Guyanatime 28 april 2018 final

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

President Granger opens Linden Expo 2018

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Issue No. 3547

PRICE

After cutting airport expansion budget

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Govt wants $346.5M in additional funding Page 3

9 Berbice students Govt unmoved allegedly molested over criticisms of Cybercrime Bill by deportee

Scholarship fraud

P8 Convicts charged for impersonating First Lady Lindo Creek CoI

President grants 2 months extension

P7

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Page 12

…caught red-handed by teacher

– argues clause 18 falls under ‘national security’ – fmr AG calls for review, criticising Govt might be “seditious”

GuySuCo’s payment system inconsiderate – pensioners

Regent Street store gutted by fire P10

Page 13

Mercury elimination

Give GGMC $2B to conduct feasibility P11 study – GGDMA …says GGB’s negligence caused high levels of mercury in lab

Braving the sun: These La Bonne Intention (LBI) pensioners are now in a fight to continue receiving their pensions at the LBI Centre Ground. Many are contending that old age, infirmities and crime make collecting their pensions in the city impracticable.

The pensioners protested on Friday against the Guyana Sugar Corporation's decision

New parking protocols

Bandits nabbed Sorubim after robbing well dry businessman –ExxonMobil Page 7

Page 7

UG students express P14 concern over vehicle clamping

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saturDAY, april 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

After cutting airport expansion budget

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

Saturday, April 28 – a night-time retraction at 04:00h and a day-time retraction at 14:30h-16:00h and Sunday, April 29 – a night-time retraction at 04:30h and a daytime retraction at 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, April 28 – 15:25h-16:55h and Sunday, April 29 – 16:05h-17:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the and into the evening hours.

Temperatures will range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 03:23h and 15:45h reaching maximum heights of 2.65 metres and 2.64 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 09:19h and 21:35h reaching minimum heights of 0.55 metres and 0.57 metre respectively.

Govt wants $346.5M in additional funding to have a first-hand observation of the on-going works and make comments or recommendations before the project is completed.

By Vahnu Manikchand

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aving used its combined one seat majority while in Opposition to cut over $10 billion in budgetary allocations to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion project, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government has now moved to secure supplementary funds for the project.

At Thursday’s sitting of the National Assembly, Government tabled a financial paper seeking $2.5 billion in supplementary funds, of which some $346.5 million will be injected towards the purchase and installation of two additional air bridges at CJIA. Following a parliamentary tour of the airport expansion works, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson said the intention all along was to have four boarding bridges when the project is completed.

“The contract has the two

Supplementary funds

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson during the parliamentary site tour of the CJIA expansion (Carl Croker photo)

Engineering Corporation (CHEC), it was announced that the project would be continued. Among the redesigning elements was the reduction of the air bridges from eight to a mere two.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), now in Opposition, has often criticised the Coalition Administration for redesigning the project, which was a fixed price design and build

es have been made to the design. It is our intention, and we will, at the appropriate time, call for a performance audit of this project, to ensure that the Guyanese people got value for their money and what was paid for was delivered. The Minister of Public Infrastructure, on numerous occasions in the National Assembly, failed to answer questions or deliver information promised in re-

Government seeking funding for additional air bridges at CJIA

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air bridges in it. I had always said we would make provision for an additional two… and I’ve made it clear that it was our intention on opening we would have four air bridges. So, the supplementary that you would’ve seen tabled is for the additional two,” Patterson stated.

This move by the Coalition Government to construct additional air bridges comes on the heels of its having redesigned the airport expansion project upon assuming office.

The CJIA Expansion project was signed under the Peoples Progressive Party Government, with the Chinese Export/Import (EXIM) Bank granting US$138 million while Guyana put up US$12 million.

However, when the APNU/AFC Government took office in 2015, the project was put on hold; but following discussions between Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and the contractor, Chinese company China Harbour

contract.

Camouflaging transparency

In fact, the Opposition boycotted the parliamentary tour, and its Public Infrastructure spokesperson, Juan Edghill, said in a statement on Wednesday that in additional to the site visit being a charade to camouflage transparency, it is also being orchestrated to lay the foundation for seeking addition funds from the nation’s purse.

The Opposition Member of Parliament further reminded in his missive of the Coalition parties’ “hostile, diatribe and near sabotage of this project” when they cut in excess of $10 billion combined allocations in the 2013 and 2014 Budgets.

Moreover, Edghill went on to call out Government for back-pedalling on its design changes made to the fixed price design and build contract.

“We are aware that significant alterations and chang-

gard to this project. His usual style of much rhetoric is now commonplace, with very little to show,” Edghill asserted.

However, the Public Infrastructure Minister, in response to the Opposition, said that progress of the expansion works shows that Guyana is getting “value for its money”, noting that the purpose of the visit was for the Members of Parliament

Meanwhile, the Public Infrastructure Minister also went on to say that other aspects of the project that were not included in the contract would require more supplementary funds in the future. Those include fencing around the extended runway and construction of a new commercial space outside the airport.

“Those are not in the China Harbour contract. So, progressively, we will make the outside, the external landside of the airport, more user- and customer-friendly. So obviously that will require more funds… We can’t just have a world class terminal, we must have world class ambience and feeling, so there will be opportunity for the normal Guyanese to have a kiosk and so that persons can sample some genuine local cuisine,” he added.

According to Minister Patterson, the costs of these aesthetic works are yet to be determined, and will only commence after the actual expansion works are completed, which will be by the end of December this year.

However, the Public Infrastructure Minister noted that the opening of the new airport facility will be done in a phased manner. In fact, in June the new arrival terminal will be opened, while the new departure lounge will soon be given a test run with one of the airlines, and if all goes well, then the entire operation will be shifted into the new space.

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SaturDAY, April 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

Power and speed of social media

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uyana’s social landscape is changing, and its inhabitants are becoming more tech savvy and technologically inclined as each year passes, as they race to keep up with the trends and developments taking place in other parts of the Caribbean and the more developed world.

Social media has, since 2005, been redefining the manner in which Guyanese view each other, the society in which they live, and those who wield political power and influence. This newer form of media has, in a Guyana context, become more popular and way more influential than the traditional forms of media and the press in shaping the public’s perception and opinions about good governance, democracy, racism, traditional and non-traditional gender roles, health care, business and innovation, and local Government reform.

It is therefore not strange that Facebook, for instance, according to the Columbus Dispatch, has become the modern exemplar of unbridled growth, with an unimaginably popular — and powerful — product used regularly by one-quarter of the world’s population; while Twitter, at 10 years old, is smaller but also has immense power to influence users.

The implications of that power are becoming clearer, and 2018 should be the year when Facebook and Twitter turn their considerable strengths — innovation, psychological savvy and tech brilliance — to limiting the harm wrought by their creations.

Guyanese must take note that while those social-media masters sold their platforms as a great democratising force, a neutral platform allowing ordinary people around the world to make their voices heard and join with like-minded others, they also designed them to be incredibly addictive and to reward sharing of information. Human nature being what it is, people with darker motives have learned to harness this power for decidedly undemocratic aims.

In the past year, we have learnt that Facebook and Twitter were tools used by political ideologues, both left and right, to spread false and inflammatory claims during the 2016 US election cycle. The idea of Americans unwittingly disinforming each other on a mass scale was bad enough; then came word that shadowy outfits in Russia were behind some of the online lies.

Guyanese cannot afford to fall victim to this sort of abuse, which is certainly not confined to the US. In Myanmar, for example, brutal violence against the ethnic-minority Rohingya Muslims appears to have been partly fuelled by Facebook postings of false stories and doctored photos demonising the Rohingya while in India. The New York Times reported at least seven people were beaten to death by villagers who believed they were part of gangs abducting children, based on a false claim spread on the Facebook-owned messaging service WhatsApp. Hoaxes and lies have been a part of society forever, but the power and speed of social media amplify the damage immeasurably.

Already, several Guyanese have been hauled before the local courts to answer charges related to defamation and character assassination, which took place on social media. Others have been arrested here for sharing sexually explicit images of young women and men on social media without their permission.

Recently, two popular make-up artistes ended up in a street brawl because of a feud birthed on Facebook and supported on both sides by scores of Guyanese social media users.

That trend is worrying, even if one wants to ignore the fact that the national and global influence of Facebook goes beyond simply providing the platform for changing and shifting a country’s social demographics and behavioural trends.

Surely, one cannot ignore the fact that a recent Bloomberg News article described a little-known “global government and politics” team within the company that contracts with Governments and political candidates globally, helping them use Facebook more effectively to spread their messages and make money. Clients have included the campaign of Philippines strongman Rodrigo Duterte and the anti-immigrant German party Alternative for Germany. Facebook cannot do that kind of work and claim no responsibility for political outcomes.

In light of this, Guyanese therefore need to become smarter about evaluating what they see on Facebook and Twitter. The Education Ministry should include in the school’s curriculum sessions on dealing with the effects and dangers of social media.

For the second time this decade, extreme winter conditions on the Mongolian Steppe caused extensive die-offs of sheep, goats, cattle, and camels, animals that traditional herding communities rely on for their survival. Due to an ongoing drought, the nomads’ livestock faced a lack of adequate forage in the grasslands along the country’s northern border with Russia, and they went into this year’s winter season much thinner than usual. If a bad winter follows a lean summer, livestock can burn through their fat reserves faster, and herders must turn to their hay reserves months earlier than usual (nationalgeographic.com)

REO taking control of NDC subvention Dear Editor, The evidence is indisputable, and the Government is daily being seen and exposed for the fake frontier it presents. They can no longer place blame on the former PPP/C Government, which took our country to its highest ever level of development. As such, they seek to engage in distraction through unwarranted, bullish, undemocratic and corrupt practices, while promoting divisive tactics among targeted communities.

I have consistently received tremendous feedback from communities, including an overwhelming number of requests to highlight the serious malpractices that the APNU/AFC is perpetuating almost unabated in the Local Authority Areas. The efforts of many PPP/C won Councils are commendable, given the extreme efforts to frustrate community progress under their respective administration.

The Diamond/Grove NDC on the East Bank Demerara is just one of the many Councils that fall into this category. Justifiably, councillors are complaining that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC

Region 4) and the Ministry of Communities are frustrating the delivery of work programmes through ‘delaying approval’ tactics.

It is very serious that the 2016 Diamond/ Grove NDC Government subvention is not being spent to date. The reason provided is that the Council received the $4 million subvention and set it aside to purchase a garbage truck, after obtaining the necessary permission. The RDC of Region Four took over the procurement process and decided where and from whom the truck would be bought.

Since 2016, having allocated their own money with the REO’s compulsory signature, the truck to do the garbage collection has not been delivered. As a consequence, the NDC is finding it very difficult to keep the communities clean.

In relation to the 2017 Diamond/Grove NDC’s $4 million subvention, the manipulation of its use is being determined by the APNU/ AFC-controlled Region Four Democratic Council.

Information received confirms that the REO took control of the subvention and tendered for the works to be done. The Region de-

cided to do a 120-foot road patching in 11th Avenue in Diamond; which, after significant delay, was hurriedly paid for.

A second 2017 project was allocated to do some work at Back Street Squatting Area; and again, this took serious complaints before some amount of messy work was done. From the remaining one million dollars, the Region was supposed to purchase one hundred and eleven tonnes of ‘crusher run’. Only last month (March 2018), they delivered seventy tonnes of ‘crusher Run’ and still owe the NDC forty-one tonnes of ‘Crusher Run’ for the 2017 subvention.

The NDC councillors are of the opinion that the Ministry of Communities and the RDC are spending too much money on projects that they can do much cheaper. The NDC is calling on the Local Government Commission (LGC) to look into these blatant and deliberate acts of the APNU/ PNC representatives.

The unhindered functioning of the LCG is necessary to buttress the clearly biased acts of the Government.

