Guyanatimes 6 january 2018

Canal No 1 flooding

P11 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Private Sector assists flood victims

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Issue No. 3442

ExxonMobil makes another major oil find in Guyana Page 3

Sittlington returns as SOCU advisor Page 9

…despite questions over remit; arrest celebrations

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

P12 Rogue elements in GPF distressing, painful – Top Cop

Garbage woes

City Hall P10 bumps proposed garbage collection fee to $200

Police raid strip club, hotel P7

First Lady Sandra Granger chatting with staff of Demerara Bakery, formally Doolie’s Bakery, on Friday at Theatre Guild where ActionCOACH Guyana, in collaboration with the Small Business Bureau, hosted a mini Business Expo and Graduation for 50 growing businesses

…41 illegal foreigners arrested …investigating possible human trafficking ring

East La Penitence house goes up in flames … 4 homeless

Page 10

“We were collateral GNBA issues ultimatum damage” – dismissed Delinquent Enmore sugar workers broadcasters will …accuses Govt of taking easy route out be taken off air Page 2

Page 7

Travel agent charged for ripping off customers P8 GECOM unilateral appointment

High Court hears: Article 161 gives President power to review, not discretion P14

2 news

saturDAY, january 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

“We were collateral damage”, say dismissed Enmore sugar workers …accuse Govt of taking easy route out

S

everal Enmore Estate workers who have had their services terminated at the end of 2017 have said they believe that Government took the easy way out in dealing with the challenges facing the sugar industry.

The workers say they felt this was so because they were simply “collateral damage”, and are from a constituency which traditionally supports the Opposition Peoples Progress Party (PPP).

Their positions were confirmed as news spread through the quiet community over the past three days that the Demerara Distillers Limited wanted to buy the Estate over, along with its assets.

“I don’t have much education, but I am no dunce…I know something was fishy about what the Govt do to we… How come Govt, with all dah money that dem get, can’t save Enmore, but DDL could see this estate as profitable? I feel them man at

A section of the Enmore Estate

OP (Ministry of Presidency) trade we off cause them ain’t want to wuk hard to help abee poor people,” Naresh Singh told this newspaper on Friday morning.

Singh has been working at the Enmore Estate for more than two decades.

He says he has sent all of his three children to school while working as a cane cutter.

“I don’t like deh in politics, but nuff people coming round from various business places, telling we to hold on, if they buy Enmore we gon get wuk… What did we do this Government…fuh them treat we suh bad?” he asked.

Another worker,

Khemraj Persaud, said it was mind-boggling how the Government could just toss aside hundreds of workers who have laboured to make a contribution to the country just because it could not find other creative ways of saving the Estate.

“Enmore is one a de best estates dem get in this country. We does wuk hard and we does deliver on we target… I see DDL want de estate, and I know nuff body gon want de estate too…

Why Moses could not a help we out lil? Why dem could not a see another way fa save all dem man wha lose dem wuk? This is rough; is real hard for everybody…,” Persaud remarked.

Other sugar workers have declared their happi-

ness that DDL came forward with an expressed interest in buying the estate.

“Moses and Ramjattan them tek deh easy way out…

I neva expect dat… I know them man used to look into we interest, but now them can’t show them face in Enmore…I feel like if dem sell we off and did not try enough to help we and we picknee dem,” Harripaul expressed.

The estate workers also lashed out at the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) for not doing enough to help save the Enmore Estate and the livelihoods of its workers. ”Dem man a talk nuff fancy thing pon de TV, but we want action…we want strike…we want we money too, and we want justice,”Jaipaul Harripaul asserted.

Expression of Interest

Just recently, DDL submitted an Expression of Interest (EoI) to the Special Purposes Unit (SPU) to purchase the Enmore Estate.

DDL has raised concerns over Government’s plans to downsize the sugar sector, and has recently submitted an Expression of Interest (EoI) to the Special Purposes Unit (SPU) of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), and that

EoI is currently under review.

President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Komal Chand, said in response to this news said the interest shown by DDL to potentially purchase a sugar estate proves that the industry is still viable, and is worth keeping alive.

While the GAWU head maintains that the decision taken by Government was not well thought out, he said Guyanese may have to face the reality of the decision to sell these estates. But he is of the firm view that local buyers stand a better chance of efficiently managing these estates.

The process by which these estates are sold may be lengthy, Chand noted, explaining that the process is expected to be completed by mid-next year, since the SPU has to assess the value of the assets owned by the estates.

A company was late last year awarded the contract to carry out that exercise.

Although a commitment was made by the SPU to keep the Enmore, Skeldon and Rose Hall sugar factories operational until they are sold, hundreds of the workers of those entities have already been issued termination letter. (Michael Younge)

Bulldozer purchased by Region 6 raises eyebrows …bought for $15M, but needs $6M in repairs – Chairman

T

he Region Six Administration has been called upon to investigate the purchase of a bulldozer which is different from what is documented in the regional records.

The bulldozer was taken to the regional compound on Wednesday with mud and other debris on it.

In its 2017 budget proposal, the administration had proposed the purchase of a bulldozer to shape dams in the rice cultivation area and to assist cash crop farmers. As such $20 million were proposed for the purchase of the bulldozer, and this sum was approved in the 2017 National Budget.

On Thursday, Councillor Zamal Hussain called on the administration to explain what was purchased, as he lamented that the bulldozer that was purchased appeared to be a “large Christmas toy,” and not the piece of equipment which the region needs.

Weighing in on his observations, Regional Chairman David Armogan noted that the equipment appeared

The bulldozer in the regional office compound

to be a D3 Caterpillar bulldozer, which was repainted and had a D4 sticker placed on it. The disputed bulldozer was reputed to have been purchased at a cost of $15 million.

According to the Regional Chairman, based on its obvious level of deterioration, a further $6 million will soon have to be spent on the bulldozer.

Regional Executive Officer Kim Stephens told the RDC that the bulldozer was not yet part of the region’s property, and the

supplier is being awaited to hand over the registration.

The REO has said that if this bulldozer is not the right piece of equipment, then it needs to be returned to the vendor.

Moreover, Armogan has said that engineers should be invited to examine the equipment and evaluate its cost, and also whether it was indeed a Caterpillar D4 bulldozer.

He has called for a full investigation into the matter. (Andrew Carmichael)

news

3

saturDAY, january 6, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Saturday, January 6 – 05:00h-06:30h and from 22:00h-02:00h for emergency works.

Sunday, January 7 – 09:30h11:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, January 6 – 07:45h-09:15h and Sunday, January 7 – 08:30h-10:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected in the morning, with light rain showers in the afternoon.

Partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging between Easterly and East Northeasterly from 3.57 metres to 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 07:39h and 19:58h reaching maximum heights of 2.53 metres and 2.56 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 01:11h and 13:30h reaching minimum heights of 0.56 metre and 0.72 metre respectively.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS J

09

15 16

20

26 28

05 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

DAILY MILLIONS 02 15 16 22 24

Afternoon Draw DRAW DE LINE

01

02

08

0

1

10

3

Evening Draw

16

By Jarryl Bryan

I

n what is its second biggest single oil reservoir find to date in Guyana’s waters, ExxonMobil has announced the discovery of 230 feet of high quality oil in its Ranger-1 well within the Stabroek Block.

According to ExxonMobil on Friday, the well was at the time being drilled by the Stena Carron drillship. Work on the Ranger-1 well had started last November and it was drilled to over 6000 feet before Exxon made its discovery.

The well is 60 miles North West of the Liza phase one project. The discovery of oil in this well is Exxon’s sixth in local waters since 2015. It is estimated that all these discoveries add up to more than 3.2 billion recoverable oil-equivalent barrels.

According to ExxonMobil Exploration Company’s President, Steve Greenlee, this latest find while operating at daunting depths, illustrates his company’s deep water and carbonate exploration capacity.

“This discovery proves a new play concept for the 6.6 million acre Stabroek Block, and adds further value to our growing Guyana portfolio,” the oil executive added, in a brief statement on the discovery.

Hope

friDAY, JANUARY 5, 2018

LUCKY 3 4 5 8

ExxonMobil makes another major oil find in Guyana

19

20

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

Meanwhile, the Natural Resources Ministry expressed hope that the latest find would entice more investors to Guyana.

According to the Ministry in a statement, the find underscores Guyana’s natural resource potential.

As such, the Ministry related that other companies are expected to be incentivised to pursue their own exploratory work programmes. In fact, the Ministry revealed

that several such companies have supplied their seismic data collection. As such, they are slated to begin drilling in 2018.

International attention

Since ExxonMobil’s 2015 oil find in Guyana, the country has attracted international attention and precipitated intense sensitisation exercises.

In May 2015, Exxon confirmed that more than 295 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs was encountered at its Liza 1 exploration well.

from the Bank of Montreal (BMO) Capital Markets.

Drilling on Payara began on November 12, 2016, with initial total depth reached on December 2, 2016. In January of 2017, the oil giant had announced it had struck some 95 feet of oil reservoirs in its Payara-1 well, targeting the same type of reservoirs as the well’s Liza counterpart.

Oil was discovered in the Turbot-1 well in October of 2017. According to the oil company following the discovery, the well

ExxonMobil Exploration Company President, Steve Greenlee

Exxon’s operations offshore Guyana

In late June 2016, Exxon’s drilling results at Liza 2 revealed more than 58 metres of oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs in Upper Cretaceous formations. The well was drilled to 5475 metres at 1692 metres water depth. Drilling results confirmed recoverable resources to be between 800 million and 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

The company had announced that it made its third significant discovery in its drilling explorations offshore Guyana. Its partner, Hess Corporation, had noted that the Liza 3 exploratory well’s net value could be US$6.2 billion based on calculations

reservoir was 75 feet deep.

Drilling has been ongoing at the Turbot well since August 2017.

It is understood that following the completion of the Ranger-1 well, the Stena Carron drillship will move to the Pacora prospect, four miles from the Payara discov-

ery. Additional exploration drilling is planned on the Stabroek Block for 2018, including potential appraisal drilling at the Ranger discovery.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres.

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator and hold a 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds a 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds a 25 per cent interest.

The lesser known Orinduik oil block has been under the administration of Eco Guyana and Tullow, after they signed a 10-year Petroleum Prospecting licence and Production Sharing Agreement with Government in 2016.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, january 6, 2018

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

Service to the public: Drug security

A

ll modern Governments, whatever may be their ideology, are committed to ensuring the health of their populations. As such, public health forms an important part of governmental activity and budgetary allocations.

As is well known, public health has many facets; there are for example, the maintenance of the hospitals, training and employment of doctors and nurses, the extension of health centres countrywide, and an ambulance service with ambulances equipped with personnel and facilities to run the emergency treatment of patients while on their way to hospital.

Though all facets are linked, there are some which are more important than others; and among the most important is the supply of drugs and medicines to the system. A health system without the adequate supplies of relevant drugs would be like an abandon house.

It is well known that the State is the largest drugs and medicine purchaser in the country and hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on doing purchases annually. For this reason it is very crucial that the most reliable, transparent and effective system is utilized to do same. From bitter experience, it was found that the value and service for public money expended were not achieved. The Government is fully aware that the State and tax payers would have better value for money if an objective methodology was employed for the acquisition of drugs.

The objective system employed worldwide in the procurement of drugs and medical supplies has rules designed to make it as fair and transparent as possible. The main features of the drug/ pharmaceutical procurement systems are a board of persons of integrity being appointed to be responsible for ensuring the system works; suppliers being invited to make bids in which price, quality, and other important factors such as storage and time of delivery are stated; all bids being opened at the same time so that no bidder will be disadvantaged and the evaluation of bids are done on certain accepted criteria. If the system worked as was intended, it will be fair, ideal and productive.

The failure to work the system has resulted in much embarrassment to the ministries involved and Government as a whole. Not so long after the APNU/AFC Government took office it came under severe fire over its handling of the drug procurement system; the drugs bond fiasco; the awarding of over $600M contract to an overseas supplier under questionable circumstances; the steady shortage of basic drugs at hospitals and health centres were just a few of the cases in which the Government faced criticisms.

It must be mentioned that the Government has a tender procedure whereby orders must be tendered for and those tendering must be reputable suppliers with proper cold storage facilities etc. This tendering procedure was established to protect Government and prevent public funds from being siphoned away. Based on information gathered, in quite a few cases, this tender procedure was generally ignored by those responsible.

The Government has promised to assiduously reorganized and repair with immediacy the system so that it will deliver an exceptional service to the public and benefit to the tax payers. The business community and the public at large anxiously await the reorganized procurement system that works fairly and efficiently in the interest of all citizens.

That said, drug security is as important as food security for every nation. The state could greatly assist in creating drug security for Guyana by buying locally through a transparent tender procedure. It could also assist in providing assistance to pharmaceutical companies to manufacture more drugs and medicines and purchasing them once they attain international standards. For example, one type of pharmaceutical that needs to be urgently manufactured locally is anti-biotics; indeed there can be no drug security in any country except there is an anti-biotics manufacturing facility.

In is hoped that in 2018 every effort will be made to continue revolutionizing Guyana’s health sector to ensure that the country attains drug security.

Men struggle against wind and snow as they push a shopping cart across 125th Street in upper Manhattan, New York City (REUTERS/Mike Segar)

Alternatives for displaced sugar workers Dear Editor, Having been a member of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) which made some specific recommendations for the sugar industry over two years ago, I have naturally been reluctant to make any public comment on the industry or its employees, or the increasing numbers of suggestions/ recommendations being publicly offered by various concerned indi-

viduals and organisations.

But the plight of the sugar workers being displaced continues with no apparent let-up in sight! It is in this context that I wish to suggest yet another approach that might be worth serious consideration.

It is the idea of ‘social credit’ pioneered by Nobel laureate Muhammed Yunus, which goes even beyond the micro-credit sys-

tem of the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh, which provides poor people with small loans to launch their own businesses. The idea is fully described in Dr Yunus’s book, Creating a world without Poverty, and gives a practical example of how it was applied, in partnership with the business giant Danone, to produce affordable, nutritious yogurt for malnourished children of

Bangladesh, a country that is not dissimilar to Guyana.

(I had the privilege of living and working there, and believe that Guyana’s IPED approach comes closest to this alternative).

I humbly commend its study and recommendations.

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

Agriculture Minister caught in his web of deceit Dear Editor, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has recognised that Agriculture Minister Noel Holder reported in the media on January 5, 2018, saying “…the Minister of Finance is presently ‘scraping’ to find the estimated sum of $5 billion which is needed to cover the severance”. But then Minister Holder on the December 22, 2017, was reported as saying “…from the 2018 Budget to the Agriculture Ministry to pay the workers. In addition to the budgetary allocations, he also pointed out that there are funds that will also be available through other avenues that will be used

to pay the workers”. For our Union, the two statements are at odds and the Minister in a matter of days has moved from saying the monies are available for severance to now the monies are still yet to be completely found.

Added to that, we recognise the Minister made another telling admission.

Between December 22, 2017 and January 5, 2018, we have seen the Minister moving from saying that “payouts will commence in January” to now saying that he is hopeful that the severance payments “will be paid by the end of January”. Clearly, from the Minister’s most recent statement it seems there is no clear timeframe as to

when the payments would actually be made.

The shifty statements from the Minister are another woeful blow to the already beleaguered workers who are facing severe pressures and difficulties at this time. The workers who should have received their payments on December 29, 2017, are obviously growing anxious at this time taking into account they have no more pay days but they have to continue to meet life’s expenses. For our Union, it seems, that the Minister and his colleagues can be least bothered by the trials and travails the workers confront since they were made jobless.

At this time, when the

situation has already taken a most startling turn, the Government and the Guyana Sugar Corporation need to advise the workers about the date of the severance payments and alternative employment prospects.

While we seek that the workers receive what is due to them and are taken care of in the weeks and months ahead, we still strongly believe that it is still not too late for the sad decisions to be reversed. Certainly, given the substantial expressions of interest, such a call is not unfounded and clearly demonstrates that the wrong decision has been taken.

Sincerely, GAWU

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, january 6, 2018

5

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

TIP unit records first Central Government’s constant intervention conviction for 2018

Dear Editor, On January 4, 2018, Mr Jagetram Hariram, An East Coast Demerara bar owner, was sentenced to three years in prison and fined $100,000. He was charged for the recruitment, transportation and harbouring of a 14-year-old for the purpose of labour exploitation.

The act occurred between February 1, 2016 and March 18, 2016.

This is testament to the commitment of the Ministry of Social Protection, led by the Honourable Amna Ally, Minister of Social Protection, to purge Guyana from the notoriety associated with being a known source and destination country for which men, women and children are subjected

to sex trafficking and forced labour.

The Counter-Trafficking in Persons Department of the Ministry of Social Protection has aggressively tackled human trafficking through training, sensitization and awareness campaigns, and providing victim support services to survivors of human trafficking in 2017. It has commenced implementation of its 2018 work program, which is designed to bridge the remaining gaps and continue to build on the achievements of 2018.

According to the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 2004, forced labour is defined as “labour or services obtained or maintained through force, threat

of force, or means of coercion or physical restraint.”

The act defines a minor as any person below the age of 18.

