Guyanatimes 9 october 2017

STEM Guyana delivers the Magic of Robotics at 2017 Berbice Expo P12

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

Monday, October 9, 2017

Issue No. 3356

guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH PRICE

Local Government Commission

2 years later, President yet to submit nominations Page 3

Albion teenager killed in early-morning accident

Page 9

Cemetery Road bridges being resuscitated

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Indigenous P9 Guyanese encouraged to be advocates for social cohesion

Bulkan’s excuse for dismissing PS “not tenable” – MP P13

WCD residents lament lack of running water P14

Former AG P10 maintains Land CoI another waste of taxpayers’ dollars

The dilapidated double bridges between Cemetery Road and the East La Penitence Police Outpost, Georgetown are finally being treated to a facelift as a group of construction workers were on Sunday seen continuing renovation works on the structures. The repairs to the bridges had commenced on Thursday last and are expected to be completed within two weeks

UG salary negotiations

Mastermind in Albert Street double murder arrested in Page Pomeroon River 2

Unions rejecting “performance” criteria Page 7

Diwali Festival lights up New York’s Times Square P5

2 news

monDAY, october 9, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mastermind in Albert Street double murder arrested in Pomeroon River

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he alleged mastermind in the brutal murders of 87-yearold Constance Fraser and 75-year-old Phyllis Caesar, whose bodies were discovered in their home at South Road and Albert Street, Georgetown, was apprehended by members of the Major Crimes Unit in a Pomeroon riverine community on Sunday afternoon.

Guyana Times understands that following the confession made by two of the four suspects who were arrested on Friday,

the name of this mastermind has since been revealed. Without hesitation, detectives visited the man's home, but were unsuccessful in apprehending him.

However, a police source explained that the suspect's brother transported him to the Pomeroon riverine community after he found out that police were looking for him in connection with the murders.

The alleged mastermind is a 25-year-old resident of Cooper Street, Albouystown Georgetown. Upon his ar-

rest, he was escorted to CID Headquarters, where he is being interrogated for the heinous crimes.

The bodies of Fraser, known as “Mother Fraser”, and Caesar, her niece, were found in the wee hours of Tuesday. The women were found in the upper flat of the home, in their respective bedrooms, lying unconscious on their beds.

Caesar’s hands and legs were bound, and a piece of cloth had been stuffed in her mouth.

Police confirmed that the house was ransacked, which suggested that the murders

The home where the elderly women lived

Murdered: Constance Fraser (left) and Phyllis Caesar (right)

stemmed from a robbery.

In addition, detectives confirmed that the perpetra-

tors may have gained entry to the home via the western door.

According to reports, Caesar failed to report to her place of worship, as is customary, prompting several attempts to contact the duo, all of which were to no avail. A congregation member then alerted the Police, and together they ventured into the home and discovered the two women dead.

The elderly women were last seen alive while attending church on Monday evening.

Congregation members crowded the street after news of the discovery spread, and they informed Guyana Times that, on mul-

tiple occasions, bandits had broken into the home of the two defenceless elderly women.

During the most recent attack, just about a month ago, the criminals had carted off a cell phone and a quantity of cash.

Meanwhile, the autopsy done on the bodies of the two women proved that they died as a result of asphyxiation due to suffocation and manual strangulation, compounded by trauma to the head. The post-mortem was performed by local pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh.

(Bisham Mohamed)

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monDAY, october 9, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, October 9 – 05:00h-06:30h and Tuesday, October 10 – 08:30h-10:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, October 9 – 06:45h-08:15h and Tuesday, October 10 – 07:30h-09:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions followed by heavy to light rain showers can be expected during the day. Clear skies are expected in the evening, with temperatures expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South-easterly to Easterly between 2.23 metres and 3.57 metres.

Local Government Commission

2 years later, President yet to submit nominations …will make a pronouncement soon, Harmon says

I

t has been over two years since the APNU/ AFC coalition came into Government and promised to establish the Local Government Commission (LGC), but the Commission is yet to materalise; prompting observers to speculate that the process is being deliberately stalled, since President David Granger is yet to name his nominees for the commission.

a pronouncement on that,” Harmon said.

He noted that when the APNU/AFC Administration came into office, the establishment of commissions, reintroduction of the Local Government Elections, and conducting commissions of inquiry were priority developments in order for them to understand the playing field in which they were operating.

High Tide: 06:44h and 18:58h reaching maximum heights of 2.73 metres and 2.76 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 12:33h reaching a minimum height of 0.55 metre.

President David Granger

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

SATURDAY, October 8, 2017

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Over one year ago, Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo submitted his nominees and re-submitted the list earlier this year.

On Friday, State Minister Joseph Harmon, at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing, told reporters that the Government is anxious to have the commission established, in keeping with the administration’s commitment to the Guyanese people.

“We have seen recently the nominations from the Leader of the Opposition.

Those nominations did not capture some other recommendations which were made to the Leader of the Opposition… He has submitted his recommendations, and we will work with what we have; and I believe that in the short space of time, his Excellency would make

Article 78 (a) of the Constitution of Guyana sets out that “Parliament shall establish a Local Government Commission, the composition and rules of which empower the Commission to deal with, as it deems fit, all matters related to the regulation and staffing of local government organs, and with dispute resolution within and between local government organs.”

The Commission would, among other things, has control over who is appointed as officials in the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and other local authorities. In addition, it would have to approve budgets for the NDCs. By law, the Commission is to be made up of eight members. These members will include four nominated by the Government, one from the unions, and three nomi-

nees from the Leader of the Opposition.

Former acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba and former Local Government Ministers Norman Whittaker and Clinton Collymore were nominated as the PPP/C’s representatives on the Local Government Commission.

In addition, the Committee on Appointments had recommended that Andrew Garnett, of the Guyana Local Government Officers Union, be appointed as the union representative. This means that the Government is the only stakeholder yet to fulfil its responsibilities to nominate representatives to the Commission.

In the 2017 budget, $30 million had been allocated for the LGC, but it is almost the end of 2017 and the constitutional body is yet to be

established.

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan had told the Parliamentary Supply Committee last year that the commission would be operationalized by the end of 2017.

In November of last year, Harmon had said that background checks are being conducted on the persons shortlisted to function as Government Commissioners on the Local Government Commission.

Minister Bulkan submitted the list of names to Cabinet. However, Harmon had said that the law requires the persons named be vetted, to ensure they meet the requirements to hold the office and to carry out the roles and responsibilities contained within. He noted that one of the requirements is that persons identified must be of “high integrity”.

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monDAY, october 9, 2017

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

The PNC at 60 T

he People’s National Congress (PNC) celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of its formation, on Oct 5th, 1957. At such events, it was hoped, the present crop of leaders would have taken the time to do some serious introspection. Even though they were handed the government and independence, the country had been brought to its knees and divided by the time the Founder Leader, Forbes Burnham, had passed away on an operating table at the Georgetown Public Hospital in 1985.

President David Granger, its present leader, is a trained historian; and it was rather embarrassing to listen to the hagiographic account he delivered on Burnham’s legacy.

One predecessor, Tyrone Ferguson, at least had the grace to offer a rationale for Burnham’s Faustian bargain struck in the 1960s: “To Survive Sensibly or to Court Heroic Death”.

With the plethora of declassified British and American files, it is an insult to the collective intelligence of the Guyanese people to not even make a passing reference to that fateful decision.

William Faulkner famously pointed out that, “The past isn’t dead. It isn’t even past.” And the PNC, most of all, should appreciate that bit of wisdom as it plots the course once again after its abysmally failed first 28 years. Especially after Granger has promised to fulfil the “legacy” of Forbes Burnham, who was quite self-conscious about that legacy.

For instance, Granger was a young junior officer in the GDF when he was entrusted with disseminating Burnham’s vision for the new army. It was to be a “People’s Army”, with none of the fine points the British insisted was “tradition”, such as a loyalty to whichever Government was elected legitimately to govern the state. Now that Granger has already embarked on an expansion of the army, with ancillary wings such as Reserve and Cadet Corps etc., and there is a willingness to recruit into Government members of that army, maybe he should have pronounced on the army’s orientation.

On the economy, which is foremost on the minds of the citizenry, Granger has also signalled his desire to move the fulcrum of production into value added goods, with his albeit inelegant “six curses” remark. Burnham had berated the Canadian and US multinationals that had shipped our raw bauxite (with some alumina), and after nationalising them, had moved to establish a hydro-electric plant on the Mazaruni River to smelter bauxite into aluminium. While he has evidently nixed the generation of electricity via our abundant water resources, could the natural gas that Granger’s Minister of Resources is attempting to inveigle Exxon to send to our shores be used to add such value to the bauxite curse? He has already decided to rid the country of the sugar “curse”.

Socially, Granger has announced a programme of “cohesion” much as Burnham had boasted about bringing “Peace, Not Conflict (PNC)” to Guyana after the 1964 racial wars. This more than a bit ironic claim introduced the expression “those who call off the dogs own the dogs” into our political lexicon. However, when pressed later on the seemingly racist nature of his government’s hiring and firing practices, much as Granger’s Administration has been tagged, Burnham “explained” his reasons were “political, not racial”. Here, again, at least a fig leaf was offered.

Culturally, Burnham then boasted, and Granger now boasts, about introducing two holidays each for the Muslim and Hindu citizens of the land as a measure of the PNC’s “multi-religious” credentials. But Granger would know that the hundreds of years of Christian dominance that had become institutionalised would not disappear with the institution of four holidays. Within the broader ambit of “culture”, for instance, the National School of Dance, the new School of Music and all the official institutions of culture are certainly not inclusive of our multicultural nation. As with Burnham’s pride -- Carifesta -- there is only a genuflection to those cultures outside of the PNC’s base constituency.

The PNC has to do better.

The Guyana coast: Fluffy white clouds, lush greenery, and caramel-coloured waters at Supenaam, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam)

Numerous questions being asked but no answers coming from those in authority

Dear Editor, Since May 2015, the massive transparency and accountability shortcomings with respect to public spending by the APNU/AFC Government is indeed unprecedented. Some of these related matters have been furiously protested by the Opposition in the National Assembly, and raised by many private and public media without any palpable response or corrections.

The situation not only informs of the rampant ‘get rich quick tendencies of many in the current Government’; but also further exposes the strongly related reasons why the coalition Government has been defunct on establishing the Local Government Commission (LGC). It is widely known that the LGC has the mandate to regulate and maintain acceptable balance in the Councils of these entities.

The over spills of the non-transparent cagey practices into other local government structures continue unchecked; so much so, that the tenfold fortification of the Auditor General’s Office Staff is significantly justified. This alarming emergence at the various levels of local governance structures is indeed strongly linked to the ongoing manipulation of administrative staff functioning at the Regional Democratic Councils (RDC) and the Neighbouring Democratic Councils (NDC) which is controlled by the

Communities Minister.

Space constraints do not permit elaboration on the numerous objectionable APNU/AFC practices. One illustration however, is the situation at the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) RDC. In May 2016, this regional administration opened 927 tender documents for the Capital Works programme of the region. This was indeed unprecedented! The Tender Board members painfully went through the tedious process of examining each tender, and thereafter, everything that took place after that was a ‘big’ secret.

This author has been reliably informed that to date, no related Minutes were circulated to the Council, or to the members of the Tender Board despite persons and Councillors writing several letters requesting the minutes and the decisions of that important meeting.

The elected Members have not received any documentation confirming what took place at that Tender Board meeting where 927 tenders were opened. Yet still, many awards of tenders were made.

It is crystal clear that this APNU/AFC coalition Government has no intention of being accountable and transparent in advancing works in the interest of citizens, but rather, setting up suspicious manipulative structures to feed their get rich quick syndrome.

Reputable members of the Region Four RDC are com-

plaining bitterly about corruption at all levels in the region. There are numerous questions being asked but no answers coming from those in authority.

The 927 tenders opened, were expected to facilitate the execution of developmental work in the entire region that is on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara.

Unfortunately, the concealment surrounding the Capital and current works at the regional level is certainly a deterrent planning for development. It leads to serious suspiciousness in the region, and further spills over into the NDCs, since the region conducts monitoring supervision for some projects done in NDC areas.

In one voice, members of the Tender Board and Councillors are asking what is happening here?

Barring exceptional exigencies, all projects slated for execution under normal circumstances, must be clearly outlined in the National Budget of a fiscal year and be appropriated by the Parliament of Guyana. It is customary that all projects be advertised in the print media for a specified period, which will allow all bidders to complete the bidding document and submit same with other legal requirements to the procuring authority in time, prior to the opening of the tenders.

Additionally, the sale of tender documents for Government-funded projects must be carefully done and

reconciled with the amount printed. How much are sold?

At what price? Together with a Government of Guyana receipt is issued in every single case are key elements.

All related revenues collected must be deposited into the Consolidated Fund.

Further, in accordance with the tender rules and regulations, most if not all the projects to be executed are opened in the presence of the public. At the public opening, and in accordance with the instructions to the bidders, an announcement must be made for every tender. All bidders must submit valid GRA/IRD and NIS Compliances and it is also expected that an Engineer’s estimate be announced at the opening of the tenders.

It is important that the entire Tender Board meeting must be documented in writing, while regarding ‘consultancy’, all the details relating to the Consultant/ Consulting firm must be made public. The tender rules and regulations also provide that an evaluation committee is selected from a pool of evaluators to review and submit a written evaluation report on the selection process; signed by the evaluators within a specified time frame.

We advocate seriously about getting things done in a transparent way for the benefit of the Guyanese people.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

monDAY, october 9, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

Diwali Festival lights up New York’s Times Square – organisers say the event celebrates light over darkness to promote “love and harmony in a society that feels extremely divided at this moment”

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ew York City’s iconic Times Square transformed into a vision of South Asian culture on Saturday, as thousands of revellers gathered for an early celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the biggest and most important holiday in India. It lasts for five days, and coincides with the Hindu new year.

Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs celebrate the religious occasion every autumn in countries throughout South Asia and beyond.

In the United States, major Diwali festivals have lit up communities from California to Texas to North Carolina in recent years.

The massive Times Square event – the largest Diwali celebration outside of India – has been growing in size since its debut in 2013, attracting large crowds including many people from the city’s numerous immigrant communities.

It’s the largest South Asian ethnic event in New York City, where at least three million residents – more than one-third of the population – are foreign-born, per the Department of City Planning.

The greater New York area is home to some 717,000 Indian citizens, according to the latest US Census estimates. Nationwide, people of Indian origin represent about one per cent of the population. In fact, India is currently the largest source of new immigrants to America, surpassing Mexico and China.

Diwali at Times Square is the creation of Neeta Bhasin, President and CEO of marketing firm ASB

Revellers gather around performers at a previous Diwali at Times Square festival

Communications. Bhasin, who moved to the US from India four decades ago, says she is dedicated to teaching people about Indian culture and traditions.

“Being an immigrant woman, I felt compelled to showcase the beauty and the richness of our culture, and what better way than bringing our incredible festival of Diwali, that celebrates the victory of light over darkness [and] knowledge over ignorance, to the centre of New York, Times Square?” she asked.

She believes the annual event is “more important now than ever”. In the wake of the 2016 election, Americans have witnessed a rise in polarising, anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric from White House offi-

cials, including President Donald Trump. One of Trump’s earliest and most controversial executive orders, widely referred to as the “travel ban”, restricts immigration and general entry to the US from specific countries for purported national security purposes.

Human rights groups have claimed the ban is unconstitutional and promotes xenophobia.

In order to “stand against hate and prejudice”, Bhasin says, it is “extremely important for us to learn from each other.”

“Indian culture is part of American culture, as is

Mexican, and Chinese and the many cultures that together make up the beautiful tapestry that is the American culture,” she said.

“We want to spread a message of acceptance and integration, love and harmony in a society that feels extremely divided at this moment.”

Saturday’s event featured a variety of Indian dishes, a digital fireworks display and a lighting ceremony of traditional lamps known as diyas ? an important Diwali ritual.

It also boasted a lineup of celebrity performers, including Bollywood choreog-

rapher Terence Lewis; actors Sanjeeda Sheikh and Aamir Ali; as well as singers Hamsika Iyer, Mickey Singh and Raman Mahadevan.

In a statement issued prior to his performance, Lewis said he hoped the festival would “spread a little bit of love and happiness” during a time when “there is so much hatred, there’s so much violence [and] there’s so much intolerance.”

