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World observes Nelson P7 Mandela International Day Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyana-times.com

Issue No. 2919

Brexit fallout

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, July 18, 2016

PRICE

Page 3

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Private Sector to be affected – GO-Invest Chairperson

51-yearold labourer murdered Page 2

Alleged rape

$80 vat included

Telecoms Bill for P9 Parliament today

Page 2

Children remain hospitalised, to undergo forensic interview – perpetrator in custody

Be effective leaders – First Lady to graduates of leadership programme

Reopening of Kara Kara toll booth still on the cards – Linden P11 Mayor

Page 12

Several pumps without fuel, need for closer monitoring – Region 2 Chairman P10

First Lady Sandra Granger is flanked by Ronald Austin Jr, Aubrey Norton, and Anetta De Jesus, all of the Youth Empowerment Unit of the Ministry of the Presidency and Leon Stewart, a graduate and chairperson of the fourth Youth Leadership Training Programme

Region 5 flooding

In the wake of deadly accidents

Farmers still suffering losses

Mocha access road gets long-awaited street lights

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Page 9

Deadly Drop-in Centre fire

President P10 Granger hopes Inquiry answers lingering questions

2 news 51-year-old labourer murdered T monDAY, july 18, 2016 | guyana-times.com

he lifeless body of a 51-year-old male was discovered along Unity Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara, early Sunday morning.

The body was identified as that of James Stuart, also known as Goobie, a labourer, of Lot 101 Unity Street, popularly known as Race Dam. According to information reaching this publication, James was drinking at ‘Ann Jones’ shop, situated a few houses away from the corner where his body was discovered. He had mysteriously disappeared minutes after midnight only to be discovered by market vendors shortly after sunrise.

James’ brother, Lloyd Richards related that he was surprised by his friends while on his way to the market, when they asked, ‘“When last have you seen Goobie?”’

When he enquired the reason behind the query, the friends said a body was discovered on Race Dam, which resembled Goobie.

Richards then contacted his sister and rushed to the La Grange Police Station, where they were informed that a body was, indeed, discovered and were then shown a picture on a cell phone of the dead person’s face,

The murdered James Stuart

but they were unable to identify the individual. The dead man’s siblings then headed to the Ezekiel Funeral Home where the body was confirmed to be that of James.

Richards noted that it seemed as though his brother was beaten severely, which resulted in what he described as his brother’s eye protruding out of his head.

He explained that the incident allegedly occurred around 03:00h. After residents made the discovery, the Police were summoned to the scene, and the body was first taken to the police station and then to the funeral home.

James was described as a jovial person who hardly had any problems with people.

According to the dead man’s family, he had developed an excessive drinking habit, usually drinking by himself.

The 51-year-old did not have a wife or children, but was very close to his siblings, who resided near him.

It is suspected that robbery was the motive behind his beating as it was not the first time James had been robbed, his relatives related.

One member of the family also noted that he observed that violent robberies were a developing problem in the community, since many people would appear in the hospital beaten and robbed.

Police are currently investigating the matter. No arrests had been made up to press time. A post-mortem on the body was scheduled to be conducted today.

Alleged rape

Children remain hospitalised, to undergo forensic interview – perpetrator in custody

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he three young girls who were allegedly raped by their stepfather and thrown out of the family home remain hospitalised at the New Amsterdam Hospital, while their alleged perpetrator has been arrested.

An official from the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) told Guyana Times that the children aged 4, 7 and 10, will undergo a forensic interview today by the social protection authorities.

The interview will be recorded. Afterwards, the CC&PA will compile a report and send it to the Police.

Based upon the report, B (Berbice) Division Commander Ian Amsterdam explained, charges will be laid. He indicated that both the step-father and the mother of the children were in Police custody.

The CC&PA official further indicated that authorities were already looking to place the children with a close relative or to find alternative care.

Police in B Division on Friday launched an investigation into the alleged rape.

The Divisional Commander said that a report was made on Thursday morning and that the suspect, a former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldier, was on the run.

However, he was found on Saturday.

“I am told that the mother has 11 daughters and three sons, with the youngest child belonging to this man. The three sisters were spotted somewhere along the seawalls in an area that borders the Berbice River on the East Bank of Berbice and when questioned they claimed that their father abused them, molested them and put them out,” Amsterdam disclosed.

“The mother is unemployed…it is said that she is behaving as if she is suffering from mental problems, but I don’t know if she is indeed suffering from such issues,” he stated.

According to Amsterdam, neighbours were apparently not aware of what was happening. However, reports from the villagers allege that the stepfather is abusive towards the children.

Vector Control Network for Caribbean countries to be implemented

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he Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization (WHO), along with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has initiated the process of a proposed framework for a formal Caribbean network on the surveillance and control of vector-borne diseases.

According to CARPHA the formalisation of the Caribbean Network is expected to take place before end of 2016. It stated that one of the research priorities identified is investigating in-

secticide resistance of the vectors of arboviruses, which are groups of viruses transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, or other arthropods.

With the emergence of Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya, the region has labelled vector surveillance and control a priority.

Zika, the latest of the vector borne diseases, has been reported in more than 30 countries of the Americas. This disease, along with Dengue and Chikungunya, continue to threaten the health, tourism, social and economic development of the Region. turn to page 13

news

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monDAY, july 18, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, July 18 – 14:30h-16:00h and Tuesday, July 19 – 14:30h-16:00h.

Private Sector to be affected – GO-Invest Chairperson

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, July 18 – 15:30h-17:00h and Tuesday, July 19 – 16:10h-17:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy rain showers will prevail throughout the day, with sunny skies in the early morning hours, while partly cloudy skies are expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly to South-easterly between 0.89 metre per second and 3.12 metres per second.

High Tide: 15:40h reaching a maximum height of 2.45 metres.

Low Tide: 09:13h and 21:28h reaching minimum heights of 0.68 metre and 0.76 metre respectively.

Saturday, July 16, 2016

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hile the United K i n g d o m ’ s exit from the European Union (EU) is said to have dire consequences for the Caribbean, what is more significant is the effect the move will also have on businesses.

Chairperson of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Patricia Bacchus said the implications of Brexit for the Private Sector in Guyana and the Caribbean were many. She was among a group of speakers at a discussion organised by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr Ivelaw Griffith recently.

According to Bacchus, Britain remains a key market for many of the Region’s products and services even though there has been some general decline over the years. In 2008, she said, Caricom exports to the United Kingdom stood at some US$839 million.

However, six years later, in 2014, it stood at US$495 million, a 30 to 35 per cent decline. That, she said, represents about two per cent of Caricom exports.

In Guyana, based on information gathered, it was shown that for the first four months of the year, exports to the United Kingdom were somewhere around US$31 million or $6.5 billion. Bacchus said if the same momentum was maintained, there would be an anticipated $20 billion per annum in exported services and goods to the UK.

GO-Invest Chairperson Patricia Bacchus

For Guyana, it represents about seven per cent of total exports, which included commodities such as fuel and mining products; banana, sugar and rum; minerals, particularly gold, and fertilisers.

Speaking about the direct implications, Bacchus said currency sensitivity and the exchange rate were set to affect businesses in the Region. “We all know that post Brexit votes there was a situation where the pound slide to a 31-year low. It has rebounded, but it is about 10 per cent below where it was trading against the US currency.”

According to her, there are businesses and nations selling products and services in the UK market for which agreements are denominated in the pound

currency. “That means now that the value that was being received by the seller is significantly reduced if they are being paid in pound sterling.”

She said while there was some stabilisation going on right now, uncertainty would prevail and

the currency sensitivity issue would also prevail.

“So businesses and nations that are exposed to the currency fluctuation are going to be tasked with examining what it means to them. There will have to be some renegotiations with the UK or even seek out other markets,” she told the audience at Duke Lodge.

Other implications Bacchus spoke about included access to the market on a free trade, free quota basis and operational exposure for businesses founded outside the UK that are operating within the country. She said because they have set up an office in the UK, they enjoy access to the UK market under a harmonised regulatory and tariff system with free cross border banking facilities and free movement of people and skills. The new situation will, however, pose some challenges.

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guyana-times.com

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016

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

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

Editorial

National happiness anyone?

O

ne of the ironies of the last century and a half is that while the great ideological battle between capitalism and communism ended two decades ago with the victory of the capitalists, the latter by then had completely accepted their opponents’ premise that fundamentally, man was an economic animal.

As a result, we all measure progress and development using various economic metrics especially Gross Domestic Product (GDP). But in the last decade, there has been a dramatic shift away from this orientation and towards a recognition that when all is said and done, man’s activity is basically intended to deliver greater happiness. And a grudging acceptance that material goods alone do not automatically guarantee happiness.

While the latter viewpoint had long been articulated by religiously-minded individuals and institutions, it had been denigrated by “hard-nosed realists” and economists as being too “otherworldly”. Its introduction into the realm of national policy came from an unlikely source: the king of the remote Himalayan Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan, back in 1972.

Given epistemological rigour by the Centre for Bhutan Studies, a Gross National Happiness (GNH) index was devised which rested on the promotion of sustainable development, preservation and promotion of cultural values, conservation of the natural environment, and the establishment of good governance. These four pillars supported eight more detailed contributors to happiness: physical, mental and spiritual health; time-balance; social and community vitality; cultural vitality; education; living standards; good governance; and ecological vitality.

Initially, the economic powerhouses in the West that set the pace for what was considered “development” poohpoohed the notion that “happiness” of nations could be the goal of governments. However, economists from the Indian subcontinent, ensconced in Western institutions but imbued with the notions from their own culture that “well-being” went beyond the traditional economic metrics, began to introduce Bhutan’s orientation into mainstream economic thinking.

Bhutan’s idea was taken up by the UNDP’s programme and refined by economists like Mahbubul Haq of Pakistan, Britain’s Lord Meghnad Desai and the Indian Nobel Prize winner Amartya Sen as the “Human Development Index”, which seeks to incorporate life expectancy, education and standards of living as indicators of a country’s development.

From this platform, the idea of a GNH has now taken centre stage in some of the countries that were most sceptical in the beginning.

In 2009, a panel of economists commissioned by Nicolas Sarkozy, the French President, proposed the replacement of “Gross Domestic Product” with a “Net National Product” which would take into account the contentment of the people, the quality of public services and free services available within communities. In November 2010, Britain’s PM, David Cameron also announced plans for a ‘happiness index’ and said the Office for National Statistics would invite people to grade their own contentment from April 2022. He explained, “We’ll continue to measure GDP as we’ve always done, but it is high time we admitted that, taken on its own, GDP is an incomplete way of measuring a country’s progress.”

In January of that year, German politicians also began investigating ways to gauge the country’s quality of life and prosperity as a way to complement GDP figures in Europe’s top economy. A committee headed by Speaker of Parliament Norbert Lammert issued its recommendations in 2015. The so-called “Progress Index” measures Germany’s economic wealth, as well as advancements in education, environment and quality of life.

Another country to jump on the “happiness” bandwagon was China – the fastest growing economy in the world that is projected to overtake the US as the largest economy in a few decades. As part of its drive to find greater happiness, local Chinese officials are typically being set ten targets to meet – five being economic or GDP-related, and five being assessed on more nebulous, happiness- related criteria linked to social well-being. Our Government’s “green economy” incorporates some premises of the GNH position. Maybe it’s time we investigate the concept further?

Rubik feat: Competitors solve Rubik’s cubes using their feet during the Rubik’s Cube European Championship in Prague

W Cerny)

(Reuters/David

The social partnership option for national development Dear Editor, There are many voices calling for national dialogue with the major political parties and interest groups to forge a consensus for national, social, and economic development. Here are a few thoughts on the social partnership option for national development; hoping for other views and advocacy.

National dialogue on social and economic matters should be encouraged and promoted as a matter of high priority. This approach promotes active consultation and cooperation at the industrial and national levels among governing authority, the political parties in the National Assembly as well as workers’ and employers’ organisations in order to foster mutual understanding and good relations, to find agreed solutions to socio-economic problems and to forge a consensus for national development.

The promotion of social justice in the state community could be achieved only if the social partners and stakeholders themselves are involved in the search for appropriate solutions through negotiations and genuine dialogue. The government and the National Assembly however, have a major responsibility in the success of a multi-tripartite social dialogue process.

Genuine national dialogue guarantees participation in a democratic process. The developing of our economy offers opportunities from which all can gain, but these have to be grounded in participatory processes and institutions if they are to confer legitimacy and sustainability on economic and social policies.

The pillars constituted

by the National Assembly, Government, private sector and workers’ organisations must commit themselves to engage in determined dialogue, based on the principles of mutual trust and good faith.

Success in the mutual outcome of national dialogue also requires national commitment and national political will, and the full commitment of private sector and workers and their organisations, and civil society. National dialogue processes need to be strengthened, encouraged and supported. The building of that trust, its maintenance, and its sustainability, requires a high degree of commitment and political leadership.

There were successful broader social partnership agreements in other jurisdictions such as the outstanding models of national social partnership agreements in Ireland and Barbados. From the late 80s and early 90s, the social partnership and consensus-based approaches in Barbados and Ireland resulted in national agreements, which have had a continuing positive impact on the achievements of economic growth and social progress.

These agreements were the outcomes of serious negotiations undertaken in good faith between the governments and the other social partners.

This recourse to the social partnership option had widespread support among the major social and economic interests in these countries, and fundamentally changed the traditional confrontational approach in managing national socio-economic affairs.

The social partnership agreements provide a solid

foundation for the economic growth and development of these countries. These have resulted in a very good social and matured political relations and an environment conducive to building consensus for national development to the extent that Ireland is attracting many substantial investors, and is one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. In recent years, both Ireland and Barbados have recorded the lowest incidence of disruptive political and industrial action within the European Union and Caricom, respectively.

The social partnership at the national level in Ireland is an attractive model for Caribbean countries.

Barbados, drawing from the Irish model, developed its own national agreements.

In the Guyana context, the real challenge is to develop national consensus in the form of social partnership agreements in the interest of the wider national community. National partnership agreements provide the framework for national strategies to achieve international competitiveness, higher standards of living, and improved social protection, a stable currency, investment-friendly policies and a more development-conducive social and political climate.

Effective management of the economy in a climate of good governance with proactive involvement and participation of civil society is crucial for agreeing on measures for balanced economic, social and political development. The governing authority of the National Assembly and the government bears responsibility for ensuring that

governance as: “The manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development” reflects fairness and effective social justice.

A state that is committed to such good governance will ensure that there is genuine participation by the social and political partners with credibility, transparency, and accountability in the administration and management of national affairs.

The challenges, in terms of national strategies to promote economic growth, social, political and human development, call for actions at the national level. It is for the government, the political parties, private sector, the labour movement and civil society in Guyana: a) to respect, promote and realise in good faith the fundamental principles of human rights enshrined in our Constitution and laws, and the United Nations and International Labour Conventions; b) to adopt the social partnership option in the management of change in national socio-economic and political affairs through sustained national dialogue which must be promoted in a paradigm shift - from the prolonged confrontational political posture to one which cultivates consensus and cooperation in the national interest; and c) the Government of Guyana at the highest level, has a crucial facilitating role in moving this process forward through appropriate actions.

Samuel J Goolsarran Citizen of Guyana

guyana-times.com

MONDAY, JULY 18, 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

Copyright protection What are they planning? needs to be enforced

Dear Editor, For some time now I have been visiting lots of bookstores, also in the markets, buying books and published material for my children and myself.

I note with a great deal of interest that most books today selling in our markets and bookstores are photocopied books; that’s a violation of copyright laws both nationally and internationally.

I observed that books such as: Junior English, First Aid in English, CXC text books in every subject area, books

by Caribbean writers like VS Naipaul, Derek Walcott, Ian McDonald, Martin Carter, Wilson Harris and the long list goes on and on when it comes to ‘book piracy’ and our past and present government have Sdone nothing about it.

