Guyana Times Daily

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Issue No. 2962

Cove and John Hindu College celebrates CXC high P13 achievers

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, August 29, 2016

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PNCR Congress

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

West Dem brawl leaves man injured

David Granger, Basil Williams, George Norton re-elected to leadership Berbice businessman Scrap the drug bond robbed deal – James

– residents call P12 for justice Regent Street accident

C/ville man succumbs, P9 driver under close arrest

Page 8

Pharmagate

Page 2

– gunman escapes with $2M

Bond

Page 7

86 graduate from Guyana-Cuba Medical Scholarship Programme

Page 13

Moves afoot to open P2 plantain chip factory in Leguan – Business Ministry opens bids

Businesses beware

Counterfeit US$50 note P surfaces at 10 Kitty business

The new doctors taking their Oath at the graduation ceremony held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on Saturday

Dismissed Govt employees struggling to regain employment Page 12

ExxonMobil plans double approach P10 at Liza

Berbice P10 pumpkin farmers seeking new markets – calling on Government to assist

2 NEWS Moves afoot to open plantain chip factory in Leguan MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

– Business Ministry opens bids

G

overnment has revitalised plans by the previous Administration to open a plantain chip factory in Leguan, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

The Business Ministry, in a local newspaper advertisement, is inviting interested investors to submit Expressions of Interest along with their business proposal for this undertaking.

According to the Government ad, investors should have the capacity to take possession of the property immediately after signing the contract.

The size of the property is 8625 square feet and includes machines such as slicing processors, and blanching, and dewatering, frying, de-oiling, seasoning and packaging equipment.

The move to establish a

plantain chip factory, in order to push the local manufacturing sector, was touted by former President Donald Ramotar in the lead-up to the 2015 General and Regional Elections.

This project falls under the previous Administration’s Rural Enterprise Development programme which commenced back in 2014.

These projects initially comprised the construction of two call centres – one in Tuschen in Region Three and one in Enmore in Region Four, and two chip factories, one in Leguan and one in the neighbouring island of Wakenaam.

When the new Administration assumed office, this much-anticipated initiative was shelved.

Just earlier this year, residents were calling on the Government to move ahead with the plan to open

The plan to open a plantain chip factory in Leguan was revitalised

the factory to provide jobs for the people on the island.

Region Three Vice Chairman Sheik Ayube had noted with concern the apparent neglect of the project.

Shortly after their demands, the National Budget 2016 was presented in the National Assembly

and Business Minister Dominic Gaskin indicated that the project was back on the cards.

He explained that the entire Rural Enterprise Development initiative was put on hold to facilitate a review.

Gaskin announced that as a result of the review,

Government decided on some modifications and will complete three of the four projects that were begun under the initiative.

He noted that the building earmarked in Leguan for the factory was constructed with no consideration for how either “a person or a plantain” could get from the main roadway into the factory when it became operational.

Nonetheless, he said this would be addressed by Government.

With regard to the development of a plantain chip factory in Wakenaam, the Business Minister said Government was unable to proceed with that aspect of the plan because the area in question was prone to flooding and erosion, and therefore posed a risk to the entire operation.

Meanwhile, the Business Ministry is also moving

Region Three Vice Chairman Sheik Ayube

apace to open the call centre in Enmore.

An invitation for bids is being advertised for the completion of phase two for the call centre, which would include building works and the construction of external works along with facility.

Berbice businessman robbed

– gunman escapes with $2M

A

gunman on Sunday morning snatched over $2 million from a Berbice businessman as he was about to make a deposit at a commercial bank in Rose Hall Town, sources say.

Reports are that the businessman, Rakesh Mangalee of Albion, Corentyne, Berbice, was about to use the safety deposit box at Republic Bank when the gunman pounced on him.

Guyana Times was told that the businessman, a Berbice-based distributor, had just exited his car when the gunman came up and demanded that he

hand over the bag containing the cash.

The man complied and the bandit snatched the bag and escaped on a motorcycle which was being ridden by an accomplice.

Police B (Berbice) Division Commander, Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam confirmed the robbery had occurred, but did not divulge much detail as investigations are continuing.

He, however, noted that investigators were examining video footage from the Bank’s surveillance cameras, as well as other cameras from nearby businesses.

NEWS

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MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, August 29 – 14:30h-16:00h and Tuesday, August 30 – 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, August 29 – 14:35h-16:05h and Tuesday, August 30 – 15:25h-16:55h.

National Toshaos Conference

Ramsar Wetlands Agreement needs implementation – leaders

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Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

T

he gains obtained from the mining sector can only be sustained for future generations if Indigenous peoples collaborate to ensure that best practices are enforced. This was the contention of Amerindian leaders at the recently concluded 2016 National Toshaos Conference (NTC), with many noting the severe impact the extractive sectors has had on their livelihood.

As such, many leaders have reiterated their calls for the signing and implementation of the Ramsar Agreement on the conservation and use of all wetlands which was first adopted in Ramsar, Iran in 1971.

Guyana’s wetlands are principally found in the Indigenous locations.

Wetlands are listed as among “the most diverse and productive ecosystems”, which “provide essential services and supply all our fresh water [but] continue to be degraded and converted to other uses”. These “other uses” extend to the mining sector.

“We need water guidelines for the Rupununi, there is ‘upstairs’ mining that would affect the lower part of the Rupununi which are the wetlands, the fish, mammals, everything goes there,” one Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper

Indigenous leaders at the Conference

Essequibo) Toshao observed.

Another Region Nine Toshao, Patrick Gomes echoed the call for the implementation of the Ramsar Agreement. He posited that while the Wapishana people have been monitoring the utilisation of the natural resources, more unity among all Indigenous groups is needed for the sustenance of extractive industries.

“In Lethem, South Rupununi, we have wetlands that need to be included in the Ramsar Agreement… we have done a lot of development work for the Wapishana people, we have been monitoring our natural resources, as it relates to extractive industries… I feel the time has come for us as Indigenous people to work together as one people to ensure that what we have, we can sustain it for the benefit of those who are coming behind us. It is important for us to make sure that all safety is practiced when extractive industries are taking place,” Gomes expressed.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman explained to the Conference that Government, through its Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, is handling the country’s relationship with the Ramsar Convention.

“I know it is something that Government is looking at; we will as a Government, wait to be guided by

Vice President Allicock,” Trotman posited.

Guyana Times sought to garner clarifications on the convention’s status in Guyana, but was unable to contact Minister Allicock on Sunday.

The Convention’s mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world.”

According to the organisation, the Convention “uses a broad definition of wetlands.

It includes all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans.”

All signatories are guided under its “three pillars”, which include: working to-

wards “the wise use of all their wetlands; designate suitable wetlands for the list of Wetlands of “International Importance”… and “cooperate internationally on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems and shared species.”

At last week’s NTC, there were also concerns raised about lack of regulations over protected areas and land extension rights for Indigenous people. Responding to these concerns, the Natural Resources Minister once again noted that the aforementioned portfolio was handed over albeit to President David Granger.

“On the issue regarding extensions and the Protected Areas System, these are ongoing [but] the President himself has taken over responsibilities for the protected areas system and I will bring these to his attention and ensure that an answer is provided,” Trotman expressed on Wednesday last.

(Shemuel Fanfair)

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MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

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Editorial

PNC’s socialism redux

A

ddressing the PNC’s biennial Delegates’ Congress, the highest organ of the party, President David Granger in his role of Party Leader announced: “The PNCR’s ideology is inspired, largely, by the ideas of Forbes Burnham, its FounderLeader. His ideas grew out of historical experience and social action. He employed these ideas as instruments to transform society.”

As the individual who had been chosen by Mr Burnham to impart his ideology to one of the most important institutions in his regime, the Army, Mr Granger showed he was fully conversant with his use of the word “ideology” and was deliberately deploying it. In one formulation, ideology can be seen as “a system of ideas which refers to fundamental political aims and designed consciously or unconsciously to influence and direct the course of action for those within its sphere of influence”. The present generation may need to understand the use of the socialist ideology by Burnham.

From the moment of entrance into politics, Burnham had declared himself a “socialist”, but obviously had to be circumspect in light of the fact he was ensconced into office by the USA that was then very paranoid of “fellow travellers” of the communist USSR. The USA, of course, had ousted the PPP because of Cheddi Jagan’s vacillation on the issue. There are those that have asserted Burnham was not a “real” MarxistLeninist, because, while in 1970 he announced Guyana was “in transition” to socialism, he opted for the “cooperative” version, which the USSR dubbed “utopian”.

Since Karl Marx did not bequeath a blueprint for the “transition” from capitalism to communism, through the way station of “socialism”, he allowed Marxists from Lenin to Burnham, much room for improvisation. After declaring Guyana “the world’s first co-operative Republic” in 1970, he embarked on the transformational imperative of Marxism-Leninism.

By 1974, with Watergate transfixing the American presidency, Burnham declared the “paramountcy” of the PNC over the Government, along with the socialist nature of his party.

Finally, in 1976, Burnham announced he was a MarxistLeninist and that henceforth the PNC would be recognised as a vanguard party. He also explained the tactical nature of his 1970s’ introduction of co-operativism: “the co-operative was identified (as) the instrument for establishing socialism.

Cryptically, we described our ideology as Co-operative Socialism.

This was never intended to be a new brand of socialism”.

He revealed the all-pervading goal of his ideology by elaborating on his key concept: “co-operativism does not have its applicability confined to (production). It applies as well in family relationships, in service institutions and in every form of association which takes place in society…to effect a complete change of society against a mere revision to the existing society is the definition of Marxism-Leninism for Guyana”.

In light of the imperatives of his socialist ideology, Burnham defined the goal of the PNC as “mobilising the nation in every sphere and not merely for periodic elections and in support of specific actions and programmes…the party should assume unapologetically its paramountcy over the Government which is merely one of its executive arms…The country must be given practical and theoretical leadership at all levels – political, economic, social and cultural – by the PNC. The doctrine of party paramountcy was operationalised in 1974, by the creation of the “Office of the General Secretary of the PNC and the Ministry of the National Development” (OGSPNCMND).

By the time Burnham died in 1985, the OGSPNCMND. consisted of six departments, the names of which suggest the scope of its activity: National Production, Financial Administration and Economic Projects, Party Affairs and Mass Organisations, Personnel Administrative Service, National Orientation and International Relations, and Maintenance and Welfare.

Mr Granger will have to spell out how much of Burnham’s ideology will be implemented.

"Naya Zamana 21 — Lost in Time", a spectacular production held at the National Cultural Centre on Saturday night (Carl Croker Photo)

Janamashtmi celebration in Guyana, US and India Dear Editor, I observed Janamashtmi, the appearance (birth) of Lord Krishna in human form, last Thursday in India. The Hindu festival is also very popular among Hindus in Guyana, USA, Canada and the Guyanese Diaspora.

The celebration was brought to Guyana and the Caribbean by the indentured labourers some 178 years ago. Their descendants have transported (and introduced) that and other festivals from Guyana to other societies.

Observances of all major Hindu festivals, especially those related to Krishna, Shiva, Ram, Hanuman, Lakshmi, Sarasawati and Durga hold special prominence among Guyanese Hindus in the Diaspora as is also the case among Surinamese and Trinis.

I have been very fortunate in my lifetime to celebrate Indian (Hindu, Muslim and Christian) festivals in various countries. I observed Janamashtmi, the birth of the lord, in India (several times), New York, Fiji, Guyana, Trinidad, among other societies.

Janamashtmi is a national holiday in India and in Nepal unlike in Guyana and other countries with large numbers of Hindus or Indians. Lord Krishna is one of the most popular Gods in the Hindu religion and his birth celebration is similar everywhere with one exception. In India it is

very difficult to make offerings at the murthis where throngs of people overwhelm the pundits in the mandirs.

In other societies, devotees make their own offerings. In India, pilgrims flood holy places and temples and the cities are lit up in the night. Bhajans in tribute to Krishna are broadcast over loud speakers; radios and TV also air Krishna programmes.

Newspapers carry stories about the festival.

Unlike among Guyana, people all over India celebrate and get lost in song, dance and praise of Lord Krishna. But like Indians in India, Guyanese observe strict fast and perform all the rituals as stated in the holy texts.

The birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm among Guyanese everywhere and in India in the month of August.

Sri Krishna is considered as the one of the most powerful human incarnations of the Lord Vishnu.

He was born in Mathura.

According to religious texts, the objective of Sri Krishna’s birth was to free the Earth from the evil of demons. He played an important role in Mahabharata war and propagated the theory of bhakti or devotion as a worthy cause as well as to amass good karma, all of which are written by the lord in the Bhagwat Geeta.

In Guyana, I was told

that temples were packed to capacity for the fasting and worshipping on Wednesday night similar; some temples observed the festival on Thursday night as was the case in India.

In NY, the large Guyanese Hindu population celebrated Janamashtmi on Wednesday evening (midnight) to coincide with the timing of the birth of the Lord.

The Janmashtami celebration of Mathura and Vrindavan, which are associated with Krishna, the cities are very special. On this day temples and homes are wonderfully decorated and illuminated. There is great dancing in the streets of both cities as was also the case in NY, London, Toronto and wherever the Krishna devotees (such as ISKCON) have established centres.

On Wednesday and Thursday evenings, as is the custom in temples in Guyana and among Guyanese in NY and elsewhere, devotees meditated on the lord and read the Holy Gita. The Gita is associated with Krishna.

Worshippers chanted sacred mantras including a dhun of “Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaaya” and they also sang bhajans.

In NY, there was also kirtan singing.

At the temples in NY and India, worshippers symbolically rocked a cradle with a murthi of the Lord – signaling his birth. They of-

fered aarti, flowers, fruits, mohanbhog and a variety of sweets including ladoo, mithai, burfi, etc; some of these products were made from ground dhal and channa as well as wheat flour as specified in the scriptures.

