Guyana Times Daily

NGSA results expected next Tuesday Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyana-times.com

Issue No. 2901

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, June 30, 2016

PRICE

Oil exportation licence scrapping

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana only has 24-day fuel storage capacity – Jagdeo …says cancellation of contract unwise Parking meter fiasco

Mexican company surfaces as new contractor Page 3

$80 vat included

Page 7

Dog escapes with dead infant from Diamond Hospital

Berbice poultry deaths

Agriculture Ministry to investigate incident P – PS 11

... farmer records more losses Page 9

Veteran P15 businessman honoured by Rotary Club

“Education is the best preparation to run the nation” – Granger Page 14

Truck driver jailed for causing P12 death

President David Granger seated with children in a bus donated to students at the Coomacka Community Ground, Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10). The 30-seater vehicle was donated by Suresh Jagmohan of S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services

‘ISIS’ bomb threatener a deportee – Crime Chief Page 11

UK diplomat assures of continued cooperation after Brexit Page 9

GLDA acquiring barge to aid cattle farmers

P17

2 news

thursDAY, june 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Hundreds of millions tendered for Belle Vue rip-rap sea defence, roads

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he Public Infrastructure Ministry has procured tenders for a number of road works, in addition to the construction of a rip-rap sea defence at Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), when the Tender Board met at the National Procurement and Tendering Administration (NPTA), Finance Ministry, in Georgetown on Tuesday.

This tender attracted 14 bidders with the Engineer’s estimate reaching the sum of $175,853,850.

A total of 14 bids were opened for the construction of a nursing hostel in the New Amsterdam School of Nursing compound, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The entity procuring this service is the Public Health Ministry with the Engineer’s estimated cost to construct is $60,136,213.

According to information received from bidders, the hostel is expected to contain 16 self-contained units, inclusive of a toilet and bath. The dimensions of the rooms will be 13 feet by 28 feet.

In addition to the hostel, tenders were also presented for the extension of the School of Nursing building in New Amsterdam.

This expansion attracted 13 bidders with the Engineer’s estimate of $30,488,511.

The Ministry of the Presidency also tendered for rehabilitative works to the Cabinet Room. The engineer’s estimate to complete the rehabilitation was $32,157,250.

LaRocque urges regional integration to tackle challenges

W

hile global initiatives and agreements create the environment to plan and take action on regional development, Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque believes this is not sufficient and regional leaders must take their own action, such as proposed in the Strategic Plan for the Caribbean Community for the period 2015-2019.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Regional Civil Society Conference, hosted by the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC), Georgetown, LaRocque said that Caribbean leaders had to think outside the box, look for innovative and new ways to address challenges, as well as adopt new approaches to regional development.

“While the challenges may have long been identified, it is how we approach finding and implementing the solutions which will be important in the long run.

It is that kind of strategic thinking, which has gone into the formulation of a Strategic Plan. We need all actors in the development process to contribute to innovative and new approaches to our development,” he remarked.

The Caricom Secretary General pointed out that the Community’s Strategic Plan was derived through a wide-

Secretary General Irwin LaRocque

spread inclusive and consultative process undertaken at national and regional levels.

He said after distilling all the views and ideas put forward, priorities were determined.

“The Plan sets out the strategies to be pursued, the outcomes anticipated, the principal measures to be undertaken and the major activities to be implemented.

We are well advanced with our work on the Operational Plan,” he stated.

Among the urgent priorities outlined in the Plan is developing arrangements for participatory governance at the regional level. This, La Rocque said, is probably the most important, since it seeks to involve all elements and components of Caribbean society in the regional development process. turn to page 7

news

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thursDAY, june 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, June 30 – 14:00h-15:30h and Friday, July 1 – 14:30h-16:00h.

Mexican company surfaces as new contractor

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, June 30 – 13:00h-14:30h and Friday, July 1 – 14:05h-15:35h.

F

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected in the morning, while heavy to light rainfall is expected in the afternoon. Thunder showers are expected to return in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East-North-easterly between 2.68 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 00:28h and 13:05h reaching maximum heights of 2.48 metres and 2.42 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 06:34h and 18:38h reaching minimum heights of 0.73 metre and 0.78 metre respectively.

WEDNESday, June 29, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS D

05 06 11 22 25 26 08 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

WEDNESday, June 29, 2016

Daily Millions

13 14 19 26

08

LUCKY 3 0

6

9

Draw De Line 06

09 12 15 16

Parking meter fiasco

19 20

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

ollowing initial reports that the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), awarded a contract to National Parking Systems (NPS) Inc, who joined with Smart City Solutions (SCS) Inc to implement the Parking Meters Project, it is now being revealed that a third company is involved.

United States-based Guyanese Kamau Cush, Director of both NPS and SCS, on Wednesday disclosed that the contract was actually signed between the Town Council and Smart City Solutions, and not NPS as previously stated. He added too that when the joint venture was formed, NPS was absorbed into Smart City Solutions, which he now claims is owned by Mexican Company – Operadora de Estacionamientos Bicentenario, S A de C V. “Smart City Solutions is a subsidiary of Operadora de Estacionamientos Bicentenario, this is the parent company that is headquartered in Mexico City… NPS is no longer an entity that’s operating this parking system.

The City of Georgetown signed a contract with Smart City Solutions. NPS is a shareholder in Smart City Solutions; Smart City Solutions is a subsidiary of Operadora de Estacionamientos Bicentenario, which is based in Mexico,” Cush told reporters on Wednesday during a demonstration exercise on a model meter.

He disclosed that the parent company, which is located in the municipality of Juan Cuamatzi, in the State of Tlaxcala, Mexico City, is operating out of Mexico City

Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green inspecting a parking meter in Mexico during a recent visit

and currently has operations in Panama, Argentina, Peru, and now in Guyana.

According to the company’s website, it is operating within in “the industry for car parking companies in Mexico City, Federal District”.

This information comes in light of mounting concerns over the authenticity of the two initial companies – NPS and Smart City Solutions.

Since the signing of the contract for the Parking Meters Project, many persons, including Councillors, over the past weeks have raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the deal, which they claim appears to be a shady one, aimed at exploiting the local populace.

In fact, Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan had stated that he could not find proper information about NPS since the address given by the Director lead to an address in New York City, which housed the Atlanta City Bank.

However, Cush explained on Wednesday that no information could have been found about the company in the United States because its operation is based in Mexico City.

Moreover, it was found

that Cush, who was the Chief Executive Officer of NPS, became the sole Director of the company after the lone member of the Board, Managing Director Patrick Triumph, resigned in April 2016.

According to company documents attached to the Notice of Change of Directors, registered with the Deeds Registry, it states that, “Be it resolved that the Board of Directors of

National Parking Systems Inc hereby agree to accept the resignation of Patrick Triumph of Columbus Blvd, Suite CD -2N, Hartford, Connecticut, USA, as a Director of the herein company with effect from the 29th day of April 2016, and be it further resolved that the sole Director of the herein company is Ifagbamila Kamau Cush, also called Kamau Cush”.

Furthermore, in relation to Smart City Solutions Inc, the Notice of Directors documents, seen by this newspaper, revealed that the company was registered on May 6, 2016 with two Directors, Panama Citybased Businessman Simon Mosheshvili and Cush.

When asked on Wednesday about the shareholders of these companies, CONTINUE ON PAGE 12

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guyana-times.com

THURsdAY, june 30, 2016

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

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

Editorial

No deferral of constitutional reform

A

s has been the case since 1980 when the People’s National Congress (PNC) introduced a new Constitution for Guyana – comprehensively overturning most of the premises on which the Independence Constitution of 1966 was based – there are again calls for “constitutional change”.

While ostensibly, the 1980 Constitution was supposed to describe the new institutional bases of the state for realising the ideology of “co-operative socialism”, from the onset there was great alarm in most sections of Guyanese society, on the tremendous array of powers concentrated in the form of the “Executive President”. Some asserted it made the incumbent tantamount to a “constitutional dictator”.

In 2000, however, following massive street protests and riots in Georgetown, sponsored by the PNC, constitutional change was effected through a Committee taking recommendations from a wide cross-section of individuals and groups at several locations in the country. The reduction of the powers and immunities of the President were among a raft of reforms in the Constitution that were unanimously passed by the National Assembly. In the succeeding years, however, the complaints about excessive powers of the President continued to be vented in addition to complaints about the allocation of state power in several other areas of national life.

The PNC and its successor “A Partnership for National Unity” (APNU), as well as the “Alliance For Change” (AFC), placed constitutional change very high on their agenda. In their manifesto for the last election, they stated: “APNU+AFC recognises that the Constitution, in its current form, does not serve the best interest of Guyana or its people. Within three months of taking up office, APNU+AFC will appoint a Commission to amend the Constitution with the full participation of the people. The new Constitution will put the necessary checks and balances in place to consolidate our ethos of liberal democracy. Freedom of speech, reduction of the power of the President and the Bill of Rights will be enshrined in the document.”

A Steering Committee on Constitutional Reform, under the chairmanship of Nigel Hughes, then Chairman of the AFC, a party in the governing coalition, was constituted after the elections. It took recommendations from the people, and submitted in April its final report to the Prime Minister, in charge of “governance”. The Steering Committee requested and received an extension of its time frame so as to secure the widest consultations possible.

Prominent recommendations included reduction of the powers of the President, further devolution of power from the centre and revamping the electoral system. Upon receipt of the Report, the PM promised that a broad-based Constitutional Committee, which should include “the PPP and other stakeholders”, would consider the submitted recommendations, in the reforms they would initiate.

Last weekend, however, President David Granger appeared to throw the entire process into a tailspin when he averred that he did not want a “boardroom constitutional reform”. This appears to be a direct refutation of the process whereby the Steering Committee produced its recommendations. This was made very clear when the President concluded: “I want people in their communities to meet and express their views. I don’t want a group of people sitting down in a room saying what must be done.”

The President is in effect bypassing the procedures established by his own party in the governing coalition for instituting constitutional change. His Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, and his party (especially Nigel Hughes) before and after the elections have been very vocal on the need for reducing the powers of the President. By now going over their heads and asking for the opinions of the “people”, the President may be seen as using a populist undermining of representative government.

If there are serious concerns about the people’s involvement in constitutional change, the constitution insists on the mandate of a Referendum from all the peoples when altering certain articles. This can be invoked in the changes that the Constitutional Commission will recommend.

This pretty peacock gracefully opened out his feathers like the diva he is and posed for the camera. The bird, which originally comes from India and Sri Lanka, was spotted in a yard along the East Coast Demerara (ECD) Railway Embankment in Greater Georgetown on Wednesday morning. A small crowd gathered in front of the yard to snap photos of the beautiful creature who was more than happy for the attention (Marceano Narine Photo)

Jagan did make ministerial offer to Clive Thomas (Pt 2) Dear Editor, This is my recollection on the matter pertaining to the offer Cheddi Jagan made to Clive Thomas for a ministerial post but first a little background: It was the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) that opposed Dr Jagan being the consensus Presidential Candidate for the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD) saying Africans would not vote for an alliance led by Jagan. It was noted that African support was necessary to defeat the big bad People’s National Congress (PNC) or at a minimum to neutralise its rigging. The NY activists I was involved with agreed with that sentiment, and we travelled to Guyana and we made efforts to convince Dr Jagan to back down as the consensus candidate.

Others also met Jagan and discussed the issue. I had several one on one meets with Dr Jagan at Freedom House. Dr Jagan made several (malleable) conditions for backing down from being the nominee. Jagan was willing to accept WPA proposed nominee, but Jagan insisted that PPP would get a majority of seats and Cabinet posts. The WPA objected to the condition on the flimsy ground that since previous elections were rigged, the real support of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) could not be determined. My recollection was PPP was offered 25 per cent of the seats. That was insulting to the PPP resulting in the collapse of talks over a consensus nominee. In a

subsequent meeting, Jagan told me the PPP took the position of going into the elections with himself as the nominee and with a Civic component. Dr Thomas was offered to be Dr Jagan’s running mate as the Prime Ministerial Candidate. The WPA declined the offer. I travelled back to Guyana and met Jagan over the issue. He insisted he wanted Clive Thomas as his running mate and urged me to ask him to reconsider.

I went to Rodney House on Croal Street, and conversed with Rupert Roopnaraine, Eusi Kwayana, Nigel Westmaas, Wazir Mohammed and several others in separate meets. The response from virtually everyone was that the offer of Prime Minister was made to Clive Thomas and not the WPA. It was semantics; these chaps were playing games seemingly because they did not want to support Dr Jagan’s candidacy.

I travelled to UG and met Thomas; Father Malcolm Rodrigues (who I had met on the Corentyne in March 1977 during the Berbice Students uprising) gave me a lift inside the compound as we reminisced about the student strikes and conversed about the PCD talks.

In his brief exchange with me, Dr Thomas gently declined Jagan’s offer. He told me he was not interested in the position, and he suggested that Dr Luncheon was more deserving of it since he was with the PPP for so long.

Other emissaries also met Thomas whose answer was a consistent “no”.

As time was going, Jagan named Samuel Hinds as his running mate. I travelled to Guyana again urging Jagan to find a way to accommodate Thomas.

Jagan was agreeable. But he said he could not withdraw his (PM) offer to Sam Hinds as it was made publicly, but he would like to have Thomas on his team with a Cabinet post. Thomas ran as the Presidential Candidate of the WPA with Rupert Roopnaraine as the Prime Ministerial Candidate; the WPA secured just over two per cent of the votes as compared with the PPP’s 53 per cent. That was a blunder of Thomas and the WPA. Dr Jagan told me he would offer the Planning Ministry to Thomas.

