Guyana Times

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Guyana pleased with UN efforts to resolve border controversy – Granger THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

Two escape from Lusignan Prison guyana-times.com

Issue No. 2983

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Page 3

Guyanese bandit killed in Suriname ID’d as taxi driver

INTERPOL to assist with TIP in Guyana

Page 7

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE: GECOM’s radio set fiasco

Surujbally dodges P9 questions, awaits audit findings

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Essequibian remanded on gun, ammo charges P17

Illegal plane at Yupukari

P9

Abandoned aircraft remains grounded as investigation intensifies

A construction crew working on the East Bank Demerara four-lane expansion project on Monday. The road expansion project has experienced a number of delays since its inception several years ago, frequently inconveniencing commuters and creating traffic jams (Marceano Narine photo)

Local manufacturer sidelined …as Surinamese company Page 13

gets school juice contract

Missing GTT shares money

Jagdeo urges NICIL to come clean

Page 3

Public Procurement Commission

Ali questions delayed P7 appointment – “this is something that the Govt said they were keen on”

2 NEWS

tuesDAY, september 20, 2016 | guyana-times.com

71st UN General Assembly

Guyana supports international efforts to end refugee, migrant crises

G

uyana stands ready to play an active role in the process of eliminating the root causes of international conflict to ensure an end to refugee and migrant crises so that world peace will prevail.

President David Granger made this pledge at the high-level meeting on Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants at the United Nations General Assembly on Monday.

“Guyana supports the protection of the rights of all migrants. Guyana welcomes the process that this meeting will initiate for the convening, in 2018, of an inter-governmental conference on international migration with a view to the adoption of a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration,” he declared before the gathering of world

President David Granger

leaders.

In recent months, Guyana began experiencing a fraction of the world’s refugee crisis after a large number of Venezuelans fled their country to seek refuge locally.

They were subsequently fined and deported when they appeared before the

Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Commenting on this development, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, had underscored Government’s commitment to provide assistance to the Venezuelans who are experiencing an economic crisis, once they comply with the country’s laws.

“We have made it clear that on humanitarian grounds, that we will not turn back Venezuelans who come to seek help here in Guyana… so anybody coming from Venezuela for food and things like that, we support people who come to Guyana on those grounds,” the Minister noted.

However, he outlined, “We, of course, have our responsibility to ensure the integrity of our borders and that the immigration procedures which are applied to

persons coming to Guyana that we will apply those procedures.”

Asked whether Government would consider relaxing restrictions on Venezuelans entering the country illegally, Harmon had shut down the idea and reiterated that Guyana’s laws must be adhered to at all times.

International community

The chronic and complex refugee and migrant crises confronting the world represent grave challenges to the international community, President Granger emphasised in his speech.

“Images and accounts of men, women and children, who are forced to flee their homes and homelands in search of safety, are transmitted daily and graphically by the mass and social me-

Venezuelans who were recently deported from Guyana

dia. The international community can no longer ignore the plight of these desperate refugees and migrants,” the Guyanese Head of State stated.

He noted that their condition and situation demand a commitment to address both the root causes, as well as the human consequences which accompany the refugee and migration crises.

President Granger highlighted that conflicts within and among nations are mainly responsible for the mass movements of refugees and migrants, and if left unattended, can unravel into a series of greater problems.

“Refugees and migrants, however, are not the only ones affected. Conflicts between states, if left unattended or unresolved, can escalate into regional and even global crises, which can threaten the existence of larger numbers of persons in wider areas, even beyond their country’s borders,” he stated.

The President noted that conflict prevention and resolution must be part of the long-term response to the crisis of refugees and migrants.

“The international community has a responsibility to prevent these conflicts and to usher in an era of security and of the preservation of peace between states,” he stated.

The Guyanese leader also underlined that natural disasters contribute to the refugee and migrant problem.

“The global community must not ignore the impact which catastrophic natural disasters, including those caused by climate change, has had in triggering which

produces refugees and migrants,” the President stated, referring to the situation in Haiti.

“Six years ago, we were overwhelmed by the death, disease, dislocation and destruction inflicted on the Caribbean state of Haiti, a sister member of our Community. The earthquake left thousands of persons dead and consigned thousands of others to a life as refugees in their own country. Haiti’s agony is being compounded today by the creation of new waves of refugees from the Dominican Republic,” he noted.

Declaration

World leaders came together at the UN General Assembly to adopt the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, which expresses their political will to protect the rights of refugees and migrants, to save lives and share responsibility for large movements on a global scale.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban KiMoon launched a new campaign called, “Together – Respect, Safety and Dignity for All” to “respond to rising xenophobia and turn fear into hope”.

He urged “world leaders to join this campaign and commit together to upholding the rights and dignity of everyone forced by circumstance to flee their homes in search of a better life.”

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary General in his address to the summit, declared that “refugees and migrants are not to be seen as a burden – they offer great potential, if only we unlock it.”

NEWS

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, September 20 – 05:00h-06:30h and Wednesday, September 21 – 08:30h-10:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, September 20 – 06:45h-08:15h and Wednesday, September 21 – 07:35h-09:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected during the day, with clear skies in the evening. Temperatures will range between 24 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South South-easterly to East Northeasterly between 0.89 metre and 2.68 metres.

High Tide: 06:50h and 19:06h reaching a maximum height of 2.79 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 12:41h reaching a minimum height of 0.50 metre.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016

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Monday, September 19, 2016

Daily Millions

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Missing GTT shares money

Jagdeo urges NICIL to come clean C oncerns are mounting as to what really happened with the missing US$5 million for Government’s GT&T shares, as responsibility for the disclosure of a report on the findings continues to shift from person to person.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, in a brief telephone interview from New York, questioned why the report has not yet been made public, stating that “it is clear as day that either NICIL [National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited] or (Joseph) Harmon can release the findings”.

“I don’t understand why they don’t release the information,” he said, urging Government to make the disclosure quickly.

NICIL sold the Government’s shares in GT&T for US$30 million, of which US$25 million was received at the signing of the agreement. However, the outstanding money, which should have been paid by the end of December 2015, has not been found.

When the US$25 million was paid, it was made by international wire, from one bank to another. The payment into NICIL’s bank account would have been easy to trace.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, who spoke on Government’s behalf, had disclosed that Harmon, the Minister of State, was able to recover documents, which revealed that the monies were paid. But NICIL quickly slapped it down, stating that Guyana’s former Ambassador to China, David Dabydeen, had facilitated the US$5

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

million debt waiver with Datang, the Chinese company, on the grounds that it was not granted the same minority protection rights enjoyed by NICIL (that is, two, instead of one, representatives on the GT&T Board of Directors).

However, NICIL’s Chairman, Dr Maurice Odle, when contacted, pointedly refused to comment on the findings of the report, saying, “I’m not prepared to answer any questions.”

He stated that the matter was currently “in the hands of international lawyers”.

The Minister of State told Guyana Times that he had submitted his report to NICIL and it was up to the State holding company to determine

NICIL Chairman, Dr Maurice Odle

if it wanted to disclose the findings of that report.

Odle subsequently told this newspaper to write to NICIL for a comment on the issue.

Only last week, former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran had publicly stated that the sale of shares was a case of a lack of transparency. He stated that NICIL should be pressed to come clean on the matter.

“The issue is one of transparency. The sale of the shares should have been advertised. All future agreements of this nature should also be tabled in the National Assembly for scrutiny by legislators and the public at large,” Goolsarran contended.

2 escape from Lusignan Prison

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olice ranks and prison officials were up to late Monday evening hunting two inmates of the Lusignan Prison who managed to escape while working outdoors.

The two men have been identified as 22-year-old Rajendra Deonarine, of Richmond Housing Scheme, Essequibo, and 26-yearold Faos Shakir, of La Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara.

According to reports, Deonarine was serving a two-year sentence for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, while Shakir was sentenced to three years for several rob-

bery offences.

Director of Prisons, Carl Graham, when contacted told Guyana Times that the men were clearing overgrown vegetation from the penitentiary’s fence when they made good their escape about 10:30h on Monday.

He added that both Police and prison ranks were out in the field gathering information with the hope of recapturing the men. Graham is urging residents in the area to be extra cautious and to provide any information that can lead to the recapture of the two men to the Police.

Just over a week ago, three juveniles es-

caped from the Holding Centre at Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

The teenagers drilled a hole in an outer wall through which they escaped and then scaled the fence.

One of them charged for rob-

bery under arms was recaptured in Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice. He hails from the Essequibo Coast.

Another was recaptured at Tain Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice. The third is still on the run.

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guyana-times.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 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

Disaster Preparedness

W

e need to get serious about disaster preparedness.

What does that entail? Disaster preparedness refers to measures taken to prepare for and reduce the effects of disasters. That is, to predict and, where possible, prevent disasters, mitigate their impact on vulnerable populations, and respond to and effectively cope with their consequences.

It’s the conversation that no one wants to have: how to prepare for a disaster. It could be a fire, flood, a shooting, a break-in, etc. All of these things constitute a disaster in one form or another. They have all affected the lives of someone we know and yet, we tend to push the possibility that they could happen to any of us, at any time, to the back of our minds.

Take, for example, the recent fire in Berbice that left 15 homeless. There were several children residing at that premises. Thankfully, we did not have a replay of what happened when fire gutted the Drop-in-Centre in July and two innocent children lost their lives. This might have been prevented. In the wake of this tragedy, we need to take stock. Were there appointed and identified fire exits? Was there an emergency procedure in place? Was it customary to conduct fire drills? Was there an identified muster point?

Was the building overcrowded? There are many questions to be answered, and we have not even considered the firefighters’ response.

The point is: we fail to prepare for such eventualities since we are taken up with ‘more important’ issues. “Who really has the time anyway?” Before a fire erupts, contingency plans must be mapped out for efficient response and for survival.

Fire is, by no means, the only disaster which can strike at a moment’s notice. There is also the increasingly rampant home invasion-type robberies. This too can be considered a disaster and yes, we do need to prepare for this. There is an epidemic of home invasions sweeping this country and no one is addressing the matter of preparedness.

Let us face the harsh reality, a difficult economy is causing criminals to not only target businesses but look elsewhere to perpetrate their crimes and sadly they, see people’s homes and residences as much easier and less risky targets.

Home invasions are among the most insidious of crimes, shattering the sense of safety and security for children and families for many years after the crime, often for a lifetime.

With the rise in these types of crimes, it’s important to learn what persons can do to safeguard their home and family.

It is crucial that we “burglar-proof” our homes as best as we can. Reinforced doors, bars on our windows, guard dogs and, in some cases, if it is affordable, a security service.

However, all the steel bars, bull dogs, and minefields in the world cannot keep the unwanted out if they are not used.

A few personal measures can make a world of difference. This is where our disaster preparedness comes in.

For example, persons should at least look through a peephole or out the window before answering their door.

Many home invaders wait until someone opens the door a crack, then they kick it in and push their way into the home.

If this happens, all your security measures would have gone to waste.

Be wary of uninvited solicitors, “repair men”, utility representatives or any unfamiliar individuals. Always call and confirm before you open the door. Keep a phone nearby, of course – most of us own cell phones so this is not an issue. You may need it on hand at a moment’s notice to call the Police.

Most importantly, persons should have a plan that their entire family understands. In the event of an attack they should be able to relay a password that let people know what is happening. Then the rest of the plan should kick into action. This plan should involve all family members. The main objective should be to get the family to a safe area and to defend that area.

Defending against a home invasion, or any disaster, is no easy task. But if people are prepared, they can prevent or survive any attack. Have that talk today. Make your disaster plan.

Hitching a ride: This Orealla, Region Six resident giving a child a joy ride while transporting tree bark

Problems with UG online programme Dear Editor, Please permit some space in your newspaper to highlight some issues currently faced with the University of Guyana Online programme.

Everything happens online these days. A quick search of the internet will deliver thousands of results of universities offering their programmes through an online platform. This has proven very useful for those universities as they can cater for more students without having to cater classroom space for them.

However, it is not just the universities which have benefitted but the students as well, they no longer have to go through what has become known as the formal schooling setting - where students have to be present physically in a classroom with a teacher or lecturer. They can now be wherever they want as long as they have an internet connection. This probably is the way many will get their tertiary and other education in the future.

Our own University of Guyana decided several years ago to go down this path offering very robust content filled courses online. When I saw the oppor-

tunity, I decided that this was for me, as I work and travel frequently. I was excited about the prospects of finally getting a degree from UG as I was not able to do in the past because of my work and other factors which prevented me from doing full-time courses at the Turkeyen campus. I applied and was successful which saw me enrolling for the online programme.

That is where my nightmare started; this semester should have been the beginning of my third year at the university, however due the many delays on the delivery of my courses I and others are still to write our final examinations for our second year. Hopefully, this will happen in the last week of November.

It must be noted that I have kept my commitment to the university. I pay my tuition in cash to the university expecting that services provided to be of an exceptional standard.

However, it seems that the online programme does not carry equal weight like the “regular” programmes offered by UG and as such we are discriminated against.

If it does carry equal weight, then this is not evident as the programme is

treated with disregard and callousness.

The programme has been plagued from the beginning; I understand that any new programme will have teething problems, however eventually it gets resolved.

There seems to be very slow progress in fixing the problems with this programme. There is no effective coordination; the redtapes to get things done; the uncertainty about where next as there is a lack of information from the university to the students; the lack of tutors to take the courses; and the list goes on.

Only recently a meeting was called to meet with the students of the online programme, even this seems not to have been organised properly.

Notices were sent out late to students and tutors who were supposed to have turned up for a session with students in the afternoon session failed to show up except for a few which can be counted on one hand.

A check at the university will reveal the high number of students dropped out of the programme as a result of the many issues plaguing it. A few of us who

believe that the programme can work has remained and have tried to work with the university to ensure that we complete our degrees.

We continue to make sacrifices; however it seems like the university has no regard for us and demonstrates this in the way we are treated: Second class!

There are many other students who are quite frustrated with the programme and hope the university can really get its act together. In the past I attempted to have some of the issues addressed by writing an email to a council representative who forwarded it to the Vice-Chancellor who then sent in to the coordinator of the online programme at the time.

I visited her office and did not meet her as she was engaged in some other activity. A promise was made that I will be contacted; this never happened.

It is my hope that through this medium, the plight of the online students of the University of Guyana will be highlighted and the administrators can look to having the many issues resolved as soon as possible.

Sincerely, Student

Pharmacy operating without qualified pharmacist Dear Editor, A well-established Pharmacy on the Essequibo Coast, in Region 2 has been operating without a qualified pharmacist which is in violation of the law as a statutory requirement for the past ten years now.

For the public’s protection, the law also makes it

compulsory to display in a conspicuous place, the certificate and photograph of the person employed in the capacity.

While there with a prescription, it was made known to a young female employee my desire to get some advice from the pharmacist: as to how to use the intended medication.

But, my request could not have been entertained because no one in that position was employed there.

In querying, as to how a big established business can be functioning without a pharmacist, the employee explained that the establishment did not need one as the employees “had the experience”. For my

personal safety, the purchase was made at another nearby pharmacy.

To do so on the basis of experience is very much speculative, with a dangerous risk involved of administering the incorrect treatment. It’s like gambling with a person’s health and life.

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guyana-times.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

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

Crop diversification at Medical misdiagnosis Wales Sugar Estate Dear Editor, In an article on the above referenced subject which appeared in the news media of Sept 16, Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) announced that it is diversifying abandoned sugar lands at Wales Estate to grow rice with the hope of returning its operations to profitability.

