Guyanatimes november 18, 2017

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Local hospitals get $55M boost from Chinese medical brigade Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Issue No. 3396

Finance Minister rules out Christmas bonus for public servants Page 2

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Appellate tribunal P9 demands enforcement powers

US warns citizens of robberies P7 in Massy’s parking lot Ex-Cop freed of Rio night club murder P8

Amidst high referral numbers

WDRH to begin 24-hour operations by year-end P12 – Lawrence

Emotions run high

As Govt pushes budget cuts through National Assembly

Bandits rob Kuru Kururu businessman

St Stanislaus graduation

Page 7

GECOM unilateral appointment

Page 3

Page 12

“Guyana needs you to build a prosperous future” – President Page 7

Ramjattan advised President not to select Chairman from Jagdeo’s lists

Chonixx visits UG, promises a grand show P14 tonight

Police destroy ganja field in P11 Canje – firearm, ammo, cartridges found in camp

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saturDAY, november 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Finance Minister rules out Christmas bonus for public servants

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ublic servants hoping for a bonus this Christmas will be left disappointed, as Finance Minister Winston Jordan on Friday ruled out any bonus pay-out to State workers due to limited fiscal space.

In his revelation to the media, Jordan explained that countrywide infrastructure projects are ongoing. As such, he argued

that because of these projects, money is being circulated back into the economy.

“I can tell you that it will not happen this year,” the Minister said when asked about bonus for public servants. “The challenges are many and the resources are few.”

In the absence of a bonus, Jordan explained that public servants still

had much to be proud of as he pointed to the ongoing projects such as on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project.

“The West Demerara road is close to completion. So there has been a hive of activity across the country. A lot of spending is taking place, so if only

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

because of that, people should be happy because a lot of money is being injected into the economy,” Jordan said.

Last year, public servants had waited with bated breath to hear if

Government would announce a month tax-free bonus but were instead treated to a reduced amount.

He later told reporters last year that Government simply did not have the

monies available to make the one-month tax-free payment to members of the public service.

Speaking to public administration and public financial management during his presentation of the 2017 National Estimates (Budget), Finance Minister Jordan had said “this Administration has inherited a national crisis of institutional lethargy and ineptitude (in the public service).”

The Minister in providing some insight on Government’s proposal to reform the public service through its public servants, pointed to comprehensive institutionalisation of the tenets of results-based management.

He pointed too to the recently opened public service college and its role in revitalising workers.

Pork-knocker nabbed with ammo

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pork-knocker of the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) is now in Police custody after he was nabbed with ammunition and a firearm magazine on Friday.

The 42-year-old man was apprehended by Police at around 15:00h at Port Kaituma, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini).

According to reports, the suspect was stopped and searched by ranks when the 25 rounds of various calibres of ammunition and a small arm magazine were found.

He was arrested and is said to be cooperating with

Police as they continue their investigation.

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saturDAY, november 18, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Emotions run high

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

Saturday, November 18 – 04:30h and a daytime retraction at 14:30h-16:00h and Sunday, November 19 – 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, November 18 – 16:20h-17:50h and Sunday, November 19 – 16:40h-18:10h.

As Govt pushes budget cuts through National Assembly lowed, with the Government side using its majority.

Cuts to the Teaching Service Commission and the Guyana Elections Commission were also passed.

Both of these entities did not submit a budget plan, the absence of which was used by Jordan to justify previous

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, while sunny weather is expected in the late afternoon.

Partly cloudy conditions can be expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 24 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chambers provoked a firestorm between the Government side and the Opposition. Referencing the recent revelations that Nagamootoo racked up some $19 million in travel expenses in one year, the Opposition vociferously argued for the

Winds: Ranging between Easterly to East Northeasterly and South-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 04:07h and 16:18h reaching maximum heights of 2.60 metres and 2.71 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 09:54h and 22:16h reaching minimum heights of 0.62 metre and 0.50 metre respectively.

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PPP Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

By Jarryl Bryan

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parks flew in the National Assembly on Friday as Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s decision to cut the budget proposals of a number of agencies for varying reasons, was put under the microscope by the parliamentary Opposition.

Under interrogation by the Opposition, Jordan’s refusal to provide detailed justifications or even a macro-economic outlook to justify cutting the constitutional agencies budgets prompted the parliamentary Opposition to move a motion to immediately vote on the Parliament office’s budget request.

Leading the motion was People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, who argued that the Minister has been skirting the issue of the dismal economy. She referred to the Finance Ministry’s Mid-Year Report for 2017, which had recorded contractions in several major sectors.

A division was eventually called in the House and after a roll call, 33 members of Parliament to 25 voted in favour of the cuts being retained.

When they came to the Auditor General’s Office, Jordan repeated that the macro-economic outlook influenced this decision, as well as the absence of budget plans. His statement, howev-

er, did not sit well with the parliamentary Opposition.

Opposition parliamentarian and former Attorney General Anil Nandlall noted that while the Auditor General’s Office is supposed to exercise oversight, Jordan said that his Ministry reviewed the procurement plans of the Audit office.

“It is the Auditor General that has the constitutional responsibility to oversee the Ministry of Finance. The Minister of Finance gave us a lecture just now of reviewing the procurement plan of the Audit Office. One is left confused with which body is overseeing which. The Constitution says the Auditor General has oversight. Then we have the Minister of Finance contemplating oversight,” Nandlall added.

Independence

However, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in his rebuttal reminded the Assembly that the Government had moved the agencies under question from statutory to constitutional agencies.

Nagamootoo stressed that the law provided for the Finance Minister to have oversight of budget proposals of these agencies.

However, PPP parliamentarian Priya Manickchand stressed that the Opposition was indeed fighting for the independence of these agencies. Eventually, the cuts to the Audit Office were also al-

MP Priya Manickchand

cuts. But while the Teaching Service Commission was granted its full sum, the budget of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was cut.

In the case of cuts to the Supreme Court, Nandlall argued that the infrastructure projects the Judiciary would have to carry out would be crippled by the cuts. This includes the construction of court houses on the East Bank and in the interior. But cuts to the Supreme Court were passed.

The fact that the Government was cutting the requested capital sums of $19.9 million to $14 million

cuts to be withdrawn. They were unsuccessful.

In the same fashion, cuts to the Office of the Ombudsman; Indigenous People’s Commission; the Women and Gender Equality Commission and the Public Procurement Commission were also passed by the House.

The sums for the Rights of the Child’s were approved, even though Government acknowledged that there was no commission. It was subsequently clarified that staff at the commission are being paid their salaries despite the absence of a commission.

Turn to page 11

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saturDAY, november 18, 2017

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

Violence against women and girls

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ome next week, Guyana will be joining the rest of the world to observe, UN Women’s theme for International Day for the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls, which is being celebrated under the theme “Leave No One Behind: End Violence against Women and Girls” According to UN Women, when world leaders adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, they recognised that ending violence against women and girls was a prerequisite for the achievement of the development agenda. Goal 5 on gender equality includes a specific target to end all forms of violence against women, including trafficking, other forms of sexual violence, and harmful practices.

Despite this, the body pointed out, the resources dedicated to addressing the issue still do not match the scale of the challenge. It also emphasised that allocating adequate resources to prevent and address violence against women is not only a legal obligation and a moral imperative, but a sound investment, too.

One in three women around the world experience violence in their lifetime, often at the hands of someone they know, love and trust. Of all women who were victims of homicide globally, almost half were killed by intimate partners or family members.

The term ‘violence against women’ means any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life” (Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, UN General Assembly, 1993).

Violence against women has been declared a global pandemic and human rights violation. In the male-dominated world-view, the role of women in the family, home, relationship and society has been taken for granted, and this taken-forgranted-ness has led to the perpetuation of violence in several forms. Such acts of discrimination impact the socioeconomic wellbeing of women and girls, impeding progress in areas such as poverty eradication, HIV/AIDS, peace and security.

UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has highlighted effective interventions and reiterated that the pandemic of violence against women and girls can end, but it would need commitment and investment nationally and internationally. Violence against women and girls, a gross human rights violation, devastates lives, causes untold pain, suffering and illness. It also incurs high economic costs.

A recent study estimated that the cost of intimate-partner violence accounted for 5.2 per cent of the global economy.

Beyond the direct medical and judicial costs, violence against women takes a toll on household and national budgets through lost income and productivity. In Viet Nam, for example, expenditure and lost earnings resulting from domestic violence was estimated at 1.4 per cent of GDP in 2010. In the United Kingdom, the cost of domestic violence in 2009, including service-related costs, lost economic output and human and emotional costs, amounted to 16 billion pounds sterling.

In Guyana, the Women and Gender Equality Commission, which joined with many other organisations to speak out on the occasion, also acknowledged that one of the major challenges to efforts to prevent and end violence against women and girls worldwide is financing. As a result, they pointed to the glaring reality that resources for initiatives to prevent and end violence against women and girls are severely lacking.

In their bid to reinforce the point that there is much more work to be done in Guyana to ensure that the Prevention of Discrimination Act and the constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination and equality are enforced, they pointed to the overall economic impact of tackling the existing issues which can actually contribute to the prevention of violence against women and girls.

“Advancing women’s equality could potentially add $12 trillion to the world’s economy…and in emerging economies, women reinvest 90 cents of every additional dollar of income in their families’ education, health and nutrition, compared to 40 cents for men. It is therefore important to see gender equality as a critical economic issue. It is imperative that 100% of the population is given ample opportunity to contribute skills and intellect to its development and growth,” the Women and Gender Equality Commission said in its statement.

Thousands gathered on Main Street, Georgetown on Friday evening to witness the annual Courts Christmas Tree light-up. The muchanticipated annual event was hosted by the furniture and appliances mega-store, as it ushered in the Christmas season. Santa Claus made his customary grand entrance, much to the delight of scores of children and other spectators (Carl Croker photo)

Reckless behaviour at City Hall

Dear Editor, The Councillors who have been expressing concern about the most recent jaunt of the Mayor of Georgetown and a substantial delegation from the Council to the Far East for no obvious beneficial reasons and without their fiat, may be missing the forest for the trees.

If their principal concern is the huge sums of money paid to each of the five members of the touring party as per diem for hotel accommodation, meal allowances and out-of-pocket allowances from the City Treasury, and for the fact that they were not consulted regarding this Far East and the many other trips overseas, then they should be equally concerned

about the trip that was made to a South American country by the same Mayor and another outsized delegation just before the China junket. And more importantly, they should be even more anxious about the upcoming European retreat.

It is unbelievable, reprehensible and unconscionable for the Mayor of Georgetown and her delegation of senior operatives to embark on another luxury trip, all-expenses-paid by the citizens of Georgetown, in another few days all the way to the Mediterranean.

How could they be allowed to do this whilst their workers are starving? Whilst they don’t know when and how they will pay their workers for the months

of November and December?

Whilst the garbage is piling up around the city? Whilst they owe NIS, GRA, GPL, the credit unions, the contractors, GWI and the commercial banks etc?

It is simply shocking that the powers-that-be would allow such reckless behaviour at the Council for the last two years; that they would allow this Mayor to do nothing else but travel recurrently over the last two years first class to every corner of the globe with an entourage in tow, whilst the municipality remains totally bankrupt and indebted to all and sundry. And worse, agree to bail them out again.

But apart from the enormous wastage of scarce financial resources, it is also

highly irresponsible for the Mayor and a delegation of senior operatives from the Council to take off once again after two recent trips in the last few weeks, and in the throes of a major crisis at City Hall; and when the City should be preparing for the increased activity for the Christmas season, and having all hands-on deck.

How could they expect the citizens to heed their calls to rush in and pay up their property rates when the citizens are aware that it will be used to fly the Mayor and her delegation of senior operatives around the world on luxury trips?

Sincerely, Sean Levius

Efforts by Turkeyen Police and those stray animals

Dear Editor, Following your publication earlier this week of my missive regarding frequent traffic chaos and obstruction within proximity of the Turkeyen Police Station, I had a brief conversation with a female Police rank stationed there.

She was seen at about 07:45h two days after your publication, desperately trying to chase a stud of about 7 horses from congregating in front of the Turkeyen Police Station on the busy ‘D’ Field access road.

I was heartened by her fearless and valiant effort.

Most females would be petrified at the prospect of what such huge animals could do if agitated, much less try to chase them. In complementing her, I suggested that the horses needed to be im-

pounded, since their usually obstructive presence along the roadway is hazardous to motorists and pedestrians alike (particularly small children making their way to and from school).

The Police officer responded affirmatively, but conceded that the Police Station has no pound.

This is a perfect example of the need for resource allocation and capacity building, as well as collaboration by such agencies as the City Council or Neighbourhood Democratic Council and the Animal Protection advocates in supporting the Police’s efforts to maintain law and public order on the roadway.

In my earlier writing, I inadvertently omitted concerns about the prevalence of these types of animals on the roadway. Their pres-

ence contributes significantly to the mix of impairment to road-users’ safety in the South Turkeyen area.

I know that some readers may consider me selfish for writing solely about this problem in South Turkeyen, since there are other communities where this trend prevails. However, they can write as well, or even take action if so persuaded.

The practice of whoever owns those horses, as well as another group that routinely congregate on the A-field section of Dennis Street opposite the Beepat’s Wholesale Bond seems to be getting completely out of hand.

About a year ago, one of the horses from that stud on Dennis Street leapt onto the car of someone I know, damaging the bonnet and shat-

tering the front windscreen.

The gentleman made an initial Police report, but was subsequently burdened with the expense of repairs to his car, since the horse’s owner became a slippery eel, and the matter died with the passage of time.

Once again, I trust that the relevant authorities will take note, as well as appropriate steps to curb this evolving hazardous situation in the South Turkeyen/ Pattensen/Sophia community. The impounding of those animals that pose threats to public safely and the instituting of consequent fines or auctions against their owners could be a timely source of revenue earning for the Neighborhood Council.

Sincerely, Orette Cutting

saturDAY, november 18, 2017

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News

Opposition’s in-house protest

Speaker says: procure prior permission

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ome two weeks after the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) took its protest inside the Parliament Chambers to register its disapproval of the unilateral appointment of Justice James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr

A scene from the protest in the National Assembly

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland

Barton Scotland, on Friday issued a caution about such behaviour, saying that permission needs to be sought from him before such actions are taken.

