Guyanatime 28 february 2018

Utilise clean water for playing Phagwah – Public Health Ministry advises

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Issue No. 3488

PRICE

ExxonMobil discovers more oil offshore Guyana

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Page 3

Thieves break into Masjid

…escape with amplifier, other equipment P15

Ogle fatal beating

Son remanded for allegedly killing father’s P8 patient Carjacking ‘mastermind’ released on $1M bail P8

…as Trotman to be stripped of responsibility for oil

Police accused of Wanted Baramita beating Enterprise man shot by man, residents Police Page 9

$80 vat included

Page 7

Rice millers still owed for Panama rice shipment

OIA sexual assault

Police rank denies cavity search of teen P13 Gun-toting bandits rob porter of P11 $635,000

Page 2

…no word as to when they will be paid in full

GDF to brief parliamentary committee on border security Page 12

$15B GuySuCo loan will trigger local financial crisis – Opposition advisor

Page 12

Delinquent miners must be held accountable P7 – Govt …as stakeholder consultations on code of conduct launched

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wednesDAY, February 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Rice millers still owed for Panama rice shipment …no word as to when they will be paid in full

O

ver two years have passed and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) is yet to deliver on its obligation to pay rice millers and operators for rice exported to Panama since 2015.

There also seems to be no clear indication as to whether any concrete move would be made to ensure that the millers and operators were given their payments any time soon.

Guyana Times spoke with GRDB General Manager Nizam Hassan last week and was told to call back, but several calls went unanswered. On Tuesday, another call was made to Hassan, who referred this newspaper to the Guyana Rice Millers Association (GRMA).

The GRDB Head was reluctant to provide any information regarding the issue and insisted that the GRMA would have information about payments, even though the GRDB was the entity responsible for such arrangements.

Contact was also made with GRMA Head Leekha Rambrich, who told this newspaper that a meeting was held a few weeks ago and a promise was made to start delivering on payment.

Rambrich, who also happens to be the GRDB Vice Chairman, said that no payment has been made so far. He could not say when these payments would be made, but hinted that it may be soon.

The official also referred this

GRDB General Manager Nizam Hassan

publication to Hassan, stating that as chairman, he would have readily available information on all payments to rice millers and operators.

“GRDB signed a contract with Panama to supply this rice and not the millers. And GRDB is responsible for paying the millers.

So that question has to be referred right back to him (Hassan),” he stated.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder told Guyana Times recently that while he was not familiar with the specific issue, most of the international sales of rice were done between buyers and sellers.

The GRDB, he said, has an important role to ensure that certification is in place, and in the case of the financial arrangements between the two countries for these shipments, it would involve the boards.

“And in these things, Governments are not necessarily the quickest payers. Why? Not because they don’t have money, but because the system has to go through a certain way and regulations and what GRDB tends to do is if millers are in stress, they try to advance monies to these millers,” he explained.

However, this is clearly not the case in this particular incident. In most cases, once the millers are not paid, payment to rice farmers themselves was also affected.

Broken promise

Meanwhile, Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA) Head Dharamkumar Seeraj reiterated that the Government has failed to honour its promises of betterment for rice millers and exporters. He also explained that it has been over two years since these rice millers have been awaiting payment.

Previously, the RPA had said that it believed the GRDB was in a sound financial position based on the amount of levies collected from exports over the years to pay these millers either fully or at least a substantial amount of the total due.

A rice shipment leaving a local wharf

The rice farmers’ representative body noted that the sector was severely affected by the amount owed to the millers/exporters, adding that some of them were on the verge of bankruptcy while others could not invest in the further development of their facilities. The body explained that the failure to pay the millers/exporters would affect the efficiency of the industry as well as profitability.

According to the RPA, payments to suppliers for rice will better serve the industry than “the squandering of the GRDB money over ill-thought projects that are absolute failures. The failure of the GRDB, a Government agency,

to pay the millers is another betrayal of another campaign promise by the coalition Government of the APNU/AFC [A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change].”

In August of 2014, Guyana was able to ink a five-year deal with the Government of Panama for 5000 tonnes of rice per month.

At the time of signing the agreement, the Agriculture Ministry said Panama imports about 150,000 tonnes of rice annually, through the Private Sector and the agreement between the two Governments was to ensure Panamanians had access to rice at an affordable price. (Samuel Sukhnandan)

news

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wednesDAY, February 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Wednesday, February 28 – a night retraction at 04:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Thursday, March 1 – a night retraction at 04:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, February 28 – 15:05h-16:35h and Thursday, March 1 – 15:55h-17:25h.

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Partly cloudy skies and sunny conditions are expected throughout the day, with partly cloudy to clear skies in the evening. Overall temperatures are expected to range between 20 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly and East North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.91 metres.

ExxonMobil discovers more oil offshore Guyana …Trotman to be stripped of responsibility for oil

…Dept of Energy to be created under Ministry of the Presidency

E

xxonMobil has discovered oil in a new well offshore Guyana. This announcement was made during Cabinet’s discussions on Tuesday when it was also disclosed that Government planned to strip away the responsibility for the oil sector from Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman.

Immediately following the conclusion of Cabinet discussions, Trotman informed the media that he would, in the coming months, no longer have responsibility for the oil sector, a role he has faced

More oil Meanwhile, ExxonMobil’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Kimberly Brasington confirmed that there has been another oil find – this time in the Pacora-1 well. She assured stakeholders that further information would be provided by today.

Block The Stabroek is 6.6 million acres. Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator and hold a 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration

High Tide: 15:42h reaching a maximum height of 2.69 metres.

Low Tide: 09:15h and 21:43h reaching minimum heights of 0.65 metre and 0.48 metre respectively.

Exxon’s oil operations in the Stabroek Block

SATURDAY, february 24, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS A

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tuesDAY, february 27, 2018

DAILY MILLIONS 02 06 18 20 21 LUCKY 3 1 7 3

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much criticism about.

Instead, he revealed that based on a proposal he made – a Department of Energy would be created under the Ministry of the Presidency to manage the sector. While he will ultimately no longer have responsibility for the sector, he will still oversee the staffing of the unit.

“Minister Trotman has been appointed head of the Task Force, which will be responsible for submitting to Cabinet a proposal on how the Department of Energy is to be structured and staffed.

The Task Force will also comprise other Ministers of Government,” a release from the Department of Information later stated.

Since the revelation of a secret signing bonus, the emerging sector has been mired in controversy. When it renegotiated an agreement with oil giant ExxonMobil, Government collected a US$18 million signing bonus from the company. However, the Government failed to disclose this transaction to the nation, despite several officials, including Trotman, being questioned about it by the media.

This continued until the document was leaked to the media. Proof of the bonus came to light when the letter dated September 2016 and addressed to Bank of Guyana Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga was leaked last year. The letter had instructed him to set up a special account for the money This forced Government to admit to receiving the money, and there has since been much criticism of the subterfuge, with Government explaining that the money was to be used to procure lawyers for Guyana’s border controversy case when it is heard at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Ltd holds a 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds a 25 per cent interest.

In May 2015, Exxon confirmed that more than 295 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs was encountered at its Liza 1 exploration well.

In late June 2016, Exxon’s drilling results at Liza 2 revealed more than 58 metres of oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs in Upper Cretaceous formations. The well was drilled to 5475 metres at 1692 metres water depth. Drilling results confirmed recoverable resources to be between 800 million and 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

The company had an-

nounced that it made its third significant discovery in its drilling explorations offshore Guyana. Its partner, Hess Corporation, had noted that the Liza 3 exploratory well’s net value could be US$6.2 billion based on calculations from the Bank of Montreal (BMO) Capital Markets.

Drilling on Payara began on November 12, 2016, with initial total depth reached on December 2, 2016. In January of 2017, the oil giant had announced it had struck some 95 feet of oil reservoirs in its Payara-1 well, targeting the same type of reservoirs as the well’s Liza counterpart.

Oil was discovered in the Turbot-1 well in October of 2017. According to the oil company following the discovery, the well reservoir was 75 feet deep. Drilling has been ongoing at the Turbot well since August 2017.

Then, in what is actually its second biggest single oil reservoir find to date in Guyana’s waters, ExxonMobil had announced the discovery of 230 feet

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

of high-quality oil in its Ranger-1 well recently. This means that there is potentially 3.2 million recoverable barrels of oil in the block.

It had been understood that following the completion of the Ranger-1 well, the Stena Carron drillship would move to the Pacora prospect, four miles from the Payara discovery. Additional exploration drilling is planned on the Stabroek Block for 2018, including potential appraisal drilling at the Ranger discovery.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, February 28, 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

Deafening silence on Corriverton’s will

L

ast week, the Mayor of Corriverton complained bitterly that the Guyana Police Force and the leadership of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government sabotaged the town’s annual flag-raising ceremony, which was planned to mark Guyana’s 48th Republic Anniversary on February 23, 2018.

Among other things, the Mayor alleged that the Police descended on the event and demanded that the organisers desist from playing any music or instruments during the course of the event. The lawmen also reportedly told the Mayor and Councillors present that they were instructed to prevent the event from taking place, because no permission was sought or obtained for the event to be staged legally.

Additionally, the Commander of B Division’s name was called as the person who passed the instructions to the ranks, both supervisory and junior, within Corriverton.

The Mayor explained that the actions of the Police were as a direct result of the political interference of high-ranking officials within the coalition Government, who refused to accept the will of the residents of Corriverton. While giving more details to the media, the local government official said that the Town Council had originally invited subject Minister Ronald Bulkan to deliver remarks at the event weeks ahead of its execution. He related when no response was received, another decision was taken to invite a young Berbician and parliamentarian in the person of Adrian Anamayah to fill the void. However, an offer was made to have Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan as an alternative representative from the Government who would deliver “feature remarks”. After consultation, the Council rejected Minister Ramjattan as a feature speaker, but rather agreed to have him added to the programme.

In steps the People’s National Congress’s General Secretary, Amna Ally, who is also the Social Protection Minister within the Government, into the mix of things.

Ally then instructs the Mayor to disregard the will of the full council and entertain “feature” remarks by Minister Ramjattan, who is the current Chairman of the AFC. When the Council refused to reconsider its decision, Ally then informed the Mayor that she has already passed instructions that would see the event not coming to fruition.

The Mayor said to this newspaper that the actions of the Police and the Executive resulted in February 23 being one of the darkest days in the history of Corriverton. He said that local democracy and the will of the people was undermined and The Town Council would be taking action to ensure that there was no reoccurrence.

Despite the protestations of the Mayor and people of Corriverton, the Government has remained silent on the entire controversy. Neither Minister Bulkan nor any of his colleagues have condemned the actions of the Guyana Police Force on the eve of this country’s republic anniversary. And this silence cannot be downplayed. In fact, this silence must be seen as culpability because from all of the facts surrounding the fracas, the Government appears guilty of giving operational instructions to the Police at B Division which amounts to political interference in the work of the Force.

Also, the fact that the B Division Commander is distancing himself from the embarrassing event makes it even more interesting. If the Commander wants the public to believe that he is indeed not guilty of following political directives, then he must immediately commence a probe into what really took place at Corriverton with the aim of finding out who exactly gave the order to halt and sabotage the event. As a matter of fact, the Police Commissioner is now duty-bound, given the seriousness of the allegations being made by the Mayor and the fact that the image of the Guyana Police Force is at stake, to order an independent probe into the saga.

And if the Government wants to defend the integrity of Ministers Ramjattan, Ally and Bulkan to a lesser extent, it must strongly condemn the sabotage at Corriverton publicly, support the probe and call for those behind the saga to be disciplined. If the Government is serious about upholding local democracy and respecting the rights of local democratic organs and town councils, then President David Granger must personally request an explanation from the three Ministers about their role in the diabolical plot to undermine the town’s flag-raising event. If any of the Ministers accept responsibility and that they gave operational instructions to the Police, they should be made to resign immediately.

A St Joseph High School student pays keen attention to the detail in this Betsy Karim piece, which forms part of the National Gallery of Art exhibition entitled “We the people” to mark the 48th Republic anniversary of Guyana at Castellani House. The exhibition also features Bryan Clarke and Michael Khan (Carl Croker photo)

An unconscionable contract can never be final (Pt 1)

Dear Editor, The headline that caused me grave dismay was: “Exxon Contract - Final – Harmon”; published on February 23, 2017. On reading the headline, several thoughts overcame me: President Jagan would have absolutely rejected this contract; President Burnham would have never given away our birthright; Walter Rodney would never go against the people.

I felt betrayed and furious; what arrogance, how bull headed can we get; we are being treated like plantation workers. Guyanese did not give any politician or party the right to dole out 6.6 million oil rich acres of their country without sufficient compensation; thus, whether or not the coalition administration assigned a minister with plenipotentiary power to act on behalf of the cabinet, there is still the requirement of approval from the legislative branch, the budget process, or some such similar mechanism.

On what basis can Minister Harmon contend that the Exxon Contract is final? Merely because Minister Trotman signed a Petroleum Agreement? It takes more than one stump to make a wicket. Can the President or his aide/minister sign away any of our counties: Berbice, Demerara or Essequibo, to Exxon and say the contract is final without even having the approval of Parliament?

And if they did have parliamentary approval, would that make it legal and prop-

er?

The coalition party is caught running downhill; it is afraid to stop for fear of falling or admitting errors.

The party, led by its core leaders, continue running Guyana downhill while giving off an odour of pretence that something beneficial to Guyana is being done.

I do understand that politicians are inherently spokespersons for the inner power core of the political parties; now the core is prostrating to Exxon, our new overlords.

We, the people, must push, force, request, and petition our political leaders to come out and speak with certitude and in an unfettered manner for the contract to be renegotiated.

I suspect, and daresay, ExxonMobil has its subsidiaries, affiliates and associates ensnared to varying degrees into the apparatus of our political parties and the upper echelons of our private sector. It is the way of Esso.

The members of a political party, with rare exceptions, adhere to the paramountcy of party decisions; thus party members invariably toe and support the party line, the support is not necessarily based on what is best for Guyana and Guyanese. It is not important that, in conforming to the party line, you support an imbecile agreement, utter stupidity, gross unfairness, nefarious conduct, racist decisions, economic sabotage, covering up of lies and incompetence, or covering up of mismanagement; or the breaking of promises

or betraying of the Guyanese people to satisfy and largely benefit the upper hierarchy of the political party.

Where was the power to contract out our resources for a farthing constituted?

Surely not from our legislative branch. What of the dismissed and shackled sugar workers? What of the deplorable conditions in Linden?

What of the impoverished bauxite workers? What of the old age pensioners who receive a 100 United States dollars per month? What of our public servants, who are the lowest paid in the Caribbean? What of the poor state of our social services, such as health, water, education and security? What of the need for improved infrastructure? What of the extremely poor quality of life in the less travelled regions of Guyana? Were answers to the foregoing questions not considered when we signed the dotted line of the Petroleum Agreement?

This is a petroleum agreement of infamy, with a signature date on the agreement recorded as June 27, 2016; an agreement signed after it was known that the oil find of over 1.4 billion barrels had a crude oil value of over 13 trillion Guyana Dollars (1.4 billion * US$45.80 * FX Rate of G$210). Oil price on the day of infamy was US$45.80, on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) - Cushing, Oklahoma Exchange. On February 23, 2018, crude oil was priced at US$62.73, and the initial oil find at Liza 1 value was upwards of 18 trillion Guyana Dollars.

Oil findings in Guyana

have now more than doubled, and using February 23, 2018 oil price from WTI, with the Ranger Well oil find included, the total value of oil found in Guyana offshore is conservatively valued at over 52 trillion Guyana Dollars (4 billion * US$62.73 * FX Rate of G$210).

