Monday, times magazine march 5, 2018

Junior Communities Minister visits Lindeners in Cuban hospital

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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

ExxonMobil to commence drilling Liza-5 well this week guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3493

Monday, March 5, 2018

Page 12

Elderly woman 9 arrested after killed in Melanie 2.7kg of cannabis accident found on WCD Linden, Berbice and Rupununi celebrate Mashramani with grandeur Page 11

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Mother’s P11 condition worsens after poisoning incident P12 Jagdeo calls for audit of GRO’s digitisation process

Page 8

See stories on pages 12 & 14

CCJ to hear constitutional challenge case next P9 week Regional P8 STEAM fair to kick off today

P8 Texila University President pays courtesy call on Minister Cummings Linden, Berbice and the Rupununi had their Mash Parade over the weekend with residents delighting in their communities’ celebration of Guyana’s 48th Republic Anniversary

Revising Cummingsburg Accord

Formal engagement of AFC, APNU still in limbo Page 3

No serious plan in place for petroleum sector – Ram Page 2

Clive Thomas denies taking political instructions …defends SARA’s reputation Page 7

P7 Some 86 persons hired at Wales job fair – suggests PSC Chairman

... berates nonattending critics ... Enmore event slated for month-end

2 NEWS

monDAY, march 5, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

No serious plan in place for Junior Communities petroleum sector – Ram Minister visits Lindeners in A Cuban hospital

By Samuel Sukhnandan

ttorney-at-Law and Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram says that the Government of Guyana has failed, to date, to put a very serious, robust, and well thought-out plan in place that would govern the country’s emerging petroleum sector in light of the newly-found oil and gas resources.

Ram believes his position is justified because the Government has not been able to state what exactly it hopes to do to ensure that this sector is efficiently managed and how the resources it will gain could be utilised. He said that this level of unpreparedness could lead to multiple issues that could result in damage.

“There are so many things that need to get done but which one? The Government is not addressing anything.

It seems as though the approach by Mr (David) Granger is once he feels he is doing something, that’s enough.

Well doing something is not enough. You have to do the right thing… Where is that plan? If there is one. There is none,” the prominent accountant told Guyana Times on Sunday.

He argued that the policy direction Government has taken with regard to this industry seemed to be dictated by the oil companies and they

President David Granger

Christopher Ram

decided on the depreciation rates. To add to that, Ram pointed to the recent development where the Japanese Government has developed an ‘oil and gas master plan’ for Guyana that was submitted by Mitsubishi Corporation and Chiyoda Corporation.

“I think the Government lacks any policy on the petroleum sector and nothing makes that more obvious than the fact that the Japanese will come in and give us some master plan.

That’s an insult to our sovereignty and independence,” he said, objecting fiercely to this proposal.

Asked whether he believes Guyana has the skillset here to do the studies, Ram told this newspaper, “I don’t think we should judge the entire population by the Government. Just like how we wouldn’t judge the entire

American people by Donald Trump. We shouldn’t make the mistake… but there are people who are calling for sane policies for the petroleum sector.”

He continued, “Our problem lies not with our people, but with our politicians and they are the ones who have to formulate policies and for them to contract out policy making is an insult to the entire country, doesn’t make any sense…. They need to realise that there are competent people to do the work.”

The Attorney also offered his opinion on the recent decision taken by Government to have a Department of Energy placed under the ambit of the Ministry of the Presidency, and removed from the Natural Resources Ministry.

“I think it’s just a measure of the chaos and confusion that surrounds this

Government’s whole understanding and approach to the petroleum sector,” he said.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), Government is now reviewing the ‘oil and gas master plan’. The plan has as key objectives the development of Guyana’s domestic oil industry, the creation of a balance in the domestic usage and exportation of products from indigenous oil and gas, and the harmonisation of the industry in keeping with Guyana’s ‘green’ development agenda.

Aside from this proposal, however; Government has been juggling with other issues related to the oil sector.

While work has started on creating a local content policy, a Petroleum Commission and a Sovereign Wealth Fund, there has been no definite plan released or completed so far. However, there have been criticisms of almost all the draft policies and there has been a deep level of concern to have these issues ironed out way before oil production is set to begin in 2020.

However, the Opposition has been very vigilant and has rigorously questioned Government’s moves. It has also upped pressure on the Administration ever since it was brought to the public’s attention that the Government kept secret a US$18 million signing bonus it received from ExxonMobil in 2016.

The Minister comforts little Crystal John

M

inister within the Communities Ministry, Valerie Patterson-Yearwood last week visited a Guyanese patient, Crystal John at the Oncology Hospital in Havana, Cuba.

John is from the mining town of Linden. She is in high spirits and her father, who is there with her, is very optimistic that she will be able to regain sight in one eye.

The Minister also visited Milton Gilkes of Silvertown, Linden, who is also a patient at the same hospital. He has shown positive signs of re-

covery.

Meanwhile, at the Guyana Embassy, Minister Patterson-Yearwood met with a group of overseas-based Guyanese who are members of the Guyana/ America Chamber of Commerce. The group is visiting Cuba.

The Minister held a brief discussion with the group on the Government housing programme, particularly with regard to the Providence Garden housing drive.

Much interest was expressed by the group in this initiative.

news

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monDAY, march 5, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Revising Cummingsburg Accord

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, March 5 – 05:00h-06:30h and Tuesday, March 6 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, March 5 – 06:35h-08:05h and Tuesday, March 6 – 07:10h-08:40h.

Formal engagement of AFC, APNU still in limbo – as party leader promises again to dispatch letter today

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Light cloudy to partly cloudy skies are expected throughout the day, sunshine in the late afternoon. Light to partly cloudy skies will be expected in the evening, with overall temperatures expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East South-easterly to East North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 06:41h and 19:02h reaching maximum heights of 2.74 metres and 2.68 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 12:35h reaching a minimum height of 0.48 metre.

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS K

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FREE TICKET

DAILY MILLIONS 08 10 13 19 LUCKY 3 1 9 4

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

President and APNU Leader David Granger

W

hile the National E x e c u t i v e Committee (NEC) of the Alliance For Change (AFC) had mandated that its leadership approach its coalition partner on issues of vital importance to the party, such as the Cummingsburg Accord; this has so far not been done.

Guyana Times made contact with the AFC’s General Secretary, Marlon Williams, but was unable to get clarification on the issue. When contacted, AFC heavyweight and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan referred this publication to AFC Leader Raphael Trotman.

Ramjattan noted that it was Trotman, the Natural Resources Minister, who would be responsible for penning the letter. When contacted, Trotman admitted that this had not been done, but promised that the letter would be finalised and sent today (March 5).

“There is a letter, which will be finalised tomorrow (today) and sent off shortly. I won’t be discussing the contents of the letter. I believe everything that needed to be said is there. But I won’t be discussing the contents,” Trotman related.

President David Granger, who is the Leader of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the

AFC’s coalition partner, has hinted that there is no immediate need for the Accord to be reviewed, although he has given his party’s commitment to going through the process.

“All I can say at this point in time is that there is no compulsion that the Accord be reviewed… (The AFC) can allow it to expire in 2020 or it can make request for a meeting, but the A Partnership for National Unity is committed to coalition politics and I would say that the advent of the coalition into Government has been good for Guyana – we are better together and we would like to see the Accord continue,” Granger had stated.

In January, Trotman had told reporters at a press conference that the party has already identified a team that would represent its interest in talks with APNU. The Cummingsburg Accord Review Committee (CARC) has eight members comprising Dr Vincent Adams, Dr Rohan Somar, Marlon Williams, David Patterson, Joel Edmond, Sherod Duncan and one representative each from the party’s Women for Change and Youth for Change.

In mid-November 2017, the top leadership of the AFC had decided to revise its governing agreement

AFC Leader Raphael Trotman

with its coalition partner, APNU. This decision was taken after the AFC – the smaller of the two factions forming the Government – was accused of being coerced by its large partner.

There have been reports that the AFC was not too comfortable with the current Cummingsburg Accord, which sets up how the two coalition partners would divide up the Ministries.

Under the current configuration of Government, the AFC has received the portfolios of the Prime Minister, Public Security Ministry, Public Infrastructure Ministry, and the Agriculture Ministry, among others.

The AFC’s NEC has mandated that the party’s leadership formally write

to APNU with regard to the review and revision of the Cummingsburg Accord.

Trotman had committed to doing so to initiate discussions. But several months have passed and Trotman is yet to write APNU. This process was expected to be completed by the third anniversary of the signing of the Accord, February 14, 2018.

The Cummingsburg Accord has a lifespan of a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years, and was focused primarily on the General and Regional Elections. As such, President Granger said the AFC has several options, including allowing the agreement to proceed as is until its expiration in two years’ time.

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monDAY, march 5, 2018

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

A bridge too backward

S

ome persons mistakenly believe that diplomats must actually misstate the facts on questions posed in order to be “diplomatic”. Very recently, the Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun, was asked about the proposed “New Demerara Harbour Bridge (NDHB), construction of which -- we have been assured by the PNC-led coalition Government -- will begin sometime during this year.

The ambassador said, “I am really concerned about [new] Demerara Bridge…I have talked to the Minister of Public Infrastructure but I cannot tell you the details; but I said, ‘If we are still building a floating bridge, this is not 21st century’.”

The Chinese Ambassador is only the latest in a long string of individuals and institutions to have criticized the Government’s plans to build the bridge, which had been proposed by the previous PPP administration.

The first sign that something was amiss was when the contract to design the NDHB was “sole-sourced,” rather than “competitively bid for,” to the company LIEVENSE CSO for US$250,000. Competitive bidding is used, as we pointed out at the time, “to winnow out bidders that may not be in a position to be serious contenders to deliver the goods or services sought. Screening of potential contractors, suppliers, or vendors would be scrutinised in general on the basis of factors such as experience, financial ability, managerial ability, reputation, work history, etc. to develop a list of qualified bidders who would receive the invitation-to-bid (ITB) documents.”

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) attempted to deflect criticisms by claiming the design was funded by the IDB, but was quickly forced to retract its claim. It then weakly claimed it had confused the NDHB with one across the Demerara at Wismar.

The next alarm bell on the Government’s plans was to announce it would accept only a restricted number of bids for “prequalification,” from which it would arbitrarily select three finalists. This was akin to turning on its head the prequalification process – which always sets parameters which applying companies have to satisfy.

The Government, through the MPI, incredulously claimed that this approach would offer a higher ratio of successful bidders: the culmination of this logic would suggest “solesourcing”.

The Minister admitted the process might be “unfair”, and insistence that “only the absolutely best company” rang hollow in the face of a lack of objectively stated criteria.

But more reflective of the point made by the Chinese Ambassador was the position of the various Chambers of Commerce on both sides of the Demerara River, as to the efficacy of the sole-sourced design to the needs of the communities, not only in the future but in the present. The most objectionable feature of the design was its refusal to deal with the most pressing demand of commuters and transportation entities, which was identified over the last decade as ownership of cars skyrocketed and businesses increased: an end to the bridge “closings” that halted traffic and caused massive delays on both sides of the river.

The new design was “fixed,” as had been contemplated; but running “low”, which demanded a span that had to be lifted to allow the passage of ships upriver, rather than being retracted as is now the case. If the structure was “high”, the ships could pass unimpeded below at all times.

No one could believe the MPI’s retort that, because the bridge was “fixed” rather than “floating”, vehicles could be parked on the structure rather than on the roadways. The MPI obviously doesn’t appreciate the maxim in business, well appreciated by the Chinese Ambassador, that “time is money”, and as such, the structure did not cater for the future and had to be classified as “backward”.

As we said then, the Government appears to be using the NDHB as what the Americans call a “pork barrel” project to garner votes for the 2020 elections with the claim of “infrastructural development”, but, more to the point, to pay off campaign contributors who would benefit from the construction and land acquisition.

The annual Ghana Day celebration was observed on Sunday under the theme, “Designing a strategy in recognition of our rights to demand justice over 200 years of unrewarded labour, and for affecting our development through unity.”

The day’s activities began with a Ghana Day Parade which commenced at the Square of the Revolution. Scores braved the inclement weather to act as Ghana Day queens dressed in colourful African attire and being transported on horse-drawn carriages, carts, and open-back vehicles in a motorcade procession through the streets of Georgetown. They were accompanied by African drumming throughout the route. The procession headed to Congress Place Sophia, where cultural performances, cultural bazaar, cultural foods and drinks were on display.

Remaining oil blocks should be marketed only after Exxon contract is renegotiated Dear Editor, Warren Buffet said: “You cannot produce a baby in one month by getting nine women pregnant.” Agreeing to more oil agreements will not compensate Guyana for the unpatriotic and seemingly treasonous Petroleum Agreement with Exxon, Hess and CNOOC. What we need is to renegotiate the June 27, 2016 Petroleum Contract – posthaste.

Thus, the Stabroek News article dated March 4, 2018 and captioned “Chevron, Petrobras among nine seeking remaining oil blocks -Trotman says direct engagements, bidding to determine selection”, should give us grave pause at this abominable suggestion that we enter

into other oil agreements before renegotiating the Exxon Petroleum Agreement for 10% Royalty and Removal of the asylumatic US$460 million charge for pre-contract cost.

Paraphrasing Roman General Mark Anthony: “Friends, Guyanese and countrymen, lend me your ears; we do not seek to bury Guyana, only to make her citizens wealthy.” This should be the mantra of our Government.

The Government is not the enemy of the people.

There are many astute and admirable leaders in our Government. These officials should act as “servant” leaders. We all know that the contract with Exxon is lop-

sided, asymmetric, and has striking features of mental madness or suchlike deformities. Comparatively, there is no Petroleum Production Agreement in the world that is so absurd and silly.

Each member of Parliament in Guyana should be questioned by our journalists for their views on the Exxon contract, and have their response recorded and published for future generations. I suspect shame or contrivance will invariably cause them to provide crutch answers, and hide behind the party line if access or answers are obtained. Though silence does speak volumes!

Exxon has announced oil discoveries at eleven wells so far: Liza-1, Liza-2, Liza-3

Payara-1, Liza Deep, Snoek, Liza-4, Payara-2, Turbo-1, Ranger and Pacora in the Stabroek Block of 6.6 million acres, the crème de la crème of oil blocks in Guyana, producing the world’s largest and most valuable oil find in the 21st century. Resulting in Exxon’s conservative announcement on February 28, 2018, of 500,000 barrels of oil production per day in Guyana by an undefined date.

It is obvious to many that by that undefined date, Exxon can produce 1,000,000 barrels of oil per day from the Stabroek Block; or, in my opinion, within five years, without any further “discoveries”. continued on page 5

Let’s read between the lines and say what cannot be said

Dear Editor Lincoln Lewis’s letter carried on Sunday 25 February in the Stabroek News laments the Governments silence and stance on the matter of the EXXON contract and the public demand, including mine. I stepped back and, as always, rely for explanations from history, while taking a deeper look at all that is going on. I, too, am self employed, and bread and butter gets in the way of applying those hours of going over the evidence to evolve with what seems irrational from very rational people; in this case the APNU-AFC administration, as you indicated that, “Government may very well have justifiable reasons [...]” you do under-

stand that there are no freebees in real life in the world we live in over the past hundred years to put a bracket.

Things don’t happen from altruism. So let’s read between the lines Lincoln, and say what the Government can’t say.

Two things are going on here, a border dispute and Exxon. It is not by magic that so far a repeat of what happened with the first appearance of EXXON has not so far occurred, that Venezuela by force has not removed Exxon as they did before. I’ve been going over oil and conflict from the time Hitler invaded Russia to Iraq. Oil is not a commodity powerful nations play with. If a not-so-favourable contract enables us

to be free of the dooku that Venezuela has placed on our backs, and has used time and time again to intimidate and to economically suffocate us, then so be it with me. We will benefit, and you know as well as I do that we have other important resources that can be tapped into, once the money is available.

