Guyana Times Epaper - Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Minister Scott apologises P7 for calling teachers selfish, uncaring

– veteran union official recommends Govt move on to arbitration Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3677

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Severance payment delays

Govt officials would have faced jail time in developed countries – Canadian union

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Immigration P10 officer slapped with conspiracy charges P9 Mocha Arcadia man slapped with rape charge

Page 3

Day 2: Thousands of teachers continue to strike for better salaries …parents concerned about empty classrooms Pages 12, 14 …as Govt remains unmoved and 13

AG assures path cleared for local law P11 school ...feasibility study handed over

Decomposed body of guest found in hotel P15 room Woman shot while waiting on minibus

…no motive P9 established – Police

On Tuesday, students were seen in the compound of the Anna Regina Multilateral school, Region Two, as the second day of the Guyana Teachers' Union strike continued

Essequibo Coast farmer killed by alleged drunken driver Page 10

Oil sector

Ram cites Petrotrin’s failure to corruption, inefficiencies Page 9 ...warns Guyana Govt to consider this before deciding to use Petrotrin

Home of P16 Berbice teacher burglarised – laptops, cash, mobile phone among items missing

2

wednesDAY, september 5, 20

news

3

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, September 5 – 13:30h-15:00h and Thursday, September 6 – a night retraction at 01:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, September 5 – 12:50h-14:20h and Thursday, September 6 – 13:55h-15:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Severance payment delays

Govt officials would have faced jail time in developed countries – Canadian union – announces Can$44,000 programme to train 120 community coordinators goal is to help save the sugar industry.

“So we are going to work with them in solidarity and do all we can and hopefully they will be able to sort out some of the outstanding issues for sugar workers because people have families, communities are devastated and that needs to be fixed.”

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers can be expected in the morning and early afternoon hours, with sunny intervals in the later hours. Thundery to partly cloudy conditions can be expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South South-westerly to East North-easterly and North-easterly to Easterly between 0.89 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 12:46h reaching a maximum height of 2.26 metres.

Low Tide: 06:06h and 18:40h reaching minimum heights of 0.86 metre and 0.97 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, september 1, 2018 2

LOTTERY NUMBERS F

01 10 11

16 24 28

FREE TICKET

18 Bonus Ball

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2018 DAILY MILLIONS

03 08 10 11 22 LUCKY 3

4

4

7

6

Afternoon Draw

2

8

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

06

09

10

14

PAY DAY

03 05 08 13 14

15 16 19 SUPER PAY DAY

02 05 09 12 21

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

Fight back

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

C

anada’s largest Private Sector trade union, Unifor, has expressed deep concerns over Government’s handling of the sugar industry, particularly when it comes to ensuring that dismissed sugar workers are given their severance package in full.

Director for Human Rights and International Department at Unifor, Mohamad Alsadi, told Guyana Times on the sidelines of a one-day conference titled “Sugar – too big to fail” on Tuesday at the Grand Coastal Hotel, which they sponsored, that it is Unifor’s hope that Government act quickly to address the workers concerns.

“I have never seen a Government that does something as little as taking someone’s severance, especially after losing their jobs.

So, for us, this is a big issue.

I mean if this was in Canada, I can assure that they could have gone to jail. It’s serious stuff. So, the Government needs to take this seriously,” the Unifor official said.

Alsadi said his union has had a longstanding relationship with many trade unions, including the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU). He said it was important that not only Unifor sponsor the event but attend it to get a chance to listen directly from workers and representatives from both sides of Government.

“Obviously today’s conference was important for me and for our president to hear directly from the workers. We were here last year and we did go to some of the estates and met with some of the workers but hearing today from the Government and the Opposition obviously there are different stories, two different point of views,” he added.

The Unifor official said they are saddened by what was presented and the sufferings being faced by the thousands of sugar workers that have been put on the breadline. He committed to working closely with Guyana’s trade unions in general and do all that they can to help.

According to him, the main

Meanwhile, President of Unifor Jerry Dias told the attendees at the conference that it is incomprehensible that Government would move to close the number one industry in Guyana, without first carrying out an impact assessment on how people’s lives would be affected by the closure.

On that note, Dias said to workers and union heads that now is the time for them to “fight back” and take a road of “least resistance.”

Harmon, who represented the Government, did not provide any assurance of a timeframe within which the final severance payments will be made. He hinted that GAWU and National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NACCIE) were at the table when the issue of severance was discussed.

On the other hand, however, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who also addressed the conference, did not back down on this issue.

In fact, Jagdeo observed that the Minister failed to provide a definitive answer as to when final severance payments will be made to those

Unifor Director Mohamad Alsadi

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

who are still owed from all the now closed sugar estates.

The former Head of State renewed calls for Government to honour its obligation and comply with the laws of Guyana and pay over the full severance payments.

Some 7000 sugar workers were dismissed on December 29, 2017, without severance being paid “on termination” as required by the law to all of them. Severance was paid in part to over 4000 of the 7000 dismissed sugar workers.

The Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act stipulates that workers who are made redundant must be paid severance upon termination.

Meanwhile, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Indra Chandarpaul used the opportunity to call on Government to provide subsidies (water and electricity) to the dismissed sugar workers. She said this obtains in mining communities where Bauxite workers were laid

off and there should not be any difficulty in implementing same.

FITUG President Carvil Duncan also urged the GAWU to pass a resolution that would seek to ensure that retrenched workers would be the first to be reemployed in the sugar industry, and demand that GuySuCo put a timeframe in which to pay severance.

At the end of the conference, Unifor announced further support to GAWU by launching a programme through the union’s Social Justice Fund at the tune of Can$44,000.

The programme will see 120 community coordinators being trained in six sugar estates to further the discussion on the future of the country’s sugar sector. The coordinators will also work to increase community involvement and workers participation in the restructuring process and to improve conditions for agriculture workers.

(Samuel Sukhnandan)

4

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018

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

Power sharing L

ast Friday, President David Granger revealed that there was no power sharing proposal being discussed between the A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change coalition and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

When quizzed by the media at his third press conference since coming to power back in 2015, President Granger frankly said there was no powering sharing proposal on the table, as he opined that it was “too late” structurally to embark on a reconfiguration of his Cabinet even if there were to be such a proposal.

The President, using his own deliberate judgement, also said “so what we have (is) as soon after we got into office, there was a proposal that we should meet to discuss… inclusionary democracy but there is no proposal on the table for power sharing… whatever that means, but certainly in terms of inclusionary democracy.

Mr Granger’s admission presents the public and all those who had championed the cause of changing Guyana’s governance structure in order to create a more inclusive, cohesive and unified country with much food for thought.

It also disclosures the fact that after three years, the coalition – which formed the Government – has failed to make any meaningful progress towards the ideals of shared governance or power sharing between the two major political groupings as envisioned by the founding leaders of his People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) party – Forbes Burnham and Desmond Hoyte.

This is despite the fact that Granger himself had committed himself back in 2015 after winning the presidency to consider the possibility of sharing power with the PPP which had won 49 per cent of the vote according to the Guyana Elections Commission.

He had said in September of 2015 that “We have at all times aimed at having inclusionary democracy and inclusionary government, so that the 49 per cent don’t feel locked out”. He had even endorsed Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo’s banter about forming a national unity government in order to move Guyana forward into a period of enlightenment and modernity characterised by reconciliation, trust and healing.

But yet again, as the year races through its last quarter, Guyana has found itself at another critical and pivotal place in its history, even after finding oil in commercial quantities.

The fact that the political heads of those parties, which form the coalition, appear indifferent and unconcerned about the Opposition positioning at this time is telling and appalling. It means they believe they can turn the fortunes of this country around without the PPP. They feel they alone possess the qualities, ideas and philosophies that can guide public policy, which in turn would impact the livelihoods of thousands of Guyanese who come from diverse backgrounds and historic enclaves.

From the posture and tone of some of the coalition leaders, Guyana does not need the PPP, as their coalition is inclusive enough and surviving thus far. Others feel that they can engineer the disappearance of the PPP and its leaders from the scene by embarking on a systematic campaign to rewrite aspects of Guyana’s history.

Leaders, who support and endorse the position in regard to locking the Opposition out of Government and ruling alone have no place in a modern, civilised, disciplined and democratic Guyana.

If Guyana is to move forward and embark on a genuine process of healing and reconciliation, political leaders must admit that there is no such thing as a “pure multi-ethnic party” in Guyana.

Both the PNC and the PPP draw their strength from the two major ethnic groups in this country; as did the United Force back in the days, when it was strongly supported by Amerindians.

The two major races hardly ever deflect, because of their suspicions about each other and the divisive rhetoric of their leaders, who quietly preach propaganda that eventually undermines the unification process. When they are frustrated, the two groups, with support from all of the other minor races, deliver shocks when they change the voting patterns or withhold support for their own party, as was seen at the elections in 1999, 2003, 2011 and possibly 2015.

But the politicians are not learning. If they accept that they aspire to represent all Guyanese, but their base is particularly composed of one ethnic group, whose interest they defend and represent, Guyana will be on the path to ethnic and political reconciliation. Leaders from both the PNC and PPP, if they work to put their past behind them and attempt to genuinely negotiate a power-sharing agreement or a formula for shared Government, as well as a system where the ‘winner does not take all’, Guyanese would be the only victors, because such a system can be seen as practical only if all parties are on board in 2018.

If the coalition does not get serious about constitutional reform, shared governance and national unity, it means it is happy with ‘managing the decline of a once great country’. Having a few meetings as adumbrated by the Constitution does not result in ‘inclusionary democracy or Government’.

Twelve-year-old Kameshwar Gokul poses with his mother, Raywattie Gokul, at their Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara home, after winning the Guyana Times’ Back-to-School promotion which facilitates the purchase of his back-to-school supplies

Stop lying to teachers Dear Editor, Full credit must go to the teachers and their union for finally standing up to this oppressive Granger regime. At one time I was concerned that they would have succumbed to the historical attitude of subservience, as practised by former GTU leaders like the late Jean Persico, who placed their PNC party card above their union membership. But this new crop of GTU leaders, like Mr Mark Lyte, has proved me wrong, because all I am seeing is a deep interest in progressing the teachers' welfare, and not politics. For such an effort, they deserve our full support.

What I am hearing from Mr Lyte is most refreshing, because he has made it clear that he “does not want confrontation”, he “wants collaboration and partnership with the Government”; he “does not want to clash with the Government”, he “wants cash for his teachers”. These are profound statements in support of the teachers, most of whom are working for starvation wages.

So to now hear President Granger reject the report of his High Level Task Force is most concerning, because it exposes an attitude of gross deception and subterfuge on the part of the PNC leaders.

Is this the normal DNA of PNC, where they make a million promises to the people at elections time, only to break every one of them and then present a bunch of pathetic

excuses for their underperformance?

Let us juggle Mr Granger's memory. On November 2, 2017, his Government appointed this Task Force, stacked with mostly PNC sympathisers and appointees to guide the discussion around salaries and non-salaried benefits for teachers. The first meeting of the Task Force was chaired by the Minister of Education, Ms Nicolette Henry, who then give them the charge under the leadership of Mrs Genevieve Whyte-Nedd, retired Deputy Chief Education Officer, to comb the budget and other documents to come up with an affordable package.

The Chairperson of any committee is very important, and Ms Whyte-Nedd is no friend of the PPP. Actually, she fought a well-fought battle with the PPP to be promoted with the full support of the PNC back in 2009. In its official statement, the PNC stated that Ms. Whyte-Nedd is a “highly professional and competent public servant capable of exercising independent judgment…..”

So let us be clear, Ms. Whyte-Nedd has the full support of the PNC. Other members of the Task Force were: Mr Marcel Hutson, Chief Education Officer, Ministry of Education (a PNC appointee); the most senior executive in the Ministry of Education, the Permanent Secretary (a

PNC appointee); the Human Resource Manager of the Ministry of Education, Ms Jacqueline Simon; the most senior Legal Officer in the Ministry of Education, Ms Kelly-Ann Hercules; Mr Granger’s personal Political Advisor, Mr Frederick Mc Wilfred (a PNC appointee); the Senior Personnel Officer, Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Public Service, Ms Gail Williams; the most senior executive in the Ministry of Finance, Dr Hector Butts (a PNC appointee); the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communities, Mr Emil Mc Garrell, who is a product of the Ministry of Finance; Mr Mark Lyte, President, GTU; Ms Coretta Mc Donald, General Secretary, GTU; Ms Samantha Alleyne, Treasurer, GTU; and Mr. Lancelot Baptiste, GTU. If one looks at this team, one cannot find a single person sympathetic to the PPP’s cause in it, and thus one expects full support from this team for the PNC-led Government. So when they published their report, the administration was very happy; so happy that, upon receiving the Report in April 2018, the Minister of Education, Ms Henry, expressed her pleasure with the outcome at a simple handing over ceremony where the PNC appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr Vibert Welch, submitted the report to her.

So to now hear President Granger express that the report is deficient exposes how disingenuous and dishonest this PNC-led Government really is when it comes to its treatment of the ordinary people.

