October 18, 2016

Archives for July 27, 2016

St Lucian Scouts injured in Woolford Ave accident

…in Guyana for 14th Caribbean Cuboree

A young St Lucian boy is now critical and another hospitalised after a car ran into them outside of the Scout Association of Guyana building on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

The injured children were identified as eight-year-old Nick Omarie Joseph and nine-year-old Darnell Matthews. They are St Lucian scouts who are in Guyana for the 14th Caribbean Cuboree.

The accident occurred sometime around 12:10h on Tuesday. According to reports gathered at the scene, the two boys were walking along the Avenue, under the guidance of a St Lucian adult, heading towards the Scout

The driver of the motor car (in pink) at the scene along with investigators after hitting two St Lucian boys

The driver of the motor car (in pink) at the scene along with investigators after hitting two St Lucian boys

Association building when a motor car with registration number PSS 1236 ran into them.

Eyewitnesses claimed that the woman driver had gone to a nearby school for registration but was refused entry because she was wearing armless clothing. This apparently enraged the woman who then stormed out of the school compound and subsequently drove off in a reckless manner.

Witnesses further claimed that the woman was heading West along the Avenue and when in the vicinity of the Scouts Association Building; where scores of children are camping out; she hit the two boys pinning Joseph in a nearby drain for almost five minutes.   The lad was immediately rescued by persons in the area and he along with Matthews, were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they have been admitted for treatment.

Joseph is said to be in a critical condition having sustained serious head injuries. A CT scan was conducted on the eight-year-old and at the time when Guyana Times contacted hospital officials around the afternoon visiting hour, he had been taken into theatre.

Matthews, on the other hand, was listed as stable but remains hospitalised for observation. This newspaper was told he sustained spinal injuries but they are not life-threatening.

Meanwhile, Police in a statement late on Tuesday said “investigations revealed that the driver parked her vehicle in front of the North Georgetown Primary School, in Woolford Avenue, went into the school to do registration but was refused entry because of her mode of dress. As a result she became annoyed and drove out of the Avenue, in the process, the vehicle struck down the two children.”

The woman was taken into Police custody and is assisting with the investigation.

 

Guyana runs out of yellow fever vaccine

… new shipment to arrive soon – Public Health Ministry

By Devina Samaroo

A shortage of the yellow fever vaccine has struck the nation amid a mad rush to obtain the medication, in light of the recent outbreak of the disease in Angola.

Dr George Norton said emergency efforts were being taken to procure more vaccines from Brazil

Dr George Norton said emergency efforts were being taken to procure more vaccines from Brazil

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton said emergency efforts were being taken to procure more vaccines from Brazil and they were expected to arrive in Guyana within the next two weeks.

The outbreak of the fatal disease in Angola prompted several countries to impose a travel requirement for the yellow fever vaccination. Guyana, as part of the Latin American region with risk of yellow fever, is listed as one of the countries whose residents would be required to be immunised and issued with a certificate prior to travel.

The great inflow of persons to get vaccinated resulted in an unexpected shortage, as before, moves could be made to restock the shelves, the vaccination was depleted.

According to the Berbice Regional Health Service, over 9000 yellow fever vaccines were administered within the space of three weeks in that county.

Persons needing the vaccination to travel within the next 14 days are likely to delay or alter their plans, owing to the absence of the vaccine.

Earlier reports indicate that the shortage being experienced was not as a result of lack of funding, but because of the global demand for the vaccine.

During an interview with Guyana Times on Monday, the Public Health Minister assured that all efforts were being exhausted to ensure enough vaccines arrived in Guyana to recommence the distribution process.

An advisory from the Public Health Ministry states that the supply of yellow fever vaccines which arrived in Guyana on June 17, 2016, has been depleted and that a new shipment is expected by August 30.

The vaccine is only mandatory for travellers and children under one-year-old, and was being offered at all health centres across the country; nonetheless, all persons are encouraged to get vaccinated.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud, had advised that once a person has been vaccinated, that person will be issued with a “blue card”.

However, this card does not provide clearance for travel, but validates that such persons have indeed been vaccinated.