If my research is accurate, and I am certain it is -the evidence is glaring before us -- should we step back and pay attention? We lost our manufacturing industry because of that border controversy, and the oil crisis of the 70s coupled with our choice in the Cold War politics. In the 80s, I took rice and sugar to trade with Venezuelan traders. One told me in a shop at

Morawhanna, the stop before Kumaka, that the border dispute was the Government’s, and that they say “that Venezuela is beautiful without the Venezuelans”. That was before Chavez. They are still fighting ethnic colonisation, but this claim to our Essequibo, though ridiculously porous, is intoxicating political mythology in that country.

Our responsibility may be to explain to our countrymen that we have the best that our country has to offer in leadership, and some hard choices stand before them and us; it’s not as simple as it seems.

Sincerely, Barry Braithwaite

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

Police at Sparendaam Station Successful mental health workshop are disobeying their superiors held at Suddie Dear Editor, On several occasions, I have observed that the Police ranks who are operating on mobile patrol between Turkeyen and Mon Repos, especially ranks from the Sparendaam Police Station, breaching the directives of their superiors in the Guyana Police Force.

The ranks are hiding in the corners of the roads, especially in the Plaisance area, and are pouncing on vehicle operators at ‘disturbing’ hours of the mornings and nights, as they claim that minor traffic offences are being committed.

Editor, how can the Police seriously charge a vehicle operator for breaching a traffic light close to midnight, when the roads are clear and there is virtually no traffic from any direction? Surely, these Police ranks, who are utiliz-

ing the State’s vehicles and resources, could utilize them better by checking for the more serious offences that result, like drinking under the influence (DUI) and speeding, which result in the loss of lives and limbs at those times in the morning.

I was present personally when such an incident took place, and despite the rational explanations offered by the vehicle driver, the Police insisted that he would be charged for the minor offence of jumping the traffic light, even though it was the first time that that driver was pulled over in that area, and all of his documentation was in place.

Also, I observed the Police conducting a DUI test at the station, and not at the location where they stopped the driver. This is also a breach of the Force’s policy.

After this incident, I can now appreciate how these DUI kits are wasted, and used callously by ranks to settle personal scores and stage vendettas against vehicle owners. These tests should be administered only after a trained traffic rank notices a difference in the driver’s behavioural pattern, but it would appear that with every stop it is being administered.

I can’t help but feel that more sober people ended up having their time wasted by these ranks, who are looking for a quick buck and trying hard to raise a small piece.

I have also observed the ranks turning off their sirens and hiding in the dark corners at bars and other night spot, waiting for patrons to get into their vehicles to arrest them. That is criminal behaviour, and I expect that

those officers who behave in this manner would be disciplined, in line with the Force’s standing orders and the policy positions adumbrated by Mr Ramnarine and retired Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud.

Whenever drivers are not found to be over the legal limit in terms of alcohol, they are harassed, and their documents are confiscated with, I suspect, a view to pressuring them into giving bribes to avoid the wastage of their time.

Some ranks at the station are giving the entire station and, by extension, the Force, a very bad name when they do not exercise discretion and professionalism in their line of duty.

Regards, Martin Singh

Remaining oil blocks should be...

Exxon published their last announcement as their seventh oil discovery, which is obviously not true. Not surprisingly, Exxon no longer provides specifics or barrels of oil reserves discovered, as they did for the initial oil discoveries. It appears that the oil bounty is too plentiful for Guyanese to assimilate.

Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive! – Walter Scott. In the days of Scott, whose life spanned 17711832, and who lived in a period of state executions in

Britain, Scott is also quoted as saying, “One or two of these scoundrel statesmen should be shot once a year, just to keep the others on their good behaviour.

However, we in Guyana have no such scoundrel statesmen! Therefore, it is best to again embrace the reworded thoughts of the Roman General Mark Anthony: For Guyana has an Honourable Government, thus our Ministers are also Honourable”.

It is good that ExxonMobil is our major oil contractor; being the undis-

puted king of the integrated oil industry - where Exxon leads, others in the industry follow. We in Guyana, with a relatively small and poor population of between 750,000 and 800,000, now appeal for Exxon’s compassion, mercy and kindness to renegotiate the June 27, 2016 agreement, signed three days before Exxon’s June 30, 2016 announcement of 1.4 billion barrels of oil discovered at another Liza well in the Stabroek Block.

Whether the representatives of Guyana knew

from page 4

of this 1.4 billion barrel find on that fateful day of June 27, 2016, when the Petroleum Agreement was signed, would undoubtedly have made no difference to the contents of the agreement, as our Government has defended the Petroleum Agreement; strenuously, hoarsely and ad nauseum.

Mr. Darren Woods, Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, kindly heed the pleas and prayers of the Guyanese people.

Sincerely, Nigel Hinds

Dear Editor, As mental health continues to be a prime issue of concern in Guyana, particularly the mental health of men, the Guyana Foundation continues in its quest not only to talk about the problem, but also to be a driving force in the promotion of good mental health and holistic wellness for all Guyanese.

In the year 2017, we commenced a programme -- in partnership with the Guyana Police Force, through the Richard Fickal Police College -- of training new recruits in the area of mental health.

On February 27th and 28th, 2018, staff and volunteers of the Guyana Foundation Sunrise Center conducted a two-day workshop at the Police College at Suddie on the Essequibo Coast. The workshop took the form of group discussions, role plays, introspection exercises, and games, all with the objective of having a better understanding of mental health, primarily the mental health of men. The aspiring police officers participated fully in all of the activities, wherein many of them shared some of their own personal struggles not only as those relate to mental health, but also relative to achieving personal success.

The understated are some of the topics covered: understanding self; the benefits of knowing who you are; identifying personal strengths, weaknesses and values; factors that shape and build an individual’s self-esteem; what it means to be successful; setting SMART life

goals; the valley of blame and shame: how negative life experiences influence the present; understanding cultural norms as they relate to men; understanding mental health; factors that affect an individual’s mental health.

Overall, the sessions were a resounding success, as persons took time to share what were some of the points throughout the workshop that resonated with them, and how they intend to apply the knowledge learnt moving forward in their personal lives and career.

In her closing remarks to the participants, Manager of the Sunrise Center, Ms. Miriam Hinds, told the young men, “…if you are going to be successful in the road ahead, you first need to deal with those things in your lives that may potentially serve as obstacles to your success. This means that you must be true to who you are, and be honest about your feelings.”

She further said, “If you are going to be effective in serving others, then you must also be willing to be served; which means (that) if you recognize that you need help, then get the help that you need, knowing that it will not make you less of a man”.

The session ended with participants expressing gratitude to the organization.

A follow-up session is slated for March 27th, when the recruits will demonstrate through role play what they would have learnt throughout the two days.

Regards, Guyana Foundation

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Foundation

Teaching children not to bully I

t can be shocking and upsetting to learn that your child has gotten in trouble for picking on others or been labelled a bully.

As difficult as it may be to process this news, it's important to deal with it right away. Whether the bullying is physical or verbal, if it's not stopped it can lead to more aggressive antisocial behaviour and interfere with your child's success in school and ability to form and sustain friendships.

Understanding bullying behaviour

Children bully for many reasons.

Some bully because they feel insecure.

Picking on someone who seems emotionally or physically weaker provides a feeling of being more important, popular, or in control. In other cases, children bully because they simply don't know that it's unacceptable to pick on children who are different because of size, looks, race, or religion.

In some cases, bullying is a part of an ongoing pattern of defiant or aggressive behaviour. These children are likely to need help learning to manage anger and hurt, frustration, or other strong emotions. They may not have the skills they need to cooperate with others. Professional counselling often can help them learn to deal with their feelings, curb their bullying, and improve their social skills.

Some children who bully at school and in settings with their peers are copying behaviour that they see at home. Children who are exposed to aggressive and unkind interactions in the family often learn to treat others the same way. And children who are on the receiving end of taunting learn that bullying can translate into control over children they perceive as weak.

Starting at home

When looking for the influences on your child's behaviour, look first at what's happening at home. Children who live with yelling, name-calling, putdowns, harsh criticism, or physical anger from a sibling or parent/caregiver may act that out in other settings.

It's natural — and common — for children to fight with their siblings at home. And unless there's a risk of physical violence it's wise not to get involved. But monitor the name-calling and any physical altercations and be sure to talk to each child regularly about what's acceptable and what's not.

It's important to keep your own behaviour in check too. Watch how you talk to your children, and how you react to your own strong emotions when they're around. There will be situations that warrant discipline and constructive criticism.

Helping children stop bullying

But take care not to let that slip into name-calling and accusations. If you're not pleased with your child's behaviour, stress that it's the behaviour that you'd like your child to change, and you have confidence that he or she can do it.

If your family is going through a stressful life event that you feel may have contributed to your child's behaviour, reach out for help from the resources at school and in your community. Guidance counsellors, pastors, therapists, and your doctor can help.

Getting help

To help a child stop bullying, talk with teachers, guidance counsellors, and other school officials who can help you identify situations that lead to bullying and provide assistance.

Your doctor also might be able to help. If your child has a history of arguing, defiance, and trouble controlling anger, consider an evaluation with a therapist or behavioural health professional.

As difficult and frustrating as it can be to help children stop bullying, remember that bad behaviour won't just stop on its own. Think about the success and happiness you want your children to find in school, work, and relationships throughout life, and know that curbing bullying now is progress toward those goals. (Excerpt from kidshealth.org)

L

et your child know that bullying is unacceptable and that there will be serious consequences at home, school, and in the community if it continues.

Try to understand the reasons behind your child's behaviour. In some cases, children bully because they have trouble managing strong emotions like anger, frustration, or insecurity. In other cases, children haven't learned cooperative ways to work out conflicts and understand differences.

Tactics to try

Be sure to: Take bullying seriously. Make sure your children understand that you will not tolerate bullying at home or anywhere else.

Establish rules about bullying and stick to them. If you punish your child by taking away privileges, be sure it's meaningful. For example, if your child bullies other children via email, text messages, or a social networking site, dock phone or computer privileges for a period of time. If your child acts aggressively at home, with siblings or others, put a stop to it. Teach more appropriate (and nonviolent) ways to react, like walking away.

Teach children to treat others with respect and kindness. Teach your child that it is wrong to ridicule differences (eg, race, religion, appearance, special needs, gender, economic status) and try to instil a sense of empathy for those who are different. Consider getting involved together in

a community group where your child can interact with children who are different.

Learn about your child's social life. Look for insight into the factors that may be influencing your child's behaviour in the school environment (or wherever the bullying is occurring). Talk with parents of your child's friends and peers, teachers, guidance counsellors, and the school principal. Do other children bully? What about your child's friends? What kinds of pressures do the children face at school? Talk to your children about those relationships and about the pressures to fit in. Get them involved in activities outside of school so that they meet and develop friendships with other children.

Encourage good behaviour. Positive reinforcement can be more powerful than negative discipline.

Catch your children being good — and when they handle situations in ways that are constructive or positive, take notice and praise them for it.

Set a good example.

Think carefully about how you talk around your children and how you handle conflict and problems.

If you behave aggressively — toward or in front of your children — chances are they'll follow your example.

Instead, point out positives in others, rather than negatives. And when conflicts arise in your own life, be open about the frustrations you have and how you cope with your feelings. (Excerpt from

kidshealth.org)

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monDAY, march 5, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Clive Thomas denies taking Some 86 persons hired at Wales job fair – suggests PSC Chairman political instructions …defends SARA’s reputation

C

riticisms abound that the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA), formerly the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), was created with a political mandate to witchhunt Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) members; but the agency’s head, Professor Clive Thomas, has brushed aside these denunciations and has stated that SARA will not bow to any political pressure.

Dr Thomas is reassuring the public that the agency is an independent one. He says that neither he nor anyone from SARA takes political instructions from politicians, and has explained that that is the reason for removing the agency from under the direction of the Ministry of the Presidency.

With the establishment of SARU, many previous senior Government functionaries under the PPP were arrested by Police, questioned about a series of matters, and later released; but none was ever charged. “Oh no!

We take no outside instructions. We develop our own cases and (our) own investigations, but we are advised by (an) international lawyer, because this is part of a commitment the Government agreed to in 2008 when they joined the United Nations’ convention on corruption,” the SARA head told Guyana Times recently.

He explained that the coalition Government does not have any involvement in the running of the agency, but the Opposition has doubted this assertion because they claimed that SARA is staffed mostly by politicians, and is imbued with a political mandate to witch-hunt, persecute, harass, and intimidate identified segments of the population.

The PPP has argued that SARA has very little to do with justice, but is driven by an agenda overwhelmed with political vengeance and discrimination.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has repeatedly called out Dr. Thomas,

Head of SARA, Professor Clive Thomas

stating Thomas is no longer a professional, but has been “politically compromised.”

Asked to respond to that opinion, the SARA head said, “That is his (Jagdeo’s) opinion! SARA is independent, and nobody has ever given me any direction as to what investigations I should pursue, or any matter related to the activities of SARA. No politician has done that, and I won’t allow the Leader of the Opposition to do that either.”

Pressed further on that issue, Dr. Thomas was asked whether, to keep his integrity, he would resign his post as head of SARA if the suggestions being made by the Opposition are true. He said, “There is no possibility of that ever happening, because the law is clear. This is an independent agency, and it cannot be directed by any outside group, and that is why we left the Ministry of the Presidency.”

Professor Thomas told Guyana Times that although SARA has been blamed for witch-hunting PPP politicians, that has not been proven. “We have been set up by an Act of Parliament which was passed last May, and therefore we never had SARA, but SARU. We no longer operate at Office of the Presidency. We have been proceeding with our investigations, and the work we have been doing…We have arrested no body. We are a civil recovery agency.”

The PPP has already made known its intention to

implement several changes to the SARA Bill 2017 if the Party is re-elected to office in 2020. While noting that the Bill contains some good elements, Jagdeo has said his Party would remove the ambiguity about private property. Further, the PPP intends to remove all the provisions that make the SARA Bill unconstitutional.

Jagdeo said his Party would also ensure that the head of the unit was accountable to someone else, as opposed to leaving it to have that head make his own decisions. The PPP plans to also re-establish the Integrity Commission and provide it with the full powers to execute its mandate effectively and efficiently.

The PPP has said it would ensure that all public officials submit their statements to the Commission, and Jagdeo has said that in cases where they do not, action will be taken against them.

The Opposition has lamented the fact that the current administration did not submit statements to the Commission, but moved swiftly to pass the SARA Bill to recover stolen property.

The PPP argues that the agency creates an environment that encourages the violation of individuals’ constitutional rights and undermines the rule of law, since it has conferred on a sole individual – the Director of SARA -- powers that are 10 times greater than those of the Guyana Police Force.

A total of $89.9 million of current expenditure, to cater for salaries, rental, utilities and other such recurring expenditure, was approved in Parliament for SARA last year. Under Capital Estimates, $13 million were approved for the purchase of two pick-up vehicles for the unit. Another $13.4 million were approved for the purchase of furnishing and other equipment for the property being rented to house the agency.

SARA has been operating at new premise since November 26, 2017.

– berates non-attending critics – Enmore event slated for month-end

F

ollowing inaccurate reports that hundreds of persons in the sugar belt were hired at a job fair recently held in the Wales area, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Eddie Boyer, has indicated that approximately 86 individuals were hired by employers.

He made this disclosure in an interview with <<Guyana Times>> on Sunday, when he reiterated his hope that more

panies; but whether the people stayed, I can’t give a final [number],” he stressed.

The private sector-organised event was held on January 31 in light of the noted challenges faced by hundreds of dismissed sugar workers, their family members, and other persons in the surrounding communities, who have been affected by the closure of the Wales Sugar Estate. The West Demerara PSC Chairman Eddie Boyer

The defunct Wales Estate is open for scrap metal tenders

persons could be hired.

“The response we got for the first fair was overwhelming. The average companies may be hiring about 6 persons and there were 21 com-

entity was shuttered on December 31, 2016, displacing more than 1000 workers, over 300 of whom are yet to receive severance pay.

Boyer contends that job

fairs and similar recruitment exercises should be held to ensure that more persons are employed.