However, the Local Government

Commission must start moving around the country and look into the numerous burning issues.

Today, most of the PNC appointed REOs are experiencing serious problems with their functioning in the Local Authority Areas.

The REOs have become Czars unto themselves with the support of the Ministry of Communities. They appear to take much pride in frustrating the Local Government system.

We are at the end of the fourth month of 2018, and although the Budget allocations for the year were done since December 2017, the Ministry of Communities is not releasing the NDCs’ annual subventions for many of the LAAs, although the work programmes have been submitted.

The Local Government Commission must wake up and listen to the cries in the Local Authority Areas, the Regional Democratic Council and the Amerindian Village Councils for a more efficient and professional approach to getting things done effectively in service to the residents.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Abuse prevention requires political will Dear Editor, Combating the brutal war against our womenfolk, as so many have pointed out over time, requires police capacity, necessary reforms, and political will.

The current widespread perception that going to the Police is a waste of time is based on the far too many

instances of Police refusing to act on complaints and/or coercing victims to not take legal action. More often than not, bribery dictates such attitudes. Thus building Police capacity entails oversight to eliminate these behaviours; provision of sensitivity training, including empathic communication and first

responder skills.

Another impediment is the twofold roadblock – otherization of the call to action and a culture of double-victimisation.

Otherization says that abuse is ‘not my business’ and/or ‘I know what needs to be done, but somebody else has to do it’.

Double-victimization en-

compasses the victim believing that she deserves the abuse; that abuse is normal and may reflect spousal love; that being abused is a shame that must be hidden; and/or that walking away is not an option, because of fear. continued on page 5

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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

Blatant misinformation by Minister Patterson Dear Editor, The Parliamentary Opposition is fully aware of its role and functions, and it is for that expressed reason it made known publicly its reason for not attending the Parliamentary tour of the CJIA Expansion project.

We noted in the letter columns of the state’s newspaper of Friday, April 27, 2018 a letter signed by Mr David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure, which contains at least five (5) blatant inaccuracies. We suspect that in the mad rush for cover -- having been exposed of an attempted raid on the public purse – this is an attempt at damage control.

For clarification, we have no knowledge of any member of the Parliamentary Opposition requesting a tour of CJIA Expansion Project.

Could the Minister tell the nation when and where that request was made, and by whom?

The second blatant and deliberate offering of misinformation was the Minister’s claim that the “parliamentary opposition, in fact, had raised vehement protest following a visit to the project in January by the Cabinet.”

This statement is a concoction. It is the most visible manifestation of desperation, and it shows the APNU+AFC government’s

mastery at the fine art of deception. There was never a protest, vehement or otherwise, as stated by the Minister.

Could Minister Patterson tell the nation when and where this vehement protest took place, and by whom?

And could the Minister point us to the evidence to substantiate this ludicrous statement?

Thirdly, the Minister continues to spew dishonesty when he stated that Mr Edghill had been invited to other “Tours” of the CJIA project, and would have attended at least one of them.

He could have simply said the truth: that Mr Edghill

Abuse prevention requires...

Thus reform must include widespread information dissemination to combat otherization and double-victimization, and provide a roadmap of to dos: a ladder of contacts starting with the local Police and including counselling access - welfare officers, psychologists, social workers. In this respect, lay counsellors can be the critical first responders; and so, once again, we urge the return of the Gatekeepers’ Programme.

In fact, TCV has been offered the free services of a lay counsellor trainer from India through the auspices of the NGO Seva International.

Reform must also include a national support network, so that women do not continue to stay in abusive relationships because of economic dependence, or children, or family and societal pressure. In fact, the Ministry of Social Protection’s Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit (MSSODVPU) seems to already offer such support: shelter and temporary accommodation, financial assistance, rehabilitation, skills training, counselling, social work services, legal aid…but are these services accessible nationwide? And are Guyanese generally aware of these services? Neither seems to be the case currently. Thus there is URGENT need to set up satellite offices countrywide and engage in a national sensitization campaign, so these services can be taken advantage by all victims of abuse to pre-empt femicide and other fatal consequences.

Other components of reform should include establishing a database of all stakeholders on the social landscape, to build much needed collaboration, and a national stakeholders’ conference to activate a national intervention and support

network; bipartisan legislation mandating that all cases of abuse should be prosecuted, even if the victim withdraws the complaint and/or refuses to testify; setting up a domestic violence unit in the Police Force, with members posted at all stations; and stringent application of the law, instead of disdainful dismissals and/ or mere slaps on the wrist.

Additionally, there is need for mechanisms to enable abused victims to break the silence by sharing their experiences and publicly calling out abusers as well as seeking help. A hotline would be one such mechanism. Or perhaps the Suicide Helpline can be expanded to include abuse.

As well, the Government should facilitate the creation of an app that would

was invited once, and he attended. Why go at length to convey the impression that there were other tours?

Continuing, the Minister seems to be annoyed over being made to account for his stewardship in the National Assembly, by saying my questioning in the National Assembly has been “deliberately obtuse.” The fact is, this particular Minister has always sought to obfuscate issues by bringing in “red herrings” in his answers, and has now perfected the skill of “talking much” but “saying little.”

This current tour is nothing but a smokescreen, a shameless attempt to siphon

From page 4

enable sharing and reporting of abuse.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

off $346.5 million Guyana dollars from the public purse to finance what was already paid and catered for in the original “fixed price design and build contract.”

From the figures provided by the Minister on Financial Paper #2/2018, one can easily do the math and conclude that when this project was redesigned by the APNU+AFC Administration, just on the alteration of moving from eight (8) air bridges to two

(2) air bridges, the contractor benefited from US$5M, or in excess of $1 billion Guyana dollars in avoided cost.

Could the honourable Minister say what was the “appreciation” bonus for this contract as altered and redesigned?

Yours truly, Bishop Juan Edghill Member of Parliament Spokesperson on Public Infrastructure

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C

ompared with what adults face, it might seem like kids don’t have that much to stress about. But kids have their own concerns – and sometimes feel stress, just as adults do. And kids’ stresses can be just as overwhelming, particularly if they don’t have effective coping strategies.

A KidsHealth® KidsPoll explored what kids stress about the most, how they cope with these feelings, and what they want their parents to do about it.

The poll showed that kids are dealing with their stresses in both healthy and unhealthy ways, and while they may not say so, they do want their parents to reach out and help them cope with their feelings.

The poll underscored how important it is for parents to teach kids to recognise and express their emotions, and to use healthy ways to cope with the stress they experience. By guiding them to healthy coping skills, parents can help prepare kids to tackle whatever stresses they meet throughout their lives.

About 25% of the kids we surveyed said that when they are upset, they take it out on themselves. These kids also were more likely to have other unhealthy coping strategies, such as eating, losing

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their tempers, and keeping problems to themselves.

The idea that kids would do things to try to harm themselves may be shocking to parents. But for some kids, feelings of stress, frustration, helplessness, hurt, or anger can be overwhelming. And without a way to express or release the feelings, a kid may feel like a volcano ready to erupt – or at least let off steam.

Sometimes, kids blame themselves when things go wrong. They might feel ashamed, embarrassed, or angry at themselves for the role they played in the situation.

Hurting themselves may be a way to express the stress and blame themselves at the same time.

The poll also revealed important news for parents. Though talking to parents ranked eighth on the list of most p o p u l a r coping methods, 75

per cent of the kids surveyed say they want and need their parents’ help in times of trouble. When they’re stressed, they’d like their parents to talk with them, help them solve the problem, try to cheer them up, or just spend time together.

What parents can do

You may not be able to prevent your k i d s from

feeling frustrated, sad, or angry, but you can provide the tools they need to cope with these emotions.

Notice out loud. Tell kids when you notice something they might be feeling (“It seems like you might still feel mad about what happened at the playground”).

This shouldn’t sound like an accusation (as in: “OK, what happened now? Are you still mad about that?”) or make a child feel put on the spot. It’s just a casual observation that you’re interested in hearing more about your child’s concern.

Listen to your k i d s .

Ask them to tell you what’s wrong.

Listen attentively and calmly — with in-

terest, patience, openness, and caring. Avoid any urge to judge, blame, lecture, or tell your kids what they should have done instead.

The idea is to let a child’s concerns (and feelings) be heard. Encourage your child to tell the whole story by asking questions. Take your time, and let a child take his or her time, too.

Comment briefly on the feelings you think your child was experiencing as you listen. For example, you might say something like: “That must have been upsetting” or “No wonder you felt mad when they wouldn’t let you in the game.” Doing so shows that you understand what your child felt, why he or she felt that way, and that you care.

Feeling understood and listened to helps kids feel connected to you, and that is especially important in times of stress.

Put a label on it. Many kids do not yet have words for their feelings. If your child seems angry or frustrated, use those feeling words to help your child learn to identify the emotions by name. That will help put feelings into words so they can be expressed and communicated more easily, which helps kids develop emotional awareness — the ability to recognize their own emotional states. Kids who can recognize and identify emotions are less likely to reach the behavioural boiling point where strong emotions get demonstrated through behaviours rather than communicated with words.

Help kids think of things to do. Suggest activities kids can do to feel better now and to solve the problem at hand. Encourage them to think of a couple of ideas. You can get the brainstorm started if necessary, but don’t do all the work.

A child’s active participation will build confidence.

Support good ideas and add to them as needed. Ask, “How do you think this will work?” Sometimes talking and listening and feeling understood is all that’s needed to help kids’ frustrations melt away. Other times change the subject and move on to something more positive and relaxing. Don’t give the problem more attention than it deserves.

Just be there.

Sometimes kids don’t feel like talking about what’s bothering them. Try to respect that, give them space, and still make it clear that you’ll be there when they do feel like talking. Even when kids don’t feel like talking, they usually don’t want parents to leave them alone.

You can help them feel better just by being there — to keep your child company and spend time together.

So if you notice your child seems to be down in the dumps, stressed, or having a bad day — but doesn’t feel like talking — initiate something you can do together.

Take a walk, watch a movie, shoot some hoops, or bake some cookies. Isn’t it nice to know that your presence really counts?

Be patient. It hurts to see your kids unhappy or worried. But try to resist the urge to fix every problem. Instead, focus on helping them grow into good problem-solvers — kids who know how to roll with life’s ups and downs, put feelings into words, calm down when needed, and bounce back to try again. Remember that you can’t fix everything, and that you won’t be there to solve each problem as your child goes through life. But by learning healthy coping strategies, kids can manage stresses in the future.

(Kidshealth.org)

Results of the Poll

We asked kids to tell us what things cause them the most stress. Kids said that they were stressed out the most by: grades, school, and homework (36%); family (32%); and friends, peers, gossip, and teasing (21%).

These are the coping strategies kids said they use the most (they could give more than one response): 52% play or do something active 44% listen to music 42% watch TV or play a video game 30% talk to a friend 29% try not to think about it 28% try to work things out 26% eat something 23% lose their temper 22% talk to a parent 11% cry

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saturDAY, april 28, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sorubim well dry – ExxonMobil President grants 2 Lindo Creek CoI

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nited States Oil Giant ExxonMobil, on Friday announced having reached total depth on the Sorubim Well in the Stabroek Block and coming up dry.

“Unfortunately, the well did not encounter commercial quantities of hydrocarbons.

Exploration wells come with a certain amount of risk, and this is particularly true in frontier areas like Guyana. Success is not guaranteed. We have had great exploration success in Guyana with seven previous discoveries: Liza, Liza Deep, Payara, Pacora, Snoek, Ranger, and Turbot.

Skipjack and now Sorubim are what we call ‘dry holes’,” the company said in a statement.

The company said it began drilling the Sorubim well on the Stabroek Block on April 3, 2018 and the Bob Douglas will complete this well and then move to begin drilling the Liza Phase 1 wells. The Stena Carron drill ship will continue to explore and evaluate other areas of the block.