I implore Mr Granger to listen to the words issued by Ms Amna Ally, former opposition spokesperson on education, who said in 2009 in defence of an education issue then, “Let us bring this issue to an end and reassure the professionals in the system that there is still space for them to act as guardians of the country’s education system”. What was good for the goose when Ms Ally was in the opposition is also good for the gander now that she and her PNC colleagues have the power to make right by the education professionals in the system.

In this internet age, Mr Granger cannot try a Burnham and fool the people. I have looked at the 2018 Budget Estimates and I have found at least 10 areas where funds are stacked for pageantry purposes in subservience to the Executive. These can easily be diverted to pay the teacher 15 percent in year 1 and 5 percent in years 2 and 3, which I know the GTU would accept willingly. So stop lying to the teachers, because G$43 per day more cannot work.

Sincerely, Sasenarine Singh

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018

5

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

CPL boosting economy Dear Editor, There is no dispute that the CPL matches have been giving a wallop to the overall economy. And as such, there should be bidding for more matches to be played in Guyana. Aside from the Providence stadium, consideration should be given to playing one match in the ancient county of Berbice (Albion), to give a spurt to that county’s economy.

Albion did, at one time, host first class cricket as well as one-day internationals.

The CPL matches have added significantly to the growth of the economy.

Kudos to the organisers and promoters for the professionalism shown in the management and overall staging of the games. They

are well organised, administered, and marketed as a business. In today’s sporting events, commercial interests have become paramount in the promotion and success of the games. It is noted that attention is paid to TV audience, tickets sales, web site, concession sales at the stadium, sponsorship, and various forms of media coverage, as well as promotion.

The games have indisputably delivered a wide variety of (economic and social) benefits to the country as a whole, individuals, and to communities in the Greater Georgetown and East Bank Demerara areas. The matches have helped to increase personal economic prosperity, as well as provided employment opportunities to

hundreds. In particular, the matches help to increase the productivity of individuals involved in cricket and those that sell varied items and foods near the stadium, boosting communities along the way. Besides direct economic benefits like sale of tickets and foods and drinks, there are indirect activities, like shopping for appropriate clothing, and entertainment (balloons, noise makers, other party favours), cricket equipment, hotels, uniform, tee shorts, advertising, printing, etc.

Billions of dollars are added to the economy.

There are jobs created, social get-togethers occur, there is media coverage, travel from abroad and local transport (car rentals,

taxi service, minibus operations, etc). Media such as newspapers, television, the internet, radio, and social media are all providing access to the matches, which help to maintain interest in the games. The matches also showcase Guyana internationally on TV – hopefully creating an impression of our country that would make business people want to invest. This helps to maintain interest in their former homeland.

Besides economic benefits, the CPL matches have also contributed in the social area, such as raising aspirations of youngsters to become CPL cricketers, forcing them to increase skill levels in the sports. Youths will be encouraged to as-

Proposed sale of sugar lands would be unpatriotic Dear Editor, The September 02 Guyana Times reports that President David Granger, at his press conference on August 31, said in relation to lands taken out of sugar that they would be “…first subjected to the jurisdiction of a State Land Sales Commission…”

The President went on to say, “[t]he idea is that we wouldn’t sell off the family jewels, we’ll make sure that the lands that are being taken out of sugar are placed to benefit of the people of Guyana as a whole”. Further, Guyana Times quotes the President as saying, “…the State Land Sales Commission is going to… make a profit from the disposal of those lands which may not be going back into sugar”.

The President’s announcement, to say the least, is a marked departure re-

garding lands that were and are being used by the sugar industry. On this score, we recall Administration’s spokespersons and advertisements seeking investors for the estates identified for divestment had informed that lands would have been leased.

Now the President, without any justification being advanced, is seemingly saying that lands could very well be sold off. Neither did the President, as far as we saw, provide any elaboration on the State Land Sales Commission, save and except that the NICIL-SPU would be involved and would resolve demands for lands by investors.

The sugar industry, as the nation well knows, occupies large plots of prime lands, plots undoubtedly that would attract speculative in-

terest. Moreover, while the President is saying we “… wouldn’t sell off the family jewels…,” in the next breath he is saying the Government is desirous of making “…a profit from the disposal of those lands…”

The two (2) statements stand in stark contradiction of each another. Moreover, the sale of those valuable and prime lands to investors, whether local or foreign, is a move that Guyana and Guyanese now and in the future would regret. The world has provided several examples of instances when land holdings have been sold off and the implications those have had for the citizens of such countries where those practices were pursued.

Countries and people have lived through instances when lands sold for one purpose were used for other purposes,

or resold for significant profits while locals remain landless.

The sale of those lands would be, in our view, the most unpatriotic decision ever taken by a Government in our more than half a century as an independent nation.

We recall former President Hugh Desmond Hoyte outrightly refusing to sell sugar lands when he give thought to the sale of the sugar industry in the latter 1980s.

Our country’s people have lived under the wretched system of colonialism, and their sustained struggles bought our country’s freedom. We need not return to those days.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

pire to become better cricketers, so they can be chosen for matches. This will force them to seek better training so as to improve their skills. This would help many to keep out of trouble with the law. It is a form of entertainment during peoples’ time off from work. It is also noted that the matches provide opportunities for social interaction at the stadium, bringing diverse people together and helping to narrow social and ethnic differences. It promotes social cohesion.

Government should sponsor and promote these matches, for cricket is the only sport that brings the entire diverse nation togeth-

er.

The Government benefits enormously, not only from social cohesion, but economically as well, through taxes and the spread effects of spending related to the CPL matches. It supports many jobs – full time and seasonal, part time. When one does the math, several billions are added to the economy, and this money is re-cycled through various economic activities. Overall, the CPL matches contribute annually perhaps 5% of GDP, if not more. CPL has earned and deserves more Government support.

Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram

6

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018

Page

0

Ever wish you could have a cup of coffee with your child’s kindergarten teacher and get the inside scoop?

We asked eight kindergarten teachers to share their best tips so you can successfully navigate your little one’s special year with their advice.

Read often “Read stories to your children. I know it’s an important beginning of reading readiness, but that’s not my primary goal at first. We are hardwired for story. It’s like a magic spell. Even my wiggliest kindergartner cannot resist its power. Reading stories builds rapport. It helps the children to know me, to get in the habit of listening to me and to trust me. Once that’s in place, they’re ready to learn from me.” – Sean Finn, kindergarten teacher at Griffin School.

Get musical “Be intentional about surrounding your child with a musical environment! Whether it’s an educational music CD in the van ride to practice or just the routine of singing and rhyming when everyone’s at play, getting musical with your child is paramount for developing a strong vocabulary, triggering recall and strengthening social skills during the kindergarten year.” – Pete Harry, kindergarten teacher at Myers Elementary School and owner of Harry Kindergarten

Foundation Encourage responsibility “Consistently set the bar high. Most kindergarteners will rise to the occasion! I am a huge proponent of teaching five- and six-year-olds to be independent. There are so many ways they can take responsibility for themselves and their actions. They are responsible for keeping our classroom clean, cleaning up after themselves after snack, unpacking in the mornings and packing up in the afternoon. Offer similar opportunities at home, take a step back and see how capable your kindergartener is!” – Ronda Thomas, kindergarten teacher at Oak Mountain Elementary School Celebrate childhood “Let your kindergartner laugh, play and even make messes: bake, make homemade Play-Doh, plant a garden, blow bubbles and make forts with blankets or boxes. Listen closely when they share the most amazing thing they learned at school each day.

Do not lose sight of what kindergarten is meant to be: a time when children can be children and a place where their hearts can be nurtured, friendships formed, social skills strengthened and laughter is encouraged.”

– Darilynn Caston, kindergarten teacher at Redoubt Elementary School and blogger at Kinder Glitter Practice zipping, tying and buttoning “There is one of me and as many as 25 five-year-olds. That’s 50 shoelaces, 25 pants buttons and 25 coat zippers. That is a battle I cannot win. Work on these skills at home. Giving your child independence with shoelaces, zippers and buttons makes kindergarten a much more rewarding place.

And with less time tying, zipping and buttoning, we can learn more and have more time to play with glitter!

And you help keep a kindergarten teacher a little more sane.” – Greg SmedleyWarren, kindergarten teacher at Fall Hamilton Enhanced Option School and blogger at

Smedley’s Smorgasbord Kindergarten Start conversations “Students who have strong oral language will have greater academic success. Build oral language by snagging time every day to have real conversations. Resist the urge to put on the DVD player while driving in the car. This is a perfect moment to talk!

Ask your child questions and help them to respond in complete sentences. You can also play games such as ‘I Spy’ while on the go or preparing dinner: ‘I spy something that starts with B’ or ‘I spy something that rhymes with star.’ These early literacy skill builders can be slipped into even the busiest of schedules.” – Deedee Wills, kindergarten teacher at Owensville Elementary School and blogger at Mrs Wills’ Kindergarten Get involved “Ask your kindergartener’s teacher if you can volunteer in the classroom.

Tell your child in advance that you are coming to be with the whole class, not just your child. Follow all safety and security procedures, such as signing in at the office and prominently wearing your visitor badge.

Enter the classroom inconspicuously and wave and smile at your child from across the room, but encourage your child to remain with the lesson or activity. As you circulate, help children other than your child. Do not judge or discuss the abilities and behaviours of other people’s children. Parent volunteers can be such a blessing!” – Jennifer Cook, literacy coach and former kindergarten teacher at Greenville Elementary School Spend time together “As a kindergarten teacher and a mother to a six-year-old, I encourage you to take time and listen to your kindergartener. You can gain so much knowledge! Your son or daughter will be thinking, ‘I love it when you talk to me about my work. I love it when you read to me.’ When you show a genuine interest in their life, you cannot imagine the love they feel and the confidence they develop. I urge you to put down social media and turn off the TV and move to the floor to play with them, discover with them and learn from them. Give them ‘us time’ every day. Make them feel like they are the most important thing in your life.” – Katie Mills, kindergarten teacher at Cassidy Elementary School (Excerpt from parenting.com)

Y

ou’ll find sharing books together is a great way to bond with your son or daughter and help your child’s development at the same time. Give your child a great gift that will last for life — the love of books.

Hearing loss ranges from partial to total deafness.

Some children can hear better with a hearing aid, cochlear implant, or

FM system.

Others cannot. Hearing loss may last only a short time, or it may never go away. Some children are born with hearing loss. Others develop it later in life. These factors affect the challenges your child will face in learning to read.

Each time you read to your child, you are helping her brain to develop. So read to your child every day. Choose books that you think your child will enjoy. Books that rhyme or repeat the same sound are good for helping your child learn the sounds letters and

words make.

Since younger children have short attention spans, try reading for a few minutes at a time at first. Then build up the time you read together. Your child will soon see reading time as fun time!

Here are some things you can try: Read the same story again and again. This will help your child catch words he may have missed before.

Explain the story as needed.

Make sure your child can see your face and the pictures. This will help your child follow the story, even if he doesn’t catch all the words.

H a v e your child turn pages, touch the pictures, and lift the flaps.

This will give your child practice using his hands, which gets him ready to sign.

Use simple sign language as you read.

Use stuffed animals to act out the story.

When you read to your child often and combine reading time with cuddle and play time, your child will link books with fun times together.

So continue to read to your child every day. Choose books that you think your child will enjoy and look fun for you to read.

Continue to teach your child to sign. (Excerpt from readingrockets.org)

news

7

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Minister Scott apologises for calling teachers selfish, uncaring

– veteran union official recommends Govt move on to arbitration represents the government interest,” Lewis stated.

By Jarryl Bryan

A

fter mounting pressure and criticism from union officials and teachers, Junior Social Protection Minister Keith Scott has issued an apology for calling striking teachers “selfish and uncaring.”

In a release originating from the Ministry of the Presidency, Scott was quoted expressing regret for the statements.

“I would like to offer my sincerest apologies to the teachers of Guyana. I regret making such an inflammatory and hurtful statement. I have always and will always hold the teachers of our nation in the highest regard” Scott was quoted as saying.

“It was never my intention to be disrespectful of, or to downplay the legitimate industrial actions taken by the Guyana Teachers’ Union [GTU] on behalf of its membership and teachers generally,” he continued.

Scott had referred to the striking teachers in this manner while addressing bursary awardees last week.

He reportedly also told the students that teachers who cared would show up for work on Monday.

His statement drew much condemnation from the GTU, which was already lukewarm about the Labour Department acting as a mediator in the strike.

Criticisms

The teachers who took umbrage to the remarks made by Scott called publicly on Monday for him to

ishing statement by the Minister, who incidentally is responsible for the Department of Labour, is a clear demonstration of the Administration’s concern for the workers plight and troubles that have beset them in

FITUG stated on Monday.

They also made an appeal for President David Granger to give “serious consideration and profound thought” as to whether Scott is suited to serve as the political head of the Labour

Junior Social Protection Minister Keith Scott

Veteran Trade Unionist Lincoln Lewis

In an interview on Tuesday, President of the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis, recommended that the process be moved to arbitration.

“Scott is not an arbiter.

His department does conciliation. And conciliating, it’s not them that makes the decision. Conciliator works with the parties to bring them closer together to arrive at a decision on their own. They have to arrive at a decision. The arbitrator listens to the evidence and makes the decision.”