How callow and unthinking it is to use a cut-andpaste contract approach after the oil has been discovered, with the first oil well out of the multitude being explored already giving us 1.4 billion barrels of oil.

Could we not conduct ourselves as men and women of substance and negotiate for a fair share of our multigenerational fortune; and not act as servile hewers of wood and drawers of water?

Only we, the people, can free Guyana from the draconian agreement the behemoth called Exxon has signed with our ensnared leaders. We are now waiting on ourselves to act with courage, resilience, fortitude and perseverance to have this contract renegotiated.

We must address our minds and energies to rectify all oil contracts related to the 4,000,000,000-barrels-and-counting of oil in Guyana’s offshore that’s located in areas with high porosity and high permeability, resulting in top quality and low-cost oil reserves.

We must leverage Guyana’s oil to ensure monetization of the oil find in a manner that Guyanese will have a fair economic share.

Sincerely, Nigel Hinds

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, February 28, 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

Closing factories without One world, one human race (Pt 2) viable replacements not Dear Editor, Black Africans in Africa insist that they are not descendants of slaves. Quite true, but black Africa was not unaffected by African Slavery. Apart from not being distinguishable, my main take-away from my reading of Walter Rodney’s “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” is that, in the loss of so many of its citizens, the drain of scarce capital inherent in their loss, and in the very distraction of the domestic trade that fed the trans-shipment of captive Africans, Africa might have been prevented from reaching a point where population density and other consequential social pressures might have sparked a sustained agricultural and industrial revolution of its own.

And it should be noted -- as I learnt from Bobby Moore in my 1959/60 Modern Britain history course -- that for many in England and Europe during those years of agricultural and industrial revolutions, which years were more or less contemporaneous with African slavery, their lives, in tangible material ways, may have been little better than the lives of slaves.

Spare a thought for English girls of twelve years or so pulling small trolleys of coal out of narrow coal seams; the conditions of work in those dark, satanic mills; having nothing to live on but the discarded heads and tail bones of the

fish caught. Life in the poor house was really a life of last resort.

There have been lots of enforced and self-imposed hard times in the growth and development of Mankind in our journey of sustaining, growing, and developing Humankind. However, as adverse as the conditions were for working people in Europe, they could hold the hope of their children rising and enjoying some of the benefits of their labours.

Today, whilst we, the people of African descent in the Americas and the Caribbean, have left slavery 150 years and more behind, the consequences of that period of black African slavery are still largely with us.

A recent series on BBC World chronicled how slave-owning families benefited, and how their descendants still do. On the other hand, too many of the descendants of black African slaves are trapped in a cycle of discrimination, poverty and need.

What is to be done? Exact reparations? From whom, and to whom? There may be as many answers as the many experts with whom you might choose to consult.

How is the success of this UN decade to be assessed?

Mr. Editor, it may be considered escapist, but I see the answer in a greater awareness of, and commitment to, the idea of “One World, One Human Race”; and this is what I urge my fellow ‘People of African

Descent’ to work towards.

I would argue that this would be what Dr. Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, both inspired by the Mahatma, were working towards, and would have us continue. And as Bob Marley reminds us, freeing ourselves from slavery is not merely a material thing; it is essentially a mental thing.

True, when we recall the period of black African Slavery, a great rage, a great anger, a great bitterness can well up within us; a rage, anger and bitterness that must be safely vented. Let us set aside a day or two a year to rage, to be angry, and to rail at the hand fate has served us; but for the rest of the year, let us be what we should be aiming to be: just members of the one Human Race -- earnest, conscientious, responsible; not devoid of fun and laughter; no better and no worse than others, as we make our contributions.

There has been much progress won through the lives and sacrifices of many persons, of whom King and Mandela are the best known.

Keep the faith, brothers and sisters; that by our work, and through the traditional values which all Mankind hold sacred, we can and will get this period of black African Slavery behind us.

Yours truly, Samuel AA Hinds Former President, and former Prime Minister

Clarity for Baliram Persaud

Dear Editor, The Guyana Revenue Authority wishes to respond to a letter published on February 21, 2018 under the caption “Do pensioners have an entitlement, or does the GRA have discretion?” by Baliram Persaud.

The GRA appreciates Mr Persaud’s concern, and is happy to facilitate the editor’s request for a response.

In his letter, Mr Persaud explained that his understanding of the Withholding Tax (WHT) exemptions was informed by a press statement issued by the Minister of Finance.

Section 8 Paragraph 1 of the Income Tax Act, Chapter 81:01, stipulates that “Notwithstanding the provisions of section 39(1) (c), (d) and (e), any person referred to in subsection (3) whose income from all sources does not exceed seven hundred and twenty thousand dollars per annum shall be exempt from taxation on interest earned on savings accounts”.

Additionally, subsection (3) states that “Subsection (1) shall apply to a person who is a resident in Guyana and who is (i) sixty years or over at the commencement

of the year preceding the year of assessment; or (ii) incapacitated by illness or infirmity.

As you are aware, GRA is constrained by law from divulging specific information on taxpayers, hence the Authority will not respond to Mr Persaud’s case in the public domain. However, it must be clearly understood that even though persons may have attained the stipulated age of sixty (60), all other stipulations outlined in the law must be met; and despite their being senior citizens, the requirement to provide a true and correct return, outlining all sources of income, must be filed.

We hope this provides some clarity to Mr Persaud and all other relevant stakeholders who are desirous of understanding these changes. Those requiring additional information are encouraged to contact our Tax Advisory Services Section, or visit our website www. gra.gov.gy.

Sincerely, Melissa Baird Manager Public Relations Unit Guyana Revenue Authority

a reasonable solution Dear Editor, In view of our economic challenges, it is clear that Guyana cannot finance sugar production forever. The industry was floundering with the loss of the EU preferential market price extended to us. This was compounded by the fact that we have no authority to set prices, as producers of sugar and agricultural products. This is totally unfair, but the stark reality is that developed countries that buy our products have the bargaining power to dictate what they will pay.

Despite this, closing the factories, especially without viable replacements, is not a reasonable solution, because Guyana is clearly not equipped to deal with the destructive socio-economic consequences.

Closing the factories will create tremendous devastating and negative impacts that will ripple across Guyana on personal, family, community and national levels.

Here are a few points to take into consideration: 1. Many of our dedicated and professional GuySuCo workers of various trades -- from cane cutters to mechanics, factory hands that produce sugar, lab technicians and others – will be forced to move to nearby Suriname or French Guiana, and parts of the Caribbean such as Antigua, Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago.

Once those good citizens move, they will not return to Guyana, and we would have lost some quality people pos-

sibly forever. Consider this in light of the fact that our population is already small.

2. Having a large group of non-working menfolk could result in serious social consequences, with some resorting to indulging in alcohol, drugs and domestic violence due to frustration and depression, all of which could, in the long term, affect their families and communities. One man has already reportedly taken his own life because he felt the future for him and his family was bleak with the shutdown of the estate where he was engaged.

I have a few recommendations to make, as it certainly isn’t my style to critique without suggestions.

Very soon, oil monies will come into our country.

We will receive our partnership percentage and royalties. Subsidiaries of ExxonMobil and other major companies are coming to Guyana. Money will be coming in, and some of those funds could be used to subsidize GuySuCo, the rice industry and our bauxite industry. This will keep workers in those industries gainfully employed, so that their standard of living and family life would be maintained, and their children’s education secured. Using oil money to help other sectors would also help to maintain industrial diversity in Guyana’s economy.

While the oil money is not flowing now, we should subsidise GuySuCo from our tax dollars and our Treasury.

This should be viewed as an

investment, as we would secure our factories and our mass extent of top-quality arable lands which comprise a major part of Guyana.

Lifestyles and families will be preserved, as we would be keeping our people employed and gainfully occupied through spinoff industries, providing direct and indirect employment.

Here is a thought: Could the factories and lands be used for mass fish, dairy, cattle, sheep and goat and aquaculture production for local and international exports?

How about turning an obsolete factory into a meat-packing centre and fish-processing facility?

How about using the shuttered factories for the manufacturing of soaps and detergents, or the processing of coconut oil? Could we not become a major producer of coconuts, and develop a vibrant and dynamic coconut industry?

On another note, I seriously believe it is wrong for only Government to be responsible for the management of oil production and exploration in this country.

A good Government would include the private sector and organizations like the Chamber of Commerce in such massive undertakings. Government should also show good intent and respect -- which would create wholesome communication -- by including the Opposition.

Yours truly, Roshan Khan (Sr)

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wednesDAY, February 28, 2018

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Foundation

Let’s talk about art again

By Meri Wallace, LCSW

R

ecently at a parenting workshop, a mom described an interaction with her teenage son: Every day I drive my 15-year-old son to school. The whole way there he sits with this head down and his earphones on. If I ask him a question or try to tell him anything, my teenage time bomb goes off. I used to be able to talk with him about anything. I don't know how to talk to him anymore.” All the parents nodded their heads in agreement. And then in a chorus they asked, “Why is this so?”

The teen years are all about children separating from their parents and becoming independent. They are preparing to go out into the world. This is actually part of the natural process that begins at birth. It is related to a two-year-old saying no to everything, to assert her individuality, or a feisty pre-schooler exclaiming, “You're not the boss of me”. The child declares in words and actions: I am separate and independent. This need feels urgent to teens and creates tremendous friction in the parent /child relationship.

Separation and independence is often achieved through aggression, including verbal rudeness and at times physical means. If you keep these developmental issues in mind, and view disputes with your teenager and his difficult behaviours in this context, rather than as a power struggle, a sign of his rejection of you or that he is a bad child, you will survive this stage on

a more even keel. Be aware too, that even though teens can seem so mature at times, they are not fully grown. The frontal lobe of their brains that regulates self-control is not fully developed (this happens in the mid-twenties), therefore, they are still impulsive and cannot always think and act reasonably.

It is important to keep in mind as well, that the psychological and emotional turmoil of the teen years is fuelled by

puberty

hormones that create intense roller coaster emotions and cause teenagers to have an extremely short fuse. The way you communicate with your teenager and your actions play a major role in in the outcome. Here are some helpful approaches that can lead to more positive results.

Acknowledge her emotions. If you tell her she may not play any more video games and she says, “I can't stand you”, focus on her anger and acknowledge it, “I can see that you're angry, you'd like to continue playing.” Then set a limit, “Those words are hurtful. It's ok to be angry, but you need to say, 'I'm really angry' and we can talk about your feelings.'” Listen to his requests. Teens constantly lobby for more freedoms: “I want to hang out with my friends later,” or “I want to get a tattoo” are common battle cries. If you say no immediately, the teenager will feel enraged that you have all the power. Rather than reacting: “What? Are you crazy?” or saying no immediately, open up a dialogue.

You can say, “I hear you. You want to stay out later than you are. We have to talk more about this.” If you disagree with a request, try this: Restate the issues; “We have a problem. You want to go to the mall. You have a report due tomorrow. It's my job to make sure you are doing your work for school. What shall we do?” Your child will feel his wish is being acknowledged, and he has some power because he is involved in the problem solving. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

I

n one of my previous columns, “Young Artists Talk”, I lamented the lack of opportunities available for upcoming artists. I cited both the social and structural discouragement that young people receive when trying to become professional artists, some of which included few job opportunities and little acknowledgement that their work is actually work, and not just some pastime.

However, it seems as though I can say I have lived to see progress. Two years later, I can definitely Ashley Anthony say that there are more opportunities for young artists, simply from the existence of “The Duke”. The Duke, housed in Duke Lodge, is the hotel’s new restaurant and art gallery.

By simply being, ‘The Duke’ makes the life of an artist much simpler. I would know, as I am one of the artists whose pieces would be on display today, at opening night.

Going through the process of putting my pieces up, I was, admittedly, worried that I was ‘in over my head’. As a young person with not much experience in how the professional art world functions, I felt as though I would be overwhelmed, or at the very least intimidated, by formalities. I am incredibly happy to say that this was not the case; in fact, it was quite the opposite. The entire process is very artist-friendly and simple; the people are incredibly accommodating, and are extremely clear on the instructions to the artist regarding any obligations that the artist has; and, finally, there are rules governing the sale of the pieces.

Speaking to a member of the staff of The Duke, Amber Low, it is clear that The Duke is all about empowering young Guyanese artists and really giving them a platform to which they have easy access.

According to Low, the response from the art community has been “phenomenal”. She noted that young artists in particular are the ones who are “extremely excited”, as The Duke is providing them with a space to display their fresh ideas.

As for the response from the general public, she says there are just “so many questions!” She believes the reason for this is because The Duke is entrepreneurial; it is the first of its kind, a new concept.

She describes the environment of The Duke as “warm” and “intimate”, and further says she hopes to make the space one that is “free” and “open,” so that everyone can feel “safe”.

Young or old, with family or friends, The Duke welcomes you. Part of the reasons why she has tried to create such an environment, Amber says, is that when people feel safe, happy and open, they feel more comfortable in completely exploring and indulging in art.

When asked why she had personally decided to promote art in Guyana, Lowe explained: “One of the things I have always enjoyed about Guyana is our diversity and the way everyone embraces different cultures. It puts us in a very unique position as a country, and I believe that our diverse talent in art and food should be shared with the world.”

The Duke opens today at Roraima Duke Lodge, and dinner will be served from 8pm. Although you don’t necessarily need to witness the opening, if you’re ever looking for a place to dine, consider The Duke; it’ll definitely be a new experience.

7 Delinquent miners must be held accountable – Govt news

wednesDAY, February 28, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…as stakeholder consultations on code of conduct launched ical.”

Legal Advisor to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Kara Duff Yehudah, explained that the codes were a simplified version of the Mining Amendment Act of 2005.

By Jarryl Bryan

T

he Government has begun consultations with key stakeholders in the mining industry, even as it prepares to officially publish an extensive code of conduct aimed at holding miners accountable for unsafe operations and destruction of the environment.

On Tuesday, the Natural Resources Ministry-hosted consultations began at the Marriott Hotel. In her address to attendees, Minister within the Natural Resources Ministry, Simona Broomes informed them that Government was toughening its stance against delinquent miners.

Claiming that the mining sector had been run like the “Wild West”, she urged participants to get themselves familiar with the code. The code constituted the dos and don’ts of mining, aimed at

A

mitigating the environmental damage mining caused.

“Moving into a green economy and green mining, it’s very important that all of us hold ourselves accountable and responsible for what we do. The code of practice can only be a code of practice if it is agreed upon, and that is why you are here, and if it is being enforced. And when it is en-

forced, you practise it.”

“You can see here the pit and the shelving of the pit (codes); the question of safety and fatality in the industry is one that was discussed several times. The importance of the code of practice cannot be understated, since it touched on several aspects. Mercury, the environment, tail end, land reclamation, which is very crit-

39-year-old, of Danjou Alley, Wismar, Linden, had 350 grams of cannabis sativa in his possession on January 18, 2018, for the purpose of trafficking. The prosecution is contending that Joseph was caught with the illegal substance at 47 Miles, Mabura Road, in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The court heard that at the time of the discovery, which was made by Police ranks, the defendant was in a vehicle with other occupants which was heading to an interior location.

Joseph was represented by Attorney Yondessa Welcome. The matter was adjourned until March 19.

Wanted Baramita man shot by Police

A

Baramita, North West District (NWD) resident who is wanted for several offences committed within the community has been hospitalised in stable condition after he was shot twice in the leg by a Policeman during his arrest.

