Guyanatimes 18 december 2017

IAC fetes hundreds of Wales children for Christmas P15 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, December 18, 2017

Issue No. 3426

US$18M bonus scandal

Exxon distances self from legal fees controversy

…had no role in deciding how Govt would use money

Peacemaker killed over “chic chic” game

…3 others injured as ex-cop goes berserk

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Bandits shoot elderly farmer …in daring home invasion at Friendship

Page 10

Page 5

PRICE

Gunmen trail, rob woman Page 14

…at West Coast salon

P8

Armed bandit P14 caught with booty …after robbing supermarket in Berbice

Green revolution aimed at P11 inspiring political support – Ramkarran …says State House could become ‘The Green House’

Woman fearful for life after cyber-bullying P7 incident

Cheers! Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo poses with some of the children who were treated at a Christmas party which he hosted for the children in Berbice over the weekend

A bleak 2017 at Wales

Workers demand severance, decry joblessness Page 13

– say senior staff to be paid off in coming days

Oil sector

Granger denies knowledge of Govt corruption

P8

– promises to investigate when reports are made

2 news

monDAY, december 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Peacemaker killed over “chic chic” game …3 others injured as ex-cop goes berserk

By Ashraf Dabie

A

game of “chic-chic” -- a game of chance – being played at a Bar-B-Que event held at

Tarla Dam, Meten-MeerZorg, WCD ended fatally when a misunderstanding occurred and a former Police Officer went ber-

Injured: Premnauth Basdeo

serk, killing a carpenter and wounding three others, two of whom remain hospitalized in serious condition.

Information received detail that at about 21:30hrs on Saturday, a misunderstanding arose as the chic-chic game was in progress at a social gathering. One of the men playing the game had reportedly lost his wager but was demanding refund of the money he had wagered. A fight eventually broke out and, enraged, the 54-yearold former Police Officer

Dead: Amit Roy Jairam also known as “Rocky”

delved into his minibus, emerging with a cutlass.

Using this weapon, the ex-cop inflicted injuries on 43-year-old Mohamed Ahamad.

A crowd immediately rushed to render assistance to the injured; and while they were preoccupied in rendering assistance to Ahamad, who had sustained a chop wound to his head, the ex-cop returned to his vehicle and maliciously drove it right into the crowd.

Amit Roy Jairam,

also known as “Rocky,” a 44-year-old carpenter of the village, who was initially attempting to part the brawl, was struck down by the minibus and sustained several injuries to his head and about the body. He succumbed to the injuries he received while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital hours after the incident.

His wrath still not appeased, the berserk former GPF rank reversed his vehicle and sped into the crowd again at an even faster rate, this time striking down 22-year-old Randy Melville, 23-yearold Premnauth Basdeo, other victims who were also among the persons attending to the injured. As a result of the collision, they were all rendered unconscious.

The four victims were picked up and rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where they were treated and transferred to the Georgetown medical institution in light of the severity of their injuries.

However, it was while receiving medical attention at the GPHC that Jairam took his last breath, early Sunday morning. Doctors tended to Ahamad’s laceration and he was later sent home. However, the two younger men remain

hospitalised and are not yet out of the proverbial woods.

According to a relative of Basdeo, the 23-yearold, who is a bus driver, is left nursing a broken left arm, for which he is expected to undergo surgery.

The woman also pointed out that Melville has been transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is said to be in a critical state.

The wife of 43-year-old Ahamad sought to explain the relationship shared between the group of men.

She told his newspaper that her husband was employed with the now dead carpenter; they all reside in the same area, and are believed to be friends.

However no connections were made, linking the victims to the former Policeman.

Both families echoed similar sentiments regarding the deceased, stating that “Rocky” was a “good and peaceful” man who was always willing to help out within the community.

In light of what had occurred, the ex-officer, a resident of Stewartville, WCD, was taken into custody and is currently assisting with investigations. This is as Police probes into the incident are in full swing.

news

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monDAY, december 18, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Oil bonus scandal…

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, December 18 – 05:00h-06:30h and Tuesday, December 19 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, December 18 – 16:35h-18:05h and Tuesday, December 19 – 05:00h-06:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals followed by light rain showers throughout the day can be expected with partly cloudy skies in the evening. Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North Easterly ranging between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 04:20h and 16:30h reaching maximum heights of 2.51 metres and 2.64 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:05h and 22:30h reaching minimum heights of 0.71 metre and 0.58 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, december 16, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS B

02

08 09

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28 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

DAILY MILLIONS 07 10 11 16

25

LUCKY 3 8 6 7

2

Afternoon Draw

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Civil society body to mount legal challenge against Govt …to have stashed US$18M transferred into Consolidated Fund

By Michael Younge

A

n important civil society body is expected to take to court this week the Government of Guyana over its decision to stash in a special account US$18 million given by oil giant ExxonMobil as a signing bonus in 2016.

Guyana Times understands that the action will be filed as soon as all the paper work is completed and the entity is satisfied that there are no loopholes in its case.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and at least one other anti-corruption body are expected to join in the action, given their concern over the move by the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government to justify its decision to illegally hold the money outside of the Consolidated Fund.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Parliamentarian the former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, speaking with the Guyana Times on Sunday, confirmed that his party has decided this is the best course of action, given the stubbornness of the current Administration, and its apparent inability to respect the rule of law as well as the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA).

Nandlall insists that this money, now sitting in a special account at the Bank of Guyana, was illegally placed there; and he has chided the Government for its double-standards and continued deception.

Asked if this is the only recourse, given that his party failed in its bid to table in the National Assembly a motion to adjust the estimates of the 2018 budget, Nandlall responded in the affirmative.

Nandlall has taken issue with the formal outline

by President David Granger for the transfer of the money from the Bank of Guyana account into the Consolidated Fund. President Granger had said he is willing to respect any ruling of the court or credible legal advice which proves that a criminal or illegal act has occurred by the non-transfer of the funds into the Consolidated Fund.

“As I said, it was put there for a reason; and if I am advised by the lawyer that we are in breach of any regulations, we would comply with the ruling of any court or legal advice… We need it there, and that’s why we put it there, but the money is safe,” the President said.

Nandlall had expressed

concern over the President’s statement, and is reminding him that the Opposition People’s Progressive Party has, from the onset, been pointing out the illegality. “…a number of important stakeholder organisations and financial as well as legal luminar-

ies have alr ead y advised him to put the money into the Consolidated Fund, but he still refuses to do so,” Nandlall pointed out, before stating, “There is no alternative but to give the Government a court order”.

Asked if he believes that Government would adhere to the order if it is granted, Nandlall remarked. “We will have to wait and see.”

The Opposition MP also criticised the advice being given to the President on the matter by both Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams.

“Having regard to motions which Carl Greenidge tabled in the last Parliament and legislation that he piloted from the Opposition benches, calling on the Government then to deposit all monies -- including monies that were in the lottery fund and several other extra -budgetary funds -- to place them in the Consolidated Fund, his current position demonstrates a high level of hypocrisy and duplicity”, Nandlall stated.

Asked if the Attorney General was also culpable for giving poor advice on the matter, Nandlall remarked, “I don’t think the Attorney General appreciates the constitutional violation. He seems to be at sea.”

President Granger on Friday refused to accept that his Government had committed a criminal act when it failed to deposit a whopping $US18 million into the Consolidated Fund. It had negotiated this fund on behalf of the people of Guyana, and had received the money from oil giant ExxonMobil as part of an amended agreement which would spell out the company’s scope of operations in Guyana.

Instead, the President sought to further defend the actions of his Peoples

National Congress-led A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change Government (PNCAPNU/AFC Govt) by claiming that he would not “knowingly” breach the laws of the country.

“Well, I do not accept it was illegal. I will not knowingly do something that is unlawful,” he said, adding, “It has not b e e n proven that a crime…

We feel that where the money is located at the time would insulate from being misused or stolen”.

He declined to guarantee that officials in his Government would not be tainted or compromised, and induced by the actions of ExxonMobil, as the company’s track record in other countries points to harrow-

ing tales of bribery and corruption.

President Granger made this statement despite his Government’s reasoning that taking a 50% salary increase just after six weeks in power would remove the temptation to steal or engage in corruption, after this newspaper broke the story about the clandestine move back in 2015.

“God couldn’t confirm that His people wouldn’t commit adultery, and people are still compromised after thousands of years”, the President reasoned, before committing himself to doing everything under the law to safeguard the integrity of his Government and the future of the Oil and Gas industry.

“If any maleficence is reported to me, and there are culprits, the culprits will be subjected to the process of the law,” he remarked.

He insisted that he was not aware of any body in his Government being compromised.

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, december 18, 2017

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, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Parliamentary breaches

T

here have been two strands of comments recently about the workings of our National Assembly. The first focused on the role of the Speaker during Parliamentary debates, and was brought to the fore during consideration of the Budget on an agency-by-agency basis, when the Assembly had transformed itself into the “Committee of Supply”.

Apart from the merits or demerits of the high drama occasioned by a ruling of the Speaker, the incident raises a more fundamental issue of the rules of an institution that is based on the Liberal principle of “auditor alteram pars” -the other side must be heard -- in a polity that is trenchantly polarised to such an extent that the requisite moderating “floating votes” that can be swayed by debate are missing.

Politics is “us against them”.

By shutting down debate on a huge unexplained allocation to the Ministry of the Presidency, which was recently accused by the Opposition of arranging to repeat the country’s bitter and extended experience of rigged elections to shut them out of governance, the risk emerges of fanning those embers of suspicion into a raging inferno.

The Speaker will have to be much more encouraging of real debate in our Assembly, and recognise the difference between debate and filibustering.

Another matter precipitating intense discussion was the unauthorised and still unexplained breaches of security in the National Assembly, which appears to have been brushed off. First was the appearance of a “Santa Claus” into the Chamber, bearing a dictionary intended for the Leader of the Opposition. In an age of terrorism, when the House of Commons recently beefed up its security because of an incident that occurred quite some distance from it, the “Santa Claus” could quite easily have been bearing a weapon.

In a polarised polity like Guyana, such a circumstance must be taken very seriously. Followers in such polities can be riled up to take extreme action, especially during tense standoffs. The President of the Republic certainly took a threat of assassination more seriously than the commanding officers of the Guyana Police Force. He ordered a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the conduct of the said officers during the investigation, and the Report resulted in a radical reordering of the GPF’s top echelons.

The lives of the Members of Parliament, including that of the Leader of the Opposition, are no less valuable or strategically important to the well-being of the nation than the President’s. The Police cannot cavalierly dismiss the “Santa Claus” breach as a “prank, and not a breach of security” without a proper investigation that at a minimum would reveal the identity of the “prankster”. To not have done so is to indicate they have not listened to the President’s caution when he constituted the CoI that resulted in the police shakeup.

The National Assembly, during parliamentary sittings, is fortified by barricades that have been much criticized, but retained because the security forces explained that the barricades are the first wall of security to prevent breaches.

That wall of security was breached.

The Public Buildings that house the National Assembly are equipped with a battery of cameras in addition to any number of uniformed and plainclothes security officers from several agencies, including the Assembly and the general GPF. These were breached.

It has been stated that the “Santa Claus” was a “female,” who entered the National Assembly in “civilian” garb and must have changed into her costume in a washroom. Either the costume was secreted beforehand in the washroom, or was brought into the building by the female in what has to be a large bag. In the latter case, the standard operating procedure at the National Assembly is for such bags to be inspected; and in the former, it is hoped the SOP demand a “sweep” of all facilities during parliamentary sittings.

But the entrance of the “singing” female into the National Assembly after the Santa Claus incident had been heavily criticized. It demonstrates an unacceptable level of callousness to the security of MPs. The President should forthwith constitute a CoI into these breaches.

Smile A While! These children take a moment to share their bright smiles with our cameras during a Christmas party hosted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

PPP should embrace all Opposition forces

Dear Editor, In a recent letter, Mr. Sean Ori wisely advises PPP/C “to regroup and rethink its strategy” (of winning the next election) if it is going to improve its prospects of returning to office in 2020.

So far, the PPP has not displayed a credible strategy to win the next election or to expand its political base.

More of the same will not win an election.

Bharrat Jagdeo wants to pursue a different strategy of embracing non-PPP forces, but he has been handicapped by hard core elements in the party who are reluctant to embrace change. As Jagdeo had suggested, the party needs to do something different, and to be creative in improving its chance at the polls -- like teaming up with other opposition forces, as the PNC did in 2011 and 2015, which led to its capturing the Government.

The PPP feels confident it would be victorious in 2020 because of the mis-governance of the APNU+AFC, which has resulted in widespread disgruntlement, even among its own supporters.

But historically, disenchanted PNC supporters have never voted for the PPP, and there is no evidence they will do so in 2020.

Sean Ori is right in stating that PPP will not win

the next general election if it is relying exclusively on the countless errors (bad governance) made by the ruling APNU+AFC coalition. The PPP feels disenchanted PNC supporters would gravitate towards them (PPP). It did not happen in the past, and there is no evidence it would happen in 2020.

People don’t vote on governance issues, but on ethnicity. In 1992, after 28 years of bad governance, PNC supporters did not abandon their natural party. And, so far, the PNC (APNU) support remains strong, and there is no evidence that the party is losing its traditional support in spite of all the errors and allegations of widespread corruption.

In a free and fair election, the PPP may emerge victorious.

Those who crossed over from PPP to vote for AFC are returning home, because of what they describe as the betrayal of the AFC. But a free and fair election is not guaranteed.

The PPP needs to put measures in place to attract figures against which it would be nearly impossible for rigging, as took place between 1966 and 1992. If the PPP embraces all opposition forces, it will win.

The PPP does not have the numbers to guarantee a win in an election, even if it is free and fair. But

if it has the right, independent, credible personalities in its Civic component, it would win. The party needs to reform itself, and to make alliances with other groups and individuals of integrity. The party is not moving in that direction, in spite of good advice.

Had the party taken advice offered it in 2011, it would have retained its majority. Had it taken advice in 2015, it would have won the election. As I found out from various sources, this party has rejected every good, sound advice to expand its support.

Since May 2015, the PPP has not been able to attract new faces into the party, or make alliance with any group, although it has reached out to some credible individuals like Chris Ram, Lawrence Latchmansingh, Rhyaan Shah, Joe Singh, Ralph Ramkarran (who declined a nomination), etc. , all of whom were rejected by the APNU+AFC as Chair of GECOM. The PPP has to encourage these individuals and more to become part of its Civic component. It has to give the Civic autonomy to choose its own members and leadership, and to manage its own affairs, like an independent party or political organisation.

The PPP cannot choose the leadership of the Civic, or decide who will be its mem-

bers. The Civic must have complete freedom and independence to decide on these issues. In this way, towering personalities like Ralph Ramkarran, Joe Singh, Lawrence Latchmansingh, Chris Ram, Rhyaan Shah, Ravi Dev, Gerry Gouveia, etc. can feel comfortable in becoming a member of the Civic without appearing as a member or supporter of the PPP. There is no doubt their presence in the Civic in an alliance would carry the PPP to victory.

In fact, such an alliance would win a landslide victory, especially if led by one of these figures (particularly Ramkarran or Joe Singh or Gouveia) all of whom enjoy huge support across the political divide, and in whom people have a lot of confidence for the restoration of good governance and ethnic equality.

But will the PPP heed good advice or wise counsel?

The PPP must heed Ori’s advice and rethink its strategy for 2020: embrace all, including critics and detractors. The party needs to take bold steps and loosen the Civic component to its appellation and alliance, so that respected professionals and individuals of integrity would feel comfortable in joining the Civic.

