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$31M Bartica “go green” park to be opened soon P13

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3228

Thursday, June 1, 2017

PRICE

$550M cocaine bust

GRA agent, ace biker among 4 remanded

Page 3

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

80-year-old woman, P10 daughter beaten by bandits – during robbery at Grove, EBD

– sawmill owner charged in absentia Govt to

P9

pronounce on ExxonMobil’s contract soon

3 VenezuelanP8 woman fined, to be deported

Sherwayne De Abreu

Nazim Gafoor

Stephen Vieira

Tazim Gafoor

Businessman opens Safeway Supermarket at – gifted masjid to residents Supenaam WCD fishermen recount horror at sea – call for more protection Page 7

Page 2

Rejected for substandard road work

Berbice P13 contractor accuses NDC Chairman of corruption

GAWU not convinced Govt wants to debate white paper on P10 sugar

2

NEWS

THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WCD fishermen recount horror at sea

– call for more protection

By Shemuel Fanfair

P

iracy has plagued the high seas for a number of years with many seamen meeting a callous end as several of them have lost their lives, miles

Times met with three of the terrorised West Coast Demerara fishermen who called for more Coast Guard protection on the Atlantic Coast as they recalled the harrowing ordeal.

Boat Captain, Muneshwar The men were forced to lie down and were broadsided

The ill-fated boat in which the men suffered millions of dollars in losses

off the coastland. The latest attack by pirates was recorded at the mouth of the Waini River, some 10 miles off the Essequibo Coast into the Atlantic.

On Wednesday, Guyana

Bissoon, and some of his crew members returned to their families late Tuesday evening but they are all shaken up by the horror, nearly two weeks after losing millions of dollars at the

hands of pirates.

The fishermen gathered at the home of boat owner, “Sharma” at Hague, West Coast Demerara. Captain Bissoon stressed that fishermen should be better protected while plying their trade.

“The Coast only running up to Waini head. They need to come out and go to the deep sea itself. That’s what the [pirates] know because the coast guard only going up to a point; they have to a get boat which could go in the roughness of the water,” the Captain stressed.

Their ordeal all start-

ed when a white fibre glass boat pulled up alongside theirs which carried what was described as having a “big sounding” engine. The captain was dealt a chop to

the head and lip while crew members Nazeer Mohamed and Satesh Bisson were hit to the back and about the body.

They were all forced to

Meanwhile, Satesh who had a disgruntled countenance at the time we spoke to him told this publication that he was left to ponder what would become of his

Three of the attacked fishermen; Satesh Bisson, Captain Muneshwar Bissoon and Nazeer Mohamed

lie face down and the finger of another crew member was severed. He was airlifted to Georgetown after spending several days at an interior hospital. The seamen told

family if anything serious was to happen to him.

“This gan bruk fishermen mind from going at sea again,” the father of four stated.

Captain Muneshwar Bissoon was chopped to the head and lip

Guyana Times that they are fearful of returning to sea.

“The thing got you trembly like, because them man broadside up we,” Nazeer indicated.

Captain Bissoon expressed that the elder of his two sons encouraged him to lessen his trips to sea.

“Me frighten to go back on sea although is so many years I work deh but that is the only trade I know,” expressed the Captain who has worked as a fisherman for over 20 years.

The pirates who attacked on May 21 spoke in English and Spanish and Police have recently taken statements from the injured men who were robbed of two Yamaha engines, four 12volt batteries, two mobile phones, three drums of fuel, some fish material and food supplies among other items.

They wandered at sea for several days before they were rescued by another vessel. A recent violent attack in the Corentyne River left a boat captain dead. Several suspects were charged for that crime.

NEWS

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, June 1 – 10:00h-11:30h and Friday, June 2 – 11:30h-13:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, June 1 – 09:25h-10:55h and Friday, June 2 – 10:30h-12:00h.

$550M cocaine bust

GRA agent, ace biker among 4 remanded – sawmill owner charged in absentia

BY KIZZY COLEMAN

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Light to heavy rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected during the day, while light cloud cover can be expected in the evening.

Temperatures should range between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly to East North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 09:48h and 22:32h reaching maximum heights of 2.28 metres and 2.22 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 03:19h and 15:56h reaching minimum heights of 1.00 metre and 0.92 metre respectively.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS O

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06 11 13 20 26 27 02

F

ive men including a race car driver and an ace rider were on Wednesday arraigned for the $550 million cocaine bust at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE). The illegal substance was intercepted on May 12.

Twenty-year-old Nazim Gafoor along with his father, Tazim Gafoor, 45, both of Menzees Street, Windor Forest, West Coast Demerara; biker, Stephen Vieira, 33, of Lot 37 Middle and Cummings Street, Georgetown; and GRA’s Drug Enforcement Agent, Sherwayne De Abreu of Lot 262 Street 8 Section “A” Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

In addition, sawmill owner, Naraine Lall who is still out of the jurisdiction was charged in absentia. The Gafoors, DeAbreu and Vieira pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them by Magistarte Roshelle Liverpool before a packed court room.

The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) said that between March 1 and May 12, 2017 at Naraine Lall’s sawmill located at Zeelugt, EBE, the men collaborated with Hakeem Mohammed to traffic 84.9kg

Sherwayne De Abreu

Rahamat and Mark Conway represented Stephen Vieira and Sherwyne DeAbreu respectively. The attorneys all made unsuccessful petitions for bail to be granted to their clients.

Moore made an application for Nazim Gafoor to be granted bail disclosing that his client suffers from epilepsy. Two weeks after the investigation into the drug bust, Nazim had to be rushed to the St Joseph Mercy Hospital where he was hospitalised. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Tazim Gafoor has a pending court matter after he was charged for causing death by dangerous driving.

On the other hand, in ap-

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THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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Some 187 pounds of cocaine, carrying a street value of G$550 million, was found concealed in lumber being prepared for shipment to the USA

of cocaine.

The four men who appeared in court were represented by several attorneys.

Tazim Gafoor was represented by Attorneys Glenn Hanoman and Stanley Moore while Moore also represented the younger Gafoor; his son Nazim.

Attorneys Latchmie

plying for bail for her client, Rahamat told the Court that Vieira, upon receipt that an arrest warrant was issued for him, contacted CANU and informed them of his arrival into Guyana from Jamaica.

He was preparing for the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship and due to

Nazim Gafoor

Stephen Vieira

Tazim Gafoor

Naraine Lall

the on-going investigations, the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club suspended his licence thus he could not participate. He was arrested moments after disembarking a Fly Jamaica Flight at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, East Bank Demerara.

Upon his arrest, he made an appearance before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan who recalled the arrest warrant. DeAbreu’s lawyer told the court that he has been working with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for the past six years while noting that he was nowhere around the cocaine when it was unearthed.

He further added that after his client was implicated in the operation, he present-

ed himself to CANU’s headquarters and has been cooperating with its agents.

However, CANU Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford told that court that its submission is based on three long months of investigation against Stephen Vieira.

More importantly, she added that the State’s case is based on evidence taken from Mohamed which proved that there was collaboration among the men to export the cocaine. Sandiford told the court that CANU is in possession of the analysis report and the statements of 15 witnesses. She however, requested an additional week to obtain statements from the investigating officers.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

We are all canecutters

I

t does not appear that the enormity of the tragedy that is unfolding on the sugar plantations of our country has touched the Guyanese public at large, especially in our urban centres. But out of all the plantations, Wales should remind us that contrary to the received wisdom, the sugar industry still employs Africans, Indians and all other groups in Guyana. And the “severance” pay these 10,000 Guyanese to be laid off will receive will not tide over a typical family for six months.

To paraphrase our national poet Martin Carter, we are all involved as we have been from the beginning of this project we now call “Guyana”. While we were brought in a linear sequence, we yet all had to pass through the sugar plantations that have been called “total institutions”. “Total” because every aspect of our lives was controlled to the “T” for one purpose – to be the most efficient producer of sugar. That was the raison d’être of the colony and of each of us and we all retain traces.

Guyana was founded as a colony by the Dutch, who had fled Brazil to produce sugar for an eager European market – but at prices that could only be achieved through slave labour. And though, as Eric Williams argued, that labour produced the wealth on which the industrial revolution was built and which gave the Europeans an advantage they enjoy to this day, the individuals providing the labour were dehumanised and equated to animals.

Maybe it was not surprising that, to use the felicitous phrase coined by Marx a decade later, the freed labour became “alienated” from the land and the honour to coax from it, life’s sustenance. The scorn was transferred to the land so when indentured labour replaced the slave, he too was cathected with assumptions of a lesser humanity and this is what appears to have survived to this day – ironically, in Guyanese of all persuasions.

Today, it may surprise some to learn that fully one out of three canecutters is of African heritage and perchance one may see this as a sign of progress. A lessening of the self-hating scorn in the wider society, even though one member of the culturati – a pretender to even Carter’s mantle – has used “canecutter” as a trope for all that is backward and uncivilised. As the ultimate putdown, he made reference to “some Canecutopian official or their ignorant spawn” for committing some faux pas or the other.

And it is why, the canecutting father of the valedictorian at UG a few years ago could recount how he took his son to the canefields and made sure the lad would look beyond the canefields. Not for the honest labour, not for the salary that is perhaps more than a graduate earns nowadays, but for respect never given to the canecutter after all these years. The story can be starkly summarised by juxtaposing the millions canecutters are supposed to earn versus the refusal of the 40 per cent of our unemployed youths to accept that job. It is reminiscent of the challenge the African-American comedian Chris Rock threw out to the whites in his audience to a deafening silence: “Which one of you would exchange your place with me – a Black millionaire?”

Today, the Government has thrown the sugar industry to the wolves and it is conveniently forgotten that during the dark days in the seventies and eighties as the economy imploded from mismanagement, the sugar levy – extracted like blood from stone – kept the entire nation afloat.

But there is the denouement predicted by Carter: I come from the nigger yard of yesterday leaping from the oppressors’ hate and the scorn of myself; from the agony of the dark hut in the shadow and the hurt of things; from the long days of cruelty and the long nights of pain down to the wide streets of to-morrow, of the next day leaping I come, who cannot see will hear.

A girl rests as women read prayers before they have their iftar (breaking fast) meal during Ramadan at the Jama Masjid (Grand Mosque) in the old quarters of Delhi, India (Reuters)

An apparent bias in handling mining encumbrances on Indigenous ancestral lands Dear Editor, Amerindians mining for their daily subsistence in Chenapau and surrounding area is nothing new.

With the geographical specificities of their region, and the climatic conditions currently affecting farming, waterways and other sources of subsistence in the village, there should have been leniency from authorities in handling the situation. Additionally, the people of Chenapau are forced to comply with restrictions imposed by the Kaieteur National Park management, including limitations for hunting and fishing.

Amerindians in general, do not have sources of steady or monthly incomes, in comparison to other Guyanese inhabiting the coastal regions.

Instead, they live off of the land, an inalienable component of all Indigenous cultures.

Considering these attenuating factors, there was subsequently no need to force 21 persons from Chenapau, including a mother and her baby, on a plane to Georgetown, detaining them at the CID headquarters and shaming them nationally. Reports from concerned citizens who intervened on their behalf, indicate that no decent dietary and housing accommodations were pro-

vided by authorities.

The Kaieteur National Park relies heavily on the participation of Chenapau villagers for its proper function and maintenance. In addition to sharing a common boundary with the village, management is aware of the needs of Amerindians with respect to the use of natural resources. So the decision taken to charge them is a rather drastic approach, forcing us to question the apparent bias in handling mining encumbrances on Indigenous ancestral lands.

I refer to Minister Simona Broomes who mines on Tasserene proposed-title land, as well as friends of the coalition who are being granted permits to mine over vast lands overlapping Amerindian ancestral lands, despite the legislations in place, including the Mining Act Chapter 65:01, which guarantee the protection of subsistence rights of Amerindians. In 2015, Minister Broomes claimed ownership of three mining blocks in Tasserene, and alluded to the possibility of selling the mines to a third party, therefore wilfully complicating the land titling process and obstructing Indigenous land rights regardless of her responsibility to serve the people of Guyana. A hotel pro-

prietor close to the regime was also granted mining permits in Tasserene, and is currently accused by villagers of polluting waterways close to habitations.

The Government, despite being solicited, is mum on these impediments to land titling.

It must be noted that Indigenous affairs are guided inter alia, by internationally recognised minority rights and that technically, we owe the preservation of our forests to them, and not to the Protected Areas Commission established only in recent years. As a matter of fact, even the Protected Areas Act 2011 provisions for Indigenous rights. Before the establishment of the Kaieteur National Park in 1929 by the British Empire, the Indigenous peoples of South America were already guardians of our natural resources. Equally interesting to note is that while Amerindians struggle to make a few dollars, the Kaieteur National Park generates millions in annual revenues (G$27 million in 2014).

Guyana’s First Peoples account for less than eighty thousand individuals, and only a fraction mine for their subsistence, with the remaining majority relying on agriculture. Small-scale mining

often involves traditional mining, since not all Amerindians can afford to invest in mechanical mining. Consequently, mining conducted by Amerindians cannot equate to the environmental impact by medium- and large-scale mining conducted by those in the business, such as Minister Broomes. Yet, the Minister continues to be given free pass to infringe on Akawaio land rights. Is she protecting the environment? Is she protecting the water ways? Or is she simply reflecting the unethical policies guiding Indigenous rights in Guyana?

If Amerindians are barred from mining for their survival needs on the pretext that they are a hazard for the environment, then it can be defended that all miners who are granted permits to mine on proposed-title lands after villages submit official requests for ownership, are equal hazards to the survival of Guyana’s First Nations.

A look at the history of South America would teach us that those who least threaten our natural resources, are the First peoples who we all met when we came; the true guardians of the forests and savannahs.

Sincerely, Anna Correia

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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

Govt needs to urgently implement GuySuCo needs right-sizing, diversification the Local Government Commission and business unit portfolio management Dear Editor, There must now be a genuine national call for the establishment of the Local Government Commission.

In this respect, the callous and increasingly profane behaviour of the Communities Minister and the Government has become too damning and contemptuous, not to mention uncaring and boastful in the face of increased sufferings and discomfort in many local government quarters.

The impact of the disgraceful behaviour ripples across every Local Government Area (LGA) while the Minister exercises partiality in pledging commitment to some. The recent pledge at the GAM event held at the Marriott, exemplifies the partisan approach. But let it be known that the obligations of the Minister and the Government, is to every citizen in every LGA; and its deliberate and consistent failings in this regards is tantamount to malfeasance in public office.

The nation continues to witnesses the silent acceptance of many unscrupulous and unacceptable examples of ruthlessness under the watch of the Communities Minster. The toleration of these discriminatory actions negatively impact scores of brilliant graduates who are looking for the jobs promised by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC). It has become very obvious that the qualifications required to fill any available position is the PNC party card. The Government jettison standard acceptable practices in favour of the old “party paramountcy” system of the Burnham era. In fact, mostly ‘party hawks’, many of them pensioners, are being positioned without having the necessary public service requirements.

It is also very obvious that while there are many vacancies and other disciplinary problematic issues in the Local Authority Areas, the defacto APNU/AFC coalition Government operatives are acting in breach of their constitutional obligations by deliberately not establishing the Local Government Commission. It seems as though they no longer see this approved oversight body as viable. Instead, they are employing pensioners and political cronies, many of whom cannot string two sentences together. The approach evidences a lack of transparency in the recruitment process while breaching the employment norms and practices within the

Public Service.