Many persons, including former Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) employees, however contended that the job fair was not appealing to sugar workers, and some even remarked that the fair was a show. Some sugar workers remarked that some companies requested persons with three CXC subjects and they have none. turn to page 9

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monDAY, march 5, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

9 arrested after 2.7kg of cannabis found on WCD

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anks in D Division (West DemeraraEast Bank Essequibo) on Friday arrested nine persons, inclusive of a female, on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) during a drug raid.

The raid, which lasted from 14:00h to 19:00h,

was carried out in a number of villages across the West Coast.

Guyana Times understands that ranks acted on information and swopped down at Goed Fortuin, where one person was arrested with 25.8 grams of cannabis in her

possession.

This publication was informed that five persons were arrested in De Kendren, WCD when ranks swooped down on a known “drug hut”.

With the use of sniffer dogs, the ranks were able to unearth some 2.508 kilo-

grams of cannabis stashed in a drum.

Four persons were later apprehended in Tuschen, where 285 grams of cannabis was discovered.

The arrested persons are now being processed for court.

Texila University President pays courtesy call on Minister Cummings

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exila American University President Saju Bhaskar and Vice Chancellor, Dr Arulsamy Anand paid a courtesy call on Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings on Thursday.

Bhashkar and Anand discussed their initiative to provide a public health training programme for doctors at the New Amsterdam and West Demerara Regional Hospitals.

The two representatives expressed gratitude to the Government for the support From left: Texila American University Vice Chancellor, Dr Arulsamy Anand; Minister they are receiving at the Texila American within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings; Texila American University University in Guyana.

President Saju Bhaskar and the Minister’s Personal Assistant, Richard Francois

Regional STEAM fair to kick off today

Coordinator Loren Park and Regional Education Officer (ag) Tiffany Favourite-Harvey showcase the trophy prizes for this year’s competition

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chool-aged science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) enthusiasts will today and Tuesday flock the Diamond Secondary School, East Bank Demerara, to participate in a regional science fair.

This biennial event provides a platform so that students from nursery to secondary can create and showcase projects from the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

The two-day event is a collaboration between the Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Department of Education and the Region Four Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

The event, themed ‘Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) – the way for a green and sustainable society’, will see participation from 47 nursery, primary and secondary schools, and

competition in 27 categories.

Education Officer Loren Park, coordinator of the fair, confirmed that hosting of the much-anticipated event has been properly prepared for.

“From the entries that are being submitted, I can assure patrons that the competition will be one that is very competitive and of a high standard,” he stated.

The coordinator noted that, to date, the number of participants stands at 220 students, and it is anticipated that another seven to 10 entries would be forthcoming from schools. He also disclosed that Diamond Secondary currently leads with the number of entries submitted. “Diamond Secondary, over the years, has been one that enters a number of entries into the fair, as it’s not a case that because they are the host thus the high number of entries. They are always coming out in large numbers to

the science fair,” Park said.

He added that Hope Secondary and Annandale Secondary follow closely with their number of entries.

This year’s competition will also feature the inclusion of ‘Arts’, hence the name being changed from STEM to STEAM. “We are excited with the addition of the Arts into the fair this year, as it provides opportunities for students to express themselves and showcase projects in this area,” the coordinator stated.

In terms of support and prizes, Park noted that trophy prizes have been acquired for each of the 27 categories. However, he expressed that prizes currently are not there for some winners, and the coordinators are hoping to have additional prizes for the winners, as an incentive for their hard work. “We secured trophies already, but we were hoping to offer some prizes along with the

trophies as an incentive to the winners, so that they can be further motivated.

However, we were not successful in this area, (but) we are hoping that by the end of the fair, some corporate companies can come forward and chip in,” he expressed.

Students in the lower secondary category will be competing in Home Economics, Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, Social and Behavioural Change, and Mathematics. In the upper secondary category, students will be matching skills in Environmental Science, Integrated Science, Agricultural Science, Visual Arts, Home Economics, Mathematics, Industrial Technology, Information Technology, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

In the nursery category, students will be competing in Craft and Environmental Science, and Science and Mathematics; and in the primary category, students would be competing in Mathematics, Craft and Visual Arts, Environmental Science and Science.

The coordinator has said he foresees the hosting of a successful fair. He says students are all eager and excited to showcase their respective projects at the fair.

“While it’s a regional fair, the magnitude in terms of excitement, crowd and anticipation is like it’s a national fair,” he declared.

When the competition was staged in 2016, President’s College placed second while Annandale Primary took the third position. Diamond Secondary will return to reclaim their first place position.

Can’t ignore…

I …Mother Nature

f there were any doubts about the fragility of our sojourn on this “Mosquito Coast” -- as it was called by the Spanish, who passed it up -- it should’ve been dispelled after what happened last Holi on the WCD. Who would’ve thought that waves could be hurled one hundred feet into the air after hitting our sea wall? Can we imagine the energy the wall had to withstand in the tons of water hurled onto it with such force and ferocity?

The floods of 2005, which were concentrated on the ECD, was caused by over-topping of the “back dam” that holds back the conservancy when the rains just wouldn’t stop. This time it was the angry Atlantic which appeared determined to seize the land the Dutch had empoldered from her.

Interestingly, it was Foreign Affairs Minister Greenidge – standing in for the Prime Minister – who visited the area, rather than the Public Infrastructure Minister. And he answered the question posed by an editorial of this newspaper – was the Government going to listen to Mother Nature and start planning to move to higher ground? And his answer was redolent of the do-nothing syndrome of which the entire PNC-led Government is seized: there will be no such movement!!

It would seem that Greenidge wants to emulate King Canute of England, who’d ruled for so long that he believed he could command even the elements.

As the story is told, “when Canute was at the height of his ascendancy, he ordered his chair to be placed on the sea-shore as the tide was coming in. Then he said to the rising tide, “You are subject to me, as the land on which I am sitting is mine, and no one has resisted my overlordship with impunity. I command you, therefore, not to rise on to my land, nor to presume to wet the clothing or limbs of your master.” But the sea came up as usual, and disrespectfully drenched the king’s feet and shins”!!

It didn’t seem as though Greenidge had gone as close to the raging Atlantic as to get his feet wet, and maybe this explains why he could be so blasé about the threat from the oceans. Or maybe he was so focused on playing politics and ignoring the local NDC that he didn’t want to suggest there were things his Government couldn’t do by itself! But it would do him well to remember how King Canute’s story ended: Jumping back, the king cried, “Let all the world know that the power of kings is empty and worthless, and there’s no king worthy of the name save Him by whose will heaven, earth and sea obey eternal laws.”

The people will speak in 2020!

…the people’s role

The sad thing is that no one expected Greenidge to lift up Georgetown and the coastal settlements and fly them into the interior – like those dramatic pictures of the Hindu Deity Hanuman doing something like that.

God forbid!! But, like the PPP government in 2005, he could’ve used the power of government to regulate the activities of residents on the coast as well as hastening the construction of the highway to Lethem – after which folks will spontaneously move away from the Atlantic’s threat.

An option isn’t an option if it isn’t an EXERCISABLE option!! And without a highway to Brazil, it isn’t an option for Coastlanders to move south. Greenidge could’ve also worked with the local NDCs to facilitate homeowners to raise their habitable living spaces at least four feet off the ground – as was mandated after 2005. And he could have assisted the NDCs to step into the shoes of the SILWFC and clear local drains.

But then, the rural flooded areas aren’t Georgetown, and NDCs aren’t the Mayor and City Council, are they?

…the daily grind of the Diva

Can you imagine the recently departed diva Sri Devi made 300 movies in 29 years - from the age of 4 to 33, when she “retired”!

That’s more than 10 movies per year!! Glamour or grind??

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

News

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monDAY, march 5, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CCJ to hear constitutional challenge case next week T he Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is set to hear the Guyana Government’s appeal of the constitutional challenge to presidential term limits.

According to information posted on the CCJ’s website, a hearing on the matter is scheduled to begin at 10:00h on March 12, and will be done via audio-visual recording.

Former Speaker Raphael Trotman and Attorney General Basil Williams were the named respondents in the original constitutional challenge, which was filed

by Georgetown resident Cedrick Richardson in the High Court. This court action, among other things, challenged the constitutionally of the National Assembly-sanctioned two-term limits on the Presidency.

Guyana’s Court of Appeal ruled in February 2017 that the constitutional amendments by Parliament to limit the amount of times a person can serve as President were unconstitutional. During that February decision, then acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh, was supported by Justice of Appeal B.S. Roy in upholding then acting Chief Justice Ian Chang’s decision that the amendments were unconstitutional.

The decision which the Appellate Justice upheld signalled that an amendment to the Constitution on presidential term limits, which was enacted when

define its substantive nature can be altered only by a referendum of the people.

AG Basil Williams and colleague Raphael Trotman challenged the ruling in the CCJ. The decision to refer the matter to the CCJ was presided over by acting Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Appellate Judge Dawn Gregory and then High Court Judge Rishi Persaud.

the National Assembly altered Article 90 via a twothirds vote in 2000, needs a referendum to make a final decision.

This enactment was recommended by an acrossthe-board Constitutional Reform Committee of 2000/2001. This Committee included both Government and Opposition input, and the reform received bipartisan support.

Many observers contend that if the CCJ rules in favour of former CJ Chang’s original ruling, it would allow for former Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo to run on the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C’s) ticket at presidential candidate for the 2020 elections.

Despite this scenario, the party is seemingly undecided on who will be their presidential candidate for next elections Jagdeo, who now serves as Opposition Leader, had in fact told the press that he is more interested in building his party’s base than being bothered by an ongoing court matter.

Jagdeo declared: “When the right time comes, we

will decide on a presidential candidate.”

His comments followed speculation over his future, he having formerly served as President from 1999 to 2011, and having re-entered the field of active politics.

Jagdeo has stressed that he is mostly concerned about ensuring that his party is victorious at the nation’s next polls. “I made it clear that the PPP is not decided on a presidential candidate for 2020.

I’m General Secretary of the party, I took over in January last year after the congress, and my job as General Secretary is to work hard to transform the party, to widen its base, and prepare it to win the elections regardless of what position I serve in,” he noted.

Attorney General Basil Williams had appealed the Appeal Court’s landmark ruling in February 2017 that declared that sovereignty resides in the people and not in the Parliament; and as such, certain fundamental clauses in the Constitution that serve to

If that appeal is unsuccessful, then the voters of Guyana would have a choice of four classes of persons that were barred

by Art 17 of 2001.

These classes are: (A) only a citizen by birth or of parentage can qualify to be the President; (B) a person must be residing in Guyana on the date of nomination for election, (C) a person must have been a resident

for seven years immediately before that date, and (D) Citizens of Guyana who have served for two terms as President.

Last elections, back in 2015, saw former President Donald Ramotar serving as the PPP’s presidential candidate, while his running mate was Diplomat Elisabeth Harper, who served as the party’s prime ministerial candidate.

Some 86 persons hired at Wales...

When questioned about some of the criticisms, the PSC Chairman told this newspaper that he need not offer a response to such remarks, as many of the persons, in his view, did not realise the rationale behind the private sector-led event.

“I can’t respond to sentiments of individuals who were not there, didn’t understand the objective, and did not see the response to the fair and that we tried to make the people marketable,” Boyer retorted.

Boyer last month disputed reports carried in the State media that some 800plus persons were instantaneously hired at a job fair it held for ex-Wales workers at Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WBD). He clarified then that it was over 800 jobs which were available, and not that hundreds of persons were provided with employment.

Enmore leg of fair

Meanwhile, Guyana Times understands that another job fair is planned

for March month-end at Enmore. This follows reports that the PSC was making arrangements to coalesce with additional companies to host a similar exercise in the environs of the East Demerara (Enmore) Estate, where many sugar workers have lost their jobs.

Despite its plans, the Private Sector has been accused of displaying an inability to pressure Government against dismissing thousands of sugar workers.

In fact, Advisor to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Peter Ramsaroop, said there was contempt for the working class when the PSC hosted the job fair.

He has called the exercise “nothing but a public relations stunt”.

According to Ramsaroop business leaders, instead of presenting workable and viable options, plans and information to the sugar workers and others who were seeking employment, “chose instead to pontificate on the disillusioned people learning to accept change, and pointing to

from page 7

cultural shifts in an attempt to placate those devastated by the ad-hoc decision-making of the Government of the day – decisions they in the Private Sector stood by and watch the unfolding of these callous actions”.

When Boyer spoke to this newspaper in January, he said he supported calls for the establishment of a new industrial zone at Wales, but cautioned that training was needed to provide former sugar workers with skills to get gainful employment in other fields.

Late last month, the Finance Ministry’s Special Purposes Unit (SPU) announced that 100 cane harvesters would be re-hired to cut cane at Rose Hall.

Wales workers expressed hope that their estate could have a similar re-opening, but this is unlikely based on reports that much of the equipment has been sent to other estates. SPU has recently invited tenders for the entity’s scrap metal and several lots near the estate.

(Shemuel Fanfair)

10 news

monDAY, march 5, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PNCR members get study tour of Parliament

AG and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams delivering remarks at the event

Some of the Patriots members

A

ttorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, SC, who is the Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC), told a group of party members on Saturday that the Parliament represented accountability and transparency, and urged them to learn more about the workings of this body.

Williams was at the time delivering the feature address at the opening of a one-day study tour by the Patriots – a PNCR group comprising mainly professionals –at Guyana’s Parliament.

The tour was facilitated by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs and included presentations from other key staff of the Parliament. Williams congratulated the Patriots and its Education Coordinator, Dr Taishan Shanks for the innovative exercise.

“This what you have organised here today is very innovative and I must applaud you because it is in this hallowed chambers that decisions which affect the lives of all of us are made and I am pleased you are attempting today to understand the process…,” Williams remarked.

He told the group that Parliament represented accountability and trans-

parency, and explained the difference between the Parliament and the National Assembly. He also spoke about the place of Parliament in the doctrine of separation of powers.

Attorney Williams emphasised the distinction between the British Parliament and that of Guyana. He made special note that in Britain the Parliament is supreme, but in Guyana the Constitution is. “But where the Parliament passes laws in conformity with the prescription in the Constitution it was supreme, because the courts could not intervene in the substance of the legislation…”

Williams also pointed out to the Patriots the seating arrangements in Parliament with the Government and Opposition facing each other. He said this physical adversarial outlook notwithstanding, should not deter Members of Parliament (MPs) from acting in the interest of the people of Guyana.

During the study tour, the group heard presentations on the history of Parliament; definition of Parliament and the composition of the National Assembly; roles of MPs; parliamentary procedures; bill, and interpretation of parliamentary terms among other topics.

NEWS

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monDAY, march 5, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Elderly woman killed WCD/EBE flooding in Melanie accident Rebuilding works to commence this week T By: Kizzy Coleman

he family of an elderly Melanie, East Coast Demerara (ECD) woman was on Sunday morning thrown into despair after she was struck down and killed allegedly by a speeding minibus while on her way to church.

The dead woman has been identified as 87-yearold Lydia Rodriguez, called “Aunty Baby”, of Lot 51 North Melanie.

Guyana Times understands that the woman was struck down around 06:00h just 15 minutes after she left her home.

It is being reported that minibus BKK 6714, which was being driven by Narsigh Jagsar, of Supply, Mahaica, ECD was proceeding west along the southern lane of the said road while the pedestrian was standing on the northern side of the road.

However, as the minibus approached, Rodriguez began to cross the road from north to south, ending up on the southern lane. As such, she was struck by the vehicle.

Rodriguez, who sustained head injuries, was picked up by public-spirited persons in an unconscious state and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital,

Lydia Rodriguez

where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

A breathalyser test conducted on Jagsar showed no trace on alcohol in his system.

He was taken into Police custody and was assisting with the investigation.

This publication visited the woman’s home and was told by her son, Courtney Cansious, that Rodriguez was on her way to church.

According to the man, the accident occurred just 15 minutes after his mom left her house.

