Guyanatimes 1 february 2018

Wales job fair

PSC Chairman backs establishment of industrial zone P9 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3468

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, February 1, 2018

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Venezuela rejects UN’s referral of border controversy to ICJ

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

P11 Armed bandits rob, beat visually impaired victims

Page 3

…Police fail to respond to cries for help promptly

…Guyana Govt to go all out to fund legal team – President Granger vows

Jagdeo to Nagamootoo: PPP not divided ...says older comrades must guide younger, future leaders

Miner remanded for ganja under P8 plant pot

Page 7

…exposes Govt’s desperate attempts to regain confidence of sugar workers

Guyana, Cuba to increase trade, cooperation

Campbellville couple nabbed with cocaine in P2 home

– as President accredits new Ambassador Page 14

High wine, toothpaste thief fined

P8

National cyclist before the courts P8 yet again for assaulting wife Newly-accredited Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Narciso Reinaldo Armador Soeorro taking the customary salute at State House on Wednesday moments before formally handing over his credentials to President David Granger

Lindo Creek CoI

Govt handpicks Trotman’s father to conduct inquiry – PPP unsure about participation in unilateral inquiry ...concerned about nepotism, political motives behind decision

3 remanded for trafficking narcotics P16

See stories on pages 12 and 16

Wales Estate closure

Former workers demand land, severance

Oil and gas sector

Page 13

If contract appears illegal, challenge it – economist …calls mount for national oil spill contingency plan

P11

2 news

thursDAY, February 1, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Campbellville couple nabbed Teen robbed of passport, other items with cocaine in home A A Craig Street, Campbellville, Georgetown couple are now in the custody of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) following the discovery of over one kilogram of cocaine in their home.

Based on reports received, ranks of the drug enforcement unit swooped down on the property on Tuesday where they conducted a search during which the cocaine was discovered.

Upon the discovery, the owners – Andre Gomes, called “Zipper” and his wife – were arrested. They are expected to be charged shortly.

Guyana Times understands that a quantity of cash, jewellery and other valuables were seized by the

The couple’s Campbellville, Georgetown home

Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD) man was on Wednesday morning robbed

at gunpoint in the vicinity of the No 44 Minibus Park, Longden Street, Georgetown.

CANU ranks.

Reports are the couple have been under surveillance by drug enforcement officers for quite some time now. Two weeks ago, CANU conducted a raid at several houses at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, resulting in the arrest of two siblings and discovery of over two kilograms of cocaine concealed in the ceiling of one of the houses.

In addition, several vehicles and an undisclosed sum of cash were seized. One of the siblings was charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. She pleaded guilty to the charge, and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment and fined $17 million.

teenager was on Tuesday evening relieved of a haversack containing one Guyana Passport with a valid United States Visa and $4000 after disembarking a passenger minibus at North Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Shaqueal Blair, a student of Lot 312 Lamaha Park, Georgetown, reportedly exited the bus in the vicinity of Kaikan Street, North Ruimveldt and two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, accosted him and

Police hunting “Lil Man” for armed robbery of security guard

A Sisters Village man robbed at gunpoint A Rohan Persaud, 27, was relieved of one mobile phone valued $30,000 by four men, one of whom was armed with a hand gun and another with a knife.

Reports are Persaud was walking on the pavement about 05:30h when he was confronted by the suspects, who held him at gun-

point and relieved him of the phone.

After committing the act, the men escaped on foot. The matter was reported and based on information gathered, one of the suspects was identified as “Lil Boy”.

An investigation has been launched.

demanded that he hand over his valuables.

The 19-year-old recalled standing at a double corner which was poorly lit when he felt an object placed to his back and as he turned around, he realised that one man, accompanied by another, was holding a gun to his head.

They then relieved him of the haversack containing the articles and successfully made their escape. The matter was reported and an investigation was launched.

security guard is now counting his losses after he was pounced upon by three armed men who escaped with his valuables on Wednesday morning.

Edgar Cruickshan, 37, of Bent Street, Werk-en-Rust, was attacked around 05:30h while he was in the vicinity of the Route 47 bus park.

According to reports, Cruickshan was walking along the Longden Street when he was confronted by

the three men.

He was pushed into a wall and the men searched his pockets taking his cellphone valued $70,000 and $7000 in cash.

They then escaped on foot, north along the said street. A report was made at the Brickdam Police Station and the name of one of the suspects was given as “Lil Boy”.

An investigation is ongoing.

3 Venezuela rejects UN’s referral of border controversy to ICJ news

thursDAY, February 1, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, February 1 – 05:00h-06:30h and Friday, February 2 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, February 1 – 16:35h-18:05h and Friday, February 2 – 05:50h-07:20h.

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

WEATHER TODAY

Light rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, with partly cloudy skies expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly to North North-easterly between 4.47 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 05:09h and 17:25h reaching maximum heights of 2.73 metres and 2.85 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:58h and 23:25h reaching minimum heights of 0.48 metre and 0.37 metre respectively.

...Guyana Govt to go all out to fund legal team – President Granger vows

Venezuelan people over the territory of Essequibo, which the neighbouring State refers to as “Guayana Esequiba”.

By Vahnu Manickchand

O

ne day after the United Nations (UN) announced that it would be sending the border controversy between South American neighbours Guyana and Venezuela before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a judicial settlement, Venezuela has strongly rejected the move while Guyana’s President vowed to leave no stone unturned to secure a successful outcome for the Guyanese people by utilising all the resources necessary to adequately prepare for the case.

This is despite a statement by Nicolás Maduro Administration on Wednesday criticising the

Guyana’s preparations

President David Granger

reach an acceptable, practical and satisfactory solution to the dispute…The Geneva Agreement itself provides for the political means for the settlement of the territorial dispute. In this sense,

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decision by the UN to refer the border controversy to the World Court, maintaining that the matter should be settled through the 1966 Geneva Agreement.

“The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, faithful to its historical tradition and in accordance with the Bolivarian Diplomacy of Peace, reiterates its firm disposition to defend the territorial integrity of our homeland and maintain political negotiation based on the 1966 Geneva Accord, as the only way to reach a peaceful solution, practical and satisfactory for both parties and in favour of our peoples,” a translated statement from the Bolivian Government outlines.

According to the Venezuelan Aministration, the Geneva Agreement provides for a political settlement of the controversy between the neighbouring States, as it reiterates it strong opposition previously expressed on this means of settlement. The February 17, 1966 Agreement gave the UN Secretary General the responsibility to choose a means of peaceful resolution of the dispute and the possibility of finding another way in case it does not succeed.

“The Secretary General’s communication goes beyond the successive nature of the means of peaceful settlement established by the Geneva Agreement as a methodology established to

Venezuela ratifies in a decisive and unequivocal manner the negotiation process under these means,” it added.

The missive from Caracas went on to detail that during 2017, Venezuela maintained its historical position in the

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

process of good offices of the UN Secretary General, privileging the high national interest and the permanent vindication of the legitimate and inalienable rights of the

But President David Granger maintains that Venezuela has no legitimate claim to any part of Guyana’s territory. He was adamant that the borders of the two countries were agreed upon and settled via the indisputable 1899 award.

He has also stated that Government intends to retain the “best advice” and “best legal support” for which it will be expending every legal resources to ensure that it has a “proper” defence team to finally settle the issue. turn to page 14

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thursDAY, February 1, 2018

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

The Venezuelan border controversy

T

he United Nations Secretary General has just accepted Guyana’s position that the controversy Venezuela created in 1962 over the validity of the “full and final” 1899 Arbitral Award, be sent to the World Court (the ICJ).

We publish the following background on the controversy compiled by historian, Dr Odeen Ishmael: “The claim by Venezuela to the area West of the Essequibo River had actually recommenced in 1949 following the publication of a memorandum written by Severo MalletPrevost, a lawyer in the team that conducted the Venezuelan case before the arbitral tribunal in 1899. The memorandum written in 1944 claimed that the award which settled the boundary between Venezuela and Guyana in 1899 was a result of a "political deal" between Great Britain and Russia. A Russian Judge was the Chairman of the five-member arbitral tribunal.

In February 1962, when the UN Fourth Committee was discussing the issue of independence for British Guiana, Venezuela, basing its case on the Mallet Prevost memorandum, officially made its contention through a memorandum presented to the Secretary General of the UN. The memorandum alleged that the Arbitral Award of 1899 was invalid, and put forward the claim that the region west of the Essequibo River was Venezuelan territory.

In reply to the Venezuelan contention, Sir Patrick Dean, a special British representative to the UN, on September 19, 1962, took the position that the border dispute had been settled by the 1899 Award, and that the question could not be reopened on the posthumous word of an aged lawyer who had nursed grievances against the Tribunal for the whole of his life. In his lengthy address to the Special Political Committee of the UN, Dean repudiated all Venezuelan claims to Guyanese territory.

The border issue was further discussed at another meeting of the UN Special Committee on November 12, 1962. At that meeting, Dr Marcos Falcon Briceno, Minister of External Relations of Venezuela, said that his country was not asking the UN to pass judgement on the substance of his country's claim, and that he was merely putting on record the reasons why Venezuela could not recognise the 1899 Award as valid.

The British Deputy Permanent Representative at the UN, Colin Crowe, replied that the British Government did not accept that there was any frontier dispute to discuss.

He added that British experts conducted a very thorough examination of the records and were completely satisfied that there was no justification whatsoever for reopening this frontier question.

Crowe announced that the British Government, with the concurrence of the Government of British Guiana, was prepared to discuss with the Venezuelan Government, through diplomatic channels, arrangements for a tripartite Venezuela-British Guiana-United Kingdom examination of the voluminous documentary material relevant to this question.

He added that this was not an offer to engage in substantive talks about the revision of the frontier but to dispel any doubts which the Venezuelan Government had about the validity or propriety of the Arbitral Award.

After an agreement to this effect was reached between the British and Venezuelan Governments, Venezuelan experts examined British documents in London from July 30 to September 11, 1963... On November 5-7, 1963, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Venezuela met the Foreign Secretary of the UK to review the progress in the examination of the documents. The Foreign Ministers agreed that the British expert, Sir Geoffrey Meade, should go to Caracas to examine any documents which the Venezuelan Government might wish to produce to support their allegation that the Award was improperly arrived at. Meade was in Caracas from December 3 to 12, 1963, and examined the relevant documents produced by the Venezuelan Government. (The examination of documents in the two capitals by both sides continued in 1964 and into 1965 and the reports of the experts appointed by each side were exchanged. Nevertheless, Venezuela refused to be convinced even though it could not produce any document to support its contention).”

The “Geneva Agreement”, the basis of the UN Secretary General’s decision, was hammered out in negotiations on February 16-17, 1966, between Britain, Venezuela and British Guiana.

Tom Kerss, an astronomer at Royal Observatory Greenwich, said the exact moment of full moon – when the moon sits opposite the sun in the sky. Pictured: The moon rises behind the Uppatasanti Pagoda seen from Naypyitaw in Myanmar (dailymail.co.uk)

Guyanese can do much better than the coalition Dear Editor, Guyana can pay attention to the lessons of its history as it relates to democracy, its meaning, and the consequences of losing it. Democracy very simply means choosing a Government whereby citizens go to the polls to cast a vote for the Government of their choice.

Under this system, the Government chosen is an expression of the will of the people of the State.

Democracy is lost when the electoral process of choosing a Government is interfered with, or rigged, so that the will of the people is subverted and a dictatorship, or Government of oppression, is installed.

We are fairly familiar with how rigged elections are conducted. This in essence includes removing original votes cast and replacing them with fake votes. Other mechanisms include frustrating the voting process so that certain sections or groups of persons do not get to cast their ballots. In summary, rigged elections mean that peoples’ votes are ‘stolen’. In this situation, the resulting government, having committed the ultimate lawless act against the people of stealing their votes, has upturned the State’s rule of law, and can now proceed to implement whatever system of economic mismanagement and corruption it desires, in addition to carrying any other

lawless deeds.

Previous examinations of the period of Burnham’s and the People’s National Congress’ (PNC) Government up until 1992 have established they were rigged from as far back as 1968. This included the killing of a number of persons who sought to try to stop the stealing and stuffing of ballot boxes. The persons killed fighting to maintain Guyana’s democracy to date stand as Guyana’s unsung heroes and martyrs in the nation’s struggle for democracy with the PNC. His Excellency David Granger, a major in the Army at the time and now noted historian, could do justice to Guyanese history and document this period for us with his first-hand experience. His accession to Guyana’s highest office will stand out as an achievement in Guyana’s history since Guyanese went to extreme lengths to overcome racial stigmatisation and stop the corruption of the former People’s Progresive Party (PPP) Administration by installing an individual who has been widely documented as being part and parcel of the political machinery that systematically trampled Guyana’s democracy, killed people in the process, and proceeded to run down and destroy Guyana’s economy up until 1992.

In respect of the PPP and sugar workers’ involvement in cramping output in

the sugar industry in political protest, the question we have to seriously consider is: Given that our national elections were being systematically rigged, people were being killed trying to stop this, and Guyana’s democracy was being trampled, were the PPP and sugar workers wrong to protest the PNC’s rigged elections and false rule? Why weren’t we all protesting the rigging of elections? Why didn’t the entire country come out against Burnham and the PNC? Answering these questions should help us confront the serious problems that we still grapple with.

Under rigged elections of the PNC years, Guyana lost its democracy and Guyana was sent into poverty.

But who would have thought that it could get worse than under the PPP since 2015? This PNC-led coalition Administration has demonstrated in no uncertain terms that this is achievable. The coalition considers the power vested in it by the Constitution gives it the right to proceed to oppress us again with its questionable, if not grossly errant economic policies, (VAT on basic goods, increased taxes and fees, its notion that Guyanese should become entrepreneurs instead of Government stimulating job creation) which has checked economic growth and stifled prospects for

higher wages and welfare growth. This is in addition to its suspicious dealings in respect of our national resources, and its brazen attempt to enforce contracts that pilfer taxpayers’ money, notably the bond deal.

It should be noted that such contracts are now very probably on the low because of the bad publicity generated. Rest assured if our media ever lightens up, we can very probably expect more of these. The coalition continues to make much ado about oil, but after examining the contents of the contract, can Guyanese seriously expect more than the now standard five per cent post 2020?

Knowing that rigged elections cedes our democracy, rule of law and results in gross economic mismanagement, are we prepared to return to government under the coalition Administration? Can the coalition win in 2020 with its policy matrix? For those of us who continue to preach about the vain hope for change in our two parties, and those who engage in living on false hopes, these are some of the questions we need to seriously consider. I submit that Guyanese can do much better than the coalition. Our failure to deliver better results will only produce results we could do well without.

Yours faithfully, Craig Sylvester

guyanatimesgy.com

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5

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

The Crime Triangle Ingratitude at City Hall

Dear Editor, There is a concept called the Fire Triangle – without sufficient heat, a fire cannot continue. Without fuel, a fire will stop. Without sufficient oxygen, a fire cannot begin, and it cannot continue. Therefore, oxygen, fuel and heat must come into play for a fire to start or continue. Correspondingly, there is what Cohen and Felson's Routine Activities Theory described as “the Crime Triangle” – without an offender, the crime will not occur. Without a victim, the crime cannot occur. Without a location for the offender and victim to come into contact with each other or sufficient proximity the crime cannot occur. According to Ralph B Taylor, the Crime Triangle is a model that illustrates how three elements – motivated suspect, suitable victim and adequate location are required for a crime to occur.

He argues that crime is presumed amenable to suppression if any of the three legs of the triangle is removed or neutralised.

In the Crime Triangle, location is a critical element.

However, many law enforcement agencies pay most focus on the criminals and to a less-

er extent the victims, while the location is almost left untouched. At some locations issues may arise be it political, economic, social, technological, legal or environmental which may greatly contribute to crime. Unless they are effectively addressed, crime will flourish. As the Police dismantle one gang, others will emerge because issues in the environment which are conducive to crime and criminal behaviour are not sufficiently dealt with. This is because the root cause of crime is neglected.