Lord Krishna also loved ghee (makhan) and so the worshippers offered a variety of products made from this clarified butter.

Clothing, foodstuffs and money were also offered in NY as is the custom among Guyanese in NY (and the Diaspora) and Guyana.

Charities were given to the poor outside of the temples in India (the ones I visited) and to the needy who had queued up outside similar to the Eid celebrations of Muslims.

Janamashtmi was celebrated with much fervour and enthusiasm as I observed in travels in Bharatdesh and has been the tradition among Guyanese and Trinis in NYC. I also made my offerings.

In NY, all of the fifty Guyanese temples as well as temples in other states (Florida and Jersey) hosted Krishna celebration on Wednesday night or Thursday night. The Arya Samajists also observed the festival with havan, a pravachan (lecture with a message on significance of the festival) and bhojan.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

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

Open letter to PNCR Congress Dear Editor, This letter is addressed to you but it is intended primarily for the delegates of the PNCR, which is holding its congress this weekend, and the Indian Action Committee (IAC) is taking the opportunity to address them through you, on certain matters which have been causing a lot of disquiet amongst the IAC’s members.

The IAC wishes to begin with the economy which is not performing. This is general knowledge and the organisation is familiar with the problems of the marketing of rice at lucrative prices since Guyana lost the Venezuela deal and the IAC believes that much more needs to be done by the government to assist in securing good markets for Guyana’s rice.

Secondly, the situation in the sugar industry is quite alarming, since the main sugar union, GAWU, has been on strike for some time and this is adding to the problems at GuySuCo, which, at the present time, is losing a lot of money and is depending on the government for financial support.

The workers and the communities affected by this industry are waiting on the government to tell them what plans it has to deal with the question of thousands of workers who are going to be dislocated by the privatisation and restructuring of the industry.

The IAC believes that the time has come for the government and the company to set out in clear language what they plan to do to safeguard the livelihoods of the workers and their communities.

The IAC is of the opinion that this matter cannot be postponed any longer, and the government must declare now what are the plans it has for these people.

It is clear to the IAC, that the government must invest in the retraining of these workers after it gives them land that formerly belonged to GuySuCo so that they could make a living, and also after the government has paid them the proper severance that is due to them according to law.

The IAC is aware that the government is planning to establish a communal Lands Commission to deal with lands bought by formerly enslaved Africans (chattel slaves) between 1839 and

1860 which are described as having anomalies and controversies.

The IAC also believes that the time has come to deal with the question of land for the Indian communities that they have developed since they arrived here in 1838 as indentured labourers (bonded slaves) and since they have claims to the land which many of them have been renting for decades, and these anomalies and discrepancies have to be dealt with also.

The IAC posits that it is not true that only African lands have anomalies and the organisation believes that the time has come to deal with all of the anomalies concerning all the land of all the communities including lands for indigenous people.

The IAC understands that it is necessary for all of these matters concerning all of these communities to be dealt with at the same time in order to build cohesion and the organisation is hopeful that the PNCR con-

gress will spend some time to deliberate on these critical matters.

The IAC has noted, over the past year, in letters to Editors in various newspapers, utterances by politicians, commentators and the general public as well as comments from the organisation’s membership; written and verbal expressions of feelings of uneasiness from persons of Indo-Guyanese origin regarding discrimination, victimisation, marginalisation, witch-hunting and militarisation.

The IAC hopes that the PNCR which describes itself as a national, multiethnic, multicultural political party that has been in existence since 1957, can take note of these concerns at its congress and persuade the government to consider them in the context of social cohesion and national unity.

Yours sincerely, Saira Alli, Secretary Indian Action Committee

President should investigate NTC Chairman’s allegations against IDB local office Dear Editor, The Audience at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre went into a state of shock and disbelief after the chair of the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) made a public call for the President, HE David Granger, to investigate the IDB’s (Inter-American Development Bank’s) local office for delaying, derailing and apparent corruption on a project called the Forest Carbon Facility Project (FCPF).

I understand that this project was designed by the former administration to provide financial assistance and other benefits to local Indigenous communities, as well as complement the government’s Low Carbon and REDD+ programme.

If true, what the IDB’s local office, under its current head, has done or is doing is unacceptable and constitutes a total disrespect to President Granger and his administration, and the people of Guyana, in particular our local Indigenous people.

For too long we take our

Amerindian brothers and sisters for granted. This latest mismanagement of funds by the IDB under its current head, intended to the Indigenous people, must not be taken lightly.

This is first time in modern Guyana that a head of state has been called upon to investigate a major financial institution operating in Guyana (the IDB).

The call has not been made by any ordinary Guyanese, but by the constitutional chair of the NTC. The NTC is a constitutional body established under the laws of Guyana. Hence the alleged IDB action constitutes a breach of the law of Guyana and can be considered a criminal act.

This is not the first call for an investigation into the operations of the IDB’s local office, headed by a Canadian national. Alleged mismanagement, lack of transparency and alleged corruption has been pointed out numerous times in the press by transparency advocates. Former President Jagdeo, had expressed his displeasure of the Low Carbon

Development Strategy (LCDS) funds, managed by IDB, being paid out without proper accountability by the IDB. There have been many recent calls for the IDB’s local office to make available the names and procurement process involved in the paying of LCDS/GRIF funds by the IDB to staff of the Office of Climate Change (OCC) post May 2015.

There have also been calls for the IDB to justify the procurement process used to contract a suite of forensic auditors to conduct audits for the government. It is believed that over GY$50M worth of contracts were single-handedly given out to those auditors by the IDB without a transparent procurement process.

In addition, contractors bidding for an EU/GPL/IDB project have expressed concerns over the delays in awarding of the multi-million dollar contract and the IDB’s attempts to change the projects outcome and allocations of funds.

Yours sincerely, Carl Lucas

The Black community has the capability to overcome through cooperatives Dear Editor, Cooperatives have been established as a means of economic development of people.

Cooperatives also represent the third largest economic sector of a tri-sector economy, ie public, private, and coop sector. Unfortunately, in the recent past, the cooperatives sector has not been given the attention needed for it to become the economic powerhouse it can be. We must fix this.

The focus brought to the cooperative model as a means for empowerment is informed by its application and success in the immediate post-slavery society where Africans have acquired lands, built a system of government to manage their affairs and other forms of achievements. The strong view is held that more cooperative societies should be encouraged.

There are presently quite a few societies though some are not doing as well and need the technical expertise that comes from government to operate at full throttle.

Measures must be put in place to help these institutions to function efficiently and effectively.

Cooperative has proven an effective economic model to make the small man a real man. The majority of AfricanGuyanese are low wage/salary earners and developmental opportunities can be better sourced and accessed through this medium. It is the cooperative model from which we have historically been able to achieve and a model we must utilise to the fullest.

Linden/Region 10 can identify with utilising this model as an engine of growth during my chairmanship of the last Regional Democratic Council.

Within the last three years this model was utilised to create business and employment opportunities for residents who could not have ordinarily done same through the com-

mercial banking system.

At the national level, in addition to feverishly pursuing empowerment through cooperatives, Afro-Guyanese must recommit to ensure that their interests are heard and secured.

Black cultural groups must take a page from the Indian Arrival Committee which has already met President David Granger twice over the last 15 months and publicly made known their interests and expectations under his administration.

Though times have changed, change does not mean we discard the values upon which the Black community has been built, secured and succeeded over the years.

We need to move from the present stage where the ma-

jority is surviving to where legitimate opportunities are ensured for all to prosper. The statement that Africans are at the bottom of the social ladder must be myth not fact.

The Black community has the capability to overcome, to succeed, and to take their equal and rightful place in society. This race carries within its bosom the dignity and power to overcome. Doing this requires reaching deep within and bringing to the fore what has been lying dormant for far too many years. Confidence! It

is confidence that will make us straighten our backs, stare adversity and challenges in the face, speak out, stand up, move forward and achieve.

The time is now for us to ensure the family, the community and the institutions of State work for us, not against us. Our history has shown we have done it, and if we did it before, we can do it again. Yes, we can reach for that greatness within us and overcome!

Yours truly, Sharma Solomon

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MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

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By Sue Cowan-Jenssen

M

ost of us, if we’re lucky, grow up in loving families. But people are often full of contradictions and it is a rare family that doesn’t hold some sort of skeleton. Some of our buried secrets lose their power over the years, but others leave a damaging legacy.

In families with more shameful secrets, communication becomes difficult.

Children’s natural curiosity may be met with hostility, questions are discouraged and lies are perpetuated. It isn’t easy to keep secrets hidden. We communicate in so many ways. Information is revealed by what we choose to talk about or not talk about. How we react, our body language, the expression on our faces all tell a story. Secrets in families have great potency because, like buried radioactive material, they can leak and spread poison.

As a psychotherapist, I often hear secrets that have never been told before, from clients who have found the burden of silence or lies too hard to bear. Therapy is a safe place where the sense of shame that is so frequently the cause of the initial secrecy can be discussed and reassessed.

Alison never told a soul that she was raped as a teenager. Her parents were devout Christians and she feared they would somehow blame her for what happened. When her own daughter Vivien entered her teens, Alison became anxious. She was excessively intrusive and questioned Vivien’s every move. Her daughter was resentful and became increasingly secretive under her mother’s over-anxious gaze. She started to stay out

guyana-times.com

Foundation late and avoid home. Alison wasn’t fully aware that her anxiety had to do with her own experience, but in therapy she came to understand the full impact of the rape on her life. She could see that as an unsupported teenager, she had implicitly blamed herself rather than the rapist. With help from her therapist she could more honestly explain to her daughter why she had felt such fears for her safety.

Hiding the truth

Secrets can create a vicious circle of shame, hidden and unquestioned. Infidelity, abuse, mental illness, addictions and debt can all be hidden from view – they may even be buried in our subconscious. Some families do come to terms with the problems and bad behaviour of individual members, but where appearances are important, the family narrative cannot be changed, so evasion and dishonesty are used to protect the myth of the ‘acceptable’ family. Children raised in such families are given the message that certain difficulties are unacceptable, disgraceful and unmanageable, and they are not to be named.

When Jane’s job was under threat, she experienced panic attacks and felt suicidal. Her doctor referred her to a counsellor, who asked Jane to make a family tree. She encouraged her to talk about family members and Jane became aware of how little she knew about her paternal grandfather, who had died young. She discovered, on questioning her father, that her grandfather had committed suicide after his business failed and his wife left him.

No one ever talked about her grandfather – his suicide was considered shameful –

and Jane could see how the family’s inability to deal with the tragedy meant that they often over-reacted to the normal adversities that life can bring.

Secrets get in the way because appearance is more important than reality, which means anyone in trouble is left to cope alone.

This can have damaging consequences. When Margaret was 10 years old she was sexually abused by her older brother. Margaret adored him, seeing him as her protector in their often violent family. She couldn’t bear to admit to herself that he was an abuser and so she coped by denying what was happening to her. She kept the secret with terrible consequences: she couldn’t accept what a risk her brother was to small girls and she was later unable to protect her own daughter from being abused by him.

Family secrets can have serious long-term consequences. A study at Liverpool John Moores University suggested that one in 25 children is raised by a man who does not realise he is not the child’s biological father. The consequences of this lie can be devastating. The mother often bears the secret alone, fearing the consequences of her infidelity. Very often it is not what is said that gives away the secret, but what is not said. For example, in families where there is no shadow over a child’s origins there is usually a lot of conversation about how a child looks and whether it looks like its mother or father or either of their families. If there are doubts about parentage, these are dangerous conversations that have to be avoided. Children pick up on their parents’ discomfort even when nothing has been

said, and adults who discover the truth of their parentage often feel that they have always ‘known’ the truth. The secret, which might originally have been told to protect the marriage, can have serious consequences. Fathers may feel they have lost the child they knew, and children can feel that they have been profoundly betrayed, leaving them with a damaged sense of identity and huge sense of loss and grief.

Private lives In families that refuse to accept homosexuality or mixed marriages, children who don’t conform may feel they have to conceal their private lives. Such secrets might feel too destructive to reveal, but with time and due consideration, it can be done. In The Boy With The Topknot, Sathnam Sanghera describes the conflict between the love he felt for his Sikh mother, who would never accept inter-marriage, and his identity as a successful, westernised Asian writer. He lied about his personal life for years, but lying took its toll as he struggled with the impossibility of his choices.

He sought help, and was told that, while respect for one’s family is important, no family should demand the sacrifice of an individual’s personal happiness.

His mother didn’t have the right to ask him to lead a life that suited her wishes but that wasn’t right for him. With guidance and support, and great trepidation, he was able to tell his mother that an arranged marriage could not work and he wanted to make his own choices. To his surprise, his ‘bombshell’ didn’t destroy his mother, or their relationship. (psychologies.co.uk)

By Psychologist S arah Rozenthuler

S

Name it

ometimes it’s enough to indicate to the family member that you understand where they’re coming from.

So you might say to your mother “I understand that you’re making these comments about my outfit because you only want me to look my best. But your idea

of ‘best’ and mine aren’t the same.” Sometimes just doing that is all it takes to shift a deeply-rooted pattern.

Engage with it

Ask the person a question about the issue rather than reacting or asserting yourself. “So I’m curious, why are you so interested in how much I spend on groceries a week? Is it really that interesting to you that I choose to shop at the supermarket?” It’s about interrupting your own reactive pattern rather than focusing on their answers.

Bypass it

Sometimes the best and wisest course of action is to completely ignore the issue or barb that’s come up, at least for that moment.

It’s not always the right time.

Choose your moment

If it’s a difficult conversation, select the venue carefully. It’s best to go somewhere neutral, take the person out rather than

meeting at home. You’ll be more relaxed. If it’s a joint family discussion, think carefully about who needs to be there for the initial talk. You might want to be strategic about leaving inlaws and partners out of it.