The Stena Carron is currently drilling the Liza 5 well, which will likely be followed by a new prospect, called Long Tail.

Guyana will officially begin oil production in 2020.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres. Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator, and holds a 45

The Stena Carron drill ship

per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd, Hess Corporation’s subsidiary, holds a 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds a 25 per cent interest.

Since ExxonMobil’s 2015 oil find, Guyana has attracted international attention and precipitated intense sensitisation exercises. In May 2015, Exxon confirmed that more than 295 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs were 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 announced 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

Bandits nabbed after robbing businessman

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wo bandits were nabbed on Thursday night by ranks of the “C” Division after they had robbed a businessman.

The two suspects, aged 17 and 20, were captured on the Vryheid’s Lust Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD) at about 22:00h.

Reports are that the

bandits, who were armed, pounced on the businessman who was at the time heading home, and relieved him of some $100,000 in cash and jewellery.

Guyana Times understands the bandits then jumped on a motorcycle, but it subsequently crashed, and they were apprehended by ranks of a Police Anti-

Crime Patrol which was in the area.

A 9MM Glock pistol, three live rounds of matching ammunition and a separate magazine were found on the bandits.

Both suspects are currently patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) under Police guard.

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 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.

More oil was found at the Pacore-1 drill site, some 107 miles from the coast of Guyana. This would be the seventh major find by Exxon since May 2015. It is understood that additional exploration drilling is planned on the Stabroek Block for 2018, including potential appraisal drilling at the Ranger discovery.

months’ extension

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resident David Granger has responded to a request for additional time to wrap up the work of the Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry (CoI), and has granted its Commissioner, retired Justice Donald Trotman, a two-month extension to present his findings.

The work of the CoI was expected to be finished on April 30, but a late start among other administrative hiccups has made it necessary for an extension of time to be sought.

The Commission, in a statement, said all public hearings, interviews and outreaches will be concluded on May 15. It added that submissions of memoranda and letters, and receipt of information from interested persons can be communicated to the Commission of Inquiry’s Secretariat, Department of Public Service, Ministry of the Presidency located at Lot 146 Waterloo Street, Georgetown.

During an earlier interview, Justice Trotman said the 10-year time lapse poses a disadvantage to the Commission, since some important persons may have died or emigrated.

Sometime between June 12, 2008 and June 24, 2008, miners Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Compton Speirs, Horace Drakes, Clifton Wong, Lancelot Lee, Bonny Harry and Nigel Torres were shot and killed, and their bodies burnt at the Upper Berbice River mining camp being operated by Leonard Arokium.

The Lindo Creek CoI is the first of what the coalition Government has said would be a series of inquiries into the hundreds of killings which occurred during a crime wave that began in 2002. The CoI was established to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the killing of eight miners, and to report its findings and recommendations to President David Granger.

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saturDAY, april 28, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

IN THE COURTS

Homeless man remanded for breaking into SARA building

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ahesh Sarju has been remanded to prison by Magistrate Leron Daly after CCTV footage showed him breaking into the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) building on Main Street, Georgetown between April 24 and 25.

Reports are that Sarju

broke into the building and stole one Del laptop computer valued at $250,000, two hard drives valued $40,000, and one Stereo handset valued $8,000, all to a total value of $298,000, and all property of Troy Bentic.

The Prosecution is contending that at about 17:00h on April 24, Bentic secured his

computer and all other valuables before leaving his Main Street, Georgetown office.

Upon returning the following morning, he noticed that the lock on the door had been tampered with, and someone had gained entry into the building.

A report was made, and an investigation was

launched. Following review of the surveillance footage, the known character was identified, apprehended and subsequently charged.

The accused, who has no fixed address, later gave a confession statement to Police.

This matter has been adjourned to a date in May.

Scholarship fraud

Convicts charged for impersonating First Lady

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wo men who were each jailed on the offence of murder and are incarcerated at the Mazaruni prison were on Friday charged for impersonating First Lady Sandra Granger.

Also charged for obtaining money by false pretence, the men appeared before Chief Magistrate

Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The men are: Paul LoHing, serving 83 years in jail for the murder of his girlfriend Shoala Gilgeous in 2012; and 30-year-old Wazim Mohammed, currently serving a 10-year jail sentence for the murder of his friend Russell Nelson,

62, of Fyrish, Corentyne, Berbice on September 27, 2005. They pleaded not guilty to the charges read to them.

It is alleged that between April 1 and April 30, 2017, Lo-Hing obtained $30,000 in phone cards from Basmattie Singh under the pretence of being First Lady Sandra Granger and being in a po-

sition to grant a scholarship.

Mohammed also obtained $30,000 in phone cards from Beverly Harris during April 2017 at Mahdia by pretending he was the First Lady, and reportedly promising to offer Harris a scholarship if given the money.

The men were further remanded, and are expected to return to court on May 4.

Labourer slapped with robbery charge

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atthew Gasper of Lot 130 D’Urban B a c k l a n d s , Georgetown appeared on Friday before Georgetown Magistrate Leron Daly to answer a charge of robbery under arms.

The court heard that on

Wednesday, March 20, at 08:30h, while in the vicinity of Leopold Street, Werken-Rust, he robbed Dennis Grant of his gold chain and cellphone.

According to the Prosecution’s case, Grant had gone to visit a friend

in the area when four men brandishing a handgun pounced on him, demanding that he hand over his valuables. Thereafter, the men made good their escape on foot.

The matter was reported to the Brickdam Police

Station, and Gasper was positively identified as one of the four men during an identification parade.

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

Police “helper” jailed after stealing grass cutter

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man who normally assists with odd jobs in the compound of the Felix Austin Police Collage was on Friday jailed for stealing a grass cutter.

Bennard Anthony was jailed for six months when he appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the simple larceny charge.

The court heard that on April 27, 2018, while in the Police College training compound, Anthony stole one weeding machine valued $180,000; property of the Guyana Police Force.

The man pleaded guilty before explaining to the court that he saw the machine in the compound and decided to take it since no one was using it.

He was subsequently arrested by a rank after trying to escape on a bicycle with the stolen item.

It’s only…

T

…money he PNC-led Government just approved another $4.5billion for spending as “supplementary funds”. Now, the latter are supposed to have been “unforeseen” expenses, after presentation of their last Budget. Last year, they went to Parliament at least FOUR times for $17 billion is supplementaries for “unforeseen expenses”, just as they did every year they’ve been in office. There have been so many “unforseens” that one wonders if this Government isn’t blind!!

Your Eyewitness wouldn’t mind, except he fears Guyana might stumble into a financial Black Hole like the one Burnham’s PNC left us back in the day. It took the financial legerdemain of Bharrat Jagdeo to dig us out of that one!!

And he most likely won’t be back at the helm for another two years!! (Just kidding!! One can imagine the PNCites and AFCites shivering in their boots at that thought!!)

So, let’s see what these latest “unforeseen” expenses are. $788 million is for preliminary legal fees for lawyers to handle the Venezuelan Border Controversy the UN Secty General sent to the ICJ. Can you imagine the PNC government saying that’s “unforeseen”???! So why’d they tell us they had the “foresight” to ask for a US$18 million “bonus” from Exxon to handle those fees?? Mouth open and story jump out!!

They’ve just exposed their dirty linen to their supporters, who’re hoping against hope they’re not as corrupt as that, wouldn’t they?? Will SARA sic SOCU on them?? Don’t hold your breath!!

Point is, the moment Chris Ram exposed the secret “bonus”, the PPP’s been asking why it wasn’t placed in the Consolidated Fund, as required by the laws of the land, and from which the legal fees would have to be paid.

They had all kinds of cock-and-bull stories to excuse their perfidy. Granger said the US$18 million – or Gy$3.6 billion – was being held in escrow!!! Trotman said it was in a BoG “special account”. Harmon said it’d be transferred to the Consolidated Fund. Then, finally, Jordan claimed it was “invested’ in foreign securities!!

And now they’ve admitted they need to pay the legal fees from the Consolidated Fund!! And have to pretend the $788 million was “unforeseen”!! For the rest of the $3.5 billion of “unforeseen” expenses, $346 million is supposed to procure two additional boarding bridges at the CJIA expansion.

They must’ve read your Eyewitness’s revelation there was only ONE boarding bridge, rather than the EIGHT the PPP had planned for – even as the Government had already increased the contract by $3 billion!!

So they’re still five bridges short!! More supplementals??

Why worry…it’s only money for the boys!!

Only male GDF officers …it’s still a man’s world Seems the GDF advertised for applicants to their Officers Training Course (OTC)…and said only males should apply!! And here your Eyewitness thought our officers were all polished up at military colleges in the US and the UK, where they’ve accepted they can’t discriminate against LGBTs. Even for those in the front line! And we haven’t moved past placing barriers against women?? Oi vey!!

What’s going on with this evident misogyny? Is it because the OTC is the surest path to get to the top??

Which “top”, you ask, dear reader? Any damn top!!

Presidency? De facto PM? Head of the Judiciary? Head of the GHPC? Head of Boards? Heads of CoIs?? Head of Carnival celebrations? It’s all military, baby!! They can not only break through glass ceilings – but steel ceilings, if need be!

So what’s a woman who wants to get ahead do? Well, there’s still that adage, “behind every good (army) man….! …teaching them about hustling To show he really means BUSINESS at UG, the VC just put up signs that he’s not only charging students for parking, but he’ll be clamping wheels of defaulters.

He’s just preparing them for Smart City in the Dirty City!! Show…don’t tell!

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

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saturDAY, april 28, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt unmoved over criticisms of Cybercrime Bill – argues clause 18 falls under ‘national security’ – fmr AG calls for review, criticising Govt might be “seditious”

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espite concerns being expressed that the measures included in clause 18 of the Cybercrime Bill of 2016 could be used to silence critics, Government is unmoved, and is in fact insisting that the measure is for national security.

According to clause 18 of the Bill, persons commit an offence of sedition when they, “attempt to bring into hatred or excite disaffection towards the Government.” These provisions have, in fact, excited worry among social media users.

They took to the medium in their numbers to register concerns that their freedom of expression would be trampled. But at a post-Cabinet press conference on Friday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, insisted that the clause falls under National Security.

“We consider it to be a very important bill. At a meeting of the National Security Committee, we discussed cyber security and the ability of the state to defend itself against a cyber-attack.

Work is actively going on at the level of the state and society, but the measures of the bill are meant to strengthen our ability to defend ourselves against cyber-attack.”

Harmon argued that to read the section at the exclusion of the Bill’s entirety is taking it out of context.

Pertaining to the wording of clause 18 of the Bill, Harmon maintained that the words speak to threats to national security.

“It’s the kind of attack (wherein) you don’t have an enemy out there in uniform.

These are people who utilise the internet, who utilise computers, to actually attack your systems. In particular, the Government is concerned about the security systems of the state…,” he said.

“Espionage, sabotage, subversion… all of these are

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

security issues which are important enough to the state.

An attack which threatens any of these institutions from a computer constitutes an offence,” he clarified.

Rohee, Anil Nandlall and Gillian Persaud-Burton.

For his part, former Attorney General Nandlall is of the view that the bill on a whole is a good one. He noted that when one considers how much the internet has pervaded everyday life, safety measures are in order.

“We have a responsibility as law makers to govern this society to ensure that the laws we are promulgating are in sync with common realities…of what is considered democratic,” he said.

But while acknowledging that he was a member of the committee, Nandlall revealed that he never attended any of the meetings due to work conflicts. He added that he is of the view that some parts of the bill, like provisions against sedition contained in clause 18, need to be reviewed.

“The bill did not get the benefit of my views at the level of the committee…but I’ve read the bill, and two or three clauses jump out at you. They are very worrying and must be reviewed. Sedition is one of those offences that are archaic and is really a relic of the past. (It) has no place in modern, democratic society… especially in a country where the constitution guarantees free speech,” Nandlall stressed.