I am scared to bring my books that were published abroad and launch them here because my first book published here was pirated by many schools and storeowners and it’s hard to track down everyone and if you take them to court you can lose your case because the copyright laws are not enforced here.

What is really happening to the laws of our country?

On every corner we can see laws are broken every day by corrupt people in our society.

What is copyright? Does it apply to our country?

“Copyright is a type of protection provided by law to authors of original works of authorship, inclusive of literary, drama, musical, artistic and some other intellectual works.’’

Guyana is a signatory to the Berne Convention and the Universal Copyright Convention. In addition, other copyright legal provisions are enacted in the Copyright Act 1956 of the United Kingdom to which Guyana acceded in 1966.

The problem, however, is that these copyright provisions are not enforced in

Guyana. Guyana is among 121 countries that were party to the Berne Convention on March 2, 1997. Since Guyana is a signatory of the Berne Convention, why is it not being enforced?

Why is Guyana a signatory of a convention she has no intention to implement? It’s about time our law makers try to have an understanding of copyright laws to protect our authors, singers, etc.

This law must be passed in Parliament and all pirated photocopy books, exam papers, DVDs, CDs must be removed from the shelves in every store and market stall in Guyana.

Our writers here suffer a lot, like myself, because we only have four newspapers, which makes it hard to employ our writers to get jobs.

Even many agencies hardly have job positions for writers and editors. I say this from my personal experience and most papers pay columnists very cheap or don’t want to pay them because many politicians write columns here for free, making it very difficult for our Guyanese writers like myself.

Why are copyright laws not enforced after fifty years of Independence? We have copyright laws in Guyana but they are not enforced. If they were enforced, then the owners of these stores selling photocopy books would have been picked up by the police, they would have been sent to prison or pay some heavy court fines like in Trinidad, Jamaica, Barbados and many big nations.

I also see the piracy of CDs and DVDs has now become a normal business in this country from the very big store owners to sellers in the streets.

Many young children are dropping out of schools just to earn a living by selling pirated DVDs and CDs. It’s very sad to know that writers’ text books or any other books of poetry, fiction, etc

are being pirated and sold in the streets and in the stores and the writer cannot do anything about it. It’s sad to know because the writer will take years to write a book and will invest a huge sum of money to get his/her book published.

It’s very sad to know that many of our Guyanese singers will take years to compose their songs on a CD, travel out of Guyana to get their songs recorded then suddenly their CD is being sold in the streets and CD shops for $200 and seven for $100.

Since we are a member of Caricom then we must follow and adhere to the principles of other Caricom States. It looks bad when a Caribbean writer visit our country to see his/her book being sold as a photocopy book.

What we need in Guyana is a publishing house or a good printing press at the Ministry of Education to re-publish books written by Caribbean author’s that will be easily available to students at a reduced price. In an interview some time ago with Hansib Publisher Arif Ali and Petamber Persaud about copyright, Ali said that he can publish text books cheaper for Guyana if our government can work with him. Even singer Dave Martins said that copyright laws must be enforced in Guyana, because it will put more revenue into the government’s treasury.

What we need in Guyana is a writers/authors union where writers are represented, meaning they can take a storeowner to court for selling their books and that storeowner will have to compensate the writer financially if found guilty. The same should apply for artistes.

This looks like a long hard road for us to travel, but it can be done if we work together to enforce the copyright laws in our country.

Yours faithfully, Rev Gideon Cecil

Dear Editor, On July 12, 2016 your newspaper published an article entitled “Department of National Events Established.” The article said that on orders from President Granger, Colonel Nazrul Hussain of the Guyana Defence Force will be the head of that agency with the responsibility for planning state events.

I was alarmed that our nation continues to be militarised when you juxtapose these events against our recent history. The recent history of Guyana, pre1991, has been the use of

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holism”, which is the clear slant given by both articles by implication as well as by direct statements is wrong as a matter of fact and in its aspersion against rum versus other alcoholic drinks is tantamount to shooting ourselves in the foot, For example sentences like “…statistics show that the Guyanese drinking culture (rum culture) where most persons ‘drink to get drunk’, frequently at excessive and harmful levels is associated with many forms of entertainment and participation in social events” clearly point the alcoholism finger unfairly at rum and rum only.

Besides, such myopia and bias can be considered as anti-nationalistic having regard to the fact that Guyana Rum has captured

the world attention as top class, indeed the ‘the best’ in many respects.

Its contribution to our national treasury cannot be ignored.

I have no brief for the rum companies in Guyana and I am not in any way promoting the drinking of rum; all I am trying to do is to remind our compatriots of incontrovertible facts.

Besides, I am no ‘prude’; I do enjoy a drink or more of rum, Guyana rum. As a matter of fact my friends will corroborate the fact that when I was in the UN and therefore entitled to duty-free privileges which allowed me to buy expensively priced wines and whisky at duty-free prices which was lower than the price payable for rum, I still drank rum.

Indeed I am often frus-

like Democrats, depend on a small coterie to sustain their power. These backers, generally drawn from the military, the senior civil service, and family or clan members, have a synergistic relationship with their dictator. The dictator delivers opportunities for them to become rich, and they protect him from being overthrown.” Bruce Bueno de Mesquita.

Beware Guyana. They are lining up their stooges for the big plan.

Sincerely, Lenny Jagdhar

Good Samaritan leads the way in Region 5 Dear Editor, On Tuesday, June 4, pensioners living in Blairmont and neighbouring villages finally got some much-needed relief from the rain and blistering sun, and can now rest their weary legs while waiting at the Blairmont Post Office to cash their Old Age Pension vouchers.

On June 10, I wrote a letter in the press in support of two previous letters, denouncing the undignified manner in which our senior citizens are treated every month at many post offices nationwide as they wait patiently for long, exhausting hours to collect the $18,000 subsistence given by the government.

I then called upon the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) to provide a more reliable, hassle-free service to our most vulnerable, our elderly.

Today, I’m pleased that a Good Samaritan and native of Blairmont, Nowrang Persaud, undertook this noble initiative and erected a permanent shed with wooden benches adjoining the

Alcoholism is caused not only by drinking rum

wo different letters appearing in the 14 July issues of Kaieteur News and Stabroek News appear to equate alcoholism with the drinking of Rum as opposed to other forms of alcohol such as Beer, Vodka and Whisky.

The letter in Kaieteur News signed: “Caribbean Voice, New York” is titled: “Rum and Social Responsibilities” while the one in Stabroek News is signed by Annan Boodram and is titled: “Alcoholism is at the core of many social pathologies in Guyana”.

Both letters detail the numerous problems associated with overindulgence in alcohol. I have no quarrel with this postulation; however, to convey the impression that it is only “rum drinking that causes alco-

the military, para-military, and to an extent the police force as a tool to control Guyanese and the government through intimidation and rigged elections.

Today, we see that almost every key office in the country has been taken over by former or current military personnel. My question is why? What is the Granger Government planning?

Surely, there are ample civilians who can fill these positions. Unless, they have another plan which requires military control of the state apparatus. Consider the following quote. “Dictators, un-

trated by the absence of rum at social occasions where it appears that rum is scoffed at in preference for Vodka and Whisky and beer.

Only this week at a public function attended by several dignitaries including a minister of government, I openly ‘reprimanded’ the host for not having any rum but only vodka, whisky and beer.

I am of the view that Guyanese by and large drink much more Vodka and beer than they drink rum.

Let us do not denigrate our ‘national’ drink, our national product. If we must, indeed we certainly MUST attack ‘alcoholism’ and promote ‘responsible drinking’, let us do so without demonising rum.

Nowrang Persaud

front of the Blairmont Post Office with the blessing and approval of the GPOC. At a small opening ceremony attended by GPOC Postmistress General Karen Brown; Area Manager Balkarran Kissoon; PRO Telesha Whyte and Region 5 ViceChairman, Rion Peters, an overview of the project was given by Persaud, who had so far spent $400,000 of his own savings, and called for other civic-minded persons in the business community to replicate this initiative in other parts of the country.

But while we appreciate this initiative, it is unfair and unrealistic to expect the business community, which is under undue pressure in a declining economy, to undertake the responsibilities of government.

Our private sector is already burdened with high taxes, a struggling economy, high interest rates and lack of government incentives needed to promote growth and job-creation.

I was also pleased with the commitment given by the GPOC Postmistress Genera to undertake additional improvements to the facility to prevent flooding and to provide a wheelchair ramp to the entrance of the Blairmont Post Office as is required by the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2010 - Section 28 (1).

Our senior citizens deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

Yours faithfully, Harry Gill Member of Parliament (PPP/C)

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MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016

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By Douglas Kenrick, PhD

I

t is rare that I am inspired to complete every word of a non-fiction book (more common for me to read 100 pages and relegate to the ever-expanding "maybe later" pile). It is rarer still that I can't help turning the pages of such a book, especially when those pages number nearly 500, and are full of hard-nosed details.

But I just completed what may be the most inspiring non-fiction book I have ever read.

The book is Walter Isaacson's The Innovators: How a group of hackers, geniuses, and geeks created the digital revolution. The story Isaacson tells is so exciting, I wanted to share it immediately with the two people whose education I care about – my two sons, both of whom become capable of amazing intellectual and artistic feats when their naturally sharp brains are bionically enhanced by the awe-inspiring technologies developed by the heroes in this book. One of my sons is only 12, but he is already learning how to programme his own computer games; the other is a film producer, from the first generation that learned to use computers instead of scissors and film to manipulate cinematic images.

There were a lot of ways Isaacson's story of the digital revolution could have made for a boring book. I first glanced at the time line that opens up the book – which includes 61 photographs, from Countess Ada

guyana-times.com

Foundation Lovelace's 1843 notes on Babbage's Analytic Engine to IBM's Watson computer winning Jeopardy in 2011, with the inventions of vacuum tubes, transistors, microchips and the game of Pong in between – and thought this might be trying to cover too much ground in a way both too technical and too superficial to hold my interest. I'd have predicted that the book would end up in the "maybe later" pile well before page 50.

But instead, I was mesmerised by Isaacson's account. In what follows, I'll try to figure out why I am going to recommend that you read it too, if you haven't already.

First, Isaacson (who wrote famous biographies of Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs, and was formerly managing editor of Time magazine) writes in a way that represents journalism at its best. He is objective and carefully detailed without distracting the reader with clever and overly showy word tricks. You are drawn into the story rather than the author's stylistic performances. Here, for example, are the opening sentences: "The computer and the Internet are among the most important inventions of our era, but few people know who created them. They were not conjured up in a garret or garage by solo inventors suitable to be singled out on magazine covers or put into a pantheon with Edison, Bell, and Morse.

Instead, most of the innova-

tions of the digital age were done collaboratively."

That last sentence gives another clue about what makes this such an engaging book. Isaacson tells the story not as a textbook summary of the logic behind calculating machines, recursive loops, microchips, and hy-

perlinks, but as a social tale – about the people behind the amazing technologies we now take for granted. Some of the characters in this story are flashy and egoistic, some are quiet and altruistic, some are hare-brained visionaries and some are meticulous and practical engineers. The story details how they stood on one another's shoulders, and sometimes kicked one another in the shins, on the way to creating the astounding little portable machine on which I am typing these words (and which I will later use to rapidly search through millions of photos for an appropriate image or two, then

upload this text and those images to a website where you can painlessly and immediately download them into your mind whether you are in Anchorage, Tokyo, or Zanzibar).

One of the characters in The Innovators, Vannevar Bush, wrote an article for the

Atlantic in 1945 in which he dreamily predicted a memory-supplementing device "in which an individual stores all his books, records, and communications, and which is mechanised so that it may be consulted with exceeding speed and flexibility."

Bush was an MIT professor who had previously contributed to the revolution by devising an analog electromechanical computer called the Differential Analyzer in 1931, and who later went on to start the National Science Foundation, convincing the US congress and President Truman that advances in basic science could have real

practical payoffs – to create jobs and reduce the drudgery of work, for example. Please remember Prof. Bush and think about all those jobs in high tech industries generated by the digital revolution before you vote against funding for scientific research, Senator.

The story of Bush and the National Science Foundation is fundamental to another feature that makes The Innovators such a satisfying read. Although Isaacson covers a lot of diverse ground peopled by a host of colourful characters, he manages to return to one central theme, and a couple of subthemes, throughout the story. The core message is that innovation is a collaborative process. One level of collaboration involves different team-members with different talents – mathematically oriented but sometimes diplomatically challenged engineers and mathematicians worked out the technical details for each new digital advance, while entrepreneurial business types generated the start-up funds, and then sold the innovations to users who could not only make them pay off, but also spread them to the informationhungry public, as well as the next round of innovators who could improve the ideas still further (think about Jobs and Wozniak).

Another level of collaboration involves the connections between universities, the Government (as in the case of NSF, NASA, and DARPA, who funded many of the geniuses and geeks as they tinkered away), and private industry (Bell Labs and Xerox, for example, provided meeting places for scientists and engineers to develop theory and practice together). The third level of collaboration now involves everyone with a personal computer anywhere in the world (think about open-source software, the World Wide Web, and Wikipedia).

And although much of the story is about hard work and practical applications, modern computers also integrate play, art, and music. When I am done writing this, I can use this same device (an iPad Pro) to take a photograph of the beautiful view from the porch of my rental [booked online], then import it into an art programme where I can turn it into an image that looks like a watercolour painting, all the while listening to Christopher Parkening picking out a Bach prelude, or any one of the thousands of other tunes accessible on iTunes, Amazon Prime, or Pandora. If Vannevar Bush could see all this, he might turn over in his grave, or perhaps tap his toe-bones along to the melody. (psychologytoday.com)

E

veryone goes through phases when a piece of work or a particular topic feels impossible to master, impossibly dull or impossible to complete in time for a looming deadline. In such situations, and sometimes just in general, what’s needed is a more powerful means of motivating yourself to conquer your workload. One way of doing this is to use the principles of ‘gamification’. If that word is alien to you, read this article and find out how gamifying your studies can help get you working more productively than you’ve ever worked before.

What is the gamification of learning?

Have you ever experienced the addictive qualities of video games? Perhaps you’ve been hooked on Tomb Raider or know what it’s like to become immersed in the world of Super Mario.

When you become absorbed in such games, motivating yourself to work your way through them seems effortless. You’re compelled to continue and before you know it, hours have passed and you’ve worked your way through numerous levels.

Now, if only there was a way to make studying as effortlessly compelling as video games are…

The good news is that there is! It’s called ‘gamification of learning’, and it involves applying the principles of video games to studying. Incorporating the elements of video games that make them so interesting, such as design, narrative, leaderboards and reward schemes, is a way to make studying more fun, increase your motivation and develop superior productivity. We devote the rest of this article to the various ways in which you can apply gamification to your everyday studies and reap the benefits.

Incorporating a narrative into your studies

A strong element of video games that makes them so compelling is the narrative. There’s a storyline that carries you along and makes you eager to find out what happens next. It’s not immediately obvious how this principle can be applied to learning, and it’s probably more suited to some subjects than others. One way of incorporating a narrative into your studies involves learning via invented scenarios.

For example, this might involve some kind of historical reenactment to help you learn about a particular battle for history. (Excerpt fromwww.oxfordroyale.co.uk)

NEWS

7

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

World observes Nelson Tendering process Mandela International Day Delayed Public Procurement Commission

“falling apart”

…will lead to institutional corruption – Nandlall

PPP/C MP and former Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

T

here has been criticism over the way in which many Government contracts have been awarded, prompting calls for the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC).

The PPC will have oversight on the process of how contracts are publicly tendered. However, as the Commission’s establishment remains in limbo, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Anil Nandlall, the former Attorney General (AG), has observed this was “inefficiency and incompetence” on the part of the Government.

