Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

Thursday July 14, 2016

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

GONE TOO SOON! The suicidal death of 16-year-old Marissa Singh, a high school student of East Canje has shocked the people of Berbice. It has left relatives and friends in grief. It is one suicidal death too many for our small nation. Marissa has gone too soon. As reported by relatives, Marissa was depressed since her mother’s death two years ago and had attempted suicide last year. It appears that she did not receive any professional help. Did her relatives or the system fail her? Marissa’s death should be a wake-up call to the nation, especially the government, that all is not well. Whenever someone, especially a young person like Marissa, commits suicide, the nation weeps. The after effects are extremely painful for relatives and friends. The tragedy is measured not only by the loss of a single precious life, but also by its awful and devastating impact on families, friends and society. It creates havoc in the home and in the neighborhood. Sadly, Marissa’s death will take a heavy toll on relatives and friends who are left to mourn and to pick up the pieces. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in Guyana among youths. It is deemed a public health problem. It is an epidemic; a mental illness with symptoms often mistakenly attributed to witchcraft. It hangs a dark shadow over the nation. People commit suicide to escape a pained experience occasioned by hopelessness, poverty, depression, uncontrollable anger, incest and emotional and physical abuse. Suicide is preventable. In most cases there are signs but they are often ignored by relatives. There are many different reasons why people commit suicide. They include alcohol and drug abuse, mental illness, depression, deprivation, societal pressures, lack of education, domestic violence, poverty, easy access to deadly substances, shame and peer influence. Suicide is also caused by tensions and pressures by inlaws to conform to certain ways due to extended families living together in overcrowded dwellings. Some who commit murder are likely to commit suicide rather than face trial in court. Guyana reportedly has the highest suicide rate in the world with 44.2 suicides per 100,000 people while the global average is 16 per 100,000. It is estimated that between 18 and 24 percent of the adult population in Guyana suffer from a mental disorder. This translates to roughly 135,000 individuals who are in need of mental health services. Mental health issues are very complex. People may be suffering from mental illness but they would not seek treatment because they are afraid of being stigmatized by the public. This is particularly true of men who may feel that asking for help is a sign of weakness because they are supposed to be macho. It is brave for anyone, male or female to seek help. Mental health has become a taboo subject in society and is often associated with depression, bi-polar, anxiety disorder, attention deficit disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. And although there are treatments available, they are viewed with suspicion. The truth is the government cannot monitor the mental health condition of everyone. It should be done by family members and close friends. However, if the government is serious about preventing suicide, it should create a Suicide Prevention Department. This department would treat those with depression and dangerous impulses. It should be added to the crisis hotline and the wellness and counselling services the government has established for those contemplating suicide. This would require the engagement of psychiatrists and other professionals and a social network as well as putting mechanisms in place to make sure there is easy access to treatment. It is very sad when someone takes one’s own life. Those required to fight this scourge must understand that those with suicidal tendencies prefer death to life.

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

City Hall sets the record straight DEAR EDITOR, Please refer to a letter which was published in your Kaieteur News issue on Tuesday, July 12, 2016, captioned Affairs of City in the wrong hands. The writer seems to have a vested interest in City affairs and we are extremely pleased with this interest. However, it is common knowledge that the new administration inherited a shallow treasury, broken administrative systems, and many dilapidated buildings and other situations that are inconsistent with a modern city. However, the City administration has given an assurance that all of its

Municipal buildings and facilities would be repaired; parks and public spaces would be restored and returned to the local communities. I must assure the writer that the process to restore City buildings has commenced and will continue until all of the buildings confirm to health and safety standards. While some buildings have already been repaired, works are ongoing at several others. Buildings that have been repaired are: The City Engineer’s building. The City Constabulary building. The Sexton’s building.

Works are ongoing at: Kitty Market. Albouystown Health Centre. City Constabulary Training School Also, several recreational parks have been refurbished and returned to the local communities. These include; Roxanne Burnham Play Park, Merriman Play Park and East Ruimveldt Play Park. However, we are always grateful for constructive criticism since these would help the Council to improve the services provided to the citizens of Georgetown. Debra Lewis, Public Relations Officer (Ag)

I am no longer enamored with the Coalition DEAR EDITOR, When the Granger/Nagamootoo (David and Moses) administration won the elections, I was sooo,sooo elated and hopeful that a change would come about in Guyana that I began a renewed interest in my homeland. I am a born Guyanese, living abroad, but had become disillusioned by the 23 (?) years of “rape” and pillage of the country by people who seemed to rule as thugs rather than educated representatives with the people’s interest at heart. I refuse to list what has become a litany of the misconduct of the past administration and misuse of the people’s funds and services. The abject disregard of what people think, disrespect for the people and acute selfishness that resulted in the state of the country at the time the current administration took over. However, I am appalled and am broken-hearted at the continuance of the “same ole”, “same ole” that seem to have become the norm for the present administration. My elation has dropped like “bricks in water”. And I am totally dismayed and discouraged. Come home, WHY?? I do not purport to know the answers to rectifying the current low-level state of affairs. That is what the current administration was elected to do, but even a dummy could see that we are heading absolutely nowhere better than

where we were in 2014. God knows I am hoping to be wrong! I’ll address at least one issue Parking Meters. Who in their right minds would sign a contract without examining the details of any contract/agreement they propose to enter into? You need to know what you will gain and what you are willing to give up! Being attracted to a free trip to Mexico (MEXICO, MIND YOU!) and signing blindly is asinine at best. Solutions to the problems that affect the people SIMPLY MUST have the input of the people. They should be included in the discussion and the best solution taken and implemented. But the Mayor stood before the people, sunglasses on, insulting the people and handing down directives. That sort of unintelligent behavior depicts ignorance, lack of managerial skills and disrespect for others! Who vets these people? My two cents on the parking problem is this: IDEA · Create parking lots at about 4 spots - at each edge of the city. · No more “buses” and taxis in the city - only bicycles. · The “buses” and taxis will stop at these parking lots and let off people coming from the different directions. · From there they take a “circulator” (A bus that circles one part of the city);

pay G100 and get into the city). To get to another circulatory route one is given a transfer. · People living in the city have to have a monthly renewable sticker as residents of the city. The sticker must be in view if they park on the street. In their yards is fine. They cannot drive around – they should take the circulator. · Relief for car owners in the city will be on Sundays if they want to drive out of the city. Every other time they catch a circulator to a parking lot and pick up a “bus” from there. · Saturdays can be made a day for delivery of merchant goods but must have a merchant sticker to get through. EMPLOYMENT · People will be hired to drive the circulator and others as conductors if necessary · People will be hired as traffic attendants to make sure cars found in the city have a right to be there. If not, they will be fined G500 and increases by G100 for every day the car remains parked. If found illegally parked in the city after three notifications of infraction, the car should be impounded. · People will be hired as parking attendants at the parking lots collecting the fares via machines which count the money as people enter. · Daily tallies of the money are to be reported and collection taken to the (Continued on page 6)

Why don’t they ask Dr. Rupert Roopnarine? DEAR EDITOR; I refer to a letter from one Ali Majeed (never met him and not sure if he is real). The source of my letter is the “FINAL REPORT FROM THE CARTER CENTER 1990-1992”, which can be found here. https://www.cartercenter.org/docu ments/electionreports/democracy/final reportguyana1990-1992.pdf The specific section quoted was Page 115-116. That report specifically cited Matheson Williams as a PPP MP and Bagot Paul as a WPA MP. If Ali Majeed has a problem with the report, he can forward his “fire rage” to the Carter Center in Atlanta. Also, that Report tagged Joseph

Marco DeSouza as a PPP MP from Region 1 (North West). Everyone from that period knows Marco DeSouza was a PPP man in the North West. I stand by my letter since it was research and the research stands to scrutiny. But what is being exposed is a determined effort is being made by a irrelevant group whose intellectual authors are now using a unique propaganda front to try desperately to revise history using fanciful fiction to give relevance to themselves as political death now face them. Too many people are discounting the alliance between the TUF and the PPP in 1992 which we all saw evolve over the years. Thus I stand by my

original position, that the WPA was not needed to secure a majority for Jagan in 1992. But these politically dead forces cannot unwind fact and history with figments of their imagination as they try to reinvent themselves. I wonder why these politically dead forces did not request of Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, a senior leader who was in the thick of things, to pen an official position on that period. Sase Singh Editor’s note: Mr. Ali Majeed is a long standing member of the Working People’s Alliance and currently sits in the WPA Executive

Thursday July 14, 2016

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Kaieteur News

This GPL tender requires many Rum and social responsibilities answers Dear Editor, I have several questions that need to be answered concerning the tender for the GPL/IDB Power Utility Upgrade Program, Lot A. This tender was closed on February 24/2016; five companies tendered for this job. Initially the bid security and tender prices were only valid for 120 days. Recently GPL sent letters to contractors asking them to secure bid security for an additional 120 days and indicate whether the tender price still stands. Five companies tendered for this job, of which three are Chinese, one local and another being a joint venture between a local and a Columbian outfit. Mr. Editor, some of this is very baffling for me, simply because of the time and the big hoopla surrounding this project. We as Guyanese deserve some answers, simply because this project is a loss reduction one. This will bring relief to the national coffers, by saving on a wide list of items such as generation cost and line maintenance. This project has

been widely talked about in the electrical community within Guyana and the Caribbean because of the amount of saving it will bring to the utility company and the Nation as a whole. Here are my questions to the Board and Management of GPL, the Government of Guyana and, The IDB and EU. 1. Why after funding for this project 2+ years later it is still not implemented, while we are losing millions each day from generation loss which is estimated to be around 30%? 2. Why the need to extend the bid time to a further 120 day; they are only five companies to evaluate. Can GPL and the IDB say what the issue is for this lengthy time delay? 3. Why is the media running a smear campaign on the Chinese contractors, this is not looking well for our country since China is our largest donor and investor? 4. Who are the personnel in charge of this project, no mention has been made of a project manager and team? 5. From my understanding reading the project document only 3 of the contractors meet the criteria of the bid. They

all seem to be the Chinese companies, then why the long wait if only 3 bids are to be evaluated? 5. Why the smear campaign by a local tabloid on one of the Chinese companies? 6. From my understanding there were evaluators from different Government ministries that evaluated this project. They have all completed their evaluations. Can GPL say what is the current status of this bid process? 7. If GPL uses the other 120 days as requested this will bring us to 0ctober 24/ 2016. That is double the time a project usually takes for evaluation in Guyana. Mr. Editor just a few of the questions I have. Hopefully we will see an award soon or some sort of release by GPL. I am hoping this is not some sort of trickery by the administration to award to some friend or allow the media to dictate who it must be awarded to. If GPL is spending upwards of $7 billion on generation each year and losing 30% of this on line losses, let’s do the math on total money down the drain. Thank you in advance for your considerations for printing. Michael Persaud

The Coalition Govt. is faltering DEAR EDITOR, It is so sad that the people of Guyana are still under the illusion that this Collation is there to deal in the opposite manner, opposed to that of the PPP. The past year or so has been filled with what we could only describe as highly dubious dealings. Dealings that are so questionable, the word CORRUPTION is too mild a word that describes the actions of the new Collation government. Today we read of the questionable acquisition by BK of millions of dollars worth of steel for a mere fraction of its worth. KN article “BK gets $900M in steel for $180M court judgment” June 12th 2016; steel that was GIVEN to the contractor weeks after the May, 2015 General Elections. At around the same period BK was “appointed Advisor” by Harmon, he got the green light (acquired court

papers) for the steel… July 2015. Who is the loser here? The taxpayers of Guyana. Our dear leaders, who were elected to conduct the affairs of the state are just giving things away. The very same things they (the Coalition) was bashing the PPP for. As soon as the new PNC got into power in May of last year, they “went to bed” with BK. We remember all too well when the news broke of BK’s appointment, The President jumped to announce that “he rescinded” BK appointment as the process was not blessed by the Government. The Ministerial Advisor appointment caught many by surprise. We all know too well who appointed BK. But the weird twist in the matter was that BK said that he was appointed Advisor to Harmon, not the Government….” Stabroek News April 11, 2015 The senior AFC members

raised a furor, (for a day or so). One saying he had no knowledge of BK’s appointment. One official even handed in his resignation (for a day or so), “AFC debunks Harmon’s explanation for appointing Brian Tiwarie” KN Apr 17, 2016. “Nigel Hughes quits as Chairman of AFC” KN Apr, 12 2016. Then everything went back to normal. Why after a day or so everyone had that sudden change of heart. Was everyone “politically” bought off? Now BK seems to be an Advisor to the PNC (unofficially) he is advising and pointing fingers at his former EMPLOYER - the PPP. President Granger is really “clouding and tarnishing” his image by covering up and remaining silent on these actions. Is it incompetence, or working hand in hand to deceive the people of Guyana? When politicians don’t (Continued on page 6)