In my subsequent meeting with President Jagan, I urged him to give Thomas the Finance Ministry. He said he promised and offered it to Asgar Ally who had left his Central bank job in Jamaica. In a follow up trip to Guyana in February or April (1993) or could have been Christmas period 1992, I met President Jagan at Freedom House and urged him to find a way to include Thomas in the Cabinet.

He said the Planning Ministry was still vacant and urged me to ask Thomas to reconsider in taking up the offer. I went to see Brother Eusi on why WPA was not taking up the offer. Eusi’s response was the Ministry was given to Thomas and not

the WPA – a play on semantics. I also conversed with Roopnaraine, Westmaas, Wazir, etc and all gave the same group think response.

I visited Thomas at UG and conveyed Jagan’s offer, and he politely declined the offer saying there were other individuals in the PPP who were more deserving of the post.

I was disappointed with Thomas’ response given the enormous respect I held for him and the important role he could play in development. I do not know when, and if, the Planning Ministry was ever withdrawn. I do not remember if it was ever filled and who held the post. Dr Luncheon can shed light on the issue. I agree with Tacuma that the history needs to be set right.

So Tacuma must make available the report (memo) that he claimed he saw to verify time period of the alleged Jagan withdrawal of the offer to Thomas. Is it not reasonable for a Ministerial offer that was consistently rejected over several months, be withdrawn? Did Tacuma expect the offer to remain forever? Did he expect the Ministry to remain vacant for Jagan’s term in office while Thomas made up his mind? Would not the politics and development of the country been different if WPA or Thomas had not declined Jagan’s offer of the PM position or the Planning Ministry?

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

guyana-times.com

thursDAY, june 30, 2016

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

China has been Guyana's largest VISIONS: Hope, culture and perspective bilateral lender/investor Dear Editor, Minister Carl Greenidge may have been inadequately briefed when he made inaccurate statements about me in another section of the media on June 26, 2016 captioned, " Those Ambassadorial Appointments…"

For the record, let me state that I wrote to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 5th June 2015, indicating that I would be resigning my post in China , and leaving the country very soon thereafter. Mr Greenidge, through the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accepted my resignation and thanked me for my service, by way of a letter dated 6th June 2015.

Further, I wish to advise that dozens of Monthly Reports were sent by the Embassy in China, between 2010-2015 informing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government of Guyana of work in progress( the Chinese ferries; the Confucius Institute at UG; the negotiations over the sale of shares in GT&T; the loans and grants for infrastructural work; etc). I

would venture to say that China has been Guyana's largest bilateral lender/investor during the last five years. I am therefore perplexed that Mr Greenidge is not aware of the affairs of the Guyana Embassy in China, especially since I emailed him a Summary Report on 5th June 2015, shortly before departing my post. I can only surmise that he was misquoted by the media.

I must also say that I emailed Mr Greenidge on March 22nd this year, offering to meet him on his visit to London in May, to brief him on Guyana-China affairs. It must be noted that he did not reply to me on either correspondence.

Although it has been more than a year since leaving China, and no longer working for the Foreign Service, I continue, and will continue, to respond to queries by the Director General on matters pertaining to China ( e.g May 23rd 2016; 19th June 2016; 21st June 2016). I offered in June 2015 to resume doing pro bono work for Guyana, if so requested, to

Victimised electrical company Dear Editor, Please permit me space in your newspaper to vent my frustration with the current situation in Guyana as it relates to the award of contracts.

The company I work for and also a co-owner, over the past few months, has been under tremendous strain because of the way these matters have been handled by the Tender Board and the various Ministries of Government. My company has won a few contracts in the national competitive bidding process, but was not awarded.

We primary do most of the work in the electrical department; work is being handed down to a particular company even though they were not the lowest evaluated bid. We have written to the Government on this issue and were told it

was a Tender Board matter.

We contacted the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board through written communication and never received a reply.

Editor, this situation is becoming more frustrating.

We have a workforce of 32 employees and were recently forced to lay off five. The other electrical company enjoys the good grace of this current Administration and all the various Ministries, electrical works are being done by this company without tenders. How can we encourage foreign investors when gross irregularities such as contract awards like this happen every day?

This only affects the nation as a whole since only a select few are favoured but the Administration.

Sincerely, Micheal Persaud

assist the new Government, given that I had accumulated 22 years of diplomatic experience ( Member of the Executive Board of UNESCO,1993-1997, then Ambassador to UNESCO 1997-2010, entirely pro bono; Ambassador to China, 2010-2015).

With regards to my direct communications with the former Presidents of Guyana, these were done overwhelmingly through Monthly Reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Of course common sense dictated that I shared my perspectives on China, whenever required, with the former Presidents.

I look forward to meeting Mr Greenidge when his time permits; it has been twenty five years since he gave a lecture at Warwick University, as PNC Minister of Finance, but was discomforted by the pro-democracy audience of historians and sociologists.

Kind regards, Professor David Dabydeen Former Ambassador to China

Dear Editor, One often gets the feeling that there is no space for art in Guyana. Perhaps this is due to the failure of the successive Governments over the years to create an environment conducive to artistic expressions.

Yet, the importance of art is not to be underestimated, for it is twofold: it is not only an outlet for the freedom of speech and expression which ought to define a democracy, but it also depicts the psyche of a society, the state of mind of the people of a country. Art is the materialisation of talent, the characterisation of culture, progress and evolution of an era, and a medium for individuality. Most of all, art provokes thought, a provocation much necessary to the advancement of human kind.

Here in Guyana we have failed miserably in valorising the work of those local artists who have carved a place for themselves as people of exceptional talents, visions and perspectives. As a country we have allowed ourselves to by stifled by political and developmental

myopia, an opacity which has blurred the mindset of policymakers, and reduced the interest of the regular Guyanese for artistic diversities.

But like freedom of expression in any society, art is present; it is alive and becoming increasingly independent. An outstanding example of such independence is the ongoing VISIONS Exhibition at Fitzgerald House on Hadfield Street (behind the St Stanislaus College).

The exhibition displays a selection of photographs taken by passionate people whose talents lie in their ability to capture those moments which remains invisible to the regular Guyanese.

The seemingly most insignificant, inanimate and forlorn object is brought to life and given a second chance so that we may find appreciation for the tale it has to tell.

Scenic landscapes which are so often being taken for granted stand out untamed, almost surrealistically, absorbing us as we lose ourselves into that split second which the photographer

Disappointed with Carl Greenidge’s statements Dear Editor, Please permit me to comment on the statements made by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge as it relates to the re-migrant programme.

The Minister alluded to the fact that his Ministry does not have the capacity to implement the systems necessary to regulate and monitor the re-migrant programme. I was dismayed at this remark by our Minister, as in my opinion any trained and qualified accountant is capable of developing, designing and implementing an efficient and effective control system for the programme. This can be achieved in consultation with the Guyana Revenue

Authority and the Finance Ministry.

It is ironic that having removed capable and qualified personnel from the Ministry, the said Minister complains of qualified people not available to undertake this programme. I am aware that after a prolonged service in the Ministry, individuals were denied a renewal of their contracts based solely on assumptions of political affiliation or in some cases clear evidence of ethnicity.

Unfortunately, qualified accountants that served the Ministry loyally and who are capable of undertaking all the ills of the ministry that the Minister bemoans, were unceremoniously removed in

order to put square pegs in round holes. Despite the actions taken by the Minister, I am aware of many who would return to their former position in order to serve their country and ensure that the MOFA is capable of moving forward.

Sincerely, Khalil Ahmed

has frozen in time. The photographer magnanimously shares the love for the beauty of Guyana as seen through his eyes. VISIONS is indeed a breath of fresh air, a manifestation of hope for the future of photography in Guyana.

The fact that the entire initiative was pioneered by the sole efforts of the photographers and the Private Sector summons deepened admiration, especially since the Government scrapped the Capture Guyana 2016 photography exhibition which was scheduled to take effect during the recent Jubilee celebrations.

VISIONS is a smart response from the world of art and an inspiring demonstration of the persevering will of artists who continue to find means to substantiate their work, imprinting their mark on the culture of the day and the future legacy of a country.

Sincerely, Anna Correia

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thursday, june 30, 2016

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guyana-times.com

Foundation

Youngest, only children and daughters

at risk for OBESITY? continued from yesterday

– birth order and weight linked in new studies

By Susan Newman, PhD

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ost striking is the parallel rise in child obesity in the overall population during the last ten years and parents’ aware-

ness. Mirroring my own reaction to these reports, Evan Nadler, MD, co-director of the Children’s National Obesity Institute in Washington,

DC, said of the University of Gothenburg study: “the study suggests an association, but does not connect the dots between being an only child and risk of being overweight.”

The driving forces

more likely seem to be parents’ attitudes and behaviour around food, no matter how many children they have. And yet there’s a strong push to

add overweight and obesity to the stigma surrounding only children.

University of Michigan’s Julie Lumeng, MD, one of the authors of the Pediatrics study mentioned earlier, said in a press release: “We need to further study how having a sibling may impact even subtle changes such as mealtime behaviours and physical activity.”

Lumeng rightly adds that if the birth of a sibling changes family behaviour and alters the home environment in a significant way, there needs to be a greater understanding of the connection.

Weight problems are complicated and trying to say conclusively that only children, girls and youngest siblings are more susceptible to becoming overweight feels like splitting hairs amid much larger issues.

These studies and the news coverage signal to parents of singletons in particular that if they don’t want an obese only child, a solution is having more children sooner than later. Somehow, I don’t think adding a brother or sister is the answer to any child’s overweight problem. Do you?

(Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

BY ROBERT MYERS, PHD

I

t is imperative for a child’s healthy development that they feel important and worthy.

Healthy self-esteem is a child’s armour against the challenges of the world.

Children who feel good about themselves seem to have an easier time handling conflicts and resisting negative pressures.

They tend to smile more readily and enjoy life.

These children are realistic and generally optimistic. It’s also been shown that children who feel important are well-rounded, respectful, and excel in academics, extracurricular activities, and hobbies, and develop healthy relationships with their peers.

In contrast, for children who do not feel important or cherished, challenges can become sources of major anxiety and frustration. Children who think poorly of themselves

have a hard time solving problems and may become passive, withdrawn, and depressed.

You are the biggest influence in terms of your child feeling important, valued, and worthy. Remember to praise your child for a job well done, as well as for putting forth a valiant effort. Praise the good traits they naturally possess, and help them find ways to learn from their mistakes and failures.

Be honest and sincere in your praise. Help them realise that you also suffer from self-doubt and can make mistakes from time to time, but that you know that you are important, valued, and loved. When you nurture your own selfesteem and importance, your child will learn to do the same, so be sure to lead by example and steer clear of self-depreciating yourself or engaging in activities that lower your self-worth or importance.

Your child may have inaccurate or irrational beliefs about themselves, their abilities, or their traits. Accentuate the positive about your child, and encourage your child to set realistic expectations and standards for themselves.

Help them identify traits or skills they’d like to improve and help them come up with a game plan for accomplishing that goal.

Encourage your child to become involved in cooperative activities that foster a sense of teamwork and accomplishment.

Through these and other positive, affirming activities, your child is sure to develop a strong sense of self-importance, value, and worth which will carry into their adult years.

Positive praise for your child’s pride Praising a child correctly is important to the development of positive behaviours. It’s a great way to encourage constructive future behaviour. When you give praise you are giving your

child a feeling of positive feedback, which increases their sense of confidence, self-esteem and abilities. When you praise your child, you are pointing out the way they’ve acted, an action they’ve taken, or simply who they are. When your child looks good, tell him so. When your child does anything that pleases you, let him know. You should also praise a child’s effort to do well, even if it doesn’t come out so good in the end. You should find something each day about your child to praise.

Be on the lookout constantly for behaviours or actions deserving of praise, but don’t be over the top about it. Be sincere and honest in your praise.

Wait for unexpected or previously unnoticed good behaviour and praise your child for it. And when you see such action or behaviours, praise immediately so the child will know exactly what behaviour or action was deemed praiseworthy. It’s also very important to look your child square in the eye when you praise him, and reinforce the positive behaviour, action or trait being praised with a gesture such as a warm smile, a hug, scruff of the hair, or caress his face while you tell him.

Be exact, and state precisely what action, behaviour or trait you find praiseworthy. And most importantly, never directly follow praise with criticism or negative comments. Let your child know what they did right and reward them for it before you let them know what they did wrong and punish for misbehaving or a misdeed.

So be sure to admire and congratulate your child and celebrate the good person they are growing into by praising their positive actions, behaviours and traits daily.

You’ll be building a strong sense of self in your child and you’ll grow closer as a result. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

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thursday, june 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Oil exportation licence scrapping

Guyana only has 24-day fuel storage capacity – Jagdeo …says cancellation of contract unwise

O

pposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo said that Guyana only has a mere 24 days fuel reserve capacity, pointing that the decision to revoke an oil exportation licence granted to China Zhonghao Inc is not a wise move for the country.

Jagdeo made this comment at a Wednesday afternoon news conference at his Party’s Robb Street, Georgetown headquarters.

According to the Opposition Leader it is odd the Government would want to deny a company which wants to invest in Guyana’s bulk fuel storage capacity, noting that the State oil company, Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) having a measly 14 days storage capacity, which simply means, if the country is unable to import fuel for more than three weeks it will be out of supply.

