Binder11

Hillary P17 Clinton receives Democratic nomination Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyana-times.com

Issue No. 2928

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

PRICE

Guyana runs out of yellow fever vaccine Page 2

... new shipment to arrive soon – Health Ministry

St Lucian Scouts injured in Woolford Ave accident …in Guyana for 14th Caribbean Cuboree Page 7

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

City Hall P12 cracks down on “touting” ...80 unlicensed touts arrested in 1 month – Chief Constable Disrupted Region 5 RDC meetings

PPP/C to P10 pursue legal action – Rohee ... Region 2 RDC stands in solidarity

P9 Health Ministry fire accused freed

Shopkeeper slapped with Trafficking in Persons P7 charge

Mahdia miner’s death

Duo slapped with murder P8 charge

Cub Scouts from across the Caribbean bear the various flags of participating countries of the 14th Caribbean Cuboree being held in Georgetown, Guyana, as they march along the Avenue of the Republic on Tuesday

Taxi driver stabbed several times during failed hijacking Page 16

“I will continue to speak out against injustices” – Jagdeo Page 3

Study on ‘out of school P11 children’ to be launched

MV Sabanto crashes into Supenaam stelling P13

2

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Guyana runs out of yellow fever vaccine ... new shipment to arrive soon – Public Health Ministry

By Devina Samaroo

A

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

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

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

The great inflow of persons to get vaccinated resulted in an unexpected shortage, as before, moves

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

could be made to restock the shelves, the vaccination was depleted.

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

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

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

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

An advisory from the

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

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

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

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

A “yellow card” – which can be uplifted from the Public Health Ministry on Brickdam, the public hospitals at Suddie, New Amsterdam and Lethem, as well as the St Joseph Mercy

Hospital – is a certificate of validation that you are immunised and allows you to travel to countries that impose yellow fever regulations.

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

Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted by infected mosquitoes, most commonly found in parts of South America and Africa.

When transmitted to humans, the yellow fever virus can damage the liver and other internal organs and can be potentially fatal.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Region 10 contractors still not receiving timely payment

By Utamu Belle

C

ontractors working in the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) continue to face the issue of not receiving their payments on time, as was brought to the attention of the Council once again during its recently held statutory meeting for the month of July.

Speaking on the issue, Councillor Gordon Callender stated that it is one which has been affecting the Council for years. He related that he had an engagement with the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Gavin Clarke and staff from the Council’s public works department regarding the situation, as he

stressed that contractors continue to experience difficulty in obtaining their payments on time, due to shortcomings by staff members.

“This particular payment issue is a headache... it’s a terrible situation... I thought it would have improved by now that we got a young, vibrant REO but like it’s going back to the same place,” Callender told members of the Council.

Only last month, Councillor Charles Sampson reiterated the need to monitor what is happening in the RDC’s finance department since he noted that compliant contractors are still complaining of not being paid on time, with some even refusing to do work for the Council owing to this problem.

TURN TO PAGE 11

news

3

wednesDAY, july 27, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, July 27 – 11:00h-12:30h and Thursday, July 28 –12:30h-14:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, July 27 – 10:10h-11:40h and Thursday, July 28 – 11:25h-12:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, while partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening with temperatures ranging between 24 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 10:20h and 22:49h reaching maximum heights of 2.39 metres and 2.41 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 03:48h and 16:16h reaching minimum heights of 0.76 metre and 0.85 metre respectively.

Saturday, July 23, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS F

01 02 06 09 10 21 26 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET tuesday, July 26, 2016

Daily Millions

07 14 18 25

04

LUCKY 3 5

9

5

Draw De Line 05

10 11 12 13

16 20

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

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

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

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

“Guyana needs a spirit of community to ensure that we defend our people through these dark times.

There is an assault on democracy, on the people of Indian origin and there is an assault on the supporters of the PPP…” Jagdeo had said. He said too that Guyana has returned to the days of “dictatorship,” in just a year under the leadership of the new Government.

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

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

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

“On the contrary, the policies of the coalition Government are designed to achieve the good life for all Guyanese, not a handpicked few as was the case under the PPP re-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

gime, which was rejected by the Guyanese electorate on May 11, 2015 in free and fair elections,” Government said.

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

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

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

“That is not a position I need to defend. However, I have spoken out and will continue to speak out about the injustices against our people. While

Nagamootoo claims that the coalition’s policies are geared to deliver the ‘good life’ to all Guyanese and touts social cohesion, he ignores the reality of many of our Guyanese people – the thousands of young Amerindians who were fired, the many IndoGuyanese removed from their jobs, the assault on the sugar industry and the non-support of the rice and mining sectors,” Jagdeo said.

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

– the same PNC that is the majority partner of the coalition”.

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

The coalition Government fails to rec-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

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

4

guyana-times.com

wednesdAY, july 27, 2016

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707

Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

World Hepatitis Day

T

omorrow, July 28, will be World Hepatitis Day (WHD), which is an international day set aside by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to bring awareness to the debilitating effects associated with hepatitis and the five main types of the hepatitis virus.

Hepatitis, simply elucidated, is an inflammation of the liver which, depending on the type, can be treatable or the condition can progress further, leading to cirrhosis of the liver and even cancer. Research on hepatitis has revealed that it can be caused by external infections from toxic substances, alcohol and certain drugs, among other factors. However, hepatitis is most commonly caused by the five main types of viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E respectively.

The Hepatitis A (HAV) and E (HEV) Viruses are transmitted through the consumption of contaminated water or food and is prevalent in poor, developing – and in the case of HEV developed – countries where sanitation is poor. Both of them are life-threatening, but as it pertains to HAV there are safe and effective vaccines, while with HEV there are vaccines, but they are reportedly not widely available.

As it pertains to the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), this is transmitted through exposure to infective blood, semen, and other body fluids. This virus can also be transferred from mother to child and family to infant in early childhood and through the use of infected needles, as well as HBVcontaminated blood. There are effective vaccines available to prevent HBV and in Guyana’s case, infants receive the first dose of the HBV vaccine within 24 hours of birth.

Additionally, persons who are infected with the HBV are susceptible to the Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) since it only occurs within the HBV infected. The presence of both the HBV and HDV exacerbates the disease and its conditions.

The silver lining here is that the HBV vaccine will provide protection against the HDV infection.

The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is also transmitted through exposure to infective blood, similar to HBV; however, unlike HBV, the HCV has no vaccine. That is why it is recommended that needles are not shared, that tattoos are done with sterile piercing tools, and that persons practise safe sex habits.

Because of the debilitating effects of the disease, with some 400 million people around the world infected with Hepatitis B or C, and with most of the persons unaware that they have the disease, there have been increased calls from international health bodies for countries to proliferate awareness of the disease, so that persons who have not been vaccinated will waste no time in doing so.

There are also safe health practices that countries are urged to implement such as the screening of donated blood for HBV and HCV, screening of all pregnant mothers for HBV, employing a national strategy exclusively focused on the prevention and control of viral Hepatitis and setting up of an established department for the disease, among others.

As it pertains to Guyana, while there is no written plan to exclusively tackle the prevention and control of viral hepatitis and no apparent designated department, Guyana, like most of the Caribbean and Latin American countries, has mechanisms in place as the ones listed above.

However, according to UN figures, the number of people with Hepatitis B or C is more than 10 times the number of people infected with HIV. Additionally, only “1 in 20 persons with viral hepatitis know they have it; and just 1 in 100 with the disease is being treated”.

So, clearly there is more that needs to be done, especially if the theme for this year’s global campaign, which is “Elimination”, and the theme for WHD, which is “Know Hepatitis; Act Now,” are to respectively be realised.

The WHO deciding body, the World Health Assembly in its meeting in May of this year had called for the treating of “eight million people for Hepatitis B or C by 2020, to reduce new viral hepatitis infections by 90 per cent, and to decrease the number of deaths by 65 per cent in 2030, as compared with 2016. These targets are part of the firstever Global Health Sector Strategy on viral hepatitis.”

A painter works on a mural created by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra that when finished will cover nearly 3000 square metres of wall space and depict indigenous faces from five continents, to welcome visitors to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, in Rio de Janeiro July 25, 2016 (Reuters/Stoyan Nenov)

Petty politicians who lack the administrative skills!

Dear Editor, Kindly permit the Kilcoy/ Hampshire Neighbourhood Democratic Council to reply to a damning accusation made by the Regional ViceChairman of Region 6, Dennis Deroop, who made a deceitful attempt to distort the truth and absolve his office from any blame for the current flooding at Nigg and Belvedere South.

In an interview with LRTVS Channel 10 in Berbice, Mr Deroop allowed his primitive instinct for political survival to take the foremost when he accused the NDC of not being ‘proactive’. He claimed that if the NDC was proactive, then the current flooding situation would have been reduced or averted. I want to remind Mr Deroop that three months ago we made a representation to both him and the REO, Dr Ramayya, with regards to the cleaning of the sideline which is clogged with vegetation so that water moves at a trickle. We were so ‘proactive’ that we placed this and a sideline at Hampshire in our Annual Budget. However, two weeks ago Mr Deroop, during our NDC budget discussions, told me that he will remove the excavation of the said sidelines from the NDC budget and that the Region will provide a large excavator to do the necessary work. I agreed and my entire NDC can vouch for this!

On Sunday, July 24, some

residents complained to me about the dire flood situation they are experiencing due to the massive rainfall the previous night. I immediately called Mr Deroop, who informed me that the only large excavator in the Region is down due to electrical problems, but he will try to get it going. Can you imagine that a Region with a billion dollar budget has only one functioning excavator? This is gross incompetence! Ironically Mr Deroop is not only the Vice Chairman but the head of the Works Committee! This is how emergency situations are created to give contracts to whom they please. An inventory should be made with regards to the machinery and equipment and their current status. I visited the flooded area and had a first- hand look at the situation which was quite bad, so I then tried to call Mr Deroop to impress upon him the emergency of the situation but his phone went unanswered.

I then spoke to the Albion Estate Manager, Mr Shivpersaud, who assured me that they are working all their pumps to alleviate the flood situation. But I know that he was more interested in saving the cane cultivation, rather than the residents, when he declined to offer their usual assistance of providing drainage pumps. It was the practice for GuySuCo to provide

pumps to assist in the drainage of the areas. He made it bluntly clear that these are different times and that any such help must be sanctioned

by Head Office. It is ironic that we were refused help from this Estate which actually owes our NDC more than $12 million in current and arrears rates and taxes!

On Monday, July 25, I again visited the area at 06:00hrs by which time the flood water has arisen a lot more. I again attempted to call Mr Deroop, but to no avail. I then called PPP Executive Secretary, Mr Mustapha to make contact with him. In desperation I went to Mr Deroop’s home at around 07:30hrs but was told that he was still asleep!

At that point we decided that we will have to solve this problem ourselves, so we decided to use the small excavator assigned to our NDC and with the help of civic minded residents and some CIIP workers, we began cleaning the blocked drainage trench. It must be noted that the small excavator is unable to clean to entire width of the trench.

Mr Deroop unashamedly tried to take credit for this when he claimed on TV that he deployed the small excavator to do the work. Everything was in control by the time he made his grand appearance on the scene. The Overseer and I were responsible for this de-

ployment, not him!

Prior to this the REO had also given an undertaking to clean the said drainage trench. In fact, he sent a representative from a contractor to estimate the cost of the work which was to be done. However, we were later told that the Region’s Budget for drainage has already been overspent so the RDC cannot pay for the said work. Despite all of this, we were accused by the Vice Chairman of not being proactive!

In conclusion, I want Mr Deroop to understand that this particular drainage trench was last cleaned more than two years ago and he took office as Vice-Chairman more than one year ago, and he should have been apprised of this situation from the previous Chairman of the NDC who actually lives just across this trench. Since we took over the NDC, three months ago we made numerous representations to the RDC through the Vice Chairman, yet he had the audacity to claim that we should have been ‘proactive’. These are the petty politicians who lack the administrative skills needed to run this Region but are intent on blaming others for their inadequacies!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf Chairman, Kilcoy/ Hampshire NDC

Citizens need to do their part to protect Guyana’s landscape

Dear Editor, I am writing this letter as a concerned observer to the current situation in Guyana involving the newly introduced biodegradable containers and their former counterparts – the Styrofoam containers.

The deterioration time of such container is approximately two months to fully decompose minimising the amount of garbage in our country, as opposed to Styrofoam containers that do not decompose naturally in the environment, as they are essentially plastic. Normal plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose and Styrofoam, being a stronger form of plastic, will take much longer or not de-

compose at all in the natural environment.

However, it has come to my concern that food vendors, restaurants, bars, etc, (especially in Region Six), continue to use the more inefficient Styrofoam containers that are now illegal in Guyana. Styrofoam containers are being entered illegally into Guyana through the Suriname-Guyana route.

Restaurant owners will continue to say that the old Styrofoam containers are “old stock being used” because they will continue to benefit from the lower prices of the Styrofoam containers as well as the advantage of the containers being void of all taxes.

When all is said and done, the Government is robbed of revenue, garbage will continue to accumulate causing blockages in our drainage systems, and our landscape will be ruined by these unlawful tax evaders that are unwilling to commit to the Government’s green policy.

The relevant authorities need to step in and do something before the problem continues to grow right under our noses. Policy is policy.

