Binder1

Dr Balwant Singh’s P10 Hospital conducts successful pericardiectomy

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

Issue No. 2924

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Triple murder rocks Black Bush, Corentyne; 1 in custody

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

PI into Babita Sarjou’s murder P8 continues

Page 3

Dutch Risk Reduction team mission report

Government urged to be more proactive towards flood management Page 13

PSC “increasingly concerned” over M&CC’s “bullying” posture Page 2

Presidential Guards thrill audience at Drill Competition Page 12

Over 200 P10 Police recruits graduate from Felix Austin Police College Independence night accident

Bus drivers P9 slapped with second causing death charge

Return of Kara Kara toll booth

P7 Linden commercial business vehicles to pay biennial cost

Corporal Jermain Semple leading the Presidential Guard teaming during the Annual Drill Competition Finals held on Friday at the Tactical Drill Square, Eve Leary. The Presidential Guard team copped the top spot in the two categories – Best Male Team and Best Male Instructor

Govt’s proposed ‘Special Prosecutions Unit’

Unit will undercut DPP, GPF to entrench political witch-hunt – PPP/C Chief Whip

Guyana’s upgrade to ‘Upper Middle Income’ economy

Good news for the Government, bad news for the people – Jaipaul Sharma Page 11

Page 7

Amid Venezuela’s economic crisis

Tourism ties between Guyana and Brazil P13 strengthened

2

news

saturDAY, july 23, 2016 | guyana-times.com

PSC “increasingly concerned” over M&CC’s “bullying” posture T

he Private Sector Commission (PSC) has come out swinging at the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) over its sudden decision to implement container fees, much to the distress of local businesses.

Earlier this week, the Town Council blocked containers from leaving several city wharves and business entrances, demanding that a $25,000 fee be paid for each loaded container traversing the city streets. These barricades, however, were removed from the roadways by Tuesday evening.

In a statement released on Friday, the PSC said it is increasingly concerned at the approach of the M&CC to make such decisions to raise revenue, which negatively impacts on the business community and the citizens of Georgetown, without

any public consultation and without due process within the law.

According to the Commission, it fully recognises that the new Mayor, Patricia Chase Green, is facing significant challenges in restoring discipline that is essential to good order and sound administration.

It went on to say too that it is cognisant of the city requiring sufficient revenue to be run efficiently; however, the Council should take an inclusive approach by engaging stakeholders in the decision-making process, which will serve the interest of all parties.

“The Commission wishes; however, to remind the Council that the business sector and residents of the city are its means of revenue and that partnership and consultation is infinitely preferable to confronta-

M&CC officers blocking the roadway at Robb and Water Streets on Tuesday preventing container trucks from leaving the John Fernandes Wharf

tion and unlawful behaviour in the name of revenue collection.”

The PSC further pointed out that it was only last month that the Council

came under heavy criticisms for imposing the parking meter contract without due transparency and any public consultation. It was stated that the parking meter

controversy is now followed by this container fee fiasco, which it labelled as “nonsense”.

“The PSC, on being alerted to what can only be described as official harassment of members of the business community to bully them into paying a fee which, according to the legal advice obtained by the Commission, is unlawful; immediately, late on Wednesday, we invited the Town Clerk to a meeting with its Council and members of the Shipping Association to which he readily consented,” the statement outlined.

Nevertheless, the PSC noted that meetings organised to discuss the new fees facilitated are frank, open and generally informative exchange of views on the matter. The Commission said it is looking forward to further discussions on the matter with the hope it results in a sensible and professional resolution reflecting the mutual interests of the business community, the citizens and the municipality.

Meanwhile, President David Granger on his weekly television programme – The Public Interest – expressed the importance of consultations and implored that the M&CC have greater consultations especially with the people and businesses of Georgetown. The President reminded that decisions taken will not only affect people in the city but others countrywide, since Georgetown is the Capital City of the country.

“I would urge the Mayor and City Council to embark on a consultative process. I will not interfere… but I am not interested in a conflictual situation, confronting the situation and in my view, consultations are the way to go,” the Head of State remarked during the programme which aired on Friday evening.

About 12:00h on Tuesday, M&CC officials first barred the contain-

er trucks coming off the John Fernandes Limited Wharf and the Muneshwar’s Wharf, preventing container trucks from entering or leaving unless the $25,000 fee is paid.

Terminal Operations Manager of the former shipping company, Jeremy Fernandes, related to Guyana Times that the fee was not being implemented against the shipping company, but against the consignee of each container.

However, since it would be a difficult task for M&CC to contact the consignees, the municipality is demanding the fee from the company expecting that it would be reimbursed by the respective consignees.

“They’re instituting a bylaw where all laden trucks must pay a fee for the usage of the city streets and this is not implemented against the shipping company or shipping lines per se, but really and truly against the consignee of each container, but seeing that they can’t directly reach the consignee at this point in time, they’re instituting it against us and expecting us to claim that revenue back from the consignee,” Fernandes explained.

Moreover, Deputy Town Clerk, Sherry Jerrick, had told media operatives that the City Council was merely invoking 273 and 274 of its by-law with respect to the use of its roads by vehicles of a “certain weight”.

“The container is of a specific weight and it’s not just about parking or landing of the container, but it’s actually the container traversing the roadway,” she explained, noting that there were adequate provisions in the by-laws to prevent persons from driving certain vehicles along the roadway.

However, the following day, the Council released a statement saying that the blockage of the city streets was just an assessment exercise to repair the roads.

NEWS

3

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, July 23 – 05:30h-07:00h and Sunday, July 24 – 08:30h-10:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, July 23 – 06:30h-08:00h and Sunday, July 24 – 07:15h-08:45h.

Triple murder rocks Black Bush, Corentyne; 1 in custody

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Heavy rain showers with light cloud cover can be expected throughout the day, while clear skies can be expected in the evening with temperatures ranging between 24 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

North-easterly to East North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

6:44h and 19:10h reaching maximum heights of 2.75 metres and 2.66 metres respectively.

00:17h and 12:43h reaching minimum heights of 0.54 metre and 0.48 metre respectively.

Dead: Narish Rooplall

T

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS A

04 07 08 16 24 27 03 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016

Daily Millions

13 20 24 26

11

LUCKY 3 5

2

6

Draw De Line 01

09 10 11 12

20 21

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

hree bodies were on Friday morning discovered lying next to each other on a dam at Cookrite Savannah, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) with gunshot wounds.

Police in a release said each body bore a single gunshot wound.

The men have since been identified as Pawan Chandradeo, also called “Surish”, 37, of Black Bush Polder; his son Jaikarran Chandradeo, also called “Kevin”, 15; and his brother-in-law, Narish Rooplall, also called “Mice”, 33, of Number 73 Village, Corentyne.

The discovery of the bodies was made shortly after daybreak by a rice farmer. The bodies were lying on a dam about three miles into the savannah, a short distance away from a camp called “King’s Camp”.

The men had gone on a fishing expedition which began at 15:00h on Thursday. They were expected back at about 03:00h on Friday morn-

Pawan Chandradeo, also called “Surish”

ing. Also on the trip was another of Chandradeo’s sons.

The young lad told investigators that while on the journey with his family, he was instructed to wait at “King’s Camp” with a guard who was stationed there. Those instructions were given to him at about 19:00h on Thursday.

According to the teen, at about 20:00h on Thursday evening, he heard what appeared to be two gunshots, and later the rapid sound of what appeared to be four more.

At daybreak, the lad said he left “King’s Camp” in search of his father, brother, and uncle. “I call for dem but I ent get no reply.”

On his way, he met a man who told him that he did not see his relatives and advised him to return to his home, which he did.

According to Chandradeo’s wife, Chandrawattie Rooplall, also called “Pam”, she received information that her husband had been injured in the backdam from

Jaikarran Chandradeo, also called “Kevin”

a security guard attached to the Mibicuri Hospital, even before her son arrived.

She explained that as she launched an investigation to verify the reliability of the report, she was told that the persons injured were not her husband, son, and brother.

It was another brother of Chandradeo who went to the scene with the Police and confirmed Rooplall’s worst fears shortly before midday, when the bodies arrived at the Mibicuri Hospital.

One eyewitness said the bodies were about a foot apart from each other when they were discovered on the dam. The

source noted that the adults had wounds to their heads while the teenager had a wound to the upper neck. It was also reported to Guyana Times that there were impressions of horse hooves a short distance from where the bodies were discovered.

Pawan Chandradeo leaves to mourn a daughter, two sons and a wife to whom he got married on July 5.

His brother-in-law, Narish Rooplall, leaves to mourn a wife, two brothers and a mother.

As Police continue to investigate, one person has been arrested and remains in custody.

(Andrew Carmichael)

4

guyana-times.com

saturdAY, july 23, 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

Caricom and criminal deportations

T

he issue of developed countries, more particularly the US, deporting Caribbean nationals to their country of birth without providing much information as to their medical and criminal backgrounds and even more importantly, providing some form of support regarding their smooth integration into their home countries, has always been a concern for regional Governments.

Not surprisingly, the matter was raised again, a few days ago, by newly elected Prime Minister of St Lucia, Allen Chastanet and St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves, who complained bitterly that the practice was having a severe negative impact on the region, especially as it relates to crime and security issues. Prime Ministers Chastanet and Gonsalves also belaboured the point that very little information or help is provided by the US in terms of reintegrating the deportees in their home countries.

It is no secret that while some deportees try as much as possible to turn their lives around in their new environment, many of them gravitate towards crime, which in most cases places a huge burden on the State to deal with. For this reason, regional Governments have been lobbying the US authorities to be more understanding as to the tremendous negative impact the practice is having on countries. However, the US officials have resisted the argument that the deportations are to be blamed for the increase in violent crimes in the region.

For the record, the US has deported hundreds of convicted criminals to the Caribbean annually since 1996, when Congress mandated that every non-citizen sentenced to a year or more in prison be deported upon release.

In an analysis of deportation data for Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, a Caricom study found that almost 30,000 criminal offenders had been deported to those countries between 1990 and 2005. Over 17,000 had been deported for drug offences; almost 1800 for possession of illegal firearms, and more than 600 for murder. The US is responsible for more than seventy-five percent of all criminal deportations to the region.

It should be noted that security officials in Guyana have routinely placed the blame for some high level crimes on criminal deportees, particularly those that occurred during the 2002 to 2004 crime wave that gripped the nation when the Government was forced to enact the 2002 Amendment to the Crime Prevention Act, which stated that any deportee who poses a threat to public safety can be placed under police surveillance.

Additionally deportation has caused devastating socio-psychological effects, not only for deported persons, but for other family members, and in particular their children, the vast majority of whom have been left behind in the US, Canada or other countries, and who have little or no contact with the deported parent.

There is no need to elaborate on the challenges that confront countries such as ours when persons who have migrated many years ago are sent back after serving their time in jails overseas. What Caricom Governments need to focus on now is establishing an effective deportee resettlement programme for such persons to cater for their smooth reintegration into the society, so that once again they can become productive and useful citizens.

Many would want to believe that most of the persons who are deported are willing to reform their lives, but the absence of an effective and functioning support mechanism makes this process very difficult.

The main concerns for regional Governments are to ensure more focus is placed on information and intelligence sharing with respect to criminal deportees, in particular access to complete dossiers on medical and criminal history and consideration of financial and technical assistance to establish re-integration programmes within Caricom Member States.

These are reasonable concerns and Caricom representatives should continue to raise them at the relevant forums and lobby their partners for the necessary support in this regard.

Britain's Prince George is seen with the family pet dog, Lupo, in this photograph taken in mid-July at his home in Norfolk and released

by Kensington Palace to mark his third birthday, in London (Reuters)

M&CC container blocking excuse is “sheer poppycock” Dear Editor, The bizarre, brutish and daft action by the Mayor and City Councillors (M&CC) of Georgetown against two Water Street shipping companies last Tuesday which saw them blocking the movement of container-laden trucks from the companies and city wharves over a $25,000 shipping container tax, shows the greed, disrespect for legal decisions and barbaric nature of the Town Clerk and the forces at City Hall.

This latest move by City Hall is clearly a vulgar reaction to what happened less than two weeks ago, after the proposed $25,000 Container parking fee was thrown out by the court.

Royston King’s account that this move is merely aimed at commencing repair works to the roads is sheer poppycock. Evidently, this Council is anti-business.

Why would they send their City constables to place barricades outside the entrances of Muneshwers and John Fernandes Limited on Water Street, rather than inviting their officials for discussions, the same way the Town Clerk invites John Fernandes Limited to sponsor Environmental Community Health Organization (ECHO) initiatives or Muneshwar’s to sponsor other projects?

King, who is not a lawyer, clearly misunderstanding and misquoting Section

274/76 of the city by-laws to suggest that they are entitled to fees by those persons who use roadways, streets, parapets and space owned by all citizens of the city. It was the same twisted logic he used when he tried and failed to extract $25,000, and $36,000 for each additional day, from business owners in downtown Georgetown for the parking of containers in front of their premises for the purpose of offloading goods they shipped in.

King’s assertion that they are not getting at the containers really, but rather to do maintenance works, and critical works to the roadways in the city is laughable. Why then

does he not charge the Bush Trucks and the Sand Trucks traversing the city?

Why does he not block King Fish from parking 24/7 and selling at the corner of King and Regent Streets?

The problem is that every time legal action has to be taken against the Council, it costs the person who has to take them to court, it costs the citizens of Georgetown for mounting a defence but the Council could care less because the money is not coming out of their pockets but rather that of the citizens. But most of all it is a waste of the Court’s time.

Dear editor, To hang or not to hang has been a topic in Guyana, the Caribbean and the entire free world for several decades. It became a hot debate in Guyana following the visiting of Navi Pillay of the International Commission Against Death Penalty and his discussions with government officials and workshop with Judges and Magistrates.

The Commission is calling on the Guyana government to remove the death penalty from the statute books, and President David Granger responded that he would be guided by the decision taken by lawmakers and if possible from all Guyanese by way of a referendum.

It is not an easy decision to make because there are strong arguments for and against the death penalty.

“Thou shall not kill”

is the sixth commandment. “An eye for an eye” is in Genesis in the Old Testament, but Jesus said according to Matthew 5.37 “turn the other cheek”. In other words, no retaliation.

I am not in favour of the death penalty so much so that in the 1990s while I was Chief Prosecutor (Acting DPP) in St Vincent I prosecuted several murder cases. Three persons in two cases were convicted and sentenced to death by hanging.

Although I won the cases I was not all happy that they were sentenced to death by hanging. The Judge had no choice but to impose the mandatory death sentence.

I had a restless night when the first one - a 21-yearold - was sentenced. I later made recommendation to the Mercy Committee for the death sentence to be commuted to life imprison-

ment. All three were spared the hangman’s noose.

As a matter of fact although the death penalty remains in the statute books in most Caribbean Community states, there was no execution for the past two decades in the region.

Barbados removed capital punishment a few years ago and there is no death penalty in the dependent states of Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands, and Bermuda, but Jamaica recently passed legislation retaining the death penalty while the Cooperative Republic retained capital punishment only in certain cases.

Statistics show that 105 countries which are members of the United Nations have abolished the death penalty for all crimes, and six abolished but retain it

for exceptional or special circumstances. Perhaps I should state that 47 countries which retained it have not used it for at least 10 years.

Muslim countries which abide by Sharia law prescribe various forms of capital punishment for certain offences, including decapitating, stoning, execution by firing squad.

China also imposes the death penalty and several states in the US. If the Guyana Government decides to deal with the issue by way of a referendum which is a very expensive exercise, they should seek to amend the Constitution to deal with a few burning issues including the appointment of Chancellor and Chief Justice.

Deodarie Putulall

To hang or not to hang

Yours faithfully, Oscar Ramjeet

guyana-times.com

saturDAY, july 23, 2016

5

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

Commemoration of Centennial of end of Indentureship Dear Editor, This March 2017 marks the Centennial of the official abolition of Indian Indentureship, an era spanning 1834-1917.

Some four million Indians were sent overseas as indentured or girmitya labourers to various countries around the globe.

Their descendants, numbering almost ten million, have been spread out all over the globe. The history and consequences of Indian Indentureship are very important and meaningful to these millions of descendants living in many countries which were the recipients of Indian Indentured labourers -- Mauritius (and other islands in the Indian Ocean), Fiji, South Africa and other African countries, Trinidad, Suriname, Guyana, Belize, Guadeloupe, and other territories of the Caribbean region, Malaysia, Singapore and other Asian countries -- as well as on USA, Canada, UK, Netherlands, France, New Zealand, Australia, etc where the descendants of indentured laborers have settled over the last fifty years. The one hundredth anniversary of the abolition of indentureship, as indeed for any event, is historic and should be commemorated.