The framers

Laid in the National Assembly since 2016, the Cyber Crimes Bill had catered for, inter alia: illegal access to a computer system; illegal interception; illegal data interference; illegal acquisition of data; illegal system interference; unauthorised receiving or granting of access to computer data; computer-related forgery; computer- related fraud; offences affecting critical infrastructure; identity-related offences; child pornography; child luring, and violation of privacy among a sleuth of other offences.

A special select committee had been working on the bill for the past few years, and its report on the bill was presented recently. That committee comprised Attorney General Basil Williams, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, Education Minister Nicolette Henry and Parliamentarians Michael Carrington and Audwin Rutherford.

The People’s Progressive Party was represented by Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and Parliamentarians Clement

One of the clauses that has caused much worry

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saturDAY, april 28, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Regent Street store gutted by fire F ire reportedly electrical in origin erupted at about 15:30h on Friday in the storeroom of D. Singh and Sons haberdashery store on Regent Street, Georgetown.

Guyana Times understands that the business place is owned by 75-yearold Deodat Singh, who was in the store at the time of the incident.

Staff of the business place, reportedly becoming aware of the fire when they saw smoke emanating from the storeroom, raised an alarm and Singh’s son, Bissoondial Singh, who owns a business opposite his

father’s, ran out and formed a bucket brigade with staff.

With assistance from other businesses, the fire was contained until the Guyana Fire Service arrived. Their fire fighters managed to save a large portion of the store, and prevented the fire from spreading to nearby businesses.

Only the eastern section of the store was destroyed by the blaze.

Speaking with this pub-

D. Singh and Sons and other businesses in the area did not have fire extinguishers. He also highlighted that there was no Fire Certificate visible to him at the scene.

Confronted with this allegation, the younger Singh refuted those claims and noted that his father’s business has three fire extinguishers. However, he could not say whether the business had received a Fire

The scene outside the store on Friday afternoon

Bissoondial Singh, son of owner Deodat Singh, speaking with the media

lication, the younger Singh explained that the losses were very significant, although he could not give an estimation. He noted that the fire, combined with water damage, saw millions being lost.

“What was not destroyed by the fire was destroyed by the water. Right now in there have a lot of (stuff), so we just have to wait to get clearance from the Fire Department, and then we’ll clean up,” Singh explained.

When contacted, Fire Prevention Officer Andrew Holder said an electrical malfunction had occurred where combustible materials are being stored in the store. He said the fire was ignited on a carpet and then spread.

The officer is pleading with store owners to adhere to fire safety requirements as, according to him,

Certificate, or if it had been cleared by the Guyana Fire Service to operate.

Following the Gafoors Complex fire at Houston, EBD last year, Deputy Fire Chief Compton Sparman had called for the Building Code to be observed.

According to Sparman, the Building Code is stronger, and “has more meat than the Fire Prevention Act”.

The National Building Code of Guyana recommends the observance of various loads and resistance factors to ensure safety in structural designs and construction of buildings, while the Fire Prevention Act provides for the inspection of premises in Guyana for the purpose of eliminating fire hazards and connected purposes.

No one was injured in the blaze. Further investigations are ongoing.

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saturDAY, april 28, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mercury elimination

Give GGMC $2B to conduct feasibility study – GGDMA …says GGB’s negligence caused high levels of mercury in lab

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n light of the recent discovery of high levels of mercury in the laboratory of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB), the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) is suggesting that Government allocate $2 billion to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to conduct a feasibility study on the phasing out of the mercury in mining.

The association said the money should be used for acquisition of quality equipment and conducting of test work. It added that Government is expected to put its best mining and mineral processing engineers in the field with miners to find solutions.

“The GGDMA is of the view that with clear direction, quality equipment, and adequate funding, the GGMC professionals can determine the feasibility of eliminating mercury from gold mining,” the GGDMA said in a statement.

The GGDMA said it is concerned with the high levels of mercury content found in the blood of both GGMC and GGB workers, and has blamed this development on the GGB’s negligence, since proper checks and procedures should have been in place to monitor fugitive

mercury emissions.

“The GGDMA is disturbed by the description of mercury as a “scourge” because of its use in the gold recovery process. Mercury is a necessary tool in the small and medium scale miners’ toolbox; however, it must be used and handled in a responsible manner,” the statement said.

The GGDMA note that the Gold Board’s contamination is more of an issue of carelessness, since the industry’s best practices and technologies for the control and capture of mercury emissions from the Gold Board’s facilities were not installed, and the monitoring and maintaining protocols of the scrubbers installed in its systems were neglected or non-existent.

“The GGDMA calls upon the Government to ensure that proper safety measures are in place through standard operating procedures [SOPs] at its facilities, to ensure a safe environment for all Guyanese as they conduct business daily,” it added.

The GGDMA also reaffirmed its commitment to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and reiterated its call for the Government to step forward with strong technical assistance to small and medium scale miners to ensure sustainable development principles are applied

to the gold and diamond mining sector.

Additionally, the Association said there is a strong need for the Government to identify improved mercury-free gold recovery technologies and techniques which can lead to achievement of the objectives of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

The objective of the Minamata Convention is to protect humans and the environment around the world from mercury emissions

caused by human activities.

The agreement regulates the use of this heavy metal in manufacturing processes and products, the reduction of emissions, and the management of mercury-containing wastes.

Since high mercury content has been discovered in the GGB’s Laboratory, over 130 staffers have been tested. It has been discovered that more than 60 have reported high levels of mercury in their system. The GGB has contracted the services

of Trinidad-based Kaizen Environmental Services to conduct an independent investigation of the effect of the emission, and that company has said the mercury levels are back to normal. According to the report, the study was conducted on March 28 at ten locations primarily within the Guyana Geology and Mines Commissions’ compound and surrounding areas.

Additionally, the laboratory have since been closed down.

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saturDAY, april 28, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

9 Berbice students allegedly molested by deportee …caught red-handed by teacher

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ine students of a West Coast Berbice primary school have allegedly been sexually molested by a deportee who lives in close proximity to the institution.

Reports are that the students comprise seven girls and two boys. <<Guyana Times>> understands there were encounters with students and the suspect in the past, and this was reported to the school’s

administration. As such, the man was banned from entering the school’s compound.

According to a source close to the investigation, the Police were not contacted when the issue first surfaced late last year.

However, on Thursday, a teacher reportedly caught the man in the toilet with some of the girls. It was then that some students reported

that over the past two weeks he has been frequenting the school and luring some of the students with food purchased from a nearby vendor.

According to one of the students, the man purchased hot dogs for them. One Thursday the man allegedly bought $1000 in food items and reportedly invited some of the female students to the washroom area. The source said

the man then lured some of the girls in the washroom where he allegedly committed the act.

One student, in the presence of her parents, told this publication that she and others alerted a teacher.

“He buy hotdog fuh we and we tell he we ain’t want, and he still force us…he carry some children in the canteen and he buy sweetie and so fuh dem and tell dem let them tek what them want…then he go in the toilet and he feel up my friends private parts,” the stu-

dent related in her parents’ presence.

This publication was told that after the teacher was alerted, she went to the washroom and caught the man with the students. He fled the scene, but the students were all questioned.

According to the source, it was then that the students revealed that the incident has been going on for two weeks now.

The matter was reported to the Police, and the parents of the students were called to the

school. The children were all taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital for a medical examination.

One parent told this publication that two of her children related that Thursday’s incident was not the first.

According to that parent, while there was no sexual penetration, the suspect had touched the students in inappropriate ways.

“He hold them on their private parts and on their back and hug them and squeeze them and bite them,” one parent related.

Police went to the home of the suspect, but later arrested him on the road. According to some of the parents, the suspect is known to them.

According to one alleged victim’s mother, he lives close by and had been frequenting the school last year, but had suddenly disappeared.

There are also reports that the suspect was allowed to assist many children in the village with their reading.

The suspect remains in custody as the investigation continues.

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saturDAY, april 28, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GuySuCo payment system inconsiderate – pensioners

By Jarryl Bryan

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etired sugar workers from the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Estate on the East Coast of Demerara braved the blazing sun as they took to the streets on Friday against the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Pensioners and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) are contending that a decision to cease payments at locations in the community, and instead pay pensioners through the

Some of the protesters on Friday

bank, is inconsiderate of the retirees, some of whom have limited mobility.

Noting that approximately 800 pensioners from LBI to Better Hope are

President Granger opens Linden Expo 2018

President David Granger at the opening of the Linden Trade Fair and Exhibition

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resident David Granger has urged the organisers and people of Linden to utilise the Linden Trade Fair and Exhibition as a platform and a basis for economic develop-

ment.

The three-day event, which forms part of the Linden Town Week’s (LTW’s) calendar of activities, was opened inside the compound of the Linden

Technical Institute (LTI) on Friday. It is being held under the theme “Exploring opportunities, empowering businesses in a green 2018”.

Turn to page 15

likely to be affected by the changes, GAWU General Secretary Seepaul Narine has urged the corporation to rethink its decision.

“They (pensioners) are asking GuySuCo to make their payment as normal at the pay office here at LBI centre or some other convenient place,” Narine said.

“Over the past couple of weeks, GuySuCo has been saying to them, ‘You must have a bank account to receive your pension’,” he said.

“Many of these people are receiving pension as low as $950 per week. It means therefore that the cost to go to the bank is going to eat out their entire pension.

And you have many of them who are not in good health because of their age and sickness,” he explained.

He also pointed to instances when pensioners were targeted by bandits due to their perceived vulnerabilities. He therefore urged the corporation to take into account this, as well as the sums themselves.

Indeed, checks with some of the pensioners confirmed that the sum being collected is, according to some, subpar. As such, the pensioners are of the view that to have

A pensioner's payment slip

to travel every week to the city in order to collect these sums is unreasonable. One worker who spoke to this publication lamented the treatment being meted out to them.

“My name is Sydney Paul. I’m from Berbice, transfer to LBI in 1978. I was at LBI 48 years and I need my money. I’m a pensioner, I’m 63. Why I have to go to the bank?” the elderly man questioned.

“Who is the Agriculture Minister to change the system. (They) got nuff old man in the party. Some people drawing $980…to take a taxi from here to go is $500. What you leave with?

Nothing!”

Another protestor related that while she never worked at the estate, her late husband did, and it is

therefore unconscionable that she must journey every week to the city for the pension. One of her peers summed up the frustration being felt by the assembly.

“Me a get $900 a week…

Me live till a back so. Me got to pay taxi to come out here, taxi to come back. What me left with? Me nah able with bank! Me nah got account at bank. Them a do what them feel like fa do,” she said.

A prevailing theme was angst against the sudden way in which their matter was handled. Several of the protestors have tenure of service as long as three decades. And with their belief that new generations are unlikely to come on the pension roll, they are contending that they should be left in peace.

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saturDAY, april 28, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

New parking protocols

UG students express concern over vehicle clamping

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oncerns are being raised by students of the University of Guyana (UG) Turkeyen Campus with respect to the newly introduced parking protocols that were established by the administration.

The new regulations which were established includes a wheel clamping system that targets the vehicle of students.

Guyana Times was told that barricades were placed on campus at a number of locations where the students would usually park their vehicles to attend classes. Now with the new system, only staff of the university are permitted to utilise those spaces.

The students related there is a calculated plan devised by the administration to have them cramped in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre (GWLT) parking lot. However, the disturbed students explained that the space cannot accommodate all of the vehicles, especially during the hours with the most classes when students struggle for a place to park.

“Actually, the only place [that] we could park is at the GWLT parking lot, which is very much occupied, especially in the afternoon. If you park at the other places, then your vehicle will be clamped,” a student explained.

