Guyanatimes 6 december 2017

Vessel renamed after murdered prison officer P5 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3414

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

PRICE

Budget 2018 debate

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Lacklustre budget from a tired Govt – Dr Anthony

…2018 should be called “the year of retrenchment” …as Govt, Opposition clash on local govt issues Page 3

Chaos downtown as Parliament displaces bus parks

Multiplex Mall owner’s murder

3 to stand trial before judge and P8 jury

Body of teen fished out of Mazaruni P2 River

Page 11

Fire guts P2 Amelia's Ward home

…after mentally-ill relative sets mattress alight

Chaos clouded the city on Tuesday as Police displaced bus parks and commuters to facilitate the 2018 Budget debate at Parliament Building. Several main roadways in the vicinity of Stabroek have been closed off to civilian traffic to ensure easy access and the safety of the parliamentarians attending these sessions

Guard confesses to killing waitress found in trench

Page 12

“People must come before profits” – Granger tells UN forum in Kenya Page 7

University of Guyana commissions new registry building

P14

Mom killer jailed for 12 P12 years

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wednesDAY, december 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Fire guts Amelia’s Ward home Body of 19-year…after mentally-ill relative sets mattress alight

The badly damaged house in Mackenzie, Linden

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ine members of an Amelia’s Ward family, including three adults and six children, are now homeless as a result of a fire which gutted their two-storey home.

Reports are the fire started at about 19:30h on Monday evening at the Lot 119 Self Help Housing Scheme, Mackenzie, Linden house which be-

longed to 51-year-old Dylon Lampkan.

Guyana Times was told that the fire was started by a 24-year-old mentally unstable relative, who lived in the upper flat of the house, after he allegedly lit a mattress while playing with a box of matches.

At the time of the incident, most of the occupants were at home but were

only able to save a few items since the fire spread quickly.

Neighbours summoned firefighters but the ranks experienced difficulties in finding the location and as a result the damage was extensive.

Nonetheless, they eventually arrived and managed to get the fire under control. When this publication visited the scene on Monday evening, the distraught occupants were observed standing outside the yard as neighbours looked on in horror. One of the distraught occupants, a 17-yearold student of Linden Foundation Secondary school, who will be writing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations next year, told this newspaper that he lost everything in the fire, including his laptop and School-Based Assessments (SBAs). On Monday evening, the family of nine – with the youngest being three years old – was left to contemplate their next move and were in the process of arranging temporary accommodation.

old fished out of Mazaruni River

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he decomposed body of a 19-year-old was on Sunday afternoon fished out of the Mazaruni River in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), days after he had drowned about two miles from where his body was found.

The dead teen has been identified as Shemar Stefon Sears of Lot 687 South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, around 09:00h on Thursday last, Sears had ventured into the river at Akaree Island, where he was about to wash a barrel.

Shortly after, the 19-year-old was seen swimming in the river and then he suddenly disappeared.

Reports are that he had ‘lost control’, causing him to drown.

It was not until about 17:30h on Sunday that the body of the now dead teenager resurfaced about two miles from where he alleged-

Dead: Shemar Stefon Sears

ly drowned.

The decomposed body of Sears were retrieved from the river and taken to Memorial Funeral Home where it remains, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Police in F Division (Lethem and other Interior Locations) have launched an investigation.

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

Budget 2018 debate

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

Wednesday, December 6 – 05:00h-06:30h and Thursday, December 7 – 08:30h-10:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, December 6 – 06:25h-07:55h and Thursday, December 7 – 07:25h-08:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to heavy showers can be expected in the morning, with lighter showers prevailing in the afternoon. Thundery showers are expected to return in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 06:16h and 18:30h reaching maximum heights of 2.68 metres and 2.78 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 12:03h reaching a minimum height of 0.58 metre.

Lacklustre budget from a tired Govt – Anthony …2018 should be called “the year of retrenchment”

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midst constant heckling from the Government side, Opposition parliamentarian, Dr Frank Anthony during his 2018 Budget Debate speech on Tuesday, described the 2018 Budget as one that is lackluster and has nothing tangible to offer Guyanese.

The former Culture, Youth and Sport Minister said Budget 2018 is an offensive one, telling the Parliament the budget is a representation of the tiredness of the Government.

“This lackluster budget offends everyone. In just 2.5 years, four budgets latter, the (Finance) Minister seems tired and the Government seems tired.

They badly need a rest and perhaps the people should put them to rest,” he said.

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In his emotionally charged presentation, Anthony said while the Government speaks about expanding the agriculture sector, their actions tell a different story.

He alluded to the thousands of sugar workers who are now on the breadline following the decision to close a number of estates. Anthony said the workers feel betrayed by the Government after they were promised Government’s support to revive the ailing industry.

“The Government has adopted a narrow-minded, approach to sugar. That is to unilaterally shut major parts of the industry down.

In the name of saving a few miserly dollars, thousands of workers will be sacrificed to save the industry, these innocent sugar workers and their families will become collateral damage in a spate of vindictive politics.

Instead of helping by lending a hand to the industry, they prefer to the people and the industry while they are down,” Anthony added.

He said he shudders when thinking about what 2018 holds, telling the Government they are following the old tradition of the People’s National Congress, and as such, should rename 2018 as “the year of retrenchment.” He questioned the Government’s plan for the thousands of workers who would be placed on the breadline following the closure of the estates.

Meanwhile, during his presentation, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder said the framework governing the sugar industry needs to be retuned. He added that since the coalition Government took office, they have supported the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) with $32 billion and another $6.3 billion allocated for 2018.

“However, capital invest-

Opposition parliamentarian, Dr Frank Anthony during his presentation

ment of $12 billion will be required over the next three years 2018-2020 to ensure that the sugar production targets are met. Mr Speaker, despite the magnitude of subsidies, there has been no positive impact on the financial state of GuySuCo. The economy simply cannot afford this,” Holder said.

At odds

GuySuCo has commenced the implementation of the plans for the sugar industry as set out in the White Paper. The plan calls for three estates –Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt – to continue canes and sugar operations. While Skeldon will be divested, Rose Hall and Enmore are to be divested or diversified and Wales is scheduled for diversification. In this regard, a Special Purpose Unit has been set up to handle the divestment/diversification of these estates.

While the Government indicated that they would

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder during his presentation

put the scheduled closure of the Rose Hall Estate on hold, GuySuCo have already issued over 400-dismissal letters to workers, giving them the required onemonth notice.

However, Minister of State Joseph Harmon told the media that Cabinet was surprised by GuySuCo’s move, adding that the Corporation should have dealt with the issue a bit differently.

Harmon’s statement however did not find agreement with Minister Holder, who indicated that he is all

supportive of the move to dismiss the workers adding that Cabinet was not surprised.

Health sector

Turning his attention to the health sector, Dr Anthony related that they have been receiving a number of reports that indicate Government is spending a lot of money on procuring second hand equipment for the various hospitals. He noted that the equipment is standardized, hence providing unreadable results in some cases.

Turn to page 11

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

Greening Guyana with paint

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epainting State House green is causing quite a stir in Guyana and the Diaspora. While this may have come as a shock to many, the warning signs were there. A quick rewind through recent time would reveal the now green edifice of the Ministry of the Presidency and its new “great fortified wall of green”.

On the surface, one can possibly, though farfetched, be convinced that the unleashing of green paint on public buildings is delivering on a campaign promise to green Guyana.

Of course those with the knowledge on what “greening” in economic terms means, would not be so easily taken.

In this context, one can venture to argue that if the ongoing “greening” through paint is the manifestation of that promise, then it would not be premised in honesty. Greening in the context of economic terms basically has nothing to do with paint! Recolouring is more of an aesthetic choice and therein probably lies the reason. Over the years, local political parties have become easily recognisable by a particular colour, to the extent where it is believed that identification through pigmentation may have superseded name. Here, “painting the town red” can now connote something completely different in the current circumstances.

None can therefore doubt that the colour green has come to identify the coalition that comprises the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) which is the dominant partner in the Government; both of which the President heads. By this, one cannot be faulted for concluding that greening through the strokes of a brush is the manifestation of a political ideology which may be premised on capitalisation of identification through colour. In a more extreme case, it could possibly be considered as a form of indoctrination of young minds to what the colour green now seems to represent in Guyana.

Directly or indirectly, the intention could possibly be to impose that hue of green to maximise the effect of colour conditioning. This could be further stretched to posit that green is unblemished, the only choice and reign superior over any other. By association, these sentiments can possibly be imbued and over time, a far more dominant force can emerge. If this is the real intention, then it can be much easily realised having the reins of government in hand. While the Head of State clearly has certain prerogatives, his response of being unaware of the need for permission to repaint his official residence cannot go unnoticed.

Many have come to admire his passion for history and for his extensive writings on locally related matters. Such expansive knowledge must encompass that of monuments and landmarks, especially in a small nation like Guyana, where the numbers are not necessarily overwhelming. Time has shown that monuments are erected or so designated because of its historical value, impact and what they represent. From what has unfolded, State House is a monument and has protection through the National Trust. As in the case of monuments in almost every nation, any refurbishing or in the extreme, altering the aesthetics, must be approved by the assigned body. If not, it can be deemed an act of defacing a national landmark.

Some influential Guyanese, including a few Government apologists, have actually spoken out against the “greening” of State House. This once again demonstrates that some can indeed separate politics from issues of national concern.

Those who argue that the issue is not of national concern have not taken into consideration that the protection of these landmarks are institutionalised and at the least, must be afforded the respect of a hint of intent. After all, the same taxpayers’ monies that fund the repainting, pay the officials of the National Trust. If they are going to be sidestepped, then the courtesy of their redundancy must be made official.

This action of repainting, especially to that of a politically identifiable colour, has grave impact for social cohesion on which the government continues to spend millions of taxpayers’ money through a newly established Ministry for the delivery of that mandate. Not only does the “greening” of this historical building jeopardise the efforts of social cohesion, but in some ways it probably exposes the ineffectiveness of that Ministry.

While some may have already made that conclusion before resulting from other government actions, very possibly, this is the biggest impact of the paint brushes given the reality of a divided nation and the seemingly fragile state of togetherness. One would hope that expectations for the reversal of the brushes would not be farfetched.

Starters Nursery students ushered in the holiday season with a display of the Christmas story at their annual Christmas concert at the Georgetown Club on Tuesday

There is no end to this dictatorship trend Dear Editor, Guyanese were told this would be the result, that is a return to the dictatorship of the PNC. It was not a situation where they were not warned, it was a situation of living in a fantasy world or a world of make-believe. Those of us who know Guyana’s political landscape sounded the alarm that Guyana was destined to return to those dark years of the PNC. Immediately upon assuming office, the dominant party in power began to stamp its authority on the political scene. The dismissals were many as all persons perceived to be members or supporters of the PPP/C were sent packing and in their place, party faithful took up positions. It was a massive transformation as we saw a complete change in the age, as well as the composition of the office and the office holders. The

“good life” beckons, or does it? Now follow the sequence of events: They rewarded themselves, not the people who they claim put them there with a hefty pay rise.

When I speak of the people, I make mention of the majority of us who were waiting anxiously for something that would show some sort of moving up the notch into a “better” level of existence.

They chopped off near 2000 of our Indigenous people, then on to the sugar industry with its crippling closures. Sugar became a focal point of the campaign for closures, because it is a bastion of Opposition support, so deal them a crippling blow, just send them home and shut them up.

They surgically selected all the areas of Opposition support for massive layoffs.

There has been no foreign investment into our country as no one would dare venture into a dicta-

torship. Even among their own kind, the grumblings continue while those of a baser sort resort to a life of crime. Bandits and armed robbers have a field day as crime becomes the order of the day.

If they were not in the process of dismantling the economic fabric of our country, they were otherwise busily engaged in wasteful spending on non-essentials like Commissions of Inquiry.

Then, there are the insecurities leading up to the dismissal of the Police Commissioner. Instead of dealing with a career criminal and con artist, they found an easy avenue in getting rid of the Top Cop. In time, we will see a replacement of the Commissioner with another party loyalist.

The PNC-led coalition has unilaterally installed a chairman at GECOM with no explanation to anyone,

a clear sign of their dictator principles taking a further foothold. The unilateral appointment of Mr James Patterson has shown that the party in Government is prepared to break the law with impunity. Such blatant disregard for the Constitution of this country is a sure signal of what is to come.

What is more obscene is when the AFC – the coalition partner – nominated a replacement for one of their own to the GECOM post, Granger quickly reacted by flagrantly disregarding their nominee and in his place, substituted a man of his own choosing. Fantastic!

If this is not full-blown dictatorship, then what is?

There is no end to this dictatorship trend as the PNC take its full toll on the Guyanese society.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Noise pollution nuisance in Upper Corentyne Dear Editor, Those in authority in this country seems to be harboring a debilitating misbelief that if you ignore facts then they will go away with time.

However, what they have failed to recognize is that ignoring negative things that need to be fixed can not only be counterproductive but destructive as well.

I have written a letter to the press expressing my utter disappointment on how the noise pollution on the Upper Corentyne areas are negatively affecting the residents, especially the more vulnerable, through the illegal use of 1200 watts amplifiers and loudspeakers to do mobile advertising and vending. I have also pointed

out that the Commander of the GPF in Region 6 should not be the one to grant permission to do this. The Environmental Protection Agency is the body responsible for this.

The scenario has not changed. In fact the scenario is getting worse since it now seems that only a particular person is given permission

to conduct this illegal mobile advertisement.

The EPA has failed, the Public Security Minister has failed, the Commander of the Region has failed so I do feel it will be futile to call upon the authorities to do anything.

Yours sincerely, Muhammad Mustapha

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wednesDAY, december 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Local Govt will no longer be “stifled” – Minister Bulkan … Opposition MP says regional tender boards filled with “political hacks”

By Samuel Sukhnandan

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he return of Local G o v e r n m e n t Elections to Guyana and initiatives being undertaken to strengthen the system have been touted as major achievements of the coalition Government.

Delivering his contribution to Budget 2018 debate, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan said that the Government was moving to return to local organs the right to manage their own affairs.

Bulkan accused the previous Government of stifling the local Government system and depriving it of resources, asserting that this would not be allowed to continue.