“I am not sure whether the [non-establishment] is intentional, but it is just another example of inefficiency and incompetence in Government. You have the Government not going to public procurement on many contracts that the law compels must be done… you have billions of dollars being awarded in contracts

without complying with the Public Procurement Act,” the former AG noted.

Nandlall’s case in point was the Specialty Hospital contract where he noted Fedders Lloyd was “handpicked” despite all the criticisms, with the company ending up being blacklisted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank because of corruption.

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) MP pointed out that the Commission was meant to be a watchdog over the procurement process and he surmised that the entire tendering process was “falling apart.”

“The Public Procurement Commission is a body to which those who are aggrieved by public procurement, by a decision or the process of public procurement. It’s supposed to be a watchdog of the procurement process, but it is important to note that while they are not

establishing [it], the procurement process itself is falling apart because they are not going to tender on many contracts which require public tendering,” the former Legal Affairs Minister noted.

“The A Partnership for National Unity Coalition in their 100-day plan had said that the Public Procurement Commission would be established. We are over a year and that Commission has not been established. While we were in Government, they refused the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill because they wanted this commission to be established,” Nandlall further explained.

He also pointed out that there was “sloth in parliamentary democracy” as there have been fewer sittings of the National Assembly and parliamentary sub-committees.

“You have non-transparency and a lack of accountability across the divide at level of procurement, as well as Parliament; Government is reluctant to provide information…it’s corruption – institutional corruption,” Nandlall stressed.

The PPC is a constitutional body which has not been established since 2001. Corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI) earlier this year ranked Guyana as “highly corrupt”, based on its calculated methodology. Before the 2015 elections, the coalition had stated its intention to ensure the early establishment of the PPC.

J

uly 18 marks the birthday of the first black elected South African President, Nelson Mandela who relentlessly fought for the freedom of South Africa’s black population.

Guyana has joined the world to celebrate the life and legacy of the late South African leader in observance of Nelson Mandela International Day. The United Nations recognised Mandela’s dedication to the service of humanity and democracy and awarded him this day which took effect in 2010 after being declared in November, 2009.

According to the UN: “Every year on 18 July — the day Nelson Mandela was born — the UN joins a call by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to devote 67 minutes of time to helping others, as a way to mark Nelson Mandela International Day.” Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity as a human rights lawyer, prisoner of conscience, and an international peacemaker.

According to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the celebration of Mandela Day aims to serve as a global call to action for people to “recognise their individual power to make an imprint and help change the world around them for the better.”

“By devoting 67 minutes of their time – one minute for every year of Mandela’s public service – people can

Late South African leader and icon Nelson Mandela

make a small gesture of solidarity with humanity and a step towards a global movement for good… take action, inspire change, make every day a Mandela Day,” the Foundation further noted.

Born in 1918, Mandela spent 27 years (1962 to 1990) in prison for his involvement in attempting to overthrow the then apartheid minority government of South Africa. The BBC noted that he worked to “achieve human rights and a better future for everyone in South Africa”.

Mandela led the African National Congress to power and severed as President from 1994 to 1999, before voluntarily stepping down.

He died in 2013 from lung illness.

8 NEWS

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Region 5 flooding

Farmers still suffering losses Eyew tness Throwing shade...

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The state of the access dam at Mahaicony, Region Five

By Shemuel Fanfair

T

he livelihoods of many inhabitants from communities in Region Five (Mahaica/ Berbice) districts still remain threatened, nearly four months after flooding enveloped the area.

On Sunday, Guyana Times was informed that while water levels in the Mahaicony River continue to slowly recede, the water on the backlands where the majority of the farmlands and livestock are located remains high. This on-going situation has hampered the economic sustenance of Region 5’s residents who are mostly farmers.

Rohan Shivdyal of Pine Ground, Mahaicony River, has been a rice farmer for the past five years. He told this newspaper on Sunday that he cultivates 50 acres of rice along with his father; however he lost 10 acres over the last several months and is finding it difficult to repay his many debts.

As with many others in his area, Shivdyal is also a

livestock farmer. He noted that this industry is facing financial challenges and noted that he had to spend some $15,000 in medical treatment for his young goats and calves.

“Me had to buy lil drugs and suh fo dem…dem get fever [and] a get worm,” he noted.

The Pine Ground resident also stressed that he has to spray the affected animals two times daily to prevent the worms from further harming them. He estimated his overall losses in the vicinity of $100,000.

Guyana Times also learnt Sunday that the backlands flooding in Mahaicony is currently preventing many famers from gaining ready access to their farmlands. The farmers said they need the access dam to be repaired so that they can have free passage to their plots.

This newspaper had reported that many children used this same dam to travel to school but the conditions prevented many students from attending classes. Residents

are hopeful that this will be rectified in the coming weeks.

Region Five farmers have expressed also the need for assistance in acquiring seed paddy, manure and fertiliser to continue rice cultivation.

It was only Thursday that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix distributed $ 9 million in food hampers to some 851 West Coast Berbice households in Region 5. The parcels included rice, sugar, flour and milk, along with a selection of canned meats, biscuits, personal care items, and cleaning agents.

“We have 28 items in the hamper and I trust that it will be of some value to you,” CDC Chairman Colonel (ret’d) Chabilall Ramsarup told residents at Union (Number 30) Village.

Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal had expressed appreciation for the donation and observed that government had “come on board in bringing relief ... to communities in Region Five”.

The beneficiaries from Armadale (6), Hopetown (18), Bush Lot (200) and Mahaica Creek (50) had assembled at

the Union/Naarstigheid Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to collect their hampers.

The Amerindian settlement of Moraikobai, Mahaicony River, had benefited earlier this year from hampers.

In late June, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) team distributed food items and bottled water to residents who gathered at Mora Point and Gordon’s Table. Residents from nearby communities such as Pine Ground and First Savannah also benefitted from the distribution.

Earlier this month this newspaper reported that many farmers along the Mahaicony River sold their current crop of seed paddy out of fear that the on-going flooding would destroy their future plots for rice cultivation.

A female farmer had explained that she suffered significant losses due to the prolonged flooding. The woman stated that she lost three calves and a number of crops. The farmer had also estimated her losses at around $800,000 and appealed that her community be provided with food assistance.

...at the political “other”

or years and years, when female Guyanese wanted to put down someone they had issues with, they engage in a “cuss out/down”, “expletives” vividly describing acts and parts of the anatomy connected with sexual activities. This evolved, like all good theatre into performances that may have several acts and utilise various props – like making noise with pots and pans. In proper company, one may substitute the term “suh and suh” for the actual cuss word: like saying “Shut yuh suh and suh mouth!”

Called a “cuss down”, this activity could – and did – sometimes break out into fights. But usually, would just allow the two combatants – and sometimes their partisans – to “air their disagreements”. These cuss downs – using the standard substitutes – are regularly displayed in Parliament when they “debate” contentious issues. They call it “heckling”, but obviously they have no notion of what they’re talking about since they display none of the wit that’s de rigueur for heckling.

A milder form of the “cuss down” in Guyana is to “throw talk”. Here oblique expressions about the person at the receiving end are expressed aloud in their presence. While both the “thrower” and the “throwee” of the “talk” know what’s going on, it allowed the thrower a way out of a possible confrontation by pretending he/she didn’t know what was REALLY being said. Members of Parliament are always throwing talk. The tip-off is when they begin a remark with “The Honourable member...” Like in “The Honourable Member would know the contract for the Speciality Hospital wasn’t put out for bidding because someone was getting a cut in the side.”

But, of recent, the expression “throwing talk” is being slowly replaced by “throwing shade”. Basically they mean the same thing, but, as usual, because “throwing shade” is of foreign origin, it’s now becoming the “in” expression to show you’re in the know. It seemed to have replaced the word “dissed” which in any case was being used by younger types for situations where they wanted to openly disrespect another either verbally or non-verbally.

Throwing shade in Parliament would be like when a member tells another, “Dominica is NOT the same as “Dominican Republic”. The latter is where those girls you were having a good time with comes from.” The words would be accompanied with a facial expression – a curl of the lip, a raised eyebrow, etc – that makes it obvious an insult is intended.

But with all the shade being thrown at our Honourable politicians – all’s not lost in Guyana’s politics.

At least up to now, they haven’t descended from “suh and suh” cuss down to hair pulling!!

...examples by Trump

While your Eyewitness wouldn’t be able to describe the facial expressions that accompany “throwing shade”, since the latter originated in the US, just think of Donald Trump during his debates. Any one of them!

Like when he insisted all Muslims should be banned from entering the US, but explained condescendingly, “I have Muslim friends, Greta, and they’re wonderful people”!!

Trump doesn’t confine throwing shade at his political rivals – he’s gone after women in general. He once tweeted that Arianna Huffington “is unattractive both inside and out. I fully understand why her former husband left her for a man—he made a good decision”. Then there’s that feud with TV interviewer Megan Fox, which started after she asked him whether his descriptions of various women (“pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals”) suggested he didn’t have the temperament to be president. Calling her a “Bimbo,” he continued with a sneer, “You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes–blood coming out of her wherever.”

But he insisted he wasn’t talking about her menstrual cycle!

...retort

But others have decided if they can’t beat Trump at throwing shade, they might as well join him. Recently, Hillary Clinton described his hair as: “one strand that he swirls over his head like a soft serve at Dairy Queen!!”

NEWS

9

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Telecoms Bill for Parliament today Mocha access P In the wake of deadly accident

road gets long-awaited street lights

Eighty-seven street lights installed on the Mocha Access Road, EBD

T

he Mocha/Arcadia community and frequent commuters are happy that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has fulfilled its promise to install street lights along the Mocha Access Road, East Bank Demerara.

Over the years, a high number of serious vehicular accidents have been reported along this road, the most recent being a collision involving a horse and a car, where Franky Morphine was travelling in his car PNN 4631, in company of two female cousins and their children, ages five and seven, when things took a deathly turn.

As he was nearing his destination, a horse strutted out from the bushes and into the path of the vehicle.

Believing the long stretch of road to be completely desolate at 21:00h, Morphine was caught completely off guard, unable to swerve out of the way in time after he noticed the stray animal running onto the roadway.

The horse crashed through the windshield of the car, decapitating the animal instantly. Luckily, no one was seriously injured.

However, only a few months ago Shemroy Cave, 21, a bartender lost his life following a head-on collision with a horse.

Young cave was heading to see his girlfriend after visiting his father when he crashed into the stray animal. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

As a result, residents of the community, as well as

the father of the young man appealed to government to provide lighting for the access road, raising the point that more lives will be lost if this darkness continues to be neglected.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson in an invited comment said: “A lot of accidents have occurred late at nights on the Mocha Access Road, one of which resulted in a young man losing his life, and the Ministry installed lights in Diamond and felt the need to install in Mocha, subsequently we have installed 87 street lights to date.”

In mid-April, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure had announced that 100 streetlights would be installed along the access roads of Mocha and Diamond on the EBD. While the initial plan had been to install 50 streetlights per each community, this figure was increased.

The Ministry made good on its promise, having completed the project in four months.

The community expressed gratitude for the lights. It is expected that the newly installed streetlights will also heighten security in as well as reduce the likelihood of road accidents, they related.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure had also recently installed 100 lights along the Diamond/Grove Housing Scheme main road which was also prone to accidents.

It is expected that the next phase of light installation will be on the Corentyne Coast, Berbice.

u b l i c Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes will today be reading for the second time the Telecommunications Bill (Amendment) 2016, in the National Assembly, nearly two months after it was tabled.

Hughes will move the second reading of the Bill, alongside the second reading of the Public Utilities Commission Bill 2016; both Bills are expected to liberalise the telecommunications sector.

In November 2013, the National Assembly sent the two Bills to a Special Select Committee with the then A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition, who had a one-seat majority in Parliament, indicating that while it supported the Bills, it was uneasy about the then Minister’s control of the process.

The Bills were pushed back several times as the then Government and the

Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes

two communications giants in Guyana were in discussions to break the monopoly held by the older, GTT. Hughes, when tabling the Bills, had stated that

they were intended to “provide for the establishment of the telecommunication agency and for the regular, coordinated, open and competitive telecommunication

sector and for connected matters”.

With regard to the Public Utilities Commission Bill, she stated that it was intended to make provision for the establishment and functioning of the Public Utilities Commission and for matters connected therewith.

Breaking the monopoly in the sector was promised within 100 days of the coalition APNU/AFC attaining office in its elections manifesto. This promise was also made by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government.

GTT, formerly the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company, which has claimed a legal monopoly on international voice and data transmissions and the domestic wire-line service in excess of its contracted 20 years, has always declared that the sector was free because of the existence of other service providers.

However, the younger company, Digicel has disagreed.

10 NEWS

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016| GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Deadly Drop-in Centre fire

President Granger hopes Inquiry answers lingering questions

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President David Granger

resident David Granger is hoping that the recently-established Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the deadly Hadfield Street Drop-in Centre fire on Friday, July 8, would provide answers to some lingering questions and give recommendations that would improve operations at the facility.

The Head of State was at the time speaking to Journalists on his recent weekly televised programme “The Public Interest”, where he also said he hoped that another incident of this nature never happened again.

“I would like to be satisfied that the children were properly looked after, that there was no misadventure.

The important thing now

is to prevent a recurrence, to find out what happened and we need to ensure that an answer is provided to the question in order to prevent a recurrence. That is what we are trying to do. Find out what the facts are and hope that something like this does not happen again,” the President told Journalists.

Granger described the incident as “quite a tragedy”. He said he expected to at least receive the preliminary report of the CoI, at earliest, next Friday, July 22, and the final report hopefully by the end of the month.

“There are several aspects. Because we know that there was a previous fire there and some corrective work was done, but the building seemed not to be ready for occupancy and in the areas of 103 to 106, they might not have been trained in responding to emergencies such as a fire. So, on the one hand, you have the physical aspects such as the wiring and training, and, on the other hand, you have the psychological effects….and the conditions under which those young persons were separated from their families and under which they were living as wards of the State.”

President Granger said

What remains of the Drop-in Centre

questions have to be answered, including if the building and electrical wiring were safe, and whether the “people were trained to respond to that emergency”.

The question of whether the procedures were complied with for the safety of those children will also have to be answered.

Meanwhile, addressing the issue of the children being at the institution, President Granger made it clear that the State was not in the business of separating children from the comfort of their families, in fact he said that the safest place for a child to be was with his or her parents. However, investigations have proven that the case of the two children was different, as they

were living under difficult conditions.

“My understanding is that the parents did consent because they have been living under difficult circumstances. So there seems to

be no irregularities with the children ending up in that institution. My belief is that the best place for a child is with their parents, but there are indications that they were living under difficult

circumstances.”

Last Friday, just after midnight, two young brothers perished in the fire which occurred at the Drop-in Centre on Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

It was reported that the elder brother, six-old-year Antonio, was asleep in the dormitory when the fire started.

When the younger brother, two-year-old Joshua, who was being taken out of the building by caregivers, realised his brother was not with him, he managed to escape the grip of the caregiver and run back into the burning building.

The two brothers were then trapped in the building and their charred remains were subsequently recovered.

Several pumps without fuel; need for closer monitoring – Region 2 Chairman

Contaminated fuel at Three Friends Pump Station

By Indrawattie Natram

S

everal pumps throughout Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) are currently without fuel and according to Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, the pump stations require closer monitoring.

Ramdatt made this disclosure at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) statutory meeting, which was recently held in the boardroom of the RDC at Anna Regina. Addressing the RDC, Ramdatt said he received numerous complaints about several areas experiencing flooding and upon his visits to pump stations, most pumps were left unattended. He also said that fuel for the pumps was not being supplied in a timely manner and, as such, it was having a negative effect on residents.

