Guyana Times Daily

Specific villages to benefit from teen pregnancy prevention P programme 13

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyana-times.com

Issue No. 2891

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, June 20, 2016

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15-year-old shot as gunmen storm mechanic shop

Region 2 PPP/C RDC Councillors calling for P2 fogging machines

Friendship home ravaged by fire

Serial robber shot, arrested at Springlands

Page 2

– heist caught on surveillance cameras

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Fedders Lloyd’s blacklisting

Govt to return to tender for Specialty Hospital Project – Dr Norton

Page 5

Page 3

International Day of Yoga observed

P16

Harmon, stakeholders draft development P7 plan for Mocha

GPF urges P10 community effort in fighting crime – establishes newest Police youth group

See stories on centre pages Participants at the events practised several yoga poses

Transition needed for sugar industry to survive – US Embassy deputy Page 9

The death penalty in Guyana

“I have no intention of executing Page 5 anyone” – President Granger

Business Minister receptive to hemp industry P7 in Guyana UG admission criteria could be revisited – Vice Chancellor Dr Griffith P11

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monDAY, june 20, 2016 | guyana-times.com

15-year-old shot Region 2 PPP/C RDC as gunmen storm Councillors calling mechanic shop for fogging machines – heist caught on surveillance cameras

By Indrawattie Natram

O

The mechanic shop the three gunmen stormed

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15-year-old boy was hospitalised after he was shot in the face by armed bandits on Sunday afternoon at a mechanic shop in South Ruimveldt Gardens, Greater Georgetown.

According to the Police, the robbery occurred about 14:00h.

The teenager identified as Jamal Lewis, of Wren Avenue, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, is an employee of the mechanic shop. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted in “serious” condition.

According to Police

spokesman Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, Lewis had scuffled with one of the bandits during the robbery and one round from the bandit’s firearm hit him in the face.

“The employees were robbed of cellular phones and a small amount of cash.

The suspects escaped in a silver Spacio, registration number unknown,” the Police spokesman added.

The property, which also houses a base of the Green Ice Taxi Service, has surveillance cameras which captured the entire robbery.

The video footage, which was handed over to the Police, revealed the car cir-

cled the area twice before its occupants pulled off the daring robbery.

Reports reaching this publication informed that the men upon exiting the vehicle ran into the mechanic shop and held its occupants at gunpoint, relieving them of their valuables.

According to persons at the mechanic shop, one of the men gun-butted Jamal, causing the weapon to discharge a round, which hit the teenager.

The men did not manage to cart off any cash from the business itself.

Police are continuing their hunt for the suspects.

pposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Councillors on the Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) are calling on Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton to provide the Region with enough fogging machines to help in the fight against mosquitoborne diseases.

At the recent statutory meeting for the month of June, Councillor Brian Basil Persaud made the request, stating that there has been an increase in mosquitoes in Charity and neighbouring areas and many persons have been reportedly suffering from Chikungunya and Dengue.

Persaud reported that currently the fogging machine in the Region was down and environmental officers cannot execute their jobs in an effective manner.

Persaud said many persons were currently suffering with illnesses owing to the increase of mosquitoes in their areas. He related that fogging needed to commence and it could only be done if the Region acquired new fogging machines.

He also stated that reports coming out from the nine Amerindian communities in the Region indicated

RDC Councillor Brian Basil

that they were also suffering from fever and skin rashes.

Persaud said residents in several areas, upon reporting the increase in mosquitoes, made calls for a health team to conduct a medical outreach.

Another PPP/C Councillor Humace Odit also said that he could not see why the Region had insufficient fogging machines.

He noted that residents were being affected and the issue needed to be addressed in a timely manner.

At that point, head of the RDC, Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt requested that the Chairman of the RDC Health and Sanitation Committee, Arnold Adams form a team and visit these areas in an effort to con-

firm whether there was indeed an outbreak. He revealed that the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce has given its commitment to provide a vehicle for the fogging to commence.

When this newspaper contacted Senior Environmental Officer Shaleena Baksh on the matter, she said fogging was stopped as the machine malfunctioned, also noting that the weather was not conducive to fogging.

Regional Health Officer Afarah Khan said there was not an outbreak of illness; however, there was an increase of mosquitoes in villages based on the number of persons visiting the hospital for mosquito-related ailments.

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monDAY, june 20, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, June 20 – 05:00h-06:30h and Tuesday, June 21– 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, June 20 – 16:35h-18:05h and Tuesday, June 21– 17:00h-18:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy to light rain showers can be expected throughout the day. Light to partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South-easterly to East Northeasterly between 1.34 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 04:12h and 16:39h reaching maximum heights of 2.62 metres and 2.53 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:13h and 22:25h reaching minimum heights of 0.57 metre and 0.69 metre respectively.

Saturday, June 18, 2016

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06 13 19 22 25 26 17 Bonus Ball

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Fedders Lloyd blacklisting

Govt to return to tender for Specialty Hospital Project – Dr Norton

I

n light of Fedders Lloyd Corporation Limited being blacklisted over fraud and corruption practices by the World Bank, Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton said that the government has already taken a decision to discontinue a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Indianbased company and will now put the project to tender.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Sunday, Dr Norton said that after learning about the company being blacklisted, the government held a discussion in this regard.

“We had a discussion and that discussion would have been as a direct result of what was revealed by the World Bank and that was only revealed recently… We will have to change the company… There is no doubt we will go to tender to get a new company as early as possible,” Dr Norton told this publication.

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition had ignored a evaluation report compiled under the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, which disqualified Fedders Lloyd for the same project in 2012, and last year signed an MoU with that company to complete the Specialty Hospital after Surendra Engineering was sacked.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who once provided legal services for Fedders Lloyd, defended the company’s selection by his government, arguing

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

was blacklisted by the World Bank under its fraud and corruption policy as set forth in the Bank’s Procurement Guidelines or the Consultant Guidelines, forcing the APNU/AFC Administration to sever ties with the company, which had already commenced works on the hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

According to the World Bank website, the company has been sanctioned from April 6, 2016 to April 5, 2020 for breaches of the institution’s procurement guidelines in 2004 and in 2010.

act or omission, including a misrepresentation, that knowingly or recklessly misleads, or attempts to mislead, a party to obtain a financial or other benefit or to avoid an obligation.”

Further examination of the World Bank’s notes on the debarred firms and individuals, it explained the company will have to adhere to certain conditions during the period of sanction before it can be allowed to work on projects financed by the institution: “The period of ineligibility of Fedders Lloyd

An artist's impression of the Specialty Hospital

that the company was being victimised by the previous government.

The APNU/AFC government had also argued that in the interest of time and without any tendering process, it approached Fedders Lloyd, which was willing to complete and fully equip the medical facility with the remaining US$13.8 million of the US$18 million Line of Credit from the India Exim (Export-Import) Bank.

However, in April the New Delhi-based company

The guideline, 1.14(a)(ii), under the heading ‘Fraud and Corruption’ states: “Fraudulent practice is any

Corporation Limited extends to any legal entity that they directly or indirectly control. turn to page 11

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mondAY, june 20, 2016

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Editorial

Fathering and Fatherhood

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esterday, Fathers' Day, was commemorated and, as with most of these days dedicated to social relationships, it has become so commercialised and commodified that the occasion now retains the most tenuous connection to the relationship. But we are living in a time of change in all social relationships brought about by new ideologies (eg feminism); evolution of the state system and societies (globalisation), as well as stubborn structural remnants from the past (slavery and indentureship), that the role of the father today bears closer examination.

While slavery's downplaying of the role of the father has been blamed for the travails of the single-parent family (read "mother-led family") in the Caribbean, feminist critiques have, in recent decades, condemned the "patriarchal domination" that the traditional culture reinforced in its normative, "nuclear" family structure, where the man was the "head of the household". What is needed today, therefore, is not just a focus on "social cohesion" at the macro level between groups, but within the building bloc of society – the family.

It has been suggested that there ought to be a distinction made and acknowledged between "fathering" and "fatherhood". "Fathering" is what a man does when he contributes sperm to a woman so that the latter's egg may be fertilised to develop into a child. This is what a man's role was during slavery in most instances and he did not settle into "fatherhood" where he had a role in the rearing of the children. He rather performed in a "visiting" relationship, where he would generally contribute as least as possible to the upkeep of the children. After indentureship, Indians created the nuclear but not the extended family structure they left in village India.

Today, with modern technology, the man's physical presence has been made superfluous in "fathering" since this can be achieved with sperm donated anonymously at "sperm banks" and inserted into females for fertilisation.

Interestingly, even the role of the mother has been complicated with both sperm and eggs being fertilised "in vitro" (in glass) in the laboratory and then implanted into the uterus of a woman. We now have the latter individual being labelled a "surrogate" mother.

It would appear then, that the role of men in "fathering" might continue to diminish in importance and with it, whatever moral imperative there was for the man to deal with "fatherhood". We are not making a normative statement here, but simply noting an objective societal development globally and locally which can then be addressed. The question thus becomes one as to the necessity of "fatherhood" in the creation of a more harmonious and well-functioning society.

It has become a cliché to point out society's reflective handwringing about the "damage" done to children because of absent fathers. But two possibly contributory factors have to be disaggregated: the financial contribution the absent father would have made to the upkeep of the family and secondly, the "role model" the father supposedly provided to the children. It is a fact that most single-parent families, headed by mothers, are poor and this creates all the pressures that poverty imposes on all families – not just single-mother families. Since poverty is one of the variables, maybe like the US in 1999, laws ought to be passed to ensure that "deadbeat dads" pay equitable child support.

We can also test the absent "role model" ideal even without "deadbeat dads" paying their fair share: we now have a significant number of single-parent women who are holding down well-paying jobs. Have we conducted studies to determine whether their children need a "dad" in the house? And this questions the ideal of "fatherhood" when most married men see their role as "just being there" and leave it on the wife to "raise" the children.

The new questioning of gender roles in and out of the family can be seen as positive in defining more clearly the nature of "fatherhood".

In the Philippines, schoolchildren ride a makeshift raft to attend the opening of classes at a remote Casili Elementary School in Montalban, Rizal, north-east of Manila (BBC News)

Police should ensure that litterbugs are made to pay for their crimes Dear Editor, Friday, June 10 will remain a legal landmark in Berbice whereby a litterbug was convicted at the Albion Magistrate’s Court by Magistrate Mittleholzer and was fined $50,000 or alternatively one month imprisonment for disposing of garbage in a public place contrary to Regulation 3 of the EPA Act (No 7 of 2013).

Those present in court were completely shocked because they did not realize that such was the severity of the punishment for dumping garbage. One newscaster on TV had said that there was no fine for littering – such is the ignorance of

this law!

Tahir Bacchus of Kilcoy Village, Berbice was caught dumping garbage next to the Chesney Cricket Ground at 05:00h in the morning. He was subsequently arrested by the Police after a complaint was filed by me.

It was a tough battle to get this person charged since the Police at Albion were not even aware of the EPA Act under which litterbugs could be charged and even after submitting a copy of the Act to the Police, I had to literally write the charge.

However, I must add that the officer-in-charge was very cooperative and gave her full support in order to get the law breaker on

trial and hence his conviction.

Another serious form of littering is passengers and drivers throwing garbage out of their vehicle windows. It is quite alarming and dangerous to suddenly see some missiles in the form of food boxes, plastic bottles and cups heading in your direction at high speed or a black plastic bag tinting your windscreen.

Sometimes our reflex action will be to attempt to duck which can cause us to lose control.

Persons who witness these types of littering should take these vehicle numbers down and file complaints with the Police, it is only then that

these criminal acts will stop.

I am calling on the Commissioner of Police to ensure that litterbugs are made to pay for their crimes since the billions of dollars expended can be utilized more effectively to foster developmental works. In the same breath, I would like the EPA to once again publicise this criminal act in the media. We need to sensitise the public.

Litterbugs must be made to understand that crime does not pay!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf Chairman – Kilcoy/ Hampshire NDC RDC Councillor

Questions to Green on violence Dear Editor, I thank Hamilton Green for his generous offer to educate me (by offering me a free copy of a book) on the history of ethnic violence in Guyana. I hope the former unelected Prime Minister will also be generous to provide me with a copy of his book that addresses the following questions: Who was the person that convinced Burnham

and UG to reverse the approval for the hiring of Dr Walter Rodney at UG? Who was the intellectual author of the murder of Rodney? Who convinced Burnham that Rodney was a danger to the PNC? Who shot Dr Josh Ramsammy?

Who shot Vincent Teekah?

Who poisoned Shirley Field Ridley? Why was there no autopsy on cause of death? Why was the

corpse of Ridley cremated in a hurry? Who planned the kidnapping of Dr Clive Thomas? Who gave instructions to pour sand in the gas tank of cars driven by political opponents? Who was the author of electoral riggings? Who was the intellectual author of the Indian massacre on May 26 in Wismar? Who gave the order for the Wismar massacre? Who was the

author of the Buxton massacre of Indians? Who was responsible for the disappearance of political opponents?

The answers to these questions and others posed by several individuals will help the nation to understand the violence in Guyana?

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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monDAY, june 20, 2016 | guyana-times.com

The death penalty in Guyana

"I have no intention of executing anyone" – President Granger

Friendship home ravaged by fire

By: Alexis Rodney

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resident David Granger has made clear his position on the death penalty issue in Guyana, noting that he has no intention of executing anyone. The Head of State was speaking on his weekly televised programme “The Public Interest” on Thursday.

Although the death penalty remains enshrined in Guyana’s laws, there has not been any execution for decades. According to the President, the death penalty remains on the statute books but government is yet to pronounce on whether it will be abolished or not.

“I don’t have any intentions of executing anyone.

Some people feel that the death penalty is a deterrent; some feel that it is not, but I do not have any intentions of approving the execution of anyone”.