She was reportedly chatting with a villager who assisted her by stopping a minibus, which she had to cross over the road to get on.

“He hit she down and he fling. She wig left one part on the road and she body

was at another part,” the distraught man explained.

Cansious relayed that he was told by the said villager who accompanied his mother that she was almost on the other side of the road when she was struck down.

He explained, “The man tell me that he flag down the bus and it stop so he and my mother say their goodbyes and then he was about to hop unto his motorcycle.

He say that when he look up, she was almost on the other side of the road when the bus came out of nowhere and knock she down.”

He claimed that the driver of the vehicle had to be speeding and relayed that eyewitnesses could attest to the same.

“He was speeding and like he was trying to overtake somebody because people who saw the accident say that by the time he saw the lady, he couldn’t have done anything to save she.”

Cansious also revealed that when taken back to the scene of the accident, the driver was unable to explain clearly to the traffic officer what had occurred.

Rodriquez leaves to mourn four children and many grandchildren. She was described as a very fun-loving and agile woman.

The matter is being further investigated.

Residents cleaning up after the floods

A

fter devastating high tides battered coastal communities last week, the Public Infrastructure Ministry has disclosed plans to assess and better the sea defences on the West Coast of Demerara, especially in the recently-affected areas.

While assessing the destruction the high tides had caused on Saturday, residents of the affected areas called on Central Government to look into improving sea defences, with larger boulders and proper drainage so that last week’s flooding could not recur. It appears that that call has been heard by the Public Infrastructure Ministry.

In a phone interview with Guyana Times, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson highlighted that those concerns were at the top of his agenda.

“My agency is just trying to make sure that the infrastructure is back in better order; that’s what my concern is,” he stated.

When asked about the Ministry’s plans going forward, Patterson noted that the official assessment of the area would commence today.

“Tomorrow (today) we will be doing a full [tour]

around the villages. If any internal damage or so forth, we will be doing that work this week,” he noted.

Former Housing Minister and current Member of Parliament (MP) Irfaan Ali has also announced that the Tuschen/ Uitvlugt Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) members, along with himself, have done a flood assessment by walking from house to house tabulating the level and cost of damage in the area.

Aside from that, Ali stated that the NDC members would be hosting a meeting with the displaced residents at 16:00h (4pm) today so that they could voice their concerns and share what areas they may still need assistance in.

The NDC and MP Ali had registered their disappointment with acting Prime Minister Carl Greenidge, along with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), meeting residents without the NDC and Councillors of the Local Government arm. “We feel disrespected after all our efforts to work in a collaborative manner with the stakeholders. The local response committee will continue to work in the interest of residents,” the NDC

had stated.

The communities of Ocean View, Uitvlugt, Leonora and Stewartville were on Thursday plunged into a state of despair when massive high tides not only overtopped the sea defences, but also battered those defences, leaving them in a crumbling state.

Over 300 residents were displaced and made to stay in emergency shelters as the high tides continued to create havoc over the weekend.

Some clean-up works had started on Saturday when the CDC and acting Prime Minister Greenidge visited the affected areas to distribute relief items.

Residents received items such as water, bleach, mops and other cleaning agents.

When Guyana Times visited the area, residents were seen clearing the damage caused by the floods, with many of them removing mud and other debris.

To date, the smashed seawalls have been barricaded with sandbags and concrete slabs. However, there is fear that these reinforcements may not be enough since the distressed villages are bracing themselves for more high tides.

Mother’s condition worsens after poisoning incident

D

octors at the Skeldon Hospital continue their battle to save the life of a young mother, who it is believed ingested a poisonous substance and gave some to her one-year-old baby.

The incident occurred on the Upper Corentyne on Saturday morning. On Sunday evening, the woman’s condition was deemed critical.

According to a hospital source, since the woman was admitted on Saturday in stable condition, her condition has worsened and up to press time, she was considered to be critical.

The source said the in-

fant had showed signs of improvement, but there were some worrying physical signs which had developed over the first 24 hours.

The source said sections of the infant’s lips had begun to burst. However, the general health of the child had improved.

On Saturday morning, 19-year-old Roshanie Ramlakhan, of Number 58 Village, Corentyne, was picked up in a semi-conscious state next to a bus shed at Number 61 Village and the child was standing next to her when she was found.

She claimed that she had

ingested a poisonous substance and also given some to her baby to drink.

Reports are that the woman and her 23-yearold husband had an argument earlier in the day and she left the house taking the child with her.

While relatives have confirmed that there was an argument between the couple, they could not say what they were arguing over but related that an argument between the two was nothing strange.

The woman and child were taken to the hospital by the Police, who were investigating the incident.

12 news

monDAY, march 5, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Jagdeo calls for audit of GRO’s digitisation process

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

I

n light of recent developments in Region One (Barima-Waini), Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is calling for an audit to be done on the digitisation of records at the General Registrar’s Office (GRO).

Jagdeo’s comments came in light of recent pronouncements made by Citizenship Minister Winston Felix, who claimed that the process is transparent and one that does not include partisanship.

However, the Opposition Leader feels that there might be attempts to fiddle with the registration process at the GRO using the digitization of records as the cover for “fictitious names being registered, which could then be used, (seeing) that it is registered with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).”

Jagdeo said he would also urge GECOM to pay careful attention to the issue, because the integrity of that entity’s data base would depend heavily on the source documents being issued by the GRO. “But (it is) not just GECOM that has to worry, but all the foreign embassies and everyone else; because if people have fake Guyanese documents and some of them are not Guyanese, they pass through here and just get the fake documents for the purpose of registra-

tion, they can eventually secure passports and a whole range of other documents,” Jagdeo opined.

The Opposition Leader is asserting that the integrity of the disgitisation process is vital.

“We in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) are paying careful attention to this, given what has happened historically -- that the heavy padding of the voters list with fictitious names was a norm under previous Government sometime back in our history,” Jagdeo recalled.

He also reminded that the Opposition is still concerned with the Government’s closeness with groups of people, including Haitians who pass through Guyana. He said that from reports that he has received, these foreign nationals are mainly chaperoned through Guyana

by Government officials.

“It’s normal for people to transit your country, but they don’t have ministry officials meeting them when they are transiting. They just come in, they get stamp in at immigration and (then) they go out,” he added.

Jagdeo said encounters with Government officials and Haitians transiting Guyana’s main port of entry are something that does not look too convincing, and there might be something happening.

Region One Chairman,

Brentnol Ashley, has only recently raised concerns about the active participation and involvement of Government Member of Parliament (MP) Richard Allen in the affairs and functions of several State agencies and elected bodies in the Region.

Ashley complained about MP Allen’s active involvement with the GRO visiting team issuing birth certificates in the Region, and had noted that the MP was not employed at any of those agencies.

While Ashley has said he commends the work of the GRO in reaching out to Region One with the objective of ensuring the people of the Region are registered, he has questioned the transparency and equality of treatment due to MP Allen’s apparently being “embedding” in the team’s day-today operations and process regarding the issuance of birth registration.

Ashley went on to disclose that he has even received reports of Allen personally distributing birth certificates in bulk to people in various communities.

With Local Government Elections due this year, birth registration documents are critical for the registration of voters, and in the past, the toshaos and other community leaders had been the ones who worked with the GRO team, since they were knowledgeable about the eligibility of residents in their communities.

However, the Regional Chairman pointed out that the fact that “Allen (is) accompanying and directing the GRO team as to who needs birth certificates and subsequent distribution of birth certificates is highly questionable and suspect”.

In addition to the MP’s access to such personal and sensitive documents, Ashley went on to highlight that Allen has been distributing pension books, despite the Social Protection Ministry’s objection to anyone other than staff members doing so.

ExxonMobil to commence drilling Liza-5 well this week

P

reparations are being made by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, to begin drilling Liza 5 well sometime this week.

ExxonMobil’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Kimberly Brasington, told Guyana Times on Sunday that drilling will happen soon, as the operations at Pacora have been completed.

“Liza 5 is the fifth well to be drilled in the Liza field.

We will use the data gathered from this well to help further plan and optimize the Liza Phase 2 development project,” she said.

Brassington reminded that the Liza Phase 1 development project would produce about half the oil in the Liza field. The proposed Liza Phase 2 development project would produce the other half.

“Ultimately, there will be two FPSOs floating offshore, producing oil from the Liza Field. There will likely be a third FPSO floating offshore which will produce the oil found in both Payara and Pacora.”

EEPGL said drilling operation is scheduled for a threemonth period at the Liza-5 Well site within the Stabroek block. The drill site is approximately 108.2 miles from the coast of Guyana.

Five vessels: Stena Carron, M/V Cat Island, M/V Hannah Chouest, HOS Commander, and M/V Fast Titan will be used in the operation.

On February 28, ExxonMobil announced its seventh oil discovery offshore Guyana, following drilling at the Pacora-1 exploration well.

ExxonMobil encountered approximately 65 feet (20 metres) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoir. The well was safely drilled to a depth of 18,363 feet (5,597 metres) in 6,781 feet (2,067 metres) of water. Drilling commenced on Jan. 29, 2018.

“This latest discovery further increases our confidence in developing this key area of the Stabroek Block,” said Steve Greenlee, President of ExxonMobil Exploration Company. “Pacora will be developed in conjunction with the giant Payara field; and along with other phases, will help bring Guyana’s produc-

tion to more than 500,000 barrels per day.”

The Pacora-1 well is located approximately four miles west of the Payara-1 well, and follows previous discoveries on the Stabroek Block at Liza, Payara, Liza Deep, Snoek, Turbot and Ranger.

Following completion of the Pacora-1 well, the Stena Carron drillship will move to the Liza field to drill the Liza5 well, and complete a well test which will be used to assess concepts for the Payara development.

ExxonMobil announced project sanctioning for the Liza phase one development in June 2017. Following Liza5, the Stena Carron will conduct additional exploration and appraisal drilling on the block.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator, and holds 45 percent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest, and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.

Berbice Mash surpasses expectations

By Andrew Carmichael

T

housands converged on the streets of New Amsterdam as the curtains came down on Mashramani celebrations in East Berbice.

The float parade in New Amsterdam comprised sections of the parade that were on the road in Georgetown on February 23rd buttressed by those that were put on the road as the town held its own Mash parade.

The event was organized by the Regional Mashramani Committee under the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Region Six Administration.

Many viewed this year’s parade as the biggest ever, and some have even said it was the biggest in decades.

The parade commenced at 14:30 hours from Marks Bridge at the southern extremity of the town, and moved through Main Street at a snail’s pace, much to the delight of the crowd, to eventually make its way to the Matthew Allen Road.

The four-hour tramp took a toll on some of the revellers.

This was evident as many of them were not as energetic as when they started tramping. Among the groups participating in the parade were the Region Six Health Posse spon-

sored by the Regional Health Services Department. The posse portrayed the importance and benefits of a healthy lifestyle in a float designed

by Maurice Moriah, which focused on care and prayer as key elements of having good health.

The Regional Democratic Council led the procession with their float depicting unity through Caricom. The Ministry

of the Presidency (President’s Youth Award (PYRG), the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Education, along with the GTT were all part of Berbice Mash 2018. The Ministry of Social Cohesion and ‘B’ Division Police, with a large contingent of revelers, did as they had planned to do: ‘Mashup N/A’. Region Six Chairman David Armogan has said he was satisfied with the turnout.

“The crowds that have come on the road today show the unity of the Guyana peo-

ple. We see people of all different ethnic backgrounds out here today…and this is good; it shows that we are becoming a mature people (when) we can celebrate as a Guyanese people,” the Chairman said.

The scene was a sea of colour that embraced the carnival atmosphere. The bands on the road that were strategically placed, along with those on the trucks, provided more than adequate music for the dancing thousands. The revellers tramped to a cacophony of sounds, gyrated to the music, and just let loose in every way.

The Police were out in their numbers, too, along with motorcycle patrols that sought to preserve law and order along the Mash route.

Shawn Sinclair from Essequibo said it was the first time she had come to Berbice for Mash.

“I always hear about Berbice Mash, but this is the first time for me… I love it! I gotta come back next year,” she said. A friend who was with her said she was in Georgetown on February 23rd.

“Georgetown Mash is joke to Berbice Mash!” she declared.

Another group said that there seemed to be more people on the road in New Amsterdam than were on the roads in Georgetown. As the floats passed, thousands remained on the road and just ‘partied’.

NEWS

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monDAY, march 5, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Scotiabank, Brain Curtailed Phagwah Central successfully host celebrations at Wales Mathematics Olympiad

Winner of the Mathematics Olympiad, Haresh Rameshwar receiving his prizes from Brain Central CEO Lance Hinds

T

he Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank), in collaboration with Brain Central, on Sunday hosted a mathematics Olympiad which was aimed at preparing students for their upcoming examinations.

The hour-long competition utilized Brain Central’s online course which consists of over fifty thousand test questions.

The preliminary round of the competition was held on Saturday, and was open to grades six and nine students.

However, grade nine students failed to register for the competition, and only grade six students participated. The participants were tested on basic curriculum which they should know in anticipation of their upcoming National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

Based on the results garnered from the preliminary round on Saturday, four participants were selected to compete in the finals of the Olympiad on Sunday. The four students are all preparing to sit the NGSA examinations at the end of this month.

The online quiz produced a series of random questions with which the students at the grade six exam level would be familiar.

The Brain Central soft-

ware consists of over fifty thousand questions covering curriculum from primary to tertiary levels. The institution began its work at the tertiary level in 2006, and, over the years, has developed to serve primary and Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC) exams.

Work has also been completed for the University of West Indies Cave Hill Campus School of Business Master’s programme, and the University of Guyana, which attests to the software’s credibility. Speaking with the Guyana Times, Brain Central’s Chief Executive Officer, Lance Hinds, shared a little on what the course caters for. “We create quizzes that are timed, of course, so that kids can practise and are ready for exams,” he explained.

He also noted that Brain Central furnishes questions for as low as grade four, which can also prepare students for their grade four assessment, in addition to grade six.

Hinds shared the reason behind the initiative, “The thought behind this was to make it sporty, not only for you to just do work. The idea of this would be to partner with people like Scotiabank to be able to provide prizes to recognize you for your work.”

Scotiabank’s Marketing Manager, Jennifer Cipriani, noted that the company was elated to be a part of such an initiative, which would help to foster children’s education, especially in the difficult field of mathematics.

The competition was hosted at the University of Guyana’s Centre for Information Technology in order to utilize the resources there. The four eager participants were flocked by parents, grandparents and siblings who were present to offer support. The proceedings were adjudicated by an experienced team from Brain Central.

The participants were Daniel Singh, Haresh Rameshwar, Daniel Jacobs and the lone female being Hanifa Ali. Daniel Singh was deemed to have an advantage going in to Sunday’s competition, given that he came out on top at the preliminary round.

At the end of the competition, the scores were automatically tallied by computerized system and the winner was shortly announced. In the spirit of good competition, each participant was awarded one tablet, while the winner received an additional plaque, compliments of Scotiabank.

An enthusiastic Haresh Rameshwar came out on top of the competition, noting that he did not find the quiz difficult, and was proud of his performance. The confident young man expressed that the quiz acted as a good warm up for the upcoming exams, and that he wishes to attend Queen’s College in September.

Brain Central does not plan to stop its work, in fact, the entity has announced that it would also host an English version of the competition within the next few weeks, before the NGSA exam. The organization plans to broaden collaborations in order to continue hosting similar competitions.

I

Boys in Vreisland, WBD enjoying a game of cricket on Sunday

t was water and colours galore in many communities across the country and it was no different in the villages surrounding the Wales Estate for last week’s Phagwah or Holi observance.

However, while the youth and many of the adults participated in the festivities, depleted finances and reduced economic prospects were on the minds of many housewives and their spouses. On a visit to Vriesland, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on Sunday, residents told Guyana Times that while they did celebrate, their celebrations were curtailed and diminished as they did not have enough money to make merry to the fullest as in the case when the Wales Sugar Factory was operating.

