Guyanatimes 5 december 2017

Prolonged ‘cuss out’ of ExxonMobil unwarranted – Greenidge P5

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3413

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

PRICE

Budget 2018 debate

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Economy has lost its vibrancy – Irfaan Ali

GAWU condemns P9 “cold”, “heartless” plans for sugar industry

Psychiatric Hospital to P12 get facelift

…says “good life” is a “good lie” ...Govt MP says it's “fit and proper” See stories Pages on 3,7&11

PSC rescinds West Dem Hospital administrator’s promotion P11 …legal challenge filed in High Court

Murder/suicide

Wife knew P7 husband was planning to kill her – relative

BHS sex scandal

Crime Chief demoted Page 2 to Deputy Commander

Waitress’s body found in Berbice trench Page 15

PPP urges Govt to halt Stockfeeds privatisation

Page 9

…says move calculated to benefit a strong APNU/AFC supporter

Police still building P12 case …no court date in sight soon – Commander

Parking space row leaves Guyanese man dead in NYC P10

2 news

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Crime Chief demoted to Deputy Commander

S

ubstantive Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum, has been removed from his post, and will now act as Deputy Commander of “A” Division.

While Blanhum was on leave, Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Williams was functioning as interim crime chief, and will continue to function in that capacity, according to acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine.

Ramnarine has said that Blanhum’s being reposted to second in command of ‘A’ Division was not done without precedent. He said this was done to facilitate the Force’s annual Christmas security programme.

“Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum has been reposted, and that is to ‘A’ Division as the second in command….I am in command of the Force, and I have noted that the Assistant Commissioner, law enforcement, Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul

Division A Deputy Commander Wendell Blanhum

Williams, is functioning in that capacity, and I would like it to continue because (of) the arrangements we have for the Christmas season, and (I would) also (like) to note that Mr Blanhum’s reposting is not without precedent,” Ramnarine said in an invited comment.

However, he refused to comment further when asked whether the demo-

tion was in keeping with the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger.

On March 29 last, Andriff Gillard reported to the Police that his friend and neighbour, Nizam Khan, had offered him $7 million to assassinate the President.

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

Following the allegation, President Granger ordered the CoI to investigate the Police investigation of the allegation, and to also make recommendations to address flaws.

Retired Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe conducted the CoI, and handed the report to President Granger at the end of August.

When Crime Chief Blanhum took to the stand before that CoI, a clash be-

Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine

tween Slowe and Blanhum ensued. Blanhum was the first person to receive information of the alleged plot, and was instructed by Ramnarine to personally oversee the investigation.

The commission found that Blanhum had failed to properly supervise the investigation, and lied while under oath when he said it was his decision to send Nizam Khan on bail. It was

recommended that Blanhum should be disciplined for all those infractions.

“He was insubordinate when he took a rude, argumentative and aggressive posture at the Commission of Inquiry. He should be disciplined for this. His lack of supervision of this important investigation; his utterances, disrespect and arrogance displayed before the Commission show that he is incapable of functioning as the crime chief, the lead investigator and manager of the major investigating unit of the Guyana Police Force.

Blanhum should be replaced as Crime Chief, and reassigned in order to gain command experience,” Slowe recommended.

Since taking up the post of Crime Chief in May of 2015, Blanum had reopened several high-profile cases, such as the execution of fashion designer Trevor Rose; the 1993 murder case of Monica Reece; and the robbery/murder of Sheema Mangar.

Mashramani Costume Designer and Events Coordinator Trevor Rose was gunned on January 26, 2014 while sitting in the

back seat of a Toyota 212 at Eccles Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD). He had fathered eight children, and the investigations are progressing, according to the Police.

Former Demerara Bank employee Sheema Mangar, 20, was victim of a robbery sometime after 18:00hrs on September 10, 2010 as she waited for transportation on North Road. She chased the robber, who jumped into the car that dragged her from outside Bedford Methodist Church at Camp Street and North Road to the intersection of Camp and Church Streets. She died hours later at St Joseph Mercy Hospital.

The body of the 23-yearold security guard Monica Reece was dumped from a speeding pickup in the vicinity of the Geddes Grant building (now Courts) on Main Street, Georgetown on April 9, 1993. Her identification was later determined as Monica Reece. It was a Good Friday night that the murder took place.

Blanhum and a team of detectives were able to crack the murder case of Babita Sarjou in May of 2016.

Security guard dies days after being hit by truck – Police yet to determine if accident linked to brutal murder of schoolteacher

T

he security guard who allegedly saw a car dumping battered Richard Ishmael Secondary School teacher Kescia Branche on Cemetery Road a few weeks ago died days after he was struck down by a truck on Princes Street.

Dead is Norbert Lamazon of Princes Street, Wortmanville. He was reportedly struck from behind by a truck sometime between Thursday night and Friday morning last week.

The man died late Saturday afternoon while receiving medical treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The dead man’s mother, Gloria Barker, told Guyana Times, via telephone, that the family received a call on Friday afternoon informing them that her son was missing.

She said that a report was made to the Police and the family began searching for Lamazon. His daughter discovered his remains at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he died on Saturday.

The grieving mother explained that details surrounding her son’s death were sketchy, but they were informed by hospital officials that Lamazon was involved in a hit-and-run accident.

“We get the call and they didn’t say what happen.

We search the hospital and so, but didn’t find him, but Saturday a friend said that

they see he in the hospital and when he daughter reach there, he was already dead,” Barker related.

A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara) Commander Marlon Chapman said that the Police had questioned Lamazon in connection with the dumping of the teacher who succumbed days later, and he had shared some information with them.

However, Commander Chapman did not reveal what information the now deceased man provided to the Police, while saying that it was too early to determine if the accident was linked to the brutal murder of the schoolteacher. The Police, however, are exploring every angle.

“We spoke to him long before the incident and we are aware of his accident and subsequent death, and we have launched an investigation to determine what happened…it would be too early to say if it is linked to the information, but we are exploring all sides,” Chapman said.

It was suggested that Lamazon might have been killed in order to “shut him up”, preventing him from giving the Police additional information.

A post-mortem examination is expected to be performed on Lamazon’s body on Wednesday.

Investigations are ongoing.

news

3

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Budget 2018 debate

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

Tuesday, December 5 – 05:00h-06:30h and Wednesday, December 6 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, December 5 – 05:35h-07:05h and Wednesday, December 6 – 06:25h-07:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers will prevail throughout the day and evening, interrupted by heavy rain showers in the mid afternoon. Temperatures should range between 25 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 05:30h and 17:44h reaching maximum heights of 2.76 metres and 2.88 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:17h and 23:47h reaching minimum heights of 0.50 metre and 0.34 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, december 2, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS E

02 03 12 21 24 27 25 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Monday, DECEMBER 4, 2017

DAILY MILLIONS 05 06 08 14 22 LUCKY 3 3 6 7 Afternoon Draw

7

7

7

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

07 08 11 12 16 17 21 DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

Economy has lost its vibrancy – Irfaan Ali …says “good life” is a “good lie”

B

udget 2018 has been described as the worst financial paper ever produced by any Government; one that lacks hope, creativity, innovation, and thinking power; and that does not have the ability to create and advance opportunities for the people of Guyana.

This was the firm view expressed by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Irfaan Ali, who was the first to lead the charge in the 2018 budget debates which commenced on Monday in the National Assembly.

Ali said the budget has failed to address employment and several other bread-and-butter issues. “The 2018 Budget is by far the most disastrous budget presented to this Honourable House since 1992. This budget is devoid of any measure to rescue the ailing economy, or improve the well-being of our people,” Ali charged.

The former Housing Minister told the House that is it therefore easy to conclude that the so-called ‘good life’ will not be realized with this budget, or during the first term of the coalition Government.

He said that given the many broken promises by the APNU/AFC Government, Guyanese are likely not to fall for it.

Zeroing on some of the most important issues affecting Guyanese daily, Ali pointed to the fact that parents (especially single parent mothers) who were denied the $10,000 cash grant are still being burdened with tax on educational services that approximates to $342 million annually.

Ali told the National Assembly that the Guyanese economy has lost its vibrancy since 2015, and continues to limp along towards the elusive ‘good life’ concept. This, according to him, is evident from the suboptimal growth registered over the past three years.

“Mr Speaker, the suboptimal performance of our economy is not accidental, but may be attributed to poor policy decisions and gross mismanagement by APNU/AFC Government, (which) caused our traditional sectors to underperform,” Ali added, while the Opposition side of the House cheered on in support.

Ali zeroed in on the poor performance of the main traditional sectors, pointing out that the projected output levels from rice and bauxite for 2017 were lower than the value of outputs reported in 2014.

“Given the fact that approximately 61,000 employees and their relatives

Opposition Member of Parliament Irfaan Ali speaking passionately during the commencement of the Budget debate 2018 on Monday

(some 244,276 persons) rely on these sectors for their livelihood, it means that a significant portion of our population (approximately 32.9%) would have suffered severe hardship,” he opined.

“Mr Speaker, the traditional sectors are not the only casualties of the gross mismanagement by the APNU/AFC Government, but businesses generally.

Indeed, this Government has made the environment so toxic that the ‘ease of doing business’ ranking of Guyana slipped to 126 in 2017 from 124 in 2016.”

Inflation

Amidst the slowdown in the economy and consequent loss in income, the average consumer has had to cope

with rising prices for food (4.5%), medical and personal care (3.4%), and education (4.6%), according to Ali. The price increases for these exceeded the overall inflation rate of 2.0%, and may be attributed to the taxes that were added to essential food items, education, and personal health care.

The former minister asserted that consumers are expected to pay $40.4 billion in Value-Added Tax (VAT) for 2017, which is $3.1 billion more than the amount they paid in 2014.

He said that, instead of paying less VAT, consumers are currently paying more VAT, and are expected to pay even more in 2018.

Turn to page 12

4

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017

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

Reviewing the Old Age Pension

M

any citizens are very much disappointed in the manner in which our older folks are currently being treated considering the lofty promises made by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition during the 2015 General Election campaign. It could be recalled that when the APNU/AFC were in Opposition, they used every opportunity at their disposal to criticise the then People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration for not adequately taking care of senior citizens and had vowed that once they form the next government, the situation would change for the better.

Now, after two and a half years of their being at the helm of Government, citizens are still waiting for most of these promises to be fulfilled. For example, the parties had promised that within the first 100 days in office, pensions will “significantly” increase. They had also promised that under an APNU/AFC Government, elderly folks will be able to live a more comfortable, safe and dignified life as the necessary policy mechanisms will be put in place to ensure they (pensioners) enjoy their ‘golden years’.

Since the coalition Government took office, they did give pensioners various increases. But were such increases adequate to take care of their needs? In his most recent budget presentation last Monday, the Finance Minister announced that Old Age Pensions would be increased by $500, taking the new sum to $19,500 per month. As part of its PR gimmick, the Administration has been boasting as if this paltry increase would make such a huge difference in the lives of pensioners as it relates to their living a comfortable life.

As with similar situations, politicians tend to use numbers to manipulate the populace into thinking that they are better off when compared to what obtained before. However, if one were to do a basic survey, it would prove that pensioners in Guyana are struggling daily to meet their basic expenses and more often than not, are forced to depend on others to help out.

It could be recalled that the coalition Government withdrew the electricity and water assistance programme which had started under the previous Government. For many, this was viewed as a very unpopular move which led to severe hardships for our senior folks.

The general view is that a meagre increase in Old Age Pension cannot be equated with the benefits that were offered through the provision of electricity and water subsidies. Prior to 2016, pensioners across Guyana received relief from Government through the water and electricity subsidies, coupled with a monthly pension of $13,125. This is not to say that everything was fine for pensioners under the previous Government; in fact, it was far from that. The ideal situation is that every succeeding government should aim to build on and improve what existed before.

The Budget debates have begun in the National Assembly, and there is still time before the estimates are finalised and passed into law. We urge the Government to seriously reconsider the allocations for old age pensioners, as the sum allocated is inadequate if one were to consider the sharp increase in commodity prices and the high utility bills pensioners are saddled with.

If we are going to ensure that our senior citizens enjoy the “good life”, then they must, first of all, be entitled to a decent and liveable pension. Added to this is that it would be a great joy for many if the Government were to take a decision to have the water and electricity subsidies restored.

That said, the Administration must continue exploring ways and means of creating a more comfortable life for all our senior citizens. We had stated before that there was need for special care homes, retirement homes, special transportation and priority treatment for our elderly. Also, there must be increased focus on long-term health care of older adults suffering from mental disorders, as well as to provide caregivers with education, training, and support.

Members of the Anstruther RNLI get together ahead of the festive period for practice drills and exercises at the Lifeboat Station in Anstruther, Fife (telegraph.co.uk)

Profits should not take precedence over health concerns Dear Editor, Kindly permit us agonising villagers a fraction of your space to vent our concerns with regard to the growing impending health endangerment we are currently facing at Belvedere Village, Corentyne, Berbice at the hands of a self- interested businessman.

The anger, frustration, sickness and disgust cannot be suppressed anymore since over the past years, numerous complaints had fallen on deaf ears! Complaints were made to the Public Health

Inspector, but to no avail.

A businessman has a chicken outlet right at the head of our street and hundreds of live chickens are brought from his farm on a daily basis. However, the wastes from his operations are improperly disposed of and as the wind blows, we face an unbearable stench of chicken faeces, dead chicken at various stages of decomposition, blood, etc. Unfortunately, these environmental hazards do not end there. The dirty remains of these chickens are visible in the drains, and sadly any-

time it rains the water pushes these into our yards making our homes a breeding ground for bacteria and toxins.

This odour nuisance and water and land pollution have become a real threat to our existence. It can lead to human health conditions of the skin, eyes and ears. In addition, waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea can be caused by the polluted water emanating from this risky outlet operation. Our children suffer greatly from this health hazard.

We are calling on the Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA) and the relevant authorities to immediately investigate this health threat and give us some relief.

We, the residents, are also planning a picketing exercise at Belvedere, should there be a failure to address our concerns.

Profits’ consideration should not take precedence over grave health concerns.

Yours sincerely, Deowattie Gopaul Latchman Mohabir and other affected residents

Transformative project badly needed for Region 6 Dear Editor, The Honourable Finance Minister, Winston Jordan in his 2018 Budget presentation assured the agriculture sector that “the Government is committed to improving the livelihoods of rice farmers”. He further added that “one important aspect of strengthening stability and sustainability of Guyana’s rice sector is to increase productivity per unit”.

However, he needs to observe what is currently happening in the rice sector in order to achieve this objective.

Currently, rice farmers are facing two serious constraints: high land rent and a high rate of paddy damage due to paddy bug infestations. Both of these have resulted in an escalation of the cost of production by at least 30 per cent. The Government can make a huge difference in Region Six, but it is clear that sound economic advice on agricultural policies is seriously lacking or overlooked.

Many representations were made by rice farmers and interested stakeholders who would have foreseen that unless the Government encouraged the mechanisation of the rice industry, then there will come a time when rice farmers within the industry will feel the nega-

tive effects and suffer declining profitability, and many will be forced to exit the industry.

However, even though the Finance Minister is ecstatic about his allocations to Public Infrastructure and Agriculture of $35 billion and $19.5 billion respectively, Region Six is not the beneficiary of any transformative project despite being plunged into serious impending social and economic crisis which will arise from the negative ripple effects emanating from the GuySuCo restructuring and privatisation.

Privatisation will not magically and immediately bring Skeldon and Rose Hall Estates to prosperity; time is of the essence to allow the benefits to flow.

Downsizing of estate operations will also mean more jobs on the breadline as in the case of the Rose Hall Estate.