He said some people think that, “it is best on the books as a last resort. There is a difference and there is no single statement out of the government whether it will abolish the death penalty or not. In due course, we will arrive at a position, but right, no. I agree there are two points of view”.

Guyana has committed to join the worldwide efforts to abolish capital punishment, which is deemed inhumane and completely ineffective in deterring crime.

Guyana has not abolished the death penalty, but there is a moratorium on its use, despite the fact that criminals are still being sentenced to death.

Guyana’s last execution was in 1997.

More than 100 countries have already made significant strides in abolishing the death penalty, either by law or by practice. According to statistics from a report compiled by Amnesty International, 140

President David Granger

countries have abolished the death penalty in 2014, by law or practice.

This is significant given that when the organisation started its campaign against the death penalty in 1997, only 16 countries had abolished this punishment for all crim es.

Seven countries that carried out executions in 2013 did not do so in 2014 – Bangladesh, Botswana, Indonesia, India, Kuwait, Nigeria and South Sudan.

Despite this remarkable progress, there was a recorded 28 per cent increase in the number of executions in 2014 when compared with 2013. There were 2466 death sentences in 55 countries in 2014, with a total of 607 executions. This figure excludes China, which executed more persons than the rest of the world combined.

The top five countries which still execute prisoners on death row are China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the USA. Additionally, seven other countries resumed executions – Belarus, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Jordan, Pakistan, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.

Three years ago, Guyana made a commitment to the United Nations to abolish the death penalty. Attorney General Basil Williams

had recently recommitted Guyana to erasing capital punishment from its books.

Guyana’s laws state (without providing for alternatives) that an individual convicted of a capital offence “shall be liable to suffer death as a felon”.

In addition, legislation provides that murder and felony murder in the course of terrorism are “punishable by death”.

While this language is ambiguous, under Article 19 of the Criminal (Offences) Law, courts may not substitute punishments not specifically stated for deatheligible offences, so courts appear to have no discretion in sentencing.

Article 164 of the Criminal (Procedure) Law provides that when a person is convicted of an offence punishable by death, “the Court shall thereupon pronounce [the] sentence of death”.

The European Union and the United Kingdom are the world’s leading institutional actors in the fight against death penalty and its action in this area represents a key priority of its external human rights policy.

The EU and UK actively support the civil society organisations around the world campaigning for the abolition of capital punishment.

The interior of the house which was ravaged by the fire

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Lot 13 Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) family is now facing millions of dollars in losses after their home was completely destroyed by fire of unknown origin on Sunday morning.

The fire reportedly started at about 11:30h and the Fire Service managed to quash it at about 14:30h. One of the homeowners, Rocky Bahadur explained that no one was home when the fire started, as such they do not know of the origin: “Actually, nobody was home. The fire started at around 11:30 and ended at about 13:30 hours. When they [Fire Service] came, they hardly had water,” he lamented.

He related that they suspect it might have been an electrical fire; however, he is

unsure how that may have started as the family usually turns off and unplugs all appliances before leaving the house.

The man explained that the family of five is trying to come to grips with their losses as everything in the house was destroyed, including a large sum of cash.

“Everything that we owned was in the house. My

wife, her mom and dad, all their visas burnt. She was going away in a few weeks so she was saving US currency and had it upstairs, apart from the money she had. We have Padma’s Creole Cuisine so all the money is usually here before we take it to the bank,” he stated.

The Fire Service has launched an investigation into the incident.

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Foundation

By Marty Nemko, PhD

S

omehow, when the greeting card companies tell us to buy a Father's (or Mother's) Day card, we do, even if our father isn't so worthy of an honorific.

What if a father had to earn his special day? We fathers can't turn back the clock, but perhaps one or more of these things we could do now might make us more worthy.

Every night, at dinner or before bedtime ask, with sincerity, "Is there anything you'd like to discuss with me?"

Even if your child says no 20 nights in a row, keep asking.

Bonus points: Do that even if you're out of town.

Even if your child is school-age, read aloud to your child and/or have your child read to you every night before bedtime.

Bonus points: Do that even if you're out of town.

Make the effort to ensure your child is in an appropriate school: academically, socially, and re-

Continued from Tuesday

By Leonard Sax, MD, PhD

What can you do about this, if you have a son?

First: find a school which is friendly to boys. If necessary, move to a differe n t comm u nity

an expensive expedition to some exotic place. One of my fondest childhood memories is of my dad driving my mom, sister and me on a trip from our apartment in Queens to Niagara Falls with a stop at Howe Caverns.

Have your child earn his/her allowance.

We fathers can't turn back the clock, but perhaps one or more of these things we could do now might make us more worthy. garding teacher quality. If none are acceptable, consider home-schooling or private school Take a family trip to remember. It needn't be

Open a Vanguard or other low-cost brokerage account for your child.

Have him or her buy even just one share of a blue-

chip stock s/he believes in.

Popular ones for children include Disney, Google, Apple, and Amazon. That's an opportunity to teach your child not just about the wisdom of investing and sometimes deferring gratification, but about the advantages and disadvantages of capitalism.

With your child, watch YouTube videos of various careers and discuss.

Help your teenager find after-school or summer work in a workplace that will help him or her decide if that's a career s/he might want to pursue.

Occasionally, be silly with your child. Bits of irrational exuberance provide needed balance to society's ever greater demands.

Absurdities also create fond

memories.

You may feel the desire to phone or Skype your adult children more often than they call you.

Remember, they now have a life of which you are a smaller part. Yes, call. Yes, ask how they're really doing.

Yes, try to withhold judgment and advice unless you really think it's worth giving. But it's not a bad rule of thumb to call a little less often than your child calls you.

Hardest of all and worthy of lots of bonus points, be a role model.

All the pontification about integrity, hard work, and the dangers of drugs, are dwarfed by your actions.

Show more than tell. (psychologytoday.com)

which offers such a school.

Many private boys’ schools understand these issues well.

Second: limit your son’s time spent playing video games. No more than 40 minutes a night on school nights; no more than an hour a day on weekends.

Prioritise the real world over screens.

Third: no pornography for boys under 18. The adolescent years are a crucial time in which sexual desire is taking shape. Boys whose ejaculatory experiences are based on pornography, rather than on

a c tual girls t h e y h a v e m e t (whether those encounters are real or fantasised), are more likely to have difficulty with sexual intimacy, more likely to have difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection with a young woman who isn’t wearing lingerie and doesn’t resemble a porn star. Boys tell me that the most common portal for viewing pornography is on their mobile phone. If you have given your son a mobile phone, you must install

apps like Net Nanny Mobile or My Mobile Watchdog which allow you to govern and see what your son is doing online. Explain to your son that he is not allowed to watch pornography, because pornography objectifies

wome n , b e cause p o r nography crea t e s unrealistic expectations, and because pornography may decrease his ability to perform sexually with real women in the future.

Explain, but don’t negotiate. Any viewing of pornography on the phone means that he loses his phone privileges, indefinitely.

Being a parent is a challenge in every generation.

But the challenges are significantly different today compared with just 2 0 years a g o , when schola r s were still

voicing concern about the under-representation of girls among high academic achievers. In order for your boy to become a gentleman and a scholar, you need to fight against much of contemporary American popular culture, which now has normalised and even glamorised disrespect and rudeness. If your son is going to model himself on Dr Martin Luther King Jr rather than on Eminem or Justin Bieber or Akon, then he may need some guidance from you.

(Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

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monday, june 20, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Business Minister receptive Harmon, stakeholders draft to hemp industry in Guyana development plan for Mocha

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Business Minister Dominic Gaskin

By Rennella Bourne

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inister of Business Dominic Gaskin has lauded the initiative of Guyana Hemp Association, which is aimed at creating employment and eradicating poverty.

Head of the Guyana Hemp Association Turhane Doerga said he is confident the production of hemp can eradicate poverty and create “5,000 jobs, the least in Guyana.”

Co-founder of Neurvana, Vijay Doerga speaking with >>>Guyana Times<<< said that with hemp many industries can be opened since the plant serves as a raw material to numerous finished products. “Hemp can make several things from clothing to upholstery and several things.”

Hemp is closely related to marijuana and despite the group’s effort to sensitise the nation of this plant many are still sceptical of it.

Minister Gaskin speaking with Guyana Times, said: “The plant hemp is cannabis related. It contains the active ingredients that are illegal under our laws and in order for that industry to even start in Guyana we would have to do some amending to our laws, that’s one issue. ” Gaskin added: “It is fea-

sible from what we are looking at and it is legitimate in many other countries but it will have to be properly monitored to ensure that it is not used for other purposes. It will present some challenges but we will have to look at some of the other countries where it has been successful to see how they manage to do it without gaining any harmful spinoffs.

“I am supportive generally of any industry that has intentions of bringing any investment here, which will create jobs.”

As it relates to legislation, Gaskin disclosed that he cannot say how soon the plant will be able to make it on the market but he noted: “If it were to make the approval of the cabinet it will depend on the complexity of the legal amendments.”

According to Turhane Doerga, Hemp has an income earning capacity that is five times more than rice. It is believed that half an acre of

hemp could allow for a cultivator to earn a middle-class income.

Just recently, over 250 persons passed a resolution and signed a petition calling on government to amend the relevant laws of Guyana and give its no objections to the cultivation of industrial hemp locally.

This was done at the Guyana Hemp Association (GHA) national consultation, held at Critchlow Labour College on Saturday 12 June, to discuss the production of hemp in Guyana. The association’s objective of producing this hemp is to eradicate poverty which will vastly increase employment and build Guyana’s economy.

The GHA is advocating for hemp to have a legitimate place in the agriculture sector. Essentially, it is supposed to be a non-drug variety of the cannabis plant with many uses ranging from medicinal to construction.

he living conditions of residents in Mocha, East Bank Demerara, are expected to improve as measures to draft a community development plan have been undertaken.

Operatives of Ministries and other government agencies met with Minister of State Joseph Harmon to “discuss a multi-stakeholder approach towards the completion of a developmental plan for the Mocha/Arcadia Community”.

This meeting comes on the heels of one earlier in this month, where residents of Mocha along with their Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) chairman, complained of the many hardships which they faced. At that time, Minister Harmon promised that a meeting will be held with the aim of coordinating works where the issues affecting residents could be addressed.

Harmon speaking on the agenda for the draft community plan for Mocha, highlighted that projects should be extracted from plans catered for in the budget. The minister also noted that the community was “challenged by land distribution and land use issues”, electricity, water woes, and dilapidated roads. However, it was pointed out that the

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission is currently addressing the issues associated with land distribution.

Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Dr Van West Charles said a group from Barnwell, Mocha/Arcadia had approached the company some months ago and raised concerns over potable water. Dr Charles explained that the water company is currently installing new pipelines.

“We can take a close look at any resident, who is having difficulty and try to address them because we’re trying to interconnect the system so even the well at Providence would be able to supply them, shortly” the GWI CEO noted.

National Drainage and

Irrigation Authority (NDIA) CEO Frederick Flatts, one of the other stakeholders present, opined that the Agriculture Ministry has embarked on a “comprehensive drainage and irrigation plan” for Mocha/Arcadia since July 2015.

He noted that 18 miles of dam has been bulldosed and 20 miles of drainage cleared.

Flatts commented that there are plans to utilise the Caricom Development Fund and the 2016 National Budget to commence the works from 2017.

One resident, Wilson, only name provided, said that he moved into Mocha in 1994 and that the communities north of Barnwell North and at Prosperity currently have no electricity.

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monDAY, june 20, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Political influence on trade unions undermining workers’ rights

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olitical influence on trade unions is greater than trade unions’ influence on political processes. This is according to General Secretary of Guyana Trades Union Congress Lincoln Lewis, who stated that having a trade union whose leaders are supportive of a government can undermine workers’ fundamental rights, as that union may not oppose government decisions which may impact workers’ lives.

Lewis was at the time giving his input in a panel discussion during Television Guyana’s “The Factor”.

Reflecting on the history of trades unions, and their ties to political parties, Lewis stated that trade unions today are in a retrogressive state: “We are retrogressing from what it was. There is greater party politics in the workplace or the activities of the trade unions. Government and Opposition politics in the operation of trade unions rather than the trade unions influencing the political processes…what we have here is a situation where there is more politics and power in the form of politics being imposed rather than the influence of trade unions on workers welfare,” he stated, adding that “basically, it removes or undermines their fundamental rights.”

Lewis also took the opportunity to lambast government’s failure to make representation at the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO)

Eyew tness Influence...

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Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) General Secretary Seepaul Narine (left); social activist Ravi Dev and General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress, Lincoln Lewis

Annual Conference, stating that the ILO plays an important part in developing workers’ rights: “When we became an independent nation, two of the first institutions that Guyana joined was the United Nations and the ILO. The ILO is the oldest member in the family of the United Nations. It is the only institution that the government, the employer, and the workers’ representatives meet and discuss and determine conventions and recommendations as to how they can influence decisions in the world.”

He went on to explain that many of these conventions are formed into laws in this country, adding: “When you do not attend, the programmes that are being conceptualised and developed at the ILO, you will not have an input into it. The ILO Conference gives you the opportunity to network with other countries as it relates to laws, conventions and some process of develop-

ment.”

Meanwhile Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) General Secretary Seepaul Narine posited that there is a growing need to separate politics and trade unionism.

According to Narine, while there needs to be a partnership between the government and the unions, the partnership must not be one of convenience: “If you’re going to develop industry…there ought to be a partnership.

There ought to be partnership between government, the private sector and labour unions. But this partnership cannot be one that conveniently, when labour is needed, only then they are seen as partners. They have to be genuine partners and there needs to be respect.”

Seepaul iterated that the labour unions need to see that their constituent is the right of the workers, and they must therefore put this constituent

first and foremost in making decisions.