Ramdatt is of the view

An empty fuel tank at one of the pump stations

that the cost of fuel was a huge investment on the Administration’s part and, as such, there should be proper monitoring at the pump sites. He informed Councillors that several irregularities have been unearthed, especially at the pump stations, and noted some of the pumps were without batteries, while the fuel supplied was mixed with other substances in some instances.

“Fuel investments are huge investments for the Administration; the stations are multimillion-dollar investments, and, as such, persons need to be more responsible,” Ramdatt said.

He suggested a security firm be contracted to monitor the pump stations.

The Taymouth Manor pump, he said, has mechanical issues and another pump he visited was out of fuel. He also recommended a more united approach whereby

administrative heads take a stronger position as well as enforce disciplinary action against workers who create flaws in the system.

At that time, Coalition Councillor Naitram said that he recently visited the Three Friends Pump Station where he saw the pump operator cleaning the fuel tank. He said upon investigation, he found that the fuel was contaminated with “95 per cent of water”. As such, he called for a thorough investigation into the quality of fuel that is being transported from the Region’s stores to the pump stations. He alleged that often water is mixed with the fuel; hence, the pumps developed mechanical issues owing to the low quality of the fuel.

Councillors also called for a closer monitoring process from when the fuel leaves the RDC compound to the pump stations.

11 Reopening of Kara Kara toll booth still on the cards – Linden Mayor nEWS

monday, july 18, 2016 | guyana-times.com

…fees to be increased for out-of-town vehicles

W

hile the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) is anticipating the re-opening of the Kara Kara toll booth to secure much-needed revenue, Mayor Carwyn Holland believes that the process is a slow one.

During an interview on Friday, Holland told this publication that several things needed to be put in place at the site which would have to be properly prepared, and the necessary infrastructure put in place before the toll booth comes back into play.

The go-ahead, he said, has already been granted for this and work could now commence at the site. Apart from that, he said, a letter is expected to be sent to the relevant Minister; however, it cannot be forwarded without the Council’s seal. The Council’s logo, the Mayor informed this newspaper, has been changed and the letter has to feature the new seal. The Council, he said, is presently awaiting instructions from the Town Clerk, Jenella Bowen

Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland

on acquiring a stamp so that the seal can be sent to Georgetown. He noted that there were some other things which had to be undertaken by the Town Clerk before moving forward.

“I believe indeed it is stymieing and holding up the works that we want to do, to get on with,” Holland stated.

The Mayor also sought to clear up the misconception of some residents that all vehicles traversing the route would be subjected to tolls.

“I believe, in the meanwhile, there were lots of misconceptions being spewed out there...I just want to assure that the toll booth is set to bring in revenue for Linden, through persons who are utilising Linden and taking all of the benefits out of the town, such as businesses which are coming from out of town. For long, the local business people have been complaining that people are coming from out of town, set up shop in their vehicles and whatsoever and they are selling and affecting their business... So now, with the toll booth coming in, it creates for a level playing field where they’re going to be contributing as well to the township,” said Holland.

With respect to all the vehicles having to pay tolls, the Mayor said: “They’re just rumours... that was never discussed in our stat-

Choice of Court Convention could lead to reduction in civil cases locally – Commonwealth Secretariat rep

G

uyana could see a reduction in the volume of civil cases before the local courts if it becomes a signatory to The Hague’s Choice of Court Convention.

Justice Abdullahi Zuru of the Commonwealth Secretariat on the last day of the regional Hague Conference hosted by Guyana, stated that by signing onto the convention, “local firms in Guyana can engage in business arrangements with international firms.”

The Choice of Court Convention basically seeks to promote international commercial transactions by encouraging judicial cooperation and the recognition and enforcement of judgement.

“In the event of any dispute arising in an area not listed under Article 2 (of the convention), the matter will be settled by the Choice of Court Agreement which is in place between the parties. To a considerable extent, this has the potential to reduce the volume of cases before the civil division of our local courts,” Zuru explained.

However, Zuru cautioned that signing onto any international convention, treatment of agreement has no force unless it goes through the process of legislative drafting, law revision and reform.

Acknowledging the work

of the Attorney General Chambers, Justice Zuru praised Guyana’s Attorney General Basil Williams for his efforts to revise the laws through the establishment of the law reform commission.

“So we hope that when the law reform commission takes off and the Guyana Government takes off, their singular responsibility of the law reform commission (would be) to fully get yourself involved in having to commence the process of getting these treaties on board,” Justice Zuru said.

Meanwhile, the other presenter on the Choice of Court Convention, Professor at the University of the West Indies Calvin Hamilton asked the delegates to consider signing onto the convention as a regional bloc.

“With respect to what this means for the Caribbean, we’ve got the possibility of either acceding to the convention individually as states or we can do as the European Union did, as a regional economic integrated organisation,” Professor Hamilton explained.

The Professor further challenged the Caribbean delegates to contemplate “our appellate jurisdiction versus original jurisdiction and complexities that are present.”

The Professor said: “Will it behove us, will it

make sense to consider that matters dealing with litigation arising from the validity of the choice of agreement clause…should be managed by one court and which court will that be? I would pause at the CCJ (Caribbean Court of Justice).”

Professor Hamilton recognised however, that this may entail internal adjustments and treaty adjustments: “One of the things that it will do is it harmonises jurisprudence particularly at a time where we need to harmonise jurisprudence.”

This sentiment of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) signing onto the convention as a regional body was echoed by Justice Zuru.

However, Caricom representative Sandra Bart noted: “Our system is not like the EU so even though the heads of governments would have endorsed a particular treaty, each member state individually does the accession, ratification and so on.”

Professor Hamilton pointed out that the EU has the mandate to negotiate on behalf of its members. Similarly, Caricom would need such a mandate which would be advantageous in coordinating a regional response to the Hague Conventions.

(GINA)

utory, there’s no cost, no discussion, nothing...it’s in the by-laws that there is certain things in terms of businesses and these heavy trucks using the roads and it’s a general law...There’s nothing for taxis, and there’s nothing for private vehicles...it’s for people selling...coming from town.”

He added that there have been some changes, however, as it related to fees as he outlined that the previous fees were

age old. This, he said, had been discussed during a meeting with the Linden Chamber of Commerce and Development and was agreed to by the parties involved. In one instance, he noted that there was a recommendation by the Chamber for one of the proposed fees to be further lowered which is expected to be discussed at a future meeting.

“There were five changes...with the age old pric-

es...there were five raised changes in five categories which we made, which we went through with the Chamber and they understood and accepted it,” Mayor Holland said.

The Mayor added that the LM&TC, in keeping with inclusivity norms, has an open-door policy whereby anyone can schedule an appointment and meet with him to discuss relevant issues.

12 news

monDay, july 18, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Be effective leaders – First Lady to graduates of leadership programme

First Lady Sandra Granger delivers the charge to the latest group of graduates of the fourth Youth Leadership Training Programme

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irst Lady Sandra Granger on Monday charged the 66 graduates at the Fourth Youth Leadership and Training Programme to use their newly acquired skills to become effective leaders in their homes, schools, workplaces and communities.

“I charge you to dream beyond that; to have the vision and develop the stamina that will take you to participation in local, regional and general elections as the honest, forthright leaders our country needs,” First Lady Granger said in her address at the closing ceremony, held at the Madewini Training Centre on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

This latest group of graduates are employed young persons, who were selected to participate in the sessions aimed at teaching them

practical leadership related skills.

“You were selected because someone recognised your leadership potential,”

enhance themselves and serve their communities.

The training programme is a combination of theory and practice that was designed to fill the gaps in training youth across the country. These youths are taught leadership, management, event planning, communications, effective public speaking, meeting, and meeting procedures and other ‘soft’ skills such as courtesy and deportment.

The First Lady encouraged the graduates to use what they learnt, “to begin to function efficiently and effectively as a leader.”

Meanwhile, Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment Aubrey Norton said he is always pleased to attend the closing ceremonies as he would have noted the participants’ measurable progress from

The graduates pay keen attention as the First Lady makes her address

the First Lady said, even as she reminded them that their participation in the training over two weekends is a demonstration of their commitment and desire to

start to finish.

He said that the programme, “focuses on leadership by example… We seek to inculcate self-discipline and love for your country.

We are urging the young people that are trained to seek to improve their own lives as well as the lives of other young people in the community.”

Youth from all but the Barima-Waini, PotaroSiparuni and Upper TakutuUpper Berbice regions participated in the latest training, Norton revealed.

Special prizes were giv-

en to Wilton Hinds and Shareefah Parks who were named the male and female participant who best exemplified leadership, and Akeem Hyndman and Tanya Hooper, named the male and female with the most outstanding personality. These awardees were all selected by their peers.

The graduates celebrated their success and

charmed the audience with a mixed musical presentation that included a rendition of “I believe the children are our future” and “Lean on me”.

Director of Youth Melissa Carmichael, Deputy Director of Youth Leslyn Boyce and Ronald Austin Jr, Training and Education Officer were also present at the ceremony.

High suicide rate

PPP/C MP to move motions on prevention ...“We need to be our brother’s and sister’s keeper” – The Caribbean Voice

By Shemuel Fanfair

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ver the years, many stakeholders have noted the alarmingly high rate of suicides in Guyana and have advocated for its reduction. In today’s (Monday) sitting of the National Assembly, People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Dr Vindhya Persaud is expected to move several motions, calling on Government to employ measures to address the scourge.

Among Persaud’s motions, she wants government to implement “the comprehensive 2014 Mental Health Strategic Plan and National Suicide Prevention Plan 20152020.

Other aspects of her presentation will focus on ensuring funds are allocated to: “Provide the financial, human, technical and physical infrastructure needed to treat mental health.”

Dr Persaud is expected to petition for the Public Health Ministry to ensure that the 24-hour mental health hotline is re-established with the requisite healthcare providers and to implement measures to reduce people’s access to poisonous substances.

The motions come in light of two recent suicides, where Walter Layne, 50, hung himself at his Lot 5175 Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, home and Merissa Singh, 16, of Number 2 Village, East Canje, Berbice, who overdosed on several pills.

Dr Persaud has noted that the incidence of suicide has been “consistently increasing” in Guyana, with “the younger members of the population taking or attempting to take their lives.”

The statistics garnered from studies have shown that for the last decade a person takes his life every 1.8 to 2.4 days in Guyana.

“Guyana’s suicide rate is ranked in the top 10 causes of death for the last several decades. In the age group 15 to 24, suicide ranks between 1 and

PPP/C Member of Parliament, Dr Vindhya Persaud

3 in terms of top causes of death. There is one attempt every 5 hours in Guyana, whereas in the world there is an estimated one suicide attempt almost every second,” the MP’s presentation will highlight.

It will be observed that there is a lack of access to mental health services in the country as there are only “three full time psychiatrists” who are based in Georgetown and New Amsterdam.

The presentation to the National Assembly will also point out that there are, “Insufficient counsellors in the education system to provide support to students”.

Meanwhile, managing director of suicide prevention group, The Caribbean Voice (TCV), Bibi Ahmad, recently told this publication that her organisation is still working to ensure there is a reduction of suicides.

“Right now our focus is building persons’ self-esteem, we are presently doing outreaches to various communities, we were doing through the school system, but now that school is in recess, we are doing it in the communities at the moment and to follow up from those outreaches, whereby we found that there are lots of teenagers who are depressed and attempted suicide,” TCV’s managing director recently noted.

She also told Guyana Times that her organisation has been dealing with many social issues in the communities: “We try to

connect with other agencies to get them help, the focus is not only on suicide, we are focusing on mental health and the related issues that surround it.”

She stated that while the response to TCV’s campaigns have been widely successful, more work needs to done on awareness for the warning signs of persons who may be contemplating suicide.

“Some people are not aware of the various warning signs and we need to educate people more on the signs,” Ahmad observed.

Some of these signs she noted, include: expressed statements on wanting to die or to kill oneself; a sudden increase in use of alcohol or drugs; sleeping too little or too much; being withdrawn or feeling isolated; displaying extreme mood swings; suddenly giving away or selling off personal items.

She echoed the sentiment that more should be done to advocate for mental health awareness: “It has to be done at a community level…we have to get more community leaders, religious leaders like the priests, pandits, and imams; we need to actually be our brother’s and sister’s keeper. You’re not seeing or hearing from your neighbour, check, people have to reach out and help one another, that’s the only way we can do it because we are a small country and to have a high rate of suicide is not good,” posited Ahmad.

Meanwhile, the National Suicide Prevention Plan will enable collaboration among Government ministries; international partners; non-governmental organisations (NGOs); faith-based organisations (FBOs) and other stakeholders.

The proposed activities will be aligned to one of four strategic action areas: risk factors reduction, health promotion and suicide prevention; reducing access to the means of suicide; improving health systems’ response to suicidal behaviour; and strengthening surveillance and research on suicide in Guyana.

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monday, july 18, 2016 | guyana-times.com

ACDA to celebrate the community of Baracara during Emancipation celebrations Emancipation, as we explore our glorious past,” ACDA said.

ACDA said a number of activities have been planned for this year’s Emancipation Day Festival. The organisation said it tried every year to raise the bar on performances in the National Park by providing some of the best local, regional and international performing groups. This year, it said, will be no different.

According to ACDA, “For

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brought a Nigerian mime, acrobats from Kenya, a juggler from Ethiopia and a ventriloquist amongst others, all talents that were fairly new to the Guyanese people.”

This year, the organisation said it was seeking to expand on this by bringing to the National Park Jamaican reggae star Luciano, who has emerged as one of the most prominent singers in decades and the greatest hope for roots reggae’s survival in the digital dancehall era.

Vector Control Network for...

Baracara village

he Canje Creek community of Baracara in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) has been named as this year’s honorary community for the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA), as the cultural organisation hosts Emancipation Day celebrations on August 1.

Baracara is a small village along the banks of the Canje River, and has at its roots a history passed down in the folklore of its residents over the years which points to it being a community which originated as a refuge for Guyanese Maroons, or runaway slaves.

The stories roll off the lips of the village elders of the findings of lead shots for muskets at the waterfront immediately in front of the school, to the passing down of folk medicine that over time has proven to be very effective.

This community is now set to transition into a local government area administrated by a Neighbourhood Democratic Council, a project that is currently being undertaken by the Ministry of Communities.

While many of the vil-

the first time ever in 2013, we were able to bring performers from Africa via the USA and we have managed to continue to expand our international acts since then in our hope to foster the growth of professionalism and diversity within the Guyana performing arts field especially amongst our local groups.

The aim is to bring something different every year to the festival which does not already exist in Guyana…

The past three years we have

lages honoured by ACDA under the spotlight of the Emancipation celebrations have a common history of being purchased by freed slaves, Baracara is said to have a deeper, more mysterious origin, which is passed down in oral history.

The honouring of the riverine community comes as ACDA celebrates its 23rd anniversary this year and its 22nd Emancipation Day Festival at the National Park on Freedom Day, Monday, August 1.

This is the second Emancipation celebration during the International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD), which commenced in January 2015 and will come to an end in December 2024.

It is a special year as Guyana celebrates its 50th year of Independence. This year’s celebration will be held under the theme, “African Guyanese achievements in the year of our Jubilee”, with a sub theme, “Building Strong Families through Entrepreneurship”.

According to ACDA, the themes have been chosen in

recognition of the importance of youth knowing their history and the legacy of their ancestors.

Honouring the African presence in Guyana

ACDA also celebrates an African country annually since most Guyanese of African descent cannot trace their ancestral roots to a particular African nation. In choosing a particular African country to highlight every year, ACDA seeks to educate the young and old about African countries and to remind them that Africa has 54 countries and is not a single country like China or India or the United States.

Traditionally, ACDA honours an African country at every Emancipation Festival by building an educational booth for that country. However this year, 2016, the focus will be placed on Guyana, in keeping with the Jubilee celebrations.