There is another Crime Triangle presently in place comprising of the Government, the Police and the community. The Government input includes providing resources and the establishment of several Government Ministries and departments to focus on the communities to make them safer and to promote a better life for all. These Ministries and departments are doing a good job in patches but there is the need for them to strive for excellence at all times.

The honeymoon is over. It is time for delivery. On the other hand, the Police have been involved in many communities – oriented problem-solv-

ing activities in a large number of communities to reduce crime and the fear of crime.

Senior Superintendent Stephen Mansell has been carrying the gold medal for Police community activities.

Hope that the Police will find a way to utilise his knowledge and skills and that others will pick up from where he left off.

Also in progress is the reform of the Guyana Police Force.

I am not aware what form it will take. The British security expert has submitted his report on reform. It is not yet public knowledge.

The challenges faced by the Police are many. They defy anyone – shot solution.

However, involvement between the Government, the Police and members of the communities in dealing with the root causes of crime is an effective tool to promote crime reduction and reduce the fear of crime. It calls for a great amount of cooperation and coordination among the stakeholders. The strategy will be fruitful. There must however be sustainability.

Sincerely, Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (retired)

Lack of minimal care and sensitivity at public hospitals Dear Editor, Who among us can ignore the very touching report by Dr Mark Devonish in the media about the ignominious, downright uncouth, unprofessional and utterly insensitive treatment meted out to him and his family on the occasion of the serious illness and eventual death of his young brother at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

All of which resonated with my own recent report of similar mal-treatment to me and others by the staff of the Skeldon Public Hospital.

I was disappointed, but not surprised, by one of the negative reactions to my recommendation that the public hospitals should be ‘privatised’ and the money thus saved be otherwise used by the Government instead of paying for the ‘ugly, no-professional’ services (what a mis-nomer!) being provided

by the constantly demanding staff of these public institutions who are acutely self-centred rather than service-oriented.

I repeat my prayer and call on my Guyanese compatriots to demand corrective action by the powers that be without much more delay, lest our so-called hos-

pitals be fully converted into morgues!

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

Dear Editor, One can only wonder what is the understanding of the Mayor of Georgetown with regards to the meaning of the words ‘interventionist’ and ‘intervention’ which she used to describe the actions of the Local Government Minister who sought to restore good sense to City Hall in their recent proscribed land grabbing crusade in the Bel Air Park area.

How come the Mayor did not consider the Communities Minister and Central Government stepping in with a $25 million bailout to the City Council for the completion of repairs of Kitty Market to allow vendors to once again be re-located to their rightful places meddling in Council’s affairs? And this is in spite of a number of defects iden-

tified in the works completed by the Council, and the fact that a detailed work report is still to be presented to full City Council for notification of how the project was undertaken.

How come the Mayor did not consider the Public Infrastructure Minister and Central Government pumping in $472.5 million for the development of the Stabroek Market Wharf area meddling in Council’s affairs?

Why did the Mayor not object to the Central Government on the recommendation of the Communities Minister doling out approximately 400 million dollars to the two major garbage contractors to foot a bill created by City Hall and recklessly ignored for years?

Should the Mayor not

deem as interference the maintenance of all of the roads in the city, the replacement of defective street lighting, the policing of the streets of Georgetown utilising the services of the national Police, the fogging of the City’s wards by the Public Health Ministry to keep down the mosquito problem, the clearing and maintenance of the drainage systems and outfall channels by Central Government of development and the 150 million dollars to rehabilitate the cemetery?

Paul Bamikole once said “Ingratitude makes man an animal, even worse, for some animals do have a way of saying thank you when you do them a favour; take a dog for instance.”

Sincerely, Anu Bihar

Is City Council beyond redemption?

Dear Editor, Is the Georgetown City Council beyond redemption?

How much longer must the citizens of our capital city be subjected to the daily vicissitudes of City Hall? There is hardly a day that passes by without one learning of some outrageous, egregious and extremely corrupt activity being exposed. One can only imagine how much else goes on there without detection.

We have just learnt that the Town Clerk of Georgetown has granted permission for a vendor to construct a two-storey building in the Stabroek Market Bazaar, without the knowledge or consent of the markets and Public Health Committee of the Council,

without the knowledge and consent of the full Council, and without the permission and consent of the National Trust. This building and its environs is a heritage site.

This is just another bizarre episode in a string of uncanny occurrences ongoing at City Hall for the last two and a half years.

The Town Clerk of Georgetown, is above the laws of the land, in fact he would seem to be the law, as none of his predecessors were able to get away with a fraction of what he has.

He has stumbled from one fiasco to the next, to the next in an unending series of debacles, whether it was the unlawful parking meter initiative, or the Bel Air

Park, Lamaha Gardens and Subryanville playgrounds, to the garbage contractors crises, to the Abattoir hydraulic pump and stun gun predicaments, to a juvenile rape, to the unsavory treatment of vendors, to the Kitty Market and Stabroek Market Wharf calamities, to the Merriman’s Mall scandal and the list goes on and on.

Why is it that dozens of Commissions of Inquiries are being held at various entities in the country and not at the Georgetown City Council which is fraught with corruption, scandals, exploitation, venality, and vice.

Sincerely, Nadine Jerrick

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Foundation

adult to resist the urge to avoid risks – “I’ll just fail anyway” – to identify the sources of his anxiety and depression – “You’ll never amount to anything.” and, “Your life is a waste.” – and to take control of his psychological well-being, so that he could construct new ways of thinking about his life and his self-worth.

Let’s take a look a t

By John D Rich Jr, PhD

“B

ill!...William Johnson!” his mother called to him. He could tell she was angry.

“What?!” he called back, ready for an argument.

“Get down here!”

“All right. Coming.” Bill came downstairs, his feet thudding with each step, his shoulders tight and drawn up. He tried to downplay whatever crisis his mother was so upset about. “Hey, Mom. What’s up?”

“Look at this. You see this?” She pointed to each item as she named it. “Your coat. On the floor. Your shoes. On the floor next to your coat. Oh, and look!

There are your socks, your shirt and your bookbag!”

“Sorry, Mom. I’ll put everything away now.”

His mother wasn’t going to let it go that easily.

“You’re G—D— right, you’ll put it away now.” She hit him across the back of the head. “I suppose you think I’m here to just clean up after you. I’m your servant?”

“No. I don’t think that. I forgot.”

“You sure do forget things easily. You say you want to be a doctor when you grow up? How’s someone so stupid ever gonna be a doctor?”

That hurt. Now, it was time to fight back. “Look who’s talking? You never even graduated from high

guyanatimesgy.com

school!”

His mother hit him hard across the face.

“Don’t you dare talk to me like that!”

And on and on it will go. When he was younger, Bill just took his mother’s criticisms silently, without ever thinking about bringing a comeback.

But as he got older, he began fighting fire with fire. What he wasn’t aware of was, despite the brave front he put on, the comments about being “stupid” and “no good,” about how he wasn’t “never gonna amount to nothing,” were taking their toll. His mother’s voice was gradually becoming his own.

As he got older, he learned to put on a hard shell to

ward off the feelings of hurt, but his core bel i e f s a b o u t himself had been constructed already. He would have a lot of work to do when he was an

this same parenting problem, but this time using a different, less damaging approach.

“Bill? Can you come down here please?”

Bill came downstairs.

“What’s up?”

“Can I just ask you to look around, and tell me what you see?”

Bill scanned the room, and knew immediately what was wrong.

“Sorry, Mom. I’ll put everything away now.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it. In the future, please try to remember without me asking?”

“I’ll try. Sometimes I forget.”

His mother touched him on the face and looked into his eyes. “I know. I forget things sometimes, too. It’s ok. Just try to do me a favour and make it part of your day.”

“You got it, Mom.” See the difference?

In the first vignette, the mother begins the interaction with a conflictual tone, uses insults and physical violence to make her point, and in so doing, conflates her son’s mistake with her son’s global worth. In the second vignette, you can almost feel the playful, safe atmosphere, which allows her son to own up to the mistake, and opens the door for the two of them to discuss an informal understanding for the future. In addition, the son is not walking away from the potential conflict with the feeling that he is somehow a less valuable person because of his error. In fact, it’s possible that he walks away feeling closer to his mother because she admits to a similar forgetfulness on her part. The difference between the violent and affectionate touch is also striking.

In my years of writing, I have become accustomed to some pushback from a sample of readers for suggesting that parents approach their interactions – especially the ones which involve disagreement or confrontation – with kindness and respect. Some parents react to this suggestion by claiming that it leads to spoiling, and that this kind of “liberal” talk about positive parenting is why the younger generations are so entitled and disregarding of adult authority.

I’ve also frequently heard something to this ef-

fect: “Well, if I did anything wrong when I was young, my father would slap the ___ out of me. And I turned out ok. Sometimes a child just needs a good smack.”

A few rebuttals: 1) I have no idea whether you “turned out ok” just because you say so. 2) Who is to say that, if your father had been more respectful of your worth as a person and your psychological well-being, you might not have “turned out” much better? 3) There is a wide body of research that suggests that children who are “spoiled” are more likely the product of permissive or neglectful parenting, not the type of parenting that insists on responsibility and consequences without resorting to physical or emotional violence. 4) If you must insist on there being “some times” when a child needs a more stern intervention than my approach advises, then I would urge you to, at the very least, identify what those times are, and then make a commitment to only use those methods of yours when those times arise. Often, parents who wish to give themselves the freedom to use corporal punishment and/or verbal assault, do so by saying that it is a necessary tool in the parenting arsenal (violent imagery intended), but find themselves using these methods more frequently than any other, for lack of creative ideas about how to address misbehaviour otherwise. 5) Since the research that I have mentioned, which I have written about extensively on my own website, is consistent and clear that positive parenting practices are actually more effective than more aggressive, punitive practices in creating long-lasting behavioral change, a question needs to be answered. If the positive parenting practices, which seek to infuse parent-child interactions with warmth, responsiveness and respect are at least equally effective at raising well-behaved children as the more aggressive methods, doesn’t the former sound better? If you are choosing between two alternatives, one of which is negative, confrontational and potentially damaging, and the other is an attempt to incorporate kindness and empathy into parenting, why wouldn’t you choose the one that matches all of humanity’s highest aspirations, right there in your home, with your precious child?

(Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

news

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thursDAY, February 1, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Jagdeo to Nagamootoo: PPP not divided ...says older comrades must guide younger, future leaders …exposes Govt’s desperate attempts to regain confidence of sugar workers

Priya Manickchand

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

By Michael Younge

T

here are no divisions or power struggles within the leadership of the People’s Progressive Party between its older and respected politicians and the younger comrades who are now being groomed to assume more responsibility within the 68-year-old political party structure.

This was the position of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo who on Wednesday poured cold water on accusations which he described as baseless being made by leading personalities with the governing People’s National Congress-led A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change coalition (PNC-APNU/AFC).

Jagdeo said having read the media reports from the heavily politicised and controlled State-owned Guyana Chronicle and its sister Department of Public Information, one cannot help but recognise the amount of editorial effort being placed on concocting stories and controversies aimed at turning the public’s attention away from the Government’s skullduggery with respect to the sugar industry and the many corruption scandals at its door steps.

“There is no power struggle between our comrades.

Our Party welcomes all per-

sons, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or any other differentiating factor to join us. We value our members and their contributions to the Party and, by extension, to Guyana,” the Opposition Leader remarked.

He stated emphatically that he also believed “strongly that as we move forward, some of our more experienced comrades have a larger role to play in grooming younger members to take up the leadership mantel. We cannot prepare for the future otherwise”.

Jagdeo, who is also the serving PPP General Secretary, said it appears that some politicians and media houses with clear political agendas were seeking to make him their “scapegoat” while seeking to pit him against the other older folks with the PPP bureaucracy.

Turning his attention to former PPP Executive Member and now Alliance For Change elder Moses Nagamootoo’s statements to sugar workers and the press with respect to the crises being faced by the industry and GAWU’s representation, Jagdeo said that it was interesting that the Prime Minister has finally found his voice. “…he seems intent on projecting the view that he is a champion for GAWU. In all the months, from the per-

Adrian Anamayah

functory consultation held between Government and the political Opposition on the future of the sugar industry to the mass-firings of thousands of sugar workers, many of whom supported him and the AFC, Nagamootoo was silent.

In suddenly finding his voice, I think Nagamootoo has once again exposed the fact that he is an opportunist and indentured to President Granger and APNU,” Jagdeo posited.

The Opposition Leader also labelled the Prime Minister an “excuse-generating stooge” who having fooled rice farmers and sugar workers once before, seems to think that he can do it again by working public-relation spins.

“I want to make it clear that he is mistaken. Over the past three years, his spineless and venal character has been on full display and it evokes only revulsion. His recent rants, I believe, are also

Africo Selman

his latest attempts to rewrite history – as we saw with suggestions from the DPI report that he was subjected to a forced removal from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP),” he clarified.

He insisted that he values the hard working comrades and older comrades in the

PPP as they express support whenever attempts are being made to guide and groom younger leaders to assume critical positions in the PPP as the Party moves forward under one united banner.

These sentiments were expressed by Jagdeo, a former President who served

for several continuous years, following various exchanges in the media that suggested that some form of infighting was taking place in the PPP following pointed criticisms of statements made by PPP parliamentarian Komal Chand in his capacity as GAWU’s President.

8 news

thursDAY, February 1, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

National cyclist before the court yet again for assaulting wife

N

ational cyclist Alanzo Greaves, who seems to be in the habit of assaulting his wife, found himself before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts yet again for the same offence.

He appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore and had the assault charge dismissed when his spouse, Janelle Cox-Greaves refused to go ahead with the matter.

The charge against him stated that on January 28, 2018 at Garnett Street, Kitty in addition to assaulting CoxGreaves, he caused $205,200 worth of damage to her vehicle.

National Cyclist Alanzo Greaves

According to the facts of the matter, Greaves and Cox-Greaves were involved in an argument when he became enraged and punched her to her face. He then proceeded to use an object to damage he vehicle.

Cox-Greaves called the Police to the scene and as such, Greaves was charged with the offense. In 2017, he was also charged several times for the said offence of assaulting Cox-Greaves.

The International Cyclist Union (ICU) banned the sportsman from participating in cycling events after he tested positive for drugs.

Agricola man slapped with B&E charge

A

n Agricola, Greater Georgetown man who allegedly broke and entered the home of a fellow villager, making off with her money, including US$300, was on Wednesday ar-

raigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for the offence.

Twenty-nine-year-old James Moore, of Seventh Street, Agricola, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo

Azore and denied the allegation.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that he broke and entered Paulette Totten’s home and made off with the US cur-

rency as well as $90,000.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne had no objections to bail and as such, bail was granted in the sum of $250,000. The case will continue on February 28.

Phone cards theft lands Cummings Lodge man in court

A

27-year-old man, of Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, found himself before the courts on Wednesday after he reportedly stole a cell-

phone along with $20,000 worth of phone cards.

In the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday morning, Mohammed Hamid de-

nied that he robbed Jean Semple of the phone cards along with her cellphone.

The items were valued at $22,000 and $52,000 respectively.

The facts of the case were not presented in court; however, Hamid was granted $20,000 bail. The case will be called again on February 28.

High Wine, toothpaste thief fined A man who strolled into the Bounty Supermarket and stole two tubes of Colgate toothpaste, along with a bottle of High Wine, was placed before the Georgetown

Magistrates' Courts for the offence.

Victor Joseph, 52, of Berbice, told Magistrate Fabayo Azore that on January 27, 2018, he entered the Supermarket and

stole the items, because he needed them and had no cash to pay.