DEAR EDITOR, To say that we at The Caribbean Voice are aghast that barrels of liquor flowed at CPL matches at the National Stadium would be an understatement. We do understand that the liquor companies are businesses that must do promotion and focus on the bottom line. The fact is that statistics show that the Guyanese drinking culture (rum culture) where most persons “drink to get drunk”, frequently at excessive and harmful levels, is associated with many forms of entertainment and participation in social events. Flowing barrels of liquor at sports actually play into this cultural trait with no consideration given to its debilitating effects, not to mention the messages conveyed to youth and minors, hundreds of whom were at these matches. So what are the quantitative indicators of this trait and what are its effects? On average, Guyanese aged fifteen or older, consumed more than eight litres daily of pure alcohol in 2010, compared to the global figure of 6.2 litres, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a 2014report. However, the average drinker in Guyana consumed more than 3.5 gallons/13.7 litres of total alcohol daily. One-seventh of this consumption (14%) was unrecorded - homemade alcohol, illegally produced or sold outside normal Government controls. About 15.2 per cent of male drinkers (10% of the population aged 15+) engaged in heavy, episodic drinking, that is, consumed at least 60 grams of pure alcohol at least once per month. Also, 8.6% of males and 5.9% of all Guyanese aged 15 and older are classified as having alcohol use disorder (a pattern of alcohol use which causes mental or physical damage to health), with 3.9% and 1.9% respectively classified as alcoholics. While reliable statistics are not available, it is a fact that alcohol has an overall economic cost to all nations and takes a toll on workplace productivity. In fact

alcoholism has been identified as a major reason for absenteeism in Guyana’s sugar industry. Other substantial costs to society include property damage, job loss and health service costs. Alcohol abuse has many potential consequences including accidental falls, burns, drowning, brain damage, impaired driving resulting in accidents, deaths and injuries, poor school performance, work productivity loss, sexual assault, truancy, violence, vandalism, homicides, suicides, lowered inhibitions and increased impulsivity, risky sexual behavior including early initiation of sexual behavior and multiple sexual partners often leading to pregnancy and STDs. Also, it is generally well known that a relatively small proportion of incidents, involving alcohol-related violence, are reported to police, making it difficult to determine the full extent of alcohol-related violence. Media reports continually cite alcohol as an important risk factor for domestic violence, child abuse and neglect. The high rate of alcohol involvement in intimate partner homicide continues to be widely reported. The consumption of alcohol, either by the offender or victim or both, is also a significant contributing factor in incidents of non-fatal domestic violence, with research demonstrating that women whose partners consume alcohol at excessive levels are more likely to experience domestic violence. Additionally, alcohol use and abuse does often lead to increased family dysfunction and to other family members ending up with mental health problems such as anxiety, fear and depression, as well as increased criminal behavior as alcohol loosens inhibitions and makes it easier for individuals to become prey to peer pressure, and/or to be

coerced and manipulated. Who knows whether alcohol may not be contributing to the current high crime rate among the youth (including teenagers) as inebriated youngsters wanting to fit in, became involved in that first act of crime and then it’s downhill from there. In fact, The Caribbean Voice is aware of a number of such cases. The direct alcohol death rate for Guyana is 1.6 per 100,000, but again this figure could be much higher today. And since alcoholism also plays a significant part in suicides, and in domestic violence and child abuse, which often lead to fatalities, the overall death rate (direct and indirect) would also be much higher. Against this background existing realities serve to foster alcohol consumption and alcoholism. According to the WHO, while some countries are already strengthening measures to protect people, including increasing taxes on alcohol, limiting the availability of alcohol by raising the age limit, and regulating the marketing of alcoholic beverages, Guyana has, “No written policy adopted or revised pertaining to the fight against alcoholism, no legally binding regulations on alcohol advertising and product placement, as well as no legal regulations on alcohol sponsorship sales. A national legal minimum age limit for purchase of (Continued on page 6)

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Thursday July 14, 2016

Kaieteur News

Rum and social responsibilities The Coalition Govt. is faltering From page 5 alcohol exists. However, it is not enforced.” Furthermore, Guyana has only four in-house alcoholism treatment centers, all of which have high costs associated with their programs, all of which are located in Georgetown and all of which show only about a 25% recovery rate. Then there are: . The failure of the Criminal Justice system to appreciate rehabilitation as an alternative to incarceration as well as lack of any structured rehabilitation program in prisons; . A benevolent attitude towards alcoholics and drinking on the whole, often with wives and mothers actively fostering this as a social activity among fathers, husbands and children; . The easy availability of alcohol not only with respect to licensed liquor bars/rum shops openly selling liquor to all and sundry but also with respect to unlicensed bottom house bars springing up all over the place. So what then, should be done? In addition to the need for liquor businesses to expand their concept of social

responsibility as pointed out above and need for the implementation of measures referenced by WHO above, other steps include: . Creating substance abuse-related education, assessment, intervention, treatment and recovery services and making them available nation wide; . Expanding the number of behavioral health provider options in an effort to increase the number of citizens served; . Exploring new funding sources from donor communities for behavioral health programs, services and providers and increasing gov’t funding for same; . Partnering with NGO’s and Faith Based Organizations to implement evidenced-based prevention programs that teach personal responsibility for one’s health; . Maximizing the use of social media to its fullest public health potential to educate the public, particularly those under the age of 18; . Improving the internal culture at the Health Department by attracting and

engaging high quality staff; ensuring professional excellence by concentrating on ongoing professional development and training, providing training funds and tracking all training; developing leadership competencies; and developing a succession plan and mentorship program. . Leveraging technology/ infrastructure by implementing an electronic health record (EHR) system. . Establishing at least one Rehabilitation Treatment Center that is comprehensive and inter-related. Finally, may we suggest that from next year, the government enters into an agreement with CPL to foster awareness of suicide, alcoholism, drugs use, teenage pregnancy, trafficking and related issues? In addition to posters and banners strategically placed around the stadium (and which can be used continuously over time), cricketers can deliver messages via mass media, commentators can deliver messages during commentaries and so on. Caribbean Voice New York

From page 5 “come straight” in their dealings, theories will float around. Is the President either totally under a ROCK unaware of what’s going on and is Harmon the one wielding the deals? They are all complacent in these matters? The Coalition touting that they will not be like the PPP, they will be all for transparency. In many other countries, Ministers would have been asked to step down. I guess politics in Guyana is different? That’s

the reason we had twenty plus years of the PPP. Here’s a thought Guyana’s politicians either think or know that all they have to do is to “wait out any issue” and the people of Guyana will soon forget. For another twenty plus years- I wonder? I pray not. My “two-cents worth” is that the Coalition actions are akin to little children, who could not wait to get their hands into the “cookie jar.” As soon as they got the reins, the dubious actions started.

And knowing that despite the “ills of the previous regime”, the Coalition barely won. This begs to say that the PPP only have to be half decent, come next election. We could all guess who will be in power? Why is Guyana politics so horrible and politicians so dubious? Are we a cursed nation? Guyana will never, ever move forward with the “brand of politicians” we have. Guyana deserves much better, especially after the past few years they endured. Muhammad Raoof

I am no longer enamored with... From page 4 Ministry of Finance. · Road blocks at certain streets for entrance and exit into the city will be put up and attendants placed there as monitors. FINANCES · Drivers coming from outside the city who use their cars can park for the day at the lot – paying a parking fee, of course, about G300 and catch the circulator for G100. · One can get a break in the fare on the circulator if one purchases a month-card.

· Drivers parking at the lot can get a break in the fare if purchasing a month-card. · The parking lot fees will to be used to repair the lot and roads around the lot and in the city. · Merchant stickers will generate finances · The “bus” drivers and taxi drivers will still make their money. · A percentage of the collection from this venture will be used to pay the attendants, the circulator drivers/conductor and monitors. · Anyone found stealing will be fined and jailed. Fine and time dependent on amount stolen. I know that there will be some hooting and hollering from some of the people especially those in the city with cars. Somebody has to make

some sacrifice if the country is to progress. There are way too many vehicles in such a small city on a daily basis. The cleanup of the city is good. I saw only two or three mosquitos while I was there for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations, but it needs to be maintained. Hire some folks to do that. Give people work. AND, for heaven’s sakes, conduct yourselves as educated people who want to make a difference to enhancing the lives of the Guyanese people so that once and for all Guyanese (pink, blue, green and yellow) can regain the pride and dignity that used to be ours. You know how many people from abroad will come home if the place is welcoming? Lorna Abraham

Thursday July 14, 2016

Kaieteur News

Soesdyke/Linden communities get potable water for first time About 1,000 residents residing on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway will receive potable water, under a programme being executed by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). This is the first time that the communities would receive potable water. A $47.9M contract was awarded to R. Kissoon for the installation of transmission and distribution networks and service connections at Kuru Kuru and Kukururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway. S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies was also awarded a $45.49M contract for the installation of a transmission and distribution network at Waiakabra, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. This project seeks to enhance the quality of life for residents along the highway, and to make these com-

munities attractive for residential settlement. GWI’s Director of Infrastructure Planning and Implementation, Ramchand Jailal, explained that the agency is in the process of providing the contract document to the contractors who are expected to commence works in August. The duration for the contract is two months. “So we expect the works will be completed within these periods, and we are working along closely with the communities to ensure that we deliver these projects successfully, very early, well within the third quarter of 2016 to ensure that the communities start to benefit very soon,” the GWI Director said. Additionally, Jailal said that a project which is serving that community and sur-

rounding areas has just been completed in Hill Foot. He said that the GWI is now undertaking the drilling of a new well in Silver Hill to provide water service to that community. “These communities have been suffering from the lack of water supply; they never had water supply in that community so this project provides for drilling a new potable water well and installation of the mains and service connections to provide service for the entire community,” Jailall explained. Meanwhile, for the rehabilitation of potable water wells in GeorgetownShelterbelt, North Ruimveldt Shelterbelt Number 2, Tucville and Mocha, a $20.2M contract was awarded to Water and Oil Well Service Company Ltd of Trinidad.

Albouystown man jailed for escaping from police City Magistrate Judy Latchman sentenced a former convict to two years’ imprisonment, after he was found guilty of escaping from lawful custody at the conclusion of a trial yesterday in a City Court. Randolph Thompson, 34, a father of two, escaped from the lawful custody of Police Constable Peter George, on February 15 at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) Young Street, Kingston, Georgetown. On the day in question, Constable George uplifted Thompson from the Camp Street Prison where he was serving a sentence for Simple Larceny. Constable George took Thompson and four other prisoners to the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

While there, Thompson requested to use the bathroom and was granted permission to do so. However, Constable George suspected that something was amiss after Thompson did not return after a while. During her ruling, Magistrate Latchman said that she relied on the evidence given by the policeman. She said that she believed the policeman when he told the court he never gave Thompson permission to escape. Before passing sentence, the Magistrate took into consideration the seriousness of the offence and the need to prevent others from committing the offence. When asked by the Magistrate if he had anything

to say in mitigation, Thompson remained silent. During the trial he declined to give evidence and call witnesses on his behalf. Police Corporal Kerry Bostwick presented the prosecution’s case. Thompson was previously convicted for stealing a battery valued $70,000 from BK International, Mandela Avenue, Georgetown on June 15, 2015. On the day in question, around 09:30hrs, Thompson was seen by a security guard climbing over the southern fence of the company. An alarm was raised and Thompson attempted to escape but was subsequently apprehended by employees. He was taken to the Ruimveldt Police Outpost, where he was arrested and charged.

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HIV infections among adults stalled - UNAIDS

Globally, new HIV infections among adults and children have reduced by 40 per cent since the peak in 1997. However, recent analysis from UNAIDS shows that new HIV infections among adults have stalled. There has been no decline for at least five years. A new UNAIDS report outlines what is needed to step up prevention efforts The Prevention Gap Report essentially reveals concerning trends in new HIV infections among adults. The report shows that while significant progress is being made in stopping new HIV infections among children, the decline in new HIV infections among adults has stalled, thus, the need for HIV Prevention efforts to be urgently scaled up among this age group. New HIV infections have declined by more than 70 per cent among children since 2001 and are continuing to decline, the Report said. HIV PREVENTION GAPAMONGADULTS The Prevention gap report shows that an estimated 1.9 million adults become infected with HIV every year for at least the past five years, and that new HIV infections among adults are rising in some regions, including the Caribbean. The Prevention gap report therefore gives the clear message that HIV prevention efforts need to be increased in order to stay on the Fast-Track to ending AIDS by 2030. Eastern Europe and Central Asia saw a 57 per cent increase in annual new HIV infections between 2010 and 2015. After years of steady decline, the Caribbean saw a nine per cent rise in annual new HIV infections among adults between 2010 and 2015. In the Middle East and North Africa, annual new HIV infections increased by four per cent between 2010 and 2015. There has been no significant decline in any other regions of the world, according to the Report. In Latin America, the annual number of new adult HIV infections increased by two per cent since 2010; new HIV infections declined marginally in western and central Europe and North America and in western and central Africa since 2010; new HIV infections among adults declined by four per cent in eastern and southern Africa since 2010, and by three per cent in Asia and the Pacific since 2010. “We are sounding the alarm,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “The power of prevention is not being realized. If there is resurgence in new HIV infections now, the epidemic will become impossible to control. The world needs to take urgent and immediate action to close the prevention gap.”

UNAIDS Executive Director, Mr. Michel Sidibé

The AIDS epidemic has had a huge impact over the past 35 years. Since the start of the epidemic, 35 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses and an estimated 78 million people have become infected with HIV globally. EQUITYANDACCESS FOR KEY POPULATIONS In 2014, key populations, including gay men and other men who have sex with men, sex workers and their clients, transgender people, people who inject drugs and prisoners, accounted for 35 per cent of new HIV infections globally. It is estimated that men who have sex with men are 24 times more likely to become infected with HIV than the general population, while sex workers are 10 times more likely and people who inject drugs are 24 times more likely to become infected than the general population. In addition, transgender people are 49 times more likely to be living with HIV, and prisoners are five times more likely to be living with HIV than adults in the general population. This is according to UNAIDS data. It is essential for key populations to have access to the full range of HIV prevention options in order to protect themselves and their sexual partners from HIV. “Today, we have multiple prevention options,” said Mr Sidibé. “The issue is access— if people do not feel safe or have the means to access combination HIV prevention services we will not end this epidemic,” he added. The UNAIDS Global Report on the need for increased HIV prevention efforts and investments comes ahead of the International AIDS Conference set for next week in Durban, South Africa.