A “yellow card” – which can be uplifted from the Public Health Ministry on Brickdam, the public hospitals at Suddie, New Amsterdam and Lethem, as well as the St Joseph Mercy Hospital – is a certificate of validation that you are immunised and allows you to travel to countries that impose yellow fever regulations.

The vaccines are free of cost, but a fee of $1000 is required to obtain the certificate.

Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted by infected mosquitoes, most commonly found in parts of South America and Africa. When transmitted to humans, the yellow fever virus can damage the liver and other internal organs and can be potentially fatal.

There is no specific treatment for yellow fever, but the symptoms can be treated while your body fights the virus. Headache, high temperatures and muscle pain can be treated using pain relievers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Infected persons are urged also to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Other symptoms of yellow fever include jaundice, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.

Meanwhile, the advisory from the Ministry further outlines that persons traveling to countries listed as ‘endemic’ for yellow fever (mainly in Africa and Asia) should also be in possession of a valid International Certificate of Vaccination.

However, it was noted that residents of Guyana are not required to show proof of immunisation for travel to and from the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, and most Caribbean and South American countries.

The advisory explained too that if a person has been vaccinated at least once in their life and has the necessary documentation to prove this but is not in possession of a International Yellow Fever Vaccination Card, it is recommended that they visit the nearest regional vaccination centre to receive such.

One dose of the yellow fever vaccine, even received as a child, is now valid for life according to the World Health Organisation International Health Regulations WHA67.13.

 

“I will continue to speak out against injustices” – Jagdeo

Government on Monday came out in high defence against what it said were attacks by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, when he addressed persons in the Diaspora during a recent visit to New York.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

At the occasion, Jagdeo told US-based Guyanese that there is an attack on democracy in Guyana, and more specifically, supporters of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

“Guyana needs a spirit of community to ensure that we defend our people through these dark times. There is an assault on democracy, on the people of Indian origin and there is an assault on the supporters of the PPP…” Jagdeo had said. He said too that Guyana has returned to the days of “dictatorship,” in just a year under the leadership of the new Government.

But Government was not too pleased with the comments made by the former Head of State, and called it out as “irresponsible, hateful and malicious.”

A release from the Ministry of the Presidency said that at a time when Guyanese are focused on the efforts to foster closer relations and achieve a greater level of social cohesion, Government considers it reprehensible that the Opposition Leader has chosen to sow seeds of division, discord and race hate.

It said that the claim that there is an “assault on people of Indian origin” is despicable, without any basis and a complete figment of Jagdeo’s imagination.

“On the contrary, the policies of the coalition Government are designed to achieve the good life for all Guyanese, not a handpicked few as was the case under the PPP regime, which was rejected by the Guyanese electorate on May 11, 2015 in free and fair elections,” Government said.

But soon after Government’s response, Jagdeo again responded, saying the comments made in New York were no different to the ones he has been making in Guyana at press conferences and on the campaign trail in the lead up to the March 2016 Local Government Elections.

“I spoke to the issues of racial and political discrimination, the lack of an economic plan, the taxation policies, as well as the repressive laws that have been advanced and the threats to local democracy under the [A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change] APNU/AFC coalition.”

He said despite the charges made, his record on bolstering racial harmony and advancing equal development across the country, regardless of race, speaks for itself.

“That is not a position I need to defend. However, I have spoken out and will continue to speak out about the injustices against our people. While Nagamootoo claims that the coalition’s policies are geared to deliver the ‘good life’ to all Guyanese and touts social cohesion, he ignores the reality of many of our Guyanese people – the thousands of young Amerindians who were fired, the many Indo-Guyanese removed from their jobs, the assault on the sugar industry and the non-support of the rice and mining sectors,” Jagdeo said.

According to the Opposition Leader, Nagamootoo, who he said had “talked up what Jaganites would do, but he – as a hypocritically ‘self-professed Jaganite’ – has positioned himself to defend the murder of Dr Walter Rodney, years of rigged elections and denial of democracy in Guyana for years under the People’s National Congress (PNC) – the same PNC that is the majority partner of the coalition”.

 “The only thing in the Prime Minister’s portfolio, as evidenced recently, seems to be making statements to attack the PPP. Further this ‘self-professed Jaganite’ only issues press releases while he enjoys the luxuries of $45 million of renovations to his residence, $20 million in furnishings, $22 million for a new vehicle, a $1.7 million salary and another $8 million per month for security and other costs – contrast that with the plight of our people.”

