Guyanatime 9 march 2018

Diamond Secondary dethroned P15 …as Region 4 STEAM fair concludes Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, March 9, 2018

Issue No. 3497

PRICE

Govt making wild, fake promises about oil – Jagdeo warns

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Page 3

Domestic violence up by 14.2% Page 18

– over 80% are women victims – First Lady admits

$80 vat included

Police hunting gunmen who robbed, terrorised P19 ExxonMobil Director

Rice production could be low ...as strange pests attack Corentyne farms Page 18

Former Bishops’ High School teacher remanded on rape charge Page 8

Guyana reiterates support in Caricom’s fight for reparation – as summit for African Descendants opens

Page 7

Guyana mourns passing of P18 Sir Theodore Wilson Harris

Mentally ill man remanded for chopping mother P9

Molested teacher fearful as rapist roams freely P14 Canje River shooting

Third suspect remanded P18

Acting President, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge is flanked by Birgit Gerstenberg, Senior Human Rights Advisor, United Nations, Jamaica (to his left); and IDPAD-Guyana Chairman, Dr Vincent Alexander (extreme right) and Dr William Adu-Krow, PAHO/WHO Representative, Guyana (second from right)

Business Minister rebuffs criticisms, defends ExxonMobil

…tells Linden stakeholders deal "not bad"

Page 9

Young mother charged for trafficking Page 15

P10 African Guyanese Women expo launched

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BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, March 9 – 10:30h-12:00h and Saturday, March 10 – 12:00h-13:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, March 9 – 09:35h-11:05h and Saturday, March 10 – 11:05h-12:35h.

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Partly cloudy skies with sunny intervals can be expected in the early morning hours, with light cloudy skies expected throughout the rest of the day. Partly cloudy skies are expected to return in the evening, with overall temperatures ranging between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly to East North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 7.60 metres.

High Tide: 09:22h and 22:02h reaching maximum heights of 2.24 metres and 2.11 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 02:54h and 15:29h reaching minimum heights of 1.02 metres and 1.00 metres respectively.

WednesDAY, MARCH 7, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS N

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08 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2018

DAILY MILLIONS 02 09 16 22 LUCKY 3 3 9 4

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Afternoon Draw DRAW DE LINE

07

25

15

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Evening Draw

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

Govt making wild, fake promises about oil – Jagdeo warns

A stern warning was issued to Guyanese, urging them not to fall prey to the ‘wild and fake promises’ being made by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change coalition Government, especially as it relates to the impending oil and gas sector.

This warning was issued by former President and current Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo who maintained on Thursday that Government has been ‘selling dreams’ to the Guyanese citizens and has attempted to paint false images of the benefits from oil in people’s minds.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary shared this observation while addressing a media conference, as he noted that the Government needs to be straight with people.

“I suspect the reason why they are doing this, talking about this, is because they have one thing to sell remaining in Guyana. Their hope of a better future with oil money because that is what they are telling their supporters. So, magically in 2020 our lives would be transformed and we will all be wealthy,” he said.

Jagdeo said although Government is trying to oversell the benefits of oil, he maintained that the reality of the numbers does not support such a conclusion that things will be extremely easy.

He said, “For those who believe this wild promise and fake promise of APNU (A Partnership for National Unity), they will be sorely disappointed again in the future, if they buy into this.

It’s not going to be a magical kingdom as they are making it to be, when oil comes in 2020.” The former Head of State said this is the only thing that the coalition Government can sell at this point, especially since they have failed on keeping their promise of being transparent and creating employment.

No analysis

Another important matter raised by Jagdeo, was

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

the fact that Government is selling everything without proper analysis, when ExxonMobil is being extremely careful in the manner in which they provide information to the general public with regards to the oil sector. Using an example, Jagdeo referred to a public advertisement published

by ExxonMobil which portrayed a graph and focused on the price for crude oil. In that advertisement, the company issued a disclaimer in fine print to explain that the information is just an average and may not be the actual number.

“So, ExxonMobil puts in a caution statement even on their own graph say they can’t be held accountable for what is here (advertisement) and that it is only for illustrative purposes. Yet our Government sells this (advertisement) as gospel that it is unchanged,” he explained.

Gaskin’s blunder

On that note, Jagdeo, an economist, said he wants the Government to state what Guyana will get is the price for oil falls to US$25 per barrel. He said most of the predictions are being made on the current price which is US$50 per barrel, but there is no guarantee that it will remain there.

“What if it falls to US$25?

That is a real scenario, because that has happened for long periods in the past.

How much money will we get then? So, they only look at the upside and the reason they are doing this…they said US$300 million is not chicken feed, but they only have one thing to sell.”

The Opposition Leader was also critical of recent statements made by Business Minister Dominic Gaskin who defended the contract signed between ExxonMobil and Government. While describing the Minister as lightweight, Jagdeo said his statement only confirmed the Government’s position that they are more concerned about how much money they could earn from this sector and nothing else.

“His statements confirm our view that this Government only looks at the governmental sector. How much revenue it can collect. So what he did, he pointed out how much money we will collect from ExxonMobil versus what we are collecting from the gold mining sector as revenue. He did not look at the impact of the gold mining sector on the lives of maybe 100,000 people,” he added.

Gaskin told a recent oil seminar that in the first year of oil production, Government could earn about the same that it has

earned from the last eight years of gold production, claiming that more royalties could be accrued from oil as opposed to the gold sector, which at present is Guyana’s biggest export earner.

The Opposition has already made it clear its position that it does not feel that Guyana was properly represented by the current Government to get the best possible deal for its new found resource. The PPP has since called on Government to renegotiate the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil in an effort to secure more for Guyana and its people in future years.

The Opposition has also expressed willingness to support any motion made by the coalition Government in the National Assembly to have the oil contract renegotiated with ExxonMobil.

However, they have noted that they are not prepared to make the first move especially since they believe that it could be misconstrued that they want to undermine private investment in the country. Research conducted by the Oil and Gas Governance Network (OGGN), a group of financial analysts, accountants and economists, reveals that Guyana has sold its oil at US$29 billion below market value.

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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

Government’s Women’s Empowerment Agenda

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ack in 2016, Guyana’s President David Granger announced a five-point plan to promote equal and modern opportunities for women, as he recommitted his administration towards empowering women folk to meet the challenges that lie ahead in the changing domestic and global environment.

The announcement of the plan came on the heels of a UNDP report which stated that, over the past few years, Guyana has made very good progress towards promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Capitalizing on this, President Granger made it clear that one of the fundamental pillars of his government is equal opportunities for the whole population, with empowerment and protection of women and the eradication of poverty at the forefront of its efforts.

His rationale coincides with the 17 global goals identified by the United Nations as essential for achieving sustainable development.

Goal number five speaks to the notion of worldwide gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Gender equality therefore, as the UN succinctly states, “is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.” Unhindered access for all people to education, healthcare, employment, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes will underpin sustainable economies, and clearly benefit societies and humanity overall.

With regard to international levels of employment, the latest statistics from the World Bank for ratio of female to male labour force participation – those for 2013 -- show the Syrian Arab Republic having the lowest female participation, coming in 185th place at 19%, and Malawi being in the number one spot with 104%. The World Bank points out that, globally, women are less likely than men to participate in the labour market, i.e. less likely to be employed or actively looking for work; with only Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique and Malawi being over the 100% mark. The UK and the US come in at 81% and 82% respectively. The World Bank explains that “female participation in employment is high, and the gender gap low, in many low-income countries where women are engaged in unpaid subsistence agriculture, although they are less involved in paid activities outside the household. Women also tend to be active in high-income countries, where over two-thirds of the female adult population participate in the labour market and the gender gap in labour force participation rates is less than 15 percent on average.”

Guyana places 154th in the study, which also shows the country’s ratio increasing from 48.2% in 2003 to 52.9% in 2013. Although it is still lower than the average of 68.4% for Latin American and Caribbean (developed) countries, it is moving in the right direction.

Mr Granger also stipulated that the Government would ensure more microcredit facilities are set up, and greater access is available to small business loans. He added that the Government was prepared to consider offering tax rebates to companies that establish day care facilities for working mothers. He also promised the introduction of proactive protective legislation and new training programmes.

Indeed, the UNDP notes that educationally, “the targets of having gender parity in primary and secondary education have been achieved, since boys and girls are equally represented at these levels. At the university level, there are twice as many girls as there are boys enrolled.”

Politically, according to UN figures, women now hold more than 30% of seats in the national parliament in at least one chamber in 46 countries. Among them is Guyana, where, since 2015, the proportion of seats held by women in its national parliament has reached 35%.

The President’s ambitions come with the wholehearted backing of First Lady Sandra Granger, a determined and accomplished career woman and homemaker. Mrs Granger has pledged to champion various causes during her husband’s first term as president, particularly equality and the education and safety of children.

The situation in Guyana has not changed drastically since 2016, despite the President’s commitment. More women are dying and becoming the victims of sexual abuse and violence inflicted by their male counterparts and intimate partners. The girl child is no safer than she was in 2016, and there has been no major policy shift towards the empowerment of women in rural communities.

In fact, with the dismissal of thousands of male breadwinners along the sugar belt, the situation has worsened, and women who were traditionally housewives are now forced to work and earn incomes in order to sustain their families. The opportunities available to these women folk are few and far less than what many may see as befitting this class of people.

A more serious approach has to be adopted in dealing with women’s issues if the President’s vision is to become reality. If his commitment is to be kept and worked into policy, then Government must redouble its effort at harmonizing the work of the Ministries and departments that fight for and advocate gender equality, women rights, and the family as an important unit. The President must lead and support wholeheartedly by funding and financing campaigns aimed at strengthening women to continue to make positive contributions to Guyana’s development, especially with the advent of the Oil and Gas industry.

These women’s empowerment advocates visited the studios of Radio Guyana (89.5FM) in Georgetown to promote their newly launched organisation, ‘Humans Across Diversities Everywhere (HADES)’, which is geared at promoting the rights and protection of women folk. They were guests on the radio programme “Afternoon Happenings”, which is broadcast daily and is hosted by radio personality Bindiya Takchandra (Carl Croker)

The time is now (Part 1) Dear Editor, The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) wishes to place on record it's condemnation of the suffering being endured by the women in the sugar belt where estates have been shut and calls on the Government to immediately introduce comprehensive programmes to alleviate the hardships being endured by these workers, their families and communities.

Unemployment since 2015, due to the Government’s incompetence in managing the economy and ill-advised decisions, has reached alarming levels with almost 25,000 workers losing their jobs in both the Private and Public Sectors, a significant percentage are women and single parents.

Even the Business Minister acknowledged that the group hardest hit in the small business sector was businesses headed by female single parents. These include those involved with catering, hair and nail craft, sewing and tailoring.

The short and long-term socio-economic repercussions of women being removed from the work force, is damaging at many levels: * their personal careers and advancement are stymied; * their families suffer from reduced incomes and access to goods and services, this is par-

ticularly devastating for single parent headed households (29 per cent); their children’s access to health and education are also reduced; * their purchasing power has been reduced which impacts negatively on the quality of their lives and on the economy; * psychologically, the levels of depression and anxiety about their future options weigh heavily on them and their families; * contributions to the NIS and Income Tax are reduced; * their dependents, not only in their immediate families but their extended family, are also negatively affected; * loans for their education, or, houses they built through the housing programmes, and or, cars or motorcycles they purchased, are in jeopardy, thereby impacting negatively on the banking system and the quality of their lives; Poverty reduction, maternal and infant mortality, sexual and domestic violence, and suicide continue with little or no priority given to address these ills. The public health sector upon which over 70 per cent of the women depend on for services is in collapse mode and hardships worsen. Yet the Government blindly sings praises to itself.

On this 2018 International Women’s Day (yesterday), we condemn the A Partnership

for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government for its betrayal of our women and all Guyanese.

This overwhelming male-dominated senior citizens and urban middle class men and former military and serving military officers at the highest levels – Government has little room for women, especially for young professional women in their midst. After 30 odd months, we conclude that the APNU/AFC coalition Government holds the record for callous neglect and discrimination against women.

Here in Guyana, the silence of those who had held themselves up to be protectors of the women’s rights movement is nothing short of curious. This must change, as it remains true, that were we as a county to invest in our women and in empowering our women, Guyana would grow at a far more advanced pace.

Guyana cannot develop unless the inclusion of all women, regardless of their ethnicity, class, geographic location, religion, marital status, etc, are treated as critical, urgent and essential to developing a democratic nation.

To spout compliments on IWD in central Georgetown while driving irreversible staves of destruction in the lives of so many of the country's women makes a mockery of the lofty goals and in-

tentions of International Women’s Day. The “Time is Now” to expose these dangerous retrogressive trends and to renew the long held traditions of activism for women’s rights and women’s rightful place in our nation – to be silent in the face of these reversals in to stand on the wrong side of history.

In closing, we support wholeheartedly the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres ’s message on 2018 International Women’s Day when he said “Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is the unfinished business of our time, and the greatest human rights challenge in our world… this is not a favour to women.

Gender equality is a human rights issue, but it is also in all our interests: men and boys, women and girls. Gender inequality and discrimination against women harms us all”.

In 2020, we are certain that the PPP/C will return to office and we shall be able to return, reinstate and advance further the position and rights of women in our nation once again.

Sincerely, Gail Teixeira, MP; Priya Manickchand, MP; Gillian BurtonPersaud, MP; Pauline Sukhai, MP

We must consider the impact of manganese mining on our society Dear Editor, With a forecasted price of manganese (Mn) at US$3.2 per dry metric tonne unit and given that recent prices for some quality Mn could stay around the US$6 mark, the overall Government earnings could be substantial for the 26 million tonnes available over the projected 12-year period.

However, Bosai's busi-

ness only makes approximately 10 per cent profit and taxes. How much does the Guyanese Government get and the structure of the contract is worth better understanding.

Taking a small percentage from a business partner that also makes a small percentage is not a good long-term strategy to pursue, especially given the inherent dam-

age to the environment associated with such an industry.

Our preference should be towards investing in businesses that target above 15 per cent net income and that are also bringing value added products in its portfolio while being in alignment with our sustainable green strategy.