For Iyer, who travelled from her home in Mumbai to perform at Times Square, this weekend marks her first-ever trip to the US. She said she was very grateful for the opportunity “to share

the Indian-ness – music and culture and everything that is very India – with the audience here.”

She performed a number of songs, including the hits “1 2 3 4 Get on the Dance Floor” and “Chammak Challo.”

“Diwali is very special because it brings everyone together,” said Iyer, who plans to return to India in time to spend the October 19 holiday with family, as she does every year. “It’s a time of light and happiness.

It’s beautiful,” she added.

Nivrutti Khandade attended the festival for the first time with his eightyear-old son on Saturday.

They donned matching red kurta pyjamas, loose-fitting garments traditionally worn in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

“We love watching the dancing and seeing celebrities,” said Khandade, adding the event reminded him of life in India, where he and his wife spent most of their lives.

The couple immigrated to the US in 2012 with their son, who was only three years old at the time. They now live in New Jersey, but Khandade strives to educate his son about their Indian heritage by bringing him to events like the Diwali festival.

“My son grew up in the US, so he only speaks English,” he said. “We try our best to understand and adapt to US culture, and we also enjoy celebrating our culture here.” (HuffingtonPost)

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Foundation

– children don’t learn from punishment; they learn best from attention and connection

By Dona Matthews, PhD

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any adults believe in punishment, whether it’s timeouts, spanking, or loss of privileges. “Children need consequences for bad behaviour,” parents often tell me.

Young children do need us to pay attention and do something about it when they’re out of control, or behaving in cruel, sneaky, destructive, dangerous, or antisocial ways. It’s our job as the adults in their lives to protect them from themselves when they’re engaging in behaviour that will get them in trouble now, or in another context in their lives. But everything we know about child development suggests that angry punishments don’t work very well in the long run. You may get a child to comply for the moment, but it will come at the cost of their self-esteem or lead to simmering resentment. In the long run, this won’t go well for you or the child.

What are logical consequences?

Natural consequences – the painful results of one’s actions – are the best teachers of all. When a child refuses to wear a coat on a rainy day, the natural consequence of allowing the child to go out without a coat is that the child will get wet and uncomfortable. When it’s an option, a natural consequence is a great teaching tool. The child has no one but himself to blame for his misery, and will probably wear a coat next time it rains.

Logical consequences are also the result of a person’s actions but are imposed by someone else. In both cases, the child is experiencing some type of trouble because of their behaviour.

(In this article, I use the term “logical consequences” to include natural as well as logical

consequences.)

Imposing logical consequences: What can you do when children are doing bad things?

What’s the best way to respond when toddlers and young children (up to age seven or so) are doing something they shouldn’t do? It depends on the nature of the child and the problem, of course, but here are some ideas for addressing misbehaviour in toddlers and children under seven or eight: Dial it down. Step back, take a deep breath, and rein in any impulses you might have to yell or punish.

Don’t be a bully. Remember they are much smaller than you. As with any situation where one person has a lot more power or strength than another, your anger carries an implicit threat of violence. The evil monster in the fairy tales, that’s you.

S tay

present and connected. The last thing a young child needs when they’re out of control or misbehaving badly is to be banished from your presence. Timeouts may appear benign and useful, but they don’t work in the long run.

See it as a learning opportunity. Try to put the child’s bad behaviuor into positive perspective, as a great opportunity for you to help the child learn something.

Sometimes the child – especially if they’re under four – is genuinely ignorant about the “badness” inherent in their actions.

Sometimes all the child needs is a strong but loving conversation about why you don’t want them doing what they’re doing.

Look for what else is wrong.

Sometimes children know exactly what they’re doing, and are trying to get you angry enough to pay attention. Whether the bad behaviour is intentional or not (and it is hard to know someone else’s intentions with any certainty), bad behaviour is always a message. The child has real needs that aren’t being met, and they don’t yet know how to communicate it so you will hear them. They might be needing some loving attention from you, something to eat or drink, sleep, exercise, fresh air, or quiet.

Be private. Deal with the situation, but do it privately. Even young children feel humiliated when they’re publicly corrected or punished.

Look for a logical consequence. When you think a consequence is required for the child to learn what you want them to, remember that children (like adults!) learn best when they feel respected, valued, and listened to.

Think about the 3 R’s (plus H). Jane Nelsen suggests that consequences for misbehaviour should be (a) Related to the behaviour, (b) Respectfully administered (no blame, shame, or pain), (c) Reasonable relative to the crime, and (d) Helpful in moving the child toward better behaviour. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

To be continued

– academic gaps seeded in poverty are apparent even before kindergarten

By John D Rich, Jr, PhD

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n spite of America’s claim to be a place where all people are free and equal, the amount of economic mobility that people can achieve is relatively small. According to a recent article in The Atlantic, “...the amount of money one makes can be roughly predicted by how much money one’s parents made, and that only gets truer as one moves along the earnings spectrum.”

What’s more, according to an article published in August 2017 [2], “A child’s birth circumstances have a large effect on his or her chances in life.”

To wit, children who are born into poverty are likely to have lower academic achievement, lower income as adults, more behaviour problems, are more likely to be teen parents, and less likely to attend or graduate from college. Children growing up in families with adequate financial resources are more likely to have jobs, make more money, avoid participation in welfare programmes, be healthier, and live longer.

When it comes to school, the income gaps in literacy, Maths, and language skills, as well as conduct problems and hyperactivity are apparent before school even starts. The impact of poverty on children’s futures is less about schools and more about the parenting that impoverished children are likely to experience.

I can already hear some readers taking offence to this statement. As someone who grew up on Section 8 and welfare, I can understand how what I am arguing may be taken as an elitist insult to the poor.

Please, let me keep explaining.

Policies that attempt to close the income gap between poor students and their more economically advantaged counterparts tend to focus on changes to curricula, teaching strategies, afterschool programmes, and administrative functions. However, a large body of research demonstrates that parents interact with their children less, are less emotionally engaged with their children, ask their children

fewer questions, use more punitive discipline, and express a less varied vocabulary.

As I have written on my website and in my upcoming book, a key component in the life of a well-adjusted child is parental sensitivity and responsiveness. The degree to which a parent responds to a child’s needs, and is sensitive to his concerns is the degree to which he feels like a significant member of a family, whose physical and emotional life is important. When a parent does not respond promptly and sensitivity, a child is more likely to express his frustration with behaviours directed at others (called “externalising behaviours”) or toward himself (called “internalising behaviours”).

So now, why? If the problems we see from poor children are more about their home life than about their school’s effectiveness, then it is important to ask why so that we may be able to help parents overcome the obstacles they are experiencing. Though some people may argue that people are poor because they make bad choices and are somehow inferior, I agree with the author of the paper I cited above.

In short, the author explains that parents who are struggling economically have “behavioural bottlenecks” which make it harder to use positive parenting strategies. Let’s face it: When your child acts inappropriately, it takes less time to spank her than it does to sit her down, discuss why what she did was displeasing, and brainstorm alternative behaviours that she can use in similar situations in the future. Positive parenting is a luxury.

Meanwhile, poverty is stressful. It takes mental energy to juggle bills, worry about possible evictions, navigate dangerous neighbourhoods, and look for extra sources of income. People who have inadequate resources are more likely to battle with depression and anxiety, and to feel constant assaults to their self-esteem as they compare themselves to other people who are more successful. (psychologytoday.com)

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monDAY, october 9, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

UG salary negotiations

Unions rejecting “performance” criteria – as grades for some students remain outstanding

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s the administration of the University of Guyana (UG) moves forward with plans to offer staff increases of no more than eight per cent, the relevant unions are hesitant to accept the ‘performance’ aspect of the agreement.

This was related by UG’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, who told Guyana Times recently that the unions representing UB staff members and UA members on Friday indicated a willingness to accept the offers of eight per cent and six per cent respectively.

Professor Griffith, who also serves as the institution’s Principal, however, noted that his insistence that the performance of staff members be considered before the payments are disbursed was not sitting well with the workers’ representative bodies.

“We gave the final offer (Friday) and the sticking point is not so much the percentage increase, the sticking point is that I’m insisting that performance be part of that agreement and they (the unions) are saying no, [so] I’m saying we’re not going to have any agreement,” the Vice Chancellor affirmed.

Government’s budget-

The University of Guyana

ed recommendation was that staff should be paid 15 per cent salary increases for 2017, but UG opted to offer less than what was proposed.

It was on August 30 that the unions learnt of the administration’s offer, which followed negotiations that began on July 12.

Professor Griffith on Friday indicated that it was improbable to offer increases to staff members who have outstanding grades for students who completed last semester and have already begun a new academic year.

“They have accepted the

money part, but the money [aspect] is part of a larger agreement that says ‘performance’, especially for people who have got outstanding grades; [they] are not supposed to get [increases] until they turn their grades in,” he noted.

This publication was informed that upon the University’s disclosure of the performance criteria, the unions informed members that if they were not in agreement, they could go to conciliation.

“The final offer is 6-8 per cent retroactive to January 1,

2017, but inclusive of performance issues, performance is important. You can’t just get the money and not consider performance,” Griffith maintained.

Over the past several months, there have been stalled negotiations between the UG administration and the union bodies, so much so that workers staged several protest actions, demanding substantial salary increases and called for academic and non-academic staff to receive hikes of 23 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.

UG had noted in late September that obligations, including benefits such as allowances for travelling, entertainment, uniforms and academic materials; study leave (salary and housing for three months); sabbatical leave (salary and housing for 12 months); leave passage; and duty allowance for Deans, heads and co-coordinators would all be met if the staff accepted the deal.

UG viewed this current offer in the context of what was affordable in keeping with the mandate by the University Council. The institution had pointed out that increases in base salaries and pensions were not

the only financial obligations that the University had to meet.

In 2016, workers had said that while the UG administration claimed it had no money to pay benefits, including 10 bursaries for their children who performed with distinction at national exams, it was at that time able to find “over $8 million to increase the salaries of statutory officers who had joined the university some eight months prior”. To this end, it was highlighted that the take-home pay of certain categories of staff amounted to approximately $1 million per month.

Vacation leave and students’ outstanding grades

Speaking on the plight of students waiting on grades, an insider highlighted over the weekend that after examinations are completed in May or early June, some lecturers would proceed on vacation leave outside Guyana for several weeks or months and would only start marking examination papers and later submit grades upon their return to the jurisdiction.

This newspaper was further told that depending on

UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith

the prevailing factors, some courses may start later than the regular scheduled semesters. This is also responsible for some of the delays in availability of students’ grades.

Over the years, many students have complained that not knowing their grades before the new semester commenced affects the registration process as certain courses serve as a prerequisite to others. It was expressed that this situation creates uncertainty and anxiety which could affect students’ ability to actively focus on the new academic year.

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monDAY, october 9, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Granger may want to cut deal with Jagdeo on GECOM chairmanship – Gaskin Revisionism…

T Y

he procrastination of President David Granger in relation to the selection of the next Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has not gone unnoticed.

Outspoken political commentator and economist Ramon Gaskin said he was deeply convinced based on the President’s reaction towards this issue that he was in favour of choosing his own nominee.

In fact, Gaskin is of the strong opinion that the President wants to cut a deal with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on the GECOM chairmanship, hence him inviting the latter to a meeting.

“Granger wants to pick his own person, but he is not seeing a way to do it, because the Constitution says he got to pick from the list,” Gaskin opined, further stating that another meeting with the Opposition is pointless.

While the President has said that he wants to meet with Jagdeo to discuss “the way forward” on the GECOM issue, the political commentator said the President should pick a name instead.

“He has to pick a name from the list. Moving forward means you have reached a gridlock and you have to discuss the way forward, but this is not the case with this issue,” he argued.

Gaskin drew reference to a male candidate that was nominated by the Freeman Commission for the post of Chancellor of the Judiciary along with retired judge, Justice

Political commentator and economist Ramon Gaskin

Claudette La Bennett.

“He wants to get Jagdeo to agree to have this new man he wants as Chancellor. So, I don’t know if he wants to do a deal with Jagdeo, because he needs consent of the Opposition Leader.”

At present, Justice Yonnette CummingsEdwards is the acting Chancellor. Before that, Carl Singh held that key role in the judiciary, but was never appointed substantively.

According to Gaskin, the nominee is a Guyanese who worked as a judge in the Caribbean.

“I don’t know if he wants to talk to Jagdeo about that in exchange for agreement on GECOM. But all that is possible, because he needs the consensus and he wants to be comfortable.”

Gaskin has said that if the President rejects third list, it would send a clear message that he is more focused on complicating the process of select-

ing another Chairman for GECOM. “It would mean that he is fooling around and that he wants to put his own person there. And it also means that he is trying to get Jagdeo frustrated, because once Jagdeo stops submitting lists, he could say that he has no list in front of him,” he opined.

Gaskin reminded that the Constitution allows the President the option of appointing someone of his choice, but only on the basis that the Opposition Leader fails to submit a list. “The Constitution says Granger could pick somebody. That is what I think he would like to do.

He may not get away with it, but that is what he may want to do,” the political commentator added.

He continued, President “Granger is only confortable with people he picks. He has to pick the person who he is comfortable with. He likes to pick military people and People’s National

Congress (PNC) people.

He wants to be able to pick the person...”

This is something that Jagdeo said he feared and had raised concerns about.

On the possibility that the third set of nominees will be rejected by Granger, Jagdeo insisted that all 18 nominees, including the 12 already rejected, were fit and proper and were qualified to act in the post of GECOM Chairperson.

After the first two sets of nominees for the post of GECOM Chairperson were rejected by the President, the latest nominees named

by Jagdeo included: Major General Joseph Singh, Teni Housty, Sanjeev Datadin, Annette ArjuneMartins, Onesi La Fleur and Krishnadatt Persaud.

Jagdeo said, “If our President cannot find from 18 persons – 18 persons who are all professionals, who have some standing in our society, who have demonstrated independent positions and actions, who have been impartial….most of them are more technically qualified than the President himself and most of his Ministers – (if) he can’t find a single one of the 18 fit and proper, then something is wrong, not with those people anymore or the process, something is wrong with him, and maybe he is not fit and proper to make the selection.”

GECOM has been without a chairman since February 2017, when Dr Steve Surujbally, a veterinarian, retired. The non-appointment of the Chairperson is stalling the Commission’s work.

Confectionery company, staff robbed at gunpoint

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wo staff members attached to confectionery company Sueria Manufacturing were left traumatised after being robbed by three armed bandits at the company’s Industrial Site, Eccles, East Bank Demerara headquarters on Saturday.

Navindra Pooran, 33, an accountant clerk from Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, was allegedly robbed of one gold ring valued $60,000 and one Samsung Galaxy mobile phone valued $30,000.

The other employee

Sueria Manufacturing CEO Frank Sanicharra

robbed was a 20-year-old cashier, Hemraj Pooran, from Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo.

Reports are that the gunmen also made off with an undisclosed amount of cash, property of Sueria Manufacturing.

Police disclosed in a statement that the robbery occurred at 08:30h and the men made their escape in a silver grey Toyota Carina 212 motor car with an unknown licence plate number.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company,

Frank Sanicharra, in a social media post, said that although no employee was injured in the attack, in the aftermath, the employees were dealing with the trauma following their experience.

“They held up the employees at gunpoint, [but] thank God no one was hurt.

The employees were traumatised – they are all OK, but the scar of the neardeath [experience] will always play in their minds,” he said.

Investigations are ongoing.

…and the PNC our Eyewitness would concede we all revise our history -- especially at the personal level -- to present a better face to the world. But if we want to maintain our credibility, we have to keep the revision within tolerable limits, don’t we? Like Trotman claiming he’s suddenly an expert in the petroleum industry!! Folks have to pick themselves off the floor - suffering from paroxysms of laughter when they hear that whopper!!

And it’s also the same with institutions -- perhaps even more so -- because of their higher profile. So when the Chronic reports with a front page banner headline that Pressie boasted at the occasion of the 60th anniversary of his party, “The PNC proud of record”, both Pressie and the Chronic widened their credibility gap to a chasm the size of the Kaieteur gorge!

And Pressie even chose to be specific, citing “the introduction of a proportional representation (PR) system for elections”!! Now, even every schoolchild and his illiterate uncle know PR was introduced by the British in a cynical move to oust the PPP from office. They’d done this in 1953 by sending troops into the then British Guiana, but the other PR -- Public Relations -- fallout made them choose a more surgical approach.