The Government had given adequate time for all sellers with need for food boxes to put systems in place, so that there would be no more need for Styrofoam containers in Guyana. If the Government

is to enact a policy such as this one, banning Styrofoam containers from Guyana, then they need to make sure that Styrofoam containers are no longer used in our economy.

As citizens, we also need to do our part to protect the landscape and waterways of our country so we would like to know, should we be sold something in a Styrofoam container or if we see items being sold in a Styrofoam container, whom can we inform?

What authority would be involved in enforcing our country’s policy?

With respect, Concerned citizen

wednesDAY, july 27, 2016

guyana-times.com

News

ExxonMobil contract

Corentyne triple murder

Nothing wrong with reviewing former 3 more arrested, gun Govt’s agreement – Finance Minister sent for testing

T

he review of the contract signed by the former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Government with ExxonMobil for oil exploration in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone, is natural and is in keeping with the fact that the circumstances have changed since the signing of the first agreement, Finance Minister Winston Jordan said.

The Minister told the Government Information Agency (GINA) in a recent interview, that a review does not necessarily have to result in a change to the terms and conditions of a contract; rather it serves to bring a greater understanding of the contract details. “A review does not mean changes but it can involve changes,” said the Minister.

Minister Jordan insisted that the request for a review of the contract was Government’s way of ensuring Guyana gets the best possible deal from the extraction of oil when it begins.

“At the end of the day… you have to say whether we are doing what is best for the interest of the national population and I can tell you we are indeed doing that. A 2009 agreement or 2006 agreement or whenever the agreement was originally made, was at a time when there was no discovery of anything, now there is oil,” Minister Jordan said.

The contract was signed some 17 years ago and Minister Jordan said this is a good reason for such review.

“You can review the 1999 agreement or the 2006 agreement, it is 2016, the circum-

5

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

stances have changed, and oil has now been found.”

In May of 2015, ExxonMobil declared the find of substantial oil deposits in its exploratory Liza Well offshore Guyana. It has since completed drilling of a second well which revealed total deposits estimated to be in excess of one billion barrels of oil.

The Minister pointed out that it is any government’s right to seek a review of contracts when governments change.

He added, “You can’t get a better deal if you didn’t review. In the first place we weren’t abrogating any agreements or anything, we were just mainly asking for a review, and in the spirit even Exxon agreed.”

According to the Finance Minister, the company is in the process of drilling a third well, Skipjack, approximately 19 miles from the second Well.

Questioned about the sovereign wealth fund, Minister Jordan said the Government is receiving much needed help from nationals and non-nationals towards its establishment.

“I believe by the end of the year we will be in a good position to have a working draft, I believe … we are being assisted by a number of countries and agencies -Commonwealth Secretariat, United States of America, and Canada; they are all assisting us in that particular area so we are getting some help. Concerned Guyanese have also been adding their lot in terms of offering help… I got an email from a very outstanding Guyanese who was a Rhodes Scholar and he has offered also to help us with the sovereign wealth fund. He has put down some interesting ideas and I am to get back to him on him staying on board to help us to shape that draft into something that would be acceptable to us,” the Minister explained.

However, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, had expressed concerned about what this review entails in the absence of any concrete reasons put forward by the Government.

Jagdeo said there are a number of key questions that needed to be answered by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration regarding the review, including Trotman’s statement that this is in an effort to “get closer to ExxonMobil.”

“Does this mean that they are going to give out more

P

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

concession to ExxonMobil?

What does this review mean?

Who is going to oversee this?

Do we have international lawyers who have dealt with the large companies like ExxonMobil, who will have hundreds of lawyers on their side that are well versed in petroleum law, etc? Do we have advisors that can advise on best practices in contracts etc?” Jagdeo asked, adding that “My fear is that the answer is no.”

The trained Economist said he was fearful of Trotman’s involvement in the negotiations, since the Minister lacks the technical and other expertise to negotiate a proper agreement.

The former President, under whose presidency ExxonMobil was granted an exploration licence, has warned that any bad agreement entered into with the oil exploration company will be reviewed once his party is returned to power.

olice in Berbice have arrested three more persons as they move closer to putting the pieces together on what led to the death of three Corentyne men last week.

On Tuesday, members of the Major Crime Unit (MCU) following new leads, arrested the owner of the land at Cookrite Savannah, Black Bush Polder where the bodies were discovered. The rice farmer is also a licensed firearm owner. His shotgun was on Tuesday sent for ballistic testing following autopsies on the bodies on Monday.

Pawan “Surish” Chandradeo, 37, died from shock and haemorrhaging following a laceration to the head and a fractured skull.

Autopsies performed on the bodies of Jaikarran “Kevin” Chandradeo, 15, and Narish “Mice” Rooplall, 33, gave their cause of death as shock and haemorrhaging caused by a gunshot wound.

Meanwhile, the licensed firearm owner and two of his workers were taken into custody on Tuesday. One of the workers reportedly had a relationship with the woman Pawan Chandradeo married on July 5, 2016.

Chandradeo and the woman had four children together prior to their marriage, while the woman and one of the men in custody also share a child. However,

that child lives in an orphanage.

Police on Tuesday also released seven of the ten men who were in custody assisting with the investigation on $50,000 station bail each.

The bodies of Pawan Chandradeo of Lot 163 Mibicuri Black Bush Polder; his son Jaikarran and his brother-in-law Rooplall, of Number 73 Village, Corentyne are expected to be laid to rest today.

The men, who were discovered with a single gunshot each to the head, had gone on a fishing expedition which began at 15:00h on Thursday. They were expected back at about 3:00h on Friday. Also on the trip was another of Chandradeo’s sons, Alvin.

The 13-year-old told investigators that he was instructed to wait at King’s Camp with the guard there.

The instructions were given to him about 19:00h on Thursday.

He reported that about 20:00h he heard what sounded like two gunshots, and later the rapid sound of what seemed to be four more.

At daybreak, he left the camp in search of his father, brother and uncle. On his way, he met a man who told him that he had not seen his relatives and advised the teen to return to his home.

(Andrew Carmichael)

6

wednesday, july 27, 2016

Page

Foundation

New partners, different perspectives

I

t is natural for people to look for and form new relationships after divorce or separation.

For some this might have started prior to the separation whereas for others it can be years before they feel ready for another personal relationship. Whenever it happens, it’s worth bearing in mind that new relationships post separation have an impact not just on you and your new partner but also on your children and your ex.

Everyone’s perspective will be different and it’s useful to be aware that what is an exciting time for the person starting a new relationship can be a hugely unsettling time for the other people involved.

If you’re the parent with the new partner, look at the ways children can typically feel about mum or dad’s new relationship: Jealous – they’re used to having you to themselves.

Sadness – their secret hope that you and your ex will get back together are gone.

Insecure – will they have to compete for your attention?

Frightened – they may lose you completely to the new partner.

Resentment – this is yet another change they’ve got to get used to.

Anxiety about the other parent – will the other

guyana-times.com

Student Programme for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE)

A

parent feel more alone? Will the other parent mind if you like the new partner?

Now think about how what you can do to minimise the risk of your child reacting negatively. Children of course can also feel very positive about mum or dad having a new partner if it

how shocked you can feel – it can be a big setback to hear your ex is seeing someone.

You may need to call on all your resources, friends and family to give you some support to adjust to this new development. Understandably, you will wonder how the new relationship will im-

means they’re happier and getting on with their life.

pact on the children. If you and your ex get on you will be able to talk through any worries that you have.

When separated parents don’t have this kind of relationship and/or emotions are running high the introduction of a new partner is a common source of conflict. A parenting arrangement that

If your ex has a new partner

If you feel delighted for your ex (even relieved) and your children feel the same, then great, you can skip this section!

But if you are upset – and don’t be surprised by

has been working well may fall off the rails if one parent insists that the new partner should spend time with the children and the other parent insists that they should not! You might feel even more strongly that the new partner is bad for your children if they: * seem to want to spend more time with you or * complain and criticise the new partner Before you plough in and give your ex a piece of your mind about the children not liking him/her or decide to make the contact conditional on the new partner not being there. Consider an alternative explanation: Imagine what your child’s response might be to seeing you hurt? * Children fear they are betraying their other parent if they accept a new partner. A way of proving their loyalty to you is to say they don’t like them. These loyalty conflicts are particularly bad if parents don’t get on. * Children are reluctant to leave a parent they are worried about.

If you are worried about the impact a new partner is having on the children and you are sure that they are not telling you what they think you want to hear, then ask to speak to your ex about this. (theparentconnection.org.uk) TO BE CONTINUED

round this time last year, a friend, Kadesh Daniels, and myself had for some reason gotten ourselves into SPISE. We had forsaken the laid-back vacation lifestyle, for instead an intensive science centred programme on the Barbados campus of the University of the West Indies.

For some, it would seem ridiculous to ‘waste’ one’s summer away like this, I mean who would want to do work during the days of the year we’re specifically assigned to not do work?

Truthfully, I needed some convincing myself. And having been convinced I’m going to try to spread the word myself. Currently, SPISE 2016 is in the midst of its second week, with one lone Guyanese student, another dear friend of mine, Shannon Ashley Anthony Woodroffe, enjoying the struggle of assignments.

It occurred to me that perhaps the small number of Guyanese students who attend the programme may be due to the lack of knowledge of it, and perhaps maybe a little disinterest. So allow me to attempt to rectify both of those problems. SPISE is a fourweek annual programme which students from all over the Caribbean apply to attend. It is hosted at the scenic Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies, organised by the Caribbean Science Foundation. During the four weeks, students have a university like experience living in dorms, and taking a variety of courses with a strong science core.

Some of these include: Calculus, Physics, Biochemistry, Robotics, Electronics, Entrepreneurship, Caribbean Unity – and even Mandarin!

Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s make sure we understand each other; SPISE is not a summer camp. To get in, one must write a number of essays, provide transcripts and letters of recommendation. It is not relaxing and it requires a lot of sacrifice and dedication. While you can get the details of the programme online with a quick Google search, I want to do my best to explain how the SPISE experience can benefit one as an individual.

At SPISE, the first obvious benefit is learning. The whole programme is about self-improvement. It’s not how well you do, but how better you can get. The way in which teaching is done is completely different from classes in regular high schools, and you’re exposed to a peak sneak of university life – the dorm life, the long lectures, and the eager teaching assistants. SPISE puts you under the pressure of late nights, harsh deadlines, and strange new materials. All of these things help you to become a more mature student. In addition to the actual book knowledge that you learn, each week there are career talks by different professionals in science and technology fields. Last year, we were introduced to someone who works as a biomedical engineer, a previous NASA employee, and even an entrepreneur from Silicon Valley who had spearheaded a campaign for extremely technologically advanced motorcycle helmets. And if this wasn’t enough, you are given seminars about how to write CVs, apply to university, and to write compelling essays.

While knowledge is one thing, human connection and networking is another. By attending SPISE you are exposed to successful Caribbean scientists, and you form relationships with MIT Professor Cardinal Warde, and Dr Dinah Sah, who more than willingly offer their guidance and support during the university application process. Even after you leave SPISE, you don’t fall out of the loop. You are kept updated about possible internships and learning opportunities that may arise. But that isn’t all. By going to SPISE, I was able to meet sixteen new students, from countries all over the Caribbean who shared my interests, and quickly became my friends. Culturally, it’s a unique adventure, to say the least.

As Caribbean students, opportunities like this aren’t the easiest to come by. SPISE opens up your eyes to your own true potential, it helps you develop confidence and faith in yourself, and enables you to begin getting the career you want to. I don’t regret attending it in the slightest.

Students are often sponsored, and low-income students are encouraged to apply. So, if you’re up to the challenge, one month of summer won’t kill you – go forth and be productive!

You can access further information at caribbeanscience. org, under the CSF projects tab.

7 St Lucian Scouts injured President saddened in Woolford Ave accident by Scouts’ accident A F news

wednesday, july 27, 2016 | guyana-times.com

…in Guyana for 14th Caribbean Cuboree

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

The injured children were identified as eight-year-old Nick Omarie Joseph and nineyear-old Darnell Matthews.

They are St Lucian scouts who are in Guyana for the 14th Caribbean Cuboree.

The accident occurred sometime around 12:10h on Tuesday. According to reports gathered at the scene, the two boys were walking along the Avenue, under the guidance of a St Lucian adult, heading towards the Scout Association building when a motor car with registration number PSS 1236 ran into them.

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

Witnesses further claimed that the woman was heading

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

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

Joseph is said to be in a critical condition having sustained serious head injuries.

A CT scan was conducted on the eight-year-old and at the time when Guyana Times contacted hospital officials around the afternoon visiting hour, he had been taken into theatre.

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

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

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

… orders counselling for remaining 700 Cub Scouts

ollowing the accident on Tuesday morning involving two St Lucian scouts who are in Guyana for the 14th Caribbean Cuboree, President David Granger has expressed deep sadness after learning of the incident.

The Woolford Avenue accident left eight-yearold Nick Omarie Joseph and nine-year-old Darnell Ajani Matthews injured. They have both been admitted patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where their conditions are being carefully monitored and medical care is being provided.

The President, who was in Cabinet when he learned of the accident, ordered that the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) of the Social Protection Ministry provide counselling services to the remaining 700 Cub Scouts from across the Region, many of whom witnessed the accident.