“Some countries try to encourage people to build

more storage… we have 24 days of storage capacity. We should encourage people to invest and build more storage capacity. The Chinese can’t fetch away the tanks when they build them there, they can’t fetch them back to China, they are investing in our country,” he argued.

The former President rhetorically questioned why the Government would go after a legitimate company, which was intended to boost Guyana’s low bulk fuel storage capacity.

Duplicitous approach

Jagdeo also lambasted the APNU Administration for what he described as a duplicitous approach, pointing to a recent statement

by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, who said that the Governments of Guyana and Brazil were holding discussions to approach the Chinese

build the road from Brazil to Guyana and the other infrastructure… looking for money from the Chinese Government and on the other hand chasing away all the Chinese investors,” Jagdeo highlighted.

Jagdeo urged the Chinese Ambassador to Guyana to intervene and say clearly to the Guyana Government that the harassment of Chinese investors must cease.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Government to fund the Linden to Lethem Highway contraction and other infrastructural projects here.

“So on one hand there is this big assault on the Chinese companies ... and then on the other hand they are looking for money from the Chinese Government to

LaRocque urges regional...

from page 2

The Secretary General emphasised that this is premised on the fact that the Caribbean cannot achieve sustained and inclusive growth and development unless all the players in development are actively engaged.

“It involves the creation of partnerships for development. It specifically involves formal inclusion of the Private Sector, Civil Society and Labour in the consultative process, the decision-making processes and in implementation at national and regional levels. It takes its cue

from the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which requires us to establish and maintain an efficient system of consultations at the national and regional levels,” he remarked.

Moreover, LaRocque stressed that at the level of the Secretariat, efforts will continue in the search for funding to establish a civil society desk. However, he posited that the implementation of the agreed Strategy would not be without its challenges.

He outlined that it would required changes in regional thinking, the adoption of

new approaches to planning, to look at innovative approaches to implementation and financing. In summary, the Caricom Head said that the Community could not approach the implementation of the Strategic Plan for regional development as if it were business as usual.

“The people of the Region will hold all of us accountable for the success or failure of its implementation.

As a Region, we cannot afford to miss this opportunity to set ourselves on a trajectory which can boost our own development,” he remarked.

Abide by the laws

Jagdeo also made it clear that if any company, Chinese or otherwise, break the laws of Guyana in anyway, then they must be sanction; however, the Government must not target these companies because of a hidden agenda.

“I must point out that the Chinese and any foreign investor must comply with all our laws. If they sign agreements, like BaiShanLin and the others, they must comply, if they don’t comply then there must be penalties, but they must not be treated unfairly,” he reasoned.

Possible litigation costs

Earlier a legal expert told Guyana Times that the State faces the possibility of humongous litigation costs if the Chinese take legal action over a breach of contract without any solid justification.

“Contracts can only be terminated for just cause in accordance with the terms

Falls gas station

of the contract, since many contracts provide grounds upon which they can be terminated,” the expert, who practises civil law... In other words said “a contract cannot be whimsically and arbitrarily terminated. If that happens, the affected party can launch legal proceedings for damages and compensation for wrongful and/or unlawful termination of the contract and that can run into hundreds of millions of dollars depending on the subject matter of the contract,” the civil lawyer outlined.

The expert said while not being fully privy to the terms of the contract, based on the trend in recent months, said that there seems to be some misperception by the Government that contracts signed prior to their assumption to office could be arbitrarily quashed.

“The Government seems

to believe that they are not bound by contracts entered into under the previous Government. That is a terribly flawed view.

Contracts with the State of Guyana, entered into by the Government of the day, continue to be enforced, notwithstanding that there may be a change of government,” the expert highlighted.

The Government and the company have not officially commented on the termination of the contract.

Only recently there were reports of fuel smuggling in Guyana with prominent businessmen names being called din the illicit ring.

In one instance, the High Court granted an injunction after several local businessmen moved to the court following accusations of inducement to smuggle fuel from Venezuela.

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thursDAY, june 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Eyew tness

Who's the man... ...with the plan for culture

W

hen Frank Anthony was PPP's Minister of Culture, Ruel Johnson hounded him something fierce about "not doing anything on or for culture". Anthony could do nothing right. Wasn't a day that went by when Johnson wasn't in the letters pages yapping at Anthony's heels. If it wasn't CARIFESTA, it was the Caribbean Press. Or why wasn't HE, Johnson, a member of a delegation getting a free trip to Suriname.

Well, Johnson's been the Culture Czar for over a year.

He's certainly been getting enough free trips to here, there and everywhere! The man has crossed the seven seas and hopped across five continents! Right now he's lolling on some beach in Barbados! You hardly hear from him any longer. What was it that our real man of words, Martin Carter said about mouths being muzzled? Had something to do with being fed...and nobody's being better fed than Johnson!

But the question is – where's the plan he's been working on for culture for the new Administration? He's making his Minister look real bad. And gosh knows she's had enough flack – much of it not of her making. But his failure's also placing a lot of pressure on Prezzie who'd come out and made "Social Cohesion" the main plank of his Administration. And it makes sense, doesn't it?

Unless you get this country back together so that it can pull together, how are we ever gonna get the economy back on track? And what gets people together like culture? In fact if it weren't for culture, we'd be living in old Thomas Hobbes "State of Nature". And that was no Eden! Johnson was supposed to have held some "consultations" to craft the culture plan he'd convinced the government he could deliver. But like the old conundrum that asked whether the tree fell in the middle of the forest if no one heard it...were any consultations held when no one's seen head nor hair of a report on them?

Last weekend, there was supposed to be a conclave about cultural industries. Your Eyewitness understands Johnson was there and we hope he took some notes.

In addition to providing the glue that forms the "social" in "social cohesion", culture also creates tangible and intangible products that can bring big bucks into the country. So, after criticising Anthony about the Caribbean Press...what has Johnson done about using it to publish books by all the talent he'd spoken about in Guyana? Or the music? Or dance? Or film? Or painting?

But old people do say that "Moutar different from guitar". And Ruel Johnson's all Moutar!!

... to deliver the forensic lab

When he was in the Opposition, Khemraj Ramjattan really did a number on Clement Rohee for not delivering the goods in the fight against crime. One area he honed in on was the lack of an operational Forensics Lab after spending a billion dollars. Becoming Minister of Public Security, Ramjattan on June 27, 2015, explained he had to have exhibits "preserved and having the integrity so that when it goes to court, there will be no falsifications and that they lead to no wrongful acquittals or wrongful convictions.” In other words, the AC and refrigeration had to work properly.

Exactly a year later on June 27, 2016, asked about the Forensic Lab, guess how Ramjattan explained why the Lab still wasn't operational: "If there were any problems with record keeping or the quality of evidence, then defence counsel could tear the prosecution’s case apart.” In other words, Ramjattan hasn't even been able to get the AC fixed!!

What a difference a year DOESN'T make!!

...who'll bring home the cricket bacon?

Well, the 2016 Hero CPL T20 Tournament kicked off last night over in Trinidad! Here and now, your Eyewitness is making his prediction: it's the Guyana Amazon WARRIORS all the way!!

And he's ready to put his money where his mouth is!

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

news

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thursday, june 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

UK diplomat assures of Dog escapes with dead infant continued cooperation from Diamond Hospital after Brexit A

A

s uncertainty spreads across the world and with a number of countries gearing up to receive the repercussions of the BREXIT fallout, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory Quinn, is reassuring that nothing will change in Guyana; however, he indicated that avenues may pop up for the local sugar industry.

During an interview with Guyana Times on Wednesday, the UK Diplomat guaranteed that whatever consequences will follow the relationship between Guyana and Great Britain will remain undefiled.

“Looking to the longer term, I don’t see any change in the UK’s approach to Guyana. I don’t see any less a commitment and I don’t see any less support coming here,” he said.

He explained that the United Kingdom is awaiting a new Prime Minister to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty since David Cameron has resigned and refused to lead this process.

Until Article 50 is invoked, the process of leaving the EU will not commence.

“The rights and responsibilities and obligations that the UK has as a member of the EU and that the EU has to the UK remain exactly the same. And even when that process is launched, it is going to take at least probably two years.

We are talking about a long and complicated process,” he outlined.

When further prompted, Quinn agreed that BREXIT may open opportunities for stakeholders in the local sugar industry to capitalise on but he cautioned that it is rather difficult to predict how events will unfold during these initial stages.

“I don’t honestly know. I haven’t spoken to Tate and Lyle since the result. I don’t know and I’m not sure that they might know the actual impact of that change so

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory Quinn

at the moment, I can’t really comment… Tate and Lyle are probably thinking about it but to say what it exactly means, I don’t think anyone has come to a concrete conclusion,” he explained.

UK Tate and Lyle Sugars had complained in the past of the negative impacts of the EU regulations on their operations.

Guyana’s sugar which had been shipped to Britain to the Tate and Lyle Sugar (TLS) on the Thames for refining was incorporated into the EU regime in 1973 and modified accordingly in the following years.

Cane sugar has been treated as a stepchild and TLS has seen its refineries gradually decrease from six to one.

In 2012, TLS launched a “Save our Sugar” campaign and asserted, “If current and proposed EU policies continue to unfairly restrict access to raw sugar, cane refiners will not survive as part of the supply mix in Europe’s sugar sector”.

In the next two years, according to Article 50 of the EU Charter, Britain and the EU will be negotiating the terms of the former’s exit. The EU’s entire sugar regime which addresses three main areas: quota management, a reference price and a minimum guaranteed price to growers, and trade measures, will have to be replaced by Britain with

a new regime.

Because beet farming in Britain has never been on a scale as say France and Germany, and British farmers never received subsidies on the scale of their European counterparts.

TLS has been leading the charge for renegotiation of cane sugar trade arrangements before the old arrangement expired in 2017.

It can be a potent ally with countries such as Guyana.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge had already pronounced that Guyana will not face any immediate impact as a result of BREXIT. Jamaican Tourism Minister Edmund Barlett had announced that steps to secure UK market in light of Brexit were taken, given its significance to the tourism industry.

On the other hand, concerns are abound that Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries may follow the example set by the UK, and initiate a process to exit Caricom.

Already, authoritative voices in Jamaica placed on their national agenda the question of whether their country should follow the example of Britain, the former “Mother Country”, and leave Caricom.

In fact, the former Foreign Affairs Minister in Jamaica, Oswald Harding, is insisting that the Jamaican Government should follow the UK’s referendum on the EU and hold a similar one on whether Jamaica should remain in Caricom.

Over the years, several Member States have publicly subscribed to the view that the institution has been incapable of addressing the challenges facing the Caribbean.

With the Caricom Summit to be hosted in Guyana next month, Government has not pronounced on whether or not it will consider exiting Caricom.

bandoned moments after his unfortunate death, the body of a premature baby was brusquely dragged out of a public hospital and dismembered by a stray dog.

Monday morning was supposed to be a special moment for the expecting mother who was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) to deliver her baby.

The woman, whose profile was not disclosed to this publication, gave birth to a feeble infant, severely underweight at just 22 weeks.

Due to the premature birth, the baby succumbed to organ failure just minutes after being born. Health authorities who spoke to Guyana Times alleged that the distraught mother wanted nothing to do with the dead child and told hospital staff to take care of his disposal.

It is assumed that hospital staff was negligent and improperly disposed of the corpse within the building, which led to a stray dog wan-

Diamond Diagnostic Centre on the East Bank of Demerara

dered in and making a meal of the dead infant.

The badly damaged body was later discovered in the hospital’s compound.

Sources explained that it remains uncertain exactly what transpired after the baby died and before the infant’s body was discovered lying on the cold concrete in the hospital’s compound.

“A mother went in Monday, tek in to deliver and she was 22 weeks pregnant, so however, the baby wouldn’t ah live. She give birth to the baby and the baby died at the hospital. Because it’s a premature baby, it couldn’t ah survive so the baby die. So after the baby die, she didn’t want the baby to take any-

where so the baby remained in the custody of the hospital and as such, the hospital is supposed to dispose of the carcass properly. Which they did not do.

They just throw it down anyhow, and the dog came in the hospital and started to eat it and the dog eat its head off. I don’t know exactly where they put the dead baby. But after the dog eat its head off, it drag the body in front of the hospital,” a source revealed, noting that was all the information he had on the incident.

Meanwhile, attempts to garner a comment from the Hospital’s administration and the Public Health Minister proved futile.

NGSA results expected next Tuesday

S

ome two months after 14,500 students wrote the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examination at schools across the country, the anticipation of those student as well as their parents will soon end as the Education Ministry is scheduled to release the results next Tuesday (July 5).

According to a statement from the Ministry, the marking of all NGSA papers

has been completed and the examination scripts are currently being processed nationally. The Ministry assured that all systems are in place to guarantee the release of the results on that day.

Some 14,500 students from across Guyana wrote the NGSA on April 27 and 28, this year, more than three weeks later than previous years.

The Education Ministry

had explained that the dates were extended to allow teachers sufficient time to complete the Grade Six curriculum and give students additional time within which to prepare for their final assessment.

NGSA is a placement examination offered at the end of the primary education cycle to determine which secondary school students will be allotted. turn to page 11

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thursDAY, june 30, 2016

News

Stakeholders briefed on EITI process

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman addresses the gathering

A

s Guyana accelerates efforts to apply for membership to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the Natural Resources Ministry hosted a national symposium on Wednesday to engage stakeholders about the process.

