Guyanatimes 13 january 2018

Crisis in Venezuela

Guyana prepared to facilitate P returning Guyanese 15

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

Issue No. 3449

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, January 13, 2018

PPP pickets President’s Berbice visit Page 3

…calls for Agriculture Minister’s resignation …as Police arrest drivers taking protesters Severance payments Govt withholding Page 7 375 Wales funding for Guyana workers not Prize for Literature included in awards Page 9 Govt’s 50%plan

…Minister unaware of responsibility for Prize

Guyana celebrates 165 years of Chinese arrival

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyanese P10 killed in NYC mugging

Vaccines spoilt at regional health facilities – Region 2 Chairman P12

…investigation launched

Severance to be paid according to workers’ unique cases – P14 Harmon …not $1 million each, as reported by State media

Residents fear threat of leaning pole at Wismar Housing Scheme P10

“Crack skull” remanded on murder P8 charge Essequibo drug bust

…President hails contributions of Chinese PIO Conference in India

Page 11

Govt distances self from Imran Khan’s Facebook post

– even as Khan continues rampage

Page 11

Guyanese on $1M bail, Venezuelan remanded P2

New York City sues Exxon over climate P9 change

2 News

saturDAY, january 13, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Essequibo drug bust

Guyanese on $1M bail, Venezuelan remanded T

hirty-year-old Eknauth Persaud, called “Patel” of Lot 66 Onderneeming; and Dhanraj Singh, called “Roy Pang” of Golden Fleece Estate, Essequibo Coast were on Friday granted $1 million bail for the recent 42 kilograms drug bust.

Additionally, Manuel Diaz, 36, a of Sand Felix, Venezuela, who was jointly charged with the men was however remanded.

The trio made their first appearance before Magistrate Ester Sam at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court on Friday to answer to a narcotics trafficking charge. However, all three of the men denied the charge.

The prosecution is contending that on January 6, 2017, at about 17:30h, the trio had in their possession 42 kilograms of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Eknauth Persaud, also known as “Patel”

They were reportedly caught during a joint operation in G Division (Essequibo Coast-Islands).

Reporters are the ranks went to ‘back street’ Golden Fleece, Essequibo Coast where a motor car bear-

Manuel Diaz from Venezuela

ing registration plates PMM 9059 was seen proceeding in a northern direction. The car had two occupants along with the driver, Dhanraj Singh.

Ranks stopped the car and conducted a search, during which two white bags containing 70 parcels wrapped

Dhanraj Singh, also known as “Roy Pang”

with clear tape and brown card board were found. Each parcel contained leaves, seeds and stem suspected to be cannabis. The trio was told of the offence but remained silent.

The matter will continue on February 2.

Soesdyke man slapped with robbery, gun possession charges

T

hirty-two-yearold Sherwin Hinds of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara on Friday, January 12, vehemently denied before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan that on April 17 last, at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, while being armed with a gun, he robbed Akeem Waterman of $145,000 worth of items.

He also denied that on January 10th instant, at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he had in his possession one .32 pistol and four live rounds of ammunition.

Instead, Hinds told the Chief Magistrate that he was being pursued by the Police, and as such he hid in a house unknown to him, where the

gun was found under a mattress.

He noted that he has no knowledge of the gun, as he does not live at the house where he had hidden from the Police.

Questioned if these allegations were true, Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield informed the court that the gun was indeed found in the room where Hinds was hiding.

The Prosecutor also objected to Hinds being placed on bail on grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of these types of offences.

Hinds was as such remanded to prison, and the case has been set to continue on February 2.

Carpenter charged for $2M robbery

A

father of two from Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was on Friday brought before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts slapped with five counts of robbery under arms.

Lloyd Saffon, 36, of Lot 6 Quamina Road, Beterverwagting denied the charges read to him by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

He is being charged with carrying out an armed robbery on Merwin Gobin at Caneview Avenue, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. In that instance, it is alleged that he carted off with the man’s cellphone, cash, laptop and other items with a total value of $220,000. He is also accused of robbing Gary Primo of items amounting to $1.9 million.

Saffon was also charged for robbing Neelan Jacqueline on December 31, 2017, at South Ruimveldt of items valuing $65,000; and Norwel Bowen of items amounting to $85,000.

Additionally, he was charged for robbing Maxwell Bowen of items valuing $140,000 on December 31, 2017, at South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

In court on Friday, Saffon told the Chief Magistrate that he was at home at the time of all the robberies and

Robbery accused Lloyd Saffon

has surveillance footage at his home to attest to his alibi.

He noted that he explained the same thing to the Police, who refused to even view the footage.

The defendant further told the court that the Police are also yet to visit his home to inspect for the stolen items which he supposedly possesses.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield however objected to bail based on the seriousness and prevalence of the offences. He also revealed that the defendant was identified by one of the Virtual Complainant’s (VC) in an identification parade.

As such, Saffon was remanded to prison and is expected to return on February 2, 2018.

news

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saturDAY, january 13, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Saturday, January 13 – a night retraction at 01:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Sunday, January 14 – a night retraction at 02:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, January 13 – 14:20h-15:50h and Sunday, January 14 – 14:55h-16:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery and heavy showers can be expected throughout the day, with sunny intervals expected in the later afternoon. Partly cloudy to thundery showers can be expected in the evening, with temperatures expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly and East Southeasterly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 01:53h and 14:10h reaching maximum height of 2.23 metres and 2.35 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:42h and 20:13h reaching minimum heights of 0.97 metre and 0.84 metre respectively.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS H

03

05 08

15 22 27

PPP pickets President’s Berbice visit …calls for Agriculture Minister’s resignation …as Police arrest drivers taking protesters

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he People's Progressive Party (PPP) on Friday picketed President David Granger as he made his way to the Corentyne in East Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

However, some of the protesters were detained by the Police as they were making their way to the picket line.

The protesters were voicing their concerns about a number of issues affecting the country, including the dismissal of thousands of sugar workers, the high crime rate, and unilateral appointment of GECOM chairman Justice James Patterson, 84, on October 19

by President David Granger.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Regional Party Chairman Zamal

Last month, the party picketed Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, and had vowed to dish out the same treatment to the President when-

ever he comes to the region.

“We are very concerned about this unilateral de-

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Afternoon Draw DRAW DE LINE

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Hussain said the PPP is upset over the unilateral decision taken by the President in appointing the new GECOM Chairman.

cision by the President to appoint the GECOM Chairman, and it should be rescinded because this is unconstitutional. In fact, we

are against this constitutional dictatorship attitude of the President, whereby he

has appointed this 84-yearold man to take up that position at GECOM. turn to page 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, january 13, 2018

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

CPL’s economic impact

N

ow in its sixth year, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is truly established as one of the leading T20 leagues in the world, and compares favourably with the likes of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Big Bash League (BBL). In addition to the high level of entertainment provided for families, many stakeholders in the Caribbean, including governments and private sector bodies, are well aware of the huge economic potential the CPL has on host countries and the region as a whole.

Hosting of the CPL games here is the kind of intervention that is needed to give a much needed boost to the country’s ailing economy. Guyana, through the CPL, has benefited significantly from hosting the event since the inception of the tournament in 2013. It was reported in the media a few days ago that the CPL’s economic impact on Guyana in 2017 was around US$ 14,183,035. This figure has been arrived at by using organiser spend, visitor spend and media value, and was calculated for Hero CPL by worldrenowned researchers SMG Insight.

In addition to the huge economic impact, 492 jobs were created as a result of this country hosting the games.

4097 hotel rooms were filled during the event. There was also significant value for Guyana in terms of the country being given coverage through the television broadcast of the event. The total brand exposure for Guyana has been calculated at US$3,294,323, with more than 37 hours’ coverage of the country across the tournament. Based on official statistics released, the CPL spent just under US$1million in Guyana during the 2017 event, with over 40% of that figure going to local staff and suppliers. In essence, the CPL games here are a good example of the tremendous benefits that could be derived from a sporting event of such magnitude.

It is well known that Guyana’s economy has been on a downward spiral for some time now, and businesses and individuals are feeling the squeeze. Over the past year or so, several businesses have been complaining of poor sales, companies have had to lay off workers, and some companies are even closing down due to unprofitability.

There seems to be no sign that the situation will turn around for the better. The relevant stakeholders have pleaded with the Government to take the necessary steps to revive the economy and create opportunities for citizens, but it is still left to be seen what effective measures will be adopted to bring some sort of relief.

That said, now that the CPL tournament has proven to have many trickle-down effects, the whole concept of sports tourism is beginning to gain popularity in the region.

The introduction of sports tourism as a major industry here is an excellent idea, and it would certainly be in the nation’s interest if the major players involved work seriously towards designing and implementing the necessary programmes and policies that would see Guyana taking advantage of the many opportunities available in that sector.

Analysts have pointed to the fact that sports tourism is a huge and growing industry, with important economic implications for the sport, the event, and the impact of travel and tourism-related benefits on host destinations.

For this year’s tournament, it is likely that Guyana will be given the opportunity to host the opening games. This is indeed good news for fans. CPL has indeed been a success story, not only as it relates to the development of cricket in Guyana and the region, but because of the potential for growth and the ability to create the kind of opportunities that would seek to improve the lives of citizens. Guyana must therefore capitalise on the economic successes of CPL, and work towards further developing sports tourism in general.

Each year, the National Stadium at Providence, which is the home ground of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, attract sold out crowds. However, with tournaments such as this one, it is not only the sold-out stadiums that warrant the prestige, but the chance to showcase one’s country on the global market, since television viewership would usually span each continent.

Dancers performing a cultural piece at the commemoration of the 165th anniversary of the arrival of the Chinese to Guyana at Windsor Forest Primary School, West Coast Demerara on Friday (Carl Croker photo)

Not looking at domino effect Dear Editor, It is clear to me that this regime’s handling of the situation in the sugar industry is largely motivated by sheer bias in the form of racial and political discrimination. This is blinding the administration to the grave hardships which will follow all Guyanese on the effective closure of the sugar industry.

It will boomerang on the Government!

It is obvious that with the dismissal of such a large body of workers -- approaching 7,000 in number -- the

Government’s collection of income tax will suffer.

The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) is another institution that would see a significant decline in its revenues. This can put that institution at risk, since there are not many upcoming investment possibilities presently being realized in the economy. This suggests that the regime would have to raise workers’ and employers’ contributions significantly.

The administrators are obviously not looking at the domino effect of this

ill-advised decision on itself and the whole population.

Maybe the regime is just putting all its hopes on oil.

However, we are told that the direct employment from oil will not be that great.

Most of the high-paying jobs will go to foreigners; what the locals would mainly get are the lower-paying jobs.

We would not get -- at least not in a hurry -- benefits from the by-products of oil, such as fertilizers, grease, engine oil, etc. since we will not be doing any refining. All of that would be lost to us.

The Guyana sugar industry remains unmatched in job creation, both directly and indirectly. The realization of new revenue streams coming on due to the by-products of sugar would be able to provide high paying jobs for the highly skilled, as well as the labourers. Many other industries can be created off the by-products of sugar.

Even though it is late, the regime can still change course; it is not too late!

Donald Ramotar Former President

Skeldon workers stood their ground Dear Editor, An attempt by officers of the Guyana Police Force to deny the use of a noisy instrument during our Union’s march from the Skeldon Truck Line to the Republic Square at Corriverton was met by a strong and unwavering rejection by the workers, who stood their ground and demanded that the permission approved by Police Force be adhered to.

The Police, as they did on January 09, 2018 during our march at Canje, advised just prior to the commencement of yesterday’s (January 11, 2018) march that our Union could not use a noisy instrument during the procession.

The GAWU drew Police attention to our application of January 05, 2018 and the Police Force’s approval dated January 08, 2018. The Police nevertheless insisted

that they had received instructions from their superiors that a noisy instrument could not be used during the march.

Upon learning of this Police instruction, the workers, numbering in the hundreds, became very upset and demanded that the permission granted to the Union be respected. The Police, however, continued to maintain that a noisy instrument could not be used, contrary to its own correspondence.

This served to further incense the workers, who, in the vicinity of #78 Village, Corriverton, stood still on the public road and refused to move until the Police adhered to the permission. The workers contended that the Police actions were wrong, and that they saw it as gross disrespect to them and the GAWU. The officers on the

ground, recognizing the workers’ firmness, contacted their superiors, and the use of a noisy instrument was allowed, in keeping with the permission granted.

The actions by the workers are an encouraging reminder of the need to be principled and stand up in defence of our rights. It also shows how an elite can manipulate the repressive arm of the State. The workers must be complemented for their stance, and for refusing to allow what they saw as an injustice to be perpetrated against them.

The march and rally was yet another manifestation of workers’ mass action to express their strong condemnation to being paid severance pay in installments, and to call on the authorities to re-open Skeldon Estate without further delay.

While pleased with the workers’ actions, the GAWU cannot fail to recognize what obviously is a greatly concerning situation. This is the second occasion in recent days that the Police have sought to prevent the Union from using a noisy instrument during our processions, although the Police had approved same. Further to that, similar activities organized by the Union in recent times have also benefited from similar approval.

One is left to wonder whether there is a concerted attempt by someone or some persons to undermine our activities, and at the same time even disregard the Force’s professionalism.

Sincerely, Guyana Agricultural & General Workers Union (GAWU)

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

A wish list for 2018

Dear Editor, If The Caribbean Voice were to present a pragmatic wish list for the year 2018, elimination of the law criminalizing attempted suicide would probably top that list.

In 2016, a motion to this effect was debated in Parliament, and was in principle supported by both sides of the house, but Government voted against it because they did not want the Opposition to be given credit for the bill.

TCV suggested a bipartisan bill that would avoid this competition for credit, but nothing has since been done.

Other very doable measures, all of which have been ventilated many times in the public domain, include: > The planned registries of sex offenders, targeting child and adult sexual predators respectively, established and operational; > Mental health added to the Family Life and Health curriculum in schools nationally; > Government support to organizations engaged in significant work on mental health issues; > Reintroduction of the Gatekeepers programme; > Bipartisan legislation to raise the age of consent to 18 years; > A mechanism to tackle pesticide suicide, perhaps modelled along the highly successful Sri Lankan Hazard Reduction model; > Rape kits at all hospitals; > The steps leading to the bypasses on the EBD overpasses be enclosed, so no one can jump off; > Finishing of the renovation and retooling of the National Psychiatric Institution in Berbice; > Expansion of counselling services to all families of suicide and all abused victims; > The Sexual Offences Court at the level of the High Court be supplemented by a specialized court at the level of the Magistrates’ Courts > A mobile court that would be able to hold sittings in every region on a regular -- perhaps rotating -- basis, focusing on sexual abuse as well as gender-based and child abuse > A Domestic Violence Unit in the Police Force, with members posted at all stations and also trained to deal with gender-based and child abuse > Completion of the integration of mental health care into the current physical health care system, including establishing psych wards at all public hospitals

and stationing psychologists in every major health care institution; > Counsellors in all schools. The batch of 30 that recently graduated can be used and complemented with upcoming graduates from both the private tertiary institutions as well as UG, which is set to offer a Psychology programme; > Renaming of the Suicide Helpline as the Suicide and Abuse Helpline, and making the necessary adjustments to facilitate. As well, wide and continuous publicizing of the contact info through all possible platforms; > Suicide and abuse sensitivity training for all Police and health care workers; > Creation of an integrated support network for victims of abuse; > Mental health training to be added to the curriculum at the Teachers’ Training College; > Bipartisan legislation mandating that all cases of abuse should be prosecuted, even if the victim withdraws the complaint and/or refuses to testify. > Nationwide workshops to tackle dysfunctional relationships and imbue emphatic communication; > Phone companies regularly sending out to their cell-phone customers suicide prevention and anti-abuse messages, as well as tips to help suicidal and abused persons. > Commissioning of a survey on the use of Internet and social media in relation to social issues; > Setting up collaborative home visit committees in every region, to visit families of suicide and abused victims. The first committee has already been established in Region Two; by the Regional Democratic Council in collaboration with The Caribbean Voice; > Establishing a database of all stakeholders on the social landscape, and convening a national stakeholders’ conference to address these issues; > Convening of a national conference to address violence against women; > Launching of the 'Model Guidelines for Sexual Offence Cases in the Caribbean Region,' as has been done in Jamaica with assistance from the Canadian Government.