Social and political activist Ravi Dev also pointed out the need for a separation between politics and trade unionism, stating that when the political party of the union’s choice is elected into government, that party now has a wider scope of responsibilities and will not be able to place workers’ rights on the front burner: “Political movement came out of the labour movement, but soon after they controlled the labour movement. I think the lesson out of both sugar and bauxite industries, is that once you give your loyalty to that political entity that may have the government in the reins of power, that entity now has to look at wider interests.”

It was also pointed out that to this date, many of the promises made to workers by political parties that have been in power are yet to be fulfilled, an example of this being collective bargaining.

Miner slapped with larceny charge

A

miner was called before the Vreed-enHoop Magistrate’s Court on Friday to answer to a charge of simple larceny when he appeared before Magistrate Christel Lambert.

Andrew Wesley, 44, of Lot 12 Plantain Walk, West Bank Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the offence when it was read.

The charge alleged that on June 4, 2016, he had in his possession one gas stove and two bird cages believed to be stolen or unlawfully obtained.

He was release on $15,000 and the case will continue on June 23, 2016.

...or political distortions?

here's this tendency to import ideas from the natural sciences into the social sciences to give the latter, the hard-earned legitimacy of the former.

Look how Karl Marx huffed Newton's "forces" of physics into his "dialectical materialism" that our independence leaders lapped up! This thought flashed into your humble Eyewitness's mind as he pondered the role of the US IN Guyana's affairs.

Wasn't it Einstein who'd described the effect of massive bodies on others in their vicinity? Space-time's distorted and the trajectory of smaller bodies are controlled without any effort on the part of the former.

And so it's been with the US and us – all the US has to do is be there and we're influenced. This came out clearly in the massive coverage in all the media of the departure of this fella from the US Embassy, Brian Hunt.

Hunt wasn't even an Ambassador – he was the fella next in line and stepped into the gap while the US State Department took its sweet time to fill a vacancy in a country that's obviously not too high on their diplomatic hit parade. After all, Brian Hunt's previous stint was in Papua New Guinea with its 800 tribes and extant cannibalism.

The traditional view of International Relations is that the big powers influence little powers either by military might or by providing aid. In the case of the US after the 1960s and its CIA-facilitated ethnic riots, there haven't been any military excursions here. So what was interesting about Hunt's 15 minutes in the limelight was how little aid the US's been providing and yet its influence was so massive that a second or thirdlevel diplomat practically controlled our governments' agendas.

Just going by memory, your Eyewitness can think of the US$135M Chinese loan for CJIA's expansion, two ferries, a Convention Centre etc...India's US$20M loan for the Cricket Stadium, US$18M for the in-limbo Specialty Hospital, US$50M for a bypass road. The height of chutzpah was reached when Hunt advised that Guyana needs some help in IT and IGNORED that India had just provided US$1M to fund an IT Centre of Excellence!

But hey!! Under Hunt's tenure, the US did provide more than 20,000 visitors visas in 2015 to Guyanese.

Going by the US$150 fee, that has to be worth US$3,000,000!

The effect on regime change was just a bonus for the Guyanese people, nuh?

...on corruption

This phenomenon called "corruption" has been given a whole lot of play since independence. Even before then, the PPP'd been called out on some road to Bartica called Del Conte or something. The funny thing is what was normal practice by the British suddenly became "corruption" under the locals. You can't blame some of the latter for being confused, when they got into office.

Take the award of contracts for Sea Defence or conservancies and such like...There was never any bidding, they were just handed out to British firms.

Or the agencies for importing and selling to the Government everything from motor cars to sardines.

These were just doled out to the locals who were willing to be the "compradors".

Anyhow Prezzie accepts we should weed out corruption, but says it takes two to tango. But if he's already paying his bureaucrats for doing their jobs, shouldn't he fire THEM for demanding or taking bribes to do so? We also agree PPP Govt contracts shouldn't be "state secrets" and should be made public.

So, how about suggesting to Min Bulkan that his Town Clerk should make the Meter Contract public? ..

...peddlers

According to the local rep of Fedders Lloyd, as soon as he heard his company had been blacklisted by the World Bank for bribery in 2010 in some African country, he resigned.

Shouldn't those who facilitated Fedders Lloyd in that same time period here, also resign?

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

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monday, june 20, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Transition needed for Anglican Diocese’s 144th sugar industry to survive Synod commences – US Embassy deputy

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

US Deputy Chief of Mission Brian Hunt

By Shemuel Fanfair

prehensive study of what was going to be needed and they are moving forward with some of those changes [but] it’s not to say any of this is going to be without pain,” the diplomat further explained.

Hunt pointed out that, “some degree of pain” will befall those who are employed in associated sectors of the sugar industry. He however posited that the industry should be mechanised more in line with neighbouring producer, Brazil: “I think overall you don’t have a whole lot of choices in sugar; the only way to get the price down so that you can sell competitively with large producers like Brazil is moving in the direction of mechanisation and streamlining the industry.”

When calls were made last month for another bailout to the cash-strapped sugar industry, Finance Minister Winston Jordan opined that the recent challenges have made sugar “not as sweet” as it used to be. Jordan explained that to sustain what he deemed an “expensive industry” the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) would have to undergo “severe structural transformation[s]” for it to be sustained.

Cash-strapped GuySuCo has since the beginning of this year closed the Wales Sugar Estate on West Bank Demerara, putting some 1700 workers out of jobs, as the company does not have the finances to operate, much less refurbish the Wales facility. The

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ugar is a “problematic” enterprise and for it to be sustained, a substantial transition is needed if Government wants to discontinue awarding large subsidies. This is according to Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy, Brian Hunt, who in an interview with this publication noted that sugar production costs are much higher than what you can “reasonably expect to get” in return on the world market.

“The fact is that the cost of production is too high, the mechanisation is too low, the number of people that are being employed for the amount of crop produced is probably much too high; and there is going to have to be radical transformation or there is going to have to be some sort of social agreement that the government is going to continue to bail it out year after year, which becomes increasingly difficult economically over time,” the deputy chief observed.

He pointed out that the European Union (EU) has been pushing for some time for transformation of the sector but stated that he does not believe that the expected transformation was achieved.

“At the end of the day, I think the reality is that there needs to be a much more systematic way in which the government goes about restructuring the industry…the new government did do a very com-

Agriculture Ministry had stated that there was a “gloomy outlook” for sugar prices in the foreseeable future and Wales Estate has been projected to make a loss of $1.6 billion to $1.9 billion this year.

The authorities are contending that this coupled with the extent of refurbishment needed renders this estate prohibitively costly to maintain.

GuySuCo said that it will be exploring the feasibility of alternative ventures utilising the Wales lands, while government had outlined that “agricultural workers at Wales will be absorbed by Uitvlugt up to the extent of suitable vacancies on that location. Surplus labour would have to be made redundant. The same principle would apply to the other departments.”

Additionally, the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Sugar Estate, East Coast Demerara, is expected to be closed within this year, possibly placing another 800 employees on the breadline. Some of those workers are expected to be absorbed by the Enmore Estate.

In reference to Wales Estate converting to dairy production, the Finance Minister had said that the government was petitioning the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) for a loan to aid in agricultural development.

“We are talking to IDB to get an agri development loan that will look at agricultural diversification…this loan is going to target dairy and livestock development,” Jordan explained.

He however cautioned that the loan was still in its formative stages. The country’s finance manager had noted that most of government allocations to the industry has already been expended.

“This year, we put in $9B… today, almost 75 per cent of that has already been transferred… El Niño reduced the first crop by 30,000 tonnes.

This obviously means that the sugar industry will be coming to government again for more money…this is the reality, this is not something that government can change overnight,” he had noted.

and avoid the negative influences present in our everyday lives.

One of the issues that will be discussed is the ordination of women to the priesthood in the Diocese of Guyana and the Ministry of Laity in the Church.

Also present at the service on Sunday were Diocesan President Marin Porter, Brotherhood of St Andrew; Diocesan President Joan James, Mother’s Union; Henrietta Edwards, and the Clergy of Diocese among others.

This is the first Synod since the consecration of the Right Reverend Charles Davidson as the eighth Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Guyana.

Reverend Charles Davidson in his address to the gathering

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he 144thSynod of the Anglican Diocese in the region got underway in Guyana. The highest decision- making forum of the Anglican Church in Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, got underway with a Grand Mass at St George’s Cathedral on Sunday.

The event is three days of debate and dis-

cussions on crucial issues in the church. Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Guyana, Reverend Charles Davidson set the tone for the rest of the session. In the Reverend’s address to the hundreds in gathering, he reiterated the importance of the responsibility of Christians make sure the body that Christ gave us continues to be vibrant

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guyana-times.com

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

News

Guyana to host Int’l Congress on Biodiversity in August G

uyana is set to host the largest gathering of experts on biodiversity of the Guiana Shield at the fourth International Congress on Biodiversity of the Guiana Shield from August 8 to 12, the local United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office has announced.

The Congress, which was officially launched on Friday, will be held under the theme: “Leveraging our high endemicity, cultural diversity and intact ecosystems for inclusive growth and secure futures.”

The week-long event will be held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, and it is anticipated that more than one hundred papers will be presented along with poster displays, discussion and capacity building sessions.

Leading scientists, practitioners, policymakers and students in a variety of fields will be among the hundreds from around the globe expected to be in attendance. These include biomimicry expert, Dr Dayna Baumeister; forest policy professor, Dr Robert J Lilieholm and Dr Russell A Mittermeier, world renowned primatologist and

Organisers at the launch of the IV International Congress on Biodiversity of the Guiana Shield

conservation expert.

The Congress discourse will cover the state of biodiversity and ecological functions of the Guiana Shield, biodiversity and communities: contribution and role of local and indigenous communities, biodiversity and climate, mainstreaming biodiversity in sustainable development, and gender and vulnerable groups.

The Guiana Shield is one

of Earth’s oldest geological formations, and is the single largest block of tropical forest remaining on the planet. The region is one of the most biologically rich and diverse in the world; with its pristine forests, largely uncontaminated aquatic ecosystems, and other intact ecosystems. It is also home to many rare and unique species. A variety of indigenous and other communities

depend, some almost exclusively, on its environment for their livelihood.

Over the past two decades, however, countries of the Shield have sought to intensify exploitation of

their natural resources as a means of alleviating poverty and promoting socioeconomic development. This has resulted in emergence of a multiplicity of challenges, including land use conflicts and biodiversity loss.

The International Congress on Biodiversity of the Guiana Shield was last held in Paramaribo, Suriname in August 2013. Macapa City, in the Brazilian state of Amapa, hosted the second congress in 2010, and Venezuela was the host of the inaugural congress in 2006.

The Guyana Society for Biodiversity and Ecosystems (GSBE) is coordinating the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Congress. The LOC includes the Natural Resources Ministry, UNDP, Iwokrama International Centre, University of Guyana, and the local offices of Conservation International and World Wildlife Fund Guianas.

Sponsorship of the Congress is being sought.

Significant contributions have already been received from the Government of Guyana, through the Ministries of the Presidency and Natural Resources.

Pledges and contributions have also been received from WWF-Guianas, UNDP, Caricom and Camex Restaurant Inc. GSBE is a local chapter of the International Biodiversity Society of the Guiana Shield (IBG) – established with a view to addressing a multiplicity of socioeconomic, political, cultural and environmental issues confronting the Guiana Shield region.

Registered as a friendlybenefit Society, the GSBE is a non-governmental, charitable and non-profit making body. It promotes conservation, research and wise management of biological diversity and ecosystems in Guyana and the wider Guiana Shield through its affiliations with partner associations in the region and beyond.

GPF urges community effort in fighting crime – establishes newest Police youth group

A Division Commander Clifton Hicken reiterated the calls for a more broad-based approach to be taken in fighting crime, particularly encouraging youth-focused strategies

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s crime continues to be a major concern, the Guyana Police Force’s A Division (Georgetown-East Bank), in partnership with the Central Georgetown Police Youth Group, on Saturday held a health walk to strengthen law enforcement’s ties with the public.

Under the theme “Moulding and Fusing the Youth for a Healthier and Brighter Future”, Police ranks along with youths and parents assembled at the Square of the Revolution to commence the walk, which ended at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary.

During a separate ceremony at the East La Penitence Primary School, the gathering was reminded how crucial it was to work

along with the Force to reduce crime and improve society by extension.

This message was relayed by Superintendent Anthony Vanderhyden, who further encouraged the gathering to be aware of the positive impact they could make in curbing crime in their communities. Vanderhyden pointed out that they should also engage in nation-building activities that would be effective in reforming Guyana as whole.

In his address, A Division Commander Clifton Hicken reiterated the calls for a more broad-based approach to be taken in fighting crime.

He pointed out that the first step should be taken in the community and consequently expand across the country. Since the communi-

ty approach would be effective in its cause, the formation of youth groups within these districts were promoted.

The A Division Commander noted that adolescence was a “vulnerable period”. For this reason, he pledged the support of the Force in making resources available which would aid in the development of youths as they refocus their energies positively. The involvement of stakeholders was also described as vital in a number of aspects.

A new community group was introduced at the forum, the East La Penitence Police Youth Group, the 14th group of its kind to be established under the social crime prevention initiative by the Guyana Police Force.

monDAY, june 20, 2016

guyana-times.com

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News

UG admission criteria could be revisited – Vice Chancellor Dr Griffith T

here could be some radical changes to the admission requirements to the University of Guyana (UG), if consultations with stakeholders see it necessary, newly appointed Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr Ivelaw Griffith has said.

Considering the much needed work to be done to put the country’s tertiary institution back on the pedestal, Griffith said that a review of the admission requirements must be changed.

The VC, who only took up the post on June 14 last, on Friday related how important it was for UG to get on par with international institutions, and said that decisions must now be made to see this realised. His concern in this regard was on the quality of the new admissions.