According to Police reports, the incident occurred about 17:00h on Monday at Williams Area, Baramita Guyana Times understands that two Police Constables, both of whom were armed with their service weapons, approached the suspect with the intention of arresting him for the crimes he committed against residents in the village.

However, in resisting arrest, the man assaulted the Officers and attempted to chop one of them. However, the other rank instinctively intervened and shot the suspect in his right leg in an attempt to stop him. Instead of desisting, the suspect turned his attention to the cop who shot him and charged menacingly towards the Officer with his cutlass raised.

In self-defence, the cop discharged another round at the suspect, hitting him again in the right leg.

contingency and response plans.

Among those present were representatives of the mining syndicates. Mining syndicates were developed after the Natural Resources Ministers met with min-

Minister within the Natural Resources Ministry, Simona Broomes

“Bam Bam” slapped with narco-trafficking charge

Linden man, also known as “Bam Bam”, appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday slapped with a narcotics trafficking charge.

Sheldon Joseph was granted bail in the sum of $125,000.

It is alleged that the

ing activities on private and public lands,” she said.

“The codes include provisions for waste management and disposal systems, mechanisms for sediment losses, effluent and contaminated drainage and emergency re-

The ranks then managed to quickly disarm the suspect and rushed him to the Baramita Health Centre where he was treated. The suspect was later trans-

ferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he has been admitted under guard.

Investigations are ongoing.

Part of the gathering at the opening of the consultations

But in this Act, the GGMC is mandated by law to publish the codes.

“Regulation 248 states that the commission shall approve or publish a code of practise for environmental mining which shall specify the requirements for min-

sponse plans, mine reclamation and closure plan, environment effects monitoring plans, sand and loam mining, quarrying and control flows from lower dams less than six metres in height.”

The codes also address the need for miners to have

ers in January 2016. The decision was made to cluster small miners across the mining districts for them to benefit from concessions and support each other, something they were unable to achieve mining on their own.

8 news

wednesDAY, February 28, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

IN THE COURTS Ogle fatal beating

Son charged for allegedly killing father’s patient

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he son of an Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) doctor was remanded to prison on Tuesday morning over the fatal beating of one of his father’s patients.

Neilson Sinclair, 29, of Lot 8 Temple Street, Ogle, appeared before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to the indictable murder charge, which states that he killed Hazrat Shaffie.

The accused will make his next court appearance on March 23, 2018 for report.

Shaffie, 46, of Lot 114 Fifth Street, Industry, ECD, was last Friday beaten unconscious by the defendant, who is an alleged drug addict, and succumbed on Monday morning at the Georgetown Public Hospital from the injuries sustained

without regaining consciousness.

The father of four had travelled to Ogle, to collect his medication from Dr Nelson Sinclair’s Clinic, when he was attacked while leaving.

Asif Shaffie, one of the dead man’s brothers, explained that when he heard about his brother’s beating on Friday evening, he went to the home of the doctor to enquire, and was told who attacked his now dead brother.

“The father told me that his son violently dealt some blows in my brother head on the road, and although he tried to intervene, he was attacked by his son,” the grieving man stated.

It is believed that as the late Shaffie was proceeding towards his car some time about 20:00h after collecting the medication, he was grabbed, dragged along the

Dead: Hazrat Shaffie

roadway, and beaten.

An eyewitness had related that the drug addict was shouting, “Me want back me money!” Efforts to restrain Sinclair were futile as Shaffie was already slipping into unconsciousness.

After some time, the perpetrator reportedly walked

away from the scene briefly, but returned and continued to thrash the defenceless man. Upon hearing the commotion, Dr Sinclair came out and attempted to block his son, but he, too, the eyewitness said, was attacked.

Guyana Times understands that no one went to the aid of the injured man, since the residents were all afraid of the perpetrator.

This publication also understands that the violent behaviour exhibited by the suspect is a norm, and it was not the first time he has physically assaulted someone.

Meanwhile, a post-mortem performed on the victim’s body has determined that his demise was a result of shock and haemorrhage due to the blows he had received to his head. Hazrat Shaffie was laid to rest on Monday afternoon, in accordance with Muslim rites.

Carjacking ‘mastermind’ released on $1M bail

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s the carjacking probe deepens, ex-policeman Jason Harry was on Tuesday again brought before city Magistrate Judy Latchman, this time to answer five additional charges of allegedly receiving stolen cars.

These fresh charges come three weeks after Harry had allegedly been found with suspected stolen vehicles and parts in his possession.

A resident of Monument Hill, at Kuru, Kururu on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, Harry was granted $200,000 bail on each allegation of feloniously or unlawfully obtaining five Toyota motorcars.

When he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, Harry denied mul-

Accused carjacking mastermind: ExPoliceman Jason Harry

tiple allegations detailing that between August 2017 and February 2018, at Georgetown, he committed the fraudulent acts. Police, however, allege that Harry stole Elizabeth Martin’s $2 million Fielder motorcar, HC

6999; Delon Skelky’s Spacio, PVV 9742, valued $2.5 million; Saravety Narine’s Allion, PNN 1871, worth $1.7 million; Samuel Monroe’s Spacio, PMM 7517, worth $2.9 million; and Treshel Powers’ Allion motorcar, PVV 6791, valued at $2.3 million.

Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore objected to Harry being placed on bail, articulating a fear that Harry, if granted bail, could tamper with another accused who is yet to be found. This objection was, however, overruled.

However, Harry, a 26-year-old father of one, who is being represented in these matters by Attorney Dexter Todd, will remain in custody, since he is currently remand-

ed on a robbery charge.

Harry’s cases regarding the carjacking matters are slated for recall at the Magistrates’ Georgetown Courts on April 12.

Earlier this month, he was apprehended at Monument Hill, Kuru Kururu when “A” Division ranks swooped down on a property and discovered vehicle parts. Harry, who proclaims himself a taxi service owner, had on February 16 denied that, while being armed and in the company of others, he had robbed Phillip King of his Toyota Premio motor car valued at $3.2 million, along with other items.

Police have disclosed that Harry, when placed on an identification parade after being apprehended, was positively identified by King.

Thus Police suspect that their former colleague is part of the carjacking ring.

Several persons have so far being charged in connection with these matters.

Shawn Archibald and Timothy Waldron have also been accused of carrying out a series of carjackings.

Police ranks from the Major Crimes Investigation Unit had swooped down on a premises at North Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara and found several car mirrors with engraved licence plate numbers; doors, lights, wipers and other vehicle parts for Toyota Allion, Spacio and Premio motor cars. Those premises were occupied by a 29-year-old taxi driver and his 25-year-old wife.

Only last Monday, the father-and-son duo of Nigel and Ricky Chung, both welders, were arraigned in court on accusations of welding on false chassis numbers to a Spacio and an Allion motorcar.

Keeping up…

C

…history at City Hall ity Hall was built by the British when they really ruled the waves – between 1887 and 1889; and is as fine a piece of Gothic Revival as you’ll find anywhere. Can anyone conceive of building an edifice like that in two years flat – and for $56,000? Not by this lot that presently occupies it!

Former PNC strongman Hamilton Green was Mayor of Georgetown for 21 years, and even though he regularly complained about the building’s deterioration, he did absolutely NOTHING about fixing it. The building’s made of wood, for goodness sake!

Living up to our stereotype as carefree louts, he jetted off to foreign climes with regularity to usher in a “New moral rearmament”!!

Yet the very first act of the PNC-led coalition was to award Green an Order of Roraima for his (nonexistent) efforts! So we really can’t blame Hamilton Green’s successors – Chase Green and Royston King – for also jetting off into the blue yonder and turning a Nelson’s Eye to the edifice that was literally crumbling over their heads, can we? This is, after all, the PNC way! Remember Burnham expending millions and millions on Mass Games while babies were dying of malnutrition?

So this Mayor and Town Clerk spent $500 million on Independence festivities while City Hall inexorably disintegrated. Well, sooner or later, the sh*t had to hit the fan; or, in this case, a piece of roofing had to hit the ground! So the Mayorality’s reaming its head off for millions to fix the plummeting disaster, but, of course, what takes priority is the $20 million it has already requisitioned for another “jump-up”!

When City Hall was planned, the architect named the design "Damus Pitimusque Vicissim" – meaning: "we give, and we ask in turn". The PNC mayors -- it’s very clear -- only ask, and NEVER give!! Their present refrain echoes that old British Nursery Ryhme “London Bridge is falling down/Falling down, falling down./ London Bridge is falling down,/My fair lady.”

But which “fair lady” would come to the rescue and rebuild City Hall? Not this Patricia Greene, who actually has the responsibility, like Eleanor of Provence, consort of Henry III, who had custody of the London Bridge revenues from 1269 to about 1281. This “fair lady” and her henchman would rather seize public spaces to build mansions for themselves!

But it all comes down to how far the citizens of Georgetown – PNC supporters, by and large – are willing to be led with rings in their noses. Isn’t it time they elect someone who would do what was done for London Bridge?

Build it up with stone so strong,/ Dance o'er my Lady lee,/ Huzza! 'twill last for ages long,/ With a gay lady. …the blame game So this Government spokesperson addressed a gathering of top bureaucrats from the Ministries – PSs and REOs and others of that ilk -- and told them: “Senior officials should step up their game”!! Can you believe it? What about the Ministers, who advised and were the ones who set the policies for them to execute? Are these folks -- who “aren’t pencil/mousepushers” -- supposed to be mindless robots to carry out policies that are patently ridiculous?

Your Eyewitness doesn’t have to talk in the abstract.

Exactly how can the PS in Agriculture, for instance, “up his game” after the Minister’s decisions on GuySuCo??

Close an estate, promise to “diversify”; renege on the promise; close three other estates to “stop subsidies”; fire 4000 workers; reopen two of the closed estates and ask for $30 billion!! Even if the PS were Black Panther, there’s no game to “up” in this madness!!

What the Government should do is to gather all its Ministers and run a seminar on governance.

The President should have a refresher in Constitutional Law!! …the family business Junior Minister of Finance, Sharma, confessed that of the 50 audits done on Government agencies to unearth the “billions and billions” allegedly siphoned off by the PPP, only 5 were sent for prosecution.

And no one’s been convicted!! It’s a “shad, shad situation”!!

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

9 Police accused of beating Enterprise man, residents News

wednesDAY, February 28, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

R

esidents of the East Coast Demerara village of Enterprise are accusing ranks of the Vigilance Police Station of brutality following an incident that occurred last evening, which saw officers excessively beating an allegedly unarmed man while facing off with residents.

Police have since refuted claims made by the residents by saying they were compelled to use “excessive” force after being attacked first.

Guyana Times was told that at least five residents of Enterprise had to seek medical attention after being released from custody late Monday night, following an encounter with Police ranks.

According to reports, at just before 20:00h, Police ranks went to arrest a resident of Jagan Street, Enterprise over an allegation of theft of a bicycle. That individual, known as ‘Indar’, being in a drunken state, resisted arrest, and that precipitated the incident.

A neighbour related that he became aware of what was transpiring after hearing the man’s screams of, “Police beating me and kicking me!” He said he went over to enquire what was going on, since Indar lives alone, his wife currently being overseas.

“The Police told me a guy, who was with them at the time, claims my neighbour stole his bicycle; but my neighbour was drunk at that time, and he was holding onto his gate, saying he’s not going to the station,” the witness related, adding that there was a boot print on the back of Indar’s shirt, suggesting that he had been kicked.

This neighbour added that Indar’s son eventually arrived, and they pleaded with the Police to let them handle Indar, given his drunken state.

The ranks insisted on taking Indar to the station, and allegedly dragging him to the vehicle as they continued their assault on him.

While the Police were attempting to place Indar in the back seat of their pickup vehicle, he fell onto the roadway.

By this time, some of Indar’s relatives who live nearby turned up, and they condemned the Police for their handling of the drunken man, who managed to escape from the ranks’ grasp, but fell unconscious.

“We had to give him Limacol and water, and fan him for him to catch back himself. After he woke up, we tried placing him in a car, and told the Police that we would take him to the station, but he needs to go see a doctor first, because the man does trouble with (blood) pressure and he had a stroke before,” the neighbour related.

At the time, there were two Police officers, and instead of adhering to the pleas of the relatives, they called for back-up. Within a span of between 15 to 20 minutes, ranks from the IMPACT Base Unit arrived.

“They started to scramble Indar’s nephews and pull them into their vehicle. They even hit one of the nephews in his nose, and he was bleeding… They were brutally harassed by the Police!” the man stated.

He added that when the

One of the men who were hit by the Police before being arrested

wife of one of the nephews turned up at the station, one of the male officers claimed she had assaulted him, and so they arrested her and placed her in the lock-ups as well.

However, about two hours later, everyone was released on bail, including Indar, who was arrested for theft. Upon their release, the residents went to seek medical attention.

Upset over the entire ordeal, the residents are determined to get justice over what transpired on Monday evening in their village.

When contacted, acting Divisional Commander Eon Cooper refuted the resi-

dents’ version of events, but noted that an investigation has been launched into the matter.

“The Police went to make an arrest on a report of simple larceny, but the suspect pulled out a cutlass and ran after the Police, so the ranks had to use excessive force to arrest him, and the matter escalated,” Cooper detailed.

He added that residents had video-recorded the Police arresting the residents, but had “conveniently” left out when the officers were under attack.

Police ranks in Enterprise Village, ECD, on Monday evening

10 news

wednesDAY, February 28, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Homeless persons an eyesore for City Hall I t is a rare occasion when all serving on the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC) agree on an issue, but at Monday’s statutory meeting once such occasion arose -- when there was unilateral agreement that the home-

any day, the “social rejects” could be seen lining the pavement in front of the Bourda Market and the pavement leading to the Bourda Post Office, hindering patrons’ free access.

“Between 6am and 6pm, no social reject should be sit-

that we can get that policy decision,” Henry stated.

This Councillor lives a stone’s throw from the Bourda Market. He related that he would receive complaints on a daily basis from the vendors, and he blasted the City Constabulary for not effectively aiding in the removal of the homeless people.

Town Clerk Royston King

said interim plans could be put in place while meetings are held with other agencies to discuss a permanent solution to the issue.

“I saw 21 persons lying along that area, and it is a cause of concern for vendors in the area. We need to look at a way we can temporarily address (this problem), then we can look at what we can do with them,” she said.

Vagrants reposed in front of the Bourda Cemetery

less people lining the City’s streets are causing an eyesore.

The issue was raised by Councillor Ivelaw Henry, who reported that between 06:00hrs and 18:00hrs on

ting on the pavement, because visitors -- foreign and local -- walk to the Post Office; and we need to look at (this issue) because (persons) cannot (enjoy free access to these pavements). I hope

Homeless people crowding the Bourda Market pavement

related that this issue has been in the public domain for a while, and that it requires an inter-agency approach, as opposed to the Municipality tackling it alone.

“This is not a problem for the City Council alone; it requires an inter-agency approach. If you remove those people from that particular stretch, (they then) move to another area. They used to live in Cummings and Charlotte Streets under a shed. That shed was taken down, and then they went across the road to a portion of land owned by Gandhi; and after it was cleared up, they went over to Bourda Market,” King explained.

“We saw a whole community of people with mattresses and saucepans etc… We have to have an inter-agency approach to help us deal with this issue in a holistic manner…there are people who are afraid of these people,” he added.

Addressing the issue, Mayor Patricia Chase-Green

The mayor suggested that the M&CC “clean and water bathe” the pavements every morning before the homeless persons return there from the Night Shelter. She added that another shelter should be built to tackle the issue.