The health risks of manganese mining have been shown to have negative neu-

rological effects on adults with exposure levels being dependent on the mining methodology used. Both airborne and waterborne exposure also has a negative impact on children in mining areas. Resulting farming produce in the area after mining may also be negatively impacted and deemed unhealthy. turn to 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

This proposal for fighting I strongly condemn this attack bank robberies is flawed on the Auditor General’s Office

Dear Editor, I recently read in the print media of the Force's crime fighting strategy of placing plainclothes Policemen around commercial banks to stem the tide of bank robberies and immediately I gave a deep sigh of disbelief.

My alarm flares went off because here we have a security force that has openly given the criminals notice of their intent way upfront which I would say is tantamount to arming the criminal with the vital tools of information. This is poor crime-fighting strategy when you can so easily give away information to the very same persons you hope to capture. Keeping the bandits informed is bad in form and content.

Now the Guyana Police Force is either delusional or openly stupid to ever think that this strategy would work, I here say it will not, because in the first place the wily criminal out there thrives on information; that is why they are so successful at their evil craft.

Therefore, to so openly share that information strategy – with so much details – the end result would be that the criminal is bound to come out on top of the game. By now the criminals would have already changed their modus operandi in not robbing their victims soon after they have left the bank, but trailing them to their homes and businesses where they are most vulnerable.

Or, they would have gone into hibernation at the information furnished in the print media. So, the question remains, what do

they hope to achieve in all of this? And there is an immediate echo, very little if anything at all.

Now, if we should take that "plainclothes Police around banks" idea in stride, I believe there might very well be headed into a bungled situation of mistaking Cop for criminal. Both individuals might be mistaken as one and the same.

The reason for me saying this is the information should only be a well set operational stratagem hammered out between the higher echelons of the bank and the Police, no more no less. The general public should not be privy to this seeing the criminal is eagerly waiting in the wings to intercept the idea and change his move. In any case it all comes back to the age old tried and proven tactic of stop and search that I have repeatedly mentioned in previous letters.

I have mooted the idea of the "stop and search" which will bring handsome results if actively pursued, but this does not seem to be a preferred method of this clueless Force. You must have regular patrols in all the hot spots, stop them, search them, go into their dens and hideaways and I guarantee you will see success in getting those guns off the streets.

Criminals do not operate in the air – they do not come in helicopters to commit their crimes – they traverse our streets, then meet them there! As an alert and responsible Force, you go in search of criminals, you cannot wait for criminals to come to you, you have to take the fight to them. The

We must consider the impact... from page 4

Referencing such case studies as the one on Molango in Mexico (one of the manganese mines in the world of similar potential as that found in Matthews Ridge) should be reviewed before final approval of this project is given.

In addition, given the company’s history in Guyana, when one remembers the death of their employees in 2013, a close review of planned operations should be undertaken with the necessary safeguards put in place.

The risk vs the reward to the Government raises many questions on the long-term plan for Region One and how to make the best long-term use of the proposed 45 thousand plus acres to be utilised.

This plan must also go beyond the 13 years proposed for the project and clearly show a strong linkage to our country’s sustainable environmental plan.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

present strategy of waiting for the criminal to strike then make a frantic rush thereafter to catch them will not work. Being a reactionary Force would take us nowhere, our lawmen have to be proactive in this crime-fighting business.

Here again I highlight the fact that the Force was equipped with a number of vehicles gifted to them

by The People's Republic of China. Whatever became of those vehicles? Aren't they to be used in crime-fighting?

What is the Police Force doing with those vehicles? There is no excuse in not having the mobile means to track down and arrest a criminal, so why aren't we getting results? I am talking about getting the multitude of firearms out of the hands of criminals which is a sure way in bringing this present mayhem to a screeching halt.

Criminals and persons of that persuasion must be ferreted out and dealt with, with the utmost urgency.

Finally, is there a real serious approach to gun crimes? I say a real concerted and determined effort on the part of our Police Force to tackle gun crimes? Or are we getting the subtle response that there are counter related information or instructions that really tie the hands of our lawmen? These are questions I would put forward to the Police Force and our "learned" National Security Minister.

Respectfully submitted, Neil Adams

Dear Editor, I have read with some consternation the comments about the work of the Auditor General that were made by Minister of State Joseph Harmon, which were published by the Stabroek News on February 25, 2018 – comments that amount to nothing less than an attack on a constitutional office holder.

Editor, several offices are granted constitutional protection to ensure that they can perform their functions, in the interest (above all) of maintaining democratic gains, and holding the Executive to account. Attacks of the nature seen by Minister Harmon are unacceptable.

For an Administration that promised accountability and transparency ahead of taking office in May 2015, the Minister’s comments represent a brazen about-face.

In this case the investigation by the Auditor General involves spending of over one billion of taxpayers’ dollars. It is no small matter.

Minister Harmon criticised the Auditor General for publicly commenting on the ongoing investigation of the D’Urban Park Development Project and for reaching out to a private company for information instead of the Government. However, it was this Government that admitted to paying over taxpayers’ monies to a private company for the D’Urban Park Project. Regardless of the views of this coalition Government, the majority of the Guyanese people, I believe, welcome the work of the Auditor General, given that much about the project is shrouded in secrecy.

What we do know is that the development of the D’Urban Park Project started in September 2015 and Government had stated that donors were supporting the completion of the project.

We know that from November 2016 to January 22, 2016, there is no account of what monies were collected, who collected it, who authorised collection, nor how it was spent.

We know that from January 22, 2016 to April 21, 2016, the private company, according to Minister David Patterson, had control of financing and managing the project. The private company is Homestretch Development Incorporated (HDI), which was reportedly established, fast-tracked the completion of the D’Urban Park Project. We know that a Government Minister, Rupert Roopnaraine, is a Director of HDI. The other Directors include Larry London, Babita Ram, Victor Wilson and G Miller.

We know that from April 21, 2016 to date, millions have been spent on the project. We know that to date there has been no documentation that inspires any confidence that this project was

undertaken in a transparent manner.

The D’Urban Park Project is the least of the many issues that have been raised in the public domain – when it comes to millions being spent in a manner that is less than transparent. It is also the least of the issues that have been raised as it relates to a breach of basic procurement rules.

Lest we forget, it was none other the Auditor General himself who recorded 18 breaches of the Procurement Act in 2015 and 71 breaches in 2016. The Auditor General also noted that there were 21 breaches of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act in 2015 and 82 of the same in 2016.

Editor, given the importance of the work done by offices like that of the Auditor General, silence in the face of continued attacks on constitutional office holders will leave our nation ruinously disadvantaged as a developing democracy.

Sincerely, Adrian Anamayah, Member of Parliament People’s Progressive Party/Civic

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By Meredith Mortensen

"M

acey, stop! I will put you in time-out if you do that one more time," I said.

Macey looked at me with her piercing eyes and responded with a wise comment well beyond her five years: "Mommy, you always pay more attention to Cade.

You've paid more attention to him since the day he came out of your tummy."

She wasn't wrong. From the moment Cade was born, he has demanded my time and attention. From acid reflux to lack of weight gain to skin problems, he arrived and stole me away from our firstborn daughter. Not abnormally, but certainly annoyingly, Macey has acted out in bizarre ways simply to try to reclaim some of her territory and get my attention again.

I've always been a believer in time-outs to correct behaviour until I realized the flaw in my recent actions and started thinking about using time-ins.

Macey was acting inappropriately to get time with me. All she wanted was her mom to play with her, be there for her, and validate her. Putting her in time-out meant that I was isolating her and ignoring her need for me. She didn't need a time-out, she needed a time-in.

She needed time with me to feel that she's loved and special and to know that she's a priority to me. I've noticed that

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when I'm present and engaged with my children and they feel deeply cared for, I rarely need to put them in time-outs. The next time her obnoxious behaviour reappeared, I tried something else. Macey has an affinity for sticking her feet in my face, which is so gross. I noticed she was doing this while I was playing cars with Cade. So, instead of immediately sending her to time-out, I asked her a question: "Macey, why are you putting your feet in my face?"

"I dunno, Mom. I just want you to play with me," she responded.

"Come here, Macey," I said.

I pulled her toward me, gave her a hug, and said, "I love you so much. You're so special to me. I love spending time with you. I love having time just you and me. But I don't love what you're doing.

I don't ever want your feet in my face.

That's really gross and inappropriate." I

continued, "Let's all play cars with Cade until he goes to sleep. Then you and I can do anything you'd like for 10 minutes before you go to sleep. Deal?"

"Deal," she replied.

We happily followed our plans, and I was pleased I didn't have to put her in time-out. I've noticed time-ins work well with our two-year-old too. He's been hitting and pushing when he gets upset, a n d I've put him in time-outs to show him that we won't tolerate that behaviour.

Recently, he got so frustrated with not getting what he wanted that he hit my leg and followed it up with a loud "NO!" In the past, I would've taken him to our time-out place, scolded him, and told him we don't hit.

Instead, I just gave him a hug and held him for a while. I thought about how hard it is being two and knowing what you want, but sometimes not having the language to get it out.

It must be so frustrating to be him and not quite yet know how to handle a range of new emotions. I held him longer and told him that I loved him. I told him that he couldn't hit, ever, but that I understood what it was like to be frustrated. Sometimes these little ones just want to be validated. Time-ins give me an opportunity to let them know that I understand how they feel and I love them, but I don't love their behaviour. Sometimes, that's all they need. (parenting.com)

W

hooping cough (pertussis) used to be regarded as an illness of the past, and only dangerous to children.

Now, however, it seems to have made a comeback, not only in young children, but also in older children and adults who had received vaccinations expected to last a lifetime.

It appears that the vaccination is starting to lose its effectiveness between the ages of five and 10, leaving older children and adults susceptible.

What is whooping cough?

Pertussis is a highly contagious infection caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium. This illness causes 300, 000 annual deaths worldwide and is recognised by a paroxysmal (spastic, intense) cough with a distinct whooping sound.

It can be avoided through vaccination, which has reduced the number of cases in recent decades.

Pertussis is a serious respiratory condition that can be deadly, especially in young babies or children with weak immune systems.

The illness that came back

Vaccination initially decreased the number of whooping cough infections, but it appears to have made a comeback since the 1980s.

There has been a noticeable surge in the past couple of years, especially in the USA. According to a paper published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, pertussis is naturally cyclic and peaks every three to five years. But for the past couple of decades the instances of peaks and the number of cases have increased.

Medical practitioners and researchers are puzzled at the surge of the disease since the 1980s and especially the peak between 1990 and 1999.

Some say it's because many parents choose not to vaccinate their children due to risks and side effects, while others think that it is because adults are now spreading the disease.

This is why more and more adults seem to be succumbing to whooping cough. The need for a booster shot is now recognised.

According to the National Institute for Communicable

Diseases (NCID), pertussis can be prevented by active immunisation. In South Africa, the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (SA-EPI) schedule includes four doses of acellular pertussis vaccine, including a booster shot.

The primary series is given in three doses at six, 10 and 14 weeks of age. The fourth dose (booster) is given at 18 months.

However, immunity after vaccination is not lifelong and wanes over time. As a result, and as per previous research, boosters are now recommended after four to eight years to maintain protective levels.

When someone is diagnosed with pertussis, people who have had close contact with the sick person can take prophylaxis (medication that prevents infection) to avoid infection, regardless of their age or whether they have been vaccinated before.

Could you have pertussis?

Pertussis is often misdiagnosed in adults because it is still widely believed to be an illness that only affects children.

The symptoms also mimic other conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and allergies.

The disease lasts about six weeks, and has three stages.

The incubation period lasts an average of seven to 14 days. The symptoms throughout the three stages are: 1. Cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, teary eyes and congestion. A hacking night cough may be present, which can gradually worsen.

2. An intense cough after the 10th to the 14th day of the illness – this is a rapid, wet cough characterised by wet, stringy mucus and a whooping sound, followed by rapid inhalation.

3. Decreasing symptoms, but a cough may still be present.

When should you see your doctor?

Go to your medical practitioner immediately when: There has been contact with someone who has had pertussis, even if you and/or your child have been vaccinated.

You and/or your child have a characteristic cough that doesn’t get better.

You suspect that your or your child’s symptoms might indicate pertussis. (health24.com)

news

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friDAY, march 9, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana reiterates support in Caricom’s fight for reparation – at opening of summit for African Descendants – Govt injects $68M into hosting conference here

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n observance of the International Decade for People of African Descent, Guyana is currently hosting the 2018 IDPAD Summit, which brings together more than 60 academics, black activists and other expert speakers from around the world to focus on eradicating the plight of African descendants through the implementation of possible solutions to issues affecting the race.

The four-day conference, being held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel under the theme “Where we are, Where we ought to be, How we get there”, opened on Thursday.

Among the packed agenda of the forum is the issue of getting Britain and other European nations to pay reparations to the region for the brutal Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

According to Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, acting as President, the theme facilitates realistic reflection on the challenges and opportunities that define the realities of African descendants.

“Such reflection, I dare say, should take account of the historical and global legacy of wrongs and moral debt that still demands redress. The ubiquitous impact and lasting consequences of the TransAtlantic Slave Trade have been

widely acknowledged at a variety of levels, including that of the United Nations. There has not yet, however, been an equal and commensurate effort to fully acknowledged the moral debt, or to make recompense for the indelible scar on humanity that the unmitigated horrors of slavery represent, especially by those that were the prime beneficiaries of the trade,” he posited.

Minister Greenidge went on to say that despite insistence that the descendants of African slaves move on rather than dwelling in the past, the call for both reckoning and reparation in monetary and non-monetary forms is one that cannot be ignored, or forsaken, or confused with ultraism.

“The call is premised on the principles of justice and ethics. For this reason, CARICOM (Caribbean Community) has committed to the pursuit of this matter, and Guyana strongly enjoins these efforts, including the efforts pertaining to the 10 core principles which are intended to guide efforts at reparation,” the acting Head of State noted.

This issue also grabbed the attention of Programme Manager of Culture and Community Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, Hilary Brown, who spoke of efforts at the level of the regional

A section of the gathering at Thursday’s opening of the IDPAD Summit 2018 being held at the Marriott Hotel

body in its fight for reparation, including the development of the Caribbean Reparatory Justice Programme’s 10-Point Action Plan, which outlines the path to reconciliation, truth and justice for the region’s indigenous and Africandescended population.

“All of these elements, we believe, constructively address reparatory justice for all people of African Descent, and which must begin with a full formal apology and recognition of the effect of the wrongs committed.