Guyana, with an econo-

my heavily based on extractive industries, and soon to become a oil and gas producing nation, has its eye set on becoming a member of the globally-recognised governance framework for the natural resources sector, EITI. During the symposium, stakeholders inclusive of Government officials, members of the Private Sector and civil society were on Wednesday briefed on what this process means to Guyana and their role in its success.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, who delivered the key remarks, underscored the importance of the interactive forum.

“The future of Guyana’s EITI is yet to be written but by sharing and learning lessons today (Wednesday) we will expeditiously increase the likelihood of the successful management of our na-

A section of the gathering at the event

tional patrimony,” he emphasised.

He reiterated that Guyana stands ready to implement EITI in order to ensure the transparent utilisation of revenue from the country’s raw material which will aid in its sustainable development.

Civil Society Representative Mike

McCormack noted that the road ahead will be challenging but with commitment, the outcome will be successful.

“If this is going to work, we have to start creating some awkward alliances and see compromise as courageous rather than a weakness. We need to start relating in ways that we cus-

It look like Houdini living right here!

D

e Bellcrier, like everybody else and while not pointing blame, still trying fuh figure out how two planes get away without anybody knowing. Some asking if Houdini come fuh a special performance and disappear without anybody knowing just like de planes.

People who does travel to foreign would know that at de airports, planes does have to line up waiting, sometime long, fuh permission just fuh tek off. De people authorising de take offs does wuk 24/7 and always looking! Dem eyes don’t miss anything! In other words, it not easy fuh two planes just “mistic” and nobody ain’t know! In this case it wasn’t one; but two!

Everybody know that planes does mek nuff noise.

That is why de workers, including dem with de two tennis paddles in dem hands directing de planes pun de tarmac, does wear headphones fuh protect dem ears. Even when yuh teking a sound sleep in yuh hammock de noise does wake yuh up even though de plane deh miles up. Up to now, dem ain’t design silencer fuh plane engines! So people asking how come with all that noise fuh start up de roaring engines, taxi to de runway and tek off, people didn’t know! Even if one catch yuh napping, how yuh explain de second one?

Some now hollering that this is a place of plenty unexplained things, just like some vendors trying fuh get a explanation as to why dem can’t hang up dem fruits fuh display pun dem stalls. People who does do shop business know that display is important. De same vendors hollering how profits disappearing with all de new and higher fees now. De Bellcrier hear that even some of de vendors disappear! Things tuff dem seh! De news gat a back-andforth story about what this side seh and what that side seh about some US$5 million that claim to disappear after a big sale. Some now believing that Houdini didn’t just appear and then disappear! Dem believe he might be living here! After all, somebody gat fuh get blame! Tinga-ling! tomarily tend to avoid because if we don’t build momentum and if this approach is not difficult, it means we aren’t dealing with the right issues or we’ve got the wrong people dealing with the issues,” he explained.

Government aims to submit its application for membership to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in November.

Ana Maria Rodriguez, a consultant from the World Bank, is in Guyana assisting the Ministry to establish a multistakeholder group (MSG).

The establishment of this group is the final step towards becoming a member of EITI. Private Sector Representative Hilbert Shields, during his remarks, explained the importance of such a body.

“Its ultimate objective is to provide information provided to an independent body to provide info that society can look at to say this is honest and objective information so rather to start to debate, do I believe them or are they lying or they have a vested interest, we can move the dialogue to say okay

is this the best deal for the country is this a good tradeoff between extraction of resources and risked repaid in terms of the environment and other social impacts,” he stated.

The 17-member group will comprise five Government representatives, five representatives from the industry and seven civil society representatives.

Already Larry Carryl, Dr Mellissa Ifill, Gomin Camacho, Mike McCormack, Jocelyn Dow, Paul Atkinson, Curtis Bernard and Sharon Atkinson were identified from civil society.

EITI is a global organisation of 51 member countries, which have subscribed to establishing, upholding and promoting the standards and tenets of good governance, transparency and accountability in the management of extractive industries.

At its core, the EITI promotes the belief that natural resources belong to the people and are to be extracted and managed on behalf of the people; both for current and future generations. The MSG consists of a tripartite of Government, civil society and industries stakeholders.

thursDAY, june 30, 2016

guyana-times.com

11

News

Berbice poultry deaths

‘ISIS’ bomb threatener a Agriculture Ministry deportee – Crime Chief to investigate incident – PS T ... farmer records more losses

Some of the dead birds that mysteriously perished

A

s a farmer in Berbice continues to calculate his losses over the death of over 800 chickens, a team from the Agriculture Ministry has employed measures to investigate the matter.

Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Agriculture Ministry, George Jervis on Wednesday told Guyana Times that personnel from the Ministry will soon visit the farm and assess the situation.

“What we will do is visit the farm, go and take blood samples and see what we can do about it,” the PS noted.

Jervis further explained that officials of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) are already investigating the report.

“The Guyana Livestock

Development Authority is on board; it is being looked at,” he told this publication.

On Wednesday, this newspaper was told that the farmer again lost more birds and now remains with a mere 70 chickens.

Even as the poultry farmer seeks to determine the cause of the mystery illness that continues to kill his birds, the Permanent Secretary from the Agriculture Ministry is denying knowledge the farmer was told of the unavailability of equipment to conduct tests on samples of the dead birds.

Jervis told Guyana Times that the allegations are untrue as no official complaint was made to the Ministry.

He expressed that he, neither his staff, saw any person lodge any grievances.

On Wednesday, the poultry farmer’s plight came to light after this publication reported of a possible poultry illness outbreak in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

The death of the over 800 chickens prompted Regional Chairman David Armogan to request that the Agriculture Ministry investigate the mysterious illness.

Previously, reports had surfaced of a similar occurrence where a farmer at Linden in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) claimed that 300 birds had died from a mysterious disease at his Linden farm.

The Berbice farmer had explained that his birds started dying on June 19 when he discovered that more than 200 had passed overnight.

According to the farmer, the Ministry was supposedly contacted and extension officers were said to have visited the farm and took samples from some of the dead birds.

The farmer also stated that his brother went to the Agriculture Ministry to seek assistance for his plight.

However, officials were reportedly unavailable. The allegation of the Permanent Secretary saying that the Ministry did not have the equipment to do the requisite testing was strongly denied.

he man who created havoc at a city bank on Tuesday while demanding $10 million in the name of ISIS, has been identified as Terrance McLean, 34, of Charlotte Street, Georgetown.

This was confirmed

by Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, who also confirmed that the man is a deportee. While he could not confirm from which country McLean was deported, the Crime Chief related that the man was charged for the possession of a gun and ammunition in March 2007.

He added that the file case was sent to the Police legal advisors, who will make the necessary recom-

mendation on whether or not charges will be laid. From reports gathered, the man is said to be mentally unsound and would normally suffer from several health complications.

It was reported that at about 9:00h on Tuesday, the man went into a city bank on Regent Street, Georgetown and demanded $10 million while threatening to detonate a bomb he alleged he was carrying in a bag.

Reports are that the man, who appeared to be in his late 30’s, walked into the bank, went to the ATM card centre and demanded the money.

Guyana Times was told that the guards stationed at

NGSA results expected...

During the two-day examinations period, the students were assessed in four subject areas: English Language, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.

On the first day, English Language and Science were written, while student wrote Mathematics and Social Studies on the second day. Each subject had two papers. Paper Two was the first paper written and consisted of essay-type questions, while Paper One consisted of multiple choice questions.

However, prior to this,

students had to write the National Grades Two and Four Assessments, back in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

A percentage of the marks from all three assessments will be calculated to determine the overall performance of each student.

Last year, some 15,225 students wrote the NGSA examination. Their overall performances were calculated by adding five per cent of each candidate’s Grade Two scores in Mathematics and English, and 10 per cent of the Grade Four score in the same subjects. This was

the bank confronted the man and he shouted, “We will all die if I don’t get the money”.

The Police were called in but before they arrived, the bank’s security managed to intercept the man. A knife was found in the bag he was carrying. He later told Police that he was a member of ISIS and was obligated to make a financial contribution, hence his visit to the bank.

When questioned about the bomb he alleged he was carrying, McLean admitted that he has never seen a bomb and it was just a prank. He remains in custody, but underwent psychiatric evaluation at Dr Bhiro Harry’s clinic. from page 9

then added to a further 85 per cent of each candidate’s score in those subjects at the Grade Six Assessment.

The combined scores in Mathematics and English were then added to the scores gained in Science and Social Studies.

The 2015 NGSA top student was Solomon Cherai, of Success Elementary, who topped the country after he secured a total of 530 marks out of 535. Meanwhile, his classmate Shania Eastman came in second with 529 marks.

12 news

thursDay, june 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Truck driver jailed Mother, daughter charged with illegal entry for causing death

Clyde Barker was sentenced to spend three years in jail for causing the death of Ezekiel Murray

A

truck driver will spend the next three years in jail after he was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

Clyde Barker was sentenced when he appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The charge stated that the 32-year-old man on April 10, at Friendship, East

Dead: Ezekiel Murray

Bank Demerara, drove motor lorry GJJ 278 in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of 12-year-old Ezekiel Murray.

In handing down her ruling, Magistrate McGusty stated that the evidence presented to the court proved that the defendant’s account of what happened on the day in question was false.

She added also that taking into consideration the fact that speeding was a major factor contributing to the

accident, the injuries sustained by the deceased and the age of the deceased, the defendant was found guilty as charged. In his final words to the court, the defendant asked the court or leniency.

However, the Magistrate said that a life was lost and handed down the sentence.

On the day in question, at about 18:00h, the victim was walking along Friendship Public Road when the defendant’s truck slammed into him.

According to information received, the lad was in the corner of the road when the driver of the canter took a sharp turn too quickly and hit the child. He was tossed into the air by the force of the impact and landed on the roadway where he reportedly died instantly.

From reports received, Murray might have suffered a broken neck and other injuries. He was picked up and rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A

Shirley Augustine and Nirley Augustine

n Asian mother and daughter on Wednesday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, charged with illegal entry into Guyana.

Shirley Augustine, 38, and Nirley Augustine, 20, both pleaded guilty to the offence, which stated that on December

4, 2015, at Lethem, they both entered Guyana by land frontier, via the Brazil-Lethem border and failed to show themselves to the relevant immigration authority.

The Prosecution’s case contends that on June 11, Police were informed of the illegal immigrants and a search was conducted at their Light and

Church Streets, Georgetown address.

The search revealed that only Nirley Augustine was in possession of a passport. Upon inquires, Shirley explained that she lost her passport upon entering Guyana.

ShirleyAugustine also explained to Police that she was not aware that she had to report to the immigration authority. However, she disclosed that she did report to the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Caricom headquarters.

In court on Wednesday, she told Magistrate McLennan that she arrived in Guyana for her daughter to pursue studies here. They were both fined $30,000 with an alternative four weeks imprisonment. The women were also deported.

Kitty man jailed for gun possession Mark Calvan, 24, of Lot 272 Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was on Wednesday sentenced to spend the next two years in prison when he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He was on trial after the Police on January 28, in Georgetown, found him with a .32 pistol along with three rounds of matching ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence.

The Prosecution’s case contended that on the day in questioned, Calvan was walking along the corners of Church and Cummings Streets, with another person when Police saw them acting suspiciously.

A Police Officer approached them and both men fled.

According to allegations made by the defendant, his companion was in possession of the gun and not him.

However, Prosecutor Deniro Jones explained that on the day in question, a Policeman approached the defendant, who started to run, but the Officer was able to catch up with him. The officer discovered that the defendant was in possession of the gun and the ammunition after con-

Mark Calvan

ducting a search of his person.

The Prosecutor also informed that the defendant gave a wrong address to the Police. Magistrate Latchman stated that the evidence provided by the Prosecution proved that the defendant was guilty as charged.

As such, he was sentenced to two years for each of the charges; however, the sentences will run concurrently. He was also fined $100,000.

Parking meter fiasco

Mexican company...

Cush told this newspaper that he does not want to comment on that at this time.

Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green and Town Clerk Royston King have come under fire, mostly from other Councillors, for not wanting to provide copies of the contract to the City Council.

Chase Green explained last week Monday that she is not prepared to release the contract to the public since there have been painful experiences in the past where documents were leaked resulting in the city to lose. In fact, she noted that if Councillors wanted to see the contract they will have to go to the Town Clerk’s Office to simply peruse it.

Nevertheless, Minister of State Joseph Harmon last week Wednesday announced that Cabinet has ordered the Finance Ministry and the Attorney General Chamber’s review the contract between the company and the Georgetown Council.

According to Cush, he is not bothered by this. He explained that the review was ordered to detect any illegality and assured the Guyanese public that nothing of the sort will be found.

“There is no fleecing going on… We have everything to

FROM PAGE 3

lose, we will be responsible for all the overhead, for the software, for the hardware, everything. The City of Georgetown and Central Government will have no financial responsibility in the installation or the operation of the project,” he pointed out.

Cush went on to outline that from the parking meters project, some 36 per cent of the revenues earned will be given back to Guyana with the M&CC receiving 20 per cent and the other 16 per cent going to Central Government.

“The city and central government will not be paying anything, they have no investment, no stake in the outcome here other than collecting revenues.