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Thursday July 14, 2016

Kaieteur News

Missing fisherman’s body found in mortuary with chop wounds - Phone, $150,000 missing The agonizing search for a 21-year-old fisherman, who went missing last Saturday, ended in pain for his family, yesterday, when his body was discovered in the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s mortuary. The body of Salman Khan, of Lot 2474 Tuschen Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara (WCD) was discovered with multiple chop wounds, and it appears as if he had been beaten. Khan was last seen alive by his mother, Bibi Khan, on Saturday when he left home around 14:30 hrs to collect his salary from his boss. Police believe that the fisherman might have been beaten and chopped during a robbery plotted by persons known to him. Up to press time, ranks were looking for four men, who were last seen consuming alcohol with the victim at a rum shop in Tuschen. According to information received, police found Khan lying in an unconscious state at a bus shed in Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara (WCD) and took him to the West Demerara Regional Hospital for medical assistance. At the time, he was registered as “unknown.” Because of the severity of the fisherman’s injuries, he had to be transferred to the GPHC. According to records from the hospital, Khan was pronounced dead around Sunday night. The young man’s mother said that her son returned from sea Friday night and went to discharge the vessel Saturday morning. “He come home and bring fish and then he ready and left

home around 02:30 (PM on Saturday) to collect his money from the boss man and I never see him back,” the older Khan said in tears. She explained that when her son did not return later that day, she called his phone around 21:00 hrs and he answered and informed her that he was with his boss and would be home shortly. A devastated Khan said that she called her son again around 21:30 hrs but did not get a response. After he failed to return home the following day, Khan said that she called her son’s boss and was informed that the young man left in a taxi a little after 21:00 hrs with $150,000. “When them boys go to collect their money, the boss man does buy some beers for them to drink. The boss said that he send my son home in a taxi,” the woman said. Kaieteur News was told that the 21year-old man was last seen in the company of four young boys from Tuschen. Armed with this information, relatives of the young fisherman went to the police outpost at Tuschen to file a missing person report. There, they were informed that the police had picked up two young men Saturday night after they were involved in an argument with some other people. Salman Khan went to the station and bailed the young men out. The two boys along with Khan and two other boys were then seen drinking at the rum shop opposite the police station. Someone at the rum shop confirmed that Khan drank a Guinness and went away with

Dead: Salman Khan

Salman Khan’s mother (right) and grandmother (centre) along with another relative

the four boys—that was the last information provided to relatives about Khan.

“We were searching for him. We went to MTV and put over a missing person report

and then we went to West Demerara Regional Hospital and they said that an uniden-

tified man was taken there Sunday night, but they transferred him to GPHC,” the older Khan said. In tears, the woman explained that she and other relatives visited the GPHC where they were told that an unidentified man was referred there Sunday night. “They (GPHC staffers) say they have one unidentified person. He is of East Indian ancestry and has nuff tattoo. My son has tattoos. When his brother went in (mortuary) to see, it was him,” Bibi Khan stated. The mother is determined that the four boys her son was last seen with had something to do with his death. Investigations are ongoing.

Police Prosecutors vs. Lawyers, SC an unfair battle - Rohee “More police should be sent for training to be lawyers first of all, particularly in prosecution matters. And then on their return they should be posted to strengthen the DPP Chambers, to make it a stronger and enhanced autonomous body.” By Jarryl Bryan Cases in which defendants are represented by trained Attorneys-at-Law and even Senior Counsel (SC), while the state is represented by police Prosecutors without comparative legal training are clearly disadvantageous to the state. This was an opinion expressed by former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, in a recent interview. He said that there are cases where Police Prosecutors face off against fully fledged legal teams and invariably this did not bode well for the prosecution. “That is a disadvantage, because then it means that most of those Police Prosecutors are being trained on the job, which is most likely, not the best thing,” he said. “The experience is important. But the experience, together with the legal training is probably the best way to go.” “In the Justice Sector Improvement Programme, which is a companion to the Citizens’

Security Programme, it had been a recommendation that Police Prosecutors should be seconded to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP)’s Chambers,” he added. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary stated that between three and five of these Prosecutors were seconded to the Chambers, in what was expected to be an ongoing process. He noted that the whole idea was for Police Prosecutors to move over in their entirety to the DPP chambers, though he admitted that they were not necessarily trained lawyers. Rohee stated that while it was recommended that the DPP’s Chambers have Police Prosecutors seconded to it, the force’s budget should have provisions for a contingent to be sent for legal training annually. “What should have happened was that the police should receive legal training, because there is provision for this in the police training budget, which should enable the police to send two or three

ranks every year for training, because it is pretty expensive to be trained as a lawyer.” “In fact, (Minister of Public Security Khemraj) Ramjattan did say that they would spare no ends in training police. So in keeping with that undertaking, and in keeping with the Justice Sector Improvement Programme, I think that is the course that should be taken.” “More police should be sent for training to be lawyers first of all, particularly in prosecution matters. And then on their return they should be posted to strengthen the DPP’s Chambers, to make it a stronger and enhanced autonomous body.” Questions have recently been raised about the need for the state to bring on board experienced State Counsel in order to prosecute complex, high profile cases. This especially came to the fore with the prosecution of former Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford and her assistant, Margaret Cummings. Westford, who is a cur-

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee rent Member of Parliament for the PPP, and Cummings, are facing 24 simple larceny charges. The charges allege that between August 2011 and April 2015, while being employed in the Public Service of the Government of Guyana, they stole the sum of $639.4M belonging to the state. They allegedly received the money by virtue of their employment. The two women, whose trial started last week, are being represented by a panel of seven lawyers - Senior Counsel Rex McKay, Keisha Chase, Eusi Anderson, Dexter Todd, Neil Boston, Bibi Shaddick and Brandon Glasford. The state is being represented by Police Prosecutors.

Thursday July 14, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Jagdeo accuses Harmon of lying to keep Govt contracts secret

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, has countered statements that Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, made last week about making Government contracts public. Jagdeo said that the contracts to which Harmon referred do not contain any confidentiality clause. Harmon had said that the contracts which the PPP/C government signed during its time in office have within them confidentiality clauses, which prevent the current administration from disclosing the contents of the agreements. Yesterday, in a press conference at Freedom House, Jagdeo made it clear that he has been calling for the government to publish both the evaluation reports for several projects and contracts which the government had deemed to be corrupt. Jagdeo considers it “absolute nonsense” that the Minister of State would inform the public that the PPP/ C had included confidentiality clauses in government contracts. “I have never seen a more inexcusable excuse for lack of transparency…The evalua-

tion reports don’t have any confidentiality clause; this is the property of the government and people of Guyana.” Jagdeo said that normally there is a confidentiality clause in the process of negotiating during the pre-contract stage. According to him, this is a standard business practice around the world and is done so as to protect information of the other party. Jagdeo went on to say “Once the contract is signed then these are agreements and are property of government.” The Opposition Leader is of the view that the government is reluctant to release the details of the contracts because it will show that what they were labelling the contracts to be is far from the truth. Jagdeo believes that if the evaluation report for the Specialty Hospital is published it would vindicate his party and show that Fedders Lloyd was disqualified for good reasons and is not the second ranked bidder which the government reported it to be. Fedders Lloyd is the Indian Firm which had been contracted to construct the

Dem boys seh...

Cricket at de stadium really cost Ricky There is a old saying, ‘Be careful when you follow the Masses…Sometimes de ‘M’ is silent.’ Now JoeShan and de Bar Rat saying two different things bout dem govt contracts. Dem boys now confused and fuh sure, dem ain’t gun follow dem asses. JoeShan seh that de contracts signed by de Bar Rat had confidentiality clauses and suh he can not disclose dem to de public. He seh suh because Soulja Bai seh de people of this country must see all dem contracts, even to dem wha he sign. Now de Rat seh JoeShan lie and that he can release all dem contract. Dem boys hear when he challenge JoeShan to release dem. He go further. De confidentiality clause does deh in de pre-contract stage. And when de contract sign, any lagoobagoo can do wha dem want wid it. Dem boys seh somebody telling lie and de people of Guyana need to know de truth. Another truth is that every time dem got cricket at de stadium a lot of thiefing does on. People does break into people vehicle. Sometimes dem thief does carry way de whole vehicles. Sunday night Ricky just done watch cricket and walking out de stadium towards his car wid ee car keys swinging pun ee finger. He didn’t see three man walking behind him. When he reach up to he car and go to push in de key to open de door he hear a voice seh, “Get in and drive this car till we tell you stop.” Ricky tell dem “None of that stupidness.” He throw de key at dem, tell dem tek de car; I going home. And he gone running up de road When dem man tek it de car had de right number plate PLL1699. According to one of he friends, de car got ‘Sweetness’ write across de front windscreen. De back windscreen got a drawing of a scorpion. Dem boys wonder if is de sweetness attract dem hijackers to de car, or de scorpion dem want to sting somebody Talk half and help Ricky get back he sweetness or he scorpion.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo Specialty Hospital in Guyana. Jagdeo wants the government to publish evaluation reports and contracts for the Specialty Hospital, the Road to Amaila Falls, the pre-quali-

fication for drugs from the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC) and the Marriott Hotel. “The evaluation reports will show that in each of these

cases we had gone through competitive tendering processes.” According to Jagdeo there is a provision for government contracts to be tabled in Parliament. He said that there is absolutely no state secret in the contracts, inclusive of the Bai Shan Lin agreement. In an interview with Kaieteur News, Harmon had said that if the government is to go ahead and make these contracts public, it will leave

the government open to court action. According to him, the contracts have privacy clauses and neither party is allowed to disclose the details of the agreement. President David Granger had on many occasions called for the release of these controversial agreements. The Head of State believes that only contracts concerning national security and the sourcing of defence equipment should be kept a secret.

Mining deaths warrant investigations, criminal - says Major Gen prosecutions (Ret’d) Joe Singh By Jarryl Bryan

In the wake of a string of mining deaths which have had Commissions of Inquiry (CoI) held into them but have not been accompanied by criminal prosecutions, Major General (Ret’d) Joe Singh is calling for a change to the trend. Singh spearheaded the CoI into the country’s most recent mining pit fatality, that of 18-year-old Reynold Williams, which occurred on May 29, last. The Major General made his remarks while addressing a mining pit seminar yesterday. According to the Major General, mining operators ought to be held accountable for unsafe practices on their concessions, which can lead to mining pit cave-ins. He did not spare those owners of mining blocks, who allow miners concessions, collect fees, but do not monitor reckless practices. “We have too many absentee landlords,” he said. “People who have a licence and some of them just allocate positions for small miners, pay very little or no attention to who’s mining there, the type of mining they are doing, safety and regulations, but collect the tributes.” “And then you see the unsafe activities and environmental damage taking place within their property. Why aren’t these persons

Major General (Ret.) Joe Singh, as he handed over the Reynold Williams CoI report to Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. who are the licensed owners of the property being held accountable? “Deaths, in my view, not only warrant an investigation, but somebody who is criminally liable,” he pointed out. “So the negligence that I and others have seen begs the question. What action is being taken against persons who, through their own negligence and lack of interest in what is happening on their property, allow breaches of safety and environmental damage?” Maj Gen. Singh noted that from his interactions with Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) field staff, a lot more remained to be done. THE REYNOLD

WILLIAMS STORY Singh detailed a heart breaking story about how young Williams, who died on his first day of work, was determined to secure work at the pit that would ultimately claim his life. According to Maj Gen Singh, Williams was initially refused by the owner, but he never gave up. “He came to Mahdia to look for work, and he went to the (operation) owner. And the owner said, look I have a full crew. I don’t have any vacancy. But he hung around the camp doing odd jobs until out of the kindness of his heart the owner said, ‘Ok go down to the pit and let them know that I sent you. You will be a pit man.” “First day on

18 year old Reynold Williams the job, that’s when he died. I have had to break enough (Continued on page 23)

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Thursday July 14, 2016

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Living in exasperation with the PPP leadership It is hard in this country to live with the politicians from the PPP that administered the power of policy-making for Guyana for about 23 years. It is difficult to live in this

country with them and have to put up with their semantic morbidities that come to you from the newspapers and on television. When you read what they write and what

comes out of their mouths on television, then the only reaction that you can generate is anger. Most of the times, you cannot believe what they write or speak. I was literally

overflowing with anger when I read Hydar Ally denouncing political interference at the University of Guyana, and the only example he could have offered is the 1974 abrogation of Walter Rodney’s appointment by the then PNC Government. This was coming from one of the leaders of the PPP Government that literally reduced UG to a political football. As I write, the Pro-Chancellor of the University is Bibi Shadick, so appointed when she was a PPP Parliamentarian. She succeeded Dr. Prem Misir, appointed when he was Press Liaison Officer in the Office of the President and the Chairman of the PPP Prashad Nagar group. Surely, when Mr. Ally was writing a little bit of decency should have been present. Not much but just a little bit. But none was. Donald Ramotar in a published letter to this newspaper waxed lyrical about Kwame McCoy. McCoy reminds you of the seventies when certain thugs were overjoyed to physically hurt opposition activists. This column was motivated by a few words I heard on the television as I was about to leave my home. I rushed out to get to Kaieteur News to type this article for reasons all readers would know. And as I reached the door, I heard Anil Nandlall on a panel discussion saying that Guyana has a dysfunctional political system. This is what I mean by living with exasperation in Guyana with PPP leaders. Just how a stranger wouldn’t know that when Hydar Ally wrote his denunciation of political interference

at UG, he was the PPP’s point man on the UG Council for ten years ensuring PPP’s domination there, a stranger would not know that Anil Nandlall was a powerful policy-maker in a government that controlled Guyana for twenty three years. What did PPP leaders do in those twenty three years about confronting and eradicating Guyana’s dysfunctional anatomy? On the contrary, the PPP’s reign witnessed the most sickening prolongation of that dysfunctional system. The PPP inherited severe anachronistic impulses from the previous two PNC Governments but instead of removing those severities, they ignored them thus prolonging the aberration that Guyana has become under the previous government and under the PPP Take the draconian penalties for small amounts of marijuana. Mr. Nandlall as Attorney-General never touched that legal backwardness. Take the Administration of Justice Act of 1979. If anything is dysfunctional in nature, it is that law. It allows trial by the Magistracy for horrible crimes that should be before High Court Judges. Under the Administration of Justice Act, a Magistrate cannot go beyond a certain time frame for allocating jail time. The High Court has no such restriction. This country just witnessed the conviction of men who invaded the home of the Land Court judge, beat her and her husband so terribly that the husband lost one of his eyes and such a case went before a Magistrate We have a former Minister charged with fraud involv-