Government should approach Canada for assistance in this respect.

Sincerely, Annan Boodram The Caribbean Voice

The crime situation in Guyana Dear Editor, Crime is at an all-time high in Guyana. The incidents and serious nature of the crimes being committed are too numerous to mention.

That is why the public is so insecure. Persons are scared, worried sick about the whole situation, because they do not know when or where the criminals would strike next.

The Government, through the agencies of a minister, acting police commissioner and others, have painted a totally different picture. In choice words, they have issued statements like, “The crime rate is down...

There were less murders in 2017.” Well, if the crime rate is down, then someone is telling a fat lie, and that would not be the figures and the real-world situation, which tell a horrible story.

Talk to anyone in Guyana, local people as well as foreigners, and they would tell you how burdensome and terrorised their lives have become. So someone is not

telling the truth, absolutely!

Of course, this state of affairs has caused one First World country -- the USA -to issue a travel advisory on this country. Out of pure concern for life and limb of its citizens here, the USA has issued a very definitive travel advisory.

Pay careful attention to the words of that advisory, “exercise increased caution.”

It goes on to say, “Violent crimes such as armed robbery and murder are “common” in Guyana.” “Be extra vigilant at banks and ATMs, avoid walking or driving in the evening hours, and be aware of your surroundings.”

I am also reading in the news that President Granger has hastily convened a meeting with the stakeholders with a view to addressing the crime situation in Guyana.

And here’s my point: but for the American advisory, the crime situation would not have been addressed.

Now, this Government can do a lot more in crime-solving than it is at

the present moment doing.

Firstly, there are numerous studies and reports in relation to arresting the spiralling crime rate, so there is a wealth of information at Government’s disposal. One of these areas that would bring direct result is the “stop and search approach.”

Government is fully aware of the modus operandi of the modern day criminal, which is as follows. To the armed robbery-style involving motorcycles and motor cars: step up the stop-andsearch of motor vehicles and motorcycles. The Police have to take the crime fight to the criminals with seriousness and with a mission. They cannot allow the criminals to get the upper hand. The point I am making is that criminals would do what criminals do, and the Government must find ways to bring this to an end.

Another crime fighting strategy is for the Police to make their presence felt around banks and ATMs.

There should be Police patrols and more patrols. You have to go out there and make things happen. The criminal must understand that “eyes” are all around, and that there is no hiding place.

Finally, the area as it pertains to the illegal possession of firearms must be addressed in a serious and urgent way.

Criminals must bear the full brunt of the law whenever illegal firearms are found on, or in, their possession.

In this regard, I am calling on the justice system to step up to the plate in amending those archaic laws relative to illegal firearms. Too many lives have been lost as a result of armed criminal assaults. Too many lives have been ruined as a result of the haunting trauma of a firearm, either being pointed at or one that was used on an innocent civilian. It is time for this nonsense to stop.

Sincerely, Neil Adams

Rescuing and revitalising the sugar industry Dear Editor, The Recommendations of the APNU/AFC Governmentappointed Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Sugar Industry, 2015, under the Chairmanship of Mr Virbert Parvatan, provided the framework to rescue and revitalise the sugar industry to profitability in three years.

There are several workable recommendations designed to save the industry and maintain higher levels of sugar production through reorganisation, improved agricultural husbandry, and cost cutting measures, without

retrenchment of workers.

The Commission made no recommendation to contract the sugar industry before three years, to allow reasonable time for Government, GuySuCo, the political parties in the National Assembly and all stakeholders to find viable solutions to save the industry, jobs, surrounding communities of sugar estates, concentration on sugar production, significant foreign currency earnings for the national treasury.

Recommendation 4 of the Commission states “... the COI does not recommend the

closure of any Estate at this time.”

The PNC-led coalition Government must reconsider its decision to downsize the sugar industry. There is widespread belief and also strong perception that the Government’s decisions on the sugar industry are politically and racially motivated in a vindictive and spiteful manner, designed to attack the base of the PPP support by dismissing over 5,000 workers and thereby causing untold sufferings to large sections of the communities around the sugar estates.

It would be wise for the APNU/AFC Government to reconsider its decision to downsize the sugar industry, save jobs and communities, and earn more needed foreign currency for national development. This will no doubt regain for this Government some credibility and trust which it has lost, along also with widespread belief of manifest racial and political discrimination in employment and public policies.

Yours faithfully, Joshua Singh

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n a society so concerned with building self-esteem, we often get it completely backwards.

You don’t build self-esteem by praise and flattery. This actually breeds entitlement and selfishness.

Instead, self-esteem is built by teaching responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.

What we have to realize is that teaching responsibility begins at home.

It is our responsibility to teach our kids to be responsible. And while we’d all like to think we’re doing a great job, there are some common pitfalls we need to be aware of.

1. You always give them what they want when they want it.

This is very dangerous and has devastating consequences. Children who always get what they want start to believe that they deserve everything they want. That they are entitled to it and shouldn’t have to work for it. How are they going to learn the value of delayed gratification if they never experience the thrill of waiting and working for something?

2. You want them to have the life you didn’t.

Lots of us grew up in less-than-affluent homes. And maybe now that we have experienced some financial success we want to give our kids all the things our parents couldn’t afford. But when we constantly lavish extravagant gifts on them, they stop appreciating the small things. In fact, they often stop even appreciating the big things. In the end, our kids need the gift of learning gratitude and responsibility more than they need iPods, cars, lavish parties, and perfect wardrobes.

3. You’re afraid to say no.

Sometimes we’re afraid to say no to our kids because we’re afraid of the backlash. When they’re young, we’re afraid they’ll throw a temper fit in the store (ah, I’ve already experienced this one!). And when they’re old, we’re afraid they’ll sulk or rebel or think we

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Foundation

don’t love them. But we cannot allow our fear to keep us from doing what is best for them – and sometimes that’s saying no.

4. You want them to fit in with their peers because you’re afraid they’ll be different.

We cannot try to keep up with the Jones’s – and make sure our kids keep up with the Jones’s kids. Are we buying them things so that they can impress others? So that they’ll fit in? So that we can feel good about ourselves? We really need to check our motives in this.

Fitting in is not the goal. Raising responsible kids who will shine amongst their irresponsible peers should be.

5. You feel it’s easier to just give in.

When we give in and just give our kids what they’re begging for – or stop making them do the chores they’re whining about – we teach them a dangerous lesson. We teach them that if they whine and complain enough, we’ll give in. It might be easier in this moment, but it will not be easier in the long run.

6. You want to protect them from failure.

When we always bail them out and insulate them from their own failure, we teach a pattern of irresponsibility. How can they learn from their mistakes and poor decisions if they never experience the natural consequences?

So maybe next time they forget their homework we shouldn’t be so fast to run home and get it for them. Maybe they’re better off suffering the small consequences now instead of the large consequences that will result from their still being irresponsible when they enter college and the workforce.

So how do we teach our kids to be responsible?

We need to shift the responsibility to our kids.

We need to stop making it our responsibility to clean up their toys, make their bed, and ensure they have every-

thing they need for school. These things need to become their responsibilities. Instead of yelling, begging, threatening, and nagging, we need to simply give consequences when needed. Here’s the plan….

1. Have a plan.

Let’s say our teenager struggles with being ready to leave on time.

Have a plan and clearly explain it. “If you are not downstairs ready to go by 7:15, you will have ____ as a consequence.”

2. Follow through consistently.

Once the plan is in place, follow through. If they’re not downstairs by 7:15, the consequences must go into effect.

3. No nagging, threats, or yelling.

We’re trying to make it their responsibility, so no nagging and no threats.

If they forget, we won’t yell. We’ll simply administer the consequences.

4. Don’t rescue repeat offenders.

The first time they’re running late and forget their lunch maybe we should have some mercy and run back and get it. But if it keeps happening, we need to stop rescuing them.

5. Remain unemotional.

If they argue and complain, don’t get hooked. You are doing what is best for them – even if they may not understand.

6. Show empathy not anger.

Refrain from spiteful comments like, “Too bad you forgot your lunch! If you would’ve gotten your lazy tush out of bed earlier, you would’ve had time to go through your checklist.” A sympathetic comment will go much further while still enforcing the lesson. Try “I understand you are sad that you won’t have your lunch today. Next time you need to get up on time so that you’ll be more clear-headed and able to remember it.” (teach4theheart.com)

4thingsevery parentshould stop doing right now

Continued

Doing your children’s homework

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nlike other practices that may incite parental guilt, moms and dads who do their children’s academic work are often convinced that they are being supportive parents.

They are wrong. When parents commandeer their children’s assignments, they rob them of invaluable academic learning and personal growth opportunities. Also, teachers see the gap between the quality of work a child does in school and the work that the child seems to be able to miraculously produce at home, which makes things awkward for everyone involved. For these reasons and more, it’s time to put parental academic interference to rest. Not only does it send a message to children that their parents lack faith in their ability to achieve, but parents’ academic meddling also promotes children’s laziness, often leading a child to shirk his academic responsibilities.

The fix: Before your child begins a challenging assignment, spend a few minutes with him to clarify understanding, and set the stage for him to tackle the task.

Then, leave your child to do his own work. If you add a parent-child check-in at the end, use a questioning technique to activate your child’s thinking about the work he produced, rather than giving him specific directives to revise the work. In cases where the assignment is indeed beyond your child’s capacity to complete, don’t do the work for him. Instead, discuss the situation with your child’s teacher to determine why such a mismatch between the demands of the assignment and your child's skill level exists.

Spanking

As popular as it may be

(most Americans spank or approve of spanking), the presumed benefits of spanking are just not supported by research. It’s true that spanking can curb bad behaviour in the short term, but the detrimental downside of spanking is significant. So much so, that for those of us who study global and domestic data on spanking, we can only come to a singular conclusion – spanking is bad for kids. Of course, children need discipline, but a non-spanking parent need not be a pushover, nor someone who doesn't value discipline or structure. "Antispanking" does not equate to "anti-discipline"; it is simply a stance that says that inflicting physical pain on children is an unacceptable behaviour modification strategy to employ. Children who are spanked are more likely to commit crimes and more apt to be depressed.

They are also more likely to be disconnected from their parents, and are more inclined to normalize violence as a way to address problems.

The fix: Begin with expectations and explain your thinking; make sure your children understand the actions you deem acceptable and those that you consider to be wrong. Then, create a discipline plan that delineates progressive, non-physical consequences for various kinds of misbehaviour.

However, consequences are not enough; make connecting with your children a priority. This is key to helping them to make good choices, and a strong parent-child connection will lead your children to be more invested in your opinions and to adopt your values. Lastly, consider taking a yoga class or a class in meditation, to increase your self-awareness and self-control when your children’s behaviours disappoint you or make you angry. (Excerpt from psychologytoday. com)

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saturDAY, january 13, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Severance payments

375 Wales workers not included in Govt’s 50% plan …legal challenge yet to be heard

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hile thousands of sugar workers attached to the Rose Hall, East Demerara (Enmore) and Skeldon Estates are slated to receive half of their severance payments by the end of this month, 375 workers formerly attached to the Wales Estate are not the beneficiaries of the proposal. This was confirmed by President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) on Friday, who said that for months, he has been calling on Government to release funds and pay the Wales workers, so they can move on with their lives.

Wales ended operations in December 2016 and some 375 workers who refused

to take up employment at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, remain without severance payments. The matter was taken by GAWU to the High Court in March 2017. Now a little over one month shy of a year, Guyana Times was informed that the matter is likely to come up before a judge by March or early April 2018.

As the former employees continue to anticipate their payments, many from Wales and the surrounding communities on the West Bank of Demerara are finding much difficulty in garnering consistent employment since the closure. Many have noted the reduced earnings they have been garnering since losing their jobs one

GAWU President Komal Chand

year ago.

Some 4000 sugar workers from Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon were similarly let go by December 29, 2017.

Fearing that they would

Whiskey smuggling

SWAT Commander sent on annual leave

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he Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Commander Motie Dookie, who was implicated in smuggling 30 cases of whiskey late last month, has been sent on leave as investigators finalised their probe.

This latest revelation involving the high-level rank was revealed by the Guyana Police Force’s Public Relations department which noted on Friday that Dookie proceeded on his annual vacation leave from January 11.

The Force’s release follows a press statement by acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine, who earlier this month decried that much of the good work and achievements the Force has been making is constantly being tarnished by rogue elements, deeming the situation as “distressing and painful”.

Just before Old Year’s Day 2017, Dookie was found in a minibus during a routine roadblock on the

SWAT Commander Motie Dookie

Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine

Corentyne, with 30 cases of whisky – Johnny Walker brand – smuggled into the country from neighbouring Suriname.

Reports are he told ranks on the operation that he only had 10 cases to take to a party, but a search proved otherwise. Dookie nor the minibus driver could produce documentation to verify possessing the 30 cases. The SWAT Commander had not been granted permission to leave

his Georgetown post.

Guyana Times understands that the completed file of the investigation has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions’ Chambers for legal advice, signalling that charges could possibly be laid against the senior rank.

Dookie, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, was removed as SWAT Commander and temporarily posted at the Force’s Strategic Planning Unit.

have suffered a similar fate as Wales, workers attached to Rose Hall staged a protest in Berbice on Tuesday, demanding that they paid their severance packages.

This was one of several similar actions planned by workers and their union against the decisions made regarding the sugar industry.

Following the protest, Government announced on Wednesday that it will pay 50 per cent of the severance benefits to dismissed sugar workers by the end of this

month, a commitment that represented over $2 billion in severance payments.

About 850 workers protested the non-payment of millions of dollars, which are collectively owed to them for their years of service given to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Meanwhile, GAWU has registered its disappointment with the Government deferring the full payment of severance. According to the GAWU President, the decision breaches the

Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act. “They ought, in the first place, to have a month’s notice after the issue would have been discussed with their union. Having reached that point they (have to) provide the employees with their notices. They ought to get, at the end of the notice, their severance pay. Those people that GuySuCo paid severance to so far, that has been complied with,” Chand observed.

PPP pickets President’s...

This action is a recipe for rigged elections, and we are here to protest against the dark days coming back to Guyana, and this is something we are trying to stop. The GECOM Chairperson is the key in how the 2020 elections will be run,” Hussain said.

Hussain spoke on behalf of some ex-estate workers who were present at the protest. Their severance, he said, should be the full payment, and not 50 per cent. Hussain called on the Government to provide transportation for children in the various areas whose parents are now jobless.

The opposition regional councillor, during the pro-

test, called for Agricultural Minister Noel Holder to resign, claiming that he is responsible for what is happening in the sugar industry.

The party is also demanding that the dismissed workers get water and electricity subsidy to cushion the impact of their unemployment.

He explained that it was Minister Holder’s “incompetence” in handling the sugar workers’ severance pay issue, and more importantly, in handling the issues surrounding GuySuCo. “We are also here to show our discomfort with the spiralling crime rate in Guyana,” Hussain told

from page 3

Guyana Times.