On many occasions, President David Granger had thrown the gauntlet to Berbicians to come up with transformative plans to stimulate economic recovery, as he alluded to the fact that Berbice is a ‘sleeping giant’ and can become the ‘rice bowl’ of the country. He knows too well that oil is not the answer and examples are abound of countries being oil rich and yet starving. We must note that fossil oil is not

a renewable resource, but coconut oil is!

Much touted and publicised is the Number 58/59 all-weather road; it is capable of opening up approximately 150,000 acres of arable land, which is suitable for rice cultivation, cattle farming, citrus, provisions, vegetables, coconuts, and aquaculture. Immediately, this will solve the problem of high rentals since the supply of rice farming and other arable lands would have been greatly increased. This is taking into consideration both sides of the Canje Creek.

The establishment of industrial sites will make way for agro-processing plants to be established to widen the markets for the produce. More so, the residents of Baracara will benefit enormously from such a road making it possible for this village to greatly expand its borders and get immediate access to markets for their produce. This road will also provide impetus to our fledgling tourism industry, more specifically eco-tourism. The flora and fauna are simply breathtaking.

Moreover, there are many such revenue-generating projects which are standing idle simply because of permission not being granted.

Businessmen are investing

monies and are willing to make huge investments, but ‘red tape and bureaucracy’ are stifling or strangling them. The Finance Minister had promised to remove these fatal obstructions a few Budgets ago, yet they continue to thrive luxuriantly.

In addition, many businessmen have applied for lands to do investments such as cattle rearing and livestock production, but the files are facilitating the reproduction of cobwebs at the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission. Some have moved on with their finances.

The Finance Minister and the Business Minister must take a serious review of these impediments to economic growth.

I am calling on the Government through the Finance Minister and the Business Minister to allow these transformative projects to bear fruit. As an RDC Councillor, I envisage dark days ahead in Region Six if our agriculture-based economy is not given the boost and stimulation it so badly needs.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor – Region 6

news

5

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Prolonged ‘cuss out’ of ExxonMobil unwarranted – Greenidge

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

D

ays after Government denied utilising ‘special funds’ from ExxonMobil to fund its legal fees in its international battle to end its border controversy with Venezuela, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge has termed the prolonged ‘cuss out’ of the oil company as unwarranted.

The Minister’s admonition was made in his address to New Amsterdam community Leaders over the weekend.

According to the

Department of Public Information (DPI), the Minister highlighted that it was Government’s responsibility to ensure that the money obtained from companies, including oil companies, was spent to develop its people.

“It is our job to ensure that our Inland Revenue Department is competently manned so as to analyse their books and impose the taxes they are supposed to pay. You can’t start up by beating up the company when, in fact, the company

hasn’t been due to pay taxes and refused to pay taxes,” the DPI quoted Minister Greenidge as saying.

Accusations of Exxon providing the Guyana Government with funds for its case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) have surfaced in light of the oil giant’s reported release of some US$20 million in a bonus.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, however, maintained that while it would be wrong for Guyana to use the oil company for that purpose, it would be appropriate for Guyana to use its earnings to defend its sovereignty. He pointed that he was not aware that Guyana was using the oil giant in that regard.

Sections of the local press have long highlighted and criticised ExxonMobil for how it has conducted business in other countries, but, according to the DPI, Minister Greenidge said “what that should do is to put you on caution, on alert not to cause you to cuss them

up.”

He also cautioned the New Amsterdam residents not to “believe these jokers who will have you cuss out a company that has found oil and develop that oil”.

It was after months of repeated calls and relentless bombardment from the Opposition, that Government finally conceded to releasing the oil contract with Exxon. This was announced by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who, while not mentioning a specific date when the document would be made available for public scrutiny, noted that this decision was made after Cabinet’s “fulsome discussion” on the matter and after taking into consideration the many public calls.

Both Government and ExxonMobil had noted various concerns for keeping the document confidential. One of the reasons Government had given for the non-disclosure of the contract was the ongoing border controversy with neighbouring Venezuela which is

now going to the ICJ. After Government’s announcement, ExxonMobil Guyana’s Public and Government Affairs Senior Director, Kimberly Brasington told Guyana Times: “ExxonMobil supports transparency initiatives, wherever we operate around the world. We look forward to discussions with our partners and the Government with regard to Guyana.”

Currently, the company is developing the Liza Field located in the Stabroek

Block offshore Guyana for oil production in 2020. The Stabroek block is now estimated to contain between 2.25 and 2.75 billion oil-equivalent barrels. Other oil companies have expressed interest in oil exploration offshore Guyana since Exxon’s de-risking of the Guyana offshore basin.

ExxonMobil, in partnership with CNOOC Nexen and Hess Corporation, put Guyana on ‘the map’ with its discovery of oil in 2015.

Laxity for transparency and due process Dear Editor, The Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) has taken note of recent reports in the media purporting that there will shortly be a resumption of the parking meters system in the city under the concessionaire SCS. MAPM takes umbrage to this announcement and at the continued underhanded efforts by officials at the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown to forge ahead to foist this corrupt contract on the Guyanese citizenry despite the MAPM, along with other stakeholders, highlight-

ing ad nauseam the numerous deficiencies in the process of selecting and engaging Smart City Solutions as the provider of parking meter services in Georgetown.

The 13 councillors who voted to renegotiate this corrupt contract have demonstrated their laxity for transparency and due process. The five members of the committee appointed to renegotiate this corrupt contract were the same aforementioned thirteen, and it is clear that they intend to carry out their mandate in the same incuriam de aequitate manner. It speaks

volumes that there is already talk of the resumption of parking meters when there is no evidence that a feasibility study and a cost benefit analysis were done, two things which the public has been asking to see for months and which was also highlighted in the Ferreira report.

The MAPM will not compromise its position that the contract between the City Council and SCS suffers from a number of procedural and other deficiencies, and may be deemed illegal due to breaches of various laws, such as Section 229 of the Municipal

and District Councils Act, Chap. 28:01, which provides that notice must be given and invitation sought from the general public by way of sealed tenders bidding for execution of contracts exceeding $250,000, and to select from among those bids using a fair and transparent process, and abiding by fixed and pre-informed guidelines of eligibility by bidders.

We would like to remind the M&CC also that evidence is yet to be produced by the Mayor and the Town Clerk that prior authorisation was given to the Town Clerk for

the execution of the SCS contract by majority decision of the Councillors, as is required by section 56 of the Act. MAPM would like to reiterate its position that we are not against a structured system for traffic regulation within the central areas of the city, including measures to facilitate the orderly parking of vehicles and the need for the M&CC to increase their revenue base.

MAPM is not prepared to support or to allow the successful renegotiation of this corrupt contract or the re-

sumption of the parking meter system in Georgetown by SCS, regardless of the minimal cost attached. We therefore stand ready to mobilise our supporters to resume our street protests, and exercise any and all options available to us to prevent this abomination from moving forward. We also call on the Honourable Minister of Communities not to release the suspension of the parking meter by-laws.

Sincerely, Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM)

6

tuesDAY, DECember 5, 2017

Page

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

Is one child enough? …how to consider when deciding to have a second child – and what to know about raising an only child

By Diana Burrell

M

y husband and I decided to be a onechild family long before our son Oliver was born. With several years of reproductive-health scares behind me, conceiving a child felt like a Powerball win; I didn’t need another chance at the jackpot. Scott thought we could avoid the inevitable slings and arrows of sibling warfare. We both hail from large families, in which continuation of the family name is assured through siblings and cousins. We were content with our decision, and our families took it well, too. A few months after Oliver was born, I bagged up my maternity clothes for a tag sale, and Scott started researching permanent birth-control options.

But one afternoon while absentmindedly sorting through blue and green baby clothes, the thought hit me like a punch: “I’ll never sort through pink clothes.”

For years I’d imagined myself the mom of a daughter.

After all, it had been a popular refrain throughout my adolescence (“I’ll never tell my daughter what I think about her clothes,” I’d intone to my mother). And I secretly hoped that my daughter would continue the tradition of attending my all-women alma mater.

It wasn’t that I was disappointed with a son. To be honest, I was relieved the day we found out we were

having a boy because I could work the experience of being the older sister to three younger brothers to the fullest. Hearing the door clang shut on my fantasy daughter, however, made me

Scott, “Is it okay if we hold off on that vasectomy for a while?”

“It’s normal to wonder if you’re making the right choices and decisions, no matter how many

Valley Stream, New York, mom to Zachary, two, has long planned to have one child. “Once I understood how much work it takes to have a career and raise a child at the same

Part 1

cars, we have to be a two-income family. Having another child is financially just not an option for us,” she says. At some point, parents will need to ponder: Can we cope emotionally and physically with another child?

How will we juggle another child with our jobs?

Where do we want to be in three years? Five?

How will another child affect our finances? What about our marriage?

If we wait any longer to decide, will our choices be limited by our age?

There are social and emotional pressures to consider, too. “If your friends are

having second – and third – children, you can feel left out,” says Susan Newman, PhD, author of Parenting an Only Child. “Or you or your spouse may want more kids, but the other doesn’t.”

Sorting out our feelings on most of these things was actually easy for me and Scott. (It was the emotional pull that gave me second thoughts.) We have similar goals for the future, and we realised that with our temperaments, one child would be best for our marriage.

We’re happy for our friends who are having second and third children, but for us, Oliver completes our family.

(Excerpt from parenting.com)

Get your students to be more engaged – use Audience Response Systems in your teaching to better engage your students doubt. When acquaintances asked, “So, are you having any more?” my voice quivered when I answered no. A woman in my local mothers’ group worried aloud, “How would you feel if something happened to Oliver and you didn’t have any more children?” Did I really need another child as an insurance policy? One night when the anxiety felt particularly overwhelming, I asked

kids you have,” says Susan Jeffers, PhD, author of I’m OK, You’re a Brat! Setting the Priorities Straight and Freeing You From the Guilt and Mad Myths of Parenthood. “Even if you decided to have two or more children, you’d wonder if your life would have been easier with only one child.”

Choosing to have one

Haseena

Correia

of

time, I pretty much decided one was all I could handle,” she says. Correia says being a one-child family allows her the right balance.

“It gives me the joy of being a mother, but it’s not too overwhelming to the point where I don’t have any time for myself or my husband,” she says. Financial barriers were also a factor in their decision. “With a mortgage, skyrocketing taxes, and two

Continued from Monday

By John D Rich Jr, PhD

6) Students can use their phones and computers in class!

Their precious technology can be seen as “learning enablers, not distractions.”

Compared to many classroom environments, where technology is prohibited, just the very act of using devices with teacher approval can be exciting, and bring students into the activity.

7) The use of the questions can do a lot for the instructor.

First, it requires the instructor to prepare the questions, which can centre attention on the material and provide insights about how to teach the material in a better way. Second, it gives the instructor the opportunity to adjust the pace of the class, conversant with the relative level of understanding of the material. Third, the creativity that is required, in order to respond to the results, create a discussion about why the results turned out the way that they did, and think up new examples and applications to make the material more

understandable, can increase the instructor’s enjoyment level, which may have spillover effects on the students.

The use of ARSs is not a panacea for all that ails you.

Answers to questions on a phone are not the same thing as answering deeper questions on an exam. Therefore, in order to keep students from walking away from a class with a false sense of mastery, it is important for teachers to use the responses to wellconstructed ARS questions as a platform for taking the classroom conversation deeper. You can ask a question or two, and then ask the students to help you interpret the class responses. Talking out loud with them about what the data say in the aggregate can be a powerful exercise in metacognition.

When used in this way, polleverywhere.com can be a very engaging way to check in with your students, break up your teaching into smaller chunks, and provide them with some feedback about how well they are understanding the material. (psychologytoday.com)

news

7

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Budget 2018 debate

“Captain and his sailors lost” – former Minister …says Govt takes no ownership of its ills

A

former Government Minister has claimed that there is sufficient evidence of intellectual impotence on the part of the Government to implement policies that will benefit Guyanese from all walks of life.

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Dr Jenifer Westford believes that the Government is lost and cannot steer Guyana on the path of economic growth and development.

She was speaking against the backdrop of Budget 2018 and what she described as ineffective policies, during the debate which commenced on Monday in the National Assembly.

“The national ship is rudderless and it is without a captain who knows how to steer the ship out of the stormy weather conditions.

He knows how to fly to many countries, but he cannot steer the ship. The ship of State is lost at sea because the captain and the sailors are also lost,” she posited.

Westford said if one were to look at the contributions being made by MPs on the Government side of the House, one would come to realise that there is dearth, no statement of policy and no direction.

“It’s only a repetition and rehash of what was there in the last year’s budget,” she

added.

The MP argued that it was a fact that confidence was a variable that was challenging to measure, but noted that they should at least by now understand that it was incumbent on the Government to create an environment in which confidence was optimal – it was not a favour, but a duty.

“It follows, therefore, that confidence is also tied to the Government, not only as a result of its fiscal policies, but also as a result of the execution of its overall governance of the country,” she asserted.

But she did not stop there. Dr Westford went on to state that the general view was that Government would never be able to raise the necessary level of confidence required to propel the economy and the country as a whole. This, she believes, is as a result of its stubbornness to deny its campaign promises.

Although congratulating Finance Minister Winston Jordan and his team for facilitating the presentation of the fourth budget to the House, the Opposition MP said the promise of “restoring hope and inspiring confidence” was far from becoming a reality because the lives of many Guyanese have been affected.

She claimed, “The work-

ing poor have become poorer and the middle class is becoming poorer, because they are being placed under severe pressure. The only people living the good life, Mr Speaker, are the Hon Members on the other side of this House (Government).”

In fact, the former Public Service Minister told the House that the real middle class were the ones who were subject to the higher prices. She said they were the ones who were subject to the higher interest rate on mortgages and they were the ones whose disposable incomes were being depleted on a daily basis.

Really ‘deh bad’

Further, the Opposition MP argued that the coalition Government did not have the moral fortitude to engender the level of confidence that was necessary to move the economy and the country forward.

“They are steadfastly and myopically concerned with their ship of partners. Yes, Mr Speaker, they are concerned only with the APNU/ AFC partnership. As we say in Guyanese parlance, the economy really ‘deh bad’.

But as is usual with this Government, the Finance Minister tried to blame the previous Administration by suggesting that failing investments from years ago

Opposition Member of Parliament, Dr Jenifer Westford

was now causing growth reduction.”

Westford also stated that the Government took no ownership of its ills. “If they could get away with it, they would blame the PPP/C for their legacy of missteps, misprints, mistakes, mishandling, miseries of all kinds, misconduct and their constipation. But, Mr Speaker, we will never allow the Government smoke and mirrors response to issues to go unchecked,” she further added.

Although Government had promised to move speedily to enact comprehensive procurement legislation and even though the Public Procurement Commission

(PPC) was installed, hundreds of millions of dollars of contracts have been hurriedly and improperly awarded in the State enterprise sector under ministerial instructions using the pretence of some non-existent competitive processes.

Shifting her attention to crime and security, the Opposition MP said this area held major challenges for the entire nation. She said Guyanese have noted the bold assertion that since the coalition Government assumed office, there was a decline in reported serious crimes by about 23 per cent.

They also spoke of plans to further reduce this figure in 2018, but failed to say that many Guyanese continued to live in fear.

“This, according to the Minister (Khemraj Ramjattan), is to be

achieved by an administration of strong law enforcement, social intervention and strengthening of the criminal justice system. Just as the concept of confidence is a critical factor in the promotion of business or economic activity and to grow the economy, confidence in the administration of justice, particularly criminal justice, is equally critical.”