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram

The frustration that goes with trying to invest in Guyana

Dear Editor, After reading the news article “Guyana lost out on US$5M investment Baron Foods Head” (SN, 17th December 2017) I am shocked at the inordinately long time it takes to process

investment in Guyana.

I would have thought that the Government would welcome any investment into Guyana, as this would showcase that investors have confidence in Guyana, and this could act as a cat-

alyst for more investments.

Yet Baron Foods Ltd spent years waiting on Guyana.

It takes a lot to attract investment and for investors to want to invest in Guyana.

I had thought that

the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) was a one-stop shop for investment into Guyana.

Why the delay?

Yours faithfully, Sean Ori

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MONDAY, december 18, 2017

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Deception and lies – the Cabinet circus on the Exxon US$18M

Deception and lies – the Cabinet circus on the Exxon US$18M Dear Editor, The revelation of US$18 million being received as a signing bonus and deposited in Sept 2016, some 15 months ago, in a Bank of Guyana account, took the pubic by surprise. The public expressed shock given that, months ago, rumours surfaced about the existence of a signing bonus, but a slew of Government Ministers denied its existence, much-less that the funds were received in September 2016.

The deception would have pre-dated the deposit, given that negotiations may have started right after the 2015 election, as this detail was not in the PPP-Exxon agreements dated June 1999. 18 years later and 2.5 years following the discovery of oil and the election of APNU-AFC, all contracts, negotiations, and financial arrangements with Exxon have been hidden from the public.

And so, the first US$18million paid by Exxon was hidden for almost a year and a half, and a merry band of Cabinet members, have engaged in deception and lies over all that relates to Exxon in Guyana.

In November 2016, the 2017 Budget presented in Parliament ignored any evidence of the money, despite it having already been received and banked. The 2017 Budget

also had updated 2016 financial reports which omitted the funds. The Bank of Guyana’s 2016 Annual Audit Report, issued in April 2017, ignored the existence of the money. The 2018 budget and preliminary financial report for 2017 again ignored the receipt of such monies.

The Auditor General’s Report of 2016, dated Sept 29, 2017, has no mention of this money. It is now patently clear that the books of the Government and of the Bank of Guyana (who is the bank for the Government) omitted this material amount of US$18 million, and was grossly inaccurate, if not fraudulent.

None other than Anand Goolsarran, who chaired the Bank of Guyana audit committee, sough to distance himself. Yet the Bank of Guyana, as the Government’s bank, should have had clear internal controls on the receipt and reporting of Central Bank funds and Government funds. And Mr. Goolsarran should have been responsible for ensuring proper internal controls for the handling of funds received.

Yet none of this happened.

Then we have the cabinet comedy of errors. His Excellency President Granger took responsibility for the issue, and then dismissed any wrongdoing; it is okay to keep the public in the dark about the existence of the bonus and

its receipt some 15 months ago. His statement suggests some persons in Cabinet knew.

Then Vice President Greenidge says there was Cabinet approval, suggesting all knew. Normal practice of any Cabinet meeting produces Cabinet decisions that are shared with the Auditor General, but clearly this did not happen.

VP Greenidge reverses course the next day, given his obvious contradiction of the President. Of course Ministers Trotman and Jordan all feign ignorance on the existence of any signing bonus, much less receipt of same. We have a slew of cabinet members visiting Texas in August 2017, some 5 months ago.

So we have all the key Government ministers in Texas. All the while, a shroud of secrecy around everything Exxon in Guyana.

When the news broke of the US$18 million, cabinet members then sought to explain that the money was hidden for security issues relating to the Border controversy. But this defies logic, when substantial other important steps with Exxon are in the public media, including Exxon announced investment plans underway, passage of a Petroleum Act, issuance of a new agreement with Exxon (still secret and hidden), and an abundance of public engagements by Exxon.

Why should the public believe there is any shred of truth in hiding the money and failing to report it as warranted for national security issues? Exxon rushes to clarify its role and distance any suggestion that it knew the funds were earmarked for border issues. Its clarification denies any such agreement, or even knowledge.

Hypocrisy and deception are now evident from the President and his hapless band of Cabinet members.

Hypocrisy when APNU/AFC, using Goolsarran as its audit czar and champion of public disclosure and accountability, campaigned against the PPP, arguing all funds to go to the Consolidated Fund and the launch of numerous forensic audits. Hypocrisy when they select some members (PPP) of the GRDB Board and charge them following the omission of financial transactions from the accounts. What a double-standard. Will Mr. Goolsarran be charged as a Director of Bank of Guyana and the Chairman of the Audit Committee? After all, the 2016 annual report with the audit report dated April 2017, was signed off

by Mr. Goolsarran himself, all months before he claimed he resigned from the Board.

Has Mr. Goolsarran forgotten he himself countersigned the financial statements of the Bank for 2016? Clearly,

Mr. Goolsarran, as a Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee, would be guilty by the same standard applied by SOCU to the PPP members of the GRDB Board?

What else has been missed?

Will the Finance Secretary and Accountant General be charged? Will the Ministers who misled and deceived the nation be fired?

All the rhetoric in the APNU Manifesto about transparency and accountability was just hot air, when all the while the single largest investment in Guyana’s history (initiated by the PPP) is shrouded in secrecy as to its revised contract and financial terms.

It is now pellucid that the APNU and AFC Cabinet members have no regard for public accountability, transparency and disclosure. Their Manifesto statements about good governance are not worth the paper they are written on.

An appalling lack of disclosure on anything to deal with Exxon; secret negotiations and a coziness with Exxon.

To date, all contracts and negotiations have been kept secret. Where is the contract that deals with the Signing Bonus? Where are the new contracts?

Where are the terms and conditions for Exxon related to taxation, fiscal incentives, size and type of investments, local contractors and employment, accounting

and audit requirements, environmental compliance, independent oversight, etc.?

What concessions and changes have been made by APNU relative to the original 1999 agreement? APNU/AFC keeps the Parliament in the dark. It ignores or lies or deceives the media. It hides money paid by Exxon, and fails to account for it in the national accounts. It presents budgets and ignores any significant mention of the Exxon terms and conditions. It dispatches five cabinet members to visit Texas for engagements with Exxon. Its cabinet members lead negotiations with Exxon with no public reporting. And this is the largest investment many times over in the history of Guyana.

Exxon needs to come clean.

The APNU-AFC Government has no intention of being honest and forthcoming with the public, or the Parliament, or the media. Guyana is being operated by APNU and AFC as if they own our country.

The loss of democracy and the start of a dictatorship. Our Venezuelan neighbour, rich in oil, had a similar path at the start of this century. We now know what happened. Exxon also knows what happened.

Are we next?

Sincerely, A Grant

What’s rotten stays rotten

Dear Editor, The presumption is that the Granger Administration is looking towards the 2020 general elections with much financial panic because just about every avenue of financial cash flow is drying up, and the economy remains stagnant. This means that the businessmen whom the politicians usually rely upon would have less to give.

The folks in the Diaspora are publically annoyed with the performance of the coalition Government. And while all these realities are steering this Government in its face, the gods seem to be angrily against its officials, because every time they try siphoning some money through some illegal act, they are being caught with their

hands in the financial cookie jar.

They tried with the Sussex Street bond and they got caught. They gained initial embarrassment and contrition, and promised to never do it again.

They have since rescinded that crooked contract.

Of course there was the famous ‘BiShan Lin-gate’ scandal. It was noted that the reason for the trip to China was to trace and secure the US$500 million owed to the people of Guyana.

Be it known that that trip is long over, two years have since passed, and the money is still unaccounted for.

The Guyanese people were appraised by the media of several other shenanigans and corrupt acts since this Government came into power a few years ago.

Now we have the ‘ExxonMobilgate’. The Government was caught hiding the very first money that Guyana obtained from our oil. That cannot bode well for the future of oil in Guyana. Ol’ people does say, “Wha gon’ bad a morning can’t come good ah evening”. It is no doubt that the Government was nefarious in the act to keep that money secret from the Guyanese people. No matter how one spins that behaviour, it remains a mystery as to why the Granger Administration would hide over $4 billion from the Guyanese people.

Even the auditors that the administration hired were not aware of that ExxonMobil money.

Let’s take their argument that they wanted to pay lawyers to de-

Ramjattan’s tune changed after receiving ministerial post Dear Editor, Vice President and Minister of Public Security, AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan, is quoted in the Guyana Times of December 08, 2017 as saying, during his contribution to the 2018 National Budget debate: “This party [AFC] must make hard decisions in relation to sugar”.

But while VP Ramjattan was making such an incredulous statement in the Parliament, his Party was, in a statement, expressing “… its deep concern for the welfare of sugar workers, who are likely to be affected by the changes contemplated by the GuySuCo”.

The two statements are like night and day, and cause us to wonder what is really the

Party’s true position regarding the plight and the hopeless future which confronts so many thousands of our compatriots.

What is even more disturbing is that VP Ramjattan’s tune today is vastly different from the one he was singing prior to receiving his ministerial portfolio. At the APNU/ AFC Whim rally on March 29, 2016, he had said, “We are not going to, in any way, close the sugar industry”. He had gone on to say, “We intend to make that industry profitable again…because it creates so much employment directly, but indirectly for so many people across this country”.

On November 05, 2011, the VP is quoted to have said, “…we would make the workers even happier with 20 per

cent…” Now, today, the workers are told by the VP that, “Guyana’s sugar sector has a terminal illness that the Government cannot cure”.

What a sad about-face from a leader who told the sugar workers not that very long ago that the industry was too big to fail, and that he and his colleagues would take care of them. Today, in ‘taking care’ of the workers, VP Ramjattan and his colleagues are writing a sad chapter of our history.

We see him all too willing to ‘pull the plug’ and send thousands to the army of the unemployed.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

fend Guyana against Venezuela’s claim to our territory. Why not publically declare the money but secretly pay the lawyers? Or at least call in the Opposition Leader and tell him of the urgency (there is really no urgency) of the need to keep the funds a secret?

It would appear that the Granger Administration was planning to use that money as an investment in their elections war chest. They are broke and nervous. They have lost the support of many of their larger donors.

They have lost the sparkle of many of their local loyal foot soldiers, and daily they are haemorrhaging politically.

I just had a conversation with one of the largest Afro-Guyanese congregation leaders, and he told me that he has lost confidence in this APNU/AFC

Administration. No doubt, that displeasure would be translated to that spiritual leader’s followers.

Meanwhile, the PPP is more financially secure. They still have the support of the biggest and most connected of Guyana’s businessmen and women in and out of Guyana. The folks in the diaspora are slowly returning to their fold. And the PPP has been able to muster a resurgence in its traditional support base. The APNU/AFC coalition is in financial panic mode as it looks towards 2020. Desperate people do desperate things, so expect more attempts at crookedness in the next few months.

Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bandhu

Lapses at the municipality Dear Editor, It is just simply beyond my comprehension why things in our capital city have to be so dissimilar and retrograde from other capitals and cities from around the world.

Many Police departments around the world have ‘Lost and Found Divisions’, where citizens can go to recover items that they may have accidentally dropped or absentmindedly left in public parks, on the roadways, and in other public spaces.

Every piece of property that comes into the custody of these Police departments is carefully catalogued and tracked as part of these departments’ mandate to preserve and protect property by providing professional, profi-

cient and systematic storage and handling of each and every piece of property that is entrusted to their care.

At the City Constabulary in Georgetown it is the exact opposite.

It is the City Police who are losing or misplacing their property, and needing the help of the citizens or the national Police to recover what in many instances are restricted and hazardous items that should only be handled by law enforcement agencies.

In the past, there have been disappearances of large quantities of ammunition, and the puerile excuse was given that it was used by a senior officer for target practice. Considerable sums of bail money and fines deducted from errant officers just

vanished and were never recovered. And, more recently, firearms have gone missing.

Clearly, this points to gross negligence, sloppy management, and extreme dishonesty; and the buck must stop at the political and administrative leadership of the Council for these and the many other lapses at the municipality.

And this brings us to the big questions, and those are: What will be done about it?

Who will be sanctioned?

When will the slackness at City Hall stop? And when will the square pegs in the round holes be removed from the Council? Only when they retire?

Sincerely, Shanta Singh

6

MONDAY, december 18, 2017

Page

Foundation

Simple gifts of mindfulness to open your heart to the season

– a few tips on supporting children who have experienced loss

– 25 ways to slow things down, spend less money, and make holiday magic

By Dona Matthews, PhD

L

ike a lot of people, I get the December frazzles. But over the years, I’ve happened upon some general principles of mindfulness that (when I remember them) reduce the pressure, save money, and open up possibilities for the magic of the season: Breathe. That’s always my first rule. When I notice I’m feeling stressed, anxious, annoyed, irritable, or impatient, I take a deep, long breath, and then another.

Smile. You know the research findings—smile, and your brain chemistry changes. It works.

Remember the ‘little’ in ‘Have yourself a merry little Christmas’. Keep the emphasis on the kindness and love that is the essential spirit of the season. Do only what is necessary by way of food, parties, and gifts.

Model an attitude of gratitude. Find the gratitude inside yourself, and encourage that in your child.

Help your child focus more on all the good things they already have, and less on all the things they want.

Take a little trip together. Make time during

guyanatimesgy.com

the holiday season to take a local trip with your child, whether it’s to see the Christmas displays in the downtown store windows, visit a park with Christmas lights, or somewhere else you’d both like to go.

Share with others.

Children can find enormous pleasure in finding ways to make the world a brighter place for people who are struggling.

Dance. Take a few minutes every day through the

holidays for a happy dance.

You might feel silly and self-conscious to begin with, but your daily happy dance will soon feel as great for you as it does for your child.

Express your enthusiasms. Think about what fills you with enthusiasm, whether it’s cooking, watching movies, or writing a book. Share that with your child. Talk with them about your enthusiasms and theirs.

Find your forgiveness.

By David Rettew, MD

There’s no parent or child who doesn’t mess up sometimes. This holiday season, clear out any misdeeds or disappointments that have been building up, both yours and your child’s. Ask for and grant forgiveness as needed.

Stay healthy. At this time of excess, remember to pay extra attention to your own health and to your child’s. Try to make time for enough sleep, nutritious food, and outdoor play.

Be joyful. Look for the joy in your life and in the world around you. Express that out loud. Help your child feel the warmth that fills a person up when she smiles from the heart.

Laugh. At least as good for you as Vitamin C, enjoy a daily dose of laughter.

At the end of the day, ask your child if they’ve laughed enough yet, and work together to make sure you’ve both met your quota.

Enjoy quiet times.

Especially important at this busy time of year, your child and you both need quiet do-nothing times for contemplation, reflection, and recharging your batteries.

Talk about how you can give each other this gift. (Excerpt from

psychologytoday.com) To be continued

T

he holidays are a happy time for lots of children, but for those who are grieving, this can be a period that losses are felt more deeply. There is a lot of advice on this topic already and my goal for this post is not to state the obvious or repeat what is already out there but try to offer a few points that deserve mention.

I get asked with some regularity to offer guidance on “how to talk to children” about more difficult subjects. To many parents, the scenario that parents often envision with this kind of guidance is a formal sitdown discussion that begins with a parent saying to their child something ominous like, “I wanted to talk to you about something.”