Never mind they’d tutored us for over a hundred years that the Constituency (First-past-the-post - FPTP) System was the best method of electing leaders. And (this was the clincher) it was the system they’d used for the said hundred years, and still do in jolly old Blighty!! But in the 1961 election, which the PPP won under FPTP, they saw that if the UF and PNC had joined forces under PR, they would’ve won. And the PNC is PROUD of carrying out the callous plans of the British, whom they’d castigated as “imperialists”??

Then there was the boast about “Guyana’s development as a testament of PNC’s leadership”. What development? Economic? By 1980, the McIntyre Report announced, we’d sunk to the bottom of the Caribbean barrel -- just above Haiti! The same year, in his Budget speech, Finance Minister Carl Greenidge confessed that Guyana was officially “bankrupt”. Politically, elections were rigged routinely, and the PNC’s legitimacy was so low they couldn’t find a place at Third World Leadership meetings - especially after Walter Rodney’s assassination.

Socially, the country was as divided as ever -- save for a growing number of African Guyanese who flocked to the banner of the WPA in disgust at the failed policies of the PNC. Your Eyewitness could go on, but what’s the point? Studies have shown the party faithful hear what they want to hear.

And the rest lack conviction. …and racial profiling Guyanese woke up and discovered a “Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (WGPAD) has been in our midst, and they’ve announced their findings.

This group comes out of the UN-sponsored “International Decade for People of African Origin” initiative, but your Eyewitness does believe they’ve lost sight of their mission.

Now, these folks are supposed to be looking into matters that affect ONLY African Guyanese negatively, right? So how come they’re recommending prison reform.

What’s going on here? Isn’t this racial profiling? Is it only African Guyanese who’re jailed?

Now, if they say there are more African Guyanese in jails here than members of other groups, why aren’t they examining the record of the US, where African Americans are 37% of the jail inmates even though they’re just 10% per cent of the population.

And how dare they compliment David Granger’s ‘Five Bs’ Initiative.

Don’t they know a PPP MP was censured for suggesting the programme was mainly for African Guyanese children? …of imperial mandate Pressie boasted about the PNC wrenching “independence” from Britain. So how come the latter’s High Commissioner, like the Governor of old, boasted he’s directing governmental policies -- most recently selecting the Demerara “Ming Swing” Bridge contractor?

Didn’t you wonder why there was the extension for contractors’ pre-qualification? BAM!! BAM!!

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

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monDAY, october 9, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Albion teenager killed in Indigenous Guyanese encouraged early-morning accident to be advocates of social cohesion

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he Arjune family of Albion, East Berbice/Corentyne was thrown into a state of mourning when their youngest child, Mark Arjune, was killed following an early Sunday morning accident on the Strathspey, East Coast Demerara road.

Police say they are investigating the circumstances that led to the accident. Initial investigations revealed that, around 04:40hrs, the driver of motorcar PPP 6666, Dellon Davison, 29, of William Street, Kitty Georgetown, was under the influence of alcohol and was proceeding east along the roadway at a fast rate when he swerved to avoid hitting a cow and crashed into a GPL post.

Arjune, front seat passenger in the vehicle, sustained severe internal injuries, and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Another passenger of the car was identified as 36-year-old Allen Batson of Princes Street, Lodge, Georgetown. He, too, was injured, but is said to be in a stable condition; while the

The late Mark Arjune

driver was treated for minor injuries.

Meanwhile, Mark’s elder brother, Kevin, said he received a call at around 05:00hrs, informing him of the accident. He immediately rushed to the GPHC to investigate. He explained that when he arrived at the hospital, he was told that his brother was in a critical state.

“When I reach at the hospital, I asked to see Mark Arjune and the nurse tell me to sit. And when I sit I still ask to see my brother, and they say that a doctor have to come and talk to me.

So when the doctor tell me what is he state, I still asked to see him; and when I saw him, he was already dead and on a bed,” Kevin related.

“I go and try to wake up he and shake he up, but his face and headback had lil bruises and so, and my brother didn’t make it; he died. I called my parents and told them, and they came home, and then he was taken to the mortuary,” Kevin added.

Mark had recently moved to Colidingen, ECD to take care of the family’s chicken business; and according to the property owner, Mala Looknauth, he had left home at around 23:00hrs on Saturday with a group of friends, heading in the direction of the city.

She said the accident occurred a few metres away from his home. “I was shocked when I woke up this morning to hear that Mark die… His parents come this morning and make all the arrangement for his body and funeral to Berbice,” she related.

The Police have said their investigations are ongoing.

I

ndigenous Guyanese were on Saturday encouraged to become advocates of social cohesion by the reigning Miss Indigenous Heritage Queen, Ms. SherryAnna Balkaran.

Speaking at the Mahdia Social Cohesion Sensitisation session organised by the Ministry of Social Cohesion and held at the Campbelltown Benab in the Potaro-Siparuni region (Region Eight), Ms. Balkaran encouraged those who had been hurt by discrimination and those who had perpetrated such acts to seek out unity with their fellow Guyanese.

“As persons residing in Indigenous communities -villages, and even towns, like Mahdia… we are often scorned and discriminated [against], and looked upon as persons from a lower class. And sometimes we ourselves have discriminated [against] others. But I would like to implore you to be advocates…[and to] be as socially cohesive as [you] possibly can… If we are united and we stand strong, together we can counter, curb, and maybe annihilate problems that affect us all,” she said.

The session was hosted by Ministry of Social Cohesion Coordinator Ms. Sharon Patterson, and was

Reigning Miss Indigenous Heritage Queen, SherryAnna Balkaran, addressing the crowd at the Mahdia Social Cohesion Sensitisation Session in Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight)

aimed at providing the residents of Mahdia and nearby villages with an outline of the role of the Ministry, as well as to share the progress that has been made in implementation of the fiveyear strategic plan.

Ms. Patterson opened her presentation by explaining that the Ministry has a multi-layered approach to the promotion of social cohesion. “Many people think it’s just about race [and] it’s just about ethnicity. I want you to leave this afternoon understanding that [social cohesion] is about everything that makes us different as individuals. That could be our culture; that could be religion; that could be our age; it could be gender,”

she said.

Regional Executive Officer Mr. Gavin Gounga offered his gratitude and support to the Ministry of Social Cohesion for bringing the initiative to Region Eight. “I strongly believe in the policies of the Ministry of Social Cohesion. Because of our diverse make up here -- of people of different [cultural, religious, and ethnic] backgrounds -- the intervention from [The Ministry of] Social Cohesion will help us to appreciate and understand our cultural differences… so [that] we can work together to develop our region, and [our] country by extension,” Gounga said. turn to page 12

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monDAY, october 9, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Former AG maintains Land CoI another waste of taxpayers’ dollars

– will leave trail of controversies, strife and animosity

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lthough the Opposition has repeatedly urged Government against establishing a Land Commission of Inquiry (CoI), this process

has commenced and has begun to create quite a stir in the public, with several debates about whether there was a need for such a CoI, and how complex these mat-

ters could get.

Former Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, recalled that, during a debate in the National Assembly,

he had expressed his objection to such a mechanism.

He maintains that the facility of the CoI is absolutely abused by the President, and is a total waste of tax

Former Attorney General Minister Anil Nandlall

Members of the Land Commission of Inquiry at Monday’s hearing. From left is Berlinda Persaud, Professor Rudolph James, Attorney– at-law David James, Reverend George Chuck-a-Sang, Paulette Henry, Lennox Caleb and Carol Khan-James

payers’ money.

“It continues to be misused to address issues that state/Government agencies and public officers are paid millions of dollars to focus on,” he asserted, noting that there is no doubt that those who are part of the CoI team are benefiting tremendously based on the huge salaries they are receiving.

Nandlall said that while he is not opposed to a mechanism established to address the claims relating to ‘ancestral lands’, once properly defined, he believes that a CoI is not the fittest mechanism.

“Moreover, to merge ancestral land issues with issues relating to Amerindian lands is conceptually wrong and hopelessly inconvenient,” he noted, while explaining that the two issues are not common.

Further, the former minister is still of the opinion that such a CoI would be divisive and would aggravate tensions among different segments of the local populace. He believes that excluding other ethnic groups is tantamount to ethnic discrimination, which is outlawed by the Constitution.

Nandall used a recent example to point at the controversies and divisions that have already begun to emerge. He spoke about a matter pertaining to a village on the West Coast of Berbice, where the testimony of one individual has precipitated quite a reaction.

The individual said his ancestors purchased a village on the West Coast of Berbice and acquired transport. Over 100 families are now claiming to have been in occupation of lands in that village, by themselves and through their ancestors, for over a century.

“I met with over 100 of these persons last Tuesday in the village. They were very agitated and genuinely concerned about the future of their properties. They informed me that persons have been going around in the village informing them that they will soon have to pay rent for the lands which they occupy,” Nandlall disclosed.

The former Attorney General said some of these residents showed him transports which they have acquired over the years: some through inheritance, some through title by prescription, and some by sale. He said that, having put together the evidence, those persons have been occupying these lands for decades.

In the circumstances, Nandlall said, in the absence of fraud, it is legally

impossible to successfully challenge their legal title to these lands -- whether these titles are formal paper titles, or possessory titles acquired through the nature, quality and longevity of their occupation.

“No fraud is apparent in these circumstances,” he asserted, while explaining that a transport is a formal title to land issued under the Deeds Registry Act. There are a variety of ways by which a person can lawfully lose their legal title (transport) to land. A transported owner can lose his title voluntarily or involuntarily. He can lose his title voluntarily by selling or gifting, or by bequeathing to another by will the land to which the transport relates, or a part thereof.

CoIs no legal substitute In the circumstances, Nandlall said, the assertion that one may have held a transport in respect of a piece of land a century and a half ago is merely of historical and academic importance, and really lacks any true practical value. He said that, over the passage of time, there are many ways through which that person could, or may, have lost legal title to that land.

“I mean no disrespect when I assert that the current CoI has neither the technical competence nor the legal authority or jurisdiction to efficaciously and conclusively address these complex legal issues. What the CoI will end up doing is raise a series of hornets’ nests which it cannot quell; create expectations which it cannot satisfy; raise legal issues which it cannot conclusively determine; and excite tensions among people that it cannot subside,” he opined.

Nandlall said that, in a constitutional construct like Guyana’s, legal disputes can be resolved only in and by a court which has the competent jurisdiction to do so; one hundred CoIs can never be a legal substitute.

“It will be observed that this Commission is only in its early stages. It has not touched the Amerindian issues as yet. Based on what I have read in the press so far, it can resolve none of the legal issues raised before it.

Its recommendations to the President (David Granger) will be of no different effect.

As all-powerful as some may feel the Executive President is, one power which he does not possess is the power to resolve legal disputes in respect of lands.”

Nandlall is of the opinion that, in the end, the country would have another CoI that would’ve devoured millions of taxpayers’ dollars to no avail; but, in its wake, would leave a trail of controversies, strife, animosities and unresolved legal issues.

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monDAY, october 9, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

More taxes, less incentives fuelling economic woes – warns Edghill – takes Govt to task for lack of economic plans for sectors, dismal mid-year report

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he dismal production figures in some of Guyana’s most reliable sectors are continuing to cause worry. And ahead of a widely touted business summit, the political Opposition is taking the Government to task for not having a clear economic plan for the productive sectors.

Member of Parliament Juan Edghill is describing as mismanagement the absence of a plan, coupled

notch production is contributing to the overall economic woes.

“In the months that they have been in office, they have not produced a clear plan of how they intend to develop the economy of Guyana. As a matter of fact, the (sectors) that were doing well -- like gold -- they have taxed that sector so harshly that the gold miners have said they don’t know how they will survive. There is a situation where people are

nal tax -- the tributors tax -- has been raised by a hundred per cent to 20 per cent.

So it’s extremely difficult in a sector that was generating revenue. Where logging and forestry are concerned, a lot of those small loggers are now on the breadline. These were people who were doing well; they owned cars, bus, and they were able to expand their business.”

According to Edghill, the impression being given by the Government is one in

The forestry sector took a hard hit in the first half of the year

with heavy taxes on citizens looking to earn an honest living. He observed that the Government’s policy of taxing before incentivising sectors with a record of top

selling their excavators for next to nothing and coming out of the business,” Edghill detailed.

“For example,” he continued, “the two per cent fi-

which the other sectors are on the back burner ahead of the upcoming revenues from oil and gas. He used the Trinidad and Tobago economy as a reference.

Town Clerk bans vending outside Demico, Deputy Mayor unaware of decision

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own Clerk Royston King on Friday issued a handbill to vendors selling on the western side of Demico House at the Stabroek Market Square, informing them that they would be unable to vend at that location from October 10.

However, Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council’s Markets Committee, Lionel Jaikarran, has said the committee is unaware of any such decision.

The handbill, bearing the name of King, informed the vendors thus: “The Mayor and City Council will remove any and all persons selling on the western side of Demico any time after October 10, 2017.”

The handbill also informed the vendors that they would be forcibly removed if they do not comply with the instructions given.

When contacted, Jaikarran told Guyana Times that he was informed of the proposed ban through the media late Friday night, and is yet to get into contact with the Town Clerk.

“As you know, the Administrative staff at City Hall don’t work on

“Look what is going on in Trinidad. The Trinidad budget was just read. That is a country that (reduced attention) on all its other sectors.

(Now) the Trinidad Prime Minister has spoken out against hoarding. And this seems to be the route that Guyana wants to go.”

Jobs

Edghill stressed that while oil will bring in a lot of revenue, the money may not trickle down to the average citizen. And he noted that, compared to oil, productive sectors such as agriculture are much more likely to provide jobs on a large scale.

“There is no sector which brings employment more than the agriculture sector. Rice, sugar, other crops (and) expanding tourism (are) important, because tourism is service-oriented and job-creating. Oil, it’s just a few jobs. You’ll get money, but don’t have work.

So we need oil, plus what we already have; not forsaking the sectors we already have.

Incentivise and lend support to the other sectors,” Edghill expressed.

Groups such as the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) have continually urged the Government to revise its economic policy.

At the GMSA’s recently held business luncheon, its president, Shyam Nokta, had noted that while oil is a lucrative natural resource, more attention and effective policies were needed in Guyana’s traditional sectors.

In his presentation, Nokta had also referred to the resource curse dubbed the “Dutch disease”, which can cause a reduction in the value of other exported

MP Juan Edghill

commodities, and is often blamed on the sudden development of one sector at the expense of others.

“There is much talk about how the imminent oil and gas sector will change everything in our country.

That is true, and that is precisely why we need to ensure we build all the institutional defences to defend against the well-known economic governance risk that oil and gas could bring,” he had said.

“But on the other hand, our economy could falter if we do not remain focused on the broader imperatives of supporting investments and job-creation across all our economic sectors. We need to prepare for oil and gas, but we also need to stay the course to ensure other sectors continue to grow,” Nokta had warned.

Nokta also listed some of the issues affecting manufacturers, including an unstable electricity supply; access to finance on reasonable terms; high freight costs, and market access. He called for specific interventions, including incentives and a review of taxes on industries such as forestry, for the 2018 budget.

Half-year report

The Ministry of Finance’s half-year report was re-

leased in July of this year.

It had showed that certain sectors were reduced, when compared to the corresponding period in 2016. The declining sectors had included sugar, livestock, forestry, mining and quarrying, and even the bauxite industry.

It showed that sugar production was recorded at 49,606 tonnes at the half year, and when compared to 56,645 tonnes during the first half of 2016, represented a decline of 12.4 per cent.

The livestock industry also contracted by 10.9 per cent in the first half of 2017, due to heavy rainfall severely affecting production, especially in the second quarter.

The forestry industry also showed an 18.2 per cent contraction in the first six months of 2017, compared to the same period in 2016.

Declining production within the forestry industry was due to structural changes in the industry.

The mining and quarrying sector contracted by 4.0 per cent during the first half of 2017. Gold production fell by 1.7 per cent to 317,096 ounces in the first half of 2017, compared to the same period in 2016. Also, it showed the bauxite industry declined by 11.5 per cent as a result of reduced production of higher valued grades.

Greater emphasis to be placed on Post Offices in 2018 – Hughes

Town Clerk Royston King

Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikarran

Saturdays; and when I tried to get into contact with the Town Clerk, his phone (was) ringing out. So tomorrow (Monday) is Statutory, and I intend to raise the issue there, and have the matter dealt with,” Jaikarran told this publication on Sunday.