On the issue of rates, when asked about mounting concerns on the proposed $125 for 15 minutes, Cush denied having given such figures saying that it was miscalculated. “$500 per hour was never on the table, it was never on the table… the $500 per hour rate that has been branded around for the past several weeks, is incorrect. It’s a falsehood… (the rates) haven’t been settled as yet,” he declared, while adding that the figures they are looking at are somewhere in the area of approximately $250 per hour.

for

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s the Caribbean Premier League games head to Guyana some may need a little fashion inspiration for the games. While the Guyana National Stadium will be packed to capacity with cricket lovers, the trending fashion will be on display as well.

DESTINATION satisfying your fashion desire

I

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thursday, june 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

n light of Cpl 20/20 cricket, Twenty one – forever 21 is offering a wide variety of clothing options to its customers.

Shoppers you can be sure to be amazed by all of the brand name clothing at Twenty one.

They have in stock Forever 21, express, bebe, missguided, h&m and zara Twenty one is a clothing store that brings to you the latest style of clothing and accessories.

They are always adapting to keep up with the ever changing styles of the fashion world and our store gives a very modern vibe.

Twenty one has launched a new clothing line of men clothing which are express and forever 21.

Twenty one has the most colourful and trendy attires for this CPL SEASON. Be sure to shop Twenty one – forever 21

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guyana-times.com

thursday, june 30, 2016

News

Brexit: Guyana at risk of losing major development funding – Jagdeo

D

ire consequences could be looming ahead for Guyana if it does not take the necessary precautions to secure itself from possible repercussions of the decision taken by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union (EU), one of the largest politico-economic trading unions in the world, which has strong trading and diplomatic ties with the Caribbean.

This was expressed by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, during a news conference on Wednesday at the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Headquarters, Freedom House on Robb Street, Georgetown.

Jagdeo believes that Government has taken a laid-back approach in this worldwide phenomenon which has already begun to have tremendous political and economic impacts in other countries.

According to Jagdeo, the Cabinet should take immediate steps to have a special meeting on this development, and carefully consider all the angles through which Guyana can be affected by BREXIT and explore avenues to protect against any possible consequences

that may follow. “…then inform our public about what to expect and of course, having done that, it would also inform our economic policy making (body),” he said, positing that he cannot comprehend why this was not yet done.

While it is still too premature to pronounce definitely on the outcomes of BREXIT, Jagdeo speculated that Guyana could lose significant funding from the EU as a result.

“I am sure almost that we are going to lose money from the developing window of the EU,” he forecasted.

Jagdeo explained that the UK used to push for assistance from the EU for the Caribbean, but now with the UK deciding to leave, that support might be reduced.

He contended that the immediate ramifications in the UK are proof enough that conditions and circumstances will change for Guyana.

The Opposition Leader asserted too that the move by the UK to exit from the EU sets the precedence for others to follow, and if this occurs, then the entire EU project would unravel.

He explained that, should this occur, chances

"Education is the best preparation to run the nation" – Granger

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

of funding to the Caribbean, and by extension Guyana, will be loss.

That aside, Jagdeo said there ought to be no implications on trading agreements.

“The trade, the jury is still out in that regard,” he said.

However, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and British High Commission, Gregory Quinn have both assured that there will not be any immediate consequences to Guyana in light of the BREXIT. They had explained that it will take quite a while before Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty is invoked, after which negotiations will commence on the process to leave the EU. This process is expected to take up to two years.

Jagdeo acknowledged this factor, but indicated that based on current developments, the Guyana Government should at least take precautions.

A group of nursery school students,who came out to witness the commissioning of the bus at the Coomacka Community Ground

P

resident David Granger on Wednesday declared that education is the best investment Governments can make in preparation for the future development of any nation.

The Head of State was at the time addressing residents and students at the Coomacka Community ground, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), where he commissioned the 10th school bus donated under his B’s (Boats, Buses, Bicycles, Breakfast, Booths and Books) programme.

The 30-seater vehicle, donated by Suresh Jagmohan of S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services, makes it the third time that school children of that region are benefiting under the programme, since two boats are already operational in the Berbice and Demerara Rivers.

President Granger explained that providing transportation for school children must be seen in a wider context in which the Government is preparing to hand over the country year by year to the next generation and the only way through which this transition can be successful is if the next generation is one of scholars.

“Education is the best preparation to run the nation… If you want to be something in life, you have to be educated and the least I could do is toensure that every single child has access to education, because I believe in equality,” the President said.

He assured that this programme is not a political gimmick or a vote-catcher but a much-needed intervention that is a direct response to the needs of families across the 10 administrative regions. He also explained that apart from enabling access to education, the B’s programme is effectively reducing inequality by creating a level playing field for all of Guyana’s children.

“We want to make Guyana a society in which everyone has an equal opportunity to the good things in life… The money that you will spend everyday to get to and from school can now be used to improve your standard of living at home and your quality of life,” President Granger said.

He also outlined the nexus between education and gainful employment, and urged residents, particularly youths, to make full use of opportunities for education so that they can develop the technical ‘know how’ to

venture into areas like agroprocessing and value-added production.

“This region is rich in potential but the wealth is leaving the country because we are exporting raw materials instead of processing those materials here… you could provide employment for yourself [right here in Region 10],” the Head of State said.

The bus, which was commissioned, will benefit children from Coomacka, Siberia, Nottinghamshire and other villages along the Old England stretch in Region 10.

Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland said that for years, children from villages like Coomacka, had to walk or ride for long distances with the alternative of paying fares that are way too expensive for families in that area. He also said that construction of the roads is also in the pipeline and this will bring further relief to residents of that area.

Regional Education Officer Marcia PaddyAndrews said the two boats are being carefully monitored and managed and they have been bringing relief to parents. She said that one of the vessels is being used to ferry32 children from the Lower and Upper Berbice River to Kimbia, while the second is transporting about 45 children from places like Gold Hill in the Demerara River to Linden.

Responding to recent reports in the press about alleged misbehaviour on the boats, Paddy-Andrews explained that the children are never unsupervised while on board the boats, a captain and a boat hand are always present. These two officials have a register and an incident book in which any misbehaviour is recorded. She said that to date, no report of misconduct has been reported.

The REDO also reported that the region has already rolled out a breakfast programme which has aided in an increase in attendance and enrolment.

thursday, june 30, 2016

guyana-times.com

News

Veteran businessman honoured by Rotary Club

G

uyanese business executive Ramesh Dookhoo was on Wednesday honoured by the Rotary Club of Demerara with the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award for his exemplary service to Guyana at an annual handing-over dinner on Tuesday.

The organisation noted that Dookhoo “stands as a beacon of outstanding service” to the Guyanese business community and to the humanitarian causes supported by the Rotary Club.

Dookhoo, who currently sits as President of the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce, is also a sitting Trustee on the CCJ Trust Fund Board and chairs a steering committee for the formation of the Caribbean Business Council.

He currently serves the Private Sector Commission as its Honorary Secretary and Head of Trade and Investment.

Additionally,

Honoured for exemplary service, Ramesh Dookhoo

the businessman was noted as being among “a small and esteemed group of Guyanese” who have attained the qualification of Certified Risk Management and Assurance Professional by the Institute of Internal Auditors. Dookhoo has been offering advice on strategic matters relating to the many specialised audits.

On receiving his award, the recipient stated that he was humbled by the acknowledgement of his service.

“Everything I have attained, I have put towards my service to Guyana…I am extremely proud to be a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award and very humbled that I share this honour

with great Guyanese such as Sir Shridath Ramphal.

These are people that have inspired me all my life and to share the same award with them is truly an amazing moment that I shall not forget very soon,” he noted.

Dookhoo further explained that he hoped his achievement inspired young Guyanese “to not pursue fortune and notoriety”, but to truly give their energy and skills towards service to Guyana in whatever capacity they may serve.

Dookhoo joins a very prestigious group of Guyanese named as Paul Harris Fellows, including Sir Shridath Ramphal, Yesu Persaud, Clifford Reis and Cecilia Validum.

The award is presented

by Rotary Clubs throughout the world in special appreciation and recognition for humanitarian and educational objectives of the Rotary International.

Mechanic shop shooting

Suspects released, investigation still ongoing

A

s investigations continue into the robbery of a South Ruimveldt, Georgetown mechanic shop, the two suspects who were detained by Police have been released on station bail.

Commander of A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) Clifton Hicken, confirmed that the investigation into the robbery is still active, with the second suspect being re-

leased after being held for 72 hours. The first suspect was also released on station bail. However, the impounded car remains in Police custody.

At about 14:30h on June 19, three armed men rushed into the mechanic shop, situated on the corner of Wren and Aubrey Barker Road.

The incident resulted in 15-year-old Jahmaul Lewis being shot to the face.

Lewis was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he received medical treatment. Reports are that the North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary School student is recovering well.

The entire robbery was caught on CCTV footage from nearby buildings, which was subsequently turned over to the Police who have since used it to

make breakthroughs in the case.

The bandits only managed to escape with a small quantity of cash and a few cellphones. It was revealed from the footage that the bandits used a white Toyota car to circle the block three times before pouncing on the occupants of the mechanic shop.

Investigations are still ongoing.

Istanbul Ataturk Airport attack: Deaths rise to 41 as Turkey mourns

T

urkey is observing a national day of mourning after a gun and suicide bomb attack on Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport killed 41 people, including 13 foreign nationals.

Three attackers arrived in a taxi and began firing at the terminal entrance late on Tuesday. They blew themselves up after Police fired back.

Officials say 239 people were injured, with 41 still in intensive care.

PM Binali Yildirim said early signs pointed to socalled Islamic State.

However, no-one has so far admitted carrying out the attack.

Turkish investigators are examining CCTV footage, witness statements and mobile phone video recorded by terrified passengers to try to determine the identity of the attackers.

The Dogan news agency said autopsies on the three dead men suggested they

may be foreign nationals, but this has not been confirmed.

Yildirim said one of the attackers blew himself up outside the terminal after the group opened fire at a security check, allowing the other two to enter the building and detonate explosives there.

Footage on social media shows one moving through the building as people around him flee. He is shot

by Police and remains on

the ground for about 20 seconds before blowing himself up.

Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdag says that 128 people remain in hospital, including nationals of Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Switzerland, the Associated Press reports. The Istanbul City Governor said 41 people were killed, including 13 foreign or dual nationals.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Jamaica not preparing to leave Caricom, says Holness

P

rime Minister Andrew Holness on Tuesday launched his promised Caricom Review Commission and immediately dismissed speculation that Jamaica is preparing to pull out of the regional economic bloc.

Speaking at an official ceremony at Jamaica House attended by a throng of senior State officials, diplomats, representatives of Caricom institutions and

the Private Sector, Holness noted that the Caricom debate was triggered by last week’s historic referendum in the United Kingdom (UK) – known as Brexit – which has resulted in the UK opting to leave the European Union after 43 years.

However, he said there are no plans for a so-called “Jaxit”, a phrase coined by those speculating that Jamaica could be looking

to follow in the UK’s footsteps.

“We cannot pre-empt what the Commission will say, but it was never the intention to lay any groundwork, or chart any path out of Caricom. This is about strengthening Jamaica’s position within the regional integration process, which is absolutely important to Jamaica’s economic growth and development over the next 50 years,” he

stated.

The prime minister argued that Caricom has had its successes in the areas of education, health, governance practices, the sharing of costs for regional negotiations, and regional security cooperation, but matters of trade – which have often been the source of contention between Jamaica and some of its Caricom partners – are still wanting.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

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By: Lorraine Ince-Carvalhal

Beating in school

I

n Guyanese society it is clear that despite the information that has been presented about the detrimental effects of beating our children, many people are of the opinion because they grew up being beaten, it is acceptable to repeat the same; a culture of ‘we know best’ in the face of policies and laws contrary to that practice. Despite the controversy that surrounds the questions of whether parents should beat their children, it must be acknowledged there is a huge difference between controlled physical reprimand and the use of physical violence as an abuse of power.

When we wonder where all the violence we are seeing in society is coming from, we don’t have to look further afield than in many of our homes and schools. Think about the message that is being sent to our children. We advocate expressing anger, disappointment and dislike by use of violence. Despite the laws criminalising beating in schools, and the prosecution of some identified cases, the practice still continues on what is believed to be a huge scale. Teachers do not have the right to beat any child.

No disrespect is intended to the teachers out there that put their heart and soul into a very difficult and trying profession, but not only the legal side of beating in schools but the actual effect on the child has to be considered before they continue to practice an age old tradition just because they can.

Do you know how many learning difficulties children are fighting with? Have you any idea what a child faced this morning before getting to school? Do you know how many students did not eat breakfast this morning or supper last night causing concentration and attention span to be limited? Do you have an inclination of the difficulties some young people face on a daily basis and still find a way to make it to school? How can it be acceptable to beat a child for spelling a word incorrectly, not writing fast enough or not finishing their work?

Can you imagine what it must be like for a dyslexic child who struggles to read and write, a child dealing with abuse or a child with learning difficulties? Not all children learn and produce work at the same pace; it irrefutably is not a punishable crime. I am certainly not ready to allow someone who has little understanding of my circumstances to raise their hand to my child, especially if it is because they failed to get over 90 per cent in a test.

A psychological link between school work and punishment creates a negative environment in which many will fail to thrive and can lead to persistent truanting, which transcends to a whole set of other problems. Who wants to ask a teacher for help with work after being beaten for not knowing something?

