Guyana Times October 20,2018

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Issue No. 3721

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, October 20, 2018

PRICE

Contractor fails to deliver $100M in critical equipment to GPHC – AG report

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

City Hall CoI

Govt concerned over revelations – Harmon P2

Page 3

18 contracts awarded to handpicked contractor

Page 9

– no beginning, completion dates recorded by Tender Board

Armed men attack, P2 shoot ECD shopkeeper Ramjattan ordered to meet with experts

P10 ...as he struggles to find solution for prison woes

Getting the Force inline

CANU nabs EBD man with date-rape P10 drug

Police Commissioner Leslie James fixes the hat of a Traffic Cop during an inspection of ranks on Friday, while visiting the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam, Berbice

Lusignan Prison break

Escaped murder accused nabbed at Soesdyke Junction

Page 7

BBCI financial crisis

Constable stabbed, man shot during scuffle at City Hall

Govt fails to honour campaign promise to halve tolls, reform structure Page 9

Page 7

Essequibo Coast rape/robbery

Former GDF ranks released on $300,000 bail each P8 Teachers' wages impasse

Agreement yet to be signed between P12 GTU, MoE

2 news

saturdAY, october 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

City Hall CoI

Govt concerned over revelations – Harmon

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

T

he ongoing Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into operations of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has brought many startling revelations to light and according to Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Government is not deaf to these disclosures.

The Minister of State told reporters at this week’s post-Cabinet press briefing on Friday that while Central Government recognises that local democracy through Local Government Elections brought into place the management of the city, because of the strategic location of the city, they cannot be oblivious to the things that are taking place there.

On this note, Harmon posited that his Administration

is concerned with some of the revelations coming out the Inquiry.

“So yes we are recognising the matters that are coming out of the CoI but as you know, the COI is still a matter that is ongoing and that while you may be expressing concerns about what is coming out, it is the recommendations coming out of that CoI that the Government will have to take actions on,” he stated.

However, Minister Harmon explained they will have to await the completion of the CoI and the recommendations of the Commissioner, retired Justice Cecil Kennard, before actions can be taken. He explained that the Terms of Reference of some of these commission of inquiries permit the Commissioner, if they find that it is in the public’s interest, to make preliminary recommendations if they find that actions needed to be taken even before the CoI has completed its work. “[But] we have no recommendation of such, so we may have to await the findings of Justice Kennard and what his Commission determines in this matter,” Minister Harmon said.

Justice Kennard, the

deeply indebted to contractors as well as to its staff.

Apart from not remitting employees’ union dues and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) deductions, it was disclosed that City Hall has not been handing over its employees’ pension deductions and is in arrears on its fire and motor insurance policies to the tune of $24 million.

The hearings are expected to conclude on October 31, after which the Commissioner

former Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), was sworn in back in September as the Chairman and sole Commissioner to conduct an inquiry into the operation of the city government.

Among some of the exposures during the public hearings, which commenced on September 24, 2018, and is being held at the Critchlow Labour College, Woolford Avenue, was that a plot of riverfront land, reportedly not the property of City Hall, was leased to a shipping company by Town Clerk Royston King since April 5, 2016, at the cost of $625,000 per year.

It was also heard that the Town Clerk allegedly collected monies from nine specific drivers of the Route 44

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

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

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

King has been sent on leave pending the outcome of this CoI. Moreover, the hearings also revealed that the Georgetown municipality is

will make certain recommendations based on his findings and hand over same to Government for actions to be taken.

Over the years, City Hall has complained about lack of funds, which is a mere contradiction to its excessive spending. Concerns were raised over this issue, and it was noted that while the building is in need of repairs, millions of dollars have been squandered excessively.

Armed men attack, shoot ECD shopkeeper

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B a c h e l o r ’ s Adventure, East Coast Demerara (ECD) shopkeeper is now nursing a gunshot injury to his left arm after he was attacked and shot on Thursday evening by six armed men.

Taffy Adams, 31, was shot to his left armed at about 20:00h.

Based on reports received, Adams left his home on a pedal cycle and went to a shop at 17th Street Paradise Housing Scheme, ECD, and as he was returning home, he saw a silver grey 212 Toyota Carina motorcar with six occu-

pants.

As he continued along his journey, he heard a loud explosion and immediately felt a burning sensation to his left arm, causing him to lose balance and fall off the bicycle. The car reportedly sped away from the scene.

The injured Adams was picked up and taken to the Enmore Police Outpost and subsequently to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was treated. His condition is listed as stable.

The Police have since launched a manhunt for the car and its occupants.

news

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saturdAY, october 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, October 20 – a night retraction at 02:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Sunday, October 21 – a night retraction at 03:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, October 20 – 13:50h-15:20h and Sunday, October 21 – 14:20h-15:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to light rain showers can be expected throughout the day, with clear skies in the evening.

Temperatures will range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly to Easterly and East Northeasterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 01:53h reaching a maximum height of 2.28 metres.

Low Tide: 07:21h and 19:47h reaching minimum heights of 0.94 metres and 0.96 metres respectively.

Contractor fails to deliver $100M in critical equipment to GPHC – AG report …as Public Health Ministry yet to recover $5.1M in overpayments to staffers

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he 2017 Auditor General report has found that despite a contract to deliver a canter truck and several pieces of critical equipment to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the entity is still awaiting these items.

According to the report, the National Procurement and Tender Administrative Board (NPTAB) gave approval for the three contracts to procure a truck, as well as medical and non-medical items that included equipment for thoracic, ENT and neurosurgery equipment.

The contract was worth close to $100 million. But at the time of reporting, the $10 million truck and lift, as well as other equipment worth $22 million were yet to be delivered. This includes a patient view station worth $9.3 million, a $9.1 million 1000 KVA transformer, a 7.5 ton ducted package air condition unit worth $2 million and digital baby scales.

“The head of the budget agency agreed with the

comments made above and indicated that the GPHC granted several multiyear approvals to effectively fulfil the contractual obligations and is in contact with the suppliers to deliver the vehicle and equipment as soon as possible,” the Ministry said in response.

In his recommendations, Auditor General Deodat Sharma urged the head of the Budget agency to take action in order to have the items delivered to GPHC… as per the contract stipulations.

Overpayments

Meanwhile, State auditors also discovered the Public Health Ministry not only overpaid several staffers, but has dropped the ball when it comes to recovering the sums which totalled $438,720 for 2017.

The report notes that for the period under review, pay change directives for resignations and maternity leave were forwarded late to the Ministry’s Accounts Department. The money, which was paid to six staffers, has not been recovered.

The Georgetown Public Hospital

In addition, the situation is compounded by unrecovered sums from previous years. According to the AG, the previous out-dated payments total $5.1 million and peaked in 2016, with some $1.7 million in overpayments not being recovered that year.

When Auditor General Deodat Sharma gave the Ministry a chance to responding to these findings, the Head of the budget agency noted that several employees were “written to with respect to overpayments.”

Despite the Ministry

reaching out to these staffers, however, there has been no progress in getting back this money. As a consequence, the Ministry related that measures are in place to publish the names of these employees via print and TV in order to get the refunds.

In addition, the Ministry informed the AG that advice is being sought from Attorney General Basil Williams on the way forward. The Audit Office recommended that systems be put in place to prevent reoccurrences and recover outstanding monies.

Man nabbed with 1.1kg cocaine at Stabroek Market Square WednesDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2018

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

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n East Bank Demerara (EBD) resident was nabbed with over one kilogram of cocaine in the vicinity of Stabroek Market Square by agents of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).

The drug enforcement unit confirmed that Wyette Amsterdam of Land of Canaan Public Road, EBD, and another man who were under surveillance by CANU ranks were intercepted on Wednesday evening at Stabroek Market Square.

A search was conducted on the haversack that Amsterdam was carrying during which 1.160

Wyette Amsterdam

kilograms of cocaine and $600,000 were unearthed.

No illegal substance was reportedly found in possession of the other male.

The cocaine that was found in the haversack owned by Amsterdam

However, Amsterdam was charged and appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’

Courts. He denied the narcotics trafficking charge and was remanded to prison. The case will continue on November 1.

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturdAY, october 20, 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 promise of ‘the good life’

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very year, October 17 is observed by United Nations’ member countries as International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. According to the most recent UN estimates, 1.3 billion people still live in multidimensional poverty; meaning, they are not just poor in terms of income, they are also lacking in health, education, and living standards; and they risk falling behind further when faced with conflict, sickness, unemployment, or natural disasters.

The theme for this year’s observances is: “Coming together with those furthest behind to build an inclusive world of universal respect for human rights and dignity”. This year’s theme is quite fitting, since there is still an extremely huge gap between those who are considered below the poverty line and those who are considered to be above.

The UN has noted that, in the 25 years since the first International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, human development has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, and has increased economic and social opportunities for many more across the world. Yet, while hundreds of millions of people have moved above the poverty line, development has not been able to reach everyone.

According to the UN, on average, a child born today in a country with very high human development can expect to live almost 20 years longer, and be in school seven years more than a child born in a country with low human development. These statistics represent lost opportunities for millions.

In Guyana, too many of our citizens are still considered living below the poverty line, and many more are still waiting to access the opportunities that would allow them to lift themselves out of poverty.

President David Granger had said before that Guyana has enough resources to banish poverty forever. However, after three years of gaining political power, the nation is still waiting to see what concrete plans and programmes would be put in place to address poverty and to create “the good life” for all, which was promised on the campaign trail during the May 2015 polls.

Just recently again, during his special address to the National Assembly, the President regurgitated this same promise of providing a “good life” for all Guyanese. He said his vision is to create a good life for all Guyanese based on happy communities, happy households and happy people.

According to the President, “The ‘good life’ entails providing every citizen with opportunities to be the best that they can be. The ‘good life’ is about securing sustained economic prosperity, ensuring citizens’ access to quality public services, and promoting social cohesion… eliminating extreme poverty, and removing social, ethnic and geographic inequalities.”

All of these promises sound very well to the ordinary man; and we are certain that the President means well. However, one cannot ignore the present realities our country is faced with. The President’s remarks come at a time when there is a pending increase in tolls at the Berbice River Bridge, when sugar workers are facing extremely tough times due to the downsizing of the sugar estates, when bauxite workers are uncertain about their future with the impending closure of Rusal, when miners are complaining that they are being pressured by the authorities, and so on.

It should be noted, too, that the economy is performing very poorly, and there is hardly anything being done to create job opportunities or generate wealth in the society.

That said, with First Oil expected in 2020, there is some hope that there would be a turnaround of the economy, and citizens would begin to enjoy the many benefits of the emerging oil and gas sector. Given the many concerns being raised with respect to the management of that sector, the President has assured the National Assembly that Government is strategically positioned to manage the oil and gas sector. In fact, he said steps are being taken to ensure that “the revenues which accrue from the sector will not be squandered, but instead will be invested strategically in building human and institutional capacity, addressing our infrastructural deficit, and providing economic security for future generations”.

With the promise of oil money, our hope is that the Government, with the involvement of other stakeholders, would intensify their efforts towards eradicating poverty and ensuring that the promise of a ‘good life’ actually becomes a reality, rather than mere political rhetoric.

In observance of Agriculture Month 2018, the National Agricultural Research and Education Institute (NAREI) hosted a public open day for schools and agricultural institutions. In photo, these students are enthused by the display at the Guyana School of Agriculture (Adam Baksh photo)

Saudi Arabia admits Khashoggi died in consulate S

audi Arabia said on Saturday that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has died, and said it fired two senior officials over the incident that has provoked an international outcry and strained relations between Riyadh and the West.

A statement from the Saudi public prosecutor said a fight broke out between Khashoggi and people who met him in the consulate and led to his death.

“The investigations are still underway and 18 Saudi nationals have been arrested,” the statement on state media said, adding that royal court adviser Saud al-Qahtani and deputy intelligence chief Ahmed Asiri have been fired from their positions.

Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, went missing after entering the consulate on October 2 to obtain documents for his upcoming marriage.

Saturday’s comments marked the first time since Khashoggi went missing that the Saudis admitted to his death.

Turkish officials had said they believed he was killed in the building. Saudi Arabia had previously denied the allegations and said Khashoggi had left the building shortly after.

King Salman also ordered the formation of a ministerial committee headed by the crown prince to restructure the general intelligence agency, state media said.

The disappearance of Khashoggi, a US resident and Washington Post columnist, strained relations between Saudi Arabia and Western allies. Arab allies have rallied to Riyadh’s support, but Western pressure has intensified on Saudi

Arabia to provide convincing answers.

Before the Saudi announcements, US President Donald Trump said he might consider sanctions against Saudi Arabia over the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, while emphasizing the importance of the US-Saudi relationship.

In Istanbul, Turkish prosecutors investigating Khashoggi’s disappearance questioned Turkish employees of the Saudi consulate on Friday, widening the hunt for clues in a case straining Riyadh’s alliance with Western powers.

Turkish police searched a forest on Istanbul’s outskirts and a city near the Sea of Marmara for Khashoggi’s remains, two senior Turkish officials told Reuters, after tracking the routes of cars that left the consulate and the consul’s residence on the day he vanished.

Investigators have recovered samples from searches of both buildings to analyze for traces of Khashoggi’s DNA. Speaking to reporters in Scottsdale, Arizona, Trump said it was too early to say what the consequences for the incident might be, but that the US Congress would be involved in determining the American response.

Asked whether Saudi

sanctions were one of the measures he was considering, Trump said, “Could be, could be,” though he provided no details.

“We’re going to find out who knew what when and where. And we’ll figure it out,” Trump added.

The US Congress is controlled by Trump’s fellow Republicans, some of whom have called for tough action against Saudi Arabia.

“I will very much listen to what Congress has to say. They feel very strongly about it also,” Trump said.

Trump, who said on Thursday he believes Khashoggi is likely dead and has warned of a potential “very severe” response, has appeared unwilling to distance himself too much from the Saudis, citing Riyadh’s role in countering Iranian influence in the Middle East and lucrative potential arms deals.

“Saudi Arabia has been a great ally, they’ve been a tremendous investor in the United States,” Trump said, adding, “That’s why this is so sad.”

“They agreed to spend $450 billion on buying in and investing in the United States, so I hope we can keep that open. ... There are plenty of other things we can do,” he said, adding, “I might know a lot by Monday. I know a lot al-

ready.”

State-run Anadolu news agency said the Turkish prosecutor’s office had obtained testimony from 20 consulate employees, and 25 more people including foreign nationals would be questioned.

The consulate employees questioned included accountants, technicians and a driver, Anadolu said. The investigation is being conducted by the prosecutor’s terrorism and organized crime bureau, it added.