The former Minister believes that confidence in the criminal justice system and law enforcement is at its lowest as a result of the current Government. However, she said her Party, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), will continue to monitor the Government very closely to ensure that it promoted protection and safety for citizens under an independent judiciary and Commissioner of Police.

8 NEWS

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Albouystown youth remanded for illegal gun

W

hen he appeared before principal Magistrate Judy Latchman on Monday morning, 24-year-old David Austin pleaded not guilty to the offence with which he was charged:- an allegation that on December 1, 2017, he had in his possession

one .38 revolver whilst he was not the owner of a firearm licence in force at the time.

According to Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, police on mobile patrol in the Albouystown area spotted the defendant sitting on a push cart acting in a suspicious manner.

They approached him and conducted a search on his person, unearthing the gun in a shoulder bag belonging to the accused.

He was subsequently taken into police custody and charged with the offence.

The court prosecutor objected to bail being granted on the

basis of the prevalence and seriousness of the offence, a position which was upheld by the presiding magistrate.

Austin will remain incarcerated pending the outcome of the trial, which is expected to commence on December 11, 2017.

‘Home wrecker’ charged, bailed T he frustrated family of one Kelvin Cupidore decided that they had just about enough and hauled him before the courts of law on Monday morning, after he caused damage to his family’s property which he claimed was a consequence of routine works for Christmas renovation and cleaning.

Magistrate Judy Latchman read the charge which stated that the defendant on November 25, 2017, at Guyhoc Gardens, Georgetown, unlawfully and

maliciously damaged walls, doors and wares at a private property belonging to Virtual Complainant Pamela Cupidore, valued at $153,000.

The defendant sought to explain to the court that he resided in a yard accommodating two houses, one which belonged to his aunt and the other to his immediate family. He continued that since he was the only person residing on the premises at the time, in the process of making preparations for the season, he removed several boards and

doors, packed the wares and cleared them out of the way.

However, he denied causing any damage.

Nevertheless, the evidently angered complainant told the Magistrate that she was sick of her nephew’s “ways” and described him as a nuisance who ‘breaks up the house all the time”.

She said that prior to the incident, her nephew had reportedly demanded some cash from her saying that she has to suffer too, since he is presently unemployed and distressed.

Another family member also made an appearance before the court to corroborate the complainant’s side of the story.

The defendant is a 23-year-old shopkeeper in the interior and has another case before the courts for threatening the mother of his child with a firearm. Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail being granted, but the presiding magistrate opted to release the defendant rather than place him on remand.

The case will be called again on December 11, 2017.

Chutzpah…

L

…on racism charge et’s lay some facts on the table before the issue de jour. In 2015, APNU courted the AFC to go into the election on a common slate. By that time, the PNC had absorbed five putative “parties” to form APNU. But none of them, the WPA, NFA, GAP etc, had any significant followings to buttress the PNC. With Nagamootoo coming aboard the AFC in 2011 – and Trotman suddenly stricken with some mysterious physical and spiritual ailments and conceding the leadership to Ramjattan – the party had picked up in 2011 significant support in Berbice.

The PNC-led APNU craved sugar and rice farmers’ votes to beat the PPP but claimed it wanted to form a “national unity government” of all ethnic groups. It so badly wanted the AFC it promised them 40% of the Cabinet and the Prime Ministership to Nagamootoo, to get them to tie the knot on Valentine Day, 2015: the Cummingsburg Accord. The PNC thus explicitly recruited AFC for their 11% sugar workers and rice farmers’ vote and the coalition duly won the elections. The PNC, however, immediately began flexing its muscle unilaterally.

And we arrive at the latest flexing when Granger unilaterally appointed (Chief?) Justice Patterson as the GECOM Chair. While we now know Ramjattan and the newly returned (and healed) leader of the AFC, Trotman secretly agreed with Granger, the membership balked because the former publicly claimed they weren’t “consulted”.

The Chairman of the AFC NY Chapter, Dr Somar wrote the AFC leadership: “This unilateral appointment by the PNC Executive President of an Afro-Guyanese GECOM Chairman, whether right or wrong, rips open the scars of PNC rigging the election. You have just thrown red meat to the notion of ‘PNC rigging election’ which, in my view, will cause [the government] to forever lose IndoGuyanese support at the polls.”

Now how dare he try to be the boy who pointed out Emperor (Granger) had no clothes??!! The “Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy” (CGID) indignantly protested: “Dr Somar’s suggestion that an AfricanGuyanese Chairman of the GECOM will automatically cause the multi-ethnic coalition government to lose Indian votes is the textbook definition of racism and racial profiling.”!!

Now, if the AFC was overtly courted for its “race” vote and an action by Granger will cause that “race” vote to vanish, how can Somar’s analysis be racist??

And what about Minister Cathy Hughes crudely summarising the response to Granger’s Unilateralism? …on the colour green Is Adam Harris, editor of the Muckraker, playing the fool or what – on the colour green which Granger first daubed on the Office of the President and now State House? Of course, it all has to do with the colour! While the National Trust has to invoke its narrow mandate about tenants altering its protected sites, citizens aren’t constrained to point out the wider symbolism of the chosen new colour.

As a columnist in the Muckraker repeatedly and correctly points out, context is critical when evaluating statements or actions. “Green” is the PNC’s colour as well as APNU’s, and one has to be both historically and colour blind not to make the connection between Granger’s symbolic action and the PNC’s historic insistence on party paramountcy. In addition to the historical context, there’s Granger’s vow to continue the legacy of Burnham and his insistence on Executive Supremacy to interpret the Constitution.

Guyanese don’t need flambeau to see the significance of “green” in broad daylight! …on oil Is only now discovered what the Eyewitness has been saying for over a year? That when the contract with Exxon was renegotiated by Trotman, oil was already discovered.

There was no risk like when Janet made the contract in 1999.

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

News

9

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Warning that State can lose $1B

PPP urges Govt to halt Stockfeeds privatisation …says move calculated to benefit a strong APNU/AFC supporter

G

overnment has recently advertised for sale NICIL’s shares in Guyana Stockfeeds Ltd. (7% ownership) in a move that the PPP views as pre-mature, highly suspect in terms of timing, and calculated to benefit one significant AFC/APNU political supporter and contributor, Robert Badal.

The PPP on Monday stated that it views the sale as an act of corruption, given the various pending court matters surrounding the NICIL ownership interest and related matters.

“Most notable is the fact that, in 2008, NICIL won a High Court case restoring its 38% shareholding in GSL, but since Mr Badal’s appeal, the case has languished in the Court of Appeal. Rather than resolving this matter and restoring its 38% shareholding, the Government’s sale of its current 7% shares (without the remaining shares), stands

Robert Badal

to deprive NICIL of its true value, worth over one billion dollars,” the PPP has stated.

According to that party, the “timing is also suspect”, since there has been little or no privatisations since the APNU/AFC took office.

“No announcements were made in the budget. It is not even clear if the Privatisation

Board, appointed in 2015, is operating, and what’s the current policy of APNU/AFC on privatization. One only has to recall the 1992 World Bank report on the PNC privatisation era, which criticised the PNC programme as lacking transparency and accountability. APNU/AFC seems destined to return to this era,” the PPP posited.

“Under the PPP administration policy framework, all privatisations required the Privatisation Board and Cabinet’s approval. Today, the NICIL Stockfeeds sharesale lacks transparency and accountability, and is being pushed through without any clear institutional framework for privatisation.

One can only assume that, rather than define the role of the Privatisation Board, and before waiting for NICIL to regain its 38%, the AFC/ APNU Government is hellbent on depriving the State of millions of US dollars, and granting, through the

back door, an exit to the court matter that NICIL won over 10 years ago, but which has since been stuck in the Appeals Court, stranding hundreds of millions of potential Guyana dollars”, the PPP has said.

“The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that GSL is a publicly traded company, with court matters restraining the payment of dividends pending the NICIL court matter, and the Stock Exchange halting trading due to these same reasons. The APNU/AFC Government is ignoring settlement of these matters in rushing through a sale,” the PPP contended.

The PPP has said it views the proposed sale as intending to benefit Badal, and “considers this to be a matter of political influence and payback to Mr Badal”.

Why else will the AFC/ APNU Government ignore the pending court matters where NICIL stands to re-

gain its 38% shareholding, millions of dollars in pending dividends, and settlement of normal trading on the Stock Exchange before looking to sell its shares,” it queried.

The party noted that it is a well-known fact that GSL, although a publicly traded company, has been operated by Mr. Badal in a manner that is prejudicial to its minority shareholders, particularly the second largest shareholder, NICIL. “Over the 20+ years since the privatisation to Mr. Badal of 35%, Mr Badal has quietly taken majority control of the company, and then used the company at the expense of its other shareholders.

At the genesis of NICIL “38% shareholding” are Badal’s efforts to undercut the Government shareholding in 2000, when it increased the authorised shareholding of GSL from 700,000 shares to 100,000,000 shares, or over 140 times.

The PPP maintains that it “views this sale as premature and aimed to support Mr. Badal, a strong AFC/ APNU supporter and funder.

If the sale proceeds, then NICIL/Government is likely to lose over G$1billion,” the PPP has declared.

The PPP calls on APNU/ AFC to investigate the multiple court cases brought against Mr. Badal and objections filed with the Stock Exchange, and determine if Badal has abused his rights as CEO and Director of GSL. APNU/AFC should also investigate the transfer pricing used by Badal, when other major stockfeeds companies have been buying inputs at a much cheaper price that Badal.

The PPP calls this privatisation without a transparent valuation and without resolving the court matter an act of corruption intended to benefit a strong political contributor at the expense of the State.

GAWU condemns “cold”, “heartless” plans for sugar industry

A

s the public outcry continues over the seemingly fasttracked redundancy of hundreds of Rose Hall Estate workers, their representative body, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has criticised the move of Government through the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), calling the actions “unkind”, “cold” and heartless”.

GAWU on Monday contended that workers were caught off-guard by letters in light of an announcement

by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon that the Estate would not be closed until next year.

It was recognised that no alternatives were in place for the workers who would be affected, the Union said.

“For [workers], it was then a great shock when

they opened the letters to learn that they are no longer required in a few days’ time. And to add insult to injury, the sending home of the workers comes in the Christmas Season – a time of joy, happiness and new beginnings. This year, for the workers, their families and their communities, the season is filled with darkness and sadness,” the Union ominously stated.

GAWU further expressed hope that the workers would be soon informed as to when they would be paid their severance benefits. The Union noted that on several occasions it had sought to have a definitive time from GuySuCo only to receive uncommitted responses. “Our Union understands that the Corporation, at this time, does not have the monies necessary to pay the workers. If what we heard is in-

deed true, this is adding to the callousness shown to the workers.”

The Union feels that it is “saddening” that the Government is pushing through with its plans despite the repeated warnings by industry experts, civil society and other stakeholder groups about the repercussions of the decision to close sugar estates.

“Furthermore, the Administration is certainly aware about the realities the

people of Wales face. Yet, in spite of the compelling body of evidence and its own admissions, the Government remained foolhardy and is closing down estates without any real and workable alternatives in sight,” the workers’ representative body highlighted.

It further disclosed that both sugar workers and GAWU were left questioning the State’s sincerity in protecting the thousands who stand to be affected by

Government’s plans for sugar.

“The displacement of so many poor, ordinary workers, in short, will be disastrous and will clearly push more people into an impoverished state. It is a matter which has quite rightly evoked a great deal of outpouring in our society and one that should touch our conscience,” GAWU added.

Last week, Guyana Times learnt that some 961 Rose Hall Estate workers would be affected. Apart from the 400 who had received their termination letters, it was disclosed that 500 more workers could face the breadline. A few protesters vented their disdain for the workers’ treatment, and opted to demonstrate against Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo’s 70th birthday visit to Berbice last week.

On Thursday last, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder had refrained from committing to a specific timeframe for Rose Hall’s closure.

He had, however, confirmed that the Special Purpose Unit assumed responsibility for the divested Estate rather than GuySuCo. In May 2017, Government announced plans to close the Enmore and Rose Hall Sugar Estates, sell the Skeldon Sugar Factory, reduce the annual production of sugar, and take on the responsibility of managing the drainage and irrigation services offered by GuySuCo. The decisions announced

by Government were met with various protest actions throughout the year.

In December 2016, another Estate, Wales, was shut down and to date, many workers have not received severance payment.

10 news

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Indiscriminate spraying of herbicide Parking space row leaves Guyanese man dead in NYC Windsor Castle residents blame farmer for cash crop losses

A

Guyanese man died on Sunday morning after he was struck down by an irate driver, who drove his car into a crowd after slashing two other men during a row over parking space on Liberty Avenue near 127th Street in Richmond Hill, Queens, New York.

Dead is 22-year-old Richardo Chatergoon of Far Rockaway, Queens. The suspect, Adrian Harry, 22, was on Monday charged with murder, assault, and reckless endangerment.

Reports are that at 04:00h, Harry scraped a parked BMW while trying to parallel park his white Hyundai Sonata. This resulted in a heated argument among the suspect and two men, during which he whipped out a knife and slashed the victims.

After committing the act, he allegedly drove his car into a half-dozen good

…fruits, vegetables and water supplies also contaminated with poison

Dead: Richardo Chatergoon

Samaritans who had intervened. Chatergoon was one of those six people.

The others hospitalised include a 29-yearold man with a head injury, a 27-year-old with a hurt leg, a 29-year-old man with a broken pelvis and a 20-year-old woman who suffered a broken leg.

After fleeing the scene,

The suspect as he made his way to court on Monday

the suspect was arrested.

According to the New York Post, Harry was held at the 106th Precinct station house in Ozone Park until his court appearance on Monday.

Chatergoon migrated to the United States about 18 months ago, to live with his family.

Damage to this bed of eschalot plants

R

esidents living in the Windsor Castle area on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two are counting their losses due to excessive spraying conducted by a particular rice farmer.

Several acres of land in the area are currently contaminated.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, a rice farmer on Thursday last sprayed his fields with the herbicide suspected to be that of Gramoxone.

According to residents, instead of the farmer using a fogging machine, he reportedly used a tractor with an attached mounted sprayer.

In the process of spraying his rice lands, he unconsciously damaged a large portion of lands within close proximity of his plot. Information reaching Guyana Times indicated that more than sixty residents have been affected.

Reports also indicate that fruits, vegetables and water supplies have also been contaminated.

Venting their frustration over the issue, many

Vegetables damaged by the poison

explained that their plot of vegetables are scorched.

The plants were currently damaged and the livelihoods of many persons are affected.

Rice farmer Indarpaul Ramkoomar is one of the affected persons. Apart from cultivating rice, Mr. Ramkoomar also cultivates vegetables on a medium scale, for whole sale and retail purposes.

The rice farmer said that he estimates a loss of some $300,000, inclusive of profit and capital. The farmer said he was not at home and as such did not get to washed the poison off the plants.

Police were informed about the matter and the Pesticides and Toxic Control Board was also informed.

An investigation has been launched.

(Indrawattie Natram)

Kitty labourer denies stealing quantity of meat – gets bail

A

35-year-old labourer from Kitty, Georgetown appeared in court, unrepresented, on Monday morning and denied charges of break and enter and possession of a cocaine-smoking utensil.

The charges were read when he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Kevin Andrews is accused of breaking and entering the premises of Roy Gittens between November 28 and November 29, 2017 on Sandy Babb Street, Kitty in Georgetown, where he carted off a quantity of meat

valued at $120,000.

The defendant was also charged for being in possession of an improvised smoking utensil suspected to be used for smoking cocaine.

Andrews pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Meanwhile, Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield indicated that on November 28, 2017, Gittens secured his business place and left the premises. Upon his return the following day, he noticed the main door open with the padlock lying on the ground. The businessman made a report to the Police; and the suspect – Andrews, was arrest-

ed based on intelligence received from a source.