A group of individuals met last week in New York to plan the Commemoration of the Centennial of the end of Indentureship with Ashook Ramsaran, formerly of Whim, as Convener. The group met under the auspices of Indian Diaspora Council (IDC) which will plan and execute a series of events around the globe from September thru March.

There is also a plan for a book to be released entitled: Centennial of Abolition of Indian Indentureship: End of an Era of Indian Migration, its Challenges and Progress of the Community.

This book will be a compilation of relevant articles by prominent writers, historians and researchers selected from respective countries to commemorate the centennial of abolition of Indian Indentureship and to provide insights on challenges, progress and achievements during and after that historic era.

This keepsake volume is intended to be a historical document for scholars, students, libraries, Indian diaspora researchers and the general public.

Some other planned events are: • Kick-off press conference and seminar: 12 September, 2016 in New

•

•

•

•

•

York, USA Recommended Kickoff press conferences and seminars in selected countries: Sep – Oct, 2016.

Release of publication: Centennial of Abolition of Indian Indenturedship: End of an Era of Indian Migration, followed by Challenges and Progress: 2 January, 2017 Conference session at Uttar Pradesh Divas 2017 (Lucknow, India): 4 January, 2017 Panel Session at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2017 (India): 8 January, 2017 Coordinated country commemoration conferences & cultural presentations in at selected (31) Indian Embassies & Consulates in countries impacted: 5 March, 2017.

(Cities: Suva, Port Louis, Singapore, Kula Lumpur, Hong Kong, Naypidaw, Sydney, Auckland, Kolkata, Chennai, New Delhi, Lucknow, Patna, Saint Denis, Durban, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Toronto, Orlando, Georgetown, Paramaribo, Port of Spain, Kingston (Jamaica), Kingston

(St Vincent), Corozal (Belize), St Georges (Grenada), Castries (St Lucia), Basse-Terre (Guadeloupe), Fort-deFrance (Martinique).

Other cities would be added as needed.

• Global Convention in Port of Spain (Trinidad & Tobago): 18 – 20 March, 2017. Activities to include: Conferences, Break-out sessions, workshops, resolutions, action items team, cultural entertainment, receptions and banquets; recognition awards for notable achievements.

Coordination Teams in every country are being set up. The IDC welcomes the community’s interest and seeks participation in the varied planned activities in this global Commemoration of Centennial of Abolition of Indian Indentureship (CCAII).

IndianDiasporaCouncil. org website is being developed and updated information will be posted on a regular basis.

More details can be obtained from IndianDiasporaCouncil@ gmail.com Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram

The Mayor has a habit of putting her foot in her mouth Dear Editor, Each time the Mayor of Georgetown opens her mouth, she ends up putting her foot inside of it. Her most recent interview, before winging out to Chile, was to announce that the Deputy Mayor is not entitled to transportation and other benefits by law.

That may be so, but then again there are a lot of persons at City Hall that are enjoying a lot of benefits to which they are not entitled to by law, but that does not prevent them from doing so, including her good self.

If we take a look at the Town Clerk he can always be seen accompanied by a retinue of bodyguards, to which he is not entitled by law. He may want to point to his predecessor having a bodyguard, but that was not at the Council expense, as in his case.

By convention, Town Clerks enjoyed a static security at their residences which he also does. He is not entitled by law to have several cars being provided for his convenience, including one that is being rented for an astronomical sum per month, along with several drivers. Neither is he entitled by law to dine at fancy restaurants with friends and bill the Council, instead he should be using the entertainment allowance to which he is paid each month.

The City Engineer has been provided with a large four-wheel drive vehicle manufactured by Nissan for his exclusive use, to which he is not entitled by law. The Town Clerk and senior officers are not entitled by law to be provided with state-of-the-art cellular telephones with voice and data services being paid for by the Council, including roaming charges and overseas calls.

The Mayor, Town Clerk and City Engineer are not entitled by law to use the vehicles that are assigned to them for transport all around Guyana, but rather should just be using them in and around Georgetown to carry out their duties.

In fact it was most unfortunate and improper that one of Council’s drivers died recent-

ly on West Coast Demerara whilst transporting home the children of a senior officer, way outside of the confines of Georgetown.

But surely the government could make a vehicle available to the Deputy Mayor just as they made one available to the Town Clerk, or is it that the Deputy Mayor wants to be the only city official pursuing the

dream of making Georgetown a green city, whilst the others are chugging around in their gas guzzling SUVs and luxury cars that are helping to pollute the environment?

Do the Laws and Entitlements apply to all, or only to some?

Sincerely, Shanta Singh

Cost effective vacancy advertisements Dear Editor, Many vacancy advertisements in the local media seem to ignore some basic criteria of cost effective advertising such as the need to catch the attention of potential candidates and to attract a sufficient number of applicants to facilitate a competitive selection process.

Newspaper advertising is undoubtedly the most popular but is not the only method for achieving such objectives; trade journals, radio, TV, inhouse and word-of-mouth come readily to mind; and, in today’s fast-paced, ubiquitous, electronic communication, we cannot ignore the cost-free Social Media as perhaps the best means of getting our messages across.

Newspaper ads are expensive and must therefore be properly used to achieve cost-benefit effectiveness.

A review of all the Vacancy ads appearing in all the local newspapers last Sunday reveals many ‘malpractices’.

For example: using the routine ‘clerical’ or ‘defensive’ approach by replicating details from the Job Descriptions and regurgitating the Job Specifications instead of studiously internalising and smartly projecting the essential aspects of the job and applying some ‘marketing’ techniques/approaches to sell it.

In this context, it must be realised that people who are happy and challenged in their current positions do not normally ‘look out’ for vacancy ads, yet these are the very people who should be targeted in any serious ad; hence the need for the ‘marketing’ vs the ‘bureaucratic’

approach. (Notwithstanding, it must also be cautioned that the essential focus of an ad must not be lost in verbiage that is confusing; there is a clear example of such confusion in a lengthy ad appearing in last Sunday’s Chronicle where a major corporation confused the search for ‘a person’ to market an asset with ‘the asset’ itself!.

Another trend from the review of last Sunday’s ads is the insensitivity to ‘balance’ in that ads for routine clerical functions were given the high prominence and costly space typically reserved for relatively senior professionals heading up major organisational functions. Another major corporation, guilty of this remiss, has been repeating the said ad all of this week.

A rather offensive practice is to include at the bottom of ads a note to the effect that “only shortlisted applications will be acknowledged”! What is the purpose or value of such an insulting, off-putting, note? I can think of no better way to deter good applications. It cannot be that the cost or burden of acknowledging all applications is a factor in this e-mail age.

It is also worth noting that sometimes (for example for confidentiality/or to avoid undue speculations) it might be better to use a professional ‘head-hunter’ or for the HR Manager and other senior executives to assume the role of typical head hunters instead of always adopting the conventional recruitment processes.

Yours truly, Nowrang Persaud

6

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016

Page

guyana-times.com

Foundation

The collapse of parenting: Why it’s time for parents to grow up

– if anyone can be called the boss in modern, anti-hierarchical parenthood, it’s the children (Part 2)

BY CATHY GULLI

Parents also want a democratic household where each family member has a say about what happens – Should we go outside now?

Are we ready to have a bath?

Would you like to have the party here? – and they cultivate independence and freedom of thought in their children. Strict obedience used to be praised; now it is seen as outdated and potentially dangerous. Compliance might mean your kid is a pushover, which no parent wants, especially as bullying has spread from the schoolyard to cyberspace.

There are broader influences shifting the parent-child dynamic as well.

Over the past half-century or more, the public has come to scorn power imbalances based on gender, race, religion and sexual orientation, and historic gains have been achieved in the pursuit of equality. Even corporations are now replacing pyramidal management with “flat organisation.” In Western society, where equality for everyone has become a cultural objective and a constitutional right, children are treated like they are one more minority group to honour and empower. “Empower has come to seem virtuous,” Sax says. “Empower everyone, why not?”

But many children are actually overpowering their parents. That’s the problem, say those working in child development. A functional family unit hinges on the one social construct that con-

temporary society has been working hard to dismantle: hierarchy. “You need a strong alpha presentation to inspire a child to trust you and depend upon you,” says Neufeld of parents. “If we don’t have enough natural power then we’re hardpressed to [make] the demand or [set] the limit” for children. “The parent always has to be honoured as the ultimate person,” he continues. “We need to put parents back in the driver’s seat.”

If not, the consequences can be farreachi n g ; starting with c h i l dren’s eating habits, which might contribute to them becoming overweight and obese. Like the father in the restaurant, many parents can’t convince their children to eat well. It doesn’t help that junk food is sometimes a reward for acing a test or scoring a goal. The message: healthy food is for losers. On-demand snacking – in the car, at the mall, while out for a walk – appears to disrupt metabolism and circadian rhythms, as well as hormonal balance.

That many parents carry with

them a canteen of water and a stash of goodies wherever their children go is further proof of how much they want to satisfy their children, lit-

erally and figuratively. “I don’t want them to get hypoglycemic,” one mom told Sax while lugging a cooler of snacks to her car for a 30-minute drive.

Contributing to the extraordinary weight gain among North American children in recent years is a dramatic decline in fitness.

There is even a medical term for it, “de-conditioning,” which is described in the Collapse of Parenting as a euphemism for “out of shape.” It has landed children as young as 11 and 12 in the cardiologist’s office complaining of heart-disease symptoms including chest tightness and shortness of breath. In fact, some hospitals in the US have even opened paediatric preventive cardiology clinics.

While children are less active than ever, they do not, ironically, get enough rest.

A common question Sax asks students is, “What’s your favourite thing to do in your spare time, when you are by yourself with no one watching?”

The most common answer in recent years: ***sleep***.

That’s because children are too busy with school assign-

ments and extracurricular activities to go to bed at a good hour, or because when they get to bed, they are on their cellphone or computer, or playing video games.

This chronic fatigue may be associated with the rise of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and prescription drug use among children.

“Sleep deprivation mimics ADHD almost perfectly,” writes Sax. In his experience as a doctor, insufficient sleep is one reason why children are more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder. In general, “It is now easier to administer a pill prescribed by a board-certified physician, than to firmly instruct a child and impose consequences for bad behaviour.”

Stephen Camarata, a professor of hearing and speech sciences and psychiatry at Vanderbilt University in Nashville echoes that point: “Parents say, ‘My child can’t do this particular exercise, they’re not paying attention,’ therefore I have to identify them as having a clinical condition.” A medical diagnosis might negate parental shortcomings or a child’s misbehaviour. “It displaces that failure,” he says.

Camarata worries that parents are asking too much of children too soon, as he outlines in his latest book The Intuitive Parent: Why the Best Thing For Your Child Is You. He points to the surge of books, toys and software marketed to parents of young children promising to accelerate learning.

The ubiquitous metaphor that children are information sponges has parents saturating them with educational exercises. “We’re treating them like little hard drives,” says Camarata, but “this idea of pushing children to the absolute max of their developmental norm doesn’t give them time to reason and problem-solve. It actually undermines both self-confidence and fluid reasoning, or the ability to think.”

Schools, too, have been focusing more on academic achievement than socialisation. Sax documents how, 30 years ago, American students in kindergarten and Grade One learned “Fulghum’s rules,” which include tenets such as “Don’t take things that aren’t yours” and “Clean up your own mess” as well as “Share everything” and “Don’t hit people.” But since the 1980s, as other nations pulled ahead of the US in scholastic performance, the primary objective of educators has become literacy and numeracy.

In Canada too, says Neufeld, “we have lost our culture.

Our society is far more concerned that you perform.

Schools will always drift to outcome-based things.” (www. macleans.ca)

“I’m so exhausted”:

4 tips to combat parental burnout

BY ERIN SCHLICHER

A

re you often exhausted as a parent? Do you regularly feel drained, overwhelmed and off-balance when it comes to raising your children? It’s hard for every parent, but when your children have tough behavioural problems, like ADHD, frequent defiance or other chronic acting-out behaviours, the task of raising them to adulthood can sometimes feel like you’re climbing a mountain without adequate supplies or the right equipment.

Whether you have recently found yourself bogged down or it is an accumulation that occurred over the years, here are a handful of tips that might perk you up.

1. Be a “good enough” parent While not a new story, the modern day mother is under so much pressure to “do it all.” As a culture, we tend to value the image of the parent who pours every ounce of themselves into providing perfect lives for their children. However, James Lehman would say that being a “good enough” parent, who is consistently caring for your children, is the key. You don’t have to be a flawless Super Mom to raise your children well. In fact, attempting to always provide an extraordinary experience for your children at any cost can lead to burn out. So cut yourself some slack in order to stay the course!

Achieving a relative balance between meeting the needs of your family as well as caring for yourself may result in expanded reserves for all.

2. Find support When you find that you are running on fumes, utilise supports you already have in place or seek new ones.

This can mean calling on grandparents, friends, or babysitters to provide you with a little respite from the children every so often to recharge. Do your best to use this time to do something restorative for yourself – exercise, relax, have lunch with your spouse, grab coffee with a friend – whatever lifts your spirit. Reconnect with the aspects of yourself that are not exhausted from parenting a difficult child.

Since it is not always a readily available option to have someone else help with childcare, many parents rely on other methods of support.

Online communities like Empowering Parents, as well as social networking sites, are a lifeline to a growing number of parents who may otherwise find themselves somewhat isolated. (empoweringparents.com) TO BE CONTINUED

news

7

saturday, july 23, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Govt’s proposed ‘Special Prosecutions Unit’

Unit will undercut DPP, GPF to entrench political witch-hunt – PPP/C Chief Whip

T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira has condemned the proposed move

by Government, through its spokesperson, Raphael Trotman, to establish a “Special Prosecutions Unit” with particular emphasis on forensic audits.

Trotman, who is also Minister of Natural Resources, had outlined that Government was considering setting up this body separately from the already established Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), all of which are vested with the powers to prosecute.

According to Trotman at a press briefing on Thursday: “Cabinet is overwhelmed at the scale of the (forensic audits) findings… this brings back

Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

the issue of special prosecutors because the Police Force, SOCU, and even the DPP Chambers are overwhelmed and lack certain capacities to address all of these.”

In this regard, Trotman disclosed that Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan was tasked with holding discussions with Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Basil Williams, on the feasibili-

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

ty of a Special Prosecutor’s Office since the service of more than one counsel may be required in some of the matters. He noted that Cabinet is expected to get a feedback from Ramjattan within the next fortnight.

However according to Teixeira, this recent contention by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government,

Return of Kara Kara toll booth

Linden commercial business vehicles to pay biennial cost

V

The extraordinary meeting that was recently held

ehicles carrying commercial goods attached to businesses registered in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) may have to pay an agreed biennial cost to the municipality of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) when the Kara Kara toll booth at Mackenzie becomes operational again. This was discussed during deliberations at an extraordinary meeting of the Council which was recently held.

While a cost has not yet been set, a majority of Councillors at the meeting voted in favour of the decision to have the necessary vehicles, such as those carrying lumber, pay twice a year at a reduced cost.

Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland indicated that a cost is expected to be arrived at following consultations with the Linden Chamber

of Industry Commerce and Development (LCICD) and businesses within the community. Some categories of vehicles subjected to toll are timber trucks, haulers with machinery, trailers with logs and vehicles with goods for sale, among others.

Another aspect which was discussed by the Council recently was the penalties for assaulting a toll collector which carries a $10,000 fine or an alternative of three months in prison.

The Kara Kara toll booth had been the centre of controversy in the past due to the Council’s by-laws which were govern it, not being in force. A move to have it up and running again by the previous Council, after years, resulted in its abrupt closure by the previous Government in 2013.

However, recently, the present Council succeeded in having the toll booth gazett-

ed, with a claims and objections period being put in place for citizens.

Just last week, the Mayor sought to clear up some misconceptions being peddled around the community, where some residents were reportedly of the belief that all vehicles traversing the route would be subjected to pay tolls. He noted that businesses which are coming from out of town would be subjected to the toll, while stating that it creates for a level playing field. Holland said however that there’s no cost for private vehicles and taxis.

He added that there has been some changes, however, as it relates to costs as he outlined that the previous costs were age old. This, he said, had been discussed during a meeting with the LCICD and was agreed to by the parties involved.

to set up a separate prosecuting unit for forensic audits, not only undermines the Rule of Law, but is also institutionalising the witch-hunt of political opponents.

