, they have little love for the PPP, whom they consider interlopers!! What the PNC is scared sh*tless about is that that group may strike out on its own – and then strike a modus vivendi with the PPP, who at least can run the economy!!!!

The PNC’s attack on the media fits the above scenario. The media haven’t been supporting the PPP per se. They’ve simply been highlighting the missteps of the PNC -- allowing their erstwhile middle-class supporters to see the Emperor wearing Burnham’s old clothes!!

…and rolled!

Well, it wasn’t Big Joe Turner belting out the old Blues classic “Shake, rattle and roll”. But Ben E. King’s “Stand by me” wasn’t that far from the mark at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in staid, proper Windsor Castle chapel!! While “Stand by me” is overtly a love song, coming out of the Civil Rights era, in which they were turning dogs on black folks in the American South for just sitting at the same counter with whites in a diner, it does have some deeper reverberations.

But they seemed to’ve flown over the heads of the gathered “royalty” and “nobility” – just like Rev Michael Curry’s classic sermon, drawn from the depths of the Black experience all the way back to the days of slavery. Your Eyewitness wonders whether the perplexed, behatted, posh crowd got Curry’s message: that it’s only by accepting Jesus’s REVOLUTIONARY message of “loving your neighbour” – like the black slaves of yore did – might the present political schism decrease.

Curry quoted MLK, but Gandhi also said, “God is love”!!

…investors

Another newspaper repeated your Eyewitness’s caution at the Government seeking to JAIL Government officials for offering incentives to investors. The US South offers the biggest incentive packages in the world!!

Of course, such actions will rattle investors!!

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

News

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tuesDAY, may 22, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Another former PPP Finance Minister arrested by SOCU

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nother former senior People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government official has been arrested and questioned by officials of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

Former Finance Minister and now religious leader, Saisnarine Kowlessar, was on Monday taken in for questioning at SOCU’s Kingston, Georgetown head office, and was interrogated for close to

five hours before being released on bail.

Opposition Member of Parliament and PPP/C executive, Anil Nandlall, confirmed on Monday that Kowlessar was released on $200,000 station bail.

Nandall said Kowlessar, accompanied by his attorney, Mark Conway, was questioned in relation to matters pertaining to several transactions conducted by

the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) during his tenure as minister.

Reports are that Kowlessar was first approached by SOCU officials a few days ago, and was asked to report to the SOCU office, but the former minister never showed up, and this led to the agency deciding to arrest him.

A former Attorney General, Nandall calls

Kowlessar’s arrest another indication of abuse of people’s rights, and abuse of the criminal justice system to persecute officials of the past administration. He argued that there is a principle of law which prevents such abuses, whereby transactions, especially financial ones, which require detail, you don’t pursue them after a protected period.

“Simple, because persons

Mining sector

GGMC extends amnesty to gold miners …door shut on persons with cancelled leases

I

n what many may see as a tacit acknowledgement of the hard times miners have fallen on, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has announced an amnesty for gold miners who are behind on their rental payments and are at risk of losing their concessions.

A previous grace period had come to an end on April 15 last, but according to a recent notice from the GGMC, miners will now have grace extended to them until June 30, in light of “numerous requests” from miners. The offer is specifically for medium scale property holders who are in arrears in their rental payment.

The notice makes clear, however, that those miners whose properties have already been published in the Official Gazette as cancelled will not be eligible for the GGMC’s amnesty.

“All interests on said arrears’ payments will attract a waiver of 50 per cent,” the notice says, adding that “all property holders who do not avail themselves of this offer will have their properties cancelled.”

“Medium scale property holders are advised to utilize this opportunity to make all outstanding payments of rental prior to the deadline of June 30,” the notice, issued by the GGMC’s acting Commissioner, Newell Dennison, states.

Hard times

Government had announced shortfalls in gold production for last year.

Budgeting for 694,000 ounces, actual production recorded was 653,674 ounces.

According to data from the Bureau of Statistics, only

Small and medium scale miners have returned below-anticipated gold production figures for last year

Canadian company Guyana Goldfields remained on production target. Catering for 160,637 ounces, the company actually produced 168,112 ounces.

The other major gold producer, Troy Resources Limited, produced 66,024 ounces, falling short of its target by over 3,000 ounces.

Small and medium scale miners had been expected to deliver 482,613 ounces of gold for 2017; they delivered only 419,538 ounces.

Last year, the Finance Ministry’s half-year report had showed contractions in certain sectors when performances were compared to those of the corresponding period in 2016.

The declining sectors had included sugar, livestock, forestry, mining and quarrying, and even the bauxite industry.

In particular, the mining and quarrying sector had contracted by 4.0 per cent during the first half of 2017. Gold production fell by 1.7 per cent to 317,096 ounces in the first half of 2017, compared to the same period in 2016.

Back in 2015, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) had

signed agreements with the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). Signed at the Ministry of Finance, those agreements had included exemption from customs duties on fuel and equipment for eligible miners. But with those agreements having an initial lifespan of six months, miners HAD complained bitterly that the time had elapsed with many of them not benefitting.

Besides the lost concessions, it was revealed last year that all miners, including small and medium scale miners, would have to pay a hiked processing fee of $2,500 per ounce of gold they declare to the Guyana Gold Board. The fee was previously just $1000 per ounce.

Had the GGDMA not intervened when a public notice announcing the hike first appeared in the daily newspapers, that fee would have been a whopping $4000 per ounce.

According to a missive from the GGDMA, the association first became aware of the hike when a public notice appeared in the newspapers, declaring

that all miners and dealers selling gold to the Gold Board would have to pay the $4000 fee.

Earlier this month, the Finance Ministry had announced the signing of a two-year concession renewal agreement with the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO), represented by its President, Urica Primus; and the GGDMA, represented by its President, Terrence Adams.

Other signatories to the agreement were Finance Minister Winston Jordan; GRA Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia; GGMC Commissioner General Newell Dennison; and Chief Executive Officer of the GEA, Dr. Mahender Sharma. Present was Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman.

(Jarryl Bryan)

Former Finance Minister Saisnarine Kowlessar

cannot recollect the details of those transactions. What you have here is Mr. Kowlessar was questioned about transactions that occurred 20 years ago,” he explained.

Kowlessar served as Minister of Finance under the PPP/C Administration between 2002 and 2006.

“If Mr Kowlessar (were) to be charged for any offence relating to those transactions, the first problem he would have would be (his being) unable to defend those charges because of lack of memory, and witnesses who would have been present and who can aid in his defense may no longer be available,” Nandlall asserted.

The Opposition MP said the principle likewise applies to former Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and former NICIL CEO Winston Brassington, who are each facing three charges of misconduct in public office.

“The offence for which they are being charged occurred over 10 years ago. The entire prosecutorial arm of (the) state is contaminated with politics and prejudice,” Nandlall added.

Based on the outcome of Monday’s decision by the High Court’s Justice Franklin Holder to block the Magistrates’ Courts from hearing the charges of misconduct in public office against the duo, Nandall said he believes that once these matters are treated fairly, they would not stand up in court.

Many political and social commentators, even those in the legal fraternity, have argued that the charges against the two former Government officials may be unconstitutional on the basis that they are not “public officers” in accordance with the Constitution.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo has declared that all three charges against Singh and Brassington are frivolous, and all three matters were approved by the Cabinet.

Former President Donald Ramotar has also come out strongly in defence of Singh and Brassington.

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) is yet to respond to a written request by Nandlall to review the charges against Singh and Brassington. Yet, similar charges instituted by the PPP against five sitting Government Ministers have, on the other hand, been thrown out by the DPP.

10 news

tuesDAY, may 22, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Piracy massacre

Guyana, Suriname high-ranking teams meet to discuss attack

Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine and other members of the Guyana Police Force strike a pose with the visiting KPS team from Suriname

F

ollowing the recent deadly piracy attacks that occurred in Surinamese waters, leaving four people dead and 11 others still missing, a delegation from the Korps Politie Suriname (KPS) of Suriname met with Guyana’s acting Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine, and a team comprising several senior ranks of the Guyana Police Force.

Their engagement was facilitated as both sides continue their investigations into the two piracy attacks which occurred respectively on April 28 and May 3, 2018.

Both the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Korps Politie Suriname (KPS) have pledged to investigate the matters thoroughly.

Thirteen suspects presently remain in custody, including “Crackhead,” who confessed to killing at least five of the fishermen. He reportedly was “following orders” to “get rid” of the men after brutalizing them.

“Crackhead” did not divulge any information about his accomplices, but based on descriptions given by the five survivors, the other men arrested were picked up at several locations in Suriname.

Days after the break-

through, Surinamese Police officer Premcharan Ravikan was found dead hours after allegedly being kidnapped

by Guyanese. His body was discovered with at least five stab wounds and one gunshot wound.

Hours after the discovery of Ravikan’s body, a Guyanese fisherman walked into a Police station in Suriname and confessed to the heinous crime.

It was established after Ravikan’s death that he had provided the gun that was used in the execution-style killing of Guyanese businessman Somnath Manohar on March 30 last.

After his death, Manohar’s family had offered members of a gang US$50,000 to revenge his killing.

Suriname law enforcement officials believe the recent piracy attacks were in retaliation for Manohar’s death. However, one of the men fingered in the piracy attacks is Nakool Manohar, brother of the late Somnath Manohar.

Nakool was arraigned in Guyana with only three counts of piracy-related offences, and has been remanded to prison. Another man, Ron Drepaul, who reportedly was seen in the

company of Nakool on the night of the fatal attacks, was also arrested, and remains in Police custody.

As investigations continue, the two countries are looking for a breakthrough, as well as to place the suspects before the courts.

At the Monday meeting of law enforcement officials, held in the Commissioner`s Conference Room at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine was accompanied by Assistant Commissioner, Law Enforcement, Paul Williams; Assistant Commissioner and Commander, `B` Division, Lyndon Alves, and others.

The visiting team comprised acting Head, Department of Major Crimes, Senior Superintendent Roberto Prade; Chief, Investigation Department, Superintendent Erwin Dort; Acting Chief, International Affairs, Deputy Superintendent Bryan Isaacs; and Detective Sergeant Jayant Somai.

The visiting team is expected to depart Guyana today, having met with senior investigators from Guyana’s Criminal Investigation Department, and with other intelligence officers.

Miner jailed for escaping from custody …denies robbery charges

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wenty-nine-yearold miner David Alexander of Lot 61 Hadfield Street, Lodge was yesterday arraigned in Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman’s court on a charge of escaping from

Police custody.

Particulars of the charge state that on May 19, 2018 at North Road, Georgetown, while being in Police custody for questioning in a robbery-with-aggravation offence, he escaped from

lawful custody.