Watch your words

Be aware that certain words are going to be more highly charged in families – words such as ‘always’ or ‘never’ should be avoided if possible. The words we choose and the tone of voice we adopt make a big difference. (psychologies.co.uk)

NEWS

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MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Pharmagate

Scrap the drug bond deal – James Bond ... “a shamelessly clear corrupt act” – Dr Ramsammy

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s the single-sourcing of a makeshift Pharmaceutical Bond on Sussex Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, continued to be mired in allegations of corruption and cronyism by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, calls are piling on the David Granger Administration to scrap the contract and go to public tender in keeping with the country’s public procurement laws.

Senior People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) figure, Attorney James Bond is among the most recent voices of reasoning that wants the deal to be scrapped.

Bond whose PNC/R is the largest partner in the governing coalition, told Guyana Times during a recent interview that the deal was a bad one, and should be abandoned, and a more transparent process should be undertaken.

“In my own estimation, indeed the contract should go to tendering. Other bonds may exist and you could have a better deal. I read an article by Ralph Ramkarran, Senior Counsel, and he put it in terms of measurement, square feet, is that the NEW GPC bond would have been far less than this bond now, so if you want to save government some money, if this going to be a long-term arrangement, I think you should go and see if you could get a bet-

Former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

ter deal,” Bond remarked.

Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton, who is embroiled in the controversy and faces the possibility of being hauled before Parliament’s Committee of Privileges for misleading the House, is also a senior member of the PNC/R. Harvard University Professor Dr Leslie Ramsammy also took a swing at those government ministers who offered preposterous excuses in attempting to justify the wrongdoings of the APNU/AFC administration.

Insult to intelligence

Dr Ramsammy, former Minister of Health, noted that the excuses proffered to legitimise what he described as “a shamelessly clear, corrupt act, is not only pathetic, but an insult to the intelligence of the Guyanese public.”

“Justifying blatant cor-

ruption by pleading ‘it is human to err’ is the most reprehensible explanation and excuse ever given for raping the national treasury in Guyana or anywhere else,” Ramsammy noted in a statement to the Guyana Times.

He rationalised that to rent a house located on Sussex Street and owned

by Linden Holding Inc as a medical warehouse for an exceedingly exorbitant price, without any public tendering, especially when there are better available options for a drugs bond, is far from a mere mistake.

“The tortured attempts to justify this reprehensible contract reveal an ugly arro-

shady deal.

“These excuses to justify continuing with a horrendously bad deal makes it difficult to dispel the notion that the Government is playing fast and loose with taxpayers’ moneys…” he expressed in his weekly blog ‘The Conversation Tree’.

Diamond bond

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

government are completely convinced that the entire undertaking is a corrupt deal

Moreover, Dr Ramsammy pointed out that in addition to the internationally certified warehouse owned by NEW GPC, government could have used its own warehouse in Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

“What makes this deal even more preposterous is

Linden Holding Inc bond located at Sussex Street

gance that is typical of dictatorship, arrogance that has disdain for the citizens, that is shameless and which believes that the government is untouchable,” he stressed.

Dr Ramsammy noted that most Guyanese, even diehard supporters of the

spearheaded by other members of the Cabinet whose instructions Dr Norton presumably acted upon.

Former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran also ruled as unacceptable the excuses provided by government for the

that the Ministry of Public Health owns an international standard warehouse at Diamond and it is presently less than 50 per cent occupied. This governmentowned facility meets all international standards for medical warehousing, in-

Senior PNCR figure James Bond

cluding PAHO/WHO standards,” he registered.

“Why would they spend so much money on a facility that was not needed because they do own a real warehouse which is not optimally used?”

Dr Ramsammy queried.

The Minister of Public Health did inform Parliament that there was an urgent need for the space because there were supplies at the wharf awaiting possession by the Ministry.

“But how could renting a house which was not ready to store any medicine or anything be the solution?

Ramsammy asked, adding that, “in fact, the house is still not ready and the Ministry has paid more than $50 million already upfront.”

This argument was also outlined by Ramkarran who posited that the justifications for not using that bond makes absolutely little to no sense at all: TURN TO PAGE 11

8 NEWS

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

PNCR Congress

David Granger, Basil Williams, George Norton re-elected to leadership

Eyew tness Domestic violence...

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President David Granger was re-elected PNCR leader unopposed

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he delegates of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) have re-elected embattled Public Health Minister Dr George Norton as one of the two vice chairpersons of the party.

Dr Norton secured the position when the party delegates voted for its leadership in the Central Executive Committee on Sunday.

Basil Williams was returned as PNCR Chairman unopposed

Volda Lawrence was also reelected as a vice chairperson

The minister has in recent days been taking flack for government over a deal it inked with Larry Singh’s Linden Holding Inc to pay $12.5 million monthly for a Sussex Street property to store government’s drugs and medical supplies.

Dr Norton secured 227 votes. Colleague Minister, Volda Lawrence, was also reelected as the PNCR’s other

vice chairperson.

Attorney James Bond, who had campaigned for the position on the platform of getting youths in the leadership of the party managed to secure 148 votes.

Clement Corlette, another of the challengers for the vice chairman position only managed to muster eight votes.

Party Leader Brigadier David Granger was returned unopposed as was Party Chairman Basil Williams.

The PNCR over the weekend held its 19th Biennial Congress at its Headquarters at Congress Place Sophia, Georgetown, which culminated with the elections of the party’s leadership.

The Congress this year boasted participation of 625 delegates and 275 observers from 140 groups.

During the first session which was chaired by Vice Chairman Dr George Norton, a moment of silence was observed in remembrance of party members who died over the last biennium.

The General Secretary’s Report was delivered by Oscar Clarke who informed Congress on the state of the PNCR, the work of the

Despite being embroiled in a multimillion-dollar drug bond scandal, Dr Norton was reelected as one of the PNCR’s vice chairpersons

Party’s Secretariat and the major activities during the review period.

Addressing the signing of the Cummingsburg Accord which occurred on 14 February 2015 between the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), the General Secretary said “our decision was a correct one and indeed is the correct one for the future of our Party and….. In-spite of our differences our coalition administration has begun to work together to solve the myriad problems which we inherited…”

General Secretary Clarke also informed Congress about plans for the 60th anniversary of the PNCR on 5 October 2017. He declared that a Special Congress will be the centre-piece of the celebrations along with other activities at the central and regional levels.

The 19th Biennial Congress also approved a motion for the establishment of a resource centre for the preservation of works by former and future leaders of the PNCR.

...in Coalition Government

our Eyewitness knew this day had to come the moment the PNC-led APNU traduced the prenup agreement (otherwise known as the Cummingsburg Accord) right after the elections. And Nagamootoo and Ramjattan not only went along, but asserted all was well in the marriage. So that's why your Eyewitness wasn't surprised to see the two AFC leaders sitting with downcast eyes at the PNC Congress as the Burnham legacy was declared alive and well. While over in Essequibo, a PNC activist-ranger slapped AFC's Regional Councillor Naitram, who was his functional superior.

The honeymoon between the PNC-led APNU and the AFC is well and truly over. But did it have to be so clichéd, after the history of the PNC's previous marriage to a minor party (UF) so as to oust the PPP? And while Ramjattan was in short pants at the time, from the boasts of Nagamootoo about his "50-year" history in the PPP, he had to've had personal experience of the unsavoury treatment meted out to the UF. As a lieutenant in Burnham's new army, now President Granger was also there.

While the leader of the UF, Peter D'Aguiar had received the plum post of Finance Minister after the coalition won, his role was eviscerated of all power. He at least had the "testicular perspicacity" to walk out.

Sadly, the key members of his party didn't follow him since they'd been bought out. Is this what's keeping Nagamootoo and Ramjattan from walking out of the marriage? Or is it they fear they won't be able to support themselves outside the marriage? The poor dears.

They say a "picture's worth a thousand words". But the picture of President Granger, Robert Corbin and all the other PNC officials grinning widely at something said from the stage while across the aisle, Nagamootoo looks aghast and Ramjattan grimaced spoke volumes.

Burnham's legacy was probably being bigged up – the same Burnham who Nagamootoo swore for decades had "sicced" the House of Israel on him!

And we come to the slapping of Naitram – the AFC Essequibo executive who'd stripped to the buff while protesting against the PPP – to get the coalition elected.

Those who saw what Naitram exposed know the sacrifice that fella made for his party! They say when the wife doesn't stand up to the bullying husband, it's often "for the children". So what does she do when the abuser starts off on the children? Stay quiet and see the violence spread to all the other children? C'mon Nagamootoo and Ramjattan!

Prezzie's speech to his party's Congress confirmed what was long suspected, but fervently denied – the PNC had never turned over a new leaf.

Like Freddie Kruger, the PNC's back!

...on the nation

What can you call the seemingly never-ending litany of corrupt acts that're being inflicted on the Guyanese nation, but "domestic violence"? After all, we were promised that Governments are supposed to govern for the welfare of "all the people" – acting like heads of the family, so to speak. Now you can have the abuse of physical violence – like the whupping just inflicted on the AFC's Naitram – but contrary to the received wisdom, there's psychological violence – which can be worse.

And there is psychological violence when a government treats the citizenry as if they are retarded.

Although your Eyewitness knows it won't be easy, Dear Readers, take a look at the latest revelations from the "PharmaBondgate". You don't have money to build a better prison, but you can spend $450 million for a bottom house in Albouystown? How can the lease be signed for "office space" and simultaneously be declared "PAHO compliant" to store pharmaceuticals?

But sadly nothing's gonna be done, because like the stereotypical abused victims, we'll grin and bear it.

...on Georgetown

And what else but domestic violence is it when the AFC's man in City Hall – the Deputy Mayor to boot! –- is just pi55ing in the wind on the ParkingMeterGate?

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

NEWS

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MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

First Lady lauds CIOG’s Regent Street accident C/ville man succumbs, advocacy for children driver under close arrest

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Dead: Dillon Linton

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A student receives a certificate of achievement from First Lady Sandra Granger

n recognition of its efforts in supporting the country’s vulnerable children for over 20 years, First lady Sandra Granger lauded the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) at its annual Orphans and Vulnerable Children Fun Day on Sunday.

Also present at the event was Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and United States Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway.

At the fun day, Mrs Granger observed that the advocacy employed by CIOG has been “valuable”.

“I want to commend [the] CIOG for its very valuable work among our vulnerable citizens,” the First Lady told the gathering at the CIOG’s Woolford Avenue complex.

The event included children from Kamal House, the Joshua House, the Guyana Red Cross Children’s Convalescent Home and the Shaheed Girls and Boys Orphanages.

The First Lady also praised the children, who obtained success at the recent National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams. Additionally, bursary awards were distributed to children who performed excellently at the NGSA and CSEC. “It is important that you know that you are recognised as valuable people, as valuable citizens and that… you have people that care about you and who are interested in your growth and development… I want to congratulate those who have completed their CSEC and Grade Six exams and those who are continuing to go through the system, entering and completing their tertiary education with support from CIOG,” she stated.

The First Lady made clear her satisfaction with CIOG expanding its reach to include children from other faiths, with it now serving “over 500 children” across the nation.

“Children are left with their parents and their communities because the belief is that they do better there than in an institution, which means that Islam is also supporting the building

of strong families,” she remarked.

CIOG Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sheikh Mooen ul-Hack pointed out that “all of the major religions of the world prescribe that their followers show kindness to orphans, but Muslims pay particular head to this edict as the Prophet Mohammed was himself an orphan,” he noted.

“We are happy and we are thankful to the Lord that he has chosen us to be of service to his creation, especially you, our children,” ul-Hack stated.

The CEO noted that over the years, the CIOG’s programme for children has benefited from the support of the Zakat House of Kuwait, sponsors from the United States, Canada, the West Indies and Europe. He added that the $1 million allocation given to the organisation by President David Granger was being used to “subsidise the children’s tuition fees”.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nagamootoo posited that the event was a “demonstration of the Muslim community’s dedication to serving the underprivileged”.

“It is a tribute, generally, to the Muslim community and organisations that they have taken, initially, a bold step to accommodate children, who might have lost one or both parents,” Nagamootoo outlined.

The Prime Minister told the orphans that Government wanted to ensure that they were supported, adding that “a meaningful contribution to nation building” could be made through unity.

“We want to make sure that you take your rightful place in the society, that you contribute to building harmony in Guyana, cohesion, unity. We are all Guyanese, whether we are born in divided homes or troubled homes… The only way we can overcome our difficulties… is if we achieve unity, love and cohesion,” expressed Nagamootoo.

US Ambassador Holloway also applauded CIOG for its efforts.

“I applaud the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) for all [its]

efforts in supporting the youths in all 10 regions of Guyana by sending young people to school, providing health care at clinics and hospitals, alleviating poverty and essentially making sure that these kids know that there is someone out there that care about them,” Holloway indicated.

The Prime Minister’s wife, Sita Nagamootoo, and Member of Parliament Bibi Shaddick were also present at the CIOG event.

t least one person has succumbed to injuries sustained in Saturday evening’s accident on Regent and Albert Streets, Georgetown, involving a Route 40 (Kitty/ Stabroek) minibus and a motorcycle.

The dead man has been identified as Dillon Linton, 21, of Campbellville, Georgetown, who was a passenger in the speeding minibus.

Several other persons remain hospitalised, including Ronald Maxwell, 23, of Kitty, Georgetown,

The ill-fated minibus

the conductor of the ill-fated minibus; Manfro Jeffery, 23, of Trinidad and Tobago and Trevor Phillips, 22, of North Sophia, Greater Georgetown. Several other passengers and the motorcyclist remain unidentified.

Information reaching Guyana Times revealed that the driver of the minibus, Timothy Andrews, a serving member of the Guyana Police Force who was also injured in the accident, was discharged from the hospital, but was placed under close arrest.