After being ranked on the United States’ Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report as a tier two (2) country for three consecutive years (20132015), Guyana was, on June 27, 2017, reclassified to tier one (1) status; being a tier one (1) country means the Government has fully met the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards.

Sincerely, Public Relations Department Ministry of Social Protection

Comedy hour at City Hall

Dear Editor, Each time you hear from the Georgetown City Council, it is always something more outrageous and bizarre than the previous declaration.

On this occasion, the Town Clerk revealed an ‘ambitious’ plan which he has, that would involve placing security guards within the cemetery to patrol from sundown to sunrise.

This would in fact be having them watching the dead.

Can you imagine that?

This is the very City Council which always claims to be shorthanded in its City Constabulary Department.

This is the very City Council that is unable to halt the almost daily robberies in and around the municipal markets; which said that it had to retrench staff because it claims to be unable to meet

its monthly payroll. This is the very Council that cannot prevent chic chic boardmen from operating on the city’s pavements, and is unable to prevent itinerant vendors from selling rat poison, pesticides, and other toxic chemicals which are dangerous to health and against the law.

This must be the Comedy Hour at City Hall. Persons are getting robbed routinely in Georgetown when they leave the commercial banks; the city’s by-laws are being broken daily with impunity; pirated DVDs and CDs are sold openly on the pavements; touts continuously harass minibus passengers; juveniles are molested by elements within the Council’s security arm; and yet the Council’s priority is to protect the dead.

The great ideas of the

ages have come from people who weren’t paid to have great ideas; but here in Georgetown, we are paying super salaries to some senior municipal officers for them to come up with ideas and plans that fly in the face of reason and common sense.

Demosthenes, the Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens, once said, “As a vessel is known by the sound, whether it be cracked or not, so men are proved by their speeches, whether they be wise or foolish.”

Sincerely, Modi Sankar

Dear Editor, Notwithstanding the value and advantages of local democracy all over the world -- which is the self-government of cities, towns, villages and districts by democratic means — typically, but not exclusively through elected mayors, councils and other local officials, when one looks at the ailing Georgetown Municipality, one cannot help but wonder whether it would not make more sense for Central Government to just dissolve the Council.

Or maybe Central Government should, under a Government department, take over fully the functions that statutorily belong to the municipality, and just get rid of the incompetent, corruption and parasitic municipal officers that are draining the city’s resources.

The Central Government has had to take over the massive debt owed to the garbage contractors last year, and continued paying them until the end of 2017, to avoid a major embarrassment and health risk during the holidays. Since the Government has stopped paying them at the beginning of this year, enormous garbage piles have reappeared almost instantly.

Such a shame!

Despite the Council receiving market rents and

property rates, all of the rat- infested, crime-prone and leaking municipal markets continue to deteriorate into some of the most unhealthy and unsightly shopping centres in the world. Again, Central Government has had to intervene, this time bailing the Council out with more than $25 million to complete the rehabilitation of the Kitty Market. Just preposterous!

If the Central Government does not build, maintain and rehabilitate the roads within the capital, including those under the direct control and curtilage of the Mayor and City Council, then no one would be able to drive any longer, as they all would become impassable.

Why is this so, when a portion of your property rates is supposed to go towards road building and maintenance? And to add insult to injury, they tried to foist a parking meter albatross around the necks of vehicle owners as yet another punitive municipal tax.

Street lighting, another fundamental responsibility of the Council, is completely ignored by them, and left for the Central Government to look after.

They also refuse to settle account of more than one billion dollars owed to the GPL. Is the Council not

ashamed of itself?

The municipal abattoir must be one of the most archaic and insalubrious meat processing centres in this hemisphere, and the City Police Training Centre is in a ruinous state. All compliments of the Georgetown City Council.

Just walk around Georgetown and witness the vagrants and junkies that sleep and live on the pavements, harassing passers-by each day.

Encounter the mosquitoes at night, and the flooding that occurs after a half-anhour of rain.

Should this depraved, useless Council not be replaced by some entity that could deliver the goods to the citizens of Georgetown?

Best regards, Sambu Jacobus

6

saturDAY, january 6, 2018

Page

A

s with any new or potentially unsettling situation – like restarting school – allow children time to adjust.

Emphasise the positive things about going back to school, such as hanging out with old friends, meeting new classmates, buying cool school supplies, and getting involved in sports and other activities.

It's also important to talk to children about what worries them and offer reassurance Is the thought of schoolwork stressing them out? Are they worried about the bully from last year?

Consider adjusting your own schedule to make the transition smoother. If possible, it's especially beneficial for parents to be home at the end of the school day for the first week. But many working moms and dads just don't have that flexibility. Instead, try to arrange your evenings so you can give children as much time as they need, especially during those first few days.

Make sure that they:

get enough sleep (establish a reasonable bedtime so that they'll be well-rested and ready to learn in the morning) eat a healthy breakfast (they're more alert and do better in school if they eat a good breakfast every day) write down the need-toknow info to help them remember details such as, what time classes and lunch start and end, their homeroom and classroom numbers, teachers' and/or bus

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

drivers' names, etc. use a wall calendar or personal planner to record when assignments are due, tests will be given, extracurricular practices and rehearsals will be held, etc. have them organise and set out what they need the night before (homework and books should be put in their backpacks by the door and clothes should be laid out in their bedrooms) Although it's normal to be anxious in any new situation, a few children develop real physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches, associated with the start of school. If you're concerned that your child's worries go beyond the normal back-toschool jitters, speak with your child's doctor, teacher, or school counsellor.

To help make going to school a little easier on everyone, here's a handy checklist: Will children need a change of clothes for PE or art class?

Do your children have a safe backpack that's lightweight, with two wide, padded shoulder straps, a waist belt, a padded back, and multiple compartments?

Do children know not to overload their backpacks and to stow them safely at home and school?

Will your children buy lunch at school or bring it from home? If they buy a school lunch, how much will it cost per day or per week? Do you have a weekly or monthly menu of what will be served?

Have you stocked up on all of the necessary school

supplies? (Letting children pick out a new lunchbox and a set of pens, pencils, binders, etc, helps get them geared up for going back to school.)

Medical issues:

Have your children received all necessary immunizations?

Have you filled out any forms that the school has sent home, such as emergency contact and health information forms?

Do the school nurse and teachers know about any medical conditions your child may have, particularly food allergies, asthma, diabetes,

and any other conditions that may need to be managed during the school day?

Have you made arrangements with the school nurse to administer any medications your child might need?

Do the teachers know about any conditions that may affect how your child

learns? For example, children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) should be seated in the front of the room, and a child with vision problems should sit near the board.

Transportation and safety:

Do you know what time school starts and how your children will get there?

If they're riding the bus, do you know where the bus stop is and what time they'll be picked up and dropped off?

Do you know where the school's designated drop-off

and pick-up area is?

Are there any regulations on bicycles or other vehicles, such as scooters?

Have you gone over traffic safety information, stressing the importance of crossing at the crosswalk (never between parked cars or in front of the school bus), waiting for the

bus to stop before approaching it, and understanding traffic signals and signs?

If your child walks or bikes to school, have you mapped out a safe route? Does your child understand that it's never OK to accept rides, candy, or any other type of invitation from strangers?

What about after school?

Figuring out where children will go after school can be a challenge, especially if both parents work.

Depending on a child's age and maturity, you may need to arrange for after-school transportation and care.

It's important for younger children and preteens to have some sort of supervision from a responsible adult.

If you can't be there as soon as school's out, ask a reliable, responsible relative, friend, or neighbour to help out. If they're to be picked up after school, make sure your children know where to meet you or another caregiver.

Although it might seem like children who are approaching adolescence are becoming mature enough to start watching themselves after school, even children as old as 11 or 12 may not be ready to be left alone.

If your children or teens are home alone in the afternoons, it's important to establish clear rules: Set a time when they're expected to arrive home from school.

Have them check in with you or a neighbour as soon as they get home.

Specify who, if anyone at all, is allowed in your home when you're not there.

Make sure they know to never open the door for strangers.

Make sure they know what to do in an emergency.

To ensure that children are safe and entertained after school, look into after-school programmes. Some are run by private businesses, others are organised by the schools themselves, places of worship, police, YMCAs, community and youth centres, and parks and recreation departments.

Getting involved in afterschool activities:

offers children a productive alternative to watching TV or playing video games provides some adult supervision when parents can't be around after school helps develop children' interests and talents introduces children to new people and helps them develop their social skills gives children a feeling of involvement keeps children out of trou-

ble

Be sure to look into the child-staff ratio at any after-school programme (in other words, make sure that there are enough adults per child) and that the facilities are safe, indoors and out.

And children should know when and who will pick them up when school lets out and when the after-school program ends.

Also, make sure after-school commitments allow children enough time to complete school assignments.

Keep an eye on their schedules to make sure there's enough time for both schoolwork and home life.

Helping homework

Love it or hate it, homework is a very important part of school. To help children get back into the scholastic swing of things: Make sure there's a quiet place that's free of distractions to do homework.

Don't let children watch TV when doing homework or studying. Set rules for when homework and studying need to be done, and when the TV can be turned on and should be turned off. The less TV, the better, especially on school nights.

If your children are involved in social media, be sure to limit the time spent on these activities during homework time.

Keep text messaging to a minimum to avoid frequent interruptions.

Never do their homework or projects yourself. Instead, make it clear that you're always available to help or answer any questions.

Review homework assignments nightly, not necessarily to check up, but to make sure they understand everything.

Encourage children to:

develop good work habits from the get-go, like taking notes, writing down assignments, and turning in homework on time take their time with schoolwork ask the teacher if they don't understand something.

To ensure children get the most out of school, maintain an open channel of communication with the teachers by emailing or talking with them throughout the school year to discuss your children' academic strengths as well as weaknesses.

Most of all, whether it's the first day of school or the last, make sure your children know you're there to listen to their feelings and concerns, and that you don't expect perfection — only that they try their best. (Excerpt from kidshealth.org)

7 Police raid strip club, hotel news

saturDAY, january 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Broadcasting in Guyana

GNBA mulling changes to licensing system T

he Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) will be reviewing its system for allocating radio licences, and broadcasters may see an increase in the years they are allotted on their licences.

Speaking to the media on Friday, when new radio licences were issued, Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), Leslie Sobers, said the GNBA will be examining the possibility of restructuring the process from yearly renewals to a longer period.

“The board will be examining, in this year, moving away from these annual licences. We’re contemplating a longer period of licensing… maybe two or three years as a start… because the law allows us to grant as many as ten years on a single licence.”

Sobers added there will also be discussions on strengthening the entity’s monitoring department.

“We’ll just have to thereafter strengthen our monitoring department, to ensure that persons are complying with the regulations.

And all that will need to be done in the ensuing years, and depending on how long we give it, is to stamp it as being valid for that particular year. So we’re trying to make things as easy as could be for broadcasters,” Sobers said.

On Friday the GNBA issued new radio frequencies to Blackman and Sons, CNS Channel Six, Brutal Grouping, Two Brother’s Inc, National Media and Broadcasting Company (Kaieteur News) and Panicle.

Delinquent operators

These changes come even as the GNBA is seeking to coax delinquent operators into the fold. Of late, relations between the authority and the broadcasting fraternity have progressed to the point where one entity has moved to the court against the GNBA. Last year, a bill was introduced to the National Assembly and passed, allowing the GNBA sweeping authority over broad-

Chairman of GNBA, Leslie Sobers

casters. Under the amended Broadcast Bill of 2017, broadcast agencies were mandated to broadcast public service programmes daily.

The bill also states that the GNBA reserves the right to direct a broadcaster to

lodging a complaint has committed an offence.

Even before its passage, broadcasters have already come out in opposition to the new proposed measures.

Using its one-seat majority, however, Government had forged ahead with its passage over the opposition from the other side of the house.

These provisions and the manner that the bill was forced through the legislative arm of Government had caused several operators to raise concerns about the law, and friction began to develop with the regulator.

One broadcaster, Freedom Radio Inc, had filed in the High Court a constitutional challenge to the Administration’s imposition of an ‘onerous’ increase in the annual broadcasting fee, and the expropriation of its airwaves during ‘prime time’ for

The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority’s headquarters

broadcast emergency notices for any length of time. This can even be done during peak or prime advertising time.

A broadcaster will have the right to file a complaint with the GNBA within 24 hours of being asked to broadcast a programme free of cost if, in the agency’s judgment, it is not considered a public service broadcast programme.

But there is a warning for broadcasters daring to oppose the legislation: the bill states that any broadcaster the GNBA finds to have “arbitrarily refused” to broadcast a public service broadcast programme without

Government broadcasts.

Freedom Radio argued in its legal challenge that the move is in fact unconstitutional, since it violates fundamental rights and freedoms which enjoy protection under the Constitution of Guyana.

Freedom Radio thus called for a Conservatory Order prohibiting the Broadcasting Authority from implementing or acting in any manner whatsoever in accordance with enforcing the provisions of the Broadcasting Amendment Act 2017, Act No 20 of 2017, until the hearing and determination of its fixed-date application was filed.

…41 illegal foreigners arrested …investigating possible human trafficking ring

The Crime Chief related that the narcotics were not found on a particular person; rather it was discovered on the property of the Diamond Nightclub and Hotel.

Investigators suspect the women are here illegally as dancers for the nightclub. It is suspected that the girls are from Brazil, Dominica and Colombia while questions have been raised as to whether they have been trafficked to Guyana.

When asked about the legality of the foreigners,

The Diamond Nightclub and Hotel

M

embers of the Guyana Police Force early Friday morning launched a major sting operation at the Diamond Nightclub and Hotel on George Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown.

The raid commenced around 07:00h as investigators swooped down and cordoned off the area and closed in on the club and hotel. During the raid, approximately 41 foreign nationals along with eight employees were arrested and a quantity of narcotics was also discovered on the premises.

Crime Chief Paul Williams at a press conference told reporters that the Police received information that led to the early morning raid at the popular strip joint.

“We had an exercise headed by CID HQ and Major Crimes Unit along with other agencies. In view of infor-

Police escorting some of the foreigners during the early morning raid

mation we received we went to a known business club in Georgetown and we conducted some exercises there and we would have found 41 foreign nationals, some narcotic drugs were seized, some employees and we are conducting investigations,” Williams informed.

as well as if they were trafficked to Guyana, Williams stated that they are unclear whether it is so but did indicate that they are investigating all possible angles.

The foreigners remain in Police custody, as investigations are ongoing.

8 NEWS

saturDAY, january 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Father, son granted bail on wounding charge

T

he father-and-son duo of Kishwar and Thameshwar Chatterpaul found themselves before Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman on Friday, charged with wounding their in-law.

The charge stated that on December 27, 2017 at Lot 5 Eden Street, Tucville, Georgetown, they unlawfully and maliciously wounded Dwayne Hetemeyer.

The duo denied the

charge, and their defence attorney, Michael Sommersaul, explained that on the day in question, the virtual complainant (VC) and his clients were involved in an argument which escalated into a fight.

He contended that Kishwar Chatterpaul is the one who had been injured, and not the Dwayne Hetemeyer.

The VC, Hetemeyer, explained to the Court that his is married to Kishwar

Chatterpaul’s daughter; and on the day of the incident, he had requested that he accompany her to her parents’ home to pick up some clothing.

Upon arrival there, he waited on the road as he was not on speaking terms with her family.

He claimed that Kishwar Chatterpaul saw him on the road and attacked him with a chopper, but he managed to disarm the man and subdue him. However, he received a

lash to his head, and when he turned around to see who had done it, he noticed his brother-in-law, Thameshwar Chatterpaul, and another person, who both began to assault him.

He was rescued by the neighbours and was taken to the hospital, where he was treated for a head injury.

Each of the defendants were placed on $100,000 bail, and the case is expected to be recalled on February 9, 2018.

Fisherman, vendor jailed for B&E

A

fisherman and a vendor were on Friday jailed for 24 months when they appeared before City Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, charged for breaking and entering.

Forty-two-year-old Mark Angus of New Amsterdam, and 27-yearold Toby Singh of West

Coast of Demerara (WCD) admitted that they broke and entered the Paradise Hotel between January 3 and 4, 2018, and stole cement and tools, with a total value of $40,060.

According to Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, at about 17:00h on January 3, the Virtual Complainant (VC), Leon Gorbedan secured his hotel which was under con-

struction and proceeded to his home.

However, upon his return the following day (January 4), he found items were missing.

He subsequently went to the Brickdam Police Station to file a report but upon his arrival, he was shown the said missing items by Police which he identified as his property.

Angus and Singh had

already been apprehended

by Police with the items in their possession.

In handing down the sentence, Latchman told the defendants that they need to work hard for what they want to achieve. She also revealed that considering the prevalence and seriousness of the offence, she will be sentencing them to 24 months each imprisonment.

Teen slapped with attempted murder charge

C

aboral Bailey of Vergenogen, East Bank Essequibo was on Friday arraigned before Wales Magistrate Annette Singh on a charge alleging that he had attempted to kill

Keon Farley.

It is alleged that on January 1, 2018, at Vergenogen, Bailey unlawfully and maliciously wounded Farley with intent to commit murder.