She outlined: “The Constitution by Article 187 confers the powers of prosecution in criminal proceedings on the constitutional Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. This new action is a departure from the existing functional and professional system of prosecutions. The proposal to create a Special Prosecutions Unit cannot be seen as anything else but further than the institutionalisation of another attempt to witch-hunt political opponents.”

The Opposition Chief Whip noted in a released statement that the Coalition’s intention to undercut the already established prosecuting bodies (GPF & DPP)

is because they have “no faith” in them. “Were the Government to go through the DPP and the Guyana Police Force, both professional bodies, governed by the Constitution and statute, they would be expected to abide by a level of professionalism and follow specific guidelines and acts based on evidence.”

According to Teixeira: “This new Special Prosecutions Unit is intended to bypass these bodies and create a separate and parallel prosecutions arm, supported by the SARU [State Assets Recovery Unit] and SOCU under the total control of the political elite in the Ministry of the Presidency.

The rationale for such a radical departure from the existing constitutional and legal provisions can only by interpreted as one designed to target and witchhunt the parliamentary opposition and political op-

ponents.”

What is also significant Teixeira remarked, “is that this is coming on the heels of an admission by President David Granger that the audits themselves did not turn up “sufficient evidence” to bring criminal charges against former government officials.

Yet, according to Minister Trotman, this is exactly what this proposed Special Prosecutions Unit will be investigating and leading prosecutions on these forensic audits.”

“This announcement follows ominously on the statement by Minister Jaipaul Sharma that Cabinet will be deciding on who will be charged with criminal offences based on these forensic audits. The same audits which were carried out by select political supporters of the APNU/AFC government,” the Opposition MP declared.

8 NEWS

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

IN THE COURTS

PI into Babita Sarjou’s murder continues

Murder suspect Dorel Pronton, called "Yankee"

Ex-husband Sharnandand Naraine called "Anand"

Murdered: Babita Sarjou

he Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of Babita Sarjou, who had gone missing for some six years, continued on Friday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Sharnandand Naraine, called ‘Anand’, the exhusband of Sarjou; and Dorel Pronton, called

‘Yankee’ of Lot 54 Broad Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, both appeared before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The court heard the testimonies of Corporal Lowe, Corporal Elexie, Superintendent McCurious and Deputy Superintendent Alli, who were all present on the day of the discovery.

Attorney Peter Hugh is representing Naraine, while Pronton is being represented by Attorney Nigel Hughes.

The offence brought against them alleged that on November 4, 2010, they conspired to murder Babita Sarjou.

The Preliminary Inquiry is set to continue on August

T

4, 2016.

After being missing for six years, Police were able to crack the case after they received information about the death of Sarjou.

On May 22, 2016 Crime Chief Wendell Blunhum, accompanied by a posse, swooped on the home of Naraine at Lot 51 Seaforth Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, where they dug up a site in the yard and the woman’s remains were found.

Sarjou went missing on November 4, 2010, after she allegedly received a called from Naraine who stated that he would accompany her to a Diwali Motorcade.

Reportedly, on that night, Sarjou got into Naraine’s vehicle where she was strangled by Pronton who was in the back seat.

Her lifeless body was transported to the home of Naraine where it was buried in the shallow grave.

Man remanded for attempted murder of national footballer

A

man with a fractured leg that hops with crutches was on Friday remanded at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court after appearing before Chief Magistrate Ann

McLennan on attempted murder charge.

Oswald Andrews, 34, of Middle Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, was not allowed to plea to the indict-

Rensford Coleridge

able offence.

It was alleged that on July 19, 2016, at Queen Street, South Cummingsburg, he unlawfully and maliciously assaulted Rensford Coleridge, a national footballer with intent to commit murder.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones successfully object-

ed to bail due to the gravity of the offence and the fact that the virtual complainant (VC) Coloridge, sustained stab wounds to his hip, chest and shoulder and is currently in a critical condition at a hospital.

The defendant was remanded and will return to Court on September 5, 2016.

It was reported that Coleridge was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital after sustaining the stab wounds. He arrived GPH in a semi-conscious manner.

According to reports the stabbing allegedly occurred because Andrews believed that Coleridge was texting his girlfriend. Coleridge was said to be sitting a short distance from his home at a shop looking at television when Andrew’s dealt him the stabs.

Eyew tness

Waiving...

O

...and waving

K...Let’s see if your Eyewitness gets this straight.

First, Foreign Minister Greenidge (is he now actually living in “foreign”?) complains that over 80% of our UG graduates have absconded the jurisdiction for presumably greener pastures abroad. Now that’s a “butch”, isn’t it? While there HAVE been complaints about the quality of our graduates, they’re all we have when it comes to higher education. Meaning having a bit more than rudimentary knowledge about the things we need for our development.

After all this is the purpose of “education” in the modern world: to churn out folks with the knowledge to produce commodities that can be sold for money. And which therefore makes the world go ‘round.

So, dear reader, you ask what about “lichricher” and art and music and such like that are also taught at the University? Did you really miss all the pontifications on “cultural industries”? When you learn music nowadays, it’s to produce commodities named “CD’s” with copyrights!

Anyhow you get the point, nuh? So your Eyewitness moves on to his next point...rather the next point another Minister of presumably the same APNU/AFC government made. That the government might just WAIVE interests on the $10 billion the deadbeat UG graduates owe on loans going back to 1994, when the programme was launched. The figures supplied by the forensic audit of UG Student Loan Agency revealed that 69.4% of the students loans - (17,000+!!!) issued during that time were delinquent.

So this Eyewitness has some questions. He always thought UG graduates couldn’t wave goodbye to our muddy shores until they paid off their UG loans. So could the Minister - who plans to give debt relief exceeding the Paris Club’s terms - please tell us whether any graduates who gravitated “foreign” are also getting the free lunch?

And the answer better be a resounding “no!”

But your Eyewitness suspects it’s not...since only some 488 local names were published in what he foolishly thought was a “name and shame” manoeuvre to get the deadbeats to cough up. So not only is the government gonna let off the hook all the dastardly departed who acquired their education at our bargain basement prices and are hauling in the big bucks abroad - it’s going to do the same for the big time lawyers, magistrates, and even judges!

Where’s the justice? And what kind of message does this send to the rest of society that subsidises UG with their hard earned tax dollars? Shouldn’t we start questioning of what use is an institution to us when 82% of its products are of no use to us?

And the remainder are deadbeats?!

...legality on SOCU and SARU

And the farce about SOCU and SARU inevitably degenerates into a tragedy for rule of law. When the APNU/AFC Government deployed the former (created by the PPP) and created the latter, you’d think organisations intended to keep the citizenry on the straight and narrow, would themselves set an example of probity and lawfulness, nuh?

Well, you just wasted a thought. The first mission of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) was to seize papers from NICIL!! And here your Eyewitness thought Congressional hearings and “The Godfather” had taught him what “organised crime” was all about! Not to mention SOCU was supposed to augment the investigations of the Financial Investigation Unit (FIU), formed out of the AML/CTF mandate! And then it was deployed by the GDF - not the Police Force under which it was constituted.

So we’re to believe it’s all straightened now? Yes...

Santa Claus is real!

The Stolen Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) - deployed without a legal mandate - is now “legal” because its operating out of OP? Talk about bootstrapping!!

...sanity

Your Eyewitness learnt a new word as he forced himself to watch the proceedings of the Republican Convention that finally confirmed Donald Trump as their Presidential candidate.

“Screed”. It means a long, boring, and tedious speech!!

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

news

9

saturday, july 23, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Procurement symposium

There will be no distrust in Public Procurement System – Patterson

A

lluding that some persons were of the misconception that they could be awarded contracts because of a ministerial or political connection, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson on Friday set the record straight by stating that there should be no distrust in the system because the Ministry would be interrogating every contract.

Patterson made this declaration at the opening of the Procurement Symposium at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, East Coast Demerara. He stated that when they took office they were approached by persons with contracts for employment but when they interviewed them it was disclosed that “these people” never submitted a tender.

He stated it is because of this distorted system that persons ended up having “complete distrust in our procurement system” and were under the impression that the process was there to empower “certain contractors,” while the other entrants did not stand a chance.

Labelling it as a misapprehension, Patterson affirmed that his Ministry, along with the Finance Ministry would not allow it to live on.

He indicated that the Public Infrastructure Ministry had started to interrogate the tenders received, and what they found were some glaring

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

omissions.

He stated that persons were not completing their forms or providing sufficient information for them to be awarded the contracts. He added that his Ministry is guided by procurement laws and they cannot subvert them, so if proper tenders are not submitted then contractors would not “stand a chance” at getting contracts.

Indicating that some persons were expressing frustration with the government and declaring that “this is not what they voted for,” Patterson stated that if they voted for law and order, then they should not expect anything less; thus the path to acquiring contracts would be transparent and open.

“Not because you voted for change means that automatically you have voted yourself

a contract. We stand for law and order…and I’m sure you would not want us to go down a path that is not open and transparent,” he said.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson stated that the objective of the symposium is to educate the existing and new suppliers of civil works and services on the procurement requirements legislations.

She stated that public procurement is a very critical issue for the government since more than 70 per cent of the National Budget accounts for public procurement, approximately $160B annually.

The Ministry of Finance estimates that public procurement accounts for 27 per cent of the country’s GDP. Former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran contended that as a result of weaknesses in the system of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), the government loses approximately $28B annually due to corrupt behaviour in public procurement, which includes sole servicing of drug contracts, contract splitting, inflated engineer estimates, evaluation bias on behalf of favoured contractors, the use of inexperienced contractors, the absence of competitive bidding in some cases and over-payments to contractors.

This has raised signifi-

Independence night accident…

Minibus drivers slapped with second causing death charge

Jamal McCloud

Michael Thorne

Roxanne Mitchell

ichael Thorne, driver of the Route 42 minibus involved in the Independence Night accident, was on Friday slapped with another causing death charge.

He along with the other defendant, Jamal McCloud, appeared before City Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The offence brought against them alleged that on May 26, 2016 at Bagotstown Public Road, East Bank Demerara, they drove vehicles bearing licence plate BPP 6158 and BPP 167, respectively, thereby causing the death of Joycelyn Elcock.

The prior offence alleged that on the same day at the

same location, they drove the said vehicles, thereby causing the death of Roxanne Mitchell.

They were both previously placed on $250,000 bail.

According to the Prosecution’s facts, Elcock did not fully recover following the accident and died on July 22. Bail this time around was granted at $100,000 each.

They are going to be brought before the court again on August 15, 2016.

On the day of the accident, Mitchell and her family were returning home, having attended the Flag Raising Ceremony at D’Urban Park.

According to reports, the accident occurred around 01:30h.

Mitchell’s husband told police that the Route 42 bus slammed into the Route 32 bus that his family was travelling in at the time.

As a result of the impact, half of the Mitchell’s body went through the windscreen of the vehicle. The other vehicle that was driven by McCloud then slammed into her, pinning her.

Firefighters on the scene successfully removed the woman’s body from between the two mangled vehicles and rushed her to hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The two drivers also sustained injuries, but were treated and sent away after which they were arrested and charged.

M

cant concerns within the Ministry, Ferguson said, adding that the symposium is thus “timely and pushes to increase transparency and fairness and eliminate corruption throughout education of the procurement act and regulations.”

She stated that the Ministry anticipates that from this symposium they will attract more suppliers of works and services to enhance the competitive bidding process: “We hope that new suppliers with the req-

uisite education and qualifications will be able to qualify and produce quality works and services.”

She indicated that it will advance the reputation of contractors and “the government will get value for money, the citizens are happy and there is less financial burden on the treasury”.

At the symposium new entrants were educated on the National Procurement Act and the prequalification for contracts, as well as how to become compliant with the

Guyana Revenue Authority, National Insurance Scheme, and local insurance companies.

They were able to learn about the bid evaluation process and were privy to a simulation bid submission. This simulation highlighted the “dos and don’ts” of bid submissions and provided participants with realistic examples. Moreover, focus was placed on informing participants on the contract award process, as well as the protest process.

10

guyana-times.com

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016

News

Over 200 Police recruits graduate from Felix Austin Police College

O

ver 200 Police recruits graduated on Friday from the Felix Austin Police College, with the grand ceremony of the “Passing out Parade” being held in the vicinity of Tactical Services Unit Square, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

At the Passing out Parade for the new recruits who completed courses 341, 342, 343, 344, 10 G and 32 B were congratulated and well wishes for their futures were extended by the various superiors of the Guyana Police Force.

Guest Speaker of the event was Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, who commended the new ranks on their completion of the various courses. He relayed to them that their decision to enlist in the

From right: Assistant Commissioner Dale Alves, Commissioner Seelall Persaud and Senior Superintendent Force Training Officer (ag) R Andries-Junor with the group of best students

Police Force is a very important one, highlighting that their career in the field of law enforcement will be determined by the decisions they will continue to make in the future.

“I want to encourage you, go the side of enjoying your work, go the side of making achievements, getting awards, getting recognition because you are doing the right thing,” he advised.

Persaud also told the new recruits that the next step is for them to be deployed, where he hoped they would perform their services in accordance with what they have been trained to do, stressing on the importance of upkeeping the standards of the Guyana Police Force, since citizens have become more trusting of members of

the Force and feel safe knowing law enforcers are present, as compared to previous times.

“You are deployed to stand between the evil we see in the society and the vulnerable that we have so that the evil won’t take advantage. You are being deployed at a time when society is friendlier to the Police and that is not something that comes by chance, we have to work to develop that more and maintain it,” Persaud instructed.

In concluding the ceremony, awards were presented to ranks under the titles of “Most improved”, “Runner up”, and “Best Student” for each course, followed by a march parade including all of the new additions to the Force.

Dr Balwant Singh's Hospital conducts successful pericardiectomy

F

or the first time in Guyana, a pericardiectomy heart surgery was conducted at the Dr Balwant Singh's Hospital, saving the life of a 27-yearold male, who was reportedly told he only had 48 hours to live.

According to Medical

Director and Gynaecologist of the hospital, Dr Madhu Singh, the surgery on Fazil Ghanny, was performed by Dr Jerge Machin.

Dr Singh highlighted that Ghanny was suffering from Constrictive Pericarditis and was being treated at another local hos-

pital. However, when he was informed that he only had 48 hours to live, he contacted the Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital for a second opinion.

According to information provided by the hospital, pericardium is a membranous double layer of tissue

From left: Interventional Cardiologist, Dr Javier Almeida Gomes; Cardiac surgeon, Dr Jerge Machin; and Medical Director and Gynaecologist, Dr Madhu Singh

which encloses the heart.

There is an outer fibrous layer, and an inner serous layer, the visceral pericardium. The visceral pericardium is the layer that adheres directly onto the heart.

Constrictive pericarditis is caused when the pericardium becomes thick and fibrous, preventing the heart from functioning properly.

The thick shell, which would be surrounding the heart in this case, prevents it from expanding when blood enters the right chamber. For very severe cases of constrictive pericarditis, it is essential to undergo a pericardiectomy operation.

Ghanny was initially told that the surgery for his ailment was not possible in Guyana or anywhere in the Caribbean, by the same medical officials who told him his life’s countdown had began.

Fortunately for Ghanny, this was not true as the Cardiac surgeon, Dr Jerge Machin; Interventional Cardiologist, Dr Javier Almeida Gomes and Cardiac Anaesthetist Gabriel Avalos were able to conduct the surgery on the 27-year-old man.

The surgery which was conducted on June 3, 2016, lasted some seven hours, and the patient remained

in the hospital for nine days before he was discharged.

Ghanny related his story electronically to the reporters who were present at a press conference hosted by the hospital on Friday.

“He stayed in the hospital a total of 18 days. Some of that time was spent when we had to stabilise him, we had to take him off of some of the medication that was harming him, we had to put him on some medication that he needed. Once he was relatively stable, that’s when Dr Machin proceeded to do the interview with him,” Dr Madhu Singh highlighted.

Vendor charged with multiple offences

A

Stabroek Market vendor was on Friday brought before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with multiple offences.

Jermaine Williams, 27, of Parfaith Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), pleaded not guilty to all the offences when they were read to him.

The first offence alleged

that on July 18, 2016 at the City Constabulary Outpost, Stabroek, he threatened a Police officer.

Also on the same day, at the same location, he allegedly stole one Shirt Jack valued $20,000, property of Dexter Gonsalves. He also unlawfully and maliciously wounded Dexter Gonsalves.

On the same day at the same location, he unlawfully assaulted Marsha Shears, so as to cause actu-

al bodily harm.