Turkey said it had not shared with any country audio recordings purportedly documenting Khashoggi’s murder inside the consulate, dismissing reports it had passed them to the United States.

“We will share the results that emerge transparently with the whole world,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.

Turkish pro-government newspaper Yeni Safak has published what it said were details from the audio, including that his torturers severed Khashoggi’s fingers during an interrogation and later beheaded and dismembered him.

Khashoggi’s disappearance has tarnished the crown prince’s reputation and deepened questions about his leadership, prompting Saudi King Salman to intervene, five sources with links to the Saudi royal family told Reuters.

The crown prince has painted himself as the face of a vibrant new kingdom, diversifying its economy away from oil and introducing some social changes. Other moves have faced criticism, including involvement in Yemen’s war, the arrest of women activists and a diplomatic dispute with Canada. (Reuters)

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

APNU vulgarity Destruction of sugar will return to haunt outside of Parliament Dear Editor, I write to express my utmost displeasure with the behaviour of a group of persons outside Parliament Building on Thursday, October 18th, 2018.

As a strong Christian believer, and one of the many who supported the APNU/ AFC coalition Government on the basis of its promise of morally upright leadership and other factors, I was terribly disappointed.

I had just left the Stabroek Market after making a few purchases, and was headed to the bus park when I noticed a very large crowd behind the barriers outside Parliament.

Like many others, it aroused my curiosity, and, as such, I ventured closer. Upon examination, I noticed there were three sets of persons: one group consisted of sugar workers, and another was made up of members of the Rastafarian community; both groups were ventilating on issues relative to their respective constituents. The third group of persons was mostly decked out in green, and some of them I recognised to be activists of the APNU. It is this latter group

which caused my consternation, owing to the vulgarity they displayed. By their actions, it was clear that this group’s sole intention was to intimidate and harass the protesting sugar workers. It was very sickening to see the hooliganism and vulgarity they displayed. I was ashamed.

Is this what President David Granger wants to be identified with? Did our President approve of this?

I am tempted to believe that this behaviour was sanctioned at the highest level, given the presence of many familiar faces among the group. Words cannot express the disappointment I felt.

I wish to remind President Granger that James chapter 1, verse 26 says, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless”.

He must therefore denounce what took place outside Parliament on that day if he wants to be seen in the same light again by me.

Sincerely yours, Ryan Newton

Dear Editor, One of the first acts of the APNU/AFC regime was to begin the destruction of the sugar industry. In so doing, they have revealed several aspects of their true nature. The massive closure that they have started has so far left more than 7000 people jobless, and has led to great hardship, including hunger in the sugar belt.

They took this step primarily because of their profound hatred for the sugar workers, whom they tend to blame for everything, including the loss of power in 1992.

In the APNU/AFC Government’s White Paper -- stating why the industry was shutting down estates -- the following is stated on page four: “Most of the employees of GuySuCo are supporters of the Opposition political party, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

The main unions of the sugar workers are affiliated to the PPP…” So the main consideration was not economic, but political.

Having come to power, and discovered that oil was found in massive quantities in Guyana, they felt that here was their chance to deliver a massive blow to the sugar workers. It is clear that they took that action in the belief that whatever revenue they would lose from a revived sugar industry would be made up when oil begins to flow.

In this regard, sugar is

the first victim of oil. The rest of agriculture will follow.

As I have argued before, the revival of sugar was not ‘mission impossible’. The industry had experienced worse difficulties before, and overcame them.

Indeed, in 1990, sugar production had fallen to a mere 129,000 tons. The PNC was planning to sell it for a pittance. However, the PPP/C, taking office in 1992, saved the industry.

Production went up to more than 300,000 tons.

Under the PPP/C Administration, the problems in the industry were being overcome. Just recall that, in 2015, all the targets were met. Clearly, the disaster for the industry was the APNU/AFC regime’s doing.

That regime reversed the turnaround and turned it into a reversal.

The regime has since borrowed thirty billion dollars ($30B) from the commercial banks at substantial interest. The pretext that they used is that they are going to invest that money in the other estates to save the industry. That is a false argument. It is a smoke screen for total closure. What that is actually doing is saddling the industry with a huge debt, to ensure that they stifle the industry and make it impossible to repay the debt.

I say this because an examination of their actions will show that this regime continues to take action to kill

Political gimmick failed

Dear Editor, I will wholeheartedly agree with the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, that the bizarre unilateral declaration of the nightmarish increase in the Berbice Bridge toll is a ‘political gimmick’ meant to give the Coalition a ‘campaign issue’. It is indeed an ‘act of desperation’ if one is to analyze all that has transpired during the past months prior to the Local Government Elections on November 12th, from the unilateral appointment of the GECOM’s Chairman, the questionable appointment of the Deputy Chief Elections Officer, the gerrymandering of the LAAs constituencies, the fake and fraudulent backers’ lists and the false declaration by the Alliance for Change that they have withdrawn from contesting at least 10 LAAs. The Coalition can no longer beat the ‘corruption drum’ against the PPP since those drums are now reverberating in far higher decibels in their own camps, from top to bottom!

In fact it will take all their ingenuity and more to now convince the masses that they are not by far the most corrupt government ever. Moreover, they will now have to also convince the populace that the steep decline in the economy, the increase in criminal activities, the poor services in the health sector (the Ophthalmology Hospital has now gone blind), the loss of thousands of jobs especially in Berbice, the declining rice production in Berbice,

the wage freeze of the remaining sugar workers and the taking away of many of their benefits, the increasing poverty and hopelessness are not part of their ‘good life’ strategy. Mr Winston Jordan will fail miserably to persuade Guyanese that this is just ‘a figment’ of their imagination.

It is now good to see that the Attorney Genral, Mr Basil Williams, having studied the Berbice Bridge Act is now in agreement with the Leader of the Opposition that, the company must know that the power it has under Section 4.1 subsection 2 of the Act must be read subject to Section 4.1 (d) (III), which empowers the minister to determine the maximum amount of toll and that only the minister could approve and publish in the Gazette, the tolls. He further stated that announcement that (BBCI) made is of no legal effect and that Minister Patterson will formally write the Company that the Government has rejected those increases. This then begs the question: Why is the PPP being blamed for the proposed increases in the Bridge tolls when the Bridge Act 2006 legally guard against such unilateral and arbitrary increases? This is most vexatious, utterly mischievous and a deceitful attempt to once again smear the PPP! Let me give a glaring example of this smear campaign which is now being unleashed.

There was an article written by Imran Khan, the Head of the DPI, and published in the Guyana Chronicle cap-

tioned, ‘Berbician’s continue to pay for Jagdeo’s bad deal’ which claimed that the Berbice Bridge is ‘a symbol of the reckless spending’ by the PPP Government and followed this with an outrageous claim that Jagdeo knew that the toll would eventually increase to $8,000 since it was in the Contract. My question to Khan is simple: Why did his Government remained silent about this for more than three and a half years? Is it believable that after all the transactions between his Government and the Bridge Company that it is only now they are aware of this content? He closed

his lies by stating that his Government will do all in its power to mitigate the pains of Berbicians.

This is so convenient- create a problem which does not exist and then solve it. Khan like his incompetent boss will need to do far better yarn spinning! The ‘political gimmick’ has not only failed but it has once again highlighted the innately devious and Machiavellian nature of this Government which will not stop at anything to retain power.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

the industry. They have removed many experienced and skilled managers from the industry. Almost all of those senior staff members that were removed are Indian-Guyanese, and they were all highly qualified, efficient and competent. They have imposed on the industry a large amount of old PNCites. Those gentlemen are each receiving salaries well above one million dollars ($1M) per month. It is apposite to note that those are persons in their 80s, and one is in his 90s. Those persons are without energy, and their knowledge of the industry is obsolete.

If their intentions were to revive the industry, I ask why borrow $30 billion, instead of accepting the offer from India to assist in recapitalising the sugar industry?

India was prepared to give not only credit at favourable conditions to fix the factories, but technical assistance in field and factory.

In 2014 and 2015, the then management of GuySuCo was testing liquid fertilisers in the field.

Using that would have allowed us to cut cost of procuring fertilisers by more than half. This regime, while talking about a ‘green economy,’ has damaged the best hope for having a green economy. All the plans for developing new revenue streams to compensate for the cut in the prices of sugar from Europe have been dashed by this regime. Their actions are most callous.

The PPP/C was making this industry into a complex. We had already begun producing electricity from bagasse. That project

could have been expanded to Albion and Enmore estates. GuySuCo should by now have become a major producer of power. It would have satisfied a large amount of the country’s needs. Packaging was to be expanded; and refining sugar, with some joint venture, was also very feasible. Plans for production of ethanol and for establishment of another distillery have all been cast aside. In the meantime, we can see no evidence of where the thirty billion dollars ($30B) are being utilised to help the industry.

Instead, we are hearing of the construction of a modern, lavish entertainment complex at La Bonne Intention. What is this for?

Would it be an exclusive club for GuySuCo’s big boys and those of the APNU/AFC regime? What revenue would this generate to revive the industry?

The regime has no intention to revive the industry. The truncated industry cannot sustain the huge bureaucracy that it has to upkeep. It will be incapable of repaying the huge debts with which it is now being saddled.

What is taking place now is the ‘milking’ of the industry by the regime -- to extract for themselves as much as possible for their own enrichment, while workers and communities are pauperised. The wanton and criminal destruction of sugar would come back to haunt us!

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

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Foundation

My child is a bully: What should I do? …how to find out what’s behind the bullying behaviour, and foster healthy friendship skills

By Brigit Katz

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ina, the mother of a 12-year-old boy, got a disconcerting phone call from his school. A student had complained that her son was bullying him. After looking into the matter, the school staff concluded that her child had been tormenting a number of his classmates with namecalling, physical violence, and even sexual harassment.

“Needless to say, we were mortified and ashamed,” Gina remembers. “But not only that, we were heartbroken.”

No parent wants to hear that her child is a bully. It’s painful to think of your child inflicting harm on other kids.

But bullying is also a serious issue for the aggressor.

Kids’ friendship skills are an important indicator of their overall mental health. If your child is said to be engaging in bullying behaviours—whether physical or verbal – it might be a sign of serious distress.

He might be experiencing anxiety or depression, and have difficulty regulating his emotions and behaviour.

Why do kids bully?

It’s important to keep in mind that kids don’t bully because they are “bad kids”.

“Kids engage in all kinds of behaviour that isn’t a reflection of who they are as a person,” says Dr Jamie Howard, director of the Stress and Resilience Programme at the Child Mind Institute. “They’re still figuring things out. They can be nice kids who have made some mistakes.” There are many reasons why an otherwise well-behaved child might be unkind to other kids. Here are a few:

The child wants to fit in with a group of friends who are picking on one classmate.

She is getting bullied at home or at school, and is trying to regain a sense of power by acting aggressively toward others.

She is looking for attention from teachers, parents, or classmates, and hasn’t been successful getting it other ways.

She is by nature more assertive and impulsive than her peers.

She has a tendency to perceive the behaviour of other kids as hostile, even when it is not.

She does not fully grasp how her behaviour is making the victim feel. This is particularly true of younger kids.

By talking with your child about it, understanding from her point of view what’s going on, and guiding her through appropriate friendship behaviours, you can curb bullying and address the issues that might have caused it to happen in the first place.

Here are s o m e tips for ensuring that your child fosters respectful re l at i o n s h i ps with her peers.

Communicate If you hear from a teacher or another parent that your child is being a bully, the first thing you should do

is talk to your child about the situation. Be direct about the issue, but make it clear that you are open to hearing your child’s side of the story. Say something along the lines of: “I got a call from the school today, and the teacher indicated that you were involved in some bullying. I’m really concerned about this, and we need to talk about it. Please tell me what happened.”

Talking through the situation with your child can help you understand why the social aggression is happening, and what steps need to be taken in order to stop it. After Gina was told that her son was harassing other children, she and her husband had many long talks with him about why he was acting out in that way.

“We asked him lots of questions about why he did those things,” Gina explains.

“Our child had incredibly low self-esteem. Bullying gave him power and control over something. He told us that it was nice being known as ‘the worst kid in school,’ rather than not being noticed at all.”

Other kids might not be able to articulate why they are acting out.

This is especially true of younger

children and kids who a r e struggling with anxiety, trauma, or another mental health issue.

If you are having trouble getting

to the bottom of why your child is acting out, consider consulting a child psychologist or psychiatrist who has a lot of experience evaluating kids’ behaviours.

Cope ahead Once you have investigated the roots of the problem, you can tailor your response to the specific challenges that your child faces in her social interactions. Discuss scenarios that might prove difficult for her to handle, and guide her through appropriate responses. If, for example, your child has been deliberately excluding one of her classmates from social activities, tell her: “When someone asks to play with you, you should say yes. I want to see you including kids, and I want to see you using only respectful language.”

“Have lots of different solutions to various issues that are likely to come up, and give clear examples about how you expect your child to respond,” says Dr Howard. “I would try to frame it as friendship b e h a v i o u r, rather than, ‘Don’t be a bully.’

Kids respond better to being told what to do than what not to do.”

Encouraging your child to take the perspective of the person who is being bullied can be another

helpful way to cope ahead. Ask your child: “Can you think of a time when you felt left out or sad because somebody wasn’t being nice to you? That feeling you had is the same feeling your classmate is having because you aren’t being nice to her.”

Look inward Children who are exposed to aggressive or unkind interactions at home are likely to repeat those behaviours at school. “It’s important for parents to think about how their behaviours might influence their kids – the way they speak to their children, the way they speak to their spouses, the way they handle anger – and to be realistic about whether or not this might be something that’s been modelled for the child,” says Dr Kristin Carothers, a clinical psychologist.

It is possible that bullying takes place in your home, and that you are not even aware of it. Do members of your family engage in yelling, name-calling, or putdowns? Do your children pick on one another, or hit each other? If so, it is important to start fostering a positive home environment, where members of the family treat one another with kindness and respect.

After Gina learned about her son’s bullying, she took great pains to ensure that her home life reflected the sort of behaviour that she wanted her son to practice at school. “We didn’t allow any ‘bully type’ talk or jokes, we practised manners, and we encouraged helping and lifting each other up,” she says. “Things weren’t always perfect at home, but if we or the other kids didn’t behave appropriately, we talked about it as a family.”

(Excerpt from childmind.org)

To be continued

Map Your Food

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aps, in all shapes, sizes, and themes, are a common Social Studies topic. Kids love the textures and shapes of physical maps, the intricate symbols of product maps, and the rainbow colours of climate charts. But it can be another matter altogether when it comes to locating themselves within that context.