He pleaded guilty with explanation, telling the court that he had been badly beaten by Police ranks, and was being taken to recover the items which he had reportedly stolen when he was left alone in the Police van; and fearing for his life, he escaped.

However, Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore told the court that Alexander pushed an officer and made good his escape. He was later apprehended in a minibus at Industry, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

As such, Alexander was jailed for 18 months on this charge.

He denied two other charges brought against him, alleging that on May 19, 2018, at both Hincks Street and Regent Street, Georgetown, while being in the company of others, he robbed Junior Azim and Johnny Loham respectively of items with a total value of $25,000. These cases will continue on June 11.

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tuesDAY, may 22, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

M&CC accused of putting horse-cart operators on breadline

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he Georgetown City Council (M&CC) took a recent decision have horse-cart operators removed from plying their trades in the vicinity of various business districts along Georgetown, and many operators have voiced their concerns and disapproval with the council’s decision, noting that it would deeply affect their livelihoods.

Several horse-cart operators invited this publication to visit them in Lombard Street and also at Alexander Street, Georgetown.

The operators noted that that they are worried about the consequences of the decision by City Council.

Many expressed that when the decision is implemented, they would be rendered jobless, and as such, unable to provide basic necessities for their families.

They say it is unfortunate

The carts along Lombard Street

that City Hall made a decision to put them on the breadline without any visit or consultation.

Neil (only name given) was one of the men from the gathering of affected persons. He noted that he has been operating within the vicinity for the past 28 years, and it is the only skill he knows and can utilise to

assist his children.

“I don’t have no other qualification. Majority of the cart-man that you see operating a cart they don’t have a qualification, and this is the only thing that we can do. If the council have to move the cart-men them, they going to take away my earning, and that will affect my family and me.”

Others shared the same sentiments, noting that they are not educated or qualified to gain employment.

While emphasising on the high unemployment rate, which Guyana has been faced with in recent times, many indicated that this M&CC decision would result in many persons resorting to crime and violence

to survive.

“With that they doing, everybody gon want thief and so, because they taking away your living and then they don’t have jobs to give you,” many have said.

Meanwhile, the operators note that they are registered by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to operate their carts, which costs more than what is being paid for a motorcar licence. Additionally, it was revealed that the cost for equipment for a cart is expensive.

“When the constables come to move me, I will stand up for my right, cause a license for the cart alone is $10,000. We is registered cart owners and they can’t be doing this! We register at GRA. This cart don’t come on the road just like that.”

With this move implemented by the council, doz-

ens of individuals would be left without a job, since they will be restricted from functioning in the city -- a place where they earn their daily income.

Recently, the Town Council expressed an interest in having the carts removed from operating in Georgetown, since it painted a picture of the city as an unpleasant place. In response, the operators stated that they are under the impression that their livelihoods were not considered when this decision was taken.

While the carts that linger in the vicinity of the Nurses Association on Alexander Street will be the first to be removed, other locations will follow in the coming weeks. The first removal will be implemented as early as next week.

Buxton Pump Station construction is a “failure” – Engineer

P

opular engineer Charles Ceres on Monday said that the recently-constructed $240 million pump station at Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) is an “engineering failure” since too much money was spent to build it with no instrumental benefits to the residents.

Ceres, who is a Civil, Geotechnical and Groundwater Hydrology Engineer and founded Ground Structures Engineering Consultants Inc, made the statement when he addressed the opening of the University of Guyana’s School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation Inaugural Entrepreneurship and Innovation Conference at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel.

The engineer said that the majority of projects were plagued by engineering failures that were both detrimental to the public and to the drive to ensure that Guyanese people have a living wage. He

Following intense flooding, Government secured a $1.4 billion line of cred-

Civil, Geotechnical and Groundwater Hydrology Engineer Charles Ceres

“Engineering failure is the failure to optimise the use of money, recognise opportunities and failure to provide value to the end user. This optimisation ensures minimisation of costs and risks and maximisation of benefits,” he said.

Turning his attention to the Buxton Pump Station, Ceres said the construction

The $240 million Buxton Pump Station

added that the failures were evident in both the Public and Private Sectors, but expressed concern with regard to the Private Sector, since he noted that optimisation of resources should be paramount to the Private Sector.

included the removal of soil to a depth of approximately 20 feet followed by the construction of a hollowed concrete structure built on a pile foundation.

“The soil removed

weighed more than the pump station. It begs the question why was piles removed. The engineers at the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Drainage and Irrigation Board said they were unaware of this ever having been done before.

These individuals were informed of several such structures being built as part of GuySuCo infrastructure. Engineers of the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Drainage and Irrigation Board are more focused on precedent.

Precedent is sometimes applicable in law and not in engineering. The pump station construction is a failure. It did not optimise the benefits to the end user, since too much money was spent to build it,” Ceres posited.

Earlier this month, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder commissioned the $240 million drainage pump station aimed at alleviating flooding in Buxton and surrounding areas. The pump station is equipped with a 70.6 cu/sec pump, which has the capacity to discharge water at a rate of 31,700 gallons per minute.

it from the World Bank for the construction of three pump stations located at

Lusignan, Friendship/ Vigilance, and Enmore.

12 news

tuesDAY, may 22, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mother dies after giving birth at NA Hospital

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31-year-old mother of one died after giving birth at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Dead is Dawn Cobis of Kimbia, Berbice River.

Reports are the woman died last Wednesday after giving birth to a baby boy via a caesarean (C-section).

Guyana Times understands that the woman reported to relatives that she was feeling unwell after being taken from the labour room to the maternity ward.

Her relatives said that she told them that when this was reported to nurses on duty, they told her that she was “playing tricks”.

On Monday, the relatives of the dead woman told this publication that

woman began experiencing pains on May 1 and was admitted and remained a patient at the Hospital for more than two weeks before the surgery was performed.

The relatives said that when they made enquiries they were chased out of the Hospital.

“We tell the nurse and

we get chase out. We don’t know what happen...No, they not telling us anything,” one relative said.

Meanwhile, relatives claimed that they then approached a doctor at the medical facility and were met with the same behaviour.

“A doctor, she don’t have a name tag but she come

out from inside where they does keep the dead and she come and start pointing her finger up in my face and asking why we call in the media and why we contact a lawyer,” the angry relative said.

A post-mortem conducted on the body of Cobis last Friday was inconclusive, and body parts were al-

legedly removed for further tests to be carried out.

Guyana Times understands that the New Amsterdam Hospital has launched an investigation into the death.

Hospital sources confirmed that a report is being prepared on the incident. Cobis was laid to rest on Sunday at Kimbia.

US crime, security report Dead: Dawn Cobis

relatives were still waiting for a proper explanation from the Hospital about Cobis’ death. This newspaper was told that the

Acting Traffic Chief rubbishes “rare to nonexistent” traffic enforcement assertions

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ess than one week ago, the United States Department of State released its 2018 Crime and Security Report, wherein the following was asserted regarding Guyana: “Road conditions and road safety standards are below US standards. Roads are rarely maintained, and street lighting is sporadic. Vehicle accidents are very common, and accidents involving pedestrians are also very common.

Traffic enforcement is rare to non-existent.”

Acting Traffic Chief Ramesh Ashram is, however, rubbishing that report’s claims that enforcement of traffic regulations are “rare to non-existent.” Contacted on Monday, Ashram told Guyana Times that although he is yet to see the contents of the report in its entirety, the assertion regarding “little to no enforcement of traffic regulations” is one that he would contend. He has referred to the recently released statistics for the first quarter of 2018 to substantiate his contention.

“We have been doing enforcement all the time. It is an ongoing exercise, and for the year so far, we have had over 30,000 cases made out.

So I don’t know about not doing enforcement,” Ashram has said.

Police Traffic Chief Ramesh Ashram

Just last week, the Police, in a release, revealed that there was an 11.4 per cent decrease in fatal accidents up to the end of April 2018, with 34 people having lost their lives. Decreases were also recorded in serious, minor and damage accidents. Speeding continues to account for most of the road deaths, followed by pedestrians crossing in the path of approaching vehicles. Three people have been killed as a result of persons driving under the influence of alcohol, and three as a result of drivers being inattentive. One person was killed as the failed to confirm to signs.

The GPF release also revealed that 29,064 cases were made out against errant drivers from January to April 2018.

The US report identified traffic accidents as a major concern in Georgetown, with speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol being contributory factors. It has added that road and driving conditions are poor.

“Police sporadically enforce local traffic laws, and local drivers oft e n d r i v e

recklessly. Stop signs and traffic signals are often ignored…few roads have sidewalks. A combination of very aggressive and inexperienced, timid vehicle operators makes driving especially dangerous.

Speeding, reckless driving, tailgating, cutting across lanes, stopping quickly without signalling, passing at intersections, and passing on crowded streets are commonplace,” the report stated.

The US report has additionally urged US citizens travelling to interior locations to do so with experienced tour companies, while identifying that medical and law enforcement resources in many interior locations are significantly less than what is available in Georgetown.

The report also declared road and driving conditions poor, and has coupled this with poor street lighting and drivers not lowering highbeam lights.

Contacted, P u b l i c Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has said he is yet to peruse the report, and has refused to offer a comment on road conditions throughout the country.

For years, though, citizens throughout Guyana have protested, and continue to protest, the deplorable state of the country’s roads.

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13

tuesDAY, may 22, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden-Lethem Road

Govt addressing deplorable state of road – Patterson …while driver recounts near death experience ted to addressing it.

Road users are contending that there are still some good sections of the Linden/ Lethem Road, but those are outnumbered by bad sections. One bus driver, Ramroop (only name given), had said that Government needs to do more to maintain the condition of the road. He said the drivers are not opposed to paying an increase in toll in exchange for better roads. He explained that because of the impassible road at Fairview Village, bus operators are now being forced to pay as much as $5,000 to villagers for them to use the village truck to pull their vehicles out of the slush, adding that they are paying this charge in addition to tolls and maintenance cost.

Christmas Bridge at Region Eight. The 32-year-old father of two sustained injuries to his hand, legs, back and head, and required urgent medical attention.

Relating his near-death experience, Inderdeo told this publication that he was heading back to Georgetown on Thursday when his truck, GWW 5832, became stuck on the Christmas Bridge.

“I was crossing the bridge when one of the boards broke and the truck fly in the corner. So that happen

ger side to avoid life-threatening injuries.

“After them pull me out, the truck them take me to the Iwokrama Health Centre, and then the Annai Health Centre, and then the Lethem hospital. But I take me own discharge and come to town, and went to a hospital and see a doctor, and them tell me to take it easy,” Inderdeo explained.

The man, like others, said the Government need to urgently intervene and conduct immediate repairs and

Near death experience

F

The truck overboard at the Christmas Bridge

ollowing reports carried by Guyana Times of the deplorable state of the Linden-Lethem road, together with images thereof, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has said Government is addressing the issue, and has pointed out that “contracts are out for (its) repair and maintenance.”