“As it remains, I and the other members of the Markets Committee remain unaware of the decision to have those people removed from there,” he added.

The issue of removing vendors from that particular area was floated around at various Statutory Meetings, but was shot down because it was related that the property on which the activity is hap-

pening is privately owned.

The last time vendors were removed from the Stabroek Market/Demico area was in May 2016, ahead of Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary celebrations. They were given temporary refuge at a vacant plot of land at Hadfield and Lombard Streets.

However, a few months later, the owner of the land, Hareshnarine “Chiney” Sugrim, evicted the occupants and locked the gates.

Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen had said she was not in favour of relocating any vendor until a proper place has been identified for their relocation.

A

s the Public Telecommunications Ministry prepares to re-commission the Kitty Post Office today in observance of World Post Day, greater emphasis will be placed on the traditional method of communication.

P u b l i c Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes disclosed that “in this year’s budget, we have put some funding and opportunity for the refurbishing of some of our Post Offices”. She added that Post Offices in the hinterland were ideally positioned to provide more services than they currently were.

A new payment system for Post Offices is being explored, following approval of

the budget by the Finance Ministry. The Minister cited the Caribbean, where customers were no longer required to physically go to a location to collect money. Instead, the funds are transferred to their bank accounts; in the case of Guyana, it can be transferred to their Mobile Money account.

Hughes lamented the neglect of Post Offices around the country, under the previous Administration. She noted: “Very little investment has been made in the Post Office for decades.

Many of you know because many of you have grandmothers and grandfathers that go to use the Post Office and, therefore, I am embarrassed that the level of ser-

vice we provide, the fact that something as simple as providing a space for them to sit down while they wait, (is not there)”.

Minister Hughes underscored the importance of Post Offices As hubs for various services such as applications for passports, birth certificates, and business registration; also the prompt delivery of items ordered online to customers’ doors. She added that once the Post Offices reinvent themselves, they would be able to provide fast, reliable service.

World Post Day 2017 will be celebrated today, October 9. The Day aims to increase awareness about the postal sector’s role with regard to helping people and businesses every day.

12 news

MONDAY, october 9, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

High tides disrupt Kitty-Subryanville Seawall reinforcement … “We have to go back to the drawing board” – Engineer

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series of high tides over the weekend has resulted in the dislocation of a section of the reinforcement structure put in place at the KittySubryanville Seawall to bar the coastland from the overtopping of the Atlantic Ocean during intense tidal seasons.

This was as high tides, at around 18:00hrs on Saturday, began detaching the recently installed components from the wall, which later led to a number of the concrete structures completely giving way in the subsequent series of extreme currents hitting sometime after 5:00hrs on Sunday morning.

Stemming from the disruption of the sea defence mechanism, heavy waves came toppling over the wall, filling up the drains and flooding a portion of the Rupert Craig Highway, just off the turn within the vicinity of the Russian Embassy.

However, despite the overflow, there was no major disruption to traffic.

When Guyana Times visited the scene on Sunday, workers attached to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) were

structures were installed throughout the vulnerable section of the Seawalls bordering the Rupert Craig Highway, following a massive flooding which was brought on by the overtopping high and spring tides

back in 2012.

That has not been the first time that extreme tidal patterns have affected residents living in close proximity to the Kitty-Subryanville Seawall.

Some Police lack training in domestic violence cases – Ramjattan – expresses will to partner with professionals to form a strategy Workers installing a temporary fix to the disintegrated Kitty-Subryanville Seawall reinforcement

seen replacing the structures in anticipation of the continuation of high tides, which are expected to persist over the coming days.

Leading the team was Senior District Engineer, Sea and River Defence, Maitland Stewart, who highlighted that the breakaway was due to the corrosion of the connecting pins which were anchoring the extensions to the wall.

He went on to explain what had caused the damage, and outlined the MPI plan to rectify the situation.

“Intense waves for the past couple of tides resulted in some of the components on the wall being shifted off, so we are replacing it with more robust components as a temporary fix, until we can put something more permanent,” the engineer relayed.

Stewart went on to say, “We have more tides coming, so we can’t wait. So this is a quick-fix until the tide recedes, and then we will put down a more permanent thing.”

Even though the temporary structures were not de-

signed as sea defence components, they are heavier than the damaged blocks, and as such are adequate as a short-term replacement.

However, the engineer noted that the MPI would commence studies into a more permanent solution for this problem, which has been threatening the coastland for a number of years.

Stewart indicated, “We have to go back to the drawing board to see what’s the best design we can come up with.”

The reinforcement

STEM Guyana delivers the Magic of Robotics at 2017 Berbice Expo

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he vibrant team accepted the invitation from the Central Berbice Chamber of Commerce, and took to patrons of the 2017 annual Berbice Expo, being held at the Albion Sports Complex in East Berbice Corentyne, (Region Six), the famous First Global 10th place World Robotics Championship creation and MIT Scratch programming, among other robotics’ exhibits.

Co-founder of STEM Guyana, Karen Abrams, explained that the initiative sought to sensitize parents and expose youths to the magic of technology by highlighting the importance of technological fields as Robotics in modern-day Guyana.

“Today’s youth will need to be properly prepared for a much different Guyana; one that is technologically advanced, and where STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Math] skills will be in high demand… Young people all over the world are being prepared to take advantage of these opportunities, and STEM Guyana is intent on making sure that Guyana’s youth won’t be left behind”, Abrams advanced.

Team members Horace Moseley and Christopher Nelson were at the Expo, and expressed their satisfaction at the tremendous support and interest of the patrons in the robotics’ creations.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the huge crowds and by the interest in our booth. Crowds just kept coming, and we were literally swamped from the time we opened up the booth to (the time we walked) away after 10pm with the robots in our arms. People kept asking questions, and we were happy to share information with them,” Moseley shared.

Team STEM Guyana participated at the inaugural Robotics Olympics hosted

Engrossed viewers flock STEM Guyana’s booth at the Berbice Expo as a team member does a demonstration

in Washington, D.C (USA) in July this year, and after four months of preparation, managed to secure the 10th place out of 164 other contesting nations.

Hosted under the theme “H2O Flow,” the competition sought the critical thinking, strategy, and ingenuity of the competitors, who were tasked with creating robots that would help solve the problem of access to clean water.

STEM Guyana member and Coach of the outstanding Team Guyana, Ricky Chan, related that since returning from the Washington DC competition in July 2017, STEM Guyana members have been working on various beneficial projects.

“Some have gone back to university and high school, some are working on upgrading the Math App, others are working on the STEM Guyana Math, Robotics and Programming leagues, while others are working in the STEM Guyana Labs program to build a pro-

totype of a working robot which will be designed to solve a major problem facing communities in Guyana”, Chan divulged.

STEM Guyana is a local initiative that is sponsored by the Office of the First Lady and the Guyanese Diaspora who are intent on “unleashing the world class potential of Guyanese youth” through teaching of technology concepts using Lego Mindstorm robotics, MIT Scratch programming, and competitive Maths programs at both the primary and secondary levels of education.

The STEM Guyana team in Berbice included STEM Guyana CoDirectors Colin Sawh and Karen Abrams, Certified Trainer [pending] Aishia Peters, Team Guyana Coach and Certified Trainer [pending] Ricky Chan, TEAM Guyana members Horace Moseley and Christopher Nelson, and Volunteer Project Manager Romaine Benn.

By Jarryl Bryan

I

n recognition that crime, including domestic violence, remains an entrenched problem in Guyana, the Government is admitting that there are Police officers still not appropriately trained to handle such sensitive issues.

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, admitted as much during an interview on the sidelines of an event with members of the media on Friday. The minister acknowledged that, as a result of this, some of his officers fall short when reports are actually made to the Police stations.

“It is always a difficult thing. Some of my officers are not aware of how to deal with some of these (cases) because they have not been trained on that. They might have a basic training on what the definition of domestic violence is in accordance with a law enforcement perspective. So some of them don’t have the capacity, and thus will be unable to deal with a situation like that,” he related.

“Some Police stations do not have that capacity. So sometimes (officers) go and the woman tells them, ‘Just a minute, that’s the man that (will provide for) my children’. So (the women)

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

don’t want to testify in court after (they) would have filed (a report). All of these things cause hesitation, and hamstring the Police Force.

“But, indeed, every report has to be investigated, and that is now the instruction,” he explained.

The minister expressed a willingness to partner with relevant professionals, such as sociologists, to come up with a strategy. Admitting that study data on the issue in Guyana’s context is limited, Ramjattan said there is scope for professionals, including media personnel and sociologists at the University of Guyana (UG), to get involved.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 13

Indigenous Guyanese ...

from page 9

Ms. Patterson then opened the floor to the attendees, giving them the opportunity to voice their concerns and reveal the areas in which they may need help from the Ministry of Social Cohesion.

Ms. Joycelyn Ambrose identified the education gap between some parents and their children who are currently in school as a problem that needs to be addressed in the region. “We need to educate the parents, especially the mothers… We [can] form a community [to] teach. Even if you [only] know how to sew, knit, stitch… We can [learn to] read, write, count, [and] spell within the same [programme],”she said.

Former Registration Clerk at the Guyana Elections

Commission (GECOM), Mr. Emanuell Gilkes, commended the Ministry for its work nationwide and for organising the session in Region Eight.

“It is necessary,” he said.

“Generally speaking, we are divided. It won’t be obvious at first glance, but subliminally you can see that certain things…are not good,” he said.

Mr. Gilkes also asked the Ministry to target in the area young men who don’t often come in contact with good role models. “I think a more cohesive group of men would [make things] better… We have no real guidance… With [the support of] a Ministry that looks into our cooperation and peaceful existence, I don’t think there is more [we] can ask for,” he said.

news

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monDAY, october 9, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Bulkan’s excuse for dismissing PS “not tenable” – MP

Singapore firm snags FPSO contract – to convert crude carrier ship into offshore facility

– notes that all PSs are empowered with centralised authority

Former PS Colin Croal

M

ore than two years after Government had allowed Colin Croal’s contract to expire and then remove him by default from his post, the Government’s excuse for firing this former permanent secretary is not holding water with some.

Member of Parliament for the Opposition, Ganga Persaud, described the reasoning proffered by Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, as a “lame attempt” to defend a political witchhunt.

“Colin Croal was a permanent secretary. Every ministry would have a permanent secretary who will have not only centralised, but national, reach and coverage for every sphere of the ministry. It’s his mandate,” Persaud said.

“So Mr. Croal, or whoever would have been Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government -- now Communities -- would have had that reach to interface and interact through the normal communica-

Member of Parliament Ganga Persaud

tion channels,” Persaud explained.

Stressing that the minister needed to comprehend the fact that Croal was supposed to have centralized authority, he attributed the minister’s statement to finding an excuse for firing the permanent secretary because of political affiliation.

“He selected (an excuse) that is not tenable.

What is clear (is that) the more Mr Bulkan speaks, (the more) it is exposing Government’s tendency to discriminate against people because of their perceived political affiliations. That is the kind of message he is bringing across,” Persaud declared.

“I think it is a very lame attempt at seeking to defend political witch-hunting, political discrimination, and (it is) denying (a) Guyanese of (his) right to work; irrespective of his competence, just based on their perceived political affiliation,” Persaud explained.

Minister Bulkan had, days ago, defended his de-

cision to effectively dismiss Croal -- who had served in three ministries under the previous administration -by claiming that he did not have confidence in his ability to function under a new system. This was in response to social commentator Christopher Ram’s questioning the decision not to have Croal serve as a permanent secretary under the new administration. Ram, in a recent critique directed towards President David Granger, had urged the Public Service Department to carry out an audit of the persons dismissed since his administration took office, together with their qualifications and experience.

“There are a lot of discarded and unused brains available, but, unfortunately, they seem to lack the further qualification of the right race. Glaringly, this is true of the permanent secretaries under the PPP/C, but let me give two examples in which an explanation was in fact offered”, Ram had said.

Ram had pointed to Croal, who “holds an MBA and served creditably as permanent secretary in three ministries. He is not implicated in any wrongdoing, but was effectively dismissed by the Granger Administration because he was on the PPP/C list for the 2015 elections.”

Minister Bulkan, in response, had stated, “The fact is, though, that the decision to not renew his contract was mine alone...I acted based on my own deliberate judgment.”

According to Minister Bulkan, after consideration,

An example of an FPSO

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan

“I concluded that based on the record of centralized government embraced by the regime in which Mr Croal functioned, I did not feel confident of his ability or readiness to function in this Administration, one which has as core values the philosophy of strong, autonomous, and empowered local government organs and a decentralized system of multi-tiered government.”

He noted, too, that, “Mr Croal was effectively dismissed, in that his contract of employment was not renewed.”

Ram, in his critique of the President, had said, “Being on an electoral list appears to have been a qualification for top jobs in the Granger Administration for the hierarchy of the APNU and AFC parties, some of whom are paid high salaries determined on the whim of persons of equally suspect expertise for doing work for which they have no academic or professional qualifications or experience.”

Some Police lack training in domestic...

FROM APGE 12

“We have to do something societally. And I will be asking press people too -sociologists, and the people at the University here -- to help in that process, because it is an extraordinarily difficult thing.”

“We thought that the more poor, or those in want, (would) do these things (robbery), and then we had a graduate who went to China (robbing) a bank. It is really something that is totally unusual, against the norm,” Ramjattan explained.

He noted that poorly developed anger management skills are one contributing factor to crime being committed. With this in mind, the mMinister hinted that anger management could be

introduced to the school curriculum.

Ramjattan’s comments came just one day after the brutal murder of a Police officer and the suicide of her alleged assailant.

The officer, Kenesha Sheriff-Fraser of West Coast Berbice, was attached to the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Her murder follows a string of other victims who met their deaths at the hands of their partners.

“The domestic violence and the domestic murders are giving me some sleepless nights,” Ramjattan said. “Indeed, it has to do with a lot of contributing factors. Some (have) to do with parenting and how

they were brought up. We know about that. We know about the nature of the depressed. Depression causes some of these issues, and I have been speaking to doctors and they indicated as much,” he explained.

“Relationships that have gone sour and people who do not know how to control anger (are also responsible).

Anger management is something that we may have to bring to communities and also teach at schools. It’s a terrible thing. And our society is bleeding too much too often and with intensity.

These days, that is not really a Guyanese society,” he declared.

Ramjattan said Region Six, East Berbice/Corentyne,

appears to account for a large percentage of such crimes. Therefore, the minister noted the importance of, through studies, ascertaining exactly why this was so.

“I’ll be honest with you: I haven’t done any major study in relation to it, although I’ve been asking for some of the reasons from sociologists and doing a bit of reading. But it is not clear in my mind the cause, excepting there may be a lot of contributing factors. But I will try, we will talk to people.”

It is understood that from January to May, 41 persons were victims of homicide. Though worrying, it is a reduction when compared to last year.

L

ess than one year after Dutch firm SBM Offshore NV had signed a contract with a Singapore firm, another company has been contracted by SBM to convert an oil carrier ship into an offshore facility.

The Singapore company Keppel Offshore and Marine Unit announced that it would be partnering with SBM to convert a large crude carrier into an offshore facility. It is understood that the floating production, storage and offloading facility (FPSO) would then be deployed to the ExxonMobil wells.

The company’s terms of reference include refurbishment, and life extension works which include upgrading of living quarters and fabrication and installation of spread mooring systems. The company would also be installing topside modules.

It is understood that the converted FPSO would have a storage capacity of 1.6 million barrels of crude oil, and is capable of producing up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day.

The vessel would also have a gas treatment capacity of about 170 million standard cubic feet per day, and a water injection capacity of about 200,000 barrels of water per day.

Keppel Shipyard Ltd. is itself a subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine, specializing in offshore rig design, construction and repair, and ship repair and conversion.

Last year, Exxon signed a contract with SBM Offshore NV for the construction of a floating production, storage and offloading facility (FPSO).

This is with an eye to 2020, when oil production is likely to commence in Guyana.

Construction of this FPSO had been announced to commence this year.

Construction has commenced on an onshore facility which is expected to supply components to the offshore production vessel. At a previous oil and gas meeting with Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, Director of oil and gas at Ernst and Young, Christ Pateman, had said the supply base must consist of components that include the maintenance fabrications, warehousing, spares housing and spares handling,

among other things.

