Guyanatimes 23 january 2018

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Issue No. 3459

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Sugar workers call for Komal Chand to resign

…say he failed to represent their interest after collecting millions in union dues …hundreds more to be dismissed, economic genocide being committed Page 3

East Bank Berbice road project finally advancing

Page 14

Top Cop resumes duty

…due to retire P2 in April

Cocaine mule jailed, fined P8 $3.8M

Ex-GDF rank's trial

P10 Judge, jury visit Agricola murder scene

Finally moving ahead: Workers were seen at the Everton area, East Bank of Berbice (EBB) widening the road. The expansion project was on hold since August 2017

Motorcyclist critical after crashing into parked car Page 2

Cosmetologist jailed for cocaine found in roof Page 8

…fined $14M

AFC executive accused of beating plantain chip vendor Page 11

P7 Lone gunman robs Albouystown businesswoman

Bagotville wife’s stabbing

Husband’s murder trial commences

…emotional P7 witness recalls victim screaming for help

2 News

tuesDAY, january 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Top Cop resumes duty Drunken man stabs ‘grill man’ S …due to retire in April P

olice Commissioner Seelall Persaud has resumed duty on Monday, after being on six months’ administrative leave.

Upon resumption of duty, the top cop was reportedly briefed on several matters of national importance.

Guyana Times was told that Persaud would have also had a closed-door meeting with Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan.

A source further told Guyana Times that Persaud would in April attain the age of 55 years old, but it is not certain if the top cop would go into retirement before his birthday.

Attempts to contact the police commissioner for a comment on his resumption of duty proved futile.

With Persaud slated to retire in April, the Government is swiftly looking to have the Police Service Commission operational, in order to facilitate senior promotions within the Guyana Police Force.

Persaud’s replacement has not yet been identified, but based on recent developments, the Guyana Times understands that Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine, Deputy Police Commissioner Maxine Graham and current Crime Chief Paul Williams have all

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud

been tipped as ideal candidates for the post.

Ramnarine has been acting in the capacity of police commissioner while Persaud was away on leave, but Paul Williams only recently acted in that capacity while Ramnarine was on an overseas trip, representing the Guyana Government.

Persaud was, in November 2017, due to return to the helm of the Guyana Police Force after utilising his four-month annual leave, but was asked to proceed on administrative leave until further notice.

This was to facilitate continuation of the Christmas

Security Programme that was rolled out by Crime Chief Paul Williams and Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine.

This development had engendered lots of speculation among the top bracket of the Force, the business community, and political activists, taking into consideration the recommendations that were presented from the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger.

The plot came to light after East Bank businessman Andriff Gillard claimed that a businessman had offered him $7 million to assassinate the President. This had led to establishment of the CoI, as requested by the President.

That Commission of Inquiry was headed by retired Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe, who recommended that disciplinary actions be taken against Police Commissioner Persaud, and that he be made to resign and be investigated for perjury.

Nevertheless, Minister Ramjattan had stated that he was not in agreement with all of the recommendations of the report, and had noted that before they were acted upon, they would have to be deliberated at Cabinet.

tephen McLeod, 29, a grill man employed at Polo Tropical, is now in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) after he was attacked and stabbed about his body by a drunken man on Sunday at about 15:30hrs.

McLeod was reportedly standing in front of a popular bar on Lamaha Street,

Georgetown when he was approached by an unknown man who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol.

The man began to verbally abuse McLeod, and a scuffle reportedly ensued, during which the man pulled out a knife and dealt McLeod three stabs to his body -- to his right shoulder, the right side of his upper back, and to the left side of his chest.

McLeod fell to the ground, and was quickly picked up and rushed by public-spirited persons to the GPHC’s Emergency Unit, where he remains a patient.

The attacker fled the scene, but is being sought by Police. The knife which he used to commit the act was found at the scene.

Investigations are ongoing.

Motorcyclist critical after crashing into parked car

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hirty-year-old Cappel Deo of Lot 408 Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara is battling for his life at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he reportedly lost control of the motorcycle he was driving and it crashed

into motor vehicle PDD 4714, which was parked on the Waller’s Delight Public Road on Sunday evening.

He reportedly sustained severe head injuries, and is listed as critical.

The injured motorcyclist was picked up in an

unconscious state and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, but was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital in that very state.

The driver of the motor car is assisting with investigations.

Kitty teen nabbed after robbing miner

A

16-year-old Kitty, Georgetown resident is now in Police custody, having been subdued by a male whilst he was in process of committing a robbery along the Kitty Public Road in Georgetown on Monday morning.

Reports are that a gold miner of Canal No. 1 Polder, West Bank Demerara was standing on the Kitty Public

Road in the vicinity of the Seawall, awaiting a taxi, when he was attacked by the teenager and three other accomplices, one of whom was armed with a firearm.

The 30-year-old victim was relieved of two mobile phones and a sum of cash.

But as the suspects were fleeing the scene, the victim valiantly pursued them, and apprehended the teen

who, because of an injured foot, was unable to keep up with the pace of his accomplices.

Upon his arrest, the suspect was found in possession of one of the victim’s phones. He remains in Police custody, and is assisting with investigations.

The Police have launched a manhunt for the others.

3 Sugar workers call for Komal Chand to resign news

tuesDAY, january 23, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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

Tuesday, January 23 – 09:00h-10:30h and Wednesday, January 24 – 10:00h-11:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, January 23 – 07:50h-09:20h and Wednesday, January 24 – 08:40h-10:10h.

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

WEATHER TODAY

Light rain showers are expected throughout the day, with lightly cloudy skies in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 4.02 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 08:36h and 21:02h reaching maximum heights of 2.46 metres and 2.44 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 14:32h reaching a minimum height of 0.77 metre.

SATURDAY, january 20, 2018

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MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2018

DAILY MILLIONS 01 05 12 16 19 LUCKY 3 3 3 1

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…say he failed to represent their interest after collecting millions in union dues …hundreds more to be dismissed, economic genocide being committed

H

undreds of sugar workers and senior persons in the sugar industry are dissatisfied with the way the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) had handled the sudden closure of sugar estates along with severance benefits and other issues relative to the sugar industry, and they are calling on GAWU President, Komal Chand, to resign.

Guyana Times spoke with several workers in the sugar belt, and they say they felt betrayed when GAWU agreed to accept that only some sugar workers who were dismissed would get their full severance at the end of January.

The meeting the workers were referring to was held between the Union and Government on Friday last, to discuss severance. The Union had initially stated its disapproval at having workers receive part of their severance; but at the end of that meeting, Chand was quoted in the press as saying that he was pleased with the outcome, as he noted that the Union is now committed to working with the Administration.

A worker from Enmore, who asked not to be named, told this newspaper that the situation in the sugar industry has only worsened under Chand’s leadership. He claimed the Government which owned GuySuCo was committing genocide against sugar workers because with no jobs how will the thousands of workers and their families survive. The sugar worker claimed that Chand has lost his zeal, and cannot now serve the interest of the workers anymore.

Another worker pointed out that in fact GAWU did very little for them since the issue of severance is directed by law and not the Union. According to the worker, GAWU should have been fighting for estates to remain open.

Another worker noted that Chand, although having been leader of the Union for many years, had presided over the firing of thousands of workers, sending them into hopelessness.

He added that having for years collected Union dues, GAWU should have done a better job in representing the workers at their darkest hour.

Another former estate worker feels that for GAWU to win the battle in these difficult times the industry faces, the Union would need a new leader; one who has the capacity to represent and deliver.

“There are other good leaders in the Union who are being suppressed.

GAWU President Komal Chand

He has served his time, and needs to give others a chance to represent the workers. The Union is lacking strong representation with Chand at the helm, and this is the time we need strength to fight,” the worker opined.

Contacted for a comment on the workers’ contentions, Chand told Guyana Times he does not in any way feel he has betrayed the workers.

More dismissals

Meanwhile, several hundred workers who were retained at Skeldon, Rose Hall, East Demerara and Wales estates to work with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) would soon be made redundant, according to GAWU. This comes mere weeks after hundreds of workers were dismissed and the Government approved supplementary provision to offset partial severance payments to thousands of displaced workers.

GAWU claims being informed of this decision by the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo), and that the workers identified for retrenchment would be no-

tified shortly.

These workers were mainly retained as the sugar company was seeking to provide certain services to the NDIA. Unfortunately, an arrangement in that respect has fallen through, and the workers are now facing redundancy.

GAWU, on Monday, said further expansion of unemployment in the sugar belt is without doubt making a “really bad situation even worse.” Given the absence of any plans to deal with the fallout from the closure of several estates and the fiasco that has surrounded the workers’ severance payment, this pending retrenchment has been described as “heart-rending.”

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tuesDAY, january 23, 2018

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

Ban on plastic bags

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or many, if not most, a national ban on plastic bags may be a welcome initiative. Quite recently, it was reported in the media that City Hall officials proposed a ban on “singleuse” plastic bags. Government has already taken the stance and banned Styrofoam containers, which, for many years, were clogging up the country’s drainage network. The environmentally damaging effects of plastic bags far outweigh their convenience; as we have already witnessed, plastic bags can increase the risk of flooding and when the plastic is washed out into the ocean, it has a negative impact on hundreds of different species of marine life. There are many problems associated with plastic bags, which is why bans or fees are in place in many countries. The oldest is in Denmark, which started in 1993, whereby charges are levied for the use of plastic bags. Ireland has perhaps the best known measure, which is the 2002 ‘bag tax’. Consumers would have to actually purchase bags. This resulted in a 90 per cent drop in bag usage and a great reduction in litter. By 2007, usage was rising again, which led to an increase in the price of bags. Ireland and Denmark are just two successful examples and many other countries across the world are following suit. The European Union will require an 80 per cent reduction of plastic bags by 2019. This means virtually every European country is now considering ways to bring about reductions.

Many other countries have already taken the decision to place a ban on plastic bags; in fact, earlier this year, the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Theresa May defended the country’s ‘long-term’ plastic waste plan. The Prime Minister said her long-term strategy, including eradicating all avoidable plastic waste in the UK by 2042, would allow future generations to “enjoy a beautiful environment”. Key to this is a crackdown on throwaway plastics. Under the UK Government’s plan, supermarkets will be urged to introduce “plastic-free” aisles while taxes and charges on single-use items such as takeaway containers will be considered. Other measures announced include a charge for plastic carrier bags to all retailers in England, Government funding for plastics innovation and a commitment to help developing nations tackle pollution and reduce plastic waste, including through UK aid.

She called plastic waste “one of the great environmental scourges of our time”, adding: “In the UK alone, the amount of single-use plastic wasted every year would fill 1000 Royal Albert Halls.” The PM added too that the Government had already reduced plastic bag usage by nine billion and legislated to ban plastic microbeads used in cosmetics and cleaning products.

Environmentalists there agree that the Government’s plan to restore nature – not just safeguard nature – is genuinely radical.

Aside from being a national problem, the profusion of plastic waste is also a global issue and the United NationsOceans Chief, Lisa Svensson has warned that life in the seas was at risk of irreparable damage from a rising tide of plastic waste. She urged firms and individuals to act far more quickly to halt plastic pollution. However, plastic bags are just one part of the problem – there are so many other types of plastic flowing through waterways. Svensson admitted that it could take 10 years to get a UN treaty agreed on plastic litter and a further two years to get it implemented. In the meantime, she has urged that there should be much stronger actions from civil society, putting pressure on business to change – they can, in turn, switch their supply chains. More importantly, the UN representative emphasised the need for more individual governments to take urgent action too.

According to the BBC, Indonesia – the world’s second biggest plastics polluter after China – has pledged to reduce plastic waste in the ocean by 75 per cent by 2025. China is also looking at new policies to curb plastic waste after a decadelong campaign failed to show results. While countries grapple with individual challenges and issues with enforcement, experts suggest that countries tackle the issues through mandatory education programmes and public awareness; if not, regulations for curbing plastic use in the future might not work.

The main objective behind plastic bag bans is to lower how much plastic finds its way into the marine world. About 94 per cent of all birds have plastic in their stomachs, which is also found in the stomachs of many endangered species. At least 267 different species of animals have suffered as a result of ingestion of or entanglement with plastic. In fact, these disastrous consequences caused Australia to ban bags locally in 2003, in an effort to protect the migrating whales in Tasmania.

It comes as welcome news that Guyana will now seek to join in the drive to ban plastic bags.

Acrobats from China performing “Juggling on unicycles” during the 42nd Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival in Fontvielle, Monaco (www.telegraph.co.uk)

Here we go again Dear Editor, “We expect ExxonMobil will try to rob us as much as they can, so it is now on us to figure out how best we can defeat them. It is a waste of time at this point saying that they can rob us.

That is ABC. That is known.

Let us start looking for solutions and safeguards. It is useful in this regard to point out the errors made by other countries and how we can be able to do better.”

This quote is taken from the lead story in the media, and the comment is attribut-

ed to Presidential Advisor Dr Clive Thomas.

Here we go again! Not so long ago, it was Imran Khan publicly expressing a personal view on an issue involving Guyana’s relations with India. Now you have Presidential Advisor Dr Clive Thomas remarking that Exxon will try to rob Guyana.

My issue here, like in Imran’s case, is not the merits or demerits of the views expressed, but the process/ procedure.

ExxonMobil might well be out to “milk”

Guyana, but it is not the Presidential Advisor’s place to say that publicly, unless that is the Government’s official position; which would be in contradiction to statements previously made by the President and several ministers, including Trotman, Jordan and Greenidge.

How could a senior government functionary publicly imply that a major investor is a thief? This coalition Government needs to get a grip on its public information policy. It is running

ragged with contradictions and inconsistencies, which could have a serious impact on its efforts to be re-elected in 2020.

I have enormous respect for Dr. Thomas. But if it was wrong for Imran, then it has to be wrong for Clive to be publicly expressing personal views as a senior Government functionary, which views may not be the official position of the Government of Guyana.

Regards, Wesley Kirton

“Dead meat” Alliance For Change (AFC) Dear Editor, Khemraj Ramjattan had predicted before the 2015 national elections that his political party, the AFC, would become “dead meat” should it team up with PNC/ APNU. Well, it subsequently contested the elections under the banner of APNU/ AFC, and with active campaigning by the party’s leader, Ramjattan.

Having teamed up with APNU, the AFC claimed that it brought in some 11% of the votes; and the AFC leaders and members were given some 40% of parliamentary seats and ministerial positions in the Granger-led government. The AFC faction was given large and important ministries, including Public Infrastructure, Agriculture, Public Safety, and the Prime Ministerial position, with attractive and

substantially enhanced remuneration packages which motivated them, at every opportunity, to sing loudly for their supper without rocking the government boat.

This gives the facade of a powerful partnership with ministerial titles and parliamentary seats, but the PNC kept them in their places, so that they support without a squeak of opposition to all the actions of the PNC leader and President, who is dominantly and totally in control of the grouping, having remunerated them well, and with magnificent ministerial and job titles.

However, their conduct and performance of their lawful public duties can only be evaluated as third-rated. Their campaign was deceptive, fooling part of the PPP base, offering them “a good, and even a better

life”. The AFC sold out to the PNC. The rice farmers and the thousands of sugar workers who were vindictively, spitefully, racially and politically discriminated against, dismissed, and placed on the bread line as the 2017 Christmas gift for themselves, their families, and surrounding communities, now agree and confirm the “dead meat” status of the ‘political prophet’ Ramjattan.

Let Trotman tell the nation of his half-hearted campaign, how many votes he brought to the coalition, and the secret Nassau understanding with Granger. Many, like prophet Ramjattan, predict that Trotman is easing his way back into the PNC with an eye on a leadership position in the PNC. The declared results of

the 2015 elections gave the combination a one-seat majority with a one-vote win of the seat for Region 8. Some people argue that we have a Government with a seat which was won by one vote, and consequently a one-vote majority Government.