Sometimes this format is helpful and necessary, but often it is more awkward than it needs to be. Instead, consider addressing this topic in shorter bursts that occur in day-to-day interactions. Look for opportunities that might arise. For example, while decorating the tree with the family, a comment from you like “I love decorating the tree, but it makes me miss Grandma more,” signals to your children that it is okay to bring up some tough feelings and may stimulate more discussion than a direct question.

Of course, if and when you do succeed in getting a conversation going, make sure you really listen.

If someone makes a more public expression of grief or loss during a family event, it can also be important to convey the idea that such an expression doesn’t “ruin” the occasion. Hosts, siblings, or others may be trying hard to have fun and be happy in these moments and may criticise family members who might be viewed as “downers”.

In these cases, a parent may need to defend the child and re-

mind people that a few tears can actually enhance holiday moments and connect people to each other.

Another point is to acknowledge the fact that “a child experiencing grief” encompasses a huge range when it comes to the intensity of those feelings and this can have very important implications for how to help. A child who lost a loved one several years ago may really welcome some discussion or reminders of that person as a way to bring that person back into their heart.

For another child, especially one who may have lost someone recently, the feelings may still be so intense that it might be important to provide some experiences that are not so triggering.

Finally, feelings of grief or loss don’t just come from a person’s death. Divorce, moving, and even just time itself can elicit a sense of longing for the way things used to be. Like lots of things in parenting, the trick is to find a balance. We want our children to be comfortable expressing feelings while not getting completely pushed around by them. We want to teach children to be able to look at their past but not ignore the present.

However, you acknowledge or celebrate the holidays and new year, my best wishes to you and your loved ones. (psychologytoday.com)

news

7

MONDAY, december 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Nandlall calls on AG, Justice Patterson to resign – points to flagrant violation of Constitution

GECOM Chairman and Ministry of Legal Affairs Advisor, Justice (Retired) James Patterson

O

pposition Member of Parliament (MP), Anil Nandlall is calling on Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams and Retired Justice James Patterson to resign their posts, pointing to a situation where both men knew that they were in clear violation of the Constitution.

Nandlall, a former Attorney General himself, pointed to Article 161 (1) of the Constitution which states that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman should not be engaged in any other form of employment. However, Patterson continues to be an adviser to the Minister.

This was brought to light on December 12, in the Committee of Supply, when Nandlall questioned the Minister and he disclosed that Patterson, the Chairman of GECOM, continued to be one of his five advisers who were being paid by the Legal Affairs Ministry and would continue to be paid in 2018.

“The public would note that this disclosure comes from no other than the principal legal adviser of the Government of Guyana and it was made publicly and forms part of the public record of the National Assembly,” the Opposition MP observed while stressing the illegality of that move.

Nandlall argued that based on this admission, the GECOM Chairman was currently in flagrant violation of the Constitution and the Attorney General himself was complicit in that violation by continuing to employ Patterson and budget for his continuing employment.

“The fact that the very person is also the Attorney General of the country and is so “blissfully unaware” of the gravity of numerous violations committed that he discloses the information with seamless ease is by itself a scandal of gigantic proportion. Both Justice Patterson and the

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams

Attorney General should resign!”

The AG compounded the issue by disclosing that in light of Justice Patterson’s recent appointment as the GECOM Chairman, he was not sure whether he (Patterson) would continue to be part of his advisory team.

Nandlall said it has not dawned upon the AG that the GECOM chairmanship was constitutionally a fulltime position.

The Opposition MP said, “I wonder whom the President (David Granger) will now blame for this: will it be those who advised the Government before May 2015, or the hapless staff at the AG’s Chambers, who continue

to be blamed daily for the incompetence which flows from the top?”

From all indications, Nandlall said it may appear as if different members of the Government and those appointed by them were in competition with each other as to who would be most egregious in their violation of the Constitution and the rule of law, and who would generate the most sensational scandal.

“It is common knowledge that the holder of the office of the Chairman of GECOM must be independent and impartial and a person of high integrity. The President rejected the names of 18 highly qualified and respected Guyanese as not possessing these qualities,” he recalled.

Instead, President

Opposition parliamentarian and former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall

Granger unilaterally choose an octogenarian, whose suitability and appointment evoked unprecedented controversy and now are the subject of an ongoing legal chal-

lenge, and who continues to be in the remunerative employment of the Government in violation of the Constitution.

“How can such a person ever inspire the confidence of the Guyanese electorate? How can the electorate perceive him to be fair and a person who is independent and impartial?

The cogent links to a political party are already publicly disclosed; that very Party leader in Government appoints him to a critical independent and impartial constitutional institution, and he continues to serve that very Government several months after the appointment by being an adviser of a functionary of the Government who happens to be the Chairman of that political party,” Nandlall said.

8 NEWS

MONDAY, december 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Oil sector

Granger denies knowledge of Govt corruption – promises to investigate when reports are made

By Jarryl Bryan

P

resident David Granger has said he does not know of any corruption existing within the administration he heads, even though Government’s accountability and transparency have been put in the spotlight on a number of instances.

Midway into the APNU/ AFC term in office, he insists he would do whatever is possible to ensure the integrity of his ministers, and has declared that “God couldn’t confirm that His people wouldn’t be compromised by adultery.”

“He gave them Ten Commandments, and people are still compromised after thousands of years. How can I do that? I’ll do everything possible under the law to ensure the integrity of the Government and the corporations,” Granger noted.

Granger vowed to have reports of corruption investigated. And even as Guyana prepares itself for oil production and more revenues from 2020, the President has noted the magnitude of the industry, and the need to ensure its integrity.

“If any malfeasance is reported to me, I will take action to have it investigated; and if there are culprits, the culprits will be subjected to the process of law. We want to ensure that our children will benefit from what is about to take place. We’ve been very cautious,” he explained.

“Luckily, we have time to ensure that not only is the legislation, but also the education that is necessary and the organisation at the

Litany…

I

President David Granger with his newly-elected Cabinet in 2015

Government level (are) put in place. So we will do everything possible to protect that industry, and to make sure our children benefit. I don’t know of anyone being compromised in my Government, and if I get such a report, I will surely investigate it,” he declared.

Corruption

In the latest edition of Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, Guyana has been ranked at 108 place, an improvement by 11 places. But the results were subsequently disputed by local anti-corruption watchdog Transparency Institute of Guyana Incorporated (TIGI).

The group has said that any improvement in standing should be celebrated, even as efforts are directed towards greater gains in the fight against the scourge.

However, TIGI noted that the difference in the corruption score between 2015 and 2016 lacks statistical significance, even at the 10 per

cent level.

“The statistics therefore offer no confirmation of the apparent improvement,” the organisation noted.

TIGI has said the statistical test is conservative, since the number of surveys used in 2015 and 2016 (four and six respectively) are small.

“But given that this is about the number of surveys, rather than about the number of respondents, statistical significance would be an especially limited way to view the results, since it is unlikely that there will ever be very large numbers of surveys to use. We should therefore rely more on the substantive interpretations of the index,” the body stated.

Additionally, TIGI pointed out that within Latin America, changes in Government regimes are usually accompanied by a period of goodwill that endures an average of approximately two years.

This, TIGI said, suggests that the change in Government in 2015 would have ushered in a period of optimism that would be evident across several issues, including confidence in Government and perceptions about corruption.

“One can therefore argue that improvement in the 2016 CPI was to be expected. This argument becomes more attractive if the CPI returns to its usual level subsequently… The argu-

ment for real achievements will find support if the improvement holds in subsequent years. Nevertheless, neither argument is entirely proven or disproven, depending on what happens subsequently; since there can be real change, followed by real deterioration, or a goodwill ripple, followed by real achievements,” TIGI said.

Furthermore, the local transparency arm said the perception scores measure perceptions about the absence of corruption; and for this reason, low scores are indicative of more pervasive corruption. TIGI noted that when these scores are converted to ranks, lower ranks (larger rank values) on the CPI indicate relative pervasiveness of corruption.

Government has been facing much heat from the political Opposition as well as civil society. They have been criticised for the controversial Sussex Street bond, the Hope Wind Farm project, a $605million sole-sourced drug contract, the handpicking of a Dutch firm to conduct a feasibility analysis on a new Demerara Harbour Bridge, among others.

Most recently, Government has faced flak for collecting a US$18 million bonus from oil giant ExxonMobil last year.

Despite being asked repeatedly about it, Government did not come clean until proof of the transaction recently came to light.

Bandits shoot elderly farmer

…in daring home invasion at Friendship

D

ays after Police recorded a 10 per cent dip in serious crimes, three armed bandits infiltrated the dwelling of a 65-year-old farmer, shooting him in the right thigh as they made good their escape with an undisclosed sum of cash from the pensioner’s Friendship, East Bank

Demerara (EBD) home.

According to information received, the armed robbery occurred at 06:45h on Sunday. Police were up to late Sunday hunting the suspects following investigators obtaining a spent shell from a small calibre weapon from the cash crop farmer’s home.

…Nagamootoo’s larwahs

magine Nagamootoo giving the PNC the 11% to break out of its historic best -- securing 42% of the votes to win the 2015 elections, and just getting a newspaper column (in the Chronic!!) for his efforts. Well, his old comrade, Donald Ramotar, did predict he’d get “larwah”!!

And boy, did he ever get larwah; in fact, a whole litany of them!

Your Eyewitness doesn’t have space (or time) to go through the (sordid) list. And in any case, he wants to examine Nagamootoo’s column this week. Captioned “A litany of lies”, it’s obvious he has “litany” on his mind!!

And why not? Larwahs aren’t that easy to ignore!! And seems he can’t ignore Bharrat Jagdeo either! He claimed Jagdeo and the rest of the PPP are telling lies on him!!

Awww…poor sod!

This brought to his mind, Nagamootoo said, that on a trip to the Rupununi, Cheddi Jagan expressed frustration about “congenital liars” in general, and one of his ministers being one in particular! Your Eyewitness would like to know if this was the same trip Jagan told him on a campaign stage in the Rupununi that he, Nagamootoo, was his (Jagan’s) designated heir!! There were at least a dozen persons on stage, but only Nagamootoo heard THAT promise!!

No wonder everyone concluded he was just using the great man’s name to feather his own nest. But seriously, did it ever cross Nagamootoo’s mind (vacuous as it is!”) that Cheddi was ever so gently enquiring as to why he, Nagamootoo, was such a congenital liar??!!

But Cheddi was a fella who, when given lemons, didn’t bitch and moan; he just made lemonade! And with the inveterate liar Nagamootoo, what better use than put him in charge of “propaganda”!! Did Nagamootoo ever wonder why he never got a REAL Minister “wuk” from Jagan?

So, with this as background, let’s look at the lie Nagamootoo claims Jagdeo told on him -- that he gets $100 million annually. Nagamootoo’s being like Jordan, who claimed he didn’t lie when he answered in the negative the question, “Did the Government receive a US$20 million bonus from Exxon?” The reporter didn’t ask whether he’d received US$18M!!

Nagamootoo would not have Jagdeo so narrowly construe his income by restricting it to his salary -- which in any case isn’t peanuts at $22 million annually. Did he think the $22 million spent on flying; the $40 million on his accommodation at Main Street (with his AC/servants/ meals/ gardeners /guards/outriders/cooks/etc., PLUS his $20 million on his specially appointed SUV appeared like manna from heaven? It’s all money from the Government to Nagamootoo!

Shouldn’t Nagamootoo now be wondering what his PRESENT boss, Granger, is thinking about HIS Ministers who’re congenital liars??

…of mea culpas

Awwww…isn’t he sweet? Well, that’s what Trotman would want you to think with his request for a reduction of powers conferred in the new Petroleum Act, wouldn’t he??!! And of course this has nothing to do with his posterior being in a sling for lying through his teeth on the Exxon bonus! Point of the matter: there’s only so much mediocrity that can be covered up under the Nassau Accord.

And when that’s combined with the very strong possibility that the mediocrity is combined with venality, then Trotman has very excellent reasons for pulling out all the stops for saving the aforementioned posterior! Your Eyewitness, of course, is alluding -- ever so circumspectly -- to the US$18 million bonus from ExxonMobil.

Not about breaking the law by hiding the payment -but the ridiculousness of a 3billion bbl field getting only a US$18 million bonus.

Expect more cute doggie tricks!!

…of quibbling

Min of Public Infrastructure, Patterson, rejects suggestions that the extra $150 million requisitioned for the CJIA expansion isn’t worth it.

He pointed out that on the Arrivals Area, “the square footage will be higher than that of the original contract; the original contract was 14,347 sq. m while the final scope will be 14,430 sq. m.” $150 million for an extra 83 sq. m??

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

9 President gives year-end deadline for Police Service Commission News

MONDAY, december 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

…maintains he had good cause for halting promotions

By Jarryl Bryan

A

s the clock winds down towards the end of the year, Government is aiming to have the Police Service Commission (PSC) convened by then. With the reconvening of this commission, it is expected that the business of the Police, including promotions, can recommence.

This was related to the press by President David Granger during a recent press conference, in which he noted that he would have expected the PSC to have been reconvened by now.

The three-year lifespan of the PSC has expired since September, 2017.

“As far as the commission is concerned, I had hoped by now that it would have been in place,” Granger stated.

“But I would not like to go into 2018 without that commission being in place. So I expect it (to have been reconvened) by the 31st of December.”

The President has actually been finalising the names of the commissioners since last month, according to Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who has been unable to give a definite timeline for the reconstitution of the commission, but has noted this could happen

The Commission when they were sworn in by then President Donald Ramotar in 2014

before the end of December.

Meanwhile, the President has also justified the part he played in halting the work of the PSC and the promotion of officers. Despite a court order stating that the Government had acted unconstitutionally, Granger maintained that he had had good cause for stopping the promotions.

“Deserving persons were being superseded. One letter writer claimed that there had been no internal procedure for nominating officers. It is the convention that the commissioners would convene a committee of the most senior

officers to nominate persons.

This had not been done,” he explained.

According to Granger, he determined that there was a danger that persons who were not qualified would be recommended for promotion, while others more deserving would end up being left behind.

“In addition to that, there were other allegations -which I felt were justified -that the actual selection process was compromised. So, taken as a whole, I felt that the integrity of the process was compromised, and that

Salvation Army to donate over 1200 food hampers to less fortunate …during annual Christmas drive today

Flashback: First Lady Sandra Granger receives a warm embrace from one of the senior citizens who benefited from a hamper during the Salvation Army's Christmas Hamper Distribution in 2015

A

s part of its annual drive, the Salvation Army is set to donate food hampers exceeding 1200 to the less fortunate in the spirit of the Christmas season today at the non-profit organisation’s Georgetown Citadel, on Alexander Street in Lacytown.

This forms part of the

Salvation Army’s food drive which continues yearround with the provision of hot meals to schoolchildren and the needy.

Last year, the organisation teamed up with First Lady Sandra Granger and then Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence to bring cheer to citizens with the distribution of

over 1500 Christmas food hampers to senior citizens.

The Salvation Army has had a presence in Guyana for the past 120 years, extending its reach to the most vulnerable of society with not only its charitable work but a strong drug rehabilitation programme for substance abuse victims.

it would not be in the public’s interest to proceed with those nominations.” Granger explained.

Promotion

In the November 22nd court ruling in regard to the halting of promotion of personnel so listed, Chief Justice (acting) Roxanne George established that the President did breach the Constitution when he issued a directive to halt promotions.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, in a letter dated July 27, wrote to the PSC informing that the President had directed that there be no consideration of promotion for members of the Guyana Police Force until further notice, and that this directive

should be implemented immediately.