Friday’s parliamentary session saw the budget considerations going underway ahead of the 2018 Budget Presentation later this month, but not before the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland chided the Opposition for their protest in the assembly during the President’s address.

Scotland noted that there is a process which has to be followed when seeking such a course of action in the Parliament.

According to the Speaker, the members should have approached him first to seek permission. Scotland also noted that more restraint should have been shown, since foreign dignitaries were present in the house.

“This assembly allows for dissenting views to be expressed. The assembly protects the rights of all its members to speak. It seems from recent events that the virtues we undertook to uphold are under threat,” Dr Scotland said.

“There are rules which hold sway in the National Assembly. The relevant standing orders require members to maintain silence when an honourable member is addressing the house. As regards placards, those can only be done through the permission of the speaker, who can set such appropriate terms and conditions,” Dr Scotland declared.

He noted that if the objective was to disrupt the President’s address, it was fulfilled. Scotland stressed that respect should have been shown to President David Granger because he represented the state.

At the November 2nd sitting, when Parliament resumed from recess, President David Granger was faced with protests from parliamentarians seated on the Opposition benches, after passing through a large crowd of placard-bearing protesters outside.

A number of individuals and organisations

spanning a wide cross-section of society have soundly criticised and condemned the President’s decision to unilaterally appoint a chairman for GECOM, including the Guyana Bar Association; the Berbice Bar Association; the Private Sector Commission (PSC); the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).

Criticism has also come from the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) and members of the diaspora.

In addition, the polit-

ical Opposition has filed a legal challenge in the courts seeking to revoke Patterson’s appointment.

There have even been resignations following the appointment; noted activist Christopher Ram from a committee handling the setting up of a local law school; and Major General (ret’d) Joe Singh from his position as a Presidential Advisor.

In light of heated debate in the public domain, persons had expressed expectations that the President would use the occasion to address concerns regarding the issue.

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Continued from Friday

Don't multi-ask while multi-tasking. Parents often ask, "Why do I have to ask my child so many times to do something". The real question is, why are you asking them so many times?

Yelling or, making multiple requests of the same command, will teach your children to tune you out because they will not expect your statements to be backed up by any type of consequence.

Also, making a request of your child when you are trying to do a half dozen other things only increases the likelihood that you won't follow through and that your child will tune you out. If it's important to you that your child do what you say, then put down the phone, stop what you are doing and let your child know that you mean business.

Avoid long-distance communication. Another common form of communication is to yell something across a room to your child, which is usually met with silence or "ok" (translated into, "I heard you but I have no plans to do it"). It is important that your child not only hears what you are saying but that they understand what you want. The best way to do this is to get directly in front of your child,

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

make good eye contact, and make your request. If necessary, have your child repeat it back to you. This way, you will be sure that there is no question as to whether your child heard you. You also will have made it clear to your child that the request is important, because you took the time to tell them directly. Eventually, you will not need to be as direct, as your child's listening skills improve.

Provide immediate follow through. As soon as possible, provide praise and/or positive attention (eg smile, a gentle touch) when your child does what you ask, as well as a negative consequence (gentle guidance, loss of privileges, timeout) when he or she does not.

Young children have a very poor concept of time. The longer you wait to react to their behaviour, the less effective it will be. In fact, if you wait too long, your child may wonder what you are talking about. Responding immediately will help your child associate their following directions with your positive attention or their poor listening with a negative consequence.

Keep consequences short. Don't "pile it on" when providing negative consequences, especially when a child's inappropri-

ate behaviour continues.

Keep consequences short.

Increasing the punishment, such as taking away one privilege after another until they are all gone, typically results in anger on the part of your child and often leads to poor follow through on your part. Also, you are unlikely to follow-through with larger consequences that require a lot of your time, or result in constant whining and pleading by your children. "Big" consequences don't result in bigger changes in behaviour, especially for young children. Smaller, and more manageable consequences that are applied more frequently will have a bigger impact.

Think "action, not words. Establish, by example, a strong association between "what you say" and the consequences you apply.

Repeating yourself over and over or hoping and praying that your child will do what you ask only dilutes your authority as a parent. In general, "Act, Don't Yak!" Pick your battles.

Although there may be many behaviours that you would like to change, you will be most successful if you target just one or two behaviours at a time. As you see progress, your confidence will increase and help you persist consistently and

predictably with addressing other behaviours.

Use Grandma's Rule.

With "Grandma's Rule," a task needs to be completed before a preferred activity takes place. An example might be, "Finish your homework before you play" or "Pick up your toys before you watch TV." Just make sure that the homework is done BEFORE they play, or that the toys are picked up BEFORE they watch TV. Don't allow your child to negotiate with you on this (eg "I promise I'll do it after I play", etc.)

Guided compliance.

When simple requests need to be completed quickly, it is often most effective to gently guide a young child through the task. Try "helping" your child pick up blocks, or directing him or her toward a closet to get a coat. Helping means that you provide gentle guidance, not that you do the task for your child.

Consider a time-out. If your child is being very resistant or aggressive, placing him in time-out may allow for time to calm down, and to think about the choices he has (only one actually, but don't tell him that). A time-out should be brief – a few minutes – with the child then being expected to go directly from time-out to the task. Refusal to complete

the task results in a return to the time-out, followed by a return to the requested task, and vice versa, until the task is completed.

Parenting is a challenging, often rewarding work in progress. This article focuses on one small, but important aspect of parenting: helping children to be compliant

with requests and demands made of them. Increasing the level of predictability and consistency parents employ when managing their children's behaviour will cause not only increased compliance, but also a stronger and more positive relationship between parents and their children. (Excerpt from Boystown.org)

Parenting Questions and Answers

My 10-year-old has been bugging me to let her get her own cellphone, but 10 seems a little young to me. How do I decide when she's old enough for a phone?

– Lisa here's no specific age when children are old enough for cellphones. That's a choice each family has to make on its own, and it often depends on a kid's maturity level. Some children mature faster and can handle the responsibility at a younger age; other children may not be ready until they're in high school.

You'll have to decide based

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on whether you think your daughter is ready for this big responsibility.

Before deciding, consider a few things: How will the phone be used? If it's just to call home for a ride after sports practices, that's one thing. If it's mostly going to be used to

play games, a phone could be more of a distraction than a helpful way of communicating.

Does your daughter know how to stay safe online? You'll want to make sure she knows about Internet safety and how to handle herself on social media (if she's allowed to use it at all) before you allow her to have a phone.

How much screen time?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents set consistent limits on screen time, which includes smartphone use.

In some cases, parents may want a child to have a phone at a young age for safety reasons — for instance, if a child has a medical condition that might require emergency treatment. Many parents who work outside of the home give their children phones to make it easier to stay in contact.

If you want to get your daughter a smartphone, but are worried about what she could encounter online, you can block certain sites and apps through parental control settings. Be prepared to keep an eye on things like texts and who your daughter calls to ensure that she stays safe. And set time limits so she doesn't let the phone get in the way of her other activities. (kidshealth.org)

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saturDAY, november 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GECOM unilateral appointment

Ramjattan advised President not to select Chairman from Jagdeo’s lists

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inority party in the coalition Government Alliance for Change had advised President David Granger not to select a new Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman from the lists submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

This revelation was highlighted in correspondence seen by the publication, where Chairman of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, told the executive of the party that he had advised the president not to select a new chairman from the 18 nominees submitted by the Opposition Leader.

In the internal party correspondence dated October 22, 2017 sent at 22:18 h (10:18pm) Ramjattan stated that he told President Granger that he did not support Jagdeo’s nominees on the second list of Gecom nominees. He went on to say in the email that he advised the Head of State that he should proceed to name a person, who fits the Constitutional requirements.

“I did express my opinion to the President at a Cabinet break some time back, after the second list from Jagdeo, that I was not comfortable with any of those names presented. He had asked what I thought of the names. I then went on to advise thatif he was also of that opinion, then he is

within his right to proceed to name a person fits the constitutional requirements as he is empowered to do under the proviso in that same article 161,” Ramjattan said in the email.

Meanwhile, this newspaper has since seen reports in sections of the media where Ramjattan confirmed that he indeed wrote the email.

According to one online media entity, when he was asked about the email given that his party had distanced itself from reports that which had stated that the party was involved in the selection of the GECOM chairman, the AFC chairman is quoted but the media entity as saying, “‘ya” journalists like to deduce a lot” as he walked way.

President David Granger unilaterally appointed retired Justice James Patterson after rejecting all of the nominees submit-

ted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jadgeo.

Patterson, who was an advisor in the Legal Affairs Ministry, was sworn in just a few hours after President Granger had met with the Opposition Leader briefly on October 19. According to the Head of State, his late-night decision to select a GECOM chairman was done in accordance with Article 161 of the Constitution for the appointment of a GECOM Chairman.

In justifying why he decided to hand-pick 84-yearold Justice Patterson for this position, the President has said that Patterson has had extensive experience as a former Chief Justice of Grenada. However, it has since come to light that Patterson never served as a substantive Chief Justice, but rather acted briefly in the position.

The decision has not

Bandits rob Kuru Kururu businessman A Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway business was on Thursday afternoon robbed of $634,000 in cash, $50,000 worth of phone cards, and four mobile phones after three unmasked and armed men barged into the entity.

Police reports indicate that the bandits entered the R&T Variety Store and

demanded cash and other valuables as they held the owners at gunpoint.

However, during the ordeal, the elderly woman managed to escape the bandit’s clutches and ran next door to a neighbour’s home where she raised an alarm and sought refuge.

However, her elderly husband was severely beaten. The bandits dragged the

man to the house where the men continued the assault him while demanding valuables. After some time, the men ransacked the house and found the money.

Before leaving, the men snatched the phone cards and escaped in a waiting silver grey Toyota Premio.

The matter was reported to the Police and an investigation was launched.

US warns citizens of robberies in Massy’s parking lot

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he United States (US) Embassy in Guyana is cautioning its citizens here about late-night robberies taking place in the parking lot of the Massy’s Grocery Store located in Providence, East Bank Demerara.

An advisory issued by the embassy has said it has received multiple reports of such incidents, mostly occurring after 20:00h; and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the management of Massy’s have also con-

firmed the increase in criminal activity since July.

“The embassy encourages US citizens to remain vigilant when travelling late at night, and to avoid dark secluded areas, as criminal activity is more prevalent in these situations”.

Additionally, while acknowledging that the GPF has increased nightly patrols of the area, the embassy has recommended that “shoppers avoid displaying valuables when walking around the store or parking

lot,” the advisory detailed.

The embassy is urging US citizens that should any become victim of such an incident, they should comply with perpetrators’ instructions to avoid any serious threats.

“The embassy security office suggests (that) if you become the victim of a crime, immediately comply with the assailant’s request; do not resist. And as soon as possible, find a place of safety and contact the Police by dialling 911,” it added.

gone down well with the political opposition. A challenge to the appointment has already been filed in the High Court, and that case will be called for hearing in January 2018. That challenge seeks to revoke

Patterson’s appointment.

A number of bodies, including the Guyana Bar Association, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), have

come out in condemnation of the President’s decision.

Criticism has also come from the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) and members of the diaspora.

8 NEWS

saturDAY, november 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ex-Cop freed of Rio Night Club murder L

loyd Roberts, called “Robbie, the ex-Policeman who was charged for killing Ryan Sergeant -- shot outside of the Rio Night Club in Queenstown, Georgetown in September of last year -- has been freed of the charge.

The 36-year-old Roberts of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown was discharged on Friday by City Magistrate Judy Latchman.

In delivering her decision, Magistrate Latchman told the Court that the evidence presented by the Prosecution, which included a video, did not implicate Roberts or in any way showed that he had shot and killed Sergeant.

Nineteen-year-old Sergeant, of Festival

Lloyd Roberts

City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, had been shot once to his head, and was reportedly picked up and dumped in front of the Woodlands Hospital, Georgetown. He was later pronounced dead.

According to reports,

Sergeant, Roberts and others were inside the night club when an argument erupted. They were all thrown out of the club by security, but the argument was taken to the road, where it escalated.

The men started to fire shots at each other, and Sergeant, who was not involved in the argument, was shot while attempting to seek cover.

The Police subsequently arrested Roberts and others after CCTV footage from the club showed him as one those involved in the argument. He was arrested in January of 2017 in a house at John Street, Campbellville Georgetown.

An AK-47 rifle and a 9mm pistol, together with 80 live rounds of ammunition and several cellular phones,

Recognising…

B Dead: Ryan Sergeant

were found in the house.

Roberts was, in 2010, freed of the murders of Romeo DeAgrella and his son Clint DeAgrella, who died from multiple gunshot wounds in an incident that occurred at Iron Punt, North West District.

Teenager jailed for escaping from Police custody

N

ineteen-year-old Clifton Boyce who escaped from Police custody after he was arrested for snatching a woman’s purse was on Friday jailed and fined after he appeared before Georgetown Magistrate Leron Daly and admitted to the charges.

One charge detailed that while being in lawful custo-

dy at the Ruimveldt Police Station on a larceny charge on November 16, 2017, he escaped from lawful custody.

The other charge detailed that on November 15, 2017, at the Meadow Bank Wharf, he stole a purse containing a Samsung phone valued at $45,000 and cash worth $9,440, property of

Nafeeza Patterson.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh told the Court that the virtual complainant (VC) was at the wharf market in Meadow Bank shopping when Boyce approached her, grabbed her purse containing the items and attempted to escape, but public-spirited persons subdued him and handed him over to the

Police.

At the Ruimveldt Police Station, he was placed on a bench in the Enquires Office, but requested to go to the washroom. His handcuff was removed, and the accused immediately ran out of the station and boarded a bus. The bus was followed and stopped by ranks on Lombard Street, Georgetown, where Boyce was rearrested.

In a plea in mitigation, Boyce told Magistrate Daly, “I stole it, but she get it back.”

For escaping from lawful custody, he was jailed for one year and fined $40,000.

And on the larceny charge, he was jailed for six months.

Driver fined for drunk driving

A

s Police amp up their presence on the roadways ahead of the holiday season, ranks in West Demerara were able to intercept Dellon Williams operating a motorcar whilst being under the influence of alcohol.