Many of you grew up with such discipline and I have heard a thousand times how it never did you any harm. In fact many believe it is what instilled the respect for elders that is so apparently lacking in the youth today. I challenge that many of the older people who bring up the youth today are a contributing factor to the lack of respect and some elders’ attitudes certainly do not always warrant it.

We do not have the right to respect, we need to earn it and to earn it we need to contribute to bringing up the young people in a way that makes them want to respect us.

Unfortunately, several of the rights given to children have had an adverse effect on their behaviour, but the capacity for people in authority to abuse their power has to be restricted and the badly behaved children may be given a free ride to ensure that those who are unable to regulate fair reprimand do not have the freedom to execute dictatorial practices.

The laws cannot always be enforced due to lack of resources so each individual must take responsibility and ensure that they refrain from the practice and ensure their colleagues do the same. Head teachers must insist that this abuse of power is not tolerated in their school. New ways of disciplining and punishing pupils who are disrespectful, aggressive and non-compliant must be employed. Parents need to speak up. If your child misbehaves in school, you deal with it in an appropriate manner, liaise with the teacher and work hard to ensure it isn’t repeated.

It’s long overdue that children’s rights were afforded them.

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guyanatimesgy.com

Leisa Gibson – hair is her business L

eisa Gibson of the eponymous Leisa Salon n Beauty Supplies is not your average beauty salon owner. The registered business owner has moved beyond utilising and selling beauty products to inventing her own – Leisa Hair n Scalp Conditioner, which her clients swear by, so much so that they have spread the news of its effectiveness to friends and loved ones, here and abroad, who have snapped up the product.

Made of all-natural coconut oil, beeswax and a few secret ingredients she would not disclose – “I am sorry I cannot tell you the other ingredients,” she said solemnly – the conditioner is said to increase hair growth, relive itching and control dan-

druff while making hair soft and manageable. Now that sounds like a recipe for luscious locks, which Gibson hopes to one day market to the world. But with a dream mentor like Oprah Winfrey, how could her vision for her business not be global. Currently, she is working to market her hair secret to all Guyanese; back in March 2016, she showcased the conditioner at the Women in Business Expo at the Pegasus Hotel.

A former student of North Georgetown Secondary School, Gibson started her business of making hair beautiful in 2007 at her home. She says the impetus was a desire to help “women having hair problems and to have time for family”. Along

the way in response to her customers’ needs, she developed Leisa Hair n Scalp Conditioner.

The Pattensen-Turkeyen resident says she sees a great future ahead for her product as more and more people are starting to rediscover the great benefits of coconut oil and coconut oil-based prod-

ucts.

She cited help developing business plans and easier access to financing as musthaves for entrepreneurs who are starting up businesses – something she would like to see more young people do. The small business owner believes the importance of a business plan cannot be overestimated, as that and staying focused were the essential tools of any budding entrepreneur.

“The lesson I have learnt throughout this process [of starting and running Leisa Salon n Beauty Supplies] is to believe in yourself… not everyone is your friend,” Gibson, who described herself as a friendly person, warned in reflecting on her experience. But her pastor’s

wife and “being at peace with God” have helped her overcome the hurdles. As a married mother of two, her clear priority – “family comes first” has made it possible for her to successfully juggle business and family life which she admits is no easy task.

“The one hobby that I could do for the rest of my life is going to the creek and just sitting and looking at my children having fun in the water, because just looking at them having fun in the water I would also be relaxing,” Gibson, who was once so overworked she fell ill, added.

“I define success as having a very good retirement plan in place.”

Contact: Mitchell Street,

Section 2B, PattensenTurkeyen, Greater Georgetown I Leisagibson@ yahoo.com I 668-4709/2193515

Most big US banks Oil rises on tightening pass Fed’s stress test Business News

stockpiles, broad market recovery

U

S oil prices made their largest gains in one session since early April as falling US stockpiles and a broader market rebound sent traders back into crude and many other commodities.

Crude stockpiles fell by 4.1 million barrels in the week ended Friday, double what analysts had forecast in a survey by The Wall Street Journal.

The US Energy Information Administration also reported declines in US

production, in stockpiles at the key crude delivery hub of Cushing, Oklahoma, and in distillate stockpiles, which include heating oil and diesel.

The market has been on its strongest rally since the financial crisis – nearly doubling since a decade low in February –as traders bet that supply outages and falling production will help resolve a longstanding glut.

Analysts and brokers warned that resolution is

N

still far off and that last week’s drawdown still left stockpiles near records.

But they also said it was clear traders weren’t heeding those warnings.

“There are clearly enough traders still willing to buy weakness, buy the dip,” said Tim Evans, analyst at Citi Futures Perspective in New York.

Supply and demand “might become tighter – later on, later this year or next year.… That’s the bet.”

(Wall Street Journal)

Market statistics Cambio Rates

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

Fixed as at June 29, 2016 Calculated at 94% purity

Selling

GBP

$276.41

$279.91

CAN

$158.38

$160.22

USD

$205.98

$208.44

EURO

$ 227.96

$230.88

USD

$1265.75

Gross

$244,410

Net

$227,301

Indicators as on June 29, 2016 Indicators

US$ per barrel

Crude Oil

$50.61

Price

USD

Rough Rice

4.07 Change %

$234.19/ton

0.00

$532.30/ton

-0.64

London Sugar

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1314.60

$1315.60

Low/High

$1313.70

$1328.00

Change

Business Concept – Paradigm

I

Change %

-3.70

-0.28%

ntellectual perception or view, accepted by an individual or a society as a clear example, model, or pattern of how things work in the world. This term was used first by the US science theorist and historian Thomas Kuhn (1922-96) in his 1962 book The Structure Of Scientific Revolution to refer to theoretical frameworks within which all scientific thinking and practices operate. (Business Dictionary)

early all of the largest US banks are on steady enough footing to increase payouts to shareholders, the US Federal Reserve said on Wednesday, with just two subsidiaries of foreign banks failing its annual stress test.

The results show that big US banks have not only built up significant capital since the 2007-2009 financial crisis, but that management teams have largely proven the merit of their internal di-

saster planning to the Fed. However, the Fed criticised some elements of Morgan Stanley’s capital planning process – but still allowed the bank to move ahead with plans for a US$3.5 billion stock repurchase programme and a quarterly dividend hike while it rectifies the issues.

The regulatory thumbs up prompted a slew of announcements from banks who plan to buy back more stock or increase dividends –

good news for investors who saw their banks shares hammered by Britain’s vote last week to leave the European Union.

The two banks that failed –- Deutsche Bank Trust Corporation and Santander Holdings USA, which are subsidiaries of Deutsche Bank AG and Banco Santander SA – have also failed in the past. “Broad and substantial weaknesses” persist in their capital planning processes, the Fed said. (Reuters)

Investors’ Guide

Wall Street rebounds from Brexit with second day of big gains

W

all Street recorded big gains for a second day on Wednesday as investors continued to scour for bargains and digest the fallout from Britain’s stunning vote to leave the European Union.

The S&P 500 has recouped more than half of its losses from the two-day equities rout sparked by the British referendum, which had erased US$3 trillion in value from global equity markets, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices.

The S&P financial sector, which was beaten up in the wake of the vote, gained 2.3 per cent, leading all sectors.

Energy shares jumped two per cent, supported by higher oil prices. All 10 industry groups closed higher.

“It’s not the end of the world and it never was the end of the world, and to have these kinds of reactions was ridiculous,” said Jeff Weniger, senior portfolio strategist at BMO Private Bank in Chicago.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 284.96 points, or 1.64 per cent,

to 17,694.68, the S&P 500 gained 34.68 points, or 1.7 per cent, to 2070.77 and the Nasdaq Composite added 87.38 points, or 1.86 per cent, to 4779.25.

The gains marked the biggest two-day run for the S&P 500 in four months.

Wall Street’s rebound in the past two days has coincided with a bounce in oil prices, which rose on Wednesday after a largerthan-expected drawdown in US crude inventories.

“People are still using oil as kind of a proxy for a read on the global economy,” said Chuck Carlson, chief Executive Officer at Horizon Investment Services in Hammond, Indiana. “If oil prices firm, that seems to be giving a little bit more breathing room that Brexit and everything else isn’t going to just tank the global economy.”

Adding to the positive sentiment, US consumer spending rose for a second straight month in May on increased demand for automobiles and other goods.

But there are fears Brexit

could hurt confidence and prompt households to cut back on consumption.

Traders have largely discounted a near-term US interest rate increase, betting on only a 16-per cent chance of a hike at the Federal Reserve’s December meeting, according to the CME Group FedWatch website.

“The delay in expectations for any type of a rate hike is helping the overall market enjoy the prospect of a longer period of easy-money policy,” said Tim Ghriskey, chief investment officer of Solaris Asset Management in New York.

Investors are still bracing for volatility in coming weeks amid uncertainty about how Britain will pursue its EU exit, with some pointing to more possible downside. The S&P 500 was within 17 points of its May 2015 record high last Thursday.

Tesaro soared 108 per cent to US$77.40 after the company’s ovarian cancer drug met its main goal. The stock was the top percentage gainer on the Nasdaq. (Reuters)

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news

thursDAY, june 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Region 5 flooding

More reports of health issues surface A

s the flood waters in communities along Mahaicony (Mahaica-Berbice) continue to recede slowly, residents are suffering health challenges.

According to reports received, adults, as well as children are battling influenza, rashes and other health issues as stagnant water remains on land in several areas.

Following the reported shortage of medical supplies at nearby health facilities, an official confirmed on Wednesday that an assessment has determined that the shortage was needed factual.

Residents had noted that there has been an influx of mosquitoes and when they sought treatment, especially for children, they were told that the Mora Point Health Centre and Mahaicony Hospital lacked the necessary medical supplies.

Aside from the health challenges the communities are facing, calls are once again being made by the residents for flood relief, Regional Vice Chairman

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo visits Mora Point, Mahaicony

Rion Peters told Guyana Times on Wednesday.

“Residents are calling for re-

lief because they are into agriculture and they would have lost their crops and would like

GLDA acquiring barge to aid cattle farmers

C

attle farmers along the Berbice River and in the intermediate savannahs are to benefit from the acquisition of a cattle barge to be procured by the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA).

According to Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of the GLDA, Dr Dwight Walrond, the barge for which tenders are currently being invited, will bring relief to the livestock authority and private livestock farmers alike.

“When you look at the cost to transport one animal to the station or from the station to the road, I think this barge would assist us greatly (and) the farmers in the Berbice River and the intermediate savannahs, those livestock farmers to be specific,” Waldron said.

The acquisition of the barge, which is being tendered for currently, is part of the GLDA’s budgeted $50

million capital programme for the current year. The DCEO told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that “This is in keeping with the revamping of the Ebini Research Station which begun last year.”

As part of the GLDA’s efforts to revamp the Ebini Research Station, major works started last year with the guest houses being rehabilitated. Other works are also being done “We are focusing on pasture and other capital works and corrals for the pens for the cattle areas,” Waldrond said.

The capital works include the acquisition of a bus equipped to aid in the Livestock Development Authority’s extension services to farmers.

“Farmers would have complained in the past, and even with our own internal evaluation we realised the quality of service we were putting out there to farmers as extension is not one we

were proud of. As such, we made a pitch to have a bus that is equipped fully to assist us with our extension.

This bus is equipped with a projector, DVD player and generator so we can be out there with the farmers, use the farmer field school method and actually show (video) clips of what other farmers are doing whether within Guyana or in other countries,” Walrond explained.

Walrond added that “Another one of the capital projects is the construction of a quarantine outpost. We have to strengthen our surveillance system so that will help us monitor animals and animal products moving in and out of Guyana.”

The Authority has benefited from collaboration with the Pan-American Health Organisation, the Food and Agriculture Organisation and Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture for training and facilitating certain processes.

to continue,” Peters explained.

He however noted that because the water is receding so slowly, the livelihoods of farmers are at a standstill. The Vice Chairman also related that the region’s administration is standing in solidarity with the residents.

“We stand by the residents because [the relief] will make their lives better,” he noted.

This publication has between reporting on the flood situation which was reported to have started since early April.

Residents of Mora Point and Gordon’s Table on Tuesday had expressed frustration that their cows, chickens and other livestock were at the mercy of the slowly receding floodwaters, in addition to their fields of rice and cash crops, which were destroyed.

A female resident of Mora Point on the Mahacony River, expressed annoyance that her community has not benefited from flood relief as in the case of Moraikobai when the Civil

Defence Commission donated food supplies to residents there.

Meanwhile, farmers in Mahaicony are calling for Government’s assistance for seed paddy and fertiliser to help them continue rice cultivation to maintain their livelihood.

Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal had earlier noted that many of the affected communities are in need of urgent flood relief.

“Residents across the region in those areas that are affected should receive some form of relief so that they can get back on their feet,” the Chairman stated on Monday.

Ramphal had also highlighted that flood waters in the villages of Trafalgar, Union and Bush Lot had receded, but he stressed that communities in the Mahaicony area were inundated.

It was only last week that over 200 angry residents blocked the Number 30 Village main access road protesting the prolong flooding.