“They do not want to go to the shelters, because they are separated and cannot be with their partners… It is a social problem, but we cannot encourage them around our markets, because we offer for sale food and other items…,” the Mayor related.

It was decided that the Council take temporary action to prevent those persons from being around the markets while a search be initiated to find a permanent solution to the problem.

The Social Cohesion Ministry’s strategic plan for promoting and enhancing social cohesion in Guyana (2017-2021) has identified homeless and indigent persons as a group to be treated as socially unequal.

Chrismuss blow-blow S

atiricus and his friends were just finishing up discussing the Mash goings-on at the Back Street Bar. The forest of beer bottles on their table attested to the fact that it had been a well lubricated discussion. Apart from the confusion at the Wood Ants Stadium at Durban Park, they were arguing as to why the flag-raising at Corriverton was stopped. Satiricus was very miffed, and let the fellas know it.

“Listen fellas, I don’t care what you say,” began Satiricus aggressively. “They were dissing my leader Rum Jhaat.”

“But Sato, ah de people dem t’ing!” protested Cappo. “Dem can invite who dem want!”

“Yeah! Wha mek ayuh gi’e dem dem own flag and t’ing,” interjected Bungi, “if ayuh wan’ fuh tell dem wha’ fuh do?”

“My leader Rum Jhaat is a Vice President of the ENTIRE country!” said Satiricus. “They have to show him respect!”

“Sato, old friend,” said Hari. “Respect can’t be demanded, you know; it has to be earned.”

“An’ how dem Berbician can respect wan maan who a dead meat?” chuckled Cappo, as Satiricus glared at him.

“But yuh know wh’ me t’ink?” said Bungi. “Dem Berbician sh’u’d stap de rest a de country fuh raise flag!”

“How the hell can they do that?” demanded Satiricus.

“Well, dem seh Cuffy free abee fuh get Republic,” said Bungi with a smile. “An’ Cuffy bin a wan Berbician!!

Dem sh’u’d tek back Cuffy home!!”

“But really, Sato,” said Hari. “Rum Jhaat should be happy they didn’t let him speak.”

“Why?” asked Satiricus tersely.

“Afta wha ‘e do dem Skeldon cane-cutta, de ganda egg woulda drown’d am!” grinned Cappo.

“But tell me, Sato,” said Hari. “Shouldn’t Rum Jhaat, who’s in charge of the police, be ashamed to beg a Pee an’ See Minister to instruct the Police?”

“How you know he did that?” asked Satiricus.

“Because if no one listened to him to keep his best Crime Chief, why would Police listen to him?” asked Hari. “’E a wan Chrismuss blow-blow!” chortled Bungi.

NEWS

11

wednesDAY, February 28, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Olive branch extended to illegal miners

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overnment has noted that a lot of foreign nationals have made their way into the local mining sector without the necessary permission, and has issued a call for these individuals to come forward and get regularised, or face the consequences.

Minister within the Natural Resources Ministry, Simona Broomes, made this call on Tuesday as she spoke on the side lines of an event held at the Marriott Hotel. While acknowledging that she did not have an exact figure on the number of undocumented miners, she estimated that there were many.

“We don’t want to have the genuine persons here come to work and people come seeping in within that crowd (who) are harmful to our people.

We don’t want to have that,” Broomes stressed. “We want to have a safe and secure mining sector.”

She is urging undocumented miners to come forward and get themselves regularised with the relevant authorities, including the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

She has even posited the possibility exists that undocumented miners could get work extensions, and noted that the syndicates have a role to play in partnering with the Government to weed out those “who should not be there”.

“Just like how, on the coast, you have the policing group, you have syndicates at every single area in the country. And they are working with two Ps… prevention and partnership.

Prevention of crime… human trafficking, raiding. It is not ‘the bush’ anymore…His Excellency talked about linking the hinterland to the coast.

“So I was very pleased when Minister (of Citizenship Winston) Felix went into the Puruni area and announced a short window period for

the foreign nationals there to come in, get your work permit. If you’re here and (you) want extensions of stay or anything like that, to come into the Ministry of Citizenship… It’s not a case where (if) you come forward you’ll be locked up,” Minister Broomes explained.

Concerns were recently raised in the press about miners paying little-to-nothing for their licences. They would then erect extravagant businesses, sometimes structures that en-

would grant yearly licences for business and residential purposes in mining districts. However, this does not include establishing permanent structures.

Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), Trevor Benn, had accompanied the minister on her follow-up visit to the Puruni Landing. During the meeting, Benn encouraged operators to visit the GLSC’s Bartica Office to regularise their status.

Gun-toting bandits rob porter of $635,000

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The Puruni area has recently been put under the microscope

croach on the road.

Broomes and a team of officials recently had cause to go into the Puruni Landing area at Mazaruni, Region Seven, where they found permanent structures proliferating in the area.

Puruni Landing in Mazaruni is strategically located, connecting the lower and middle Mazaruni in Mining District Three. It is a thriving business hub, and many miners have taken up residence there, having constructed elaborate buildings and structures, some of which encroach on the roadway and water crossing. The GGMC

“For those of you who want to make the area your residence, your home, you have no security of tenure; you have no security to the land that you are on; and the only way you can (obtain that security) is by applying to get a full lease for the land that you are occupying,” Benn is quoted by the Department of Public Information as explaining.

It is understood that the GLSC would be working with the GGMC to survey the area and plan the way forward to ensure regularisation is achieved.

edal cyclist Travis DeCaires, a porter and resident of D’ Andrade Street, Newtown Kitty, was on Tuesday last held at gunpoint by armed bandits, one of whom was female, and deprived of $680,000 of his valuables.

Recounting the violent ordeal that has left him still traumatised, DeCaires said that at approximately 12:50h on Tuesday, he was cycling along Anira Street in Queenstown, Georgetown when he saw the suspects approaching from the opposite direction. One of them was armed with a

gun and another had a knife in his hand.

The gun-toting bandit pointed the weapon at him and demanded that he stop. He complied, and one of the men confiscated his valuables which were in a strap bag around his shoulder. He told Police that the booty consisted of $635,000 in cash; his I-PAD, valued at $24,000; and his Blu cellphone, worth $21,000.

The bandits then escaped on two XR motorcycles through Peter Rose Street, Queenstown, but Police investigations into this matter are continuing.

12 news

wednesDAY, February 28, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GDF to brief parliamentary $15B GuySuCo loan will trigger local committee on border security financial crisis – Opposition advisor

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resident David Granger, ahead of his visit to Baramita, Region One (Barima-Waini) today, announced that he has instructed the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to brief the parliamentary committee on security on the steps that were being taken to secure communities located along the 800-kilometre border with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela as a result of the unstable situation in that country, as well as the ongoing border controversy.

The Head of State also indicated that he expected that even as Government continued to work at the central and regional levels to ensure security in the border regions, that civil society will continue to be fully briefed.

Speaking during a brief interview on Tuesday, he assured Guyanese that Government was concerned about security and was deeply involved in ensuring their safety.

“At the Defence Board meeting that was held last Thursday, I instructed that the Guyana Defence Force should brief the parliamentary committee on security to let them know what prepara-

tions are taking place and I expect that there will be full participation, both by members of the Government side and the Opposition side. If necessary, we will take this to civil society and I have already briefed the Chief-ofStaff of the Guyana Defence Force that civil society must be aware of what is taking place. So, we are operating at different levels; we are operating at a local level in the villages, in the frontline villages themselves,” the Head of State is quoted by the Ministry of the Presidency as saying.

President Granger referenced the Frontline Village Policy that was announced during his visit to Whitewater, also in Region One, earlier this month, which includes the setting up of military patrol bases and heightened 24-hour security by the GDF and the Guyana Police Force. The Commander-in-Chief, who chairs the Defence Board, has taken the lead in conducting outreaches to the frontline communities, to interact with residents and assure them of the Government’s commitment to their safety. The President explained

that the unstable situation in Venezuela has resulted in a surge in illegal migration, which in itself, has the potential to open avenues for illegal activities such as gun-running and narco-trafficking.

Reassuring that Government is fully engaged in ensuring that security and all other public services are adequately provided to residents living in border communities, the Head of State noted that Government was taking a total approach to protecting the country.

Expressing satisfaction with the role Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley has been playing and the participation of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) Chairman Gordon Bradford through the regional security mechanisms, the Head of State described the work in the Regions as non-partisan. Last Thursday, at his post-Cabinet press briefing, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon informed that Cabinet has adopted a concept note on a Frontline Village Policy, which is aimed at greater inclusion of all communities on our national borders in the body politic.

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lans to borrow $15 billion to pay off the liabilities of two sugar factories belonging to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will trigger a local financial crisis the likes of which have never been seen domestically.

This is the view of economic advisor to the Opposition, Peter Ramsaroop, who advised that Government not get this loan, as it would be a huge debt to repay.

Ramsaroop said this decision could lead to the treasury swelling tenfold or more in the near future.

The economic advisor said this large debt could place even more pressure on the country to repay its current loans to bilateral partners like China and India, and financial institutions such as the Inter-American Development Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank.

Ramsaroop views this decision as taking a backward step to the 1980s, when Guyana had most of its revenues servicing debt.

He said that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) managed to reduce the debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio to 47.9 per cent and it should be maintained rather than burdened. “(Finance Minister Winston) Jordan is banking on oil, but the contract signed by Minister of

Advisor to the Opposition, Peter Ramsaroop

Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman is so lopsided, Guyana, at current world market prices, will only earn about US$400 million per year.”

According to him, the price of oil on the world market is currently US$64 per barrel, which at 120,000 barrels per day gives US$2.8 billion a year. Under the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed by the Guyana Government and ExxonMobil, of the US$2.8 billion earned on oil sold, ExxonMobil gets US$2.4 billion, while Guyana gets a paltry US$400 million. The US$400 million includes profit and royalty.

Government has said it hoped to repay the loan over the next three to five years.

Finance Minister Jordan explained that the money would be used specifically to fund the operations of the Skeldon and Enmore Sugar

Estates, which were likely to reemploy some workers.

The Minister said the idea was to keep the Estates operational as it searched for buyers. He said open the Estates stood a better chance of being sold to a private company, as opposed to being closed. He noted that the idea was to close deals in another six to nine months to have these Estates sold in full.

Jordan said revenues generated from the sale of Estates and other assets would be used to repay the loan. The Government will be turning to commercials banks for this syndicated bond.

But Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has since warned the nation that Guyanese taxpayers may ultimately foot the bill for the repayment of this loan while the “handpicked” investors would reap the gains and maximise their profitability.

Jagdeo has said he was not buying the economic and financial arguments put forward by the Finance Ministry and the Government to justify this move.

He has said it defied logic that Government wanted to borrow $15 billion to keep these Estates open for a few months, when that sum could have assisted the reopening for close to one year.

NEWS

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wednesDAY, February 28, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cash-strapped M&CC earmarks $20M for City Week celebrations

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he Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC) was recently unable to pay wages and salaries, and had to seek from Central Government a bailout in excess of $475 million. Mere months later, this entity has earmarked $20 million to host “City Week”, to mark the birth of Georgetown.

This worrying issue was raised at Monday’s statutory meeting by Councillor Carolyn Caesar, who questioned the purpose of the celebration, especially with the City in its current financial position.

“I had asked for some information about the purpose of this celebration and what was its budget. It was

Mayor Patricia Chase Green

later circulated to the value of $20 million… That is a lot of money to be expended on such an exercise.

That money can be paid to the NIS; so I don’t think that it is necessary that we

have this event this year,” Caesar promulgated.

In response, Mayor Patricia Chase-Green said the idea of City Week is something that was started some time ago, but, due to a mix-up in dates, was never kicked off.

“For me, even if we don’t have this big, grand celebration that will cost $20 million -- because I don’t know how we (got the figure of) $20 million --- we have done it (in) previous years, and we would be getting back some money,” she said.

“If you don’t want this big celebration, then we must recognize the day the city was born; and (on) that day, at least you must have some activity to

OIA sexual assault

Police rank denies cavitysearching teen

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he female officer at the centre of the alleged sexual assault perpetrated on a teenager at the Ogle International Airport (OAI) on Sunday morning has denied committing the act.

“A statement has been obtained from the female rank (implicated in the allegation), who has denied to have done a cavity search of the passenger,” the Guyana Police Force said on Tuesday.

The Force also confirmed that the rank is attached to its Narcotics Branch.

Since the incident, three days ago, there has been a blame game played out between the Police Force and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) as to which agency the implicated rank was from. However, in a statement on Tuesday, the Force “…acknowledge that the search of the 17-yearold…was conducted by a female rank of the Force’s Narcotics Branch”.

An investigation into the matter has since been launched by the GPF’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).

The teenage girl was alleged to have been cavi-

ty-searched over the weekend, as she was about to depart Guyana for Barbados.

In the process, she was sexually assaulted.

It has been reported that the 17-year-old, who was on her way to visit relatives, was allegedly subjected to a “strip search” by officers at the airport, before being placed in a room where a female officer allegedly inserted her finger in the girl’s private parts. The law enforcement rank had reportedly asked the teen to “spread out and cough”.

A close relative of the young lady has said the family is seeking professional/legal advice on the matter, and has accordingly declined to comment further on the alleged incident.

CANU Head, Michael Atherly, had initially condemned the act, telling the Guyana Times on Sunday afternoon that the search done on the teenager had been improperly carried out. “…the officers had a right to take the person to the hospital and have a certified doctor carry out that search. The action that was taken was incorrect, and they had no right (to do what they had alleged-

ly done),” Atherly had stated.

If the Policewoman is found culpable, she stands to be demoted, fined, or dismissed from the GPF. Two weeks ago, while addressing the Annual Police Officers Conference, President David Granger had stated that the practice of transferring and demoting rogue elements would not end rogue behaviours in the GPF. This “cavity search” allegation is being seen as a serious incident, given that Jamaican national Shanique Myrie had to be compensated US$38,000 by the Barbados Government after she alleged being sexually assaulted and raped by a female immigration officer at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados during a cavity search.

Myrie was awarded the sum as damages by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) after she had filed a lawsuit claiming she had been subjected to a dehumanising cavity search by a female immigration officer whilst being locked in a filthy room overnight, and deported to Jamaica in March 2011.

could be used for other purposes.

Councillor Malcolm Ferreira noted that the capital city should be allowed to celebrate as well, and threw his support behind the event. “I am pretty sure that there are things that could be done that don’t have to cost so much.

There are artists, poets and others who would be willing to provide their services for free, and I would support something like that, but not

tee could execute its functions.

City Hall has, over the months, found itself figuratively between a rock and a hard place relative to the management of its financial resources. The municipality have been unable to pay workers their wages and salaries, resulting in mass protests being staged; and NIS, PAYE and credit union dues deducted from the workers’ emoluments have not been paid over to

Town Clerk Royston King

mark that day. If $20 million is too exorbitant, then you must have something, even if it is a church service and a display of the City Constabulary. Because you have Berbice Town Week, Linden Town Week, and all of that; so it is reintroducing that to the city,” ChaseGreen expanded.

The Council’s Social Development Committee is responsible for hosting the City Week celebrations, and Chairperson of the Committee, Councillor Monica Thomas, explained that the budgeted sum is just “a ballpark figure,” the activity could exceed or be lower than that sum.

She added that the committee is treating the event also as a fundraiser. “What we are treating this as is a fund-raising event mostly.

You will have other things, but it is a way of garnering money,” she related.

Councillor Khame Sharma said the $20 million figure is a cause for concern, since that money

A shabby section of City Hall

(at a cost of) $20 million,” Ferreira said.