“So what you have here is a situation where the union has been calling for arbitration. Arbitration, in this circumstance, I think is important to be considered, because the conciliator is a part of the Government and

ble question as to whether this is also a representation of the Government’s position on the matter.

Educators from all corners of the country are currently protesting for ‘a liveable wage’ and they were seen protesting in front of schools, ministries and education departments on the first day of the academic year.

A section of the protesters outside the Education Ministry on Tuesday

apologise. The remarks also triggered a response from an infuriated GTU, which also demanded an apology for his choice of words.

The Union also highlighted that his statement confirmed their conviction that the Labour Department’s position on teachers’ salary increases is biased.

Calls for an apology on the part of the Minister were also echoed from the Federation of Independent Trade Unions in Guyana (FITUG) and the GTUC. “This most aston-

the era of the ‘Good Life’ coalition. The statement by the Minister, in our view, further unmasks the APNU/ AFC Government and it reveals its true colours,”

Department.

Meanwhile, the GTUC said this is not the first time such utterances were made by the Minister and further sought to ask the percepti-

8 news

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Former GDF Captain to face judge, jury over lover’s killing

O

rwain Sandy, the former Guyana Defence Force Captain who reportedly shot dead his girlfriend Reona Payne on March 31, 2018 at First Street Alexander Village, was on Tuesday committed to stand trial for the heinous crime in the High Court before a judge and jury.

The decision was handed down by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts following a preliminary inquiry. Sandy quietly exited the courtroom after the decision was handed down.

Sandy’s attorney, James Bond, had in May told the court that the defence team would be flying in an overseas psychiatrist to examine his client. Due to unforeseen diffi-

Murder accused Orwain Sandy and victim Reona Payne in happier times

culties, the team had to resort to local psychiatrist Dr Bhrio Harry to perform the evaluation.

Bond had further related that he and his client are ready to proceed with the full disclosures for prosecution.

Sandy allegedly shot

Payne multiple times about her body in broad daylight, killing her before turning himself over to Police at the Ruimveldt Police Station and handing over the service weapon he used to commit the act.

Sandy was subsequent-

ly charged for the offence, but was granted an application to be mentally evaluated after his attorney told the court that the examination is critical to his client’s well-being, since he has been consulting with a psychiatrist for the past two years.

It was reported that Sandy and Payne were in a motorcar proceeding along First Street, Alexander Village when an argument ensued after he reportedly accused her of being unfaithful. He allegedly stopped the car, and as the woman exited, he reportedly shot her several times with his service revolver.

This publication was told that the argument ensued after Sandy had confronted Payne about having an affair with one of his colleagues.

Missing the water…

F

…after shutting the well down aced with a PNC Government that had promised them milk and honey on the hustings, but once ensconced in office gave them ‘salt biscuit and water’, the teachers of Guyana now (bitterly) concede they never had it so good but under the PPP. Like your Eyewitness (initially), they figured the Government most of them had voted for would just put on a show about not being able to afford the raise the Government’s own task Force had recommended.

And that, after a suitable period, would cough up, ‘cause the PNC would need their votes in 2020. But the mask of reasonableness that Granger put on when he visited their Head Office back on Labour Day has been ripped off after they went on strike. They’ve been forced to admit that while the annual 5% the PPP gave them might’ve seemed paltry at the time, combined with the fringe benefits of clothing allowance, duty free car allowance etc, they could live much better than before.

But time moves on...and while the cost of living inexorably inches upwards, so do the appetites of the mouths that have to be fed! Teachers had to be particularly irked by the Junior Minister in the Labour Department of the Ministry of Social Protection calling them “selfish and uncaring” because they exercised their constitutional right to demand a living wage. Wasn’t it President Granger who’d declared that, in his administration, teachers would become the HIGHEST paid public servants??

If, as public servants, Cabinet Ministers could justify a 50 percent salary increase, why would a 40 percent increase for teachers be so outrageous? Even after a 40 percent jump (if it ever comes), NOT A SINGLE TEACHER OR HEADTEACHER would be getting HALF of Junior Minister Scott’s monthly $700,000!! The Education Minister says it would cost $4billion to meet the teachers’ demand; but the teachers are saying to the PNC, just come back with a realistic offer and not the ridiculous “ball park” figure of $0.7billion, which is ONE-SIXTH of what the teachers are asking for!

The Opposition Leader has shown that the budget has all sorts of “sport” and “frivolities” -- such as parades -- from where the money can be sourced. How can the PNC Government justify circuses when teachers – who’ll have to mould the minds of the next generation -- have to scrounge for a living?? But the PNC Government has drawn its line in the sand. Like Burnham did with the sugar workers’ strike for recognition in 1976, Granger has now brought in scabs to break the teachers’ strike.

All Guyana has to get behind our teachers. Today it’s them, tomorrow it will be us!

Let’s us draw our line!! …when they go overseas Minister Lawrence says Guyana needs another 1000 nurses, and blames the high migration from that profession to the greener pastures abroad. But there’s nothing new about this, is there? Migration of skilled workers isn’t confined to nurses; teachers also have been moving out, as have all other tertiary-trained workers – including doctors! And it all boils down to those “green” pastures which, in this modern age, are “greenbacks”!

And it’s not only salaries. For nurses and doctors, they work under the most primitive conditions -- which have to be improved if we ever hope to keep them. It’s a good thing that NYTimes reporter didn’t go inside our “Clapboard” hospital buildings, or else he’d think it was Florence Nightingale working during the Crimean War!!

How can nurses and doctors care for patients when the latter are packed two to a bed and the x-ray machine is on the fritz??

If after getting 500+ Cuban-trained doctors we still need to train Medexes, something’s really rotten in the state of our medical staffing.

Migration’s only the symptom! …when you’ve failed in the courts According to the headline, AG Williams said the “Govt ‘more inclined to arbitration’ in bid to recover US$5M for GT&T shares.” Why not conciliation?

If the latter’s good for teachers, why not for the Government?

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

News

9

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Oil sector

Ram cites Petrotrin’s failure as corruption, inefficiencies ...warns Guyana Govt to consider this before deciding to use Petrotrin

N

ow that the suggestion is being touted that the Guyana Government should consider partnering with neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) to utilise its oil refinery (Petrotrin) and save that facility from total collapse, outspoken social activist and chartered accountant Christopher Ram has said that company’s history must first be studied.

Ram told Guyana Times on Tuesday that both countries belong to the same common economic area and have a vested interest in ensuring growth in the entire bloc. As such, he thinks the David Granger-led Administration can cooperatively work with not only Trinidad, but other countries, to the benefit of Guyana.

However, the chartered accountant said his major concern is what led to the failure of Petrotrin. This, he opined, had to do partly with corruption and partly with inefficiencies.

“After our mindboggling incompetence with the oil contract, I don’t think I would recommend entrusting the end product of the sector in the hands of Trinidad, which has done such a poor job in its oil and gas sector,” he asserted.

Individuals in civil society have raised concerns over the idea of Guyana utilizing the T&T oil refinery, claiming the Trinidadians, not Guyanese, are likely to ben-

efit from that arrangement.

Ram says the argument has merit, but the question must be asked whether Guyana is prepared as a country to build its own refinery.

“Are we prepared as a country, to build our own refinery? If we can enter into a refining agreement with T&T with strong guarantees and on terms that are competitive; if anything else, I think it is something we should consider,” he said.

Besides that, Ram also believes that given the volume of production that constitutes Guyana’s share, Government has to begin thinking about refining its own oil. He feels that unless Guyana can get the oil onshore, the country will never see the true benefits of that particular opportunity.

As such, he said, at this point, everything should be looked at, and nothing should be taken off the table.

He also criticised comments made by former Minister of the Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, criticising the idea about the oil refinery which was pitched by former Prime Minister of T&T, Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Robert Persaud has said Guyana should not be used as a 'rainy-day friend,' as the asset-rich country is due to become the next largest oil and gas economy of the Caribbean. But Ram said, “He was just trying to inject

Christopher Ram

himself in Guyana’s affairs, and rules out something that I’m not sure he had enough time to think about,” he observed.

Persad-Bissessar, who happens to be the twin island republic’s Opposition Leader, said to the Trinidadian press recently that she believes her country should attempt to part-

ner with Guyana, as oil production is set to begin here in 2020.

She said even if Guyana moves to build its own refinery in the future, the Petrotrin facility can still be used in the initial years of oil production.

In response, VicePresident and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, said the idea is good in principle, but would need to be discussed further.

“The cost associated with the processing by the specific facility; volume is another dimension; and then there are a number of other issues to be examined, as far as I am aware,” he told sections of the local media.

Greenidge also noted that the two governments would sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the end of September.

“Guyana and Trinidad are

Mocha Arcadia man slapped with rape charge

F

orty-seven-yearold Jegede Hodge of Plantation Mocha, East Bank Demerara appeared on Tuesday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer a charge of rape of a minor.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that between September 1st and 30th, 2017, while at Lot 19

Plantation Mocha EBD, he engaged in sexual penetration of the child, who was under the age of consent.

The Police Prosecutor stated that, on the day in question, the child was left in Hodge’s care when he committed the act.

Hodge has been placed on $300,000 bail, and the case has been set for continuation on September 13.

looking at an MoU covering energy, and there will be, later this month, a conclusion of that MoU,” he said.

In May 2018, Pedro Haas, Director of Advisory Services at Hartree Partners, conducted a feasibility study for an oil refinery in Guyana, estimating that it would cost approximately US$5 billion to construct a refinery producing 100 barrels per day.

Following that study, there were several discussions in regard to whether Guyana could afford such a facility. Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had stated previously that

Government would not be going ahead with constructing an oil refinery. He said Government cannot afford such a large investment, but at the same time, he welcomed such investments by the private sector.

In fact, the Natural Resources Minister had said that talks were buzzing about building a much smaller modular oil refinery, and Government is prepared to give favourable consideration that can meet good standards and guidelines.

Petrotrin has a refining capacity of 140,000 barrels per day. (Samuel Sukhnandan)

Woman shot while waiting on minibus …no motive established – Police

S

tacey Ann Robinson of Lot 315 ‘B’ Field Sophia was reportedly standing at the ‘B’ Field junction awaiting public transportation at about 09:10h on Tuesday, when two males approached, and one immediately pulled out a handgun and discharged a round in her direction before joining his accomplice; and they both made good their escape.

Shot to the right leg by the gunman, the injured

30-year-old Robinson was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was treated.

The motive behind the shooting is yet to be established, since, according to the Police, the men did not relieve Robinson of her personal belongings.

The matter was reported, and an investigation has been launched even as the Police continue their manhunt for the two perpetrators.

10 news

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Essequibo Coast farmer killed by alleged drunken driver

“Crying like a little girl” S

Dead: Kevon Tacourdeen

P

oultry farmer Kevon Tacourdeen of Lot 9, Dry Shore, Essequibo Coast was reportedly riding motorcycle CH4268 east along the northern carriageway of the Fairfield Public Road, Essequibo Coast on Monday at about 17:30h,

Kevon Tacourdeen’s motorcycle and the pick-up that struck him

when he was struck by motor pick-up GEE 1179, which allegedly was negotiating a turn and heading north along the western lane at a very fast rate of speed.

Following the accident,

the 32-year-old Tacourdeen was rushed to the Suddie Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. He leaves to mourn his wife and a six-month-old son.

Police have since con-

firmed that the driver of the pickup, a 34-year-old resident of Vilvoorden, Essequibo Coast, failed a breathalyser test and is in Police custody.

Immigration officer slapped with conspiracy charges

I

mmigration Officer Jonathan Rausch on Tuesday stood before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer three counts of conspiracy to commit a felony.

The 25-year-old denied all three of the charges, which alleged that on April 1, 2018, while at his place of employment at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri East Bank Demerara, he conspired with a person or persons

unknown to commit a felony by forging the Border Management System (BMS) with intent to defraud the public, purporting to show that Colombian nationals Juan Carlos and Maquilon Perez had entered Guyana on March 27, 2018.

The prosecutor told the court that on April 1, at about 15:00h, a Beech jet from Aruba, bearing registration numbers N119TC, landed at the CJIA for an emergency fuel stop, and

subsequently departed with Carlos and Perez without any documentation.

An investigation launched revealed that the names of the Colombians were not featured on the manifest, nor were there any embarkment or dismemberment cards in favour of the duo, as is prescribed by the law.

A thorough check of the BMS further revealed that the accused immigration officer had allegedly entered

and updated those names into the system to show that the Colombians had arrived in Guyana aboard another flight.

As suspicions grew, the accused was contacted, questioned, and subsequently told of the allegations, which he denied. Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan has placed the defendant on $150,000 bail, and has set the matter to continue on September 17.

atiricus was quite amused after he read about the businessman who turned the tables on the gunman who tried to rob him. Even though his leader Rum Jhaat was Security Minister, Satiricus had to admit gunrelated violence was increasing, and no amount of fiddling with the figures and closing bars at 2am would change that.

He was still chuckling when he joined the fellas at the Back Street Bar. “Eh! Eh! Like yuh get some scab money fuh do teacha wuk?” said Bungi as Satiricus took a seat and grabbed a beer.

“Naah! I wouldn’t do that to our teachers!” Satiricus replied. “I was thinking about that businessman who shot at the bandit who tried to rob him!”

