Guyana Times - Monday, October 8, 2018

Canada advocates for free and fair elections in Guyana

Man killed in suspected hit and run on Linden Highway

25 litigants seek over $48M in damages from Co-operative Society …over 350-acre land allocation Man murdered after leaving nightclub in Lethem

Ramsaroop calls on voters to reject PNC rule of City Hall

Man

killed in suspected hit and run on Linden Highway

The body of an unidentified man suspected to be the victim of a hit-and-run accident was on Saturday morning found along the Loo Creek, Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

Based on reports received, the man’s body bore multiple injuries including to his head, left arm and leg. His body was also in a semi-nude state when he was discovered.

The man was of African descent and is believed to have been in his 30s. Police were informed of the dis -

covery and immediately launched an investigation, during which several pieces of a vehicle light were found in close proximity to the man’s body.

The area, according to reports, is dangerous after dark and the distance from where the body was found to the closest village is about three miles. The body was picked up and taken to the Linden Hospital Complex to await identification and a post-mortem.

The Police are continuing their investigations.

Man murdered after leaving nightclub in Lethem

The motionless body of a Guyanese man was on Sunday morning discovered along Tabatinga Village trail in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) with several marks of violence about his body.

The dead man has been identified as 22-year-old Morgan Gonsalves, who had resided in Bom Fim, Brazil.

Based on reports received, the man left his home to attend a nightclub at Tabatinga, Lethem about 23:00h on Saturday evening.

However, after some time elapsed and he did not return home, his brother went in search of him.

About 06:00h on Sunday, the worried man stumbled upon his brother’s motion-

less body just about 150 metres from the nightclub.

He was lying in a pool of blood with a wound to his head and several abrasions to other parts of his body. At the time, he was clad in short blue trousers, a grey and white jersey and a pair of black boots – the same outfit he reportedly left home wearing.

He was picked up

and taken to the Lethem Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty. His body is at the mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination. The Police have launched an investigation into the murder, and several persons were questioned. No one was arrested in connection with the heinous crime.

2 NOC escapees recaptured with stolen articles

Two of the 13 inmates of the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) who escaped from the facility more than a week ago were on Sunday morning recaptured at Supenaam, Essequibo Coast with a number of stolen items in their possession.

The teenagers were arrested between 04:30h and 08:00h after Police acted on

a tip they received. Upon their arrest, the teens had in their possession one laptop, two yellow metal chairs, one Bluetooth Box, one external hard drive and one silver knife. The items are believed to have been stolen during a number of burglaries in the area recently.

The teens were taken into Police custody and

were expected to be grilled on the whereabouts of the remaining escapees. Since the breakout a week ago, the Police have managed to recapture 10 with three now on the run.

The three on the run are a 16-year-old of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD); a 15-yearold of Tucville Squatting

Area, Georgetown and a 17-year-old of Number Five Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

It was reported that 10 of the inmates escaped at one time followed by another three the next day. They were sent to the NOC for various offences, including assault, threatening behaviour and robbery.

Farmer mistaken for “acourie” shot by hunter

An Essequibo farmer is now nursing two wounds after he was shot by a hunter in the vicinity of the Queenstown Backlands, Essequibo Coast on Friday morning.

The injured man has been identified as 54-yearold Lynden Smith of Lot 57 Queenstown, Essequibo Coast.

Based on reports received, a 66-year-old resident of Mocha, Essequibo Coast who is a licensed firearm holder was hunting in the area when he heard a sound and thought it was a wild animal, so he discharged two rounds in the direction of the sound.

However, it was Smith who was on his farm work

ing about 05:30h on Friday. Smith recalled hearing a loud explosion followed by a burning sensation on his lower back and his buttocks.

He also recalled hearing something screaming “Me miss the ackurie” (a wild animal).

He, nevertheless, did not see anyone and he went to the Suddie Regional Hospital,

where he was treated and the matter was reported. The shooter was arrested, but has since denied that he shot Smith.

At the time, he was carrying his licensed Maverick Shotgun along with six cartridges. He was detained and was currently assisting the Police with their investigations.

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Monday, October 8 – a night retraction at 04:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Tuesday, October 9 – a night retraction at 04:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, October 8 –15:55h-17:25h and Tuesday, October 9 – 16:35h-18:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny conditions are expected throughout the day. Clear skies are expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 21 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East South-easterly to North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 16:04h reaching a maximum height of 2.80 metres.

Low Tide: 09:38h and 21:59h reaching minimum heights of 0.45 metre and 0.39 metre respectively.

Canada advocates for free, fair elections in Guyana

As the time draws closer for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE), the Canadian Government through its High Commission in Guyana is advocating for free and fair elections locally.

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee said that Canada has always been supportive of free elections in Guyana and would advocate for this to continue.

“I know a lot of people turn to me and say we need Canada there to ensure that the elections are going to be free and fair, and we certainly will advocate for free and fair elections,” she stated.

On that note, Chatterjee said that Canada welcomed the fact that Guyana was committed to LGE, especially given that it was the second time in almost 20 years that the country was holding such an election.

She said, “It’s important because it allows the citizens of Guyana to have more decentralised management in terms of municipalities and councils. And it brings the decision making closer to home so that not everything happens in the capital and they have more of a say over issues that affect their daily lives.”

The Canadian diplomat said that Canada would be present for the LGE and would continue to serve as an observer for general elections. As such, she committed her country to being here in 2020.

Chatterjee acknowledged the importance of international partners such as Canada being present during elections in Guyana, to ensure that the results were not compromised and that all elections were fair.

During the last LGE, Canada donated CD$20,000 to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The funds were used to purchase several pieces of equipment, including public address systems. It helped to aid in fostering greater inclusion, civic responsibility, empowerment and participation of the citizenry.

While a commitment has been made by Canada and other countries, there are already major concerns with the electoral process in advance of LGE, mainly raised by the Opposition.

Concerns

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP), through one of its constituency candidates in Berbice, has filed legal proceedings against GECOM and an individual to have the names fraudulently affixed to the back -

er’s lists for LGE in the Ancient County removed. The PPP is challenging on the grounds that the said decision was unlawful, illegal, and unreasonable and was in violation of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act.

The document cites the individual’s alleged refusal to withdraw the applicant’s name and the names of 49 other electors. It said unless the names were withdrawn, the election in the Local Authority Area would be tainted with “illegality and fraud”.

The matter is fixed for hearing before Justice Navindra Singh on October 11, 2018. The attorneys representing the candidate are Adrian Anamayah,

Ian Anamayah and Anil Nandlall.

the nine constituencies in Wakenaam, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) – Constituency Two, Rush Brook/Maria Johanna, which has 185 listed electors. The PPP/ Civic will still be contesting the other eight constituencies and Proportional Representation seats.

However, the PPP/C has sought to point out that the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) and the United Republican Party of Guyana (URP), on the other hand, have had allegations of fraud and other improprieties levelled against them in 42 of 80 NDCs, but have done nothing to this effect.

At Crabwood Creek, Corriverton, Number 63 and Whim Villages in Berbice, a total of 202 persons objected to the fraudulent inclusion of their names on lists of backers. Similar claims were made at La Grange, La Jalousie and Canal Polder in West Bank Demerara by dozens of persons.

The Party also has a legal matter pending. It has called for the legal challenge against the unilateral appointment of GECOM Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson be expedited before the holding of LGE.

PPP General Secretary and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said his party only pulled out from contesting one of

The PPP announced recently also that it would not contest one seat in the Wakenaam Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) at the November 12 LGE, having withdrawn its list of candidates because a number of the names of nominators were either dead or they no longer lived in the area.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall has said the issues which the case raises strike at the heart of constitutional democracy and are intricately connected to peace, order and good governance in the country. (Samuel Sukhnandan)

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Teacher’s

Day for Teachers’ Pay

Every October 5 since 1994, the world is exhorted by the United Nations – specifically UNESCO -- to observe “International Teacher’s Day”. The body declared. “World Teacher’s Day aims to focus on “appreciating, assessing and improving the educators of the world”, and to provide an opportunity to consider issues related to teachers and teaching.”

From the beginning of the post-WWI Decolonisation Movement, the role of education had been recognised as pivotal to the aspirations of the newly created “developing world”, to catch up with the “developed world”. The history of International Teacher’s Day goes back to 5th October, 1966, when a “Special Intergovernmental Conference on the Status of Teachers” was convened in Paris to analyse issues affecting teachers and their profession. Finally, a consensual “Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers” was finally signed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNESCO.

The delivery of education in those countries that succeeded in leapfrogging the developmental process –especially the “Far Eastern Tigers” – demonstrated that teachers, through whom the education content had to be delivered, had to be treated equitably. But in many other Third World countries, the lesson on teachers was ignored, and was the reason there was the abovementioned declaration of “International Teacher’s Day” in 1994, to remind governments about the need to address teachers’ challenges. That the ILO was one of the signatories to the 1966 Recommendations highlights that, ultimately, the delivery of education depends of the efforts of the teachers, which have to be facilitated by governments.

Against that background, it is therefore very ironic that the “Day” to recognise them found the 10,500 teachers of Guyana in the throes of a bitter struggle with the PNC-led Government over their demand for a living wage. What makes the irony even more bitter is the Government insists that education was deemed to be at the centre of development by the PNC’s founder-leader Forbes Burnham, and they have vowed, through the present PNC leader, President Granger, to fulfil that legacy.

It is therefore clear the PNC’s leadership does not accept that the responsibility for that delivery of education is directly related to the well-being of the teachers who deliver the product. Earlier in the year, President Granger made a personal visit to the Guyana Teachers Union Headquarters, where he assured the teachers that his administration would be addressing the concerns on emoluments of teachers positively. Following a breakdown of negotiations between the Ministry of Education and the GTU, a Task Force comprised of representatives from the ministries of Education, Finance, Communities, Public Service and Presidency, as well as representatives of the union, was appointed.

The Task Force made a slew of recommendations, which, while not accepting the salary-increase percentages proposed by the GTU, was accepted by them. To their surprise, President Granger rejected his own Task Force’s recommendations as “deficient”. From then on, matters went downhill, as the teachers were forced to go on a week’s strike at the beginning of the school year. They were persuaded to return to work on the basis that the terms of the “settlement of disputes” according to the law would be observed.

Unfortunately, the Government insulted the intelligence of teachers by insisting that the Ministry of Social Protection be the “conciliator” in the first step of the dispute-settlement mechanism, when the Ministry of Labour, which had rejected the GTU’s position, was a Department in that Ministry. After that hurdle was overcome by both parties agreeing to move to binding arbitration, the Government once again insisted on gaming the system by nominating Government employees as their choice of Arbitral Chair and rejecting the GTU’s nominees. They then unilaterally appointed a Chair, in clear violation of the rules of voluntary arbitration.

Against this background, the Minister of Education’s statement on Teacher’s Day: “Your selfless contributions as educators, coaches, counsellors, and disciplinarians, who work tirelessly to prepare our human resource, can never be understated”, rings hollow. The Government must get off its high horse and pay teachers equitably.

We in Bartica will not allow these calls to race to divide us

Dear Editor,

On October 1, 2018, the Mayor of the township of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, posted on his Facebook page, “Mayor Gifford:2018”, a deliberately edited screenshot WhatsApp status of a young lady with a caption on same spreading hate and racism, which caused the young lady’s image to be tarnished.

This was very distasteful for a leader of the community to manipulate someone’s Facebook in order to incite racism. All Barticians and Guyanese should condemn this.

On Monday, October 1, 2018, Mayor Gifford Marshall published an article in the Guyana Chronicle newspapers which said, “Bartica Mayor rejects Jagdeo tirades”, after which members and supporters of the People’s

Progressive Party Civic went on social media, specifically Facebook, and shared pictures and videos displaying the warm welcome and love which was shown to the Opposition Leader by all races. One of those pictures the young woman in question posted on her WhatsApp status, which the Mayor subsequently screenshot from her Whatsapp and added in a racial line.

The APNU camp was clearly shaken up by this demonstration of love by the people of Bartica for the Opposition Leader, and thus Mr. Mayor went on social media venting, accusing Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo of inciting racism by saying “us versus them”.

My question is, how was the Opposition Leader inciting racial division when he was comparing

Guyana’s ECONOMIC situation from the time of the PPP/C Government and now under the APNU/ AFC Government? Mr. Jagdeo never said us versus them; he pointed out cold, hard facts of how the APNU/AFC Government is damaging the country, the economy, by bad polices that are hurting the people and the country; and, in contrast, pointed out what the PPP/C had done in the economy and social programmes to better the lives of the people.

The Mayor could not refute these facts, and he and his colleagues in the APNU became fearful of the PPP/C being victorious at this upcoming LGE.

Mr. Mayor was totally out of order for publicising a screenshot status which included the young lady’s name and image on

his Facebook page, which he edited and inserted words she never used. He then watched as his cronies bashed her and the PPP/C mercilessly on race.

We recognise that, in their desperation, all the PNC/APNU/AFC has left is race to call on.

We in Bartica will not allow these calls to race to divide us; we want a better Town Council, one that will consult and represent the interests and needs of the Barticians. After three years of the APNU/AFCcontrolled Government, RDC and Town Council, and unfulfilled promises, we know only the PPP/C can offer us improvement and a better life.

Sincerely, Tamana Thomas, Young businesswoman

There needs to be some kind of social media policy for public officials

Dear Editor,

I refer to the Stabroek News article, “Cops Probing Complaint against Gov’t Cultural Advisor…” published on October 05, 2018. It was with great shock that I recently learnt that the said advisor has a personal interest in the case brought before the High Court against The Bishops’

High School teacher. Now that the Police have turned up at his place of work in response to a complaint lodged by the teacher and his fiancée for allegedly breaching a section of the new Cyber Crime Act, my initial suspicions are confirmed. It seems to me Johnson is determined to achieve his end, no matter the con-

sequences, even if it means causing this Government great embarrassment. That he would suggest the teacher is taking advantage of the law purely because it’s new is ludicrous. It matters not whether the law is two minutes or five years old, if a breach has occurred, the wronged party has the right to legal redress, as is pro-

vided for by the law. What Johnson seems to be saying is that the law is only valid when it serves his purpose. Further, that he would contend that Jackson and his fiancée’s complaints are a reflection of the relative strength of Jackson’s High Court matter is equally puerile.

Suicide prevention is so much more than just sharing a helpline number

Dear Editor,

Since its launch in 2015, mention has often been made about the Suicide Helpline, although stats are hard to come by, even though releasing them could be an incentive for others to use the helpline. In any case, saving a life can’t solely rely on the person who is at risk -- who will most probably never call the helpline. The person who would call the helpline is that someone else who is able to recognise that the person is actually at risk; someone such as a gatekeeper or lay counsellor who is trained to identify suicide warning signs.

