Binder1

ExxonMobil hoping to build on Liza success P2

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2913

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

PPP concerned over Govt's engagement of Caricom leaders on Brexit Page 2

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE: Crane double murder

Alleged killer of wife, son P8 slapped with murder charge

... disappointed national discussion was not held first

Page 9

Belle West mechanic dies 6 days after beating

Veteran engineer Walter Willis dies Page 3

Bus driver P8 fined $10,000 for assaulting Policeman

Amazon Warriors team puts smile on faces of orphans Page 13

M&CC to host public day P11 twice weekly …plans to reclaim City Council lands

…spends time with children from Shaheed’s Orphanage Warriors Care: Members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Monday interacted with the excited children of Shaheed’s Orphanage at the Providence Stadium. In photo, star batsman Chris Lynn shares a light moment with a young cricket fan (Dexter Ceres photo)

Britain’s biggest drug bust

Men found guilty of smuggling £512M of cocaine into Scotland

Page 7

– CANU, GPF praised by British High Commissioner

Potential P7 feasibility study for Guyana’s own oil refinery – Trotman … says Govt will look into it when production starts

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tuesDAY, july 12, 2016 | guyana-times.com

PPP concerned over Govt's engagement ExxonMobil hoping to build on Liza success of Caricom leaders on Brexit ... disappointed national discussion was not held first

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he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Parliamentary Opposition is upset that the Guyana Government discussed with Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders the impacts of Brexit on Guyana, without having a national discussion on the matter in advance.

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee believes the Government blundered majorly by heading into those discussions with regional leaders without having first met with national leaders.

“It is totally wrong and unacceptable for the Government to engage with Member States of

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

37th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.

During the Conference, Caricom leaders received

“It is totally wrong and unacceptable for the Government to engage with Member States of Caricom on a matter of national economic importance on which there has been no organised national discussion nor consensus.”

Caricom on a matter of national economic importance on which there has been no organised national discussion nor consensus,” Rohee stated during his news conference on Monday at Freedom House on Robb Street.

Caricom Heads of State were in Guyana for the

a detailed brief on the political, diplomatic, trade, economic and financial implications of Brexit for the Region as well as recommendations for addressing them.

Rohee is asking that these recommendations be made public for a national debate and for it to be

brought to parliament for more in-depth discussions.

Moreover, Rohee wants the government to activate the parliamentary oversight committee on the security sector and place before it several matters for discussion.

He wants the draft Caricom Arrest Warrant Treaty to be placed before the committee for bipartisan consideration.

He also wants there to be a review of the Caricom Crime and Security Strategy 2013 and for it to be subsequently formulated into Guyana’s own National Security Plan.

In addition, Rohee wants the government’s revised national drug strategy master plan to be brought to the parliamentary committee for bipartisan consideration.

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nited States oil giant ExxonMobil is preparing to head to the next prospect on its sprawling holdings off Guyana, which have the potential to be even bigger than the massive Liza discovery.

The US super major and its partners are targeting the large Skipjack prospect following the success of the Liza 2 appraisal well, it has confirmed.

The Texas-based company has received approval to move the drillship Stena Carron about 24 miles (39 kilometres) to the northwest of the original Liza 1 discovery to spud Skipjack this month.

It has confirmed too that the Stena Carron is still at the Liza 2 location and has not yet been mobilised to Skipjack.

The operation was given approval to commence on July 1, according to a notice published by Guyana’s Maritime Administration Department (MARAD). It said it would spud the new well this month.

There had been some speculation that the company would target the Jurassic-aged Ranger prospect for its next wildcat well, which is a different ‘play’ concept to the Upper Cretaceous Liza discovery.

A second Liza look-alike dubbed Payara, which lies about 19 miles to the north-west of Liza 1, could also be in the drilling queue through the end of this year.

Sources familiar with the geology in the vast Guyana-Suriname basin called the Skipjack prospect a look-alike to Liza, reiterating comments previously made by executives at ExxonMobil’s partner Hess that the Stabroek block contained numerous structures with similar attributes as Liza.

But they noted that the aerial extent of the Skipjack prospect was even larger than Liza’s, which is now the biggest oil find of last year and may be larger than the biggest oil discovery ever in the US Gulf of Mexico – BP’s one-billion-barrel Thunderhorse field.

The Liza-2 well had confirmed “a worldclass discovery” on the Stabroek block, with estimated potential recoverable resources of between 800 million barrels of oil equivalent and 1.4 billion barrels, ExxonMobil said earlier this month.

The appraisal well struck more than 190 feet of oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs in Upper Cretaceous formations.

The test confirmed high-quality oil,

Drill ship of ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil said. Sources familiar with the appraisal programme indicated that the core was bleeding oil when it was pulled to the surface.

The appraisal well was drilled about two miles from the Liza-1 discovery drilled in 2015.

The well was drilled to 17,963 feet in 551 feet of water using the drillship Stena Carron.

ExxonMobil performed a drill stem test on the Liza 2, which is expected to help the supermajor decide on how best to develop the find.

The companies are said to be looking at both an early floating production system with capacity of around 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil that could be online in 2018 and another, larger floating production, storage and offloading vessel with capacity of around 120,000 bpd to 150,000 bpd for full field development.

SBM Offshore and Modec have been shortlisted by the supermajor to provide front-end engineering and design studies.

ExxonMobil operates Liza on the Stabroek block with a 45 per cent stake with Hess holding 30 per cent and China National Offshore Oil Corporation-owned Nexen with 25 per cent.

While deepwater drilling and development has fallen out of favour with many companies due to its high costs and long-cycle investments, analysts said the Liza find could have very competitive economics.

Analysts at investment bank Goldman Sachs estimated that Liza has a breakeven oil price of between US$45 and US$50 and their counterparts at investment bank Tudor Pickering Holt said they believe the breakeven could be below US$45.

news

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tuesDAY, july 12, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, July 12 - 10:30h-12:00h and Wednesday, July 13 – 11:30h-13:00h

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The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, July 12 - 09:25h-10:55h and Wednesday, July 13 – 10:35h-12:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers will prevail throughout the day and evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 1.78 metres per second and 3.12 metres per second.

High Tide: 10:08h and 22:37h reaching a maximum height of 2.24 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 16:05h reaching a minimum height of 0.98 metre.

LOTTERY NUMBERS 01 06 08 15 24 28 25 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Monday, July 11, 2016

Daily Millions

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Draw De Line 01 03 04 07 09

echnical Engineer for the Public Infrastructure Ministry Walter Willis died on Monday evening at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital.

Willis was admitted to the Hospital on Saturday, July 9, 2016 following a reported heart attack and was placed on life-support on Monday July, 11, 2016.

Early on Monday, news spread that Willis had passed away, It was later confirmed that Willis was alive but in a coma, in the Intensive Care Unit of a city hospital.

Relatives of Willis were alleging that he would not have been in a coma if the wrong medication was not administered to him. According to relatives, Willis went to the hospital complaining of chest pain and was given insulin. A relative contended that shortly afterwards he was pronounced dead by the doctor. However, another doctor checked him and found that his heart was still beating and, as such, placed him on life support.

His death was confirmed by a statement issued by the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital on Monday night. According to the Hospital Willis was admitted on Saturday, July 9, 2016 where “protocols were

followed upon his admission.

His condition deteriorated and he was treated for multi-organ dysfunction. Regrettably, Mr Willis passed on the evening of Monday, July 11, 2016…St Joseph Mercy Hospital would like to extend deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Willis.”

The Hospital said further that it “has embarked on an investigation to ensure that all clinical guidelines were adhered to in keeping with Standard Operating Procedures.”

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure issued a statement of condolences to his family. In the statement the Ministry said “it is with the deepest regret that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure announces the passing of Mr. Walter Joseph Willis, Technical Adviser to Minister David Patterson, following a period of brief illness.”

According to the statement by the Ministry “Mr Willis was born on July 23, 1949 and was employed with the ministry for 17 years. Upon his commencement of service on May 3, 1999, Mr Willis served as the Technical Adviser for Minister of Transport and Hydraulics,

Anthony Xavier, under the Ministry of Public Works and Communication.

Mr Willis also served as Technical Adviser to Minister Harry Narine Nawbatt and Minister Robeson Benn before working alongside Minister Patterson from May 2015.”

The Ministry continued that “Outside his position as Technical Adviser, Mr Willis held several positions, including that of the Chairman of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority; Project Manager of the Solid Waste Management Programme; and Project Engineer for the

by Cabinet, it will be laid in Parliament.

Government has recognised the need for cybercrime legislation given the growth of Information and Communications Technology.

The draft bill was initially presented to stakeholders at a consultation session held in March. Williams said the Bill underwent changes following the consultation.

“As a result of that consultation, we had to make several adjustments to the draft bill,” he explained.

The draft cybercrime legislation will address cyber threats such as identity theft, cyberbullying and child pornography.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force has been preparing its ranks to effectively address this kind of crime with a series of training sessions.

Walter Willis

Caribbean Development Bank Third Road Project (Ruimveldt to Providence). Mr Willis was also involved in a number of key developmental projects, including the construction of the Providence Stadium, where he served as the Project Manager.

“Mr Willis will be remembered by all as a dedicated worker who went above and beyond to ensure the proper execution of all projects under his remit. He was always willing to offer advice and worked meticulously. He was also fondly known to all as a stickler for protocol and could be seen traversing even the hallways of the Ministry with a safety vest on” the statement said.

According to the Public Infrastructure Ministry “up to last Friday, Mr Willis led a team on a site visit to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project. He will be sorely missed… Ministers of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson and Annette Ferguson, along with the staff of the Ministry, wish to extend their heartfelt condolences to the Willis family.”

Mr Willis leaves to mourn his wife, Dolly; three children, Christopher, Sonia, and Sandra; and three grandchildren.

Draft cybercrime legislation ready to be presented to Cabinet

Saturday, July 9, 2016

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Veteran engineer Walter Willis dies

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he cybercrime draft legislation is ready for presentation to Cabinet now that consultations and adjustments on the bill have been completed.

Attorney General Basil Williams noted that he would make a special appeal to Cabinet for the legislation to be sent to a select committee when it is presented in Parliament. Once the draft legislation is cleared

An Assistant Superintendent and a Sergeant attended a just-concluded Interpolsponsored cybercrime training session in the Dominican Republic.

The Legal Affairs Ministry has also been exposing its staff to cybercrime training, and the Director of Public Prosecutions and Justice of Appeal attended similar seminars in Brazil, Williams pointed out.

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tuesdAY, july 12, 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

Caribbean Food Security

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t the opening of a Farm-to-Market Road in Parika, East Bank Essequibo, last week, President David Granger asserted that Guyana was the answer to Caricom food security and confided, "Caribbean leaders are looking at Guyana as the new horizon for agricultural development." He elaborated on his encouragement for the Caribbean to invest capital in Guyana's vast agricultural potential. It would appear that the (agricultural) wheel is continually being reinvented in the Caribbean.

A reminder might be appropriate at this time. Caricom had launched its Regional Transformation Programme for Agriculture (RTPA) in 1996, because it was recognised from the launching of the organisation the Region was importing too much food.

The "colonial" mentality had persisted after independence. Yet even though hundreds of meetings were held at all different levels since 1973 and dozens of papers produced, the food bill was undiminished by 2002 when President Bharrat Jagdeo placed the Initiative on agriculture that bears his name.

Then the Lead Head responsible for agriculture, Jagdeo declared, “. . .at this stage, we need a policy and strategy which will allow us to decide on what sort of institutions and mechanisms are needed to reposition agriculture.” In 2003, he asked Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to assist in the development of a framework for a regional agricultural repositioning strategy. In 2004, the Heads of Government endorsed the proposal, which contained the Initiative’s vision, scope, focus and process. By 2005, it declared, if every country did their bit, agriculture would: ("make substantial contributions to economic development and economic, social and environmental sustainability; (have a transparent regulatory framework at national and regional levels that promotes, attracts and facilitates capital and investments; have significantly transformed its processes and products and stimulates innovation and entrepreneurship; and (enable the Region to achieve an acceptable and stable level of food security".

The Initiative identified 10 constraints and responsibilities that had been allocated for addressing those constraints.

The constraints, with the territory's Minister of Agriculture responsible for removing them were : 1) Limited financing and inadequate new investments – Barbados/CDB; 2) Outdated/ inefficient agricultural health & food safety (AHFS) systems – Trinidad & Tobago/ Caricom Secretariat; 3) Inadequate research and development – St Lucia/CARDI; 4) Fragmented and disorganised Private Sector – St Vincent; 5) Inefficient land & water distribution & management systems – Guyana; 6) Deficient and uncoordinated risk management measures – Antigua/Barbuda; 7) Inadequate transportation (especially for perishables) – St Kitts and Nevis; 8&9) Weak and nonintegrated information/intelligence systems and weak linkages/ participation in markets – Jamaica; 10) Lack of skilled human resources – Dominica. The Initiative was supposed to have been consummated by 2015.

Back in 2008 at the Convention Centre at Liliendaal, there was a "Regional Agriculture Investment Forum", that promised great undertakings. In 2009, there was another meet, "The Public/ Private Sector Consultation on Agri-Business in the Caribbean".

With hundreds of "stakeholders" – bankers, Ministers, Heads of State, businessmen, etc. Twenty-five projects – deemed "concrete" – had been identified. Guyana had offered 120,000 acres of land at a nominal lease for agricultural development.

Yet in 2008, T&T independently launched 18 mega farms and pumped millions of dollars into them, without any reference to the Jagdeo Initiative. By 2015, the T&T Government had to acknowledge the mega farms as failures.

There were subsequently two multilateral efforts of Caribbean collaboration on agriculture. In 2013, the Governments of Guyana and T&T announced the latter would be granted 10,000 acres of land in the former’s intermediate savannahs and would finance the production of agricultural products that would be exported to its domestic market. This initiative died on the vine. In the same year, a private Barbadian operation, Santa Fe launched a mega farm in the Rupununi starting with the cultivation of dry land rice. Today, the mega farm has taken root.

At the 2008 forum, Jagdeo had pointed out "it's the projects that matter, not the chat". It would appear that Caricom Governments can only chat and Guyana should press ahead with private capital.

Some of the many costumes Amazon Warriors supporters turned up in at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday

KN attacks on NICIL’s Marcia Nadir-Sharma Dear Editor, Guyana just celebrated 50 years of independence.

One would have expected that as a country, we would have no questions on the following being present: A professional police force, including SOCU, separate and distinct from Government A free and independent media, who are held responsible when they cross the line A Government that will ensure that when statements are made of government institutions, that these represent fact and are presented fairly An audit office that is allowed to act independently Auditors (including forensic auditors) who are held to the highest level of professionalism and independence.

The current case in point is KN headlines on the minutes of NICIL’s AGM’s and the so-called report of the forensic auditor Anand Goolsarran.

It seems that every other day, KN has been serialising parts of the report, without any regard to balance, fairness, or accuracy.

It saddens me and it should sadden every Guyanese that KN is allowed to print with impunity, completely biased and inaccurate reports that are

only intended to attack and denigrate the integrity of certain persons. This is not journalism.

What is clear is that KN is bent on attacking all former officials of the PPP/C while studiously shying away from attacking what is not transparent or proper under the new Government.

Instead, KN is tasked with being a propaganda tool of the current administration.

Case in point: Minutes of NICIL’s AGM. Simply put, the AGM’s of NICIL occurred. Whether the minutes are produced a year after or whenever, does not change the fact that NICIL’s AGM’s occurred and in most cases were attended by the Auditor General.