Here’s a fun family activity that builds this awareness, while also addressing the pressing environmental issue of our “global footprint”. And if you’ve got a picky eater around, it just might get him to try some new foods, too!

What You Need:

10-20 foods that your child eats often over a week. Try to include a range of categories, from produce and meat to milk to cereals and snacks.

Wall size map of the world Ball of thin coloured yarn Push pins or repositionable tape (available at stationery or art supply stores) Small sticky notes

What You Do:

Explain to your child that you are going to figure out how far your food travels to get to you. Start by putting up the world map, and marking your home town on it with a coloured marker.

Invite your child to explore the kitchen with you, and pull out your 10-20 common food items. Keep them in their containers, or leave stickers on them, for this activity – you want to find out where they’re from!

Now, one by one, “map” your food: stretch your yarn from your house to the country or state, or even city, where your food was grown or made. Label each string with a post-it.

Take out a plain piece of paper and start a list: for each food, use the map legend to figure how many miles it came, assuming it came “as the crow flies.” (It may not have, but this will still give us a useful ballpark). If a product came from within 50 miles, it may be too hard to be exact; just give it an average number of, say 20. And if it came from your back yard, of course, you can savour writing a nice round “0”!

When you’re done, you should have a dramatic map with lines of varying lengths. Leave it up for the week and talk it over. Are there any foods you might choose that are closer to home? Tally your first total of miles...and then, for the next couple of weeks, see if you can beat your score. What is it like to “eat local,” and how can you do it more often? (education.com)

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saturdAY, october 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Lusignan Prison break

Escaped murder accused nabbed at Soesdyke Junction The Prisons Director thanked the public-spirited persons who assisted the members of the Joint Services in recapturing the murder accused while encouraging others to follow suite.

The trio escaped from the Lusignan Prison at about 04:30h on Monday, October 15, 2018, by scaling the fence between towers three and four which were equipped with security personnel.

ly instructed to put into operation the Standard Operating Procedures (SoP), which is to review relevant Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage and to conduct a physical muster. It was while reviewing the footage; he came to the conclusion that the ranks on duty were not alert.

Samuels explained that the three men took a considerable amount of time to make their way through

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civilian and a member of the City Constabulary were injured on Friday morning during a scuffle in the compound of the Mayor and City Council.

Information reaching Guyana Times revealed that Constable Rawle Bobb was stabbed to the mouth by the civilian and in retaliation, the Constable whipped out his service weapon and shot the man to his foot.

Reports are the incident occurred at about 09:30h after the civilian, who was

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Still on the run: Dextroy Pollard

At the time, there were also five prison officers and Police ranks in close proximity to the area where the men escaped but no one reportedly saw any unusual movements or sounds.

At a subsequent press conference, the acting Director of Prisons explained that he received a telephone call informing him that there was a prison break about two hours after it occurred.

He said he immediate-

Still on the run: Sudesh Dyal

the razor wire.

The ranks on duty were subsequently questioned and placed under close arrest.

However, with the apprehension of Evans, the Joint Services will continue their search for the remaining two escapees. Pollard of Wales, West Bank Demerara was convicted for breaking and entering and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, while Dyal was on remand for breaking and entering.

sentenced to do community work at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts returned to the outpost to enquire about his pedal cycle that was left there.

This enquiry, Guyana Times understands, led to a heated argument between the two men which quickly escalated into an altercation. As a result, a door at the outpost broke off and it was this that angered the Constable further. The civilian reportedly armed himself with an improvised “jucker” and stabbed the city Constable to his mouth

and in return, the Constable shot the suspect to his foot.

They were both taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where they were admitted.

When contacted, Chief Constable Andrew Foo indicated that the matter is being investigated. He said from what was reported, he is of the understanding that the civilian entered the City Constabulary to “claim a cycle”. “He was being spoken to by one of the ranks. He became disorderly. He attacked the rank and stabbed him to the face and mouth,” Foo said.

Construction worker charged for raping teen

26-year-old construction worker was on Friday released on $250,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he was hauled before the court for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl.

Calvin Mann, of Timehri, East Bank Demerara, was not required to plea to the indictable charge, which was read

Captured: Travis Evans

ne of the three prisoners who escaped from the Lusignan penitentiary on Monday last was recaptured in the vicinity of the Soesdyke Junction on Friday morning.

Murder accused Travis Evans was apprehended by members of the Joint Services at about 07:45h after they received information about his whereabouts. This was confirmed by acting Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels who stated that the Joint Services received information about the man being sighted in the area.

As a result, several search teams were dispatched to the area and ultimately apprehended the 23-year-old escapee.

He was taken to a Police station where he was being questioned in connection with the whereabouts of the other two escapees – Sudesh Dyal, 23, and 29-year-old Dextroy Pollard.

Constable stabbed, man shot during scuffle at City Hall

in camera at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.

The charge alleged that between August 1 and August 31, 2018, Mann committed the dreadful act on the child without her consent.

However, Police Prosecutor Simone Payne objected to bail being granted to the accused while informing

the court that the victim and the defendant are known to each other.

The Chief Magistrate overruled the prosecution’s submission and granted the labourer his pre-trial liberty. Mann was represented by Attorney Stanley Moore.

The case will continue on October 23.

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saturdAY, october 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Essequibo Coast rape/robbery

Former GDF ranks released on $300,000 bail each

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he two former ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who are accused of raping an Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) woman in the presence of her boyfriend last weekend at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground, were granted bail when they appeared at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court.

Rawlston Reid, 22, of Dutch Four Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara; and Isaiah Rawlins, 21, of Wisroc, Linden, were granted bail in the sum of $300,000 each by Magistrate Esther Sam. The men were also accused of robbing the rape victim's boyfriend on the day in question.

Upon granting the men bail, the Magistrate ordered them to report to the Anna Regina Police Station on a daily basis. The men were also ordered to stay more than 200 feet away from the victims.

Guyana Times understands that the rape vic-

Rawlston Reid and Isaiah Rawlins after making their court appearance at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court on Friday

tim is expected to come to Georgetown to get counselling today.

It was reported that the female victim and her boyfriend were at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground, which is close to the GDF base, for an event and at about 23:30h, as they were enjoying an evening together, the two ranks attacked them.

The soldiers reportedly dealt the young man sev-

eral blows about his body, took away his money and gold chain, and demanded that his girlfriend have sex with them or else they would rape him.

At first, this demand was shut down, but the two ranks severely beat the young man.

They then allegedly took turns raping the woman as she wept bitterly and asked them to stop.

The young man had no choice but to watch his girl-

friend being sexually assaulted. After the ordeal, the young couple reported the matter to the Police station. At the Police station, the couple was told that there were no ranks available to search the area.

Family members then took it upon themselves to look for the two perpetrators. Upon seeing the angry mob of residents, the two men escaped.

The couple was taken to hospital where the young lady was admitted. The Police subsequently took statements from the two traumatised young people and an investigation was launched.

An identification parade was done on Monday afternoon at the Suddie Police Station and the two perpetrators were positively identified by the victims. Guyana Times was told that while the ID parade was in progress, colleagues of the implicated ranks were heard shouting derogatory remarks towards the victims.

The young male victim is an acquaintance of both ranks.

Ex-prison warden slapped with larceny charge

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61-year-old former prison warden appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday, slapped with a simple larceny charge.

Christopher Lyte of Lot 1608 Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly to

answer a charge which stated that on September 18, 2018, at Cummings Street and Orange Walk, Bourda, Georgetown, he stole a quantity of clothing valued $500,000; property of Kelvin Young.

Lyte denied the charge.

His attorney in a bail application told the court that

his client is a former prison officer, who is now a vendor. According to the lawyer, his client was heading to Bourda Market to sell the clothing when the Virtual Complainant confronted him and accused him of stealing his items, after which he assaulted him.

The Police prosecutor made no objections to bail being granted. Magistrate Daly released him on $100,000 bail, with the case continuing on November 7. As a condition for bail, he has to report weekly at the Alberttown Police Station.

Paramount President…

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…and GECOM Chair

he Appellate Court just AFFIRMED President David Granger’s unilateral appointment of Justice James Patterson as Chairman of GECOM!! The backwards slide into the Imperial Presidency of Forbes Burnham continues apace, since we’re back to having the President selecting whomever he damn well pleases to the crucial position of the individual exercising the casting vote on electoral matters.

For a country as divided as we are between matching blocks - and having the sordid history of the PNC massively and flagrantly rigging elections to stay in power and exclude the “other half” – the decision makes a mockery of the efforts to institute a system that would include both sides. What the Court decreed, in effect, is the President doesn’t even glance at the list of six persons submitted by the Opposition Leader. He can just toss it into the garbage bin and blithely choose the person he wanted to from the beginning!

It smacks of the days before “meaningful consultation” was constitutionally defined and Burnham just had to “consult” with Opposition Leader Jagan on crucial decisions. He’d call up Jagan, enquire about the weather, and gleefully chortle to his attendees that he’d just “consulted” Jagan!!

While the Appellate Court purported to give the proper “normative” basis for their decision by alluding to the “intent” of the framers, they completely ignored the historical context. They referred only to the impact on the President’s prerogative of the rule that a list of six nominees must be presented by the Opposition Leader. So what’s the Opposition Leader? Chopped liver?

The “Carter Formula” gave substance to the fact that the latter is also a constitutional office like the Presidency.

So, in the circumstances that led to the acceptance of consultation by both the PNC and PPP, he was given due consideration in light of the nature of politics in Guyana, so as to give legitimacy to the results of elections. It is a historical fact that when the Premier/President, under the prior rule, could unilaterally choose the GECOM Chair – once he was a Judge -- Burnham picked individuals who were slavishly loyal to him, and rigged elections with impunity!! Does anyone in Guyana – including the three Justices who just made that decision – believe otherwise of Patterson?

He’s totally unacceptable to the Opposition Leader.

Doesn’t this mean anything to the “Justices”? If, as one of them said, the President’s choice should be subject to the “reasonable man’s test”….shouldn’t his rejections from the list also be subjected to this test??

Which reasonable man can justify rejecting Major General (retd) Joe Singh – who’d already served with distinction as GECOM’s Chair?

Oh Judgement, thou art fled to savage beasts!!

…on sugar

How’d you respond to President Granger’s declaration to Parliament: “Sugar workers have not been abandoned to an uncertain future”??!! Since we know he isn’t living in some parallel universe, we have to assume he thinks sugar workers’ brains have gone soft after fetching 3 tonnes of cane daily for years!! He unilaterally fired 5700 sugar workers from GuySuCo and another 2000 from private cane farmers in an economy that isn’t creating jobs, and can he say their future isn’t “UNCERTAIN”??

He said, “The Government will continue to work diligently to ensure that the displaced workers are provided with opportunities to participate actively in other sectors of the economy. These include production and processing of rice and other crops, livestock, fisheries, construction, manufacturing, services and mining.”

Continue to work?? Two years after the firings, not even a penny’s been allocated for such activities!! Are workers to simply trust his words?? In fact, it took a year of militant action by workers to finally have moneys allocated for their SEVERANCE pay - which is LEGALLY owed to them!!

Who does he think he’s fooling? Nagamootoo?

…and oil

Officially, five Ministries are under the Presidency. And with Ramjattan in charge of just the 2am bar curfew, the President also handles Security.

Now with the Oil Portfolio, does he need Ministers?

But then, they’re all his “creatures”!!

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

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saturdAY, october 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BBCI financial crisis

AG report findings

Govt fails to honour campaign promise 18 contracts awarded to handpicked contractor to halve tolls, reform structure

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he Government of Guyana continues to fail to implement and honour several promises it made to the residents of Berbice while it was campaigning for their support under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition banner.

This is according to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who continued to insist on Friday that Government, and the AFC in particular, are involved in political trickery when it comes to the lives of thousands of Guyanese who utilise the US$40 million Berbice River Bridge and its surrounding infrastructure on an almost daily basis.

Speaking with Guyana Times during an invited comment, Jagdeo called on Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to admit that he lied to Berbicians while campaigning in relation to the coalition’s plans for the bridge. If he refuses to do so, then he should simply explain why after three years in office, the coalition has failed to deliver, the Opposition Leader suggested.

Jagdeo’s comments gained traction on Friday after video and audio evidence surfaced of Prime Minister Nagamootoo promising Berbicians to halve the tolls they pay to utilise the bridge, should his coalition win executive power.

“We will investigate and restructure the ownership of the Berbice Bridge… and our new APNU/AFC will reduce the toll by half,” he said to loud applause during the 2015 elections campaign.

Nagamootoo, like other AFC and APNU officials, also promised several other undertakings in relation to the bridge.

But when in office, Nagamootoo’s rhetoric

changed and shifted. This saw his Government only reducing the tolls from $2200 to $1900 for ordinary vehicles to utilise the bridge.

Also, under the new APNU/AFC Government, Dr Surrendra Persaud was appointed Chairman of the BBCI Board of Directors.

Soon after, he declared his support openly from the political entity.

“It is time for direction; for a new direction for Guyana… the APNU/AFC is the only inclusive political party that will give all of us the opportunity to participate in change to take us, a nation as a people, forward in a new direction. I am proud to be part of the APNU/AFC coalition and I call on all of my patriotic Guyanese brothers and sisters to join in this movement of change,” he said in a campaign advertisement.

It was Dr Persaud himself, who announced the proposed toll increases after he claimed the Berbice Bridge had close to $2.8 billion in losses.

There are now more questions than answers about the fiasco following the publication of a report in the State media, which quoted the country’s Attorney General Basil Williams as saying that the Government would continue to block the newly pro-

posed toll increases because they are illegal.

Williams alleged that the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBC)) was in breach of the Concessionary Agreement signed with the Government of Guyana under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) when one looks at the terms and conditions of the contract between the various parties.

The Attorney General dubbed the announcement made by the BCCI Board Chairman Dr Surrendra Persaud as “unilateral” before stating that the Concessionary Agreement clearly states that any bridge toll increase announcement must be “consensual”. The Attorney General also denied that there was any consultation with the Public Infrastructure Minister on the proposed toll increases as compiled by the Board. ‘ Quoting various aspects of the agreement, Williams disclosed that the agreement empowers the Minister to determine the maximum amount of toll and makes it even clearer that “only the Minister could publish in the Gazette, the tolls”. Before saying that BCCI’s announcement is of no effect.

He even pointed to the other dispute resolution clauses that were carefully drafted into the contract by

the PPP in order to protect the Guyanese public from exploitation and under fair tolls that could be followed.

Williams’ statements are a far cry away from those made by his colleague Minister David Patterson who appeared to be in ‘panic mode’ following the announcement by the BCCI. Patterson had even told the media that Government was exploring all legal options in the face of the persistence of the BBCI in order to block the toll increases.