This publication was also told that this decision was a unilateral one, and the student body was not informed about these changes. It was after some vehicles were clamped and signs were erected that they were notified.

“This decision is the latest in a line of unilateral decisions that have been taken without consulting with the student body. We did not know about the decision until a sign appeared on campus. I think that the primary

ery academic year for tuition and administrative fees.

It was reported earlier this year that the administrative body had made a unilateral decision to hike the administrative fees; one which the University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS) has condemned.

Students were notified of the changes after they were told they would pay more for supplemental examinations. It was then announced that the fees were increased. In some areas, the approved rates were increased by 100 per cent. (Rupadai Seenaraine)

QC receives donation from alumni chapters

One of the signs at the Turkeyen Campus

purpose of the university is a learning institution, and this is putting undue pressure on students,” another related.

Meanwhile, many are more concerned about the wheel clamps which will be attached to vehicles that are parked in the now restricted areas.

If the vehicles are clamped, students will be required to pay $3,000 for the clamp to be removed, and an additional $1000 for every day that the vehicle has been clamped. This, students say, is another way in which money can be extracted from them, and it adds to the large sums of money that are paid ev-

S

Grade 10 students utilising the reconfigured computers

everal chapters of the Queen’s College alumni on Friday presented to the institution donations which are expected to assist the students with their academics and upcoming examinations.

Present at the ceremony were the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Alfred Granger; members of the Central and South Florida Chapters, Sharia Yasin-Bacchus and Adrian Bacchus; and staff of the institution.

Among the donations received was the servicing and reconfiguration of 39 computers in the Information Technology (IT) Laboratory and the repainting of the sick bays, which was done by the Toronto Chapter. The

counsellor’s dwelling was also refurbished, and new furniture was added.

One staff member attached to the laboratory, Samantha Liverpool, explained that the need for functioning computers was essential, since examinations will be written shortly and the equipment is critically needed.

“It won’t just benefit them, but also it’s going to benefit the students that are to come. The fourth form students are currently using those PCs,” she said.

Additionally, the Central and South Florida Chapters were responsible for equipping the science laboratories with supplies and models for easy demonstrations in the classrooms.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom (UK) Chapter assisted with the provision of two air conditioning units for the IT laboratories. This was due to incidents in the past wherein several expensive pieces of equipment were damaged due to an excessive amount of heat in the room.

Chairman of the Board, Alfred Granger, stated, “It’s a collaborative effort between all of the overseas alumni. We get tremendous support from them.”

Over the years, the alumni chapters of the institution have been the driving force towards the success of the students, and they have revealed that this will continue in the coming years.

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saturDAY, april 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Harbour Bridge closure

5-day closure postponed for later in 2018 …panels require fabrication

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he Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) had earlier this year decided to close the Demerara Harbour Bridge to all marine and vehicular traffic for approximately five days in order to change panels thereon, but those works have had to be postponed because the panels require fabrication to increase their strength.

General Manager of the DHBC, Rawlston Adams, last Friday made this disclosure and noted that the panels, upon inspection, were deemed below the DHBC’s requirement at this time.

“What we recognise is that we need to fabricate some of those panels.

We thought that initially we would be able to reuse some of the old panels that we would have salvaged; but in the review and planning, we’ve realized that those panels are not suitable enough in terms of the strength,” Adams explained.

Adams said that for any of the present panels to be reusable, there is need for them to be fabricated -- a process not employed in Guyana on the dimension of panels situated on the bridge.

“So what we’ve decided to do is fabricate. And because of the fact that the panels need to be galvanized, gal-

From page 13

agro processing, as well as jewelry and information and internet services.

“I would like to see this exhibition as a platform for innovation and introducing these technologies. So this exhibition is important for me. It will stimulate economic development in this region...We must stop being a nation of samples and start looking for markets on a grand scale, on an industrial scale... I would like to ask you to pay attention to the words of the Chairman of the Chamber, and also to my own expectation that this exhibi-

those works need to be executed,” Adams declared.

There are other areas of the bridge which require rehabilitative works.

However, the main focus of the company is to have the panels replaced.

In addition to this project, the DHBC is working on the rehabilitation of six large and 15 regular pontoons; the fabrication of 40 buoys, 20,000 feet of galvanized anchor chain and 30,000 feet of wire rope; and the rehabilitation of the traffic office for this year. These works are expected to cost some $267 million.

hibitions in an effort to “show off” their produce.

“I am moved to tears when I see the efforts of housewives (and) young people, to put their best foot forward in this regional exhibition...

So Linden and this exhibition must become a beacon for commerce...and also for manufacturing (and) industrialisation. And you must leverage your status as a capital town...as being central in the navel of Guyana...So this is a time, Linden, for uncrossing

your arms.”

He urged improved packaging, bottling and marketing, noting that the exhibition must seek to be innovative in setting high standards for the marketing of local produce.

The President said the progress of the trade fair must be measured each year.

He noted that it is not just a display of goods, but a manifestation of the spirit of Linden to overcome challenges and difficulties.

He said it must also im-

prove to include a wider range of goods to satisfy the need of every Lindener.

The Head of State added that the Expo should be used as an opportunity to get out of the old mindset of just producing raw materials and to add value to these products to attract investment. “So let us bring these things together: investors, innovation, information technology and industrialization, and get Linden moving,” President Granger urged.

The Demerara Harbour Bridge

President Granger opens...

It is organised by the Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Development (LCICD), with support from the Linden Mayor and Town Council. The event, which wraps up on Sunday, features over 80 booths and exhibitors in the areas of agro processing, mining and forestry, manufacturing, furniture and handicraft, among other things.

In delivering the feature address to mark the opening of the event, the Head of State noted that “new opportunities beckon” in the areas of manufacturing, food and

vanization for panels that big is not done in Guyana, so we have to send (them) overseas. We’re working to get

quotations to source those panels,” he explained.

A new date for the pending work will be set when the fabricated panels return. Asked if the panels will be changed by the end of this year, Adams answered in the affirmative.

“The fact that we cannot announce a date is contingent upon the timings of the return of those panels. We have been monitoring the situation in respect to the areas where the panels have to be changed. Once we get a firm word on when the panels will be returned, then is when we will announce those works; but

tion would be a springboard for the economic revival of this town and this region,” President Granger noted.

The President added that Linden, as a capital town, has a special responsibility not only to develop itself, but to develop the entire Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

He emphasised that the exhibition is also an opportunity to showcase the economy’s development.

As such, he urged the Chamber to incorporate people from outlying areas such as Ituni and Kwakwani during the hosting of such ex-

16 News Ramjattan expresses confidence in PSC nominees P saturDAY, april 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

ublic Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan on Friday expressed confidence in the nominees for the post of head of the Police Service Commission put forward by the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments.

“Excellent nominations!

I support them! It’s a presidential appointment, so the President… In view of the fact that they have been now recommended as appointees by the

Parliamentary Committee, (their names) will go to the President for him to make the final pronouncement.

That will be very early, I think,” Ramjattan said in a brief comment to reporters.

Former Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe has been nominated to head the Police Service Commission; and retired Assistant Commissioner Clinton Conway and retired Woman Assistant Commissioners Vesta Adams and Claire Jarvis

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

Former Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe

have been recommended to be part of the PSC. The Association of Former Members of the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Police Association made these nominations.

Slowe had chaired the Commission of Inquiry into the alleged plot to assassinate the President last year.

The PSC nominee had in fact served on the coalition’s campaign team in the last General Election held in May 2015.

7 to vie for Miss Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary title

T

Mokeba Best

Lisa Bernard

he Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary will, on May 1st, host its first annual Miss Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary Pageant and Fair at the West Demerara Secondary School’s ground.

The event promises to be a grand one, with gates open-

Jada Payne

Sarah Brathwaite

that no one wants to miss, and add that the pageant begins as 18:00h, when the seven young students will be engaged in a fierce battle for the crown.

Not only would the young ladies be given the option to display their profession-

al, casual and evening pieces, their smarts would also be tested during the question-and-answer segment.

Additionally, each of the seven young ladies would be required to produce and execute a talent piece.

Vying for the coveted crown are third former Bianca Durga, along with fourth formers Lisa Bernard, Jada Payne, Mokeba Best, Sarah Brathwaite, Elizabeth Emmanuel and Kimba Coates.

Each contestant selected an issue that they along with fellow students experience on a daily basis, and each would have to do a presentation on their platform during the public speaking segment.

Bianca: “I chose the topic ‘dangers of social media’ because, as a teenager, we are constantly on our phones and other devices using various social media sites, but we do

Bianca Durga

ing from 10:00h to signal the start of the cricket competition, which would be followed by a football competition commencing at 13:00h.

There will be additional games and other attractions for everyone to enjoy. The organisers say it is the event

Elizabeth Emmanuel

not know the dangers those sites pose. I want to make my fellow students and others aware of how we can use social media for education, and that is why I am in this pageant.”

Lisa: “Domestic violence is a growing issue, and it is something a lot of my fellow students experience or know someone who (does) it. It affects everyone, and we need to do more (to combat it). I want to work with parents and children to make sure we can fight this.”

Jada: “In my community of Pouderoyen, a lot of young people are curious, and they are curious about sex for various reasons. This is the reason I chose teenage pregnancy as my topic, because I feel we need to do more to make sure young ladies are not taken advantage of.”

Mokeba: “Every day some child is being sexually abuse,

Kimba Coates

and it is the fathers, brothers or other family who abuse the child. I want to focus on telling my fellow youngsters to speak up and speak out against all forms of abuse.”

Sarah: “I am going to look at the effects of teenage pregnancies, because plenty time young people are getting pregnant and then they have to drop out of school to take care of the baby, and they are not ready yet. So I want to highlight what a good education can do, and reasons why we should not focus on boys.”

Elizabeth: “Our school is in a community that has a lot of poverty and drug use.

We see that on a daily basis, and that is why I want to tackle drug abuse, because it is happening among a lot of young people. We have to make a change.”

Kimba focuses on suicide, but was unable to be a part of the interview due to illness.

US sanctions

Deripaska agrees in principle to reduce stake below 50%

R

ussian sanctions-hit businessman Oleg Deripaska has agreed in principle to reduce his stake in Russia’s En+ Group, which manages his aluminum and hydropower assets, to less than 50 percent, the company said in a statement on Friday.

Washington imposed sweeping sanctions on some of Russia’s biggest companies and businessmen on April 6, striking at allies of President Vladimir Putin to punish Moscow for its alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential election and other so-called malign activities.

En+, along with Deripaska, who currently has a 65 percent stake in the company, and aluminum giant Rusal, in which En+ owns a 48 percent stake, were all hit with sanctions.

“Following a series of discussions with the Company’s independent chairman, Lord

Oleg Deripaska

Barker of Battle, Mr Oleg Deripaska has agreed in principle to the chairman’s request that Mr Deripaska reduce his shareholding in the company to below 50 percent,” En+ said in the statement.

Earlier this week, the United States said it could remove Rusal from the list if Deripaska ceded control.

Deripaska also agreed with the chairman’s proposal that he will resign from the board and consent to the appointment of some new directors so

that the board will have a majority of new independent directors, it added.

En+ also said that it asked the United States for an extension of the deadline for operations with En+’s debt, equity, or other holdings from the current May 7 to October 31 or another appropriate date.

Without the extension, En+’s ability to maintain its listing in London will be materially impacted, it added.

(CNBC)

SaturDAY, april 28, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

North and South Korean leaders promise 'lasting peace' for peninsula

T

he leaders of North and South Korea have promised after a landmark summit to bring “lasting peace” to the peninsula with a commitment to denuclearisation and to ending decades of hostilities.

Speaking at the end of an extraordinary day that began with a lingering handshake across the demarcation line separating their countries, the North Korean leader, Kim Jongun, and the South Korean President, Moon Jae-in, issued a joint statement that was short on detail but offered cause for optimism as the world looks ahead to a summit between Kim and Donald Trump.

Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in in Panmunjom. Their joint statement was a cause for optimism, but short on detail

Speaking at the White House, President Trump warned that the US was “not going to be played” by North Korea, later the US

T&T Govt warns of implications for teachers as they threaten not to mark SBAs

T

he Trinidad and Tobago Government on Friday said there may be “implications for teachers' terms and conditions” of employment as it responded to a statement earlier this month that teachers would no longer mark the School Based Assessment (SBA) from September unless they are compensated.

Leader of Government Business in the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament, Camille Robinson Regis, in a prepared response to a question from the Opposition, said the Education Ministry would be consulting with various stakeholders including the Chief personnel Officer “and our legal services division for the guid-

ance on the way forward”.

President of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) Lynsley Doodhai, speaking at a recent ceremony for retired educators, said teachers were under no obligation to mark the SBAs of pupils as this is a responsibility for the Barbados-based Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), an external agency.

He said CXC is not the employer of teachers and cannot demand they work for free to grade the papers.

He told the ceremony that last year, two union resolutions were passed dealing with SBA's and a decision was made for teachers to no longer mark SBAs from September.(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

President said he was getting close to choosing a venue for talks with Kim. The Panmunjom declaration, named after the

A Palestinian drives a horse-drawn cart during clashes with Israeli security forces near the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of the northern town of Jabalia, on April 27, 2018

A

the day.

In Friday's unrest, a large crowd gathered a few hundred metres from the border, with some throwing stones and setting tyres on fire in what has become a weekly occurrence.

Late in the afternoon, dozens of young men broke away from the larger protest, moving south about 200 metres and approaching the fence.

The crowd then tried to break through the fence with hooks

truce village that hosted the talks on Friday, committed the two Koreas to seek the “complete denuclearisation” of the peninsula.

The statement did not specify what Pyongyang expected in return for abandoning its nuclear weapons – the regime’s best deterrent against what it regards as a hostile US. Speaking outside the peace house on the southern side of the border that has divided the Korean peninsula for 65 years, the leaders also pledged to push for talks with the US, and possibly China, to formally end the 1950-53 Korean war with a peace treaty to replace the uneasy truce that stopped hostilities. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Election date finally announced in Barbados: May 24

B

arbadians will go to the polls to elect a new government on May 24. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart revealed the date in a brief statement released by the Government Information Service (GIS) this morning.

He also said Nomination Day would be May 7, and that he had officially notified Governor General Dame Sandra Mason of the dates.

The announcement came a month and three weeks after Parliament was automatically dissolved – March 6 – which was five years after it first met following the February 21, 2013 general election. It was the first time in Barbados’ history that Parliament was dissolved without an election date being announced.

The main Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) had been clamouring for Prime Minister Stuart to ring the election bell as it declared it was ready to take over the reins of Government.

The party’s chairman George Payne had even called on the Governor General to step in and name an election date, in order to avert a potential constitutional crisis.

Under the island’s Constitution, the election would have had to be held by June 6.

The ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP), which is seeking a third consecutive term in office, will be challenged by the BLP along with five new political parties in the upcoming polls.

(Caribbean360)

Peru child sacrifice discovery may be largest in history

A

rchaeologists have uncovered what may be the largest single mass child sacrifice event in human history. More than 140 children were sacrificed at about the same time in Peru's northern coastal region, about 550 years ago.

The discovery was made near modern-day Trujillo, which lies near the centre of the ancient Chimú civilisation. More than 200 young llamas were sacrificed alongside the children – all of which were killed in a single event.

The discovery, supported by grants from the National Geographic Society, was exclusively unveiled on the National Geographic website.

In 2011, the first discov-

Several Palestinians killed in fresh Gaza-Israel border protests

t least three Palestinians were killed and dozens were reported wounded as hundreds converged on the Gaza Strip's border fence with Israel on Friday, trying to rip through it before drawing heavy Israeli fire.

Palestinian health officials reported three people killed and 611 wounded, including 138 hit by live fire in incidents along the border throughout

17

and wire cutters when Israeli forces opened fire. Witnesses said three protesters briefly crossed into Israel and turned around.

Hundreds of additional protesters ran to the scene, and the numbers quickly grew to several thousand. Israeli armoured vehicles sped to the site and fired barrages of tear gas. As gunfire erupted, the crowd dispersed. A dozen Palestinian ambulances jammed a dirt road lining up to evacuate the wounded.

Some in the crowd shouted "shahid" ("martyr") as bodies were taken away on stretchers.

Israel's UN Ambassador, Danny Danon, said Israel is "diligently defending its sovereignty" and accused Zeid of encouraging Hamas's "exploitation of civilians".

Thousands have taken part in the Friday demonstrations from five protest tent camps, each set up several hundred metres from the border fence.

(Excerpt from France24)

Just a few of the skeletons discovered in Huanchaquito, near modern-day Trujillo. The children and llamas were buried together in the wet mud, around the year 1450

ery of human sacrifice victims at the site, known as Huanchaquito-Las Llamas, uncovered the remains of 40 victims and 74 llamas during the excavation of a 3500-year-old temple.

The final tally announced this week of 140 children show that the victims were aged between five

and 14 – though most were between eight and 12 years old, National Geographic reports.

The children are known to be victims of human sacrifice because of cut marks to the bones, including the sternum, the bone in the centre of the chest. Many ribs were also damaged – which may indicate the heart was re-

moved.

In addition, many of the children were daubed with a bright red pigment made from cinnabar – most likely a part of the sacrificial ritual. The llamas, which suffered the same fate, were all younger than 18 months and buried facing east towards the Andes Mountains. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

India's Modi visits China's Xi to talk 'cooperation'

C

hinese President Xi Jinping called for stepped-up cooperation with India during an informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid border tensions and a rivalry for influence with smaller neighbours that could determine dominance in Asia.

Xi greeted Modi at the provincial museum in the city of Wuhan on Friday at the start of two days of talks between the heads of the world's two most populous nations.

China-India relations date back centuries, but in recent decades have been characterised by competition for leadership in Asia.

The countries fought a border war in 1962 and last year engaged in a 10-week standoff in the neighbouring state of Bhutan.

New Delhi has also been

Xi and Modi visit the Hubei Museum on Friday [Indian Ministry of External Affairs via AP]

alarmed by China's moves to build strategic and economic ties with Indian Ocean nations including Sri Lanka, the Maldives and India's longtime rival Pakistan.

China resents India's hosting of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, and its control of territory Beijing says belongs to it. China claims some 90,000 square kilometres of

territory in India's Northeast, while India says China occupies 38,000 square kilometres of its territory on the Aksai Chin Plateau in the western Himalayas.

The Wuhan summit should be seen as a conscientious attempt to steer ties in a new direction, said Wang Lian, a professor at Peking University's School of International Relations.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, april 28, 2018

ARCHIE

Don’t let anyone restrict you. Use your intelligence (March 21to outwit anyone trying to April 19) take credit for something you did. Fair is fair, and keeping things that way will require diplomacy.

ARIES

Be honest about the way TAURUS you feel and what you want to (April 20- do. If you give in to someone May 20) with questionable motives, you will end up regretting it.

dilbert

Socialise, network and GEMINI (May 21- share your feelings and inJune 20) tentions. Going out with people you are close to will give you an opportunity to gather support to achieve a personal goal.

Less talk, more action will be the way to go. Don’t (June 21- get into a scuffle with someJuly 22) one because he or she doesn’t want to do things your way.

Do your own thing and allow others the same leeway.

CANCER

Peanuts

Express your thoughts LEO to gain approval and pique (July 23- someone’s interest in you.

Aug. 22) Love is on the rise and romance in the stars.

Calvin and Hobbes

Emotions will surface over VIRGO matters concerning debt or (Aug. 23health. Proceed with caution Sept. 22) and don’t leave yourself open to theft, disease or foolish financial decisions.

Domestic issues will lead LIBRA (Sept. 23- to fraught encounters. Keep Oct. 23) the peace by doing your best to get along with everyone.

Compromise will be necessary if you want to avoid a tiff.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — PADLOCKS (PADLOCKS: PAD-loks: Detachable locks designed to snap through a hasp or chain.)

SUDOKU

Don’t let the past come SAGITTARIUS back to haunt you. Use your (Nov. 23intelligence and keep your Dec. 21) distance from people who have caused you grief or tend to argue with you.

Average mark 30 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 39 or more words in PADLOCKS? The list will be published tomorrow.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

YESTERDAY’S WORD — CIPHERS chip chirp cire cries crisp icer perch perish pier precis

price pries heir hers hire epic rice rich riches ripe

rise scrip shier ship shire sire spec spice spire

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

It isn’t likely that you SCORPIO will agree with everyone you (Oct. 24deal with today. Diplomacy, Nov. 22) charm and keeping your opinions hidden for the time being will help you avoid discord.

solution AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Sharing your emotions will not help you get ahead.

Don’t offer insight into what you are planning to do next.

Listen and observe, but don’t divulge information.

Talk contracts, negotiate deals, and take care of personal finances and outstanding debts. Knowing where you stand will help you find a solution and ease stress.

Someone will take advantage of you if you can’t say no. Don’t let your emotions take control. Use your intellect and make suggestions that will result in greater equality.

saturDAY, april 28, 2018

19

Garrett confident ahead of D.C. United stint

– Chase gives support

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Teacher Franklin Langhorne makes the presentation to Jeremy Garrett in the presence of Chase Academic Foundation’s Principal, Henry Chase

Grand Coastal Golf Tournament in focus

ational footballer Jeremy Garrett is confident he would be able to make the final cut as he goes for another try-out with American team D.C. United.

The 18-year-old who has already donned senior national colours after being at the helm of the youth teams will depart these shores on Tuesday for the United States. It is a journey the young man hopes will be long-lasting, as he looks to make an impressionable im-

pact to catch the eye of college scouts, or even those at the professional level.

Unsuccessful when he journeyed in December 2017, the Fruta Conquerors lad eyes a change in fortunes after working steadfastly on improving his fitness, but says he would try to keep it simple by playing “his brand of football” over the expected two months with the team.

Assisting the young prodigy on his career changing endeavour is his former

Principal Henry Chase of Chase Academic Foundation.

On Friday, at the school’s Parade Street location, Chase made a donation to help offset some expenses, and noted it is a monumental occasion for the young player, whom he describes as being an example of a modern footballer.

Garrett would have captained his school to three Milo Football titles and two Digicel titles, after making an appearance in three finals.

High performance camp for

Windies women

Grand Coastal CEO Kevin Daby presents the sponsorship cheque to LGC Secretary Rabindranath Persaud and PRO Guy Griffith during the launch last week

G

rand Coastal Hotel’s annual Golf Tournament will tee off today at the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), with tons of prizes and spoils up for grabs.

A week ago when Kevin Daby, Chief Executive Officer of the Grand Coastal Hotel, handed over the sponsorship cheque to the LGC, he indicated Grand Coastal’s pleasure to continue their now 12 years of sponsorship, which began with his father in support of golfing in Guyana.

In the past Grand Coastal tournaments, winners of the Saturday, November 21, 2015 Grand Coastal tournament were: 1st Fazal Haniff 67/15; 2nd Max Persaud 69/16; 3rd Lakeram Ramsundar 70/12; and 4th Patrick Prashad 71/9; Nearest to the Pin and Best Gross (80) were also won by Patrick Prashad.

The following year, November 19, 2016, persons tied for 1st and 4th places, winners were 1st “Max” Persaud 65/13; 2nd Aleem Hussain 65/17; 3rd Richard Haniff 66/15; 4th Joaan Deo 67/21; and 5th Kalyan Tiwari 67/14.