First Lady Sandra Granger and Junior Education Minister Nicolette Henry at the GPHC after they met with the two St Lucian Scouts who were involved in an accident on Tuesday morning

As a result, a team of three counsellors was immediately dispatched to the Scout Association of Guyana office on Woolford Avenue.

Additionally, First Lady Sandra Granger, earlier that morning had spoken to the group during their morning session and had only just left when the accident occurred. After receiving the news of the unfortunate incident, she immediately rushed to the GPHC and spent some

time at the bedsides of the two young boys.

First Lady Granger also spoke with the medical team, President of the Scouts Association of Guyana, Ramsey Ali, and members of the Saint Lucia Scout Association. Minister within the Education Ministry Nicolette Henry, was also present.

President Granger also commended the doctors at the GPHC for the care being provided to the two boys and prays for a full

Shopkeeper slapped with Trafficking in Persons charge

and quick recovery.

The Head of State also extended words of comfort to the members of the Saint Lucia Scout Association, the Scouts Association of Guyana and all the other Cub Scouts in Guyana for the Cuboree.

The driver of the vehicle involved in the accident remains in custody as the Guyana Police Force conducts its investigations.

A

s efforts continue to crack down on human traffickers, another woman was charged, appearing before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for Trafficking in Persons.

Nafeeza Mohammed, a shopkeeper of Lot 17 Bush Lot, Essequibo Coast, pleaded not guilty to the

charge, which stated that between April 26 to May 31, 2016 at Hope Backdam, Region One (BarimaWaini), she was involved in trafficking a 17-year-old girl; that is to say she recruited, transported and harboured the minor.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that the defendant deceived the minor when she

told her that she will gain employment at the shop, but when the teen arrived at the location, she was allegedly forced into prostitution.

Jones stated that the minor is in the custody of the State and requested that the defendant receive substantial bail due to the nature of the offence.

The defendant was

granted bail in the sum of $300,000.

The defendant’s Attorney, Delville Duke, pleaded with Magistrate to lower the bail since his client only had $230,000 and has three small children.

Mohammed’s bail was reduced to $230,000. The case will continue on August 3.

Trafficking in Persons accused, Nafeeza Mohammed

8 news

wednesDAY, july 27, 2016 | guyana-times.com

IN THE COURTS Mahdia miner’s death

Mahdia men charged with murder

T

wo men were on Tuesday remanded to prison when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to murder and accessory to murder charges, respectively. Shane McCalmont and Marlon Joseph were not required to plea to the indictable charge when it was read to them by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. It is alleged that between July 10 and July 22, 2016, at Salbora Road, Mahdia, Potaro, they murdered 47-year-old Shawn Clarke of Lot C Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown.

They were remanded to pris-

on and are set to return to the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court on October 17. According to reports, Clarke went missing on July 10, 2016 after he left for work in North Fork, Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). He had been working as a miner for some 20 years, but disappeared on the day in question. However, only parts of his body, including his limbs, have been found. Suspicion of foul play was first voiced by Clarke’s wife, Rachael Clarke, who made several attempts to call him but all calls went unsuccessful. According to the woman, she sent a package

Dead: Shawn Clarke

for her husband in the interior and the last time she heard from him was when he was going to uplift the package.

Rachael Clarke subsequently contacted the driver of the minibus she sent the package with and was told that

Shane McCalmont

her husband never turned up to uplift the package. After a while, she reported the matter to the Police and an investigation was launched. Based on information received, McCalmont and Joseph were arrested and charged.

… attempted to set home on fire

A

Grace Heywood

tent of setting it on fire.

When the defendant was given an opportunity to speak in court, she was in-

coherent and irrational.

Her sister, Elizabeth Heywood, informed the court that the defendant is a drug addict and is mentally unstable. She said when her sister “smokes”, she has a habit of arming herself with dangerous weapons and makes threatens to commit violent acts. The sister further added that she believes the defendant needs immediate medical treatment before she gets worse. Magistrate Azore ordered the defendant to be mentally evaluated and made an order for it to be

done.

Recently, several nongovernmental orgainsations have been calling for mental institutions to be set-up countrywide, noting that mental health has been placed on the back burner for too long.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton had stated that a Mental Health Institute (MHI) would be introduced to the country, while internal and external improvements are being made at the National Psychiatric Hospital in Berbice.

Essequibo man charged for chopping brother-in-law

V

ishan Bharrat of Richmond Village, Essequibo Coast, was on Tuesday granted $50,000 bail for unlawful wounding when he appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that on July 23, 2015, the 20-year-

old unlawfully wounded his brother-in-law, Rameez Rasool, a carpenter also of Richmond Village. The incident reportedly occurred at Henrietta Village, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The prosecution is contending that the defendant and the Virtual Complainant (VC) were con-

Misdirection...

I

Court orders psychiatric evaluation for mother of 3 43-year-old mother of three was on Tuesday ordered to be mentally evaluated at a hospital after appearing before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

Grace Heywood appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for threatening language and threatening behaviour.

It is alleged that on numerous occasions, she threatened several persons with dangerous weapons and doused her family home with kerosene, with the in-

Eyew tness

suming alcohol at a nearby shop when the defendant allegedly asked the VC to drop one of his friends to another location.

Upon the VC’s refusal, an argument ensued and the defendant allegedly chopped the VC to his left shoulder and his left index finger. The VC was rushed to

the Suddie Public Hospital where he was treated.

Bharrat pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail. As a condition of his bail, he is required to report to the Anna Regina Police Station every Friday until his trial has been concluded. The case will continue on August 3, 2016.

...on race baiting?

t’s clear the exchange between the Government (Prime Minister?) and the Leader of the Opposition on whether or not Indian Guyanese are under “attack” in Guyana is going to get down and dirty. But maybe it’s time we let this “race thing” hang out in the open, don’t you think, Dear Reader? We pretend it’s not there but – like Langston Hughes reminded us about sores – it just festers and sporadically bursts and spreads its putrid pus all over the place. Nasty!

So let’s unbundle the exchange. Bharrat Jagdeo, Leader of the Opposition, is on his way home from Rome where, just named as the “UN Food and Agricultural Organisation’s (FAO) Special Ambassador in Forests and the Environment”, he stops off in NY. He claims to a gathering of mostly Guyanese Indians: “Guyana needs a spirit of community to ensure that we defend our people through these dark times. There is an assault on democracy, on the people of Indian origin and there is an assault on the supporters of the PPP…” Jagdeo then went on to illustrate his point about the “assault” which ranged, he said: “…from snatching peoples’ land that had transport, to the passage of new laws…

The budget this year, and 140 new taxes were increased and largely targeting poor people, but mainly rural poor.

And you know who live in the rural areas, it is mainly our supporters.”

The Government issued a long statement almost immediately and described Jagdeo’s claims as “irresponsible, hateful, race baiting and malicious fabrications and falsehoods”. Now it is noteworthy when the Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump made several allegations to his Convention, President Obama issued a statement that attempted to answer, point by point, Mr Trump’s allegations.

Your Eyewitness believes this sort of rebuttal is what the Government should’ve issued, rather than invoking all sorts of non sequiturs such as Indian Guyanese immigrating to the US during Jagdeo’s presidency to “live and work under the presidency of an African American”. Or “All Jaganites will hang their heads in shame....” What’s that got to do with Jagdeo’s claims? And why just pick the one on “Indians”?

The question is, has democracy been assaulted? Jagdeo could point to several instances in the National Assembly where the parliamentary norms have been violated.

Is there an “assault” on PPP supporters? Former President Ramotar and a host of Individuals have written to the press about PPP supporters being victimised. And ditto the big question of “assault on Indo-Guyanese”.

Your Eyewitness hopes even now that “boat gone a watah”, the Government will answer Jagdeo’s charges concretely rather than with invectives.

Or IT could be accused of “race baiting”.

...militarisation of government

One of the fallacies of logic, your Eyewitness was taught to look out for, back in his bygone youth, was the “argument from authority – argumentum ad verecundiam. As John Locke pointed out, the party to the discussion would flout his qualifications – not even in the field under discussion – to exploit the respect accorded him by ordinary persons.

This was brought to mind by this prolific letter writer fella who signs as “Pastor” Wendell Jeffrey, and who recently sought to dismiss fears of a creeping militarisation of Govt.

He even suggested it might just be a “political ploy”. His point? Well, even though the Government has appointed scads and scads of military types in all sorts of positions, we shouldn’t sweat about the possibility of a “military coup”.

Why? Well, duh!...did we see that the US took out military governments like Saddam or Gaddafi? Didn’t they teach “the fallacy of false analogy” in the theological seminary?

What about General el-Sissi who overthrew the first democratically elected government of Egypt headed by President Mohamed Morsi?

...in Cricket

Forget the present Tests against India. The cricketing world’s real assessment of our cricketing status was revealed in the full tour of 5 ODIs and 3 T20s against... (drumroll)...AFGHANISTAN!!

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

news

9

wednesday, july 27, 2016 | guyana-times.com

New diplomats urged to make Guyana priority N ewly-appointed Guyanese diplomats on Monday received a directive from President David Granger to make Guyana’s interests and those of its people their first priority, as they take up their new posts.

Among the national interests is the GuyanaVenezuela border controversy. The President cautioned that no deal, no matter how lucrative, must take precedence over Guyana’s territorial integrity.

President Granger charged the envoys to work to ensure that the Administration’s thrust of security and territorial integrity, economic diplomacy, social cohesion and national unity are advanced. The diplomats recently underwent a week of training and orientation at the Foreign Services Institute at the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The Head of State said that while he expected that relationships would be built and deals would be brokered between Guyana and the other countries in the hemispheres, Guyanese Ambassadors should not allow these deals, no matter how lucrative, to overshadow the country’s territorial integrity and best interests.

“The border issues are not something that can be bargained away or traded. Sometimes, our friends think that we are always complaining.

Sometimes, people have not given us the support we need. Some have stepped up and batted for us, yes, but we have to continue to pursue the goal of completely freeing our territory from Venezuela’s and Suriname’s claims. These two claims are hampering our development. The Foreign Ministry and those diplomats who go abroad

President David Granger surrounded by the newly-appointed diplomats with Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge on the left

must understand that inside out,” President Granger said.

The Head of State continued, “Make sure you have a thorough grounding because sometimes I feel that we have diplomats who don’t understand and who don’t care that they don’t understand the seriousness of the territorial problem.

Sometimes, they feel that a bit of rice and a bit of oil and we don’t have to talk about it. Some people just try to dismiss the territorial problem. [They] focus on the rice, focus on the oil, focus on getting another gymnasium, and don’t talk about the issue. No. No. No. We have to put that at the forefront of our diplomacy that

our territory is not going to be bargained away. We are not going to sell out ‘one curass’ and you have to believe that.”

Also on the security front, the President noted that we live in an era where several countries across the globe have come under terrorist attack and have been waging wars against drug

trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking and other crimes. The Head of State noted that these were also important areas of concern, since security was a major issue for Guyana.

The Head of State emphasised the responsibility that came with these appointments and said they were not personal nor were they positions for personal gain. Therefore, they should be upheld with the utmost level of commitment and professionalism. “The appointment of an Ambassador or a High Commissioner… is an appointment for hard work. It is not an appointment for party supporters and I would like to feel that our appointments have been based on merit. The Foreign Service is not a place for party patronage. It is a place for hard work and for professionalism,” the President said.

Health Ministry fire accused freed T he man accused of setting fire to the Public Health Ministry seven years ago was set free on Tuesday after Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan deemed the prosecution’s witnesses as “not credible.”

Keith Ferrier was charged in July 2009 along with two others, Clayton Westford, 19, of Lot 7 West La Penitence, an Office Assistant at the Finance Ministry, and 21-year-old Tedenna Bagot, a porkknocker, of Lot 32 Second Street, Alexander Village, for unlawfully and maliciously setting fire to the Health Ministry’s Building on Brickdam.

In court on Tuesday,

The Health Ministry's main building at Brickdam alight in an early morning fire in July 2009

Magistrate McLennan declared that the prosecution’s witnesses were not credi-

ble, and as such, a prima facie case was not made out against the defendant.

She then dismissed all charges to the delight of Ferrier’s family members who were present in court.

The Public Health Ministry on Brickdam was completely destroyed in the fire.

Upon investigations, wanted bulletins were issued for the three men.

However, Ferrier escaped and was hiding in neighbouring Venezuela.

In was only in March of this year that Ferrier was caught and charged.

Keith Ferrier

10

guyana-times.com

wednesDAY, july 27, 2016

News

Disrupted Region 5 RDC meetings

PPP/C to pursue legal action – Rohee — Region 2 RDC stands in solidarity

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

I

n light of the consecutive disruptions of the Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Statutory Meetings for the past seven months by Councillors of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) says the Party will seek legal redress.

This was confirmed by the PPP’s General Secretary Clement Rohee, who noted on Tuesday that the Party will indeed move to the courts to advocate its concerns. However, Rohee was tightlipped as to when the PPP will file legal action.

Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal

The disruptions have stemmed from Councillors of the APNU/AFC, demanding an apology from Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal, who they claimed disrespected President David Granger by not showing up for an event on January 15, where the President commissioned two buses under the then Three ‘Bs’ initiative. However, Ramphal has maintained that he was never invited to the event, and as such, there was no need to apologise.