The Prosecutor related that the defendant was cooperative and took investigating ranks to the place he had the meat, which was subsequently returned to the Virtual Complainant (VC).

Andrews was on the same day busted with the smoking utensil when Police conducted a search of his person.

Bail was fixed at $60, 000 for the larceny charge while the other charge attracted a sum of $20,000. The defendant will return to court on December 11, 2017.

news

11

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Budget 2018 debate

Gariddo-Lowe says it’s “fit and proper” A

s a means of creating more opportunities for Guyana’s first people, the coalition Government has been working tirelessly to support and encourage economic empowerment, integration and environmental development of communities through strategic and informed policy formulation.

This is according to Junior Minister in the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Valerie GariddoLowe, who told the National Assembly, on Monday during Budget 2018 debate, that in order to restore pride and dignity of indigenous peoples’ of Guyana, economic empowerment is vital.

The minister also described Budget 2018 as being ‘fit and proper,’ since it reflects the Government’s careful management of the people’s resources and caters for every class in society.

“Just like any other mother, Indigenous mothers would like a comfortable home for their families.

They want to be able to shop for their children’s clothing, shoes, toys, and lots more.

They would like to be able to own their own gas stoves, their own television sets; they would like to be able to buy a laptop for their children, and have internet connectivity, or buy their own vehicle…,” she stated.

Gariddo-Lowe is of the opinion that no real effort was made to create an environment for Amerindians to enjoy a better standard of living in the past.

“But no more, Mr Speaker, your Government is ensuring that that wrong is being corrected. Strong measures are being put in place to fix that problem, and it will take some time, but it will be fixed,” GariddoLowe stated, gaining support from her colleagues.

To support her statement, the minister pointed out that in 2017, the sum of $59 million had been invested in the village of Paramakatoi, in the PotaroSiparuni Region, to establish a sun-dried tomato facility, while the High Commission of Canada invested what she described as a much appreciated $5 million.

“Today, this modern facility -- complete with a solar power system, a solar dryer and internet connectivity; a processing facility, a dormitory, a water trestle and a guard hut -- stands at the top of the mountain as a beacon of hope and innovation; a true testimony for all to see that the indigenous people of Guyana can rise to any occasion; that they can build thriving communities and sustain themselves, and

contribute more to society,” she added.

Women

Reference was also made to Santa Rosa Village in Region One, which is expected to benefit from $10 million to set up a ground coffee production facility which would create employment for women, youths and ap-

PSC rescinds West Dem Hospital administrator’s promotion …legal challenge filed in High Court

and polishing the stones, and in jewelry-making.

Additionally, craftsmen and women will benefit by creating unique craft cases out of tibisiri, nibi, wood and spun cotton, for the different pieces of jewelry.

“So, Budget 2018 speaks to the development of the entire country, and more specifically, bridging the gap

T

Junior Minister in the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry Valerie Gariddo-Lowe

proximately 20 farmers of the community to begin with.

This project, she explained, will generate much needed revenue for the village, resulting in an improved standard of living for over one hundred persons who would benefit directly – that is, farmers and their families and businesses.

“Mr Speaker, the sum of $10 million is allocated for a cassava flour production plant in Kwebana Village in Region One. Mr Speaker, the first peoples’ of this country produce a lot of cassava, but Guyanese do not eat the amount of cassava bread or farine that they can produce… And anytime they plant more than they can eat, and attempt to introduce it into the local Guyanese market, they suffer losses,” she declared.

Further, $10 million will be allocated for the Lapidary Workshop in Monkey Mountain.

Introductory training will commence in Monkey Mountain next week, with 20 persons from the communities of Monkey Mountain, Tuseneng, Kurukabaru, Kato and Mikwak. Participants of this two-week workshop will be trained to recognize and gather quality semi-precious stones, how to test them, and to learn the history of the various stones.

In the second phase of training, at least six of them will be trained in cutting

between the hinterland and the coastland so that there will be equal opportunities for all, and equity among all citizens,” Minister GarridoLowe explained.

Presidential grant Government will continue to support Sustainable Village Economies by providing incentives in the form of Presidential Grants, to help Indigenous Villages implement small projects that will boost community development in 215 Indigenous villages and communities, something that started with the previous Government and saw major expansion over the past few years.

Gariddo-Lowe told the National Assembly that $215 million had been injected into the Indigenous communities for projects such as School kitchen, cash crop cultivation, community buildings, eco-tourism projects, village canteens and shops, general transportation and village markets among other projects.

In 2018, another $224.2 million will go towards the indigenous communities, to implement projects that would support and enhance existing livelihoods; develop new economic, social and environmental initiatives, provide jobs for the local people, increase entrepreneurial capacity, and help in the reduction of poverty, linking all to the green state economy.

he Public Service Commission (PSC) has rescinded the promotion of a West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) administrator after reports of fraudulent transactions at the institution.

According to a source close to the investigation, doctors and staff of the WDRH made a decision to voice their complaints over the mismanagement of the facility to the Public Health Ministry. Guyana Times was told that the decision to bypass the administrator was as a result of constant drug shortages and malfunctioning of equipment at the health facility.

After receiving many of these complaints in addition to the delay of some $7 million worth of drugs reportedly procured for the Hospital, the Ministry organised a team to launch an investigation into the administrator.

The team without any notice visited the facility and reportedly discovered inconsistencies in records shown to them.

A record book was photographed by the investigating team and the ad-

ministrator’s records were compared with that of each department. The results reportedly varied significantly from each department’s record.

The record book documents all activities of the hospital, including monies received and purchases.

The source revealed that the following day, the team revisited the Hospital and the administrator was confronted. but could not say how the records were altered.

As such, the PSC was informed of the findings which prompted the demotion of the administrator.

However, the administrator has since moved to the High Court to have the decision of the PSC squashed as “cause for its decision was not outlined in the letter received”.

The legal action also seeks to restrain the PSC from appointing a new administrator.

According to legal documents seen by this newspaper, it was stated that without any prior notification and for reasons unknown to the applicant, the PSC sent a letter to the admin-

istrator, which purports to rescind his appointment as hospital administrator, reverting the applicant to the position of accounts clerk II with immediate effect.

“The applicant was not afforded a hearing by the respondents, neither was any reason given for the said decision; that the constitutional tenure of the Public Service Commission had ended at the time when it made the decision…in the circumstances, the said decision of the PSC is contrary to the rules of natural justice, arbitrary, whimsical, capricious, in excess of and without jurisdiction, unconstitutional, unlawful, null, void and of no effect,” the legal challenge document stated.

The administrator has been acting in the position at the Hospital since March 18, 2013.

Just last May, doctors attached to the facility refused to commence duties, taking strike action as a result of failure on the part of the Public Health Ministry to address their numerous concerns, including security, drugs shortage and working conditions.

73-year-old man missing ...relatives appealing to public for assistance in finding him

A

73-year-old man who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease (memory loss) is now missing, and his family is requesting assistance from the general public to re-locate him.

Missing since Saturday last is Michael Khan of Lot 319 Independence Boulevard, La Penitence, Georgetown. According to Khan’s relatives, he is suspected to have wandered away from the home he shares with his daughter and granddaughter, after being left unattended for a short period of time.

Reports are that the man was seen in the vicini-

Missing: Michael Khan

ty of the KK Gas Station at Unity, East Coast Demerara on Sunday. However, relatives say that when they visited the location, he was nowhere to be seen.

“We got a call from some-

one this morning when they saw the [missing person’s] post saying they saw him by KK Gas Station wandering yesterday round 4:30/5:00.

We drove up and look all over, but no signs of him.

Just some guys confirm that they did see him yesterday,” Khan’s relative –identified as Latisha Singh -- told this media house.

The elderly man was last seen wearing a pair of black short pants with a striped, cream coloured shirt.

Anyone with information regarding Khan’s whereabouts is asked to contact the nearest Police station, or his family on telephone number 592-696-0015.

12 news

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Social Protection roundtable focuses on gender equality

A section of the gathering at the roundtable discussion

A

roundtable discussion centred on the issue of gender-based violence and the services that can be accessed through the Social Protection Ministry and other related agencies was on Monday held at the Regency Suites in Georgetown.

Director of Social Services at the Social Protection Ministry, Abike Samuels, disclosed that the ministry is currently finalising the national gender equality and social inclusion policy.

This plan will address several issues, including the elimination of all forms of violence, the eradication of discrimination, the rights of women and vulnerable groups to safe public places, and the promotion of economic development and inclusion.

Samuels drew attention

to the plight of women who are not only trapped in violent relations, but have the added burden of being HIV positive.

“Domestic violence is already prevalent in our society. We are fighting very hard to contain and eventually eradicate this scourge.

(However,) the problem is further compounded when one of the partners is HIV positive, and quite often those persons find themselves in intimate-partner violence or other forms of abuse,” Samuels stated.

She further explained that battling the “double jeopardy” of abuse and HIV often negatively affects the women’s self-esteem, with many opting to remain in abusive relationships.

This, Samuels said, puts them at risk of depression and other mental health issues that eventually affect

their physical health. “…they try to preserve their (families) long as possible. Unfortunately, these persons are doing an injustice to themselves and their families when they take this route of silence,” Samuels is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

Meanwhile, in his remarks, UNAIDS Country Director Dr Martin Odiit noted that the discussion is very timely.

“Violence against women is a violation of their right.

We also know that women who experience violence are also more likely to acquire HIV. Women living with HIV are more likely to be subjected to violence. And women who are most vulnerable to HIV are also vulnerable to violence, and violence also undermines the HIV response by creating a

BHS sex scandal

Police still building case …no court date in sight soon – Commander

‘A

’ Division Commander, Marlon Chapman, on Monday said that despite being on $100,000 station bail, embattled Bishops’ High School teacher Coen Jackson would have to wait a while before he faces the court.

Over the weekend, Police arrested Jackson at his Pollydore Street, Lodge home and charged him for sexual grooming, sexual assault, and rape committed on a former student.

Jackson is being accused of abusing his position of trust as a teacher to groom female students for sexual activities after they would have attained the age of 16, the legal age of consent.

Jackson has vehemently denied the accusations, but did admit to having sexual relations with two former students who are both in their early 20s.

The Police claim that between December 2010 and May 2011, at Durban Street, Lodge, Jackson raped one of his students.

Coen Jackson

Commander Chapman has said the Police are still building their case against the teacher. He noted that at this time police are yet to receive legal advice on whether or not to take the case to court.

“So far, based on legal advice, we have not been told that we can go to court…we are still pursuing other angles of the investigation, and will determine the way forward,” the Commander said.

The Education Ministry launched a full-fledged investigation into the allega-

tions, and upon completion, authorized the Police to begin conducting a criminal investigation.

The Police investigation has resulted in Jackson being charged for one count of rape. However, the Police have said that their investigation is still ongoing, as they are still investigating other allegations against the teacher of over 20 years.

It was the Ministry of Social Cohesion’s Cultural Advisor Ruel Johnson who broke the news of the alleged sexual misconduct of Jackson on social media, and the story has since catapulted, resulting in a number of past students relating their experiences.

Johnson, in a letter to the Chief Education Officer, detailed numerous reports he had received from present and past students of the teacher, who allegedly sexualized his lessons, had inappropriate conversations with female students, and engaged in multiple sexual relationships with female students.

barrier to accessing services by those who have been violated against.”

Persons affected by sexual and gender-based violence and HIV are urged to access social protection services. The administration, through the Ministry of Social Protection, is working to put the necessary measures in place to ensure these persons receive support.

This event was organised by the International Community of Women Living With HIV (ICW), and the Guyana Community of Positive Women and Girls (GCWAG).

A participant receiving a ribbon significant to the cause

Psychiatric Hospital to get facelift

A section of the National Psychiatric Hospital

A

multimillion-dollar venture is presently ongoing at the National Psychiatric Hospital situated at Fort Canje, East Berbice.

The facility, which is the only one in the country, is getting a much-needed facelift.

The once famous playfield, which is situated in the compound, is also being upgraded.

The rehabilitation is being undertaken by the Public Health Ministry and the Regional Administration, according to acting Administrator Luana Sulker.

She explained that the decision to carry out enhancement works to elevate the standard of the hospital was taken following a visit to the facility in June 2015, by the then Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton.

During that visit, several issues were highlighted, including the Acute Centre being improperly constructed

and persons who are brought from the prisons being let loose in the Hospital, with no police guard.

Sulker disclosed, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI), that a Mental Health Unit is being installed at the facility and once fully functional, would have clinical psychologists and psychiatrists.

She said too that the hospital administration was currently awaiting a decision to demolish the old dilapidated and unsightly structures that still stand in the compound.

History

The Hospital, when first constructed in the early 18th Century, was small, uncomfortable and not conducive to patients and staff. After a number of years, it was relocated to small buildings in the Fort Canje area named Fort Look Out. It was then named the Fort Canje Mental

Economy has lost...

“The VAT revenue for 2018 is projected to be $3 billion more than the total VAT for 2017, and $6.1 billion more than the level in 2014. The payment of these additional taxes by the average citizens serves to confirm that they are not living the so-called ‘good life’, but rather they were fed a ‘good lie’,” Ali said.

The Opposition MP has said that if Government is serious about stimulating and diversifying the economy; fulfilling its promise; and delivering the ‘good life’ instead of perpetuating the ‘good lie’, it should consid-

er review, and in most cases remove, the huge tax measures that were imposed on Guyanese.

Ali had submitted a motion to the National Assembly in October calling for the reversal of the tax regime implemented by the Government over the years. The motion calls for the restoration of the purchasing power of the people by removing the imposition of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on zero-rated items, new fees and licenses, and an increase in taxes which were included in the 2016 and 2017 budgets.

Hospital.

In 1899, four female wards named the Victoria Block wards (named after the Queen) were constructed.

There were also six chalets for male patients. The staff comprised both male and female attendants, one Medical Superintendent, one Doctor, maids, porters and guards.

The compound at that time housed one female and a male mess hall for members of staff.

In 1957, the Victoria Block was burnt and later rebuilt. In 1995, that particular block was condemned and three new wards were built.

Soon after, one of the female chalets was again destroyed by fire.

To date, the institution – the only national one – still receives transfers from all other hospitals throughout the country and has approximately 200 inmates of which two-thirds are men.

From page 3

The 3000-word-long document extensively lists a number of measures that the parliamentary opposition believes should be implemented to “stimulate the economy and reduce poverty and hardships.”

The PPP have made recommendations for improvements to the tax framework, the finance sector, the business sector, infrastructural development, energy sector, education social services, health, agricultural sector, Amerindian welfare, the sugar industry, the rice sector, and the security sector.

13

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Budget debate Day 1

14 news GTU wages, salaries Bollywood legend Parties agree to TORs for negotiations Shashi Kapoor W dies at 79 tuesDAY, december 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

V

Shashi Kapoor acted in more than 150 films

eteran Bollywood actor and producer Shashi Kapoor has died aged 79.

Kapoor, who acted in huge hits like “Deewar” and “Kabhie Kabhie”, had been ill for some time and was in hospital.

He was a member of the Kapoor dynasty, which has dominated the Hindi film industry for decades.

He won several national film awards and was awarded the Padma Bhushan civilian honour by the Indian Government in 2011. He also acted in a number of British and American films.

Kapoor died at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in the western city of Mumbai.

“Yes he has passed away. He had kidney problem since several years. He was on dialysis for several years,” his nephew, actor Randhir Kapoor, told Press Trust of India. The funeral will be held this morning, he said.

The actor was married to late English actress Jennifer Kendal, with whom he set up Mumbai’s iconic Prithvi Theatre in 1978. His sister-in-law is British actress Felicity Kendal.