“Yeah! Me read ‘bout da,” said Cappo. “’E musse mo’ fas’ dan Billy de Kid, since de bandit bin done gat ‘e gun out!”

“What I found funny was the paper said the bandit ran away ‘crying like a girl’ and peed up on himself!” said Satiricus, bursting into another round of chuckles.

“Maybe the bandit thought it was a Jumbie, since it was near Le Repentir cemetery,” smiled Hari.

“But hol’ it right deh!” declared Bungi. “Wha’ yuh mean “the bandit cry like wan lil gyaal and pee up ‘eself?

“Well, that’s what the paper said,” said Satiricus, somewhat surprised.

“An’ yuh na t’ink da ‘raang’? demanded Cappo. “Ah only lil gyaal a cry and pee up dem-self when bullet a fly pan dem?”

“Hey! You have a good point,” observed Hari. “I have a daughter and she’s tougher than Sato’s son any day!”

“Leave my son out of this,” said Satiricus. “He’s a sensitive boy.”

“Well, maybe the bandit was a sensitive fella,” said Hari.

“But de Police shoulda fin’ ‘e rass right away an’ jail am!” said Bungi, without any sympathy.

“Why?” asked Satiricus.

“If de bandit pee up ‘eself, de Police jus’ gat fuh falla ‘e pee trail!!” said Cappo.

“Just like Hansel and Gretel with their bread crumbs!” said Hari, as he raised his beer bottle for a clink.

11

News

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

AG assures path cleared for local law school ...feasibility study handed over

The Hugh Wooding Law School in the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago

A

head of Guyana’s hosting of the threeday meeting of the Council for Legal Education (CLE), which begins tomorrow (Thursday), Attorney General (AG) Basil Williams has given all assurances that the path has been cleared for the establishment of a local law school in Guyana.

Speaking to members of the media at the AG’s Chambers on Monday, Williams noted that the Caribbean Region would be transformed if the school were to be established.

Establishment of such a local institution -- which Government intends to name the JOF Haynes Law School -- has been the subject of much uncertainty, with former Attorney General Anil Nandlall stating that Guyana has not received permission in regard to this course of action, and that Government was proverbially putting the cart before the horse.

AG Williams is, howev-

er, claiming that Guyana has “gone past” the stage of receiving permission, and that the go-ahead has been recommended.

“The final report on the survey of the legal study on education is out, and they are recommending that Guyana, Antigua and Jamaica [establish law schools],” the AG said on Monday.

He said many of Guyana’s law students are finding it difficult to cope in the Caribbean island of Trinidad, and are “seeking scholarships” to complete their programmes at Hugh Wooding Law School.

He explained that the tuition per year is TT$$98,000, which translates to Gy$3 million, and this sum does not include accommodation.

It is understood that in the agreement to establish the Council for Legal Education, member states were empowered to establish law schools.

“At the time, they had mentioned Trinidad & Tobago

and Jamaica should establish law schools. Jamaica already has one. We don’t have any, and we would like to establish our law school. We don’t see why we shouldn’t have our law school in Guyana, especially at this time,” Williams noted.

Probed further, the Legal Affairs Minister revealed that the feasibility study has been received, and many of the issues surrounding the school’s establishment would be brought up for discussion on Tuesday.

“The CLE has some initial comments. They’ve raised some comments on the feasibility study and the business plan,” the AG noted.

Reporters were told it has been proposed that the local law school be constructed on 10 acres of land provided by the University of Guyana (UG). Williams outlined that a plan was submitted for the building, but there is risk that the CLE could opt against accepting the plan. Nevertheless, Williams noted, Guyana would take its concerns to the Heads of Government in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), who will serve as the final arbitrators.

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

This school is being established through a public-private partnership entered into between the Government of Guyana, the Law School

of the Americas (LCA), and the University College of the Caribbean (UCC); and would add to the existing options available to holders of a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree. The joint venture is expected to cost some US$6 million.

The CLE Executive

Council will, between September 6 and 8, host a series of meetings that would include Heads of Judiciaries, Attorneys General, and representatives from various Bar Associations across the region.

President David Granger will give the feature ad-

dress at Friday’s opening ceremony of the CLE at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown. The February 2018 Final Report on the Survey of Legal Education in Caricom Member States will be on the agenda for discussion, the AG has said.

12 news

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Day 2

Nationwide GTU strike continues ...as parents’ concerns over absent teachers grow

T

eachers across the nation once again participated in the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) na-

The teachers who gathered in front the Education Ministry on Tuesday told reporters that they will re-

Teachers in Region One are also in solidarity with GTU’s strike

tionwide strike as they continue to demand a salary increase.

main on strike for as long as it takes for them to see improvement as they main-

Teachers in front the Education Ministry rejected being called uncaring and selfish (Dexter Ceres photo)

tained that it is well overdue for teachers to receive increases.

The last time teachers received multi-year increases end in 2015.Many

of the striking teachers cited increased living expenses. “As time goes by, things are going up, buses fares already up and we to pay the bus fares and we can’t say we don’t have the money; we will be put out,” a Fifth Form teacher said.

However, as the nationwide strike continues for a second day into the new school week, many parents of students attending public schools are growing concerned over reduced educative activities in classrooms.

The Education Ministry has activated a contingency plan where it intends to take on about 400 trainee and recently graduated teachers of

work; something which he views as worrying.

“It’s hard because I can’t leave my children at home or send to private schools when you have Government schools. The Government is supposed to see with the teachers because they can’t just come and teach without money; they have families and bills to pay just like us,” Jones said.

Other parents who declined to be identified, made similar remarks as some opted to collect their children and take them home due to the absence of teachers.

One man uplifted his granddaughter as she couldn’t get registered at St John’s

Teachers displaying their placard during the protest on Tuesday

the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) as substitutes in addition to retired teachers. Parents are however concerned about the level of teaching their children will benefit from since many of the CPCE teachers are inexperienced, with only some having exposure to the classroom environment.

At some primary schools where several grades had no teachers, classes were merged as in the case of St Angela’s Primary where no fifth year teacher reportedly turned up for duties. Frank Jones who has two children attending the school said he cannot leave them at home since he has to work during the day. He told Guyana Times that both of their teachers did not turn up for

College, being a late entrant.

He said he hopes that good sense will prevail for all sides so that classes can be restored to normalcy.

The strike initially started August 27 during the preparation period. Now that school has reopened, it’s unclear if the Education Ministry’s substitute arrangements will materialise.

Moments before Junior Social Protection Minister Keith Scott pulled back his statements which deemed teachers “uncaring and selfish” for participating in industrial action, teachers who gathered in front of the Education Ministry rejected his comments for which the GTU demanded an apology. turn to page 16

13

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region One teachers took to the streets in protest

Students in the compound of the Anna Regina Multilateral school, Region Two

Paramakatoi, Region Eight teachers joined the protest line on Tuesday

14 news

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mentally ill man allegedly sets house on fire

Most schools in Berbice remain closed as teachers’ strike continues

GTU President Mark Lyte Concerned parent Robinta Thomas

S The completely gutted house after the fire

P

olice are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fire which gutted a Sophia, Greater Georgetown home on Tuesday afternoon, leaving at least six people homeless.

Based on information received, it is alleged that the fire was started by a mentally ill man who reportedly resided at the Lot 31 D Field Sophia, home with his mother, sister and her three children.

Guyana Times as told that the owner of the home, Marina Charles, indicated that no one else was in the home when the blaze started. The fire service was contacted but by the time they arrived, the one-storey wooden structure was already destroyed.

However, she said she was informed of the incident by residents in the area and upon arriving at home, her mentally challenged brother informed her that because the house belonged to his father, he has a right to burn it.

The man was taken into custody.

everal schools on the Corentyne were closed when children turned up for school on Tuesday in support of the countrywide strike by teachers.

The doors to Moghawon Primary at Manchester were closed all day as the guards stood in the compound to turn away children as they showed up.

There was only one class active at Rose Hall Primary with one teacher. Students reported that instructional work was done in the classroom on the first day.

However a few students remained in the school compound, playing all day; while at Port Mourant Primary, the students were initially told not to turn up for school.

President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) Mark Lyte had stated that teachers will not be on the road protesting but rather they were encouraged to stay at home.

“Our teachers have been told to stay at home until

further notice, so they will not be on the streets everyday but they will not be in the classroom at the same time,” Lyte said.

Meanwhile, parents have expressed different views on the strike; some in support while others are against it.

Nevertheless, parents generally seemed to be interested in the educational development of their children.

According to Robinta Thomas, a mother of four, the current situation is a worrying one.

“I don’t know what the teachers’ pay is or what they are going through but with the children, it is very tough but they need to be schooled.

So when they get there and they are forced to come back home, it is tough as a mother to deal with that. But on the teachers behalf, I don’t know what to say if they should get it or not.”

Another parent, Steve Beaton, is against the strike. “Public Servants in general need more money, all of them; the teachers, the nurses, Police… It is unreasonable for the teachers to call a strike at this time and

demanding that they get 40 per cent. I hope a solution will come about quickly. I hope that the Government will stand firm in their negotiating and if the negotiating team can’t get the job done, then get another team,” Beaton said.

Region Six Chairman David Armogan says he is in support of the teachers and questions why government seems reluctant to go to arbitration since the two sides remain in a deadlock.

“I empathise with the teachers because I believe they have a legitimate right to ask for increases because they, like everyone else in this country, have to deal with a decent wage.

So they have a legitimate right to bargain with the Government for increased wages and salaries but it is unfortunate that it has met a deadlock…. The process of dealing with negotiations is that if you come to a stalemate in the negotiations, the next process is arbitration.

However, I noticed that the Gvernment has been backing away from arbitration,” Armogan said.

news

15

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations While APNU/AFC waiting for the oil rescue, they are killing sugar

E

ither the President of Guyana is clueless and knows little about what is happening in Guyana, or he is deliberately lying and hiding his true intentions about how Guyana is being governed. With SUGAR dying and with thousands of sugar workers losing their jobs, President Granger could not provide answers to any of the questions that people have on sugar when he held his first press conference for 2018. In fact, what became even more pellucid is that the President simply does not care about what happens to SUGAR, and what might be the impact on the lives of tens of thousands of people. What was clear last week, during that rare press conference, is that he does not care that his Dr Leslie Ramsammy Government's handling of sugar has already impoverished thousands of people. Clearly, the President believes oil will rescue the economy and his Government. But it is sheer foolishness to think oil is a panacea. It is not just foolish; it is reckless, irresponsible and wrong to kill sugar. We need OIL and sugar, not just OIL or just sugar.

There is a crisis situation in Guyana. SUGAR is being killed. Teachers are on strike because the Government has refused to fairly negotiate with them. The financial status of the country is in crisis: debt is increasing, the reserve is being squandered, the Guyanese dollar is depreciating, failed loans are increasing etc. There are significant worries about the OIL arrangements with EXXON and with the loans from China. Yet President Granger claims that it is difficult for him to arrange press conferences to publicly address national issues, and to be accountable to the people of Guyana. When the President says he is too busy for press conferences, he means he is unwilling, because he is deeply rooted in his dictatorial fantasy.

Anyways, he held his first press conference for 2018, and only his third in over three years as the President of Guyana. During that press conference, it was frightening how little information he had, or was willing to share with the people of Guyana.

Sugar workers have been owed their severance for nine months now. They earned their severance. It is a matter of law, both national law and international law. When APNU/AFC terminated the employment of more than 7,000 sugar workers, they were required by law to immediately pay the sugar workers. After intense pressure, they paid a part of the severance to the workers months late, and then promised that the workers would get the rest before school opened in September. September is here. President Granger had no information to provide to the sugar workers and the rest of Guyana. All he was willing to say is that they will be paid sometime. What sometime means is only known to him and God. This is disgusting and insulting, particularly to the sugar workers and their families, who have been betrayed and abandoned.

In the meanwhile, other than protests organised by GAWU, the union has approached the court for remedy, hoping that a court action would hasten movement

by APNU/AFC to pay the workers what they are legally entitled. It was hoped that the Government would do the decent thing and either pay the workers, or meet with the union to provide a reasonable timeline. Instead, the Government is playing games, and has decided to contest the matter in court. Their lawyers, including Ralph Ramkarran, showed up in court to contest the legal matter. I am hopeful because, with Ralph Ramkarran representing GuySuCo, he will advise them to do the proper thing and pay off the sugar workers with interest.

The President again promised that the biggest public corporation and still one of the biggest companies in Guyana will soon have a Board of Directors. He had promised this before, and other Cabinet members also promised. But it has been more than six months that this important public corporation has had no board. Before that, for several months there were two boards, and no one knew who was in charge. In that time also, there was no substantive CEO. Now the Cabinet appointed a CEO, an old ally of the Government, without any input from a board of directors. This is surely not acceptable.

The President also had no idea what the $30 billion loan that has been taken by the SPU for GuySuCo will be used for. He had no idea what has happened to the $17 billion of that loan that is already in the bank account of the SPU. Clearly, the lack of information is not just that we have a President who is clueless. This is part of a deliberate strategy to kill sugar.

Govt committed to ensuring “we keep our population safe from diseases” – Minister Lawrence

P

ublic Health Minister Volda Lawrence yesterday reassured that her ministry is committed to implementing programmes geared towards the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other Communicable Diseases with the budget available.