The 19-year-old Bailey, a vendor who plies his trade at the Parika Ferry Stelling, was not allowed to plead to the indictable charge, but Magistrate Singh placed him on $200,000 bail on con-

dition that he reports to the Leonora Police Station twice per week.

This matter has been transferred before the Leonora Magistrate for March 6.

Travel agent charged for ripping off customers

A

Muneshwars travel agent found herself before the court on Friday charged with embezzling funds from the company.

Thirty-one-year-old Priya Lall of Lot 20 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman and denied that she embez-

zled cash on three occasions.

The first charge stated that between September 1 and 30, 2017, at Muneshwars Travel Agency, she embezzled $72,000.

Another charge stated that on September 15, 2017, also at Muneshwars Travel Agency she embezzled $150,000.

The final charge stated that on October 14, 2017, she embezzled $380,000.

According to Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, the Virtual Complainants booked flights through the Muneshwars Travel Agency.

However, the Virtual Complainants (VC) travelled and while on vacation, called and made enquires about their return flights and were told that booking were not made.

As such, they had to make alternative arrangements and returned to Guyana where a complaint was filed at the travel agency and to the Police.

Following investigations, the Lall was arrested and charged with the offence of embezzlement.

Lall’s Attorney, Usen Gomes, in a bail application told the court that his client returned home to Guyana as soon as she heard of the allegations against her and maintains her innocence.

As such, bail was granted in the sum of $300,000.

As a condition for bail, she had to surrender her passport to the court. The case will continue on February 9.

A political problem…

I

…demands a political solution

t’s great when you’re the Government, isn’t it? Look at the high-priced Bajan lawyers – Queen’s Counsels to boot! -- that Basil Williams just had sworn in to help him out in the “Case of the Foisted GECOM Chair”. And yes, dear reader, you read that right - the lawyers never practised before the Guyanese Bar, and had to be “sworn in” a couple days before! These fellas don’t come cheap; they’re Bajans!

Now, Lord knows the AG needs all the help he can get. Lawyers, like boxers, are rated by their wins against losses, and Williams has been 0 to 15 as of now!! Why should Guyanese taxpayers pay for Williams’s ineptitude?

He’s AG only because he’s the PNC Chairman, and not so incidentally - as the Mafia would say; he knows where the bodies are buried. Right, Bannuhs?

Your Eyewitness won’t comment substantively on the case, since Justice George-Wiltshire asked that it not be tried in the public arena. Your Eyewitness has the greatest respect for this jurist - even though the Government obviously does not. How could the Government ask her to apply for a position she’s already accepted? The President’s unilaterally advertising for applicants was insulting in effectively rescinding her appointment. Justice George’s professionalism, learning and commitment to the law speak for themselves -- since the days when she was a public prosecutor. But maybe that’s the point, isn’t it? How dare she rule against the President’s unilateral decisions to rescind leases to those Region 5 farmers which the PPP had granted?

But returning to the GECOM Chairman’s appointment: this really isn’t a legal matter, is it? The Carter-Price formula was devised to address a POLITICAL problem back in 1992.

After the PNC had rigged elections in 1968, 1973, 1980 and 1985, with the connivance of the GECOM chairs -- who were all judges -- the criteria was broadened to include “other fit and proper “ persons. And more to the point, the lack of trust engendered in the Opposition parties after being cuckolded so many times, the appointees had to come from a list the Opposition Leader would provide.

This was designed to enforce political compromise, since the Opposition Leader’s list had to include persons whom the President couldn’t object to, and obviously, the former would pick persons not unobjectionable to himself.

Of the three lists of six submitted by Jagdeo, it shocked the sensibilities of even PNC supporters that past GECOM Chair and ex-Army General, Joe Singh, was unacceptable to Granger!!

That the matter has reached the courts means the political arrangement has broken down.

The Justices cannot raise this POLITICAL Lazarus from the dead. Rigging is constructively back!!

…not an economic one

Your Eyewitness isn’t surprised no one in Guyana cares about the tragedy unfolding In Berbice after 4000 sugar workers were fired by GuSyuCo - which is owned by the Government. Actually, it should be “no one in Georgetown cares”…but since to those who matter, for all intents and purposes Georgetown is Guyana, it’s all the same, isn’t it?

It’s not just Berbice…Wales’ 1700 were fired last year, and that also didn’t create a ripple!

The President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Mohamad Raffik, however, exclaimed in disgust: “You just cannot send home 4,000 people and you have no alternative.” But Raffik’s premise is all flawed: to the Government, sugar workers were fired and not given alternatives not because they were “people,” but because they were “voters”. The wrong kind of voters: voters who never voted for them, but generally for the PPP. When Jagan was negotiating a coalition with Burnham in the seventies, one of his criticisms was the PNC’s “racial discrimination”.

Burnham replied, “Comrade, it’s not racial, just political!”

…gets an economic solution

The one “political” problem that can be solved economically is when a POLITICAL investment wasn’t repaid to a media owner -- who then exposes the dirt.

The Muckraker’s owner was just awarded a radio licence!

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

News

9

saturDAY, january 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Sittlington returns as SOCU advisor

…despite questions over remit; arrest celebrations

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

D

espite previous complaints from the main political Opposition party in Guyana, the People’s Progressive Party, UK white collar crime expert Dr Sam Sittlington is back for another stint working with the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

This was made known from a missive sent out by the United Kingdom High Commission office. In the missive, British High Commissioner Greg Quinn

invited media operatives to a “meet the press” day on January 9, where Dr Sittlington will be introduced as a financial investigations mentor and advisor to SOCU. Following Sittlington’s initial appointment, SOCU, in a bold move, had arrested and questioned a number of top officials from the previous Government. Among those arrested and questioned were former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, and former Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon.

Other former Government officials questioned included former Prime Minister and former President, Samuel Hinds; former ministers Priya Manickchand, Irfaan Ali, Clement Rohee, Robert Persaud and Dr Jennifer Westford. One commonality with their questioning was that it was in relation to property purchased at the Sparendaam seawall area on the East Coast that is commonly known as “Pradoville 2”.

While the current Administration contends

Dr Sam Sittlington

that the transaction is a criminal act because of the belief that the land was sold below market value, the PPP has argued that subsidised housing has always been a part of the legacy of the People’s Progressive Party, and that countless Guyanese have benefited from lands sold below market value.

No further action was ever pursued against these former officials, and the arrests prompted resounding cries that the executive has been giving orders to SOCU to at-

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

tack former Government officials as part of a witch-hunting exercise. Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had threatened charges against former Government officials just one week before SOCU arrested some of the former officials.

A glass of wine

Two days after these events, Ramjattan, along with SOCU Head Sydney James and Dr Sittlington, had a rendezvous at a popu-

lar city café, and were seen clinking glasses in an extremely celebratory atmosphere in the dimly lit establishment.

Ramjattan later confirmed to Guyana Times that he and the SOCU officials had been having some drinks at the popular spot, which usually is not opened to the public after dark. According to Ramjattan, he had gone to “have a glass of wine” with the SOCU officials as they celebrated Dr Sittlington’s work here in Guyana, since the expert had been due to leave soon.

Motive

At a subsequent press conference, Jagdeo had questioned the motive behind the gathering, noting that “to drink wine immediately after arrests were made warrants a full-fledged investigation”.

According to the Opposition Leader, given that the coalition Government has launched several Commissions of Inquiry, President David Granger should do the same with re-

SOCU head, Assistant Commissioner Sydney James

gard to this matter, since it threatened the country’s independence and dignity.

Questions have also been raised about whether or not Sittlington was operating under the auspices of the British High Commission in Guyana, and his role in SOCU. British High Commissioner Quinn had said that Dr Sittlington was “at SOCU in an advisory and training capacity, and not in an operational role.”

GECOM not in receipt of $2.9B for LGE polls – top official …says Govt propaganda misleading, out of order

By Michael Younge

A

top official of the Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) on Friday denied that Central Government had given the electoral body a whopping $2.9 billion to host Local Government Elections this year.

The official’s denial comes on the heels of a statement released by the Government’s Department of Public Information on Thursday, in which it was claimed that “The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has been allocated some $2.9B (billion) for the holding of Local Government Elections (LGE) between the beginning of November and early December this year.”

That statement elaborated: “The multi-billion-dollar allocation from Central Government demonstrates its unequivocal commitment and determination towards democratic governance, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan said.”

The GECOM official has said that if indeed the minister did relate that the sum was allocated by Government to GECOM specifically for the holding of LGE, then there was a deliberate and inexcusable attempt to mislead and misinform the public.

“Recall first that GECOM is no longer a budget agency, and does not fall under the purview of the Finance Minister. It was this Government which changed the status of the entity and conferred upon it a new status. We are now a Schedule Three Agency,” the official

informed.

A Schedule Three agency is a constitutional and independent entity that makes a direct charge on the Consolidated Fund. Their monies are approved by the National Assembly, and can only be adjusted by the Parliament, not any one Minister. The Finance Minister also cannot adjust the monies of the agencies by himself before moving to Parliament. He has moved a motion, and it has to be voted upon.

“Secondly, GECOM’s entire budget is $2.9 billion. Does the DPI and Communities Minister expect us to believe that GECOM would spend all of its current and capital allotments solely on the hosting of elections at the local level in November and December?” the official quizzed, before asking where the GECOM would get monies from to handle every other aspect of its operations.

“We would be running to Parliament every quarter for supplemental funds to operate outside of the elections,”

the senior official said.

The official, who has years of experience at the entity, said, “I am not even aware that a budget has been finalized for these elections, and presented to the Commissioners for review and approval.”

In fact, according to this official, the Commissioners did not meet for months before the recent controversial appointment of Justice James Patterson.

“I am, however, aware that budgetary estimates were prepared and then reduced by the Government side of the Parliament when

they were presented for consideration ahead of the 2018 budget,” the official ended.

Meanwhile, another source at the Elections Commission has expressed worry that the $3.7 billion allocation sought by GECOM was reduced to $2.9 billion, resulting in $815 million being axed despite Government’s position that if GECOM needed more resources for holding elections, it could come again to the Parliament.

“What will be the quality of the voter education project? GECOM has a lot of things to do in order to

be fully prepared to deliver free and fair elections, and elections free from fear.

GECOM’s right to determine its own financial needs should have been respected, and not second-guessed,” the source remarked.

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan on Thursday reported that the monies allocated by Government pointed to the David Granger Administration’s commitment to local democracy and development.

Bulkan said Government was obligated to provide the monies for preparatory work to continue on the polls.

Bulkan referred to the need for the Commission to use parts of the money to boost its voter education campaign, while expressing

the view that even the local organs need more sensitization on their mandates.

According to him, the $2.9 billion allocated to GECOM will include funding for the much-needed voter education.

“I will be the first to admit that there is still a great degree of lack of understanding of even what are the responsibilities of local government organs in our engagement and interaction with the public; that there is still this mindset that it is Central Government that is responsible for the conditions in the individual communities.”

Local Government Elections were resumed in 2016 after two long years of dormancy.

10 news

saturDAY, january 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Garbage woes

City Hall bumps proposed garbage collection fee to $200 million.

King related that the objective is for the city to handle 60 per cent of its solid waste management programme through collection in the city. He noted that this would be done incrementally and that the procurement, of the trucks, will be administered by the Communities Ministry.

Bailout

Town Clerk Royston King

By Lakhram Bhagirat

J

ust one day after disclosing that the Municipality of Georgetown would begin charging residents $100 for garbage collection, Town Clerk Royston King told a news conference, on Friday, that the fee would now be bumped to $200 from February 1.

“Going forward, there are new proposals with respect to solid waste management, including the fact that we are looking and asking all residents within the city to pay a small fee to help us collect domestic waste. The proposal is residents will be asked to pay $100 per barrel to remove garbage from their premises and to dispose of it at our landfill site,” King told Guyana Times during an exclusive interview on Thursday.

However, on Friday, he said City Hall is now leaning towards the $200 fee and would be finalising the proposals before its implementation next month.

“It is the principle that we believe that the residents should make a contribution to the collection… We are determining the modalities and they would have to pay at City Hall. We have systems in place to track all our movements at the moment and we would put systems in place to ensure that everyone complies with this,” the Town Clerk informed.

Expressing hope that persons living in the city would be receptive to this new ini-

tiative, the Town Clerk declared he was looking forward to their cooperation. In addition, King asserted that the City Council is looking at ways in which to allow villages that do not presently receive such public health care facilities, such as Sophia, Greater Georgetown, to experience same.

“We’re also looking at other areas that are not currently receiving such public health services; like, for example, in the area of Sophia. We’re looking at Sophia, and we’re working out an arrangement to also provide public health services in that community, including the collection and disposal of their waste,” he had said.

Managing its own waste

Central Government allocated $200 million to the debt-ridden City Hall in its 2018 budget. In disclosing how the Council will put this money to use, Town Clerk Royston King explained to this publication that almost half of this money will be spent on building the city’s garbage collection independence.

It is expected that City Hall would be using the bulk of that money to procure two new garbage trucks to aid with its operations. The trucks are expected to arrive by June and according to the Town Clerk, the estimated cost for the two trucks will be $70 million, while allied equipment will be an additional $15

Puran Brothers Disposal and Cevons Waste Management withdrew their services on July 30, 2017, as City Hall’s debts had risen to the multimillion-dollar range. According to the companies, the issue of non-payment has been a long-standing one, with many debts going as far back as 2015.

However, they had resumed collection after the municipality approached Central Government through the Communities Ministry for a bailout of $475,635,245 to settle the city’s debt to Puran Brothers, Cevons, and another company after they would have pulled their services owing to non-payment.

The bailout was granted and Central Government decided to pick up the tab until December 31, after which the M&CC would step in.

However, at the end of the bailout period, the M&CC failed to engage the contractors and there was a temporary impasse in the collection of garbage in the city.

Last September, the M&CC implemented fees for commercial waste collection. Small business operators are required to pay $5000 per month while medium-scale business operators will contend with $8000 per month.

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

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

East La Penitence house goes up in flames …4 homeless

A

family of four was forced to make alternative living arrangements after a fire of unknown origin destroyed their Morocot, East La Penitence, Georgetown home. Among the four persons are two minors and two pensioners.

The fire reportedly started in one of the bedrooms of the Lot 31 “A” Morocot Square two-storey house at around 13:30h on Friday.

Reports are the owner of the house, 69-year-old Kennette Herbert, a security officer, was asleep at the time of the fire while his two grandchildren, ages 12 and eight, were left playing in the house.

The fire was detected by a neighbour who was passing at the time. The woman recalled that as she walked through the yard, she saw thick black smoke billowing from one of the rooms and quickly raised an alarm.

In doing so, she called out to the child to inform their grandfather but did not realise that the elderly man was asleep. The elderly man told media operatives that after his grandchildren

The burnt house

woke him, he realised one of the bedrooms was on fire.

Without hesitation, he attempted to extinguish the blaze but it rapidly spread, and as such, he had to retreat. He frantically looked for his two grandchildren and could not find them but soon after realised they were in the yard, he exited that building.

He along with his two grandchildren stood in anguish as the house went up in flames.

The fire service was summoned but by the time firemen arrived, the house was consumed by fire leaving no

chance for family members to save any household items or even personal belongings.

Soon after, the wife of the elderly man arrived at the scene but upon realising that her house was destroyed, she fainted and had to be consoled by neighbours. After some time, she told media operatives that this is the second tragedy for the family in two years.

Only two years ago, one of the elderly couple’s sons was shot and killed.

Meanwhile, it unclear how the fire started but an investigation launched by the fire officials.

NIS increases funeral grants, minimum pension

F

uneral grants are among increases announced by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) effective from January 01, 2018.

The Funeral Grant was increased from $40,398 to $44,438; and as it relates to the increase in minimum payments for Old Age and Invalidity pensions, those provisions have been increased from $27,500 to $30,000 per month.

The NIS stated in an advertisement that all pensions that are above the minimum payable rate would be increased by two per cent.

The monthly insurable earning ceiling has also increased from $220,000 to $240,000 per month, while the weekly insurable earning ceiling will be increased from $50,769 per week to $55,385 per week.

The insurable earning

NIS Headquarters at Brickdam, Georgetown

ceiling is the upper limit on earnings that attract NIS contributions.

In 2017, increase in insurable earning ceiling went from $200,000 to $220,000 per month, and from $46,154 to $50,769 per week.

Additionally, the minimum insurable earning ceiling for self-employed persons contributing to the National

Insurance Scheme has been increased from $62,400 to $68,750 per month.

The minimum rate for old age and invalidity pensions has also been increased from $25,000 to $27,500 per month, and the amount of funeral grant has been increased from $36,725 to $40,398.

news

11

saturDAY, january 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GNBA issues ultimatum

Canal No 1 flooding

Delinquent broadcasters Private Sector assists will be taken off air flood victims E

ven as the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) issued six radio licences to broadcasters during a Friday morning ceremony, the entity is warning delinquent operators to get their compliance in order by March 2018 or be taken off air pending legal action.

Speaking after the ceremony, GNBA Chairman Leslie Sobers announced the three-month grace period. He told media operatives that while some broadcasters have been making contact and working out payment terms, others are not so circumspect.