And this is so necessary in the context of Guyana, where there seems to be a pattern of ignoring even the most obvious signs on the part of family and friends of those at risk, and/or dismissing suicide ideation as jokes and/or not be-

ing serious. Gatekeepers would also help others be able to identify the warning signs, and thus enable circles of understanding that all such signs must always be taken seriously, even if it means erring on the side of caution.

The issue of gatekeepers brings to the fore the concept of collaboration, which has been touted over and over and over by all and sundry, including the Government, as the way to go in small economies like Guyana’s, which cannot afford to roll out the comprehensive mental health and suicide prevention infrastructure and supports. Collaboration is best exemplified by the Gatekeeper’s Programme, which arms communities with lay counsellors who can take proactive action to not only prevent the act of suicide, but to also address various forms of abuse.

Opposition Leader and PPP are the barrier to a dictatorship Government

Dear Editor,

After almost three years of Local Government Elections in Guyana, Guyanese believe that many local issues would have been resolved. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. The question is: what differences have Local Government Elections and governance made to our lives and communities?

I am absolutely sure that nothing much has changed in your communities or lives, but it is absolutely necessary to ensure that you continue to vote, in order for you to be protected against any increase in rates and taxes or any additional burdens by this coalition Government.

The Government’s policies of modernising the country local system of democracy are nothing but increased hardship and burdens. Since the Local Government Elections of 2016, the coalition Government has refused to increase and delay subventions to assist LAA areas, but has insisted that rates and taxes’ increases is the solutions to various issues within these areas.

This contributed significantly to the decline of the local authority areas, some areas are even worse than before 2016, with clogged drains, deplorable streets, garbage disposal crisis etc.,

and this continues to plague all the NDCs and municipalities across the country.

Even the municipalities and NDC that are governed by the APNU/AFC coalition Government, where they imposed 100 per cent increases in rates and taxes, nothing has changed.

The reason why the APNU/AFC coalition Government is trying to impose local democracy pressure on the Guyanese people is because of the numerous failures of the Government to deliver; as such, they are using the local authorities’ management as a scapegoat, to hide their incompetence and mismanagement.

If the APNU/AFC were serious about the success of the LAA areas, then they would pump more resources into the LAA areas to satisfy the needs of the grassroots people.

Remember that Local Government Elections are just the renewal of Local Democracy.

Guyanese should recognise that the only hindrance for the APNU/AFC to become a total dictatorship Government is the Opposition Leader, Cde Bharrat Jagdeo, and the Peoples Progressive Party.

Regards, Zamal Hussain

The Caribbean Voice is getting ready to launch a national lay counsellor Trainthe-Trainer programme next year. Since the Government is best positioned to ensure the logistics necessary for such a programme, we will be reaching out to the requisite Government ministries, agencies and departments to seek partnership, including help to bring on board NGOs, FBOs, CBO, local government agencies and massbased organisations to ensure not only that the trainers are provided with the skill sets and knowledge base, but to also support them as they then seek to train gatekeepers in every community, once they receive their training. In effect, this can and should be a totally collaborative effort.

Once signs are identified, scope must also be provided to such individuals to talk

more, and to give them a response that’s nonjudgmental and really supportive. But this, too, calls for some basic training in empathetic communication, and here again, gatekeepers come into play.

In effect, we need to deepen the mental health literacy of our nation to the point where people become selfaware of the triggers and improvers of their own mental health, like they are with their physical health. And this process starts with gatekeepers who can train others in their communities.

At a recent forum on suicide in Guyana, mention was made of the need for community-based services to tackle suicide. Well, this process can start with gatekeepers, who are the most critical cog in the wheel of suicide prevention at the community level. That is why, too, TCV

There needs to be...

Clearly, the two cases are distinct and separate, and should be judged on their own merit. If this is the kind of faulty thinking that Johnson provides to his employers in his role as advisor, then the tax-payers of this country are being taken for a ride.

Following Johnson’s logic, one can take the other side and argue that the alleged public slander of the named individuals is indicative of the relative strength of the case in which Johnson has a vested interest.

How else can he explain the urge to offer public pro-

nouncements on the matter which is before the court, and in which he is a witness?

Mr. Editor, because of loose cannons like Ruel Johnson, there needs to be some kind of social media policy for public officials.

Can you imagine how awkward it must have been for the Permanent Secretary to attempt an explanation to the Police for Johnson’s refusal to go down to the station? This Government must do better.

Yours respectfully, Kevin Samaroo

is also extremely happy that the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), on September 17, launched a virtual course on suicide prevention for primary healthcare workers in the Americas, including the Caribbean.

The course, which is free, self-directed and available in English on PAHO’s Virtual Campus for Public Health (https://www.campusvirtualsp.org/en/), is divided into seven modules, and is based on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Intervention Guide for Mental, Neurological and Substance Use Disorders (mhGAP-IG), that include evidence-based interventions to identify and manage priority mental health disorders, including self-inflicted injuries and suicide at the first level of health care.

The Caribbean Voice urges Government to take the lead in providing scope to ensure that, in addition to all primary health care workers, all social workers, welfare officers, teachers and outreach personnel -- such as those engaged in youth or women empowerment -- take this train-

ing.

We encourage activists, NGOs, faith-based organisations and community-based organisations to also use this opportunity to gain the critical skills and knowledge to enhance their suicide prevention activism. And we also urge all media to publicise the link and a message urging the general public to take advantage of this training.

Speaking of the media, we note that Trinidad & Tobago recently launched its National Media Guidelines for Responsible Reporting on Suicide.

While we are aware that significant changes in such reportage have been effected by the local media, reportage is still not where it should be. So we urge the crafting and launch of similar guidelines for the Guyanese media. PAHO has been instrumental in providing relevant training to the local media, and its assistance can be harnessed in putting these guidelines together.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

Page Foundation

– greeting each student at the door with a positive message brings benefits for both students and teacher, according to a study

By youki Terada

Awidely-cited 2007 study claimed that teachers greeting students at the classroom door led to a 27 percentage point increase in academic engagement. The problem? It included just three students.

Now a new, much larger and more credible study – comprising 203 students in 10 classrooms – validates that claim: Greeting students at the door sets a positive tone and can increase engagement and reduce disruptive behaviour. Spending a few moments welcoming students promotes a sense of belonging, giving them social and emotional support that helps them feel invested in their learning.

The first few minutes of class are often the most chaotic, as students transition from busy areas such as the hallway or playground. Left unchecked, disruptions can become difficult to manage, but a proactive approach to classroom management can help students get focused and ready to learn. Rather than address disruptive behaviour as it happens, proactive techniques – like greeting students at the door and modelling good behaviour – reduce the occurrence of such behaviour as teachers and students build a positive classroom culture together.

In the study, when teachers started class by welcoming students at the door, academic engagement increased by 20 percentage points and disruptive behaviour decreased by nine percentage points – potentially adding “an additional hour of engagement over the course of a five-hour instructional day”, according to the researchers.

Ten middle school teachers were randomly assigned by the researchers to one of two groups. The first group started class by greeting their students at the door, saying each student’s name while using a nonverbal greeting such as a handshake or nod. The teachers also used precorrective statements –reminders of what to do at the start of class like, “Spend the next few minutes reviewing what we covered yesterday.” If a student had struggled with their behaviour the previous day, the teachers often gave a positive message to encourage them to improve.

Teachers in the second group attended classroom management training sessions offered by their schools, but they weren’t given

any specific instructions on how to start class.

Researchers observed classrooms in the fall and spring, looking at academic engagement – how attentive students were to their teacher or classwork – and disruptive behaviour, including speaking out of turn, leaving one’s seat, and distracting classmates. Both measures improved in classrooms where teachers greeted their students, confirming what many teachers already know: Meeting students’ emotional needs is just as important as meeting their academic needs.

“The results from this study suggest that teachers who spend time on the front end to implement strategies such as the PGD [positive greetings at the door] will eventually save more time on the back end by spending less time reacting to problem behaviour and more time on instruction,” the study authors write.

Building community

Why do positive greetings work? When teachers use strategies like this, they help “establish a positive classroom climate in which students feel a sense of connection and belonging,” the study authors write. “This is particularly important considering the research demonstrating that achievement motivation is often a by-product of social belonging.” In other words, when students feel welcome in the classroom, they’re more willing to put time and effort into learning.

Nonverbal interpersonal interactions, such as a friendly handshake or a thumbs-up, can help make greetings feel authentic and build trust – as long as students feel comfortable with physical contact.

When greeting students at your door:

Say the student’s name Make eye contact

Use a friendly nonverbal greeting, such as a handshake, high five, or thumbs-up

Give a few words of encouragement

Ask how their day is going

Addressing underlying causes of misbehaviour

Disruptive behaviour is contagious – if one student misbehaves, it can quickly spread to other students. And while most teachers try to respond immediately, punishment often backfires. Research shows that trying to fix student misbehaviour may be futile because

doing so can spur resistance and more misbehaviour instead of compliance.

“Despite overwhelming evidence that such strategies are ineffective, many teachers rely on reactive methods for classroom behaviour management,” explain the study authors.

So instead of asking, “How can I fix misbehaviour?” teachers could ask, “How can I create a classroom environment that discourages misbehaviour in the first place?”

In many cases, low-level disruptions and disengagement have less to do with the student and more to do with factors that the teacher can control, such as teaching style and use of stimulating activities. For example, a study found that when teachers encouraged students to participate in classroom activities rather than lecturing to them, students were more likely to stay on task.

Another recent study provides additional insights: When teachers focused their attention on students’ positive conduct and avoided rushing to correct minor disruptions, students had better behaviour, and their mental health and ability to concentrate also improved.

Benefits for teachers, too

A welcoming classroom environment doesn’t benefit students alone – it can improve the teacher’s mental health as well. Slightly more than half of teachers – 53 per cent – feel stressed by student disengagement or disruptions. The consequences can be serious: A 2014 study found that “teachers report classroom management to be one of the greatest concerns in their teaching, often leading to burnout, job dissatisfaction, and early exit from the profession.”

All too often, teachers spend time and energy responding to misbehaviour with corrective discipline, such as telling students to stop talking or giving them a time-out. These may work in the short term, but they can damage teacher-student relationships while doing little to prevent future misbehaviour. Research shows that it can be beneficial for student and teacher well-being to instead focus on creating a positive classroom environment.

The takeaway: Starting class by greeting your students at the door helps set a positive tone for the rest of the day, promoting their sense of belonging, boosting their academic engagement, and reducing disruptive behaviour. (edutopia.org)

…a recent study points to parental touch as a safety signal for children

By eileen kennedy-Moore, Phd

Touch is our most basic way of connecting and comforting. A recent study by Eddie Brummelman and colleagues suggests that parental touch can also serve as a safety signal for children.

In the study, children ages 8 to 14 years viewed a series of pairs of faces and had to indicate whether an asterisk appeared next to the face on the left or right. The faces showed either positive, negative, or neutral expressions.

If children saw an angry face and then, on the next trial, more quickly noticed the asterisk in the place where the angry face had been (compared to where a neutral expression had been), the investigators interpreted that as an attentional bias toward threat. Seeing an angry face influenced children to pay attention to information in that location.

However, when parents briefly and casually touched their 8-10-year-old children on the shoulder prior to the task, the children did not show a bias toward threat. It was as if the quick touch reassured children that they were safe. Touch did not reduce threat bias in older children, ages 1114.

In a follow-up task, the investigators had children look at photos of unfamiliar children with neutral facial expressions and rate how much they trusted them. Socially anxious children between 8-10 years who had received the brief parental touch rated the unfamiliar children as more trustworthy compared to

those who were not touched. Surprisingly, nonanxious children who received parental touch rated the unfamiliar children as less trustworthy. For these children, the touch seemed to communicate, “Be careful, here!” The trust ratings of older children, ages 11-14, were not affected by parental touch.

This study is intriguing because it shows that a onesecond touch from a parent can influence children’s social thinking. The authors suggest that using parental touch to decrease attentional bias and raise trust could be useful in treating socially anxious children, but it’s not clear whether the subtle differences seen in the study translate into anything meaningful in the day-to-day lives of children.

As a clinician, I know that social anxiety is complicated. It can involve not only a fear of being evaluated negatively by others, but also a tendency to perceive rejection even when it’s not there, avoidance of social situations, and social skills deficits that lead to actual negative reactions from others.

Could parental touch help? Maybe. Being less focused on threats in social situations might make socially anxious children more willing to be around others, but that’s certainly not enough. The socially anxious children I’ve worked with need much more than a simple pat on the back. They also need to be able to identify children who are likely to be open to interacting with them and to reach out in positive ways that support ongoing play or conversations. (psychologytoday.com)

Unsustainable loans will harm future generations – Jagdeo warns …expresses concern over $30B bond, possible collusion with NICIL

Expressing concern over the Government’s borrowing habits and the recent revelations that over $100 million was paid to arrange a government-backed bond, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is warning of the future consequences of these decisions.

At his most recent press conference, Jagdeo noted that unsustainable levels of borrowing can have detrimental effects for Guyana as a whole. He referenced other economic variables, like the Bank of Guyana’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities showing billions of dollars in overdraft.

“We’ve pointed out that unsustainable levels of borrowing will harm our country in the future… (billions of dollars) overdraft at the central bank, US$150 million of development borrowing,” Jagdeo said.

breach of the terms of the Trust Deed.

Hand-in-Hand had written to Republic Bank requesting that the purpose of the Trust Deed be changed regarding how the proceeds of the bond shall be applied. While Republic Bank has stated its no objection to the proposed changes to the Trust Deed, it said it remained disappointed that proceeds from the bond were utilised for a purpose other than what was approved.

Jagdeo also zeroed in on the $30 billion bond that was negotiated by the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). According to Jagdeo, he warned President David Granger about the pitfalls of this transaction.

“I sat with the President. I said to him, ‘this is not necessary, because you’re not using the money now’. He did ab -

“The Minister of Finance (Winston Jordan) was in the Middle East talking about closer relationships with the Islamic Bank and he has already signalled that he intends to borrow some US$900 million there.”

solutely nothing about it. Now there is a raging controversy between the Agriculture Ministry and the SPU and he does not intervene.”

According to Jagdeo, the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration never arranged a bond of this magnitude, much less paid such a large arranger fee. In addition, the former President expressed concern over possible links between the point person for the bond

and a member of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Board.

“That, if it is true, is really a serious issue. That would explain the rush to raise all of the money –because the arranger then gets a percentage – even though you do not need the money now and even though the taxpayers have to pay a 4.75 per cent interest,” Jagdeo observed.