It is the view of CARICOM that success in the reparation claim would be a desirable and fitting outcome of the International Decade for People of African Descent,” Brown asserted.

The four-day conference will serve as a platform for par-

UG plans to revise the University Act

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he University of Guyana (UG) on Thursday hosted its first annual business meeting at the Education Lecture Theatre (ELT).

The table was spearheaded by Chancellor Nigel Harris, Vice Chancellor Ivelaw Griffith and the newly appointed ProChancellor, Joe Singh.

One of the first items being dealt with was the exploration of roles and responsibilities of council members of the university. A new council to be appointed is said to be smaller than the previous one which comprised 26 members.

Chancellor Nigel Harris explained that this was decided upon to reduce politicisation and promote efficiency, effectiveness and accountability. It was announced that an orientation will be held in approximately six weeks in which council members will be able to obtain a better understanding of their responsibilities.

Initially, Chancellor Nigel Harris explained that the University Act has not being revised in any major way since 1963; hence, it will be reviewed in the days to come.

“Many of the University’s policies and regulations are outdated,” Harris explained.

After an extensive period of discussion and reflection, a proposal was presented to the council which is subject to further deliberation. However, the new University Act ultimately has to be approved by Parliament.

The Chancellor is hoping that the proposal is approved and carried forward stating “This is an important moment for the University, a moment for transformation and it is essential that its governance, its

From left: Pro-Chancellor Joe Singh, Vice Chancellor Ivelaw Griffith, Chancellor Nigel Harris and Dr Nigel Gravesande

act, its status be modernised, in keeping with what we hope is going to be a more modern and dynamic university.”

Additionally, a series of decisions were also made in relation to the allocation of lands initiatives that are ongoing. These included the allocation of 10 acres of land towards the proposed JOF Haynes law school; UG’s Yucatan Centre for Greening Research, Information and Sustainability; approval for a draft document for the establishment of a UG broadcasting trust and the approval of a legacy project which will cater for behavioural studies. Some of these initiatives are in existence due to donations and gifts from entities who wish to partake in the University’s development.

“One of the realities of the University’s operations is that by virtue or deed of gift that precludes us from renting or selling land. This is an arrangement and it’s not a new arrangement where hosts, so there is no rent charge. There is an expectation that services for construction will be funded by whoever the host is. There is expectation that services for maintenance will also be hon-

oured by whoever the host is,” Professor Griffith explained.

Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor Ivelaw Griffith stated that the University is searching for areas in which partnerships can be built. One of the main issues arises from the lack of resources.

The Vice Chancellor stated, “It has to be part of a larger paradigm shift. What we’re saying is that we’ve got as a university, conscious of the limitations of the Government to ask other entities to support.”

He said the University does not establish a firm, sustainable base with its graduates, asking them for assistance. However, he stated that this must be done as it is a normal practice of many private and public universities.

This year, the University also introduced the Artist-inResidence, Dave Martins, who will be preforming in areas such as Anna Regina, Linden, Lethem and Berbice.

UG is planning to implement these new agendas with the intention of asking the council what new can be done to raise the standards of the institution for the future.

ticipants to openly discuss the serious issues facing African Descants, as well as the solutions they envision to address the problems; and ways of implementing these solutions.

The IDPAD Summit is being held with the injection of some $68 million from the Government of Guyana, monies that were the subject of incomplete scrutiny during the consideration of the 2018 Budget Estimates.

Back in December, Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton, had failed to give any proper information or details on the organisation, which was listed to receive a cut from the $235+ million that were allocated under the category of ‘Subsidies and Contribution to Local Organisations’ during questioning by Opposition Members of Parliament.

The Minister had only explained that the monies would be divided among the sixteen departments within the Culture sector, including Castellani House, National Thrust, Theatre Guild, Linden Museum of Heritage, National Cultural Centre and Decade for the People of African Descent.

But when further probed, Dr Norton could not provide any information about the latter organisation that was set to receive $68 million from Government, and had committed to providing the details at a later time.

The International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in a Resolution

(68/237) adopted back on December 23, 2013. It was subsequently launched by UN two years later, thus commencing the 2015-2024 decade aimed at highlighting issues relating to Africa and its millions of descendants around the world.

Guyana had subsequently established a local arm, (IDPAD-G) IDPAD-Guyana Committee, which is the only one of its kind in the region, and has received the support of the Guyana Government.

In fact, at the opening of the conference on Thursday, the acting Head of State said President David Granger, who is on State duties in India, has an “abiding interest” in the event.

“President Granger has committed to supporting the work of IDPAD, and of the IDPAD-G Committee in achieving the objective of the Decade. The Government has already made good on majority of the agreed commitments, including the approval of resources within the 2018 National Budget for core undertakings identified by the country coordinating mechanism (IDPAD-G),” Greenidge stated.

8 news

friDAY, march 9, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Former Bishops’ High School teacher remanded on rape charge

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ormer Bishops’ High School teacher Coen Jackson was on Thursday remanded after he was arraigned with rape of a child under the age of 16 when he appeared before Magistrate Leroy Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Jackson, 39, was charged with engaging in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 by abusing his position of trust at D’Urban Street, Lodge between December 2010 and May 2011.

The disgraced teach-

Embattled former Bishops’ High School teacher Coen Jackson

er was represented by Attorneys Sanjeev Datadin and Siand Dhurjon.

Jackson, who has been a teacher for the past 15 years, is being accused of abusing his position of trust as a teacher after he began grooming female students for sexual activity after they would have attained the age of 16; the legal age of consent in Guyana.

He has vehemently denied the accusations but did admit to having sexual relations with two former students who are both in their early 20s now.

The embattled teacher recently got married to one of his former students.

The Police claim that between December 2010 and May 2011 at D’Urban Street, Lodge, Jackson raped one of his students. The Education Ministry had launched a full-fledged investigation into the allegations and upon completion, authorised the Police to begin conducting a criminal investigation.

The Police’s investigation resulted in Jackson being arrested in December and subsequently released on $100,000 bail.

Teenager remanded on simple larceny charge

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aving escaped from the holding cell at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on a previous court date, a 17-yearold found herself in hot water on Thursday when she

appeared in Georgetown Magistrate Leron Daly’s Court to answer a simple larceny charge.

She faces an allegation detailing that on March 7, 2018, in the vicinity of Brickdam

Georgetown, she robbed Walter Nero of his cellular phone valued $5,000 and $5000 in cash, while at the time, after or before, she used personal violence towards Nero.

Unrepresented by le-

gal counsel, the teen pleaded not guilty to the charge, but Magistrate Daly refused to place this defendant on bail, since she has before the courts matters that are antecedents to this charge she faces.

Empty rhetoric…

Y

…on rural women esterday was International Women’s Day and as usual the international coordinators came up with a theme for the year: “Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives”. On the claim for the transformation of rural women’s lives, your Eyewitness’s reaction was, “Really??”

He’s quite aware of the bevy of women’s organisations working away in Georgetown who also may claim to have rural women’s interests in mind. But the need for specific WOMEN’S organisations should remind the essentially urban women that rural women need to speak for themselves, act up for themselves, and accomplish for themselves. Funny thing is that there are several such organisations, but they don’t even show up on the radar of the urban credentialising process – which is mostly selfreferential, to begin with.

Take the greatest tragedy to hit Guyanese women in the last decade – the arbitrary firing of some 5700 sugar workers, and the redundancy of another 2000 working for private cane farmers -- by this PNC-led coalition Government. Can these urban women’s groups say how many of those fired workers were women?? Of course they can’t!! But they should know that the task of ensuring the families of each of those fired workers survive will fall on the 7700 women in the families. So yes, these women’s lives have been transformed all right: into living nightmares!

So who’ve spoken out for these women? Did the GWI think to place a moratorium on the water bills of the affected 7700 families?? And what about concrete actions – local content -- for the rural women plunged into the vortex of unemployment.

There is, of course, the notion of “intersectionality”, which proposes that an individual may be oppressed along several axes – which then “intersect” in the person to reinforce each other. So that’s why the theme made a distinction between “urban” and “rural” women. Sure all women are oppressed in patriarchal societies – meaning, ALL societies. But rural women are doubly oppressed, since, unlike their urban “sisters,” they’re considered -- even by the latter -- as “backward”. Like, for instance, assuming those rural women haven’t organized themselves in different ways than they have.

In Guyana, the “rural” category is further broken down: coastal women look down on rural/interior women. These women are therefore triply oppressed.

Back in the late sixties, Virginia Slims cigarette came up with a slogan to attract women: “You’ve come a long way, baby!!”

In Guyana, the rural women are still moribund. …on crime Even as the Business Minister (he owns a business, your Eyewitness was told!) extolled the Exxon ‘bird in the bush’ as opposed to the gold ‘bird in the hand’, the latest criminal depredation might give even the Texas company pause. Seems some kick-down-the-door bandits invaded the home of their Director of Shore Operations and viciously beat and robbed him and his family.

Now, the American Embassy has already warned its citizens about the rampant crime wave washing over our country, even as the Security Minister (he’s secure in his job, your Eyewitness was told, because he’s good window dressing!!) insists that “serious” crime is plummeting!!

Now, can you imagine the reaction in the business community which the Exxon oil strike has attracted?

Reading the declassified US Embassy files, we learnt a posting to Guyana was like being sent to the armpit of the world. With the crime wave, we might just become the new Colombia. But there might be a silver lining to that reputation.

“Local content” will increase with the need for private security!! …and bluff GECOM Chair, Octogenarian ex (Chief?) Justice Patterson, had his snide and obscene bluff to the Auditor General called. The AG will hand over the smoking gun files on Patterson’s CEO to the DPP. Who’s tumescent now?

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

News

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friDAY, march 9, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mentally ill man remanded for chopping mother

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isram Sookram of Sisters Village, East Bank Berbice was on Thursday remanded to prison until April 5, when he appeared before New Amsterdam Senior Magistrate Alex Moore charged with maliciously wounding his 54-year-old mother, Rajmattie Sookram, on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Sister Village, EBB. The woman had to be treated at the New Amsterdam hospital for chops to the head and arm.

The 21-year-old defendant, reputed to be mentally ill, was not required to plead

to the indictable charge; and the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Bernard Brown, objected to Bisram Sookram being placed on bail on ground that this defendant and the virtual complainant live in the same house, and if the defendant were allowed to return to the home, there is likely to be a recurrence of assault.

Statements will be filed when next the case comes up, on April 5.

Sookram reportedly chopped his mother to her head and arm before plunging into the nearby Berbice River to escape Police arrest.

Injured mother: Rajmattie Sookram

Accused: Bisram Sookram

He was, nevertheless, arrested in the Berbice River.

The incident took place two buildings away from the Sisters Police Station.

Rajmattie Sookram told this publication that her son, who previously had been a patient at the National Psychiatric Hospital, had attacked family members on prior occasions.

Sisters Magistrate’s Court records indicate that the defendant had previously been charged with assaulting his father, but in court on Thursday, no mention was made of the man’s past or medical history.

Business Minister rebuffs GTT, Bistro honour Women in STEM Fields criticisms, defends ExxonMobil …tells Linden stakeholders deal "not bad"

By Utamu Bell

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usiness Minister with responsibility for Tourism, Dominic Gaskin has come to the defence of the GuyanaExxonMobil contract, telling Linden stakeholders that despite naysayers, the contract which Government has inked is "not a bad deal."

The Minister and a team recently met with a variety of stakeholders within the community, including representatives of the Linden Chamber of Commerce.

Gaskin also conducted a 'walkabout' to listen to concerns of the business community. In defending the contract, Gaskin, speaking to stakeholders at the Linden Enterprise Network, said there is a particular media house bent on making Government look as though it has entered into a "bad deal" and carrying out attacks on ExxonMobil, as he maintained that in fact it is "not a bad contract". He stated rather, that oil and gas is "probably the best thing to happen to Guyana's economy," noting that it has major opportunities for all sectors.

The Minister further pointed out that, generally, it's a positive development

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin engaging stakeholders on Thursday

for the country. "People outside of Guyana, they're showing an interest in our country...all of a sudden, people want to come here...", the Minister said, as he continued that while criticism is not necessarily a bad thing, negative attacks will not help with foreign investment, especially since Guyana itself does not have the money nor expertise required to invest in the oil and gas sector.

“Attacking a foreign company that has come to Guyana and that has invested heavily in a sector that we ourselves don't have the ca-

pacity to develop... is to be counterproductive, anti-business and anti-Guyana," the Minister stressed. He added that every region in Guyana should find a way to maximise benefits for economic development in the oil and gas sector.

Further defending the contract, Gaskin highlighted the benefits. "We're getting a 50 per cent royalty, we're getting a 50 per cent share of the profits and we're also getting withholding taxes from overseas-based sub-contractors…," he posited. Gaskin said Government will ensure that other sectors such as tourism, manufacturing, forestry and mining and agriculture are also enhanced in the coming years to ensure Guyana is not left behind.

GTT CEO Justin Nedd addressing the honorees at the luncheon including First Lady Sandra Granger and Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes at the event on Thursday

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TT, in collaboration with the Bistro Restaurant and in recognition of International Women’s Day, on Thursday hosted a special luncheon for several women who have taken an active role in the development and promotion of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in Guyana.

First Lady Sandra Granger and of Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes were among the women who were all drawn from the private sector, Government, University of Guyana and CARICOM, and are all integrally involved in an area which traditionally was male -dominated.

Carjacking probe…

Police conduct major 'stop and search' of vehicles in Linden

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ith the recent spate of carjackings and the bust of a major carjacking ring along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, Police in E Division (LindenKwakwani) on Thursday conducted several 'stop and

search' exercise of motor vehicles in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

According to reports, Police acting on intelligence extended the stop and search operation to Linden, after it was reported that stolen ve-

hicle parts may have been in the community.

According to information from Police, so far the searches have not unearthed any stolen vehicle parts. Nevertheless, investigations are continuing.

GTT’s Chief Executive Office Justin Nedd, speaking at the luncheon, highlighted that GTT has taken a leading role in the development of STEM in Guyana.

He said women’s “work and roles align perfectly with the Innov8 initiatives of the company.

“Our commitment of G$18 million to STEM and internet for all primary schools is demonstrative of this support,” he remarked.