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thursDAY, june 30, 2016

Chance for West Indies’ Under-19 stars to make a splash A

s the CPL’s fourth season gets underway, this is a handy primer on the teams involved and the players to watch out for: Trinbago Knight Riders How they did last season: Champions. Finished third after the league stage, with five wins, four losses and a no-result Leadership: Captain - Dwayne Bravo, Coach Simon Helmot Squad: Dwayne Bravo, Hashim Amla (overseas), Ronsford Beaton, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Yannic Cariah, Kevon Cooper, Anton Devcich (overseas), Hamza Tariq, Brendon McCullum (overseas), Nikita Miller, Colin Munro (overseas), Sunil Narine, William Perkins, Anderson Phillip, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Javon Searles, Umar Akmal (overseas) Watch out for: Though he may be the least-known of Knight Riders’ three New Zealand imports, Anton Devich will be one to keep an eye on - and not just for his impressive beard. The Northern Districts allrounder enjoyed a very successful George Pie Super Smash last year, taking nine wickets and scoring

336 runs in his nine matches.

Barbados Tridents How they did last season: Runners-up. Finished top of the table after the league stage, with six wins and four losses Leadership: Captain Kieron Pollard, Coach - Robin Singh Squad: Kieron Pollard, Kyle Corbin, AB de Villiers (overseas), Jason Holder, Kyle Hope, Akeal Hosein, Imran Khan, Ashley Nurse, Wayne Parnell (overseas), Robin Peterson (overseas), Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Rampaul, Raymon Reifer, Shoaib Malik (overseas), Shamar Springer, Navin Stewart, Steven Taylor, David Wiese (overseas) Watch out for: Shamr Springer showed his allround talent and big-match temperament in West Indies’ Under-19 World Cup Triumph in Bangladesh this year. He also showed his Caribbean flair, unveiling the chest-roll celebration that was swiftly dubbed the “Springerroll” . This will be the world’s first look at the 18-year-old Barbadian since his heroics in Dhaka. It will also be his first competitive cricket since

his father passed away this month. “I just want to do well for my Dad,” he said.

Guyana Amazon Warriors How they did last season: Third. Finished second after the league stage, with five wins, four losses and a no-result. Lost the second semi-final.

Leadership: Captain Martin Guptill, Coach - Roger Harper Squad: Martin Guptill (overseas), Ali Khan, Chris Barnwell, Devendra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble, Rayad Emrit, Assad Fudadin, Shimron Hetmyer, Steven Jacobs, Steven Katwaroo, Chris Lynn (overseas), Jason Mohammed, Veerasammy Permaul, Orlando Peters, Dwayne Smith, Sohail Tanvir (overseas), Paul Wintz, Adam Zampa (overseas) Watch out for: Another star of W Watch out for: Another star of West Indies Under19’s World Cup campaign was their captain, Shimron Hetmyer . “He did things a little differently, he was very positive. In terms of passion and enthusiasm, you can’t fault him,” coach Graeme West said when explaining

the decision to make Hetmyer captain. Hetmyer has also shown his talent with the bat, notching up his maiden firstclass century for Guyana this March. He will now hope to carry his good form into his maiden CPL season.

Jamaica Tallawahs How they did last season: Finished fourth after the league stage, with four wins, five losses and a no-result.

Lost semi-final 1 Leadership: Captain Chris Gayle, Coach - Paul Nixon Squad: Chris Gayle, Timroy Allen, Nkrumah Bonner, Jonathan Foo, Imad Wasim (overseas), Jon-Russ Jaggesar, Andre McCarthy, Garey Mathurin, Rovman Powell, Alex Ross (overseas), Andre Russell, Kumar Sangakkara (overseas), Shakib Al Hasan (overseas), Dale Steyn (overseas), Oshane Thomas, Chadwick Walton, Kesrick Williams Watch out for: If you have won the Bradman Young Cricketter of the year award as Alex Ross did this January - you must be doing something right. After an impressive debut season in 2014-15, Ross followed with 642 runs this Sheffield Shield season, second only to Travis Head in South Australia’s run list.

He has also done well in the Big Bash League, earning the nickname “Sweepologist”

thanks to his fondness for the sweep shot. What can the Sweepologist conjure up in the Caribbean?

St Lucia Zouks How they did last season: Finished fifth after the league stage, with four wins, five losses and a no-result.

Leadership: Captain - Darren Sammy, Coach Stuart Williams Squad: Darren Sammy, Johnson Charles, Miguel Cummins, Derone Davis, Andre Fletcher, Michael Hussey (overseas), Delorn Johnson, Nitish Kumar, Eddie Leie (overseas), Keddy Lesporis, Kyle Mayers, David Miller (overseas), Morne Morkel (overseas), Gidron Pope, Denesh Ramdin, Kristopher Ramsaran, Shane Shillingford, Shane Watson (overseas) Watch out for: One of three Canadians and six associate players from the Americas region participating in this edition of the CPL, Nitish Kumar comes in with a reputation of being his country’s batting mainstay. His nickname - Tendulkar - perhaps provides an insight into the regard with which he is viewed by his peers. Still only 22, Nitish has been around for years - in August 2009, he became the youngest player to represent Canada in a first-class match and a few months later he became the

second youngest ODI debutant. Since then, his returns have been middling, though, so he would want to make an impression on this stage.

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots How they did last season: Brought up the rear, at sixth place in the league table, with four wins and six losses Leadership: Captain Faf du Plessis, Coach - Eric Simons Squad: Faf du Plessis (overseas), Samuel Badree, Tino Best, Carlos Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Nikhil Dutta, Brad Hodge (overseas), Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jeremiah Louis, Thisara Perera (overseas), Kieran Powell, Krishmar Santokie, Tabraiz Shamsi (overseas), Lendl Simmons, JJ Smuts (overseas), Devon Thomas Watch out for: “Always be watchful of the batters.

That’s my main thing.” That simple philosophy, allied with a useful arsenal of slower balls and yorkers, has enabled Krishmar Santokie to emerge as a handy left-arm pacer inT20 leagues around the world. It has also helped him to quietly rise to become the leading wicket-taker across the first three editions of the CPL. If he carries on at this rate, it is the batsmen who will need to be watchful.

(Cricinfo)

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Guyanese off to NY for Independence Cup glory

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he annual New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) international softball tournament bowls off on Friday in New York with 22 teams, including five from Guyana. The three-day tournament will be played in two categories at various venues in New York from July 1 to 3.

The Legends Cup will be for players 45 years old and over, while the Independence Cup is for males of any age. Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) will be represented by two teams in the Legends Cup, defending champions Floodlights Masters and Floodlights Legend.

The other Guyanese teams heading to the Big Apple are last year’s Legends runnerup Regal Masters as well as Regal All Stars and Wolf Warriors All Stars.

New York Mercenaries are the defending champions in the Open or Independence Cup category, which will see 10 teams competing for supremacy this year.

Ricky Deonarain will lead defending champions Floodlights, while Ramo Malone will be his deputy.

Lalta Gainda is the skipper for Floodlights Legends, with Lakhram Singh the deputy.

The preliminary matches will be played on Friday, July 1 and on the morning of Saturday, July 2. The semifinals in both categories will be played on Saturday afternoon and both finals will be played on Sunday, July 3. The venues to be used are

Guyana Floodlights Captain Ricky Deonarain collects the Eagle for winning the Legend Championship in 2015 from the proprietor of Johnny’s Restaurant and Bar

Seaview in Brooklyn, 150 Street Rockaway Blvd, Roy Wilkins Park and the Cage at Fuch Blvd and Barron Street in Queens.

The 10 teams that are registered for the Independence Cup are: New York Enforcers, NYSCL All-Star, New York Cricket Doctors, Shattaz All Stars, Regal All Stars, Queen’s All Stars, Wolf Warriors All Stars, New York Dream Team and Waves Enforcers.

While the 12 teams that are confirmed for the Legends Cup are: NYSCL Legends, Regal Masters, Guyana Floodlights, Guyana Floodlight Legends, Brooklyn/ Queen’s Legends, Ontario Masters, OMSI Masters, Albion Masters, New York President’s XI and Seaview Masters.

The Guyanese teams are: Wolf Warriors All Stars – Amrit Rai (Captain); Sarfraz Karim (Vice Captain); Vaickesh Dhaniram; Ricky Sargent; Mark Harold; Azad Azeez; Greg Singh; Wazeer

Hussain; Lincoln Leander; Diyaram Ramnauth; Siddiq Kayoon; Alim Khan and Omesh Ganesh FLOODLIGHTS – Ricky Deonarain (Captain); Ramo Malone (Vice Captain); Uniss Yusuf; Jagdish Persaud; Lloyd Rooplall; Wayne Jones; Clive Canterbury; Pooran Singh; Sydney Jackman Jr; Asif Ahmad; Ravi Lutchman; Joe Lutchman; Kash Lutchman; Goordial Mattai and Vejai Seonarine F L O O D L I G H T LEGENDS – Lalta Gainda (Captain); Lakhram Singh (Vice Captain); Jailall Deodass; Dharam Persaud; Surendra Nauth; Rahaman Khan; Ago Gopaul; Rajendra Persaud; Anil Beharry; Imtiaz Mohamed; Motielall Chumundat; Arjune Badal; Mohan Sukhu; Teekchand Madhu; Uniss Baksh and Roshan Kamrudeen.

Regal All Stars and Regal Masters are yet to name their teams, but have confirmed their participation.

Bartica Mayor’s Caricom 10K set for Saturday

T

he community of Bartica will be the home to many exciting sporting events over the final half of 2016 as the community continues to celebrate Guyana’s Golden Jubilee of Independence. Thus, officials of the town have organized the ‘Bartica Mayor’s Caricom Athletic Road Race scheduled for Saturday July 2 from 15:00hrs.

The race will start at Agatash and proceed into 2nd Avenue then east into First Street and South into 1st Avenue to finish at the

entrance of the Bartica Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Office.

Athletes will compete in the U-13, 15, 17, 19, Open and Masters categories and top performers will receive trophies and medals.

The race is the brainchild of Bartica’s Mayor Gifford Marshall and is being coordinated by Ras Aaron Blackman who indicated that medals and trophies won at an earlier meet, the Rockville Hotel Promotions 4 miles road race, will be presented to the respective

winners at the completion of the 10K road race.

Participants are asked to assemble at the Bartica Community Centre at an ample time prior to the race to be transported to the starting point. Interested participants are urged to uplift registration forms form the Bartica NDC office.

Organizers are also appealing to members of the corporate community of Bartica for their support to ensure the development of sports in the community is sustained.

Soft shoe tourney returns tonight at Brickdam

T

he Ministry of Health, Petra Organisation Soft Shoe Football Tournament will return tonight the Ministry of Public Health Ground Brickdam.

The round of 16 phase will finally commence since it was delayed due to the inclement and will see four action packed matches being played, with top sides such as Sparta Boss and Channel Warriors taking centre stage.

The first match of the night will pit Channel 9 Warriors against Broad Street from 21:00 hrs then from 21:45 hrs, Campbellville face Tucville.

The following match will be North Ruimveldt against Globe Yard from 22;30 hrs then defending champions Sparta Boss tackle Albouystown from 23:15 hrs.

The winner of the event will collect $300,000 and the championship trophy while

the second placed side will receive $200,000 and the 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.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

thursDAY, june 30, 2016

International standard equipment Packed cycling programme set for this weekend arrive for CBC Championships

From left: Patrick Haynes, NSC Chairman Ivan Persaud, Nigel Hinds and Christopher Jones stand in one of the crates that housed level 1 FIBA certified basketball equipment

U

pgrades to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) have hit new highs, as Guyana fine tunes preparations to host the Caribbean Basketball Confederation Under-16 Championship which tips-off on Sunday.

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Level 1 Certified Equipment, which includes the latest version of Gared Sports Basketball Goals, Shot Clocks, control system and other apparatus, arrived on Tuesday to be erected at the Sports Hall and are expected to be permanent fixtures.

However, preparations are still incomplete, since CBC Vice-President, Patrick Haynes on Tuesday said, “the federation and

the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has assured me that it will be completed prior to the start of the Championships and 70% completion is expected by the end of Wednesday June 29”.

President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation, Nigel Hinds described the arrival of the equipment as a momentous event and described what it meant to local Basketball.

Hinds posited, “it reinvigorates sports in the country the CBC U-16 tournament is about development, it is about the exposure of male and females from schools all across Guyana and the interest this will generate for basketball will be tremendous”.

Director of Sports

Christopher Jones views the arrival of the equipment as extremely important and lauded the moment as “historic”.

Jones further revealed that the bold step of the National Sports Commission (NSC) to spend in excess of US$60,000 on the facility puts Guyana in a position to host any Caribbean or international basketball championships.

He added, “players can now benefit from upgraded locker rooms with granite countertop cupboards and showers that actually work”.

Rehabilitation works have been done on the washrooms and the VIP Area.

Guyana will host the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting during July 3-5, and it is likely that the Heads of CARICOM Member States that are playing in the CBC U16 Championships will visit the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The CBC games begin on Sunday July 3 with four games. At 13:00hrs Antigua & Barbuda will take on The Bahamas and Barbados will come up against the British Virgin Islands at 15:15hrs.

Group B will see Jamaica taking on Suriname at 17:30hrs and host Guyana wrapping up against Aruba at 20:30hrs.

C

Cyclists during last Sunday's race

yclists are sure to be in high spirits and licking their lips at the prospect of this weekend, as a packed cycling progamme awaits them courtesy of national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed.

On the back of the grueling and highly competitive Guyana Cycling Federation’s National Championship over the weekend, cyclist will first focus their attention to the inner circuit of the National Park for the sixth annual Malta Supreme 11race programme. The day’s events will commence from 09:00 hrs and is expected to be well attended coming off the heels of the massive support received last Sunday.