“They have been coming in and some have been working out arrangements where the backlog is a lot and they really want a grace period or payment term. But there are others who are quite blatant, and we will deal with them,” Sobers related.

“Things are happening and once they bring themselves into full compliance, we will be licensing them.

GNBA Chairman Leslie Sobers as he signs one of the licences

The converse of this is that those continually refusing or failing to bring themselves into compliance, we will not issue them with a licence. And when we don’t issue them with a licence, we will call upon them to stop broadcasting and then take legal action against them if they don’t.”

Sobers emphasised that the Authority would not allow illegal broadcasts to con-

tinue after the first quarter of 2017. He said that as soon as this period is over, legal action will be taken against defaulters and any unlawful broadcasters still on air will be taken off.

“It (corrective action) has to be in the first quarter. Because we will not allow illegal radio broadcast to go on past the first quarter of this year. So that’s a message to all illegal broad-

casters, bring yourself into full compliance or be prepared to be taken off the air

by March.”

At the ceremony, six entities received their broadcasting licences, with Sobers announcing that they had brought themselves into compliance as of 2016. This is the second distribution exercise carried out by the authority under Sobers’ tenure. In November of last year, six entities also received licences.

It is understood that the GNBA has been going through the list of compliant broadcasters, to determine who will not be reissued licences. The Broadcast Amendment Act of 2017 gives the GNBA broad powers to deal with broadcasters not in compliance.

In addition to this, the GNBA Board is also contemplating moving away from issuing one-year licences, rather issuing those that could last for two years.

The law allows the GNBA to grant licences for not more than 10 years.

House lot distribution

80% of lands remain unoccupied – Minister

T

he Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan has announced that the ministry is changing the manner in which it allotted house lots after findings revealed that thousands of house lots allocated since 2000 remain unoccupied in several schemes across the country.

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan told a media conference on Thursday that the trend was worrying and alarming, as he explained that billions of dollars were expended to prepare the schemes for occupancy, but progress has been slow over the last decade.

He took the opportunity to remind the general public that is one of the main reasons why the Ministry through the Central Planning and Housing Authority (CH&PA) scaled back on the allocation of house lots and began the construction of housing units that will be readily available for occupancy.

Minister Bulkan also revealed that between 2000 and 2015, from an approximate total of 66,000 house lots allocated, some 28,000 or 40 per cent remain unoccupied. “It makes no sense investing these huge sums of money for a rate of occupancy that is as low as 20 per cent,” the Minister said.

The Minister reported that during 2011 and 2015, some 38 new schemes were developed boasting a total of 20,000 house lots but to date

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

80 per cent of those lots remain unoccupied. A total $12.8 billion was pumped into their development and $16 billion is now required to complete infrastructure works.

Besides this, from a total of 4927 interviews conducted in 2017, the CH&PA only issued 1131 house lots with Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) accounting for the majority of 3122 interviews and 513 allocations.

Bulkan questioned the sustainability of the model of housing development used under the previous Administration. He also reiterated that Government’s thrust to build housing units, provides more immediate form of occupancy, something they will continue to build on.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the CH&PA, Elsworth

Williams, made a commitment to meet with applicants in the system to ensure they are provided with housing in a timely manner.

“We are going to continue this year to meet with those persons who have been in the system for all these years and have not been allocated their house lots. We have started last year and we want to continue.”

It was also revealed that 1131 lots were allocated in 2017. In Region One (Barima-Waini), 52 lots were allocated; Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 28 lots were allocated; Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 27 lots were allocated; Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 513 lots were allocated; Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 20 lots were allocated; Region Six (East Berbice-

Corentyne), 99 lots were allocated; Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), 132 lots were allocated ; and in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), 201 lots were allocated.

Since last year, the CH&PA had promised to embark on a plan to repossess unoccupied house lots that have been issued to persons but have remained vacant. The CH&PA had finalised the list of defaulters and has commenced sending out letters to landowners, informing them of Government’s move.

However, the CH&PA had noted that it will treat differently those defaulters who were allocated lots in areas that they could not access because of lack of adequate infrastructure. In fact, those persons allocated lots to areas that are without proper infrastructure are being advised that they can wait until infrastructure is put in, to begin to construct or they can visit the Ministry and be reallocated to an area where there is infrastructure.

Late last year, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) announced plans to work towards identifying areas for new land development schemes in this year.

Commissioner Trevor Benn said the GL&SC has been challenged to open new areas for houselot distribution as a result of limited resources.

Residents of the community waiting to receive their hampers

S

everal Private Sector entities reached out to residents of Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara, who were recently affected by the floodwaters following persistent heavy rainfall over the holidays.

The entities distributed 200 hampers to the residents of the area, consisting food and other household items.

The hampers were supplied by NEW GPC INC, N&S Mattai and Co Ltd, Deodat Deokinandan National Milling Company Limited (NAMILCO); Bakewell and Beni Sankar.

Prior to the distribution, members of the Private Sector did a brief walk around of the affected areas and witnessed the continuing misery being borne by the residents.

According to Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram, who spearheaded the initiative, the assistance was a mere token compared with the level of suffering and the needs of the community but that the collective Private Sector wanted the people to know that their suffering

and fortitude had not gone unrecognised.

He also noted that from all reports received, this was a manmade disaster caused by neglect and negligence which should have been avoided.

Ram thanked the donors and the members of the community who at very short notice organised the event, and the recipients for their patience, discipline and courage.

Ram also announced that efforts are currently underway to organise assistance and support for the sugar workers of the closed Wales Estate whose employment was terminated last year, and their families, particularly children, whose education and future may be affected.

Also in attendance were Country Manager of NAMILCO, Bertie Sukhai; Bakewell representative, Roy Vontholl; Executive Director of the Private Sector Commission, Elizabeth Alleyne and representatives from Region Three Three administration.

Overseas-based Guyanese remanded for narco-possession

O

verseas-based Guyanese Mark Joyce, currently vacationing at Lot 47 Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was on Friday morning arraigned before Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman, charged with narcotics possession.

He is alleged to have been intercepted by Police at the Stabroek Market area on January 4, 2018, where he was found in possession of 36 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

He denied the allegation

brought against him, and his attorney told the Court that on the day of his arrest, Joyce was an occupant of motorcar PTT 7759, which had two other occupants.

All three were arrested, but Joyce was the only one charged with the offence.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the Court that even though the accused was in the car with the other occupants, the narcotic was found in his seat.

As such, he was remanded to prison until January 19.

12 news

saturDAY, january 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Rogue elements in GPF distressing, painful – Top Cop

Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine

A

cting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine on Friday said it is distressing and painful to know that despite all their efforts to build public confidence and have a professional Police Force, there are some ranks who are bent on disgracing the country’s premier law enforcement organisation.

The acting Top Cop

made these remarks during a press conference at Eve Leary, in Georgetown.

“It’s distressing that you put so much training into a rank, you’ve taught them so many things. You brought them from an environment where there was a lot of negativity and given them a State uniform, they did well in training school and then for some silly reason

or a few dollars more, can do something so outrageous to tarnish the image of a noble institution such as this.

It is painful, believe me but the good thing is we can’t lay down and cry about it,” he posited.

Ramnarine was at the time referring to the case of former SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactic) Unit Command, Motie Dookie, who last weekend was bust during a routine roadblock on the Corentyne, smuggling some 30 cases of Johnny Walker whisky into the country from neighbouring Suriname.

The Deputy Superintendent of Police has since been removed as SWAT Command and is now temporarily posted at the Force’s Strategic Planning Unit. SWAT is now under the command of “a gazetted officer who is just as capable and competent as his prede-

Region 3 RDC implementing measures to alleviate flooding

cessors”.

Addressing reports that the officer had escaped from custody in Berbice, Ramnarine explained that given Dookie’s rank, it would not have been “uncommon” and “totally improper” for him to leave the barrack room for a few hours and return, which he did.

Nevertheless, such incidents, according to the acting Police Commissioner, not only tarnish the reputation of the Force but also diminishes public confidence, something which the Force has been assiduously trying to build.

“We lost out a bit on public trust and confidence with the disgusting, reprehensible behaviour of some of our own but… we left no stones unturned in ensuring that we could prosecute our own, that we could charge our own because at the end of the day, this organisation has to remain strong and has to continue to serve the people of this country,” he stated.

On the other hand, however, Ramnarine posited that while citizens want to see a professional Police Force, they are the ones who encourage wrongdoings by ranks.

“Over the holiday weekend, I received over a dozen calls from supposedly right-thinking people who are concerned as to when

Former SWAT Command Motie Dookie

the man would be released, and why y’all can’t give the man a break and all sorts of lawlessness they were telling me. Believe it or leave it, that’s the psyche we have.

On the one hand, they wanna see a professional Police Force – they want a Police Force to deliver a higher or better quality of service – but at the same time, they are indifferent to gross wrongdoing. That’s the reality of the society we live in,” the acting Commissioner noted.

Complaints

Meanwhile, the acting Top Cop went on to reveal during the press conference that last year saw the completion of dozens of complaints into grossly unprofessional conduct by ranks – some of whom are before the courts and

others before the Police Service Commission (PSC) with regards to disciplinary charges for gazetted ranks.

Noting that the Force’s Administration has been manifestly steadfast and resolute in ensuring that the requisite standard of professionalism is maintained, Ramnarine further disclosed that a total of 31 ranks who committed various infractions were dismissed after they were charged and placed before the courts.

This is against 26 dismissals in 2016.

According to the acting Police Commissioner, public trust and the lack therefore, significantly impacts key areas such as confidence, support, respect and cooperation. Hence, the Force’s resolve to ensure that public trust is at an all-time high.

To this end, he posited that the five per cent increase of complaints made to the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) last year indicates that there is also an increase in public confidence in the investigative processes.

Of the 644 complaints made in 2017, 78 per cent has been dealt with. This resulted in eight criminal charges, 187 departmental charges, 49 complaints were unsubstantiated, while another 49 ranks were warned.

(Vanhu Manikchand)

Some 89,000 persons to benefit from ICT training

S Region 3 Executive Officer (REO) Denis Jaikaran, Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) Jennifer Ferreira-Dougall and NDC Councillors discussing a way forward for the affected area

T

he recent heavy rainfall has led to the flooding of a number of low-lying areas in Region Three (West Demerara – Essequibo Islands), including Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara, but the Regional Administration has committed to continue its efforts to provide further relief to the residents.

During a visit on Thursday at Canal Number Two, within the Stanleytown and Belle West area, Region Three Executive Officer (REO) Denis Jaikaran, and Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) Jennifer FerrieraDougall, along with Regional Engineer Vaughn Solomon, took a first-hand look at the excavation works currently ongoing.

Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Jaikaran reiterated that efforts will continue to be implemented to alleviate flooding in the affected areas.

“We (Regional Administration) are going to continue to be on top of this situation, and we are going to

continue to provide resources in an effort to have relief and the lowering of the water in the Canal (Number One) as well as Canal Number Two, so that the people of both areas will have a level of relief,” he promised.

The REO stressed that “additional drains, as requested by councillors, will be dug for the satisfaction of the residents.” He noted that should there be any additional requests made, he would have same facilitated, once it is within his ambit.

He noted that discussions are ongoing between the relevant stakeholders to find a way forward for the health and benefit of the residents, and highlighted that other issues of critical importance regarding drainage and irrigation within the region -- to prevent occurrences of flooding -- are in the pipelines of the capital and recurrent projects slated to be executed this year.

On December 28, 2017, officials from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), and

Region Three visited Canal Number One and began delivering assistance to some 200 families whose homes and farmlands were extremely affected by heavy rainfall.

Three sluices were fully functioning along with two additional pumps, to accommodate discharge of water from the affected areas into the Demerara River. A team from the Public Health Ministry also visited the Manram Memorial Health Centre in Canal Number One, to ensure it is equipped with the necessary drugs to address a possible outbreak, and to prevent flood-related illnesses.

The lower part of Canal Number One Polder, WBD, has been flooded since December 20, 2017. However, residents say the reason they experienced such severe flooding is because the main drainage canal has been neglected for some time. The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, which has responsibility for the Canal only, began cleaning it one week ago, following the flooding.

ome 89,000 residents in approximately 170 communities will benefit from continued Information Communication Technology (ICT) training this year.

This exercise will be facilitated under the US$17 million project under the Guyana/Norway Agreement by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), and it will be managed by the United Nations Development Programme, (UNDP).

P u b l i c Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes said the programme will be facilitated by the Ministry’s Industry and Innovation Unit. During an interview, the Minister said training will be made available to persons who never had the opportunity to learn to use a computer.

“We recognise that in Guyana many people just didn’t have the opportunity. Traditionally, if you grew up on the coast and you were fortunate to go to one of the top schools or your parents had money, then you were exposed and so we have a very important section in our population that we intend to target and reach out to and so we are providing training on a series of different levels,” Hughes is quoted by the Department of Public

Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes

Information as saying.

The Public Telecommunications Minister outlined some of the area’s residents will be trained in, including “… being comfortable with a computer, Internet access, how you create an email address, how you would communicate by email, maintain an email account and then we have branched off depending on the community and the level into social media because we see that as a key way for entrepreneurs to market their products internationally and locally.”

It was also disclosed that in 2018, the Ministry

will be collaborating with the Private Sector to develop short-term community-based training programmes to equip citizens with particular skills in office productivity, and entry skills on programming, coding, and software development.

The Ministry has already begun their citizen outreach and awareness activities as part of an overall goal to develop the ICT sector. This involves building an internal media platform to disseminate information and encourage feedback and collaboration.

news

13

saturDAY, january 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GuySuCo, MoPH offer counselling services to dismissed sugar workers

F

ollowing the suicides of two Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) workers, who became depressed after they were issued dismissal letters by the company, the Sugar Corporation and the Public Health Ministry has announced “a social resilience programme” to tackle mental health issues that have arisen in the sugar dependent communities.

GuySuCo said the initiative is being implemented in the surrounding communities of Skeldon, Rose Hall, Enmore and Wales Estates.

GuySuCo in an official statement highlighted that it hopes to develop a ‘national social resilience approach’ for the transitioning communities nationwide, whereby 30 medical personnel will be drawn from GuySuCo and the Ministry of Public Health, “to equip them with the knowledge of addressing issues such as depression and suicidal ideation and to equip persons with the re-

quired coping skills”.

Between 2016 and 2017, just over 4000 workers were dismissed from their jobs. Though the estate closures spurred widespread protests, the ‘psychosocial support to ex-employees’ is now being offered after Ramnarase Bissesar of Inner Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara, took his life on December 28, 2017, having received his dismissal letter; and dismissed Field Superintendent Joseph Mohabir of Berbice, who also took his life on Old Year’s Day. GuySuco has explained that the Social Resilience Programme falls under the Sustainable Communities Programme. Among its objectives is the development and implementation of a Social Resilience Programme for ex-employees of GuySuCo. Other plans include building a network of individuals, groups and organisations to provide psychosocial support

Dead: Ramnarase Bissesar of Inner Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara, and Field Superintendent Joseph Mohabir of Berbice

and finally to build a network of medical personnel, religious leaders, other community leaders to work with GuySuCo and ex-employees to adapt to the changes in the industry.

There will be training from January 9 to 11 between 09:00h to 16:00h at the GuySuCo Staff Club at its Head Office at La

Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara and in the following week, from January 15-18, there will be ‘Mobilisation/Awareness Sessions for Religious Leaders’ from Skeldon, Rose Hall, Enmore, Wales and their neighbouring communities. The Sugar Corporation further noted that the Social Resilience Programme will be imple-

mented over the period from January to December 2018.

On Tuesday last, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) called on Government to ensure that GuySuCo facilitates counselling for the dismissed individuals when reports surfaced of the two suicides.

The Union had noted that the laying-off of thousands of sugar workers is having a serious psychological impact and “is pushing some into a depressive, despondent and desperate state” It also deemed Government’s plans for the sugar industry as “ill-conceived and spiteful”.

“Without any further delay the Administration needs to advise on the date of payment of the workers’ severance pay and the provision of alternative employment available noting that workers expenses have not ceased though their jobs were taken away and bearing in mind too that it is not too late in correcting

the closure decision taken.

Immediately, in the sugar belt the conduct of suicidal counselling should begin,” the Union body had expressed.

GAWU also stated that workers and other family members, who may harbour suicidal thoughts should steer their mind in other directions. Opposition Leader and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo had expressed similar sentiments, stressing that no one should take their own life. He also said that many sugar workers cannot see a future beyond sugar and he deemed Government’s decision to downsize the industry as “political” as opposed to being a technical or economic decision.

If you or anyone you know is considering suicide, please call the 24-hour suicide prevention helpline at 223-0001, 223-0009, 6234444 or 600-7896.

Acting Top Cop wants Brazil ready to service Guyana’s reconstitution of PSC fast-tracked oil and gas sector – Ambassador

T

here is much anxiety amongst senior officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) regarding promotions for 2017 and as such, acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine is calling for the Police Service Commission (PSC) to be re-constituted as soon as possible.

At a press conference held in the Commissioner’s Conference Room on Friday, Ramnarine told reporters that the number of senior ranks within the Force is dwindling. To this end, he noted that the Force is eagerly awaiting the reconstitution of the PSC so that the long-awaited promotions for 2017 can be made.