“It is the responsibility of the Ministry of the Public Health to ensure that we keep our population safe from diseases and we have been doing so in collaboration with other ministries and NGO’s,” Minister Lawrence told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

The minister made this statement at the launch of a Medex training programme on Monday last. She was responding to media claims that there might be an increase of HIV/AIDS cases in the country.

Minister Lawerence indicated that the number of persons with HIV/AIDS in Guyana has to be confirmed by the Ministry of Public Health’s Chief Medical

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence speaking to media operatives

Officer.

She told media operatives that while she could not provide an exact figure, she will be attending a ‘preliminary’ meeting with the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) and other public officials on Wednesday, September 5, 2018, to confirm the amount.

“That number has to be confirmed.

Very soon we will be putting out the Chief

Medical Officer’s (CMO) report which has not been published for several years. I was made to understand there are changes in the way in which the reporting is done now – that the numbers are no longer collated together,” the minister said.

She explained that due to reduced public awareness there is a belief that there may be an increase in the number of HIV/ AIDS cases in Guyana. According to the Health Minister, the Non-Governmental Organisations and foreign-funded programmes were at the helm of supporting this public awareness.

“It was the NGO’s who were the gatekeepers, some who are no longer existing or they are not working in wide areas as they previously did,” she said.

However, despite this setback, the minister guaranteed that her ministry will continue to implement programmes to prevent and control HIV/AIDS and other Communicable Diseases.

Construction of 34 CH&PA homes at Linden commences

T

he construction of some 34 single-unit homes, under the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has commenced at Amelia's Ward, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Lindeners are set to benefit from the first batch of 60 homes which are to be constructed at the location, which includes both flat and elevated buildings.

Over 30 Lindeners are said to be employed on the project which is expected to wrap up in December. The houses are being constructed at the costs of $6.3 million (elevated) and $5.3 million (flat).

Decomposed body of guest found in hotel room

T

he partially decomposed body of a male occupant of one of the rooms at the Safari Inn Hotel at Friendship, East Bank Demerara was found in the room on Monday evening. The corpse has been identified as that of Phillip Crawford, who had been a long-term occupant of the establishment.

Based on reports received, proprietress of the hotel, Jagmoorah Correira, also called Yvonne, told investigators she detected a strange stench emanating from the room occupied by Crawford, and immediately contacted the Police.

When the Police arrived at the location, the door to the room was broken to gain access, and the lawmen were confronted with a heavy stench and Crawford’s body lying on the floor next to the bed.

There was no sign that a struggle had taken place in the room, and there were no visible marks of violence about Crawford’s body.

Guyana Times was told that the man, who had suffered from a mental illness and diabetes, had been a guest at the hotel for the past several weeks. He had last been seen a few days ago, when he went to purchase his medication.

The body has been removed to the Lyken’s Funeral Home.

It is scheduled to undergo a post-mortem today to determine the cause of Crawford’s death.

While 128 Lindeners have already been prequalified for the 60 homes by commercial banks, 34 applicants were selected from a public drawing for prequalified applicants conducted by the CH&PA in Linden recently. Twenty names were pulled for single flat units, while 14 were pulled for single elevated units.

Speaking at the public draw, Minister within the Communities Ministry, Valerie Adams-Yearwood noted that the houses would be construct-

ed in batches of five and upon completion; homeowners would be given their keys.

Under the initiative, another 60 homes are expected to be constructed by the CH&PA at Wisroc, Wismar, Linden.

The Minister noted that the CH&PA was, however, at the time still finalising details as it relates to ownership of the land.

“We are still trying to have the 60 houses built in Wisroc.

We’re still finalising with the Co-op Society and Lands and

Survey (as it relates to) ownership of the land. As soon as that land is handed over to us, we’re going to commence building 60 houses… We were hoping that that process would have been completed so that we can start this year, but it doesn’t look that hopeful. So, we’re going to put that money back into the 2019 budget to have those houses and hopefully we can get all the red tape out the way and begin construction,” Minister Adams-Yearwood had indicated.

16 news

WEDNesdAY, september 5, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Home of Berbice teacher burglarised – laptops, cash, mobile phone among items missing

T

eacher Tolia Erskine of Lot 48 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam Berbice is now counting her losses after her home was burglarised

while she slept in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.

The 39-year-old mother of three is insisting that the perpetrators had to use an implement to

prise open her main access door to gain entry into the home, although the Police have confirmed there was no sign of forced entry.

Teacher Tolia told Guyana Times she retired to bed late on Monday night, but when she awoke on Tuesday at about 4:00h to make preparation for her children and self to attend school, she found the back door to her home wide open.

Teacher Tolia said she checked her home and realised that the following

The house where Tolia Erskine lives

had gone missing: three laptops, three mobile phones, a television set;

a purse containing cash, bank cards and other documents; an internet rout-

Nationwide GTU strike...

“I do not consider my actions [uncaring or inconsiderate] because it is three years now that the union was begging teachers to hold back [but] the teachers mandated this action... as much we are angry with our leaders, we know that they have a heart and we are hoping that before the end of the week, we can hear something fruitful,” a union member indicated.

“To those who think we’re selfish and unreasonable; the teachers make daily sacrifices for the children, we care for the children,” a teacher said.

Some protesters called on President David Granger to pay more heed to the concerns the teachers are raising. According to information obtained, many of the schools around the city and some of the surrounding areas were halffilled with teachers such as the case in Central High School, St Angela’s Primary, Cummings Lodge, Plaisance and Charlestown Secondary and St John’s College.

Some teachers, who showed up, were not performing duties, while some classrooms were left unsupervised, as seen in an image Guyana Times obtained from a city school. Education officials have been going around reportedly making

Some students at Cummings Lodge Secondary were at times unsupervised

enquires on the absenteeism of teachers.

Essequibo demonstration

Meanwhile, reports coming out of the Essequibo Coast revealed classes at Anna Regina Multilateral School, in Cotton Field, were affected as teachers downed tools in support of the protest action. Guyana Times understands that the keys of the school were handed over to the security at the main gate.

As such, confusion reigned when parents who got wind of the occurrences, flocked the school’s gate in a bid to get their children out the school’s compound. However, they were reportedly denied entry by the security guards at the

main gate and expressed frustration over their children's safety.

The parents and security got into heated arguments but the children were still locked in at that point. Some reports stated that a few of the Form One students who were attending school for the first time flocked the gate and some were almost in tears as they were prevented by security from exiting the compound.

Later on, the acting Regional Education Officer (REO), Nicola Matthew was seen entering the school compound and when asked for a comment by a reporter, refused to offer one. The children were locked inside the school until their lunch break.

er and a cable TV control box, food from the refrigerator, her son’s school bag worth $10,000, and her new working bag.

In tears, the widowed educator said she was supporting the teachers’ strike, but could not now join them because she has bills to pay and food to put on the table for her three children.

The Police have since dusted the house for fingerprints as they continue their investigations. No arrest has been made. from page 12

Linden teachers turn out in large numbers

In the mining town of Linden, there was no letting up, as hundreds of teachers from across Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) took to the streets and marched along Republic Avenue, Mackenzie. They eventually stopped at the region's Department of Education where their loud chants were principally directed toward Education Minister Nicolette Henry.

They said they will travel to Georgetown to continue the protest later this week.

"Dem wuk we like a donkey and pay we like a junkie" and "No money no wuk" were some of the chants they repeated. Another meeting was held at the Lichas Hall where GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald addressed the teachers, telling them they must stand up when they see wrongs occurring, especially regarding the "disrespect" being meted out to teachers.

McDonald lamented over Minister Kieth Scott’s “selfish” teachers comment, berated Government’s “failed campaign promises” to teachers. She accused the Education Ministry of peddling misinformation that the GTU is demanding 40 per cent and without 40 per cent, they’re not prepared to work.

“Lies. Let them understand, that a proposal is just what it is, a proposal.

And a proposal says it is negotiable," McDonald said.

She also made it clear that teachers are united and will not adhere to instructions for fear of victimisation, as she accused the Minister of making an enemy out of the Union since the walk out in 2017.

Meanwhile, Regional GTU General Council representative, Ferdinand McLeod made calls for a larger public meeting by Linden teachers.

Demonstrations also continued in Region One (Barima-Waini), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), and elsewhere on Tuesday. The Education Ministry announced at a Monday night press conference that 2500 volunteer teachers will be deployed to schools to assist in classrooms.

17

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Trump to chair UN Security Council meeting on Iran

D

onald Trump will chair a UN Security Council meeting on Iran this month to spotlight its “violations of international law” during the annual gathering of world leaders in New York, according to the US ambassador, Nikki Haley.

The United States, which holds the council presidency for September, has unsuccessfully pushed the Security Council to call out Iran. Haley has regularly attacked Iran, accusing it of meddling in the wars in Syria and Yemen.

Haley told reporters the president was chairing the meeting “to address Iran’s violations of international law and the general instability Iran sows throughout the entire Middle East region”.

Diplomats said Iran could request to speak at the September 26 meeting, the high-level week of the UN General Assembly. Iranian president Hassan Rouhani is expected to address the assembly on September 25.

The Iranian UN mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Haley said the United

The United States, which holds the council presidency for September, has unsuccessfully pushed the Security Council to call out Iran

States would not object to Rouhani speaking. Russia’s deputy UN ambassador, Dmitry Polyanskiy, said the Iran meeting should focus on the implementation of a 2015 resolution on Iran.

Trump in May withdrew from the accord between Iran and six world powers aimed at stalling Tehran’s nuclear capabilities in return for lifting some sanctions. He ordered the re-

imposition of US sanctions suspended under the deal.

Iran is still subject to a UN arms embargo and other restrictions contained in the resolution, which enshrines the nuclear deal. European powers have been scrambling to salvage the accord.

Several council members on Tuesday also expressed opposition to Haley’s plan to convene a meeting on Wednesday in Nicaragua.

(Excerpt from The Guardian)

People feared trapped after India bridge collapse

Local TV channels have shown a number of vehicles stuck in the caved section of the bridge

A

section of a bridge has collapsed in India’s eastern city of Kolkata, and a number of people are feared trapped.

One person died and several others were injured, local media reports say.

Rescue teams and the

army have been deployed to help pull out those who could be under the rubble of the Majerhat bridge.

The bridge stood over rail tracks in an old part of the city. It was not immediately clear what had caused the structure to partially

collapse.

Footage on local TV channels have shown a bus, a few cars and some motorcycles stuck in the caved in section of the bridge.

The Chief Minister of West Bengal state, Mamata Banerjee, was quoted as saying by NDTV that the priority now was “relief and rescue”.

“The rest of the investigation will be done later,” the Minister added. This is the second such incident in the city in recent years. In March 2016, at least 20 people were killed and many injured when a flyover under construction collapsed.

Across India, there have been a number of similar deadly bridge collapses in the past few years. (BBC News)

Venezuelan drivers face long lines for fuel as new payment system flops

F

rustrated Venezuelan drivers faced lengthy lines for gasoline in border states on Tuesday as the Government struggled to roll out a new payment system that President Nicolás Maduro says will reduce smuggling of heavily-subsidized fuel.

Maduro says the payment system will pave the way for charging international prices for fuel – a massive increase given that gas is now almost free – as his Government seeks to shore up State coffers amid a hyperinflationary economic meltdown.

Any increase would mark the first time in 20 years that

the OPEC member has significantly raised domestic fuel prices, which have been a sensitive issue ever since deadly riots broke out in 1989 in response to austerity measures that included higher gasoline prices.

The pilot programme that began on Tuesday in eight states was supposed to provide service stations with wireless devices that use a statebacked identification document called the Fatherland Card to carry out fuel transactions.

At gas stations along the border with neighboring Colombia, the new machines were either not installed or

not functioning properly, according to drivers filling up their tanks and two gas station attendants in two different states.

The new payment system will provide a subsidy to motorists with a Fatherland Card, directly reimbursing them for gasoline purchases, once the domestic fuel price hikes take effect. Maduro says that will help soften the impact of a steep price increase.

Drivers on the border started lining up as early as Monday afternoon on concerns that the price hikes would be immediate or that stations would run out of fuel.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Amazon is 2nd US company to reach US$1 trillion market value

A

mazon has become the second publicly traded company to be worth $1 trillion, hot on the heels of iPhone maker Apple. Amazon has revolutionised how people shop online and is the world’s dominant Internet retailer. In two decades the company expanded far beyond its bookseller beginnings, combining its world-spanning retail operation with less flashy but very profitable advertising and cloud computing businesses.

The company’s blowout success has made its founder and CEO, Jeff Bezos,

number one on Forbes’ billionaires list this year. The Seattle-based company has cemented customer loyalty through its Echo voice devices and the Prime membership programme that offers fast, free shipping as well as music and video streaming perks.

Amazon’s stock rose 1.7 per cent in morning trading, putting its market value at just over US$1 trillion, although the stock dropped back slightly after that.

Apple topped the US$1 trillion mark in early August.

Amazon has also formed partnerships with many old-

line retailers, selling the Kenmore washing machines traditionally found at Sears and opening stations inside Kohl’s stores where people can bring returns and look at Amazon devices.