Drafts of minutes on a computer or backup drives are not proof that a meeting did not occur. Minutes are not submitted to the Registrar of Companies. In addition to AGMs, all of the annual reports or audited accounts are approved separately by Government (the shareholder of NICIL) at Cabinet meetings before they are laid in Parliament under the hand of the Minister of Finance. And so it is with NICIL annual reports.

Secondly, the auditor of NICIL is established by

law as the Auditor General.

The Government as shareholder does not appoint the auditor as shareholder of private companies do.

And so the AGMs of NICIL are a mere formality. BUT THESE MEETINGS DID OCCUR. The standard agenda of any AGM follows the below sequence: • To receive and consider the report of the directors and the audited accounts of the company for the year • To appoint auditors • To fix the remuneration of the auditors.

For NICIL, once the Auditor General completes his audit and the report is ready, it goes to Cabinet under the hand of the Minister of Finance for approval and for said report to be laid in Parliament, as required in law. A Cabinet decision is then issued and this action occurs. In many cases, well before the AGM is held.

In the second case, the Audit Act specifically states that the Auditor General of Guyana shall be the auditor of state owned entities. The shareholders therefore have no say in the matter.

In the third case, the fees are determined by tender or based on standard audit charges of the Audit office, based on time spent

on the audit. The shareholders really have no input.

And so KN’s fallacious headlines of jail time and criminal actions against the DCEO of NICIL, who served as the Secretary of NICIL, is nothing but an orchestrated effort to destroy the integrity of someone whose only fault was to dedicate over a decade of her life to working hard for NICIL and the Government.

The timing of these articles are questionable and published only to impugn her character and integrity.

I feel a deep sense of loss when all of the institutions and key persons on the side of right, feel helpless for being targeted as a distraction from the realities.

In private conversations, reasonable persons know the truth. The results are slowly becoming evident—a lack of new investment, a decline in the economy, and soft whispers of the Government consolidating power and immersing itself in all institutions.

Are we all becoming witnesses to our own loss of independence and those liberties of living in a “free” country?

Sincerely, Michael Devonish

guyana-times.com

tuesDAY, july 12, 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

Selfishness at City Hall!

Dear Editor, The report contained in Sunday’s edition of another section of the media, which reveals the deplorable working conditions at the Solid Waste Department of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown is an appalling reminder of the indecency, tactlessness, and the insensitivity of the administration at City Hall. If they can subject their own workers whom they claim to value and appreciate to such unpleasant and harsh working conditions, then one can only imagine what they would do to the citizens of Georgetown whom they hardly know or share any type of rapport with.

The photos of the outgrowth surrounding the lunchroom (And the council is responsible for weeding and cleaning the City); of the rotting outer walls of the

Solid Waste Department (Again the City Council is supposed to ensure that all structures in the city are safe and sound); the cramped and squalid toilet facilities designated to employees (A Clear Public Health Violation); and the Lunch Room with missing boards and windows, speaks clearly to the depravity of the administration who instead of providing the most minimal of environmental health and safety standards to their employees prefer to build a Presidential Park costing hundreds of millions of dollars for no good reason.

I would like to suggest to the officials of the Labour, Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Ministry of Social Protection, that they also visit the plush offices of the Mayor, Town Clerk and other favoured senior

staffers where they will find stylish, expensive and the latest cutting-edge flat screen television sets installed and connected to direct satellite television, carefully selected posh office furnishings, state of the are communications equipment, refrigerators crammed with expensive refreshments, climate controlled environments, adequate lighting and luxurious private washroom facilities. Of course they don’t need lunchrooms as they constantly dine out with friends at opulent restaurants and hotels at the Council’s expense of course.

These people who manage the affairs of the city must be gotten rid of and replaced by competent, trustworthy and fair minded persons.

Yours sincerely, Nadine Jerrick

The rice industry could ill-afford this GRDBinduced disaster!

Dear Editor, Despite serious concerns ventilated by the Guyana Rice Exporters and Millers Association (GREMA) and numerous huge rice exporters, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) through its General Manager, Mr Nizam Hassan was adamant that the contract signed on March 1 this year with two Jamaican companies will not limit the export of rice to Jamaica and that the contractual arrangement will be ‘a plus for Guyana’s rice industry’ resulting in an increase in price per tonne of rice.

He had claimed that rice exporters will receive US$400 per tonne of rice as contrasted with the average price per tonne being US$345 to US$370. He reiterated that “Guyanese millers will earn an additional US$30-US$55 per tonne of rice exported to Jamaica or an additional US$2.4 million-US$4.4 million annually” (Guyana Chronicle April 25, 2016).

Unpreparedness of municipal facilities Dear Editor, There is a sad lesson to be learnt regarding the two children who were burnt to death in a fire last Thursday night that gutted the Children’s Drop-in Centre on Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

It is a lesson that I hope the Georgetown City Council would take seriously.

The Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown have several Day Care Centres, Maternal & Child Welfare Clinics and other Public Health facilities housed in very old buildings and other structures that are in such a bad condition that it places the children and other occupants in considerable danger but the officials just don’t seem to care.

Indeed the City Hall building itself where they occupy, sit in and pontificate for hours and which they consider their headquarters

breaks all the provisions of the fire code.

I have cause to take my wife routinely to the Maternal & Child Welfare Clinic and to drop my daughter to a Day Care Centre and I am always concerned about the unpreparedness of these municipal facilities for fires and other disasters.

Indeed it is clear that: • The maximum occupancy of these buildings are routinely exceeded as there is often overcrowding of children at the Day Care Centres and of mothers and their babies seeking pre and post natal care.

• That there is no maintenance of proper fire exits and proper exit signage (e.g., exit signs pointing to them that can function in a power failure) • The old buildings are hardly in compliance with electrical codes

•

•

•

to prevent overheating and ignition from electrical faults or problems, such as poor wire insulation or overloading wiring, conductors, or other fixtures with more electric current than they are rated for.

There is not proper placement and maintenance of the correct type of fire extinguishers in easily accessible places.

There are no visible fire alarm systems for detection and warning of fires, nor are there any sprinklers in these buildings.

I am told that there is a low level of training and awareness of occupants and users of the buildings to avoid obvious

mistakes.

Rarely are fire drills conducted at municipal buildings and facilities throughout the year.

City Hall needs to realise that it has responsibility for the lives and well-being of hundreds of children, their parents and the municipal workers occupying these dilapidated buildings and as such they need to fix them and enhance their safety.

What is worse, they are now talking about having night care in these very unsafe buildings for which the danger would be significantly increased due to the cover of darkness.

•

Sincerely, Riley Matthews

However, since the implementation of that contract, rice millers and exporters were effectively restricted from exporting to Jamaica because the GRDB implemented quotas and blocked them from selling through their own contractual arrangement s as was done previously. The GRDB, therefore, has the final authority to say who should export how much.

Moreover, GREMA had also said that the contractual agreement which the GRDB had entered into with the two Jamaican companies will take the rice industry down the road to financial ruin; this is now a reality since it is now revealed that the price rice exporters are receiving is far less than what they were receiving before this GRDB Jamaica contractual arrangement.

However, the new ‘development’ is that rice exporters are now mandated to submit credit notes to the two Jamaican companies: Jamaica Rice Milling Company Limited and Musson Jamaica Limited to the value of US$30 per tonne of rice exported to these companies. One rice exporter, K Dyal&Son was required to submit credit notes to the amount of US$22,398. Therefore, in effect, the rice exporters are now getting US$370 per tonne. But this price is not what the rice millers actually received since it is alleged that they are asked by GRDB officials to fork out between US$10-US$20 per

tonne – an ‘under table’ arrangement in order to get the contract! Hence, the rice exporters are now getting far below the US$376 that they were getting before the infamous Jamaican contract. They are not getting ‘an additional US$35-US$55 per tonne’ as promised by the GRDB and its GM – they are effectively being shafted.

The Government through the Minister of Agriculture should address this debilitating situation before it is too late. With El Niño, La Niña and declining production, the rice industry could ill-afford this GRDBinduced disaster!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf Regional Councillor – Region 6

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tuesday, july 12, 2016

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By Christopher Bergland

I

ncreasingly, children around the world have fewer and fewer opportunities to play and learn outdoors. Growing evidence shows that the disconnection from nature caused by urbanisation and living in a digital era (along with a host of other reasons) is causing the minds and bodies of 21st century children to short-circuit on many levels.

According to a team of international experts, the lack of time spent out-of-doors is triggering a swathe of unexpected negative consequences for younger generations. A new study makes a strong case for policymakers to consider the benefits of implementing outdoor learning as a cost-effective way to improve children’s well-being and quality of life.

Over a hundred years ago, in response to industrialisation and mass migration towards city life, there was a 20th Century push by people such as President Theodore

Outdoor learning improves well-being by creating five outcomes: Healthy and happy body and mind Sociable confident person Self-directed creative learner Effective contributor Active global citizen Roosevelt and Sierra Club founder John Muir to encourage Americans to reconnect with Nature. In his 1901 book, On National Parks, Muir wrote, “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings, Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. As age comes on, one source of enjoyment after another is closed, but nature’s sources never fail.”

We all know that our daily

guyana-times.com

Foundation

ways outdoor learning optimises children’s well-being lives in the 21st Century are dominated by portable digital devices and smartphones that have the power to sever our ties with the natural environment – in ways that John Muir could have never imagined. The latest global research shows that in nations around the world, children are losing their freedom to play, explore, and be physically active in their outside environments for a wide range of complex reasons.

Being denied the opportunity to explore the outdoors can have detrimental impacts on a child’s physical and psychological development.

What can we do to fortify stronger connections with Nature?

In recent years, I’ve written a number of Psychology Today blog posts about t h e importance of the environment on a child’s education. Over the past 10 years, there’ve been five significant international reviews focused on the childhood benefits of formal and informal learning in natural environments.

As the parent of an eightyear-old, I have a vested interest in keeping my finger on the pulse of the latest empirical findings on various ways to optimise a child’s well-being. My hope in writing about these topics in a public forum is to be a small catalyst for creating a groundswell that motivates policymakers to think outside the box when it comes to keeping our children healthy, happy, and resilient in a topsyturvy and rapidly changing world.

In my opinion, the most poignant research on the benefits of spending time outdoors are reports that being immersed in nature increases loving-kindness and theory of mind. For people

of all ages, the sense of wonder and awe that is inspired by nature creates a belief that there is something out there ‘bigger’ and more important than you in the universe. This tends to nurture the tendency to think globally and with less navel-gazing. Researchers have also found that children who spend more time outdoors tend to have a stronger sense of selffulfilment and spirituality than those

who spend most of their time inside.

Learning that takes place in green spaces – such as parks, gardens, wildlife areas and woodland, as well as on outdoor field trips has been found to increase children’s engagement and enriched the learning experience in many ways. Researchers have found using local green spaces can give children time valuable time outdoors at little or no increase to school budgets.

The latest research identifies multiple ways that outdoor learning can have a significant and positive impact on children’s well-being. In a new report, researchers present a framework which lays out how government policymakers could introduce outdoor learning as an integral element of national education policies.

The July 2016 report, “Student Outcomes and Natural Outcomes: Pathways From Evidence to Impact 2016,” was produced by Plymouth

University in the UK and Western Sydney University in Australia.

The new report highlights the wide range of benefits to children of learning in the natural environment. The benefits of outdoor learning go beyond improving academic prowess.

Outdoor learning also improves social skills, behaviour, physical and psychological health, boosts resilience, confidence, and a sense of place.

In a statement, Sue Waite, Reader in Outdoor Learning at Plymouth University and one of the authors of the new report, said: “At the moment, if outdoor learning is part of a school’s curriculum in England, it is largely because the teachers recognise the values of it. With so much focus on academic attainment, there can be pressure on teachers to stay in the classroom which means children are missing out on so many experiences that will benefit them throughout their lives.

This report shows that although there is significant research which supports outdoor learning for academic as well as social and personal outcomes, it is only by having that recognised by policymakers that we are likely to achieve universal positive cultural change.”

reason to

your television

By Christopher Bergland

M

y six-year-old is addicted to watching DVDs. Like most parents, we struggle to limit her screen time, but it seems to be a constant battle. My daughter is not alone in this TV ‘addiction’. Most children seem to crave television. It’s a problem.

The statistics on daily childhood screen time and the negative impact that television has on cognitive development are alarming.

Despite new technologies like iPads and video games, television continues to dominate children’s screen time.

On average, children under the age of eight spend over 90 minutes a day watching television or

beliefs and desires, and reduced cognitive development.

For this new study, researchers at The Ohio State University interviewed and tested 107 children and their parents to determine the relationship between preschoolers’ television exposure and their understanding of mental states, such as beliefs, intentions, and feelings, known as theory of mind.

Parents of children in the study were asked to report how many hours of TV their children were exposed to, including background TV. Then the children were given tasks based on theory of mind. These tasks assessed whether the children could acknowledge that oth-

Access to nature improves well-being throughout your lifespan

The new report was produced following the Lessons from Near and Far conference led by Plymouth University in July 2015, which featured 21 international presentations intended to encourage researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to share ideas of best practice which could potentially be embedded into national outdoor learning policies. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

DVDs. Nearly 33 per cent of American children live in a household where the television is on all or most of the time. Children between the ages 8 and 18 years old watch an average of three hours of television a day. On average, 61 per cent of children under two use some type of screen technology and 43 per cent watch television every day.

Theory of mind (often abbreviated “ToM”) is the ability to attribute mental states – beliefs, intents, desires, pretending, knowledge, etc – to oneself and others and to understand that others have beliefs, desires, and intentions that are different from one’s own. Deficits of theory of mind often occur in people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), schizophrenia, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Unfortunately, television is the least interactive of any new media and is the one most likely to reduce theory of mind. A paper titled “The Relation Between Television Exposure and Theory of Mind Among Preschoolers” was published on November 19, 2013 in the Journal of Communication.

The researchers found that preschoolers who have a TV in their bedroom and are exposed to more background TV have a weaker understanding of other people’s

ers can have different beliefs and desires, that beliefs can be wrong, and that behaviours stem from beliefs.

The researchers found that having a bedroom TV and being exposed to more background TV was related to a weaker understanding of mental states, even after accounting for differences in performance based on age and the socioeconomic status of the parent.

This study is unique in that it shows that TV exposure may impair children’s theory of mind development, and this impairment may be partly responsible for disruptive social behaviours.

Interestingly, preschoolers whose parents talked with them about the potential drawbacks of watching too much TV performed better on theory of mind assessments.

“When children achieve a theory of mind, they have reached a very important milestone in their social and cognitive development,” said lead researcher Amy Nathanson. “Children with more developed theories of mind are better able to participate in social relationships. These children can engage in more sensitive, cooperative interactions with other children and are less likely to resort to aggression as a means of achieving goals.” (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

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tuesday, july 12, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Potential feasibility study for Guyana’s Britain’s biggest drug bust Men found guilty of smuggling £512M own oil refinery – Trotman of cocaine into Scotland …says Govt will look into it when production starts

O

nce oil production commences in the Stabroek block, Government will weigh the option of conducting a feasibility study into Guyana having its own oil refinery, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman said on Monday.

“We will have to look into it further downstream when oil is being produced…and whether or not it will be state owned or a state-private partnership,” Trotman disclosed when asked if Government has considered having a state-owned oil refinery.

He stated that an investment of this magnitude would cost an estimated US$2 billion to build and so Government is examining its options on whether an oil processing plant would be counter-productive or economical.

However, although the re-

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltdholds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek block; Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 per cent.

ExxonMobil is the largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products while its chemical company is one of the largest in the world.

gion has a “refining capacity,” Trotman highlighted that several countries had built their own refineries and watched it flop. “There is Venezuela, Suriname, Aruba…so before we think of having an oil refinery we need to look at the demand and supply.”