Earlier this year, NICIL acquired the $30 billion syndicated bond

at a rate of 4.75 per cent interest to spend on capitalising GuySuCo’s remaining estates. It subsequently emerged that part of the bond was used by GuySuCo to repay interest on another debt.

As the bond has strict requirements for how it would be used, Republic Bank Managing Director Richard Sammy wrote to the bond trustees – Handin-Hand Corporation, to complain. The Bank also called for a full explanation as to the apparent

The SPU has not taken lightly criticisms which seek to suggest that the bond would be wasted and that it was acquired at an unreasonable rate. In fact, the SPU had said it should be noted that, as standard for any debt financing, security is required to secure payments to bondholders.

The term of the bond is five years, since it is expected that the proceeds of the land sale for GuySuCo would be used for repayment. But Agriculture Minister Noel Holder himself has been publicly critical of the transaction.

mondAY, october 8, 2018 | guYAnAtimesgY.com

“I’m going through hell in prison”– man tells court

Amaintenance worker who was previously charged for stealing from his employer made his second court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday, and begged to be granted his pre-trial liberty, since he claimed that he has been “going through hell” in the Lusignan Prison.

Calvin Francis, who was employed at a popu-

lar restaurant on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, made his first appearance in September before Magistrate Leron Daly when he answered to a charge of simple larceny.

The charge stated that he stole $109,000 from his employer on September 12, 2018 while he was employed at the place of business.

However, in court on Friday, Francis told the

court that he did not take the money. The defendant said that “this is the second time that I’m being framed: this is not about money, and this is victimisation by them”.

The prosecution, during Francis’ first appearance, had contended that on the day in question, the defendant was seen on Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage entering the restaurant and carting off

a box which contained the cash.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh had also informed the court that Francis, who had no fixed place of abode, had previously been charged for simple larceny and robbery.

Upon hearing from the prosecution, Magistrate Judy Latchman further remanded the defendant until November 2, 2018.

Father charged for beating son with pipe in head

Afather of four was hauled before the courts last week after he was accused of hitting his 10-year-old son to his head with a piece of pipe.

Rudolph Lyken stood before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman and denied the charge that was made out against him when it was read.

The 40-year-old man is accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding the lad on October 10, 2018 at their D’Urban Street, Werken-Rust home.

The court heard that on the day in question, the boy was dealt one lash to his head by the defendant after he refused to carry out an order.

He was subsequently tak-

en to a city hospital, where he was treated for the injuries he sustained and sent away.

Lyken, in his defence, told the court that he never intended to hit the child to his head. He noted that he instructed the boy to carry out an order which he refused.

“I never really wanted to hit him in his head; I talked to him before. After I lash him, I went to him and told him ‘you see how you

mek I hit you, you have to listen’,” he said.

The man further informed the court that he was the sole breadwinner for himself and children, who resided with him.

Police Prosecutor Dinero

Unfit and imprappa…

…AFC Dead Meat

The AFC are running on their own in the LGE, after they were rebuffed by the APNU…or more specifically, the PNC. They’d demanded the same 40 per cent of offices they’d demanded in Cabinet appointments before the 2015 General Elections, when they promised to bring their 11 per cent support into the APNU/AFC coalition platform. The PNC said, “No way Jose!!”, or more pointedly, “Go show us what you have, losers!!”

Point of the matter is, the AFC never did bring in their promised 11 per cent from the Indian community that would’ve traditionally gone to the PPP. So when they were given the promised 40 per cent in the Cabinet, hard core PNCites were livid. Never mind AFC Cabinet Ministers –being creatures of the President – were made so ineffectual they might as well have been dog catchers!! Like, of course, the man who so lusted to be “Prime Minister”, he betrayed all!! All he got was “Larwah” – but he seems to be liking it. Go figure!!

Jones made no objections to bail being granted to the single father.

Magistrate Latchman granted Lyken his pre-trial liberty in the sum of $80,000, and adjourned the matter until November 2, 2018.

Agricola man charged for assaulting wife

Twenty-six-year-old Romel Bollers, of Lot 120, Luthers Street, Agricola, was on Friday granted bail by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for assaulting his wife.

Bollers pleaded not guilty to the charges which stated that on October 3, 2018, he unlawfully assaulted Reminda Allison while using threatening language towards her.

According to the facts presented in court, on the day in question, the defendant entered the Virtual Complainant’s home without permission.

The defendant then threatened to kill the VC if she ended their relationship after which he slammed her head into a wall and dealt her several punches to her head.

The matter was reported, and the defendant was arrested and charged.

Bollers was only recently released on bail on a simple larceny charge, but in less than 24 hours, he was back in Police custody for the present charges.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones made no objections to bail, and Magistrate Latchman granted Bollers $60,000 bail and ordered him to stay away from the VC. The matter was adjourned until November 2, 2018.

Anyhow, at an event dubbed “Fit and Proppa”, to rally their candidates for the LGE, even the ones who’d evidently been nominated by Guyanese “walking dead”! –AFC’s Kathy Hughes -- claimed bitterly they were the ones who’d put the PNC into office. The not-so-subtle implicit subtext, of course, what that the PNC was ungrateful for throwing them out on their own, and not keeping them on its coattails!!

But even their “Fit and Proppa” label shows how disconnected the elitist AFC is from the grassroots – which is where the LGE is fought. No grassroots voter would be caught dead saying “Fit and Proppa” – they’d be run out of their village with the derisive hoots greeting their pretentious pronunciation of “fit an’ prappa”!! Truth is, the AFC has become the “Dead Meat” that Ramjattan predicted before they sold their souls to the PNC for thirty pieces of silver. And dead meat, by definition, has to be “unfit and imprappa”!!

Your Eyewitness doesn’t have to wonder what the PNC will do with the AFC after the LGE reveals they’ve got no supporters! They’ll demand every leader from the AFC –starting with Nagamootoo and Ramjattan – swear fealty to the PNC in general, and Granger in particular, by kissing his ring and, of course, his posterior!! If, when there were no objective grounds for rejecting their 11 per cent pretentions, the AFC accepted being humiliated by the PNC, imagine the treatment they’ll accept when they’re exposed as the fakes they are!!

Especially when the PNC’s hand is strengthened with the new corps of soup drinkers they’re cultivating during the LGE nomination process!!

It’ll be a new Larwah time!!

…Town Clerk

No Guyanese -- of whatever political persuasion -- can be surprised at the revelations from the CoI into the actions of Town Clerk Royston King. Not if they’re honest and not sleeping during the last four years. King’s ascension to the position had been born out of illegalities, which naturally defined his modus operandi.

He’d been appointed Town Clerk in 2014 by then Mayor Hamilton Green, after serving as his PRO – even as Carol Sooba occupied that position. Even after the Court ruled King’s appointment illegal, Green backed him and had vendors harass Sooba.

From the moment the Government changed and Bulkan removed Sooba – violating the very principle Green had challenged Sooba’s appointment over – and appointing King, in July 2015, King naturally concluded he could do whatever he wanted. He was blessed from “on high”.

The 2016 LGE strengthened his hand, when his old compadre and hard core PNC insider Patricia Chase Green became Mayor. Along with past PNC General Secty Oscar Clarke, they were now given the licence by the PNC to do whatever they wanted with the City’s purse – to take care of the largest PNC base, of course. But King and Patricia Green had other plans – personal plans.

The question is why Patricia Chase Green’s not also under investigation?

…for GECOM Chair

GECOM’s Chair James Patterson warned, “Mischief is afoot”. Yes….from the moment he was appointed by Granger!!

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

Granger could be behind gridlock between Govt, GTU – Jagdeo

…urges President to get directly involved to end stalemate

With several months already passed and countless meetings held, there is still no clear indication as to when negotiations for the new multi-year agreement for teachers will be resolved.

Commentators and social activists have assumed that the process is being deliberately prolonged, and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo believes that this might have to do with President David Granger.

Jagdeo said recently that it was the President who established a High Level Task Force, but later rejected its report after it agreed with the majority of the Guyana Teachers Union’s demands.

The establishment of the Task Force, which comprised Government and Union representatives, followed on the heels of threats of strike action from the GTU.

The Task Force had recommended that Government consider granting GTU’s request for a 40 per cent increase on 2015 salaries. The recommendations proposed that the 40 per cent increase serve as a base, and a five per cent incremental increase for each remaining year of the agreement.

This recommendation represents a compromise as the Union originally requested a 40 per cent increase in 2016, a 45 per cent increase in 2017, and a 50 per cent increase in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

But Government later came out raising concerns

about the affordability of the proposals, which could cost in excess of $4 billion for the teaching service and $10 billion if extended to the rest of the public sector.

Teachers were instead offered a $700 million ballpark figure for 2018 salary increases. This was rejected and the GTU decided to engage in strike action beginning in the schools’ pre-term on August 27, 2018.

The Opposition Leader noted that it was the President who deemed the proposal made by the Task Force to be unacceptable, and for this reason, he believes that the President is responsible for the stalemate.

He said, “The President promised a Task Force of senior Government officials and then they come back to the President and he says that the report is not acceptable…he may very well be behind this.”

Jagdeo has called for the President to get directly involved in the process, more so because the GTU and the Department of Labour have also reached an impasse. He said the issue could get out of hand, if the President did not intervene and bring some calm to the situation.

“I pleaded with the President to get involved directly, people weren’t happy when I said that he should do something about the mouth of Keith Scott, but really I was just expressing a similar frustration that the teachers are experiencing,”

he said. Jagdeo believes Minister Scott has made the situation worse.

Confrontation

The former Head of State also believes that the GTU met with the Department of Labour and went back to the table in good faith, only now to be faced again with unilateral actions on the part of Government.

“It seems as though the Government is encouraging, baiting the teachers with their language, threatening them to lock people up, etc. It’s like they want a confrontation with the teachers and then the Minister will go around at some schools and try to get the parents to blame the teachers again,” Jagdeo said.

The GTU recently called on its members to be on standby as it gears up for another round of strike action; this time on a larger scale, if the imposed Chairman

Bandits who posed as Police beat security guard, rob sand pit

Several bandits who reportedly posed as Police Officers executed a brazen robbery on a sand pit operated by Baskaran and Sons at Yarrowkabra, LindenSoesdyke Highway after they assaulted the security guard on duty in the wee hours of Saturday.

Based on reports received, the incident took place between 22:30h and 02:00h during which the bandits held the security guard at gunpoint and dealt him several blows to his body before escaping with over $6.1 million in items.

According to reports received, the guard was in his hut when he was awakened by a loud banging on his door. After he enquired, he was told that it was the Police and that they were making routine checks. Thinking something was amiss, the security offi -

cer did not open the door, but soon after he heard the sound of an excavator starting up.

Within a few minutes, the bucket of the excavator crashed into the hut thus forcing the security guard to try to run to safety. He was, however, captured by the bandits who started to hit him about his body. He reportedly fell to the ground and it was at this time, the men used duct tape to tie his hands and feet, and also gagged him.

As he remained on the ground, a car entered the compound and two 12-volt excavator batters and a hydraulic pump were loaded into its trunk. The car then made its way out of the compound along with the armed men.

The security guard managed to free himself and contacted his employers, who in turn contacted the Police. Statements

were taken from the security guard. An investigation has been launched into the incident. No arrests have been made.

for the arbitration panel to settle the wages dispute between Government and the Union is not withdrawn.

Dr Leyland Lucas of the University of Guyana was named arbitrator last week and according to the GTU, it did not agree to the nomination, but rather Lucas was imposed by the Department of Labour.

According to the Union, it is also prepared to take the Education Ministry, and more so, the Government to court if any action is taken against teachers who will be going on strike.

GTU President Mark Lyte said the Union has not taken lightly the threat by the Education Ministry to penalise teachers who are prepared to strike. His statement was in reference to the threat issued by the Ministry, after the Union announced its plans to head to industrial action for a second time.

Since 2015, the Union has attempted to negotiate a multi-year salary and non-salary benefit package with the David Granger-led coalition Government but negotiations have dragged on.

The last nationwide teachers’ strike took effect on August 27 during the

schools’ pre-term activities and lasted for a little under two weeks, as the Ministry gave into the pressure and agreed to arbitration on September 6. Following the agreement to end the strike, teachers returned to work.

The terms signed on to by the parties to the dispute for resumption indicated that there would be no victimisation by either side, no loss of pay and seniority, and the status quo ante, that is, the conditions in relation to wages, salaries and non-salary benefits which existed before the strike would prevail.

Most importantly, the terms indicate that within 24 hours after full resumption, the parties would meet to determine the terms of reference for the arbitration panel, as guided by the 1990 Memorandum of Agreement between the Education Ministry and the GTU. (Samuel Sukhnandan)

mondAY, october 8, 2018 |

Local Government Elections 2018

Ramsaroop calls on voters to reject PNC rule of City Hall

…if they want to see Georgetown truly develop and flourish

Economic Advisor to the Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Peter Ramsaroop, is calling for the outright rejection of a Peoples National Congress (PNC)-led City Hall at the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE).

The PPP/C’s flyer for local elections stated that the PNC rule of the City Hall has been characterised by 52 years of incompetence, maladministration and blatant mismanagement, which have led to disastrous consequences for the people of Georgetown.

Ramsaroop, who has proposed numerous improvements to the City Hall’s management in various columns over the last decade, has noted that it is critical that the current managers of City Hall are completely removed at this election.

He told Guyana Times on Sunday, “One just has to look at the physical condition of the world-famous City Hall building and wonder how it is safe for residents of Georgetown to conduct business there. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

Ramsaroop believes the PPP/C candidates and pro-

Economic Advisor Peter Ramsaroop

grammes are ready to take Georgetown to a new level.

Areas of economic growth, he said, must be seen in the wharf areas, the seawall, and the development of new access roads across the city utilising overpasses, among other things.

Given the chance, residents of Georgetown will see significant improvement, he said. The PPP/C is calling for accountability and transparency. The party has stated its non-support for parking meters, and has called for justice for vendors. Ramsaroop said the mistreatment of vendors alone should be an indicator that voters need to take note of.

The PPP/C advisor has since also called on PNC

supporters who dominate the constituency to reject their leadership this round and allow the new team to take the capital city to new heights.

He said, “Many would say the PPP/C had their chance in Government, but this was never the case with the City’s management, which has been under PNC rule for many decades.”

Ramsaroop, along with PPP/C candidate for Constituency Number Three, Dimitri Ali, and Charles Ramson, Jnr, and other party executives, were engaged in a recent walk around.

Just last month following a plethora of complaints against City Hall by residents, vendors and members of the business community, the Local Government Commission (LGC) was given no choice but to launch a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the operations at City Hall.