In a move to stymie Councillors’ questions, the mayor ordered that a structured programme be prepared and brought to ‘full council’ to be vetted. She also used the opportunity to remind that the aim of the event is to raise funds for the Social Development Committee, so that commit-

the relevant agencies.

Last Monday, Town Clerk Royston King announced that a section of City Hall had “simply fallen off”, bring attention to the need for urgent repairs to be effected on that edifice. However, City Hall administration has said it is not in a financial position to execute the urgent repairs required on the building.

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wednesDAY, February 28, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Victory Valley residents voice Lecture series hosted for Black History Month concerns over erosion

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esidents of the Region 10 community of Victory Valley in Wismar, Linden (Upper Demerara-Berbice) have voiced their concerns about the ongoing threat of severe erosion which is evident in the community.

The residents registered their concerns during a consultation with Minister within the Natural Resources Ministry, Simona Broomes, on Sunday. As the consultation got underway, other issues which were brought to the fore included difficulties receiving land titles, deteriorating roads and garbage issues, and the lack of job opportunities, among others.

Minister Broomes also met with some small miners, who also voiced their concerns over job opportunities.

Additionally, the minister conducted a tour of the Victory Valley community, where she got a firsthand look at the situation with regard to erosion and numerous dilapidated bridges in the area.

She was accompanied by outgoing Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland; Region 10 People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Party Chairman Derron Adams, and several Municipal and Regional Councillors.

Speaking with this publication shortly after the tour,

A section of the gathering at the meeting in Linden

Mayor Holland spoke about several issues which were highlighted. “In the area of erosion, we’re trying to see what best could be done, because the drainage in the area is breaking up with the steady erosion, and several homes are under threat.

“Also, the Valley is the place where they’ve had several issues with garbage, since the area was not really served (by the Linden Mayor and Town Council).

And so moves were made to clean up those huge garbage heaps that were there for many years. The Council had done some cleaning on some of the garbage areas last year, and now the massive ones that were not touched in many years, they were

cleaned through a collaboration with the RDC (Regional Democratic Council), M&TC, and so on...,” he pointed out.

Holland had previously called for a $3 billion revetment programme to deal with the issue of massive erosion, which is occurring in several communities across Linden.

“The Valley is just one area that is under serious threat of erosion. There are many other areas that have this problem. The issue was raised with Government this week again, and we’re hopeful that Government will consent to at least doing the revetment work in several areas; and I think the Valley can be one that they can start with”, the mayor said.

he Department of Social Cohesion, in collaboration with the Region 4 Regional Democratic Council, on Tuesday held a lecture series and exhibition to recognise the contributions of persons of African descent to the history of Guyana.

Officers from the Department of Youth on Tuesday coordinated a series of lectures in observance of Black History Month at the Beterverwagting Secondary School.

According to Regional Executive Officer Pauline Lucas, the presentations focused on the crucial role of education in the history of African Guyanese.

Aspects of African culture and heritage, including slavery, colonization and the village movement, were also part of the discussions.

Caricom IKEMBA representative, Onika Frank, while delivering brief remarks, encouraged the students to be proud of their culture and ancestry.

Students from five secondary schools on the East Coast of Demerara attended lectures on Guyana’s

The women who were given the Outstanding Women in Region Four awards. In picture from left: Regional Executive Officer Pauline Lucas, Tiffany Harvey, and Regional Chairperson Genevieve Allen

African heritage, done by representatives from the African Community Development Association.

Three women were also given “Outstanding Women in Region 4 awards”: Tiffany Harvey, Pauline Lucas and Genevieve Allen. These awards were presented by Alister Collins, Executive Director of the President’s Youth Award: Republic of Guyana (PYARG).

The schools that attended the session yesterday were: L.B.I Secondary, Bladen Hall Secondary, Buxton Secondary,

Plaisance Secondary and Beterverwaging Secondary.

For the African Guyanese community, Black History Month is usually a time for sober reflection on the state of the community. This is of course not a new call; it is repeated at every moment of Black observance Persons of African ancestry all over the world continue to suffer from the scars of a history of bondage. It is for that reason that Black History Month continues to have great relevance.

Utilise clean water for playing Phagwah – Public Health Ministry advises

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s the Phagwah season draws near, persons participating are being reminded to take necessary health precautions.

It has been observed that people would use water from nearby trenches, drains and gutters to play Phagwah instead of water from the taps.

The Public Health Ministry, through its Environmental Health Department, is asking persons to desist from such acts.

Principal Environmental Health Officer Abigail Liverpool, in an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), disclosed that using dirty

water could result in serious illnesses and skin infections.

“We have to be very careful because the trench water is often times contaminated from effluent that is coming from pit latrines and septic tanks, and they contain bacteria and micro-organisms which can make people sick.”

She added that in some areas throughout Guyana, the use of ‘trench water’ and mud was common. She said that if a person came into contact with dirty water while observing Phagwah, there were immediate actions that must be taken to prevent illnesses/infections.

“In the event, should anyone ingest dirty water, you should try to consume a lot of water, pure water so that it helps to flush it out… same thing when it comes to the dirty water getting on their skin or the trench water getting on their skin.

Wash it off properly, with clean water and soap.”

The health official reminded that the Ministry upheld the mandate of good health and wellness for Guyanese; whether through work, play or otherwise, healthy habits must be adopted, resulting in the achievement of a healthier nation.

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wednesDAY, February 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

break into masjid Ramsammy’s Ruminations Thieves …escape with amplifier, other equipment Guyana sinking into dictatorship as APNU/ AFC arrogantly flaunts its dictatorial DNA

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hirty months into its term, APNU/AFC has totally shed its disguise, openly flaunting its dictatorial credentials.

APNU/AFC has become so emboldened that it is flaunting its roots -- its DNA -- as a ruthless, authoritarian, dictatorial force. It is on a mission to outdo its parent political party, the People’s National Congress.

More and more, David Granger’s Cabinet is working overtime to ensure that he outperforms his hero Forbes Burnham as a Guyanese dictator. Clearly, the bold, arrogant, authoritarian swag of APNU/AFC is derived from something -- it is based on the increasing confidence that it can rig the next Dr Leslie Ramsammy election.

The Guyanese people must unite to stop this already well-entrenched authoritarian train.

Four incidents in the last week underline this frightening trend. One: Minister Harmon insisting that contracts like the oil contract were kept a secret, and not released or discussed in public because the Government feared the Guyanese people would suffer from information overload.

This is not just an absurd, horrendous excuse for the heavy dose of secrecy, non-transparency and non-accountability; it is an insult to the Guyanese people. He even declared that APNU/AFC is doing the people a favour by not providing information about oil and other contracts. This arrogance in dismissing the quest by citizens for information is classic for dictators, denying people information which they are entitled to, and which the Government is legally obligated to provide.

The second incident has to do with the same minister arrogantly informing people that the oil contract is final, and there would be no further discussion relating to the contract. The public outrage continues to grow as, drip by drip by drip, more information is revealed about the contract. The minister has dismissed absolutely all calls for a re-examination of the contract. The Government has spoken, the matter is closed and the people be damned.

In the third incident, Minister Harmon, the right-hand man of President Granger, chastised the Auditor General for daring to speak to private companies in order to follow the money in the D’ Urban Park Development Project scandal, in which at least $1.4 billion was spent but cannot be accounted for. In the latest saga accompanying this scandal, the financial records cannot be found. Harmon, on behalf of APNU/AFC, has declared war on the Auditor General, letting him know that he has no business talking to the contractors.

He insists that the Auditor General must deal only with the Government, but the Auditor General could neither get information from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure nor the D’Urban Park Development Inc, a private entity that APNU/AFC established under the leadership of Rupert Roopnaraine.

The Auditor General is doing his job, but APNU/AFC, like the dictator it is, wants him to be subservient. We can recall previous occasions when ministers chastised the Auditor General for wanting to audit the $US18 million that APNU/AFC secretly stashed away in the Bank of Guyana. Incidentally, like dictators do across the world, APNU/AFC is now suffocating the Auditor General’s Office by cutting its budget.

The fourth example is the confession of Minister Amna Ally that she was responsible for the Corriverton Town Council not being able to hold its annual flag-raising ceremony -- something the Corriverton Town Council had done for forty-seven years previously. She claimed “it has to be Government’s way or no way”. The Corriverton Town Council had organised its flag-raising ceremony for 47 straight years, until this year. Minister Ally wanted them to have Minister Ramjattan speak. The Council did not object to Ramjattan speaking, it just did not want him to replace MP Anamayah, who was slated to be the feature speaker.

Since Minister Ally could not get her way, she torpedoed the event, with Police threatening to arrest the officials if they proceeded with the programme.

The dictatorial core of the APNU+AFC is more and more on display, with less and less disguise. The arbitrary appointment of the GECOM Chair, the threat to appoint a Chancellor of the Judiciary and a Chief Justice outside of the constitutional parameters, the seizing of land leases from farmers, the arbitrary closing of sugar estates, the solesourcing contracts are ample evidence that APNU/AFC, far from trying to disguise, is more comfortable flaunting, its authoritarian credentials. Our silence is its ally in imposing another era of dictatorship on the country. We must speak out now.

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ess than six months after persons had forcefully made their way into a Christian church, a Hindu temple and a Muslim mosque at Gay Park, Greater New Amsterdam, bandits have again broken into that mosque and carted off an amplifier and other equipment, as related to Guyana Times by President of the Providence/Gay Park Mosque, Feroz Jaffarally.

The discovery was made on Tuesday evening as members gathered for the evening prayer.

Thieves had, in August 2017, broken into the masjid through an unsecured door, before climbing into the main part of the building which houses most of the valuable items belonging to the mosque.

In Tuesday’s robbery, however, several louvre panes were removed from a window at the back of the building, and a part of the steel grill was hammered open. This publication was shown a hole which was used to gain entry into the place of worship.

“It had to be a small person who was used to pass through there, and they had to have a bigger person on the outside,” Jaffarally pointed out. “They couldn’t

The window through which the bandits gained entry

get to pass anything bigger through the whole.”

He said the 750-watt amplifier which was used to call the Azam is now missing.

“I was here for a while, and then I washed my hands and we were all ready; and as I went, there was no equipment,” he detailed. The amplifier, speakers and microphone were all gone, Jaffarally said.

Imam of the Providence/ Gay Park Mosque, Boyie Mohammed, told this publication that several derelict vehicles surrounding the building make it almost impossible for surveillance cameras in the area to focus on the mosque.

“We have complained about this. There is a work-

shop down the street, and when the trucks come to be fixed and they don’t want them, they are left on the road around here to rot,” he explained.

Jaffarally noted that the New Amsterdam Town Council was informed about the situation. “The former

mayor, Kurt Wynter, and some councillors visited to get a firsthand look at the situation in July 2016,” he explained. The current mayor was also informed of the inconvenience being caused by the abandonment of derelict trucks within close proximity of the mosque.

About one hundred members attend the Providence/ Gay Park Mosque, and use the equipment which was stolen.

“We usually have programs here to help keep the youths off the street. This is the third time that persons broke into the building and stole. Back in 2002, a generator valued at close to $1M was stolen along with cooking utensils which were used for religious functions, along with kitchenware,” Jaffarally detailed.

Plaisance fire victims receive donation, hopeful for houses

“I lost everything” – mother of 4

Health posts in Cuyuni-Mazaruni to undergo upgrades Some of the victims have beds to sleep on, but some are desirous of having houses in which they could put the items donated to them

S The Waramadong Health Post

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ealth posts at Phillipai, Isseneru, Waramadong, Kako, Jawalla, and Imbaimadai, in Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven), have been earmarked for upgrades as part of the ongoing move to upgrade health facilities countrywide.

The Waramadong Health Post will also soon be recognised as a health centre or ‘Community Hospital’.

Imbaimadai and Waramadong were initially slated to undergo expansion works in 2017. These two facilities have again been included in the 2018 budget. They are being given more attention since they cater to a wider mining community.

The impending health centres, or ‘community hospitals’ as they are being called by regional officials, will be able to render care

on an in-patient basis, monitoring persons with reported serious illnesses.

Other critical and much-needed services would be made available for those seeking care at the health centres. For example, the completion of rehabilitation and extension of the Waramadong health facility is much anticipated, as dentistry will be added to the suite of services being provided.

Residents of the communities will have a wider range of health issues being attended to, and this would, in turn, contribute to better patient care and fewer referrals to the district and regional hospitals in Region Seven.

Region Seven has more than 20 health posts, with two health centres, one district and one regional hospital.

ome 40 persons who were affected by the Mash Day fire that destroyed an apartment complex and two houses at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD), received cash and other items on Monday, but some recipients were hopeful that the Central Housing and Planning Authority would fast-track their housing applications as they have no place to live.

Government, in collaboration with private entities, handed over beds, mattresses, table-model stoves, kitchen utensils and food vouchers to the families, while other individuals received kitchen utensils and food vouchers. Recipients also received cash ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.

Some of the beneficiaries told Guyana Times that while they were thankful, they were hopeful that Government would provide them with a house and land, so they could have somewhere to call their own. Mother of four, Robin Bollers said that while the donation was a start, she was hopeful to move into her own home, as she was living

in the back house which was owned by her grandmother.

“I lost everything and I would like a house for me and my children, because I don’t have anywhere to live.

I staying at my grandmother with two of the children while my husband staying at the shelter, but my father staying with me so it’s like four of us on a bed,” she observed.

Her spouse, Dywane Bollers, clutching his 15-month-old baby, told this newspaper that he was feeling better though still dealing with the loss from last Friday’s fire.

Meanwhile, Kerwin Johnson, who says he discovered the body of his 82-year-old neighbour in the rubble, explained that he too has no place to live and noted that many residents were staying in a shelter.

“I was expecting something more, because the least people would want to rent a place is three months’ rent in advance and I have no cash ‘cause all my stuff burn up,” he stressed.

The fire reportedly started about 14:30h in the apartment building located at Victoria Road, Plaisance.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, February 28, 2018

Regional

Maduro launches re-election bid 5 Colombian soldiers killed in D ‘ELN rebel ambush’

ancing in front of red-shirted supporters, Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro formally signed up on Tuesday to run for re-election in an April vote opponents say is a farce that will consolidate his dictatorship.

Maduro, 55, whose main rivals are barred from standing against him, presented his candidacy at the national election board in Caracas before joining a rally of supporters.

“I will be loyal to the legacy of the giant Hugo Chávez!” he said, dancing reggaeton on stage with his wife Cilia Flores in front of a large banner showing his and Chavez’s faces.

Maduro narrowly won election after Chavez’s 2013 death from cancer, but has

President Nicolás Maduro holds a document as he registers his candidacy for re-election at the National Electoral Council (CNE) headquarters in Caracas, Venezuela, February 27, 2018

seen his popularity plunge during a punishing economic crisis for Venezuela that has exposed the failure of Government policies and

has been worsened by the fall in global oil prices.

Maduro blames a US-led “economic war”, including sanctions imposed last year

by President Donald Trump, for the unprecedented recession that has left millions hungry, created widespread shortages and fuelled a migration exodus.

Critics say incompetent policies, such as dysfunctional currency controls, and rampant graft are behind the crisis.

Venezuela’s Opposition coalition is boycotting the April 22 vote, given its two most popular leaders – Leopoldo Lopez and Henrique Capriles – are prohibited from running, various parties have been outlawed, and the election board is pro-Maduro.

“Elections in these conditions will not solve anything,” the coalition said in a statement on Tuesday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Caribbean countries sign agreements deepening regional integration movement

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t Vincent and the Grenadines has signed on to the new Caribbean Community (Caricom) Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA) as the 29th InterSessional Summit moved into its final day on Tuesday.