Nedd pointed out that the women being honoured stand as great examples of the possibilities and opportunities for girls/women to play key roles in the STEM arena.

In response, the honourees expressed their appreciation for the company’s recognition of their roles in STEM.

10 news

friDAY, march 9, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Body found at city hotel still unidentified – A Division Commander

Police A Division Commander, Leslie James

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he male body that was found in a room of the K&VC Hotel in South Road, Georgetown

on Wednesday afternoon has still not been identified.

This is according to Police A Division Commander Leslie James during a telephone interview with Guyana Times on Thursday afternoon.

It was reported in sections of the media that at around 13:30hrs on Wednesday last, the unidentified man’s body was discovered by staff members of the hotel.

This publication was told that the man, who appeared to be middle aged, had checked into the room on Tuesday, and had paid to utilise it for 24 hours.

However, when that time expired at around noon the following day,

K&VC International Hotel in Georgetown, Guyana

the receptionist reportedly called on the guest but received no response.

After other staff members knocked on the man’s room door, but received no response, the hotel’s manager granted the staff permission to enter the room.

The elderly man’s lifeless body was found lying on the bed, clad in only a grey three-quarter pants.

A white substance suspected to be poison was observed around the bed and on the floor near the man.

The body bore no sign of violence, the Police say.

The corpse was taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Home to await identification, after which an autopsy would be performed to determine the cause of death.

Wales Magistrate’s Court

Several men charged with assaulting, threatening females

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he Wales Magistrate’s Court on Thursday saw multiple cases involving allegations of maleon-female assault appearing before Magistrate Rushell Liverpool.

Forty-six-year-old Vickram Naipaul of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD) was charged with the alleged unlawful assault and for threating his wife (name provided) on February 28, 2018 at their home.

The construction worker who has two children from a previous marriage, pled not guilty when the allegations were put to him but admitted that he was once placed on a bond for using abusive language. He was released on bail but was ordered to stay away from his spouse for the duration of the court matter.

Additionally, Joshua Simmons, 20, of Inner Stanleytown, WBD, was charged for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend who displayed a timid countenance during her court appearance.

This matter was said to have occurred at Stanleytown but the case was held in camera.

In another case, Alford Primus, 28, a mason from Thomas Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was released on $20,000 bail after he denied assaulting causing ac-

tual bodily harm to Melissa Wong at Parfaite Harmonie on January 12, 2018. He will return to court on May 10 for report and fixtures.

Meanwhile, 42-year-old Clifton Cully was also arraigned on a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm to Alicia Rodgers at Sisters Village, WBD on February 24, 2018. He denied the charge and the former Wales Estate sugar employee who now works part-time as a mechanic was released on $20,000 bail. He will return to court on May 10.

However, Rodgers was counter-charged for unlawfully wounding Cully at Sisters Village. The unemployed 27-year-old will also return to court on May 10.

Meantime, Roydon Farrier, who was embroiled in the same dispute, admitted that he assaulted Rodgers on the day in question.

In addition, a Parfaite Harmonie father of two was also accused of assaulting and threatening his wife of 13 years on March 4, 2018, at their home. He was released on $35,000 bail and was ordered to stay 20 feet away from the woman throughout the duration of the matter. He noted that he will stay with his mother in Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

African Guyanese Women expo launched

Students of the Carnegie School of Home Economics viewing a part of the exhibit

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n commemoration of International Women’s Day, the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown and The United Nations Association of Guyana collaborated to launch an exhibition, titled ‘African Guyanese Women’.

The exhibition, housed at the Castellani House in Georgetown, seeks to celebrate and honour the contributions that Guyanese women have made to not only Guyana, but to the wider world as well. The exhibition also acts as a means of educating persons on great achievements by Guyanese women.

Speaking at the event, Principal of The Carnegie School of Home Economics, Penelope Harris, explained that much of what we are accustomed to in everyday life are compliments of the women in our society, especially the transfer of culture.

“I believe that women are

the ones who pass on most of our culture, whether in the form of food, songs or religion,” she further explained while stating, “Women are the moral gatekeepers of our society; so when the morals of the women become low, the morals of the entire society will go low.”

A similar exhibition was first held in 2011, and it is because of the overwhelming response garnered by that exhibition that the curators became convinced that ‘African Guyanese Women’ would be ideal for the Women’s Day celebrations.

The exhibition features the life and work of popular Guyanese women like Marilyn Dewar, Winifred Gaskin, Shirley FieldRidley, Viola Burnham and Elizabeth Harper. It also pays homage to those women who were forced to endure the hardships of slavery.

The exhibition closes today, March 9.

S RAIGHT Whither the economy under President Granger?

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oreign trade has become more important to our economy in recent years. Exports have remained flat, and imports of goods and services have grown rapidly, resulting in the growth of the merchandise deficit. Such a consistent adverse trade gap has contributed to stagnation in the people’s standard of living in several ways, but my focus here will be limited to the impact of the trade balance on Guyana’s international reserves, its gross domestic product, and by implication its job market.

As we all are aware, G.D.P and employment generally move in the same direction, so what I am saying about the impact on G.D.P generally applies to employment as well.

G.D.P. is the way economists calculate how much an economy is producing in total goods and services. Higher exports and lower imports add to G.D.P., while declining exports and higher imports contract G.D.P. In Guyana, we have a case where our agricultural exports are in serious trouble.

The Minister of Finance, in his prematurely presented FY 2018 National Budget in November 2017, declared that national exports in 2017 increased by US$1.5 million. However, the 2017 year-end export figures provided by the Minister were nothing else than BOGUS. The actual 2017 exports reflect a position that shows a decline of approximately US$15 million.

On the other hand, imports expanded by US$138.5 million over 2017. This drove the overall deficit in the balance of payments for the nation to negative US$64 million. This serves as a contractionary force on the growth of the economy. How was this gap funded in 2017?

NEWS

Guyoil decreases gasoline, kero prices O ne day after reports surfaced in the international press of crude oil dropping by two per cent over concerns of a brewing trade war following imposed steel and aluminium tariffs by American President Donald Trump, the Guyana Oil Company Limited (Guyoil), announced decreases for its products on Thursday.

With effect from today, motor vehicle operators and other uses will pay less at the pump for gasoline, gasoil (diesel) and kerosene. In a release from the country’s leading petroleum company, it was related that reductions were possible due to “declining acquisition cost”.

Gasoline was reduced by

Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

Users of fuel will pay less at the pump

$2 per litre while gasoil and kerosene saw reductions of $10 and $4 respectively. This means operators buying fuel in Georgetown will pay $202 per litre as opposed to $204

which they were paying when the prices where increased in February. Gasoil users will pay $195 and $133 for kerosene. Berbice users will pay $203 per li-

tre of gasoline while users in Essequibo will now pay $204.

“Guyoil is always cognisant of its role in the Guyana economy, ensuring that quality petroleum products are provided at excellent prices,” Marketing Manager Eric Whaul observed.

These decreases have seen a reversal of the trend of increases in fuel prices. Apart from an increase in February this year, in September 2017, world market prices for fuel had been also increased due to the hurricane conditions in the southern hemisphere, which resulted in Guyoil adjusting the prices in gasoline, diesel and kerosene to a higher cost.

Police likely to seek extension to further detain “Otisha” According to CC&PA’s Director, Ann Green, the Agency has gathered statements from a number of persons, including the young man at the middle of the controversy, and as such, it is expected to move ahead with the case.

The public became enraged when Pearson was heard in an interview reporting that “he has a little boy for every day of the week”.

P

Otis “Otisha” Pearson

The graph above clearly illustrates that the international reserves within the Bank of Guyana (in blue) as well as in the Banking System (in red) are being plundered to feed this rapacious appetite for imports, which is not backed by adequate productive exports.

Let me be clear: this decline started since the Ramotar days, but what is gravely disappointing is that Mr. Granger promised change and a better life. Mr. Granger promised to cut corruption and fix the six sisters (rice, sugar, bauxite, gold, seafoods, forestry). The reality is that he has done no such thing, and all his words on the 2015 campaign are proving to be extremely economical with the truth.

Actually, under the short Granger tenure, corruption has gotten worse, and the six sisters are now on their knees.

Since Mr. Granger became President, the gap between imports and exports has become even more unstable, with an average deficit of about US$53 million. This does have a grave negative impact on the economy. Even the remittance inflows from the Diaspora cannot stem this financial outflow from the economy. So Mr. Jordan has to revert to budgetary gimmicks, such as an early budget with guessfigures as a tool to fool the people.

A careful study of Mr. Jordan’s menu of public policies will illustrate that he has taken very little, if any, progressive action on the productive economy (housing, agriculture, manufacturing, mining).

Most of these sectors are underperforming, and he seems not to care; so this economic deterioration will not change in 2018.

So where is this growth really coming from? The services sector, which in Guyana’s case is nothing but a statistical illusion that moves the same money from one pot to the next, similar to musical chairs.

So the Granger regime has reverted to selling the people the snake oil illusion that the production of oil will solve everything. But anyone who properly applies their mind to the issue will know that this is furthest from the truth.

First off, because of that intellectually bankrupt oil contract in the Stabroek Block, the people will see very little of that oil wealth in their pockets.

Secondly, stable oil productions are at least 4 years away. So, over the next 4 years, those living in Guyana must settle themselves for some hard years.

The only solution between today and 2021 is to focus on the productive sectors. As an example, it is time for some innovative ideas, like a homegrown clay brick factory to support the housing sector. But do not count on GOINVEST to help, because they are out to sea on the whole question of incentivizing investments and closing the deals.

So, in the final analysis, the G.D.P. will continue to flatten (if this trend continues, in 2018 it is expected to come in at 1.9%) and that will have a terrible effect on the job creation front. And the story continues! Wither the economy under President Granger?

11

friDAY, march 9, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

olice Commander in A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara), Leslie James on Thursday afternoon confirmed that Police are in the process of wrapping up investigations regarding Otis “Otisha” Pearson who has been accused of paedophilia.

When probed as to whether an extension will be requested to keep Pearson in custody, since the 72hour period for his detainment will expire on Friday, James noted that he could not make a pronouncement on the matter at that point.

Nevertheless, he noted that if needs be, the extension will be sought.

Guyana Times had previously reported that Pearson was arrested on March 6, 2018, on allegations that he was involved with under-aged boys.

“We received the file from the Child Care and Protection Agency and we are now investigating the matter officially,” James had told this publication.

At that time, he could not ascertain how soon charges would be instituted against the popular member of the LGBT community.

The Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) back in February closed its investigation into the alleged misconduct by Pearson.

However, after he was bashed on social media, the transgender personality quickly defended himself, explaining that the term “little boys” was taken out of context. He attempted to cover up his transgressions, stating that the term is actually referring to persons above the legal age of consent and is also used when referring to his colleagues.

The statement quickly be-

came a serious matter when a photo of Pearson hugging a teen was leaked on social media site Facebook.

Many users of the site were of the opinion that the teen was underage; the age of consent in Guyana being 16.

Investigations revealed that the boy was indeed below the age of 16 and was being bullied after the photos were leaked.

12 news Man deported from US remanded for 2016 New Year’s Day murder friDAY, march 9, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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fter being deported from the United States, Anthony Bhupdeo was earlier this week remanded to prison for the 2016 New Year’s Day murder of a Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man.

The 25-year-old accused of Mon Repos, ECD, is alleged to have been part of a group of people who had fatally beaten to death cane harvester, Deokumar Basdeo. He was arraigned and remanded to prison on Tuesday after being handed over to local authorities last week.

Bhupdeo had fled to the US on January 2, 2016, one day after the incident, rais-

ing suspicions about his involvement in the matter.

According to a release from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Bhupdeo entered the North American country as a visitor, with authorisation to remain until July 2016.

In the meantime, however, an arrest warrant was issued on January 7, 2016, in the East Demerara Magisterial District for Bhupdeo for violating Criminal Law (PRO) Act, Ch10:01, Section 53 of the Criminal Code of Guyana (murder).

Local authorities, after finding out the man had fled the country, approached their US counter-

parts for help in arresting the suspect and as such, the US Department of State revoked Bhupdeo’s visa in February 2016.

The man then failed to depart the United States in July 2016 as required.

In September of that year, the HSI office in Bogota, Colombia, notified the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in New York that Bhupdeo might be residing in the New York City metropolitan area, and was being sought in Guyana for murder pursuant to an Interpol Red Notice.

The man was subsequently arrested on October 5, 2016 in Woodhaven, New York, and placed on remov-

Murdered: Deokumar Basdeo

al proceedings. On July 26, 2017, an immigration Judge ordered that Bhupdeo be removed by an immigra-

tion Judge, but appealed that decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).

However, his appeal was dismissed on February 1, 2018, paving the way for Bhupdeo’s deportation to Guyana.

Basdeo, a 22-year-old father of one of Sawah Village, Cane Grove, succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was severely beaten and robbed on 2016 New Year’s Day. It was reported that the now dead man attended a traditional event called “Greasy Pole” in the village and subsequently had few drinks at one of the shops.

While at the shop, he reportedly got into an argument with a group of men who had travelled into the village to witness the activities. After sometime, the argument ceased and Basdeo left the drinking spot.

After he left the shop, the same group of men followed him in their motor car and in the vicinity of “Jango House”, he was pulled into the vehicle where he was severely beaten and relieved of his personal items.

After the men were done, they dumped him out of the moving vehicle. He was subsequently found in an unconscious state and rushed to seek medical attention.

Developing a new green strategy

Jagdeo says Govt on uncertain path towards creating sound policy

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uyana is far from producing cheap, clean energy and developing a sound green strategy that will foster economic growth and development while ensuring that the country’s natural assets continue to provide the resources and environmental services on which the well-being of Guyanese rest.

This was the firm view expressed by Opposition Leader and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Bharrat Jagdeo at a press conference held at his Church Street, Georgetown office on Thursday. Jagdeo claimed that Government has lost their way in creating a sound green strategy.

He described the direction in which the Government has taken as one that is meander and does not have any clear objective and guidance.

Rather, the Administration is being blown into directions that are unnecessary, which he believes will not yield any good result for the country.

The PPP General Secretary did not fail to mention the opportunity the current Government lost out on in going forward with the Amaila Falls Hydroelectricity Project which started under the PPP and would have assisted in a large way to produce clean and cheap energy to a large section of Guyana.