Financial mismanagement continues to be chief among the complaints, in addition to the bullying tactics employed by the officials; which Ramsaroop has pointed out continues to be the hallmark of PNC rule.

So far, the CoI has heard from current and former employees who appeared

to testify that their benefits and contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) were not paid.

In addition, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) told the CoI that it has been awaiting payments from the City Hall for rates and taxes dating back to 2016; while there has also been examination of pension payments to a broker insurance company that has not been paid for the past 19 months.

Further, many businesses have come forward and blasted City Hall for failing to approve numerous applications for respective properties for construction and other purposes.

Evidence of financial improprieties uncovered at City Hall by Consultant Ramon Gaskin since 2012, when he conducted an audit there, will also be presented at the CoI. Gaskin is expected to provide the evidence to substantiate his recommendations based on that audit, where he recommended criminal charges.

Prior to the announcement by the LGC to launch a CoI into the operations at City Hall, Town Clerk Royston King was sent on administrative leave. Both King and City Mayor Patricia Chase Green are expected to testify at later

hearings. Both individuals are members of the PNC.

The Inquiry is expected to conclude on October 31, 2018, when the necessary recommendations will be submitted after all evidence has been presented before the Commission.

Headed by Retired Justice Cecil Kennard, the CoI is seeking to investigate the nonpayment of benefits, a rejected no-confidence mo-

tion that was filed against Town Clerk Royston King by Councillor Sherod Duncan, contracts that were awarded, and the mismanagement of funds, among other areas. Justice Kennard has sought to point out that letters in the media will not be taken into account as testimony. Hence persons would have to take the stand under oath to submit their evidence.

Colombian man gets 3 months for illegal entry

AColombian national was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts slapped with an illegal entry charge.

Aziel Sanchez denied the charge which stated that he entered Guyana illegally by means of crossing a land frontier and failed to produce himself to

an immigration officer on September 30, 2018. Sanchez, who had to speak through a translator, explained that he suffered from cancer and only came to Guyana for treatment. Further, he said that he had no place of abode in Colombia and would usually stay in Guyana’s interior.

The man will be deported to his homeland after serving the three-month prison sentence.

Guyana has below-average capacity to tackle crime – IDB report –

lagging behind Jamaica, other countries in effective investigations

The Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB’s) recently released report -- ‘Smart Spending on Citizen Security, Beyond Crime and Punishment’ -- is warning that the latest statistics on Guyana’s crime fighting show that the Guyana Police Force has a below-average capacity to speedily tackle crime.

This IDB report compares the various security capacities of different countries in the region. In statistics that detail countries’ capacity to apprehend suspects and process and sanction without undue delay, Guyana’s 32 per cent capacity to effectively investigate and 42 per cent capacity to speedily prosecute is ranked behind Suriname, Barbados, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Saint Lucia, and Saint Kitts and Nevis as at 2017. The statistics particularly show that the aforementioned countries, including Jamaica, carry out more effective investigations than Guyana does.

However, Guyana ranks better than several coun-

tries, including Venezuela, Bolivia, the Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

While the report’s statistics show that Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil and Panama are marginally better than Guyana at investigating crime, Guyana is better rated when it comes to the ju-

dicial aspect of dealing with criminals.

“High levels of (crime) are related to the low capacity to apprehend and prosecute offenders (effective investigation), as well as to judge and sanction the accused (effective adjudication). The average of both for the region is a startling-

ly low 38 per cent, compared to the United States (74 per cent) or Spain (70 per cent). Again, this measure varies widely in the region,” the report notes.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) had disclosed in June of this year that while serious crime statistics were showing reductions, there

had been an increase in robbery under arms and rape cases compared to last year’s corresponding period.

The statistics from January to May month-end show a seven per cent increase in robbery under arms, an eight per cent increase in robberies where no instruments were used, and a four per cent increase in rape cases. Robberies were up by three per cent.

According to the GPF, serious crimes have decreased by seven per cent, and there was a 23 per cent decrease in murder, with a total of 36 murders recorded in 2018. Of these murders, 17 stemmed from disorderly circumstances, nine resulted from domestic causes, seven were robbery-related, and three were labelled as unknown.

In addition, there was a 28 per cent decrease in robbery under arms wherein an instrument other than a firearm was used, a 34 per cent decrease in larceny, and a three per cent increase in burglary.

The Police also recorded a total of 55 firearms being

taken off the streets so far for this year, as compared to 64 for the corresponding period last year. Most of the guns seized were pistols – 33 in total. Most of them – 27 –were reportedly confiscated by ‘A’ Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara) ranks.

Government has been vocal on the need to reform Guyana’s security agencies, and under the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP), has been making efforts to effect changes.

There has been talk of plans to construct a command centre and victim-friendly police stations. And there have been initiatives like the commissioning of a state-of-the-art 911 emergency call system at Brickdam last year.

In January, British Security Expert Colonel Russel Combe had handed over to President David Granger a number of recommendations for security reform, with special focus on reforms within the Guyana Police Force. But the report has since never been released to the public.

mondAY, october 8, 2018 | guYAnAtimesgY.com

US$35M development credit

Guyana to get more money from World Bank before first oil

Bank to review draft SWF Act, provide technical support

Earlier this year, the World Bank agreed to give Guyana US$35 million in Development Policy Credit to help prepare the country to manage its future oil wealth. It turns out that a second tranche of financing will be given before first oil.

This is according to the Finance Ministry, which in a statement noted that it was presently hosting a Joint World Bank Mission comprising the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD); the International Development Association (IDA) and the International Financial Corporation (IFC).

It is understood that the visit will last from October 1 to 9, 2018. According to the Finance Ministry, Government also shared the draft Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) Act with the World Bank officials, in a bid to have the Bank review and offer its technical advice on the document.

According to the Finance Ministry, the World Bank team “committed to providing more technical guidance and support as Guyana moves towards the completion of the draft SWF legislation”.

“The visit signals the Bank’s continued confidence in the macroeconom-

ic stability of the economy and growing interest in Guyana’s development agenda, and the inclusion of the IFC underscores the importance Government has placed on ensuring that the new World Bank partnership framework incorporates policies and measures to support the development of a vibrant Private Sector that is geared to benefit from the emerging oil and gas sector.”

This Mission, according to the Ministry, is expected to kick start discussions on the second tranche of the Programmatic Fiscal and Financial Stability

Development Credit. The Ministry revealed that the second tranche of money would be negotiated and disbursed to Guyana in 2019.

In addition, engagements with Government officials and the wider stakeholder community to prepare a Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD) assessment for Guyana will be carried out. This assessment, according to the Ministry, is a precursor to developing a full Country Engagement Strategy that will provide data for the Bank’s future programming for Guyana within the institution’s next in-

vestment cycle.

It is understood that the Mission is led by World Bank Country Manager for Guyana with responsibility for the Caribbean Country Management Unit, Galina Sotirova. The Mission also includes Judith Green, Principal Investment Officer of the IFC and eight other senior technical experts, including oil and gas specialists.

“As part of its wider mandate, the Bank Mission consulted widely with the Private Sector, civil society, several commercial banks and the University of Guyana among other stakeholders,” the World

Bank said.

There have been criticisms of the SWF framework, which places much power in the hands of the Finance Minister. A Green Paper, which was laid in the National Assembly in August, sets out preliminary plans on how the Government hopes to manage the revenue from oil and other natural resources, with clear objectives of the Natural Resources Fund.

The document states that the Finance Ministry will be responsible for the overall management of the Fund, including requested withdrawals in the annual

budget proposal.

The Ministry is also responsible for “…calculating the Fiscally Sustainable Amount, drafting the Investment Mandate, entering into the Operational Agreement with the Bank of Guyana and drafting the annual report and reporting on the Fund through the annual budget”, the document said.

It sets out specific rules, including the Fiscal Rule, which caters for the development gaps, both in terms of human capital and physical infrastructure, that exist and the need to accommodate development spending via the national budget.

To oversee these decisions, the Government has recommended the establishment of a macroeconomic committee which would consist of five members, including a representative of the Finance Minister.

In terms of the management of the Fund, a sovereign investment committee would be responsible for advising the Minister on the investment mandate, but would also include a representative.

Further, the Green Paper states that the Bank of Guyana (BoG) will be the operational manager of the Fund. (Jarryl Bryan)

GBTI launches “Celebrate in Style” Christmas Loan Promotion

Staff members of GBTI during the launch

The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) has launched an enticing Christmas Loan Promotion that will see lucky customers winning trips to Trinidad, local tourism destinations and a stay at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.

Customers who qualify for any loan of $250,000 and more automatically enter for a chance to win

one of the three fabulous prizes along with a Visa Credit Card. At GBTI, staff members understand the needs of the Guyanese populace and they know that every Guyanese loves to enjoy a good Guyanese Christmas.

Hence, the Christmas Loan offer is designed not only to ensure that customers and potential customers have a good

Guyanese Christmas but to do so in style.

“Whether you want to spruce up your home, buy a new home, car or special gifts for your loved ones for the holidays, GBTI is here to make it easy for you to do so,” the Bank stated in a release.

The promotion runs from October to December 31, 2018 and can be accessed at any GBTI branch across the country.

Diamond Secondary PTA concerned about health threats

…threatens to take legal action, protest

The Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) of Diamond Secondary School, East Bank Demerara, is threatening to take legal action -- and even protest action -- as the body believes the students at that learning institution are being exposed to harm, and even diseases, as food which is being sold to the children is allegedly contaminated by sewage.

In a letter to this publication, the disgruntled PTA members expressed deep worry over several matters that are affecting the students at the school, including this alleged health threat.

They are also complaining about parapets which have been destroyed – a situation which bothers parents who wish to park their vehicles as they await their children; and the non-highlighting of speed bumps in the streets, which results in great inconvenience to both drivers and pedestrians.

They claim that several letters have been sent to the Education, Communities, Public Infrastructure and Public Health ministries, but their complaints have always been ignored.

The PTA threatened: “If no action is taken by your government, we shall initiate protest action, starting at the UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) office, and we shall be meeting shortly with our attorney, Mr. Nandlall, to explore legal remedies”.

According to the PTA members, relevant letters were sent to the various Ministries before the beginning of the new school term in September. In one of the letters, addressed to Education Minister Nicolette Henry and seen by Guyana Times, the PTA complained of the food vendors who sell outside the school’s compound.

The body stressed: “Since 2011, at PTA meetings, we have repeatedly raised the issue of the school’s administration allowing vendors to sell food items over the front drain of our school to children”.

It was explained that parents are especially concerned as there is a septic tank which drains sewage directly into that very drain which is

in front of the school.

The PTA members are now calling on UNICEF and PAHO representatives to visit the school to get a first-hand look at the issues affecting the students. They are even calling for the Head Mistress (HM) and teachers to be investigated, as they accused the HM of accepting money from the vendors to sell outside the school’s premises.

According to the PTA members, “Teachers, who can be found everywhere else except in the class rooms, need to be investigated” as well.

In addition, the frustrated members sought to point out that Regional Education Officer (REdO) Tiffany Harvey and Region Four Democratic Council (RDC) Chairperson Genevive Allen are frequent visitors to the school, and have done nothing to address the issues.

Further, Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Four, Pauline Lucas, allegedly lives in the same street where the school is situated, and the PTA claims she is also aware of the situation and has done nothing about it. (Devina Ramdass)

RDC slams poor sanitation at Chinese restaurants in Berbice

The poor state of sanitation at some Chinese restaurants along the Corentyne Coast was discussed at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) on Thursday last.

Head of the Regional Health Committee, Zamal Hussain, has said health is of paramount importance to the residents of Region Six.

Addressing the issue of the restaurants, Alliance for Change (AFC) Regional Councillor Gobin Harbhajan said many of these restaurants are situated on the lower flats of buildings which have vacant upper flats, where in most instances bats dwell.

According to Harbhajan, the restaurant owners could be seen in the mornings sweeping up bat dung before they open for business.

Guyana Times visited restaurants along the Corentyne and found what

The washroom facility at one of the restaurants appeared to be bat dung swept up and left in a corner at some restaurants.

According to Harbhajan, he has raised the issue with Regional Environmental Health Officer Marvin Dindial. He revealed that a restaurant at Bush Lot Village had been closed for unhealthy practices, but, twelve hours later, it was reopened.

EPA approves Lethem’s sanitary landfill site

Aconditional approval has now been granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the Mayor and Town Council of Lethem in Region Nine in regard to the site for its sanitary landfill, as this municipality aims for improved solid waste management within the town.

According to the Department of Public information, following an intervention by the Ministry of Communities to assist the town of Lethem, a service contract to the tune of $36.3 million was awarded to International Imports and Exports to manage the town’s solid waste for 18 months.

Lethem Mayor Kerry Jarvis has applauded the initiative, since the past state of the site has affected the health and well-being of the residents. The Mayor noted that, being a new town, Lethem will be able to overcome its solid waste management issues with the help of the Communities Ministry.

The contractor began operating on the site back in March of this year, and the state of the site has now

been transformed. All the waste has been removed, and is now under control.

A team of engineers from the Ministry of Communities on Thursday visited the site and expressed satisfaction at its current state. Senior Engineer attached to the Sanitation Management Unit, Satro Nauth, has said that when the contract comes to an end, the site is expected to be developed into a sanitary landfill facility similar to the sites in Linden, Region Ten; Mahdia, Region Eight; and Bartica, Region Seven.

“The site has gotten conditional approval from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). We did some groundwork for the development of a sanitary facility, so we are running the service contract and our intention is to develop it into a sanitary facility,” Nauth said. He also said, “The contractor is responsible for providing a machine to accept the waste, compact the waste, and cover the waste at the end of the day. He has been doing a good job so far (in) maintaining the site,

keeping record of the amount of waste that comes, and who disposes of the waste.”

Back in August of 2017, the Ministry of Communities signed a contract for the design and construction of sanitary landfill sites for the municipalities of Linden, Mahdia and Bartica. The project was aimed at safeguarding the well-being of the residents of those communities while simultaneously providing modern waste disposal facilities which would be environmental friendly.

The operator of that restaurant told this publication that he had been told to clean the inside and surroundings of the restaurant, and he did just that before reopening.

“I wipe out inside and spray the grass,” the Chinese national said.

Harbhajan told the RDC that many of the restaurants do not have running water connected to their wash rooms.

“They have two bottles with water for you to wash your hands if you have to use the washroom,” he explained.

In another restaurant, a drum with water which had turned green was situated in front of the restaurant; and there was an open urinal a few feet away.

That restaurant owner said the water was not for washing hands. According to the woman, the water in the drum is used to clean the urinal.

The woman acknowledged that it was weeks since rain had last fallen, and thus the water had become discoloured. At the same restaurant, the operator showed this publication a stand pipe which she said was to facilitate persons with water to wash their hands.