On Saturday evening, the minibus, BTT 7944, which was reportedly “drag racing”, attempted to overtake another minibus and collided with a motorcycle, toppling several times before crashing into a utility pole in the vicinity of Albert and Regent Streets.

Several beer bottles were seen at the crash site and according to some persons at the crash site, both the driver and conductor were seen consuming alcohol earlier in the day.

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guyana-times.com

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

News

Green Bartica Development Plan presented

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he proposed Green Bartica Development and Land Use Plan (GBDLUP) was presented for consideration to the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon last week, in his Office at the Ministry of Presidency.

Presidential Adviser on the Environment, Rear Admiral (Rt’d) Gary Best made the presentation and was accompanied by Land Use Expert on the project, Charles Griffith.

Best explained that the objective was to present a consistent and integrated green plan to generate policies that would lead to the sustainable development of the natural capital of Bartica, in an effort to maximise revenue generation and the provision of services to the residents.

According to the plan, Bartica will set the tone of the green economy as Guyana’s first green mod-

Presidential Adviser Gary Best presenting the development plan

el town.

The Presidential Adviser pointed to the importance of Bartica as a pathway for Guyana’s green economy.

Several main pillars of the green economy were presented including: sustainable harvesting of natural capital, integrated planning and data management, environmental security, disaster risk re-

duction, financial mobilisation and technology and science innovation.

Griffith also presented on the aspect of land use, to modernise and industrialise Bartica.

He explained that this aspect of the plan was influenced by the “probable patterns of global and local outcomes”.

Modernisation aspects include the construction

of a modern sewer and wastewater treatment system, retrofitting of current infrastructure, climate proofing of future development, the establishment of the following zones: industrial, Government, business, housing, tourism, recreational, research and culture.

Minister Harmon noted that the presentation was impressive and, as such, assured of the Government’s full support towards ensuring that all studies and assessments were completed.

The GBDLUP was also presented to the Minister and staff of the Ministry of Communities, Commissioner and staff of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, the Minister and staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Land Use Committee, and the Bartica Town Council.

Berbice pumpkin farmers seeking new markets ― calling on Government to assist

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ith tons of pumpkin being reaped daily, farmers in the Berbice River community of De Veldt, in Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne) are hoping that government would finally come to their rescue, as more and more pumpkins are left to spoil from lack of export.

What was once known to be a booming business for farmers in the area has suffered a severe blow and residents, particularly those whose livelihoods depend on farming, are once again calling on Government to assist in the acquisition of markets for their produce.

Pumpkin cultivation and exportation have been the main source of income for many families in the community; however, incidents of cocaine being discovered in pumpkins has negatively impacted on the exportation of the produce.

“The residents there now need new markets for the pumpkin. People are planting lots of pumpkin and not getting markets for it”, Lucien Christopher, a farmer and captain of one of the few passenger boats on the New Amsterdam route said.

The farmer explained that, because of the type of soil and the growing market for the vegetable, pumpkin

had become the main crop planted in the village. He did note that other foods such as corn, pine, and banana are also harvested there.

Lamenting on the current state of affairs, which he blames on the exporters, Christopher said, “It’s not the farmers you know, it is the exporters who put the cocaine in the pumpkin and because of that the farmers are losing”.

Christopher said that it is his belief that the community has been receiving insufficient attention from the Government.

“These villages like Sand Hills and Kimbia get all of the attention. And Kimbia, which is considered a very far village from New Amsterdam is just 25 miles farther from here”, He complained.

Speaking to Guyana Times recently, the farmer revealed that while he has been in contact with the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), he is also trying to secure his own market. He said he has finished his part here and is awaiting word from partners overseas.

He assured that the pumpkins being planted by farmers in his village are not “fertilizer pumpkin” and are of good quality.

Businesses beware

Counterfeit US$50 note surfaces at Kitty business

The counterfeit note the shop owner exchanged on Sunday afternoon

B

usinesspeople are advised to be on guard as counterfeit foreign currency has surfaced. Guyana Times was shown surveillance footage of an alleged fraudster who exchanged a counterfeit US note for Guyana currency at a shop in Kitty on Sunday.

According to the proprietor, the perpetrator entered the grocery shop a little before 14:00h, appearing as a regular customer. He then bought about $4000 worth in groceries, however, just before he was about to leave, he asked the shop owner to assist him in changing a US$50 note, which the businessman agreed to do.

The proprietor explained that he made the shocking discovery shortly after the man left, when his wife noticed that the highlighter imprinted its mark deep into the US$50 note; this is usually the case with counterfeit notes. When used on genuine notes, the ink would fade after sometime.

This publication was given a demonstration using a US$1

note.

The Kitty businessman explained that he doesn’t normally change money but gave into the man’s request.

“I changed his $50 note but there were other customers waiting so I did not go to check; I changed it hurriedly thinking I could assist the rest of customers which I realised was the wrong thing to do there, not to check the note before,” he noted.

He pointed out that after four years of operating his business, this is the first time that such an event occurred and indicated that in future he would be reluctant to assist customers who may ask for help.

“It definitely made an impact on me because when the mistress came over and she realised the note is not good, I kind of break down because I work very hard,” he stressed.

He added that he intends to report the matter to the police, who will retrieve the note and obtain the shop’s surveillance footage as evidence.

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

guyana-times.com

11

News

ExxonMobil plans double approach at Liza

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S oil and gas exploration company ExxonMobil said it is planning a two-pronged development drilling effort at its massive Liza oil discovery off Guyana.

This will involve bringing in a pair of offshore rigs for simultaneous operations, according to preliminary development plans filed with Guyanese regulators.

During the first phase, the rigs will drill development wells from a pair of drill centres, ExxonMobil said in a supplemental information packet submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, as part of its application for environmental authorisation for the project.

One of the centres is close to the Liza-2 location, which was about 3.6 kilometres west of the Liza discovery.

The second lies some 3.9 kilometres north of the Liza-1 well.

ExxonMobil, however, cautioned that details of the development programme could change after the filing.

Those production centres are paired with corresponding water injection locations set up about 1.6 kilometres east of each of them.

There will be a single nat-

ural gas injection well at the injection centre closest to the Liza-2 well.

Production from the drill centres will be collected via subsea flowlines and sent through subsea manifolds to a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

Current plans for a FPSO unit call for a conversion of a very large crude carrier with capacity to produce an average of 100,000 barrels per day and store 1.6 million barrels that will be moored 193 kilometres offshore.

ExxonMobil said it plans to export the oil to the world market and it has “no current plans” to establish a refinery in Guyana.

Engineering works on the FPSO and subsea umbilical, risers and flow line components are ongoing and should be finished in mid-2017.

There were previous reports that floater specialists SBM Offshore of the Netherlands and Japan’s Modec have been shortlisted by the US supermajor to provide front-end engineering and design studies on the Liza floater.

A six-month FEED process was expected to start in late summer or early au-

Scrap the drug bond...

FROM PAGE 7

“The Cabinet sub-committee has justified this grossly uncompetitive contract on the ground that a fire can occur and traffic is heavy at certain times on the East Bank. Well, a fire can also occur at the bond owned by Linden Holding.

What happens then? The fire hazard is a potential danger that all owners of buildings have to guard against by deploying known fire prevention mechanisms, not having alternate structures, just in case.”

Health services

Dr Ramsammy also asserted that the annual rental cost for the house will exceed what was budgeted for medicines and medical supplies for at least six regions.

“It is more than what they intended to spend on medical supplies in Regions 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 10,” he highlighted.

He demanded to know the catalyst that drove the government to spend so much money to rent a house when that same money could have been used to improve supplies to all health centres and hospitals across the country.

He highlighted that in addition to paying for the $12.5 million monthly rent for the house, government will be paying VAT of $2 million as well as maintaining the air conditioning system, electricity, water and security.

“Overall, therefore, the

cost would amount to about $200 million per year or $600 million over three years,” he calculated.

Further, Dr Ramsammy noted that since there was no tender or advertising, then how did the company become aware of the government’s apparent urgent need for a building for warehouse?

He also questioned that since government insists the building is internationally certified then why is it still being modified to serve as a warehouse. “It is intentionally a sweetheart deal,” he concluded.

In this regard, the former Minister is calling for the revocation of the contract.

He posited too that he would also call for the Public Health Minister to resign but it would be unfair.

“It seems unfair to punish one man for the collective misdeeds of the approximately 30 Cabinet members, particularly since we all know that Minister Norton followed instructions and he is the fall guy,” he stated.

Dr Ramsammy also called on all of Guyana to speak out against this blatant act of corruption.

Already political commentator Dr Henry Jeffery, Economist Ramon Gaskin, Transparency advocate Christopher Ram and former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran have called for the deal to be scrapped and for there to be an open public tendering process.

Drillship Stena Carron

tumn, potentially leading on to an engineering, procurement and construction contract.

Development drilling is due to begin at the start of 2019 with a pair of yet-unchosen drillships working simultaneously at the two drill centres.

“Drillship selection criteria will include histori-

cal safety and environmental performance, drillship availability and capability, including well control equipment, operability limits for the Guyana metocean environment, water depth rating and bulk storage capacity,” ExxonMobil said in the planning document.

“Based on the water

depths in the Liza development area, dynamically-positioned drillships would be used to drill the wells.”

First oil for the phase one development will come around the middle of 2020, according to the document.

Liza was the largest oil find of 2015, and a successful appraisal at Liza2 earlier this year, including a drillstem test, led ExxonMobil, along with partners Hess and China National Offshore Oil Corporation subsidiary Nexen, to boost the recoverable resource estimate for the discovery to between 800 million and 1.4 billion barrels.

Since that time, Guyana has become a major new focus area for ExxonMobil.

The US supermajor snapped up a 50 per cent interest from Israeli explorer Ratio Oil & Gas in the ultra-deepwater Kaieteur block (formerly Block B),

north-east of its Stabroek block, where the Liza discovery was drilled last year.

In January, it took a 30 per cent operating stake in the Canje block north-east of Liza, along the maritime border with Suriname and now controls 11.4 million acres between the three blocks.

ExxonMobil is currently acquiring seismic on Canje and plans to shoot 3D on Kaieteur after the deal is finalised.

Meanwhile, the drillship Stena Carron is drilling ahead on ExxonMobil’s Skipjack prospect — its latest wildcat on the play — about 48 kilometres north-west of Liza on the Stabroek block.

ExxonMobil secretary Jeff Woodbury said the unit would return to Liza to spud the Liza-3 appraisal after wrapping up Skipjack later this year.

12 NEWS

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Dismissed Govt employees struggling to regain employment

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ight months have gone by since 20 fathers who were employed under the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), have been struggling to regain employment so they could provide for their families.

For now, the men have been reluctantly dipping into their savings and searching for “small jobs” here and there in order to make ends meet.

After receiving the royal runaround from several related agencies and persons, including Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, the men said that they took to their last resort – the media – to highlight their situation and call on the relevant authorities to right the injustice they believe was done to them.

The men were employed as labourers, tasked with the responsibility of cleaning up the drains and other areas in their community– Cove and John, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

They were divided into three groups, each being responsible for a specific area.

Given the magnitude of the work and the consistency to keep the community looking clean, each group leader would hire other persons from the community to aid in executing the cleaning exercises, thus providing other meaningful job opportuni-

Some of the men who were dismissed

ties for the locals.

Their last clean-up was in December 2015. In January, they had been informed that their services were no longer needed and that new clean-up groups were created.

The size of the groups has been reduced significantly and consists of members from other communities.

Apart from their claims of being “unjustly terminated”, the men are concerned about the quality of work being done by the new group.

During an interview with Guyana Times the men complained that the new group is doing substandard work and attributed this to the fact that the labourers are not residents of the community and therefore would

not take pride in keeping it clean.

Reasons for dismissal

After realising that they were dismissed without reason, the men said they approached their “boss”, CDC Assistant Director Ernest Elliot. According to the men, he was unhelpful in providing direct answers on reasons for their termination.

In fact, they alleged that he was rude in his responses, which they said had an undertone of vengeance.

From their engagement with the CDC assistant director, the men strongly believe their termination was another act of political discrimination being practised by government.

“I think its cause we’re PPP people and that’s why.

Because when we met with him, he kept saying that PPP went on sheer skulduggery all the time. He keep using that word, ‘skulduggery’. He musse use it about four or five times,” one of the men, Besham Persaud noted.

The men explained that they visited several other agencies, including the Communities Ministry where, after a number of trips, they finally got a brief meeting with the Minister.

However, they said the meeting was absolutely disappointing since he did not provide any definitive solution to their problems.

The men also wrote several letters to the Agriculture Ministry and the Office of

the Prime Minister, calling on them to intervene to ensure that they regain a legitimate means of earning a livelihood.

Family

Persaud has been working as a labourer for the past 15 years, and therefore the dismissal comes as a huge blow for him and family.

“I struggling whe I deh.

Sure I find a few jobs now and then, but with that one, I knew for sure I had it cause how often a small job does come up,” he expressed, noting that he has two children, ages 17 and 4.

Hardat Singh, another of the men, expressed similar concerns, noting that his

family is currently draining their savings as he searches for another job while simultaneously trying to seek justice from what he describes as being “unjustifiably terminated.”

Roopdeo Samaroo also highlighted his financial struggles, noting that he has two young children who are returning to school today, even as he is financially strapped.

Shortly after the government assumed office, concerns have been raised time and again about the spate of dismissals of persons who were perceived to be affiliated with the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C).

West Dem brawl leaves man injured – residents call for justice O

ne man is left nursing two chop wounds to his left arm after a brawl on West Coast Demerara last week.

According to reports reaching Guyana Times, at around 22:00h on Thursday, the injured man, reported only as “Rawle” of Old Road, De Kenderen, WCD and another identified as “Richie” were involved in a heated argument.