The court heard that when confronted by a staff member at the Supermarket, Joseph reportedly lied and

said that he had already paid for the items at the cashier.

As such, he was fined $2000 and warned by Magistrate Azore that he could not steal simply because he did not have money.

Miner remanded for ganja under plant pot

A

miner who was apprehended by the Police after cannabis was discovered hidden in his yard found himself before Magistrate Fabayo Azore on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Thirty-nine-yearold Randy Grant, a miner of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, denied the charge read to him by Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

The charge stated that on January 29, 2018 at West Ruimveldt, he had in his possession 704 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

According to Police Prosecutor Simone Payne, ranks acting on information carried out a search at Grant’s premises. It was during that search that the cannabis was discovered hidden under a plant pot in the yard.

As such, Grant was cautioned, arrested, taken into Police custody and later charged with the said offence.

He was remanded to prison until February 28, 2018, the date of his next court appearance.

Looking back…

Y

…cockeyed at oil contract our Eyewitness is informed that Sherwood Lowe’s a lecturer at UG. So he’ll take into account the turmoil he must be undergoing with the bowtied megalomaniac in charge of the place that Cheddi founded. Anyhow, Lowe waded in on the oil contract Trotman “renegotiated” with ExxonMobil – probably taking to heart the point made by one columnist that all Guyanese must make oil their business!

Lowe claims most of the critics are being “simplistic” and, worse of all, “politically” inflected, so it’s only fair that we subject his claims to the same metrics. On his very first point, Lowe says “oil exploration is a high risk venture”!! Well duh! None of the critics ever said it wasn’t…and is in fact the reason there’s been no criticism of the original contract signed by Janet Jagan back in 1999.

Then, only the US Geological Survey – utilising satellite imaging data – suggested we had huge oil and gas reserves off our shores. Jagan certainly didn’t know about that…but we can suspect the US oil companies had some idea. Asymmetry of information in the oil company’s favour – so Jagan can be excused her one per cent royalty and other expansive terms. Folks had been looking for oil in Guyana for a century – unsuccessfully.

But fast forward to 2016...and this is the elephant in the room Lowe ignores. Leading to the suspicion he’s politically inflecting his analysis to give Trotman and the Government a free pass. When Trotman insisted on sitting across the table from the high-priced Texas lawyers without any advisors of consequence – kinda like playing “Texas holdem” without even learning the rules! – OIL HAD ALREADY BEEN STRUCK!!

There was no risk involved then!! Of course, the oil company had sunk some serious cash to get to that oil at Lisa 1…but it wasn’t going to walk away if Trotman had demanded terms more in keeping with present day circumstances. Why did he throw in his hand? If he’d done some basic background checks, he’d have known the oil major had just walked away from Arctic and tarsands of Alberta reserves. Its book reserves had dipped precipitously and stockholders were getting skittish.

Trotman basically gave the store away when he didn’t have to…and that’s what the angst in Guyana is all about. No one can blame Exxon…they’re not Oxfam!!

They’re mandated to maximise shareholders equity.

They did what they had to do…and it’s not “robbery” as one of Lowe’s UG ex-colleague rudely claimed. But then that fellow’s has “robbery” on his brain!!

What your Eyewitness would advise is Lowe should acknowledge that the guiding mantra in these matters is “caveat emptor”. Buyer beware!!

Which Trotman still ignores. …at Lindo Creek massacre Your Eyewitness is thrown for a loop that in addition to announcing there will be MULTIPLE COI’s into Crime in Guyana – the PNC Government’s gone and said they’ll start with the Lindo creek murders.

Now even if they were keeping with their 2002-2009 timeline for the high crimes CoI’s, why start from the end, 2008 – which is when Lindo creek took place? Shouldn’t they follow Julie Andrews’ advice and ‘start at the very beginning”? Such an approach at least acknowledges the Bibical observation that things ‘beget” other things.

Lindo Creek didn’t just occur out of the blue… there were antecedent incidents that might explain it differently from the fella who witnessed it. Did he commit perjury in his sworn statement to a court of law?

That fella insisted it was Fineman’s gang – of which he was a member – that did the dirty deed.

Your Eyewitness feels the begetting of the crime wave began with the PNC protests when they refused to accept the December 1997 elections results.

Why don’t we start there? …at the border controversy The DPI claimed the Venezuelan border controversy began in “the 19th century”. No it DIDN’T!! That’s when the full and final Award was given.

The controversy was created in 1962 when Venezuela told the UN the above settlement was “null and void”!

What a dope!!

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

News

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thursDAY, february 1, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Wales job fair

PSC Chairman backs establishment of industrial zone

Persons in West Demerara benefited from a job fair at the Patentia tarmac on Thursday

C

hairman of the Guyana Private Sector Commission (PSC) Eddie Boyer says he supports calls for the establishment of a new industrial zone at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD), following the outcry of residents there about the negative impact of the closure of the estate and the dis-

missal of hundreds of workers.

Boyer was at the time addressing a gathering at the Commission’s job fair which was held on the Patentia, WBD tarmac, on Wednesday to provide potential employees with information on vacancies and job opportunities.

Describing the event as a suc-

cess, Boyer pointed to the favourable turnout to the job fair, even as he cautioned that training is needed to provide former sugar workers with skills to get gainful employment in other fields.

“We will look and see how we can do some skilled and unskilled training for our people because

people have to get jobs,” Boyer told Guyana Times.

The Roraima Group of Companies, Gafoors, National Hardware, Namilco, Sterling Products Limited, the Leonora Technical and Vocational Training Centre and the Guyana Police Force were some of the 22 participants at

the job fair. Gafoors Land of Canaan Factory Manager Kurmar Sharma told this publication that the company received about 100 applications but this newspaper understands that there are only vacancies that the company can actually fill.

Meanwhile, Commander of D Division (West Bank DemeraraEast Bank Essequibo) Leslie James told Guyana Times that many persons who were present at the event, sought information about recruitment to join the Guyana Police Force.

Commander James also observed that the event saw a favourable response. Earlier in the day, an opening ceremony was held which saw the presence of Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union representatives and several Members of Parliament.

This publication was told that the PSC plans to take the initiative to Enmore and Berbice where thousands of workers were recently retrenched by the Guyana Sugar Corporation.

72 Police Officers now certified as first responders S eventy-two Police Officers on Wednesday graduated from a Basic First Responder Training Course which is aimed at providing better care for injured persons.

The training which encompasses basic first response protocol, life support/ CPR and trauma were offered to the Guyana Police Force’s officers in order to reduce the number of preventable deaths at accidents, shooting and other

combat situations.

At the end of the training, the officers were required to sit an examination; only the officers scoring more than 70 per cent were certified at Wednesday’s programme.

In explaining the concept of the training process, Head of the Emergency Medical Service, Dr Zulfikar Bux highlighted instances in which persons were injured and due to the lack of proper first response care by Police, the victims were per-

manently injured or died.

“Please look after the lives of yourselves, your colleagues, and more importantly john public, they are the ones we serve,” he urged the officers.

Also speaking at the event was Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, who expressed the Force’s appreci-

ation to Dr Bux for working so efficiently with the officers in order to complete the training.

The Commissioner, in identifying the main reason for the course stated that, “A lot of deaths resulting from gunshot injuries aren’t cases where vital organs were damaged, people die from

shock and haemorrhage, they bleed to death.”

He went on to note that owing to this training course, this particular cause of death will be reduced. The Commissioner also touched on trauma kits which they have received through donation from The Association of Caribbean Commissioners

of Police. He stated that these kits are aiding in the execution of the course.

The 72 certified officers will now be tasked with responding to emergency scenes and doing their utmost best to lessen the number of fatalities arising from those situations.

10 news

thursDAY, FEBRuary 1, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cash-strapped NIS will go “belly up” as GuySuCo crumbles – Opposition advisor

T

he National Insurance Scheme (NIS) is the next large-scale institution in Guyana that will “go belly up” – a direct result of the current management of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), which for all intents and purposes is being sold off.

This dire prediction was outlined by Economic Advisor to the Opposition, Dr Peter Ramsaroop.

“The President or his

Finance Minister clearly did not think through the long-term impact of shutting down an entire industry placing thousands on the breadline at the same time.”

According to Dr Ramsaroop, “NIS is already in trouble, no way near to being a fiscally solid institution with its expenditure outstripping revenue in recent years along with some bad investments.”

He explained that the

Economic Advisor to the Opposition Peter Ramsaroop

institution currently spent more than it earned and has had to regularly tap into its reserves to make basic payments. “So, I am extremely worried that when the euphoria of the part severance payment wears off and life sets in, what the long-term economic effects will be.”

Dr Ramsaroop said the prevailing social circumstances were ripe for a large number of the laid-off sugar workers and their dependent family members in the near future – say three to five years – to make claims on the NIS, since they are of the belief that their contributions would have been made by GuySuCo. “Remember, we are talking about medical benefits that these now sick and unemployed sugar workers will be looking to claim,” the financial analyst said, as he predicted widespread chaos in the near future when thousands of workers turn up to NIS only to realise

they have “nothing to get”.

He told Guyana Times, based on available data, GuySuCo owes NIS in excess of $1.5 billion in contributions from sugar workers.

This, Dr Ramsaroop noted, is compounded by the fact that GuySuCo would have been deducting as statutory payments NIS contributions but never actually making payments – something that ought to be criminal if not already in the statute books.

“Imagine you are a sugar worker who has been toiling in the sun for 30 years and every fortnight or month GuySuCo takes out a certain sum from your salary to go towards NIS, so that in the future when you be-

come sick and the decades of working the cane fields begin to take effect and you turn up to NIS only to be told there are no contributions.”

The advisor told this publication it was inconceivable that the Finance Minister could not have known of this repercussion.

“Why do you think the PPP (People’s Progressive Party) continued to subsidise the industry … it is not about votes, the then Finance Minister (Ashni Singh) and the then Presidents understood the implication of shutting down that industry and its ripple effect on the other industries nationwide.

The goal was to diversify the industry to expanded value added chain. Sugar on its own was in trouble, sugar cane as high-end crystals, energy source to the national grid, ethanol production and other diversification as proposed for this five-year period by the PPP would have seen Guyana growing more sugar cane not shutting down an entire industry,” Dr Ramsaroop said.

He questioned what the real state of affairs was at NIS, since that organisation according to recent reports was being buoyed only by its investment in the Berbice Bridge – an investment that was roundly crit-

icised by those now in high offices and in charge of the management of the national economy, Dr Ramsaroop reminded.

The economic advisor to the Opposition noted that Finance Minister Winston Jordan has “time and time again demonstrated he has no clue as to what is happening in his Ministry and the knock-on consequences of their ad-hoc decision making which continues.”

Dr Ramsaroop added, “One only has to look at the raft of measures that they had put in place only to have them removed when the people cried out and they realised that it was making things worse, think of the VAT on education which had to be removed, think about the tributors’ tax on miners which had to be revisited.”

“These people are really clueless,” Dr Ramsaroop declared, as he chided the Administration over its handling of GuySuCo and has since warned that “things will only get worse as those now dependent workers will continue to put a strain on social services, another cost that have to be borne on the backs of taxpayers as a result of this government’s ‘card trick type’ attempts at managing a country and its economy.”

Doctors perform 1st rectal cancer surgery at Linden Hospital

T

he Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) in Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) continues to make strides in advancing the medical services offered to members of the public.

On January 26, a team of doctors, headed by Dr Yu Zijun, successfully performed the hospital's first radical resection of rectal carcinoma, a type of surgery for treatment of rectal cancer. The surgery was performed on a 53-year-old male. Also part of the surgical team were Dr Jin Zhen – an anaesthetist; Dr Geng Shouming – a Gynaecology consultant and Dr Joseph London, a resident surgeon.

Dr Yu Zijun, who spearheaded the team, specialises in this field in China.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Public Relations Officer (PRO) attached to the LHC, Toshanna Alicock, said the doctors who performed the surgery were very experienced, knowledgeable and committed to

Doctors performing the surgery at the LHC

their patients. She further encouraged members of the public to take advantage of regular screenings offered at the medical institution.

"We're very pleased that we were able to perform this

surgery at the LHC and more so that it was successful. We are encouraging persons to have regular checkups done to detect cancer in its early stage,” she indicated.

NEWS

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thursDAY, february 1, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Oil and gas sector

If contract appears illegal, challenge it – economist …calls mount for national oil spill contingency plan

Former presidential adviser and economist, Ramon Gaskin addressing a forum at the National Library

By Samuel Sukhnandan

F

ormer presidential advisor and economist, Ramon Gaskin has urged Guyanese to approach the courts if they feel the current oil contract signed between ExxonMobil and the Guyana Government breached the laws on petroleum exploration and operation under current laws.

Gaskin’s comment came from a question posed to him during a formal discussion on oil and gas and other topical issues facing Guyana at the National Library on Tuesday. The outspoken economist said Guyanese need to become more aware of the issues related to the

impending oil and gas sector.

“Any Guyanese could approach the courts to look at the matter. Anyone can do it. But you won’t get the politicians to renegotiate because they already said they won’t do it… Even a new Government can come into Government can’t change the contract… Eventually there is where you have to go,” he stated.

Making references to the Petroleum Act, Gaskin told the small gathering that Section Two of the Act speaks about property in petroleum being vested in the State and the State will have the exclusive right over it. He, therefore, questioned

why those exclusive rights have in a large way been given away.

Gaskin, a trained lawyer, told the forum that both ExxonMobil and the Government are in breach of the laws governing this sector. He noted that the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act sets out the provisions for companies operating in this sector.

However, ExxonMobil has more than 600 blocks, when the law allows prospecting licence the oil companies to get more than 60 blocks.

And he pointed out that while this same law stipulates that each company is allowed only 10 years maximum to explore for oil before they have to leave, Exxon has been here for close to 17 years now.

Gaskin maintained that Exxon’s “prospecting licence was up since 2009 and according to the Petroleum Act, they should have left already. Both the old 1999 and new agreement signed with ExxonMobil violates the laws of Guyana in many areas, and that should be noted,” he contends.

The outspoken economist also raised the point that there is nothing in the oil contract about insurance, expect that ExxonMobil is self-insured. This, he said, leaves cracks open especial-

ly when it comes to environmental protection from oil spills, which happens in most oil producing countries.

“So if they destroy the (fishes, marine life) out there, you will have to go to him and make your claim (the same guy who just did it). However, in the African agreements, the oil company is required to hire an independent international company to do the assessment, and not to self-insure.

“While it should be a legal requirement to provide a performance bond and guarantees, we allow them to provide themselves (Exxon), rather than from an independent financial institution or bank,” he said.

Another issue raised by Gaskin is the provision for site visits. “The Minister has to give a seven-day notice, and also pay for his own expense and transportation.

We should have people out there on the rig every day, seeing what’s taking place to guarantee that what we are getting is fair.”

Spills

While both ExxonMobil and Government have assured Guyanese that they have nothing to fear, as they are well prepared to take action in the event of an oil

Conservationist Annette Arjoon-Martins

spill of any magnitude, there are no specific provisions set out in the agreement to deal with any such issues.

However, in the event of an oil spill that could have massive impacts on the environment particularly sea life, the Minister is responsible for responding to it and at the end presents a bill to the oil company.

Conservationist, Annette Arjoon-Martins, says a lot work has to be done before Guyana can truly be protected from the effects of an oil spill. She has since called for a national oil spill contingency plan. “(So we) have to have a team of knowledgeable and capable people to respond and I would like to see that

(arranged),” Arjoon-Martins had told the media recently.

Since Exxon announced its oil find in the Liza-1 well in 2015, a pertinent question has been the capacity of the relevant agencies to protect the environment in case of an oil spill. It is a topic that has regularly been raised at public lectures.