Frederick Kissoon ing a sum of over 600 million dollars and she is in front a Magistrate. If convicted, the Magistrate cannot go beyond ten years of imprisonment for one count. In the High Court, such a person could end up serving thirty years. In which country could a former Minister be charged for such an amount and is placed before a Magistrate rather than a Judge and Jury? These are the dysfunctional parts of Guyana’s biology that PPP leaders refused to touch Perhaps the moral glaring, immoral example of how Mr. Nandlall’s Government perpetuated Guyana’s broken down political architecture was the quarrel over the site for the 1823 Slave Rebellion Monument. If Guyana is near the precipice, the PPP pushed it there. African Guyanese wanted the monument to be erected where the slaves were executed. The location was none of the Government’s business. This was a matter for the African Guyanese descendants of those murdered slaves. The PPP arbitrarily assigned the monument to the old, obscured seawall road near to Vlissengen Road in a vile, contemptuous rebuff of the desire of African groups. Guyana remains dysfunctional because the PPP from 1992 to May 2015 wanted it to be like that.

Thursday July 14, 2016

Crum-Ewing murder accused threatens to kill - says police need to self go after the real killers

Murder Accused: Regan Rodrigues

Opposition Chief Whip accuses AG of over-reaching on money-laundering Gail Teixiera, Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for the People’s Progressive Party Civic, has said that the Financial Intelligence Unit is without a head. Addressing the media at Freedom House, her party’s headquarters, Teixiera sought to clear the alleged misconception Attorney General Basil Williams would have caused with his recent statements, on the way being clear for Guyana to exit the review by the Financial Action Task Force. Teixiera said that Williams had announced during the last debate on the amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act, that there was an acting Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit whom he named. She clarified that this individual had not been officially appointed in the interim. Additionally, she said that the Minister proceeded on another occasion to state that the process for the selection of a Director and Deputy Director had been completed. “The Minister’s claims and possible even report to the Financial Action Task Force is misleading, furthermore, we note that the Attor-

…AG making misleading statements ney-General reported that at a recent meeting of the FATF in Korea, that Guyana was cleared to exit FATF and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) regimes.” She said that after that meeting FATF issued a public statement containing the decisions it would have made in respect of each country that is under its review process. In the June 24, 2016 public statement it stated, that Guyana has made improvements but did not mention anything about the country being cleared to exit the regimes. Teixiera relayed that the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CTF) Act designates the National Assembly and the Committee of Appointments, as the means to which the 10 persons will be appointed to sit on the FIU and the AML/CFT bodies. She said that the COA has not completed the process of selecting persons for the full positions as required in the Act. According to Teixiera when the process is completed, those names will be

PPP/C MP, Gail Teixiera put formally to the house for approval. She said that the COA is still awaiting the submission of 10 names from the relevant civil society organisations. As such, there is no AML/CFT authority nor is there an effectively functioning and operating FIU. The Member of Parliament added that the AML/CFT Act prescribes specific responsi-

bilities for the Director that actually triggers and causes key and critical aspects of the Act to become operational. On June 1, last, Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Basil Williams, during a press conference, had said that a Director had been identified for the FIU by the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments. He stated that the recommendations of the Committee will have to be voted on by the House. He did not disclose the name of the nominated Director. Further, the AG said that the interviews of the applicants for the post of Deputy Director had also been concluded and that the process continues for the positions of lawyer and accountant for the unit. He said that when his government inherited the FIU it had only two active members, a Director and a Lawyer. The function of the FIU is to facilitate the detection and deterrence of money laundering and financing of terrorism in Guyana. It was established and operates with the AML/ CFT Act.

Murder suspect escapes from La Grange lock-ups

Murdered: Courtney Crum-Ewing Regan Rodrigues, who is currently on remand for the murder of political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing, has threatened to end his life. Rodrigues, also known as Grey Boy, expressed frustrations over the slow pace at which the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the matter has been proceeding. He says that police need to go after the real killers. Yesterday, the matter was called again before Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The murder accused was very vocal while expressing his frustrations. He claimed that he was wrongly charge with the crime and that a former Attorney General and political party are responsible for Crum-Ewing’s assassination. Police Inspector, Eon Jackson, took the witness box and identified a firearm, casings and three bullets in the presence of Rodrigues’s Attorney Adrian Thompson and Prosecutor Nigel Hughes. During the court hearing, the accused was heard making several complaints of feeling unwell. He also read aloud a

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Kaieteur News

newspaper clipping in relation to the murder of the political activist. However, as soon as he began reading the Magistrate quickly walked into her chambers. The PI continues on July 26. It is alleged that on March 10, 2015 at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), he killed Crum-Ewing. According to reports, the bullet riddled body of CrumEwing was found at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme EBD. The 40-year-old was shot twice to the temple, once to the back of the head and twice to the stomach. The police in a statement had stated that the political activist was accosted by four men in a car, one of whom discharged several rounds, hitting him about the body. It was reported that the killer (s) used a .32 pistol to execute Crum-Ewing. Crum-Ewing was well known for his one-man protest in front of the office of former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall. Minutes before he was gunned down, he was reportedly heard via bullhorn urging residents of the neighbourhood to vote against then ruling party PPP/C.

Fear has gripped a Belle West, West Bank Demerara (WBD) family, following the reported escape of a prisoner from La Grange Police Station yesterday. The man, Anthony Jhagroo, who was being held for questioning into the murder of a 31-year-old mechanic, broke out of the lock-ups while the two ranks who were on duty, were at the front of the Police Station. Up to press time, ranks were searching for the 20year-old suspect, who is a labourer and resides at Belle West. Yogeshwar Shivcharran, of Lot 485 Belle West succumbed last Sunday, days after he was beaten by a group of neighbours. A post mortem examination revealed that Shivcharran died from blunt

trauma to the head. Kaieteur News understands that Shivcharran, during a mental breakdown, took off his clothes and went to his neighbour’s residence where a group of young men were having a drink. The men, who were reportedly under the influence of alcohol, became annoyed with the mechanic and started pelting him with beer bottles before beating him in the head and about his body. The 31-year-old man was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he succumbed.

Dead: Yogeshwar Shivcharran

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Thursday July 14, 2016

Kaieteur News

Corentyne man jailed for 15 years for attempting to kill estranged wife A Corentyne man who used a lance and knife to seriously wound his estranged wife in an attempt to kill her back in 2013, has been sentenced to 15 years in jail. The man, Chandrasheekar Itwaru, called “Sunil”, 45, of Ankerville, Corentyne, Berbice was on trial before Justice Jo Ann Barlow and a mixed Jury in the Berbice High Court. He was charged with wounding Jasmattie Isaacs, called “Rohonie”, 33, a mother of two with intent to murder her. He is also charged with wounding the woman with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm, maim, disfigure or disable her. The attack occurred on November 16, 2013 at Ankerville Port Mourant, Berbice. He was unrepresented in court. Four witnesses testified. According to the Prosecution’s case as presented by Attorney at Law, Stacy Goodings, during 2013, the accused had lived with Isaacs, her mother Vijwattie Isaacs and her two sons at her mother’s home at Lot 208 Ankerville, Corentyne, Berbice. According to the Prosecution, the woman had once

lived at the Shelter in Georgetown, but had returned to her mother’s home. She and the accused had lived on and off for nine years. The two children were not his. The relationship was an abusive one, thus, their constant on and off relationship. Before the latest incident the man had threatened the woman with a cutlass and had beaten her on the road. He also threatened to kill her. He was charged with that offence and was on the run. On the day in question, about 19:00 hrs the woman was bathing by a barrel in her mother’s back yard when the accused creeped up next to her with a lance and a knife. He pressed the knife to her throat and began boring her with the lance. She was wounded on her belly, hand, head, leg and other parts of her body. The woman collapsed and only regained consciousness at the Port Mourant Hospital. She was immediately transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital and then to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further medical intervention. According to the

woman’s mother, Vijwattie Isaacs, she had thrown the accused out of her house because of his behaviour. She was particularly upset that he was ill-treating his stepsons. She stated that she was in her front yard picking flowers to pray when she heard her grandsons frantically calling for her to come see what happen. She kicked off her slippers and ran to the “back yard”. She saw her daughter on the ground and the accused over her. He had a knife and lance in his hands. She began to holler and pelted him. He crawled through a hole and escaped towards the back. The woman said that when she saw her daughter her intestines were protruding. Neighbours came out and rushed her daughter to the hospital. She subsequently collapsed. The man was on the run until he was nabbed on January 24, 2014 at his home. Also testifying was her sister Shalene Isaacs, who testified to receiving a message on the day in question and rushing to the scene to find her sister badly wounded. She accompanied her to the

Chandrasheekar Itwaru, called “Sunil” hospital. Detective Constable Mark Fraser testified to conducting investigations into the matter and arresting the accused who had been on the run. In court, Justice Barlow summed up the evidence for the Jury that subsequently retired and returned within an hour with the verdict of guilty on the first count. Justice Barlow, before passing sentence told the accused that the offence was a serious one.

She noted that he was a repeat offender. She stated that men must learn to move on whenever there is a separation, and no one has the right to take matters in their own hands. “You must be strong enough and be prepared to move on.” She told the accused that it has to be luck. The situation could have been worse and the circumstances could have been different.

The crime, she said, was one of aggravation and she saw no mitigating circumstances that could work in his favour. She thus sentenced him to 15 years in jail. She prayed that he would use the time to make something of his life. Itwaru had appeared before Magistrate Charlene Artiga in the Whim Magistrate’s Court and was sentenced to four months in jail on a lesser charge.

Thursday July 14, 2016

Kaieteur News

As T&T Immigration tightens security...

Less Venezuelans coming Trinidad Guardian - Even as Venezuela temporarily opened its western border with Colombia to allow trade, T&T Customs and Excise officers Tuesday reported a sharp drop in Venezuelan arrivals at the Cedros and Kings Wharf ports. A source at Kings Wharf, San Fernando, said last month an average of 60 foreigners arrived a day. However, this figure had dropped by 90 per cent, the source added. “Now we have more cargo vessels coming in and very few passengers,” an official said. At Cedros, an official said arrivals also dropped by 30 per cent. Cedros has been registering an increase in Venezuelans since 2013. Arrivals from Venezuela jumped by 6,000 between 2013 and 2014 from 15,008 to 21,052. In an interview Tuesday, a senior Customs official said the decrease in arrivals was occurring not because of Venezuela’s open border with Colombia but because of stricter regulations enforced by the T&T Immigration Department. “Venezuelans must present proof of lodging, an invitation letter and they must show they have sufficient funds before being allowed time to stay in Trinidad,” he added. Also in an interview Tuesday, Venezuelan national, Leo Gonzales, said the new immigration rules were making it difficult for Venezuelans to come to Trinidad. Asked why he had not taken advantage of the open border opportunity to go to Colombia for supplies,

Adelaida Ospina shades herself with her bag as she waits in line outside a supermarket to buy food in Caracas, Venezuela. The average Venezuelan spends 35 hours waiting to buy basic goods each month. Ospina said she arrived at 5.40 am. AP Photo Gonzales said it would take him 32 hours of bus rides to get to the Colombian border and a four-hour boat ride to get to Trinidad. “Which one of those would you choose?” he asked, smiling. He said people from Caracas and Maracaibo would find it easier to reach the Colombian border. Gonzales also said that fewer Venezuelans were coming to Trinidad within recent times because Immigration was allowing only four occupants in a pirogue. “They are allowing only four people to come in. Venezuelans are paying to come here for three months. They need funds to come here to buy goods to feed their families be c a u s e t h e Venezuelan economy is so bad but many people are running out of funds so people don’t have the means to come here,” Gonzales said.

Adding that Trinidad had tightened security, Gonzales called on the T&T Government to encourage trade with the Venezuelans. “Set up a system where people who are skilled can come and find work here so they can feed their families,” Gonzales added. He also added that it was difficult for Venezuelans to get residency in Trinidad. Mark Winter, a Trinidadian who married a Venezuelan and has two children, said his wife was still waiting for residency status. He also said T&T Immigration officers were not granting extensions to Venezuelans. “That is why people are overstaying their time. The authorities should grant them some time to stay in Trinidad. They are in dire need of help. If we were in that situation, we would expect people to help us,” Winter added.