PPP/C Member of Parliament Colin Croal

“Local Government will no longer be stifled in this country,” Bulkan stated while receiving loud applause from his colleagues on the Government side of

Vessel named after murdered prison officer

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he vessel which will soon transport prisoners to the Mazaruni high-security prison was named in honour of fallen rank Troy Williams, who died in the infamous Republic Day Camp Street Prison jailbreak in 2002.

The $118 million boat called the ML Troy W will sail in a ceremonial trip on the Demerara River this Saturday.

The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) said that the boat has accommodation for 80 passengers above the main deck as well as a 60-tonne cargo space below the main deck forward of the engine room. It contains three watertight bulkheads which divide the hull into four compartments. It was noted that the vessel would be fitted with two Perkins diesel engines of approximately 500 horsepower.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, in the presence of Williams’ family, will formally hand over the vessel to the Prison Service at Saturday’s commissioning ceremony.

Williams met his demise on February 23, 2002 when five inmates broke

Dead: Troy Williams

out of the penitentiary and stabbed the 21-year-old to death. Fellow prison officer Roxanne Winfield, who was shot to the head, was left paralysed and lost vision in her right eye.

The passenger/cargo vessel contract for the Guyana Prison Service was awarded to the Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC) Incorporated, and the project commenced in May 2017.

The Prison Service noted that the twin screw passenger/cargo vessel has been designed for harbour and riverine service in Guyana.

the National Assembly on Tuesday.

He said Budget 2018 made substantial provision ($1.6 billion) to advance the work towards empowering and equipping local democratic organs to be effective and meaningful partners in the development of Guyana.

According to him, the Budget also caters for both the vision of Local Government being a critical partner in development and the continued strategic direction of rebuilding the institutions.

Responding to assertions made by the Opposition that the Local Government system was in total chaos, the Minister said that some of its members showed total disregard for the Local Government system.

“A party that treated a Local Government system as if it only had cosmetic value and organs and councillors to never be heard, the question of valuation will be resisted,” he opined.

Bulkan went on to state that the Opposition was wedded to the centralised

system of governance, so much so that it was not interested in the restoration and functionality of the local governance system.

The Minister emphasised that the aim was to reject ‘winner takes it all’ policies, and encourage people to embrace local democracy, especially since it was in keeping with constitutional provisions.

Bulkan also spoke of the highly-anticipated Local Government Elections next year for which he said Budget 2018 catered.

“This budget lays the foundation for a country that is more inclusive, cohesive and hence more sustainable. This budget provides for the working man, the business man, the young, the pensioner.”

Meanwhile, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Collin Croal spoke passionately about what he dubbed a corrupt local government system that did not recognise the elected leaders. He said this was started under the coalition Government based on its approach to issues.

While noting that most of the local democratic organs are controlled and dominated by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP) owing to its election victories produced in that area for 2015, Croal said that the Government must learn to accept that these senior functionaries were put there by the people.

The MP also highlighted some of the dismal performances of the local authorities as stated in the Finance Ministry’s Mid-

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

Year Report. “The average for Regions 1-10, their performance was 29.5 per cent…average implementation within the last half of the year of 63.92 per cent,” he pointed out.

Croal questioned the rationale behind the valuation exercise that was announced by Government during the 2018 Budget presentation, querying why there has not been an increase in the subvention when Bulkan has claimed that the exercise was not aimed at raising taxation in the local authority areas. However, he did point out that Bulkan has repeatedly declared that the system was deprived of reve-

nue streams.

“Having had over 200 increase taxation measures in 2017, they couldn’t find any more to put it on the national level. So, therefore, they are now moving to the local authorities.

There is a motive probably in moving in this direction,” the Opposition MP told the National Assembly on Tuesday.

Speaking about the recent renewal of the regional tender boards which saw several new members being appointed and old ones replaced, Croal claimed that most of these new appointees were known supporters of the current Government, which lacked transparency.

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wednesDAY, DECember 6, 2017

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

Part 2: When you don’t have a choice

By Diana Burrell

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ometimes the twists and turns of life narrow your choices or eliminate them completely. Jennifer Lawler of Eudora, Kansas, always thought having four kids sounded perfect. But when her daughter Jessica was born with life-threatening health problems and Lawler’s uterine fibroids compromised future pregnancies, she and her husband knew Jessica would be their only child.

Lawler says, “Raising our daughter was going to take a lot of emotional, physical, and financial resources. If I had any more children, I didn’t think I could handle it.”

Time made the situation easier. “It’s a process of acceptance,” says Lawler.

“One thing that was helpful for me was not to focus on the past or the future. I put my energy toward making this the brightest moment. There were times when we thought Jessica wouldn’t live, talk, or walk.

She’s done all those things, so I feel relief and gratitude.”

Answering to everyone As you work out what’s best for your family, you’ll face some tough questions all around: ... from yourself Laura Miller of Ottawa, Kansas, mom to Emma, two, is undecided about having more children. “If finances and circumstances ever allow, we might have another child,” she says. “But we’re happy the way our family is now.”

She admits she still has fears.

“My husband and I both have brothers and sisters –I can’t imagine not having them to lean on. But after we’re gone, Emma will be alone.”

In my darkest moments, I’ve been known to worry about the unthinkable: With no other children, what would I do if I lost Oliver? But, of course, parents of onlies don’t own the front and e on worry. “Parents fear for all their children,” says Newman.

“Families with a number of children are equally devastated and blown apart when a child dies – the pain is no less just because you have others.” We need to accept that something so dramatic as death is highly unlikely and try not to live our lives in a state of anxiety. ...from others “The pressure to have a second child is often greater than for the first,” says Newman. But the fact is that the friends, family and even strangers who are exerting pressure aren’t the ones who’ll be caring for these future children till they reach

adulthood. After Lawler’s daughter was born, she answered her questioners with “We’re going to take care of Jessica.”

Sometimes intrusive questions and opinions can drive us nuts, which is why it can be helpful to look within before lashing out.

“When you are affected by this pressure, it means you’re looking for that person’s approval,” says Jeffers. “Ask yourself, ‘Why am I reacting this way? Am I afraid of criticism from this person?’ As soon as you stop needing their approval, you can relax and appreciate the decision you made.” Once a mom is feeling calmer, she can answer the critics with, say, “I understand you really want this, but it’s not right for me” or “Well, thanks for passing on your ideas.” .. from your child It happens: Many onlies will ask – loudly, often – for a little brother or sister, or wonder aloud why they’re stuck being an only child.

A straightforward answer is the best bet, says Lise Youngblade, PhD, associate director of the

Institute for Child Health Policy at the University of Florida in Gainesville. “The last thing parents want to do is get into a negotiation,” she says. Instead, respond with something like “We’ve decided that our family size is just right. There are lots of different kinds of families, and this is how ours is.”

With an older child, you can point out that many of the advantages he enjoys as an only –his own specially decorated bedroom, for instance, or the one-on-one time he has with Mom and Dad –may be things he wouldn’t have with a brother or sister. You can also try asking your child what he thinks would be the benefits of having a sibling. It could be as simple as having a bunk bed.

If a child’s demands don’t abate, Jeffers points out that “children complain, period”.

Parents with two or three kids sometimes hear, “Mommy, it’s time to send the baby back to the hospital.”

In my case, it took me time to say goodbye to my fantasy daughter, but when Oliver was 18 months old, I finally said to Scott, “Let’s do it,” on the vasectomy.

I’m very happy with my son and our decision, and I’ve looked for other ways to indulge my daughter needs. I volunteered as a Big Sister and counselled a 15-year-old on boyfriends. When I spot cute girly-girl dresses, I buy them for my friend’s daughters. And I console myself that when I go through menopause, there won’t be two hormonal women under this roof. (Excerpt from

parenting.com)

Comprehensive sex education in schools

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hroughout my seven years of high school, I cannot say that I have ever received a comprehensive class about sex. In Guyana, there seems to be this idea that 1) sex is a terrible, immoral act that ought not to be thought of by school-aged children, and that 2) educating students about sex will cause them to become “loose”, and that it is, therefore, better to avoid the topic all together.

Yet, the lack of sex education can lead to severe consequences.

Firstly, consider this: many of the children whose parents do not want them to learn about sex in school are most likely not going to teach them about it themselves.

What avenue is, therefore, left for a teenager who Ashley Anthony wants to learn? Do they take to the Internet, or do they assimilate information slowly over time from people and various media around them? Everyone is aware of the issue of validity of information available on the Internet, but here’s what’s particularly dangerous about the information from the latter — information about sex received from popular media and people who are biased and/or uneducated in this particular field can not only be erroneous, but can lead to a variety of misconceptions; everything from what is adequate protection, to what constitutes a healthy relationship. Information from biased sources can lead to the perpetuation of attitudes, which, frankly, to put it gently should not be allowed to continue. We often ask ourselves why Guyana has such a problem with sexual assault, but if a boy’s only explanation about sex comes from his older male relative who tells him “don’t take no for an answer, be a man”, can we really be surprised?

Often times when a sexual assault case comes to light, we reexamine the culture of our society, and try to think about if we are creating an enabling environment for these crimes to occur. I am not saying that the boy would be justified in raping a girl, but I am saying that we need to realise that attitudes surrounding sex are passed from generation to generation, and often times these attitudes are not ideal. Without access to an unbiased channel of information, that boy may very well grow up to believe that during sex he must be forceful and aggressive, and that elsewise he’s less of a man.

Comprehensive sex education should be about more than just what diseases you can get. It should be concerned with ensuring that young people are acting responsibly with both their bodies, and minds. It should teach them to discern the difference between a consenting relationship and one in which they are being taken advantage of, or used. It should teach them how to deal with the fallout of a breakup, lest they turn to self-harm or even suicide.

It should NOT be abstinence only. I cannot stress how baffling I find it that people think that an abstinence-only approach is the best; they argue that educating teenagers about healthy sexual behaviours gives them all the tools to be sexually active and will encourage this “immoral” behaviour. As if a teenager who is uneducated but wants to have sex isn’t going to have sex. To me, the evidence is clear. We tell students to practise abstinence only; yet, we have a high level of teenage pregnancy. This goes to show that teenagers are not only having sex, but doing so without the proper protection, putting themselves at risk for diseases, and for pregnancy.

Finally, to ye who preach that teaching anything but abstinence before marriage is unholy, remember that Guyana is a secular state. Having sex before marriage is not illegal. This alone reflects our state’s secularism.

If the religion could not influence the law, it should not influence the policies by which our children are educated.

Our curriculum should be devised in the best interests of all of our students. If you would like to impress the value of abstinence upon your child in your home or church, you are free to do so. But you have no right to force it upon everyone else’s.

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wednesDAY, december 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

“People must come before profits” – Granger tells UN forum in Kenya

President David Granger at the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya (UNEA photo)

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resident David Granger on Monday addressed the high-level event on Combating Pollution in the Extractive Industries at the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, where he said that the people must come before any profits, as the world’s natural resources are the patrimony of all humanity. He also used the opportunity to propose a three pronged approach, which can help primarily small states with their fight against pollution and the protection of the environment.

“People, therefore, must be at the heart of the development of our natural resources. People must come before profits. The pursuit of profits has been accompanied, over the past century, by an exponential increase in extractive industries. This expansion, however, has aggravated environmental damage, which can have a long-lasting and harmful negative impact… on human dignity and well-being,” the President said.

According to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency, the Head of State said pollution in the extractive industries threatens environmental security and it increases human vulnerability to human-induced environmental degradation and impacts on human security. While ex-

tractive industries have made an inestimable contribution to the economies of low-income and middle-income countries, the President said these measurable economic benefits are associated with air pollution, biodiversity loss, freshwater and oceanic contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, land degradation and resource depletion.

“Pollution, within extractive industries, threatens human well-being and life. It can undermine production, impair human health and damage the physical environment. Environmental security, therefore, is a crosscutting concern with economic, political and social implications.

Combatting pollution in extractive industries requires a holistic response,” he said.

On this note, the Head of State said that Guyana is prepared to play its part and is pursuing a holistic approach to the exploitation of its natural resources. “Guyana’s ‘Green State Development Strategy’ will become our blueprint for moving towards becoming a ‘green state.’ The ‘green state’ will exemplify the policy of placing people before profits.

The ‘green state’ will demonstrate how our extractive industries – bauxite, diamond and gold mining and logging – can be aligned with the protection of our environment,

the preservation of our biodiversity and the promotion of the generation of energy from renewable sources. The ‘green state’ will become a model of environmental stewardship.

It will demonstrate the signal role, which a small state can play in protecting the world’s air, water and land from the threat of pollution,” he said.

However, the Head of State, who has been pushing the ‘green’ agenda since his assumption to office, said Guyana cannot do it alone and requires international cooperation, international organisation and information, education and communication.

“International cooperation should be strengthened to ensure that states, particularly small states, can benefit from transfer of technologies and access to international financing to support programmes to reduce pollution. Guyana looks forward to increased international cooperation between large and small states in combating pollution. Guyana recognises the need for an international organisation to drive greater international cooperation, collaboration and coordination to ensure a pollution free-planet and Information, education and communication must be extended through a sustained campaign aimed at raising awareness of the urgency of eliminating pollution at the level of citizen, household and community,” he said.

Guyana has already begun taking steps to reduce the level of pollution in its extractive industries. In September, the Head of State travelled to Geneva, Switzerland for the first Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Minamata Convention, where he reassured the international community that Guyana will not only reduce its use of mercury in the mining industry, but will work to eliminate the practice.

8 NEWS

wednesDAY, december 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Multiplex Mall owner’s murder

3 to stand trial before judge and jury

T

he three men accused of gunning down the Multiplex Mall owner Ganesh Ramlall on July 5, 2015 outside his La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara (WCD) home have all been committed to stand trial in the High Court.

Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool told 21-year-old Fazeel Bacchus of Cornelia Ida, WCD; 32-year-old Lennox Roberts of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) and 35-year-old Kurt Erskine of Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) that the submissions made by their attorneys, Brandon De Santos and Lyndon Amsterdam, were considered; however, a prima facie case has been made out against them. Attorneyat-Law Nigel Hughes was hired by the State as a special prosecutor for the case.