Over the weekend, reports and video images of the deplorable state of the road were sent to this media house, with road users contending that sections of the road -- at Fairview in Region Nine and at Kurupukari in Region Eight -- are almost impassible, and most of the road has been flooded due to heavy rainfall over the past week.

Last Friday, a truck driven by Dianand “Vicky” Inderdeo of Lot 2 Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara was returning to Georgetown

One of the broken bridges

A flooded section of the Kurupukari stretch of road

Minister Patterson told Guyana Times on Monday that he has seen the reports, has been made aware of the situation, and has commit-

with a consignment of lumber when it toppled into a creek while crossing the

on Thursday, and the truck spend the whole night on the bridge, and Friday morning two trucks pass and I beg them man to help pull me out, and when they went pulling the truck out, the board under it start sprawl out, and next thing me know is overboard me went,” he related.

The man has said he has been traversing the LindenLethem Road for over 11 years, and this is the worst condition he has ever seen the road in. He further said that when the truck toppled into the creek, he was forced to climb out by the passen-

maintenance to the road.

Minister Patterson had earlier this month said work would soon commence on the construction of a new, single- or dual-lane fixed bridge approximately 600 metres long, at the Kurupukari ferry, and one year after it was announced, that the river would be bridged.

Currently, persons travelling the Linden/Lethem trail have to cross the Essequibo River at Kurupukari -- a privately-operated pontoon service. Kurupukari Village is located along the Lethem– Georgetown trail, about five hours from Lethem.

In February of 2017,

The injured Dianand “Vicky” Inderdeo

the Public Infrastructure Ministry had said it was gearing up to commence construction on the first phase of the Linden-Lethem Road project, which will be funded through the United Kingdom Government under its UK/Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF) programme.

In September 2015, former UK Prime Minister David Cameron had announced a £300 million investment in vital new infrastructure such as roads, bridges and ports to help drive economic growth and development across the Caribbean region. Guyana was named among nine Caribbean states to benefit from this grant.

The first phase of the project, which spans from Linden to Mabura, covers approximately 122.5 kilometres of road and the construction of the bridge across the Essequibo River at Kurupukari.

The Minister is optimistic that by late 2020, the Linden/Lethem road linking Guyana and Brazil would be completed. Budget 2018 provides $1.5B for hinterland roads rehabilitation, as well as for completion of all roll over projects.

14 News

tuesDAY, may 22, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden man burnt with gasoline by battered reputed wife D

eon Marks, 43, a vendor of Lot 206 Fourth Street, Silvertown and also of Lot 31 Nottinghamshire Mines in Linden, was burned about his body with gasoline by his reputed wife, following an argument at their home.

Reports are that, following the incident, the man was rushed to the Linden Hospital while his 52-yearold reputed wife was taken into Police custody.

According to Police, the couple has been together for two years, and Marks is reportedly in the habit of

threatening and hitting his reputed wife.

This publication was told that on Sunday an argument ensued after the woman accused Marks of stealing her money. During the argument, the woman allegedly locked Marks out of their Nottinghamshire

Mines house.

Marks allegedly armed himself with a spade and broke the lock to the home to gain entry. The women reportedly then retrieved a gallon bottle of gasoline and threw it on the victim along with a cigarette she was smoking.

Take your duty to your community seriously – Harmon M

inister of State, Joseph Harmon, urged the community leaders of MahaicaBerbice (Region Five) to take their responsibility to their communities and fellow residents seriously as he noted that they have a duty to work with every community member to improve their quality of life.

The State Minister was at the time delivering the feature address at the opening of the Community Leaders Leadership Forum on Sunday evening, at the Belladrum Secondary School.

Minister Harmon said that community leaders and community development organisations play an important role in the consolidation of local democracy and governance through the local government administration, as well as fuelling the momentum towards development. Noting that the theme, ‘Working together for the upliftment of the community’ is most appropriate, he said that the community leaders must understand, appreciate and be committed to resolving the issues that the communities face.

“We, as Government, recognise that we cannot foster true development in communities across Guyana by the mere infusion of resources from the top but

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon chats with members of the community

rather with the full and effective involvement of community based organisations that are mandated to undertake community initiatives for the benefit of all residents of the community, which makes them the best conduit through which information, resources and development activities can be channelled from the Government to the community. Simply put, community development organisations are the best channels for effective administration and communication between the Government, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and the people,” the minister is quoted by the Department of Public Information as say-

ing.

Noting that Guyana has a rich history of people centred, people focused, and people driven community initiatives, Minister Harmon said that over the years, numerous self-help groups, cooperatives and community based groups have emerged as change agents within communities. These institutions have made and continue to make immeasurable contributions to the development of communities across Guyana, but Minister Harmon said that a more collective and cooperative effort is needed to address issues in the community.

“I hope you will decide on a way to create greater synergy with central

Government, RDC and the NDC in the area of policy, programmatic interventions and other activities that the community would like. I would also like this forum to reinforce the unquestionable virtue of collaboration for the use of limited resources to develop the community and to create the environment for a strong, effective, self-sustainable community through collective endeavours. It is important that at the end of this forum, you as community-based organisers should no longer see yourself as a mere community activist but rather, as developmental partners working in collaboration with all levels of Government to ensure the good life for all particularly the members of your community,” he said.

Chairman of the NDC, Emile Wilson in an invited comment, said that community members are pleased with the progress that has been made in several of the villages since this administration took office. He noted that the cooperation and support that have been given to the communities in the Region by the administration must be commended and applauded.

After the opening ceremony, residents were given the opportunity to raise their concerns with the minister, many of which were addressed on the ground.

As Marks’s body caught fire, he rushed to the gate and jumped into a gutter.

A taxi driver saws what had taken place and rushed him to the Linden Hospital Complex. He was treated for burns about his body and his condition is listed as stable.

The woman later surrendered to ranks at the Mackenzie Police Station, where she reportedly admitted to the crime.

Police later visited the scene of the crime.

Investigations are ongoing.

(Utamu Belle)

Juvenile perpetuators of sexual harassment can be charged – Ann Greene

C

hild Care and Protection Agency Director Ann Green recently reminded that juvenile perpetuators of sexual harassment are not exempted from the laws, and they, too, can be charged.

The CCPA director made this statement as she was responding to a question voiced by a curious audience member at a forum which encouraged discussions on sexual harassment.

Greene, who specifically addressed the issue of sexual harassment in institutional care, said, “Institutional care is a life saver for children sometimes, but is also a dangerous place to be.

Children should not be in institutional care; and even when we place them there, we’re trying to get them out as fast as possible.”

She accepted the fact that although the institutions are monitored, the act occurs. “They are monitored, but, in some homes, the challenges are there, and sexual abuse in institutions happens; but we are trying to not let it happen in our institutional care, but there is a possibility that it will happen,” Green pointed out.

The director was keen to note that sexual harassment in the institutions are “mostly children with children”, and pointed to the fact that children in care are given the opportunity to talk and interact with persons

outside of the homes.

According to her, the agency has not recorded many cases of sexual harassment. As a matter of fact, she said, the “couple of cases” reported, were dealt with seriously.

Due to this and other reasons, Green said, “We want to prevent children from becoming institutionalized; and if a child stays over four months in an institution, that child becomes institutionalized. So when we place children in an institution, we have to get them out really quickly…going to an institution is a last resort.”

The agency usually explores all other options she noted.

It is also against that backdrop that the Mentorship and Foster Care Programs were introduced, Green said.

The Child Care provider explained that juveniles can be charged for sexual harassment. According to her, the laws of Guyana provide a clause with ‘close-age’.

Close-age, she said, is where the sex is consensual, but the two parties involved are both underage. In those cases, Green said, the two parties would be subjected to counselling by the CC&PA. However, if consent was not given and the offender is of age, the offender can be charged for the offence of rape, which is nothing new in this Department.

Inaugural Entrepreneurship and Innovation Conference opens

T

he inaugural Entrepreneurship and Innovation Conference hosted by the University of Guyana’s School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI) opened on Monday at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel.

The aim of the conference is to build relations and networks between current and budding entrepreneurs. The conference is being hosted by the SEBI under the theme “Economic transformation through entrepreneurship and innovation”, and runs until May 22.

UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, has said SEBI must have a curriculum that is not only theoretical, but also practical, hence the reason for the conference. He noted that

the conference will become an annual forum, where students, academics, businessmen and women within and beyond Guyana can be a part of advancing entrepreneurship while celebrating innovation.

“We decided that SEBI needs to actualize the realities of Guyana. One of that is that we are in a continent that speaks languages other than English, and we are not going to competitively undervalue yourselves by operating in English framework, and so we said students graduating through SEBI must know a language other than English,” Griffith said.

“We are going to use the opportunity of tapping into the expertise of businessmen and women, so we are creating the position called Professors of Practice to al-

Some of the participants at the Conference

low businesspeople to come and impart their expertise (and) impart their knowledge. We are going to be creating a position called Executive in Residence, where a businesswoman or man can come and spend a week or month or semester

(for) practical delivery, complementing those theoretical skills,” he added.

The opening ceremony featured Chief Executive Officer of Ground Structures Engineering Consultants Inc, Charles Ceres, as the keynote speaker. He spoke

extensively about the absence of incorporation of economic considerations into the engineering project and solutions in Guyana.

Ceres, who is also a Civil, Geotechnical and Groundwater Hydrology Engineer, said the daily traffic pile-up on the East Bank Demerara road is as a result of poor planning and lack of forensic analysis prior to the implementation of the project.

“This roadway is a local access roadway… apparently people who conceptualize these developments never considered the cost of lost working hours, increased fuel consumption, and the cost of human lives…certainly incorporated no assessment of risk, no U-turns and no dedicated single access points,” he explained.

“The cost of lost time and

lost lives probably exceeds the cost to put mitigation measures in place in the form of dedicated U-turns which will not snarl traffic… I suspect that people who conceptualize development along this corridor considered only direct cost to the public purse. The results of poor engineering conception and design has however increased the economic cost to the country in the form of lost time, increased fuel consumption, and lost lives,” he added.

The conference includes presenters such as Business Minister Dominic Gaskin and Chief Executive Officer of GTT, Justin Nedd.

Additionally, there are keynote speakers from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, the United States and the United Kingdom.

news

15

tuesDAY, may 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Harmon to challenge Williams Ruimveldt residents concerned over clogged canals for PNC chairmanship

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

E

xecutive member of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon has announced that he will be challenging Basil Williams for the position of Chairman of the PNC. Williams, who is also a party executive, is current-

ly the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs.