Kapoor began his career as a child actor and appeared in more than 150 films, including a dozen in English. He became known

internationally for his roles in Merchant Ivory productions like “Shakespearewallah” and “Heat and Dust”.

In 2015, he was given the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in Indian cinema.

Kapoor was known for his charming smile and was often described by his fans as the “handsomest star ever”. He had a huge fan following among women.

He was cast alongside superstar Amitabh Bachchan in some of the biggest Bollywood blockbusters of the 1970s and 1980s, and the two actors played brothers, best friends or rivals.

His comment in “Deewar” – “Mere paas maa hai” (But I have mother’s support) – during a tense confrontation with screen-sibling Bachchan tops the list of best Bollywood lines for millions of fans around the globe.

Over the years, it has found its way on to merchandise like shoulder bags, coffee mugs and cushion covers.

As news of his death spread, fans took to social media to express their grief and pay tributes, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Excerpt from BBC News)

eeks after a high-level task force comprising representatives from the Ministries of Education, Finance, Communities, Public Service and the Presidency and representatives of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) was formed, all parties have come to an agreement on the Terms of Reference (TORs) for the negotiations that will look at increases and other benefits for teachers.

While there were a few hiccups during the first few weeks after the task force was established, all parties were able to meet and discuss several important issues with the aim of moving forward with the negotiation process.

GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald told Guyana Times on Sunday that she was pleased with the progress made so far and looked forward to the process being a smooth one.

“We have been able to look at some aspects of what GTU would have submitted (non-salaries) and both the Ministry of Education and the GTU have agreed to take those to Cabinet for approval and then we are go-

GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald

ing to be looking at the rest of issues. In fact, those that we looked at are issues that don’t require much confusion which may have prolonged the discussions,” she explained.

McDonald said the team was expected to complete its task on or before December 20. She said in the recommendations to Cabinet, they would request that those benefits that were approved be fully rolled out in 2018. “And those financial aspects which Cabinet will have to deliberate more on that, those will go through the process for further dis-

cussions and deliberations,” she added.

The task force was set up to examine outstanding problems with a view to their timely resolution and to propose a new, multiyear agreement between the Government and the GTU. The task force is expected to meet on a weekly basis.

The Union had accused Government of sidelining and disrespecting it, resulting in the Union threatening a countrywide strike if the Government failed to take decisive action to address the concerns of the representative body. The strike was scheduled for November 2-3, but was called off following a meeting with President David Granger and Union representatives.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed to the establishment of a high-level task force and teachers receiving an interim salary increase ranging from six to eight per cent, retroactive to January 1, 2017.

President Granger proposed that the discussions would take a holistic view on the improvement of the education sector. The task force will, therefore, also take account of the findings of the

Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the education sector in Guyana and other matters relating to the well-being of teachers and students. The intention is to have these issues addressed.

The issues of concern to the Union include the stagnated negotiations between the GTU and the Education Ministry. The negotiations focused on, among other things, increased teachers’ remuneration and outstanding payments.

Additionally, the Union had expressed concern about a memorandum that could see teachers having to work during their designated lunch period. Earlier this year, the GTU contended that teachers across the country were anxious to know when they would receive benefits of the proposed five-year agreement.

In the previous agreement, the GTU managed to get a five per cent increase over the course of five years for teachers countrywide, but is hoping to see implementation of a 45 per cent increase in 2017 and a 50 per cent hike for the following three years (2018-2020) for all categories of teachers.

Man fined after pleading guilty to simple larceny

P

rincipal magistrate at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, Judy Latchman, on Monday ordered a remorseful young man accused of committing simple larceny to pay a fine of $80,000 after he readily pleaded guilty to the offence.

It had been alleged

that Dwayne Williams on November 19, 2017 at Toucan Drive, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, stole from the person of Virtual Complainant (VC) Stacy Benjamin, one Amazon tablet valued at $80,000.

The Police reported that on the day of the incident,

the defendant forced his hand through a window and stole the device which was at the time on the VC’s bed.

The incident was reported and Williams was arrested. He admitted to the offence in a caution statement and was charged shortly after.

In court on Monday, the defendant apologised to the VC and said that he did not know why he did what he did.

Considering all relevant factors in the circumstances, the Magistrate was inclined to impose a fine of $80,000 with a default sentence of three months in prison.

After 3 years, no DNA testing at local forensic lab – Ramjattan notes infrastructural setbacks, pushes for 2018 start date

A

s investigations continue into the brutal death of Richard Ishmael Secondary School teacher Kescia Branche, whose battered body was found at the corner of Princes Street and Louisa Row, Georgetown, Police are encountering hindrance by the lack of DNA testing being conducted locally.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan was recently questioned over the status of the lab’s readiness for DNA testing, and he responded by saying that the necessary infrastructure is still not in place at the forensic lab to conduct these tests.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a material that is found in all living organisms, and it has been used to solve murders across many of the world’s countries. In July 2014, over three years ago, Guyana’s first forensic laboratory was officially opened, but the lack of DNA

The Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory

testing at that facility continues to provide a challenge to the solving of many high profile murder cases, with the latest being the gruesome killing of the 22-yearold school teacher alluded to above.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan explained to reporters last week that the necessary infrastructure is still not in place to preserve the samples.

He had earlier expressed hope that the facility would

be ready by this year, but he again gave all assurances that DNA testing would be conducted at the facility sometime in 2018.

“I had really wanted it before the end of this year, but it doesn’t seem that that will happen, because the air ventilation and the air conditioning unit to ensure the proper preservation and no disintegration, and the proper temperature of the samples, were not put in place,” Ramjattan observed.

He added that the

American Embassy is supporting the move to have DNA testing being done here, which comes under the second component of the Public Security Ministry’s Citizen Security Strengthening Programme for improving the Guyana Police Force’s Forensic Laboratory’s effectiveness in preventing and conducting crime investigations.

The forensic laboratory is currently equipped to conduct testing including on fake currency, forged documents, narcotics, and ballistics.

Ramjattan noted that staff and training on using the equipment to conduct the tests are needed. In the meantime sending the samples overseas is the only option, as Police are trying to match the blood found on a car to that of the murdered school teacher. Police was recently granted an extension to further detain the owner of that vehicle.

News

15

tuesday, december 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Murder/suicide Waitress’s body found in Wife knew husband was Berbice trench planning to kill her – relative

By Andrew Carmichael

T

T

Marisa Fraser’s body was pulled from a trench in Berbice

he partly nude body of 23-year-old Marissa Fraser of Lot 24 Public Road, Number 4 Village, West Coast Berbice was on Monday morning fished out of a canal at Number 5 Village, West Coast Berbice.

The body of the parttime waitress, which had multiple stab wounds to the face and head, was discovered a short distance from a pool of blood at Back Street, Number 5 Village.

A woman known as ‘Bebi’, who lives a short distance from where the body was discovered, said that at 6:30hrs she saw a trail of blood in the centre of the street which leads to the village cemetery, but it was not until three hours later that a farmer saw the body in a corner of the canal.

“There was only a top on.

Her slippers (were) on the ground right there. There was a lot of mud on her face, and when the Police came, they had to wipe off some

of the mud to see if anybody could identify her,” Bebi explained.

The dead woman’s aunt has said that from all indications there was a struggle between the waitress and her attacker(s). She is of the belief that there was more than one person who attacked and sexually assaulted Fraser. This, the aunt believes, is evident from the amount of mud that was caught in Fraser’s hair and the burns on her arms, which suggested that she had? also been torched.

Police found a part of a scissors at the scene, and this they believe to be the murder weapon.

Fraser had last been seen by her cousin at home shortly after midnight, as she was preparing to go to a wedding reception in the next village.

Fraser leaves to mourn her mother and two brothers. Police investigations are continuing. (Andrew Carmichael)

he woman who was stabbed to death by her husband at Williamsburg, Corentyne over the weekend had reportedly known that her husband had wanted her dead and had planned to carry out the act himself.

On Sunday night, the body of 40-year-old Indrawattie Totaram, also called ‘Shabrina,’ was discovered lying in a pool of blood in her one-bedroom house.

Her husband, 36-year-old Krishna Latchman, also called ‘Jooka’, was found in the same building hanging by the neck from a rope tied to a rafter.

The now dead woman’s niece has revealed that Indrawattie Totaram had known that she was going to be killed. Elizabeth Majramootoo told this publication that the woman had prepared her mind for the worst. The niece said she

Dead: Indrawattie Totaram, also called “Shabrina”

and her deceased aunt had spent some time together on Saturday.

“She was crying on the bed and she told me that she gon dead. She say that Uncle Jooka gon kill she…

She had money and she take the money and give it to me, and take off all her jewellery and put it in my hand and say to make something for my son,” Elizabeth recalled.

The Police have said that on arrival at the scene, the husband was observed hang-

ing from a rope which was tied around? his neck and attached to a rafter. His feet were about 4 inches above the floor, and a gas bottle was seen next to his body.

His wife, Indrawattie, was seen lying on her left side on the floor in the bedroom, motionless in a pool of blood.

She was reportedly naked and her body had two stab wounds to her right breast, two stab wounds to her right side rib cage, and one stab wound to her right arm. An electrical wire was seen tied around her neck as well. A knife with what appeared to be blood stains was seen on a fridge top in the kitchen.

A relative of the deceased couple indicated that Krishna Latchman had, on several occasions in the past, accused his wife of infidelity. The relative claimed that the woman would leave the home for several days and then return. Last week, she reportedly left the home again on Thursday, and re-

Dead: Krishna Latchman, also called “Jooka”

turned on Friday.

The bodies were discovered on Sunday evening, and from eyewitnesses’ account, it’s very likely they had been dead for more than a day prior to their bodies being discovered.

But while Krishna has been portrayed to be a very quiet individual, evidence suggests he had had a violent side that was unknown to persons.

Investigations are continuing.

Oil prices climb on expected drop in US crude stocks

O

il markets rose in early Asian trade on Tuesday, buoyed by expectations of a drop in U.S. crude stockpiles and after last week’s deal between OPEC and other crude producers to extend output curbs.

International benchmark Brent crude futures were up 11 cents from their

last close, or 0.18 percent, at $62.56 per barrel.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 15 cents, or 0.26 percent, at $57.62 per barrel.

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and nonOPEC producers last week rolled over their agreement

Supreme Court backs Trump’s travel ban

T

he US Supreme Court on Monday handed a victory to President Donald Trump by allowing his latest travel ban targeting people from six Muslimmajority countries to go into full effect even as legal challenges continue in lower courts.

The nine-member court, with two liberal justices dissenting, granted his administration’s request to lift two injunctions imposed by lower courts that had partially blocked the ban, which is the third version of a contentious policy that Trump first sought to implement a week after taking office in January.

The high court’s action means that the ban will now go fully into effect for people from Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen seeking to enter the United States. The Republican president has said the travel ban is needed to protect the United States from terrorism by Islamic militants.

In a statement, Attorney General Jeff Sessions called the Supreme Court’s action “a substantial victory for the safety and security of the American people.” Sessions said the Trump administration was heartened that a clear majority of the justices “allowed the president’s lawful proclamation protecting our country’s national security to go into full effect.”

The ban was challenged in separate lawsuits by the state of Hawaii and the American Civil Liberties

Union. Both sets of challengers said the latest ban, like the earlier ones, discriminates against Muslims in violation of the U.S. Constitution and is not permissible under immigration laws.

Trump had promised as a candidate to impose “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.” Last week he shared on Twitter anti-Muslim videos posted by a far-right British party leader.

“President Trump’s anti-Muslim prejudice is no secret - he has repeatedly confirmed it, including just last week on Twitter,” ACLU lawyer Omar Jadwat said.

Lower courts had previously limited the scope of the ban to people without either certain family connections to the United States or formal relationships with U.S.-based entities such as universities and resettlement agencies.

Trump’s ban also covers people from North Korea and certain government officials from Venezuela, but the lower courts had already allowed those provisions to go into effect.

The High Court said in two similar one-page orders that lower court rulings that partly blocked the latest ban should be put on hold while federal appeals courts in San Francisco and Richmond, Virginia weigh the cases. Both courts are due to hear arguments in those cases this week. (Reuters)

to cut output by 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) until the end of 2018, looking to erode a global glut and drive up prices.

Goldman Sachs said Saudi Arabia and Russia showed a stronger commitment to extending cuts and raised its Brent and WTI spot forecasts for 2018 to $62 and $57.5 per barrel respectively.

“By 2019, however, we believe the response of shale and other producers to higher prices will incentivize OPEC and Russia to pare back their now greater spare capacity, leaving risks to prices skewed to the downside,” the bank added.

In November, OPEC crude oil output fell by 300,000 bpd to its lowest

since May, according to a Reuters survey released on Monday.

While rising U.S. oil production remains a hurdle for OPEC’s efforts to rebalance the market, U.S. crude inventories likely fell last week, marking their third straight weekly drop, a preliminary Reuters poll showed.

Seven analysts polled ahead of inventory reports from the industry group American Petroleum Institute (API) and the US Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimated, on average, that crude stocks were seen falling 3.5 million barrels in the week ended Dec. 1. (Reuters)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017

Regional

Honduras incumbent Bolivians spoil ballots in leads after vote recount judicial vote to protest Morales M

President Juan Orlando Hernández wants another four years in office

T

he incumbent in the presidential poll in Honduras has retained a lead of 1.59 percentage points over his closest rival after a partial recount of votes, electoral authorities have announced.

With 99.96 per cent of votes counted, President Juan Orlando Hernández had won 42.98 per cent against Salvador Nasralla’s 41.39 per cent.

The electoral tribunal has yet to declare an out-

right winner.

The closely-fought poll has triggered a political crisis with Nasralla alleging his votes had been “stolen”.

The head of the electoral tribunal, David Matamoros, said a recount of approximately six per cent of the votes had concluded and President Hernández remained in the lead.

He said that the tribunal would not yet declare an official winner because the parties could still file legal

challenges and the tribunal could still consider a wider recount than the one it had carried out.

The delay in publishing the final results of the election, which was held eight days ago, has caused anger among Hondurans, who have taken to the streets outside the electoral council in protest.

At least three people have been killed in violent clashes and hundreds have been arrested. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Hurricane season comes to an end

N

ovember 30 marked the end of the Atlantic hurricane season, and what a season it has been.

Not only have we had a very active season, we’ve also had one of the wettest and wildest on record.

The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season has been described as “hyperactive and extremely destructive”. There were 17 named storms, making it the fifth most active season on record.

All 10 of the season’s hurricanes occurred in a row –the greatest number of consecutive hurricanes in the

satellite era.

And this season was by far the costliest on record.

Damages are currently estimated at more than US$368 billion – more than double the cost of the 2005 season, which was, of course, the year of Hurricane Katrina.

Professor Auroop Ganguly from Northeastern University in Boston Massachusetts is an expert in extreme weather and infrastructural resilience.

He points out that it is difficult to say with certainty that such weather events are caused by climate change. To make any

such claim, he explained, one needs years and years of weather data.

If anything, Ganguly said, “there’s some empirical support that the overall frequency may decrease slightly in a warming world.

What’s becoming more and more clear, though, is that the ones we do see may become even more extreme”.

Warmer oceans act as engines for hurricanes, revving them up. And if the atmosphere is warmer, there’s more water vapour in the air that a hurricane can pull down. In short, warmer air can hold more moisture than cooler air. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

ore than half the ballots cast in Bolivia’s judicial elections on Sunday were spoiled, or nullified, by voters, a sign that the Opposition said showed dwindling support for President Evo Morales.