In August, former PSC Chairman Omesh Satyanand had made known that, after a meeting with the other commissioners, it was decided that the order to halt all promotions until further notice would be adhered to.

The Chairman had, however, expressed concern that halting the entire promotion process would be a blow to senior officers; and had noted that those officers had invested time and energy in building a career in the Guyana Police Force, and were expecting their just reward.

Noting that this was the first time a sitting president had issued such a directive to the PSC, he had called for

some clarity in regard to the situation, and justification of the circumstances that had led to the making of such a decision.

A perusal of the PSC’s list of personnel to be promoted had revealed that among those who were scheduled to be promoted were several senior officers who had been hauled before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the assassination plot against President David Granger.

Some of those personnel were: Assistant Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, who was tipped to be promoted to Deputy Commissioner of Police; Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum, who had been lined up for promotion to Assistant Commissioner.

Head of Special Branch, Brian Eastman, was also listed to become a Senior Superintendent of Police; while Head of Major Crimes, Assistant Superintendent Mitchell Caesar, had been recommended for promotion to Deputy Superintendent.

Over the course of the CoI, a number of officers were summoned, and even upbraided for their work during the investigation. Besides the senior officers, junior officers were also criticised by the CoI, headed by Assistant Commissioner Paul Slowe, who was appointed by the President.

10 news

MONDAY, december 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

US$18M bonus scandal

Exxon distances self from legal fees controversy

…had no role in deciding how Govt would use money

E

ven as the furore over a US$18 million signing bonus the Government received continues, ExxonMobil has distanced itself from Government’s decision to use the money to pay legal fees. While it acknowledged paying the money into the Bank of Guyana account, its input in the process ended there.

According to Exxon’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Kimberly Brasington, the company followed, and will continue to follow, local laws and regulations it encounters. She noted that while the transaction was a normal one, Exxon did not have a say in Government deciding to use the money

Exxon’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Kimberly Brasington

for legal fees in Guyana’s border controversy.

“ExxonMobil is committed to the highest standards of business conduct,

and we follow all local laws and regulations wherever we operate. A payment was made as a signature bonus to a bank account within the Bank of Guyana, which is owned by the Government as designated in writing by the (Ministry) of Finance.”

“It is common for payments to take place at key stages in the execution of contracts and development of resources. A signatory bonus is a customary and normal part of petroleum agreements. As a commercial entity, ExxonMobil does not have a role in how a sovereign country allocates its revenues,” Brasington explained.

She noted that transparency should apply to

all contracts rather than selective contracts. But Brasington also acknowledged the need to protect commercially sensitive and proprietary information, as well as to not violate host government laws or contractual obligations.

Guyana, which had a long-standing agreement with ExxonMobil, renegotiated that agreement after the company’s 2015 oil find in the Stabroek block. In May of that year, Exxon confirmed that more than 295 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs were encountered at its Liza 1 exploration well.

Included in the new agreement was a two per cent royalty rate, an in-

The letter that brought the transaction to light crease of one per cent.

Government had repeatedly pleaded ignorance to reports that it received a US$20 million signing bonus from Exxon.

Evidence of a bonus being received came to light in a leaked correspondence dated September 20, 2016 and addressed to the Governor of the Bank of Guyana with this subject line: “Signing bonus granted by ExxonMobil – Request to open bank account”.

It shows that Finance Secretary at the Finance Ministry, Hector Butts, had requested that a foreign currency account be opened at the Bank in order to receive a deposit in the form of a ‘signing bonus’ to be given by ExxonMobil.

The letter stated, “This account should not be treated as part of the Bank’s reserves. Instead, the proceeds should be held in the currency of the deposit, that is United States dollars, and invested in secured interest-bearing securities.”

The missive also listed the signatories to the account: Hector Butts, Finance Secretary at the Finance Ministry; Louise Bouyea, Deputy Finance Secretary at the Finance Ministry; Jawahar Persaud, Accountant General (Acting) at the Finance Ministry; and Jennifer Chapman, Deputy Accountant General at the Finance Ministry.

The letter was also copied to Natural Resources

Minister Raphael Trotman.

Amid criticism, Government officials have defended the secrecy by saying the money would be used to pay legal fees in defence of Guyana’s sovereignty, should its case with Venezuela reach the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Meanwhile, President David Granger on Friday addressed the issue of the signing bonus during a press conference – his first in over a year. When asked whether he accepted that placing the US$18 million outside the Consolidated Fund was illegal, he insisted that he would not knowingly do something illegal.

“The absence of disclosure does not necessarily mean the presence of deceit. I think it was explained by the Foreign Minister and myself that there was very good reason.

It has not been proven that there was a crime,” he said.

“It was a course of action that was recommended, and we feel that where the money is located at present would insulate it from being misused or stolen.

So, I don’t believe there is any illegality, graft or corruption. It was put there for a purpose and if we are advised by the lawyers that it does not conform to the financial regulations, we will comply with a court order or advice. But, at present, the money is safe; it belongs to the Guyanese people.”

11 Green revolution aimed at inspiring political support – Ramkarran news

MONDAY, december 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

…says State House could become ‘The Green House’

G

overnment’s Green State agenda or what some would describe as a slow revolution has been heavily criticised by a large mass of the Guyanese population and joining that group is former Speaker of the National Assembly and Senior Counsel, Ralph Ramkarran, who rubbished the strategy in his weekly column “Conversation Tree”.

Ramkarran, a political analyst, wrote that since the victory of the coalition Government in 2015, it has sought to promote the colour green. The colour as a matter of fact is also used for both the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC).

“It first started with school buses and school boats. Now, it is reported that school benches at some locations are being painted green. These were followed by the new, imposing fence at the Office of the President which itself, along with State House, have now fallen victim to the colour green,” he said.

According to the former Speaker, the designation of Guyana as ‘The Green State’ was not an accident. Ramkarran believes that dozens of other characterisations could have been formulated to define Guyana’s intended adherence to a strict environmental regime, details of which he said are yet to be announced.

However, the Attorney said it was believed that the selection of the term ‘The Green State’ had something to do with the party colour and the President’s obvious attraction to it.

And it is also believed that in the absence of any serious programme to implement ‘The Green State’, the President has decided to paint the entire country green, starting with the city. This, he said, is

a demonstration of the Government’s commitment and a way of whipping up political support.

Ramkarran believes that further popularisation of the colour green will result in State House becoming known as ‘The Green House’, just as the residence of the US President which is painted white, is known as The White House and the presidential palace in South Korea is known as The Blue House.

He said it has also been rumoured that since the controversy over the State House being painted green, quiet orders could be issued for other Government buildings to be painted green.

“Parliament Building will be next because it is believed that the Speaker will offer no objection and will allow no debate because green is one of the component colours of the Guyana flag and such a colour cannot be the subject of debate, as the Speaker has ruled on a previous occasion,” he recalled.

Ramkarran said the next building that could go green was the High Court.

“The Government will believe that even if there is objection by the Chief Justice [ag], it wouldn’t really matter because the Chief Justice can have her view and the President can have his view. This being the governing philosophy in relation to the judiciary, the Government will obviously feel that even if the Chief Justice’s view were different to that of the President, it is the President’s view that will prevail.”

Next on the agenda, according to the former Speaker, will be a refurbished City Hall. He said there have been reports that the main ambition of the former Prime Minister and Mayor, Hamilton Green, was to paint the building green. He said back when “Hammie was a

big power”, the colour green was synonymous with almost everything he wore and owned.

“His clothing, his pen, his ink, his vehicles, even his shoes. The rumour is that Hammie was so incensed that when his black hair started to change colour to grey instead of green, he shaved it all out in rage.”

Before the next election, which is due in 2020, Ramkarran said the entire city of Georgetown could become green, if not environmentally, then at least in colour, in line with Guyana’s green forests, green trees and green vegetation. This is something that the Government has been vigorously pursuing.

He said, “The Government believes that this colour revolution will inspire support because it

would be one step closer to the achievement of ‘The Green State’. But most people in the city already support the Government. How then can the Government extend the green revolution to other parts of the country, particularly where the Opposition holds sway?”

Ramkarran also hinted at the possibility of private building being painted in green as well, as Government may go as far as applying various sorts of persuasive techniques. “To obtain Government contracts, shop licences, customs waivers, drivers’ licences, ID cards, passports, and other concessions, owners of properties must first have all their buildings painted green,” he opined.

He continued, “Soon, the Government believes, all holdouts will eventu-

Former Speaker Ralph Ramkarran, SC

ally succumb to the green revolution. I am told that the Opposition has received information that all government buildings such as schools, local government offices, health centres will be painted green after

Georgetown.”

However, while Guyana will be transformed to the point where many of its buildings would be green, Ramkarran believes that Government would keep a close eye on the Opposition’s policy of non-cooperation.

“However, they believe that such a policy will fizzle out as it did in the 1970s. It sees the evidence in the budget debate. The Opposition has condemned the budget, but are still participating in the debate.”

Making reference to the chaos in Parliament, the former Speaker said the Opposition’s attempt to deal with the green revolution was in utter chaos, which was also likely to dissipate, just as the matter involving Opposition Member of Parliament Juan Edghill has slowly died down.

12 news

MONDAY, december 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

President unable to say how many jobs created since 2015 …as unemployment soars due to economy’s sluggishness

By Michael Y ounge

P

resident David Granger was unable to say exactly how many jobs his Government has created since taking office back in May 2015, but insisted that a lot has been done to reduce unemployment and create an environment where Guyanese were equipped to enter cottage industries in order to cope economically.

Granger said that while he was unable to give the number of jobs created, there was a lot taking place as many programmes have been rolled out to ensure that Guyanese youths have access to jobs as soon as they leave secondary and tertiary institutions.

“As far as jobs are concerned, I cannot give a number perhaps the Minister of Business can give a number…but there is a lot of unregistered unemployment,” he remarked as he addressed reporters at the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday.

He maintained that his Government has done its best since 2015 to generate more jobs in line with the campaign promise

President David Granger

made by the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition.

“The Government is rebalancing the economy through its support of the micro, small and medium-scale enterprise sector, mindful of the SMEs’ potential to generate employment,” he explained.

President Granger said in this respect loans and grants have been issued under the Hinterland Employment Youth Scheme (HEYS); the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN); the

Micro and Small Enterprise Development (MSED) Project; and Sustainable Livelihoods and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED); Women of Worth (WOW) and the People of Worth Entrepreneurial Resources (POWER) initiatives.

He explained that the Government’s policy was to ensure that people have the means to enter the production and manufacturing sectors as a means of creating self-employment not only in far- flung areas but about the city.

He took offence to those who were mocking the Government’s drive to create employment by encouraging citizens to start up cottage industries that produce things such as plantain chips and coconut products.

“Some people call it the plantain chips economy, but I would like those same people to go to the regional exhibitions which we have been holding around the country and see women coming out of Yupukari… see housewives getting into the micro-economy and you can see that there is something happening in

Guyana,” he remarked.

“It may start with plantain chip,” he continued before reminding the media that he knew somebody who started off producing fruit juices at Timehri and

his coalition Government comes against a backdrop where concerns are being raised about the perceived hike in unemployment since 2015. It also comes at a time when citizens

today those fruit juices are being bottled or boxed as Timehri Orchard Products Company (TOPCO) “…so small things could end up big”.

President Granger’s statement on the quantum of employment created by

are complaining that economic activity in the country has slowed down owing to a lack of confidence in the economy by the local Private Sector and the foreign investors because of the mixed signals being sent by the Administration

on a number of fronts.

Additionally, youth unemployment and crime have also increased since 2015 with public commentators and experts admonishing the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led APNU/AFC Government to adopt a coherent employment policy, which sees more direct ventures and opportunities being created to boost the economy’s productive sectors and increase jobs.

Also, the slowdown in the construction and manufacturing sectors have also negatively affected seasonal jobs as contractors have begun laying off workers who are mostly skilled and semi-skilled young males.

President Granger’s comments also come at a time when thousands of sugar workers have had their services terminated or retrenched with no clear policy being articulated with regard to re-employment opportunities.

The last population census conducted in September 2012 by the Government pegged the unemployment figure as high as 11.5 representing 30,533 persons.

At New Amsterdam

Blood Bank surpasses 2017 target

A donor being prepped to contribute his unit of blood

T

he New Amsterdam Blood Bank has accumulated 1325 units of blood thus far for the year 2017. With numerous outreaches and blood drives throughout the region, the Blood Bank was able to surpass its target of 1200 units (assigned by the Berbice Regional Health Services) by 125 units.

Adding to this year’s

count was the Skeldon Public Hospital, which held its final blood drive for the year on December 15, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Blood pressure and sugar testing were also conducted as part of the exercise.

According to the Doctorin-Charge of the Skeldon Hospital and District Medical Officer Ryan

Doctor-in-Charge of the Skeldon Public Hospital, Dr Ryan Campbell

Campbell, this blood drive was the largest held at the hospital for this year.

Doctor Campbell noted that donating blood every three months was beneficial to an individual’s health.

He explained that contributing regularly reduced the blood viscosity, which in turn eliminates the iron that may possibly oxidise in the blood. An increase in

oxidative stress can be damaging to your cardiovascular system. Therefore, blood donation reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Director of Regional Health Services, Jevaughn Stephen, after donating, remarked that the process was relatively short, simple and easy. A frequent donor, Stephen said he felt good about being able to help

Regional Health Services Director, Jevaughn Stephen

save lives. He is encouraging others to consider donating blood in an effort to save lives.

The Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Blood Donor Organiser Candy Archer explained that with every organisation, hospital, group and individual that supports the Blood Bank not only assists them to reach its tar-

get but also helps to save lives. Archer further explained that the needs of Region Six fall in the range of 300 to 400 units of blood yearly, so the remainder of the blood garnered through blood drives is dispatched to the National Blood Bank, where it is stored and distributed to other regions in need.

news

13

MONDAY, december 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

A bleak 2017 at Wales

Workers demand severance, decry joblessness

– say senior staff to be paid off in coming days

the workers and had further observed that Agriculture Minister Noel Holder would have tendered a response to the former employees. It was reported that the minister has not responded as yet to the President’s commitment.

The Wales Estate closure was seen as a cost-saving measure due to billions of dollars that were allocated to the declining sugar industry, especially to that former entity. There has since been the scaling down of other estates

By Shemuel Fanfair

I

t is approaching one year since the Wales Sugar Estate on the West Bank of Demerara ceased operating on December 31, 2016, and the distance between several former workers and the payment of severance packages is seemingly miles apart.

After some 9 months, the High Court is yet to call the matter for hearing. In the meanwhile, former workers residing at Wales and contiguous communities continue to decry the magnitude of challenges that have befallen them because of a prolonged lack of consistent employment. These issues were highlighted on the sidelines of a Christmas cheer and donation event held at the Wales Community Centre Ground on Sunday.

Cane worker Azad Ally, a father of three, was sitting on a bench speaking with former colleagues when this newspaper approached him.

With his two fingers supporting the lower part of his face, Ally repeatedly highlighted that he has been unable to find steady employment. He said that while he was able

Father of three, Azad Ally

Albert Vieira

Gordon Thomas

“This ain’t fair, because we hear some of them managers getting pay-off, but what happen to we? Is like this Government doesn’t have a heart for cane cutters, especially at Wales Estate. Right now only me wife working,” he disclosed.

Another worker who also is awaiting severance told Guyana Times that his wife is currently the principal breadwinner in his home. He said that at times of argument, he is subjected to statements which remind him of his employment status.