Harmon made the announcement in a short statement on Monday. He said that the PNC held its Congress biannually at which all positions of leadership (inclusive of Party Leader and Central Executives) were up for voting.

“That is the democracy which we practise. So every member of the Party can aspire to the highest office in our party and like many others, I am a member of the Party of long standing and, therefore, have indicated that it is my desire and my interest in putting myself up as a candidate for the chairmanship of the Party,” said Harmon.

The PNC on Saturday last held its second General Council Meeting for the year.

In April, Williams had

…reports flooding every rainy season

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams

hinted that he may run again for the chairmanship.

“I am servant of the PNC and a servant of my party.

They know me. I have been working steadily throughout the years, and me and my comrades… so we don’t think that’s an issue,” he stated.

500 Dynamic Airlines’ passengers refunded at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Accounts Department, Fort Street, Kingston. Passengers must produce a valid identification and proof of ticket purchase.

Since the airline pulled plugs on the Guyana Market in October of 2017, the Public Infrastructure Ministry had initiated the process to access a bond for the sum of US$200,000 which was lodged by Dynamic International Airways.

Local handling agent Roraima Airways Inc. had

authorities, or the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority.

The voluntary Chapter 11 petition was filed by Dynamic Airways with the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Middle District of North Carolina.

This chapter of the Bankruptcy Code generally provides for reorganisation. Moreover, Chapter 11 allows a debtor to propose a plan of reorganisation to keep its business alive and pay creditors over time.

This includes the lawsuits from Hajj flights that

Principal Assistant Secretary (General) Jason Duport

W

ith the rainy season here, many residents of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown are expressing concern about clogged canals, which could pose a potential threat, since this has been the main reason for flooding in the past.

When this publication visited the area, residents indicated that they have, on numerous occasions, called on the Georgetown City Council to have the canal which drains the East Ruimveldt area unclogged.

However, it seems as though their calls have fallen on deaf ears.

“We call them, you know…every time, and they don’t come. This thing is not just this year, it is something that we facing for as long as I could remember. Look at the canal. You can’t even know that it get a canal there. People who

submitted to the Public Infrastructure Ministry a list of the names of 609 passengers who are eligible for refunds.

Dynamic Airways suspended its operations on October 3, 2017 to facilitate reorganisation of its Chapter 11 case under which the airline filed for bankruptcy.

In an issued statement, the airline had said that it remained committed to honouring all outstanding financial obligations, whether to passengers, airport

Dynamic operated in 2014 for Air India, and an arbitration award against Dynamic Int’l finding that the airline was in breach of contract by failing to pay commissions to BKP Enterprises in connection with the Hajj flights.

Just a month after filing for bankruptcy, one of the airline’s creditors had moved to the courts to force the airline to liquidate its assists; Dynamic had owed that creditor some US$1.19 million.

not from round here don’t know,” a resident stated.

Residents indicated that neglected canals, overgrown vegetation, and silt and garbage have caused the waterways to become blocked with debris; and as such, they cannot facilitate the increased water flow during rainy days.

“What happen is that all this bush and tree grow up in the trench, and nobody really clear it out from the start; so that’s why that’s happening now. The water don’t have nowhere to go, and the place looking like a jungle,” he further explained.

Just a month ago, it was reported that many residents of the area experienced flooding when heavy rainfall was experienced for a period of two days.

Floyd King Stuart, an affected resident, had noted at that time that he has been

residing in the area for over 20 years, and the flooding situation has only worsened with time.

In some instances, the water rose by more than two feet, since the Front Road Canal is silted up and overgrown with vegetation.

Persons have indicated that in order for residents to get some relief from the constant flooding, the silt needs to be removed and the vegetation has to be cleared, so that the excess water can leave the communities.

“They got to come and dig out all the silt that build up and then the water could run out,” has been the general consensus.

The residents are calling on the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to engage the public in a discussion which can result in a favourable outcome. In the past, it is alleged, the council has ignored the residents’ plight.

MOPT is mulling development of animation industry

T

he Public Telecommunications Ministry is examining the further development of an animation industry in Guyana.

This was disclosed by Minister Cathy Hughes at the inaugural Entrepreneurship and Innovation Conference.

The minister told the gathering that the development of an animation industry will provide further investment opportunities for the country and will also fos-

O

ver 500 passengers who had booked to travel with Dynamic International Airways before it pulled out of the Guyana market have been fully refunded. This is according to Principal Assistant Secretary (General) Jason Duport, in a release to the media on Monday.

He noted that while there had been some hiccups, the overall process was laudable and the refunding process is progressing smoothly.

“We were particularly pleased with the conduct of members of the public,” Duport said. “Persons were respectful and followed procedure, and we’d like to thank the members of the public for their patience.”

However, persons who are yet to uplift their refunds are urged to do so by Friday. Passengers are reminded that refunds will be issued from Monday through Thursday from 09:00h to 15:00h, and Friday from 09:00h to 14:00h

The Front Road Canal

ter new entrepreneurs and employment opportunities.

She said the Government will be networking with relevant stakeholders to build synergy for the development of the industry since the animation industry has increased significantly across the Caribbean.

“We are looking at opportunities to ensure budding entrepreneurs are given opportunities to develop ourselves in the animation market … the opportunities to garner international busi-

Minister Cathy Hughes

ness is real and possible and we think here our labour cost makes an advantage for us to be able to compete in a worldwide market compared to those in the industry.”

According to the minister, there is currently a small privately-owned animation studio called Animax which began in 2013 providing 15 to 16 seats for showings. The ministry has already funded three persons involved in local animation network for training in Suriname.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, may 22, 2018

Regional

PM: Barbados will leave CCJ

O

nce the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is returned to office, Barbados will be withdrawing from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as its final Court of Appeal.

Stating quite clearly he was not taking issue with the decisions coming out of the Court, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart said, however, he would not be changing his mind.

To loud applause from the crowd gathered for a national meeting at Eagle Hall, St Michael on Saturday night, Stuart said Barbados was the first to join and could be the first to leave.

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has had enough of the disrespect from the Caribbean Court of Justice towards Barbados

Barbados joined the CCJ in 2004 and Stuart said even while in Opposition in the

Senate, he championed the cause of the Court and urged the break from the Privy Council in England.

After 14 years, only Barbados, Guyana, Belize, and Dominica have joined.

Stuart emphasised it was not the decisions, because he knew the courts got decisions right and wrong and as a lawyer when he disagreed, he would appeal.

However, he noted Jamaica kept “a safe distance”, as did Trinidad and Tobago even though the headquarters were there and the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines, decided by referendum, to stay with

the Privy Council. Other Caribbean nations have opted not to join.

Stuart said he spoke to outgoing president Sir Dennis Byron some years ago and he also raised concerns in Parliament before it was dissolved that judgements coming out of the CCJ were not reflecting positively on Barbados.

“I am not going to have Barbados disrespected by politicians wearing robes,” he said.

The Prime Minister also said Barbados would not be going back to the Privy Council. (Excerpt from nation-

news.com)

Venezuela's Maduro faces fresh sanctions after disputed re-election

V

enezuela’s socialist President Nicolás Maduro faced growing international condemnation and possible fresh US sanctions on Monday, after his re-election that critics denounced as a farce cementing autocracy in the crisis-stricken oil producer.

The 55-year-old successor to late leftist leader Hugo Chávez hailed his win as a victory against “imperialism”.

But his main challengers alleged irregularities and refused to recognise the result.

Venezuela’s mainstream Opposition boycotted Sunday’s vote, given that two of its most popular leaders were barred, authorities had banned the coalition and several of its parties, and the election board is run by Maduro loyalists.

The President took 68 per cent of votes – more than three times as many as his main rival Henri Falcon.

However, turnout was a low 46 per cent, compared with 80 per cent at the last presidential election in 2013.

Thousands of red-clad Maduro supporters hugged and danced past midnight outside the presidential palace in

Rights commission condemns abuses during Nicaragua protests

T

he Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on Monday condemned Nicaragua’s response to weeks of protests against President Daniel Ortega, criticising a crackdown that resulted in rights abuses, including torture and possibly even murder.

In a preliminary report of its findings, the IACHR said that since April 18, it had documented at least 76 people killed, and 868 injured, after protests broke out over discontent with a new law that raised worker and employer social security contributions while cutting benefits.

“The IACHR gathered documentary and audio-visual evidence, and heard

hundreds of testimonies that reveal grave violations of human rights during a month of protests, characterised by the excessive use of force by State security forces and armed third-parties,” it said.

“This resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of people injured, illegal and arbitrary detentions, torture, cruel inhuman and degrading treatment, censure and attacks against the press, and other forms of intimidation,” it added.

The report also said that “there could have been extrajudicial executions”.

The Nicaraguan Government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Mexico presidential debate: “US needs Mexico as well”

M Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro raises a finger as he is surrounded by supporters while speaking during a gathering after the results of the election were released, outside of the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, May 20, 2018

Caracas, showered in confetti.

“The revolution is here to stay!” a jubilant Maduro told the crowd. He promised to prioritise economic recovery after five years of crippling recession that has seen many in the nation of 30 million people struggle with chronic shortages of food, medicines

and other basic necessities.

“We mustn’t cave to any empire, or go running to the International Monetary Fund as Argentina did,” said Government supporter Ingrid Sequera, 51. She wore a T-shirt with a logo featuring the eyes of Maduro’s mentor, Chávez. (Excerpt from Reuters)

exico’s relationship and politics towards the United States were the central topics in the country’s second presidential debate.

All of the candidates insisted the relationship must be based on mutual respect.

Hosted in the border city of Tijuana on Sunday, the debate focused on trade, migrants, jobs, salaries, the Mexico-US border and the fight against criminal gangs.

The town-hall forum, moderated by Mexican Journalists Yuriria Serra and Leon Krauze, allowed the candidates to connect with the audience, which could ask the candidates questions.

Four candidates took part in the debate.

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, 64, is polling at least 41.5 per cent support in his third bid for the presidency, according to Oraculus.mx.

Ricardo Anaya, 39, heads a right-left alliance and is in the second place with at least 26.7 per cent.

Jose Antonio Meade, a former Finance Minister representing the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, is in the third place.

The fourth candidate, Jaime Rodriguez “Bronco”, an independent, has thus far only seen single-digit support in the polls. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Panday’s daughter gets support 2 Cuban air crash survivors for new party fighting for their lives – doctors

Former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, left, and former Port-ofSpain Mayor Louis Lee Sing after the open forum hosted by Mickela Panday at Gaston Courts, Gaston Street, Lange Park, Chaguanas

“

T

he consensus is clear!”

That was the pronouncement from Dr Ronald Roopnarine, chairman of Sunday’s meeting by the Panday family and supporters to discuss formation of a new political party.