The professor told journalists on Friday that “part

New UG Vice Chancellor Dr Ivelaw Griffith

of the context of the local admission is part of what reels from the high schools.

Irrespective of what you think of the last two decades of this nation, the reality is, primary and secondary education have lost quality and so what the university has been taking in, is a low quality.”

He further noted that

trying to manage that lowered quality can in effect sometimes compromise the integrity of the lecturers, “because they now feel obligated to manage what they are taking in.”

He said a much detailed conversation is needed with stakeholders, to try and figure out what might be causing the difficulty.

“Some of the things we might consider doing is to revisit the admission requirements. But we have to balance the access with the expertise. So the process is still a conversation…

Criteria are also a part of the conversation. Who we take in, is as important part as how we take them in,” said the professor.

Griffith said he is uncomfortable with two dimensions of admission - the dimension of process, and the dimension of criteria. He related that he will within the

course of the year, be working with the relevant colleagues on campus to also revisit that.

“We have to be a little more nimble if we want to be a model university in relation to how students view the process and procedure for them to come on board.

In doing that we have also have to ask ourselves, is the university like UG only operating to serve people with-

in Guyana? The answer should be no”, the new VC said, noting that there must be a process that could reach out and recruit persons from outside Guyana.

“Whoever is going to be recruited from outside Guyana is not going to come and make a trip and do all the things that local students do only to be told yes or no. So we have to modernise our process with a

Govt to return to tender for Specialty...

The company is ineligible to be awarded Bank-financed contracts for a period of four years.

At the end of the Period of Debarment, the Respondent and the Sanctioned Affiliates may be released from debarment, provided that they have met corporate compliance conditions, cooperated with the WBG (World Bank Group) and fully complied with the terms of the NRA.” Last year, the government faced a barrage of criticism for hand-picking Fedders Lloyd, including

from the Opposition, People’s Progressive Party/Civic.

Following this recent development, a PPP/C official pointed out that had government considered the advice and warnings from the Opposition, this situation would not have arisen and the project would have avoided further delays.

The PPP/C official further noted that in effect, the coalition administration had single-sourced the contractor and further alleged that government’s decision may have been influenced by the

fact that the company had financed the party as well as individuals.

Political commentators Ramon Gaskin and Dr Henry Jeffery had also criticised the government initially for bypassing the public procurement system and handpicking Fedders Lloyd.

When contacted on Saturday, they noted that they are not surprised at the fact that the firm has been sanctioned by the World Bank especially since there was complete lack of transparency in the award of the

contract to it.

Gaskin told this newspaper that Fedders Lloyd is no good in the interest of Guyana; just as the first India-based company, Surendra Engineering, was not. “Surendra was no good – we had a lot of problems with them in terms of money – and Fedders Lloyd is no better… These foreign con-

view to local students and enhance a share of student body that is international.”

He said having international students are critical for two reasons: It allows for a different “price point for tuition”. It also allows to serve the region and beyond.

Dr Griffith noted that “we also have to make a hassle free process for students locally and internationally”.

from page 3

tractors are bad news,” he asserted.

Dr Jeffery outlined that it was unfortunate that foreigners had to become involved in the matter for the right thing to happen: “People have been saying that the contract should have gone to open tender but government failed to do so.”

Nevertheless, Dr Jeffery

noted that Guyana wins in that the project will now rightfully go to tendering and this should be a lesson learned for the coalition government.

Both political commentators also underscored the need for the APNU/AFC administration to take steps to have the Public Procurement Commission established.

12 NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

HSS celebrates 2nd International Yoga Day

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undreds showed up at the Leonora Secondary School, West Coast of Demerara, Sunday afternoon as the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh hosted its second International Day of Yoga under the theme ‘Physical and Spiritual Enhancement Throughout Yoga.’

In the auditorium, members of the Hindu

Swayamsevak Sangh (Hindus for Selfless Service) spearheaded their second celebrations which featured different yoga exercises by a variety of specialists and organisations that all collaborated to make the event a success.

Organisational participation included Brahma Kumaries, Guyana Foundation Peace Corps,

ISCKON, Ananda Marga, Vergenoegen Yoga Group, among others. The programme was formatted in such a way that it carried a smooth flow of yoga which started with the basics of breathing techniques and simple postures to the more advanced postures by Master Vivek which awed participants.

Present at the cele-

brations was India High Commissioner to Guyana V Mahalingam who expressed admiration and congratulations to the HSS for advocating yoga throughout the nation. He referred to last year’s celebrations which was held at the Everest Cricket Ground and stated: “I am very happy to be a part of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh’s second yoga celebrations… I must also commend them for spreading yoga to different parts of Guyana.”

The HSS organisation’s Berbice and Essequibo groups observed International Day of Yoga simultaneously in their districts by following the same routine The aim of the event is to promote yoga awareness throughout the nation. Yoga is a spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which includes breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures. It is widely practiced for health and relaxation. It originated in India and it must be noted that Yoga does not carry a religion behind it.

There were also health talks by medical professionals who noted that yoga combined with proper dietary

practices can help one in being a better person. Ravi Dev ji, the Sangachalak of HSS in his presentation informed those present of the “Yoga for Diabetes” project which will be spearheaded by the HSS. The public was encouraged to take advantage of this since diabetes is a leading sickness in Guyana.

Yoga is said to be as old as civilisation with evidence of this being seen is sculpture of stones which archaeologists date back to 3000 BC. Yoga has been known to produce many health benefits, such as all-round fitness, stress relief, weight loss, increased energy and much more. Scientific research has shown that yoga

helps to stabilise the mind and brings relief to chronic illnesses, contributing to proper blood circulation and inner peace. This can be practiced by anyone despite age and gender, and can be done at any time.

Participants exclaimed that the event was an inspiration to their lives. Many quipped that they are now ready to incorporate what they have leant into their daily routines. It was also noted that this activity should take place in schools across the country, so as to ensure a vibrant young population.

Southland International Guyana and M&M Snackette provided those who gathered very healthy snacks and beverage.

news

2nd International Day of Yoga observed

Participants practise a yoga pose

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cores of persons turned up at the Everest Cricket Club on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown on Sunday morning to observe the second annual International Day of Yoga.

The event was held by the Indian High Commission in collaboration with the Brahma Kumaris, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Guyana Islamic Forum, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Inter-Religious Organisation, and Viraat Sabhaa.

Delivering the key address, High Commissioner of India to Guyana V Mahalingam related that while the art of yoga originated in India, it has developed and transcended the Hindu religion, and is practiced by people of all walks of life today. He related that yoga literally means unity, and it is not just an exercise but a philosophy that seeks to unite the mind, body and spirit.

There were also demonstrations on various yoga techniques by instructor Shri Raj Kumar Sharma which highlighted the positive effects that yoga has on improv-

ing body functions and rejuvenation.

International Day of Yoga was also observed at the Leonora Secondary School, West Coast Demerara, by the Hindus for Selfless Service (HSS) on Sunday afternoon.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech to the United Nations Assembly on September 27, 2014, proposed to have a day in honour of Yoga.

Recognising the universal appeal of this form of meditation and exercise, on December 11, 2014, the United Nations decreed June 21 as International Yoga Day. In less than three months, Modi’s resolution became a reality. This day was proclaimed International World Yoga Day and is sanctioned in excess of 177 countries including the United States of America, Canada, and China.

With the aim of raising awareness of the many benefits of practising yoga, International Yoga Day is now observed worldwide with activities such as Yoga asanas, meditation, meetings, discussions, and cultural performances.

Evidence of Yoga in the

form of stone sculptures, uncovered in architecture dating back to 3000 BC, indicates that Yoga may be as old as civilisation. This activity is known as an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice.

The word “yoga” derives from Sanskrit and means “to join” or “to unite”, symbolising the union of body and consciousness.

It has been reported that yoga can be done by anyone regardless of age and gender since it holds numerous health benefits such as allround fitness, stress relief, weight loss, increased energy and much more.

Based on scientific reports, yoga is said to stabilise the mind and relieve chronic illnesses while contributing to proper blood circulation and inner peace. It involves the integration of several practices including breath control, simple meditation and the adoption of specific bodily postures. There are also different types of yoga which involve physical, mental and spiritual concentration.

Today, yoga is practised in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.

Specific villages to benefit from teen pregnancy prevention programme

T

he programme to reduce teen pregnancy will be implemented in specific communities in the 10 Administrative Regions by the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) together with Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) and Youth Choice, among other Non-Governmental Organisations.

These communities have been pin-pointed by the Ministry of Social Protection.

Adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 are targeted to be informed of the drawbacks of teenage pregnancy and early engagement of sexual activities. They will also be educated on sexual and reproductive health since every teenager that becomes pregnant is at risk for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) through un-

Child Care and Protection Agency Director Ann Greene

protected sex.

According to director of CPA Ann Greene, there has been a drastic increase of teen mothers in Guyana and so there is an intention of curbing the issue through the Teen Prevention Pregnancy and Empowerment initiative: “There is a high pregnancy rate with early teen and it’s one of concern for us be-

cause these are very young girls that should still be in school and they are not even of the age of sexual consent according to the law, but yet they are pregnant so there is motherhood in childhood and it’s a serious concern.”

Greene highlighted that CPA will have a final results review after one year of the programme being active to decide on its efficiency: “We want to follow to see the outcome. In fact, we want to see if they will put off early sexual activities, or, if in fact you must have sex, use a condom.”

In a survey conducted in 2013, it was established by the UN Population Fund that 97 out of every 1000 females in the teenage years, give birth and Guyana holds the place for the second highest teen pregnancy cases in Latin America and the Caribbean.

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Monday, june 20, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Surinam Airways to re-introduce non-stop summer flights from Orlando to Guyana

S

urinam Airways has announced the re-introduction of its twice weekly summer flights to Georgetown, Guyana from Sanford, Orlando, Florida beginning July 1.

The airline’s North America Manager, Henk Fitzjim, said that the re-introduction of the summer flights is in keeping with the airline’s promise to service this route once again during the summer/August holidays season.

The airline first introduced service on this route in July 2015. The service runs from July through September and is designed to accommodate Guyanese travelling during this period when parents and children go on vacation.

According to the airline company, “this is the time of year when the large Guyanese community in Orlando and

Guyanese at home need the convenience of a non-stop flight which will facilitate them going home to Guyana or coming up to Orlando via non-stop, with courteous and affordable service.”

So the re-introduction of this Sanford, Orlando route is in response to the growing demand by the Guyanese American community as well as “the satisfaction which the Guyanese community has enjoyed by flying Surinam Airways last year”, Fitz-jim said.

Surinam Airways will fly to Sanford, Orlando on Fridays and return on Saturdays each week from July 1 to October 1, 2016.

“This is a very convenient schedule for passengers in both directions since they can make connections coming into Orlando either from Guyana

or from cities around the US on their way to Guyana. It does not require any overnighting. So the convenience of the flights coupled with our excellent customer service and competitive fares have made Surinam Airways the first choice of Guyanese travelling to and from Florida,” Fitz-Jim said.

Surinam Airways will use its Boeing 737 300 series aircraft for this service offering 118 economy and eight business class seats. The airline permits passengers one free piece of checked baggage not exceeding 50 pounds and charges US$25 for a second piece of luggage.

Surinam Airways is a sponsor of several events and activities in Florida to mark Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary, the company highlighted.

Landmark being erected in Leguan

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45-foot Hanuman murti is under construction in Leguan, Region 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) at the Rama Krishna Mandir.

The Hindu deity statue is billed to be one of the biggest in Guyana.

The statue is being voluntarily built by sculpture Jainarine Prahalla owner of JP Sculpting with voluntary donations from the general public.

The statue is to be completed in August this year with a grand four-day celebration being held to commemorate the opening.

The almost completed landmark

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guyana-times.com

monday, june 20, 2016

Regional

Brazil “to give Rio US$849M” in aid for Olympic Games

More than 500,000 foreigners are expected to visit Rio during the Olympics

T

he Brazilian Government is reportedly planning to transfer US$849 million in emergency funds to the state of Rio de Janeiro to pay for infrastructure and security during the Olympic Games.

A Government official told the Reuters news agency on Saturday that the funds would be used to pay for security personnel and finish a much-delayed metro line to the Olympic venue.

The official, who is familiar with the discussions, asked for anonymity because he is not allowed to speak publicly, Reuters reported.

The transfer of the funds was also reported by local media on Saturday, a day after the Governor of Rio declared a state of financial emergency, as a drop in revenues due to recession and a slump in oil prices left State coffers depleted before the games on August 5.

Reports said interim President Michel Temer is expected to announce the emergency funds today in a meeting with several Governors who are asking him for debt relief for their cash-strapped states.

"It has not been confirmed yet, but it's going to be announced probably on

Monday ... to help out in completing a metro line and also possibly provide more security for the games," Al Jazeera's John Holman, reporting from Manaus, said.

"These are the two biggest problems going into these games," he added, noting, however, that other "underlying problems" in the health sector and city policing "won't get solved by that injection of cash".

Rio had warned of "a total collapse in public security, health, education, transport and environmental management," if the loan would not be made available. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Bahamas approved to trade Chinese currency in Region

T

he Bahamas has been earmarked as a hub to trade the Chinese currency in the Region.

According to Minister of Financial Services, Hope Strachan, several new initiatives are in the pipeline for the financial services sector.

“In recent times, the Government of The Bahamas has taken advantage of several opportunities for project financing from the Chinese Government and from Chinese corporations,” said Strachan in her contribution to the recent 2016/2017-budget debate.

“As a result, the establishment of a hub for trade in Chinese currency is an

attractive prospect that the Government of The Bahamas has approved: and my Ministry is diligently pursuing this initiative as a viable project.”

Strachan said the success of this project would “translate into an entirely new frontier” of financial services and trade business for the country and would be a “monumental achievement” in making The Bahamas the Renminbi (RMB) Trading Hub for the entire region.