Last year, President David Granger commissioned Guyana’s first oil spill response operation service at the Gaico Wharf at Nismes, West Bank Demerara. Gaico Oil Spill Response Operation Services, which was coined

by Komal Singh, was set up as a pre-emptive measure against probable spillage once production commence in the future.

The Gaico company began in 1991, with Singh working on small construction projects in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara). At the commissioning, Singh had stated that he had noticed that there are a number of near misses of oil spills and decided to pursue the avenue of preparing for one in Guyana.

He said the company has since invested in a supply boat to work alongside rigs and supply them with fuel and cargo, while preparing for any occurrence of an oil spill.

Armed bandits rob, beat visually impaired victims …Police fail to respond to cries for help promptly Me and another guy, a big man, named “Smoker”. He went outside to pick up some clothes and same time [I recalled] I had some clothes outside too and I went out to pick up my clothes,” he explained.

Robinson said that as the duo was in the process of locking the doors, sever-

President of the Guyana Society for the Blind, Cecil Morris

NCN broadcaster, Leroy Phillips

By Ramona Luthi

T

he headquarters of the Guyana Society for the Blind (GSB), located at Lot 44 High Street, Lombard Street, Georgetown, was on Tuesday evening robbed while some of its visually impaired members were brutally assaulted.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Wednesday morning, one of the victims of assault, identified as 27-yearold Anthony Robinson – who is visually impaired – explained that at around 22:00hs, he, in the company of an older man who was not visually impaired, went outside of the building to bring in the laundry.

“Last night, we were outside picking up some clothes.

GSB Board Member, Ganesh Singh

al men ambushed them and held them at gunpoint. “[They] start running to the sighted person, the big man who does watch over us in here, they run to he and they start asking he for the money and the keys. ‘Where’s the money and the keys?!

Where’s the money and the keys?!”

The 27-year-old, who still appeared to be traumatised, told Guyana Times that ac-

cording to the older gentleman, who was not available to speak to the media, there were four perpetrators who were armed.

He explained that one of the suspects hit him above the head, causing him to collapse on the ground, while ordering him [Robinson] not to move.

“They run to the big man back again and tell he that anytime he move, they gon shoot he,” the man recounted.

The visually impaired man said that the suspects continued to demand “money and the key”. However, upon realising duo they were attacking was not being helpful, the alleged bandits rushed to another section of the GBS, where other visually impaired persons were

gathered.

The perpetrators then assaulted at least four other members, before breaking the door to a storage room where they reportedly stole a laptop.

This publication was told that when the victims were ordered to empty their pockets and the bandits saw only a few hundred dollars, they [bandits] said “keep it” and fled the scene in a waiting vehicle.

One of the persons present at the time of the incident was a broadcaster attached to the National Communication Network (NCN), Leroy Phillips.

Phillips told this publication that he was in a classroom when he heard the commotion outside and as such, quickly ran into the washroom where he secured himself through the approximate 100-minute ordeal.

Further, Cecil Morris, the President of the GSB, explained that he was in his room, located in the organisation’s building, when the robbery began.

He said while the perpetrators did not assault him, he attempted to contact the Police but was greeted by an unfriendly female operator who “did not seem to know what she was doing.”

He said after calling other Police contact numbers, he

The Guyana Society for the Blind

was asked to wait for a patrol with ranks to arrive, but they never did.

“After speaking to them, I waited about 20 minutes and I got no response from them.

When I called them back, they gave me another phone number… Is Leroy had to call his friend that is in the Police Force and he [a Detective] came like 10 minutes after,” Morris said.

As such, he called for members of the Guyana Police Force to take the complaints and reports of the GSB seriously, since according to him, several robbery attacks have been staged on the entity on previous occasions and in most instances, Police fail to respond.

“This is a climax to what is happening in this area for a long time for persons who traverse this area who are being robbed and things

like that and when you call the Police, they could never ever come on time and sometimes they don’t come at all, most times they don’t come at all. We find this very annoying because our only hope of some kind of protection, we don’t get it from the Police,” he explained.

The GSB President also claimed that even after ranks visited the location this morning, no statements had been taken from the victims.

Member of the Board for the Guyana Society for the Blind, Ganesh Singh, disclosed to this newspaper that on a daily basis, the organisation would consist of 20 to 30 persons while in the evenings; there would be about five persons present.

Police have confirmed that an investigation has been launched. (Ramona Luthi)

12 news

thursDAY, February 1, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Lindo Creek CoI

Govt handpicks Trotman’s father to conduct inquiry – downplays reason for not including other massacres

T

he Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Lindo Creek Massacre of 2008 which claimed the lives of eight miners was officially sworn in on Wednesday, with a retired judge who is the father of a sitting Minister of Government being the lone commissioner handpicked for the job.

Retired Justice Donald Trotman, 80, took the oath of office before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the presence of Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Trotman is the father of the

to have been chosen to head the CoI by President David Granger and promised to adhere to strict principles of impartiality and fairness.

“There must be integrity, independence, and impartiality, and that must be sent and felt by the people concerned, the families concerned and the nation as a whole and those also who have entrusted this Commission with the responsibility of conducting the inquiry,” he added.

Trotman said the main objective of the CoI is to find the truth and to bring healing and closure to the nation

Retired Justice Donald Trotman receiving his instrument of appointment from Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

coalition’s Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, who is also the Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC).

Nevertheless, the retired Judge said he was pleased

as a whole. He said he hoped that the Lindo Creek and other inquiries would help bring about reconciliation among Guyanese. “We are looking to the past in order to

Retired Justice Donald Trotman addressing the media on Wednesday

make peace for the present.”

Justice Trotman, who has decades of experience serving in the legal profession, said that the process could not be seen as a one-man show, but rather the Commission would include all persons who know and have information and come forward to say what happened in the national interest and in the interest of Government.

Meanwhile, Minister Harmon said the CoI was a fulfilment of a promise made

by President Granger to have this matter properly investigated so as to bring justice to the families.

He said the Commission has been given an initial three-month period until the end of April, 2018 in which to operate. However, the Minister could not state how much would be spent on the CoI.

“The Commission of Inquiry will make recommendations on actions to be taken on all persons and/ or organisations that are deemed responsible for the death of those persons,” Harmon said.

When asked why the Government has only moved to start with the Lindo Creek Massacre and not those that took place in Lusignan and Bartica which had a much wider impact, the Minister attempted to downplay the issue.

To defend the Government’s position, Harmon said that the Massacre was still fresh in people’s minds.

“The information is much more recent, even though it’s been a long time, and the players who are likely to give evidence, most of those persons are here. In fact, only recently, I saw a letter from the mother of one of the persons who were killed in that time asking for something to be done,” he recalled.

The CoI will have the benefit of researchers, Harmon said. While the Commission will have its own staff, staff working for Government is also engaged in researching other massacres.

“So, this is about one and at the appropriate time, we may do the others based on what information is available and the availability of resources. This is the first of a series of inquiries that will be done.”

Questioned as to wheth-

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman and his father, Donald Trotman

er senior Police officials who have been implicated in this matter could be sent on leave, pending the inquiry, Harmon said that was a matter for the Commission to decide.

“I urge all persons who may have any information, to cooperate with the Commission by submitting statements and memoranda and be prepared to give evidence before it,” he urged Guyanese.

During a separate event, President Granger also sought to defend the reason behind launching a CoI into the Lindo Creek Massacre, stating that there have been over eight massacres.

“But [I] feel this particular one hurt families directly.

These are eight persons, people that were not involved or not even being suspected of being involved in any form of terrorism or wrongdoing.”

Describing the incident as a “massacre of the inno-

cence”, the Head of State said that his Government believed the way the investigation was handled indicated that there was a high level of collusion.

He also rejected suggestions to go several years before 2008 when other major criminal activities had plagued the country. “We are not going backwards, we are going forward,” he asserted.

Also, the Government had refused to begin the inquiry at the start of what has been called the PNC’s ‘mo fyah, slow fyah’ killings.

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

Legacy linked to unparalleled performance, service – Police Commissioner says ahead of retirement

By Vahnu Manickchand

W

ith just a few months remaining before his retirement, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud said the legacy he will leave behind is reflected in the work he had done for over 30 years in the Guyana Police Force.

The Top Cop, who is expected to retire sometime in April, made this comment on Wednesday when asked about his legacy.

“I’m not into making a legacy, my entire work in the Force was to address to issues to meet the objective of the Force and I never really consider (making a) legacy but what is there you all know,” he told media operatives in his first public interview since his return from an accumulated six-month leave.

Since his appointment to the office of Commissioner of Police, Persaud has spearheaded several projects, including the highly successful Social Crime Prevention Programme – all aimed at boosting public trust in the Police Force.

However according to the Top Cop, he is most proud of the establishment of the Fallen Heroes Foundation.

“The Fallen Heroes Foundation (is) providing welfare and education assistance to children of Police Officers who were killed in the line of duty,” the Police Commissioner stated.

Further asked whether he would be accepting the customary farewell parade upon his retirement, Persaud said, “There are traditional things that happen when senior officers in the Force retire and they’re under consideration.”

Persaud returned to work last Monday after being sent on a two-month “special leave” when he turned up for work back in November following a four-month annualised leave.

There were uncertainties over his return in light of recommendations made following a Commission of Inquiry into the Guyana Police Force’s handling of allegations of plans to assassinate President David Granger.

On March 29, 2017, Andriff Gillard reported to

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud talking to media operatives on Wednesday

the Police that his friend and neighbour, Nizam Khan, had offered him $7 million to assassinate the President.

He said the offer was made during a conversation between Khan and himself after he had approached Khan to borrow $6 million to purchase a property.

Following the allegation, President Granger commissioned an inquiry to investigate how the Police had done their investigation of the allegation, and to make recommendations to address

flaws and shortcomings of the Force.

Retired Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe headed the CoI and, in his recommendations, suggested that disciplinary actions be taken against Police Commissioner Persaud and that he be made to resign and investigated for perjury.

The Commission found that a proper investigation was not conducted into the allegation made by Gillard, owing to the interference of Persaud. Slowe reported that

the response by the Police was conditioned by the fact that Imran Khan, brother of the accused, has a close relationship with Persaud and other senior ranks of the Police Force.

“The Commission recommends that Commissioner Seelall Persaud should be made to resign his position as the Commissioner of Police for the Guyana Police Force, under such terms and conditions that His Excellency considers appropriate. Failing which, proceedings should be

initiated in accordance with Article 225 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to have him removed from the office for misbehaviour,” the report stated.

It was also recommended that Persaud be investigated for perjury since he told the CoI that he first knew about the allegation after 16:00h on March 29, in spite of Assistant Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken testifying that he informed Persaud of the allegation around 10:00h that morning.

However, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had stated that he was not in agreement with all of the recommendations of the report, which would have to be deliberated at the level of Cabinet.

In fact, when asked whether Commissioner Persaud will remain on the job until his retirement or will be asked to resign in keeping with recommendations made, the Minister told this newspaper almost two weeks ago that, “He is going to resume duty tomorrow until he retires.”

news

13

thursDAY, february 1, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Wales Estate closure…

Former workers demand land, severance

Andy McPherson demands that GuySuCo’s land be given out for young people to enter business ventures (Carl Croker Photo)

H

aving entered another year without the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) paying them their severance benefits, sugar workers formerly attached to the now defunct Wales Estate claim they had enough and on Wednesday expressed anger at the situation taking into account their colleagues at other estates are being paid their termination benefits.

The workers voiced their disdain at a job fair organised by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to provide information for unemployed persons on the West Bank Demerara.

The sugar workers who spent much of their working life at the Wales Estate are demanding answers as to when they will be paid their benefits. They contended that they are finding much difficulty in providing for themselves and family.

“Meh nah get me severance. I punishing right now.

If I get the money, I could turn over and do a lil business,” former Wales worker Michael Chootoo noted.

Some 375 Wales workers are without their benefits after they refused to take up employment at the Wales Estate on the contention that they cannot be compelled, under law, to travel 22 miles from their original place of work to the Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara estate. As time elapsed, GuySuCo opted against paying the benefits and the matter was taken to court sometime around March 2017. Now that 10 months have passed, the High Court is yet to call the matter for hearing. In the meantime, however, the Wales workers have not been paid their termination benefits and are annoyed that retrenched Enmore,

Rose Hall and Skeldon workers have been receiving their severance.

“Imagine is only a month now and Enmore done getting pay off, plus they got investor for them still get job but here you not got job or money, that is not fair,” a father of four, Floyd Dick explained, adding that one of his children is writing the CXC examinations later this year. He also noted that his wife is now the principal breadwinner, which according to him, is affecting his

Sugar workers venting their frustrations against the non-payment of severance at the Patentia tarmac on Thursday (Carl Croker Photo)

GAWU President Komal Chand

position as the man in the family.

With a great expression of emotion, another dismissed worker, Salim Haniff, said he feels displaced and disadvantaged

by Government’s decision in 2016 which saw Wales Estate shutting down operations. Haniff claimed the closure and non-payment of severance is a matter of dis-

crimination.

“How must I tell my children that I cannot find food for them when the President of this country said that we would get a better life.

This is victimisation and bullyism. The people from Berbice get their severance before Wales,” the frustrated worker pointed out.

The workers also feel that land should be allocated to them to go into farming and other projects in order for them to provide for their families.

“GuySuCo got all that land at the back there and I spoke to a businessman is a booth saying that he need mangoes and pineapples to buy but I have no land. All dem big business people got land but they aint giving the youngsters,” Andy McPherson told Guyana Times at the PSC job fair on Wednesday.

Now that estate closures have become a reality, there have been calls for GuySuCo to lease its lands to former workers to enter alternative business operations. However the Estates of Wales, Rose Hall, Skeldon and East Demerara (Enmore) are now under management the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICL) and it is not clear what decisions will be made by the State-owned company.

Earlier this week, Government commenced a payout of almost $2 billion as severance to thousands of dismissed sugar workers across the Rose Hall, Skeldon and East Demerara (Enmore) Estates. Earlier this month, it was disclosed to the National Assembly that dismissed sugar workers at these three estates

whose severance packages are $500,000 or less would be paid in full by January 31 and that workers receiving in excess of aforementioned sum, would attain 50 per cent of their severance benefits. However, the workers at Wales are questioning just when they would receive their payments.

The December 31, 2016, Wales Estate closure was seen as a cost-saving measure due to billions of dollars that were allocated to the declining sugar industry and nearly 4000 workers from Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon were dismissed late last year, in a move to reorganise the industry.

The workers are also calling on GAWU's President Komal Chand to make a statement on the matter as they have not seen or heard from him directly in recent times.

2015 Tucville murder

Trial of “Pretty Boy”, “Dangles” commences

Murdered: Ryan Clementson

By Lakhram Bhagarat

E

dward Skeete and Nabadingi Gobin will soon know their fates as a 12-member jury was impanelled before Justice Navindra Singh on Wednesday and the commencement of trial into the 2015 murder of Ryan Clementson.

Skeete, called “Pretty Boy”, a 28-year-old mason of 309 Independence Boulevard, Georgetown; and Gobin, called “Dangles”, a 32-yearold taxi driver of 1049 Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, is accused of murdering 25-year-old Clementson of Mocha Arcadia, East Bank

Demerara between July 14 and 24, 2015 at Tucville.

The duo is accused of opening fire on Clementson and his friend Ayodele Solomon on July 14, 2015, near the Turning Point Snackette in Tucville. Clementson, who had been shot in his thigh, succumbed almost two weeks later from cardiac arrest following surgery.

On August 14, 2015, the duo was jointly charged for murder and almost one year later, Magistrate Fabayo Azore committed them to stand trial since a prima facie case was made out against them.

At the commencement of the trail, Skeete and Gobin – represented by Attorneys Nigel Hughes, Mark Waldron and Keoma Griffith – denied the charges levelled against them.

Prosecutor Narissa Leander is leading the State’s case in association with Tiffini Lyken and Abigail Gibbs.