The reported declaration

by Trotman and other AFC leaders that the AFC was considering contesting the 2018 local government elections independently is welcome news. The reality of this is good, and will confirm their status as “dead meat” or otherwise. It would be useful information for Granger’s assessment. The voters may be required to bury the “dead meat” AFC party, or freeze the meat. The voters will not be fooled again.

Yours faithfully, Joshua Singh

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

Does the AFC have a support base?

Dear Editor, As the Alliance for Change (AFC) continues to do its master’s bidding, one is left to ponder how low the AFC will go. The latest pandering by the AFC to the PNC is its latest salvo against GAWU, wherein it seeks to place the blame for

the sugar industry’s woes on GAWU. Clearly, the AFC has lost its identity, having been consumed by the PNC. Yet again, Guyanese should have seen this coming, since the AFC (upon formation) said it was not going to join with either

the PPP or the PNC, yet turned around and joined with the PNC under the APNU bandwagon to oust the democratically elected PPP/C from Government.

This demonstrated that the AFC was/is a political opportunist.

It remains to be seen if

the AFC has any real support base, after having lost credibility and supporters over the last couple of years.

What makes the AFC believe that the PNC takes it seriously? Given the dwindling support base of the AFC, it is clear that the

Suicide stats, related facts Dear Editor, Last year, a motion to decriminalise attempted suicide was debated in Parliament. Supported in principle by both sides of the house, it was voted against by the Government so as not to allow the Opposition to ‘score political points’.

The Caribbean Voice, in a letter to the media, sug-

Year 2000 2003 2005 2006 2019 2012 2015

stantly been putting out stats and facts on suicide in Guyana, and thus we were a bit puzzled by the PAHO/ WHO Director Dr William Adu-Krow’s inaccurate figure that the suicide rate had plummeted to 20.6 per 100,000 people in 2015, as well as the inaccurate stat that the 2012 suicide rate was 44.2 per 100,000 people.

ficult, besides seeming to imply that, with such a significant rate reduction, the Government does not need to ramp up resources to tackle suicide.

That PAHO Rep Dr Adu Krow was quoted a number of times in certain sections of the media as stating that the 2015 rate was 20.6 is even more puzzling; and despite The Caribbean

Rate – suicides per 100,000 22.3 27.2 24.0 26.4 25.8 32.15 – minus 25% adjustment from 44.2 30.8

gested that the bill be sent to committee to thrash out something acceptable at a bipartisan level, which would not water down the necessary mechanisms for suicide prevention.

Another suggestion was to set up a broad-based committee that includes the Government, Opposition, civil society and NGO stakeholders to rework the motion and have it jointly sponsored by a member of the Gov’t and a member of the Opposition. Nothing to date.

Secondly, while no stats were given at the press conference of Jan 19, The Caribbean Voice has con-

Clearly, the 2012 figure is an anomaly, especially given that the only adjustment actually made by the WHO is from crude rate to age-standardized suicide rate, to eliminate the effect of differences in population age structures when comparing crude rates for different periods of time, different geographic areas, and/or different population sub-groups. Thus the 2015 crude rate of 29.0 was adjusted to 30.6.

Whatever led to this apparent anomaly, it presents a skewed picture that makes the work of suicide prevention NGOs and activists that much more dif-

Voice’s suggestion that Dr. Adu Krow may have been misquoted, he has not, to date, provided any public clarifying statement.

Finally, in 2015, just prior to the elections, the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) met with The

Caribbean Voice, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the Rights of the Child Commission, and a couple of other stakeholders to discuss the possibility of implementing an adaption of the Sri Lanka Hazard Reduction Model, which had reduced pesticide suicide in that nation by about 50% in about a decade, and for which The Caribbean Voice had been lobbying. An undertaking was given by the PTCCB to roll out such a policy a few months down the road, but a change of Government came in May 2015, and that undertaking was apparently scrapped.

The Sri Lanka Hazard Reduction Model is still the most viable and results-oriented strategy to tackle pesticide suicide anywhere, and we strongly believe that it needs to be adapted and implemented in Guyana, especially since all other measures have thus far failed miserably.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

APNU+AFC Coalition will not win a fair and free general election in 2020.

It is obvious that the AFC knows that it has lost its support base, hence the continued pandering to the PNC. The hope of the AFC is that the PNC will keep it in power. If history is any-

thing to go by, then the PNC will ditch the AFC before the next general elections, as the AFC has lost many of its supporters, so there is no real need to keep the AFC in a coalition.

Yours faithfully, Sean Ori

American Medical Institution is not associated with Critchlow Labour College Dear Editor, The Critchlow Labour College wishes to make clear that the American Medical Institution is not operating out of the College’s facilities on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, and has no association with the College.

The College makes every effort to ensure that courses offered are provided by organisations/ entities that are accredited by the National Accredited Council (NAC).

The American Medical Institution is not accredited with the NAC. As such, the American Medical Institution

is not associated with the Critchlow Labour College.

Information from the Institution suggesting otherwise is false. No classes of the American Medical Institution were scheduled or held at the Critchlow Labour College.

The Critchlow Labour College remains committed to providing quality post-secondary and tertiary educational programmes that are demand-driven and reflective of industries’ needs.

Sincerely, Critchlow Labour College

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Continued from Monday

By Debbie Pincus

Are there things that I nag or criticise my child for that I need to improve on myself?

Is being with me a good feeling or do I spend most of my time criticising, correcting and being negative?

Would I like to have myself as a parent? What would be positive and what would be most difficult?

Do I carry enough compassion for myself when I’m parenting? If not, what can I do to develop more of that for myself?

Step two: Calm is contagious A common resolution parents make at New Year’s (and all through the year) is to yell less and be less reactive. Staying calm with your children is one of the best things you can do to model behaviour and build positive relationships.

Remember, anxiety is contagious – and so is calm. Here are five tips to keep help you keep your cool this year so you can stick to your resolutions: Realise what you have control over. Recognise you have control over your response to your child’s actions, not over the decisions

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Foundation

he makes. Give yourself the time to breathe, get the adrenaline down so you can get the thinking part of your brain engaged.

Before you respond, spend time thinking about the most effective way to respond to your child’s behaviour. Make sure you’re calm when you speak to him about his behaviour, and the consequences you might be giving him.

Work on your triggers.

Try to be aware of some of your beliefs that trigger your anger with your children. Although you will hold your children accountable for inappropriate behaviour, also recognise that much of their behaviour is just children being children. Don’t be mad at them for going through their natural developmental stages. Young children have lots of energy and often use it to get into everything in sight. This is necessary and healthy for children, as aggravating as it is for us. Older children explore the boundaries and take risks in order to individuate from their parents – another necessary step in their development, although it is scary, worrisome and aggravating for parents to witness.

Practise good self-care.

Do what you can to calm and

soothe yourself. Get enough rest, take care of your health, work on your adult relationships, pursue your goals and interests. The more you care for yourself, the more resilience you will have and the more your children will not have to emotionally fulfil you.

“Name that

stressor!” Manage your distress by acknowledging it and naming it. You can say something like, “I’m feeling annoyed right now. I’m going to take my own timeout, breathe, and think about how I want to address this problem.” By doing this, you will be calming yourself down and modelling for your children how to better regulate themselves.

Look at the big picture.

Remind yourself that the most influence you will have with your children is in building a positive relationship with them. All of our interactions create a relationship over time. Think about how you want this relationship to look in five

years, ten years, twenty years. In the moment, try asking yourself, “What can I do now, in this interaction, to hold my child accountable and develop a positive relationship?”

Step three: Sticking with the plan You might be saying to yourself, “Okay, now that I have my resolutions, how can I keep them all year and make them a habit?” Here are three important things

you can do to make sure they stick: Make a commitment to change. The only way for you to follow through on a resolution is to first decide that you will. When you realise your decision to do something differently has meaning, importance or value to you, it gives you the motivation and power to keep going. Only then can it become the commitment and priority that it needs to be.

Work on yourself. When you make this commitment, you’ll also have to recognise how important working on yourself – rather than on your children – is to creating great and lasting relationships with them. And of course remind yourself that your improvements will be helping your children grow to be self-reliant, caring adults.

Do whatever it takes. Put up reminders on your bathroom mirror. Ask your mate to gently remind you about your commitments. Come up with a code word or signal. Do whatever it takes to keep your commitment to changing.

Step four: Positive Parenting As you move forward, try these three positive parenting tips to help guide you and to strengthen your relationship with your child: two positive interactions for every negative comment. For every reprimanded correction, criticism you give your children, (a necessary part of parenting), add two positive interactions. They can come in the form of a hug, a compliment, acknowledgement of something well done, a smile, or having a fun time together. Remember, the brain remembers negatives very well, but has a much harder time holding onto the positives. That’s why you need to make a conscious effort to include two positives for every one negative.

Ask, don’t tell. Make a conscious effort to ask, not tell, when your child shares something with you – particularly your teen. “It is so unfair that the teacher did not give us more time for the research paper.” Your response: “Is there something you want to do about that?”

Versus: “You should speak to the teacher about it.”

Be separate from your child. The best gift you can give your children is being a parent who knows separateness. When you know how to stay separate and not get into your child’s box, you will find yourself making fewer resolutions about staying calm, nagging, worrying less, and keeping your cool, be-

cause those things will naturally occur. When you are separate, you will naturally allow your child to own his life. They will be his disappointments, his frustrations, his mistakes, his struggles; you will acknowledge this without getting into his head or letting your worry get in his way. You will know these are problems for him to own, not for you to own. It will be clear what belongs in your box and what does not. Look at it this way: You have your own disappointments and struggles and goals to work out. You can be there as your child’s guide and leader—not the owner of his life. The way to be truly connected to your children is to be truly separate from them.

Here are three different scenarios that show how you can be a more separate parent with your children: If your adult child is still living at home and sleeping until noon every day, instead of thinking of him as a sloth and telling him what he should do with his life, stop having an opinion and get interested and curious about his. Find out what is making him tick or not tick. At the same time, be honest with him. Let him know what you expect of him while living at home or whether you are still willing to have him in your home six months to a year from now. Sit down and make a plan together.

If your child picks a fight with you every time he’s about to do something he does not want to do, don’t engage. This way he can wrestle with himself and his own discomfort, rather than get to deflect from himself by wrestling with you. If your daughter is hysterical about whether or not she will get the job she desperately wants, stop jumping in with reassurances or taking on her pain or worry. Stand by her side rather than jumping in her box. Tell her you understand how crummy it feels to have to wait when you want something so badly. Be next to her instead of on top of her.

Above all this year, always resolve to ask yourself: “Who owns this problem?” If you are the owner, work to solve it. If you are not the owner, stay out of your child’s way and give them the space to own and figure out their own problem. You can stand nearby in case they would like your guidance, but don’t stand on top of them. By doing this, you will be giving yourself a lot more time and space for your own life, which is the best thing you can do for both your child and yourself.

(Excerpt from empoweringparents.com)

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tuesDAY, january 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Liberalisation of telecommunications sector in near future – Hughes …GTT tax dispute takes centre stage

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espite promising a fully-liberalised telecommunications sector by the first quarter of 2018, Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes declined to give a timeline for its realisation in light of fruitful talks with GTT and its parent company, Atlantic Tele-Network International (ATNI).

On Monday, Minister Hughes reported that negotiations with GTT and its parent company for the lifting of the monopoly on the telecommunications sector have been fruitful, adding that one needed to take into context the fact that the companies have had the upper hand for over 20 years.

She added that both companies and the Government want to leave the negotiating table with the best deal.

The negotiations to date have been conducted in an extremely cordial manner, she said, adding “if you recognise that GTT and ATNI have had a monopoly situation that have lasted for over 20 years, then you can understand that from the perspective of both parties they want to ensure that they are coming to table to get the best…at the end of the day, on the Government side, we want to ensure that we get the deal that is going to be good for the people of Guyana.”

According to the Public Telecommunications Minister, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)

Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes

wanted to make sure that “they are covering all their bases from the financial end from taxes that would have been paid, from things that could be offered to the sector as a whole, so, therefore, the focus is not on getting this done in the shortest space of time, but making sure that we come up with an end gain that suits everyone.”

The liberalisation of the sector is heavily dependent on the settlement of a US$44 million tax claim against GTT. However, the company continues to enjoy the monopoly in international voice and data services until 2030.

Tax breaks

When asked about the granting of special tax breaks in exchange for the liberalisation of the sector in the shortest time possible, the Minister noted that queries on the financial and tax aspects of the negotia-

tions should be directed to the Finance Minister and Head of the GRA. “Those are some of the issues they are looking at; however, I will remind you that the environment provides for a liberalised environment, which means that everybody comes to the table to get and apply for the same terms and conditions; there are no special outcomes given to any particular company,” she noted.

“The Government is very committed to ensure that liberalisation comes in the fastest possible time; however, the tax issues do not come under my purview. Only the Minister of Finance or the Commissioner General of the GRA can deal with those aspects and, therefore, we are working very swiftly to ensure that we cover all of those areas,” she added.

End to monopoly

GTT and the Government began negotiations on December 9, 2016 hoping to put an end to the 26-year-old monopoly on the fixed line market. GTT has held sway in fixed line, international voice and data markets since 1990 and the initial 20-year contract was renewed in 2010 for another 10 (until 2030).

The talks came following the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 2016.

As it relates to the tax issues, ATNI said that GTT has been involved in sev-

eral legal claims regarding its tax filing with the GRA dating back to 1991 regarding the deductibility of intercompany advisory fees as well as other tax assessments.

However, the company notes that should it be held liable for any of the disputed tax assessments, totalling US$41.1 million, it is of the view that the Government would then be obligated to reimburse it for any amounts necessary to ensure a not-less-than 15 per cent return on investment.

GTT’s long-distance voice and data monopoly came under intense scrutiny following the damage of the Americas II fibre-optic cable in May of 2008. To cushion the effect, GTT’s only competitor, Digicel was granted an interim long-distance licence to route communications from the country via satellite.

Since the commencement of the talks, GTT has accused Digicel of being involved in illegal activities and called for an independent third-party audit.

According to GTT, Digicel, a company that has a licence for mobile services, has been facilitating an illegal, unlicensed trans-border link between Guyana and Suriname.

Minister Hughes noted that they would have been meeting with Digicel to finalise the terms of its licences to be issued under the new Telecommunications Act.

Lone gunman robs Albouystown businesswoman

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shop owner, her mother and sister are now counting their losses after they were all held at gunpoint and robbed of cash and valuables by a lone gunman on Sunday night.

The shop owner, 36-yearold Devika Williams of La Penitence Street,

Albouystown, Georgetown; her mother, 53-year-old Nerisha Sukhu and her sister, 28-year-old Rebecca Petamber, were robbed around 19:20h.

Reports are Williams had just closed the front of her shop and was in the process of closing the back entrance

when the gunman pushed his way into the premises.

Guyana Times was told that the bandit then took Williams into the shop and pointed the gun at her mother and sister. He then instructed the three women to kneel as he demanded valuables.

The man ransacked the

shop, taking cash and jewellery valued over $400,000.

The gunman then exited with the items, demanding that the three women lay on the ground while he escaped.

The matter was reported to the Police, who are reviewing CCTV footage as they investigate.

Bagotville wife’s stabbing

Husband’s murder trial commences …emotional witness recalls victim screaming for help

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early three years after Donessa Barker had met her demise allegedly at the hands of her husband, Miguel Barker, the trial of her husband for murder commenced in the High Court before Justice Navindra Singh on Monday.

Miguel Barker, also known as ‘Allan’, stands accused of stabbing his wife Donessa at the Bagotville, West Bank Demerara home they shared on the night of April 30, 2015.

Donessa Barker, also called “Vanessa”, allegedly collapsed and died after being dealt several stabs about her body following an argument between the two. Miguel Barker has denied the State’s murder indictment.

Monday’s trial saw the State calling its first witness, Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh, whose testimony was in relation to the injuries the woman had suffered. Donessa Barker’s cause of death was given as hemorrhage and shock due to stab wound.