However, when given an opportunity to address the court, the accused all maintained their innocence in the matter. Bacchus, who was named one of the masterminds of the crime, decried the harsh life in prison and stated: “I was not even there; why do I have to face this?”

No equity…

T Lennox Roberts

Fazeel Bacchus

Kurt Erskine

Ramlall, a father of one, was shot five times about his body, including once to his head, around 00:10h on the morning of his demise.

Reports are that the 48-year-old had just returned home from a barbeque with friends when he proceeded to use an outdoor bathroom at his premises.

However, as the man walked into his yard, he was pounced upon by four men who opened fire on him.

The man’s wife raised an alarm and neighbours fired shots at the bandits, but the men managed to escape with Ramlall’s jewellery and wallet.

Ramlall was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His relatives quickly posted a $5 million reward for anyone with information on the killing.

Shortly after, Police raided a house in Craig, EBD, where Bacchus and Roberts, along with several others , were arrested.

When interrogated, the two men reportedly confessed to the murder of the Regent Street Multiplex business owner.

They further revealed to Police that the murder was

hatched some two months prior to it being carried out.

As such, they both, mere days after their confession, appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, and were remanded to prison.

Erskine was later apprehended and subsequently charged with the murder as well after he was implicated by the two.

During the Preliminary Inquiry, which commenced before Magistrate Liverpool at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, the wife of Ramlall, along with neighbours, testified.

…in tax paying here’s a report that Exxon paid absolutely NO taxes on revenues of US$13.7B from petroleum products it extracted in, of all places, Australia!

Your Eyewitness says “of all places” because most folks think corporations only avoid paying taxes to backward, Third World countries like Guyana and the Congo!

Did everyone miss the news about Apple (which is as American as…well…apple pie!) registering its European business in Ireland - which has the lowest taxes in the continent?

It did that, of course, to avoid paying taxes in the US!! But when Ireland revised its tax laws in 2013, Apple moved its US$252B cash assets to the tax haven of Jersey islands - as revealed in the Paradise Papers!! Why pay the US 35% or even Ireland’s 12.5% when you can get away with .0005%!! The irony is the EU just slapped a US$13Billion fine on Apple - which Ireland doesn’t want to accept because it doesn’t want to offend Apple!!

And this is where we return to Exxon and its financial practices. Are folks so naïve to believe multinationals will “do the right thing” and pay taxes because we’re so poor and backward. Hey! In the neo-liberal world of business we now inhabit, the rule is “Show no mercy!

Take them for as much as you can get!!” The thing is - if one corporation doesn’t make as much profits as they can, they soon get eaten up by those that do. It’s a ‘corporation eat corporation” world out there!!

But we’re even more confused about the outrage in Guyana about what Exxon may pay in taxes here. As the contract will reveal - if it is ever released, and that’s not likely!! - Exxon will be allowed to first deduct up to 75% of revenues to cover its “development and operational “expenses. Which accounting firms in the world (not just Guyana’s) can figure out the REAL expenses when Australia’s couldn’t - after Exxon ran them through the maze of 500+ offshore paper companies. That’s how the world turns!

But Guyana wont even get this “maze” treatment.

“Why?” you ask dear reader? As your Eyewitness has been pointing out for over a year, the contract Trotman “renegotiated” says that EXXON’s TAXES WILL COME OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF GUYANA’S REVENUES!!!

Yep! You heard that right…GUYANA will be paying Exxon taxes!! So if you have a gripe…take it up with the government..

And you moan and whimper, “But that’s not fair!”?

Well, like they say, “all is fair in love and war”. And in the neo-liberal capitalist model we now enjoy, business is the new form of war!!

And as our Foreign Minister Greenidge, advises, “Please…no cussing. Of Exxon”!! …in Parking meters The Gang of Four at City Hall and Smart City Solutions must’ve figured the dust has settled over their Parking Meter heist. The City Council Committee proposed citizens should be happy to fork over $150 per hour for the privilege of parking in our fair city! Now your Eyewitness does believe parking meters are a legitimate vehicle (forgive the pun!) to raise revenues and at the same time control congestion in the city.

But at the same time, these must be balanced against the economic realities our people face. Can an average city worker afford to pay $1200/daily for parking? That’s $24,000/monthly! You be the judge, dear reader. But the folks at MAPM have opposed to the “settlement” for even more valid and fundamental reasons: the contract was void from the beginning!!

At a minimum, they point out, the law demands that there should’ve been a bidding process?

Why don’t we begin there? If Smart City is so good, they should win, no? …in Crime Chief demotion Public Security Minister Ramjattan assured us Crime Chief Blanhum did a “fantastic” job and would be back after his vacation. Now after Blanhum’s demoted, he says it was the Commish’s call.

He doesn’t know his own job description?

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

News

9

wednesDAY, december 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Budget 2018 debate

Fully liberalised telecommunications sector by first quarter 2018 – Minister Hughes

P

u b l i c Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes said the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector would be realised by the first quarter of 2018 while adding that the Government is seeking to introduce a number of legislations to advance the ICT sector.

In her 2018 Budget debate presentation, Minister Hughes said negotiations for the liberalisation of the sector are currently ongoing with ATT and GTT, adding that they are yet to sign the agreement. She said her Ministry is in the process of establishing a telecommunications agency in keeping with the Telecommunications Act of 2016. Liberalisation of the sector would see an end to uneven competition and ensure fair and even regulation of all businesses in the sector.

“We are moving ahead with the creation of our telecommunications agency which comes under the Ministry and this is a part of our liberalisation process. Already for that agency we have created the structure and a range of deliverables and we are down to start before the end of the first quarter and as I have said before we have not signed off on our liberalisation agreement between ATT and GTT but we are making good progress,” she informed.

In addition, the parliamentarian said her Ministry is working on the development of a National ICT strategy, which is now in its consultation phase. She added that new legislation is important to the ICT sector to ensure the protection of intellectual property.

“New legislation is very important to this sector.

Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes during her presentation

Intellectual property protection, we want to ensure that Guyana is able to put itself where it can provide security to any off shore or local provider who wants to know that their intellectual knowledge is protected… Other legislation we are working on in 2018 includes the ecommerce and e-transaction legislation and the cybersecurity legislation,” the Minister added.

Minister Hughes said that although 2017 have proven to be a hectic year, the Government is far from being tired, adding that they are focused on delivering their mandate. She added that the Public Telecommunications Ministry is moving forward having already achieved almost all of their benchmarks for 2017.

She noted that her Ministry has been leading the way in establishing a number of ICT hubs across the country, including the hinterland regions.

Minister Hughes highlighted that her agency has been instrumental in establishing several ICT hubs in the hinterland regions, while accusing the Opposition of peddling “fake news” when they claim that the hinterland

gap is not catered for.

“It is important to note that contrary to the fake news disseminated by my misinformed honourable colleague MP Pauline Sukhai at a recent press conference – places like Masakanari have never had Internet connectivity before …never… so this is not some recycled failed PPP project,” Hughes stated.

“That the honourable member (Gillian) Burton would come to the House and dare to criticise the pace of ICT development to the hinterland is a travesty. Mr Speaker, today we pay a premium price to connect these regions… that is our commitment. The PPP’s commitment was to build a fibre instead our Indigenous residents and all of us saw over $1B go down the drain. Nothing but damaged cable to show. Where did those billion dollars go?” she questioned.

This year’s budget provides $50 million for improved solar solutions for the ICT hubs in hinterland areas, $15 million to procure more fibre optic cable, $16 million for more internet access points and $20 million for power redundancy at the data centre.

Police ranks to be charged if new vehicles are damaged – Ramjattan

P

ublic Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has reiterated his call for the US$2.6 million worth of vehicles granted to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) by the Chinese Government to be cared for by the ranks entrusted with its use.

To ensure that the vehicles are used in a proper manner, Ramjattan announced that if any rank is found to have misused the much needed crime fighting vehicles, charges will be laid.

Speaking at the rolling out ceremony of the vehicles hosted at the Tactical Service Unit (TSU), the Public Security Minister cautioned that “these vehicles are going to give us use for many years ahead but please take care of them!

Too many times I notice even senior ranks crashing and some even dying as a re-

sult of bad driving.”

Ramjattan warned that “standard operating procedures are now being implemented, one of which is if you drive badly and damage the vehicles, you will be charged.”

He pleaded with the ranks to adhere to those operating procedures of the Force which will improve their standard of service to the Guyanese people.

He said “whenever you notice bad driving on the

part of your colleagues, talk to him, tell him to stop it!

This is the property of the people, you are the agents of the people; properly make use of their property for the purpose of service and protection”.

In his brief remarks, Acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine said that the roll out of the 56 pick-up trucks was long awaited.

Turn to page 10

10 news

wednesDAY, december 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guard confesses to killing waitress found in trench P

olice have secured a major breakthrough in the murder of 23-yearold waitress Marrisa Fraser as one of the three persons in custody has confessed.

Fraser’s partially nude body was discovered on Monday a short distance from a pool of blood, in a canal at Number Five Village, West Coast Berbice.

Following the discovery, three men, one of whom is a security guard, were taken into custody. The 38-year-old security guard, who is from Fraser’s village, on Tuesday confessed to the murder, telling Police that he and the woman had shared a relationship. Guyana Times was told that the other suspects were a handyman and a taxi driver.

Reports are that the taxi driver picked up Fraser about 21:30h on Saturday from her

Dead: Marrisa Fraser

workplace. According to information disclosed to this publication, Fraser appeared to be under the influence before leaving with the driver.

In confessing, the security guard allegedly told inves-

tigators that he saw Fraser having a drink with the taxi driver and at Rosignol Stelling Road, West Bank Berbice. He reportedly said that this enraged him, and he followed them. The guard said that he waited outside the bar and when she was leaving offered her a ride home. He told investigators an argument ensued, and he stabbed her with a pair of scissors.

The guard’s confession comes against the now dead woman’s aunt alleging that there was an apparent struggle between the waitress and her attackers. The woman, Dolly Wayne, claimed that several persons may have attacked and sexually assaulted her niece.

A woman, who lives a short distance from where the body was discovered, told this newspaper that at

Police ranks to be charged...

A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara) received nine of the trucks; B Division (Berbice) received 10; C Division (East Coast Demerara) received eight; D Division (West Bank Demerara-East Bank Essequibo) received five; E Division (LindenKwakwani) received four;

F Division (Interior locations) received three; and G Division (Essequibo CoastIslands) received four.

“It is less costly to prevent than to detect crime, so these vehicles are going to help us significantly to make our prevention drive more meaningful,” the Commissioner said.

06:30h on Monday morning, she saw a trail of blood in the centre of the street, which led to the village cemetery. The woman, however, explained that it was not until three hours later that a farmer saw the body in a corner of the canal that she realised that it might have been the dead woman’s blood.

Police found a piece of scissors at the scene. Guyana Times was told that Fraser was stabbed behind the left elbow, left ear, left temple, on the left side of the neck, on the left side of the upper lip, on the right side of the face, thrice to the abdomen, to the left palm and to left breast.

Fraser was last seen by her cousin after she went to a wedding in the next village.

Police said that investigations were continuing.

From page 9

Added to the existing Police fleet were 56 pick-up trucks, 44 motorcycles, 35 ATVs as well as five buses, carrying the signature blue and white finish and sirens.

Accompanying these was a total of 550 items of protective gear, 70 computers (both desktops and laptops) along with other techni-

cal equipment, all aimed at improving the efficiency of the country’s crime-fighting force.

This initiative, which will significantly enhance the capacity of the crime-fighting force, also coincides with the reinstallation of the 911 emergency call system.

Letter from the edge of oblivion

S

atiricus, as usual, when not at the Back Street in his leisure time, was in his hammock. And just as usual, fell asleep. This time as soon as he’d read his KFC party was going to write a letter to the Pee-an-See to renegotiate their Valentine Pre-Nuptial agreement, he’d wondered what his leader Nagga Man would write and suddenly here he was, reading the letter!!

Dear Boss Man, As you know, next Feb 13, will be three years since we agreed to get hitched up on Valentine’s Day 2015 and we have to renegotiate it. Time really flies when you’re having a good time, doesn’t it? And let me assure you, Boss Man, I’ve been having a real good time!

I want to take the opportunity to thank you for giving me that top-up on my $1.5 million monthly salary and the special tinting for my black, tinted $22 million SUV. As I explained, I needed it to visit my people in Berbice. Even though the PPCEE parted the waters of the Berbice River with a bridge, I still have to drive across it in style. My supporters, most of whom are sugar workers, need to know their leader is doing well. Builds their morale. Maybe as part of the new agreement I can have one of those stretch limo? I need to take a nap on these long rides.

And another thing, Boss Man, could you make my salary tax free? This is not because YOUR higher salary is tax free, but because Mustache Man’s salary is. He keeps skinning his teeth at me!

And don’t worry about some KFC members saying you didn’t give me all the responsibilities under the pre-nup agreement. Now who needs responsibilities? I find it much more fulfilling to cut ribbons for schoolchildren over here, and then fly off overseas to cut some more ribbons.

And also, don’t worry about those KFC wackos from overseas. They’re jealous about my perks!!

Sincerely, Your Doormat

news

11

wednesDAY, december 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Chaos downtown as Parliament displaces bus parks

By Ashraf Dabie

C

hristmas shopping in downtown Georgetown has now gotten even more hectic, as Parliament sessions for the deliberation of Budget 2018 gets underway.

An atmosphere of chaos clouded the city for the past two days as these sessions kicked off on Monday, resulting in the displacement of several bus parks housed around the Stabroek Market area.

This is as several main roadways in the vicinity of the Parliament Building have been closed off to civilian traffic, so as to make accommodations for easy access and the safety of the parliamentarians attending these sessions.

Adding to that, almost all of the bus parks usually housed around the Stabroek Market Square and its environs were moved further up Lombard Street, forcing passengers to walk a fair distance to get to their buses.

When Guyana Times visited downtown Georgetown

on Tuesday, bus operators and commuters were outraged, contending that these changes are of major inconvenience.