Earlier this month, ExxonMobil declared that drilling results from the Liza2 well, the second exploration well in the Stabroek block offshore Guyana, confirmed a world-class find with a recoverable deposit of between 800 million and 1.4 billion oilequivalent barrels.

“We are excited by the results of a production test of the Liza-2 well, which confirms the presence of highquality oil from the same high-porosity sandstone reservoirs that we saw in the Liza-1 well completed in 2015,” stated Steve Greenlee president of ExxonMobil Exploration.

towards the proper management of the resource.

He highlighted that it is an “old problem” for Guyana’s resources to be mismanaged, in terms of foreign investors being the prime beneficiaries of the resources.

He said this “old thorn” has not been removed because Guyana is not single-minded about confronting and solving the issue of Guyana’s resources being mismanaged.

“For example, we have our gold. However, there is no processing plant to refine our gold and so the gold is extracted in its raw state and shipped out to be refined. And what do we gain—a percentage,” he explained, noting that it is the same with other resources.

According to Hinds: “There is always the overemphasis on attracting foreign investment. I think the same emphasis should be put in developing internal mech-

T

Warning

Recently, political activist David Hinds implored the Government not to make the same mistake Trinidad and Tobago did by not developing a long-term plan to manage its oil resource.

Although the discovery of oil is welcomed Hinds in an interview with Guyana Times stated that Government should start taking the necessary steps

– CANU, GPF praised by British High Commissioner

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

anisms and economic structure. So we should invest in small businesses, in our local investors.”

Hinds suggested that Guyana needs to start envisaging a whole new economy around oil—and start now.

He indicated that if Guyana cannot develop its own oil refinery, then the country should partner with Caricom countries to construct one: “It would be nice if we can have our own oil processing here but if we cannot do it by ourselves then we can partner with sister Caricom countries.”

He explaining that this is what a single market is about and noted that if Guyana and Trinidad could develop an arrangement where they can both manage a future oil refinery in Guyana, then both Guyanese residing in Trinidad and Guyana would benefit.

However, on Monday Trotman stated that Government does have a long-term plan to deal with oil and would be revealing factions of it as the year progresses.

On the other hand, he stated that ExxonMobil is expected to drill one more exploratory well before they commence drilling production wells and highlighted that so far Guyana has gained the support of the Mexican, US and Canadian governments, along with the Commonwealth.

“We are not sitting idly by…we are planning and we are exploring different possibilities,” he added, noting that he has just returned from a trip to Uganda, where he observed strategies that country has employed to manage and develop its oil resource.

he Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Police Force have come in for much praise from the British High Commissioner to Guyana, for what they did in the successful investigation into the United Kingdom’s biggest cocaine drug bust.

In a statement to the press on Monday, High Commissioner Greg Quinn said: “Her Majesty’s Government and the UK National Crime Agency are extremely grateful for the support and assistance provided by the Guyana Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit and the Guyana Police Force during the investigation. We are also grateful to those witnesses from Guyana who were willing and able to give evidence during the trial. Our cooperation has resulted in a significant drug interdiction and the conviction of those involved in this crime.

We look forward to continued cooperation in the coming months and years.”

According to the Daily Record, the captain and second in command of a Turkish boat carrying a record £512 million worth cocaine have been convicted of an international drug smuggling operation.

Mumin Sahin, 47, and Emin Ozmen, 50, were busted after the MV Hamal was stopped 100 miles east of the Aberdeenshire coast in April last year.

A massive 3.2 tonnes of high purity cocaine was discovered hidden in a ballast tank at the front of the ship.

The pair now faces lengthy jail terms after being found guilty following a 12-week trial at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday.?

They were convicted of smuggling cocaine on the MV Hamal, as well as a separate charge of being concerned in the supply of the drug.?

Kayacan Dalgakirin, 54, Mustafa Guven, 48, Umit

High Commissioner Greg Quinn

Colakel, 29, and Ibrahim Dag, 48, were cleared of the allegations after the jury returned not proven verdicts.

Judge Lord Kinclaven remanded first offenders Sahin and Ozmen in custody until sentencing next month. The smuggling was said to have occurred between February and April last year.?

Prosecutors stated that the boat travelled from Istanbul via Tenerife to South America then on to the North Sea. The bust happened after the MV Hamal was halted in international waters and brought back to Aberdeen Harbour. French customs had earlier tipped-off that drugs were on board.

The vessel was intercepted by the Royal Navy warship HMS Somerset and Border Force officials.

Colakel was third captain with Dalgakirin and Dag engineers while Guven was a seaman.

A National Crime Agency officer told the trial how he and his colleagues formed a human chain to painstakingly unload 129 bales of cocaine from the tug.

Alistair Gow recalled the haul being so big, it took two days to remove. This involved a specialist “deep rummage” team being deployed.?

A crane was required at the quayside to then move the bales off the ship.?In an unusual move – and amid

tight security – the drugs were brought to court for the jury to see. The purity of the cocaine ranged from between 58 and 74 per cent.

Police drugs expert Jurgen Wahla revealed that the haul had a potential UK street value of £512 million.

This would happen if the cocaine was adulterated to around 15 per cent pure and sold in one gram deals.

Wahla added: “It is a massive importation – unprecedented in what I’ve seen in my years of experience.”

The expert was also asked about the “recognised trade routes” of shipping cocaine from where it is grown. He told the jury: “It is now south of Venezuala and Guyana because of a lot of enforcement activity by the USA patrolling the coast: “Enforcement crackdowns - particularly in Columbia - and increased US enforcement have escalated the value of countries such as Guyana in the global drugs market.”

Mustafa Guven, the father of three, gave evidence during the trial. He recalled how he ended up on the Hamal after answering a job advert he spotted at a bus stop back in Turkey.

Guven had no previous experience of being employed on a boat – but said he was told during the call it was “not important”.

Via an interpreter, he told the jury, “I thought it would be fantastic to work on the sea.” He said there had been an “agreement” that the voyage would last six months, but, at first, he did not know where the ship was going.

Guven recalled the boat ending up in a number of locations including Greece, Tenerife and Guyana.

In her closing speech, prosecutor Ashley Edwards told the jury those guilty “played a part in concealing the drugs and allowing them to be transported.”

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tuesDAY, july 12, 2016 | guyana-times.com

IN THE COURTS Crane double murder Region 9 brothers Alleged killer of wife and son slapped with narco slapped with murder charge possession charge

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he man, who allegedly earlier this month hacked his wife and two-year-old son to death was on Monday charged with murder and taken to the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrates’ Court.

Suresh Ganesh called Tarzan, 28, was not required to plead to the indictable charge, when it was read to him

by Magistrate Christel Lambert.

It is alleged that on 1 July, 2016 at Lot 57 Back Street, Best/Crane Village, West Coast Demerara, he murdered his wife Vanessa Sookram, 32, and their son Samuel Ganesh.

Also on the same day, the man attempted to kill his mother by chopping her to the hand.

The Prosecution is contending that on the day in question, at about 04:30h, Ganesh called to his mother requesting a cup of tea and bread. The woman took the bread and tea to her son after which she was attacked.

Reports are the woman was heard

T

Murder accused: Suresh Ganesh

screaming and upon inspection neighbours reportedly saw Ganesh chopping her.

It was shortly afterwards that relatives and neighbours stumbled upon the bodies of Sookram and son.

After the charges were read to him, Ganesh was remanded to prison.

The case will continue on 9 August, 2016.

Dead: Vanessa Sookram and Samuel Ganesh

wo brothers of Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) were on Monday charged with narcotics possession when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Nelson Gordon, 20, and Arnold Gordon, 21, both of Kumung Village, Central Rupununi, Region Nine, pleaded not guilty to their respective offences.

It is alleged that on July 6, 2016, at Rupununi, Nelson Gordon had in his possession nine grams of cannabis.

Additionally, it is alleged that on the same day at the same location, Arnold

Nelson Gordon

Gordon also had in his possession 146 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Nelson Gordon was granted $25,000 bail, while Arnold Gordon was remanded to prison. They will both return to court on August 9.

Bus driver fined $10,000 for assaulting Policeman

A

minibus driver was on Monday found guilty of assault when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Annette Singh.

Winston Harris was also facing two additional charges, that of resisting arrest and disorderly behaviour.

Magistrate Singh found Harris guilty of assaulting an officer on May 21, 2016 at Water Street, Georgetown.

Also on the same day at the same location, Harris resisted arrest and acted in a disorderly manner.

The Prosecution’s case contended that on the day in question, the defendant was reversing his minibus, PSS 1257 when the officer asked him to stop.

He did not comply and the officer went around to the driver’s side of the bus when the defendant pushed

Winston Harris

open the door, hitting the officer.

He then held onto the steering wheel as the officer tried to arrest him and began to act disorderly, causing a crowd to gather.

He was fined $10,000 for each offence or face a default of one month in prison.

Woman lands in court over ‘workplace brawl’

A

n employee of a clothing store appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday charged with unlawfully wounding her colleague.

Elizabeth Abraham, 31, pleaded not guilty to the offence when it was read to her by Magistrate Annette Singh.

It is alleged that Abraham of James Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, on June 26 unlawfully and maliciously wounded Selena Pooranlall with intent to cause actual bodily harm.

According to the defendant’s Attorney Paul Fung-a-

Fat, Pooranlall and his client work at the same place.

He alleged that on the day in question, Pooranlall first attacked the defendant who was at the time holding a scissors.

He said that the scissors accidently cut Pooranlall on her belly area. The wound she sustained is 4cm deep.

He made a successful application for bail on the grounds that the defendant has three children and is currently caring for her husband, who has a broken leg.

Bail was granted at $25,000, with the case set to continue on 25 July.

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tuesday, july 12, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Belle West mechanic dies 6 days after beating

By Shemuel Fanfair

A

mechanic from Belle West, West Bank Demerara has died six days after he was allegedly beaten by a group of drunken neighbours.

Dead is Yogeshwar Shivcharran, known as “Shah Rukh Khan” of Lot 485 Belle West Housing Scheme, Canal Number Two Polder. The 31-year-old man succumbed to his injuries on Sunday evening as a result of blunt trauma and other associated injuries.

According to the dead auto mechanic’s relatives, the man recently suffered from a mental illness, which led to regular seizures and worsened over the past two weeks.

Guyana Times understands that Shivcharran,

Yogeshwar Shivcharran in his hospital bed days before he died

during a mental breakdown, stripped his clothes off and went to his neighbours, who were having a drink in the community. This publication was told that the men, who were in a drunken state, became annoyed

by Shivcharran’s behaviour

and reportedly pelted him with beer bottles before allegedly beating him in the head and about the body.

The injured man was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

Shivcharran’s commonlaw wife, Aresa Persaud

explained that he would normally recover from his episodes.

“He started pulling down things in de house and he saying that he seeing things so I was sacred from him so I go in de room and I lock up from because my lil’ daughter scared,” Persaud noted.

“After I lock up…I didn’t know where he left and gone…all I hear my neighbours hollering: ‘Shah Rukh Khan’. I could hear like they beat him up ‘cause I could hear de hit – how they beating he,” the man’s reputed

The man’s reputed wife, Aresa Persaud had to be consoled by relatives and friends

Kitty Market to be completed in 2 months – Town Clerk

By Ramona Luthi

I

n light of construction being recommenced on the Kitty Market, Town Clerk of Georgetown Royston King announced in a statutory meeting on Monday that the structure will be completed at the end of two months.

According to King, this information was relayed to him by City Engineer Colvern Venture prior to the meeting, highlighting the availability of relevant materials.

“With regards to the Kitty Market, I’ve received a report from the engineer who has given me a new date of about two months to complete with the availability of the appropriate materials to get the work done,”

Town Clerk Royston King

the Town Clerk noted.

The rehabilitation of the Kitty Market began earlier this year, and the announced deadline was Guyana’s 50th Jubilee Anniversary on May

26. However, construction halted, causing many persons to refer to the work as an election gimmick, under the refuted claims that the Mayor and City Council had become cash-strapped and unable to pay contractors for the restoration.

During the latter part of the previous month Guyana Times was informed by City Engineer Venture that the reconstruction on the Market had already resumed but was delayed because of the inclement weather.

Meanwhile, earlier in this month, vendors related to Guyana Times that the contractor has recommenced works on the structure and the relevant materials were bought and delivered to the location.

The house where Yogeshwar Shivcharran and his family lived

wife related.

Persaud also told this newspaper that relatives had made several reports

to La Grange Police Station from Tuesday onwards, but Police only showed up after he died.

Guyana Times under-

stands that several men from the community were questioned about the incident.

Meanwhile, the dead man’s mother, Shantie Mohan, who was providing the Police with a statement when this newspaper visited the La Grange Police Station, said she wanted justice for her firstborn.

“I feel really bad and really sad; my first child to die like this and I need justice for this,” his mother declared. The woman also explained that her son was a good father, despite his challenges.

Shivcharran leaves to mourn his reputed wife, daughter and a son from a previous relationship.

An investigation has been launched.

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guyana-times.com

tuesDAY, july 12, 2016

News

Friends host candlelight vigil in memory of drowned UG teen

“H

arris was the eye in our little storm.” This was among the many sentiments expressed on Monday evening when a group of friends and associates of UG student Harris Anthony Persaud, who drowned last week, gathered to reminisce on his life.

Persaud, 19, of Lot 21 Granny Field, Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara, went missing on Wednesday last, and his body was found floating in the Demerara River in the vicinity of Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara on Friday afternoon. A postmortem revealed that the young man died by drowning.

The 19-year-old’s friends held a candlelight vigil at the University of Guyana’s parking lot where they reflected on their memories of him. Sajeedah Khan, one of his close friends who organised the vigil, reflected on her time spent with Persaud, telling those gathered that Persaud was unlike any other person she has encountered so far.

“I have known Harris for about eight years. We both entered Queen’s College in September 2008 and because of the way the class system is set up, we spent up to 2013 together,” she stated, adding that she was still trying to come to grips with the fact that her close friend was no longer with her.

“Ever since Friday…I have been at a loss for words to describe what I feel and what most of you are feeling as well. How do you write something to say at a friend’s memorial, especially when it

Guyana is ready for a conference on columnists

T

The friends and colleagues of drowned UG student Harris Persaud on Monday evening held a candlelight vigil in memory of their friend

is someone like Harris? He was simply the most humble young man you could have ever met, genuine and undoubtedly trustworthy… even this would be too much for him, but he would go out of his way to do this and more if he had the chance or it had been any of us. So we’re just trying to give him the best. In a way, this is for us and not for him, because the only way we have been able to handle this is by being together,” she stated.

Struggling to contain her tears, the young woman shared that while it may be difficult for persons to believe all of the good things being said about Persaud, it was all true. “Harris was the eye in our little storm…. he was the calmest, the most peaceful and most of the times the most rational. He never believed in violence, harsh words or bad blood and he always tried to teach us those virtues. I know he would want us to be strong, but I don’t think that’s something we can be right now. Harris, you deserved

an eternity…and all you got was a meagre two decades,” she stated.

Another of Persaud’s friends, Alarick Hossein, related that the young man had a way of making people feel welcome, and it was this trait that started their friendship. “It was my first day, so I didn’t really know anyone at all. I was just standing there eating an entire pack of Hershey’s chocolate by myself…but Harris stood there and I remember exactly what he said.

He said, ‘Wham? So like the rest ah we ain’t got mouth?’

From hearing that, I figured that he would be somebody big in my life and I wasn’t wrong. He was an exceptional and remarkable young man,” Hossein said.

Persaud was last seen on Wednesday by his relatives when he left home to attend classes at the University.

The Police have arrested the teen’s two friends with whom he was last seen, and they are still in custody awaiting the decision whether or not they will be charged.