Taking the stand was Lance Corporal Colwyn Major, who was one of the first responders. He told the court that he received information of the shooting at around 21:10h on the night of July 14, 2015, and joined a vehicle along with approximately seven other law enforce-

Nabadingi “Dangles” Gobin

ment ranks. He explained that when he arrived at the scene, he observed the area was well lit and Clementson was partially submerged in the nearby trench in what he described as an attempt to hide. Major added that along with public-spirited persons, the injured man was pulled from the trench and it was observed that he was bleeding from the right thigh while only wearing a pair of black boxers.

The court heard that Major then placed Clementson into the tray of the Police vehicle and escorted him to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) where a male doctor tended to him. The Policeman further told the court that

while at the hospital, he encountered Solomon who was receiving treatment for the gunshot wound to his right shoulder. He then questioned Solomon about the incident and then returned to the scene where he attempted to gather evidenced but was unsuccessful.

While under cross-examination by Attorney Hughes, Major related that when he arrived at the scene there were approximately 80 persons looking in the direction of the western end of the Tucville Bridge. He also stated that under the bridge was dark and only discovered Clementson after several calls. When asked how he determined that Clementson had a gunshot wound, the Policeman related that he observed a circular opening on the man’s right thigh.

Major said that although there was a large crowd at the scene he feels it was not contaminated and when further pressed he added that he is still unaware as to where exactly the shooting occurred.

In addition, he stated that he was not informed of any live rounds or spent shells being recovered at the scene.

The Policeman further related that a statement was taken from Solomon and rel-

Edward “Pretty Boy” Skeete

atives of the dead man, but when asked by Attorney Waldron when Solomon’s statement was taken, Major related that despite coming into contact with the man on the night of July 14, he did not take a statement from him until July 29.

Meanwhile, Detective Corporal Carlton Rockliffe said at the time of the incident, he was stationed at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Eve Leary as a Crime Scene Examiner and was summoned to the Tucville Bridge area. He told the ourt that he took his crime scene kit and upon arriving at the scene at around 22:30h, he was greeted by Lance Corporal Major and

immediately commenced his examination of the scene.

Rockliffe said he recovered one spent shell and two live rounds at the scene, which he placed into evidence and sent for forensic examination on July 22, 2015.

While being cross-examined by Attorney Waldron, the Policeman related that he did not see it necessary to test the recovered spent shell and ammunition for fingerprints.

The ballistics examiner, retired Inspector Eon Jackson, also took the stand and testified that the evidence bag contained one 9mm live round, one 9mm spent shell and on 9mm dud round. He explained that the dud round was fired from the firearm but was not activated because it may have expired.

The court heard that Detective Constable, Akeem Lewis, would have taken a statement from Clementson on July 17 at the GPHC. He related to the court, that Clementson provided him with the names of three men who inflicted the wound while asking to see his relatives since he could see his death coming.

The trial will continue on Tuesday, with Lewis continuing his testimony.

14 news

thursDAY, february 1, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

No charges recommended against BHS teacher yet – DPP …says Chronicle article “totally false”

T

he Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Wednesday denied that it had advised that criminal charges be instituted against embattled Bishops’ High School Teacher, Coen Jackson, who is at the centre of a sex scandal involving students at his school.

The DPP’s Office in a statement said it has asked the Police to conduct further investigations into the matter. It labelled a Guyana Chronicle report as “totally, totally false” which reported that the DPP confirmed that charges would be laid after wrapping up investigations.

The office said the file concerning the matter was returned since December

Accused: Sir Cohen Jackson, former BHS teacher

8, 2017, so that additional information relating to copies of birth certificates

could be included. The DPP also wants statements from the counselling agency and the Teaching Service Commission.

Jackson, a trained and qualified teacher, continues to deny accusations made by Government’s Cultural Policy Advisor, Ruel Johnson and his partner that she had an intimate relationship with Jackson while she had been a student at the Bishops’ High School.

But Jackson says the accusations against him were concocted by Johnson who has a personal problem with him because he had been in contact with the young woman who is now 22 years old.

Venezuela rejects UN’s...

“We are taking one step at a time and we are definitely going to use every legal resource to mobilise funds to ensure that we are properly represented in the ICJ,” he told media operatives on Wednesday when asked about Guyana’s preparation in terms of its legal team.

Already Government has bargained with United States oil giant, ExxonMobil, for a US$18 million signing bonus, which it said would be used as legal fees for the defence team, which will be comprised of both local and overseas lawyers, that it plans to retain.

However, there were controversies surrounding the money since Government initially lied about receiving it over a year ago, and then it was revealed that they placed it into a special account at Central Bank instead of the Consolidated Fund, as is legally required.

This has caused much public uproar with local watchdog, Transparency International Guyana Inc (TIGI) filing legal proceedings to have the money moved into the State’s coffers.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan had said last month that when the border controversy is sent to the World’s Court, Government would move the monies into the Consolidated Fund before making use of it.

Since Venezuela’s renewed claim to Guyana’s territory back in 2015, the coalition Government has maintained that the issue is a legal one and needed to be settled via a legal process.

After some two years of mediation, the UN on Tuesday announced in a statement that it has sent the matter to the ICJ after careful analysis of the good offices process. According to the UN’s Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, enough progress was not made towards a solution on the controversy and as a result, UN

Secretary General Antonio Guterres referred the matter to the ICJ. This is in accordance with the framework left by his predecessor, Ban Ki-moon. However, Guterres did not rule out the continuation of the good offices process of the UN to complement court proceedings.

No more delays

In light of the UN’s long-awaited decision, the Guyana Government is aware that it will not be a swift process but is simultaneously hoping that there is not much more delay in having the case heard before the World Court since it has awaited almost 52 years to get to this stage.

“We are anxious to have this matter go before the court as quickly as possible, (but) it is not in our hands.

The court of course, like any court, has procedures and we have to abide by those procedures. But I am happy that for the first time since Independence, we have reached this far and I’m very glad that the entire country is united behind this move.

We are very confident that the award of the Tribunal in 1899 will be vindicated,” the President posited According to the Head of State, over the past two years development in the four regions along the Guyana/Venezuela border has been stymied as result of the territorial claim by the Spanish-speaking nation.

Nevertheless, President Granger is confident that the ICJ will find the border was correctly defined and demarcated since 1899 in the Arbitral Tribunal Award, which Venezuela is claiming is “null and void”.

The Guyanese leader anticipates, however, that Guyana’s successful defence of its territorial integrity will not only boost local development but investors’

From page 3

confidence in Guyana especially in light of the impending oil and gas production. “(Investors) will like to know that they operate in a safe region in Guyana that is not under claim. Equally, our maritime space is a zone of extensive successful petroleum exploration so we feel that this is a good move for Guyana. The international community must know that the threat to Guyana’s territorial integrity will be removed by peaceful judicial means by the ICJ,” Granger asserted.

Moreover, President Granger posited that while Guyana has already been victim of atrocities by Venezuela, he is hoping that there would be not retaliation in light of this decision by the UN. “We’ve already been victims of unwanted migration by even soldiers and miners; we’ve been victims of violence by persons who’re destitute, looking for food; we’ve been victims of attacks by what they call “Sindicato”, which are armed gangs, and we hope that this doesn’t trigger further negative behaviour by Venezuelans.

So I don’t expect that there would be objections… We hope that the Venezuelan Government has the maturity to accept the decision of the Secretary General because sending the matter to the Secretary General was a course of action that was mutually agreed on,” the Guyanese leader asserted.

The border controversy gained new life when oil giant ExxonMobil announced in 2015 that it had found oil in Guyana. Venezuela has staunchly been against oil exploration in Guyana’s Stabroek Block, where multiple oil deposits were found by ExxonMobil, and has since laid claim to the Essequibo region, which represents two thirds Guyana’s territory.

Guyana, Cuba to increase trade, cooperation – as President accredits new Ambassador

New Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Narciso Soeorro handing over his credentials to President David Granger on Wednesday at State House as acting Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Harmon looks on

T

he signing of an agreement for the export of Guyana’s rice to Cuba has set the stage for increased trade and collaboration between the two States.

Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba was also inked as a show of deeper relations between the countries. And with Guyana and Cuba wellplaced to further strengthen economic cooperation, President David Granger on Wednesday accredited Havana’s new Ambassador, Narciso Reinaldo Armador Soeorro.

According to the Head of State, this level of cooperation is of vital importance to advancing Guyana’s green agenda and overall economic development, declaring that this country will continue to stand in solidarity with Cuba.

Meanwhile, following the acceptance of Ambassador Soeorro’s credentials, President Granger said that the cultural agreement signed between Guyana’s Ministry of Education and Cuba’s Ministry of Culture will also help to advance cooperation in the arts and sport.

Moreover, he noted that Guyana welcomed the support of the Cuban Government for the establishment of a Regional Training Centre, which will cater to the needs of chil-

dren, adolescents and young people with special educational needs associated with disabilities.

“Guyana and Cuba share a close, cordial relationship characterised by friendship, frequent [and] fruitful exchanges, political and economic solidarity and tangible programmes of cooperation. Guyana’s national development, particularly in the fields of education, culture and health, has benefited immeasurably from Cuba’s cooperation and contribution over the decades,” the President said.

The local health sector, in particular, has been boosted by the dividends of Guyana-Cuba relations. The President pointed out that Cuba continued to provide a large number of scholarships in the fields of agriculture, engineering and medicine to Guyanese students and young professionals.

Additionally, Cuban professionals who work in the local healthcare system continue to provide medical care and attention to Guyanese. “Guyana looks forward to deepening and expanding cooperation with the Republic of Cuba during your tenure as Ambassador,” the Head of State told the new Ambassador.

The President also informed Ambassador Soeorro that Guyana looked forward to the full implementation of the Second Protocol to Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Cuba and the Caribbean Community

which was signed in Georgetown late last year.

In 1972, Guyana led efforts by Caribbean States to break the diplomatic isolation of Cuba in this hemisphere; establishing diplomatic relations with that country. President Granger said that Guyana still held firmly to that position, which it took 45 years ago.

“Guyana stands in solidarity with the Government and people of Cuba in its resistance to economic aggression. We stand in support of the right of Cuba to determine its own destiny free from provocation and intimidation,” he said.

Ambassador Soeorro replaces Ambassador Julio Cesar Gonzalez Marchante, whose tour of duty ended in December last year.

The new Cuban diplomat said that the Cuban nation would always remember with gratitude, the four Caribbean nations, including Guyana, who, together, took the first fundamental step at ending the diplomatic and commercial siege against his country.

“The Cuban Government and the people are deeply grateful to our Guyanese brothers and sisters for the permanent support for the resolution of the blockade against Cuba,” he said.

Prior to the accreditation ceremony, which was held at State House, the new Ambassador met with Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who is currently performing the functions of Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Turkeyen Police Station rape…

2 Cops to be charged – DPP T wo Policemen who allegedly raped a woman who had gone to the Turkeyen Police Station to report a matter are expected to be formally charged following advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions. The incident is said to have occurred on New Years’ Day when the Sophia, Greater

Georgetown, woman made her report and then requested to utilise a restroom to relief herself while at the station.

Instead of pointing the woman to the right restroom which is often utilised by members of the public, she was directed to another and more discreet washroom when the Policemen alleged-

ly pounced on her and raped her. The file was returned to the Police containing advice to institute rape charges against the two accused on Wednesday. Following the report of the rape, the ranks were transferred to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), where they remain under close arrest.

thursDAY, february 1, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

S

elf-confessed foodie Shivana Persaud, the Managing Director of The Publik Guyana, makes no bones about her liking for food – a liking that has triumphed in her bringing delicious gourmet burgers and wings to the local food scene, much to the delight of Guyanese taste buds.

The cosy restaurant the former University of Guyana student co-owns with her significant other which just turned three on January 22 is a magnet for burger and wing lovers.

Fresh ingredients; deep deliberate flavours; hand-crafted burgers and specialty wings are the hallmarks of this “evolving 'Made in Guyana' brand”. But more than anything else what separates The Publik from similar restaurants is the care and thought that have gone in making it special and the customer feel special.

The 25-year-old is so confident that her food can stand up to any competition that she throws out a challenge to overseas visitors: “The Publik experience must be on your bucket list whenever you're in Guyana.”

“We are about real food and that’s what our fans enjoy. Persons at home, here in Guyana, are happy to enjoy a real burger, amazing wings and an awesome experience while persons from the rest of the world are either surprised that Guyana

Shivana Persaud and Sean Major with Champion WingEater Stephon Gabriel

has this to offer or express the need for The Publik to be in their neighbourhood.”

That confidence is grounded in the faith she has in herself and her “people”: “….my main lessons are believe in yourself and your partner/partners involved; keep focus; know your roots and where you intend to grow (know your goals); keep your people/ family close always; feed your team well; make mistakes; be bold, be brave, and keep wanting better.”

Her goal businesswise is “to solve more problems in our society”.

She believes vision and resilience are two vital traits any entrepreneur must have, and the restaurant whose motto is “We

Market statistics

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Cambio Rates

Calculated at 94% purity, Jan 31, 2018

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

live, we love, we eat” reflects that.

“Choosing to eat at a restaurant or having drinks with your friends and co-workers is greatly dependent on the economic cycle of a country. The food and service industry in Guyana is without doubt growing and The Publik is a part of that growth. Over the past three years, we have cautiously developed our brand steadily and differently. The Publik is now enjoyed by countless locals and many tourists from all over the world. We intend to provide more job opportunities and impact the livelihoods of more families through greater investment and expansion of our brand in 2018.”

Selling

USD

$1345.00

GBP

$290.56

$294.23

Gross

$263,465

CAN

$167.70

$169.64

Net

$245,022

USD

$205.98

$208.44

$ 256.35

$259.61

Indicators as on January 31, 2018

EURO

Indicators

US$ per barrel

Crude Oil

$69.05

Price

USD

Change %

+0.04 Change %

Rough Rice

$273.68/ton

+0.04

London Sugar

$352.40/ton

-2.73

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1341.70

$1342.70

Low/High

$1332.50

$1348.50

Change

-3.30

-0.25%

Business Concept – Administration 1. Law: A collection of assets that make up the estate of a deceased person by a court-appointed administrator to pay off the deceased's debts, and to distribute the remaining assets to the estate's beneficiaries.

2. Management: The interpretation and implementation of the policy set by an organisation's board of directors. (Business Dictionary)

“Success is being happy,” Persaud declared, noting that the connection she has with her significant other, Sean Major, was her inspiration and Oprah Winfrey, her dream mentor.

The Georgetown resident, who confessed that she has made “TONS of mistakes and learnt A LOT of crucial lessons” in juggling all her roles over the past five years while admitting the impossibility of doing it all, listed a few strategies for surviving and truly enjoying life: “1) Know your wants and needs. 2) Map out how you will be able to get it. 3) Manage your time wisely.

4) Prioritise. 5) Delegate. 6) Take time for self, family, love and friends. 7) Be confident.” But her top piece of advice for would-be entrepreneurs is: “Make sure you are ready for entrepreneurship! Evaluate your options, Prepare a business plan... not those one-page plans, a detailed plan. Too many good businesses get hurt because entrepreneurs sometimes overlook funda-

mental principles of business.”

“Starting up a business in Guyana is quite difficult and doing business here is similar. I am not saying these things are necessarily easy, but there is a vital need for an 'ease in doing business in Guyana' and we are terribly ranked. As an economist, I've studied and seen the direct impact small and medium-sized businesses have on our economy. It is in this light that young entrepreneurs are presented with the best support systems. Business support organisations in all localities of our country are lacking, because we are very centralised. I'm not referring to financial institutions which service businesses; I am speaking of professional business counsellors, coaches, business incubation, business consultants, community funds and grants systems and more. For example, The Masterclass Institute provides one of these business services and have assisted young entrepreneurs in chasing

15

their dreams and becoming great managers/ directors of successful businesses,” Persaud stated when asked what could be done to assist entrepreneurs. “We need these types of opportunities countrywide. We need precisely Local Economic Development (LED) – an approach of strategic local economic developmental plans which involves local people working together to achieve sustainable economic and social benefits. One of our biggest players is our local authority who should be the facilitator of LED. I firmly believe it can be done in not just parts of Guyana but in the entire country for the people of Guyana.”