There is much evidence to confirm that many vacancies are not being advertised, and no applications are being submitted for available positions. Further, no short listing of suitable applicants for the filling of vacancies and no interviews are done. This APNU/AFC Government has absolutely no respect for the laws and rules in the Constitution. These breaches in the employment practice are clear manipulations to discriminate against our young people, in particular, against young Indians and Amerindians.

There are many examples of the ‘Blatant acts of discrimination’ which must be stopped. While we are restrained in mentioning the details of the many issues of displacement based on possible future impact on the persons affected, the following apt example paints the picture. Only recently in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), a young Indian professional, Haimraj Hamandeo, the holder of a Masters Degree, went through all the public service procedures and was initially accepted for the position of Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO), but was subsequently viciously denied the job.

The vacancy arose after the former DREO; Sunil Singh was transferred to another region. Hamandeo applied for the vacant DREO position and was called for an interview at the Public Service Ministry. Among all the persons present at the interview, was the Regional Executive Officer Rupert Hopkinson. Young Hamandeo was successful at the interview and was appointed to the job as DREO. As required, young Hamandeo turned up to work but was never accepted by the same PNC REO, Hopkinson, and was badly treated and humiliated.

As a result he, who was the most qualified applicant for the position was denied the job. The situation in Region Two stinks!!! It is also known that the REO Hopkinson has handpicked six staff that is far above the retirement age with one being over 70 years.

The situation in Region Two is so compromised that we are seeing the lethargic and geriatrics in action.

In Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), the situation has also been radical and blatantly exposed the political agenda, deceit, and non prioritisation of the nation’s youths

by APNU/AFC. It was known that a vacancy exists for a

Deputy Regional Executive Officer for months. This vacancy was never advertised.

However, recently a former Member of Parliament of the PNC turned up and took the office. The political crony Jennifer Ferreira Dougall, age 63 years, is a square peg in a ‘round hole’ and is believed to be a total misfit who has been creating hell for the longstanding decent staff in the region. Further, while she is 63 years old, two other workers age 58 and 59 years old were sent home because of their age. It is also known that the position of DREO ought to be Administrative and one which the incumbent should be all embracing and devoid of political displays.

However, since her catapult into the regional office, Ferreira Dougall has been publicly interviewed on Malika Ramsey’s West Side Story. According to the DREO’s words in this interview, the initiatives on the way forward for Region Three is the empowerment of youths through the formation of ‘YSM groups’; ‘Selfhelp work to dig drains’ in communities and using women to influence men politically the Burnham way. Totally lawless!!

The situation is totally hypocritical, despicable and unacceptable. At the same time, the Communities Ministry lacks the focus of reasoning and fair play, and the Minister is unable to give leadership to that Ministry.

The changes have to be demanded NOW. We call on the Government to implement the Local Government Commission Now!!

Respectfully, Neil Kumar

Dear Editor, My recent letter about Servant Leadership in Guyana and the need to find a win-win solution for Guyanese taxpayers and GuySuCo was turned into a “magnificent masquerade” by a letter written by the dishonest “bosses” and the dirty blackmail politics of GAWU. I say bosses because the definition of the word leadership is a mystery to GAWU. It is this type of functional economic illiteracy and ethnic politics that has led us to a point where after being notified 15 years ago by the European Union that subsidies would end, and after billions of dollars provided by the EU to transform the industry, that ethnic politics built around creating a dependent voter block for the PPP has left us with a GuySuCo that is G$77 billion in debt, needs G$45 billion in investment if it is to produce 300,000 tonnes of sugar under existing conditions, and even with that subsidy the Government – at that 300,000 tonnes production – would have to subsidy GuySuCo by a further G$5 billion per year.

Mr Seepaul Narine, General Secretary of GAWU, must have been reading some other article and not the one I wrote when he said, “Mr Phillips also points to Government support to the

sugar industry. We posit, however, that the contemporary support cannot be disconnected from the support, financial and otherwise, that the industry in the past and present has and is contributing to Guyana and its people. So far, there has not been any mention of those contributions in the discussions on sugar. Nevertheless, our union accepts that the Government cannot support the sugar industry ad infinitum.” Mr Narine is certainly not a Servant Leader nor someone who needs to be negotiating on behalf of GAWU. His fundamental mis-understanding of basic English is surpassed only by his opportunistic and predatory approach to GuySuCo’s problems.Editor, the main thrust of my recent letter was the five elements necessary in Guyana for equitable sustainable development and social cohesion and the need for Servant Leaders in the Government, Private Sector, Civil Society and the media to step forward from a cowardly silence to find a win-win solution because GAWU is not interested in win-win. At least, perhaps responding to my letter, the Private Sector Commission seems to have woken up from its Rip Van Winkle slumber of the last decade and has asked for the Government to hold up so that five years after the prob-

lem has started, it will provide a solution. I wonder how many of these businessmen will run a business at G$1 billion a month in losses. At least the People of Guyana will look forward to their contributions.

Finally, Mr Narine’s attempt to hoax his sugar workers by saying even Eric Phillips is stating GuySuCo should be subsidised by the Government is tantamount to someone seeing the words “no smoking allowed” and shouting out to the illiterate that it means “no… smoking allowed”.

This type of deception is purposeful, cynical and normal with GAWU leadership.

Mr Narine, the Government and People of Guyana cannot afford to subsidise GuySuCo as it is currently operating and the sooner GAWU and the PPP realise this, the better for all.

GuySuCo needs right-sizing, diversification and business unit portfolio management. GAWU should also realise that diversification is an investment and needs billions of dollars. Hopefully, the Private Sector will bring some of this “bread” to the table.

Sincerely, Eric Phillips President The African Roundtable

Business

Response to status of Leguan plantain chip factory Dear Editor, Please permit me space to respond to a letter carried in your newspaper, “Plantain chip factory at Leguan not feasible” (28/05/2017), in which the writer Charles Sohan predicts that the factory will be another “white elephant” and concludes that the project “has been born in the chequered development annals of the present Administration….”

I wish to inform the pub-

lic, in particular Mr Sohan, that this project actually began in 2014 and was conceived under the previous Administration.

The Ministry of Business, having inherited it as an ongoing project, decided to have it reviewed and then to complete it and put the factory in the hands of a private operator. The project has since been completed and following public advertisements for expressions of interest, a selec-

tion process was undertaken and has resulted in the identification of a company to operate the factory under a lease agreement.

I trust that this will clear up any misconceptions concerning the origin and the status of the Leguan plantain chip factory project.

With kind regards, Sherod Avery Duncan Communications Officer, Ministry of Business

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Foundation

ou may not know it, but your day-to-day behaviour, from the way you drive to the tone of your voice, is shaping the way your child will act for the rest of their life.

Psychologists refer to this as the influence of parent socialization, the way children learn the behaviours and skills necessary to interact in their everyday lives. Parents influence their child’s social skills directly, indirectly and through management of their child’s activities. Parents are their children’s first teacher, and provide them with knowledge that is necessary for survival through direct instruction. They also influence them unintentionally through their own daily actions, such as conversing with other adults while their child is present. Children are very prone to imitate the actions of those around them, especially adults. This was made clear in the Bobo Doll experiment done by Bandura, in which children that saw adults beating up a Bobo Doll did the same things to the doll. Lastly, parents are in charge of their child’s experiences and social interactions, and thus the environment the child is exposed to, with the parent’s permission shapes their future behaviour.

Although all parents influence their children through similar avenues, the ultimate effect on the child differs on parenting style.

Parenting styles can differ significantly from one family to another. There are four main categories of parent child interactions, based on their level of demandingness and responsiveness. A parent who rates high in both demandingness and responsiveness is considered authoritative. This parenting style is defined by clear limits on the child’s behaviour, and the ability to reason and communicate openly with their child. An example of this was when Virginia was five years old, she took a Barbie from her friend, which made the friend very upset. When her mother found out about the incident, she firmly explained to her daughter that taking other people’s toys was wrong, and she needed to apologize to her friend.

Virginia was made to understand that her actions were wrong, but was not overly criticised for her behaviour. Virginia’s mom was clearly an authoritative parent in this case. A more aggressive type of parent is referred to as authoritarian, which rates high in demandingness and low in responsiveness. An example of an authoritative parent would be one that demands that their children get good grades, but do not support them or give them any recognition when they do well. An authoritarian parent would also expect their rules to be enforced without question, no matter the situation, and would employ severe consequences if they were not met. These two parenting styles are both characterised by high expectations, however authoritative

is more willing to compromise and communicate with their children.

The next two styles are defined as parents that neglect their children in different ways.

Permissive parents are highly responsive to their children, but neglect the demanding side of parenting. These parents do not discipline their children much at all, but are responsive to all their desires and wishes. A parent that is very permissive would likely buy their children whatever they want, and allow them to stay out as late as they want. A more extreme version of this this would be parents that are completely disengaged in responsiveness and demandingness, and are considered rejecting-neglecting. These parents would be the ones that don’t show up to any school functions, ignore their children, and are totally focused on their own needs. Both of these parenting styles have very negative impacts on their children.The type of household a child grows up in is strongly correlated with the behaviours exhibited throughout development. Children of authoritative parents are usually capable, self-assured, and popular in their social life. These children are more likely to have and incremental view of intelligence, where they associate effort with a positive outcome.

Baumrind, a well renowned psychiatric researcher, says that when they reach adolescence, these children are relatively high in academic performance and low in drug use and delinquent behaviour.

Authoritarian parents tend to have children that are unhappy and have low self-esteem, and keep to themselves. This is most likely a result of the intense pressure from their parents to be successful, and can often result in the opposite effect, with their children doing poorly in school. The children of permissive parents have the ability to do just about anything they want, so they tend to be impulsive and perform poorly in school. In addition, during their teenage years these children are more likely to experiment heavily with alcohol and drugs. Generally, these children have a disregard for rules, because their childhood was totally lacking in boundaries.

Children of rejecting- neglecting parents also tend to perform poorly in school. They also have trouble forming peer relationships based on their fear of abandonment. As adolescents, they are more likely to experience depression, engage in risky sexual behaviour, and misuse drugs and alcohol. The negative effects these children experience tend to worsen throughout their lifetime. Ultimately, parenting style has an extreme effect on child development, which lasts well into adolescence and adulthood.

It is very important to note that even though you might not

think about your parenting style on a day-to-day basis, your parenting style has an enormous effect on your child. As stated above, authoritative parenting produces the best results in terms of social, academic and behavioural skills that prepare the child for their future. One way to implement a more authoritative environment in your home would be setting clear rules for your children, but also being open to conversation that is specific to different situations. An important part of authoritative parenting is bidirectional communication in which the parent listens to what the child thinks and adjusts their expectations, in addition to making their own rules. Another thing parents can do is monitor their children’s behaviour, but also trust them to make the right decisions, and make them responsible for their actions. Ultimately the most important thing is to behave in a way that you would want your child to emulate, listen to your child’s needs, and set clear boundaries that are appropriate and helpful to the child. Every parent wants the best for their child and to help make this happen remember to be aware of how your actions impact them. (my.van-

derbilt.edu)

BY SHELLEY PRESTON y toddler thinks she can do anything – until she can’t. “Mommy do it!” she demands, thrusting the offending object my way. Daddy also gets flustered quickly, like the time he let the f-bomb fly while fussing with three different TV remotes. Now our daughter has a new weapon to deploy when a video takes more than two seconds to load.

Did my daughter inherit

Kane, adding that “according to his teacher, Patrick is well developed in writing his letters and shapes.” Not a bad byproduct.

Does this mean we can direct our children to pick up our interests? Yes, with limits, says Margaret Tresch Owen, PhD, director of the Centre for Children and Families at the University of Texas. “Show enthusiasm or recognition for an ability you like,” she says.

But if your kid has no interest in becoming the next Picasso, leave

his temperamental ways? Can parents pass on traits that aren’t in the DNA, like sense of humour or style? Child psychologists say yes. It’s called modelling, where a child learns by observation and imitation.

And like the genes that provided our daughter’s red hair and pixie nose, it contributes to who our children become, says George Holden, PhD, a psychologist at Southern Methodist University and author of Parenting: A Dynamic Perspective. “When you observe a behaviour in your child, ask yourself, ‘Where did that come from?’ In many cases for young children, it came from a parent.”Kathy Kane of Denver sees modelling played out in a more positive way. Her five-year-old son, Patrick, has had plenty of opportunities to watch his mom paint and draw, and has picked up on her artistic sensibility. “He’ll stop and tell me how beautiful something is, or point out cloud shapes,” notes

it be.As for those not-so-great traits: When Jackie Candelaria of Orlando sees her youngest child lashing out at his older brother, she thinks he’s acquired her occasional hotheadedness: “I’ve told him that Mommy doesn’t always handle things the best way.” Good move: Awareness of your actions – and a willingness to talk about them – are the best ways to stop the cycle, says Owen. In a calm moment, she suggests saying, “I showed you a side of myself yesterday that I don’t feel good about.”

“Letting your child know the difference between appropriate and questionable behaviour will help him make better decisions about expressing raw emotion,” explains Owen.As for our twoyear-old, my husband and I have become more conscientious about our behaviour. Because in the long-run, patience is more important than her red hair and pixie nose, although patience isn’t nearly as cute. (Parenting.com)

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NEWS

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THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Businessman opens Safeway Supermarket at Supenaam – gifted masjid to residents

BY INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

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orty-two-year-old Iftikar Mohamed, a businessman of Cotton Field Village on the Essequibo Coast, has commissioned a multimillion-dollar stateof-the-art supermarket at Supenaam.

The father of four said the opening of his second supermarket was a testimony of true courage and determination. He attributed his successes to the almighty and his wife Safeeina.

Mohamed ventured into the business of wholesaling and retailing some nine years ago and today, he said, he is proud to be able to have opened a supermarket at a location where there was a dire

need for one. Mohamed is said to be the first businessman to open a supermarket on the Essequibo Coast after which some 25 other businessmen followed.

Operating under the logo “Shop safe and save”, the businessman said his supermarket will serve as a hub for the Supenaam and Essequibo Islands environs.

When asked what prompted him to establish such a huge business in the Supenaam area, Mohamed noted that after a feasibility study was conducted, it was noticed that there was no business of such nature at Supenaam and very often, persons had to journey to the town of Anna Regina or Parika to source basic necessities.

He said, too, that the decision to expand his supermarket was birthed five years ago and after receiving encouragement from “excellent business consultants,” the first pillar was laid in May last year.

Mohamed said the land was acquired first, after which the process commenced and today he has not regretted making the choice he did.

Humanitarian spirit

Apart from the construction of the multimillion-dollar supermarket, Mohamed has constructed a masjid for the people living in the Good Hope area. The masjid was a gift, he said, and a way of expressing his gratitude to the community for their support during the construction of the

GRA agent, ace biker...

However, following the hearing, the tearful mother of Nazim and wife of Tazim Gafoor, questioned the reason for CANU instituting charges against her son since there is no evidence.

“They came to New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop when my son and me was there.

What is it that they hold my child for? A sickly child, a Caribbean motor racer?

What did he do? They never found him with any drugs or anything like that. The man that they found the

drugs with, where is he?”, she lamented.

On May 12, $550 million worth of cocaine was unearthed in a shipment of dressed lumber destined for the United States.