The young men told Police that Persaud was swimming with them behind the Marriott Hotel, when a wave swept him away. They claimed that they panicked, and disposed of his clothing and other belongings.

ECD man remanded on gun, ammo charges

A

Andrew Budhu

n Enterprise Garden, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man was on Monday remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with gun and ammunition possession.

Andrew Budhu, 20, appeared before City Magistrate Annette Singh and pleaded not guilty to the offense, which alleged that on 8 July, 2016 at Wellington Street, Georgetown, he had in his possession one .9mm pistol and fives matching rounds of ammunition.

The case file was not complete but the Police Prosecutor objected to bail.

Budhu begged for bail, telling the court that he has a two-month- old baby.

However, his request was denied.

He will return to court on 3 August for trial.

here are those who are hell bent in supporting this regime thinking that it is the best hope for Guyana’s future. They truly believe in the regime’s 100 days manifesto and are willing to wait until hell freezes over for it to deliver. Their echoing words are: We ask for your trust and patience.

In reality, this askance is rhetorical downplaying the regime’s eccentricities and wrongdoings. This I understand but do not endorse.

There are those who chastise others for opposing Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine this regime believing that those who speak against this regime automatically support the PPP. Their position is that anyone who supports the PPP supports Indian interests, supports ethnic exclusivity, supports corruption, and supports malice towards the AFC’s 11 per cent votes from the PPP, among other things. Again, this I understand but do not endorse.

The “those” I am referring to are the doctors, lawyers, politicians, commentators, columnists, lecturers, forensic spin doctors, and minions, among others. Of course, some of them are more rachitic thinkers than others but they share a fundamental similarity, that is, they represent the so-called big fish small pond syndrome. In the local parlance what this means is that when horses are not around donkeys win races. Got it!

Unfortunately, this style has become a way of life in Guyana and has effectively roped in the Diaspora, many of whom are desperate to dispense with the labyrinth of daily struggles in their mainly Brooklyn/Queens base.

Luckily, the gravy train has come to them rather than them coming to the gravy train. Many are roosting on the lap of the regime, and yes, at the expense of tax-payers. How else can one explain the position of 34 unknown political advisors to the coalition regime?

What I am not referring to, unfortunately, is the ordinary people who cast their votes last year and whose voices are waiting and wanting to be heard. This is the sadistic aspect of Guyana’s political reality. There is no indication that this will change in the near future.

What I do not understand is that avid supporters of the regime claim that they are activists, transformative writers, leaders and the like. That is their right and prerogative. But while I do not wish to belabour the obvious, I understand activists to be individuals who speak and take action on issues, not sides. Some openly declared that they voted for this regime but they also claim they are activists.

Isn’t this a contradiction? Isn’t this hypocritical? Isn’t this triumphalism?

More worrying is that it will be unhelpful to cavalierly dismiss these individuals as pariahs and parasites of society barnacled to stoic views. What is more important is to examine the impact of their intended message, their agenda, and their ideology, if there is one. This is more productive, although there might be nothing to be gained from this approach since as the saying goes empty vessels make a lot of noise.

Taken together, these individuals share a spurious rhetoric of mutuality. They are conflict habituated. They are self-haters. The question to be asked is this: In what ways does the encounter with other ideas, other people change the ways these individuals think about themselves, about the society they live in, and about those younger ones who are aspiring to be columnists?

I am willing to wait for answers.

Meanwhile I think a conference on columnists in Guyana is not a waste thought. If anything at all, it would avoid, I argue, what Cuban freedom fighter Jose Marti once said.

Those who foments, those who propagates antagonism and hate between ethnicity, between race, sins humanity.

Let me also add what Mahatma Gandhi once said. To find one self is to lose interest in the service of others. (lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu)

tuesDAY, july 12, 2016

guyana-times.com

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News

M&CC to host Bridge extortion A Division to look into the matter – Hicken public day twice weekly C …plans to reclaim City Council lands

By Ramona Luthi

I

n an effort to distribute the work of administration at City Hall, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) will be hosting a “public day” twice a week starting from Wednesday, July 13, according to Town Clerk Royston King.

King, at the statutory meeting on Monday, relayed that the Deputy Town Clerk and the Assistant Town Clerk, along with other City Hall workers, would be stationed twice a week at the Agricola Community Centre and in the upper flat of the incomplete Kitty Market.

He explained that the purpose of the initiative was to provide members of the public in the specific areas with the opportunity to voice their concerns and have the matters brought to the attention of the M&CC. “Beginning from Wednesday, we hope to begin to decentralise the work of administration by asking the clerks, the Deputy Town Clerk and the Assistant Town Clerk, to be available at the Agricola Community Centre, along with the relevant staff, two days a week, and at the Kitty Market, along with the relevant staff, two days a week.

“This, of course, will include members from the City Department…

Engineers

and they will be there two days a week and they will take all the reports, complaints, they’ll engage the citizens in those areas and will report back to us and you, the council, will obviously receive reports from those areas and get a chance to benefit, because as it is now we’re not doing justice to some of those areas,” the Town Clerk asserted at the meeting.

The Town Clerk also highlighted that persons who required information pertaining to taxes would be able to approach the assigned staff at these two locations to obtain such.

However, he emphasised that owing to the lack of security, especially at the unfinished Kitty Market, members of the public would not be able to pay their taxes or conduct any monetary transactions at the public days.

Meanwhile, King said that city lands, including parapets, were continuously being reclaimed from persons who have been squatting on them to ply their trades “rent” free.

“We are continuing to reclaim city spaces and parapets from individuals who have been using them for private enterprise without paying the Council a cent and we will continue to do this throughout the city,” he noted.

Rohee complains of delay in election petition trial

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he Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is accusing the judiciary of unnecessarily delaying the setting of a date for the elections petition to go to trial.

During a news conference on Monday, the Party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee said that the delay was worrisome.

“It is troubling and worrisome that a date has not been fixed and no explicable reason offered for its delay,” Rohee lamented.

The petition, which was filed on June 24 last year, is asking the court to grant a number of orders, including the nullification of the 2015 General and Regional Elections as well as an order for new elections to be held.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) subsequently filed a summons to strike out the petition.

But former acting Chief Justice Ian Chang, days before retirement, returned to the courtroom to quash the counter litigation, paving the

way for the petition to go to trial.

However, GECOM has since appealed the ruling.

Legal consultants have told this newspaper that the appeal does not stop the Chief Justice from setting a date for the trial.

Rohee said the PPP/C maintained that the elections were unlawfully conducted and the results were affected by unlawful actions and omissions.

He explained that the petition was basically asking the court to determine and declare that the process was so flawed, contained so many procedural errors and instances of fraudulent and/or suspicious actions that the results that were derived could not be credibly deemed as an accurate representation of the will of the electorate.

In this regard, Rohee is demanding that there be an end to the delays and that a date be fixed immediately.

He posited that, after all, justice delayed was justice denied.

ommander of the Police A Division ((Georgetown-East Bank Demerara), Clifton Hicken has said motorists in Albouystown being financially extorted to gain access to their street was a criminal act and steps would be taken to address the illegality.

Hicken, speaking to Guyana Times, disclosed that he was not aware of the criminal activity that was occurring in the community of Albouystown, despite two patrols being in the community.

“I will have a patrol stationed at the point – immediately – of where this activity is happening even if they have to be stationed there for 24 hours,” the A Division Commander remarked.

The Mayor and City Council over a month ago moved to block a dilapidated bridge at the junction of

The deplorable condition of the bridge

Sussex and Barr Streets in Albouystown, resulting in motorists allegedly being extorted to use the only other entrance for Barr Street.

The bridge, which had been erected some years ago, was in a deplorable state, posing a serious threat to motorists. The bridge is visibly sinking in the centre, while the sides appear broken.

The M&CC, early in June, took precautionary measures to have the bridge

blocked, which the residents of Albouystown applauded after the Councillor of the Albouystown/Charlestown constituency, Malcolm Ferreira had reported it.

Now, the residents are complaining that the bridge has been blocked for too long and is now being used as an avenue for persons to make a dollar.

With the bridge being blocked, Barr Street is now left with one entrance that persons are reportedly cor-

doning off at nights and charging residents to enter and to exit the community.

Since the blocking of the bridge, no rehabilitation work has commenced.

Residents said they were grateful for the consideration displayed by the M&CC to close the bridge to prevent any mishap, but were calling on the Council to begin repairs on the bridge immediately.

Guyana Times understands that despite the actions of the M&CC, many residents have reportedly opted to remove the blockage from the bridge to use it; however, the M&CC would subsequently return to ensure the bridge was once again blocked.

The City Engineer’s department disclosed that the sinking of the bridge was due to heavy vehicular traffic.

12

news

tuesDay, july 12, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Kitty stabbing

Victim still critical, stabbed 23 times

By Romario Samaroo

S

elina Ramotar, 29, who was stabbed at least 23 times about her body is still in a critical state three days after the incident took place.

Ramotar of Lot 65 David Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was attacked on Saturday night by her estranged childfather, Uttanpad Sewnarine, 39, also known as Paddy or Omesh of Campbelville, Georgetown.

The mother of one is currently in Hospital where she was rushed into the emergency room and immediately prepped for surgery.

Sister of the victim Tricia Ramotar related to Guyana Times that there was an unusual swelling in her sister’s stomach and the doctors could not identify what was the cause: “A tube was attached to her in order to drain out the bad bodily fluids and she had already received two units of blood as

Selina Ramotar was stabbed at least 23 times about her body

well as saline.”

The victim’s mother Melina Ramotar indicated that the doctors have told the family that the injuries still remain life threatening and that they could not determine if these injuries will have a lasting effect on her daughter.

According to Tricia Ramotar: “Selina and I left to purchase Chinese food

around the corner from our home while Paddy was following us but eventually turned back. When we arrived in front of the yard, he was still standing there and upon walking in the passageway, she gave me her cellphone and asked for it to be charged, so I came in the yard leaving her outside with paddy.”

The family disclosed that they were in the house when they heard faint screams coming from the passageway, so they rushed out, only to see the gruesome scene.

“In the dark, a gunshot was fired and by the time we reached to the front we noticed Selina drop to the floor, gasping for breath with blood gushing from her. We thought she was shot but it was our neighbour firing warning shots to scare off Paddy,” the sister recalled.

“We called 911, 912, 913 and all were engaged so we called Kitty Cabs to come who rushed her to the hospi-

From left: Ramotar's sister, Tricia; daughter (eight years old) and her mother, Melina

tal.”

The mother of one was stabbed in her abdomen, breast, back, chin and face, with large gashing cuts inflicted on both her hands, a few of which almost reportedly killed her.

Sewnarine and Ramotar

shared an on-and-off relationship that lasted about ten years but the couple had never lived together.

The distressed family revealed that Sewnarine would, from time to time, display violent outbursts by slapping, choking and punching her and he would usually stalk the woman.

It was also disclosed that Paddy is married and living with his wife but still chooses to pursue his child-mother.

After the gruesome stabbing incident Sewnarine who is a bus driver on route 40, was tied up by neighbours and turned over to the Police who are investigating the crime.

Demerara Harbour Bridge to undergo major maintenance works

T

he Demerara Harbour Bridge will again undertake substantial maintenance works similar in nature to those it had undergone earlier in the year.

This time, work will be done to the eastern half in the third quarter of 2016.

These works will be done to the retractor span, which allows large marine vessels to go up and down the river, and will last four to five days.

The extra-large pontoons at the retractor span will be replaced. This will result in the bridge being closed to marine traffic for that period.

Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) General Manager Rawlston Adams told the Government Information Agency (GINA): “Only one half of the bridge will be opened to allow large vessels to pass.”

“We’re awaiting the delivery of a second pontoon to do exactly the same work on the western end of the bridge so once the pontoon is delivered, which should be some time in the third quarter in the year, we will execute that work,” Adams said.

The sum of $150 million will be spent on the bridge for continued maintenance this year.

On July 8, the DHBC received Cabinet’s approval for $51 million to be spent to rehabilitate pontoons and fabricate buoys, Adams noted.

“We are currently awaiting approval from the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board to forward to Cabinet for us to start other works.”

Additionally, Adams pointed out that there continued to be an increase in traffic on the bridge which

DHBC General Manager Rawlston Adams

would not change, “until something more happens in terms of building … another bridge”.

He further explained that as the economy grows, more persons are relocating to Region Three. “They buy / import new vehicles, increasing traffic, and that poses a challenge to us with respect to traffic management.”

However, the Corporation’s approach to managing the increased traffic is to engage the Guyana Police Force for its assistance in traffic management, getting timely information to the public and asking commuters to try as much as possible to be on time before the bridge retractions.

In April 2016, the DHBC was closed for six hours, for maintenance works on a pontoon which had to be changed as part of a menu of works that has to be completed during the course of this year.

The bridge is a vital link for commuters between Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

13 Amazon Warriors team puts smile on faces of orphans news

tuesday, july 12, 2016 | guyana-times.com

…spends time with children from Shaheed’s Orphanage

By Romario Samaroo

M

embers of the Guyana Amazon Warriors team continued to spread joy across Guyana when they teamed up with Busta drinks to spend quality time with the children of the Shaheed’s Boys and Girls Orphanage on Monday.

The initiative was hosted at the Providence Stadium where the children got the chance to interact with members of the home team.

Secretary to the Orphanage Board, Hakeen Khan, took the time to thank the organisers for the efforts they made to put smiles on the faces of these children.

“We are very happy for something like this, because we try as much as we can to get these children in a society where they can feel as

Members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors with the children at the National Stadium on Monday normal as any other child out there.” Khan said. “We are very grateful to the Guyana Beverage Company and the Amazon Warriors for giving these children this opportuni-

ty and to know that there are people out there who value these children.”

The children all got to take photographs and converse with the likes of Chris Lynn,

Veerasammy Permaul, Steven Jacobs, Rayyad Emrit and Muhammad Ali Khan.

Some of the players also utilised their time with the children to lift their spirits

after coming so close to victory against Trinbago Knight Riders on Sunday.

Speaking to Guyana Times, star batsman Chris Lynn was touched by the opportunity for him and his team to actually spend time with the children who are as passionate about cricket as much as anyone.

The Shaheed’s Orphanage houses both boys and girls and is one of the oldest orphanages in the country, having been in existence for over 50 years.

Every year since the inception of the Hero Caribbean Premier League T20 tournament in 2013, Busta Soft Drinks has brought the flavour and colour to the crowds, harnessing and amplifying the full energetic vibrancy of the Caribbean and its people.

Busta has even more going on in between games, giv-

ing our fans the opportunity to interact with their favourite players in venues across the Caribbean by taking part in our Busta Reach activities. Additionally, on the radio and on Facebook, fans can win match tickets courtesy of Busta. You can also enter to win the Busta Grand Prize of two tickets to the Hero CPL T20 Finals, by showing your skills with the bat in “The Busta Keep-Up the Ball Challenge” on the Busta Soft Drinks Facebook Page.

Last week, the team spent time with the students of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre. Children, parents and teachers all enjoyed an interactive session with the players as part of the collaboration with Caribbean Premier League sponsor Digicel (Guyana), which organised the event.

20 bicycles, bags awarded to top NGSA students in Region 10

– as part of 5 Bs initiative

A

s part of the President’s Five Bs (boats, buses, bicycles, breakfast and books) initiative, 20 bicycles and bags were donated to the top National Grade 6 Assessment Examination students from within Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Monday.

Present to hand over the bicycles to the students at the Region’s Department of Education was Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally, who congratulated the top performers, teachers and parents, while emphasising the impact the 5 Bs programme has in ensuring that the nation’s children are afforded an opportunity of getting to school.

More so, she noted that President David Granger’s dream for students is being realised, as the initiative continues to catch on across the country: “His dream is

to have an educated nation.