He was also charged with using threatening behaviour on the day in question.

The Police Prosecutor had no objections to bail and it was granted in the sum of $10,000 each for the assault and wounding charges and was granted self-bail for the other offences.

He will return to court on August 17, 2016.

saturDAY, july 23, 2016

guyana-times.com

11

News

Guyana’s upgrade to ‘Upper Middle Income’ economy…

Good news for the Government, bad news for the people – Jaipaul Sharma A fter countless debates on Guyana’s economic growth, a recently released World Bank Classification report has revealed that the country’s economy jumped from being lower middle income to upper middle income from the period July 2015 to July 2016, and Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma has stated that while it is good news for the government, it is bad news for the people.

“It is good because it shows that the government has gained the confidence of the World Bank and indirectly the international community,” but pointed out that this would negatively impact how the country receives loans and concessions.

He stated that Guyana’s interest rate for borrowing will inevitably be higher: “It is good news for the government but bad news for the contractors because definitely the World Bank will say we do not qualify for certain categories of loans and other international bodies will follow suit,” he noted.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

As of July 1, the World Bank signalled the change in Guyana’s classification, bringing the country up to par with China, Brazil, Jamaica and Venezuela, which recently fell from being a high income country.

According to the World Bank, countries are reassigned on July each year, based on the estimate of their Gross National Income

(GNI) per capita for the previous calendar year.

Meanwhile, income grouping remain fixed for the entire fiscal year, even if GNI per capita estimates are being revised.

These countries are classified so that data users can aggregate, and group statistical data of interest, and for the presentation of key statistics. Its main classifications provided are by geographic region, by income group, and by the operational lending categories of the World Bank Group.

Economies are divided into four income groupings: low, lower-middle, uppermiddle, and high, and their Income is measured using GNI per capita, in US dollars, converted from local currency using the World Bank Atlas method.

Lower-middle income economies are countries with a GNI per capita of between US$1026 and US$4035. Upper-middle income economies are the ones with between US$4036 and US$12,475, while high income economies are the ones with a GNI per capita of

Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma

US$12,476 or more.

Sharma stated that the government will now be depending on taxpayers’ money to finance their projects. “…and the taxpayers will demand value for their money,” he added.

Sharma noted that the main criteria used by the World Bank to determine the economy’s income upgrade is the minimum wage,

which is currently at the threshold of $50,000: “We fit the category of an upper middle income economy because when you convert that $50,000 to US and multiply it by 12 you would fit into that category.”

While reports are being pedalled that the sudden upgrade to upper-middle income is due to the discovery of oil offshore Guyana, Minister of State Joseph Harmon stated that the report might not have anything to do with the discovery since the country is not reaping any benefits as yet.

“Production hasn’t started, so it cannot be because we found oil. There has to be other factors that the Bank has noticed and took into account when making their assessment,” he said, noting that the Bank is very intense in its analysis while their reports are generally in-depth.

Recently, ExxonMobil made a massive discovery of oil and gas offshore Guyana in the Stabroek Block however the International Monetary Fund had suggested that production might be-

gin until the next five years.

The discovery, along with the findings of the World Bank has placed Guyana on par with its oil-producing neighbour Venezuela, which was lately lashed with an economic crisis, riots, and food shortage. These factors may have been the reason for the country’s fall from being a high-income economy.

Nevertheless, Harmon stated that Guyana has to be mindful and remember that not everyone is enjoying the “sense of improvement”. So, he opined that the greatest challenge is to move the bulk of the people living in “unfavourable” conditions into a better situation, “so that they can be a part of that feel good” state of mind.

The majority of Guyana’s economic activity comes from agriculture and natural resources sectors. In 2015, the agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining industries accounted for 28 per cent of total Gross Domestic Product, while bauxite, sugar, rice, gold and timber made up 83 per cent of exports.

12 NEWS

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Presidential Guards thrill audience “We are looking for at Drill Competition other places to house vendors” – Mayor Relocation of Stabroek Market vendors

Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green

I

n light of Town Clerk Royston King’s announcement of a three month extension to be given to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) for the “Parliament View Mall”, and the owner’s counter that “no extension will be given”, the Mayor of Georgetown relayed that the M&CC is currently “looking at other places to house vendors.”

According to Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green, there have been many efforts made to compromise with the owner of the land – on which the Parliament View Mall sits – Haresh Narine Sugrim, with regards to gaining an extension to have vendors ply their trade at the location for another three months.

However, since Sugrim has been adamant in his decision, the Mayor said she has no other choice but to look

elsewhere in hopes of finding another location to have the Stabroek Market vendors relocated once again.

“Mr Sugrim continues to say there’s no hope for an extension, and while we are still in talks with him, we are looking at other avenues of where we can relocate the vendors because we have some time until August and so our market’s Public Health Committee is looking at every single, possible area that we can think about to have them relocated,” she said.

Sometime in late April, Town Clerk Royston King announced during a meeting with some 400 vendors that they would be removed for four months to facilitate a clean-up exercise as part of an overarching plan to secure the integrity and health of the Stabroek Market Square.

The vendors were then removed and relocated to a plot of land now known as the Parliament View Mall, with a promise to be given a permanent location soon.

The owner of the plot of land in an agreement with the Mayor and City Council, agreed to facilitate the vendors for a period of three months.

Earlier in July, King announced that he was hoping for an additional three months extension to be given on the plot of land, but Sugrim later responded that he would not be extending the agreement, and he had no intention of changing his decision.

The Presidential Guard team displayed precision during their drill display during the Drill Competition Finals on Friday

R

anks from various units within the Guyana Police Force put on a spectacular show on Friday afternoon at the Tactical Services Unit Drill Square, Eve Leary, when the Annual Drill Competition Finals were held.

This year’s competition saw the participation of five teams, including two female teams. The event was attended by senior, junior and former members of the Force as well as civilians, mostly relatives of the participants.

The participating teams were the Presidential Guard, Tactical Services Unit (TSU) and A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara) in the male category; while the two female teams; B Division (Berbice) and Special Constabulary, competed against each other.

The programme which faced a 30-minute delay before commencement, went on for almost three hours, during which the audience was thrilled by spectacular performances by the five teams.

The female teams were the first to showcase their drill techniques followed by their male competitors. The first team to perform was the Special Constabulary, fol-

B Division copped Best Female Team and Best Female Instructor

lowed by the team from B Division, putting on a great display that pushed them to the top spot in their category.

Even though the efforts of the female ranks were lauded and received excellent responses from the audience, it was the male teams that stole the show with their sharp drill moves. The first male team to display their techniques was the TSU followed by the Presidential Guard and then the team from A Division.

While the routines for the latter two were similar, the Presidential Guard team was a crowd favourite and rightly so. With a display of sharp precision and coordinated manoeuvres, they emerged

the winners in the competition, bagging the top spot in the male category. The President Guard team will now have bragging rights as the Force’s Best Drill Team for the next year or so.

In announcing the winners, Chief Judge, retired Police Superintendent Franklin Mingo disclosed that the teams were judged on the foot and arms drills in the various exercises and their instructors were judged on the word of command and personal drills.

According to Mingo, it was a keen competition of drilling, which shows there are members of the Force who possess the art of drilling. “We saw some beauti-

ful drills when we talk about flare… all the squads did well in the different flares and it shows they understand,” he stated.

In the female category, B Division copped the Best Team with 80.6 points while Special Constabulary scored 76 points. The Best Female Instructor was from B Division as well, with 16.3 points, barely beating Special Constabulary who got 16 points.

As it relates to the male category for the Best Team prize, the Presidential Guard secured the top spot with 93 points, while A Division came in second with 85.6 points, followed by TSU in third place with 85 points.

The Best Male Instructor went to Corporal Semple from the Presidential Guard who scored a perfect 20 points. The TSU managed to cop the second best instructor spot with 18 points, placing A Division in third with 17.6 points.

The Drill Competition within the Police Force was established to produce Policemen and women who are proud, alert and obedient; and those who bring a level of discipline using oral and silent command. The competition is also used to enhance drills in the Force and also to provide the basis for team work.

NEWS

13

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Dutch Risk Reduction team mission report

Government urged to be more proactive in flood management T

he Government of Guyana has been urged to be more proactive in its approach towards flood and water management; a move that could essentially help in the lowering of flood risks in the city.

The recommendation was made by the Dutch Risk Management (DRR) team, who upon the request of Government, carried out a mission to specify what could be done to better operate and manage the drainage system of Georgetown and the low-lying coastal areas.

In July 2015, extreme rainfall had caused severe disruptions to the daily lives of persons living in Georgetown, as well as in several agricultural coastal areas. According to the Public Infrastructure Ministry, the losses incurred in the agricultural sector alone were more than US$100 million. In addition to the direct damage, it was noted that city flooding also caused serious health threats due to potential spread of water-borne diseases.

Flooding is not an unusual situation for the lowlying areas of Guyana, with typical topographic heights around Mean Sea Level (MSL).

Inundations occurred many times in the

past, with sometimes devastating effects, such as the 1934 and 2005 floods.

With that in mind, Government last year requested the Government of The Netherlands to provide their expertise on its drainage situation, both for Georgetown and the lowlying agricultural coastlands. The official request from the Guyanese Public Infrastructure Ministry was sent to The Netherlands Embassy in Suriname on August 3, 2015. In the letter dispatched, it was also requested that they comment on the coastal defence strategy, but it was decided during kick-off meetings that the focus should be on the drainage problems.

In a report released on Thursday, the DRR team said the key issue overarching all the topics is that the present approach in Guyana to flooding is largely reactive.

“Action is generally only taken once a problem has occurred and plans are made basically on a project-byproject scale and crisis-driven. An example is the placement of extra mobile pumps after the discharge capacity under gravity turned out to be insufficient. Other examples are the recent removal of solid waste, the excavation of drainage tunnels, or helping each other in case of shortage of equipment,” the DRR report noted.

The report said a “proac-

Amidst Venezuela’s economic crisis

tive” approach has advantages as it generally lowers flood risks and can avoid dangerous situations, which in the future, may be less manageable.

“This will be the case under less favourable conditions, such as combined high precipitation and high tides.

Due to a lack of data or statistical analysis, it is not yet possible to determine the probability of occurrence of such extreme combined events, but it is clear to the team that the current flood management system is vulnerable and may collapse dramatically under such unprecedented conditions”, the DRR team, headed by Rob Steijn, said.

The report noted that

considering the economic situation of Guyana and the relative ease with which the flooding occurs under normal conditions, it is not recommended to consider new large scale, expensive infrastructure.

“Instead, it is advised that Guyana take a large number of small steps over a period of several years (short and medium-term) that will increase the knowledge and the collective ownership of the drainage infrastructure among local experts, the Government, and the people of Guyana,” the DDR team expounded in the report.

The report also outlined that by increasing trust, cooperation and local expertise, Guyana can become a

“South-American example of effective and efficient water management”.

This report also provides suggestions to make Guyana’s approach towards water management in general and drainage in particular more integrated and more proactive. The suggestions cover a wide palette of topics and include making a long-term project plan to gradually develop the hydraulic drainage model for Georgetown; improving flood resiliency of people and upgrade small-scale floating dredging capabilities; specify the requirements for small scale floating dredgers for the city of Georgetown and justify the investment based on a cost/benefit calculation.

Also, the report highlighted that it should be decided on whether there should be a public or a private entity to run the “City Dredging Operations”, among others.

The DRR team visited Guyana in the period of November 22-26, 2015. The various components of the Georgetown drainage system were visited, a fly-over across the entire coastline was made and interviews were held with leading representatives from governing agencies, potential funding agencies (EC) and relevant stakeholders.

Tourism ties between Guyana and Brazil strengthened T

ies between Guyanese and Brazilian tourism operators have been strengthened following a networking conference in Boa Vista, Brazil, last week which sought to promote enhanced awareness of the Rupununi and its potential to develop a better understanding of the Brazilian market.

According to a statement from Visit Rupununi, the Brazilians also want to see more of their country and states like Roraima in collaboration with Guyana. It stated that shopping tourism and community-based tourism are becoming more attractive avenues for Brazilian travellers.

The two-day confer-

International-Guyana (CIGuyana).

It stated that the collaboration was regarded by participants as timely and a significant step in developing the cross border tourism sectors in Guyana’s Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) and its neighbouring state, Roraima in Brazil.

Some of Guyana tourism products on display

It was disclosed during the conference that interest in Guyana had risen due to the economic and political turmoil in Venezuela, which was once a popular destination for Brazilians.

ence was organised by Visit Rupununi, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism for Roraima; Vice Consul, Brazil to Guyana; Consulate General of Guyana to Brazil; and Conservation

However, challenges were discussed and both countries highlighted the difficulties which needed to be overcome in order to facilitate tourism development.

TURN TO PAGE 16

14

guyana-times.com

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016

Regional

Everything Irie: Potential Drought "shuts down trade war between Amazon carbon sink" Jamaica and T&T averted

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left), in dialogue with Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, during the latter’s trip to Jamaica

I

f there was any fear that recent boycott calls out of Jamaica would have taken root and led to a full trade war with its Caribbean neighbour, Trinidad and Tobago, the twin-island republic’s leader is declaring that potential crisis has been averted.

During an official fiveday trip to Jamaica that ended on Thursday, Dr Keith Rowley suggested he had faced down the challenge and come out on top.

The denial of entry to groups of Jamaicans who arrived at the Piarco International Airport ear-

lier this year had reignited concerns about the ill-treatment of Jamaican nationals by immigration officials in other Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries. The dispute reached the stage where Jamaican manufacturers suggested that residents show their displeasure by not purchasing anything made in Trinidad and Tobago. The development also highlighted trade imbalances between the two countries and triggered accusations of unfair trade practices on the part of businesses in the oil-rich nation.

Those matters were high on the agenda when Dr Rowley met with his Jamaican counterpart, Andrew Holness, this week.

The Trinidadian leader said he was heading back home, confident that “whatever flickered will not turn into a flame”. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

A

recent drought shut down the Amazon Basin's carbon sink by killing trees and slowing trees' growth rates, a study has shown. The term carbon sink refers to the ability of a natural zone to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.

In the first basin-wide study of the impacts of the 2010 drought, data showed trees' mortality rate went up while growth rates declined.

The findings have been published by the Global Biogeochemical Cycles journal. The Amazon Basin is a key player in the Earth's carbon cycle, holding 17 per cent

of the terrestrial vegetation carbon stock.

An international team of scientists studied the effects of two drought events, in 2005 and 2010, that affected large swathes of forest across the region, using data from the long-running Rainfor network that gathers data from almost 100 locations across the Amazon Basin.

Co-author Ted Feldpausch from the University of Exeter, UK, said the study was the first large-scale, direct demonstration of tropical drought slowing tree growth, describing the findings as "extremely important".

He told BBC News that the droughts had effectively shut down Amazonia's function as a carbon sink.

Dr Feldpausch said the study's results showed that the response of trees to droughts was complex and dynamic. "It certainly does raise a new set of questions because something did change in the way that these trees responded to drought, so it raises questions about other environmental conditions that are changing across the Amazon basin, such as the temperature increasing," he suggested. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Colombia reaches deal with truckers to lift 45-day strike

OAS report on T&T secondary students: Marijuana use on rise

A

recently-released report by the InterAmerican Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) of the Organisation of American States (OAS) has found that a growing number of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) secondary school students are turning to the recreational use of marijuana.

The report notes an increase in prevalence from 6.4 per cent in 2010 to 10.7 per cent in 2013 in T&T. The regional average is 8.8 per cent. Over 4,100 local stu-

dents were surveyed.

The CICAD report reflects research conducted in 13 countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and T&T. Ironically, in Jamaica, which has more relaxed laws on the use of marijuana, there has been little change in prevalence among secondary school students, 21.1 per cent of whom have tried it

at least once, lower than in countries such as Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Kitts and Nevis.

In T&T, close to 70 per cent of students said they had tried alcohol at least once, about 49.4 per cent within the previous 12 months and 27.6 per cent less than a month before being surveyed, with girls marginally outnumbering boys. This was almost three times the prevalence for recent marijuana use.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Panama launches investigation into 1989 US invasion

T

he Government in Panama has launched an investigation into the US invasion in 1989 that overthrew military strongman General Manuel Noriega.

The commission is expected to determine how many people died during the operation, and to identify them.

It will also assess whether relatives of the victims deserve compensation.

Officially 514 Panamanian soldiers and civilians were killed but some local groups say the real number is closer to 1000.

Twenty-three US military personnel died.