The agreement expands the scope for airlines owned

by Caricom nationals to provide air services throughout the 15-member grouping.

The Caricom Secretariat said that the agreement allowed for no restriction on routes, capacity or traffic rights and should facili-

tate increased intra-regional travel and provide more cargo options for exporters and importers with resulting cost savings.

“This should provide a major boost to the regional transportation sector, which is a critical aspect of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME)” that allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour and services across the Region.

The signing of the MASA, was one of five agreements signed by Caricom leaders on Tuesday.

Barbados Prime

Minister Freundel Stuart signed the Caricom Arrest Warrant Treaty and the revised agreement establishing the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).

The CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty, which has already signed by some Member States, simplifies the procedure of returning fugitives to the country where charges have been laid. The revised agreement establishing the Barbadosbased CXC seeks to update the CXC's legal structure in light of subsequent organisational practices, re-

cent market developments and current needs, with particular emphasis on accommodating requests from additional territories and institutions to join or otherwise participate in the CXC. Montserrat's Education, Health and Youth Minister, Delmaude Ryan, signed on to the accord establishing the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions, and the agreement establishing the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREE) (Excerpt from CMC)

The five soldiers were killed when an explosive device went off in Norte de Santander province

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ive Colombian soldiers have been killed and 10 wounded in an ambush which the army has blamed on National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels.

A roadside bomb exploded as a convoy of soldiers was driving past in north-eastern Norte de Santander province.

The Government was holding peace negotiations with the ELN rebels until January when the talks collapsed after a series of rebel attacks.

The armed conflict has been running since 1964.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos condemned the attack [in Spanish].

Writing on Twitter, he called it "a cowardly attack on our heroes in Norte de Santander" and said that the Government would "go after those responsible".

The guerrilla group was founded in 1964 to fight

against Colombia's unequal distribution of land and riches, inspired by the Cuban revolution of 1959.

Over the decades, the group has attacked large landholders and multinational companies, and repeatedly blown up oil pipelines.

To finance itself it has resorted to extortion, kidnappings and drug trafficking.

It has been strongest in rural areas.

Santos was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016 for his efforts to reach peace with Colombia's largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

He has spoken of his hope to also achieve a peace deal with the ELN before he leaves office later this year, but after a spate of attacks

by ELN rebels in January, he recalled the Government negotiators from the peace talks. (Excerpt from BBC News)

5 T&T families evacuated after coastal erosion causes destruction of house pear.

Some 20 people were evacuated to the Cedros Community Centre and up to 19:00h, there was still no electricity in the area. There

was sense of desperation and hopelessness as the residents weighed their futures and others in the community considered whether the disaster area could widen.

One resident said none of the disaster agencies had responded up to 18:40h, some two hours after the massive erosion tore apart the village. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Mexican Police Officers sought over 3 missing Italians

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Massive coastal erosion destroyed a house and is threatening three others in the Bamboo Village community

F

ive families from Bamboo Village, Cedros, had to be evacuated Monday evening, after massive coastal erosion caused a house to fall into the sea.

Three homes belonging to Leroy Joseph, Deomatie Mohammed and another resident were also on the brink of collapse.

About 400 metres of the Bamboo Village Extension Road collapsed into the

Columbus Bay during the incident. Electricity poles were also torn down, rendering the village without power and throwing them into darkness at nightfall and water lines were also dislodged.

Describing the area as a disaster zone last night, Cedros Councillor Shankar Teelucksingh said he saw the houses being swallowed by the sea while residents scrambled to save their pos-

sessions. He said residents contacted him about 14:30h when they felt their homes shaking.

“We saw cracks on the houses and on the road and I advised them to pack up their belongings. Two hours later, half of the house started slipping away before our eyes,” Teelucksingh said.

The home’s owner, Chamion Gunness, broke down in tears after seeing all her belongings disap-

exican authorities are searching for three Police Officers in connection with the disappearance of three Italian men in the western state of Jalisco on January 31.

One of the wanted officers is chief of security in Tecalitlán, the town where the three Italians were last seen.

Four Police Officers are already in custody in connection with the case.

The Jalisco State Prosecutor said that the four had confessed to handing the Italians over to a local criminal gang.

The son of one of the disappeared told Italian radio that the men had been "sold to a gang for 43 euros" (US$53), but regional officials said they could not confirm that information.

Raffaele Russo, 60; his 25-year-old son Antonio, and his nephew, Vincenzo Cimmino, 29, were last seen in the small town of Tecalitlán on January 31.

It is not entirely clear what they were doing in the agricultural town of Tecalitlán, an area controlled by the Jalisco New Generation cartel, one of Mexico's most powerful criminal gangs.

Jalisco State Prosecutor Raúl Sánchez said he had information showing the three were selling cheap generators and agricultural machinery which they passed off as high-quality branded goods.

But their relatives in their hometown of Naples denied that the three were doing anything illegal in Mexico.

The relatives were the first to alert the authorities that the men were missing, saying that they had received a phone call from one of them in which they mentioned being stopped by a police patrol. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

wednesDAY, February 28, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Trump’s son-in-law loses access to top-secret briefings

P

resident Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner has had his White House security clearance downgraded, US media are reporting.

Kushner, a senior adviser to the President, had been receiving top-secret security briefings.

However, background checks into Kushner had still not been completed, so he had interim clearance only.

He and other White House aides who have yet to receive permanent clearance will not now get top-secret briefings.

Kushner, who is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, had access to the President's Daily Brief, a secret intelligence report.

Jared Kushner will no longer receive a daily secret intelligence report

The moves were confirmed by Kushner's lawyer to Politico, and by two unnamed officials to the Reuters news agency.

Politico reported that the

37-year-old was informed of the decision on Friday.

Politico quoted Kushner's lawyer Abbe Lowell as saying that it would "not affect Mr Kushner's ability to con-

tinue to do the very important work he has been assigned by the President".

It comes as the White House moves to impose greater discipline on access to secrets.

General John Kelly, Trump's chief of staff, said earlier this month that he would be limiting the number of people with top-level security clearance. It emerged that the President's former staff secretary, Rob Porter, had been able to work with interim security clearance despite allegations of domestic abuse.

The news of the change in Kushner's status followed the announcement hours earlier that his spokesman Josh Raffel was to leave the White House. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Extending President Xi’s rule would be farce, says critic

A

llowing Chinese President Xi Jinping to rule indefinitely will be seen by historians as a farce, a government critic has told the BBC. In a rare show of public dissent, ex-State newspaper editor Li Datong sent an open letter opposing the proposal.

He says in the letter that scrapping term limits for the

17

President and Vice President would sow the seeds of chaos.

China's Internet censors have been deleting critical comments across Chinese social media platforms.

There had been widespread speculation that Xi would seek to extend his presidency beyond 2023. The party congress last year saw him cement his status as the most powerful leader since

the late Mao Zedong.

State media have been defending the amendment and praising the country's leadership.

China Daily said lifting the term limit was needed "to perfect the party and the state leadership system".

The PLA Daily said the move was "very necessary and timely".

On Sunday, China's gov-

erning Communist Party proposed removing a clause in the Constitution which limits presidencies to two five-year terms.

A day later, Li, the former China Youth Daily editor, sent a statement on the messaging app WeChat to Beijing's members of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's rubber-stamp parliament. (Excerpt from BBC News)

North Korean leaders used Brazilian passports to apply for Western visas – sources

N

orth Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his late father, Kim Jong Il used fraudulently obtained Brazilian passports to apply for visas to visit Western countries in the 1990s, five senior Western European security sources told Reuters.

While North Korea’s ruling family is known to have used travel documents obtained under false pretences, there are few specific examples. The photocopies of the Brazilian passports seen

by Reuters have not been published before.

“They used these Brazilian passports, which clearly show the photographs of Kim Jong Un and Kim Jong Il, to attempt to obtain visas from foreign embassies,” one senior Western security source said on condition of anonymity.

“This shows the desire for travel and points to the ruling family’s attempts

to build a possible escape route,” the security source said.

The North Korean embassy in Brazil declined to comment.

Brazil’s Foreign Ministry said it was investigating.

A Brazilian source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the two passports in question were legitimate documents when sent out as blanks for consulates to issue.

Four other senior Western European security sources confirmed that the two Brazilian passports with photos of the Kims in the names of Josef Pwag and Ijong Tchoi were used to apply for visas in at least two Western countries.

It was unclear whether any visas were issued.

The passports may also have been used to travel to Brazil, Japan and Hong Kong, the security sources said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Russian truce plan fails to halt bombing of Syria's Ghouta

Lioness kills woman in South African private game reserve

A

The spokesperson for the emergency team said they received a call that a lioness had attacked a woman

woman has been mauled to death by a lioness at a private game reserve north of South Africa's administrative capital, Pretoria, a local emergency service reports.

Netcare 911 spokesman Nick Dollman said the service had responded to a call of a lioness attack in Hammanskraal town.

"Tragically, the victim had sustained severe injuries and she died at the scene," Dollman said.

It is unclear what led to the attack.

Dollman said that bystanders had tried to revive the victim, identified as a 22-year-old woman, by initiating CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation].

He did not identify the private lodge where the attack happened but said it was just outside of the Dinokeng Nature Reserve in Hammanskraal town.

The reserve describes itself as the first free-roaming residential game reserve for the "big five" African animals next to an urbanised area. (BBC News)

Bollywood star's funeral today

P

olice in Dubai have closed the case into the death of Bollywood star Sridevi Kapoor after handing over her body to relatives.

The actress, 54, died on Saturday "due to accidental drowning following loss of consciousness", Police said. She was found in a hotel bathtub.

It had earlier been reported that she died of cardiac arrest while at a family wedding in Dubai.

Her body has been embalmed and is being flown to India for her funeral.

Crowds have gathered outside her home in Mumbai to pay their last respects ahead of the ceremony, which will take place in the city today.

People have gathered outside Sridevi's Mumbai residence since her death was announced Known simply as Sridevi, the actress was considered one of the very few Indian female superstars capable of huge box-office success without the

Crowds have gathered outside her home in Mumbai to pay their last respects ahead of the ceremony, which will take place in the city today

support of a male hero. She appeared in nearly 300 films over five decades.

Police had been holding the body pending the results of a post-mortem

examination.

Prosecutors say a "comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of her death" is now complete. (BBC News)

The United Nations said it was proving impossible to aid civilians or evacuate wounded, and said all sides must instead abide by a 30-day truce sought by the UN Security Council

A

Russian call for a five-hour truce on Tuesday failed to halt one of the most devastating campaigns of the Syrian war, where residents said Government warplanes resumed striking the eastern Ghouta region after a brief lull.

Diplomatic sources meanwhile said the chemical weapons watchdog, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, opened an investigation into attacks in eastern Ghouta to determine whether banned munitions were used.

Political leaders in France, the United States and Britain said this month they would back targeted military action against Damascus if there were proof chemical weapons had been used by forces under President Bashar al-Assad, Russia’s ally.

Moscow and Damascus blamed rebels for the collapse of the truce, saying fighters had shelled a safe

route intended for civilians to leave the enclave. The insurgents denied such shelling, and a senior US general accused Moscow acting as “both arsonist and firefighter” by failing to rein in Assad.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would press on with a plan to stage similar daily pauses in the fighting, allowing aid to be delivered to eastern Ghouta through what Russia describes as a humanitarian corridor.

But the United Nations said it was proving impossible to aid civilians or evacuate wounded, and said all sides must instead abide by a 30-day truce sought by the UN Security Council.

“We have reports this morning there is continuous fighting in eastern Ghouta,” UN humanitarian spokesman Jens Laerke said.

“Clearly the situation on the ground is not such that convoys can go in or medical evacuations can go out.”

(Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, February 28, 2018

ARCHIE

Observation will help you process what you are up (March 21against. Seeing someone or April 19) something firsthand will encourage you to make adjustments that will protect you against loss or manipulation.

ARIES

Let others do as they TAURUS please; if you are judgmen(April 20- tal, you will be judged as well.

May 20) Know your capabilities and only promise what’s doable.

Living up to your word is important.

dilbert

Spend more time at home GEMINI (May 21- and with people who can help June 20) you get things done. Trusting someone’s word will lead to disappointment. Get the facts firsthand.

Get along with your peers.

There is strength in numbers, (June 21- and if you can convince others July 22) to step up and make a difference, positive changes can be put into motion.

CANCER

Peanuts

Keep moving forward at LEO lightning speed. What you (July 23- accomplish will give you the Aug. 22) edge when faced with opposition. Only take on what you can handle. Falling short will lead to criticism.

Put in the hours, physical VIRGO labour and effort to get things (Aug. 23done. Supervision may not be Sept. 22) welcome, but it will help you maintain peace and avoid discord.

Calvin and Hobbes

You can make a difference LIBRA (Sept. 23- if you put your skills and expeOct. 23) rience to good use. Participate in community events or home projects that will help improve your environment.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — SCALENE

SUDOKU

You’ll be easily misled by SAGITTARIUS someone trying to manip(Nov. 23ulate you.

Stay focused on Dec. 21) what interests you the most, and make personal changes that will encourage a better standard of living.

(SCALENE: SKAY-leen: Having three unequal sides, as some triangles.)

Average mark 20 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 31 or more words in SCALENE? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — TENDONS

tend tenon toed tone tonne neon nest node noes

none nose note dent does done dose dote onset

send sent sonde sone sonnet steno stone

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

Concentrate on getting SCORPIO things done to the best of your (Oct. 24ability.

Don’t jeopardize your Nov. 22) chance to advance by letting an emotional incident stifle your productivity. Live, love, laugh and keep the peace.

solution for Puzzle

Uncertainty will prevail CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- regarding partnerships or Jan. 19) discussions with people in your inner circle. Be precise to avoid a misunderstanding.

Impulsive decisions will lead to a disagreement and regret.

Your involvement in a AQUARIUS movement that can bring (Jan. 20about change will make you Feb. 19) feel good and bring you in contact with like-minded people. Don’t get angry when you can take action.

PISCES Do whatever it takes to (Feb. 20- ensure that your responsibilMarch 20) ities are completed on time.

Refuse to let anyone interfere or cause emotional distress that will deter you from reaching your goal.

wednesDAY, february 28, 2018

19

Windies A large & in charge of pink-ball ‘Test’

...lead by 207 at dinner on day 2

T

he historic day/ night unofficial fourday ‘Test’ between Windies A team and the visiting England Lions is moving at a fast pace with 22 wickets tumbling in five sessions.

At dinner on day two on Tuesday, Windies A batting a second time were 72-2 at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in North Sound Antigua enjoying a healthy lead of 206 runs with eight wickets in hand.

At the crease were Jermaine Blackwood and Shamarh Brooks after openers John Campbell and cap-

tain Kieran Powell were sent back under the lights.

Earlier, the visitors began day two on 20-0 replying to 236 made by the Windies A on the opening day and were once again placed with their backs against the wall with the spin duo of Jomel Warrican and Rahkeem Cornwall.

Home boy, Cornwall picked up three wickets with his off-breaks to move to 17 in the series but it was Warrican who was more devastating. The St Vincentborn left-arm spinner picked up 6 for 33 to take his tally in the three-match series to

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican was once again the thorn in the flesh of the Englishmen with 6-33 (CWI Media photo)

GFC, Brazilian side final set for March 3

– New Copa Cup Trophy at stake

C

opa Airlines and the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) are strengthening their collaboration geared towards the development of football in Guyana.