The argument escalated and a scuffle ensued, and later that night, Richie allegedly dealt Rawle one chop with a cutlass to his left hand.

The injured man was taken to the hospital where he was treated and sent away.

The drama continued the following morning, when

Rawle confronted Richie and was dealt another chop to the already injured hand; he was again treated at the hospital and sent away.

Reports were then made to the Leonora Police Station.

After being discharged from the hospital on Friday, Rawle, though injured, took it upon himself to mete out justice and allegedly damaged a car belonging to his adversary.

Eyewitnesses say that Rawle gained access to the vehicle by breaking the window and then ransacked the inside of the vehicle.

Reports were again made to the Police and Rawle was taken into custody.

Villagers are enraged over the entire incident and

are calling for justice to be served, and for both persons to be charged.

Residents explained that Rawle has been convicted on a number of occasions for petty crimes. They claim that because of this, even after he was chopped, he has been arrested and the perpetrator was not.

One resident, Roycelyn Alleyne told this publication that Richie is well known and popular with the Police.

“He got ties to the Police so when he did what he did, they did not arrested him but as soon as Rawle retaliated, he was arrested, that is unfair” the vexed woman opined.

The villagers are calling on the relevant authorities to look into the matter.

NEWS

Cove and John Hindu College celebrates CXC high achievers

W

hile the rest of the country focuses on the overall top performers at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) this year, Guyana Times was able to meet with several high achievers from the Cove and John Hindu College, East Coast Demerara.

The school’s principal Rajkumarie Singh explained that she was definitely proud of the College’s performance, since most of the children who were initially admitted, had barely attained over 400 marks at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) in their time.

“Why I’m so proud of their performance is that most of the students, who are taken into the school, are not students who have high scores at the grade six exams. These are students who would have had just over 400 or sometimes below 300 marks and are sent to schools like Ann’s Grove Community High and so, but yet when these students come here and work for five years, they are able to come out successful,” she said.

After the announcement of this year’s Caribbean CSEC results, this publication met with eight high achievers from the Hindu College who spoke about the school’s impact on them academically as well as spiritually.

The school’s valedictorian, Sanjay Suvijuri wrote 10 subjects and obtained 7 Grade Ones and 3 Grade Twos. He told this publication that he was proud of his

The school’s valedictorian, Sanjay Suvijuri

performance and credited it to his teachers and parents for their consistent support.

“For my five years at Hindu College, it has been great because I was able to develop not only in academics but also spiritually and morally, due to the discipline of the school. I’m satisfied with my grades because through hard work, the blessing from God and the support from parents and teachers, I was able to acquire this,” he explained.

Another student, Devendra Panday, who wrote 12 subjects, acquired 5 Grade Ones, 6 Grade Twos, and 1 Grade Three, and expressed gratitude to the teachers for their patience and support.

He said: “It is through the support and patience of my teachers, the financial support from my parents and the grace of God that I have obtained these grades and I am thankful.”

The school’s Principal revealed that this year’s pass rate stood at 94 per cent, which is one per cent lower than last year.

Despite this, she noted that there were many improvements in the different subject areas: “Last year we had eight subjects with 100 per cent, this year we have nine subjects with 100 per cent, including English A. We have improvement in Office Administration with a 100 per cent this year.”

She further explained that, even though the Hindu College is considered only for children from the Hindu Community, children from all religions and ethnicity are welcome.

She also credited the students’ performance to the high levels of discipline exercised within the school; this is responsible for the students being “more focused”.

“The children that attend this school are taught to believe in themselves, to have a connection with the Divine. They are taught to pray, they are taught to rely on God and along with that, they have to exercise discipline. They are taught moral values as well as spiritual values as we try our best to make them rounded children,” Principal Singh added.

The Hindu College was established in 1957 by Swami Purnanandaand and has since made a significant difference in the lives of those who were considered ‘under achievers’.

The school not only charges nominal fees for students to attend, but it also provides sponsorship for those who may not be able to afford it.

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MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

86 graduate from Guyana-Cuba Medical Scholarship Programme

G

uyana welcomed 86 new doctors who have successfully completed their training under the Guyana/ Cuba Medical Scholarship Programme.

The graduation ceremony was held Saturday at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre and saw many Government officials in attendance, including: State

haps be the greatest area of assistance, with the Medical Scholarship Programme being the ‘flagship project’ of training and support,” the minister stated.

Additionally, Harmon acknowledged that the actual presence of Cuban doctors in Guyana, who provide medical assistance in Guyana, contribute to the overall healthcare delivery

“The vision of the Ministry of Public Health is to make sure that all the people of Guyana are among the healthiest in the Caribbean and the Americas by the year 2020, and I know that together we can make it happen,” the minister told the graduates.

In his remarks, the Cuban Ambassador highlighted the importance of a

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton; Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings and the Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Julio César González Marchante with the 86 new doctors at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre

Minister Joseph Harmon; Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton; Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings; and the Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Julio César González Marchante.

Delivering the feature address, Minister Harmon urged the new doctors to commit themselves to selfless and dedicated service as they begin their careers.

He reminded that the Guyana/Cuba Medical Scholarship Programme serves as a testimony of the good relationship between the two countries.

“The Cuban Scholarship Programme continues to per-

system.

The minister further highlighted that the hinterland areas are also benefitting, as there has been an increase in doctors assigned to Health Centres in those areas.

Moreover, Harmon assured that the friendship and solidarity between the two countries will continue to grow under the current administration.

Addressing the interns, Minister Norton urged the graduates to work hard to raise the quality of healthcare in Guyana.

He pledged the commitment of government in providing opportunities for them.

solid relationship to be maintained between Guyana and Cuba.

He said that the Guyana/ Cuba Medical Scholarship Programme is a reflection of the solidarity between the two countries: “Only in solidarity will we be able to face the significant challenges we have at present and to achieve a better world that is totally possible.”

Following the ceremony, the interns were required to take the Hippocratic Oath which was administered by Minister Cummings.

Over the last ten years, 700 doctors have graduated from the Guyana/ Cuba Medical Scholarship Programme.

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guyana-times.com

monday, AUGUSt 29, 2016

Regional

Brazil: Rousseff impeachment Soldiers killed in ambush in northern Paraguay trial told she broke no laws

Two-thirds of 81 Senators must vote for impeachment to force Rousseff's removal [Reuters]

A

former Economy Minister of Brazil has testified that Dilma Rousseff, the country’s suspended President, did not break any laws justifying impeachment.

Rousseff, 68, is accused of taking illegal state loans to help bridge budget shortfalls and mask the true state of the economy during her 2014 reelection campaign.

Nelson Barbosa, the former minister, and Ricardo

Lodi, a Rio State University law professor, were the final defence witnesses brought to testify on Saturday that Rousseff did not break the law or harm the economy, which is now in deep recession.

“There is nothing remotely illegal,” Barbosa said. “You cannot act retroactively with a new interpretation of the law.”

The same argument was delivered on Friday by a

first batch of Rousseff witnesses who said that such budgetary manoeuvres have long been common practice and that Brazil’s economic decline was entirely unrelated.

Her accusers laid out their case on the trial’s opening day on Thursday, arguing that Rousseff was criminally irresponsible and helped run once booming Brazil into the ground.

Tension was building in advance of today when Rousseff, from the leftist Workers’ Party, will take the stand for the first time and face her accusers.

She will be accompanied by her mentor and predecessor in the presidency, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Lula rose from poverty to found the Workers’ Party and become one of Brazil’s most popular Presidents ever before helping Rousseff take his place. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

E

ight Paraguayan soldiers have been killed by a roadside bombing, according to the Government, in an attack blamed on a Marxist armed group.

Francisco de Vargas, the Interior Minister, said on Saturday that a routine patrol was first attacked with a bomb, then with gunfire on a country road in the Arroyito district about 500 kilometres north of the capital Asuncion.

“They placed explosives in the road where a patrol

routinely passes. Because of the manner in which it was done, we believe it was an attack by the known criminal group EPP,” Vargas was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying, using the Spanish acronym for the Paraguayan People’s Army.

President Horacio Cartes condemned the attack and said the perpetrators would be held accountable for their actions.

The EPP, a small group of Marxist fighters, has been blamed by authorities for several kidnappings, mur-

ders and attacks in the remote north of the country, an area of cattle ranches, poor rural labourers, and illegal marijuana plantations.

In 2013, it carried out an attack in which five people died, its bloodiest to date.

The group is believed to hold three people captive at present: a Police agent who has been held for over two years, and two Mennonites, members of a religious sect of European background who have significant dairy farming communities in Paraguay. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Venezuela Opposition Leader Daniel Ceballos sent to prison again

Public-Private Partnership Helpdesk now available for Region

T

he Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has launched a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Helpdesk, which will provide technical assistance to regional Governments seeking to develop PPP projects in their countries.

The Helpdesk will assist Governments to better manage PPP programmes and projects, especially in the early stages of development. It will provide support to Governments through the provision of specialist consultants, to undertake prefeasibility studies and PPP screening.

“Many potential PPP projects in the Caribbean never get past the concept stage, as it takes a lot of work, technical capacity and money, to move a project from concept, through to feasibility study, then implementation. What we hope to do through this Helpdesk, which is a free resource to

our Member Governments, is to assist in ensuring that projects that can have real potential are supported,” said Brian Samuel, PPP

Coordinator at CDB. So far, Anguilla and Grenada have utilised the services provided through the Helpdesk, which was officially launched in May 2016.

The Helpdesk provides technical advice across all infrastructure sectors, including transportation, water and sanitation and renewable energy.

The initiative is part of a US$1.2 million Regional PPP Support Facility, launched in March 2015, to build the capacity of Government agencies to develop and implement PPP projects. CDB is the primary implementing agency of the Facility, with additional funding and technical support provided by the InterAmerican Development Bank/Multilateral Investment Fund, and the World Bank/Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

nomic developments underway stand to enhance the resilience of the Bahamian economy”.

Moody’s lowered the Bahamas Government’s sovereign credit rating one notch, from Baa2 to Baa3 and changed the outlook to stable. The rating actions concluded a review for downgrade that began on July 1.

Moody’s gave two reasons for the action: Prospects of low medium-term growth which points to weaker economic strength relative to similarly-rated peers; and the persistent increase in the Government’s debt ratio,

which leaves the Bahamas with less fiscal space relative to rating peers.

Explaining the former, Moody’s highlighted the expectation that the Bahamas’ economic performance over the next five years will likely remain subdued and constrained by structural rigidities.

Moody’s forecasts the economy will recover in 2016-2020, with real GDP growth expected to average 1.3 per cent during this period, the fourth weakest economic performance out of the current 22 Baa-rated sovereigns.(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Brian Samuel, PPP Coordinator at CDB, says the Helpdesk is a free resource to Member Governments, to assist in ensuring that projects that can have real potential are supported

Daniel Ceballos with his family last year

O

ne of Venezuela’s main Opposition Leaders, Daniel Ceballos, has been sent back to jail.

Ceballos had been released from prison last year and placed under house arrest for health reasons.

In a statement, the Interior Ministry said he was planning to escape this month.

It said Ceballos had

planned to coordinate acts of violence at an Opposition demonstration planned for September 1.

He was arrested in March 2014 for inciting violence during protests against food shortages, high inflation and rampant crime.

The Opposition said his arrest was an effort to quash dissent and described Ceballos as a political prisoner.

The Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro, says he is a criminal who sought to destabilise the country, and denies Venezuela holds political prisoners.

Ceballos is the former mayor of the western city of San Cristobal, an Opposition stronghold.

More than 40 people from both sides of the political divide died in the protests. (BBC News)

Bahamas gets rating downgrade Colombia peace deal: FARC but Govt not losing sleep over it announces ceasefire

I

nternational credit rating agency Moody’s Investor Services has lowered the Bahamas Government’s bond and issue rating, citing low medium-term growth prospects and an increase in the debt ratio as the key reasons for the downgrade.

Although” disappointed” by the decision, the Perry Christie Administration is not too worried, saying the country’s credit risk remains investment grade. It is also taking comfort in the stable outlook assessment given by Moody’s, contending that it “acknowledges that the eco-

T

he main rebel group in Colombia, the FARC, announced a definitive ceasefire on Sunday taking effect at midnight (05:00 GMT Monday), at the same time as a government ceasefire.

The two sides signed a historic peace accord in the Cuban capital Havana on Wednesday after 52 years of conflict.

FARC fighters will gather in mid-September for a “conference” to ratify the accord.

A Colombian referendum on the agreement will follow on October 2.

The FARC’s conference will be its tenth since 1965, and will be held in a remote region of southern Colombia between September 13 and 19.

The announcement was broadcast live from Havana and was shown on large screens in the streets of Bogota on Wednesday.

Hundreds of Colombians celebrated on the streets of Bogota after the signing was broadcast live from Havana, Cuba, where peace talks have been held for almost four years.

The conflict has killed an estimated 260,000 people

and displaced millions.

President Juan Manuel Santos called the deal “the beginning of the end to the suffering, pain and tragedy of war”.

The two sides had signed a bilateral ceasefire in June, paving the way for a final agreement.

Under the terms of the agreement, the FARC will give up its armed struggle and join the legal political process.

The left-wing rebels have been fighting the Government since 1964.

It is the longest-running conflict in Latin America.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the World

High toll for Libyan troops Turkish Army thrusts deeper into Syria, monitor battling Islamic State in Sirte says 35 villagers killed A

T

urkey's army and its allies thrust deeper into Syria on Sunday, seizing territory controlled

by Kurdish-aligned forces on the fifth day of a cross-border campaign that a monitoring group said had killed at least 35 villagers.

Turkish warplanes roared into northern Syria at daybreak and artillery pounded what security sources said were sites held by the Kurdish YPG militia, after the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported fierce overnight fighting around two villages.