Williams appeared before Wales Magistrate Rushell Liverpool and admitted that during November 7, on the Public Road at La Grange, WBD, he drove motorcar PWW 803 while exceeding the prescribed limit of alcohol consumption.

He was fined $7,500.

…the precariat ack in the day when factories were starting to belch out the smoke and soot in Europe and the US that pushed our global temperatures to its present tipping point, Marx gave the workers labouring in those hell-holes a name: the “proletariat”. Now even if you don’t like Marx, that was significant: if you don’t have a name for “something”, you can’t even talk about it and it doesn’t exist, does it?

Sure those workers were used and abused and must have complained bitterly. But it was “life”…they just drowned their sorrows in alcohol, domestic violence and general “acting out”. But when their condition was named, and its causes defined, they could then start doing something about it. And they did - ranging from forming trade unions to agitate for better wages and working conditions - to overthrowing the government - like in Russia.

But while everyone has noted the 1989 fall of that last initiative - which had been birthed exactly 100 years ago - the demise of the former has been a long, slow, lingering death that’s still going on. So what has happened to the proletariat that used to man - and “woman” - all those factories in the west, which includes us in their neck of the woods, albeit on the periphery?

Well UNCTAD - remember them? - just issued its report for the year and to no one’s surprise, announced that “financialisation” is what delivers the biggest profits nowadays - not production. Meaning - as we know - the Wizards of Wall Street and the City (of London) can make more profits from “derivatives” or “credit swaps” or all the other “financial innovations” they created, in one second than the entire Caribbean can earn from their TOTAL production from fields and factories in a year!!

So the reality is, the proletariat’s been thrown out on their asses, even as less than 100 individuals own as must wealth as the rest of the world combined. Life for those who were the proletariat have now reverted to the state described by old Thomas Hobbes in its “state of nature” - nasty, brutal and short. But mentally worse since we’d become used to believing if we worked hard and faithfully our lives would keep on improving.

With no stable employment, income and housing or social safety net, what’s the word to describe this new precarious existence? Well how about “precarity” and the folks enduring it, “precariats”?

And if you want to see precariats in the flesh - just amble over to Wales, where 1700 sugar workers were fired a year ago!

The 5000 from Rose Hall and Enmore given a 1-year reprieve, should go first. …sexual harassment But naming an objected-to condition doesn’t mean those who suffer can eliminate it soon. Just think after 170 years, the “proletariat of the world” didn’t unite to break their chains!! Now, there’s an even more topical instance - sexual harassment. Believe it or not, it was only in the late seventies that the term was coined - at the Ivy league Cornell University in NY. Women, of course, had been groped, fondled and had their privates “grabbed” by men since cave-man days. But it was only when a woman academic suffered through the experience inflicted by a male colleague, reported him to the administration, and SHE was fired for “causing trouble”, that her colleagues named the act to protest it. She took the university to court and “sexual harassment” was born.

When Anita Hill exposed Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas in 1991 for the sexual harassment the term received a rush of publicity. But the post-Weinstein exposures illustrate how widespread the practice remains. …the City Hall culprit The Chief Constable just belled the Mayor and Town Clerk for their coverup of the sexual violation of a child.

He informed them the same night of the violation by their favoured cop!!

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

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saturDAY, november 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Appellate tribunal demands enforcement powers A lthough being out of operation for almost two decades, the Public Service Appellate Tribunal (PSAT) has already begun disposing of cases filed, and is even preparing to have the legislation changed so that its decisions can be enforced.

The tribunal is the body designated to hear the concerns of public servants seeking redress against decisions made by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

According to PSAT Chairman, retired Justice Nandram Kissoon, the decisions of the tribunal are final, and must be carried out by the relevant authorities. “If we find that the PSC erred, then they have to rectify it. We may make recommendations, but they must rectify it,” he stated.

The Chairman explained that if the decisions of the tribunal are not carried out, there is nothing the institution can do, since it has no

legislative enforcement powers.

“The only thing we can do, if we learn it is not complied with, is to write the minister. But no one controls the Public Service Commission, they are independent,” he posited.

Nevertheless, the tribunal chairman outlined that this is something the institution is looking to have reserved. “Our annual report will recommend (sanctions if decisions of the tribunal

Local hospitals get $55M boost from Chinese Medical Brigade

From left: Chairman of the GPHC Board, Kesaundra Alves; Head of the Chinese Medical Brigade, Dr Lui Yi; Economic and Commercial Consul at the Chinese Embassy, Shen Huiyong; Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC, ret’d Brigadier George Lewis; and Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence at the handing over ceremony

T

Some of the equipment handed over for use at the two hospitals

he 13th Chinese Medical Brigade has donated to the Ministry of Public Health (MPH) a quantity of medical equipment and supplies valued at over $55 million, specifically for use at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC).

At a simple handing over ceremony at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Friday, Head of the Chinese Medical Brigade, Dr Lui Yi, said the team of 16 doctors would

be in Guyana for one year, and the donation is a part of its regular gift to the Government.

He noted that the brigade has 11 doctors stationed at the GPHC, while the remaining five are at the Linden Hospital Complex.

Apart from working at the hospitals, the team is aiming to host medical outreaches in remote villages to provide health care in hardto-reach places.

Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC, ret’d Brigadier George Lewis, underscored the importance of the time-

ly donation and lauded the Chinese Government for its contribution to the local health sector.

He noted that Guyana and China began health cooperation in 1993, when the first batch of doctors came to Guyana.

“The equipment donated will be distributed between Georgetown, the Linden Hospital… We at the Georgetown Hospital are extremely grateful for the contribution of the Chinese Medical Brigade, and we hope it continues to last,” he said. turn to page 13

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, delivering remarks as members of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal (seated from left to right), Abiola Wong-Innis, retired Justice Nandram Kissoon (Chairman) and Winston Browne, pay keen attention

are not carried out),” Justice Kissoon noted.

The chairman disclosed that since being constituted back in May, the tribunal has received five cases – two of which were immediately disposed of, since they were appeals against decisions made by the Police Service Commission, over which the tribunal has no jurisdiction.

He said there were two additional cases which were filed within 90 days of the establishment of the tribunal, as required, but had stemmed from before the institution was re-constituted.

As such, the tribunal granted an extension of time to those persons to file their appeals.

Meanwhile, the fifth case was filed only on Thursday last, the Chairman added.

On Friday, the three-member body, which also includes Attorney Abiola Wong-Inniss and Winston Browne, encouraged aggrieved public servants to seek redress at the tribunal and fear no discrimination.

“Public servants are afraid of everything… but there should be no fear whatsoever. What we have to do is to ensure that the Public Service Ministry and the Public Service Union sensitise and (educate), and make the public servants aware that they have nothing to be afraid of,” the Chairman

stated.

In attendance at the official dedication ceremony was State Minister Joseph Harmon, who reminded the PSAT that its duties include providing a mechanism for redress against any perceived wrongful action, to enable public servants to discharge their duties fearlessly, confident that they are protected against any form of victimisation or illegal sanction for so doing.

First Vice President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Dawn Gardner, and Ombudsman of Guyana, retired Justice Winston Patterson, also attended the ceremony.

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Charges against 2 former GRDB officials reinstated

GRDB General Manager Jainarine Singh

I

t has been almost one month since the former General Manager (GM) of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Jagnarine Singh; his former deputy, Madanlall Ramraj, and former GRDB accountant Peter Ramcharran

were jointly slapped with 34 charges alleging fraud committed between the years 2011 and 2012; and the state has now moved to withdraw charges against the now overseas-based former accountant.

The atmosphere grew tense in the court of Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Thursday when the two accused appeared in court while State Prosecutor Patrice Henry and Defence Attorney Glen Hanoman transitioned into full battle mode before the magistrate stepped in to intervene.

The decision to withdraw charges against the third party came following concerns raised that the case was being stalled and unable to proceed in absence of Ramcharran, who resides in Canada and has not made appearance before the local courts of law, despite being

Former GRDB Deputy General Manager Madanlall Ramraj

served notice and notwithstanding collaborative efforts of the local police with the International Police Organization (INTERPOL).

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan was unable to read the amended charges against the pair in absence of

a fiat (binding edict issued by a person in command) from the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions. While the prosecutor claimed to have the fiat, he was unable to produce same to the court, claiming that he did not have same in his possession at the time, causing defence counsel to question whether it really existed. Nonetheless, the case was stood down to be heard in the afternoon session.

In the afternoon session, Prosecutor Henry readily produced a fiat dated November 16, 2017 (Thursday) and the information was sworn in by an investigating rank attached to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Sherronie James.

Hanoman’s attempts to establish that the prosecutor may have misled the court about having the fiat (since same was dated the same day) proved ineffective, as the investigating rank was unable to state the exact time of day it was received.

During a lengthy court sitting, the 34 charges against Ramraj and Jainarine were read by the Chief Magistrate, and the accused denied all the charges, alleging the keeping of fraudulent account and fraudulent appropriation of property be-

tween the years 2011 and 2012.

The first 17 charges allege that between 2011 and 2012, at Lot 16-17 Cowan Street, Kingstown, they omitted to enter, or to make full and true entries of over $4.2 million into the company’s ledger, contrary to standard operation procedures.

Subsequent allegations detail that the accused fraudulently took, or applied to their own use and benefit, other than for the use and purpose of GRDB, a total of $5.1 million.

On the issue of bail, the court indicated that same $1 million bail that the defendants were previously on would be transferred from the jacket holding the charges against the three defendants to the modified version (against the two), as the charges remain the same.

As the clock ticked on, defence counsel sought to make submissions for the charges to be struck out, alleging abuse of process. The charges alleging the keeping of fraudulent accounts are presently before Magistrate Leron Daly, the only difference being that one is general while the other is specific. According to the lawyer, the matter before Magistrate Daly alleges omission to make records for the fis-

cal year, while the present charges allege omission for every individual transaction during the fiscal year. In essence, the criminal conduct remains the same.

On the other hand, as regards the charges of fraudulent account-keeping, Hanoman advanced that the prosecution has to decide the particular offence for which the defendants are to be charged (whether it is for criminal omission or act) as the words in the relevant section constitute more than one offence. Further, the defence raised concerns of the present charges being filed whilst identical charges against the accused parties were still “live” before another court.

In closing, the lawyer bemoaned the fact that there was no fiat produced by the prosecution in relation to the charges which he purported to withdraw, only presenting one which granted him permission to proceed against the two defendants. In effect, he declared such to be ineffective, as it specifically granted permission to “appear for the prosecution at the hearing…at no cost to the state”, which produces an absurdity, since prosecutors are paid by the state.

The case will continue on January 10, 2018.

SOCU’s actions point to flagrant abuse of power – Ramotar

Former President Donald Ramotar

I

n highlighting the alleged abuse of power by the current Government, former President Donald Ramotar has said the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) -- set up to fight against money laundering and drug trafficking -- has now become a political organisation.

Ramotar said on Thursday that the two crimes seemed to correlate; and therefore, under the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), this agency was birthed.

He said other countries had set up similar organisations to fight those two serious crimes, and the idea was to deny criminals any loophole in the country’s system.

However, since the change of Government in May 2015, the main purpose of SOCU has changed.

“The focus is no longer on money laundering and

drug trafficking. It has become a political tool of the parties that compose the Government. Its main purpose, from all its actions, is to harass the Opposition PPP and officials in various Government departments and agencies whom they want to remove,” he said.

The former President said also that SOCU has become the main instrument in the regime’s witch-hunting campaign. According to him, all the cases that SOCU has investigated and is investigating are cases that should have been sent to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He believes that none of those cases has anything to do with what SOCU has been established for; that is: money laundering.

Ramotar recalled that, under the PPP Administration, SOCU was a part of the Guyana Police

Force (GPF). He said it was to take its instructions from the Commissioner of Police, and was to be financed through the budget of the GPF; but all of that has changed and things continue to get worse.

SOCU, according to Ramotar, has also been acting above the law. “In Court, they, through prosecutors, are refusing to give defence lawyers the forensic reports from which charges were made. Recently, a magistrate had to summon the Head of SOCU to find out why that body was not providing those reports to the defence lawyers. This is a great violation of the rights of the accused,” he noted.

In describing the situation as a “great misuse of power”, the former Head of State said that by transforming SOCU to perform the functions of the ‘gendarme’ of the APNU/AFC -to harass its political opponents -- the Government has created fertile ground for further abuse of power.

“It has already led to political harassment and violation of people’s constitutional rights. The ruling elite are using the state apparatus to destroy competitors and persons they want out of the Government. For them, the Constitution is just a piece of paper that they throw in the waste basket,” Ramotar said.

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saturDAY, november 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Education Ministry launches $6M ‘Smart’ classroom

Sheldon Blair demonstrating how the programme can be used to view the content of a number of textbooks

T

he first ‘Smart’ classroom was launched on Friday at the National Centre for Education and Resource Development (NCERD) with the aim of connecting schools and classrooms in real-time across Guyana using innovative

technology. Additionally, the classroom will bridge the gap between coastal schools and those in the hinterland and rural communities.

Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson said the initiative marks a significant day in the history of educa-

tion delivery in Guyana. He added that it is symbolic of the education sector embracing the use of technology to deliver education; something the Ministry has been clamouring to do for the longest while.

Hutson said the occasion

Police destroy ganja field in Canje – firearm, ammo, cartridges found in camp

P

olice on Friday morning conducted a drug eradication operation in East Canje, East Berbice, where cannabis plants found on a one-acre plot of ground were destroyed.

According to the Police, the field consisted of about fifteen hundred plants ranging in height from three feet to five feet.

A camp was also discovered close to the field, and following a search, 45 live cartridges, two live 9mm rounds and a dismantled shotgun were found.

The owner of the land upon which the crop and

The gun and ammunition found in the camp

camp were found is now being pursued by Police as

they continue their investigations.

is just the beginning and efforts will be made to establish similar rooms across Guyana, adding that the benefits are tremendous as children and teachers can benefit from interactive learning “shifting away from the chalk and talk”.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Nicolette Henry said the launch of the ‘Smart’ classroom represents a high moment of the Ministry as it is embracing a 21st Century teaching tool. She said the use of the ‘Smart’ classroom epitomises the Ministry’s efforts at providing quality education to all and reducing disparities between the hinterland, rural and coastal areas; an issue that will be a primary focus for the Ministry as it moves into the

New Year.

