Guyana Times Epaper - Wednesday, October 10, 2018

NEW GPC donates fire prevention materials to Guyana Fire Service P12

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

Issue No. 3711

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

PRICE

Reg 2 Govt and Opposition Councillors demand REO resign Page 10

RDC Councillors from both the Government and Opposition joined in protest for the removal of Region Two REO Rupert Hopkinson

Bauxite workers feel abandoned

by Govt – trade union leader “Don’t make King Pensioner shot, the only subject of City Hall’s CoI” robbed after – Gaskin leaving city bank Page 9

Page 3

Page 7

...says culture of mismanagement started with past, present mayors International Day of the Girl Child

3 Guyanese girls act as President, PM, Canadian High Commissioner for a day Page 13 As Guyana joined the world to celebrate International Day of the Girl Child on Tuesday, three young ladies had the privilege to be President, Prime Minister and Canadian High Commissioner for a day. In photo from left are: Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; Prime Minister for the day, Delicia George; Canadian High Commissioner for the day, Sara Mohan; Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee; President for the day, Renuka Persaud and President David Granger

Page 14

Motorcyclist dies in Lethem accident

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Release GECOM Chairman’s P9 employment contract – MP ...sources indicate pay package might trump predecessors'

Shutdown of transborder link

Matter engaging our legal team – P11 Digicel

Bartica woman slapped with narco-trafficking P8 charge Fire Service P5 to crack down on noncompliant city businesses

LGE 2018

P13

Youths urged to get involved in decision making process

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

Wednesday, October 10 – 05:00h-06:30h and Thursday, October 11 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, October 10 – 16:50h-18:20h and Thursday, October 11 – 05:20h-06:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

“Don’t make Town Clerk the only subject of City Hall CoI” – Gaskin ...says culture of mismanagement started with past, present Mayors

Sunny conditions are expected throughout the day. Clear skies are expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 21 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly and Northeasterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 05:03h and 17:16h reaching a maximum height of 2.81 metres and 2.85 metre respectively.

Low Tide: 10:52h and 23:13h reaching minimum heights of 0.44 metre and 0.35 metre respectively.

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Ramon Gaskin

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2018

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This was confirmed by his Attorney Andrew Pollard to be true.

The hearings are expected to conclude on October 31.

The necessary actions will be taken by the Commission after conclusions are drawn from the Inquiry.

Over the years, City Hall has complained about lack of funds, which is a mere contradiction to its excessive spending. Concerns were raised over this issue, and it was noted that while

Georgetown municipality; and, in some instances, recommendations were made for criminal charges to be pressed against those culpable of several financial improprieties that were uncovered.

Gaskin is expected to provide the evidence to substantiate his recommendations based on that audit to the CoI soon. He explained that he had produced and delivered three comprehensive reports to the then

WEATHER TODAY

ow that the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the spending at City Hall is in its third week, there have been numerous testimonies submitted to the Commission already, most of which are complaints made out against embattled Town Clerk Royston King.

But outspoken economist and former Presidential Advisor, Ramon Gaskin, says that while “he is the main man” in the controversy that is taking place at City Hall, based on his “privileged position,” he should not be the only subject to be put in the spotlight.

Gaskin argued that the culture of mismanagement and unaccountability at City Hall started over 20 years ago and never stopped, only getting worse. He said it began under the leadership of former Mayor Hamilton Green and continued with Patricia Chase Green.

“These two people should not be forgotten.

Royston King is a product of Hamilton Green and Chase Green too,” he said, explaining that even while King would have more direct responsibility, City Hall is run by a Council where most decisions are made.

“The culture developed over the years, there has to do with corruption and incompetence. The so-called elected Councils are a useless group as well, and the corrupt group of managers, when you have those two… nothing good could come out of it.”

Gaskin is not confident that the upcoming Local Government Election (LGE) will bring any changes to the way things are done at City Hall. He is hopeful however that the CoI will look at all the matters and make suitable recommendations for some changes.

In 2012, the economist conducted an audit at the

Current Mayor Patricia Chase Green

Town Clerk Royston King

Government which had ordered a CoI. At the public hearings, which commenced on September 24, it was revealed that a plot of riverfront land, reportedly not the property of City Hall was

leased to a shipping company by King since April 5, 2016, at the cost of $625,000 per year.

It was also heard that the Town Clerk allegedly collected monies from nine specific drivers of the Route 44 (Industry) route.

The drivers paid a rental of $3000 from each of the drivers to occupy a stretch of the roadway that spans from the Avenue of the Republic to Hinck Street. Consequently, some 45 drivers are left to fend for themselves as the area remains occupied by the said drivers.

Only recently, it was also reported by sections of the media that King also purchased a property located at Happy Acres, East Coast Demerara, for $30 million.

Former Mayor Hamilton Green

the building is in need of repairs, millions of dollars have been squandered excessively.

King has been sent on leave pending the outcome of this CoI. (Samuel Sukhnandan)

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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

‘Incentive’ to prison officers

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n Monday, Prisons Director Gladwin Samuels announced that a decision has been taken to give an “incentive” to prison officers who provide the authorities with information that can lead to the “detection and prosecution” of persons engaged in the corrupt practices within the country’s prisons system.

Samuels said those officers who come forward would be given between $15,000 and $25,000 for the information they provide which will serve as a token of encouragement to aid in Guyana’s fight against corruption at all levels.

The Prisons Director’s statement to the media obviously received the full endorsement and policy buy-in from the Public Security Ministry, which took up the task of transmitting the same directly. And no one would be wrong to assume that Cabinet, the National Security Oversight Council and the presidential advisors on security have also expressed support for the move being initiated by the Prisons Director’s Office.

Samuels, however, failed to say how the decision was arrived at and what research, if any, existed to show that officers within the system would be willing to come forward and provide evidence against their colleagues if a measly $15,000 to $25,000 was involved.

He also did not say explicitly how the process would work and what arrangements are likely to be put in place to protect the identity of the whistleblower who in this case would be providing the authorities with valued intelligence on the well-established criminal network and enterprise within the prisons system.

Interestingly, the Director also stopped short of saying just exactly where this ‘small piece’ would be extracted from – under which budgeting agency or line item, special fund or agency – in his statement. Will it be funds provided by donor agencies to tackle corruption or the hard-earned dollars taken by the Government from the citizenry of the country in the form of taxes?

Public officials must understand that when they present policies to the populace they must be ready to also provide detailed explanations behind the rationales and decisions that they would like to implement or undertake. Were prison officers themselves briefed about the move or consulted before the decision was taken to make the public announcement? And what are the consequences of the revelations once it hits the media.

While Samuels’ intention is understood and appears honourable, it can also be indicative or interpreted as desperate to those who believe that there are at least three other ways of addressing the problems that arise from the criminal activities that are taking place in and around the prison system.

For instance, one would have thought that same money that would be put aside for the purpose of providing incentives to those who speak out against corruption could flow towards increasing the pay packages and working conditions of prison officers.

Monies could even be spent equipping the penitentiaries with more Closed-Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) and other recording devices while boosting the officers’ ability to deliver higher levels of surveillance to the entry and exit points of the prisons.

Of pivotal importance too is the generally understood principle that in order to fight corruption, one has to tackle the root causes and underlying factors. In this case, the prison service must improve its recruitment techniques and must do a detailed vetting of the personnel it wants to hire before confirmation and employment. It must also monitor closely the acquisition of wealth by all those who are serving within its system. Maybe, officers from a certain level should be asked to make declarations to the Integrity Commission or some other body.

Smuggling contraband into the prisons, the illegal acquisition of weapons and drugs, and the challenge posed by rouge prison officers cannot be wished away with the implementation of such a puerile policy within the first term of the coalition Government. It will take a sustained, holistic and multi-stakeholder cooperation to strengthen the penal system to reduce the risks of corruption via the implementation of more specialised programmes that are geared towards professionalising the prison service and transforming it into a truly correctional and rehabilitative organism within our society. This means spending money to achieve ‘value’ in the short and long term.

Unfortunately, the policy itself appears to be referendum on the integrity of serving prison officers who it can be interpreted are unwilling to speak out against corruption, and are more likely to support criminal activities regardless of the consequences than expose them. Such a policy can only result in tension, division and a less conducive working environment within the prison service if it is not implemented cautiously.

The general policy as adumbrated by the Prisons Director needs to be strengthened if it is to result in even the most modest level of success. If the Public Security Ministry feels compelled to process, then the same policy approach must be instituted within the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Revenue Authority. After all what is good for the goose is good for the gander, and employees at those agencies may need the “incentive” and encouragement even more than those within the prison service.

As Guyana joins the world to celebrate International Day of the Girl Child, Renuka Persaud (left), who was President of Guyana for a day, addressing Cabinet as President David Granger and Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee look on

Old tricks again Dear Editor, The Alliance For Change (AFC) is once again resorting to the tactics it used in 2005 and in subsequent years – attack the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in an attempt to garner support and voters’ sympathy.

The AFC in just three years has lost its identity.

It has been consumed and has become a mere pawn to the PNC-dominated Government – agreeing or disagreeing as the need arises. When one reads the statements in the Action Plan written by Messrs Khemraj Ramjattan and Raphael Trotman, it is pellucid that those lofty ideals were just window dressing to appeal to the people.

I wish to remind the Guyanese public of what Ramjattan and Trotman had stated in that manifesto called the Action Plan.

Ramjattan had stated that the AFC will free us from “the divisive racial politics of the past, from the corruption that engulfs us, from the oppressive taxes we are forced to pay, from the deadly crime that haunts and traumatises us, from the economic decline, and from the hopelessness that we breathe daily…. Over four decades of PNC and PPP Governments have left us all bruised, weary and hopeless.”

His counterpart, Mr Trotman had echoed similar proclamations. He had stated that “the rich get richer while most Guyanese continue to remain poor...

Failure to change now will lead to five more years of high taxation, higher unemployment, soaring crimes and widespread hopelessness”. (AFC’s Action Plan 2011).

Let us now analyse what has happened since 2015.

Unfortunately, the racial vendetta unleashed on the PPP members and supporters across Guyana, especially in the sugar industry, has proven the hypocrisy of this statement. The AFC has remained silent while this ‘divisive racial politics’ is being unleashed. Persons perceived as supporters and members of the PPP have been unconscionably kicked out of their jobs. The ethnic cleaning and the witch-hunting are quite horrific!

Moreover, the corruption is now pervasive and out of control, the D’Urban Park mega-corruption, the Drugs Bond deal, the prefeasibility contract for the New Demerara Harbour Bridge scandal, the flagrant disregard for the procurement process in the $605 million drugs purchase for the GPHC, the US$18 million signing bonus which is still to be placed in the Consolidated Fund and the mother of all corrup-

tion – the surreptitiously negotiated petroleum sharing oil contract with ExxonMobil. The Auditor General’s Annual Report for Y2016 found 82 breaches of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) and 71 breaches of the Procurement Act. This is still continuing, and the AFC has fully supported its coalition partner, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)!

Both Trotman and Ramjattan spoke about ‘oppressive taxes’ against the people, but they should now recognise and admit that since 2015, there has been a drastic increase in taxes as well as the introduction of new taxes (over 200 taxes), “the rich is getting richer while most Guyanese remain poor” and there is now more than ever “high taxation, higher unemployment, soaring crimes and widespread hopelessness” (Trotman). Ramjattan should also admit that just after three years this nation has become more “bruised, weary and hopeless”. Over 30,000 Guyanese have been thrown on the breadline while the economy is precariously placed at 2.1 per cent growth and all economic indicators point in a downward descent.

Now this deceitful tactic of the AFC has once again become evident. For the past three years the AFC has ful-

ly supported the actions of this Government, which is PNC-dominated, and has remained silent on all the wrongs meted out to the Guyanese people, but now it has come full circle and decided to once again attack the PNC. This is a vain attempt to regain the support it once had. Its glory days are over! The AFC will do better if it withdraws from contesting in those constituencies where it committed blatant electoral fraud. That will at least give the AFC some credibility. Time to follow Jagdeo!