The 84.9kg of cocaine were concealed in dugout cavities with vacuum sealed plastic packets in a contingent of wood on the premises of Hakeem Mohammed who remains in custody of CANU. While the shipping documents had Vieira’s name, the Gafoors were ar-

FROM PAGE 3

rested following information received due to intelligence gathering. During the investigation, video footage was obtained from a digital device belonging to Nazim Gafoor which reportedly implicated the accused. That recording was retrieved and sent overseas to be analysed. Meanwhile, after weeks of gathering evidence, the charges were instituted.

The men are expected to return to court of June 12, for disclosure and fixture.

Businessman Iftikar Mohamed and his family along with Social Protection Minister Amna Ally at the opening of Safeway Supermarket in Supenaam

supermarket.

On the opening day of Safeway Supermarket, 22 elders 80 years and over were given complimentary hampers.

Meanwhile, the official ribbon cutting ceremony was done by Social Protection Minister Amna Ally. She was accompanied by Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, acting Regional Executive Officer Deryck Persaud and Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC)

Chairman Arnold Adams.

During the simple ceremony, Minister Ally said the businessman has set a pace for others to emulate. She alluded to the fact that he would have transformed the landscape of the Good HopePomona area with the construction of the supermarket.

Ally noted that the supermarket is a testimony to the development that is taking place in the Supenaam area.

Meanwhile, Ramdatt congratulated the businessman on behalf of the Region’s

Council. He said he is very proud to learn that the opening of the supermarket provided employment for 10 persons living within the area and also for further community development.

Additionally, Adams also commended the efforts of the businessman and pledged the support of the NDC. Persons living around the area can now purchase a variety of items since the supermarket will be selling most products that are available from leading companies.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

IN THE COURTS

3 Venezuelan women fined, to be deported – after fleeing food crisis and entering Guyana illegally

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hree remorseful women who were driven from their home country of Venezuela in light of the ongoing economic crisis and came to Guyana in hopes of providing for their ailing families were on Wednesday morning charged and fined

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for entering the country illegally.

Gilda Barreto, Geamary Salsedo and Jovanna Vilero, who entered the compound of the Georgetown Magistrates Courts with heavy luggage in tow, were alleged to have entered the country by sea and disembarked without the consent of immigration officials during the period of April to May 2017.

Prosecutor Arvin Moore related that the women were asked by Police officials on May 27, 2017, to present their travel documents. They were arrested and charged after failing to produce their passports, as

Gilda Barreto, Geamary Salsedo and Jovanna Vilero, escorted by an immigration official, making their court appearance on Wednesday

it was discovered that they entered the jurisdiction by unlawful means.

The trio pleaded guilty to the charge when it

was read to them by the Magistrate and apologised for their actions. A sobbing Baretto related that she was only 18 years old and

explained that the sole reason for coming to Guyana was to better provide for her family who was in dire need of basic necessities for survival.

A more composed Salsedo told the Magistrate everyone in the country was trying to get out as there was no food available or any means of earning a decent living presently. Vilero offered a heart-wrenching justification that she had no money to feed or clothe her children, who she wished so dearly to have a good education. It was only for this reason the weeping woman related that she was forced to leave her country after being unable to fulfil her obligations as a parent in the strained circumstances.

The women were each ordered to pay a fine of $15,000 and escorted to the nearest port of exit after payment of the fine or serving an alternative of two weeks’ imprisonment.

(Paula Gomes)

Man remanded for illegal gun, ammo in crotch

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51-year-old miner of Barakat Landing, Cuyuni River in Region

Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) was brought before the court of Magistrate Judy Latchman

on Wednesday afternoon, to answer to charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

It is alleged that Larry Benjamin, on May 29, 2017 at Barakat Landing, was in possession of a .32 pistol and matching ammunition, while he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

Benjamin’s lawyer contended that the weapon was found in a boat (which the accused was unloading at the time) after he summoned the Puruni Police following a threat made by someone he only knew as “Tattoo Man”.

The lawyer related that a rank then told his client that a gun was found in the boat and Benjamin denied having any knowledge of the weapon, as did the other persons in the vicinity. The man was then allegedly arrested and taken to the Puruni Police

Station. He was then transferred to Bartica, and subsequently to Georgetown where he was charged with the offence.

However, the prosecution said the facts presented by the defence counsel were in total contradiction to those gathered by the Police.

The prosecution contended that Police on marine patrol stopped and searched the said boat, including all the persons on board the vessel, and the weapon was discovered in the defendant’s “pants crotch”.

Benjamin pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded to prison after bail was refused by the Magistrate.

He returns to court on Thursday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for assignment.

Govt…

T

…on a fuel’s errand rotman’s is on his ‘schupidness” – again! – about building an oil refinery in Guyana. From the word “go” your humble Eyewitness has been trying to put some sense into his head that he’s on a fuel’s errand to go down that road! But to no avail. One wonders if it’s more than his abysmal knowledge of the area of national life he’s been given to run. Initially, he jumped the gun and said Suriname would be refining the 12½ per cent of oil we’d be getting for our share from the Stabroek field.

Suriname promptly bitch-slapped him something silly and told him to do his homework. All “oil” isn’t the same “oil”. For one, there’s “heavy” versus “light” oil…and Suriname’s refinery handles only heavy oil.

Secondly, Suriname’s present field isn’t a comparable one to our offshore, deep water find – it’s on-shore and comparable to oil in our Canje region – of which they’ve been signs. Therefore, transportation’s not a problem to get the crude to the Suriname refinery.

Trinidad pointed out they have excess capacity at their Petrotrin refinery and offered to refine our oil.

Since they’ve already recouped all overhead costs, wouldn’t their marginal production costs be the best proposition for us? With our oil 120 miles offshore… how does Trotman plan to bring it to shore from Exxon’s FPSO? Remember we have no docks to take in big tankers. The alternative – an oil pipeline running along the ocean bed, isn’t as easy as it looks – and is very costly. Just look at the horrible experience of Ghana with their pipeline from their Jubilee field.

Now Trotman latched on to some desk-bound expert suggesting a “modular refinery” for us. But has he forgotten the world is awash with excess refining capacity?? Has he been informed that the largest projected markets for gasoline and oil products – India and China – have BOTH committed to electric cars??

But even if he has – and accept his expert’s advice that even a small refinery won’t be economic for us – he isn’t deterred.

He now drones on that keeping a refinery in play is a “political” rather than an “economic” decision. So how come the decision to close half of the GuySuCo’s production and throw 10,000 workers into the streets was only made on the “economics”?? We already spoke of the annual $3 billion Linden electricity subsidy being a “political” one. Isn’t the Government worried sugar workers might SUSPECT the PNC-led APNU/AFC Government’s has an ethnic orientation?

Is it that the benefit from the refinery might JUST be “jobs for the boys”?? Apart from the payoffs that’s now de rigeur with his Government?

…of Trump to nix Paris Accord Trump’s announcement about ‘delaying’ his decision of the Paris Accord on Climate Change is just that – a delaying tactic. Trump’s firmly in the Neanderthal camp that forms his support base – which doesn’t even “believe” global warming’s caused by human activity. As if that’s a matter of “faith” in which you have to “believe” or “not believe” – regardless of the evidence.

So the US, which only recently was overtaken by China to be the No 2 in Carbon Dioxide emissions, is now going to become a free rider. That is, they’ll continue to spew out carbon emissions expecting other countries – such as in Europe, China and India – to keep the world clean for them. That’s about as cynical as you can get.

The US became the “most developed nation” because in its 19th and 20th century industrialisation drive, it contributed more than any other country to global warming. But it’s now saying “Tough, sh*t!”

And it will be tough for us…being already three feet below sea-level.

…Shill’s desperation The PM’s shill tried defending his boss’ illegally, sole-sourced, pre-paid, SUV – which wasn’t delivered until eight months later!

But two former Presidents and one Finance Minister getting more expensive SUV’s is a non-sequitur, isn’t it Water Boy??

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

NEWS

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THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt to pronounce on ExxonMobil’s contract soon

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atural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman said Government is in the process of finalising ExxonMobil’s production licence.

The Minister made the announcement to stakeholders in opening remarks at the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GEITI) capacity building symposium which was held at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown on Wednesday.

“Government has received an application for a production licence to be issued to ExxonMobil. We are finalising that process, and will be making some pronouncements in the next few weeks,” Minister Trotman said.

The existing contract is a 50-50 partnership Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). Exxon and its partners will be al-

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

lowed to recover the cost invested in the offshore production before the equal sharing of the profit oil.

The Government had undertaken a review of the contract which dates back to 1999. Minister Trotman had indicated that the review was to update the contract, but assured that the Government respects the “sanctity of contracts en-

tered into.”

There have been various calls in the local media for full disclosure of the contract between the Government and ExxonMobil and its partners. The Minister had indicated earlier this year that the Government does not believe full disclosure would be in the national interest.

Exxon and its partners, Hess Corp and CNOOC Nexen, made its significant oil find back in 2015 after drilling the Liza Field in the Stabroek Block located about 120 miles offshore Guyana.

The oil company is currently in the developing phases of the Liza field with oil production projected for 2020.

Minister Trotman, on Wednesday noted that signing onto initiatives like the EITI standard is part of building trust and better relationships as the coun-

try develops its oil and gas sector.

“I know there is a natural suspicion that governments are always up to something bad, something suspicious, (and) something that is unholy and unhealthy. But it is comforting to know that Government has partners in both the industry and civil society to hold its hand, to hold their hands, so that together we can develop our resources in the best possible manner,” Minister Trotman said.

Guyana is hoping to join the EITI by year end.

The EITI is an international standard that seeks to provide consolidated information on a country’s extractive sector. It aims to reconcile key revenue flows paid by companies with those received by Government and assesses how the revenues are expended on behalf of the people.

77 Public Servants learning Spanish Ministry, Teaching Service Commission and Education Ministry, among others.

The four-month course is being conducted by Professor Nelson Hernan Giraldo who has taught at several universities and academic institutions.

Some of the participants in one of Professor Nelson Hernan Giraldo’s classes

T

he Guyana Government is looking to boost the local Public Sector with language training for 77 Public Servants.

This is currently being done through the fourth edition of Spanish language courses being held under a cultural agreement signed by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Government of the Republic of Colombia since 1970.

The classes are scheduled to end in August. Participants will receive a certificate from the Universidad Del Norte of

Colombia at the conclusion of the course.

According to National Ozone Officer at the Agriculture Ministry, Behonka Dey, “It’s a bit challenging, especially the vocabulary although I like that the class is continuous.”

She noted that she often encountered Spanish speakers while at work and “even though I might not be fluent, I still need to understand what is being said”.

Another participant, Robin Motayne, a Foreign Service Officer with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, ex-

plained that the course was interactive with a very engaging lecturer.

“Very little English is spoken in the class, which is good, because a foreign officer should be versed in a language; at least one or two,” Motayne continued.

Other participants come from the Guyana Revenue Authority, Ministry of the Presidency, Carnegie School of Home Economics, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Business Ministry, Guyana Police Force, Public Health

Air pistol used in supermarket robbery at Chateau Margot

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The GST Supermarket located at Chateau Margot, ECD

he weapon that was left behind by one of two bandits who pounced on an East Coast Demerara supermarket Tuesday evening was discovered to be an air gun.

This is according to Police Divisional Commander Calvin Brutus, who explained to Guyana Times that the discovery was made upon examination of the weapon that was retrieved from the scene.

“It looks real, but it’s actually an air pistol that uses round balls,” the Commander said.

About 19:40h on Tuesday, two masked bandits, one of whom was armed with the weapon, stormed into the GST Supermarket, located at Chateau Margot, and held the proprietor and customers at gunpoint.

A struggle subsequently

ensued between the proprietor and the armed bandit, during which the businessman managed to unmask the perpetrator after throwing him to the floor. At the time also, the weapon fell from the assailant’s hand.

Nevertheless, the perpetrator managed to free himself and escaped with a cellular phone from one of the customers. He and his accomplice, who was keeping guard at the door, then jumped into a silver motor car, which had no number plate attached, and escaped in an eastern direction.

No arrests have been made and according to Commander Brutus, investigators were given a description of the suspect who was unmasked. He noted that it was still difficult to identify the bandit just from his physical features.

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017

News

GAWU not convinced Govt wants to debate white paper on sugar T he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is not convinced that Government is keen on debating the white paper on the sugar industry which was presented to the National Assembly during its last sitting.

GAWU President Komal Chand claimed that certain procedures have not been put in place by the Government to have the policy debated. According to him, the paper was not tabled in Parliament, but rather it was read by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder.

“It doesn’t follow a debate on the statement or you can’t respond to the statement by the Minister.

Clearly, at this time, it is not likely that it will be placed on the agenda for the next sitting which is June 15,” Chand said.

However, Chand believes that the policy decision taken is of national importance and it ought to be debated by the National Assembly.

“The information contained in that white paper has significant effect on the country, the people and particularly the workers in the industry…,” he added.

The GAWU official also argued that the white paper presents vague information and does not go into specificity of how this matter is going to be dealt with. According to him, Government spokesperson claimed that the Administration has not configured the roll out of this new policy fully.

President of GAWU, Komal Chand

He therefore questioned, “Will they sell the lands?

Will they sell the cogent facilities (massive boilers) which generates surplus in electricity and able to supply electricity to the national grid?”

Chand called on the Government to come clean and provide the public with more specific information on the future of the sugar industry.

He recalled that there were plans back in the 1980s to sell out the sugar industry under the leadership of the late President Desmond Hoyte, who met with the unions and proposed the divestment of the industry.

Chand said the unions disagreed with the then President and they will continue to hold steadfast to this position.

“The white paper is so important to the people and the economy. I said to workers, it is too big not to have the paper not debated.

It’s like pulling wool over

the eyes of the people,” he lamented.

Government announced plans to close the Enmore and Rose Hall Sugar Estates, sell the Skeldon Sugar Factory, reduce the annual production of sugar, and take on the responsibility of managing the drainage and irrigation services offered by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

These estates are Blairmont on the West Bank of Berbice, AlbionRose Hall in East Berbice and the Uitvlugt-Wales Estate in West Demerara.

The estates will be complete with factories and will have cane supplied from all locations, according to the Minister.

Minister Holder claimed that this process would result in improving the relationship with some cane cutters, estate staff and about 1710 private cane farmers, adding that GuySuCo’s sugar operations will be limited to the Albion-Rose Hall, Blairmont and UitvlugtWales Estates.

The Minister had also revealed plans to cut sugar production to approximately 147,000 tonnes per annum. This, according to him, will satisfy the demand in the local market (25,000 tonnes per annum); Caricom and other regional markets (50,00060,000 tonnes per annum); the United States (12,500 tonnes per annum) and the world market (50,000 tonnes per annum).

Several members of the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) have said that the white

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder presented a white paper on the future of the industry to Parliament

paper on the industry confirmed that the industry was being “maliciously downsized” as a prelude for closure.

Former Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, has said that the new policy provided no assurances nor any plans on how three sugar estates – Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt – would remain open.He claimed that the downsizing and subsequent closure of sugar estates would lead to the loss of more than 15,000 jobs and the threat of poverty for 50,000 to 100,000 people.

Recently, former President Donald Ramotar also came out swinging at the Government stating that it is an unwise decision to put the Skeldon Sugar factory up for sale as it has shown some signs of improvement.

Ramotar said the factory made significant improvements in 2015, meeting all its targets. However, he blames the lack of investment on the part of the coalition Government for the decline in recent performance output at the factory.