She said the hub would facilitate financial transactions and eliminate reliance on the US Dollar.

“The rationale is that the Bahamas Government,

Bahamian businesses, financial institutions as well as those throughout the Region would have the ability to engage in less costly and less time-consuming processes related to transactions involving the direct clearing and payment of the yuan currency in The Bahamas,” she said.

“It would eliminate reliance on the US dollar and the transacting of business through the United States.

The creation of a platform for the yuan to trade freely with the Bahamian dollar will allow for international trade finance, and trade and investment to increase significantly.” (Excerpt from CMC)

Imported chicken unfit for humans sold in Trinidad, poultry association claims

T

rinidad and Tobago consumers are being sold old imported chicken – considered unfit for human consumption because it is 180 days past its slaughter date, a local poultry association is claiming.

But President of the Supermarkets Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT,) Dr Yunus Ibrahim has defended local supermarkets against the claims that he says are being made to protect the local poultry industry.

It was last Friday, dur-

ing a Joint Select Committee meeting on food fraud at Parliament, that President of the Poultry Association of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) Robin Phillips said that the chicken leg quarters marketed in the United States as “pet meat”, was being purchased by local retailers and sold to consumers.

After 180 days, slaughtered chicken fat starts to become rancid, and there is a greater chance of bacterial contamination. In developed countries, a standard exists whereby chicken that has

been frozen for more than 180 days since slaughter is sold very cheaply to the pet food industry.

“In the United States, if it reaches 180 days they cannot get an export market that is willing to accept it, where they don’t have that standard implemented, and it is then sent to the pet food industry,” Philips said.

“Since the beginning of this year, there is a massive glut of chicken in the US as a result of China closing their borders, resulting in big discounts….” (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Mexico “Voice” singer shot in Chicago

A

former contestant on Mexico's version of “The Voice” TV talent show has been shot dead in Chicago, Police say.

Alejandro Fuentes, 45, died on Saturday in hospital after an ambush on Thursday night. He was a “Voice” contestant in 2011.

His death comes 10 days after singer Christina Grimmie, who appeared on the US edition of “The

Voice”, was shot and killed in Orlando, Florida.

The number of murders in Chicago this year is up 72 per cent from 2015.

Fuentes had been celebrating his birthday with friends on Thursday night, the local medical examiner's office said.

He was in his car on the street outside Tras Bambalinas, a performing arts school he ran for

young people in south-west Chicago.

A gunman ordered him out of the car – when he refused, the gunman shot him three times in the head.

No arrests have yet been made.

Grimmie, 22, was shot by a fan in Orlando as she was signing autographs after a concert. Her attacker then killed himself. (BBC News)

T&T Govt agrees to restart Alutech

T

hree months after Sural officials visited Trinidad and Tobago to lobby Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to restart its Alutech aluminium downstream project, a board chaired by Professor Ken Julien has been set up to review options for the project which was originally linked to the Alutrint Smelter in La Brea.

The energy sub-committee of Cabinet approved the appointment of Government’s Energy Adviser Julien to head the board. Government officials are confirming that while Alutech is on the cards, the originally planned smelter is “definitely off the table and will not be restarted”.

But even as Government

Government’s Energy Adviser, Professor Ken Julien

is set to launch into the project with Alutech, T&T and Sural (Barbados) Ltd are in a legal battle at the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida before Judge K Michael Moore.

Sural took T&T to court seeking US$56 million in

damages in connection with the aluminum smelter project which was scrapped by the PP Government in 2010 when it came into power.

The last sitting was on Wednesday, when Sural asked the court for access to key evidence it said would help in its attempts to undo an arbitration tribunal’s finding in favour of T&T with respect to the cancelled smelter project.

Last June, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Court of Arbitration awarded US$2.4 million in favour of T&T. The ICC arbitration began in July 2012 and focused on T&T’s alleged obligation to buy out Sural.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Pioneering treatment for hypertension succeeds in the Caribbean

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or the first time in the Caribbean Region, surgeons at Health City Cayman Islands successfully performed an operation which relieves serious hypertension.

Senior Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist at Health City Cayman Islands, Dr Ravi Kishore performed the procedure, known as renal denervation, on Caymanian Allan Ebanks who had been diagnosed with resistant hypertension symptoms that were not being controlled by conventional treatment.

“It was so bad sometimes that I couldn’t walk, climb steps, without me having to have to stop,” said Ebanks.

According to Dr Kishore, Ebanks’ condition was very serious when he arrived at the Joint Commission International (JCI)-accredited facility: “Mr Allan Ebanks came to us with very severe hypertension. His blood pressure was not controlled in spite of four different medications at maximal doses.”

Dr Kishore believes there is a real need for renal denervation because hypertension has become a significant, and growing,

Senior Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist at Health City Cayman Islands, Dr Ravi Kishore performed the procedure

global health issue.

Hypertension is associated with conditions such as heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, acute coronary syndrome, renal failure, and death; and therapeutic solutions are mainly based on lifestyle change and medication.

Among patients with hypertension, some are unable to achieve adequate blood pressure control despite the use of multiple medications and change in diet and lifestyle. Refractory hypertensive patients, as they are described, are intensive-

ly medicated, and have almost double the cardiovascular mortality.

Dr Kishore reported how he and his colleagues used an innovative approach in their historic operation: “This particular technique allows a true thickness burn and cooling of the sympathetic nerves around the renal arteries. This procedure is performed to prevent an increased excretion of the substances leading to hypertension and forms the basis for successful outcomes.” (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

monday, june 20, 2016

guyana-times.com

Around the World

Falluja is “humanitarian disaster” – aid workers

Aid workers say those fleeing Falluja “have nothing and need everything”

A

humanitarian disaster is unfolding in Falluja following a civilian exodus from the Iraqi city, aid workers warn.

Some 80,000 people have fled during a fourweek Government offensive to drive back so-called Islamic State fighters, says the United Nations.

A further 25,000 civilians are likely on the move, the organisation adds.

Aid workers are struggling to provide food, water and medicine to people who are sleeping in the open in hopelessly overcrowded camps outside the city.

"The overwhelming

15

number of people that have come out of Falluja has actually overwhelmed our ability to respond to the people in need," said Nasr Muflahi from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

"We implore the Iraqi Government to take charge of this humanitarian disaster unfolding on our watch," he added.

Iraqi Government forces have succeeded in retaking most of Falluja, but fighting continues in some parts of the city, which is just 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Baghdad.

Many of those who fleeing the fighting have been

forced to sleep in the open, and spend their days under the sun in temperatures set to reach 47C (117F) in the next few days.

Aid supplies are running dangerously low in overcrowded conditions.

One newly opened camp, Amriyat al-Falluja, has only one latrine for 1800 women, the NRC said.

The Government of Prime Minister Haider alAbadi is already struggling to meet the needs of more than 3.4 million people across the country who have been displaced by conflict. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Britain's rival EU camps resume campaign as polls show momentum for “Remain”

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ampaigning for Britain's vote on European Union membership resumed on Sunday after a three-day hiatus prompted by the killing of a pro-EU lawmaker, but pledges of a more respectful tone were quickly tested by a fresh row over immigration.

Three opinion polls ahead of Thursday's vote showed the 'Remain' camp recovering some momentum although the overall picture remained one of an evenly split electorate.

The murder of Jo Cox, a 41-year-old mother of two young children, shocked Britain, raised questions

about the tone of campaigning and could yet prove a defining moment in what is Britain's biggest political decision for decades.

Both sides sought to adopt a more measured style on Sunday, paying their respects to Cox, but sticking closely to the immigration versus economy debate that has defined the campaign.

"I hope, because of the tragic death of Jo, we can have a less divisive political debate in our country," Finance Minister George Osborne, a leading conservative “Remain” campaigner, told ITV's Peston on Sunday show.

"Particularly in the last few days of this referendum we’re going to have less baseless assertion and inflammatory rhetoric and more reasoned argument and facts," he said.

Cox, a Labour Party lawmaker and ardent supporter of EU membership, was shot and stabbed in the street in her electoral district in northern England on Thursday. A 52-yearold man appeared in a London magistrate's court on Saturday, charged with her murder.

Both “Remain” and “Leave” halted their campaigns until Sunday morning. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Thousands protest US bases on Okinawa after Japanese woman's murder

Rome elects 1st female mayor

R

ome has elected its first female mayor in a run-off vote in municipal elections.

Virginia Raggi, from the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, was the favourite against Roberto Giachetti of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD).

Her victory is a blow to Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

His PD party may also lose in Italy's financial capital, Milan, and faces tough battles in Turin and Bologna.

Raggi, a 37-year-old lawyer, won 35 per cent of

the vote in the first round two weeks ago, against 24 per cent for Giachetti.

Correspondents say victory in Rome will give anti-globalist Five Star a platform for parliamentary elections due in 2018.

The next mayor of Rome finds a city mired in debts of more than €13 billion – twice its annual budget.

Romans are frustrated by potholes, piles of rubbish and serious deficiencies in public transport and housing, the BBC's James Reynolds in reports from the Italian capital.

Founded by comedian

Beppe Grillo in 2009, Five Star has been campaigning against the corruption that has plagued Italian politics for years.

PD's Ignazio Marino resigned as mayor of Rome in October over an expenses scandal. The city has been without a mayor since then.

A much bigger scandal, involving alleged Mafia influence in Rome City Hall, has fuelled Five Star's rise.

It is looking to establish itself as the main opposition party in the 2018 general election. (Excerpt from BBC News)

He has been credited with bringing stability to India's economy since his appointment as the RBI's head in September 2013.

But he has faced mounting criticism from a faction within Narendra Modi's ruling BJP party for keeping interest rates high and over a perception that he had begun to stray into politics.

In a letter to RBI staff on Sunday, Rajan said he planned to return to academia, even as he noted two

of his actions – the creation of a monetary policy committee to set interest rates and the clean-up of the heavily indebted banking sector – remained unfinished.

"While I was open to seeing these developments through, on due reflection, and after consultation with the Government, I want to share with you that I will be returning to academia when my term as governor ends on September 4, 2016," Rajan wrote. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

India's central bank head to step down

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aghuram Rajan, India's "rock star" Central Bank Governor, has announced that he will step down after just one three-year term.

Rajan, a former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund who famously predicted the 2008 global financial crisis, is held in high esteem by policymakers and investors at home and abroad for overhauling the way the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) operates.

Tens of thousands of people joined the protests [BBC News]

T

ens of thousands of people gathered in sweltering heat on Japan's Okinawa island on Sunday in one of the biggest demonstrations in two decades against US military bases, following the arrest of an American suspected of murdering a local woman.

The protest marked a new low for the United States and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in their relations with the island and threatens plans to move the US Marines Futenma air station to a less populous part of the island.

Organisers said 65,000

people attended the rally at a park in central Naha.

"Japan is part of Japan and when you hurt your little finger the whole body feels pain. I want Abe to feel Okinawa's pain," said Shigenori Tsuhako, 70, who came to the event because his granddaughter is the same age as the 20-yearold murdered woman, Rina Shimabukuro.

The United States and Japan agreed in 1996 to close Futenma, located in a residential area, after the rape of a 12-year-old Japanese schoolgirl by three US military personnel spurred mass

demonstrations.

That plan has been on hold because residents near the proposed relocation site oppose the move, worrying about noise, pollution and crime.

Okinawa assembly members against the move won a majority in the prefectural assembly election this month, providing support for Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga's plan to have the base move elsewhere.

Speaking to the crowd in Naha, he said he would fight to have US Marines moved off the island. (Excerpt from Reuters)

14, mostly children, dead in Russian boating accident

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ourteen people, mostly children, have died after boats capsized in stormy weather during an outing on a lake in the Republic of Karelia in north-west Russia, the local Emergencies Ministry said in a statement on

Sunday.

It said it had completed search and rescue operations. There were 51 people, including four adults, on the outing.

A Police Officer told Reuters by phone that two of the three boats capsized

in Syamozero lake because of bad weather.

The Mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, wrote on his Twitter account that 10 children from Moscow had died, according to preliminary information. (Reuters)

16 news

monDAY, june 20, 2016 | guyana-times.com

VOX POPULI

I SAY...

What the people say

Guyanese views on the Orlando, Florida shooting Nandram Prabhu

“That news was horrific, where innocent people lost their lives in that shooting; it was sad and I really hope that those families that lost their children or child can really find that peace within. The law should take its course too; it was really unfortunate.”

Denisia Chapman

“I think it was wrong: he (the killer) didn’t give life, so

Quenella Junor

“I understand that the killer might be pushed to the edge by

a number of factors associated with the lifestyles of gays, but in no way am I in support of such brutal killings on people.

When will society understand that these people only differ in sexuality, but they are also humans just like all of us? I condemn the attack on these humans, and I hope that justice is served because that was more than 50 lives gone down the drain. Who knows how these people would have positively impacted their country?

I really hope that this is an eye opener and that there is no occurrence of that unfortunate night.”

Candace Kirton

“I am completely against the event that took place in

he had no right to take it.

It seems as though he killed those people because he didn’t like them because they are gay, but that still doesn’t make it right. The reason he did it is between him, God and his wife, but regardless it was wrong. \ I was watching one of the survivors online saying that he said he wouldn’t kill black people because they suffered enough and then I saw somewhere where it said that he did it for ISIS, but it’s not right to kill and regardless of the reason, it is still wrong.”

Orlando on that day. Human life is precious and sacred, regardless of its owner’s choice of sexuality, lifestyle and morals.

Therefore, such a premeditated act of hate and violence is utterly detestable and unacceptable. One should not, whether driven by personal or religious preferences, see it fitting to end the life of another human being and whoever disagrees is corrupt and cruel.

Who are we, as sinful humans, to determine how one’s life is lived or when it should end? My heart goes out to the families of those who lost lives.”