A route 42 bus operator, William Gomes, while speaking to this publication indicated that these chang-

ator, who continued by saying, “It’s very hard for me to be doing this. I think they should do something better to avoid this (the displacement).”

Acknowledging the significance of the Budget debates, he argued that better

Displaced commuters in Lombard Street

es, despite being temporary, have posed a challenge to his means of earning an income.

“It’s hard to get people to come into your bus. It’s like soliciting passenger and you gotta be hollering your throat out to get a passenger,” expressed the bus oper-

arrangements should be put in place for the man on the street.

“At least if they can bring out a little more Police and get this thing organised the right way or leave we in the park. At least allow four or five buses to go in the park and load than putting every-

Lacklustre budget from...

He made special reference to the two Computer Tomography (CT) machines, received as donations and earmarked for Bartica and New Amsterdam Hospitals. He explained that the machines are yet to be unpacked, two years later and to be utilised, adding that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) budgeted for the procurement of a CT scanner.

While alluding to the infamous emergency drug sole-sourcing at the GPHC, he noted that the Public Health Ministry is one of the leading ministries that consistently disregards the public procurement and tendering process.

The parliamentarian said there are a number of projects which the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC)

Administration mismanaged and yet to be completed years after their stipulated completion date.

He explained that in 2015, there were several projects at the Port Kaituma Hospital Complex as a part of the improvement plant and those projects were supposed to be completed within six months, but to date, they are still languishing.

Those projects include the construction of a generator building and procurement of a generator, construction of an infections in-patient facility, a mortuary, a Nurses Hostel and a doctor’s quarter.

All those projects totaled to over $217B and were scheduled to be completed before the end of 2016 but are yet to be completed. Additionally, the contractors are being paid for the incomplete work.

From page 3

He explained that there are a plethora of issues affecting the local health sector with Government turning a blind eye.

Dr Anthony told the Parliament that at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), X-rays stop working after 21:00h, anaesthetic machines are not working, leaking roofs have the drug bond in disarray and the operation theatres are none functional. While he was listing the issues plaguing the hospital, Anthony was supported by his Opposition colleagues all shouting, “Government don’t care!”

Just recently, Government announced that the Diamond Diagnostic Centre would be converted into a regional hospital, while the WDRH would be fully operational on a 24hour basis.

body out here and then the people gotta walk till from so with big big bags. If you got a old grandmother, she gotta fetch a heavy bag to come here. For two weeks? That’s real unfair, they should do something,” an animated Gomes recommended.

Expressing similar concerns was Ivelaw Cummings, another bus driver who was moved from the usual park to the temporary Lombard Street location.

In doing so he stated, “At this time when they have conference session like this, they should not allow the canters and other vehicles to park here to be able to accommodate minibuses.”

He further pointed out that, “All the buses here, we got (routes) 31, 42, 43 everybody within this area. So if they would move the private vehicles for this session, it would make us confortable. “ Meanwhile, a great number of commuters complained that they were unaware of the changes and as such continue to face difficulties in locating buses ply-

Commuters walking great distances to get buses

ing the various routes.

Amidst the confusion, persons were saying they will not return to town until after Budget sessions are through.

Parliament convened on Monday last for the presentation of the 2018 Budget.

This was followed by the de-

bates which kicked off on Monday and are expect to last until Friday.

These sessions are to run for an addition week during which the estimates will be taken into consideration.

The displacement of the bus parks persist throughout this period.

12 news

wednesDAY, december 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Greenwich Park stabbing

3 committed to High Court for trial “no”.

One of the men from the group misinterpreted what was asked and proceeded to use abusive language towards Rafeek. Dewaun approached and enquired of his brother if he was ok and as they turned to walk away, they were attacked by

Dead: Dewaun Baksh

Dhanraj Goberdhan

he three men charged with killing 22-yearold Dewaun Baksh of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), on New Year’s 2016 were all committed to stand trial in the High Court when they appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Courts on Monday.

Rocky Lallu, 28; Dhanraj Goberdhan, 30; and Abdool Hussain heard that a prima facie case was made out

against them, and as such, they will stand trial in the High Court before a Judge and jury at the next sitting of the Demerara Assizes.

On January 1, 2016, at Greenwich Park, East Bank Essequibo, at about 21:30h, Baksh was picked up and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The young man, who

T

Abdool Hussain and Rocky Lallu

had returned to Guyana after five years to celebrate Christmas with his family, left home in the company of two of his brothers to celebrate the New Year.

They reportedly left home at about 17:40h to visit Bushy Park, Parika, but subsequently went to Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara and then to a popular shop in Greenwich

Park.

However, while there, Rafeek Baksh, the youngest of the three brothers recognised a man whom reportedly had a relationship with his sister some years ago.

The man was with a group of men.

Rafeek reportedly approached and asked the man if he remembered him to which the man answered

the group of men with glass bottles.

It was during the attack that one of the men broke a glass bottle and stabbed Dewaun about his body.

Lallu, Goberdhan and Hussain were later picked up and charged for the murder.

Mom killer jailed for 12 years …admits to killing 62-yearold woman with a hammer

By Shemuel Fanfair

A

drian McKenzie was on Tuesday sentenced to spend the next 12 years of his life in prison for unlawfully killing his mother.

This sentence was handed down by Justice James Bovell-Drakes at the High Court in Georgetown after the accused was declared medically fit by Government Psychiatrist, Dr Bhiro Harry.

The specialist had, however, highlighted in his report that the self-confessed killer had a history of mental challenges for which he received treatment.

McKenzie, an electrician by trade, had pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, admitting that he killed his 62-yearold mother, Ethel Andrews, on November 16, 2010 using a hammer to beat the woman to death. According to reports back then, the woman had reprimanded her son after he allegedly assaulted his grandfather at their Sand Creek, Rupununi home.

After the woman had intervened to prevent him from further carrying out the assault, McKenzie became angered and hammered his mother in the head; she died shortly afterwards.

In a probation report presented by Pamela Atwell, the court heard that the accused had hit his mother to the head with a piece of wood in 2007, causing her to be hospitalised for one month.

The report also highlighted that he had a history of alcohol consumption and marijuana use.

Atwell further told the court that McKenzie had claimed to have been hearing voices and felt that someone was controlling him. He was trained as an electrician at a private institution after he did not complete his CXC examinations.

In the Guyana Prison Service report, social worker Tessa McGarrell informed the court that McKenzie is housed at the mentally challenged division of the Georgetown Prison. She noted that McKenzie’s sister, Samantha, maintains ties with the prisoner as she would call him and visit him.

Adrian McKenzie owned up to the November 2010 killing of his own mother

In fact, the court heard that the sister was the one who, over the years, ensured that he received medical treatment at the Georgetown Psychiatric Ward and elsewhere. McGarrell further told the court that McKenzie has had no infraction since being incarcerated. She did note, however, that a senior prison officer has described the accused as having a “passive personality”.

During Tuesday morning’s sentencing, McKenzie, now 39, exhibited a stony countenance for much of the proceedings; he was only audible when he told the Court that he was sorry for what happened and when he requested to be placed at a prison other than the Georgetown penitentiary.

Justice Bovell-Drakes, while highlighting he had no control over such matters, encouraged McKenzie to walk on the path which could see him being reintegrated into society.

“Take care of yourself and stay away from problems. Always remember that was your mother,” the Judge remarked, after having noted the difficulties of committing mentally-challenged persons to serve prison sentences.

The self-confessed mom killer was calmly led away into Police custody before being handed over to prison authorities. McKenzie was represented by Defence Counsel Maxwell McKay, while Mandel Moore and Orithia Schmidt represented the State.

news

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wednesDAY, december 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana’s potential as eco-tourism destination high – IDB economist …as GTA awards outstanding contributors

G

uyana has the potential to become a major eco-tourism destination, and there is always room for growth.

This is according to InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) Country Economist Mark Wenner.

Wenner made the comment while speaking at the Guyana Tourism Authority awards on Monday night at the Pegasus Hotel.

According to Wenner, public/private partnerships are important for the industry to become sustainably viable. The IDB representative added that tourism stakeholders must decide what is it that they want for the sector, and then begin to work on achieving that goal.

Meanwhile, as efforts continue to push the “Guyana – South America Undiscovered” initiative, the Guyana Tourism Authority has awarded eight organisations for their outstanding contributions towards making Guyana a tourism destination.

Guyana Tourism Authority Board Chairman Donald Sinclair, while speaking at the event, congratulated the awardees on the 10th Annual Awards ceremony, and said he was happy to be part of this significant event.

Awards were presented in eight categories.

Taking away the Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year prize was Surama Eco Lodge.

The People’s Choice Award for Responsible Tourism was awarded to Cara Lodge while the Tourism Recognition Award was copped by Classic International Hotel.

A d d i t i o n a l l y , Yupukari Village won the Most Outstanding Community Tourism Project; the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) or volunteer group was awarded to Visit Rupununi while Herdmanston Lodge received the Service in Tourism Accommodation Establishment award.

Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) President Andrea de Caires, in brief remarks, noted that partnerships were really important in the tourism sector.

On Monday, Business Minister with responsibility for tourism, Dominic Gaskin during the Budget debate said that the sector has faced many challenges and has not developed the way it should after 50 years of independence.

Gaskin said he was hopeful that tourism would become a permanent item on all 10 Administrative

Regions’ councils and they would make the right decisions that would result in their respective economy thriving.

He gave an update on the accomplishments of the Ministry during 2017, highlighting that the Ministry’s Department of Commerce recorded an increase of approximately 20 per cent in the number of import and export licences processed, when compared to the same period in 2016.

Meanwhile, in a statement on the 2018 Budget, THAG noted: “If tourism is

A section of the audience at the 10th annual Tourism Awards at Pegasus on Monday evening

to become a significant economic driver, then our approach to developing this sector must be multifaceted and the development focus, therefore, should be on

attracting visitors as well as investment in the development of tourism products including accommodation, transport and amenities.”

The award ceremony

is part of Tourism Month activities which are being held under the theme, “Sustainable Tourism – a Tool for Development”.

(Yanalla Dalrymple)

14 news

wednesDAY, december 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

UG commissions new registry building

R

egistration, the issuance of transcripts and everything in be-

the Turkeyen Campus.

According to Vice Chancellor of the University

The new registry building, Turkeyen Campus

tween, will now flow smoothly for the students of the University of Guyana, following the commissioning of a new registry building at

of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, the building aims to benefit the registry staff and students of the Turkeyen University. “Is it necessarily

all that we want? No. But it is much better than what we have had, allowing us to enable our staff to be in a place of comfort and enabling us to have the students be served in a place of comfort,” Professor Griffith is quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying.

Meanwhile, University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) President Norwel Hinds said the new building should also serve to encourage the renewal of services being provided.

“Although it serves (the building) the practical purpose of consolidating services and consolidating your focus on student services in particular, it also serves as a symbolic indicator on the focus on renewal for campus, the forging of new attitude consistent with the philoso-

phy of servant leadership,” Hinds posited.

Immediate Past Registrar of the University, Vincent

Alexander, in noting his satisfaction at witnessing the building come to fruition, outlined several changes

made over the past few years and the importance of a registry for students attending the university.

Ruimveldt Children’s Home feted by Guyana Marriott Hotel

I

n the spirit of the season, children who reside at the Ruimveldt Children’s Home were treated to an evening of carol singing, gifts, treats and the official lighting of the Guyana Marriott Hotel’s Christmas tree.

In 2014, the hotel’s management made the decision to adopt the home which accommodates approximately 20 children between the ages of two to 17 years. It also provides 24-hour care to vulnerable children selected by the Social Protection Ministry.

According to General Manager of the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Eduardo Reple, hosting the event deepens the special bond between the hotel and the home and it is one that will continue.

Reple noted that though the hotel has provided assis-

A scenes at the Guyana Marriott Hotel Christmas tree light-up

tance throughout the year as it relates to renovation and other upgrades, he hopes to further extend open arms to the children of the home.

A report from the Department of Public Information said the General Manager thanked the hotel’s staff for assisting in making

the event a truly memorable one for the children.

Students of the Bishops’ High School choir also made quite an impact with their medley of Christmas songs which garnered much attention from other curious onlookers, beside their special invitees.

News

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wednesday, december 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Dr Madu named one of World’s 100 Budget 2018 loudly and Most Influential People In Healthcare recklessly proclaims agriculture an orphan child H

F

rom its inception in May 2015, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) made it very clear – agriculture is not its priority. In fact, after almost 30 months in Government and after the presentation of its fourth National Budget, it is crystal clear that APNU/ AFC considers agriculture an orphan industry. Budget 2018 is disastrous for Guyana in many ways. One very definitive piece of evidence of how disastrous Budget 2018 is, is to examine the agriculture budget. While APNU/AFC calls Budget 2018 “Continuing the Journey to Dr Leslie Ramsammy the Good Life”, farmers and the Guyanese people as a whole can only see Budget 2018 as “Continuing the Journey to Orphaning Agriculture”.

Like its predecessor budgets since 2015, Budget 2018 singles out agriculture for cuts in financing. Budget 2018 provides more than $3 billion less for agriculture than Budget 2014 did, or almost 15 per cent less since 2014. Agriculture has received a cut of almost $1 billion in 2018, compared to the 2017 Budget. At a time when the overall budget is at least 33 per cent larger than the 2014 budget and at a time when the budget for the Office of the President has doubled, it makes no sense that agriculture funding has declined in every budget since 2015. This is unprecedented in a democratic Guyana; the agriculture budget increased every year since 1992.

This is the sector that employs more than 33 per cent of the country’s workforce and accounts for more than 40 per cent of the export earnings. In fact, the largest annual private investment in Guyana is in the agriculture sector. For example, rice farmers, mostly small rice farmers, invest more than $30 billion in the economy annually. This is outside investment by millers, truckers, small vendors and shippers. Added together the rice industry sees an investment of more than $40 billion annually. Overall, agriculture (including rice, sugar, cash crop farming, poultry industry, livestock, fishing etc) conservatively invest more than $80 billion in private investment annually.

Moreover, Guyana is a food-secured country because of its robust agriculture sector. It, therefore boggles the mind that APNU/AFC sees it “fit and proper” to cut funding for agriculture.