In an issued statement on Tuesday, the Regional Chairman stated that the situation is “intolerable” and he has seen “no incisive re-

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

“The unruly APNU/AFC Councillors have persisted in their behaviour despite being informed about the negative impact of their actions on the well-being of the residents of Region Five,” Ramphal noted.

The Chairman further pointed out that this situation has “tremendously affected” the work of the Council, especially in light of the months of prolonged flooding that has affected the lives of residents and farmers.

“The consequence has

Region Two RDC

action from President David Granger” on the behaviour of the Councillors.

been disastrous on the region with the Council being unable to deliver, with any efficiency, services to which the residents of Region Five are entitled, including those who have voted for the very Councillors whose conduct is causing this unsatisfactory state of affairs… the Council has been unable to excavate and clean important canals, drains and trenches…

Turn to page 13

Uniformity S

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

"An' wha' wraang wid da?" inquired his drinking buddy, Canecutter Cappo.

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

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

"Don't play the arse with me, Cappo," said Satiricus.

"Why would you allow a person who is about to be judged to not wear on proper clothing? It would be like mocking the judge."

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

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

"Sato, me only ah wan canecutter," admitted Cappo.

"But me t'ink wan bady gat dignity or 'e na gat dignity. And me na see wha' adda people clothes gat fuh do wid de judge, who me hear, na gat an any clothes anda he gong!"

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

"Well, me cousin Lilowtie does wuk fuh wan judge," said Cappo. "An' she tell me suh."

"Well, I don't know about that," said Satiricus sternly.

"But the protesters were also demanding schoolchildren not be forced to wear uniforms. What you think about that?"

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

"But I thought you didn't want rules on what people should wear," pointed out Satiricus.

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

"Pass me the beer," said Satiricus. "Let's drink to rules for clothes!"

wednesDAY, july 27, 2016

guyana-times.com

News

Study on ‘out of school children’ to be launched

T

he Education Ministry (MoE) will be commissioning a study into ‘out of school children’, with the aim of working towards achieving equitable inclusive education.

The launching of the study is scheduled for today at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

The agenda of the first meeting of stakeholders includes discussions on the goals, methodologies and potential results of a study about out of school children, while building capacities; the agreement between the MoE and key stakeholders about the Out Of School Children Initiative (OOSCI) study and, create an inventory with available data.

The most important aim of the study is to generate a document which will study “the problem of out of school children and children at risk

of dropping out.”?

The Global ‘Out of School Children’ Report notes that despite dramatic improvements towards achieving universal primary education, more that 59 million children of primary school age were out of school in 2013.

In Latin American and the Caribbean, “more than 21 million children and adolescents are out of school or at risk of dropping out.” Guyana has not been spared, as significant disparities exist between and among schools in the urban, rural, riverine and hinterland locations.

In Guyana, the unacceptable drop-out rate, unqualified teachers, especially in the hinterland and

riverine areas, and overall low performance of boys, are the major concerns for the Education Ministry.

Children with disabilities and those required to work in order to support their families’ incomes are doubly challenged, as the education system is not currently providing the flexibility to facilitate attendance and full participation.

For example, it is estimated that around 16 per cent of the projected age appropriate population are out of pre-primary school, and although there are less primary school aged children out of the system, there is a need to address the 14 per cent, or more, that are out of school at the secondary level.

Region 10 contractors still not...

from page 2

Additionally, Councillor Sandra Adams had also pointed to RDC employees, which she noted may be contributing to the payment issues of contractors. Adams is of the opinion that the attitude of some is not in the best interest of the execution of their duties, and it reflects negatively on the Council. Adams had also indicated that there are a lot of contractors who have been complaining of the long process they have to go through, pointed out that when they go to one department to uplift payment; they are told to check at another. Councillor

11

Adams opined that employees should strive to be productive during work hours, while other members of the Council also stressed the need to expedite timely payment process for contractors.

“The workers in the system, if they come to work, they need to work. They need to treat people with respect and handle people’s business with urgency,” she iterated.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian had stated that the issues were inherited by the current Administration, adding that they are not

new. Morian alluded that projects are not checked on time and payments are held up unnecessarily. He said a review of the RDC’s Works Programme is necessary as was proposed by the Finance Committee, as well as solutions on how the payment process for contractors can be sped up. Morian contended that underhand issues, shortage of staff and the way the system is run are all contributing factors. During the recently held meeting, the Regional Chairman reiterated that the RDC is still working on remedying the situation.

Some children who are enrolled in the system struggle with the consequences of an age gap beginning in the first years in primary, which progressively increases with each year. For example, utilising local statistics of 2010, the profile shows that more than 600 boys and girls were overage at age seven, with the figure rising to 4300 by age 14.

The country is challenged by limited data on the causes of drop-out and out of school children, at national and/or sub regional levels. This study sets out to correct the vacuum caused by the limited data on out of school children.

This study is supported

by UNICEF/GOG, and is one of several studies that have taken place or are scheduled to take in many countries around the world.

Body of Essequibo man found with ‘mark’ on chest

D

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

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

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

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

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

She said after she had received news that a body was

found at Good Hope, she visited the Police station and was escorted to the Suddie Mortuary, where she identified the body as that of her brother.

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

She claimed that on a day-to-day basis he would wander aimlessly in different villages and would sometime retire to sleep anywhere he felt comfortable.

Good Hope residents said they saw Kissoon walking in the village earlier before the discovery of his body.

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

12 news

wednesDay, july 27, 2016 | guyana-times.com

City Hall cracks Keeping it real down on “touting” Blind denial and

...80 unlicensed touts arrested in 1 month – Chief Constable

By Ramona Luthi

T

he Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has been tightening the reigns around the various minibus parks, as a total of 80 touts were detained in the span of one month, according to Chief Constable Andrew Foo on Monday at their statutory meeting.

Foo, at the meeting, informed the Councillors that the 80 young men were charged with the offence of soliciting passengers and none were repeat offenders.

Touts can be described as young men who assist in loading passengers into buses. However, over the past year or so, the touts have become increasingly violent when it comes to getting customers for bus-

M&CC Chief Constable Andrew Foo

es, leading to an increase in passengers complaining about the unprincipled behaviour of many touts on the various bus parks ear-

lier in June of this year.

Though touting has been banned in Guyana, it has become an “easy way” for young men and wom-

en to gain a daily income, since it requires one to be persuasive and does not call for academic qualifications.

Touts can be seen taking their positions at the various bus parks in Georgetown, from as early as 06:00h and it has been made into a competition to “see who can load a minibus the fastest.”

Complaints made by many passengers revolved around the hostile behaviour of some touts who refuse to accept rejection and their indecent language.

Touts have been known for grasping onto passenger’s private belongings and in some cases, one tout might escort a passenger to one minibus while another takes their bags to another.

political betrayal – the APNU/AFC response to Jagdeo

R

acism has been an integral part of our society since the arrival of African slaves to the Guyana lowlands. It has been aggravated by the arrival of other ethnic groups during colonialism. Guyanese old enough to remember the events of the 1960s will recall the divided state in which our society found itself. The pre-independence violence set the stage for the divided Dr Baytoram Ramharack politics of present-day Guyana. Every fair-minded Guyanese knows that the country remains divided and that elections since independence were racial censuses that further revealed our continued racial divide. Not surprisingly, the manifestos/blueprints (or action plans) of every political party pledged to create a united nation by fostering national unity.

Only a naïve person would believe that racism, racial hostility and racial discrimination have suddenly disappeared after the election of the APNU/AFC Government.

A manifestation of these attitudes was revealed at a recent event in New York when former President Jagdeo briefly addressed a group of Guyanese expatriates. The Guyana Government quickly issued a statement condemning former President Bharrat Jagdeo for his remarks. It should be pointed out that most of the attendees at the reunion were Indians.

The Administration took umbrage at Jagdeo’s statements that the Granger Administration is engaged in an “assault on people of Indian origin” and dubbed Jagdeo’s statements as “hateful race baiting and malicious fabrications and falsehoods” and described his statements about discrimination towards Indians as “a complete figment of Mr Jagdeo’s imagination”.

As would be expected, the Government continues to position itself as a coalition that has addressed Guyana’s racial divide. The Government statement, widely attributed to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, noted that the coalition was in the process of building a “good life” for all Guyanese. From the perspective of the Government, how dare Jagdeo make such statements against the Government? I am no great fan of the former President. But the over-reaction of the Government did not reflect the reality of Guyanese politics.

First, Jagdeo, as leader of the PPP, is simply consolidating his political base. He knows that it is primarily the Indians and the rural-based population that have been traditional supporters of the PPP. He understands that a party cannot reach out to non-traditional supporters unless the base of the party is strengthened. He is simply engaged in politicking.

Furthermore, he has made the point that he can back up his statements with evidence, arguing that since he has made similar statements in Guyana, his words should not come as a surprise to anyone. It would help if the Government was not so quick to cuss down the Opposition Leader but provide evidence to dispute Jagdeo’s claims. But this is Guyana, a place where politicians continue to pelt mud. We would expect that Jagdeo would also be more forthcoming with his evidence of discrimination against Indians. Perhaps this would be a good starting point to engage in a discussion about the racial problem that is plaguing this nation.

Second, the Government should not be surprised at Jagdeo’s statement. Guyana’s racial problems have not disappeared, contrary to what the coalition Government would like citizens to believe. The creation of a Ministry of Social Cohesion under the stewardship of Amna Ally was an admission that the nation remains divided. Beyond its existence, the Government has nothing of substance to show for any success in this area. But in Guyana, things just keep moving along and all that matters is who control political power. Power-sharing, a clarion call by many in the newly-formed coalition who were once in the Opposition, is now dead on arrival. Commentator David Hinds has already concluded that power-sharing with the PPP is not going to happen under this government, since it is obvious that both the coalition and the PPP have already ruled out this option.

If President Granger and his Government hope to bridge the racial gap, he has to address the racial problem frontally and make concrete proposals to do so. This would also mean working with the Opposition. Instead of trying to demean, lecture and belittle the Opposition Leader, the Government should adopt a comprehensive plan that would convince Indians that their leaders are not being persecuted and that the Government is not pursuing discriminatory policies against Indians. Perception is everything.

Send comments to BRamharack60@gmail.com

news

13

wednesday, july 27, 2016 | guyana-times.com

CDB donates US$4.1M to poverty assessment programme

I

n an effort to alleviate poverty in the Caribbean, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) launched a Country Poverty Assessment Programme designed to address the prevailing challenges, and “improve the way its 19 Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) assess poverty and gain access

to data from these assessments”. To this end, the CDB has committed an investment of US$4.1 million to the project which will be conducted over the next five years.

At the programme’s launch in Castries, St Lucia on Tuesday, Division Chief of the CDB’s Social Sector Division, Deidre Clarendon noted that more

evidence-based policy decisions were needed to end poverty in the Caribbean.

“The Enhanced Country Poverty Assessment Programme launched today responds to the pressing need for high-quality data on poverty.

Understanding the causes of poverty, who it affects and how it affects them is at the core of making in-

PPP/C to pursue legal... which have caused millions of dollars in losses due to floods and the region has been unable to offer effective assistance to the residents affected by this flooding,” the Region Five Chairman observed.

He also noted that his region has been unable to properly monitor the two hospitals, as well as the health care centres in the region. Some of the problems he pointed out were understaffing, drug shortages and poor roads.

“The Council has been unable to address the educational needs in the region, as a result, schools are falling apart throughout the region… the children of Mortice, Mahaicony Nursery School have been without a school building for over two months; the region has been unable to oversee the award of contracts and as a result, contracts continue to be awarded without any scrutiny by the Council,” Ramphal noted.

The Region Five Chairman’s statement added that the PPP/C Councillors are inviting the media to “witness the behaviour of the APNU/AFC Councillors” at the August Statutory Meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 18, 2016.

It was pointed out that in the interim, the RDC will continue its appeal to Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan to intervene and put an end to what he described as a “monstrous seven-month long unacceptable situation.”

Meanwhile, Councillors of the Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) RDC have expressed solidarity with their regional counterparts, noting that the Region Five RDC should be allowed to function and have echoed calls for the intervention of the Communities and Social Cohesion Ministers.

Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt during an interview with Guyana

from page 10

Times noted that the “disruptive actions” of the APNU/AFC Council members are “creating challenges” to the residents, pointing out that it can have a “negative effect on the entire region since elected representatives are not given an opportunity to push the region's developmental agenda”.

Ramdatt noted that Region Two is offering “its sympathy” with the residents of Region Five and has called on the coalition Councillors to “cease and desist from their disruptive behaviour”.

“Councillors [in Region Two] also call for Region Five Councillors to put their differences behind and to work constructively as Councillors to address the many challenges facing the people of Region Five,” he noted.

Ramdatt expressed that Region Five’s Chairman Ramphal must be given a “fair opportunity” to serve.

formed, evidence-based policy decisions and helping Caribbean countries make meaningful, measurable progress in reducing and ending poverty,” Clarendon observed.

The CDB noted that the programme will enhance the capacity of the BMCs to conduct multidimensional poverty assessments.

“Multidimensional poverty measurement considers how poor people experience poverty which goes beyond income considerations, and takes into account other deprivations – of education, health, housing, empowerment,

personal security, and more; through the programme, some countries will either adopt multidimensional poverty measurement as stand-alone studies or integrate it into existing national surveys,” the Bank stated.