The President at Anna Regina had told the people that, “Local Government Elections is not about victim or victor, winning or losing; it is about giving the people the opportunity to run their own affairs”. This is far from the truth since neither the APNU nor the AFC had condemned the widespread electoral fraud perpetrated by their respective parties on the same people whom he wants to empower.

The AFC has not only committed political hara-kiri by coalescing with the PNC and then become partners in corruption and mismanagement, but it has caused this nation to deeply bury its trust in any third force for generations to come!!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

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Fire Service to crack down on city businesses

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s part of its annual Fire Prevention Month observation, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) will be cracking down on businesses in Georgetown that are not in conformity with necessary safety regulations.

“We will be visiting schools and businesses randomly to ensure that they are in compliance with fire safety regulations, so they need to be on the lookout,” according to Fire Prevention Officer Nigel Gravesande.

Speaking with Guyana Times on the sidelines of a donation by the NEW GPC INC, Gravesande gave an update on the activities planned for the month, which includes the inspection.

The Fire Prevention Officer posited that during this annual exercise, several city businesses are often

flagged for not adhering to the necessary safety practices.

“We found mostly in commercial buildings along Regent Street, and especially in this period when they’re now doing stocktaking for the Christmas season, you find that they have a problem of overstocking, poor housekeeping, no fire protection, no detection system or alarm system.”

“So these are just some of the areas that we’ll be looking at. We have a problem also where there are poor electrical wiring, overloading and these kinds of things but we’re going to be looking at all these aspects,” Gravesande noted.

The Fire Prevention Officer went on to note that in dealing with those businesses that are in breach of the safety regulations, the

Fire Prevention Officer Nigel Gravesande

fire service will write to them after a valuation and make recommendations on what needed to be done to get inconformity with the necessary regulation.

“After the letter is sent, they will have a period of time to clean up their act and failing to do so, will allow us to take the necessary action

in terms of taking them to court,” he stated.

While he could not give any specific figure or details at the time, Gravesande did note that they have taken persons to court in the past, adding that in some cases the business even had to close down as a result of their lack of conformity.

This year’s Fire Prevention Month will be observed under the theme: “Promote a green economy; Give priority to fire safety”. The activities will kick off with a career fair on Wednesday at the National Park after which the event will be taken to other districts throughout the country.

In addition to the inspection exercise, another area the fire service will be focusing on is educating citizens on safety practices, particularly with regards to waste disposals and open/outdoor fire.

According to the fire prevention officer, they will be targeting persons living in close environs, such as new housing schemes and in the city, imploring them to refrain from lighting fires that can affect others within their

environment.

Just two weeks ago, some 22 students from Tutorial High School and another from Richard Ishmael Secondary School were rushed to the hospital after being affected by smoke coming from the GPSU Ground on Thomas Lands, where persons were burning the dried grass to groom the field.

Gravesande pointed out that permission has to be giving to persons in these areas before they can go ahead and light fires, adding that none was sought in this case.

Nevertheless, he went on to suggest that persons make use of the disposal services in getting rid of their waste as oppose to lighting fires, which not only affect others but also damage the environment.

NIS will collapse given backward management Dear Editor, The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) is bound to collapse given its present management. This is a certain fact when you peruse the last actuarial report on the corporation. As the name suggests, the National Insurance Scheme is a corporation that caters for the welfare and good of all of its members when they would have reached the mature age of retirement. A well-thought-out plan for the good which works very well, especially for many of those workers who only lived for today and not for tomorrow. So, the NIS is a wonderful idea put into action.

Now, why should an in-

stitution with such lofty ideals ever see bad times, failure or collapse, a question every onlooker is asking right now? Well, here’s a couple of reasons for that morbidity. As the name suggests, NIS is a welfare institution; however, if it is run purely on welfare lines, as is the present situation, then it is headed for sure failure. The NIS is also a bank; one should never lose sight of that, which means that there are inflows and outflows. If there are only outflows and not commensurate inflows, then again I say it would become a bankrupt body. Then, it is a warning bell to the powers that be that the Insurance Scheme is

in trouble and there have to be mechanisms put in place to have it run on commercial lines. This is something the previous Administration had well in place which transformed the Scheme into a huge success story.

Another factor that must be taken into consideration is the fact that NIS is almost totally dependent on the contributions coming in from Government employed personnel and from – the very important factor – investment. On these pillars, the NIS is buoyed; without these, it will fall.

Now, when this People’s National Congress (PNC)led Administration came

into power that viability was dampened in two key areas, that is in the Government service areas when over 7000 sugar workers were dismissed from regular earnings and regular NIS contributions. In addition, there were others such as 2000 workers more in the Amerindian community who lost their jobs.

This means that direct inflows into the Scheme were heavily affected.

But this is my main concern and I draw your attention to the way this Government dealt with investment made by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government. I make mention of the Berbice

Bridge investment made

by NIS; the incoming PNC Administration deliberate move tampered with the above-board and sound investment made by the previous Administration through the NIS in that bridge. They threw the original contract overboard and deliberately lowered the toll for the users of the Bridge. That meant instant failure as it puts the returns of the investors in jeopardy.

When failure begins to seep into the PNC/AFC coalition, they turn again to blame that failure on the PPP/C. Outrageous!

I must hasten to a close, but I will say this, do you

know that the successful and efficient management of the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) there has led the Government of St Lucia to cease payment of pensions? Yes, since 2003, all Government employed workers are now paid a percentage of their earnings by the NIC? If you do not believe me, I urge you to make a telephone call to the Government or Corporation and you will be apprised of it. Tells you how backward the PNC-led coalition has led Guyana, instead of progressing we are digressing.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

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Foundation

Part 2

The benefits of skill building with children and teens

By Kim Abraham & Marney Studaker-Cordner

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eaching the “how to” of life skills with your child not only helps with responsibilities at home, it helps your child in five ways:

Increased capability

The first obvious benefit in teaching your child life skills is in learning the task itself.

It’s much better for your son or daughter to learn skills over time than to try to cram in everything they need to know at the age of 18 (or older) as they prepare to move out on their own (and they become overwhelmed).

More confidence

The more capable a child or teen is at completing tasks, the more confident he or she will feel in a variety of situations. For example, teaching your seven-year-old son to go up to the McDonald’s counter and ask for ketchup (rather than expecting you to do it for him) can help him build confidence that he is capable of interacting with people in the public. Years later, he is unafraid to pick up the phone and order a pizza or call a business to inquire about their moving van rates. This may sound simple, but it’s a great example of daily living skills, how they begin at a young age and can be generalised to a variety of situations. Many young adults we know experience anxiety about their ability to talk to others effectively. They worry that they will look foolish or make a mis-

take. Anxiety can lead to procrastinating. A young adult is more likely to postpone applying for a job if he is nervous about the interview or insecure about his capabilities. Life skills training can positively impact his or her ability to apply online for a job or walk into a store to ask for an application.

to get back up and try again.

It teaches us what to do differently the next time, so the dinner doesn’t burn. Practising life skills teaches us that mistakes are okay, even expected, when learning a new skill.

Remember to be patient with your child. After all, it’s the process of learning that’s most valuable.

Strengthening the parent-child relationship

Values… a nice side effect

Teaching life skills is an opportunity to strengthen your relationship with your child.

It’s time well spent and can lead to a stronger bond. You may remember learning a task as a child: baking cookies with your grandma; learning to fish with your grandfather; fixing a bicycle chain or changing a tyre with your dad. Learning life skills doesn’t have to be a “chore.” It can be fun – an opportunity to spend time together, strengthening your bond through a shared experience.

Recovering from mistakes

One of the greatest lessons we can pass on to our children is that we all make mistakes.

Sometimes when we’re baking those cookies, they burn.

Sometimes when we’re out fishing, we accidentally knock over the tackle box. Changing tyres can be tricky and lug nuts get lost. Practising life skills such as cleaning, fixing, building and cooking teaches us that sometimes we get it right the first time – and sometimes we don’t. It teaches us

As your child learns life skills such as cleaning a bedroom (cleaning it well – not just shoving everything under the bed or in the closet), he learns to value his possessions. He also learns the self-respect that comes with taking care of yourself and your things.

Skills that make a difference in the real world

Let’s face it. Your child may never acquire the life skills needed to vanquish zombies.

But he can learn a wide range of skills that will make him more effective in daily life.

Preparing our kids for life as adults can range from housecleaning, preparing food, learning to budget and operating appliances to more person-centred skills like negotiating with others, learning to apologise, ordering meals in restaurants politely and showing respect to others in ways as basic as putting your cell phone away at dinner. By learning and mastering tasks, your child will gain a sense of confidence and capability that can last a lifetime. (Excerpt from empoweringparents.com)

Brahmacharini - The Second Form of Mother Durga

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aa Brahmacharini is the second manifestation of Maa Durga who is worshipped on the second day of Navratri.

Here word "Brahm" refers to "Tapa". So Brahmacharini means Tapa Charini - The one who performas Tapa or penance. It is said that the “Vedas”, “Tatva” & “Tapa” are synonyms of word “Brahm”.

The form of Brahmacharini is tremendously effulgent and extremely majestic.

She holds a rosary in her right hand and Kamandalu (water pot) in her left. She personifies love and loyalty. Mata Brahmacharini is a store-house of knowledge and wisdom.

Rudraksha is Her most adorned ornament. When she was incarnated as the daughter of Himalaya, then influenced by the instructions of Devrishi Narada, she practiced very hard penances in order to obtain Lord Shiva as her divine consort. Due to her unearthly penances she was termed as Brahmacharini.

She spent one thousand years, only on fruits and beet-roots.

One hundred years she spent only by eating leafy vegetables.

For a sufficient perfiod of time observing complete fast she suffered tormenting of nature like torrential rains and scorching sun and biting cold, under the open sky.

After such a difficult routine she lived only on dry Bilva pattaras (leaves) fallen on the ground for three thousand years.

She kept herself engrossed for twenty-four hours in worshiping Lord Shiva.

After that she gave up eating even these dry leaves.

For several thousand years she went on without any food and water.

Because she gave up eating dry Bilva leaves, she became known to be Aparna (Without a leaf) as one of her epithets.

After the hardship of penance for several thousand years her body became extremely lean and thin. She was reduced to skeleton only. Her penance, sharpened as it was, caused great disturbance in all the three worlds. The whole universe was shaken.

The Gods, the Rishis, the Siddhas, the Munis all eulogized her penance as an unprecedented virtuous action.

Ultimately Lord Brahma through an oracle addressed her and said to her in a very pleasant manner, O Goddess, so far nobody has ever practiced such an austere penance. Only you could have done it. This wonderful deed is being praised in all the four quarters. Your desire would be fulfilled. You will decidedly get Lord Shiva as your divine consort. Now stop your penance and go home. Your father would be shortly coming to take you back.

Brahmacharini Durga is capable of providing unending benefits.

By worshiping her the person inculcates penancing, renouncing, dispassion, ethical conduct and restraint in oneself.

Even in the most critical periods of struggle the mind remains unshaken and he does not deviate from the path of duty.

By the grace of mother Brahmacharini he gets success and victory always and everywhere.

On the second day of Navratri Durga Pooja, it is the Brahmacharini aspect of mother Goddess Durga that is worshipped. This way the mind of the striver moving upward is established in Swadhisthana Chakra. The Yogi, who makes his mind stay in this Chakra gets the devotion and blessings of the Goddess.

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Pensioner shot, robbed Rural Constable robbed in National Park after leaving bank A rmed bandits pounced on a Rural Constable, robbing him of his cellular phone and a small amount of cash in the National Park on Thomas Lands, Georgetown on Saturday.