Hussain expressed disappointment over the fact that some colleagues of the sugar workers could attend the exercise. He explained that the minibus, which was taking some of the protesters, was stopped at Lewis Manor village and taken to the Albion Police Station, where one of the drivers was charged for having a sticker on the back of the bus which has the name of the bus service and a telephone number. The other bus allegedly had a sign which read ‘private’ on the dashboard.

Both drivers are expected to make a court appearance.

(Andrew Carmichael)

8 news Recaptured fugitive denies 2003 wedding house murder A saturDAY, january 13, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

lmost 15 years after Nandran Manohar, called Nando, was killed in a wedding house incident at Lancaster, Mahaica, East Coast, Demerara, murder accused Rajesh Guyadeen was finally arraigned before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12-member jury at the Demerara High Court, charged with committing the act on May 4, 2003.

After State Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs had presented the murder indictment against him on Thursday, January 11, Guyadeen entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecution is contending that Guyadeen and Manohar, called “Nando,” were both at a wedding house on the night of May

4, 2003 when someone alleged that Manohar had punctured Guyadeen’s bicycle wheel. Moments later, Manohar was heard crying out that he had been stabbed. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public

Hospital (GPHC), and died there while receiving treatment.

It was also reported that Guyadeen, the main suspect, subsequently fled Guyana and was reportedly residing in neighbour-

ing Suriname for some 10 years. He returned to the local shores in 2014 to be with his family, and was keeping a low profile. However, sometime after his return, Police caught him smoking marijuana at a location in Lancaster where drugs are normally used. After that arrest, he was identified as the fugitive who was wanted for Nando’s murder.

In this trial, Rajesh Guyadeen is being represented by Attorney Maxwell McKay, while Senior State Counsel Natasha Backer and State Counsel Abigail Gibbs are presenting the Prosecution’s case.

The matter continues before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12-member jury on Monday.

“Crack skull” remanded 2 remanded on murder charge for trafficking Venezuelan women T

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uyanese nationals Rodwell Dawson and Fiona Hopkinson were on Friday remanded to prison when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer trafficking in persons’ (TIP) charges.

They denied that between September and December 2017, at Club Diamond and Guinness Bar on Princess Street, they trafficked five Venezuelan women ranging in age from 18 years to 22 years.

They are being represented by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes.

Both defendants were arrested on January 5 when ranks from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) swooped down on the nightclub and detained 41 foreign nationals. At the time, Police had said that some of the per-

Fiona Hopkinson, hiding her face as she was leaving court

sons were suspected to be in Guyana illegally, and they might be victims of human trafficking.

Narcotics were also found, and persons are also shortly expected to be charged with trafficking in narcotics.

wenty-one-year-old Selwin Dawson, called “Crack skull,” was on Friday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a charge alleging that on December 20, 2017, during the course of a robbery at Old Road, Craig, East Bank Demerara, he murdered Purcell Moore, a father of two vacationing in Guyana from Cayenne, French Guiana.

The murder was allegedly committed outside of Moore’s mother’s Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home.

Dawson, of 170 1st Field, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, is being represented by Attorneys Vindie Persaud and George Thomas.

Another accused in this robbery/murder is said to be charged shortly.

Dawson has been remanded, and the case has been set to continue on January 22.

RECAP According to reports, Moore had just left his mother’s home, and was walking through an alleyway when he was attacked by three men attempting to steal a gold chain he was wearing.

The 42-year-old report-

Dead: Purcell Moore

edly refused to hand over the chain, and a scuffle ensued. He was pushed into a drain, and when he fell, one of the bandits whipped out a firearm and reportedly shot him several times. Moore was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police in a subsequent release detailed that Moore’s body bore a suspected gunshot wound to the right-side chest and lacerations to the head, while investigators reported retrieving two spent shells of a small calibre weapon at the crime scene.

Feral squeak…

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…by PM’s poodle few years ago, PPP MP Priya Manickchand took on the US Ambassador when she thought he’d stepped over the line in local politics by criticising then President, Donald Ramotar, and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee. Cabinet Secretary Roger Luncheon justified her strident remarks as a “feral blast” appropriate as a riposte to the Ambassador’s comments to a local group, which he cited.

On a day on which Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge unfurled Guyana’s draft “Diaspora Engagement Strategy and Action Plan” -- which he would be submitting to Cabinet -- the Government’s Director of Public Information (DPI), Imran Khan, called out the Indian High Commissioner on one of that country’s diaspora events!! Calling the High Commissioner by name, Khan questioned whether he wasn’t “interfering in Guyana’s internal affairs and attempting to engage in destabilization of the Coalition Government”!!

And what was this “destabilising act”? Well, how was it that the Indian Government didn’t invite MINISTERS to their first “People of Indian Origin (PIO) Parliamentarian Conference”? They only invited MPs and Mayors.

Now, your Eyewitness is confused from several fronts.

Since none of the TWENTY-THREE countries that sent delegates was allowed to send Ministers of Government, was India attempting to destabilise them also? And even such politically savvy countries like the USA, Britain, Australia, Canada etc didn’t see the act as “destabilising”.

Will Guyana be “destabilising” other countries when it convenes its “Guyanese Diaspora” MP conferences?

How exactly is not inviting Ministers to a meeting “destabilising”?? Since there were Government MPs in the Government’s delegation, it couldn’t be they were being trained to overthrow the Government, could it?

Khan complained there were only 3 Government MPs, compared to 20 PPP MPs (there were actually only 17, plus 3 Mayors), but then this isn’t the Government of India’s fault. The APNU/AFC Government could easily have solved this anomaly by fielding 18 Indian Guyanese MPs! Why didn’t it, since it boasts it’s a “multiracial Government,” representative of ALL Guyana?? What Khan has inadvertently done is to show that Emperor Granger actually is naked of real multi-racial support. If the very best the Coalition Government can do is to muster 3 Indian MPs, something is really rotten in the state of Guyana.

Or is it actually the DIY Imran Khan who’s rotten?

As the pet poodle of PM Nagamootoo, he’s adopted the snide and snarky mannerisms of his boss when it comes to the PPP in general and Bharrat Jagdeo in particular. Even though Minister Volda Lawrence demanded the statement be pulled, Khan refused. He had to’ve had the support of his boss.

But, in the end, the best a poodle can utter is a “feral squeak”!! …and the poodle’s owner In a follow up post -- which someone just sent to your Eyewitness -- Khan confirms it was his boss, the PM -- and his insane jealousy of Bharrat Jagdeo -- who’s behind the entire attack on India. He quoted a statement from an Indian newspaper, The Hindu: "(Prime Minister Modi) mentioned the presence of former Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo..." Oooooh!! This was too much for Nagamootoo!

The leader of a major world power acknowledging his bete noir?? His poodle asked in response: “Was this deliberate, and were rules and impositions put in place to not allow Prime Minister Nagamootoo to attend, so that he would not have to be recognized as the highest-ranking Guyanese lawmaker of Indian origin?”

Maybe it was an even greater WORLD conspiracy? The rule also barred the Prime Minister of Ireland and the Prime Minister of Portugal. If they’d showed up, they’d have shown up Jagdeo even more!!

After all, they’re REAL Prime Ministers, running countries. Not just in charge of a poodle!! …and sugar workers To court their votes, on Indian Arrival Day 2015, Nagamootoo saluted the sugar workers of Rose Hall, and promised their factory would never be closed.

What does he squeak now, seeing Rose Hall isn’t only closed, but the workers can’t even get their severance?

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

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saturDAY, january 13, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt withholding funding for Guyana Prize for Literature awards

…Minister unaware of responsibility for Prize

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he coalition Government, in what has been described as an unprecedented move, is yet to provide funding for the prestigious Guyana Prize for Literature Awards, according to a source close to the Guyana Prize Committee.

The prestigious award ceremony was supposed to be held in July of 2017, with March 31 being the deadline for submissions.

However, it is yet to be held since the Government has not released funding for the Guyana Prize Committee to go ahead with the awards.

The source indicated that the committee is uncertain as to when the awards would be held since the Government is yet to signal its commitment to funding for the event to be kicked off.

When contacted, Secretary of the Guyana Prize Committee, Al Creighton, was unable to

comment on the issue of funding but noted that the awarding of the Guyana Prize for Literature is slated for 2018. However, when asked for a period for the holding of the awards, Creighton said he could not provide such since there is still some judging left to be done before they can proceed further.

Creighton noted that the procedures for the prize have been put over to 2018.

“The activities that should have taken place have been put over to this year, 2018, so that the other procedures for the prize would be completed in 2018. Basically, everything to do with the completion of the judging and the announcements and so on (remains to be completed),” he stated.

The Guyana Prize falls within the purview of the Department of Culture but when contacted, Minister

Minister with responsibility for culture, Dr George Norton

with the responsibility for culture, Dr George Norton indicated that he is unsure whether he is responsible for the prize but did commit to finding out.

“I am not sure if it falls within my purview, but I did dispatch a letter to the Secretary of the Committee,

Al Creighton to find out what is the status quo with the shortlisting of the awardees and I am waiting on a response,” he said.

“I am interested in the prize and if it falls within my purview I will make arrangements as soon as possible to ensure that it is facilitated at an early date because it is overdue,” he added.

The Guyana Prize is awarded to writers of Guyanese nationality in different categories. These categories include Best First Book of Poetry, Best First Book of Fiction, Best Book of Poetry, Best Book of Fiction and Best Book of Drama.

Additionally, the Guyana Prize also awards books of poetry, fiction and drama in separate categories for Caribbean writers.

The Guyana Prize for Literature was established in 1987 to provide encour-

Secretary of the Guyana Prize Committee, Al Creighton

agement for the development of good creative writing among Guyanese in particular and Caribbean writers in general. The prize is for published books and is open to works by citizens of Caribbean countries: Caricom States, the Commonwealth Caribbean,

and the Netherland Antilles.

To be eligible for entry, a book must have been written and published in English and for drama-entries must be full-length plays. For fiction and poetry, the publishers must enter works. No more than one work by any author may be entered in each category.

Over the years, the prize has attracted both praise and criticism and would have awarded several established writers aiding in the development of the literature sector in Guyana. The judges are pulled from both the foreign and local literary sector with vast knowledge in literature. The panel of judges includes both writers and critics from within Guyana and abroad. The list of awardees includes Dr Paloma Mohamed, David Dabydeen, Mark McWatt, John Agard and Pauline Melville.

New York City sues ExxonMobil over climate change …4 other oil companies also sued

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he New York City Government is suing the world’s five largest publicly traded oil companies, seeking to hold them responsible for present and future damage to the city from climate change.

The suit, filed Tuesday against ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, Conoco-Phillips and Royal Dutch Shell, claims the companies togeth-

er produced 11 per cent of all of the global-warming gases through the oil and gas products they have sold over the years.

It also charges that the companies and the industry they are part of have known for some time about the consequences, but sought to obscure them.

“In this litigation, the City seeks to shift the costs of protecting the City from climate change impacts back onto the companies that have done nearly all

they could to create this existential threat,” reads the lawsuit, brought by New York Corporation counsel Zachary Carter and filed in US District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The legal strategy has already been embraced by several California cities and counties, but prior lawsuits seeking to blame companies

for their role in causing climate change have foundered.

It remains unclear whether a new wave of litigation — propelled by stronger climate science, reports about how much some companies knew about climate change decades ago, and somewhat divergent legal strategies — would succeed where those efforts have failed.

Exxon responded to New York’s lawsuit on its blog, where the firm has also challenged investigative reports

from InsideClimate News and the Los Angeles Times that showed the company was an early pioneer in climate-change science in the 1980s, reports that were cited in the suit.

“ExxonMobil welcomes any well-meaning and good faith attempt to address the risks of climate change,” wrote Suzanne McCarron, Exxon’s vice president of public and government affairs. “Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a global issue, and requires global participation and actions.

Lawsuits of this kind — filed by trial attorneys against an industry that provides prod-

ucts we all rely upon to power the economy and enable our domestic life — simply do not do that.”

Chevron spokesman Braden Reddall said in an email: “This lawsuit is factually and legally meritless, and will do nothing to address the serious issue of climate change. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a global issue that requires global engagement. Should this litigation proceed, it will only serve special interests at the expense of broader policy, regulatory and economic priorities.”

New York charges in the

lawsuit that it is “spending billions of dollars” to protect its coastlines, its infrastructure and its citizens from climate warming.

The suit does not specify precisely how much money it is asking for from the oil companies in what it calls “compensatory damages,” saying that should be established in the case.

At a news conference on Wednesday afternoon, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio focused on the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, calling it “a tragedy wrought by the actions of the fossil fuel compa-

nies.” He detailed the 44 people who died in New York as a result of Sandy, as well as the estimated $19 billion in damage it caused.

“That is the face of climate change,” de Blasio said. “That is what it means in human and real terms.”

De Blasio claimed fossil fuel companies were complicit in worsening climate change, because they knew of the problem decades ago, but continued to sell to Americans a product that contributed to only more greenhouse gas emissions.

(Excerpted from Washington Post)

10 news

saturDAY, january 13, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyanese killed in NYC mugging

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uyanese Dhanraj Mangra and his wife escaped the violence in Guyana to begin a new life in New York City, but twelve years after they made the move to safer shores, the 68-year-old father of five was dead.

Mangra was found unconscious on Jamaica Ave. near 207th St in Queens Village at 20:30h on January 3, cops say.

He died at Queens Hospital after a pair of muggers attacked him and he slammed his head against a parked car, his heartbroken wife said on Thursday.

“It's not right that they killed him,” Bibi Mangra, 63, said about the two creeps as tears streamed down her face.

“They want his wallet? Take it. But don't kill him; he's an old man, he's not a young person,” she told New York Daily News.

On the night the retired UPS security guard died, his wife, a home health aide who works on Long Island, returned home, fell asleep, and left before sunrise the next morning, thinking her husband was still in bed.

“I walked out quietly because I usually don't wake him,” Mangra said. “I didn't even realize he still wasn't home. When I reached work, I kept calling his phone and there was no answer. I started calling my children, but they couldn't reach him either.

“Then the hospital called me and said he died,” she said, choking back tears.

Mangra knew something was off when doctors said her husband had died of a heart attack. Mangra said she suspected something was off when doctors told her her hus-

Dead: Guyanese Dhanraj Mangra

band had died of a heart attack, because "he was a very healthy person."“He was a very healthy person,” she explained. “I know he's a strong person. He never complained about stomach pain, anything.

I was so surprised to hear (about the heart attack).”

She grew more suspicious when she prepared her husband’s funeral. “At the funeral parlor, when I was putting on his clothes, I saw cuts on his forehead and his chin,” she said. “Somebody definitely did this to him.”

Police later told her that they are looking for two men who had knocked him down and robbed him.

As Mangra fell, he hit his head on a parked car, cops say.

The heartless muggers ran off with his iPhone, his credit cards and cash, police said.

The Mangras were married for 46 years, and have five grown children.

“He was a very good husband,” the grieving widow said.

“When I would come home, he would always be cooking something for me." (NY DailyNews)

Residents fear threat of leaning pole at Wismar Housing Scheme

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The slanted pole at Wismar Housing Scheme

esidents of Wismar Housing Scheme, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) are concerned about a pole which has been leaning on an electrical wire along the roadway in the area, which they consider a serious threat. The pole, which is situated in close proximity to the Wismar Hill Nursery and Primary schools, has been in the same position for several weeks now, residents fear the danger it poses to the school children. They are calling on the relevant authorities to look into the situation and to have it rectified before the situation worsens.

A resident in the area pointed out that the pole, which is leaned over the centre of the

roadway, appears to be falling closer to the ground as time progresses.

"This pole been like this for weeks now and like nobody ain't care. It's like they're waiting for something to happen before they can fix it. School children passing here daily to go to school and yet still,” the resident pointed out.