Turkey said 25 Kurdish militants were killed in its air strikes and denied there were civilian casualties.

There was no immediate comment from the YPG, but forces aligned with the group have said it had withdrawn from the area prior to the assault.

Turkey, which is also bat-

Turkish armoured personnel carriers drive towards the border in Karkamis on the Turkish-Syrian border in the south-eastern Gaziantep province, Turkey, August 27, 2016

tling Kurdish insurgents at home, sent tanks and troops into Syria on Wednesday to support its Syrian rebel allies. The Turkish-backed forces first seized the Syrian border town of Jarablus from Islamic State militants before pushing south into areas held by Kurdishaligned militias. They have also moved west towards Islamic State areas.

Turkish officials say

their goal in Syria is as much about ensuring Kurdish forces do not expand the territory they already control along Turkey's border as it is about driving Islamic State from its strongholds.

However, the Turkish offensive has so far focused on forces allied to the Kurdishbacked Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a coalition that includes the YPG, an Observatory source said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Anti-burkini law in France would worsen tension – Interior Minister

A

law banning the fullbody "burkini" swimsuit in France would stoke tensions between communities and would be both unconstitutional and ineffective, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said in an interview published on Sunday.

France's highest administrative court, the Council of State, ruled on Friday against a decision to ban the burkini by the mayor of the resort town of VilleneuveLoubet.

The ruling may set a precedent for the dozens of French towns that have also ordered burkini bans.

The issue has become politically charged at the start of party primaries ahead of next year's presidential election in France, with several leaders on the right and farright calling for a law prohibiting the full-body swimming costume worn by some Muslim women.

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy who is staging a political comeback and is seek-

ing the ticket of the conservative Les Republicains in primaries set for November, has called for a law allowing mayors to ban the burkini.

But Cazeneuve told La Croix newspaper that such a law was unlikely under the current socialist government.

"The Government ... refuses to legislate on this because a law would be unconstitutional, ineffective and likely to create antagonism and irreparable tensions," he said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Gabon leader and top rival both claim presidential victory, allege fraud

S

upporters of Gabon's President Ali Bongo and his chief rival Jean Ping both said on Sunday they were set to win a presidential election that has proved to be the most serious challenge yet to the Bongo family's half-century rule in the tiny, oil-rich nation.

The rival sides also traded accusations of fraud allegedly committed during Saturday's vote, raising the prospect of increased tension in the wake of an uncharacteristically bitter campaign.

Despite the Interior Minister warning candidates that giving results ahead of the official announcement was against the law, Ping, 73, the president's chief challenger, distributed figures showing him easily beating Bongo.

"The general trends indicate we're the winner of this important presidential

Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba votes during the presidential election in Libreville, Gabon, August 27, 2016

election," Ping told reporters and a large crowd of cheering supporters gathered at his campaign headquarters in the capital Libreville.

"Despite numerous irregularities ... you have managed to thwart this regime's congenital traps of fraud," he said.

Bongo, 57, who first won election after his father Omar died in 2009 after 42 years in office, has benefited from being the incumbent in

a country with a patronage system lubricated by oil largesse.

Gabon's one-round election means the winner simply requires more votes than any other candidate. In 2009, Bongo won with 41.73 per cent of the vote.

Addressing Ping's declaration, Bongo warned his rival against pre-empting the result by claiming victory before an official announcement. (Excerpt from Reuters)

t least 34 Libyan fighters were killed and more than 180 wounded on Sunday as they closed in on the last Islamic State militant holdouts in the coastal city of Sirte, according to field hospitals.

Forces aligned with Libya's United Nationsbacked Government, supported since August 1 by US air strikes, have pushed militants back into a small residential area in central Sirte in a three-month-old campaign. Heavy fighting

resumed on Sunday after a one-week lull.

The Libyan brigades, mostly from the city of Misrata, say they are close to victory in Sirte, but they have struggled to defend themselves against suicide bombings, sniper fire and landmines.

On Sunday, several brigades stationed close to Sirte's seafront advanced several hundred metres eastwards through Sirte's neighbourhood Number One, while other fighters

overran Islamic State positions in street-to-street fighting to the south.

Fighters used tanks, rocket-propelled grenades and anti-aircraft guns to try to blast through Islamic State sniper positions.

The Misrata-led brigades said there had been five attempted car bombings on Sunday in a "desperate attempt to disrupt the advance", though at least one of the bombs had been destroyed before it could reach its target. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brexit may send EU “down the drain” – German Vice Chancellor

G

ermany's Vice Chancellor has warned the future of the European Union could be in doubt if the United Kingdom's exit is handled badly.

Sigmar Gabriel said the EU would go "down the drain" if other states followed Britain's lead and that the UK could not keep the "nice things" about Europe while taking no responsibility.

It comes as Theresa May summoned ministers for a meeting on Wednesday to discuss ideas for the UK's withdrawal.

Downing Street said Brexit was "top" of the Prime Minister's agenda.

Germany's second in command Sigmar Gabriel said the EU could fall apart if Brexit was not handled carefully

But a report in The Sunday Times suggested her Cabinet was split over leaving the single market.

The UK voted to leave the European Union in a referendum on June 23.

Gabriel, who is also Economy Minister in Germany's governing coalition and Chancellor Angela Merkel's deputy, told a news conference that as a result, the world now regarded Europe as an unstable continent.

"Brexit is bad but it won't hurt us as much economically as some fear –- it's more of a psychological problem and it's a huge problem politically," he said.

"If we organise Brexit in the wrong way, then we'll be in deep trouble, so now we need to make sure that we don't allow Britain to keep the nice things, so to speak, related to Europe while taking no responsibility." (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Singapore confirms 41 locallytransmitted Zika cases

S

ingapore has confirmed 41 cases of locally-transmitted Zika Virus, mostly among foreign construction workers, and says it expects more incidents to be identified.

All but seven of those infected had fully recovered, the country's Health Ministry and the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a joint statement on Sunday.

The seven patients remained in hospital, the statement added.

On Saturday, authorities had confirmed a 47-year-old Malaysian woman living in south-eastern Singapore as the city-state's first case of a local transmission of the virus – which has been linked to a rare birth defect.

The authorities said they tested 124 people, primarily foreign workers employed on a construction site. Seventyeight people tested negative and five cases were pending, while 34 patients had fully recovered.

Four Singaporean men

had developed symptoms of the virus in the past week and were hospitalised on Saturday. It was not clear where the foreign workers were from or when their cases were detected. Singapore hosts a large contingent of workers from the Asian subcontinent.

None of those infected had travelled recently to Zika-affected areas. "This confirms that local transmission of Zika Virus infection has taken place," the statement said. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

Police in Spain dismantle illegal Chinese immigration ring

S

panish Police say they have dismantled a nationwide network that illegally regularised the working status of Chinese immigrants in Spain.

They arrested 57 people in Barcelona, Valencia, San Sebastian and Las Palmas in the Canary Islands.

Chinese nationals illegally living in Spain reportedly paid the ring €8000 (US$8960) each to obtain

fake contracts as domestic workers.

In return they were given residency permits.

"They would return to Barcelona once they obtained a residency permit to work in the textile sector, without ever carrying out the job they were hired for," a Spanish police statement said.

The ringleaders, a Chinese couple, alleged-

ly paid employers between €1500 and €2000 for the contracts.

Most of the employers allegedly involved are linked to the hotel trade in Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands.

Chinese immigrants are the fifth biggest foreign community in Spain with almost 170,000 people as of 2015, according to the National Statistics Institute. (BBC News)

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monDAY, august 29, 2016 | guyana-times.com

What the people say VOX POPULI I SAY...

What are your views on persons or groups taking matters into their hands, attacking (suspected) bandits whenever they are caught?

Tristan Grant ― Linden

“I am totally against this form of injustice. Excessive force is most times rendered to the victim, leaving them dead or almost dead for petty crimes like theft. This act is totally uncivilised and inhumane and only acts as a catalyst for other violent activities in our society. Our Government is well equipped to bring any transgressors of the law to justice. We should therefore leave these criminals to face our judicial system.”

Javid Adams―Essequibo Coast

“When a person thinks about it properly, the most common thing a person would do is that to hand the thief over to the Police which reduces the loss of life, but also to show the public that whenever there is a problem always call the Police rather than taking matter in their hands”

Denisia Liddell ― Linden

“I don’t believe in vigilante justice.

In my opinion it is wrong to take matters into your own hands because you never know, a person could be innocent. Take the guy who was shot and killed while teaching his friend to drive the other day. In some cases people can be innocent. Let the law deal with it.”

Dellon Osborne ― Essequibo Coast

“I think beating someone else is an act of cruelty; we should respect our fellow human beings.

If someone is caught in an illegal act, then let the law take its course, beating someone means you are breaking the law, let the Police do what they have to do and decide whether the person is guilty or not, there are laws of Guyana that deal with criminals”.

Tishana Ghani ― Georgetown

Aggrey Halley ― Georgetown

Tony Bowen― Georgetown

“It should be permitted, but it should also carry consequences. For example, as it pertains to petty crimes like theft, residents should only be allowed to apprehend the perpetrator, but as it pertains to murder and rape and so on and so forth, I ‘morally’ believe that the bandits should get the short straw. But as much as you should beat them, they are still humans too so overdoing should have penalties tied to it and by penalties I mean imprisonment.”

Shamelia Collins ― Linden

“I believe as a resident you have a moral obligation to protect and defend your possession, as well as our neighbours against invaders, however our conscience should step in and tell us when to stop and give grace knowing that justice will prevail.”

Steve Balgobin ― Georgetown

“It’s in my opinion that thieves should be punished. Whether with public violence or involving the authorities, they should be handled with the least respect as possible. Yes, people make mistakes, and yes they are human beings too, but put yourself in the position of persons working hard all day only for someone to come and take it all away. These thieves do not think twice when they resort to violence and in some cases, taking the lives of innocent people just because they stand up for themselves, well at least try. Reality is, it’s a dog eat dog world and if someone chooses to steal, they don’t deserve a bit of sympathy much less respect. If it is that persons choose to turn these delinquents over to the authorities, our Police Force needs to do their job as opposed to taking their time when responding or coming up with excuses when they fail to report to the scene.”

“I personally believe that if bandits get caught, residents should give them a sound thrashing because a lot of time they go to court and receive bail. 50 per cent of the time when these bandits break and enter people homes and do not get what they want; they tend to beat the occupants. So if we get them first they should definitely get a sound thrashing.”

Abdul Junior ― Georgetown

“Personally, I think the government should arm more working class citizens. You know, give the common folk a better chance to defend themselves cause let’s face it; the Guyana Police Force is never there when called upon. Honestly, I’m sick of it. I would rather fight and die defending my family than to have to pick up the phone to call our service men and women.”

“My view is that a person caught committing a crime and beaten by residents is nothing new and I don’t think that members of a community should be persecuted for it. The crime situation has escalated in the past year in Guyana and the Ministry of Public Security, the Guyana Police Force and by extension the Government of the day are not and have not done enough to assist the situation and to alleviate citizens of their fear.

More money and emphasis should be placed on the security of honest, hardworking citizens of this country and naturally citizens won’t have to resort to beating criminals.”

Shivanand Naraine ― Essequibo Coast

“I think the Police should be left to do their jobs, when someone is caught in an illegal act, the same person or persons should be handed over to Police, let the Police do their jobs, beating someone can mean beating a not guilty person, let the Police use necessary forces and let the court decide.”

Wesley Queen ― Corentyne

If you catch then in your house, you have a right to do whatever you want. If you give them to the police then they didn’t thief only brake in and one week after they get bail and come back to your family when you gone to work. Put them in the hands of the police after they get what they deserve.”

Christopher Rajcoomar ―Georgetown

“Bandits should be beaten. I mean, if we actually catch someone in the act, trash them. But you can’t trash them for looking suspicious. If you catch them in the act, beat them, hand them over to the Police and hope that they serve time for whatever. Most ‘petty’ bandits get off with a 3 months or so sentencing. But a sound trashing will make sure they don’t come back at your place when they are released. Plus the President pardoning so bleh!”

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feature

monday, AUGUST 29, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Village Feature

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ow 176 years old, Queenstown owned by Mr Carberry, the first indiis quite possibly the largest vidual slave owner to purchase a planand oldest community on the tation in then British Guiana. At the Essequibo Coast, and is home to many end of the apprenticeship period, afhistoric buildings which still mark the ter 1838, salves pooled their resources village today. and purchased lands in the three arThe beautiful, well-populated and eas. In 1847 the Queenstown Village family-oriented village of Queenstown Council was formed and worked tecan be found nestled between the vil- diously to build a strong economic base lages of Little Alliance to the east and through Agriculture.

La Union to the south in Region Two In 1849, through the efforts of the (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Anglicans, children in the village beChristened so on September 25, gan to receive formal education. By 1841 after Queen Victoria, Queenstown is also bordered to the The St Bartholomew's Church Hall west by the picturesque Lake Capoey and Garvey Bush.

What adds to the village’s popularity is the famous St Bartholomew’s Anglican Church which was constructed in 1849s, and which was originally a coffee logie before it became a place of worship.

Located in the centre of the village, the historic building was said to have been constructed by the blessed hands of slaves. History shows that St Bartholomew’s was once a Primary School. Today, the 1892 Queenstown boastchurch walls still stand firm, testimony ed a fully elected Local to the lives which have been saved.

Government with overApart from this famous landmark, seers and in 1961 the there are other places of worship in normal educational inQueenstown including Seventh Day stitute was established Adventist, Anglican, Roman Catholic, by Edwin Burnett.

Brethren and Full Gospel churches.

Today, the commuAlthough the village is densely populated Queenstown Health Centre by Afro-Guyanese, today’s residents reflect a diverse cultural mix. A Mosque and Mandir also call Queenstown home and here, residents engage in congregational worship on the weekends.