Additionally, ICT Coordinator within the Education Ministry, Marcia Thomas said the equipment that has been set up in a special room at NCERD was bought at a cost of US$30,000.

The room features a touchscreen Promethean Board, 30 charging stations for tablets, smartphones and computers and ergonomic furniture for the pupils to use.

She said the E-Governance Unit provided the Internet connection for the NCERD building.

During the launch, students and teachers from eight of the 10 administrative regions were connected and were able to interface with each other. Also, a number of textbooks used

in the public-school system are available for use through the system. One feature of the state-of-the-art technology is that the teacher using the equipment can log the students off so that they can focus on the Promethean Board while she teaches and log them in back into the system when material on their tablets are required.

To use the system, tablets, smartphones and computers, one would need to have access to a Zoom Cloud Meetings platform that is available on the Google Play Store. The ‘Smart’ classroom can be used to connect schools, thereby creating a universal classroom where one teacher can teach as many students as possible.

As Govt pushes budget...

In this way, a total of $8 billion in estimates from 16 constitutional agencies were approved for the 2018 Budget. This includes Capital and Current Expenditure.

The recent multimillion-dollar cuts by the Finance Ministry to the budget proposals put forward by these constitutional agencies had not gone down well with the parliamentary Opposition. The Opposition had for some time called for the autonomy of these agencies to be respected by the Government.

According to the 2018 annual budget proposals of constitutional agencies which were tabled in Parliament last week, the Audit Office’s request of $844.4 million was slashed to a proposal of $783.8 million. In slashing the amount, it was noted that Budget 2018’s submission did not fulfil certain requirements set out in a budget circular.

The need has been expressed for the Audit Office to be as strong as possible when it comes to its audit capacity. This is especially so as Guyana gets ready

from page 3

to enter oil production. In addition, Auditor General Deodat Sharma has already expressed intentions to audit Guyana’s environmental protection systems.

Other agencies on the chopping block for 2018 were the Parliament Office, the GECOM, the Supreme Court of Judicature (request of $2.7 billion was reduced to $1.8 billion), the Director of Public Prosecutions chambers (request of $223.8 billion was reduced to $174.2 billion) and the Office of the Ombudsman.

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saturDAY, november 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Amidst high referral numbers

WDRH to begin 24-hour operations by year’s end – Lawrence

P

ublic Health Minister Volda Lawrence has said that the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) is expected to begin operating on a 24-hour basis before the end of the year.

The Minister made the revelation in response to heavy criticisms from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in relation to the high number of referrals, especially in the Maternity Unit.

At Friday’s opening of the extension to the Maternity Unit of the GPHC, Head of the OBGYN Department, Dr Lucio Pedro, pleaded with the authorities to ensure that the regional hospitals, particularly WDRH, carry their weight.

“We beg the regional hospitals to play their part in reducing this (high number of referrals). There were 82 referrals for October from regional hospitals, most of them from the West Demerara.

There have been a lot of problems with this institution

(WDRH), I understand that they close at 5pm (17:00h), and after that, all patients come to GPHC,” Dr Pedro said.

He said the biggest challenge is to decrease the maternal and neonatal mortality rates, in keeping with Goals Four and Five of the Millennium Development Goals. He added that 606 babies have been delivered for the month of October.

In response to the pleas, Minister Lawrence said that

the MoPH is aware of the issues plaguing the institution.

“The last couple of months we have been working at all levels to address these issues; and yes, the West Demerara (Hospital) operates at a lesser level after 4(pm). It is not closed, but it operates at a lower level because we do not have the technical staff, the lab technicians, and the X-ray technicians to work beyond that 8-hour period,” she said.

She added that the MoPG has been working with the

regional authorities and the Communities Ministry to en-

sure that the situation is addressed.

“Work is being done, and before the end of this year, that hospital would be run on a 24-hour basis. We are working to ensure that we upgrade the primary health care institutions, to ensure that we do not have that high flow of patients being referred to the tertiary institutions,” Lawrence added.

She added that the Diamond Diagnostic Centre has extended the creating space to house 5 beds for maternity purposes.

“We just concluded consultation with the RDC and the NDC of Grove and Diamond and NDC of HaslingtonGolden Grove. They have given consent for the collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health and the RDC to sign a MoU for the upgrading of the Diamond Diagnostic Centre and the CC Nicholson Hospital to regional hospitals,” she said.

The MoPH is in the process of rehabilitating a number of hospitals, including the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

St Stanislaus graduation

“Guyana needs you to build a prosperous future” – President

P

resident David Granger told graduates of the St Stanislaus College on Friday that as Guyana embarks on a ‘green’ development trajectory with an emerging oil-and-gas industry, the country needs their skills, expertise and knowledge, particularly in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), to develop and become one of the most prosperous countries in this hemisphere.

Delivering his charge to the students, parents and teachers at the graduation ceremony held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC), President Granger said St Stanislaus College, though having a broadbased curriculum, has been building a reputation for Science.

The Class of 2017, he noted, can contribute much to this country’s development.

“Cohorts of youth like this class can convert our country’s resources into riches, our promises into performance, and our potential into production. The Class of 2017 will inherit the biggest, most beautiful and bountiful country in the Caribbean Community – the ‘green state’ that is rich in natural resources and the habitat of some of (the) rarest flora and fauna on earth.

“The ‘green state’ is one that will preserve its biodiversity, protect its environment, and promote renewable energy use. The Class of 2017 can combine its human capital with the country’s natural capital to drive the development of the ‘green state’,” the President said.

In addition to the “Boats, Buses, Bicycles plus Breakfast and Books”, or Five B’s programme, President Granger has established the National Endowment for Science and Technology (NEST) with the aim of boosting the Science and Technology laboratories in schools. He said that as the country develops, there

President Granger handing over a part of the President’s Prize to the school’s Best Graduating Student, Ishwadat Boodramlall

will be a greater need for specialists.

St Stanislaus College has been selected as one of 13 high schools which benefitted from presidential grants of $1 million each to improve their Science and Technology laboratories under the NEST initiative.

This endowment, he said, is not a fluke or gimmick, but it is commitmen aimed at ensuring that the skill sets needed to develop the country are honed and encouraged.

Furthermore, in his charge to the students, the Head of State urged them to remain faithful to the College’s longstanding principles, values and standards, even as he noted that St Stanislaus College has been a provider of quality education for more than 150 years.

“Tradition cannot be contrived. Tradition sustains the College’s standards – the authoritative bases that define how students behave and how that behaviour is measured,, especially standards of scholarship transmitted over the past century. Tradition embodies the College’s values – the important moral principles and qualities that shape the students’ character and promote camaraderie and esprit de corps. Tradition reflects the College’s intellectual origins. Its Polish logo of cross-

es and horseshoes and its Latin motto – ‘Aeterna non caduca’ – which translates, roughly as: ‘for the eternal, not the ephemeral,’ tell a tale of both the past and future,” he said.

Meanwhile, headmistress of the institution, Paulette Merell, in her remarks, said she is proud of the school’s performance at the recent sitting of the CSEC and CAPE assessments. She informed that the school recorded a 92 per cent overall pass rate.

Moreover, the class of 2017 attained an impressive 95 per cent pass rate in Mathematics and English.

Ishwadat Boodramlall graduated as the Valedictorian with 13 subjects: 12 Grade Ones and one Grade Two. He received the President’s Prize, which includes a laptop, a plaque, a certificate, and a gift voucher worth $20,000.

The ‘College’ was, on May 1, 1866, established by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) as a Catholic grammar school for boys. This Roman Catholic religious order has a long and strong tradition in education. The College’s headmasters between 1866 and 1980, save for a short period between 1869 and 1872, were all Roman Catholic priests who inculcated in students the values and standards of academic excellence.

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saturDAY, november 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

After 1-year delay

GPHC commissions new maternity wing …CEO blasts contractor for shoddy work, delays stances where four persons – two mothers and two infants – are made to share one bed.

The new wing has six de-

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence and other officials at the ribbon cutting of the new maternity wing of the GPHC

T

he new maternity wing of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) was on Friday commissioned after a year-long delay due to poor work by the contractor. The new facility is aimed at improving the delivery of maternal and child health services to Guyanese citizens frequenting the GPHC. Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, retired Brigadier George Lewis noted that the facility was already occupied but had to be evacuated after staff discovered a number of faulty construction works. He added that the GPHC then had the contractor, PD Contracting, make the necessary amendments that were recently completed; hence, the handing over after a year-long delay.

“This project was conceived to improve the facilities offered by the Georgetown Public Hospital so that it can address the needs of our patients and those referred from other regional hospitals,” the CEO said. This project, he added, was tendered in 2014 and was awarded by National Procurement Tender Administration Board to PD Contracting Company and supervised by the consulting firm KALITECH INC. It was slated to cost $235,963,806 and was due to commence on December 31, 2014 and to be completed one year after. “It had a one-year defect liability period. Actual construction

commenced in February 2015 and was completed on July 2016 and the defects period commenced after. On completion, this was meant to provide an upgraded neonatal unit, offices and classrooms,” he said.

In July last year, however, a number of defects were observed, some of which were the flaking of the epoxy on the floor and walls, cracking on several sections in the building, defective locks and doors. “The management decided to abandon this building and demand that the contractor remedy the defects; those remedial works were recently completed, and the area reoccupied on November 7 (2017) after some trying times with the contractor,” the CEO said.

Lewis added that it is his hope that contractors take greater pride in the manner in which they execute their duties so that their projects are completed in a timely fashion without any defects.

“They (contractors) must also understand that time lost is also equivalent to money lost and create serious inconveniences to end users.

We are hopeful that we do not have to abandon this unit again since the absences of those facilities challenge our doctors and nurses in the delivery of quality health care,” the CEO further stated.

He also noted that the ceremony coincided with World Prematurity Day, which is observed on November 17 annually.

Meanwhile, Chairman of

Local hospitals get...

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, who attended the simple ceremony, noted that the larger portion of the donation would go to the GPHC to aid in bridging gaps in the health care system. She noted that apart from collaboration resulting in physical results, the two Governments have also been collaborating in the education sector.

“We also have very good exchange in terms of education. We have been able to benefit through scholarships and through exchange visits by several staff in the Ministry of Public Health, to visit with your hospitals

across China so that they can become more aware and have a more hands-on insight into where the medical services are at your level,” Lawrence stated.

Economic and Commercial Consul at the Chinese Embassy, Shen Huiyong, said the Chinese Government is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate in the various sectors. He noted that his Government recently sent an expert team to assist Guyana’s disease control unit with the hope of further establishing cooperation in that field.

the GPHC Board, Kesaundra Alves, said according to the World Health Organisation, Guyana preterm babies account for 13.2 per cent of all births. She noted that the new Maternity Unit boasts an updated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which is equipped to sustain the life of a baby greater than or equal to 28 weeks gestational age.

She added that the Unit is also equipped with the relevant doctors and nurses who are trained to deal with such cases.

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence lauded the staffers of the facility for their vigilance in exposing the shoddy works done by the contractor. Lawrence also indicated that the Ministry would go behind contractors who provide substandard works and also called for more vigilance as it relates to public projects.

“Had it not been for your vigilance we would have already paid off the contractor and would have to be dealing with the defects. We have to get the value of our money. This building should have been handed over to us a long time ago. This new facility does not just house one aspect that will extend and upgrade the services offered but it would upgrade and extend several services,” she said.

The new facility houses 50 beds, two operating rooms, the birthing room, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on the top floor. The new wing also represents a step closer to eliminating in-

From page 9

“Every year the Chinese Government donates equipment to the hospitals in Guyana; and they also provide opportunities for training, which is funded by the Chinese Government,” Huiyong noted.

A team of Chinese engineers would be in Guyana for two weeks, to assemble the equipment and train staffers in their utilization.

Among the equipment donated are electro surgical pencils, examination lights, ophthalmoscopes, patient monitors, slit lamps and syringe pumps, among other things.

livery rooms, two operating rooms, a recovery room, the NICU, family planning office and a training room for the

Residency Programme, and it is just part one of the of the Maternity Unit upgrade.

14 news

saturdAY, november 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Men are harmfully stereotyped Chonixx visits UG, promises a grand show tonight – Minister Norton …ahead of International Day of Men and Boys

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton joined by a group of school boys at the launch of International Day of Men and Boys in Guyana

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s the Social Cohesion Ministry kick-started the celebrations of International Day of Men and Boys in Guyana, Minister George Norton highlighted that men are now harmfully stereotyped which increases their vulnerability and promotes gender inequality.

This was as he relayed to a gathering at the Umana Yana on Thursday that, “There is no doubt about the fact that harmful stereotyping of men is an issue we face but we must work to eliminate this issue.”

Norton was at the time speaking at the local launch ahead of Sunday’s observation of the international day set aside for the honouring of men and their contributions to society.

In his address, the Minister suggested that feminist efforts to promote women and gender equality can often open the doors for men to suffer at the hands of a number of social injustices.

In doing so, he relayed, “Sometimes, men and boys are reluctant to speak out on certain issues affecting them, but I must encourage you to let your voices be heard.”

Continuing on that note, Minister Norton indicated that the idea of women being

the only victims of domestic violence and abuse are among the misconceptions which tend to silence male victims.

With that in mind, he encouraged the male gathering to embrace their responsibility as men in society despite the stereotypes which seek to threaten their masculinity.

“Men and boys I appeal to you do not be discouraged because of these stereotyping. We must abandon those stereotypes and embrace positive attributes,” Norton stated in his encouragement to men and went on to highlight that that would mean, “Be good role models, build healthy relationships and always be respectful.”

The Social Cohesion Minister went on to point out the important role men continue to play in the development of their families and by extension the country.

“The role of men and boys should never be underestimated. Men and boys must see themselves as responsible, caring and non-violent individuals, who contribute meaningfully to society,” he expressed.

Sharing the similar concerns as it relates to the marginalisation of men in societies, not only in Guyana but across the world, Dr Williams

Adu-Krow, who is the country representative attached to the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO).

Dr Adu-Krow in his remarks at the event noted that the idea of masculinity often results in men being sceptical as it relates to seeking assistance in fear of falling below society’s expectation of their inherent bravery.

This, he noted, often leads to men neglecting basic necessities, such as health care. As such, he is calling for a change in the way males are socialised, with less emphasis being placed on society’s expectations of masculinity, so as to truly level the playing field between men and women, particularly in the Caribbean.