Residents and school children traverse the area constantly on a daily basis, given it is one of the main thoroughfares. It is unclear if the pole is the property of the electricity or telephone company; however, concerned residents are calling for urgent attention to be paid to the situation as soon as possible.

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saturDAY, january 13, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

PIO Conference in India

Govt distances self from Imran Khan’s Facebook post – even as Khan continues rampage

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irector of the Department of Public Information (DPI), Imran Khan, continues to face fire for a comment made on his social media platform – Facebook – against the Indian Mission here, with Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Friday, saying that the personal view expressed by the State official does not reflect that of the coalition Government.

Harmon distanced Khan’s actions from Government’s position at this week’s post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency.

“It does not represent the position of the Government.

We have excellent relations with India and we continue to work on those relations.

It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement that we have with that country and we would like to work towards ensuring that it gets better,” he said.

Minister Harmon further noted that while Government does not have much control over what persons post on their personal social media accounts, he said all they can do is ask holders of Government offices to restrain from making such statements.

“This is the distinction I would want to make, where someone is in a Government office but expresses a personal view, that we as a

DPI Director, Imran Khan

Government cannot basically agree that this is the view of the Government. It is not a view of the Government, it is an individual view and that is the distinction I want to make,” the Government’s spokesperson noted.

Khan on Wednesday posted a comment on his Facebook page, questioning whether the Indian High Commission in Guyana was interfering in the country’s internal affairs and was attempting to engage in destabilisation of the coalition Government.

His statement was in relation to the recently concluded Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) Parliamentary Conference held in New Delhi on Tuesday, where a 23-member Guyanese delegation attended upon invite from the Indian Government.

The delegation, which was

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

Indian High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam

the largest at the conference, comprised of 17 Opposition and three Government parliamentarians as well as three mayors – all of Indian heritage.

The DPI Director, in the post, asked whether the Indian High Commission deliberately invited only three Government backbenchers and specifically ignored Government Ministers of Indian heritage.

In response, however, resident Indian High Commissioner V e n k a t a c h a l a m Mahalingam, who was tagged by Khan on the post, explained that the top hierarchy of both the Indian and Guyana Governments are aware that the invitations were for 23 Members of Parliament and three Mayors of Indian origin who are not Ministers.

“Hence reckless comments on such a serious is-

tions being enjoyed by both India and Guyana and the ongoing friendly cooperation in various multilateral fora,” Mahalingam commented on the post by the Government’s Information Chief. Meanwhile on Friday, Minister Harmon further outlined that the invitations from the Indian Government were to Members of Parliament and the respective Chief Whips on both the Government and Opposition sides were engaging the High Commission on the selection process of who would attend the conference.

While there were several arguments pertaining

to whether Khan should be asking these questions, or whether it was a direct attack on the Indian High Commissioner, several people found it strange that Khan, a public office bearer, would raise these concerns with a foreign mission in such a forum. In fact, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence also took umbrage at the statement made by Khan, saying, “Imran Khan, this is distasteful and not in keeping with how this Government treats their guests. PLEASE REMOVE THIS POST.” However, instead of heeding the advice of the senior Government Minister, Khan went on to continue his rampage on the matter, subsequently posting a series of comments suggesting that the “lopsided invitation to Guyanese Parliamentarians” was part of the Indian Government’s “naked hegemonic ambitions” that is “not restricted within the borders of India”.

Nevertheless, the State Minister disclosed that the matter has since engaged the attention of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

sue on social media with the clear intention to mislead the general public by none other than the Director of Public Information is unfortunate, irresponsible, unprofessional and to say the least, mischievous given the excellent bilateral rela-

Guyana celebrates 165 years of Chinese arrival …President hails contributions of Chinese

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n January 12, 1853, the first batch of 252 Chinese immigrants arrived in then British Guiana as part of the indentureship programme.

They have ever since been making tremendous contributions to the diversity of Guyana. To commemorate the second annual Chinese Arrival Day, President David Granger said Guyana will forever be opened to accepting Chinese immigrants.

In January of 2017, President David Granger declared January 12 as Chinese Arrival Day, and in commemoration of the second celebration, the President underscored the importance of the contribution of the Chinese towards national development.

The commemoration event was held at the Windsor Forest Primary School on the West Coast of Demerara. When the Chinese indentured immigrants arrived in Guyana, they settled at Windsor Forest, La Jalousie and Pouderoyen, with only one being sent to the Essequibo Coast.

President Granger has noted that, to this date, large

numbers of Chinese nationals are migrating to Guyana for various entrepreneurial reasons. He added that they would forever be welcome.

“Chinese are still arriving today, not as labourers but as investors, visitors, workers; as entrepreneurs… They are welcome again as they were welcome in 1853… Chinese entrepreneurs are extending their influence and expanding their involvement in the commercial, construction, hospitality and mining sectors. They are continuing to contribute to Guyana’s growth,” the President noted.

He added that continuous immigration of Chinese to Guyana attests to the excellent relations between the two countries, and he pledged that his administration will continue to work with this major international partner to advance a common vision.

He noted, too, that the intensification of cooperation between Guyana and China -- particularly in the areas of defence, education, economic development, health, infrastructural development and security -- promotes mutual benefits for both Guyana

The Dragon Dance performed by the Chinese Association Dancers

and China. This, he said, is a fitting tribute to Chinese ancestors on this, the 165th anniversary of their arrival.

Meanwhile, Charge d’ Affairs at the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in Guyana, Chen Xilai, committed his Government’s participation in the strengthening of bilateral relations with Guyana.

“It also demonstrates the great importance that Guyana holds towards sustaining cordial relations with China… The preservation of

the inherent Chinese traditional culture has assisted in enhancing the richness and diversity already present in the Guyanese culture. The Chinese living in Guyana treat this nation as their second home,” he said.

Xilai added that Guyana was the first English speaking Caribbean country to establish diplomatic relations with China, in 1972.

Minister with the responsibility for Culture, Dr George Norton, said the contributions of the Chinese im-

migrants cannot be downplayed, since they are involved in a number of sectors. He noted that there would be further collaborating with the Embassy for further partnership in the fields of sports and social inclusion.

“Chinese input to Guyana’s development cannot be underestimated…today marks the first celebration of this nature of Chinese Arrival Day in Guyana’s history, but it is certainly not the last. I will ensure that this day remains a prominent feature on the calendar of national events in this country,” Dr. Norton said.

The day’s events included the Chinese Association of Guyana donating a number of school and sanitation supplies to the Windsor Forest Primary School, which holds the Chinese Indentured Immigrants Monument, and is also the birth place of Guyana’s first President, Arthur Chung.

Over the years, the strong, comprehensive programme of bilateral cooperation has resulted in Guyana benefiting from the services of the Chinese medical doctors and technicians, the donation of

equipment to the health sector, the educational work of the Confucius Institute, the support given to the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service, the donation of scientific equipment to the tune of $50 million to the Cyril Potter College of Education, infrastructural support for the expansion and renovation of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the widening of the East Coast Demerara Public Road, and the donation of vehicles and other equipment to the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force.

Chinese indentured immigrants arrived in British Guiana aboard the ship Glentanner on January 12, 1853. The first 262 were joined, five days later, by an additional 85 indentured immigrants who disembarked from another ship, the ‘Lord Elgin’.

Unfortunately, more than half of the passengers who were on board the Lord Elgin died from sulphurated hydrogen poisoning while en route to Demerara, but a third ship arrived two months later with another 300 immigrants.

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Vaccines spoilt at regional health facilities – Region 2 Chairman …investigation launched

Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt

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eports presented at the recent statutory meeting for Region Two’s (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) for the month of January indicated that countless vaccines were spoiled at various hospitals and health centres within the region.

This has since raised

many concerns and according to Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, an investigation was launched.

Ramdatt said the report raised a lot of eyebrows at the recent RDC meeting, and as such, he had asked the acting clerk of the house, Roop Kumar Persaud to investigate the reason behind such spoilages.

Persaud was at the time sitting in for the region’s REO, Rupert Hopkinson, who was absent from the first RDC meeting for the year. Ramdatt said Persaud was tasked with finding out the main reason behind the wastage of the vaccines and to come up with findings. He said based on the findings, necessary actions or recommendations will be done to avoid such occurrences in the future. Ramdatt did not reveal how many vaccines in total were spoilt.

At the meeting, People’s Progressive Party Councillor and Chairman for the Health and Sanitation Committee, Arnold Adams reported under the health report that there was a large amount of vaccines that were spoilt in 2017. He could not give a reason as to why this happened, however, he said a report was presented to him by a Medex for the region on the spoilage.

CH&PA urges house lot owners to clear lands

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he Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is urging all owners of unoccupied house lots to clear the empty lots and surrounding drains of overgrowth, or commence construction as indicated on the agreement of sale, transport or certificate of title.

This call from the CH&PA comes at a time when the agency has received numerous complaints from residents of some communities, especially in Region 10, about security

threats and health hazards they face on a daily basis The agency on Monday received a complaint from an elderly man in Region 10 about being bitten by snake which he said emerged from the unoccupied lot next to his property.

According to the CH&PA, it is a known fact that unoccupied house lots with large overgrowth are safe havens for criminals, besides being habitats for reptiles and breeding grounds for mosquitoes which have the potential to spread diseases

such as dengue fever.

Referring to the agreements of sale, transports, and certificates of title issued, the CH&PA has said that landowners are responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of all drains, reserves, and parapets adjoining their lots, and should keep all parapets and reserves unencumbered.

The agency deems it unreasonable for owners of unoccupied lots to expect residents to go into their pockets and expend monies to maintain lands they do not own.

Govt wants ordinary man to benefit from oil wealth – Jordan

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overnment has recommitted itself to ensuring that persons at the grassroots level are educated properly about the benefits that could be accrued from the emerging oil and gas sector.

While acknowledging that mostly negative things have been said about this sector in Guyana, Finance Minister Winston Jordan has said Government wants the narrative to change.

The minister said the administration will begin to exploit the conversation about the benefits of oil to the local Guyanese economy, so that ordinary Guyanese would have a better understanding. “…we have not heard in the press a conversation about how we can use this windfall for everybody. So I am happy to hear here at the grassroots level (that) people have areas (they want to see developed),” he said.

Jordan said the aim would be to get Guyanese to accept that a huge bonanza is coming, and start the discussion with regard to how these resources could be used to lift Guyana out of the chaos. The minister is hoping that more discussions regarding these positive benefits could start this year. He said Government is looking to build a green economy from finances earned from this sector.

In addition to that, Government would be looking to enhance the use of clean energy with the use of natural gas, which would benefit the entire country.

Bridging the coast with the hinterland is an important task that Government wants to get done.

“As you know, that was inherited at Independence, and it continues. Getting

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

into the hinterland is a major stress, both by road and aircraft,” he complained bitterly.

As part of its clean energy programme, Jordan said, Guyana would benefit greatly from natural gas.

The plan is to set up an industrial park to utilize LPG gas, which may be distributed locally at a cheaper cost.

The money gained from the oil sector would also be utilised in keys sectors, such as education and health.

Improvements in information and communication technology could also be achieved.

“And, most of all, we are looking to establish medium-to-large-scale industries. Finally, if we get the energy going, we could smelter our own bauxite, instead of selling raw materials all the time.”

In agriculture, monies from the sector could be used to improve on valued added.

Jordan said that, hopefully, with these additional resources, Guyana could also complete the four-lane road that links Guyana to Brazil, and build a deep wa-

ter harbour to advance trade between the two countries.

Many economists and financial analysts have said that Guyana’s pending oil production would yield significant revenue, which can create a large number of jobs in the manufacturing of value-added agricultural products and the development of its physical infrastructure.

The Commonwealth Secretariat, among other major international partners, has been advising the Government -- through the Natural Resources Ministry -- on the legislative and institutional reforms required to regulate Guyana’s emerging oil and gas industry.

The secretariat’s legal and economic experts have advised on draft legislation for the Sovereign Wealth Fund, a draft National Upstream Oil and Gas Policy, and a revision of Guyana’s Petroleum Exploration and Production Act and Regulations.

However, the policy is still in its draft stage.

Only recently, Government was caught misleading the public when a letter was leaked in the press showing that the Government had set up a private bank account to store US$18 million from ExxonMobil.

The Government later came out confirming that the account was set up a year ago, although repeatedly knowledge of its existence had been denied. The US$18 million was a signing bonus received in 2016.

ExxonMobil announced it made a fifth new oil discovery after drilling the Turbot-1 well offshore Guyana. Turbot is ExxonMobil’s latest discovery to date in the country, adding to previous finds.

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Supplier to take back Region 5 sourcing land from GuySuCo controversial bulldozer to develop new dumpsite …Armogan says contract was breached

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he supplier of the controversial bulldozer to the Region Six Administration will have to retake ownership of the equipment, since the Region will not accept it.

Region Six Chairman David Armogan said the supplier has been informed of the decision by the Region.

According to Armogan, Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Kim Williams-Stephen, informed the supplier on Thursday that it was a D4 bulldozer which was requested, but a D3 bulldozer was supplied.

“There will be no compromise. The money will have to be refunded,” he said.

At a RDC meeting held last week, concerns were raised over the bulldozer.

Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) Councillor Zamal

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Region Five REO, Ovid Morrison (center) along with two regional executives

Region Six Chairman David Armogan

been given to the supplier as full payment.

An investigation was ordered.

According to Armogan, the investigation revealed that the contractor had breached the contract.

The Region Six Administration was called upon to investigate the purchase of the bulldozer,

The bulldozer in the Regional Office compound

Hussain called on the administration to explain why a used machine was purchased instead of a new one.

Initially, the REO had said the machine was not paid for, but later admitted that almost $15 million had

which is different from what is documented in the regional records.

The bulldozer was taken to the regional compound last Wednesday with mud and other debris on it.

In its 2017 budget pro-

posal, the administration had proposed the purchase of a bulldozer to shape dams in the rice cultivation area and to assist cash crop farmers. As such, $20 million were proposed for the purchase of the bulldozer, and this sum was approved in the 2017 National Budget.

On Thursday last, Councillor Hussain had called on the administration to explain what was purchased, as he lamented that the bulldozer that was purchased appeared to be a “large Christmas toy,” and not the piece of equipment which the region needed.

Weighing in on his observations, Regional Chairman Armogan had noted that the equipment appeared to be a D3 Caterpillar bulldozer, which was repainted and had a D4 sticker placed on it. The disputed bulldozer was reputed to have been purchased at a cost of $15 million.

According to the Regional Chairman, based on its obvious level of deterioration, a further $6 million would soon have had to be spent on the bulldozer.

GRA engaging stakeholders ahead of ASYCUDA launch

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he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has embarked on another round of sensitisation seminars with key trade stakeholders in the lead up to the official launch of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) World.

On Wednesday, the ASYCUDA National Project Team (ANPT) of the GRA together with its consultants from the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) facilitated a seminar for freight carriers and their agents at the Authority’s Camp Street headquarters.

Having already requested shippers, wharf owners and agents to submit advance cargo manifests in electronic format, the sensitisation was specific to the manifest module of ASYCUDA World and the mandatory fields associated with the module.

ASYCUDA World is a recognised Internet-based

A GRA employee sensitising stakeholders on the ASYCUDA system

solution used in most of the Caribbean territories to bring about significant benefits in customs and trade, such as the reduction in processing time of customs documentation and the quick release of imported and exported goods.

Its introduction to the GRA is premised on the failure of the current Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS)

to deliver as expected with relevant customs modules such as e-manifest, want-ofentry, and warehousing.

Trade consolidators are next in line to be sensitised as the ASYCUDA National Project Team in partnership with UNCTAD bring awareness about the important role each client of the GRA will have to play in making the project a success.

he Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) administration is currently consulting with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to obtain a plot of land to resolve the region’s solid waste management woes.

Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ovid Morrison, during a press conference in the regional administration’s boardroom on Tuesday, revealed the road to the present dumpsite at Rosignol is extremely inaccessible to vehicles, particularly during the rainy season. “None of the sanitation trucks are going through

the mud to dump… the road we have would not allow them to carry garbage into the site which is a setback for the region. So… there are persons who are carrying garbage and dumping it on the side,” he is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

While the regional administration has set aside $905 million for the rehabilitation of the pathway to the Rosignol site this year, the REO explained that they are looking towards a more long-term solution. The administration is working alongside the Communities Ministry and GuySuCo to lo-

cate a plot of land to develop a dumpsite of acceptable standards.

More than three sites have been identified according to the REO, however, because of health concerns, these options were disregarded. He explained, when selecting a site, the prevention of contamination to waterways and proximity to residential and agricultural areas must be considered.

The rehabilitation of the road to the Rosignol site will be undertaken by the region’s junior engineer in collaboration with the Public Infrastructure Ministry.

Wakapao health post receives solar system – Councillor

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ealthcare professionals attached to the Wakapao health post in Lower Pomeroon, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) are now able to deliver more services to residents living in that community, now that the health post is equipped with a solar system.

This was according to People's Progressive Party (PPP) Councillor Arnold Adams. Adams, speaking at the statutory meeting for the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), said the so-

lar system will ensure proper storage of vaccines at the facility. Previously, the inability to access a reliable source of electricity was a major challenge for the health facility.

After representation made by the Regional Health Officer (RHO), Afrah Khan, provision was made for the solar system to be sent to the area.

However, Adams said the RHO for the region requested that a technical team visit the health post to conduct maintenance work on

the system.

"The system has to be maintained in an effort to ensure the system provides electricity for a long time," Adams said.

Another PPP RDC Councillor, Lyold Perreira, who resides at Wakapao, said residents in the area are happy the installation of the solar panel will take place at the health post. He said previously, the community health worker was forced to use a torchlight or laterns in cases of emergencies.

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Dismissed sugar workers

Severance to be paid according to workers’ unique cases – Harmon …not $1 million each, as reported by State media

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ismissed sugar workers will receive severance payments in accordance with the labour laws, State Minister Joseph Harmon has said. That means it would be based on the wages and salaries they had been receiving, as well as the years of service they have given to the corporation.

Minister Harmon has dismissed reports carried in the state media -- particularly the state newspaper Guyana Chronicle -- that the displaced sugar workers who are entitled to severance pay are likely to receive about $1 million each.

“It’s not a one-size-fits-all; there’s a global sum which we’ve been given, and severance is a calculation which you make based on what the worker was enjoying as salaries or wages. So it’s not like, ‘Everybody, come collect a million dollars!’ and you move on… (For) every individual, there is a calculation that’s made based on his or her circumstances. So no $1 million package is going to be handed out to every single person; it is based on your salary at the time you were severed,” Harmon told reporters at this week’s post-Cabinet press briefing on Friday.

Breaching of labour laws On Wednesday last, President David Granger announced that some $2 billion have been earmarked to pay dismissed sugar workers 50 per cent of their severance by the end of this month, while the remaining monies will be paid off in the second half of the year.

However, Government

has come in for much criticism over the move, with stakeholders -- including the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) -- saying this move is a flagrant breach of the labour laws.

According to the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, redundant workers are to be paid severance upon termination of their employment.

The law states, “On termination of his employment, an employee who has completed one year or more years of continuous employment with an employer shall be entitled to be paid by such employer a severance or redundancy allowance…”

However, Harmon noted that while funds were budgeted for severance payments, additional monies had to be added to that amount.

“There was a sum of over $500 million in the sum allocated to GuySuCo (Guyana Sugar Corporation) for 2018.

What we were not sure about is what was going to be the final figure. So, in December and in January, the exact figure started to emerge, and

that is why we had to make addition amounts available,” he said.

The minister further pointed out that in order to meet the promised payment of severance, the various ministries will now have to go back to the Finance Ministry to determine where and what programmes can be cut to allow for this expenditure to be met from the state’s resources.

Nevertheless, the State Minister posited that in spite of criticisms it faces, Government will continue to make decisions in the interest of Guyanese.

opportunity to lash out at the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Opposition for its constant criticisms and lack of action in partaking in consultations.

He went on to outline that the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) has indicated that there is significant enthusiasm by both local and foreign companies for the divestment of GuySuCo’s as-

sets.

“There is a serious expression of interest by a local company… So we have a situation where some people deem it as a crisis, but we see it as an opportunity to put things right, fix it and move on,” the Minister posited.

The company to which Harmon is referring is the local beverage giant Demerara

Distillers Limited (DDL), which has submitted an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the potential purchase of one of the sugar estates.

The company, producers of the international award-winning El Dorado Rum, has raised concerns over Government’s plans to downsize the sugar sector, since it heavily depends on molasses for its production.

DDL’s molasses requirement for 2018 is pegged at 70,000 tons, while the three estates currently earmarked to remain in operation would produce only 52,000 tons of molasses.

Public Relations Representative of DDL, Alex Graham, had previously told the Guyana Times that once the supply of molasses was threatened, it was in the company’s interest to explore options with the intention of finding a solution.

Unpaid Berbice security guards protest for salary

Small loans

President Granger had disclosed that an additional $100 million would be set aside to provide small loans to the dismissed workers for entrepreneurial activities. According to the State Minister, Government will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure that such facilities and arrangements are in place to allow for an easier transition for the retrenched sugar workers.

The Government’s spokesperson also took the

S

Some of the unpaid security guards

ecurity guards of the Integrated Security Service company, providers of services at Government institutions in New Amsterdam, have reportedly not received their December 2017 salaries.

In a bid to express their frustration, the guards on Thursday picketed the company’s office for their payments. According to the guards, many of them are single parents with schoolage children.

They met outside of the company’s office at Trinity

Street in New Amsterdam Berbice, and expressed their frustration at not having yet been paid.

They complained that they have worked inflexible hours and earned nothing.

Some say they have to beg for money to get to and from work. Their telephone and rent bills are due to be paid, but they are still in a bad financial position and are unable to honour those obligations.

Integrated Security Service provides service for the Region 6 Administration.

In an invited comment, Region Six Chairman David Armogan said the administration has completely discharged its financial obligation to Integrated Security for the month of December.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the company, Ghalee Khan, told this publication that the guards will be paid soon. According to him, the company does not have the names of all the guards working with the company, and the company is still working out some administrative issues.

Lindener remanded on narco trafficking charge

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39-year-old driver of Sunflower Street, Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) has been remanded to prison after he was charged with being in possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Sheldon Joseph, also known as “Bam Bam”, pleaded not guilty to the charge

when he appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

The prosecution is contending that Joseph had 350 grams of cannabis sativa in his possession, on January 10, 2018, at 47 Miles, Mabura Road, Upper Demerara.

According to the prosecution’s case, Joseph was arrested at about 15:30h after he was

caught with the illegal drug in his possession. Reports are the defendant was hitching a ride in the tray of a Mango Landing-bound vehicle, which was stopped and searched. The illegal substance was allegedly found in a haversack that the defendant had in his possession.

He was remanded to prison until February 16.

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saturDAY, january 13, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

$34M boat landing for Supenaam Stelling

Crisis in Venezuela

Guyana prepared to facilitate B returning Guyanese …Venezuelans seeking refuge welcome – Govt

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s Venezuela continues to plunge deeper into economic and political crisis, the Guyana Government has put systems in place to facilitate those Guyanese who wish to return home as well as citizens of the Spanish-speaking nation wanting to seek refuge here.

Of recent weeks, there has been a rising unrest in the neighbouring country, specifically in the city of Puerto Ordaz, where thousands of Guyanese are living, close to the border between Guyana and Venezuela.

To this end, Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Friday told reporters that Government is prepared to facilitate those wanting to return home to Guyana.

“We are in touch with our Consul, and what I can say to you is that in the event that life, limb and property of Guyanese citizens -- who are there and who require assistance of the Government to relocate to Guyana – (are endangered), we are prepared to provide that service,” he noted.

However, Harmon noted that Guyanese have been returning on their own, without seeking the help of the state.

These persons, he added, usually cross the border and settle in Region One (BarimaWaini) communities such as: Mabaruma, Morawhanna, Port Kaituma, Moruca and other surrounding areas.

“We have (a) very robust immigration outfit there; we have also a robust medical facility in those areas,” he stated.

Nevertheless, the State Minister posited that Government would continue to monitor the situation, and would even be inclined to facilitate the entry of a limited number of Venezuelans who want to escape the hardship of the neighbouring country.

“We have made arrangements at our side of the bor-

Opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro demonstrate in front of riot Police in Caracas

der to receive…Venezuelans who might be fleeing from violence in those communities. We have an international obligation to provide certain limited facilities for them, and we are prepared to do that,” the Government spokespersons asserted.

While Government is discharging its international humanitarian responsibilities, there continues to be a high number of attacks wherein local mining camps and miners are robbed reportedly by nationals crossing over from both Venezuela and Brazil.

Moreover, there have also been a number of cases wherein citizens from Guyana’s bordering neighbours have been caught in various illegal acts here. In fact, earlier this week, a Venezuelan woman was among seven persons who were charged and placed before the courts for aiding a Guyanese man in trafficking 11.4 kilogrammes of cocaine.

Additionally, a Venezuelan was among nine males, suspected to be pirates, who were arrested and charged back in December 2017 after they were found with two high powered weapons along with matching ammunition and other prohibited items in Region One (Barima-Waini).

Meanwhile, commenting

on the safety of Guyanese staffers at the Embassy in the Spanish-speaking state, Harmon noted that there has not been any report of threats.

“I’m not aware that our embassy staff has actually made a request to say they feel threatened, their security is affected and so on… It is the call of the Ambassador there to determine what is considered to be a security situation that is untenable.

Right now, we have not had such a report, and we believe that the Bolivarian Republic continues to provide security for our embassy staff and the work which they are doing there,” Harmon posited.

Over the past two years, Venezuela has been experiencing economic turmoil following the decline of oil prices on the world market. The country is in its fourth consecutive year of recession.

Reports coming out of the Spanish-speaking state reveal that there is massive food shortage and limited access to basic health care and basic amenities such as electricity in certain parts.

Additionally, there continues to be rampant outbursts of looting and violence across some of the most affected cities in the neighbouring country.

oat operators plying within the Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) to Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) district will be able to offload passengers in a more comfortable environment this year since the Region Two Administration will be spending $34 million from its capital budget to construct a boat landing.

This was according to Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt during an interview with media operatives on Friday morning. The Region Two Chairman said the multimillion-dollar project falls directly under the region’s capital budget and is intended to benefit many persons.

He was at the time

speaking on major capital projects that will be executed in 2018. Ramdatt could not say exactly when the project will be awarded but said it is his wish that this happens early so that the project will be completed in a timely manner.

The Regional Chairman said after the awarding is done then there will be continuous consultations with residents as well as major stakeholders. He further explained that efforts will be made at the level of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) to ensure the bill of quantity is circulated to residents and the project is no secret.

“Once a project is funded by taxpayers then we at the region should be accountable. As such, my of-

fice as well as the Regional Vice Chairman, one will be opened to the public should there be any questions relating the project,” Ramdatt said.

He said the project comes at a time when the mooring structures at the stelling are deteriorating and often times passengers utilising the “water taxis” are inconvenienced.

Ramdatt said the Region Two RDC has recognised that the region has two main ports of entry and proper ports need to be established so that residents as well as visitors can benefit. The boat landing, he said, will be a state-ofthe-art one and will be a significant development for 2018 for the region.

(Indrawattie Natram)

President commissions David ‘G’16 in Berbice

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resident David Granger on Thursday commissioned David ‘G’ 16 at Fyrish Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice – Corentyne).

The 26-seater bus will take students living in the Fyrish/Gibraltar community to and from schools at Rose Hall Town and Port Mourant.

The bus is the fourth to be commissioned in the East Berbice/Corentyne Region 6 under the Bs (buses, bicycles, boats, books and boots) project.

According to the President, commissioning the buses is a part of his duty, since he wants to see all children in school.

The 3Bs project, which is now being touted as the 5Bs project, is not a political gimmick Granger said, but is one that makes economic sense. 180 children utilise the bus which operates on the East Bank of Berbice.

The Head of State maintains that the project does not discriminate. “The aim is not just to give you a bus.

I am here to ensure that there is equality in this

David ‘G’16 commissioned at Fyrish Corentyne, Berbice

country. I believe that this country can never be truly equal unless children have equal access to education.

That is the root of equality,” he said.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Head of State said the aim behind the project-- which will see some communities countrywide receiving buses, bicycles or boats to assist children in getting to school -- is to reduce the four hundred students who drop out of school every month.

He noted that once children are given the opportunity to be educated, they will be in a better position to seek employment, and

therefore develop Guyana.

The President said the project targets persons at the grassroots level, so that they can be educated and be able to become self-employed.

Guyana, he said, is the gateway to the South American continent, and if persons are educated, they could find ways to employ themselves and provide services other countries want.

The bus, the second to be donated to the project by businessman Peter Lewis, who has also donated a boat and bicycles, will be maintained by the Region 6 Administration.

31 Village Councils to be audited by February Business Ministry, Private Sector

…preparations underway for village elections to continue collaboration – Gaskin

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inancial audits will be conducted in some thirty-one (31) Indigenous Villages Councils by the end of February, in preparation for the upcoming Village Election.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Indigenous Peoples’ Affair Minister, Sydney Allicock explained that the aim of the audit is to provide a clear understanding of each community’s financial situation so as to better inform incoming village councils or otherwise on its functioning.

Audits are conducted three months prior to planned Village Elections.

This is in keeping with the

Amerindian Act 2006 which stipulates that ‘the Minister shall arrange a general audit, financial and documentary, before the date of Village Council elections.’ The audits are led by an independent auditor.

The Indigenous Peoples’ Affair Ministry has been facilitating audits for a number of years, however, due to a lack of resources, audits were not conducted in most of the communities.

Minister Allicock has confirmed that letters were sent to the respective regional administrations and Toshaos, with regards to the hosting of the Village Elections.

According to him, the ministry is awaiting feedback from

the regions, to move forward with additional plans.

Village Councils are managed by a Toshao (chairman), secretary, treasurer, and councillors, and are tasked with ensuring that the community’s finances and assets are properly managed.

Over 200 Indigenous communities and villages will be conducting elections for Toshaos and Village Councillors.

To be elected as a Toshao, a person must be 18 years and over, and must be eligible to stand as Councillor and should not have held the position for the two terms immediately preceding his or her nomination.

D

espite differences of opnions, Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin believes both the Government and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) share the same goal of working to achieve a prosperous and developed Guyana.

The business minister is of the view that once this is understood, the basis for a healthy work relationship can be achieved between the two bodies.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) today, Minister Gaskin said his office intends to continue the collaboration it began in 2017 with the private sector in this new year.

He expressed gratitude

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin

to the PSC for its positive reviews towards his ministry over the period of 2017. “My performance has to be measured by the performance of the private sector. If they are not doing well, then it means I am not doing well.”

According to Minister Gaskin, the ministry worked

strenuously to promote the local private sector, especially since it facilitates job opportunities for the Guyanese population.

“The private sector has to be the drive and growth of development in Guyana. We (government) are the facilitators, so it is important that we have a good working relationship with the private sector.”

This year, the Business Ministry will roll out several key projects which are aimed at fostering development within the private sector.

“Every entity has a role to play and we want to make sure that we can facilitate growth and development at all levels of the private sector”, the minister assured.