Roopnarine made the declaration after hearing a loud “Yes!” from a large cross-section of attendees

at the meeting after the question was put to them at the climax of the session at Gaston Court, Chaguanas.

He confirmed that moves would be made in the coming weeks by former United National Congress (UNC) Member of Parliament (MP) Mickela Panday and her supporters to form the party.

“We’ve received the

mandate from the floor and we shall be acting in this regard,” he said.

However, not all of the people who packed the Gaston Court auditorium, including many past supporters of the People’s National Movement (PNM); UNC; and Congress of the People (COP), supported the plan for a new political party. Some, like exPNMite Louis Lee Sing, urged Panday to do ground work across T&T first and get views.

However, Roopnarine said: “While there were some with alternative views, we have to go with the majority view. In terms of democracy, the majority spoke and said yes.”

The Gaston Court auditorium, where there was standing room only at the height of the event, was decorated with posters with the words It’s Time and a photo of Panday. (Excerpt from Trinidad

Guardian)

This handout picture released by Cuban News Agency (ACN) shows doctors attending a survivor of a plane crash, at a hospital in Havana, after a Cubana de Aviacion aircraft crashed

T

wo of the three Cuban women pulled alive from the wreckage of a plane crash that killed 110 people are fighting for their lives in hospital, doctors said on Monday.

“The three patients continue to be in an extremely critical condition, with a high risk of complications,” Carlos Alberto Martinez, director of Havana’s Calixto Garcia

Hospital told reporters.

A Boeing 737 leased to national carrier Cubana de Aviacion crashed shortly after taking off from Havana’s Jose Marti airport on Friday with 113 passengers and crew aboard.

The Cuban Government is investigating the cause of the crash and has so far identified 33 of the dead, some of whom have already been buried.

Giving a medical update three days after the disaster, Martinez described the condition of two of the survivors as “unfavourable”.

One 23-year-old woman had suffered severe head injuries and severe neurological damage. A second woman, 39, has burns to more than 40 per cent of her body, he said.

Both women also have serious injuries such as traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, damage to thoracic and abdominal cavities as well as burns, he said.

They, along with the third survivor, a 19-year-old, have undergone several surgeries since being pulled from the wreckage of the plane.

All three face “a high risk of complications”, he said.

Martinez paid tribute to the medical team “that managed to keep them alive for 72 hours” after the accident, but said “the problems they present are of high severity”. (Excerpt

from AFP)

tuesDAY, may 22, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

US vows “strongest sanctions Modi meets Putin as India in history” on Iran walks US-Russia tightrope

The US vows “unprecedented pressure on Iran”

U

S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the United States is imposing the "strongest sanctions in history" on Iran.

In a speech in Washington, America's top diplomat said Iran would be "battling to keep its economy alive" after the sanctions took effect.

His Iranian counterpart said the US was a prisoner of its "failed policies" and would suffer the consequences.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump took the US out of the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

US sanctions lifted after the 2015 deal will be re-im-

posed, Pompeo said, and those and new measures will together constitute "unprecedented financial pressure on the Iranian regime".

The older American sanctions prohibited almost all trade with Iran, making some exceptions only for activity "intended to benefit the Iranian people" such as the export of medical and agricultural equipment.

The Secretary of State did not say what new measures Washington was contemplating but he described sanctions imposed last week on the head of Iran's central bank as "just the beginning".

Some of Europe's biggest firms who rushed to do business with Iran after the nuclear deal now find themselves forced to choose between investing there or trading with the US. Iran is one of the world's largest oil producers, and the export of oil and gas is worth billions of dollars each year. (Excerpt from BBC News)

I

ndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi as part of an informal summit between the two countries.

"Am confident the talks with President [Vladimir] Putin will further strengthen the special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia," Modi tweeted on the eve of the trip aimed at underscoring close ties.

Regional issues, including

the US decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, will likely be the focus of the talks between the two leaders.

"The main driver of this meeting is the geopolitical environment prevailing today," PS Raghavan, chief of India's national security advisory board, told Al Jazeera.

"The primary purpose of Modi's Russia trip would be to discuss the evolving geopolitical situation and to understand each other's perspective – to be able to see how we can both deal with situations in common interest," Raghavan,

Burundi backs new Constitution extending presidential term limits

Italy populists name PM candidate

L

aw professor Giuseppe Conte has been named as the choice of the Five Star Movement and League to lead the coalition Government.

The leaders of the two parties have been holding talks with President Sergio Mattarella over the approval of their coalition government.

The Five Star's Luigi di Maio has said that

Mattarella had been informed that Conte was the agreed candidate.

The two populist parties issued their joint coalition plans last week.

They both reject European Union (EU) austerity and want to renegotiate Italy's debt, and their spending proposals put Italy on a collision course with the EU. The coalition pledges,

agreed after days of talks between Di Maio and the League's Matteo Salvini, include new "flat tax" rates and a guaranteed basic income for the poor.

Their expensive economic plans could prompt a clash with the EU if they defy the previous government's agreements to reduce Italy's budget deficit. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Sante Fe school shooting: Suspect 'was rejected' by ‘1st’ victim

T

he mother of a 16-year-old girl killed in the Santa Fe school shooting has said her daughter had publicly rejected suspected killer Dimitrios Pagourtzis just days before the attack.

Sadie Rodriguez said her daughter Shana Fisher had endured "four months of problems from this boy".

"He kept making advances on her and she repeatedly told him no," she told the Los Angeles Times.

Ten people died in the shooting on Friday, and 13 were injured.

Rodriguez said Pagourtzis had been increasingly aggressive until her daughter stood up to him, embarrassing him in class.

"A week later he opens fire on everyone he didn't

Shana Fisher was aggressively pursued by Dimitrios Pagourtzis, her mother says

like," she said.

Rodriguez claimed her daughter had been the first shot dead, but did not specify how she knew.

The student's aunt, Candi Thurman, wrote on Twitter: "Shana turned 16

on May 9th. She should be getting her first car, not a funeral." Pagourtzis, 17, has been charged with murder after the attack at Santa Fe High School, south-east of Houston in Texas. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

who was also a former Indian envoy to Russia, said.

New Delhi's overtures towards Moscow come at a time when India is facing the heat of a US trade war through hefty import tariffs.

The aggressive new approach towards Iran adopted by the Administration of US President Donald Trump is also upsetting India's carefully laid plans in Tehran, including operations at a strategic port in which India has pledged to invest US$500 million. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

President Pierre Nkurunziza first came to power in 2005 [Evrard Ngendakumana/Reuters]

V

oters in Burundi have backed constitutional amendments that could potentially allow President Pierre Nkurunziza

to stay in office until 2034 as well as boost his powers.

Pierre-Claver Ndayicariye, election commission chief, said 73 per cent of voters had

voted "Yes" in the referendum to change the Constitution, including whether the current five-year-presidential terms will be increased to seven years. No change to the limit of two terms in office was proposed.

Nineteen per cent voted "No", with a turnout of 96 per cent. More than five million people had registered to vote in the referendum on May 17, according to officials The new document also scraps one of the country's two constitutionally-enshrined vice presidents and shifts a number of powers away from the Government to the President.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

China launch will prep for Moon landing

C

hina has launched a relay satellite to prepare for a lunar rover mission planned for later in the year.

The Queqiao spacecraft will establish a communications link between Earth and the landing mission, which looks set to launch in the next six months. The satellite was launched at 22:28 BST on Sunday (05:28 local time) from Xichang launch centre in the country's south-west. It will settle in an orbit about 455,000 kilometres (282,555 miles) from Earth. This orbit will also take it more than 60,000 km from

The satellite launched on a Long March-4C rocket from the Xichang launch centre

the lunar farside, where China will aim to put down a lander and rover – a mission called Chang'e 4. Queqiao should be well-positioned to provide

near-continuous contact between China's robotic assets on the lunar farside and a ground station on Earth. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

Ebola death toll hits 26 in DR Congo as vaccinations start

T

he death toll in an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) rose to 26 on Monday after a person died in the northwest city of Mbandaka, the Government said, as it began vaccinating first responders against the

dreaded disease. "A death was recorded (on Sunday), while two people who had been confirmed as ill with the Ebola virus were cured on Saturday," Health Minister Oly Ilunga said. The two cases occurred at Bikoro, a remote area where the outbreak began

and then spread to Mbandaka – an event that has deeply worried health experts. Since the outbreak was announced on May 8, there have been 49 cases, comprising 22 confirmed by laboratory tests, 21 probable and six suspected, Ilunga said. (Excerpt from AFP)

Iran mushroom poisoning: More than 800 sick from deadly fungi

M

ore than 800 people have been poisoned after eating toxic wild mushrooms in around 10 provinces in the west of Iran.

At least 11 people have

died from the effects of the fungi and hundreds more have been hospitalised. There is no effective treatment for this kind of poisoning, Iran's Tasnim News Agency reports.

At least two people have received liver transplants. The mushrooms concerned look similar to edible ones. People have been urged not to buy loose mushrooms and only

purchase those packed and sealed in shops. According to BBC Persian, mushrooms can sometimes be seen for sale in the street in Iran, and local folk wisdom about which ones

are safe to eat can be unreliable. The deadly fungi grow wild in mountainous regions of Iran's west after spring showers, according to Tasnim.

Seven of the dead came from

the Kermanshah area.

Reports suggest that unprecedented rainfall over the past month has led to more mushrooms growing than usual. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, May 22, 2018

ARCHIE

Don’t let anyone limit what you can do. Listen to and ac(March 21- knowledge others’ input, and April 19) make alternative suggestions.

How you approach change will make a difference to the outcome. Diplomacy and willingness to help are encouraged.

ARIES

Learn from people with more TAURUS experience.

Showing respect and (April 20May 20) offering praise where it’s due will lead to an opportunity that can help you get ahead. Be receptive to new ideas and changes.

dilbert

Don’t let your emotions GEMINI (May 21- come between you and someJune 20) one you love, or stop you from making the personal changes necessary for a better home life.

Explain yourself and show others what you want or how (June 21- to do something. Reaching July 22) out and offering help will lead to greater opportunity and good alliances.

CANCER

Peanuts

Keep your opinions to LEO yourself and avoid getting into (July 23- a debate that could ruin your Aug. 22) day. Concentrate on being reliable and finishing what you start. Think twice before making a rash decision.

Calvin and Hobbes

If you bring about change, VIRGO you will be praised for your in(Aug. 23sightful maneuvers. Working Sept. 22) alongside others will help you maintain control. A steady pace will lead to greater stability.

Put more thought into LIBRA (Sept. 23- where your money goes.

Oct. 23) Look over your bank statements to find a way to cut corners. Take better care of your health through good nutrition, diet and exercise.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — ADVANTAGE (ADVANTAGE: ad-VAN-tij: A relatively favorable position.)