Also testifying was Policeman Jemain Elcock, who was a detective at the time of Donessa Barker’s demise.

He told the jury that he had chased and arrested Miguel Barker at ‘B’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown in May 2015. According to the Police witness, as the accused was being cautioned, he remarked: “Is not me; is me brother.”

“He was calm and not handcuffed,” Elcock observed.

Elcock maintained that Barker was not beaten when he was cross-examined by Defence Counsel Maxwell McKay. The constable, however, admitted that he could not recall the “B” Field Sophia address where he had arrested Barker, who was said to have fled after his wife’s killing.

Reports are that the Barkers were having marital troubles and would often argue. Javonna Frank, who lived a few houses from the murdered woman, recalled on the day of Donessa Barker’s demise that she and her step-sister Sheneeza Clarke were having a conversation when Clarke’s cellphone rang and she heard her call out for “Vanessa!”

Deceased: Donessa Barker

An emotional Frank, who had bolted from the witness box when she first began testifying, was able to gather her composure and tell the court that she heard a rocking in the bushes several feet away from where they were. Later they heard Barker cry out: “Ya’ll help me! Ya’ll help me!”

Frank recalled that her step-sister Shaneeza had run into Vanessa’s room with a cutlass, and that Vanessa came out covered in blood. The witness disclosed that she does not know where her step-sister is located, as she has not seen her since the incident.

Another witness, who testified to the whereabouts of the missing Shaneeza, was West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) matron Jevonne Dolphin, who was the late Donessa’s aunt. Dolphin recalled that her niece had last visited her on April 22, 2015 at her office, and that she appeared to be quite normal.

The matron also witnessed the post- mortem examination on May 4, 2015.

Dolphin told the court in her evidence in chief that she knows Shaneeza Clarke, but does not know where she is.

Cross-examination was declined by McKay. Before Donessa Barker’s death, the couple had been married for more than a year.

On the night of the incident, the Barkers were reportedly heard arguing prior to the stabbing. Reports are that neighbours had attempted to rescue the woman, and had rushed her to hospital after she had been stabbed. Prosecutors Tiffni Lyken, Abigail Gibbs and Narissa Leander are presenting the State’s case.

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tuesDAY, january 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Cosmetologist jailed for cocaine found in roof …fined $14M

Nickela Craig Singh

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50-year-old cosmetologist, of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was on Monday afternoon sentenced to four years in prison and fined over $14 million after five kilograms of cocaine was found hidden in her roof.

Nickela Craig Singh appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and admitted ownership of the cocaine found in the roof of her home.

Singh pleaded guilty with explanation when the charge was read to her.

The charge stated that on January 19, 2018 at Lot 237 Bretain Street, Soesdyke Public Road, she had in her

possession 5.196 kg of cocaine.

According to the defendant, the cocaine was given to her to keep by her brother Junior Owen Singh.

She explained that when the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) ranks showed up at her home on the day in question, she admitted that she was the owner of the said cocaine and even implicated others as a result of being confused.

However, CANU Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford revealed to the court that on the day in question, officers from the anti-drug agency were conducting a raid at Soesdyke when they gained information which led them to the defendant’s home.

Upon their arrival there, Singh was the lone occupant of the house. When questioned, she reportedly admitted to having the illicit drug stashed in her roof and even led the ranks to same.

She further signed a written statement of her confession in which she implicated her brother.

As such, she was taken to the CANU Headquarters where she was charged with the said offence.

Her attorney, Everton LammySingh, implored the court to show mercy to his client as she did not waste the

Back flip…

I

The cocaine found in Singh’s home

court’s time.

However, Chief Magistrate McLennan sentenced her to spend the next four years in prison and fined her $14, 029,200 which is three times the street value of the drug found.

Junior Owen Singh is currently in CANU’s custody and is expected to be charged shortly. A large quantity of foreign and local currencies was also found during the raid. Three of his vehicles, including an Escalade and an Infinity motor car, were seized along with three illegal firearms.

Cocaine mule jailed, fined $3.8M

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he Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD) woman caught attempting to smuggle some 2.5 kilograms of cocaine into Canada last December was on Monday jailed for three years for the offence.

Forty-two-year-old Andrea Paula Winfield, of Lot 12 Prince William Street, Plaisance, received the sentence from Magistrate Annette Singh along with a

hefty fine of $3.8 million.

It is alleged that she attempted to smuggle the cocaine through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, East Bank Demerara on December 16, 2017.

Reports are Winfield was an outgoing passenger at the CJIA when she was stopped and questioned by Customs officers about where she was staying in Canada.

She failed to give an answer to the officers who became suspicious and checks were made to her luggage.

During the search, the cocaine was unearthed. She

was arrested and charged for the offence on December 20, 2017.

Winfield was represented by Attorney-at-Law Max McKay.

“Smart” busted with cigarettes, vodka at Police lock-ups

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man who recently had a robbery- under-arms charge dismissed is now in hot water again, after he was on Monday afternoon caught

by Police at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts attempting to smuggle cigarettes and vodka into the Police lockups.

Leon Smart, who was visiting a relative at the lockups, was caught with the items -- two packs of cigarettes and vodka -- hidden in a soda bottle in a black plastic bag.

He was quickly handcuffed and escorted to the Brickdam Police Station, and is expected to be charged shortly.

In November last, Smart was implicated in an armed robbery along with Kelvin Emper and Nzumi Scipio.

However, Emper confessed to the crime, and told City Magistrate Judy Latchman that the other two accused had nothing to do with the crime.

As such, Smart had that matter dismissed against him, while Emper was sentenced to 50 months in prison.

…by AFC on sugar workers t’s either that the AFC’s suffering from a Jekyll-andHyde Syndrome, or Nagamootoo and Ramjattan just did another back flip. Most likely it’s the latter, ‘cause when people are being pulled by strings like puppets, they can so easily be made to even stand on their heads!!

Nagamootoo’s initial back flip over the weekend, as mentioned by your Eyewitness, was to admit that after FIFTY YEARS of opposing privatization of the sugar industry, he has suddenly seen the light. That this epiphany was realized just when he received that $1.5million/monthly cheque, that SUV, unlimited air miles etc, was purely coincidental!!

Anyhow, after he and Ramjattan sat on the right hand of President Granger in a meeting with the sugar unions -- GAWU and NAACIE – Nagamootoo boasted it ended on a high note on restructuring the sugar industry. In his column in the Sunday Chronic, Nagamootoo crooned: “The possibility that a 100% payout could be made to some of the affected workers was raised by President Granger and MYSELF during a meeting Friday morning with representatives of GAWU and NAACIE. Heading the delegation was Mr. Komal Chand, one of the most outstanding Guyanese labour leaders…”

Over in the Muckraker KN, however, the AFC, in its column of the same, launched into one of the most vicious attacks on GAWU and its leader since the late 1960s – no one other than KOMAL CHAND!!! Last we heard was Ramjattan was the Chairman of the AFC and Nagamootoo was its “political Advisor”. So what’s going on?? Like we said, it looks like their puppeteer just doesn’t care about how ridiculous his jerking them around (literally and figuratively) makes them look!

‘Cause it wasn’t just the viciousness of the attack…but it’s blatant rewriting of a history in which both Nagamootoo and Ramjattan were key figures. The AFC column claimed sugar production plummeted from a high in the 1970s -when PNC nationalized the industry -- to half of that in the 1980s -- reaching a historic low in 1990 solely because of GAWU strikes!! No mention of siphoning off the profits of the industry via a levy, and spending NOTHING on rehabilitating the broken down factories. Or hiring political hacks to run the industry.

But if GAWU killed the sugar industry, who killed the bauxite industry, which witnessed the same HALVING of production in the 1980s compared to the 1970s? Why also was the value-added Alumina plant CLOSED!!

And more pertinently, how come sugar production doubled by 1992 from the 1990 production?

Could it be because Booker Tate replaced the PNC managers -- and sugar workers’ salaries were increased to a living wage??

What say the backflippers?? …by the feral squeaker Finally, someone must’ve taken the PM’s feral squeaker behind the wood shed and given him a goooood paddling for his intemperate outburst against the Government of India, for inviting MPs rather than Ministers to their meeting of “MPs of Indian Origin”. That, the fella claimed, was done by India just to spite PM Nagamootoo: by inviting Jagdeo, who’s an MP, and not the PM, who’s a Minister!!

It’s clear the PM -- and by default all his flunkeys -- have Jagdeo on their brain!!

Anyhow, the squeaker back-flipped and apologized profusely for his allegations. He claimed he didn’t realise folks could think his Facebook ranting about a friendly government and its ambassador – his ranting clearly identified him as the “Director of Public Information” (DPI), and tags the ambassador! -- could be seen as an official government position!!

If he, as the Director of Public Information, couldn’t see this; then, for this alone, he should be stripped of his position; stripped of his clothes; and given another hiding!!

But we all know this is just mamaguying, don’t we?? …by Thomas, the Marxist For all the fifty-plus years he was in academia, Clive Thomas was the archetypical Marxist who denounced “capitalist corporations” that “raped” the Third World.

Suddenly, now he’s in Government, he advises to not look at the Exxon contract critically!!

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

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tuesDAY, january 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Banks DIH records $4.2B after-tax profit B anks DIH Limited registered a $4.243 billion after-tax profit for 2017. This is against the after tax-profit of $4.702 billion garnered in 2016, according to the company’s Annual Financial Report.

This result was produced because the company’s trading profit rose in 2017 by 22.3% over the previous year’s, although after-tax profit fell by 9.76% over the period, because of a one-off gain in 2016.

The report, presented

by Banks Chairman and Managing Director Clifford Reis, stated that, in the prior year, the company benefited from the one-off gain of $1.4 billion accrued as a result of the disposal of the investment securities held in Banks Holdings Ltd and Desnoes and Geddes (Jamaica) Ltd, and because

of the dissolution of BCL (Barbados) Ltd. The group’s net assets value per share has increased from $31.72 to $33.33, and the company has increased its dividend proposal to shareholders to $1.04 per share unit, resulting in an overall cost of $884 million.

“The improved results were made possible as a result of the increase in sales of our malt products, aerated and liquor beverages, and food products,” the Chairman noted in the 2017 Annual Report.

Reis said the company also benefited from the reduction in prices paid for several key raw and packaging materials, which included sugar and pre-forms.

“Prudent management of our asset base and financial resources also contributed to

Chairman and Managing Director of Banks DIH Limited, Clifford Reis

the overall results,” he added.

Stating that the global economy had experienced some shock as a result of

the general elections in the US, he said there were marginal improvements resulting from the increase in commodity and oil prices.

The Banks Chairman and Managing Director also stated in his report that the implementation of the Environmental Levy of $10 per container on all non-returnable glass and PET containers had helped to reduce consumer spending, which ultimately affected retail sales.

In addition to that, Reis said, the company weathered the effects of an artificial increase in foreign exchange rates, which affected the acquisition costs for raw and packaging materials, plant and machinery spares, and capital equipment; in addition to foreign exchange and payment for goods and services.

Reis noted that the distribution warehouse was extended by an additional 15,900 square feet of new storage space; a new malt intake system was installed in the brewery; and the beer bottling plant benefited from the installation of a crate washer and a new cleaver brook boiler.

Modernisation of the Trisco cookies and crackers lines was continued with the acquisition of new packaging equipment.

Citizens Bank

Touching on the performance of Citizen’s Bank, the Chairman stated that revenue was $3.5 billion, compared to $3.2 billion, an increase of $287 million, or 8.8 per cent. Profit after tax was $727 million.

Reis said that from a net profit of $3.8 billion, a divi-

dend payment of $802 million was made, leaving $3 billion for transfer to retained earnings.

He noted that the company performed well in 2017, but the uncertain global and local economic environments, together with the effects of changing global weather patterns, are factors which would adversely affect the company.

“We continue to examine areas in which we can diversify our business portfolio,” the Chairman added.

Meanwhile, the company also announced that its AGM will be held at Thirst Park on Saturday, January 27. At the AGM, shareholders will receive the financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2017, and the reports of the directors and auditors, among other activities.

“Nobody can stop us from building a law school” – AG

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espite various contentions surrounding the process by which Guyana is planning to set up a law school, the country’s Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams says that Guyana will go ahead with its plans.

Williams is holding out that Guyana has not been refused permission to set up a law school here. As such, preparations are being made to advance this process with the identification of space at the University of Guyana (UG) Turkeyen Campus where the proposed school should be built.

The AG said, however, while UG has identified 15 acres of the 150 acres that it has, which is close to the area that houses the Forensic Laboratory, that would not be sufficient.

“We are right now in the process of the feasibility where we looking at all fac-

Attorney General Basil Williams

tors including the criteria in establishing under the auspices of the (Council of Legal Education) CLE … nobody can stop us from building a law school … we are founding members of Caricom and we feel that we have a right … We want to build a law school here,” he added.

While the CLE has agreed to establish a law school in Guyana, approval would only be granted af-

ter a feasibility study is conducted. Asked to provide an update on this process which extends beyond finding a suitable location, the AG did not have this information readily available for the media.

However, this study is being conducted through a joint partnership with the University College of the Caribbean (UCC) and the Law College of the Americas (LCA), and the criteria of the University of The Bahamas, formerly The College of The Bahamas, to offer a law degree have to be applied.

Blame game

Again, Williams attacked CLE Chairman Reginald Armour. “We are saying that no international organisation is driven by the Opposition and we have an email sent from him (Armour) to (Anil) Nandlall assuring him that he will put the item on the agenda

without consulting me, the sitting Attorney General for Guyana,” Williams said, explaining that this led to a partial delay in the setting up of the school.

However, despite the blame game, the AG said he was not yet ready to inform the CLE of the members of a committee that will meet with that regional body next month. Although naming the members of that committee, Williams said, “We don’t have to submit nothing to no CLE until we are ready.

Mr Armour is not in charge of the CLE. Mr Armour is a servant of the Council, including the Council of Ministers who told him that he couldn’t publish no statement that he did and he had to withdraw it.”

The Attorney General revealed that the members of Guyana’s committee include the Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Yonette Cummings-Edwards;

Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George; Retired Justices Duke Pollard, Claudette Singh and Rudolph James; Professor Harold Lutchman, and the Registrar of UG, Dr Nigel Gravesande.

Williams maintains that a Review Committee could not overrule a decision taken by the Council in 2017 in regard to the issue of whether Guyana should be allowed to build a law school.

The Attorney General had, in early December 2017, said in a statement that the CLE Chairman was relying on a report of a Review Committee to state that the CLE never gave permission to Guyana to establish its own law school after decades of lobbying for an alternative to the three existing law schools currently servicing the Caribbean.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall had queried if graduates of the proposed law school would be eligible

to practise anywhere else in the Caribbean or the world, or whether graduates would be qualified to practise only in Guyana.

He also questioned the quality-control scrutiny, or steps taken to verify and authenticate the academic integrity and standards of the partners that would be assisting Guyana to set up the school.

Government announced in January 2017 it would start a project to establish the JOF Haynes Law School of the Americas.

The JOF Haynes Law School is being established through a public-private partnership entered into between the Government of Guyana, the Law School of the Americas (LCA) and the University College of the Caribbean (UCC), and will add to the existing options available to holders of a Bachelor of Laws (LLB).

10 news

tuesDAY, january 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Telecommunications Agency active – Minister …Board yet to be appointed …HP&RC Connectivity Project launched

Ex-GDF rank’s trial

Judge, jury visit Agricola murder scene

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u b l i c Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes on Friday signed a Commencement Order formally establishing the National Telecommunications Agency (NTA). She noted that a Board would be later appointed for the entity.

The National Telecommunications Agency (NTA), a product of the Telecommunications Act of 2016, will be responsible for spectrum management and licensing of wireless communication service providers.

Minister Hughes on Monday noted that the Public Telecommunications Ministry would have spent the last 18-20 months offsetting preparations for the agency.