Caesar McAlmont

“I think that this is happening much too often in America and it, therefore, means that serious attention needs to be paid to this issue. It is really sad to see someone just enter a place and open fire to kill so many people. What is the reason? Regardless of the reason, a careful look needs to be taken at what must be done to avoid these things happening in the future. It’s always sad when these things happen.”

Jake August

“While I am entirely against gays as that lifestyle is evident-

ly against the teachings of God, I am also against the way these persons’ lives were just snatched from them merely because of their sexuality.

From a religious perspective, we do know that the lifestyle contradicts what is being preached, but in no way it justifies taking someone’s life, more so over 50 persons just because you believe that they are abominations. How better are you then?

Just as they are going against the teaching of God, so is the persons that committed so many murders. That episode was uncalled for.”

Victims of ECD criminal gang claim being ignored by Police

Robbery victim Michael Basdeo

T

he victims of the notorious “Salt Fish” criminal gang are claiming that they have been given the royal run-around by the Police as they try to get information relating to their home invasion at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) last Sunday.

Michael Basdeo, the primary victim of the home invasion, indicated to this newspaper that they were being treated as if they were “the criminals”.

“On more than three occasions, I tried contacting the Police at the Vigilance Police Station to get information on the matter, but it seems as if they don’t want me to get justice,” Basdeo said.

He is fearful for his safety and that of his family as he believes the gang is capa-

ble of returning. He indicated that the gang was well-known to the Police, and one officer who visited his home after the robbery was reported told him that “these man them does spin back”.

The distraught man went on to vent his frustration about the system of justice, saying he did not know why the Police were not telling him the names of the individuals who were in custody, what they looked like or even

was called.

According to Basdeo, the exact date of the next hearing seems to be uncertain, as the date reported in local newspapers and the date they were told differed and when he tried contacting the Police, the officers hung up on him.

Basdeo is also puzzled as to why his stolen laptop was confiscated as evidence and his car, which happens to be significantly damaged, was not secured as evidence and

ables, including Basdeo’s car.

Basdeo retrieved his mangled car, which was found abandoned at Market Street, Annandale, ECD. The bandits had crashed his car into a stall and made good their escape.

Individuals around the area who had witnessed the accident described the occupants who exited the vehicle as the “notorious Salt Fish gang”, and pointed the Police and Basdeo in the direction of

ing before Magistrate Alisha George at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court on larceny charges. The woman, Mansoon Mohammed, was charged with unlawful possession, but pleaded not guilty and was placed on $40,000

Serial robber shot, arrested at Springlands

P

The home where the stolen articles were found

how many of them were arrested.

To make matters worse, Basdeo said that he was not informed of the proper date to attend court, resulting in him being absent when the case

its theft was only considered “simple larceny”.

The gang allegedly sneaked into the Lot 81 Good Hope, ECD home around 02:30h and escaped with a quantity of cash and valu-

their home in Annandale.

Arrests were made as a result of finding a number of Basdeo’s stolen articles in the alleged bandits’ home.

This led to a mother and her two sons appear-

bail. Her sons, Zaman and Hazihidiri Mohamed were also charged with seven counts of larceny and break and enter. They too pleaded not guilty, but the prosecution objected to bail. They were remanded to prison.

olice on Sunday morning shot and injured a man who was wanted for a series of robberies while trying to arrest him at Springlands, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), Commander of Police B Division, Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam has confirmed.

The wanted man was identified as Kevin Padmore.

Assistant Commissioner Amsterdam said that Padmore was wanted for a series of armed robberies, simple larceny and larceny offences, committed in Berbice.

A police report stated that at about 10:20h on Sunday,

Police at the Springlands Police Station received information that Padmore was at a house in Scottsburg.

Ranks went to the address and conducted a search, however; they came up empty-handed.

A rank then proceeded to search a clump of bushes nearby where he found the wanted man hiding. During the arrest Padmore was shot to his thigh.

He was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was admitted and remains a patient under police guard.

He is listed as stable, and is likely to appear before the Court soon.

17

news

monDAY, june 20, 2016 | guyana-times.com

By: Kizzy Coleman

A

village transcending expectations in terms of development, Leonora, West Coast Demerara, formerly called Plantation Leonora is situated in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

A now thriving village with modern establishments, Leonora can be described as one of the most exciting villages in Guyana.

Neighboured by Anna Catherina and Stewartville, Leonora is a clear standout.

There are a number of villages in Guyana with great historical significance, and Leonora is among them.

The name Leonora is derived from the Dutch who

The Leonora estate which was closed down in December 1986, was ran by various proprietors, attorneys and administrators.

The labour force on the estate was supplied by indentured labourers brought to then British Guiana by various countries, including India.

These workers were all housed in logies that were divided into two rooms.

These logies were poorly made insanitary houses built close to the estate so the workers could have easy access to plantations and for the owners to have easy access to the workers.

The majority of the workers laboured in the cane fields from early morn-

Leonora Cottage Hospital

ing till nightâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;every day.

Apart from the estate

Leonora Secondary School

were once occupants of this country.

It originated from the names of two Dutch children, a boy named Leon and girl, Nora.

Leonora encompasses an area of five square miles, and was once part of the Parish of St Luke.

Being a close-knit community, the three leading religions (Christianity, Hinduism and Islamism) are practiced without prejudice.

History Visiting Leonora, the older folks were eager to delve into the history of their now modernised village.

Tales were told of the old estate, the workers, and the logies.

Leonora Magistrate's Court

location in those days, Leonora was comprised of

Groenveldt and pasture lands. These two areas

Cottage Hospital. It also houses many schools, a

stretched mainly along the public road, and away from the sugar estate. The rest of land that made up the area of Leonora was used for pasture, rice plots and limited farmlands. As time went by, the estate allowed some of the labourers to cultivate rice on the plots and to do limited farming.

With development in the community today, those rice plots have been turned into thriving housing schemes.

Leonora today Entering Leonora today oh, how things have changed. The village has been made into one of the most developed on the WCD. Leonora is home to one of the leading hospitals in the country, the Leonora

Magistrate Court, Fire Station, Police Station, Market and now the newly built Synthetic Race Track, the first ever in Guyana.

Costing $1.084 billion, Guyanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Synthetic Track and Field facility was officially opened in April of 2015.

Since the opening there have been major activities hosted in Leonora. It is the hope that one day Olympians will excel on the track as Guyana hopes to host the Olympics in the future.

Walking around the community, excited and smiling faces could be seen as the people of the community are ready and waiting to welcome all who visit.

Leonora Synthetic Race Track

Leonora Fire Station

Leonora Police Station

18

guyana-times.com

MOnday, june 20, 2016

ARCHIE

Learn, gather experience and be a participant. The in(March 21April 19) put you offer will make an impression and help you gain ground professionally as well as bring about positive change personally.

ARIES

Experience is the greatest TAURUS way to learn. Get involved in (April 20- cultural events, different phiMay 20) losophies or an entertaining social group in order to make new friends and learn something new.

dilbert

Financial improvements GEMINI will come through a partner(May 21June 20) ship or changes on the home front. You will find a way to cut your overhead and get the most for your dollar. Romance is encouraged.

Preparation is critical beCANCER fore you start new projects at (June 21- home or work. An interesting July 22) offer will grab your attention.

Adapt your schedule to take advantage of what's being offered.

Peanuts

If you show off, someone LEO will be quick to put you down.

(July 23Make subtle changes that will Aug. 22) help you get ahead. Don't let uncertainty lead to a costly mistake. Gather the facts.

Calvin and Hobbes

Physical activity will help VIRGO you blow off steam. If you feel (Aug. 23someone isn't being sincere, Sept. 22) give yourself time and space to assess the situation. Build confidence and boost your morale.

Someone with talents simLIBRA (Sept. 23- ilar to yours will recognise Oct. 23) your potential. Share ideas, form a partnership and set a budget. Don't let your emotions get in the way of a good deal.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY'S WORD – SHUFFLED (SHUFFLED: SHUF-uld: Slid the feet along the floor while walking.)

Average mark 17 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 24 or more words in SHUFFLED? The list will be published tomorrow.

SATURDAY'S WORD – MARZIPAN

maar main mania marina airman amir anima apian aria

rain ramp rani pain pair pram prim nip

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Pump up your energy and SCORPIO (Oct. 24- enthusiasm, and put your Nov. 22) plans into motion. Your imagination and drive will ensure that you come up with a great moneymaking plan. Romance is featured.

Bide your time, listen SAGITTARIUS carefully to what's being said (Nov. 23- and weed out any informaDec. 21) tion you feel is inconsistent or based on false data. Don't divulge your financial situation.

Emotions will surface if CAPRICORN someone disrupts your plans.

(Dec. 22Move forward swiftly, with Jan. 19) or without the person causing you grief. Success will be yours if you follow through on your ideas.

Carefully decide where AQUARIUS you want to spend your time (Jan. 20Feb. 19) and money. Making changes at home or to your professional goals will be rewarding, but not likely to please everyone.

Don't dwell on the past.

PISCES (Feb. 20- Put more emphasis on your March 20) personal and financial wellbeing. Helping others will keep you too busy to worry about situations you have no control over.

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Cavaliers stun Warriors to clinch NBA title

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) go after a loose ball during the third quarter in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena (Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)

L

eBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in Game Seven on Sunday to win their first NBA championship and complete a remarkable comeback unlike any seen before.

With the victory over the top-seeded defending champions, the Cavaliers became the first team to rally from a 3-1 series deficit in the bestof-seven NBA Finals and win the title.

The win also ends decades of heartbreak for the city of Cleveland, which had not won a professional

sports championship since the 1964 Cleveland Browns of the National Football League.

For James, who dropped to the court in tears after the final buzzer, the win not only marks his third championship following a pair of wins with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013, but it fulfils his promise to deliver a title to his home state.

Facing elimination in each of their previous two games, James carried the Cavs back from the brink as they became only the third team to force a Game Seven after falling behind 3-1 in

the championship round.

For the Warriors, who had a record 73 wins during the 82-game regular season, Sunday's defeat marked the first time since November 2013 that they have lost three consecutive games.

The Warriors were in complete control of the series, but were ultimately undone by the disappearance of their high-octane offence, a one-game ban to defensive stalwart Draymond Green, a season-ending injury to rimprotecting centre Andrew Bogut and defensive specialist Andre Iguodala dealing with a balky back. (Reuters)

WEST INDIES AND ENGLAND FOR 3-MATCH ODI SERIES IN EARLY 2017

S

t John’s, ANTIGUA – The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the England Cricket Board (ECB) today announced that West Indies will host England in a three-match one-day international series from February to March 2017.

The teams will play the first two matches at the Sir Vivian Richards

Stadium (SVRS), Antigua and will then travel over to Barbados for the third match at the Kensington Oval.

WICB’s CEO, Michael Muirhead said, “we see this an additional opportunity to strengthen our performances in this format as we aim to move up in the rankings. We are pleased once again to have England

Full schedule of West Indies vs England in 2017: Wednesday, February 22 Arrival into St Kitts Saturday, February 25 Warm-up vs WICB President’s XI St Kitt Monday, February 27 Warm-up vs WICB President’s XI St Kitts Tuesday, February 28 Travel to Antigua Friday, March 3 1st ODI SVRS Sunday, March 5 2nd ODI SVRS Monday, March 6 Travel to Barbados Thursday, March 93rd ODI Kensington Oval

in the region and as always we know the contest will be keen and we know the fans will come out in their numbers.”

Overall West Indies have played 88 ODI’s against England with both teams tied on 42 wins a piece with four games ending with no-result. It is statistically clear, the West Indies capitalize on home advantage having won 21 of the 36 matches in the Caribbean against England while losing 12.

England last played One Day Internationals in the Caribbean early 2014 when they beat West Indies in a three match series, 2-1. All three matches were played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

19

Gabriel, Nurse in line for ODI debut F

ast bowler Shannon Gabriel and off-spinner Ashley Nurse are both in line for their One-Day International debut after West Indies selectors opted to drop fast bowler Jerome Taylor from the squad for the Barbados leg of the Tri-Nations ODI Series.

Taylor, 31, was the most experienced bowler in the West Indies side with 126 wickets in 85 matches but no room was found for him after the selectors decided to reduce the squad to 13 players, from the 14 used in Guyana and St Kitts.

His returns have been small in this series with just two wickets in four matches played.

Nurse, a member of the squad which won the ICC World T20 in India in April, said he would be prepared if given the opportunity.

“I’m confident I would do well if selected … it would be great to make my debut in front of my home crowd at Kensington Oval,” said the 27-year-old.

“At the moment I’m feeling really good about my game. I’m bowling well in the nets and my batting is coming along well. We have played so good cricket so far but these is still some work

Ashley Nurse

Shannon Gabriel

to be done here in Barbados.

We want to make the final.”

Going into the final leg at Kensington Oval, South Africa top the table with ten points, Australia have nine points and West Indies have eight points.

With four points for a win and bonus point available for a big win – all three teams remain in contention for the final next week Sunday.

South Africa face the world champions Aussies on Sunday, West India take on the Australians on Tuesday and the final preliminary is on Friday when the home side meet the Proteas.

Gabriel, who has made a successful return from an ankle injury he suffered in Australia last December,

said he already knew what his approach would be once included in the final XI. “I have been watching along so far and I have seen a few things, where the bowling and batting are concerned,” the Trinidadian said.

“We have played both of them (Australia and South Africa) twice so far so I have my plans on how to approach my bowling if I get the chance.”

The 28-year-old added: “It would be good to get a chance at the Oval, the pitch there usually offers something to the fast bowlers, with bounce and carry through to the ‘keeper. I’m feeling strong and fit … I have recovered fully and I’m ready to step onto the park.”

(CMC)

Ballr Cup Tri-Nation Series...