Holness Tells New British PM He Is Looking Forward To Strengthening Ties With UK The Gleaner - Prime Minister Andrew Holness has written a congratulatory letter to the new British Prime Minister Theresa May telling her he is looking forward to strengthening ties between Jamaica and the United Kingdom. May was appointed at Buckingham Palace yesterday following the resignation of David Cameron, three weeks after Britain voted to leave the European Union. “Jamaica and the United Kingdom have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship built on strong

Andrew Holness historical links and close bonds of friendship and cooperation,” Holness wrote.

He said May’s appointment as the leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister is a testament to the high level of competence and commitment she has displayed throughout her years of service to the United Kingston. “I have no doubt that the solid expertise which you bring to this high-level portfolio will prove invaluable, as you promote unity towards a new vision and perspective for your country,” Holness said. Holness, however, noted the enormous responsibility of the role of Prime Minister.

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Narine’s Trucking Service for sand, loam, stone etc. Delivery-Call: 641-2477 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer-Call: 231-0655; 683-8734. Omar Guytec Repairs Services & Spares to washing machines, pressure washer, dryer, stoves, refrigerator, treadmill, vacuum, etc –Call: 680-2377 Are you looking for a babysitter or someone to do light chores? Then call: 6467368 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 All Visa’s Applications: visitors, students, permanent @ Cybertron Immigration Services, Parika –Call: 2604850; 649-3073

VEHICLE FOR SALE

PROPERTY FOR SALE

FOR SALE

2010 IST -$2.6M, 2011 BLUEBIRD -$2.7M, 2011 RACTIS -$2.6M, 2009 AXIO -$2.4M, 2009 BELTA -2.4M. CALL: 617-2891 Toyota Runx, AT212, AT192, AT170, L-Touring Wagon, Raum, new model Tacoma, Nissan pickup, Honda Capa. Call: 644-5096; 697-1453

Corner property in Grove, 1 block from Main Road- Flat House, price negotiable. Call: 1905-626-2572

LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. MIX BREED PUPS –CALL: 615-0146 Rambutan seedlings plants $2,000 per plant. Call: 621-4778

AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BRR, RZ & Pitbull, Pajero Junior, Spacio: Cash / terms- Call:680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 1 L-Touring Wagon (yellow) for sale $750,000 negotiable. Call: 614-5962

INNOVATIVEMARKETING& PUBLISHINGINC–TEL:6004212: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:6294946 or 225-4822 RAMDASS VISA APPLICATION & immigration services, room A-4, Maraj Building, Georgetown. Call Samantha: 227-0295; 615-9295

Thursday July 14, 2016

Kaieteur News

SALE! SALE! 2010 IST $2.4M, 2009 NOAH -$2.5M, ARUIS-$2.5M-CALL:617-2891 TO LET Furnished 2 bedroom apartments in Nandy Park, parking available. For further information – Call: 619-4824; 233-5560 Newly renovated 3 bedrooms house in safe and healthy environments-Call: 677-6638; 622-6512 One three bedrooms house for rent @ Crane Housing Scheme -$50,000 monthly. Call: 614-5962 One furnished room -$40,000 and one bedroom furnished apartment -$60,000 monthly. Call: 665-7474; 612-3152 2 Bedrooms apartment $50,000 monthly @ 29 Howes Street. Contact Petboy on the above address. Rooms in Albertown & apartment in eccles. Call: 2253234; 698-7807 PEN- PAL UK Re-migrant is seeking lady 35-50 for serious relationship must be able to travel around – Call: +447717834480; +5926905061

3 TON CANTER ENCLOSE AND OPEN BACK WITH 4D ENGINE, PRICE -$3.6M, NEVER REGISTERED – CALL: 617-2891 One Corolla Feilder Wagon, year 2010 - $1.8M. Call: 2254816; 676-6379 2004 MITSUBISHI CANTER, 4D 33 ENGINE, 2 TON, UNREGISTERED $2.4M. CALL: 642-7295 2010 TOYOTA FIELDER, BODY KIT, MAGS, CD, FULLY LOADED, UNREGISTERED -$2.5M. CALL: 642-7295 2010 TOYOTA PREMIO, FULLY LOADED, UNREGISTERED -$3.3M. CALL: 642-7295 One Hilux E/Cab pick-up, manual, gasoline, A/C. Call: 676-0931 One Honda CRV, PLL series, year 2001 -$1.4M negotiable. Call: 624-6099 ACCOMMDATION Harmony Inn: clean, comfortable & affordable apartments/rooms, long & short term – Call: 668-0306; 218-1400; 694-7817

High value transported land and 2 bedrooms newly built house, Greater Diamond E.B.D -$16M negotiable. Call: 265-4338 Two family house at Lot 32 Ann’s Grove Housing Scheme E.C.D -$20M negotiable- Call: 623-5423 2 Storey house, 5 bedrooms semi-furnished, 65 Palmyra Village, East Canje Berbice, price negotiable. Call: 6706688; 621-2066 Property @ Block 8 Mon Repos E.C.D, newly built 3 bedrooms concrete house $14.7M negotiable. Call: 6544312; 657-5330 Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 40X32 House @ Anna Catherina, W.C.D –Call: 6462341; 225-7164 Zeelugt-(2)storey concrete building, Good Hope(2)storey concrete building. Tel:231-9690,231-9693 call between 8:00hrs-16:00hrs (Mon-Fri). Parfaite Harmony-(2) storey building. Tuschen - 2-storey building. Tel:231-9690,2319693 call between 8:00hrs16:00hrs (Mon-Fri). Property for sale @ lot 32 Princess Street, Werk-enRust. Call: 621-8767 Fully furnished transported commercial/residential property @ 249 Buzz-BeeDam, Craig, E.B.D; also 3 Canter trucks -$240M negotiable. Call: 652-0519/ 628-6847 3 Bedrooms house in Tucville, asking price $15M, needs repairs. Call: 645-6498 Newly built @ Craig E.B.D (land size: 91X50 feet), (House 40X28), 3 rooms, 1 self contained. Call:718-213-6496; 679-8091

LEARN TO DRIVE

40 KVA generator, cement mixer, air compressor, tyre machine, bobcat. Call: 694-0535 1-210 Hyundai excavator, good condition, any reasonable offer accepted. Call: 610-0515; 216-1390

PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 656-0087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL @YAHOO. COM Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494

CAR RENTAL

LAND FOR SALE

DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL. COM

La Parfaite Harmonie -$1M &$1.6M, Herstelling 100ftX50ft (corner lot) $3M, Bartica $3M & mining claims. Call: 611-7223;604-2207

Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807

VACANCY 1- Female Clerk $25,000 weekly. Contact #: 220-2878

Electronic Course. Starting 9th August. Hands-on training repairing all types of TVs,etc.Call:226-6551;225-0391 Phonics, reading, spelling classes for slow learners etc for summer classes, special private tutoring available. Call:675-4379 Summer Classes: Phonics, Reading, Language, Mathematics, Art & Craft & fun day (4-12yrs) July 18thAugust 12th @ Roxanne Burnham Gardens-Tel:2182076; 619-4355 IAE (Private Secondary School) register for full time (forms1-5) CXC 2017, classes for adults and repeaters. Call: 683-5742 Kids Summer Computer Classes, ages 5-14 a course diploma in Computers $30,000 @ Cybertron, Parika. Call: 260-4850 9 Courses Diploma in computers -$35,000, computerize accounting $35,000, graphics program $35,000 @ Micrographics, Vreed-en-Hoop. Call: 2643057 Summer Computer Classes ages 5-14 -$8,000, registration in process, Micrographics, Vreed-enHoop. Call: 264-3057

1 Lifan 110 motorcycle $55,000 press start, 1 wooden queen size bed, -$20,000, 1 television -$18,000, 1 microwave -$12,000. Call: 227-5169 1-2000 Am general 6X6 truck tractor, price -$5.5M negotiable, 1 Chevy 2500 cargo van – $2.4M. Call: 6736034; 664-5319 Muscovy Ducklings. Call: 602-7203 Trawler – Call: 616-5954 Top flat; 3 bedroom house 24X40, $14.9 M, $3M down payment. Contact#650-0402 Land at Blankenburg $3.9M & up, financing available. Contact#650-0402

VACANCY CAR RENTAL

Shiba Kaleko Rain ForestResort: school children f o r N a t u r e To u r i s m e x p e r i e n c e @ Rockstone, 45mins from Linden. Call: 618-4499

1-Two Piece wall divider in good condition -$15,000 – Call: 665-4944

Land at Schoonord, Boodhoo’s Housing Scheme $6.5 M, financing available. Contact#650-0402

Soman, Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997

TOURS

One 6 base music set with QSC amps, RCF speakers. Call: 622-0503; 689-9932 30’ Feet, aluminum jet boat, complete with all spares & accessories (financing available). Call: 668-3130 Property for sale @ North Road Queenstown, bond in Eccles also 1 Toyota Fortuna for sale. Call: 226-9177 & 666-3303 57 Acres of land at Soesdyke , ideal for shopping centre and housing development, also power tools.Call:2654180; 613-9554 Toyota Hiace (pitbull) bus 2008- $1.5M, down payment $100,000 monthly. Call: 6093650; 226-8953

EDUCATIONAL

Cashiers for supermarket – Call: 624-0033 & pump attendants. Call: 680-3863 Senior Account Clerk to work in charity must have a least five years experience. Contact: 223-5273/4 Bar Manager with at least 5 years experience contact contact 223-5273/4 or email rtilak@adamantiumholdings.com

VACANCY Control Room Assistants and Visiting Officers. Massy Security (Guyana) Inc. Lot 0 Ruimveldt, Georgetown.Tel: 225-5573/6 Popular East Coast Gas Station (Non-Pareil) Day/ Night: pump attendants, sales clerk & office assistant. Contact: 695-9880 Driver /Porters @ Telles Steel & Hardware. Call: 226-6771; 231-3265 1 Female Accounts clerk, with passes in English & Maths. Apply in person @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling Stabroek. Experienced bar and shop worker for Ekereku Bottom (Interior), between ages 18yrs30yrs –Call: 231-0363 Hotel hospitality, now hiring, front desk agents, waiters, waitress, housekeepers, sous- chef, handyman/ gardener. Call: 603-3205 (Continued page 23)

Thursday July 14, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Colombian fined Labour Department resolved for overstaying 300 complaints for 2016- Minister Scott

A Colombian was yesterday fined $30,000 with an alternative of four weeks’ imprisonment for overstaying her time in Guyana. The penalty was imposed by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Kareens Lorenca, between May 12 and July 11, 2016 at Georgetown, failed to comply with any conditions subject to which a permit is granted. She was granted permission to stay in Guyana from March 11 to May 11, 2016 but overstayed the period.

Lorenca who was represented by Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat told the court that she never intended to overstay. She explained that she made efforts to get an extension but her efforts proved futile. However, she stated that she is the holder of a fiveyear business visa for Guyana. Magistrate McLennan advised Lorenca that she should have applied for the extension before the period had elapsed. Police Corporal Deniro Jones represented the prosecution.

Tuesday night power shutdown in Demerara blamed on faulty connection A faulty connection that links the submarine cable across the Demerara River and overhead transmission lines in the city was the reason for a total shutdown in the Demerara area Tuesday night. According to the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL), the power went down at approximately 23:09hrs Tuesday night for the entire Demerara Berbice Interconnected System. The faulty connection or “Pot Head” is what links the 69KV submarine cable to the overhead transmission lines at Kingston. “While

restoration efforts were hampered to a minimal extent, due to problems encountered while restarting some of the generating units at our Kingston plants, power was restored to most consumers by 02:30 hrs,” GPL said in a statement. However, as of yesterday, technicians were still working to restore power to the link to the Vreed-enHoop 26 MW Station, the company said. The shutdown had fortunately come after the CPL cricket match at the National Stadium, in which the Amazon Warriors came out triumphant.

From page 9 news to relatives of my soldiers. But it’s not easy to be telling a mother her son died because of a mining accident.” “They are so remote you have t0 describe. So I had to call her from Mahdia and explain. Sometimes (we) get caught up in the physics and the mechanics of the collapse and forget the human aspect.” Noting the sheer amount of dead miners in recent times, figures for which were quoted in the CoI report into the May 17, 2015 Mowasi, Potaro mining pit collapse which claimed almost a dozen lives, Maj Gen Singh painted a dismal picture comparative to Guyana’s minute population. According to the findings of the CoI into the Williams accident, conducted by a team led by the Major General, there was a marked absence of contingency plans for safety and rescue, personnel were poorly trained and basic supplies for any potential injuries were lacking. This

report was handed over to Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman on June 9, 2016.

Mining deaths...

The Ministry of Social Protection’s Department of Labour addressed about 300 of the over 500 complaints between January and June this year, said Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott. Minister Scott explained that the outstanding complaints are currently being dealt with. However the Ministry is currently seeking additional labour officers to fast-track the process. “We have advertised for more staff to be trained as labour officers…We know that there is a backlog but we are working on that,” Minister noted. He said that the Ministry has however increased its inspections over the past six months to ensure that employers are adhering to the labour laws of Guyana, and to educate workers of their rights. “We have insisted that

Occupational Health and Safety laws, and we even look at whether employers are paying workers’ NIS correctly, because there is a collaboration between the Ministry and NIS,” the Minister pointed out. Minister Scott said that the intention is to not only ensure that workers’ rights are protected, but employers are aware of what is expected of them. Since the coalition government took office in May 2015, it has been conducting regular inspections of work places to ensure that workers are functioning in a comfortable environment, especially in Georgetown and the mining areas.