80-year-old woman, daughter beaten by bandits - during robbery at Grove, EBD

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54-year-old woman and her 80-year-old mother are now traumatised after they were subjected to a brutal beating in their Grove, East Bank Demerara home on Tuesday morning at the hands of three young men pretending to be customers.

The woman, Sherry Narine, was audibly distressed during a telephone interview with this media house on Wednesday. Narine sells shopping bags in the Stabroek Market for a living, and when she is at home, she would vend small quantities of rice, sugar, drinks and other grocery items.

Based on information gathered, the incident occurred at around 09:00h on the day in question.

Narine said that three young men called at her gate to purchase a drink.

She recalled that since she had no shop in front of her home, she went into her house to bring out the item. However, the three men reportedly followed her in.

It was then that one of the perpetrators grabbed her mother, and the other two approached her from behind and reportedly bashed her head with a heavy object.

The trio then proceeded to beat the mother and daughter, while threatening to shoot them.

Narine tearfully related that her head started to bleed profusely from the beatings, which she said continued until the men

demanded that she hand over all her valuables.

The three bandits reportedly fled the scene with $100,000 in cash and two gold rings. The woman who was more concerned about her mother than herself, immediately rushed the 80-yearold to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where they were both treated.

She then reported the incident to the DiamondGrove Police Station.

She ruefully noted that since moving into Grove back in 2002, she has been robbed over six times and on all occasions, she never received justice.

Narine explained that she has given up on the media and Police, since “no one seems to care.”

“I am afraid. I’m alone here. Nobody helps me. I took a few of my cries to other media houses and nothing. The Police don’t care. They ignore me,” she said.

When the DiamondGrove Police Station was contacted, no information was granted.

However, Narine said that on Wednesday, she received a call from the Grove Police informing her that they apprehended a suspect based on the description that she provided of their attackers.

Narine said the officer informed her that the apprehended attacker is expected to appear at the Providence Magistrate’s Court today for the crime committed, as investigations continue. (Ramona Luthi)

THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

CoI report into suspected cocaine vessel handed over to Govt S

ome two months after President David Granger established a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the discovery of a private vessel suspected to be used for narcotics trafficking

purposes in Guyana’s waters, the probe has been completed and the report handed over to Government on Wednesday.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon received

the document from the Commissioners of the CoI, which was set on March 31, “to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the entry into, the interception, detention and subsequent

Small miners intensify calls for sacking of top GGMC officials

– to continue protest action today

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motions flared as the small miners continued their fight for lands to mine and renewed their calls for the sacking of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) top officials, as they continued their protest in front of the GGMC Brickdam office.

They are also pleading with the Government to intervene as soon as possible.

The small miners are contending that they are being neglected by the GGMC and are accusing the organisation of being corrupt, hence calling for the sacking of acting Commissioner, Newell Dennison and his Technical Adviser, Donald Singh. The miners allege that they have been unable to mine for years

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon receives the report from Brigadier (Retired) Bruce Lovell as Lieutenant Colonel Denzel Carmichael, former Assistant Police Commissioner Winston Cosbert and Christine Bailey look on

Cassava bread and margarine – the staples for the small miners

gold bore and suddenly is ayo one,” a very upset Juliet Parsram lamented.

Berbice small miner, Lloyd Moore, said they are fighting for fairness noting that they feel discriminated against by the GGMC. He called for immediate action to be taken by President

Leon Moses, called on the Government to look into the condition of the Piruni, Region Seven, road. “The rainy season and the roads have deteriorated very badly this year; trucks cannot pass, goods and ration cannot get through between Itabali and Piruni crossing.

David Granger or Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, to assist in alleviating the sufferings of the small miners.

“We expect fairness, a level playing field for everyone, we trust that the authorities, the Minister and the President should intervene so that at least it can alleviate the unemployment that is presently existing in Berbice,” he said.

Moore said the impact of the level of unemployment is vast with various sectors being affected.

Secretary of the National Small Miners Association,

Small miners are suffering, the industry in that area have come practically to a standstill, people take three or four days to traverse the road and what we are saying we are calling on the authorities, we are calling on the Government to do something and fix this road,” he said.

He added that Government should change the contractors if they are not up to the challenge to maintain the roads that are essential to the mining community.

The small miners will continue their protest today at the same location.

Small miners on the picket line

since their applications are not being looked at.

“We in the mud day and night, with cassava bread and butter, fighting to feed our kids and give our children a better life and the ‘big boys’ them in GGMC, soon as a gold bore them get some big friend and the land suddenly become them own, all the time they deh in big fancy bed, AC and nice bed and never see what the bush look like. All the ‘big boys’ we calling ayo come join we in the jungle and let you see what we does go through day and night, toiling in the mud and you only want hear a

release of an unnamed private maritime vessel in the sea space of the territory of Guyana”.

The Commission was asked to report the findings and recommendations to the President, who is the head of the National Security Committee.

Accepting the report from head of the Commission, Brigadier (Retired) Bruce Lovell, Minister Harmon said that the Government took the issue of national security seriously and, as such, it was committed to examining the contents contained therein.

“I trust that the Report that the Commission has presented will assist us in making some important decisions in the security architecture of this country and that it will assist us in making decisions, particularly as it relates to the fight against narcotics trafficking,” Minister Harmon noted.

Meanwhile, Brigadier Lovell, in an invited comment, posited that inquiries were important, particularly in matters of national interest.

“Inquiries do what any good journalist would do and

that is to answer the Five Ws and the one H; the Who, the What, the Where, the Why and the When and it also goes a bit further and seeks to recommend what should be done to prevent any further occurrence. So this inquiry has done just that. In our recommendations, we look at a number of systematic issues – doctrine, organisation, training, leadership, personnel, facilities and, of course, policies,” he stated.

The other members of the Commission were former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Winston Cosbert and Christine Bailey.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Flooding, deplorable roads affecting Region 5 farmers, residents

– cash crops regularly inundated

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esidents in several farming communities across Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) have voiced their concerns over periodic flooding and deteriorating roads. According to the farmers, these issues are continuing to threaten their livelihood.

On Tuesday, Guyana Times was once again told that the recent heavy rains were repeatedly inundating farm lands, causing some damage to cash crops.

These crops include bora, tomato, pepper, pumpkin and squash. It was explained that often times when it rained heavily, the fields would become waterlogged, sometimes for a few days. If prolonged, this would result in losses.

Residents claimed that

The rising water level in areas along the Mahaicony River earlier this week

should the water level rise, their farmlands would be completely inundated, with one Mora Point inhabitant saying that it was

since last year that the Mahaica-Mahaicony-AbaryAgricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) conducted any drainage works

Residents and farmers want the Mahaicony Branch Road rehabilitated

The state of the road at De Hoop, Region Five

in the area.

The MMA/ADA is a sub-agency under the Agriculture Ministry tasked to “provide water control for the coastal lands up to a distance of some 30 miles inland, by impounding the flood waters in surface reservoirs (conservancies) located in the upper reaches of the rivers, and through the construction of appropriate civil engineering infrastructure; [and] provide Drainage and Irrigation (D & I) services to the areas nearer the coast”.

When contacted, MMA/ ADA General Manager Aubrey Charles told this publication that Tuesday was the first time he heard of the recent flooding. He, however, disputed the allegation that it was since 2016

that works were done in the Mahaicony area. Charles said the agency currently had a dragline working in Mahaicony.

“It was earlier this year that we had works done there; we have a dragline working in the Jagdeo Canal going towards Mora Point,” the General Manager emphasised.

Apart from the issues encountered in the flood-affected zones, farmers have had much difficulty in transporting their produce from their plots to be sold. This newspaper was informed that many of the farm-to-market roads were in need of serious repair. Among the areas in need of rehabilitation are: Mahaicony Branch Road, De Hoop Branch Road, roads at Burma and Abary, Esau

Jacobs Access Road and Champagne Access Road.

Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal in an interview with Guyana Times explained that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) was aware of the flooding threat in the area. He explained that allocations from the Region’s budget were given to the MMA/ADA. “From Abary to Mahaica Creek, the RDC allocates money for agriculture purposes and will warrant that money to MMA for them to carry out the works,” he noted. For several months last year, several farming communities in Region Five have grappled with extensive flooding, which resulted in lost crops and threats to livestock. (Shemuel Fanfair)

SOL Guyana sprucing up Starr Computer to launch local Shell retail network security division

S

S

OL Guyana Inc has embarked on a modernisation project that will see several of the Shell service stations getting a face-lift.

According to the company, within the recent past, there have been a number of questions emanating, particularly from the media, regarding the closure of a number of Shell-branded service stations and the implications for the Shell retail brand here in Guyana.

“We at SOL Guyana Inc would like to allay any fears or apprehensions that abound in the Guyana market,” a statement from the company said.

SOL noted that the closure of specific service stations at this time was intended to achieve two objectives.

These are upgrading the visual identity of some of the service stations to a more contemporary look; and secondly, upgrading the infrastructural safety standards to the highest in the industry.

“Our current work is ongoing and customers will

SOL Service Station on Regent Street

see further activities on a phased basis throughout the Shell network, all designed to enhance our brand image and operate with the highest level safety standards,” the company outlined.

Nevertheless, SOL Guyana Inc apologised for any inconvenience that the present works might have caused, and said it looked forward to serving customers with the improved facilities within the upcoming weeks and in the foreseeable future.

SOL is a Shell licensee and uses Shell trademarks

under licence.

The SOL Group of companies operates in 23 countries across the Eastern Caribbean, including Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Bermuda, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Belize, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Martinique and Guadeloupe. SOL supplies fuels, lubricants, bitumen and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) through an extensive service station network, with marine, aviation and commercial operations.

tarr Computer has partnered with US company Honeywell Security Group to launch a security division.

The Honeywell Security Division will be launched today at 09:00h at the local company’s Brickdam, Georgetown location.

The guest speaker at the event will be Honeywell Security and Fire Manager (Caribbean Region), Orlando Mercado.

Meanwhile, the agenda for the launching cer-

emony will include: a CCTV/Intrusion Detection System. There will also be a raffle drawn at the end of the event.

Headquartered in New York, Honeywell is a leading global manufacturer of security and automation solutions for residential and commercial applications.

From intrusion, fire and home automation systems, to the latest in IP video and access control, the company is focused on technologies that create “connect-

Honeywell Security and Fire Manager (Caribbean Region) Orlando Mercado

ed homes” and “connected buildings”.

With an extensive technology portfolio, experienced team and trusted brand, Honeywell has been recognised as the “partner of choice” in the security industry. Year after year, a Security Distributing and Marketing magazine reader survey has ranked Honeywell as the industry’s preferred channel partner.

13 UNDP calls for wider consultation on climate change initiatives news

thursDAY, june 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

By Samuel Sukhnandan

W

hile recognising that Guyana has consistently sought to prioritise climate change adaptation, the United Nations Development Fund

Development Strategy. The framework document is to provide Guyana with a roadmap for development along a reduced emissions pathway.

“It builds on the successes of the Low Carbon

said Guyana recognises the importance of reducing the risks and increasing the country’s resilience to climate change.

“We have taken steps for the integration of climate risk into national develop-

Left to right: Head, Caribbean Sub Regional Office, UNEP Vincent Sweeney; UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Shabnam Mallick and Minister of State Joseph Harmon at the head table

(UNDP) Deputy Resident Representative, Shabnam Mallick, urged Government to implement strategies for wider consultations with its citizenry.

Mallick was addressing the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Global Support Programme-Caribbean workshop on Wednesday, when she highlighted the importance of Guyana’s NAP, harmonising with the broader strategic processes, products and activities that are in play.

“It would also be equally, if not more, important to engage all sections of the Guyanese people on the importance of climate change stresses, and encourage their active partnership in implementing adaptation measures,” Mallick said while addressing workshop participants.

The UNDP official highlighted that Guyana is embarking on Green State Development and has now finalised a framework document for the Green State

Development Strategy and other related documents and processes, such as the Nationally Determined Contributions, Climate

ment planning, policies and programmes. Guyana has elaborated in its Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement, un-

Green State Development Strategy Framework, Resilient Infrastructure and Spatial Development, which speaks to Coastal Resilience and Sustainable Infrastructure.

“This will be further supported, with technical assistance through Green Climate Fund NAP readiness support, for better integrated planning on the coast and capacity building to develop a coastal community resilience plan, also with the support of UN Environment,” he stated.

Speaking about Guyana’s vulnerabilities to climate change, Harmon noted that while most may only consider the flood risk of the coast, the country’s hinterland region is also exposed, with the most recent flood occurring just over a week ago in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), affecting six villages and over 3000 people.

He said, “These natural hazards are expected to increase, due to projected temperatures increases and

Environment Programme (UNEP) Vincent Sweeney says many countries still face several challenges when it comes to the integration and coordination of climate policies with other sectoral policies. “… because of the operational difficulties involved, and also because sectoral policy and climate change have often conflicting or poorly aligned objectives such as forest protection policy versus agricultural production policy,” he explained.

Secondly, Sweeney highlighted the need to strengthen the capacities of local governments for action planning to adapt to climate change, in order to materi-

Minister of participants

Participants at Wednesday’s opening of National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Global Support ProgrammeCaribbean workshop

Resilience Strategy Action Plan, Draft National Energy Policy, and National Adaptation Strategy for the Agriculture Sector (2009 -2018),” she added.

Speaking on behalf of the Government, Minister of State Joseph Harmon

conditional contributions for adaptation and is undertaking several initiatives,” he said.

Harmon said as part of Guyana vision for a Green Economy, with the support from UN Environment, the country has set out in its

sea level rise together with higher storm surges, based on outputs of climate models. Guyana will also experience an increase in heavy rainfall.”

Meanwhile, Head, Caribbean Sub Regional Office, United National

State

Joseph

alise national commitments and policies at the local level.

“It should be pointed out at this stage that the National Adaptation Plan for climate change is a process. In this sense, the national adaptation plan is not only the document itself, but also a process of dialogue between different institutional and non-institutional structures and civil society, and different sectors and levels of Government. It is a continuous, progressive and iterative process.”

In considering the longterm perspective, the UN Environment official said countries should note that often adaptation actions have been implemented in response to a series of situations.

According to him, to achieve the change required for low-carbon, resilient and equitable economies, a medium- and long-term view is needed, that is integrated with national development planning processes and strategies, issues of gender, and also with a participatory and transparent approach.

The three-day workshop will emphasise the various sectoral, gender and economic dimensions of implement-

Harmon

addressing

workshop

ing a National Adaptation Plan (NAP). Importantly, the meeting will also serve to discuss financial and technical opportunities towards implementation of NAPs in the Caribbean.

Guyana is serving as the host country for the workshop which is aimed at strengthening the capacity of public officials to develop National Adaptation Plans to tackle climate change.

Representatives from several Caribbean countries were present for the opening of the workshop.

$31M Bartica “go green” park to be opened soon

T

he $31 million West Indian Housing Scheme Park which is currently being constructed in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), is slated to be opened this month.

The initiative which commenced in 2016 by the town’s Council is in keeping with President David Granger’s vision of a greener economy.

The completion of the Park, according to Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, was delayed as a result of torrential rainfall.

However, works have now re-commenced and the project is expected to be concluded this month (June).

Marshall explained that “construction of this Park started under a year ago, it’s almost completed. There’s one aspect of the construction that is left and that is the fountain. The fountain will be completed within a few weeks’ time, and we will have the grand opening in the month of June”.