Shamefully, Budget 2018 ignored unemployed sugar workers and their families. Since thousands of sugar workers will lose their jobs in 2018, in addition to the more than 2000 that lost their jobs in 2017, because of sugar factory and estate closures, one would have thought that special funding would have been allocated in Budget 2018 to provide alternative ways for sugar workers and their families to earn a living. It is not just the sugar workers and their families, it is also the many small businesses, such as the market vendors, the tailors, the small groceries, the taxi drivers etc, who will now find themselves struggling. These communities deserve and are owed safety net arrangements, similar to what Lindeners enjoy, such as electricity subsidies. Not a single word in either the budget documents, nor in the Minister’s address to the Parliament!

Shameful. The after-thought announcement by the Business Minister that the European Union will fund a study on the way forward for sugar workers is not good enough.

Budget 2018, like predecessor budgets since 2015, totally ignored small-scale and medium-size agriculture processing.

The example of the turmeric processing plant in Region One provides an example of what the Government must do. The turmeric processing plant in Region One was planned since 2012, during my time as Agriculture Minister. Farmers in Region One can make a better living with a product that is in demand in Guyana. Now Guyana can significantly reduce its import of turmeric powder. The plantain chip factory in Wakenaam, Essequibo River; and the rice cereal factory in Region Two are initiatives the APNU/AFC has taken credit for, even though they lambasted the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) for these initiatives between 2012 and 2015. There is nothing in Budget 2018 to encourage efforts like these, efforts that create better opportunities for our farmers and can significantly reduce food imports and add to our exports.

The initiatives to introduce locally produced potato, onion, garlic, carrots, milk, meat-products, etc, that provide revenuegenerating opportunities for small farmers and reduce more than US$100 million in food importation started several years ago. Guyanese farmers and the excellent work being done at NAREI must be commended for the progress they have made in this regard. But Budget 2018 ignores these initiatives and makes no provision to drive these initiatives. Incidentally, large farms, such as those in Region Nine, which the PPP promoted to meet the growing demand for locally produced raw materials, such as soya, corn and quinoa, for feedstocks, cooking oil and bio-fuels have made little to no progress since 2015.

My message to APNU/AFC is to remember the words of Samuel Johnson – “Agriculture not only gives riches to a nation, but the only riches it can call her own”.

eart Institute of the Caribbean Founder/ CEO acknowledged for his philanthropic work in the developing world Internationally recognised cardiologist and founder and CEO of the Heart Institute of the Caribbean (HIC), Dr Ernest Madu, was named by Grupo Mídia as one of the world’s 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare at its awards ceremony held recently in Dusseldorf, Germany, during MEDICA 2017 – the world’s largest medical tradeshow.

Since opening its facilities on Balmoral Avenue in Kingston, Jamaica in 2005, the HIC has been making world-class heart health services available to all Jamaicans. Through its Foundation, led by its Executive Director, Lisa D’Oyen, the HIC has made these services available to lower income citizens by subsidising the cost associated with providing access to high-quality cardiovascular care that is more readily-available in the developed world. For the past 12 years, the HIC Foundation has provided more than US$12 million in free or subsidised care to its patients – a significant contribution as more than half of the hos-

Heart Institute of the Caribbean Founder and CEO, Dr Ernest Madu, received a global award for his philanthropic work in cardiovascular healthcare

pital deaths in Jamaica are caused by cardiovascular disease.

Dr Madu had this to say on receiving his award; “Although there have been significant advances in medical technology globally, the developing world has been left behind. The Heart Institute of the Caribbean is working hard to change that reality as cardiac-related illnesses continue to be the number one cause of death in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Our mission is to provide the latest in cardiac care to our patients and to lead the charge towards increasing access to the highest level of

healthcare available to everyone – regardless of their socioeconomic background. I am humbled and grateful to Grupo Mídia for its award. I accept it graciously with the hope that it will bring more attention to the global need for more access to appropriate technology and affordable quality healthcare for people living in low-resource nations across the world.”

Earlier this year, Dr Madu was honoured by the American College of Cardiology with the Distinguished Cardiologist Award, the highest honour given each year to the most distinguished cardiologists

as decided by their peers internationally.

Over the years, the HIC has expanded its services to meet the needs of its growing clientele. These include a recent investment of more than US$4 million to open the Region’s first and only full service 24-hour Heart Hospital. HIC also purchased two additional cardiac ambulances to expand its fleet of dedicated cardiac ambulances to four and offers the only cardiac emergency ambulance service in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

All HIC cardiac ambulances are fully equipped with resuscitation devices, including ventilators, and have the capability for telemedicine – allowing remote intervention from cardiac specialists.

Grupo Mídia is a multimedia company based in Brazil and publishes the magazines Healthcare Management, HealthARQ and Health-IT. Dr Madu was named in the category of Philanthropy – one of 10 categories including: Associations, Business, Education and Research, Healthcare Management, Hospitals, Industry, Innovation, International Reference and Sustainability. Ten winners were selected for each category. (HIC, Jamaica)

Caribbean conference held on comprehensive Disaster Management

– aims to improve the capacities of Natural Disaster Organisations

R

epresentatives of the Natural Disaster Risk Management Programme for the Caribbean Region (NDRM) participated in the 10th edition of the Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM), held at the Melia Nassau Hotel in The Bahamas, December 4-9.

Held under the theme, “The Road to Resilience – Check Point 2017: Building Resilience through Partnerships”, the Conference aims to gather the most relevant decision makers and professionals of disaster management, contributing to improved capacities and partnerships to fight climate change and strengthen disaster management strategies.

The Caribbean Region is among the most vulnerable regions in the world. The recent succession of devastating hurricanes – Harvey, Irma, Jose and María –that hit the Region caused massive damage to people and infrastructure, while having a huge negative impact on socio-economic outcomes.

The NDRM, funded by the European Union to support disaster risk and climate change reduction, will be exposing the activities

carried out and the results achieved to reduce vulnerability on the long-term impact of natural hazards and the impact of variability of climate change, among relevant NDRM issues.

The aim of NDRM’s participation at this event is to help improve the capacities of Natural Disaster Organisations (NDOs) and other relevant national agencies in prioritised technical areas, and strengthen their capacities, as the most relevant coordinating bodies in the Region.

European Union Ambassador to Barbados, Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS, Caricom & CARIFORUM, Daniela Tramacere, stated that this was the most relevant event on disaster risk management for the Region and it was a great opportunity to gather professionals and experts in the fields, to come together and build stronger relationships and exchange knowledge by providing financial support to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). CDEMA is a regional inter-governmental agency for disaster management in Caricom.

The Agency was established in 1991 as CDERA (Caribbean Disaster

Emergency Response Agency) with primary responsibility for the coordination of emergency response and relief efforts to participating states, and transitioned to CDEMA in 2009 to fully embrace the principles and practice of CDM. Tramacere said the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Government of the Dominican Republic, and the EU has contributed to develop regional networks and a platform of activities for better adaptation and resilience to climate change.

“Moreover, the EU is all about joining forces. Europe was built on cooperation, and it is in our DNA to build partnerships.

Climate change is on top of our agenda, and, as a global challenge, it can better be addressed together,” Tramacere said.

The EU is committed to disaster risk reduction, supporting this programme but also humanitarian aid operations in support to the countries and the Region after Hurricanes Irma and Maria through its Department on European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).

During the coming days, DRM practitioners and partners will have the op-

portunity to join in different conferences and meetings to discuss and create new partnerships with the objective to align efforts to reduce climate change and work on disaster management risks.

From December 6-9, the NDRM in the CARIFORUM will exhibit its efforts and initiatives in its own stand, aiming to strengthen the capacities of CARIFORUM, national and local governments and stakeholders in the implementation of a CDM strategy.

The Natural Disaster Risk Management Programme is an initiative of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, funded by the EU to support Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) activities in the Caribbean Region.

The Programme’s main goal is to help reduce vulnerability to the long-term impacts of natural hazards and the potential impacts of variability in climate change.

It was launched in 2014 for a period of five years with a funding of 20 million euros. Its implementing partners are the EU, the Emergency Management Agency, the CDB and the Government of the Dominican Republic.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, december 6, 2017

Regional

Colombia cocaine: Huge haul US names Jamaican as key IS recruiter found in banana shipment

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lmost six tonnes of cocaine have been found hidden among bananas on board a ship in the port of Algeciras, in southern Spain. The seizure by Police and customs officers is one of the largest of the drug to be made in Europe in the last two decades.

The stash is estimated to be worth US$249 million (£185 million).

The shipment came from the Colombian city of Medellin and was headed for the Spanish port city of Barcelona. Police have not revealed what raised their suspicion about the shipment but after unsuccessfully searching two containers, the third one they

Each package of cocaine weighed just over 1kg (2lbs). In 2016, smugglers used fake bananas to hide a stash of cocaine

opened yielded the cocaine.

Spain’s Guardia Civil paramilitary police said three people had been arrested: a Spaniard who is believed to be the ringleader of the drugs gang, a Honduran national and a Portuguese citizen. Two more people are also being investigated.

The find is the second largest cocaine seizure to be made in Spain. In 1999, 7.6 tonnes were found aboard a trawler manned by a crew of Russians and Belarussians.

In 2016, 171kg of cocaine were found inside fake bananas in the same port but this time the cocaine was

hidden among real bananas.

Smuggling cocaine among bananas also went wrong for one drugs gang in 2010 when neatly packed parcels of the drug were found by a worker stacking fruit in a supermarket in Madrid.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Venezuela’s UN Ambassador says resigning at Maduro’s request

C

aracas’ Ambassador to the United Nations, Rafael Ramirez, said in a letter released Tuesday he was standing down at the request of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, as a feud between the two worsened.

Ramirez had long been seen as a target of Maduro’s aggressive push to consolidate power in the run-up to next year’s presidential elec-

tions in the crisis-wracked South American country.

“I have resigned from my role as ambassador at the request of the president of the republic ... I have been removed for my opinions and I will remain, whatever happens, loyal to Comandante Chávez!” Ramirez wrote in a resignation letter posted on Twitter.

The note, addressed to Foreign Minister Jorge

Arreaza, indicated he had been expecting the move.

“This decision is in line with the agreements reached in our conversation once we received the instruction of the President of the republic,” he wrote.

Former Foreign Minister Samuel Moncada was named as Ramirez’s replacement.

Ramirez had previously been head of Venezuela’s

state oil giant, PDVSA, for a decade from 2004-14.

Ramirez loyalists, including Eulogio Del Pino and Nelson Martinez, have recently been arrested and removed from key posts – the former as Oil Minister and the latter as PDVSA chief – in what analysts see as an ongoing purge. (Excerpt from Jamaica

Observer)

Abdullah Ibrahim al-Faisal

T

he US Treasury Tuesday placed a Jamaica-based Islamic cleric on its terror blacklist, calling him a key recruiter for the Islamic State group and a propagandist who inspired numerous notorious jihadist attacks.

The Treasury placed Abdullah Ibrahim al-Faisal on its “specially designated global terrorist” sanctions blacklist, saying he helped Islamic State recruits travel to IS-controlled territory and was trusted by the jihadist group to vouch for potential recruits.

In addition, according to the Treasury, he “has directly or indirectly influenced numerous terrorists” including, they said, attacks stretching back to the attempt by Richard Reid to blow up an American Airlines flight headed to Miami in December 2001 with explosives hidden in his shoes.

Faisal, 54, is currently under arrest in Jamaica and facing extradition to the United States. Born in Jamaica under the name Trevor Forrest, he is linked to the jihadist group Authentic Tauheed, which is aligned with Islamic State, according to the Counter Extremism Project.

He was an imam in London’s Brixton district and was convicted in 2003 of soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred, spending four years in prison before being released and expelled to Jamaica.

After that he also spent time in Africa and has a base of support in Kenya, according to the Counter Extremism Project. (Jamaica

Observer)

16 murders in 4 days in T&T; Al-Rawi assures Govt in control

Honduras Police revolt amid tension over election

Salvador Nasralla (left) is challenging Juan Orlando Hernández for the presidency

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undreds of members of the Honduran riot Police Force known as Cobras refused to carry out orders to enforce a nighttime curfew on Monday. The curfew was imposed in the wake of a bitterly disputed presidential poll.

The electoral authorities say incumbent Juan Orlando

Hernández has an unassailable lead but have not yet officially declared him the winner. Rival candidate Salvador Nasralla has cried foul and his supporters have been on the streets protesting.

At least three people were killed as protests turned violent last week. About 200

Cobras gathered at the police headquarters and announced they were no longer willing to confront protesters, arguing that it amounted to “taking sides” in the political battle between Nasralla and President Hernández.

“We are rebelling. We call on all the police nationally to act with their con-

science,” one masked officer told Reuters news agency.

“Our people are sovereign.

We cannot confront and repress their rights,” another officer said reading a statement.

Some of the striking police joined supporters of Nasralla who were demonstrating in the streets in defiance of the curfew. Reports said Police in other cities also joined their Cobra colleagues in the strike.

Earlier, election monitors from the regional body, the Organisation of American States, said that “irregularities, errors and systematic problems” with the presidential election on November 26 meant they could not be certain of the result.(Excerpt from BBC

News)

St Lucia PM announces plans for sex offender registry

S

t Lucia Government has announced plans to establish a national sex offender registry. “I think it is something that is generally accepted around the world and I think it is something in which the general public needs to be made aware of in terms of who is living in your neighbourhood and also even in terms of employers,” said Prime Minister Allen Chastanet.

“It is not to say that someone who was a previous sex offender should be alienated from our society.

But it is just to put people on caution so that if somebody is employed, you don’t put them in a position in which they are going to be giving supervision over children or left alone,” he added.

Chastanet explained that the objective was not to deny people an opportunity

to become an active part of the society.

“In many cases people say this is a disease more than anything else and we have to work in terms of helping everybody through this situation.

“So if you are going to hire somebody to take care of your children and they are a previous sex offender and you didn’t know that, think of how you would feel

as a parent if your child was molested and it came out after the fact that people had already known or the state had already known and that information was not made available.”