"Panama is seeking to heal its wounds," said the country's vice president and foreign minister, Isabel de Saint Malo.

"There can be no reconciliation if the truth is not known," she added. The

Cyclists are seen near burning tires during a truckers' strike in Bogota, Colombia, July 20

C

o l o m b i a ' s Government and truckers unions reached a deal on Friday to lift a 45-day strike that has snarled coffee exports and pushed up alreadyhigh inflation as foodstuff were blocked from moving around the Andean country.

The two sides reached agreement on cargo prices and the gradual removal of old vehicles, ending the longest and most costly strike in Colombian history, but failed to agree on toll road and fuel costs.

"The immobilisation of

cargo transport has been lifted," Transport Minister Jorge Eduardo Rojas told reporters. Trucking union president Orlando Ramirez said the deal "satisfied the needs" of the sector.

One person was killed during clashes, and the governor of Boyaca province was injured in a highway accident that authorities blamed on protesters.

The strike, which began in early June, caused sharp rises in food prices, clogged ports and hit exports of the country's high-quality arabica coffee.

"The deal is realistic and

fair. To have ceded to the unions which backed the strike would have meant a disproportionate and permanent increase in costs for families and a hard hit to the country's competitiveness," President Juan Manuel Santos said in a statement.

Coffee growers are already struggling because of a drought caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon, and bracing for coming heavy rains, but the strike may send exports plunging by half in July, the coffee federation told Reuters this month. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Dominica takes lead in renewable energy use in Caricom

W

Manuel Noriega, who is now 83 years old, is currently serving a prison sentence in Panama

83-year-old Manuel Noriega is now in prison in Panama, for ordering the disappearance of dissidents during his

1983-1989 rule.

He has already served sentences in the US and France. (BBC News)

ith renewables accounting for 28 per cent of electricity generation, Dominica is the Caribbean Community (Caricom) member which consumes the largest proportion of its energy from renewable sources, according to the newly released ECLAC study ‘Barriers to Identification and Implementation of Energy Efficiency Mechanisms and Enhancing Renewable Energy Technologies in the Caribbean’.

In the wake of the 20082011 financial crisis, and recognising that its depen-

dency on fossil energy increased its vulnerability to supply and price fluctuations, Dominica decided to pursue sustainable energy strategies that support the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives.

Today, Dominica is at the forefront in the use of renewable sources of energy among the OECS countries, having achieved 28 per cent of its present electricity generation from hydropower and wind.

Dominica aims to become energy self-sufficient by 2020. As much as US$20

million in investments have already been made to develop the island’s geothermal energy potential. Solar and wind energy sources also exhibit high potential to satisfy this country’s energy needs.

The new ECLAC study forms part of a series of reports on Sustainable Energy in the Caribbean commissioned jointly with the German Federal Enterprise for International Cooperation.

The studies recognise that there are many barriers to the development of renewable energy technology in the Caribbean.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016

guyana-times.com

Around the World

German-Iranian gunman kills at least 8 in Munich shopping mall, found dead later

A

n 18-year-old GermanIranian gunman who apparently acted alone opened fire in a busy shopping mall in Munich on Friday evening, killing at least nine people in the third attack against civilians in Western Europe in eight days.

Police, citing eyewitness accounts, had initially said they were looking for up to three suspects in the shooting attack at the Munich Olympia Shopping Centre that sent shoppers fleeing in panic and shut traffic across the city.

There was no known motive for the shooting in Germany's third largest city, which went into lockdown with transport halted and highways sealed off immediately after the attack.

A suspected lone gunman attacked a busy mall in the German city of Munich on Friday evening, killing at least eight people and sending shoppers running for their lives from what police said was a terrorist attack.

Authorities told the public to get off the streets as the city – Germany's third biggest – went into lockdown with transport halted and highways sealed off.

A Police spokesman has

Special force Police Officers stand guard at an entrance of the main train station, following a shooting rampage at the Olympia shopping mall in Munich

initially said that three gunmen were on the run after the initial shooting subsided. The city was placed under a state of emergency as Police hunted for them.

"We are telling the people of Munich there are shooters on the run who are dangerous," he said. "We are urging people to stay indoors." Police said later that eight people had been killed and an undetermined number wounded.

A ninth body had also been found and they were checking to see it was one of the gunmen. As special forces deployed in the city, some people remained holed up in the Olympia shopping center which police said had been evacuated. It was the third

major act of violence against civilians in Western Europe in eight days.

But in the early hours of today, it was confirmed that the pistol-wielding attacker, identified by Munich Police Chief Hubertus Andrae as a dual national, was later found dead of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.

Authorities told a news conference early today that the shooter was believed to have staged the attack alone, opening fire in a fast food restaurant before moving on to the mall. Sixteen people, including several children, were injured in the attack and three were in critical condition, Andrae said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

17 ships for S&R operation for missing Indian Air Force aircraft

A

n Indian Air Force plane carrying 23 personnel and six crew members, onboard went missing Friday while making its way back to Port Blair from Chennai. The An-32 aircraft, which was on a routine courier-run, took off from Chennai at 08:30h and was expected to arrive at 11:30h at Port Blair. The aircraft, however, went missing at 09:15h after climbing to an

15

altitude of 23,000 feet.

Rescue operations are currently underway to locate the aircraft. But extensive searches have not so far been able to locate the aircraft. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said that all efforts are being made to trace the aircraft and the service personnel on board.

Five military planes and four Navy warships have been

dispatched to assist rescue efforts in Bay of Bengal. Media reports claim that bad weather could have played a role in forcing the aircraft off its flight path.

Three snags were reported in the same An-32 aircraft in the month of July itself. The An-32 aircraft is a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft. (The Indian

Express)

14 bodies found after 'execution' in Benghazi, Libya

F

ourteen unidentified bodies with shot wounds to the head have been found in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, a hospital official said on Friday.

The United Nation (UN) Libya envoy Martin Kobler said he was "shocked and dismayed by the summary execution," labeling it a war crime and calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.

The bodies were recovered from Laithi, a neighborhood that forces loyal to eastern commander Khalifa

Haftar captured this year from a loose alliance of Islamists and other opponents.

Military officials from Haftar's forces refused to comment, saying the incident was under investigation.

Benghazi has seen some of the heaviest violence of the sporadic conflict that developed after Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in an uprising in 2011.

Haftar has been waging a military campaign there for the past two years against a coalition of armed groups

called the Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries.

His forces have advanced in several areas in recent months, but have not gained full control over the city.

Campaign group Amnesty International said on Thursday that air strikes

by Haftar's forces were endangering the lives of scores of detainees being held captive in Benghazi.

Amnesty said it appeared that the Shura Council may be using the captives as human shields, which can constitute a war crime. (Excerpt from Reuters)

IMF boss Christine Lagarde to stand trial in Tapie case

F

rance's highest appeals court has ordered Christine Lagarde, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to stand trial over her role in a massive state payout in 2008, when she was the French Finance Minister.

The court dismissed on Friday Lagarde's challenge against a Judge's order in December to try her for negligence in her handling of a dispute between a stateowned bank and controversial business tycoon Bernard Tapie.

Tapie walked away at the time with US$445 million of taxpayers' money in compensation after Lagarde ordered the long-running row over the sale of his stake in sportswear giant Adidas to be resolved by arbitration.

Lagarde's lawyer Patrick Maisonneuve expressed re-

Lagarde will be the third successive IMF chief to face trial

gret over Friday's decision, saying he was "convinced" that Lagarde would be "absolved of all responsibility".

IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said that its executive board had been briefed on the matter and continued to have confidence in Lagarde's capacity to carry out her functions.

IMF chiefs on trial Lagarde, 60, will be the third

successive IMF chief to face trial. Her predecessor, compatriot Dominique StraussKahn resigned from his IMF post in 2011 to fight sexual assault allegations in the United States.

Spain's former IMF chief Rodrigo Rato has also been ordered to stand trial for misusing funds when he was head of Spanish lender Bankia. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Syrian Opposition turns to Search for Flight MH370 to be Pokemon to win support

suspended, possibly forever

S

yrian Opposition groups have taken advantage of a global Pokemon craze to draw the world's attention to the plight of children caught up in the country's five-year civil war.

Photographs of children in besieged Syrian towns holding pictures of Pokemon characters and appealing for help were published by the Syrian National Coalition, an alliance of Western-backed activist and rebel groups.

Their release is an attempt to capitalise on the success of "Pokemon GO", which challenges players on smartphones to go to real-world locations to capture the cuddly monsters using the phone's camera.

"If you are looking for a Pokemon you can find it in Syria," the coalition said on Twitter through their communications arm, the Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office.

Many Syrians feel the world is ignoring a conflict which has killed more than a quarter of a million people, displaced half the population, and left hundreds of thousands trapped by either government or rebel forces.

One photograph of a child with

T

A combination picture shows boys holding banners depicting Pokemon characters in these handouts pictures provided on July 22 by the Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office. The banners read: (Top-R) "I am from Kafr Naboudah, save me". (Top-L) "I am trapped in Douma in Eastern Ghouta, Help me." (Bottom-R) "I am in Kafr Nabl in rural Idlib, come and save me!" (Bottom-L) "I am in Eastern Ghouta in Syria, come and get me!"

the Pokemon character "Pikachu" reads, "I am trapped in Douma in east Ghouta. Help me." Douma is a suburb of Damascus besieged by government forces. Bombardments are

a daily occurrence there and in the surrounding neighborhoods, which hold tens of thousands of civilians according to the United Nations.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

he hunt for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 will be suspended once the current search area in the Indian Ocean has been completely scoured, the ministers of the three countries conducting the operation announced on Friday, possibly ending all hopes of solving aviation's greatest mystery.

"In the absence of new evidence, Malaysia, Australia and China have collectively decided to suspend the search upon completion of the 120,000 square kilometer (46,332 square mile) search area", Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said after a meeting with his Australiana and Chinese counterparts.

He said suspension of the search does not mean an end to it.

"Should credible new in-

formation emerge which can be used to identify the specific location of the aircraft, consideration will be given in determining next steps," he said, reading out from a joint statement. But it was clear that the searchers have given up hopes of finding the jetliner with less than 10,000 square kilometer (3800 sq mile) left to be searched.

In their statement, the ministers acknowledged that "the likelihood of finding the aircraft is fading."

The Boeing 777 vanished more than two years ago while on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014. It is believed to have turned back and dropped into the Indian Ocean west of Australia, where the search has been concentrated. (Excerpt from New Zealand

Herald)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016

News

Lawyer blasts poor conditions at Govt may prosecute nonGeorgetown Magistrates’ Courts compliant UG loans students – Jr Finance Minister

O

n Thursday, July 21 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, a host of Police officers and a prominent attorney condemned the conditions of the Court comparing the City’s premiere place of justice to that of a place of filth.

The Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts is located at the corner of Avenue of the Republic and Brickdam, and houses 12 court rooms that are functional on most days.

In 2011 court sessions were halted at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to facilitate rehabilitation that lasted for three years. The total cost of rehabilitation to the justice facility was reported as $160 million, $30 million more than its intended cost.

Attorney Leslie Sobers lashed out at the deplorable physical conditions of the Court after it recently devouring a large sum of taxpayers’ money in rehabilitation.

Sobers said: “Firstly, there is no fire escape at this court; if a fire should ensue here, we are all dead.

There is no way to escape here, all of the walls are built to the ceiling, and this is a fire trap.

“Basic necessities are not provided at this court.

If you want to enter a court room, you have to slide your hands through the crack between the doors and pull it because there is no handle.”

Sobers highlighted the need for a briefing room for

Attorney Leslie Sobers

lawyers at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts: “If you want to brief your client before entering the courtroom, you have to it in the open of the corridor, likewise with the prosecution if they want to brief their witnesses they have to do it in the open as well.”

Sobers continued that he had spoken to the registry before on these same matters but no changes have been made thus far.

They are 12 courtrooms with only one gent’s washroom; he questioned the gent’s population of the Magistrates’ Courts to the one washroom facility.

He raised the concern of human rights for prisoners in the small holding cell where they have to stand for hours after being transported early in the mornings, and having to wait even more hours before their cases are called during the day.

No security measures are in place to prevent prisoners from being injured

since they are brought to the courts in the open, Sobers stressed.

A Police Officer speaking to this publication relayed the lack of cooperation of the staff at the Court to the Police Officers. He said the guards at the facility are often lackadaisical in their duties and are not vigilant, hence placing added pressure on the officers at court.

Another officer added that the staff performing maintenance duties are not up to date in their duties which are resulting in the poor sanitary conditions there.

According to the Police Officer: “Personally, I have never used the washroom at the court from the scent alone, I do not want to see what it looks like, I have been told it is the worst and I wish not to confirm that but it is very bad that we cannot have simple sanitary facilities to utilise while we execute out duties.”

Upon entering the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts one is greeted with the high pungent scent of the washroom that seems to be used by very little of the Court’s population.

The courtrooms parallel to the roadways are often disturbed by the ongoing heavy traffic.

The Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts faces a number of issues relating to the poor conditions at the facility daily.

Tourism ties between...

CONTINUE FROM PAGE 13

It pointed out that there is limited information on Guyana and the Rupununi, expensive travel cost, the language barrier, policy regulations in relation to crossborder movement of people and vehicles, as well as the state of the Lethem to Linden road – all serving as barriers.

Thus, the participants proposed action plans be developed to tackle these issues.

Further, as another result of this collaboration, Visit Rupununi and its affiliated tourism operators were invited by their Brazilian counterparts to share an exhibition booth at the Associação Brasileira de Agéncias de Viagems (ABAV) International Tourism Expo in São Paulo, Brazil in September. ABAV is the largest tourism fair in Brazil.

In the interim, Visit Rupununi will be hosting a ‘familiarisation trip’ at the end of August

throughout the Rupununi for tour operators from Roraima (Brazil) who have indicated a strong interest in including the region as part of their tourism packages. This activity will allow for the Brazilian operators to learn and understand Guyana and the Rupununi products they intend to market as part of their programmes.

Guyana was represented by tour operators Ron Allicock, of Ron Allicock Birding Tours; Melanie McTurk of Karanambu Lodge; Jacqueline Allicock of Surama EcoLodge; Jonathan Joseph of Ariwa Beach; Kayla De Freitas and Leroy Ignacio of Rupununi Trails; and Daniel Gajie of Rupununi Eco Hotel.

It was stated that the Brazilian operators indicated that their customers want to explore additional tourism markets.

These markets included spiritual tourism (reconnecting with nature)

and gastronomic tourism (tasting cultural dishes unique to a country).

Guyana’s unique and diverse cultures and the Rupununi’s distinct natural environment and indigenous cultures were outlined as attractions that can support both markets.

The event was supported by Conservation International-Guyana under the “Leveraging Natural Capital in Guyana’s Rupununi” project being implemented by the organisation.

This project is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), and will create and strengthen sustainable local-level communitybased enterprises with a focus on nature-based tourism and agriculture, which have been indicated as the most adequate tool to foster sustainable development in the Rupununi.

J

unior Finance Minster Jaipaul Sharma has stated that the government may move to prosecute noncompliant students who have not repaid their student loans.

Sharma stated that government wants compliance and the only way would be to find inducements to get persons to repay their loans. He stated that government has developed a number of strategies to regain billions of dollars owed to the University of Guyana’s Student Loan Scheme and one of those is to bring charges against students who do not comply.

He stated that the committee which has been set up to monitor the Student Loan Agency (SLA) records will likely be advising to take further actions.

He asserted also that this measure will be “a motivating factor” for persons to pay off the fees.

Sharma explained that although the contract the students signed is legally binding it has never been implemented nor enforced, and so the election of a legal team to oversee this aspect would be advisable.

A recent forensic au-

dit into UG Student Loan Agency revealed that from 1994 to May 2015, some 17,567 or 69.4 per cent of 25,335 student loans were delinquent after students were not honouring their contracts.

This means some $10 billion in student loans is outstanding to the university. Among the non-compliant students are several prominent attorneys, magistrates and politicians.

Government’s spokesman Raphael Trotman had told the media on Wednesday that Cabinet had received a report which contained several recommendations for the University of Guyana’s SLA to recover the outstanding fees.

Trotman excused himself from divulging too details, promismany ing that Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who headed the subcommittee that compiled the report and made the recommendations, is expected to hold a press briefing on the issue shortly.

The Minister disclosed that among the proposals presented to Cabinet on Tuesday is the waiver of the interest rates attached to the loans.

Trotman explained that the interest waiver would be made across-the-board.