A section of the “go green” park in Bartica

The Park is to be powered by solar energy with solar lights and panels. The location of the Park was previously in a poor condition and the construction of the Park is also looking to be an attraction piece in the town.

Additionally, a section of the West Indian Housing Scheme access road was resurfaced while another was constructed. Marshall noted that this new road will be useful for accessing previously impassable sections of Bartica.

Bartica continues to progress towards becoming a ‘clean and green’ model town. Just recently, the town announced that it would be able to access a US$650,000, grant through the Office of Climate Change from the Ministry of the Presidency to boost the green initiative.

Guyana has embarked on a long-term initiative towards “greening” its economy as advocated by President Granger.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017

Regional

President Trump reportedly Bahamians first: Govt declares ready to roll back Obama’s no work permits if Bahamians Cuba reforms can do the job

A

M

ore than two years after the United States and Cuba turned a new page in their contentious relations, fresh reports out of Washington suggest President Donald Trump is making moves to dissolve the budding relationship.

The US publication Daily Caller is reporting that the Trump Administration is set to roll back the Cuba policies signed by his predecessor Barack Obama back in January, as he takes a tougher line on Cuba.

“The Trump Administration has been ‘ready’ since February 2017

to announce changes, but issues unrelated to Cuba have intervened,” John Kavulich, from the US-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, told the Daily Caller.

Kavulich told the publication he believes the president will look at an “increased enforcement relating to travel” and “a focus upon discouraging transactions with entities controlled by the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) of the Republic of Cuba”.

According to the publication, several lawmakers including former presidential hopeful and Florida Senator Marco Rubio, along

with Democrat Bob Mendez, are strongly supporting the move.

Back in January, Obama announced an end to the 20-year-old “wet foot, dry foot” policy that gave Cubans who reached the US preferential treatment on immigration. He had also announced an increase in cooperation with Cuba following an agreement on a number of issues including terrorism and human trafficking.

Obama ended more than five decades of isolation with Cuba in December 2014 and visited the island last year.

S

tries have been shortlisted.

The Guadeloupe region is the managing authority for this fund, which is intended to support projects involving stakeholders from the French “outermost regions” (RUP) of Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique and Saint Martin, in partnership with organisations in the Caribbean area representing nearly 40 countries and overseas territories (OCTs).

Initially, 114 projects were submitted as part of the call for expressions of interest (MAI) in November last year, but the statement noted that 30 obtained a favourable

initial evaluation, of which 24 have made it to the priority lists.

Some of the projects that are being presented to the committee on Wednesday include the harmonisation of legal rules for maritime transport in the Caribbean, the development of medical cooperation between the French West Indies and the Caribbean, the development of commercial relations between Martinique, Guadeloupe, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Caribbean Community (Caricom). (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Part of Grenlec’s largest solar project under construction in Grenada

2017, pursuant to the share purchase agreement (SPA) that the government, GPP and WRB entered into when the Government’s privatised Grenlec in 1994.

The SPA requires this repurchase to be completed within 30 days following the repurchase demand. Given that government has not made the mandated repurchase payment, GPP and WRB said they

have no alternative means for protecting their contract rights other than by pursuing the ICSID arbitration as dictated by the SPA. According to GPP, the Grenada government has to date either rejected or walked away from every effort by the Grenlec team to initiate and engage in meaningful reform negotiations. (Excerpt from Caribbean

News Now)

teria to deter Bahamians.

“For example, say you want a front desk manager at one of the hotels, but (the candidate) must be fluent in four languages. That’s absolutely ridiculous. What that means is they have somebody at their head office who speaks four languages and they want to bring them to Nassau.”

He disclosed that where special skills were required, the employer must identify a Bahamian who has skills in that area to train for the post, to eventually take over from the foreign worker.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Anti-Maduro protests rage as OAS meets on Venezuela crisis

A demonstrator clashes with riot security forces while rallying against Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, May 31, 2017

V

enezuelan security forces used water cannons and teargas to disperse tens of thousands of Opposition protesters heading toward the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday as the Organisation of American States held another meeting on the crisis.

Two months of protests against President Nicolás Maduro's socialist Government have convulsed the South American OPEC nation, with at least 59 people killed in the unrest. Opposition supporters demanding elections, freedom for jailed activists, and

foreign humanitarian aid, marched onto Caracas' main highway aiming to reach the ministry downtown. But as happens near-daily with rallies trying to reach government offices, National Guard soldiers blocked their way and drove them back with volleys of gas and shoots of water.

With international pressure mounting on Maduro, Foreign Ministers from the 34-nation OAS bloc were to meet in Washington, DC, later on Wednesday to debate the situation in Venezuela.

When that meeting was announced last month, Venezuela said it was withdrawing from the OAS in protest. Maduro, 54, accuses opponents of seeking his violent overthrow with US support, similar to a shortlived 2002 coup against his popular predecessor Hugo Chávez. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A cheeky idea: Mexican businessman rolls out 'Trump' toilet paper

A Grenada Govt rejects ‘no choice’ arbitration claim F

ollowing a request for arbitration filed earlier this month with the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) by Grenada Private Power Limited (GPP), a 50 per cent shareholder of Grenada Electricity Services Ltd (Grenlec), along with GPP’s parent company WRB Enterprises Inc. (WRB), the Grenada government said is not correct that GPP/WRB had "no choice" but to seek arbitration of this matter.

The purpose of the arbitration is to enforce the government of Grenada’s contractual obligation to repurchase the 50 per cent Grenlec shareholding that the government previously sold to GPP. GPP submitted a formal share repurchase demand to the government on March 22,

mant there would be no backing down from implementing the policy. “Wherever there is a Bahamian who is qualified to do the job and a foreigner or an expat is applying for that position, we will refuse the application,” he insisted.

He cited a recent case where a work permit request from a hotel was turned down because there were unemployed Bahamians qualified to fill the post.

Foulkes expressed concern that some companies were trying various tactics to bypass the rule, charging that some had set unfair cri-

(Caribbean360)

Several Caribbean projects being considered for EU funding everal projects from the Caribbean are being discussed at the Interreg Caraïbes programme Selection Committee, which ends on Wednesday.The Interreg Caraïbes programme is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and supports the sustainable economic development of the Caribbean region.

According to a statement, projects from Anguilla, Dominica, Haiti, Jamaica, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, along with several others from other Caribbean coun-

directive from newly installed Prime Minister, Dr Hubert Minnis stipulates that Bahamians must fill all available posts before any consideration is given to foreigners.

In fact, Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes made it clear that he has already been “very strict” in approving labour certificates for work permits and has denied or deferred several applications since taking office just over two weeks ago.

Noting the Bahamas has “a serious unemployment problem”, Foulkes was ada-

Mexican businessman offended by Donald Trump’s insults to his countrymen is seizing on a possible oversight in the magnate’s branding plans.

Corporate lawyer Antonio Battaglia is introducing “Trump” brand toilet paper, marketed under the slogans “Softness without borders” and “This is the wall that, yes, we will pay for”.

Mexico’s Institute of Industrial Property has granted Trump’s company trademarks on his name in sectors such as construction, hotels, tourism, real estate and financial services. But the Trump Organisation didn’t bother to cover what’s referred to in Spanish as “hygenic paper”, and Battaglia’s trademark for Trump toilet paper was approved in October 2015, according to the institute’s records.

Packages are expected to begin rolling off production lines later this year, with 30% of the profits promised

signed a contract to manufacture a small initial run worth about 400,000 pesos (US$21,400), enough to fill

An illustration of the toilet paper released by Antonio Battaglia

to programs supporting migrants.

Battaglia said he was “really bothered” when Trump launched his presidential bid by characterising migrants who enter the US illegally as criminals, drug runners and rapists.

Battaglia said he has

two cargo trucks. He said he hopes to generate enough demand to expand production.

A mock-up package provided

by Battaglia boasts it contains four “puros rollos” – a double-entendre that literally means “pure rolls” but can also be understood as “pure nonsense”. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Kabul: at least 83 killed by massive car bomb in diplomatic quarter

A

massive explosion in a highly secure diplomatic area of Kabul has killed at least 83 people and wounded more than 461, the Afghan Public Health Ministry has said.

The attack is the deadliest in the Afghan capital since an Isis suicide bomber killed nearly 100 people at a protest last summer, and one of the largest to hit Kabul since the 2001 intervention. Most of the casualties are expected to be civilians.

The huge blast of a bomb hidden in a sewage tanker occurred close to the German embassy in the Wazir Akbar Khan area of the capital on Wednesday morning, sending clouds of black smoke

A deep crater remained after the blast

spiralling into the sky near the presidential palace and foreign embassies.

It took place at the peak of Kabul’s rush hour when the streets were packed with commuters and just days

(BBC News)

into the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Witnesses described dozens of cars choking the roads as wounded survivors and panicked schoolchildren sought safety, with people struggling to

Russia fires cruise missiles at IS targets in Syria

A

Russian warship and submarine in the Mediterranean have fired four cruise missiles at so-called Islamic State (IS) positions in central Syria.

The strike – the first of its kind since November – targeted militants and heavy weapons near the city of Palmyra, the Russian defence ministry said. The militants had been redeployed from the IS stronghold of Raqqa, it added.

Russia has been carrying out air and missile strikes in support Syrian President

Bashar al-Assad since 2015.

Government forces recaptured Palmyra and its Unesco World Heritagelisted ruins with Russian help in March 2016, but were driven out by IS eight months later.

They eventually regained the city this March, but fighting continues nearby. The Russian Defence Ministry said the frigate Admiral Essen and the submarine Krasnodar had fired Kalibr cruise missiles at “shelters” east of Palmyra, where a group of heavily

armed militants previously deployed in Raqqa were based.

The US, Turkish and Israeli militaries “were informed in a timely manner of the missile launches through existing communication channels”. Earlier this month Russia agreed with Iran, another Assad ally, and Turkey, a key backer of the Opposition, to establish “de-escalation” zones in western Syria in an attempt to shore up a cessation of hostilities between the government and rebels. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

Kenya inaugurates Chinese-built railway linking port to capital

K

enya inaugurated a US$3.2 billion railway funded by China linking the capital Nairobi to the port of Mombasa on Wednesday, the country’s biggest infrastructure project since independence more than 50 years ago.

The railway is part of China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative, a multi-billion dollar series of infrastructure projects upgrading land and maritime trade routes between China and Europe, Asia and Africa.

The line is eventually expected to connect Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Ethiopia to Mombasa so the Indian Ocean port can act as a gateway to East Africa for trade with China and other nations.

The railway was finished well ahead of schedule

by China Road and Bridges Corporation and launched at the peak of campaigning ahead of elections on Aug. 8 in which President Uhuru Kenyatta is seeking a sec-

15

get through security checkpoints to search for loved ones.

No group has claimed responsibility but both the Taliban and Isis have staged large-scale attacks in the city. The Afghan president, Ashraf Ghani, condemned the attack. “The terrorists, even in the holy month of Ramadan, the month of goodness, blessing and prayer, are not stopping the killing of our innocent people,” he said in a statement.

On Wednesday evening, the country’s intelligence agency, the NDS, accused the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network, with Pakistani support, of being behind the attack. (Excerpt from The

Guardian)

British PM May could lose majority in June 8 election– YouGov projection

P

rime Minister Theresa May could lose control of Parliament in Britain’s June 8 election, according to a projection by polling company YouGov, raising the prospect of political turmoil just as formal Brexit talks begin.

The YouGov model suggested May would lose 20 seats and her 17-seat working majority in the 650-seat British Parliament, though other models show May winning a big majority of as much as 142 seats and a Kantar poll showed her lead widening.

If the YouGov model turns out to be accurate, May would be well short of the 326 seats needed to form a government tasked with the complicated talks, due to start shortly after the elec-

tion, on Britain’s divorce from the European Union.

May called the snap election in a bid to strengthen her hand in Brexit negotiations, to win more time to deal with the impact of the divorce and to strengthen her grip on the Conservative Party.

But if she does not handsomely beat the 12-seat majority Cameron won in 2015, her electoral gamble will have failed and her authority could be undermined just as she tries to deliver what she has told voters will be a successful Brexit.

If May fails to win an overall majority, she would be forced to strike a deal with another party to continue governing either as a coalition or a minority government. (Excerpt from Yahoo! News)

Trump ‘poised to quit Paris climate deal’

U

S President Donald Trump is poised to pull the country out of the Paris climate accord, US media report, quoting senior officials.

The 2015 accord for the first time united most of the world in a single agreement to mitigate climate change.

It was signed by 195 countries out of 197 in a UN group on climate change, with Syria and Nicaragua abstaining.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Trump said he would announce his decision within the “next few days”. Climate change, or global warming, refers to the damaging effect of gases, or emissions, released from industry and agriculture on the atmosphere.

The Paris accord is meant to limit the global rise in temperature attributed to emissions. To date, 147 out of the 197 countries have ratified the accord, including the US, where the ac-

Paris celebrated when the climate accord came into force in November

cord entered into force last November.

Trump has previously called climate change “a hoax” devised by the Chinese Government. He promised to “cancel” the Paris deal during his election campaign last year, saying it was “bad for US business” because it allowed “foreign bureaucrats control

over how much energy we use”.

His supporters argue the accord restricts America’s ability to do what it wants with its energy resources an important sector of the economy.

However, under the accord, countries set emission limits themselves - not an outside panel. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Wonder Woman banned in Lebanon due to Israeli lead, Gal Gadot A train launched to operate on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and financed by Chinese government arrives at the Nairobi Terminus on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya May 31, 2017

ond term.

The express will slash the time for the 472 km journey to about four hours from 12 on the line built by British colonialists more than a century ago that stretched from Mombasa to the Ugandan capital and was nicknamed the “Lunatic Express”.

The old line was criticized as a monumental folly and waste of British taxpay-

ers money but it became a strategic and economic lifeline for the colonial power.

Thousands of workers from British India died during its construction, including a number dragged from their tents by lions.

The new railway was Kenyatta’s pet project and it was a key pledge in his 2013 election campaign. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

L

ebanon has banned Wonder Woman from showing in the country’s movie theatres because the film’s lead actor, Gal Gadot, is Israeli.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Economy issued the ban just before the film was scheduled to premiere in Lebanon, which is officially at war with Israel.

Wonder Woman has been promoted around Lebanon and was scheduled to premiere in the country until hours before the ban went into effect. Lebanon’s

Grand Cinemas movie theatre chain announced the ban on its Twitter feed.

Though Wonder Woman had passed the country’s normal screening procedures, the Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel-Lebanon put pressure on the government to block the film, describing it as “the Israeli Soldier film”.

Gadot, who is from Tel Aviv, was a combat trainer in the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) for two years and crowned Miss Israel at age 18. The Campaign

had previously tried to block Lebanon’s screenings of Batman v Superman, which also features Gadot as Wonder Woman, but was unsuccessful.

That role propelled Gadot into the spotlight.

Her previous work had included a recurring role in the Fast and the Furious franchise and modelling.

Wonder Woman is predicted to make US$175 million worldwide this weekend, a record for a female-led superhero movie. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

16

THURSday, june 1, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Lè Cosmètiques

by Niketa “I always had a passion for enhancing women’s beauty”

W

ith a name like Lè Cosmètiques that rolls right off the tongue, chicness is expected, and Niketa Hussain is certainly helping generations of Guyanese women create that polished, stylish look.