Chastanet has called on members of the public to think of the sex offender registry not in general terms but also from a personal standpoint. (Excerpt from

Jamaica Observer)

Crime scene: Police at the Morvant Recreation Ground Tuesday where two men were found shot to death

A

mid an unprecedented crime wave which has seen 16 murders committed within the first four days of December, came an assurance Tuesday by Attorney General Faris AlRawi that government is in control of the situation.

Commenting on the 16 murders, which has brought the year’s toll to 461 as compared to 430 for the same period last year, Al-Rawi said he is concerned not only by murders but all crimes.

He said Government has implemented various initiatives including legislation aimed at reducing violent crimes. The number of illegal guns seized, is evidence of these initiatives, he said. The AG claimed gun seizures have increased during the current People’s

National Movement (PNM) administration.

“If you look at the number of firearms seized across all nine divisions, we found 761 in 2016, you will note 691 seized in 2015. “But when you look at the figures going backwards, the total number of firearms – under our watch – we have doubled the seizure,” he said.

“We are confident the forces are moving strong.

But we must add a little bit extra and the anti-gang law is one of those things (that can help),” Al-Rawi noted.

He added that the increasing murder rate is a sobering reminder to the Opposition of the need to implement new anti-gang legislation. The first four days of this month, saw 16 murders being committed. (Excerpt

from Trinidad Newsday)

wednesDAY, december 6, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Trump tells Abbas he will move India leprosy patient’s US Embassy to Jerusalem pension restored after outrage over ID card U S President Donald Trump has told Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas that he intends to relocate the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, according to Palestinian officials.

Wafa, the official news agency of the Palestinian Authority (PA), reported on Tuesday that Trump called Abbas to inform him of his “intention”. “President Abbas warned of the dangerous consequences such a decision would have to the peace process and to the peace, security and stability of the region and of the world,” Nabil Abu Rudeina, the Palestinian president’s spokesperson, said.

No further details were given about when Trump plans to move the embassy.

Shortly after, a state-

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas gave US President Donald Trump warning of “dangerous consequences” of such a move

ment by the Jordanian royal palace said Trump had also called King Abdullah to inform him about his intention to move the embassy to Jerusalem.

The statement said the king warned Trump the re-

location would have “dangerous repercussions on the stability and security of the region” and would also inflame Muslim and Christian feelings.

Jerusalem’s status is an extremely sensi-

tive aspect of the IsraeliPalestinian conflict. Israel claims the city as its capital, following the occupation of East Jerusalemin the 1967 war with Syria, Egypt and Jordan, and considers Jerusalem to be a “united” city. Palestinians have long seen East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

They say that a US move to relocate the embassy would prejudge one of the most sensitive issues in the conflict – the status of Jerusalem – and undermine Washington’s status as an honest mediator.

No country currently has its embassy in Jerusalem, and the international community, including the US, does not recognise Israel’s jurisdiction over and ownership of the city. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

British PM May faces pressure to soften Brexit divorce after EU exit deal crumbles

H

ours after a Brexit deal collapsed, British Prime Minister Theresa May came under pressure on Tuesday from Opposition parties and even some allies to soften the EU divorce by keeping Britain in the single market and customs union after Brexit.

May’s ministers said they were confident they would soon secure an exit deal, though opponents

scolded the prime minister for a chaotic day in Brussels which saw a choreographed attempt to showcase the progress of Brexit talks collapse at the last minute.

The Northern Irish party that props up May’s minority government said it was only shown the draft of a deal promising regulatory alignment for both parts of Ireland late on Monday morning.

In a sign of just how po-

litically precarious May’s Brexit balancing act has become, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) also said it had warned May that it would not support her legislation in parliament unless the draft was changed.

The Opposition Labour Party said one way for alignment of Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland to become acceptable was for the whole of the United Kingdom to stay in the sin-

gle market and the customs union.

“What an embarrassment - the last 24 hours have given a new meaning to the phrase ‘coalition of chaos’,” Labour’s Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer told Parliament.

Nicola Sturgeon, the leader of Scotland’s devolved government, said May’s failure could signal a push to keep Britain in both. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Sajida Begum’s case had caused outrage in India

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leprosy patient in the south Indian city of Bangalore who lost her pension as she was unable to provide biometric data has now been given a new identity card to restore her welfare payment.

Sajida Begum, 65, who is blind and has lost her fingers, was unable to provide fingerprints and a retina scan to obtain her Aadhaar card. The card has been made mandatory for those accessing welfare schemes.

Her case outraged many in India, where there is strong opposition to Aadhaar.

Aadhaar, which means foundation, started out as a voluntary programme to help tackle benefit fraud.

However, it has become increasingly necessary for financial transactions and access to welfare.

Sajida Begum told BBC Hindi’s Imran Qureshi that she had not received her

monthly pension of 1000 rupees (US$15; £11) for four months because she had missed a deadline to link her pension account to an Aadhaar card.

She said she would use her reinstated pension to buy extra cups of tea and a small plate of snacks from the canteen at the hospital where she is a permanent resident.

A member of the hospital staff told BBC Hindi that officials from the Unique Identity Authority of India (UIDAI) visited the hospital to give her a new card.

“If she has stumps, a full biometric exception is made. The doctor concerned will only verify to our officials that she has no fingerprints,” a UIDAI official said.

Sajida Begum’s story, which first appeared in a local city newspaper, attracted a lot of attention in India.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Dozens of Journalists held Ventura fire: Thousands evacuated in southern California hostage by Houthis in Yemen

At least 150 structures are believed to have been destroyed by the blaze

S

ome 27,000 residents were forced to flee their homes in the middle of the night as a fast-moving wildfire ripped through southern California.

Several thousand homes are under mandatory evacuation in the cities of Ventura and Santa Paula, some 70 miles (115 km) north of Los Angeles.

Firefighters warned the fire was moving so fast they were unable to contain it.

Fanned by high winds, the fire swept through tens of thousands of acres in a matter of hours.

California Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency in

Ventura County, promising to attack the fire “with all we’ve got”.

It was earlier reported that one person died in a traffic accident while trying to flee the blaze, but Ventura County Fire Captain Steve Kaufmann has since told the Associated Press that no body was found in an overturned car.

Officials said one firefighter was injured. They also said 150 structures had been destroyed, and more than 260,000 people were without power.

Hundreds of firefighters worked through the night to tackle the blaze, named the Thomas Fire, but fire chiefs

admitted they were fighting a losing battle.

“The prospects for containment are not good.

Really, Mother Nature is going to decide,” Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen earlier told reporters.

More than 1000 firefighters are now battling the fires, which have burnt 45,500 acres. Authorities have warned of widespread smoke and advised people with health conditions, the elderly and children to stay indoors in affected areas.

Forecasters say ferocious Santa Ana winds and low humidity will continue for a few days, making for extremely dangerous conditions. (Excerpt from BBC News)

H

outhi rebels in Yemen have held dozens of Journalists captive for days at a television station in the capital and a media watchdog has demanded their immediate release.

According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the rebels launched rocket-propelled grenades at the headquarters of the Yemen Al Youm TV channel in Sanaa on Saturday before storming the station and holding hostage 41 employees inside.

Three security guards were wounded in the attack, the group quoted diplomatic sources as saying.

“We condemn the violent actions towards Journalists by the Houthis, which con-

stitute serious violations of the Geneva Conventions,” said Alexandra El Khazen, head of RSF’s Middle East desk.

“This hostage-taking is typical of the climate of hostility in Yemen towards Journalists who are often targeted in this conflict. We call on the Houthi rebels to immediately release the TV channel’s Journalists.”

The assault and hostage-taking comes amid heightened tensions after forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh severed ties with the Houthis, sparking days of gun battles and artillery fire in the capital.

At least 234 people have been killed and more than

400 wounded in fighting in Sanaa since the beginning of the month, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Tuesday.

Saleh’s vehicle was struck by an RPG fire on Monday and he was later shot to death, raising questions about what happens next in the nearly threeyear war that has killed at least 10,000 people.

Yemen Al Youm TV is affiliated with the General People’s Congress, Saleh’s party.

RSF’s sources said the Journalists were forced to surrender the TV channel’s access codes, enabling the Houthis to broadcast their own content. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

German trains collide near Duesseldorf, several people injured

S

everal people were injured in a train crash on Tuesday near the German city of Duesseldorf, fire department and Police spokesmen said.

Rail operator Deutsche

Bahn said a passenger train of the regional provider National Express drove into a freight train from DB Cargo about 1830 GMT in the town of Meerbusch.

The Meerbusch fire de-

partment said up to 150 passengers were on the train and that five people suffered injuries.

A police spokesman earlier had told German broadcaster ARD that about 50

people had been injured in the train crash.

A German Government spokesman said Chancellor Angela Merkel had been briefed on the situation.

(Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, december 6, 2017

ARCHIE

You’ll face an unstable situation when dealing with part(March 21nerships.

Take a back seat and April 19) let others air their grievances. Once you know where you stand, it will be easier to offer workable solutions.

ARIES

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

Problems at home will erupt if you are spending too much time at work. Aim to achieve greater balance in your life. Being receptive to suggestions will help you avoid discord.

You’ll face bullying or GEMINI (May 21- pressure if you get into a disJune 20) cussion with a colleague or an authority figure. Do your best to remain calm and avoid making an impulsive decision.

A relationship with someone you know through work (June 21- will escalate quickly. Make July 22) sure you are clear about what’s being offered before you share your thoughts or feelings.

CANCER

Peanuts

Your emotions will surface LEO and excitement will set in.

(July 23- Enjoy spending time with the Aug. 22) people you care about most.

Make improvements to your appearance or to certain special relationships.

Making home improvements VIRGO or preparing your living space (Aug. 23for the festive season is encourSept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

aged, but stay within your budget or someone will complain about your spending habits.

Romance is encouraged.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — FEARSOME

Average mark 34 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 49 or more words in FEARSOME? The list will be published today.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — TENSILE

senile sent silent silt sine site sleet slit snit steel stein stele stile inlet

inset isle islet istle lees lenis lens lent lest lien line lint list listen

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

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

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

You’ll face opposition if you haven’t abided by the rules or stuck to your budget. Be prepared to explain your point of view. Your power of persuasiveness will be required.

Emotions will be difficult SAGITTARIUS to control when dealing with (Nov. 23- money, health and legal matDec. 21) ters. Don’t act in haste when you should be doing everything in your power to get ahead.

(FEARSOME: FEER-sum: Capable of causing fear.)

teen tense tile tine tinsel elite else enisle enlist ensile nest nestle seen seine

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle

Getting together with old friends or attending a reunion will bring back fond memories. Revisit a relationship that you left unfinished or a proposed joint venture you have yet to start.

Don’t wait for a situation AQUARIUS to backfire or until you lose (Jan. 20- money or suffer damage to Feb. 19) your reputation. Speak up and offer truth, justice and a solution that will prevent an unnecessary feud.

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Be careful whom you choose to compete against.

An emotional reaction will be met with a similar response that could end up costing you a friendship or a significant chunk of change.

wednesDAY, december 6, 2017

19

The Ashes, Australia 2017-18…

Anderson, Root give England fighting chance

E

ngland were 178 runs from a stunning comeback victory in the second Ashes test after James Anderson grabbed five wickets and Joe Root steered the tourists to 176 for four at close of play on an extraordinary fourth day on Tuesday.

Root, who eked out a half centu-

haul in Australia.

“There’s a huge amount of work to do but we’re in with a chance, which we didn’t think we would be after the first couple of days. It would be huge for us.”

Australia skipper Steve Smith will be hoping his bowlers can keep up the pressure on the final day and

Australians for 138 at tea with a brilliant display of seam bowling.

Set a ground record 354 to level the series after last week’s 10-wicket Brisbane defeat, England made a steady start before losing openers Alastair Cook (16) and Mark Stoneman (36) in the last half an hour of the second session.

ferrals for what could be a tense final day a couple of balls later when he pursued an lbw decision against Malan only for the tracking to show the ball would have gone over the wickets.

R o o t , cheered on by the vocal Barmy Army of England f a n s , made the most of the reprieve and reached his fifty with a lovely back cut for four, one of nine boundaries he peppered throughout his 114-ball knock. (Reuters)

James Anderson

SCOREBOARD Joe Root digs in to give England a glimmer of hope in the second Ashes Test

ry under the Adelaide Oval lights, will probably need to stay out in the sun for much of the fifth day if he is to lead England to a first test win in Australia in nearly seven years.

Root will resume unbeaten on 67 with Chris Woakes (five not out) keeping his skipper company after Dawid Malan was bowled for 29 by a Pat Cummins snorter shortly before the close.

“We’re delighted to be in a position to have any chance of winning the game,” said Anderson, whose 5-43 gave him his first five-wicket

help him avoid the ignominy of becoming only the second captain to lose a test after not enforcing the follow-on.

“I think we’re still reasonably confident, obviously the last two days haven’t gone to plan but I think we’re still in front of the game,” said Australia bowling coach David Saker. “But it’s getting closer and closer and Joe’s batting has played a large part in that.”Anderson and Woakes (4-36) had fired England’s resurgence when they did the lion’s share of the work of dismissing the

It was to the third session that Australia’s quicks would have been looking to make serious inroads into the England batting, however, and when James Vince was quickly caught in the slips off Mitchell Starc for 15, it looked to be going to plan.

England had started to enjoy the best of the DRS system, however, with Root first overturning an lbw decision off the bowling of Nathan Lyon and seeing a Smith review fail when the Australian suspected an inside edge.

Smith left his team with no re-

Stumps Day 4 Australia 1st Innings 442-8 decl.