She then turned on the tap to prove that there was running water. Below that tap was a drain which was infested with maggots.

More than eighty percent of the restaurants visited do not have washroom facilities for females.

Regional Environmental Health Officer Marvin Dindial told this publication that the department is finding it difficult to get Chinese restaurateurs on the Corentyne to comply with standard regulations. According to him, his department does not have the authority to close any restaurant.

“We can only seize their utensils and make recommendations. Sometimes when we seize (the utensils) they go and get other utensils and continue operation,” Dindial disclosed. He said the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) have a role to play.

Dindial disclosed that constant visits to some restaurants and training which his department has been providing on a monthly basis have resulted in some Chinese restaurants upgrading their operations.

The Environmental Officer said he is hoping that, over time, all of the restaurants would improve their standards, so they can serve the public more effectively.

Harbhajan has asked the RDC to use its power to ensure that those restaurants which operate in unsanitary conditions be made to close their operations, but Husain has said it is not just an issue for the Regional Health Committee to address.

“The health standards at these particular areas should be looked at, because we are having some serious issues with the placement of the toilets…,” Harbhajan has charged.

While accepting some amount of blame as head of the Regional Health Committee, Husain has promised that, together with the Regional Environmental Health Department, systems will be put in place at all restaurants in Region Six. (Andrew Carmichael)

mondAY, october 8, 2018 | guYAnAtimesgY.com

Leguan residents call for urgent repairs to stelling

Three months after Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson announced that rehabilitation works would begin on the Leguan Stelling in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), residents on the island are voicing their displeasure at having to traverse the same deteriorating structure as they travel to various locales via the Essequibo River.

The residents’ expressions of disgruntlement come two weeks after Government announced that the contract for the works has been handed out.

The island’s inhabitants are berating the prolonged time the rehabilitation is taking to begin, their already having stated previously that the structure is on the verge of collapsing.

In June, 2018, when Guyana Times visited Leguan, several residents -- and even visitors – were expressing gross dissatisfaction with the state of the stelling. At that time, rotten timber planks were seen supporting the structure, and residents were apprehensive about heavy vehicles traversing the stelling. The decking then had been loose and uneven, and rails at certain sections of the ramp were hanging on to literally nothing.

Speaking recently to this newspaper, rice farmer Jainarine Singh related that the rehabilitation works were still to commence.

He added that several additional boards on the stelling had become uneven, causing danger to lives. The stelling is vital to the economic suste-

nance of the island, as farmers use the facility to transport their produce onto ferry vessels.

Another resident, Hans Buer, told this newspaper that he had on numerous occasions raised the issue of the stelling with Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, and this had resulted in the Minister responding to him on social media with a promise to have it fixed.

He said the stelling had been in that deplorable state for over one and a half years, and rapid deterioration is ongoing.

At a recent press briefing, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, told the media that a contract for the stelling’s rehabilitation has been awarded to Maraj Contracting Services. Harmon observed that the contract is worth $413.2 million.

Residents had previously stated that the concrete-postand-wood-decking stelling

Shelto hosts

served no purpose, and residents were calling for a fully concrete stelling.

“Laden vehicles cannot use the lower ramp because it will fall out. The decking is unlevel. You can fall. When the boat comes in at nights, it is horrible, because the stelling has no lights, passengers fall over the little rails, and some of the boards on the decking have holes,” resident Buer had noted in June.

Guyana Times had also reported that the lower ramp used to load and off-load laden vehicles onto the ferry was in such a deplorable state that vehicles were unable to access it.

Vehicles had to wait until the tide was high enough for them to access the high ramp to load or offload, which affects the business community, since critical goods could not be delivered in time and farmers’ produce would perish.

seminar

The first-ever Vincent Shelto make-up seminar was on Sunday hosted on the fundamentals of make-up application.

Planned to coincide with Pinktober in observance of breast cancer awareness in Guyana, the four-hour event was hosted at the Impeccable Banquet Hall. It saw the attendees – mostly women – being educated on the make-up application process, makeup products as well as skin care routines.

The participants were also able to question Shelto, who did a public demonstration on a model to give first-hand insight into his work.

Gift cards along with make-up bags and other items were also presented to a number of the participants.

The event is promised to be the first of many to be hosted in years to come.

The seminar was sponsored by Fairy Faces Make-up Store; Smile Designer’s Dental Care, Nalini’s Salon, Milani Cosmetics and Amanda’s Bridal and Costume Jewellery.

Shelto, who is one of Guyana’s most talented and in-demand make-up artists, is

25 litigants seek over $48M in damages from co-operative society …over 350-acre land allocation

Agroup of 25 men and women have taken the Johns/Clifton Co-operative Land Society Limited to court in a bid to reclaim some 350 acres of land the applicants say was unlawfully allocated by the State. The fixed-date application matter has five respondents, namely: the Social Protection Ministry’s Commissioner for Cooperative Development; the Guyana Sugar Corporation Incorporated (GuySuCo); the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL); the John/Clifton Co-operative Land Society Limited, and the Attorney General of Guyana.

The applicants include Lennox Jaipaul, Patrica Mohabir, Jaiwantie Sanichar and twenty-two others.

According to the applicants’ legal documents, they were all members of the Land Co-operative Society and they own and occupy certain portions of land located at Johns and Clifton Villages in Berbice Guyana. They outlined that the Johns/Clifton Co-operative Land Society entered a 10year lease with the Port Mourant Company on June 14, 1965 for a piece of land amounting to 350 acres in Clifton and Johns State Lands. They said that even though the lease has expired and they did not apply for a new lease, they continued to live, cultivate and rear animals on the property under contention.

The 25 applicants say the Co-operative Society approached the Government and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) “with a view to acquiring title to the lands which they occupy”. They stated that while they were given transports for portions of land which they occupy, they continued to plant rice and reared livestock and cattle on lands for

known for his eye-catching work, which has taken sections of society by storm.

He has done make-up for a number of brides, beauty queens and for persons who just wanted a personal photo shoot. A name that can stand by itself when it comes to make-up is undoubtedly Vincent Shelto.

which they had no transport.

According to legal documents, the Society became defunct after 2012, and in 2017, the contested property was purportedly transferred under GuySuCo’s ownership. However, the applicants contend, the transfer “erroneously” included portions of their transported land, where some of the houses are located.

They also claim that, in 2017, their Co-operative Society was resuscitated without the knowledge of most of the previous members. Further, a general meeting was held in November of that year with the society’s seven members, including Chairman Asheem Ali; Chandra Sohan, Secretary; and Treasurer Chandradatt Ramotar.

The 25 applicants claim that these new members entered their land allegedly armed with weapons, and forcefully evicted persons, with many of them being in the midst of rice harvesting and planting other crops. They added that the newly constituted Society entered a new lease with NICIL, dated March 1, 2018, on large portions of land that the applicants claim belong to them.

The applicants outlined that the land leased was not owned by the Guyana

Government, and as such, this was in contravention of Article 142 of the Constitution, which speaks to the fundamental right and freedom against the deprivation of property.

They also stated that the new members are encroaching on their land, and have allegedly verbally and physically assaulted them. They add that they suffered losses to some of their cash crops, fruit trees and crops when a section of the land was bulldozed.

Among several reliefs for which the applicants are seeking are petitioning the High Court to have the 350 acres Plantation Clifton and Johns of State Lands on the Corentyne Coast, Berbice declared “wrongfully and unlawfully” allocated by Johns/Clifton Cooperative. They also want a declaration that the farming, bulldozing or occupying “constitutes trespass on portions of land owned by the Applicants”.

The 25 applicants also want to nullify the reallocation of their land under the new lease agreement. The affected parties are also seeking damages for breach of their rights under Article 142 of the Constitution of Guyana. They are also petition the court to issue an injunction restraining the Society and their representatives and agents from “entering upon, remaining, occupying, farming, bulldozing, occupying” the applicants use of the land. Moreover that injured parties are seeking damages in excess of forty-eight million dollars, court costs, and other reliefs the court sees fit.

The Applicants are represented by attorneys Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Manoj Narayan, Sasha S. Mahadeo-Narayan, Rajendra R. Jaigobin and Anuradha Deodatsingh. The matter comes up before Justice D. Younge on October 25.

GBTI repositioning itself for oil and gas industry

In its continuing evolution as an indigenous bank serving the needs of Guyanese from all walks of life, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) has developed an expansive social programme that is well embodied in its new tag line: “We see Guyana through your eyes.”

This unique perspective which the Bank espouses holds great promise as a catalyst for the development of the nation and in the delivery of service excellence to a diverse range of customers across Guyana.

The Bank’s rich history goes beyond serving the Guyanese public for well over 180 years. Its commit-

ment has manifested in several ways, from its Women of Worth (WoW) initiative that assists single mothers, to the thoughtful support provided to the agricultural sector. These serve as clear demonstrations of just how GBTI does indeed “see Guyana through your eyes”.

Much more than just a new tag line, “We see Guyana through your eyes”, therefore, expresses GBTI’s commitment to its series of social initiatives created to provide much-needed support in a number of unique ways, from entrepreneurial workshops to specialised support for underprivileged communities across the length and breadth of Guyana.

Added to this will be the Bank’s tradition of support to the corporate community through a range of new, innovative bank products and services consistent with the nation’s rapid development path and emergence as a major oil and gas industry player. Thus, at all levels and in so many ways, GBTI’s philosophy of “seeing Guyana through your eyes” is evolving in tangible ways that will benefit the development of our people and our nation. The Bank kick-started its repositioning with a staff rally at the Guyana Marriott Hotel last Saturday, which will pave the way for the new GBTI.

VOX POPULI

What the people say I SAY...

What security measures could be put into place to better detect drug smugglers?

Jason Clenkian

“Adopt the Revised Guidelines for the prevention and suppression of the smuggling of drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals on ships engaged in international traffic – set out in the Annex to the present resolution; urge member Governments to implement the Revised Guidelines; invite MPs as well as Non-Governmental Organisations in consultative status with IMO [International Maritime Organisation] to circulate the Revised Guidelines as widely as possible in order to ensure their widespread promulgation and implementation, and to bring them in particular to the attention of harbour masters, shipping companies, ship operators and managers, shipmasters and other parties concerned and finally, request the National Assembly to endorse the action taken by the Maritime Safety Committee and the Facilitation Committee and to revoke resolution A.872(20).”

Lester Glenn

“I think that it is necessary to double check passengers and carry out special checks for narcotics.”

Steven Singh

“I think the question is, why these people are being allowed to pass Guyana’s airports and board the planes and head to whichever country, because the same equipment that we have to scan people here, it’s same equipment that other countries have. The question comes down to the personnel that we have working. There needs to be an entire revamping of people and more training; they even need to scrutinise the security officers we have there.”

Leanna Bobsemple

“They should check the food stuffs that persons are taking in and out the country before leaving, because drugs are planted inside of them; more dogs like the German Shepherds would be good too, as they’re one of the best dogs when it comes to smelling. More body scanners; they can also train new persons to strictly work on drug smugglers.”

Tiffany Halley

“We need more dog sniffers in Guyana.”

Aaliyah Stanley

“…Over recent years, as a result of various factors, border controls have been greatly reduced…. The technical capacity of border control agencies to detect and prevent trafficking is often inadequate and needs to be improved. For instance, at border crossings in many States, there are no telecommunication facilities or even manual recordkeeping of the crossings of commercial carriers.

Border control agencies and border Police lack staff, infrastructure and funding. Criminal networks benefit from that situation and are transporting groups across borders where there are no regular inspections.”

Caesar McAlmont

“Training of more personnel to detect suspicious persons and activities and placing more effective detection equipment may all help.”

Shanette Persaud

“Drug smuggling has become very prevalent in Guyana and increased measures are mandatory to ensure that drugs do not leave or enter the country. I would suggest that searches be carried out on all luggage as well as multiple scanning devices for the body. Those who are guilty of the offence should be penalised in a manner which will prevent others from doing so as well.”

“Respectable” Leguan rice, cattle farmer confident of LGE victory

Rice and cattle farmer Dhansham Ramnarine has resided on the Essequibo Island of Leguan all 57 years of his life. He feels the respectability afforded him in his community, coupled with his several acts of philanthropy in giving a helping hand to those in need are qualities that make him a good leader. In the Local Government elections (LGE) slated for November 12, Ramnarine is contesting in the Leguan Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) of Constituency 9 (BlenheimEnterprise) for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). He told Guyana Times that during the last LGE, in March 2016, he was a candidate on the Proportional Representation (PR) list. Asked about his suitability as a candidate for this year’s LGE, Ramnarine

related that since he is a rice and cattle farmer in the area, he understands the needs of his fellow farmers. He noted that he has been urging them to forge more collaboration, due to some of the shortfalls that exist with availability of equipment and other resources.

“The community has lots of needs for development, especially rice farmers. Right now me deh in the backdam. We got a dam here that needs lots of earth, because in the rainy season it would be very bad. Many farmers who are tractor owners does look pun one another, but me does talk to them and tell them, ‘You can’t do that, all of you ah farmers together, y’all must cooperate’,” Ramnarine told this newspaper via mobile phone call.

He said the NDC has only one “pull tractor,” and would sometimes request the use of farmers’ equip-

ment. Though this may not be the most favourable situation, the PPP/C candidate noted that farmers must work together.

Speaking on drainage in the community, Ramnarine said some 10 or 11 workers are employed to clean the residential areas. Nevertheless, there is need for improved cleaning of major canals, especially since this is the dry season.

He explained that although rainfall has been reduced, flooding still occurs in some residential areas, since water for irrigation purposes is allowed to flow from the Essequibo River into canals so it can be stored for use when water sources become depleted.

“In Blenheim, the koker [does not flow] straight to the canal. It got a turn, and the residential areas does

flood. But you got a culvert, but it [isn’t] locked properly, and the people in Blenheim livestock gets affected because it’s a low place. This is when the koker [is opened] to carry water to the backlands,” he said.

Further highlighting knowledge of his constituency, the farmer explained that a Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) operative would test the water for salt content before it is allowed to flow into the farmlands.

When Guyana Times questioned the candidate about the possibility of establishing a reservoir akin to the conservancy system, he noted that this was attempted before, but some residents objected.

“They wanted to dig a canal from east to west to store water, but residents complained that you would divide the island, so it’s off the

table,” he noted.

Going forward, the candidate stressed that farmers would continue to be assisted with weeding and the use of equipment which they do not have.

Ramnarine, a father of three and grandfather of four, told this newspaper that the fact that he assists those in need is an additional feature of his suitability as a candidate.