The village is currently divided into three sections, Mocha, West Field and Dageraad, where three individual estates or plantations existed. These were

St Bartholomew's Anglican Church

nity is fully equipped with a community centre, health centre, post office, village office, play field, both primary and nursery schools, the popular

chanics, businessmen, engineers, beauticians and religious leaders are products of that community.

The Queenstown Development Association was formed to coordinate the celebration of the community’s rich history; and residents usually gather on an annual basis to celebrate the successes of the village.

Reflecting the changes that have swept through the village over time, residents explained that in the early years, there was only mud dams and only ‘rich persons’ used gas lamps. Back then, Saturday nights were highly anticipated. It was a time A Methodist church in the area when families came out in their numbers to shop, socialise and play a game of Oasis Hotel and lots of cards or dominoes. The weekends were pubs. said to be a “selling day” when persons Travelling from would peddle the produce harvested Supenaam one is sure to from their kitchen gardens. be amazed by the extent A few of the popular families reof development which has siding in the areas are the Walcotts, transformed Queenstown Hubbards, McKenzies, Slowes, since the days of slavery. Daintys, Mentis’, Baboolalls, and the Today, residents are for- Alves’. tunate to have access to The oldest female in the village is modern utilities such as Ursella Corbin, 95, while the oldest potable water, electric- male is Keneth Walcott, 78. ity, phone services, and The charming village of Queenstown

Shondell Mentis, a young entrepreneur selling produce from her kitchen garden

The Queenstown Nursery School

paved roads.

Many children from Queenstown attend leading secondary schools while many doctors, nurses, me-

is cloaked in simplicity, serenity and peace, and welcomes all with the cool breeze from the mighty Atlantic.

18

guyana-times.com

monday, august 29, 2016

ARCHIE

Tackle a competitive challenge and see matters through (March 21- to the end. Your strength, April 19) courage and endurance will outmatch anyone who tries to mess with you. Do your own negotiating.

ARIES

Plan a trip or set up a meet-

dilbert

TAURUS ing that helps you take the (April 20- next step toward a brighter fuMay 20) ture. Networking functions will lead to an interesting proposal.

Romance is highlighted

Don’t believe a smooth GEMINI talker.

Stick close to the peo(May 21ple you know you can trust.

June 20) Personal improvements will be your best bet. Don’t settle for less when you can have more.

Recognize and employ CANCER your ability to manipulate sit(June 21- uations to meet your needs.

July 22) You have more going for you than you realize. Add a little spice to your love life.

Peanuts

Emotions will mount if inLEO formation is withheld. Get to (July 23the bottom of a situation beAug. 22) fore it has time to escalate.

Your desire and devotion will lead you to success.

Calvin and Hobbes

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Someone else’s demands VIRGO should not get in the way of (Aug. 23Sept. 22) your progress. Distance yourself from anyone trying to put pressure on you. Follow your heart and let your imagination inspire you.

You need to take control of LIBRA your life. Diplomacy coupled (Sept. 23with a stern demeanor will Oct. 23) capture attention and help you get what you want. An opportunity will come via a former colleague.

Favors will be granted SCORPIO and options will be given to (Oct. 24- you. Don’t let your emotions Nov. 22) or a stubborn attitude stand in your way. If you are proactive, success will follow.

SAGITTARIUS Watch your step and (Nov. 23- don’t say something that Dec. 21) may be twisted or held against you. Moderation and keeping the peace should be your priorities if you want to avoid headaches.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Do your own thing.

CAPRICORN Explore your inner self. Live, (Dec. 22- learn and experience life.

Jan. 19) Don’t feel compelled to help someone who is pressuring you into doing something questionable. Follow your intuition.

Show interest in the ones AQUARIUS you love and discuss emotion(Jan. 20al concerns or hardships that Feb. 19) others face. Your attentiveness will be appreciated and will ensure that you get the same in return.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

PISCES Visualize what you want (Feb. 20- and prepare to turn a project March 20) that interests you into something great. Don’t let someone’s selfish attitude cause you to miss out on something that’s important to you.

monDAY, august 29, 2016

19

F1600 Formula F Championship

Barcelona makes it two Ming wins by .001 seconds wins from two in La Liga

Calvin Ming

C

alvin Ming won by .001 seconds in a threewide finish in the first of three F1600 Formula F Championship Series races scheduled for Millville, New Jersey over the weekend. It was a dynamic show as the lead was traded back and forth for the duration of the all-green-flag race with Ming winning ahead of Phillippe Denes and Neil Verhagen.

Following the race, Series officials went to the video, looking at multiple angles, as the finish was too close to

call. Officials also inspected the transponder box locations in each Mygale chassis.

“It was a good race, at the start Peter Portante and I managed to get away but in the end everyone came on strong,” said Ming, who drives the No. 82 machine for Team Pelfrey.

After leading multiple laps, Denes settled for a second place result in the second Team Pelfrey car.

“Everyone was running real close the entire time, there were some really close battles,” said Denes.

Championship leader and K-Hill driver Neil Verhagen moved from fifth to third and nearly stole the win late in the race, coming home to complete the podium following a double win weekend at Pittsburgh earlier in the month.

Starting from pole, Peter Portante led the opening lap and stayed in the lead battle most of the race, main-

ly trading the lead back and forth with Ming, and then teammate Verhagen, before falling off the lead pack late in the race to finish fourth.

Portante also ran the fastest lap of the race, putting him on pole for Sunday morning’s race.

Coming off a win at Pittsburgh, Kaylen Frederick finished nine tenths away from the race win to complete the top five for Team Pelfrey.

Hans Ada finished sixth for K-Hill Motorsports, while Will Harvey came home in seventh in his first start after missing a few race weekends.

Harvey drives a Spectrum chassis for Exclusive Autosport.

Mike Scanlan won the Masters Class in another Spectrum with an eighth place finish.

The F1600 weekend continues with morning and afternoon races, rounds 17 and 18 of the season, on Sunday from New Jersey. (f1600series.com)

Doris places 5th in Paris Diamond League

G

uyanese triple jumper, Troy Doris, continued where he left off at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil by ending fifth at the Paris Diamond League on Saturday.

Doris, one of two Caribbean finalists earlier this month in Brazil, hit 16.68 metres, 10 centimetres behind Poland’s Karol Hoffmann.

Another Caribbean athlete, Cuba’s Alexis Copello fared even better than

Troy Doris

Doris, hitting 16.90 to fall just short of the United States’ Chris Carter’s 16.92 winning effort.

Colombia’s John Murillo was thir with 16.90 as well.

Interestingly, in the final of the Olympics, where Doris was seventh, his longest jump was 16.90 metres.

Christian Taylor from the United States with a leap of 17.86 metres was the winner there, ahead of teammate Will Claye, 17.76, and China’s Dong Bin, 17.58.

(SporstMax)

Rosberg wins, as Hamilton finishes 3rd from back row

On a charge: Lewis Hamilton started 21st on the back row of the grid

L

ewis Hamilton recovered from the back row of the grid to finish third at the Belgian Grand Prix as Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg won a dramatic race.

The German’s victory from pole position in a race punctuated by a violent crash for Renault’s Kevin Magnussen reduces his points deficit to Hamilton to nine.

Magnussen was taken to

hospital with an injury to his left ankle after a huge crash at 180mph at Raidillon.

Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo was second, holding off a late Hamilton charge.

Hamilton started in 21st place on the grid, after a raft of engine penalties resulting from failures early in the season. His partner back there in probably the most talented back row in F1 history was his old rival

Fernando Alonso, who used three engines this weekend. The two made brilliant starts to the race to pass the pits for the first time with Alonso in 11th and Hamilton 13th, helped by a chaotic first lap ahead of them.

A concertina accident between the two Ferraris and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull left all three with damage at the first corner and dropped them down the field - and further back McLaren’s Jenson Button was taken out when Manor’s Pascal Wehrlein smashed up his rear at Les Combes.

Starting on the medium tyres, Alonso and Hamilton moved up as others stopped in front of them on their softer rubber and were in fourth and fifth on lap eight, when Magnussen lost control through the final part of the Eau Rouge swerves.(BBC)

B

arcelona made it two wins from their opening two La Liga games as Ivan Rakitic’s firsthalf header earned them victory at Athletic Bilbao.

The Croatian scored in the 21st minute when he arrived at pace to power in Arda Turan’s cross from the left.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Turan also went close for the champions.

Barca keeper MarcAndre ter Stegen almost paid for a terrible pass, and Athletic’s Raul Garcia and Inaki Williams went close for Bilbao.

Sunday’s win sees coach Luis Enrique’s side join El Clasico rivals Real Madrid and early leaders Las Palmas on six points after two games of the new season.

The result should have been more emphatic for Barcelona, who wasted numerous chances.

Turan impressed in at-

Barcelona’s players, including Lionel Messi (right) and Gerard Pique (left), celebrate the only goal of the match

tack, but perhaps the abiding memory of the Turkey midfielder’s display was his first-half miss from eight yards. Messi shot inches wide after typically drifting past two defenders, and also fired over the bar. Suarez, his partner in attack, thundered a volley over from eight yards and also had an effort from two yards cleared off the line by Eneko Boveda in stoppage time.

Bilbao will rue missing the few good chances that came their way. Midfielder Raul Garcia saw his strike narrowly drift beyond Ter Stegen’s post and Inaki Williams’ poked effort was saved by the Barca keeper.

Ter Stegen was also fortunate not to be left redfaced in the first half when his pass out of defence was fired straight back at him by Spanish midfielder Benat.

(BBC)

Man City goes top with win over West Ham

M

anchester City, Premier League champions in 2012 and 2014, went to the top of the table with a 3-1 victory over West Ham United on Sunday.

Superior goal difference took them above Chelsea and neighbours Manchester United, who have also won their three opening games.

Having scored twice in the first 18 minutes through Raheem Sterling and Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho, Pep Guardiola's team appeared set for an easy three points, only to be pegged back as the London side improved after halftime.

Michail Antonio reduced the deficit in the 58th minute but Sterling scored his second goal in stoppage time from an acute angle.

City could have leading scorer Sergio Aguero banned for the derby match against United next month if retrospective action is taken after he appeared to swing an arm at West Ham's Winston Reid, who had to go off after taking a blow to the throat.

"I did not see the incident," Guardiola told reporters and neither did West Ham's manager Slaven Bilic.

"Reid got a little injured so we took him off," Bilic said.

For his third league game in charge of City, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager again picked Willy Caballero in goal rather than Joe Hart, and the Argentine

Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring their third goal

was not troubled for almost an hour until Antonio's unexpected intervention.

In the meantime, Sterling scored his first goal of the season following a fine move and Fernandinho added his first in the league since the same weekend last year.

He was left completely unmarked to head in Kevin de Bruyne's free kick as goalkeeper Adrian glared at his defence.

Bilic's side, again weakened by injuries and unable to use new loan signing Simone Zaza from Juventus, employed three centre halves plus wing backs, but defended poorly against City's fluent attacking.

In the second half, Bilic pushed Antonio further forward and he headed in a cross

by Arthur Masuaku.

City briefly looked nervous but in the last few minutes David Silva hit a post and Sterling made the victory safe.

"You have to win 3-0 or 4-0 to think the game is over," Guardiola told Sky Sports.

"We played a good game.

Our fans enjoyed it and we are happy.

"I don't know how many shots we had but the performance in general was real good."

West Ham stayed 12th in the table after their second defeat.

"I wasn't happy at halftime," Bilic said.

"I asked the guys to show character and spirit and a different mentality which they did. Praise for the team for the second-half performance.

"A few will be back after the international break." (Reuters)

20

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

monDAY, august 29, 2016

Sri Lanka v Australia, 3rd ODI, Dambulla

Australia seal nervy chase after Chandimal ton T here were reasons for Sri Lankan fans to cheer at the third ODI in Dambulla. But the result wasn’t one of them. On a day when Tillakratne Dilshan was farewelled from one-day international cricket, and Dinesh Chandimal scored his fourth ODI hundred, Australia held on for a tense victory that gave them a 2-1 series lead with two to play - and gave David Warner a 100% success rate as an international captain.

Not that it was all smooth sailing. Chasing 227, Australia relatively cruised most of the way. At 187 for 4 they needed only 40 more runs, with George Bailey and Matthew Wade both well set, but suddenly Sri Lanka’s spinners came into the game. Four wickets fell in quick time and it was beginning to look like Australia might find a way to throw it away. It was Adam Zampa who struck the winning runs, a boundary behind point off Amila Aponso, and a single five balls later.

It wasn’t any old single - it was cut in the air towards extra cover, where Dilruwan Perera hurled himself into the air to try for a one-handed catch. The ball didn’t stick, and the result was sealed: a two-wicket win, though with four overs remaining. That Sri Lanka came that close to pulling the rug out from under Australia was a fine effort, given the solid way the chase unfolded through two key partnerships.

In the absence of Captain Steven Smith, who had flown home for a rest, Australia needed a leader to steer the chase. It would not be Warner, who fell in the fifth over to a terrific diving catch from Dilshan at point off Mathews. Nor would it be Aaron Finch, lbw to Aponso

George Bailey used the reverse sweep several times ©AFP

for a brisk 30, nor Shaun Marsh, caught by a diving Chandimal at mid-off off Mathews for 1.

The man was Bailey, the most experienced ODI player in the side. He set about building a 62-run partnership with Travis Head, and then an 81-run stand with Wade that took Australia to within sight of their victory. It wasn’t always easy; Sri Lanka’s spinners were always a threat, but they needed more runs to defend, their own batting having been disappointing earlier in the day.

Head played a mature innings of 36 that ended when he went back to cut Dilruwan, only to see the ball skid on to his stumps.