Minister Patterson on Wednesday said at this point he was open to dialogue with Opposition Leader and former President, Bharrat Jagdeo in order to come up with solutions to block the increase while responding to the concerns of Directors of the BCCI in order to resolve the impasse but Jagdeo said something seems amiss as the Minister, who has been in office since 2015, ought to know that there was nothing in the contract signed by the PPP that makes room for such exorbitant increases.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Joseph Harmon at the post-Cabinet press briefing on Friday said that the proposed toll increases are unconscionable and burdensome not to Berbicians but all Guyanese. While noting that Cabinet is firm in its non-acceptance of the increases, he hopes that good sense will prevail in the matter.

Cars and minibuses will now be charged $8040; pickups, small trucks and four-wheel drive vehicles, $14,600; medium trucks, $27,720; large trucks, $49,600; Art trucks, $116,680; freight, $1680 and boats passing through the river will be charged $401,040.

(Michael Younge)

– no beginning, completion dates recorded by Tender Board

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uditor General Deodat Sharma has raised red flags over the awarding of 18 contracts to one contractor in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), which were not put through a competitive bidding process, but were instead handed to the contractor in a ‘selective tendering’ process.

For 2017, $459.6 million was allocated for repairs and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure in the region. The favoured contractor received 18 contracts worth some $59.1 million, which fell under a $90 million allocation for the drainage and irrigation component of the regional budget.

The Auditor General made it clear that tenders for these 18 projects were not advertised publicly. Instead, the Regional Tender Board (RTB) claimed the contractor was procured through selective tendering.

“The reason given in the RTB minutes for using this method of procurement in 10 cases was that the works were emergencies. No reason was given for using this method of procurement for the other eight contracts.”

“Further, eight of the 10 contracts awarded by the RTB on September 7, 2017 and recorded on RTB minutes were valued at $21.5 million, but these contracts had no commencement and completion dates stated as a means of ensuring that works are completed within a stipulated time.”

In response to this, the head of the budget agency noted that the cases were all “emergencies” and went on to explain that it was an oversight for the minutes

to not include information on the commencement and completion dates. The head of the agency did promise that the omission would be corrected.

The Audit Office however recommended that the regional administration ensure all contracts are awarded in accordance with the Procurement Act. In addition, it urged the region to ensure that all contracts are complete with commencement and completion dates to ensure proper monitoring and enforcing of penalties.

Sole sourcing

Anti-corruption voices have repeatedly criticised the Government for sole sourcing contracts, under the guise of emergency works. In fact, the fallout from one sole sourced contract for a drug bond is believed to be behind aspects of a Cabinet reshuffle early last year.

In May of last year, the parliamentary Opposition had fielded questions in the National Assembly to the Ministers of Public Health and Communities in relation to the public procurement practices being used by the Government.

When a response came from Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, it was revealed that nine out of 10 regions in Guyana did no public tendering for drugs and medical supplies between January 2016 and February 2017.

In addition, all regions indicated that no prequalification process was followed.

Procurement of drugs and medical supplies had all been done in the name of emergencies. continued on page 13

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Ramjattan ordered to meet with experts ...as he struggles to find solution for prison woes

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n response to the recent incidents within the local prison system, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has met with a team of persons with expertise to discuss possible solutions to address the issues facing the Guyana Prisons Service (GPS).

This was revealed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Friday morning at this week’s post-Cabinet press briefing.

“The Minister has been asked to convene a special team of officers and technical persons who have an understanding of the prison system to meet with him and to advise on further steps to be taken,” the State Minister said.

When contacted later on Friday, Minister Ramjattan would only confirm that the meeting did happen, noting that he could not disclose what was discussed or whom he had met with. However, Guyana Times understands that certain recommendations were presented to the Public Security Minister during the meeting.

On Monday morning, three inmates from the Lusignan Penitentiary, one of whom has since been recaptured, scaled the fence of the Holding Bay area and escaped. Later that night, several inmates at the facil-

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

ity kicked up a riot over the food they were served and in retaliation, ranks opened fire on them resulting in at least 10 of them being injured.

At a press conference following these incidents, Minister Ramjattan lamented that he does not know what else can be done to address the troubles within the prisons system, describing it as an extraordinarily difficult circumstance.

“I don’t have any other suggestions… for their security, for the citizens’ security as to what we can do there…

So look, the thing gives me headache every night,” the Public Security Minister asserted.

He went on to disclose that the requests made to various international agen-

cies for funding to address the state of affairs within the prison system have been rejected and so now the only solution would be to await money Guyana will earn from oil production in two years’ time.

With overcrowding being a major issue in local prisons, the troubles of the system worsened during the last three years. In March 2016, seventeen inmates were killed and several others injured after they set fire inside one of the holding areas in the Camp Street Prison.

The situation took a turn for the worst in July last year after a jailbreak and fire which completed destroyed the Camp Street penitentiary, leaving just one concrete building which was recently built standing in the compound.

Following that 2017 incident, over 1000 prisoners housed at the Georgetown penitentiary were displaced.

While some were moved to the Mazaruni Prison, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) or granted early release or bail, others remained at the Lusignan Prison under strained circumstances.

There are currently some 558 inmates at the East Coast of Demerara penitentiary.

According to Minister

Harmon, at Friday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, they have encountered two sets of issues facing the prison system; one of which has to do with the operation of the facilities and as such, clear directions were given to acting Prisons Director Gladwin Samuels to address these matters.

“Interviews with the prisoners actually brought out the questions of the meals, accommodation, water and sanitary facilities… So we did express our concerns that those issues which are operational in nature must be addressed by the Director of Prisons and his officers.

Also, the fact that the officers should, on a regular basis, interact with those prisoners who are there to find out whether in fact there are issues which are brewing and so we instructed that that also be done,” he stated.

The other set of issues had to do with a higher level of strategic intervention.

This, Minister Harmon noted, is being addressed with the expansion of the prisons’ capacity. Currently, works are ongoing to expand the Mazaruni Prison into a state-of-the art facility to accommodate an additional 400 inmates, while a new holding facility is also being constructed at Camp Street.

CANU nabs EBD man with date-rape drug

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Kenton Haynes

he Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) nabbed a

Georgetown.

Based on reports received, Haynes and other males were arrested and taken into custody after agents of CANU intervened during an Ecstasy transaction being conducted at Orange Walk. The illegal pills were found in possession of Haynes.

On Friday, Haynes was charged and appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He denied the charge and was granted $200,000 bail. As a condition for bail, he was ordered to lodge

The pills that were found in the suspect’s possession

Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara man with 559 Ecstasy pills weighing 219.7 grams. Kenton Haynes was arrested between Charlotte Street and Orange Walk,

his passport and report to CANU headquarters on a weekly basis until the completion of the matter.

The case was adjourned for November 1.

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saturdAY, october 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GECOM chair appointment

Appeals Court decision “bewildering” – Nandlall – points out Judges upheld legal submissions

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aking it clear that they will carry the case to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), former Attorney General Anil Nandlall has expressed bewilderment at the ruling of the Appeals Court in the challenge against the unilateral appointment of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman.

In his most recent writings, Nandlall zeroed in on the summary of the rulings of Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonnette CummingsEdwards and her fellow Appeal Court Justices Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud.

Stressing his inherent right to comment on matters of public interest, Nandlall noted that the Judges acknowledged the intention of the framers of the Constitution for the President to engage with the Leader of the Opposition in appointing a GECOM Chairman… from a list of six persons ranging from a judicial category to a “fit and proper” category.

“In fact, in the course of rendering the summary of their rulings, their Honours upheld almost every submission which I made and rejected almost every contention of the Attorney General and his team of Queen’s Counsel,” Nandlall observed.

“Although, they recognised this intent… yet they came to the bewildering conclusion that the President acted in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Constitution when he unilaterally appointed Justice Patterson, after rejecting 18 outstanding professional Guyanese, including, a retired Justice of Appeal, a retired High Court Judge and several prominent lawyers, qualified to be Judges.”

Interpretative gymnastics

Nandlall described the justification for the ruling

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Appeals Court Judge Rishi Persaud

GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson

as “interpretative gymnastics and juridical ingenuities.” According to the former AG, much care was taken to absolve President David Granger from any blame in appointing retired Justice James Patterson as GECOM’s Chairman.

“You will also note that the Constitution has put in place the qualifications of the persons who are to be appointed, leaving no room for the President to inject any subjective ‘characteristics’.

Another said that to mandate the President to choose from a list would lead to an ‘unreasonable fettering of his discretion.”

“This is the very Judge who, minutes before, enunciated that the framers of article 161 (2) intended to replace ‘unilateralism’ with ‘consensualism’ in the appointment of the Chairman of GECOM, but who now fails to recognise that the quintessence of that ‘consensualism’ is the confinement of the President’s power of appointment to the six names submitted to him by the Leader of the Opposition!”

Nandlall said in short, the ruling of the Court of Appeal is that a President can reject the stipulated list of six names submitted to him by the Leader of the Opposition, irrespective of how qualified

and suitable the nominees are.

He also noted that the implications of the ruling are that the President can then resort to appointing a GECOM Chairman of his own choosing, from the judicial category, once he utilises the proviso.

“This ruling, therefore, takes us over a quarter of a century back in time to what existed in the 1980 Constitution, whereby the President was empowered to unilaterally appoint a person of his own choosing from the judicial category! I sincerely hope that the Caribbean Court of Justice will restore those lost years.”

Justice Patterson’s appointment was not unconstitutional, saying the President was empowered to appoint a Judge, retired Judge or someone with the qualifications if he judged the Opposition Leader’s list unacceptable.

Justice Gregory in her determination opined that

The ruling

On Thursday, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha lost his appeal of acting Chief Justice Roxane George’s decision regarding the appointment of Patterson as Chairman of GECOM when the Court of Appeal handed down its ruling.

The PPP was seeking to have the court reverse Justice George’s June 8, 2018, ruling which followed Mustapha filing his case in October last year.

The Appeals Court Judges unanimously agreed that

Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonnette Cummings-Edwards

the three lists as submitted did not achieve consensus.

Justice Persaud said too that any move towards unilateralism is wholly unacceptable and this could lead to abuse and would not be motivated by good faith.

He outlined that there

Appeals Court Judge Dawn Gregory

was nothing to suggest that the President acted “unconstitutionally, illegally or unreasonably in appointing Justice Patterson.

Chancellor CummingsEdwards, who announced the unanimous decision, spoke extensively in giving background to applicant’s case.

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Teachers' wages impasse

Agreement yet to be signed between GTU, MoE

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lthough promised for this week, the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and the Education Ministry has not yet signed the agreement to end the teacher' salary impasse and is more than likely to do so by next week according to the General Secretary of the GTU, Coretta McDonald.

The General Secretary made the disclosure during an invited comment on Friday morning.

She explained that the agreement "still has a few things to clear up.”

When further questioned she said that the

GTU has to make sure that it signs a document which will benefit all their teachers, as such there are other non-salary issues that are yet to be sorted out.

McDonald had previously said the agreement would have been signed by Wednesday last.

Last Friday, following a six-hour long discussion between the two parties, the GTU agreed to a 12 per cent increase for 2016 and eight per cent increase for 2018.

The agreement came more than one month after the GTU called off a nationwide strike.

Education Minister

GTU President Mark Lyte and Education Minister Nicolette Henry following the meeting last week.

Also in photo are other GTU executives and Education Ministry staff

Women, men urged to get screened for cancer …as ERC observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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he Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) on Friday observed breast cancer awareness month in Guyana by facilitating talks with cancer survivors and patients, medical personnel and members of the Guyana Cancer Foundation.

This activity was also organised to increase awareness of the disease in Guyana since there has been a significant number of patients who are diagnosed every year.

The ERC, through its partnership with the Guyana Cancer Foundation, is encouraging women to take early preventative measures by getting screened, which can be done at no cost attached through provisions

that were set up by the institute. Mammograms and sonograms are offered but there is an age requirement and other factors which must be taken into consideration.

Commissioner Ruth Howard noted, “This is an annual national health campaign organised by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research in its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.”

Additionally, the founder of the Guyana Cancer Foundation, Bibi Hassan, highlighted some of the work that has been done by the organisation over the past year to reduce can-

cer-related cases. This includes medical outreaches which have benefited over 3000 persons.

It was also mentioned that screening for prostate cancer was introduced just one month ago and is completed with a single blood sample. Cancer research will also be directed by the Foundation in Guyana in the near future.

“Just last month we launched prostate cancer screening for 200 men. This is not a physical examination. You just do a simple blood test to get your prostate screening done. It’s a 24-hour service and it just takes like five minutes,” said Hassan.

With the mission statement “to reintegrate cancer

survivors back into society”, the Foundation is seeking to offer as much assistance to the public as possible, where funds are also generated to provide these services.

Medical personnel at the event would have also facilitated talks on what persons can do to detect cancer at an early stage. This disease is considered as the leading cause of cancer related deaths in women in Guyana and throughout the month of October, persons are encouraged to wear pink to show their support.

Breast Cancer awareness month was introduced in 1985 by the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Empirical Chemical Industries.

Nicolette Henry announced last week, “What we have proposed essentially is in so far as 2016 is concerned, we finalised at 12 and eight per cent respectively and for 2018, we’re at eight per cent and the debunching figure (is) the one that we shared earlier – the $350,000,000.”

Although fewer smiles were seen on the faces of the executives after that meeting, GTU President Mark Lyte told this publication that the Union was satisfied with the amount being given to teachers. “We are walking away a lot happier than initially. We recognise that we were able to broker an agreement with the Ministry of Education that

will bring a lot of satisfaction to our members, and I think that was the ultimate objective of this whole process to ensure that every teacher benefits significantly.”

According to him, the previous offers tabled did not provide benefits for all teachers. In fact, some 80 per cent of teachers, he said, would not have benefited from the Government’s previous offer.

It was explained by him that the increases for teachers will be paid in two tranches. “The increases are going to be paid in two tranches, because you know what teachers receive in 2016 would have an impact on 2017 and 2018, so we are going to have payments being done in December and payments being done in January 2019,” Lyte stated.

A joint statement shared with the media last Friday from the two agencies said: “Having considered new information provided, which included salary benefits for all scales of teachers ranging from TS1 to TS19 and special and non-salary benefits, the two parties concluded discussions and have committed to the implementation of the agreement. The three-year 2016 to 2018 agreement will be signed in the new week”.

Herstelling church advocates against domestic violence

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n the midst of its grand 50th anniversary celebrations, the Herstelling Assembly of God Global Outreach Centre is calling on the public to engage themselves in violence-free activities while making conscious decisions.