Our boys and girls are being now prepared…his dream is more than coming through...

equalities during previous years”, Minister Ally said.

The minister also thanked Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland whom she noted initiated the distribution of the

The bicycles and bags that were donated

it is about providing opportunities for our young people to be better citizens of this country. Many of our children have been delinquent going to school. And it is not because it is their desire, but it is because of poverty. It was because of inequality, and this Region suffered a lot of in-

bicycles and who also made a promise to donate an additional bicycle to another of the Region’s top NGSA performer.

In noting that Linden is doing well, she encouraged the community to be “builders”, another ‘B’ which she said should be added. Minister Ally in presenting the bicycles

also encouraged the students to be careful along the roadway.

Mayor Holland in his remarks noted that the initiative endeavours to create the kind of condition under which children can thrive. He said that in order for children to succeed, measures such as access to essentials must be put in place. Holland also thanked the Government for the initiative of meeting the needs of citizens.

“Our President recognis-

es that we must invest in our youths in order to reap the wealth of benefits to be derived from the wealth of learning…therefore it is in the interest of all of us to join in and support the President, the initiative, I applaud”, he stated.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian during his remarks noted how pleased he was that government is pursuing education as an initiative, as well as with the results of students in the Region. He urged continued support to the develop-

ment of students as they continue their journey, including those who did not make it to the top level.

The bicycles have added to a list of three boats, a bus to the Region, along with many others across the country.

The awardees include 4 students who will be attending Queen’s College, ten at Bishops High, four at St Stanislaus College and three at St Roses High.

14

guyana-times.com

tuesday, july 12, 2016

Regional

Jamaica: Opposition Mexico presidency moves to tame 2 graft-tarnished states Leader condemns M murder of 3-yearold, parents arrested

L

eader of the main Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), Portia Simpson Miller has condemned the murder of a three-year-old girl in the northern parish of St Ann. In a statement late Sunday, Simpson Miller expressed concern about the increase in murders, adding that Jamaicans must be incensed that children continue to be among the victims.

The former Prime Minister said the murder of Nevalesia Campbell represents a loss of potential as no one knows for sure the positive impact she would have had on the society if she had the opportunity to become an adult and contribute to the building of her community and nation.

“All well-thinking Jamaicans must deplore and speak out against these gruesome acts of brutality against Jamaica’s children….I grieve with the parents, family members and the entire community at the

Nevalesia Campbell [Jamaica Observer]

senseless killing of one so young….” she said.

The Police report that early Sunday, the child’s mother notified the Police of her daughter’s disappearance.

The mother told the Police that Nevalesia went to bed with her twin broth-

er and at approximately 23:00h (local time), she woke up, asked for water and then fell asleep beside her mother.

The mother said on waking up, shortly after 01:00h, her daughter was nowhere to be found.

Following a search early Sunday, the child’s body, with several chop wounds, was found in a precipice.

The Police say they are probing several theories in relation to the case.

According to the Jamaica Observer, the mother and stepfather are expected to be charged under the Childcare Protection Act. The Police have confirmed that the two were taken into custody after it was revealed that Nevalesia Campbell and her twin brother were alone at home when she was taken.

The mother had said the child was taken while she slept. On Sunday, residents openly expressed that the mother was seen at a community function. (Excerpt from CMC

and Jamaica Observer)

Barbados Minister urges Region to take advantage of Brexit

A

senior Barbados Government Minister is urging the Caribbean to look to take advantage of the opportunities that could follow Britain’s decision to leave the European Union.

Britons voted earlier this month by a 52-48 per cent margin to quit the EU and Industry Ministry Donville Innis addressing the Council meeting of the Caribbean Association of Administrative Professionals, said it was imperative for the Region to seize the opportunities related to Brexit.

“There are those who

feel that London is no longer to them the financial capital of the world and may come to a safe haven like the Caribbean to do their business,” he said, urging the delegates to move away from the feeling “that the whole world is collapsing” as a result of Brexit. “…if we in the Region feel start to feel as if the whole world is collapsing around us, then it will collapse around us. We need to be far more positive. We need to seize the opportunities,” he added.

Regional leaders at their summit in Guyana last week, described Britain’s exit from

the European Union as “a watershed event in current world affairs whose geopolitical and geo-economic repercussions would be far-reaching and long-lasting”.

They said that Caricom should continue to monitor developments as the exit process unfolded and underlined the importance of a common and structured approach that married the technical, political and diplomatic.

The regional leaders said that the United Kingdom and the European Union remain strong and valued partners of the Caribbean.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Antigua and Barbuda to get World Heritage Site

T

here is uncertainty as to whether or not the Government will approve Antigua and Barbuda being finally designated a World Heritage Site, even as the country awaits the formal announcement that is said to be due within days.

The Secretary General for the National Commission of UNESCO, Antigua and Barbuda, Dr Reginald Murphy said, “Antigua has been approved and it’s only a matter of the formal announcement.”

Dr Murphy, who spoke to an Observer media reporter from Istanbul, Turkey on Sunday, is expected to be pre-

sented with formal documentation concerning the designation in upcoming days.

The title is awarded to places that are of “universal value to humanity”, in order to ensure their preservation for future generations.

However, the Government’s Chief of Staff, Lionel Hurst, said that National Parks Commissioner Anne Marie Martin recently visited the Cabinet to present details of the World Heritage Site and she brought a map that demarcated about 11 square miles of land for protection.

“The Cabinet is not going to approve a World Heritage

Site, which includes almost a tenth of Antigua, and it would mean that you cannot build on it unless you get permission from the World Heritage Site people,” he said.

He said Martin indicated that the map presented was not the correct representation of the land to be included in the World Heritage Site area.

He said the issue will come under review in Cabinet on Wednesday, where Martin is expected to present the right map.

Antigua and Barbuda has been pursuing the accolade since 1985, according to Hurst. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

exico's presidency on Monday moved against two state Governments, saying they had flouted federal anticorruption laws, setting the scene for a possible conflict with two outgoing Governors tarnished by graft accusations.

President Enrique Pena Nieto's office dubbed unconstitutional new state prosecutors' offices set up in oil-rich Veracruz and tourist hub Quintana Roo, bodies perceived by critics to be aimed at shielding the two Governors. It called on the Supreme Court to rule against the measures.

Economists and financial sector professionals regularly cite impunity and

weak rule of law as a major concern for investors in Mexican assets.

US indictments are outstanding against at least three former Governors from the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, but no formal proceedings have been opened against them in Mexico so far.

Salvador Silva, a senior official at the Attorney General's office, said both states needed to wait for the roll-out of a federal Government anti-corruption reform, rather than legislate individual measures. "(The anti-corruption reform) is aimed at creating mechanisms which slam the brakes on abuse of power," Silva told a news conference.

Accused by critics of misusing public funds and failing to tackle rampant impunity, departing Veracruz Governor Javier Duarte's six-year term has been notorious for the killings of journalists and violent crime.

Duarte has denied any wrongdoing.

Duarte on Twitter called on his state's justice commission to cancel naming a new anti-corruption prosecutor.

"We think the federal government is serious this time," said Hilario Barceleta, an economist at the University of Veracruz.

"The level of corruption going on in Veracruz is so great the federal Government has realised it has to intervene."

(Excerpt from Reuters)

US Coast Guard repatriates increasing number of Cuban migrants

T

he United States Coast Guard says since October last year, it has been repatriating an increasing number of Cuban migrants who have been making desperate attempts via the Caribbean Sea to land on US shores.

“Since October 1, at least 5043 Cubans have attempted to illegally migrate to the US via the maritime environment compared to 4473 in fiscal year 2015,” the Coast Guard said.

“These statistics represent the total number of at-sea interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the Caribbean and Atlantic,” it added.

The US Coast Guard said that the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Kathleen Moore repatriated 50 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba, on Tuesday.

It said the 50 migrants repatriated were a result of five separate interdictions of chugs, or rustic vessels, in the Florida Straits.

“We discourage any-

Earlier this month, the Coast Guard said 63 Cubans were repatriated as a result of five separate interdictions of chugs in the Florida Straits

one from taking to the sea and attempting to reach US soil illegally,” said Captain Mark Gordon, chief of enforcement for the Coast Guard 7th District. “They are risking their lives with very little chance of success.

“Navigating the Florida Straits can be extremely dangerous for the unprepared on illegal voyages and often leads to injury or death,” he warned.

Earlier this month, the Coast Guard said 63 Cubans were repatriated as a result of five separate interdictions of chugs in the Florida Straits.

“We continue to stress that safety of life at sea is our utmost concern,” Gordon said. “We are especially concerned about the increase of Cuban migrants inflicting self-harm in unsuccessful attempts to reach US soil.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Trinidad: IDB to fund strategic plan for NCDs

I

n about two to three weeks, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh is expected to take a note to Cabinet to roll out a national Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) strategic plan which will be funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Deyalsingh made the comment at the opening of the Diabetes Association of T&T’s 15th annual residential camp for children with diabetes held at Milner Hall, UWI, St Augustine on Sunday. He said the country had made little strides in the fight against diabetes since 2007 when former Prime Minister Patrick

Manning held a Caricom Heads of Government conference and piloted a declaration on NCDs. “From 2007 to now....and next year will be ten years since we celebrate that and we have made little or no progress regarding NCDs,” Deyalsingh added. He said an app was also being developed where adults and children could access information regarding diabetes including management of the disease.

The Ministry is currently working with a local NonGovernmental Organisation, which Deyalsingh did not identify, to improve the app already available for gesta-

tional diabetes.

“An app is crucial because managing diabetes... whether it is the diabetic mother or the diabetic child...what is crucial is the information because our diabetics do not have the information to manage their condition,” Deyalsingh said.

Another feature of the app, he added, was teaching how to properly read labels.

“We have a big problem in Trinidad with our food labelling. We need to look at food labelling to tell you what percentage of your daily intake of sugars come from what type of foods,” Deyalsingh added. (Excerpt from

Trinidad Guardian)

tuesday, july 12, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the world

UK to get 2nd female South Sudan's warring factions declare ceasefire Prime Minister S on Wednesday

T

heresa May promised to build a "better Britain" and to make the United Kingdom's European Union exit a "success" after she was announced as the new Tory leader and soon-to-be Prime Minister.

Speaking outside Parliament, Mrs May said she was "honoured and humbled" to succeed David Cameron, after her only rival in the race withdrew on Monday.

Cameron will tender his resignation to the Queen after PMQs on Wednesday.

Cameron, who has been UK Prime Minister since 2010, decided to quit after the UK's Brexit vote.

It follows another day of dramatic developments in the political world, when Andrea Leadsom unexpectedly quit the two-way

Conservative leadership contest, saying she did not have the support to build "a strong and stable government".

Her decision left Mrs May – the front runner – as the only candidate to take over leading the party and to therefore become Prime Minister.

In a speech flanked by dozens of Conservative MPs, Mrs May, the home secretary since 2010, praised Cameron for his stewardship of the Tory party and the country.

And she paid tribute to Mrs Leadsom for her "dignity" in withdrawing her leadership bid, as well as to the three other candidates who ran in the contest.

"I am honoured and humbled to have been chosen by the Conservative Party to become its leader," Mrs May

Prime Minister-inwaiting Theresa May

told the gathered media.

She said her leadership bid had been based on the need for "strong, proven leadership", the ability to unite both party and country and a "positive vision" for Britain's future. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

US to send another 560 troops to Iraq

T

he United States will send an additional 560 troops to Iraq to help secure a newly retaken airbase as a staging hub for the long-awaited battle to recapture Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said on Monday during an unannounced visit to the country.

Most of the new troops will be devoted to the buildup of the Qayara airbase, about 64 kilometres south of Mosul, and include engineers, logistics personnel and other forces, Carter said. They will help Iraqi security forces planning to encircle and eventually retake

the key city.

"These additional US forces will bring unique capabilities to the campaign and provide critical enabler support to Iraqi forces at a key moment in the fight," Carter said, according to prepared remarks.

He revealed President Barack Obama's decision as he spoke to about 120 troops in a building at Baghdad's airport. The increase brings the total US force in Iraq to 4647, and comes just three months after Obama's last troop addition.

C o n g r e s s i o n a l Republicans have longed for a more robust US deployment in Iraq. Some have even argued that the US

should have never left in the first place.

But Al Jazeera's State Department correspondent Rosiland Jordan said some members of Congress have warned that a sizeable deployment of US troops to Iraq would require new legal authorisation.

"Right now [US forces] are only there on a ‘train and assist’ mission, and if they were to try and take a more active role in helping the Iraqi military try to launch the campaign for Mosul, there would certainly be some eyebrows raised and renewed calls for legalisation for that particular activity," she said. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

Iran charges dual nationals, foreigner in crackdown

Baquer Namazi and son Siamak Namazi have advocated for closer ties between Iran and the US [Reuters]

I

ran has indicted three dual citizens and a foreigner held in the country on unknown charges, part of a series of crackdowns in the wake of last year's nuclear deal with world powers.

Iran's official judiciary news agency Mizan reported on Monday that the charges were announced by Tehran's Prosecutor, Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi.

The four, who have ties to Britain, Canada and the United States, are believed to

have been detained by hardliners in Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

One of those charged was identified as Homa Hoodfar, an Iranian-Canadian woman who is a retired professor at Montreal's Concordia University.

Siamak Namazi, an IranianAmerican businessman who has advocated for closer ties between the two countries, was also charged. Namazi's father is also held in Tehran.

The third person charged

was Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, an Iranian-British woman who works for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of the news agency. Ratcliffe's toddler daughter, Gabriella, also remains in Iran, as authorities seized her passport.

The fourth person was identified as Nizar Zakka, a US permanent resident from Lebanon who has done work for the US Government.

The four were arrested in connection with separate cases over the past year. Family members and representatives of the four say they did nothing wrong.

Dolatabadi's statement did not elaborate on the charges, though Iranian media previously accused Zaghari-Ratcliffe of plotting a "soft toppling" of the Government and alleged that Zakka was a spy.

He said another seven people faced charges related to the unrest that surrounded the country's disputed 2009 presidential election. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

outh Sudan's President Salva Kiir has declared a "unilateral ceasefire and cessation of hostilities", and ordered Government troops to "disengage" from fighting rival forces loyal to Vice President Riek Machar, following days of violence that left hundreds dead.

The order, which was announced on Monday by presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny, was reciprocated by Machar, who ordered his troops to stop fighting as of 1700 GMT. "The President talked to Machar...they have talked about controlling their forces in an attempt to salvage

what has remained of the peace agreement," Ateny said in an interview with Al Jazeera.

Monday witnessed some of the heaviest fighting between the two sides, after clashes erupted on Thursday.

The announcement of a ceasefire came as United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon called on the Security Council to impose an "immediate arms embargo" on the world's youngest independent state.

Ban said he is "appalled by the indiscriminate attacks" on civilians, and condemned the "failed leadership" in the country,

warning that some of the violence committed "may constitute a war crime".

"Yet again, the leaders of South Sudan have failed their people. Rarely has a country squandered so much promise so quickly," he said angrily from the UN headquarters in New York.

Earlier on Monday, renewed clashes broke out in the capital, forcing thousands of civilians to flee and raising fears of a slide back into all-out conflict in the five-year-old country.

At least 272 people have been killed in the recent violence, a Health Ministry source told the Reuters news agency on Sunday. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

Kashmir clashes over militant Burhan Wani leave 30 dead

P

olice in Indianadministered Kashmir say at least 30 people have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces following the shooting of a well-known militant leader.

Burhan Wani, 22, died in a gunfight with the Indian Army on Friday.

More deaths were reported on Monday after a weekend of violence left 23 dead, including a Policeman.