“We may appear to be a bit scarce in the senior ranks (category) and that is because last year alone we lost 13 senior ranks by way of retirement, including three Assistant Commissioners, Senior Superintendents and Superintendents; and this year, some four (ranks will retire). In fact, in a few days one is going to go off, then shortly after another one and shortly after another one, then later on in the year another one. So we eagerly await the work of the new Police Service Commission when that would have come on stream,” the acting Top Cop posited.

Before the life of the last PSC ended back in September, President David Granger had ordered in July that it put a hold on the consideration of senior rank promotions.

According to Ramnarine,

this situation has caused some uneasiness amongst members of the Force, including junior ranks.

“It was important, it was absolutely necessary that these junior ranks be promoted because there was an air that with the Service Commission and senior ranks not being promoted, some (junior ranks) were beginning to become a little bit stressed that they too will not get promoted,” he stated.

The Police Force promoted a total of 204 junior ranks last month.

Nevertheless, with regards to the reconstitution of the PSC, President Granger told reporters at a press conference in December that he would like to see the Commission in place before the end of 2017.

However, despite the new members having already been selected, they are yet to be formally appointed.

Meanwhile, the Head of State at last month’s press conference had also justified his decision to halt the promotion of officers. Despite a court order stating that the Government had acted unconstitutionally, Granger maintained that he had good cause for stopping the promotions.

According to Granger, he determined that there was a danger that persons who were not qualified would be recommended for promotion, while others more deserving would end up being left behind.

In the November 22, 2017, court ruling in regard

to the halting of promotion of personnel so listed, Chief Justice (acting) Roxane George established that the President did breach the Constitution when he issued a directive to halt promotions.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon, in a letter dated July 27, 2017, wrote to the PSC informing that the President had directed that there be no consideration of promotion for members of the Guyana Police Force until further notice, and that this directive should be implemented immediately.

In August, former PSC Chairman Omesh Satyanand had made known that, after a meeting with the other Commissioners, it was decided that the order to halt all promotions until further notice would be adhered to.

The Chairman had, however, expressed concern that halting the entire promotion process would be a blow to senior officers; and had noted that those officers had invested time and energy in building a career in the Guyana Police Force, and were expecting their just reward.

A perusal of the PSC’s list of personnel to be promoted had revealed that among those who were scheduled to be promoted were several senior officers who had been hauled before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the assassination plot against President David Granger. (Vahnu Manikchand)

G

uyana’s South American neighbour Brazil is ready and willing to give a helping hand in the development of the oil and gas sector here; and according to Guyana’s Ambassador to Brazil George Talbot, the recent oil discoveries announced by United States oil company ExxonMobil offers a new frontier for collaboration.

According to the Ambassador, Guyana has already made it clear that is open to the Brazilian Investment.

Brazil is said to be the 10th largest energy consumer in the world and the largest in South America.

At the same time, it is an important oil and gas producer in the region and the world’s second-largest ethanol fuel producer.

While the oil sector is new to Guyana, Ambassador Talbot said the question of oil cooperation between the two South American nations dates back to the 1980’s. He said that the first arrangement bore little to no fruit, however, with the new developments in Guyana, the prospect of renewed relationship is very evident.

“We have clear indication of Brazilian interest and a clear signal from Guyana, about its readiness to have Brazil participate in the oil sector,”.

According to Ambassador Talbot, Brazilian companies have experiences in the oil and

Guyana’s Ambassador to Brazil, George Talbot

gas sector including exploration in the deep sea.

“I think the experience of Brazil and the possibility of partnership with Brazil in the sector is on the front burner. We expect that there will be a mission field by Brazil during this year,” he told the Department of Public Information (DPI) recently.

The two countries will collaborate on, among other things, Local Content Policy. Ambassador Talbot said government is at the stage of developing the framework for the collaboration. He explained that there are two broad areas that can be pursued through this collaboration. One is investment and engagement in the exploration of the available blocks, while the second involves capacity building

and the transfer of knowledge, and exchange of experiences.

“In terms of exploration, the focus would be on Petrobras, which is the Brazilian entity which is focused in that area… but there is a second Brazilian agency that focuses more on the regulatory aspects; the National Petroleum Agency of Brazil which might be a key counterpart for providing lessons learnt Local Content.”

The Ambassador added that, that is an area where, as a country, Guyana should take some inventory on the workings of the oil sector, especially since Guyana is discovering different facets including transportation, food, technical services, oil spill prevention and control among others.

14 news

saturDAY, january 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GECOM’s unilateral appointment

High Court hears: Article 161 gives President power to review, not discretion …Govt lawyers say case flawed

PPP Executive Secretary and MP Zulfikar Mustapha

By Lakhram Bhagirat

P

eople’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament, Zulfikar Mustapha’s lawyer, Attorney Manoj Narayan argued that President David Granger does not have the discretion to appoint a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, rather he has the power to review the nominees put forward by the Opposition Leader and select the most suitable name.

The Opposition had filed an injunction in the High Court on October 23, 2017, to rescind the appointment of retired Justice James Patterson as GECOM Chairman, on the grounds of unconstitutionality. The injunction is seeking a declaration that Justice Patterson is not qualified to be appointed in provision with Article 161-2 of the Constitution of Guyana.

The injunction is also

Attorney Manoj Narayan

seeking an order to have the appointment of Justice Patterson as Chairman of GECOM quashed and directing the President to choose a person from the 18 names submitted to him by the Opposition Leader.

The injunction was filed in the name of the Executive Secretary of the PPP and Member of Parliament (MP) Zulfikar Mustapha, who is an elected official that has legal authority.

Mustapha wants the High Court to declare that Granger’s October 19, 2017 appointment of Justice Patterson violates Guyana’s Constitution and is “accordingly unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect” and he is not constitutionally qualified to be appointed GECOM Chairman. Additionally, he is also asking the court to grant an order “rescinding, revoking, cancelling and setting aside the appointment” of Patterson.

Narayan, who is part of the legal team representing

Mustapha’s interests, made those arguments before acting Chief Justice Roxane George on Friday at the High Court.

Narayan submitted that while the President is immune from all civil and criminal charges during his tenure, his actions could be reviewed by the court and as such Mustapha is acting in accordance to that. He further submitted his client is seeking the court’s help in determining whether the rejection of the 18 names submitted by the Opposition Leader, is reasonable considering that there were names on the list that suited the demands by the President.

In addition, Mustapha is also seeking the court’s assistance in determining whether the President’s invocation of the proviso to Article 161(2) of the Constitution is unlawful and unconstitutional; that the President’s unilateral appointment of the Chairman of GECOM is unreasonable, unlawful and unconstitutional; and the Chairman of GECOM appointed by the President is not suitable, fit and proper in accordance with the spirit and intendment of Articles 161 and 162 of the Constitution.

In its written submission, the PPP MP’s attorneys argue that Patterson cannot be or appear to be politically impartial due to the fact that 1) he is a member of the advisory Committee on the Prerogative Mercy appointed by the President; 2) an advisor to the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister appointed by the

AG Basil Williams

From right: Barbadian Queen’s Counsel Hal Gallop and Ralph Thorne

President, 3) was appointed by the President to head a Commission of Inquiry into a prison break at Georgetown, Guyana, during the month of July, 2017 and 4) he was appointed by the President to be part of a panel to reviewing applications for the positions of Chief Justice and Chancellor of the Judiciary.

It added that Patterson was a pallbearer at the funeral of former President Hugh Desmond Hoyte and that he is a member of the Facebook group, ‘Rally around the People’s National Congress (PNC).’

Barbadian lawyers on Govt team

Meanwhile,

in

efforts

to strengthen its case, Attorney General Basil Williams – the respondent – added two Barbadian Queen’s Counsel Ralph Thorne and Hal Gallop to its team. They now join the AG, Solicitor General, Kim Kyte and Principal Legal Advisor at the AG Chambers, Judy Stuart.

Williams said that they have always contended that President Granger has the discretion to appoint the Chairman of GECOM. He noted that the submission,

by Narayan, is “an erroneous proposition.”

QC Thorne told reporters that Mustapha’s case was characterised by his attorney’s “constitutionally and legally flawed” statement

since the President is guaranteed discretion. He also indicated that the statement undermines the Opposition’s case.

“I would like to think that the court would leave undisturbed the appointment of a high public official by the Head of State of this country. An appointment by the Head of State is not to be trifled with statement like that, to say that the Head of State is fettered in relation to his power to appoint,” he said.

“When you say to the Head of State that he has no discretion in relation to an appointment, you’re saying that of the six or 12 or 18 names that were submitted the President must take one of them. Now if that is the law then in effect the power to appoint is given to the Leader of the Opposition.

That cannot be the state of the law,” QC Thorne added.

The Chief Justice (ag) indicated that she would inform the parties of her judgement through a Notice of Decision.

Respiratory care students adamant on “giving back”

T

he Texas State University students who are in Guyana on a Study Abroad Programme in Respiratory Care, took the opportunity to share with the media their experience over the past two days.

More specifically, the team of five respiratory care students, five mass communications students, and two respiratory therapists were attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GHPC) practicing what they have learnt in respiratory care classes. The team has been working in the Accident and Emergency Unit, the Emergency Intensive Care Unit and the Asthma and Spirometry unit of the GPHC. Each student expressed their appreciation for being afforded the opportunity to interface with patients and staff of the GPHC, making reference to their reception into the work environment.

Heading the team in Guyana, Professor Sharon

The team of respiratory care students along with one of the respiratory therapists from Texas State University

Armstead, Respiratory Therapist and Clinical Education Professor at the Texas State University said, with this team’s visit to Guyana, they hope to spark enough interest to have the Government move towards

implementing such a programme in the country.

“We feel we can add to this health care system as respiratory therapists, our goal is for Guyana to see the value of the respiratory profession and in the not

too distant future, develop a respiratory care course at UG (University of Guyana),” Professor Armstead explained.

The Texas State University at which Professor Armstead lec-

tures, offers a four-year degree programme in respiratory care. Students undertaking this course will learn general practice, with two years to focus on specialising in Pulmonary Care. After that, 1000 clinical hours are dedicated to the career path of respiratory care.

One student, Shane Rodgers said that he developed an interest for the programme after working at a fire department and was exposed to training in respiratory care while another, Jaclyn Brewer said she is living with Asthma and “knows what it is like to not be able to breathe.”

All the students on the team hope to make a significant impact, not only in giving back to Guyana but in saving lives when they return home. The team is expected to travel to Linden on January 8, where they will conduct asthma screening and the MacKenzie High School and they will also

be attached to the Linden Hospital Complex for a period.

Meanwhile, as their work in Guyana is expected to contribute in many forms to the local respiratory care offered, Professor Armstead has indicated that spirometry tools will continually be donated to Guyana through the Bridges Global Medical Mission.

The Professor is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying, “You can’t diagnose asthma and COPD unless you have the tools… we were able to purchase two of the diagnostic tools, the spirometers and we plan to donate that to Guyana… those are the kind of tools (that are needed) and we plan to donate more”.

The mass communications students continue to be a part of the documenting and detailing story of the first respiratory care study abroad programme in Guyana.

news

15

saturDAY, january 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Bus park brawl

Wedding house shooting

2 Cops, bus driver to be charged 2 slapped with S

temming from a video circulated on social media last month showing two ranks of the Guyana Police Force engaging in a scuffle with a civilian, charges have since been recommended against all parties involved.

This was revealed by acting Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine, who told reporters at a press conference on Friday that the file sent to the Police legal advisor has been returned with recommendations for charges to be instituted.

“We received advice to charge them… both the driver and the Policemen are to be charged,” the acting Commissioner noted.

The officers are to face both criminal and departmental charges.

The two officers in question, both traffic ranks, were seen in the video assaulting a civilian, who is a minibus driver. The incident took place sometime on December 4, 2017, at Stabroek in the vicinity of Lombard Street, Georgetown.

While it is unclear what led to the scuffle between the ranks and the civilian, it appears as though the man was hauled from the bus by

A scene from the video that was circulated on social media

the officers which resulted in the scuffle. One of the officer’s caps was seen on the ground alongside the driver’s slippers. The bus door was also left open as one of the ranks had the civilian restrained under his arm

hitting him to the head, while his colleague appears to be trying to part them.

The colleague was heard asking the rank, whom had the man restrained, “Bai, humble yuh self, bai.”

The civilian was then

heard in the video asking the Cops repeatedly why he is being assaulted.

“Aye man loose me eh!... I do something fuh yuh knock meh?” the bus driver asked, as he was being held back by one of the officers.

“Ya’ll wrong to the man, y’all can’t do duh. Not because y’all is Police… y’all wrong fuh beat de man just suh,” a concerned onlooker was heard telling the Police.

“Boy, stop harass me bai good,” the bus driver told the officer who had hit him as he made his way into the vehicle.

Upon entering the bus, the driver was instructed by the officers to go to the station but as he was about to start the vehicle, he realised the keys were missing. This led to another argument between him and the ranks.

The following day, the Force’s Public Relations Officer, Jairam Ramlakhan, issued a statement saying that they were made aware of the video and the matter was under investigation by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) while statements have already been taken.

The file was subsequently sent for advice.

Upgrades slated for Region 4 roads, bridges

R

esidents of Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) will soon benefit from the upgrade and complete rehabilitation of several roads and bridges in a number of villages during 2018.

These works are part of the 2018 budgetary allocations in the capital expenditure for Region Four.

According to the 2018 Budget estimates,

Plaisance, Ann’s Grove, and Enmore residents will receive improved access to the villages, with the construction and rehabilitation of bridges in those areas. A sum of $20 million was allocated for the execution of those projects.

Meanwhile, $70 million was assigned to the region for the construction and rehabilitation of roads within the Triumph, Paradise,

Ann’s Grove, Mahaica, Soesdyke, Diamond and Herstelling villages.

The sum of $5.881 billion budgetary estimates for Region Four was approved in Parliament during the December 2017 Budget Debates.

The Demerara-Mahaica Regional Democratic Council (RDC) aims to further collaborate with subject Ministries in execut-

ing sectoral responsibilities while ensuring that the best level of infrastructural, educational, health, agricultural and administrative services are delivered to residents within the region.

In 2017, $80 million was allotted to the Region Four RDC for public infrastructure works; the maintenance of roads and bridges.

attempted murder charge

…remanded to prison

Tameshwar Khemraj, called “Rambo”

Devendra Harrichand, called “Bara”

he two suspects who are alleged to have shot three persons at a wedding house at 89 Hampshire, Corentyne Berbice on December 23 were on Friday remanded to prison on attempted murder charges.

Tameshwar Khemraj, also called ‘Rambo,’ 31, a barber of Lot 173 Nigg Settlement, and Devendra Harrichand, also called ‘Bara’, 31, of Lot 138 High Reef, Albion, were on Friday arraigned before Magistrate Renita Singh on three charges: (a) Attempting to murder Terry Ramsammy, 21, a labourer of Hampshire (b) Attempting to murder Nicholas Beharry,

24, of Hampshire Squatting Area; and (c) Feloniously wounding Samuel Samaroo, 28, of Hampshire.

The prosecution objected to bail being granted the defendants on ground of the seriousness of the offence and because Ramsammy is still hospitalized. Additionally, the Prosecution argued that firearms were used, and Harrichand has a pending matter before the court.

An arrest warrant had been issued for him, since he has absented himself from court on a number of occasions.

Attorney-at-law Mursalin Bacchus, representing the two defendants, said the fact that they surrendered shows intent to cooperate with law enforcement. He also told the court that no firearm was recovered.

In response to Ramsammy still being hospitalized, Bacchus said the prosecution produced no evidence to prove this.

Magistrate Singh told Bacchus that Harrichand failed to mention he was previously before the court on another matter.

She said the court had issued an arrest warrant for him after he failed to produce himself on a charge of harbouring fugitive Stafarei Alexander.

Both defendants were remanded, and are scheduled to return to court on January 16.

After being on the run for more than one week, the two defendants, on Thursday last, surrendered themselves to the Police, accompanied by their attorney.

T

US cold snap to bring record-breaking low temperatures

N

orth America’s East Coast is shivering in a record-breaking freeze just a day after a deadly “bomb cyclone” dumped snow as far south as Florida.

In parts of US and Canada, temperatures are expected to fall below -20F (-29C), said the National Weather Service.

In Canada, high winds have knocked out power for tens of thousands of residents in Nova Scotia.

Giant waves caused by the storm saw freezing floodwaters inundate parts of the New England coast.

The extreme weather has so far been linked to up to 19 deaths in the US and two more in Canada, according to reports.

Four deaths were reported due to traffic accidents in North and South Carolina. Further fatalities occurred in Wisconsin, Kentucky and Texas.

In Philadelphia, a car was unable to stop at the bottom of a steep hill and was hit by a commuter train, killing a passenger in the vehicle.

In Virginia, a girl was fatally struck by a car while sledging, and a 75-year-old man was killed after being hit by a snow plough.

A 13-year-old girl died and 35 others suffered carbon-monoxide poi-

New Hampshire’s Mount Washington, which boasts of having the “world’s worst weather”, is expecting wind chill to feel like -90F (-67C) on Friday night.