Under the title “An Action Against Domestic Violence”, a series of activities is organised from October 19-22 at the church and all are encouraged to participate. The organisers are certain that this will aid in the elimination of domestic violence in the country.

Starting from Friday, a prayer service was slated for all victims and survivors which will be followed by a street march today.

On October 21, Dr Michelle Shiwnandan will lead a church service on the development of family values.

The events will conclude on October 22 with a family discussion as Attorney Kavorn Williams speaks on “Domestic Violence: The Problem, The Law and You.” Pastor Ravindra Shiwnandan believes there is an important place for the United Nations Declaration

on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which sets the parameters for individuals to measure their degree of freedom from domestic violence.

Shiwnandan also agrees with former UN Secretary General Ban KiMoon’s words which state, “Everyone has a responsibility to prevent and end violence against women and girls, starting by challenging the culture of discrimination that allows it to continue.”

The pastor is encouraging everyone to continue to embrace our national policies to eradicate sexual violence against men, women and children along with the ongoing scourge of human trafficking.

“May the length and breadth of our nation be filled with responsible citizens who embrace the two greatest commandments of life given by Jesus Christ – Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is Love your neighbour as yourself.”

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Minister Lawrence tells of personal fight with breast cancer …as Lions Club hosts cancer forum

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ublic Health Minister Volda Lawrence, who on Friday announced she was diagnosed with breast cancer and has been receiving treatment since last year, vowed to make local treatment the best, as she detailed her fight.

The minister, who was given the post in 2017, almost broke down in tears on Friday morning as she revealed the shocking news at a breast cancer forum held at the St Roses High School on Church Street in Georgetown.

The event was organised by the Public Health Ministry in collaboration with the Lions Club of Diamond/Grove, and she was at the time sharing with students from St. Roses and others in the vicinity.

In a shaky tone, Lawrence said, “When you see me running all around the place trying to get my feet in the Ministry of Public Health, I was undergoing treatment for breast cancer…this is what we are taking about; that shock, that awe.”

While still biting in tears, Lawrence explained that it was the help of God

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

that comforted her during that period. “Because of my faith, I knew not that I would be healed, but I knew that it was not my will but that it was His will that will be done. So I pledged that every day I wake up, once God gives me that life, and I know if He will give me life, He will give me strength.”

As she continued, the Member of Parliament noted that she will fight to make sure the best health services are accessed here. “I will ensure that, as the Minister of Public Health, I do everything within my power to

ensure that Guyana is on the road to having the best health services available to everyone.”

The Minister’s declaration comes at a time when Breast Cancer Awareness Month is being observed across the world.

Students in attendance were urged to share with others the meaningful message: that anyone can get breast cancer.

The Diamond/Grove Lions Club was lauded for its effort in spreading cancer awareness, as it rolled out its planned event to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The group has been involved in numerous activities to give back to the public. The recent exercise gave students from at least three different secondary schools opportunity to benefit from information coming from cancer specialists, and even gave the intrigued minds a chance to ask questions.

Head Teacher of St Roses, Paula Hamilton, thanked the group for selecting that school, and encouraged the children to support those who may be fighting the dreadful disease.

New Deputy Chief Elections Officer sworn in

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ublic and Social Policy Analyst, Roxanne Myers was on Friday sworn in as the new Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO).

Myers took the oath of office before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The position is paired with that of Deputy Commissioner of Registration.

After her swearing in on Friday, Myers declined to answer questions posted to her by the media.

Myers appointment came after much controversy over the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) employment practices.

GECOM Commissioners Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn had written a letter of complaint to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) complaining that the discriminatory measures being practiced at GECOM. They contend that there is an ethnic imbalance at GECOM, and hiring practices are being manipulated in favour of one group. The ERC has since met Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, and the matters were raised. The entity also met with President David Granger.

The ERC earlier this month said it was currently in the process of inves-

Newly appointed Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers taking the oath of office before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan

tigating employment practices at GECOM and has assembled a team to do so.

The Commission announced that a special investigative team has already begun work on the case. The team is being headed by retired Justice Stanley Moore, who served as a Home Affairs Minister under former President LFS Burnham. It also includes former Deputy Commissioner of Police Lloyd Smith and human resource consultant Jairam Petam. According to the ERC, the team was given a period of three weeks to complete their investigation and submit a report.

But it is understood that during the process, they requested an extension, which has been granted.

In a brief interview with Guyana Times, ERC Chairman, Dr John Smith had noted that the team

was looking to wrap up its work before Local Government Elections.

Local polls are expected to be held on November 12.

At a recent press conference, GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson had said qualifications ultimately trumped race when filling vacancies. When asked whether deliberate efforts to achieve racial diversity were being made, Patterson contended that deliberate efforts were being made to get the best people and he has “no apologies” for that.

Besides its work on the GECOM case, the ERC confirmed that it has met with senior officials of the Guyana Defence and Police Forces and the Fire Service. Meetings were also held with Councillors of Regional Democratic Councils across Guyana.

Guyana/Brazil celebrate 50 years of bilateral relations

…commemorative stamp launched

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge unveils the new stamp alongside the Deputy Head of Mission of the Brazilian Embassy, Paulo Silos; and Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes

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commemorative stamp was on Friday launched at the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s South Road, Georgetown office as Guyana celebrated 50 years of bilateral relations with Brazil.

In attendance at the event were subject Minister Carl Greenidge, Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes, Deputy Head of Mission of the Brazilian Embassy Paulo Silos, and several others.

The stamp will also be launched in Brazil on October 26, although it is currently available in two denominations at the cost of some $200 and $80 locally.

Greenidge reminded that Guyana established formal relations with the neighbouring country on August 26, 1986, and the two countries have since closely collaborated in the areas of education, health and technical cooperation, among other areas.

Greenidge said, “Over the subsequent 50 years (since establishment of relations), our two countries have solidified relations

through close collaboration… These matters are being pursued, (and) continue to be pursued under the variety of mechanisms that were established over the years”.

He added that, in recent years, the two countries have intensified their bilateral relations through a series of “high level encounters”.

The Deputy Head of Mission of the Brazilian Embassy, Paulo Silos, endorsed Minister Greenidge's statement and added that the stamp has a powerful message attached, as it is available to all.

“A stamp is not just a tiny stamp or a strip of paper. We should not be fooled by small size, as it portrays its true importance and significance. The stamp, in many ways, is better than the visible monument, because a monument is erected in one place, a stamp however has its own powerful impact, as it is not restricted spatially,” he said.

Telecommunications Minister Catherine Hughes told the gathering that the stamp is a testimony of the

good relations existing between the two countries.

“Today’s official launching of the commemorative stamp is one more symbol of the good, strong, neighbourly relations between the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Cooperative Republic of Guyana,” she noted.

This stamp happens to be third one produced in recent years to celebrate bilateral relations with Brazil.

The first one was launched in 2003 to observe the countries’ 35 years of partnership; the second was produced in 2009 to mark the official commissioning of the Takutu Bridge, which links Guyana and Brazil.

Also released on Friday was a 15-minute documentary on the two countries, which captures various aspects of the two nations.

In observance of the 50-year-long relationship, a safari will be heading to Brazil next month.

This happens to be the first time that the South Rupununi Safari, organised

by Rainforest Tours, will be leaving the country.

18 contracts awarded...

A key Inter-American Development report (IDB) had recommended that countries in the Region, including Guyana, implement a number of measures aimed at improving public procurement.

The report titled, ‘Better spending for better lives: How Latin America and the Caribbean can do more with less’, has identified poor procurement practices as a contributor to wasted public funds.

Among its recommendations for countries in the region were for Governments to avoid single sourced contracts and concentrate on competitive bidding. In fact, it was ad-

vised that open tendering be the default method of procurement.

“Use competitive and efficient tendering and limit the use of exceptions and single source procurement,” the report states.

“Use open tendering as the default method and modern tools (such as) framework agreements, electronic catalogues and reverse auctions for standardised products.”

In addition, the report advised that Governments in the Region publish annual procurement plans, as part of a comprehensive framework that would set out the Government’s goals and priority areas.

from page 9

“Publishing annual procurement plans increases accountability of contracting authorities, as they need to justify diverging from the plan,” the report points out, attributing this piece of advice to the European Commission.

The report also advised that all stages of public procurement, including all Government personnel involved in the process, be brought under a centralised procurement agency. And while Guyana does have a National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), the report also advises that this agency oversee and promote training of personnel.

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NAREI hosts Open Day

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n observance of Agriculture Month 2018, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) hosted an Open Day for schools and agricultural institutions on Friday.

The Open Day is promoting the theme for Agricultural Month, “Shaping agriculture in a green economy.” At GSA on Friday, there was a large number of exhibits showcasing the work of the institution as numbers of primary, secondary and university students benefited from this event.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Dr Oudho Homenauth, explained that the event demonstrates aspects of inter-cropping and the value-added products that NAREI promotes, which include spices, coconuts and cassava, since

Several students, accompanied by their teachers, grasped information from NAREI representative during the Open Day

these are major commodities.

Dr Homenauth added that information will be passed on to the agriculture students, since the event is likely to give the students a better understanding of agriculture and knowledge on the careers in agriculture.

Secondary schools from as far as Skeldon on the Corentyne in East Berbice converged at the NAREI, since the event provided information for the CSEC Agriculture School Based Assessment (SBA) and CAPE Agriculture Internal Assessment (IA).

Teachers from the various schools explained that the NAREI Open Day has exposed the CSEC students to a wider range of crops, and will greatly assist in the schools’ curriculum.

Meanwhile, University students speaking to Guyana Times explained that the Open Day has provided knowledge

for handling agricultural pests on crops, increase in crop production, and would greatly aid in their upcoming project on control of mechanisms for agricultural pests.

The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is the premier organisation responsible for spearheading agricultural research and extension activities for productivity enhancement and diversification of the non-traditional crops sector (fruits and vegetables), bio-fuel development, as well as for plant quarantine services.

NAREI’s vision is to ensure food security, prosperity and livelihoods of all, using technological innovations in agriculture. The Institute is actively engaged in adaptive research that focuses on improving crop production and productivity for enhanced food security and rural development.

New dental clinic launched Unemployed man remanded …MP, NDC Chairman laud initiative to improve ECD service

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new dental clinic on Sunday officially opened its doors to the public by offering citizens living on the East Coast of Demerara and in Georgetown and its environs a higher quality of dental service; one unmatched by others within the field of dentistry.

The launching ceremony of ‘Idental’ saw in attendance close to fifty persons from all walks of life, including Peoples Progressive Party/Civic Member of Parliament Neil Kumar; Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Health, Shabana Ally; and Neighbourhood Democratic Council Chairman for the Better Hope to La Bonne Intention District, Zaman Shaw.

Addressing the audience, the PPP Parliamentarian said he was happy that the group of young business executives and medical professionals had teamed up to accomplish their common goal of providing better dental care to residents of Georgetown and the East Demerara Coast.

He said he was personally attended to by the chief surgeon attached to Idental, and was able to have a very satisfactory experience despite his fear of having work done orally.

Kumar said small initiatives like Idental go a long way in rebuilding the confidence of young people in their ability to work hard and accomplish their overall goals and life’s aspirations.

The Parliamentarian congratulated the young medical team, and urging them to work very hard over the existence of the business to maintain their standards and high levels of professionalism.

NDC Chairman Shaw also echoed similar senti-

ments as he gave the NDC’s blessings to the operationalisation of the new dental clinic. Shaw said the building that now houses the Clinic has a history of its own within the Montrose community, as it was once the location for FoodTown.

He urged its owner and dental surgeon to first look to the community to recruit and train staff that may be needed to man the facility before looking elsewhere for skills.

Shaw reiterated that the NDC is committed to working with new entrepreneurs in order to boost the economic fortunes of communities within the Better Hope to Montrose District.

In response, businesswoman Karen Manifold, who owns the Dental Clinic, promised she would work closely with all involved to maintain the standards of the entity, while delivering the best dental care possible with the equipment installed at the new facility.

Manifold said the idea to open the clinic was birthed during conversations with Dr Steve Baul, who is the Chief Surgeon at Idental.

“We had this idea two and a half years ago; and I am

a perfectionist, so I kept wanting to ensure that everything was in order before the launch or startup of the clinic”, Manifold told the audience.

As the ceremony climaxed, Dr Baul also delivered key remarks, as he underscored the importance of oral health and dentistry in any developing country that is serious about the ‘health and strength’ of its citizenry and human resources.

He spoke about his concept of ‘no fear dentistry’, before explaining that it was designed to be patient-centred and ensure that almost all who visit Idental for medical care would be treated professionally and warmly.

The state-of-the-art dental clinic is located at Lot 11 Montrose, East Coast Demerara, minutes away from Apex Educational Academy. It is housed on the middle floor of a three-storyed building.

Services offered include: night guard, sealants, dental veneers, fixed bridge, teeth whitening, dental crown, removable dentures, cleaning & polishing, root canal therapy, extractions (simple & surgical) and filling.

on simple larceny charge

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n unemployed man on Friday found himself before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a charge of simple larceny.

The charge against Kevin Cumberbatch stated that on October 16, 2018,

at Georgetown, he stole a Samsung cellphone valued $56,000; property of Wallette Ridley.

The unrepresented man denied the charge after it was read to him.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail after informing the court that the

defendant has no fixed place of abode and he is currently unemployed.

Magistrate Daly after summing up the matter upheld the prosecution’s submission and remanded Cumberbatch to prison.

The matter was adjourned October 26.

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Regional

Migrant caravan streams out of Guatemala, hits Mexican Police wall

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undreds of members of a caravan of migrants in Guatemala tried to breach the border and enter Mexico on Friday as the Mexican Government vowed to tackle the convoy that US President Donald Trump says must be stopped before it reaches the United States.

Mexican television footage showed the Central American migrants pushing through Guatemalan border posts and streaming onto a bridge connecting the two countries only to be halted by dozens of Mexican Police dressed in riot gear on the other side.

Some migrants violently shook fences at the border, the footage showed. Some of the group then began turning back toward Guatemala, but hundreds of men, women and children remained on the bridge spanning the Suchiate River.

Earlier, Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met in Mexico City and discussed the caravan, which left Honduras last weekend.

Several thousand Honduran migrants seeking to escape violence and

A Honduran migrant protects his child after fellow migrants, part of a caravan trying to reach the US, stormed a border checkpoint in Guatemala, in Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico October 19, 2018

poverty have moved through Guatemala on the way to Mexico, with some hoping to enter the United States.

A similar caravan of Central Americans that formed in southern Mexico in late March also drew the ire of Trump, who on Thursday threatened to deploy the military and close the southern US border if Mexico did not halt the new procession.