Onshore facility

ExxonMobil’s recently appointed Country Manager in Guyana, Rod Henson, had announced that the company would be relocating its onshore operations which were used for support services from neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago to Guyana.

He had told participants at a meeting that it was not a case in which ExxonMobil would be looking to build a facility for its support services, but the company would rather put out tenders and anyone interested in providing the shore-based services could present a proposal.

Trotman had, in 2016, announced that Cabinet had given its ‘no objection’ to the establishment of the onshore industrial site on Crab Island, located in the mouth of the Berbice River. He had said it would be forged through the joint efforts of the ministries of Natural Resources, Public Infrastructure and Business.

Construction was announced for early this year, and the investments from the private sector and Government’s infrastructural work and support were to be equivalent to US$500 million. The Crab Island facility is, however, yet to materialise.

According to information released by the Government’s Department of Public Information (DPI) last March, the construction of an onshore oil-and-gas facility seeks to cater to the expansion of exploration and subsequent production of oil in Guyana.

That report had said Government would be investing US$500 million to construct the onshore facility during the course of this year, and that the facility would serve as a logistics and supply base to the offshore production.

Shortly after, however, construction commenced on an onshore facility owned by Guyana Shore Base Incorporated (GYSBI) at Houston, EBD to service Exxon.

GYSBI is acting in partnership with Muneshwer’s Limited, Pacific Rim Constructors, Total Tech Oil Field Services, and LED Offshore.

14 news

monDAY, october 9, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

M28 Skytruck pilots, engineers honoured the investment made is necessary as we look to attract and acquire larger aircraft.

We believe that the population of Guyana will benefit because we believe that if you get larger aircraft to transport more people, the cost of travel will go down and it benefits the economy,” he said.

He noted that there were some parts of Guyana which were only accessible by air, thus making the Skytruck the ideal aircraft for the job, since it has the capacity to land on shorter airstrips.

“The hinterland and the coastland, we can only con-

vides for a pilot and engineer from the manufacturer to train staffers.

While delivering the feature address, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon underscored the importance of the aircraft, noting that it would broaden the capacity of the company in the execution of its mandate to connect the coastland with the hinterland.

“This is an important piece of equipment that adds to the Civil Aviation Authority and the airlift capacity of our aviation industry in particular to do with the small airstrips in the country,” he said.

The honourees with the officials

J

AGS Aviation, part of the BK Group of Companies, on Friday honoured several pilots and engineers who are now qualified to operate and maintain the M28 Skytruck aircraft.

The twin-engine M28 Skytruck was acquired at a cost of US$4 million in December of 2014 making JAGS Aviation the first in the Caribbean to own such an aircraft. A noted feature of the aircraft is its ability to take off from and land on

relatively short and undeveloped airstrips, a veritable game-changer in the domestic industry, given the current state of affairs.

On Friday, the company awarded its pilots, Captains Andrew Shaw, Paul Dalgetty, Raul Seecharran and Errol Pearson with certificates qualifying them to operate the aircraft. Captain Christopher Kirkcaldy of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority was also honoured, having completed the full course

qualifying him to perform check rides on the aircraft.

BK International Inc facilitated the ground and flight school training programme with flight training at the JAGS Aviation hangar at the Eugene F Correia Airport at Ogle, East Coast Demerara. The course is a follow-up to the successful completion of 146 hours of the M28 Skytruck Maintenance Course, which commenced on August 15 and concluded on September 18.

Captain Czeslaw Zywocki from Poland, who is associated with the factory which manufactures the aircraft, instructed the course and covered ground school and flight training.

Acting GCAA Director Saheed Suleman said that the Authority was pleased with the investment and the benefits associated.

“The Civil Aviation Authority is here to regulate and support the development of aviation in Guyana. We believe that

WCD residents lament lack of running water …as GWI distributes one drum of water per house

S

cores of West Coast Demerara (WCD) residents from MetenMeer-Zorg, De Kinderen and Kastev, among other villages, are forced to “make do” with just one drum of water supplied every other day by the courtesy of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) water trucks, which have been distributing water for over a month now, as residents have been without running water for over two months, and have had to resort to fetching water from long distances to survive.

This publication understands that the water pressure first began to decrease in late July 2017, and over time, the water stopped flowing completely.

Enquires made by residents revealed that the problems were being encountered because of the Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL’s) voltage fluctuation and power failures.

However, it is now being reported that two pumps on the West Coast of Demerara are in need of rehabilitation as they are reportedly punctured, causing the water shortage.

Contact made with GWI Public Relations Officer (PRO) Leanna Bradshaw in regard to the water situation in West Demerara has proven futile.

Residents are thanking the water company for the distribution of water, but are calling for their water supply to be restored, as the water presently being distributed is insufficient.

This publication understands that each home is allowed a maximum of one drum of water, which is deemed “too lit-

An M28 Skytruck

nect certain areas by air, so this investment, in collaboration with enhancing the capacity of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority as the regulator, I believe is the way to go,” Suleman added.

BK Group of Companies Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Brian Tiwarie said that the company chose to invest in the aircraft since they thought it was the best choice for the Guyanese population. He said that they have a contract with the company, which pro-

“We are seeing the widening, a broadening of the capacity of our companies to be able to move people and materials from our coastland to the hinterland. That is where the heart of our development is taking place.

We will be able to move more people and goods on smaller airstrips, which will bring the cost down and contribute to the good life for all,” Harmon added.

An M28 Skytruck can land on short runways and fly on one engine with capacity cargo.

Magistrates’ Courts security worker charged for cellphone theft The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) water truck being used to distribute water to areas without flowing water

tle” to complete household chores. Those who cannot afford to purchase water for cooking and drinking are also complaining that the water being provided by GWI is unsanitary.

According to De Kinderen resident Sherrian Thompson, “They only does give us one drum of water. Now, if the water was clean, it wouldn’t have been so bad. One drum! And the water does got things floating inside. I am a poor woman, what do they expect me to do?

Because I gotta use that same water for drinking and so.”

Richard Charles, another resident of De Kinderen, explained that he is dissatisfied with the present situation, and

noted that “more can be done”. He said, “Look how long now we deh like this hey. This is too long for them (GWI) not to be able to repair whatever they gotta repair by now man. This is frustrating me and my family. For how much longer?”

Just recently, residents of La Grange and La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara (WBD) were encountering similar issues.

However, the water company had water restored to those areas within a number of days.

Currently, in Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast, residents are also encountering low levels of running water.

A

security guard attached to the Grant’s Security Service who stationed at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts was on Friday placed before the said Court charged for allegedly stealing from his colleague.

Travis Clarke, 21, of Lot 101 D Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman and pleaded not guilty to the offence.

It is alleged that on September 29, 2017 at the Court, he stole one LG cellphone valued $28,000, property of Roweena David.

According to Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves the defendant

was being relieved by the Virtual Complainant (VC) from his shift.

However, the defendant requested time to change his clothing, so the VC placed her bag, which contained her phone in the guard hut, and allowed Clarke to do so.

He then left for home and when the VC checked her bag for her phone, she noticed that it was missing. As such, the matter was reported, and the defendant was picked up and charged with theft.

Magistrate Latchman granted Clarke bail in the sum of $50,000 and ordered that he return to Court today.

15

MONDAY, octoBER 9, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say about

I SAY...

The enforcement of capital punishment

I

n light of the gruesome murders which have been recorded in recent weeks, citizens are renewing their calls for the enforcement of capital punishment. President David Granger has gone on record as saying he does not intend to "kill anyone" by way of enforcing the death penalty. On that note, Guyana Times asked persons their thoughts on whether or not the death penalty should be enforced given the spike in these heinous crimes and more so, if they believe it can serve as a deterrent to murders and violent crimes, or could it do more harm as it relates to human rights concerns. Here are the views of the public:

Steven Seepersaud

“I do not think the death penalty should be enforced, because there is absolutely no credible statistical evidence to support that capital punishment reduces the incidence of homicides. This is exempli-

Caesar McAlmont “I think that if the death penalty is re-enforced, it will cause people to think twice about committing such violent crimes. Then there might be those who may not even care.

A lot of people are calling for the death penalty, especially in recent times with all these killings. It may or may not help in curbing these crimes.

I believe that there are both pros and cons to the death penalty.”

“Death penalty has become a topic of much controversy in this day and age, many have advanced valid arguments in favour and against the continued implementation of the punishment. In this modern era, death penalty, in my opinion, is cruel, inhumane and barbaric in nature. What makes the State any better than the criminal by justifying killings in retribution for crimes committed?”

Dolly Aaron

fied if you look at the similar homicide rates in Canada and United States, where only the latter has restored the death penalty. Hence, there is no detectable effect of capital punishment on crime. However, deterrence is only one aspect to consider when talking about the death penalty, as there are others such as constitutionality (violation or not), irrevocable mistakes (the innocent being executed), cost of death vs. life in prison and morality.

The death penalty wouldn’t cause more harm as it relates to human rights, but it brings into question our views on its morality. I firmly believe, on a moral level, that all life is hallowed and should be treated as such.”

domestic violence, and the Government needs to do what they can do to help to boost the economy and provide jobs for young people. Additionally, we as Guyanese need to be our brother's keeper and look out for one another.

Men must be fearful of being abusive to their spouses because of the reaction from the community. Because of the spike in violent crimes, we have to be vigilant and keep an eye on the vulnerable such as the two elderly women who were murdered. Obviously, the Government can't help us, because crime continues to increase daily. We have to be vigilant and do what we can to help. These are the things I believe would help more than the death penalty.”

Richard Pitman “I don't think the death penalty will really help. What will help is a proper strategy from the Ministry of Public Security to curb crime-related murders, the Ministry of Social Protection to help end

Sherece Wilson “Well, it is my belief that humans did not give life, thus they should not take it. I know, trust me, the things rather the crimes that I see being committed, it angers people.

But when imprisoned, it is like death for those criminals, because I cannot imagine what it must be like to be shut off from the world. I do not think that if we implement the death penalty that it would make a difference; people are bad and nothing can stop them from being bad.”

Devika Edwin “Statistics show that the death penalty has in no way significantly led to the reduction of murders and heinous crimes of the like. Take for instance, the states in the US which still implement death penalty; crime continues to be rampant in these jurisdictions.

As such, I am against the reimplementation of the punishment, for not only does it abrogate our fundamental rights, but it is shown no significant positive impact on crime statistics; hence doing more harm than good.”

Farahnaz Hosain “I do not think that there is anything that can be done to deter criminals; when people want to commit a crime, they will. So, I say no to implementing the death penalty. However, I do note that something needs to be done in Guyana currently. Too much is happening and it is getting worse by the minute.”

Alanzo Seymour “I think it’s a good thing to let it be enforced, because these criminals have no regard for people’s lives. When they are killing innocent people, do they study human rights?

The only excuse to not enforce it is for self-defence and unintentional killing.”

Tiffany Halley “I don’t think it should be enforced. Why should they take a next man’s life, they are not God. Let the criminals answer their own sins; taking away freedom is enough.”

Mahdia roadworks to be completed before year-end

T

he Mahdia roadworks are scheduled to be completed before year’s end, according to Ministry of Public Infrastructure Civil Engineer Wendell St. Pierre, who revealed that circumstances delayed the initial deadline set for August, and the works are now expected to be completed in December this year.

“There were some slight delays because the scheduled date for completion was in August, but the weather, accessing raw materials, and small problems with the contracts caused the reshuffling of the new date,” St Pierre explained.

According to media reports, the Mahdia Community Road Project, which was ap-

A section of the Mahdia road under construction

proximately 50% completed in August, is now at least 63% complete at this stage, as revealed by the Department of Public Information (DPI).

The residents are said to benefit from the 8000-foot concrete lane which will run through the Mahdia community. No longer will they be

affected by the dusty and dry laterite roads which continue to pose a serious health concern at present.

Moreover, the newly constructed road will see a reduction in maintenance costs, as the infrastructure would be able to withstand any weight of cargo being transported in,

out, and around the mining community.

The engineering expert told DPI that the works on the road have been divided into three lots, and three contractors are tasked with the responsibility of executing allocated shares of the works.

The three lots are respectively being executed

by Technocon Investment, J.R Ranch Construction Company, and the B &J Construction Company.

An approximate sum of $720 million was allocated in the 2016 National Budget to facilitate works on the Mahdia roads. That sum has been rolled over to 2017 to facilitate completion of the construction.

Cardel Hunte “I personally think the enforcement of the death penalty would do no good in the case of violent crimes and murders. I don't think it's

the fear of being punished or sanctioned that stabilises the murder and crime rates of our country, but rather the mindset of the persons involved in those acts. Their personal situation and how they choose to deal with it CAN influence these incidents. So, if the death penalty was enforced, it wouldn't stop the mindset and sadistic thoughts of persons who wanted to commit these criminal activities. Therefore, anything being done to deal with this situation of these increased murders, it should be to create more avenues of hope and the instilment of values and better decisionmaking.”

16

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, october 9, 2017

Regional

Brazilians in the south asked to vote on secession

V

oters in the south of Brazil have been asked in an informal vote whether they want to be part of a new country.

The referendum was organised a week after a similar vote in Catalonia by a secessionist movement called "The South Is My Country".

The movement said it set up polls in more than 1000 municipalities across the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná.

The group's leader, Celso Deucher, says he hopes to gather three million votes.

At polling stations in the Paraná state city, Londrina, voters told local media they were disillusioned with the federal government and a giant corruption scandal that has seen dozens of politicians and members of the business elite jailed or indicted.

Acacio Fernandes Tozzini told online newspa-

President Michel Temer has faced repeated protests against his government

per, Redacaõ Bonde: "Our nation has reached a dramatic level of political disorder that is impossible to mend. We want to get rid of Brasilia, Brazil has reached the apex of corruption."

Others complained that the south of Brazil saw little return from taxation which mostly benefited the poorer northern regions of the country who have bigger voting rights than the south.

Paulo Mauricio

Acquarole said: "If you look at the six or seven states above us (in the northeast), altogether they don't give what the three states of the south give in taxation.

Proportionally they have the same number of votes as Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná.

"If you hear the accent of the political legislature of Brazil it is a north-eastern one." (Excerpt from BBC News)

PM says free access to health care a right for every Jamaican

P

rime Minister Andrew Holness says the policy of free access to health care is a right that every Jamaican should be able to enjoy, regardless of financial status.

Addressing St Ann business leaders and medical practitioners at the opening of the expanded operating theatre and the renovated male surgical ward as well as the handing over of an ambulance at the St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital on Friday, Holness said he was aware that the policy had brought on added pressure on the

public health system with more persons now seeking treatment at hospitals.

“I know the difficult circumstances our doctors, nurses and other staff members encounter. I have also taken note of those who have said that this policy cannot work. Indeed, the figures have shown that persons seeking health care have increased since the policy was put in place. It has also shown that by virtue of this, our health facilities have come under stress,” he noted.

Holness said that while he understands both sides of

the conversation, “this is not a reason to abandon the policy”.

“In fact, we have had introspective discussions within our Cabinet regarding the policy, because we don’t want to burden our Jamaican people purely because we had made a political commitment. But, when we examine the policy, it is the right thing to do,” the prime minister said.

He further argued that an increase in waiting time at health facilities is not a reason or an excuse to abandon the policy. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Venezuelan leader thanks hostile Trump for making him ‘famous’

V

enezuelan President Nicolás Maduro baited US President Donald Trump on Sunday by thanking him for a barrage of criticism that had made him famous worldwide.

“It’s an honour that the head of the empire mentions me every day,” said the 54-year-old President, who is just back in Venezuela from a trip to Russia, Belarus and Turkey.

“That means I‘m doing something right!” Maduro laughed, during his weekly programme on State TV. The US Government, saying Venezuela has become a corrupt and repressive dictatorship, has wid-

ened individual sanctions on top officials, including Maduro, and also prohibited new debt dealings with Caracas.

Businessman-turnedpresident Trump has repeatedly criticised Maduro and his Socialist Party in public and at meetings with other Heads of State.

“Donald Trump has become the head of the Venezuelan Opposition,” said Maduro, who has ruled the South American country since 2013, but seen his popularity plummet during an economic crisis.

“He has made me famous around the world.

Every time he mentions me, they love me more,” Maduro

added, saying he had been acclaimed by people abroad on his visit to nations who have all had frayed relations with Washington.

Maduro said he had a one-and-half hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin where, among other subjects, he discussed the possibility of trading Venezuelan oil in rubles because of the US financial sanctions.