“The objective of establishing the agency now is to give us time to put in place certain administrative arrangements that (are) necessary for the agency to function effectively when the entire act is brought into force. Some of the things the agency needs to put in place are its internal government arrangement -- such as financial regulations, human resource policy, rules of procedure of the board. The administrative procedure to facilitate the implementation of the legal provisions for licensing, monitoring, enforcement, and other responsibilities that are specified for the agency in the 2016 Act and in the regulations,” the minister noted.

The National Telecommunications Agency

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Former GDF rank Abiola Jacobs being escorted from court

From left: NTA Consultant Andre Griffith, Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes, and NDMA Chairman Floyd Levi

would also absorb the functions of the National Frequency Management Unit when fully established, and Minister Hughes noted that the board would have to begin the employees’ transition phase. She added that she does not foresee any retrenching of staffers.

Meanwhile, Consultant for the establishing of the Agency, Andre Griffith, noted that the order signed last Friday establishes the agency as a body corporate, and the agency would have begun the preparatory work for the policies. He noted that those polices would have to be assented to by a board, which is yet to be established.

“The functions of the agency are to be discharged by a Board, and that Board is authorized to regulate its own procedure. A lot of the preparatory work we have done is subject to the Board’s review, and (members of the board) would want to look at it, refine it, amend it,” he noted.

“We have the National Frequency Management

Unit which regulates the spectrum, and the Act requires that Unit be dissolved. There are certain provisions for the transferring of the staff to the Telecommunication Agency, and that can only be done by the Board,” Griffith added.

HP&RC Connectivity Project

Minister Hughes also used the opportunity to launch the National Data Management Authority’s Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities’ Connectivity Project, noting that it is designed to bridge the gap between the coast and the hinterland, thus ensuring that citizens in remote communities have access to the same services, facilities and Internet connectivity that exists on the coastland.

She noted that it is a vital part of the process of transforming Guyana into a smarter digital nation, with Internet-savvy citizens who can benefit from all of the new technologies.

NDMA Chairman Floyd Levi noted that the project

commenced on December 1, 2017, but preparations would have already begun prior to the commencement.

Levi also stated that the project is expected to run for 5 years, and targets the establishment of 200 ICT Hubs in hinterland, poor and remote communities.

Levi explained that the ultimate goal of the project is to enhance the sustainable development of the hinterland, poor and remote communities, while promoting the development of a national green economy. He added that the project focuses on three pillars, namely: policy development, access to ICT and government services, and information and capacity development.

The project is funded by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to a tune of US$17 million.

It is anticipated to impact 90 percent of the hinterland, poor and remote communities served, targeting over 580,000 citizens.

s the High Court trial of former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Private Abiola Jacobs continued, Justice James Bovell-Drakes, the presiding judge, and the jury on Monday visited the home of murdered housewife Donna Taylor, 55.

On January 31, 2014, Taylor’s motionless body was found lying face up at her Lot 16-17 Agricola, Greater Georgetown home. Her throat was slit, her hands were behind her back, and her shirt was wrapped around her neck.

The defendant, Jacobs, was placed at the scene of the attack. She has, however, denied the allegation of having murdered Taylor, and has been on trial for the last few weeks.

The jury was recently told

by Taylor’s daughter, Marcelle Collymore, that the accused, Abiola Jacobs, and her mother had had a fight on the day of her mother’s demise. This was also confirmed in the evidence of Police Superintendent Joel David, who testified that Jacobs informed him that she had spoken with Taylor on the day of her death.

Superintendent David had also observed that survivor of the attack, Samantha Sabbatt, had placed Jacobs at the scene of the January 31, 2014 ordeal. Sabbatt was an overseas British guest of the Taylors at the time of the housewife’s de-

mise, while Jacobs was the estranged girlfriend of Taylor’s son, Bertrum Taylor, Jr. It is believed that Jacobs killed her ex-boyfriend’s mother over the differences she shared with the woman’s son.

According to reports, the murdered woman was attacked while in bed at some time after 23:00h. She was reportedly dragged to the back of the Agricola flat that she rented.

Her body was discovered by a neighbor, who informed other relatives.

Samatha Sabatt was injured after she jumped from the window of the two-storey house when persons invaded the Lot 16-17 Agricola property. Taylor’s cause of death has been given as shock and haemorrhage due to incised wounds compounded with blunt trauma to the head.

Jacobs, of 55 Evans Phillips Park, Agricola, was arrested by Police just days after Taylor’s demise, and was subsequently charged with her murder.

The accused woman is being represented by Defence Counsel Adrian Thompson, while Prosecutors Lisa Cave and Mandell Moore are representing the State. After Monday’s visit to the area, Justice Bovell-Drakes adjourned the matter to continue on Thursday.

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tuesDAY, january 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

AFC executive accused of beating plantain chip vendor

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plantain chip vendor was allegedly beaten by a senior Alliance for Change (AFC) official on Sunday night.

Injured is Nateram Rabindranath, also called “Diamond”, 54, of Woodley Park, West Coast Berbice Region Five (Mahaica/ Berbice).

Reports are that at about 18:00h on Sunday, Rabindranath was beaten Abel Seetaram following an altercation which allegedly started after Seetaram’s 16-year-old son had had an argument with the vendor’s 21-year-old son. The teen reportedly complained to his father, and the father in turn allegedly pulled Rabindranath from his bicycle.

Seeing the confronta-

Nateram Rabindranath

tion ongoing, public-spirited persons attempted to intervene, but Seetaram’s wife, who was at the time

carrying a baby, reportedly jumped in the middle of the scuffle and claimed that if she was touched she would make a report at the Police station. This led to persons walking away and the fight ensued.

The injured man was picked and taken home, while relatives went to the Police station to report the incident. When they reached the Fort Wellington Police Station, Seetaram was already there. Subsequently, the Police went to the injured man’s home and took him away.

“I told them that they have to take the man to the hospital, and one of them said, ‘He bleeding too much, we have to walk and lift him and take him to the hospital’. They got him

Senior Alliance For Change (AFC) official Abel Seetaram

on the ground for a long time and then a corporal come and tell them to put

the man in the vehicle and take him to the hospital,” Rabindranath’s wife told this publication.

She added that when she reached the hospital it was 19:00h, and was told that she had to wait until 21:30h for a doctor to arrive and transfer her husband to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

“They refuse to allow us to take him to the Mahaicony Hospital, and they say that is the doctor has to do everything, so them ent do anything to him, just leave him lying there bleeding.”

Meanwhile, as family members and the Police were waiting on the doctor, some went back to the Fort Wellington Police Station so that a statement can be taken, but the officers there re-

fused to take one.

This publication was also told that subsequently family members approached them offering compensation.

Guyana Times understands that the Police have since arrested Seetaram.

Rabindranauth is now warded at the New Amsterdam Hospital, suffering from a fractured jaw, a fractured nose, and internal bleeding.

Medical reports also indicate that there is a clot in the skull.

On Sunday evening, doctors at the New Amsterdam Hospital performed emergency surgery on Rabindranauth, who arrived at the medical facility in an unconscious state.

Investigations are ongoing.

Garbage collection fee not yet decided – Town Clerk …consultations still ongoing

Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green

T

own Clerk Royston King on Monday noted that the administration of the City of Georgetown is yet to make a decision as it relates to the implementation of a garbage collection fee for residents.

King made this statement at Monday’s statutory meeting, adding that they were still in the consultation phase with at least five more public consultations expected before the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) voted on the issue.

After prematurely announcing that from February 1 the city would be collecting a $200 fee from residents for their garbage to be collected, King was instructed by Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green to hold at least one public consultation with residents. The first consultation, which was held on January 18, saw a mixed reaction from residents in attendance. One of the key factors highlighted was that citizens outside Georgetown would usually pay up to $400 to have their garbage collected.

After those consultations

are held, the proposal will then be eligible to be voted upon by the full council.

In light of this, the Mayor on Monday felt the need to emphasise that these consultations were still ongoing. “Pay or it will not be picked up. That is not the message we want to send,” she stressed.

Similarly, to that, King stated, “We have not agreed for anyone to pay for collection. We are still in the consultation phase.”

He went on to note that he hopes to go into communities to hold the remaining consultations, namely – Agricola, Cummings Lodge, and South and North Ruimveldt.

Central Government allocated $200 million to the debt-ridden City Hall in its 2018 budget. In disclosing how the Council would put this money to use, King had explained to Guyana Times that almost half of this money would be spent on building the city’s garbage collection independence. It is expected that City Hall would be using the bulk of

that money to procure two new garbage trucks to aid with its operations. The trucks are expected to arrive by June month-end and according to the Town Clerk, the estimated cost is $70 million, while allied

Town Clerk Royston King

equipment will be an additional $15 million.

King related that the objective was for the city to handle 60 per cent of its Solid Waste Management programme through collection in the city. He noted that this would be done incrementally and that the procurement of the trucks would be administered by the Communities Ministry.

The move to impose

a garbage collection fee is to help the city to gain much-needed revenue to execute its functions.

Owing to a lack of revenue and poor management of resources, Government

had to grant City Hall a bailout of $475,635, 245 to settle its debt to its major garbage contractors Puran Brothers and Cevons, as well as another company after they would have pulled their services owing to non-payment.

Puran Brothers Disposal and Cevons Waste Management withdrew their services on July 30, 2017, as City Hall’s debts had risen to the multimillion-dollar range. According to the companies, the issue of non-payment has been

a long-standing one, with many debts going as far back as 2015.

The two companies have since resumed collection and are expected to be paid monthly by City Hall.

Central Government has since warned the administration of City Hall against requesting another bailout.

Last September, the M&CC had implemented fees for commercial waste collection. Small business operators are required to pay $5000 per month while medium business-

es will contend with $8000 per month. However, large business operators across Georgetown were required to pay the most significant figure of $12,000 per month for their waste collection.

The Solid Waste Director had told the Council that while the originally approved fees for commercial garbage collection were $5000, $10,000 and $15,000 – the last two were reduced to $8000 and $12,000 after consultations.

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TuesDAY, january 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Rice Cereal Factory operates on market demand – management

…says factory not closed …disputes Region 2 Chairman’s claims ed those claims, noting that such statements could have been avoided had the Chairman taken up the invitation to visit the facility and engage management.

“We wish to reiterate this invitation, as we strongly believe that misunderstanding leading to misinformation can be avoided through dialogue and cooperation. It is rather unfortunate that the Regional Chairman, as reported in your newspaper article, was

Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt

H

ead of the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), Professor Suresh Narine, has refuted claims

by Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt, that the $100 million rice cereal factory has been non-operational for a period.

Ramdatt last week told Guyana Times that the factory operated for a while, but has now ceased operating because of unknown reasons. He added that as far as the statistics show, the factory made very little impact in terms of the unemployment rate and its contribution to the overall economic development of the region.

However, Professor Narine on Monday disput-

Director of IAST, Dr Suresh Narine

under the impression that the facility has been closed down.

We are delighted to help inform him that this is indeed not the case,” Professor Narine said in a statement to the <<Guyana Times>>.

In relation to the op-

eration of the factory, the IAST head noted that the plant began commercial operation from October 2017, and in December would have produced enough cereal to meet the demand for January 2018. He added that, given the availability of stocks, management used the downtime to service the plant.

Thus far, the factory has produced 7.565 tons of cereal, utilizing 6.890 tons of rice, 1.148 tons of sugar, 0.306 tons of rice bran, and 0.766 tons of molasses; and would have grossed twelve million seven hundred and fifty-eight thousand, eight hundred dollars ($12,758,800) in 2017, and five million, eight hundred and six thousand and fifty-nine dollars $5, 806, 059 for 2018, the statement noted.

All of the ingredients were sourced locally on the Essequibo Coast, with the exception of molasses, which was sourced directly from Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

“Based on our projected sales for 2018 of approximately $35 million, the IAST management has taken the deliberate decision to only operate the plant to produce cereal in order to keep up with market demand. Therefore, the plant shall be operated during the months of March, May, June, August, September and November in 2018,”

First Lady rolls out more training programmes

F

irst Lady Sandra Granger on Wednesday met with Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO), Jennifer Ferreira Dougall to discuss plans to implement projects such as the SelfReliance and Success in Business initiative in the Region during the course of 2018.

During the meeting, which was held at State House, the First Lady said that she was looking to collaborate with the Regional Administration to implement these projects with the aim of enhancing the lives of citizens of the Region. She explained that her office has been asked to train more women to be successful in their own business endeavours.

“This year, of course, we will also have training programmes in child care and care of the elderly with the aim of having those people who are trained certified by the Board of Industrial Training and we also have our [Information and Communication Technology] ICT work-

The Morning Glory Rice Cereal Factory

Professor Narine noted in his statement. “Additional production will be tapped to service emerging markets; but based on our current forecasting, the plant will be required to produce cereal during 2018 for a six-month period. Our choice of the production months is carefully related to demand, so

shops for adolescents and school leavers so those are some of the things that we plan to do this year,” she said. The First Lady said that her office was currently planning for this

year’s projects, and noted that she would be supported by the Education and Public Telecommunications Ministries in the implementation of some of the projects.

based on projections, that number is expected to increase, as additional markets are being sourced.

The facility that was once projected to create over 200 jobs currently employs 18 local staff, and 12 additional qualified technical persons, seconded from the IAST.

US$2.4M project for GSDS starts – Dept of the Environment

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

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First Lady Sandra Granger and Region Three DREO Jennifer Ferreira Dougall

that the product can be as fresh as possible,” he added.

Professor Narine further stated that the plant is operated with fiscal restraint to ensure efficient business and profitability. He added that, based on data collected, the factory would have seen 20 percent return on investment. He related that

ead of the Department of the Environment (DoE), Ndibi Schwiers on Monday at her Department’s annual sector review, announced that a US$2.4 million “Strengthening Technical Capacities to mainstream and monitor the RIO Convention through policy coordination” project 2016-2020, is being undertaken in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

To this end, several workshops and awareness sessions have been successfully conducted resulting in the participation of more than 400 persons from Government agencies and the Private Sector.

The GSDS will be the country’s third national development strategy and is intended to guide national development in all sectors. The DoE, Schwiers noted, is working with UN Environment, which is Guyana’s partner in developing the strategy.

Providing an update on the progress of the GSDS’ development, the Department

Head noted that several rounds of consultations have been hosted across the country, and the Department has been successful in starting what have been dubbed “green conversations”, which are intended to fill the awareness gap.

The Coordination Desk of the DoE is working along with the Communities and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministries to create a consultation plan. The next steps, according to Schwiers, will be research and drafting of the document.

To do this, the Department has developed seven thematic groups which coincide with the seven thematic areas of the GSDS. The University of Guyana is also playing an instrumental role in this process as its representatives are tasked with identifying seven thematic experts, who will assist the thematic groups in drafting various thematic elements of the GSDS. Schwiers informed that a meeting of the Advisory Group of the GSDS, which consists of the Chairs and Co-chairs of the seven thematic areas, is scheduled for January 25, 2018, to facilitate further discussions.

The DoE will also be focusing this year on an indepth programme review of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), harmonising environmental management countrywide and development of its strategic plan.

The job of the Department, Schwiers assured, is not to usurp the functions of the four agencies under its purview, which are the National Parks Commission, the Protected Areas Commission, the EPA and the Guyana

Head of the Department of the Environment, Ndibi Schwiers

Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission, but to support them.

In this vein, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon urged Heads of the respective agencies to focus on their objectives for 2018 and how they could adequately execute them placing greater emphasis on inter-agency support and collaboration.

They were urged to examine those “factors that impact on the work we have to do as a sector… I believe we are more in the regulatory framework than any other department because whatever happens in the environment if something goes wrong, we are the ones that people will look to,” the Minister is quoted as saying.

Responding to the challenges faced by the various agencies, Minister Harmon assured that in those areas that require it, an immediate intervention would be made.