Such a move would cause chaos on the border, one of the world’s busiest, and badly disrupt trade.

Mexico’s Government has sought assistance from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to help process migrants claiming refugee status at the border, which could allow it to disperse the train of people and placate Trump. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Julian Assange launches legal action against Ecuador

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ulian Assange has launched legal action against the government of Ecuador, arguing that new house rules for his stay in the country’s London embassy violate his “fundamental rights and freedoms”, his lawyers said on Friday.

Assange’s lawyer, Baltasar Garzón, said the WikiLeaks founder was suing Ecuador’s Foreign Minister, José Valencia, for “isolating and muzzling” him with the new rules, which order Assange to avoid making online political comments and to take better care of his cat.

“He has been held in inhuman conditions for more than six years,” Garzón said, describing the conditions regarding the cat as “denigrating”. He added Assange had not had his internet restored even though the new rules allow him to use the embassy wifi for his personal com-

Julian Assange on the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in London in May 2017. He has been granted refuge there since 2012

puter and phone.

The move follows a deterioration in relations between the Ecuadorian government and the WikiLeaks founder, who was granted refuge at Ecuador’s London embassy in 2012 while on bail in the UK over sexual assault allegations against him in Sweden.

Valencia said the country would respond to the lawsuit and that it had the

“absolute prerogative and right” to protect its offices, workers and Assange himself inside its embassy.

Newly-released Ecuadorian Government documents this week laid bare an unorthodox attempt to extricate the WikiLeaks founder from his embassy hideaway in London by naming him as a political counsellor to the country’s embassy in Moscow. (Excerpt from

The Guardian)

China gives Jamaica US$36M to build children’s hospital in MoBay

Venezuela expels Ecuador diplomat in tit-for-tat move

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enezuela on Thursday ordered Ecuador’s top diplomat in Caracas to leave the country, hours after Quito expelled Venezuela’s ambassador over “offensive” comments about its President.

Venezuela said it was “forced to take reciprocal action against the Charge d’Affaires of Ecuador in Venezuela, Elizabeth Mendez, who is declared a persona non-grata and has 72 hours to leave the country.”

The move follows Ecuador’s expulsion of Venezuelan ambassador Carol Delgado earlier Thursday for “offensive” comments against President Lenin Moreno by a Venezuelan Government Minister.

Communication and information minister Jorge Rodriguez had accused Moreno of lying about the number of Venezuelans that have arrived in Ecuador after fleeing the economic meltdown in their home-

land.

“I listened stupefied to a president on this continent because I couldn’t believe he could be such a liar,” Rodriguez said on Wednesday, referring to the claim that “6000 unwell Venezuelans a day are entering Ecuador.”

Ecuador said it “will not tolerate any demonstration of disrespect towards our authorities,” adding however that it would continue to offer help to Venezuelans entering the country. (MSN)

Health Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton (left); observes as Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith (centre); and Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica, His Excellency Tian Qi, sign an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement that will facilitate the provision of approximately US$36.16 million (250 RMB Yuan) in grant support to construct the Western Children’s Hospital in Montego Bay, St James. The money is being provided by the Chinese Government. The signing took place at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in New Kingston on Thursday, October 18

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he Government has received approximately US$36.16 million (250 million RMB Yuan) from the Government of the

Peru President calls on Spain to arrest fugitive Judge

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eru’s President called on Spain Thursday to arrest a sacked Supreme Court judge who fled the South American country while facing trial over a massive influence peddling scandal that forced the resignation of the Interior Minister.

Interior Minister Mauro Medina resigned late Wednesday after it became clear the dismissed judge, Cesar Hinostroza, had slipped over the border to Ecuador and boarded a flight to Madrid.

“The criminals will have to answer to justice,”

Cesar Hinostroza

President Martin Vizcarra said. “We are sure that Spain will not protect those

who are required to face Peruvian justice.”

A Spanish foreign ministry source confirmed Hinostroza had entered the country on Wednesday. “We are waiting to receive the requests being processed by the Peruvian authorities,” the source told AFP. Meanwhile, Peruvian authorities stopped Hinostroza’s 16-year-old daughter from boarding a flight to Madrid. The scandal has dogged Vizcarra’s government since it broke only months into his term in July, when a website released audio tapes featur-

ing Hinostroza and other Judges selling lighter sentences for a price.

The 62-year-old judge – sacked from the Supreme Court by Congress a fortnight ago – is the central figure in a scandal that has shocked Peru, seen protests erupt in several cities and prompted Vizcarra to promise sweeping judicial reforms.

The President said the Judge had “fled clandestinely” as he was awaiting trial for leading a “criminal organisation” and other crimes. (Excerpt from MSN)

People’s Republic of China to construct the Western Children’s Hospital in St James and undertake other projects to be agreed on by both countries.

The 220-bed facility, which will be the first such in Jamaica and the Caribbean, will be built on the compound of the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) in Montego Bay, St James, with work expected to commence by the end of the current fiscal year, in March 2019.

Funding is being provided under an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement, which was signed on Thursday at the Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Ministry, New Kingston, by Portfolio Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith, on behalf of the Government; and China’s Ambassador to Jamaica, Tian Qi. The signing was witnessed by Health Minister,

Dr Christopher Tufton.

Johnson Smith said the agreement and, by extension, construction of the hospital represents “another positive development and demonstration of the effective and strong cooperation between our countries”.

She noted that the new facility will better enable Jamaica to reach its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “which we are seeking to attain in every aspect, including health”.

In his remarks, Dr Tufton said the new hospital will add significant capacity to Jamaica’s health sector, by providing specialist medical care for youngsters up to age 18.

Dr Tufton said the Chinese government’s support for the hospital is indicative of its recognition that the hospital is an “important building block” in strengthening the local health sector as well as the countries’ relations. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

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Around the World

At least 50 dead as train hits crowd watching fireworks in India

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speeding train has run over a crowd watching fireworks during a religious festival in northern India, killing at least 50 people, according to a Congress party leader.

Pratap Singh Bajwa said the train had failed to stop after the accident on the outskirts of Amritsar, Punjab.

Amarinder Singh, the state’s top elected official, also told journalists that he had reports of 50 to 60 peo-

ple dead. Thirty bodies had been removed from the site

by Friday evening. A witness said the train had not even sounded its whistle as it sped past the site, where hundreds were watching the burning of an effigy of the demon king Ravana during the Hindu festival of Dussehra.

Another witness said the victims had not realised that a train was coming their way because the fireworks were too loud.

Navjot Kaur Sidhu, a local Congress party politician who was the chief guest at the religious function, said the celebrations take place in the area every year and railroad authorities are alerted to run the trains at slow speeds.

She said there are homes on both sides of the track.

Following the accident, people rushed to the site and shouted at railway officials.

The site of the accident is nearly 290 miles (465km)

North of New Delhi.

As the effigy was lit and the fireworks started at the religious function, a section of the crowd started moving towards the tracks while watching the event.

Although accidents are relatively common on India’s sprawling rail network, this was among the country’s deadliest in recent years.

In 2016, 146 people were killed when a train derailed in eastern India. (Excerpt from The

Guardian)

Kenyan ex-Sport Minister charged over Rio Olympics graft

F

ormer Kenyan Sport Minister Hassan Wario was charged in court on Friday with abuse of office over the siphoning off of funds meant for athletes who competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Kenya enjoyed its most successful Olympics ever in Rio, winning six gold medals, six silvers and one bronze, all in track and field.

But the on-field achievements were blighted by allegations of corruption among Kenyan team leaders and senior Government officials.

An investigation laid the blame on Wario, the Sport Minister at the time, and six other former senior officials, according to the East African country's chief Prosecutor, Noordin Haji.

Wario, who became Kenya's ambassador to Austria earlier this year, was charged with six counts of abuse of office. He and two of his co-accused denied

the charges before a Nairobi Magistrate and were then freed on bail of one million shillings (US$9915.72) each.

The trial will be held next month.

Prosecutors have said they also expect to charge Kipchoge Keino, a renowned former athlete who bagged golds for Kenya at the Olympics in Mexico City in 1968 and Munich in 1972.

Keino was the chairman of the National Olympic Committee during the Rio Games when more than 55 million shillings were misappropriated. He was not in court on Friday and prosecutors said they were investigating his role further.

Dozens of senior government officials and business people are facing various charges related to corruption, part of a fresh attempt by President Uhuru Kenyatta since May to crack down on widespread graft.

Macedonian Parliament approves country's name change Afghans set to vote amid chaos,

M

a c e d o n i a ’ s Parliament on Friday approved a proposal to change the country’s name, bringing a decades-old dispute with Greece one step closer to being resolved.

A total of 80 deputies in the 120-seat Parliament voted in favour of renaming the Balkan country Republic of North Macedonia – just reaching the two-thirds majority needed to enact constitutional changes.

The move could unblock its bids to join NATO and

the European Union, long blocked by Greece, which argues that ‘Macedonia’ implied territorial claims to a Greek province of the same name. The two countries reached agreement on the name change in June.

But hurdles remain before the change can be formalised. A referendum on the agreement failed to pass the turnout threshold of 50 per cent, leaving it up to the Skopje parliament to settle the issue.

The procedure to complete constitutional changes

is lengthy and requires several rounds of voting, with Friday’s being just the first stage. The procedure should be completed by January the latest.

Once Macedonia formally changes the Constitution, the Greek parliament will also have to vote on the deal.

Defence Minister Panos Kammenos, who heads a small right-wing party that props up the Government in the legislature, has threatened to quit the coalition if the Greek vote goes ahead.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

China to launch 'artificial moon' to illuminate city streets

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hina is planning to launch its own 'artificial moon' by 2020 to replace streetlamps and lower electricity costs in urban areas, state media reported on Friday.

Chengdu, a city in southwestern Sichuan province, is developing "illumination satellites" which will shine in tandem with the real moon but are eight times brighter, according to China Daily.

The first man-made moon will launch from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan, with three more to follow in 2022 if the first test goes well, said Wu Chunfeng, head of Tian Fu New Area Science Society, the organisation responsible for the project.

Though the first launch will be experimental, the 2022 satellites "will be the real deal with great civic and commercial potential," he said in an interview with China Daily.

By reflecting light from

China's articial moon will beam light eight times brighter than the moon

the sun, the satellites could replace streetlamps in urban areas, saving an estimated 1.2 billion yuan (US$170 million) a year in electricity costs for Chengdu, if the man-made moons illuminate an area of 50 square kilometres.

The extraterrestrial source of light could also help rescue efforts in disaster zones during blackouts, he added. AFP was not able to contact Wu nor the

Tian Fu New Area Science Society to confirm the reports.

As China's space programme races to catch up with that of the United States and Russia, a number of ambitious projects are in the pipeline, including the Chang'e-4 lunar probe – named after the moon goddess in Chinese mythology – which aims to launch later this year. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

(Excerpt from MSN)

corruption and Taliban threats

An Afghan election commission worker prepares ballot boxes and election material to send to the polling stations at a warehouse in Jalalabad city, Afghanistan October 19, 2018. At right, Afghan Police Officers stand guard while election commission workers prepare ballot boxes and election material at a polling station in Kabul, Afghanistan October 19, 2018

A

fghans vote on Saturday in parliamentary elections overshadowed by chaotic organisation, allegations of corruption and the threat of violence after decades of war.

The United Nations, which has been supporting the process, has urged Afghans to “use this opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote” and called for the election to take place in a safe and secure environment.

Officials worry that violence will keep voters away

from polling stations, particularly following the assassination of the Police Chief of Kandahar on Thursday.

Taliban militants have issued a series of statements telling people not to take part in what they consider a foreign-imposed process and warning election centres may be attacked.

Thousands of Police and soldiers have been deployed across the country but already nine candidates have been assassinated and hundreds of people killed and wounded in election-related attacks.

Election authorities originally planned 7355 polling centres but only 5100 will be able to open due to security concerns, according to the Independent Election Commission, overseeing the vote.

Voting has been postponed for at least a week in Kandahar province following the killing of Police Commander General Abdul Razeq. It has also been delayed in Ghazni province, by arguments about the representation of different ethnic groups. (Excerpt from Reuters)

1st Dutch gender-neutral passport issued

T

he Netherlands has issued its first gender-neutral passport.

Leonne Zeegers, 57, received a passport with the gender designation X, instead of M for man or V for woman.

Born male, in 2001 Zeegers had surgery to become female, but now identifies as intersex. Zeegers won a lawsuit, with Judges ruling that preventing a registration as gender neutral amounted to a "violation of private life, self-determina-

tion and personal autonomy".

About four per cent of the Dutch public identifies as neither male nor female, the BBC's Anna Holligan reports from The Hague. Despite the ruling, it remains a matter for courts to decide if an individual should receive an X designation for gender.

Several countries already offer a gender-neutral option in passport applications. They are: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Denmark, India, Malta, Nepal, New Zealand

and Pakistan.

Our correspondent says the Zeegers case has galvanised LGBT support groups to ask the Dutch government to change existing legislation, to allow anyone to identify as a third gender.

Currently, all UK passport holders have to specify whether they are male or female.

In June a campaigner lost a High Court challenge to the UK passport rules - their bid for an "X" category was rejected. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

saturdAY, october 20, 2018

ARCHIE

Look for an outlet that allows you to burn excess ener(March 21- gy and maintain a cool head.

April 19) You will go far if you keep the peace.

ARIES

Don’t shy away when you TAURUS should be stepping up to the (April 20- podium and letting others May 20) know what’s on your mind.

Relationships, romance, and positive change should be your priorities.

dilbert

Don’t trust someone who GEMINI (May 21- is always asking you for too June 20) much. If you let someone take advantage of you, it will lead to a lack of respect.

Share your thoughts.

Socialising will lead to inter(June 21- esting conversations that will July 22) open your mind to something you never considered doing in the past. Attend a reunion and reconnect with old friends.

CANCER

Peanuts

Take one step at a time.

LEO Watch out for interference.

(July 23- Don’t let the changes that Aug. 22) others make entice you to get involved in something you know little about or that could be risky.

Calvin and Hobbes

Getting away from it all, VIRGO changing your surroundings (Aug. 23or hanging out with a differSept. 22) ent crowd will inspire you to learn something new and improve your life. Romance is in the stars.

If you take part in a chalLIBRA (Sept. 23- lenging event, it will encourOct. 23) age you to take on some of the issues you face with the people around you.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — ARGOSIES

SUDOKU

Secrets are best not reSAGITTARIUS vealed. If you share too much (Nov. 23- information with someone Dec. 21) who has loose lips, you’ll end up being blamed. Keep your personal documents up to date.

(ARGOSIES: AR-guh-sees: Large merchant ships.)