The chief executive officer (CEO) claimed that the Corporation had previously experimented with rice growing at its Blairmont Estate in the 1980s but he gave no indication as to its profitability then although its cultivation was discontinued.

Rice is Guyana’s second largest crop which is grown mostly by small subsistence farmers. The price they receive for their crops varies from one harvest to the other which is determined by the fluctuating world price for rice and crop yields.

Unfortunately, Guyana

cannot produce rice cheaper than Asian countries who dominate the world markets.

It is puzzling therefore that a loss-making sugar growing corporation is diversifying its cultivation from sugar into another loss-making crop. Further, GuySuCo does not have the financial, management and technical know-how to convert sugar lands to cultivate rice as laser/ lidar land levelling skills and equipment are unavailable in Guyana.

As I sit around my dining table here in New York writing this letter, I noted that my fruit bowl contains bananas from Ecuador, citrus from Peru, avocados from the Dominican Republic, Mangoes from Haiti, pineapple from Costa Rica and flowers from Columbia. All these produce were grown in tropical countries in the Americas and are being sold in developed countries at a reason-

able profit.

The APNU-AFC Govt and by implication GuySuCo seemed to have lost their way as they have no clear-cut policy as to what should be done with the abandoned sugar lands as the Corporation continues to survive on Govt subsidies while its operation contracts and its production costs escalates.

Sooner or later GuySuCo will have to liquidate its assets to pay off its debts and wean itself off Govt subsidies which are strangling the economy. Hence the Govt has to ‘bite the bullet’ and make the tough decisions so necessary to get the Guyanese economy back on track to create the jobs which will be needed for all those impending redundant sugar workers.

Yours truly, Charles Sohan

Dear Editor, I write this letter out of utter frustration and on behalf of the many fellow Guyanese who may have been in a similar situation and are without any recourse to stop this practice.

The facts are as follows: Some time ago I started experiencing severe pain in the groin area. I went to see a doctor who placed me on medication and told me I needed surgery to correct an inguinal hernia which he scheduled for a later date. No x-ray was done just a physical examination. I paid for the medication and prepared myself mentally for the surgery which would have cost in excess of $200,000.

Out of an abundance of caution, I sought the opinion of another doctor who told me my condition resulted from an abscess and gave me further medication which took care of the problem. No surgery was necessary.

To say I was stunned at the misdiagnosis is an understatement.

Recognising beauty ambassadors

Dear Editor, I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the recently crowned beauty queens of Guyana, namely, Soyini Fraser who was crowned Miss Guyana Universe 2016 on September 17, while 20-yearold Brittany Singh was pronounced Miss India Guyana 2016 on September 5.

I would like to compliment them, wish them well and let them know that they have won these competitions, not just to feel good, but to motivate themselves to be better individuals who will serve a positive purpose.

To these Queens, I would also like to say that they should use this opportunity to motivate the youths to serve the country and the world in activities such as serving orphanages, autistic schools and the elderly, so that their names could remain a great legacy in the beauty industry in Guyana, while they enjoy the glitz and glamour that comes with the life of pageantry.

Being a beauty queen is not always glitz and glamour.

It is a very responsible position in which one becomes an automatic beauty ambassador of their country and community, whereby individuality is replaced by national and cohesive

ethos. Beauty Ambassadors must always see the bigger picture and be the bigger reality in the cause of humanity.

When my daughter, Katherina Roshana, had won the Miss India Guyana Pageant 2013, along with the Miss Guyana Universe 2013 crown, I had advised the then Government of Guyana to appoint her and other beauty queens as Beauty Ambassadors of the nation. I had suggested that they should be provided with a certificate of recognition and a pledge to work within a framework of responsibility and goodwill for the nation. I even encouraged a stipend for these Beauty Ambassadors to be able to visit places, motivate youths, encourage the elders and help to make Guyana the best it could possibly ever become, but my suggestion was ignored.

I must note that Guyanese are not aware of the amount of courage, discipline, ambition and sacrifice that these contestants had to endure as they aim for the crown. They have to showcase their bodies and minds as the rest of the nation looks on and judges them.

They are constantly mocked and humiliated for simply following a passion to represent their desire. People of this country need to understand that the

life of these beauty participants is already had without the added pain and humiliation from the people they are trying to represent.

Once again I am encouraging the Government of Guyana to recognize these Beauty Ambassadors and others in the future; to work out a reasonable stipend to help these youths travel around the country while keeping themselves beautiful as they spread messages of positivity throughout the length and breadth of this Nation. This is the least we can do to thank them for their efforts.

Once again, congratulations to these two beauties. The others who did not make it to the top, in their own way are beauty ambassadors of their reli-

gions, communities and societies. Therefore, they also have the opportunity of being a personality that could foster positive change.

The UPF therefore wishes to offer the franchise holders of these two pageants, an appointment for each beauty contestant of both pageants, as Ambassadors of Peace. We wish to set up a small ceremony for the handing over of their instruments of appointment and to give them an overview of the federation and the Ambassador of Peace philosophy in service to humanity: One Family, Under God. Sincerely, Haji Roshan Khan National Chairman UPF Guyana

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I felt victimised that had I not gone for a second opinion I would have had to endure an unnecessary and expensive surgery. I spoke to a friend who is a lawyer and was told that since no harm resulted no legal action against the doctor could have been maintained in a court of law. I was advised to lodge a complaint with the Medical Council.

I feel further victimised.

Had harm resulted and I had died then what? Who would have known that death resulted from unnecessary surgery? How many Guyanese have had unnecessary and expensive surgery as a result of some doctor misdiagnosing their condition?

How many have died from same? What action(s) can be taken against such a doctor?

I know in other parts of the world, the public has recourse to suing for medical malpractice or negligence. What about Guyana? The dailies

are replete with Guyanese dying from alleged malpractice.

How many of those were misdiagnosed? Are doctors scamming poor persons to collect money or is it they’re not qualified to do their jobs?

What can the average Guyanese do about piercing the god-like mystique that surrounds doctors and make them accountable for their actions? I, for one, feel violated and would like to see these “quacks” become accountable for their callous actions.

In this day and age, doctors who violate their oath of “do no harm” should not be foisted on an unsuspecting public. Guyanese should not throw up their collective arms in resignation but start a grassroots movement to have doctors become accountable for their actions.

Yours truly, Stan Gouveia

Pharmacy operating...

From all appearances, it would seem that cheapness in saving expenses for providing the services of a pharmacist is very good for the business, but simultaneously very bad for customers whose health could be jeopardised from receiving the wrong medication.

It was revealed when this business entity started, a pharmacist was employed there but, as the business expanded, the individual, who now owns their own business, left and there was no replacement for some ten years now.

Where other pharmacies exist in the district, the law is being complied with. Why

FROM PAGE 4

not this one? To ensure that the law is being enforced, representatives from the Pharmacy Board/Council in the city would usually make on-the-spot inspections annually. What is responsible for this glaring violation?

There is a predominance of bribery and corruption plaguing the country, and as the saying goes “money could do wonders and make all things possible”. This should not be the case as it would seem to be when considering that one’s health must be treated with paramount importance at all times.

Yours sincerely, John Niles

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

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guyana-times.com

Foundation

Ways to handle back-to-school behaviour problems What teachers need to know

By Kim Abraham and Marney Studaker-Cordner

T

he start of every school year brings all sorts of images to mind: shopping for clothes and school supplies, getting back into a routine of dinner and bedtimes that may have become relaxed during summer, and relief from arguing siblings who have been stuck together 24/7 for the past three months. Many parents are relieved when school starts up again, but for parents of Oppositional Defiant (ODD) children, this is often a time of anxiety and even dread.

As long as you’re doing your job, it’s your child’s responsibility (and ultimate choice) on whether or not to take you up on those opportunities –and to deal with the natural consequences and find a new path if he doesn’t.

As the mother of an ODD child, Kim Abraham remembers a “typical school day” in her family’s life: We’d start the day fighting to get our son up.

Even when he was only seven, he’d make himself a dead weight in the bed. Once we got him up, the next challenge was getting him dressed.

He literally struggled, argued and fought against every effort we made to get him ready. Long after the school bus passed, he was still in his pyjamas, kicking and yelling.

In the end, we had to pretty much drag him into the car and my husband would dress him as I drove. If there hadn’t been two of us, he never would have gotten into the car. We’d squeal into the parking lot as the warning bell was ringing and hand him off to the school staff, peeling out before he could scramble back into the car. Then my husband and I would try to pull ourselves together as we faced work and the calls we’d be getting later in the day about our son’s poor behaviour. Mornings with our other child were completely different: there was break-

fast, getting the backpack together, brushing teeth. There was a routine.

Was school particularly more traumatic for my ODD child than any other child? No. He went to the same school as my other child – a school that was free from gangs or serious violence. He was a bright child — gifted in fact — so the work itself wasn’t a struggle.

If anything, he was bored. So why did he refuse to go? He

come an educated, productive member of society. Keep a notecard handy that reminds you of this goal and pull it out anytime you have phone or in-person contact with the school.

Keep your child responsible. As adults, we can do everything in our power to offer educational opportunities to our children. Transportation, supplies like books and pencils, support in understanding

just didn’t want to. That’s it.

There were other things he’d rather be doing than sitting in class and because he was ODD, he didn’t have the personality that cared about the expectations of his parents, the school or society. He didn’t care that the law said he must attend. He didn’t care about consequences for us — or himself.

the classwork, clearly communicating rules and expectations are all things we can control as adults. However, in the end, it’s up to your child to take advantage of those opportunities. Short of putting the textbook on his head and hoping the information just seeps into his brain, there’s no way to force a child to learn material when he is refusing.

If he does refuse to complete the work he’ll still learn – he’ll just be learning that there are natural consequences to his choices.

Make your child an educational partner.

Remember: this is your child’s education, not yours.

You’ve already gone through school. Perhaps you graduated, perhaps you didn’t.

Perhaps yours was a good experience, perhaps it wasn’t.

Particularly as she gets older, your child should be an active partner in her educational experience. What does she want? Are there alternative education opportunities that might better meet her needs

Is that your child?! The one who’s always in the principal’s office?

Many parents we’ve known have shared experiences working with their child’s school that have left them feeling ashamed, humiliated, frustrated and at times downright furious. It’s a powerful system to encounter and when your child is the one who insists on doing things his or her way, it can turn into an “us vs. them” situation. If your child’s school is open to working with you as a team, that’s wonderful.

Try to remember that you’re all working toward the same goal: for your child to be-

and still meets society’s legal expectations? Be open to your child’s ideas on what needs to happen for a successful education.

Try not to predict the future. Most of us get frightened – even terrified – when our children begin to struggle in school. If my child is struggling in the 2nd or 4th or 6th grade, what will happen down the road? The worst case scenario: he may not graduate.

That thought strikes fear and disappointment into the hearts of many parents. But what’s the worst case scenario here? Many people succeed in life even though they decide to take an alternate route. Jobs in the trade and service industries are no less valuable than those that require college or even high school diplomas.

Many, many successful people chose not to take their parents and the school system up on the opportunity for a formal education: Ansel Adams (famous photographer), Bryan Adams (singer/songwriter), Nora Roberts (bestselling author), Carl Lindner (self-made American businessman and billionaire), Kevin Bacon and Johnny Depp (actors), Sonny Bono (singer and politician) are some names that come to mind. And remember: just because a child doesn’t take advantage of formal education now doesn’t mean she won’t return to it later in the form of a GED, night school or a college placement test. Having said this, there’s no way to predict that your child won’t successfully graduate, despite struggles in school. But fear can lead us to react, as parents, in a way that contributes to our child’s negative school experience. In today’s world, parents and educators sometimes put more effort into a child’s education than into the child himself. Education is about more than “book learning.” It should be the time when our children begin to learn about the real world and how they will navigate through that world successfully. (Excerpt from empoweringparents.com)

about their students’ brains

– why it’s crucial to move physical activity from the playground to the classroom

By Eric Haseltine, PhD

F

CONTINUED FROM MONDAY

ortunately, it turns out that the size and richness of such neural networks can be increased through mental exercise and learning. Such enhancement of cortical neural networks is exactly what happened with Woo’s autistic children, and with the embodied learning students in the Netherlands: the simultaneous use of multiple senses along with motor involvement improved both general cognitive skills and learning of arithmetic and spelling.

Think of the neural networks inside a student’s brain as a web. Every student has a basic matrix of neural connectivity, shown as the “spokes” of the web. As novel connections are formed among different sensory and motor pathways, a new “ring” is added and the web thickens and becomes denser.

When new information is presented to a child’s brain through a single sensory channel, such as reading, a simple neural network of synaptic connections is enhanced, shown on the far left.

Synchronising visual and auditory information, as occurs with multimedia presentations, adds another “ring” to the web. Finally, incorporating motor behaviour and other senses, including touch, smell, taste and proprioceptive (feedback on limb and head and eye position), the neural net “web” grows very dense.

Now imagine that when you teach a student, you are attempting to “throw” new ideas, concepts and information at a web in their brain.

The denser the web, the greater likelihood that the lesson you are teaching will be “caught “and will “stick” in the student’s brain.

One caveat: multi-sensory presentations and motor involvement during learning must be carefully coordinated, synchronised and integrated with the task at hand.

For instance, having a student perform random physical exercise while learning, might actually distract the child by increasing what human factors specialists call “task loading”.

And motor behaviour needs to “fit” the lesson, as when students jump up and

down to demonstrate the addition of two numbers.

Similarly, it is important to avoid sensory overload when presenting information through multiple sensory channels: sights, sounds and tactile sensations must synch up in a natural way and “belong together,” as when a child holds pet that presents natural sights, sounds, odours and feels furry to the child.

The concepts of coordinated, synchronised sensorimotor stimulation and embodied learning suggest that: Whenever possible –and within the constraints of keeping classes “under control” –students should physically act out lessons. An added benefit of such physical activity is increased blood flow to the brain, which, by itself, improves learning and general cognitive abilities.

In other words, radically redefine “physical education” moving physical activity from the playground into the classroom Add tactile stimulation, smells and tastes to lesson plans. If possible, keep adding new sights, sounds, tastes and smells, because novel stimuli form novel, denser connections. The brain craves novelty!!

Have students take new seats every week: sitting in novel locations, with different classmates to interact with, will help students’ brains grow new synapses.

All of this added multisensory and motor components of instruction will not only improve learning and retention of specific lessons, but will also likely elevate general cognitive abilities in the same way that Woo’s sensorimotor helped autistic children.

And changing things around all of the time in the classroom, experiencing new smells, tastes, sights and sounds and physically demonstrating what students should do, will grow healthy neural nets in teachers’ brains as well as those of their students. Research has shown that such strengthening of “neurological reserves” delays or even prevent cognitive decline with age.

Remember, when it comes to brain function, a rising tide lifts all boats! (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

news

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tuesday, september 20, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Guyanese bandit killed in Ali questions delayed Suriname ID’d as taxi driver Public Procurement Commission

appointments

– “this is something that the Government said they were keen on”

H

aving vowed to move swiftly to establish the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) in the first hundred days once elected to office, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, led by President David Granger is now being questioned over its seeming slothfulness to appoint the members of the PPC, despite the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament unanimously agreeing on the nominee and the National Assembly subsequently approving those nominees.