“All like how I am not

ple to survive?” pondered Thomas, a vocal critic of the decisions that have affected sugar workers.

The former worker observed that the remaining workers, “cannot survive” on 2014 wages and salaries, and he called on Government to urgently address their plight.

Guyana Times also interviewed two pensioners who have lived in the area for multiple decades. They remarked that, from what they have seen, the workforce was allowed to decline without alternative arrangements

that the closure, as predicted, has seen wide-reaching negative effects in the surrounding communities.

“The people not getting work! Nuff of them went fisheries, they worked two morning because they had market...now de market suspend, they coming home.

They not getting jobs! Work not circulating, money not circulating, we don’t have any factory that the people could go and work.”

Vieira recalled that he was able to build his life from the earnings he had obtained from the entity, hav-

Local aquaculture company voluntarily liquidates

W

The Wales Sugar Estate was closed in December 2016

to get some work for the holidays, he is afraid that once the holidays are over, this source of income would be completely depleted.

“Some cane cutters going (to) Uitvlugt, but we didn’t choose to go there, and we really need our money. Since the estate close down, me nah get a permanent job...

Some people employing you holiday time, but when the holiday season done, they laying you off....I work 17 years (with GuySuCo); since I was 16. I get take on at Wales in rodent control (department), then I take transfer and go and chop cane,” the former worker observed.

Having underscored that Government should pay more attention to the plight of workers, Ally pointed to the shifting dynamics within the family structure.

working, sometime you hearing wrong talk and all kind ah thing,” the former sugar worker, who declined to be identified, noted.

Former tug captain at the estate, Gordon Thomas, commenting on the overall finances of workers, said Government operatives are more concerned with their own needs, as opposed to those of workers.

“Last year was bad, and this year made it worse, because people are not earning. People expecting to get their severance because they lay-off people. The President said that people come first, but it doesn’t look like people come first; it shows like the Cabinet comes first and the ministers, because the workers continue suffering.

2015, no increase; 2016, no increase; 2017 no increase.

How do you expect the peo-

being put in place to provide employment for Wales’ workers. Sixty-year-old Bopaul Sugdeo also pointed to the “stress” that some workers might have encountered if they had opted to take up work several miles away at Uitvlugt Estate, West Coast Demerara. Workers had contended that they cannot be compelled to travel beyond 10 miles from their previous working place, and demanded severance on those grounds.

“Before they closed Wales, they should have opened some other industry that the people could work.

It is stressful for workers to go to Uitvlugt…” Sugdeo stressed.

Albert Vieira, 61, said he received his pension the same year that the Estate ended operations. He noted

ing started working there over 40 years ago.

“I worked with the Estate since I was 16 years old, from 1972; and I get everything from there. I married, feed my children, and my son and grandchildren worked at the Estate. Up to now my son did not get payoff…,” he noted.

Sugar worker Vishnu Jailall, on behalf of his fellow unpaid employees, had sent a signed petition to President David Granger in July 2017, urging him to ensure that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) meets its legal obligations to provide the aggrieved workers with their severance benefits.

President Granger, in a responding letter to the petition in early August, acknowledged the concerns of

across the country. Over 3000 sugar workers across the Enmore, Skeldon and Rose Hall estates have been given letters of redundancy, informing that their services have been terminated.

Guyana Times has been told that a few hundred workers could be drafted in to maintain sluices and canals; but at present, some of the drainage and irrigation networks, especially at Wales, are become overgrown with weeds.

eeks after the Agriculture Ministry announced that it was working with the United Nations to encourage aquaculture farmers to rear an alternative species of fish, it is now being revealed that a stakeholder has opted to leave the industry.

It was disclosed by way of public notice dated December 9, 2017 that Eden Aquaculture Inc removed its name from being a registered company in Guyana.

The removal was in keeping with Section 404 of the Companies Act 1991 under the Removal from Register heading, whereby the company “voluntarily wound up” operations by Special Resolution. While the reasoning behind such action was not explicitly stated, the notice highlighted that the resolution to wind up (or to liquidate) was dated November 24, 2017.

Normally, when companies “wind up” operations, it suggests that operations were brought to an end and that finances were being redistributed.

While opting to end a company’s existence may be a result of diminishing prospects or returns, liquidation can either be voluntary or mandatory.

Eden Aquaculture’s departure follows reports earlier this year that the Ministry was working with the UN’s Food and Agriculture

Organisation (FAO) on promoting Tambaqui, a South American freshwater fish.

Tambaqui, which is quite a meaty fish, is principally found in the Amazon Rainforest and is said to be highly sought after.

Guyana Times was told in late October that the fisheries department was working with aquaculture farmers to rear species beyond tilapia, which is popular among many Guyanese. The aquaculture station in Mon Repos was working to breed Tambaqui to sell the fingerlings, or juvenile fish, to farmers at a subsidised cost.

The Ministry’s aquaculture unit offers extension services to farmers such as water quality testing on farms, technical advice for digging and constructing ponds.

Agriculture is one of the most significant economic sectors in Guyana, contributing some 20 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, as the State is looking beyond the traditional sectors such as sugar and rice, aquaculture, which is the farming of fish and other marine life, was cited as one of the fastest growing industries within the sector.

Moreover, the Agriculture Ministry is mandated to promote the sustainable development of the nation’s fishery resources.

14 news

MONDAY, december 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Armed bandit caught with booty …after robbing supermarket in Berbice

T

wo persons are now in custody after armed bandits stormed a Corentyne supermarket around 20:00h on Saturday.

One of the gunmen was caught after he was chased by victims of the robbery and he was revealed to be someone living next door to the supermarket at Number 68 Village. He was reportedly found with the businessman’s cellular phone in his pocket, as well as a bag containing the stolen cash.

Up to press time, the gunman was said to be hospitalised in Berbice under Police guard after he reportedly broke his leg while trying to escape.

The father of the detained suspect is also in custody after several pieces of camouflage clothing, similar to those worn by the bandits, were found in his house.

At the time of the robbery, four persons were in the supermarket. According to the proprietor of the supermarket, Akash Persaud, about 20:00h on Saturday night, his school friend – who is now a police officer – was leaving the supermarket when five men appeared from the southern side of the building and one

The robbers caught on camera

of them began firing shots in the air while ordering everyone to go into the building.

Persaud said his Police friend, who was in plain clothes at the time, was hit by one of the gunmen.

Persaud said he counted five bandits, all of whom were masked and armed with handguns.

According to him, when he was taken inside, he realised that his mother had already vacated the cashier area and had exited the lower flat where the supermarket is. He further related that one of the bandits jumped into the cashier area and cut the cable

leading to the Digital Video Recorder (DVR). “After that, we had no recording of anything.”

He said one of the men fired a shot at the door leading to the upper flat where his mother, wife and sixmonth-old baby were.

The 35-year-old businessman said his family secured themselves in the third bedroom in the upper flat of the building.

Meanwhile, two of the intruders broke the door, went into the upper flat and broke into the first bedroom and opened a wardrobe.

“They took out a bag and emptied the bag, but there was nothing (of value) in

the bag.”

He said the one who had gone to the cashier area took out the money from the register, along with a box containing change customers would leave behind that is used for charity. He then shouted to his accomplices upstairs. “‘We get enough! we get enough!’ after which they immediately ran downstairs and left. I keep peeping at them from a distance because, I wanted to see exactly how many of them were in the building. I counted five and after they left, I ran out immediately because I wanted to see which direction they were going to.”

Gunmen trail, rob woman …at West Coast salon

By Ashraf Dabie

A

mother of one was on Sunday afternoon trailed and eventually attacked by a pair of armed and unmasked bandits while conducting business on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD).

Bhavana Samtani is now left counting her loss-

a salon in Meten-Meer-Zorg, WCD; upon arriving at her destination, Samtani was pounced upon by the armed men.

While speaking to this publication, the still shaken mother relayed that she had just made her way into the H&S Beauty Salon and while enquiring how long she may have to wait, the two men

that, “One of them was tugging on my bag and I wasn’t going to let loose. It wasn’t until he pulled out the gun that I let go.”

After being held at gunpoint by both of the men, fear for the lives of her son and others present in the salon at the time led the woman to surrender her handbag carrying about $800,000 cash, a Samsung Galaxy cellular phone, her Passport and other important documents as

The bandits caught on camera while entering the salon

es which add up to approximately $900,000.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, Samtani, accompanied by her son, had just cashed a cheque at a bank in Parika, and while going about her business within the area, she was being tracked by the robbers.

Shortly after the woman boarded a bus destined for

barged into the business establishment.

She told this newspaper that one of the men got down at her feet and started fumbling with her handbag.

“At first, I thought it was a prank,” explained the woman, but after glimpsing the man’s face, she quickly realised that she was being robbed.

Samtani went on to say

well as other valued possessions.

Clutching the stolen prize, the unmasked bandits then made good their escape in a dark grey Toyota Premio, heading in the direction of Georgetown.

The terrifying incident occurred around 13:30h and lasted for about five to seven minutes.

Samtani, in an attempt to recover her valuable doc-

uments, chased after the escaping robbers, but lost track of their vehicle a short distance away from the salon.

However, it was after launching a personal investigation that she realised she was being trailed all the way from Parika.

CCTV footage from a few stops along the way revealed the duo was tracing the woman’s every move following her transaction at the bank that afternoon. They were even seen stopping moderate distances away from the bus to enquire whether she and her son had disembarked the minibus.

However, while revisiting the market square at Parika, the woman was informed by vendors that the men were seen chasing after her. One vendor even relayed that when she asked what they were shopping, one of the men responded, “We are shopping guns.”

The CCTV footage managed to capture a clear shot of the two men while their car was also seen in the distance.

The suspects were described as both of African descent and were believed to be in their late 20s.

The CCTV footage, along with a detailed report of what had transpired, was handed over to the Police and as such, investigations are ongoing. However, ranks have not yet zoomed in on the suspects and as such, an arrest is yet to be made.

A cellular phone was also stolen from one of the customers and the Policeman was relieved of a gold chain and ring. The bandit who went into the cashier area took the businessman’s cellular phone.

After the bandits fled the scene on foot, the businessman and the off-duty Police Officer left in the Policeman’s car in pursuit of the criminals who were seen entering the backlands. He said they went after them even though several gunshots were fired in their direction.

“We had to turn around, because none of us were armed. But we were able to shine the light and see the last one; he tried to jump the drain to get to the ball field and his foot got stuck in the mud and broke. He started to say it wasn’t me that he heard gunshots and just ran. Well, my wife rang my phone because she wanted to know where I was and my phone rang in his pocket. I took the bag from him and it consists of all the cash which he took from the shop,” the businessman said.

Guyana Times understands that it was close to $300,000 that the man had

taken from the shop. The bandit was handed over to the Springlands Police before being taken to the Skeldon Hospital, where he was treated before being transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where he underwent immediate surgery.

The bandit who was apprehended lives two houses away from the supermarket. According to Persaud, the suspected bandit who has a one-month-old baby had approached him a few weeks ago for baby food.

“I told him to go and take what he wants, and whenever he get the money, he could pay me…,” the businessman said.

He added that he counted about 16 gunshots that were fired in and around his supermarket. These are in addition to those that were fired at them next to the playground.

This publication understands that in addition to the five persons who entered the building, there were two others who stayed a short distance away.

Persaud has been operating the business for the past two years at that location.

(Andrew Carmichael)

Woman fearful for life after cyberbullying incident

A

27-year-old woman says that she is concerned about her safety after being cyber-bullied on social media and accused of being responsible for the creation of a fake Facebook profile, which uploads personal information about people.

Karen Manifold, who resides at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), told Guyana Times on Sunday that she was forced to contact the police, recruit an attorney and take action as she was being cyber bullied, defamed and libelled by another woman identified as Jessica Smith on Facebook.

“I woke up last week to calls and texts from various people about the Smith’s posts on Facebook and Instagram.

I was shocked. I have never created a fake page in my life and I do not know why this woman would want to come after me,” a concerned and seemingly terrified Manifold reported.

She said that people have been following her vehicle and she has been receiving death threats since Smith took to social media to accuse her of operating the ‘Talk Di Tings G.T. Regulas’ page.

In a letter seen by this newspaper, Manifold’s at-

Karen Manifold

torney writes to Smith notifying her of his client’s intention to take legal action against her for libel and defamation.

“This did not stop the young lady. She is continuing. But I came here today, because a lot of people go through what I am going through and I believe that cyber bullying innocent people is wrong. I will defend myself and take action using the right process.

I have reported the matter to the Police and I am moving to the courts,” Manifold said.

Efforts to contact Smith proved futile.

15

monDAY, december 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say about

I SAY...

Chaos in Parliament T

he deliberations for Budget 2018 over the past weeks have seen several alarming hiccups such as a mysterious Santa turning up in Parliament, a singing sensation and chaos erupting in the Chambers of the National Assembly when the Police were called in to remove an Opposition MP who refused to remove from the Chambers. As such, Guyana Times asked persons if they believe that these incidents can have negative effects as the nation forges forward. Here are the views of the public: Denisia Liddell “Yes, in my opinion, these things would have negative effects because the citizens will now hold it against the politicians that they’re turning Parliament into a play house and that they’re taking everything for a joke and not taking things serious. I didn’t really follow the Budget, but I think this will result in people not having enough confidence in the Budget. At least that is what I think.”

John Antonio Edghill “I do believe that the recent ballyhoo (uproar) arising out of Parliament will inhibit our country’s progress. Firstly, the Speaker of the House seems to cavil, as the request put forward by MP Edghill was a

Caesar McAlmont “These things will definitely have a negative impact, because it’s shocking to see that people have no regards for Parliament. How can anyone take anything that goes on in there serious when they witness the level of disrespect that has been coming out of the National Assembly? If we are to move forward, then we must first show respect for the House because the entire world is watching us and a good example is not being set.”

reasonable one. Moreover, we are still unaware of the purpose of the $68 million, which the MP questioned about. This trend of unaccountability and secrecy is what will hamper progress. It has now been over a week, the public is still uninformed of the identity of the mysterious ‘Santa Claus’.

We, the voters and taxpayers, do not know who ordered the Police into Parliament, and who is responsible for having two undercover officers in the Parliament, despite Commissioner of Police declaring that ranks should not have been there.

This emanates further out of Parliament as the signing bonus fiasco unfolds.”

Sooknauth “That fighting up should go in Guinness Book [of World Records]. It’s most disgraceful. It will affect us a great lot from coming together. The Government and Opposition members should behave themselves better and monitor themselves more in Parliament, but the Opposition did well and the Government should follow in their footsteps.”

Wonette Wiliams “This behaviour will affect us because we are seeing these things. They should stop; the leaders should show the example to the public.”

Gordon Thomas “That (Parliament) is the highest decision-making body and if something goes wrong, they got to deal with it; you cannot bring Police to harass people in the Parliament; it looks very bad. It doesn’t show good for the country.”

Hartley Marks “The nation is already been divided with the two principal races.

Divisive rhetoric spreading all over social media. You have the vanguard of Opposition inciting his base; the Government on the other.

How you can find mutual understanding on the issues that is fundamental for the country? It is so sad.”

Bopaul Sugdeo, 60 “The Parliament is where the laws does make and if the leaders cannot set an example in the Parliament, then the whole country will be upset.

The Speaker for the House is the man who in charge there

Shemar Charles “I think that they should never fight inside the Parliament; carry in the Police and cause a set of mess.