SUDOKU

Watch your step when SAGITTARIUS dealing with others.

(Nov. 23Problems with in-laws, sibDec. 21) lings or anyone who tries to control or manipulate you should be firmly dealt with right out of the gate.

Average mark 20 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 27 or more words in ADVANTAGE? The list will be published tomorrow.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

YESTERDAY’S WORD — FLUSTER

felt fetus flue flute fret fuel furl fuse left

lest lure lust luster lute ulster user self serf

slue slur suer suet sure surf true turf rest

restful result rule ruse rust rustle

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

Be imaginative and make SCORPIO some noteworthy changes. A (Oct. 24change to how or where you Nov. 22) live or physical improvements you make will be beneficial.

Organize your day to accomplish what you set out to do. Money or a gift will come from an unusual source.

Home improvements and romance are favored.

solution AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

A cautious approach to change is in your best interest. If someone wants to forge ahead, don’t feel the need to follow along. Do things at your own pace.

Spend less and save more.

Express your thoughts and feelings to get the support you need to move forward. A physical improvement at home will encourage you to share with someone special.

tuesDAY, may 22, 2018

Hopkinson, Richards and McKinnon victorious at Independence IPSC Shoot

T

h e G u y a n a National Rifle Association (GNRA) in conjunction with IPSC Guyana held its 2018 Independence IPSC Shoot, at the jus- refurbished Timehri Rifle Ranges on the LindenSoesdyke Highway over the weekend.

Twenty-two shooters from the GNRA and the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) participated.

The competition started with 3 IPSC Classifiers. The first Classifier Stage was won by RD, IPSC, Harold Hopkinson, the second – Chad Melville, the third – Ryan McKinnon, the fourth – Andrew Phang and the fifth – Rajiv Latchana Then the competition evolved in earnest when shooters engaged the Fourth stage called "The Joker", this 20-round course was all smiles for resident Dentist, Dr Pravesh Harry who took the first position; Hopkinson, Azzad Hassan, John Phang and the Small Bore Captain Dale Hing finished in that order.

The Fifth Stage, “Oops”, designed by the Regional

Director (Hopkinson), who got the idea from his Tobago counterparts, was all steel, with no margin for error. This consisted of six steel plates and six steel poppers, 35 and 30 feet away. This unassuming 12-round course defeated the top contenders. When the disappointment and many, many missed shots were tallied, veteran sharpshooter Hopkinson showed his fellow shooters how to do it, by taking the first position; second was Andrew Phang, third Surijballi Persaud; fourth, Hing and fifth, Melville.

Some competitors took as many as 40 rounds to complete the 12-round course.

One said it bordered on the impossible. It was demanding. The scenario was: knock down the big poppers freestyle, make a mandatory magazine change before engaging the remaining IPSC sanctioned small plates one handed.

The Sixth and final Stage, "Over or Under" was physically demanding.

The copper tunnel was the downfall of many shooters.

Shooters knocked off the barrier, which they had to go under safely (none went over).

Any shooter who dislodged

Participants are all smiles during the presentation of prizes

the barrier lost 10 points!

The lean and keen GSSF President Ryan McKinnon took care of business, by taking the first position; Assad Hassan, Dr Harry, Gordon Richards and Latchana came next in that order.

Regional Director Hopkinson was unchallenged in the Open Division, with his Akai Custom gun that ran very loud and flawlessly.

Combined results were first Ryan McKinnon, 486.4586 match points; Harold Hopkinson – 480

match points; Gordon Richards – 423.3279 match points; Dr Pravesh Harry – 356.3753 match points and Matthew Phang – 329.9295 match points.

The three-man team consisting of McKinnon, Dr Harry and Andrew Phang of the GSSF took the Team Shoot. Second was the GNRA team of Hopkinson, Hing, and Richards.

In keeping with the ideas of President David Granger, who is also the patron of the Guyana NRA, Hopkinson said, "We followed our Head

GTTA Senior National Championships…

Franklin overcomes spirited Britton in thriller

By Akeem Greene

C

hristopher Franklin retained his title as the senior men’s champion just ahead of a dynamic Shemar Britton when the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) senior national championships concluded on Monday evening at the National Gymnasium.

The match brought the teacher and his student together, and Franklin gave Britton a valuable lesson on how to finish matches.

Britton, touted as the future of the sport in the county, gave a good account of himself and looked well underway to claiming his first senior title at the age of 19 as he took a 2-0 lead (

11-6 & 11-6).

His reaction, his serves, his placement –they ticked all the correct boxes and it seemed curtains for Franklin.

But as the saying goes, a true champion never dies and Franklin began pressuring his training partner and came back in to the fray with an 11-9 victory. The audience, although few in number, saw to it that their cheers of support for both players were countless.

Rally after rally mixed with clinical deftness took hold of the fourth set and Franklin won again 11-9.

It was now down to the fifth.

Franklin edged ahead, but

Britton regained his early composure and got the match to 8-10 in his favour and now just had to close out the match. The rest was history, as Franklin took the match to deuce and eventually won 13-11 to spark loud jubilation.

Additionally, former champion Nigel Bryan g o t

the better of Joel Alleyne in another match which went down to the wire. Bryan had the first two set 11-7, 11-5, but Alleyne came back 9-11, 11-13; the decider went 11-8 for Bryan.

In another match, the ageless Colin France defeated “B” Class champion Kyle Edghill 11-6, 12-10 & 11-7.

The three-day event saw Natalie Cummings being crowned the senior female champion, Britton and Priscilla Greaves winning the 21 and Under titles respectively while 11-year-old Jonathon Van Lange took home the “C” Class honours.

of State’s “green state” initiative of Guyana and reduced the use of paper; we utilised the Practiscore electronic system, used exclusively last Sunday."

This scoring system increased the efficiency of scoring; the margin for error was almost nil. The network, designed and controlled by Statistics Director Michael Tang, networked Five Lenova Tablets for the scoring; the shooters had to hit the approve button to authorise and authenticate their scores. The stage computers were then synced to a

19

mainframe Samsung tablet that had a transmitter that could be accessed by all present with a password.

Regional Director Hopkinson extended special thanks to the stage construction team of Michael Tang, Mrs Tang, Clint McKenzie, Chad Melville and Ron Gouveia for braving the elements and preparing 36 targets, 14 poppers, 10 plates in the five bays constructed by the GDF Engineering Corp.

Not forgetting Mrs Roxana Hopkinson, who provided the tasty red beans cook-up and fried chicken that caused the ethnic fatigue of some.

All the steel targets used were fabricated by Calvin Singh and his team. Special thanks to our Association President, Brigadier Patrick West, MSS; the acting Commissioner of Police, Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams and ranks of the Tactical Services Unit.

Last but not least, the members who demonstrated the highest degree of firearm safety. No one was disqualified.

This inaugural Independence Shoot was sponsored by BM Soat Auto Sales and Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc – land, sea, and air security specialists.

Full Results Second Classifier Stage: 1.

John Phang 2.

3.

4.

5.

Ryan McKinnon Dr. Pravesh Harry Andrew Phang Harold Hopkinson

Third Classifier Stage: 1.

Rajiv Latchana 2.

Harold Hopkinson 3.

Gordon Richards 4.

Ryan McKinnon 5.

Dr. Pavesh Harry Production Division (Stock Guns) 1.

Ryan McKinnon 2.

Dr. Pravesh Harry 3.

Matthew Phang 4.

Rajiv Latchana 5.

John Phang Standard Division: (Mofified Guns) 1.

Gordon Richards 2.

Azaad Hassan 3.

Surujbali Persaud 4.

Dale Hing 5.

Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon Harold Hopkinson took the Super Seniors (60 years and over) Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon won the Ladies Division

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, may 22, 2018

VIVO Indian Premier League 2018…

Who will advance?

T

he Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings will compete in Qualifier 1 – the first of the playoff matches of VIVO IPL 2018. SRH finished the regular league season at the top of the table, while CSK occupied second place; both teams finished with 9 wins each – net run rate decided their position in the table.

SRH were the first team to secure a playoff berth; however, Kane Williamson and co. have gone off the boil in their last few games. In a format where momentum is a huge factor, SRH are entering this crucial phase of the competition on the back of three consecutive defeats.

The SRH camp while upbeat about making the playoffs, must be silently worried about the performance of their bowlers. In their last four matches, SRH have conceded totals of 187, 180, 218 and 173 – an overall economy rate of 9.64, which is in stark contrast to their economy rate of 7.24 from earlier in the competition.

In the first half of the season, CSK clinched thrillers; they won with one wicket to spare, with one or two balls remaining and by 4 runs. However, as they’ve

rolled on, CSK have operated like a fine-tuned engine – with all parts playing their role efficiently, as a result often dominating opponents.

They have an in-form batting line-up and have bowlers for specific roles and conditions. In their most-recent outing, CSK defeated Kings XI Punjab in the final league match of the season. On a green surface in Pune, Lungi Ngidi landed two deadly blows to derail KXIP right at the start, thereafter finishing with exceptional figures of 4-1-10-4. MS Dhoni’s tactical masterstroke (of promoting Harbhajan Singh and Deepak Chahar to 4 & 5 respectively) and Suresh Raina’s mature innings were the highlights of a successful run-chase.

Both teams experimented with their XIs in the previous match, but one expects they will return to their first-choice XI for this match. Alex Hales should return to the SRH XI, while Shane Watson should be back in CSK’s XI. The Chennai Super Kings will believe they have the psychological edge over their opponents heading into this match, for they’ve already defeated the Sunrisers twice this season.

CSK Captain MS Dhoni and SRH skipper Kane Williamson share a light moment

Will CSK make it three out of three, or will Sunrisers be able to put the brakes on their losing streak and sail through to the Final?

Impact Batsmen

Kane Williamson, all by himself, has contributed to the extent of 29.6% of Sunrisers’ runs this season; that statistic by itself explains how important he is to his team. Considered a batsman suited better for the longer formats, the SRH captain has been refreshing to watch this IPL. While he continues to employ the traditional methods to score

runs, he has also shed his inhibitions and adapted to the demands of the T20 format, playing strokes which don’t come to him naturally.

Shikhar Dhawan has had an outstanding year with the bat – particularly in the white ball formats; the left-hander has scored three half-centuries in his last four innings and looks hungry for more.

Three CSK batsmen find a place in the top ten run-getters this season; Ambati Rayudu occupies fourth place with an aggregate of 586 runs, while MS Dhoni and Shane Watson are ninth and tenth respec-

tivey with aggregates of 446 runs & 438 runs. Add Suresh Raina, who is 9 short of 400 runs for the season, into the mix; the left-hander – an integral part of CSK, scored a responsible half-century in the win against KXIP.

Impact Bowlers

In this high-stakes match, SRH will look towards Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rashid Khan to do the bulk of the damage.