Minister Keith Scott our policy is that you visit employers on a regular basis. We have also increased our visits not only to ensure labour laws are adhered to, but also

From page 22

WANTED Night Manager, Security, DJ, waitresses, bartenders, 1 experienced secretary between ages 18-25, must have CXC –Call: 668-8332; 638-5303 Sales representatives wanted, must have valid driver’s licence -Call: 6093650 Experienced bartender, live in/live out waitress, cooks & bouncers needed @ Eden Bar & Lounge, Garden of Eden-Call: 652-0074 One skilled Lathe operator/ welder, one driver/mechanic, live in preferably, high rates. Call: 227-1830 One driver with both mini bus and taxi license for contract work, living in G/Town. Call: 664-0802 Labourer in cabbage & tomato farm must have 2 yrs experienced, paying $5,000$5,500 per day. Call: 695-6139; 674-5052 Counter attendants, apply at Shanta’s, 225 Camp & New Market Street. Porters/Handyman with sound secondary education & able to multi-task. Apply in person @ KeyFood Trading, McDoom, Village. Girls to work in bar as waitress, between age 18-25 (walk with ID card). Call: 2564096; 660-6325

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 1 complete 3 storey building for rent at 68 Pike St. Kitty Call: 615-8176 1-2-4 Bedrooms new house to rent @ West Coast Demerara– Call immediately 276-0818 Apartment in Diamond, Section A, Block X: 2 bedrooms apartment -$55,000 monthly. Call: 685-1640 for more info. Lower 2 bedrooms apartment @ Paradise Public Road, E.C.D. Security Deposit required -$38,000 monthly. Call: 625-9939

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Thursday July 14, 2016

Kaieteur News

Cameron heads out, May comes in: Drama in British politics LONDON (AP) — In a carefully orchestrated political ballet, David Cameron left his job and his home at 10 Downing Street yesterday, resigning as prime minister soon afterward at Buckingham Palace. Theresa May then became Britain’s new leader, accepting an invitation to govern from Queen Elizabeth II. The palace confirmed in a brief, formal statement that “the Right Honourable David Cameron MP had an Audience of The Queen yesterday evening and tendered his resignation as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, which Her Majesty was graciously pleased to accept.” Soon afterward the palace released a photo of May curtseying to the monarch at the palace. In the traditional change of government ceremony, Cameron met the queen at the palace and recommended that the monarch invite May — his successor as Conservative Party leader — to form a new government. Cameron resigned after

making a brief statement outside the prime minister’s residence, his home for more than six years. “It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve our country as prime minister over these last six years, and to serve as leader of my party for almost 11 years,” he said, accompanied by his wife Samantha and his children — 12-year-old Nancy, 10-yearold Elwen and 5-year-old Florence. “It’s not been an easy journey and of course we have not got every decision right, but I do believe that today our country is much stronger,” Cameron said. He said May would provide “strong and stable leadership” and wished her luck in negotiations for Britain leave the European Union — the issue that caused his demise. Earlier, Cameron made his final appearance as prime minister in Parliament, turning the usually raucous prime minister’s questions session into a time for praise, thanks, gentle ribbing, cheers — and a sprinkle of criticism.

Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Theresa May, left, at the start of an audience in Buckingham Palace, London, where she invited the former Home Secretary to become Prime Minister and form a new government, yesterday. (Dominic Lipinski/Pool Photo via AP) The warmth in the House of Commons culminated in loud applause and a standing ovation from his

Conservative colleagues for Cameron, 49, who resigned after voters rejected his advice and decided to leave

the European Union. Cameron noted that he had answered 5,500 parliamentary questions in his six years in office. Amid the jokes and tributes in his farewell question period, he fielded questions about eye surgery and a health scandal, along with criticism about the rise in food banks and his part in calling the vote that ended up with Brexit — a Britain departure from the 28-nation EU. Trying to reclaim his legacy from Brexit, Cameron said his government had cut the deficit, overseen economic growth and legalized same-sex marriage. And he offered the closest thing he has ever given to a mission statement: “I believe that politics is about public service in the national interest.” May, 59, has been Britain’s Home Secretary in charge of immigration and law and order for the past six years. She has the tough task of calming the country and global financial markets after the upheaval that has followed Brexit vote.

Although May backed remaining in the EU, she has reassured “leave” supporters that “Brexit means Brexit, and we will make a success of it.” She is expected to quickly unveil a new Cabinet lineup, including a minister in charge of implementing Brexit. Observers are keen to see if she appoints former London Mayor Boris Johnson or Justice Secretary Michael Gove to new jobs. The two Conservatives headed the “leave” campaign but then turned on one another in the leadership contest. She is under pressure — both from pro-Brexit Conservatives and other EU leaders — to start formal exit talks with the bloc. But Tony Travers of the London School of Economics said May would likely not rush to trigger Article 50 of the EU constitution, which starts a two-year countdown to a final exit. There is also speculation that May, Britain’s second female prime minister after Margaret Thatcher, will boost the number of women in top posts.

Thursday July 14, 2016

Kaieteur News

Kerry seeks Russian cooperation…

Despite deep misgivings within U.S. administration Reuters - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry heads to Moscow today to again seek deeper Russian cooperation in the war against Islamic State in Syria, but he faces strong opposition from defence and intelligence officials who argue that Washington and Moscow have diametrically opposite objectives in the country. K e r r y ’s t r i p , w h i c h State Department officials say is his second to the Russian capital this year and his third in 12 months, takes place as U.S.-Russian relations have worsened with tit-fortat diplomatic expulsions, aggressive Russian manoeuvres toward U . S . aircraft and vessels, and a disregard for a cessation of hostilities in Syria, where Russia has bombed U.S.backed rebels. Relations between Moscow and Washington also remain strained over the Ukraine crisis and what the Kremlin considers N ATO ’s unjustified

John Kerry activities along its borders, raising fears that disagreements could escalate into confrontations, either accidental in Syria or the result of miscalculations in the air and naval encounters from the Baltics to the Black Sea. Yet Kerry, it seems, still hopes for closer collaboration with Russia, to the disbelief of many officials who say Wa s h i n g t o n has no strategy on how to deal

with the challenges Russia poses in Europe and Syria. “It isn’t clear why the secretary of state thinks he can enlist the Russians to support the administration’s goals in Syria,” said one U.S. intelligence official. “He’s ignoring the fact that the Russians and their Syrian allies have made no distinction between bombing ISIS and killing members of the moderate opposition, including some people that we’ve trained,” the official said, using an acronym for the militant group. “Why would we share intelligence and targeting information with people who’ve been doing that?” ANGRY SPIES Many U.S. intelligence officers are incensed by the administration’s continued overtures to Russia, in part b e c a u s e they say the Russians knew a rebel camp they bombed twice housed families of U.S.-backed rebels whose only mission is to pursue Islamic State.

EU proposes new asylum rules to stop migrants crossing Europe Reuters - The European Commission proposed more unified EU asylum rules yesterday, in a bid to stop people waiting for refugee status moving around the bloc and disrupting its passport-free zone. In an unprecedented wave of migration last year, 1.3 million people reached the EU and most ignored legal restrictions, trekking from the Mediterranean coast to apply for asylum in wealthy Germany, prompting some EU countries to suspend the Schengen Area system that allows free passage between

most EU states. “The changes will create a genuine common asylum procedure,” said EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos. “At the same time, we set clear obligations and duties for asylum seekers to prevent secondary movements and abuse of procedures.” The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR said it had c o n c e r n s a b out the new rules and said the new system must not lower standards of protection and asylum. The proposal would standardise refugee

reception facilities across the bloc and unify the level of state support they can get, setting common rules on residence permits, travel papers, access to jobs, schools, social welfare and healthcare. It would grant prospective refugees swifter rights to work, but also put more obligations on them, meaning that if they do not cooperate with the authorities or head to an EU state of their choice rather than staying put, their asylum application could be jeopardised.

Islamic State says ‘minister of war’ Shishani killed Reuters - Abu Omar alShishani, who the Pentagon described as Islamic State’s “minister of war”, was killed in combat in the Iraqi city of Shirqat, south of Mosul, a news agency that supports the militant group said yesterday. The Pentagon said in March that Shishani had likely been killed in a U.S. air strike in Syria, but this was the first time the group appeared to confirm his death. Reuters could not independently verify the statement from Amaq news agency, which Islamic State

regularly uses to issue reports and which denied Shishani’s death after the Pentagon’s comments in March. Islamic State supporters exchanged notes of praise and condolence on social media, including pictures of the ginger-bearded fighter, and pledged to launch a fresh offensive in his honour. Officials at the Pentagon said they were aware of yesterday’s report but could not confirm or deny it. Hisham al-Hashimi, a Baghdad-based security expert who advises the Iraqi government, said a source in

Abu Omar al-Shishani Shirqat confirmed Shishani had been killed there along with several other militants.

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Thursday July 14, 2016

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No nominations yet for PNP top posts — Burke KINGSTON, Jamaica — Nominations for leadership positions in the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) opened yesterday but the party’s General Secretary Paul Burke says he does not expect any application forms until the final day. In fact, Burke told OBSERVER ONLINE that he would be very surprised if he received an application yesterday and that it was the norm for members to submit on the final day. Nominations close on July 20. The constitution of the party also allows members to present themselves from the floor of its a n n u a l conference, which is its highest decision making body. The conference is scheduled for September. Since the party’s defeat to the Jamaica Labour Party at the national polls on February 25, there has been mounting pressure on party President Portia Simpson Miller to step down with some in the 78year-old party calling for a renewal process. Simpson Miller has however announced that she will be seeking re-election come September. At the same time, former general secretary of the party and former National Security Minister in the previous PNP Administration Pe t e r Bunting has

Peter Bunting and Portia Simpson Miller reiterated his intention to seek delegates’ approval f o r t h e p a r t y ’s t o p position. However, he has not indicated whether or not he would mount a challenge to Simpson Miller. Former finance minister and campaign director in the February 25 General Election Dr Peter Phillips, who some be l i e v e i s likely to succeed Simpson Mi ller, has not indicated whether he would also post a challenge for the position. Sources in the PNP camp have however said that it is unlikely that Phillips will challenge Simpson Miller. Meanwhile, St Ann South Eastern Member of Parliament Lisa Hanna and Westmoreland Western Member of Parliament Wykeham McNeill have announced plans to vie for two of the four vice-president

positions in the party. The sitting vicepresidents, three of whom said they will be seeking reelection, include Mayor of Kingston Senator Dr Angela Brown Burke, Noel Arscott, Dr Fenton Ferguson and Derrick Kellier. Kellier has announcedthat he will not be seeking re-election. In the meantime, Burke is expected to resign his position but it is not immediately clear who will s u c c e e d h i m . D e p uty General Secretary Julian Robinson earlier this year told OBSERVER ONLINE that should a vacancy arise for the position he would offer himself as a candidate. Chairman Robert Pickersgill is expected to go unchallenged in his position despite Fitz Jackson and Anthony Hylton indicating their interest. (Jamaica Observer)

Venezuela Seizes Control of an American Factory…

Amid Crippling Shortages of Goods The labour minister of Venezuela’s leftist government has announced that a factory run by U.S. multinational Kimberly-Clark has been seized and is “now in the hands of the workers.” The Wall Street Journal reports that the Texas-based diaper and tissue producer’s factory in the northern city of Maracay had ceased production due to a shortage of raw materials. The collapse in global oil prices has

crippled Venezuela’s ability to import goods, leading to shortages of food, hygiene products and inputs for industry. Labour Minister Oswaldo Vera said in a televised address earlier this week that he was signing an order for the factory to be occupied after Kimberly-Clark laid off more than 900 workers. “Kimberly Clark will continue producing for all Venezuelans and is now in the hands of

the workers,” he said, according to the Wall Street Journal. Kimberly-Clark has not confirmed the takeover, but said in a statement to the BBC, “If the Venezuelan government takes control of Kimberly-Clark facilities and operations, it will be responsible for the well-being of the workers and the physical asset, equipment and machinery in the facilities going forward.”

UWI head urges Govt. to pay up Daily Nation - Pays up some of the millions of dollars owed to us. That’s the impassioned call from the University of t h e We s t I n d i e s ( U W I ) Cave Hill campus principal Professor Eudine Barriteau, to Government. In her address at the launch of the Caribbean Sport Conference at the Usain Bolt Complex Tuesday,

Barriteau urged the Freundel Stuart administration to honour its promise to pay the more than $190 million owed. She said this would allow the university to proceed with its programmes and plans that would help overcome its present difficulties and pave the way for a more profitable and sustainable future.

Eudine Barriteau

Thursday July 14, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Thursday July 14, 2016

Thursday July 14, 2016

Bishoo places urgency on India series BRIDGETOWN, B a r b a d o s - CMC – Legspinner Devendra Bishoo has placed heavy emphasis on the upcoming series against India, and says it is i m p o r t ant he delivers d u r i n g t h e f o u r- Te s t rubber. The 30-year-old has been named as the frontline spinner in the 1 3 - m a n We s t I n d i e s squad and is currently part of the ongoing camp at the 3Ws Oval at the UWI Cave Hill Campus, in preparation for the July 21 to August 22 series. “The bowling is good. I didn’t get to play much matches in the Caribbean T20 (CPL) but Test cricket is a whole different kettle of fish,” Bishoo said.