“Across the Caribbean, policymakers rely heavily on the availability of timely, accurate and reliable poverty data to support national and regional development initiatives. Despite making considerable progress on how they measure poverty, many countries in the Region do not frequently update or report on key poverty indicators, and are

not able to assess the nonincome dimensions of poverty and human development,” CDB added.

It was pointed out that CDB’s Country Poverty Assessment Programme will support Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Suriname, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

Established in 1970, the Caribbean Development Bank is a regional financial institution for the purpose of “contributing to the harmonious economic growth and development of regional borrowing member countries.” Apart from its 19 regional borrowing member countries, there are four regional nonborrowing member countries – Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela.

Non-regional, non-borrowing members are Canada, China, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

14

guyana-times.com

wednesday, july 27, 2016

News

GRA officers benefit from UN workshop of nuclear trafficking

G

iven the probability of actors to obtain materials with the potential to generate nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, customs officers attached to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) are being encouraged to be tactical in their scrutiny of movements of such materials in and out of Guyana.

According to the Resolution 1540 of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, “the propagation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of release constitute a threat to international peace and security.”

A workshop held on Thursday, July 21, for customs officers of the GRA, to focus on the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1540, saw the participation of the UN Security Council’s Terrorism Executive, O’Neil Hamilton, who is currently on tour of duty.

“The time has come when we have to realise that the movement of weapons of mass destruction are often

UN Security Council Terrorism Executive, O’Neil Hamilton

shipped through different locations. Nuclear, chemical and biological weapons are constituent parts that are fundamental to the creation of that device. These weapons are made up of different elements, they are not created as a whole entity by themselves overnight,” Hamilton relayed.

The UN Security Council Resolution 1540 of 2004, which Guyana adheres to, outlines that adopting countries must “refrain from supporting by any means, nonState actors from developing, acquiring, manufacturing, possessing, transporting,

transferring or using nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their delivery systems.”

A probable indicator of this movement is the tendency of terrorists and supporters of terrorism to ship dual use materials periodically, through different locations.

The UN Security Council Terrorism Executive made mention of the radioactive isotope Cobalt 60, which is used in cancer treatment centres, but can also be used to make a “dirty bomb.”

In addition to urging customs officers to become accustomed to the new actuality, while at the same time ensuring that the trade regulations that govern the movement of particular products are applied, Hamilton said “looking at that end user dynamic, applying trade intelligence etc, are fundamental in this new era where the movement of commodities is exponentially more fluid than they were years ago.”

Hamilton spoke in the presence of the GRA’s new Deputy Commissioner General, Hema Khan; and

Deputy Commissioner of Customs Excise and Trade Operation, Lancelot Wills – both of whom highlighted Guyana’s efforts at ensuring compliance and strengthening existing measures in line with obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 1540.

A seminar was held earlier this year in tandem with an evaluation visit in Guyana.

Under the UN Security Council Resolution 1540, UN member states must disallow support to non-state actors seeking weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

States are also required to adopt and enforce effective laws prohibiting activities and impose successful procedures to reduce susceptibility.

MV Sabanto crashes into Supenaam Stelling

T

he MV Sabanto on Tuesday evening collided with the Supenaam Stelling, causing extensive damages to the ferry.

According to reports, there were no injuries;, however, due to the damage caused, the vessel will be out of service until further notice.

According to a statement issued late Tuesday evening by the Public Infrastructure Ministry,

the MV Sabantoand the MV Sabanto will instead provide service for the Parika to Supenaam route, and vice versa. This service will occur as per normal, commencing at 05:00h.

The release stated that a team from the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) has been deployed to assess the extent of the damages.

Details on the incident will be provided as they become available.

Tripped feeder lines responsible for Kingston power outage – GPL Citizens around Georgetown were faced with a power outage at 20:56h last evening due to “a line trip along two Kingston feeders (F3 and F4),” according to the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) in a press release on Tuesday.

It was explained that the power outage affected residents of Kingston, Cummingsburg, Alberttown, Lacytown and Werk-enRust.

GPL relayed that upon conducting a comprehensive investigation, it was revealed that the feeders contained five burnt switches that are suspected to have occurred as a result of a lightning strike.

Despite the damage, the feeders were removed and temporary efforts to reinstitute power to the affected areas began at approximately 22:16h in Kingston.

The last location regained

electricity at 22:57h.

Corrective works commenced around noon on Tuesday and were completed successfully by 13:00h, during which time, GPL noted that, an interruption in the supply of electricity to sections of Lacytown and Werk-en-Rust was unavoidable.

GPL said that it sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused.

NEWS

15

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 10 officials press for foreign, Unidentified sign languages in schools man found in

O

fficials in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) are pressing for foreign languages, including Spanish and Portuguese, to be taught at more schools around the region, after it was highlighted that only a few schools benefit, given the lack of qualified personnel to take up the responsibility.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian in a quest to improve the situation has asked that the Region 10 Department of Education assist in facilitating the

hiring of trained personnel. Morian asked about the number of foreign languages presently being taught in schools across the region and the availability and accessibility of qualified people to teach. He alluded that Portuguese and Spanish are two important languages which should be learned by students in order to break the language barrier.

“We find ourselves at a disadvantage when it comes to training and doing business since we can’t communicate,” the Regional

Regional Chairman Renis Morian

Chairman said.

Meanwhile, Regional Education Officer Marcia Paddy Andrews noted that qualified persons can be employed to teach the subjects on a part-time basis, a move which the Department of Education is willing to assist with. Chairman of the region’s Education Committee Denise Belgrave also suggested that sign language be taught inside regular classrooms throughout the region, noting that it will be a positive step in assisting students with special needs.

Paradise trench

P

olice Investigators in C Division (East Coast Demerara) are looking into the discovery of an unidentified male, whose body was found in a trench at Paradise, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The discovery was made sometime around 10:30h on Tuesday at Grant Road, Paradise, by residents passing by.

Guyana Times understands that the man is of

East Indian descent.

Police were summoned to the area and removed the body. It is believed that the man may have been intoxicated and would have walked into the trench where he drowned. No marks of violence were found on his body, this newspaper was informed.

Nevertheless, investigations are ongoing as the Police are looking to identify the man.

16 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Taxi driver stabbed several times during failed hijacking

A

hire car driver in Berbice is now a patient at the New Amsterdam Hospital, nursing a broken arm and several stab wounds to the regions of his back, neck, chest and arm, following a failed carjacking by a passenger.

The driver, Chunilall Dudnath, 52, of lot 232 East Canefield, Canje, Berbice, was asked to take a lone passenger in his car into a street at West Canefield, East Canje, when the incident occurred shortly before 22:00h on Monday night.

According to Dudnath, the passenger claimed to be going to the last house in the street.

He said when they got there, he asked the passenger if he lived at that house. Instead of answering, Dudnath said, the passenger stabbed him on the shoulder.

Dudnath noted that the stabbing continued as he tried to loosen his seat belt. He was then ordered out of the vehi-

The vehicle which a passenger attempted to carjack

cle. After doing so, the passenger drove the car further down the street and Dudnath ran behind the carjacker. Not content with the injuries already inflicted on the hire car driver, the carjacke then reversed the vehicle into Dudnath, knocking him off his feet.

According to one eyewitness, Rafeek Hoosain, the taxi driver was hit twice, resulting in his arm being broken.

“This car knock down the

man flat on the ground and the man get up and running and hollering help! Help! Help! By the time I turn in the street, the car reverse and knock him down again… The car slide in the drain and the man come out and run away and jump in a car. I thought it was a car driver knocking somebody, not knowing that is the thief knocking down the car driver,” he related.

Another villager,

Khemwattie Submanani, who said she was able the get a look at the perpetrator, related that he was dressed in black and wore a red hat. She explained that the villagers ran after him but they were not able to see his face. The carjacker successfully escaped by leaving the community in another hire car which he stopped.

Following the incident, neighbours called the Police.

Submanani said she repeatedly called 911 for about 15 minutes but did not get through. She also noted that the Reliance Police Station’s number was also tried but gave a busy tone. The Station Sergeant was then called on his cellular phone and moments later a patrol which included investigators arrived.

However, relatives of the injured hire car driver are concerned that the Police did not dust the vehicle for fingerprints. (Andrew Carmichael)

Ramsammy’s Ruminations We must do better for our newborns – breastfeeding rates are abysmal

T

he breastfeeding rate for new born babies in Guyana is now about 23 per cent. Breastfeeding rates have been improving in Guyana since 1995 and were at least close to 50 per cent in 2010. Why it is now only 23 per cent demonstrates that public health administration is failing our mothers and our children. Under the A Partnership for National Dr Leslie Ramsammy Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), public health has been relegated to lesser priority and this is reflected by poor public health programmes that now neglect important initiatives such as exclusive breastfeeding for newborns.

A breastfeeding rate of 23 per cent is abysmal and is an anti-children status for Guyana. For APNU/AFC which is so mesmerised and infatuated with Commissions of Inquiries (CoI), the abomination of 23 per cent breastfeeding rate deserves its own CoI. Indeed, the Opposition is urged to introduce a motion in Parliament to seek explanation why we have deteriorated so badly.

Even as Guyana has fallen to 23 per cent in breastfeeding rates, Rwanda is exceeding 90 per cent; Sri Lanka – 76 per cent; Cambodia, Solomon Islands and Nepal – 74 per cent, Malawi – 72 per cent; Peru – 71 per cent; Eritrea – 59 per cent; Uganda – 57 per cent; Egypt and Iran – 56 per cent; Bolivia – 50 per cent; and Madagascar – 48 per cent. It is no accident that these countries have made significant progress in reducing child mortalities.

Child mortality has decreased considerably in the last 20 years, in both Guyana and globally. Globally, close to seven million children under five years of age still die each year (dropping from about 20 million in 1990), mainly from preventable causes. In Guyana, child mortality fell from 120 per 1000 to less than 20 in that period. In both Guyana and globally, newborn deaths now represent nearly 50 to 75 per cent of all child deaths under five years. One strategy to reduce child mortality further is immediate breastfeeding: Science has proven that placing babies to the mother’s breasts within an hour after birth significantly reduce neonatal mortality.

For the last 20 years at least, we have tried to persuade mothers and fathers that early and exclusive breastfeeding helps children survive, supports healthy brain development, improves cognitive performance and is a major factor in better educational achievement at age five. UNICEF, the World Health Organisation and scientists across the world have promoted breastfeeding as the foundation of good nutrition and a platform to protect children against disease.

Yet, the Public Health Ministry has failed our mothers and children and our families by allowing breastfeeding rates to deteriorate so dramatically. It is true that less than half of the world’s newborns benefit from early breastfeeding and even fewer are exclusively breastfed for the first six months. But for Guyana to see breastfeeding rates drop is another example of how the APNU/AFC is failing our people.

Of all the preventive interventions to reduce child deaths, optimal breastfeeding of infants under two years of age has proven to be the most effective. Exclusive breastfeeding has the potential to prevent over 800,000 deaths (13 per cent of all deaths) in children under five in the developing world this year.

For countries like Guyana to ignore this powerful strategy in its public health programme is a scandal and the Public Health Ministry needs to provide an explanation why it has failed and what it intends to do to change this dismal reality.

Science is clear on breastfeeding. An exclusively breastfed child is 14 times less likely to die in the first six months than a non-breastfed child, and breastfeeding drastically reduces deaths from acute respiratory infection and diarrhoea, two major child killers, particularly in developing countries with a high burden of disease and low access to clean water and sanitation. But non-breastfed children in industrialised countries are also at greater risk of dying – in the United States there is a 25 per cent increase in mortality among nonbreastfed infants. In the UK Millennium Cohort Survey, six months of exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a 53 per cent decrease in hospital admissions for diarrhoea and a 27 per cent decrease in respiratory tract infections.

The scientific imperatives for an aggressive breastfeeding programme for newborns are undeniable. But the sad reality is that only 39 per cent of children less than six months of age in the developing world are exclusively breastfed and just 58 per cent of 20-23-month-olds benefit from the practice of continued breastfeeding. In Guyana we have also seen increases from under 15 per cent in 1990 to about 50 per cent by 2010. The reported rate of less than 23 per cent now must be regarded as an urgent cry to do better for our families. It is a dismal failure of the Public Health Ministry, one that requires an immediate crisis response. This is why we must have a meaningful accountability measure in place: a CoI is a way to show Government is serious and I urge the Opposition to introduce a motion seeking better answers from APNU/AFC.

(Send comments to doc_ram@hotmail.com)

wednesday, july 27, 2016

guyana-times.com

Around the World

Hillary Clinton receives Democratic nomination

F

ormer Secretary of State Hillary Clinton secured the Democratic Party’s 2016 nomination for the White House on Tuesday, becoming the first woman to head the ticket of a major party in US history.

In a symbolic show of party unity, Clinton’s former rival, US Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont told the chairwoman from the convention floor that Clinton should be selected as the party’s nominee during a state-by-state roll call at the Democratic convention in Philadelphia.

Earlier, delegates from South Dakota had given Clinton 15 votes, ensuring that she had more than the 2383 votes needed to win the nomination.

She emerged with a total of 2842 votes to Sanders’ 1865 votes.

After a tough battle with Sanders, Clinton is now the party’s standardbearer against Republican nominee Donald Trump in the November 8 election.