The leaders not showing no example for the youths. When the youths see this, they might not have unity because if you coming up and seeing bare war in the country, they would just have hatred in their mind.”

and since I small and get big now, I never see Parliament behave like that – unruly because the Speaker for the House take one side, but the man must be a neutral man with the understanding that he mustn’t be on any side. If you give the ruling party half hour, the Opposition should get half hour so they can express their feelings. What they have to do is come together and work out a system because people have been elected to go into Parliament; the Police is not elected to go in Parliament, they should be outside. If the Parliament cannot settle a dispute, that’s bad. Why call in the Police? Set your house in order first.”

Albert Vieira “These Parliament issues very bad, because you got Santa Claus passing in, a woman singing in there and two undercover cops. The security in Parliament is no good, because if the head for the security, Khemraj Ramjattan is not good, security can’t be good. The fighting shows that the Speaker for the House deh on one side as far as what I see; he’s biased.”

IAC fetes hundreds of Wales children for Christmas

By Shemuel Fanfair

T

he Indian Action Committee (IAC) brought some much-needed cheer to hundreds of children on a cool Sunday afternoon at the Wales Community Centre Ground, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

The children and their parents were greeted by the pulsating sounds of Christmas classics as each child was given a meal and much to drink.

Their eagerness overflowed with expressions of great exuberance as Santa Claus travelled the distance to Wales bearing gifts which were accompanied by a party bag of snacks. There was also a random draw where Ronaldo Jacobs was the for-

Santa travelled the distance to bring gifts to the children at Wales

tunate child to have his name selected as the winner. Walking away with an oversized white teddy bear, Jacobs struggled somewhat

to carry off his prize, but this did not affect the sheer excitement that rested upon his face. His mother remarked that the teddy bear would

fit right into the family’s Christmas decorations.

IAC Executive Member and media personality Neaz Subhan told Guyana Times that Wales was selected, given the impact the community would have faced from the closure of the sugar estate, which provided much sustenance for the area.

“Wales had to be the place for us to come given the fact that the Estate has been closed and people have been laid off and we feel that being with the children, bringing some kind of cheer to them, we are hoping that in some way, we can be able to put a smile to their faces at least for this season,” Subhan told this newspaper.

The IAC event has been held for more than 10 years, and the Executive Member

observed that the IAC would seek out communities it considered vulnerable to support.

“The IAC will continue to do things like these by going across the country to areas to work with our friends and partners who came on board

and helped us get some of the items and toys, and we are very grateful for their contributions,” he noted.

It was noted that Sunday’s event exceeded expectations by about 100 children. The IAC was established in 2003.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, december 18, 2017

Regional

Chile: Landslide destroys village and kills at least 5

A

The area in Chile's lake district is sparsely populated

landslide caused by torrential rain has killed at least five people in southern Chile and has destroyed dozens of houses.

Fifteen people are missing in the remote village of Villa Santa Lucía in the country’s lake region, popular with tourists.

President Michelle Bachelet has declared a state of emergency in the area.

Thousands remain without electricity and cut off from the rest of Chile.

“I have ordered rescue workers to put all the resources necessary towards protecting the people of Villa Santa Lucia,” said Bachelet.

Part of the valley where the village lies, some 1100 kilometres (690 miles) south of the capital, Santiago, was engulfed by a huge amount of mud from surrounding mountains.

Local media reported that the region had experienced unusually heavy rain for the previous 24 hours.

Dozens of people have been airlifted and taken to the neighbouring town of Chaitén. Rescue teams are searching for survivors.

The village is near Corcovado National Park, popular with tourists for its volcanoes, fjords and forests.

The mudslide happened on Saturday morning, on the eve of the run-off election to choose Chile’s next President.

The authorities say the vote is going ahead as planned.

Some 14 million Chileans are eligible to choose between the centre-right candidate, Sebastián Piñera, and Alejandro Guillier, who is endorsed by Bachelet. (BBC News)

Colombia's ELN rebels willing to extend ceasefire if talks progress

C

olombia’s leftist ELN rebels said on Sunday they are willing to extend a ceasefire set to expire next month if there is sufficient progress at peace talks with the Government.

The National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Government have been in public peace talks in Quito for 10 months, after a long exploratory phase of negotiations, in a bid to end more than 53 years of war.

The group’s first-ever ceasefire began in October and is set to expire January 9. It is being supervised by the Catholic Church and the United Nations.

“We are willing to agree

a new ceasefire once we have jointly evaluated at the negotiating table the progress, confidence and results of the current one,” the group said in an open letter to the UN posted on the ELN’s Twitter account.

The ELN added that it would also assess the Government’s willingness to overcome hurdles at the talks.

The 2000-strong ELN, which has regularly bombed oil infrastructure and taken hostages, has continued kidnapping despite the ceasefire. An indigenous leader in Choco province died in October after being detained by the group. (Reuters)

Hundreds of Royal Mexican human rights group mulls Caribbean cruise legal action against security law holidaymakers M struck down with stomach bug exico’s National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) may take legal action against a bill that would enshrine into law the use of the army in the country’s long war against drug cartels, saying it could ask that the measure be ruled unconstitutional.

Known as the Law of Internal Security, it will formally regulate the deployment of the military in Mexico more than a decade after the Government dispatched it to fight drug cartels in a conflict that has claimed well over 100,000 lives.

Bucking widespread protests from rights groups, Congress on Friday gave a green light to the law, which was backed by the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party and some members of the centre-right Opposition National Action Party. It will now head to President Enrique Pena Nieto’s desk to be signed into law.

The company said 332 guests had caught Norovirus during the voyage with reports of four-hour long queues to see the doctor

A

stomach bug has struck down over 300 passengers on board a Royal Caribbean cruise liner sailing in the Atlantic.

The Independence of the Seas set sail from Florida, USA, on Monday bound for Haiti and Jamaica with more than 5500 people aboard.

The company said 332 guests had caught Norovirus during the voyage with reports of four-hour long queues to see the doctor.

The ship had departed from Port Everglades on a five-night journey.

A spokesman for Royal Caribbean said they had deployed sanitation experts who would bring in “enhanced sanitary procedures” that would “minimise the risk of a recurrence”.

Cleaners could be seen wearing masks and protective clothing as they cleaned out cabins.

The company had initially said 220 people were ill but passengers claimed the actual figure was higher as not all those affected sought medical help.

Tracy Flores, one of the passengers, said her son was struck down by the stomach bug.

“It was just terrifying – just the amount of people that were coming in at the same time with vomiting and diarrhoea and just looked ghastly.” she said.

People being treated by the ship’s doctor also claimed that the ship’s medical bay was ill-equipped to deal with such an outbreak.

(The Sun)

An activist dresses up as a soldier wearing a pig mask during a protest against a law that militarises crime fighting in the country in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, December 16, 2017

The new law could lead to the “violation of Mexicans’ basic rights and freedoms, affect the design and constitutionally established balance between institutions, State organs and powers, and lead to states of emergency being imposed on Mexican society,” the CNDH said in a statement late Saturday.

Supporters of the legislation say it will set out clear rules that limit the use of soldiers to fight crime.

Multiple human rights groups and international organisations, including the United Nations, attacked the bill, mindful of the dozens of reported cases of abuses by members of the military in Mexico over the past 11 years. They say it could usher in greater abuses and impunity by the armed forces.

Opponents of the bill have taken to the streets to protest and demand the measure not be signed into law. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

Ninja Man's Contractors to T&T sentencing Govt: Pay up postponed T to today T

he sentencing for popular entertainer Ninja Man was this afternoon delayed as a result of a handcuff shortage facing police officers who were to escort the artiste along with other accused/prisoners to the courtroom, Observer Online has learnt.

An attorney disclosed the situation when the case was called before the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston.

Ninja Man, whose given name is Desmond Ballentine, was eventually brought to the courtroom but the attorney representing his co-accused Dennis Clayton was late for court, which led to Justice Martin Gayle postponing the matter until today.

Ninja Man was on November 20 found guilty of the 2009 murder of Ricardo “Ricky Trooper” Johnson. Clayton and his son Jahneil were also found guilty. (Jamaica Observer)

he Trinidad Government is yet to outline any specific plans to address its growing debt to contractors. In the meanwhile, the association representing the group has advised its members to take legal steps to get money owed to them.

In an interview with the Guardian last week, Contractors’ Association President Ramlogan Roopnarinesingh estimated that the growing debt to contractors was over TT$4 billion.

The Government agencies responsible for the majority of debt to contractors are the Education Facilities Management Company (EFCL) with a reported debt of between TT$800 million and TT$1.2 billion; the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) with a reported debt of between TT$700 to TT$800 million; and the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA), which faces a billion-dollar debt to contractors and suppliers.

In 2017, Finance Minister Colm Imbert budgeted TT$1.8 billion for the payment of debt to contractors, but no similar amount could be found allocated for fiscal 2018.

While Government, out of Parliament, has blamed the country’s economic problems for some of the delays, several contractors are considering legal action over breach of contract due to non-payment.

According to Section 3 of the Limitation of Certain Actions Act contractors only have four years from the breach of contract to take any action, and for several of them, 2018 is the fourth year.

However, sources said it was unlikely that Government would use this defence.

Even as contractors are considering legal action, some have already brought projects to a standstill with more reported to stop in 2018 as they demand payment for work done.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

MONDAY, december 18, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

UN to vote today on call for US Jerusalem decision to be withdrawn T

he United Nations Security Council is due to vote today on a draft resolution calling for the withdrawal of US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, diplomats said, a move likely to face a Washington veto.

The one-page Egyptiandrafted text, seen by Reuters, does not specifically mention the United States or Trump. Diplomats say it has broad support among the 15-member council, and while it is unlikely to be adopted, the vote will further isolate Trump on the issue.

To pass, a resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the United States, France, Britain, Russia or China.

17

A Palestinian demonstrator uses a slingshot to hurl stones towards Israeli troops during clashes at a protest against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, near the border with Israel in the east of Gaza City, December 15, 2017

Trump abruptly reversed decades of US policy this month when he recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, generating outrage

from Palestinians. Trump also plans to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.

U.S. Ambassador to the

United Nations Nikki Haley has praised Trump’s decision as “the just and right thing to do.”

The US mission to the United Nations was not immediately available to comment on Sunday.

Arab Foreign Ministers agreed to seek a UN Security Council resolution on the issue. The draft UN text expresses “deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem”.

It “affirms that any decisions and actions which purport to have altered, the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

America helped thwart major attack in St Petersburg – US, Russia

T

he United States provided intelligence to Russia that helped thwart a potentially deadly bomb attack in St. Petersburg, US and Russian officials said on Sunday, in a rare public show of cooperation despite deep strains between the two countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin telephoned US President Donald Trump on Sunday to thank him for the tip-off, which the Kremlin said helped prevent a militant bomb attack on a cathedral in the Russian city, as well as other sites.

The White House did not disclose details about the

plot itself, but said the attack “could have killed large numbers of people”. Neither the Kremlin nor the White House identified the wouldbe attackers.

The US warning allowed Russian law enforcement agencies to arrest the suspects before they could carry out their plans, the White House and Kremlin said.

Relations between Washington and Moscow have been damaged by disagreements over the wars in Ukraine and Syria, although Trump pledged during his election campaign to pursue better ties with Moscow.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Bomb and gun attack on Quetta church kills 8 UK Embassy A worker found dead in Lebanon

A

British woman who worked at the UK Embassy in Beirut has been found dead, Lebanese Police have said.

Rebecca Dykes' body was found on the side of a motorway on Saturday.

She had been strangled, the BBC was told by senior Police sources. An investigation is under way.

Her family said in a statement: "We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Rebecca. We are doing all we can to understand what happened. We request that the media respect our privacy."

Dykes had been working in Beirut as the programme and policy manager for the Department for International Development since January 2017.

Local Police say a second post-mortem examination is to be carried out later.

Hugo Shorter, the British Ambassador to Lebanon, tweeted that the whole Embassy was "deeply shocked" and "saddened" by the news.

A DfID spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with Becky's family and friends at this very upsetting time."

(Excerpt from BBC News)

suicide bomb and gun attack on a church in the western Pakistani city of Quetta has killed at least eight people and wounded dozens of others, hospital officials say.

The attack targeted Bethel Memorial Methodist Church as worshippers gathered inside to attend a Sunday midday service.

A suicide bomber detonated his explosives at the gate of the church, prompting a Police operation, officials told Al Jazeera.

A second attacker fired upon worshippers, before being killed by security forces at the scene.

"We have cleared the immediate area around the church, and we are now clearing a peripheral area further out," Moazzam Jah Ansari, Police Chief of Balochistan province, told reporters at the site of the attack.

Witnesses reported a heavy exchange of gunfire in the neighbourhood as Police worked to clear the area.

"People were fleeing to the corners [of the church]. I couldn't understand

Gunmen attacked the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Quetta on Sunday

Ahmed/Reuters]

what was happening; it happened so suddenly," a woman, who was at the church when the attack occurred, said on condition of anonymity.

Waseem Ahmed, an official at the

[Naseer

nearby Civil Hospital, said 33 people were wounded in the attack.

More than 200 people were gathered at the church for the service at the time of the attack. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Clashes in Kashmir after South Africa's ANC party Indian soldiers kill driver to vote for new leader

S

H

undreds of residents clashed with Police in the northern part of Indian-administered Kashmir after soldiers killed a civilian driver who was mistaken for a "rebel", officials and residents said.

Asif Iqbal, 25, was shot dead on Saturday night when he left his home to transport an ailing neighbour to hospital. His killing sparked clashes between paramilitary Police in Thindpura village and residents, who refused to bury Iqbal's body.

"He died after getting injured in the firing just outside his home. He was preparing to ferry some patient in his cab. He was targeted by the army without any fault, everything was normal here. It was a cold-blood-

Rebel groups have been fighting since 1989 for Kashmir to become independent or part of Pakistan [Farookq Khan/EPA]

ed murder," Sajan Ahmad Shah, who lives in the nearby village, told Al Jazeera.

The officials said that the army had laid an ambush on Saturday evening in

Thindpura village, in north Kashmir's frontier Kupwara district, which borders the heavily militarised de facto border between India and Pakistan. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

outh Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) has formally selected the two contenders to succeed President Jacob Zuma as the party's leader.

They are Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and former Cabinet Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Zuma's exwife.

Candidates were also nominated for five other leading party positions.

Emotions ran high, delegates shouting each other down as they raised objections over voting rules.

The leadership battle has caused fierce political infighting, raising fears the party may split before 2019 elections.

Zuma has warned the

The two contenders in the race for the ANC leadership are Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa

party is under threat and is at a "crossroads".

It has been in power

since the country transitioned to democracy in 1994 under Nelson Mandela. (BBC

News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, december 18, 2017

ARCHIE

Show discipline and take care of unfinished business be(March 21fore you engage in social activApril 19) ities or make personal changes or plans for upcoming festivities. Your responsible attitude will impress someone you love.

ARIES

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

Don’t take shortcuts.

Gather information before you make a purchase. A change in the way you handle your health, legal and money matters will be required.

An honest assessment GEMINI of your finances will help (May 21you restructure your spendJune 20) ing habits. The changes you make will ease stress and help you head into the upcoming year with optimism.

Let your heart guide you when it comes to dealing with (June 21- loved ones. Pleasing others July 22) doesn’t have to be expensive.

Offering kindness and handson help will encourage the same in return.

CANCER

Peanuts

Plan to make changes that LEO will improve your life, status (July 23- and direction. Check out what Aug. 22) others are doing and learn from the information and research offered. Stick to a set budget.

Look beyond what’s unVIRGO folding in front of you.