He went on to dismiss assertions that the wavier was done in favour of several high profile individuals who still owe the agency. He pointed out that before these persons became ‘high profile’, there were just mere students of the tertiary institution.

“We are not looking at the profile they hold now, we are looking at the fact that they were students of the institution known as the University of Guyana and should be treated fairly and equally… The point is not to waive interests of any individual but to look across the board at how we can, in our Jubilee year, make an offer to past students that is good in their interests,” he stated.

When questioned about a waiver on the interest rates for the loans, Sharma responded that the previous administration never attempted to recoup the funds and “so whatever we gain would be a plus.”

Earlier this year, Jordon had stated that Cabinet was working on a ‘paper’ to recover the more than $10 billion in loans.

Councillor storms out of LM&TC extraordinary meeting

H

eated deliberations at a recently held extraordinary meeting of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) saw a Councillor storming out and accusing Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland and Councillors of not operating within the law of the Council.

The meeting which was held inside the conference room of the LM&TC to discuss a number of developments within the municipality saw Councillor Derron John informing the Council of his intentions to put forward a motion, to which the Mayor noted would be addressed at the end of the meeting.

However, later on in the meeting, when it was brought to the attention of the Council once again, the move was objected to by Councillor Lennox Gasper, who threatened to leave the meeting, should such a move to facilitate Councillor John be undertaken by the Council.

According to Gasper, by law, such a move is not allowed at such a meeting, and this resulted in him standing up several times

to defend his decision before the Council.

Before storming out, Gasper noted that the move would be in “contravention of the law of this Council” and said it would be “operating outside of Chapter 28:01...

The Mayor apparently is the Council in the absence of the Council, this is an absent Council,” Gasper stated shortly before storming out. Councillor Fern McKoy also stood up to defend the decision, which resulted in a heated exchange between herself and the Mayor.

Mayor Holland noted however that Councillor John did indicate that it was “urgent public business” and therefore it was alright to proceed.

“In fairness to the Councillor, I don’t know the nature of his concern and what it is he’s bringing to the table. We already gave him a commitment at the start. I got no objection at the start and now we’ve reached this point and we’re looking to deny him that opportunity which I gave to him at the start. If you had any objections, I believe you should

have brought it then... I already committed the Council to hear Councillor John and whatever matter he wants to bring to the table,” Holland iterated.

Councillors Gasper and McKoy had also stressed that they were being sidelined by the Mayor during the meeting. McKoy voiced the concern before the Council that she had indicated her interest in speaking on the issue at the meeting by means of a show of hand but was completely “ignored” for some time by Mayor Holland.

Similarly, Gasper stressed that whenever it was his time to speak, he was the only Councillor given one minute by the Mayor to do so.

“Mr Mayor, you are wrong... this is not the way to go. It’s going to backfire on the entire Council,” McKoy stated.

She alleged also that there are decisions being made within the Council that she is unaware of and meetings held in her absence. In the end, however, the Council did not go through with the decision to entertain the motion.

NEWS

17

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Bureau of Standards seeking to have new metrology bill passed in Parliament

Drop-in Centre fire

Preliminary report handed over to Govt

Representatives of the GNBS: from left, PRO Lloyd David and Candelle Walcott–Bostwick, head of Conformity Department

T

he Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is pushing to have a new Legal Metrology Bill passed in Parliament. This, the GNBS said, could be done by possibly amending the old Weights and Measures Act that was established since 1981.

This bill will address the modernisation of the metrology standards towards a revised Weights and Measures Act. Legal Metrology is the science of measurement or a system of weights and measures which generally covers requirements related to trade and to health and safety.

Lloyd David, public relations officer of GNBS told the Government Information Agency that the bill will be drafted to review the obsolete 1981 Act. “Currently we have our 1981 Weights and Measures Act. 1981 to 2016 has been a while and we have recognised the need (for a new Bill),

things have changed.

What we intend to do is to relook at our Metrology Bill, revise our Metrology Bill and at the end when it becomes an Act we enforce the Act, and people will be satisfied,” David explained.

The GNBS will be hosting public consultations from September in all 10 Administrative regions, giving stakeholders the chance to learn about the current Act, and to contribute towards its revision.

The agency has projected a year-end deadline for the Bill to be presented in parliament. Head of Conformity Assessment Department Candelle Walcott-Bostwick noted that after two sets of consultations, the information will be compiled and forwarded to the Minister of Business and Tourism for the document to be tabled in Parliament: “I would foresee an end-of-year deadline because after the consultations, the second round of

consultations would have been completed, we would send it to our subject minister which he is going to deliberate on, and then take it to parliament.”

Once the revised act is passed, it would encourage manufacturers using weighing and measuring devices to comply with the rules and regulations of the Act. The Legal Metrology Bill will impact the manufacturing industry which depends on these devices for trade and the generation of income.

The Bill will also provide GNBS with the capability of verifying accuracy of weights and measures taken in all sectors.

Upon passing of the revised act, the GNBS would further seek to expand the Legal Metrology services currently offered at its laboratory.

A National Metrology Institute is in the pipeline for establishment in a few years’ time.

Hillary Clinton selects Tim Kaine as her running mate

D

e m o c r a t ic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton has selected Tim Kaine, a moderate senator from Virginia, as her running mate.

Clinton broke the news in a text message to her supporters. She plans a formal announcement on Saturday. Clinton passed over more left-leaning candidates in favour of the 58-year-old senator who opposes abortion and supports free-trade agreements.

His home state of Virginia is a major battleground in the coming election. Kaine also speaks fluent Spanish and could help the Clinton campaign maintain its support among Hispanic Americans – a growing voting bloc.

Mrs Clinton said Senator Kaine has “devoted his life to fighting for others”

An experienced politician who has been toughly vetted, he is considered a “safe” choice for the Vice President slot.

Kaine was a finalist to be Barack Obama’s running mate in 2008 and served as Virginia gover-

nor before his time in the Senate.

Clinton also reportedly interviewed liberal firebrand Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Senator Cory Booker, an African-American senator from New Jersey. (BBC

News)

Retired Commissioner, Colonel Windee Algernon handing over the preliminary report from the inquiry into the deadly Hadfield Street Drop-In Centre fire to Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Friday

I

n keeping with commitments made to President David Granger, retired Colonel Windee Algernon on Tuesday handed over the report to Government with the preliminary findings into the recent fire at the State-run Drop-in Centre that claimed the lives of two young boys.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the report was handed over to Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Friday at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Last week, the Head of State ordered an inquiry into the incident in which six-year-old Antonio George and his two-yearold brother Joshua George were killed.

Colonel Algernon was commissioned to conduct the probe to determine the circumstances surrounding the fire and make recommendations to prevent any recurrence.

At the simple handing over ceremony on Friday, Minister Harmon, upon receiving the document, acknowledged that the preliminary report was submitted by July 22, in accordance with the Terms of Reference outlined for the Commission of Inquiry. He noted that the report will be passed on to President Granger for his perusal, while the final one will be sent to Cabinet for review when it is received.

Meanwhile, as the probe into the tragic incident continues, the Head of State has declared that if anyone is found culpable of negligence then they will be held accountable.

“If any persons are culpable of gross negligence or dereliction of duties, yes we will make a judgment as to whether they are fit to hold those positions and

if you equate that with rolling of heads, then yes,” the President posited.

Nevertheless, he outlined that the aim of the inquiry is to prevent a reoccurrence. “We need to find out what happened and prevent a reoccurrence. In investigating what occurred, if we find that there was gross dereliction of duties, yes persons who omitted to commit acts, which would have prevented that catastrophe will be punished and if the punishment proposed is that they be removed from their positions so be it,” Granger told reporters on the weekly televised programme, the Public Interest.

Just after midnight on July 8, the two young brothers perished in a fire which occurred at the Drop-in Centre on Hadfield Street, Georgetown. According to reports, the elder brother Antonio was asleep in the dormitory when the fire started and as the younger brother Joshua was being taken out of the building by caregivers, he realised that his brother was not with him.

The two-year-old managed to free himself from the grip of the caregiver and ran back into the burning building. The two brothers were then trapped in the building and their charred remains were subsequently recovered.

Social Service Assistants Sandra Jones and Rupert Hinds, who were in charge of the 31 children at the Dropin Centre, were given a chance to describe the events leading up to the tragic incident.

According to Jones, who was in charge of the girls’ department in the upper flat of the Centre, said she noticed sparks emanating

from a nearby electrical wire which quickly erupted into a flame and began spreading into an uncontrollable blaze.

She said that she began awakening the girls, who then rushed out of the burning building to safety, while she tried to battle the flames with the fire extinguishers.

“I was in the dorm upstairs and the girls already drop to sleep and whilst sitting down, I noticed the electrical wire on the wall, start giving this whizzing sound, and next thing I know, there’s a big bunch of fire all over the place. I wake the girls up and try to save as much of them I can. I saved all my girls. I got out all of the girls,” she related.

However, Hinds, who was in charge of the boys, explained that when Jones alerted him to the fire, he tried to get the boys to safety, and then moved to assist Jones in taming the fire.

Meanwhile, Director of the Child Care Protection Agency (CCPA), Ann Greene had disclosed that the two brothers along with three other siblings were taken into the care of the State two days before, following an investigation into allegations that they were neglected and abused.

She relayed that as per routine, the CCPA took the children for medical attention the following day and it was confirmed by the medical certificate that the children were victims of neglect and maltreatment.

Greene further stated that the Social Protection Ministry would take full responsibility for the tragic incident and bear the full cost of the funeral arrangements for the young children.

18

guyana-times.com

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016

ARCHIE

Contracts, agreements and financial gains all look (March 21- promising. Plan a celebration April 19) with someone you love and enjoy the moment. Positive change is headed in your direction.

ARIES

Your involvement in TAURUS something you believe in will (April 20- be enlightening and will push May 20) you in a new and unexpected direction. An opportunity will eliminate a stressful situation.

DILBERT

Don’t offer help or you will GEMINI be taken for granted. You are (May 21best off focusing on self- and June 20) home improvement. Aim to stabilize your personal life.

Jump in and be a partici-

CANCER pant. If you create opportuni(June 21- ties by getting involved in new July 22) projects or pastimes, you will

PEANUTS

benefit personally and professionally. Give in to your imagination and enjoy what transpires.

An opportunity will devel-

LEO op if you network with peers.

(July 23- Share your thoughts, but don’t Aug. 22) force your opinion on others.

Listen attentively and use others’ suggestions to improve your plan. Romance is highlighted.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Emotional situations will VIRGO make you feel vulnerable.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22) Do your best to understand whatever you face by asking questions, but don’t reveal too much in return. Secrets are best kept to yourself.

Don’t waste any time. Pitch LIBRA in and help people who need (Sept. 23you.

If you go where the action Oct. 23) is, you will connect with people who will offer something too good to refuse. Romance is encouraged.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD – ABDUCTS

SUDOKU

A plan that allows you to SCORPIO push your creative mind to its (Oct. 24limits will lead to something Nov. 22) gratifying and will keep a difficult situation at bay. Avoid interactions with others.

Don’t let your emotions SAGITTARIUS take charge. If you overreact, (Nov. 23- you will end up missing out Dec. 21) on something that you should be taking advantage of. Make love, not war.

(ABDUCTS: ab-DUKTS: Carries off by force; kidnaps.)

Average mark 13 words Time limit 25 minutes Can you find 19 or more words in ABDUCTS? The list will be published tomorrow.

THURSDAY’S WORD – METRONOME meet memento memo mentor mere mete meteor meter metro moment mono monte moon moor moot more

moreen morn moron mote motor motormen emote enroot enter erne teem teen tenor term tern tome

tone toner toon tore torn tree remote rent room root rote omen onto norm note noter

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Don’t feel that you have CAPRICORN to follow the crowd or sign (Dec. 22- up for something that doesn’t Jan. 19) interest you. Channel your skills into something that you’ve always wanted to do.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE Do your best to control AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- the outcome of a situation Feb. 19) that is unfolding in a friend or relative’s life. Speak from the heart rather than trying to use force in order to make headway.

PISCES A legal or financial matter (Feb. 20- is best dealt with aggressiveMarch 20) ly before you are left with little recourse. Appeal to someone’s emotions to get what you want.

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016

19

England vs Pakistan, 2nd Test, Old Trafford

Cook and Root restate basic values with twin tons SCOREBOARD F

or England, the opening forays in the Old Trafford Test presented a chance to restate basic values, an opportunity to eradicate the slackness that had characterised their batting during a 75-run defeat at Lord's. Their leading lights, Alastair Cook and Joe Root, did their utmost to set the tone: centuries claimed by both on a day of Pakistan toil.

England were fortunate they did because Alex Hales, James Vince and Gary Ballance - the latter against the second new ball - all fell cheaply as the middle order failed to assert itself in excellent batting conditions.

Cook's 29th Test hundred took him alongside Don Bradman, albeit in about three times as many innings, and there was such a skip in his step that he had it signed, sealed and deliv-

malevolently to bowl him off a defensive cue end.

Root was 87 upon Cook's dismissal, the partnership worth 185 in 49 overs, but his desire to recalibrate extended to the close at which point he was unbeaten on 141. There has been a growing sense that Root has felt in such bountiful form at the crease that he has been lulled into over ambition, but this was an innings of unremitting virtue, straighter of stroke, as he committed himself to eliminating risk and was rewarded for his discretion.

The last time Cook made a Test hundred, it broke Len Hutton's record for the longest Test innings, in terms of minutes, ever assembled by an England batsman. Pakistan conceded that one, too, in a high-scoring stalemate in Abu Dhabi in November. There will

Alex Hales was bowled by Mohammad Amir for 10

ered 15 minutes before tea, his second fifty at virtually a run a ball.

It would have been tempting to call it an immaculate hundred on a flawless pitch, were it not for the evidence of what became the last ball before tea.

He was bowled for 105 by Mohammad Amir, betrayed on the back foot by a delivery that scuttled through

be some suffering for bowlers before this Test turns in their favour, but stalemate seems unlikely.

Amir possessed most verve for Pakistan. He had received a gracious welcome at Lord's on his return to Test cricket and the sense of a sentence served, and a career reborn, largely survived in Manchester. There were sporadic taunts of "no-

England 1st innings AN Cook* b Mohammad Amir 105 AD Hales b Mohammad Amir 10 JE Root not out141 JM Vince c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Rahat Ali 18 GS Ballance b Rahat Ali 23 CR Woakes not out 2 Extras (lb-3, w-5, nb-7) 15 Total (4 wickets; 89 overs) 314 To bat; BA Stokes, JM Bairstow†, MM Ali, SCJ Broad, JM Anderson Fall of wickets 1-25 (Hales, 6.6 ov), 2-210 (Cook, 55.4 ov), 3-238 (Vince, 63.6 ov), 4-311 (Ballance, 85.1 ov) Bowling: Mohammad Amir 20-4-63-2 (w-1), Rahat Ali 203-69-2 (w-2), Wahab Riaz 161-59-0 (nb-7, w-2), Yasir Shah 31-5-111-0, Azhar Ali 2-0-9-0

ball" from the crowd, a contrast to Lord's where even talking loudly is viewed as indecorous, but there was no malevolence, and he should view that as fair enough in his comeback series.

It will be no surprise if his growing confidence that forgiveness is widespread - and that even those who would have life-banned him have made their peace with the decision - is indicated in the growing ambition of his haircut. It was wild and flowing in his teenaged years, assumed military sobriety on his return from suspension as if a symbol of repentance laid down by the High Sparrow, but there is a sign now of something imaginative going on.

Hales was the England batsman to fall in the morning, his progress in the series against Sri Lanka so far stilled by a Pakistan leftarm pace attack of higher quality. He was cleaned up

by Amir, a ball that might have been driveable had his footwork possessed more conviction and it not swung in with pace and malice to bowl him through the gate.

By then, Hales had been given a bit of a going-over.

A leave against Rahat Ali was perilously close, an lbw appeal resulting from a Rahatinswinger also adjacent, and three balls before his dismissal a boundary against Amir burst through gully's hands. This is an examination of far greater intensity than the one provided by the Sri Lanka attack that SanathJayasuriya risibly billed as the best in the

Joe Root made his first international hundred of the summer

world.

England have not lost at Old Trafford since 2001, a warm day told of a gathering summer and, if the pitch was not quite as quick as some hoped, it had pace and evenness enough to make batting an enjoyable proposition for Cook and Root.

Pakistan employed Yasir'slegspin as early as the 13th over and he completed two short spells by lunch, but in the afternoon, with Cook and Root in absolute control, he was reduced to negativity when he went around the wicket to Root, hunting out imaginary rough created by Pakistan's imaginary right-arm quicks.