“The Amaila Falls, they’ve gone quiet on that so hydro power is dead under this Government…

Cheap energy, it seems will be out of the window so people’s electricity bills will keep mounting or not be reduced and the business community will not have

the required boost through a cheaper energy.”

Meanwhile, commenting on recent reports that Government is now seeking assistance from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to provide solar panels to the hinterland region, Jagdeo said he does not support such a move as the Government seems uncertain or ignorant to several issues.

According to the former Guyanese Head of State, the former PPP Government had left US$180 million through the Norwegian arrangement for this same project. He said US$17 million of that money was set aside as part of a project this year to do hinterland telecommunications.

“That has not moved and we need to go and ask GGGI to tell us how to do this? We don’t need to do that or to ask them to help secure financing for these projects when we have money that the PPP left to the GRIF (Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund) that we haven’t even implemented as yet to many of these projects,” he said during the press conference lamenting that Government has indeed lost their way.

Jagdeo said he has learnt that Government plans to also approach GGGI to look at a project for utility scale solar and to look at solar panels in the hinterland and to secure climate financing.

“This shows how our Government has lost its way in relation to the climate change and the green sector. I was the President of the first assembly of the Global Green Growth Institute and I was part of the think tank before that… I know the purpose

of the establishment of this organisation and to ask it to help you…”

Again, Jagdeo reminded that 6000 plus solar panels were bought for various hinterland communities, which the current Government kept it in Georgetown. He also recalled that the PPP had initiated another project for 100 villages within the hinterland which would have made them beneficiaries of commercial scale solar panels. “We have prepared the villages already; we had gone out to procure the panels. Up to now that has not been implemented,” Jagdeo lamented.

According to Jagdeo, at every available opportunity, President David Granger talks up his Government’s intention to develop huge wind farms, solar farms and hydropower plants; however, he hardly ventured into pointedly speaking about how he intends to attain those targets.

Previously, the President had also pronounced that the Norway Funds will now be utilised for more strategic projects such as reforestation in mined-out areas, generation of energy apart from hydropower, coastal zone management and tackling the impacts of El Niño.

But in light of certain actions taken by the current Administration, the former President believes that their promises are merely rhetoric for support of a green economy.

Jagdeo has received many accolades and sat in high positions on various climate change related organisations. He is recognised as a global leader on climate change and climate finance.

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friDAY, march 9, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

14 news

friDAY, march 9, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Molested teacher fearful Social Protection Ministry donates as rapist roams freely relief items to fire victims

By Bhisham Mohamed

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teacher who was sexually molested some six years ago after her house was broken into on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) is fearful that she might be targeted as the perpetrator roams the streets freely.

The woman who spoke to Guyana Times with fear in her voice explained that on July 5, 2012, the perpetrator, Godwin Hubbard, broke into her home, physically assaulted her and raped her before escaping.

The suspect, she noted, had carried out the attack on several other women who were either single or living alone. While the other victims did not want the matter to be made public, the violated teacher made a report to the Guyana Police Force and the suspect was subsequently arrested and charged for break and enter and robbery, rape and assault.

In September 2013, he was convicted on the break and enter charge and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

However, the teacher alleged that after spending several months in prison, the perpetrator’s sister who was a

Prosecutor at the Providence Magistrate’s Court at the time of his incarceration, along with her fiancé, the then Director of Prison, Welton Trotz managed to get him released on probation.

She related that after the incident, she left the Essequibo Coast and now residents in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), but only recently learnt that the suspect has been enquiring about her whereabouts.

During the telephone interview, the fearful woman noted that she was constantly verbally abused by the suspect’s family, hence her reason for leaving her home.

In fact, she noted that on Wednesday, she received a telephone call from the court in Essequibo summoning her to appear at court next Wednesday as the rape case is expected to recommence.

In fear, she stated that the case was called several times, but on every occasion, the suspect was seen chatting with the jurors and as such, the case had to be rescheduled.

Upon receiving the call on Wednesday, she indicated to the orderly that she now resides in Region Three and it would

be unfair if she travels to the Essequibo Coast and the case is called off once again.

As such, she intends to make her appearance and request the case to be transferred to Region Three since she understands that the suspect now resides in that region as well.

Meanwhile, Guyana Times was told that one of the rapist’s victims passed away sometime back but there are eight other women who are fearful that if they come forward, they will be terrorised by his relatives.

The victim recalled that back in 2012-2013 while attending court, she was ridiculed by the man’s family, most of them now serving members of the Guyana Police Force.

The woman noted that as the Force talked about stamping out corruption, she believes that the perpetrator’s sister who now holds a high post in the Force will do everything in her power to make sure her brother is acquitted of the heinous crime; one that she will have to live with for the rest of her life.

As such, she called on the relevant authorities to look into the matter so that justice could be served.

Social Protection Minister Amna Ally and Constituency Representative Linda Gomes-Haley (centre) surrounded by the persons rendered homeless after the fire

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he Social Protection Ministry has opted to play its part in assisting citizens who were recently displaced by a raging fire in Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

Noting that the onus is upon the Government to assist victims when these types of tragedies occur, Social Protection Minister Amna Ally made the generous donation to the affected persons on Thursday at her Lamaha Street office. Amongst the items given were beds, stoves, household essentials, food vouchers and cash. The persons were also given clothing items at a separate location on Wednesday.

“I know that many individuals are helping but from a Government point of view, we have offered the help that we have given to the people this morning,” the Minister stated.

When asked about the budget for the exercise, the Minister noted “It’s a very costly exer-

cise, but as a Government, we are caring and we believe that we must fall in these sorts of activities.”

Many of the affected persons were visibly elated to have received some assistance. Clive Brown told Guyana Times that, “I think it’s a good thing, they assist us well with what they give. It’s good, it better than nothing.”

Another victim, Marlon Thaman, also sought to express his gratitude for the items, saying “Whatever little I thankful for it, by the grace of God, cause me ain’t got nothing.” The emotional man shared what he plans on doing with the items he received, “At least this here could do something, fence back me yard or buy lil thing to put in my shop.”

Angela Demonik pleaded with the general public for assistance in any way possible. The mother of three whose home was gutted by the fire,

lost everything. “I need help with rebuilding my home, I don’t have money. I don’t know if anybody can assist us, it’s me and my three children. We don’t have anywhere to sleep, we’re stopping here and there,” the distraught woman pleaded.

The woman noted that what was most important was getting her children to school, which the Guyana School of Etiquette assisted with by donating school supplies and providing temporary shelter on Thursday.

The fire was said to have begun around 03:00h on Wednesday morning in Oswald Layne’s 185 Pike Street apartment. Reports are Layne woke up just after 03:00h to use the washroom and noticed his apartment engulfed in smoke.

Neighhbours and residents began calling the fire service shortly after, but reported that the initial calls were answered rudely. After the arrival of the fire tenders, the Fire Service took a while to source water to extinguish the blaze, which raged on for two hours, finally being put out around 05:00h. The houses that once occupied 185–191 Pike Street have all been destroyed or severely damaged in some way, leaving 30 persons without a roof over their heads. A number of non-governmental organisations have also stepped in to assist the displaced persons by providing essential items such as food or clothing.

School of the Nations students visit Canada to learn about robotics

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he School of Nations has purchased more than US$1200 worth of equipment with the aim of developing a robotics club.

Prior to this initiative, a number of students from the institution travelled to Canada last February to participate in a Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) course at the London

International Academy (LIA).

At this event, the Nations team took part in the LIA’s First Robotic Competition (FRC) team’s robot, where a robot similar to a forklift was constructed. The students gained firsthand knowledge about ideas and skills that are needed in the robotics world.

They also experienced situations that may arise when con-

structing robots while being taught to think outside of the box.

At the end of the programme, the students were presented with certificates and a three-dimensional (3D) printer. The institution is now hoping that they can successfully establish a functional robotics team after this experience.

15 Diamond Secondary dethroned news

friDAY, march 9, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

…as Region 4 STEAM fair concludes

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he Diamond Secondary School was kicked out of the top spot after the hosting of this years’ instalment of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) competition. The biennial competition which garnered participation from over 50 schools within Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), saw the presentation of over 100 projects on Monday, March 5 and Tuesday, March 6.

Diamond Secondary School, the 2016 winner, entered the competition with eagerness and confidence, registering 11 projects. However, this was not enough to take home the 2018 crown. Annandale Primary reigned supreme by gaining the top spot, leaving Diamond to second place. Despite never having competed before, Lancaster Secondary was the underdog in the competition, gaining

the third spot. One of their teachers shared that the students were on the verge of dropping out of the competition, owing to the fact that they never competed for in such a competition before.

Coordinator of the event, Loren Park, noted that this year’s competition was very intense; admitting without hesitation that the committee encountered some glitches resulting in the delay of the results, but nevertheless they managed to pull through.

“The truth is that there were some glitches... however, I am very happy that we have the correct results so there is not going to be any concerns being expressed.

I would like to express to all the schools, teachers, parents and most importantly students my sincere apologies because as the Coordinator of this event I am responsible,” he said.

Park disclosed that he has

already begun to ‘post-mortem’ this year’s competition with the view of implementing some changes for future competitions. He noted that these changes would clearup other challenges, as well as pave the way for faster results. “We need to have a much smoother executed science fair in relation to the dissemination of the results and we had some challenges owing to several factors.

However, I am giving assurance that for the next fair it would be more streamlined and smoother as the appropriate systems would be implemented,” he promised.

On the other hand, Chief Judge of the competition, Gerald Jewram, in his evaluation of the STEAM fair noted that although there were a number of excellent projects presented, there were some faults. He expressed hope that students, teachers and Ministry officials can work together to

36 graduate from CDC aviation emergency training course

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These females were all smiles as they received their certificates on International Women’s Day

he response to aviation disasters was given a boost as 36 persons successfully completed a management course in Emergency Operations at the Eugene F Correia International Airport at Ogle, East Coast Demerara. The course was facilitated by the Civil Defence Commission’s (CDC) Preparedness and Response Manager, Major Sean Welcome, and it saw representatives from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, the CDC and staff at the airport at Ogle.

The participants were issued certificates after completing the three-day course.

A ceremony which was held at the Caribbean Aviation

Maintenance Services (CAMS) Hangar saw 12 female participants receiving certificates. Along with their male counterparts, they were trained in airport rescue, fire-fighting and security response to a simulated aircraft accident.

Ogle Airport’s Operations Manager, Phillip Lynch, recalled the inadequacies that were unearthed during the February 2017 simulation exercise which propelled the facility to embark on more training for staff and stakeholders.

“We recognised from reading the critiques from that exercise that we were sorely lacking in EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) manage-

ment. The EOC was managed by totally untrained officers so we decided to do something about that,” Lynch explained referencing the training course.

GCAA Air Navigation Services Inspector Adrian Bassier highlighted the importance of safety, noting that refresher training courses help to achieve these measures: “I believe the course was both relevant and timely and it would not just benefit the participants but the wider aviation community,” he said.

The airport which is said to be the busiest in the Caribbean, conducts fullscale safety operation exercise every two years.

Young mother charged for trafficking

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e o r g e t o w n Magistrate Leron Daly on Thursday placed 21-year-old Kimberly Jupiter on $100,000 bail when she appeared in her court to answer a trafficking-in-person charge.

It has been alleged that on March 7, 2018 at Independence Boulevard, La Penitence, Jupiter had in her possession 236 grams of cannabis for the purpose of

trafficking.

Police Prosecutor Richard Harris told the court the marijuana was found in a room the defendant occupied with several other persons, but Jupiter admitted to the Police that the cannabis belonged to her boyfriend, who was not at the said house at the time.

Defence Attorney George Thomas, who represented Jupiter, told the magistrate

that his client has no previous or pending matters before the court, and is mother of a six-month-old baby.

Thomas asked that bail be granted in a small sum.

There was no information provided in relation to the person whom Jupiter described as her “boyfriend”.

Bail was granted, and the matter was adjourned to April 4.

Students of the Diamond Secondary School showcasing their prizes

correct those faults. He also commended the students on the vast amount of knowledge they possessed on their respective subject areas.

“We the judges found that several of the students fully understood their projects and did a remarkable job in explaining it, thus we are of the view that it’s the right direction to go for several of the schools,” Jewram said.

Jewram stressed that the challenges that rose out of the competition need to be readily addressed before they can erode the integrity of the competition. “I can tell you that there were greater points of commendations than the faults. However, let us not fool ourselves that

if these issues are not properly addressed in a timely manner, it can affect greatly the impressive track record built thus far,” he noted.

In the winner’s circle for the Nursery category were Hand-en-Veldt Nursery, Helena Nursery and Annandale North Nursery school.

For the Primary category; Annandale Primary, La Bonne Intention Primary, Cane Grove Primary and Clonbrook Primary were amongst the winners.

Expectantly Diamond Secondary copped a number of prizes in the Secondary category. They were accompanied by Lancaster Secondary, Hope Secondary

and Beterverwagting Secondary.

The judges indicated that after summing up the various sections and categories, Annandale Primary with their Mathematics project was adjudged as the overall winner. Coordinator Park disclosed that the presentation to the top three schools will be made at a specially arranged presentation ceremony slated for next week.

He thanked several donors and sponsors, declaring that had it not been for the generous efforts of several corporate individuals and companies, the success of the STEAM far would not have been possible.

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friDAY, march 9, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

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he search in on for the new Miss Guyana World (MWG) and as such, Majesty International, the franchise holder for the Miss World Guyana pageant will be holding its annual casting call to allow young women ages the ages of 17 to 25 to vie for the prestigious title.

Open auditions will be held on March 17 at Alex Foster Hall, Rose Hall, Berbice from 13:00h; March 18 at Watooka House, Linden from 11:00h; and March 24 at Gravity Lounge in Georgetown, from 13:00h.

Free photo sessions and training tips on the competition will be provided.

Eligible participants unable to attend the open auditions can visit the official website at missworldguyana.gy or the franchise Facebook page: Miss World Guyana Org and register online before March 28.

The Miss World Guyana competition consists of multiple categories such as Beauty with a

Purpose, Sports and Fitness, Talent, Multimedia and Top Model all while displaying style and grace.

It is designed to promote young women with diverse talents and abilities while developing their self-esteem, public speaking, interactive skills and personal attributes that will assist them throughout their lives.