Apart from adorning each other with coloured powder and abeer, Phagwah, is one of the occasions when Hindus would make sweet-

ter and played with powder, people could not fully observe the festivities as they did not have enough money.

“People celebrate yea, but not to the fullest because people ain’t really got much money this time,” the housewife noted.

Sunday afternoon in a guava tree

Her neighbour, Ryad Khan, while Muslim, shared similar sentiments and he observed the plight of his

This greens vendor hopes to sell his produce

meats like mettai and sweet rice and share with fellow community members and relatives. The wife of fish vendor Daybie Harripaul told this publication that while many persons showered each other with wa-

whatever lil’ they got,” he noted.

When this newspaper visited the area, several young men, many of whom who would have eventually depended on Wales Estate, were playing cricket on the main road. Near them were several men living in the area who noted the hardship of sending children to school.

Father Rahem Seepersaud explained that he did not celebrate the holiday this year.

“If you ain’t have money to eat, how you gan celebrate Phagwah? Just de big one eat and all de small ones suffering. All de Ministers dem play Phagwah and on de road for Mashramani, but we got to deh home,”

fellow villagers, who were still finding difficulty gaining consistent work. He too was a laid-off sugar worker, but said he could not receive severance pay as he only had three years of service.

“People still celebrate

Seepersaud claimed.

He, along with other villagers, stressed that with increasing living expenses and bills, he does not have money for luxuries. A 58-yearold shop owner told Guyana Times that businesses were continually being affected by the reduced finances of residents.

Some 375 Wales workers are without their benefits after they refused to take up employment at the Uitvlugt Estate, contending that they cannot be compelled, under law, to travel 22 miles from their original place of work to the Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara Estate. Phagwah is the celebration of the triumph of good over evil and is enjoyed by many Guyanese regardless of colour, race, and creed.

1st Annual “Drum Fest 2018” on for June T

he sounds of the drums will come alive with great pump and ceremony this June, as the first ever “Drum Fest 2018” will be held in Guyana. It will see drummers of our many different cultures vying for a chance to win some $1.5 million in cash and prizes, while relishing in the heritage of our country.

Initiated by the CFW Entertainment, the fest is being brought to the platter out of the need for greater and more impacting recognition for the art of drumming in Guyana.

Drum Fest 2018 is also geared at bringing all drummers in Guyana together in unity, while ensuring that the tradition stays alive.

New talents will be discovered and unleashed, while the art of drumming will be promoted and revitalised, as drummers from as little as 5 years old are expected to

It will see drummers of our many different cultures vying for a chance to win some $1.5 million in cash and prizes

perform.

Steel pan, Tassa and African drums would be expected out of groups such as African Amazon, Otishka, Den Amstel Drumming Group, Fodoko Players, and many more.

Corwyn Williams of the CFW Entertainment has noted that greater importance should be

placed on drumming in Guyana.

“I am of the view that, with the right heads, minds and hands fused together, “Drum Fest 2018” can become the platform to promote Guyana, not only as the Land of many Waters, but also as a Land of Pulsating Drums” he said.

He revealed that drummer in Guyana are saddened by how

lightly their art is being treated.

“Drummers around Guyana are of the opinion that this tradition is treated too lightly. As a result, we see drummers in the streets and byways desperately trying to sustain the art form. This is the reason why we initiated this event, which is going to not only handsomely reward the participants, but will be made an annual event at various locations in Guyana,” Williams announced.

Enthusiastic for the event, Williams assured drummers, “We will ensure that this tradition is escalated to the very top of the recognition ladder, where it rightly fully belongs!”

Public Relations officer of the Drum Fest, Alex Wayne, shared similar sentiments as he reminded that drumming is not only of importance to our culture, but also should be taken to the next level in Guyana.

Wayne assured that this first-ever drum festival in Guyana can be expected to be a phenomenal one.

One drummer promised to bring a fusion of Queh-Queh, swarie and dubay, which will be incorporating various cultures.

“We are very excited and from Berbice. We are going to be ten members strong, and we will definitely be hitting the place with music, so that is to be expected from us” said the African Amazon member.

Another drummer will be bringing not only drumming, but the singing of songs alike to the table.

The Tourism and Hospitality Association (THAG) is in full support of the venture, and will be a major sponsor of same.

The location of the event, which will be called either the National or Durban Park, will be announced later.

14 news

monDAY, march 5, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Free transportation for dismissed sugar workers’ children

Oil sector

Region 6 REO refusing to write Govt

Selective bidding among measures to allocate oil blocks

T

he Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne), Kim WilliamsStephen, is reluctant to write Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, on the wishes of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

Regional Chairman David Armogan, addressing the RDC at its March statutory meeting, told the RDC that the REO did not send a letter as the RDC had instructed her to do one month ago.

The RDC had, during the February meeting, passed a motion for Government to provide and finance transportation for the children of severed sugar workers in the Rose Hall Canje/East Bank Berbice areas, and in the areas from Crabwood Creek to Number 56 Village on the Corentyne.

Regional Vice Chairman Dennis DeRoop, in the motion, called for Government to provide funding to the RDC for this transportation.

He noted that 1,141 sugar workers from Rose Hall, Canje Estate and 1,851 from Skeldon Estate were severed by GuySuCo and the Government of Guyana.

“The workers were unable to secure alternative employment, and no alternative employment was provided by the Government,” he told the RDC while adding that the sugar workers and their families have been severely and

Region Six REO Kim Williams-Stephen and Regional Vice Chairman Dennis DeRoop

adversely affected.

He said the severed sugar workers have thousands of children attending school, and because of the unconscionable decision of GuySuCo and the Government, they are no longer able to send their children to school.

The RDC, he said, should be issued with funding to provide financing for the transportation of the affected children. All of the coalition councillors supported the motion.

And in a second motion put to the RDC, DeRoop called on Government to subsidize Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and Guyana Water Inc (GWI) bills for these severed sugar workers.

The motion noted that the severed sugar workers are facing tremendous hard-

ships, are unable to provide for the needs of their families, and have been unable to pay their GPL and GWI bills. Also, because of the direct action of the Government and GuySuCo, the communities that the severed workers reside in have become depressed.

At the March month meeting, Armogan reported that no letter was sent to the Government, as the RDC had requested. “It is the REO, clerk of the council, whose duty it is to carry out the wishes of the RDC, and she has failed to do so. She has to do it, It is her job!” he told the RDC. The REO was not present at that meeting. However, Armogan said he would be instructing the REO to carry out the wishes of the RDC.

– says Trotman

D

espite the parliamentary Opposition urging Government to auction Guyana’s remaining oil blocks, Government has intimated that a process of both direct engagement and selective bidding would be used to allocate the blocks.

When contacted, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman directed Guyana Times to a statement carried in sections of the media. In the statement, he expressed that direct engagements with other State-owned companies such as Brazil’s Petrobras would be sought.

“As for the manner of disposal, we will be seeking direct engagements with some State-owned companies such as Petrobras and may favour a select bidding process in order to attract other international majors,” Trotman stated.

At his press conference last week, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had urged the Government to take its own petroleum advisor’s advice, which was to auction off the remaining oil blocks.

“You don’t need to bring anyone in to tell you what your advisor already said, ‘Auction the blocks’. That is the best way that the Government gets value,” Jagdeo had stressed to the media.

The issue of the oil blocks is a thorny one. Last year, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson caught flak when he claimed that all of the offshore petroleum blocks had been farmed out by Jagdeo, a former President.

Petroleum advisor, Dr Jan Mangal, had come out publicly to urge the auctioning of the available petroleum blocks. “There is a very serious risk of corruption with this method, due to the lack of transparency and accountability… Most countries have abandoned this method, as experts recommend against using it.

Guyana should no longer be awarding petroleum acreage via one-on-one negotiations after the Liza discovery in 2015,” Dr Mangal had said.

“After the Liza discovery in 2015, Guyana was in a position to use the method of competitive bidding for the award of leases…The Liza discovery de-risked Guyana, and as a consequence, all the major oil companies recognise that there is oil in the country. Hence, all the oil companies will be interested in bidding for leases in a transparent way, which ensures that Guyana incorporates market forces to maximise its share,” Dr Mangal had said.

Dr Mangal used the opportunity to reiterate that, “the petroleum advisor’s position has consistently maintained that competitive bidding is indeed the best approach for Guyana”.

He had also called the public’s attention to a direct correspondence from May 2017 with one such oil company attempting to acquire acreage via one-on-one negotiation.

According to Dr Mangal, that company was advised by him that: “Now that Guyana is on the radar post-Liza, it is my personal view that all future acreage should be leased in a way which maximises benefit to Guyana; hence, in a market-orientated way by an open bid round, to ensure competition. And acreage should not be negotiated one-on-one between the Government and a prospective developer.”

According to Dr Mangal, the risk of Government’s friends and family illegally obtaining leases will be significantly reduced if an independently managed and well-audited competitive bidding process is used.

“There is no rush to award more leases, since Guyana is already occupied with the developments in the Stabroek Block,” Dr Mangal had said.

Lindeners observe Mashramani 2018 with grandeur

By Utamu Bell

T

he celebration of Mashramani returned to its birthplace on Sunday, and hundreds took to the streets of Linden to be imbued with the excitement of the annual costume and float parade.

Heavy downpours which threatened to dampen the carnival atmosphere could not deter Lindeners from witnessing the floats and participating in the revelry.

The procession, consisting of approximately 4 floats, made its way from across the Mackenzie shore to Wismar,

where it culminated at the Bayroc Community Centre Ground.

Some of the costumes which formed part of the procession included the Ministry of Natural Resources, the

As is customary, onlookers lined the streets to get a glimpse of the live spectacle. Food, fete and frolic were what formed the ambience at the Bayroc Community Centre Ground in the true

continues to leave much to be desired.

Speaking after the float parade, Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland noted that there was a greater turnout along the route last year, but he blamed it on the weather.

"I know last year, along the route, there was a lot more people along the road", he remarked.

He, nevertheless, noted that he was grateful for the turnout. Holland called for greater unity in the spirit of Mashramani, as he made calls for a thousand strong to participate in the observances next year.

spirit of Mashramani, as Lindeners took time out to socialize with each other.

But despite this, many Lindeners note that the observance, which started 48 years ago in the community,

There were also mixed reactions among Lindeners who witnessed Sunday's event. "I think as the years go by, it's progressing, but I think we need to look at a different angle to get more people out. (I

Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) Democratic Council (RDC) and the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC).

ANSA McAL Stag trucks and Banks DIH party trucks kept the atmosphere alive with the sounds of soca and chutney music which penetrated the atmosphere as the revellers pranced through the streets.

think they should) Go into the different communities and maybe pool some money into those communities and let them portray banners and maybe you would have more people participating, and it would be a better festival, from what I see.

“I think Linden, as the birthplace for Mashramani, I think the Government needs to invest in more floats for Linden. Even after they are finished in town, maybe that would help our community develop and increase the participation", an onlooker told

<<Guyana Times>>.

Onlooker Odetta Fraser also shared similar sentiments. "I think we needed more costumes and more floats. Yes, it got the support, but we need to be more uniform. We got the support; it's big, but we need to come bigger and better next year. I think we can do it", she said.

Denisia Chapman noted that while the celebration was grand this year, it could've been better. "I think this year was better than last year and they had a good turnout, but it could've been better", she said.

Mashramani celebrations began in Linden by the Jaycees Committee 48 years ago, but eventually moved to Georgetown. The observance is usually held in Linden a week after the celebration in the capital city.

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monDAY, march 5, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say

I SAY...

What are your thoughts on the prevalence of drugs in schools?

Kim Edwards

Vernon Todd

"This is one of the issues that I dislike because drugs are supposed to be prohibited from schools and there's supposed to be tight security and consequences, or laws set out in schools for children found with drugs. I feel that drugs should not be used in school. Drugs are not something good to be used in school.

Some children use marijuana and say that it would boost their education level, that it would keep them focused when they go to write their exams, if they have a little project in class or they have to be questioned. But I feel that is so wrong, because some children can't take marijuana, whereas some are accustomed to it. Some of them, when they start using it, they can't do without it and they become addicted to such drugs. Some young people taking marijuana mixed with other drugs. Drugs also lead to abuse. So, children have to be wise not to drink, don't take drugs.”

"Consequences of addiction include brain abnormalities, slowed thinking and impaired learning and memory. It can also deplete the brain of certain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, sending high schoolers into a prolonged depression and leaving them susceptible to more destructive behaviours.

Alcohol abuse in high school impacts the brain just as hard as other drugs. Memory problems and other lifelong brain issues are common in high schoolers who drink excessively. Substance abuse education should be in the curriculum. Communities can also help schools reduce personal and social risk factors that influence young people to use these substances, and promote protective factors that have a less negative impact. "

Keisha Thorman

Ashianna Dhanraj

“By using drugs, children lose focus on what they’re actually going to school for, which is, their education.

Drugs tend to get them involved in fights and also mislead them which eventually results in them skipping school. If children who are in school continue to use drugs, they would not have job opportunities or qualifications due to dropping out.”

Clint Brummell

“I think people need to talk to children more about using and taking drugs to school to sell. It's more university students do it to pay for their student’s loans. I think it’s important for some companies to take students for parttime jobs. However, it's come down to what people want for themselves.”

“Drugs should not even be a problem in schools, how did we get to this stage? That is, having to discuss drugs in schools? Whatever means need to be taken to rectify this should be taken urgently!

It is very sad to know that my children would have to go school where they are supposed to be safe and protected from such things; however, this is not the case anymore. Fix it!”

Kester Whyte

“It’s a situation that needs more attention as it relates to what drugs are being used and the reasons behind it – whether it be experimentation, domestic issues, etc. There needs to be updated drug education programmes, which do not rely on scare tactics.

Laws and punishment for the use of marijuana would also need to be revised as a longterm strategy since they are based on old and inaccurate data and frankly, we don’t need any more youths potentially losing their future over it.”

Joseph Thompson

“Drugs destroy children’s and adults’ minds. It is not good for young children growing up; they are the future of tomorrow. I wish I had some of these things these young kids having today, I would be a better man in society.”

Vickram Pattiram

“The use of drugs in school is wrong. However, the main problem is how the relevant authorities can stop the distribution of it among students.”

Salomi Foo

“I don’t think drug use in schools is right, because it has strong effects on the students.

The Ministry needs to have more programmes to educate the young on the dangers of using drugs. The parents also need to be educated.”

Delroy Cupidore

“Drugs are a growing epidemic that plagues our society, but the disappointment comes when these heartless individuals constantly try to influence our youths with this poison.”

16

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, march 5, 2018

Regional

T&T’s battling gas companies Earthquake rocks sections of back to negotiating table eastern Jamaica T

he National Gas Company Limited (NGC) and Caribbean Nitrogen Company (CNC) have quietly returned to the negotiating table after a major standoff that resulted in the NGC cutting off natural gas to the company and CNC taking the State-owned enterprise to the UK Court of Arbitration.

The stand-off earlier this year, led to the Government accusing CNC of trying to bully the NGC for gas and saying it is not a secret that NGC will have to pay significantly higher prices for gas in 2019.

“The behaviour of CNC which has shareholders who hold significant shareholding in other plants in Point Lisas is instructive and disappointing,” the ministry had said.

CNC had called for the NGC “to be transparent and stop hiding behind vague statements that don’t have any basis in reality”.

NGC Chairman Gerry Brooks

It also accused NGC Chairman Gerry Brooks of high-handedness in the negotiations: “Even though NGC is in effect owned by the people of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr

Brooks’ precipitously heavy-handed tactics have just negatively affected the livelihood of more than 400 people, thereby threatening to wreak further havoc on the economy of the country.”

In a memo to its staff, CNC revealed that its negotiating team had resumed talks with the NGC and was working feverishly to get a long-term gas supply contract with the NGC. The negotiations resumed just after Carnival and bring some hope to 400 workers who are likely to go on the breadline if no agreement can be reached. The shutdown has already resulted in millions of dollars in losses to CNC and potentially millions of US dollars in foregone revenue to the Government because of no production from the plant.