Average mark 25 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 37 or more words in ARGOSIES? The list will be published tomorrow.

THURSDAY’S WORD — BURRITOS bistro bort bout brio bris brit burr burst bust riot robust roust rout rust tiro

torr torus tour trio obit orbit ours oust sorb sort sour stir stub suit suitor

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

Leave nothing to chance.

SCORPIO Arguing will not help you (Oct. 24solve problems, but posiNov. 22) tive action will. A change at home or to your lifestyle is favoured. Romance is encouraged.

Move things around and CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- add to your comfort and conveJan. 19) nience at home. Getting togeth-

solution for last published puzzle

er with someone from your past will bring back memories and spark an interest in something you used to do.

It’s OK to dream, but AQUARIUS common sense and realism (Jan. 20- should play a role in any deFeb. 19) cision you face that carries financial, emotional, or physical consequences.

If you share your emoPISCES (Feb. 20- tions, you’ll resolve misunderMarch 20) standings and find out how to best move forward with someone you want to get to know better. Love, romance, and joint ventures are featured.

saturdAY, october 20, 2018

19

Alonso teases Indy 500 return RCB sell de Kock as Hamilton reveals NASCAR to Mumbai in IPL 2019's 1st trade temptation

Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso

F

ernando Alonso teased a potential return to the Indianapolis 500 at the United States Grand Prix, while defending Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton suggested he would prefer to try racing in NASCAR. Retiring F1 star Alonso competed in the Indy 500 last year and was then part of the winning team at the 24 Hours of Le Mans earlier in 2018, with speculation building as to where

he will race next year. The Spaniard admitted that a return to the United States is on the cards, but he would not commit to taking part in the Indy 500 when quizzed in Austin. "I don't have 21 races in F1 to travel around.

With more free time, I will come to the States for a holiday," Alonso told a news conference. "Maybe a bit more..."Let's see. The Indy 500 is very attractive - as it was last year. After winning Le Mans this year, it is even

more attractive to achieve it in the short term. "I'm still working on a plan for next year. As soon as it's finalised, you will know."

When Hamilton was asked if he might be interested in the Indy 500, he said he was more intrigued

by NASCAR, although he is not yet sure if he will continue racing beyond his F1 career. "I would definitely like to try [the Indy 500]. I've never really driven an oval before, the cars are really

fast and I'm always looking to go faster," Hamilton said. “I’ll probably get the chance to have a go. I'm sure if I wanted to have a go, I could.

It's never been a series, in Europe, that you grew up aspiring to be in - it was always Formula One. The thought was that this was the highest grade of drivers. "I think I'd prefer to try NASCAR. Watkins Glen I've always wanted to have a go out there, big hands to the side. I have driven at NASCAR years ago, at Watkins Glen, so that's something which was awesome.

"That's something I potentially could do. I honestly have no desire to do any other racing beyond Formula One, but that may change when you do stop. "You do it your whole life and the temptation is always going to be there - I'm always going to be a racing driver at heart." (Sportsmax)

S

outh African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock is the IPL's first trade of 2019, before the auction takes place in mid-December.

ESPNcricinfo understands that de Kock, who last year played for Royal Challengers Bangalore, has been traded to Mumbai Indians in an all-money deal.

Royal Challengers had bought de Kock for INR 2.8 crore (USD 437,000) at the 2018 auction. ESPNcricinfo has learnt that Mumbai have bought de Kock at that price and to offset the deal, they have released Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman (INR 2.2 crore, USD 343,000) and Sri Lankan offspinner Akila Dananjaya (INR 50 lakh, USD 78,000).

De Kock played eight matches in IPL 2018, scoring 201 runs at a strike rate of 124.07. Although Mumbai

auction till the start of the tournament. Since 2018, the IPL also introduced a mid-tournament window for franchises to trade uncapped players and players who had not played more than two matches.

With the last date for retentions and release being November 15, franchises are busy working out their plans for the new season before they make fresh buys at the auction. A purse of INR 3 crore will be available for the franchises in addition to the balance left after last year's auction.

The IPL has not yet formally communicated an auction date, but ESPNcricinfo understands December 16 has been earmarked with Goa as the likely venue. The franchises were told that the auction was supposed to happen between December 15 and 20.

The franchises will also

LeBron makes spectacular Lakers debut, but LA fall to Trail Blazers L eBron James' debut with the Lakers started well, but Los Angeles looked overmatched in a 128-119 loss to the Trail Blazers in Portland.

James scored his first points as a Laker in dramatic fashion less than three minutes into the game, stealing the ball near midcourt and driving in for a thunderous dunk.James added another poster-worthy dunk 19 seconds later, and even the Trail Blazers fans in Portland's Moda Center reacted in awe at the back-to-back slams.

While the Lakers built an early lead, they missed their first 15 three-point attempts and struggled to find rhythm on offense as coach Luke Walton shuffled the lineup around looking for chemistry.

James scored 26 points (nine-of-16 from the field) and added 12 rebounds and six assists. As always, he was active on the court in directing traffic and he even shared an inspirational message with his new team-mates that was caught by the TNT camera: "Any time ya'll fall, stay down. Your brother will come pick you up."The four-time MVP's points tally was the joint-second best on debut for the team, just one short of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record.

James called for patience as the Lakers gel after they were consigned to a 128-119 defeat on Thursday."I always compare it to instant oatmeal, it's not that fast, it takes a while for the chemistry to get to where you could

Quinton de Kock

Lebron James on debut for the Lakers

close your eyes and know exactly where your guys are. That's what we're gonna work towards," he said."It's still early, still gotta go through some things, go through some adversity and see how we react to it."Just the timing with some of our passes. I had one in the fourth quarter where I expected Kuz [Kyle Kuzma] to pop, he rolled and I threw it out of bounds.

"We talked about it and those things will get better. We ran a play late in the game as well and I turned the ball over. [Rajon] Rondo had a couple, he drove the baseline and JaVale [McGee] thought it was going to him, it was going to me and he knocked the ball out

of bounds."They're things we all continue to work on with one another."After the Lakers' shaky opener, James might have quite a bit of picking up to do with his team-mates this season.

While all the focus and hype surrounding this game dealt with James and the Lakers, do not overlook the great job Portland did. The Trail Blazers have now won 18 straight home openers, and beaten the Lakers 16 straight times. The Blazers' AllStar backcourt of Damian Lillard (28 points) and CJ McCollum (21 points) performed as expected, but they got a huge assist from Nik Stauskas, who added 24 points off the bench. (Sportmax)

already have two wicketkeepers in Ishan Kishan and Aditya Tare, they might have been keen on de Kock for his top-order batting.

They used the hard-hitting West Indies batsman Evin Lewis as opener earlier this year, but he struggled towards the end of the season, prompting the Mumbai coaching staff to seek backups. De Kock, who has also played for Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad, has impressive numbers in the IPL, scoring a hundred and six fifties in 34 innings.

He has also made 573 of his 927 runs in the Powerplay, at a strike-rate of 125.6.

The IPL has two main trading windows with the first one starting immediately at the end of the season stretching to a month before the auction and the second one from after the

want clarity over where the IPL will take place in 2019 because India's general elections will be taking place around the same time as the tournament. This had been the case in 2014 as well when, owing to security concerns, the first set of matches were played in the UAE. Now, however, the franchises are averse to playing in the Dubai and Abu Dhabi because they fear the pitches would end up being too slow. The IPL has not revealed any plans yet, but it is understood that South Africa has been chalked in as an alternative venue. It is also waiting for the central election commission to announce the date for the elections, but franchises want an answer soon so they can prepare for the auction accordingly. (ESPN cricinfo)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturdAY, october 20, 2018

CONCACAF U20 Men’s Championships…

Corporate partners back the Jags

Some members of the U20 team display the health supplements and sports rub donated by NEW GPC

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orporate Guyana has thrown its support behind the National U20 Team as preparations continue for its successful participation in the CONCACAF U20 Men’s Championships, scheduled to be held from November 1st to 22nd in Florida, USA. The donations, respectively in the form of health supplements, snacks, water, a monetary and inkind contribution, were received,

and will assist team members in their daily preparations. The NEW GPC INC donated Codol Compound, which provides extra-strength and vitality while building resistance; and Mustarcream, which helps sore joints and muscles.

Team Manager Daniel Thomas, expressing gratitude for the donations, has said the items received have contributed, and will greatly contribute, to the success of the

programme.

He also was very appreciative of donations received from other supporters, and expressed his appreciation accordingly. “We’re happy that Maggie’s Catering has come on board and provided snacks for a number of days, as well as offered a discount for snacks provided for the remainder of the month thus far.

The Guyana Producers Limited, through Mr Aaron Fraser, has

also given a financial donation. We have also had water being provided for the team through Mr. Clifton Douglas of Ultra Waters, which has resulted in us not paying for water for the past month through that kind sponsorship,” he disclosed.

“St Joseph Mercy Hospital was also instrumental in facilitating… the team’s medicals, which (were) required by CONCACAF as a prerequisite for participation in the

tournament,” he further disclosed.

Daniels said the team, which is scheduled to depart on October 28, is also open to additional sponsorship.

The National U20 Team’s match schedule in the first round will see it taking on Guatemala on November 2nd, the Cayman Islands on November 6th, Curacao on November 8th, and El Salvador on November 10th.

Development of Guyana’s 1st Den Amstel to feature state-of-the-art golf course in first round matches to commence in 2019 Hamilton Green 9-a-side Inter-Ward/Village KO Cup

A

ll systems are in place for tomorrow’s start of the Hamilton Green 9-a-side Inter-Ward/Village KO Cup, which is being held to commemorate the 84th birth anniversary of the former Mayor of Georgetown.

Among the teams expected to appear on the first day of action are hosts Den Amstel, who will appear in the feature game of the day when they face West Side Masters in the final matchup of the night.

According to coordinator, former national player/Coach Lennox Arthur, six games are carded for the day, and play is set to commence from 14:30hrs at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground, West Coast Demerara.

Arthur has said the 32 invited teams will have the opportunity to battle for prize monies in excess of $700,000 and lots of prizes, including the coveted first prize of $400,000 and the championship trophy, compliments of the Ministry of Citizenship.

He disclosed that, apart from the lucrative prize monies on offer, trophies and gifts will be awarded to the respective winners and outstanding performers at the end of the tournament, which will run on a knockout basis, with the final set to be played on November 18 at the same venue.

The runner-up will be awarded $200,000 and a trophy through the goodwill of John Fernandes Ltd; while third and fourth place finishers will

Coordinator Lennox Arthur

receive $60,000 and $40,000 respectively, along with the Techno Mills and Courtney Benn Construction Services trophies in that order.

All four top finishers will receive hampers, compliments of Ricks & Sari Industries, while the highest goal-scorer will walk away with a Lazy Boy Chair courtesy of A.H&L Kissoon and a dinette set compliment of China Trading.

The Most Valuable Player will be awarded a special prize from Techno Mills.

Among the other sponsors on board are: IPA, Alfro Alphonso, Sattaur Gafoor, ANSA McAL, Top Brandz Distributors, MACORP, Cummings Electrical, Ready Mix, BK International, and New Thriving Restaurant.

Players such as the highcalibre Eion Abel, Kurt Roberts, Dellon Charles and Mekel

Benjamin will appear for Mahaica; while Herstelling will have the very talented Quazam Yusuf, Trevon Tucker, Orwin Hunte, Ricky Deodyal and Denzil Devon in their line-up.

Lucan Hercules, Kevin Crawford, Seon Barrow and Mark Hope will lead Central Mackenzie’s quest for victory against Mahaicony, depending on Delbert Wilson, Sheldon Toney and Bertie Shepherd to bolster their chances of winning.

Pouderoyen will have Ashley Harding, Dwayne St. Kitts, Kacy John, Darrell Abrams and Stephon Jupiter in their line-up; while Lima Dam’s ambition to register an upset will rest on the shoulders of Nigel Mansfield, Mark Vandyke, Okenny Griffith and Julius Billy.

Uitvlugt’s attempt to advance will be spearheaded by Seon Bobb, Lerone Jacobs, Louis Primo, Casely Carroll and Mark Evelyn; while their opponents, Liliendaal, will depend on the services of Tarif Moses, Kelly Blue, Kellon Blue and Curwin Williams.

Keswin Fraser, Malcolm Miggins, Anthony Benn and Coby Alexander are the key players in Den Amstel’s pursuit of victory; while Adrian Giddings, Oswald Gomes, Marty Bobb, Troy Allen and Linden Semple will no doubt be aiming to silence the anticipated partisan support.

Organisers have meanwhile released the fixtures for the first three days of action, with the winners advancing to the next round.

G

uyana is set to be the home of a new state of the art golf course. The development of the facility is part of a grander plan to establish a lifestyle community within the Ogle and LBI areas, on the East Coast of Demerara. It is touted to provide employment for Guyanese inclusive of former GuySuCo workers.

This was highlighted, on Friday during THAG’s press briefing held at the Roraima Duke Lodge, Duke Street according to a Department of Public Information (DPI) report.

President of the Lusignan Golf Club, Aleem Hussain said the agreement between the Jack Nicklaus Group and the club is one that will not only bring more attention to sport tourism, but also help to pinpoint the country as a tourist destination due to persons not only entering the country for sporting events, but to experience the culture and arts among other attractions in the country.

Nicklaus Group Senior International Representative Rodney Carl, said this initiative is one that sets the bars high within the Caribbean region and will be capable of hosting world-class events.

“The agenda is to facilitate and create a lifestyle resort establishment that will become a home to many that will come to live here [Guyana]. It will provide a lot of sporting events such as swimming, cycling, tennis among others to both lo-

cals and tourists,” Carl explained.

He noted that this agenda will also promote the country’s white sand via the design of the golf course.

Earth and Marine Environment Consultants (EAME) Managing Director Steve Rowan said that the project is expected to be phased one and will include the rehabilitation of the Lusignan golf club.

He noted that, while the location chosen seems to be on the outskirts of Georgetown, it will be, at the core, development due to the upcoming oil industry.

According to the Managing Director, a third golf course will also be established to create a golf course destination in Guyana.

Meanwhile, this year’s golf tournament set to tee off on November 3 and 4 will be the largest ever event locally. It will cater to 100 players from 12 countries competing for the country’s Open Title and half of a million dollars in prizes. The title has been held by Guyana for the last 15 years and currently by Champion Avinash Persaud, an eight-time defending champion.

Hussain said that there will be serious challengers from countries such as Columbia, Canada, USA, Barbados, T&T and Jamaica, among others. Close to 100 companies will also attend to display and promote their products and services.

Representation from Motorsport and Women T20 will also be at the event.