This new partnership, which began in the latter part of 2016, seeks to facilitate talented Guyanese footballers in reaching their full potential by taking advantage of opportunities both at home and overseas.

On March 3, 2018, the final match between GFC and the Brazilians of Guyana will be played in Georgetown - the winner of which will receive the new Copa Cup Trophy - sponsored by the airline. Back in December 2016, the first match was played in observance of the Chapecoense football squad disaster which had occurred a month earlier. The Brazilian side won that match but GFC soon prevailed with a victory in the rematch. The March 3 showdown therefore promises to be action-packed as both sides will be looking to clinch the series by emerging victorious.

Commenting on the symbol of the Copa Cup Trophy, Sales Manager in Guyana, Nadine Oudkerk said, “This trophy is particularly for the series decider and it is also a

26 wickets.

Test player, Haseeb Hameed top scored for England Lions with 48 at the top of the order but got no support at the other end and they were eventually bundled out for 102 giving the hosts a lead of 134 on first innings.

In the Windies A team first innings, Shamarh Brooks made 63 while John

Campbell and Cornwall chipped in with 33 each.

Windies A lead the threematch series 2-0 after victories in Jamaica at Trelawny Multiplex and Sabina Park.

Guyanese all-rounder, Keemo Paul who replaced the injured Miguel Cummins in the squad is making his debut for the Windies A side despite having a quite match so far.

SCOREBOARD

Happy faces all the way! From left; GFC General Manager Faizal Khan, footballers Ralph Parris and Alex Murry, GFC Team Coordinator Rehanna Douglas and Copa Sales Manager, Nadine Oudkerk at the presentation ceremony

trophy that will go forward for a lot of the games between GFC and other clubs.

The idea behind the trophy is to be able to give each club some bragging rights by having a trophy displayed in their clubs and of course provide a very significant tangible show of their efforts.”

The Copa Sales Manager said GFC has been doing phenomenal work with young players and the airline will continue to support these initiatives.

General Manager of GFC, Faizal Khan, said the

partnership with Copa has been very meaningful, not only for the GFC club, but towards the growth and development of young footballers in Guyana. He said over the past few years, the Club has undertaken an initiative to help young talented footballers develop professionally through “disciplined, technical, tactical, social and psychological football training.” Some players have progressed to the extent that they have been able to sign professional contracts overseas.

“Copa has come on board in a big way to help us as a football club that runs a number of different teams from senior right down to junior at our central Georgetown facility. The support we have received so far from Copa has been tremendous,” Khan stated.

Copa is happy to be embarking on this new partnership with GFC which is expected to have a significant positive impact on aspiring footballers in the country, and the development of the sport as a whole.

Windies A 1st Innings J Campbell lbw b Mahmood 33 K Powell* c Davies b Gleeson 11 J Blackwood c Gubbins b Lea ch 28 S Brooks lbw b Gleeson 63 J Hamilton lbw b Mahmood 20 S Dowrich+ c Davies b Mahmood 0 R Reifer c Leach b Jennings 27 R Cornwall c Gubbins b Coughlin 33 K Paul c Northeast b Leach 0 J Warrican not out 2 K Joseph lbw b Leach 0 Extras (b-5, lb-2, w-8, nb-4) 19 Total (All out; 76.2 Overs) 236 Fall of Wickets: 1-29 (Powell, 5.4 Ov), 2-75 (Campbell, 19.6 Ov), 3-77 (Blackwood, 22.4 Ov), 4-150 (Hamilton, 45.6 Ov), 5-154 (Dowrich, 51.1 Ov), 6-187 (Brooks, 61.3 Ov), 7-228 (Reifer, 71.3 Ov), 8-229 (Paul, 72.2 Ov), 9-235 (Cornwall, 75.2 Ov), 10-236 (Joseph, 76.2 Ov) Bowling Mahmood 17-6-50-3, Gleeson 18-5-43-2, Coughlin 14-3-54-1, Leach 21.2-5-58-3, Bess 5-1-24-0, Jennings 1-1-0-1 England Lions 1st Innings K Jennings* lbw b Reifer 16 H Hameed lbw b Warrican 48 N Gubbins lbw b Cornwall 4 J Clarke lbw b Jomel Warrican 0 S Northeast c Hamilton b Cornwall 3 A Davies+ b Warrican 8 P Coughlin c Blackwood b Cornwall 11

J Leach c Cornwall b Warrican 0 D Bess stp wkpr Dowrich b Warrican 4 R Gleeson c & b Jomel Warrican 0 S Mahmood not out 4 Extras (b-1, nb-3) 4 Total (All Out; 54.1 Overs) 102 Fall of wickets: 1-38 (Jennings, 16.1 Ov), 2-49 (Gubbins, 21.5 Ov), 3-52 (Clarke, 22.5 Ov), 4-63 (Northeast, 29.2 Ov), 5-72 (Davies, 32.5 Ov), 6-92 (Hameed, 42.2 Ov), 7-92 (Leach, 42.3 Ov), 8-96 (Coughlin, 47.2 Ov), 9-97 (Gleeson, 48.6 Ov), 10-102 (Bess, 54.1 Ov) Bowling Reifer 7-2-16-1, Paul 3-1-3-0, Joseph 2-03-0, Cornwall 24-8-46-3, Warrican 18.1-5-33-6 Windies A 2nd Innings J Campbell c Jennings b Bess 22 K Powell* lbw b Bess 28 J Blackwood not out 10 S Brooks not out 3 Extras (b-4, lb-4, w-0, nb-1) 9 Total (For 2 wickets; 20 Overs) 72 Fall of Wickets: 1-54 (Campbell, 11.1 Ov), 2-57 (Powell, 13.2 Ov) Yet to bat Keemo Paul, Shane Dowrich+, Rahkeem Cornwall, Keon Joseph, Raymon Reifer, Jomel Warrican, Jahmar Hamilton Bowling Mahmood 3-0-17-0, Gleeson 4-1-15-0, Coughlin 5-022-0, Bess 6-2-9-2, Leach 2-1-1-0 Position: Windies A lead by 206 runs with 8 wickets in hand

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesDAY, february 28, 2018

World Cup Experience was life changing – Athanaze ...Coach Sam Kirnon hailed for input

A

lick Athanaze seems to be in the right place at the right time. He was a late replacement for the injured Delorn Johnson in the Windward Islands Volcanoes for the just concluded Super50.

What a way he took the opportunity and made the best use of it.

Following the passage of Hurricane Maria in his home in Dominica, Alick said the “experience played a huge role in his motivation to perform well at the recently-concluded International Cricket Council (ICC) Under 19 World Cup in New Zealand.

Athanaze and his coach in Dominica, Sam Kirnon, have been working together for the last year and after the passage of the hurricane found a way to work out to keep sharp to prepare for the World Cup. He credits Kirnon for the work they put in.

Despite the team’s inability to get to the Championship round, Athanaze made 418 runs to emerge as the top runs scorer for the tournament.

He describes the World Cup experience as “a life changing one which helped him to build his confidence and understanding of the game.

One which also taught me how to deal with pressure and how to go about different scenarios at different stages of the game.”

He was a bright spark for the WINDIES as he was the only representative on the ICC-select squad.

The 19-year old says his best moment of the World Cup was his 110 not out against Sri Lanka; while his most disappointing was the loss and the manner in which his team lost to New Zealand.

Super50 Cup 2018

Athanaze, just last

The 19-year-old Athanaze played a match-winning innings in the Super50 finals against defending champions, Barbados Pride

Alick Athanaze was the leading run-scorer in the ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand

Saturday (February 24), played a steady and calm innings to help his team, the

Windward Island Volcanoes towards a three-wicket win over defending champi-

ons, Barbados Pride in the Super50 Cup FINAL. With 28 still required from 33 deliveries, the 19-year-old Athanaze put on a mature performance to play a major role in a 31-run eighth-wicket stand with Captain Shane Shillingford, to steer the Volcanoes towards the Super50 Cup title final, taking home the Clive Lloyd trophy.

Athanaze has a little ritual before he goes out

to bat; “I put on all my left gear first and on approaching the rope, I say a little prayer.”

In another three to five years, Athanaze thinks he will be an established franchise team player heading to the senior WINDIES team.

His favorite food/meal is chicken burger with fries.

And he enjoys dancehall music in his spare time.

(Windies Media)

Whopping 153 students move up in ranking O

n c e again, head of the IKD, 9th Dan Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai brought a high level entourage to Guyana and the YMCA. His wife, 8th Dan Shihan Maureen Woon-ATai, Vice-Chairman of the IKD and 7th Dan Shihan Bernice Hughes accompanied him on this visit along with their twin grandsons for the extremely important grading exercise.

To start the day off there was 153 students awaiting examinations. The tensions were high with some obviously well hyped up while others were very nervous especially among those taking Black Belts exams.

Graciously Shuseki Woon-A-Tai allowed the White, Yellow, Orange and Green Belts to leave after their exams was over. However, He gave them their results, made Presentations and took photographs before they left.

After a short break the examinations continued with the higher levels until all was completed.

Dan Diplomas was presented to 5 of the 8 Successful Students at the

November 2017 exams.

S h i a n Amir Khouri and Shian Jeffrey Wong was presented with their Masters Dan Diploma after being successful at their 7th Dan exams in November 2017.

See full results below;

Successful Dan Students: 2nd Dan Promotions: Patrick Gurahoo - YMCA 1st Dan Promotions: Kishan Ragubeer - YMCA Nikhil Sookraj - YMCA Christine Ramkissoon – YMCA Aolione Griffith – YMCA Doodnauth Jairam – GFK

Outstanding Kyu Grades Promotions:

10 Kyu To 8 Kyu:- Carl Fung-A-Fatt, Antwan Chester, Nelicia Higgins, A’oife Baird, Samuel Klass, Nathaniel Higgins, Yan Xi Chen, Sven Douglas, Ezekiel Jones, Gianna Majeed, Godfrey Gibson, Aishah Persaud, Rhea Winter, Isaiah Anderson, Gurav Ram, Oskary’s Jacobis, David Harold, Joshua Rampersaud.

10 Kyu To 7 Kyu:.

Ronaldokhoshall,

Instructors and students at the recent grading exercise at YMCA

Alex Penniston, Kunte Bishamber, Tessie Laud, Romario Jaisingh, Kristen Samaroo, Dharamraj Mohabir, Jeremiah Pile.

10 Kyu To 6 Kyu:Christopher Jones.

8 Kyu To 6 Kyu:- Jaiya Harricharan, Zhuohong Yang, Adrian Bhawanidin, Zareezyah Levans, Tamera Hughes, Malini Jainarain, Cindy Sookwah, Savitri Persaud.

8 Kyu To 5 Kyu:- Julietta Jarvis.

7 Kyu To 5 Kyu:- Kevin Fraser, Leandre Holder,

Rohan Sookwah.

4kyu To 2 Kyu:- Mark Henry, Anya Insanally, Jeremy Hargobin.

Total Kyu Grades Promotions 18 students to Yellow Belt (8kyu) 28 students to Orange Belt (7kyu) 21 students to Green Belt (6kyu) 30 students to Blue Belt (5kyu) 18 students to Purple Belt (4kyu) 7 students to Brown Belt (3kyu)

14 students to Brown Belt (2kyu) 11 students to Brown Belt (1kyu) 147 Kyu Students 5 students to 1st DAN (Black Belt) 1 student to 2nd DAN (Black Belt) 153 TOTAL STUDENTS EXAMINED.

Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai’s trip continues with Intensive Instructors and Judges Training Sessions at the GKC and ASK-G YMCA until he leaves on Tuesday

March 6, 2018.

Chairman of ASK-G, Sensei Amir Khouri 7th Dan expressed heartfelt congratulations to all of the students who were successful at the grading exercise and thanked instructors Roger Peroune and Patrick Gurahoo (YMCA), Clinton Moriah (New Amsterdam), Hazrat Ali (Albion and Blairmont), Laurence Lowe (GKF), Parmeshwar Persaud (Land of Canaan) and Mahadeo Ramotar (GFK) for their dedicated efforts.

sports

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Caro-Kann Defence

T

he Caro-Kann Defense is one of the most popular openings in response to the King’s Pawn Opening of 1.e4. Black responds with 1….c6 with the idea of thrusting forward with d5 on the next move, attacking the white central pawn on e4. The Caro-Kann Defense is one of the few defenses in chess where black can reach equality in the main line and many people would consider black to have a better position, especially in the

Jessica Clementson

e6 (usually played after the light square bishop is out so it is not blocked in).

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Accommodation provided. Contact# 500-5923 or 646-3676.

Hotel Manager to work at a hotel and bar on the Essequibo Coast.

Must have experience in hotel management. Accommodation provided. Contact# 500-5923 or 646-3676.

21

end game when the main line is played out. This is usually because black does not compromise his pawn structure and will usually have an easier end game.

There are many variations in the Caro Kann but the main line continues with 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5. This is an important setup that all caro kann players should look at and understand.

Many times a caro kann opening can transpose into a french defense but when the main line plays out, black usually has a pawn on c6. Black will then bring out his light squared bishop and eventually play

knight to d7 and support the future knight that is on f6. Black can bring his queen to c7 while his dark square bishop has many lines and is not blocked in by the pawns.

If the caro-kann does not follow the main lines it usually takes on a french defense so I would recommend studying up on the french defense if you want to play the carokann. The caro-kann is not a flashy opening and it’s not super aggressive. The caro-kann is, however, a very sound defense that can lead to an advantage for black near the later stages of a chess match.

embers of the leading cricket club in Georgetown, Everest Cricket Club will have their Annual General Meeting (AGM) today with current president Rajesh Singh pipped to be re-elected.

The meeting is expected to be called to order at 18:00h and after the annual reports from the club’s captain, treasurer and president the general body will begin nominations and voting for the new executive body which will take office for a one-year term.

Following the 2017 AGM, a few of the executives have since moved on from the club and new faces are expected to surface today.

The Everest Cricket Club executives after the AGM in 2017

Singh who has completed 25 years as a member of the club noted that 2017 was very challenging but it has made him tougher and more equipped to deal with what’s ahead as he tries to make the club a better place

for all.

The president thanked the general membership and staff for the support in 2017 and is keen to hit the ground running with the new body when re-elected.

BCB appoints committees for 2018 T

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) newly elected executives recently met and appointed the different Committees and Officials for 2018.

The eight-man executive, under the Chairmanship of President Hilbert Foster, appointed seven Executive Members and Members of the Discipline, Competitions, Public Relations, Finance, Cricket Development and Team Management Committees.

Foster, in welcoming the other executives, stated that their own objectives should be the development of the game, making sure that every player fulfills his/her potential and to lift the game to an all-time level.

He stated that under his leadership, no form of laziness, corruption or selfish behaviour would be tolerated and most importantly, the Executive Committee must lead by example.

The three elected VicePresidents were given special duties with Albert Smith in charge of Cricket Development, Jevaughn Stephens- Fund Raising, Finance and Marketing and Qualis Winter to look at the Administration.

Freelance Reporter Colin Bynoe Jnr would serve as the Berbice Cricket Board Public Relations Officer and was given the additional responsibility of setting up of a Facebook Page to inform Berbicians on the work of the Board.

Seven persons were also appointed to serve as Executive Members and they are Angela Haniff, Neil Rudder, Shabeer Baksh, Vemen Walter, Colin Bynoe, Desmond Conway and Dennis De Andrade.

One full strength Selection Committee was appointed for both Junior and Senior Teams and experienced Cricket Coach Albert Smith would serve as Chairman.