Both CNC and the NGC are remaining tight lipped on the negotiations. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Violent music should be banned from radio – Barbadian NGO

From left: Kashi Browne, DJ Timeless, and Randy Eastmond (right), teacher at the Parkinson Memorial School as they listened to Arnold “Gozzy” Goslin as he made his presentation

E

cKo Nation is continuing to lobby for violent music to be cancelled off of the public airwaves of Barbadian radio.

This comment was made

by Arnold “Gozzy” Goslin, co-creator of EcKo Nation, as he spoke with parents during a panel discussion,

which took place at the Parkinson Memorial School Thursday evening.

“The reason why we created this movement called ‘EcKo Nation’, is because we saw the power of music and media and how it was shaping the society, especially the minds of our young peo-

ple. We go into schools and teach young people about the power of music and why they should make better choices in terms of the music that they listen to,” he said.

“One of the things we continue to lobby for as a movement is to have all violent music removed from off

our public airwaves because we believe that that music is influencing the youth. The young people may still be able to access the music via the Internet but from a public standpoint, I think we need to monitor what we put on the airwaves.”

Gozzy noted that music was a powerful tool for teens as studies have shown that it had the power to shape their emotions, their perspective of the world, themselves and their peers.

He noted that the violent kind of music and the songs that promoted indecent exposure of the young women of society was glamourised as almost 90 per cent of all the major hip hop or rap music promoted such.

“Music does not make anyone do anything, however, it is an influence and it shapes their minds,” he said.

“Music is one of the few things that could impact every single part of the brain.”

A

n earthquake with a magnitude of 4.0, was felt in sections of the eastern end of the island on Sunday afternoon.

The Earthquake Unit at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus , says the tremor occurred at 13:53h (local time).

The epicentre was 10 kilometres South of St.

3 murdered in Jamaica in less than 24 hours

T

he bloodletting in Clarendon continued over the weekend with the death of three men between Friday morning and Saturday.

According to the Police's Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), the first incident took place in the community of Effortville.

The deceased, identified as 41-year-old barber, Jermaine Lewin, was found with gunshot wounds after residents reportedly heard explosions about 13:00 and summoned the Police.

On arrival of the lawmen, Lewin was found with multiple gunshot wounds.

In the second incident, also on Friday, 33 yearold Kimu Cunningham, of Mckenly of Palmers Cross, was killed by armed men on Main Street, May Pen about

he Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) on Saturday elected a new Executive.

During the meeting held her, Anika Kentish from the Antigua Press Association was elected President, while Nazima Raghubir from the Guyana Press Association was elected Vice President and Kern Mason from the Grenada Press Association is Second Vice President.

Meanwhile, the General Secretary is Jewel Forde and Floor members include Wesley Gibbings and Dennis Chabrol.

Jean Phares Jerome from

New ACM President Anika Kentish

Haiti is now the Assistant General Secretary.

Gibbings, the past president, did not seek re-election.

Founded in Barbados in 2000, the ACM is an umbrella of media associations and journalist organisations in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

It is affiliated to several international organisations that promote press freedom and free expression, including the International Press Institute (IPI), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Article 19. (CMC)

22:10h.

Reports are that Cunningham was at his food cart when he was approached by the men who opened gunfire hitting him.

He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, while two others who were injured in the incident were admitted for treatment.

In the third incident, the body of 50-year-old Edwin Anderson of Lewis Street in Race Track was found in a ditch along Foga Road about 6:30h on Saturday.

His body was reportedly found in a ditch with his mouth taped and his feet bound with duct tape.

He also had several gunshot wounds to his body.

Police said the scene was processed and the body removed to the morgue. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Honduras executive held over dam activist's murder

P ACM selects new Executive T (Excerpt from Barbados Advocate)

Margarets Bay in the eastern parish of Portland with a focal depth of 8.7 kilometres.

The earthquake was felt in the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Thomas St. Catherine and Portland.

It’s reported that the roof of a building in the Corporate Area was significantly damaged. (CMC)

olice in Honduras have arrested an energy company executive on suspicion of masterminding the murder of a renowned environmental activist.

Berta Caceres was shot dead inside her home two years ago, on the night of March 2, 2016.

She had led protests against a dam project.

The arrested man, Roberto David Castillo, is executive president of Desa, the firm that was building the dam. Desa has insisted he is innocent.

The company blamed "international pressure and smear campaigns of various NGOs [Non-Governmental Organisations]" for the development.

Castillo is reportedly a

former military intelligence officer.

Eight other people have already been tried over the killing, including members of the armed forces and other Desa staff.

Caceres' family have long maintained she was murdered for economic reasons.

They say she suffered months of threats from Police, politicians and construction companies.

In November 2017, a 92page report by international experts concluded that energy company executives and state agents had conspired to kill the activist.

The murder raised outrage internationally, with Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio tweeting that Caceres' work should be honoured. (Excerpt from BBC News)

monDAY, march 5, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Assad vows to press Ghouta assault, Italy votes in uncertain general election as civilians flee Govt advances V

A handicapped man rides a bicycle past damaged buildings in the besieged town of Douma in eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria, March 1, 2018

S

yrian President Bashar al-Assad vowed to continue an offensive in eastern Ghouta near Damascus on Sunday as his forces advanced into the last major rebel enclave near the capital.

The offensive is one of the deadliest in the war and one local insurgent group called it a “scorched earth” campaign.

The Government is pressing on despite Western calls for it to abide by a 30day, countrywide ceasefire demanded by the United Nations Security Council.

“We will continue fighting terrorism ... and the Ghouta operation is a continuation of fighting terrorism,” Assad

said in comments to journalists broadcast on state TV. The advances have forced thousands of civilians to flee deeper into the rebel-held territory, where some 400,000 people live, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and a resident said on Sunday.

Government forces need to advance just a few more kilometres (miles) further to split the enclave in two, said a commander in the military alliance that backs Assad. The Observatory said Government forces had seized a quarter of the territory.

Assad said there was no contradiction between daily, five-hour humanitarian

ceasefires called by his ally Russia, and ongoing combat operations, noting that advances by Government forces in the last few days had occurred during the truce.

The Russian ceasefire plan calls for five-hour pauses to allow for aid deliveries and evacuations of civilians and wounded. The US State Department has called the Russian plan a “joke”.

Assad, in his first comments on the offensive, said most people in Ghouta wanted to return to State rule.

“Therefore, we must continue with the operation and in parallel open the way for civilians to leave,” he said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Trump trade war: China vows retaliation if tariffs bite

C

hina has warned that it does not want a trade war with the United States, but will not sit idly by if its economy is hurt.

Zhang Yesui, spokesperson for China's National People's Congress, made the comments amid controversy over Donald Trump's announcement of tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

The US President has also threatened to impose a tax on European Unionmade cars, and earlier said "trade wars are good".

US trading partners,

the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have strongly criticised his moves.

Trump has decried the "US$800 Billion Dollar Yearly Trade Deficit because of our 'very stupid' trade deals and policies", and vowed to end it.

On Thursday, he said steel imports would face a 25 per cent tariff and aluminium 10 per cent.

Then came Saturday's threat on EU-made cars.

In January, he had already announced tariffs on solar panels and washing

machines.

China's Zhang Yesui said it was natural that "some friction will exist" between the US and China, given the volume of trade between them surpassed US$580 billion last year.

But he said China would take "necessary measures" if its interests were hurt.

Canada said tariffs would cause disruption on both sides of the border. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was "confident we're going to continue to be able to defend Canadian industry". (Excerpt from BBC News)

oting is under way in Italy in one of the most uncertain general elections in years.

The economy, unemployment and immigration have dominated public discourse throughout the campaigning season.

Polls opened at 06:00 GMT and are set to close at 22:00 GMT, with local media expected to publish early exit polls immediately afterwards. More than 46 million Italians are eligible to vote.

It could take some time before final results are announced, however, as none of the parties are expected to win the 40 per cent needed to form a majority government. The level was introduced in a new law last year.

Sunday's election to choose a new government

comes just two months after Italian President Sergio Mattarella dissolved the country's Parliament on December 28.

The main parties competing include the populist Five Star Movement (M5S), The League (also known as the Northern League); the self-professed fascist party CasaPound and the neo-fas-

T

Landslides have cut off some of the worst-affected areas

US seismologists said it struck 90km (56 miles) south of Porgera at 03:45 local time on Monday (17:45 GMT on Sunday).

There have been dozens of aftershocks, including a 6.0 quake on Sunday.

Local reports say dozens of people have been killed

Jazeera)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrives in Egypt

S

audi Arabia's crown prince arrived in Egypt as he begins his first official trip overseas since assuming the powerful role last June.

Mohammed bin Salman, 33, was greeted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as he disembarked from the plane on Sunday.

After meeting with Egyptian officials during his three-day visit, Prince Mohammed – known as MBS – will head to the United Kingdom before making a final stop in Washington DC. His visit comes a day af-

ter Egypt's top court upheld a deal to transfer two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia.

The agreement was first announced during a visit to Cairo in April 2016 by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, during which he announced a multi-billion-dollar package of investments and soft loans for Egypt.

Following the signing of the deal, widespread protests broke out across Egypt.

Opponents of the agreement said it amounted to selling off Egypt's sovereign powers and that it violated the Constitution, which bars the

surrender of any territory.

Authorities in Riyadh have taken an active interest in Egyptian politics following the overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Kuwait have provided billions of dollars in support since Sisi's power grab.

While expressing support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen, Cairo has stopped short of full engagement and has instead settled for a less direct military-support role.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Social Democrats sign up to new Merkel-led German Govt

G

ermany’s Social Democrats (SPD) decisively backed another coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives on Sunday, clearing the way for a new government in Europe’s largest economy after months of political uncertainty.

Two thirds of the membership voted “yes”

Papua New Guinea earthquake: Tens of thousands need urgent aid ens of thousands of people in Papua New Guinea are in urgent need of supplies after last Monday's powerful earthquake, aid agencies say.

Landslides and damaged roads have made it impossible to reach the worst-affected communities in isolated areas.

Many people are thought to be living under canvas roofs in the rubble of damaged buildings.

The 7.5-magnitude quake rattled villages and a large gold mine in the country's Enga province.

cist Forza Nuova.

The election is being watched closely to see if Italy will give way to the far-right populist sentiment that has been on the rise across Europe.

Opinion polls were banned from taking place during the last two weeks of campaigning. (Excerpt from Al

but there has been no official confirmation.

"The challenge is road access; it's still not accessible to trucks and four-wheel drives," Udaya Regmi, of the International Red Cross, told Reuters news agency.

"Big trucks cannot go there. It's one of the reasons the food is becoming less and less. There are no fears of starvation yet but we've not got the full picture." Regmi – who is based in the country – said that 147,000 people were in severe need of food, water and sanitation.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Andrea Nahles of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) attends a news conference to announce the results of the voting for a possible coalition between the SPD and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Berlin, Germany March 4, 2018

to the deal in a ballot – a wider margin than many had expected – meaning Merkel could be sworn in

for a fourth term as early as the middle of the month in a repeat of the grand coalition that has governed since 2013.

“I think it’s good for our country that this period of uncertainty is over,” German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said, adding that he would today propose Merkel’s election as Chancellor to the Lower House of Parliament.

The President’s role in Germany is largely ceremonial, with the real power residing with Merkel.

The challenges are piling up for the 63-yearold Merkel, who has been acting Chancellor for more than five months since an inconclusive election, with the European Union looking for leadership on economic and security issues and France seeking a partner for President Emmanuel Macron’s ambitious EU reform plans.

Macron hailed the development as “good news for Europe”.

(Excerpt from

Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, March 5, 2018

ARCHIE

Keep an open mind, but put the brakes on if impulse (March 21starts to take control. Saying April 19) or doing something without thought will work against you. Plan your actions with care and kindness.

ARIES

Start a dialogue and gathTAURUS er pertinent information.

(April 20- Meetings and business trips May 20) scheduled will bring good results, as long as you don’t divulge secrets or private matters.

dilbert

It’s what you do for othGEMINI (May 21- ers that will gain you reJune 20) spect and support. Don’t linger over what to do or when to do it. Consider a situation and make a difference to the outcome.

Pour your heart into what you enjoy doing most.

(June 21- Get together with someone July 22) who shares your interests.

Exchanging ideas will help you bring greater diversity to your current endeavours.

CANCER

Peanuts

Things will not be as they LEO appear. Don’t jump to con(July 23- clusions or make a hasty deAug. 22) cision without getting all the facts firsthand. Exaggeration, indulgent behaviour and egotism should be resisted.

Revamp your current VIRGO spending habits with saving (Aug. 23in mind. Having extra cash Sept. 22) readily available will allow you to take advantage of a good deal or investment opportunity.

Calvin and Hobbes

You can make things hapLIBRA (Sept. 23- pen if you are organized and Oct. 23) willing to put a little muscle behind your actions. Don’t get frustrated or angry when you can get moving instead.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — HUMMOCKS (HUMMOCKS: HUM-uks; Low mounds or ridges of earth.)

SUDOKU

Don’t leave important SAGITTARIUS tasks to others. Someone you (Nov. 23thought you could trust will Dec. 21) let you down. Verbalize what you are willing to do and what you want in return.

Average mark 15 words Time limit 25 minutes Can you find 19 or more words in HUMMOCKS? The list will be published tomorrow.

SATURDAY’S WORD — CHIMERA

came care chair char charm chime cire cram cream crime hair hame

hare harem harm hear heir hemic hire mace mach marc march mare

mica mice mire each emir race ramie reach ream rhea rice rich

If you are open with your SCORPIO ideas, someone will offer inno(Oct. 24vative alternatives that can enNov. 22) hance your plans. Working in conjunction with someone as unique as you are will be exciting, but will require patience.

rime ache achier acme acre ahem amice amir arch

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

solution for Puzzle

Stay focused on what CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- needs to be done. Put your Jan. 19) responsibilities first and refuse to get caught in someone else’s melodrama. Back away from an unpredictable situation. Protect your reputation.

Your desire to bring comAQUARIUS fort and joy to someone going (Jan. 20through a rough patch will Feb. 19) be appreciated, and the response and reward you get in return will be valuable.

PISCES Don’t fear failure or let (Feb. 20- anger ruin your day. Look March 20) for opportunities by expanding your interests and broadening your scope. Romance is highlighted, and financial gains are within reach.

MONDAY, march 5, 2018

19

Chanderpaul’s celebrity golf open gathers momentum – Windsor Estates joins in support the idea a few months ago, recently confirmed with usignan Golf Club Guyana Times Sport that (LGC) President the move was solid as the Aleem Hussain said batting legend as well as the club is gearing up owner of Windsor Estates, to host possibly its big- Danny Sawh have both siggest event when the two- naled their intentions to day Shiv Chanderpaul make the event a massive Celebrity Open tees off on success.

August 4 and 5.

With golf being the secHussain, who teased ondary sport of most cricketers around the world, the Guyana/ex-West Indies celebrity tournament is exbatting great Shiv pected to treat fans to a Chanderpaul is set rare close up chance to see to make headlines with the Golf Club sports, music, television and fashion but more so as he prepares to host his popular cricketers up close celebrity and personal with possiOpen this bilities playing a few holes summer with the personalities.

Hussain, CEO of NexGen Global Marketing,

By Clifton Ross

L

Silva fires

one of Guyana’s top sports promotion organizations; said Sawh who is also an avid golfer recently indicated his willingness to help build an 18 hole course here in Guyana in partnership with Hussain’s company.

He said that Sawh is also upbeat about having a top caliber player like Chanderpaul on board with the tournament as it will further help to rake in more top competitors.

Also, with Windsor Estates being a premier sponsor of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20, Hussain said Sawh was hopeful of attracting some of the star players who might be in Guyana around that time for the 2018 edition of the CPL, to possibly take part in the celebrity Open.