Law enforcement in the US state of Indiana issued a joke warrant for the arrest of the heroine in Disney movie Frozen, blaming her for the cold snap.

Queen Elsa is wanted for “maintaining a common nuisance”, the Seymour police department said.

Mass power cuts in Canada

People struggle against wind and snow as they cross 125th Street in upper Manhattan (REUTERS/Mike Segar)

soning in an apartment building in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where the temperature averaged 20F (-7C) on Thursday night. Seven of those treated were first responders.

With the snowfall ending, temperatures are forecast to continue plummeting into the weekend as frigid air lingering over the North Pole prowls towards the US mid-Atlantic region.

The National Weather Service said on Friday: “An arctic outbreak will keep temperatures 20F to 30F

degrees below average across the north-eastern US. “This easily reaches the 20 to 30 degree below climatology range which supports a chance for many daily temperature records to be broken.”

Experts say the so-called bomb cyclone storm drew moisture and strength from as far south as the Caribbean Sea. More than 1,200 flights were cancelled on Friday, a day after 4,000 others were grounded.

Atlantic and central Canada are being walloped by the winter storm.

The provinces of New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador are both under winter storm and blizzard warnings.

On Friday morning, Nova Scotia Power said some 125,000 customers were still without power after 140km/h (87mph) wind gusts hit parts of the maritime province.

Outages have also been also reported in New Brunswick and Newfoundland. Ontario is under an extreme cold warning, while Quebec faces heavy snowfall, strong winds and storm surges. (BBC)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, january 6, 2018

Regional

Sponsorship mistake threatens Brazil seethes as jailed for sexual Chutney Soca Monarch show man abuse of teenager

C

hutney Soca Monarch fans and competitors will have to wait until today to know if the event’s promoter will host this year’s competition after a last-minute change to Statesponsorship.

Less than eight hours after promoter George Singh Jr announced the cancellation of the show due to a major cut in funding from its title sponsor – the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) – Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced that Singh’s company, Southex Events Management, had been mistakenly offered less than one third of what it should have received.

Contacted by Guardian Media immediately after Imbert’s announcement, Singh said his organisation would mull over the feasibility of the hosting the competition with the increase in sponsorship from TT$300,000 to TT$1 million.

“I just heard this. We have to go over figures. We

Finance Minister Colm Imbert during a press conference to clear the air on NLCB’s funding to the Chutney Soca Monarch at the Ministry’s office in Port of Spain on Thursday

will try to work with the figures and will make a statement in the morning (today),” he said.

Explaining the reason for the error, Imbert claimed that his Ministry had been mistakenly informed that the company had received TT$500,000 in sponsorship from the NLCB last year and decided to cut it to TT$300,000 due to the

Government’s financial constraints.

“We have since discovered that in fact, last year, the Chutney Soca Monarch competition was given TT$1.5 million by NLCB,” Imbert said at a hastily-called press conference at his Ministry.

He said that his Ministry had agreed to donate twothirds of last year’s figure to the competition.

Imbert also noted that the same formula would be applied to all Government sponsorship of Carnivalrelated events and competitions including the International Soca Monarch competition.

He said that while the NLCB’s board has the expressed power to donate a portion of its profits to cultural and charitable causes, the Ministry became involved late last year after the board was temporarily dissolved.

Imbert noted that the request from Jogie to sponsor the CSM came on Wednesday evening, even though he admitted that the NLCB’s previous board were in negotiations with Singh’s company over the past month.

Asked how the mistake occurred, Imbert said that his Ministry did not have NLCB records of dispensations and depending on it (NLCB) to determine the sponsorship in Singh’s case.

joins congress

J

ust when it seemed that Brazil’s scandal-plagued political class could not be any less popular, the country is incensed at the revelation that its congress will soon include a man jailed for the sexual exploitation of underage girls.

Nelson Nahim, a politician from Rio de Janeiro state who is affiliated with President Michel Temer’s Brazilian Democratic Movement Party, was handed a 12-year sentence in 2016 for submitting a 15-year-old girl to prostitution/sexual exploitation, rape and intimidating behaviour.

As a “substitute” lawmaker for a coalition of parties, he will take the seat vacated by Brazil’s new Labour Minister, Cristiane Brasil, when congress returns from

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

recess next month, but he officially becomes a deputy when she takes up her new role next week.

Adding fuel to the fire, Brasil herself was in 2016 ordered to make payments to a former driver whom she had employed without proper papers. Brasil is also the daughter of a politician jailed in a previous scandal.

Documents submitted to court described Nahim, 60, as a regular client of a prostitution ring in the Rio town of Campos dos Goytacazes between 2008 and 2009, in which underage girls were kept behind bars and forced to consume drugs in order to have sex with clients.

According to prosecutors, Nahim had sex with two 15-year-old girls at a country house he owned. He denies the allegations. (Excerpt

from The Guardian)

Peru ex-leader Fujimori US targets former Venezuela a free man after pardon Food Minister in new sanctions

Thousands of people have protested against the pardon for Fujimori

A

lberto Fujimori, the ex-President of Peru, has left hospital in the capital Lima a free man, days after being granted a presidential pardon.

Fujimori, 79, waved at media outside the hospital from his wheelchair.

He had been serving a 25-year sentence for human rights abuses during his time in office in the

1990s. Last week, a group of Peruvian writers condemned the decision by the authorities to pardon him on health grounds.

The writers, among them Nobel Prize-winning author Mario Vargas Llosa, called it a disgrace for Peru. Earlier in the week, thousands of people took to the streets in Lima and other cities to protest against the pardon.

Fujimori’s son, Congressman Kenji Fujimori, tweeted a photo with his father taken following his release from hospital. President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski granted a pardon last week.

The conservative Popular Force (FP) party, led by Alberto Fujimori’s daughter, Keiko, controls Congress and had tried to impeach President Kuczynski over a corruption scandal.

However, her brother Kenji split the FP vote, allowing the president to stay in power and prompting the accusation that Fujimori’s release had been promised in exchange. Kuczynski denies the claim.

As Fujimori left hospital on Thursday, a relative of a student who went missing during the Fujimori administration described the pardon as “illegal” and said it did not expunge him of his responsibility for “deaths and corruption during the 1990s”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Rodolfo Marco Torres (centre), newly elected governor of Aragua state, is sworn in to the National Constituent Assembly during a ceremony at Palacio Federal Legislativo, in Caracas, Venezuela October 18, 2017

T

he United States imposed sanctions on Friday on four current or former Venezuelan Government officials, including an ex-Food Minister who is accused of corruption and mismanagement of the country’s food supply.

The US Treasury said in a statement that it had put the former Food Minister, Rodolfo Marco, who is also a former Finance Minister appointed by President Nicolás Maduro, on its Venezuela sanctions list.

It also listed Francisco Rangel, a former governor of Bolivar state; Fabio Zavarse Pabon, a commander in the national armed forces; and Gerardo Izquierdo Torres, a State Minister.

The Treasury action freezes any assets the men have under US jurisdiction and bars US citizens from dealing with them.

Venezuela’s Information Ministry did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The move is Washington’s latest ac-

tion targeting individual politicians and security figures for what US President Donald Trump has called an erosion of democracy.

Venezuela is reeling from an economic crisis, with millions struggling with food and medicine shortages.

“President Maduro and his inner circle continue to put their own interests above those of the Venezuelan people,” US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said in a statement. (Excerpt from Reuters)

More women for overseas work programme, says Jamaica Labour Minister T he Government of Jamaica says it is working to increase the number of women participants in its Overseas Employment Programme.

Administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the programme offers employment opportunities for Jamaicans

in Canada and the United States of America, in skilled and low-skill areas.

Men often feature prominently in the ministry’s recruitment drives, with many taking up farm-work jobs under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP).

The SAWP involves con-

tractual agricultural workers who are recruited to meet the short-term demand of manual labour during planting and harvesting seasons.

While women sometimes secure jobs in this area, they are normally required in the latter part of the season during the harvesting

periods.

Portfolio Minister Shahine Robinson said there is now a call for more female workers, especially in Canada, and the Government is, therefore, pushing to have a greater number involved.

“The world is moving to have a gender balance in

most operations, and the Canadian Government, as is the Jamaican Government, wants to have greater gender balance in this programme. We are working towards it,” she said.

The Minister was speaking with journalists following a send-off ceremony for the first batch of 300 farm-

workers, who will take up employment opportunities in Canada for this year under the SAWP. The ceremony was held at the Labour Ministry’s Overseas Employment Services Centre in downtown Kingston on Wednesday. (Excerpt from

Jamaica Observer)

saturDAY, january 6, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

North Korea agrees to talks after US, India probes breach of South Korea postpone military drills biometric identity database

T

N

orth Korea agreed on Friday to hold official talks with South Korea next week, the first in more than two years, hours after Washington and Seoul delayed a military exercise amid a standoff over the North’s nuclear and missile programs.

South Korea said the North had sent its consent for the talks to be held on Tuesday. The last time the two Koreas engaged in official talks was in December 2015.

The meeting will take place at the border truce village of Panmunjom where officials from both sides are expected to discuss the Winter Olympics, to be held in the South next month, and inter-Korean relations, South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun told reporters.

North Korea asked for further negotiations about the meeting to be carried out via documented exchanges, Baik said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

South Korea and US soldiers at the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas

opened the way for talks with South Korea in a New Year’s Day speech in which he called for reduced tensions and flagged the North’s possible participation in the Winter Olympics.

But Kim remained steadfast on the issue of nuclear weapons, saying the North would mass-produce nuclear missiles for operational deployment

and warned he would launch a nuclear strike if his country was threatened.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday called the proposed inter-Korean talks a “good thing” and he and his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in announced that annual largescale military drills would now take place after the Olympics. (Excerpt from Reuters)

he Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which runs the world's largest biometric identity card scheme, has initiated a police probe into a major security breach.

The probe was ordered on Thursday after the local Tribune newspaper accessed a database containing the identity details of more than one billion citizens, which was being sold for a meagre $8, the report claimed. An anonymous seller over WhatsApp created a "gateway" for one of the newspaper's correspondents to gain access to the database, after which any identification number, referred to as Aadhaar, could be entered and the person's name, address, pho-

to, phone number and email displayed.

On Thursday, the UIDAI said the breach appeared to have been caused by the "misuse" of a grievance-redressal search facility that can be accessed by the public.

"The Aadhaar data, including biometric information, is fully safe," the authority said in a statement.

But Kiran Jonnalagadda, cofounder of the Internet Freedom Foundation, said the incident revealed a serious problem with data security. The breach involved the use of a backdoor created by the UIDAI for the use of authorised parties, a definition encompassing thousands of government officials, he said. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

FBI reportedly investigating Tourist killed in hot air Clinton Foundation balloon crash in Egypt

F

ederal officials reportedly have launched a new investigation into allegations of corruption at Bill and Hillary Clinton’s charitable organisation.

The FBI and federal prosecutors aim to investigate whether the Clinton Foundation engaged in pay-to-play politics – that is, whether the Clintons promised political favours in return for financial donations.

The primary location of the investigation

will be Little Rock, Arkansas, where the foundation was started, an anonymous law enforcement official first told The Hill. Both the Justice Department and the US attorney’s office in Arkansas declined to comment to CNN about the investigation.

The reopening of the investigation comes on the heels of the Justice Department’s move to also relaunch an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while she worked as secretary of state, The Daily Beast reported Thursday.

A former senior DOJ official told The Daily Beast that officials are aware of demands from President Donald Trump to investigate Clinton. Trump has been increasingly focused on Clinton as the investigation into his alleged ties with Russia has heated up. He tweeted Friday morning that the investigation into him is simply a “hoax.”

The initial Clinton Foundation probe dates back to 2015, when the FBI began looking at people who made donations to the charity. In 2016, prosecutors with the Justice Department rejected a request from the FBI to expand the investigation, The Washington Post reports. (Excerpt from Yahoo! News)

A

hot air balloon with 20 people crashed Friday in Egypt's ancient city of Luxor, killing at least one person and injuring more than a dozen others, according to Egypt's Civil Aviation Authority and a hot air balloon company.

At least one tourist was killed, according to a statement from the government agency, which referred to the incident as a hard landing. The Sindbad hot air balloon company, whose craft crashed, identified the deceased as an Australian man.

"The balloon was getting ready to land at 6:30 am, when a sudden, strong wind erupted, causing a hard landing," Hany Al-Sayyed, Sinbad's traffic manager, told CNN. "The victim is an Australian man of South

Strong winds were responsible for the crash, the hot air balloon company said

African descent. His head was hit during the landing.

Most of the other injuries are minor, scratches to the torso, and they were taken to the hospital," he said.

The statement from the

Civil Aviation Authority said it had started an investigation.

The pilot, who was hospitalised, is being questioned, according to state media.

(CNN)

Suicide bombing kills at least 20 in Macron suggests 'partnership' with EU for Kabul, including 16 Police Officers Turkey, not membership

A

t a press conference with Turkish President in Paris, Emmanuel Macron said Friday that political developments in Turkey were blocking the country's EU accession bid, suggesting a "partnership" instead of full membership.

French President Emmanuel Macron suggested Friday that the European Union develop a partnership with Turkey after its leader said he was "seriously tired" of waiting for the bloc to decide if it wants Turkey as a member.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was in Paris for talks with Macron, part of efforts to improve his Government's strained relationship with Europe. Macron confirmed that Turkey's wait for EU membership was far from over and suggested a partnership instead in the meantime.

The current process "does not allow for an outcome in the coming years," Macron said during a joint news conference with Erdogan, adding that he thought stringing Turkey along was hypocritical.

Erdogan made it plain that Turkey would not wait forever.

"One cannot permanently implore and wait to be finally included," he said, adding that frustration over the EU stance might tempt Ankara to turn its back to Europe.

Ties between Turkey and Europe worsened last year amid mass arrests and firings carried out by Erdogan's Government following a July 2016 coup attempt. Relations deteriorated further after authorities in several countries prevented Turkish Ministers from holding political rallies to court expatriates' votes in a referendum to expand the President's powers. (Excerpt from France24)

Marks on a tree are seen as Afghan security personnel on January 5, 2018 investigate the site of a suicide attack in Kabul

A

day of tensions between police and shopkeepers in the Afghan capital took a deadly turn Thursday when a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing at least 20 people, including 16 members of the city’s police forces, officials said.

Police had raided shops in the Banayee neighbourhood on Wednesday on suspicion that

their owners were selling illicit substances including alcohol and hashish, said Najib Danish, a spokesman for Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry.

On Thursday, the shopkeepers took to the streets in protest, alleging that the police had killed one of them. When the police returned to the scene, the suicide bomber detonated the

blast.

Hours later, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack through the group’s own news service, Amaq. The Islamic State has a regional affiliate in Afghanistan, and has claimed a string of attacks in Kabul in recent weeks, including one on a Shiite cultural centre last week that claimed nearly 50 lives.

Social media users in Kabul expressed unusual skepticism of the Islamic State’s claim this time around, as many locals suspect that the group’s suicide bombers come from areas near the Pakistan border or from within Pakistan.

Because the protests on Thursday seemed spontaneous, many doubted that an attacker could have made it from there to Kabul in time to intercept the police forces. Furthermore, the shops in Banayee are widely rumored to sell items ranging from narcotics to suicide vests. (Excerpt

from The Washington Post)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, january 6, 2018

ARCHIE

Throw your energy ARIES into your job or finding a (March 21- new position that will imApril 19) prove your standard of living. Educational pursuits or teaching others will be intellectually stimulating. Choose romance over discord.

Relaxing, shopping or TAURUS signing up for something (April 20- that will expand your mind May 20) should be on your agenda.

Participate in community events or take time to nurture a romantic relationship.

dilbert

Emotional matters will GEMINI leave you feeling uncertain (May 21about someone you are close June 20) to. Don’t lose sight of your objective, and do what’s best for you. Sort through and update your personal papers.

Home, family and positive changes will lead to a sta(June 21- ble environment and a hapJuly 22) py household. Thoughtfulness and understanding will encourage others to pitch in and help you reach a personal goal.

CANCER

Peanuts

Getting along with those LEO you must deal with today (July 23- will be in your best interest.

Aug. 22) Understanding what others are going through will help you be more forgiving and helpful.

Put a little more effort into VIRGO personal grooming. Update (Aug. 23your appearance or engage in Sept. 22) exercise or better eating habits. Feeling and looking good will encourage you to participate more.

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Sometimes it’s good to review what’s happened before you make a life-altering decision. If someone offers advice, listen. A moderate step in the direction you want to go is suggested.

Look at the big picture SCORPIO and the opportunities that (Oct. 24are available.

Don’t be perNov. 22) suaded to forgo something you want to do that could influence your future.

Secrets will be kept from SAGITTARIUS you or personal informa(Nov. 23tion you shared will be made Dec. 21) public. Be prepared to make last-minute changes if they will counter negative feedback.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle

Invest in yourself and CAPRICORN your future. Share your (Dec. 22thoughts and feelings with Jan. 19) someone who makes your life better. Love, romance and shared plans should be your priorities.

Do something special for AQUARIUS someone you love. Making (Jan. 20family or romantic plans is Feb. 19) encouraged. Physical improvements can be made.