Chairman of the PAC, Irfaan Ali, an opposition legislator in the National Assembly on Monday questioned President David Granger’s delay in swearing-in the members so they can commence working.

Ali told Guyana Times that the committee would have fulfilled its responsibility as it relates to selection and agreement on the nominees and it is now President Granger who needs to officially appoint the commissioners. Ali questioned the President’s motive behind the delayed swearing-in.

“This issue is now solely at the feet of the President and it is very strange that the members of the Public Procurement Commission to date have not been sworn in. This is something that the government said they were keen on, so I can’t understand what is causing the delay in the swearing-in of the members, these members have all been agreed on unanimously by the Parliament and it is solely at the feet of the president,” Ali stated as he issued a strong call for the President to fulfil his obligation with the appointment of the Public Procurement Commissioners.

But Ali said this is not preventing the swearing-in of the commissioners.

He went on to explain that the PAC will soon move to put in place the administrative support mechanism for the Commission.

“The PAC after the Parliament comes out of recess, would be moving to have this issue as a priority on its agenda in setting out the administrative mechanism to support the work of the Public Procurement Commission, so there is nothing that is stopping the President from swearing-in the members of the Public Procurement Commission,” Ali reasoned.

Nominees approved

Chairman of Public Accounts Committee, Irfaan Ali

“We are calling on the President to move in an assiduous manner to ensure that the members of the Public Procurement Commission are sworn in and the commission commences its works,” the opposition legislator urged.

Administrative mechanism

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo was quoted by the Government-run Guyana Chronicle as saying that PPC will soon be established as “the process is now awaiting some administrative procedures, including finalising the remuneration packages.”

At the end of July 2016, The Ali-led PAC agreed on the names of the nominees for the PPC and that list was subsequently approved by a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly on August 8.

The nominees are Attorney Emily Dodson, Carol Corbin, University of Guyana lecturer, Sukrishnalall Pasha, Educator Ivor English and former Labour Minister, Nanda Gopaul.

The list of the nominees was sent to President Granger, who under provisions of the Constitution could only appoint members of the PPC after their nomination has been approved in the House, and by a two-thirds majority.

The PPC has been a contributing factor that predated the holding of the General and Regional Elections in May 2015, as the then opposition had insisted that Cabinet should cease the practice of giving ‘no objection’ to contracts for state projects and services, in favour of appeals by aggrieved contractors to the PPC.

Dead: Rodwell Wiggins

T

he Guyanese who was killed by Surinamese law enforcement on Saturday, was identified as Rodwell Wiggins, 34, a former taxi driver attached to the Oasis Taxi Service.

Reports are that Wiggins was among four persons killed by Surinamese lawmen during a shootout moments after they carried out a brazen daylight robbery on a supermarket.

Another man has been identified as Furgel Grant, 31, of Suriname. Grant had escaped from prison four years ago. He was convicted of a series of armed robberies and only spent one of the five years he received at the Hazard Prison before escaping. The third dead man is yet to be identified but is said to have been a Jamaican.

Guyana Times understands that the four men, two of whom were masked, entered a supermarket and held the proprietor and his partner at gunpoint and de-

manded cash.

One of the workers managed to raise an alarm and the Police were summoned.

Upon seeing the Police vehicle, the gunmen opened fire, shattering the windscreen.

In retaliation, the Police returned fire, fatally wounding three of them.

One was subsequently arrested and taken to a hospital where he is receiving medical attention under guard.

When contacted, local Crime Chief Hugh Jessemy told Guyana Times that he is not in direct contact with his counterparts in Suriname, but confirmed that the Guyana Police Force was apprised of the situation.

When contacts were made with the taxi service, his ex-colleagues refused to provide any information and even denied he worked at the taxi service.

Suriname police are continuing their investigations.

8 news

TUESAY, september 20, 2016 | guyana-times.com

IN THE COURTS Pregnant Jamaican Ex-boyfriend fined remanded on narco $40,000 for assault

trafficking charge

A

Marleen Grant

three months pregnant Jamaican woman was on Monday afternoon remanded to prison when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Marleen Grant plead-

ed guilty with explanation when she was arraigned before Magistrate Judy Latchman on a narcotics trafficking charge.

It is alleged that on September 17, 2016 at Essequibo, she had in her possession 629 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

However, a not-guilty plea was entered after her explanation was made directly to the Magistrate.

The prosecution objected to bail, stating that the defendant was a Jamaican, which made her a flight risk.

Bail was denied and the defendant was remanded. She will next appear in court on September 26, 2016.

Eyew tness Out to lunch...

I

A

22-year-old man was on Monday fined when he appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for assault.

Mark Gonsalves pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on April 1, 2016 at Block E, South Sophia, Georgetown, he assaulted Virtual Complainant Lorraine Hope so as to cause her actual bodily harm. According to the defendant, he committed the act which stemmed from him being angered over the VC’s

alleged infidelity.

However, the VC explained that on the day in question, she was going to work when she was attacked by the defendant, who took her bag from her. She said that the defendant, who is her ex-boyfriend, threw her bag into a nearby trench. When she protested his actions, he then held her and bit her on her lips. The matter was reported. Gonsalves was fined $40,000 with a default sentence of 14 days’ imprisonment.

...on the economy

t’s clear Finance Minister Winston Jordan still doesn’t get it about why his insistence on stressing increased gold production in keeping the economy on its growth trajectory isn’t cutting any ice with anyone. So why isn’t he giving the Public Servants their promised “substantial” raise if the economy’s doing so well.

Most recently he was challenged by PPP’s shadow finance maven Irfaan Ali when he blurted we should consider ourselves “lucky” for the role of gold. Is this guy for real? So this is what’s supposed to be taking care of the economy...luck? There’s two things wrong with Jordan’s cockamamie ebullience on gold. First and foremost - as was pointed out by Ali - how much of the proceeds of gold are available to us since the major portion of the gold proceeds are sent overseas by the expatriate two largest producers in the sector?

He should share that figure with the Guyanese populace, who will then know who’s getting the gold and who’s left with the hole! The second thing wrong with Jordan bigging up gold - is he’s seemingly oblivious to the consequent distortion of our economy. Gold’s very volatile since its price has nothing to do with supply and demand and everything to do with totally exogenous factors. Such as the strength of the dollar which is the world’s de facto reserve currency; inflation, interest rates, volatile markets in commodities or stocks etc etc...

So we can’t depend on gold or (any non-renewable resource) to generate sustainable growth - much less development. And this would be true even if ALL of the proceeds from gold were being ploughed back into our economy. The situation’s akin to what has been called “Dutch Disease” - contracted when that country “threw back” and allowed its traditional industries to wither when oil money from North Sea oil started to flow.

And when the oil was gone...the Dutch was left holding “wood” or what former president Donald Ramotar quaintly called “larwah”. It ain’t pretty! For a man as old as Jordan, has he forgotten the discussion from back in the day about “development” being the goal of those placed at the helm of the Finance Ministry and not just “growth”? Growth is necessary - but not sufficient for development.

So let’s make this simple for Jordan. He has to either come up with plans to resuscitate the traditional “six sisters” - or create new industries to get money into the pockets of the populace. If the increased gold production were employing the entire Guyanese work force, there would’ve been no problem - in the near term.

But since it’s not we’re screwed twice over…

...on an ego kick

Your Eyewitness had heard this fella Goolsarran was an egomaniac. But then, back in his days in the bureaucracy during the Burnhamite regime, most professionals had fled (from Burnham on horseback during Hope Estate “reorientation”, among other things) and it was easy to be “king in blind man country”.

Returning to Guyana from a stint at the World Bank (on the bona fides of the GoG) he was livid that some who were his juniors were now in the top tier - far beyond what he’d previously ingratiated himself into. From his vicious attacks on them in the press he showed when it came to “hell and fury” women had nothing on bookkeepers!!

Thrown a few “audit” bones (without much marrow, to his consternation!), he threw a hissy fit when none of his advice - more like “getting even” - was taken by the government.

So he’s returned to singing for his supper. Most recently by claiming the Sanata dyeing and finishing operation which used a million gallons of water daily - wouldn’t own its own well!

...on sugar

The Stabber waxed quite indignant about the government and GuySuCo not consulting sugar workers - first on the closure and now on its diversification into sugar.

When did the PNC ever consider sugar workers as “people”?

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

news

9

tuesday, september 20, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Illegal plane at Yupukari

Abandoned aircraft remains grounded as investigation intensifies a Joint Services patrol which included the Guyana Police Force, on September 13.

The following day, the GDF and GPF visited the area and conducted a search, during which the twin-engine Cessna aircraft was discovered.

Subsequently, a team of investigators from the GDF, GPF, the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) was deployed from Georgetown to conduct investigations.

It was reported that the aircraft had a leakage in the fuel tank and that could have

A

GDF ranks searching for clues

s local investigations continue into the illegal aircraft found at Yupukari, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo), the joint services are now scoping the area for any possible linkage to the find.

This newspaper was told that the joint service is of the belief that other such airstrips may be in close proximity to the one where the aircraft was found.

A source told Guyana Times that nothing of substance was found on the aircraft but based on reports from residents, sounds of allterrain vehicles (ATV) were heard traversing the locations.

The source further stated that checks were made and ATV tracks were seen; however as it is presently,

Officers of the Joint Services at the site

the aircraft cannot move and the possibility exists that it might be destroyed.

Only recently, residents in the area claimed that the aircraft was seen circling days prior to the discovery and were not even aware that an airstrip was in the area.

Based on reports from the Guyana Defence Force, the discovery was made following information received by

been the reason for it being abandoned.

The aircraft bore US registration N-767-Z, however when checks were made with US authorities to determine the owner of the aircraft, it was revealed that the registration was bogus.

The Custom AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) is of the belief the plane is associated with the underworld.

GECOM's radio set fiasco

Surujbally dodges questions, awaits audit findings

D

r Steve Surujbally, Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), which is currently consumed in allegations of deep-rooted corruption, is dodging questions regarding issues of financial irregularities plaguing the electoral body involving the procurement of 50 High Frequency (HF) Communication Radios and stationery from a Water Street businessman.

State auditors earlier this month launched a major probe after the Audit Office of Guyana reportedly noticed discrepancies with the purchasing of 50 VHF communication radios by GECOM for close to $100 million, prior to the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections, raising concerns over the extraordinarily high cost of the equipment.

When contacted Monday, Dr Surujbally said he prefers to await the findings of state auditors currently perusing the books of the commission: “We are awaiting the result of the audit; let the auditors tell us that has happened or that has not happened. Let us be clear on a matter. I cannot pronounce on a matter that is still being investigated.”

He went on to attempt to exonerate himself from the fiasco by stating that he is not responsible for the financial affairs of the Commission, but rather the Chief Elections Officer, making particular reference to the 2011 General and Regional Elections from whence some of the fraud allegations stemmed.

“In 2015 when we had the elections, the accounting officer is the Chief Elections Officer,” Dr Surujbally highlighted.

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

In March 2014, Keith Lowenfield was appointed Chief Elections Officer and continues to serve in that capacity. Lowenfield could not be contacted Monday for a comment as calls to his mobile phone went unanswered.

The radio sets were reportedly purchased for use during the 2015 General and Regional Elections, particular in the outlying regions; however, they were never put into use after it was discovered many of them were outdated and non-functional.

GECOM reportedly sought quotations from several suppliers, both local and international, but handed the contract for the supply of the equipment to Mobile Authority, a company owned by a Water Street, Georgetown, businessman.

There were reports that some of the equipment purchased were obsolete and therefore not covered by warranty.

As a matter of fact, sections of the Guyanese media reported that the Australianbased manufacturer, Barrett Communications, distanced itself from the purchase, making it clear that while

it had tendered through the Advanced Office Systems for the supply of new radio equipment for the 2015 elections; GECOM subsequently cancelled the order.

Further, the company revealed that it had ceased to produce the equipment more than five years ago.

Many questions are being raised as to why GECOM would choose to purchase such expensive equipment from a small company here and totally ignoring the manufacturer or authorised distributor of the equipment, which have implications for warranty.

Meanwhile, more questionable procurements by the body surfaced at the weekend with fresh reports that the Commission doled out close to another $100 million to M-Tech Business Solutions, another company owned by the same Water Street businessman, this time for the supply of toners used for photocopiers and printers, office furniture and equipment, photo paper and scanners, printing accessories, and even Duracell batteries.

According to reports, based on records available, GECOM may have been involved in some amount of contract splitting.

Already the political Opposition issued a call for a full public disclosure of the final audit report.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo’s office in a statement, said that it noted with “deep concern” the allegations of irregularity and the implications of corruption in the procurement of the communication equipment and the “the corresponding silence” of both Dr Surujbally, and Lowenfield.

10

guyana-times.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

News

UG VC confident of Medical School’s speedy reaccreditation

– preparing for November site visit

T

he Medical School of the University of Guyana (UG) still has a far way to go before it regains accreditation, but Vice Chancellor, Dr Ivelaw Griffith is quite confident that things will fall into place.

The Medical School has been struggling to have its programme reaccredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine (CAAEM), since it

was lost back in 2014.

Dr Griffith said he was positive that things would get back on track, especially after a site visit by the accreditation body in November of this year. The reaccreditation process, Dr Griffith explained, is a journey and not an event. A journey that will allow the University to meet some of the “conditionalities” that were not previously met which caused the School to

UG Vice Chancellor, Dr Ivelaw Griffith

lose its accreditation in the first place. “I am very confident that we have met some of those conditionalities. We are working towards improving the physical facilities.

We hit a snag and we made a public notice about it, that we had an electrical fire in the Health Faculty and because of that fire, we had to relocate classrooms, faculty and administrative staff,” the Vice Chancellor outlined.

TURN TO PAGE 16

Ethno-transCaribbean identity

O

ver the past month or so I have been analysing Caribbean Indian identity, namely ethno-local and ethno-national.

In this column, I will move on and analyse the third of the multipartite model of Indian identity – ethno-trans-Caribbean.

An ethno-trans-Caribbean identity is when an individual does not identify or see him or herself in relation to a specific country in the Caribbean but identifies with other countries across the Caribbean.

Put differently, individual as well as collective thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are associated with other countries in the Caribbean rather than be restricted to one specific country.

When asked, for example, who are you, where are you from, the general reply is that I am a Caribbean person. However, this form of identity is restricted within Caribbean countries that share somewhat similar cultural Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine characteristics.

Spanish-speaking individuals or Hispanics in the Caribbean tend to identify with Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and so when they say they are from the Caribbean they are implicitly referring to an insular trans-Caribbean identity in the northern Caribbean.

Similar sentiments of identity are found amongst African Caribbeans, although these sentiments are further separated according to language and religious affiliations. Rastafarians share a typical trans-Caribbean identity but French Caribbean Africans may not identify with English-speaking Africans, for example.

The legacy of colonialism is mainly responsible for this insular identity but there are efforts to address this colonial sin through various Pan African-Caribbean movements.

As far as Indians are concerned, they share an ethno-transCaribbean identity with Guyana, Trinidad, and Suriname, countries with large Indian populations, rather than with Antigua, St Kitts, Puerto Rico, or Cuba with small populations of Indians and a different sense of identity.

An ethno-trans-Caribbean identity is not common among Indians but it is an alternative form of identity that cannot be easily dismissed. This form of identity is religiously-oriented in the form of Hinduism and Islam to provide a sense of security and stability for trans-Caribbean Indians. It is expressed through the assertive Indian Council for Culture (ICC), Arya Samaj, Santan Dharma, as well as other Islamic and Christian organisations, although the latter may comprise other ethnic groups like Africans in the Christian Baptist religion.