“A country with a very rich African influence, history and culture, Guyana will be the centrepiece that ACDA will proudly showcase during the observance of this

Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control at CARPHA stated that the Region: “Have been waging a losing battle and so the battle strategy needs to change if we are to win the war.”

In 2015, there was an outbreak of Chikungunya in Guyana; the National Insurance Scheme was laden with sick leave from employees from all over the country. However, the then Ministry had remained adamant that the situation was under control. CARPHA was receiving estimated data on the situation.

“During the 4-day discussion in the island of St Kitts and Nevis, country representatives described their vector control operation systems, discussed research activities on vectors with a special focus on insecticide resistance and reviewed new vector control tools. Presentations suggested highly variable levels of testing, methodology and insecticide resistance,” CARPHA stated.

It noted that the harmonisation of the methods to study this insecticide resistance was strongly recom-

mended, as well as further investigations into supportive vector control strategies and capacity necessary to address this.

Also research on community participation was deemed a priority because prevention through reducing the numbers of mosquito breeding sites is one of the most powerful tools for reducing diseases transmission.

“Communities can do a great deal to reduce this transmission through water management and protecting homes. Prior TDR research has shown how communities can make significant improvements, and the Caribbean network members would like to use this approach to study what works best in this region,” CARPHA said, noting that other recommendations were made to link relevant networks already in place, to develop specific research and operational projects, and identify funding for the network’s continuation.

A website will be set up

by CARPHA for the network, providing open access to all the reports, guidelines, WHO recommendations and publi-

from page 2

cations.

The concept was initiated by TDR, which also funded the start-up of the consortium led by CARPHA. The Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) was also involved in this meeting.

So far, there have been 12 reported cases of Zika virus in Guyana. The Public Health Ministry has called on women not to get pregnant since the virus can affect the development of the unborn baby, causing brain disorders such as microcephaly.

In terms of a child being born with microcephaly – a rare birth defect said to be linked to the Zika virus, which causes the baby to be born with a small head or the head stops growing after birth—the Ministry said it has already set up procedures in the event of such a case.

The ministry has embarked on a campaign to distribute treated bed nets to all pregnant women in health centres and private clinics.

The World Health Organisation has labelled the Zika Virus as an emergency crisis.

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monday, july 18, 2016

Regional T&T: Hospitals at crisis point There is a “tremendous shortage” of staff, especially skilled medical staff including both doctors and nurses, at the public health institutions in Trinidad, the Sunday Guardian has learnt.

The issue has reached “crisis” proportions throughout the country resulting in a ratio as high as 22 patients to one nurse currently existing at the San Fernando General Hospital – as opposed to a ratio of six patients to one nurse suggested by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The situation at San Fernando General, according to nursing staff there, has resulted “in long hours, excessive overtime, tired workers, denial of legitimate leave” and this will “negatively impact the quality of health care to the population”, the National Worker Union (NWU) stated.

“This is unsafe and puts both nurse and patient at risk,” the NWU says.

The staff shortages are among a list of growing con-

The staff shortages are among a list of growing concerns currently plaguing the public health sector

cerns currently plaguing the public health sector. Among the other issues are drug shortages at the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs), medical staff from Tobago staging a sickout over arrears and confusion over Yellow Fever vaccines.

Even as the shortage of specialists exists, more than 150 nationals who have already completed their internship as doctors at the public hospitals still remain

unemployed.

These concerns were raised as the Sunday Guardian began an investigation into this country’s public healthcare sector.

“It is time we take the bull by the horns and find the way forward to deal with these issues,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) Kumar Boodram stated.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Offshore Antiguan bank reportedly involved in Brazil’s biggest ever scandal

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s Brazil arrests scores of its politicians in the country’s biggestever corruption scandal, an offshore bank located in Antigua is being implicated in the multibillion-dollar scheme.

According to several online publications, the Brazilian construction giant, Odebrecht, acquired Meinl Bank Antigua Limited, exclusively to launder, distribute and conceal billions of dollars in bribes.

Vinicius Veiga Borin, a whistleblower from the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, says he and other executives from Odebrecht collaborated to take control of Meinl Bank Antigua in late 2010.

Borin – a former employee of the now defunct Antigua Overseas Bank, says he and other former employees of AOB joined two central executives to acquire the subsidiary of Meinl Bank. Borin is one of a slew of Odebrecht executives brought in as part of ‘Operation Car Wash’ – the sprawling corruption investigation ongoing across Brazil.

He told Brazilian investigators that he was part of the construction company’s “Kick-back department”.

Borin reported that 51 per cent of Meinl was originally bought through third parties for over US$3 million.

Odebrecht slowly gained 67 percent control of the bank

in Antigua.

According to Borin, he discovered in one instance that US$16.6 million was channelled through the bank to pay for the campaign of the President and former President of Brazil.

He says that Odebrecht executives linked to Meinl Bank used special software and code names to move funds and distribute bribes and moved around US$1.6 billion through over 40 accounts.

In Brazil, Odebrecht has been implicated as the principal actor in providing hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes to executives of the State-owned oil company Petrobras. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

Woman disrupts PNP meeting by demanding leader’s resignation

Barbados: Tribunal rules in favour of former NCC workers

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People’s National Party leader Portia Simpson Miller

commotion at the People’s National Party (PNP) Women’s Movement conference forced the event to come to an abrupt halt, Sunday afternoon.

The conference which is being held at the University

Former National Conservation Commission (NCC) employees let go during the Barbados Government’s 2014 retrenchment process were unfairly dismissed

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ormer National Conservation Commission (NCC) employees let go during the Barbados Government’s 2014 retrenchment process were unfairly dismissed.

Ruling in favour of nearly 100 individuals who brought their case before the Employment Rights Tribunal, Chairman Hal Gollop said these workers were made redundant arbitrarily, as the ‘last in first out’ principle was not applied consistently across the board.

In an extensive outline of the cases brought against the NCC by former employees Cutie Lynch and Anderson

Chase and their representative unions – the National Union of Public Workers and the Barbados Workers’ Union – the Tribunal found there had been no proper consultation with the workers or its representative unions before they were terminated, as is required under the Employment Rights Act. A major area of dissension throughout the proceedings was that of whether the NCC recognised the NUPW as a bargaining agent for workers. However, Gollop said that a precedent had been set by the Commission as it had engaged in discussions with the union on sev-

eral occasions throughout the years on the matter of wages. He therefore ruled that the NCC’s failure to consult with the NUPW was unconstitutional.

While the workers sought to be reinstated or re-engaged; however, the tribunal outlined that since they were made redundant during a retrenchment process, it would be difficult for such an action to take place.

Gollop, therefore, awarded the former NCC employees 52 weeks’ wages in compensation, which is to be paid in addition to their severance packages. (Excerpt from

Barbados Advocate)

of the West Indies, Mona campus was halted after a woman started making loud outbursts calling on party leader Portia Simpson Miller to demit office and to immediately state when she would do so.

Other delegates, who

were not in agreement with the outburst, verbally attacked the woman forcing party officials to intervene and halt proceedings.

The matter was dealt with and the meeting has since resumed. (Jamaica Observer)

50 Cent speaks out about St Kitts arrest H e may have said he has no hard feelings after being arrested for using obscene language during a recent performance at the St Kitts Music Festival. But American rapper 50 Cent showed that he was not quite over it, when he stopped by late-night TV talk show Conan with Conan O’Brien.

The performer, whose given name is Curtis Jackson, suggested that Police in the Caribbean country should have had more important things on

their minds than throwing him in the slammer for a few cuss words.

“Go catch a murderer!” 50 Cent said on the talk show which aired Wednesday night.

Three weeks ago – on June 25 – 50 Cent and a member of his entourage, Bajar Walter, were arrested after an hour-long performance at the Warner Park Stadium that included his profanity-laced hit, P.I.M.P. At a rare Sunday sitting of the court, the two pleaded guilty to using indecent lan-

guage and each paid a fine of EC$3000 (US$1111) before being allowed to leave the twin-island federation.

Recounting his experience to Conan, 50 Cent tried to imitate the Kittitian accent, as he recalled how a Police Officer informed him he would be arrested.

The artiste said that as he sat in prison, before he was released overnight on bail, he began to question why he was in Police custody when there were far more dangerous people out on the streets. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

monday, july 18, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the World

US Police Officers killed Arrests hit 6000 as Turkey in Baton Rouge shooting cracks down on Army and Judges after coup bid A

t least three Police Officers and a suspect have been shot and killed in Baton Rouge, the second largest city in the US state of Louisiana.

The officers in Baton Rouge were responding to a call of a man with a gun when shots were fired. Two Baton Rouge Police Officers and one sheriff's deputy were killed.

One gunman is dead and Police believe he was the only one involved in the attack, Mike Edmonson, Superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, said in a press conference.

"We do not have an active shooter scenario in Baton Rouge," Edmonson said.

Multiple US news outlets identified the suspected gunman in Sunday's fatal shootings of law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge as Gavin Long, with CBS News saying Long was

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One gunman is dead and Police believe he was the only one involved in the attack

a Black male from Kansas City, Missouri.

It was not immediately clear whether there was a link between the shootings and the recent unrest over the Police killings of black men in Baton Rouge and Minnesota.

Police did not give any information about a possible motive.

In an interview with national broadcaster NBC, Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden confirmed that three officers had been killed in

the shooting near the city's Police headquarters on Sunday.

Three other officers were reportedly injured and hospitalised.

"All indications at this point are that it was an ambush. One officer was at a convenience store... and a woman approached him and said there is a man around the back of the store with a weapon. When he went to investigate he was fired upon...," local journalist Bill Profta told Al Jazeera. (Excerpt

urkey widened a crackdown on suspected supporters of a failed military coup on Sunday, taking the number of people rounded up in the armed forces and judiciary to 6000, and the Government said it was in control of the country and economy.

President Tayyip Erdogan and the Government accused the US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, a former ally whom Erdogan accuses of trying to create a "parallel structure" within the courts, Police, armed forces

and media, of orchestrating the coup.

Erdogan's supporters gathered in front of his Istanbul home to call for the plotters to face the death penalty, which Turkey outlawed in 2004 as part of its efforts to join the European Union.

"We cannot ignore this demand," Erdogan told the chanting crowd. "In democracies, whatever the people say has to happen."

He said a "terror group" led by Gulen had "ruined" the armed forces, that its members were being arrested in all military ranks, and

that a purge of this "virus" would continue. Gulen denied any connection with the coup.

The President has called on Turks to stay on the streets until Friday, and late into Sunday night, his supporters thronged squares and streets, honking horns and waving flags.

Pictures on social media showed detained soldiers stripped to the waist, some wearing only their underpants, handcuffed and lying packed together on the floor of a sports hall where they were being held in Ankara.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Cleveland braces for protests ahead of GOP convention

from Al Jazeera)

Pakistani social media star's brother confesses to her murder

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he brother of Pakistani social media star Qandeel Baloch has been arrested for her murder, confessing he strangled her for "honour".

Waseem Azeem was arrested in Dera Ghazi Khan in central Pakistan, having earlier fled the family home and murder scene, late on Saturday.

He said that he acted alone and was "not embarrassed at all", because his sister's behaviour "was completely intolerable".

"She was on the ground floor while our parents were

asleep on the roof top," he said. "It was around 10.45 pm when I gave her a tablet ... and then killed her."

Azhar Ikram, the Police chief in Multan, where Baloch was killed, said: "Wasim confessed to his crime, saying he killed his sister for honour after her recent objectionable videos, mostly posted on Facebook."

Baloch, whose real name was Fauzia Azeem, rose to fame for her provocative social media posts that saw her praised by some for breaking social taboos, but condemned by conservatives.

On her final, July 4 post to her Facebook page, which has almost 800,000 fans, she wrote: "I am trying to change the typical orthodox mindset of people who don't wanna come out of their shells of false beliefs and old practices. " The 26-year-old faced frequent misogynist abuse and death threats but continued to post.

She also posed for selfies with a high-profile Muslim cleric in an incident that saw him swiftly rebuked by the country's Religious Affairs Ministry. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

India shuts down Kashmir newspapers amid unrest

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uthorities in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir have shut down printing presses and temporarily banned newspapers from publishing in a sweeping information blackout after days of antiIndia protests left dozens of people dead in the volatile region.

State Government spokesman and Education Minister Nayeem Akhtar said the measures were aimed at saving lives and strengthening peace efforts.

The Government says 36 people – 35 civilians and a Police Officer – have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces, while local human rights groups and newspapers say at least 40 have died.

A strict curfew was in effect in troubled areas for the ninth straight day on Sunday, with hundreds of thousands of people trying to cope with shortages of

Kashmiri media workers protest against India's closure of newspapers [Farooq Khan/EPA]

food and other necessities.

Tens of thousands of Government troops patrolled mostly deserted streets in the region, where shops and businesses remained closed.

Kashmir, a predominantly Muslim region, is divided evenly between India and Pakistan, but both claim it in its entirety.

Most people in India's portion resent the presence of Indian troops and want independence or a merger with Pakistan.

Since 1989, more than 68,000 people have been

killed in the uprising against Indian rule and the subsequent Indian military crackdown. India and Pakistan have fought two wars over control of Kashmir since British colonialists left the Indian subcontinent in 1947.

Unwilling to take any chances, Indian authorities appear to be persisting with their clampdown to avoid aggravating tensions in view of Pakistan's call for a "black day" on Wednesday to protest India's handling of dissent in Kashmir. (Excerpt from

Al Jazeera)

Cleveland has imposed extra security precautions ahead of anti-Trump protests [Dalia Hatuqa/Al Jazeera]

I

n the countdown to the Republican National Convention, the city of Cleveland is bracing for potentially large and rowdy rallies, as controversy around the presumptive nominee, Donald Trump, intensifies.

Both pro- and antiTrump groups, as well as groups with contrasting views on various hot-button issues, are set to demonstrate close to the Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland, where the convention is taking place starting on Monday for four days.

Citing security concerns, the city of Cleveland

had originally tried to limit the scope and time of the planned protests, but finally approved regulation changes that allow demonstrators closer to the RNC site and increase the time and space permitted for protesting.

The changes came after the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio sued the city, and in late June, a federal Judge ruled that the city's original rules were in contravention of the right of free expression.

An agreement was struck between the two sides. Accordingly, the parade route was extended to include areas around

the Quicken Loans Arena, where the convention is taking place. The march, however, will not be permitted to pass directly by the arena.

"City officials found that this agreement would meet their security needs," said Steve David communications manager for ACLU's Ohio chapter. "It was narrowly focused and didn't sweep in these areas that would restrict folks' ability to express themselves."

Ensuring safety and security whilst safeguarding First Amendment rights will be a tough challenge for authorities. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

EU migrants may face 'right to stay' curbs – Brexit Secretary

E

uropean Union migrants who come to the United Kingdom as Brexit nears may not be given the right to stay, David Davis has said.

The new Brexit Secretary told Sky News there might have to be a cut-off point if there was a "surge" in new arrivals.

But he said setting a date now could in itself prompt a "rush" of people moving before any deadline – and any steps must be compatible with EU law.

It comes amid pressure on the Government to

guarantee the right to stay to EU citizens already in the UK. Ministers have said it would be "unwise" to fully guarantee EU citizens' rights without a reciprocal deal for Britons living in other EU countries.

Davis, who was appointed by the new Prime Minister, Theresa May, to oversee the negotiations on the UK's exit from the European Union, said he wanted to secure a "generous settlement" for both EU nationals in the UK, and British citizens

abroad.

Mrs May has previously suggested migration could rise ahead of the UK's eventual exit from the EU. "We have to do it all together," Davis told Sky News' Murnaghan, saying that this stopped "anybody being used as bargaining counters".