“A whole new world is opening up for Venezuela thanks to Trump’s sanctions,” said Maduro, who has also said he hoped to move Venezuela’s commercial transactions to euros, yen and rupees. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Cubans remember Che Guevara 50 years after his death

S

everal thousand people have attended a ceremony in the Cuban city of Santa Clara to remember the revolutionary icon Ernesto "Che" Guevara, 50 years after his capture and death.

Among crowds at his statue and mausoleum was his old friend, Cuban President Raúl Castro.

Many more watched at home on State TV as President Castro laid a white rose on Guevara's tomb.

The revolutionary still divides opinion as much today as he did in life.

For five decades his name has adorned every corner of Cuba, from banknotes to billboards, his image one of the most recognisable in Latin America.

The people who turned out in Santa Clara – the city

Many in Cuba think of Che Guevara as nothing less than a hero

synonymous with his greatest victory in battle – clad in Che T-shirts or holding up his image in pictures, think of him as nothing less than a hero.

They came to celebrate the charismatic, uncompromising Argentine they adopted as one of their own.

"We hold him very close, we have him near us always.

We know what Che represents to Cubans, to Latin

Americans and to the world.

For us it's a great honour to have his image on our chests and in our hearts," said one man.

An excerpt of Fidel Castro's speech in 1967 announcing the death of Che Guevara to the Cuban people was played in which he famously urged Cuban children "to be like Che", a slogan that endures today.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

COP picks new leader Nov 19 Popular Haitian pirate radio

Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan

T

he Congress of the People (COP) has reopened nominations for the election of a new political leader which is now set for November 19.

As the party’s court matter wound up last Wednesday, COP Chairman Jameson Bahadur said the party was more than ready to move forward and present itself as the alternative to the People’s National Movement and United National Congress.

The election, originally carded for July 9, then August 20, was postponed both times owing to questions over the validity of the candidacy of Nicole Dyer-Griffith, which were even challenged in the court.

Dyer-Griffith was running against Dr Sharon Gopaul-McNicol and Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan for the top post. However, Dyer-Griffith eventually lost her bid to contest the election after her candidacy was deemed invalid.

In an interview on Thursday, Bahadur said the party had selected a five-member election committee to oversee the upcoming election.

The committee chairman is expected to deliver a report on their readiness and other related matters at a national council meeting Sunday.

“We are opening up the nominations again because of the Griffith issue,” Bahadur said in a telephone interview.

“We are starting afresh. We are going ahead, they will have a new deadline to file their papers. We had the last hearing in court and the case is done. We have no worry about people suing us or anything like that.”

Bahadur said he expected the new period for submission of nominations to last 10 working days from today. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

station hit with hefty fine

A

popular Haitian pirate radio station in Miami has been hit with a hefty fine by the United States Federal Communications Commission (FTC).

According to the Miami Herald, Radio Touche Douce has been described as “the pulse of the Haitian music industry in Miami, organising some of the most popular big-ticket parties while promoting bands and guiding konpa music fans to the next hit”.

However, the US federal government has accused the underground operation of illegally broadcasting from a shed in a North Miami backyard.

Fed up with the station’s “egregious, intentional and repeated violations”, the FCC has hit Touche Douce — and owner Fabrice Polynice, also

known as DJ Paz — with a proposed US$144,344 fine, the largest amount allowed under FCC regulations, the Herald said.

Two commission officials told the Herald they can’t recall the last time a station was hit so hard.

“There’s nothing funny about pirate radio, which interferes with the lawful use of the airwaves and can disrupt public safety communications,” said

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai in announcing the decision against Touche Douce, which broadcasts in English and Haitian-Creole.

“The FCC won’t tolerate the unauthorised and illegal use of the radio spectrum,” Pai added. “Towards that end, I’ve made it a commission priority to crack down on pirate radio operations.

And with today’s action, we again back up these words with action.” (Excerpt from CMC)

monDAY, october 9, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Catalonia independence: Huge Spain unity rally in Barcelona

A

t least 350,000 people gathered in Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, for a rally against independence from Spain.

They waved Spanish and Catalan flags and carried banners saying “Together we are stronger” and “Catalonia is Spain”.

It was the largest such rally in Catalonia amid the furore over last week’s disputed independence referendum.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has warned he would not rule out anything “within the law” to halt Catalan secession.

Similar rallies were held across Spain on Saturday.

The pro-unity rally comes days before Catalan leaders could declare independence from Spain

The final results from the referendum in the wealthy north-eastern region suggested 90 per cent of the 2.3 million people who voted backed independence.

Turnout was 43 per cent.

There have been several claims of irregularities, and many ballot boxes were seized by Spanish Police.

Nearly 900 people were injured as the Police, trying to enforce a Spanish court ban on the vote, attempted to disperse voters.

Thirty-three Police Officers were also hurt.

There have been several claims of irregularities, and many ballot boxes were seized by Spanish police.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Ghana: Grief and anger after deadly gas station blasts

A

huge tanker explosion near a gas station in Ghana’s capital, Accra, that killed at least seven people and injured scores has sparked an outpouring of sadness and anger in the country.

The blaze and blasts gutted a liquefied gas filling station and a nearby petrol station in the Atomic Junction area of the Legon suburb of Accra on Saturday night, sending a giant fireball into the sky and local residents fleeing.

The head of the Ghana Standards Authority, Alex Dodoo, on Sunday said there

17

The site of the explosion in Ghana’s capital, Accra [Kwasi Kpodo/Reuters]

had been eight gas explosions in four years, including in June 2015, when a similar fire and explosion

at a petrol station in Accra killed more than 100 people.

In December last year, a gas tanker caught fire in

another residential area of Accra, creating a fireball that caused five deaths and damaged a nearby school.

“This is a time for concrete action,” Dodoo was quoted as saying by Citi FM radio after Saturday’s incident. “Fixing it and making sure that it doesn’t happen again is a responsible thing to do.”

President Nana AkufoAddo took to Twitter to offer his condolences, and said his “Government is resolved, now more than ever, to ensure such an incident does not occur again”. (Excerpt from Al

Iran warns US against imposing further sanctions

I

ran warned the United States against designating its Revolutionary Guards Corp as a terrorist group and said US regional military bases would be at risk if further sanctions were passed.

The warning came after the White House said on Friday that President Donald Trump would announce new US responses to Iran’s missile tests, support for “terrorism” and cyber operations as part of his new Iran strategy.

“As we’ve announced in the past, if America’s new law for sanctions is passed, this country will have to move their regional bases outside the 2000km range of Iran’s missiles,” Guards’ commander Mohammad Ali Jafari said, according to State media.

Jafari also said that additional sanctions would end the chances for future dialogue with the US, according to State media, and issued a

stark warning to American troops.

“If the news is correct about the stupidity of the American Government in considering the Revolutionary Guards a terrorist group, then the Revolutionary Guards will consider the American army to be like Islamic State all around the world particularly in the Middle East,” Jafari said.

The Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) are Iran’s most powerful internal and external security force. The Quds Force, the IRGC’s foreign espionage and paramilitary wing, and individuals and entities associated with the IRGC are on the US list of foreign terrorist organisations, but the organisation as a whole is not.

Iran sees the Sunni Muslim militants of Islamic State as an existential threat to the Islamic Republic where the majority of the population are Shi‘ites. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Storm Nate weakens but brings heavy rain

Jazeera)

Moscow warns it may restrict US media in Russia

R

ussia is within its rights to restrict the operations of US media organisations in Russia in retaliation for what Moscow calls US pressure on a Kremlinbacked TV station, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on

Sunday.

Russian officials have accused Washington of putting unwarranted pressure on the US operations of RT, a Kremlin-funded broadcaster accused by some in Washington of interfering in domestic US politics, which it denies.

The Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said the full weight of the US authorities was being brought to bear against RT’s operations in the United States, and that Moscow had the right to respond.

“We have never used

Russian law in relation to foreign correspondents as a lever of pressure, or censorship, or some kind of political influence, never,” Zakharova said in an interview with Russia’s NTV broadcaster. “But this is a particular case.” (Excerpt from

Reuters)

India national park: White tigers kill keeper employed by the national park for a little over a week.

His angry relatives protested outside the park on Sunday – they want financial compensation from park

White tigers are believed to derive their colour from a recessive gene

A

n animal keeper at a national park in southern India has been attacked and killed by two rare young white tigers, officials say.

The keeper, 40, was mauled to death as he attempted to direct the tigers into their enclosure on Saturday night at the Bannerghatta Biological

Park.

A park official said the tigers pounced on him because one of the four enclosure gates was not properly latched.

White tigers are an endangered species found in south and east Asia.

They derive their colour from a recessive gene.

The keeper had only been

management, accusing them of negligence.

A keeper at the park near Bangalore was reported to have been injured two years ago by lions. (Excerpt from BBC News)

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres: “The origin is clear – we are facing the consequences of climate change”

S

torm Nate has weakened to a tropical depression after bringing strong winds, heavy rain and some flooding to the south-eastern United States.

It made landfall as a hurricane twice, in Louisiana and Mississippi, and is currently over Alabama.

Storm surge warnings

Kim Jong Un praises nuclear programme, promotes sister to centre of power

N

orth Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un said his nuclear weapons were a “powerful deterrent” that guaranteed its sovereignty, State media reported on Sunday, hours after US President Donald Trump said “only one thing will work” in dealing with the isolated country.

Trump did not make clear what he was referring to, but his comments seemed

to be a further suggestion that military action was on his mind.

North Korea’s nuclear weapons are a “powerful deterrent firmly safeguarding the peace and security in the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia”, Kim said, referring to the “protracted nuclear threats of the US imperialists.”

In recent weeks, North Korea has launched two

missiles over Japan and conducted its sixth nuclear test, and may be fast advancing toward its goal of developing a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the US mainland.

North Korea is preparing to test-launch such a missile, a Russian lawmaker who had just returned from a visit to Pyongyang was quoted as saying on Friday.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

have been lifted across the region.

Nate killed at least 25 people in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Honduras.

No deaths or injuries have yet been reported in the US. Although it was not as strong as last month’s Maria and Irma, the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and parts of Florida had issued warnings and evacuation orders ahead of its arrival.

Film footage from Biloxi, Mississippi, where the storm made landfall, showed flooded streets and highways.

But the waters quickly receded, leaving boats and vehicles marooned.

Mayor of nearby Gulfport, Billy Hewes, told the BBC the storm surge did not appear to be as high as feared and he thought the damage there would “be minimal”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, october 9, 2017

ARCHIE

Count your pennies.

Overspending would have (March 21severe consequences.

April 19) Moderation and discipline will be your keys to greater prosperity.

ARIES

Do what you can to get your

TAURUS responsibilities out of the way (April 20- before you move on to personMay 20) al plans. Updating your image

dilbert

or doing something that will help lessen your stress should be scheduled.

Inform demanding individGEMINI uals that you have other re(May 21sponsibilities. Travelling or edJune 20)

ucational pursuits are in your best interest. Positive incentives will motivate you to strive to accomplish your goals.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

When dealing with matters that have the potential to affect your home or comfort, take precautions. Maintain balance and stability by gaining the support needed to overcome adversity.

Do whatever needs to be done on your own time, regardless of what others are doing. Your discipline and intellectual approach will bring you the success and recognition you are searching for.

Put an emotional situation VIRGO to rest before it affects your (Aug. 23productivity and an importSept. 22) ant relationship. Keep grievances to yourself and work alone if you don’t get along with one of your co-workers.

Getting along with others LIBRA (Sept. 23- will be half the battle. Listen, Oct. 23) offer suggestions and, most of all, stick to the truth. Much can be accomplished if you follow protocol.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — INFALLIBLE (INFALLIBLE: in-FAL-ih-bul: Incapable of failing.)

SUDOKU

Do whatever it takes to SAGITTARIUS stabilise your life and rela(Nov. 23- tionships with the people who Dec. 21) count. Nurturing and protecting your interests will counter emotional or personal loss.

Average mark 31 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 52 or more words in INFALLIBLE? The list will be published tomorrow.

SATURDAY’S WORD — PLAINTIFF pail pliant tipi pain lain fail paint lift faint pant lint fiat pilaf alit final pint anil finial pintail anti flan pita inapt flap plain naif flat plaint nail flint plait tail flip plan tailfin flit plant tiff plat tiffin 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

Make physical changes SCORPIO that will build your strength (Oct. 24and help you feel ready to Nov. 22) conquer whatever comes your way. Deal with emotional regrets that have been holding you back.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle

You’ll be tempted to reCAPRICORN think your beliefs if you fall (Dec. 22- prey to someone offering an Jan. 19) unrealistic picture of a “perfect” lifestyle. Trust in what you know, not in what someone tells you.

Fix up your place and tackAQUARIUS le unfinished personal busi(Jan. 20- ness that is holding you back.

Feb. 19) Discuss your plans and combat any negative input with a positive solution. Financial gains look promising.

Know what you are PISCES (Feb. 20- talking about before you ofMarch 20) fer advice. You’ll be blamed if you meddle in someone else’s affairs. Don’t go where you aren’t welcome.

monDAY, OCTOber 9, 2017

T

he F1 world title looks set to head Lewis Hamilton’s way after his win in Japan, but the Mercedes star is taking nothing for granted.

Lewis Hamilton vowed to “keep the pedal to the metal” and dismissed the notion that he has one hand on the Formula One world championship after increasing his lead over a luckless Sebastian Vettel at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Ferrari’s reliability issues reared their ugly head again at Suzuka as an engine problem led to an early retirement for Vettel, leaving Hamilton to take full advantage for a crucial race victory that leaves him 59 points ahead of his rival.

Another Hamilton triumph at the United States Grand Prix would seal a fourth world title for the Briton if Vettel places lower than fifth.

But the Mercedes star is taking nothing for granted with four races

still to go.

“I wouldn’t say I have one hand on it. There are still 100 points available,” he told Sky Sports.

“I’m still going to keep the pedal to the metal.

“Of course, he’s been very unfortunate through no fault of his own.

These en-

gines are so complex, but all I can really say is my guys do such a phenomenal job, they are just so meticulous, and so faultless with their procedures and procedures that go on back at the factory.”

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff credited Hamilton for his performance and sympathised with Ferrari’s woes.

“The misfortune of Ferrari is unbelievable, for the third race in a row,” he said.

“But Lewis drove a spectacular race.

“You have a DNF [did not finish] or two and suddenly the whole thing swings back around.

“We can relate to it. The Ferrari guys certainly feel awful at the moment.

“Maybe it’s the development of the team. They made a huge step forward from 2016 to 2017, their car is super fast – it just lacks reliability and that is the next step.”

(Sportsmax)

Lewis

Hamilton

Jubilation in Egypt after first World Cup berth in 28 years

E

Fans celebrate in Egypt

gypt’s capital crackled with fireworks and blared with horns as the soccer-crazy country reached the World Cup for the first time in 28 years as rare scenes of joy took hold of city blocks celebrating a 2-1 victory over Congo.

Winger Mohamed Salah scored twice, securing victory with a last-gasp penalty to put Egypt four points clear with one match left in their African group E qualifying campaign.

The win clinched Egypt a long-awaited spot in Russia

19

Nadal beats Kyrgios to take 6th title of the season Rafael Nadal, a 16-time Grand Slam winner, won the French Open and US Open this year

W

orld number one Rafael Nadal beat Nick Kyrgios 6-2 6-1 in the China Open final to win his sixth title of the season.

Australian Kyrgios began well but lost his way after he became frustrated by a line call in the first set in Beijing.

The temperamental world number 19 continued to let the incident bother him and later received a one-point penalty for continuing to complain.

French and US Open winner Nadal won nine games in a row on his way to reclaiming the trophy he

won in 2005.

The two players looked set for a tight contest as Kyrgios battled to fend off five break points in his opening service game.

But having been angered by a line call, the Australian proceeded to complain to the umpire at two changes of end, which eventually cost him a penalty point at the start of the eighth game.

Spaniard Nadal clinched his second break to take the first set, and despite a spirited response from Kyrgios, there was no stopping the 31-year-old.(BBC)

Kane scores again as England win final qualifier

Harry Kane

for the 2018 World Cup finals, where the Arab world’s most populous country will compete on football’s ultimate stage for the first time since Italy in 1990.

“It’s been 28 years and we’re finally going to enter the World Cup. Today is a day of celebration for the entire country,” said 41-yearold Gaber Fathy.