Tensions are high in Bolivia after the Constitutional Court last week gave Morales the green light to run for a fourth straight term in 2019. Morales’ opponents encouraged voters to spoil their ballots in protest of the ruling.

Morales, a former coca farmer in power since 2006, had previously accepted the results of a referendum in 2016, when 51 per cent of voters rejected his proposal to end term limits.

“The citizens have defeated Evo Morales, a leader who is trying to impose re-election on Bolivia, along with corruption and the manipulation of the justice system,” businessman and former presidential candidate Samuel Doria Medina tweeted.

The 26 Judges elected on Sunday will be seated in

T&T Opposition calls for removal of Govt legislator

T

he main Opposition United National Congress (UNC) Monday called for the removal of Dr Lester Henry, who is reported to have failed a breathalyser test in September.

The Trinidad Express newspaper reported that Henry has pleaded guilty to Driving Under the Influence and will be sentenced on January 11 next year.

In a statement, the UNC said that it was calling for the removal of the University of the West Indies (UWI) lecturer from the Senate following the drunk driving charge.

The party said that this was the second set of legal

Dr Lester Henry

problems that Henry has faced in 2017 “and as a law-

A

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and St Kitts and Nevis were certified by WHO

the Caribbean has succeeded in reducing new HIV infections in children by more than half.

Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and

Regional Director for the Americas of WHO, Carissa F Etienne, said the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is a remarkable achievement that puts the Americas at the

maker, Henry should at the very least be expected to respect and obey the laws of the land”.

It recalled that Henry lost a defamation case in September and that his guilty plea on his DUI charge is “another display that he has no respect for the position he holds and the citizens of this country.

“Driving under the influence is not something to be taken lightly; it endangers every single road user. In a country plagued with road fatalities, the Prime Minister should set an example with whom he chose to hold leadership positions,” the UNC said.

(CMC)

Jamaican owner of popular bakery commits suicide in New York factory

6 Caribbean territories eliminate mother- T to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis nguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and St Kitts and Nevis have been certified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as having eliminated motherto-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.

“This elimination is the result of our strong political commitment to public health and of making the health of mothers, children and families a regional priority,” said Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Timothy Harris.

“This is an amazing achievement given the high rates of HIV in the past, and we intend to improve on this success story even more in the future.”

Over the last six years,

January.

Morales said in a news conference on Monday that the high number of spoiled ballots should not be seen as a protest against him, but as an attempt by the Opposition to block his plan for a judiciary with elected rather than appointed judges.

“The unpatriotic right wing wanted the election of an organic judiciary to fail, but the people have elected their authorities; Judges who answer to the people, not to politicians,” Morales said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

forefront of the global effort to ensure that no child is born with HIV or congenital syphilis.

“With political commitment, stronger health systems, and timely prevention, diagnosis and treatment, we can achieve great changes,” she said.

Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS, added that all countries should follow these territories’ example and ensure that every child has an HIV-free start to his or her life.

In 2015, Cuba, another Caribbean island, became the first country in the world to receive validation from WHO for having achieved elimination of mother-tochild transmission of HIV and syphilis. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

he Jamaican owner of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery and Grill reportedly took his own life in his New York factory over the weekend.

Lowell Hawthorne, 57, apparently shot himself in the facility on Saturday. The Golden Krust CEO’s body was found that evening.

Police are continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death, however.

Hawthorne opened the first Golden Krust store in the Bronx in 1989, after arriving from Jamaica at the age of 21. Over the next 28 years, Golden Krust expanded to 120 franchises across the United States, selling beef patties and jerk chicken.

In recent years, he had been honoured by Children of Jamaica Outreach Inc (COJO) for his continuous support in providing scholarships and endowments for

underserved children in his homeland.

COJO hosted its 23rd Annual Gala on the same evening Hawthorne’s body was discovered.

COJO chairman and founder Gary Williams, who had a time-honoured relationship with Hawthorne, expressed shock at his death, according to the Jamaica Gleaner. “[It’s] very, very sad because we were packing the goodie bags [for the gala] with the Golden Krust buns and newsletter when I got the call. I was shocked and in total disbelief,” he said.

“Everyone knows Lowell Hawthorne as an icon in our community, an inspiration to all of us, and Golden Krust is a part of everything – they bought tickets for the event…as well. So hearing that was like….It is a loss for us and my heart goes out to his family.” (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

UK and EU fail to strike Brexit talks deal Yemen’s ex-

T

he United Kingdom and the European Union have failed to reach an agreement to move to the next stage of Brexit talks, British Prime Minister Theresa May has said.

The Prime Minister said talks would reconvene “before the end of the week” and she was “confident we will conclude this positively”.

The talks are understood to have broken down after the DUP refused to accept concessions on the Irish border issue.

Downing Street said that was not the only outstanding problem.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said a deal had been done, but the UK appeared to have changed its mind over the Irish border question.

“I am surprised and disappointed that the British Government now appears not to be in a position to conclude what was agreed earlier today,” he told a press conference in Dublin.

May is understood to have broken off from talks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker to speak to DUP leader Arlene Foster.

President Saleh shot dead after switching sides in civil war

V British Prime Minister Theresa May is understood to have broken off from talks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker to speak to DUP leader Arlene Foster

The UK had reportedly been prepared to accept that Northern Ireland may remain in the EU’s customs union and single market in all but name.

But Mrs Foster then said her party “will not accept any form of regulatory divergence” that separates Northern

Ireland from the rest of the UK. “During the call it was made plain to the PM that the DUP had significant concerns about the deal being discussed that gave concessions to the Dublin government,” said the BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg.

eteran former President Ali Abdullah Saleh was killed in a roadside attack on Monday after switching sides in Yemen’s civil war, abandoning his Iran-aligned Houthi allies in favour of a Saudi-led coalition, foes and supporters said.

Analysts said Saleh’s death would be a huge morale boost for the Houthis and serious blow to the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in the conflict to try to restore the internationally recognised government of President AbdRabbu Mansour Hadi.

Any hope of the coalition that Saleh could have been bought off to help turn the tables against the Houthis after a protracted stalemate, in which a Saudi-led blockade and internal fighting have exposed millions to hunger and epidemic, has been dashed.

The coalition will either have to continue waging a grinding war, possibly trying big offensives against Houthi-held areas at the risk of high civilian casualties, or offer compromises to bring the powerful Houthis to the negotiating table.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

(Excerpt from BBC News)

South Korea, US launch air drills amid Nelson Mandela North Korean warnings of nuclear war funeral: ‘Millions

T

he United States and South Korea went ahead with largescale joint aerial drills on Monday, a move North Korea had said would push the Korean peninsula to “the brink of nuclear war”, ignoring calls from Russia and

China to call them off.

The drills come a week after North Korea said it had tested its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States as part of a weapons programme that it has conducted in defiance of

international sanctions and condemnation.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said it was “regrettable” that all parties had not “grasped the window of opportunity” presented by two months of relative calm before the North’s most recent test.

China and Russia had proposed that the United States and South Korea stop major military exercises in exchange for North Korea halting its weapons programmes. Beijing formally calls the idea the “dual suspension” proposal. (Excerpt from

misspent’

Reuters)

China closes school ‘teaching women to be obedient’

The institute reportedly advised women not to argue when scolded

C

hinese authorities have shut down an institute that was teaching women to be obedient

and subordinate to men.

The education bureau said the institute, which claimed it taught “tra-

ditional virtues”, had violated socialist core values.

An online video showed lecturers speaking out against gender equality, while other advice to women included not fighting back when being beaten.

China has seen a rise in similar institutes in recent years.

The viral video posted by news website Video Pear shows teachers at the Fushun School of Traditional Culture telling women they should not attempt to have a career but “just stay at the bottom level”.

It urges women to unconditionally obey their fathers, husbands and sons.

Other “advice” from the controversial school included never arguing when scolded and never divorcing.

The teachers are also seen warning that if a woman has sex with more than three men, the semen becomes poisonous and might kill her. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Nelson Mandela

S

outh Africa’s corruption watchdog has found officials misused millions of dollars during Nelson Mandela’s funeral four years ago.

According to the report, 300 million rand (US$22 million) was redirected from a development fund to help with costs.

It had been earmarked for things like “sanitation, the replacement of mud schools and the refurbishment of hospitals,” the report stated.

Instead, the authorities allegedly spent it on items like US$24 T-shirts.

Allegations of misuse first emerged in 2014,

months after Mandela’s funeral in Qunu, Eastern Cape, in December 2013, which was attended by Heads of State from around the world.

Now, nearly four years after Mr Mandela’s death at the age of 95, the country’s public protector, Busi Mkhwebane, has asked President Jacob Zuma to pursue the allegations further using the special investigations unit.

The 300-page report describes how officials in the Eastern Cape pocketed funds, ignored basic rules, and inflated costs. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

Syrian walkout from talks “an embarrassment to Russia” – Opposition

T

he Syrian Government’s decision to quit peace talks last week was an embarrassment to its main supporter Russia, which wants both sides to reach a deal quickly, Opposition spokesman Yahya al-Aridi said on Monday.

The delegation left the United Nations-backed talks in Geneva on Friday, blaming the Opposition’s demands that President Bashar al-Assad should play no role in any interim postwar government.

“I don’t think that those who support

Members of the delegation of the Syrian Negotiation Commission (SNC) attend a meeting with United Nations Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy during the Intra Syria talks in Geneva, Switzerland, December 1, 2017

the regime are happy with such a position being taken by the regime. This is an embarrassment to Russia,” Aridi said at the hotel where the opposition delegation is staying in Geneva.

“We understand the Russian position now. They are... in a hurry to find a solution.”

There was no immediate comment from Russian officials at the talks on the withdrawal of the Government delegation. The Opposition, long wary of Russia’s role, now accepts it. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, december 5, 2017

ARCHIE

Turn a negative into a positive by acting on instinct (March 21and revealing how you feel.

April 19) Speaking from the heart will force others to be truthful when responding to you. Intelligence will overrule brawn.

ARIES

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

Attending a conference, taking a business trip or trying something you’ve never done before will provide insight into how you want to live your life. Positive changes can be made.

Be more creative in how GEMINI (May 21- you approach your responsiJune 20) bilities or a job you’ve been given. Use your skills in diverse and innovative ways that will bring unique results.

Learn as you go. The experience you gain observing (June 21- others and listening to their July 22) advice will help you make unique changes that could lead to progress. Follow your gut feeling.

CANCER

Peanuts

Take care of personal matLEO ters that need to be completed (July 23- before the end of the year. It Aug. 22) will ease your stress and give you more time to prepare for festivities.

Pay more attention to VIRGO what others are doing or say(Aug. 23ing. Take the time to find out Sept. 22) what you can do to improve your relationship with a personal or business partner.

Calvin and Hobbes

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Stick to your budget, regardless of temptation. A unique approach to an old job will make it more fun and efficient, leaving you more time to do as you please.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Changes at home that lower your overhead will help you put money aside for something you want to pursue. Set priorities and make your dream come true.

Make changes at home SAGITTARIUS that will complement the way (Nov. 23- you live. Don’t let an incident Dec. 21) ruin your plans or sour your feelings for someone. Be forgiving, but remain firm regarding future expectations.

Past relationships will be able to help you recognize what’s happening in your personal life and decide whether you should make adjustments that can help you avoid similar circumstances.

Don’t ignore an idea AQUARIUS based on its source. Be will(Jan. 20- ing to listen and work alongFeb. 19) side others, regardless of their beliefs or lifestyles.

Learn from whatever experience unfolds.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

You’ll discover an unusual opportunity that can lead to unexpected cash or gifts.

If you share your thoughts and opinions, something good will happen. Protect against injury or illness.

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017

19

Australia extend lead despite wobble under lights also a day on which their top scorer was the debut a n t No. 9,

James Anderson struck twice in a lengthy spell

F

i r s t , the good news for England.

They still hold the Ashes.

And they had the ball hooping and Australia's batsmen hopping in a tense final session on the third day.

But lest anyone get carried away with this impressive bowling display, led by James Anderson, it is worth remembering that Australia lead by 268 runs, with six wickets in hand. Unless they can roll Australia for under 117, England will need their all-time highest successful Test chase to win this match.

This was a day on which England clearly won the final session, reducing Australia to 4 for 53 in their second innings. But it was

Craig Overton, with an unbeaten 41, and a day when they gave Steven Smith the option of enforcing the follow-on. He chose not to do so, preferring to give his bowlers a rest, but it was an interesting decision to make at the start of the tricky twilight batting period.

He must hope that his call will not backfire as Joe Root's choice at the toss had. Root sent Australia in on a good batting surface, and watched as they batted into their sixth session and declared at 8 for 442. It was this hefty platform that gave Smith the confidence to bat again. By stumps, Smith was one of the four men to have lost his wicket, and Australia had Peter

Handscomb at the crease on 3 alongside the nightwatchman Nathan Lyon, on 2.

Anderson and Chris Woakes had each picked up two wickets as the ball curled under the Adelaide Oval floodlights.

C a m e r o n Bancroft felt at an Anderson outswinger and was caught behind for 4. Usman Khawaja was squared up by an Anderson delivery that nipped away, and was lbw for 20. David Warner edged to slip off Woakes for an uncharacteristically subdued 14 off 60 balls. And Smith was lbw to a Woakes ball that nipped back in for 6.

Such a summary can barely capture the intensity of the session. For the first time in the match, Australia were playing for survival. Anderson in particular seemed to have the ball at his mercy, and was a few centimetres from having three wickets himself when Smith was given lbw to an inswinger from around the wicket, that was shown on review to have pitched a hair's breadth outside the leg stump. But is it too little, too late for England?

Never one to mince his words, former England captain Michael Vaughan had said before play that his country needed to win every session today or the Ashes were lost. Within two hours, the word "whitewash" was

beginning to cross his mind.

That England fought back in the final session could undo the fact that they had collapsed to be all out for 227.

Whatever the final prognosis, that alone affected the health of their campaign.

Four wickets in the opening session were followed by three in the second, and the innings was wrapped up quickly after the dinner break with two more breakthroughs as Lyon had Stuart Broad caught behind and then trapped Anderson lbw.

In doing so, Lyon moved, if temporarily, to the top of Test cricket's wicket tally for the 2017 calendar year.

Like the chimera of Greek myth, Australia's hybrid GOAT-Lyon creature is in fire-breathing form.

England had started the day at 1 for 29, knowing that a solid day of batting might have dragged them back into the contest. Instead, they lost James Vince from the ninth ball of the day when he tried to force Josh Hazlewood off the back foot and edged behind. That left England at 2 for 31, but it also brought together their two best batsmen as captain Joe Root joined his predecessor Alastair Cook at the crease.

But in trying to play positively, Root fell for 9 when he drove at a fullish delivery from Pat Cummins and edged to third slip, where Bancroft snapped up the opportunity. Cook too succumbed to a needless stroke when he pushed at an off-

break from Lyon and edged to Smith at slip on 37. Dawid Malan made 19 before he failed to negotiate a sharp delivery from Cummins that nipped back in and bounced, taking his inside edge on the way through to the wicketkeeper Tim Paine.

England were 5 for 128 at tea, and although their lower order fought, the damage had been done. Remarkably, all three wickets that came between tea and dinner were caught and bowled, and two of them among the most spectacular examples of the dismissal. Moeen Ali, who had managed 25 off 57 balls, began the trend when he was done by Lyon's dip, driving uppishly away from the bowler, who dived fulllength and plucked the

chance in his left hand to leave England at 6 for 132.

Not to be outdone, Mitchell Starc threw his right hand out to intercept a well-struck Jonny Bairstow drive, and the ball lobbed up behind Starc, allowing him to complete the catch on the second grab. Near the end of the session, Starc completed the easiest of the trio of return catches when Woakes top-edged an attempted pull and the bowler barely needed to move to collect the skied opportunity.