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saturDAY, january 13, 2018

Regional

Outrage over President Trump’s 1 passenger injured as plane crash-lands in The Bahamas derogatory comments about Haitians and other immigrants P

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aiti’s Government has condemned United States President Donald Trump’s reported remarks about its people as “racist”. And it has lodged a complaint with the US Embassy.

Trump reportedly referred to Haiti, El Salvador and African nations as “s… hole countries” during a White House meeting with lawmakers on immigration reform on Thursday, questioning why he should accept immigrants from those places, rather than from countries like Norway.

“Why do we need more Haitians?” the Washington Post quoted him as saying, citing people briefed on the meeting. “Take them out.”

“These insulting and reprehensible statements in no way reflect the virtues of wisdom, restraint and discernment that must be cultivated by any high political authority,” the Haitian government statement said, adding that it was “profoundly outraged and shocked by the tenor

The Government of President Jovenel Moise (left) is not happy with comments reportedly made by US President Donald Trump

of the remarks” that “at a minimum are disrespectful and insulting.”

“The Haitian Government condemns with the greatest firmness these odious and abject remarks which, if they were said, would in every respect be unacceptable because they reflect a simplistic and totally erroneous racist view of the Haitian community and its contributions to the United States of America,” the statement

continued.

However, Trump has denied using the vulgar expression reported, although admitted his language was “tough”.

Trump has also been rebuked by the United Nations for his reported comments.

In a strongly-worded statement, the UN said it was impossible to describe the President’s remarks as anything other than racist.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Corruption main problem in T&T Police Service, says former PM

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ormer Prime Minister Basdeo Panday on Wednesday told a Joint Select Committee on National Security that “corruption, waste and mismanagement” are the main problems that have been existing in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service for decades.

Panday said National Security Minister, Edmund Dillon, is the general manager of the Police Service so he must manage, as the ultimate responsibility of tackling crime rests on his shoulders, the Trinidad Guardian reported.

Having served as National Security Minister, Panday said he took charge

Former T&T Prime Minister Basdeo Panday

by calling all his heads of departments that dealt with crime on a weekly basis and asked them for their suggestions to address

crime and murders.

“Those who were not performing would have to admit before their colleagues that they were nonperformers and nobody likes being humiliated in front of their colleagues,” he explained.

Instead of using the big stick approach, Panday said he used a management technique to get the job done as it worked “like a charm”, which resulted in murders and crimes dropping to its lowest in 20-plus years, under his tenure.

Panday said the Police Service was putting the cart before the horse, as they needed to first look at systems and then find personnel. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

T&T Opposition Leader wants to revisit Anti-Gang Bill

T

rinidad’s Opposition Leader Kamla PersadBissessar says Parliament should not wait until the end of September to revisit Anti-Gang legislation which failed to get the support of her party in December.

In a letter to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday, she said: “If the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and other arms of the protective services are of the view that the passage of this legislation will assist in their ability to combat gangs and gang activity, I am of the view that as leaders we are duty bound to find a bipartisan solution to ensure the passage

of this legislation with the required constitutional majority.”

On December 7, the Bill failed to get the required three-fifths majority. Although 21 Government MPs supported the legislation, 12 Opposition MP’s voted against it and there was one abstention.

The Anti-Gang Bill 2017 seeks to maintain public safety and order by discouraging membership n criminal gangs, suppressing criminal gang activity and other related matters. It makes it an offence to be a member of a gang, be in possession of a bullet-proof vest, participate in, or contrib-

ute to, gang activities, support or invite support for a gang, or harbour or conceal gang members, or recruit persons to a gang. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

olice are investigating the crash of a private plane in The Bahamian island of Eleuthera that left one man with minor injuries.

The incident occurred at the Governor’s Harbour Airport shortly after 8 p.m. on Tuesday, as the Pineapple Air Charter flight from New Providence approached the end of the runway.

According to Police reports, the landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to skid off the southern end of the runway. Two pilots and 15 passengers were on board at the time. But only one passenger complained of injuries and was taken to a clin-

The Pineapple Air charter plane after it skidded off the runway at the Governor’s Harbour Airport

ic where he was treated and discharged.

The incident has been re-

ferred to the Department Civil Aviation for further investigation. (Caribbean360)

Venezuela Govt, Opposition resume talks in The Dominican Republic

M

embers of Venezuela’s leftist Government and Opposition leaders resumed talks in The Dominican Republic on Friday, seeking to reach an agreement to ease a deep political and economic crisis in the OPEC country.

The two sides failed to come to terms in a prior round of talks last December, when they concluded by saying they had made progress but needed more time. Expectations among Venezuelans for a deal this

time around are low.

Opposition coalition Democratic Unity “is attending the meeting in good faith, to seek a way of allowing Venezuelans to build a route to the future,” tweeted party lawmaker Luis Florido on Thursday.

The Opposition leaders are demanding that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accept humanitarian assistance from abroad to ease a crisis that has led to shortages of food and basic goods for millions of people.

They are also calling for the release of several hundred jailed political activists. Government representatives want the Opposition to push for the elimination of sanctions levied last year

by US President Donald Trump’s Administration, which have added to economic woes and complicated a debt restructure.

Dominican President Danilo Medina is leading the negotiations, which also include representatives from Bolivia, Chile, Mexico and Nicaragua. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Caribbean Airlines launches Cuba flight

R

egional carrier, Caribbean Airlines (CAL) started flying to Havana, Cuba on Friday.

The announcement was made on Thursday

by Finance Minister Colm Imbert during a post-Cabinet news conference.

According to Imbert, the service would operate twice weekly and would allow people from surrounding Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states the opportunity to travel to Cuba if they wished.

He said the route also opens the possibility of tourism and trade linkages with Cuba as a Chinese airline has a route from Beijing to Havana, with an intermediate stop in Montreal, Canada. He explained, this could provide the opportunity for Chinese tourists and business people to come to

the twin island republic.

The Finance Minister disclosed that based on information from CAL, its fleet of jet aircraft is currently underutilised and pilots may also be underutilised on certain routes. Explaining that this has to do with take-offs, landings and the amount of time spent in the air, Imbert said CAL’s consultants have said this is the best use of the aircraft at this point in

time.

“It will not affect CAL’s jet schedule in any adverse way.” CAL’s Boeing jets could accommodate approximately 160 passengers travelling between Havana and Port of Spain in either direction, he said, and the same jet aircraft used to fly to Havana would be used to return to Trinidad and Tobago. (Jamaica Observer)

No compensation for Jamaican detained in Canada for 5 years

O

ntario’s top court ruled on Thursday that the five years a mentally ill Jamaican spent in immigration custody before being deported to his homeland did not amount to cruel and unusual punishment.

The Court of Appeal upheld a lower court’s decision that Alvin Brown’s lengthy detention was neither arbitrary nor indefinite. It therefore did not agree with his lawyer that the fa-

ther of six deserved US$1500 in damages for each day he had spent in immigration detention.

Brown arrived in Canada in 1983 at the age of eight years old and became a permanent resident in 1984. However, after some criminal convictions, that status was revoked in 2005.

Canada Border Services Agency detained him in early 2011 after he had served his time pending his removal.

According to CTV News, Brown spent the next five years in a maximum security prison trying unsuccessfully to have the removal order quashed.

During that time, immigration officials tried to ensure he had the necessary travel documents. Jamaican officials wrangled over whether he was in fact a citizen and then raised questions over his mental health needs. (Excerpt from

Caribbean360)

saturDAY, january 13, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Ancient China: 'There's no other word but racist': Trump faces global rebuke for remark 1000-year-old Royal Palace discovered D

onald Trump has been branded a shocking and shameful racist after it was credibly reported he had described African nations, as well as Haiti and El Salvador as “shitholes” and questioned why so many of their citizens had ever been permitted to enter America.

US diplomats around the world were summoned for formal reproach, amid global shock that such crude remarks could ever be made in a semi-public meeting by the President of America.

In a strongly-worded statement, the UN said it was impossible to describe his remarks as anything other than racist, while the Vatican decried Trump’s

Trump suggested the US should bring more immigrants from Norway, not ‘shithole countries’

words as “particularly harsh and offensive”.

Trump initially allowed reported accounts of his comments to go unchallenged, but went into damage limitation mode on Friday, insisting he had

not used derogatory words – but admitting that the language he had used at a meeting with Senators on immigration was “tough”.

But the democratic senator Dick Durbin – who was present at the meeting with

Trump on Thursday – insisted that the reports were entirely accurate.

He said “those hatefilled things and did so repeatedly”.

“Shithole was the exact word used once not twice but repeatedly,” Durbin said, adding that the word was specifically used in the context of African countries.

The UN human rights spokesman, Rupert Colville, told a Geneva news briefing: “There is no other word one can use but racist. You cannot dismiss entire countries and continents as ‘shitholes’, whose entire populations, who are not white, are therefore not welcome.” (Excerpt from The

Guardian)

Australia launches anti-bullying campaign after former child model commits suicide

Amy Jayne Everett killed herself last week after being cyberbullied, her parents say

T

he suicide of a 14-year-old girl who was once the face of iconic Australian outback hat maker Akubra has left the nation shocked. Her grieving family has launch

a campaign to raise awareness of cyberbullying.

Amy “Dolly” Everett, who at eight years old was an Akubra model, took her own life last week. Her family said her death came after

she was victimized by cyberbullies.

A national anti-bullying campaign has been launched in the wake of Dolly’s death, and thousands have paid tribute on social media under the hashtags #doitfordolly.

Her parents, Tick and Kate Everett, thanked the community for its response to their grief and asked for time to celebrate her life.

“This is all we are capable of at the moment and ask for your respect to give us time to grieve,” the family said in a statement to the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

“Our daughter Dolly was

the kindest, caring, beautiful soul, and she was always caring for animals, small children, other children at boarding school who were less fortunate than herself.”

“Bullying of any type is unacceptable. It is up to us to stand up when we see any kind of bullying behaviour.” According to the National Centre Against Bullying, 1 in 5 Australian children reported being bullied in the past 12 months.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies says about 10 per cent to 20 per cent of children and young people have been cyberbullied.

(Excerpt from Yahoo! News)

The Temple of Heavenly Peace in Beijing, the oldest and one of the only surviving remnants of Beijing's Liao Dynasty capital

A

rchaeologists have discovered the ruins of an ancient palace that served as the summer retreat for the elite members of the Liao Dynasty. To escape the oppressive heat, each year from mid-April to mid-July the Liao emperors would move the royal family, along with palace officials, into the mountains of what is now China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

Archaeologists discovered more than 100 structural components at the site in Duolun County, including glazed tiles, pottery and copper nails, according to Xinhuanet. They recorded the foundations of 12 buildings—more than 2,500 square feet in total.

Ge Zhiyong, a researcher with the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Institute of Archaeology, said that artifacts excavated at the site appear to date the palace to the mid-Liao Dynasty, according to

Xinhua.

The palace's discovery should give archaeologists new insights into both the architecture and cultural customs of the Liao Dynasty, Ge told Xinhua. Large-scale excavations are expected to begin at the site.

The Liao Dynasty rose from the Khitan, the nomadic people of what corresponds to modern-day Mongolia and parts of northern China, Russia and Korea. It was founded by a Kaghan (a Khitan emperor) known as Abaoji, according to International Business Times. The dynasty came to power in either 907 AD or, depending on historical interpretation of what constitutes the dynasty's early days, in 916 AD, when Abaoji officially declared himself as ruler. The dynasty excelled in art, music and poetry, according to Ancient Origins. In 1125, the Liao Dynasty fell to the rising Jin Dynasty, which would reign for more than a century afterwards. (Excerpt from MSN)

Tunisia arrests another 150 including Saudi Arabia allows women Opposition leaders over unrest at football game for first time

P

rotests, some violent, flared across Tunisia on Monday, when one protester was killed, before ebbing on Thursday.

Protesters have burned dozens of state buildings, prompting the government to send the army into several cities and towns.

Activists and opposition politicians appealed for fresh demonstrations in the capital, Tunis, on Friday and on Sunday, the seventh anniversary of the toppling of authoritarian president Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, the first leader to fall in the 2011 “Arab Spring” protests

that swept the region.

On Thursday, unrest was limited to sporadic clashes in the northern city of Siliana, in Sidi Bouzid in central Tunisia and Douz in the south of the North African country. On Friday it was mostly quiet with just 200 people protesting peacefully in the capital, a witness said.

“The protests have declined and there was no damage, but last night the police arrested 150 people involved in rioting in the past few days, bringing the total number of detainees to 778,” Interior Ministry

spokesman Khelifa Chibani said. Sixteen “Islamist extremists” were among those detained, he said.

The United Nations called on the government not to detain people arbitrarily.

“We’re concerned about the high number of arrests, some 778 people we understand have now been arrested since Monday, and around a third of those arrested were between the ages of 15 and 20 so very young,” UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville told reporters in Geneva.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

S

audi Arabia has for the first time allowed women to spectate at a football match, part of an easing of strict rules on gender separation by the ultra-conservative Muslim country. Women fans filed into a stadium in the city of Jeddah on Friday, through family gates into family seating. But even segregated as they were, their presence in the stadium marked a significant moment for the Kingdom.

It follows a series of reforms intended to modernise the country. Earlier on Friday, ahead of the football game, there was another small sign of change: the country's first car showroom dedicated to female customers was opened.

Women cheer from the family section at King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah

For the first time, women will this June be allowed to get behind the wheel, after it was announced in September that a ban on women drivers would be lifted. Women at the car showroom milled around inspecting vehicles that they will be allowed to take out on

the road when the ban ends.

At the stadium in Jeddah, female ushers were employed to greet the women fans and their families, who loudly cheered on the local team.

Both ushers and fans wore the traditional black abaya robe. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Trump waives Iran nuclear sanctions 'for last time'

U

S President Donald Trump will continue sanctions relief for Iran, keeping the 2015 landmark nuclear deal in place for the time being. The White House said on Friday that Trump will waive the sanctions against Iran for

the "last time", unless an agreement can be reached between the US and Europe within the next 120 days that would strengthen the nuclear deal.

"Despite my strong inclination, I have not yet withdrawn the United States

from the Iran nuclear deal," Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to "rip up" the deal, said in a statement on Friday.

"Instead I have outlined two possible paths forward: either fix the deal's disastrous flaws, or the United

States will withdraw," he added. "This is the last chance. In absence of such an agreement [between the US and European powers], the United States will not again waive sanctions in order to stay in the Iran nuclear deal."

The announcement came as the US Treasury imposed sanctions on 14 Iranian individuals and companies, including the head of Iran's judiciary, over alleged human rights abuses.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

called Trump's decision an attempt to "undermine" the deal. The nuclear deal "is not renegotiable: rather than repeating tired rhetoric, [the] US must bring itself into full compliance just like Iran," he added.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, january 13, 2018

ARCHIE

Go over your personal paARIES pers and tidy up loose ends.

(March 21- An unusual situation regardApril 19) ing past taxes, an inheritance or old debts should not be left unattended.

You’ll be taken advantage TAURUS of if you are too willing to take (April 20- on someone else’s responsibilMay 20) ities. If something isn’t fair, say so. Protect your interests and your cash.

dilbert

A relationship built on GEMINI false information will crum(May 21ble if you aren’t quick to exJune 20) plain and emphasize what you really want. Charm mixed with a kind gesture will help.

Take care of your responCANCER sibilities so that you can rest (June 21- easy. Uncertainty regarding July 22) your feelings or beliefs can be expected. Taking a retreat and to focus on personal growth and soul-searching will do you good.

Peanuts

Making changes at home LEO or being faced with costly (July 23- problems will leave you livid.

Aug. 22) Don’t let anger prevail when you should be taking care of business.

Making an investment, VIRGO dealing with a pending set(Aug. 23tlement or changing things Sept. 22) around at home will be emotionally stressful, but worth your while. Celebrate your progress with a loved one.