(Aug. 23Consider the possibilities and Sept. 22) the consequences of making the wrong choice. Trust in your judgment and look for a unique way to keep the peace.

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Keep moving until you get everything done. You will feel much better if you have made the changes that will give you the freedom to enjoy life, family and friends.

A change to the way you SCORPIO earn your living or how you (Oct. 24deal with investments or Nov. 22) joint ventures will help reconfigure the way you move forward next year. Tidy up loose ends.

Dress up your residence SAGITTARIUS and make alterations that (Nov. 23- will add to your comfort and Dec. 21) entertainment. Love and romance are on the rise and will improve your personal life.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SATURDAY’S WORD

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle

Being a good listener will give you an advantage. The less anyone knows about you, the easier it will be to execute your plans without interference. Walk away from unpredictable situations.

Share your opinions and AQUARIUS solutions, but not personal (Jan. 20- information or anything that Feb. 19) may affect your reputation or status. Help less fortunate people and make a difference.

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Trust your instincts, not what someone else tells you.

Persuasive tactics will be used if you show vulnerability or inconsistency. Know what you want, and take control.

MONDAY, december 18, 2017

19

Windies shocked by New Zealand XI D

– Hope brothers shine

espite a knock of 94 from Kyle Hope and 69 from Shai Hope, the Windies were six-wicket losers to a New Zealand XI that was not supposed to offer too much resistance.

The result came courtesy of ODI discard and New Zealand Test opener, Jeet Raval, who slammed 169 from 150 deliveries to help his side overhaul the Windies 288 all out, with six wickets and an over and a half to spare.

Choosing to bat, the Windies lost destructive opener Evin Lewis (17) with the score on 42, but kept the

run-rate ticking over when Shai Hope and Kyle Hope came together to take them to 180, before Aniket Parikh had the former caught by Rajvinder Sandhu in the 30th over.

At 180-2, with 20 overs to go, the Windies should have been targeting something in excess of 300, but Kyle Hope retired in the 33rd over thinking he had scored a century, only to realise there had been a scoreboard error that left him on 94.

From there it was all downhill, as only, Rovman Powell, 31 from 43 deliveries, and Shimron Hetmyer,

28 from 17, made any impact on the scoreboard.

The Windies demise came courtesy of Parikh, who ended with figures of 4-47, while four other wickets were split evenly among Sandhu, 1-52, Michael Rae, 1-56, Mark Craig, 1-50, and Raval, 1-22.

In reply, Raval was savage, strike 17 boundaries and a six. His only support came from fellow opener, Jack Boyle, who scored 22, and most importantly, Bharat Popli, who string together 62 from 61 deliveries.

Sheldon Cottrell had 1-63, Kesrick Williams 1-60,

G

“ O u r team is performing excellently but there are other clubs doing the same,” he said.

“We can’t think that we’re unbeatable and we have to keep our focus game by game.

“This was one of our best performances this season, against a really good opponent that has brilliant players.

“So well done to us, not just because of the result, but also the way that we’ve beaten Tottenham.

The score could have been even larger.”

(Sportsmax)

Nikita Miller, 1-54, and skipper Jason Holder, 1-49 from 7.5 overs. Ronsford Beaton

had to be pulled from the attack after an over and a ball.

He was bowling well at the

time too, just two runs coming off the over. (Sportsmax)

Adverse drugs test has put Froome in ‘horrible situation’

We can’t think we’re unbeatable – Jesus

abriel Jesus has warned his teammates not to think they are unbeatable after they won a 16th consecutive league game on Saturday.

Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus has warned against complacency as his side continue their seemingly unstoppable march towards the Premier League title.

Pep Guardiola’s side registered a 16th consecutive league win as they thumped Tottenham 4-1 on Saturday to open up a 14-point gap at the summit of the table.

That lead was reduced to 11 after Manchester United’s 2-1 win over West Brom on Sunday, but City are in pole position to win a third Premier League title, and possibly with a record points tally.

Jesus, who missed a penalty in the win over Spurs, has urged his teammates to not take the title for granted, though, and stressed the importance of retaining their focus.

Kyle and Shai Hope were in top form during the practice match

F

Gabriel Jesus

our-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome says he understands why so many questions are being asked about his use of salbutamol.

Chris Froome said an adverse drugs test has put him in a “horrible situation” but reiterated he is not guilty of any wrongdoing.

The UCI has asked Froome to explain elevated levels of salbutamol in a urine sample taken in September during his Vuelta a Espana triumph.

Four-time Tour de France champion Froome insists he did not exceed the permitted dosage of salbutamol, which h e takes as an asthma sufferer.

The Brit had twice the level of the legal substance in his system and the Team Sky rider understands the inquisition which has followed since the world governing body requested an explanation.

“I do completely get it - I have been a bike rider for 10 years now and I know how some people might look at our sport.” Froome said on the Sports Personality of the Year show on BBC One. “That is a responsibility

I take very seriously and we are working as hard as we can to try and get to the bottom of it.

“I am an asthmatic, I have been since I was a child, and I use a puffer to help manage it but I have never taken more than I am allowed, so it is quite a horrible situation.”

Froome was voted only seventh as Mo Farah was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year on Sunday.

(Sportsmax)

Chris Froome

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

MONDAY, december 18, 2017

England’s Ashes on a knife-edge (4-116) battled hard but his long-time pace partner Broad finished wicketless for 142 runs on Sunday, his worst ever test bowling figures.

The 31-year-old has not collected a five-wicket haul in 22 test matches since January, 2016.

England have few other options.

Fellow seamer Craig Overton may be sidelined for the rest of the series with a broken rib, leaving rightarm seamer Jake Ball in reserve.

Ball was dropped after poor returns of 1-77 and

0-38 during the first test in Brisbane.

The bowling concerns have also extended to all-rounder Moeen Ali, whose off-spin produced figures of 1-120 on Sunday. For the series, he has only managed three wickets at a miserable 105.33 apiece.

He has been equally ineffective with the bat, scoring just 105 runs at an average of 21.00.

The responsibility to produce “something special” that Root demanded from his senior team mates will now fall to Malan and Bairstow on day five. (Reuters)

SCOREBOARD

The scene after Mitchell Starc shattered James Vince’s off stump from around the wicket (Getty Image)

T

he torrid form of England’s senior players showed no sign of ending on Sunday, as paceman Stuart Broad went wicket less and opener Alastair Cook’s 150th test was spoilt by another cheap dismissal on day four of the third Ashes test. Already 2-0 down in the series, England finished a rain-hit day at the WACA in a precarious position of 132 for four, still trailing Australia by 127 runs with an innings to spare.

Dismissed for seven in the first innings, Cook was

caught and bowled for 14 by seamer Josh Hazlewood to continue a dreadful series with the bat.

The former skipper has scored only 83 runs in the series at an average of 13.83, comfortably the worst of England’s specialist batsmen.

Captain Joe Root said prior to the match that he and his senior team mates needed to lift if England were to claw their way back into the series.

“It probably will take one of the senior players to... re-

ally take it on and do something special this game,” the young captain had said.

Root himself was also unable to capitalise on starts of 20 and 14, leaving the unbeaten pair of Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow to rescue the team again after they combined in a first innings stand of 237 runs.

“If (Cook and Root) don’t score runs, you expect them next innings to score runs,” England number three James Vince told reporters after a knock of 55, having fallen to an unplayable

Mitchell Starc delivery that jagged back into his stumps.

“They’ve shown over their careers that they often don’t have long periods without scoring runs.”

England have long relied on Cook and Root to lay a solid foundation, so the lack of runs from the duo has put a heavy burden on the inexperienced trio of opener Mark Stoneman, Vince and Malan.

The tourists also have struggled with their bowling.

Veteran James Anderson

England 1st innings 403 Australia 1st innings (Overnight: 421-4) C Bancroft lbw b C Overton 25 D Warner c Bairstow b C Overton 22 U Khawaja lbw b Woakes 50 S Smith lbw b Anderson 239 S Marsh c Root b Ali 28 M Marsh lbw b Anderson 181 T Paine not out 49 M Starc run out (Vince) 1 P Cummins lbw b Anderson 41 N Lyon c Ali b Anderson 4 Extras (b-4 lb-16 nb-1 w-1) 22 Total (for 9 wickets declared, 179.3 overs) 662 Fall of wickets: 1-44 D. Warner,2-55 C. Bancroft,3-179 U. Khawaja,4-248 S. Marsh,5-549 M. Marsh,6-560 S. Smith,7-561 M. Starc,8-654 P. Cummins,9-662 N. Lyon Did not bat: J. Hazlewood Bowling: Anderson 37.3 - 9

- 116 – 4, Broad 35 - 3 - 142 – 0, Woakes 41 - 8 - 128 – 1, Overton 24 - 1 - 110 – 2, Ali 33 - 4 - 120 – 1, Root 3 - 0 13 – 0, Malan 6 - 1 - 13 - 0 England 2nd innings A Cook c&b Hazlewood 14 M Stoneman c Paine b Hazlewood 3 J Vince b Starc 55 J Root c Smith b Lyon 14 D Malan not out 28 J Bairstow not out 14 Extras (lb-4) 4 Total (for 4 wickets, 38.2 overs) 132 Fall of wickets: 1-4 M. Stoneman,2-29 A. Cook,360 J. Root,4-100 J. Vince To bat: M. Ali, C. Woakes, S. Broad, C. Overton, J. Anderson Bowling: Starc 10 - 3 - 32 – 1, Hazlewood 9 - 3 - 23 – 2, Marsh 3 - 1 - 14 – 0, Cummins 8.2 2 - 31 – 0, Lyon 8 - 3 - 28 - 1

Spinners, Dhawan lead India to crushing series win

S

ri Lanka’s win in the first ODI proved to be a false dawn as Shikhar Dhawan’s classy century eased India to their victory target.

Shikhar Dhawan’s 12th oneday international century steered India to an emphatic eight-wicket win in the series decider after Sri Lanka collapsed in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

Sri Lanka were going along nicely on 136-1 in the 23rd over, but spinners Kuldeep Yadav (3-42) and Yuzvendra Chahal (346) did much of the damage as they collapsed to 215 all out.

Upul Tharanga fell just five short of a hundred and Sadeera Samarawickrama made 42 in a second-wicket stand of 121, but the tourists’ innings fell to pieces and India eased to a 2-1 victory after losing the opening match of the series.

A masterful innings from Dhawan, who finished 100 not out off only 85 balls, sealed India’s eighth straight series win in the

50-over format and Shreyas Iyer (65) struck back-toback half-centuries in his first ODI series as Sri Lanka were given another harsh lesson ahead of a new era under Chandika

Hathurusingha.

Sri Lanka recovered smartly from the early departure of Danushka Gunathilaka (13), with Tharanga particularly aggressive, taking Hardik Pandya for five successive fours in the ninth over before reaching fifty from only 36 balls.

Samarawickrama was put down on 29 - a tough chance to Dinesh Karthik at midwicket - but it did not prove too costly as he holed out to become Chahal’s first victim soon after.

Tharanga brought up 1,000 ODI runs this year by hammering Chahal over long-on for six, repeating the feat in the leg-spinner’s next over before perishing to Kuldeep, stumped by MS Dhoni as he stretched forward.

Niroshan Dickwella

fell later in the s a m e o v e r and Sri

Lanka began to lose wickets regularly, Angelo Mathews and Asela Gunaratne (both 17) the only other men to reach double figures as India turned the screw.

Rohit Sharma

stole the show with a magnificent double century in the second ODI, but the stand-in captain fell for only seven when Akila Dananjaya bowled him with a delivery that drifted in.

Dhawan and Iyer were untroubled on a good surface, though, using their feet expertly against the spinners and latching onto far too many loose deliveries to put India well on course to reach their target.

Iyer outlined his promise once again, outscoring Dhawan and cashing in on Mathews’ failure to hold on to a difficult chance at first slip when he had 25 to his name, smashing Sachith Pathirana Shikhar Dhawan enjoyed his 12th ODI hundred (BCCI)

for six and reaching 50 off only 44 deliveries.

Dhawan raised his bat after a slogs w e e p for six off Dananjaya cleared the ropes and went on to pass 4,000 ODI runs after Iyer offered

a simple catch to Suranga Lakmal off the bowling of Thisara Perera.

Karthik (26) successfully reviewed when he was given out leg before when the ball struck his inside edge before hitting the pad and another powerful sweep to the boundary took Dhawan to a deserved hundred as India sealed victory off only 32.1 overs. (Sportsmax)

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka Innings D Gunathilaka c R Sharma b Bumrah 13 U Tharanga st Dhoni b K Yadav 95 S Samarawickrama c S Dhawan b Chahal 42 A Mathews b Chahal 17 N Dickwella c Iyer b K Yadav 8 A Gunaratne c Dhoni b B Kumar 17 T Perera lbw b Chahal 6 S Pathirana c Chahal b H Pandya 7 A Dananjaya b K Yadav 1 S Lakmal lbw b H Pandya 1 N Pradeep not out 0 Extras (lb-4 w-4) 8 Total (all out, 44.5 overs) 215 Fall of wickets: 1-15 D. Gunathilaka,2-136 S. Samarawickrama,3-160 U. Tharanga,4-168 N. Dickwella,5-189 A. Mathews,6-197 T. Perera,7-208 S. Pathirana,8-210 A. Dananjaya,9-211 S. Lakmal,10-215 A. Gunaratne

Bowling: B Kumar 6.5 - 0 - 35 – 1, Bumrah 8 - 1 - 39 – 1, H Pandya 10 - 1 - 49 – 2. K Yadav 10 - 0 - 42 – 3, Chahal 10 - 3 - 46 - 3

India Innings R Sharma b Dananjaya 7 S Dhawan not out 100 S Iyer c Lakmal b T Perera 65 D Karthik not out 26 Extras (b-4 lb-2 w-15) 21 Total (2 wickets, 32.1 overs) 219 Fall of wickets: 1-14 Ro. Sharma,2-149 S. Iyer Did not bat: M. Dhoni, H. Pandya, M. Pandey, B. Kumar, J. Bumrah, K. Yadav, Y. Chahal Bowling: Lakmal 5 - 2 20 – 0, Dananjaya 7.1 - 0 - 53 – 1, Mathews 3 - 0 - 30 – 0, Pathirana 4 - 0 - 33 – 0, Nuwan Pradeep 3 - 0 - 10 – 0, Perera 5 - 0 - 25 – 1, Gunaratne 4 - 0 - 30 - 0(w8), Gunathilaka 1 - 0 - 12 - 0

sports

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Jamaica’s Daley Jr runs ‘red hot’ at Georgetown Grand Prix T

he man regarded as the number one karter in the Caribbean, Collin Daley Jr., lived up to that billing on Saturday night, wowing patrons and stunning his opponents with strategic driving and brave impulse at the seasonending Georgetown Grand Prix Final Showdown.

The 20-year-old Jamaican, competing in Guyana for the first time, displayed an excellent command of the GT Motorsports track, despite arriving in the country only a day prior to the event.

Daley Jr competed in the Shifter Pro Cup and 125cc Senior categories, headlining the list of top performers on the night. Also closing off the year in impressive fashion were Jeremy Tenpow, Rayden Persaud, Jonathon Law,

helmet, Daley Jr signalled his intentions early, qualifying on pole for the Shifter Cup with a time of 30.916s, faster than Stefan Jeffrey (Guyana) 30.969s, Darryl Timmers (Canada) 31.021s, Kristian Jeffrey (Guyana) 31.254s, Orry Hunte (Barbados) 31.652s and Elliott Vieira (Guyana) 31.690s.