England 1st Innings 227 Australia 2nd Innings (Overnight 53-4) CT Bancroft c †Bairstow b Anderson 4 DA Warner c Root b Woakes 14 UT Khawaja lbw b Anderson 20 SPD Smith* lbw b Woakes 6 PSP Handscomb c Malan b Anderson 12 NM Lyon c Broad b Anderson 14 SE Marsh b Woakes 19 TD Paine† c Overton b Woakes 11 MA Starc c Ali b Anderson 20 PJ Cummins not out 11 JR Hazlewood c Malan b Overton 3 Extras (lb-2, w-2) 4 Total (All out; 58 Overs) 138 Fall of wickets: 1-5 (CT Bancroft, 2.2 ov), 2-39 (UT Khawaja, 18.4 ov), 3-41 (DA Warner, 19.5 ov), 4-50 (SPD Smith, 23.2 ov), 5-71 (NM Lyon, 32.2 ov), 6-75 (PSP Handscomb, 34.4 ov), 7-90 (TD Paine, 43.4 ov), 8-122 (SE Marsh, 51.2 ov), 9-128 (MA Starc, 54.2 ov),

10-138 (JR Hazlewood, 57.6 ov) Bowling Anderson 22-7-435 (w-1), Broad 13-6-26-0 (w1), Overton 2-0-11-1, Woakes 16-3-36-4, Ali 5-0-20-0 England 2nd Innings (target: 354 runs) AN Cook lbw b Lyon 16 MD Stoneman c Khawaja b Starc 36 JM Vince c Handscomb b Starc 15 JE Root* not out 67 DJ Malan b Cummins 29 CR Woakes not out 5 Extras (b-3, lb-5) 8 Total (For 4 wickets; 62 Overs) 176 Yet to bat: MM Ali, JM Bairstow†, C Overton, SCJ Broad, JM Anderson Fall of wickets: 1-53 (AN Cook, 19.5 ov), 2-54 (MD Stoneman, 23.3 ov), 3-91 (JM Vince, 33.6 ov), 4-169 (DJ Malan, 59.5 ov) Bowling Starc 14-2-65-2, Hazlewood 14-5-37-0, Cummins 14-5-29-1, Lyon 20-5-37-1 Position: England require another 178 runs with 6 wickets remaining

– registration ends December 17

S

even events are carded for this year’s Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) Christmas Meet with the B2 and Lower race set to be the highlight of the day.

Started in 1936, the Boxing Day one-day meet has become a tradition and this year horse owners, jockeys and turfites are expected to end the year of horse racing on an exciting note.

The feature event this year will see horses classi-

fied B2 and Lower covering a distance of nine furlongs with the winner set to ride away with $1,000,000 while $500,000 will go to the second place finisher, $250,000 for the third and $125,000 for the fourth place finisher.

Another milestone this year is that the featured race is being sponsored by the Kharag family for the tenth consecutive year. The faithful sponsors reside in New York City and are the owners of Metro-Office and

Computer Supplies locally.

Ramnarine “Deo” Kharag is a former president of the KMTC and the day’s big race is held in his honour.

Other events for the day are the F and Lower, H and Lower, J3 and lower, L Class Non-Winners, L Class Open and the race for 2-year-old Guyana Bred horses all for fabulous cash prizes and trophies.

The cream of the country’s horses are expected to take to the starting gates

The action returns to the track on Boxing Day

at Bush Lot Farm on the Corentyne to keep the tradition alive while registration is ongoing. Horse owners desirous of registering their horses must do so before December 17 and may contact the following persons for more information and registration; Niketa Ross – 662-4668, Isaac Daloo – 689-0629, Justice Kennard – 623-7609, Fazal Habibulla – 657-7010, Dennis Deroop – 640-6396 or Compton Sancho - 602-1567.

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesDAY, december 6, 2017

GABF/ National Basketball Club Championships – Road to Mecca IV

Guardians looking to rebound tonight T

he national basketball club championship popularly called the ‘Road to Mecca’ continues tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) and promises two pulsating matches with the Plaisance Guardians looking to rebound from a disappointing loss last Friday when they crumbled against the Victory Valley Royals.

This time around they will face 2015 champions the Pacesetters.

The current team (Pacesetters) has looked a solid outfit in their first game and is a combination of youth and experience. However, the Guardians are a balanced team and will look to youth players Akeem Crandon and Nigel Bowen to take charge and make an impact while the duo’s senior counterparts Trenton Woolford and Nicolas Cassius will be looking to prove that they can help the Guardians to the finals.

While the Plaisance Guardians will face Pacesetters, Linden

The Road to Mecca “IV” action continues tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) with a double header

based team Half Mile Bulls will clash with Berbicians Rose Hall Jammers.

In their first game the Bulls suffered a loss to the Bounty Colts but they will take heart in

the fact that Dillon Pellew and Jeffrey LaRose both looked in good form scoring 21 and 19 points re-

spectively. Meanwhile their opponents, the Jammers are coming off of a narrow victory on the opening night against Dyna’s Ravens.

The Jammers won that game 6460 with impressive performances from National youth player Shemar France leading the way with 17 points, he was ably supported by Michael King and Kwesi Mickle. The trio will be looking to transfer their form from that game as the tournament continues.

Following tonight’s games, the tournament will continue on Friday with another double header as Bounty Colts look to ward off the Amelia Ward Jets and the Victory Valley Royals do battle with Retrieve Raiders.

Tonight’s first game will begin at 19:00h with the second slated for 21:00h at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The tournament is organized by the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation and admission is free.

India 7 wickets away from series win

– Chandimal strokes attractive 164 The paceman was subsequently seen vomiting and temporarily left the field as the Delhi smog continued to affect the match.

Ajinkya Rahane has been the lone batsman in India’s top six without a fifty in the series and was sent in ahead of Cheteshwar Pujara in a bid to help him rediscover his form ahead of the tour of South Africa.

The right-hander survived two reviews and scored only 10 runs before trying to hit his way out

Shikhar Dhawan initially looked subdued but the left-hander soon accelerated, stepping out to hit Lakshan Sandakan over his head for a huge six.

The left-arm wrist-spinner had the last laugh, though, as he lured Dhawan into charging out to play a similar shot only to be stumped for 67.

Pujara (49) fell short of his fifty but Virat Kohli (50) and Rohit Sharma (50 not out) batted with characteristic ease against the jaded Sri Lankans to keep

Dinesh Chandimal hit a career best 164 that pushed Sri Lanka to 373

I

ndia set Sri Lanka a daunting 410-run victory target and dented the tourists’ top order to maintain their iron grip on the third and final test on Tuesday.

Having secured a handy 163-run first-innings lead, India declared on 246 for five about 45 minutes after tea and Sri Lanka were reeling on 31 for three when bad light stopped play with the tourists still needing 379 runs to level the series.

Dhananjaya de Silva was batting on 13 with first-innings centurion Angelo Mathews yet to open his account at the

other end.

Mohammad Shami dismissed opener Sadeera Samarawickrama for five with a vicious bouncer before Ravindra Jadeja struck twice in the same over, dismissing Dimuth Karunaratne caught behind for 13 and bowling nightwatchman Suranga Lakmal for a duck.

Earlier, Dinesh Chandimal made a career-best 164 to help Sri Lanka post 373 all out, their highest total in the series.

Lakmal denied India a strong start to their second innings, dismissing Murali Vijay for nine.

Rohit Sharma (left) and Virat Kohli put together a brisk partnership before the declaration on Day 4

of trouble and holing out in the deep off Dilruwan Perera.

India in complete control of the match. (Reuters)

SCOREBOARD Stumps Day 4 India 1st Innings 536-7 decl.

Sri Lanka 1st Innings (Overnight 356-9) FDM Karunaratne c †Saha b Mohammed Shami 0 MDK Perera lbw b Jadeja 42 DM de Silva lbw b I Sharma 1 AD Mathews c †Saha b Ashwin 1 11 LD Chandimal* c Dhawan b I Sharma 164 S Samarawickrama c †Saha b I Sharma 33 ARS Silva c Dhawan b Ashwin 0 N Dickwella† b Ashwin 0 RAS Lakmal c †Saha b Mohammed Shami 5 PLS Gamage lbw b Jadeja 1 PADLR Sandakan not out 0 Extras (b-4, lb-5, nb-2, pen-5) 16 Total (All out; 135.3 Overs) 373 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (FDM Karunaratne, 0.1 ov), 2-14 (DM de Silva, 5.1 ov), 3-75 (MDK Perera, 18.4 ov), 4-256 (AD Mathews, 97.6 ov), 5-317 (S Samarawickrama, 116.4 ov), 6-318 (ARS Silva, 117.4 ov), 7-322 (N Dickwella, 119.2 ov), 8-331 (RAS Lakmal, 122.4 ov), 9-343 (PLS Gamage, 126.5 ov), 10-373 (LD Chandimal, 135.3 ov) Bowling Mohammed Shami 26-6-85-2 (nb-1), Sharma 29.3-7-98-3, Jadeja 45-13-862 (nb-1), Ashwin 35-8-90-3 India 2nd Innings M Vijay c †Dickwella b Lakmal 9 S Dhawan st †Dickwella b Sandakan 67 AM Rahane c Sandakan b Perera 10 CA Pujara c Mathews b de Silva 49

V Kohli* c Lakmal b Gamage 50 RG Sharma not out 50 RA Jadeja not out 4 Extras (b-1, lb-2, nb-3, w-1) 7 Total (For 5 wickets declared; 52.2 Overs) 246 Did not bat: R Ashwin, WP Saha †, I Sharma, Mohammed Shami Fall of wickets: 1-10 (M Vijay, 2.1 ov), 2-29 (AM Rahane, 13.4 ov), 3-106 (CA Pujara, 30.6 ov), 4-144 (S Dhawan, 35.2 ov), 5-234 (V Kohli, 50.4 ov) Bowling Lakmal 14-3-60-1 (w-1), Gamage 12.2-1-48-1 (nb3), Perera 11-0-54-1, de Silva 5-0-31-1, Sandakan 10-0-50-1 Sri Lanka 2nd Innings (target: 410 runs) FDM Karunaratne c †Saha b Jadeja 13 S Samarawickrama c Rahane b Mohammed Shami 5 DM de Silva not out 13 RAS Lakmal b Jadeja 0 AD Mathews not out 0 Extras 0 Total (For 3 wickets; 16 Overs) 31 Yet to bat: MDK Perera, LD Chandimal (c), ARS Silva, N Dickwella †, PLS Gamage, PADLR Sandakan Fall of wickets: 1-14 (S Samarawickrama, 5.5 ov), 2-31 (FDM Karunaratne, 15.1 ov), 3-31 (RAS Lakmal, 15.4 ov) Bowling Sharma 3-0-60, Mohammed Shami 3-18-1, Ashwin 5-2-12-0, Jadeja 5-2-5-2 Position: Sri Lanka require another 379 runs with 7 wickets remaining

wednesDAY, december 6, 2017 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

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sports

21

GCB/DMLAS/NSC/National Secondary Schools Cricket League 2017-18…

Annandale beat rivals Buxton by 100 runs – Stewartville, Bladen Hall & NA also record wins

F

our schools in three zones recorded victories in the latest action in the 2017/2018 Guyana Cricket Board/ Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited/National Sport Commission/ National Secondary School Cricket League (GCB/DMLAS/NSC/ NSSCL).

In the four matches that were played in the East Coast of Demerara, West Demerara and Berbice zones; Stewartville, Annandale, Bladen Hall and Berbice High notched up wins.

Stewartville beat Sarawat by 2 wickets At the Zeeburg ground on the West Coast of Demerara, Stewartville won the toss and invited Sarawat to bat first. After 19.5 overs, Sarawat were bundled out for a mere 72 runs with 10.1 of their 30 overs unused. Beesham Singh top scored with 19 while Alex Ali grabbed 5 for 18 and Richardo Panaram 2 for 23 Tony Sookraj (left) and Nicholas New Amsterdam Secondary bowling for Stewartville.

In reply, Stewartville eight wickets before reachSecondary almost made a ing the 73-run target. Alex mess of the chase by losing Ali was unbeaten on 26

Haywood were outstanding for

while Balist Budram made 18. Bowling for Sarawat, Mahendra Persaud and

Beesham Singh took one wicket each.

Annandale beat Buxton by 100 runs Over at the Enterprise Community Centre ground, it was a ding dong clash between neighbours Annandale and Buxton. It was Annandale Secondary who batted first and posted a challenging 170 for 5 off 25 with Ronaldo Fredericks leading the way with a solid 58 with support from Romel Dotterden 37 and Vinod Sundar 25. Keron Sutton were the most dormant bowler for Buxton Secondary, grabbing 2 for 16 off 4 overs.

In Reply, Buxton could only muster 70, as Annandale bowler, Vinod Sundar wreaked havoc in claiming 7 for 12 off 5.4 overs and was aided by Ronald Fredericks with 3 for 12.

Bladen Hall beat Golden Grove by 36 runs In another match also at the Enterprise ground, Bladen Hall batted first and labored to 136 for 8 off their allotted 25 overs, in a game where overs were re-

duced due to rain. Batting for Bladen Hall, Vickram Narine notched 40. Bowling for Golden Grove, Shannor Noville grabbed 4 for 39 and Clayden Ferguson 2 for 27.

In reply, Golden Grove Secondary, could only post 100 off 21.4 of their allotted 25 overs. Batting for Golden Grove, Rhyme Mohamed top scored with 24. Bowling for Bladen Hall, Roberto Thomas grabbed 6 for 7.

New Amsterdam beat Berbice High by 6 wickets Over at Cumberland, in Berbice, Berbice high won the toss and decided to bat and were dismissed for 93 off 23.1 of their allotted 30 overs. Daniel Narsaiah top scored with 25 as Nicholas Haywood and Intiaz Jaundoo both grab 3 wickets each, while Nicholas Amsterdam supported with 2 wickets for the victors.

In reply, New Amsterdam reached 94 for 4 off 18.3 of their allotted 30 overs. Troy Sookraj topped scored with 39 while Zeynul Ramsammy was the most instrumental BHS bowler with 3 for 26.

“It may seem like a debut all over again”– Emrit …all-rounder relishing chance to cement Windies spot

By Akeem Greene

T

rinidad and Tobago all-rounder Rayad Emrit is cautiously optimistic of the life ahead as he makes a return to the West Indies squad after last featuring in 2007 in an away tour to India where he played two One Day Internationals.

On Tuesday, he was named in the regional side’s Twenty20 squad for three matches against hosts New Zealand beginning later this month and though he has experienced the feeling of playing at the highest level, this tour is expected to return the debutant jitters.

“It has been since 2007 since I wore a marron cap and it may seem like a debut all over again, albeit I have not played a T20I as yet. I think over the last four to five years I have been doing well in T20s and I will be rearing to go once given the opportunity,” he told Guyana Times Sport with elation on Tuesday.