International Day of Men and Boys is celebrated on November 19 in about 70 countries across the globe.

This occasion was earmarked to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of men and boys and more so to focus on their health, promoting gender equality and improving gender relations.

To further commemorate this event in Guyana, the Social Protection Ministry will be hosting a public forum in Georgetown on Sunday.

J

A section of the GWLT on Friday

amaican reggae superstar, Jamar Mc Naughton, more popularly known as “Chronixx”, arrived in Guyana one day ahead of the GTT’s Smile Guyana Concert billed for the Guyana National Stadium this evening.

The reggae artiste, upon arrival, visited several radio stations in promotion of the show and received the most hospitable welcome. This was no different when he turned up at the University of Guyana to have an interactive session with students there.

Screams and shouts for the artiste were thunderous in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre (GWLT) as the reggae singer made his way to the stage in the presence of heavy security.

The initiative was planned by the telephone company, which saw over 800 students purchasing tickets for the show at discounted prices. The monies from the sale will go towards the Guyana Artists in Residence programme (AIR).

However, at the educational institution on Friday, the artiste reminisced on his life growing up and the about turn it took. He started his career with huge challenges but added that with the inspiration he received

The Jamaican artiste interacting with the student of UG on Friday

from God, he was able to stay on the right path and face those hurdles.

He explained that while growing up, he learnt to share from the little resources that were available at the time. Further, he started that as an artiste, he performs out of love for mankind and trust in God at the same time.

Chronixx went on to say that when he started his musical career, he dreamt big and never thought that he would have been one of the most loved reggae artistes.

“I was born in a musi-

cal environment… I found that a lot of people were giving their opinions… for me I have learnt to overcome the fear of not having people approval and that was the first step of me releasing the music I really love.”

He added that an artiste should not do something that he or she does not love.

He noted that the youths of the world must find a way to rise above the opinion of the people. The Jamaican artiste encouraged the youths to stay positive and focused but more so live their dreams.

Chronixx will headline the GTT’s Smile Guyana Concert this evening and he promises patrons a grand time. Also sharing the stage will be the Heatwaves Band and Guyana’s own Alabama.

The most exciting part of the evening, however, is expected to be that time when the telephone giant gives away $1 million to one lucky patron.

Two persons have already walked away with $1 million each, with a third was expected to be named in Linden last evening. Tickets for the GTT’s Smile Guyana Concert will be available at the venue at a cost of $3500 each for the general admission, $10,000 for stage front and $15,000 for the VVIP experience.

Amerindian Hostel receives transportation boost T he Amerindian Hostel on Princes Street, Georgetown has received a boost to its daily operations with the donation of a minibus by the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry.

Speaking at the simple handing over ceremony, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock indicated that the hostel’s challenges in having limited resources have been recognised, and he assured of better collaboration in addressing the needs of hinterland peoples.

Receiving the keys to the vehicle was administrator of the facility, Claire Emmanuel.

“I know it will benefit the people here in terms of transporting them to and

from the hospital. It’s been difficult over the years, and this transportation being provided will benefit them,” the administrator stated.

The Amerindian Hostel was built to accommodate hinterland students attending schools on the coast, as well as patients who would have been referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) for medical attention.

Over the years, the facility has expanded its services to cater to the needs of persons in difficult situations, including victims of domestic violence, trafficking in persons, discharged prisoners, or any similar situation.

This hostel houses on average more than 100 persons per month.

Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock (centre) handing over the keys of the vehicle to the hostel’s administrator, Claire Emanuel. Also in photo are Junior Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Valarie Garrido-Lowe and Permanent Secretary Alfred King

15 Veterans honoured at GDF’s 8th annual Wreath Laying Ceremony News

saturdAY, november 18, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

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he Guyana Defence Force (GDF), celebrating the 52nd anniversary of its creation this month, has paid tribute to retired ranks at the staging of the 8th annual Veterans’ Day Wreath Laying Ceremony hosted on Friday, when scores of retired officials attached to the Guyana Veterans Legion assembled at Camp Ayanganna for the commemoration of Veterans’ Day 2017.

The event was held in recognition of the local men and women who have, over the years, served in the military forces of both British Guiana and Guyana.

Activities kicked off with the ceremonial laying of wreaths at the Veterans’ Monument erected just outside of the GDF’s Thomas Lands, Georgetown base.

Addressing the gathering, President of the Legion, Lieutenant Colonel (retd) George Gomes, underscored the importance of paying

into the wealth of experience that exists within the Legion.

“To the soldiers of today, we have valuable experiences and we have traditions which we can pass on to you.

Chief of Staff, I urge you to make use of us while you still have us. We are prepared to contribute towards the future development of the Guyana Defence Force,” Gomes relayed.

Also speaking at the Veterans’ Day event earlier on Friday was GDF Chief of Staff, Brigadier

Lieutenant Colonel (retd) George Gomes paying tribute to the fallen veterans of the GDF

tribute to the country’s veterans.

He pointed out that “Veterans’ Day is to have a healthy interaction between veterans and serving soldiers.”

In attendance at the occasion were four of the country’s remaining War heroes,

who fought honourably and managed to return alive following World Wars I and II. The oldest among the four was retired rank Benjamin Durant, who celebrated his 99th birth anniversary just days ago.

Gomes on Friday called on the existing Force to tap

Witness Protection, Whistle Blower bills read in Parliament

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he Witness Protection Bill of 2016 and the Protected Disclosure (Whistle Blower) Bill of 2016 were, on Friday, read for the first time in the National Assembly by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams.

The Witness Protection Bill seeks to introduce legislations for the protection of witnesses who give evidence in Guyana’s courts. It is part of a Crime and Security Initiative that being led by the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

The legislation will ensure the protection of witnesses and their families against intimidation and, or physical harm during and after their involvement, in court proceedings. The measure to be enacted includes the establishment of safe houses, the granting of assistance to participants and the provision of new identities, where necessary.

Offences which may give rise to protection under the witness protection programme include murder, manslaughter, treason, sedition, piracy or hijacking, possession or use of firearms, and ammunition with intent to injure. Possession or use of firearms in furtherance of any criminal offence, aggravated assault, shooting or wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, robbery, robbery with aggravation, armed robbery, arson, any sexual offence, any drug trafficking offence, any domestic violence offence,

Patrick West, who in his remarks outlined the value of the veterans to the Guyana Defence Force. In so doing, he extended appreciation to the retired ranks for their selfless service in defending the nation.

“So we, who serve today, we say thank you. May your lives be enriched because you answered the call to service and you can stand to see the products of your labours flourishing before your very eyes,” the Chief of Staff expressed.

The Veterans’ Day celebration culminated on a high note, with the Chief of Staff handing over a cheque for one million dollars to the Legion, as is customary at the annual event. To truly express gratitude, Brigadier West pledged support in sourcing the necessary funding for rehabilitation of the Legion’s Headquarters, tagged at some $18 million.

This was followed by a social lunch specially prepared for the retired ranks of the GDF.

Prime suspects nabbed for labourer’s murder

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he two prime suspects in the murder of 24-year-old Jamal Monroe, who was killed by a teenager, are now in Police custody.

According to the Police, the two prime suspects – ages 18 and 31 – are now in Police custody assisting with investigations. Munroe was shot and killed on November 4, 2017 following prolonged rivalry with the suspects and his family members.

According to reports, Munroe sustained gunshot

Jamal Munroe

wounds to his legs, upper hand and lower back. He died while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

His shooter, 18-year-old Mark Ferrel, then evaded Police and went into hiding.

However, his mother was taken into Police custody after she took home her .32 service pistol in order for her son to carry out the act.

The rivalry between the dead man and the suspects started some time ago following a gambling disagreement.

Push ancestry tourism T

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams

any trafficking in person offence, kidnapping offences under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act, offences under the Criminal Law (Offences) Act , offences under the Anti-Terrorism and Terrorist Related Activities Act, and offences under the Cyber Crime Act. Meanwhile, the Whistle Blower Bill seeks to combat corruption and other wrongdoings by encouraging and facilitating disclosures of improper conduct in the public and private sectors, to protect persons making those disclosures from detrimental action, to establish the Protected Disclosures Commission to receive, investigate, or otherwise deal with disclosures of improp-

er conduct and to provide for other related matters.

According to the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Bill marks another step by the Government towards full compliance with the Inter-American Convention against Corruption. The Bill would assist in combating corruption and other wrongdoing, both in the public and private sector by encouraging and facilitating the making of specified disclosures of improper conduct in good faith, and in the public interest. The Bill also seeks to protect persons making those disclosures from detrimental action and to establish the Protected Disclosures Commission, to deal with disclosures of improper conduct.

he Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA) is working collaboratively with the Department of Archives to bring more awareness to the topic of genealogy.

Word of this comes from the BTPA’s Branding and New Product Officer, Madge Dalrymple, as she explained that genealogy and Diaspora tourism are inextricably linked.

She was at the time addressing the 3rd Genealogy Marketplace, held at the Department of Archives, Lazaretto, Black Rock. “For decades Barbadians and visitors especially, have expressed an interest in their ancestral heritage,” she pointed out.

“At one time tourism was just sun, sand and sea… the phrase genealogy tourism is new to most persons’ vocabulary.

Historically, Barbados was the central port in the region during the Atlantic slave trade and that leads us to believe that the descendants of the slave trade had to pass through our island at some point. As a result, we believe there is so much to learn within our history as it relates to a person’s genealogy,” she further pointed out.

In light of this the BTPA is encouraging visitors to come and research their ancestral family line.

While acknowledging that

some of the cases may not go as far back as the slave trade, Dalrymple said they have seen scenarios where persons have sought information for third to fourth generations back on who their parents and families

were.

The first Genealogy Marketplace was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under their 4th Diaspora Conference in 2016. (Excerpt from

Barbados Advocate)

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saturDAY, november 18, 2017

Regional

Venezuela crisis: Caracas Mayor UK Govt urged to do Antonio Ledezma flees country more for Barbuda O T

he Mayor of Caracas has escaped from his long-term house arrest in Venezuela and fled across the border to Colombia. Antonio Ledezma has been confined since early 2015 on charges of supporting an attempted coup, which he denies.

The 62-year-old is a vocal opponent of President Nicolás Maduro, whom the US has labelled a dictator.

Colombian authorities confirmed that Ledezma entered the country on Friday.

It is unclear how he escaped and made it to the border undetected.

Venezuela’s El Nacional newspaper said his family had also left Venezuela.

The Mayor had spent more than 1000 days in some form of detention

Security officials have raided his home. Former Colombian President Andres Pastrana tweeted: “Welcome to freedom!” in response to the news. Mayor Ledezma

had recently passed the marker of 1,000 days in detention. Along with opposition leader Leopoldo López, who remains under house arrest, Ledezma is one of

the best-known opponents of President Maduro.

They are accused of inciting violence during anti-government protests in 2014.

Both were re-arrested in August in the wake of further protests. At the time, the country’s Supreme Court said it had received intelligence reports saying they planned to flee the country.

That prompted US President Donald Trump to warn the “Maduro dictatorship” over the treatment of “political prisoners.” He said the US held the Venezuelan president “personally responsible for the health and safety of López, Ledezma and any others seized”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Jamaica, Grenada and St Kitts are exemplary regional models – Lagarde

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anaging Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde has singled out Grenada, St Kitts and Jamaica as exemplary countries for the region having successfully implemented reforms to bring down debt levels.

Lagarde, who was delivering in the opening address of the 2017 High-Level Caribbean Forum at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston on Thursday, reasoned that while many had questioned whether oversight by the IMF would be of benefit to the country, they have been proven wrong after both Governments held firm on its promise to continue reforms under the programme.

By 2012 Jamaica had accumulated debt equal

From left: Prime Minister Keith Mitchell of St Vincent and the Grenadines, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde and Prime Minister Andrew Holness

to 145 per cent of GDP. To stabilise the economy, reduce debt and fuel growth, the Government has begun implementation of an am-

bitious reform programme which has garnered national and international support.

As part of a comprehensive package, the

World Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank each agreed to provide US$510 million between April 2013 and March 2017, while the International Monetary Fund committed a US$932 million funding programme through its Extended Fund Facility covering the same four-year period.

At the end of 2016, the IMF approved a threeyear US$1.64 billion programme under the Stand-By Arrangement as a follow-up to the now concluded EFF. With the institutional reforms and efforts to improve the investment climate starting to bear fruit, the country’s credit rating has improved and Jamaican bonds trade at a premium in international markets. (Excerpt

… as Caricom and Cuba expand duty-free market access

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Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin Larocque and Cuban Ambassador to Caricom, Julio Cesar Gonzalez Marchante sign the agreement

free access to some 50 items, including fish, pharmaceutical products, fertilizers and articles of iron and

steel. Caricom will also offer differentiated treatment on 22 items. The differentiated treatment includes

come the Prime Minister and High Commissioner to discuss what more needs to be done.

Meanwhile, Osamor, reportedly stated that “the UK’s international development policy must do more to level the playing field, and tackle the root causes of inequality, poverty and climate change.”

Diane Abbott, Shadow Home Secretary, said the feeling from the labour officials was that “aid packages and building projects are not good enough” to combat climate change.

The UK Government has pledged to champion the cause of small island developing states in the fight against climate change and recently secured a commitment from wealthy donor nations to take another look at rules that deny some deserving countries of much-needed aid. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

Argentina’s navy searches for missing submarine with 44 crew on board

from Jamaica Observer)

More opportunities for Private Sector he Caribbean Community (Caricom) and Cuba have signed the Second Protocol to an Agreement that will expand access to each other’s markets for goods.

Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, and Cuban Ambassador to Caricom, Julio Cesar Gonzalez Marchante, signed the Second Protocol to the Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement between Caricom and Cuba during the recent 45th Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) in Georgetown, Guyana.

Under the Second Protocol, Cuba will expand duty free access to more than 320 items including meat, fish, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, beer, rum, cement, soap and apparel.

Caricom will grant duty

fficials of the opposition Labour Party in the United Kingdom are calling on the Theresa May-Administration to do more to help Barbuda rebuild for the long-term after Hurricane Irma.