Minister Harmon urged them to bring matters to his attention as they arise to ensure timely resolution which would allow for the efficient functioning of all the entities.

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tuesDAY, january 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Joint effort between Guyana,Brazil for 100% Yellow Fever coverage

Le Repentir Cemetery

Emotions overflow as City Hall debates repairing infrastructure I ...Councillors call for improved drainage over protection for dead

E

motions ran abound as the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC) debated the necessity of repairing the fence enclosing the Le Repentir Cemetery in order to prevent the upsurge of criminal activities, dumping of garbage, and vandalism of tombs.

Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen, at Monday’s Statutory Meeting, informed Councillors of the expected works at the cemetery. However, it was a pill too bitter to swallow for some of the councillors.

The Mayor brought to the attention of the Councillors that checks at the cemetery revealed a number of illegal activities being carried out there. She explained that there were pigs being reared, horses grazing, and a number of old, unused vehicles parked on the premises.

“I passed there at ten to twelve last night and saw a car parked in there; I don’t know what they were doing in there.” Chase-Green used this to allude to the need for the M&CC to have proper fencing and gates at the country’s largest cemetery.

The City’s administration had proposed to have the fence repaired and the gates fixed so that the cemetery could be closed at 18:00hrs and reopened at 06:00hrs every day, thus eliminating the possibility of harbouring criminals and facilitating vandalism of the tombs.

An overhead view of the Le Repentir Cemetery

After objections from a number of Councillors, Town Clerk Royston King sought to clarify the nature of the project, reiterating that the works are being done to prevent illegal activities from being carried out at the cemetery. He said it was the administrative responsibility of the M&CC to have the works done.

“You can tell a lot about a nation based on the way they treat their dead and infants,” King noted.

A passionate Carlyle Goring stood to oppose the matter, as he explained that a fence to the western side of the cemetery was erected some three years ago, and although it was funded by another entity, the Council still had to contribute financially for work to be done on the fence.

Not only did the Councillor question the reason for the fence being re-done, but he posed what in his opinion is a more im-

portant project. “Drainage in this city is a priority!” he exclaimed.

He went on to explain that the rainy season will soon be here and the drainage in the City leaves much to be desired.

Councillor Goring’s sentiment was echoed by fellow Councillor Andrea Marks, who explained that the canal in her constituency (Cummings Lodge) is in dire need of a clean -up.

Councillor Marks has for months been highlighting the plight of her constituency in relation to the drainage situation.

In efforts to placate the demands of the other Councillors, Chase-Green noted that the drainage issue would be looked into, and that works would be done as soon as the Council has the necessary approval.

Late last year, the M&CC commenced a $150 million rehabilitation exercise on the Le Repentir

New cereal hits local market

T

he Caribbean International D i s t r i b u t o r s Incorporated (CIDI) has launched its line of baby milk-based cereal products, and the manufacturers have assured that the products are nutritious and affordable.

It was explained that the cereals and Prolife baby milk products will be offered in packages of 230 grams and in a 210-gram tin in all of the country’s major supermarkets and shops.

Brand supervisor Seelochanie Manman highlighted the nutritive value of the product. “It is very rich in vitamins and iron, and is easily digestible. It is recommended for infants six months and over,” she explained.

She further noted that one should mix three tablespoonsful of the cereal into one cup of warm Prolife milk, which is the brand’s signature product.

The

CIDI Company Representative Vanessa Adams (left); Brand Supervisor Seelochanie Manman (right) and other staff

company stressed that users would be able to get value for money, as the product is affordable.

“I think what is most important with this cereal is that it is price-competitive...and combined with the Prolife milk, you can’t go wrong. We have trucks that will come to your locations and deliver directly to you and your shops,” company representative Vanessa Adams added.

The newly launched

product is available in four flavours – rice, five-cereal, apple-banana and corn.

Being in existence for almost 11 years, other products under the CIDI brand include Prolife Milk, Juicily Juices, More Juice and Prolife water.

Businesses desirous of becoming brand carriers are required to contact the company’s McDoom, Greater Georgetown and Corentyne, Berbice offices.

Cemetery to improve the overall outlook of the cemetery.

The restoration work included the removal of overgrown bushes using an “environmentally friendly chemical” to help with the overgrowth and hanging trees. A contractor is also responsible for clearing and weeding all canals and waterways in the cemetery.

It is the first time that the Council has hired a contractor to assist with the upkeep of the cemetery.

King, earlier this month, noted that persons hired by the Council would simply weed, leaving the Council with the added responsibility of finding more money to have the cemetery cleaned again.

According to King, the new arrangement with the contractor will not only help to secure the integrity of the cemetery, but will also help the Council to save money.

The contractor will work along with the Council’s technical team to ensure a robust maintenance programme would be ongoing over a three-month period.

The Town Clerk disclosed that the Council last year spent in excess of $80 million, while $60 million was expended the previous year on the cemetery.

n an effort to attain 100 percent yellow fever vaccination coverage in Guyana for 2018, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Shamdeo Persaud proposed a joint effort between the government and Brazil, similar to the initiative between Guyana and Suriname.

This was disclosed by Dr Persaud, on Friday, during a visit by Brazil’s Minister of Health Dr Ricardo Jose Managaines Barros and his team, to Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence.

According to Dr Persaud, Guyana was able to achieve 98 per cent vaccination coverage for 2017, one of the highest reports for yellow fever. He emphasised the need to strengthen the relationship between the countries in order to ensure that the quality and standards are maintained. “… An important issue for us, is the movement of people regardless if it is Venezuela, Guyana or some other (part) of our border sharing countries. I think these concerns are great for health because people do not only move with their money, they move with their illnesses, their infection, animals and even their food so we have to look at that”, the CMO explained.

According to the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/ WHO) website, the yellow fever vaccine, once administered, is valid for life.

However, these vaccines will be mandatory only for

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud

travellers moving between Guyana and neighbouring Brazil, and for children that are less than one year old.

However, it was advised the general public should also be immunised.

It was highlighted that both countries have directed their efforts in strengthening and promoting immunization. The PAHO/WHO had published a list of countries, including Guyana, which requires visitors to show proof of immunisation before entry is granted.

Additionally, Dr Persaud addressed the issue of building Guyana’s capacity to provide serum for snake venom.

He mentioned the difficulties faced when treating patients suffering from snake bites by common predators such as the Bushmaster, Rattlesnake and Libra. The serum for these three is produced in Brazil. The CMO said the government would like to see more development on the sharing of information regarding the manufacture of serum.

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tuesDAY, january 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 5 RDC to clamp down on roadside vending

Dulston Hutson addressing the RDC

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endors operating at the Rosignol ‘train line market’ are being accused of offering food to the public which might not be wholesome. This is according to one coalition Councillor of the Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

Addressing the RDC

last Thursday on the issue, Dulston Hutson said the operation of the illegal market created environmental health issues which the Region would have to deal with if appropriate action was not taken in time.

He referred to the market as roadside vending, while noting that fish, meat

and vegetables festered with thousands of flies.

“Something needs to be done. There is a market in the area, why isn’t it occupied?” Hutson questioned.

He was referring to the New Rosignol Market.

Vendors say that the market is in the wrong place.

According to them, over the past 10 years, they were forced to take up occupancy at the Rosignol New Market.

However, business was very slow and on each occasion, they were forced to go back to what was referred to as the ‘Train Line Market’.

“The market that they want people to go to is not in a good location. The distance is too far from the people,” one vendor said.

According to another vendor, it would be more profitable if the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC)

The ‘train line market’

constructed stalls at the ‘train line’ location and collected revenue from the vendors. “This is the busy place.

Where they build the market is near to the cane field.

They made a mistake and they acknowledge it,” another vendor claimed.

Less than three dozen vendors utilise the new facility on a daily basis. The fisheries section is never used.

Hutson noted that the NDC was duty-bound to ensure that the citizens of that community are offered wholesome food.

“We want to bring the efforts of that particular NDC that I am speaking of, whereby it has been report-

ed by the health department that they are making efforts to remove the vendors and address other matters of environmental health that are not in keeping with good regulations, but the challenge remains one that they cannot get past because the NDC, which has the final responsibility in prosecuting those that are in violation of the policies, the NDC is not working together with the (Environmental Health Officers )EHOs.” According to Hutson, many of the EHOs who are attached to the NDC have been doing their jobs, but NDC Councillors are frustrating the process. Making

specific mention of the Rosignol/Zee Lust NDC, Hutson said the EHO has documented his findings and has also suggested to the NDC that those vending are operating in an unhygienic environment.

He believes that Councillors on the Rosignol/ Zee Lust NDC might have a personal interest in allowing the residents of the community to be consuming food, which might not be wholesome.

Meanwhile, the New Rosignol Market is a hive of activity on Saturdays and many of those who operate at the ‘train line market’ find themselves there.

Minister Norton commences fact-finding mission

The New Rosignol Market

East Bank Berbice road project S finally advancing

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ommuting will soon be stress-free for residents on the East Bank of Berbice (EBB), as the $1.2B road rehabilitation project finally advances. The exercise, which commenced in August 2017 was delayed due to the obligatory removal of utilities; however, it is now back on stream.

Resident Engineer, Joel Tucker told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that works are ongoing in the Everton area which has fewer encumbrances.

He explained that the workers are currently widening the area which also involves full reconstruction.

“Then we’ll add on our base course and we should be on target to do the asphalt layer or the paving, sometime early in February and this will be roughly about 1.3 kilometres of work of the 5km.”

Tucker highlighted that the work officially began on December 04, 2017, when the ministry received its first consignment of white sand.

The project will see the construction of five kilometres of roadway from Overwinning to Everton, equipped with new features

The Overwinning area being prepared for rehabilitation

aimed at bolstering road safety.

“We’ll have the installation of highway lighting coming from Stanleytown in New Amsterdam right through to Everton, installation of guard rails; improvement in terms of traffic signage, and also the horizontal road signage as well,” Tucker underlined.

According to the Resident Engineer, the project will also see four structures rehabilitated and completely reconstructed. These are the bridges at Gay Park and Edinburg Bridge, a culvert

between Edinburg and Gay Park and a culvert at the Baptiste turn.

This multi-million-dollar venture is being executed by the Ministry’s Special Project Unit utilising its own equipment and employing persons from the EBB area. Contracts for the bridges and lighting were awarded to Yunas Civil and Building Construction Services and Cummings Electrical Company Limited respectively. The scheduled deadline for completion of the project is August 3.

ocial Cohesion Minsiter with the responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr George Norton, on Monday commenced the first in a series of visits to institutions that fall under his purview. The aim of this exercise is to interact with staff to find out about the challenges hampering their work so that improvements can be made, as the Minister endeavours to ensure the efficient functioning of his sector. During the exercise, Minister Norton visited the National Archives, the National Cultural Centre, Castellani House and the E.R. Burrowes School of Art. While at the National Archives, the minister spoke of his growing concern for staff welfare and pledged his commitment to improving the conditions under which they work.

“We are not here just to look at the structures, but to get to know the employees and knowing the conditions under which they work, whatever might be their concern… basically [we want to] foster better relations between the Minister and the workers,” Dr Norton said is quoted by the Department of Public Information.

Some of the issues affecting staff at the National Archives were the need for more storage space for documents, additional workforce, support in the conser-

Minister George Norton inspecting preserved documents that are centuries old. He is photographed here with Archivist Jenel Henry

vation and documentation of records, an improved medical plan, the issue of staff contractual agreements and the advertising of events for that institution. The Minister also spoke of the implementation of an Archival Committee, which is to be submitted to Cabinet for approval.

After the meeting, the minister was taken on a tour of the premises which was conducted by Archivist Ms. Nadia Carter. Dr Norton visited the Conservation Room, where records are carefully readied for preservation; the Digital Archival Room, where documents are scanned and saved digitally and the Storage Room, which houses old official gazettes, decades-old

newspapers, Government records, decades-old emigration certificates and past and present Guyanese and Caribbean written magazines and other historical records and documentations dating as far back as the 1700s.

After his visit, Minister Norton said that he is impressed with the work of the National Archives, particularly the digitisation of records. He then revealed that he plans to visit the Archives frequently, as well as other cultural intuitions that fall under his purview throughout the year.

Technical Officer of MoSC, Pamela Nauth and Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain also participated in the exercise.

15 Sisters Village gets ICT hub Brazil ex-leader Lula’s future on a knife edge T A news

tuesDAY, january 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

he first Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub for 2018 was officially launched on last week, in Sisters Village on the East Bank of Berbice (EBB).

The ICT hub’s establishment was made possible through a partnership between the Ministry of Public Telecommunication (MoPT), the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), and the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Addressing residents, Director of Community Development and Social Management, of the NDMA, Phillip Walcott said the Government is working to introduce more services online. Soon, residents of Sisters Village will be able to apply for birth vertificates, passports, make land registry queries and access other services online.

Walcott urged villagers to share their knowledge with others who are willing to learn, “so no one gets left behind as the country moves into the digital age”.

Also expressing his satisfaction with the establishment of the ICT hub was Commander of ‘B’ Division, Linden Alves. The Commander noted that the community will now be able to benefit from the internet service. He also expressed appreciation to the MoPT, on behalf of the Guyana Police Force, and made a commitment that the GPF is prepared to collaborate to establish hubs in other communities.

In August 2016, a survey was conducted in the village by Regional Staff of the National Data Management

Cutting of the ribbon: Director Phillip Walcott assists two young members of Sister Village to officially launch the ICT hub. Looking on is Commander of ‘B’ Division Lyndon Alves

Authority (NDMA) to determine the youth population, the number of micro, small, and medium enterprises; safe spaces within the community and the cost of assessing internet service, among other factors.

Commander of ‘B’ Division Lyndon Alves and Director of Community Development and Social Management, NDMA, Phillip Walcott.

Following a thorough assessment, it was discovered that the Sisters Community Centre was inhabitable as a result of vandalism. However, through Community networking,

the decision was made to approach the GPF to assist with providing a safe space within the Sisters Police Station to facilitate the ICT hub. Commander Alves readily agreed to the idea.

The Sisters Police Station has a youth group of over 70 youths between the ages of seven and eighteen.

These youths are involved in skills building activities such as arts and craft which they proudly displayed at the launching ceremony.

This hub takes the total to 17 established in Region Six , with a further 18 more slated to be operational by December 2018.

ll eyes are on the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre this week where judges are hearing an appeal against former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's sentence of almost 10 years in prison for corruption and money laundering. The decision could dictate the future of the country, as the BBC's South America correspondent Katy Watson reports.

While nobody knows which way, the judges are going to rule, one thing is clear: whatever their decision on Wednesday, Brazil will be divided.

Just nine months ahead of what many describe as the most uncertain presidential election in Brazil in decades, the political fragility in this country is clear.

It has been a fall from grace for Lula. He rose to power condemning corrupt politics and promised he would be different when he became president in 2003.

But corruption scandals plagued him during his eight years in power. In 2005, what is known as the Mensalao scandal nearly cost him his job.

Nevertheless, he left office in 2011 with record approval ratings.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

But then came Operation Car Wash.

The country's biggest ever corruption investigation started with the state-owned oil company Petrobras but its focus spread as it uncovered more and more threads of the complex web of corruption.

Some of Brazil's biggest business leaders and politicians have now been implicated, including current President Michel Temer and former presidents Lula and Dilma Rousseff.

Lula's sentence for corruption is just one of sever-

'Dreamers' disappointed that Congress deferred DACA deal

Mom on $500,000 bail for 3 guns

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President of the Guyana Oil & Gas Energy Chamber, Manniram Prashad, meeting with Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Franklyn Khan, at his office in Port-of-Spain. Prashad is representing Guyana’s Private Sector at the Trinidad & Tobago Oil and Gas Conference held at the Hyatt.

Prashad is expected to promote close collaboration in the oil and gas industries between the two countries’ private sectors. He is scheduled to meet with several heads of corporations and visit oil refineries

mother of two was granted $500,000 million bail on a charge of possession of three guns.