Speaking about the

plans to make the tourney a remarkable one, Hussain said having both the Windies legend and one of the region’s premier sponsors of sport on board is great. More so, with cricket being the theme for the Open, he said having the best Guyanese/ West Indies batsman as the face of the tourney should further encourage a wider celebrity base of cricketers who indulge in golf as a pastime.

“Shiv Chanderpaul, a legend in cricket now has decided to put his amazing talents to work on the golf course. Shiv indicated that he was happy to be part of golfing in Guyana and he was very pleased at the great improvements he saw at the Golf Club compared to his last visit, a while ago”, said Hussain.

Hussain continued, “He gave his commit-

ment to having a Celebrity Tournament in the next few months (August 2018), which would involve many great cricketers who also play golf. He assured those present that once that tournament is a success he would be mindful to have it become an annual feature of the LGC calendar of events”.

The LGC President also hailed the 43 year-old for his skill with the golf club as he participated in last weekend’s Kissoon Open.

Hussain said the cricketer’s skill on the pitch was replicated on the Greens as he was impressed by the lefthander’s golfing abilities.

Meanwhile, the inaugural tournament which is set to host over 100 famous faces come this August has already been added as one of the main events on the yearly calendar of the LGC.

City within 4 wins of title

C

hampions-elect Manchester City continued their title procession with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for the second game running, bundling the winner home 34 seconds into the second half as City moved 18 points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Antonio Conte's decision to not start a recognised striker backfired as Chelsea, missing midfield lynchpin N'Golo Kante, failed to register a single effort on target.

The result leaves Pep Guardiola needing just four more victories to dethrone Chelsea and claim a maiden title in English football.

Bernardo Silva The champions will have no doubt travelled to the home of their successors hoping to replicate last week's dominant first-half display at Old Trafford, but, as has been the case this season, City showed why they are 16 points clear of United with a dominant display of their own.

Chelsea were unable to break up City's precise passing game in the opening exchanges and errors soon followed as Cesc Fabregas was caught in possession in his own area by Leroy Sane. The ball ran for Sergio Aguero but a block from Antonio Rudiger denied the Argentine his 200th City goal.

After Bernardo Silva curled a shot onto the roof of the Chelsea goal, Oleksandr Zinchenko was fortunate only to see yellow for a lunge on Victor Moses that allowed Willian to race clear, but his driven cross was blocked.

Normal service soon resumed and City so nearly took the lead on 27 minutes as Kevin de Bruyne's free-kick found Sane at the back post, and his shot was cleared off the line by Cesar Azpilicueta.

City had the ball in the Chelsea net three minutes before as Nicolas Otamendi applied the finishing touch to a clever quick free-kick, but Aguero was ruled offside in the build-up and it was chalked off.

City's dominance continued after the break and it took less than a minute for the pressure to tell as Bernardo Silva ghosted in behind Marcos Alonso to turn David Silva's cross beyond Thibaut Courtois.

A deluge midway through the second half prevented City from adding gloss to the victory, but the conditions did little to dampen the mood with the title on the horizon. (SkySports)

A

Deontay Wilder has won 39 of his 40 fights by knockout

merican Deontay Wilder says he is ready for a heavyweight unification bout with Britain's Anthony Joshua after beating Luis Ortiz to retain his WBC title.

Wilder, 32, floored the previously unbeaten Cuban twice before knocking him out in the 10th round in New York.

IBF and WBA champion Briton Joshua, 28, will fight New Zealand's WBO champion Joseph Parker in Cardiff on 31 March.

"I want to unify. I am ready whenever those guys are," said Wilder.

He survived a scare in the seventh round to claim the 40th win of his unbeaten ca-

reer following a right uppercut at the Barclays Center.

"I figured out a way to come back. A true champion always finds a way. That's what I did tonight," said Wilder, who has successfully defended his title seven times.

'Joshua wants to fight Wilder' Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, said that if he beats Parker a unification fight with Wilder is likely to happen this year.

"It's the biggest fight in world boxing," Hearn told Sportsweek on BBC Radio 5 live.

"He has the biggest test of his career against Parker but if he wins it Anthony wants to

fight Wilder.

"He thinks he can beat him and Wilder is beatable, but Wilder is also very dangerous.

"Both Wilder and Joshua are electric to watch, both punch very hard and both have shown signs of vulnerability.

"You have to give the fans what they want, otherwise over time they lose interest.

I think it will happen 2018. I don't think there is any holding AJ back."

Wilder knocked Ortiz down in the fifth round, but the 38-year-old responded with a right hook and left hand and a barrage of his own as Wilder just managed to survive the seventh.

"He hit me with flurry of punches but it wasn't hard," said Wilder. "He knocked me off balance. I just had to get my fundamentals back and I did."

Ortiz, who had won all 28 of his previous fights and weighted in almost 30lb heavier than Wilder, was knocked down again in the 10th before the referee stopped the fight with 55 seconds remaining in the round. (BBC)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

MONDAY, march 5, 2018

Markram resists but Australia 1 wicket away from victory mainstay in an 87-run partnership with Theunis de Bruyn, who scored 36, and added 147 more runs with De Kock for the sixth wicket.

South Africa were 135 runs off their victory target when a tired Markram tried to guide the ball down to third man and was caught behind by Tim Paine off Mitchell Marsh’s medium

pace bowling.

Starc then returned to the attack, deciding to forego the second new ball in favour of swinging the old one, and had immediate success by claiming three wickets in a single over.

Vernon Philander (6) was caught behind, followed by the wickets of Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada,

SCOREBOARD

A

Mitchell Starc roared in to remove the tail© AFP

ustralia moved one wicket from victory in the first Test against South Africa on Sunday after Mitchell Starc’s swing bowling decimated the hosts’ lower order and dampened their hopes of an unlikely recovery. South Africa were 293-9 at the close of the fourth day, still 123 runs adrift of Australia, who will return on Monday to wrap up what appears an almost inevitable victory and a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.

South Africa’s opener Aiden Markram provided some stout resistance, scoring 143 runs, while Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 81 also helped frustrate the visitors as South Africa recovered from a horrid start to their second innings.

Australia looked to be heading to an easy win

when they set South Africa 417 for victory before taking four key home wickets for just 49 runs before lunch as they devastated the home team’s top order.

Dean Elgar was the first to go for nine before Josh Hazlewood claimed the wicket of Hashim Amla — the sixth time he has done so in the last four tests between the two countries.

AB de Villiers was run out after facing a single ball and then captain Faf du Plessis scored only four before having his stumps knocked out of the ground

by Pat Cummins.

Yet the 23-year-old Markram proved a bulwark with a knock that belied his inexperience and gave the home fans a tantalising glimmer of an improbable victory.

He was the

Australia 1st innings 351 South Africa 1st innings 162 Australia 2nd innings (Overnight 213-9) C Bancroft st †de Kock b Maharaj 53 D Warner c sub (Mulder) b Rabada 28 U Khawaja c †de Kock b Maharaj 6 S Smith* lbw b Elgar 38 S Marsh c de Villiers b Morkel 33 M Marsh c Amla b Rabada 6 T Paine† c de Villiers b Maharaj 14 P Cummins not out 17 M Starc c Elgar b Morkel 7 N Lyon c Amla b Morkel 2 J Hazlewood not out 4 Extras (0b 5lb 0nb 0pen 0w) 5 Total (all out; 74.4 overs) 227 Fall of Wickets : 1-56 Warner, 2-71 Khawaja, 3-108 Bancroft, 4-146 Smith, 5-156 Marsh, 6-175 Paine, 7-185 Marsh, 8-203 Starc, 9-209 Lyon, 10-227 Cummins South Africa 2nd innings A Markram c +Paine

b M Marsh 143 D Elgar c +Paine b Starc 9 H Amla lbw Josh Hazlewood 8 AB de Villiers run out (Warner) 0 Faf du Plessis b Cummins 4 T de Bruyn c +Paine b Hazlewood 36 Q de Kock+ not out 81 Ve Philander c +Paine b Starc 6 K Maharaj b Starc 0 K Rabada b Starc 0 M Morkel not out 0 Extras (2b 3lb 1nb 0pen 0w) 6 Total (89.0 overs) 293-9 Fall of Wickets: 1-29 Elgar, 2-39 Amla, 3-39 de Villiers, 4-49 du Plessis, 5-136 de Bruyn, 6-283 Markram, 7-290 Philander, 8-290 Maharaj, 9-290 Rabada Bowling: Starc 16-1-74-4, Hazlewood 14-1-57-2, Lyon 327-86-0, Cummins 15-3-47-1, M Marsh 7-2-21-1, Smith 5-3-3-0

who were bowled with successive deliveries.

Yet Starc was denied a chance to complete his hattrick — and take his tally to 10 wickets in the match — due to bad light with the umpires only allowing play to continue if Australia used spinners.

Tailender Morne Morkel held off for 27 deliveries, without scoring, to force play into the final day. (Reuters) Aiden Markram battled for 171 balls to score his third Test hundred © AFP

ICC World Cup qualifiers

I

t only took one match to affirm the wide-open nature of the World Cup Qualifier. In a spectacular opening-day heist, Scotland downed Afghanistan by seven wickets, with Calum MacLeod scoring his sixth ODI hundred and subjecting Rashid Khan, the world's No. 1 ODI bowler, to one of his worst days as an international cricketer.

Chasing 256, Scotland got there with 16 balls to spare, with MacLeod scoring an unbeaten 157 off 146 balls. He scored 108 off 118 against Afghanistan's other bowlers, and 49 off 31 against Rashid's l e g spin, off which he hit eight of his 24 boundar-

ies. Rashid finished with figures of 1 for 68 in nine overs - this was the first time he had ended up with an economy rate of above 7 in his 38-match ODI career. He also scored a first-ball duck.

All this happened on a day when, at 19 years and 165 days, he became the youngest man to captain an ODI side.

MacLeod came in with Scotland 16 for 1; they lost their other opener two overs later to slip to 21 for 2. Both wickets had fallen to the mystery spin of Mujeeb Ur Rahman. It was here that Richie Berrington joined MacLeod. The two proceeded to add 208 in 223 balls, with MacLeod by far the dominant partner, Berrington scoring 67 off 95 balls before falling lbw to Rashid in the 43rd over of Scotland's innings.

By then, they only needed 27 off 44 balls, a task MacLeod and George Munsey completed with ease.

Sent in to bat, Afghanistan made a plodding start, losing three wickets - two to Berrington's medium-pace - while only scoring 49 in their first 15 overs. Berrington picked up his third wicket in the 19th over, getting Mohammad Shahzad out for an uncharacteristic 30 off 54 balls, leaving Afghanistan 71 for 4.

Afghanistan needed to stop losing wickets, but they also needed some urgency. Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran achieved both, putting on 149 for the fifth wicket in 136 balls.

At the end of the 41st over, Afghanistan were 219 for 4, and a total in the 280-300 range seemed within reach.

But both set batsmen fell off successive balls, Najibullah for 67 off 69 balls and then Nabi - run out - for 92 off 82.

The back-to-back wickets were a body blow to Afghanistan's innings, their lower order collapsing in a

heap to Safyaan Sharif and Brad Wheal. In all, the last six wickets fell while adding only 35 runs in 51 balls, leav-

ing Scotland a far smaller target than they might have envisioned chasing at one point. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Afghanistan innings M Shahzad † c Leask b Berrington 30 Ihsanullah b Wheal 0 R Shah c †Cross b Berrington 7 N Jamal c Sole b Berrington 15 M Nabi run out (Munsey) 92 N Zadran c Leask b Wheal 67 S Ashraf c MacLeod b Watt 6 G Naib c Munsey b Sharif 11 R Khan (c) lbw b Sharif 0 D Zadran not out 15 M Rahman b Wheal 0 Extras (lb 5, w 7) 12 Total ( all out; 49.4 Overs) 255 Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Ihsanullah), 2-17 ( Shah), 3-46 (Jamal), 4-71 ( Shahzad), 5-220 (Zadran), 6-221 (Nabi), 7-235 (Ashraf), 8-236 ( Khan), 9-247 (Naib, ), 10-255 (Rahman) Bowling: Wheal 9.4-1-36-3,

Sharif 10-0-46-2, Berrington 9-0-42-3, Watt 10-0-59-1, Sole 8-0-53-0, Leask 3-0-14-0 Scotland Innings (target: 256 runs from 50 overs) M Cross † b Rahman 18 K Coetzer (c) st † Shahzad b Rahman 2 C MacLeod not out 157 R Berrington lbw b Khan 67 H Munsey not out 10 Extras (nb 1, w 1) 2 Total (3 wickets; 47.2 Overs) 256 Did not Bat: C Wallace, M Leask, S Sharif, T Sole, M Watt, B Wheal Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Coetzer), 2-21 (Cross), 3-229 (Berrington) Bowling: Zadran 8-0-37-0, Rahman 10-1-47-2, Ashraf 6-0-30-0, Nabi 8.2-0-35-0, Naib 4-0-21-0, Khan 9-0-68-1, Shah 2-0-18-0

sports

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EDUCATION Electronic classes beginning 6th March. Register early, limited spaces. Abdul Electronics. Tel: 226-6551/ 225-0391.

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Jevon Schultz

The victorious GuySuCo Training Centre Port Mourant team

Hotel Manager to work at a hotel and bar on the Essequibo Coast.

Must have experience in hotel management. Accommodation provided. Contact# 500-5923 or 646-3676.

were Shamar Wilkie (3) and Shaquan Spencer (2).

The GTCPM 1 team, then won the finals of the 15/15 overs hard ball cricket match after winning the toss and racking up 141 for 9 wickets. Jermaine Pollard top scored with 38 and Devindra Latchman 18. In reply the Nickeri team could only muster 102 for 9. In the end, GTCPM was presented a trophy for their success, Sparta volleyball club being the premier organizer, were thanked for their invitation and organizing of the respective games. The hosts in return thanked Guysuco Training Centre for honoring their commitment and hoped that another event is hosted in the near future.

RHTY&SC’s awards ceremony gets boost

VACANCIES

One Bartender to work at a hotel and bar on the Essequibo Coast.

Accommodation provided. Contact# 500-5923 or 646-3676.

Delbert Hicks while Andre Percival is the Coach.

The tournament features Essequibo, Demerara, Berbice and an Under-15 select team with matches set to bowl off from March 7.

BerbiceJevon Schultz(Captain) Ricardo

A

ncient County volleyball giants, GuySuCo Training Centre Port Mourant (GTC-PM) wrapped up a successful sporting trip to Nickerie, Suriname where they battled hosts; Spartan’s Volleyball Club from February 22 to 25.

A contingent of some 40 apprentices and 6 officials represented the GTCPM in various disciplines which included cricket and football.

In the volleyball leg of the tour, GTCPM won on two nights game straight sets; 3-0, 3-0, 3-0.

At six-a-side football two teams representing the GTCPM advanced to finals after defeating the Nickerie six in a four team encounter. Primary goal scorers

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

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Lance Roberts

Ramdehol, Fawaz Gafoor, Jarron France, Marvin Prashad (Vice Captain), Nigel Deodat, Seon Glasgow, Chanderpaul Govindan, Mohabir Seeraj, Abdul Ramsammy, Gourav Ramesh, Doorasammy Mahadeo, Saif Amoi and Quincy Auldles.

Essequibo has also announced their squad which will b lead by Lance Roberts and Sheldon Charles as his deputy.

Essequibo- Lance Roberts (captain), Sheldon Charles (vice-captain), Ameer Singh, Azim Mohamed, Wazim Mohamed, Lallchand Seeram, Manoj Dasrath, Romario Stephen, Saeed Hakh, Mahesh Ramnarine, Arvind Premaul, Badesh Parsotam, Silvan Williams and Jason Payne. The manager is Nazeer Mohamed while Nankishore Andrews will serve as coach.

GTCPM emerge winners of Suriname invitational

taxi services

VACANCIES. House Keeper 624-0033 - Cook 624-0033 - Customer Service Assistant 624-0033 - Porter 680-3863 - Pump Attendant 680-3863

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) released their 14-man squad ahead of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-17 Cricket Tournament with Jevon Schultz leading the ancient county side.