He will be more of a handful second time around - although 31 overs on the opening day was quite a burden.

For Cook, such an easeful innings was rare; here is a batsman who has proceeded through a productive Test career by virtue of dogged concentration and pareddown risk. His introductory boundaries were edgy affairs - Amir causing him to edge wide of third slip with the sixth ball of the day - but he rarely had so many opportunities to unveil his favourite cut shot and a measured first 50 turned into a dance in the park.

Root looked crisp of mind and stroke from the outset, his approach an assertion

that he had tired of himself as "The Great Entertainer".

That he rode a blow on the shoulder from Amir, rather than risk a pull with two

rounded off with his first slog-sweep, against the spin of Yasir, with the ball full enough to minimise the risk and the wrists rolled.

Take away Cook and Root and not everything was rosy for England. Vince still has no half-century in an increasingly troubled introductory Test summer in which has dismissal, driving at a wide one from , has become his own version of Groundhog Day. Nothing has removed the suspicion held by many county watchers that for all his mournfulfaced style he is prone to error.

Ballance battled to take advantage of his second Test phase, but he looked uncertain here, arising from his stance like a mole emerging from a mound of earth, not entirely sure of its bearings.

Rahat bowled him, a delivery angled in by the leftarmer which Ballance tried to chop behind point when it was too close for the shot and instead deflected on to his stumps.

Pakistan's pace bowlers were at their least impressive with the second new ball, Misbah-ul-Haq almost indicating that he expected as much by semi-defensive fields. How a four-strong

Alastair Cook unfurls his cut shot on his way to his 29th Test hundred

men back, told of his mindset. He reduced risk against the left-arm angle by driving determinedly straight off the front foot and square off the back foot. His afternoon began with a controlled pull against Rahat, and was

attack must have regretted the lack of Mohammad Hafeez'soffspin - his action is due to be retested after a 12-month ban expired - because a few holding overs would have helped them through the day. (ESPN Cricinfo)

20

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016

No French Guiana No Soft Shoe teams problem, IGG still on receive prize money T

he victorious teams in the Ministry of Public Health/Petra Organisation, Busta Soft Shoe Football Championship received their respective prize monies on Friday at simple handing over ceremony at Guinness Bar, Durban Street.

Tucville won the championship last Sunday via penalty kicks over North East La Penitence after regulation and extra time failed to break a 2-2 deadlock.

For their efforts, Tucville took home $300,000 and the winning trophy, while North East La Penitence carted off $200,000.

Sparta Boss collected $100,000 for winning the third place play-off and Broad Street $50,000 for their fourth place.

By Delvon Mc Ewan

D

espite French Guiana’s withdrawal from Inter Guiana Games (IGG) this year the highly anticipated event will go ahead, however this time it will be a bilateral event featuring Guyana and Suriname and it is expected to be held in Guyana in the month of October.

This update was announced to the media yesterday after a delegation from Suriname comprising its Director of Sport Luciano Mentowikvomo met with Guyana’s delegation which was led by Director of Sport Christopher Jones at the National Sports Commission at Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

According to Jones the agenda of the meeting was to discuss the preparation for the hosting of the IGG. “The IGG is usually between Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname, unfortunately French Guiana will not be able to participate so essentially we are looking at a Goodwill Game that would be between Guyana and Suriname. The proposed month is October, but of course we will have to confirm same with the associations and federations here in Guyana and Suriname about their availabilities to participate in the month of October.

Both countries are committed and Guyana will host this leg and in 2017 will host again with the expectation of French Guiana returning.

For these games in October which is dubbed IGG Goodwills we are exploring the option of inviting one of the Caribbean nation as a guest to participate in those games. Having said that we (Guyana and Suriname) will sign the minutes confirming the meeting that we had here today and moving forward what we have agreed to, before handing to our respective Government. After this meeting this morning we will be going to the various location to do a sight visit to confirm the availability of facilities here in Guyana to host the various disciplines. Once our various associations here in

Directors of Sport of Suriname (L) and Guyana (R) with IGG Goodwill proposal

Guyana agree for participation in October then a delegate from here will go to Suriname to signed that protocol agreement,” the Sports Director detailed.

Subsequent to Jones opening remarks, Mentowikvomo gave a brief speech. He mirrored most of what Jones had to the say, but added, for Suriname the IGG games is very important. There are very valuable games that has be ongoing for decades and it is also important for the relationship of the two country.

In concluding his brief speech, the Dutch Director of Sport ended on an anecdote showcasing his humorous side, “No matter what happens between Suriname and Guyana Geographically we will always be each other neighbours. Guyana or Suriname cannot say we don’t like this place anymore let’s go to Europe or Africa.”

Both delegation shared the sentiments that the games are used as an initial step in their athletes’ progression to higher levels. This was pointed out in Suriname’s basketball players’ evolution and some of Guyana’s swimmers as well according to the representatives of both country.

There were no specific reasons for French Guiana’s

withdrawal, however, Jones said the challenge the three countries had in the last year was general and regional election, and with that, there is always some aspect of changes in administration and policies but of course he could not speak definitively for French Guiana.

Based on the timings of the IGG games the disciplines in this year event would be confirm after meetings with the various associations and federations. This is to avoid any clash with other regional or international events. Jones is set to meet with these entities next week Tuesday to know the way forward.

M e a n w h i l e , Mentowikvomo said the event gives the Dutch athletes exposure and it is there they get to see how good they are or what they are lacking. So for the development of talent it is very important. And the country has benefitted from the investment in the athletes to the IGG games because they perform better when they elevate to higher levels.

The Suriname delegation also suggested to the inclusion of Futsal for the first time at the games, an idea which was greeted positively by the local committee.

Ramdhanis advance halted at the Quarter-Finals

Narayan Ramdhani and Shea Martin lost to Ricky Liuzhou & Cadmus Yeo of USA

N

arayan Ramdhani and Priyanna Ramdhani both lost in the Quarter Finals at

the Pan American Junior Badminton Championships at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento Lima Peru.

Priyanna in the QuarterFinals Singles went up against the number two seed Sharon Au of Canada and lost 21-9, 21-19 In the Girls Doubles with her partner Sara Michelle Barrios of Guatemala, they lost also at the quarter final stage to the number 1 seeded doubles pair Sharon Au & Rebecca lee of Canada. The game ended 21-11, 21-19 In the Boys Doubles Narayan & Shea Martin lost to Ricky Liuzhou & Cadmus Yeo of USA 21-7, 21-9.

Prize winners along with Petra Organisation’s Mark Alleyne at the handing over ceremony

Tucville’s Dennis Edwards won the Most Valuable Player award, while Gregory Richardson captured the Highest Goal scorer accolade.

Other sponsors of the event included GTT, Lucky Dollar, Nigel Supermarket, Junior’s Jewellery, Star Party Rentals and 2-J’s General Store.

Olympic Day Taekwondo Championship dominated by females and young athletes

T

he Guyana Taekwondo Association (GTA) on Sunday last, recently held the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) sponsored Olympic Day Taekwondo Championship in observance of the Olympic Day 2016.

The competition saw athletes participating in various divisions of the Poomsae (forms), combat (self defence), Aerial Kicksand Gyrugi (fighting) categories.

In the children’s gyrugi division Akil St. Hill and Sasha GTA’s youngest athlete, four-year-old Vivek Bassoo shared Singh battle it out for the fourth place first and second place place, with St. Hill emerging vic- tled it out in the gyrugi cat- with her remarkable pertorious, followed by Steven egory. In the gold medal formances. She will indeed Singh in third, while round Miss Celina Yong and have much to celebrate as Ezekiel Kellmon and GTA’s Ronaldo Fernandesbattled she will be celebrating her youngest athlete, four year it out. This fight attracted sixteen birthday in the next old, Vivek Bassoo shared much excitement as both few days. This competition fourth place. Leading the athletes gave it their all to was successfully coordinated charts in the Junior Boys take the winners spot, but it and pulled off by Coach – Ms. division was Randy Ali. In was Fernandes who eventu- La Toya Herbert, who was the Poomsae, combat, Aerial ally took the first place po- happy and excited to work Kicks and Gyrugi (fighting) sition and Miss Yong settled with all the participants, young Randy Ali lead the all for second with Kevic Lall judges and coaches. She the way, while his brother and Romaul Persaud tak- would also like to convey her Brandon Ali settled for the ing the third and fourth thanks to all the instructors second place position. Then place respectively. In the who came out and offer their 2 divi- support and would like to say in the Beginners catego- Intermediate ry, Randy Deochan led the sion: poomsae (forms), a special thanks the Guyana and Aerial Olympic Association, Coach / competition in the Combat Aerial Kicks followed Kicks, David Brown took Master Ramjeet Ramphal,

by Harry Solomon sec- first place followed by Coach / Master Roy Bacchus ond and Chaves Greaves Ray Samaroo in second and ,Coach Alim Azimullah, Trevor Bassoo, third. Deochan again dom- Jason Haywood in third Coach Stefan Wong, inated in the gyrugi divi- place. Then in the fight- Athletes sion whilst Dishon John ing category, the action heat- Wayne Forde, Orlando Vantook second and Chaves ed once more as David Brown Rossum, Kieren Dennison Greaves came in third place. and Ray Samaroo fought and all others who helped The Mix Intermediate 1 di- for the first place position. to make this event a sucvision: poom- However, it was Brown who cess. Meanwhile, the pubsae (forms) and Aerial took the first place position lic is being reminded that Kicks was led by six- while Samaroo had to set- the Guyana Taekwondo teen years old Miss Celina tle for the second place, fol- Association training facilYong who shocked the judg- lowed by Shakeel Rahat in ity is located in Woolford es with her outstanding third and Jason Haywood Avenue upstairs at the performances, followed by in fourth place. At the end Guyana Teacher’s Union Ronaldo Fernandes who of the competition, with a Hall. Classes are held evcame in second with just a unanimous vote by all the ery Monday, Wednesday a few points behind whilst judges, the most coveted nd Friday from 17:00h to Romaul Persaud took thir prize, overall champion, was 19:00h. For further details d place and Kevic Lall set- awarded to Miss. Celina you can contact Mr Roy tling for fourth place. This Yong. Miss. Yong who com- Bacchus on 644-4402 or Ms. division got even more ex- peted with a disadvan- La Toya Herbert on 670cited as the athletes bat- tage but rose above all odds 2615.

YELLOW PAGES SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016 | WWW.GUYANA-TIMES.COM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

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

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

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

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

VACANCIES

LAND FOR SALE

Vacancy. In-store Shift Manager. Call: 624-0033, 680-3863

1.5 Acre Land in W.B.D. Call: 658-0115

Cashier for Supermarket. Tel: 624-0033

Land at La Grange Public Road, Size 4 Acre, could be used for commercial or housing scheme. Tel#: 625-1514

One (1) Cook. Tel: 624-0033

Formerly Globe Cinema, Corner lot, Church and Waterloo Street Size 125 ft x 133 ft Tel: 610-2234

One (1) Maid. Tel: 624-0033 Driver for Water Truck. Tel: 680-3863 Security In-store; Day Duty. Tel: 6803863

One land 100/50 at Good Hope Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara for sale. Priced six million dollars. For more information, kindly call 623-0156 or 695-3150 (serious inquires only)

Waitress for Bar, ECD. Tel: 612-2522

Transported Land for Sale at Logwood Enmore, ECD. Contact Tel: (592)-6225824 or (592)-671-5395.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PROPERTY FOR SALE House Lot, Diamond New Scheme between 2nd & 3rd Avenue. Contact: 638-1529 Eccles: $27M Neg. Enterprise Sec C: $20M Neg. MonRepos: $30M Neg. South Ruimveldt Park:$20M Neg. Broad Street: $80M Neg. Charlotte Street between Camp and Alexander: $55M Neg. Providence(land): $6.5M Neg. Parfaite Harmony(land): $4.5M Neg. Contact: 691-1521

VEHICLES FOR SALE

1 TOYOTA IPSUM (7-SEATER) IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION WITH MUSIC (5800 W): CONTACT 6531003 JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRA-CAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PREORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 6240762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

21

SPORTS WICB Regional Women’s T20 Tournament

Jamaica, Barbados remain unbeaten B

arbados tamed host Guyana by 49 runs to complete an easy win in their second round clash of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Women’s T20 tournament here at the Guyana National Stadium. It was the visitors’ second win in as many matches after they defeated current Super 50 overs champions Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday.

Barbados won the toss and took first strike to reach 140-6 from their 20 overs. The player of the match Shaquana Quintyne, who batted in the middle order top scored with 56 not out.

Her innings was a responsible one which lasted 43 balls and included two fours and two sixes.

Quintyne shared in a valuable fifth wicket partnership worth 35 runs with Aaliyah Alleyne.

That innings ensured that Barbados set a competitive total so their bowlers can defend. Barbados opener Kycia

Erva Giddings was the pick of the Guyana bowlers with two wickets against the Barbadians women’s captain stroke her way to an unbeaten top score of 35 while Jodian Morgan hit 19.

It was also the second win for the current champions Jamaica.

In the final match of day two, The tournament continues tomorrow with three more matches also at Providence.

The Windwards take on the Leewards from 9:00h then Guyana battle with Trinidad & Tobago from 14:00h before Jamaica and Barbados take the field at 19:00h under the lights.

GOOD HOPE AND OGLE. CONTACT: 6735546, 222-3066, 682-7257, 679-0987

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

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

Marissa Aguilleira and Britney Cooper featured in a 97-run partnership for the fourth wicket for Trinidad and Tobago

WANTED

Knights also chipped in with 29, comprising four fours and a six.

As she did in the first game, Erva Giddings led Guyana’s attack claiming 2-34 from her four overs. Kesia Schultz and

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

Telephone: 275-0733

figures.

Alleyne and Deandra Dottin were the chief wicket takers for the visitors, finishing with two wickets apiece.

In the day’s first game, Jamaica topped Leeward Islands by

The final match of the night ended in victory for Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) who beat the Windward Islands by 73 runs in a high intensity game.

T&T won the toss and were stuttering at 24/3 but Captain Marissa Aguilleira and Britney Cooper put on 97 runs for the fourth wicket that resulted in their team making a respectable 139/4.

Cooper made 51 (49b; 6x4) while Aguilleira got to her half century off the last ball of the innings from the 36th ball she faced. She was very busy at the crease hitting three fours and one towering six.

TO LET ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT WITH FRIDGE, WASHING MACHINE, STOVE, ETC AT 3E LUSIGNAN, ECD. 265-3307 OR 234-0302 ONE SPACIOUS SELF-CONTAINED BEDROOM APARTMENT, LOCATED AT CUMMINGS LODGE. CONTACT 623-0386.

SPIRITUALITY Dutch spiritual healing in removing evil spirit, bad luck, evil sickness, spells, reuniting lovers and prosperity to business. Call: 612-6417, 687-5653 Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc.

Call 223-6834/600-7719.

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

Jesus Cares.

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

Campbelle gathers runs on the onside during the latter half of Guyana innings

Classified Ads $5+VAT per word

Call: 223-7230 Ext 35

Tremane Smartt took a wicket each.

Meanwhile in reply, the host only managed 91 runs while losing five wickets in the process. Once again Shamaine Campbelle (43 not out) top scored, but this time in a losing effort. Akaze Thompson was with her at the end on 10 not out while Melanie Henry (10) and Latoya Smith (13) were the other batters to reach double

eight wickets. Batting first Leewards were limited to 61-9 as only Jennison Richards 16 and Amanda Edwards 15 not out past 10. Shanel Daley was the architect for Jamaica with 5-11 from four overs.

Roshana Outar who was once again impressive and Chadean Nation contributed by taking a wicket each.

In response to the small total Stephanie Taylor, West Indies

Akeira Peters picked up three wickets for 26 runs.

Windwards, despite not challenging the target frustrated the Trinidadians getting to 66 all out in the 19th over.

Glendeen Turtin and Juliana Nero made 10 each as Shenelle Lord (/14/2) and Karishma Ramharack (16/2) took two apiece.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016

Seagram’s Royal Stag Cup 1st Test, Antigua

Kohli double leaves WI long way to safety V

irat Kohli continued his efficient and energetic accumulation of runs to bring up his maiden first-class double-hundred, setting up India's declaration on 566, their joint fourthhighest score against West Indies. Promoted to No. 6, R Ashwin enjoyed some luck in the first hour of the day before strolling to his third hundred against West Indies, taking his average against them to 64.67. Given 16 overs, the Indian bowlers tried desperately for a breakthrough, and succeeded less than 10 min-

Ravichandran Ashwin scored his third hundred against West Indies with 113 in the first Test

utes before the end of play on the second day.