According to reports,

A

70-year-old woman is now nursing a gunshot wound on her arm after she was shot during a robbery by motorbike bandits.

The robbery occurred at about 13:15h on Laluni Street, Queenstown, Georgetown.

According to reports, earlier in the day the victim and her husband went to a city bank where she withdrew a sum of cash. The couple then went on to make several stops in the city with their motorcar, which was driven by the elderly male.

After some time, they proceeded to a location in Queenstown to purchase water and while there, the husband went into the facility and the victim remained in the vehicle. During this time,

two men on a motorcycle rode up alongside the vehicle.

Guyana Times understands that the pillion rider dismounted and grabbed the woman’s handbag, however she held onto it, resulting in the perpetrator whipping out a handgun and discharging a round at her. The shot hit the pensioner in her right arm.

After gaining possession of

the woman’s handbag, which contained her cellphone and a quantity of cash among other values, the two men escaped on the motorcycle.

Meanwhile, the injured woman was rushed to a Georgetown medical facility, where she is currently admitted in a stable condition.

Police have since launched an investigation.

Security guard’s murder

Woman freed of murder charge

…to stand trial for allegedly being accessory

T

he woman, who was implicated in the death of a Rose Hall security guard along with her teenage son and another teen, has been freed of the murder but has been committed to stand trial in the High Court for accessory to murder after the fact, in the Berbice Assizes.

Lalita Ballers of Section E, Port Mourant, Berbice, was acquitted of the murder charge after Defence Attorney Sasha Roberts presented a no case submission at the end of the Preliminary Inquiry at the Albion Magistrate’s Court.

Magistrate Renita Singh ruled that there was no evidence to prove that Ballers was at the crime scene when the act was committed. The Magistrate said there was also no evidence to prove

that Ballers was a part of the planning of the crime.

She however said Ballers knew that the murder was committed, and she assisted her son to escape and avoid capture. Magistrate Singh said the court found that a Prima Facie was made out for Ballers as it relates to being an accessory to murder.

On March 31, 2018, the body of Munisperen Iyasammy Monien was discovered in a pool of blood in a store room at Sukhsram General Store at Lot 13 Public Road, Rose Hall.

The 53-year-old provided security services for the store, which sells agricultural products, working a 12hour shift.

Following the discovery of the body, it was also discovered that money which was

being kept in the store was missing.

It was also reported that when the store was closed on March 30, 2018, $1.5 million was locked in a draw.

Police later arrested all of the employees following a theory that the robbery/murder was an inside job.

Carlos Ballers, 19, of Williamsburg; and Yuvraj Singh, 17, of Guava Bush, Albion Front, were the prime suspects and have since been charged for the murder.

Ballers took them to a house where his mother lives.

The woman reportedly went to a section of the yard and dug up some money which was buried in the yard.

Her son also reportedly showed the investigators where he had hidden the murder weapon.

RC Royston Fordyce, 26, of Thomas Street, Kitty, Georgetown was at the National Park about 19:15h when he was confronted by two males, one of whom was armed with a handgun.

Thomas was relieved of his cellphone valued some

$210,000 and $3000 cash by the perpetrators, who then made good their escape on bicycles.

The matter was reported and an investigation has been launched. No arrests have been made to date.

Boat captain charged for illegal possession

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Pomeroon, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) boat captain was on Tuesday granted bail in the sum of $250,000 after he was charged for illegal possession of ammunition and appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

Rollin Fernandes of Jacklow, Lower Pomeroon River, Region Two, was charged for having the ammunition on October 4, 2018. He appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam. It was previously reported that Fernandes and his bowman were arrest-

ed during a Joint Services exercise conducted in the Pomeroon River.

According to reports, ranks from the Guyana Police Force, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit and the Guyana Defence Force’s Coast Guard, who are stationed at the Floating Base in the Pomeroon River, conducted a stop-and-search exercise on the cargo vessel Fernandes was piloting.

During the routine check, the ranks unearthed an unlicensed 12-gauge shotgun and 67 matching cartridges concealed in the bow of the boat.

Fernandes and his 32-year-old bowman were intercepted and were said to be assisting Police with their investigations.

However, only the ammunition charge was brought against Fernandes.

Bail was objected to by the Police Prosecutor.

However, Magistrate Sam granted Fernandes his pre-trial liberty. As a condition of bail, the 28-year-old man is required to report to the Charity Police Station every Friday until the completion of his trial. The case will continue on November 11, 2018.

8 news

wednesdAY, october 10, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

Bartica woman slapped with Man on a… narco-trafficking charge A T Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) woman was on Tuesday slapped with two counts of trafficking in narcotics and appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Wendy Dyers, of Lot 82 First Avenue, Bartica, denied both charges when they were read to her by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The first charge stated that on October 5, 2018 at Lot 82 First Avenue, Bartica, she had in her possession 16.1 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. The second charge stated that on the same day at the same location, the 52-year-old woman had in her possession

Accused drug trafficker Wendy Dyers

25.1 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

On Tuesday, during a bail

application, Dyers’ Attorney told the court that the illicit substance was found in a

bedroom, which was occupied by Troy Collymoore, who was previously charged for a similar offence while he was in the interior.

The Police Prosecutor, however, objected to bail, citing the nature of the offence and the penalty it attracted. The Prosecutor also stated that the drug was found in a clothes basket in the room occupied by the woman, which she reportedly admitted ownership of during initial investigations.

Magistrate McLennan released the woman on $80,000 bail. The case was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court and was scheduled to continue on October 25, 2018.

Agricola man remanded for robbery

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29-year-old Agricola, Greater Georgetown man was remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for robbery under arms.

Michael Young, of Lot 165 Titus Street, Agricola,

denied that on October 5, 2018 at Houston, East Bank Demerara he robbed Isaura Simon of a black purse worth $10,000 and $20,000 while using personal violence during the robbery.

Young appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann

McLennan.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that Young was caught by public-spirited persons and the items were retrieved from his possession. Prosecutor Jones objected to bail, citing that violence was used

during the felony as well as the penalty the offence attracted.

Chief Magistrate McLennan upheld the Prosecutor’s submission and remanded Young to prison.

The case will continue on October 12, 2018.

…white horse?

he cowboy “westerns” out of Hollywood left us with the narrative of the “man on a white horse” – the hero – riding into town to save the hapless citizens who’d been held at ransom by the “bad guy” – who, of course, rode a black horse! It was an update on the medieval “knight in shining armour” who would save the “damsel in distress” – held in captivity by the inevitable dastardly “bad guy”.

You can take your pick, dear reader, in deciding which role President Granger was playing when he sat down with the Teachers Union at the eleventh hour of another strike that was being considered. After almost a year of playing “hold me; loose me” politics, was Granger’s offer going to break the chains of subsistence wages that were keeping teachers imprisoned in penury? Your Eyewitness hardly thinks so…his 10 per cent for 2016 and eight per cent for 2018 is a far cry from the 40 per cent Granger’s own task force had offered – and which was quite close to the 50 per cent demand of the teachers.

The teachers, of course, have a basis of comparison – the precedent set by the President when he awarded his Ministers that 50 per cent increase in salaries, just as they assumed office. And that was 50 per cent plus on hundreds of thousands of dollars – and not the measly fifty thousand of the average teacher!! But going back to the analogies cited above, the question arises: if Granger’s trying to be the hero on the white horse, who was the villain on the black horse who’d held the teachers in Babylonian-like captivity??

The role had been played by Minister in the Social Protection Ministry responsible for the Department of Labour, Keith Scott, assisted by his sidekick, the taciturn Education Minister. He’d accused the teachers of being “selfish and uncaring”, and generally treated them with contempt. The Education Minister was generally given to sneering ominously at the teachers across the table when negotiating with them!!

But let’s get real, dear readers. Do any of you really believe Keith Scott was acting on his own? The man doesn’t even sit in Cabinet, according to Granger, and is basically an errand boy. The position on teachers’ salaries from the Government side was set by Granger himself when he rejected his task force recommendation as being “deficient”! And who do you think made the decision to reject the teachers’ nominees for Arbitral Chair – all exPNC big wigs? Scott and Henry?? Pleeease!!

Granger’s playing a “double role” and trying to ride two horses – white and black – simultaneously. The teachers shouldn’t let him get away with it.

Nothing less than 40 per cent is acceptable!! Break those chains!!

…a high horse

Winston Jordan was a faceless bureaucrat toiling away in the backrooms of finance-related governmental institutions from 1981 when he was at State Planning Secretariat. He lucked out on the Finance Ministry job because Granger didn’t want his competitor for the PNC leader position – Carl Greenidge – to occupy that critical job!

So Jordan stoutly accepted his charge. But from the beginning of his tenure, even well-wishers concluded he was clearly out of his depth. And as Guyana begins its transition to an oil-producing nation, this has become even more troubling. But don’t tell Jordan that!! The Stabber tried and Jordan zinged right back at them!! Referring to the Stabber harping on his senior staff leaving, Jordan wrote, “Stabroek News itself is not immune to an exodus of skills, including competent editors and senior reporters, which is sadly apparent in the decline of its journalism over the past decade”!!!

Take that Stabber!! Ouch!!

…sly swipe

Lincoln Lewis had critiqued Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman’s handling of the Rusal Bauxite situation.

Purporting to take the high road, Trotman wrote, “I will not seek to ‘flay’, ‘blast’ or ‘slam’ him in ad hominem attack, and will respond differently.”

But isn’t this sly riposte exactly that?

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

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wednesdAY, october 10, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Bauxite workers feel abandoned by Govt – trade union leader

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ven with an extended deadline of November 12 on the sanctions to be placed on Russian aluminum giant, Rusal, President of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU) Lincoln Lewis has said that workers in the local bauxite industry feel abandoned by Government.

Lewis told Guyana Times on Tuesday that he too is disappointed by the Government’s response and handling of the issue. He feels they have been dragging their feet on plans to prepare for this impeding closure of the company, due to the issues on the international market.

“I get the impression that the issue that affect workers, that the Government does not want to address them and the union will be

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

forced to take some course of action,” he said. Lewis did not divulge any further details to say what type of action the Union and its members hope to take.

Nevertheless, the Union’s President said to date, the Government of Guyana has never made any attempts to put the task force they had established, to work fully. “They feel like they are being abandoned by the whole political office,” Lewis said of the workers’ feelings on the ground.

He made reference to Government putting the interim report produced by the task force on pause. This in effect, he said, will do nothing, as it implements a waitand-see approach. He said it also gives Government more time to promise to look for a replacement for Rusal again.

The veteran trade unionist argued that workers’ rights and respecting of the law cannot be put into remission. “These have to be

Release GECOM Chairman’s employment contract – MP – sources indicate pay package might trump predecessors'

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alls are being made to have the terms and conditions of Guyana Election’s Commission (GECOM) Chairman James Patterson’s employment contract made public, as concern is being expressed that it may hide a more lucrative salary than any of his predecessors.

Making this call was Opposition Member of Parliament, Anil Nandlall, who on Tuesday noted the importance of the Guyanese public being privy to this information. According to Nandlall, the Chairman is after all being paid with public funds derived from taxpayers.

“Every Chairman of GECOM signed a contract of service upon their appointment. It is this contract that contains the terms and conditions of service, inclusive of the remuneration package and benefits to which the office holder is entitled,” Nandlall said.

“This position is not a private office but a public and constitutional one paid from public funds. Therefore this contract, its terms and conditions and the remuneration and benefits paid thereunder are not secrets but information to which the public is entitled,” he added.

Nandlall pointed out that it is almost a year since Patterson was appointed as the Chairman of GECOM. “Yet to date, no one has seen a copy of his contract of service, despite repeated requests from the Opposition

GECOM Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson

Commissioners at the Commission for a copy of the contract to be brought before the Commission for their perusal.”