The raucous mood spilling out on the streets marked a respite for Egyptians after years of hardship, from IMF-backed austerity reforms that have pushed in-

flation to record highs to a tough law on protests that has made public gatherings exceedingly rare after two presidents were toppled since a 2011 uprising.

“You can look around and see how people are happy. This is something you never witness in Egypt,” said 23-year-old Gamal Mohamed in downtown Cairo’s Tahrir Square, the iconic centre of the country’s once-active protest movement, which has since been quashed by tough security measures.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi congratulated the Egyptian people after the match as tireless fans draped in flags turned the streets into an impromptu parade of red, white and black.

Just across the border in neighbouring Gaza, where Egypt has led a political reconciliation process, thousands of Palestinians poured into an open-air park to cheer on the second Arab country to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after Saudi Arabia.(Reuters)

E

ngland rounded off an unbeaten World Cup qualifying campaign with Harry Kane’s first-half penalty sealing an uninspiring 1-0 victory over Lithuania in rainy Vilnius on Sunday.

Gareth Southgate’s side topped Group F with 26 points from 10 games, eight more than second-placed Slovakia, but their comfortable progress to Russia masks a worrying lack of flair.

England enjoyed 71 percent of possession on a slick

artificial surface but managed only four shots on target as they failed to penetrate a resolute home defence.

Once again it was captain Kane who made the difference -- taking his goal tally to six in his last seven internationals.

He finished clinically from the spot in the 27th minute after his Tottenham Hotspur team mate Dele Alli tumbled in the area under a clumsy challenge from Ovidijus Verbickas. (Reuters)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monDAY, october 9, 2017

Sri Lanka on top

despite late drama in Dubai Haris Sohail provided some much-needed solidity in the middle ©Getty Images

S

ri Lanka hold a 254run lead over Pakistan despite slumping to 34-5 on a day in which 15 wickets fell.

Pakistan hit back with five late wickets on a dramatic third day of the second Test after capitulating with the bat but Sri Lanka hold a healthy lead as they scent a series victory in Dubai.

Sri Lanka claimed a first-innings lead of 220 after Pakistan collapsed from

180-4 to 262 all out, spinners Rangana Herath (3-84) and Dilruwan Perera (3-72) taking three wickets apiece.

Azhar Ali (59) and Haris Sohail (56) made half-centuries, but Pakistan’s innings fell to pieces before Wahab Riaz (3-10) did the bulk of the damage as Sri Lanka slumped to 34-5 at stumps on a day in which 15 wickets fell.

Despite such a woeful start to their second in-

nings, the tourists will fancy the chances of sealing a 2-0 whitewash when they resume on day four with a lead of 254 after seeing Pakistan struggle so badly with the bat on Sunday.

Debutant Lahiru Gamage (2-38) struck in the sixth over of the day to end an opening stand of 61, getting one to nip back in and bowl Shan Masood for his first Test wicket.

Sami Aslam (39) was

on his way when he was trapped leg before by Dilruwan in the next over and Pakistan were in trouble on 115-4 at tea after Asad Shafiq and Babar Azam fell cheaply.

Sohail smashed his second ball from Herath for six over long-on and hit the spinner over the ropes for a second time, while Azhar played a composed knock at the other end and both players passed 50 in a much needed stand of 71.

It was no surprise that it was the ever-reliable Herath who got the breakthrough, Azhar sent on his way after Sri Lanka reviewed when he was hit plumb in front and that sparked a collapse.

Yasir Shah (24) produced a couple of lusty blows before he was cleaned up

by Suranga Lakmal (2-41) and Pakistan lost their last six wickets for 82 runs before giving themselves hope in a stunning final session.

Dimuth Karunaratne played on to a Wahab delivery, just as he did on 196 in the first innings, after Mohammad Abbas set the

tone by snaring Kaushal Silva caught behind.

S a d e e r a Samarawickrama and nightwatchman Lakmal also de-

parted before Wahab got skipper Dinesh Chandimal lbw with what proved to be the last ball of an eventful day. (Sportsmax)

SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka 1st innings 482 Pakistan 1st innings (Overnight: 51-0) Shan Masood b Gamage 16 Sami Aslam lbw b D. Perera 39 Azhar Ali lbw b Herath 59 Asad Shafiq c K. Mendis b Lakmal 12 Babar Azam c Samarawickreme b Herath 8 Haris Sohail lbw b D. Perera 56 Sarfraz Ahmed c K. Mendis b D. Perera 14 Mohammad Amir lbw b Herath 7 Yasir Shah b Lakmal 24 Wahab Riaz c Samarawickreme b Gamage 16 Mohammad Abbas not out 1 Extras (b-4 lb-2 nb-4) 10 Total (all out, 90.3 overs) 262 Fall of wickets: 1-61 S. Masood,2-65 S. Aslam,3-92 A. Shafiq,4-109 B. Azam,5-180 Az. Ali,6-199 S. Ahmed,7-214 M. Amir,8-220 H. Sohail,9-250 W. Riaz,10-262 Y. Shah Bowling: S Lakmal17.3 - 5 -

41 – 2, N Pradeep 9 - 2 - 21 – 0, L Gamage 15 - 2 - 38 2(nb-4), D Perera 26 - 3 - 72 – 3, R Herath 23 - 3 - 84 - 3 Sri Lanka 2nd innings Dimuth Karunaratne b Riaz 7 Kaushal Silva c S. Ahmed b Abbas 3 Sadheera Samarawickreme c S. Ahmed b Riaz 13 Kusal Mendis not out 8 Suranga Lakmal lbw b Shah 1 Dinesh Chandimal lbw b Riaz 0 Extras (lb-1 nb-1) 2 Total (for 5 wickets, 14.3 overs) 34 Fall of wickets: 1-3 K. Silva,2-22 D. Karunaratne,3-26 S. Samarawickreme,4-33 S. Lakmal,5-34 D. Chandimal To bat: N. Dickwella, D. Perera, R. Herath, L. Gamage, N. Pradeep Bowling: M Abbas4 - 2 - 6 – 1, Y Shah 7 - 2 - 17 – 1, W Riaz 3.3 - 0 - 10 - 3(nb-1)

Rabada blows away battered Bangladesh Shin injury rules Amir out of T here was a landmark moment for Kagiso Rabada as South Africa completed a dominant victory over Bangladesh in the second Test.

Kagiso Rabada became the youngest South African to 100 Test wickets as the Proteas demolished Bangladesh by an innings and 254 runs to wrap up a commanding 2-0 series triumph.

A day after claiming a fine 5-33 that saw Bangladesh collapse to 147 all out and the follow-on enforced after the hosts’ 573-4 declared, Rabada (5-30) repeated the trick with another expert display as the Proteas secured victory inside three days.

It was another poor showing from the tourists, who were outclassed in every department in Bloemfontein, Mahmudullah (43) proving their highest scorer in a second innings in which they tallied just 172 and showed minimal resolve.

For Rabada, though, there was plenty to celebrate with a landmark Test scalp – thanks in part to great work from Dean Elgar – and 10 wickets in the match to cap

a masterful performance.

South Africa, who won the opening of the twomatch series by 333 runs, and Bangladesh will now switch focus to the three ODIs – the first of which t a k e s place i n

Rabada enjoyed a brilliant morning spell, but was helped by a poor prod from Soumya Sarkar (3) that Faf du Plessis took with a diving catch at second slip.

Mominul Haque (11) then holed out to deep square leg off a slow one from Rabada before Imrul Kayes – who’s entertaining 53-ball 32 included five fours and a six – edged behind off Duanne Olivier (139).

Bangladesh needed somebody to steady the ship, but captain Mushfiqur Rahim (26) fell on the stroke of lunch when a misjudgment saw him

trapped lbw leaving Wayne Parnell (1-31).

Mahmudullah and Liton Das (18) put on 43 after lunch, but the latter’s decision to play no stroke to one from Andile Phehlukwayo (3-36) saw his off stump uprooted.

Rabada’s moment to celebrate arrived not long after as Mahmudullah’s back-foot drive was brilliantly held by Elgar, who dived to his left at gully.

The tail was effortlessly swept up, with Rabada taking out Taijul Islam’s leg stump and leaving Rubel Hossain flummoxed with a yorker before Phehlukwayo castled Mustafizur Rahman to put the bookend on a sublime showing. (Sportsmax)

Sri Lanka ODIs

Mohammed Amir

SCOREBOARD P

Kagiso Rabada ended the match with 10 for 33 ©AFP

Kimberley next Sunday.

Bangladesh, who started the day trailing by 419 runs, were left sinking without a trace by lunch.

South Africa 1st innings 573 for 4 decl Bangladesh 1st innings 147 Bangladesh 2nd innings (Overnight: 7-0) Imrul Kayes c de Kock b Olivier Soumya Sarkar c du Plessis b Rabada Mominul Haque c Maharaj b Rabada Mushfiqur Rahim lbw b Parnell Mahmudullah c Elgar b Rabada Liton Das b Phehlukwayo Sabbir Rahman c du Plessis b Phehlukwayo

32 3 11 26 43 18 4

Taijul Islam b Rabada 2 Rubel Hossain b Rabada 7 Subashis Roy not out 12 Mustafizur Rahman b Phehlukwayo 7 Extras (lb-6 nb-1) 7 Total (all out, 42.4 overs) 172 Fall of wickets: 1-13 S. Sarkar, 2-29 M. Haque, 3-63 I. Kayes, 4-92 M. Rahim, 5-135 L. Das, 6-139 Mahmudullah, 7-145 Sa. Rahman, 8-145 T. Islam, 9-156 R. Hossain,1 0-172 M. Rahman Bowling: Rabada 11 - 1 - 30 – 5, Olivier 11 - 1 - 39 – 1, Maharaj 6 - 1 - 30 – 0, Parnell 5 - 0 - 31 – 1, Phehlukwayo 9.4 - 2 - 36 - 3(nb-1)

akistan will have to make do without Mohammad Amir for the ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Mohammad Amir will miss Pakistan’s five-match one-day international series against Sri Lanka due to a right shin injury.

The seamer suffered the problem in the second Test in Dubai on Saturday and, after undergoing an MRI scan, will sit out the ODIs that take place between October 13 and 23.

“Fast bowler Mohammad Amir has been ruled out of the ODI series against Sri Lanka due to a stress-related injury in the right shin,”

a Pakistan Cricket Board statement read.

“The fast bowler has been advised two to three weeks rest after he underwent an MRI scan following complaints of pain in his right shin.

“Amir will not bowl in the ongoing Test match at the Dubai Cricket Stadium but would be available to bat.

“Amir’s replacement in the ODI squad will be announced in due course.”

Amir was cleared to bowl on Saturday having left the field a day earlier, but managed just three overs before limping off. (Sportsmax)

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National Futsal Cup 2017

Future Stars, Sparta Boss extend dominant runs

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21

Action in the National Futsal Cup competition

T

ournament favourites and futsal heavyweights Sparta Boss and Future Stars kept up their winning forms with respective wins in the second round of group stage action on Saturday night at the National Gymnasium.

It took a Sparta Boss late goal from Eusi Phillips to make that team edge past the dangerous Swag Entertainment for a 3-2 victory. In end-to-end action, Sparta Boss initiated proceedings against Swag through a fourth-minute goal from Sheldon Shepherd, before Shane Luckie struck Swag’s equalizer in the sixth

minute.

However, Sparta’s Calvin Moore responded almost immediately, just a minute later, to hand his side a 2-1 lead going into the halftime break.

Upon resumption of play, Deon Carter brought Swag back on level terms with Sparta with a sweetly struck goal in the 14th minute.

Swag then seemed to be taking the game to Sparta in the hunt for a winner, but Sparta showed why they are considered one of Guyana’s best in the local Futsal scene, as they hit Swag on the counter, with Eusi Phillips netting the winner in the 19th min-

ute.

Future Stars, touted as the next best thing in futsal, continued their merry way by dispatching newcomers New Market Street 4-2.

A double from the ominous Jermain Junior, along with goals from Captain Keiron Solomon and Jamal Cozier, ensured this side walk away top of their group at the final whistle.

Junior scored in the very first minute of the game to take an early lead for Future Stars, but Dwayne Lawrence had other ideas when he equalized for New Market Street in the fifth minute.

The fresh faces on the block held firm, but Jamal Cozier opened the floodgates in the 12th minute with Future Stars scoring three goals in the space of four minutes. Solomon netted in the 14th minute, while Junior sealed his double in the 16th minute.

Orin Moore would score a late consolation goal for New Market Street in the 18th minute.

The African Team suffered a second consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of Broad Street, who rebounded from their loss last week.

A brace from Daniel Favourite and a goal apiece from Rocky Gravesande, Devon Johnson, Ryan Dowden and Akosi Jarvis helped Broad Street to get past the Africans, whose two goals came from siblings Benjamin and Kenneth Opara.

Albouystown ‘A’ came from behind to draw with North Ruimveldt 2-2 after fulltime in a highly entertaining game, but needed penalty kicks to walk away with maximum points.

North Ruimveldt were two up, thanks to Joshua Brown and Eon Alleyne; but Albouystown equalized, courtesy of a Travis Martin double, before holding their nerve to win the penalty shootout.

Back Circle made light work of MBK All-Stars with a 4-0 victory. Goals came from Selwyn Williams, Stephon McLean, Runel Gordon and

Jermain Beckles.

The plummet of Dave and Celina’s All-Stars continued with a Hustlers’ 4-2 defeat, thanks to a brace from Amoniki Rogers and a goal each from Josiah Charles and Kwame Holder.

The goal scorers for the All-Stars were Keon Sears and Rawle Gittens.

Silver Bullets handed West Front Road’s Goal is Money a tame 3-1 defeat through Damion Williams’s two goals, while Jermain Samuels had one. Scoring for the losers was Jamal Pedro.

Leopold Street edged Tucville in a nail-biter, as Okeene Fraser and Sheldon Profit had a goal apiece for the victors, while Leon Richardson scored for Tucville.

The final round of group stage matches will be played on Tuesday night at the National Gymnasium.

Fixtures-Tuesday October 10th: Swag Entertainment vs African Team at 19:00hrs MBK All-Stars vs Tucville at 19:30hrs Hustlers vs New Market Street at 20:00hrs Future Stars vs Dave and Celina’s at 20:30hrs Gold is Money vs North Ruimveldt at 21:00hrs Albouystown ‘A’ vs Silver Bullets at 21:30hrs Back Circle vs Leopold Street at 22:00hrs Sparta Boss vs Broad Street at 22:30hrs

RHTY&SC, Demerara Mutual honour outstanding teachers S ix outstanding teachers from the primary and secondary levels were honoured as Region 6 ‘Teachers of the Year’ awardees when the nine cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, and Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society (DMLAS) hosted their first-ever “Region 6 Teacher of the Year” programme.

Three of the awardees were honoured for teaching the top three Grade 6 students in Region 6, while the remaining three were recognised for their tutoring of secondary school students at the 2017 CSEC examinations.

Long-serving Club Secretary/CEO, Hilbert Foster, hailed the event as another historic moment in the outstanding history of the Club, and disclosed that, over the last 27 years, no other NGO or sports club has impacted the lives of youths like this Club.

Teachers, Foster said, are the unsung heroes of the education system, although the emphasis is always on students. He noted that the Club has always honoured outstanding teachers with programmes such as the Bank of Nova Scotia’s “Tribute to Teachers” and “Tribute to Retired Teachers”, and ANSA McAL’s “Award of Excellence” and “Tribute to Head Teachers”, among oth-

The six teachers pose with Clarence Perry of DMLAS and Mayor Vijai Ramoo

er programmes.

The Club’s contribution to education includes the awarding of educational scholarships; sponsorship of educational competitions; distribution of school bags, exercise books, footwear and uniforms to less fortunate students; assistance to schools; outstanding students’ award scheme; television commercials; Summer Camps, and publication of youth review magazines and youth information booklets.

Foster has said the objectives of the award scheme were to identify and honour outstanding teachers; to inspire teachers in Region 6 to aim for the highest standard;

and to provide role models for younger teachers.

The six awardees were selected by the Region 6 Department of Education.

The top teachers at the primary level were: Yamanie Jaiprasad of Belvedere Primary, adjudged the most outstanding; Karamand Ramash of Sheet Anchor Primary, and Kamlawattie Sooknanan of All Saints Primary being the 1st and 2nd runners-up.