Wall Street has grown very enthusiastic about Amazon’s other businesses. Amazon Web Services provides cloud computing services to companies and government, and Amazon’s advertising division makes billions by selling ads to companies that want their products to show up when shoppers search on the site.

(Excerpt from MSN)

UNDP announces new Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean

T

he United Nations Development (UNDP) has announced that Luis Felipe LópezCalva is its new Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

According to UNDP, Lopez-Calva will lead the organisation´s work and teams in 40 countries and territories in the region, helping bring governments, civil society organisations and the private sector together to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“López-Calva´s nearly three decades of experience working in academia, advising governments and holding key leadership positions in multilateral organizations make him well-placed to guide UNDP´s work in the region to support countries’ paths towards sustainable development,”

Luis Felipe López-Calva

UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner was quoted as saying in a release.

López-Calva´s role is at the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General level, UNDP said. “I am honoured to be back in UNDP and working for my own region in this decisive moment, as countries face new challenges to enhance growth, inclusion, and resil-

ience to achieve their development goals in a sustainable way,” López-Calva said.

“This is a time of challenges and also of opportunities, to rethink traditional development models and institutional arrangements to leave no one behind by 2030.

This is crucial for our region, which is still highly unequal in spite of huge advances in recent years,” he noted.(Excerpt

from Jamaica observer)

Japan’s strongest typhoon in 25 years kills at least 6

J

Huge waves were whipped up, with winds strong enough to turn over trucks

apan has been hit by its strongest typhoon in 25 years, causing at least six deaths and 160 injuries. Typhoon Jebi made landfall in western areas, bringing heavy rain and reports of winds up to 172km/h (107mph).

In Osaka Bay it swept a tanker into a bridge and in Kyoto parts of a railway station roof came down.

Officials ordered more than a million people in affected areas to evacuate their homes amid warnings of high waves, flooding and mudslides.

It has already left tens of thousands without power and authorities have urged

people to move to safety.

The storm made landfall on Shikoku island around noon on Tuesday local time and then moved across Japan’s largest main island of Honshu. It is expected to weaken as it moves North.

Jebi is the first typhoon classed as “very strong” by the country’s weather agency to make landfall on Japan’s main islands since a typhoon left 48 people dead or missing in 1993, Kyodo reports.

Hundreds of flights, trains and ferries have had to be cancelled. Flooding covered the runways at Kansai International Airport in Osaka, which is

built on a man-made island in a bay. Universal Studios Japan, a popular amusement park near Osaka, was closed.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe convened an emergency meeting and called on people “to take action to protect your lives, including preparing and evacuating early”.

Footage from the storm making landfall showed giant waves crashing against the coastline, and flying debris. Japan’s weather agency has warned of possible landslides, flooding and violent winds, as well as high tides, lightning and tornadoes in the areas affected.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

Do whatever it takes to make personal improvements. Don’t argue when change is what’s needed.

Settle differences thoughtfully and in everyone’s best interest. Make kindness and love priorities.

A physical change will lift your spirits. A healthy routine coupled with rest, relaxation and spending time with a loved one will improve your emotional outlook.

Don’t make waves. Try to GEMINI get along with others and look (May 21for the positive in whatever sitJune 20) uation arises. It’s in your best interest to go with the flow.

Your emotions will rise to the surface. Channel your en(June 21- ergy into something construcJuly 22) tive and make a point to get things done instead of letting trivial matters consume you.

CANCER

Peanuts

Keep your personal infor-

LEO mation and feelings a secret.

(July 23- Take your time and let others Aug. 22) reveal their feelings or plans

before you share your thoughts.

Live, learn and move forVIRGO ward. Don’t dwell on past (Aug. 23mistakes when you can learn Sept. 22) from them. New beginnings and pastimes will encourage growth and joy. Take what belongs to you.

Calvin and Hobbes

Keep your emotions out of LIBRA (Sept. 23- business and financial matters.

You’ll do much better if you are Oct. 23) secretive about your goals. Do your best to avoid interference.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD - SABOTAGE (SABOTAGE: SAB-uh-tajh: To deliberately destroy or destruct, esp. for political or military advantage.)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Average mark 23 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 33 or more words in SABOTAGE? The list will be published tomorrow.

didact died diet iced idea caddied cadet cite tide tied edict edit

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

Practicality will need to be enforced when making a change or dealing with people who tend to be evasive or offer false information. Be thorough when doing your research.

An emotional plea will help CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- to ward off an argument with a Jan. 19) loved one. Speak from the heart

YESTERDAY’S WORD — ADDICTED aced acid acted added addict adit aide aided dace date dead dice

Take the edge off by imSCORPIO mersing yourself in a creative (Oct. 24endeavor.

Time spent using Nov. 22) your skills to develop something that brings you joy will result in new ideas for positive change.

and share your concerns. Using force won’t work.

solution for last published puzzle Look at your alternatives

AQUARIUS before you get involved in (Jan. 20- something you cannot afford or Feb. 19) that isn’t good for you. If someone wants you to be indulgent, politely decline the invite.

New beginnings should PISCES (Feb. 20- excite you. Get involved in March 20) events or activities that bring you a sense of pride and are geared toward helping others.

Your input will lead to greater opportunities.

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018

19

CONCACAF Nations League Guyana vs Barbados, Leonora

Visitors oozing with confidence ahead of clash C

aptain of Barbados National Football team is of the opinion that he can achieve a similar feat to his cricketing counterparts by defeating the Golden Jaguars right in their own backyard.

The anticipation for the International encounter heats up and by the looks of it, the Barbadian team is taking on a ‘no retreat, no surrender’ mantra as they gear up to kick off the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association

Football (Concacaf) Nations League on Thursday at the Leonora Stadium.

Shortly after arriving for their encounter at the Eugene F. Correira International Airport, Ogle, captain of the Bajan side, Rashad Jules, took a few moments to speak with the media, giving off an air of confidence. When questioned about their knowledge on the Golden Jaguars, Jules stated, “Not much.

But we have played Guyana previously in Barbados and we came away with a pret-

ty good result so we look forward to winning this time around.”

On the other hand, the Barbadian team which comprises of a handful of overseas players and the rest Bajan locals, is also said to be littered with younger players who are new on the international team. “We have a pretty young squad and we prepared specifically for the tournament. So we did the necessary research, we did everything that we needed to do for the games coming up,” Jules stated.

Similarly to the Golden Jaguars team, the Bajan Tridents have been engaged in preparatory matches ahead of the league, one being their encounter with Jamaica. Speaking on that matchup, Jules disclosed that it worked well in the line of exposure for the relatively young players.

“Playing against Jamaica was a really good experience for the guys, you know Jamaica is one of the top teams in the Caribbean and I think we did pretty well.

So it boosted our confidence

going into the Concacaf Nations League,” he stated.

Aside from, the mainstream competition, Jules also noted that he is looking forward to playing in front of the usual vociferous Guyanese crowd.

The encounter will go down at the Leonora T r a c k and Field Captain of the ‘Bajan Tridents’ Rashad Facility from Jules addressing the media 19:00h.

Windies B sweep Allen remains calm to Canada Summerfest T20 take Patriots to the top The successful Windies B team after being crowned inaugural Canada Summerfest T20 champions

– Tridents' woes continue

F

abian Allen was running out of partners and with 17 required from the last over he remained unfazed to hit two con-

W

est Indies B claimed three consecutive victories at the inaugural Cricket Canada Summerfest T20 tournament after wrapping up the third and final match on Monday with a resounding six-wicket win against Toronto Bears at Maple Leaf ground in King City.

Middle-order batsman Jamar Hamilton cracked an unbeaten 59 to propel the tourists to 129-4 in the 11th over replying to Toronto Bears’ modest 124-7 from the 20-overs.

The right-handed wicketkeeper/batsman Hamilton, who plays First Class cricket for Leeward Islands, hit four sixes and five fours from 28 balls.

West Indies B, who started off their campaign with a comprehensive five-wicket triumph over Canada senior side at the same venue on Saturday, won the toss and invited Toronto Bears to bat first.

They lost their opener Kamil Khan without scoring while soon after Jeron Maniram followed for 9.

Inform opening batsman Rodrigo Thomas batted well

until he was bowled for 28.

Skipper Royston Crandon once again showed great consistency by spanking four mighty sixes and three fours in his top-score of 47 while Teshwon Castro supported with 17 towards the end.

West Indies B bowlers delivered with confidence and accuracy throughout the 20-overs. Kyle Myers, Jomel Warrican and Justin Greaves all picked up two wickets each from their fourover spell on a responsive pitch.

Earlier in the day, Canada A defeated Toronto Bears by 13 runs. Abrassh Khan led the way for the A combination with a belligerent 94 which counted five sixes and ten fours from just 52 balls.

The young right-handed batting talent got support from Ravinderpal Singh who scored 29 and 25 from Harsh Thaker as pacer Jason Padmore collected three wickets for 30 runs from four overs and former Guyana under-19 skipper Eugene LaFleur snapped up two for 40 from four expensive overs.

When Toronto Bears batted, Crandon hit a cameo 63

which was laced with five sixes and four fours. Pooran chipped in with 27 while Thomas and LaFleur made 24 and 20 respectively.

Spinner Sukhdeep Brar made a good impression with the ball for Canada A by bagging three wickets for 19 runs in his four overs.

On Saturday, West Indies B kept Canada A to 127-4 at the expiration of the 20-overs while the Caribbean Boys replied with 128-1 off 14.3 overs.

On Sunday, they held their nerves over the senior Canadian side to win by five wickets. Canada made 146 all out off 20-overs while West Indies B reached the target in the penultimate over but only losing five wickets in the process.

West Indies B will continue their tour of Canada with two 50-over matches against the Canada Senior team on Wednesday, September 5 and then on Friday, September 7 at the same facility. West Indies B already pocketed Cds$5, 000 and a trophy for winning the T20 four-team competition.

(Ravi Madholall)

s e c utive sixes followed by a four to hand the Patriots a hard fought victory over the struggling Barbados Tridents on Tuesday night at Warner Park in Match 26 of the Hero Caribbean Premier L e a g u e .

Man of the Match, Allen finished on 68 from 34 balls with six fours and four sixes to seal the two-wicket victory with two balls to spare to take last year's finalists to the top of the points table heading into the playoffs which begin next Tuesday in Guyana.

As the Patriots wrapped up their leg of home matches and league matches on a winning note, it was at the expense of Barbados Tridents who have lost their last six matches including their five at home and will join the St Lucia Stars as the two teams eliminated.

The Tridents asked to bat were without injured batsmen Steve Smith and Martin Guptill but got to 168 for 5 with skipper Jason Holder and Roston Chase providing the last assaut with a stand of 53 from 23.

Earlier Nicholas Pooran made a busy 44 but got little support from the top order as just-arrived South African left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi immediately landed on a good line and length to tie down the visitors.

After a brisk start from openers Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis the Tridents fought back with some quick Patriots wickets that set up the match for the nail biting finish.

With Ben Cutting, Allen put on 52 for the

seventh wicket but stuttered towards the end leaving Allen to express himself with level-headed batting.

Left-arm quick, Mohamad Irfan was once again the most destructive Tridents bowler with leggie Imran Khan bowling a tight spell as well.

However, debutant leftarm pacer Dominic Drakes who was asked to defend 16 in the final over finished with forgettable figures in a losing cause.

The Tridents will now travel to Port of Spain for their fina match against TKR on Friday at the Queen's Park Oval while the Patriots move on to Guyana for the playoffs.

The tournament continues tonight with a top of the table clash between defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders and Guyana Amazon Warriors in Trinidad from 20:00h with the winner set to reclaim the number one position on the points table.

SCOREBOARD

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots Innings (target: 169 runs from 20 overs)

CH Gayle (c) c Drakes b Mohammad Irfan E Lewis c Wahab Riaz b Mohammad Irfan HE van der Dussen b Mohammad Irfan Mahmudullah c Amla b Khan AP Devcich b Khan I Khaleel † run out (sub [Reifer]/†Pooran) FA Allen not out BCJ Cutting b Holder AS Joseph b Wahab Riaz

22 19 4 15 8 1 64 11 7

JS Louis not out 0 Extras: (lb 8, nb 1, w 9) 18 Total: (8 Wickets, 19.4 Overs, RR: 8.59) 169 Did not bat: T Shamsi Fall of wickets: 1-37 (E Lewis, 3.4 ov), 2-41 (HE van der Dussen, 3.6 ov), 3-52 (CH Gayle, 5.6 ov), 4-72 (AP Devcich, 8.2 ov), 5-73 (I Khaleel, 8.6 ov), 6-92 (Mahmudullah, 11.3 ov), 7-144 (BCJ Cutting, 17.2 ov), 8-152 (AS Joseph, 18.4 ov) Bowling: Mohammad Irfan 4-0-37-3, DC Drakes 2.4-0-370, RL Chase 1-0-11-0, Wahab Riaz 4-0-30-1, I Khan 4-019-2, JO Holder 4-0-27-1

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018

Sammy is latest WWT20 ambassador

F

Daren Sammy savours the winning moment in 2016 in India

ormer Windies two-time World t20 winning captain, Daren Sammy, one of St Lucia’s most prolific international sport stars will join the WINDIES Ambassador Programme to lend his support of the WINDIES Women for the upcoming ICC Women’s World T20.