The coalition Government fails to recognise that its policies and actions do not only hurt people perceived to be supportive of the political Opposition, but all Guyanese across the country, Jagdeo noted.

 

Taxi driver stabbed several times during failed hijacking

A hire car driver in Berbice is now a patient at the New Amsterdam Hospital, nursing a broken arm and several stab wounds to the regions of his back, neck, chest and arm, following a failed carjacking by a passenger.
The driver, Chunilall Dudnath, 52, of lot 232 East Canefield, Canje, Berbice, was asked to take a lone passenger in his car into a street at West Canefield, East Canje, when the incident occurred shortly before 22:00h on Monday night.
According to Dudnath, the passenger claimed to be going to the last house in the street. He said when they got there, he asked the

The vehicle which a passenger attempted to carjack

The vehicle which a passenger attempted to carjack

passenger if he lived at that house. Instead of answering, Dudnath said, the passenger stabbed him on the shoulder.
Dudnath noted that the stabbing continued as he tried to loosen his seat belt. He was then ordered out of the vehicle. After doing so, the passenger drove the car further down the street and Dudnath ran behind the carjacker. Not content with the injuries already inflicted on the hire car driver, the carjacke then reversed the vehicle into Dudnath, knocking him off his feet.
According to one eyewitness, Rafeek Hoosain, the taxi driver was hit twice, resulting in his arm being broken.
“This car knock down the man flat on the ground and the man get up and running and hollering help! Help! Help! By the time I turn in the street, the car reverse and knock him down again… The car slide in the drain and the man come out and run away and jump in a car. I thought it was a car driver knocking somebody, not knowing that is the thief knocking down the car driver,” he related.
Another villager, Khemwattie Submanani, who said she was able the get a look at the perpetrator, related that he was dressed in black and wore a red hat. She explained that the villagers ran after him but they were not able to see his face. The carjacker successfully escaped by leaving the community in another hire car which he stopped.
Following the incident, neighbours called the Police. Submanani said she repeatedly called 911 for about 15 minutes but did not get through. She also noted that the Reliance Police Station’s number was also tried but gave a busy tone. The Station Sergeant was then called on his cellular phone and moments later a patrol which included investigators arrived.
However, relatives of the injured hire car driver are concerned that the Police did not dust the vehicle for fingerprints. (Andrew Carmichael)

Uniformity

 

Satiricus was incensed. What kind of people would picket the courts and demand to be allowed to wear shorts, slippers and sleeveless dresses into the courts of law? What was the world coming to? “Pretty soon, they’ll be demanding to come to court in bikinis and buktas,” he expostulated.

“An’ wha’ wraang wid da?” inquired his drinking buddy, Canecutter Cappo.

“What kind of question is that?” replied Satiricus heatedly. “That would lower the dignity of the court.”

“But de judge na already gat aan he black gung?” inquired Cappo idly as he signalled the waitress for another beer. “How ‘e dignity gon low-ah if ‘e see wan bukta?”

“Don’t play the arse with me, Cappo,” said Satiricus. “Why would you allow a person who is about to be judged to not wear on proper clothing? It would be like mocking the judge.”

“Me na t’ink de people who get charge care ’bout wha dem a wear when de judge a sentence dem.” Cappo said firmly. “But abee nah talk ’bout dem people who a just guh fuh hear wha’ gu haan in court?”

“Well, yes,” said Satiricus. “They also should not lower the dignity of the court.”

“Sato, me only ah wan canecutter,” admitted Cappo. “But me t’ink wan bady gat dignity or ‘e na gat dignity. And me na see wha’ adda people clothes gat fuh do wid de judge, who me hear, na gat an any clothes anda he gong!”

“Cappo!”Satiricus exclaimed, “where de heck you hear that?”

“Well, me cousin Lilowtie does wuk fuh wan judge,” said Cappo. “An’ she tell me suh.”

“Well, I don’t know about that,” said Satiricus sternly. “But the protesters were also demanding schoolchildren not be forced to wear uniforms. What you think about that?”