Additionally, the competition fosters strong values, community involvement and promotes successfully oriented women. The organisation believes that by supporting role models of today, it will strengthen their collective tomorrows.

In an effort to ensure that Guyana is represented by the very best candidate, MWG seeks to increase its pool of applicants by making few major changes that will make participation more accessible to potential candidates both in and out of Guyana.

The reigning Queen is Vena Mookram.

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ll roads will lead to Buxton, on the East Coast of Demerara this weekend for what is anticipated to be the wash-down of Mash 2018. As usual, on the Saturday evening before the biggest Mash tramp on the East Coast, revellers and partyholics will get all dirty with the J’Ouvert party at the Buxton Community Centre Ground.

The event is promoted by DJ Father Moey and the Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Regional Democratic Council.

On Saturday evening, there will be enough water, paint and powder to ensure all have a grand time. Performing at the J’Ouvert will be Barbadian Lil Rick, Guyanese Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo and Super Ray-One Man Band.

In addition, there will be four popular sound systems to make sure there is never a dull moment. Advance tickets to the event cost $1500 but more will be charged

at the gate. The excitement continues on Sunday with the Mash tramp which will see over 15 bands participating.

The tramp starts at Melanie Damishana and will travel along the East Coast Highway and end at the Buxton Community Centre Ground for the Mash wash-down.

Performing live at event is Samantha Grand who is expected to settle things with Super Ray and Stichie. In addition, Michelle “Big Red” King and the Mighty Rebel will be adding some vibez to the eventing.

Tickets for the J’Overt party are available at the Buxton Gas Station; Ingrid’s Bar, Plaisance; Loisanne’s Plus Boutique, Wellington and North Road, Georgetown; or the Vendor’s Mall and Big Pig Barber Shop.

Sound, stage and lighting will be provided by Crown Vibes.

he 9th edition of the Lake Mainstay Car and Bike Show is billed for March 31 at the resort and for those who have seen the previous years, the 2018 edition is expected to be epic. The event has drawn lots of support over the years, thus making it a signature event on the calendar of activities for Lake Mainstay Resort.

This year, the car and bike competition will be conducted in several categories including Overall, Extreme, Audio Internal, Audio External and Artwork. Cars, bikes and SUV vehicles will be competing for best sounds – both external and internal; loudest sounds; best artwork, among other categories.

The registration fee for each category will be $4000 and the forms can be uplifted at Lake Mainstay Resort Offices, Georgetown and Essequibo; Gutty’s Variety Stall, Charity, Essequibo Coast; G&P Jaigobin & Sons

Supermarket, Henrietta, Essequibo Coast; Cellular Plus Store, Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast; Anil Cellphone Store, Anna Regina Market, Essequibo Coast; Derick Photocopy Shop, Anna Regina Post Office, Essequibo Coast and Universal Pharmacy, Suddie, Essequibo Coast.

The deadline for registration is March 28. The registration forms can be sent to Mainstay Whyaka Village, Essequibo Coast or via email info@lakemainstayonline.com or reservations@lakemainstayonline.com Over $1 million in cash prizes will be up for grabs as well as trophies. However, after the presentation of trophies and prizes, the party will begin with Pream’s Mega Sounds.

Admission to the event cost $1000 for adults and $500 for children. The competition gets underway at 18:00h but gates will be opened at 16:00h.

guyanatimesgy.com

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friDAY, march 9, 2018

he Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts (SNFCA) in collaboration with the Women’s Association for Sustainable Development (WASD) will be hosting its third annual ‘Women in Business Expo’ on March 10 and 11, 2018 at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown.

The Expo will showcase Women Across Borders, who are amazing women are from various backgrounds, ethnicities, nationalities and careers but have a common fibre which is love for people.

These women have expressed how their passion in fulfilling purpose in their respec-

tive lives. They are on a mission to contribute significantly to humanity. The inspiring journeys of 15 phenomenal women from across borders will also be showcased.

International Women’s Day was observed worldwide on March 8, 2017. Now, more than ever, there’s a strong call to action to press

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reative Titans is incredibly excited to have entered into a worldwide marketing and branding deal with multi-talented rapper/singer/songwriter, Rémar.

Rémar is on track to take the music industry by storm.

“I am thrilled Rémar chose Creative Titans to market his current and future catalog. He is a unique talent embodying the voice of his generation, both musically and lyrically. He is truly gifted and commands impressive musicianship skills.

Jonathan Beepat of Wildfire Entertainment brought him to my attention during a visit to Georgetown, Guyana,” Ron A E Telford, Chief Marketing Officer of the record label related.

In addition, he noted that Rémar is a star and his following increases with every show and as such, the entire team is looking forward to a fruitful relationship with him and his management.

“Together we will take his career to new heights. He is the real deal,” Telford noted.

On the other hand, the Guyanese artiste, Remar stated that Creative Titans’ business

sense, passion and enthusiasm for music sets them apart and he looks forward to the journey ahead.

Rémar’s debut single “Baddie” was released in August 2017. It has now been repackaged and rereleased on February 27, 2018.

Bristol Funk says it is “One to watch for sure and liked the song elements here. Great song!” The track was recently featured in BroadTube Music playlist on Spotify and is quietly surpassing streaming expectations.

Rémar’s music career has been on an incredible trajectory.

Currently, he is working on his second single, debut EP and writing for several artists; including Popeye Caution and Pleasure P. Rémar, whose real name is Dominic Weekes, was born in Guyana. Rémar has been on the scene for a few years with his witty hip hop bars and smooth R&B melodies.

He gradually gained recognition as a premier artiste in South America. He gave opening act support for Rick Ross, Walshy Fire as well as Dancehall superstars Konshens and Popcaan.

n the heels of a successful last show “Chutney Soca Kingdom”, Team MMR is doing it again this evening with “Old Versus New”. The venue is the usual Ultra District Lounge, Giftland Mall, Patterson, Greater Georgetown. It is a party that will take you down memory lane into present time.

Patrons can expect the best music in all genres being pumped through the speakers.

To make sure patrons have the time of their lives, selector Andy and Deejay Golden Chyld will be in the house.

Also, the man himself, Party Boss WR Reaz will be shelling

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ssequibians are in for a treat this Saturday as Queenstown Village, in collaboration with their Neighbourhood Democratic Council and “Chine Assassin” presents its 2nd annual Mash celebration.

It will be an event of fun and excitement to the max and for sure, there will be paint, water and powder to ensure patrons get a taste of the

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forward and progress gender parity.

This year’s event will again feature motivational speakers, workshops, exhibitions and networking opportunities vital for the development of women in business and on a personal level; benefiting their homes and communities in which they operate.

things down.

As usual, Team MMR always brings the house down with the best parties in town.

The previous parties have been off the hook and this evening will be no different. Patrons are encouraged to dress to impress.

Nevertheless, those coming from work are also encouraged to come out and have a light evening with some fun and excitement.

Tickets for the event cost $2000 but ladies will be admitted free before 21:00h. Be sure not to miss “Old versus New” this evening at the Ultra District Lounge.

J’Ouvert experience.

It will also be a night of strictly soca music to get patrons in the right party mood. Once in the venue, partyholics and soca junkies are bound to have a great night.

ANSA McAL will be in the house and will be offering 4 Stag Beer for $1000.

Apart from the Chine Assassin Squad, there will be the Fyah Fellingz and Sub

Sonic Sound Systems in the house.

Essequibians are urged to come out in their ripped up jeans and T-shirts since it will be a “dutty” affair. Everyone will be admitted free before 19:00h after which a fee will be charged at the gate.

Queenstown Mash is powered by Stag, Kwang Yun Restaurant, Jaigobin Hotel and Biway Music Master.

18 News

friDAY, march 9, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Rice production could be low, as strange pests attack Corentyne farms

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ice farmers on the Corentyne are noticing strange growth patterns and pests in their rice fields, with some rice plants being attacked by worms and flies.

Some farmers are consequently calling for urgent intervention of personnel from the Ministry of Agriculture, as the dual-attack will have adverse impacts on the yield, which could be reduced by five to ten bags of paddy per acre of

rice cultivated.

Farmers report that the tips of the leaves of paddy plants are becoming brightly reddish in colour, and worms have been attacking the roots of paddy plants.

This ‘red leaf’ phenomenon was observed on the leaves of some of the paddy plants last week.

Some farmers have also reported experiencing stunted paddy growth over the past month. One of the affected farmers is former

One of the worms found on the roots of the paddy plants

Domestic violence up by 14.2%

– over 80% are women victims – First Lady admits

Public Telecommunication Minister Cathy Hughes, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, First Lady Sandra Granger and UN Country Coordinator Mikko Tanaka were given copies of the UK Action plan

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s the global women empowerment movement continues to gain weight, local efforts in this regard continue to be marred by the high prevalence of gender-based violence in Guyana, which has risen 14.2 per cent over the past six years.

This societal scourge, according to First Lady Sandra Granger, has become banal in Guyana.

“It seems to be not a single day passes without there being a report of someone being raped, brutalised or murdered; usually by an intimate or previous intimate partner,” she stated.

According to the First Lady, reported incidents of domestic violence by an intimate or previous intimate partner rose from 74.8 per cent in 2011 to 89 per cent in 2017, with females accounting for an upward 80 per cent of the victims. It was noted that three quarter of these gender-based violence cases stem mostly from Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

“This leads me to believe that many of our sisters are living in a conflict situation, having access to neither peace nor security, much less stability,” she stated.

First Lady Granger went on to lament on the high rate of domestic violence in Guyana, calling for detailed research to be done to determine the root cause of this societal scourge so that it can be adequately ad-

dressed.

The First Lady made this call on Wednesday evening while addressing the gathering at the local launch of the United Kingdom’s (UK) 4th National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, which outlines that country’s commitment to ensuring that its foreign policy consciously and consistently delivers for women and girls.

Reflecting on this year’s International Women’s Day theme “Press for Progress,” First Lady Granger highlighted the integral role of women in the stabilisation of society. To this end, she posited that gender imparity will remain out of reach unless widespread collaborative efforts are undertaken to educate and empower women and girls.

“Our women and girls do not need hand outs, they need a hand up. This, thankfully, has been accepted and is the basis upon which the UK National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2018-2022 has been developed,” she noted.

The National Action Plan is the UK Government’s five-year strategy, outlining how it will work to empower women and girls, which will in turn improve peace and stability, foster economic growth and reduce poverty.

Unapologetically reinforcing his support for gender equality, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, pointed out that women empowerment is not only the right thing but the smart thing to do.

“No country can truly flourish if half its population is left behind. At current rates it will take 118 years to close the gender pay gap.

Globally, one in three women (that’s some 818 million women) is beaten or sexually abused in her lifetime.

Beating your wife or girlfriend does not make you a man. It makes you a coward, I dare anymore to tell me any abuse is acceptable,” the British diplomat asserted.

Quinn further noted that while the UK has made headway in improving the lives of women and girls, there is much more to be done particularly on a global scale.

“Each and every one of us here has a role to play in addressing and preventing violence against women, in girls and in perpetuating gender inequality. If you see violence report it, support the victim, see what you can do to help. We can all be advocates for change. It is in our power to do so. Only by standing up to violence, standing up to inequality can we stop it. And to be brutally honest, it is bloody time to stop it,” the British diplomat stated.

The UK Action Plan, which was launched in the UK last month, details how the country will meet its Women, Peace and Security commitment under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 to reduce the impact of conflict on women and girls and to promote their inclusion in conflict resolution.

On this note, UN Resident Coordinator in Guyana, Mikko Tanaka, opined that the document is an important one for the empowerment and protection of women and girls – something which she noted needs the support of everyone.

“Let us be clear that this is not a favour to anyone, gender equality is a human rights issue but it is also in all our interests – men and boys, women and girls.

Gender inequality and discrimination against women harms us all, we need both men and women to stand up for gender equality,” the UN representative stated, while commending High Commissioner Quinn for leading the charge in this regard.

Rice Producers Association (RPA) Extension Officer Ramlakhan Singh, whose cultivation is at Number 56 Village.

He explained that the labourers have made the startling discovery, and the RPA, investigating, discovered strange worms at the roots of the plants.

Agronomist Brajay Singh has been contacted to battle this phenomenon. He has visited fields at Numbers 63 and 68 villages where there has been a heavy infestation of the flies.

Samples taken to the University of Guyana lab have detected the flies to be Planthoppers. The name Planthopper comes from their remarkable resemblance to the leaves and plants of their environment,

and from the fact that they transport themselves by “hopping” in a way similar to grasshoppers. However, planthoppers generally walk very slowly to avoid being detected.

The discovery has also been reported to the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).

The former RPA Extension Officer, who has been planting rice for over 50 years, explained that a similar attack had been experienced two crops ago at Numbers 41 and 43 villages and at Maida, where losses were heavy.

Guyana mourns passing of Sir Theodore Wilson Harris Guyana’s Head of State David Granger has expressed condolences to the friends and family of Sir Theodore Wilson Harris, an eminent Guyanese writer who passed away on Wednesday.

Wilson Harris was an author, poet and essayist who died at the age of 97 in Chelmsford, England.

Wilson Harris was born in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). He attended Queen’s College from 19321937. From 1945 to 1959, he worked as a government surveyor, before taking up a career as lecturer and writer. The knowledge of the savannahs and rainforests he gained during his time as a surveyor formed the setting for many of his books, with the Guyanese landscape dominating his fiction.

Wilson Harris travelled to England in 1959 and published his first novel Palace of the Peacock in 1960. This became the first of a quartet of novels, The Guyana Quartet, which includes The Far Journey of Oudin

The late Sir Theodore Wilson Harris

(1961), The Whole Armour (1962), and The Secret Ladder (1963). He subsequently wrote the Carnival trilogy: Carnival (1985), The Infinite Rehearsal (1987) and The Four Banks of the River of Space (1990).

Wilson Harris’s most recent novels included Jonestown (1996), which tells of the mass-suicide of followers of cult leader Jim Jones, The Dark Jester (2001), his latest semi-autobiographical novel, The Mask of the Beggar (2003), and The Ghost of Memory (2006).

Wilson Harris also

wrote non-fiction and critical essays and was awarded honorary doctorates by several universities, including the University of the West Indies in 1984 and the University of Liège in 2001. He was the winner of the Guyana Prize for Literature on two occasions (1987 and 2002).