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

Emotional matters will PISCES (Feb. 20- escalate if you or a collaboraMarch 20) tor isn’t completely honest or knowledgeable about what’s possible. Partnerships are best based on trust.

saturDAY, january 6, 2018

19

The Ashes 2017-18, Australia…

Australia making strong reply to England’s 346 Stuart Broad took on the short ball in adding useful runs down the order (Getty Images)

A

ustralia captain Steve Smith continued to be England’s Ashes nemesis on Friday as he passed 6,000 test runs in an unbeaten knock of 44 to help his team to 193 for two at close of play on the second day of the fifth test.

The world’s top ranked batsman and Usman Khawaja batted through the final session in a 107run partnership after openers Cameron Bancroft and David Warner had departed earlier in Australia’s reply to England’s 346.

Khawaja notched a stylish 91 not out on the same ground where he made his test debut in the corresponding fixture seven years ago but it was the wicket of Smith that England most desperately wanted.

They were to be disappointed with only a couple of half chances presenting themselves as Smith sent a couple of early edges fizzing through the slips.

The 28-year-old was soon looking comfortable and unfussily swatted a single to backward square to pass the 6,000 career runs mark in his 111th

test innings. Only the great Donald Bradman reached the milestone in fewer knocks.

Having started the day with a brilliant diving catch in the slips to dismiss Dawid Malan, Smith walked off his home ground in the brilliant afternoon sunshine with 648 runs to his name in the series so far.

“We’re stoked that he’s on our team so we don’t have to bowl at him,” Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins said of his captain.

“You lose a couple of wickets and he comes out to bat. He’s just incredible, I think he’s been the real difference between the two sides.”

The tourists, 3-0 down in the series with the urn already relinquished, earlier posted a competitive tally in the face of some fearsome pace bowling on the back of a hard wagging tail and some poor Australian catching.

Australia came out after lunch to begin their innings in front of another packed house only for Stuart Broad to clean bowl Bancroft for a duck in the second over.

Warner scored a measured 56 by his standards in a 85-run stand with Khawaja before was caught behind when James Anderson got the ball to move away from him.

Broad’s 31 had earlier been integral to a bright morning for the tourists af-

ter the hammer blow of losing two wickets in the last couple of overs of day one.

Malan (62) lasted less than half an hour after they

some amends for three spills in his otherwise impeccable series.

His fast bowlers then proceeded to produce a

Josh Hazlewood letting Moeen Ali off the hook with the all-rounder on 22.

England’s tail made the most of the reprieves with Curran hitting a confident 39 and Moeen 30 before both fell victim to the pace of Cummins (4-80).

Broad braved the short bowling almost until the scheduled lunch break before becoming spinner Lyon’s first victim of the match and the innings ended in a mix-up that resulted

in Mason Crane being runout for four in his maiden test innings.

The leg spinner later made a reasonably solid start to his test career with the ball, returning figures of 0-58.

“It’s awesome to be bowling to the best players in the world,” the 20-year-old said. “(Smith)’s a key player for them, if we can get him and two or three others, hopefully we can get a first innings lead.” (Reuters)

SCOREBOARD

Usman Khawaja batted with composure to be 91 not out at the close (Getty Images)

had resumed on 233 for five, Mitchell Starc eliciting an outside edge which Smith caught brilliantly to make

couple of howlers with Cummins dropping Tom Curran on 21 off Nathan Lyon and, in the next over,

England 1st Innings (Overnight 233-5) AN Cook lbw b Hazlewood 39 MD Stoneman c †Paine b Cummins 24 JM Vince c †Paine b Cummins 25 JE Root* c MR Marsh b Starc 83 DJ Malan c Smith b Starc 62 JM Bairstow† c †Paine b Hazlewood 5 MM Ali c †Paine b Cummins 30 TK Curran c Bancroft b Cummins 39 SCJ Broad c Smith b Lyon 31 MS Crane run out (MR Marsh/ Bancroft) 4 JM Anderson not out 0 Extras (lb-2, w-2) 4 Total (All out, 112.3) 346 Fall of wickets: 1-28 (MD Stoneman, 9.5 ov), 2-88 (JM Vince, 28.5 ov), 3-95 (AN Cook, 32.3 ov), 4-228 (JE Root, 80.3 ov), 5-233 (JM Bairstow, 81.4 ov), 6-251 (DJ Malan, 88.4 ov), 7-294 (MM Ali, 102.4 ov), 8-335 (TK Curran, 108.4 ov),

9-346 (SCJ Broad, 111.4 ov), 10-346 (MS Crane, 112.3 ov) Bowling Starc 21-6-80-2, Hazlewood 23-4-65-2, Cummins 24.3-5-80-4 (w-2), Lyon 37-586-1, Marsh 7-0-33-0 Australia 1st Innings CT Bancroft b Broad 0 DA Warner c †Bairstow b Anderson 56 UT Khawaja not out 91 SPD Smith* not out 44 Extras (b-1, nb-1) 2 Total (For 2 wickets, 67 Overs) 193 Yet to bat: SE Marsh, TD Paine †, MR Marsh, PJ Cummins, MA Starc, JR Hazlewood, NM Lyon Fall of wickets: 1-1 (CT Bancroft, 1.2 ov), 2-86 (DA Warner, 31.4 ov) Bowling Anderson 14-4-251, Broad 10-2-28-1, Ali 17-351-0, Curran 8-2-26-0, Crane 17-0-58-0, Root 1-0-4-0 Position: Australia trail by 153 runs with 8 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

Arsene Wenger: Arsenal boss gets touchline ban after admitting 'abusive' behaviour

A

rsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been given a three-match touchline ban and fined £40,000 for his behaviour in the referee's changing room after Sunday's game against West Brom.

The Football Association said Wenger admitted "his language and behaviour was abusive, improper and questioned the integrity" of refer-

ee Mike Dean.

The Frenchman was angered by the award of an 89th-minute penalty for handball against Arsenal's Calum Chambers.

West Brom scored to earn a 1-1 draw.

Wenger will serve the first game of his punishment on Sunday in the FA Cup third-round tie at Nottingham Forest.

He will also be confined to

the stands for the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Chelsea and the visit to Bournemouth in the Premier League.

At his news conference earlier on Friday, the Arsenal boss said he served football with "honesty and integrity".

"From what I've heard and seen in tunnels and dressing rooms down the years, I'm surprised and

shocked to be charged," he said.

In a separate case, Wenger has been asked to respond to the FA about comments he made about refereeing decisions both before and after Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Chelsea in the league.

A frustrated Wenger called decisions made against Arsenal a "concerning coincidence".

Arsenal's Arsene Wenger

Part of his anger stemmed from a penalty the away side won when Eden Hazard was deemed to have been fouled

by Hector Bellerin by referee Anthony Taylor - a decision branded "farcical".

The FA wants his explanation of these comments by 18:00 GMT on Tuesday, 9 January.

"I have been asked [to respond] and I maintain what I said, 100%," Wenger added.

"Nothing has changed. I try to serve this game with honesty and integrity and when I have something to say, I say it. "I respect everyone's opinion. I feel it was a yellow card for Hazard. I have the right to have an opinion."

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, january 6, 2018

Ponting now in charge of Delhi Daredevils F

Ricky Ponting

ormer Australia captain Ricky Ponting will return to the IPL this season, this time as head coach of Delhi Daredevils.

Hemant Dua, the chief executive of Daredevils, made the announcement on Twitter.

Ponting takes over from Paddy Upton and former India captain Rahul Dravid, who had stepped down after the previous season owing to BCCI's conflict-of-interest regulations. While Upton's contract wasn't renewed, Dravid chose to coach India A and India Under-19 teams over the IPL franchise.

Delhi were in contention for a playoff berth last season, only to taper off towards the end of the group stage. They eventually finished the season sixth, with six wins in 14 matches. The franchise is yet to win a title in 10 attempts.

Ponting had coached Mumbai Indians to their second IPL title in 2015, but the

franchise chose to not renew his two-year contract when it expired in 2016. He had joined the franchise as a player in 2013, but stepped away midway through the tournament due to poor form.

Ricky Ponting (left) and Sachin Tendulkar were crucial in the Mumbai Indians management setup

Ponting also worked with Mumbai Indians in an advisory capacity in 2014. Prior to that, he was briefly part of Kolkata Knight Riders for the inaugural edition in 2008.

Fresh BCB elections summoned F

ollowing last year’s controversial Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) elections, sources in the Ancient County have confirmed that a new poll date set for January 2018 will be announced soon.

Sources confirmed with this newspaper on Thursday, that the Berbice High Court will now decide on a new date for the elections following the injunction filed by other members of associations and club in Berbice who were dissatisfied with the process of the October 8, 2017 elections.

The source added that it was most certain that the new date will be announced before the month expires, adding that the Court is in full control of the matter following the ruling going in favor of those who were not happy with the process of last year’s elections.

Guyana Times Sport understand that that clubs and associations across the Ancient County were ordered by the court to submit their names of candidates whom they think are fit for the position of Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President.

On October 8 2017, the BCB held its elections of office bearers in Berbice, thus electing Dhiranidranuath Somwaru as its new head. Stakeholders and other executives from clubs across Berbice then took the matter to the courts following their concerns about how the elections were carried out.

According to the source, the High Court then threw its support behind the concerned stakeholders, resulting in a newly proposed polling date which could possibly see the brief end of the Somwaru faction or its progression, once the current President decides to rerun.

13 wickets tumble on hostile opening day D

AB de Villiers played a counterattacking hand that got South Africa out of early trouble

rama, thy name is Test cricket. At Newlands.

On a pitch with a bit of spice.

With a buildup that d i d not lack for shots across the bow.

Faf du Plessis confessed he had a score to settle, and so he armed himself with four fast bowlers the envy of the world. Virat Kohli saw Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander during warm-ups. His only comment with regard to that was "we knew they were going a batsman short and we want to get at them with the new ball."

But really, how could anyone avoid the temptation of unleashing that attack, in any condition let alone a surface with both pace and lateral movement.

Given 11 overs to turn the game, Philander dismissed M Vijay, Steyn claimed Dhawan to move into the top10 wicket-takers in Test history and Morkel lured Kohli into a familiar trap behind the wicket. India bowled South Africa out for

286 but then they limped to stumps at 28 for 3.

Cape Town dealt almost exclusively in hair-raising action. Bhuvneshwar Kumar began proceedings by spiriting three wickets in his first three overs. To ensure there wasn't one-way traffic, AB de Villiers produced a half-century that was downright delectable. He had total control of the game and the opposition at his mercy when the debutant Jasprit Bumrah - who played his last first-class game almost a year ago - knocked back the off

venge - when he indulged in a send-off and was soon cautioned by the umpires.

With the new ball and the outside and inside edges hogging the limelight, the middle of the bat was off sulking somewhere. De Villiers found it and made sure it was front and centre for the entire time he was at the crease.

He struck India's best bowler of the day for four fours in an over. He played late. He met the ball close to his body. He used soft hands. And he punished anything even remotely short. In essence, de Villiers'

Jasprit Bumrah, on his Test debut, found his rhythm straight away (BCCI photo)

stump.

India's hold-one-end-up bowler Hardik Pandya got rid of du Plessis for 62 mere moments after a remarkably tight lbw call went against the visitors. Kohli probably had that running in his head - and the South African captain's pre-series comments about re-

innings was an exhibition of how to bat on a difficult pitch.

Playing only his third day of Test cricket over the last two years, he made 65 off 84 balls.

Du Plessis was, as ever, scoring runs by simply making sure he was at the wicket.

He waited for the wide ones to hit through cover and point.

He feasted on the straight ones, that strong bottom hand coupling very nicely with a fast outfield. But the cut shot to get to a half-century in his comeback Test - he missed Boxing Day with a viral infection - was basically a dare. Try stopping that.

Bhuvneshwar had the opportunity to take a fifth wicket just before tea was taken, but India's old problem of having a porous slip cordon put paid to those plans when Dhawan

dropped Keshav Maharaj on 0. The batsman had made 35 in enterprising fashion before he was dismissed, run-out by a direct hit from R Ashwin at mid-on. Later, the offspinner picked up his first wicket in South Africa, Rabada caught behind. The innings ended in the 74th over when Morkel was lbw to the same bowler for 2. The hosts' last five wickets added 144 runs - that's two more than the first five. (ESPN Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD South Africa 1st Innings D Elgar c †Saha b Kumar 0 AK Markram lbw b Kumar 5 HM Amla c †Saha b Kumar 3 AB de Villiers b Bumrah 65 F du Plessis* c †Saha b Pandya 62 Q de Kock† c †Saha b Kumar 43 VD Philander b Mohammed Shami 23 KA Maharaj run out (Ashwin) 35 K Rabada c †Saha b Ashwin 26 DW Steyn not out 16 M Morkellbw b Ashwin 2 Extras (b-2, lb-3, nb-1) 6 Total (All out, 73.1 Overs) 286 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (D Elgar, 0.3 ov), 2-7 (AK Markram, 2.6 ov), 3-12 (HM Amla, 4.5 ov), 4-126 (AB de Villiers, 32.6 ov), 5-142 (F du Plessis, 35.5 ov), 6-202 (Q de Kock, 44.5 ov), 7-221 (VD Philander, 50.2 ov), 8-258 (KA Maharaj, 62.2 ov), 9-280 (K Rabada, 69.3 ov), 10-286 (M Morkel, 73.1 ov)

Bowling Kumar 19-4-87-4, Mohammed Shami 16-6-471, Bumrah 19-1-73-1 (nb-1), Pandya 12-1-53-1, Ashwin 7.1-1-21-2 India 1st Innings M Vijay c Elgar b Philander 1 S Dhawan c & b Steyn 16 CA Pujara not out 5 V Kohli* c †de Kock b Morkel 5 RG Sharma not out 0 Extras (lb-1) 1 Total (For 3 wickets, 11 Overs) 28 Yet to bat: WP Saha †, HH Pandya, R Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, B Kumar, JJ Bumrah Fall of wickets: 1-16 (M Vijay, 4.4 ov), 2-18 (S Dhawan, 5.2 ov), 3-27 (V Kohli, 8.1 ov) Bowling Philander 4-1-131, Steyn 4-1-13-1, Morkel 2-2-0-1, Rabada 1-0-1-0 Position: India trail by 258 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

sports

saturDAY, january 6, 2018 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

CLASSIFIED ADS ACCOMMODATIONS COSMETOLOGY – FULL COURSE $100,000. TECHNICIAN $40,000.

Aracari Salon & Spa, WBD 264-3312, 600-3927 Conferences & Retreats – Full Service: Hotel, Catering & Facilities.

Aracari Resort WBD – 264-2946 Alex Wayne Weddings & Anniversaries: Rental or Full Service: Banquet Hall & Catering. Aracari Resort WBD – 2642946 Alex Wayne Aracari Hotel, WBD (Near Harbor Bridge) – All Modern Amenities – Rates from $25. Phone 264-2946-8

Driving School Shalom Enterprise 2 Croal Street, Stabroek, Georgetown. You could obtain an International Drivers Permit covering over 131 countries. Cell: 227-3869, 622-8162, 619-3381, 227-3835. Join us on facebook.

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

FOR HIRE For creek trips, weddings, airport, etc. One route 42 minibus and one Spacio car at very affordable prices. Please contact Kumar on telephone 617-2370 or 265-0100

FOR SALE Pups for sale. Contact 680-0192 / 216-3408 Mercedez Benz C200, Model-2009.

Immaculate condition. Contact number: 616-5933

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

Send resume to jannessa.kalloo@ probusinessbuilders.com

riage, promotion, business, husband and wife problems, love, health, sexual problems, etc and gives lifelong solutions. Matters are private and confidential.

Contact 616-7775 or 679-9855 for appointments.

Astrologer Vasudev. All religions are welcome. Are you suffering from any kind of problems such as family, business, husband & wife, children, health and sexual problems, sickness and more?

Then meet Master Vasudev to get permanent solutions. Vasudev will suggest and solve problems by performing poojas. Vasudev can help with any problems in your personal and professional life and 100% guaranteed results.

Call 617-7744 for appointments.

Matters are kept private and confidential with lifelong protection.

Shri Guru Ragurenda Astrologer.

Master Veera Bhadra is skilled in Astrology, Numerology, Palmistry, Date of birth reading, face reading, photo reading & predicts your past, present and future. Master Veera Bhadra gives solutions to health, love, business problems, marriage problems, promotions, divorce problems, financial problems, abroad. He removes any kinds of black magic & gives lifelong protection. He is specialized in bringing back loved ones. All religions are welcome. Private and confidential. Call for appointment 652-6427 Lalita Mahadevi Spiritualist Center. Baba is specialised in name and date of birth reading, patra reading and book opening.

He is an expert in removing black magic, enmity, bad luck and gives permanent protections. Solutions will be given to love, health, marriage, business, sexual problems and much more. Call him on 6601938 or 618-6569. Take that number again: 660-1938 or 618-6569 Business upliftment, marriage problems, pregnancy, remove blockage impotent and many more. Tel: 612-1608, 683-5228

LAND for sale

Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc. Call 651-9663/600-7719.