Up for grabs in this weekend’s tournament are prizes for 1st to 4th Best Net scores, the Best Gross score, a Longest Drive (off a designated tee-box), and the Nearest to a designated Pin. (The flagpole placed in the hole on the Green is called a Pin).

The Net score is the value used to evaluate winners; the lowest Net score is the 1st place winner. A handicap is the number of points the player gets as an advantage and it is subtracted from the players Gross or total score to determine his or her Net score.

D

efending ICC WT20 Champions, WINDIES Women continue with their preparations for the upcoming event later this year.

CWI is rolling out its high-performance program and this includes a 14-member women’s squad that will gather in Antigua for a month, from April 30- May 30 to participate in a camp.

CWI’s Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams indicated this will be the first step in growing and strengthening the WINDIES Women’s team,

Windies women recently had a disastrous tour to New Zealand

“CWI is cognizant of the difficulties and challenges faced by the Women cricketers in getting the best training facilities and world class support in their individual territories. Therefore, this is a move by CWI to address that issue and to get them the relevant support staff to best prepare them for international cricket.”

New find, 17-yr old Guyanese Shabika Gajnabi, will join this unit for the first time. Gajnabi is a talented right-handed batter who has captained her

national Women’s U-19 team for the last two years.

Felicia Walters who made her WINDIES Women’s debut at the World Cup last year, returns to the squad joining the rest of the unit in Antigua.

WINDIES Women’s Head Coach, Henderson Springer will be assisted by Stuart Williams, who previously worked as Assistant Coach of the WINDIES Women during the 50-overs World Cup in 2017. The support team will also include a physiotherapist and

strength and conditioning coach.

Kyshona Knight and Afy Fletcher will miss the camp because of injury. Deandra Dottin is unavailable due to personal reasons.

The full squad reads: Stafanie Taylor, Anisa Mohammed, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Shabika Gajnabi, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Merissa Aguilleira, Chedean Nation, Reniece Boyce, Felicia Walters, Akeira Peters and Shekera Selman

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, april 28, 2018

Indian Premier League 2018…

Blazing Iyer blows KKR away

S

hreyas Iyer made an emphatic start to life as Delhi Daredevils captain with an unbeaten 93 off 40 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders, leading his team to just a second win in seven Indian Premier League matches.

Iyer, 23, became the fourth-youngest skipper in IPL history by taking over from Gautam Gambhir – who was dropped for the clash at Feroz Shah Kotla – after the Daredevils' woeful start to the campaign left them bottom of the table, and he began his tenure with a crucial knock in a comfortable 55-run triumph.

The India international made his fifty off 29 deliveries before an electrifying partnership with Glenn Maxwell (27) added 73 runs from just 32 balls, helping get Delhi - who announced Junior Dala has replaced the injured Chris Morris in their squad for the remainder of the season - out of sight.

Iyer brought up his half-century in somewhat fortuitous fashion when Robin Uthappa spilled a

stinging shot towards the long-on boundary over for a maximum.

The Daredevils captain dished out some harsh punishment thereafter, with four sixes – as well as one four – from Shivam Mavi's expensive final over, with the hosts plundering 76 off the last four.

Kolkata's chase was quickly in trouble as Trent Boult (2-44) removed Uthappa (1) and Sunil Narine (26) and Maxwell (222) bowled Chris Lynn (5) all inside three overs, with the efforts of Andre Russell (44) and Shubman Gill (37) insufficient to rescue an unlikely result.

Russell entered the fray, and the West Indies all-rounder gave the visiting fans some hope by racing to 43 off just 17 balls.

However, Russell was only able to add one more

his middle stump tumbling.

SCOREBOARD

Mishra's wicket maiden

Delhi's display in the final four overs will have been in Kolkata's mind as they approached the death overs with a hefty deficit to overturn.

Shaw show

Prithvi Shaw – 18 years and 169 days old – earned a place in the record books by joining Sanju Samson as the youngest players to score an IPL fifty.

The sensational Shaw made 62 off 44, including Shreyas Iyer gets in two maximums and seven position to ramp one fours, before his sublime in- to third man © BCCI nings was shut down when Piyush Chawla (1-33) sent

run from the next 13 deliveries he faced and when Avesh Khan (2-29) brought about his end with a quality yorker, the jig was up for Kolkata. (Sportsmax)

However, Amit Mishra beat Mavi to claim a timely wicket maiden in the 16th over, which also saw skipper Iyer and Rishabh Pant combined to run out Gill.

Russell rescue rumbled

T h e K n i g h t R i d e r s were languishing at 77-5 w h e n

Delhi Daredevils Innings (20 overs maximum) P Shaw b Chawla 62 C Munro b Shivam Mavi 33 S Iyer (c) not out 93 R Pant † c †Karthik b Russell 0 G Maxwell run out (†Karthik/ Shivam Mavi) 27 V Shankar not out 0 Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 2) 4 Total (4 wickets;20 Overs) 219 Did not bat: R Tewatia, L Plunkett, A Mishra, A Khan, T Boult Fall of wickets: 1-59 (Munro, 6.6 ov), 2-127 (Shaw, 13.6 ov), 3-129 (Pant, 14.2 ov), 4-202 ( Maxwell, 19.3 ov) Bowling: Chawla 4-0-33-1,K Yadav 2-0-22-0, Mavi 4-0-58-1, Narine 3-0-35-0, Johnson 4-042-0, Russell3-0-28-1 Kolkata Knight Riders Innings (target: 220 runs from 20 overs) C Lynn b Maxwell 5

S Narine c Iyer b Boult 26 R Uthappa c Shaw b Boult 1 N Rana c & b A Khan 8 D Karthik (c) † c Boult b Mishra 18 S Gill run out (Iyer/†Pant) 37 A Russell b A Khan 44 S Mavi b Mishra P Chawla c Munro b Maxwell 2 M Johnson not out 12 K Yadav not out 7 Extras (lb 1, w 3) 4 Total (9 wickets; 20 Overs) 164 Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Lynn, 1.5 ov), 2-20 (Uthappa, 2.1 ov), 3-33 (Narine, 2.6 ov), 4-46 (Rana, 5.1 ov), 5-77 (Karthik, 9.3 ov), 6-141 (Gill, 15.3 ov), 7-141 (Mavi, 15.6 ov), 8-144 (Russell, 17.5 ov), 9-146 (Chawla, 18.2 ov) Bowling: Boult 4-0-44-2, Maxwell 2-0-22-2, A Khan 4-029-2, Plunkett 4-0-24-0, Mishra 4-1-23-2, Shankar 1-010-0, Tewatia 1-0-11-0

Seaton Jr, Winter North Georgetown begin Goodwill quest thump Mae’s on a high note National School Cricket

by 8 wickets

T

he 2017/2018 Guyana Cricket Board/Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited/National S p o r t Commission/National Secondary School Cricket League continued with the East Georgetown Zone finals.

The clash saw North Georgetown Secondary winning by eight wickets over Mae’s when the action concluded on Friday at the Everest ground.

Mae’s Secondary having been asked to take first strike, could only post 74 in 23.3 overs of their allotted 30 overs.

Ushandra Balgobin top scored with 35 and was the only batsman to get to double figures. Michael Pooran was the most destructive bowler for North Georgetown Secondary, grabbing 4 for 12 from 5.3 overs, while Trevor Rovan and Marvin Permaul picked up 2 for 9 and 2 for 6 respectively.

In reply, North Georgetown raced to 75 for 2 from 10.5 overs.

Shivanand Gossain top scored with 41. Ushardeva Balgobin picked up the two wickets to fall, for 24 runs.

Shivanand Gossain

A young swimmer glides through the water in her 100m backstroke

T

Michael Pooran

he Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA), in collaboration with the Dolphin Speed Swim Club, on Friday evening began their three-day, inter-club swim meet, which will act as a trial for the upcoming Goodwill Games.

Friday afternoon’s meet saw the usual high fliers recording solid times, thus helping to cement their spot in the 40-member team representing Guyana later this year.

Gold medallist at last year’s games, Leon Seaton Jr. of Silver Sharks Aquatic Club, started his campaign with a win in the boys 14-13 100M Freestyle by clocking 58.40s, well ahead of second place Ejaz Mohamed’s 1:03.85. Sekhel Tzedeq of Dolphin Speed Swim Club rounded of the

third spot with a time of 1:04.72.

In the female freestyle, Lian Winter of Dorado Speed Swim Club showed her dominance with a time of 1:09.09. Orca Speed Swim Club’s Amber De Goeas followed closely with a time of 1:10.98, whilst Donna Carter also of Dorado, copped third with 1:11.63.

Nathan Jackson, Aleka Persaud, Jeron Sookram, Ariel Rodrigues, Safraaz Mohamed and Shareefah Lewis were all in the winners’ circle on Friday.

Action continues today at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal with 100 metres and 200 metres individual medley, 50M Freestyle, 50M Butterfly and 100M Breast stroke.

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21

Nedd hopes Bolivia tour boosts ladies’ overseas credentials

N

ational Volleyball Coach Levi Nedd wants the upcoming Bolivia Invitational to be used in particularity by the newbie ladies; as a stepping stone towards rebuilding a strong women’s team.

Nedd told Guyana Times Sport on Friday that he was bent on restoring a high-level of competition among the ladies in Guyana and believes that the upcoming tour which spikes off on May 26.

The coach sighted the competition as the likely kick-start the women need in order to forge a strong senior team for the future. “It is very crucial for gelling purposes, game communication, knowing what should happen, when and the whole international outlook”.

Darts Association hosting fundraiser today at MSC

T

he Guyana Darts Association (GDA) will be hosting a fish-fry today at the Malteenoes Sports Complex, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

This event is solely geared towards raising funds to cover the team’s expenses when they travel to Trinidad and Tobago in July for the Caribbean Championship and America's Cup where they will seek to successfully defend their titles.

The GDA further thanked those who came on-board to help in preparation for the fundraising event.

Those entities include Fawaz Mohammed of Paradise Food Industry (PFI) for the boxes and bags, Narine’s Trading and Alin Mohammed (Whity) for the condiments and Doodnauth Sookram, who donated the fish.

Meanwhile, the Association has further thanked players; Fedel Hunter, Terence Joseph, Nicholas Young, Victorine Chandro, Sheik Yaseen, Adrian Damon, Lallchand Rambharose and the Malteenoes Club for always supporting the GDA. Tickets cost $1000, with the event commencing at 13:00h and ending at 18:00h at the Club.

While the selectors recently shortlisted some 16 males and 15 females, Nedd is adamant that while the males, given their international experience should do well; he is backing the women who have been showing some fire, to perform equally.

“It is yet to be deciphered on their performance; however, it is felt that some rigorous training should be the key to achieving optimal participation and performance from them (ladies)”.

Guyana’s participation will be important for the nature of their fraternity, as they are multiple time champs in the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) played annually.

With Guyana’s reputation internationally being a

good one in the recent years, Nedd was still weary of the possible threats from rival South American teams who will be participating in the competition.

“It must be noted that we are in the big league, the South American zone is no easy walk over. Track records show that so many things and demands can change, should we win”.

He continued, “As to the IGG that is somewhat different, the players were engaged in a macro cycle training and should be more prepared to deliver”.

Meanwhile, players will continue training weekly in Georgetown at the National Gymnasium and in Berbice, with final selection set for the next few weeks.

(Clifton Ross)

National Volleyball Coach Levi Nedd

GSCL Inc/Ink Plus, Crown Mining Enterprise, Elegance Jewellery Softball …

Enforcers hammer Aditya XI in opener …action shifts to Albion on Sunday

T

he softball tournament sponsored by Ink Plus, Crown Mining Enterprise and Elegance Jewellery got off to a flying start last Sunday at the Everest Cricket Club ground with four matches in two categories.