The other selectors are Shabeer Baksh, Junior Blair, Collis Butts, Orvin Mangru, Julian Moore and Balram Samaroo. The Finance Committee would be headed Vice-President

Jevaughn Stephens and tively of the Under-17 team, would include Treasurer Dr. while Anthony D’Andrade Cecil Beharry, Neil Rudder, and Adrian Amsterdam Albert Budhoo, Ishwar would serve in a similar caSingh, Winston Roberts and pacity for the Under-19 side.

Chatterpaul Lionel.

Winston Smith would Vice-President Qualis serve as Coach of the Female Winter heads the Public team, while the name of the Relations Committee and Manager would be revealed would be assisted by Neil shortly after she has been Rudder and Orvin Lyte. informed.

Vice-President Secretary Rabindranauth Jevaughn Stephens would Saywack heads the import- serve as Head of the ant Cricket Competitions Marketing/Fund Raising Committee, which would Committee while the other supervise the administra- names would be announced tion of the 15 cricket tour- shortly. naments scheduled for the Secretary Rabindranauth year.

Saywack was also mandated Ameer Rahaman would to spearhead planning for serve as Secretary, while the upcoming BCB Award the remaining members Ceremony and Cricket are Winston Smith, Zaheer Academy, while President Moakan, Sydney Jackman, Hilbert Foster would be Kellon Henry, Patrick responsible for the BCB Lewis, N. Deonarine and Television Programmes and Vemen Walter. The Cricket Cricket Review Magazine, Development Committee along with Public Relations consists of Chairman Officer Colin Bynoe Jnr. Albert Smith and includes Foster would also like to Julian Moore, Winston urge all Berbicians to subSmith, Adrian Amsterdam, mit ideas, suggestions to Andre Percival, Sewnarine him as the objective is to get Chattergoon, Tremayne everyone involved.

Smartt, Anthony D’Andrade, Ameer Rahaman, Javed Saywack and Kwesi Maltay.

Attorney-at-Law Anrude Gossai heads the Discipline Committee and would be supported by Moses Jaipaul, Michael Newland, Jai Hardeo and Carl Ramsammy.

The BCB also established a Panel of Coaches and qualified persons who would be in charge of the different Berbice teams for 2018.

The Members are Tremayne Smartt, Julian Moore, Winston Smith, Delbert Hicks, Andre Percival, Adrian Amsterdam, Travis Hardcourt, A n t h o n y D’Andrade, Michael Newland and Kwesi Maltay.

Meanwhile, the BCB has also appointed Andre Percival and Delbert Hicks as Manager BCB President Hilbert Foster and Coach respec-

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesDAY, february 28, 2018

ICC World Cup Qualifiers, Zimbabwe

Afghanistan turn Windies warm-up cold – former WC champs bowled out for 110

F

ormer t w o time former world champions, Windies

Dawlat Zadram plucked out Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell and Carlos Brathwaite with consecutive deliveries

began their World Cup Qualifiers on the back foot after suffering a humiliating defeat to Afghanistan in their first warm-up match on Tuesday.

In the match reduced to 35 overs per side due to rain at the Harare Sports Club, Windies were bowled out for 110 chasing a target of 140.

Seamer Dawlat Zadram picked up 4-26 including a hat trick that saw the Caribbean side bowled out in the 27th over 29 runs short of victory. World number one ranked ODI and T20 bowler, Rashid Khan picked up two wickets from 3.4 overs of controlled leg-breaks.

Only Evin Lewis with 36 at the top of the order and Marlon Samuels who made 34 got into double figures.

A f t e r w i n ning

Jason Holder has more questions than answers ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers

16

the toss after a delayed start, Windies had Out by 5 wickets Zimbabwe versus Ireland match was their opponents on the ropes at 71 for 8 in the 23rd over before Gulbadin Naib (48) and abandoned without a ball bowled.

Samiullah Shenwari (42 not out) put on 91 from 59 balls for the ninth wicket to revive the innings.

Afghanistan ended on 163 for 9.

34-2 (w-1), Miller 2-0-13-0 Afghanistan Innings (35 overs maximum) Kemar Roach picked up 3 West Indies Innings (target: 140 runs from 35 overs) Mohammad Shahzad † c Lewis for 43 while Jason Holder and b Cottrell 0 CH Gayle c Sharafuddin Ashraf Kesrick Williams picked up 9 Ihsanullah c Nurse b Roach 8 b Mohammad Nabi two wickets a-piece.

Javed Ahmadi lbw b Cottrell 2 E Lewis c Gulbadin Naib b Windies will next take on Sharafuddin Ashraf 36 Rahmat Shah c Nurse b SD Hope† c †Mohammad Holder 10 Nepal in their second and final Shahzad b Dawlat Zadran 1 Nasir Jamal c †Hope b Brathwai warm-up match on Thursday te 13 MN Samuels c Rashid Khan b where they will have to look Shapoor Zadran 34 Najibullah Zadran c †Hope b to correct their mistakes Holder 2 JN Mohammed c Gulbadin Naib b Sharafuddin Ashraf 0 quickly ahead of their openMohammad Nabi c †Hope b Williams 14 SO Hetmyer c Najibullah Zadran ing match on March 6 against 1 Samiullah Shenwari not out 42 b Dawlat Zadran the United Arab Emirates R Powell c †Mohammad Sharafuddin Ashraf b (UAE).

9 Williams 13 Shahzad b Dawlat Zadran The top two teams from JO Holder* not out 7 Gulbadin Naib c Mohammed b Cottrell 48 CR Brathwaite lbw b Dawlat the qualifiers will join the 0 Dawlat Zadran not out 0 Zadran top eight teams in the AR Nurse b Rashid Khan 2 Extras (lb-3, w-8) 11 International Cricket Council NO Miller b Rashid Khan 0 Total (For 9 wickets; (ICC) World Cup 2019 in Extras (b-3, lb-1, w-7) 11 35 Overs) 163 England and Wales.

Total (All out; 26.4 Overs) 110 Did not bat: Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan All of the qualifiers are Did not bat: D Bishoo, KAJ (c), Shapoor Zadran, Roach, KOK Williams, SS Cottrell taking place in Zimbabwe.

Shapoor Zadran Fall of wickets: 1-25 (CH Gayle, In other Warm-up results Fall of wickets: 1-0 5.1 ov), 2-36 (SD Hope, 6.1 on Tuesday; (Mohammad Shahzad, 0.4 ov), 3-80 (E Lewis, 13.3 ov), ov), 2-6 (Javed Ahmadi, 4.1 4-80 (JN Mohammed, 13.6 Netherlands 155-2 ov), 3-12 (Ihsanullah, 5.2 ov), ov), 5-88 (MN Samuels, 16.2 (35.5/46 Overs) beat Hong 4-34 (Nasir Jamal, 11.3 ov), ov), 6-99 (SO Hetmyer, 19.4 Kong 157 All Out by 8 5-39 (Rahmat Shah, 12.2 ov), ov), 7-99 (R Powell, 19.5 ov), 6-46 (Najibullah Zadran, 14.4 8-99 (CR Brathwaite, 19.6 ov), wickets ov), 7-53 (Mohammad Nabi, 9-107 (AR Nurse, 22.5 ov), Scotland 197-3 18.2 ov), 8-71 (Sharafuddin 10-110 (NO Miller, 26.4 ov) Ashraf, 22.6 ov), 9-162 (36.4/50 Overs) beat Bowling Dawlat Zadran 7-1(Gulbadin Naib, 34.5 ov) Papa New Guinea 196 26-4 (w-1), Mohammad Nabi Bowling Cottrell 7-0-43-3 (w-1), 5-1-25-1 (w-1), Shapoor All Out by 7 wickets Roach 6-1-16-1 (w-1), Holder Zadran 5-0-27-1 (w-2), Nepal 172-5 (28.2/29 7-1-27-2 (w-2), Brathwaite Sharafuddin Ashraf 6-0-21-2 7-1-27-1 (w-3), Williams 6-1(w-1), Rashid Khan 3.4-0-7-2 Overs) beat UAE 171 All

SCOREBOARD

rewarded bursaries from GFF/Scotiabank academies

S

ixteen budding footballers were recognised for their improved efforts with the ball and academics by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) through Scotiabank.

The simple ceremony was held at the federations secretariat on Saturday with the players who came from academy training centres from Upper Demerara, East Bank, Bartica, Essequibo, East Coast, Georgetown, Rupununi and West Demerara.

Technical Director of the Federation, Ian Greenwood explained their goal is to produce well-rounded players. “you have worked extremely hard at different levels but you need to continue to work and focus on

The awardees along with Scotiabank’s Marketing Executive Jennifer Cipriani, GFF President Wayne Forde, FIFA Regional Director Marlon Glean and Technical Director Ian Greenwood

the academies. We are not just looking for footballers, we are looking for good people and you must remain

conscious of doing your school work,” Greenwood posited.

GFF President Wayne

Forde underscored the portance of players ing disciplined if they to achieve their true

imbeare po-

tentials. Forde cautioned that many may possess immense talent but a lack of discipline cannot stall their

progress to the “big stage.”

Scotia Bank Marketing Executive Jennifer Cipriani revealed they will continue to play their part in enhancing Guyana’s human resources. Cirpriani also spoke of diversifying their support for other sports in the country.

The recipients who collected the bursary for book and school supplies at the Austin’s Book Store were Jamal Allicock, Raheem Augus, Xavi Atkinson, Tyrese Jones, Jeremiah Peters, Kareem Caesar, Ezekiel Scott, Eron Caesar, Shemar Kingston, Colin Henriques, Jermaine Garrett, Shaquon Favorite, Sheldon Cupido, Matrim Martin, Lashawn LaRose and Delon Clark.

wednesDAY, february 28, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Kares Fitness challenge

23

draws closer – celebrity athletes revealed

T

he test of fitness enthusiasts’ patience may start to gradually ease as March 11 is now less than two weeks away for the highly anticipated fourth annual Kares Engineering Fitness Challenge which will be held at

Entertainment Robbie Singh and Co-owner of Red Entertainment Saskia Wijngaarde have thrown their hats in the ring.

Scotiabank is the official sponsor for celebrity challenge segment and will be making what

close of registration on February 22. She added they are still willing accept entries but it will come with a late fee to the standard $2,500.

The first segment of the day’s proceedings will be 100 Double Unders, 25 Deadlifts, 400m run, Females 185#, Males 275#.

Part two has 21 Toes to Bar, 50 wall balls 20lbs/14lbs, 13 Toes to Bar, 40 box jumps, 24 inch/20 inch, 8 Toes to Bar, 30 KB swings 55lbs/35lbs, 5 Toes to Bar, 20

Pull-ups, 3 Toes to Bar and 10 overhead squats 95lbs/65lbs.

In the third stage, the test will be of 24 Wall over Burpees, 100m Atlas Stone carry, 12 Wall over Burpees and 100m Atlas Stone carry.

Additionally, the movement requirements for the day will be Double unders, Overhead squat (65lbs/95lbs), Box jump 20/24, pull-ups, Toes Ma to Bar, Kettlebell swings cal e (35lbs/55lbs), Clean and The a Cam Rem ero Jerk, Wallballs (14lbs/20lbs), ix C n aka hic Rope Climbs, Thrusters, Deadlifts (185lbs/275lbs), Burpees and running. St Joseph Medical Team will be present again for the care of athletes.

In 2017, it was a Cross Fit 592 sweep with marque athletes Dillon Mahadeo and

Director of Sport Christopher Jones

the National Park Tarmac.

Among the crowd attraction is the Celebrity Challenge and the stars that will be appearing this year have been revealed. Heading the list is Director of Sport Christopher Jones while Miss World Guyana Veena Mookram, Radio announcer/ Disc Jockey Akelo Elliot, Radio Announcer/ Television Presenter Macalea Cameron also known as The Remix Chic, Chief Executive of Pulse

is understood to be a huge financial contribution to the Giving Hope Foundation and Help and Shelter.

Event Organiser Jordana RamsayGonsalves told Guyana Times Sport on Tuesday that only 30 of their expected 36 athletes (24 male and 12 female) have been filled at the

ent

inm terta n E ulse ngh of P bbie Si O E o C R

Semonica Duke taking the individual titles while their gym won the team event.

The official launch is set for Thursday March 1 from 19:00h at the entertainment strip at the Giftland Mall, Pattensen.

Miss World Guyana Veena Mookram

Softball champs

find form in Republic Cup warm-ups S ome of the country’s top softball teams returned to form when action in the Regal Sports softball tournament continued last Sunday at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground, Thomas Lands.

Regal Masters defeated Fisherman by 30 runs in a feature over-45 years old clash. The victors took first strike and posted 153-5 off their allocated 15 overs.

Opener Mahase Chunilall (1x4; 6x6) hit the top score of 46 and got good support from Rudolph Baker who made 40 (1x4; 5x6) and Mohendra Arjune 23 (1x4; 2x6).

Chunilall added 63 for the fourth wicket with David Harper who was dismissed for 14. D. Thomas claimed 2-15 and Zameer Hassan 2-22 bowling for

The powerful Regal Masters continue to rule the softball circuit with another clinical performance

Fishermen Masters who were restricted to 123-7 in 15 overs. Ramo Malone scored 18 while Unnis Yusuf and Dennis Mangra 16 a-piece.

Parsram Persaud captured 2-14 and Fazleem Mohamed 2-17.

In the second Master’s match of the day, Mike’s

Wellman overcame Ariel by 42 runs in another one-sided affair. Batting first, Mike’s Wellman managed 114-4 in 15 overs with Lloyd Ruplall stroking two fours and a similar number of sixes in a fluent 57 while Nadram Samlall weighed in with 24 and Greg De

Franca 18.

In reply, Ariel were bowled out 72 in 14 overs with only R. Ramdin threatening with 27 runs; Sheldon Perch snared 3-9 and Hardat Heeranandan 2-11.

Mike’s Wellman maintained their winning ways

when they beat HS Masters by seven wickets.

HS Masters took first strike and got to 69-6 in 10 overs.

Rudy Rodrigues made 32 (2x6; 4x4); Latchman Kallicharran took 2-30.

Mike’s Wellman replied with 72-3 in 9.1 overs. Greg De Franca made 36 including two fours and one six.

In the lone Open match on the sunny day, Regal All Stars defeated Success by a nail-biting five runs.

Regal All Stars had the first use of the crease and scored 120-9 in 15 overs.

Kumar Bishundyal made 25 with two fours and two sixes while Sachin Singh made 20 (3x6) and Amir Nizamudeen 13.

D. Ramnauth captured 3-27, Chien Gittens 2-4, N. Boodhoo 2-12 and D. Deonarine 2-23.

Success threatened momentarily but fell for 115 in 15 overs in response.

N. Boodhoo clobbered five fours and two sixes in 40 while Anand Rooplall made 14; the duo added 57 for the third wicket. Sachin Singh grabbed 3-18, Fazal Rafiek 2-16 and Amir Nizamudeen 2-27.

The matches were used as useful preparation ahead of the annual Republic Cup which goes down Saturday and Sunday at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground. The competition which is organized by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc (GSCL Inc) will see action in three categories; Male Open, Male Over 40-years old and Male Over 50-Years old.

wednesDAY, february 28, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Windies A large and in charge of pink-ball ‘Test’

Pg 19

...lead by 207 at dinner on day 2

Guyana Jaguars’ all-rounder, Keemo Paul receives his Windies A team cap from Assistant Coach and Manager Rayon Griffith prior to the start of play on Monday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua

Whopping 153 students move up in ranking Pg 20

The six students seated in front of the examiners are the successful Dan examinees at the recent grading at YMCA

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