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Kaieteur News

“I’m up for it, I really want to have a good series. It’s very important for me. I know I will have to bowl long spells but I just want to bowl long good spells and get a lot of wickets in the tournament.” Bishoo has played 15 Te s t s s i n c e m a k i n g h i s debut five years ago, and has picked up 55 wickets at an average of 38. He took 15 wickets in four Tests last year but West Indies struggled, losing to Australia at home, Sri Lanka away and then in the return series Down Under. However, Bishoo said there was a great mood in the camp and the squad were working hard to improve their performances. “We’ve been putting in

the work since day one and we’ve been enjoying it as a team. All the boys are very comfortable and we’re l o o k i n g f o rward to the tournament,” the Guyanese said. “Everyone is really up for it and we really want to do well in the series. As a young team, there are a lot of expectations on us as for the last few Test matches we haven’t been doing that great but I think the team is coming along very well. “We’re getting there as a team, the togetherness is there and we’ll like to take it from here.” The series is expected to be tough one against a side rated number three in the

Thursday Thursday July July 14, 14, 2016 2016 ARIES (MAR. 21APRIL 20) You may be sensitive to a point of absurdity. Don't use the interstate as a racetrack. Work quietly behind the scenes.

LIBRA (SEPT. 24 OCT. 23)You can make some favorable changes to your looks. You will be your usual charming self and the partners you attract may be the adventurous type.

TAURUS (APR. 21MAY 21) Do your own thing and everything will settle down. Major job changes or opportunities to get ahead professionally are apparent. You will be popular with acquaintances; however, loved ones could feel left out and insecure.

SCORPIO (OCT. 24 NOV. 22)Your interests could lead you down avenues you never realized existed. If your lover tries to curtail your freedom, it may lead to conflict. T

GEMINI (MAY 22JUNE 21)This could be a difficult day to deal with coworkers. If you try to manipulate emotional situations you will find yourself alienated. CANCER(JUNE 22JULY 22)Don't back down but don't ignite the situation. You will be extremely receptive to new and progressive methods at work. Children may be on your mind. LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22)Try a barbecue or a day at the beach. Misunderstandings could cause confusion and upset. VIRGO (AUG. 23 SEPT. 23)You can get your point across if you don't beat around the bush. Your depressed mood has been hard to shake.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 -DEC. 21)Expect some flak. Invite friends over rather than spending money on lavish entertainment. You need to take some time out to decide what you want to do. CAPRICORN (DEC 22.- JAN. 20)Take time to relax. Stress and pressure at home may have worn you ragged. Someone you least expect may not have your best interests at heart. AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 FEB. 19) You can ferret out secret information if you just listen to what others have to say. You can get ahead if you work diligently behind the scenes. PISCES (FEB. 20MAR. 20)Your romantic inclination should lead to a committed relationship. Try not to let your emotions interfere with the completion of your work. listener.

world and which includes the likes of captain Virat Kohli, who is the number two-ranked batsman in world cricket. Bishoo said it would be important that West Indies prepared in all areas, especially physically and mentally, if they were to get the better of the Indians. “Both sides are important, the mental side and then the physical part of it. If you’re not fit you can’t focus that well,” he contended. “Test matches are long and drawn out but at the end of the day you have to be tough. If you’re mentally fit and physically fit, you make it a lot easier on yourself and on your body.”

Russell fitness...

From page 34 game. “We missed Andre and he’s been recovering well and he’s raring to go,” Nixon told the Jamaica Observer. “As far as I know, he’s ready for it. He’s played a lot of cricket and he was probably due a rest at some stage. But being the guy that he is and the passion that he has got for the game, he wants to do well.” Russell has emerged in recent in recent years as one of the most sought-after players on the global Twenty20 circuit. Since the 2015 CPL campaign, Russell has turned out in the South African Ram Slam, the Bangladesh Premier League, the Australian Big Bash and the Indian Premier League. He was also part of t h e We s t I n d i e s s i d e which captured the Twenty20 World Cup in India last April. Nixon, who steered Tallawahs to the capture of the inaugural CPL title in 2013, said Russell would be forced to look at the volume of cricket he undertook in the future. “He’s desperate to be back, but he’s going to have to make some big decisions after the CPL [in terms of] where he goes and what he does,” the Englishman said. Tallawahs lie second on five points, behind leaders Amazon Warriors who have 10.

Faye Joseph Dominoes set for Sunday President of the Georgetown Dominoes Association Faye Joseph will be hosting a big birthday competition on Sunday to commemorate her birth anniversary at 1223 Gaulding Place South Ruimveldt. A total of over $400,000 in prize monies will be up for grabs. The winning team will receive $250,000 & trophy, while second and third placed finishers will take home $120,000 and $60,000 along with trophies respectively. MVP of tournament will collect $10,000, player to share first double love will be given $10,000, while the top female player will be awarded

Faye Joseph $ 5,000. Entrance fee per team is $12,000 and all teams are invited.

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Thursday July 14, 2016

Kaieteur News

Regional Women’s Super50

Millington spins Guyana to win as Leewards make Regional debut By Sean Devers The long wait to finally get into action after rain washed out their first three matches was worth it for Guyana as they demolished the Leeward Islands by nine wickets in their first match as the fourth round of this year’s Regional senior Women’s Super50 competition was played at Everest yesterday. The teams endured a frustrating period before hard work all morning by the efficient ground staff allowed play to finally commence at 14:50hrs, the latest the game could have started to constitute a game. Guyana won the toss in bright sunshine in the game which was reduced to a 20over affair and asked the Leewards to bat on a slow track and sluggish outfield after the boundaries were ‘pulled in’ due to soft spots on the outskirts of the ground. It was a historic occasion for the Islanders since they were making their entry to Women’s cricket in the West Indies but what transpired on the field did not inspire writing home about. Nobody apart from number nine batter Amanda Edwards, who struck offspinner Mandy Mangru for

consecutive boundaries which included that game’s only six, reached double figures as the Leewards were bowled out for 43 in 15 overs. Player-of-the-Match Plaffiana Millington once again demonstrated why many regard her as Guyana’s best female off-spinner by befuddling the batters on her way to figures of 3-5 from four frugal overs. She got support from pacer Akaze Thompson (2-7)An unbeaten 35-run second with stand between West Indies player Shemaine Campbell, who finished unbeaten on 17 from 13 balls with three boundaries including a gorgeous cover drive which ended the onesided contest, and Latoya Smith (15 from 25 balls with 2 fours) ensured that the locals galloped to victory with 72 balls to spare. Smith danced into Sherima Jackson and struck her past mid-on for four before delightfully flicking her behind square for another boundary. Guyana lost Melanie Henry (2) when she was LBW to Mellisa Clarke who became the first ever female to take a regional wicket for the Leewards and leave Guyana on 9-1. But Smith and Campbell

ensured Guyana joined T&T at the top of the points table on 11 points going into their final round game tomorrow against Jamaica at Everest. Barbados are second on 10 points as both of the other games set for yesterday at Enmore and Enterprise were abandoned due to the unplayable condition of the East Coast venues. Earlier, watched by a small gathering which included Chairman of the WICB selectors Courtney Browne, West Indies player and Guyana Captain Tremayne Smartt rocked out the stumps of Eldora Sylvester (6) at 6-1. It was soon 15-2 when Thompson bowled Mellisa Clarke (6) three batters were run out in the space of three runs including Saneldo Willett, the daughter of Elquemedo Willett, the first Test Cricketer from the Leewards and sister of FirstClass player Tonito Willett, who was run out off of a noball. From 25-2 the Leewards slumped to 31-9 before positive batting from Edwards, left unbeaten on 13, before Millington bowled Grace Persaud (1) and Jackson for a duck to bundle out the Leewards before they had reached 50.

MoH Soft Shoe semis on today at Tucville ground Defending champ Sparta Boss will oppose North East La Penitence, while Tucville will challenge Broad Street today when the semifinals of the Ministry of Health Soft Shoe Championship are contested at the Tucville Ground. The feature game at 21:00hrs will be a matchup of familiar foes as the titlist tangle with the formidable North East La Penitence unit. The champions have

been in authoritative form in the knockouts, scoring 17 goals with the dynamic quartet of Gregory Richardson, Devon Millington, Sheldon Shepherd and Eusi Phillips who have scored six, four, two and two goals respectively. Sparta Boss have only conceded nine goals. North East La Penitence will hope that their defence withstand the assault and

seal their place in the final. While been breached six times, they have scored nine times, with Calvin Moore leading the attack along with Devon Charles, Jamal Scott and Shaquille Brown with three goals. The action opens with Tucville against Broad Street at 20:00hrs. Winner of the tourney will collect $300,000 and the Championship trophy while the second placed side will receive $200,000 and the runners-up accolade. The third placed side will receive $100,000 and the respective trophy while the fourth place finishers will pocket $50,000 and the corresponding trophy. The individual prizes will be awarded to the event’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Highest Goal Scorer. Sponsors of the event include the Ministry of Public Health, GTT, Lucky Dollar, Nigel Supermarket, Junior’s Jewellery, Star Party Rentals and 2-J’s General Store.

Australia rope in Muralitharan as consultant ahead of Sri Lanka Tests

Muttiah Muralitharan previously worked with Australia in a short-term consulting role ahead of their Test series against Pakistan in the UAE, in 2014 © Cricket Australia ESPNcricinfo - Muttiah Muralitharan has become the second former Sri Lanka cricketer to work with Australia’s players ahead of the upcoming Test series on the island. Captain Steven Smith confirmed Murali had begun to work with Australia’s spinners in their training sessions in Colombo, where the team arrived last weekend. Murali is expected to continue in this consulting role until the start of the first Test, in Pallekele. Some Australia players had also worked with former Sri Lanka batsman Thilan Samaraweera, who is presently coaching at the National Cricket Academy in Brisbane. “Murali’s got a lot of experience in Sri Lanka,” Smith said. “He took a truckload of wickets. It’s great to have someone like that helping our spinners in this series - to give us that insight. He’s been really good around the group so far, and he’s

enjoying his time with us.” Australia had previously hired Murali in a short-term consulting role ahead of their Test se r i e s against Pakistan, in the UAE, in 2014. Both offspinner Nathan Lyon and left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe, who are also on the present tour, had worked with Murali on that occasion. Murali has had two training sessions with the Australia team in this stint so far. “Murali has been fantastic around the guys,” Australia coach Darren Lehmann said. “Murali loves the game of cricket, so I’m sure he’d work well with other teams as well he’s a fantastic coach.”Also equipping Australia with knowledge of Sri Lankan conditions is batting consultant Stuart Law, who worked as Sri Lanka’s assistant coach from 2009 to 2011, and also, briefly, as the interim head coach. Law will

be with the Australia side through the tour. The visitors’ first and only practice match against a Sri Lanka Board XI will begin on July 18 - seven days after the team arrived on the island. “We made a choice to come a little bit earlier,” Lehmann said. “Steven likes the extra time. That’s the best thing for all the guys for this tour - it’s a tough tour, as we know. Stuart Law has spent some time here and has some expertise. To have him and Murali to talk about the way the wickets might play in Kandy, Colombo and Galle, and how Sri Lanka play and how we should play, has been great.” There had been consternation within SLC earlier in the year, when Mahela Jayawardene worked with England ahead of the World T20, but Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews was less perturbed by Murali’s appointment.

Mohan’s heroic performance fails to save Guyanese Jada Mohan recovered from a sprain ankle last night to help Guyana put up a spirited effort against Barbados that failed to save them in the end when the girls’ competition of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Under-16 Championship continued at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Barbados battled past Guyana for a 40-29 win that handed the hosts their second loss of the tournament. A late surge from the Guyanese females amounted to nothing as the Bajan females had a big enough lead to withstand the offensive rush from the Guyanese.

The Guyanese took 67 shots this time around, but shot another low percentage from the field, similar to their last game, connecting on 14.9% of their shots. Guyana forced Barbados into a game leading 46 turnovers but simply could not capitalise on the offensive end of the floor. Guyana’s defensive work was outstanding, but the only offensive spark came from point guard, Mohan, who scored 18 of the 29 points for Guyana. Tower Lorde had a leading performance with 14 points and 14 rebounds for Barbados. The win for Barbados now has them at a 2-0 record while Guyana will

play their last game of the group tonight against Antigua and Barbuda with a 0-2 record. Meanwhile, earlier Antigua and Barbuda squeezed pass The British Virgin Islands 29-23 in a lowscoring encounter. Briana Gore had 11 points and 13 rebounds for the Antiguans. Shauliqua Fahie had 12 points and 11 rebounds for the British Virgin Islands. Suriname blew out Trinidad and Tobago 59-26 with Ketura Tolud scoring 15 points, Mirelva Marica 12 points and Chaista Nijman 11 points for the Surinamese. Alyssa Rampersad had seven points for Trinidad and Tobago.

Thursday July 14, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Tridents beat Patriots Regal Sports assists U15 by 25 runs – 14th game cricketer Lance Roberts BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Barbados Tridents defeated St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by 25 runs in the 14thgame of the Caribbean Premier League at

Kensington Oval here yesterday. Scores: TRIDENTS 180 for six off 20 overs (AB de Villiers 82, Nicholas Pooran 38, Kieron Pollard 27; Sheldon

Cottrell 3-25). PATRIOTS 155 for eight off 20 overs (Jonathan Carter 46, Faf du Plessis 42; Imran Khan 2-26, Akeal Hosein 2-27, Ravi Rampaul 2-30).