The violence is the worst seen in the region for years.

Some 800 extra troops are being sent to help restore order.

More than 200 other people have been injured in the clashes, in which Government forces have fired live rounds and tear gas.

A curfew is in place across much of the Muslimmajority Kashmir valley after a Police post was set alight and a military airbase targeted during the latest clashes.

Disputed Kashmir is claimed in its entirety by

More than 200 people have been injured in the clashes

both India and Pakistan and has been a flashpoint for more than 60 years, sparking two wars between the countries.

Within the disputed Muslim-majority territory, some militant groups have taken up arms to fight for independence from Indian rule or a merger with Pakistan.

The last bout of serious

violence in the region was in the summer of 2010, when more than 100 people died in anti-India protests, which broke out after Police shot dead a teenager.

Almost all the dead in the current outbreak of violence are protesters.

The Policeman died after his car went into a river in the Jhelum area on Sunday.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

China issues warning on global economy, says G20 must lead

C

hina's Commerce Minister says the outlook for the global economy remains grim despite it having overcome the impact of the 2008 financial crisis.

Gao Hucheng said at a G20 meeting in Shanghai that major economies must lead the way in tackling problems, including slowing trade and sluggish growth.

To boost trade the G20 Ministers, from the world's major economies, agreed to cut trade costs, increase policy coordination and enhance financing.

They also approved a trade growth plan.

"We agree that we need to do more to achieve our common objectives for global growth, stability and prosperity," the G20 Ministers said in a statement.

To boost trade the G20 Ministers, from the world's major economies, agreed to cut trade costs, increase policy coordination and enhance financing

Gao said the international community now expected the G20 to show initiative and

leadership in solving economic growth problems.

China will host the main G20 summit later this year.

"In the past few years through our shared hard work, the global economy emerged from its previous low and is developing in a good direction,'' Gao had said at the meeting held over the weekend.

He added, however, that "the deep effects of the global financial crisis can still be felt".

"The revival and growth of the global economy is still lacking in strength," Gao said. "Low levels of global trade and investment have not recovered to their pre-financial crisis levels."

Gao did not mention Brexit in his opening remarks at the meeting, but the vote by the UK to leave the EU has added to the global financial uncertainty. (Excerpt from BBC News)

16 news

tuesday, july 12, 2016 | guyana-times.com

PRG puts vagrants’ Deplorable roads at Parfaite Harmonie Technical team assessing removal on hold conditions – Ferguson

– cites financial challenges

P

roject Restore Guyana (PRG), a multi-disciplinary Task Force that was set up by the Government to address, among other social ills, the welfare management of the homeless and addicted, is now cash strapped and is currently placing its project to relocate vagrants on hold.

The Head of the Secretariat of the Task Force, Dr Sewnath Ponalall speaking to this publication on Monday disclosed that the Project was faced with financial and human resources challenges to continue with the vagrant relocation programme. Dr Ponalall added, however, that the biggest challenge was finding a building to assess the mental and physical status of vagrants to determine where and how to place them, whether it was in a hospital or a home.

“Unfortunately, there is no such facility in this environ; we have looked into the availability of buildings, matter of fact we have a register here with the government buildings, but we did not find any fruitful building that we can use to facilitate our project because all of the government buildings are either run down or occupied” Dr Ponalall said.

“We are currently looking at the construction of a building in the budget of 2017, to facilitate our project since the 2016 budget does not cater for this project,” the Secretariat Head noted.

According to Dr Ponalall,

Homeless persons outside the Fogarty’s building

“if we can find money tomorrow from somewhere to invest in this direction, we will go forward. Well, at the moment since the economy is not performing too well right now – gold prices gone down and sugar price gone down, we cannot expect the Government to spread out all over at this moment, but to maintain what is there already.”

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence, speaking to Guyana Times in an earlier interview, had relayed that the commencement of the evaluation process for street dwellers would begin as soon as a building was released by the Public Health Ministry, which was collaborating with the Social Protection Ministry to carry out this programme.

Minister Lawrence disclosed that the purpose of the evaluation process for street dwellers was to assess the vagrants, then to determine the best facility for them.

When the homeless persons are taken off the streets,

they will immediately be transported to the facility, she had explained. Meals and other necessities will be provided by the Social Protection Ministry and other partners.

“The committee recently held a meeting where it was agreed that to swiftly tackle this issue, there needs to be an evaluation process to determine whether those street dwellers can be treated externally, placed in a home, or be referred to the National Psychiatric Hospital,” Minister Lawrence said.

According to Lawrence, the aim of the programme is to ensure that this vulnerable group is given a chance to be reintegrated into society and contribute to the development of Guyana.

The task force is chaired by Major General (Ret’d), Joseph Singh and includes representatives from the Ministries of Social Protection, Public Health, Public Security and Agriculture as well as the Mayor and City Council.

The condition of some roads in Parfaite Hormonie, WBD

F

ollowing multiple complaints from residents in the communities of La Parfaite Harmonie

port staff to have an assessment done and to see how best the Ministry of Public Infrastructure can give to

Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson with a member of the assessment team on Sunday

Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has undertaken measures to assess the situation.

On a recent visit to the area, many of the roads were seen with a barrage of potholes, some with as much as a foot in depth.

Motorists have complained bitterly, particularly about the deep potholes which causes serious damage to vehicles when it rains, as motorists cannot judge the depth of the holes when they are filled with muddy water.

On Sunday, Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson and her technical team visited the communities to assess the road conditions.

“We are visiting many communities really to conduct an assessment [of] the roads because that is the complaint we at the Ministry would have received, so I am here with my technical sup-

the NDC (Neighbourhood Democratic Council) and RDC (Regional Democractic Council),” Ferguson told this publication.

She also noted that

es in the road conditions, Ferguson cautioned that housing schemes do not fall entirely under her Ministry and as such, only temporary relief would be given to areas.

“I [want to] make it clear that Parfaite Harmonie is not fully under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure but because it is yet to be handed over to the NDC, we, in the interim [are] bringing some sort of relief to the people…to see how best we can put some temporary arrangements in place,” she noted.

In the lead-up to the 2016 Local Government Elections, it was revealed that many of the newly created housing districts and communities have not been handed over to the relevant NDCs and Town Councils.

This scenario has deprived many of the local

Parfaite Harmonie residents are tired of deplorable roads

her team has assessed road conditions in Parfaite Harmonie, Onderneeming, West Minster and Recht door-Zee. When the Junior Minister was asked about time-frame in which residents can expect chang-

democratic organs from the requisite finances through rates and taxes which can be used to foster development of the communities.

Local Government Elections were held in March.

Farmer discovers skeletal remains at Bee Hive, ECD backlands

A

farmer reportedly stumbled upon what he suspected to be the skeletal remains of a human at Bee Hive, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Sunday.

Reports are that a skull and several other bones were discovered about eight miles into the Bee Hive backlands. As soon

as he made the discovery, the farmer alerted law enforcement officials who went to the scene and retrieved the remains.

C (East Coast Demerara) Division Commander Marlon Chapman has indicated that investigators would be sending the bones to a pathologist to be exam-

ined, to ascertain how long they were there. He related that he was positive that the remains were human as a skull with the structure identical to that of a human was found among the bones. According to Chapman, from all indications, the bones appear to have been there for quite some time.

17

NEWS

TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Department of National Berbice poultry deaths GLDA assessing East Berbice farm Events established …President Granger assures of well-executed national events I

P

resident David Granger established the Department of National Events on Monday under the Ministry of the Presidency.

The Department will be headed by Colonel Nazrul Hussain of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and will be tasked with the planning and execution of all national events in the country.

President Granger, in an invited comment, said that national events were occasions for the country and Guyanese people to feel pride and patriotism and the events must, therefore, be planned and executed in such a manner that these feelings are expressed and felt by all Guyanese.

The Head of State noted that national events, especially of a large magnitude, required extensive coordination and collaboration among a number of Ministries and Government

Colonel Nazrul Hussain

agencies. Therefore, he said, it was important for someone to assume specific responsibility for these events so that they receive the required attention.

Colonel Hussain, in an invited comment, at the Ministry of the Presidency, said he was honoured by the responsibility bestowed on him. He vouched to ensure that all events under his

watch were executed in an efficient manner, of which Guyanese would be proud.

“I am elated to be selected to head the Department of National Events as was established in the meeting today and the President, based on the previous events, would like us to do things with a better flair, with the watchword being excellence. This Department was established to standardise all of our national activities and to execute all national activities with excellence in mind. It will entail having a diary, which reflects all of the national events and observances and to plan and execute some of the traditional and some new ones that we will be working on and to ensure that we have a manual of standards that we can refer to, to ensure that there is no deviation from the standard of excellence that we are going to establish,” he said.

Region 5 flooding

Mahaicony backlands still under water – residents receive medical treatment

T

he flood situation in many of the communities in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) has persisted for nearly three months. Recently, farmers in the Mahaicony riverine communities have complained that they are still suffering losses, as the flooded backlands are where most farmlands and livestock are located. According to information obtained by this publication, the situation remains the same as flood waters in the backlands are said to be high.

On Monday, a farmer from Pine Ground, Mahaicony River, told this newspaper that his cows are affected with diarrhoea, and worms due to their prolonged stay in stagnant water. He requested that an anti-bacterial spray be provided for the ailing diary animals.

The man who is also father of a nursery school student explained that between May and July, many children, including his, were absent from classes as the dam became impassable. This meant the parents had the expensive undertaking of transporting their offspring by boat, which reportedly costs around $2000 return per day per child. Farmers are calling for the dam to be converted into a road.

Guyana Times further understands that sick residents, especially children were finally given medical treatment as a doctor on Sunday visited the Mora

n light of the climbing number of reports of chicken deaths due to a mysterious illness, the Guyana Livestock Development Authority has said it is working with farmers on East Bank Berbice to “assess the situation” of the poultry deaths. This comes one day after the farmers reported that their birds were dying of a mysterious illness and that Ministry of Agriculture had offered “no advice” to them.

On Monday, GLDA Deputy Chief Executive Officer Dr Dwight Walrond was quoted by the Government Information Agency as saying that the samples, which were taken from the premises of one large-scale farmer are in the process of being sent to the University of Georgia, which is one of the reference laboratories that GLDA utilises for further testing of samples.

“We want to test for a wide array of diseases. Based on clinical signs there are two different manifestations taking place, that’s why we are using the University of Georgia to test for four to six diseases. The University of Georgia is a reference laboratory. Sending the samples to Georgia is the best course of action since it would give us a good idea of what’s happening on East Bank Berbice,” Walrond related.

In reference to published reports over the chicken deaths in various sections of the media, the DCEO observed that there are differences in the poultry death reports.

“The signs and symptoms are different, one transpired during the rainy season and the other just started,” Walrond told GINA. “The DCEO said that the location of the broiler farmer which was visited by a team from the GLDA interviewed

Several dead chickens in Berbice, as seen in June

the farmer and looked at his husbandry practices. The team concluded that there is a need for guidance in the area of farm management,” the GINA release stated.

“On Tuesday, our head of extension will be in the Region Six trying to develop the best package for the farmers in terms of delivery of extension services. The team, including one staff from epidemiology, will be working along with staff and farmers in the region to collect whatever data we would have missed in the initial investigation, and to bring further relief to farmers,” observed the GLDA official.

“The GLDA has acknowledged the reports, but remains steadfast in its findings that it is too early to declare an outbreak of poultry diseases since the cases investigated are dissimilar and affect different breeds,” the entity noted.

It was also on Monday that this publication pointed out that several farmers who rear bantams or ‘Creole’ fowls reported that many of their birds had died of an unknown illness. The disease was said to be also affecting Muscovy ducks.

Farmer Vanessa Sampson of De Kinderen had noted that she lost 70 per cent of her birds due to the illness.

According to the woman, Sunday morning she discovered that fifteen birds had become ill overnight. They later

died.

Another farmer Indira Nauth revealed that the symptoms were detected about one month ago. She had explained that most birds die a few days after becoming ill.

It was two weeks ago that an East Bank Berbice poultry farmer first reported that a mysterious disease had killed hundreds of his birds.

He had told Guyana Times that when the disease first hit his pen he had 1300 birds, now he is left with 70.

The farmer stressed that he had received no assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture, however after a Guyana Times report, he had received correspondence from senior officials of the Agriculture Ministry.

Before then, the farmer said that his brother had visited the Agriculture Ministry to seek assistance but officials were reportedly unavailable.

This allegation was strongly denied by Permanent Secretary George Jervis.

When contacted, the PS had also pointed out that personnel from the Ministry will soon visit the farm and assess the situation.

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

Linden farmers want lands regularised to acquire capital to invest

I

Flooding in the backlands on Saturday

Point Health Centre as was expected and previously reported in this newspaper.

While it was indicated that some children were still being affected by influenza and rashes, new reports stated that this is now decreasing.

On Sunday, this newspaper reported that many farmers along the Mahaicony River sold their current crop of “seed paddy” on Saturday out of fear the flooding would destroy their future plots for rice cultivation.

A female farmer had explained that she suffered much losses due to the pro-

longed flooding. The woman stated that she lost three calves and a number of crops. The farmer had estimated her losses at around $800,000 and appealed that her community be provided with food assistance.

Guyana Times had reported too that the mosquitoes in the communities have since flourished with the stagnant flood water and are affecting adults and children. It was noted that heavy rains on Friday evening into Saturday morning only added to the misery of farmers and residents as the water had risen.

n the absence of a Land Selection Committee, farmers and residents of Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) are grappling with the effects of the land that they occupy not being regularised. This was recently highlighted during a statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council.

The Land Selection Committee, which was part of an August 2012 agreement and was later established under the previous Council, was rejected by the Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, who dubbed it a “rubber stamp” after taking up office. He highlighted that the RDC was not an issuer of lands, among other things.

Since then, the Committee was placed on the back burner, with numerous complaints being brought before the Council. On Thursday last, Chairman of the Region’s Agriculture Committee, Douglas Gittens pressed the Regional Chairman for answers, citing several difficulties as he asked when there would be movement on the

Land Selection Committee.

“Every instance that we try to give development to certain areas, the point of land selection comes up and the situation is getting worse, even at the agricultural level. We go to make a move and the person doesn’t have the land ownership title in their possession… Persons want to approach the bank for house loans and agri loans and they cannot do anything on the land unless they get those loans…,” Gittens stated.

However, Morian contended that legally there was no Land Selection Committee and the RDC did not have any authority in that regard. He stated that the Land Commission, which was currently conducting a land audit, has the sole responsibility. In highlighting several instances, Morian said there were cases in Linden where parts of lands illegally form part of other land allotments.

Meanwhile, the Agriculture Committee Chairman requested a time line asking for the process of dealing with such issues to be

fast tracked.

Region 10 Councillor Sandra Adams said in relation to issues with farmlands the Chairman of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Major General (Rtd) Joseph Singh, had visited the Region and hosted a meeting with farmers of West Watooka, Linden. She said contact was also made with the Lands and Surveys Commission, which had also visited. She indicated that moves were afoot to have the issues of regularisation resolved. “…they are working on a plan…those who have been paying their lease fees every year for a number of years; they are looking at them first.

To get them properly regularised and then they’re going to move to the ones who now have applications in. So some movement is taking place in terms of the farming areas because that is the concern and myself and Mr Joe Singh are pursuing it vigorously because we know that there are hiccups when it comes to farmers,” she noted.

18

guyana-times.com

TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2016

ARCHIE

You can make changes, but don’t force them on those (March 21- around you. Problems with a April 19) friend, children or a partner are likely to surface.

ARIES

Learn from past mistakes.

TAURUS Make favourable changes to (April 20- the way you live your life. Fix May 20) up your living space. A dedicated workspace will help you be more productive.