These religious organisations have pushed for Indian empowerment, recognition, and revitalisation in a Creolized Caribbean. See the works of Morton Klass (1996) for Indian revitalisation movement in Trinidad and Van der Veer and Vertovec (1991) for Brahmanism across the Caribbean.

The establishment of a private Hindu school in 2002 in Guyana by Swami Aksharananda represents not only a need for the revitalisation of Hinduism in Guyana but also in Trinidad and Suriname. I understand that the Swami plans to build a dormitory for teachers and researchers as well as a Hindu university to attract Indians from across the Caribbean and further afield.

Muslims in Guyana have also intensified and broadened their external contacts, not only with India and Pakistan, but also with countries in the region – Trinidad and Suriname – and with the Arab world. What has happened in the process is the formation of an ethno-trans-Caribbean identity, creating a common space where Muslims meet and mingle through regular visits.

Interestingly, an ethno-trans-Caribbean identity is not restricted to the insular Caribbean but it is also noticeable and vocal in the Indian North American and European diaspora. This is possible because, as Benedict Anderson (1991) suggests elsewhere, a trans-Caribbean identity can be imagined. Even though Indians in the diaspora have no personal knowledge of each other, they share a civic nation in which similar values, interests, images of camaraderie, citizenship, and community are expressed.

It is in New York, Toronto, and London, for example, where the images of a civic trans-Caribbean identity are expressed. To feel connected with their trans-Caribbean identity in these new societies that discriminate, Indian Caribbean immigrants have formed associations like the Ontario Society for Services to the IndoCaribbean Community (OSSICC) to deal with the everyday challenges of North American society and to practice segmented assimilation patterns, that is, maintaining contact with the Caribbean while integrating selectively into North American society.

These Indians express a trans-Caribbean identity through their trans-national lifestyle. They are in Canada but their Caribbean past is highlighted, their achievements in Canada are appreciated, and their differences from Canada are valued. Some of this is expressed in associations, religious domains, clubs, newspapers, and radio stations.

For some, a search for or an expression of ethno-trans-Caribbean identity is genuine, while for others it is an excuse for claims and counter-claims in a foreign land. In consequence, misplaced and misguided feelings may prevail (send comments to: lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu).

NEWS

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

INTERPOL to assist with TIP in Guyana T

he International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) will assist in training members of the judicial sector to deal with Trafficking in Persons (TIP).

Acting Coordinator of the TIP Ministerial Task Force, Oliver Profitt, has revealed that members of the prosecutorial section and the magistracy are expected to be trained in victim support among other aspects, a Government Information Agency (GINA) release stated. The training will be held in October and November, and will be facilitated by INTERPOL. “The idea now is for them to be able to come back with

the knowledge they gain from this training and be able to re-train or to pass it on to members of the Task Force and also to others that work in their fields,” Profitt explained.

Training of Government officials and related persons in identification, prevention and prosecution as it relates to TIP is an essential part of the TIP Action Plan. The two-year (2016-2017) strategy will be released to the public later this year; however, Profitt explained that the Ministerial Task Force has begun undertaking activities outlined in the comprehensive document.

One such activity will be the local training of train-

ers in TIP, earmarked for October. The Counter Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP) Unit of the Social Protection Ministry is expected to facilitate this session.

“That will enable us to have a wider base as well of persons that can administer training or go and do awareness sessions elsewhere instead of us having a few of us around the table trying to cover the whole country,” Profitt told GINA. Since the Ministerial Task Force on TIP re-convened earlier this year, officers from the Immigration Department, the Guyana Police Force’s Intelligence Unit and Criminal

Investigation Department, along with the C-TIP Unit, benefited from INTERPOL training.

Profitt further explained that INTERPOL had conducted a needs assessment prior to the training.

“They (INTERPOL) were in a number of countries and they wanted to assess the needs of each country, and also to have regional training, so when they get this

assessment done, they can tailor the training to meet the needs of each country,” he added.

INTERPOL also had input in the compilation of the TIP Action Plan. The Plan is divided into the four pillars used in the TIP fight: prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership.

The TIP Ministerial Task Force meets monthly, and is chaired by Public

Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan.

The Task Force is mandated by the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act No 2 of 2005, to ensure there is public awareness on TIP, and training for law enforcement and other officials among other things.

The Task Force comprises a mixture of governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations working together to combat TIP.

No remedial works yet for defective Kato School

– hundreds of students remain in limbo

Blankenburg fatal accident

Mother loses unborn child

Mark Halley and Michell Miguel will be discharged from hospital today

T

he parents of the two young children who were killed in an accident at Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara on Tuesday last will be discharged from a city hospital, some time today.

Guyana Times understands that the father, Mark Halley, of Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara, is recovering from a broken collar bone and three broken ribs on his left side. A Police source attached to the investigation revealed that Halley would be charged for the fatal accident.

According to reports, the mother of the children, Michell Miguel, also lost her unborn child as a medical termination was performed in an effort to save her life.

Persons close to the couple on Monday attempted to clear up reports which suggested that the dark grey Allion motor car, bearing registration number PVV 38, was operating as a taxi.

Guyana Times was reliably informed that Halley was en route to transport goods for the vehicle’s owner when he reportedly swerved to avoid a dog, and subsequently

crashed. This publication was also informed that the investigation showed that Halley was speeding at the time.

Additionally, Guyana Times also received information that the badly damaged motor car allegedly belonged to a Police rank attached to the Georgetown Division.

It was in the wee hours of September 13 that the two children, 10-monthold Marvin Miguel and his seven-year-old sister, Tina Miguel, were killed, after the car in which they were travelling slammed into two parked vehicles (a Tundra and a minibus) on the Blankenburg Public Road.

Reports reveal that the family was heading to Parika. Halley would normally take his family along on his trips transporting goods from Parika, according to sources. This newspaper was told that the seven-year-old usually lived with her mother’s family in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), but came to spend the holidays with her mother, brother and stepfather.

Kato Secondary School

H

undreds of students remain in limbo as no remedial work at the Kato Secondary School has started, an official at the Education Ministry disclosed on Monday.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had stated that an audit report into the school, which pinpointed several defects in its construction, was sent to the Chambers of the Attorney General for an investigation to be conducted.

But to date, Attorney General Basil Williams is yet to indicate what has become of the contractor who carried out the “shoddy work”, and whether he would be held accountable.

However, an official at

the Ministry has disclosed that the matter was yet to be thrashed out, even though the 400-plus students of the school were crammed into another school, which was already overcrowded.

“No decisions have been made as yet,” the official said.

Although Kares Engineering, the firm which constructed the school, has indicated its willingness to remedy the faults on the school, Patterson stated that given the fact it was under investigation, the firm would not be awarded the contract to fix the deficiencies.

He had asserted that the company was given many opportunities to correct its poor work, but did not.

The school, which was built at a cost of $728.1 million, has glaring evidence of poor construction: cracked walls and flooring, termite infested wood and cheap materials being used to build rooms.

However, Kares Engineering said the school was built to “rigid specifications”.

Also, although Patterson has placed the extremely defective school high on the Government’s agenda for projects to be completed, discussions have just started.

There has been no advertisement for bidding for the remedial works on the school, which could cost the Government another $140 million.

12 NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Dysfunctional fire hydrants a worry in Linden “It’s like throwing water on duck back” – Councillor

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he issue of dysfunctional fire hydrants in Linden continue to be a worry for both residents and officials, and recently Region 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice) Councillor Gordon Callender, referred to the situation as “throwing water on duck back.”

He noted that the numerous calls by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) to remedy the situation have yielded no results.

During the hosting of the RDC statutory meeting recently, Callender pointed to several fire hydrants in the community, including one on Linden’s main thoroughfare, Republic Avenue, Mackenzie.

He emphasised that the issue is one that has been highlighted by the Council for months. Addressing Regional Chairman Renis Morian, Callender made a suggestion to have a letter written to the Public Infrastructure Ministry in an effort to have a technical assessment of the fire hydrants conducted.

Pointing to the hap-hazard condition of some fire hydrants, Callender urged the Council to make the necessary representation, noting that it is a relevant intervention in the instances of disasters: “It’s like throwing water on duck back… We need to look at these things…in the event of any disaster whereby fire

is concerned,” he said.

Meanwhile, Councillor Charles Sampson called for the re-institution of a former system which he noted was used to trigger the amount of water pressure needed to operate the hydrants, since according to him, the community lacks the capacity to even provide the required amount of water pressure to homes: “We’ve been talking about fire hydrants for years… A fire hydrant is supposed to have a certain amount of water pressure in it. We don’t even provide enough water pressure to go upstairs in people’s houses in this community. How are we going to satisfy the needs of fire hydrants? It’s a

A fire hydrant at Linden

logical problem and we keep bringing it up at this forum without any results.”

In response Morian told the Council that the issue is a national one, while he made suggestion for a proposal to be sent to the Public Infrastructure Ministry through the Regional Works Committee of the RDC: “I remember in 2012, nobody seemed to want to take responsibility for hydrants. GWI said it’s not theirs, Public Infrastructure said it’s not theirs… I know there is a programme to rehabilitate all of the hydrants…

We would have to do it in phases, so the first phase we’re going to rehabilitate the ones we have.”

Missing teenager

Mother pleads for public’s assistance

The missing teen, Ashley Singh

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distraught mother from Suddie Village, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), is pleading with the general public to assist her in locating her missing teenage daughter, Ashley Singh.

Sharada Ravida said her daughter was last seen on September 9, 2016 at their Suddie Home.

The 16-year teen is currently a fifth form student at the Johanna Cecilia

Secondary School. The mother described her daughter as slim and dark.

The mother of seven explained that her son, who works in the interior, had sent her money via Western Union and her daughter was tasked with documenting the transaction number.

According to Ravida, her daughter wrote the wrong numbers and could not remember where she had left the paper. An argument erupted between the two and the mother then threatened to take the girl out of school.

“I told her I will take her out from school cause she not learning and she wasting my money, simple numbers she can’t write.”

She said after the argument she then went upstairs in search of the paper and upon her return to the lower flat, she discovered the girl missing.

The girl’s mother expressed regret at being harsh with her daughter and wants the missing teen

The worried mother, Sharada Ravida

to know that she loves her very much. She is therefore asking that Ashley return home so she can reunite with her family.

A missing person’s report was filed at the Suddie Police Station and Police are assisting in the search.

Anyone with information regarding the teenager’s whereabouts can contact the nearest police station.

NEWS

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tuesday, september 20, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Hospital upgrade project Local manufacturer sidelined …as Surinamese company gets 75% completed school juice contract

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unior Public Health Minister Dr Karen Cummings has revealed that the Health Ministry’s Hospital Upgrade project is now 75 per cent completed, as efforts intensify to instil public confidence in the healthcare facilities.

According to Dr Cummings, the ministry embarked on the project after realising that the City hospital was under tremendous pressure to facilitate patients from all parts of the country: “We want the people to have confidence in us so we opted to strengthening our systems and so far we are on target.”

She explained too that Regional hospitals are be-

ing brought up to par with the Georgetown Public Hospital since they are being given the required resources and equipment.

Junior Public Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings

Last year, Public Health Minister Dr George Norton had announced that the Suddie Hospital in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), Bartica Hospital in Region Seven

(Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and the West Demerara Regional Hospital in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) were ear-

marked for upgrades. The upgrade is being funded by the Indian Government through the Modernisation of Primary Healthcare System project. In addition to the rehabilitation of the hospitals, the grant also covers the provision of medical equipment.

Alluding to the details of the works to be carried out, Dr Cummings said the upgrade includes improving theatres, construction of theatres in cases where there are not any, modernising medical equipment, and procuring beds. She revealed that the ministry has already distributed several beds to the Maternity Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital, to cater for the influx of pregnant mothers.

A few months ago, a mother who had just delivered her baby was found lying under a bed with the infant, as there were no available beds for her to sleep on. There have been numerous alarming complaints that mothers would have to “double up” on beds in the maternity unit of the hospital.

Dr Cummings noted that these issues are being addressed, and assured that the upgrade process will be completed within the next two months: “There will be improvement. We are dedicated to it.”

DDL’s Topco Plant has to now shift its focus to different markets

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ocal beverage giant, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) has been overlooked as Government announced that the contract for the supply and delivery of boxed juices was awarded to Suriname’s Rudisa Beverages and Juices Company.

This announcement was made despite DDL being the lowest bidder at the recent bid for the contract. After milk was replaced as the preferred beverage to offer students along with biscuits and a snack in schools, DDL had supplied Topco juices to Government’s National School Feeding programme since 2010.

However, on Saturday Government stated that it was guided by the National Procurement and Tender Board Administration’s recommendation that the contract should be awarded to the third highest bidder.

Government further justi-

fied its decision noting that Rudisa met the requisite administrative as well as technical requirements.

In a brief comment on the issue a DDL official said on Monday that the company will make a public statement soon on the issue.

Meanwhile, Opposition Member of Parliament and former Attorney General Anil Nandlall commenting on the issue on Monday said that while Caricom (Caribeban Community) has obligations which may allow for a level playing field for competitive companies, the benefits a local company can offer Guyana outweighs that of a foreign company. He added that the deal sends the wrong message to local manufactures, pointing out that other Caricom member states make provisions for their local companies to thrive.

The former Attorney General likened the deci-

sion to terminate the company’s juice contract as move against job creation, something Nandlall reminded was promised in the coalition’s 100 day plan.

Nandlall also referenced company Barama which recently laid off nearly 200 employees due to the non-renewal of their licenses. The former Attorney General surmised that Government is “contributing to unemployment” in the country.

Meanwhile, in July 2015 that the Surinamese beverage company, RUDISA International NV, agreed to slash over US$1 million off of the settlement awarded by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to be repaid by the Government of Guyana for taxes it had imposed on imported beverage bottles.

This was down from the US$7.72 million (G$1.6 billion) that the CCJ ordered Guyana to pay the beverage company.

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guyana-times.com

tuesday, september 20, 2016

Regional

Antigua seeks more help to get US T&T businessman claims billionto settle internet gaming dispute dollar project “deliberately blocked”

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rime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne has called on his colleagues in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to support his country’s efforts in reaching a settlement with the United States in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Internet gaming dispute.

He made the call over the weekend at the Non-Aligned Summit in Venezuela where he chronicled the over 13-year-old dispute with the US. In 2003, Antigua and Barbuda brought an action against the US for breaching its commitment under the WTO’s General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) by enacting laws that prevented foreign-based operators from offering gambling and betting services to its citizens.

The WTO agreed that Washington had violated international trade agreements by prohibiting oper-

Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne called on the Non-Aligned Movement to help his country in its Internet gaming dispute

ation of offshore Internet gambling sites, and while Antigua claimed that it lost US$3.4 billion a year due to the US action, the WTO awarded the island US$21 million. The Geneva-based organisation has allowed the twin-island nation to sell

US copyright material to the tune of US$21 million a year to recoup the losses.

But even though Antigua and Barbuda had been trying to avoid that and reach an amicable settlement with the US, Prime Minister Browne said the US was yet to put a fair offer on the table. He accused Washington of making “insubstantial offers that could not seriously be considered as a basis for a settlement”.