100ft x 175ft in KuruKuru, Soesdyke. $4M. Tel: 619-8683

SERVICES

MASSAGE

A reputable businessman requests the sum of 5million dollars for the period of 6mths.better interest than the bank guarateed..safe and trustworthy..call or text 641 7074

Massage. Sparkle Exclusive Massage.

Done by Male & Female masseuses.

Contact 600-7719/651-9663.

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

pEN PAL Forty plus negro seeking serious Christian bachelor for friendship 619-8683

property for sale Two-storey concrete, 4-bedroom, one self-contained, two bathrooms, toilet. 2320 Tuschen, E.B.E. $20M, price negotiable. Phone 664-9310 or 626-8190.

spirituality & ASTROLOGY Master Arjun. Temple of Success.

We welcome all religions. To get permanent solutions to all your problems, meet Master Arjun.

He will read your past, present and future by using your date of birth, face or photo. Master Arjun will give solutions for mar-

taxi services GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 225-7878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

VACANCIES Pump Assistant Vacancy: Bel Air Rubis. Call or Whatsapp: 680-3863 Porter/ Shop Assistant. Email CV or Resume To Laltag@yahoo.com Accounts Assitant - Call 624-0033 One Cook - Call 624-0033 One House Keeper - Call 624-0033

WANTED One heavy duty mechanic to work in interior, knows to repair Diesel and Gas Engines. Must have driver’s license and knowledge of welding is as assets.

Contact: 680-2702 One welder to work in the interior. Meals and accommodation are provided. Must have driver’s license. Contact: 680-2702 300+ acres of fertile agriculture land on the East Coast Demerara or East Bank Demerara to lease or for partnership in an agriculture project Contact: 600-1898 One live-in Nanny to take care of children and home. Must know how to cook various food.

Contact: 600-1898.

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

21

pool competition heads to GMR&SC …fabulous prizes at stake

F

ormer National U-17 Cricketer Ricardo Devers has organized a two best in three knock-out 8-ball straight Pool competition at Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMRSC) on Albert Street, Thomas Lands beginning at 14:00h on Sunday January 7.

The competition is open to anyone and especially female Pool players are encouraged to enter.

The top prize of $100,000 is sponsored by Nauth Motor Spares while the champion will also walk away with the Trophy Stall trophy.

The second prize which is sponsored by V-Net Communications is a day trip for two on the Essequibo River with stops at Sloth Island, Fort Island, Bartica, Baracara Falls and Saxcacalli Beach complete with meals and sloth spotting. The losing finalist will also walk away with the V-Net trophy.

The Third prize is a trophy and bottle of Absolute vodka from Nicky’s Natural Fruit Juice while one lucky spectator will win a Pool cue and case just by buying a Raffle ticket sponsored

by West Indian Sports Complex Some of the nation’s top pools players have already confirmed partici-

Eshwar Bharrat (right) presents the champion trophy to Ricardo Devers at the Trophy Stall in Bourda Market

pation and registration, which cost $5,000, can be done by calling telephone number 670-5977 or can be done

from 13:30h at the venue.

Food and beverages will be on sale at the venue.

Associations urged to submit proposals early V

arious Sport associations and Federations in Guyana are being called upon to submit all relevant documents and proposals to the National Sports Commission in a timely manner for consideration for desired funding for the year.

This follows a stern warning by Director of Sport Christopher Jones who pointed out that if the requisite requirements are not met, funding would not be made available.

In a recent interview, Jones explained; “one of the criteria that we set up in 2018 in terms of making funds available to them (associations) and we are hoping that the new commission board endorses this, is that unless a particular association or federation submits the database on their athletes, that association or federation will not receive funding from the sports commission. Simply because we do not know who we are giving the monies to and why”.

It is public knowledge that since 2017 all associations and federations were asked to submit their databases containing the list of their respective athletes. The submission of those lists would have been integral in assisting the Commission to determine whether funding for certain athletes to go abroad to represent the country is justified.

According to Jones; in the past some athletes were being selected based on favoritism and not on merit.

He maintained; “You have athletes who are chosen above others simply because their parents are big-time do-

nors to a particular association, that sort of justification is given as to why some of these athletes are chosen, and that is not good enough for us.”

The Sport Director pointed out that the monies being spent are hardearned taxpayers’ dollars, and when funding any association or federation the Commission “wants to be able to be in a position to justify to the taxpayers of the country that we funded these athletes because (for example) John Jones and Michelle Singh are the two most qualified athletes to go and represent us at these regional and international meets.”

He continued that when an athlete participates in an overseas event, he or she is representing an entire country and not just a specific association or organization.

The Director disclosed that in the past, he came under fire for not providing funding for athletes.

However, Jones said at the end of every quarter of the year when meeting with his superiors, he is required to “justi-

fy why these monies were allocated.”

The sport associations and federations are also being urged to submit their calendar of events for the year, their audited financial statement for the previous year and be up-to-date on their Annual General Meetings.

Director of Sport, Christopher Jones

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, january 6, 2018

Grovesnor impressed with growth of local archers make adjustments with the way they approach the line to taking aim and even after shooting.

Grovesnor was also heard encouraging the archers to be cognizant of the time which is allotted while

at the mark.

“They know how to shoot but today [Thursday] we looked at what to do, what not to do, the rules and everything they need to know about how competitions

Top archers of the night strike a pose with Dwayne Grovesnor (centre). From left: Samira Duncan, Anand Mangra, Narda Mohammed, Amanda Arjune, Randy Arjune

By John Ramsingh

A

fter an evening session at the National Gymnasium with local archers on Thursday, World Archery Barbados level two coach, Dwayne Grovesnor said he was very impressed with the rapid growth of the athletes.

Grovesnor who was in Guyana in a personal capacity took up an invitation from the local body, World Archery Guyana for the indoor session and was confronted

with eager members and a handful of new comers.

During the approximately twohour long interactive session, the local archers were “brought up to speed of what to expect in competition archery,” Grovesnor told Guyana Times Sport.

They willing bunch of both male and female archers were asked to shoot from various distances with different scenarios given by the coach. He was also seen advising the archers to

Narda Mohammed working with new comer, 11-year-old Dimitre Roopnauth

From PK to the world

…Ralph Parris is ready to play

a chance for him to develop and experience a different system that would ultimately help move his career

By Michelangelo Jacobus

I

was born in Fitzburg, Port Kaituma (Region One) and I lived right next to the playground, I started playing football at the age of five and I’ve never looked back since then.”

This is how the story of Ralph Parris Jr’s footballing career began.

Back then at just five years Ralph under the tutelage of “King” Jert Caesar; the fleet footed striker grew his roots in the sport and began his growth in Region one competing at the peewee level against neighbouring villages in the area.

While representing his village is one of Ralph’s fondest memories, in an effort to pursue education and the advancement of his football, Parris migrated to the capital city Georgetown.

Upon his move at just age 12 Parris joined Pele FC, however he soon moved to Northern Rangers where his life and career would take shape under Coach Gordon “Ultimate Warrior” Braithwaite.

Parris credits Braithwaite for molding him mentally, physically and instilling life values that he continues to follow up until this day. He revealed that it was Braithwaite who

Parris (centre) in action for GFC

gave him his first break and showed faith in him; eventually Parris was named the captain of the Guyana U-14 National Futsal team that was due to compete in Brazil, however due to certain issues the team never travelled.

Eventually though the Northern Rangers club was disbanded and Parris was led to the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) where he became a regular starter in a relatively young team.

At the school level Ralph tasted success with

his school; the Chase’s Academic Foundation in 2016 helping his side to their second title in the Petra Organized Milo U-20 School’s Football tournament.

After GFC were relegated from the GFF’s Elite league in 2016, Parris stuck with club but when he was offered the chance to migrate to the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago to play for a club in the top flight of Trinidad’s pro league, he promptly accepted as he noted this was

along.

His move to Trinidadian club Morvant Caledonia FC (formerly known as Caledonia AIA) was sealed in June of 2017 and the 19-year-old explained that at first it was difficult settling in but he pointed out; “although it was no bed of roses I grew up knowing that through hard work comes success so I just put my shoulder to the wheel and did what I had to do.”

He eventually settled into the team and his good

work so that when they get to that stage, they will know exactly what to do,” the Guyanese-born international archer explained.

Archery Guyana, which is a relatively young association was given a major boost of confidence from Grovesnor who said that “from the last time I was here to now, there is a major improvement and give them another few months they will be very ready for competitions.”

After the formal coaching, the archers broke up into mixed pairs and had two rounds of “real” competition. The pair of Anand Mangra and Amanda Arjune shot to the front of the pack with Arjune miles ahead as the best archer of the night.

One of the newcomers of the evening was 11-year old Dimetri Roopnauth who wants to follow his passion of shooting his way to a professional archer but acknowledges he will have to practice a lot.

At the end of the session, Grovesnor told the archers that the recipe to success is simply down to lots of practice.

fortune continued with a call up to the national team; the Golden Jaguars late last year as they prepared to face the Trinidadian national team in a friendly. In a warm up match against his home club, Parris netted a goal as he showed the coaches what exactly he is capable of; however a knee injury robbed the humble youngster of participating in the international friendly.

Parris’ move to Caledonia was not the first of its kind as renowned Guyanese footballers such as his local idols Vurlon Mills and Trayon Bobb both played in the Trinidadian top flight.

Speaking of idols, the soft spoken but deadly striker told <<Guyana Times Sport>> that his favourite player is Ronaldinho, while Parris admires the Brazilian superstar on the field he disapproves of his playboy lifestyle; “I like his work with the ball at his feet but I don’t approve of his lifestyle, I admire Bob Marley’s character so I try to emulate Ronaldinho on the field and live by Bob Marley’s sentiments.”

Parris is currently at home in Guyana and is working on getting back to full fitness as he looks to recuperate from his knee injury, he is a son of the soil and at just 19 has started a journey that he will be looking to end in success.

Thiem withdraws with fever, Monfils to face Rublev in Qatar final

G

ael Monfils and Andrey Rublev will contest the Qatar Open final after Dominic Thiem pulled out through illness.

Dominic Thiem was forced to withdraw from the Qatar Open with a fever, handing Gael Monfils a place in the final against Andrey Rublev.

Top seed Thiem had breezed through the tournament without dropping a set, but his hopes of lifting the trophy have been ended by illness.

"I am in bed with fever and there is almost no chance of a recovery until tonight," Thiem wrote on Facebook. "Of course I am disappointed, but nevertheless I had a solid start into the new season."

With the Australian Open 10 days away, Thiem added: "Now I am focusing on Melbourne and being fit and prepared for the first Grand Slam of the year."

Instead Monfils progresses to the final and will take on Rublev, who prevailed in three sets against Guido Pella.

Rublev saved a match point in the decisive set, which he won on a tiebreak to claim a 6-2 4-6 7-6 (7-2) success.

saturDAY, january 6, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

23

CWI/ Digicel Regional 4-Day Championships 2017-18…

Jaguars ahead after see-saw day

– Chanderpaul props up champs with 50 Nikita Miller

T

Earlier, the three-time defending champions began the day in a comfortable position of 75 for 3 with Vishaul Singh (10) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (03) replying to 106 all out made by the hosts in their first innings. The pair saw the score past the 100-run mark before Singh was dismissed

with the Jaguars just four runs behind the Scorpions. This trigger a collapse when Anthony Bramble, Raymon Reifer and Keemo Paul were dismissed for one run that saw the score move from 122 for 5 to 123 for 7 which brought the Scorpions right back in contention through good bowling from seamers Raynard Leveridge and Derval

Green and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller. The 43-year old ever dependable Chanderpaul then shepherd the tail nicely etching out 60 runs from the last three batsmen. In the process, Shiv brought up his 142nd First Class half century in his 376th match before he became Miller’s fourth victim to end the innings at lunch after the extended opening session. In all,

the Jaguars scored 108 runs while losing seven wickets in 37.5 overs taking a slim lead of 77 runs and leaving the contest wide open.

However, determined batting from the Scorpions’ openers allowed the pendulum to swing in their court before the Jaguars fought back to once again sneak ahead making today’s third day a juicy affair in the making.

SCOREBOARD

he pendulum was busy on day two at Sabina Park where hosts Jamaica Scorpions ended the day on 167 for 5 after bowling out the defending champions, Guyana Jaguars cheaply in the opening session.

When stumps were drawn in the eighth round battle, the Scorpions were 90 runs ahead with opener Assad Fudadin on 61 and wicketkeeper Aldaine Thomas on 9. Fudadin saw wickets tumbling around him after putting on a well compiled opening partnership with Windies “A” batsman John Campbell who made 62.

After Campbell became the first of two victims of left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, the Scorpions collapsed losing five wickets for 41 in quick succession to hand back the honours to the Jaguars at the end of the day.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Scorpions 1st Innings 106 Jaguars 1st Innings (Overnight 75 for 3) C Hemraj c Green b Miller 47 A Persaud lbw b Leveridge 0 L Johnson* c Palmer b Green 13 V Singh c Allen b Leveridge 19 S Chanderpaul lbw b Miller 50 A Bramble+ c Miller b Green 10 R Reifer lbw b Green 0 K Paul c Blackwood b Miller 1 V Permaul b Jacobs 7 G Motie c Leveridge b Miller 13 K Joseph not out 0 Extras (b-10, lb-11, w-1, nb-1) 23 Total (All out, 59.5 Overs) 183 FOW: 1-2, 2-57, 3-63, 4-102, 5-122, 6-122, 7-123, 8-139, 9-180, 10-183 Bowling Green 14-3-39-3, Leveridge 12-1-42-2, Blackwood 2-0-80, Miller 14.5-3-30-4, Campbell

7-1-10-0, Jacobs 10-1-33-1 Scorpions 2nd Innings J Campbell c Paul b Motie 62 A Fudadin not out 61 J Blackwood run out (Hemraj) 9 B King b Motie 0 P Palmer run out (Paul) 10 F Allen b Permaul 4 A Thomas+ not out 9 Extras (b-1, lb-4, w-0, nb-7) 12 Total (For 5 wickets, 50 Overs) 167 FOW: 1-112, 2-127, 3-133, 4-149, 5-153 Yet to bat N Miller*, R Leveridge, D Jacobs, D Green Bowling Paul 10-1-31-0, Joseph 3-0-270, Reifer 6-1-22-0, Johnson 2-0-16-0, Permaul 18-3-45-1, Motie 11-4-21-2 Position: Jamaica Scorpions are ahead by 90 runs with 5 wickets in hand

“Cobra” poised ahead of “Sangre Malo” – boxer putting in time commonwealth title

L

ocal star boxer Dexter “The Cobra” Gonzales said he will be using the upcoming “Sangre Malo” fight card billed for January 20 as preparation for his upcoming Commonwealth title fight against Meacher Major in the Bahamas.

“The Cobra” as he’s commonly called on the local scene, told Guyana Times Sport on Thursday following the event’s official launch, that while his focus and attention was on his “Sangre Malo” opponent; Venezuelan Filipe Lares; he was keeping his thoughts on the title fight set for later this year.

Gonzales said that his training for the upcoming fights were coming along nicely, adding that he’s upping his game by training with fellow Guyanese and teammate for the upcoming card; current Caribbean Lightweight champion Dexter “The Kid” Marques.

“To achieve a title is every boxer’s dream so we have to work towards it because nothing in life comes easy so you have to keep pushing yourself to that lev-

The “Cobra” Dexter Gonzales is rearing to represent Guyana proudly in his upcoming fights

el. Coming into this fight, it will be preparation to move onto the commonwealth title shot in the Bahamas. I’m working hard, mostly thinking about this fight that I have,” Declared Gonzales.

Alongside Marques, who will also be using his Sangre Malo main event encounter to prepare for his title fight in March versus UK’s Jay Harris, is fellow Guyanese boxing star Elton Dharry, who faces Jesus Vargas

while “Cobra”, Guyana’s current Lightweight champion will tackle Lares, capping off the three main fights on the card.

“My training schedule is coming pretty well; I’m working with

Dexter as well as putting in some gym work. But my main goal is to get to the level that I want to get to and that’s the commonwealth title shot,” he said.

Known as a power-hitter, Gonzales said that he has been working hard on increasing his strength as the fights draw near.

“My power is coming along nice because the perpetrations that I do to get to get there is very hard but my coach carries me through the preparations so I’m getting to that level,” said the pugilist.

With the entirety of the card based around Guyana defending its pride against the Venezuelans, the fighter declared that it was indeed great to be representing his country while showing the world that Guyana still has a place on the international boxing map.

“Well to me it’s very important for us who will be representing Guyana, to make our country better and make people look into boxing just as they would look into cricket and other sports. I think we will put up a good fight against them come January 20,” he ended.

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

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Grovesnor impressed

Pg 22

with growth of local archers

Top archers of the night strike a pose with Dwayne Grovesnor (centre). From left: Narda Mohammed, Samira Duncan and Amanda Arjune

CWI/ Digicel Regional 4-Day Championships 2017-18…

Jaguars ahead after see-saw day

– Chanderpaul props up champs with 50

Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie brought the Guyana Jaguars back in the game with two blows late on day two at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica (File photo)

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

Pg 23