Woakes and Overton had put together a 66run eighth-wicket stand.

Combined with the fine bowling in the last session, it was enough to keep England in the match. But only barely. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Australia 1st Innings (442-8 Declared) England 1st Innings AN Cook c Smith b Lyon 37 MD Stoneman lbw b Starc 18 JM Vince c †Paine b Hazlewood2 JE Root (c) c Bancroft b Cummins 9 DJ Malan c †Paine b Cummins19 MM Ali c & b Lyon 25 JM Bairstow † c & b Starc 21 CR Woakes c & b Starc 36 C Overton not out 41 SCJ Broad c †Paine b Lyon 3 JM Anderson lbw b Lyon 0 Extras (lb 15, w 1)16 TOTAL 227 BOWLING: MA Starc 20- 493, JR Hazlewood 16- 56-

1, PJ Cummins 16- 472, NM Lyon 24.1-60-4 Australia 2nd Innings CT Bancroft c †Bairstow b Anderson4 DA Warner c Root b Woakes14 UT Khawaja lbw b Anderson20 SPD Smith (c) lbw b Woakes6 PSP Handscomb not out3 NM Lyon not out3 Extras (lb 2, w 1)8 TOTAL 53/4 Yet to bat: SE Marsh, TD Paine †, MA Starc, PJ Cummins, JR Hazlewood BOWLING: JM Anderson 11-162, SCJ Broad 7-14-0, C Overton 1-8-0, CR Woakes7-13-2

50-50 or we don't fight – Wilder wants split Joshua purse A

Deontay Wilder

fight with Anthony Joshua would "stop the world" but Deontay Wilder is not interested unless the financial gains are shared equally.

D e o n t a y Wilder is unwilling to get in the ring with Anthony Joshua unless a 50-50 share of the purse is agreed.

WBA and IBF heavyweight champion Joshua is 20-0, all by knockout, following his win over Carlos Takam in

Cardiff in October.

Last month, Wilder retained his WBC crown by flooring Bermane Stiverne in the first round to move to 39-0, and Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn reportedly held talks with the American's representatives about a potential meeting next year.

Joseph Parker, the WBO champ, is also in the mix for a unification bout with Joshua in 2018, and the New Zealander is happy to settle for a 35 per cent share of profits - a notion Wilder will not entertain.

"I don't think they are trying to make a negotiation at this point," Wilder told ESPN. "I think they are

trying to seek Parker. They got him on his agenda. "[He is] their top priority which is fine. If they don't want to fight at this time, that it is ok.

"We're not [going to] chase [anybody]. I'm not chasing Joshua. If Joshua [doesn't] want to fight, then that's fine. If they want to have one fight apiece, and fight me next, that is fine.

"It is a great fight, it is one of the biggest fights in the world and everyone wants it.

"It will be 50-50 or else we don't see a fight.

"If they want to use splits, not to make a fight happen, then so be it. It is not like I am asking for

more, I'm saying this is a 50-50 fight and that's how it is. In the rematch, then we can talk about 60-40 splits or whatever. That is more acceptable.

"The state of boxing, the heavyweight division, we can finally say it is back, it is exciting, it's on fire and to make it even more lit, and even more exciting is going to be the moment when me and Joshua stand in the middle of the ring.

"All the eyes around the world will be watching. We will stop the world in a moment in time to see once and for all, who is the heavyweight champion of the world."(Sportsmax)

Anthony Joshua

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017

A day of bloody-minded cricket SL badly needed

D

inesh Chandimal's debut Test was perhaps Sri Lanka's best Test win, in Durban in the last week of 2011.

It was no coincidence, though.

Chandimal debuted into 30,989 runs.

Angelo Mathews, who contributed a thousand of his own to those batting riches at that time, himself debuted into a side that had Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Thilan Samaraweera and Tillakaratne Dilshan. Both of them will be aware of the soft landing they enjoyed. Even if you take out Samaraweera and Dilshan, there was almost a guarantee of runs at Nos. 3 and 4.

That world seemed an ideal place to bring babies into.

The world has clearly changed since then. It is an edgier, hotter and more polluted place to live in. You wouldn't have said that of international cricket fields a week ago, but when you see players unable to continue because of pollution and the opposition looking at it as unnecessary stoppages, you really do wonder if it is a good place to bring debutants into. Especially if you are the Sri Lanka team.

When Jayawardene and Sangakkara left, it was Mathews and Chandimal who were the best of the remaining batsmen and were expected to ease the entry of youngsters into their line-up. To be that solidarity in the middle in a team that has typically been full of journeymen batsmen around two rocks in the middle. It is not an ideal structure of course. If it were, it would have introduced better batsmen to Sri Lankan cricket than it did. Yet that is how Sri Lanka operated when Jayawardene and Sangakkara were there.

The expectations to follow that act were lofty, but Mathews and Chandimal haven't been able to provide that bedrock that might make it easier for other younger batsmen to ease into Test cricket. It doesn't help that Sri Lanka cricket has failed to give them their Dilshan and Samaraweera.

The pressure then is immense because the major

Dinesh Chandimal struck his 10th Test hundred, his third against India to keep up Sri Lanka's resistance

share of blame for the team's recent batting failures is left at their door. And the seniors other than these two have been rotating: Lahiru Thirimanne has never nailed a place, Kusal Perera is dropped, and nobody has been able to figure out Upul Tharanga anyway. "[There's] Not a single game where I have played without any pressure," Mathews said after finally putting together a big partnership with Chandimal, which the youngsters need to see more of. "From my debut up to now, I feel the same pressure. But when you get slightly older, you face more pressure."

This was a bloody-minded effort from two senior batsmen who were badly needed to stand up for Sri Lanka's pride. Pride is often evoked too liberally in sport, but when your first full tour of a country in eight years is being treated by the hosts as tour matches for their next overseas trip, that pride has to take a hit. That the opposition doesn't even want to use their home advantage to beat you. Then you are asked that question at every press conference. And you mumble something uncontroversial. Then you are treated with hostility when you complain of ill health owing to the hazardous pollution at a Test venue.

And then the two seniors score centuries and add 181 to avoid a follow-on and make sure they have a chance to salvage a draw out of the series when the last day comes up. "There was

SCOREBOARD India 1st Innings (5367 Declared) Sri Lanka 1st Innings FDM Karunaratne c †Saha b Mohammed Shami 0 MDK Perera lbw b Jadeja 42 DM de Silva lbw b I Sharma 1 AD Mathews c †Saha b Ashwin 111 LD Chandimal (c) not out1 47 S Samarawickrama c †Saha b I Sharma 33

ARS Silva c Dhawan b Ashwin 0 N Dickwella † b Ashwin 0 RAS Lakmal c †Saha b Mohammed Shami 5 PLS Gamage lbw b Jadeja 1 PADLR Sandakan not out 0 Extras (b 4, lb 5, nb 2, pen 5)16 TOTAL 356/9 BOWLING: Mohammed Shami 24-74-2, I Sharma 27-93-2, RA Jadeja 44-85-2,R Ashwin 35-90-3

extremely good bowling to counter," Mathews said. "We had to grind and work hard.

Chandi was batting so well.

His knock was a flowing one.

He was so fluent. For me not one of the more fluent innings, but one where I had to work extremely hard. I am glad that I worked hard, and ultimately it paid off."

This was a day Sri Lanka cricket needed badly. A day

U

sain Bolt, after having his statue unveiled at Independence Park in Kingston, Jamaica, was a man lost for words.

In truth, Bolt, one of the most confident athletes the planet has ever seen, never expected his achievements to have the kind of impact it has on his island home or the world.

"I feel very good and I am very honoured because I never thought it would ever happen to me and it's a good feeling," said Bolt during the unveiling.

Bolt did have more words in his arsenal for

where the seniors showed the newcomers it can be done. That they can stand up to the most menacing of the oppositions. Much of the hard work, though, was done on the second evening when India were riding this awesome momentum created by indignation over what they felt were unnecessary stoppages and consequently the fans getting behind them in

sculpture, Bazil Watson, though.

"He did well. I must say he captured a lot of features, which I am very happy about, and the fact that I have a statue is just a brilliant feeling," he said.

"He put in a lot work and he took his time in trying to make it as best as possible," he added.

Bolt was lauded for his achievements during the unveiling ceremony by no lesser of a person than the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness.

“The country owes you a lot because your personal

a manner intimidating for any visiting batsman. They could have easily lost six or seven in that whirlwind, but Mathews and Chandimal saw that period off, thanks in part to India's ordinary slip catching.

Day three was proper Test batting. As Mathews acknowledged, India bowled well in trying conditions.

Even if they might not let on, these are far from ideal conditions for any athletic pursuit, let alone bowling fast, which even in best of conditions is an unnatural act. The pitch didn't turn alarmingly, but the two India spinners managed to keep asking questions. R Ashwin still bowled without a cover and managed to get hit there rarely. Ravindra Jadeja kept creating excitement through effort deliveries amid tight spells. All through this, Mathews and Chandimal showed immaculate discipline.

"Very pleased," Mathews said. "Big relief as well. I knew I was hitting the ball well in the nets. After the

achievements have helped to cement brand Jamaica as one of the top-ten brands in the world,” he said.

“He has shown the best of mankind – that we can achieve by hard work, dedication, commitment, and we don’t need to use anything to enhance our Godgiven talent. I admire that about you Usain,” said Holness.

President of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Administration, Dr Warren Blake, was also at the event to honour the man that climbed to the very top of sprinting hierarchy.

"I am quite thrilled that

Kolkata Test, where I scored a 50, I was disappointed that I couldn't capitalise on it. I had the confidence in myself as I was hitting the ball well in the nets. Once I had a start, I wanted to capitalise.

Little bit of luck as well. It all happens in the game, and I am pleased to cross three figures. But then, I could have gone onto get a bigger one. But credit to the Indian bowlers. They kept at it. We had to work extremely hard for runs."

The day ended in bitter disappointment for Sri Lanka, though. The youngsters had finally been given what they would have been looking for: a big partnership and a relatively pressure-free initiation. The others folded softly, though.

The work for Mathews and Chandimal is not yet done.

On day five, they will have to show the youngsters once again that it can be done.

And if they have to go back to their glory days, the two will have to keep showing that again and again.

a nation has chosen to honour one of its greatest sons and honour him in a very fitting way," said Blake.

Olivia Grange, minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, was in agreement with Blake, saying the honour was all Jamaica’s.

"I am feeling good and I am very happy that we have finally unveiled the statue because it is representative of Usain Bolt," said Grange.

"I am happy that we displayed in a tangible way our appreciation of Usain and his performance, and we know that this monument will be an attraction," she said.

"All the statues here represent the excellent performance of our athletes and the world-renowned appreciation of our performance," said Grange.

The other statues Grange refers to include, Merlene Ottey, Donald Quarrie, Arthur Wint and Herb McKenley.

Bolt asked that, more than honour him, that the statue stands as a reminder to others. According to the big man, “This is why I always encourage everybody that anything is possible.”

(Sportsmax)

sports

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

CLASSIFIED ADS ACCOMMODATIONS Conferences and retreats – full service: Hotel, Catering & Facilities.

Aracari Resort WBD – 264-2946 Alex Wayne Weddings and anniversaries: Rental or full service: Banquet Hall & Catering. Aracari Resort 264-2946 Alex Wayne

EDUCATION Jean offers courses in dress-making, curtain designs, floral arrangement, cake decorating 670-2653/ 638-8449

JOB OPENING Administrative Assistant for Pro business Builders, we are looking for a highly motivated person to assist a corporate executive and be a part of our team.

Your spoken and written English are superb. Send resume to jannessa.kalloo@probusinessbuilders.com

NOTICE With regards to the notice of Sunday October 8th, 2017 placed by one Raymond Anthony also known as Raymond Ramos who is claiming prescriptive rights to both properties at 3128 Buttercup Place, South Ruimveldt Park and 469 Kiskadee Drive, South Ruimveldt Gardens, take notice that this claim by Raymond Anthony/Ramos is totally false and incorrect. The only person who has absolute rights and interest to both properties is Mr. Sydney Bunbary.

property for sale Two-storey concrete, 4-bedroom, one self-contained, two bathrooms, toilet. 2320 Tuschen, E.B.E. $20M, price negotiable.

Phone 664-9310 or 626-8190.

FOR SALE Mercedez Benz C200, Model-2009.

Immaculate condition. Contact number: 616-5933

taxi services GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

Teams build momentum as

21

“Road to Mecca IV” heats up

T

he million dollar “Road to Mecca IV” basketball competition continued this past week at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with intense action intensifying as the finals set for Christmas Eve, approaches.

In the December 1st round, Rose Hall Jammers beat Dynas Ravens 64-60, with Shamar France leading the way with 17 points while Michael King 15 and Kwesi Mickle 13 chipped in.

The Ravens saw their stars not being able to flourish as the likes of; Ryan Stephney 11 points, Ryan Gullen 2 points and Darcel Harris 6 points not netting their usual high scores. It was Tyrone Hamid who stood out among his teammates with 22 points, 4 steals and 8 assists; which was insufficient in the end.

Bounty Colts blew away Half Mile Bulls 94-55 after Shane Webster 18 points, Dave Causway 15 points,

The Victory Valley Royals were among the winners over the past weekend

Dennis Niles 17 points and Dane Kendall 14 points dominated the paint. Dillon Pellew scored 21 points in a vain effort for the Bulls.

Victory Valley Royals

Rahim, Bobb

then got past the Plaisance Guardians 82-59 thanks to 20 points from Harold Adams with support from Alwyn Rodney who chipped in with 18. The Guardians

had only one real star in Trenton Woolford who had 14 points.

Games on Sunday (December 4) saw Pacesetters whipping

Retrieve Raiders 85-57 with Sherlon Legal truly setting the pace with 24 points, 4 steals and 6 rebounds.

Kareem Roberts with his 14 points was the Raiders top scorer.

Ravens won a close encounter with the Amelia Ward Jets who they beat 82-78 thanks mainly to Stephney who racked up 30 points with six turnovers, 5 rebounds nd one steal. The Jets played well on the back of Donel Benjamin who finished with 20 points.

In the final game, the Royals got made amends for their lost by beating the Kobras 77-55, compliments of Adams who again starred this time with 20 points to his name, countering the Kobra’s start player for the night; Travis Burnette who netted 18.

The tournament will continue on Wednesday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with more exciting clashes billed for the evening.

G/town Zone Guinness “Greatest of the Streets”

Round of 16 competitors to muscle way to be decked out in uniforms 2017 GAPLF titles courtesy of Colours

WANTED Maid Needed. Contact Tony: 218-0167 Waitress for bar 612-2522

spirituality & ASTROLOGY Shri Guru Ragurenda Astrologer.

Master Veera Bhadra is skilled in Astrology, Numerology, Palmistry, Date of birth reading, face reading, photo reading & predicts your past, present and future. Master Veera Bhadra gives solutions to health, love, business problems, marriage problems, promotions, divorce problems, financial problems, abroad. He removes any kinds of black magic & gives life-long protection. He is specialized in bringing back loved ones.

All religions are welcome. Private and confidential. Call for appointment 652-6427 Lalita Mahadevi Spiritualist Center.

Baba is specialised in name and date of birth reading, patra reading and book opening. He is an expert in removing black magic, enmity, bad luck and gives permanent protections.

Solutions will be given to love, health, marriage, business, sexual problems and much more. Call him on 6601938 or 618-6569. Take that number again: 660-1938 or 618-6569

Business upliftment, marriage problems, pregnancy, remove blockage impotent and many more. Tel: 6121608, 683-5228 Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc. Call 651-9663/600-7719.