“In normal circumstances, Mr Chairman, I would regard this as a bilateral matter, and I would not trespass upon the patience of my colleagues, to raise it here. But this case, which is now famous in the annals of international trade law and about which scholarly books have been written, goes to the efficacy of the World Trade Organisation and whether small and micro-states can get justice when powerful nations refuse to cooperate,” he told the Summit. (Excerpt from

Caribbean360)

Serious new mosquito-borne virus seen in Haiti for 1st time

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niversity of Florida (UF) researchers have identified a patient in Haiti with a serious mosquito-borne illness that has never before been reported in the Caribbean nation.

Known as Mayaro Virus, it is closely related to Chikungunya Virus and was first isolated in Trinidad in 1954. Most reported cases, however, have been confined to small outbreaks in the Amazon. Whether the Haiti case signals the start of a new outbreak in the Caribbean Region is currently unknown, a UF statement said.

“While current attention has been focused on the Zika Virus, the finding of yet another mosquito-borne virus which may be starting to circulate in the Caribbean is of concern,” said Dr Glenn Morris, director of the UF Emerging Pathogens Institute.

“Hopefully, we will not see the same massive epidemics that we saw with Chikungunya, dengue and now Zika. However, these findings underscore the fact that there are additional viruses ‘waiting in the wings’ that may pose threats in the future, and for which we need to be watching.”

The case was identified from a blood sample taken in January 2015 from an eight-year-old boy in rural Haiti. The patient had a fever and abdominal pain, but no rash or conjunctivitis. Because faculty from the UF Emerging Pathogens Institute were in the region during and after the 2014 Chikungunya outbreak, plasma samples were obtained from febrile children and analysed for the presence of Chikungunya Virus RNA using a genetic identification technique known as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

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usinessman Derek Chin says he knows that his TT$1 billion Invader’s Bay development project, Streets of the World, was deliberately blocked to facilitate other projects along the western peninsula.

Chin, just back from a three-month long business trip to Canada, told the T&T Guardian that he is utterly shocked to hear about “illegal” construction and the setting up of several private businesses in Chaguaramas.

The Government is reviewing between 21 or 22 land leases given out by the

Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) in the days leading up to the 2015 general election.

Chin asked: “How could State lands be acquired so quickly yet I got all sorts of barriers against a much better national project?”

The CDA was currently re-examining a total of 44 leases given out under the People’s Partnership Administration, including some dated September 4, 5 and 6 – the weekend before the election. In September alone, 21 to 22 leases were signed.

“Well, the facts speak for itself,” said Chin, who

said his Streets of the World project, “would have changed the country big time.

“We have a proven product already in Movietowne so it was not pie in the sky,” he added.

“Streets of the World was a far better project than the proposed water park. It was about taking our culture, our Carnival, our steelpan, our bandleaders, our music and placing it in a worldclass showcase.”

Chin said he will be seeking meetings with the relevant Government Ministers about Streets of the World.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Actress details Brazilian soap opera star’s death T

he Brazilian actress, Camila Pitanga, has described the events leading up to the drowning of the soap opera star, Domingos Montagner, last week.

Pitanga told TV Globo on Sunday that she believed Montagner had stopped her trying to save him as it would have endangered her.

Both actors had gone for a swim in the Sao Francisco River in Sergipe state after a day shooting the soap opera “Velho Chico”.

He was buried in Sao Paulo on Saturday.

Pitanga said they had arranged to go swimming with other stars after the day’s filming, but it had ended up being just the two of them.

They had chosen a quieter part of the riverbank where they would not be

Domingos Montagner was playing the lead role in Velho Chico. His co-stars say they will finish it in his memory

overlooked and could have privacy from bystanders.

She said they had chosen a place where there were some rocks and the water seemed calm and deep.

Montagner had dived in but

she had noted some eddies around the rocks.

Concerned that they might be pushed against the rock and scratch themselves, she suggested they swam back. They then realised that there was a strong current and they were making no progress.

She managed to reach rocks around three metres away and called back to Montagner.

Pitanga said she realised he hadn’t followed her and looking back saw he wasn’t swimming and he appeared frightened.

“I saw his last look. He wasn’t desperate, he was full of sadness. He was a man full of life and projects, looking forward to being with his wife and family.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

Venezuela state declares Digicel gets the nod to purchase food emergency at schools (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

TRES Networks in Curacao

Group CEO Digicel Cable and Broadband John Suranyi

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igicel Group Monday announced that it has received approval from the Government and regulatory authorities for the purchase of TRES Networks in Curaçao, and is now mov-

ing swiftly to complete the transaction.

In a news release from the company, Digicel Play, Caribbean and Central America, CEO John Suranyi said: “This is an exciting time for Digicel Curaçao and TRES Networks, as together we are better positioned to serve our customers. As always, our emphasis is on ensuring that our customers benefit from the best services and the latest innovation, so we are looking forward to forging ahead with plans to expand our suite of products and services for our customers in Curaçao.”

“We are excited about joining the Digicel team which allows us to move forward with our plans to ex-

tend the only true Fibre-ToThe-Home (FTTH) network to other neighbourhoods on the island. This does not only enable more people to enjoy the highest quality Internet, TV and telephony services but also to enjoy it at the fastest speeds available on the island,” said Frank de Fremery, CEO of TRES Networks.

According to the release, TRES Networks is a fixed and international long distance telecommunications operator and distributor of digital television and entertainment services. It provides residential and business customers with high-speed Internet, voice and digital services over the island’s only fibre-optic network. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

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he Opposition Governor of Venezuela’s secondlargest state, Henrique Capriles, declared an emergency Monday over a lack of food for public schools, blaming the socialist Government’s “misguided” policies.

“We are declaring a food emergency in our state,” said Capriles, the Governor of Miranda state, who is leading a campaign to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office in a recall referendum.

Capriles and his centre-right Opposition coalition, the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), blame the leftist President for an economic crisis that is causing severe shortages of food and medicine in Venezuela.

The state of emergency enables Capriles, Maduro’s opponent in the 2013 pres-

idential election, to divert funding toward food for schools, nursing homes and facilities for the disabled.

It also authorises him to resort to the Private Sector and aid organisations for food.

“There’s not enough food for the people of this country,” he told a news conference, accusing the Government of covering up the real problem: “a lack of

production”.

Oil-rich Venezuela has veered into crisis as crude prices have collapsed since mid-2014, threatening Maduro and 17 years of socialist rule.

Maduro blames the shortages on an “economic war” by the business sector, which he accuses of withholding supplies to undermine his Government. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

tuesday, september 20, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the World

Migrants flee burning Greek US terror blasts suspect in custody camp of Moria on Lesbos

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he New York and New Jersey bombings suspect is in custody after a shootout with Police that began when he was found sleeping in a bar doorway.

Afghan-born Ahmad Khan Rahami, 28, is undergoing surgery for a gunshot wound after the confrontation in New Jersey.

Republican Donald Trump immediately seized on the news as vindication of his hard line on immigration and vowed to defeat “radical Islamic terrorism”.

The FBI said no other suspect was being sought over the weekend’s blasts.

The shootout happened in Linden, four miles (6km) south-west of the city of Elizabeth, where further devices were found late on Sunday.

Linden Mayor Derek Armstead said the suspect was found sleeping in the doorway of Merdie’s Tavern

Footage from WABC shows the suspect being loaded into an ambulance

by the owner, who reported him to Police.

When a Police Officer went to investigate and wake him, the suspect fired on him and two Police Officers suffered injuries.

At a rally in Florida later on Monday, Trump said Rahami would be indulged

by US authorities and this was evidence the country had become weak.

“Now we will give him amazing hospitalisation.

He will be taken care of by

some of the best doctors in the world.

He repeated calls for “extreme vetting” that would include an assessment of whether potential immigrants share American values.

His Democratic rival Hillary Clinton has accused him of playing into the hands of militants and instead pledged to build trust between law enforcement and Muslim American communities. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Putin firms control with big win for Russia’s ruling party

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ladimir Putin cemented his supremacy over Russia’s political system when his ruling United Russia party took three quarters of the seats in Parliament in a weekend election, paving the way for him to run for a fourth term as President.

Opposition activists and European observers questioned how free and fair the vote had been, however, although there were no immediate signs the result might spark street protests of the kind which erupted after the last such election in 2011.

With most votes counted, United Russia, founded by Putin almost 16 years ago after he first became President, was on track on Monday to win 76 per cent of the seats in Russia’s Duma, the lower House of Parliament, up from just over half in 2011.

That would be its biggest-ever majority. Putin’s spokesman called it “an impressive vote of confidence” in the Russian leader and dismissed critics who noted a sharp fall in turnout.

Around four million fewer Russians voted for

United Russia compared to 2011, data from the Central Election Commission showed, while overall turnout fell to 48 per cent from 60 per cent, exposing growing apathy about a political system and elite which critics say tolerates no genuine opposition.

Liberal Opposition parties failed to win a single seat. Dmitry Gudkov, the only liberal Opposition politician to hold a seat before, said he had been beaten by a United Russia candidate whose chances he said had been lifted by poor turnout.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Aid trucks hit by air strikes as Syria says ceasefire over

ome 3000 to 4000 migrants have been evacuated from the Moria camp on the Greek island of Lesbos after a large fire destroyed tents and prefabricated homes.

Social media images showed huge flames. No injuries have been reported.

Police are investigating whether the fire was started deliberately.

According to the UN Refugee Agency, some 5600 refugees currently live on Lesbos, but the island only has capacity for 3600.

According to Greek state news agency ANA, a brawl started on Monday after a rumour that refugees would be deported to Turkey en masse.

One official, investigating the cause of the fire said: “There was tension in the evening. Our main concern is the safety of the people.

The fire is quite big.”

Many on the island are afraid of being returned to Turkey or their home countries, correspondents say.

The situation on Lesbos is exacerbated as many refu-

gees land here and are held on the island until their asylum claim is fully processed.

Those granted asylum are permitted to journey to the Greek mainland, while others are turned back.

The procedure is part of the EU-Turkey deal brokered in March, in which the EU pledged to work towards visa-free travel for Turkish citizens to Europe’s Schengen zone in exchange for Ankara’s assistance in curbing migrants crossing to the Greek islands. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

Turkey sacks 28,000 teachers over ‘terrorism links’

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urkish authorities have dismissed almost 28,000 teachers and suspended about 9500 others over alleged links to “terrorism” as part of a crackdown following the failed military coup in July.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said the teachers had been expelled from the profession and investigations of suspended teachers were continuing.

“As part of our fight against terrorism, necessary measures have been carried out on teachers along with other civil servants assessed to be linked with terrorist organisations,” Canikli said.

He added 455 teachers who had previously been removed from duty had been reinstated after inquiries were completed.

His comments coincided with the start of a new school term on Monday, following the end of the sum-

Protests in Turkey’s predominantly Kurdish areas broke out over the suspension of teachers with alleged links to PKK [Reuters]

mer holidays.

Immediately after the July 15 coup attempt, authorities shut 15 universities and about 1000 secondary schools linked to US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara blames for plotting the government takeover bid.

The closures left some 200,000 students in academic limbo, wondering if they could continue their studies

and worried about the black mark of a Gulen school on their college record.

Turkey has also sacked or suspended some 100,000 civil servants including Judges, Prosecutors, Police Officers and teachers since a group of rogue soldiers tried to topple the Government.

At least 40,000 people have been detained for suspected links to coup plotters.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

India mulls response after deadly Kashmir attack it blames on Pakistan

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ir raids hit aid trucks near the city of Aleppo on Monday, a monitoring group reported, as the Syrian military declared that a week-long ceasefire was over.

The attacks were carried out by either Syrian or Russian aircraft, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, adding that there had been 35 strikes in and around Aleppo since the truce ended.

The Observatory said the aid trucks had made a delivery organised by an international organisation to an area west of Aleppo. The United Nations and Red Cross said they were investigating the reports.

A local resident told Reuters by phone that the trucks were hit by around five missile strikes while parked in a centre belonging to the Syrian Red Crescent in the town of Urm al-Kubra, near Aleppo. The head of the centre and several

The attacks were carried out by either Syrian or Russian aircraft, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said [Al Jazeera]

others were badly injured.

The monitoring group said it was not clear if the jets were Syrian or Russian.

Moscow supports President Bashar al-Assad with its air force. The Syrian military could not immediately be reached for comment.

The air strikes appeared particularly heavy in insurgent-held areas west of Aleppo, near the rebel stronghold of Idlib province.

And in eastern Aleppo, a

resident reached by Reuters said there had been dozens of blasts.

“It started with an hour of extremely fierce bombing,” said Besher Hawi, the former spokesman for the Opposition’s Aleppo city council. “Now I can hear the sound of helicopters overhead. The last two were barrel bombs,” he said, the sound of an explosion audible in the background. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

The assault, in which four gunmen burst into a brigade headquarters in the town of Uri before dawn on Sunday, was among the deadliest in the disputed Himalayan region

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ndia said on Monday it had the right to respond when and where it chose to a deadly attack on an army base in Kashmir, after blaming Pakistan for the raid that killed 18 soldiers.

The assault, in which four gunmen burst into a brigade headquarters in the town of Uri before dawn on Sunday, was among the deadliest in the disputed Himalayan region and has sharply raised tensions be-

tween the nuclear-armed rivals.

Army officials said the critically wounded had been flown to New Delhi and one had died in hospital. Most of dead and wounded suffered severe burns after their tents and temporary shelters caught fire from incendiary ammunition while they were sleeping.

Senior Indian politicians, including Home Minister Rajnath Singh who called

Pakistan “a terrorist state”, were quick to warn of action against Islamabad, putting pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a tough line.

The head of military operations of the Indian army, Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, said India had the desired capability to respond, without elaborating.

Pakistan accused India of apportioning blame before it had properly investigated.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

16 NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

6-month maternity leave soon to be Independent judiciaries are part of legislation – Minister Norton guarantors of rule of law – PM

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ublic Health Minister, Dr George Norton has announced that sixmonth maternity leave would soon be part of Guyana’s legislation.

Minister Norton made this pronouncement while addressing the audience at the National Symposium held at the National Cultural Centre on Monday, which focused on addressing the protection, promotion and support of exclusive breastfeeding.

This event was held as part of activities in observance of National Breastfeeding Week, which began on September 18.

Norton said “breastfeeding is everybody’s business”, hence the new legislation, a Government Information Agency (GINA) release informed.

Dr William Adu-Krow, Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) Country representative, said the Organisations would continue to play their role in the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding. Dr Adu-Krow also advocated for at least six weeks paternity leave for fathers to assist and to further support exclusive breastfeeding.

The PAHO/WHO representative supported sixmonth maternity leave for mothers and said through the strengthening of health information systems, workplaces would be able to better support this implementation.

WHO regards breastfeeding as the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for

…Chancellor calls for bold, fearless Judges

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton, PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow and another official after the unveiling of a breastfeeding message at the symposium on breastfeeding

healthy growth and development. Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided that they have accurate information and the support of their family, the health care system and society at large.

The theme of this year’s National Breastfeeding Week is “Breastfeeding: a key to sustainable development”. It speaks to breastfeeding being the key element in recreating the way people think about valuing well-being from the start of life. The theme also shows the links between breastfeeding and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that Guyana, along with other countries, signed on to in 2015.

These goals focus on ecology, the economy and equity worldwide. It has been noted that Guyana expects to achieve a 50 per cent exclusive breastfeeding rate by 2025; therefore, health officials strongly recommended exclusive breastfeeding from

birth until six months.