National road race champion Geron Williams and Time Trials winner Raynauth Jeffrey are expected to grace the starting line for the feature 35-lap School Boys and Invitational. Competition should be at a high especially among the team Evolution, Coco and Alanis

riders.

The top local riders including Orville Hinds, Michael Anthony, Marlon “fishy” Williams, Raul Leal, Shaquille Agard and Paul DeNobrega will look to regain some form of redemption after being generally overshadowed over the weekend.

Orville Hinds of team Evolution is the defending champion, winning last year’s race in a time of one hour, 19 minutes, 49.90 seconds.

Other winners from last year’s event were Jamal John (Juveniles), Ralph Williams (Veterans U-50), Sean Budhan (Mountain Bikes) and Daniel Perriera (12-14 Boys and Girls).

Representatives of Malta Supreme, including Banks DIH Limited’s NonAlcoholic Br and Manager, Clayton McKenzie are expected to witness the races and later assist in the presentation of prizes.

On Sunday July 3, the riders will turn their attention to the West Demerara roadway, for the Dr Chase

and Seven Seas seventh annual road race. The race is scheduled to start at 08:00 hrs outside the Wales Police Station and proceed in and out of Scoonard then along the West Bank public road and all the way to Uitvlugt and back where it would finish at the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

The defending champion is Lindener Shaquille Agard of Bauxall of Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycling Club, who won last year’s race in one hour, 53 minutes, 57 seconds. Andrew Hicks (Juniors), Junior Niles (Veterans U-50) and Sean Budhan (Mountain Bikes) were also winners in their respective categories.

Dr Chase and Seven Seas representatives Nirvana Thakur and Karen Cornell are expected to be at the finish line to distribute the prizes and address the gathering.

Both events are being organised by Mohamed, in collaboration with the Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club.

Ground preparation important as regional tournament looms

A

ccording to T e r r i t o r i a l Development Officer (TDO) of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Colin Stuart, the preparation of grounds is important as Guyana prepares to host the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) females 50 over and T20 Regional tournament.

With just a mere week to go before the tournament bowls off, the GCB is working tirelessly with ground staffs to ensure that grounds reach the required standard to facilitate Regional matches.

The tournament will run from July 7 through July 25, with the 50 over segment playing first.

However, due to the current weather condition there are some challenges affecting the preparation.

“Due to the current weath-

Colin Stuart

er pattern the grounds are not fully in shape for the tournament, however, there are efforts being put in place”, according to Stuart.

In addition the former West Indies player said there are also special fo-

cuses on the pitches to ensure all are durable for the matches.

The intent is to ensure cricket is played, so the GCB has already derived at alternatives to fit its objective. “We communicate with ground authorities regularly to ensure everything is intact, because cricket must be played. In that case there are already some grounds in place to host matches and others that will be used as back up if necessary”, Stuart informed.

The tournament will be the first in the Region since the West Indies females triumphed at the World T20 earlier this year. It is expected to be very competitive and entertaining, featuring all the players of the World T20 side.

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

23

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

History favours visiting Amazon Warriors T

he tiny island of St Kitts will be jumping with excitement tonight when the home team open their campaign against the Guyana Amazon Warriors at Warner Park in Basseterre in match two of the Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016.

In the 2015 edition, the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots hosted the Amazon Warriors in two matches and on both occasions they were beaten. On both occasions, the Patriots batted first and got to decent scores, but their bowlers allowed the Warriors batsmen to cruise home.

In batting friendly conditions, including straight boundaries that measure 55 metres, the Patriots made 149/9 from their 20 overs, with Martin Guptill and Evin Lewis both getting to 34. Quick bowler Ronsford Beaton picked up 3 for 39, Devendra Bishoo 2/13 and Sunil Narine 2/27. The Warriors then raced to 150/3 from 16 overs with skipper Denesh Ramdin making 54 not out and Lendl Simmons 41. Sohail Tanvir, Tabraiz Shamsi and Sheldon Cottell picked up one wicket each.

In the second match of the 2015 season, the Patriots fared a

little better with the bat to get to 158/6 with their captain Marlon Samuels playing a lone hand in a top score of 61 as fast bowlers Beaton and Marchant De Lange picked up two wickets each. In reply, the Amazon Warriors were on course at 146/2 from 16.4 overs when the rain brought an abrupt end to proceedings, with the Warriors 23 runs ahead on the Duckworth/Lewis Method.

Brad Hodge was 61 not out. Assad Fudadin had earlier made 43.

Seamer Cottrell picked up 2 wickets.

In 2016, both teams have gone through a metamorphosis. The Patriots are doing without Marlon Samuels due to international commitments; Martin Guptill is back in the Warriors camp; Tanvir is also in the Warriors camp and Sheldon Cottrell has not been picked this year. The South America-based unit is without the services of Lendl Simmons and Brad Hodge who are both in the Patriots camp and Beaton and spin wizard Sunil Narine, who are part of the Trinbago Knight Riders team.

The Patriots will depend on their new captain, South Africa’s

Guyana Amazon Warriors Captain Martin Guptill

T20 captain, Faf Du Plesis; Kieran Powell, who is making a comeback to cricket; Sri Lanka’s top all-rounder Thisara Perera; West Indies star of the World T20, Carlos Brathwaite and the freescoring Evin Lewis for some useful knocks as Krishmar Santokie,

Tino Best and West Indies Under-19 fast bowler Alzarri Joseph will look to ruffle the feathers of the Warriors batsmen with the new ball making way for Samuel Badree and Shamsi with some turners.

Across the floor, the Warriors batting will revolve around Captain Guptill, Chris Lynn, Dwayne Smith, Fudadin and West Indies Under-19 winning Captain Shimron Hetmyer while all-rounders Chris Barnwell and Rayad Emrit and wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble can give a late charge. With the ball, lots will be dependent on the spin quartet of Adam Zampa, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul and Steven Jacobs, while the seam bowling department will be handled by Tanvir and Paul Wintz, Barnwell, Smith and Fudadin.

The ground in St Kitts’ capital is known for big scores and early assistance for the quick bowlers so an interesting battle is in the making as the Patriots will look to protect home territory and finally get a win over the consistent Amazon Warriors, who will be gunning to keep their perfect record against the hosts intact.

The first ball is at 20:00h and the toss can be crucial as the team chasing tends to win more often than not.

The weather is perfect for cricket as it is before the hurricane season in the Leeward Islands and a good crowd is expected as many Guyanese live and work in the twin-island nation and will join with the locals to cheer on their favourite team.

St Kitts/Nevis Patriots: Faf du Plessis (Captain); Samuel Badree; Tino Best; Carlos Brathwaite; Shamarh Brooks; Jonathan Carter; Nikhil Dutta; Brad Hodge; Alzarri Joseph; Evin Lewis; Jeremiah Louis; Thisara Perera; Kieran Powell; Krishmar Santokie; Tabraiz Shamsi; Lendl Simmons; JJ Smuts and Devon Thomas Guyana Amazon Warriors: Martin Guptill (Captain); Ali Khan; Chris Barnwell; Devendra Bishoo; Anthony Bramble; Rayad Emrit; Assad Fudadin; Shimron Hetmyer; Steven Jacobs; Steven Katwaroo; Chris Lynn; Jason Mohammed; Veerasammy Permaul; Orlando Peters; Dwayne Smith; Sohail Tanvir; Paul Wintz and Adam Zampa

Digicel Schools Football Championships

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016

Watson, Charles power Zouks to opening victory Morgan’s hand

BY JOHN RAMSINGH in Port of Spain

Three wickets from Shane Watson and a muscular half century from opener Johnson Charles ensured the St Lucia Zouks beat the Trinbago Knight Riders for only the second time in CPL history to start the “Biggest Party In Sport” at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain.

The Zouks set 163 to win got to 164/4 with 5 balls to spare for a convincing victory by 6 wickets to silence the home crowd. Charles made 52 from 38 balls (6x4, 1x6) and got admirable sup-

port from the top order to ensure the Sunil Narine factor didn’t feature. The opening partnership was worth 47 with Charles and Watson (16), then with Andre Fletcher he added 46 for the second wicket to sink the defending champions’ hope of an opening victory.

Narine tried his best with 2 for 25 from his quota, but the poor fielding did not do well in the defence of the just-about-par score against a powerful batting line-up.

Earlier, a pugnacious unbeaten 63 from Darren Bravo saw the defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) to the eventual

SCOREBOARD Trinbago Knight Riders innings (20 overs maximum) BB McCullum c Sammy b Davis 12 HM Amla c Mayers b Kumar 26 C Munro c Sammy b Watson 11 DM Bravo not out 63 Umar Akmal† c & b Watson 30 DJ Bravo* c Miller b Morkel 1 KK Cooper c Miller b Watson 1 SP Narine not out 0 Extras:(b 4, lb 9, w 5) 18 Total: (6 wickets; 20 overs) 162 Did not bat: NO Miller, RR Beaton, SJ Benn Fall of wickets: 1-14 (McCullum, 2.1 ov), 2-38 (Munro, 5.3 ov), 3-58 (Amla, 8.6 ov), 4-124 (Umar Akmal, 17.2 ov), 5-131 (DJ Bravo, 18.1 ov), 6-149 (Cooper, 19.4 ov) Bowling: M Morkel 4-0-411, KR Mayers 3-0-16-0, DYA Davis 2-0-14-1, SR Watson 4-0-26-3, NR Kumar 3-021-1, K Ramsaran 2-0-160, DJG Sammy 2-0-15-0

St Lucia Zouks innings (target: 163 runs from 20 overs) J Charles c McCullum b Narine 52 SR Watson c Narine b DJ Bravo 16 ADS Fletcher† c †Umar Akmal b Narine 23 MEK Hussey b DJ Bravo 16 DA Miller not out 33 DJG Sammy* not out 11 Extras: (lb 1, w 11, nb 1) 13 Total: (4 wickets; 19.1 overs) 164 Did not: batNR Kumar, KR Mayers, K Ramsaran, DYA Davis, M Morkel Fall of wickets 1-47 (Watson, 5.5 ov), 2-93 (Charles, 11.4 ov), 3-104 (Fletcher, 13.1 ov), 4-147 (Hussey, 18.1 ov) Bowling: NO Miller 3-021-0, RR Beaton 2.1-0-320, SP Narine 4-0-25-2, KK Cooper 4-0-28-0, DJ Bravo 4-0-43-2, SJ Benn 2-0-14-0

Mae’s 18-goal thrashing – Bishops’ High edge Cummings Lodge 7-5

Johnson Charles was in a no-nonsense mood as he ensures that the St Lucia Zouks beat the Trinbago Knight Riders

score that looked good at the half way stage.

The visitors won the toss and opted to bowl under the lights on a typical grass-less Queen’s Park Oval pitch and damp outfield, but that decision backfired as the hosts eased to 163/6 from their 20 overs.

Bravo’s 63 came off 44 balls with 2 fours and 4 maximums in front of a sea of red in a true ‘Trini-party’ atmosphere. The stylish left hander added 66 runs in 50 balls with Umar Akmal, 30 (28 balls, 2x4, 1x6) for the fourth wicket after the TKR were in a spot of bother at 58/3 at the end of the 9th over. Hashim Amla, who opened the batting with Brendon Mc Cullum, looked good before he spooned debutant Nitish Kumar to Kyle Mayers on the cover boundary for 26 (21 balls, 2x4, 1x6). Brendon Mc Cullum threatened briefly for 12 (2x4), while Colin Munro scored a-run-a-ball 11.

The Zouks’ quicks got some stick, but it was Shane Watson who was the best bowler of the night. His first 3 overs cost 9 runs and he picked up 2 wickets, while his last over went for 17 runs and he got the wicket of Cooper to end with 3 for 26.

Morne Morkel, who got some pace and bounce, picked up the wicket of Dwayne Bravo, but his four overs cost 41.

The spinners combined for seven overs for 51 runs with 2 wickets, with Derone Davis (1/14) and Kumar (1/23) reaping the benefits on the pitch that offered a little bounce and turn.

The Trinbago Knight Riders will play their second home game on Friday against the Barbados Tridents from 21:00h, also at the Queen’s Park Oval while the Zouks will travel to Basseterre to take on the Patriots on Sunday, July 3.

Johnson Charles was adjudged Man of the Match.

Morgan’s Learning Centre’s Leon Richard about to score one of his six goals (Marceano Narine Photo)

M

organ’s Learning Centre handed Mae’s Secondary an 18-goal thumping in the Digicel Schools Football Championships on Wednesday at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Leon Richard led the way with a double hat-trick, netting his goals in the 13th, 28th, 33rd, 54th and 69th minutes respectively.

He received support from Nehemiah Gomes (17th); Orin Moore (18th, 66th and 70th); Osafo Matterson (22nd); Daniel Nedd (31st); Andre Trotz (40th); Malachi Adonis (49th); Akosi Tervis (55th and 67th); Tyrese Rowley (61st); Tarell Edawrds (68th) and Tariq

Nelson (35th).

In the other match at Tucville, Bishops’ High edged Cummings Lodge Secondary in another highscoring affair.

Joel Morrison recorded a double, with Darin Chan scoring one and a brace by Lemar Williams (69th and 72nd) to give the Carmichael Street school the victory.

For Cummings Lodge, Errol George recorded goals in the 11th and 47th minutes while Britton Cypriano scored in the 32nd and Fredrick Ketwaroo in the 34th netted for the East Coast unit.

The Championship will continue today throughout the country.

THRSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

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