After an unfortunate experience with a fake beauty product masquerading as the original and struggling to access authentic

brands, a lifelong fascination with make-up bloomed into a thriving business for the certified make-up artist turned entrepreneur. “… I decided to import brand-name cosmetics for myself and source for other women who were experiencing the same issue…,” she said.

“Lè Cosmètiques by Niketa was formed with the intention of being the number one provider of authentic beauty products and services in Guyana. We are in the evolv-

Business News

Region earns US$27B from tourism

J

amaica’s Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett says tourism remains the most vital source of earnings and economic activity for the majority of Caribbean islands, with Region-wide revenues estimated at more than US$27 billion.

“Tourism is the single largest generator of foreign exchange in 16 of the 28 countries in the Caribbean, with the sector receiving the most by way of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI),” he pointed out.

He noted that the Caribbean has a high-

er proportion of total employment and percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) derived from tourism than any other region in the world.

It is estimated that one in every four persons is employed in tourism-related activities, and the sector accounts for 41 per cent of all exports and services in the Caribbean and 31 per cent of all GDP. “These economic indicators confirm what most of us as key players and stakeholders in the sector already know; that is, unmasking the full econom-

ic potential of tourism remains at the heart of the Region’s quest to promote sustainable and inclusive growth,” he said.

Bartlett, who was part of a discussion panel at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in the Turks and Caicos Islands on May 25, noted that despite early forecasts for a downturn in tourism performance for 2016, the Caribbean witnessed an unprecedented growth of 4.2 per cent in visitor arrivals. (Caribbean360)

Market statistics Cambio Rates

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

Calculated at 94% purity, May 31, 2017

Selling

USD

$1266.20

GBP

$264.48

$267.84

Gross

$247,175

CAN

$153.05

$154.82

USD

$205.98

$208.44

Net

$229,872

$ 230.99

$233.95

EURO

Indicators as on May 31, 2017 Indicators

US$ per barrel

Crude Oil

$50.31

Price

USD

Rough Rice

$246.18/ton

London Sugar

$438.40/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change %

-3.04 Change %

+1.96 -0.18 USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1267.50

$1268.50

Low/High

$1259.30

$1275.00

Change

-1.10

-0.09%

Business Concept – Commission 1. Mutually agreed upon, or fixed by custom or law, fee accruing to an agent, broker, or salesperson for facilitating, initiating, and/or executing a commercial transaction.

2. Formal body comprising one or more experts formed on an ad hoc or continuing basis to address, debate, and/or exhaustively investigate matters within the expertise of its members or within the scope of the commission’s mandate. Unlike councils, commissions may have advisory, quasi-judicial, or regulatory powers. (Business Dictionary)

ing beauty industry and we are willing to serve anyone who appreciates what we offer and wants value for their money. We strive to create satisfaction in our products and services. Our services include makeup artistry on brides, models, pageant contestants, etc. Our [product] lines include Kylie Cosmetics, Morphe, Nars, Elf, MAC, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Bare Minerals, Colour Pop, BH Cosmetics and a whole lot more,” the 30-year-old explained.

The response has been, in a word, “fantastic”, and the former St John’s College student credits this to the authenticity of the products and the professionalism of the services provided.

In November 2016, Hussain moved the business, which was established some two years earlier on Facebook, to a physical location inside Kalyan Shopping Plaza on Lamaha Street.

The Diamond, East Bank Demerara resident’s success has been hard-won, but she has been equal to the challenge. “It is not easy. It’s all about being organised and being prioritised…

My favourite way of doing this is by using Google Calendar… I have learnt that being a young female entrepreneur, time management is very important as well as being persistent. Giving up was – and still is – not an option.”

“Follow your passion – always persevere despite failures, and the naysayers,” she advises.

“Persistence is the key. Keep on trying no matter how many times you fail. You

need to be passionate about your business or your product; nothing works if you are not passionate enough,” the creative young woman added. She noted that her mother – her biggest influence – taught her to believe in herself and to work hard to achieve anything she wanted.

Hussain is hoping to take Le Cosmetiques

by Niketa countrywide, and is optimistic about her business’s prospects.

“Because we are in the evolving beauty industry, trends change every day and the people we cater to are keeping up to date. Whatever the circumstances are in Guyana, I believe that women will always take care of themselves and use products we offer to enhance their beauty which will help to boost their self-confidence.”

She believes that for entrepreneurs “education is the key, and hassle-free access to grants and loans from financial institutions” would increase their chances of success. Earlier, in 2017, the young entrepreneur graduated from ActionCOACH’s business training programme.

Like her dream mentor Richard Branson, Hussain is filled with self-belief and not afraid of a challenge or the unknown: “Success is getting out of your comfort zone to achieve your goals.”

Contact: Kalyan Shopping Plaza, Lamaha Street; 604 0914; Facebook: Lè Cosmètiques By Niketa

Investors’ Guide

Wall Street little changed as financials drop, defensive stocks gain

U

S stocks were little changed on Wednesday as financials dropped after JPMorgan and Bank of America warned of revenue weakness, offsetting gains in defensive plays.

JPMorgan blamed lower volatility for a 15 per cent decline in trading revenue in the current quarter compared with last year, while Bank of America said trading revenue in the second quarter was on track to be 10 to 12 per cent lower than last year.

Financials rallied more than 20 per cent in the wake of the US presidential election on hopes of fiscal stimulus and deregulation under President Donald Trump, but they

have struggled in recent weeks. The sector is now down 0.3 per cent on the year.

“All the things that Trump told us were going to happen, which was infrastructure spend, deregulation, tax reform, people don’t believe any of those will happen, certainly the magnitude and with the speed the market had originally priced in,” said Ernesto Ramos, head of equities at BMO Global Asset Management in Chicago.

“That is why you’ve seen a lot of the move back, specifically banks.”

Measures of market volatility are at rock-bottom, hitting trading desks at big banks. The US stock market’s main gauge of in-

vestor anxiety closed at its lowest level in over two decades on May 8 and has not topped its long-term average of 20 since November.

It did, however, hit a seven-day high of 11.30 on Wednesday.

Defensive plays such as utilities, up 0.46 per cent and telecoms , up 0.35 per cent, were the bright spots as enthusiasm fades for sectors that would benefit from Trump policies.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 20.82 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 21,008.65, the S&P 500 lost 1.1 points, or 0.05 per cent, to 2411.81 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 4.67 points, or 0.08 per cent, to 6,198.52.

(Reuters)

news

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thursDAY, june 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Rejected for substandard road work

Berbice contractor accuses NDC Chairman of corruption – probe launched

W

The NDC has written to the contractor claiming that the works carried out on these streets were of a substandard quality

Contractor Annirud Ramchaitar

A

Berbice contractor is accusing a Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) official of trying to solicit a bribe from him in order to pass a road contract.

However, the Chairman of the Number 52-74 NDC Works Committee has since denied the allegation.

The contractor, Annirud Ramchaitar, of AR Construction firm, is accusing the NDC Works Committee Chairman of asking for a $200,000 bribe.

According to Ramcharitar, his firm was approached on three occasions by the Works Committee Chairman for the bribe which was to come from the $380,000 which the company was expected to receive from Government for sand on a road stretching three villages.

However, the NDC has reportedly written to the contractor claiming that the work carried out was of a substandard quality.

In the letter, the NDC claims that the contractor placed two canter loads of sand on the street and then covered it with ‘crusher run’.

Making mention of the contract which says that 80 cubic yards of sand were to be used, the NDC says that the contractor did not use the 60 cubic yards that he is claiming.

The contractor is claiming that under the contract he is only to be paid for mea-

sured work and based on the work he was required to do, he did not need all of the sand which was mentioned on the Bill of Quantities. He says this was discussed with the Regional Engineer prior to the commencement of the project and it was agreed that he will be paid only for what was used.

The contractor is contending that the NDC is now finding fault with him because he did not pay the bribe. It was the company’s Foreman, Derrick Khublall, who said he was approached.

“Thompson came up to me while we were working and he said he is the Works Committee Chairman and that lemme don’t put all the sand on that road that lemme give he $200,000. So me tell he me nah Anirudh and I call Anirudh on the spot and tell he,” Khublall related.

Ramcharitar told Guyana Times that after the Foreman contacted him, contact was made with the Regional Chairman and the Office of The Prime Minister at Port Mourant.

He explained that he was advised by the Regional Chairman to document his concerns in writing. That letter which was sent to the Regional Democratic Council, states that the works were done under the guidance of the Regional Engineer, Newland France.

It also said the Works Committee Chairman demanded $200,000 and said that the contractor would not need to mix white sand and reef sand as the contract stipulated.

In an invited comment, the Chairman of the Number 52-74 NDC, David Thompson, in a telephone conversation said the allegations were “untrue”.

The NDC’s letter was sent to Communities Minister Ronald Bulkhan and Minister of State Joseph Harmon.

Ramcharitar also copied his letter to Prime Ministerial Regional Representative, Gobin Harbhajan, who visit-

Foreman Derick Khublall

ed the project on Tuesday.

“He called my office sometime last week and he highlighted to me that the Works Committee Chairman, David Thompson, had approached his foreman on site and demanded $200,000 to put less sand. I asked them to document it and send to the Regional Chairman and he told me that he is already sending an engineer to the site. I checked with the Regional Chairman and he said that the Engineer and Vice Chairman went and said the work is up to standard and then I received a letter yesterday from the NDC claiming the work was substandard,” Harbhajan related.

In an invited comment, Regional Chairman David Armogan said the contractor had informed him by way of a telephone call of the bribe request even before the NDC made the claim that the work was not up to standard. Regional Engineer and Regional Vice Chairman, Dennis DeRoop, who also heads the regional works programme was instructed to visit the site and check on the works.

The contract awarded to Ramcharitar was to the tune of $12.1 million.

Meanwhile, following the formal letter of complaint which was issued on Tuesday, an investigation has been launched into the bribery allegation. (Andrew Carmichael)

hat does spirituality mean to you? Like yoga itself, spirituality is personal yet universal. Many people practice yoga as a means to a toned body and an hour of peace away from the office. But for others looking for their path through life, yoga goes deeper. For many people, spirituality is the answer to the question “what makes yoga special?”

According to Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, “Yoga means to be in perfect tune. Your body, mind and spirit and the existence are in absolute harmony.”

When you fine-tune yourself to such a point where everything functions so beautifully within you, naturally the best of your abilities will just flow out of you.” He confirms that while standing on your head, holding your breath and twisting your body is a part of yoga – Yoga is actually the science of activating your inner energies in such a way that your body, mind and emotions function at their highest peak. Sounds complicated? All in good time you will understand what we are talking about here.

Welcome to the Hindu Swyamsevak Sangh (HSS) 21 day column. Here we will bring to you all that is necessary for you to know about YOGA. We trust that you will read, and share the message around to all your friends, relatives and even write to us.

Before we begin to explore yoga, you probably are wondering “What is HSS?”, “What do they do?” let us tell you a little on who we are.

The uniqueness of Hindu Dharma and the culture as practiced by the Hindu community has a significant contribution to make for the benefit of humanity. It is therefore essential for Hindus living in Guyana to develop unity and harmony in their community to effectively promote these salient features. The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) Guyana is a voluntary, non-profit, social and cultural organization. Sangh, as the organization is popularly known, aims to organize the Hindu community in order to preserve, practice and promote Hindu ideals and values. We stem from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which in English means “National Volunteer Organization which was founded in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar (1889–1940). However outside of India, the organization is known as the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, but to differentiate amongst ourselves we place our country’s name behind.

HSS conducts structured programs of regular athletic and academic activities to develop strong character and leadership skills in its members (known as swayamsevaks for men and sevikas for women), emphasizing values such as selfdiscipline, self-confidence and a spirit of selfless service (seva) for humanity. We encourage maintaining Hindu cultural identity in harmony with the larger community.

Yoga happens to be one of the main aspects that we look into in HSS. We believe that in order to promote spiritual growth, a sense of unity with the environment and general well-being, yoga must play a critical role in everyone’s life.

What is the International Day of Yoga (IDOY)?

International Day of Yoga was the result of a call

by Indian Prime Minister Shri

Narendra Modi during his address to the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) not long after he captured the imagination of world leaders after his election to office in May 2014. On September 27, of that year, he declared: “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. It is not about exercise, but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. “ Following on PM Modi’s proposal, on December 11 in 2014, the UN General Assembly declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.

That day – the day of the annual Summer Solstice – was chosen because in the words of Modi, “the date is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and has special significance in many parts of the world.” It is the beginning of summer in this hemisphere.

With this he urged the world community to adopt an International Day of Yoga.

The logo of IDOY is also deeply symbolic.

It has two hands in the famous “namaste” pose which represents “the union of individual Consciousness with that of universal Consciousness, a perfect harmony between mind and body, man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. Brown leaves symbolise the Earth element, green leaves symbolise Nature, blue symbolises the Water element, brightness symbolises the Fire element and the Sun symbolises the source of energy and inspiration. The logo reflects harmony and peace for humanity, which is the essence of Yoga.”

Today more than 153 countries observe this day because they recognize the history, the benefits and the importance and the need of yoga. Guyana is one of those countries that has been participating in this observance for the past three years.

You can be of any faith or have no faith to practice yoga – yoga is not a religious practice, and the spiritual side of yoga is not linked to any organized form of worship. The word yoga means to join or unite, and yogis view this unison in different ways – the unison of body, mind and spirit, uniting all the aspects of yourself, or uniting with a higher power or spiritual force.

You can believe in a God or gods, or nothing at all. Sometimes working through asanas can be like a prayer – moving quietly, reverently, focused on the breath. But equally your prayer could come the next day, when you feel a jolt of recognition and completion, and are taken back to how you felt when you were truly in the moment, on the mat.

Think of yoga was a way of cultivating wholeness, remembering wholeness, and recognizing this wholeness everywhere – for many yogis, that is the spiritual side of the practice.

Join us tomorrow as we look continue to look at Yoga and Spirituality and how it can help you as an individual to be a more aware social being.

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, june 1, 2017

ARCHIE

Finish what you start. The more you get done, the better (March 21- you will feel. You’ll make an April 19) impression on someone who can make a difference to your future.

ARIES

You’ll look at people and or-

TAURUS ganizations in your community (April 20- differently. Consider what you May 20) can do to help improve your life

dilbert

and make the world a better place. New friendships are favored.

Walk away from anyone GEMINI who is a bad influence. Excessive (May 21- behavior, deception and probJune 20) lems with youngsters, friends or loved ones can ruin your day.

Gravitate toward the positive, not the negative.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Find a unique but practical way to do your job or present something you want to pursue. Your attention to detail and quality will gain respect and support.

An unusual perspective on an offer you receive will be based on ulterior motives.

Don’t let someone do your thinking for you. Act on your own behalf and for your benefit, not for others’.

Attending a networking VIRGO (Aug. 23- event or getting together with Sept. 22) peers you respect will help you gauge how best to move forward. An unusual partnership will motivate you to do things differently.

Look over your papers and LIBRA make sure you have every(Sept. 23Oct. 23) thing in order pertaining to your home, investments and contractual matters. A minute alteration can save you a bundle.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Collaborate with someSCORPIO one who brings out the best (Oct. 24in you. An emotional talk will Nov. 22) help solve any uncertainty you have concerning equitable terms.

Ask questions if you are SAGITTARIUS confused or uncertain about (Nov. 23- what’s expected of you. Delays Dec. 21) or poor directions will result in frustration while traveling.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

If something appears to be CAPRICORN unrealistic or too good to be (Dec. 22- true, you need to back away.