“I am a respectable person, you know. I don’t smoke or drink alcohol, and I don’t get involved and quarrel with people. They got a man who estate (farmlands) I running; he got in accident since March this year. He fall down on the road and he got fractured. This man got over 200 acres in rice,” Ramnarine stated.

“The people them got confidence in me. We won on the island at the last elections,” he expressed.

Brazil election: Long queues as Brazilians vote in divisive poll

Large numbers of Brazilians have voted in the most polarised presidential election for many years.

Long queues formed at polling stations across the country, where almost 150 million people are eligible to vote.

If no candidate gets more than 50 per cent of the valid ballots, there will be a second round in three weeks.

Opinion polls suggest far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro, who has vowed to be tough on crime, is the favourite to secure most votes.

His main rival is the left-wing candidate for the Workers’ Party, Fernando Haddad. Both are expected to advance to the run-off on October 28 although Bolsonaro and his supporters have said they think they can get the 50 per cent of the valid votes needed to win outright.

“If God is willing, we’ll settle this today,” he told reporters. “We are on an upward trajectory and are confident that the Brazilian people want to distance themselves from socialism,” the

63-year-old former army captain said. Haddad, a former mayor of São Paulo, was confident there would be a second round, and said he was optimistic he could win it. “The second round is always a renewed opportunity for peo-

At least 10 people have been killed and 100 injured in an earthquake that struck off the north of Haiti, officials say.

The magnitude 5.9 quake was one of the strongest to hit the Caribbean

The Organisation of American States (OAS) has been lauded for the support offered to Barbados in a number of areas, in particular culture and tourism and small business development, as well as counterdrug initiatives and capacity building.

In respect of the latter, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Jerome Walcott said the country was particularly appreciative of the assistance offered by the InterAmerican Drug Abuse Commission (CICAD) of the OAS. He made the comments while addressing those attending a function on Friday evening at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to mark the 70th anniversary of the creation of the OAS.

According to Minister Walcott, CICAD has made a significant difference in Barbados’ national efforts to not only develop sound evidence-based drug policies for the country, but to reduce the demand for drugs. Moreover, he said that the Drug Treatment Court, which came into effect within the last few years, has had a “remarkable success rate” and he was confident that it

nation since a major quake in 2010 killed more than 200,000 people. Several buildings are reported to have been destroyed. President Jovenel Moise has urged people to remain calm.

ple to compare the projects,” he said.

While opinion polls give Bolsonaro a wide lead over Haddad in this round, the same polls suggest they could be neck and neck in the run-off.

Jamaica Moves Programme launched in 6 more schools

Health, Promotions and Education Officer at the Westmoreland Health Department, Gerald Miller, says the Jamaica Moves Programme has been implemented in six pilot schools in Westmoreland.

The six institutions are: Petersfield High School; Petersfield Primary and Infant School; Mt Airy Primary and Infant School; Blauwearie Primary School; Unity Primary School; and Little London Primary.

“We have been working with them significantly in terms of school health initiatives…these are the ones who will be evaluated in terms of

TT$1.2B

Government spokesman Eddy Jackson Alexis said a disaster response task force had been set up.

The US Geological Survey said the epicentre of the quake that struck late on Saturday was about 19 kilometres (12 miles) north-west of the city of Port-de-Paix, the capital of Haiti’s Nord-Ouest department.

According to the AFP, the civil protection agency said the injured were being treated at area hospitals, noting that some of the injuries were sustained when people panicked after the quake.

The agency confirmed that some homes were destroyed or damaged, without offering specific figures.

Images of damaged homes and partially destroyed buildings were circulating on social media, but AFP was not immediately able to confirm their authenticity.

The Nord-Ouest department is the poorest part of impoverished Haiti, with many areas isolated due to the dire state of the roads. (BBC News and AFP)

Barbados

served as a regional best practice. His comments came as he said that the theme of this 70th anniversary celebration “OAS: 70 years working for the citizens of the Americas. Peace,

Democracy, Development and Rights for All” is fitting as it speaks to the core values of the organisation, its raison d’etre and its achievements. (Excerpt from Barbados Advocate)

what they should be delivering over the span of a year, as there are certain deliverables we have to get these schools to achieve,” Miller stated in an interview with JIS News.

Some of those deliverables, Miller highlighted, are embedded in the three pillars of the Jamaica Moves Programme and include promoting physical activity, appropriate health texts and proper nutrition.

“We are now proposing to the schools that they have a fruit day or water day and include physical activity such as stretches and other exercises,” Miller said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

unaccounted for

at Trinidad’s National Security Ministry

The Ministry of National Security has failed to produce documents to support spending over TT$1.2 billion over the past five years. The latest report produced by the Auditor General reveals the startling figures unaccounted for from 2013.

A list of the missing contract agreements was detailed in the latest Auditor General’s report and attached to the budget bundles given out to parliamentarians and Senators after Monday’s budget presentation by Finance Minister Colm Imbert.

The three important pages of the bundle give a summary of the Ministry’s expenditure, divisions, and projects but also list the data and figures that were never presented to the Auditor General.

According to the listing, the Ministry failed to produce details for a whopping

TT$1 billion in contracts agreements that it had entered into but were not yet completed.

Aside from that startling figure, the Auditor General’s report also listed another TT$891 million in contracts and contract agreements that were never produced for the audit. Six National Security Ministers in office between 2013 and 2018. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

St Lucia to host 2 events on impact of climate change

St Lucia will host the first Forum of the Caribbean Nationally Determined Contributions Finance Initiative (NDC FI) later this month.

The October 11-12 initiative is one of two events being held there to raise public awareness on the impacts of climate change.

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission said that an exhibition under the theme “Building Resilience on the Frontlines of Climate Change” is being organised in collaboration with the European Union and the Department of Sustainable

Development of the St Lucia Government.

It said the gallery would highlight the role of biodiversity and other factors in climate mitigation.

The exhibition coincides with the NDC FI that is being convened under the theme “Caribbean Climate Leadership: Accelerating NDC Implementation”.

The organisers said that the objectives of the forum are to generate a roadmap for NDC implementation and investment until 2020 as well as identify and validate key NDC investment sectors/sub-sectors. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

Around the World

China confirms detention of Interpol chief

China has confirmed it is holding the missing head of Interpol, Meng Hongwei.

Beijing said he was under investigation by the country's anti-corruption body for unspecified breaches of the law.

Meng, also a Vice Minister of Public Security in China, was reported missing after travelling from the city of Lyon in France, where Interpol is based, to China on September 25.

Interpol said it had received his resignation from the presidency on Sunday with immediate effect.

China's National Supervision Commission, which handles corruption cases involving public servants, said Meng was under investigation in a statement on its website.

Meng is the latest high-profile disappearance in China, where a number of top Government officials, billionaires and even an A-list celebrity have vanished in recent

months.

Earlier this week, actress Fan Bingbing, who disappeared in China in July, emerged with a public apology and a fine of 883 million yuan (US$129 million) for tax evasion and other offences.

In a statement on its Twitter site, it said it had received the resignation with immediate effect.

Under its terms it has appointed Senior Vice President Kim Jongyang of South Korea as acting president.

A new president will be elected for the remaining two years of Meng's mandate at the general assembly in Dubai next month.

On Saturday, the international police agency had urged China to clarify Meng's status, saying it was concerned about the well-being of its president.

France has opened an investigation but said on Sunday it had no further information. (Excerpt

Wedding limousine crash leaves 20 dead in New York State

Twenty people have been killed in a crash involving a limousine transporting a wedding party in the US state of New York, police say.

All 18 people in the limousine died along with two pedestrians in the incident on Saturday afternoon in the town of Schoharie, police confirmed.

Eyewitnesses described seeing an SUV-style stretch limousine leave the road and plough into people at a store and cafe near a busy intersection.

The cause of the crash is unclear.

State Police said on Sunday that passengers travelling in the limousine, described as a 2001 Ford Excursion, would not have been required to wear seatbelts.

The driver was also killed in the crash, they said, adding that the victims would not be officially named until families had been informed.

Turkey says journalist was murdered in Saudi consulate

Fears are growing over the missing Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, after Turkish officials said they believed he had been murdered.

Khashoggi, a Saudi national, was last seen visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday.

A Turkish official told the BBC that initial investigations indicated he was murdered there.

Saudi Arabia has denied the accusations, saying it is "working to search for him".

Khashoggi has contributed articles to the Washington Post's opin-

ion section. The Post said it would be a "monstrous and unfathomable act" if he had been killed.

An official of Turkey's ruling AK Party told broadcaster CNN Turk there was concrete evidence in the case, although none has yet been presented.

Khashoggi went to the consulate on Tuesday to obtain a document certifying he had divorced his exwife, so that he could marry his Turkish fiancée, Hatice Cengiz.

Cengiz said she waited outside for 11 hours, but he did not come out.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Syria rebels begin moving heavy arms from Idlib buffer zone

Turkey-backed rebels have said the withdrawal of their heavy weapons from a planned buffer zone in north-western Syria will last several days.

The National Liberation Front (NLF) announced on Saturday it has begun withdrawing heavy arms from the demilitarised zone as part of an agreement between Russia, which is a Syrian government ally, and Turkey.

"We began to withdraw our heavy weapons from the demilitarised zone to rear

positions," NLF spokesperson Naji Mustafa told AFP news agency.

"The operation will last several days," he said, adding that the weapons will be held by fighters deployed in positions outside the buffer zone.

The agreement, signed on September 17 in Russia's Sochi, aims to stave off a large-scale government assault on Idlib province, the last major rebel-held bastion in Syria, by creating a 15-20 kilometre buffer zone ringing the area. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Bill Waterson, who said he was invited to attend the wedding that the limousine was travelling from, said he could not believe what he had witnessed, describing it as "terrible", the Albany Times Union reported.

A reporter for local news site Spectrum News, Mercedes Williams,

India seeks to reassure markets on deregulation of fuel prices

The Government said it was cutting gasoline and diesel by 2.50 rupees per litre

India on Saturday sought to assure investors that the Government would not go back to regulating fuel prices, a day after oil company shares tumbled on concerns about a return to a regime that has hurt their profits in the past.

The Government said on Thursday it was cutting gasoline and diesel by 2.50 rupees per litre to help Indians struggling to pay fuel prices that had climbed on the back of a rise in global crude prices and a weakening rupee.

The move was seen as a reversal of a 2014 decision to scrap regulated fuel prices – a regime that was blamed for deterring state oil marketing firms from expanding and for choking off investment in domestic oil fields by India's biggest oil producer.

"Let me categorically assure all that there is no going back on deregulation of oil prices," India's finance minister Arun Jaitley said in a Facebook post on Saturday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

tweeted images and footage from the scene of the incident, which took place near a store and cafe on routes 30 and 30A in Schoharie County.

Nationalist Serb, Bosniak leaders claim victory in Bosnia's vote

Bosnian Serb nationalist leader Milorad Dodik proclaimed victory in Bosnia’s presidential election on Sunday, as did the candidate of the largest Muslim Bosniak party.

“I proclaim victory,” Dodik said at a news conference, adding that he won 56 per cent of the vote for the Serb seat in the country’s tripartite inter-ethnic presidency.

Sefik Dzaferovic, the candidate of the Muslim Bosniak largest SDA party, also said he won the Bosniak seat in the body, with 40 per cent of vote.

“I am leading and have won the seat in Bosnia’s presidency,” Dzaferovic said at a news conference.

Bosnians went to the polls to decide whether their country will pursue a path toward European Union membership and NATO integration or sink deeper into ethnic strife and further fragmentation. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Nigerian ex-Minister and Chibok girls champion to run for President

Former Nigerian Minister Obiageli Ezekwesili, co-founder of a group to raise awareness about more than 200 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014, announced on Sunday that she will run for President next year.

Ezekwesili, 55, a former Vice President for Africa at the World Bank, said she would run as the candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).

Nigeria’s presidential election is scheduled to take

place in February 2019. She served in Nigeria’s Government between 2000 and 2007, first as Minerals Minister and later Education Minister. President Muhammadu Buhari, who took office in 2015, has been selected by the ruling party as its candidate while the main Opposition People’s Democratic Party selected former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at its convention on Sunday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

WORD GAME

Time limit 30 minutes

Can you find 26 or more words in COOPERS? The list will be published tomorrow.

SUDOKU

Put more energy into your relationships with others. Let people know they are appreciated in order to get the help you need to do things your way.

TAURUS Personal changes can be made, but before you jump into something that may be upsetting to others, consider the outcome and the possible consequences. Choose to keep the peace.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

A break will help you recharge and give you the boost you need to finish what you start. Avoid those bearing grudges or looking for a fight.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) ARIES (March 21April 19)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23) (April 20May 20)

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

(Feb. 20March 20) PISCES

Put more time and effort into taking care of your responsibilities. Bring about positive changes that will enhance your life and please the people who count on you.

Sign up to learn something new or visit a place that you find relaxing or inspiring. Time spent with a loved one or working on personal growth or fitness is favoured.

Own whatever you do. Be proud of who you are and what you stand for. Accomplishment will result if you are accepting of others and true to yourself and your beliefs.

Stick to a plan. Refuse to let trivial matters set you off or stand between you and your goal. Stay focused and don’t stop until you are satisfied with the results.

An interesting opportunity will develop that can change the way you earn your living or handle your personal finances. Reconnect with a former co-worker to brainstorm.

Be careful how you phrase your words. Sensitive issues must be handled with diplomacy. Don’t expect everyone to agree or to like the decisions you make. Keep your emotions tucked away someplace safe. Your time will be better spent helping others or working with children or creative individuals. Romance will brighten your day.

Stay strong and don’t let anyone interfere in your life. Someone will try to persuade you to take part in indulgent behaviour or engage in something that isn’t to your benefit.

Keep your eye on what you want and be willing to accept minor adjustments moving forward. Intelligent compromise will help seal a deal.

– sparks melee in crowd

Khabib Nurmagomedov finally applied the neck crank, and almost immediately Conor McGregor’s right hand struck his left shoulder in succession, a signal of submission, and the proverbial white flag in a war of attrition.

It was the shining moment of the Russian’s career. But then, in an act of spontaneous stupidity, the moment was ruined.

Nurmagomedov apparently wasn’t satisfied to simply prove he was the superior fighter in the octagon on Saturday night at UFC 229. No, for Khabib, the fourth-round finish that should have been the culmination of months of vitriolic barbs between both camps wasn’t enough to conclude the feud.

The unbeaten lightweight champion insisted Thursday that he wouldn’t shake McGregor’s hands even after the fight. The words clearly weren’t your usual pre-fight fare meant to sell tickets. Khabib took it all to heart. The insults about his Muslim faith; the jokes about Dagestan; the trash talk aimed at his father, Abdulmanap.