The call came after Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn along with, Shadow International Development Secretary Kate Osamor and Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott MP met with Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne and High Commissioner Karen-Mae Hill on Monday to get an update on the latest situation on the island.

Osamor had visited Antigua and Barbuda last month and met PM Browne.

Corbyn is reported as saying that: “Barbuda was devastated by Hurricane Irma but the response from our government was painfully slow. I was pleased to wel-

phased reduction of duty by Most Developed Countries in Caricom.

Ambassador LaRocque said that signing the Second Protocol marked a further deepening of the trade and economic relations between Caricom and Cuba and provided further opportunities for the region’s Private Sector.

Caricom and Cuba signed the first Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement on July 5, 2000. The agreement provides for, among other things, the promotion and expansion of trade in goods and services, by means of: free access to the markets of the parties; elimination of non-tariff barriers to trade; the establishment of a system of Rules of Origin; and harmonization of technical and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. (Excerpt

from Caribbean360)

A

The San Juan submarine on May 23, 2014

rgentina’s navy has launched a huge search-and-rescue operation for a military submarine with 44 crew members that has been missing off the coast of Patagonia for more than two days.

The last radio contact with the San Juan submarine was on Wednesday, when it was 430km off the coast of the southern province of Chubut, in the area of San Jorge bay, a naval spokesman said on Friday.

A navy spokesman, Enrique Balbi, told local television that as there was no indication of problems from the submarine it could not yet be termed lost.

Local media reported that contact with the San Juan was lost after a fire affected the submarine’s radio equipment.

“We are investigating the reasons for the lack of communication,” Balbi said.

“If there was a communication problem, the boat would have to come to the surface.”

The diesel-powered 66-metre long Class TR 1700 San Juan is one of the Argentinian navy’s three submarines. It was bought from Germany in 1985.

It was on a voyage from the southernmost city of Ushuaia to the naval base of Mar del Plata when contact was lost.

Admiral Gabriel González, chief of the Mar del Plata base, said the vessel had sufficient food and oxygen. “We have a loss of communications; we are not talking of an emergency,” he said. Relatives of some of the crew members were at the base awaiting word of the search. The governments of the US, UK and Chile have offered satellites and ships to aid in the search, according to Argentina’s Foreign Ministry. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

SATURdAY, november 18, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Zimbabwe: huge protest called as Trump hails China's North Korea envoy as 'big move' but experts doubtful Mugabe runs low on options

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Robert Mugabe attends graduation in first appearance since military takeover

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ens of thousands of people are expected to take to the streets of Harare today to call for the resignation of Robert Mugabe, as moves to force the Zimbabwean president to stand down gather pace.

The Army seized power four days ago but Mugabe has refused its demands to leave office. The military and senior officials within the ruling Zanu-PF party now appear set on forcing Mugabe out within 48 hours.

Few options are open to the 93-year-old autocrat, who

has ruled Zimbabwe through a mixture of coercion, bribery and revolutionary rhetoric for nearly four decades. Support in some branches of the security establishment – such as the police – has evaporated and many political supporters have been detained.

By late Friday afternoon, all 10 of the country’s provincial Zanu-PF branches had passed motions of no confidence in the president.

These could lead to Mugabe being stripped of his office of president of the party by Sunday, one official told the

Guardian.

Earlier in the day Mugabe, who had been confined to his luxurious residence in the upscale Harare neighbourhood of Borrowdale since the military takeover, attended a university graduation ceremony on the outskirts of Harare.

Clad in academic gown and hat, he walked slowly in a procession on a red carpet to a podium as a marching band played. He was applauded as he announced the opening of the ceremony.

(Excerpt from The Guardian)

Ireland says not ready to let Brexit talks move on to trade

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ritain and Ireland clashed over Brexit on Friday with Dublin saying it was not ready to allow talks to move on to trade issues next month and London ruling out the much longer transitional period preferred by its neighbour.

The border between EU-member Ireland and Northern Ireland, which will be the UK’s only land frontier with the bloc after its departure, is one of three issues Brussels wants broadly solved before it decides in December whether to move the talks onto a second phase about trade, as

Britain wants.

Meeting in Dublin, Britain’s Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and his Irish counterpart Simon Coveney struck an amicable tone but remained far apart on several key aspects.

“Yes we all want to move onto phase two of the Brexit negotiations but we are not in a place right now that allows us to do that,” Coveney said. “We have very serious issues, particularly around the border, that need more clarity.”

He said Ireland’s preference was that Britain as a whole would share the

same regulations as the EU post-Brexit but if that was not possible, then London effectively needed to commit to allowing a tailor-made solution for Northern Ireland “In the absence of that, from an Irish persecutive, there is a sense of jumping into the dark,” Coveney said.

Speaking before a meeting with his counterpart on the sidelines of a European Union summit in Sweden, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Dublin would need those assurances written into the conclusions of phase one. (Excerpt from Reuters)

S President Donald Trump has hailed the Chinese Government sending an envoy to North Korea Friday as a "big move" in the wake of his five-country trip to Asia.

In a Tweet late Thursday, Trump appeared to suggest it could lead to developments in the nuclear standoff on the Korean peninsula.

"China is sending an envoy and delegation to North Korea - A big move, we'll see what happens!" Trump said.

The US leader has just finished a two-week tour of Asia, including a stop in Beijing, during which he called for greater diplomatic pressure to be put on North Korea to abandon its nuclear programme. Song Tao, head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, is due to arrive in North Korea on Friday, state news agency Xinhua reported Wednesday. It's the first time a senior official has made a public visit to North

The US leader has just finished a two-week tour of Asia, including a stop in Beijing, during which he called for greater diplomatic pressure to be put on North Korea to abandon its nuclear programme

Korea this year.

China is sending an Envoy and Delegation to North Korea - A big move, we'll see what happens!

Tong Zhao, a fellow at the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy in Beijing, said the visit was unlikely to be an attempt to strong arm Pyongyang over its nuclear programme. Officially the visit is about party to par-

ty ties. Song will inform the North Korean Workers' Party of the outcome of China's 19th Party Communist Party Congress in October, where Chinese President Xi Jinping was given a second term as leader.

Zhao, however, said it was "very likely" the North Korea nuclear programme would come up as part of their discussions. (Excerpt from CNN)

EU compound allegedly at centre of Kabul alcohol-smuggling ring

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U investigators are examining claims that the organisation’s compound in Kabul is at the centre of an alleged alcohol-smuggling ring in Afghanistan.

Disused fridges and adapted gas canisters have been used to sneak bottles of alcohol brands such as Chivas Regal and Johnnie Walker out of the official EUdesignated area, it is alleged.

Leaked Facebook and WhatsApp messages sent to EU investigators appear to show that beer, wine and spirits bought for the consumption of European offi-

cials were instead sold on to local businessmen.

The possession and consumption of alcohol is illegal in Afghanistan, a mainly Muslim country, but a thriving black market exists in Kabul. Special dispensation to import alcohol has been given to foreign powers including the EU. Its internal investigating unit is examining the claims, a spokesman said. They could cause major embarrassment for the European External Action Service [EEAS], which acts as the EU diplomatic corps and oversees the mission in the Afghan capital.

The allegations centre on the EU’s compound in the Shahr-e-Naw neighbourhood of north-west Kabul. Up to 40 European expats and 70 locals have worked in the three-storey office building and adjoining restaurant, Tawoos, former staff said.

Suspicions emerged in August when restaurant workers transporting a supposedly disused fridge from the compound were forced to show its contents to a senior manager. She then described events to the then EU special representative for Afghanistan Franz-Michael Mellbin. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

India man kills wife for refusing sex, Police say Mafia boss "Toto – the beast" Riina dies at 87 P

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alvatore "Toto" Riina, one of Italy's most feared Mafia bosses, has died in a prison hospital while serving multiple life sentences, Italy's Justice Ministry said. Riina, also known as "the beast", was held in a medically induced coma after he did not recover from recent surgery.

On Thursday, on his 87th birthday, he was allowed a bedside visit from his family at the hospital in Parma, where he was serving 26 life sentences for dozens of murders committed between 1969 and 1992.

The ruthless figurehead, seen as the "boss of bosses" of

the Sicilian Mafia, advocated the killing of women and children of his opponents, in violation of traditional Mafia codes. He was also known for killing innocent bystanders, solely to put law enforcement on the wrong track.

Riina, who grew up in the poverty-stricken countryside of Corleone on the island of Sicily, was first sentenced for murder in 1949 at the age of 19. Also known as "U Curtu", Sicilian for "Shorty", Riina climbed the ranks of the Sicilian Mafia, or Casa Nostra, by systematically eliminating his opponents, including two of Italy's top prosecutors.

The 1992 killings of Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino were carried out after Riina said the prosecutors would be "slaughtered like tuna". Riina was captured in Palermo in 1993 and held under a strict prison regime designed to keep top Mafia leaders in isolation.

Riina's two sons, Giovanni and Giuseppe, were also involved in the Mafia. Giovanni was sentenced to life in prison for four murders in 2001, after his capture in 1997.

His younger brother, Giuseppe, was sentenced in 2004 for various crimes, including extortion and money laundering. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

olice say a man in the northern Indian state of Haryana killed his wife after she refused to have sex with him.

Sanjiv Kumar, 35, allegedly strangled his wife, Suman, during a fight on Tuesday.

The man confessed to the crime after he was arrested, police officer Ramesh Jaglan told the BBC. Domestic violence has been the most reported violent crime against women in India for more than a decade now.

"She had been refusing sex for a while.

On Tuesday, she refused again, which irritated him and he strangled her. We have arrested him," Jaglan told the BBC. The couple had been married for more than a decade. They have two children.

The crime occurred in Haryana's Jogna Khera village, where the family had been living.

A case of domestic violence is reported to the police in India every five minutes, but activists say the real numbers are even higher.

India introduced a new law in 2005 to protect women from domestic violence, but it has failed to stem the tide of violence be-

Domestic violence is the most reported crime against women in India

cause cases registered under it are not treated as criminal.

The BBC's Geeta Pandey in Delhi says domestic violence in India is rooted in patriarchy. Women are considered inferior to men, the abuse of women is widely condoned and arguments are often made to try and justify beatings. (BBC News)

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saturDAY, november 18, 2017

ARCHIE

Quick thinking and hard work will bring you to a new (March 21level.

Embrace change to disApril 19) cover all sorts of interesting opportunities to expand your knowledge and options.

ARIES

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

Spend time with someone you love or make the effort to update your appearance or learn something new and helpful. If you love someone, be open and honest about your feelings.

Emotions will begin to esGEMINI (May 21- calate as the day unfolds. Try June 20) not to become entrenched in a fraught situation that could put you in an awkward position. Be frank and keep moving.

Reconsider an offer you came across, but first find out (June 21- what’s entailed. The chance July 22) to use your creative skills in new ways is possible. A partnership looks encouraging.

CANCER

Peanuts

Discuss your concerns LEO and follow through with your (July 23- plans. You can turn chaos into Aug. 22) stability if you set your mind on making the improvements that will add to your security.

Socializing will do you VIRGO good; get out and mingle! If (Aug. 23you broaden your circle of Sept. 22) friends, good things will happen. Companionship will do you good.

Calvin and Hobbes

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Old friends, reunions and a visit to a place you haven’t been for a long time will drum up memories and help you come up with new ideas and plans.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Look inward and work on personal changes that will make you feel good about who you are and how you look. A romantic evening will improve your life.

Be aware of what’s goSAGITTARIUS ing on around you. If you are (Nov. 23- quick to respond, you will be Dec. 21) able to take advantage of an opportunity to make a positive domestic change.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Your insightful view of life will prompt you to take part in events that will raise awareness in your community. A romantic encounter will spice things up.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle Stick close to home and AQUARIUS make adjustments to your (Jan. 20- living space that will give Feb. 19) you the incentive you need to pursue your personal goals.

Don’t overreact when dealing with loved ones.

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

Be cautious with your PISCES (Feb. 20- passwords, possessions and March 20) personal assets. Don’t jeopardize your relationship with someone, but don’t let this person take advantage of you, either.

saturDAY, november 18, 2017

19

– Windies star targets sixes, entertainment on BPL return

W

indies star Chris Gayle will be looking for plenty of sixes on debut for

Bangladesh Premier League (BPL team Rangpur Riders against Comilla Victorians on Saturday.

And it’s just as well, the batsman will certainly have plenty to prove following the recent snub at the hands of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which saw the lefthander, the record runs scorer for the T20 format, suffer the humiliation of going undrafted. Rangpur, however, have stood by Gayle with the club’s CEO

Ishtiaq Sadek declaring that the batsman was still the king of T20 cricket. The West Indian will be hoping to justify the vote of confidence.

“Most time I go out to bat my objective is to entertain the fans. They have spent money and want to be entertained. Sometimes I get into trouble for trying to hit too many sixes. When it

comes off, it is brilliant and everyone is happy,” Gayle said.

The 38-year-old will renew a partnership with another big-hitter New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum. The two last opened together in the 2009 IPL, for Kolkata Knight Riders and Gayle expects the reunion to be fireworks.

“We know how destruc-

tive Brendon McCullum is.

It is a privilege to open the batting with him again. We opened together way back in the IPL. Now we are joining forces together again. It is new for both of us to come in and go for a blast but we have experience. The expectation is high on us to deliver. We want to try our best and win the game tomorrow.” (Sportsmax)

Triple injury boost for United as Ibrahimovic, Pogba, Rojo return M

anchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Marcos Rojo are in contention to face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday after recovering from their injuries, manager Jose Mourinho has said. Striker Ibrahimovic and defender Rojo are back training with the first team after suffering serious knee ligament injuries last season while midfielder Pogba has shaken off a hamstring problem that has kept him out of the side since September.

“The players that stayed here recovering from injuries, even the ones that are recovering from big injuries, they are ready to play,” Mourinho told a news conference on Friday.

T

United appeared to cope well without Ibrahimovic and Rojo at the start of the season as they raced to the top of

The newly weds

ennis legend Serena Williams reportedly married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in New Orleans on Thursday.

Serena Williams married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in New Orleans on

Thursday, according to multiple reports.

The nuptials came about 11 weeks after 23time grand slam champion Williams gave birth to the couple's first child, a girl, Alexis Olympia Ohanian

the league table before being overtaken by neighbours Manchester City, but Pogba’s injury upset the rhythm of the

Jr on September 1.