Bhuvneshwar, the Purple Cap winner in the last two seasons, has come in for plenty of tap in his last three matches – 1-51, 0-38

and 0-33. SRH will hope he can raise his game and cause some damage with the ball. Rashid Khan has often dismissed the key batsman in the opposition; his victims this season include Jos Buttler, Aaron Finch, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers. SRH will need the leg-spinner to work his magic over.

Deepak Chahar has generally bowled well with the new ball; considering the bulk of SRH’s runs have been scored by their top three, if Chahar is able to knock over a few early on, he will have put CSK in a position of strength. Pitches at the Wankhede Stadium have generally offered good pace and bounce; if it is a traditional Wankhede Stadium surface, Lungi Ngidi, who spewed fire in the previous match, will relish the conditions and could be a handful.

The winner of this contest will progress to the Final of VIVO IPL 2018 – which will be played in Mumbai on May 27. The loser of this match will have a second chance to make the final; they will clash against the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2, which will be played in Kolkata on May 25. (iplt20.com)

Mandhana, Kaur excited ahead of historic women’s IPL exhibition match

I

n a bid to promote and nurture women’s cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will be hosting a one-off Twenty20 exhibition match on Tuesday afternoon at the Wankhede Stadium involving some of the best women’s players from around the world.

The Women’s T20 Challenge is being played mainly to test the waters for a prospective T20 league in India involving women’s stars in the future.

Naturally, the importance of it is not lost on all the players involved.

Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana will lead the two sides which will fea-

Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the two teams in the one-off women’s T20 Challenge on May 22, ahead of the IPL 2018 Qualifier 1 in Mumbai

ture several internationals from India, Australia, New Zealand and England.

“It is very exciting for all of us to be playing this

match. It is a stepping stone to the IPL. And hopefully, we will put up a good show and the audience and the BCCI people will think of having

a (women’s) IPL,” Smriti said on the sidelines of her team’s practice session at the Cricket Club of India on Monday.

“Whenever I went to play the Women’s Big Bash League, all of them used to ask when is the IPL starting and I had no answer to them.

Everyone wants to put up a good show and brings women’s cricket to the world,” Smriti, India’s dashing opener said.

While the opinion is divided whether India is ready for a women’s T20 league, India’s star player Harmanpreet feels there is enough talent pool available.

“Yes I do think. We have 20 girls who are representing

India - be it T20, 50 overs, and apart from it there is India A team. We do have 3035 girls. Everything else depends on tomorrow’s match and how we get response from the public. And if there is good response, BCCI is very keen to form such a T20 tournament from next year,” Harmanpreet said.

New Zealand captain Suzie Bates and allrounder Sophie Devine, Australia allrounder Ellyse Perry and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy are some of the names expected to be playing. “This is the first-ever match we will be playing with foreign players on Indian soil. Everyone is excited to part of this historical moment,” Smriti said.

Seeing the impact of the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia, New Zealand legend Suzie Bates said she could see the same happening in India.

“I think this is going to be absolutely key (women’s league), if we want to see more female cricketers in India seeing it as a career.

In the WBBL, you always had the Australian players that were great players and worked hard. But now, younger players are able to make it to the Big Bash teams and be the best cricketers they can be. That just lifts the standards. So if that can happen in India, it would be massive for the women’s game.”

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sports

Taylor elated about Saints Chess Championship title

J

aden Taylor was all smiles on Saturday afternoon after the conclusion of the Saints Chess Championships, where he played superbly to receive the title of “Saints’ Chess Champion”.

The young man, who has been perfecting his game for quite a few years, suffered his only defeat to Ethan Lee over the weekend. The seemingly intense match-up saw Lee and Taylor going back and forth with their pieces at a fast rate. At a crucial point in the game, Taylor found himself a Bishop up for some pawns, but eventually lost the exchange given to inaccuracies in his calculations. Admitting that Lee received a well-deserved win, Taylor was of the view that he played to the best of his ability.

“I basically had to overcome all the challenges

against Ethan Lee, who was my toughest opponent. I lost against him but I played well in the end,” he said.

Taylor’s loss in that match cost him the overall win; however, he still managed to cop the “Saints’ Chess Champion” title owing to the fact that he was a student of the school. The young man disclosed that the win was valued by him.

“It means a lot to take the school title because the last time we had one of these tournaments I placed very low. And to actually win this one is very good,” an elated Taylor stated.

Taylor continues to improve upon his already impressive track record.

Recently, the young man broke into the World Chess Federation (FIDE) international rankings; he is currently ranked at 1131.

Jaden Taylor faces off with Ethan Lee

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at GASA Independence meet A

21

s the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) hosted its Independence Swim meet at the Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal over the weekend, the usual suspects dominated the three days of action.

In an overview of the weekend’s proceedings, Ethan Gonsalves challenged Raekwon Noel in several of his favourite events; Leon Seaton exceeded the already high expectations and Aleka Persaud continued in her remarkable form smashing records.

Noel kicked off with a win in the Boys’ 11-12 50m breaststroke in 39.22s with Gonsalves following closely with 39.23s.

Jaleel Anderson took third with 42.23s.

Noel outswam Gonsalves again in the Boys’ 11-12 200m freestyle clocking 2:23.62s while Gonsalves clocked 2:27.03s. Vladmir Woodroffe rounded off the podium with 2:40.94s.

Gonsalves built his momentum in the 11-12 200m Butterfly, winning in 2:52.55s.

The youngster finally tasted victory against Noel in the 50m freestyle event, which he won in 28.81s ahead of his rival, who clocked

29.11s. Anderson copped third with 31.59s.

Expecting no less, Seaton was unbeatable over the weekend copping a series of first places. Clocking 2:46.66s, he outswam his opponents in the 200m Butterfly on Saturday. He also took first in the 50m breaststroke (36.81s), the 200m breaststroke (3:25.29s) and the 100m back stroke (1:13.06s).

His winning streak continued on Sunday as he dominated the 50m freestyle in 25.97s and the 200m freestyle in 2:15.23s.

In the girls’ 11-12 freestyle, Persaud put on a stunning show as she became the first female Guyanese to swim under 30 seconds.

She clocked 29.73s with Patrice Mahaica barely missing the accolade with 31.67s.

Monique Watson placed third in 32.72s.

Ariel Rodrigues, Anthony Persaud, Amber De Goeas, Dashawna Williams, Mahaica, Shareefah Lewis, Andrew Fowler and Antonio Rodrigues also registered wins over the weekend. The annual meet served as a great preparatory exercise for those who will be representing Guyana at the Goodwill Games this August in Barbados.

RDC/Lloyd Britton/Devcon Construction/REO Region 4 Schools competition

Annandale advance to final A

nnandale

Secondary demolished Hope Secondary School by an innings and nine runs which earned them enough points to progress to the final of the RDC/Lloyd Britton/Devcon Construction/REO Region Four Inter-Secondary Schools competition.

Playing at the Lusignan Ground, Annandale Secondary posted 103 all out in 29.2 overs as Chanderpaul Ramraj (28) and Romel Datterdeen (20) top scored in the first innings while Amir Mohammed was the standout of the bowlers for the opposition with 3-2.

He was supported by Denzil Wilson and Troy Simpson, who both picked up two wickets each.

In reply, Hope Secondary stumbled to 57 all out in 18.1 overs. Daniel Prashad claimed 3-10 as Rahuldev Vivakanand was the only batsman to reach double figures with 11.

With a lead of 46 runs, the follow-on was not avoided which meant Hope Secondary had another chance to clear the deficit.

That went horribly wrong for them, as they were 37-9 at the close of play. Joshua

Blackman starred with the ball this time as he finished with 4-11 while Mohammed had 3-6.

Meanwhile, Friendship and Diamond will clash in the second semi-final to see who join Annandale to battle for top honours.

Over at the Everest Ground, Soesdyke won the toss against Friendship and chose to bat, but were bowled out for 39 in 7.1 overs.

No batsman reached double figures as Rondel Kattow picked up 3-3, Damion Smith 3-8 and Prince Forde 3-22.

Friendship posted 97-6 and intelligently declared with some time left in the day. The 16 overs they batted saw Adrian Lim top score with 44 even as Kenroy December had 3-13 and John Blair, 2-11.

At the close of play, Friendship was well on top as Soesdyke straddled along with 60-5 in seven overs.

Kattow once again had figures of 3-3.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesdAY, may 22, 2018

Sportsmen/women

to be bestowed with NSC honours today

I

t is one day when there is no need for track pants, joggers and sneakers; it is the one day when Guyana’s top sportsmen and women come decked in elegant formal attire. It is the 2017 National Sports Commission (NSC) Awards, which will be held today from 06:45h at the Savannah Suite of the Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

Since the release of the list of nominees, heads have been scratched over possible winners, but no clues have been given who will walk away with the various accolades this evening.

More so, the presence of triple jumper Troy Doris, Guyana’s 2018 Commonwealth gold medallist, has created a significant buzz around the gala ceremony.

The 2016 awards saw Doris and Guyana Jaguars and West Indies batsman Leon Johnson jointly winning the Senior Sportsman of the Year while national record holder in the 100 metres and 200 metres Brenessa Thompson was voted Senior Sportswoman of the Year.

The Junior Sportsperson Award went to Carifta gold medallist and jumper Chantoba Bright and 11-year-old table tennis player Kaysan Ninvalle respectively.

This year, the list of nominees includes: Senior Sportswoman of the Year: Marazana Fiedtkou and Taylor

It was a gala ceremony for the 2016 awards and an even bigger ceremony is expected today at the Savannah Suite of the Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel

Fernandes Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Chantoba Bright and Natrena Hooper Senior Sportsman of the Year: Calvin Ming and Winston George Junior Sportsman of the Year: Keevin Allicock, Compton Caesar, Daniel Williams, Baskhar Yadram, Raymond Perez and Leon Seaton Jr Association of the Year: Athletics Association of Guyana, and the Hockey Federation Most Improved Sports Association/Federation of the Year: Hockey Federation, Guyana Boxing Association, Demerara Volleyball Association, Guyana Cricket Board, and

Guyana Football Federation Female Sports Personality: Natisha Mokutnauth, Elizabeth Sunich, Lavern FraserThomas, and Allian Pompey Male Sports Personality: Norman “Juice Man” Welch.

Male Coach of the Year: Esuan Crandon, Johnny Gravesande, Carl Ince, and Phillip Fernandes Female Coach of the Year: Candacy McKenzie and Sherry Abrams Male Sports Official: Phillip Fernandes, Devin Hooper and Garfield Wiltshire Female Sports Official: Dion CushBarnwell, Lavern FraserThomas, and Nzinga

Maxwell Sportsman of the Year (Person with Disability):

Ganesh Singh, Calvin Thomas, Walter GrantStuart, and Leroy Phillips

Sportswoman (Person with disability): Faith King, Malika Crawford, Shontel Munroe, and Cassie Gill Sports Team of the Year: National U-19 Cricket Team, National Senior Female Football Team, and the Green Machine – the National Rugby Team.