V

Vijai Rahim and Grace Bobb pose with their trophies

ijai Rahim and Grace Bobb were crowned champions of the 2017 Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation’s (GAPLF) Senior Championships held Sunday poolside of the Ramada Princess Hotel.

Dominating the Men’s Open 74kg category, Rahim of Berbice’s Hardcore Gym had racked up a total of 667.5kg with of 504.128 wilks points, He had a Best Squat of 22.5kg, adding to his 155.0kg Bench Press and 300kg Dead lift.

In the battle of sisters in the Female Open Unequipped 72kg category, it was a straight shootout between Grace of the Tower Gym and her sister Blossom.

Grace weighed in with a total of 277.5kg; with Squats being 87.5kg, Bench Press

47.5kg Dead Lift 142.5kg, which was a Personal and 296.675 Wilks. Blossom Bobb on the other hand ended on 272.5kg, competing hard but falling to her sister.

The competition saw some 22 bodybuilders competing for spoils nd bragging rights, with other winners being; Dwayne Welch of Buddy’s Gym who won the Men’s Open Unequipped 59kg Class kept his Gym on top as they ended with gold in the 83kg Men Open Unequipped and Men Sub Junior Unequipped classes.

Winston ‘Little Master’ Stoby, Franklyn Brisport, Feroz Hussain, Joseph Stoll, Frank Tucker, Hardat Tarson, Vickram Panday, Nigel Phillips and Fazim Abdool were among the competition’s gold medalists.

Colours Boutique representative Creanna Damon (left) handing over the uniforms to Three Peat Promotions’ Rawle Welch, coordinator of the event’s Georgetown, East Coast Demerara and National Championship

L

eading fashion and sport apparel giant Colours Boutique, continued their longstanding support of the Guinness 'Greatest of the Streets’ Championship, donating an assortment of team uniforms for each of the seven zones yesterday.

The presentation occurred at the company's Robb Street location and was conducted by company representative Creanna Damon.

A total of 16 sets of uniforms will be handed over to the teams entering the round of 16 stage in the Georgetown edition.

Each team will receive seven shirts, and as many trunks and socks respectively, totalling 336 pieces overall.

Receiving the uniforms on behalf of the tournament was Three Peat Promotions

Rawle Welch, coordinator of the event’s Georgetown, East Coast Demerara and National Championships.

Welch during brief remarks, thanked the company for their vital support, which is integral to the overall and continued success of the tournament.

He added, “The value of this contribution cannot be understated. Colours Boutique must be commended for their continued assistance in the development of grassroot sports. The uniforms add an even higher layer of professionalism to what is the marquee and most anticipated street football tournament and we are exceptionally grateful for the contribution.”

The event resumes today at the National Cultural Center tarmac with the round of 16 Fixtures.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017

Georgetown Zone Guinness "Greatest of the Streets"

Future Stars looking to rebound as Round of 16 gets underway tonight A

fter suffering a shock defeat at the hands of Upsetters in the final round of group stage matches on Saturday, the Future Stars will be looking to bounce back in full force when the round of 16 gets underway tonight at the National Culture Center tarmac.

The Future Stars who have been tipped to win the Georgetown Zone will face Kingston who have managed to keep alive in the tournament thus far. The likes of Keron Solomon, Akeemo Anthony and Jamal Cozier will all be rearing to go after they endured a disappointing scoreless game on Saturday before losing on penalties to the Upsetters.

Also in action tonight will be the defending champions Sparta Boss who take on Norton Street in what looks like a “David versus Goliath” fixture. However,

Fixtures-Tuesday December 5thNational Cultural Center Tarmac West Front Road vs GTI Ballers-19:00hrs Upsetters vs Tigerbay-19:30hrs Rising Stars vs North Ruimveldt-20:00hrs Kingston vs Future Stars-20:30hrs The round of 16 begins tonight and promises fireworks!

Norton Street will take heart in the fact that Sparta Boss is no longer the powerhouse that they once were; but on any given night they can blow away any team.

Another clash that promises high octane and end to

end action is Leopold Street versus Ol Skool Ballers. The evergreen Roy Cassou is the front runner for Ol Skool and is still an enduring threat to any opposition’s goal.

The Andrew Murray Jr led outfit of Bent Street will

be looking to cement their status as a genuine title contender when they face North East La Penitence.

Any team that has gotten past the group stage is now a potential title winner and teams will do well not to

Arjune says Guyana Jaguars’ consistency paying off

Leon Johnson

T

California Square vs Trap House-21:00hrs

he consistency in every department of their game is paying great dividends, according to former Guyana first-class opener Krishna Arjune. He made this declaration on Sunday evening after Guyana Jaguars trounced Barbados Pride in their fifthround match at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. It was the continuation of the 2017/2018 Cricket West Indies Professional Cricket League four-day round-robin tournament and the defending champions have been dominant and phenomenal so far this season with four victories now.

Guyana Jaguars are still sitting at the top comfortably on the points table with 86.4 points and that indicates their eagerness to snare another prestigious regional title, and for the fourth time in succession under the leadership of test batsman Leon Johnson, possibly.

“The guys have shown tremendous

form with both bat and ball on a consistent basis and certainly deserve to be at the top; once they can maintain that level of consistency, they would definitely continue to hold on to the trophy,” Arjune, who still plays professionally in North America, mentioned.

On Sunday, the final day, the Guyanese Franchise side waltzed their way to a superb eight-wicket win, thanks to two solid and persevering unbeaten half-centuries from Johnson and young Tagenarine Chanderpaul.

The pair of left-handers played meticulously throughout their innings occupation and with occasional aggression but ensured their team emerged the champion side.

Chanderpaul, the son of former veteran West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who also played in the game, scored 62 while Johnson made 61.

“I strongly believe that consistency by the batsmen will see them getting big totals or chasing any total and their application has also been remarkable; the bowlers have also done a great job and they know their role to bowl out these teams twice to get maximum result and the they doing it,” the right-handed Arjune stated.

Enthusiastic Fast-bowler Keon Joseph and medium-pace bowler Kemo Paul were the chief destroyers. Paul ended with nine wickets match-haul while Joseph also showed equal sublime form to finish with seven wickets in the encounter.

The three-time victor Guyana Jaguars opened their campaign auspiciously by humbling Jamaica Scorpions while they continued their tour across the Caribbean with victories over Windward Islands Volcanoes and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

However, a stalemate had taken place with Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the other scheduled fixture, compli-

take each other for granted.

The action will begin at 19:00h at the Culture Center tarmac and will see eight games being played with each team decked out in their respective uniforms.

(Michelangelo Jacobus)

Leopold Street vs Ol Skool Ballers-21:30hrs Bent Street vs North East La Penitence-22:00hrs Sparta Boss vs Norton Street-22:30hrs

World Team Squash: “A positive experience” for Jamaica

The Jamaican squash team

J

Krishna Arjune ments of Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s resilient 109.

Apart from the positives mentioned above, Arjune feels that complacency would not be an issue for his countrymen as they continue to strive for excellence, he rated the tournament very competitive but Guyana Jaguars have a good roaring approach to inflict more whippings.

“Yes, batsmen doing well and the “big” Shiv still contributing, they should be the top side again; the bowlers and batsmen seem hungry for more success and that would also help them greatly to churn out more wins,” Arjune declared.

Guyana Jaguars will remain at home to confront Windward Islands Volcanoes commencing on Thursday at the same venue. The Volcanoes are currently languishing at the bottom with 21.5 points also from five engagements. Red Force is in second position with 61.8 points. (Ravi Madholall)

amaica capped off a creditable performance, which included a victory in their penultimate match, as the 2017 World Team Squash Championships wrapped up over the weekend in Marseille, France.

Determined not to leave the prestigious tournament without a win, the Jamaicans were hungry for victory when they faced off with Iraq on the secondto-last day of competition.

However, things got off to a shaky start when Dane Schwier lost 11-3, 11-8, 11-1 to Hasanain Dakheel.

The opening loss meant reigning All-Jamaica and Caribbean Champion, Chris Binnie, had no room for error. He did not disappoint, turning back Husham AlSaadi 11-9, 11-6, 14-12.

Buoyed by the Binnie win, Lewis Walters, Jamaica’s number-two player fought off Mohammed Hasan to post a 14-12, 13-11, 11-6 win and give Jamaica its first victory of the tournament.

However, the Czech

Republic proved they were a lot tougher than the Iraqis.

Binnie lost 8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 to Daniel Mekbib; while Walters suffered an 11-4, 11-8, 13-11 defeat at the hands of Ondrej Uherka.

Team manager Douglas Beckford remained optimistic despite the disappointing end.

“Overall, it was a very positive experience for us; it was our first time competing at this elite level and we relished the opportunity to be on the same stage as the world’s best players,” he said.

“I think we surprised a lot of people with our level of play, which was generally strong. We committed some errors and I think we could have been stronger when our matches came down to the wire but on a whole, we were quite competitive and the players are looking forward to being able to do this again.”

The next World Team Squash Championships will be held in Washington D.C. in the United States in 2019.

(SPORTSMAX)

T

he defiance that West Indies had found on day three wilted, their wickets fell in a heap for the second time in the Test, and New Zealand sped to an innings-and67-run victory - the hosts' quicks having wiped the opposition out with the second new ball. Following the top-order partnerships West Indies had mounted on Sunday, it was the rate of their demise on Monday that was dispiriting. They added only 105 to the overnight score, and lost their last seven wickets for 62 runs, in the space of 20 overs. The New Zealand quicks shared the wickets around, as the opposition perished to a series of poor strokes. Matt Henry added the wicket of Roston Chase to the two dismissals he had effected on day three, to finish with figures of 3 for 57. Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Colin de Grandhomme claimed two wickets apiece meanwhile - Wagner's wickets particularly significant, after he had been clobbered by the top order on Sunday.

This result means that New Zealand go to the

O

second Test without having been stretched at Wellington. Although there were difficult moments in the field, particularly while Shimron Hetmyer and Kraigg Brathwaite batted together on the third evening, no bowler was required to deliver more than 45 overs in the Test, and at no point did West Indies muster a century stand.

It was the wicket of innings top-scorer Brathwaite - the only dismissal that went to a spinner in this innings - that set West Indies' slide into motion. Having begun the day on 79, Brathwaite had progressed without incident into the 90s, as New Zealand rested their frontline quicks so they might be deployed only after the second new ball became available. Even before the 80th over rolled around, however, Brathwaite lost his wicket. Having nudged a legside Mitchell Santner delivery to the fine leg boundary, he misjudged the pace of the very next Santner delivery, and it brushed his back pad before it hit his bat. The ensuing lbw appeal was turned down on

the field, but the batsman was given out upon review.

Only 17 runs had been added to the overnight score at that stage. Then, from the 86th over, came the rapid collapse. Shai Hope, whose innings had been defined by its reticence, was dismissed playing a defensive shot - a Boult lifter finding his outside edge, then Kane Williamson's hands in the gully. Roston Chase, who had hit Boult for consecutive boundaries to get his innings under way, did not last long following Hope's exit, inside-edging a wide Henry ball on to his stumps.

West Indies went to

lunch with five wickets remaining, but New Zealand needed less than an hour after resumption to close the game out. Debutant Sunil Ambris edged de Grandhomme to wide slip, first ball after the break.

Then, next over, Shane Dowrich slashed Wagner to point - it was the first ball Dowrich had faced in the session. The tail was in no mood to resist. Kemar Roach, Jason Holder and Miguel Cummins were all out in the space of 28 balls.

What was particularly disappointing for the West Indies was that the pitch had long since begun to fa-

vour batsman, and though the second new ball offered the New Zealand seamers bounce and carry, there was no dramatic movement. The only positive for the visitors, apart from some decent top-order scores, is that they now have an extra day of preparation for the Hamilton Test, which begins on Saturday.

SCOREBOARD West Indies 1st Innings (134 All out) New Zealand 1st Innings (520-9 Declared) West Indies 2nd Innings KC Brathwaite lbw b Santner 91 KOA Powell c & b Henry 40 SO Hetmyer c Raval b Henry 66 SD Hope c Williamson b Boult3 7 RL Chase b Henry 18 SW Ambris c Taylor b de Grandhomme 18 SO Dowrich † c Santner b

Wagner 3 JO Holder (c) c Boult b Wagner 7 KAJ Roach lbw b de Grandhomme 7 ML Cummins b Boult 14 ST Gabriel not out 4 Extras (b 4, lb 4, w 6)14 TOTAL 319 all out BOWLING: TA Boult 23-872, MJ Henry 24-57-3, C de Grandhomme 19-40-2, N Wagner 22-102-2, MJ Santner 17-25-1, KS Williamson 1-0-0

– Grove Hi-Tech finish third

n a chilly Sunday night, Georgetown’s Camptown FC shocked the sizable crowd by needling Cup favourites Police FC to capture the first Turbo knock-out Football title.

In one of the greatest upsets in recent memory, Camptown FC were left savouring their first taste of hardware in almost five years. In addition to the trophy the victors also pocketed $500,000.

The victors who went into the final as the underdogs fielded a very young team yet to face any real test, however the Police men carried out an early onslaught which the Camptown defenders weathered throughout the match.

In the final it was not only their defence that played a huge part in giving them the win but a perfectly struck corner kick by Troy Prescott that beat the Police custodian to seal the win.

Maybe it was miscalculation but nevertheless it (Prescott’s goal) seemed intentional as it was a beauty that might be nigh impossible to replicate.

Meanwhile after his side’s amazing victory, Camptown captain Lazhan Lord told media operatives that he credited the victory to “hard work and God”.

“We’ve worked hard every single day, evenings and mornings, some-

23

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, december 5, 2017

Neil Wagner

Caribbean to host Sri Lanka, West Indies Series June 2018

C

ricket West Indies (CWI) announced on Monday, the schedule for the three International Home Series Test matches versus the Sri Lankans at venues in Trinidad, Barbados and St. Lucia.

Sri Lanka have previously played Tests at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground (for-

merly Beausejour Cricket Ground) in St. Lucia – but this will be the first time they will play a Test at the iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados.

This will also be the Sri Lankans’ fourth official Tour of the Caribbean, where they have won one, lost three and drawn two of the six Tests they have played.

SCHEDULE OF MATCHES Action in the final of the Turbo Knockout Cup (Police in blue, Camptown in white)

times we would have to get up out of our beds at four o’clock (04:00 AM) to go out on the gorund just to get the work in, The hard work paid off and now we are champions. We hope we can keep up this standard of football and continue to play as the Camptown FC that everybody knows” he maintained.

Lord was also loud in praise for

the keeper Richie Richardson who returned to Camptown colours giving them the inspiration they needed to become a trophy winning team again.

Meanwhile the third place game saw Grove Hi-Tech also needling Pouderoyen to walk away with a prize of $100,000. (Michelangelo Jacobus)

Wed, May 30 to Fri, Jun 1 Tour Match – Brian Lara Cricket Ground, Trinidad Wed, Jun 6 to Sun, Jun 10 1st Test – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad Thu, Jun 14 to Mon, Jun 18 2nd Test – Kensington Oval, Barbados Sat, Jun 23 to Wed, Jun 27 3rd Test – Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, St. Lucia

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

TUESDAY, december 5, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Kraigg Brathwaite

Pg 23

New Zealand inflict another collapse to seal innings victory New Zealand picked up a win by an innings and 67 runs to go 1-0 in the two-match series

Camptown shock Police

for inaugural Turbo

– Grove Hi-Tech finish third

KO title

Champions! The victorious Camptown FC side

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Sport: sport@guyanatimesgy.com Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 SALES AND MARKETING - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.