The expansion of exclusive breastfeeding awareness is currently being facilitated through accreditation of a number of hospitals to ‘baby friendly status’. Eleven hospitals attained baby friendly hospital status under the Public Health Ministry’s Baby Friendly Hospitals Initiative (BHFI). This initiative, in collaboration with the WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), seeks to recognise health institutions adhering to the breastfeeding policy. Twenty-nine other local hospitals are expected to attain baby friendly status after their evaluation. It has been noted that only 38 per cent of babies across the world are exclusively breast-fed.

A large billboard, highlighting the Ministry’s full support of exclusive breastfeeding, will be erected during this week at the playfield, east of the Public Health Ministry, on Brickdam.

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Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh

rime Minister (PM) Moses Nagamootoo on Monday reaffirmed Government’s commitment to the smooth functioning of the judiciary, noting that its independence is the bedrock of the nation’s stability.

Nagamootoo, who is acting in the capacity of Head of State, made the comments as he delivered the feature address at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (CMJA) Conference at the Marriott International Hotel.

According to the PM, Government has been making a conscious and determined effort at giving recognition and meaning to the Declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, which reaffirmed that human rights, the rule of law and democracy are interlinked and mutually reinforcing, and they belong to the universal and indivisible core values and principles of the United Nations.

“Government is conscious of the distinction that must be made between ‘rule by law’ whereby Government erroneously places itself above the law, and the ‘rule of law’, which implies that everyone in society, including the Government, is bound by the law,” he said. “It is on the latter that Government has rested its structure, recognising that constitutional limits on the exercise of governmental authority, which is a key

feature of any democracy, require adherence to the rule of law.”

According to the PM, in recent times, constitutional reformers and law-makers in Guyana have adopted liberal concepts in their approach to governance.

“Our recognition is that an independent judiciary is the strongest guarantee for the protection of the rights of our citizens. We believe that an independent judiciary is the bedrock of the stability of our nation. We believe that only an independent judiciary could be the guarantors of the rule of law,” he told the room of legal minds.

He said not only did the judiciary enjoy independence when it decided issues between citizen and citizen or between citizen and the State, it also had control over its administrative machinery, its registries and their personnel.

Meanwhile, also delivering remarks at the ceremony, Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh, placed a mandate on Judges to be bold, outspoken and fearless.

“Judges who are weak are less likely to be effective guarantors of the rule of law,” Justice Singh told the gathering. He said most Commonwealth States with written constitutions have an established constitution matrix, which establishes the three pillars of the state structures; the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches of Government.

As it relates to the judiciary, Justice Singh said the Constitution provided that all courts and persons presiding over the courts exercise their functions independently of the control and direction of any other person or authority and shall be free and independent from political, executive or any other form of direction and control.

“The independence of the judiciary is buttressed by the provision of the Constitution, but equally important is the readiness of Judges to assert and protect that independence. Judicial independence may also be discerned from the structure, circumstances and conditions under which we function.”

He said, ”In Guyana, we can proudly lay claim of having complete independence in the adjudicatory process of the courts and institutional and financial independence.”

The CMJA is a unique international association, which brings together judicial officers from over 68 jurisdictions in the Commonwealth and beyond.

It provides a unique network for judicial officers in Commonwealth countries in order to assist them to advance the administration of justice. Its aims are to promote the independence of the judiciary and to advance education in the law, the administration of justice, the treatment of offenders, and the prevention of crime.

UG VC confident of Medical School’s...

He said too that the University was moving progressively to organise and deliver better on the curriculum, which was one of the concerns of the accreditors. He said the school was working to ensure that it tightened the clinical arrangements between the University and maybe the Georgetown Public Hospital and the other clinical engagements. Part of the journey, he emphasised, is to have full-time lecturers in every area.

“So, I would say that we are well along the journey to reaccreditation. I know that we are not comfortable, I am not comfortable that we have met all those milestones, but I think we have sufficient evidence of not only institutional intent to support, but

we have a plan how to get overtime,” he said.

The UG School of Medicine lost its accreditation in April 2014, and was served with provisional accreditation until 2015

by CAAEM. The Medical School was offered accreditation for the periods 2008 to 2009, 2009 to 2012 and 2014 to 2015. The medical school lost its full accreditation after a visit from the CAAEM revealed that a number of recommendations to improve the institution were not adhered to.

Dean of the Faculty of Health Science, Dr Emmanuel Cummings had told Guyana Times earlier that the School of Medicine had received some $33 million from Government through the Education

FROM PAGE 10

Ministry, to be used to upgrade the medical laboratories, as these was among the deficiencies highlighted by the accreditation body.

As efforts continue to regain accreditation, the academic year 2016-2017 for the Medical School will see refurbished laboratories and upgraded classrooms for the students.

According to Dr Cummings, “so far as I know, the Ministry is at the stage of procuring equipment that we will definitely have in place for September and we are currently evaluating the physical facilities.”

Dr Cummings noted that all relevant documents have been submitted and the curriculum was currently being reviewed.

NEWS

17

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Guyana pleased with UN Essequibian remanded efforts to resolve border on gun, ammo charges controversy – Granger

The gun and ammunition allegedly found at Black Water Landing, Kanawaruk River

From left: Sir Shridath Ramphal, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, President David Granger and Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Rudolph Michael Ten-Pow

P

resident David Granger said that he is satisfied with the efforts of United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, in trying to resolve the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy.

He said that while the Government had hoped that the process of ending the 50-year-long controversy would have been further advanced, it is not due to lack of effort by the SecretaryGeneral’s Office, but rather the slothful pace at which the Venezuelan Government is moving.

The President made these remarks on Monday at a press briefing held on the margins of the 71st Regular Session of the UN General Assembly, currently underway in New York. He was joined by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Rudolph Michael Ten-Pow and Sir Shridath Ramphal, a former Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral who has been assisting with legal and other issues relating to the controversy.

“I am satisfied with what the Secretary-General has done; I am not satisfied that the Bolivarian Republic has

acted in good faith. It is clear that much more needs to be done by Venezuela if this matter is to be resolved…

In my experience over the last 50 years I have not seen a Secretary-General so engaged in this matter, he has done everything possible over the last year since first meeting in Bridgetown. I am convinced of his sincerity in trying to bring this matter to closure,” the President declared.

He explained that since the signing of the Geneva Agreement in February 1966, Guyana has abided by all of its provisions.

This agreement has given the Secretary-General specific responsibilities in the absence of Guyana and Venezuela reaching a mutually accepted position.

The Head of State further outlined that the SecretaryGeneral is required to choose a course for the peaceful resolution of the controversy.

At this point however, all other courses of action have been exhausted, including the Good Officer’s process, which is why Guyana has recommended that the Secretary-General refer the matter for juridical settlement, which is the only remaining option.

“We waited for 50 years

and Guyana’s approach now is to ask the SecretaryGeneral to take the matter forward for a juridical settlement so that we don’t have to wait for 50 more years for a settlement… I am very hopeful that this SecretaryGeneral, given his engagement over the last year or more, is going to do something which is going to lead to a favourable outcome,” he said.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Minister Greenidge who affirmed that Guyana is not prepared to accept anything other than a move to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), to bring a permanent resolution to this matter.

He recognised however, that though a clear pronunciation on the course of action to be taken may not come out of this meeting, Guyana fully acknowledges the work of the SecretaryGeneral’s Office in working with both parties to take steps to resolve the matter.

Additionally, Minister Greenidge disclosed that Guyana will join other Caricom territories to hold talks with countries like the United States and Japan on issues such as regional security and corresponding banking.

Several ranks disciplined for unprofessional conduct

I

n light of a recent warning by Acting Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine, to junior ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) regarding deviation from Police policies, several ranks were stripped of performing duties in the traffic department.

Based on information, on Friday a subordinate officer and three constables were observed acting in an unprofessional manner while carrying out traffic duties at Coverden, East Bank Demerara. A complaint was made to their superior and actions were taken against them.

In addition, two other ranks were also dealt with after they were found to be

acting in a manner unacceptable to the force. They were subsequently barred from traffic related duties.

The GPF is hoping that such misconduct by Police ranks are reported since those behaviours are against its policies.

The GPF said its Public Relations Department, have also observed that since the stern warning by the acting top cop, complaints have reduced significantly.

During his address to junior ranks on September 3 at the Officer’s Mess Annex, Eve Leary, Ramnarine admitted that there have been numerous reports of ranks acting in total disregard of Police policies. Some of these reports, he noted, are

made to the President and Government Ministers by persons in the diaspora who have fallen victim to Police corruption.

The acting Police Commissioner said that such behaviour will no longer be condoned. He warned those ranks gathered that the Force will not accept anything less from them.

“You need to understand that our actions, from a public security perspective, are all part and parcel of the actions that are akin to a country’s image being pretty acceptable from a regional and international perspective.

People don’t want to come to this country for vacation and be molested… Stop doing it!

Look deep inside yourself.”

A

n Essequibo Coast man was taken before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday to answer to illegal gun and ammunition charges.

Deodat Singh, 27, appeared before City Magistrate Judy Latchman and pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

It is alleged that on September 18, 2016, at Black Water Landing, Essequibo River, he had in his possession one .38 firearm along

with 12 matching rounds of ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence.

Singh’s Attorney made a bail request, stating that the gun and ammunition were found in the defendant’s supermarket, which several persons could have accessed.

He noted that the Police Officers who carried out the search were aware several persons were present at the time in the supermarket, which was open for business.

However, the prosecution

Deodat Singh

contended that on the day in question, the defendant led the Officers to the weapon and ammunition that were locked in a barrel and told them, “I take it to protect myself.”

Upon hearing this, the defendant, in an animated outburst, said, “I don’t even have a barrel in my shop.”

The bail application was denied, and the defendant was remanded to prison. The case will continue on September 26, 2016.

Region 2 Amerindian communities benefit from book donation – the Clive Gobin One Love Foundation giving back

Representative from D Gobins Agri Spares, Rashima Ramdial handing over the books to Toshao Sylvin Raphael

T

he Clive Gobin One Love Foundation recently donated a quantity of reading materials to two Amerindian communities in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The donation was a collaborative effort between the Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC), the Foundation and donors from the United States of

America. The activity was staged in memory of Clive Gobin, formerly of Zorg Village in Region Two. The Foundation was formed by Gobin’s sister, Suzan, in an effort to continue her brother’s legacy, and it intends to partner with the Region Two RDC and the Department of Education in the future to send more books to Amerindian com-

munities. One barrel of books was dispatched and will be distributed equally between the Mashabo and Capoey communities. The body’s representative, Rashima Ramdial, accompanied

by Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, presented the books to the Toshao of Mashabo Village, Sylvin Raphael.

According to Ramdatt, Gobin, the son of popular businessman Derick Gobin, lost his life two years ago on September 14, to cancer in Canada. He explained that while he was alive, Gobin promoted literacy in Amerindian communities and had also served as a VSO to Guyana.

“Clive believed in literacy and educating the Amerindian people, he worked tirelessly with many Amerindian women in the past to make them self-sufficient. Today’s book handingover is just a continuation of his work,” Ramdatt said.

Captured Black Bush triple murder suspect for court today

T

he fourth suspect in the Black Bush Polder (BBP) triple murder is to make his first court appearance today (Tuesday).

Rakesh Karamchand, 40, was apprehended, on Saturday near a farmland at Duck Creek on Upper Corentyne and was charged with the capital offence on Monday.

He had been wanted by police since July 23, in connection with the deaths of two men and a boy in the backlands of the Polder.

Pawan Chandradeo also called ‘Surish’ ,37, of Lot 163 Mibicuri, BBP; his son Jaikarran Chandradeo also called ‘Kevin’, 15, and his brother-in-law Narish Rooplall also called ‘Mice’, 33, of Number 73 Village, Corentyne, were discovered dead on a dam at Cookrite Savannah.

Pawan had a laceration to the head which caused a fractured skull. The cause of death was given as shock and haemorrhaging. Autopsies of Jaikarran and Rooplall listed

the cause of death as shock and haemorrhaging caused by a gunshot wound.

Following the discovery, Jairam Chetram, 19, his father Carlton ‘Lyman’ Chetram and Tameshwar Tajmohan all confessed to playing a part in the crime.

Their statements implicated a fourth person.

On Saturday Police in a release confirmed that the fourth suspect was caught.

Karamchand is also identified as “Rocky” or “Go to front”.

18

guyana-times.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

ARCHIE

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Stay focused on the big picture and how you can use your skills to encourage professional growth. Don’t allow emotionally fraught situations to interfere with your professional progress.

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Convincing others to CAPRICORN see things your way will be (Dec. 22- easy, but before you work Jan. 19) your magic, make sure you can honour your promises.

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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

PISCES Make an emotional plea for (Feb. 20- advice and accept the construcMarch 20) tive criticism offered in response. The tweaks you make will help you bypass a problem. Contribute something in return to ward off gossip

TUESDAY, september 20, 2016

19

Olympic gold medalists’ medical files released by Fancy Bears O

lympic gold medallists Mo Farah, Helen Glover and Justin Rose are among the latest British athletes to have medical files made public by hackers.

The trio are among 26 individuals whose files were published by hackers Fancy Bears on Monday.

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal also features in the latest release.

The records mostly detail therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs), which allow banned substances to be taken for athletes’ verified medical needs.

There is no suggestion athletes named are involved in any wrongdoing.

The latest release suggests Farah, who completed a second successive Olympic 5,000 and 10,000m double in Rio, had a TUE in October 2008 for the use of triam-

cinolone - a long-acting synthetic corticosteroid used for the treatment of a number of conditions including eczema, arthritis and allergies.

The 33-year-old also received a TUE in 2014 after he collapsed following training at high altitude and was put on a drip.

Farah has reportedly said he had only ever had one TUE given to him, although it has been suggested he was answering a specific question about his time with coach Alberto Salazar.

A spokesperson for Farah said the athlete had “nothing to hide”.

They added: “He doesn’t have a problem with this information being released as evidenced by the fact that he voluntarily shared his blood data with the Sunday Times last year.

“Mo’s medical care is overseen at all times by

British Athletics and over the course of his long career he has only ever had two TUEs.” The files were stolen from a World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) database.

Fancy Bears say TUEs are “licenses for doping” and Wada is “corrupt and deceitful”.

Wada director general Olivier Niggli has strongly criticised the leak.

Last week, Rio 2016 gold medallists Sir Bradley Wiggins, Laura Trott and Nicola Adams, and threetime Tour de France winner Chris Froome, were among those named as having TUEs. Fifty-three British athletes from the Rio Olympics may be at risk of having their medical details made public, according to the head of UK Anti-Doping (Ukad).

The vast majority of the

Let’s get loud, says Captain Steven Smith

A

n Australian Test team described as quiet? No, really.

Australia’s captain Steven Smith has demanded his players find their voices and energy in the lead-up to the home summer, having pinpointed a flat and uninspiring on-field attitude as one of the reasons for the team’s recent defeat in Sri Lanka. There was a marked contrast between the lack of assertiveness shown during those matches after the second day of the series, and the more aggressive posture of the limited-overs teams that won 50-over and Twenty20 contests in the aftermath of the Tests.