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Put greater emphasis on an important relationship and be willing to compromise if necessary. Change can be frightening, but also exhilarating. Make your feelings and fears clear.

Don’t let your emotions SCORPIO fool you. Question anything (Oct. 24or anyone who poses a probNov. 22) lem for you. Clear the way to ensure that your plans are free of negativity and obstacles.

Honesty will be required.

SAGITTARIUS Someone is likely to lead you (Nov. 23astray by making accusations Dec. 21) about someone you know or something you did. Don’t get involved in gossip or divulge personal information.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle

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

Explore what’s available CAPRICORN and see how it fits into your (Dec. 22past and present obligaJan. 19) tions. Keep things running smoothly to gain respect and accomplish what you set out to do.

Make personal alterations AQUARIUS that will help you boost your (Jan. 20employability. A position that Feb. 19) may not have been within reach in the past can now be reconsidered. Fine-tune your skills and your resume.

Your vision is clear, but PISCES (Feb. 20- not everyone will see things March 20) your way. Avoid emotional interference and set your sights on your destination.

Personal and financial gains look promising.

saturDAY, january 13, 2018

19

CWI/ Digicel Regional 4-Day Championships 2017-18

Hodge, Johnson leave Red Force winded

F

ormer WINDIES Under-19 batsman Kavem Hodge struck a career-best hundred, but uncapped left-arm fast-medium bowler Daniel St. Clair answered with a personal best of his own, yet Trinidad & Tobago Red Force found themselves against the ropes at the Grenada National Stadium.

And, a destructive spell from WINDIES “A” Team leg-spinner Damion Jacobs bowled Jamaica Scorpions back into their contest against Leeward Islands

…Jacobs keeps Scorpions in the hunt Hurricanes at Sabina Park.

Jangoo stroked 24, but was one of two wickets to fall in the space of 17 balls towards the end of play.

Scores; Volcanoes 366 vs Red Force 51-4

Volcanoes vs Red Force, St. George’s, Grenada

Hodge converted his overnight 87 into a splendid 128, as Volcanoes rallied past lunch, but St. Clair – not to be left out – snatched 6-62 from 20.4 overs – his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.

Red Force were then floored by a two-wicket burst from left-arm seamer Delorn Johnson, as they staggered to the close.

Left-handed Amir

Scorpions vs Hurricanes, Kingston, Jamaica

Jacobs collected 7-74 from 27.3 overs, as the Hurricanes were bowled out before lunch to give the Scorpions a narrow lead.

WINDIES Under-19 World Cup winner Keacy Carty defied the trend with a top score of 78 and

Damion Jacobs

WINDIES “A” wicketkeeper/ batsman Jahmar Hamilton made 40 – but the rest of the batting failed to click and no other reached 20.

WINDIES batsman Jermaine Blackwood then hit 70 – his second half-century of the match – and WINDIES “A” opener John Campbell made 55 to lead the Scorpions’ batting before the Hurricanes fought back with a cluster of late wickets.

Scores; Scorpions 197 & 182-7 vs Hurricanes 171

Afghanistan Premier League slated for October 2018 A

Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi have been plying their trade in various T20 leagues worldwide including the Caribbean Premier League

fghanistan is set to join the growing ranks of countries that have a T20 competition of their own, with their cricket board (ACB) announcing the launch of the Afghanistan Premier League. Following the signing of the tournament's MoU on Thursday, its first edition is set to take place in October 2018.

"There will be a total of 23 matches between five teams," ACB chief executive Shafiq Stanikzai told ESPNcricinfo. " T h e league will t a k e place in the UAE, but we haven't yet decided on which cities will play host t o the league. But now we have got official approval from the Emirates Cricket Board, and we'd like to thank them for that."

Stanikzai revealed that an auction to purchase the five teams would be held in March, with a player draft to be held after that. Approximately 40 cricketers from overseas have expressed an interest in participating in the APL T20, which gives it a far heftier international presence than what Afghanistan's other T20 competition, the Shpageeza Cricket League, enjoyed last year.

"The APL T20 will be played on a broader scale, both finan-

cially and coverage wise," Stanikzai said.

"Our strategic objective is to bring this league into the top three T20 leagues in the world." The decision to schedule the league for October is likely no coincidence. It has traditionally been one of the few months without a global T20 league in what is becoming an increasingly saturated calendar. Indeed, in 2017, it was one of only two months (June being the other) in which an elite T20 league wasn't played. This year, the APL T20 would hope to avoid clashing with the Caribbean Premier League, which ended in September in 2017, and the Bangladesh Premier League, which last year began in November.

Stanikzai also confirmed that the Shpageeza Cricket League would continue to be played. "Shapageeza is a domestic T20 league, and the APL T20 is to be played on top of it. The Shpageeza Cricket League will be played this year, tentatively in June."

ACB chairman Atif Mashal was also buoyant about the new T20 competition's potential. "The Afghanistan T20 Premier league will provide a valuable opportunity for Afghan players to play alongside major names in international cricket," he said.

This is the second major T20 competition that the UAE will play host to, potentially on an annual basis. Both seasons of the Pakistan Super League have been played in the UAE, while all but three matches of the third PSL season - that begins next m o n t h are slotted to be played in the Emirates as well. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Kavem Hodge

GFF extends condolences to family of former referee

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF), through the Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC), has expressed condolence to the wife, children and friends of the late Phillip Gibbons, former National Referee and Assessor.

In a media release on Friday, the GFF stated that Gibbons, who was also actively involved in the administration of the Mackenzie Sports Complex (MSC), passed a few days ago.

The statement further stated that, President of the GFRC and Executive Committee member of the GFF, Dion Inniss, said the fraternity is saddened by the loss of the former match official: “All referees mourn the loss of a very hard working, passionate and committed servant of the game.

This is especially felt

in the mining town of Linden where he resided up to the time of his passing. We hope that, in some way, our words of support may help bring a little bit of peace and solace in this time of sadness.

Gibbons was laid to rest on Friday.

Phillip Gibbons

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, january 13, 2018

Cricket West Indies Regional Super50…

Jamaican Marshall named in USA Team Team USA will play in Group B alongside Jamaica Scorpions, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Guyana Jaguars and Kent

T

he USA Men’s cricket team will tour Antigua later this month to compete in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Super50 tournament.

Team USA will join the six CWI franchises (Barbados Pride, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, Windward Island Volcanoes, Jamaica Scorpions, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Guyana Jaguars), Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners and two English county sides – Hampshire and Kent. Given the level of competition this event provides, this is a great opportunity for the USA squad to continue to develop as a unit and build on the momentum from the past several months

The U.S. Men’s Selection Panel has made several changes, largely at the top-order, from last year’s tour to the Middle East. Chairman of Selectors, Ricardo Powell said: “Upon return from Abu Dhabi and Oman, we were keen to develop our batting unit and Coach has been working very closely with small groups of national players over the past several weeks to fine tune our skills in this department.

“I am confident the group selected will wear the red, white and blue with pride both on and off the field.”

USA Project Manager, Eric Parthen, said: “We are grateful for the opportunity afforded to USA Cricket by CWI to compete in this

tournament. Our team will benefit immensely from this experience and I encourage the entire community to follow our digital assets to support the U.S. players.”

Team USA will arrive in Antigua on January 27 for training and preparation before the first match against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes on January 31.

USA team reads; Ibrahim Khaleel (captain), Timil Patel, Roy Silva, Xavier Marshall, Sunny Sohal, Jaskaran Malhotra, Nisarg Patel, Mrunal Patel, Elmore Hutchinson, Nosthusha Kenjige, Prashanth Nair, Usman Rafiq, Saurabh Netravalkar and Adil Bhatti

Xavier Marshall has played 37 international matches for the West Indies including 24 One Day Internationals

Edwards “We’re happy to see the conditions of the course”– Escarraga eyes CPL 2018 L – MACORP executive praises work by LGC

By Clifton Ross

ocal golfer and MACORP executive Guillermo Escarraga hailed the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) for their herculean efforts in revamping the course, making it playable in January for the first time in years.

After years of being starved of action for the first few months, the LGC Course for the first time is in ideal shape, despite the rainy season and is ready to host its first competition of the year.

The dream of playing golf in January became a reality thanks to the Machinery Corporation of Guyana (MACORP) who lent pieces Fidel Edwards last played in the CPL in 2015 for the St Lucia Zouks of machinery including one excavator in order to help arbadian pacer Fidel According to Edwards he the club in its rehabilitation Edwards has de- had hoped to take part in the project. clared himself avail- regional tournament last Escarraga, MACORP’s able for the next Caribbean season, but was hit was setProduct Support Manager Premier League (CPL) sea- back after breaking his anand one of the country’s top son and hopes to represent kle during a football match golfers, told Guyana Times his home nation Barbados in training.

Sport during an exclusive Tridents.

“I would love to put my on Friday, the eve of 2018’s The 35-year-old, who last name back in the auction. first tournament sponsored played in the tournament I wasn’t available last year

by Trophy Stall, that the three years ago but for the because of injury, but I am relationship between the St Lucia Zouks, has target- eager to play this year. two entities was golden and ed increased participation From the first time CPL praised the LGC members in the shortest format of was launched, I wanted to for their herculean effort. the game. The fast bowler play for Barbados, but it just “The company has been part has spent the last few sea- didn’t happen. Hopefully, I of the club for more than sons competing for English can get the chance to play 10 years. We host an annucounty side Hampshire as for Barbados this year,” al tournament which will be a Kolpak signing. In 2015 Edwards told Nation News. in its 12 edition this year, so the pace bowler took 45 “My aim is to play more throughout all these years Championship wickets to T20 cricket this year. CPL is we are happy to see the conhelp the team stave off rel- high on the agenda.” (Sportsmax) ditions of the course and egation from Division One.

B

The excavator provided by MACORP being used during the course’s rehabilitation

commend the management of the Lusignan golf club for ensuring the course is playable most of the year”, he said.

In recent times, golfers were forced to put their clubs away for a significant part of the year due to the waterlogged state of the course. However, with the help of MACORP, groundsmen managed to drain some 2 ½ feet of water in a matter of days; thus speeding up playing time by months.

The company’s executive noted that golfers can now have more time to hit top form and get in much match-practice ahead of the major year-end tournaments. Also, Escarraga who along with other local pros will be gearing up for today’s tournament was grateful for an early start to the season which he said will help players to settle in much better.

“This definitely helps; having the grounds avail-

MACORP Product Support Manager and local pro golfer Guillermo Escarraga

able for sure has a positive impact on the player’s game. Golf demands practice for improvement and this will give golfers more time to play and improve on their game as well as attract more people interested in the game of golf,” stated Escarraga. From a golfer’s perspective, Escarraga believed that the more available the greens, the more success Guyana will reap as local golfers are already feared as worthy opponents throughout the region.

“Being able to practice and play will make the tournaments more competitive and will raise the overall level of golf in Guyana. We have supported the club for many years and we will continue to support the sport in the country, we hope to see new generation of golfers in the country”. The recently appointed new executive arm of the LGC have wasted little time in their quest

to transform the club into a 5 star Golf and Country club before the end of 2018 and Escarraga confirmed that MACORP will continue to lend support to the club and fraternity.

“Our relationship with Lusignan golf club goes way back and we are sure it will continue. This year we see great initiatives been put in place and for sure this will benefits the golf fraternity; we want to play our part and invite others to support the club activities”.

He closed off by also supporting the club’s dream to turn LGC into a spectacular country club which he said will not only boost golf, but will benefit the country overall. “This is great news for the country, we hope to see it become a reality because this will become a place for families and through sports we can make a positive impact in younger generations”, he ended.

saturDAY, january 13, 2018 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

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Rose Hall U19 begin 2018 with a win

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Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19 Team

T

he Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19 began their 2018 campaign with an easy 55 runs victory over the Ramnarine Memorial Cricket Club at the Kennard Cricket Ground. Rose Hall Town Pepsi were special guests of the hosts and upon winning the toss they had a bat in the game that was reduced to 30 overs per side due to early morning rain.

Rose Hall Town Pepsi reached 174 all out in 29.5 overs with national junior cricketers Kevin Sinclair 63 (4x4, 5x6) and Junior Sinclair 69 being the principal scorers while the talented Kevlon Anderson supported with 18.

Bowling for Ramnarine Memorial, J. Dipnarine took 3 wickets for 31 runs and Amar Ramnarine 3 for 16.

In response, the home team

was rocked early by hostile pace bowling of Kevlon Anderson and Joshua Wilson and found themselves at 16 for 3 in the fifth over.

E. Mendonca (18) and Rawle Park (20) then featured in partnership of 39 for the fourth wicket while Dipnarine blasted 33 towards the end as the hosts were bowled out for 119off 25.3 overs.

Bowling for Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19, Sinclair completed a fine allround performance by taking three wickets for 18 runs, Kevlon Anderson 2 for 11 and Keith Simpson 2 for 13. Kevin Sinclair was named Man of the Match and received a pair of batting gloves as his prize.

Meanwhile, the team recently handed over a financial donation to the Berbice

Spartans, # 72 All Star join winners row

A

ction in the ongoing Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) / Baijnauth 20/20 heated up as # 70 Spartans and the # 72 All Stars notched up wins recently.

At the # 72 all Star Ground, hosts # 72 All Star defeated their opponents Bomb Squad by 46 runs in their 20 over encounter. Batting first, All Star scored 1297 with Sanjay Deochand 26, M. Bhoj 24 and Demetri Cameron 21 the main scorers. Bowling for Bomb Squad, P. Gobin, D Pooran and R Mohammed did most of the damage with figures of 4-19, 2-20 and 1-24 respectively.

Replying to the total of 129, the Bomb Squad batsmen were ironically bombed out for 83 with batsman P. Luen the only one to reach double figures with 23. # 72 All Star bowling was led by Garnett 4-15, Demetri Cameron 2-21, S. Gobin 2-16 and P. Chatterpaul 1-2.

At the # 70 Ground, Spartans defeated Guns & Roses by 4 wickets to secure their spot in the next round after bowling out the latter for 116 all despite knocks from Saheed Rohoman 30, Neaz Ali 35 and Brandon Mohan 16.

Bowling for the # 70 Spartans, M. Deochand 4-18, T. Ramotar 2-20, N Yacoob 2-20 and O. Kumar 1-17 were the wicket takers for their team who surged to118-6 in 17.3 overs with Tameshwar Ramotar 36, Akash Persaud 34, Taresh Ramgolam 23 and Chris Bollers 19 leading the way.

Omesh Mathura 2-20, T. Baichan 1-16 and D. Ramroop 1-14 were the wicket-takers for the losing side. The competition will continue on Sunday January 14th, 2018 at venues across the Upper Corentyne area.

Cricket Umpires Association towards the hosting of their Annual Awards Ceremony.

The team also handed over a trophy and a quantity of educational materials to the President of the Umpires Association, Joseph Simon.

The trophy would be used to honour Umpire Albert Sinclair for his success at the Umpires Association.

Assistant Secretary of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Simon Naidu who is also a member of the Pepsi Team stated that the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club received a request from the Berbice Cricket Umpires Association and approved it immediately.

Meanwhile, Club Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Hilbert Foster stated that the donations to the Umpires were

in recognition on their outstanding contributions toward the development of Berbice Cricket and the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club does not need any favour in return. Among the players in the Pepsi Under-19 Team are Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Keith Simpson, Sylus Tyndall, Junior Sinclair, Jonathan Rampersaud, Matthew Pattaya, Chanderpaul Govindan, Vikash Subramanie, Joshua Wilson, Mahendra Gopilall and Jeremy Sandian. The Pepsi Team along with the nine other cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club would next make a donation to the Rose Hall Town Primary School under the Club’s Say Yes to Education Programme.