He added: "If we make a very generous settlement as I'd like to do, then people are going to say, 'Oh but then that'll attract lots more people in because they want to beat the deadline'. (Excerpt from BBC News)

16 NEWS

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

VOX POPULI

What the people say

I SAY...

Guyanese views on Government’s decision to stop Old Age Pension for overseas-based Guyanese Malcolm Ferriera – Georgetown

Preeya Ruplall-Azeez – Georgetown

“It’s not Old Age Pension, but old age assistance. I think if you served your country and paid your taxes, but you now reside overseas, which doesn’t necessarily mean you are better off than when you were here, then you have a legitimate claim to the assistance. I would need to know how many persons are actually being placed in that category, etcetera.

“I would say that is a wise move.

Once they’ve migrated, it means they without any coercion gave up their legal rights as Guyanese. They are no longer bound by our laws; equivalently they are not entitled to our privileges. They cannot argue “they’ve served so they deserve” because they are now citizens of another country. No one asked them to leave. If you’ve left for greener pastures, then no need to benefit from us. In conclusion, for us to have a worldwide equitable distribution of wealth and income, we must also be wise about where our money is going.”

Rebecca SarjooHardeen – Georgetown

Safina Lutchman – Georgetown

“I don’t think they should do that because persons that have migrated are still citizens of Guyana and as such, they do deserve the benefits of being Guyanese. Despite the fact they would have left Guyana in the earlier years of their lives, they were born here and by right belong here and it’s the job of the Government to take care of all Guyanese.”

“My understanding of it is that you need to be a resident here for at least two years to receive the Old Age Pension.

Why should you benefit from it if you’re residing overseas? First, we need to understand that the Old Age Pension is different from the pension from the Government (employment based) and NIS. If the requirements are not met, you should not be entitled to it.

That money that will be saved by stopping those who do not meet the requirements can be put towards increasing the amount of the Old Age Pension for persons still living in Guyana.”

Avinash Deodhari Sharma – Essequibo Coast

Davie Shiwnath John – Essequibo Coast

“I think it is a very wise move done by the Government through the Ministry of Social Protection. My reasoning is that those who are citizen of other country should reap the benefit of the country they are citizen of and give other poor persons living within Guyana chances of getting Old Age Pension, receiving both is a selfish act when others are badly in need of it.”

Justin August – Berbice River

“It is a good thing the Government doing, because

they have more pensioners living out there than at home and if they cut them off, then we can get more money.

If you want to benefit from Guyana, then you have to want to live here; you can’t want two sweet out of one joint. Just look at it: they don’t want to pay the estate workers their pension, but because somebody had a government job because back in the days they had somebody who know somebody, they already benefit then so why they have to get two sweet?

I am happy with the decision. I only sorry it wasn’t [done] before.”

Leslie Benjamins –- Georgetown

“Migration among old citizens has become a highly politically sensitive issue, generating intense political and public debate, not only in Guyana but across the Region. I will never support the Government’s move to stop paying Old Age Pension to migrated citizens. The lack

Jake August – Georgetown

“I think it’s a smart move, but only if by the Government doing this, they increase the amount that’s being given to persons who are still here in Guyana. If they are gonna just stop paying the migrated persons the Old Age Pension and not increase the amount being given to the others still living in Guyana, then it makes no sense to stop it in the first place.”

Shaquielle Forde – Georgetown

“I think that is wrong on so many levels, because most overseas-based Guyanese were public servants and they contributed to help build this country. I think they deserve their Old Age Pension.”

Dabriah Frank – Linden

“I think that the Government should increase the pension for people living here if they’re going to decide to cut that of the overseasbased Guyanese. A lot of those people living overseas don’t really have uses for it, so if they’re going to make that decision they might as well add more money for those living here.”

“I support this move, the poor pensioners in Guyana need to get their benefit and let those that are citizens of other countries reap the benefit of the country they are residing.

Let the ones who deserve it in Guyana receive; by this way, the poor will benefit, getting pension in two countries is a waste of resources, give who deserve it.”

“Well, it’s a cost-saving measure, but a social grenade.

While most overseas-pensioners probably don’t need it, some still use it to pay for services like yearly taxes for their house they have in Guyana. Or give it to relatives who staying in the house

to pay water and light or some other bill. I think it should have been put to the public first to get an opinion before dropping it on their laps so suddenly.

Granted, not everything the Government does should be up for a public referendum, but in the interest of transparency and accountability at least give a two weeks’ to a month’s notice. My major contention is this: they say it’s a law that is being enforced now, that has been on the book for a long time. They could have mentioned that on the very first announcement. Also, they should have distinguished that it was not NIS pensions. Their communications department needs serious work. Public relations win everything, even wars sometimes. It’s a pittance really for an overseas person, but not for all overseas pensioners.”

of proper medical and health facilities especially in rural areas has led to the increase of migration among older citizens.

The Government needs to provide better healthcare services in rural areas to facilitate the needs of aged citizens. There are others factors that contribute to the migration of old age citizens, which are lack of proper social care, etcetera. The Government

needs to understand the root cause of migration among old age citizens and implement strategies that will help to mitigate them.

The Government should not forget the contributions old age pensioners have made to our country whether they are living here or not. They are Guyanese by birth and I think the Government needs to be eulogistic.”

Mark Moseley – Linden

Phoena Bell – Corentyne, Berbice

“Nobody don’t carry their pension money to the States to spend. My grandmother

does save up she money and whenever she come home she would take it and spend it.

The Government should know that; it is development for the country. The pensioners who live out of this country don’t need the money over there, but they spend it right here. I get a friend going to UG, and an aunt does give her money to travel every day. She usually collect the pension money and is that she does have to use.

And the person I talking about didn’t come from a rich family but the aunt helping her out.

I just think that President Granger needs to have the decision reconsidered because like some of the people in this Government not thinking.”

Annalisa Tomby – Black Bush Polder Berbice

“I don’t think it is right. If somebody serve this country for 25 years and gone outside to live, why they can’t get their old age benefits. They get plenty Guyanese who come back home and getting their US benefits; is the same thing.”

17

NEWS

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

G3 Mall By: Ramona Luthi

S

itting between Prospect and Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara, lies one of the largest communities in Guyana known as Diamond.

What was once a dense sugarcane field and swamped area is now a beautiful and thriving village, approximately 11 miles from Georgetown, integrating over 40,000 persons from various ethnic and cultural origins.

The Housing Scheme fa-

Guyoil Gas Station

become rare to those who utilise the various entities available, such as small grocery outlets, internet cafes, minimarts, video game shops, barber shops, taxi services, and Chinese restaurants, among others.

There is also the popular G3 building at the entrance of the scheme which accommodates a pharmacy, an auto-sales dealer, and a stateof-the-art gym.

On the public road of Diamond, you’ll find established branches of the Guyana Bank for Trade and

permarkets, general stores, small boutiques, technologi-

ing on the EBD, especially neighbouring villages, pre-

and five lockup cells, as well as its own Fire Station.

The New Grove/Diamond Primary School

cluding the need for them to travel to the city to purchase their groceries and vegetables.

The community also has

Today, Diamond boasts its own modern Government Secondary School, equipped with computer and other laboratories, as well as a New

which was commissioned in October 2007 and has since made a tremendous impact on the health sector as it has expanded the country’s surgical facilities, precluding the need for patients to travel to Georgetown to seek medical attention. It offers laboratory services, intensive care, x-ray, ultra-sound and a surgical theatre.

With the obvious increase in population due to the increased occupancy rates of house lots which were granted by government, the establishment of a new well has been well-accepted by the thousands of residents who have been benefitting from this since October 2009.

The $56 million well is

Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry

cilitates high-income, middle-income and low-income homes, catering for all categories of Guyanese.

It is considered one of Central Housing and Planning Authority’s largest emerging urban centres and the expansion of services point to an increase in the value of property in this EBD community.

At a rapid rate, Diamond has become one of the more popular neighbourhoods in the country, and it continues to evolve with its new “town like” appearance, seeing an explosive growth in the number of people, houses, and businesses over the past decade.

Gone are the days when one had to suffer long hours of traffic jams to go to the market, banks, malls, hospitals or even insurance companies. Now, everything is within hand-reach for the residents living close to or in the village, and so travelling to Georgetown has

Industry, Republic Bank and Demerara Bank; making banking transactions very convenient and hasslefree for the residents.

In addition to the banks, there are others including insurance companies, a

cal stores and a Moneygram outlet, to name a few.

The market located in front of the Diamond New Scheme was a government initiative to provide an organised and secure vending area for persons to ply

Diamond Vishnu Mandir

Diamond Fire Station

gas station, food court, furniture establishments, su-

their trade. This has benefited thousands of people liv-

its own Police Station with interview and parade rooms

Grove/Diamond Primary School which was established in 2012, equipped with a canteen, kitchen, restrooms, and a library.

Both of these educational institutions were built with the capacity to accommodate over 1000 students.

And its diverse cultures, places of worship for the various religions have been developed in many locations within Diamond.

Practically, everything you need can be found in this community as it has definitely undergone a rapid transformation from a quiet neighbourhood to a bustling hub of commercialism over the years.

There is also the Diamond Diagnostic Centre,

located in Sixth Street, and serves over 8000 residents of Diamond/Grove.

In regards to other private entities, several companies, including Jaleel Beverage Company, a Trinidadian entity which produces the Busta brand soft drinks, have set up their business in the area and the community also relies on the services of construction companies established in the area. Some major companies have set up sub-offices there as well.

As Diamond continues to grow, it is expected that it will earn the unofficial recognition as a “Town away from Georgetown,” sometime in the near future.

18

guyana-times.com

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016

ARCHIE

Don't make assumptions.

You are better off doing a job (March 21- right the first time, even if it April 19) requires you to solicit input from others. Romance will ease your stress.

ARIES

Tread carefully. You may TAURUS have an opportunity to do (April 20- or learn something new, but May 20) don't neglect your domestic duties or you will be faced with a personal dilemma.

DILBERT

Don't jump into something GEMINI just because others do. Have (May 21June 20) a mind of your own and don't overspend or indulge just to fit in with the group. Put your faith in facts and knowledge, not in your friends.

It's not worth letting a CANCER co-worker or colleague get to (June 21- you. Stay calm and take care July 22) of your responsibilities. It's what you accomplish that counts.

PEANUTS

Enthusiasm takes you a LEO long way when you are deal(July 23ing with friends, colleagues or Aug. 22) people with goals similar to yours. Exercise and a healthy diet will bring excellent results.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Express your feelings and VIRGO share your ideas and plans.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22) Not everyone will come onboard, but at least you'll know who is with you and who isn't.

Don't let a loss dominate your mind.

Get out with friends or LIBRA someone you enjoy working (Sept. 23alongside.

Your accomplishOct. 23) ments will result in greater stability. Get moving.

Romance is in the stars.

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD – SURNAME

SUDOKU

(SURNAME: SUR-name: The family name as distinguished from the first, or given, name.)

Average mark 23 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 33 or more words in SURNAME? The list will be published tomorrow.

SATURDAY'S WORD – ORIENT rein rent riot rite rote inert inter into iron niter note noter tenor

tern tier tine tire tiro tone toner tonier tore torn trio trine

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

Choose wisely with whom SCORPIO you share your thoughts, (Oct. 24ideas and plans. Not everyone Nov. 22) will see things your way. You need to prepare before you make your feelings known.

You need to work to imSAGITTARIUS prove your financial, emo(Nov. 23- tional and physical positions.

Dec. 21) Find out what's required of you to turn a negative into a positive, and keep whatever you do simple and within your budget.

Share your thoughts and CAPRICORN guide those around you to (Dec. 22- make wise choices. Your inJan. 19) put will help you gain respect and appreciation. Close a deal, negotiate or take on a new project.

If you have a job to do, get AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- it out of the way. Complaints Feb. 19) will be made if you aren't up to date or in the know regarding what's expected of you.

PISCES Your power of persuasion (Feb. 20- will help you get your way, March 20) but once you do, make sure you can deliver on the promises you've made. If you give it your all, you'll get a high return.

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016

19

England vs Pakistan, 1st Test, Lord’s

Yasir’s ten-for seals thrilling Pakistan win

P

akistan took a 1-0 lead in the series after beating England by 75 runs at Lord's. That is the simple version but there were multitudes contained within as Misbah-ul-Haq's irrepressible side took the ten wickets they required for victory on the fourth day, four of them going to the talismanic Yasir Shah on the way to match figures of 10 for 141 in his first Test match outside of Asia.

Set 283 to win - a target only one side had previously achieved on the ground after dismissing Pakistan inside the first ten minutes of the morning session, England's batsmen struggled to build partnerships.

Only when Jonny Bairstow and Chris Woakes were putting together a stand of 56 over 31.4 gruelling overs did Misbah have to seriously ponder where a wicket was coming from.

The breakthrough came from Yasir, although there was little sleight of hand about a long hop that Bairstow simply missed attempting to swat through the leg side. His distraught reaction, head bowed over his bat as the Pakistan players celebrated around him, provided an illustration of England's disappointment at losing a match in which they always slightly behind but refused to abandon as beyond their powers of recovery.

Yasir's tenth wicket practically sparked a playground bundle as Woakes was taken at slip trying to hit out with the No. 10, Steven Finn, for company and 79 still required. Mohammad Amir rattled Jake Ball's stumps an over later to put the final seal on an emotional comeback six years after his previous Test appearance.

This was a gripping encounter, fought in excellent spirit and holding the attention of a packed crowd throughout. A sizeable contingent of Pakistan supporters cheered every wicket as their side pushed for a first Test triumph at Lord's since Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed's exploits in 1996.

When the whole team lined up afterwards to do a series of push-up in front of the pavilion - a salute to the military fitness camp undergone by the players before the tour - the whole ground was in raptures.

England may have been primed to the threat posed

SCOREBOARD

Salute to victory: Pakistan mark their winning moment

by Yasir and Amir but it was Rahat Ali who gave Pakistan the early advantage. England lost their top three in little more than an hour of batting and although the rejigged middle order that had been considered a weakness resisted admirably there was too much left for them to do against a con-

At the other end, rewards were not as readily forthcoming for Yasir as had been expected after his first-innings six-for. There was turn - as Gary Ballance discovered when being bowled behind his legs after making a dogged 43 - but the pitch was placid enough for Woakes and Bairstow to survive as

Gary Ballance was bowled round his legs by Yasir Shah

stantly probing attack.

Yet while Bairstow remained in the company of Woakes - a man with nine first-class centuries, not to mention 11 wickets in the match - England could imagine that the improbable was still possible. With the bowling tight and scoring opportunities scarce, the seventhwicket pair resolved to soak up the pressure and fight for every inch.

Nothing seemed to be happening in the middle, yet at the same time, everything was happening. Wahab Riaz threw himself into a five-over spell after tea that yielded 0 for 8 but saw the ball repeatedly swerve late past the outside edge. Both batsmen edged short of catchers in the cordon - Woakes a matter of millimetres in front of Asad Shafiq at third slip and Wahab ended up lying in the dust as he strained for a breakthrough. He was also warned twice by the umpires for running on the pitch.

long as they eschewed risk.

When Yasir won an lbw decision from Joel Wilson against Woakes, the batsman confidently reviewed in the knowledge that his bat had intervened first.

England had initially recovered through a 49run partnership between Ballance and James Vince, who made his best Test score before being dismissed by Wahab, flinging his hands at a drive shortly after lunch.

Wahab had begun to make the ball reverse away down the slope and a thick edge flew to Younis Khan at second slip, who this time held on to the catch at the second attempt, having unsuccessfully juggled a much tougher chance with Vince on 9.

Ballance, in the second innings of his comeback Test, seemed to grow in confidence, totting up runs with nudges and nurdles. He was vulnerable to Wahab's probing outside off stump but generally played the ball softly and

late, other than when slashing a four over the slips. He and Bairstow added another 39 runs in 13 overs of careful batting when Yasir, having changed to bowling from the Nursery End, struck for the first time.