The golf tournament will kick off the chain of sporting events slated for the sports awareness month in November.

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sports

21

2018 Regional Super50 Tournament…

Rain spoils Jaguars’ clash against worrisome Volcanoes ...Marooners trounce Pride to enhance semi-final claim

T

he highly anticipated clash between the Guyana Jaguars and the Windward Islands Volcanoes, which was to be staged at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago, has been abandoned.

Jaguars’ openers faced two deliveries before the heavens opened up and made no more play possible.

The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force’s encounter against Windies ‘B’ was also abandoned due to inclement weather, but without a ball being bowled.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, October 21, Jaguars will lock horns with the Windies ‘B’.

On Thursday, the Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners (CCC) defeated the Barbados Pride by a massive 125 runs, in their own backyard -- at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Batting first, the young CCC Marooners scored 259-7 in their maximum 50 overs.

Openers Kyle Corbin and the 28-year-old left hander Kjorn Ottley had a fantastic start, putting on 74 runs in the first power play. Corbin was the first to go, when the big Sulieman Benn made a mess of his stumps.

Wicketkeeper b a t s m a n Amir Jangoo entered the crease, and immediately looked comfortable. Medium

CCC Marooners celebrates

man Jonathan Carter consolidated as soon as they were set for a big score, but both batsmen lost their wicket in the 20s.

The Pride batsmen failed miserably, as only three of them managed to reach 20, with Carter top-scoring with 26.

West Indies T20 International and CCC Marooners captain Carlos Braithwaite used his experience brilliantly to snare 3 wickets for 12 runs in bowling just three overs. Kjorn,

Amir Jangoo

pace r Kevin Stoute was introduced to the attack, and he shattered the stumps of Ottley for 57 runs. The talented young Jonathan Drakes was elegant in his stroke play, while his partner Jangoo batted beautifully as their team managed to approach the 260run mark on the back of the 104-run partnership.

The ground staff busy at work during the heavy rainfall

Former West Indies Under-19 fast bowler Shamar Springer was at his best, picking up 3 wickets for 48 runs, while Stoute had 2 wickets for 40 runs.

In reply, Barbados Pride had a horrific start with the bat, opener Stoute being removed in the second over when Jon-Russ Jagessar knocked his stumps over.

Wickets continued to tumble as Barbados Pride lost three of their batsmen in the power play.

Skipper Shamrah Brook and senior Barbadian bats-

the younger brother of Yannick Ottley, bowled economically, picking up 3 for 24 in 10 overs.

Coming into this match with 15 points, the Pride were dismissed inside 36 overs, in process losing hope of booking a semifinal spot in this year’s Regional Super 50.

This encounter has marked the second defeat for the Bajans against CCC Marooners in this year’s tournament.

(Brandon Corlette)

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Rhonda Lewis Memorial 20/20 Tournament…

Champs to be decided today T

he Tamarind Root Cricket Ground, located in the quiet Corentyne village of Hampshire, will host its third finals for 2018 when the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) hosts the Rhonda Lewis Memorial 20/20 Cricket Tournament on Saturday.

The tournament is being sponsored by overseas-based Berbician Lindon Lewis in memory of his eldest daughter, Rhonda, who died of cancer over a decade ago.

Rose Hall Town (RHT) Bakewell and Fyrish Cricket Team are slotted to clash in the remaining semifinal from 9:30 hours, with the winner going through to play Whim National Cricket Team in the grand finale at 13:30 hours.

The final will be the 12th

Kevlon Anderson

to be hosted by the Board in the past three months, while the tally increases on Sunday when Blairmont Community Centre and Cotton Tree Cricket Club clash in the final of the West Berbice Magic Moments Tournament.

RHT, the most dominant second division team in the

county, will be led by Kevin Sinclair, and he is expected to be supported by Vidal Crandon, Junior Sinclair, Surendra Kissoonlall, Kevlon Anderson, Keith Simpson and Chanderpaul Govindan.

Former National Under-19 pacer Sylus Tyndall and West Indies female fast bowler Erva Giddings lead a powerful bowling attack, which includes medium pacer Kevlon Anderson.

Off-spinners Kevin and Junior Sinclair, National Under-15 all-rounder Jonathan Rampersaud and left-arm spinner Keith Simpson complete a strong bowling attack, capable of defending any total.

Fyrish will depend heavily on former Guyana Under-19 player Javed Mohamed; and players like Yogindra Chinapen,

Anarine Shrikissoon, Yohana Goordial, Akenen Rangasami, Saif Bacchus, Imran Ally and Reeaz Ramcharran.

The last time the two teams clashed in the Lower Corentyne Magic Moments 20/20 final, last month, Fyrish was crushed by over 100 runs.

Whim National Cricket Team, playing in their first BCB final for over two decades, have surprised cricketing pundits with their strong team showing at various tournaments in 2018.

They defeated two strong cricket teams, Albion and Chesney, to advance to the final. Their challenge in the final will be spearheaded by Vinod Samaroo, Joshua Persaud, Yogindra Sooknanan, Tameshwar Harrinarine, Devendra Balkarran and Mahendra Charran.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturdAY, october 20, 2018

Sonics finally break curse

Can the Windies find a win against India?

– Kobras strike Nets

Part of the action in the Sonics/Vikings matchup

M

any were left speechless when the Pepsi Sonics unleashed their wrath on the Vikings, crushing them 72-39 at the Burnham Basketball Hard Court on Thursday night, as the Sonics finally rebounded from the string of losses they had hitherto suffered in the Rainforest

Water/Malta Supreme/Gtown Amateur Basketball Association-organised 2nd division matchup.

This happened in a double-header which also saw the Kobras defeat the Nets 74-67.

What had looked like a predictable win for the Vikings turned out to be

a thrashing administered by the Pepsi Sonics as they completely flipped the script on theVikings in a massive defeat. The Sonics were able to run away from the Vikings when they took the lead in the second, and extended same with every quarter that went by. The Sonics played with heart and valour, and there was nothing that could be said about their flawless defence.

Sonics’ Darren Vanderstoop led the way with 20 points, while Troy Glasgow pitched in with 11.

In the first division matchup between the Nets and the Kobras, the former were outgunned in a game which came down to the victor being the one to make the least mistakes on the night.

But even though the Nets fought back, they hadn’t enough gas in the tank to cross the line first.

Kobras’ Garfield Benuille top-scored with 15 points, and received support from Trevor Smith (14) and Mark Richards (12). Together they led their team to victory by making the right passes and conversions at the correct time.

Sheldon Howell of the Nets probably felt this loss the most, as his hard earned 21 points failed to prevent the loss from being inflicted on his team. The Nets were left to rethink their strategy.

The matches will continue on Saturday with the Eagles battling the Guardians in the second division category at 18:30 hours, before the Guardians take on the Sonics at 20:30 hours.

A lot will be expected of Marlon Samuels

H

aving been whitewashed by India 2-0 in the Test Series, the West Indies cricket team must now find a way to regain some momentum as they face India in a 5-match One Day International series (ODI) which starts on Sunday, October 21, at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.

With one day remaining before the series opener, West Indies must select the perfect 11 if they are to have any chance of beating India. The team will have the services of veteran player Marlon Samuels, who will be playing his 200th ODI. He has amassed 903 runs against India, and requires 97 more runs to reach a milestone of 1000 in India.

The Windies will also have their most experienced pacer, Kemar Roach, back in the line-up, and there will also be skipper Jason Holder, who, with 64 scalps in the bag, has been the leading wicket-taker in ODIs since the 2015 Cricket World Cup. The Windies squad features three uncapped players in Guyanese opener Chandrapaul Hemraj, all-rounder Fabian Allen, and pacer Oshane Thomas, which does not change its status as an inexperienced side.

In the last ODI series versus India, in 2017, the Windies lost 3-1. The last time the Windies sealed an ODI series win was against Bangladesh in 2014, when they won 3-0.

Even though the Windies have experi-

enced players, the team can still be considered a weak team with the absence of Gayle, Pollard, the Bravo brothers and Narine.

Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer will definitely be looking to put their disappointing performances at rest and vindicate their endorsement as the future of Windies' batting.

But two players cannot make all the runs in the team. Windies cricket in general is seemingly in a downward spiral, with batting in the Tests not troubling the Indian bowlers, and WI bowling not troubling the hosts’ batting.

Windies must work fast to rectify these flaws, or they will face another humiliating series’ loss. Each player on the team must know his role(s) in the team, and not depend on the big names alone to score, but the players must rather play as a unit if they want to have a fighting chance.

Meanwhile, Indian captain Virat Kohli will be looking to score big, as he only needs 187 more runs to become India’s leading run scorer against the West Indies, and he needs only 221 more runs to become the fastest to 10,000 ODI runs.

Openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will each pose a threat, as these two dominators average close to 50 against the Windies. The pair requires only 39 more runs to pass the Tendulkar/Sehwag combination and become India’s second most successful opening pair. (Timothy Jaikarran)

Digicel Cancer Awareness Cycle Race on this Sunday

D

igicel Guyana’s 7th annual Cancer Awareness Cycle Race is set for this Sunday, with 5 categories of races and cash and prizes up for grabs.

The race is scheduled to begin promptly at 8am on Sunday, October 21st. Starting point is the JB Singh Road running parallel to Vlissengen Road.

Spectators will witness the country’s top seniors, juniors, mountain bikers and veterans over-45 and under-45 compete for the spoils that are up for grabs. In addition, there will be an inaugural children’s race.

The event, which has grown to become one of cycling’s feature meets, is organised by the Evolution Cycling Club, with telecom giants Digicel on board to assist in donating to the Cancer

Institute of Guyana. All proceeds will be donated to the Cancer Institute of Guyana.

There will be a registration fee of Gy$2000 for participation in this event, and the total registration fees garnered will be matched in value and donated to the Cancer Institute. Part of all proceeds from smartphone sales for the month of October would also be donated to the Cancer Institute.

In the previous year, Williams and Dey won the senior and junior categories respectively.

In addition to Digicel Guyana, Banks DIH Limited, through its Rainforest Water Brand, is onboard as a partner to support Cancer Awareness Month.

The stakeholders are urging members of the public to come out and witness the country’s riders as they compete for a good cause.

guyanatimesgy.com

saturdAY, october 20, 2018

23

5th Smalta U-11 Girls tournament slated for November 17 E

ntering its fifth year, the Petra-organised tournament has reemerged in a timely fashion -- when strides are being made for the improvement of women’s football in Guyana.

While it was an occasion to celebrate the launch

of yet another Smalta Under-11 tournament, the topic on everyone’s mind was the contribution the tournament would make to the development of women’s football.

Co-Director of Petra, Troy Mendonca, was the first speaker to get the

Warm-up games will be vital for Windies Women, says Springer

A

Coaches Roddy Estwick and Hendy Springer

s the West Indies women prepare to defend their Women's T20 title next month, head coach Hendy Springer believes the team's upcoming warm-up games will be crucial to their preparation.

The Windies will play their first warm-up game against India on Sunday, November 4 at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua,

and where we need to be… we want to have positive momentum as we move into the tournament.”

The Windies squad, led

by Stafanie Taylor, assembled in Antigua on Monday for a camp ahead of the tournament.

The hosts are placed in Group A along with England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh,

followed by a meeting with New Zealand on Wednesday, November 7 at the National Stadium in Guyana.

The 2018 ICC Women's World T20 will run from November 9-24.

“The warm-up matches are very significant as we prepare to enter this major international tournament.

We will get a chance to test our skills and put into play what we have been working on since we started our camps back in May,” Springer said. “…As we move into the tournament it will give us a gauge as to where we are

while Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Ireland are in Group B. Springer said from what he had been seeing he was optimistic the Windies would repeat as champions.

“I love what I'm seeing…

The girls are focused. I see a very enthusiastic group of players, who are dedicated and looking to give a good account of themselves.

We are the defending champions and we are playing at home, so there is pressure, but this is that golden opportunity to do something really special on home soil and retain the trophy,” Springer said. (CMC)

Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca

ball rolling. Taking time to thank ANSA McAL for an opportunity to further the female league, he said, “Essentially, this continuous sponsorship caters for a very integral part of the enhancement of women’s football in Guyana; and, as such, we would like to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the ANSA Mc AL Group of Companies, through their Smalta brand, for supporting this venture over

the years.”

Following suit, the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Youth Development officer Brian Joseph, speaking on behalf of GFF President Wayne Forde, had nothing but praise for both Petra and ANSA McAL, for their tireless contribution to the sport.

“I think both of them (Petra and ANSA Mc AL) have been doing a tremen-

dous job in terms of assisting the GFF with executing its football development strategy across the country.

Couple of days ago, ANSA McAL, in partnership with the GFF, launched the ‘Always’ Women’s Football Development League, and that was a big occasion for women across the country.

And I can easily see how, in a couple of years, these young girls sitting here will become the players in such a tournament,” Joseph declared.

Thinking out loud, Joseph shared that it was always his hope the tournament would one day become a professional league.

Representing the flagship sponsor, Non Alcholic Brand Manager Errol Nelson explained that the distribution company is happy to always be a part of such benevolent ventures.

“ANSA Mc AL, over the years, has been one of the main supporters of football in Guyana. And just to let you know, we will continue to be heavily involved for

many more years to come.

We’ve been very happy with the growth and progression of female football,” Nelson stated.

The tournament, scheduled to kick-off on November 17 and conclude on December 8, will feature 16 primary school female teams, namely: Marian Academy; Soesdyke; Tucville; South Ruimveldt; North Georgetown; F.E. Pollard; Enterprise; St. Pius; St. Ambrose; Timehri; Smith’s Memorial; St Agnes; Genesis; St. Stephen’s; Sophia; and St Margaret’s Primary schools. Prior to the beginning of their tournament, the Girls will have the benefit of receiving training sessions from the technical staff at the GFF. They will then head into their tournament which will take on a round- robin knockout format.

The winning team will be awarded $200,000; whilst second, third and fourth place will receive $100,000, $75,000 and $50,000 respectively.

saturdAY, october 20, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Development of Guyana’s 1st state-ofthe-art golf course to commence in 2019 Page 20

Nicklaus Group Senior International Representative, Rodney Carl (left) and Lusignan Golf Club President Aleem Hussain signing the agreement on Friday

Digicel Cancer Awareness Cycle Race on this Sunday

Page 23

Flashback! Digicel officials and winners pose with their awards in the previous Cancer Awareness Cycle Race

5th Smalta U-11 Girls tournament slated for November 17 Page 22

Hopeful participants in the 5th Smalta U-11 Girls tournament take a photo opportunity with Petra operatives and ANSA McAL’s Errol Nelson and Gabriel Lopes

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