For those of you craving a taste of The Publik’s delicious burgers and wings (13 flavours!), check out their anniversary event, “Eat My Wing Competition” on Sunday, February 4.

Contact: 5 Duncan St, Bel Air Park (Bella Vista Mall) and Giftland Mall food court; 226-1545; 6539200; www.facebook. com/eatatthepublik

Investor’s Guide

Wall St ends off day’s highs as Fed sees inflation rising

U

S stocks finished marginally higher on Wednesday as indexes gave up early gains after the Federal Reserve said it sees inflation rising this year, signalling it remains on track to boost interest rates again in March.

The Fed kept rates unchanged but, in a statement following its two-day policy meeting, it repeated that it expected that “further gradual” rate hikes will be warranted.

“The subtle message is that they will continue to press rates higher,” said Scott Kimball, director and portfolio manager at BMO Global Asset Management.

The central bank raised rates three times last year and sees three additional hikes in 2018 even as it continues to trim its balance sheet on a largely preset schedule.

“They’re more confident in their expectations of rising inflation,” said Kevin Logan, Chief US Economist at HSBC Securities.

Bolstering the Fed’s view of a solid econo-

my, ADP published a report on Wednesday showing 234,000 Private Sector jobs added in January compared with 185,000 expected by analysts. The US Labour Department is due to release its more comprehensive report on Friday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 73.74 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 26,150.63, the S&P 500 gained 1.47 points, or 0.05 per cent, to 2823.9 and the Nasdaq Composite added 9.00 points, or 0.12 per cent, to 7411.48.

Stocks were lifted earlier Wednesday by a surge in Boeing which forecast better-than-expected full-year profits and said it expects to deliver a record number of commercial aircraft in 2018, sending its shares up 4.9 per cent.

The aerospace giant was the biggest percentage gainer on the Dow, helping pull the blue-chip index out of its biggest two-day plunge since September 2016.

The selloff earlier in the week had been prompted by an increase in US

Treasury yields to multiyear highs. The US yield curve flattened to a decade low following the Fed statement as traders sold more short-dated Treasuries.

Facebook shares dipped more than four per cent in after-market trading after the social media giant reported results.

Among the S&P 500’s 11 major sectors, technology gave the biggest boost to the index.

Healthcare stocks continued to weigh on the three major US indexes following a report on Tuesday that Amazon.com, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase were joining forces to cut healthcare costs for its US employees. The S&P 500 healthcare index fell 1.5 per cent.

Analysts expect fourth-quarter S&P 500 earnings growth of 13.7 per cent, up from 12 per cent expected at the start of the month. So far, 37 per cent of companies in the index have reported and 80.5 per cent have come in above consensus estimates. (Reuters)

16 News

thursDAY, FEBRuary 1, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Lindo Creek CoI

PPP unsure about participation in unilateral inquiry …raises conflict of interest concerns, witch-hunting campaign

T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) on Wednesday said the Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry (CoI) was established with a clear political objective, highlighting the fact that the Commission was also set up along partisan lines and is being headed only by one individual.

In a strongly worded statement, the main Opposition party lashed out at the coalition Government for the manner in which the CoI was established.

The Party said it notes the unilateral establishment of the Commission, like others named under the Government, underscoring the deviation from the approach of the PPP Government to have bi-partisan talks.

“It appears that this Commission was established with a political objective. Due to the partisan approach in establishing the Commission, which does not inspire trust and confidence, persons with vital information may be reluctant to come forward,” the Party speculated.

The PPP said given the nature of the Commission’s establishment and the de-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

cision to start an inquiry with the incidents at Lindo Creek, as opposed to a more comprehensive review of the crime wave, the Party would find it difficult to participate in any of the events.

The PPP/C also registered concerns over the obvious conflict of interest in naming a Commissioner, who is the father of a sitting Cabinet Minister and Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), one of the partners of the coalition Government, Raphael Trotman, who holds the portfolio for natural resources.

The political Opposition said this move speaks to the growing trend of nepotistic

taking place under the current Government, arguing that it should not be encouraged to continue. The Party also raised concerns over one single person being appointed to probe the Lindo Creek massacre.

More importantly, however, the PPP noted that Minister Joseph Harmon’s statement in relation to the Commission being able to determine whether any senior officer should be sent on leave during the period of the inquiry highlights that this undertaking is aimed towards another witchhunt.

The Party hinted that this witch-hunting exercise might target top officials

of the joint security forces, making reference to the establishment of the Paul Slowe Commission of Inquiry and the Government’s interference in the Police Service Commission’s promotion of senior Police Officers.

“The PPP wishes to make clear that it will vehemently reject any attempts to erode the level of professionalism of Guyana’s security forces and the undermining of the functions of the civilian law enforcement authorities of Guyana,” a statement from the Party added.

The PPP also claimed that the order signed by President David Granger, which establishes the Commission and defines its Terms of Reference remains a mystery since it has not been published as is required by law in the Official Gazette up to the time of Trotman’s swearing in.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo said on

Tuesday that events pre2002 have to be taken into account, stating that the involvement of the People’s National Congress (PNC) (the majority partner in the coalition) in the killings and civil disturbances preceding that year must be investigated.

“I believe that no inquiry will be complete unless there is a comprehensive review of what took place and who the operatives were, particularly the political operatives,” he said in a statement.

Jagdeo, who incidentally serves as the Opposition Leader, also highlighted several other incidents that the PNC has been named in. “Where are the 155 high-powered military weapons that were loaned to the PNC’s Ministry of National Development?”

Jagdeo questioned.

The former Head of State reminded that he

has already made available to the media and publicly gone through the list of 400 young black men, which was circulated by the PNC, and shown that the authors of that list unashamedly included the names of victims of the crime wave, civilians and security forces.

“That number has been mysteriously increased to 1431 by Minister Harmon.

A credibly-constituted Commission of Inquiry, staffed by international jurists, will expose the intellectual authors behind the crime wave of the 2000s, including the political operatives who were involved,” Jagdeo stated.

Jagdeo had previously expressed a willingness to help in drafting the CoI’s Terms of Reference and to also make his former Government officials available for questioning once they had specific information.

3 remanded for trafficking narcotics

From left to right: Devash Reshiram, Anthony Carmichael and Leon Burnet

T

hree men were on Wednesday refused bail when they appeared at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court on two separate charges of trafficking in narcotics.

The three men are Devash Reshiram, Anthony Carmichael, and Leon Burnet. They allegedly had a total of 18.6 kilograms (41 pounds) of marijuana on Monday in two separate incidents.

Reshiram was charged with one offence while Carmichael and Burnet were jointly charged for the other.

Reshiram, 20, of 38 Palmyra Village, East Canje, Berbice, was arraigned before Magistrate Rondel Weaver for trafficking 10 kg (22 pounds) of the illegal plant.

According to the Police, Reshiram, the driver of motor car PWW 3313, was on Monday last found with the drug in the car he was driving.

Acting upon information, ranks stopped the motor car and conducted a search and one black travelling bag containing three bulky parcels wrapped in transparent plastic which contained leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis were found,

along with one blue and black travelling bag containing two bulky parcels wrapped with clear tape containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge. He is being represented by Attorney Joel Edmonds.

Reshiram claimed that

Monday, January 29, at Fort Wellington, they had in their possession 8.6 kg (19 pounds) of compressed marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

According to the Police, Carmichael and Burnet, both of West Coast Berbice (WCB), were in a speeding motor car which breached a police cordon in front of the Fort Wellington Police Station about 02:00h causing ranks to take evasive action.

The car was subsequently pursued and crashed into a tree at Number 23 Village, WCB. As Police approached, two occupants were seen exiting the vehicle and entering another which departed at great speed. While being pursued, the vehicle veered into a street at Number 27 Village and ended up in a nearby trench, from where two males were seen exiting into the unlit street.

The driver, a 22-year-old Onderneeming, West Coast

The crashed car which allegedly had the marijuana

two men gave him the bags to drop at Abary and he saw the Police and stopped. Bail was refused and the defendant was expected to make his next court appearance on February 21.

Meanwhile, appearing before the same magistrate were Carmichael and Burnet. It is alleged that on

Berbice resident, who is employed as a driver with a water company, was arrested while in the process of disposing of a bag which was found to contain 19 parcels of compressed cannabis.

Both men pleaded not guilty to the charge of trafficking in narcotics.

thursDAY, february 1, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

North Korea hits back at US, calls Trump administration ‘racist’

N

orth Korea struck back at the United States on Wednesday, accusing the Trump Administration of being a billionaires’ club that harbours a “policy of racism” while denying freedom of the press and health coverage to citizens.

The “White Paper on Human Rights Violations in the US in 2017”, was issued by the Institute of International Studies in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and circulated by its diplomatic mission in Geneva.

It did not refer to the row between North Korea and the United States and its allies over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programmes, or to the international sanc-

A stamp issued to celebrate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is seen in this undated photo released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang January 31, 2018

tions imposed against it.

US President Donald Trump, in his first State of Union speech to Congress on Tuesday, branded North

Korea’s leadership “depraved”. He told Americans that its pursuit of nuclear missiles could “very soon threaten our homeland” and

vowed a continued campaign to prevent that.

“Racial discrimination and misanthropy are serious maladies inherent to the social system of the US, and they have been aggravated since Trump took office,” the North Korean paper said.

“The racial violence that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia, on August 12 is a typical example of the acme of the current administration’s policy of racism,” it said.

Trump, who took office a year ago, had filled his cabinet with billionaires, it said, citing US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnunchin and Secretary of Defence James Mattis. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

Train carrying Republicans hits lorry in Virginia killing 1

A

train carrying Republican lawmakers to a retreat has hit a lorry on the track in Virginia, killing one person on the vehicle, says the White House. Two crew members and two passengers have been taken to hospital with minor injuries, an Amtrak spokeswoman said.

No lawmakers were seriously injured.

Arizona Senator Jeff

Flake told CNN one person on the lorry was killed by Wednesday morning’s impact. Utah Senator Mike Lee said that the “garbage truck” was “cut in half”.

The members of Congress – who included House Speaker Paul Ryan – were on their way to their annual retreat in Greenbrier, West Virginia, when the specially chartered Amtrak train crashed at 11:20 local time

(16:20 GMT).

Some train passengers were hurled from their seats by the collision, which happened near Crozet, Virginia, about 110 miles (180km) south-west of Washington DC. Four people were injured when the train struck the lorry, Amtrak spokeswoman Beth K Toll said. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said:

“The president has been fully briefed on the situation in Virginia and is receiving regular updates.

“There is one confirmed fatality and one serious injury. There are no serious injuries among members of Congress or their staff.

“Senior Administration officials are in regular contact with Amtrak and state and local authorities. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Hong Kong bans ivory trade in ‘historic’ vote

H

ong Kong’s lawmakers have voted overwhelmingly to ban the trade in ivory, in a move campaigners described as “a lifeline for elephants”.

A similar ban was brought in across mainland China earlier this year.

Ivory sales will be phased out gradually in Hong Kong, stopping completely in 2021.

Ivory from animal tusks – mostly those of elephants – has been traded in Hong Kong for more than 150 years. It is considered the world’s largest ivory market.

WildAid Hong Kong, a conservation group, says the former British colony had a 670-tonne stockpile in 1989, when the global trade was

17

The ivory trade will now be phased out in Hong Kong by 2021. At right is Elephant tusks seized by Hong Kong Customs and Excise

banned.

Only ivory dating from before that period is meant to be sold there, but campaigners say the legal trade is often a cover for illegal activities. In July 2017, authorities in Hong Kong said they had seized the world’s biggest ever haul of ivory tusks – some 7.2 tonnes.

More than 90 per cent of those buying ivory in Hong Kong are from the Chinese mainland, which had hitherto been the world’s largest importer of elephant tusks.

The trade in Hong Kong will cease in three stages.

First, there will be a ban on hunting trophies and ivory from after 1975, when the

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) took effect.

Later, ivory obtained before 1975 will also be included. And finally, traders will be obliged to dispose of their stock by 2021. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Hamas leader Ismail Haniya added to US ‘terror list’

T

he United States has designated Ismail Haniya, the senior political leader of Hamas, as a “global terrorist”. The US State Department issued a press release on Wednesday saying that Haniya “has close links with Hamas’ military wing” and “has been a proponent of armed struggle, including against civilians”.

Haniya’s placement on the “terror list” means that there will be a travel ban on him, and that any US-based financial assets he may have will be frozen. There will also be a ban on any US citizen or company from doing business with him.

Hamas, which governs the Israeli-occupied Gaza Strip, was founded in 1987 on a strategy of armed struggle against the occupation, and has a military wing known as the Izz alDin al-Qassam Brigades.

Haniya, 54, was elected to be the group’s political chief in May 2017, replacing Khaled Meshaal. Born in a refugee camp in Gaza, the leader has long been seen as pragmatic and flexible in his attitudes towards Israel, and support for a Palestinian state alongside the Israeli one.

Speaking to Al Jazeera

Ismail Haniya, the senior political leader of Hamas, has been designated a “global terrorist”

from the Gaza Strip, senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad said the US’ decision is part of a wider campaign against Palestinians since President Donald Trump came into office in January 2017 – one year ago.

“It is obvious that this animosity from the US administration towards the Palestinians is unprecedented – with its unconditional support of Israel and its decision surrounding Jerusalem, and cutting its funding to the UN refugee agency [UNRWA],” said Hamad. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

India budget to test investors’ faith in Modi’s Govt

S

ince his election four years ago, Indian markets have welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign to mend patchy public finances and develop new areas of growth in Asia’s third largest economy.

To keep investors’ confidence, however, Modi’s Government will need to be seen containing the fiscal deficit, while also increasing spending in key areas of the slowing economy.

Markets will be focused on how much India widens its fiscal deficit beyond the three per cent of gross domestic product projected for 2018/19. A Reuters poll showed most economists expect a 3.2 per cent deficit as the government looks to increase investments in key areas such as agriculture to bolster its re-election prospects in elections due by 2019.

A modest widening of that nature would calm investors worried that the government may slip away from its judicious spending. Traders say bond yields could fall 10 to 15 basis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

points, while shares could hit new record highs. Gains could be more pronounced if India sticks to its 3.0 per cent target.

But a deficit above 3.2 per cent could hit shares and send bond yields up by 20-25 basis points, depending on the size of the blowout, on fears of populist policy ahead of next year’s elections.

Markets remain nervous after the government’s annual economic survey on Monday suggested “a pause” in fiscal consolidation, sending bonds plummeting. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, February 1, 2018

ARCHIE

Participate in adventures ARIES that entice you. Greater (March 21- physical activity will encourApril 19) age positive change in all aspects of your life. Romance will improve your day.

Emotions will be difficult TAURUS to set aside when it comes to (April 20- your relationships with othMay 20) ers. Be careful whom you trust and protect your heart from those playing mind games with you.

dilbert

Make adjustments at GEMINI (May 21- home or at work that will give June 20) you the confidence to push forward. Love and romance are highlighted and will improve your personal life.

Making personal changes,

CANCER shopping or spending money (June 21- on products that promise the July 22) impossible will all be a disap-

Peanuts

pointment. You are best off saving your cash and focusing on personal growth and enlightenment.

Emotions will be running LEO high, and if channelled prop(July 23- erly will help you reach the Aug. 22) winner’s circle in record time.

Don’t get sidetracked by what others are doing. Stay focused on your own thing.