Holder wants consistency from batsmen

W

est Indies captain Jason Holder is concerned by his batting group’s lack of consistency and failure to execute their plans so far in the Tri-Nations Series.

The regional side’s batsmen struggled on a difficult surface during the first leg in Guyana and though the second leg at Warner Park in St Kitts proved more batting-friendly, the Windies still failed to fire.

“I thought the conditions in Guyana were very difficult for batting. If you watched the whole leg there, teams struggled to get 200 runs,” Holder said.

“Having said that, we moved to St Kitts which was a bit more batting friendly … and we didn’t quite capitalize [on Wednesday

against South Africa]. I thought we did a reasonable job in the last game [against Australia].

“We asked one of our top batsmen to bat as deep as possible into the innings but we haven’t been able to get that. I thought Marlon Samuels did an exceptional job in the last game [against South Africa] trying to do that but unfortunately it didn’t quite get us over the line.”

West Indies overhauled South Africa’s 188 all out in the opening game of the tournament but were bundled out in their next game by the Aussies for a paltry 116.

They seemed to be finding their touched at Warner Park when they chased down Australia’s 265 to win

by four wickets but the inconsistency returned to haunt them in their following game as they crashed to 204 all out in pursuit of South Africa’s 343.

With West Indies facing must-win scenarios in their last two games at Kensington Oval here to guarantee themselves a place in the final, Holder said partnerships would be key to their success.

He added: “It boils down to teams being consistent on these tracks. These are not easy tracks to go in and bat on per se...”

Australia and South Africa clash on Sunday here before West Indies take on Australia on Tuesday and clash with South Africa next Friday. The final is carded for Sunday. (CMC)

20

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

St Lucia Zouks call up Trophy Stall gifts championship Ramsaran as permanent MVP trophies for soft shoe tourney CPL replacement for Cottoy T

F

ast bowler Miguel Cummins to link up with Zouks squad in

July The St. Lucia Zouks have been dealt a blow ahead of the start of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) campaign as Keron Cottoy has been ruled out due to a knee injury.

Left-arm spinner Kristopher Ramsaran, who was due to join the squad after Denesh Ramdin’s West Indies Test commitments resume in July, will now link up with coach Stuart Williams’ squad with immediate effect.

Wicket-keeper Ramdin’s place will then be taken by Barbados-born fast bowler Miguel Cummins, who has played one ODI to date for the West Indies (against Ireland, in February 2014).

The 25-year-old, who has 116 first-class wickets to his name in 41 games, has previously featured in the CPL for both the Antigua Hawksbills and Trinbago Knight Riders (formerly Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel).

The Zouks will take on four opponents in a combination of day and night time games

Keron Cottoy

Miguel Cummins

in a big month for the island with the hugely popular Lucian Carnival set to attract big numbers to the island once more.

The opening match against the Patriots is sure to attract a large following and is one not to be missed as it will mark the launch of the newly re-named 12,400 capacity Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, previously known as the Beauséjour Stadium.

Fans will also get to be a part of history for the opening of the newly-renamed Johnson Charles Stand. *Tickets for all CPL fixtures in the Caribbean and Fort Lauderdale are on sale now from www.cplt20.com

St. Lucia Zouks Home Fixtures (all times local): 21 July – St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots (6pm), 23 July – Barbados Tridents (12 Midday), 24 July – Guyana Amazon Warriors (5pm), 26 July – Trinbago Knight Riders (6pm) St. Lucia Zouks: David Shane Watson, Miller, Darren Sammy (captain), Michael Hussey, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Morne Morkel, Denesh Ramdin (to be replaced by Miguel Cummins after 11 July), Derone Davis, Eddie Leie, Kristopher Ramsaran, Shane Shillingford, Delorn Johnson, Kyle Mayers, Keddy Lesporis, Nitish Kumar, Gidron Pope

he Ministry of Public Health and Petra Organisation Soft Shoe Tournament received yet another boost, this time from Trophy Stall as the business enterprise presented the Championship Trophy and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) to Co-Director of Petra Organisation Troy Mendonca on Friday, at their South Road location.

Mendonca explained that he is extremely appreciative of the assistance that Trophy Stall along with the other sponsors has given thus far and that the tournament continues to be a success.

The Petra head expressed pleasure of the level intensity shown in the matches, as it gives the footballers a chance to showcase their talents considering they are playing on grass without the usual pegs.

The five –a side competition has seemed to grip the attention of a large fan base due to the fast paced nature of the tournament but most importantly the publicising of zero tolerance to Gender base violence.

The winner of the event will collect $300,000 and the championship trophy while the second placed side will receive $200,000 and the

Scotiabank supports RHTY&SC to document history of Rose Hall Town

T

he Cricket teams of Guyana’s leading youth and Sports Organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S continues to create history as they would be documenting the history of Rose Hall Town as part of a programme to mark the Township’s 46th anniversary in September.

One of the Club’s longest serving sponsor, the Bank of Nova Scotia is supporting the Cricket teams in this ambitious project by sponsoring the publication of a 40 pages booklet.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster who is spearheading the project stated that the booklet would be historic as it would be the first time that the history of Guyana’s township would be researched and documented for future generation.

The booklet, he disclosed would be one of over 20 projects that the RHTYSC, M.S would be undertaking to make the 2016 Rose Hall Town Week, the best organised in the history of any township in Guyana.

The booklet which would be published at the F+H Printery in Georgetown would include articles on Rose Hall Village, the slaves who bought the village in 1842, Towhsip status in 1970, Mayors and Town Clerks 1970-2016, achievements in sports, youth leaders, development over the years and the business sec-

tor.

Articles on historic places of worship, The independece Arch, Schools and The Rose Hall Market would also be included along with profiles of outstanding residents like Clarence Hughes, J.C. Chandisingh, Assad Fudadin, Andre Percival, David Ramnarine, Viv Persaud and Alex Foster.

Three of Guyana’s outstaning organisations – the RHTYSC, M.S, The Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and the ST. Francis Community Developers would also be featured while the booklet would also include messages from Club Patron, President David Granger, the Ministry of Communities and the Mayor of Rose Hal Town Vijay Ramoo.

The Club’s Educational Committee co-headed by the Club Secretary and his Asst Secretary/CEO Franklyn Ross and the cricket teams would be responsible for researching and editing the historic magazine, which would be distributed free of cost to residents of the township, schools, the business sector among others.

Noting that Rose Hall is a small community with a rich tradition in education, culture, sports and business, Foster stated that it is important to document its history so that future generations would be aware of their history.

Foster is encouraging all

Troy Mendonca (left) collects the trophies from Trophy Stall’s Devi Sunich

runners-up accolade.

On the other hand, the third placed side will receive $100,000 and the respective trophy while the fourth place finishers will pocket $50,000 and the corresponding title.

On the individual side, prizes will be awarded to

the event’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Highest Goal Scorer. Other sponsors of the event include the Ministry of Public Health, GTT, Lucky Dollar, Nigel Supermarket, Junior’s Jewellery, Star Party Rentals and 2-J’s General Store.

Ballr Cup Tri-Nation Series...

Rain washes out South Africa-Australia clash - Aussies face must-win match against Windies

A washout in Bridgetown on Sunday meant Australia face a do-or-die clash against West Indies in their final league game

A

RHTY&SC Executive Member Mark Papannah (left) receives a cheque from ScotiaBank Branch Manager Vibert Jones

former and current residents of Rose Hall Town who have facts of the township or historial photos to submit them to the Club’s Office at Area ‘H’ Ground or via email to fosterhilbert@ yahoo.com Marketting Executive of Nova Scotia Jennifer Cipriani hailed the relationship between the bank and the Club which has resulted in a lot of positive difference in the lives of many. Recording the history of Guyana’s history, Cipriani stated is important

and the Bank is delighted to be part of the project.

The Marketing Executive praised the RHTYSC, M.S and its cricket teams for the excellent work they are doing for youths, the elderly and less fortunate.

The Cricket teams that would be spearheading the project are Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Bakewell Under 17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under 19 and Intermiade, Metro Females and Gizmos and Gadgets Under 21 and First Division teams.

B de Villiers’ 200th ODI for South Africa went much the same way his 100th Test did, as Sunday's tri-series fixture was the first to be washed out, with only an over possible.

Just as November's Bangalore Test involved long periods of watching and waiting, the first game of the series in Barbados dragged on for over five hours because of intermittent rain, denying South Africa an opportunity to qualify for the final. Instead they shared points with Australia, who now face a must-win lash against hosts West Indies in their final league fixture at the same venue on Tuesday.

The damp squib ended the possibility of what could have been the first battle of the quicks in this tournament. Both sides bolstered their seam stocks in anticipation of a surface with more pace and bounce.

South Africa handed Morne Morkel his first opportunity on tour, at the ex-

pense of left-arm wristspinner Tabraiz Shamsi, while Australia included Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc in their XI. Australia also dispensed with a specialist spinner in Adam Zampa to bring back Glenn Maxwell.

Steven Smith decided to let his attack loose on a fresh surface, perhaps mindful of the impact rain could have on the chase. Starc bowled the first and only over of the match: an affair that included two wides, a half-volley that Quinton de Kock drove for four and two well-directed inswingers. Heavy rain swept through the ground seconds after he finished the over.

The downpour lasted three hours and 20 minutes before abating. There was a possibility of play resuming when covers were peeled off at 4.30pm local time. But an inspection, and hour and 15 minutes later, the match officials felt the outfield and the pitch were wet for the game to resume. The final call was made at 6.25pm.

YELLOW PAGES MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016 | WWW.GUYANA-TIMES.COM

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21

SPORTS

CPL and Guardian Group announce 3-year contract extension C PL Commercial Director Jamie Stewart welcomes long-standing deal Lucky fans can win cash prizes at all 34 CPL matches The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) are delighted to announce a new three-year extension with the Guardian Group who will remain as an Official Partner of the biggest party in sport until 2018.

Guardian Group will also provide support through its support of the “CPL Volunteers Programme”, which aligns with their strong Community transformation ethos around the Caribbean through committed and engaged staff voluntarism.

In addition, through the “Guardian Catch for Cash”

sure to welcome Guardian Group as CPL Partner for three more years. Guardian were one of the very first companies to support CPL when it was just an idea on a page and it is gratifying to have them continue with us for three more years.

“As a reflection of their Community focus they will continue to support our Event Volunteers programme and fans will no doubt be excited to learn that catching a ‘six’ during the forthcoming CPL will earn them an instant cash reward and global fame as part of the celebrated “Guardian Catch for Cash”.

On behalf of the CPL, and all our fans, I would like to thank Guardian for helping make this landmark event possible.”

citement and passion of the people of the Caribbean and brings the rest of the world to our shores.

Mr. Olton congratulated the CPL on the growth of the league and entry into the US market and emphasized that “like the Hero CPL T20, Guardian Group is also committed to the growth and transformation of our communities through sport, and we are proud once again, as a founding Official Partner, to continue to build on the successes of the tournament, and the inspiration it provides to our young athletes.”

The Hero CPL 2016 will be played between June 29 – August 7 at venues across seven territories - Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, Trinidad &

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Cricket fans Private Javed Fletcher and Cecil Patterson both took one-handed catches and collected US$1000 offered by the Guardian Group in CPL 2015

competition all 34 CPL games, a clean one-handed catch by a lucky member of the crowd will win the catcher USD $1,000, the second catcher in the game $2,000, the third catcher $3,000.

Commenting on the deal, Mr. Jamie Stewart, Commercial Director of CPL, said: “It is an absolute plea-

Mr. Larry Olton, Guardian Group Vice President, Integrated Marketing Communications, reaffirmed Guardian Group’s commitment to what has become the most anticipated and exciting sporting event in the Caribbean. According to the Group VP, “this event captures the diversity, ex-

Tobago and Fort Lauderdale in the USA. Last year’s tournament attracted a global audience in excess of 90 million and this year is set to be even higher as fans across the world continue to be drawn to the high quality action on the pitch and the unique party atmosphere off it.

Jamie Vardy set to turn down Arsenal offer

L

eicester striker Jamie Vardy is set to reject an offer to join Arsenal and stay with the Premier League champions.

The 29-year-old England international has not made a final decision, but is understood to favour extending his time at the King Power Stadium.

Arsenal made a reported bid of £20M for Vardy, activating a release clause in his contract and offering him a deal reported to be worth £120,000 a week.

Leicester responded with an offer said to be worth £100,000.

Arsenal do not plan to improve their offer and are thought to be pursuing alternative options.

Vardy, who joined Leicester from non-league Fleetwood Town for £1m in

Jamie Vardy

2012, signed a three-year deal in February, and the Foxes' new offer would extend that into a fourth year.

Arsenal's offer was a three-year contract with the option of a fourth.

Vardy, whose tally of 24 league goals last sea-

son was bettered only by Tottenham's Harry Kane, is currently with the England squad at Euro 2016.

The Gunners asked Vardy to give them an answer before he flew to France, but he wanted to focus on the competition. (BBC)

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Green Machine returns home after Gentle/Campbell are toppling Trinidad ladies doubles champs A G Industry (GBTI) Independence Jubilee Lawn Tennis Championships…

— “I knew we would have done it”- GRFU President

By Akeem Greene

uyana’s National Rugby team, the Green Machine returned home on Sunday to a warm welcome by Director of Sport Christopher Jones and several media operatives at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport after their victorious outing in the twin island Republic. .

The local ruggers produced a stellar performance to seal a 23-18 over the natives and capture the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Southern Zone title, when the two teams collided at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Saturday.

Speaking upon return, President of the Guyana Ruby Football Union (GRFU) was overjoyed as he reminded the media that he knew the team would have been on the winning side.

I knew we would have done it, I told you on Wednesday that we are go-

GRFU head Peter Green

ing there to win and we did just that”, Green said.

Coach of the team, Lawrence Adonis explained that it was tough but the hard work they did in preparation paid virtue for the win.