Sinear Kasha Christy Maharaj, 27, of Cedar Grove, Hermitage Village, near San Fernando, Trinidad was convicted in February last year of gun possession and fined $8,000. She is the mother of two girls, aged six and nine.

Last Friday she was arrested again and charged with possession of three guns.

Maharaj was taken before senior magistrate Cherril-Anne Antoine, who read the charge to her that she was found in possession of two Smith and Wesson .38, a .357 Magnum and a .38 Tarrus revolver.

Maharaj was arrested at about midday on Friday at her home in Hermitage Village. She is to reappear on February 19. (T&T Newsday)

al cases against the former leader.

While the appeal is under way, Lula has remained free and opinion polls suggest he is the front runner in the race to be elected president in October.

If the judges sitting in the Regional Federal Tribunal 4 (TRF-4) decide on Wednesday to uphold the original sentence, Lula is likely to appeal against it in a higher court but his presidential ambitions will be curtailed nevertheless. (BBC)

DACA recipients and supporters protest for a clean Dream Act outside Disneyland in Anaheim, California (REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson)

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oung “Dreamers” brought to the United States illegally as children were angry and disappointed on Monday after the US Congress approved a temporary spending bill to end a three-day government shutdown without a deal to shore up their shaky legal status. US Senate Democrats accepted the bill to restore funds to keep the Government running for three more weeks in exchange for a promise by Republicans to hold a debate on the status of the young immigrants.

“It’s irresponsible of everyone in Congress not to pass something,” said Jovan Rodriguez, 27, who was brought to the United States from Mexico by his parents when he was 3 years old.

“I‘m really disappointed.”

Republican US President Donald Trump was expected to sign the legislation, putting Government workers who were furloughed back to work.

Last year, Trump ordered an end by March to protections provided to the estimated 700,000 Dreamers under the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, program, an executive order put in place by former Democratic President Barack Obama.

Under the program, young people who qualified were allowed to live openly in the United States, working and attending college and shielded from deportation. A court has put a temporary stay on Trump’s order. After news of the spending bill, some Dreamers and their sup-

porters briefly blocked the entrance to Disneyland in California. Marches and civil disobedience were planned in Los Angeles, San Diego, Washington and elsewhere.

Democratic lawmakers had initially vowed to oppose any bill to fund the government without an agreement to restore the DACA protections. But Republicans refused to budge, instead tying the spending bill to a program favored by Democrats that provides healthcare to poor and working-class children. (Reuters)

Correction

G

uyana Times on Monday, January 23, 2018 inadvertently quoted Mr Kit Nascimento as saying that Ogle Airport Incorporated (OAI) is in discussion with Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (ESSO) for the lease of land for the purpose of building its head office with plans to construct a helipad, training centre and living quarters equivalent to a hotel. However, Mr Nascimento’s comments were in relation to only the building of a headquarters.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, january 23, 2018

Regional

“Put Trump in his place”: nationalism awakens in Mexican presidential race

U

S President Donald Trump’s habit of slapping down Mexico is feeding nationalist sentiment in the country’s presidential election campaign, prompting contenders to defy him and strengthening the hand of the frontrunner, who is courting the anti-establishment vote.

In the past week, the three top contenders for the July election have all said Mexico will not pay for the wall the US President wants to build on the US southern border. None has made the point more forcefully than Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a veteran leftist leading the opinion polls.

A victory for Lopez Obrador, who was runner-up in 2006 and 2012, could usher in a more distant and confrontational re-

Ricardo Anaya, presidential pre-candidate for the National Action Party (PAN), who leads a left-right coalition, addresses supporters during a rally in Huixquilucan, on the outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico, January 20, 2018

lationship between the two nations as he promises to lessen Mexico’s economic dependence on foreign powers.

That dependence is

strongest with the United States: Mexico sends about 80 per cent of its exports to its northern neighbour and the United States has tra-

ditionally been the source of the bulk of foreign direct investment. Under Trump, however, Mexican views of the United States have soured.

“Without being disrespectful, we’re going to put him in his place,” Lopez Obrador said of Trump on Thursday in the Gulf of Mexico port of Veracruz, the scene of a notorious national humiliation when US forces occupied it in 1914.

Earlier that day, Trump told his Twitter followers that Mexico was “rated the number one most dangerous country in the world.”

Although violence is rising in Mexico, its murder rate remains well below that of several Latin American countries, data compiled by the United Nations and the World Bank show. (Excerpt from Reuters)

UK, Canada issue travel advisories after state of emergency declared in Jamaica

A

state of emergency declared in Jamaica in the parish of St James, where the island’s tourist capital Montego Bay is located, has triggered the United Kingdom and Canada to issue travel advisories for their citizens in the area.

The state of emergency was declared by Prime Minister Andrew Holness last Thursday, in the face of a growing crime problem in the north-western parish where 335 murders were

committed last year.

That same day, the British Government advised its citizens to stay indoors as much as possible.

“You should follow local advice, including restrictions in selected areas. You should limit your movements outside of resorts in the area at this time, and exercise particular care if travelling at night. Travel to and from the airport or for excursions should be undertaken with organised tour operators, and transport

should be arranged or provided by the resort hotels,” the Foreign Office advised.

A day later, the Canadian Government issued similar advice.

It urged its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution at all times.

“If you are staying at a resort in the affected area, restrict your movements beyond resort security perimeters. If you do travel outside these perimeters, use transportation arranged or provided by the resort. Use or-

ganised tour operators for excursions and travel to and from the airport. If you are in the affected area, be extremely vigilant, follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor local news,” it said.

Under the state of public emergency, security forces will have extraordinary powers, and some rights are suspended.

Additionally, businesses and recreational areas are under a temporary curfew.

Paula-Mae Weekes will return to Trinidad and Tobago from the Turks and Caicos Islands where she was working as a judge

L

ongtime jurist PaulaMae Weekes will serve as Trinidad and Tobago’s sixth President and the first woman to hold the position.

She was declared President-elect last Friday when Parliament’s Electoral College met to choose a successor for Anthony Carmona, who demits office in March, and she was the sole nominee.

Weekes became a High Court judge in T&T in September 1996, before being elevated to Court of

Appeal Judge in 2005. She served in that position until she retired in the twin-island republic in 2016. She was sworn in as a judge of the Turks and Caicos Islands Court of Appeal in February 2017, for a three-year term.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said Weekes has all the qualities that are necessary to become the country’s next Head of State.

“Madam Justice Paula Mae Weekes is eminently suited to carry out these duties, to bring calm and confidence to our national gov-

B

arbados has not seen the end of the battle by the island’s largest Public Sector Union, the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), to secure a salary increase for its members.

Against the backdrop of heavy criticism of its decision to stage a national shutdown last Thursday and Friday, NUPW President Akanni McDowall has made it clear that “the NUPW is committed to securing a salary increase for its members, regardless of the party in power, endorsement from other unions or the opinions of social commentators.

Neither silence, contempt, award or reward will sway us to do otherwise”.

From all reports, Government services continued to operate normally, even in the face of the Union’s “two days of protest and resistance”.

However, the NUPW

boss rubbished suggestions that the protest action failed, saying that, “initial reports indicate that our efforts were effective, based on the numbers of members who stayed away from work and the respective Government departments adversely affected”.

McDowall remains adamant that the NUPW would not be sidetracked by “one-upmanship or the arrogance of devising arguments to prove the strike’s success”.

He insisted that the Union’s action was justified, saying that the failure of the Ministry of the Civil Service to respond to the Union’s January 15th deadline to settle the issue was nothing short of disrespect for public servants.

McDowall also blasted social commentators and parliamentarians who suggested that the Union’s stance was political. (Excerpt from

Caribbean360)

Colombia landslide kills 13 as bus is swept into ravine

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

History created as T&T’s Electoral College chooses country’s 1st female President ernance and to demonstrate that necessary ingredient of good judgement which is the unscripted recipe for a successful undertaking of this solemn assignment,” he said.

Rowley added that her ascension to the highest office of the land was the perfect opportunity for citizens to sit up and take notice.

“This is a fitting time, as good a time as any, for

Barbados: Union not backing down from wage fight with Govt

our young people and indeed each and every citizen, to recommit to being the best that we can be. Justice Weekes’ story serves as a living example that nothing is beyond our reach. The simple truth is that with hard work, dedication, discipline and good character, in this land of Trinidad and Tobago, no accomplishment, no accolade, nor position is beyond reach. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

The landslide came down on the road leading from the city of Tumaco to Pasto

A

t least 13 people were killed when the bus they were travelling in was swept into a ravine by a landslide.

The accident happened in south-east Colombia on the road leading from the city of Tumaco to Pasto after particularly heavy rainfall.

Seven men, five women and a newborn died as 5000 cubic metres (175,000 cubic feet) of soil came loose.

Landslides are common

in Colombia and roads are often cut by tonnes of earth sliding down from hillsides.

The 16-seat bus picked up passengers en route, officials said. It is, therefore, not clear if there could be more victims than the 13 who have so far been found.

Last year, more than 250 people were killed in mudslides in the town of Mocoa when the river of the same name overflowed. (BBC News)

Ecuador leader calls Julian Assange an ‘inherited problem’

E

cuador’s President Lenín Moreno has described WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange as an “inherited problem” in a television interview.

Assange has been living inside the Ecuadorean embassy in London since June 2012, when he claimed political asylum.

He had been wanted on assault claims in Sweden,

which have been dropped, but says he fears extradition to the United States.

The United Kingdom recently refused to recognise Assange as a diplomatic agent, which would have provided him with immunity.

President Moreno said Assange had created “more than a nuisance” for his Government.

He has in the past

warned the WikiLeaks founder not to interfere in Ecuadorean politics or “that of nations that are our friends”.

His warning followed Assange’s public support for the independence campaign in Catalonia.

Assange has also had at least one meeting with former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, although Farage has dismissed reports that

his contact with Assange was more frequent.

The WikiLeaks founder was also reprimanded for interfering in the 2016 US election after publishing hacked emails from the campaign team of Hillary Clinton.

Assange was granted asylum by President Moreno’s predecessor in office, Rafael Correa. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

tuesDAY, january 23, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

EU discordant notes on Jerusalem US shutdown to end as US, underline Mideast policy rift Senate strikes deal

The three-day shutdown was expected to end in a few hours

T

he US Government’s partial shutdown is set to end after Senate Republicans and Democrats voted to approve a temporary funding bill.

Senator Chuck Schumer said Democrats would support the bill if Republicans addressed a programme that shields young immigrants from deportation.

Democrats refused to vote for the bill unless they

secured protections for recipients of the Obama-era programme.

Schumer said the threeday shutdown was expected to end in a few hours.

“We will vote today to reopen the Government to continue negotiating a global agreement,” Schumer said.

He lambasted President Donald Trump for failing to help reach a bipartisan deal, adding that he had not spo-

ken with him since a meeting on Friday before the shutdown began.

“The great deal-making president sat on the sidelines,” Schumer said.

The New York Senator said he was hopeful about talks on so-called Dreamers, more than 700,000 young immigrants brought to the US as children who were protected under the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) programme.

Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell said his party intended to consider legislation “that would address Daca, border security and related issues, as well as disaster relief”.

“We need to move forward and the first step, the very first step, is ending the shutdown,” McConnell said.

The Republican President said in a statement: “We will make a longterm deal on immigration if, and only if, it is good for our country.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

US Vice President Mike Pence shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem, January 22, 2018

I

n a fresh display of Western discord over Middle East peace efforts, the United States said on Monday its Israel embassy would move to Jerusalem by the end of 2019, while its European Union allies voiced support for East Jerusalem as capital of a Palestinian state.

Vice President Mike Pence, visiting Jerusalem,

announced the timing of the move in a speech to Israel’s Parliament, earning applause from Israeli legislators but also stirring a brief protest by Israeli Arab lawmakers, who held signs reading “Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine”.

In Brussels, the EU’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini assured Palestinian President

Mahmoud Abbas at a meeting that the EU supported his ambition to have East Jerusalem as capital of a Palestinian state.

US President Donald Trump suddenly reversed decades of US policy in December when he recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, generating fury from Palestinians and the Arab world and concern among Washington’s western allies.

Trump’s move delighted Israel, Washington’s closest Middle East ally, but stirred disquiet from world powers including Russia and China who worry it would stoke regional tensions and further drive a wedge between Israel and the Palestinians.

Many countries believe Jerusalem should ultimately be shared between Israel and a future Palestinian state and so are unwilling to make decisions about recognition of its status before a comprehensive peace settlement is agreed. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Pope Francis sorry for Violence after India top court lifts ban on film upsetting abuse victims

P

ope Francis has apologised for remarks he made last week in Chile defending a bishop accused of covering up sexual abuse.

He said he realised his words hurt many, but repeated his belief that Chilean Bishop Juan Barros was innocent.

The pontiff was speaking to Journalists on board a plane flying back to Rome.

Last week, he had said that victims who had accused Bishop Barros were committing slander.

The Pope was openly criticised by Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston, who said he left victims of sexual abuse committed by priests feeling abandoned.

“I apologise to them if I hurt them without realising it, but it was a wound that I inflicted without meaning to,” said the Pope on Monday, as quoted by

Reuters news agency. “It pains me very much.”

Bishop Barros has not been accused of abuse, but of being present when another priest, Fernando Karadima, molested young boys.

When questioned by a Chilean Journalist on Thursday, the Argentine pontiff had said: “The day they bring me proof against Bishop Barros, then I will speak. There is not a single piece of proof against him.

Everything is slander. Is this clear?”

This prompted some of Karadima’s victims to hold a press conference where they said it was “offensive and unacceptable to say that we need to provide concrete evidence”.

On Monday, the Pope said he regretted using the word “proof”, saying he realised that it came off as a slap in the face. (Excerpt from BBC News)

P

rotesters in India’s Gujarat have blocked roads and caused local bus services to be suspended, after the Supreme Court cleared the release of controversial Bollywood film “Padmavat”.

Extremist Hindu groups torched buses and vandalised a theatre in the western state of Gujarat on Sunday.

Despite the court ruling and tightened security, theatre owners in the state have decided against screening the film as they fear further violence.

“Padmavat” will release

Protests continue over the release of the film

on January 25.

The film tells the story of a 14th Century Hindu queen

belonging to the high Rajput caste and the Muslim ruler Alauddin Khilji. Bollywood

stars Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh play the lead roles.

Hindu groups and Rajput caste organisations allege that the movie, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, depicts an intimate romantic scene between the two characters, which they say “disrespects” her character. The producers of the film deny this.

Last week, the court cleared the film’s release and overturned the decision by four states to ban its screening. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Sudanese authorities release Reuters, AFP Journalists

S

udanese authorities on Monday released a Reuters journalist and an Agence FrancePresse (AFP) reporter who were detained while covering protests in Khartoum on Wednesday last week.

Reuters regained contact with its Sudanese reporter, Khalid Abdelaziz, on Monday evening for the

first time since before his arrest. He said he had not been mistreated, and was released alongside the AFP reporter and another local Journalist.

No charges were filed against the reporters, who were detained in Khartoum’s Kobar prison.

“We are extremely relieved that Reuters reporter

Khalid Abdelaziz has been released from detention in Khartoum,” a Reuters spokesperson said.

“He has been reunited with his family and will return to the important work of reporting on events in Sudan in due course.”

AFP published a news story confirming the release of its reporter.

The Journalists were detained while covering protests and clashes with security forces which broke out across Sudan early this month after Khartoum imposed tough economic measures in line with recommendations by the International Monetary Fund. (Excerpt from Reuters)

UAE officials under investigation for torture China says United States is real threat to global trade, not itself

T

he UK Police are actively investigating a group of United Arab Emirates officials for torture and cruel treatment inflicted on several Qatari nationals, a human rights lawyer has said.