Delegates chanted “Hillary, Hillary” as US Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland formally put forward Clinton’s name for the alphabetical roll-call

17

Hillary Clinton becomes the first woman to lead a ticket for a major US party

vote.

“Yes, we do break barriers, I broke a barrier when I became the first Democratic woman elected to the Senate in her own right,” Mikulski said. “So it is with a full heart that I’m here today to nominate Hillary Clinton to be the first woman president,” Mikulski said.

Sanders has endorsed Clinton, a former First Lady and US Senator, but some of his supporters protested in Philadelphia

against the party leadership’s apparent backing of her during the bitter Democratic primary fight.

Supporters of Clinton say her Washington credentials show she has the experience needed for the White House during troubled times as the United States tries to speed up its economic recovery and faces security challenges abroad.

Detractors view her as too cosy with the establishment and say she carries political baggage dating back to the start of her husband, President Bill Clinton’s first White House term in the 1990s.

Clinton had been leading Trump in national opinion polls in recent weeks, but the New York businessman got a boost from the Republican National Convention in Cleveland where he was formally nominated last week.

Clinton, who promises to tackle income inequality and rein in Wall Street if she becomes President, is eager to portray former reality TV star Trump as too unstable to sit in the Oval Office. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Knifemen slit priest’s throat in church in France

K

nife-wielding attackers interrupted a church service in France, forced the priest to his knees and slit his throat on Tuesday, an attack that President Francois Hollande said showed the threat from Islamist militancy was greater than ever.

Police shot and killed the attackers as they emerged from the church, freeing three hostages, one of whom was seriously wounded.

The knifemen arrived during morning mass in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, near Rouen, northwest of Paris, where the 85-year-old parish priest Father Jacques

Hamel was leading prayers.

“They forced him to his knees and he tried to defend himself and that’s when the drama began,” Sister Danielle, who escaped as the attackers slayed the priest, told RMC radio.

“They filmed themselves. It was like a sermon in Arabic around the altar,” the nun said.

Speaking at the scene, Hollande called it a “dreadful terrorist attack”, adding that the attackers had pledged allegiance to Islamic State, the militant group that he said had declared war on France.

News agency Amaq,

which is affiliated with Islamic State, said two of its “soldiers” had carried out the attack. Police said one person had been arrested.

Tuesday’s attack came less than two weeks after a Tunisian ploughed a truck into a crowd in the French Riviera city of Nice, killing 84 people. Islamic State claimed that attack.

France is a major partner in the US-led military coalition bombing Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria. The White House condemned Tuesday’s attack and commended the French police’s “quick and decisive response.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Japan knife attack: 19 killed at care centre in Sagamihara

N

ineteen residents have been killed in a knife attack at a care centre for people with mental disabilities in the Japanese city of Sagamihara.

Such attacks are extremely rare in Japan – the incident is the worst mass killing in decades.

Police have arrested a man who worked at the centre until February, and who turned himself in to Police after the attack.

He reportedly said he want-

ed people with disabilities to “disappear”.

The brutal killings have shocked Japan, one of the safest countries in the world.

“The lives of many innocent people were taken away and I am greatly shocked. We will make every effort to discover the facts and prevent a reoccurrence,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.

The suspect has been named as 26-year-old Satoshi Uematsu.

He sent letters to politicians in February in which he threatened to kill hundreds of disabled people during a night shift, Kyodo news agency reports.

“My goal is a world in which the severely disabled can be euthanised, with their guardians’ consent, if they are unable to live at home and be active in society,” Uematsu wrote in a letter to the Speaker of the lower House of Parliament, obtained

by Kyodo.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyana-times.com

wednesday, july 27, 2016

ARCHIE

Focus on getting ahead.

Doing your best to stabilize an (March 21- iffy situation will lead to soluApril 19) tions, relief and a brighter future. Address issues instead of ignoring them. Romance will ease stress.

ARIES

Don’t let inflexibility stand TAURUS in your way. If you are open (April 20- to suggestions and willing to May 20) compromise, much will be accomplished. Learn as you go and be willing to adapt.

dilbert

Be careful who you trust GEMINI and what you promise.

(May 21Problems will arise if you are June 20) indulgent or neglect to get your facts straight before taking part in something that could lead to regret.

Participate, but don’t CANCER agree to do things that push (June 21- you beyond your comfort zone.

July 22) Offer alternatives. Home and personal investments and relationships are highlighted.

Express your plans.

Peanuts

Don’t feel the need to explain

LEO everything you do. Wasting time (July 23- will not get the job done. Make Aug. 22) sure that you complete every-

thing before you show off your accomplishments. A sudden turn of events will favor you.

The doors are wide open VIRGO for you to make a move, learn (Aug. 23Sept. 22) something new or just forge into the future with a positive attitude. This is no time to be critical.

Calvin and Hobbes

An opportunity will develLIBRA op if you offer assistance. Your (Sept. 23ability to mediate thorny sitOct. 23) uations will give your reputation a positive spin that will encourage an interesting proposal.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD – TOWERED

You’ll be torn between SAGITTARIUS what you want to do and what (Nov. 23- you should do. You’ll be enDec. 21) ticed to head down the wrong path. An unhealthy choice is a risk you shouldn’t take.

(TOWERED: TAU-erd: Rose to a conspicuous height; loomed.)

Average mark 22 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 30 or more words in TOWERED? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD – DENTURE deer deet dent deter duet dune endue endure enter enure erne etude

need neuter nude teed teen tend tender tenure tern tree trend true

tune tuner tureen turn under reed rend rent rude rued rune runt

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Refuse to let anyone stifle SCORPIO your creativity or put you in (Oct. 24jeopardy by misinterpreting Nov. 22) what you stand for. Express the way you feel and keep moving forward.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Look, listen and make CAPRICORN things happen. Any chal(Dec. 22Jan. 19) lenge you face will be worth winning. Put your all into whatever you decide to pursue. Home improvements are favored.

Don’t worry about the reAQUARIUS action you get from others.

(Jan. 20If you are satisfied with the Feb. 19) way things are progressing, you don’t have to answer to anyone who doubts your decisions.

PISCES Too much of anything will (Feb. 20- be to your detriment. Pace March 20) your every move and don’t spend more than you can afford. Patience and tolerance will help you come out on top.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

19

“CPL in USA can't just be a one-off” — Gayle J

amaica Tallawahs captain Chris Gayle has thrown his support behind making a USA leg an annual part of the Caribbean Premier League's schedule, and has said he hopes the league will come back next year for the good of cricket in the US. Speaking at the Tallawahs training session on Monday at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida, Gayle said that in order for the effort to get into the US market to succeed, it had to be on a consistent basis rather than the one-and-done events of the past. Gayle has toured the USA with West Indies teams to New York in 2006 and Florida in 2012, and believes the fan base is present to support cricket but that the lack of regular events has stifled momentum.

"I think the US is cricket-orientated," Gayle said.

"When you look at the mixed culture here over in the US, I think you have a huge cricket base and cricket fans over here as well.

I think the cricket from a West Indies point of view has been trying to break into the US market for years now. We haven't been successful so it's just always a bit of here and there.

"Hopefully the CPL will actually be consistent with having games here in the US. If it's just a one-off thing, then it'll be a problem for the game of cricket in the United States as well. If it can actually progress, I know this leg will be a good one for CPL and if it can continue next year and keep letting the people here in the US get a chance to see it live, then it should be a fantastic thing for the game of cricket here in the US as well."

The most recent tour in 2012 provided good memories for Gayle. Opening the batting for West Indies in the first of two T20 internationals against New Zealand, Gayle struck an unbeaten 85 off 52 balls and combined with Kieron Pollard for a 108-run stand in the final 6.5 overs to post a total of 209 for 2, a record for the side which stood until January. A series sweep over New Zealand in Florida set the tone for their World T20 triumph over Sri Lanka a few months later and Gayle said he was happy to be back in Lauderhill.

"It was a great memo-

Fans in Florida will finally get a taste of the “Biggest Party in Sport”

ry to be honest with you," Gayle said. "When you look back at it, you are always thinking what sort of wicket you're going to get to play on because a lot of cricket up here is played on the matting. We played on a wicket that was very good to bat on. I don't see any difference since I've just been out there from what happened in the past. So it should be a good wicket and hopefully a lot of runs can be scored on the wicket as well which will actually make the game more interesting.

"It's like here in the Caribbean. The sun is out, the beach is just down the road as well. I know everybody's looking forward to it. South Beach is a bit further away and everybody's having a good time as well.

But it's just good to be back and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to play here again. Hopefully this will be a new beginning for CPL and will hope it progress over the next few years as well."

Gayle also recalled the first-day sellout crowd of 15,000 people in 2012 for the West Indies matches. Though attendance has been capped for the CPL at 10,000, Gayle expects the atmosphere to be just as lively and is hoping the sizeable Jamaican expat population will give Tallawahs a boost for their games against St Lucia Zouks on Saturday and Sunday to help maintain their hold on the first place heading into the playoffs.

"When West Indies actually played New Zealand here, the turnout was tremendous," Gayle said. "I think the CPL will bring out the crowd once more. The atmosphere that they've seen on TV, I'm sure they want to experience it for themselves as well so hopefully we get a good [crowd to]

start on Thursday and then it'll progress over the weekend as well. So it should be a good one and I'm looking forward to it.

"I'm happy on a personal point of view as well and as a team point of view to actually be at the top of the table. So hopefully we can actually maintain the momentum which we left in Jamaica and come in here and play against the Zouks on Saturday and Sunday, win at least one of those games and then move on to the final.

"I'm sure you'll see some Jamaican flags flying around. The support is actually good for us. It'll be noisy, it's going to be a great atmosphere and hopefully everybody at the end of the day can walk away happy and then we'll move on to the finals in St Kitts."

(Cricinfo).

Caption: The globe-trotting T20 opening batsman believes that the “Biggest party in Sport” is an avenue for the game of cricket to grow in the United States of America.

20

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

Emrit backs Warriors to excel in Florida ing charts with 14 and 12 wickets respectively.

Central Broward Stadium will host its first major cricket league tournament as the CPL makes its US debut with six matches from July 28 to 31.

Guyana Amazon Warriors will play the Barbados Tridents on Thursday, July 28 from 19:00h and return on Saturday, July 30 for the Warriors’ last game of the group stage.

The Amazon Warriors are currently po-

By Romario Samaroo

T

he 2016 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is heading to Florida and the Guyana Amazon Warriors will play their last two matches of the group stage at the Central Broward Stadium, Launderhill against the Barbados Tridents.

The Warriors’ Captain, Rayad Emrit, is confident his team will excel in that environment.

The all-rounder who has played in the United States before, turning out for the US Tigers in the Unity Cup (2014), made a striking comparison of the conditions at Central Broward Stadium and the Warrior’s home ground at Providence, Guyana.

He indicated that while he was there, the pitch was not the best, but was hoping that there were improvements with a lot of efforts being made to host the CPL games in the USA. “The last time I was there, the pitch wasn’t that great, it was similar to Guyana.

I haven’t played there for a while, but I’m looking forward to playing there again.”

Emrit has only captained the Warriors in one match prior to their matches in Florida, but has captained his home country of Trinidad and Tobago as well as the Barbados Tridents in the Champions League.

The canny right-arm seamer pointed out that while the Warriors’ bowling did not perform up to their expectations in their last match against the St Lucia Zouks, they made full use of the conditions in Guyana where they left with three convincing wins out of four games and if the conditions are similar to those in Guyana, the Warriors will have a good chance of winning both games against the Barbados Tridents.

With the absence of key Tridents players such as their leading run getter, AB de Villiers and main bowler, Wayne Parnell, a

Rayad Emrit

lot is left up to the likes of Captain Kieron Pollard and the youngsters, but Nicholas Pooran has stepped up and taken responsibility with his big hitting and classic strokes.

The bowling department will be looking to veteran Ravi Rampaul to lead from the front having already taken 12 wickets in the tournament.

The Amazon Warriors team seem to have established a core unit with every player chipping in on their day. With Dwayne Smith, who found some form in the previous match; the ever-dependent Jason Mohammed and their leading run scorer, Chris Lynn, the Warriors have a solid batting line-up. Similarly, the bowling department, while having visible flaws periodically, has produced some of the best bowling spells in the tournament so far. Sohail Tanvir and Adam Zampa are both at the top of the bowl-

sitioned in second on the points table, while the Tridents could be on the verge of being knocked out from the top four if they suffer successive defeats.

Guyana Amazon Warriors Squad: Sohail Tanvir, Nic Madison , Dwayne Smith, Chris Lynn, Rayad Emrit, Adam Zampa, Devendra Bishoo, Jason Mohammed, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Orlando Peters, Assad Fudadin, Anthony Bramble, Paul Wintz, Steven Jacobs, Steven Katwaroo, Ali Khan, Shimron Hetmyer

Russell calls ban uncertainty "stressing and depressing"

W

est Indies and Jamaica Tallawahs allrounder Andre Russell has made his first public comments since being charged by the Jamaica AntiDoping Commission (JADCO) with committing an "anti-doping whereabouts" violation earlier this year for having allegedly missed three drug tests in a 12-month period. Three missed tests trigger a failed drug test ruling under anti-doping regulations.

Preparing for Tallawahs' final two games of the league stage of the Caribbean Premier League, in Lauderhill, Florida, Russell was asked what it had been like to play with the uncertainty of the JADCO tribunal process hanging over his head.