Sammy, captain of the winning WINDIES Teams for the 2012 and 2016 World Twenty20 Championships has confirmed his participation and will make appearances during the September to November as part of the campaign to promote the tournament.

Sammy has expressed delight to be involved in this project, “It is an honour and a huge pleasure to join the team for the ICC Women’s World T20.

This is going to be a great event for our region and for our women, who have for generations helped to build our communities here in St Lucia and across the West Indies. In doing so, they have made an outstanding contribution to our cricket.”

Sammy went on to say “this tournament will also go a long way to boost women’s cricket.

The sport is on the rise and we want to see it grow even more when the tournament comes to our doorsteps. As a proud son of the soil, I just want to play my part in this wonderful campaign called #WatchThis as we prepare to host the cricketing world.”

He emphasized that “of course I will be on the side of Stafanie and the WINDIES team as they seek to defend their title, but we also welcome the nine other teams and wish them the very best. I am urging everyone to come on board and join us for 23 exciting matches at these three amazing venues.”

As part of his role as an Ambassador, Sammy will be included in a variety of public activities to include community activities, photo sessions at venues and will make appearances with the players where applicable.

The Daren Sammy

Stadium is one of the three locations used during the event and Sammy is scheduled to be on location to meet and greet fans and players on match days.

Tournament Director, Jennifer Nero is elated that Daren has decided to support the campaign and sees the partnership “as one that will add value to the campaign and will serve as a catalyst to mobilize fans to attend the matches in all three countries. We look forward to working with Daren.”

The ICC WT20, the first stand-alone event of its kind is scheduled for November 9 – 24 and will also be at the Providence Ground, Guyana and the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua.

WINDIES Ambassadors are current and past players who, as leading figures of the game, bring significant added value to CWI campaigns, events and commercial programmes. (Windiescricket)

Haniff, Escarraga among winner’s in Maurice Solomon Golf Open

GFF Elite League 2018…

Western Tigers run away from New Amsterdam United

Abumchi Benjamin who scored a hattrick against Buxton

– Benjamin helps soldiers trample Buxton

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League continued last Sunday at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground with a double header that had fans on the edge of their seats and others biting their nails. At the end of the night, it was supporters of city sides Western Tigers and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Football Clubs that went home smiling.

When the referee signaled the start of the first match, the Western Tigers players seemed hungry for success and pounced at the opportunity to find the back of the net in the second minute through the effort of national player Vurlon Mills.

The early goal turned out to be the only goal of the contest as New Amsterdam United Football Club tried a number of strategies known in the football realm to get

back in the game. They attacked hard and even made some desperate substitutions but the Tigers were too good.

In the other contest of the night, Buxton United Football Club (FC) went out on the field and employed a strategy of playing three at the back but that wasn’t the best thing move they could have employed and were mauled by the defending champions 4-0.

For the soldiers, center forward Abumchi Benjamin ran circles around Buxton United’s backline leaving them in disarray, as he pierced their goal in the 10th minute to secure the lead.

But Buxton hadn’t seen the last of him as he returned to extend the lead two minutes later to dent the hopes of the east Coast Demerara team.

At half time GDF FC had a 2-0 lead and were looking comfortable, but they weren’t done with Buxton as they re-

turned to rub more salt in the wounds of the Buxtonian team scoring another two goals.

Benjamin completed his hat trick four minutes into the second half when he tore through Buxton’s defence as he had been doing throughout the match. When he felt his work was done for the night, he was replaced by Sherwyn Caesar in the 63rd minute.

After finding his feet, the last GFF player of the year, Caesar placed the final nail in the coffin for Buxton team when he blasted the ball into the goal during stoppage time.

GDF FC have now moved into second place only two points behind table toppers Fruta Conquerors Fc while Western Tigers FC sit comfortably on fourth place with a substantial lead over Victoria Kings FC who are in fifth place.

Enterprise Legends honour Yadram for U-19 success

From left: Avinash Persaud; Nazeem Haniff; William Walker; Bridgelall "Jacks" Harry receiving his prize from Ryan Badrie – Senior Accountant at Maurice Solomon & Co; Guillermo Escarraga and Jorge Medina

P

apo’ Nazeem Haniff, William Walker and Guillermo Escarraga dominated their respective Flights to emerge winners of last Saturday’s Maurice Solomon & Company Annual Golf Tournament.

A full field of golfers took the lightning fast Greens in honor of Solomon, the Lusignan Golf Club’s (LGC) newest life-member and sponsor of the tournament. Played under the Flights format, Haniff (68/75) who has been playing golfer for over three decades brought all his past professional golf skill to the fore to emerge overall net champion.

Veteran Mike Mangal (70/78) who won the tie with reigning Guyana open champion Avinash Persaud 70/72

in the count-back on the “back nine”, finished second. Former Guyana Open champion Mohanlall Dinanauth (73/78) and his son, emerging phenomenon Kevin Dinanauth (73/76), tied for 4th place and Richard Haniff 74/83 came in 6th.

In the ‘B’ flight, Walker with (69/79) finished first with Bridgelall ‘Jacks’ Harry 69/86 finishing second place. David Harry 70/13; Joaan Deo 70/16/ Parmanand ‘max’ Persaud 71/13; Lekhnarine ‘Mahesh’ Shivraj 71/17 and Brian Hackett 76/94 were among the other notable performers.

The ‘C’ flight was dominated by the MACORP executive Escarraga who tallied 71/93 for his 1st place, closely followed by MACORP CEO Jorge Medina in second with 75/103 – 2nd.

Also of note were performances by Mark Lashley 78/102 and Troy Cadogan 79/104.

Among other prizes given were Best Gross and Longest Drive, both won by Avinash Persaud (72) while the Overall Best Net and Nearest to The Pin both won by ‘Papo’.

Meanwhile, a simple ceremony at the end of the tournament saw Solomon’s golfing buddies of over 30 years, Richard Hanoman and Hemraj Kissoon (also a life member), were present to emphasise their appreciation of the honor bestowed on him.

Also all the Company’s staff was out to assist in prize distribution as well as to enjoy observing the game and enjoy the ambience of the upgraded Lusignan Golf Club.

Bhaskar Yadram (centre) is flanked by members of the Enterprise Legends team after being presented with the band (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan)

E

nterprise Legends, an Over-40 cricket team on the East Coast of Demerara, last weekend honoured all-rounder Bhaskar Yadram for leading Guyana to the 50-over title in the just concluded Cricket West Indies Regional Under-19 competition in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Members of the Enterprise Legends cricket team played a specially arranged softball match in honour of Yadram, before presenting him with a cricket band in recognition of his achievements this year.

During the brief ceremony, NK Omar, a member of Enterprise Legends, said the members thought it best to honour Yadram, since apart captaining Guyana to the Under-19 title, he also created history ear-

lier this year in the Inter-county youth tournament.

On April 11, 2018, the right-handed Yadram pulverised the Select Under-17 squad at the Everest ground, blazing 301 not out for Demerara. It was the first triple hundred ever scored at this level.

Omar said the Legends are indeed proud of the strides made by the young cricketer, and they are confident he will continue to excel as he makes the move up to senior cricket. Yadram said he is happy to have been acknowledged by the Legends, noting that he is committed to follow in the footsteps of opener Rajendra Chandrika and become the second player from Enterprise to play for the senior West Indies team.

sports

CLASSIFIED ADS

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

CAR RENTAL Car and minibus for hire-airport, weddings, creek etc. Contact Kumar on 265-0100 or 617-2376

EDUCATION Electronic Course Beginning 1st June. Practical’s. Learn to repair all major electronic appliances including flat screen TVs. Earn extra cash in our spare time. Boost your income. Abdul Electronics. Tel: 2250391/226-6551

PRIME LOCATION-PUBLIC ROAD, LOT 2 SARAH JOHANNA, EAST BANK DEMERARA. SIZE: 35*101 FT PRICE $6M NEGOTIABLE. TEL: 6739231, 216-4063, 685-5476 LOT 38 BELLA DAM, WEST BANK DEMERARA, SIZE: 120*40 FT PRICE $4.5M NEGOTIABLE. TEL: 6739231, 216-4063, 685-5476 Lot 15 Public Road, #2 Village, West Coast Berbice. 49ft x 10,314ft Length. $18M. Contact: 648-7109 or 686-4818

Jean offers courses in Dressmaking, curtains, floral, cake decorations.

670-2653, 638-8499

House for sale, 2-family, privacy, security, convenience, $11.5m, Garden of Eden, EBD 592-6013232

FOR SALE

TO LET

1 pair front yard metal gates (like new)- 47&1/2 inches x 55 inches.

667-0887 (Dr. Alfie)

ONE 2-BEDROOM BOTTOM FLAT $50,000 PER MONTH. TEL: 2263430

1 two door refrigerator (foreign use), 1 six hole 20’’ mag-rims with tires, fits tundra, Tacoma, Hilux pick-up, 1 diesel fuel pumps for Hilux 1KDFTV engine, 1 turbo for Hilux 1KDFTV engine, 1 turbo for Pardo 3.0 diesel engine, 1 Small twin tub washing machine. Contact Tel: 220-1630 or 638-1829.

One-bedroom apartment at Parfaite Harmonie (Dairy) Call: 6702653, 638-8499

LAND for sale One transported land for sale 100x50ft at Hope Town village West Coast Berbice Price 1.2M Contact # 680-1009

NOTICE APPLICATION FOR MONEY LENDER’S CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 4 OF THE MONEYLENDERS ACT 1 ROLSTON HARPER, OF 41 TROTMAN STREET, GOLDEN GROVE ECD, HEREBY GIVE NOTICE THAT I HAVE APPLIED TO THE MAGISTRATE OF THE GEORGETOWN MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT FOR A CERTIFICATE UNDER THE MONEY LENDERS ACT, AUTHORISING THE GRANT TO ME OF A MONEYLENDER’S LICENCE TO CARRY ON THE BUSINESS OF A MONEY LENDER UNDER THE TITLE OF RH MESSENGER, AT 42 TROTMAN STREET, GOLDEN GROVE ECD. NOTICE OF ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE APPLICATION SHOULD BE SENT FORTHWITH TO THE CLERK OF COURT OF THE VIGILANCE MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT AND A COPY OF ANY SUCH NOTICE SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SUBSCRIBER. APPLICANT ROLSTON HARPER. DATED AT GEORGETOWN, GUYANA.

property for sale BUSINESS PROPERTY FOR RENT (PAPO SHOP). 38 BLOSSOM SCHEME, ENMORE, ECD. 6114883, 255-0716, 674-6427 Lot mini/farm 100x285 feet, privacy, security, convenience. Garden of Eden, EBD. 592-601-3232 FORMER SOUTH CENTRAL HOTEL BUILDING - LOT 218 SOUTH ROAD, LACYTOWN, GEORGETOWN. PRIME LOCATION, IDEAL FOR BUSINESS. LAND-6710 SF. BUILDING& ERECTIONS • GROUND, FIRST AND SECOND FLOOR- 1586 SF. EACH • SHED 1485 SF. ALSO, TABLES, STEEL CHAIRS, BIRD CAGES FOR SALE. TEL: 662-9755, 225-1619, 686-0444 TRANSPORTED LAND WITH COMMERCIAL BUILDING 33X40 LAND(108X200) LOCATED AT LOWER MAHAICONY, ECD. PRICE: 38 MILLION NON NEGOTIABLE. CONTACT: 642-0336, 258-0280, 655-6643 LOT 15 PUBLIC ROAD #2 VILLAGE WEST COAST BERBICE. 3 HOUSE LOTS. COCONUT AND MANGO TREES. RICE CULTIVATION. RED SAND. 49FT BY 10,314 FT LENGTH. PRICE $18M. CONTACT: 648-7109, 686-4818 House for Sale. 3 bedrooms, bungalow-style. Gated community, Versailles. Valued at $35M (Negotiable). Tel: 612-9766

House upper flat, privacy, security, convenience, 2 bedrooms $30,000 Garden of Eden, EBD 592-601-3232

spirituality & ASTROLOGY Spiritual healing: remove blockages, voodoo, excurse, black magic, spell, business, upliftment, pregnancy, love & marriage problems, clearance, etc. Contact: 694-9569 or 683-5228 Sri Guru Raghavendra Astrology.

Master: VEERA BHADRA. Specialized in: PALM, FACE, PATRA READING & HOROSCOPE BOOK OPENING. An expert in clearing negativity in life by using ancient prayer methods. Gives complete solution to your problems like: love, children, finance, job, marriage, finance and education.

Meet him once to get guidance. All religions are welcome. Private and confidential. Tel: 695-9805 & 6526427.

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

VACANCIES WANTED. Drivers and Security Personnel. Apply to North West Mining Investment Inc. 344 Middle and East Streets, N/Cummingsburg

CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSISTANT. CALL OR WHATSAPP 680-3863 BOTTLE WASHER: FOR DETAILS. CALL OR WHATSAPP 680-3863 Vacancy for sales person to work at a mini mart. Call or whatsapp 624-0033 Wanted one Phone: 624-0033

housekeeper.