Jan. 19) Put your time, effort and cash into something tangible that you know will be to your benefit.

Make sure you see things AQUARIUS clearly when dealing with (Jan. 20relationships or emotional Feb. 19) matters. Your vision may be marred by someone else’s inaccurate version of affairs.

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

It will be difficult to difPISCES ferentiate between truth and (Feb. 20March 20) fiction. Try not to mislead someone who can alter your position or reputation. Stick to the facts and avoid gossip.

thurSDAY, june 1, 2017

19

Cricket West Indies Cummins, Cottrell fail to stop rebrand complete with

website launch C

ricket West Indies (CWI) will begin its 91st year today, with a new name and website as part of a comprehensive rebranding programme.

From today the West Indies Cricket Board will be renamed Cricket W e s t Indies and formally recognise all representative teams as the WINDIES.

CEO Johnny Grave commented:

“Cricket West Indies better reflects how the organisation operates, as there are many different stakeholders who we work in partnership with, under the unifying aim of improving cricket at all levels within the region. We plan to work even more closely with them over the next few years and consultation will begin immediately as we develop a new strategic plan for 2018-2023.”

President Dave Cameron added:

“Whilst the Board of Directors has an important role, we feel that the new name is more inclusive and appropriate, as we want

to recognise the valuable role that our players, territorial boards, staff, supporters, governments, coaches, match officials and volunteers, play in the organisation. For Cricket West Indies to operate effectively and ef- ficiently we need all of our stakeholders to work in partnership and the name change is an important first step in our strategy.”

The WINDIES name has long been associated with the representative teams within International cricket and this new brand will be used on all team playing shirts along with a new website focused on providing all WINDIES supporters more user-friendly information including live scores, team updates, videos and player information.

The new website is www.cricketwestindies.org and the new match centre will launch on www.windiescricket.com ahead of the first International T20 against Afghanistan on Friday, June 2. (Sportsmax)

Being black in US tough says LeBron James after racist graffiti

N

BA superstar LeBron James has talked about the ordeal of suffering racism after the “N-word” was spray painted on to his Los Angeles home.

“No matter how much money you have, no matter how famous you are... being black in America is tough,” he said.

The graffiti was reported to police on Wednesday morning and the Cleveland Cavaliers star responded hours later.

LAPD officials confirmed to the BBC the highly offensive nature of the racial epithet.

Officers are reviewing surveillance footage to try to identify the vandal.

James was speaking from San Francisco, where his team is training ahead of Game 1 of the NBA finals.

“Racism will always be a part of the world, a part of America, and hate in America - especially for African-Americans - is living every day,” he said.

Afghans in warm-up win

Cummins took 3-19 in an impressive spell

T

wenty20 World Cup star, Johnson Charles, stroked a half-century but was the only bright spark as Afghanistan opened their limited overs tour of the Caribbean with a 12run victory over the WICB President’s XI here Tuesday night.

Chasing a modest 116 at Warner Park, the President’s XI could only muster 103 for nine off their 20 overs, with opener Charles gathering a typically robust 53 off 44 deliveries. However, the righthander was the only batsman to pass 15 and just one of three in double figures, as the run chase lost impetus in the middle overs. They were slumping at 31 for three in the seventh before Johnson combined with wicketkeeper Devon Thomas (13) in a 40run fourth wicket stand to revive the innings.

The hosts were then seemingly well poised at 71 for three in the 14th but once Charles, who struck five fours and two sixes, became the second of off-spinner Mohammad Nabi’s two wickets, the innings fell away with six wickets falling for 30 runs.

Teenaged leg-spinner Rashid Khan was the best bowler with three for 11 from

his four overs while left-arm spinner Amir Hamza chipped in with two for 17.

Earlier, Afghanistan rallied to 115 for nine off their 20 overs, with opener Usman Ghani top-scoring with 33 from 34 deliveries with four fours and a six. Fast bowlers Miguel Cummins (3-19)

and Sheldon Cottrell (3-24) finished with three wickets apiece while left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul picked up two for 25. The Afghans face West Indies in the first Twenty20 International of the three-match series here on Friday at 7:30 pm (Eastern Caribbean time). (CMC)

SCOREBOARD AFGHANISTAN U Ghani c wk Thomas b M Cummins 33 G Naib b S Cottrell 10 M Stanikzai* b M Cummins 4 S Shinwari b M Cummins 8 M Nabi c Cummins b V Permaul 14 K Janat lbw b A Nurse 6 S Shafaq+ c Reifer b V Permaul 15 N Zadran b S Cottrell 15 R Khan c Charles b S Cottrell 0 A Hotak not out 7 S Zadran not out 0 Total: 115/9 (20 Overs) Fall of Wickets: Samiullah Shenwari 1-17, Asghar Stanikzai 2-37, Shafiqullah Shafiq 3-56, Usman Ghani 4-57, Karim Janat 5-71, Mahammad Nabi 6-83, Najibullaah Zadran 7-95, Rahmah Shah 8-96, Shapoor Zadran 9-115.

WICB President’s XI Bowling: S Cottrell 4-0-24-3-0, K Mayers 2-0-12-0, M Cummins 4-0-19-3, R Reifer 2-0-11-0, Ashley Nurse 4-0-23-1, V Permaul 4-0-25-2.

West Indies J Charles c S Zadran b M Nabi 53 A Fletcher c S Shenwari b A Hamza 4 N Pooran c A Stanikzai b M Nabi 1 J Carter b A Hamza 1 D Thomas+ b R Shah 13 R Reifer run out (Shafaq) 13 A Nurse* LBW R Shah 0 K Mayers b R Shah 8 V Permaul c M Nabi b S Zadran 7 S Cottrell not out 1 M Cummins not out 1 Total: 103/9 (20 Overs) Fall of Wickets: Andre Fletcher 1-18, Nicholas Pooran 2-29, Johnathan Carter 3-31, Delorn Johnson 4-71, Devon Thomas 5-73, Ashley Nurse 6-73, Raymon Reifer 7-93, Kyle Mayers 8-95, Veersammy Permaul 9-101.

Afghanistan Bowling: S Zadran 4-0-32-1, A Hamza 4-0-172, K Janat 4-0-23-0, M Nabi 4-0-20-2, R Khan 4-0-11-3.

Jon Drummond 8-year-ban upheld by CAS

F

LeBron James

He added: “We’ve got a long way to go for us as a society and us as AfricanAmericans until we feel equal in America.”

The vandalism was discovered on James’ private gate at about 06:45 local time, said Officer Lillian Preciado.

James purchased the 9,440 sq ft home in 2015 for

$21m (£16m) the LA Times reports.

The 32-year-old is ranked as the highest-paid player in the NBA, reportedly earning more than $30m per year.

Last week he became the all-time leading scorer in the play-offs, surpassing Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan’s record.

ormer United States Olympic sprint relay gold medalist Jon Drummond has had his eight-year doping ban for possession, trafficking and administration of illegal substances confirmed following an unsuccessful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Drummond’s ban that has been backdated from December 17, 2014, was confirmed in the latest International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) newsletter, which includes a list of the latest positive doping cases.

The latest list contains 27 names, with six each coming from the US, Ukraine and Russia.

Drummond was banned after information provided by 2007 World 100m champion Tyson Gay, whom Drummond once coached.

As a result, Gay’s doping ban in 2014 for taking a banned anabolic steroid was re-

Jon Drummond

duced to a year.

USA Track & Field (USATF) had initially announced Drummond’s ban in 2014.

(Sportsmax)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursDAY, june 1, 2017

England v Bangladesh, Champions Trophy…

I enjoy watching great players Blockbusting England must like Messi ‒ Cristiano Ronaldo beware complacency “I

Bangladesh have been known to be a dominant force in cricket over the last years

T

wo of the most-improved ODI teams of the last two years will be pitted against each other in the Champions Trophy opener. England and Bangladesh have turned heads with their progressive approach as they have developed settled line-ups that can match any top team.

Both have been entertaining to watch, too, promoting cricketers who have natural flair and an eye for the big occasion.

England have an outand-out aggressive batting line-up that can sometimes be as deep as No. 11. Eoin Morgan and Joe Root are the

team’s advancement in the last two years. Add the magical Mustafizur Rahman and the uber-talented Mehedi Hasan, and you have a team that ticks most of the boxes in modern ODI cricket.

Since their disastrous 2015 World Cup campaign (which was ended by defeat to Bangladesh in Adelaide), England have the second best record against this year’s Champions Trophy participating teams.

In the same list, Bangladesh have more wins than India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Compare that with the previous two-year cycle (between the 2013 Champions

Ben Stokes

experienced hands in a team that has topped the 400-run mark twice in the last two years; 300-plus totals have become England’s ODI staple.

Ben Stokes is rapidly developing into one of the best allrounders in the world, an ode to the England approach of picking genuine allrounders over bits-and-pieces cricketers. Uncertainty persists as to the condition of Stokes’ knee but he - along with Chris Woakes, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid - will be key to England’s chances of success in the Champions Trophy.

To counter, Bangladesh have the combined experience of their captain Mashrafe Mortaza, vice-captain Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah.

They have played 828 ODIs between them, and have been highly influential in the

Trophy and 2015 World Cup), when both struggled for consistency, winning far fewer matches against the top eight sides of that period.

One of the key battles in this encounter will be the last 10 overs of the England innings, because England have the highest average run rate (8.63) during this period of the innings in the last two years while the Bangladesh bowlers have the lowest run rate, 6.68 per over, among the top eight teams.

Both teams, however, go into the game with disturbances to their overall plan.

Both collapsed badly in their last match: England slipping to 20 for 6 against South Africa in the third ODI at Lord’s, while Bangladesh were bowled out for 84 against India in their last practice match at The Oval.

These two results serve a fi-

nal reminder that eye off the ball could be disastrous, especially in a tournament format that leaves very little margin for error.

England are favourites among many experts ahead of the competition, which includes the India captain Virat Kohli; everyone is wary of a home team that has a squad full of blockbuster cricketers. England, though, know all too well that taking Bangladesh lightly could prove very costly.

In the spotlight

Mark Wood brought himself into the limelight after his stunning final over in the second ODI against South Africa handed England the series. His pace was always impressive but through this performance, he showed that he can bring it to the toughest stage of a game. England’s bowling attack needs an X-factor in the Champions Trophy, and Wood looks like the man who can provide it.

Shakib Al Hasan has won the most Man-ofthe-Match awards for Bangladesh but he hasn’t won one since the first ODI against Afghanistan in September last year. Since then, he has averaged 28.38 with the bat and 41.62 with the ball, which is very unlike Shakib of the last 10 years.

But more often than not, he doesn’t let a slide go for too long, and the Champions Trophy opener is the perfect occasion to break it.

England: Eoin Morgan (Captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood.

Bangladesh: Masrafe Mortaza (Captain), Imrul Kayes, Mahmudullah, Mehedi Hasan Miraj, Mosaddek Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Sanjamul Islam, Sabbir Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarker, Tamim Iqbal and Taskin Ahmed. (cricinfo)

really enjoy seeing him on the pitch.”

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo talked up Lionel Messi.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo praised Lionel Messi and said he enjoyed watching the Barcelona forward.

Either Ronaldo or Messi, the world’s two best players, have won the Ballon d’Or the past nine years, and are compared every season.

The Portuguese forward, whose team face Juventus in the Champions League final on Saturday, said Messi was among those he enjoyed seeing play.

“I like to see all good players and Messi is one of them.

He is a player,” Ronaldo told Fox Sports Argentina.

“I really enjoy seeing him on the pitch and all the great players.”

Ronaldo has enjoyed an-

Ronaldo and Messi in action

other fine campaign, having scored 40 goals in all competitions to help Madrid reclaim the LaLiga title.

The 32-year-old said he had a decent relationship with Messi, although he disliked the constant comparisons.

“Whenever I’m with him, I have a very good relationship with Messi,” Ronaldo

said.

“It’s not that I go to his house and eat together. He is not a friend, but I consider him a companion by profession and not a rival because I don’t like it, like comparisons.

“It is part of the work and the world of football. (Sportsmax)

Tridents and Jet Blue donation covers travel expenses for Drayton’s treatment B RIDGETOWN, Barbados – Tridents Pride of Barbados cricket franchise and the team’s Official Travel Partner JetBlue Airways have partnered to donate toward the travel expenses of Dawn Drayton in a push to get the critically ill Barbadian woman urgent care overseas.

In February 2016, Dawn Drayton was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare and potentially fatal autoimmune disorder that causes the body’s immune system to mal-function and attack the nervous system resulting in muscle weakness, paralysis and extreme pain.

The GBS diagnosis was followed by complications from a severe bone disorder in her hips. Combined with the GBS, Ms. Drayton is immobile.

Ms. Drayton has been referred to a specialist at the world-renowned Baptist Health Hospital in Florida for corrective surgeries and therapy.

After hearing of Ms. Drayton’s needs, The Tridents and JetBlue combined efforts to provide travel vouchers to Ms. Drayton that will cover return travel from Barbados to Fort Lauderdale for the treatment.

On the support from the cricket franchise and airline, Ms. Drayton said: “I am deeply touched and truly appreciative to Tridents Pride of Barbados and JetBlue for taking the initiative and coming forward to provide this resource to me. The physical and emotional trauma of GBS and the resulting complications have been extremely over-whelming and it is a huge relief for me and my family to have this portion of the burden removed. Their kind gesture epitomizes community love and support and has strengthen my resolve to get well and continue to raise awareness for GBS.” Jason Harper, Tridents CEO said, “The Tridents stand ready to support Dawn in her efforts to receive the best treatment possible.”

“When informed of Ms. Drayton’s situa-

Dawn Drayton

tion, the franchise management approached our partner JetBlue with the proposition and they readily agreed. We look forward to a positive outcome for Dawn and her family.”

“JetBlue is proud to partner with the Tridents to help Ms. Drayton travel to Fort Lauderdale to receive additional care. This is an example of how partners can work together to benefit the community we serve,” said Mr. Terry Layne, JetBlue’s general manager in Barbados.

With treatment ongoing in South Florida this summer, the Tridents have also invited Ms. Drayton and her family to attend two matches against the Jamaica Tallawahs at the Broward County Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

“We want to bring a smile to Dawn’s face.

Physical therapy can be a physically and mentally exhausting process. The Tridents want Dawn to spend a few hours away from the hospital, watching her Tridents compete in this summer’s Caribbean Premier League.

“Hopefully the Tridents play on the field and with the help of JetBlue off it, her spirits will be lifted,” Harper said.(CPL)

sports

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21

Rockaway New York T20 Cricket Fiesta 2.0

Ganesh shines as NY XI edge defending champs ‒ Lake, Kirton give Guyana first points

Waslim Haslim hits a maximum during his match-winning innings against India at the Baisley Pond Park

With the match in the balance, Karan Ganesh then played a captain’s he Baisley Pond Park (BPP) knock to see his team through to their hosted the first triple header on third consecutive victory and firmly Saturday May 27 in this year’s on top of the points table. The rightRockaway New York T20 Cricket hander scored an unbeaten 38 from Fiesta and despite the cool conditions 48 balls (1x4; 1x6) and with Dayanand throughout the day the action in the Roopnarine 27 (25 balls; 2x6) got the middle was heated. run chase back on track with a cruIn the match of the day, defending cial 42-run fourth wicket partnership. champions Pakistan lost a low-scoring Deveshwari Prasad also blazed 18 thriller to hosts, New York Select XI by from 12 balls (1x4; 1x6) after the rethree wickets with six balls to spare. quired run rate was soaring. Adnan As the trend goes, Pakistan decided Nasim picked up 2-12 as ball dominatto bat upon winning the toss and were ed bat throughout the contest. With aiming for a 200 plus total but their one needed from the final over, Munir opponents who are playing as a team sent down a wide as NY Xi finished on for the first time this season, had oth- 112/7 much to the jubilation of the nice er ideas. crowd on hand.