“Why the secrecy? Why is this contract not being made public? Is this another cover-up, like the disastrous petroleum contract with the oil companies? Is this another sweet heart deal?” the MP questioned.

Meanwhile, sources have indicated to this publication that Patterson’s contract trumps that enjoyed by his predecessor in the Chairman’s position, Dr Steve Surujbally. Efforts by this publication to make contact with Patterson on the matter were futile.

While Government is not known for releasing information on the salaries earned by public officials off their own initiative, the Administration has pre-

viously made such details available upon request.

In the past, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had previously submitted a list of salary scales in the Ministry of the Presidency, when requested to do so by the Opposition in the National Assembly.

The non-disclosure of his employment terms would be the latest controversy since Patterson arrived at the Commission. Patterson’s appointment itself, which was under a cloud of controversy, was even challenged at the level of the High Court.

After rejecting three lists of nominees submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, President David Granger had gone ahead and appointed retired Justice Patterson as the new GECOM Chairman.

This decision had been, and continues to be, the centre of contention and debate, especially among civil society. In fact, it was as a result of this that People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Secretary, Zulficar Mustapha, approached the High Court to challenge the appointment.

But on June 8, 2018, acting Chief Justice Roxane George had ruled that the Constitution of Guyana allowed for the President to unilaterally appoint someone to fill the position of GECOM chair. As such, Mustapha subsequently filed legal proceedings to appeal the High Court decision.

respected and enforced every single day of our lives and Government continues to fail us in the discharge of their duty and responsibility,” he observed.

But Lewis said many foreign companies come here and determine what happens in contravention of local laws. He said while the Government has the responsibility to ensure that the laws are activated, and people are fully protected, they have not been delivering.

Intervention

Meanwhile, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has responded to Lewis’ issue, stating that his Ministry will continue to work to ensure that bauxite is mined and shipped so that workers and their families, and by extension, the national economy, can benefit.

“By no means are we pushing aside the rights of workers and the legacy issues which remain, but at this time, our efforts are understandably focused on keeping the production going. Our sister Ministry, the Ministry of Social Protection, has been charged by the President, and directed by the Cabinet,

GBGWU President Lincoln Lewis

to address the ongoing labour issues.”

Only last month, Lewis told Guyana Times that the task force was inactive, while raising concerns that the team should have been actively engaged in intense discussions with bauxite workers, particularly those who are likely to be affected by the US sanctions.

The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) levied sanctions upon Rusal on April 6, citing its alleged interference in the Governments of several countries, including alleged-

ly meddling in the 2016 US presidential elections.

Rusal was among several organisations named under the sanctions. However, the impact upon Rusal and the wider aluminium trade has been significant.

As one of the world’s most prolific providers of alumina, sanctions on Rusal have threatened vital supplies of the substance to a market that was already reeling from the partial shut-down of an alumina refinery in Brazil.

The threat of sanctions has also sent many of Rusal’s customers scrambling for different, potentially more reliable sources of aluminium and alumina.

Even if sanctions are lifted later this year, many experts warn that Rusal will continue to suffer the effects.

Rusal employs over 500 persons at its local operations. The company owns 90 per cent of the Aroaima, Berbice-based Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI). The company’s operations are located on the Berbice River between Kwakwani and Linden, with residents from those areas making up the majority of its workforce.

10 news Reg 2 Govt and Opposition Councillors demand REO resign wednesdAY, october 10, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Wuk pon she S

Region Two RDC Councillors protesting outside the REO’s office in Anna Regina on Tuesday

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ouncillors of the Region Two ( P o m e r o o n Supenaam) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) have passed their saturation point with Regional Executive Officer (REO) Rupert Hopkinson as they led a picket outside his office on Tuesday calling for his removal. Both the Opposition People’s Progressive Party and the ruling A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Councillors, united in their call for Hopkinson’s removal. This action followed repeated concerns Councillors have been registering over REO’s conduct and alleged misuse of public funds.

The Councillors told Guyana Times they opted to picket the REO after they turned up at the RDC Boardroom in Anna Regina for the monthly statutory meeting, only to discover that a ‘junior staff’ was sitting in for the REO, who functions as the RDC’s Clerk and Accounting Officer. Chairman of the RDC, Devanand Ramdatt said the REO has been absenting himself from the RDC meetings without informing the RDC. The Regional Chairman said Councillors from “both sides of the RDC are very much disappointed with

pressed that millions of dollars were lost in the rice industry due to the lack of fixing the access dams.

Non-consultation

Region Two REO Rupert Hopkinson

the behaviour of the REO, who “is not working in the best interest of the people of the region.” APNU/AFC Councillors Naithram and Hardat Narine also supported the call for the REO’s removal.

Naithram, during the picketing exercise said the REO is “sabotaging the progress of the region” and is doing work without consulting the RDC. He said too that he and Councillor Narine were both slapped in the line of duty and the REO never took any action even after he won his matter in court. Ram also said that the REO is busy building parks and a gated community while the entire regional machinery needs to be fixed or replaced. He ex-

Region Two, which is predominantly dependent on agriculture, only has one grader that has been reportedly out of order for several years. One of the main issues the Councillors said would be discussed at the RDC meeting is the submitting of the 2019 Regional Budget Proposals without the final consultation and approval of the RDC. The elected representatives have expressed much concern over the secretive nature in which the proposal is being formulated. Region Two Vice Chairperson Nandranie Coonjah had in fact written the Finance Ministry on the matter. In the correspondence seen by this publication, she revealed that the region’s budget proposal was ratified but not circulated by REO Hopkinson.

According to Coonjah, this was despite changes being made to line items under regional administration, finance and agriculture. She noted in the correspondence that circulating copies of the ratified budget to the office of the Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman is mandatory.

“We had a meeting with the REO where some of the things he had in the budget weren’t in agreement with the Council. And we had to remove and rectify and send it back for perusal to the RDC… the Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman office. And when they peruse, the Chairman and Vice Chairman will sign off a transmitter statement before it’s presented to the Ministry of Finance,” she said.

Coonjah outlined that they were told that the REO had sent off the budget proposal even though she had not seen it. She even expressed fear that her signature may have been “forged”.

“At our last statutory meeting last month… he told them that they signed off already. Because the meeting that they had, the attendance sheet was signed. But I’m told that a further investigation revealed that the signature we put on the 2018 budget that is what (was) used,” she revealed.

She further informed this publication that when she was invited on September 18 to attend a budget debate, she told the REO that she had no information about the budget as she was not included in the consultations. The PPP/C representative said

atiricus was confused, which, his friend Harry had once assured him, was his default position so he shouldn’t worry. But as he slouched towards the Back Street Bar, he wasn’t worried as much as he wanted to know what was going on. He’d just read about the indefatigable Attorney General Moustache Man “decriminalising” obeah and witchcraft.

“I didn’t even know “Obeah” was a crime,” said Satiricus to the fellas, the moment he’d taken his seat and grabbed his beer.

“Na Burnt Ham bin legalise obeah?” asked Cappo, with a grimace. “”E bin seh a dem W’ite Man mek Obeah wan wrang t’ing.”

“Obeah gat fuh be lega all de timel!” asserted Bungi stoutly, after he’s downed his beer.

“Why’d you say that?” asked Hari.

“Yuh na rememba when de PNC bin a stick wan w’ite dally wid pin in front a de court an’ chant “wuk pan she”?” asked Bungi.

“W’en dem want Janet fuh resign, na?” asked Cappo.

“None a dem na get charge and lack up!”

“Well it looks like even though Burnt Ham said Obeah was OK, the law was still on the books,” said Satiricus.

“Fellas, Obeah is an African practice,” said Hari. “But every group have their own version, you know!’

“Like when da pries’ in Exorcis’ tek out wan devil fram da lil gyaal?” asked Bungi. “Da Obeah, right?”

“Or when dem people a guh a pandit fuh “open book” pan dem enemy,” asked Cappo. “Da gat fuh be obeah!!”

“But if it was illegal and now the Government makes it legal,” worried Satiricus. “Won’t this now encourage people to do more Obeah?”

“That’s a worry,” said Hari. “Maybe while WE didn’t know Obeah was illegal, those who practiced it kept low because they knew.”

“Well, wha’ me know,” said Cappo looking at Satiricus, “Dis elec-shan time me guh ‘wuk pan Nagga Man!!”

“E’ legal now!” grinned Bungi.

“My friends,” said Satiricus. “Didn’t you hear Nagga Man say he’s Madrassie? They have the biggest Obeah!!” she emailed not only the Finance Minister but copied the letter to Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan as well, though her letter was “not acknowledged.”

Speaking on Tuesday, she told Guyana Times that the REO is failing his duties, especially in education and health.

She outlined that the doctor quarters in the hinterland were constructed

and left unoccupied due to the lack of furnishing. She added that sanitary blocks at schools need to be fixed, noting that the Rest House built at Onderneeming for expectant mothers from the interior needs to be furnished.

The REO had indicated to Guyana Times that he will be proceeding on leave.

Calls to the REO on Tuesday went unanswered.

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wednesdAY, october 10, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Shutdown of transborder link

Matter engaging our legal team – Digicel

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ays after reports that Surinamese authorities shut down a trans-border microwave data link being used by Digicel Guyana, a senior official at the company has confirmed that the matter is engaging the attention of the company’s legal team.

This is according to Digicel’s Public Relations Manager, Vidya Sanichara.

When contacted by Guyana Times, Sanichara declined to comment when asked what steps the company is taking to resolve the matter. However, she promised to update the media at a later time.

GTT is currently the only company in Guyana with an underwater fibre-optic cable, though another local company is reportedly interested in landing a cable of its own.

This gives GTT, whose parent company is United States based Atlantic Telenetwork, the capacity to supply connectivity and Internet throughout Guyana. For some time, however, the company has complained about Digicel using a link from Suriname for its data.

The link in question, which has reported-

ly since been shut down by Surinamese authorities, is said to be behind recent disruptions in Digicel’s service.

While Digicel has been silent in an official capacity on the reported shutdown, customers who were inconvenienced reportedly received free data as compensation.

And their main competitor has been addressing the issue. At a press conference on Monday, GTT CEO Justin Nedd had shied away from suggestions his company had a hand in their competitor's dilemma.

“I do know that they have been working with the operators in Suriname to ensure operations are done in an above-board manner. The Surinamese regulators are doing their job. It’s not unusual for operators and regulators to communicate, but with respect to how they execute their mandate, that’s within their purview.”

Nedd would only admit that GTT has complained about the trans-border link to the Guyana Government.

According to Nedd, GTT did not commence or threaten legal proceedings against Digicel.

On the matter of capacity, Nedd had maintained that his company was able

Consultation on draft noise OSH regulation hosted

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he Social Protection Ministry hosted a public consultation on Tuesday with the National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) for the National Consultation on Draft (Noise) Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (OSH).

Minister within the Social Protection Ministry, Keith Scott, in his address to the gathering at Herdmanston Lodge, stated that the crucial piece of legislation seeks to “positively impact the lives of all Guyanese”.

He highlighted that the Ministry hosted several consultations in recent times; which included the chemical safety manufacturing and forestry regulations.

For the improvement of the legislative framework, Scott added that the regulations under section 75 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act; chapter 99:06, will be discussed and implemented. The regulations will promote health and safety in workplaces; in reducing the exposure of noise in the workplace and to require employee’s access and control noise in the workplace.

Since there is no cure for noise induced hearing loss, the legislation is seeking to prevent this while addressing safety and health con-

Minister within the Social Protection Ministry, Keith Scott

cerns of the employees.

Scott urged the Occupational Safety and Health Department and the Environmental Protection Agency to conceptualise the ways to manage noise in a responsive manner. He explained that being exposed to excessive noise is harmful as the exposure of harmful chemicals.