DILBERT

Finish what you start and GEMINI take care of your responsi(May 21June 20) bilities before someone complains. Stick to your budget and make sure your ideas are doable before you present your plans.

Don’t worry about who is CANCER and who isn’t in favour of your (June 21- plans. Just do your own thing, July 22) and be proud of what you have achieved when you’re finished.

PEANUTS

Make time to deal with the LEO concerns of children or old(July 23er people. Conversations will Aug. 22) help you find suitable solutions. Help bring about positive changes at home.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

If you express your plans VIRGO regarding investments, you (Aug. 23Sept. 22) will be offered some interesting alternatives. An in-theknow person will help you do the legwork required to investigate the validity of a deal.

What you do will far exLIBRA ceed everyone’s expectations, (Sept. 23once you get started. Step up Oct. 23) to the plate and get moving before someone labels you as a procrastinator.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD – TEARFUL

SUDOKU

Network, discuss your SAGITTARIUS plans and flirt with the pos(Nov. 23- sibility of turning one of your Dec. 21) ideas into something profitable. Expect to face emotional interference from someone who has alternative ideas.

(TEARFUL: TEER-ful: Crying or inclined to cry.)

Average mark 29 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 41 or more words in TEARFUL? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD – ELUSION lenis leno lens lesion lien lieu line lion loin lone lose louse lues lune silo

sine sloe slue soil sole sone soul insole isle onus noel noes noil noise noses

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

Protect your health and SCORPIO physical well-being. Use your (Oct. 24head and figure out each step Nov. 22) of your plan before you move forward. A change at home will be to your benefit. Adapt and make adjustments.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

Problems will arise if CAPRICORN someone tries to talk you into (Dec. 22- something that has too many Jan. 19) risks. Don’t let love tempt you to give in to emotional manipulation. Trust in your judgment.

You’ll have trouble when AQUARIUS it comes to frivolous spend(Jan. 20ing.

At the end of the day, you Feb. 19) will be lacking funds and dissatisfied with what you got for your money. Be frugal.

Use your creative imaginaPISCES tion and you’ll come up with a (Feb. 20moneymaking plan. Put a litMarch 20) tle muscle behind your ideas and present what you have to offer.

tuesDAY, july 12, 2016

19

Johnson, Chandrika, Bishoo in Test squad for India Tour — Chase earns maiden call-up

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uyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson, opener Rajendra Chandrika and leg spinner Devendra Bishoo are the three Guyanese named in the West Indies squad to face India in the First Test starting July 21 at Antigua when the squad of 12 was announced yesterday.

Johnson gained a recall on the back of a solid first class season where he finished as the leading run scorer with an aggregate of 807 runs from 17 innings at an average of 57.64.

To date, Johnson has played four Tests and scored 275 runs at an average of 39.28, with a highest score of 66. He was omitted from the Test team after the tour of South Africa that ended in January 2015.

During that series Johnson scored 168 runs at an average of 33.60, which was the third best aggregate for West Indies on that tour, but was surprisingly drop for the home series against Australia and England.

Opening batsman Chandrika is fortunate to be given another opportunity after failing to impress in his previous Tests which

Devendra Bishoo

saw returns of 87 runs from three matches at a mediocre average of 14.50. In addition he had a lackluster run in the Region first class season where he scored a mere 371 runs from 12 innings at an average of 30.91.

He is expected to start the batting with Kraigg Braithwaite who was named as the deputy to Jason Holder, who was retained as the captain.

Meanwhile, Bishoo who is a consistent performer at the Regional level and was with the squad on its most recent outing has managed a place in the side. He is the

lone frontline spinner in the unit and is expected to start in the first game.

Barbados middle order batsman Royston Chase, who can be very handy with his off spin, is the only new comer to the squad. Chase also scored heavily in the Regional First Class competition, finishing fourth on the table, with 710 at 59.16 for Barbados.

Notable omissions are fast bowlers Jerome Taylor and Kemar Roach along with wicket keeper batsman Denesh Ramdin. Taylor, 32, who had played 46 Tests for West Indies since debuting in 2003, informed the board that he is retiring from the longest format, the Board said in a release.

He will continue to be available in the shorter formats.

Roach was dropped after a poor outing in his previous Test series in Australia while Ramdin was overlooked for rookie Shane Dowrich. Ramdin was also sanction by the WICB for his outburst regarding his non selection.

Others who were left out from the squad that tour Australia are spinner Jomel Warrican, fast bowler

Rajendra Chandrika

Miguel Cummins and batsman Shai Hope.

WI squad for India first Test; Jason Holder (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite (vice-captain), Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Rajendra Chandrika, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Leon Johnson, Marlon Samuels.

In: Roston Chase, Leon Johnson.

Out: Miguel Cummins, Shai Hope, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor, Jomel Warrican.

Weak Bowling Department Looking at the team it is predicted that West Indies will have long periods in the field. Its bowling department is particularly inexperience and can be deemed a weak unit against a strong India batting line up.

The frontline bowlers in the squad are former International Cricket Council (ICC) emerging player of the year Bishoo and fast bowler Gabriel.

Bishoo has so far grabbed 55 wickets from 15 Tests, but on most occasions he is usually without a partner to bowl in tandem with, and as a result the burden of dismissing the opposition is placed on him.

It is not questionable that Gabriel is among the fastest in the Region, but his return of 34 wickets from 16 Tests is difficult to comprehend the board’s decision to let him spearhead the attack.

Besides Bishoo and Gabriel, back up bowling is expected from Holder and all-rounder Carlos Braithwaithe.

Two allrounders, whose bowling are yet to be effective in any

Royston Chase

format of cricket.

These bowlers will be bowling against a batting line up comprising, Virat Kohli arguably the best batsman across all formats, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Murali Vijay.

It is unimaginable that this would be a West Indies attack against a top class India batting lineup. However, the fans from the region must await the verdict from the first Test, since the team has already been selected.

Barcelona defend social media Spurs legend Tim Duncan support of ‘unfairly treated’ Messi retires after 19 years T B arcelona drew criticism for asking fans to show support for Lionel Messi on social media, but they claim he has been unfairly treated.

A Barcelona spokesperson has defended the club’s social media campaign in support of Lionel Messi after the forward received a 21-month jail sentence from a Spanish court for being found guilty of fiscal fraud.

In addition to the sentence - Messi is unlikely to spend any time in prison as any sentence of less than two years for non-violent offences can be served under probation according to Spanish law - the Argentinian was fined €2million for three counts of tax fraud, though he will appeal his conviction at the Supreme Court.

Barca subsequently set up a social media campaign for fans to back Messi, a move that drew criticism.

However, Josep

Lionel Messi

Vives claims the 29-yearold has been treated unfairly and defended the club’s commitment to showing solidarity with their talisman.

“Messi is being treated unfairly and the club is taking a position to defend him.

Our conscience is clear and we will not back down,” said spokesperson Vives.

“We are talking about Messi, a lad who was 19 years of age when he signed

those contracts and it has been demonstrated that he did not know how it worked at that moment.

“He focused on playing football and signed contracts based on the trust placed in financial advisors, who work for him, looking after his earnings.

“The Finance Ministry, who defend people’s wellbeing, do not accuse Messi because they understand

there is no legal basis to accuse him.

“They do it because they are convinced that there is no legal case against Messi.

Thus, they maintain the legal position of the state in the name of the Tax Office and that in other similar cases it turns out that another criteria has been applied to that of Messi.

“That is not open to interpretation, these are empirical, objective facts. And here is where the club believes the injustice begins.

“There have been other famous figures who have not been through the same situation as Messi. That disdain we do not want for any fan, member or Messi either.

“For that reason we have launched the campaign and we will go beyond that because it is just and we will support Messi in any action he takes from now on. We believe in this.” (Sportsmax)

im Duncan has one of the most storied careers in NBA, but the San Antonio Spurs legend has decided to call it a day.

San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan has retired after 19 years in the NBA, it was announced on Monday.

Duncan calls time on a glittering career that saw him become a five-time NBA champion, a threetime NBA Finals MVP, a two-time league MVP and a 15-time All-Star.

The 40-year-old helped create a dynasty in San Antonio alongside Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, with the Spurs one of the most feared teams to face in the league.

The trio hold the NBA record for most wins by three players in both the regular season (575) and postseason (126). Led by coach Gregg Popovich, Duncan also has the most wins for a player-coach duo

Spurs legend Tim Duncan

in NBA history (1,001).

Duncan will also be remembered as a player that dominated the playoffs having become the only player to log 9,000 career minutes in the postseason.

However, it became apparent last season that Duncan had taken a major step back physically and was unable to produce the sort of performances that make him a shoo-in as a future Hall of Fame player.

(Sportsmax)

20 New WICB chairman Clarke reigns as Mr of selectors wants to Guyana, Campbell retains Physique crown reinforce selection policy guyana-times.com

tuesDAY, july 12, 2016

Roscoe Joseph (L) and four times Mr Guyana champion Kerwin Clarke on the National Cultural Centre stage on Sunday, July 10, 2016

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any musclemen have competed for the coveted Mr. Guyana title over the years.

But since 2013 only one man has had the honour of being called Mr. Guyana. At the end of Sunday night, Kerwin Clarke won his fourth consecutive title.

In front of a vocal audience at the National Cultural Centre, the 171-pound mass of striated muscle succeeded in his third title defense after posing and flexing his way to the overall title of this year’s Mr. Guyana event.

Clarke, a two-time bronze medalist at the CAC Bodybuilding Championships had an impressive showing under the bright lights on the biggest stage of local bodybuilding.

It was not easy as he was pushed to the hilt by 2014 Flex Night champion, Godfrey Stoby in the mid-

dleweight division. After getting the judges nod much to the glee of the partisan crowd, Clarke then went on to the pose down of the champions of champions and used his sharp physique to slice through the competition ahead of Sylvester Andrews (welterweight), Canadian based heavyweight, Eustace Abrams, the vastly improved Rashleigh Bentick (bantamweight), Bertrand Fitzpatrick (Masters) and Zalim Bacchus (under 132 pounds).

The Buddy’s Gym standout was in shape and brought the striated quads, horse shoe triceps and barn door back we have come to expect. Andrews substituted mass for detail and brought a lean package to the stage but lacked the hardness and the fullness he possessed last year.

After bursting onto the scene by winning the 2014

Novices competition, the dreadlocked Andrews has shown plenty of promise and the BodyMaxx athlete once dialed in will be a threat to Clarke for years to come.

On Sunday night however, Clarke, 28, was peeled and brought arguably his best ever conditioning to compliment his superior shape and symmetry.

His structure, shape, and balance were enough to carry him through to victory.

He will now move on to represent Guyana at the CAC Championships in the Dominican Republic in September.

While Clarke chiseled out his fourth successive win, Emmerson Campbell repeated in the Men’s Physique division. The Fitness 53 athlete earned the back to back ahead of Yannick Grimes (BodyMaxx) and Caerus Cipriani of Home Gym. Among a group of five physique competitors, Campbell brought the shape and stage presence the judges most wanted to see.

He was confident, wellproportioned, well-muscled and conditioned.

Kavita Ganpat from Fitness Paradise Gym was the near perfect mix of muscularity, symmetry, beauty and style and took home the trophy for the Ms. Bikini segment. Junica Pluck however turned the tables on Ganpat in the Ms. Body Fitness category, relegating the Buddy’s Gym beauty to second place.

Barbados based, Dominic Alleyne (Ms. Barbados Bikini Fitness 2014) and Bajan muscleman, Stevenson Belle sent the crowd into a frenzy as they guest posed at the event. President of the federation, Keavon Bess stated ‘I think it was a good showing of bodies on stage.”

N

Jerome Taylor

Courtney Browe

Denesh Ramdin

ewly appointed West Indies Chairman of Selectors, Courtney Browne, wants consistent performance to be central to the selection process, with the aim of ensuring that players understand that outstanding performance in first class cricket will be rewarded.

Browne, a Barbadian in an interview, said “the selection panel is looking to create a competitive environment where players are fully accountable for their performances while meeting the standards consistently in each of the three formats of the game.”

The subjective matter of selection is not new to cricket, Browne emphasized. He however noted that “the methodology of selection will be further enhanced by the increased use of statistical analysis along with fitness standards. The players will be monitored closely for all regional and international competitions.”

Browne wants not to just carry on the procedures former chairman, Clive Lloyd used, but to build on the methodologies used to get the best performing team on the pitch at all times.

Browne thanked Lloyd for his service and acknowledges the advice he continues to receive.

the West Indies. Australia were the eventual winners.

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016...

Playing spin well is key, says Fletcher

WICB Women’s Regional Super 50 Championship 2016…

3rd round completely washed out; hosts yet to play

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he West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Women’s Regional Super 50 tournament which is being played here has so far been a ‘water down’ event with just two games completed at the end of three scheduled round of matches.

Yesterday all matches were washed out as heavy overnight rain caused all the venues to be waterlogged forcing match officials to declare the grounds unfit for play. In the first

round only one match was possible while round two had a similar occurrence.

Host Guyana is one of the unfortunate teams as they are yet to play a match along with the Leeward and Windward Islands.

Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago are the only teams to register a win each so far while Jamaica and Barbados were the victims.

The next round is scheduled for Wednesday and matches are scheduled to commence at 09:35

Hrs weather permitting.

Matches scheduled for the day are; Guyana playing the Leeward Islands at Everest Cricket Club Ground, Camp Road; Barbados versus the Windward Islands at Enterprise Community Development Centre Ground and Jamaica against Trinidad and Tobago at Enmore Community Development Centre Ground.

It is the penultimate round before the finals.

The Points Table after three rounds Team

Matches Won Lost Tied No Result Match Points Bonus Points Total Points

Trinidad & Tobago Barbados Windwards Guyana Leewards Jamaica

3 3 3 3 3 3

1 1 0 0 0 0

0 1 0 0 0 1

0 0 0 0 0 0

2 1 3 3 3 2

8 6 6 6 6 4

0 1 0 0 0 0

8 7 6 6 6 4

Ramdin

Denesh Ramdin had expressed dissatisfaction with his non-selection on the Test squad for the upcoming series against India on social media last week, following dialogue with the Chairman of Selectors. This was in breach of the WICB policy and the terms of his retainer contract. As a consequence, Ramdin has since been sanctioned.

Ramdin was a member of the one-day-international squad which placed second in the recently concluded Ballr Tri-Nation series with Australia, South Africa and

Taylor

Right-arm fast bowler, Jerome Taylor, will not be available for the upcoming Test Series against India, following his formal notification to retire from that format of the game. The 32-year old has however indicated his availability for the shorter formats.

Taylor played 46 Tests for the West Indies and took 130 wickets. His best bowling figures are 6/47 against Australia at Sabina Park in 2015. The other three were against India, Pakistan and England. He has had four five-test wicket hauls in his 13-year test career. His top score was 106, batting at number 8 against New Zealand in 2008.

He debuted versus Sri Lanka in 2003 and played his last international test series against Australia in January this year.

Andre Fletcher

S

t. Lucia Zouks batsman Andre Fletcher strongly believes that tacking the spin dietary of the Guyana Amazon Warriors will be vital when the two sides meet today at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

“It’s very important [playing spin], we are aware of the wicket, we just have to adapt as quickly as possible, singles would be key; we have to be very aggressive with our running to put the

fielders under pressure,” the top order batsmen said at a press conference on Monday.

Having recently played at the Stadium in the TriNation series involving Australia and South Africa, Fletcher is of the view that the team need to remain positive.

He stated, “We just have to remain positive, I played in the Tri-Series, I’m hoping that the wicket is much better, if not, we just have to adapt and see if we can rotate the strike.”