Schultz, a product of the Young Warriors Cricket Club will marshal a side featuring the talents of; Ricardo Ramdehol, Fawaz Gafoor, Jarron France, Marvin Prashad (Vice Captain), Nigel Deodat, Seon Glasgow, Chanderpaul Govindan, Mohabir Seeraj, Abdul Ramsammy, Gourav Ramesh, Doorasammy Mahadeo, Saif Amoi and Quincy Auldles.

The Stand-by Players are Anthony Williams, Nikeem Noble, Farouk Subhan and Leon Swammy.

The Manager is former National Player

Ramsundar Bisnauth of Canadian Surplus (Guy) makes a donation to RHTY&SC Secretary Hilbert Foster

T

he Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTYSC), MS 28th annual award ceremony slated for April 15 at the St. Francis Training Centre to honour its outstanding members and cricketers has received a significant boost.

A Special Committee headed by veteran Secretary/

CEO Hilbert Foster and Vice President Mark Papannah have started the preparation and on Tuesday received two major donations from Canadian Surplus of Providence, East Bank, Demerara and Bishwa Panday of P & P Insurance Brokers.

Canadian Surplus handed a large amount of electri-

cal equipment and educational materials. The educational materials included pens, pencils and pencil sharpeners and would be shared out to schools during the Award Ceremony.

P & P Insurance Brokers donated six trophies which would be used to honour the Most Promising Cricketer 2017, Most Discipline Player 2017 and Most Committed Member 2017 among others.

Foster hailed the support of the two Companies and stated that Corporate Guyana has full confidence in the work of the club, due to its outstanding record of achievement and most importantly, to fulfill every commitment made to sponsors.

The club’s Cricketer of the Year would take home over $350 000.00 worth of prizes while other awards would include Most Promising Cricketer, Most Improved Player, Discipline Player of the Year, Under-15 Player of the Year, Female Cricketer of the

Year and Under-19 Cricketer of the Year.

Among the Awardees for 2019 would be players like Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Shemaine Campbelle, Clinton Pestano, Jeremy Sandia, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Keith Simpson, Chanderpaul Govindan and Kevlin Sinclair.

The ceremonywould involve the honouring of 40 club members while they will also be honouring Law Enforcement Officers, Retired Teachers, Outstanding Teachers and Top Students from several schools.

A total of close to $2.5M worth of trophies, medals, gifts and special prizes would be shared out to all the Awardees’

Vickash Panday of P&P Insurance Brokers donates trophies to Hilbert Foster

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monDAY, march 5, 2018

Inaugural Triple Crown delayed again P

ersistent rain on the Corentyne coast on Saturday night and early Sunday morning left the Rising Sun Turf Club

waterlogged and impossible for the highly anticipated first running of the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC) Triple

Crown. This left organizers with no option but to push back the first leg for the second time after the initial February 18 date was also

rain affected.

Turfites, horse owners and jockeys who were obviously disappointed are now forced to wait a little longer

for the excitement on the track. The new dates will be announced by the organizers in the coming days.

Whenever the weather

allows there will be heated action in the seven events across three days with a hefty sum of over $20M is at stake.

Tiwari wins Kissoon’s Mega Golf Open V

eteran golfer Kalyan Tiwari made light work of his fellow pros this past Saturday, as he claimed the coveted Kissoon’s Mega Store Tournament trophy among other spoils.

Despite early morning heavy showers, ongoing works to improve the Lusignan Golf Course’s drainage and dams paid off this past weekend as the mega event witnessed a large number of top players turning out.

Tiwari, who produced a Net 67 managed to outshine the likes of some top caliber players in; 2nd place Shanella Webster (N69/17), 3rd place Mike Mangal (N70/8) and 4th place Gavin Todd (N71/19).

Prizes for, Longest Drive

– went to Richard Haniff for his 320 yards, Closest to The Pin went to Mike Mangal who also copped the Best Gross award for his 78.

Other notable contenders in the top 10 net performances were; Parmanand Persaud 72/11; Aasrodeen Shaw 73/17; Brian Hackett 73/18; Mohanlall Dinanauth 74/6; Roy Cummings 74/11; David Harry 74/12 and LGC President Aleem Hussain 74/12. Kalyan who grabbed the top award along with side prizes which featured four gift vouchers, said following the tourney “The Course was good, the weather was fine and I had consistently good driver strokes, along with a great short game”. Meanwhile,

former Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) President Hemraj Kissoon, the driving force behind the Open during his congratulatory remarks to the winners, said that Kissoon Group of Companies which has been associated with the LGC for some 50 years was happy to aid the Golf Club via sponsorship. He further reiterated his great support for all the improvements which have been happening since under the leadership of Hussain and his executives. Also, Kissoon commended former West Indies batting legend Shiv Chanderpaul who was a part of the Open, for coming out and supporting the event and further playing a key role in the development of sports in Guyana.

From left to right; President Aleem Hussain; ‘LD’ Richard Haniff; Shiv Chanderpaul; winner Kalyan Tiwari; Mrs Kissoon; ‘BG’, ‘NTP’ and 3rd place winner Mike Mangal; Hemraj Kissoon, and 4th place winner Gavin Todd.

(Missing from the picture is 2nd place winner Shanella Webster)

EDFA/Frank Watson U-15 football

B

uxton United recorded the largest margin of victory when the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) Frank Watson under-15 memorial tournament continued on Saturday at the Golden Grove Community Centre ground.

Buxton’s 4-1 triumph over Victoria Scorpions was led by Collin Henriques with a goal in the 12th followed

by Antowne Sullivan in the 34th, Anyika Headley in the

Buxton United strike force (L-R) Makya Jarvis, Collin Henriques, Anyika Headly and Antowne Sulliva

69th and Makya Jarvis in the 74th ; their only blemish was an own goal which came as a result of a lapse in concentration by Rickford Sutton in the 25th.

Golden Stars and Buxton Stars played to 1-1 stalemate after Japhet Sam had placed the home side ahead in the 35th but only to see the lead erased two minutes later via a Kubina Thomas strike.

The other match of the day saw Mahaica

Determinators gaining a walk over from Buxton Youth Developers.

Action is slated to resume on March 10 at the aforementioned venue with four matches. Mahaica battle Golden Stars from noon followed by Buxton Youth Developers and Victoria from 13:30h; BV/Triumph play Buxton United from 15:00h and the final clash will be Plaisance Panthers and Buxton Stars from 16:30h.

Sueria Manufacturing, BCB partner for 2nd division T20s

N

ewly elect President of the Berbice Cricket Board, Hilbert Foster is storming ahead to fulfill his pledge to play cricket at all levels in Berbice. The Berbice Cricket Board on Wednesday joined hands with Frank Sanichara of Sueria Manufacturing to launch the four zones 20/20 Cricket Tournaments for teams under the Magic Moments brand.

The 20/20 Tournaments would be played in four zone - West Berbice, New Amsterdam/Canje, Lower/Central Corentyne and Upper Corentyne/Black Bush Polder.

Foster, at the simple presentation ceremony stated that Berbice Cricket in a short span of six months, would once again be the pride of Guyana and stated that the response of Corporate Guyana has been overwhelming.

The board plans to host at least fifteen tournaments in 2018 and

Foster hinted that all the sponsorship needed has already been secured. Each of the four Zones Tournaments would be played on a Knock-out basis and would have their own Champions.

Two matches per day would be played at the same venue in order to attract spectators and also to complete the fixtures as early as possible. The main objectives of the Magic Moments Second Division 20/20 Tournaments are to identify new cricketing talents, to promote social cohesion among residents, to renew passion for Village Cricket and to renew the bond between the Berbice Cricket Board, Clubs and the general public.

The Berbice Cricket Board President stated that at the end of the four different Zones Tournaments, the four winners would clash the Overall Berbice 20/20 Titles. He also disclosed that a 40-Overs per side Second Division Cup would also be organ-

ised immediately after the completion of the 20/20 Tournaments.

He issued an appeal to all second division teams in Berbice to register on or before March 10th.

Clubs are also urged to prepare teams at the Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Under-21, Female, Intermediate, Double Wicket and First Division levels.

Foster, also expressed gratitude to Sueria’s CEO Frank Sanichara and the Magic Moments brand for their confidence in the Management of the Berbice Cricket Board. He reassured the sponsor that all four tournaments would be well organised and funds would be accounted for.

Sanichara and Brands Manager Edward Layne both expressed confidence in the Berbice Cricket Board organising skills under the proven leadership skills of Foster and in achieving all of the tournaments’ objectives. Sanichara, a Berbician by birth who once rep-

Sueria Manufacturing Brand Manager Edward Layne hands over the sponsorship to BCB President Hilbert Foster in the presence in the presents of CEO Frank Sanichara

resented the highly rated Albion Cricket Club stated that he was pleased to invest in Berbice Cricket. He urged the board to take the game into all areas of the

ancient county and committed his Company to more investment in the future. The four tournaments are expected to start by the third weekend of March.

monDAY, march 5, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018

23

Persaud backs Warriors’ young brigade to excel …batsman ready for the challenge

By Akeem Greene

G

uyana Amazon Warriors under-23 selectee Akshaya Persaud firmly believes himself and the other young players in the squad have

ding talents from the region which sees six players (five of which are Guyanese) below the age of 24 being drafted in the 18-man squad.

“The youths in the squad are capable to perform at this level and if you look at

player who also bowls leftarm spin has been a part of the Warriors unit as a developmental player at the local encampment which gives him high confidence he will fuse well with his teammates and absorb as much information

Akshaya Persaud (far right) is no stranger to the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad

the ability to not just compete but produce some match winning performances at the 2018 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The stylish 20 year-old batsman was drafted by the Warriors for US $3,000 when the gala draft was held on Thursday in London. The Warriors, this year took the course to duly reward bud-

the squad it’s a mixture of experience and youth. I’ll be ready whenever the opportunity presents itself. I’ve been putting in the extra hours of practice. It’s always an honour to represent Guyana whether it’s at youth or senior level”, he posited while speaking to Guyana Times Sport on Sunday.

Since 2014, the versatile

possible to enhance his cricketing IQ. “Being part of the actual warrior’s squad this year is a really good feeling. I’m looking forward to learn as much as I can from my teammates.

Touring with the team will expose me to different playing conditions, different match situations and different venues so that my all round

game will improve.

Sharing a dressing room with the international and regional stars will benefit me a lot”.

His selection should not come as a surprise to many since for the past two years in the Cricket Guyana Inc three-day league he has been the prized possession for West Demerara where he amassed 941 runs in 13 matches with three hundreds and four fifties, at an average of 52 while captaining the franchise.

But the man from Cornelia Ida who made his FirstClass debut against Jamaica Scorpions in Kingston last year admitted there were some nerves on draft-day.

“I checked my phone to see if the draft was finished or not then I saw the players they [Warriors] drafted. After the 16th round I didn’t see any further updates so I thought the draft was finished. A few minutes later I got the news I was drafted in the last round.

I was really happy at that moment. I called my parents and told them about the good news because without them a lot of things wouldn’t have

The young batsman's future seems promising once he remains focused on the task at hand

been possible in my career”.

The former Windies under-19 selectee added, “Since I finished my youth level cricket, I’ve been working harder and on my game.

What brought me success is that I stick to the basics, put in my extra hours of practice, work on my fitness and body strength, stay disciplined, focused, self-confidence and determination”.

Five years, three finals and still no championship to show, the Everest Cricket club player is full of confidence in his contention that fortunes can change if they stick to the plan. “The

team always bond well together. I think we just have to finish the job [by winning the title]. If you look at our team this year it’s a balanced one and once each player give their 100% and understand their roles in the team and stick to the plan we can win the title this year”.

The sixth edition of the “Biggest Party in Sport” will be staged from August 8 to September 16 and the finals for the next three years will be held at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago.

Corona Futsal Tournament

Tiger Bay pummel Plaisance 10-3 T

iger Bay continued to send a stern message that their name should be in the bag for championship honours as they comprehensively defeated Plaisance 10-3 on the goal-filled Saturday night in the Corona Futsal Tournament held at the National Gymnasium.

The city side that held their nerve to pip defending champions Sparta Boss 4-3 in their opening match was intent on delivering more goals which wowed the sizable crowd in attendance.

Goals began pouring off the feet of Deon Alfred who had a helmet-trick of conversions via strikes in the 7th, 10th and two in the 16th.

Teammate Jeffery Newton was not far behind with goals in the 9th, 11th and 14th.

Jermaine Scott (3rd & 17th) along with Orin Moore (13th) also etched their names on the scoresheet in the onslaught; the East Coast Demerara unit’s face-saving

– Sparta notch 1st win to stay alive

The Old Skool Ballers custodian was put under immense pressure from the start of the match against Future Stars

response came from Akeem Thomas (8th), Denzil King (15th) and O’Neil Clarke (18th).

Meanwhile, crowd favourites Sparta finally looked like bosses and produced a clinical display to defeat Mocha 6-2. It was not as easy as the score line read since the East Bank Demerara unit took the lead with goals from Amos Ramsey (4th) and Teon Jones (13th).

The dynamic Jermin Junior led Sparta’s response with strikes in the 5th and 7th but it was Jeremy Garrett with two bullet-like strikes in the 17th and 18th brought the champs back into the picture and from there it was procession which eased the tension among their numerous fans in attendance; an own goal in the 19th and Kurt Brittin (29th) closed-off proceedings.

Old Skool Ballers had a spirited come back via goals from Fabian Crawford (13th), Omari James (15th) and Rashawn Ritch (17th) but it was still Future Stars who walked away with the three points due to an Aaron Anthony hat-trick (2nd, 3rd & 12th) and Shane Morris (8th).

Similarly, California Square got their first win with a 8-5 thumping of

North East La Penitence led

by Dion Kelly (11th, 18th), Nedd Fraser (9th, 13th), Levi Canterbury (2nd), Wesley Garraway (6th), Christian Benjamin (11th) and Meshack Brandt (14th). Opposing goals came from Kelvin Moore (3rd, 12th), Keifer Brandt (1st, 7th) and Carl Tudor (18th).

Xtreme Campbellville got their first points by defeating New Market Street 10-2 in a complete team display. Hattricks rained from Shan Jones (6th, 16th & 18th) and Oziel Small (10th, 14th & 16th), while Carl Griffith (11th & 13th) and Ceon Richardson (12th & 15th) made inroads as well; Jerald King (9th) and Ryan October (12th) scored for New Market.

Broad Street wretched form continued and were on the receiving end another sixgoal thumping this time from Alexander Village following a 3-6 embarrassment by Back Circle. Leon Yaw with a helmet-trick led the Villagers

with goals in the 13th, 14th, 15th and 18th while Gordon Henry (19th) and Leroy Jonas (28th) also converted.

The tournament which is collaboration with NAMILCO Wheat Gem and Hero Motorcycle will continue on Tuesday with Tucville chasing their first win against Kingston from 19:00h followed by two unbeaten teams Alpha Warriors and Showstoppers from 19:50h. YMCA then opposes Sophia from 20:40h and Bent Street against Channel 9 Warriors from21:30h. The final two matches of the night are West Front Road- Gold is Money against Albouystown from 22:20h and Back Circle against Leopold Street from 23:15h. The winning purse for teams is the $600,000 and the championship trophy while two Hero motor cycles will be awarded to the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the other to a lucky spectator at the finals on Easter Saturday (March 31).

MONDAY, march 5, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018

Persaud backs Warriors’ young brigade to excel

Inaugural Triple Crown delayed again Pg 22

Pg 23

Akshaya Persaud has all the ingredients to produce possibly some matchwinning performances for the Guyana Amazon Warriors

The waterlogged Rising Sun Turf Club on Sunday morning

Corona Futsal Tournament

Tiger Bay pummel Plaisance 10-3 – Sparta notch 1st win to stay alive Sparta Boss’ Jermin Junior was full of energy, and rescued his team after an early goal from Mocha at the National Gymnasium on Saturday evening

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