The man identified as Pakistan's likeliest matchwinner had to wait until his 13th over but, for aficionados of legspin, it was undoubtedly worth it. Ballance had just pulled a sharply turning delivery through square leg for his sixth boundary; the next ball was a little fuller, spun a little harder down the slope and darted like a swallow past Ballance's attempted flick to hit leg stump. If the shot was questionable, the overall effect was reminiscent Shane Warne's dismissal of Andrew Strauss at Edgbaston in 2005.

Moeen Ali did not last long, waltzing out of his ground and aiming a heave across the line at Yasir, only for the ball to spin between bat and pad to hit the top of middle. At 139 for 6, England were still less than halfway to their target; Pakistan were more than halfway to theirs.

After the third day's play, Pakistan's coach Mickey Arthur was hoping his side could "sneak another 19-20" more runs. They managed just a single from Amir as England took the last two wickets in 13 balls, though that was enough to push the requirement up above the 282 achieved by Michael Vaughan's side against New Zealand in 2004. Stuart Broad picked up both, Yasir and Amir caught behind, to become the third England bowler to pass 350 Test wickets.

Adrenaline coursed through initial stages of England's assault. Cook chopped the opening delivery for four through point as England raced to 19 for 0 from three overs before hitting their first speed bump:

Pakistan 1st Innings 339 England 1st Innings 272 Pakistan 2nd Innings (overnight 214/8) Mohammad Hafeez c Root b Br oad 0 Shan Masood c Cook b Woak es 24 23 Azhar Ali lbw b Woakes Younis Khan b Ali 25 Misbah-ul-Haq* c Hales b Ali 0 Asad Shafiq b Woakes 49 Sarfraz Ahmed† c †Bairstow b Woakes 45 Yasir Shah c †Bairstow b Bro ad 30 Wahab Riaz c †Bairstow b Woak es 0 Mohammad Amir c †Bairstow b Broad 1 Rahat Ali not out 0 Extras (b-6, lb-11, nb-1) 18 Total (all out; 79.1 overs) 215 Fall of wickets 1-2 (Mohammad Hafeez, 2.4 ov), 2-44 (Shan Masood, 17.5 ov), 3-59 (Azhar Ali, 27.5 ov), 4-60 (Misbah-ulHaq, 30.1 ov), 5-129 (Younis Khan, 50.3 ov), 6-168 (Asad Shafiq, 59.5 ov), 7-208 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 74.3 ov), 8-214 (Wahab Riaz, 76.1 ov), 9-214 (Yasir Shah, 77.6 ov), 10-215 (Mohammad Amir, 79.1 ov) Bowling: SCJ Broad 19.1-7-383, JT Ball 16-7-37-0, ST Finn

Rahat found his line and the tiniest contact with Cook's outside edge, a kiss goodbye for the England captain who turned away ruefully as Kumar Dharmasena's finger

13-4-42-0, CR Woakes 18-632-5, MM Ali 13-3-49-2 (nb-1) England 2nd innings (target: 283 runs) AN Cook* c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Rahat Ali 8 AD Hales c Mohammad Hafeez b Rahat Ali 16 JE Root c Yasir Shah b Rahat Al i 9 JM Vince c Younis Khan b Wahab Riaz 42 GS Ballance b Yasir Shah 43 JM Bairstow† b Yasir Shah 48 MM Ali b Yasir Shah 2 CR Woakes c Younis Khan b Yasir Shah 23 SCJ Broad b Mohammad Amir 1 ST Finn not out 4 JT Ball b Mohammad Amir 3 Extras (b-1, lb-5, w-1, nb-1) 8 Total (all out; 75.5 overs) 207 Fall of wickets 1-19 (Cook, 3.1 ov), 2-32 (Hales, 7.1 ov), 3-47 (Root, 13.4 ov), 4-96 (Vince, 23.4 ov), 5-135 (Ballance, 37.2 ov), 6-139 (Ali, 39.1 ov), 7-195 (Bairstow, 70.5 ov), 8-196 (Broad, 71.1 ov), 9-204 (Woakes, 74.4 ov), 10-207 (Ball, 75.5 ov) Bowling: Mohammad Amir 17.5-4-39-2, Rahat Ali 14-0-473 (w-1), Yasir Shah 31-9-69-4, Wahab Riaz 13-1-46-1 (nb-1)

from Joe Root sent a top edge out to the grateful Yasir, jogging to his right to take the catch some 20 yards in from the boundary at deep square leg. It was just one of a mul-

Jonny Bairstow's outstanding application ended when he missed a delivery from Yasir Shah

went up.

Rahat bagged and tagged the next two as well. Alex Hales attempted to force a cut, a thick top edge flying quickly to be well held by Mohammad Hafeez at first slip; then a misbegotten pull

titude of joyous individual and collective moments for Pakistan on a ground where they experienced such pain when the spot-fixing scandal erupted six years ago. They have fresh memories now.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

20 Is this sufficient stats to justify Ramdin’s sacking?

R GUYANA-TIMES.COM

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016

ecently the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) dropped experience wicket keeper batsman Denesh Ramdin from its squad to face India in the upcoming home series. Prior to his axing the 31 year old vented his anger on social media, seemingly because he thought his omission was not deserved. However, over the years he has done an excellent job behind the stumps for West Indies but has failed horribly in front of the stumps, with the bat.

Although he registered two half centuries in his most recent two Tests in Australia, the following details his performance in Test and First Class cricket to date.

Preceding those fifties during the tour to Australia, in 15 innings Ramdin failed miserably passing 30 just once while all of his other innings he contributed less than 30 to his team’s totals.

Selected to represent West Indies as a wicket keeper batsman, to date the Trinidadian has an ordinary return of 74 matches, 126 innings, 14 not outs 2898 runs at an average of 25.87, with just four centuries and 15 half centuries.

His ordinary return along with his form since 2014 may be the reason behind his sacking. Since the commencement of 2014,

he played six matches as wicketkeeper, at an average of 45.60. (In one match he didn't keep wicket; his

Regional youth tournaments as a representative from the Trinidad team, the right handed batsman Dowrich

overall average for the season was 38.83).

Like Ramdin who is a product of the WICB

was a regular member of the Barbados junior teams and went on to represent West Indies U-19 at the 2010

Denesh Ramdin

Ramdin has average 22.10 in 31 innings with a mere four half centuries. His returns are tenth on a list of 11 wicket keeper batsmen who have been involved in 12 or more innings.

Barbados wicket keeper batsman Shane Dowrich who averages 38.60 from 52 First Class games was named as Ramdin’s replacement for the upcoming series. In his first class career to date he has already scored three centuries with a top score of an unbeaten 131 to go with 14 half centuries. He is a rookie of two

Test matches, both played against the Aussies during their tour of the Caribbean in 2015. He played as a batsman and made 70 in his debut match against a bowling line up comprising Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood and Nathon Lyon.

Dowrich has scored 843 runs at an average of 49.58, with two hundreds and four fifties in 16 matches in the regional four-day tournament over the last two seasons. He averaged 51.25 from ten games in the 201415 season, and in 2015-16

Youth World Cup in New Zealand. Since then he has shown potential in his batting ability, finishing sixth on the overall list with 229 runs at an average of 45.80.

Besides his attributes with the bat, Dowrich possesses the quality as a keeper and has been the most outstanding of the wicket keeper batsmen during regional tournaments for the past two years.

At present Ramdin is second to Jeffrey Dujon on the list for the most runs as a West Indies wicket keeper batsman. However, at 31 he has ample time to go back to the first class system to enhance his game and providing Dowrich is axed or injured make a stake to reclaim his spot in the team.

GCC female cricket team to be launched — Australia High Commission on board with initiative

V

ery soon youths and female cricketers will benefit from a sport programme to develop their

to focus on the invention of a GCC women’s team, the club would like to see the resurgence of its youth program

now hanging on the wall in his office in Trinidad.

Shortly after David Warner (Australian cricketer) got

Australia High Commission's presentation of the kit bag to GCC. From L-R Phillip Ruddock, Lionel Jaikaran, John Pilbeam, Graeme Ali and Dominic O’sullian

skills in the game of cricket.

This program will be offered due to the kind compliments of the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) in collaboration with the High Commission of Australia.

The programme will be a weekly event and will be done under the watchful eyes of former English international cricketer Monte Lynch. The initiative is a brainchild of the club’s executives who shared their interest with John Pilbeam, Australia High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago with responsibilities to Guyana, during the recently concluded TriNation series which featured Australia, South Africa and hosts West Indies.

Although the idea aims

which was up there with the best there were in the country.

According to GCC’s Club Captain Graeme Ali, the GCC partnership with the Australian High Commissioner started with the presentation of a portrait to Pilbeam and ended with the club receiving a cricket kit, which would be auctioned to raise funds for the program. “During the tri-nation series here in Guyana, with Australia, South Africa and West Indies, we (GCC executives) presented to Pilbeam a copy of a portrait GCC have in its pavilion. It is a picture of Australia’s first tour to the West Indies in 1955.

The High Commissioner took that photo and it is

injured and he left his kit bag along with some other items…Glenn Maxwell (Australian cricketer) donated some stuff as well. He (Warner) left a kit bag full of items, cricket memorabilia which the Australian High Commission on behalf of Warner donated to the club to raise funds for our youth cricket and ladies cricket. The High Commissioner was here with a retired Attorney General from Australia Dominic O’sullian, who is now part of the Commonwealth and was in Guyana for the Caricom Heads of Government Meeting. He is the honorary Consul of Australia to Guyana.

Pilbeam, O’Sullian along with Australia Special

Envoy for Human Rights Phillip Ruddock were at GCC for the presentation.

The items will be sold at an auction to be announce soon.

The items include Warner’s gears, Maxwell’s boots, Australia’s World Cup clothing and some other items”, detailed Ali. President of GCC Lionel Jaikaran said, “The donation kit bag came along because first time meeting the Australian High Commissioner we spoke about the condition of cricket at GCC and we asked them for any assistance they might have to offer to the development of the game

and in a very short time he called and said Warner’s kit bag has been left and he is going to donate it to the club. Cricket Australia has given us permission to auction the items.”

According to Jaikaran, he has also sought government assistance through the Minister of Education whom he spoke too to enhance the program.

GCC has never invested in female cricket before although its facility is utilized by the GCB for ladies’ training, however, the President was urged by West Indies female cricketer Shamaine Campbell to form a team

and since GCC is the oldest cricket club in the country (158 years) it should pioneer in ladies hard ball.

In addition, Jaikaran said with funds raised the club will see some rehabilitation to facilitate a comfortable zone for the ladies.

The programme is expected to get underway as soon as fund is realized, but the entity will take the first step with sessions supervised by Lynch.

Interested persons can contact the club on telephone numbers 226-3130 or 226-3404 or uplift registration form at the club on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive.

T&T lift title ...

The former West Indies women’s captain said “I have mixed feelings towards the entire tournament, it is difficult to accept the way you won the tournament but at the end of the day God shone his light upon us and we have to say thank God.” Aguilera felt it was touch and go to play especially knowing the rules of the International Cricket Council (ICC) which were executed by the Umpires.

The Umpires felt the need to heed to players’ safety first and called off the game.

“It was frustrating having to sit all day waiting only to hear that the game

is called off.”

In looking ahead to the T20’s the Trinidadian skipper said “I am happy, I am excited. The players were talking about the T20’s because all matches will be played at the Providence stadium. I am happy that all the teams especially the Windward Islands will get some cricket.”

The Women’s Super 50 started on July 7 with three matches per day on alternate days scheduled for Enterprise Community Centre Ground and Enmore Community Centre Ground on the East Coast of Demerara and Everest Cricket Club Ground in

FROM PAGE 21

Georgetown however only four matches were possible in the round-robin tournament with defending champions Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago qualifying for the finals. The Windwards and Leewards have put together teams for this tournament and many were looking forward to seeing what they had to offer but will now have to wait for the T20’s.

West Indies new chairman of selectors, Courtney Browne is in Guyana to look at the talents and he will also have to wait for the shortest version of the game to have any assessment of the female cricketers.

YELLOW PAGES MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016 | WWW.GUYANA-TIMES.COM

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21

SPORTS

WICB Regional Women’s Super 50…

T&T lift title after abandoned final – teams disappointed at not playing final at Providence by

John ramsingh

T

he rain affected West Indies Cricket Board Regional Women’s Super 50 came to an end on Sunday with the final being abandoned without a ball being bowled much to the disappointment of players, officials and spectators at the Everest Cricket

in praise for the grounds men at Everest for doing a fabulous job in getting the ground to such a state after persistent rain on Saturday night into Sunday morning left the ground waterlogged in some parts was hoping for the final to be shifted to Providence.

Moseley felt it was possible to get in a short game

the T20 format including matches for the Windwards.

The T20 format bowls off on Thursday July 21 with all six teams playing.

Gerald Garcia, head coach of new champions was openly expressing his frustration on behalf of his team for not getting in the championship match even though it was a sunny day. Garcia

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New champions Trinidad and Tobago with the winning trophy at Everest Cricket Club Ground

Club ground, Georgetown.

Barbados were second in the points standings and the noresult meant that Trinidad and Tobago are the new 50 Overs champions.

The Umpires Athol Hamilton, Jacqueline Williams and Shannon Crawford made several inspections throughout and at 14:20h they met with the captains and match Referee Reon King and the match was called off.

Barbados who with 10 points from one victory, three no-results and a defeat were the more disappointed team as they were dethroned without even an opportunity to defend their crown. Trinidad and Tobago had 12 points from their five matches with one victory, four no-results but did not lose a match and by virtue of having more points they were crowned champions. Despite acknowledging that they had no control

from about 15:00h but the decision was made by the match officials and the coach said although his charges

Umpires Jacquline Williams, Athol Hamilton and standby Umpire Shannon Crawford making their final inspection of the ground just after 14:00h

are disappointed they had to accept it (the final decision).

Moseley noted that if it was up to his team they would have started the match but said in the end it was very disappointing not to play.

The Barbadian said it was very disappointing that

After learning that the game was called off, the Barbados players left the ground evidently upset

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over the weather the feeling in both camps is that the final should have been shifted to the Guyana National Stadium.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport after the match head coach of Barbados Ezra Moseley who was high

mentioned his team’s advanced preparedness for the tournament and noted that despite the losses incurred

of the 15 preliminary matches only four games were played and produced results.

The Windward Islands did not play a game in the entire tournament and Moseley who played two Test matches for the West Indies is hoping for more action in

in teams travelling to match venues daily only to be told that no play is possible the biggest losers are the players. He noted that the some of the players are in transition and the 50-overs tournament was the ideal stage to show their talents and challenge for higher calling in their career.

When asked if he thinks an alternative should have been explored the coach was fast to point out that there was adequate time for the final to be shifted and a full match could have been possible at the Guyana National Stadium. “If you have a ground like Providence I feel that the thought should have been there and measures should have been put in place because of the weather. I am disappointed because the game should have been playing at this very moment.”

Garcia said that he is glad that his team won but is not happy the way they won. Similar sentiments were expressed by Trinidad and Tobago captain Marissa TURN TO PAGE 20 Aguilera.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016

Golden Jaguars Group Youth Under-13...

Kingston, Tiger Bay impress on opening day

— Ron Abrams nets five goals

T

he Golden Jaguars Group Youth Under-13, in partnership with Alex Bunbury Sports and Academics Academy’ (ABSAA), football competition commenced on Saturday at the Parade ground with eight exciting matches.

GFF addresses Transfer Matching System — transfer period for clubs end on July 31

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) hosted a one-day seminar on Saturday to sensitize Member Associations about the FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS).