“It [the match] was a tough one but with the work we put in, especially that in Trinidad, helped us along the way, they were playing a pack because they had a

heavier set of forwards from us but we imposed strengths and it worked well”’ Adonis said.

The away victory sees Guyana winning the South Zone of the Rugby Americas North Cup of the Rugby World Cup 2019 qualifiers.

It means the Green Machine will now play the winner of the Cayman Islands/ Mexico game for the RAN Cup; that match is scheduled for July 5.

If the winner of the match between the Mexico and Cayman Islands is the latter, Guyana will be awarded a home match because of their superior rankings to the Cayman Islands.

Conversely, if Mexico wins, the Guyanese will have to play an away match.

After defeating Trinidad (ranked 46) on their home turf, Guyana, who are currently rankled 53 in the world, are expected to make some leaps in the rankings.

GFF/ NAMILCO Thunderbolt National Under-17 League…

3 teams extend unbeaten streak in high-scoring matches

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) NAMILCO National Under-17 League continued over the weekend with most teams recording resounding victories while Fruta Conquerors, Eastveldt and Alpha United extended their unbeaten streak.

In the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) leg of the Guyana Football Federation, Fruta Conquerors dismissed Santos FC 3-0 on the Tucville ground, with goals coming from the foot of Joel Yhap, in the 21st, Nicholas McArthur in the 24th and Malachi Adonis in the 69th minute of play.

Eastveldt destroyed Pele 9-0 with Shemar Bobb starring by recording an impressive hat-trick in the 6th, 27th and 44th min-

GFC scorers: Williamson DeSantos (left) and Kellon Blue

ute. Calvin Peters contributed by netting a brace in the eighth and 62nd minute while TeonVankenic scored a double in the 63rd and 69th minute.

Josiah Nero chipped in with a goal in the 35th minute while an own goal in the

Den Amstell strike men. From left: Keswin Fraser, Anthony Benn and Malcolm Miggins

12th minute added to Pele’s poor run.

Alpha United then thrashed Order and Discipline 3-0 with Julian Bamfield, Daniel Agustin and Cleon Robertson scoring in the 24th, 38th and 69th minutes respectively.

The Georgetown Football Club (GFC) down Camptown 2-0 with goals scored by Kellon Blue and Williamson DeSantos in the 20th and 38th minute.

In the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) leg, hosts Den Amstel prevailed over Slingerz FC 3-1.

Malcolm Miggins, Anthony Benn and Keswin Fraser were the scorers, netting in the 19th, 28th and 29th minute respectively for the winners while Akeem Hussein scored the lone goal for Slingerz.

Matches will continue this weekend across the various associations.

fruica Gentle and Cristy Campbell are the new Ladies Doubles champions after they turned in an excellent display to win Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Independence Jubilee title on Friday at the Bank’s recreational facility in Bel Air. The new partnership took on the top seeded ladies Aretta Dey and Nicola Ramdyhan in a contest which was expected to be a highly competitive one, but went quite comfortable for the winners.

Gentle who won the category last year with Carol Humphrey created a flawless transition with Campbell. Gentle/Campbell started strong with a 5-1 lead. A little complacency crept in the game of Gentle/Campbell which was pounced on by Dey/ Ramdyhan to close the lead to 5-3.

However, the two resolved not to allow them back in the match and were seen whispering strategies to close out the set.

Campbell stabilized the combo and converted to win the set easily at 6-3. The play of the second set mirrored the first but it was no wasting of time. Gentle/ Campbell clenched a 6-1 to engrave their names in the history at the GBTI Recreational Centre winning in straight sets 6-3, 6-1.

In a post-match interview Cristy Campbell stated that “It is a good feeling to win because my partner and I complimented each other very well and we communicated throughout the match. I believe communication was the key.”

A s the GBTI Independence Jubilee draws to a close, the quality of games has improved.

Last Friday Men’s Open Singles fourth seed Benjettan Osborne fell at the hands of assistant coach Nicholas Glasgow who has been working hard on his fitness in the last few months to make his mark.

From the onset, the match was declared to be one of high drama and fierce groundstrokes as Osborne is not one to shy away from a challenge. A simple player analysis anticipated that Glasgow’s heavy serves and big ground strokes would play into the wheelhouse of Osborne who absorbs pace well and return with equal amount of power. However, Osbourne was caught offguard by the low forehand and backhand slices of Glasgow, losing the first set 7-5 after it was locked at 5-5.

The second set had similar game style and prolonged rallies but an apparent injury hampered the movement of Osborne. A fo-

Afruica Gentle (left) and Cristy Campbell

cused Glasgow wasted no time to secure the set at 6-2 and marched unto face #1 seed Anthony Downes in the semifinals which is scheduled for Tuesday June 21.

After witnessing Afruica Gentle defeat her coach Shelly Daly in the Ladies Open Singles semifinals, spectators craved a similar outcome in Friday night’s match. The 14 yr old Heimraj Resaul fiercely challenged the Men’s Single number two seed, Coach Leyland Leacock in the Men’s Open Singles quarterfinals.

Leacock’s usual strategy is to prolong the game as long as possible to tire his opponent, this time being Resaul.

The youngster played freely to equal at 5 games each.

Unfortunately he lost his service game which left the door opened for Leacock to close the set at 7-5.

Destined to cause a rift in the course of the match, Resaul’s fast pace serves brought him to 1-0 in the second set. Leacock responded by keeping a hold on serve, bringing games to 1-1. Resaul experienced a break in set at 2-1, after which Leacock held serve at 2-2. With most points resulting in lengthy rallies and deuce points, Resaul’s speedy ground strokes and forceful forehand awarded him winners. His gutsy

play and fearless tennis awarded him a four game streak to win the second set at 6-2.

The third set of the approximately two and a half hours match was unpredictable after viewing both players drive to reach the semifinals to play Daniel Lopes. Experienced Leacock opened by holding his service game and Resaul followed suit. Leacock broke to take a 2-1 lead and eventually raced to 4-1. Struggling to avoid falling behind, Resaul held and broke serve to trail Leacock at a one game difference of 3-4.

The game came to a critical juncture as youth and experience clashed. It was imperative of Resaul to hold to put some semblance of pressure. Failing to convert his game points Leacock inched to a 5-3 lead. He then resorted to playing the ball safe to not jeopardize his lead. This tactic awarded Leacock the game to advance to the semifinals at 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.

Complete results for the day: Men’s Open Singles Quarterfinals: Nicholas Glasgow def Benjettan Osborne 7-5, 6-2, Leyland Leacock def Heimraj Resaul 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 Ladies Open Doubles Gentle/C. Finals: A. Campbell def A. Dey/N. Ramdyhan.

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

23

Igloo Hockey RHTY&SC congratulates Festival off to 8 female National Under-20 Cricketers exciting start T I

gloo Hockey Festival being staged by the GCC Hockey got off to an exciting start yesterday at Bourda. The festival, the first of its kind being played on a miniature artificial hockey surface drew

Saints B was the competition’s top scorer of the day with 5 goals to his credit. Newcomers Phoenix HC however looks the team to beat and can prove worthy opponents for Saints on the second day of competition.

Hopkinson.

The open division of both male and female competitions saw two amazing battles both end on even scores between arch-rivals GCC and Hikers. Pizza Hut GCC who was crowd favou-

he Paton, Management and Members of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S would like to congratulate the eight Club members who were selected in the Guyana Under 20 Cricket Team to play in a Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board tournament for Caribbean female teams.

“As a Club, we are very proud of the fact that over half of the team are official members of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation and plays for the Rose Hall Town Metro Female team”, a club representative said.

The players selected are Captain of the team Plaffina Millington, Shenneta Grimmond, Marian Samaroo, Diana Devi Prahald, Aleema Arokuim, Shabika Gajnabi, Shauna Vanderstoop and Rushanna Lynch. The Club views their selection on the Guyana team as just rewards for our massive investment in female cricket

over the last eight years.

Despite numerous problems especially in the lack of any other female cricket teams in Guyana, our female Cricketers have dedicated themselves to training everyday under the astute leadership and mentorship of West Indies players Shemaine Campbelle, Tremayne Smartt and Erva Giddings.

“We would like to wish the Guyana Under 20 Female Cricket team under the inspirational guidance of Coach Julian Moore, the best of luck in Trinidad.

We are confident that while most of them are inexperienced at this level, they would represent out national colours with pride, dedication and passion. We would like to recommit ourselves to continuing our investments at all levels of the game especially at the youth and female levels”, a representative of the club said.

The Club would also like to offer congrats to our

members Kevin Sinclair, Slyus Tyndall and Kevlon Anderson on their selection on the Guyana Junior teams for upcoming West Indies Cricket Board Tournaments at the Under 17 and Under 19 levels. The trio are among our finest talent and would represent us well.

The Club would like to express gratitude to each of our official sponsors at the cricket level – Farfan and Mendes Ltd, Bakewell, Pepsi, Metro Office Supplies and Gizmos & Gadgets for their investments into the development of our cricketers over the years.

Special mention must also be made of Western Union and Trinidad Cement Ltd (Guy) for providing gears and sponsorship of our Cricket Academy respectively. The Club would also like to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of coach Winston Smith for the role he played in assisting our female cricketers to fulfil their potentials.

WDFA/Stag League…

Vege Boys, Young Achievers secure wins V

The Under-10 champions are all smiles

a sizable crowd of supporters to watch players from as young as 6 years-old right up to those in their forties.

In the morning proceedings, GCC Speed Racers defeated the GCC Gummy Bears by 5–2 in their final match of the under-8 mixed category. Seven year old Grant Fernandes was in top form as he registered 6 goals in two matches to finish as the leading scorer.

In the under-10 mixed category Hikers turned the tables on GCC Thunderbolts after losing to them in the early rounds. Hikers held on for a 0-0 draw at full time setting up the jubilant Federico Cush to score the winning goal in a penalty shootout for the Hikers victory.

Saints Girls and Boys teams impressed on the opening day in the under-14 division. In the girls category, Saints and the GCC Warriors put in the most remarkable scores on day one in the girls under-14 competition enabling both teams to advance to the semi-finals (yesterday) Sunday against the Titans and the Flash respectively.

The under-14 boys division saw another dominant performance by Saints who made it to the semifinals.

Justin Dookie of

GCC Spartans upset Old Fort Shooting Stars when they secured an unexpected 5–2 victory in the girls under-17 competition.

Newcomer Sarah Klauty showed good speed and skills for the Spartans in attack while Mickelly Rahaman was solid in defence.

These two sides will meet again where the Carolyn Deane led Stars will be challenged to find a solution for the audacious young Spartans. The GCC Rebels, Old Fort and Phoenix emerged unbeaten after the first day of the boys’ under-17 competition. They will be joined by Saints in the semi-finals on Sunday.

In an exhilarating encounter, Old Fort Shooting Stars had their best showing in the girls’ under-21 division by defeating the powerful Hikers by 2-1. Carolyn Deane was in form again in this division as she claimed both of the goals for the victorious side. In the boys’ under-21, the GCC Rebels seem to be favourites going into the second day with a 10–3 hammering of Saints.

Hikers and Old Fort both made the semi-finals with an exciting 6-6 draw featuring amazing displays of skill by junior nationals Aroydy Branford and Omar

rites were stunned in the opening minutes of the female matchup when Hikers carved home three unanswered goals in the opening minutes of the game. Led by an inspirational performance by striker Gabriella Xavier, who finished with a match-leading 4 goals, the Pizza Hut ladies clawed their way back into the match in the second half.

Hikers’ national midfielders Maria Munroe and Marisha Fernandes would stretch GCC to their limit to deny the Hikers a win as their stellar performances took the game to the wire ending in a final score of 5-5.

In similar fashion to the females match, it was the GCC men who scored first against pre-match favourites the Hikers.

After closing the gap in short time, Hikers national striker Shane Samuels kept nudging his side ahead with some fine individual finishes but the surprising hero for GCC came in the form of junior Daniel Hooper who managed to neutralize the Hikers in defence and net a hat trick of his own. The men’s final score mimicked that of the ladies at 5-5 setting up an exciting final day when Old Fort, Saints and Vintage join the stage.

ege Boys and Younger Achievers notched wins in the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) Stag League on Saturday at the Den Amstel Community Centre Ground.

The Vege Boys win was their first, as they edged Wales 3-2 due a complete team effort, as the trio of Shamar Hetemyer, Cordell Walcott and Carlos Caesar scored in the 10th, 31st and 75th minute respectively. On the losing side, Lawrence Phillips scored a double with his strikes coming in the 46th and 51st minute.

The result means Vege Boyz move from the cellar to ninth spot on three points while Wales dropped to 10th position, remaining

Tiefel Adams (left) and Stephon Jupiter

From left: Shemar Hetemyer, Cordell Walcott and Carlos Caesar

on two points.

In the other match, Young Achievers overcame Golden Warriors 2-1 by virtue of goals by Tiefel Adams and Stephon Jupiter, who scored in third and 19th minute respectively while Jermin Isaiah notched a consolation goal in the 62nd minute.

Dellon Layne of Golden Warriors was given a red card after picking up two yellow cards in a hard fought match.

Young Achievers now move in to the fifth spot with six points while Golden Warriors dropped to seventh place, remaining on three points.

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

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

Green Machine returns home after toppling Trinidad

Pg 22

— “I knew we would have done it”GRFU President

Guyana’s national rugby team, the “Green Machine” pose with the Director of Sport ,Christopher Jones (far left) and members of the ruby union at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport

Cavaliers stun Warriors to clinch NBA title

Pg 19

Igloo Hockey Festival off to exciting start Gabriella Xavier (blue top) of Pizza Hut GCC, attempts to manoeuvre her way through the field

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) and forward Draymond Green (23) in the first half in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena (Kelley L)

Pg 23

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