Williams and Ohanian started dating in 2015 and announced their engagement last December.

According to the Miami Herald, the wedding took place at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans, a 19th-century warehouse converted into a gallery.

The guest list featured a plethora of A-listers, including Beyonce and husband Jay-Z, Kim Kardashian, Eva Longoria and Ciara, as well as former world number one Caroline Wozniacki with new fiance David Lee and Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

While New Edition was the featured entertainment, gospel, funk and brass jazz bands from New Orleans also performed. (Sportsmax)

20-times champions.

Mourinho suggested that his team struggled to maintain fluency up front without the

W

hile hailing the dominance recently retired Jamaica sprint star Usain Bolt, British Olympic champion Linford Christie believes it was prudent for the IAAF to push other stars during the sprinter’s reign.

Athletics has been on the lookout for the next big thing since the sprinter announced plans for his retirement earlier this year. Bolt the double world record holder and eight-time Olympic champion is credited with focusing attention on athletics with his incomparable exploits on track and magnetic personality off it.

The hope for the IAAF is that formula can in some way be replicated in the near future.

Christie, while agreeing that the sport is in need of a star believes succession planning from the body could have been better.

Frenchman -- losing twice and drawing once in the league -- after he pulled up injured against Basel in their opening Champions League game of the season.

“You can clearly see Manchester United this season before Paul’s injury and after Paul’s injury,” Mourinho said.

“There are qualities in our football, there are qualities that influence our approach in matches with Pogba and without Pogba -- it’s as simple as that.”

Mourinho hailed Ibrahimovic’s fighting spirit as he returns from a serious knee injury at the age of 36 and urged fans to be patient with the Swede, who like Rojo, has not featured since picking up

"Bolt as the a n d IAAF) some

w a s projected only star they (the should have groomed others also to become a f t e r Since

stars Bolt. t h a t was not done, it will take some time, maybe a couple of years to find stars," the 57-year-old Christie who will represent Puma at the Delhi Half Marathon told reporters.

"In my time, the field was wide open. But Bolt completely dominated the track and this will not happen again for a long time,” he added.

“You need a star. It is good Usain Bolt’s retirement has left some wondering who will be the next track sensation

the injury in the Europa League clash against Anderlecht in April. “You cannot expect him to be ready to play 90 minutes or play consecutive matches.

He needs time to be back to his level, his fitness, his confidence and his sharpness. From the clinical point of view, for him to be ready is fantastic.”

Rojo was in the squad for their last league game and turned out for the under-23 side on Wednesday.

United have 23 points from 11 games, eight points behind leaders City, while Newcastle are 11th with 14 points.

Mourinho’s side are unbeaten in the last 22 league games at Old Trafford, winning the previous six in a row without conceding a goal. (Reuters)

for our sport to have a star.

Bolt was good for athletics."

(Sportsmax)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, november 18, 2017

P

resident John Woolford and his other executive members were given the thumbs up for another two-year term when the Kuru Kururu Warriors Football Club held its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday night last at the Kuru Kururu Community Center, Linden Soesdyke Highway.

Woolford, who has been a very influential and motivating leader expressed thanks to his fellow executive members and club players for reposing confidence in his leadership for another two years and promised that he would continue to work towards the continued development of the club.

Also returning unopposed were Vice President Hubert Smith, Secretary Devonna Barker, Treasurer Dillion Roberts and Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer, Cordel Johnson.

In a new move by the President, Under-17 player Michael Charles was ap-

C

ricket West Indies (CWI) just concluded two important sessions as part of its continued efforts to improve its role in coaching education.

The Level 3 course was the second one in the region, the first was held in Barbados in 2016. A total of 25 Regional coaches participated in the course including former Windies players Curtly Ambrose, Stuart Williams, Ryan Hinds and Pedro Collins.

The course focused on equipping the coaches with the technical and soft skills to develop performance players

T

KK Warriors FC President John Woolford is flanked by (from right), Cordel Johnson, Devonna Barker, Hubert Smith and Dillion Roberts. Some of the club players, including Michael Charles (left) savor the moment

pointed to serve the club as Operations Coordinator and would receive a stipend.

Woolford informed that Charles would have been rewarded for his exemplary attitude of service to his fellow players over a long period.

Woolford noted: “The executive members have been observing Charles’ exem-

plary attitude and willingness for some time now and given the fact that we want to empower our players by allowing them the opportunity and latitude to serve, we agreed to make this appointment which is just the gateway to other initiatives we have in mind.”

The club also adopted a new constitution that will

govern its affairs. Woolford promised the members that the document would be replicated and presented to each member but more importantly, would be holding sessions with them to ensure that they read and understand the all important document.

President of the East Bank Football Association

Franklin Wilson conducted the elections and congratulated Woolford and his team for being re-elected noting that the Kuru Kururu Warriors FC has been outstanding and a positive flag bearer for East Bank football.

Wilson reminded that the club in the inaugural national Beach Soccer League

and elite players. Coaches were reminded that they have a responsibility towards the athletes. They were given guidelines to develop management styles, leadership qualities and communication channels with their players.

The sessions were a mixture of practical and theoretical learning, with focus on sports science, strength and conditioning and psychology.

The course was led by the ECB with eight coaches; while four coaches from the West Indies (Gus Logie, Henderson Springer, Anthony Gray and Jeffery Dujon) co-presented on

fast and spin bowling, fielding and wicket-keeping.

The coaches in the course came from Jamaica, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

Coaches from Canada, Bermuda (ICC Americas) also participated, as part of CWI’s commitment to ICC America’s cricket development. WIPA also had a representative in the course.

Tim Dellor, Operations Manager of the ECB’s Level 3 coaching programme and facilitator of this course in

Antigua said, “First of all, I always think it’s important that they enjoy it…. We also tried to give them opportunities to actually coach whilst we’re with them…. So they can go out and practice that.”

At the end of the course, the coaches were given assignments to complete. They will complete these in their respective home countries and then reassemble for a final assessment to complete the course in February 2018.

Upon completion, Level 3 certified coaches from the region will be able to work as recognized level 3 coaches in

the UK. The course ran for ten days and ended on Wednesday, November 15 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

he International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that it is investigating an approach made to Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer to fix parts of the recent two-Test series against the Windies.

Reports suggested that Cremer had rejected an approach said to be made by a former member of the Zimbabwe Cricket board prior to the first Test on October 21.

Cremer reported the matter to Zimbabwe Head Coach Heath Streak. It was also reported to the Zimbabwe West Indies Captain Jason Holder (left) and Grame Cremer Cricket Board and subsematter. quently to the Anti-Corruption Unit of the The Test, played at Queen's Sports Club ICC. in Bulawayo, saw the Windies win by an in“The ICC can confirm that there is an nings and 17 runs inside four days.

ACU ongoing investigation in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe, however, hung on for a draw and because there is an ongoing investigain the second Test at the same venue, leavtion, I cannot share any further details,” ing the Caribbean side with a 1-0 series win. said an ICC spokesperson in reference to the (Sportsmax)

LEVEL ONE Another 10 coaches from around the region and St. Maarten completed a Level 1 programme. The course was facilitated by Junie Mitchum, Kumar Rampat and Steve Liburd.

The ten coaches would

ended second in that championship and as a result of their good showing, were rewarded with two players making the Guyana team which competed at the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships in the Bahamas in February of this year.

The club also participated in the Guyana Football Federation female championship and has been competing in other tournaments around the country, most recently, the Turbo KO competition where they lost 1-0 to Police FC. Wilson challenged Woolford and his team to continue the good work as they are making a positive difference in the lives of dozens of young male and female players in the growing village of Kuru Kururu.

EBFA Vice President Kevin Anthony also attended the meeting. The EBFA will be hosting its AGM and elections on Sunday from 11:00hrs at the same venue.

have previously been trained in first aid, certified in the CWI/ UNICEF Child Protection Courses and have a clean police record.

A

ndy Murray has mutually agreed to end his relationship with coach Ivan Lendl for a second time, the British former world number one said on Friday. Murray was coached by Lendl from 2011-14 before he rejoined his team in June last year, helping Murray capture his second Wimbledon title and his second Olympic gold in Rio. Murray, 30, ended 2016 as world number one having triumphed in the ATP Finals but struggled with injury for much of this year, missing the U.S. Open and falling to 16th in the rankings.

“I‘m thankful to Ivan for all his help and guidance over the years, we’ve had great success and learned a lot as a team. My focus now is on getting ready for Australia with the team I have in place and getting back to

Andy Murray and coach Ivan Lendl

competing,” Murray said on his website.

Czech-born Lendl won 94 singles titles during his 16-year professional playing career, including eight grand slam triumphs. He never won

Wimbledon having reached the final twice, but coached Murray for his two successes at the All England Club.

“I wish Andy well going forward. We had a great run and a lot of fun,” the 57-year-old said.

(Reuters)

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21

Magnum Futsal aimed at grassroots development T

he first ever Magnum sponsored “Tek Charge and win” futsal tournament is aimed at developing the sport among grass root communities as well as spreading Christmas cheer among fans.

With a nightly giveaway of prizes such as Magnum branded t-shirts, headphones, six packs, speakers and vehicular phone sockets from December 1-23, the tournament is expected to have a lasting impact on Guyanese.

According to brand manager responsible for Magnum at ANSA McAL, Edison Jefford, the tournament is expected to be “a grand celebration” which brings “the energy” along with a “trailer load of girls” known as the “Magnum Vixens” originating from Jamaica who will be coming the “Land of Many waters” to meet and greet the fans.

Jefford revealed that

- 32 teams gunning for $500,000

From left: Magnum Brand Manager Edison Jefford, Director of Sport Christopher Jones and a Magnum Vixen, along with an ANSA McAL official

the “Tek Charge and Win” tourney is going to be an annual fixture as ANSA McAL seeks to give back to the youths as much as possible.

The Director of Sport, Christopher Jones who was also present at the launch

of the tournament thanked ANSA McAL and their brand Magnum for “Tekkin charge” of their corporate responsibility as he noted that ultimately it will be the athletes who will benefit as they will “grab every opportunity available” es-

pecially with the lucrative prizes available.

Jones further pointed out that the tournament extends more opportunities for the youths to “garner much needed funds”, thus the National Sports Commission “is proud to be

associated with the tournament.” He further invited all Guyanese to come out and “Tek charge”.

The 32 competing teams will be playing for a top prize of $500,000 with second to fourth placed teams pocketing $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 while the Most Valuable Player (MVP) will pocket US $100.

Among the teams slated to compete will be an outfit from the National Rugby team as well as an Ansa McCal unit along with four of the best teams from Linden, two from West Demerara, four from East Coast Demerara with the usual suspects from Georgetown; futsal juggernauts Future Stars, Sparta Boss, Goal is Money among others. The tournament will begin on December 1 with three knockout rounds before the group stage followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the grand finale on December 23.

(Michelangelo Jacobus)

BCB 2nd Division 40-over tourney

Rose Hall Tigers, Young Warriors register wins

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ction in the ongoing Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Second Division 40-Over competition continued this week with Rose Hall Tigers, #73 Young Warriors and Skeldon Titans securing wins.

The newly-formed Tigers consisting of mainly Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club players, elected to bat first, racking up

219 with Loydel lewis leading the charge with 70 and Khemraj Mahadeo supporting with 64.

Bowling for the Jai Hind Team, P Badeo stood out with 4 wickets as their team was rolled over for 141 in 25.3 overs with knocks from K. Sumair (38), A. Nandoo (23) and A. Singh (17). Bowling for Rose Hall Tigers, T. Jagdeo took 5-19 runs while J. Jervis grabbed

2-37, handing their team a 78-run win.

In the Upper Corentyne area, # 73 Young Warriors defeated Guns & Roses by 77 runs at the # 73 Ground.

Batting first, # 73 Young Warriors scored 221 with Lakeram Latchman cracking 107 and Gobin Roopram chipping in with 40.

Bowling for Guns and Roses was led by Devindra Somar’s 6-43 with Talesh

Baichan 1-36 and R, Ramnauth 1-38 gaining breakthroughs. During the chase, Omesh Mathura led with 43 but H Jagdeo’s 5-26 combined with Azad Mohammed’s 4-20 were instrumental in Guns & Roses folding for 144.

Skeldon Titans then defeated the # 70 MYO by 75 runs after batting first and racking up a daunting 295 compliments of Amzan

Appalsammy’s magical 111 which was supported by Jermaine Reid’s 58. #70 MYO could only then muster 220 despite Salim Khan top-scoring with 59 ad Errol Byass ripped through the order with 4 for 43, F Bacchus 2-45 and Gajendra Nauth 2-4.

The Competition continues at venues across the county.

Advantage England, Australia confused – Warne I

n response to a trio of shock Ashes selections from Australia, former legspinner Shane Warne has declared that England are in prime position heading into the first Test, which starts from November 23 at the Gabba. Australia picked Tim Paine, Shaun Marsh and Cameron Bancroft in a 13-member squad for the first two Tests, leaving out Matthew Wade, Matt Renshaw and Glenn Maxwell.

"Australia looks confused," Warne said at the Nine Network's season launch in Sydney. "They're picking wicketkeepers [Paine] that aren't even keeping for their state. To me, I think England are in a better situation going into that first Test than Australia are."

Despite the loss of Steven Finn to injury and Ben Stokes' unavailability before they had even boarded the plane, England are "going along just nicely", according to Warne.

Tim Paine got a recall to the baggy greens

The most important thing for the visitors, Warne believes, is a change in English attitudes from the seven successful Ashes campaigns he played in from 1993 to 2007.

"They don't fear Australia anymore," he said. "[They] haven't for a long time and hence that's why they can beat

Australia."

Discussing the Test selection with ESPNcricinfo, former captain Mark Taylorpraised Trevor Hohns' panel for making a "really tough decision" by dropping a badly out of form Renshaw.

"They have come out and said that an Ashes series isn't

the place to find form and that's probably a fair point," he said.

"They have been saying for a while that they wanted to pick guys who were in form at the start of the series and Cameron Bancroft has been."

Taylor's then vicecaptain and now television colleague, Ian Healy, was equally supportive of the decision to leave out the 21-year-old after ten Tests, in which he averages nearly 37. That was before Renshaw endured a horror run in the three recent Sheffield Shield rounds, tallying 70 runs for Queensland in six innings and never making it past 20.