Keep a close watch over VIRGO current economic trends and (Aug. 23your investments. A change Sept. 22) could lead to an unexpected loss if you aren’t well informed. Don’t act in haste.

Calvin and Hobbes

Do something special for LIBRA (Sept. 23- a loved one. Nurture relationOct. 23) ships and find solutions instead of letting differences put a wedge between you and someone you care about. Love conquers all.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — MILITARISM

You’ll be energized if you SAGITTARIUS take on a physical challenge.

(Nov. 23Strive to improve your health Dec. 21) and physical appearance.

The results you get will boost your confidence.

(MILITARISM: MIL-ih-tuh-riz’m: Predominance of the armed forces in the policy of the state.)

Average mark 33 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 48 or more words in MILITARISM? The list will be published tomorrow.

You can offer someone asCAPRICORN sistance, but don’t let anyone (Dec. 22- take advantage of your kindJan. 19) ness and generosity. Make

MONDAY’S WORD — UNFEELING nene nine feel feeling feign feline fennel file fine flee fleeing fling

flue flung fuel fueling fungi funnel elfin engine engulf ennui lief liege

lien lieu life line linen ling luge lune lung lunge ingenue ingle

gene genie genuine glee glen glue guile gulf gunnel

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

Listen, observe and take SCORPIO notes.

You may know what (Oct. 24you want, but if someone Nov. 22) tries to block you, the information you gather will help you bypass trouble.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle

sure you get something in return for your hard work. Aim for equality and justice.

Express your feelings and AQUARIUS discuss your personal plans (Jan. 20with the people whom your Feb. 19) decisions will affect most.

Pay close attention to detail and stay within your budget.

Your energetic approach to PISCES work and learning will help you (Feb. 20gain acceptance, as long as you March 20) don’t make promises you cannot keep. Make sure your expectations are realistic.

thursDAY, February 1, 2018

19

CWI/Regional Super50 Cup 2018

Chanderpaul, spinners script Jaguars opening victory

A

typical Shivnarine Chanderpaul innings coupled with magnificent slow bowling gave the Guyana Jaguars a come from behind 35-run victory over Kent in their opening round match of the 2018 Cricket West Indies (CWI)

trouble at 33 for 3 in the seventh over.

However, the 43-year old Chanderpaul found some useful partners that ensured the Jaguars put up a fighting total that eventually got them off the mark in Group B. For the opening

Kent celebrate the dismissal of captain Leon Johnson with the Jaguars struggling at 33-3 (CWI Media photo)

Shiv Chanderpaul was the rock of the Jaguars batting once again (CWI Media photo)

Regional Super50 in Antigua on Wednesday at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in North Sound Antigua.

After captain Leon Johnson called right at the toss, the Jaguars opted to bat and were bowled out in the final over for 233 with Kent’s opening bowler Mitchell Claydon wreaking havoc with a fivewicket haul.

The Jaguars left out Anthony Adams, Ramaal Lewis and Clinton Pestano and began with Shimron Hetmyer and Shivnarine Chanderpaul and found themselves in early

partnership, Shiv put on 31 with Hetmyer but a triple strike that left the Jaguars wobbly. Hetmyer hit four fours from 18 balls and his dismissal was followed by debutant Chanderpaul Hemraj and Johnson in the space of seven balls.

Raymon Reifer then joined Shiv and endured a testing period but they managed to put on 56 for the fourth wicket before the Barbadian was dismissed in the 24th over after facing 44 balls.

Wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble, who is in good batting

form then joined Shiv and together they accelerated the scoring putting on 58 from just 51 balls. When Bramble was given out in the 33rd over after hitting three fours and three sixes the Jaguars had staged a nice recovery and were ready for a late assault.

However, Shiv who brought up another half century at this level followed shortly after.

The ever-green “Tiger” batted for 97 balls in all and hit five fours and a six.

The Jaguars lower order then showed fight with debutant Sherfane Rutherford getting 24 from 42 balls and Romario Shepherd in this second List A game blasting 29 from 25 to see the score past the 230 mark which turned out to be 35 runs too many for the visitors.

In reply, Kent got off to a good start and were cruising at 119 for 1 in the 28th over before they lost their way.

The Jaguars spin-twins Devendra Bishoo and

Veerasammy Permaul were the main weapons of destruction as they shared seven wickets to see Kent losing their last nine wickets for 79 runs crashing to a 35-runs defeat.

Left-arm spinner Permaul got the initial break through after the Kent openers were running away at 58 without loss in the 13th over. After opener Daneil Bell Drummond’s dismissal, Zak Crawley and Sean Dickson put on 61 for the second wicket before Permaul struck again to open the flood gates.

The Albion Cricket Club pair sent down 20 overs together for just 80 runs which made the difference. They were backed up by superb fielding and Shepherd in the comeback effort.

Opening victory represents a positive start to the Jaguars’ title quest and they will next take on the USA on Friday in another day game at the same venue while Kent will meet Jamaica Scorpions on Sunday.

SCOREBOARD

Guyana Jaguars Innings (Maximum 50 Overs) S Hetmyer c Haggett b Thomas 19 S Chanderpaul lbw b Gidman 67 C Hemraj c & b Claydon 0 L Johnson* c & b Claydon 0 R Refier c Haggett b Gidman 16 A Bramble+ lbw Haggett 39 S Rutherford c Crawley b Claydon 24 K Paul c Rouse b Thomas 9 R Shepherd b Claydon 29 V Permaul c Crawley b Claydon 4 D BIshoo not out 9 Extras (lb-6, w-7, nb-4) 17 Total (All out; 49.1 Overs) 233 FOW: 1-31, 2-33, 3-33, 4-89, 5-147, 6-155, 7-177, 8-215, 9-219, 10-233 Bowling: Claydon 9.1-131-5, Thomas 10-1-62-2, Haggett 9-0-25-1, Tredwell 10-0-46-0, Gidman 8-037-2, Qayyum 2-0-26-0

Kent Innings (Target 234 from 50 Overs) D Bell Drummond b Permaul 28 Z Crawley b Bishoo 60 S Dickson c Paul b Permaul 29 W Gidman* c & b Bishoo 16 A Rouse run out (Johnson) 0 A Blake lbw b Bishoo 9 C Haggett c Johnson b Shepherd 16 J Tredwell b Permaul 10 I Qayyum stp wkpr Bramble b Permaul 4 M Claydon not out 11 I Thomas b Shepherd 6 Extras (lb-2, w-7) 9 Total: (All out; 46.3 Overs) 198 FOW: 1-58, 2-119, 3-129, 4-129, 5-148, 6-153, 7-169, 8-175, 9-183, 10-198 Bowling: Shepherd 8.3-043-2, Paul 9-1-30-0, Reifer 9-0-43-0, Permaul 10-046-4, Bishoo 10-1-34-3

Mominul, Mushfiqur gave Bangladesh opening day honours – Mominul hits unbeaten 175

M

ominul Haque, focused, fluent and scintillating, hoisted

Bangladesh to an authoritative position in the Chittagong Test.

Having put on a 236-run third-

SCOREBOARD

Bangladesh 1st Innings Tamim Iqbal b Perera 52 Imrul Kayes lbw b Sandakan 40 Mominul Haque not out 175 Mushfiqur Rahim† c †Dickwella b Lakmal 92 Liton Das b Lakmal 0 Mahmudullah* not out 9 Extras (nb-4, w-2) 6 Total: (For 4 wickets; 90 Overs) 374 Yet to bat: Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Sunzamul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman Fall of wickets: 1-72 (Tamim

Iqbal, 15.5 ov), 2-120 (Imrul Kayes, 27.4 ov), 3-356 (Mushfiqur Rahim, 83.5 ov), 4-356 (Liton Das, 83.6 ov) Bowling: Lakmal 17-3-43-2 (nb2), Kumara 12-1-64-0 (w-1), Perera 24-4-98-1 (nb-2), Herath 20-1-100-0, Sandakan 13-1-58-1 (w-1), de Silva 4-0-11-0 Sri Lanka team; FDM Karunaratne, DM de Silva, BKG Mendis, LD Chandimal*, N Dickwella†, ARS Silva, MDK Perera, HMRKB Herath, RAS Lakmal, PADLR Sandakan and CBRLS Kumara.

wicket stand with Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul has not quite batted Sri Lanka out of the game, but the visitors will find it difficult to win from here.

Though they struck twice with the second new ball, there is plenty of batting to come from Bangladesh yet, not least from Mominul himself, who was unbeaten on 175 off 203 balls at stumps.

Sri Lanka were occasionally wayward - 20-year-old Lahiru Kumara especially guilty of leaking runs in the morning but the spinners, largely, were neutered for large periods of the day. This surface is expected to take turn later in the game, but there was little help for the finger spinners once the morning's moisture had dried up. Herath and Dilruwan Perera bowled 44 overs between them, and gave up 198 runs for only one wicket. Left-arm

Mominul Haque gathers runs through the off side (Associated Press)

wristspinner Lakshan Sandakan was the only bowler to gain appreciable turn.

Having come in just after Tamim Iqbal's breakneck fifty had ended, Mominul was fluent from the outset, placing a sumptuous drive through the covers early in his innings, then hitting a beautiful aerial cut behind the wicket before lunch. Having skipped to 26 off 39 balls by the end of the first

session, his pace quickened in the afternoon.

Though never less than assured against the quicks, it was Mominul's progress against the spinners that was most impressive. Soon after lunch, he struck successive boundaries off Sandakan - the first a handsome lofted off drive, the second a whip over midwicket. As the middle session wore on, even Herath began to ail against

Mominul, who eased him wide of mid-on to complete a halfcentury off 59 balls.

Though runs came at pace, at no stage did Mominul appear rushed. All through day one, he was defined by timing, placement and grace.

Though occasionally helped by poor groundfielding - Kumara a particularly sloppy presence in the field - at no stage did Mominul offer a chance. He spent no more than eight balls in the nineties, hitting Sandakan for two more consecutive fours to move to triple figures off the 96th delivery he had faced.

Usually an undemonstrative player, Mominul wiped tears and gestured animatedly on this occasion, having been in and out of the Test side over the past year. His hundred was the second-fastest for a Bangladesh batsman, behind Tamim's 94ball ton at Lord's. (ESPN Cricinfo)

20

R

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursDAY, february 1, 2018

CWI/Regional Super50 Cup 2018

eigning champ i o n s Barbados a n d

Pride fellow homet o w n t e a m Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners launched the Regional S u p e r 5 0 Festival with resounding victories in Group “A” on Tuesday in Barbados.

Lethal spells from WINDIES fast bowling pair of Miguel Cummins and Kemar Roach followed up solid batting led by uncapped all-rounder Kevin Stoute and WINDIES batsman R o s t o n Chase to lead Pride to a convincing, 171-run victory over

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force.

A n d , the batting of the Barbadosb a s e d Marooners, led by Kjorn Ottley, set things up before their bowlers, led by veteran left-arm spinner Ryan Hinds, formalised a comfortable 115-run victory over Windward I s l a n d s Volcanoes.

Pride 278-9 (50 overs) beat Red Force 107 (21.3 overs) by 171 runs at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown

Cummins grabbed 4-35 from nine overs and the Pride fast bowlers made

light work of the Red Force batting.

Kemar Roach warmed up for the ICC World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe, taking 3-33 from eight overs, and fellow WINDIES pacer Carlos Brathwaite supported with 2-32 from four overs.

Sunil Narine, batting at eight, blasted seven fours and three sixes in a crisp 51 from 28 balls to help Red Force avoid the humiliation of falling for one of their lowest total ever in this tournament, but no other batsman distinguished himself.

Before a crowd that included WINDIES legend Colin Croft, Roach ripped out Tion Webster, Amir Jangoo and Jason Mohammed cheaply, and in between, Cummins struck a vital blow removing WINDIES white-ball opener Evin Lewis for five.

Red Force were 17 for four – and they never recovered, as the Pride pacers extracted generous bounce and movement from the helpful surface – freshened by the moist night air – and collected most of their scalps to catches either to

Sunil Narine hit a 28-ball 51 in a losing cause for the Red Force (CWI Media photo)

the keeper or slip fielders.

It was a total contrast to earlier in the day, when Stoute resolutely gathered 74 from 107 balls and club-mate Chase carved out an even 50 from 47 balls to give momentum to the Pride batting.

Stoute played a supporting role in key partnerships of 97 for the second wicket with WINDIES batsman Shai Hope and 67 for the third-wicket with lefthander Jonathan Carter.

Hope made 47 and Carter added 37 before they were wiped away in a period, when the Pride stumbled from 183 for three in the 35th over to 216 for six in the 43rd over.

But Chase led a rearguard action of 55 for the seventh wicket with Ashley Nurse help beef up the Pride total down the stretch.

Marooners 228 (48.2 overs) beat Volcanoes 113 (29.3) at Three Ws Oval in Cave Hill

Sent in to bat in the tournament curtain-raiser, Marooners were handed a solid start when Kjorn Ottley and Corbin put on 94 for the first wicket.

The left-handed Ottley struck four fours and two

sixes in the top score of 60 from 89 balls and Corbin produced a brisk 55-ball knock of 44 which included two fours and three sixes.

When Corbin fell in the 18th over, Ottley combined with young brother, Yannick to keep the innings flowing.

Both brothers fell in the space of three balls in successive overs leaving Marooners on 130 for three, leaving Hinds and Vikash Mahon to rally the innings in a 42-run, fourth wicket stand before WINDIES pacer Kesrick Williams dismantled the rest of the batting, ending with 4-70 from 9.2 overs.

Volcanoes lost international Johnson Charles to the second ball of the innings without a run on the board, when Hinds – opening the bowling – trapped him lbw.

Fast bowler Jermaine Levy accounted for Devon Smith, the leading scorer in the WINDIES first-class season which ended two Sundays ago, also lbw without scoring in the following over, as Volcanoes limped to 14 for two.

Other batsmen threatened briefly, but none could

make a significant impact, as Volcanoes crumbled.

The action continues today Kjorn Ottley hit the top score of 60 (4x4; 6x2) from 89 balls for the Marooners (CWI Media photo)

with two more Group A matches when English County side Hampshire come in for their first game against defending champions Barbados Pride at the Three W’s Oval from 09:00h and CCC Marooners take on the Red Force at 14:00h in a day/night match at the Kensington Oval. (CWI Media)

Spurs outclass Man Utd 2-0

Christian Eriksen, back in the Spurs side after injury, needed just 11 seconds to find the net

M

anager Mauricio Pochettino praised Tottenham's "aggressive" opening as Christian Eriksen's goal after just 11 seconds helped them to a deserved win

over Manchester United at Wembley.

The Dane latched on to flicks from Harry Kane and Dele Alli to side-foot home the joint-third fastest goal scored in the Premier

League.

"You can win a game if you're ready to fight," said Pochettino. "It was massive to be up early in the game."

United responded well with Jesse Lingard almost

levelling - only for Phil Jones to turn Kieran Trippier's cross into his own net to double Spurs' lead.

Manager Jose Mourinho described the first goal as "ridiculous", and added:

"The second goal mentally kills the team.

"To win matches a team needs to score goals and also defend well - on this occasion we were very bad."

Spurs looked sharper in a stretched game, and after goalkeeper Hugo Lloris maintained their advantage by denying Romelu Lukaku, Kane and Eriksen both went close.

Defeat ended United's eightgame unb e a t en run in the league a n d l e f t them 1 5 points adrift of leaders Manchester City in second.

Alexis Sanchez proved peripheral on his first league start for the Red Devils, failing to register a shot and touching the ball just twice

in the Tottenham area as the home side, who are fifth, moved within two points of the top four.

Eriksen's goal ignited a game packed with attacking intent and littered with chances. His calm, placed finish was also controversial, as replays showed Kane - who flicked the ball on to Alli in the build-up - was two yards inside the United half when kick-off was taken.