His selection would not come as a surprise since over the last five years, especially in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) where he captained Guyana Amazon Warriors to two finals.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) chairman of selectors Courtney Browne

speaking on the selection of the player stated, “Emrit was picked to fill in an all-rounder’s slot in the T20I side. “He has always been on the fringes of selection and now gets his opportunity. He is a whole-hearted player, and has been a consistent performer in our domestic competitions and so the opportunity has now presented itself for him to join our T20I squad.”

Since the inception of the league in 2013, he has competed in 53 matches, snipping 65 wickets with his nippy medium-pace at an economy rate of 7.2 and scoring 103 runs at a strike rate of 128.8.

“We have a new style with the Caribbean Premier League and it brings out the most of the players in the Caribbean. I try to stay fit and apart from being injured in 2014 where I dislocated my shoulder I have managed to do a lot of work and thank God I have not missed a CPL match since,” the Alescon Comets Cricket Club player revealed.

Consistent performances have become his mantra and calls to play other domestic leagues have come on a regular basis but the call from the men in marron was elusive until now. Despite the frustration, the 36

year-old still had no thoughts of calling it quits.

“I never thought it was time to retire. I have been enjoying my cricket and I try to play as long as possible.

When I got the call up I was elated, I rang my wife first and told her then I shared the news with the rest of my family, it was knocked It has been over 10 years since Emrit a great modown; it's has worn the proud maroon colours ment.” whethThe lanky er you get seamer, who is currently play- back up.” ing for Chittagong Vikings in the According to Emrit he is fully Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) ready to rebound with a bang but is relishing the chance to don the most importantly aid in the success maroons with some of his old team- of the World T20 champions. mates.

“If given a chance I will try to ce“Despite having not being there ment my spot. Firstly, I want to do for so long it is going to be easy for well for West Indies to come out vicme; It is not like joining a team torious. We have been a very sucthat I don’t know. Most of the guys cessful T20 team and we know how I have played with or against so it powerful we can we play in this forwill be very easy adjusting and I mat.” will be very comfortable in that enWest Indies’ limited-overs leg vironment.” of the New Zealand tour begins on Vince Lombardi, former December 20, with the first ODI in American football player and coach, Nelson. The T20s will begin from once said, “It's not whether you get December 29.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesDAY, december 6, 2017

GFF/ Elite League Season III…

Victoria Kings, Den Amstel

win in goal rush T

he fifth round of matches in the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Elite League Season III kicked off on Sunday at the Den Amstel Community Ground on the West Coast of Demerara and saw two lopsided matches as Victoria Kings FC and Den Amstel FC came out on top of their respective clashes.

Playing in the first

game the Kings took on the Cougars and scored two goals either side of halftime to claim a resounding victory.

Aubrey Gibson was the first Victoria player to find the back of the net just after 10 minutes to put his side in the lead; however, Mark Wronge stood up for the Cougars three minutes later to grab the equalizer

but that would be the last bit of resistance for his side.

Calvin De Souza was the next Victoria player to net poking one home in the 38th minute.

As the second half resumed two goals in three minutes sealed the deal for the Victoria Kings. Gibson grabbed his second of the game in the 60th minute while Obessie Johnson

Den Amstel’s goal scorers

Victoria’s goal scorers

had his side’s fourth in the 63rd minute. The victory for the Kings now means that they sit second on the table with two victories from two games on six points.

In the second game of the night home side Den Amstel FC had a blitz of late goals to triumph 4-2 over Buxton United as they took away maximum points to go top of the table.

It was a scoreless first half as both sides had chances that they failed to convert; but upon resumption of play in the second half, Kevaughn Ward struck the

Nand Persaud Karibee Sprint Classic…

“Register early, win big” – Coordinator T

he Nand Persaud Group of Companies through their Sky Plus Promotion Group is at it again ahead of this weekend’s mega one-day Sprint Classic Horserace meet. Dubbed the ‘Nand Persaud Karibee Rice Sprint Classic’ the event is set for the Company’s racing facilities, No 36 Village, Macedonia Estate, Corentyne, Berbice.

Known as a pacesetter and for its innovation, generosity and organising ability, the Company has thrown up a number of incentives for horse owners and participants alike to benefit from.

According to Coordinator Mohendra Persaud, horse owners who register and pay in full by today’s closing date will get a 20 percent discount on entries.

In addition, owners who enter by today’s closing date will be given the privilege of choosing a gate number, thus giving them an advantage.

Seven races are carded with over $4M in cash, trophies and other incentives up for the takings. Meanwhile, a number of other companies have joined major sponsors Trophy Stall, Ansa McAl, Stag Beer, 4R Bearings and Dalip in providing sponsorship. They include Exotic Style Trucking Service, Gupta Trucking Service, Abdul Latiff, Mikey Trucking Service, Annirude Construction and Tajeram Jainarine among others.

Horserace fans will be in for a treat at the only racing facility of its kind in the country where the horses will be running in a straight line with over 45 horse already entered.

The events listed for the day will see horses competing in the feature D and lower event over 880 yards for a winning purse of $400,000 and trophy.

The event for animals classified H and lower is for a top prize of $260,000 and trophy also over 880 yards.

There is an event for J class animals over 660 yards for a $200,000 winner’s purse and trophy.

The K class and lower animals will be competing for a winning take of $140,000 and trophy over 660 yards.

There are three events for animals classified L and lower. All three events will see the winner taking home $100,000 and trophy over 660 yards. The first will be open for all L class animals. Another will be for L class non-winners (that have not won a race). The final L class event will be for animals that would not have placed or earned during

their career as yet.

The Champion jockey, trainer and stable will all be rewarded with trophies and other incentives compliments of the Trophy Stall in Bourda Market, Georgetown.

As is synonymous with events organised by the Nand Persaud Group of Companies through its Sky, Technology arm, a photo finish camera, big screen Television and other amenities will once again be used during the course of the meet.

There will also be added attractions, family entertainment,

bouncy castle, face painting and other games for young turfites.

Contact can be made with Mohini Baker on 600-4728 or Amanda on 6462390 for further details.

first blow for the home team in the 64th minute while Gavin Graham doubled their money in the 72nd.

Six minutes later Keswin Fraser made it 3-0 with a sumptuous strike only for Phyll Hugh to pull one back for the Buxtonians in the 83rd. Morgan Denny would put the game out of reach for the visitors with his goal in the 89th minute as Den Amstel went up 4-1. Kobe Durant still had time to net a second goal for Buxton in injury time (90+2 minutes).

The Den Amstel outfit is top of the table with six

points and a superior goal difference to that of Victoria Kings who are second with identical points after two games. Fruta Conquerors are third also on six points but with a lower goal difference.

The league continues on Friday at Linden with two games scheduled for the McKenzie Sports Club Ground beginning from 18:00h with New Amsterdam United clashing with Ann’s Grove while GDF face Milerock FC. (Michelangelo Jacobus)

Holder suspended for 2nd Test

– Brathwaite most likely to take over

W

est Indies captain Jason Holder has been suspended for one Test and fined 60% of his match fee, and his team-mates have been fined 30% of their match fees, for maintaining a slow over rate during their innings defeat to New Zealand in the first Test in Wellington.

Holder had previously been found guilty of a minor over-rate offence during the first Test against Pakistan in April earlier this year. The offence for the Wellington Test amounted to his second minor-rate offence in a Test within a 12-month period and resulted in his suspension.

West Indies were found to be three overs short of their target after time al-

lowances were taken into consideration. Players are fined 10% of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time and the captain is fined double the amount.

The charge was laid by on-field umpires Ian Gould and Rod Tucker, third umpire Bruce Oxenford and reserve umpire Wayne Knights. Match referee Chris Broad then imposed the suspension on Holder.

The second and last Test of the series begins from December 9 in Hamilton and appointed Vice-captain Kraigg Brathwaite is the likely candidate to lead the Caribbean side. Hosts, New Zealand lead the two-match series 1-0. (ESPN Cricinfo)

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, december 6, 2017

23

Beaton, Emrit earn

Windies Limited Overs selection

– Bishoo axed

Samuel Badree is the number four ranked T20 bowler in the world

L

eft-arm spinner Nikita Miller has been called-up to West Indies' ODI squad for their threematch series against New Zealand later this month. Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels, who were part of West Indies' ODI team against England in September, kept their places, while uncapped fast bowler Ronsford Beaton also earned a spot in the 15-man squad.

Miller, who has played 46 ODIs and 9 T20s, last played for West Indies in the 2015 World Cup, against Zimbabwe. In the 2016-17 Regional Super50 - West Indies' domestic 50-overs tournament Miller picked up nine wickets in nine games, at an average of 32, but also had an economy rate of 3.67.

Beaton, who was included in the West Indies A squad for a home series against Sri Lanka A, impressed in this year's Caribbean Premier League, taking 11 wickets in 10 games.

Fast bowler Rayad Emrit earned a maiden call-up to a fullstrength T20 squad that also included Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine. Samuel Badree, who was

unavailable for West Indies' previous T20 assignment in England, also made a return.

Emrit finished the 2017 Caribbean Premier League as the third-highest wicket-taker with 15 wickets in 12 matches, at an average of 21.20.

Wicketkeepers Andre Fletcher and Chadwick Walton were also rewarded for a stellar CPL 2017. Walton, who also

perience in our domestic competitions, we felt that he is the right fit to form a part of our ODI bowling unit at this time," Browne said.

"With the World Cup qualifiers fast approaching, we felt that this is not the right time to introduce an inexperienced slow bowler. This series against New Zealand and our CWI Regional Super50 Cup next year are the only chances we will have for preparation prior to

roles. He has always been on the fringes of selection and now gets his opportunity. He is a whole-hearted player, and has been a consistent performer in our domestic competitions and so the Chadwick Walton was prolific for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in 2017

Devendra Bishoo played the last of his 27 ODIs last September

represented the Guyana Amazon Warriors, was the highest-run scorer in the tournament with 458 runs in 12 games at an average of 41.63 and a strike rate of 145.85, while Fletcher managed 286 runs in 10 matches.

Courtney Browne, Cricket West Indies' selection chairman, said Miller's inclusion was done with one eye on preparing an experienced team for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe in March next year.

"Miller has played ODI cricket previously. Along with his vast ex-

the World Cup qualifiers, which are scheduled to be played next March in Zimbabwe.

"So these matches will be used to help us identify the players that will play during the qualifiers, and this is why we have also taken the opportunity to introduce Ronsford Beaton. Though, he is more known for his pace and variations in T20I cricket, we believe he can add value within our ODI bowling unit."

Emrit, Browne said, was picked to fill in an allrounder's slot in the T20I side. "The selection of Emrit is to fill one of the all-rounder

opportunity has now pre-

sented itself for him to join our T20I squad."

West Indies' limited-overs leg of the New Zealand tour begins on December 20, with the first ODI in Nelson. The T20s will begin from December 29. ODI squad: Jason Holder (capt.), Jason Mohammed, Sunil Ambris, Ronsford Beaton, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope (wk), Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Nikita Miller, Ashley Nurse, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Kesrick Williams T20 squad: Carlos Brathwaite (capt.), Samuel Badree, Ronsford Beaton, Rayad Emrit, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton, Kesrick Williams. (ESPN cricinfo)

New Zealand vs West Indies Limited Overs Schedule 1st ODI – Cobham Oval, Whangerei - December 20 2nd ODI – Hagley Oval, Christchurch - December 23 3rd ODI – Hagley Oval, Christchurch – December 26 1st T20I – Saxton Oval, Nelson - December 29 2nd T20I – Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui - January 1 3rd T20I – Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui – January 3

LTI set to defend Titan Bowl Championship – PC, Marian ladies favourites for first female title

Y

outh Basketball Guyana (YBG) has revealed the date for the highly anticipated seventh edition of the Titan Bowl basketball championships. The tournament will last for three days beginning from Friday, December 15 and ending with the respective finals on Sunday, December 17. Since there was no Titan Bowl last year, the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) who won the 2015 edition will be aiming to defend their title.

This year for the first time there will be a full female tournament with three schools fighting for supremacy; those schools are President’s College, Marian Academy and Kwakwani Secondary.

Action will tip off in the YBG-Titan Bowl on Friday December 15

In the male segment of the Titan Bowl, nine teams have been drawn into three pools of three with St

Rose’s High School, Marian Academy and McKenzie High School in Pool A. Over in Pool B, Kwakwani

Secondary, Linden Technical Institute (LTI) and Georgetown Technical Institute will battle for progression. In Pool C the likes of President’s College, Plaisance Secondary and Bishop’s High School will clash.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport exclusively, YBG Coordinator Chris Bowman pointed out that the “Titan Bowl has always provided the right climax for schools’ basketball, being the last tournament for the calendar year; it is also used to rank the school teams.”

Bowman also noted that in all the teams participating in the tournament, there are quality players which will make for an in-

triguing contest.

While the defending U-19 champions are LTI, Kwakwani has always been a dangerous outfit along Plaisance and Mackenzie who all stand a good chance at dethroning the champi-

ons.

All games will be played at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 14:00h on Friday, 15:00h on Saturday and the finals will begin at 16:00h on Sunday.

Fixtures for the opening day are as follows: Friday December 15 1.St Rose’s High v McKenzie High- 14:00hM 2.Kwakwani v LTI- 15:00h 3. Plaisance Secondary v PC- 16:00h 4.(Women) McKenzie v PC- 17:00h 5.(Women) Kwakwani v McKenzie- 18:00h 6.McKenzie v Marian Academy- 19:00h 7.PC v The Bishops’ High School- 20:00h 8.Kwakwani v GTI- 21:00h

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

WEDNESDAY, december 6, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Rayad Emrit is selected after consistent performances over the years

Beaton, Emrit

earn Windies Limited Overs selection Pg 23

– Bishoo axed Ronsford Beaton played two matches against Sri Lanka A in November

GFF/ Elite League Season III…

Pg 22

Victoria Kings, Den Amstel win in goal rush

A total of 11 goals were scored when Victoria Kings took on Cougars FC (right photo) and Den Amstel battled Buxton United at the Den Amstel Ground (Photos courtesy of GFF)

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