Russell replied by describing the mental strain he has gone through since reports first surfaced in March that he was facing a two-year ban.

"It's not easy, honestly, it's tough," Russell said. "When I cross the rope, I definitely block it off my head but then when you go back to your room and you know you have to face reality and know that something is going on like that, it's kind of stressing and depressing. But I have an amazing bunch of guys around me. So they keep me occupied, they keep me laughing.

I just think that is a very good thing to do while going through something like that.

"Everything is in place. My lawyers are doing whatever they have to do so I don't really want to have to talk about it that much."

Russell avoided questions about last week's independent panel hearing, offering a "no comment" when asked about the most recent events. According to The Jamaica Gleaner, Russell's lawyer Patrick Forster claimed at the hearing of an independent panel on July 20 that his client had received correspondence from JADCO for only twice - January to March, 2015 and July to September, 2015 - for alleged-

ly missing the out-of-competition doping tests.

In the mean time, Russell said he was focused on helping the first-place Tallawahs secure a second CPL title, after first winning it in 2013. Tallawahs round out their league stage by playing St Lucia Zouks twice, on July 30 and 31. Heading into the playoffs, a win in either game will clinch

Andre Russell

first place for Tallawahs, giving them two chances to reach the final.

"This is what we live for, to be on top of the table," Russell said. "We still have a few games to go. We're still not going to take anything for granted. We're going to try and play our best cricket so we can be in form going into the crucial games." (Cricinfo)

Guyana to start title...

FROM PAGE 22

Unlike last year, the event will feature limited overs and three day cricket. The tournament will comprise three rounds of three-day matches during the first 11 days, and the Youth Super50 which fields seven teams – the six territorial sides from Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago and Windward Islands – along with a composite side from ICC Americas.

Each of the teams will play the other once in a round-robin competition, featuring seven rounds of 50 overs-a-side matches, with the top two teams qualifying for the final to determine the tournament winner on

August 21 at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex.

The defending champs are scheduled to play last year’s 50-over runners-up Jamaica in their opener at Park Hill. The clash is the most anticipated of the opening round and an intense battle is expected.

West Indies youth player Michael Frew is expected to spearhead Jamaica’s batting.

Guyana U-19 Squad: Travis Persaud (Captain); Keemo Paul; Sherfane Rutherford; Renaldo AliMohamed; Akinie Adams; Ronaldo Renee; Malcolm Hubbard; Keshram Shabodan; Joel Seitaram; Looknauth Chinkoo;

Bhaskar Yadram; Joshua Persaud; Sylus Tyndall and Raymond Perez. The Coach is Adrian Amsterdam and Manager, David Black Jamaica U-19 squad: Brad Barnes, Kashawn Beale, Jeavor Royal, Dominik Samuels, Javar Harrison, Andre Bailey, Orande Pearson, Jordane Hill, Michael Frew, Rahvin Harvey, Tyrone Daley, Rashjni Roye, Javelle Glenn and Miguel Smith. The Coach is Odelmo Peters In the day’s other two fixtures, Trinidad and Tobago will play Barbados at Arnos Vale Sports Complex and Leeward Islands and Windward Islands will clash at Sion Hill.

YELLOW PAGES WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016 | WWW.GUYANA-TIMES.COM

CAR RENTALS Need a car to rent? Then call 6111018 for the best cars at great prices.

Progressive Auto Rental: Cars from $4000 and up. Tel: 219-3900, 643-5122

DENTISTRY Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown. Tel: 225-5034

DRIVING SCHOOL Shalom Enterprise Driving School 2 Croal Street, Stabroek. You can obtain an International Drivers Permit Covering 131 Countries. Tel: 2273869, 644-7052, 659-3381

EDUCATION REGISTER - learn to play drums, guitar, keyboard and train your voice NOW OR in the Summer. Call 225-1151/ 657-8404

FOR SALE 1 PITBULL MINIBUS FOR SALE. CALL: 621-5141 Powerline Battery Water/wholesale. 1 litre and 0.5 litre sizes. Tel: 680-3863 Clean Garden Earth. Also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call 6279977 Road to Belwasa and A Dip at the Sangam, Indentureship Novels at Austin’s Book Store and Lachmansingh Drug Store. Tel: 2265053.

For sale by lot: Lot (1): 2 bath tubs, bathroom fittings and fixtures & toilet set; shower fittings - $150,000 and Lot (2): 1 Dell desktop computer & HP scanner - $25,000. Call 225-2676 or 601-5285.

One 6 inch dredge, one 4-cylinder MWM, one 3-cylinder MWM engine in working condition with all other complete equipment in good working condition. 679-3655 2-STOREY CONCRETE HOUSE 35x45 ENCLOSED DOWNSTAIRS, SIZE OF LAND 65x120, SECTION A DIAMOND HOUSING SCHEME, EAST BANK DEMERARA, CONTACT 6645052/617-0583

FLOWERS Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

IMMIGRATION Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa matters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc. Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates. Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105.

Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

KEY CUTTING Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown. Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 621-3249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks. Get your extra key today.

OPTICIAN Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

HEALTH Healthworld Clinic – Providing professional psychological therapy for all mental and behavioral health problems. Call (592)-690-1824 MondaysSaturdays 9am-3pm. Email; healthworldhc@gmail.com

LAND FOR SALE 1.5 Acre Land in W.B.D. Call: 658-0115 Land at La Grange Public Road, Size 4 Acre, could be used for commercial or housing scheme. Tel#: 625-1514 Formerly Globe Cinema, Corner lot, Church and Waterloo Street Size 125 ft x 133 ft Tel: 610-2234 One land 100/50 at Good Hope Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara for sale. Priced six million dollars. For more information, kindly call 623-0156 or 695-3150 (serious inquires only) Transported Land for Sale at Logwood Enmore, ECD. Contact Tel: (592)-6225824 or (592)-671-5395.

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997 HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081, 322-5738, 322-5788, 337-4510, 337-4259, 337-3070, 3375103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now.

Jesus Cares.

Ifa Temple – Are you having serious problems and urgently need spiritual help? Call 621-0552 now. Email: anewlife@live.com

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

VACANCIES Vacancy. In-store Shift Manager. Call: 624-0033, 680-3863 Cashier for Supermarket. Tel: 624-0033

Transported Land for sale located on the right bank of the Essequibo River.

Contact Tel: (592)-622-5824 or (592)671-5395.

One (1) Cook. Tel: 624-0033

Transported Land for sale located on the eastern side of Palmyra, Berbice.

Contact Tel: (592)-622-5824 or (592)671-5395.

Security In-store; Day Duty. Tel: 6803863

One (1) Maid. Tel: 624-0033 Driver for Water Truck. Tel: 680-3863

Waitress for Bar, ECD. Tel: 612-2522

Transported Property for sale at Logwood Enmore, ECD. Contact Tel: (592)-622-5824 or (592)-671-5395.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

Transported Property for sale at Logwood Enmore, ECD. Contact Tel: (592)-622-5824 or (592)-671-5395.

1 2009 MAZDA RX 8, 1 ALLION, 1 BENZ, 1 SMALL BUS, 1 MUSIC BUS, 1 MOTOR CYCLE, CONTACT: 265 -4979

Raw Loam and Mixed Loam (any quantity) for sale. Contact Tel: (592)-6270903 or (592)-671-5395.

BMW 350-650 Horse Power/Engine; Seat Cap: 2. Type of vehicle: cycle; Colour: blue/white. Year: 2006. Call Rolo: 681-3576

PROPERTY FOR SALE

1 TOYOTA IPSUM (7-SEATER) IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION WITH MUSIC (5800 W): CONTACT 6531003

Transported property in excellent condition. Recently renovated 2- storey property; Concrete and wooden structure with modern amenities. Each floor has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and 1 kitchen also concrete yard with 4 sides of fencing. Back lot, Dowding Street, Kitty. $ 30M negotiable. Call 614-2722 for viewing. Serious inquiries only.

House Lot, Diamond New Scheme between 2nd & 3rd Avenue. Contact: 638-1529 Eccles: $27M Neg. Enterprise Sec C: $20M Neg. MonRepos: $30M Neg. South Ruimveldt Park:$20M Neg. Broad Street: $80M Neg. Charlotte Street between Camp and Alexander: $55M Neg. Providence(land): $6.5M Neg. Parfaite Harmony(land): $4.5M Neg. Contact: 691-1521 GOOD HOPE AND OGLE. CONTACT: 6735546, 222-3066, 682-7257, 679-0987

SERVICES

JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRA-CAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

House plans & estimates, weeding of grass and spraying done within 48hrs.

Call: 216-0671; 622-0267; 692-8464 Repairs and Spares, Air Conditioning, Car AC, Washers, Stoves. Call Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206

WANTED SALESGIRLS WITH EXPERIENCE PLEASE BRING WRITTEN APPLICATION AND CV TO TRISTAR ELECTRICAL BRASSONIC Bldg. (MAIN ENTRANCE 42 WATER ST. G/Town. 231-7101 Vacancy exists for one part-time Pharmacist to work on the West Coast of Demerara in Meten-meer-Zorg.

Telephone: 275-0733

TO LET SPACE TO RENT FOR BOOKSTORE/ FOOD COURT OR CLOTHING AND COSMETICS STORE, 15X30FT. LOCATED SATRO BUILDING. CONTACT: 642-7743 ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT WITH FRIDGE, WASHING MACHINE, STOVE, ETC AT 3E LUSIGNAN, ECD. 265-3307 OR 234-0302 ONE SPACIOUS SELF-CONTAINED BEDROOM APARTMENT, LOCATED AT CUMMINGS LODGE. CONTACT 623-0386.

SPIRITUALITY Dutch spiritual healing in removing evil spirit, bad luck, evil sickness, spells, reuniting lovers and prosperity to business. Call: 612-6417, 687-5653

Classified Ads

Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc.

Call 223-6834/600-7719.

Call: 223-7230 Ext 35

$5+VAT per word

21

SPORTS

WICB Regional Under-19…

Joshua Persaud aspires for the summit

By Delvon McEwan

T

he youngest member of Guyana’s National Under-19 team, Joshua Persaud is aspiring to the summit as he aims to finish the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional U-19 Tournament which gets underway today, with his first regional ton and the most runs.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport via social media from his hotel in St Vincent, the 16-year-old right-handed wicketkeeper/batsman said it was his goal to achieve the aforementioned statistics at the end of this year’s tournament, knowing he has put in the work and it was just a matter of execution as he prepared to make an impact with every given opportunity.

“Leading up to this tournament, I have worked hard on my cricket. I was involved in two camps, the U-17 and U-19, subsequent to the U-17 camp, I participated in the Regional U-17 tournament in Trinidad where I finished as Guyana’s leading run scorer and won the accolade for best wicket keeper. Due to my performance there and my healthy current condition as a cricketer, I believe it is time I show my true potential as a cricketer, especially with the bat. My goal is to score my first ton, end with the title of best batsman and top wicketkeeper,” said the Chase Academic Foundation student who will be entering Fifth Form in the new school term.

When questioned about his approach in achieving his goals with the bat, Persaud

was quick to point out patience and consistency were the elements to attaining such milestones. However, the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) player believes concentration and his new approach – batting for long periods – will garner

Joshua Persaud

success.

Since his debut in 2014 on the national U-15 team, Persaud has been an impactful player. In that said tournament, Guyana won the title after a hiatus of 16 years and Persaud was not just a leading batsman on Guyana’s team but also in the tournament.

He usually opens the batting and is full of confidence and naturally aggressive against the fast bowlers and shows no remorse for the spinners, especially when they overloop the ball or are too short.

That sort of batsmanship coupled with his wicketkeeping skill assisted in his selection to the West Indies U-16

team on their tour of the United Kingdom where he played four matches and batted twice for returns of 21 and 12 not out.

Apart from his batting, Persaud is looking to contribute significantly behind the stumps since he understands how important the role is for his team as well as his individual contribution.

He is optimistic about his team’s bowlers, saying the fast bowling department, including Sherfane Rutherford, Keemo Paul and Ronaldo AliMohammed, are experienced and capable and along with the spinners, they are going to create opportunities for him to finish as the leading man behind the stumps.

According to the confident player, these new goals were influenced by the West Indies Youth Team’s success at the Youth World Cup in Bangladesh. “Any youngster’s dream is to elevate to West Indies U-19 team to feature in a World Cup. Being able to view their (WI U-19) success at the World Cup this year would have been instrumental in my new goals.”

Persaud is expected to start in Guyana’s opening game against Jamaica today, as the team begin their quest to win a third successive Regional U-19 title.

Among the stars is Keemo Paul, the West Indies U-19 Vice Captain and the batsman who hit the winning runs to seal the title at the World Cup. If Persaud should achieve his goals and support the likes of Paul, then Guyana can easily be successful for a third successive time.

Digicel, Team Evolution partner for annual breast cancer cycle race

T

elecommunication giant Digicel and cycling club Team Evolution inked a deal on Tuesday at the company’s headquarters in Kingston, which will see the club taking the lead in organising their annual Breast Cancer Awareness Cycle Race.

The partnership is expected to last one year, and will also see the cycling club providing assistance for several community activities the company will have in the future.

Digicel Senior Sponsorship Manager Louanna Abrams posited that the event, which would pedal off on October 30, was one of the biggest on the company’s calendar.