In a wild, surreal scene at T-Mobile Arena, Nurmagomedov hurled himself over the top of the cage, across an officials’ table and onto the floor, all in order to exchange punches with Dillion Danis, the Irishman’s jiu-jitsu coach. Soon after, the ugly fracas spilled inside the confines of the octagon.

Three training partners of Nurmagomedov’s scaled the

fence and attacked McGregor from all angles. One of them, clad in red, delivered the surprise blows from behind as McGregor attempted to fend them off.

“Put my belt on me,” Khabib, now back in the octagon, pleaded with White as Las Vegas metro police attempted to restore order.

White refused, fearing an even greater safety issue. He explained that angry fans would pelt him with anything they could get their hands on. Hot dogs. Bud Light cans. Literally anything.

“I don’t care. I’m ready for this,” Khabib replied. “If I have to be arrested, then I have to be arrested. But I want my belt put on me.”

Three Nurmagamedov team members were detained, but McGregor declined to press charges and the trio was released, according to White.

And when Bruce Buffer finally announced the official result – a submission victory for Nurgmagomedov at 3:03 of round four – neither fighter was present in the octagon; both had long since been scurried out by security.

All that remained in the aftermath were questions regarding Nurmagmedov’s future as he figures to be heavily disciplined by the Nevada commission. The state is withholding Khabib’s $2m purse, White told reporters; McGregor was handed his paycheck after footage of the incident was reviewed.

“What Khabib should have done is pick Conor up,

Khabib Nurmagomedov landed a big right that floored the Irishman early in the second

Nurmagomedov makes McGregor tap!!!

pull him up from the ground, hug him and say ‘good fight;’ whatever,” said White, who projected record-breaking pay-per-view buys in the leadup and revealed a UFC-record live gate of $17.2m (20,034 attendance).

“He had the opportunity to walk out of that place a champion. He looked like a stud. It should have been a very different night for him.”

It was McGregor, then, who emerged (comparatively) unscathed when the dust settled. Defeated in a championship fight one second, victim the next.

That McGregor (21-4) made it to the fourth round at all was a feat in and of itself. After a measured opening frame

England and Chelsea Captain retires from football

F

ormer England and Chelsea captain John Terry has retired from football. Terry, 37, has been without a club since leaving Championship side Aston Villa in the summer. The defender made the announcement on his Instagram account, saying: “After 23 incredible years as a footballer, I have decided now is the right time for me to retire from playing.”

Terry, who earned 78 England caps, left Chelsea in 2017 after two decades at the London club.

He won five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, a Champions League title in his time at Stamford Bridge, becoming the club’s most decorated player.

The centre-back also won five league cups and a Europa League in more than 700 appearances for Chelsea.

Terry spent the 2017-18 season at Aston Villa and his last game as a professional was the 1-0 Championship play-off final defeat to Fulham in May.

He left Villa Park when his one-year contract expired and turned down a move to

Moscow last month,

where neither man inflicted any shots of consequence, round two was a different tale.

A looping Khabib right hand found its mark at the onset of the frame, and McGregor wobbled backward. Nurmagomedov, 30, grappled McGregor against the cage –just like the previous round –but this time, he was able to finally inflict the punishment he so desperately sought. Vengeance for all the mean words, and perhaps chiefly, for the infamous bus attack in April where McGregor tossed a dolly at the vehicle.

Now, it was McGregor, 30, who was a sitting duck as a weapon was projected at him. He laid flat on his back while Nurmagomedov (27-0)

rained punches down from the standing position.

Referee Herb Dean inched closer to the action, seemingly so he was in position to halt the 155lb matchup at any moment. McGregor, though, absorbed the pummeling from above and with 46 seconds remaining in the round, he finally made it to his feet as the partisan crowd roared its approval.

As he gingerly trudged over to his stool, McGregor let out a gasp of relief. He collected himself, and fared far better in the third round. He connected on a bundle of his trademark strikes set up by his southpaw jab, and when Khabib attempted the takedown, McGregor this time was able to stave it off.

Mystic Mac was in the fight, and his fans hooted and hollered with a chorus of ‘Ole’ chants. McGregor continued to march forward, his left eye bleeding, as he popped Khabib in his bloodied mouth.

When they were both on their feet, the striker was in control, naturally. But the wrestler was able to impose his will once more in the fourth round, courtesy of a leg sweep, and that was it for McGregor, his first MMA bout in two years over after another tapout. (His only other UFC defeat was a submission against Nate Diaz in 2016.)

While McGregor gallivanted with a novelty boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr that netted him a reported $100m windfall, Nurmagamedov established himself as a force in the octagon.

He proved Saturday that McGregor’s time at the top is over, but that story won’t be told. Instead, we’re left to wonder when we’ll see Khabib fight again as he prepares for what is likely to be a lengthy hiatus.

“I know this is not by my best side,” said Khabib, who also apologized to the commission through a thick accent, and said Russian president Vladimir Putin called to congratulate him. “I’m human being. I don’t understand how people can talk about (how) I jump over the cage.

“He talk about my religion, he talk about my country. He talk about my mother. He come to Brooklyn and he broke bus. He almost kill a couple of people. What about this shit? Why are people talk about I jump over the cage?”

“My father teach me you have to always be respectful. ... You can not talk about religion. You can not talk about nation.” He was wise to make amends with Nevada, even though it’s evident he doesn’t see the error of his ways. White observed that Nevada governor Brian Sandoval was in attendance, and said he “went running out of the building, it’s not good. He’s in trouble.”

If you ask Khabib, he’s in far bigger trouble than anything the commission could ever mete down. After all, he wasn’t respectful on a night when he brought shame to the Nurmagamedov name.

“I know my father going to smash me when I go home.” (The Guardian)

Mo Farah claims Chicago Marathon, sets European record

Mo Farah scored a stunning Chicago Marathon victory as he won in an unofficial two hours five minutes and 11 seconds in only his third race over the distance on Sunday.

After biding his time for much of the race, the British four-time Olympic track champion surged to the lead in the final four miles and broke Ethiopian Mosinet Geremew to shatter the European marathon record of 2:05:48 despite wet and sometimes windy conditions. Farah, 35, thrust his right arm into the air as he neared the finish line and delightedly celebrated the victory with his ‘Mobot’ pose.

“It was amazing to cross the finish line first,” he told reporters. “This is a major marathon.”

Geremew finished second in 2:05:24 with Japan’s Suguru Osako third in a national record of 2:05:50. Farah’s former training partner and the defending champion Galen Rupp was fifth in 2:06:21.

Last year’s runner-up, Kenyan Brigid Kosgei won the women’s race in an unofficial 2:18:35.

Kosgei, 24, won by more than two minutes as she defeated Ethiopia’s Roza Dereje.

The men’s wheelchair race produced a major surprise, with 20-year-old American Daniel Romanchuk edging Swiss double defending Chicago winner Marcel Hug to win in an unofficial 1:31:34. (Reuters)

Hamilton’s Japan Grand Prix win puts him closer to drivers’ championship

The scene for so many dramatic denouements to the Formula One season, this year’s Japanese Grand Prix has now also surely delivered the decisive victory to ensure Lewis Hamilton will secure his fifth world championship. For Hamilton at least, it went entirely to script, a drive of serene control where the win never looked in doubt. But for his rival Sebastian Vettel, Suzuka’s glorious theatre simply closed the curtain on what has been a painful end to his title hopes.

There was incident in the race but far in Hamilton’s wake. Indeed as the Mercedes driver now stands with the trophy all but raised, his ruthless closing out of the title and Ferrari’s failure to maintain a challenge means the season the Scuderia opened with such an optimistic bang is ending with a whimper.

Hamilton’s 71st career victory is his sixth in the last seven races. However, the number that really matters as they leave Japan is the 67-point lead Hamilton now enjoys. He can clinch the title, to equal Juan Manuel Fangio’s five, if he wins the US Grand Prix in Austin on 21 October and Vettel fails to come second. Even then it would likely only delay the inevitable until Mexico the following weekend.

Hamilton knows it is not quite done yet but tellingly he was willing to take pleasure in undoubtedly coming out on top in his bout with Vettel. “I love that we have those races and those battles and I wish to have more of them,” he said. “I have always been able to go head to head with the guy you compete

with, and to see who breaks earlier and who falters is the ultimate challenge. Mental stability under that pressure. I always welcome them and I am glad we have had those moments.”

Certainly it is Vettel who has repeatedly faltered and Japan was no exception. Starting from pole Hamilton and Mercedes controlled the race from the front and secured a one-two with Valtteri Bottas in second. For Vettel and Ferrari there was no such luxury.

The team’s error in tyre choice and Vettel’s slip up in qualifying, the latest in a series of misjudgments that have blighted their season, meant he started from eighth.

Vettel had to come back and fight for the lead to keep any title hope alive. Charging through

to fourth by the end of the first lap was just the opening required. However when he came to pass Max Verstappen in third he tried to drive up the inside of Spoon. It was a risky move and, after clipping the inside of the Dutchman, Vettel spun out and fell to the back of the field. With a damaged car, recovery to sixth was the best he could manage. Verstappen felt Vettel was at fault. “In that corner you can’t overtake,” he said. “I gave him space but he understeered into my car.” The problem facing Vettel was that he simply could not afford to lose time as both Mercedes disappeared into the distance. The pressure Hamilton had brought to bear over the preceding races left the British driver with options aplenty and

Vettel with his window of opportunity reduced to a small portion of track on the entrance to Spoon.

“How many times can you afford to wait?” Vettel said. “I am racing not just Max but the guys in front.” He insisted it was a reasonable chance and that Verstappen had caused the clash although the stewards judged it a racing incident. “I went for the gap that was there,” said Vettel. “Max saw I was side by side and squeezed me, didn’t give me any room and it was inevitable we clashed. I did my best to avoid contact but he kept closing. I don’t think there was anything wrong in trying. There are not so many chances you get when you are close.”

The Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff, acknowledged that

Vettel had to make the move. “I am not sure it was a mistake,” he said. “He had recovered well to fourth and at that stage as a race driver you have to go for it or not. The door looked open and he gave it a go.”

Ferrari have arguably had the better car for the majority of the season, certainly it was quicker after the British Grand Prix. Yet Hamilton and Mercedes have repeatedly come out on top, with the Scuderia coming to look operationally flawed in comparison to the Mercedes machine. Wolff praised their efforts to match and surpass Ferrari. “We have made a big step forward since Spa,” he said. “Monza and Singapore and Japan are three different tracks, we wanted to deliver on all three. We have a lot of confidence in the car and that made us outperform our competitors.”

Vettel’s comeback was spirited but Mercedes had owned the weekend, with Hamilton quickest in all practice sessions and qualifying. Whether Vettel could have matched him in the race will remain moot since Ferrari simply could not put him in a position to challenge. He was calm if understandably almost resigned afterwards, talking positively of the potential the team still possess. But it is a psychological panacea he must employ to look forward because Ferrari have let this slip though their fingers. Hamilton meanwhile intimated ominously that there is much more to come. “In the team the harmony is the best it has ever been,” he said. “On my side, this is one of the heights but hopefully I am not going to stop here.” (The Guardian)

Mahrez penalty miss leaves Liverpool, Man City at impasse

When the story is told of the 2018?19 Premier League season it will be an oddity that the first heavyweight contest between the two sides who are widely assumed to have the outstanding players – the challengers versus the champions, according to the television blurb – is fit for a place in only the small print.

Did Liverpool versus Manchester City, with all their attacking riches, really just finish in a 0-0 draw? Not many would have anticipated such an outcome and, for Riyad Mahrez, it will be remembered as a personal ordeal.

If nothing else, Mahrez at least showed the nerve to seize the ball when Virgil van Dijk’s maladroit challenge on Leroy Sané, one of City’s substitutes, gave Pep Guardiola’s team an 85th-minute penalty and the chance to win a strangely subdued match. By that stage Sergio Agüero, City’s usual penalty-taker, had been substituted. His replacement, Gabriel Jesus, wanted the glory but Mahrez pulled rank and City will regret the missed opportunity. Mahrez’s penalty was struck wildly, skyrocketed over the crossbar and still rising as it flew into the crowd.

Should he have taken it in the first place? Mahrez has now missed five of his last eight penalties and, at the very least, it is a legitimate question bearing in mind the importance of that kick, with City trying to strike a significant early blow in the title race. Mahrez

had the chance to secure City’s first win at Anfield in 18 attempts. As it was, Liverpool can reflect on a lucky escape on a day that was otherwise full of intrigue but low on incident and, for long spells, not far off being a bit of a stinker. If that sounds slightly harsh, perhaps it is because of last season’s epic contest when Liverpool led 4-1, were pegged back to 4-3 in the final six minutes and City very nearly completed an improbable feat of escapology in stoppage time.

Guardiola did not enjoy coming off second-best in a seven-goal thriller and this time his side were set up

to play with restraint, to slow the game down and stop Liverpool rolling out the favourite Anfield tactic of sustained, often wild pressure. That left Liverpool with a different type of challenge and the most disappointing part for Jürgen Klopp must be that they did not have the wit or creativity to conjure up a single clear chance.

It was certainly unusual to see the amount of time City’s players spent passing the ball around their own defence, often at little more than walking pace, while the Liverpool fans whistled their discontent. It did not help the match

as a spectacle but Guardiola clearly thought it was worth trying something different and, however much it was out of character, perhaps he could be excused this one time.

It was May 2003 when City last won at Anfield, with Kevin Keegan in the dugout and Nicolas Anelka scoring the last-minute winner. If Mahrez had struck his shot on target, City might have been celebrating a brilliantly disciplined away performance – just not the tactics, perhaps, that would usually be expected of Guardiola.

By the midway point of the

first half Liverpool had been subdued to the point that a triumphant cry of “Where’s your famous atmosphere?” could be heard from the away supporters. That brought a nice riposte of “Where’s your European Cups?” from the Kop, but on the pitch the home team were finding it difficult to fathom out what their opponents were scheming. Liverpool desperately needed one of their front players to seize the game by its lapels, liven up the tempo and encourage the crowd to turn up the volume. As it was, Mohamed Salah toiled away without any real joy. If anything, Salah was the pick of Liverpool’s attackers but he, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané have rarely looked so ineffective as a front three.

Not that City were too potent themselves. Indeed, here is a question: when was the last time Agüero started for City without having a single chance to test the opposition goalkeeper? That was the problem with Guardiola’s tactics – by adopting this new, slower keep-ball they sacrificed some of the attacking qualities that make them such a dangerous team in their own right. City did control large spells of play but it was often bordering on risk-free football, with their full-backs rarely venturing forward, Bernardo Silva operating in a more withdrawn role than usual and Raheem Sterling, as often happens at Anfield, finding it difficult to have any positive impact. (The Guardian)

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At a simple ceremony held on the lawns of the GFF’s Headquarters on October 5, twenty Goalkeepers who had completed their course in September 2017 collected their FIFA certificates, and 43 coaches who in March this year completed their CONCACAF ‘D’ Licence course received their certificates from GFF President Wayne Forde and Technical Director Ian Greenwood.