Wanted one cook. Phone: 6240033 Wanted two pump attendants @ Rubis, Bel Air. Phone: 680-3863 Wanted one porter. Phone: 6803863

WANTED THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) SECRETARIAT HEREWITH INVITES ALL CONSULTANTS AND SUPPLIERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES (INCLUDING THOSE VENDORS WHO PROVIDE HOUSING ACCOMMODATION) TO REGISTER AS PREFERRED SUPPLIERS. ONLINE REGISTRATION OF CONSULTANTS AND SUPPLIERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES CAN BE DONE THROUGH THE WEB PORTAL THAT IS AVAILABLE AT http://vendors.caricom.org/ FOR VENDORS WHO PROVIDE RENTAL HOUSING ACCOMMODATION, ONLINE REGISTRATION IN THE HOUSING DATABASE CAN BE DONE THROUGH THE WEB PORTAL THAT IS AVAILABLE AT http:// housing.caricom.org/ QUERIES REGARDING THE REGISTRATION PROCESS IN ANY OF THE DATABASE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED

TO: PROGRAMME MANAGER, PROCUREMENT, CARICOM SECRETARIAT, TURKEYEN, GREATER GEORGETOWN, GUYANA. EMAIL: PROCUREMENT@CARICOM.ORG OR PROCUREMENT.GROUP2@ CARICOM.ORG

21

DIG supports upcoming GSSF’s Steel Challenge

Wanted one housekeeper-624-0033. Wanted one cook624-0033. Wanted two pump attendants @ Rubis, Bel Air-6803863. Wanted one porter-680-3863 Live in maid wanted to work in Trinidad. Between the ages of 25 and 40. For more info call or whatsapp 18686831528

Dr Pravesh Harry, Director of DIG Inc presents GSSF Treasurer Ray Beharry with the sponsorship cheque. Looking on are GSSF Director David Dharry (right) while DIG Inc’s Company Secretary, Dr Jodah (left)

NOT T RECEIVING YOUR

DAILY & SUNDAY COPIES OF THE

GUYANA TIMES

in your area?

Contact our

Circulation Department

on 223-7230-1 Phone: 223-7230 (Ext 55) EXT: 55

he Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) will be hosting an upcoming Steel Challenge Match sponsored by Dental Imports Guyana Inc (DIG); following a recent presentation ceremony.

The GSSF, an affiliate of the Steel Challenge Shooting Association (SCSA), continues to promote simple, action-packed shooting competitions to local pistol shooters by organising such matches on a regular basis.

Steel Challenge is considered to be the fastest practical shooting competition in the world and Chairman of the SCSA Committee, Dr. Pravesh Harry reported that three exciting stages are being planned where competitors will be shooting at 5 steel targets which are arranged in preconfigured positions.

At the small hand-over ceremony, Company Secretary, Dr. Kevin Jodah commented that DIG is pleased to sponsor the

GSSF’s Steel Challenge match and indicated the company is committed to the GSSF and safe sport shooting activities.

Scoring will be done using a timer which records the time taken for a shooter to complete engaging all 5 targets. The shooter’s time is his/her score, with time added for targets not hit. Scores are entered into specialised software, and the shooter with the lowest overall time wins the match.

Participants will fall under two divisions, Limited, and Production with prizes being awarded to the top three shooters in each division courtesy.

Meanwhile, DIG Inc. which was recently established by Dr. Harry and Dr. Jodah is a local, efficient, and reliable dental supplies company. The main focus of the company at this point is to supply dentists in and around Guyana with a wide range of dental materials at competitive prices.

GHB/Bounty Paper Towel League

Hikers Cadets, Old Fort secure big wins on day 2

T

he Guyana Hockey Board’s (GHB) Bounty Paper Towel’s developmental second division league has resumed over the past weekend, and after a scintillating start on Saturday the competition got even better on Sunday.

The Saint Stanislaus Ground saw matches in both male and female second division that lasted well into the afternoon.

The Hikers Cadets who were on a rampage on Saturday, returned with the same determination on Sunday to defeat the Saints Under 19 players. Despite a surprise opening goal from Hilmar Chester to put Saints up by one, the Saints team saw no further success in a match that was dominated by the experienced Hikers.

Newcomer Christopher Sumeer and veteran Brian Asregado both of the Hikers Cadets would manage an exhilarating helmet trick (4 goals) while Jerazano Bell scored two and Colonel Heywood added a single.

The Cadets were the clear winners, racking up 11 goals compared to Saints Under 19’s one.

Another large win of the afternoon came from Old Fort, when they finished off their weekend of play by mauling the Senior Saints 9-2. After opening their ac-

Hikers Cadets’ Devin Munroe controls the ball against the Old Fort defence

count in the fourth minute through Theodore Thierens, Old Fort raced ahead to a 3-0 lead before Saints could get on the scoreboard to make it 1-3 at the half. Whilst Saints would manage only one more goal in the second half, Old Fort accumulated six more to seal the 9-2 finish. Omar Hopkinson with a helmet trick (4 goals) led the table while singles came from his teammates Thierens, Christopher LowKoan, Warren Williams, Jael Gaskin and John Abrahams. On the other hand, Yonnick Peters and Kwesi Lewis were the scorers for Senior Saints.

Over in the women’s division, Saints complet-

ed the weekend’s matches with a scintillating win over the Old Fort ladies by 3-0. Tekeisha Deleon was the star of the show with a pair of goals for Saints while her teammate Cherub Autar added a single to the total.

Pizza Hut GCC and Saints currently lead the points standing with 7 each while the Bingo Spartans sit in second with 6 points followed by a tie between Old Fort and the Woodpecker Hikers with one point each.

The action in the developmental league will continue this weekend at the Saint Stanislaus ground and is expected to run until September 30.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018...

Heavyweights Knight Riders, Warriors collide tonight

H

aving secured another spot in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) play-offs, Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) will face one of their biggest challenges yet when they play a fired-up Trinbago Knight Riders in Match 27 which bowls off at 20:00h at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

The defending champs and the Warriors both have 10 points with the defending champs in first place due to their 1.021 Net Run-Rate (NRR) compared to GAW’s 0.672. Their first encounter of the 2018 season should be one of the biggest to date as both sides are currently top-of-thetable and fresh off thumping wins in their latest games.

TKR won their last game by a handsome margin of 46-runs while the Warriors surged to an 8-wicket win, setting up a tale of the tape between two redhot sides. The last match saw Colin Munro’s blitz along with some fire from skipper Dwayne Bravo who hit five consecutive sixes in 37 off 11 not out and Brendon McCullum’s brisk 35.

The last time these two heavyweight teams met was at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in the semi-final of the 2017 season when the hosts went on to win by 6 wickets before taking care of St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the final on their way to a second championship.

Their ace player Darren Bravo continued to maintain his phenomenal strike-rate while it seems like the TKR’s trust in out-of-form Chris Lynn could

help the misfiring Aussie opener to finally break his shackles. The power-hitter has just one good score, 46 which he score in his second game but has since produced scores of; 8, 6,4,2,8 and 18 in the last game. His opening partner Sunil Narine is even more out of sorts with 56 runs in seven innings, a major worry for the hosts tonight a n d they may b e

game for his franchise.

Should the openers click again, the Warriors TKR’s bowlers could find themselves under a bit of pressure.

T h e Warriors leading bats-

Ali Khan

forced to make adjustments.

The defending champs will want to contain Guyana’s top-order which apart from Shimron Hetmyer has been mixed in their returns.

Chadwick Walton finally got a decent score under his belt for the season with 43 and could not have picked a better time as he missed a century partnership with his opening partner Luke Ronchi.

Ronchi has been peaking since the season started with aggressive knocks of 42, 24 and 28, but it was his fiery 67 not out of 40 against Barbados Tridents in the Warriors last match which helped the exNew Zealand wicket-keeper to finally settle in and win a

man this season, Hetmyer will also be a key player in this match after his 30 in the last game helped buff his amazing run playing his first full CPL season. South African Cameron Delport who recently arrived has been showing signs of his dangerous reputation and could seek to unleash against the champs. With Roshon Primus providing the consistent wicket-taking and useful runs at the bottom, along with Jason Mohammed’s slight return to form, the Warriors could make few changes to their squad especially with their combo helping them to an 8-wicket win over a strong Tridents team.

Both sides will be fancying their immense bowling options

with TKR showing in their last game that they were willing to swap a match-winner like spinner Kharry Pierre for a Regional talent like Anderson Phillip who bagged a 3-fer in his first match this year.

Coupled with USA pacer Ali Khan, Narine, Bravo and Aussie leggy Fawad Ahmed; Trinbago could give the Warriors a few headaches.

The Warriors bowlers have been proven match-winners for them, most notably South African Imran Tahir.

With 13 victims in the bag, the 39 year-old ‘Googly’ specialists has been the difference-maker for the Warriors whose spin department inclusive of Australian Chris Green and Veerasammy Permaul have been holding their own.

Their seamers with the exception of new skipper Rayad Emrit, who has had a few down games have been steady and making good inroads with pack leader Sohail Tanvir, Primus and possibly a returning Keemo Paul adding invaluable support for to Tahir and company.

With the home-field advantage, TKR will want to make the most of their all-round form and home conditions to spring one of the Amazon Warriors before heading to Guyana this weekend for their return game.

GAW will meanwhile want to keep their win streak going while beating TKR could tremendously shake things up for

the champs when they play the Warriors at their home ground Providence this weekend.

Teams: Trinbago Knight Riders; Dwayne Bravo (captain), Chris Lynn, Sunuil narine, Brendon McCullum, Darren Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Colin Munro, Fawad Ahmed, Kharry Pierre, Ali Khan, Shannon Gabriel, Javon Searles, Terrence Hinds, Kevon Cooper, Nikita Miller, Anderson Phillip, Hamza Tariq and Amir Jangoo.

Guyana Amazon Warriors; Rayad Emrit (captain), Sohail Tanveer, Cameron Delport, Chris Green,

Imran Tahir, Jason Mohammed, Luke Ronchi, Chadwick Walton, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Roshon Primus, Keemo Paul, Gajanand Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Akshaya Persaud and Saurabh Netravalkar. (Clifton Ross)

Annual Indigenous Heritage Pouderoyen, Police strike on Month Race Walk set for Sunday second night of Limacol league T

O

n Sunday September 9, 2018 race walkers from all around the country are invited to the annual Cavaliers Sports and Tour Club 10k Indigenous Heritage Month Race walk around the outer circuit of the East Ruimveldt Community Center beginning at 06:30h.

The 10k Indigenous Heritage Month Race walk is being held as part of the Clubs 14th Race Walk month of activities, it is being held under the theme “Developing and Expanding the sport race Walking in a Green Guyana.”

The top three finishers in the male and female seniors and juniors categories, juniors, veterans and the differently abled categories will receive attractive prizes for their efforts.

The activities that have been planned for the entire month were launched

Anthony Vasconcellas (left) receiving the winning prize

on Sunday September 2, 2018 with the beginning of the Clarence D. Kirton Memorial Back to School 10k Juniors race-walk that was held at the same venue.

Anthony Vasconcellas who copped first price ahead of Brandon Solomon who took second place and Joshua Abel who placed

third and Jerry Burnett rounding things off coming in at fourth position.

The prizes for the event were donated by Dr. Mark Kirton and Dr. Verman Bedessee CEO of Bedessee Imports INC USA and chairman of the Guyana Hemp Industries.

he Limacol Knockout footfall tournament continued on Monday evening with two more exciting encounters at the Ministry of Education ground.

In the first of the two matchups, Pouderoyen and Beacon FC were slated to compete, with both teams now playing their first match of the tournament, the encounter was sure to be exciting as both would want to get their points ticking.

After what seemed like a tense first half, Pouderoyen shockingly took the lead with a goal from Esan Nelson a few minutes before the whistle was blown, signaling the end of the first half. Acting on the momentum they got from their goal in the first half, Quessey Alleyne netted another one for the ecstatic Pouderoyen team in the 48th minute.

Knowing they had to make a comeback or suffer a defeat, Beacon began to play harder but it was to no avail. Trying their best to bounce back,

K i m b a Brathwaite netted the team’s first and only goal, but it was indeed a little too late for them. Pouderoyen won 2-1.

Minutes later, Police and Northern Rangers took to the field for the second matchup of the evening. With Nothern Rangers settling for a draw and Police completely missing out in their respective first matches, both sides hungry for a win. The experience in both teams was clearly displayed as they pulled out all the stops to restrict the opponents. As such, the defense was on an all-time high for both teams as they came up with one near miss after the

other. After a goalless first half and quiet for much of the second half, Rawle Haynes of the Police team finally got a rewarding breakthrough in the 70th minute allowing his team to take the lead and eventually the game.

The Limacol knockout tournament which is organized by the Petra Organization continues on Friday September 7, with Campton FC facing off with Georgetown Football Club (GFC) at 18:00h and then at 20:00h Santos FC will clash with Grove Hi Tec. Both matches will be played at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue Georgetown.

2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

23

wednesdAY, september 5, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018...

Heavyweights

Knight Riders, Warriors collide tonight

Page 22

Page 22

CONCACAF Nations League Guyana vs Barbados, Leonora

Visitors oozing with confidence ahead of clash Page 19

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.