Head Coach Stuart Williams, commenting on the surface, explained that it is difficult to pin point a total, stating that how it looks match day, is most important.

“Cricket is played on the day, its 20 overs, it might be a belter, you might get 180, you might get a hundred but on the day we just have to make sure our plans in place make sure we prepare well,” Williams said.

With a win and a defeat from their two matches, the coach is not worried that much, since it is early days yet for team in the tournament.

Stuart Williams

“We have only played two matches, win one and lose one, so we still in pole position so to speak; Guyana played five games already, we are confident, it’s a long season, and at the end of the day we looking to be in that top four” the coach confidently said.

The Warriors currently lead the points table with one loss from five matches while the Zouks sit in the cellar position.

Match time is 19:00 h

YELLOW PAGES TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2016 | WWW.GUYANA-TIMES.COM

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Leaders Warriors take on Zouks in final home game

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Adam Zampa

s Guyana Amazon Warriors prepare for their sixth game of the Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016, they seem the team to beat and tonight the St. Lucia Zouks will have to bring their ‘A’ game with their best performance of the season if they are to get past the leaders here at the National Stadium.

The Warriors have been the leading team in the tournament to date, winning four of their five matches while losing to defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in a thriller on Sunday night at the said venue. That game was nonetheless expected to be an exciting match as it featured archrivals that were playing in familiar conditions.

In the Warriors’ only defeat captain Guptill did what he has done in the previous home matches; winning the toss and sending the opposition in. The Patriots got to 100 all out, the Tallawahs made 108 all out and lost while TKR made the highest of the visiting teams an above par score of 151-4 from their allotment of 20 overs, with in form batsman classy stroke player Hashim Amla top scoring with 64.

The host quintet attack which continues to be destructive was led by Rayad Emrit who collected two wickets while Adam Zampa and Veerasammy Permaul took one wicket apiece.

Sohail Tanvir and Steven Jacobs bowled wicket less but contain the flow of runs at the start of TKR’s in-

Teams

nings. Jacobs was Guyana most economical bowler for the night finishing with 0-23 from four overs.

Their reply started shaky at 2-25, however, they recover and seemed on course at 63-2 at the start of the 11th over. But their middle and lower order which was tested for the first time in this tournament failed to see them home, falling short by seven runs.

Anton Paul Devcich and Sunil Narine were the architects of the Warriors downfall while lofty spinner Suliemann Benn and Kevon Cooper also bowled well for TKR. Prior to that game, the Warriors have defeated St. Kitts and Nevis patriots twice, TKR and Jamaica Tallawahs. They are yet to play 2014 champions Barbados Tridents and tonight will play against the Zouks for the first time.

However, the game is expected to go in Warriors favour due to their consistency and execution to date. They have bowled, batted and fielded well and as a result won matches.

Guptill has marshaled his troop properly and they have responded well and are expected to do so in their final home game of the season.

Their bowling department has been the most impactful so far in the tournament and their batting has held its own along with the fielding which has been excellent. In an addition performances in these departments has been consistent.

Besides those facets, the players have adapted to the nature of the pitch and have used it to their advantage.

The Zouks will be playing on it for the first time this season and will have to adapt immediately if they are to win this game, their only game on this ground.

The team which comprises of several top T20 players Darren Sammy, Michael Hussey, Shane Watson, Johnson Charles, and David Miller is vastly experience and possesses several emerging talents like Kyle Mayers and Derone Davis.

However, their spinners with the exception of Shane Shillingford might be short of experience to utilize the Providence pitch to their advantage. Prior to this match, the spinners have

Darren Sammy

dominated on this pitch and once granted with the opportunity to play, Davis along with Shillingford are expected to be effective due to the nature of the pitch.

The Zouks have won their opening game against TKR in Port of Spain but is the only team that the bottom of the table team, the Patriots have beaten in five matches. For the St. Lucian based franchise, it will take a giant effort to demolish the Warriors, who are predicted to be victors at the end of tonight’s game.

Nevertheless the Zouks are not to be taken likely. They can easily take their wins to two from three games if the Warriors lapse.

The game is scheduled to get underway at 19:00hrs.

Guyana Amazon Warriors: Martin Guptill (captain), Sohail Tanvir, Dwayne Smith, Chris Lynn, Rayad Emrit, Adam Zampa, Jason Mohammad, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Orlando Peters, Assad Fudadin, Shimron Hetmyer, Anthony Bramble, Paul Wintz, Steven Jacobs, Steven Katwaroo, Muhammad Ahsan Ali Khan.

St. Lucia Zouks: Darren Sammy (captain), Shane Watson, David Miller, Michael Hussey, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Morne Morkel, Derone Davis, Grant Elliott, Shane Shillingford, Delorn Johnson, Kyle Mayers, Keddy Lesporis, Nitish Kumar, Kristopher Ramsaran, Miguel Cummins and Gidron Pope. (Delvon McEwan)

N/R

Mat

Won Lost Pts Net RR

Guyana Amazon Warriors

5

4

1

8

+0.476

0

Jamaica Tallawahs

4

2

1

5

+0.042

1

Barbados Tridents

3

1

1

3

+0.105

1

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

5

1

4

2

+0.068

0

Trinbago Knight Riders

5

2

3

4

-0.160

0

St Lucia Zouks

2

1

1

2

-1.236

0

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2016

Tickets for Hero CPL finals now on sale

Henry urges the development of women in sports

Participants pose with their certificates, sitting are (from left) GOA President K A JumanYassin; GOA VP, Dr Karen Pilgrim, UNICEF Representative to Guyana and Suriname, Marianne Flach, and Minister responsible for Sport, Nicollette Henry

M

Warner Park hosted the final in 2014 and is getting ready to do so in 2016

T

he Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) are delighted to announce the ticket information for the forthcoming finals which will this year be staged in Warner Park, St. Kitts & Nevis.

Fans can purchase their tickets online from www. cplt20.com now.

In addition tickets will also be available to purchase from the following local outlets in St. Kitts & Nevis; the new Digicel Store on Fort Street, St. Kitts today (Monday, 11th July) and the Warner Park ticket office (from 18th July).

Commenting on the Hero CPL finals ticket announcement, Damien O’Donohoe, Chief Executive of CPL said: “We are delighted to announce that tickets for the

Hero CPL finals are on sale now, enabling fans from across the Caribbean, North America and beyond to secure their places at the culmination of the biggest party in sport. When Warner Park last hosted the finals back in 2014 the matches were a complete sell out, so the message is to book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

“The action is well underway in this year’s Hero CPL and already we have seen some thrilling games in front of some massive crowds and a host of world-class performances. We are expecting thousands of fans to descend on the idyllic island setting of St. Kitts & Nevis for the biggest party in sport, and we look forward to welcoming you there.”

All four games of the knock-out stages of the biggest party in sport will be played at Warner Park, starting on Wednesday, 3 August and culminating in the 34th and final game on Sunday, 7 August. There will be a reserve day on Monday, 8 August The knockout stage will feature the following games involving the top four teams at the end of league play: Game 1: 1st v 2nd (Winner advances to Final) Game 2: 3rd v 4th (Loser eliminated) Game 3: Loser Game 1 v Winner Game 2 (Loser eliminated) Game 4: Final All four play-off games will be played at Warner Park in Basseterre.

Johnson to lead President’s XI in final tour match

— 4 Guyana Jaguars players included

inister with responsibility for sports, Nicollette Henry yesterday implored the women who completed the “GOA Women and Sport Seminar” to go back into their communities and be a beacon in the development of women in sports, while Director of Sports promised that funding will be made available to the women for such activities.

Henry and Jones were at the time speaking at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Headquarters on High Street at the closing ceremony of the “GOA Women & Sports Seminar.”

The seminar was conducted at the National Resource Centre, Woolford Avenue.

Henry, who was also present at a panel discussion in the seminar earlier during the day, noted that while the issues facing women in sports still have some way to go become they could be remedied, each of the participants now have to play their part to help.

“I hope that you take away valuable, learning’s that you can execute and share with your colleagues and charges when you return to your respective communities. Yes we have a lot of work to do, but I’m confident with you forging forward and tackling the some-

times difficult subject that has risen, progress will be made.”

Reviving sports in Linden

Meanwhile, even as one of the participants noted her hopes of reviving certain sports, such as hockey, in the Linden area, Jones assured all those in attendance that the government is especially committed to assisting women activities in sports. According Jones the problem is not so much getting the funding, as it is finding persons or entities eager to use it.

“You can come knocking on my door, the funds are there awaiting you. The government through the 2016 budget has made those allocations available; we place specific emphasis on women and the differently able to participate in sports. The challenge however that we have at the National Sports Commission, is having female representative coming to the Sports Commission to access those funding.” Jones remarked.

The Seminar

Several participants in the event took the opportunity to commend the seminar on how informative and enjoyable it was, and thanked the GOA for making it possible.

“The seminar was very informative, I’m happy that I was selected to represent my region, I can now take this information back. “The part that especially caught my attention was the nutrition aspects, now that will be something that I will be looking at come this year Nationals,” Said one participant who travelled all the way from region five to attend the seminar.

The GOA made a particular effort to ensure that participants at the event were as decentralized as possible, and managed to achieve this aim with the event seeing the participation of persons from nine of Guyana’s total 10 regions.

A total of 57 women took part in the seminar which covered women specific topics such as “Re-positioning Sports to Women”, “Abuse within the Sporting World”, “Benefits of Physical Exercise for Girls and Women”.

Justice Roxane George delivered a presentation on “Abuse within the Sporting World”, and a motivational address by Top End Training Centre CEO Kezqweyah Yisreal. The day’s activity concluded with a panel discussion on “Barriers that contribute to the gender gap in sport and how to overcome them.”

1-day race meet to light up Rising Sun Turf Club

G

Kemar Roach

uyanese First Class captain Leon Johnson will once again lead the West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI against touring India, starting on Thursday in Basseterre St. Kitts and Nevis. This three-day match is the last of two practice matches for the Indians ahead of their four-test series against the West Indies.

Johnson, who gained a recall to the senior squad, will lead a 13 member squad which was announced yesterday by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). He made just two runs in the

Gudakesh Motie

first warm up match and will get another opportunity to prepare for the first Test with a more meaningful contribution in this match.

Discarded West Indies fast bowler, Kemar Roach a veteran of 37 Tests in which he has claimed 122 wickets at 30.23 runs apiece was also named in the squad.

Roach headlines seven changes to the side that played the two-day warm up match that ended on Sunday at the same venue. He comes into the squad along with John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin

Vishaul Singh

Hodge, Chemar Holder and Gudakesh Motie.

Besides Johnson, there are three other Guyanese in the squad; left hand batsman Vishaul Singh, right arm medium fast bowler Keon Joseph and left arm spinner Motie.

The full squad reads; Leon Johnson (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jason Dawes, Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin Hodge, Chemar Holder, Shai Hope, Keon Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach and Vishaul Singh.

Flashback! Some of the action in a previous race meet at Rising Sun Turf Club

The Rising Sun Turf Club in collaboration with the Guyana Association of Women Police presents a one day horse race meeting on Sunday July 17, at Arima Park, West Coast Berbice starting from 13:00 hrs.

The five races for the

day are the L & Lower, 2 years old trial, K & Lower, J & Lower and the G3 & Lower which fetches a first prize of $300,000. The country’s top G3 & Lower horses listed to compete are Cat Massiah, She’s So Special, Bird Man, Isn’t She Charming, Super

Bowl, Glamour Queen, Atlantic storm, Anfield, Big Man Boss, its My Choice and others.

Horse owners who are desirous of entering their horses may do so by contacting Campton Sancho on 602-1567 or Niketa Ross on 662-4668.

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2016

23

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

Rain stops Gayle force

P

Despite the rain, the match was a colourful spectacle

ersistent rain forced the first washout of this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016 when the Barbados Tridents hosted the Jamaica Tallawahs at the Kensington Oval.

Match 12 was off to a late start after persistent rain caused the players to stay indoors shortly after Kieron Pollard won the toss and decided to bowl with

rain lurking.

The game was reduced to 12 overs per side and the Jamaica Tallawahs started with all guns blazing with

diately. He faced 14 deliveries and after hitting three fours and a six, he was bowled by Ravi Rampaul for 25.

12 overs. At the other end Gayle was on a mission to maximise and was not out on 47 from 20 balls after hitting five towering sixes

SCOREBOARD Jamaica Tallawahs innings (12 overs maximum) CAK Walton c de Villiers b Shoaib Malik 25 CH Gayle* not out 47 KC Sangakkara† b Rampaul 25 R Powell not out 6 Extras: (lb-5, w-8) 13 Total: (2 wickets; 10 overs) 116 Did not bat: AI Ross, Shakib Al Hasan, AM McCarthy, DW Steyn, GE Mathurin, KOK Williams, JL Jaggesar Fall of wickets: 1-47 (Walton, 5.2 ov), 2-106 (Sangakkara, 9.1 ov) Bowling: WD Parnell 2-014-0 (w-1), R Rampaul 3-025-1, D Wiese 2-0-33-0 (w2), Shoaib Malik 2-0-31-1 (w-1), RA Reifer 1-0-8-0 Barbados Tridents team SR Taylor, Shoaib Malik, AB de Villiers, KA Pollard*, N Pooran†, RA Reifer, D Wiese, WD Parnell, I Khan, AJ Hosein, R Rampaul

Fan of the Match

Chris Gayle and Chadwick Walton. Walton hit five boundaries in his 25 from 21 balls and was first to go at 47/1 in the sixth over.

Kumar Sangakkara then came and got to work imme-

Persistent rain saw the match first being reduced to 12 overs before being washed out

Rovman Powell faced one ball and hit a six just before the heavens opened for the final time forcing the officials to call off the game with the Tallawahs on 116/2 from 10 of their

and two blistering fours. He was severe on all bowlers, especially David Wiese and Shoaib Malik.

Both teams collected one point each from the no re-

sult.

The Tridents next play the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Wednesday also at the Kensington Oval and will be hoping for better weather and

for a full match while the Jamaica Tallawahs travel to Kingston to begin their home matches on Friday.

Their first opponent will be the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

WICB U-17 Regional Tournament 2016…

Yadram leads Guyana to convincing victory in low-scoring affair

S

kipper Bhaskar bagged four wickets to lead Guyana to a convincing 44-run victory over the Leeward Islands in the opening round of the Regional Under-17 tournament in a low scoring affair at the Inshan Ali Park yesterday, Couva.

After being sent in, the Guyanese lads reached 92/9 from their 26 overs af-

ter the match was reduced.

Opener Sachin Singh top scored with 22, Joshua Persaud made 19 and Ashmeed Nedd 14. The pick of the Leewards bowlers was Elroy Francis Jnr who picked up four wickets for 10 runs from his six overs.

The Guyana captain then had remarkable figures of 2.4-1-6-4 to bowl

Bhaskar Yadram

out the opposition for just 48 in 21.4 overs. Leewards opener Joshua Grant was the only batsman to reach double figures with 14. Nedd, Kevin Sinclair and Kelvon Anderson all picked up one wicket apiece.

In the other opening round matches; Barbados 191/7 (45 Overs) beat Jamaica 151 all out (41.5

Overs) by 40 runs at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain.

Trinidad and Tobago 171/9 (50 Overs) beat Windward Islands 93 All out (27.3 Overs) by 78 runs at Gilbert Park.

The tournament continues today with three more matches at the same venues.

At the National Cricket

Centre (NCC) Jamaica take on hosts Trinidad and Tobago while the Leewards meet the Windwards at Gilbert Park.

Guyana and other first round winner Barbados clash at the Inshan Ali Park. All matches are scheduled to begin at 09:30h.

TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2016

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

Rain stops Gayle force Pg 23

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