Neither side paused for such controversy as each set about testing the opposing defence, with Lingard unable to fully gather the ball when well-placed and unmarked, before Anthony Martial was only denied by a fine Ben Davies tackle.

Kane, seeking a 100th Premier League goal, twice fired tamely at David de Gea, and the relentless pace ultimately proved too much for Jones as he miscued a Trippier cross into the net.

This was a United defence that arrived in north London having kept six straight clean sheets. (BBC Sport)

sports

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Reliance Hustlers lift 10/10 trophy L

ed by an entertaining 82 from former senior Essequibo inter-county batsman Narindra Madholall, Reliance Hustlers were able to defeat Bush Lot Trendsetters by a thrilling seven-wicket margin on Sunday at the Reliance Sports Club ground, Essequibo Coast.

The left-handed Madholall struck 12 towering sixes and a four as his team raced to 136-2 with two balls to spare replying to the oppositions’ challenging 131-4 from the allotted overs.

Madholall, the younger brother of ex-Guyana youth cricketers Rovendra and Shivanandan (deceased), started the innings and ensured his side got the better of their nemesis Bush Lot Trendsetters despite losing three wickets in the process.

Former Guyana under-17 player Nathan Persaud hit an attractive 65 which contained seven sixes and three fours for the losers.

Earlier, in the knockout first-round segment, Hustlers whipped Reliance Veterans by nine wickets while Bush Lot Trendsetters trounced Cotton Field

The victorious Reliance Hustlers team strikes a pose with their trophy

Stickers by eight wickets.

During the presentation, organizer Trevis Simon thanked the teams for their participations and the fans for coming out and showed their support including two female teams. He also expressed his gratitude to J&P Supermarket for donating

Inaugural Female Chess Championship in the making

the winning trophy.

The day’s event was hosted by Reliance Sports Ground Development Committee which is also managed by Simon. Simon stated funds were raised to help erect both female and male washroom facilities at the venue.

Madholall was named man-of-the-match for his flamboyant innings and was also given a trophy for being the best batsman. Offspinner Leroy Roopchand copped the trophy for the best bowler of day, having snared 4-8 against Cotton Field Stickers.

“United We Stand”

cyclists get boost ahead of busy season

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21

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he Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) Vice-President Irshad Mohamed confirmed that for the first time, an all-women’s championship will be staged locally.

Mohamed revealed the federation’s plans on Wednesday in a brief interview with Guyana Times Sport which he pointed out that the country’s premier chess players will be participating in the event which is billed for February 11.

According to the GCF executive, some of the top female players including; international Masters Maria Thomas and Sherifa Ali along with Nalisha and Wavney Johnson and Jessica Callendar.

Mohamed noted that Sasha Sheriff and the Ramlall sisters (Rebecca and Rachel) from Marian Academy are also expected to be part of

United We Stand CC President Franklin Wilson (right) handing over a set of wheels and tyres to Andrew Hicks in the presence of other recipients and club Vice President, Joseph Britton

M

embers of United We Stand Cycle Club were recipients of a number of items in time for the start of the new cycling season which pedalled off last week-

GCF Vice-President Irshad Mohamed

the historic tournament which is tentatively set for the National Resource Centre.

However, Mohamed said more details regarding the upcoming event will be announced in the near future.

end.

President of the club, Franklin Wilson last week handed over the items which included wheels, cassettes, chains, tyres, tubes, water bottles and gels to some of the riders. He informed that it was the tradition of the club to equip riders with the requisite tools in order to succeed in the sport.

Also benefitting was Alanzo Ambrose, a member of Team Alanis Cycle Club. The United members benefiting were Briton John, Andrew and David Hicks, Shaquelle Agard, Albert Philander, Deeraj Garbarran, Raphael Leung and Silvio Inniss.

Wilson encouraged the recipients ensure that discipline is the watch word in whatever they do in training and competition. He also reminded them that the club will continue to invest in their development.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursDAY, february 1, 2018

Magnum Mash Cup kicks off Saturday

T

he inaugural Mangum Mash Cup will kick off this Saturday at the National Gymnasium with twelve games. The eightday tournament which is being held in collaboration with Legacy Promotions was formally launched on Wednesday at the Windjammer International Hotel.

Twenty-four of the top futsal teams have been invited to

Organisers, sponsors and team representatives at the launching on Wednesday at the Windjammer International Hotel

participate in the competition which will see over $800,000 in prize monies and trophies being distributed to the winners, along with prizes for outstanding individual performances.

One of the organisers Esan Griffith contended the tournament will see a high quality of football in a classic “Mash atmosphere.” Griffith also noted that in addition to the traditional ‘big guns’ of Georgetown

teams are drawn from West Demerara, Linden and Berbice which will give city fans a chance to witness the best of the ‘unknown.’

Magnum’s Brand Coordinator Edison Jefford disclosed the tournament will be like no other, bringing great festivity and excitement to the National Gymnasium. More so, he noted, the tournament is a precursor to a slate of exciting events

Govt, UG throw weight behind 2018 Golf projects

L

usignan Golf Club (LGC) President Aleem Hussain said recent talks with members of Parliament among other dignitaries will help to further raise the level of the sport in 2018.

Golf got off to an amazing start in 2018, hosting three tournaments in succession; the trophy Stall Open, an LGC Organized Open and the 7th annual Speedy Memorial all in the month of January and Hussain hinted that much

up with the students to form a golf association.

The students and the LGC executives have been meeting on a weekly basis where they engage in numerous fundamental practices of the sport. Hussain said since the initiative took off, more and more students have been coming onboard and the Chancellor has since lauded the strides made.

Recently, Dr. Griffith attended the one of the sessions held on the makeshift greens at the

planned by the brand. According to Jeffford, the winning team will be branded under the Magnum for tournaments going forward.

Assistant Director of Sport, Brian Smith wished the tournament well and posited that the National Sports Commission will now have to work on decentralising facilities given the enormous growth of these tournaments.

The winning team will receive $400,000 while first runner-up will collect $200,000, the third place finisher will pocket $100,000 and fourth place $50,000.

Among the teams invited are: West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’, Sparta Boss, Leopold Street, Tiger Bay, Albouystown A&B, Sophia, Tucville, North Ruimveldt, Future Stars, Back Circle, Old Skool Ballers, Broad Street.

IGG preparation underway – Nedd Guyana Male Volleyball team won at home in 2017

N UG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith (centre) is flanked by some of his students from the golf programme during a recent training session at the campus

more will follow.

During a recent interview with Guyana Times Sport Hussain told that while golf has been making strides on the field recently; more progress off the course is being made as well. Recently, Hussain said that he met with a few high-profile individuals, including Minister of State Joseph Harmon as well and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith.

Hussain revealed that following his discussion with Minister Harmon on Monday, he was pleased by the feedback regarding the LGC’s ongoing project to turn the facility into a multi-complex sport and recreational venue.

He said that the Minister was excited about the prospects of where golf will go as well as what the LGC has plan to reach out to not only sportsmen and women, but to all facets of the country’s leisurely and ceremonial needs.

Regarding the meetings with Professor Griffith, the LGC boss said that the University head was happy to have his students involved in golf. Since the year begun, LGC have teamed

University’s Turkeyen campus and according to Hussain, the UG head was blown away by the turnout as quite a number of students seemed interested in the sport.

Hussain added that the Professor was adamant that the relationship will grow and the venture will blossom in the future, adding that he fully supports the project. Additionally, members of the CARICOM Secretariat who according to Hussain have also signaled their intentions to be part of the Club are set to visit the course for some friendly action this Sunday.

Meanwhile, the LGC held their first of many Domino tournaments last Sunday with participation from numerous teams. In attendance was Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, Ansa Mcal Marketing executive Troy Cadogan and others who came out for a day of fun and games.

In the end, the $50,000 1st place prize went to All About Domino team while Double Black Domino Team walked away with the 2nd place purse of $20,000 while the Club 17 team took away the third place prize of $15,000. (Clifton Ross)

ational Volleyball Coach Levi Nedd confirmed that plans are heightening as he prepares to assemble the next team who will defend Guyana’s honour in the upcoming 2018 Inter Guiana Games (IGG).

Pursuing their 5th IGG volleyball title, Nedd told Guyana Times Sport on Wednesday that pre-IGG plans were about to step up as the annual sport event approaches. The former national player said that he was currently in the process of carrying out training for the males on a weekend basis.

Nedd pointed out that the sessions have been coming along nicely to date and he expects the potential candidates to further improve their skills as time progresses. After leading Guyana to four consecutive titles, Nedd pointed out that it was critical for the players to get an early start to their training, hence the reason he commenced session since last year.

With academics playing a crucial role in the lives of most sports men and women, Nedd added that while the sessions have been consistent, he was only able to hold training on weekends due to school commitments which limit the players training attendance

during t h e week.

After being reelected as President of the BVA on Sunday, Nedd revealed that the IGG plans were a part of the BVA’s yearly plan.

He said upon discussion of the plan, moves will see se-

lectors tackling players in Berbice before making their way to Demerara where they will complete the final search for more potential representatives.

Looking outside the IGG, Nedd in his capacity as BVA Head pointed out that he will be venturing to the Amerindian Village of Orealla where they plan to seek an audience with the Village Head as they look to make area an outer hub for volleyball.

Also, the coach said the Guysuco Training Center Port Mourant (GTCPM) team will be attending a sport workshop in the Surinamese district of Nickerie from February 22 to 25.

According to Nedd, the invitational will feature various sports with Volleyball being the premier attraction. He said those attending will be able to further hone their skills outside Guyana and gather much-needed form for the upcoming events of 2018.

(Clifton Ross)

thursDAY, february 1, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

23

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018

Tournament bowls off August 8 – marquee players will be available

A

window for the sixth edition of the Caribbean Premier League has been finalised, with the tournament to take place between August 8 and September 16. The schedule for the CPL has been set to avoid matches coinciding with West Indies' international games, allowing marquee players to submit their names for this year's draft.

Speaking at the announcement, CPL's chief operating officer Pete Russell said, "Here in the Caribbean we are blessed with some of the most exciting cricketers in the world and it is fantastic news that all West Indies players will be available in 2018. It will help make the Biggest Party in Sport even bigger.”

Meanwhile, Johnny Grave, CEO of Cricket West Indies, said: “The Hero CPL is now the start of our domestic season and we are delighted that we have found a window when all of the best cricketers from the Caribbean will be available to take part. We are sure that 2018 will be the biggest season yet.”

The opening games of the CPL, which comprises six teams, will take place in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

The window for the CPL will, however, clash with the Natwest T20 Blast, England's domestic T20 tournament, which will run from July till September.

Providence will host the opening leg of matches much to the delight of the cricket-crazy fans

Foreign bowling Agricola stun Herstelling Raiders coach likely to replace Estwick A GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson U15 League – EBFA

gricola Red Triangle fought their way back after trailing twice to defeat Herstelling Raiders and in the process recorded their second win in two matches when the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) leg of the GFF/Pele Alumini Frank Watson U15 Intra Association League continued with day three play last Sunday at the Grove Playfield.

It was a good day also for Swan Football Club (SFC) based on the Linden Soesdyke Highway playing their first competitive match under the EBFA umbrella when they needled neighbours Kuru Kururu Warriors.

Also enjoying a welcome return to the East Bank fold was Timehri Panthers which edged its neighbouring village of Soesdyke 2-1 while Mocha Champs gained a walk over from Diamond Upsetters to also take full points and get on the score sheets after giving up a walk over to Agricola on Saturday.

Contesting what turned out to be the feature match of the day, Agricola coming against the rampant Herstelling side which demolished Diamond United 13-0 on Saturday quickly found themselves trailing from the opening minute when Shoran James netted his third goal of the league in the first minute to hand his team a 1-0 advantage.

James had also netted in the first minute against Diamond United and maybe has created a bit of history by scoring in the first minute of consecutive matches. But Agricola held their own and matched the Herstelling boys play for play before equalising

W

indies bowling coach Roddy Estwick will be replaced ahead of the team’s foray into the World Cup Qualifiers Cricket West Indies (CWI) boss Dave Cameron has confirmed.

The 56-year-old former Barbadian pace bowl-

This Herstelling Raiders FC player (right) is closely marked by his Agricola Red Triangle counterpart in their clash on Sunday at the Grove Playfield

in the 22nd minute when Floyd Boyce found the back of the nets.

The joy of the Agricola boys was however short lived when Herstelling, through an Amario Griffith goal restored the advantage two minutes after Agricola tied the score. But just before the half time whistle, Agricola again leveled things up when Brian Lambert converted the first of his double in the 32nd minute.

The second half produced more determined plays from both teams but goals were hard tom come by. However, it was Agricola which found the all elusive winning goal in the 59th minute of play, Lambert the player whose effort earned his team full points which has taken them to six, the same as Grove Hi Tech which is ahead on a better

goal difference.

Swan FC celebrated their entrance to East Bank football in the grandest of styles when they tucked in the lone goal of their clash with Kuru Kururu Warriors in the 26th minute off the boot of Edson Williams.

It will be a goal that not only Williams will remember for a long time to come but the entire village will since it was a winning strike in their debut EBFA match.

Timehri Panthers would have been in the wilderness for some time also but found the resolve to make an entry back into the game at the competitive level, moreso, junior.

The lads from Timehri took on their close village peers from Soesdyke Falcons which was playing well in the NAMILCO sponsored Under-17 league but

did not participate in the second and final round.

Their {Soesdyke} return too has also been welcome by the Executive of the EBFA. Soesdyke broke the deadlock with a 13th minute strike off the boot of Tyrone Burnette but two minutes later, Milroy Prince equalised for Timehri.

The score remained an even affair up until the 50th minute when Antwone Denny tucked in the go ahead goal for Timehri which turned out to be the winning goal. Matches will continue this weekend at the same venue.

However, the EBFA will be paying a visit to the Timehri Red ground to inspect works that have been going on, spearheaded by the Timehri Panthers Football Club. Once playable, matches would also be scheduled for this venue.

the batting,” Cameron told Jamaican television station TVJ. “I’m not sure I’m at liberty to disclose the name of the coach, but he’s not from the region. Again, we want to bolster our bowling. I believe that if we have good bowlers, then whatever we

Barbadian Roddy Estwick (right) replaced Sir Curtly Ambrose in the role in 2016

er joined the coaching staff in 2016 after replacing legendary Windies fast bowler Curtly Ambrose. The coach has often been credited for his work by bowlers, but the team endured a wretched tour of New Zealand, particularly with the ball.

In a 3-0 whitewash the bowlers managed to dismiss the Black Caps just once in two of the Test matches and generally hardly seemed capable of causing any real discomfort.

Cameron, while not revealing the details on just who has been tipped to replace Estwick confirmed the new bowling coach would come from outside the region.

“We are bringing in a different bowling coach and we will also solidify

get to make our batting will take care of that.”

Estwick was a member of the Windies management group headed by Australian head coach Stuart Law, and which also included team operations manager, Joel Garner; batting coach, Toby Radford; fielding coach, Ryan Maron; physio, CJ Clark and strength and fitness coordinator, Ronald Rogers.

The Windies will attempt to qualify from the tournament in Zimbabwe which begins in March.

Meanwhile, in a media release on Wednesday Cricket West Indies confirmed that Estwick will be part of the Windies “A” Team for their home series against the visiting England Lions over the next six weeks. (Sportsmax)

THURSDAY, february 1, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018

Tournament bowls off August 8 Pg 23

– marquee players will be available In all, there are five matches slated for Providence, the home of the Guyana Amazon Warriors

CWI/Regional Super50 Cup 2018

Chanderpaul, spinners script Jaguars opening victory Pg 19

Veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul pulls with perfection during his match-winning innings at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground on Wednesday (CWI Media photo)

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