For his services to literature, Wilson Harris was knighted By Queen Elizabeth II in June 2010. In 2014, Sir Wilson Harris won a Lifetime Achievement Prize from the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards.

Over the period of 50 years, the celebrated author has written 26 novels, numerous works of essays, poetry and speeches. His writing is sometimes described as complex.

Sir Wilson was predeceased in 2010 by his wife of 50 years, Margaret Harris.

He is survived by four children, six grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Wilson Harris was the father of University of Guyana Chancellor, Professor E Nigel Harris.

Canje River shooting

Third suspect remanded

Accused: Rondell Crawford

A

third suspect in the Potoko Creek robbery has been remanded on Thursday, bringing to five the number of alleged robbers accounted for of the six men who allegedly robber a labourer in the Canje River.

Two were shot dead by Police at the scene of the robbery; two were remanded on Tuesday; and Rondell Crawford was on Thursday remanded by Senior New Amsterdam Magistrate Alex Moore.

The 21-year-old Crawford, of Betsy Ground in East Canje, was not required to plead to an

indictable charge detailing that he and others, on Friday March 2, 2018, at Potoko Creek Canje River, robbed Bharrat Mahadeo of 24 sheep valued at $1.2 million; four lengths of rope valued at $24,000; one solar panel worth $75,000; 15 ducks valued at $30,000; one Nokia cellular phone worth $5000; horse bit valued at $10,000; two torchlights valued at $4,000; cutlass worth $2000, and radio worth $2500, property of Krishna Persaud.

Police Prosecutor Inspector Bernard Brown, in objecting to Crawford being placed on bail, stated that more charges are likely to be filed against the accused. Brown told the court that based on the nature of the crime and its attendant facts, the defendants should not be given pre-trial liberty. He said the men have a criminal past.

The Magistrate granted the Prosecution’s plea and ordered that the defendants return to court on March 26 for a police progress report.

The police contend that on the day in question, six men -- two of whom were armed with guns -- went to a ranch house at Potoko Creek, Canje River and, held three male labourers at gunpoint before stealing the items.

friDAY, march 9, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

19

News

Police hunting gunmen Pegasus Hotel to undergo US$100M expansion who robbed, terrorise T ExxonMobil Director ‘A ’ Division Commander Leslie James says that the police are following all leads as it continues to probe the robbery which occurred on Wednesday evening that saw the Financial Director of Shore Base (ExxonMobil) Robert Albiez, 43-year-old, along with his family being beaten and robbed at their Lot 375 Republic Park, East Bank Demerara Home.

When the Guyana Times contacted the Commander on Thursday, he said that the police were still investigating the matter as he ex-

plained that there has been no major update following the incident on Wednesday.

He assured that all steps would be taken to achieve some breakthrough on the matter.

This newspaper understands that the family was still traumatized following the incident which resulted in the gunmen escaping with US$200, a diamond and gold wedding band.

The men also robbed the family of nine gold rings, a silver wrist watch worth some US$200 and a pair of diamond and gold earrings

valued US$2000.

A silver bracelet valued US$1000, a Russian Passport and a laptop were taken by the gunmen who were threatening to kill the Director’s daughter and wide during the ordeal.

The bandits, according to reports, gained entry to the two-storey property by prising open an eastern door and cutting off the padlock after which a scuffled ensued.

Police arrived at the scene some ten minutes later on Wednesday.

Investigations are continuing.

President Granger off to Solar Summit in India

Vice President Carl Greenidge took the oath of office to perform the duties of President on Thursdaay

P

resident David Granger departed Guyana on Thursday morning for New Delhi India to attend the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Founding Conference and Solar Summit, which is scheduled for Sunday, March 11, 2018. He is accompanied by Political Assistant, Mr. William Cox and his Aide-de-Camp, Colonel Paul Arthur. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge has been swornin to perform the functions of President until the Head of State returns on March 13.

Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan is performing the duties of Prime Minister.

The Summit is being hosted jointly by the Governments of India and France. President Granger will be delivering a presentation on solar energy.

He will be meeting with Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi and President of France, Mr.

Emmanuel Macron and is also expected to engage in bilateral meetings on the side-lines with selected

to the summit from Indian High Commissioner, Mr. Venkatachalam Mahalingam and Ambassador of the French Republic to Guyana, Mr. Antoine Joly.

Guyana ratified the ISA Framework Agreement and is a founding member of the ISA, which was launched on November 30, 2015. It is an action-oriented international and inter-governmental organisation that aims to maximise the harnessing of solar-energy potential, modernise energy systems, universalise access to energy, accelerate economic development and alleviate poverty.

Two new programmes —

Second Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan was sworn in to perform the duties of Prime Minister on Thursday

Heads of State, who are attending the summit.

Last Tuesday, the President commended France and India for collaborating on an initiative, which aims to transform rural societies, when he received a formal invitation

on scaling solar E-mobility and storage, and on rooftop solar — are expected to be unveiled at the summit, which will see a presence of delegations of over 50 member countries, including the two host States.

he Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown has unveiled plans to build, as part of a US$100 million expansion project, two highrise structures: one a corporate office, and the other for residential accommodation.

A sod-turning ceremony to commence the project was conducted on Thursday morning, during which the hotel’s owner, Robert Badal, disclosed that the expansion signifies confidence in the Guyana economy.

He said the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has been contracted to complete the construction works, which would begin immediately.

Badal was clear that the expansion is not to compete with any other hotel.

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin commended the hotel on its expansion plans, and used the opportunity to reiterate Government’s commitment to the private sector development.

In 2009, a consortium of overseas and local investors led by Badal bought the Pegasus Hotel for an undisclosed sum of money. In 2010, Badal disclosed that he had borrowed US$8 million to purchase the 130-room hotel and do rehabilitative works on its structure. However,

Pegasus Hotel

under his ownership and management, the hotel has faced much criticism. The Pegasus Hotel website details that it was first owned

by British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), and opened its doors for business on 1st November, 1969 after construction was completed by renowned British construction firm Taylor Woodrow.

The website details that the Pegasus…changed owners several times before being purchased by Badal.

“From its initial owner, British Overseas Airways Corporation, to Trust House Forte Group of Hotels, to the French Group Le Meridién managed by Starwood

Hotels.

After 40 years, Pegasus Hotel Guyana is now owned by Guyanese Entrepreneur Robert Badal, who has pledged to continue its tradition as the country’s foremost hospitality house,” the website states.

Boasting of having served guests from all walks of life, including the very rich and famous, the Pegasus names Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; former President of the United States of America, Jimmy Carter; Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, and pop star Mick Jagger as just some of those who have enjoyed its comfort.

Caribbean Export launches programme to support regional businesswomen

C

aribbean Export has launched a programme aimed at supporting Caribbean women in business by helping them to either start exporting or to increase their exports.

According to Caribbean Export, applications are now being accepted for the progamme – Women Empowered through Export or WE-Xport.

On Wednesday, Caribbean Export, in cooperation with the European Union announced the commencement of the programme that will assist in exports to the European Union and utilising the benefits of the CARIFORUM-EU economic partnership agreement.

Executive Director at Caribbean Export, Pamela Coke-Hamilton, encouraged

the regions female entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the WE-Xport programme and the opportunity to grow their businesses, connect with others and make their mark in our region, “we know you have the potential to do great things with your companies and with the right mix of support we aim to provide”. (Excerpt

from Jamaica Observer)

20

friDAY, march 9, 2018

Bates condemns Windies Women to 2nd loss

A

blistering ton from New Zealand opener Suzie Bates condemned the Windies Women to a crushing eight-wicket defeat in the second ICC Women's Championship ODI at Taunton on Thursday.

Sent in to bat the Windies captain Stefanie Taylor put together a solid 84 from 112 balls, but she was the only one to enjoy much success at the crease as the team posted 194 all out. The target was comfortably run down by the Bates-led Kiwis who lost just two wickets in the process.

The regional team found momentum tough to come by early on after losing both openers Hayley Matthews (18) and Kycia Knight (17) in short order. Next, at the crease, Taylor looked to hold the team’s innings together and was briefly joined by Chedean Nation, 35 from 58, as the duo put together a third-wicket partnership worth 61 runs.

Nation was, howev-

SCOREBOARD

Suzie Bates scored an unbeaten 101 to help New Zealand cruise to victory over the Windies Women

er, caught by Bates off the bowling of Lea Tahuhu, who claimed 3 for 42 to leave the Windies at 96 for 3.

Leigh Kasperek then ripped through the rest of the batting order to ensure there were no more partnerships for Taylor who became one of

Tahuhu’s victims when she was caught by Katey Martin in the 49th over. In reply, the hosts eased to their target of 195 with 19.2 overs to spare, with Bates unbeaten on 101 Bates shared an opening partnership of 175 runs with Sophie Devine.

With the victory, New Zealand have taken a 2-0 win in the three-match ODI series. While Windies have lost the series, they still have two vital ICC Women’s Championship points to fight for in the final game on Sunday. (Sportsmax)

Windies Women innings (50 overs maximum) H Matthews c Devine b Tahuhu 18 Kycia Knight c Satterthwaite b Devine 16 S Taylor (c) c †Martin b Tahuhu 86 C Nation c Bates b Tahuhu 35 D Dottin c & b Kasperek 10 Kyshona Knight lbw b Kasperek 9 M Aguilleira † run out (Bates) 0 B Cooper c Bates b Kasperek 0 A Fletcher c Broadmore b Peterson 11 T Smartt c Bates b Kasperek 6 S Connell not out 0 Extras (lb 1, w 2) 3 Total (all out; 48.1 Overs) 194 Fall of wickets: 1-26 ( Matthews, 4.3 ov), 2-41 (Kycia Knight, 8.1 ov), 3-95 ( Nation, 24.4 ov), 4-108 ( Dottin, 27.4 ov), 5-125 (Kyshona Knight, 31.5 ov), 6-126 ( Aguilleira, 32.5 ov), 7-131 ( Cooper, 35.4 ov), 8-163 (Fletcher, 41.1 ov), 9-181 ( Smartt, 45.3 ov),

10-194 ( Taylor, 48.1 ov) Bowling: Tahuhu 9.1-0-423, Huddleston 10-0-35-0, Devine 6-0-25-1, Peterson 100-36-1, Broadmore 3-0-110, Kasperek 10-0-44-4 New Zealand Women Innings (target: 195 runs from 50 overs) S Devine c Kycia Knight b Fletcher 80 S Bates (c) not out 101 A Satterthwaite b Fletcher 3 K Martin † not out 4 Extras (w 7) 7 Total (2 wickets; 30.4 Overs) 195 Did not bat: M Green, L Down, K Broadmore, L Kasperek, A Peterson, L Tahuhu, H Huddleston Fall of wickets: 1-175 (Devine, 28.4 ov), 2-191 (Satterthwaite, 30.2 ov) Bowling: Matthews 7-0-44-0, Dottin 4-0-14-0, Smartt 4-0-260, Connell 5-0-39-0, Fletcher 7.4-0-47, Taylor 3-0-25-0

Pakistan Super League

Ronchi's 77 off 41 consigns Lahore to 6th straight loss

L

uke Ronchi's stunning assault at the top of the order backed up Islamabad United's disciplined bowling performance and condemned Lahore Qalandars to a six-wicket defeat, their sixth loss in as many games. Ronchi's 41ball 77 meant Islamabad chased down a target of 164 with 2.2 overs to spare. This was Islamabad's second victory over a hapless Lahore side this season, the first one having come in a Super-Over finish.

Ronchi and JP Duminy set the tone for the chase with a 47-run opening stand in 4.3 overs. Sunil Narine received a rude welcome as Ronchi smashed his first delivery for a six, but he hit back two balls later by having Duminy caught at slip. Narine would go on to take two more wickets, including Ronchi's, but it was the latter who had the last laugh. During the course of his innings, which included five fours and six sixes, Ronchi brought out his complete repertoire - the swivel-pull, cut, drive and even the flat-batted smash. When he tonked Aamer Yamin over long-off in the ninth over, he brought up his half-century off 22 balls, the joint-fastest in the PSL. When Ronchi perished in the 16th over, Islamabad needed only

13 to win.

In contrast to their performance for the most part of the match, Lahore had started in rousing fashion with the bat, with Fakhar Zaman and Anton Devcich(62 off 42 balls) raising an opening stand of 56 in 6.4 overs.

Zaman led the way in the early exchanges as he biffed, pulled and cut his way to 34 off 24 balls. He was smartly caught behind by Ronchi off Duminy's bowling, but Devcich sustained the momentum. Playing his first game of the tournament, Devcich, much like Fakhar, revelled in legside strokes.

Often, he cleared his leg and swatted the ball between longo n and

deep midwicket.

While overs six to nine brought 37 runs to Lahore, there was a lull in the scoring after Agha Salman was dismissed in the 12th over. With Denesh Ramdin, promoted to No.4, struggling to middle the ball, Devcich found himself under more pressure but couldn't accelerate the tempo. Eventually both the batsmen perished in the 17th over bowled by Faheem Ashraf. Captain Brendon McCullum made a furious late dash with an unbeaten 12ball 33, but that would eventually prove inadequate.

A s h r a f p i c k e d up three wickets for Islamabad, while legspinner Shadab

Khan finished with figures of 4-0-15-1.

Where the match was won

Before this match, Ramdin hadn't scored a single boundary in the PSL this season. It wouldn't change by the time his painful crawl to 9 off 20 balls came to an end.

What then remained baffling was McCullum's ploy to promote Ramdin ahead of himself at No. 4. Ramdin came in with the score on 101 in 11.2 overs, and departed with the addition of 20 runs in five overs. His inability to time the ball had an adverse effect on Devcich as well during a period where Lahore went eight overs without a boundary. They managed only 69 runs in the last 10 overs, and in retrospect Lahore's cause would have been better served had McCullum faced more than the dozen balls he did.

The men that won it

Luke Ronchi

As much as Ramdin's knock contributed to Lahore's slowdown, Shadab's role in sapping the life out of the innings can't be overstated. Introduced into the

attack at the halfway mark, the 19-year-old legspinner gave away seven runs in his first over. He then went on to concede only eight more runs in his next three. Ramdin had a particularly hard time as he swished and groped at the ball without being able to connect his bat. Shadab's parsimony effectively halted Islamabad's march to a total in the range of 180.