This workshop, which is the first of two to be conducted, was held at the

from the eight elite clubs, the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) and the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) and had a total of eight attendees. The second workshop will have participants from the remaining regional Members Associations

FIFA has implemented the International Transfer Matching System (ITMS) to ensure transparency and accountability in the international transfer of professional players among clubs / associations worldwide.

In order for a player to transfer cross-border to

Fierce battle between Tiger Bay (white and black uniforms) and Fruta Conquerors

Ron Abrams celebrated after scoring one of his five goals on Saturday

At the end of the day’s proceedings, Kingston and Tiger Bay were the most impressive teams playing unbeaten in their two match-

es but it was eye-catching talent of Tiger Bay’s Ron Abrams who netted five, three of which were a hattrick in one match.

In the first match of the day, Fruta Conquerors defeated Golden Grove 4-1; Match two saw Eastveldt (A) losing to Tiger Bay 2-0.

Santos FC then eased pass Golden Stars 2-0, which was followed by Kingston edging Eastveldt (B) 2-1; Eastveldt rebounded from their opening loss to relegate Golden grove to their second loss by winning 3-1.

The next match saw the largest margin for victory, as Tiger Bay hammered Fruta Conquoers 5-0; Eastvedlt and Golden Stars played to 1-1 stalemate, which was followed by Kingston netting one goal to win against Santos FC. The organisers of the tournament expressed gratitude for the support of Troy Mendonca of the Petra Organisation and GECOM. The matches will continue this Saturday at the same ground from 10:00 hrs.

RHTY&SC town week attracts major sponsorship — Prime Minister’s office, Scotia Bank, Goodwood Racing on board

T

he township of Rose Hall will be a buzz of activities from September 14th -25th with the hosting of several major activities to mark the 46th anniversary of Guyana’s smallest town. The two weeks of celebrations would be organised by the cricket teams and Over 35 section of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S. Club Secretary/ CEO of the RHTY&SC, M.S Hilbert Foster stated that the Management of the Club, the eight cricket teams and the Over 35 Section have already started to make plans to host the biggest and most successful Town Week celebration in Guyana.

The Club, which has an unmatched ability to attract sponsorship for its activities have already started to receive support with the Office of the President, Scotia Bank, and Goodwood Racing Service coming on board. The OPM would be donating a 100 Guyana flags to the Club as part of a massive plan to decorate the entire township. The Club would also be making dozens of Rose Hall Town flags as part of this effort.

The Bank of Nova Scotia has agreed to be the sole sponsor of a 40 pages booklet on the history of Rose Hall Town, its history, achievements over the years in sports, culture and edu-

cation, developments 19702016, outstanding residents and profiles of Mayors and Town Clerks among numerous other articles.

The booklet would be shared out free of cost to residents as a souvenir and educational package for youths.

The organisers are aiming to provide every household in the township with a copy of the historic booklet.

The Cricket teams has also been able to obtain the support of Managing Director of Goodwood Racing Service, Chetram Singh. Singh, who played cricket in the 1970’s for Rose Hall Town would be sponsoring the cost of printing copies of the 46th anniversary logo and a banner to inform residents of upcoming events in September.

Foster disclosed that the logo would be placed on every vehicle belonging to Rose Hall citizens and hire cars using the township as a base. Several banners would be placed across the township in an effort to make sure that citizens is informed of every event during the 14th to 25th of September period.

The long serving Club Officials disclosed that the RHTY&SC is currently wrapping up discussions with some major donors as it strives to organise a memorable Town Week. The events would be officially launched during a press conference at the ST. Francis Community Developers on

Friday 22nd of July. The organisers during the launching would be unveiling the 46th anniversary motto, logo and theme song.

Decoration of the township would start in early August while the RHTY&SC, M.S would be promoting the Town Week on a large scale at the Berbice Business Expo during the month of August at the Albion Community Centre.

The Guyana Tourism Authority has offered the RHTY&SC a space in its booth and Foster disclosed that the Club would be taking full advantage of the offer.

The events start with a massive march pass and opening ceremony on the 14th of September while other major activities would include a Business and Career Fair, Rose Hall Town Cuisine Competition, Public Concert, Launching of a Booklet on Rose Hall Town, Opening of a family recreational Park, launching of a television documentary on Rose Hall Town, A Day of Sports, Medical Outreach Programme and Steel-band Concert among others.

The activities would be coordinated by the RHT Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Bakewell Under 17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under 19 and Intermiade, Metro Females and Gizmos & Gadgets Under 21 and Second Division cricket teams.

GFF Director of Competitions Ian Alves explaining the process of the transfer system to the participants at the workshop

Boardroom of the Guyana Football Federation from 9:30hrs to 16:30hrs and was facilitated by Ian Alves, Director of Competitions (Guyana Football Federation - GFF).

According to Alves, the key objectives of the session included introducing the FIFA TMS to participants (background, rationale and objectives) as well as demonstrating how to use the system via practical sessions. He added that the expected result is “for clubs and associations to be better able to participate in and execute their transfer engagements.”

This first workshop catered for 11 participants

and at least two of their top clubs.

The successful participants will be registered with the FIFA TMS which will allow them to have a user account. The system allows one user per Club and two users per Association.

The current transfer period will conclude on 31st July, 2016. To facilitate this process, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has made available personnel to assist associations and clubs from the 1st June, 2016 to the conclusion of the transfer window; Monday – Friday from 15:00hrs – 16:00hrs and Saturday from 10:00hrs – 12noon respectively.

play professional football, the player’s new club and his previous club have to submit certain information and documentation into the ITMS. Only when this information is complete and cross-checked for accuracy, will the ITMS generate an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) which permits the transfer of the player’s registration from one country (member association) to another.

ITMS also supports first registration processes of minors (under 18’s) and international transfer processes involving a minor in accordance with FIFA Regulations.

Canadian-based Guyanese Rukham smashes 237 in round-arm softball cricket

By Ravi Madholall

S

in

Toronto

ensational left-handed batsman Avish Rukhram slammed a record-breaking 237 for Steel City Warriors in the latest round of the 2016 Ontario Round-arm Softball Cricket Association (ORSCA) 20-over competition.

Capitalising marvellously against a seven-member, hapless Panthers team, the Canadian-based Guyanese smacked 24 sixes and 11 fours during his 91-ball memorable occupation at the crease.

He also shared a magnificent 336-run secondwicket stand with his elder brother and opener Amit Rukhram who only contributed an unbeaten 22 as Avish displayed an epic batting performance at the Mohawk Ice Centre ground in Hamilton.

Their team compiled a gigantic 342-2 from the allotment of 20-overs while

Avish Rukhram

Panthers only responded with 68-6 in the 15th over.

Avish began his assault at

number three after the first wicket fell with 6 runs on the scoreboard.

Avish continued from last year’s historical season having accumulated 1, 040 runs from 14 matches including three centuries.

On his way to 237, he surpassed his previous best of 201 not out.

These astonishing, mind-boggling innings and tally of over one thousands runs are certainly precursors for a great career.

Additionally, his batting prowess has captured the attention of softball fans across the Greater Toronto Area.

In an invited comment, Avish expressed delight and thrill to create history again so far with a double-ton on his home turf in Hamilton.

“I [am] delighted and happy to make another double-hundred and I am looking forward to continue so we can win the season again,” Avish

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

23

Pooran blasts Tridents to massive win over Zouks A

Ravi Rampaul had a devastating and economical spell of fast bowling for the Tridents

n unceasing array of orthodox and unorthodox cricket shots to the awe of the spectators was what Nicholas Pooran had to offer in a savage knock which saw the ball dispatched to all corners of the Kensington Oval as he propelled Barbados Tridents to a comfortable 25-run victory over St. Lucia Zouks in match 18 of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Pooran tore into Zouks’ bowlers striking four thunderous sixes and nine fours in his career best knock of 81 from 39 deliveries. The ever impressive left hander entered the crease in the ninth over with the score on 51-2 and he along with AB de Villiers (32) added 68 runs in a short period.

When de Villiers departed at 119-3 skipper Kieron Pollard (06) joined forces with Pooran and the two took the score to 168 before Pollard was caught off Jerome Taylor’s bowling.

Teams

Pooran was dominant throughout his knock and kept the scoreboard ticking until he was run out off the third ball of the final over.

Prior to the 20 year old knock, Kyle Hope (28) and Shoaib Malik set a solid platform of 44 for the opening stand. However, when the two openers departed, de Villiers and Pooran assaulted Zouks’ bowlers to keep Tridents on their way to a competitive score. They fall short of their projected total by some runs but finished on a competitive 1735 from 20 overs. Taylor was on target for the Zouks, picking up two wickets for 27 runs from his quota of four overs. South African pacer Morne Morkel also bowled well but ended wicket less.

In reply Zouks raced to 29 without loss in 3.2 overs, but when Johnson Charles was dismissed off the third ball of the fourth over, it went downhill for the visitors. Andre Fletcher (20) was the only batsman in

the top six to reach twenty while Michael Hussey, David Miller and Darren Sammy all wasted starts as the Zouks slipped to 84-6 in the 14th over.

The visitors’ innings eventually closed at 149-8 off their allotted 20 overs.

Discarded West Indies paceman Ravi Rampaul bowled well picking up two wickets at the top of the Zouks innings and was supported by Wayne Parnell who also took two wickets.

Sunday’s victory ended the Tridents home run with two victories, one no-result and one defeat to move

SCOREBOARD

Nicholas Pooran had a pugnacious innings that set up the massive total for the Tridents

Mat Won Lost N/R

Pts Net RR

Guyana Amazon Warriors

7

5

2

0

10

+0.246

Jamaica Tallawahs

6

4

1

1

9

+0.510

Barbados Tridents

6

3

2

1

7

+0.342

Trinbago Knight Riders

6

3

3

0

6

+0.042

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

7

1

6

0

2

-0.0916

St Lucia Zouks

4

1

3

0

to third on the points table with seven points from three wins from six matches. They will now shift their attention to Jamaica where they will play second placed team the Tallawahs on Wednesday.

Meanwhile the Zouks who have played only four matches to date registering only one victory sit in the cellar position on the points table with two points and will play their first game at home on Thursday against the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots who also have two points but have played seven matches.

2

-1.239

Barbados Tridents innings (20 overs maximum) KA Hope c Hussey b Davis 28 Shoaib Malik c Taylor b Shillingford 15 AB de Villiers c Sammy b Taylor 32 N Pooran† run out (†Fletcher) 81 KA Pollard* c sub (GD Elliott) b Taylor 6 WD Parnell not out 0 4 ND Stewart not out Extras (lb-2, w-5) 7 Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 173 Did not bat; RJ Peterson, RA Reifer, I Khan, R Rampaul Fall of wickets 1-44 (Shoaib Malik, 7.4 ov), 2-51 (Hope, 8.4 ov), 3-119 (de Villiers, 15.2 ov), 4-168 (Pollard, 18.6 ov), 5-169 (Pooran, 19.3 ov) Bowling: M Morkel 4-0-25-0 (w-1), JE Taylor 4-0-27-2 (w-2), SR Watson 4-0-37-0, KR Mayers 2-0-23-0, S Shillingford 3-0-28-1 (w-1), DYA Davis 3-0-31-1 (w-1) St Lucia Zouks innings (target: 174 runs from 20 overs)

J Charles st †Pooran b Peterson 8 ADS Fletcher† c Shoaib Malik b Rampaul 20 SR Watson b Rampaul 0 MEK Hussey b Stewart 17 DA Miller b Shoaib Malik 11 18 DJG Sammy* b Reifer KR Mayers c Pollard b Parnell 18 DYA Davis b Parnell

6 13 S Shillingford not out JE Taylor not out 17 Extras (b-4, lb-5, w-11) 20 Total (8 wickets; 20 overs) 148 Did not bat; M Morkel Fall of wickets 1-29 (Charles, 3.3 ov), 2-33 (Watson, 4.4 ov), 3-40 (Fletcher, 6.4 ov), 4-60 (Miller, 9.5 ov), 5-84 (Hussey, 12.6 ov), 6-84 (Sammy, 13.1 ov), 7-118 (Mayers, 16.1 ov), 8-118 (Davis, 16.3 ov) Bowling: WD Parnell 4-0-272 (w-2), R Rampaul 4-0-222 (w-1), RJ Peterson 4-0-23-1 (w-1), Shoaib Malik 2-0-121, ND Stewart 3-0-25-1, RA Reifer 3-0-30-1 (w-3)

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

Will TKR rebound against the Tallawahs?

C ould Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) rebound from their humiliating defeat to the Jamaica Tallawahs when the two teams meet in tonight’s game? That answer will be provided when the final ball is bowled at the end of the 19th match of this season Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Tournament at Sabina Park.

It is TKR’s return match against the Tallawahs after suffering a seven wicket loss at home. In that high scoring encounter, TKR batted first to set a mammoth total of 191-4 from 20 overs.

However, Chris Gayle, who scored an unbeaten century in that match along with his teammates, proved that there is no mountain too high for them to climb, winning with 10 balls to spare.

TKR’s Sunil Narine was the only outstanding bowler for either side with figures of 1-9 from four economical overs while Rovman Powell for the Tallawahs impressed with 0-27 from four overs.

However,

that

match

Kumar Sangakkara

was the last in TKR’s disappointed home run where they had only managed one win from four matches. They have since gained

momentum with two wins on the road against leaders Guyana Amazon Warriors and Barbados Tridents and will be looking to continue on a winning path when they reach second place Jamaica in tonight’s game.

With the way the previous matches have gone at Sabina Park, tonight’s game is expected to be an energy filled battle between two of the league’s top teams.

For the host, Gayle remains the man to be feared by the opposition, but Kumar Sangakkara and Shakib Al Hasan, who finished unbeaten on scores of 54 and 34 in his last two matches, have also been instrumental in Jamaica’s batting line up.

Andre Russell and Rovman Powell can also be very destructive once needed.

Dale Steyn and Kesrick Williams have bowled excellent seam bowling to date and Russell as he did in their last match against the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots can be an effective fast bowling cover to compliment

a trio of spinners, namely Imam Wasim, Al Hasan and Gary Mathurin.

Meanwhile TKR’s batting has found balance and has been executing effectively in their most recent games. On a spinner’s paradise in Guyana they scored 151 and in Barbados they chased 172, recording wins in both encounters.

Hashim Amla and Colin Munro have been the principal batsmen in most of their matches to date while Dwayne Bravo and others have recovered form in recent games. Once fit, Brendon Mc Cullum will take his place at the top of the order but William Perkins came in for his first game against the Tridents and showed he is capable of getting the job done too.

Sunil Narine is the spearhead of the TKR attack and he has done extraordinary job so far. Apart from Narine, there are several other bowlers who have contributed to the team cause.

Clashes between the two

Colin Munro

teams are mostly mouthwatering with lots of spectacular individual and collective performances. In eight meetings between them Tallawahs holds the advantage with five wins while the Knight Riders has man-

aged three. The visitors will be looking to continue along a winning path while the home team will be hunting a third straight win at home this season.

Trinbago Knight Riders-Dwayne Bravo (captain), Brendon McCullum, Sunil Narine, Hashim Amla, Umar Akmal, Kavon Copper, Sulieman Benn, Colin Munro, Anton Devcich, Ronsford Beaton, Nikita Miller, Javon Searles, William Perkins, Yannic Cariah, Denesh Ramdin, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Hamza Tariq.

Jamaica TallawahsChris Gayle (captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Andre Russell, Kumar Sangakkara, Imad Wasim, Dale Steyn, Rovman Powell, Chadwick Walton, Jon-Russ Jaggesar, Andre McCarthy, Jonathan Foo, Alex Ross, Keswick Williams, Nkrumah Bonner, Garey Mathurin, Timroy Allen and Oshane Thomas.

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016

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

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

Pooran blasts Tridents to massive win over Zouks

Pg 23

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