"The Australian cricket team is not a club side, it is a representative side," Healy told ESPNcricinfo. "You need to earn your spot to get in and stay in it. He hasn't coped well this summer." The former wicketkeeper has also backed the decision to leave out Matthew Wade in favour of Paine, who had not so much as kept for his state, Tasmania, in

the domestic season so far.

"He [Paine] is very consistent, his technique is good so he should be able to cope with the pressure of being catapulted into this Ashes series," Healy said.

Healy also backed Paine's glovework, saying it is comparable to Peter Nevill, the man he beat for the Test nod: "He will do the job and he won't let Australia down."

Turning to the decision to give Shaun Marsh a middleorder reprieve, Taylor argued the call was justified on the basis of Marsh's time as an opener.

Marsh had lost his Cricket Australia contract, following the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in March, where he scored 151 runs in eight innings in India at an average of 18.87.

"Someone with Shaun Marsh's experience at the top of the order coming in at six could be handy if and when England take a second new ball," he said.

"That's why I think he's been given the spot." (cricinfo)

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, november 18, 2017

…says Fernandes on Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival

F

resh off of hosting the Indoor Pan American Championships (IPAC) just last month, the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) is ready to take on the challenge of hosting the annual Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival.

Guyana Times Sport spoke with GHB President Philip Fernandes and he revealed that despite the GHB’s busy schedule of late they are ready to host the tournament.

“This year has been a bit more of a challenge than past years because of so much that have been going on leading up to the tournament but our reputation of course still remains so teams are anxious to come.

We have participation from a few teams in Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

We expect it to be a great tournament as per normal” Fernandes revealed.

The GHB has hosted the IPAC with seven countries

Defending Champion, Surinamese Soese Kosa

T

Most of Guyana’s national hockey players will be in action come November 23

participating and received much deserved praise from Pan American officials .

Fernandes pointed to that successf and opined that Guyana is now much more experienced and well placed to host other international tournaments espe-

cially with the GHB’s newly imported “plastic tile” playing surface that is laid at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

“We now have a better facility that is tried and tested with the recent championships (IPAC), that bodes well for the upcoming

Diamond Festival and fans can expect a good showing” Fernandes explained.

The Diamond Mineral Water Festival will begin on November 23 and will conclude on November 26; all games will be played at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Ramdhani concludes fruitful Badminton camp

he 2nd annual Stage of Champions set for the Theatre Guild in Kingston, tonight promises to exceed the previous edition.

Dubbed the “War of Champions” due to the huge influx of overseas competitors including Hoskin “Biscuit” Worrell from Barbados and Damion Daniels of Grenada among others set to flex their muscles the stage of champions two (2) is set to be a firecracker.

Another feature of the event that has been expanded is the number of categories of competition, with the lowest being under 143lbs and the highest being 177lbs and over.

The Men’s physique and Ms Bikini will also be open for competition again according to Sookram who exuded confidence in Stage of Champions II being the biggest and best bodybuilding show of the year for Guyana.

Surinamese Soese Koesa is the defending champion in the in the Men’s Invitational, having beaten his countryman Wendel Setro and Barbadian Shaquille Levine.

Levine is the champion in the Men’s Open category while Guyana’s Emmerson Campbell is the Men’s Physique champion and Suriname’s Milita Gillimo; the reigning Ms Bikini.

The Stage of Champions II is sponsored by Space Gym, Sabina Farms and Digital Technology among others.

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National Badminton Champion Priyanna Ramdhani (4th from right) endured a successful training camp and tournament in Suriname recently

G

uyana and Caribbean Ladies Badminton Champion Priyanna Ramdhani wrapped up a successful Pan American Badminton Federation Young Talents Camp 2017 staged from November 9-15 in Paramaribo, Suriname.

The badminton ace also did well in the Suriname Open International Championships played at the Ismay Van Wilgen Sporthal which commenced from November 16-18.

The Camp was conducted twice daily under the direction of Pan American Coach Martijn van Dooremlen, was directed towards improving Ramdhani’s game in terms of her technical & tactical approach.

In the first match played on Thursday November 16, saw Ramdhani securing a draw against the No.1 seeded player in the tournament; Fernanda Saponara Rivva of Peru losing 21:14, 21-8 in Round 2 in the Ladies Singles.

In the Ladies Doubles; the Guyanese joined forces with Chequeda De Boulet of Trinidad to defeat Faith Sariman and Chaista Somemodipoero of Suriname in Round 2: 21-11, 21-13; thus reaching Quarter-Finals.

The Mix Doubles saw the pair of Ramdhani and Danney Chen of Suriname losing to the Bajan duo of Jonathan Thorpe and Tamisha Williams 23-21, 9-21, 12-21. The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) is extremely pleased with the national player’s performances and wished her the best in her future training and tournaments.

he Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club of Alness Village, Berbice will be hosting a grand one day horserace meeting on Sunday November 19 2017.

Six races are billed for the event with the feature race being for the J-Class and lower horses that will go the 14.000 M distance. The winner is expected to purse GY $180,000 with second place pocketing $90,000, 3rd place $45, 000 and 4th $22, 500. Other events on the card include; K/Class and lower, L1/Class and lower, L2/Class and lower, the Un-class and the Open Non-starter. Some 40 horses have already been entered in the competition with some of the top horses like; Angel Eye, Red Jet, Red Regent, Irish Boy, Daddy’s Dollar, Victoria’s Secret, Big Man in Town, Must Millions and more on exhibition. The tournament is sponsored

by Kanhai’s Electrical, Stag Beers, GTM Insurance Company and numerous others. Meanwhile, admission is $1,000 at the gate with popular sound systems and a well-stocked bar in place.

More horse racing action will rain on Berbice this Sunday

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, november 18, 2017

23

CWI/Digicel Regional 4-Day Championship 2017-18

Jaguars ahead in runs-fest …Johnson 165, Singh 100, Charles 5-134 highlight day 2

By John Ramsingh at Tarouba

A

career best score from Leon Johnson and a second century of the season from Vishaul Singh ensured that the Guyana Jaguars remain in control of their round four match of the Cricket West Indies Regional fourday tournament at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad on Friday. At stumps on day two, after the Jaguars declared their first innings on 484 for 8, the home crawled to 51 without loss trailing by 433 runs after batting for 19 overs in their first innings with the openers not taking any chances on the pitch that’s playing low and slow. In all, 290 runs were scored for just six wickets in a full day’s play. The first session began in scorching sunshine and saw the Jaguars only scoring 67 runs from the 25 overs. During the otherwise sedate period, the Jaguars were on course for a third batting bonus point but were denied by defensive bowling. The visitors might have decided to go for the extra point a bit too late but with the score on 296 for 2 after 109 overs it was still possible.

However, Jason Mohammed deliberately bowled the next six balls wide outside the off stump to which Singh could not get the ball away and the over ended at the same score. The next over was bowled by Charles and Johnson took 10 runs from it including

Red Force bowling hero, Bryan Charles (centre) is crowded by his team mates after getting the breakthrough on his way to a maiden five-fer

two boundaries to bring up 300 runs for the defending champions and the 100-run partnership with Singh. It was a spicy period of play going into the interval and Charles almost had revenge in his next over but substitute fielder, Khary Pierre floored the chance offered by the Jaguars captain. At the end of the session, the crafty Singh had brought up his 12th First Class half century from 128 balls with four boundaries. In the session, Johnson moved from 106 to 136, Singh from 22 to 50 and the partnership from 39 to 105.

After the interval, in the 129th over, Johnson who was on 141 hit Charles back over his head for his 16th boundary to go past his previous highest score of 144 and

to bring up the 350 and the plan to up the tempo was clear. In the competitive second session, the Jaguars scored 102 runs for the loss of four wickets.

In his 52nd First Class match, Singh in particular was more positive in playing shots on both sides of the wicket and down the ground to reach another milestone. After running out of partners in St. Kitts in round three to finish on 97 not out, the lefthander was not going to miss out again. He faced 210 balls to bring up his eighth First Class century and fourth against Trinidad and Tobago with seven boundaries. However, after reaching three figures disaster struck. In the very next over bowled by the off-spinner

Charles, Singh got a healthy edge through to wicketkeeper Jangoo and the 183-run partnership was broken. It was Johnson’s second 100-plus partnership after putting on 174 with Tagenarine Chanderpaul on day one. Two balls later, wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble, who came ahead of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, was adjudged LBW to trigger a collapse and suddenly the Red Force were back in the contest.

Johnson who passed 150 from 334 balls with 17 fours was next to go. He flicked a ball from the confident Charles straight to Jason Mohammed at midwicket after hitting 18 boundaries from 360 balls and suddenly the champions were shaken having lost three wickets for three runs in 12 balls.

Shiv Chanderpaul was joined by Keemo Paul and they saw the 400 coming up in the 143rd over however, the man of the moment, Charles will strike again. Bowling from the southern end of the ground, the off-spinner got slight turn away from Chanderpaul and the ball just clipped the off stump.

At that stage, Charles and the home team had bagged four quick wickets for 12 runs. Teenagers, Paul and Sherfane Rutherford then saw their team to the end of the session at 414 for 6 from 147 overs. The day’s final session began with still 33 overs remaining in the day’s play and in the second over after the break, Rutherford was bowled by a persistent Imran

Khan. Paul was then taken on the long on boundary, after hitting a couple of fours and sixes, to give Charles his maiden five-wicket haul in his 10th First Class match.

Left-arm spinners, Veerasammy Permaul (1x4) and Gudakesh Motie (1x6) then put on a quick fire unbroken 39-run partnership for the ninth wicket before the declaration at 484 for 8 leaving the Red Force to negotiate 19 overs under the lights. Play resumes at

14:00h today.

Meanwhile, in the other round four games; The Leeward Islands Hurricanes are 209-6 in their first innings replying to Jamaica Scorpions first innings score of 342 at Warner Park and at the Arnos Vale Play Field, the Windward Islands Volcanoes are 151-5 in their first innings replying to 360 made by Barbados Pride in their first knock. Today is day three as well in both matches.

SCOREBOARD Stumps Day 2 Jaguars 1st Innings (overnight 245-2 (90); Johnson 106*, Singh 22*) T Chanderpaul c wkpr Jangoo b St. Clair 84 C Hemraj c wkpr Jangoo b Primus 22 L Johnson*c Mohammed b Charl 165 es V Singh c wkpr Jangoo b Charl es 100 A Bramble lbw b Charles 0 S Chanderpaul b Charles 2 K Paul c St. Clair b Charles 32 S Rutherford b Khan 10 V Permaul not out 31 G Motie not out 15 Extras (b-10, lb-3, nb-10) 23 Total (For 8 wickets declared; 159 Overs) 484 FOW: 1-33, 2-207, 3-390, 4-390, 5-393, 6-402, 7-423, 8-445

Did not bat K Joseph Bowling Cottrell 20-6-46-0, St. Clair 23-5-89-1, Primus 184-52-1, Charles 43-12-134-5, Webster 7-1-23-0, Mohammed 14-4-24-0, Khan 34-1-103-1 Red Force 1st Innings K Hope not out 18 A Jangoo+ not out 32 Extras (nb-1) 1 Total (For 0 wicket; 19 Overs) 51 Still to bat Denesh Ramdin*, Yannic Cariah, Bryan Charles, Sheldon Cottrell, Imran Khan, Jason Mohammed, Roshon Primus, Daniel St. Clair, Tion Webster Bowling Joseph 5-2-70, Paul 6-2-13-0, Permaul 5-1-13-0, Motie 2-0-180, Rutherford 1-1-0-0 Position: Red Force trail by 433 runs with 10 1st innings wickets in hand

Smalta girls’ Pee-Wee Turbo Energy Drink Football football rescheduled Camptown, Pouderoyen complete semi-final spots to November 25 C

Many of these talented girls will have to wait one more week until they get the platform to showcase their skills

T

he start of the Petra Organised Smalta Public Health Ministry Girls Pee-Wee Football has now been shifted to November 25. Initially the tournament was slated to commence today at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

However, on Friday, the organisers announced that it has been rescheduled

due to the Guyana Football Federation hosting the FIFA Women’s Day Activities .

At the launching on Tuesday it was disclosed the 4th edition will see 16 schools in Georgetown participating over five rounds for top honours.

Co-Director of Petra, Troy Mendonca urged all stakeholders and individuals associated with the

Tournament to treat it with the same vigour that is usually shown to male football tournaments.

He felt the tournament could serve as a catalyst for development of the young girls as it would afford them the opportunity to begin careers and even spark an interest in sports as a whole.

Matches are set to commence at 10:00 hrs daily.

amptown FC and Pouderoyen FC had contrasting wins in their quarter-final bouts to complete the final two spots in the inaugural Turbo Energy Drink Football Tournament on Thursday evening.

With Police and Grove Hi-Tech already booking their semi-final spots on Tuesday evening, the Ministry of Education ground, was once again turned into a battle field The Campbellville unit were down and out until a contentious goal brought them back into the match against Linden’s Silver Shattas in the 85th minute from Wayne Sharpells.

Camptown’s Wayne Sharpells

Camptown went unto win the match 7-6 on sudden death penalty kicks.

Shattas had earlier scored in the 13th minute via Jumain Samuels.

Camptown (white and black) had Silver Shattas on the defensive during the second half

In the other match, Mahaica Determinators went down to West Demerara’s Pouderoyen 0-1 in extra time.

Despite an abject first half, no side still could not find a goal in the second stanza. . It took Neil Lynton in the 107th minute to decide the winner.

The semi-finals are expected to be played this coming Wednesday while the final is scheduled for December 3.

Teams are hunting a championship purse of $500,000, while the runners-up will receive $250,000. The third place team will receive $125,000, and fourth place finisher will have to settle for $75,000.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2017

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

guyanatimesgy.com

CWI/Digicel Regional 4-Day Championship 2017-18

Jaguars ahead in runs-fest Pg 23

…Johnson 165, Singh 100, Charles 5-134 highlight day 2 Vishaul Singh (left) takes a single off Imran Khan to reach his 8th First Class ton while Leon Johnson was dismissed for a career best 165 on day two at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy

“Expect a great tournament” Pg 19

…says Fernandes on Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall will feature exciting matches from November 23-26 in the Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival

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