In the Open category, using the smaller balls, Success Enforcers inflicted a sound trashing of Aditya’s XI, winning the encounter by 76 runs. The Enforcers were given the initial impetus from Chris Sukhram and Devendra Deosarran,

a well-deserved century. He ended on 84, while Deosarran clobbered 64 (4x6’s) in typically aggressive fashion, as Success finished on 164 for 4 from their 15 overs.

In their turn at the crease, Aditya’s XI found the Enforcers’ bowling difficult to cope with, and folded for 88. Puran John with 4-17 (3 overs) and Dindial Lakhan with 2-12 (3 overs) were the wreckers with the ball.

In what was arguably the most exciting match of the day, Fishermen got away by the slim margin of three

Mahendra Hardyal (left) and Rudolph Baker will be leading Regal Masters’ batting at Albion on Sunday

who blasted half centuries.

Sukhram cleared the ropes seven times to fall 16 short of

runs in their Masters match against Success Masters, much to the excitement of the

spectators. Zameer Hassan scored 40 and got support from Troy Ramsaywack with 23, as the victors finished on 121/9 (20 overs); while Trevor Emmanuel (2-15) and A. Haniff (2-20) shared four wickets in sending down four overs each.

Fishermen, who needed a remarkable effort in the field to defend the small total, couldn’t ask for more when Pooran Singh (2-12), Unis Yusuf (2-20) and Ramo Malone (2-21) bowled impressively to send Success reeling for 118 in 19.4 overs, with only Emmanuel coming back to score an attacking 27.

In the other matches on the opening day of the round-robin competition, and in the Masters category, R&R Masters and HS Masters were also on winners’ row.

R and R Masters made 108-1 (14.2 overs). Ejaz Mohamed (46) and Surrylall Kumar (44) beat Albion Masters 109 all out (20 overs) A. Hussain scored 34; Ron Ramnauth took 2 wickets for 19 runs.

HS Masters made 138-6 (20 overs) to defeat Savage Masters by 55 runs. Clyde Hoyte’s 58 not out beat Savage Masters’ 83-8 (20 overs) N. Grannum made 23, while Anthony Ifill took 2/7.

The action continues this Sunday with six matches at two venues. At the Jai Hind ground in Albion, Regal

Unis Yusuf

Masters open their campaign against the host, Albion Masters, at 09:30h, followed by a battle between Albion Masters again and Success Masters, this time from 14:00h.

Over at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground on Thomas Lands, Wellman take on R and R Masters at 09:30h on pitch one, while Narine Masters and HS Masters battle on pitch two all in a masters over-40 years old action.

There are two matches scheduled among the open at Malteenoes; Farm Xi will take on Success Enforcers at 13:00h, then Aditya’s XI will do battle from 15:00h.

The tournament is organized by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. (GSCL Inc.) and has attracted the best softball teams in the country, playing for $100,000 winning prize in the Masters’ category and $50,000 in the Open Category. For the tournament, teams were not required to pay an entrance fee.

22

D

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, april 28, 2018

MMP Foundation cricket fiesta on today at Albion

espite the weather not being favourable, organisers of the MMP Foundation’s Cricket fiesta have confirmed to this publication that action will be on today at the Albion Sports Complex.

Inclement weather has, over the past days, left the ground somewhat soggy, but the organisers expressed full confidence on Friday that all systems will be in place for a

fun-filled day of cricket, and festivities that come after the pulsating on-field action.

The event will see Port Mourant, Young Warriors, Albion, Fyrish and Blairmont Blazers competing for supremacy.

Preliminaries will be played on a 10over basis, after which the semi-final will be 15 overs each, and the finals will be played under floodlights at 20 overs apiece.

During the day, there will be exciting

activities for the children, ranging from bouncy castles to face painting, to trampoline and other things.

However, the after-party is set for later in the evening, after the presentation ceremony. Deejays of the Showtime Sound System would definitely add flavour to the event with some of the best juggling.

In addition, an international deejay is expected to add his touch on the console,

and there will be a few routines from the best dance groups in Berbice.

Tickets for the event, branded by Carib Beer, cost $500 for adults and $200 for children. They are available at Benjamin Sport and Gym on Albion Road, Corentyne; Stationery Plus and Baby Store in Rose Hall Town, C/tyne; Dr Ramesh Sugrim’s Clinic; JC Chandisingh Secondary School canteen; and Big B Restaurant.

Police receive $3.8M in cricketing gear from Zara Group

O

n Friday, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) received over $3.8 million in cricketing supplies from the US-based Zara Realty Group in order to enhance relations between the Police and members of the community.

At the handing over, Jay Sobhraj said though they migrated from Guyana over 50 years now, they have never forgotten their roots; hence, the reason for them continuously supporting developmental efforts within the country. He stressed the need for better relations among the Police and the general population.

Sobhraj said the Zara Group is passionate about education and relationship building and they are hopeful that some of the gears be donated to communi-

ties so that they can see the Police Officers as being on their side rather than just performing their functions. The philanthropist said though he cannot play cricket, he wants to make sure those who can, get the opportunity to follow their passion.

Accepting the donation on behalf of the GPF was Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan who said they are aware that the Police enjoy a rocky relationship with the public and that the donation is one that will be aimed at bettering that relationship.

He alluded to the recently passed Juvenile Justice Bill, which requires initiatives such as sporting programmes to reintegrate juveniles as productive members of society.

“The relationship be-

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan receives the gears from the Zara Group representatives

tween the Police and citizens have not been a great one and we have to ensure that we build a relationship with community members…it is important when the Police is seen as a big brother as opposed to a bul-

ly,” Ramjattan said.

The Minister said they are going to conduct a needs assessment to ensure that depressed communities are the beneficiaries of a portion of the gear, since he is personally aware of how ex-

pensive cricketing gear are.

Meanwhile, acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine thanked the Zara Group for their timely donations. He said the partnership dates back to 2012 when Commissioner Seelall

Persaud first initiated it as he sought to better the relationship between the Police and the communities they operate in.

The partnership has realised the establishment of three computer centres in all three counties, as well as the refurbishing of the Cybersecurity Centre. He said despite the centres being handed over to the Force, the Zara Group continues to maintain them as well as providing more equipment for their smooth running. The Group also used the occasion to donate a quantity of gear to the University of Guyana’s Sport Department.

The donation included a quantity of helmets, pads, gloves, bats and balls.

Additionally, 20 new desktop computers were donated to the Force.

saturDAY, april 28, 2018

Colts, Ravens promise thrilling

T

he Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) will come alive this evening with explosive basketball action as the Bounty Colts and Dyna’s Ravens go head to head in a battle to crown the best basketball club in the nation. With both teams recording exceptional performances throughout this year’s Road to Mecca tournament, the final is expected to showcase the best of Guyana’s basketball talent.

At a pre-final press conference held at the Pegasus hotel, both teams expressed commitment to bringing their ‘A’ game to the highly anticipated final. Speaking on behalf of the Bounty Colts, Club President Michael Singh

expressed confidence his team would be able to defeat the Ravens, even though the Ravens have been playing remarkably well this season.

“It will be an interesting final. We have legs, we have the IQ; they have the character, and they know how to win. I see them being very competitive for the finals,” Singh predicted.

Meanwhile, Darcel Harris of Dyna’s Ravens expressed confidence in his team’s game plan and ethics. “We know Colts is a team with a lot of up tempo, good quality basketball. So we intend to bring it hard to this final, stick to a solid game plan, and hope to come out victorious,” he said. The Guyana Amateur

Pulsating action anticipated

guyanatimesgy.com

23

Mecca V finals

Colts’ President Michael Singh (third from left) and Ravens’ Darcel Harris (third from right) flanked by the tournament cheerleaders take a photo with the winning trophy

Basketball Federation has planned an action packed evening of activities, with

the third place match kicking off at 19:00hrs.

This match will fea-

ture the Kobras coming up against the Royals out of the mining town of Linden.

Guyanese artiste Timeka Marshall will also take the stage to deliver an exciting half-time performance. The match of the night will begin at 21:00hrs, with Ravens trying to prevent Colts from reaching a 3-peat.

The two teams are vying for trophies and a cash prize of $600,000, whilst second and third place will receive $400,000 and $300,000 respectively. Individual prizes include $200,000 being awarded to the most valuable player; $100,000 for the player recording the most rebounds; and $100,000 for the most improved player in the tournament. (Jemima Holmes)

GCB/GCB/Hand-in-Hand U-19 Inter-County

All for the taking in V-Net’s 10/10 as Berbice, U-17s T battle in final – Vipers start as title favourites

he day cricket loving fans in Essequibo have longed for has arrived as the V-Net Communications sponsored Super 10 Cricket Competition will be played as scheduled today at the Golden Fleece ground.

Organised by the New Opportunity Core (NOC) Sports Club, the big names from the county are expected to be involved in the show piece tournament which has three teams; V-Net Vipers, Iman Bacchus XI and South All stars. Two masters teams will also be playing for year-long bragging rights.

V-Net, who brandish themselves as the “home of Satellite Communications in Guyana” at their 25 Delph Street, Campbellville, Georgetown location have their impressive Vipers unit being led by fast-bowler Siddiq Mohamed.

Mohamed will have Windies all-rounder Keemo Paul, national players, Raun Johnson, Kemol Savour, Kevon Boodie, Ricardo Adams and Anthony Adams all in his arsenal of fire power with both bat and ball which leaves much to be expected of the opposition.

It is unsure whether the services of marque middle-order batsman Safraz Sherifudeen will be need-

ed given what comes above him but not taking the field could prove to be much disappointment for his large Wakenaam following who would have come to see some of his monstrous hits.

Teams will be playing each once, with the best two progressing to the final.

Match time is 09:00h.

Keemo Paul

A

fter three rounds of decent cricket, most of which was either affected or stopped by the weather, Berbice and the Under-17 XI will tussle for the GCB/Hand-in-Hand Under-19 Inter-County 50-Over title in today’s final.

The venue will be the Lusignan Community Ground on the East Coast of Demerara, where two national players; Kevlon Anderson and Sachin Singh will want to capture the title for their respective teams.

Anderson, the skipper of Berbice and a National U-17 player, has so far led a good campaign in the tournament, leading by example by taking a truckload of wickets, his recent a 5-fer against Essequibo and his knocks have all been match-winning performances for his team.

Along with the likes of his in-form pair of opening batters; Alex Algoo and Junior Sinclair, who have been setting the tone for the Ancient County side’s chase or setting a total, Kevin Sinclair and Javed Karim have been in good touch and were responsible for a number of Berbice’s wins.

The Berbicians will also rely heavily on Keith Simpson, class left-arm spinner Kelvin Umrao and their skipper for contributions in the bowling department.

The U-17 select also have much to celebrate after a few run-ins with the rain among some average perfromances could have curtailed their trip to the finals. Nevertheless, Singh and his pack of young troops have been able to hold their own since in the 3-Dayer’s, showing the skill as a unit.

While Berbice will feel confident in both departments, the U-17’s will want much from Singh, Nigel Persaud, Mavendra Dindyal, Andre Seepersaud, Seon Glasgow and Marvin Prashad; all of whom have been making starts and are capable of winning matches for their team.

Kevlon Anderson Bowling-wise, National U-15 youth pacer Sheldon Charles will be tasked with a lot of responsibility, while Nigel Deodat’s spin has been lethal as he enters the finals as one of the leading wicket-takers.

Both sides seem evenly matched given their credentials on paper but will need to play to their best in order to get the better of each other come Saturday when the finals bowl off from 09:00h, weather permitting.

Sachin Singh

saturDAY, april 28, 2018

Sports is no longer our game, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our business

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Colts, Ravens

promise thrilling

Pg 23

Mecca V finals

Shane Webster will be a key member for title favourites Bounty Colts

Garrett confident ahead of

Pg 22

D.C. United stint Another big opportunity looms for Jeremy Garrett

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