Abrams said, “Digicel has been successful in hosting the Digicel Breast Cancer Awareness Cycling Race; this has proven to be one of our most successful current signature events, as we not only give opportunities to young upcoming cyclists but we make a sizeable contribution to aid breast cancer awareness

From left: Digicel Senior Sponsorship Manager Louanna Abrams, Team Evolution President Keith Fernandes and Club Secretary Andrew Arjoon (Paul Vanvield photo)

across Guyana.”

Team Evolution President Keith Fernandes expressed gratitude on being able to partner with Digicel once more for the event. He said that a main aim will be to promote cycling as a health initiative.

Club Secretary Andrew Arjoon explained that a major component of the programme was getting recognised cyclists to engage with youths of the community and teach them the sport.

Arjoon posited that “getting out there into the community, getting our cyclists who are names, are recognisable in the sporting community, getting them out, to teach the youngsters the health and safety aspect of cycling” was the objective.

Last year’s race was won

by Raynauth Jeffrey in a time of 3:15:32, with Jaime Romeirs (3:16:01) and Marlon Williams (3:16:23) finishing in second and third respectively.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

HQ dominate races in rainaffected GPF athletics c’ship

Digicel’s Schools Football Championships...

Christianburg-Wismar, Chase Academy T seeking final spots

By Romario Samaroo

— semi-finals on today at Leonora

F

our-time champions ChristianburgWismar Secondary and Chase Academic Foundation will be seeking to dispose of their opponents today to set up a mouth-watering rematch of last year’s final in the Digicel’s Schools Football Championships.

Today, the semi-finals will be played at the Track and Field Facility at Leonora, West Coast Demerara and the Linden side will face South Georgetown champions Sir Leon’s Lessons at 18:00h.

The “Multi” of Linden will start as certain favourites, having produced their most dominant performance of this year on Monday by whipping Berbice side Tutorial Secondary 6-0, with star forward Omar Brewley netting two goals.

In a post-match interview, coach of the Linden side, Delon Peters made a stern statement that his team was the side to beat and would be playing their brand of football.

On the other side of the field, a buoyant Sir Leon’s Lesson will be seeking to create an massive upset, after having defeated 3-2 DC Caesar Fox (Waramadong) in their own backyard to reach this stage. Captain David George and Sylvester Richardson were the heroes in that match and will need to come to the fore once more in the city side’s bid to pull

Chase Garrett

Captain

Jeremy

off a memorable heist.

In the other semi-final, Bush Lot will face arguably their toughest opponents thus far when they clash with Chase from 16:00h.

Chase, who hold some of the country’s most talented footballers, faced their sternest test against Annai on their home turf and showed that despite the difficult conditions they could still find a way to win.

Captain Jeremy Garrett spoke of the clinching victory as one which showcased his team was here to do nothing but win the tournament.

Garrett will call on teammates Kelsey Benjamin, Jobe Caesar, and Ryan Hackett to continue their impressive form this season, as they seek to reach one step closer to the title.

On the other hand,

Christianburg-Wismar forward Omar Brewley

star

Region Five champions Bush Lot Secondary cruised past Soesdyke by a 3-1 margin thanks to a hat-trick from Titus Webster, but will need a valiant effort from the team, if they wish to move into the final.

The final, which is slated for July 31 at the National Stadium, Providence, will see the champion school collect $1 million to fund a project of its choice, while the second to fourth place finishers will receive $700,000, $400,000 and $350,000 respectively, to also fund a school project.

The regional champions collected $100,000 also for school projects.

Christianburg Wismar Secondary School are the defending champions, winning the title for four consecutive years.

he Police Headquarters (HQ) team dominated the first day of the Guyana Police Force Championship as early morning showers in Georgetown only allowed 18 events to run off at the Police Sports Club, Eve Leary on Tuesday.

In the Men’s 800m, A Class team Guyana copped the top three positions led

by Quacy Morain followed

by Trevor Scotland and Larry Josiah.

In the Women’s 3000m, A Division’s Shion Boyer finished in first place with a time of 13 minutes 21 seconds as HQ’s Eva Harry (14m 49s) and Dellie Williams (15m 32s) completed the podium in second and third respectively.

This year is the first time regional police forces are invited to participate in the championship, but they could not stop the Guyanese from dominating.

During the men’s A Class Discus, Julio Sinclair demonstrated his technique to take the top spot and Trinidad and Tobago’s in-

Tyrell Peters ran the 100m in 11.7 seconds

vitational thrower, Clinton Glasgow measured in second, while third place was taken by Guyana’s Marvin Tinnis.

HQ completed the podium in the Men’s Discus B Class, with Kleon Spellen, Warren Duncan and Sherwin Henry winning 1-2-3 in that order.

In the Males’ Youth Club 100m heats, B Division’s Tyrell Peters clocked the fastest time at 11.7 seconds, closely followed by Compton Caesar (11.8s).

The 100m Females race was conquered by HQ’s

Julio Sinclair

Javina Sampson (1st) and B Division’s Keisa Burnett (2nd) HQ’s Kezia Bess came in first in the 400m females heats, with a timing of 1:05.8 minutes and Shaunsel Adams was close behind at 1:06.0 minutes. However, in the male 400m B Class heats, it was Winston Dummett of A Division who clocked 50.8 seconds to gain first.

The championship continues today at the same venue with the finals being on Friday.

WICB Regional U-19 Tournament…

Guyana to start title defence against Jamaica

I

Guyana Under-19 team which is currently in St Vincent and the Grenadines

t will be the first Regional Under-19 tournament since the West Indies U-19 team won their first youth title and it promises to be an exciting one as the six regional youth teams prepare to battle in St Vincent and the Grenadines from today in the three-day version of the tournament.

The Caribbean top youth players will once more have a chance to showcase their talent and state their case for selection to the West Indies youth team. Several of the players who participated in the West Indies youth team’s successful bid will also be making a return.

For a third straight year, Guyana have a strong team and are a top contender to retain the title for a third successive time.

They will be led for a second time by Travis Persaud

and all-rounder Keemo Paul, who was the Vice Captain of the successful West Indies U-19 team which won the World Cup in Bangladesh, will serve as the deputy.

All-rounders Sherfane Rutherford and Renaldo Ali-Mohamed are also expected to play integral roles in a line-up that is strong in all departments.

Young and exciting openers Joshua Persaud and Bhaskar Yadram are also expected to contribute with the bat along with Renaldo Renee, Raymond Perez and Malcolm Hubbard.

Guyana’s outstanding performance dates back to 2014 when they won their first double- limited overs and three-day titles at home under the leadership of Brian Sattaur. Last year, in Jamaica, they repeated the feat under returning skip-

per Persaud.

In a brief comment via telephone Tuesday, Paul said it was obvious that they were defending champions and their confidence level was high and with that, they were going out there to execute what they have practised. With regard to him, he is optimistic about his individual contribution with bat and ball and other aspects on and off the field that are required of him.

Prior to departure, the national U-19 team was encamped at the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence Hostel and indoor facility at La Bonne Intention (LBI) on the East Coast of Demerara.

The preparatory camp lasted for two weeks. The Regional U-19 tournament will run from today until August 21.

TURN TO PAGE 20

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

23

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

TKR clinch vital chase behind Akmal’s 73 not out T

he St Lucia Zouks missed out on making it four wins out of four at the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) against the Trinbago Knight Riders having looked all but assured of victory. A brilliant half century from Umar Akmal saw his team home against an in form Zouks team to keep TKR in the hunt for a knockout spot.

Daren Sammy top scored for the Zouks as he continued to dominate the matches played in a stadi-

um named after him, but it wasn’t enough for him to keep a perfect record at the ground as Akmal won this game on his own.

Brendon McCullum and William Perkins got the chase of 168 for victory underway for the Knight Riders, but both fell inside the PowerPlay. McCullum miscuing a drive off Jerome Taylor and Perkins failing to spot a Kyle Mayers slower ball and offering an easy catch.

There was a recovery

SCOREBOARD St Lucia Zouks innings (20 overs maximum) J Charles c Beaton b Bravo 27 A Fletcher† run out (Cooper/ McCullum) 25 S Watson run out (Beaton/†Ra mdin) 32 M Hussey c Umar Akmal b Cooper 12 G Elliott c & b Bravo 12 DJG Sammy* not out 37 K Mayers c Cooper b Beaton 6 D Johnson not out 1 Extras (lb 1, w 13, nb 1) 15 Total (6 wickets; 20 overs) 167 Did not bat: S Shillingford, K Lesporis, JE Taylor Fall of wickets : 1-60 (A Fletcher,7.2), 2-65 (J Charles,8.6), 3-90 (M Hussey,12.3), 4-114 (G Elliott,15.3), 5-125 (S Watson,17.1), 6-147 (K Mayers,18.5) Bowling Beaton 4-0-25-1 (4w), Devcich 4-0-32-0 (1nb, 2w), Cooper 4-0 -43-1 (2w), Miller 1-0-10-0, DJ Bravo 4-0-34-2, Narine 3-0-22-0

Trinbago Knight Riders innings (target: 168 runs from 20 overs) W Perkins c Johnson b Mayers 11 B McCullum c Charles b Taylor 3 C Munro run out (Sammy) 21 D Ramdin† c Watson b Johnson 4 Umar Akmal not out 73 DJ Bravo* c †Fletcher b Sammy 4 A Devcich c Shillingford b Johnson 25 S Narine b Johnson 17 K Cooper not out 2 Extras (lb 3, w 4, nb 1) 8 Total (7 wickets; 19 overs) 168 Did not bat: NO Miller, RR Beaton Fall of wickets : 1-4 (B McCullum,1.1), 2-30 (W Perkins,4.4), 3-38 (C Munro,6.1), 4-41 (D Ramdin,6.4), 5-63 (D Bravo,9.3), 6-114 (A Devcich,14.3), 7-166 (S Narine,18.4) Bowling: Mayers 3-0-15-1, Taylor 3-0-38-1 (1w), Watson 4-0-43-0, Johnson 4-0-223 (2w), Sammy 4-0-29-1 (1nb, 1w), Elliott 1-0-18-0

of sorts courtesy of New Zealander Colin Munro but he rode his luck while he was there and was gone for just 21. He was nearly run out and was dropped by Fletcher before another run out opportunity was taken by Sammy – a direct hit finding Munro short of his ground.

When Denesh Ramdin went in the same over for four it meant there were two batsmen at the crease who were yet to get off the mark after three wickets fell for 11 runs in the space of 12 balls.

Sammy brought himself on to bowl and picked up his sixth wicket in the four matches in St Lucia when he had Bravo caught gloving a ball down the leg side and the Knight Riders were reeling at 63-5 in the 10th over.

It looked like the Knight Riders were finished.

Umar Akmal had other ideas as he swung manfully on his way to 73 (35).

His partnership with Anton Devcich brought the Knight Riders back into the match and when Devcich went

Teams

Akmal was well supported by Sunil Narine as they reached their victory target with six balls to spare.

It was a very sloppy start from the Knight Riders when the Zouks’ batted. They should have dismissed Johnson Charles twice inside the PowerPlay.

First when he was on just one when he top edged a ball that three fielders converged on and none of them claimed.

Then Charles was out off the bowling of Devcich, brilliantly caught

by Dwayne Bravo, but the bowler had overstepped and he was reprieved.

When the Knight Riders did take a wicket it was through some good fortune.

Andre Fletcher was coming back for a second run and dove into the crease and made his ground.

Unfortunately for Fletcher his bat bounced up as it passed the crease and nothing was behind the line when the bails were removed by Devcich.

When Johnson Charles fell mistiming a slower ball

St Lucia Zouks Darren Sammy (L) and Delorn Johnson (R) celebrate the fall of another wicket Photo by Ashley Allen

bouncer from Bravo that brought together Australian veterans Michael Hussey and Shane Watson. Hussey also benefited from a drop when Devcich failed to cling on to a sharp chance, but he didn’t last long. He holed

Mat Won Lost N/R

Pts Net RR

Jamaica Tallawahs

8

6

1

1

13

+1.502

Guyana Amazon Warriors

8

5

3

0

10

+0.017

Trinbago Knight Riders

8

4

4

0

8

-0.029

St Lucia Zouks

8

4

4

0

8

-0.101

Barbados Tridents

8

3

4

1

7

-0.184

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

8

1

7

0

2

-1.022

out at long off trying to hit Kevon Cooper over long off only to find the fielder.

There was no sustained period of run scoring by the Zouks through the middle overs of their innings as the Trinbago bowlers kept things tight. It wasn’t until the final three overs that they started to find the boundary which helped them reach 167-6, aided by yet another drop – the fourth in the innings, this time by Umar Akmal.

It was that man Sammy that got the Zouks to a competitive today with 37 (18).

He has made 96 runs in his three innings at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground at a strike rate of 174, but thanks to Akmal it wasn’t enough. (CPL T20)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

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

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

Pg 23

TKR clinch vital chase behind Akmal’s 73 not out Digicel’s Schools Football Championships...

Christianburg-Wismar, Chase Academy seeking final spots — semi-finals on today at Leonora

Chase’s Kelesy Benjamin (orange and red) will need to bring all his skills to the field once more to help his team reach the final once more (Akeem

Pg 22

“CPL in USA can't just be a oneoff” — Gayle

Greene photo)

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyana-times.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 SALES AND MARKETING - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.

Pg 19