Ms. Malini Dilraj of Tagore Secondary copped the “best secondary school teacher” award; with Shenelly Kendall and Cordicia Grimmond of Berbice High School being the respective runners-up.

Foster urged all the teachers to uphold their high standards and to be the best role models to their students.

He also disclosed that the event would be an annual one, with plans to include a nursery school award programme. The top teachers would be featured in a special television documentary.

Rose Hall Town Mayor Vijai Ramoo praised the Club for the outstanding work it has done, and urged the large gathering of students to be respectful of their teachers.

Regional Educational Officer Ms. Volita Jaikishun hailed the awards scheme as a great incentive for teachers, and noted that teaching is the profession that creates other

professions as she hailed the visionary planning of the two entities.

Marketing Manager of Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society, Clarence Perry, said the company enjoys a large amount of business from teachers, and as such was delighted to be associated with the programme.

Perry noted that the company strongly believes in education as the foundation of a successful life; and as such, it is always important to honour those who educate our youths.

The insurance company would work along with the club to expand the programme in 2018, he disclosed as he praised the Club for the role it is playing in making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Winners in each of the categories received $100,000.00; the 1st runners-up received $50,000.00 each; and the 2nd runners-up were awarded $25,000.00 each. Besides, each awardee received a trophy, medal of excellence, and a framed certificate of honour.

The nine cricket teams arranging the event were Poonai Pharmacy Under-13, Farfan & Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females, Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21 and First Division.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monDAY, october 9, 2017

Somwaru new BCB President D

hierandranauth Somwaru was elected the new President of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday at the Classic Suits and Hotel in Corriverton.

The BCB’s election, which last occurred in 2014, was scheduled following a ruling delivered by Justice Navindra Singh on September 8 which mandated same for the purpose of electing office bearers of the Board.

However, according to sources who wished to remain anonymous owing to fear of victimisation, there was much turmoil over the outcome of the decision.

It was related to Guyana Times Sport by the said sources that only Berbice River Association, West Berbice Cricket Association along with first-division clubs

– legal battle looms over legitimacy of results

The new BCB. From left standing: Vic Suebarran, Carol Nurse, Leslie Solomon, and Godwyn Allicock. Front row sitting: David Black, President Dhierandranauth Somwaru and Imtiaz Bacchus

GCB/Jaguars 3-Day Franchise League, round 6

Albion and Port Mourant were allowed to vote.

Blairmont Cricket Club were given the opportunity to vote, but declined in solidarity with the other clubs such as Canje Hospital Club, Rose Hall Community Centre Cricket Club, Guymine Sports Club, Chesney Cricket Club, Kildonan Cricket Club, Berbice Police Sports Club, Mount Sinai Cricket Club, and Whim and Upper Corentyne Cricket Association.

The sources explained that “the clubs were not allowed to vote for varying reasons, one of which was that they did not pay affiliation fees, but that was abolished years ago under Keith Foster’s presidency”.

They added, “that Blairmont whose records show that they did not pay the fees were given a chance

to vote.”

It is understood that the directive was given by the courts to allow clubs to vote once members can “show documents to verify their legitimacy as they seek to enter the venue”.

More so, based on the directive, the returning officer needed to be elected at a by-election by member clubs on the day itself, but the opposite was done.

M e a n w h i l e , Rabindranauth Saywack, a member of ‘Team Foster’, revealed that they will be approaching the court today over the legitimacy of the election. Saywack explained that based on the ruling given by the Judge, none of the directions were followed especially that of electing the returning officer at the election.

Courts/Malta Pee-Wee Football

West Dem draw, East Bank beat Sophia stun defending Upper Corentyne by 87 runs champs St Angela’s

Akshaya Persaud

U

Tevin Imlach

pper Corentyne beat East Bank by 87 runs while West Demerara hammered Lower Corentyne into a draw when round six of the GCB/Jaguars 3-Day Franchise League continued on Sunday.

Upper Corentyne vs East Bank at Port Mourant Ground

Batting first, Upper Corentyne made 262 all out in 62 overs, thanks to Clinton Pestano (82) and Eon Hooper (50). East Bank were then rocked out for 240 in 87.5 overs with Sachin Singh (60) and Captain Ronaldo AliMohammed (55) making the bulk of the runs.

Batting a second time, Upper Corentyne after being 201-0 in 49 overs with a lead of 223 runs, declared, compliments of opener Kandasammy Surujnarine, who racked up 150 not out; Balchand Baldeo, who made 79 and Rajiv Ivan, 31.

Needing a huge 314 to win, East Bank slid to 227 all out in 67.1 overs despite their skipper Ali-Mohammed scoring a battling 96. Leg-spinner

Kandasammy Surujnarine

Shawn Perreira (3-72), along with Clinton Pestano and Eon Hooper with two wickets each, ensured the chase was halted as they handed East Bank an 87-run loss.

Lower Corentyne vs West Demerara at Young Warriors Ground

Lower Corentyne were knocked over for 153 in 77 overs, with Alex Algoo unbeaten on 68 and Kassim Khan chipping in with 24. The bowling was shared among skipper Akshaya Persaud (2-

Ronaldo Ali-Mohammed

11); Richie Looknauth (2-18); Keshan Sehyodan (2-35) and Mahendra Dhanpaul (2-42).

In reply, West Dem declared on 206-4 after the captain, Persaud, who scored 61 in the first innings, racked up his second ton of the tournament to end on 101 not out as Tevin Imlach followed up his first-innings 119 with a composed 64. West Dem declared shortly after their captain stroked his hundred and the match ended in a draw.

Essequibo vs East Coast at Tuschen Ground

In their first innings, Essequibo made 258 all out. Vijai Surujpaul made 58, Kemol Savory, 20 and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 91.

Ameer Khan took 5 for 75, Bashkar Yadram 3 for 52, and Royston Simon 2 for 40 bowling for East Coast, In their second innings, East Coast are 51 for 4. Kevin Gordon has 2 for 10 and Anthony Adams 1 for 12 with one run-out. East Coast lead by 82 with 6 wickets remaining.

Part of the action between Smith’s Memorial (blue bib) and Calaaco Primary at the Banks DIH Thirst Park ground

S

ophia Primary continued to send the strong message that they mean serious business when they needled two-time defending champions St Angela’s Primary as the Courts/Malta Pee-Wee Football continued on Saturday at the Banks DIH ground at Thirst Park in Georgetown.

The difference in the closely contested match became obvious when David Weeks scored in the 12th minute. In similar fashion, Jermaine Crum-Ewing’s 25th minute strike piloted 2016 runner-ups St. Agnes to a win over Redeemer.

Victoria Primary was also on the delivering end of a 1-0 win over South Ruimveldt, thanks to Kelon Croal’s goal in the 25th; while School of the Nations recorded victory by the same margin over Mocha, thanks to Timothy Braithwaite’s goal which was scored in the 12th minute of the game.

St Ambrose overcame

Den Amstel by a 1-0 margin, thanks to Jacob Rodney scoring in the 29th minute; while Marian Academy stole the show with a 7-0 drubbing of Winfer Gardens.

Doubles from Bradley Walton (12th, 27th), Michael Alphonso (29th, 30th) and Asher Adams (5th, 9th), along with a single from Malik Baker (20th), scripted the comfortable win.

St. John’s Bosco Orphanage of Plaisance produced the most thumping performance of the tournament, nailing Goed Fortune with 11 goals. Jamal Ali was the most prolific scorer on the day, after bagging an incredible 5 goals.

Ronaldo Harry scored a hat-trick and Stephon Atkinson a brace, while Clinton Rickett scored one in the 11-goal rout.

Mae’s 1-0 win over St Stephen’s Primary came off the boot of Mickhail Mason, while St Margaret’s and Enterprise played to a goalless draw. West Ruimveldt trashed Supply

Primary 6-0, with a hat- trick from Ian Daniels (6th, 19th, 20th) and single strikes from Devon Chance (13th), Mickon Vandenburg (10th) and Richie Samroop (28th).

St Pius overcame Soesdyke 5-0, with four goals coming from Dwayne Baptiste, scored in the 1st, 2nd, 13th and 15th minutes; while Haden Wellington scored in the 3rd minute.

Joshua Waterman and Shabaz Cameron were on mark for Smith Memorial’s 2-0 win over Calaaco, while Stella Maris beat Timheri 3-0, thanks to three precise strikes from Fedel Norville (13th, 17th, 21st).

Tucville and F.E. Pollard played to a goalless stalemate, while J.E. Burnham was beaten 4-0 by La Parfaite Harmonie. A double each from Joshua Daniels (3rd and 9th) and Alex Ramotar (11th and 30th) cemented this team’s dominance.

Matches will continue on Saturday.

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, october 9, 2017

23

– Dover describes Jaguars’ 0-1 defeat to Spice Boyz

By Akeem Greene

G

uyana’s National Football Team, the Golden Jaguars, have suffered a painful 0-1 defeat at the hands of Grenada’s Spice Boyz in their international friendly played at the Kirani James Stadium on Saturday evening.

Saydrel Lewis scoring the lone goal in the 90th minute meant the Spice Boyz have extended their superiority over the Golden Jaguars by winning nine of the head-tohead clashes against the Jaguars’ seven, with one showdown ending in a stalemate.

“It was a tough loss,” lamented Jaguars’ Interim Head Coach, Wayne Dover. “It is a very tough loss to accept at that stage of the game, after having dominated for long periods. We created some decent chances. I can’t explain how I felt and how the players felt about the loss. It was devastating,” he told Guyana Times Sport on Sunday

while in-transit from Trinidad and Tobago.

“We made good build-ups.

If I was to look at any point where we lost, it would be in the final third. The Grenadians were sitting so deep -- having ten to eleven men behind the ball and playing off the counter -- it became difficult for us to open them, and we did not demonstrate the patience that was asked,” Dover contended.

The prior clash, on

March 29th, 2015, initially ended 2-0 in favour of the Guyanese, only for FIFA to reward a 3-0 win to the Grenadians after it was ruled that Guyana’s England-born Matthew Briggs was ineligible to play in the match.

It was a chance for Guyana to alter its difficult history against the opponents, and the Golden Jaguars will rue t h e i r missed chances.

Saydrel Lewis scored the game’s lone goal in the 90th minute

game,

“ O u r players started to force the and es-

sentially rushed the plays. What I would have liked to see was a bit more combination play in the offensive turns, to unlock the defence.

Our crossing was also awful; we didn’t have many effective crosses,” Dover lamented.

It is not all gloom for the coach, as he has seen emerging from the young brigade positive signs which, according him, portend a promising future.

“The youths performed well during the session in Trinidad and Tobago, and those who went into the match held their own and showed that the future is bright for Guyana football once they are handled properly. I’m satisfied that this was used as part of the exposure to get them to understand what is required for (participation in) international football,” Dover expressed.

Drawing board

Coach Dover, who has vast experience in local football, has said

he would be returning to the ‘drawing board’ to devise ways of making the team win on a more consistent basis, in order to improve the fan base and hopefully attract sponsors.

According to Dover, the first order of business would be building a strong group of local players to be fully prepared when they enter competitive Caribbean football competitions and participate in the Gold Cup. Jaguars starting XI comprised: Andrew Durant (GK), Jake Newton, Adrian Butters, Terrence Vancooten, Walter Moore, Samuel Cox (cpt), Brandon Beresford, Chris Bourne, Shaquille Agard, Neil Danns and Emery Welshman.

The substitutes came from: Kai McKenzie-Lyle, Jeremy Garrett, William Europe, Curtez Kellman, Anthony Belfield, Frank Parks, Maliek DeFreitas, Cashion London, Sheldon Holder, Gregory Richardson and Ralph Parris.

West Indies Full-bore Philips’s silver adds icing to Shooting championships impressive athletic display get firing today South American Youth Games in Chile

G

uyana’s campaign at the South American Youth Games in Chile ended on Sunday with a silver medal in the female 200 metres final, courtesy of rising star Kenisha Philips.

Having won silver in the 100 metres on Saturday, Philips was unable to go one better on Sunday, and in the 200 metre event, had to settle for silver again, behind her rival, Colombia’s Angie Echeverria, who was first in 24.23s.

Philips took the silver in a time of 24.40s ahead of another Colombian, Sharry Quinonez, who claimed bronze in 24.81s.

With Guyana’s boxers being unable to participate in the Games, athletics was always Guyana’s best hopes of medalling, and the track stars did not disappoint.

On Saturday, Philips won Guyana’s first medal at the games -- in the 100 metres, when she finished a close second to Echeverria in 12.18s. Echeverria won the event in 12.14s.

Jermaine King secured Guyana’s second silver medal -- on Saturday in the Boys 100 metres, when he ran his personal best time of 10.963s in a close contest.

Paraguay’s Fabrizio Aquino took gold in 10.92s, while Colombian Giano Mosquera was third in a time of 10.966s.

Guyana’s Deshana Skeete also competed on Saturday, and secured Guyana’s only gold medal when she ran the race of her life and clocked her personal best in the Girls 400 Metres.

Cheered on by her coun-

– President Granger expected to take 1st shot

P

Deshana Skeete claimed Guyana’s only gold medal in the Girls’ 400 Metres race on Saturday

try men and women, Skeete clocked her fastest time of 57.28s as she chased down Brazilian Jessica Vitoria De Oliveira Moreira (57.54s) to cross the line and secure gold.

However, Skeete overexerted herself and was unable to compete in the 200 metre event later in the day.

King, who on Saturday ran the fastest qualifying time in the boys 200 metre event, could not repeat that performance and narrowly missed out on a podium spot when he finished fourth in the race on Sunday.

The multi-talented athlete ran a time of 22.11s as Brazilian Lucas Vilar won the event in 22.02s while Sebastian Berrueco (Colombia) was second and Gian Mosquera, also from Colombia, finished third.

Annalisa Barclay was also in action for Guyana

in the girls long jump, but finished fifth in the event, which was won by Brazil’s Lissandra Campos, who recorded a jump of 5.8 metres.

Guyana was also represented in badminton and table tennis, with Priyanna Ramdhani doing well to reach the quarter-final stage in the Badminton Girls Single category, while her male compatriot, Tyrese Jeffrey, was knocked out in the opening stages.

Miguel Wong and Nickolus Romain were both early round casualties as well, in the male table tennis competition.

In some controversy, young flyweight boxer Keevin Allicock and Christopher Moore were ineligible to participate, as the Games Committee ruled them out due to age stipulation changes made.

(Michelangelo Jacobus)

resident David Granger is expected to fire off the first shot to commemorate the opening of the 150th anniversary Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA)/West Indies Full-bore Shooting Council (WIFBSC) championships, which get underway today.

The Timehri Rifle Ranges, thanks to members of the GNRA, received a facelift ahead of the celebratory shoot, which will see marksmen from Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, Falkland Islands, Ireland/Scotland, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Antigua and Barbuda duking it out over the next seven days in both individual and team categories.

Shooters will compete in the 500/900 yards in the morning and afternoon respectively while individual shoots throughout Tuesday and Wednesday will see the grand aggregate determining the top 60 shooters who will progress to Thursday’s finals, where they will compete together in the 300, 500 and 600 Yards.

The top 30 shots will then advance to the finals shot at the 900 and 1000 Yards, with the emerging shooter being named champ. Defending champs Guyana will look to successfully retain both long- and short-bore titles while former West Indies individual champ Lennox Braithwaite

Mahendra Persaud will look to lead the locals’ charge

will look to reclaim his title following the non-participation of the Jamaicans.

Braithwaite was dethroned by Jose Nunez last year in Antigua, but has an excellent chance at regaining the coveted singles title now that the man who stole his crown will not play a part in this year’s tournament as a result of the Jamaican team encounter-

ing document issues.

With the largest concentration of high-calibre shooters expected to be on display over the next week, Guyana, led by Mahendra Persaud, will look to successfully defend their titles while hopefully adding to their collection.

The tournament will get underway following the President’s first shot, which is set for 09:00h (9 am)

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

MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

West Indies Full-bore Shooting championships get firing today Pg 23

– President Granger expected to take 1st shot Flashback! Shooters assemble as they take aim at the Timehri ranges

It was a very tough Philips’s silver adds icing to loss! impressive athletic display South American Youth Games in Chile

Pg 23

Interim Head Coach Wayne Dover now hopes to continue building the squad after a tough loss against Grenada

Pg 23

Kenisha Philips (green) copped two silver medals in the Girls’ 100 and 200 metre races in Santiago, Chile

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