Rested after the second ODI, Smith watched on television from his home in Sydney as the vice-captain David Warner led a far more demonstrative effort. Smith wants that to be the template for the way the Test players carry themselves in future, indicating that a more boisterous, aggressive attitude is critical to the way Australia play their best cricket. “I thought his energy was magnificent throughout those games and looking forward that’s the sort of energy we want from him and all of the other senior players,” Smith said of Warner, in Sydney ahead of the ODI team’s departure for South Africa, where

they will also play a match against Ireland. “We’ve got a pretty quiet group and we need that sort of energy come South Africa and the summer as well. I thought in the Test series in Sri Lanka we lacked a fair bit of energy in the field and that probably cost us at times. We put down a few crucial chances and in the grand scheme of things that could have made a difference.”

The raft of retirements that followed the 2015 Ashes series did serve to trip the national side of plenty of outsized characters, from the captain Michael Clarke and the wicketkeeper Brad Haddin to Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson - all featured in various on-field confrontations with opponents down the years. The likes of Peter Nevill, Adam Voges and Nathan Lyon are less likely to raise their voices, but Smith was firm in stating that they need to.

“It’s difficult,” he said.

“We’ve got some pretty quiet characters, so even if it’s not making noise verbally it might be just about having a bit more presence and the old Australian way of puffing your chest out and making your presence felt for the quieter guys. It’s trying to do that, get into the game that way and try to provide some sort of energy that way.”

Communication was

raised in another sense by Smith, when reflecting on the decision to rest him from the latter part of the Sri Lanka tour. The timing was queried by many around the world, even if the game’s crowded schedule makes such decisions more or less inevitable lest players like Smith or the fast bowlers be burned out well before their careers have run a natural course. “For me it was just about getting the messaging across and I think we could have got the messaging across a fair bit better,” Smith said. “We knew a fair way out that I was going to leave after the second oneday game. The fact we only brought it out the day before probably shocked a few people, so in future if this sort of thing pops up and someone’s having a rest ... it’s about getting it out a little bit earlier. “I watched every ball that was bowled in the oneday series and I did miss it, but having said that it probably will do me the world of good looking at what’s coming up. Particularly the fast bowlers, it’s very difficult for them to sustain it for long periods of time and go full tilt, which we want those guys doing. Having said that, for this series it gives a couple of guys an opportunity, we get a look at the likes of Tremain, Worrall and Mennie.” (Cricinfo)

Mo Farah

TUEs released on Monday are for asthma medication and many of these drugs no longer require special permission as they were reclassified by Wada in 2010.

Rower Glover was allowed to use salbutamol to treat her asthma from 9 November 2009 to 30

November 2013, while golfer Rose had authorisation for daily doses of the anti-inflammatory drug prednisolone he took to treat a back injury that caused him to miss several weeks of action in May and June.

Nadal, a 14-time tennis grand slam winner who

won Olympic men’s doubles gold with Marc Lopez in Rio, had exemptions in 2009 and 2012 for the use of betamethasone - a steroid medication used to treat a number of conditions, including rheumatic disorders.

The other Team GB members included in this fourth batch of hacked data are hockey players Alex Danson, Crista Cullen and Samantha Quek, rower Peter Reed, and track cyclist Callum Skinner.

What are therapeutic use exemptions?

A TUE allows an athlete, for medical reasons, to take a prescribed substance or have treatment that is otherwise prohibited.

British athletes must contact their national governing body or follow Ukad guidance before applying for a TUE. (BBC Sport)

“Marlon has no manners” – Stokes states in autobiography

England’s Ben Stokes (left) and Marlon Samuels have had bad blood since 2015 in the Caribbean

T

he feud between West Indies star Marlon Samuels and Englishman Ben Stokes has shown no intention of dying down anytime soon after the bowler described the batsman as ‘lacking manners’.

The pair of cricketers have had bad blood brewing between them since last year when they exchanged words on-field as the West Indies hosted England during a tour of the Caribbean.

Samuels famously saluted Stokes after he was dismissed during the Test match in Grenada.

The two renewed their rivalry during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup final when England lost to the West Indies. Samuels made an unbeaten 85, rescuing the West Indies from a position of 14 for three before

going on to win the game.

The unfortunate Stokes was hit for four sixes in the final over by Carlos Brathwaite, during which Samuels had more words for Stokes. He was subsequently fined 30 per cent of his match fee. In the subsequent press conference Samuel’s claimed Stokes ‘never learns.’

“Marlon Samuels lacks respect. You get that if you have spent any time with him on a cricket field.

Marlon’s conduct after West Indies’ victory over us in this year’s World Twenty20 final showed a total disrespect for the game,” said Stokes, in his autobiography, Firestarter: Me, Cricket and The Heat of the Moment.

“Without removing his batting pads, Marlon walked into a press conference, sat down and placed his feet on

the desk. Totally lacking manners,” he wrote.

“It didn’t require him to give me a character assassination — bizarrely claiming I am some sort of ‘nervous laddie’ — to help me form the opinion that I do not like him one bit. I believe in the saying ‘respect the game’. I don’t think he respects the game,” said Stokes.

Stokes admitted that the feud was re-ignited as a result of comments he made to Samuels when West Indies were reduced to 14 for three.

“His mannerisms got me involved with Marlon. I was at mid-off and, in my enthusiasm, found myself creeping in from my position and I noticed that Samuels, at the non-striker’s end, was walking around like the big easy. I couldn’t resist,” Stokes confessed. (Sportsmax)

20

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

TUESday, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

Schumacher "cannot walk"

A

lawyer for Michael Schumacher has told a court in Germany that the former Formula 1 world champion “cannot walk” following his skiing injury.

Felix Damm was detailing the extent of Schumacher’s injuries in a lawsuit against German magazine, Bunte.

The magazine had reported last Christmas that the seven-time world champion could walk again.

But Mr Damm said that Schumacher, 47, “cannot walk” more than two and a half years after the accident.

Bunte had quoted a source at the end of last year as saying that Schumacher could manage some steps with the help of therapists and could raise an arm.

At the time, Schumacher’s agent, Sabine Kehm, released a statement denying the story, saying: “Unfortunately we are forced by a recent press report to clarify that the assertion that Michael could

Gordon Richards shots to top spot

Schumacher suffered a head injury in a skiing accident in 2013

move again is not true.

“Such speculation is irresponsible, because given the seriousness of his injuries, his privacy is very important. Unfortunately they also give false hopes to many involved people.”

Schumacher suffered a head injury in a skiing accident in France in 2013.

He was placed in a medically induced coma for

six months before being transferred to his home in Switzerland to continue his treatment.

Very little is known of the sports icon’s recovery as his family has strongly protected his privacy.

In February, his former boss at Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo, said: “I have news and unfortunately it is not good.” (BBC Sport)

Floodlights, G-Square Cavaliers match now set for Friday

– Barnwell, Dowlin to debut for Floodlights

G

-Square Cavaliers from Wakenam will tackle city team Floodlights in a feature hardball 20/20 cricket match this Friday evening at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground in Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown.

The first ball will be bowled at 18:00h with free admission while there will be musical entertainment and food and drink on sale.

G-Square Cavaliers Team; Heera Sukhram (Captain), Chandrika Ragnauth, Jagarnauth Manbode (wicketkeeper),

Guyana NRA Smallbore .22 Precision Pistol Competition

Ricky Deonarine

Kamal Khan, Satnarine Sahadeo, Bheesham Bhagpattie, Lokram Narine, Ghansham Samwaru, Mahendra Dindial, Tulsie

Sahadeo, Bhumeshwar Ramkissoon, Tamesh Persaud, Tameshwar Persaud.

Floodlights Squad; Ricky Deonarain (Captain), Reyaz Hussein, Khalid Baksh, Anil Beharry, Dharam Persaud, Rakesh Arjune, Patrick Khan, Travis Dowlin, Surendra Nauth, Lloyd Rooplall, Christopher Barnwell, Lalta Gainda, Yusuf Unis and Romeo Deonarain.

This match is sponsored

by Tulsie Sahadeo, proprietor of Factory Price on King Street, Georgetown.

Gordon Richards (2nd right) along with the four other top shooters displaying their trophies and medals

G

ordon Richards shot his way to 87 points to be deemed the winner of the Guyana National Rifles Association (GuyanaNRA) Smallbore Section .22 Presision Pistol competition which took place on Saturday at the Tactical Service Unit (TSU) Range, Eve Leary.

The competition which

saw shooters facing off at the 5m, 7m, 10m, 15m and 20m distances and Richards piped Surujballi Persaud (78 points), Raval Seojattan (76 points), Murtland Smith (64 points) and Compton Sarabo (56 points). All shooters were required to shoot 10-rounds with their strong hand unsupported from the 5m, 7m and 10m distanc-

es after which only the top 10 advanced to 15m range where they shot 10-rounds with their strong hand supported. Only the best would advance from this stage and it was the top five where they shot from the 20m mark with 10 available rounds with their strong hand supported. Richards emerged as the best.

Regal Sport Softball Tournament

Speedboat power past Regal XI J

ust into the second week of the Regal Sports Softball Tournament, the quality of the sport was displayed at the Ghandi Youth Organisation, Woolford Avenue on Sunday where Speedboat XI powered past Regal XI to a seven wicket victory.

In the 15 over affair, Regal won the toss and decided to bat and made 152 from their allotted overs after losing nine wickets.

Regal benefitted from a few good partnerships after losing their first wicket with 28 runs on the board that brought W. Housain to the crease who top scored with 36 before being bowled by Ameer Nizamudin. Housain struck 2 sixes and 3 fours.

Nizamudin, Kelvin Orford and Shachin Singh picked up two wickets a piece and Fazal Rafeek copping one.

In Reply, Speedboat XI

Action in the Regal Sport Softball Tournament

raced to 155 in 10.3 overs having only lost three wickets to win the match. Navin Singh in partnership with Rabindra Ramnath put together an opening stand of 124. Singh fell in the eighth over to K. Smith for 61 which included six sixes and four fours, while Ramnauth went

on to guide speedboat home with an unbeaten half century. Ramnauth also struck 6 sixes and 3 fours.

Singh was the only bowler to find the breakthrough and carted off with figures of 3-17 inside two overs. The action continues on Sunday at the same venue.

Manchester City, Belgium interested in Jamaica’s Leon Bailey

I

t seems that Liverpool, Juventus and Chelsea are not the only clubs interested in Jamaica’s Leon Bailey.

Reports have surfaced that suggest that English Premier League leaders, Manchester City, are also keen on signing the Genk player.

Those reports also suggest that a number of Italian and Spanish clubs are also monitoring Bailey’s form.

Meanwhile, officials in Belgium are toying with the idea of the teenager representing Belgium.

This season, Bailey, last season’s young player

Leon Bailey

of the year in the Belgian league, scored twice against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League.

The player, who joined Genk last season, is believed to have a release clause of around £3.2million. (Sportsmax)

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Nicholas Hing presents Samira Duncan with the winning trophy for her efforts in the Women’s Senior category

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton takes aim at the target on day three of the Heritage Games at the Everest Sports Club Ground

a success as the Finalists competing were required to shoot two ends of six arrows, totaling 12 arrows from 20 metres.

At the close of the Finals, the Honourable Minister George Norton demonstrat-

By Ravi Madholall in Toronto

T

TO let

spirituality

he curtain came down on the Indigenous Heritage Games in the wee hours of Monday morning, September 19, 2016 after the final football match between Mabaruma and Tabatinga at the Everest Cricket Club Ground.

For the first time at Heritage Games, competition archery was done and the top three finishers in Men’s, Women’s and Under-18 categories were awarded for their efforts.

In the Men’s Category, Sean Duncan came out on top with 57 points followed

by Anand Mangra with 54 points while Eric Hing came in a distant third with 30 points. Samira Duncan with 27 points won the Women’s category while Shearlyn Duncan with 20 points narrowly beat Narda Mohamed (18) points for second place while Aliyah Gordon won the Juniors’ title with 11 points followed by Shamara Duncan on seven and Garville Daniels of Annai on three points Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe was present at the closing ceremony while the presentation of trophies for the winners was done by the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) Archery Guyana Chairman Nicholas Hing.

The Finals was deemed

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Archery, after a successful debut to Heritage Games we can safely say is here to stay.

– his team Victoria Park crowned Elite champion

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wenty-five-yearold former Guyana Under-19 skipper Eugene LaFleur has expressed total enjoyment after his team, Victoria Park Cricket Club emerged victorious Sunday in the 2016 Toronto and District Cricket Association (T&DCA) Elite 50-over final at King City.

The left-hander LaFleur spoke gleefully about the side’s successful run in this year’s edition and in the process dethroned top club JB Masters, who had a phenomenal run with the title since 2010 winning it on three different occasions.

LaFleur also flourished with the bat accumulated 337 runs from eight innings coming out with a fantastic average of 112.3 while he struck an unbeaten 70 as his highest score.

This season completed the third for the Berbician and he stated that he relished his game and will continue to focus hard on representing Guyana at the regional first-class level soon.

“I want to say that I enjoy my game thoroughly

Eugene Lafleur

again in Canada and more importantly I was among a winning bunch of guys after beating Yorkshire Cricket Club in the final,” LeFleur, who led his country’s youth team to Barbados in 2008, related.

The left-arm spinner also emphasised the importance of consistency if he wants to wear back the Guyana colours, especially at the senior level.

“I know it is about good performances whether here or back home; I just have to keep making runs and taking wickets,” the elder brother of two who featured for Guyana, stated. Jamal LaFleur is his other brother.

According to Eugene, as soon as gets back to his native land, he will be hop-

ing to break into the West Berbice side to take part in the current and inaugural Guyana Cricket Board Franchise Jaguars threeday competition.

The national selectors are using this competition to name their team for the upcoming West Indies Cricket Board four-day tournament.

“Well after completed my stint in Canada and with those performances, I am now very confident of doing well back home in the competition, once selected; as I said I enjoyed my cricket in the T&DCA Elite competition; I think it was very competitive and my team mates were very supportive too,” LeFleur, who was also in the Guyana Under-19 triumphant three-day team in 2007 (St. Kitts and Nevis), mentioned.

Among his fellow Victoria Park colleagues was exGuyana fast-bowler Trevon Garraway.

Both Guyanese were in Victoria Park’s side that won the T&DCA Premier 50-over championship in 2014 too.

La Fleur scored a responsible 70 while Garraway proved his all-round capability by making 42 runs.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

TUESday, september 20, 2016

Heritage Games

Mabaruma, Pariuma crowned champions – Orealla/Siparuta defend volleyball title again

T

he annual Indigenous Heritage Games came to an end on Sunday evening at the Everest Sports Club ground with exciting football action with new champions being crowned. In the male division, Mabaruma (Region 1) defeated Tabatinga (Region 9) in a high intensity and very competitive game while the best female team, Pariuma hardly worked up a sweat to lift the female title.

In the grand finale of the three-day event, Mabaruma totally dominated Tabatinga with a 6-2 drubbing. Over the years, the rivalry on the football field was always between teams from Regions one and nine where the best players from the country originate. For the past three years, Region nine Central Rupununi teams won the championship but in 2016 the tables were turn.

Sheron Davis of Tabatinga opened the scoring in the 24th minute and it seemed as the script was already written for a repeat for Region nine but Romario Welcome answered with the equalizer four minutes later at which time both teams were finding the back of the net at will. Mabaruma will then advance one minute later when Kerron Solomon beat the Tabatinga defence after the goalkeeper left his goal exposed. Joel Nieunkerk was not to be out done when he scored from the corner in the 30th minute for the Region nine

champions. It was 2-2 after just 30 minutes of brilliant football and the crowd was really into the game cheering on every play.