The Emiratis may be questioned and arrested if they were to enter the UK under the principle of universal jurisdiction, says Rodney Dixon, a barrister at Temple Garden Chambers representing three Qatari

nationals, who were imprisoned and tortured between 2013 and 2015 in Emirati prisons.

“We provided information about 10 suspects. All of them are Emiratis in official positions who were either directly involved in acts of torture or were superiors in charge, who failed to prevent torture to happen under their chain of command,” Dixon told Al Jazeera on Monday. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

T

he United States, not China, threatens the global trade system, China’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday, after US President Donald Trump’s Administration called US support for Beijing’s joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2001 a mistake.

WTO rules have proved ineffective in making China embrace a market-oriented trade regime, and the United States “erred” in backing China’s entry to the trade body on such terms, the office of the US Trade Representative said last week.

Its report came as Trump weighs a

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi

series of trade actions against Beijing, including a decision in a “Section 301” investigation into China’s alleged theft of intellectual property, expected in the next few weeks.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said that since China joined the WTO, it had strictly followed the body’s rules, carried out its obligations and contributed to the development of the multilateral system.

Other countries have benefited from trade with China, which has stuck by the route of reform and opening up and has supported an open global economy, she added. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, january 23, 2018

ARCHIE

You’ll be tempted to make ARIES rash decisions or take an un(March 21- predictable path. If you focus April 19) more on self-improvement and how you can best serve others, you will bypass criticism and complaints.

Look for opportunities, TAURUS but don’t take action hastily.

(April 20- Moderate investing will help May 20) keep you out of financial crisis. A partnership will have both a negative and positive influence.

dilbert

Emotional mistakes can GEMINI be avoided if you are practi(May 21cal. Levelheaded decisions will June 20)

give you a clear passage to pursue worthwhile goals. Personal growth, proper diet and exercise are encouraged.

The key to your success will CANCER be getting along and keeping (June 21- the peace in order to avoid an July 22) emotional dispute or meltdown.

Upbeat, positive choices are recommended.

Peanuts

Alter the way you live, LEO but don’t overspend or go (July 23- into debt trying to outdo your Aug. 22) neighbours or friends. A minimalist lifestyle will help lower your stress.

A persuasive offer or joint VIRGO venture will not be as awe(Aug. 23some as you anticipate. Use Sept. 22) your intelligence and gather knowledge that will help you take care of business on your own.

Calvin and Hobbes

An unexpected change will LIBRA (Sept. 23- leave you wondering what to Oct. 23) do next. Don’t act in haste.

Wait for emotions to soften. Offer comfort and understanding, but don’t meddle or interfere.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Keep your emotions well SCORPIO hidden.

Listen carefully and (Oct. 24reveal little.

If you show your Nov. 22) vulnerability, you will end up being taken for granted.

Protect your heart, health and feelings.

Good times are heading SAGITTARIUS your way. Personal change (Nov. 23will help point you in the Dec. 21) right direction, and happiness and a better understanding of what you want to achieve will be yours.

CAPRICORN An emotional stalemate will occur if you decide to battle some(Dec. 22one who doesn’t share your Jan. 19) opinion or want to make the same changes as you. Be prepared to walk away.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle Do what feels right and

AQUARIUS works best for you. Rely on ex(Jan. 20- perience to guide you into the Feb. 19) future. Accept the inevitable and reject bullies and manipulators.

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

Making a change for the PISCES (Feb. 20- wrong reason can turn out to March 20) be costly. Do your homework and don’t rely on what someone else tells you. Follow your path, not someone else’s.

tuesDAY, january 23, 2018

19

Australian Open

Djokovic beaten, Federer advances S

outh Korea’s Chung Hyeon played superbly to beat Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open as the six-time champion struggled with injury.

Chung, 21, won 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 7-6 (73) to become the first Korean player to reach t h e last

eight at a Grand Slam.

He will face another surprise quarter-finalist after American Tennys Sandgren upset fifth seed Dominic Thiem.

Djokovic, 30, had treatment to his right elbow after the first set and was visibly in pain at times.

“Unfortunately, it’s not great,” he said afterwards.

“Kind of end of the first set it started hurting more, so I had to deal with it until the end of the match.”

The Serb, seeded 14th, missed the second half of the 2017 season with an elbow injury, and was making his return to competitive action in

Melbourne.

“I was hoping I can go through [the tournament],” he added.

“But I don’t want to talk about my injury tonight because then I’m taking away Chung’s victory, the credit Novak Djokovic was the Australian that he deserves.”

Open champion in 2008, 2011, Djokovic made it through 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016 three rounds but could not cope

with a brilliant performance from Chung, while at the same time clearly struggling physically.

Chung’s ability to turn defence into attack and prevail in epic rallies was reminiscent of Djokovic himself.

“When I’m young, I’m just trying Arena, to copy Novak because he’s my idol,” p laysaid Chung. ing in Meanwhile, defending champithe day session for the first on Roger Federer eased through time in 2018, as he made to the Australian Open quarter-fiquick work of Fucsovics to nals with a straight-set win over win in two hours, one minHungary’s Marton Fucsovics. ute.

The 19-time Grand Slam winner “Playing at night, going is yet to lose a set at Melbourne Park to bed at 3am, is a different this year, seeing off world number 80 rhythm to playing in the day Fucsovics 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 6-2. time,” he added.

Second seed Federer, 36, will face It took Federer four break Czech Tomas Berdych in the last eight, points to earn an advantage in who he beat in last year’s third the first set, before taking the round. second on a tie-break.

“I am sure he wants to make But the five-time Australian me pay for that one,” said Open winner broke early in the third Federer. and followed up with another break of “I saw his matches, he serve to set up a repeat of last year’s third is standing up hitting round. big shots and I am glad Berdych, the 19th seed, earned his place he’s back.” in the last eight with a 6-1 Five-time champion, The Swiss was in su6-4 6-4 win over Italy’s Fabio Roger Federer sets perb form on Rod Laver Fognini. (BBC Sport) up quarter-final date

T

Root to miss T20s Down Under E

Joe Root will return for the five-match one-day series against New Zealand, starting in Hamilton on February 25

ngland Test captain Joe Root will miss the forthcoming Twenty20 tri-series against Australia and New Zealand.

The 27-year-old Yorkshire batsman will return to England for a break.

Root played the full Ashes Test series, which the tourists lost 4-0, and has featured in the first three matches of the one-day series against Australia.

“I came into this tour wanting to play everything. I love playing for England and I don’t like missing games of cricket,” said Root.

“I had a long chat with [coach] Trevor Bayliss about things, and there’s obviously a big summer ahead and a lot of cricket still to be played.”

Root suffered from severe dehydra-

tion, diarrhoea and vomiting because of a viral gastroenteritis bug during the final Ashes Test against Australia in Sydney.

He is yet to be replaced for next month’s Twenty20 series, which Eoin Morgan will lead as England’s limited-overs captain.

Root will return for the fivematch one-day series against New Zealand, starting in Hamilton on 25 February.

England host Pakistan in a two-Test series starting at Lord’s on May 24. (BBC

Sport)

om Brady threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes as champions the New England Patriots reached the Super Bowl for the third time in four seasons.

The Patriots overcame the Jacksonville Jaguars 2420 to book a showdown

against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Quarterback Nick Foles threw three touchdowns as the Eagles thrashed the Minnesota Vikings 38-7.

The Patriots will equal Pittsburgh’s record of six Super Bowl triumphs if they win on 4 February in Minneapolis.

“It’s pretty crazy,” said five-time Super Bowl winner Brady, who had been struggling with a hand injury in the build-up to the match.

“It’s pretty amazing to be on a team that wins these kind of games. It’s so great.”

Super Bowl 52 will be a rematch of the 39th staging of the annual finale to the NFL season, when quarterback Brady threw two touchdown passes and the Patriots won

24-21 for their third title in four seasons.

They could complete the same run of success in two weeks when they play in a record 10th Super Bowl.

The Eagles, whose other Super Bowl appearance in 1981 also ended in defeat, last won an NFL title in 1960 before the Super Bowl era began.

Brady, who needed stitches for an injury to his right hand suffered in practice on Wednesday, completed 26 of 38 passes for 290 yards, 138 of them in the fourth quarter, as the Patriots clinched the AFC Championship.

“We said whatever it takes,” said the 40-year-old.

“That was a great second half. I’m just so proud of our team. Amazing.”

The Patriots trailed by 10 points in the final quarter but Brady’s touchdown pass to Danny Amendola reduced the deficit to 20-17.

Amendola then pulled off an acrobatic catch to secure the decisive touchBrady secured his place down. (BBC Sport) in an eighth Super Bowl

20

Hemraj, Paul top Jaguars’ success stories

Keemo Paul

Says Akeem Greene

C

hand r a p a u l Hemraj and Keemo Paul; let’s remember these two names since for a long time we should be reading about them following success gathered from playing for the Guyana Jaguars in the just concluded Cricket West Indies Professional Cricket League Digicel Regional Four-day tournament.

It was the first full season for the duo who are now finding their feet in FirstClass cricket and boy did they deliver monumentally. Their astonishing exploits played great influential roles in the Jaguars winning their fourth consecutive four-day title.

While the precious and maiden First-Class century evaded the stylish Hemraj, he topped his team’s batting charts with 623 runs at an average of 36.64; five half-centuries were also scored and the figures pi-

R

y a n Hercules, the head coach of the Essequibo team, is very optimistic his side will pull off the oneday title as well when they feature in t h e

Keemo Paul

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, january 23, 2018

loted him into fifth place on the overall championship charts.

It was not just about the runs he accumulated but rather the manner in which he got them. For the left-handed batsman who is 24 years-old has just 15 matches under his belt, he looked impregnable against some seasoned campaigners.

After spending some time away from the sport, the former Windies under-19 player showed some form during the latter stage of the 2016-17 season.

It gave the biggest hint of what was to be expected.

In his first of the just concluded season he made a well composed 60 against Jamaica Scorpions at Providence.

Though just seven fours and one six, he looked the most positive of all the batsmen, taking the initiative to the opposition.

Hailing from Mahaica on the East Coast of Demerara, his adeptness to playing spin was impeccable, using the crease to his desire. Oh and let’s not forget his crunching square-cut against seamers; many times it left fielders unmoved.

There is more fascination about the Everest Cricket Club player as after coming off two consecutive half-centuries at the number three position, he was asked open

the batting. He failed on his first outing against Leeward Hurricanes in St Kitts with scores of 0 and 23. However, he soon found his mojo and the runs returned in a position he remained until the end of the season which had a fruitful pairing with Everest club mate and good friend, Tagenarine Chanderpaul.

Against Barbados Pride at the Kensington Oval in the penultimate round, his maiden century was in his grasp but he had the long walk back to the pavilion after falling for 90. With multiple occasions to seal the triple figure score, the lefthander must now be cognisant of the fact that he would just need to hold his concentration for longer whenever approaching that landmark.

Let’s shift our attention to Keemo Paul now. He stands next in line with 42 wickets (most by any seamer this season) at an average of 18.69. Best innings figures were 5-59 while match figures read 9-122.

Those exploits helped the 19 year-old surpass 50 FirstClass wickets in just 13 matches. It gets even better since he notched his maiden ton in belligerent manner against the Scorpions on his way to scoring 260 runs, though at a disappoint average of 18.57.

While his tally with the bat is expected to improve as he learns more about his cricket, the bowling has

2017 Guyana Cricket Board Jaguars Franchise 50-over nationwide competition at t h e Albion Community C e n t r e Development ground.

After triumphing with the three-day trophy, Hercules is highly confident the guys can also do the same thing in the shorter format.

Essequibo will clash with the winner of today’s semi-finalists Georgetown and defending champions Lower Corentyne at Everest Cricket Club ground on Thursday.

Essequibo have advanced to the final by virtue of topping the points table with 30 points. The former Guyana youth player Hercules mentioned that winning four matches in the preliminary round was also motivating and he has every reason to be confident

that they can come out on top again like they did in three-day competition.

“We have a good team and very balanced as well; the players are pumped up and ready to go in this championship encounter. We want to make history as well by winning the three-day tournament and now the limited-over and I am very upbeat we will do it whether against Georgetown or Lower Corentyne,” Hercules related.

Hercules further said he will be banking heavily on the senior and experienced players to dominate proceedings because they have been consistent throughout the competition.

Ricardo Adams, Keemo Paul, Kevon Boodie, Anthony Adams and kemol Savory are some of the bigname players who can perform outstandingly well for Essequibo Franchise on this final occasion.

The 30-year-old

been nothing short of spectacular.

A right-arm seamer who hails from the island of Saxacalli in the Essequibo River, the former Windies under-19 vice-captain is by all means not considered to be any menacing bowler but rather ‘street smart’ in out-thinking batsmen.

However, on some flat pitches he showed he can find an extra yard of pace, producing some hostile spells. Most notably would be at Kensington Oval where he had the local batsmen at sea with meaningful shortpitched bowling and then pitching perfect in-swingers.

L o n g - s t a n d i n g Barbadian commentator Andrew Mason was in full praise of the lad, highlighting his great ability to analyse batsmen quickly and execute. His fast growth as a cricket, only points to one inevitable fact that donning the maroon cap is not far away.

Though Paul and Hemraj as young cricketers, who are now finding their feet, they were other players in the Jaguars unit who put their hands up when the team needed.

Another teenager in all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford showed he has the ingredients to have a long and fruitful career. His tally of 22 wickets was the second best by a seamer in the squad and he took had great opportunity to score

a century in the final match against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force but fell agonizingly for 93.

Overall his nine matches yielded 343 runs at an average of 38.11. The admirable aspect of his season stems on the premise that he is known for his flamboyance with the willow. He plays lots of shots and has shown maturity and ability to bat based on the situation.

Last but not least, is wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble who had a season to remember both behind and in front of the stumps.

With a highest score of 196 not out against the Hurricanes, Bramble racked up 613 runs at an average of 47.15 which nearly doubled his tally from the last season. He acted as the ‘saviour’ on many occasions and that high score was indicative of one of those situations. Bramble’s career best innings began when Jaguars were tottering at 41-4 in their first innings at Providence but was enough for the easy 10-wicket victory in the end.

And with gloves on, he

Chandrapul Hemaraj

took 4 2 catches and three stumpings a total of 45 with the next best being 16 dismissals by Hurricanes’ Jahmar Hamilton.

Special mention must be given to seasoned campaigner Veerasammy Permaul, who topped the championship’s bowling charts with 50 wickets and Tagenarine Chanderpaul who recorded his maiden ton. Windies ‘A’ team are expected to engaged this year in home and away series and if deservedly selected it should provide these talented lads with the litmus test to determine if they are ready for International cricket.

Bacchus Hercules confident of re-elected claiming double to lead ECB F

Essequibo Head Coach Ryan Hercules

Hercules declared that the team which is almost identical to the three-day one, is playing committed cricket and that makes the difference so far. Even though the Essequibians are still basking in glory with three longer format trophy, they are taking it simple to lift another one, according to Hercules, who played professionally in England too during his cricket career.

izul Bacchus was re-elected as President of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) for a third consecutive two-year term when the body held its Annual General Meeting and elections on Sunday at its Hostel in Anna Regina.

Viren Chintamani was elected as the Vice President while Otto Christiani will serve as the Secretary. The Assistant Secretary is Nazeer Mohamed, Andy Ramnarine is the Treasurer and the Assistant Treasurer is Alvin Johnson.

Rashaad McKinnon will perform duties of the Marketing Manager and Ragobar (only name given) is the Competition’s Committee Chairman. Tamika Johnson was elected as the Public Relations Officer.

The Trustees are Z. Zakier and Prince Holder.

The ECB is consists of eight area committees; Pomeroon, Central Essequibo, North Essequibo, South Essequibo, Wakenaam, L e g u a n , East Bank Essequibo and Bartica.