Off-spinner Terrence Madramootoo Earlier, New York Select XI opened and right-arm fast bowler Seon Daniels the day with a clinical performance over had impressive opening spells that set debutants India with a seven-wicket back the free scoring Pakistanis. In the victory. India were sent in and thanks end the 2016 champions were bowled to a late order resistance got to 167/7. out in the final over for 111 with middle Syed Aleem top scored with 45 (27 balls; 4x6’s) while Saad Younus made 32 (28 balls; 2x6), Haider Ali 28 (11 balls; 2x4; 3x6) and Dwayne Johnson 26 (23 balls; 2x4; 2x6) also contributed. In the bowling department, Madramootoo (210), Gavin Singh (2-18) and Chris Sewpradad (218) claimed two scalps each.

Wasim Haslim then blazed the trail in a Man of Keon Lake (right) is the Man of the Match against Bangladesh the Match performance to finish the order batsman Jahanzeb Alam hitting game with 82 not out from 37 balls a patient 36 from 45 balls (1x4; 1x6) (2x4; 9x6). Chris Patandin made a to rebuild the innings after his team quick fire 24 from 14 balls (1x4; 2x6). was struggling at 46-6 in the ninth Rafiq Ugrader (1-12), Krunal Kapoor over. Umer Farooq hit 17 (7 balls; 2x4; (1-26) and Poro Burman (1-30) were 1x6) at the top of the order but no oth- the wicket takers. er batsman got going against the qualiIn the second match of the day, ty bowling which was backed up by su- Guyana bounced back from their openperb fielding. ing round defeat to beat Bangladesh by Wasim Haslim mopped up the tail 43 runs. to finish with 3-5 from 3 overs while After winning the toss, Guyana left-arm seamer Deveshwari Prasad (2- posted a challenging 181/6 with 20), Madramootoo (2-22) and Daniels Derrick Narine registering his sec(2-26) took care of the top and middle ond consecutive half century scoring orders as the work load and returns 50 runs from 23 balls (3x4; 4x6) and were shared evenly. got support from Guyana First Class Muhammed Khali (2-20) and player and Amazon Warriors selectee, Wahab Munir (1-25) then sent back Gajanand Singh who stroked 32 from the consistent Chris Patadin (14) and 27 balls (1x4; 1x6) batting at number Haslim for a duck while Wahid Ward three. also fell for a duck in his first game as After a middle order stifle, Rajiv NY XI were reduced to 22-3 in the third Ivan (30 not out) and Matthew over.

Marques (30) played some lusty blows

By John Ramsingh in New York

T

to score 61 from five and a half overs to end the innings on a high. Robin Das was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers with 3-30 from four overs.

In their first match of the season,

Karan Ganesh is all smiles after completing victory over Pakistan

Bangladesh were then bundled out for 138 from 19.4 overs with off spinner Keon Lake spinning webs round the top order with 4-24 in a Man of the Match performance. Guyana’s captain Andre “Rusty” Kirton picked up 3-13 as Robin Das top scored with 29 while Syed Hussein made 19.

The tournament will take a break this weekend and will resume on June 10 with a double header at the Canarsie ground. Pakistan will take on Bangladesh while India battle Jamaica.

The Rockaway Cricket Fiesta began in 2016 with four teams of expats from Trinidad and Tobago, Bangladesh, Guyana and Pakistan. This year, T&T failed to field a team while India, Jamaica and the New York Select XI which is made up of mainly Guyanese were brought in.

The final is set for August 12 at the Baisley Pond Park (BPP) for a top prize of US$7,000. The tournament is sponsored by the Rockaway Group of Companies comprising of The Royal Empress Banquet Hall, Rockaway Roti Shop and Rockaway VIP Taxi Service in Queens New York.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thurSdAY, june 1, 2017

Digicel’s School Football Championships kicks off on June 12 ‒ more than 160 schools expected to participate

By Akeem Greene

“F

ootball is a talent developed through feeding a passion that has become a way of life for youth, the future Guyana stars”.

Those were the words of Digicel’s Head of Marketing Jacqueline James while speaking at the launching of the seventh edition of the Digicel’s Schools Football Championship at the West Demerara Secondary School on Wednesday.

The tournament is set to kick-off on June 12, lasting for approximately six weeks, with the final set for July 30 at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, West Coast

Digicel’s Head of Marketing Jacquline James

since its inception in 2011; a theme which James expounded.

“Unite: Bring families, friends and communities; Develop: Develop the talent of our youth through their passion of their favourites

Testing it out! One player tries to showcase his skill

Demerara.

It will continue under its theme “Unite.Develop.

Excel” which it has carried

sporting activity and Excel: Putting their best foot forward in seeking to realise

their dreams in becoming a member of the Guyana Golden Jaguars team and ultimately even reaching higher heights,” James explained.

Given the fact that the tournament continues to grow exponentially, James is advocating for more community-based support as the company will be rewarding those who showcase unwavering zeal at matches.

Additionally, Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Third Vice President Thandi McAllister noted that the tournament meshes with their plan in spreading the sport given the fact that they will be giving technical support.

“This investment is reaching the young footballers at the most critical state of their development and it indeed compliments the GFF formula to grow the game; this formula as outlined in our five-year strategic plan- finding our focus entails in more people playing in more places more often; designing more positive interactions around football and exposing more young people to the sport at an earlier age”.

More so, Technical Director of the Education Ministry, Dr Wasir Mohammed, highlighted children must be allowed to play sports, lamenting the fact that today’s academic system has overburdened the children, which has become a major concern of the Education

The future! Some players display the new uniforms

Ministry.

Director Christopher

of Jones

Sport while

commending Digicel for their continued support

(Carl Crocker photos)

towards the development of sport revealed that Waramadong Secondary has been given lights to help better their preparation.

The donation of the lights is part of the National Sports Commission’s “Light it Up campaign”.

Meanwhile, Digicel’s Head of Customer Care Sherwin Osborne was adamant that the initial aim of the tournament is now coming to fruition.

Osborne went on to elaborate that the under-18 tournament will cater for students born on or after August 1, 1999 and implored that teams submit the relevant documents to substantiate the age of their players.

“This year we will not host a game unless each player has their documents

which must be submitted 24 hours before the game, we don’t want to field a team that is not eligible to play in a the tournament”.

The schools are vying for the top prize of one million dollars towards a school project of their choice, while second place finisher will play for $700,000, third $400,000 and fourth $350,000 which will go towards a school project of their choice.

The top regional winners of the straight knockout tournament will be awarded $100,000 each.

The defending champions are Chase Academic Foundation with other Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (20122015) and Government Technical Institute (2011).

World Challenge Day attracts several schools Scenes from World Challenge Day where students were engaging in a number of exercises guided by instructors

S

everal Georgetown based schools and one from Linden attended the t World Challenge Day activates on Wednesday at the Square of the Revolution.

World Challenge Day is observed every year on May 31, and the idea is to encourage persons to get involved in some form of physical activity for 15 minutes per day.

The students were taken through their paces by fitness instructor, Tyson English.

Director of Sport Jones said the Commission is keen on a promoting healthy lifestyle and he urged the students to spread the message of staying fit and healthy with

their colleagues, family members and neighbours.

World Challenge Day was initiated in 1991 by The Association for International Sports for All (TAFISA) and it is a friendly international competition or physical activity challenge, organised within communities from around the world to compete and motivate each other to be physically active for 15 minutes daily.

The event is fun natured and is aimed at creating consciousness and passion for health and active living for all participants.

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, june 1, 2017

GCB/Hand-In-Hand Insurance U-19 50-over

Yadram, Algoo record W

match-winning centuries

est Indies Under-19 player Bhaskar Yadram and Alex Algoo made hay with the sunshine that was provided Wednesday to record two match-winning centuries as Demerara and the National Under-17 select squad recorded victories in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Hand-In-Hand Insurance Under-19 inter-county 50-over tournament.

As play finally got underway after the entire first round was abandoned on account of rainfall on Monday, Yadram scored 121 not out to guide Demerara to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over archrivals Berbice at the National Stadium, while Algoo blasted 119 from just 72 balls in the National U-17 upset win against Essequibo at Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary.

In the Demerara versus Berbice clash, the hosts won the toss and invited the visitors to take first strike. The Ancient County side managed 197-9 in their allotted 50 overs, with Javed Karim top-scoring with 74 while Matthew Hardyal chipped in with 26. Renaldo Ali Mohamed was outstanding with the ball for the hosts, claiming 4-46 while Yadram

took 3-36.

In reply, Demerara raced to 203-2 from 40 overs, with Yadram leading his team with 121 and receiving support from West Indies Under-19 wicketkeeper/ batsman selectee Joshua Persaud, who made 43. The pair added 98 for the second wicket after their team lost Raymond Perez for naught to all-rounder Karim.

Subsequent to Persaud’s dismissal, Gavin Boodwah (22 not out) joined forces with Yadram and the two took Demerara to victory without another casualty.

Meanwhile, the highlight of the day was Algoo’s scintillating innings which spearheaded his team to a mammoth total in 28 overs.

He struck nine fours and 10 sixes as he shared in an opening partnership worth 156 runs in just 19 overs with Sachin Singh, who was also in good form with 52 from 54 deliveries.

The U-17 squad eventually ended on 222-7 from 28 overs in the rain-reduced game as only Junior Sinclair (16) of the other batsmen reached double figures.

Mahendra Persaud claimed 3-29 to finish as Essequibo’s best bowler.

In their response, the Cinderella County side

23

Shuttle Time expected to be implemented

by GBA in June/July R ecently, the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) President Gokarn Ramdhani attended the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Gold Coast, Australia May 19-21, 2017, and was able to lobby for the Shuttle Time programme to be held in Guyana.

In 2012, BWF launched Shuttle Time, a schools badminton programme supporting the principle that children should lead a healthy and active life, both in and out of school. BWF’s goal is to make badminton one

GBA President Gokarn Ramdhani

ton through many opportunities to have fun, engage with others, and experience success.

Bhaskar Yadram on the go at Providence

fought hard to reach the target, but eventually fell short by 16 runs, finishing on 2068 from 28 overs.

Navendra Persaud was their best batsman with 59, while Stephan Campbell (59) and Joshua Jones (33 from 19 balls) made significant contributions.

Jevon Schults and Junior Sinclair were the chief bowlers for the U-17 unit with

three wickets apiece.

The tournament will continue today with two matches; at the National Stadium, defending champions Demerara will take on Essequibo, while Berbice will face the U-17 Squad at Everest Cricket Club Ground.

On Friday, the top two teams will feature in the final.

of the world’s most popular and accessible school sports.

Shuttle Time offers school teachers access to free resources, training and equipment, which support the teaching of enjoyable, safe and inclusive badminton activities to children aged 5-15 years old. Shuttle Time lessons are designed to provide children with a positive image of badmin-

The programme is currently being implemented in 101 countries in partnership with BWF’s Continental Confederations and Member Associations.

The GBA has plans to implement this programme in June/July 2017, and arrangements are ongoing to get the international coaches and personnel ready.

South American U-20 Youth Championships

5

Joseph confident of National contingents arrive Under-15s’ success for historic event

H

The National Under-15 players pose after a training session

T

Argentina’s contingent for the South American Games pose for a photo after arrival Wednesday

hree days before the commencement of the South American U-20 Championships, five of the 12 foreign contingents arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Wednesday.

Among the delegates who touched down to compete at the two-day event on June 3 and 4 at the Leonora Track and Field Facility are the Brazilians, the most successful unit at the Games, along with the Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay and Uruguay teams.

This is the first time that Guyana is hosting an in-

ternational track and field meet of this calibre as 359 athletes from 13 countries will be competing for medals across a number of events, including the steeplechase, hurdles and pole vault, events which Guyanese will have a chance to see.

Guyana’s hopes of medalling at the games rest largely on the “fastest U-20 sprinter in the Caribbean”, Compton Caesar, who recently copped gold at the CARIFTA Games along with Triple Jumper Chantoba Bright, U-17 athlete Daniel Williams, distance runner Claudrice Mckoy and

Anfernee Headecker.

In the non-traditional events, Guyana will be represented by debutant hurdlers Hosea Glenn and Terrence Fraser in the 400 metres hurdles, while Ronaldo Wishart, Nigel Gonsalves and Rondell Newton will seek glory in the 3000m steeplechase.

Tickets to the Championships cost $500 and Guyanese are urged to come out and support the young athletes as they seek to make history this weekend.

The remaining delegates are expected to arrive today.

ead Coach of the National Under-15 football team, Bryan Joseph expressed confidence that the young recruits could do well on the island of Saint Martin when they play in the SOUALIGA Tournament.

The SQUALIGA Tournament is serving as part of the national team’s preparatory activity for the CONCACAF U-15 tournament scheduled for August.

Joseph, in speaking to Guyana Times Sport prior to the team departing, explained that given the performances in French Guiana last December and the constant camps, they had a very good chance of reaching the semi-finals or even the finals. Their last four-day camp ended on Wednesday ahead of today’s departure.

Likewise, the skipper, Joshua Braithwaite said it was a great feeling to lead the national team as it gave him a chance to “lead from the front” and fulfil “one of his goals”.

Braithwaite expressed optimism over his team’s chances in the SOUALIGA Tournament. “I expect the team to win this time as we’ve been together for a long time. This is the fourth camp that the national programme has had for us and I think this time, we won’t be having any excuse; I think we should win this time.”

The squad includes players from six of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres (ATCs) – Region One

(1); Georgetown (6); East Demerara (7); East Bank Demerara (2); Bartica (1); Berbice (5) and Rupununi (3). There are three goalkeepers, seven defenders, eight midfielders and seven forwards.

Also included in the squad is U-13 player Kamani Milne, a forward from the Berbice ATC, as well as Ronaldo Rodrigues, Troni Semple and the appointed captain.

Rodrigues, who hails from Santa Rosa, Moruca, said he was proud to be participating in his first international assignment. He also said his community, which has been very supportive of him, was happy following his first camp in April 2017.

Meanwhile, Semple, who hails from the East Coast ATC and plays for Buxton United FC, is on his third national outing, having represented at both the U-15 and U-17 levels respectively. He spoke about the benefits of the continuous encampment conducted by the GFF Technical Department and how it has helped him to develop his game.

The squad, which is managed by Coach Joseph, who is assisted by Challus Mc Kinnon, will be reduced to a 16-man travelling team following encampment.

The SOUALIGA Tournament will feature nine other territories, including Anguilla, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Tortola, Barbados, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St Thomas.

The final 16-man squad is yet to be realised.

THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Digicel’s School Football Championships kicks off on June 12 Pg 22

‒ more than 160 schools expected to participate The respective representatives and players at the launching on Wednesday at the West Demerara Secondary School

South American U-20 Youth Championships Pg 23

5 contingents arrive for historic event Brazil’s contingent for the South American Games pose for a photo after arrival Wednesday

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