“Me na know ’bout da,” admitted Cappo. “Me t’ink if dem mek dem pickney fuh wear wha’ dem want, den some a dem gon wear fancy clothes fun show aff.”

“But I thought you didn’t want rules on what people should wear,” pointed out Satiricus.

“Well, fuh tell yuh de trut’, me nah tek education in school because me bin a try fuh peep dem gyaal in me class,” Cappo admitted. “Imagine wha’ gon happen to dem shool-bai if dem school-gyaal start fuh wear dem short skirt wha dem a wear nowadays!”

“Pass me the beer,” said Satiricus. “Let’s drink to rules for clothes!”

 

HQ dominate races in rain-affected GPF athletics c’ship

By Romario Samaroo

The Police Headquarters (HQ) team dominated the first day of the Guyana Police Force Championship as early morning showers in Georgetown only allowed 18 events to run off at the Police Sports Club, Eve Leary on Tuesday.
In the Men’s 800m, A Class team Guyana copped the top three positions led by Quacy Morain followed by Trevor Scotland and Larry

Julio Sinclair

Julio Sinclair

Josiah.
In the Women’s 3000m, A Division’s Shion Boyer finished in first place with a time of 13 minutes 21 seconds as HQ’s Eva Harry (14m 49s) and Dellie Williams (15m 32s) completed the podium in second and third respectively.
This year is the first time regional police forces are invited to participate in the championship, but they could not stop the Guyanese from dominating.
During the men’s A Class Discus, Julio Sinclair demonstrated his technique to take the top spot and Trinidad and Tobago’s invitational

Tyrell Peters ran the 100m in 11.7 seconds

Tyrell Peters ran the 100m in 11.7 seconds

thrower, Clinton Glasgow measured in second, while third place was taken by Guyana’s Marvin Tinnis.
HQ completed the podium in the Men’s Discus B Class, with Kleon Spellen, Warren Duncan and Sherwin Henry winning 1-2-3 in that order.
In the Males’ Youth Club 100m heats, B Division’s Tyrell Peters clocked the fastest time at 11.7 seconds, closely followed by Compton Caesar (11.8s).
The 100m Females race was conquered by HQ’s Javina Sampson (1st) and B Division’s Keisa Burnett (2nd)
HQ’s Kezia Bess came in first in the 400m females heats, with a timing of 1:05.8 minutes and Shaunsel Adams was close behind at 1:06.0 minutes. However, in the male 400m B Class heats, it was Winston Dummett of A Division who clocked 50.8 seconds to gain first.
The championship continues today at the same venue with the finals being on Friday.

Joshua Persaud aspires for the summit

WICB Regional Under-19…

By Delvon McEwan

The youngest member of Guyana’s National Under-19 team, Joshua Persaud is aspiring to the summit as he aims to finish the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional U-19 Tournament which gets underway today, with his first regional ton and the most runs.
Speaking to Guyana Times Sport via social media from his hotel in St Vincent, the 16-year-old right-handed wicketkeeper/batsman said it was his goal to achieve the aforementioned statistics at the end of this year’s tournament, knowing he has put in the work and it was just a matter of execution as he prepared to make an impact with every given opportunity.