Commenting, Greenwood said he was pleased with the number of qualified coaches available, including current and former national players, because this would aid in improving the quality of football in Guyana.

“The only way we will improve Guyanese football is to improve the quality of our coaches. So, taking this step to become a

licensed coach is a massive one. We have a long way to go, but we do have a lot of talented coaches, both male and female, who will really take us forward. You have now hit the first rung of the coaching ladder with the CONCACAF ‘D’ Licence. The next step will be to push towards the CONCACAF ‘C’ and ‘B’ Licences. We ask that you continue working with your clubs, the Academy Training Centres and the work which will be done at the level of the Coaching Education Department,” Greenwood said.

He urged the coaches that, whenever they feel the need to have support, they should reach out for it.

“The office doors are always open. We want you to engage with us as much as possible. Anytime you want any assistance, if you’d like to have someone come out and help with your sessions, please come and speak to us,” he admonished.

GFF President, Wayne Forde, in congratulating the coaches, challenged them to commit to a lifetime of

learning.

“In every aspect of learning, the quality of the teacher oftentimes determines the quality of the student. We have recognised, over the years, that the fundamentals of the game have not produced the quality of players that we would like to see ply their craft in some of the most advanced and developed corners of the football world. We’ve recognised this as a challenge, and we have embarked on an agenda to educate our coaches as much as possible,” Forde advised.

“Some of you are transitioning from a career of playing into a career of teaching. In that transition, you must also transition yourself into a journey of learning,” he further advised.

“In 2015, we had our first (CONCACAF ‘D’ Licence) training programme, which resulted in a 20 per cent pass rate,” Forde said. “The pleasing news is that, for the 2017-2018 programmes, we have had 90 per cent pass rate. When you look at the great distance we have cov-

ered in a matter of months, it is an indication of how far we can go if we really commit ourselves,” he disclosed. He encouraged the coaches to continue serving the game with honour, distinction and pride. “While everyone would be happy to be compensated for the work they do, many of us will have to continue to work in the trenches, just giving service to the game. Each and every act of service will amount to something great at some point in our lives,” he advised.

“Guyana’s football still needs service. The time will come when many of us will be compensated for the work we do, whether within these shores, within CFU, CONCACAF, or further afield; but at this moment, we need service. Don’t just hang your certificates on a wall. Go out there and do the difficult work. Those young boys and girls need to benefit from the education that you would have received over the past few courses we have had,” he admonished.

Dwayne Bravo unlikely for India ODIs

Dwayne Bravo doesn’t figure in the list of 25 players told by Cricket West Indies (CWI) to obtain Indian visas for the ODI leg of the ongoing tour, according to a Newsday report. The squad is yet to be announced, but the board has begun the process of sorting out the paperwork of potential picks for the series which begins on October 21.

This also potentially means players who unexpectedly grab the spotlight in the regional one-day competition, which started on October 3, are unlikely to make it to India. Johnny Grave, the CWI chief executive, told Newsday that the timing of the India series forced the board’s hand. “The reason the [longlist for the] ODI team was picked before Super50 is because players are flying out of the Caribbean on October 10 to be in India by October 12,” Grave said. “There will be a camp in Guwahati before the first ODI game in that city is played.

“The [benefit of the] Super50 now from the selectors’ point of view will be to look at players who aren’t in India and who don’t perform in India to [then] shuffle the pack for [the] Bangladesh [tour].”

The regional competitions have

long been a point of contention in West Indies cricket, with several high-profile players being sidelined from international duty after prioritising overseas T20 leagues over domestic cricket. Last month it was reported that the Bravo brothers Dwayne and Darren, Kieron Pollard, and Lendl Simmons

had all made themselves available for the Super50 Tournament, in a step towards reconciling with the board and returning to the international set-up ahead of the 2019 World Cup.

Dwayne Bravo has not played ODIs since 2014. CWI has previously made it clear the high-profile names would need to perform in the Super50 to make their case for World Cup inclusion. Now Grave said there would particularly be a lot of competition for the allrounder’s spot in the ODI line-up, so Bravo would need to work his way in. “Bravo’s issue is that he’s playing in an allrounder spot with Andre Russell, Pollard, Carlos Brathwaite, Rovman Powell who all did well in CPL, so there is a lot of options for selectors to choose from,” Grave said. “But once he performs in Super50, the door remains open for Dwayne.”

It remains to be seen if Bravo, who led Trinbago Knight Riders to their second successive CPL title in September, will make the squad for the T20Is which begin on November 4. Grave said CPL performances would have a bearing on the T20I squad. “The T20 squad should reflect the best possible pool of players from CPL performances,” he said. (ESPNcricinfo)

CONCACAF Nations League…

Golden Jags shortlist a squad of 26

Welshman, as well as the appearance of a debutante in Stephen Duke-McKenna.

This debutante is an 18-year-old from Bolton Wanderers FC in England, who has been described as a “versatile attacking option who can play across the forward line.”

Johnson has said he looks forward to DukeMcKenna’s presence in the squad, as “he will bring professionalism, energy and a freshness to an already good team spirit.”

recent results in previous games. I’m expecting an im provement from them, so we need to be ready. The team spirit fostered since our last meet ing togeth er has been a huge bo nus, which will hold us in good stead for this game,” he predicted.

A26-man squad has been named by Michael Johnson, Head Coach of the National Senior Men’s team, the Golden Jaguars, to face the Turks and Caicos Team on October 13, as Guyana looks to register a victory in its second appearance at the CONCACAF Nations League.

This squad, which includes three Goalkeepers, seven Defenders, seven Midfielders and six Forwards, will see the return of seasoned players Walter Moore and Emery

In previewing the match -- which is scheduled for 16:00hrs at the TCIFA National Academy in the Turks and Caicos Islands -- Johnson has said it will be no easy feat coming up against this islander side.

“It’s a game that we know will be tough if we don’t prepare right, given their most

Speaking about the team’s prepa ration, Technical Director Ian Greenwood said contin uous work has been done.

“The Guyana-based players have been preparing them selves by following their individual and specific training programmes set by

growing reputation in the CNL.”

This will be the first ‘away’ match for Guyana in

ANSA McAL Lucozade ‘Handicap’ Squash 2018…

the qualifiers, with the second being in French Guiana on November 20 at 21:00hrs. Guyana will play its final qualifier against Belize in March 2019 in Guyana.

The international-based players will be released from their clubs from Monday, October 8, with opening of the official FIFA Window.

The shortlisted players are: Jason Cromwell, Kai McKenzie-Lyle, Akel Clarke, Terrence Vancooten, Sam Cox, Kevin Layne, Jake Newton, Walter Moore, Jelani Smith, Ronayne Marsh-Brown, Curtez Kellman, Delwin Fraser, Ryan Hackett, Anthony Benfield, Daniel Wilson, Vurlon Mills, Stephen DukeMcKenna, Emery Welshman, Dellon Lanferman, Kelsey Benjamin, Trayon Bobb, Kadell Daniel and Sheldon Holder.

Joseph, Verwey crowned champions

The penultimate squash tournament for 2018, the Lucozade Handicap Squash tournament, concluded on Sunday at the Georgetown Club courts with Nyron Joseph retaining the Open category title and Nicholas Verwey winning his first major title with his victory in the Category ‘A’ final.

In the Open category, Nyron Joseph (-22) was matched against Deje Dias (-8). Nyron defeated Steven

Xavier (-6) in two straight games, but Deje had to go the full distance in his match against Regan Pollard (-12) in the semis.

In the final, the handicap was 14 points, which meant that for Nyron to be victorious he had to win two points to every one point that Deje won.

The match started at a furious pace, with both players attacking the ball and Deje really holding his own. With the score reading 7-7,

the difference was still fourteen points, and Deje was only eight points away from winning the first game. However, the fast paced game started to take its toll on Deje. With Deje leading 12 – 6, Nyron won the next six points to even the score at 12-12. After that, both players won two points to set up sudden death at 1414. Deje went for a winner, but hit the ball into the tin, to give Nyron the first game 15-14.

After the loss of the first game, it was always going to be difficult for Deje to win the match, as he had exerted a tremendous amount of energy in that game. Nyron won the first six points in the second game, and eventually evened the game at six all. He then closed out the match 15-10 to retain the Open title crown.

In Category ‘A’, Nicholas Verwey (-1) contested his first major final when he came up against Kirsten Gomes (-2). The semis saw Nicholas upset Abosaide Cadogan (-4) and Kirsten

trounce Mohyryan Baksh (2).

In the first game, Nicholas seemed to be in control, and even though the game went back and forth, Nicholas eventually closed out the game 15-13.

In the second game, Kirsten came out with renewed energy, and attempted to volley every ball to put added pressure on Nicholas. This early taking of the ball paid dividends, as she was able to win the game 15-11.

In the third game, the eventual victor jumped out to an early 12-6 lead, but

when it seemed as if he would win easily, Gomes clawed her way back to within one point at 11-12. That was as close as she would get, as Nicholas won the game 15-12 and claimed his first major Squash title. In the Open category, plate final Josh Abdool (4) easily disposed of Ian Mekdeci (5), winning 153, 15-9. In the Category ‘A’ plate final, Zachary Persaud (7) also claimed a straight set victory over Kamir Khan (8), securing the win 15-7, 15-14.

Gayle powers Scorpions past Pride

– announces regional retirement

Chris Gayle signed off his WINDIES Super50 Cup career in fine style with a typically explosive hundred that set up Jamaica Scorpions for a 33run victory over Barbados Pride in their Group “B” contest on Saturday here.

Gayle announced prior to the start of play that this would be his final match for the Scorpions in this format and survived two reprieves to slam his fourth Super50 career hundred before he returned to play a pivotal role with the ball which tilted the balance and earned him the Player-of-theMatch award.

At the same time, half-centuries from Amir Jangoo and skipper Carlos Brathwaite defied a career-best spell from Elmore Hutchinson to spur Combined Campuses & Colleges to a 59-run victory over the United States.

At the Kensington Oval, all but 34 of Gayle’s 122 off 114 balls were in boundaries comprising 10 fours and eight sixes and led a recovery for the Scorpions before they were bowled out for 226 in 47.4 overs, after they were put in to bat.

In reply, fellow left-hander

Jonathan Carter held the Pride innings together with 77 off 125 balls, but the home team were bowled out for 193 with 13 balls remaining.

Left-arm spinner

Christopher Lamont set back the Pride with two early wickets be fore Carter came to the crease and shared 61 for the third wicket with his cap Shamarh Brooks.

Gayle, bowling his uncom plicated off-spin, struck an im portant blow however, when he trapped Brooks lbw for 26 in the 22nd over.

Carter was unable to find a steady ally in the remainder of the chase and the home team’s pur suit ran out of steam.

Oshane Thomas was the most successful Scorpions bowler with 3-53 from 8.5 overs, but leftarm spinner Nikita Miller, pac er Gordon Bryan and Lamont all bowled economically to bag two scalps apiece.

Earlier, Gayle was dropped on two and made the Pride pay

Lee, Tryon help SA women square T20I series

Lizelle Lee’s fiery 42 at the top and Chloe Tryon’s 22-ball 31 consisting one four and two sixes was key to South Africa women completing a challenging chase of 156 with one ball to spare in Tarouba. The three-wicket win meant they came back from 2-0 down to level the five-match T20I series at 2-2, with one match aban doned. The ODI series too had finished level at 1-1.

The result was a sig nificant boost for South Africa on two counts: this came against the reign ing Women’s World T20 champions and that the se ries afforded them an op portunity to acclimatise in the Caribbean ahead of the World T20 in November.

West Indies, disappoint ed as they may be for miss ing out a chance on a series win, would be happy with Hayley Matthews’ form. The 20-year old who struck a match-winning half-cen tury in that famous World T20 fi nal against Australia in Kolkata more than two years ago, bruised

Lizelle Lee

hit six fours and one six in 69 from 76 balls to anchor the top-half of the Marooners batting, sharing 112 with Kjorn Ottley.

Brathwaite, the WINDIES Twenty20

International captain, smashed four fours and two sixes to also post 69 off 63 balls and rally the lower order, adding 62 for the sixth wicket with Yannick Ottley, as the Marooners reached 221 for nine from their 50 overs.

Hutchinson, the 36-year-old, Jamaica-born pacer, collected an impressive 5-42 from 10 overs to put the Marooners batting under fire at periods throughout the innings, after they were put in to

The Americans suffered an early set-back, but looked to be progressing nicely on 81 for one in the 20th over before they lost their way against the slow bowling attack of the Marooners, led by leg-spinner Keron Cottoy’s 3-40 from eight overs, and were bowled out for 162 in 45.4 overs.

lifting the side from a slightly-wobbly 68 for 3. She made a 21-ball 25 to chip away at the target before Tryon and Marizanne Kapp fell within the space of six deliveries with the target within

SCOREBOARD

West Indies Women Innings (20 overs maximum)

HK Matthews c du Preez b Kla as 70

NY McLean b Mali 23

SR Taylor (c) c Sekhukhune b Smith 10

DJS Dottin c Mali b Smith 0 SA Campbelle c du Preez b Sekhukhune 28

MR Aguilleira † not out 14

Kycia A Knight not out 1

Extras (b 1, lb 3, nb 1, w 4) 9

TOTAL (5 wickets, 20 Overs, RR: 7.75) 155

Did not bat: A Mohammed, SS Connell, ASS Fletcher, CN Nation Fall of wickets: 1-42 (NY McLean, 8.6 ov), 2-57 (SR Taylor, 11.1 ov), 3-57 (DJS Dottin, 11.2 ov), 4-110 (SA Campbelle, 15.5 ov), 5-146 (HK Matthews, 19.3 ov)

BOWLING: M Kapp (4-0-430), M Klaas (4-0-33-1), TS Sekhukhune (4-0-19-1), Z Mali (4-0-21-1), S Luus (2-011-0), S Smith (2-0-24-2)

South Africa Women Innings (target: 156 runs from 20 overs)

L Lee † c †Aguilleira b Fletcher 42

L Wolvaardt c †Aguilleira b Matthews 23

R Searle b Connell 14 S Luus lbw b Taylor 0 M du Preez st †Aguilleira b Mohammed 25 CL Tryon (c) c Connell b Dottin 31 M Kapp c McLean b Connell 18 S Smith not out 2 M Klaas not out 0