Total Russia Rio ban unlikely, suggests IOC head Bach LONDON (Reuters) Athletes from one sport should not be punished for the sins of those from another, the IOC president said on Wednesday, cooling speculation that Russia could be banned from the Olympics altogether for systematic doping. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is due to issue a report on Monday covering its investigation into allegations that a Russian state-run system helped doped athletes escape detection at the Sochi Winter Olympics of 2014. Travis Tygart, head of the United States’ Anti-Doping Agency, is one of several people who have said that if the report does confirm the allegations of systematic doping are true then Russia should be banned from the Rio Olympics. Russia’s track and field athletes are already banned as a result of statesponsored doping. However, Thomas Bach, head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said: “It is obvious you cannot sanction a badminton player for an infringement of the rules by an official or a lab director at the Winter Games. “In the same way we would not consider sanctioning all athletes from a particular sport if there is manipulation of the rules by the leadership of a federation. “What we have to do is take decisions based on facts and to find the right balance between a collective responsibility and individual justice.” Speaking on a conference call with international news agencies, Bach said he did

IOC President Thomas Bach (REUTERS/ DENIS BALIBOUSE) not want to speculate about what measures could be taken until there is evidence of any proven infringement. He added that the IOC was aware that several federations had already begun carrying out extra targeted tests on Russian athletes and made sure that their samples are tested outside the country in a bid to build confidence in the results. One Russian athlete who could be competing in Rio is long jumper Darya Klishina, but it remains unclear which kit she will be wearing. Due to being based, and tested, in the United States, she was declared eligible by the IAAF, who suggested she be allowed to compete as a neutral athlete. Bach, however, indicated otherwise. “She has been declared eligible by her international federation,” he said. “Now it is up to her National Olympic Committee to decide about her entry to the Games and then she would be a member of the Russian team.” BLANKET BAN

Russia’s weightlifters are also facing a blanket ban from Rio over doping but Bach said the IOC has not yet confirmed a series of failures from re-tests of samples given at the 2008 and 2012 Games. Belarus and weightlifting superpower Kazakhstan are also banned from Rio, pending IOC confirmation after 17 weightlifters re-tested positive, while Bulgaria is already banned. “More disciplinary commission hearings are taking place over the next few weeks with priority being given to athletes who may qualify for Rio,” Bach said. Bach declined to speculate whether the widespread doping could lead to weightlifting being thrown out of the Olympics, other than saying: “All sports are evaluated after each Games and the fight against doping is one of the major criteria. “You also have to take into consideration that the weightlifting federation do the maximum in the fight against doping.” Another sport that might be a little nervous about its post-Rio evaluation is golf, back in the Olympics for the first time since 1904. More than 20 male players, including the top four in the world, have pulled out of Rio, most of them citing fears about the Zika virus, while Rory McIlory said on Tuesday he would not even watch on TV and instead follow “sports that matter.” “We have to respect the individual decisions, even if they are going contrary to the World Health Organisation recommendations,” Bach said.

Regal Sports has supported Essequibo cricketer Lance Roberts who has been selected to represent Guyana at the upcoming Regional U15 tournament. The entity presented a bat to the player yesterday at their location 69 Seaforth Street, Campbellville. Orin Brutus of Regal Sports noted that Guyana has a number of talented young cricketers adding that they are happy to assist Roberts who has shown that he has the ability to excel. Brutus wished him well while Roberts who thanked the entity for their support said he will put this best foot forward in helping Guyana defend their title.

Orin Brutus of regal Sports presents the bat to Lance Roberts while Coach Andy Ramnarine shares the moment.

Sinclair, Umroa star as Guyana thump Barbados by 6 wkts Kevin Sinclair and Kevin Umroa shared seven wickets between them as Guyana defeated Barbados by six wickets when the Regional U17 50-over tournament continued yesterday in Trinidad. Sinclair snared 4-19 off 10 overs, while Umroa claimed 3-5 off six overs as Barbados were bowled out for 59, after they decided to bat at Inshan Ali Park. Shain Brathwaite scored 15. Guyana

responded with 60-4. Steve Deonarine got 18 not out, Joshua Persaud 17 and B h a s k a r Ya d r a m 1 3 ; Camarie Boyce captured 220 and Joshua Bishop 2-22. Persaud took the player of the match award for effecting four dismissals. Guyana will now take on Jamaica today at the National Cricket Centre in Couva. AT G i l b e r t P a r k , Windwards beat Leewards by 42 runs. Batting first,

Windwards managed 161 all out in 45.5 overs, while Leewards were sent packing for 112 in 33.5 overs in reply. (Player of the match Johann Jerimah of Windwards). Trinidad and Tobago beat Jamaica at the National Cricket Centre. Jamaica scored 153-9 in 50 overs, taking first strike. Trinidad and Tobago replied with 154-2 in 39.2 overs. (Player of the match Navin Bidasee of T and T).

Four countries most at Zika risk due to Olympics travel: CDC (Reuters) Four countries are most at risk from a Zika outbreak as a result of travel related to the Rio Olympics and Paralympic Games, a U.S. health agency said on Wednesday. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea and Yemen as most susceptible to m o s q u i t o - b o r n e transmission of the virus among 19 countries that have conditions that could result in an outbreak. These four nations are more susceptible as they do not have substantial non-Games travel to any Zika-affected countries, the CDC said on Wednesday. The 19 countries, identified by the CDC, have not reported an outbreak

so far. Excluding these countries, attendance at the games does not pose a ‘substantive risk’ for mosquito-borne Zika transmission. However, last month the Wo r l d Health Organization (WHO) concluded there is a ‘very low risk’ of further international spread of Zika as a result of the Olympics. Global health officials are racing to better understand the Zika virus which has spread to many countries in the Americas. Brazil, which has been hardest hit, will host the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro next month. Since the start of the outbreak many competitors, physicians and would-be visitors have expressed concern that the event

could be a catalyst to spread the virus internationally. According to the Brazilian Tourism Board, about 350,000–500,000 international visitors and athletes from 207 countries are expected to travel to Rio de Janeiro for the Games, the CDC said. The WHO has said there is strong scientific consensus that Zika is a cause of the birth defect m i c r o c e p h a l y, o r s m a l l heads in babies, as well as Guillain-Barre syndrome, a neurological disorder. Zika is spread primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito, however, the virus can also be spread through sexual transmission. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for Zika.

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RHTYSC, MS, Beharry and partners launch Massive Say No and Yes Campaign Guyana’s leading youth and sports Club, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS, its eight cricket team in collaboration with the Edward B. Beharry Co. Ltd on Thursday last launched the second edition of their Say No to Drugs, Crime, Suicide and Yes to Sports, Education and Life Programme. The RHTYSC, MS have partnered with the Guyana Police Force ‘B’ Division and the Ministry of Education Region 6 Department to spread the Say No and Say Yes message to all schools in the ancient county. Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the programme was launched in 2015 in thirty schools in Region 6 and was a major success. The 2015 edition involved distribution of banners, posters and Club’s Youth Information Booklet. A Massive March and rally was also held with over one thousand students in attendance. The 2016 campaign would involve fifteen schools each from the Regions 5 and 6, each of the schools would receive a 5’x6’ Banner, posters for every classroom and twenty copies of the 40 pages youth information booklet. The booklet has information on twenty seven topics for youths including the role of a Sports Ambassador, Public Manners, Danger of Drugs Abuse, HIV/Aids, Peer Pressure, Table Manners, Choosing Friends, Suicide, Importance of Education, Being a Role Model, Do’s and Don’ts of Facebook and the Importance of Reading and research. The long serving Secretary stated that the RHTYSC, MS was totally committed to assisting all youths across Berbice to fulfil

their full potential in life and resist the evil ways of Satan. Foster also revealed that another segment of the 2016 edition was the hosting of a 40 Team Cricket Competition which would be used to promote the Say No message. The tournament would see Berbice being divided into four sub-zones and would be played using the popular 5/5 format. Ten teams would be included in each Sub-Zone (West Berbice, New Amsterdam/Canje, Lower Corentyne and Central/Upper Corentyne) and a one day tournament would be held in each area to get three teams to advance to the Grand Finals. The Winner of the tournament would receive $150,000.00 and a trophy, while runner up would receive $75,000.00 and 3rd place $25,000.00. Interested Clubs are invited to call the Club Office on 337-4562 or email foster_hilbert@yahoo.com for more information. Police Commander of ‘B’ Division Ian Amsterdam stated that he was elated at the outstanding work of the RHTYSC and its cricket teams. He hailed the Say No and Yes Campaign as a visionary initiative which would play a major role in assisting youth to avoid social ills and assisting them to lead a productive life. He encouraged other Clubs and NGO’s to follow in the footsteps of the RHTYSC and spoke broadly on the step the police are making to make society more secured. School Welfare Officer Stephen Bactowar speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education was pleased to be associated with the campaign as he was concerned at social ills affecting students and he pledged full support for the numerous projects, the

RHTYSC was undertaking to make a positive difference to society. Brand Manager of Edward B. Beharry Co. Ltd, Kamini Naresh stated that her company was satisfied with the success of the campaign and noted that investing in the future of youths is one of the best investments that a company can make. MS. Naresh stated that it was very important to get youths to understand the social ills that could affect their personal development and at the same time develop a love for an educational background and involvement in sports. She congratulated the RHTYSC and the cricket teams for representing her company’s brand with excellence. The 2016 edition was launched with the presentation of banners, posters and booklets to fifteen primary schools in Region 6 including NO 36, NO 40, NO 48, Alness, Kildonan, Sheet Anchor, Fort Wellington, New Amsterdam, Cumberland and Eversham Schools. Representatives of the schools also received posters, stickers and brochures from the RHTYSC/ GUYOIL Traffic Education Campaign which was launched last week. The eight cricket teams – RHT Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Bake Well Under 17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under 19 and Intermiade, Metro Females and Gizmos & Gadgets Under 21 and First Division teams would like to express gratitude to Anjulie Beharry-Strand, Satesh Singh and Kamini Naresh of Edward B. Beharry Co. Ltd, Police Commander Ian Amsterdam, The Region 6 Education Officer MS. Jaikishun, DTV-8 and LRTVS CH10 for their support of the campaign.

Guyana Junior Squash squad leaves for Cayman Islands today The Guyana Junior squash Team will depart Guyana today to participate in the Junior Caribbean Squash Championships scheduled for Cayman Islands from July 16 - 23, 2016. The team will be led by Under 19 stars Benjamin M e k d e c i a n d Ta y l o r

Thursday July 14, 2016

Kaieteur News

Fernandes and will be ably supported by some of the C o u n t r y ’s t o p j u n i o r squash players. The team will seek to capture the overall team title for the twelfth consecutive year. The team Coach is Carl Ince and will be assisted by Akeila Wiltshire. The team is being

managed by Garfield Wiltshire with David Fernandes as his deputy. The teams read: (Boys) Ben Mekdeci, Alex Melville, Alex Cheeks, Rithew Saywack, Daniel Islam, Anthony Islam, Shomari Wiltshire, Samuel InceCarvalhal, Demetrius De Abreu, Michael Alphonso, James Mekdeci, Karim Khan and Mohryan Baksh. (Girls) Taylor Fernandes, Larissa Wiltshire, Rebecca Low, Makeda Harding, Maya Collins, Abosaide Cadogan, Madison Fernandes, Kirsten Gomes, Paige Fernandes.

Sangakkara says impressive Powell has bright future

Jamaica Tallawahs’ Rovman Powell hits out against Guyana Amazon Warriors in their recent contest in Georgetown. (Photo courtesy CPL) BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara has showered praise on rookie Jamaican all-rounder Rovman Powell, labelling him as one for the future. The 22-year-old was a surprise pick in the CPL draft for Jamaica Tallawahs earlier this year but has already impressed during the tournament, and his performances have not gone unnoticed by the legendary Sangakkara. “ H e ’s a n e x t r e m e l y impressive young man. I think he really knows how to play the game … he knows his strengths and he trusts his game, and he’s good against pace and spin,” Sangakkara said. “I don’t want to jinx anything for him but just looking at him – the first time I saw him bat and bat properly, my mouth was open. I said to (Paul) Nixon, this guy can bat.” Powell scored a matured 38 from 42 balls to b a i l Ta l l a w a h s o u t o f trouble against Guyana A m a z o n Wa r r i o r s i n Georgetown last week, in what has been his best innings of the tournament. He had also caught the

attention back in May when he struck a boundary-studded halfcentury for West Indies in a 50-overs practice game against a Barbados Select XI. Sangakkara said it was important talent like P o w e l l ’s w a s c a r e f u l l y nurtured and kept focused. “It’s a case of ensuring that these young boys – there are so many around the West Indies – work hard, keep things basic and without looking too far ahead,” the veteran lefthander said. “ L i k e I a l w a y s s a y, never expect to play for your country but always want to play for your country and he’ll be fine. He’s got a great future ahead of him.” Sangakkara recently retired from international cricket after a stellar career that saw him plunder 12 400 runs from 134 Tests and 14 234 from 404 One-Day Internationals. He has been plying his trade since on the T20 circuit and said playing a l o n g s i d e We s t I n d i e s talent in the Tallawahs had been a revelation. “The Tallawahs have been a great bunch of boys to play with,” the 38-year-

old said. “They’ve been really nice, very talented and it’s been exciting to see, not just from the Tallawahs but from all the other franchise teams, how exciting the young West Indian talent is, and I think it’s good for West Indian cricket in the future that they can have such a talented bunch of guys to select from.” Tallawahs lie second in the standings on five points, already five adrift of the in-form Guyana Amazon Warriors who sit top on 10 points, but are confident of going on a winning run on their home leg which bowls off tomorrow. And Sangakkara said stepping out at the historic Sabina Park would serve as an inspiration. “Every ground has its history and traditions and Sabina Park is no different,” he noted. “ I t ’s a l w a y s n i c e wherever you go in the world, you get to the cricket ground and you think back about the greats who have walked the field and you feel very special playing on the same pitches they would have … it’s a great feeling.”