Fizul Bacchus

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sports

Another day, another gold G

uyana's National B a d m i n t o n Champion and Olympic medal prospect; Narayan Ramdhani won the Championship at the VCR Jack Underhill Open Singles Tournament played at the

for Ramdhani

In a release to the media from the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA), it was noted; “this is a great achievement considering last year he got the Bronze Medal in Singles at this tournament and this year he won the gold which shows that his training is progressing at the Shuttlesport Badminton Academy in Vancouver where he is based for over a year and a half now. There is no doubt that he has a consistent high record over the last 8 years.”

This is also his second gold in a stretch as he won the Under-23 Men Singles at the 2017 VRC Remembrance Day Open Badminton Tournament in Vancouver, BC, Canada last year (2017).

The Matches played leading up to his Victory in the tournament were: Open Men Singles: First round: Narayan Ramdhani defeated Eric Tung: 21-13, 21-11 Quarter final: Narayan Ramdhani defeated Boyuan Zhang: 21-8, 21-11 Semi-finals: Narayan Ramdhani defeated David Tsai: 21-17, 21-15 Final: Narayan Ramdhani defeated Mandinu Desilva 21-19, 2116 Open Men Doubles

Vancouver Rackets Club in Vancouver BC, Canada over the weekend.

Ramdhani won the Gold Medal in the Open Men Singles Competition and Bronze in the Open Men Doubles.

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21

Guyana’s world rated badminton player Narayan Ramdhani in action in the championship match

Round Robin: Narayan Ramdhani & Zach Fan defeated Joshua Chang & Eric Tung: 21-19, 2115

Narayan Ramdhani & Zach Fan defeated Jake Ching & Eric lau: 15-21, 21-15, 21-19 N a r a y a n Ramdhani & Zach Fan lost to Jordan Beatty & Mandinu Desilva: 21-19, 9-21, 21-10 N a r a y a n Ramdhani & Zach Fan lost to Stevie Fung & David Tsai: 13-21, 15-21 Narayan will be taking part in a number of tournaments leading up to the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast Australia in April 2018 where he will be representing the Golden Arrowhead.

Narayan Ramdhani with his medal

Australian Open

Halep, Kerber pushed but move on T

op seed Simona Halep recovered from a third-round win that lasted nearly four hours to beat Naomi Osaka and reach the Australian Open quarter-finals.

The Romanian, 26, came through a tight first set before racing away to a 6-3 6-2 victory in Melbourne.

She will face sixth seed Karolina Pliskova in the quarter-final.

Pliskova, 25, beat fellow Czech and 20th seed Barbora Strycova 6-7 6-3 6-2 in a night session match lasting two hours, 41 minutes at Rod Laver Arena.

Earlier, Halep had showed no sign of the ankle injury she suffered in the first round.

"It was a great match," said Halep.

"I am really happy to be back in the quarter-finals.

I didn't expect this at the

start of the tournament because of the injury.

"The tournament has been a marathon for me.

I am just trying to enjoy it and give everything."

It is the third time Halep has made the last eight at Melbourne Park but the first time since 2015.

The two-time French Open runner-up is chasing a maiden Grand Slam title af-

ter securing the number one ranking last October.

And former champion Angelique Kerber battled back against world number 88 Hsieh Su-wei to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals.

Kerber, the favourite for the title following her convincing win over Maria Sharapova in round three, recovered from a set down to

win 4-6 7-5 6-2.

The 30-yearold German and 21st seed is the last remaining Grand slam champion in the women's singles draw.

She will play American 17th seed Madison Keys in the last eight. (BBC Sport)

Angelique Kerber is a twotime Grand Slam champion and former world number one

Simona Halep won in 79 minutes to remain on course for a first Grand Slam title

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, january 23, 2018

Guyana to host Women’s

World T20

…final heads to Antigua

A

ntigua and Barbuda, Guyana and St Lucia were announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as the venues for the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 2018, which will be staged from 9-24 November.

Hosts Windies will defend the title they won with an eight wicket victory over Australia in Kolkata in 2016. Stafanie Taylor, who was named as captain of the ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2017, won the player of the series award in India and is expected to once again lead the Windies in front of a passionate home crowd.

The three venues were selected by Cricket West Indies through a bidding process and have been ratified by the ICC. The preliminary round matches will be held at the Guyana National Stadium and Darren Sammy Stadium in Saint Lucia, while Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua and Barbuda will stage the two semi-finals and the final.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “We are delighted to have Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana and St Lucia on board as hosts for the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 later this year.

“Of course, Windies women are the reigning ICC World Twenty20 champions and I’ve no doubt they’ll be looking to defend their title on home soil. We are keen to build on the momentum from this summer’s Women’s World Cup and I’m sure the players can rely on a warm welcome from the legendary cricket fans in the West Indies and we’re all in for a great experience in the Caribbean.”

ICC Women’s World Twenty20 2018 Tournament Director Jennifer Nero added: “We are excited to be hosting the very first stand-alone ICC Women's World T20. This will add to the established passion for women's cricket throughout our Region. This is significant not just for the advancement of the sport of cricket but also for the potential for sharing with the world the many irresistible offerings of the beautiful countries of the West Indies.

"We welcome cricket fans around the world to the home of the reigning ICC Women's WT20 Champions to celebrate with us as we host the world's best women cricketers in this highly competitive tournament infused with all the truly festive and uniquely Caribbean flavors.”

Windies Women will defend their World T20 title in familiar conditions in the Caribbean

Windies captain Stafanie Taylor said: “As Captain of the defending champions, we are keen on defending our title and since we know we will be at home, we want to use this as an opportunity to welcome the world to the region for top-class competitive Women's cricket.”

The hosts will be joined by New Zealand, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and world champions England who have all achieved qualification. The re-

Regal All Stars

overpower Speedboat R egal All Stars defeated Speedboat in two consecutive softball matches played on Sunday at the Everest Cricket Club ground by narrow margins.

Regal, took the first match by four runs then did a little better winning the second game by eight runs. In the opening encounter, Regal All Stars took to the crease first and scored 116-9 off their allocation of 15 overs. Richard Latif was the only batsman to make it into double figures with 32 including three fours and two sixes. Speedboat bowling were led by I. Ivan who

snared 3-7, Shazim Hussein 3-12 and Mark Harold 2-19.

Speedboat made a powerful reply but fell for 112

in 14 overs. Kawson Joseph made 16 not out and Harold 12; Fazal Rafek captured 2-20 and Latif 2-23.

The second match followed a similar pattern with Regal batting first again and getting a top score from Latif. This time he smoked 35 while Fazal Rafek supported with 24 that saw Regal All Stars posting 1037, from their allotted 10 overs. Mark Harold and K. Bell claimed three wickets each.

Speedboat were restricted for 95-8 in reply. Lennox “The Assassin” Marks 14 and Wazir Hussain 13 were the only batsmen to reach double figures as Amir

Nizamudeen took two wickets.

In the Masters segment, Regal beat HS Masters by 58 runs. Regal Masters rattled up 145-5 in 15 overs, taking first strike. Rudolph Baker slammed 51 with seven sixes while Mahase Chunilall got 31. HS Masters responded with 87 all out; Troy Kippins picked up 2-8 and David Harper 2-20.

Latif and Baker were named MVP in their respective categories.

The competition was sponsored by Regal Sports, Elegance Jewellery and Pawn Shop, Ink Plus and Crown Mining.

The Caribbean hosted the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007 and then staged the ICC World Twenty20 in 2010 when the league matches of the women’s tournament were played in St Kitts, while St Lucia hosted the two semi-finals. The final in Barbados was played after the men’s final and was won by Australia when they beat New Zealand by three runs.

The details of the tournament, including groups and fixtures, will be announced in due course. (ICC)

Smith hits record-breaking 151 not out W

Mahesh Chunilall

Richard Latif

maining two spots will be taken

by Bangladesh, Holland, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand, Uganda or United Arab Emirates, all of whom will compete in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier in the Netherlands from 3-14 July.

The November event in the Caribbean will be the first stand-alone ICC Women’s World Twenty20 after the past six events were played alongside the men’s event.

indwards Islands Volcanoes b a t s man Devon Smith played his way into the record books with an unbeaten 151 not out against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in a drawn Windies Professional Cricket L e a g u e ( W P C L ) Regional 4-Day fixture at Warner Park o n

Devon Smith joins the elite ‘1000 runs in a single season club’

Sunday.

The battling second innings knock saw the in-form 36-year-old become the record holder for the most runs scored in a single-season after amassing 1095 runs this campaign. Smith the fourth man to reach the 1,000-run mark, joined Narsingh Deonarine (1,068), the late Runako Morton (1,010) and veteran former West Indies and Barbados player Floyd Reifer (1,002).

The Grenadian, perhaps more significantly, also broke the all-time scoring record for the first class championship, and surpassed 13,000 first class runs.

The match itself proved of very little significance. the Windwards, who were dismissed for 197 in the first innings after Smith went for a duck, found themselves on the back foot after the Leewards Island posted 405-9 declared in their first turn at the crease.

The effort was led by Devon Thomas’ sparkling 172. In reply the Windwards were in no mood to crumble twice as Smith’s effort backed up 160 unbeaten from opener Tyrone Theophile as the team posted 342-1 before the close of play. Kirk Edwards was the lone wicket to fall after he was dismissed for 7 by Rahkeem Cornwall in the first five overs. The partnership between Theophile and Smith counted for 323 and was the highest of the season. It was also the sixth century of the season for Smith. (Sportsmax)

23 “We played our best cricket this year” – Johnson A tuesDAY, january 23, 2018

fter the first season we spoke and said teams will get close to us and the last two seasons teams have pushed us and we came back stronger and I think out of the four titles, we played our best cricket this year.”

Those were the words of an elated Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson as he reflected on another stupendous season at the helm of the new powerhouses in Regional First-Class cricket.

For the fourth consecutive season, the coveted Headley/Weekes Trophy remains in the possession of Guyana and the Test batsman is optimistic about winning a fifth.

“This is four straight

guyanatimesgy.com

and it’s a good feeling since we put in a lot of work before the season start and it has paid dividends to the coaching staff and rest of the team. It is a job well done and hopefully we make it five next year.”

Guyana join Barbados (1977-1980) and Jamaica (2008-2012) as the only teams to win the title for four consecutive seasons and they also managed to replicate their 2015-16 season by playing unbeaten after ten rounds.

Etching his name into the annals of history, the Test player contended the feat ranks high on his pedestal of accomplishments.

“I think it is right up there, probably with sports-

Captain Leon Johnson seated alongside Guyana Cricket Secretary Anand Sanasie and Cricket West Indies Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams, teammates and coaching staff with the symbol of Regional First-Class cricket supremacy, the Headley-Weekes Trophy

man of the year last year.

It’s not easy to win four championships in a row. For this competition, I think we are most outstanding team and it shows since we have played unbeaten.”

One highlight of the Jaguars has been their comradery both on and off the field which has bailed out of some precarious situations. It meant individual brilliances were a crucial

GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson U15 League – EBFA

A

seco n d half double off the boot of Vincent Chin piloted Grove Hi Tech to a solid 4-1 win over Kuru Kururu Warriors in the first match of the GFF/Pele Alumini Frank Watson U15 Intra Association League, East Bank Football Association (EBFA) leg which kicked off on Saturday last with a single match.

Following the march pass which attracted ten of twelve possible teams, home team Grove and their arch rivals Kuru Kururu Warriors based on the Linden Soesdyke Highway squared off in the inaugural match of the league, the EBFA being the first association to commence the Intra Association tournament.

Teams have been on pause for almost one year but were finally given the opportunity to showcase their skills with the aim of coming out as the inaugural champions but more importantly; players would be aiming to be good enough to be called to the Academy Training Center team, a

Grove Hi Tech hammer Kuru Kururu Warriors

Corbin to file controversial appeal after

KO

…cries ‘distraction’ Shawn Corbin was knocked unconscious by Sheldon Lawrence on Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

This Kuru Kururu Warriors player being closely observed by his Grove counterpart with colleagues in pursuit on Saturday at the Grove Playfield

Under-15 players played with passion from the first whistle with former EBFA female junior player of Diamond United, Diane Angoy, the Referee in charge.

The fast paced match saw both teams enjoying a fair amount of ball possession but it was the Warriors

Grove Hi Tech goal scorers from right, Devon Padmore, Zewdi Francois and Vincent Chin

precursor to national selection.

Watched by President of the GFF, Wayne Forde along with EBFA President and Secretary Franklin Wilson and Wayne Francois, the

factor and Barbadian-born all-rounder Raymon Reifer has been one of those players whose consistency has been unmatched though he has only played three matches.

“We had Raymon from the inception of the professional league and he has picked up 80 odd wickets in four years and his batting has improved. He is a Test play now and still very hungry. He has learnt a lot as when he came he was a bit inexperienced. He is a good find for us.”

Next season is expected to commence OctoberNovember this year and the 30 year-old said they will reflect on the season since it was not perfect and look to address those areas.

However, their focus now is on their bid to do a ‘double’ by winning the upcoming Regional Super50 title.

(Akeem Greene)

which drew first blood in the first minute of added on time in the first half, matches being played for 70 minutes.

Carl Punous nudged one past Hi Tech’s goalkeeper, Ramesh Persaud who also stood between the uprights in the club’s Ralph Green Under-11 campaign but had to stand down in the final two matches due to him turning 12.

Despite the fact that they were a goal down going into the final 35-minutes, the home team never lost focus and their higher level of fitness made the difference in the long run.

The Warriors found the going tough as the game motored on and it was the Hi Tech boys which turned up the heat to the extent that the fired in four unanswered goals to take full points.

Zewdi Francois was the first on the score sheet for the home team with the neutralising goal in the 53rd minute that broke the back of the Highway boys. Seven minutes later, the goal ahead goal came off the boot of Vincent Chin, his first of two in the 60th minute.

Captain Devon Padmore doubled the advantage in the 63rd minute to put the game way beyond the reach of the Warriors which could not find an answer to the relentless offensive raids by the home team.

The icing was put on the cake with three minutes to full time, Chin achieving his double in the 67th minute of an entertaining match which saw a number of talented players on show.

The action will continue this weekend at the same venue.

F

ollowing his 11th round knock-out on Saturday at the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC)/ Nexgen Global Marketing international fight card “Sangre Malo” held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), light heavyweight boxer Shawn Corbin has thoughts to file an appeal to the GBBC citing “distraction” by his opponent’s trainer and Trinidadian boxing promoter Boxu Potts.

This is according to a source close to the organizers of the international fight card; Corbin was knocked out two minutes 52 seconds into the 11th round of his light heavyweight WBC FECARBOX title fight against current champion Sheldon Lawrence.

The Guyanese, Corbin who trained under Potts in Trinidad and Tobago some years ago is alleging that it was a “plot” between Potts and his fighter Lawrence to distract him in a bid for a knock-out opportunity.

Corbin told the source who spoke to Guyana Times Sport under condition of anonymity that in the 11th round Potts was calling in a loud and distracting way for him which led to him having a lapse in concentration during which Lawrence pounced at the opening and subsequently knocked him out.

However, after reviewing footage of the fight, it is unclear at which point Corbin was ‘distracted.’

In the early stages of the fight Corbin was having things his own way against T&T’s WBC FECARBOX Light Heavyweight Champion Sheldon Lawrence and was in front on all of the Judges’ cards until he was hit with a brutal right hook to the temple and was knocked unconscious in the 11th round of their 12-round title fight.

As a result of the blow Corbin fell he hit the back of his head on the canvas and was taken by stretcher to the hospital in an unconscious state.

(Michelangelo Jacobus)

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

tuesDAY, january 23, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana to host Women’s World T20 …final heads to Antigua Pg 22 The Guyana National Stadium has hosted six matches during the World T20 in 2010

Pg 21

Corbin to file controversial appeal after

KO

Another day, another gold for Ramdhani …cries ‘distraction’ Pg 23

Shawn Corbin in action against Sheldon Lawrence

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