Where they stand

Islamabad jumped from fifth to second with their fourth win. Lahore, meanwhile, continued to languish at the bottom of the table, and while they aren't mathematically out of reckoning for a spot in the playoffs, they have their task cut out. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Lahore Qalandars Innings F Zamanc †Ronchi b Duminy 34 A Devcich c M Sami b Ashraf 62 A Salmanc Farhan b S Khan 8 D Ramdin † b Ashraf 9 B McCullum (c) not out 33 S Narine b Ashraf 6 S Khan b Sami 1 A Yamin run out ( Ashraf/†Ronchi) 1 S Irshad run out 1 Extras (lb 1, w 7) 8 ( 8 wickets; 20 Overs) 163 Did not bat: Yasir Shah, Imran Khan(1) Fall of wickets: 1-56 (Zaman, 6.4 ov), 2-101 ( Salman, 11.2 ov), 3-121 (Ramdin, 16.2 ov), 4-122 (Devcich, 16.4 ov), 5-149 ( Narine, 18.5 ov), 6-150 (S Khan, 19.1 ov), 7-162 (A Yamin, 19.5 ov), 8-163 (Irshad, 19.6 ov) Bowling: Duminy 4-0-38-1, S Patel 1-0-10-0, Sami 4-0-36-1, 3-0-31-0, Ashraf 4-0Finn

32-3, S Khan 4-0-15-1

Islamabad United Innings (target: 164 runs from 20 overs) JP Duminy c McCullum b Narine 21 L Ronchi † c Yamin b Narine 77 S Khan c Zaman b I Khan 32 A Ali lbw b Narine 7 Misbah-ul-Haq (c) not out 12 S Farhan not out 3 Extras (lb 2, nb 2, w 8) 12 Total (4 wickets; 17.4 Overs) 164 Did not bat: H Talat, S Patel, F Ashraf, S Finn, M Sami Fall of wickets: 1-47 (JP Duminy, 4.3 ov), 2-134 (S Khan, 11.5 ov), 3-145 (Ali, 13.3 ov), 4-151 ( Ronchi, 15.5 ov) Bowling : Zaman 2-0-210, S Khan 3-0-29-0, Shah 4-0-26-0, Narine 4-0-28-3, I Khan 2.4-0-24-1, Yamin 1-016-0, Irshad 1-0-18-0

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sports

Norton envisions swimming bringing Guyana’s next Olympic medal

M

inister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for culture, youth and sport, Dr George Norton has pinned his hopes on swimming bringing another Olympic medal for the country after bantamweight boxer Michael Parris won bronze at the 1980 Games in Moscow.

“I want to encourage you the athletes that are here remain steadfast as you swim towards that Olympic medal. That is to say somehow I hope that our chances of getting a second medal lie highly in the discipline of swimming”.

The Minister was at the time speaking at the opening of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) intermediate coaching clinic commenced which commenced on Wednesday at the National

Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal under the guidance of International Swimming Association (FINA) Coach Fabio Toro from Colombia.

Toro is also the coach of Guyana’s Olympian Jamila Sanmoogan.

Commenting more on the clinic, he encouraged the coaches to make full use of the course and gave a charge to increase an interest in open water swimming.

GASA President Ivan Persaud revealed the clinic was long time coming and it was important for coaches to continuous be edified given the growth of swimmers.

“While we continue to struggle a bit, I think we are moving on and I am going to give you an example, in 2014, we had at our Mash meet and I am sure that the record will show, less than 50 competitive swimmers.

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In 2018, at our Mashramani meet, we had 129 competitive swimmers.” Persaud stated.

The clinic will see 30 local coaches and seven from Suriname undergoing intense training over a five-

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Swim coaches from Guyana and Suriname participating in the Coach’s Clinic at the National Aquatic Centre (DPI Photo)

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21

ction in round 2 of the ongoing Under-17 inter-county tourney continues on today with defending champs Berbice taking on Demerara while the U15 side will look to rebound when they tackle Essequibo.

The opening round saw Berbice whipping the U15 team by 115 runs after Seon Glasgow hit a majestic 110 with and Nigel Deodat 50. With the form shown by the duo, much could be expected of them come round two. Their bowlers on the other hand were equal to the task as Saif Amoi skipper Jevon Schultz and Deodat were among the wickets.

Demerara showed a bit of toughness as well in their opening game as they disposed of Essequibo by 65 runs after a good all-round performance from

Dwain Dick with the ball and Andre Seepersaud with the bat. Both players could likely play key roles on Friday.

The National U15 Select played well but came up short and will want to get things going. They will need Mavendra Dindyal and Revoldo Phillips who showed a bit of form with the bat while Jonathon Rampersaud and Zachary Jodah will be the key with the ball for their side.

Essequibo on the other hand will rely heavily on the likes of Sylvian Williams and national youth star Sheldon Charles who was amongst the wickets in the last match.

Round two’s action will bowl off from 09:30hs.

Vickery through to 2nd round of Paribas Open A

merican qualifier Sachia Vickery took down Eugenie Bouchard in straight sets to reach the second round at the BNP Paribas Open for just the second time in her career.

Sitting at a career-high ranking of World No.100 and proving she can go even higher, Vickery, who has Guyanese roots, needed just under an hour and a half to see off the former Wimbledon finalist 6-3, 6-4. “[Bouchard] is very tough, there’s no secret that’s why she’s been such a successful player,” Vickery said in her on-court interview after the match. “She always keeps you

aware and she’s so aggressive and tough to play. I just tried to play smart and take my chances when I had the opportunity.”

Vickery did well to take those chances against Bouchard in a match that featured eight breaks of serve across two sets. After trading breaks to start the match, Vickery emerged with the edge after three straight breaks of serve, dodging some break points of her own to take the first set.

Another back-to-back trio of service breaks went the way of Vickery in the second set, and although Bouchard had a chance to break

back and cut into the American’s lead, Vickery held firm to take the match after just under an hour and a half.

Vickery stayed aggressive and had an answer for everything Bouchard through her way, racking up 22 winners to 24 unforced errors, outpacing Bouchard’s 18 winners and 36 unforced errors.

Vickery’s win earns her a chance to play number three seed Garbine Muguruza in the next round. “I’m just going to take in everything I can from today and try to be ready for the next match physically and mentally,” Vickery said. (WTA Tennis)

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, march 9, 2018

Kares Fitness Challenge

Mental fortitude the greatest challenge for Duke, Mahadeo I

…duo set eyes on title retention

n 2017, it was a Cross Fit 592 sweep with marque athletes Semonica Duke and Dillon Mahadeo taking the individual titles and the duo is out to make a repeat come Sunday at the fourth annual Kares Engineering Fitness Challenge being held at the National Park.

Preparation has been going on stream and both revealed to Guyana Times Sport overcoming the mental constrains of the day’s gruelling events is what usually makes pip opponents.

“So far preparation has been good. It is tough to get the body prepared and it’s going to be a gruelling day; a lot comes down to mental preparation”, Duke posited.

At the previous event, Duke ended the day as the most prolific female athlete

with 490 points, 15 more than her nearest rival Delice Adonis of Team Fitness Paradise and Christine Rahman of Team Elite Systems who took third with 455 points.

On a holistic outlook of the competition, she applauded the increase in women seeking to compete.

At the launching of the event it was revealed 11 females have decided to face the test.

Mahadeo’s comments were not far his partner adding, “Mental fortitude is very important; you can put in the world of preparation but when it comes to competition-day it’s like you have to be an animal, it is a whole different thing and if you can defeat your competitor mentally that is point s for you”.

The Cross Fit dynamo

became was the first to successfully defend his title at the event by emerging with 462 points, 52 more than Charlie Walker-Yhap of Team Fitness Paradise and seems bent on sticking to the winning script.

“I am sticking to what I have been training all year round and hope I execute on the day. There is no secret, it is juts hard work, whenever I try and compete it is always up to the limit you cannot give 50%; there is no holing back and that is why I love it”.

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

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

swings 55lbs/35lbs, 5 Toes to Bar, 20 Pull-ups, 3 Toes to Bar and 10 overhead squats 95lbs/65lbs.

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

Additionally, the movement requirements for the day will be Double unders, Overhead squat (65lbs/95lbs), Box jump 20/24, pullups, Toes to Bar, Kettlebell swings (35lbs/55lbs), Clean and Jerk, Wallballs (14lbs/20lbs), Rope Climbs, Thrusters, D e a d l i f t s (185lbs/275lbs), Burpees and running. Admission to the venue is 1,000 and children under 10 are free. (Akeem Greene)

Semonica Duke and Dillon Mahadeo have been the pride of Cross Fit 592

friDAY, march 9, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

ICC World Cup Qualifiers…

23

Holder, Brathwaite help Windies avoid PNG scare

F

or a few moments, West Indies looked in danger of losing to Papua New Guinea, chasing a target of 201.

Chris Gayle was not playing. Their other firebrand opener, Evin Lewis, fell in the second over. They slumped to 58 for 4 to spur the possibility of a spectacular upset. But the captain Jason Holder came out and took charge, scoring an unbeaten 99 off 101 deliveries to seal his team's second win in as many matches.

Prior to the start of the Qualifier, West Indies coach Stuart Law had expected low-scoring scraps.

"It is not going to be making 300-plus and then bowling teams out. It is going to be working out how to get to 180 to 220 and then deciding how to get the 10 wickets. We have to lower that target just to make sure we are safe to play better cricket or make better decisions out in the middle and get the job done."

in ODIs and instigating a collapse which pinned PNG down from 151 for 4 to 169

(Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Jack Vare looks on as Shai Hope hits out ©ICC

Although they were the ones chasing against Papua New Guinea on Thursday, the same principles applied. Shai Hope came in to bat in the second over and played a Test-match innings, scoring 49 off 115 balls while his captain took care of the big-hitting at the other end.

Holder began with backto-back fours. He cruised to his fifty off 65 balls, then leapt from 70 to 93 in the space of two overs and was eyeing a maiden ODI century as the game reached its climax. He was 98 not out.

West Indies needed one run to win. Holder was content taking the single and walk-

GFF Elite League

Another double header hits GFC

T

for 9. Windies next match is on Saturday against Ireland.

Fruta Conquerors will be in action against Den Amstel

his weekend’s double-headers of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League will be held at the Georgetown Football Club ground, Bourda due to the unplayable conditions of the Tucville venue.

Today, the matchup will see Western Tigers FC vs Cougars FC at 18:00hrs and Fruta Conquerors FC against Den Amstel FC at 20:00hrs while on Sunday, Milerock FC tackle New Amsterdam United FC in the first game at 17:30hrs and the feature game will see GDF FC vs Victoria Kings FC at 19:30hrs.

Western Tigers will be hoping to capitalize on the match to gain the valuable three points over Cougars, which will take them to the top of the table. In the second match of the double header, Fruta Conquerors FC will have their work cut out against Den Amstel which has given a reasonably good

account of themselves as newcomers to the league.

Likewise, a win for Den Amstel would also take them to the top of the table but with one match more than the other leading contenders.

In the first match on Sunday, NA United will be looking to get on to the points table in order to break their drought thus far. GDF will also be looking forward to tough matches prior their departure for the Caribbean Shield, one of which they should get coming against points leaders Victoria Kings.

The GFF Elite League is the senior league of the Guyana Football Federation, which informs the senior national squad.

The Guyana Defence Force FC is the defending champions.

Admission to all matches is $500 but all women and children U12 years of age will be admitted free of charge.

ing off with the win.

As a result, PNG were knocked out of the tournament. Their captain Assad Valahad top-scored with 57 off 89 balls, but was one of only four batsmen who managed double-figures. Carlos Brathwaite was the reason for such a state of affairs, picking up his first five-for

Papua New Guinea Innings (50 overs maximum) T Ura c Mohammed b Nurse 37 V Morea run out (Holder) 0 A Vala (c) c †Hope b Brathwai te 57 L Siaka c Holder b Brathwaite 0 S Bau b Brathwaite 9 M Dai lbw b Miller 35 C Amini c Holder b Miller 7 J Vare † c Nurse b Brathwaite 1 C Soper c †Hope b Brathwaite 1 N Vanua c Powell b Williams 35 A Nao not out 1 Extras (lb 7, nb 2, w 8) 17 Total (all out; 42.4 Overs) 200 Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Morea, 0.3 ov), 2-63 (Ura, 11.6 ov), 3-63 (Siaka, 12.1 ov), 4-82 ( Bau, 18.6 ov), 5-151 ( Dai, 33.4 ov), 6-159 ( Vala, 36.1 ov), 7-161 ( Amini, 37.1 ov), 8-162 ( Soper, 38.4 ov), 9-163 ( Vare, 38.6 ov), 10-200 (Vanua, 42.4 ov) Bowling : Holder 8-0-

47-0, Williams 7.4-0-44-1, Nurse 6-0-31-1, Brathwaite 10-2-27-5, Samuels 5-019-0, Miller 6-0-25-2 West Indies Innings (target: 201 runs from 50 overs) E Lewis run out (Vanua) 8 S Hetmyer c Vala b Vanua 8 S Hope † not out 49 M Samuels c Vala b Nao 24 J Mohammed lbw b Amini 0 J Holder (c) not out 99 Extras (lb 5, w 8) 13 Total (4 wickets; 43 Overs) 201 Did not bat: R Powell, C Brathwaite, A Nurse, N Miller, K Williams Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Lewis, 1.6 ov), 2-16 ( Hetmyer, 2.6 ov), 3-53 ( Samuels, 10.5 ov), 4-58 (Mohammed, 11.4 ov)` Bowling: Vanua 10-0-36-1, Dai 6-0-32-0, Nao 6-1-16-1, Amini10-0-51-1, Soper 6-1-400, Vala 2-0-6-0, Siaka 3-0-15-0

FRIDAY, march 9, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Kares Fitness Challenge

Pg 22

Mental fortitude the greatest challenge for Duke, Mahadeo

…duo set eyes on title retention Semonica Duke and Dillon Mahadeo have shown they have the ability to withstand any challenge

ICC World Cup Qualifiers…

Pg 23

Carlos Brathwaite rocked Papa New Guinea with 5-27 Jason Holder played a captain’s knock with a measured innings of 99 not out

Holder, Brathwaite help Windies avoid PNG scare

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