The National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health is a body that has the responsibilities to advise the Labour Ministry, Human Services and Social Security on matters relating to occupational safety and health and promote public awareness of occupational safety and health.

The reported shutdown of Digicel’s link with Suriname is now engaging the attention of their legal team

to provide the same service to Digicel. He referenced times when GTT itself has provided the network for data services in neighbouring countries.

“I am very confident that we have the capacity and in fact I would like to reiterate that in 2018, we carried all the Internet traffic for Suriname, French Guiana and Guyana. And the network was resilient enough to do it.”

“Because there were outages in Suriname and French Guiana at the same time… given the architecture of the Guyana network,

it provided enough utility to carry that traffic. So I don’t believe it’s a matter of capacity and I want to dispel that notion. Our network can handle the traffic,” he had said.

After GTT had raised the issue, the Public Telecommunications Ministry had previously questioned whether GTT had the capacity to provide Digicel with the data service link. Digicel customers have over the past few days been severely affected by the break down, with services like electronic top up no longer available.

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wednesdAY, october 10, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

NEW GPC INC donates fire prevention materials to Guyana Fire Service the Guyana Fire Service, Nigel Gravesande, disclosed that these materials will particularly be helpful with sensitisation efforts in the hinterland regions.

“It would be a great boost for us given the fact that these flyers can go into the hinterland areas, where those folks there do not see

fire officers on a regular basis,” he explained.

Gravesande went on to express appreciation to NEW GPC for its support over the past years, while calling on other companies to follow suit and fulfill their corporate responsibility.

“They have been a very

good friend to us in relation to donating these flyers and so forth, they’re always on board when it comes to fire prevention. We always encourage the corporate society to lend a helping hand so that a safer nation [is realised], with donations such as this,” the Fire Prevention Officer noted.

LGE 2018

NEW GPC’s Marketing Manager Elizabeth Ram handing over the materials to Fire Prevention Officer Nigel Gravesande on Tuesday

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EW GPC INC in fulfilling its social corporate responsibility, has once again contributed to ongoing efforts by the Guyana Fire Service to sensitise the public on fire prevention measures.

The local pharmaceutical company handed over some 2500 pieces of material on fire safety and prevention practices. The donation was held at the Guyana Fire

Service’s Headquarters, downtown Georgetown.

NEW GPC Marketing Manager and International Sales Associate, Elizabeth Ram, explained this is the company’s fifth year in supplying materials needed by the Fire Service to boost its prevention and safety drive.

“It is very important that people are aware of what needs to be done, the

precautions that need to be taken and the measures that need to be put in place because a fire is not just a one-off thing, it takes your whole future away from you… [So] we will support getting the information that needs to be out there as much as possible,” Ram posited.

Following the brief presentation ceremony, Fire Prevention Officer within

Youths urged to get involved in decision-making process

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ith over 50 per cent of young people making up the general population of Guyana, youths have an important role to play in the decision?making process of the country, to shape a brighter future for generations of Guyanese to come.

This is the message of People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) candidate for Constituency Three (Stewartville/Cornelia Ida) Amelia Ali who told Guyana Times in an interview on Tuesday that is the reason she chose to contest.

Ali, who sits on the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), said she feels there is plenty room for young people to get involved in community development work.

“I think if we as young people are going to shape our future, we need to get on a certain platform where our voices are going to be heard, and be part and par-

PPP/C Constituency Three (Stewartville/Cornelia Ida) candidate, Amelia Ali

cel of the decision-making process,” she added.

The 24-year-old feels youths should get out and join the local political movement, regardless of which party they chose to be part of. She is encouraging those persons to work towards ensuring that their ideas and plans become a reality.

She said, “If they are up for it, then just come out.

Under whichever party you

chose to support or even if you want to campaign separately from any political party that is fine as well… but we definitely have to get involved in the decision-making in our country.”

The PPP/C candidate told Guyana Times that she first started out in politics a few years ago and quickly developed a love for it. She is a member of the youth arm of the PPP/C, the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), where many of the leaders, including General Secretary and former President Bharrat Jagdeo also started.

Asked what inspired her to join politics, Ali said she was drawn to it because of the avenue it creates to assist people, communities and the country as a whole. As a young female who has ambitions of becoming a mainstream politician someday, she said she admires party veteran, Philomena “Fireball” Sahoye-Shury the most.

Turn to page 17

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wednesdAY, october 10, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

International Day of the Girl Child

3 Guyanese young women act as President, PM, Canadian High Commissioner for a day

From left: Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; Prime Minister for the day, Delicia George; Canadian High Commissioner for the day, Sara Mohan; Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee; President for the day, Renuka Persaud and President David Granger

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s women across the world celebrate International Day of the Girl Child tomorrow, three Guyanese young women – Renuka Persaud, Delicia George and Sara Mohan – were selected to hold the post of President, Prime Minister and Canadian High Commissioner for one day.

Held under the 2018 theme, “With Her: A Skilled Girl Force”, the Day of the Girl Child marks the beginning of a year-long effort to help girls attain skills for employability, through a campaign that will bring together advocates and supporters to highlight the most pressing needs and to identify opportunities for investment.

According to Canadian Ambassador to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee, “A day of the girl child” which is spearheaded by Canada, is to remind us of the

barriers placed in the path of girls which prevent them from fulfilling their potential.

“In 2016, the successful candidate was named High Commissioner for a day. Last year, I asked PM (Moses) Nagamootoo to join PM Trudeau to give up his seat for a day so last year we had a PM for a day and High Commissioner for a day. Based on its success, this year, we broadened the competition with President Granger hosting a President for a day in addition to the PM for a day and High Commissioner for a day,” Chatterjee explained in an interview with Guyana Times.

Further she noted that the day is set aside to focus its attention on the challenges girls face, and promotes girls’ empowerment and fulfillment of their human rights.

In Guyana, the Canadian High Commission has marked this day with a competition for young women, inviting them to send videos telling us why this day is important.

Meanwhile, during a courtesy call at Cabinet on Tuesday morning, where both President Granger and Prime Minister Nagamootoo gave up their seats, President for the day, 18-year-old, Renuka Persaud said observing International Day of the Girl Child, in her opinion, means raising awareness both locally and internationally about the human rights of girls. Women and girls, she said, play an integral role in society and it is imperative that their rights be respected.

“It is an incredible opportunity to be here today, sitting in the President’s seat as the President of the day. It is a really great opportunity to have a girl in this position to speak for our own rights because that is what International Day of the Girl Child is about. [It is] about giving girls the opportunity to speak for themselves and to have their say,” Persaud said in an interview with the Public Affairs Department of the Ministry of the Presidency.

Persaud recently graduated from Queen’s College. She plans on continuing her education in the ICT sector in order to pursue a career in programming and software engineering.

In addition to programming, she also likes to paint, read and animate (like in her Day of the Girl video submission) in her spare time.

First Lady Sandra Granger meeting with the President of the day, Renuka Persaud; Prime Minister of the day, Delicia George; and Canadian High Commissioner of the day, Sara Mohan at State House. Also in photo is Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee

Meanwhile, Delicia George, Prime Minister for a day, is 20 years old and a student at the University of Guyana. She enjoys dancing and swimming but spends most of her time volunteering with different youth groups. She aspires to be a lawyer.

The Prime Minister for the day, George, in her presentation, urged women to “break glass ceilings” and to pursue initiatives which can help them to become better individuals and positive contributors to society.

Canadian High Commissioner for a day, Sara Mohan, is 20 years old. She attended St Joseph High School and has an Associate’s Degree in humanities. She aspires to be a diplomat.

Mohan used the opportunity to call for more action, rather than lip service, to conquer gender inequality and violence against women and girls.

The trio were also given the opportunity to share their experiences thus far and all concluded that “it is indeed hard work” serving as President, Prime

Minister and Canadian High Commissioner.

Following the courtesy call at Cabinet, the young women met with First Lady Sandra Granger at State House, where they discussed several areas of mutual interest, including Robotics, Information and Communication Technology, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and women and girls’ empowerment.

First Lady Sandra Granger praised the initiative as she noted that “it allows our girls to dream as big as they want to.”

While this is the second year the Canadian High Commission has partnered with the Government of Guyana to afford girls such opportunities, this is the first year that there has been a ‘President for the day’.

As part of the activities, each of the young women was given a tour of their respective offices and Parliament Buildings. They were also treated to tea with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland.

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wednesdAY, october 10, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Motorcyclist dies in Lethem accident Mathematics teachers to benefit Ignatius Village. After some time, the group of young men left the village, heading to Lethem during which the accident occurred.

It was reported that the young man was riding an unregistered motorcycle reportedly at a fast rate, heading in the northern direction, when he failed to stop upon approaching the St Ignatius

right front side of the vehicle.

As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist lost control and fell onto the bridge, sustaining severe injuries including a fractured skull.

The young man was pronounced dead by a doctor at the scene. His body was subsequently removed and taken to the Lethem Public Hospital Mortuary, awaiting

Two of the Master Trainers signing their contracts in the presence of colleagues, Education Minister Nicolette Henry, Permanent Secretary Adele Clarke, and GSEIP Project Coordinator Jimmy Bhojdat

Dead: Sylvester De Mendonca

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A

24-year-old man is now dead after his motorcycle collided with a pickup vehicle while crossing a single lane bridge in Central Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). The accident occurred on Monday sometime around 21:20h on the St Ignatius Village Bridge.

Dead is Sylvester Junior De Mendonca of Lot 41 Lethem, Central Rupununi.

Guyana Times understands that prior to the accident, De Mendonca was allegedly seen consuming alcohol with friends in St

from Masters training programme

The accident scene on Monday night on the St Ignatius Bridge

Bridge, which can only accommodate one vehicle at a time.

Reports are a pick-up truck, bearing registration number PJJ 7485, which was proceedings in the southern direction, was already on the bridge which caused De Mendonca to collide with the

a post-mortem examination.

Meanwhile, the 45-yearold driver of the pick-up vehicle, who is said to be a regional contractor of St Ignatius, has since been taken into Police custody assisting with the investigations.

ver 600 Mathematics teachers across Guyana will benefit from a Masters training programme, which is expected to improve the delivery of Mathematics and ultimately change performance among students at the secondary level.

This was made possible on Tuesday at the singing of an agreement between the Education Ministry and the Master Trainers at the Ministry’s Brickdam compound.

In delivering her brief remark, Education Minister Nicolette Henry said it is important that teachers understand delivery and content so that students can leave school with a good understanding of the principles that govern Mathematics.

The Minister noted that with the work to be done by the Master Trainers, she trusts that there will be improved performanc-

es and outcomes, not only in test scores, but in behavioural patterns towards Mathematics.

Further, Minister Henry said she is pleased that there are male Master Trainers involved in the project since their presence would have a greater impact along the gender spectrum as it relates to male underperformance, particularly in the secondary school level.

According to GSEIP Project Coordinator, Jimmy Bhojdat, this initiative forms part of the Guyana Education Sector Improvement Project (GSEIP). There will be 29 Master Trainers tasked with firstly training over 600 Mathematics teachers within the regions. Following this period of training, the teachers will undergo a period of mentoring and coaching. He noted that today’s activity marks another significant milestone in the GSEIP and for the Education Ministry.

Senior Education Officer (Mathematics), Ameer Ali, said the Master Trainers comprise of some of the best and brightest Mathematics teachers at the CSEC and Grade Six level.

He explained that some of the Master Trainers are lecturers at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), the University of Guyana or have attained over 10 years of experience teaching the subject.

Ali said the Master Trainers will now be required to go into schools, work with teachers in schools and guide them using material from the Mathematics kit that has already been distributed to schools across Guyana.

He said that based on observations made by the Master Trainers, they can host developmental sessions with teachers or it can be done regionally. This, he said, will occur for the next two years.

news

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wednesdAY, october 10, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations The Panama rice scandal epitomises that APNU/ AFC frankly do not care

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here is the Special Organised Crime Unity (SOCU)?