That India could entertain a declaration with more than an hour to stumps was down to Kohli's scoring rate.

He went at 4.2 an over; Amit Mishra and the tail began to swing their bats pushing for declaration, the rest of the side managed 282 runs in over 101.5 overs. Kohli's intent - helped no doubt by a flat pitch and tiring bowlers - foiled West Indies' plan pretty much from ball one: bowl defensively and ensure your stacked-up batting lineup has less time to survive.

Apart from Shannon Gabriel, no bowler - there was only one other specialist in the side actively looked for wickets and instead relied on frustrating batsmen. However, Kohli, India's first captain to score an away double, took risks and made the bowlers bowl to him because he was driving the wide ones too.

Gabriel, though, should have had his second wicket early on the second day. West Indies' wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich had waited for 423 overs over three Tests for his first opportunity at a dismissal. When Gabriel produced the outside edge from Ashwin, his eagerness to celebrate led to a sitter being grassed. Ashwin was 43 then.

West Indies still managed to keep him quiet - at one point he went 40 balls for four runs - but Kohli, who resumed the day on 143 not out, kept finding a way around the defensive lines.

As was the case on day one, Gabriel bowled a short burst with the new ball, and Carlos Brathwaite followed up with a spell that tested the batsmen's patience by bowling a set of stumps outside off.

The tactic had kept India's top order quiet in the first session of the match, but Kohli didn't wait for too long before taking a calculated risk, executing it so well it didn't look like a risk. Kohli has his own way of choosing what balls to drive.

Each delivery of Brathwaite's first three overs was bowled to Kohli, who attempted to score off only one, the widest of the lot. It wasn't a half-volley either, but Kohli drove superbly on the up, and got a boundary to break any pressure the joining of dots creates.

Cover driving, as usual, remained the feature of Kohli's innings. When he gave the treatment to Devendra

Bishoo in the 105th over, the boundary took him past his previous best of 169; it was his 50th run through the covers. A sign of how well he batted came when, in the 113th over, he played perhaps the only ungainly shot of his innings, a half-sweep across the line to deep midwicket.

Turned out he had picked the rare wrong'un from Bishoo, and was actually playing with the spin.

No Test double is easy, but in the last over before lunch, Kohli strolled to one of the more inevitable ones with an easy single off a short offbreak. Kohli hadn't really played the punch off the

SCOREBOARD India 1st innings (Overnight 302/4) M Vijay c KC Brathwaite b Gabriel 7 S Dhawan lbw b Bishoo 84 CA Pujara c KC Brathwaite b Bishoo 16 V Kohli* b Gabriel 200 AM Rahane c Bravo b Bishoo 22 R Ashwin c Gabriel b KC Brathwaite 113 WP Saha† st †Dowrich b KC Brathwaite 40 A Mishra c Holder b KC Brathwaite 53 Mohammed Shami not out 17 Extras (b-6, lb-2, nb6) 14 Total (8 wickets dec; 161.5 ove rs) 566 Did not bat; I Sharma, UT Yadav Fall of wickets 1-14 (Vijay, 6.2 ov), 2-74 (Pujara, 27.4 ov), 3-179 (Dhawan, 54.5 ov), 4-236 (Rahane, 67.2 ov), 5-404 (Kohli, 119.2 ov), 6-475 (Saha, 143.6

ov), 7-526 (Ashwin, 157.3 ov), 8-566 (Mishra, 161.5 ov) Bowling: ST Gabriel 21-565-2 (nb-4), JO Holder 24-483-0 (nb-2), CR Brathwaite 25-5-80-0, RL Chase 34-3102-0, D Bishoo 43-1-163-3, KC Brathwaite 14.5-1-65-3 West Indies 1st innings KC Brathwaite not out 11 R Chandrika c †Saha b Mohammed Shami 16 D Bishoo not out 0 Extras (lb-1, w-1, nb-2) 4 Total (1 wicket; 16 overs) 31 To bat; DM Bravo, MN Samuels, J Blackwood, RL Chase, SO Dowrich†, CR Brathwaite, JO Holder*, ST Gabriel Fall of wickets 1-30 (Chandrika, 14.2 ov) Bowling: I Sharma 6-3-120 (nb-2), UT Yadav 4-3-5-0, Mohammed Shami 3-0-61 (w-1), R Ashwin 3-1-7-0

back foot on this slow track, but perhaps looking for even quicker runs he tried that after lunch, playing Gabriel on

going.

Seven minutes before tea, with a back-foot punch through midwicket, Ashwin

Virat Kohli and R Ashwin put on 168 for the fifth wicket in Antigua

to the stumps. Cease fire followed. West Indies went back to bowling defensively with defensive fields with spinners on at both ends, which helped improve their over rate.

Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha didn't look too fussed in a 71-run partnership in 24.4 overs.

Slow pitch, fielders in front, no pace to work with, and West Indies finally had a quiet half session. Ashwin didn't look in any hurry, Saha tried to break the monotony, succeeding on a couple of occasions before getting stumped.

Dowrich finally had a maiden Test dismissal. Overall, though, West Indies refused to attack, which could also give India scoring opportunities, and India didn't seem overly bothered with the slow

brought up his hundred, reminding you of the shot of the day, a back-foot punch through mid-on for four.

Mishra's enterprise at the other end, his fourth half-century, off only 68 balls, gave India the push they needed. Tired minds and bodies dropped three catches; time seemed right for declaration.

In the overs that followed, Kohli tried a lot of attacking combinations: three slips and a gully, an extra gully and really full outswingers, short leg and backward short leg for short-pitched bowling, and his trump card R Ashwin.

Rajendra Chandrika, who had earlier gloved an Ishant Sharma bouncer over the keeper, finally succumbed in the 15th over, edging Shami through to the keeper. (ESPN

Cricinfo)

CASA heating up in Cayman Islands Jacobs believes Warriors could

Guyana’s top female player Taylor Fernandes in action against Trinidad and Tobago

T

he medal count in the Team Events at the Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships is getting too close for comfort for some teams following the completion of games on Thursday at the South Sound Squash Club in the Cayman Islands.

Thursday saw all six Girls teams in action for the third time. Barbados made it three wins out of three with a 5-0 victory over the Cayman Islands; Guyana also stayed undefeated with a 4-1 success over Trinidad and Tobago; and Jamaica recorded their first win- a 3-2 victory over Bermuda.

The Boys semi-finalists were also settled on

Thursday. Guyana and the Cayman Islands met to de-

cide the top spot in Pool B, and Guyana secured a crucial advantage, winning the Under-17 tie 11-9. Guyana extended their lead in the Under-13 clash, and although individual champion Julian Jervis pulled one back for Cayman, Daniel Islam secured the crucial victory to take Guyana to the next round.

In Pool A, Barbados clinched the top spot with a 5-0 drubbing of Bermuda, and a semi-final spot against the Cayman Islands, while the OECS defeated Trinidad and Tobago 3-2. (www.squashsite.co.uk)

Assistant Manager David Fernandes offering court side tips to one of the Guyanese players

still finish as number one

A

s the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) quickly approaches the playoffs stage Guyana Amazon Warriors player Steven Jacobs believes his team possesses the strength to finish as the number one team on the table, that is, once they play basic cricket.

“I think we (Guyana Amazon Warriors) have the strength to finish as the number one team… once we play basic cricket and as our manager would say, the team that makes the least mistakes will come out on top. So the onus is on us to top the table…It’s a matter of one game at a time,” said the all-rounder in an interview with Guyana Times Sport via social media.

The Warriors have performed outstanding to date and are currently in second position after spending the first two weeks atop the point standings. Due to such returns Jacobs said if they continue to do the basics and play as a unit they will come out on top.

“We are playing good cricket at the moment. It’s T20 cricket and they are also good teams in this tournament, however, once we

continue to do the basics and play as a unit we will come out on top”, said Jacobs.

Guyana first seven games were played with opening batsman Martin

Steven Jacobs

Guptill at the helm of the team, however, he has since left CPL to join New Zealand on their tour to Zimbabwe.

Due to his leadership qualities, contribution with the bat and ability in the field, his departure is considered a great loss by pundits of the game. A sentiment that Jacobs also share as he is of the view that Guptill departure is a huge loss, but at the same time there is Rayad Emrit who knows about leading teams to championships and also Nic Maddison (Guptill’s replace-

ment), who is an experience player in this version. So it is an opportunity for both guys to step up and deliver.

In relation to Maddison, the former West Indies youth player further added that he knows he is a dangerous batsman and can add a lot to the Amazon Warriors team.

Besides Guptill’s loss, when the Warriors play the Zouks on Sunday it will be their first game in more than a week, a situation many believe could hamper the Warriors momentum. However, the former Guyana u-19 player thinks otherwise. “I don’t think it could hamper the way we play because we have been doing a lot of work during the break and it’s hard for me to predict anything, but what I can say is Guyana would be going hard so we could pick up another win.”

The fans are important to the team’s cause and the offspinner who played in all the home games is urging the supporters to continue with their support since without them the Warriors would not be in this current position, which is high on the points table.

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016

23

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

Inspired Zouks looking for more success at home — Tridents a tougher task

J

udging from the tempo and results in their first home game the St. Lucia Zouks look like they are regrouped from their disappointing run on the road and are ready to dominate their opponents at home. However, today is expected to be a tougher challenge than the previous one as they prepare to face Barbados Tridents from noon in the 22nd match of this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

On Thursday night Zouks overpowered St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots to claim only their second win in this edition of CPL after triumphing in the season opener over current champions Trinbago Knight Riders. The win could not have come at a better place and time for the host as the match marked a special moment in the life of the Zouks skipper Darren Sammy and opener Johnson Charles.

It was the night when the Beausejour Stadium was officially renamed the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium and a stand was named in honour of Charles, the Johnson Charles Stand. Both players signaled their intent on such a particular night, but it was Sammy’s special that kept the Zouks hopes alive of reaching the next round.

Darren Sammy

He lashed his way to 59 from 35 deliveries, powering the ball over the ropes five times while hitting it flat twice. During that period his side recovered to reach 174-9 and returned to restrict the Patriots to 139-9.

It was indeed a very exhilarating encounter which ended in Zouks favor as they revenged an earlier loss to Patriots. However, this time around they will

be up against tougher opponents and 2014 champions, Tridents. Currently in third position on the points table and with a very tall batting line up, comprising hitters such as Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran along with classy Pakistani duo Shoaib Malik and Ahmed Shehzad, beating the Tridents seems a difficult task.

Their bowling is a bit on the weak side but if their seamers and spinners could

Sentinel Security renews sponsorship for Gregory Gaskin Memorial Sports Award

C

hief Executive of Sentinel Security, Noreen Gaskin has renewed her annual sponsorship of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S annual Gregory Gaskin Memorial Berbice Sports Award Programme.

The Award is organised in memory of Gregory Gaskin, late CEO of the COPS Security Firm who died in a tragic motor cycle accident several years ago.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster expressed gratitude to MRS. Gaskin and Sentinel Security for renewing their support for Berbice’s most popular sports award. The Award which honours the memory of Gaskin, an outstanding supporter of sports would see four major awards been shared out.

The presentation ceremony of the 2016 Berbice Sports Awards has been scheduled for Friday 22nd of September at the ST. Francis Community Developers Training Centre.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has been invited to deliver the feature address and the four awards to be handed out are the Berbice Sportsman of the Year 2015,

Berbice Sportswoman of the Year 2015, Berbice Sports Association of the Year

that the Club was pleased to work along with Sentinel Security to honour true he-

Sentinel Berbice Manager Priya Rampersaud (left) hands over a cheque to National female U-19 Cricketer Diane Prahald while fellow national player Marian Samaroo looks on

2015 and Berbice Sports Personality of the Year 2015.

Foster stated that the main objectives of the award scheme are to recognise the achievements of outstanding sports personality in Berbice, to provide role models for youths in Berbice and to inspire youths and organisations to achieve more success.

The CEO added, that the club was passionate about honouring all heroes in the county of Berbice and stated

roes.

Regional Manager of Sentinel Priya Rampersaud in handing over the cheque stated that her company was pleased to be associated with Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation in honouring the outstanding personalities in Berbice Sports. Sentinel, she stated was delighted at the way the RHTYSC, M.S administered the Award over the years and it intends to continue the sponsorship in the future.

joined forces and be discipline in their line and length, they would be able to peg down the Zouks batsmen.

Like the Tridents the hosts batting is solid from the openers until Kyle Mayers enter the crease at seven. However, it is yet to find consistency. One would think a batting line up with Charles, Andre Fletcher, Shane Watson, David Miller, Michael Hussey and Sammy, has the experience and power to set or chase any target but this is not the case with the Zouks.

Withstanding the inconsistency the team batted positively in the previous game and looks sound for games to come.

Their bowling is definitely not the best in the tournament but can be effective on any given day due to its composition.

Jerome Taylor, Watson and Shillingford are all good bowlers and will be heavily dependent for today’s game.

Notable players to look for in today’s game are Pooran, Pollard and Malik for the Tridents while Charles, Watson, Sammy and Hussey are expected to come big for the Zouks.

The Tridents won the first match between the two sides this season, it is now

Nicholas Pooran

the Zouks chance to prove their worth in their own back yard.

St. Lucia Zouks- Darren Sammy (captain), Shane Watson, David Miller, Michael Hussey, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Morne Morkel, Derone Davis, Jerome Taylor, Grant Elliott, Shane Shillingford, Kristopher Ramsarran, Delorn Johnson, Kyle Mayers, Keddy Lesporis, Nitish

Kumar and Gidron Pope.

Barbados TridentsKieron Pollard (captain), Shoaib Malik, Ravi Rampaul, Nicholas Pooran, David Wiese, Robin Petersen, Raymon Reifer, Ashley Nurse, Shamar Springer, Akeal Hosein, Imran Khan, Kyle Hope, Navin Stewart, Kyle Corbin, Steven Taylor, Ahmed Shehzad and Marchant de Lange

Wolf Warriors upset Floodlights Masters

T

he highlight of the last round of the Wolf’s Challenge Cup Softball cricket competition was the upset of Floodlights Master by Wolf Warriors Masters at the Malteeonoes on Sunday last.

Wolf Warriors Masters did well to bowl out the more experienced Floodlights for 93 in 17.2 overs with only Wayne Jones 25 coming to the party. R. Narine had two wickets for three runs, S. Yusuf 2-11and M. Vieira 2-28. In reply, the Wolf Warriors Masters reached 95-5 from 16.4 overs with R Sankar making 26 and R. Narine 23. Wayne Jones came back with the ball taking 2-16 and Clyde Canterberry picked up 2-21.

In other matches; Fisherman Masters defeated Tropical Springs by 6 wickets. Tropical Springs 49-7 from 20 overs with Anil Rambarran claiming three wickets for 14 runs.

Fisherman raced home to 51/5 in 10.3 overs with L. Ramdin 3-38 and Azimullah 2-14.

Then in the final match of the day, Superior Woods defeated Parika Defenders by 8 wickets. Parika defenders got to a challenging 146 All Out in 19.1 overs.

Mike Singh of Wellman will be looking for more success this weekend at Tuschen

P. Balgobin top scored with 46 and Beesham made 26 while Mark Fung had three for 20, F. Kumar three for 25 and Peter Persaud two for 20. Superior Woods replied positively and got to 147/3 in just 16 overs. F. Kumar had a good match scoring 44. He got good support from Mohamed Rafeek 40 and John Flintoff 34. F. Mohamed had a good spell picking up two wickets for four runs.

The tournament continues this weekend also at the Malteenoes Ground.

On Pitch One; Regal Masters take on Savage

Wayne Jones

Masters at 10:00h while on Pitch Two Superior Woods engage Albion Masters at the same time.

In the afternoon from 13:00h, Fisherman Masters meet HS Masters on Pitch One while Tropical Springs battle Savage Masters.

There are also two matches scheduled for the Tuschen Ground, East Bank Essequibo also on Sunday.

At 10:00h Wolf Warriors Masters look to continue their winning ways when they meet Wellman then at 13:00h Floodlights look for redemption against the home team Parika Defenders.

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016

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

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

Pg 23

Inspired Zouks looking for more success at home

— Tridents a tougher task

Seagram’s Royal Stag Cup 1st Test, Antigua Pg 22

Kohli double leaves WI long way to safety

Virat Kohli scored the first away double hundred for an Indian captain with 200 against West Indies in Antigua

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