With the intensity running high, Kareem Knights pounced on a loose ball from mid-field and scored in the 31st to put Mabaruma ahead again and it was no looking back from here.

Rawle Parris then extended the lead to 4-2 when he was on target for Mabaruma in the 36th minute. To see the North West side firmly in control at the interval.

Upon the resumption, Tabatinga were trying desperately with captain Emrick Williams and the experienced Peter Parks setting up some brilliant scoring opportunities but were denied by brilliant defending from their more determined opponents. In the 55th minute there was tussle for the ball in front of the Tabatinga goal and when the dust was settled it was Kareem Knights who was celebrating with his teammates then Rawle Parris the sealed the deal in the 88th minute to end Region nine’s dominance.

Mabaruma’s Kareem Knights was named the most valuable player of the final. He scored two goals and assisted in two more.

In the female category, Pariuma (Region 7) led

by Most Valuable Player, Evadney Thomas brushed aside Moruca (Region 1) by a 5-1 margin. Moruca who

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, Valerie Gariddo-Lowe meeting new champions Mabaruma before the final game

defeated Culvert City of Central Rupununi (Region 9) in the semi-final via sudden death penalties were feeding off Annalisa Vincent but needed more support for the teenage sensation.

Donnalyn Elliman began the destruction as early as the fourth minute but Annalisa Vincent replied in the 10th to make scores level and at that point it was any team’s title. After several attempts on goal no team was able to advance until the 36th minute when Pariuma’s Betsy Gonsalves tipped one in to leave the score at 2-1 at the end of the first half.

The quarter and semi-finals were 30 minutes per half but the final was 45 minutes per session and it seemed to work against the North West side who showed signs

of tiredness while the fit Region Seven unit capitalized.

Gonsalves completed a double in the 54th, and was nicely supported by Evadney Thomas and Elenixa Lewis in the 60th and 61st minutes respectively.

Pariuma’s passage to the champion started when they defeated Orealla/Siparuta 10-0 in the first game then dumped North Rupununi 5-0 in the semi-final to crown a remarkable tournament as only one goal was scored against them while they poured in 20.

Volleyball Orealla/Siparuta continued their volleyball dominance when they won their third consecutive male title.

In the final they came up against a spirited Mainstay

team and beat them two games to none. The first game ended 15-11 but the second was more intense however, the eventual 15-7 score line didn’t do justice to the Essequibo coast based team. In the female category, Moruca (Region 1) and St Cuthbert’s Mission (Region 4) played in an exciting championship match as well.

However, after two games it was the more youthful North West team that was left standing. They defeated St Cuthbert’s 15-8, 15-13 to take their maiden title.

Cricket St Cuthbert’s did not go home empty handed, they tasted championship when they defeated neighbours Laluni by 12 runs in the fe-

male cricket final.

Defending male cricket champions, Laluni (Region 4) also missed out on a title. They were beaten by Madhia (Region 8) in the semi-final by eight wickets.

Madhia then went on to the final where they were beaten by Region Two United.

The new champs batted first and got to 53 for 3 from their five overs to which Madhia were limited to 48 for 5 to lose by five runs in a see-saw final under the floodlights in front of a vocal crowd. Colin De Young made 21 not out and was named Man of the Match of the final.

The annual Heritage Games are organized and hosted by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and in 2016 was held over a three day period. Three disciplines, cricket, football and volleyball were contested among 572 athletes while archery made its debut and attracted approximately 75 open archers from which 29 were shortlisted for the final leg of shooting then the top three were awarded prizes for their efforts (see story on page 21).

Swimming was done on day two (Saturday September 17) at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal and attracted another 50 swimmers and was organized by the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA).

RHTY&SC town week celebrations off to rousing start

T

he promise of Guyana’s leading youth and sports Club, the Rose Hall Town Youth& Sports Club (RHTY&SC), M.S and its eight cricket teams to organise the best ever Town Week celebration in Guyana, is on course to be fulfilled as the celebrations got off to a rousing start on Wednesday last and continued into the weekend.

The Club in conjunction with the Mayor and Town Council of Rose Hall Town are hosting numerous activities to celebrate Guyana’s smallest towns 46th anniversary.

The almost three weeks of celebration will conclude on September 30 with the Republic Bank Inter Secondary School Scrabble competition.

The activities which started on started on Wednesday saw the Cricket teams hosting a massive March Pass involving close to 1200 persons from the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force, Fire Service, Prison Service, Constabulary members from three Township, the Guyana Police Force, Military Music Band, the New Amsterdam Council of Friends Music Band, the 7th Day Church Music Band, RHTY&SC

Members and students from eight schools.

Club Patron and Executive President of Guyana H.E President David Granger took the salute at the March Pass and later described the proceedings as the largest one he has ever seen in Guyana.

President Granger also unveiled the refurnished Rose Hall Town Monument and laid a wreath to honour the 57 slaves who purchased Rose Hall Village in 1842.

The Opening Ceremony featured remarks by Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, Mayor Vijai Ramoo, Town Clerk Natasha Munroe, Regional Chairman David Armogan, President David Granger and representatives of townships across Guyana.

Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawerence and Georgetown Mayor Patricia Green-Chase were among the special guests.

The RHTY&SC and its cricket teams honoured several outstanding residents in conjunction with Travel Span, Roraima Airways and Global Access.

Top grade 6 Student Faria Hafiz and Top CSEC Student Farah Bates received a trip to the Arrow Point Resort com-

Best CSEC Student Farah Bates receives her award from a representative from Roraima Airways

President David Granger and Mayor Vijai Ramoo launch Rose Hall town week

pliments of Roraima Airways while Vikesh Ramnauth who topped the University of Guyana Computer Science Degree Programme in 2015 received a free airline ticket to the USA compliments of Travel Span.

Promising National junior cyclist Andrew Hicks and a single parent of seven Children collected $50,000.00 and $25,000.00 respectively from the RHTY&SC and Travel Span.

Oldest resident of Rose Hall Town Datsie James received one year of Global Access Cable Television and a twenty one inch Television set. To close of the highly impressive and well organised Opening Ceremony, a historic Tourism Poster was unveiled by the club with spon-

at the Arch Square while thousands of residents later in the evening witnessed a high standard Hip Hop Dancing competition, sponsored by the cricket teams and Imran and Daughters.

The Winner Orlando Singh received one year of Global Access Cable Television and a Microwave whilst the two runner ups also received prizes. Club Secretary/CEO and the 46th Anniversary Organiser Hilbert Foster described great delight at the Success of the First week of celebrations and noted that the participation of residents have been overwhelming.

The celebrations would continue in the second week with the hosting of a 5/5 cricket, 5 a side football and Inter World Basketball

sorship from the Guyana Tourism Authority. The poster contains pictures of historic sites and prominent businesses in the town. President David Granger received the first copy of the poster from Mayor Vijai Ramoo along with a copy of a 40 page booklet on the history of Rose Hall Town.

On Thursday dozens of residents were treated at a Medical Outreach Programme at the St. Francis Community Developers Training Centre while on Friday, hundreds visited the Public Exhibition on the history of the township at the Independence Arch Square.

The Guyana Defence Force Steel-band on Saturday entertained a captive crowd in a three-hour long concert

Tournaments while educational competitions (Essay, Spelling Bee and Drawing Competition) would be held for schools. The club will launch the Rose Hall Town Booklet and unveil a Television documentary on the township while the less fortunate would be fed at the Club’s office. On Thursday Massive Career and Business Fair will be held on the Public Road while the Hugh Desmond Hoyte Family Recreational Park would be opened to the general Public on Friday. On Sunday, the first ever Rose Hall Town Yard Fowl Curry Competition would be held at the Area ‘H’ Ground and later in the evening a Public Concert, featuring top artistes in the township and Region 6.

guyana-times.com

tuesday, september 20, 2016

23

Gonsalves unofficially ASK-G, Wesley prove worth in Karate Championships shatters World Record A – “Big John” wins Masters

A

t the conclusion of the second annual RAW National Power Lifting Championships on Sunday at the Critchlow Labour College, 18-yearold Romario Gonsalves unofficially broke the World Record in the 59 kilogram (kg) class.

Gonsalves, representing, Life Gym, was judged the overall winner for the sub junior and the open categories via wilks points, which determine the winner by calculations using athletes’ body weight and weight lifted, totaling 410.145 after squatting 175 kg, bench pressing 85 kg and dead lifting 202.5 kg, which earned him the unofficial record.

In the 59 kg class, representing Buddy’s Gym, Sohail Hussain amassed wilks points of 375.107 while 19 year old Demetri Chan took the 74 kg open and junior class with wilks points of 366.124. Hardat Tarson won the 83 kg with wilks points of 429.723 after dead lifting 265 kg and squatting 220 kg.

Vijai Rahim, entering with a weight of 64.4 KG, was crowned the best lifter after bench pressing 127.5KG, squatting 210KG and dead lifting 265KG

Romario Gonsalves

which earned him wilks points of 482.723.

In the female junior category, Tineisha Toney was awarded the best overall junior lifter, having earned a wilks points of 343.190 from squatting 110 kg, bench pressing 45kg and dead lifting 137.5 kg for a total of 292.5 kg. The 22-yearold squatted 140 kg; Bench pressed 107.5 and out lifting the others in the dead lift of 185 kg.

Neesa Bhagwandin walked away with the 72 kg junior category with a dead lift of 140 kg, and a wilks points of 313.814 while Brittnay Mack took the 47 kg class with wilks points 321.385.

With the action moving

over to the masters category, on the ladies side Nadina Taharally dominated the 72 kg open, gathering a wilks points total of 334.310, earning here the top honours.

Jackquelyn Toney was the open and master 84 kg category winner with a total of 325 and wilks points of 301.047.

In the main spectacle, the return of John ‘Big John’ Edwards was a successful one, having outmatched his opponents, Farouk Abdool and Roshan Alli in the 120 KG class. Space Gym power lifter bench pressed 182.5 kg, then went on to squat 265 kg and dead lifting 272.5 kg to earn a wilks points of 418.896.

BCB/NBS 2nd Division 40-over Cricket

Tucber Park beat Courtland to reach final

N

ew Amsterdam’s Tucber Park will now face Rose Hall in the final of the 2015/2016 Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) New Building Society (NBS) Limited sponsored 40-over second division cricket competition.

Playing at the Cumberland ground, Tuber Park defeated Courtland Cricket Club of the Lower Corentyne area by 7 wickets with 1.5 overs to spare.

Due to rain the match was reduced the overs to 30 per side then another shower further reduced the game to 20 overs.

Tucber Park won the toss and inserted Courtland CC who made 132 for 9,

Keon DeJesus

with Jamal Cort hitting a top score of 26. Cort received support from Travis Williams with 25 and Troy Mathieson 13.

Bowling for Tucber Park, young pacer Omar Weatherspoon took 2 for 18 while National under-15

player Leon Swammy, former national under 19 pacer Niall Smith, current national under 19 all-rounder Joel Seitaram and Keon DeJesus, all took a wicket each.

DeJesus and former national youth wicket keeper/batsman Hakeem Hinds made 37 not out and 36 not out respectively; National under 17 batsman Steve Deonarine with 16, provided some early stability.

Bowling for Courtland skipper John Percival and Timothy McDonald took a wicket a piece.

The final will be played at the Albion Sports Complex on a date to be announced shortly.

A Ally and Sons basketball

NA Warriors soften Hardliners 70-31

I

thaca Hardliners failed to take advantage of their home advantage when they hosted New Amsterdam Warriors on Sunday at the Ithaca Court when action in the A. Ally and Sons

Basketball Tournament continued.

Led by a game-high 27 points from Kwesi Mickle, the visitors led from the start of the game and never relinquished the lead. At the end of the first quarter the scoreboard read 9-2 and when the half time whistle came they had extended the lead to 3210.

The lead was stretched further in the third quarter which finished 47-16 with

the final score reading 70-30.

Mickle received good support from Shamar France (19) and Jermaine King (8).

For the losers Kester Sinclair poured in 6 points while Philip Edwards (6) and Royan Solomon (5) tried valiantly .

The competition continues on Sunday when Smithfield Rockers take on Rose Hall Jammers at the Area ‘H’ Court in Rose Hall Town.

s the Guyana Karate Federation hosted the National Seniors Karate Championship at the National Gymnasium, on Sunday fierce competition was displayed by all the participants but in the end team Association Shotokan Karate Guyana (ASK-G) was the superior team.

Otho Harris won first prize in the Kata Male 1417 category while Avinash Ramgolam and Charles Benjamin finished second and third.

The Female 14-17 Kata was won by Alyia Wong followed by Loren Black and Tashana Wong in that order while Nyota Rodrigues, Oneika Ramschit and Rebecca Wesley fished 1st3rd in the Female 18 year+ Kata.

In the Male 18 year+ Roger Peroune was victorious as Shane Wilkinson finished second and Navindra Sookoo copped third. Wesley redeemed herself from third to win the Female Open Kumite as Lizannie Mohamed got second and Kristine Ramkisson walked away with the third place position. Rodwell Alleyne won the Male Open Kumite -75Kilogram (KG) followed

by Peroune and Wilkinson.

Dellon Hyman was victorious in the +84KG Male Kumite followed by Keith Beaton and Prince Roberts in second and third respectively. In the -84KG Male Kumite, Shaqueal Amin copped the top honour and Stowell Barry finished as

Action from the Karate Championships

runner up while Roland Fanfair completed the podium.

In the Male Open Kumite -67KG category, first place was awarded to Navindra Sookoo as Manzoor Ali and Sceon David ended the contest in second and third respectively.

Trevon Miller, Shamar Parkinson and Storm Katchay finished first, second and third respectively in the +68KG Male 14-17 Kumite while in the -68KG 14-17 years, Male, Otho Harris out played Jermaine Kendall, second and Mark Wong who finished third.

Avinash Ramgolam and Charles Benjamin went head to head in the -55KG Male 14-17 Kumite with Ramgolam emerging victorious. In the Female 1417 Kumite Open Tashani Wong defeated Loren Black for first in the Open Female 14-17 year Kumite while Chelsea Benjamin finished third. With the action moving over to the team cat-

egory, the Female team Kata was won by team New Amsterdam, comprising of Oneika Ramsuchit, Leah Shariff and Tulsidai Ramotar.

Association Shotokan Karate-Guyana (ASK-G) with Chelsea Benjamin, Rebecca Wesley and Kristine Ramkisson was judged to be second.

Shotokan Guyana’s (SKG) trio,Randolph Singh, Shaquel Amin and Prince Roberts won the Male team Kata while Guyana Karate College (GKC) with Kenrick Cheeks, Navindra Sookoo and Otho Harris copped second, followed by Randolph Alleyne, Sceon David, Dellon Hyman representing National Martial Arts Academy (NMAA) SKG’s Prince Roberts, Shaqueal Amin and Rollex Graham won the Male team Kumite as NMAA’s Rodwell ALleyne, Delon Hyman and Sceon David got second and ASK-G placing third with Shane Wilkinson, Keith Beaton and Roger Persaud.

TUESday, september 20, 2016

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

Heritage Games Pg 22

Mabaruma, Pariuma crowned champions − Orealla/Siparuta defend volleyball title again

Orealla/Siparuta (green and red) on their way to defending their title against Region Two United

RHTY&SC town week celebrations off to rousing start

Gonsalves unofficially shatters World Record

Pg 22

Pg 23

President Granger pays tribute to slaves who purchased Rose Hall

John “Big John” Edwards powers his way through during the bench press category

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