The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), either, by a horrendous mistake or through shockingly corruption, shipped more than 30 containers of parboiled rice instead of packaged white rice to Panama. A private citizen has delivered a complaint to the Police Commissioner and plans to sue the GRDB. The parboiled rice, after more than two months, is on its way back to Guyana.

Somebody has to pay for this fiasco, rice farmers will suffer. Soon, farmers will not be paid because of this.

Had this happened when I was Minister, I would have Dr Leslie Ramsammy submitted a Cabinet report, held a media conference and would have been on the first available flight to Panama to assure my colleagues over there that this would never happen again all within 24 hours.

I would have met with millers and farmers. None of this has happened yet. There is deafening silence, other than, under pressure, the General Manager of the GRDB merely stating there is no risk to the Panama rice market.

Almost two million pounds of parboiled rice, more than 80,000 bags in 30 shipping containers, were wrongly loaded and shipped to Panama. This is in spite of the rigid quality control measures that are in place to ensure that rice shipment to our overseas markets meet the highest standard. It is not just an innocent mistake. Panama is one of our most-valued markets at this time and has been since 2015, after we lost the Venezuelan rice market. How can we be nonchalant of this travesty, jeopardising the Panama rice market? Panama is not only an importer of more than 50,000 tons annually, equivalent to about 80,000 tons of paddy, but Panama pays a premium price. This not only benefits our farmers, it is significant for our foreign currency earnings and critical for our national economy. Yet, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) behaves as if it is a storm in a tea cup.

The President is silent, seemingly unconcerned and oblivious of the risk, carrying on as if he is merely ornamental; a non-Executive President. He has said nothing about the scandal and, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, has not sought an explanation. The threat to the rice industry is not "fit and proper" to elicit any presidential concern.

These matters of national concern appear to never be within the President's ambit of interest. Sugar, rice and general agricultural matters have been anathema to this President.

He took time to address his supporters in Corriverton two weeks ago, in sugar territory, yet he did not find time to meet sugar workers. But he has had time to sign on to increased land rental and lease charges and has rescinded leases for farmers. President Granger has been [Absent Without Leave] AWOL from day one, since May 2015, when it comes to agriculture. This is the most anti-agriculture President and Government we have ever had.

No one is surprised the Agriculture Minister is AWOL, routinely playing "deaf and dumb". Just last week, in my column, I asked if Guyana has a Minister of Agriculture. This is a matter that should have attracted his attention. He is the responsible Minister, but seems more comfortable looking and running away from the issues and concerns affecting agriculture. "Frankly", this Minister just does not care. He is AWOL, just like the President. The Minister's total silence is his way to pronounce "frankly, I do not care" if almost two million pounds of rice wrongly shipped to Panama must return to Guyana and threaten the Panama market.

The hands-off attitude to these matters of national concern is frightening, but none of us is shocked by it. It is a measure of the uncaring attitude of this Government. It took a strike and another threat of strike and many months before the President found it necessary to meet with teachers. In fact, the Opposition Leader has been calling on the President for weeks now to become engaged. He has now buckled under pressure.

There is growing concern about the $30 billion loan for the Guyana Sugar Corporation. The President is silent. Domestic and sexual abuse violence is careening out of control. The President is silent. The list of matters affecting our growth and development is growing exponentially and we wonder where the President is. This is the non-engagement with national issues that pervades this Government. They are so glued to the ‘oil boat’ that is coming that they have foolishly left the nation stumbling its way somewhere, anywhere. In the meanwhile, we have a Prime Minister with no official duty, other than "pompositing" and a President parading as a non-Executive President.

Harmon attends Conference of Defence Ministers of the Americas

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inister of State Joseph Harmon is currently in Cancun, Mexico, for the 13th Conference of Defence Ministers of the Americas, which will conclude today. He is accompanied by Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Patrick West.

During the Conference, Minister Harmon emphasised Guyana’s commitment to working with all States in the hemisphere, while noting that there is need to ensure that the armed forces are geared towards providing humanitarian assistance to small and vulnerable States, in addition to fulfilling their mandated functions. He said through Guyana’s participation at the Conference, there is now a better understanding of various

Minister of State Joseph Harmon meets United States’ Secretary of Defence, James Mattis on the sidelines of the conference

areas including the evolving role of the Army, the role of women in the armed forces, climate change and defence and best global practices on defence and security issues. This is an area Guyana takes seriously, he added.

According to its website,

the Conference of Defence Ministers of the Americas is an international multilateral political forum directed and integrated by the Defence Ministers of the Americas, with authorisation from the Governments of their respective countries. The

forum promotes mutual knowledge and exchange of ideas at the Ministers level in the scope of hemispheric defence and security.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the Conference, Minister Harmon met with the United States’ Secretary of Defence, Jim Mattis. He also met with representatives of several member states of the Union of South America (UNASUR) including Uruguay, Ecuador and Bolivia.

During his meetings with the UNASUR representatives, Minister Harmon outlined that Guyana wants to see UNASUR functioning in the best interest of its member states and Guyana is prepared to cooperate with the body whenever the need arises.

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news

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wednesdAY, october 10, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Tourism Department working with GuySuCo on ‘Heritage Tourism’ ket opportunities (current and future); establish and ‘Annual Estate Week’ for 2019; training in tourism, heritage tourism and other relevant areas,” the company pointed out.

The Corporation added that it will also build on its engagements with the

National Trust of Guyana, National Archives and other relevant agencies “to ensure that the sugar heritage is sufficiently captured, secured and documented as the transition process continues”. These measures follow the downsizing of the sugar industry whereby

thousands of sugar workers were retrenched. The Estate of Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt remain under GuySuCo’s control while the entities at Wales, Skeldon, East Demerara and Rose Hall were transferred to the Special Purposes Unit.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT GuySuCo meeting with the Department of Tourism on Tuesday

A

s the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) continues to revamp its image under Government’s overhaul to the sector, a partnership was forged with the Business Ministry’s Tourism Department to develop ‘Heritage Tourism’.

GuySuCo on Tuesday said it has a new business stream as a part of the Corporation’s new strategic direction.

The sugar entity stressed that while key components of the new strategic plan focuses on value added products; such as plantation white sugar and cogeneration, and improving the Corporation’s overall capability and efficiencies, “the Corporation has recognised that it is important that the preservation of the invaluable sugar history be factored into the transition programme.”

According to GuySuCo, its new ‘Sustainable Business Model’ will allow it to focus on accounting for a Triple Bottom Line (TBL). These components are: economic (financial), environmental and

social. The statement outlined that the partnership will ensure that Heritage (Sugar) Tourism becomes integrated into the tourism industry in a structured and well-coordinated way.

The move to establish this latest venture comes as a result of the first meeting that was held on September 24, 2018, where the two sides discussed the partnership and the specifics of the engagement. Moreover, the Sugar Corporation stated that the business line for the Corporation “will be organised around educational as well as relaxation for students, groups, visitors and tourists”.

“The Department of Tourism will support GuySuCo in the development of a ‘Heritage Tourism’ strategy in line with the national tourism policy; assist in defining the strategic direction for tourism relative to sugar; assist in the designing project proposals for funding for the development and creation of heritage and other sites in the sugar industry, including a ‘sugar museum’; determine mar-

Youths urged to get involved in...

From page 12

“She is tenacious and her story is inspiring.

She was involved in politics when the atmosphere wasn’t as easy as it is now.

Even though those times were tougher, she still managed to get her message through and she represented her party well,” she added. Aside from her, Ali said despite being a youth politician, she also draws her inspiration from women not particularly in politics, but those who have made and/ or continue to make a tangible contribution to the development of Guyana.

These persons include, but are not limited to, President of the Guyana Trade Union Congress and General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, Coretta McDonald; and writer/activist, Anna Correia.

Ali, who is currently reading for a bachelor’s degree in social work at the University of Guyana will be contesting the Constituency Three (Stewartville/Cornelia Ida) West Coast Demerara area.

She said that she hopes to take some changes to the area. “Most of the ideas I have for my community are not necessarily new

but what I think needs to happen is the approach to which we deal with things in the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) needs to change. What I do hope to accomplish if I do get elected is to develop waste management strategies because littering in my NDC has proven to be a sore issue,” she explained.

Ali said that petty theft, robberies and other social ills continue to affect her community. Once elected, she said she will push to have an improved working relationship with the Community Policing Group and the Police to tackle these issues. The young PPP/C candidate also boasted about her party’s vision for her constituency and Guyana as a whole, emphasising that it has what it takes to manage local democratic organs effectively and efficiently, and will ensure that no new taxes are implemented. She is encouraging everyone, especially youths, to take part of the democratic process and ensure that the vote at the upcoming Local Government Elections set for November 12. (Samuel Sukhnandan)

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wednesdAY, october 10, 2018

ARCHIE

Don’t limit what you can do because of fear, or back (March 21- down when someone doesn’t April 19) agree with you. Compromise based on understanding and intelligence will lead to a workable solution.

ARIES

Take note of what others TAURUS say instead of taking offense.

(April 20- You’ll gain greater perspecMay 20) tive on a situation if you listen and consider what’s being offered. Change will lead to personal progress.

dilbert

Put your head down and GEMINI (May 21- keep working toward your June 20) goal. Much can be accomplished if you are less vocal and more intent on finishing what you start.

You don’t have to overspend to make an impres(June 21- sion. An innovative idea will July 22) spark interest and get others talking about partnerships and new possibilities.

Romance is on the rise.

CANCER

Peanuts

An unexpected incident LEO will leave you at odds. You (July 23- can let anger take charge and Aug. 22) make a fuss, or you can focus on how to turn things around in a positive manner.

Calvin and Hobbes

Stop worrying and trust VIRGO in your ability to get things (Aug. 23done right and on time. Your Sept. 22) actions will help you outmanoeuvre the competition, and your intelligence will help you make wise choices.

You’ll have a lot riding LIBRA (Sept. 23- on the changes you make.

Oct. 23) Listen to suggestions and use what’s offered to the best of your ability. Look for the positive in everyone and everything.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — WHISPER

SUDOKU

Observe what others do SAGITTARIUS and listen to what they say.

(Nov. 23- What you learn will give you a Dec. 21) better idea of how to proceed.

Set out on your own path and see where it leads.

(WHISPER: WIS-per: Something spoken very softly.)

Average mark 21 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 28 or more words in WHISPER? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — ALOPECIA aloe apace apical lace laic leap lice lope oleic opal pace pail

palace pale peal pica pile place plaice plea plie pole police epic

cape capo clap clip clop coal coil cola cole cope

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

With change comes new SCORPIO opportunities.

Embrace what (Oct. 24life has to offer and share Nov. 22) your emotions with someone you care about. Positive acts will lead to personal improvements.

solution for last published puzzle

Doing things differentCAPRICORN (Dec. 22- ly will bring about positive Jan. 19) change. Your insight and experience will make others take note. An unusual offer will change the way you move forward.

Proceed with caution.

AQUARIUS You’ll come up against some(Jan. 20- one who is overpowering and Feb. 19) intent on taking advantage of you if you let down your guard. Be strong and know when to say no.

Don’t let anyone stifle who PISCES (Feb. 20- you are or how you do things.

March 20) Be true to your beliefs and have the courage to follow your heart. A commitment you make will change your life.

wednesdAY, october 10, 2018

RHT win Nasir Memorial One-Day 5/5 Tournament P

laying in front of a large and colourful crowd at the Area H Ground on Sunday last, Rose Hall Town (RHT) Bakewell Cricket Team defeated Courtland Cricket Club by 10 wickets to lift the Berbice Cricket Board’s Naeem Nasir Memorial One-Day 5/5 Cricket Tournament.