The highly anticipated showdown between Daley Jr and Guyana’s top Shifter competitor Kristian Jeffrey was a bit one-sided early on with Jeffrey encountering mechanical issues. Daley Jr also suffered a cut chain in his opening Shifter race just when he was starting to gain momentum.

However, the Jeffrey did manage to test the Jamaican later in the night. In the second Shifter race, which was a reverse grid, Daley Jr started

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Rayden Persaud, champion driver of the 125cc Junior

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21

back of the pack (fifth) and worked his way up to second, just behind Jeffrey.

As the intensity grow and the gap between the two lessened, the crowd’s anticipation of a fantastic finish

quickly evaporated as the Jamaican’s attempt to overtake on a turn resulted in a collision and both men spinning out.

It was a disappointing end to what was sizing to be a close and exciting climax.

What followed however, was a commendable act of sportsmanship as both drivers rose from their karts and shook hands, ending the possibility of what could have been a dramatic finish to the race.

Daley Jr ended the night with a first and a second in the 125cc Senior and a first in the Shifter Pro Cup. Jeffrey had one third in the Shifter Pro Cup, and a second and two thirds in the 125cc Senior.

Stefan Jeffrey and Darryl Timmers, who was later named champion driver, won the other two Shifter races, while Jonathon Law copped the champion driver accolade in the 125cc Senior by winning two races.

Earlier, Jeremy Tenpow won two of the Sun Burst Kids Cup 60cc races, but Nathan Rahaman was crowned champion driver with a win and two second place finishes.

Rayden Persaud, with two wins and a third, ruled the roost in the 125cc Junior, with Tommi Gore winning the other race, while Raymond Baksh made a clean sweep of the Easy Cup Rookie, and Raymond Seebarran won two of the Easy Cup Light races.

Dharmendra Dharmo, who was impressive on the night, won the other Easy Cup Light race and also got a third place finish. That apart, Dharmo managed a second and two third place finishes in the Easy Cup Rookie.

Ralph Persaud also had a good night, copping a third and two second place finishes in the Easy Cup Rookie, and two second places in the Easy Cup Light.

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Banks DIH Brand Manager (centre with blue top) Errol Nelson and Andy King-Medas (orange top) pose for a photo opportunity with all the respective winners

he 7th annual King Medas-Pansy Adonis 5K Classic concluded on Sunday following four days of intense races.

Over 300 athletes participated in the various categories of the classic which ended at the Buxton Community Center Ground, with Larry Josiah, Orin Josiah and Charles Williams capping off the top three spots in the Masters Male category.

Alicia Fortune emerged winner of the Masters Females category while Collia Rowe placed first in the Senior Females category. The Senior Male race was dominated by Winston Missenger who won first place, followed

by Cleveland Thomas and Devaun Barrington.

Over 3 million dollars in prizes were distributed to winners of all the respective

categories while other prizes like laptops and desktops were also awarded to winners. Meanwhile, Director of Sports Chris Jones promised that the event will be bigger next year and indicated it will be held during August of 2018 as it will help to encourage more participation from the schools.

Organiser Andy KingMedas thanked all the participants for their support

and urged the athletes to remain steadfast in their training and find the right balance with their academics since next year he will attempt to fund scholarships to the University of Guyana.

King-Medas was also extremely appreciative of Banks DIH under their Rainforest Water and Powerade brands.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monDAY, december 18, 2017

Farfan and Mendes Squash Tourney

DaSilva tops Gomes in thriller

– Daniel Islam earns top spot in Category A

The various winners pose with the accolades on Sunday

T

he final day of a jam packed week of squash at the Farfan and Mendes Junior skill level tournament came to a dramatic climax on Sunday at the Georgetown Club courts.

The most entertaining match of the day, and possibly of the competition, was between Brenno DaSilva and Tiana Gomes, who treated spectators to a match full of two huge personalities as well as surprising rallies.

When Gomes dropped, DaSilva dropped a little lower; when DaSilva played a great cross court and the crowd was poised to congratulate a winning shot, Gomes

skipped across the court for thrilling returns. Their contest ended with a smiling pair, a smiling audience and a smiling referee. DaSilva eventually won with some amazing serves, 11-8, 6-11, 11-3.

With 15 newbies in this tournament the week has shown a new wave of youngsters who have caught the squash bug; some of whom will no doubt move on to a great career in the sport.

In the higher categories, Mohryan Baksh and James Mekdeci did not disappoint.

This anticipated battle began at the first serve and continued to the last shot.

Evidence that squash in Guyana is moving forward;

the two top Category C contenders are the product of skill and discipline. Baksh took the first game 11-9 keeping Mekdeci in the back of the court. Mekdeci used his hard hitting accuracy to take the second 11-8. Baksh continued to play his game and held on to take it home with two 11-9 games for the match.

In category B Demetrius DeAbreu stepped up in the third game against Alphonso and took the first game Micheal Alphonso has lost in the tournament, then continued in the fourth to contend for the title, but Alphonso’s shot selection and deception brought him out on top in a 3-1 win.

The top spot for category A was already decided as Daniel Islam had already dismissed Anthony and Samuel earlier in the week, but the match with Taylor Fernandes in her entity as challenger stretched both players. The final game of the tournament closed off this year’s junior season to a

full venue at the Georgetown Club. Skill, tactical shot selection and power were key for both players and the well fought final could have been either players match but Islam dug deep and defeated Fernandes 3 games to 2.

As is customary in the Farfan and Mendes Christmas Tournament,

recognition is given to those players who have notably improved and who performed outstandingly. This year Aishani Persuad and Nicholas Verwey were credited with Most Improved titles while Kirsten Gomes and Chad DeAbreu were awarded Most outstanding.

YBG Titan Bowl

LTI, Kwakwani clash in all-Linden final

Powerade badminton singles tournament

Ramdhani turns up the heat ahead of Finals

P

riyanna Ramdhani continued her rampage in the ongoing Guyana Badminton Association (GBA)/Banks DIH Aqua Mist/PowerAde Junior Boys and Girls Singles tourney played Saturday at the National Gymnasium.

The female badminton ace stormed the Girls Singles Under-17 category, defeated Priyanka Shivnauth convincingly two sets; 21-1, 21-1 in the semi-finals. Sacha Parmanand defeated Ashley Escarraga: 21-17, 17-21, 2118 in the other match of the semis.

Ramdhani then mauled Parmanand mercilessly in the Girls Singles Under-17 finals after emerging unbothered after two sets which ended 21-3 and 21-1.

The final day will continue on Sunday with playoffs in the Open Men Singles SemiFinals and Finals and the Open Ladies Finals with the presentation ceremony being done following the finals.

It was entertaining action on Saturday in the Titan Bowl played at the National Gymnasium

D

Saturday’s action in the ongoing Banks DIH sponsored Junior Badminton tourney

efending champions Linden Technical Institute (LTI) have a chance of retaining their Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) Titan Bowl title after they trumped Plaisance Secondary School 56-52 in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Also booking a spot in the final was Kwakwani Secondary school who brushed aside McKenzie High School by 61-47 in the semi-finals to make it an all Linden affair.

Played at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), the few spectators were well entertained by competitive games.

The main instigators for LTI were Ronaldo Patoir and Daniel Lee who sank 14 points each; they were ably support-

ed by Dillon Pellew who had 12 points and seven rebounds in the game. Plaisance put out a worthy performance but fell just short. Nigel Bowen’s mammoth effort of 21 points and a whopping 27 rebounds could not stop LTI. Bowen’s back up came in the form of Andrew Johnson and Jared Sears who had 13 and 12 points respectively.

Meanwhile Kwakwani Secondary breezed past McKenzie High School as Isaiah Hintzen and Daniel Houston turned in match winning efforts. It was a team effort but Hintzen sunk a team high 13 points while Houston collected 15 rebounds.

The Tappin siblings carried McKenzie High School on their backs but could only

do so much. Yannick Tappin was impressive collecting 32 points from the paint, grabbing 9 rebounds and recording five steals. His brother Kobe collected seven points and eight steals.

In the male segment of the Titan Bowl, nine teams had been drawn into three pools of three with St Rose’s High School, Marian Academy and McKenzie High School in Pool A. Over in Pool B, Kwakwani Secondary, Linden Technical Institute (LTI) and Georgetown Technical Institute battled for progression. In Pool C the likes of President’s College, Plaisance Secondary and Bishop’s High School competed.

Up to press time on Sunday, the winner of the final was yet to be decided.

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, december 18, 2017

23

UWI/CCC Scholarship Programme…

Reifer scouting talent in Guyana

By Clifton Ross

F

ormer West Indies Captain turned talent scout, Floyd Reifer believes Guyana can benefit from the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Scholarship programme; which is geared towards molding more academically-rounded cricketers.

Reifer, who led the West Indies in six Tests and eight One Day International (ODI’s) in 2009, is the current Head Coach of the Combined Campuses & Colleges (CCC) Marooners team and in partnership with the UWI, they have commenced a massive scholarship programme which strictly targets young cricketers from across the Caribbean who currently or intend to pursuit a tertiary level education.

The ex-Barbados skipper arrived in Guyana over the weekend ahead of his four day stay in the country where he’ll be conducting numerous sessions with local cricketers who fit the

required scholarship criteria; which foremost targets players who are involved in or pursuing a tertiary academic education.

Reifer told Guyana Times Sport during one of his assessment matches held at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) Ground on Sunday, that he was happy to be in Guyana for the first time and was so far impressed with the local talent.

“The University does talent scouting across the Caribbean for our project and for the CCC Regional team as well. We go across the Caribbean Islands and scout for raw talent within the school systems and our qualifications are any of the guys that go to school or university or any tertiary level institution; that’s the first criteria”, Reifer explained.

The former left-arm batsman who has roughly 11,000 runs across all formats of his Regional career, said the scouting initiative was not only driven by the desire to produce more profes-

sionally rounded cricketers for the respective West Indies and CCC teams, but to create an environment where education and sport are treated as priorities.

“It’s an opportunity for any young man to be looked at and about carrying forward the vision they might believe in. Young men can have the opportunity to study at a high level with their degree or masters and since our programme started a lot of guys have passed through it, coming in as young players elevating themselves into professional cricketers; but with degrees and maters”.

A former CCC batsman and cousin of current Guyana Jaguars and West Indies all-rounder, Raymond Reifer, Floyd walked away from the game officially in 2016 and has since gotten more active as a scout and coach, travelling the territories teaching the younger generation of cricketers what it takes to be a well-rounded professional.

Sparta no more the Boss – Leopold Street finish 3rd

A

– finish 3rd overall

G

Bantamweight Keevin Allicock impressed yet again earning gold at the CBC in St Lucia

uyana’s quartet of boxers at the Caribbean Developmental Boxing Championships (CBC) in St Lucia was impressive as they punched their way to three gold and a silver medal on Saturday night.

After securing spots in their respective weight class finals the Guyanese were guaranteed medals, the only question was if it would be a gold or silver medal.

Middleweight Desmond Amsterdam was impressive as he claimed Gold to retain the title he won last year.

Amsterdam dispatched of Keenan Mortley of St Lucia while Bantamweight Keevin Allicock won Gold in his fight by dominating his Bajan opponent Ajayi Jones.

Former West Indies Captain now UWI/ CCC Scout Floyd Reifer during his session on Sunday at the DCC Ground

Georgetown Zone Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” final

Caribbean Boxing Championships

Guyana strike 3 golds &1 silver

He said that while was impressed with the little he has seen from his few days in Guyana, he admitted that the players still had a long way to go and he hopes the programme will help to solve those issues, moving forward.

“This is the first time I’m here (in Guyana) so I will be instilling in the guys what it takes to be a professional cricketers, they have the talent but obviously things are lacking like their fitness level and how they prepare.

This initiative is for me to highlight to these students what is required to play first class cricket”, He ended.

Reifer will continue his assessment over the next few days with more simulations and practice sessions at various venues, already on the card. He also thanked the University of Guyana for being a part of the drive to unearth the best possible players for the future.

Light Welterweight Colin “Superman” Lewis reclaimed his title as well winning Gold ahead of Jessie Jones while lightweight Joel “Stone” Williamson had to settle for silver after narrowly losing his final to Michael Alexander of Trinidad .

Team Grenada was crowned the champions of the CBC. The Spice Island dominated most of the categories to seal their first Caribbean title.

Grenada won 18 medals at the championships, followed closely by Barbados in second. Defending champions Guyana finished 3rd, while team St. Lucia behind an outstanding gold medal performance by Lyndell Marcellin, finished 4th at the championships.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, Guyana Boxing Association President Steve Ninvalle explained; “It’s what we expected. Had we sent a larger team we would have retained the Caribbean title with ease. The boxers and coaches have been hard at work and the results prove just that. All of the boxers who participated at Caribbean Championship will be on show Boxing Day on the Sons of Champions card organized by the Guyana Boxing Association and Briso Promotions”.

The GBA boss expressed congratulations to the team for yet again making Guyana proud.

(Michelangelo Jacobus)

n impartial and large crown witnessed possibly the end of an era as Gold is Money needled Sparta Boss to become the new champions of the Georgetown Zone of the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” on Saturday night, at Demerara Park in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

After throwing down the gauntlet in the build up to the final, Gold is Money’s standout player Randolph Wagner turned in a performance worthy of the final.

It was truly a clash for the ages despite the score line as b o t h sides played breath taking football; however the West Ruimveldt outfit managed to peg Sparta back for long periods of the game and it was during one of those periods that Wagner stuck the dagger in.

Wagner fired in the lone goal of the game in the 26th minute to ignite huge celebrations among the throngs of supporters of the team.

Gold is Money continued to press for another goal and Sparta tried to counter but Wagner’s strike would be the only goal of the game.

The former champions who have been experiencing one of their leanest periods in the street format saw a lapse in concentration account for the goal after Sheldon Shepherd overcompensated in attack only to expose the goal and Wagner finished a pass from the back with aplomb.

Gold is Money w e n t home with $500,000, the winning trophy and an automatic berth in the national playoffs, while Sparta Boss was compensated with $250,000 and a trophy.

Earlier in the third place

playoff, Leopold Street dominated Bent Street with a 3-0 drubbing thanks to a Guinness Goal from Tyrese Forde in the 27th minute, while Orandel Wiliams struck in the ninth minute to give them an early lead.

They pocketed $200,000 and a trophy, while Bent Street collected $100,000 and a trophy for their efforts.

In the Plate Section, North East La Penitence grabbed the $60,000 winner-take-all on offer with a narrow 1-0 win over Kingston.

K e l v i n Morre’s 26th minute effort was all it took to secure the win for North East.

Meanwhile, Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste speaking after the conclusion of the night’s proceedings said he was heartened by the support from the fans and communities and promised that the event is here to stay.

The next Zone competition will see the “Greatest of the Streets” head to the West Coast Demerara which is expected to commence in January at the Pouderoyen Market Tarmac.

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

monDAY, december 18, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Georgetown Zone Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” final

Sparta no more the Boss Pg 23

– Leopold Street finish 3rd New champions! Gold is Money dethroned Sparta Boss on Saturday night at Demerara Park

Pg 23

Caribbean Boxing Championships

Guyana strike 3 golds & 1 silver – finish 3rd overall

L-R: Silver medalist Joel Williamson; Keevin Allicock (gold); Coach Terrence Poole; Colin “Superman” Lewis (gold) and Desmond Amsterdam (gold)

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