Joshua Persaud

Joshua Persaud

“Leading up to this tournament, I have worked hard on my cricket. I was involved in two camps, the U-17 and U-19, subsequent to the U-17 camp, I participated in the Regional U-17 tournament in Trinidad where I finished as Guyana’s leading run scorer and won the accolade for best wicket keeper. Due to my performance there and my healthy current condition as a cricketer, I believe it is time I show my true potential as a cricketer, especially with the bat. My goal is to score my first ton, end with the title of best batsman and top wicketkeeper,” said the Chase Academic Foundation student who will be entering Fifth Form in the new school term.
When questioned about his approach in achieving his goals with the bat, Persaud was quick to point out patience and consistency were the elements to attaining such milestones. However, the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) player believes concentration and his new approach – batting for long periods – will garner success.
Since his debut in 2014 on the national U-15 team, Persaud has been an impactful player. In that said tournament, Guyana won the title after a hiatus of 16 years and Persaud was not just a leading batsman on Guyana’s team but also in the tournament.
He usually opens the batting and is full of confidence and naturally aggressive against the fast bowlers and shows no remorse for the spinners, especially when they overloop the ball or are too short.
That sort of batsmanship coupled with his wicketkeeping skill assisted in his selection to the West Indies U-16 team on their tour of the United Kingdom where he played four matches and batted twice for returns of 21 and 12 not out.
Apart from his batting, Persaud is looking to contribute significantly behind the stumps since he understands how important the role is for his team as well as his individual contribution. He is optimistic about his team’s bowlers, saying the fast bowling department, including Sherfane Rutherford, Keemo Paul and Ronaldo Ali-Mohammed, are experienced and capable and along with the spinners, they are going to create opportunities for him to finish as the leading man behind the stumps.
According to the confident player, these new goals were influenced by the West Indies Youth Team’s success at the Youth World Cup in Bangladesh. “Any youngster’s dream is to elevate to West Indies U-19 team to feature in a World Cup. Being able to view their (WI U-19) success at the World Cup this year would have been instrumental in my new goals.”
Persaud is expected to start in Guyana’s opening game against Jamaica today, as the team begin their quest to win a third successive Regional U-19 title. Among the stars is Keemo Paul, the West Indies U-19 Vice Captain and the batsman who hit the winning runs to seal the title at the World Cup. If Persaud should achieve his goals and support the likes of Paul, then Guyana can easily be successful for a third successive time.

Body of Essequibo man found with ‘mark’ on chest

Detectives from G Division (Essequibo Coast-Islands) are probing the circumstances surrounding the death of an Essequibo Coast man, whose body was found on a farm at Good Hope.

The dead man was identified as Sakishnu Kissoon, 52, of Cotton Field, Essequibo Coast.

Kissoon’s body was discovered by a farmer, Mahadeo Dryram, who later summoned Police.

Based on reports reaching this newspaper, the body, which is at the Suddie Mortuary, bore a single mark on the chest.

The dead man’s sister, Deerain Chan, positively identified the body as Kissoon’s.

She said after she had received news that a body was found at Good Hope, she visited the Police station and was escorted to the Suddie Mortuary, where she identified the body as that of her brother.

According to the distraught woman, after becoming separated from his wife and children some time back, her brother became an alcoholic, which led to him suffering a mental breakdown.

She claimed that on a day-to-day basis he would wander aimlessly in different villages and would sometime retire to sleep anywhere he felt comfortable. Good Hope residents said they saw Kissoon walking in the village earlier before the discovery of his body.

A post-mortem examination is expected shortly to determine the cause of death.

 

MV Sabanto crashes into Supenaam Stelling

The MV Sabanto on Tuesday evening collided with the Supenaam Stelling, causing extensive damages to the ferry.
According to reports, there were no injuries;, however, due to the damage caused, the vessel will be out of service until further notice.
According to a statement issued late Tuesday evening by the Public Infrastructure Ministry, the MV Sabantoand the MV Sabanto will instead provide service for the Parika to Supenaam route, and vice versa. This service will occur as per normal, commencing at 05:00h.
The release stated that a team from the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) has been deployed to assess the extent of the damages.
Details on the incident will be provided as they become available.Sabanto

Region 10 officials press for foreign, sign languages in schools

Officials in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) are pressing for foreign languages, including Spanish and Portuguese, to be taught at more schools around the region, after it was highlighted that only a few schools benefit, given the lack of qualified personnel to take up the responsibility.
Regional Chairman Renis Morian in a quest to improve the situation has asked that the Region 10 Department of Education assist in facilitating the hiring of trained personnel. Morian asked about the number of foreign languages presently being taught in schools across

Regional Chairman Renis Morian

Regional Chairman Renis Morian

the region and the availability and accessibility of qualified people to teach. He alluded that Portuguese and Spanish are two important languages which should be learned by students in order to break the language barrier.
“We find ourselves at a disadvantage when it comes to training and doing business since we can’t communicate,” the Regional Chairman said.
Meanwhile, Regional Education Officer Marcia Paddy Andrews noted that qualified persons can be employed to teach the subjects on a part-time basis, a move which the Department of Education is willing to assist with. Chairman of the region’s Education Committee Denise Belgrave also suggested that sign language be taught inside regular classrooms throughout the region, noting that it will be a positive step in assisting students with special needs.