Deo poised ahead of Trophy Stall Open

By Clifton Ross

L

adies golf star Joaan Deo said she’s ready to start off 2018 with a bang today when Trophy Stall and the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) host their first tournament of the year.

The former women’s champ told Guyana Times Sport on Friday that she was happy to see the course in shape months ahead of the usually sched- Joaan Deo uled time. Deo pointed haven’t had any comout that it was good for petition really since the local players to be the Open,” said Deo. afforded ample match Deo admitted time as 2018 is expectthat since last year’s ed to host more compeGuyana Cup Open, titions than previous where she finished secyears. ond; she has not played “We would usualany golf but managed a ly start around March few holes on Thursday or April because of the when she visited the weather, but I think it’s course. good that we’re having “Since the Open I a jumpstart. The new have not played Golf committee is really tryand then the course ing to push the sport so was under water. I was I think it’s a good start there on Thursday afbecause we have a lot ternoon I chipped for of golfers who are ealike 45 minutes so I’m ger to play because we

going into the tournament with not much practice but I should be good to compete against the rest of golfers.’

Rating the works done by the LGC members who with help from MACORP by virtue of their machinery, transformed a waterlogged Lusignan Course into a course ready for golf at its highest level, in just a week; Deo said she was pleased with the amount of work put in by the team in order to make the greens playable.

From a personal perspective, the female star said playing as early as possible is a great boost for not only her but the rest of golfers who have been rearing to play. She concluded by admitting she was upbeat about the prospects of golf in 2018, especially with the club growing in stature, she believes 2018 will be an incredible breakthrough year for the sport.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, january 13, 2018

GBBC/ ‘Sangre Malo’

Dharry returns to familiar hunting grounds

By Michelangelo

T

he “Coolie Bully” Elton Dharry will return to the “Land of Many Waters” today as the Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s (GBBC) January 20 International Card “Sangre Malo” looms closer.

The des-

Venezuelan Jesus “Gazu” Vargas

ignated arena for the monumental card which features six bouts is the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH); this is the first time in two years that boxing will return to the venue.

Thirty-two-year-old Dharry dubbed the “Coolie Bully” because of his tenacious and menacing fighting style began his career in the squared circle in 2004 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

His first fight was against Mark Rodrigues which he won on a unanimous decision; since that first fight at the venue, Dharry has returned to fight at the Sports Hall six times of which he came out victorious on all occasions.

Dharry has a special affinity for the Sports Hall and come January 20 he will be representing home turf against Venezuelan Jesus “Gazu” Vargas; fans are guaranteed fireworks from the bantamweight clash as Dharry is undefeated in his last 18 fights dating back to 2010.

The last opponent to be bullied by Dharry was Dominican Republic’s Samuel Contreras in 2016 while Vargas record a win against Over Morales in Venezuela last September.

The Guyanese bantamweight currently holds the WBC Caribbean (CABOFE)

3x3

Bantamweight Title, Guyana National Bantamweight Title, IBF Intercontinental Title and WBU Americas Bantamweight Title.

Dharry’s record is impeccable and stands at 21 wins, five losses and a draw, 16 of his victories came by way of knockout and he will be looking to make it 17 against Vargas. Meanwhile 25-year-old Vargas has 16 wins, 10 losses and a draw with 12 of those victories by way of knockout.

The “Sangre Malo” card which translates to ‘Bad Blood’ includes a heavyweight clash; James Moore who will “cuff it out” with fellow countryman Sherwin Clarke.

Added just earlier this week to the card was a Junior Welterweight clash between Guyanese Anson Greene and Barbadian Keithland King. The headliners of the card include Guyanese lightweight champion Dexter “Cobra” Gonsalves taking on Venezuela’s Felipe Larez Barcelo, while flyweight champion Dexter “The Kid” Marques clashes with Dionis Martinez Arias (Venezuela) in the co-main event.

Trinidadians Sheldon Lawrence and Shawn Corbin are also set to duke it out for the WBC Fecarbox Light Heavyweight Title in the other co-main event on the night.

With the monumental fights just a week away Gonsalves and

Marques Elton “Coolie Bully” Dharry will look to are curextend his perfect record at the Cliff rently training toAnderson Sports Hall come January 20 gether albeit under different coaches; fied front is integral to success Caribbean Lightweight title come January 20. Tickets to the holder Marques is being condi“Sangre Malo” card which is ortioned and prepared for the fight ganized by the Guyana Boxing

by Lennox Daniels while Seabert Board of Control (GBBC) in assoBlake has charge of Gonsalves. ciation with MCG Inc’s cost $4,000 Both boxers have expressed for VIP, $2,000 for Ringside and their desire and drive to “punch” $1,000 for stands; they are on Guyana back on to the map in sale at the Giftland Stores and the world of boxing and shared Assuria General Insurance offices similar sentiments about trainin Georgetown, Diamond, Berbice, ing together noting that a uniParika and Vreed-en-Hoop.

GABF’s ranking improves drastically

A

fter officially registering two years ago (2016) with the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) 3x3 competitive association, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has moved up the rankings to an unprecedented 91 ranking in the U-18 category.

Out of a total of one hundred and fifty-nine (159) countries Guyana is now ranked 91 in 3x3 U18 men’s Basketball. In a statement to the media, the GABF revealed; “Guyana officially signed on to FIBA 3x3 Basketball in 2016 and in less than two years has improved the countries international 3x3 ranking. “ The statement continued; “this achievement should not go unnoticed, to all the stakeholders and players who played a part and continue to do so we thank you.”

In concluding the statement read; “With your continued help, we can move

The female team of Annalisa Barclay, Lydia Roberts, Roschelle Campbell and Soffiya Greene

3x3 basketball to the stage where Guyana can compete in the Olympics at 3x3 basketball.”

This follows the recent U-18 3x3 trials that the GABF held to select a male and female team to represent Guyana at the 2018 International Basketball Foundation Antilles 3X3 U-18 Championships in St. Marteen which is slated for May. The Supreme Dub Ballers won for the males; a team which comprised of

this year’s South American Youth Games 3X3, took down Royals 15-11 in the final of the qualifying tournament organised by the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation last month at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

All of their players contributed to the victory with Nigel Bowen dropping seven points, while Akeem Crandon scored four.

Meanwhile Akeem Bowen and Shamar France scored two points each.

The female team of Annalisa Barclay, Lydia Roberts, Roschelle Campbell and Saffiya Greene won on the female side with Barclay dropping in six points.

The trials which catered for players born January 1, 2000 or after saw a total of fifteen teams from which 52 players competed which shows a high level of interest for the shortened form of the game. At the 2016 championships held in St Lucia, the likes of Jamal Gilkes, Jonathan Mangra, Stanton Rose and Timothy Thompson made history by reaching the final against Martinique only to suffer their only loss 8-9.

Rose fell short of the MVP by virtue of Guyana losing the Finals by one point in the last nine seconds of the game.

On their path to the final Guyana would have defeated the likes of Barbados, Curacao, Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Vincent, Aruba and Guadeloupe.

GCF points race set for Long Creek

T

he route for the Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF) first ‘Points’ race has been revealed; the starting point is set for the National Sports Commission (NSC) on Homestretch Avenue.

Cyclists will pedal off from the starting point; proceed to Long Creek on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway before returning to Homestretch Avenue for the finish.

While the country’s top cyclists will be sure to turn out in their numbers, last year’s most successful rider, Jamual John will be looking to continue his rich vein of form. Paul DeNobrega will also be present and looking to resume his rivalry with John. The duo had a great rivalry in 2017 and will be sure to provide great entertainment this year as well.

Not to be ignored is the ever evolving Alanzo Ambrose who proved his self to be a formidable opponent last year as he pushed John and company to the limits even winning the last points race of 2017.

The first cyclist to cross the finish line will earn himself a valuable 15 points while second to fifth place will rack up 12, 10, 8 and six points respectively in that order.

saturDAY, january 13, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

23

CWI/ Digicel Regional 4-Day Championships 2017-18

Shepherd bowls Jaguars in control – Pride tottering at 147-7

A

hostile spell of seam bowling from Romario Shepherd in the final session on day two gave the Guyana Jaguars the upper hand in their ninth round match of their Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Four-Day tournament against Barbados Pride at the Kensington Oval on Friday.

Shepherd picked up four of the seven wickets to fall as the Pride were rocked back at 147 for 7 in their first innings replying to 297 made by the four-time champions in their turn at the crease.

When stumps were drawn Kemar Roach was on 15 and Jomel Warrican on 13 with the hosts still 150 runs in arrears.

Shepherd who picked up Roston Chase and Shane Dowrich with successive balls in his second over of a new spell also accounted for the two batsmen that looked comfortable enough to score heavy, captain Shamarh Brooks and rookie opener Shanyne Moseley.

The powerfully built Berbician in his ninth match, fifth of the season had Chase caught down the leg-side and then bowled the perfect short ball to Dowrich first up to be on the verge of a hat trick.

The Pride batted mostly in overcast conditions and Shepherd was backed up by Sherfane Rutherford and the new ball pair of Keemo Paul and Raymon Reifer. The Jaguars’ most

Romario Shepherd is the chief destroyer with the ball so far for the Jaguars at the Kensington Oval

SCOREBOARD

Jonathan Carter hit four boundaries but didn’t carry on long enough

successful bowler this season, Veerasammy Permaul with 44 wickets so far was not given a bowl in the seam-friendly conditions as captain Leon Johnson was on the attack constantly.

Earlier, the visitors began the second day on 184 for 5 with Shivnarine Chanderpaul on three and Reifer on one. They carried on nicely while putting on 48 runs for the sixth wicket before Shiv feathered one into the gloves of wicketkeeper Dowrich. Next to go was Keemo Paul whose miserable form with the bat continued when Miguel Cummins induced bad shot.

However, Reifer contin-

ued on and together with Rutherford put on 40 valuable runs for the eighth wicket which ended just before lunch which was taken at 278 for 8. Windies Test all-rounder, Reifer was on 32 while Shepherd was yet to get off the mark. In all, the Jaguars scored 94 runs in the session while the Pride snuffed out three wickets fell to share the two and a half hours.

After the interval Reifer’s resistance ended when he was cleaned up by debutant fast bowler, Chemar Holder who finished impressively with a five-wicket haul. Holder, the former West Indies

under 19 fast bowler who played in the World Cup winning team in 2016 also accounted for Johnson and Chandrapaul Hemraj on the rain affected opening day Thursday.

With the Jaguars already taking the title this top of the table clash is still seen as a crucial one since the champions wish to finish the tournament unbeaten a feat they did in the 2015-16 season.

Although the Pride is one of two teams to beat the champs in four seasons they have their work cut out if they are to have a repeat in this game which is easily controlled by the champs.

Guyana Jaguars 1st innings (Overnight 184-5) T Chanderpaul b Roach 0 C Hemraj c Dowrich+ b Holder 90 L Johnson* c Brooks* b Holder 56 V Singh c Cummins b Greav es 11 S Chanderpaul c wkpr Dowrich b Roach 30 A Bramble+ lbw Roach 4 R Reifer b Holder 33 K Paul c Carter b Cummins 0 S Rutherford c wkpr Dowrich b Holder 32 R Shepherd not out 11 V Permaul c wkpr Dowrich b Holder 5 Extras (b-4, lb-4, w-6, nb-10) 25 Total (All out; 101.5 Overs) 297 FOW: 1-0 (T Chanderpaul 0.2 ov), 2-148(C Hemraj, 51.1 ov), 3-175 (V Singh, 62.5 ov), 4-177 (L Johnson, 63.4 ov), 5-182 (A Bramble, 64.6 ov), 6-230 (S Chanderpaul, 80.5 ov), 7-235 (K Paul, 83.2 ov), 8-275 (S Rutherford, 95.3), 9-279 (R Reifer, 99.1 ov), 10297 (V Permaul, 101.5 ov) Bowling: Roach 16.4-8-31-3, Cummins 18-6-47-1, Holder 17.5-2-57-5, Greaves 20.2-6-38-

1, Chase 12-3-32-0, Warrican 13-2-65-0, Carter 4-0-18-0 Barbados Pride 1st Innings K Brathwaite run out (Permaul) 13 S Moseley c Hemraj b Shepherd 24 S Brooks* c Hemraj b Shepherd 25 J Carter c wkpr Bramble b Pau l 21 R Chase c wkpr Bramble b Shepherd 1 S Dowrich c T Chanderpaul b Shepherd 0 J Greaves c T Chanderpaul b Rutherford 16 K Roach not out 15 J Warrican not out 13 Extras (b-3, lb-6, w-4, nb-6) 19 Total (For 7 wickets, 45.3 Overs) 147 Yet to bat M Cummins, C Holder FOW: 1-41 (K Brathwaite, 13.6 ov), 2-46 (S Moseley, 14.4 ov), 3-83 (J Carter, 24.5 ov), 4-91 (R Chase, 32.3 v), 5-93 (S Dowrich, 32.4 ov), 6-115 (S Brooks, 36.4 ov), 7-119 (J Greaves, 37.4 ov) Bowling Paul 13-2-34-1, Reifer 11-4-35-0, Rutherford 11.31-42-1, Shepherd 10-2-27-4 Position: Pride trail by 150 runs with 3 wickets in hand

Motor racing season begins with Endurance meet C

oming on the heels of a successful 2017 that left motor racing fans waiting for more a date has been set for the start of the new season.

The ‘mecca’ of motor racing, the South Dakota Circuit at Timehri will come alive when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) season begins with an Endurance Race on January 28.

In all, there will be five classes in action on the day which will feature both bikes and cars competing in separate races.

In the first class, cars up to 1500cc will be considered eligible, with the second class being from 15011600cc. The third class will see cars in the 1601-2000cc class with the unlimited class featuring cars over 2000cc.

On release of the calendar, President of the Club Rameez Mohamed commented that, “We know that the guys [racers] were asking for early indication of events so we tried as much as possible to get that out so persons can prepare.”

He continued, “We also saw the need to get the bikes involved [for this endurance] as well because they are an important stakeholder in racing and the support for them during the last outing was outstanding.”

“What we also have this year is the endurance calendar being done on a championship basis rather than by meet so persons can rebound from a bad weekend to still fight for a championship.”

The endurance championship will be followed by a local drag race meet on

The GMR&SC gave the green light to another action packed season which begins at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri

February 11 with the club’s Annual General Meeting set for five days later on February 16.

Looking further down the calendar of events, March 3 will feature the

first of four Georgetown Grand Prix karting events at the GT Motorsports facility in Georgetown.

The tentative date for the CMRC Trinidad leg is March 4; however, there is

a strong possibility that this may be shifted to July.

Circuit racing action returns in 2018 on March 25 with another Drag race meet set for April 22 and another Georgetown Grand

Prix set for April 28.

The Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) will see its Jamaica leg on May 12 at the JAMWEST Raceway while circuit racing returns on June 17.

July 1 will feature another installment of the Georgetown Grand Prix with another Endurance meet planned for the 8th of July and the International Drag race meet planned for August 19.

The CMRC Barbados round is set for September 2 in Barbados with another Circuit racing event billed for October 7, Georgetown Grand Prix set for October 20th and the CMRC Season finale set for November 11.

The season will close off with another Endurance meet on December 9.

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

SATURDAY, january 13, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

CWI/ Digicel Regional 4-Day Championships 2017-18 Pg 23

Dharry returns to familiar hunting grounds Pg 22

Elton “Coolie Bully” Dharry will look to extend his perfect record at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall come January 20

Shepherd bowls Jaguars in control

– Pride tottering at 147-7

GCF points race set Pg 22

for Long Creek The GCF’s first ‘Points’ race of 2018 will begin at Homestretch Avenue, proceed to Long Creek and back for the finish

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