RHT won the toss and elected to field. Openers Troy Mathieson and Seon Crandon failed to dominate the RHT attack as Simon Lawson, Keith Simpson, Junior Sinclair, and Kevin Sinclair bowled well.

Courtland were restricted to 39 for 5 off their allotted five overs with Troy Mathieson (17) and Keon Sinclair (12) being the main scorers.

Medium pacer Keon Sinclair then conceded only four runs from the first over as Courtland Cricket Club tried to defend the small amount.

However, National Under-19 all-rounder Junior Sinclair smashed the first two balls in the second over for huge sixes off the left-

arm spinner to ease the run rate. RHT then raced to 43 without loss off just 3.1 overs as Junior Sinclair ended on 28 not out while fellow National Under-19 player Kevin Sinclair was undefeated on 16.

Earlier in the day, Jai Hind Cricket Club gave a walkover to Courtland Cricket Club; Fyrish Cricket Club defeated Whim National Cricket Club by eight wickets; RHT cruised past Belvedere United Cricket Club by 70 runs while Albion Community Centre Cricket Club defeated Tamarind Root Cricket Club by 20 runs.

In the first semi-final, Courtland Cricket Club defeated Albion by s e v e n

wicke t s .

Albion struggled to 25 for five off their five overs as Eon Gibson took two wickets

for four runs. In response, Courtland struggled as well to achieve victory and reached 26 for 3 from 4.1 overs. Mathieson had 13 not out and Keon Sinclair ended on eight not out after Courtland Cricket Club had slumped to 6 for 3 in the second over.

In the second semi, RHT blasted their way to 87 without loss as Kevin Sinclair made 44 not out and Junior Sinclair pitched in with 31.

In the opening round, the National Under-19 pair had scored 105 without being separated against Belvedere United. Fyrish were then restricted to 35 for 6.

In the thirdplace playoff, Albion defeated Fyrish by nine wickets.

RHT took home $100,000

while Courtland had to settle for $50,000, Albion bagged $30,000 and

McGregor suspended from UFC on medical grounds

C

Conor McGregor was beaten in the fourth round by Nurmagomedov

onor McGregor has been suspended for a month on medical grounds after his UFC 229 defeat by Khabib Nurmagomedov.

McGregor was beaten in Las Vegas when he tapped out in the fourth round following Nurmagomedov administering a rear-naked choke.

Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) sanctioned the bout and confirmed McGregor was suspended from fighting until 6 November, with no contact

until 28 October.

Medical suspensions are routine in UFC. In total, 13 fighters on the Las Vegas card have been suspended from action under medical grounds.

Following the fight, there were violent scenes involving the fighters.

Lightweight champion Nurmagomedov vaulted the cage and fought a member of McGregor's team.

Meanwhile, McGregor was involved in a bust-up in the octagon with members of his Russian opponent's

team.

Three of Nurmagomedov's party were arrested but later released, with McGregor refusing to press charges.

Nurmagomedov's fight purse has been withheld while the NSAC investigates.

The Russian apologised following the incident but cited pre-fight trash talk in which McGregor "talked about my religion, talked about my country, talked about father".

Fyrish won $20,000. Junior Sinclair was named man-ofthe-final.

The Tournament was sponsored by Bakewell in memory of its founder and late Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Naeem Nasir, who died in October 2012.

Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster hailed the success of the Tournament, which he stated was a perfect tribute to the memory of the Bakewell founder. Nasir, he stated, was a strong supporter of sports and education.

Bakewell has supported Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club since 2000, officially sponsoring its Under-17 and Second Division Teams. The company has also been a big supporter of Berbice cricket.

Bakewell General Manager Rajin Ganga praised the organising skills of the Cricket Board and the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, stating that it was fitting that the Rose Hall Town Bakewell Team won the Tournament.

Bakewell, he stated, was committed to supporting sports as part of its corporate responsibility.

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Albion, RHT Bakewell to clash in historic 100-Ball final today

T

he Hampshire Cricket Ground located in Lower Corentyne is the venue for the historic final of the 2018 Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/Raffik Construction Services 100 Balls Cricket Tournament.

Arch-rivals Albion Community Centre Cricket Club and Rose Hall Town Bakewell are set to clash today from 14:00h.

Rose Hall Town Bakewell are led by National Under-19 player Kevin Sinclair and he should expect support from fellow national players Junior Sinclair, Jonathan Rampersaud, Kevlon Anderson, Keith Simpson, Joshua Vantull, Chanderpaul Govindan and Mahendra Gopilall.

Rose Hall Town Bakewell also have a strong bowling attack, which will be spearheaded by pacer Sylus Tyndall while left-arm spinners Jeremy Sandia and Keith Simpson offer backup.

Albion are led by the experienced Adrian Sukhwa. The former National Under-19 batsman will be supported

by Antonio February, Ritesh Umroa, Kevin Umroa, Rajesh Kassinauth, and Karwan Chaitnarine.

As per norm, the Albion Community Centre bowling attack comprises mostly spin with national junior spinners Kevin Umroa,

Kevin Umroa

Karran Arjpaul and Gouraz Ramesh in the attack.

BCB President Hilbert Foster stated that his Board was delighted with the success of the 100-Ball Cricket Tournament, the first of its kind to be played in the West Indies. The match consists of 14 six-ball overs and two eight-ball overs to each team. The Tournament has proven to be very popular, with large crowds turning up at the different venues.

The main objective of the Tournament is to promote the game at the grassroots level in the Lower/Central Corentyne area.

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wednesdAY, october 10, 2018

BCB/Elizabeth Styles Under-21 Tournament…

Blairmont defeat RHT to reclaim title A

brutal attacking innings of 59 runs from the powerfully-built Rakesh Somwaru spearheaded defending champions Blairmont Community Centre to a successful defence of their Elizabeth Styles Under-21 title.

They surprisingly defeated Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets by 61 runs in the 2018 final at the Port Mourant Ground in front of a fair-sized crowd.

Blairmont won the toss and elected to take first strike on a pitch that played slower and lower as the match progressed.

They lost their first wicket in the third over when former National Under-19 pacer Sylus Tyndall had Seon Glasgow caught behind for 10 and then Nigel Deodat for 9 with the score on 43-2, by wicketkeeper Chanderpaul Govindan off

The victorious Blairmont Community Centre team take a photo op with the company’s rep, Bissoondyal Singh

Kevlon Anderson.

Blairmont slumped to 88 for 6 in the 22nd over as Javed Karim (19); Zameel Nazir; F Subhan (0) and

Marvin Prashad (15) all fell cheaply.

Somwaru then played the innings of his life as he smashed four massive sixes

and six boundaries. He added 90 for the seventh wicket with the elegant Fawaz Gafoor. Gafoor rotated the strike nicely and scored 44 runs with two boundaries before he was eventually bowled by Anderson with the score at 178. Blairmont were eventually dismissed for 195 in 36 overs.

Anderson ended with 4-44 while Keith Simpson took 2-20 for Rose Hall.

National players Kevin and Junior Sinclair raced to 52-0 from five overs before the latter threw his wicket away for 11 in the sixth over.

Lunch was taken with the score at 63 for 1 from eight overs. Left-arm spinner Nigel Deodat struck a crucial blow when he had the in-form Kevin Sinclair caught at cover for 43, and then off-spinner Seon Glasgow trapped Anderson for 11 as Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets slipped to 73 for 4 in the 12th over.

Deodat and Glasgow bowled well in tandem as Rose Hall Town were bowled out for 134 in just 25 overs. Tyndall, batting at number 8, batted with flair to score 33, which included a six and five boundaries. Meanwhile, Deodat and Glasgow were the main destroyers for Blairmont, claiming 4-33 and 4-43 respectively. Marvin Prashad

supported with 1-19.

Elizabeth Styles representative Bissoondyal Singh praised the Berbice

span. Elizabeth Styles, he stated, was also highly impressed by the Board’s no-nonsense attitude to indiscipline and the mileage the company received from media coverage.

To loud applause, Singh announced that sponsorship for 2019 would be renewed as the company was committed to Berbice cricket.

BCB Secretary Robby Saywack and President Hilbert Foster both expressed gratitude to the sponsor for investing in the development of Berbice cricket.

The Under-21 Tournament, Foster stated, is a bridge between the Under-19 and FirstDivision levels.

Foster also hailed the outstanding development of Blairmont and their successful defence of their ti-

The Blairmont Captain receives the winning trophy from Bissoondyal Singh

Cricket Board for organising a highly-successful tournament in a short time

tle. Blairmont carted off the championship trophy and $70,000.

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21 Deo warms up for Guyana Open with win in Suriname sports

G

uyanese pro golfer Joaan Deo warmed up for the upcoming Guyana Open Cup Championship by starring in the recently-concluded Republic Bank Suriname Golf Invitational.

The Surinamese Golf Club Greens in Paramaribo were set alight last weekend as 22 Guyanese invaded Dutch shores as they sought to fine-tune themselves for Guyana’s premier golfing extravaganza, which will tee off in November. Deo, a former Guyana Open champ, led the way in the Female Category finishing with a score of 79 over 18 holes for her 42 points.

Forty of Deo’s points were acquired on the first day as she went on to tally 82 points over the two days. Another former Guyana Open winner, Shanella Webster also got some form going as she ended in second place with her two-day aggregate of 75 points.

Deo broke 18 holes for the first time, securing her lowest Gross.

In the male category, seasoned Guyanese pro Bridgelall Harry won the B flight Handicap14-24 while Videsh Persaud calmly finished second in the C Flight as current Guyana Open champion Avinash Persaud, who was tied for second place in the top flight on Saturday, was ousted on Sunday by the competition.

5-a-side arrives on Marriott Beachfront – 16 teams to battle October 19-21

S

the

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was rested for Asia Cup,” he added.

“Mayank Agarwal is somebody who has been picked. Are you looking at him for Australia? If you’re looking at him, would you want to have a go in Test match cricket here?

Otherwise, I don’t think they have to change anything.”(Sportsmax)

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Kohli should be rested against non-competitive Windies, claims former spinner

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Virat Kohli

ormer Indian spinner Murali Karthik has called for star batsman Virat Kohli to be rested for the second Test against the Windies as the series has not proven to be anywhere close to competitive.

The regional team was completely decimated in the first Test, going down by a massive innings and 272 runs inside three days.

Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and debutant Prithvi Shaw all scored centuries and the West Indies collapsed under the weight of chasing a massing 649 first innings total. The Caribbean team was bundled out twice on day three of the encounter.

With such dominance with both bat and ball, Karthik believes a few of the key players can be rested for the second Test, especially the team’s captain Kohli.

“You should look at what you’re trying to get from this series. You’re looking for players for Australia,” Karthik told Star Sports India.

“Did Virat Kohli have to play? You can possibly win this Test series without Virat Kohli. The way he

of-a-kind event with a total purse of $500,000.

“The idea is to fuse sports and entertainment and using something that is popular amongst the youths and football fans,” said Jacobs, who is well-known for his creative themed parties and other events, both locally and overseas.

With ANSA McAL under its Stag Beer brand and the National Sports Commission (NSC) listed as the two main sponsors of the event, Jacobs explained that the concept should not be mistaken for beach football because of its location, but rather it was ‘street football’ with all the rules that are usually applied at the other popular tournaments.

“It’s all about being dif-

ferent,” Jacobs added, while pointing out that “sometimes you need to switch things up a bit. I wanted to bring an event that allows the top teams to play each other, but do so at an unusual venue. I think the location is perfect for this type of rivalry that will unfold.”

The likes of Sparta Boss, a team that are famed for being one of, if not number one, the country’s top street ball sides, as well as West Front Road and Leopold Street will clash with teams from the ‘West Side’, Berbice, and Linden.