Print Journalists: Akeem Greene (Guyana Times); Rajiv Bisnauth (Guyana Chronicle) and Calvin Chapman (Kaieteur News) Online Journalists: Treiston Joseph (Newsroom); Avenash Ramzan (Newsroom) and Royston Alkins (The Xercise) Television Journalists: Treiston Joseph (Newsroom); Akeem Greene (TVG) and Colwyn Abrams (HGPTV) Photographers: Keno George (Stabroek News); Delano Williams (Guyana Chronicle) and Adrian Narine (Guyana Chronicle).

BCB begin process to unearth new coaches

The participants of the Brian Ramphal Coaching Programme listen attentive to the presentation of the tutors

T

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) with sponsorship of an overseas based Guyanese, Brian Ramphal hosted a training clinic for 45 potential Level One Coaches at the Albion Sports Complex.

The coaches were drawn from several major clubs in Berbice including Blairmont, Police, Young Warriors, Tucber Park, Rose Hall Canje, Skeldon, Upper Corentyne, Albion, Port Mourant, Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Kendall’s Union, No. 73 and Mount Sinai.

The Clinic was being conducted by Level III Cricket Coach Winston Smith with support from Coaches Andre Percival, Balram Samaroo and Tremayne Smartt.

BCB President Hilbert Foster hailed the programme as a major investment into Berbice cricket which would assist in a massive turnaround of the game.

The Clinic which would conclude on Saturday and the main objectives are to development a wider pool of coaches in Berbice, to make sure that every First Division Club has persons with the basic knowledge

of coaching, to prepare potential coaches to write the Level One Coaching Certificate Programme and to provide information to young Berbice Youth Players in an effort to improve them.

A pool of Berbice Junior Cricketers is involved in the programme as part of their personal development.

The players include Zeymul and Abdul Ramsammy, Kevin Sinclair, Javed Rahim, Marvin Prashad, Alex Algoo, Steve Deonarine, Christopher Harry and Kevin Umroa.

Foster, pleaded with the coaches to dedicate themselves to the development of every youth as the main objective of the Berbice Cricket Board is to make sure that every youth in Berbice fulfill his/her full potential on the cricket field.

He disclosed that too many players are representing Berbice with technical problems and this must be corrected in the future.

The workaholic and energetic President stated that the Coaches’ Programme is just one of several developmental project that would be unveiled in the next two

months.

Others include a Countywide Coaching Programme, Educational Posters, Social Skills Seminar, Elite Coaching Programme and Cricket Academy. Noting that he has a solid track record of achievements, the Berbice Cricket Board President stated that obtaining sponsorship is not a problem for Berbice Cricket as is the problem for other cricket boards.

Special thanks were expressed to Ramphal for his $1M donation which would be used for several cricket developmental Programmes.

Head Coach Winston Smith hailed the investment of the Berbice Cricket Board and urged the forty-five potential coaches to dedicate themselves during the course of the clinic.

Smith also pleaded with the attentive coaches to go back to their respective clubs and make a positive contribution.

The first day of the clinic concentrated on the coaches being involved in batting, wicket keeping, fielding and running between the wickets coaching sessions.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, may 22, 2018

23

Women’s World Cup Qualifiers…

Lady Jags can win this, says Pearson

M

Lakeisha Pearson and lead Assistant head coach Kevin Sherry

uch will be expected of the senior national female football team, the Lady Jags, and according to mid-fielder Lakeisha Pearson, the

squad is confident of meeting all expectations as they aspire to top their group and progress in the Women’s World Cup CONCACAF Caribbean Qualifying tournament.

Placed in group E, Lady Jags will play Bermuda in their first match on Wednesday at Leonora Stadium from 19:30h, then Suriname on Friday and Barbados on Sunday in the four-team group, from which the winners will advance to the round-robin stage.

“The biggest game for us will be the first game, but I don’t think we are under much pressure. We got this; we will win this,” the 23-year-old, who is on her second tournament with the team, confidently related to <<Guyana Times Sport>> on Saturday.

The ladies enter this tournament on the back of mixed fortunes at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Challenge Series where their only defeat came against hosts Trinidad and Tobago and then stalemates against Suriname and Grenada. But they were not at full strength; now, many of the senior and skilled players have returned.

“There is a need for improvement; in that [CFU] tournament, we didn’t have much cohesiveness and training time, but we did well as team. So, I think we are better for this, since seasoned players will add to tour impact and we have a strong team and a better chance of winning,” the Fruta Conquerors player noted.

It is not unusual for high expectations to

be had, since this team have qualified for two major CONCACAF events while the men’s team are yet to achieve even a Gold Cup berth.

The final round of the Caribbean qualifiers will be disputed from August 25 to September 2, among the five first-round group winners. The top three finishers of the final round will qualify for the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship. The United States will welcome the region’s top women’s national teams for the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship, which will crown a regional champion and qualify three teams directly for the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, plus the fourth-place finisher to an intercontinental play-off. The women’s championship is scheduled to be played October 4-17. The Guyana squad consists of: Taylor White (G); Natalie Nedd (G); Aneesa O’Brien (G); Sasha James; Odessa Romeo; Nikita Persaud; Sydney Cummings; Brianne DeSouza; Alicia Zaban; Allison Heydron; Collette Hope; Brittany Persaud; Miriam ElMasri; Tiandi Smith; Jade Vyphuis; Ghilene Joseph; Lakeisha Pearson; Horicia Adams; Brianna Desa; Hannah Baptiste; Calaigh Copland; Ashlee Savona; Annalisa Vincent; Cameo Hazelwood; Jalade Trim; and Otesha Charles.

Bishoo, Munroe cop major

awards at Brian Ramphal Awards W

est Indies players Devendra Bishoo of the Albion Cricket Club and Sabrina Munroe of the Tucber Park Cricket Club copped the two major awards on Sunday last when the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) hosted its Brian Ramphal Annual Award Ceremony after an absence of three years.

Bishoo took home the International Cricketer of the Year and Berbice Cricketer of the Year Awards while Munroe copped the Female Cricketer-of-theYear Award.

The ceremony was well-attended by the Berbice Cricket Board Executives, cricketers, parents and stakeholders of Berbice cricket and was held at the Albion Sports Complex Training Centre. Among the special invitees were Attorneyat-Law Arudranauth Gossai; former BCB Presidents Anil Beharry and Malcolm Peters; V-Net Communications Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Safraz Sheriffudeen; former Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Assistant Secretary Ronald Williams; and West Indies players Veerasammy Permaul, Tremayne Smartt, and Erva Giddings.

The BCB, during the ceremony, honoured the winning Under-19 boys’ team

who were double champions at the inter-county level and

The Board during that period of time was able to raise

the outstanding work of the three-month administration.

in Coaching. For the first time also, the Cricket Board

Guest Speaker, Attorney Gossai spoke on the importance of discipline and urged the Cricket Board to always put cricket first. The Attorney-at-Law, who spearheaded the fight to return Berbice cricket to normalcy, brought the audience up to date on the long fight to return democracy to the gentleman’s game in Berbice.

Gossai also praised the work of the Cricket Board and stated that the President’s three-month report looked like a three-year report for most organisations.

The BCB also honoured Patrick Gray, Anil Beharry and Joseph Simon for their contributions to Berbice cricket while Coaches Julian Moore and Winston Smith were recognised for attaining the status of Level III

introduced a Role Model Cricketers Award segment.

Members of the Berbice public were invited to vote for the cricketer they admired at the Junior, Female

Invitees of the Brian Ramphal Awards Ceremony

the winning female team which won the GCB Female 50-Overs Tournament. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) of each team, Erva Giddings and Kevlon Anderson respectively, received trophies, medals, and a bicycle valued $18,000 each.

Five educational cricket posters were also launched as part of the Cricket Board’s developmental programme while Ruthel Henry, a longtime employee of the Board, received a financial contribution under the Board’s Charity Programme.

BCB President Hilbert Foster, in a comprehensive report on the performance of the Board since his election on February 18, 2018, described the last three months as a period of unbelievable progress and achievements.

over $5 million in sponsorship while close to 20 tournaments have been launched and numerous developmental programmes have either been organised or launched.

Clubs in Berbice, he stated, would be involved in tournaments as never before at the Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Under-21, Intermediate, Female, Second Division and Zone levels while school cricket would also return after a long absence. Foster urged clubs and officials to work as a collective unit to make sure that every potential talent is fulfilled.

Other speakers at the Award Ceremony included past BCB Presidents Peters and Beharry and exGCB Assistant Secretary Williams, who all praised

and Senior levels. Javed Karim received the Junior Role Model Award; Shabika Gajnabi, the Female Award while West Indies player Shimron Hetmyer took home the Senior Role Model Award.

The BCB would like to express gratitude to Brian Ramphal, GuySuCo, Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Bissoondyal Singh, Republic Bank, A Ally & Sons, NA Hamid, Demerara Bank, Shabeer Baksh, Guyana Beverage Company and New Building Society for their support. The major sponsor was overseas-based Guyanese Ramphal, who has donated $1 million to Berbice cricket for 2018.

The full list of Awardees:

1) Berbice Under-15 Player - Marvin Prashad 2) Berbice Under-17 Player - Kevlon Anderson 3) Berbice Under-19 Player - Kevin Sinclair 4) Berbice Under-19 Female Player - Shabika Gajnabi 5) Most Improved Youth - Karran Arjpaul 6) Most Improved Senior - Romario Shepherd 7) Female Cricketer of the Year - Sabrina Munroe 8) Youth Coach of the Year - Julian Moore 9) Senior Coach of the Year - Esuan Crandon 10) Female Coach of the Year - Tremayne Smartt 11) School of the Year - Lower Corentyne Secondary School 12) Most Improved Club - Blairmont Cricket Club 13) Club of the Year - Albion Com Centre Cricket Club 14) Regional 4-Day - Veerasammy Permaul 15) Regional 50-Overs - Romario Shepherd 16) International Male/Cricketer of the Year - Devendra Bishoo

tuesDAY, may 22, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Women’s World Cup Qualifiers…

Pg 23

Lady Jags can win this, says Pearson Head Coach Dr Ivan Joseph keeps an eye on the players during a recent training session at the Leonora Stadium

Pg 19

GTTA Senior National Championships…

Franklin overcomes spirited Britton in thriller Shemar Britton (right) and Christopher Franklin produced a master class of a match in the senior men’s open on Monday evening at the National Gymnasium (Akeem Greene photo

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