The tournament is set to be launched this week, and all details with regard to prize money and the entertainment aspect will be divulged.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesdAY, october 10, 2018

GDF successfully defend Intermediate title T

he Guyana Defence Force (GDF) boxing gym has once again come out victorious after their boxers put on a spectacular show over this past weekend, asserting themselves as ‘the gym to beat’ in Guyana.

The National Gymnasium came alive for the annual Lennox Blackmore Intermediate event organised by the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA). Prior to the competition, all eyes were on the servicemen and the Republican Gym (Prisons) as true fans knew the competition would come down to the two of them. However, GDF truly asserted their dominance with wins in six categories. Added to that, the rest of their contingent finished in the top two of the other divisions, making the military men untouchable in the competition.

The event saw a number of riveting fights which all led up to the grand finale on Sunday evening. Orlando Norton of GDF finished his fight in fine style, knocking out Shawn La Fleur of Rose Hall Jammers (RHJ) just one minute into their second round. GDF’s streak continued as Seon Murray pummelled Donovan Richard of Republican Gym. Republican had wins of their own as Mark Chester fought to a technical knockout over Orin Bancroft of Forgotten Youths Foundation (FYF).

GDF’s Andrew Griffith copped a split decision over Gordon Green in the lightweight category. GDF also experienced the losing side of the bout as VBG’s Christopher Moore was on the winning side of another split decision, this time against Orlando Grenville of GDF. Walkovers saw Clinton Clarke taking

a win when he was intended to face Ishaun Khan of Harpy Eagle. Christopher Moore copped another walkover instead of facing Republican’s Mark Chester. Also, Jamal Eastman gladly accepted a walkover from Republican’s Deon Samuels.

Friday and Saturday’s excitement made way for final matches on Sunday which were dominated by GDF, which often saw GBD boxers in both corners of the ring.

In the line of technical knockouts, Renaldo Niles defeated Shemar Ming in the heavyweight category while Astion Niles completed the feat against Frank McRae within two minutes, 43 seconds of their light heavyweight bout.

Clinton Clarke took the bantamweight division by unanimous decision as Albert Thomas was no match for his prowess. Later on, Royden Grant won the middleweight category after defeating Orlando Norton on points.

Eventually, the best of the best had to

be crowned. Quincy Boyce was adjudged the best elite boxer of the 2018 bout.

After pummelling Denzil Adams on Friday evening in a TKO result, he went on to sink Jamal Eastman by the third round on Saturday and then defeated Seon Murray within two minutes on Sunday. Boyce’s streak was a clear answer as to why he was chosen.

The best youth boxer was awarded to Shaquille Wright of VBG who was clearly seen as the best after an empathic knockout out of Junior Hyman in their lightweight encounter.

The three nights of boxing was sure to be closed off in style as Renaldo Niles (GDF) and Shekeal Damon met in the ring. The boxers were engrossed in their fight, exchanging jab for jab; however, to the crowd’s dismay, the encounter was stopped just seconds before the conclusion of the fight owing to Damon’s wrist bandage being unmarked. As such, he was disqualified.

Gayle throws support behind Windies Women I nternationally known as the face of T20 cricket, Chris Gayle is without a doubt the most prolific player in the format. Having racked up 11,737 T20 runs over the years, Gayle has been a front runner throughout the years and is perfectly poised to sanction anything T20 related.

All eyes were on the “World Boss” this week as he announced his retirement from regional cricket; however, he has expertly turned the attention away from himself and towards the impending Women’s T20 World Cup. In his usual high spirits, Mr 175 had a few words of encouragement for the Windies ladies.

“To Stafanie Taylor and all the ladies, I want to wish you all the best. You can do it; you can get this cup back to back,” he stated.

Gayle went on to reference the recently-concluded T20 series that the Windies Women were involved in against South

Africa Women. The Windies Women were in control of the series, leading 2-0 by the fourth game. Citing this, Gayle advised the women to play to their strengths and carry their high momentum into the November 9-24 World Cup. “You all started the series well against South Africa, so you have the momentum with you now.

Go and win the cup for us; we’ll be cheering for you, you can do it,” he said.

The first female standalone T20 World Cup is slated to bowl off on November 9 at the Providence National Stadium, with the Windies Women facing off with the Bangladesh ladies.

The group stages of the World Cup will be hosted at Providence, Guyana and the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium, St Lucia.

After which, they will head to the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua for the semi-finals and final.

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESdAY, october 10, 2018

23

2018 CWI Regional Super50…

Volcanoes, Windies B battle under lights – CCC tackle Pride in Group B encounter

D

efending Super50 champs Windward Volcanoes will collide with the feisty West Indies B team under lights at the Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago, in today’s Group A day-night encounter.

The third-placed Volcanoes erupted in their last game against Canada making their second highest total in this format, while opponents Windies B, who are fourth on the Group A side of the points table, are also in good form despite being mauled by the Guyana Jaguars in their last game.

Seasoned opener Devon Smith racked up a ton in his last game, as he seeks to again dominate the regional run charts. The champs’ top order looked dangerous in the last game, as three of their top four batsmen Kirk Edwards, Kavem Hodge, and Smith all passed 50.

Opener Tyrone Theophile will want to complete the set after looking good during his 31 while a middle order consisting of Kyle Mayers, Alick Athanaze and Shane Shillingford will need to do more this trip with the bat.

Athanaze, who grabbed five against the Canadians, could play a big role with the ball in

Carlos Brathwaite

supporting the likes of pacers Delorn Johnson, Windies recent selectee left-arm pacer Obed McCoy and off-spinner Shillingford, who will be the likely frontline bowlers.

Marlon Samuels has led the Windies B team well thus far and even hit a century a few games ago to set the tone for the youngsters. The Windies had a tussle against the Jaguars who sprung to victory on the back of another Windies selectee, Chandrapaul Hemraj’s maiden ton.

After piling on a whopping 192 against a star-studded Guyana bowling attack,

John Campbell

Samuels and company will be relishing the form of their impressive young top order.

Eyes will be on the Windies U-19 trio of Keagan Simmons, Kirstan Kallicharan and Kimani Melius, who are in impressive batting form, but will need to convert their starts.

The Windies senior batsman will glue the middle order along with the in-form all-rounder Yannic Cariah and ex-Windies U-19 World Cupwinning keeper, Guyanese Tevin Imlach who has made a few useful starts, but will also need to join the bunch who must convert their starts.

Bowling-wise, the B team have a potent bowling department – former Windies U-19 all-round star Chemar Holder, Windies speedster Alzarri Joseph, Odean Smith and other options that could turn things around quickly for Samuels.

Over at the Cave Hill in Barbados, the home team Pride will be seeking to secure a win against the CCC Marooners when the two meet up in a Group B encounter from 09:00h. Barbados are in good form all-round, especially in the batting area with Shemar Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Shayne Mosley and veteran Kevin Stoute – the seniors – who are in good form.

The Pride have a classy bowling unit with Windies spinner Ashley Nurse, pacer Miguel

Nikita Miller

charge with the ball. CCC, meanwhile, will want skipper Carlos Brathwaite to continue his form with the bat along with the classy 21-year-old Amir Jangoo, the Ottley brothers, Kyle Corbin and opener Nicholas Sookdeosingh.

The Marooners will rely on the likes of spinner Jon Russ Jaggesar, Brathwaite and others. CCC are third on the points table for Group B with the Pride coming in behind them, in fourth place.

Classy Campbell, Miller star in Scorpions win A fluent fifty from John Campbell coupled with skipper Nikita Miller’s magic spell led the Jamaica Scorpions to an easy wicket-wicket win over the United States.

Playing his first match of the Tournament after replacing the retired Chris Gayle, the lefthander Campbell stroked 56 from 7 2 balls to keep t h e Scorpions unbeaten in Group B innings with a by giving them their flurry of third straight win. boundaries Chasing to end on 17 1 4 5 for not out each. victory, Earlier, a Campbell and handful of wicketkeeper/ US batsmen b a t s m a n got starts, Chadwick Walton but failed shared 51 for the first to carry on, wicket to give the with Timil Patel Scorpions a strong start. gathering 37 to Campbell, whose innings lead the way, as included six boundaries, they were bowled followed up with a out for 144 in 42.1 55-run, secondovers. wicket stand with Scorpions Test batsman Captain Miller J e r m a i n e was the pick Blackwood, who of his side’s made 22. bowlers, bagging The half3-41 from 10 centurion and overs, with Blackwood fell recent Windies to the American selectees C u m m i n s , captain, Saurabh Fabian Allen Windies U-19 Netravalkar in and Oshane ex-pacer Shemar the space of 11 Thomas Springer and deliveries; bringing snapping up veteran spinner Rovman Powell and two wickets Suleiman Benn the in-form Andre apiece to leading the McCarthy together wrap up a Keagan Simmons as they finished the Jonathan Carter

convincing win.

Over at Three W’s Oval, leg-spinner Damion Jacobs snared 4-31 while allrounder Rakeem Cornwall bagged 3-39 as Leewards halted the Marooners’ chase of a modest target of 131, securing a thumping nine-run victory. Nicholas Kirton led the way for the Marooners with 33, but no other batsman reached 20, as the home team narrowly missed out on a crucial second victory, when they were bowled out for 121 in 37.1 overs.

Windies player Devon Thomas hit 44 for the Hurricanes who were eventually dismissed for 130 in 39.3 overs, batting first.

Yannick Ottley, bowling his uncomplicated left-arm spin, was the most successful Marooners bowler with 3-37 from 10 overs, and three other bowlers collected two wickets apiece. Action continues today with exciting matches in Group A and Group B. (Clifton Ross)

Lodge, Bishops’ maul opponents as Guyoil action continues A s the first round of the inaugural Guyoil Under-18 tournament came to a close on Monday evening, Lodge Secondary and The Bishops’ High School copped their first points in fine style.

In match five of the sixmatch round, The Bishops’ High School were paired with St Rose’s High. Starting on level ground, the first half hour of the game saw both sides hunting for a goal, but to no avail. Romeo Bradford was

Bishops’s hero as he broke the stalemate with his first goal. Fifteen minutes later in the 47th minute, Bradford repeated the feat for his second. Malachi Richards sought to extend Bishops’ lead in the 55th minute with a goal of his own. By the time the 90 minutes had expired, St Rose’s were left goalless while Bishops’ basked in the glory of their first win.

Taking the field minutes later were Lodge and Dolphin Secondary Schools. The en-

counter was expected to be intense as both teams have a rich history of competitive playing. However, to the spectators’ surprise, it turned out to be a one-sided affair in Lodge’s favour.

The rain of goals began as early as the 14th minute when Dorwin George netted the first of his double. In the next half hour, Dolphin displayed great defending skills as they managed to hold off Lodge, but this was not for long. The reality was that

Lodge had a quick succession of goals up their sleeve which completely stunned their opponents, allowing the strikers to net goal after goal in a matter of five minutes.

The 53rd minute saw Thorton Gordon finding the back of the goal. The following minute, Rickie Stewart added to the tally. Next, George returned for his second in the 55th and his teammate Nickolas Trotman took the score to 5-0 in the

57th. By this time, the victory for Lodge was already sure, but Justin Bovel wanted a piece of the pie as he added a goal to his name in the 65th.

The Under-18 Guyoil/ Tradewind Tankers action will continue this Sunday, October 14 with the beginning of Round Two. All matches will be played at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

WEDNESdAY, october 10, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

RHT win Nasir Memorial One-Day 5/5 Tournament

Page 19

Volcanoes, Windies B battle under lights Page 23

̶ CCC tackle Pride in Group B encounter

The winning Rose Hall Town Bakewell team pose with Bakewell General Manager Rajin Ganga

Kohli should be Deo warms up for Guyana rested against Open with win in Suriname non-competitive Windies, claims former spinner Page 21

Page 21

Joaan Deo (second from left in front row) flocked by her Guyanese teammates, including Shanella Webster and Troy Cadogan, at the Suriname Golf Open

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