And Wade, a consistent performer this series, contributed 42 before he missed a sweep and was stumped off the same bowler. That was the wicket that precipitated Australia’s collapse, though as it happened they were by then just close enough to get over the line.

The Sri Lankan crowd came alive as the spinners crowded Australia’s batsmen. Bailey simply missed a legbreak from Seekkuge Prasanna and was bowled for 70, then in the next over James Faulkner holed out to

deep square leg off Aponso.

The Finisher was finished, but Australia weren’t quite yet. Mitchell Starc sent Prasanna over long-on for six but was caught in the next over trying for another off Dhananjaya de Silva.

Zampa walked to the crease with five runs still needed, and he got them, with John Hastings unbeaten at the other end.

Sri Lanka’s own innings - all out for 226 in the 50th over - never quite looked like enough. Wickets fell regularly throughout the innings, the only half-century partnership a 73-run combination between Chandimal and Dilshan. Zampa was again a key weapon, collecting 3 for 38 from his 10 overs, and there were two victims each for Starc, Faulkner and Hastings.

The innings was built around Chandimal’s fourth ODI hundred. Of late in oneday cricket, Chandimal has been batting like he’s Keanu Reeves in Speed, afraid something terrible will happen if he drops below 50. He did so, marginally, in the second ODI in Colombo, where his 48 ended his hopes of becoming the first Sri Lankan to make six consecutive oneday international fifties. But in Dambulla he was back.

His last seven ODI innings now read: 52, 62, 63, 53, 80*, 48 and 102.

Chandimal’s approach was simple: push the ball into the gaps and rotate the strike. Repeat, and repeat. That method brought him 56 singles, although he managed seven boundaries as well, driving when the fast men overpitched or punishing them for bowling too straight. His half-century came up with a deft dab for four wide of the wicketkeeper off Hastings from his 66th ball. His primary support came from Dilshan, the retiring hero who struck five fours on his way to an enterprising 42. But the dream of a big farewell innings ended when Dilshan whacked a Zampa full toss to midwicket and was well caught

by Bailey. To the applause of players and fans, Dilshan walked off with a bow fitting for the entertainer that he was, the owner of 10,290 ODI runs, the 11th-highest tally in history.

Sri Lanka’s other batsmen were disappointing. For the second time in the series Starc struck in the first over of the innings, bowling Danushka Gunathilaka, and the total wobbled to 23 for 2 when Kusal Mendis edged Josh Hazlewood to slip for 4. The wickets fell with regularity again after Dilshan departed.

Mathews was lbw for 2 to Zampa, who had pitched the ball on leg and straightened it just enough. Marsh ran and jumped to his left at mid-on to snare de Silva for 12 off Faulkner, and also held one in the deep when Thisara Perera holed out off Hastings for 9. In between those takes, Starc’s brutal in swinging yorker accounted for Kusal Perera, who kept one out but could not manage two and saw his stumps rattled on 11.

Dinesh Chandimal celebrates his fourth ODI century

©Associated

Press

Prasanna picked out deep midwicket off Zampa and Dilruwan added 17 before chipping a catch to midwicket off Hastings, which left Chandimal nervously hop-

ing the No.11 Aponso could help him reach triple figures. He did so, and the Sri Lankan fans roared. The final result was not so pleasing for them. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka innings (50 overs maximum) M Gunathilaka b Starc 5 T Dilshan c Bailey b Zampa 42 K Mendis c Warner b Hazlewood 4 D Chandimal c Zampa b Faulkn er 102 A Mathews* lbw b Zampa 2 D de Silva c Marsh b Faulkner 12 11 K Perera† b Starc T Perera c Marsh b Hastings 9 S Prasanna c Bailey b Zampa 3 D Perera c Warner b Hastings 17 1 M Aponso not out Extras (lb 10, w 8) 18 226 Total (all out; 49.2 overs) Fall of wickets 1-6 (Gunathilaka, 0.6 ov), 2-23 (Mendis, 3.2 ov), 3-96 (Dilshan, 18.6 ov), 4-103 (Mathews, 20.2 ov), 5-133 (de Silva, 29.4 ov), 6-154 (MDKJ Perera, 35.5 ov), 7-165 (NLTC Perera, 38.1 ov), 8-178 (Prasanna, 40.6 ov), 9-217 (MDK Perera, 47.5 ov), 10226 (Chandimal, 49.2 ov) Bowling: Starc 10-0-422 (3w), Hazlewood 10-0511(1w), Hastings 10-1-41-2 (2w), Faulkner 9.2-0-442 (2w), Zampa 10-0-38-3

Australia innings (target: 227 runs from 50 overs) D Warner* c Dilshan b Mathe ws 10 View dismissal A Finch lbw b Aponso 30 S Marsh c Chandimal 1 b Mathews 70 G Bailey b Prasanna T Head b MDK Perera 36 M Wade† st †MDKJ Perera b MDK Perera 42 J Faulkner c MDK Perera b Aponso 4 J Hastings not out 5 M Starc c Prasanna b de Silva 12 5 A Zampa not out Extras (lb 6, w 6) 12 Total (8 wickets; 46 overs) 227 Did not bat: JR Hazlewood Fall of wickets 1-31 (Warner, 4.5 ov), 2-42 (Finch, 7.3 ov), 3-44 (Marsh, 8.5 ov), 4-106 (Head, 22.2 ov), 5-187 (Wade, 38.1 ov), 6-204 (Bailey, 41.6 ov), 7-206 (Faulkner, 42.4 ov), 8-222 (Starc, 44.6 ov) Bowling: Mathews 7-0-30-2, T Perera 2-0-18-0 (2w), Aponso 10-0-44-2 (1w), D Perera 10-0-45-2 (1w), Dilshan 4-0-24-0, Prasanna 9-0-391 (2w), de Silva 4-0-21-1

South Africa v New Zealand, 2nd Test, Centurion

Du Plessis, seamers put South Africa on top

S

outh Africa took control of the second Test against New Zealand, with an unbeaten 112 from Faf du Plessis propelling them to 481.

Faf du Plessis scored a controlled century as South Africa declared on a formidable 481-8, their grip on the second and final Test at Centurion tightening as New Zealand lost their opening pair at the end of day two.

The fortunes of Du Plessis have changed dramatically since being dropped from the side for the fourth match against England at this ground in January, and, after supporting JP Duminy on day one, he took centre stage by ending a 20-month wait for his fifth hundred in the longest format with an unbeaten 112.

The Black Caps only managed to stem the tide through the efforts of South Africaborn Neil Wagner (5-86), who claimed his fourth five-wicket haul to keep the tail in check.

But after the Proteas de-

Faf du Plessis

clared they had enough overs to make inroads with the ball, and they did just that, Martin Guptill (8) and Tom Latham (4) removed early as New Zealand reached stumps at 38-3.

It could have been quite different, however, had a pull towards the deep square leg boundary from Du Plessis on 18 not slipped through the fingers of a sprinting Henry Nicholls and gone for six.

There was no such luck for Duminy (88) when his attempt at a similar shot off Tim Southee (1-114) was caught

behind by BJ Watling, while Temba Bavuma fell to a short bouncer from Wagner for eight.

Stiaan van Zyl (35) helped the Proteas to 358-5 by lunch, but Du Plessis picked up the pace in the next session and laid the foundations for an 84run partnership.

The captain, standing in for the injured AB de Villiers, grew accustomed to the shorter deliveries and subsequently surged from 59 to 80 off 15 deliveries, a sequence that included four boundaries, with his second maximum off Southee.

Wagner removed Van Zyl and sent the off stump of Vernon Philander (8) flying before Du Plessis found room at long leg for the two runs to take him to his hundred, leaping for joy having reached the milestone for the first time since December 2014.

After Mitchell Santner (162) removed Kagiso Rabada (7) he was hit for successive sixes in an excellent 13-run cameo from Dale Steyn, and things did not get any better for New Zealand.

Guptill’s struggles continued as he was caught at third slip off Philander (1-10), while Latham may feel hard done by to have fallen to Steyn (1-18) when the on-field umpire’s notout ruling was overturned by the third umpire, who deemed he nicked back to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.

A mix-up between Ross Taylor (1) and skipper Kane Williamson (15 not out) resulted in the former being run out by a direct hit from short leg by Bavuma, and although

the tourists managed to make it to the close of play without further loss, Williamson and

Nicholls (4 no) will need to step through the gears on Monday to avoid a series loss. (SportsMax)

SCOREBOARD South Africa 1st innings S Cook c Williamson b 56 Bracewell Q de Kock† c Boult b Wagner 82 H Amla c †Watling b Wagner 58 JP Duminy c †Watling b Southee 88 F du Plessis* not out 112 T Bavuma c Bracewell b Wagner 8 S van Zyl c Taylor b Wagner 35 V Philander b Wagner 8 K Rabada c Nicholls b Santner 7 13 D Steyn not out Extras (b 10, lb 4) 14 Total (8 wickets dec; 154 overs; 678 mins) 481 Did not bat: DL Piedt Fall of wickets 1-133 (de Kock, 38.5 ov), 2-151 (Cook, 45.4 ov), 3-246 (Amla, 69.2 ov), 4-317 (Duminy, 99.5 ov), 5-342 (Bavuma, 110.6 ov), 6-426 (van Zyl, 136.5 ov), 7-442 (Philander, 146.3 ov),

8-463 (Rabada, 151.5 ov) Bowling: Southee 35-5114-1, Boult 35.47-107-0, Bracewell 30.2-998-1 MJ Santner 14-1-62-1, Wagner 39-8-86-5 New Zealand 1st innings M Guptill c van Zyl 8 b Philander T Latham c †de Kock b Steyn 4 K Williamson* not out 15 R Taylor run out (Bavuma) 1 HM Nicholls not out 4 Extras (lb 1, w 5) 6 38 Total (3 wickets; 16 overs) To bat: BJ Watling†, MJ Santner, DAJ Bracewell, TG Southee, N Wagner, TA Boult Fall of wickets 1-13 (Guptill, 3.3 ov), 2-13 (Latham, 4.3 ov), 3-26 (Taylor, 9.2 ov) Bowling: Steyn 8-218-1, Philander 4-1-101, K Rabada 4-0-9-0

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F

ive games were played at the National Gymnasium on Saturday evening as the Guyana Hockey Board/ Lucozade Indoor Hockey Tournament continued, but one match stood out from the others and will go down in the record books. Old Fort (OF) Knockers were completely outplayed by the undefeated Hikers team in a 26-3 loss.

Arodyd Brandford, the man in form scored a massive 15 goals while Captain, Robert France and Andrew Stewart produced four goals each.

Brandford scored nine goals in the first half of play, including the first goal of the match in the fourth minute and double in the 13th minute. Leon Bacchus also scored twice in the first half, scoring in the fifth and ninth minutes. Jamarj Assanah scored in the ninth minute, as the Hikers team stacked up 12 goals at the end of the first half.

OF Knockers managed to score three times, once by Orin Singh in the 18th minute and once from Dominic Alleyne in the seventh minute of play.

The second half did not change the luck of the OF Knockers as they could only score one more goal to add to their tally courtesy of Singh.

Hikers continued to apply the pressure with Brandford scoring another six goals from the 22nd minute to the 36th minute.

Brandford, however, did not do it alone. France pierced goal keeper David Williams in minutes, 21, 25, 26 and 31 respectively, all of which were field goals.

Stewart, coming in to the latter part of the game, scored the same amount of goals as France.

In the other contests, another team representing

Hikers remain undefeated with a 26-3 victory over Old Fort Knockers

Old Fort, Stallions, defeated Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Pitbulls 5-1, lead by Jason DeSantos’ hat-trick.

In the first half of the match, DeSantos scored the only two goals of that half in the seventh minute via a penalty goal, and in the 15th minute.

Terry Shaw scored the first goal of the second half with the clock at 26 minutes while Askofu Simon marked his first in the 31st minute.

Mark Sargaent scored the only goal for Pitbulls in the 37th minute of play, before DeSantos closed off the scoring in the 38th minute with his third goal.

Jason Clarke was given a red card in the 38th minute.

In the third male match of the night, Bounty GCC and Vintage played to a 4-4 draw.

Alan Fernandes was the first to score, putting Vintage on the scorecard in the second minute. Michael Craig replied in the fourth minute to level the scores. The back and forth it continued, as Philip Fernandes sent Vintage in the lead in the sixth minute, only to have Craig level the score once more in the eighth minute.

It was Bounty who took the lead in the 10th minute

as Kareem McKenzie added his name in the goal scorer’s column, but it was not long before Marcus Fiedtkou scored Vintage’s third goal four minutes later.

The first half closed with Peter DeGroot scoring the fourth goal for Bounty to put them one goal ahead at 4-3.

In the second half, only Philip Fernandes scored in the 28th minute to draw the match.

When the night turned over to the female category, Spartans defeated Old Fort 2-0.

Dominique DeGroot scored a penalty goal in the 12th minute, while Marzana Fiedtkou scored a field goal in the 27th minute.

Kerensa Fernandes scored twice to lead Pizza Hut GCC to a 4-2 victory over Hikers.

The first half was levelled at one goal each thanks to Pizza Hut’s Tiffany Soloman scoring in the 12th minute and Marryann Murray’s sixth minute goal for Hikers.

Fernandes scored in the 33rd and 34th minutes, while Aliyah Gordon scored Pizza Hut’s fourth goal two minutes later.

Latacia Chung scored the second goal for Hikers in the 29th minute.

A

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21

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mixture of rain and other major sporting events, limited the play in the Guyana Football Federation/ NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National U -17 League over the weekend.

On the East Coast, the rain and the ground’s unplayable condition prevent a kickoff while in the Georgetown and Linden associations; the matches were postponed due to clashing activities.

The reports received from some association heads, matches will continue as per normal the coming weekend. However, the Linden leg will resume on Wednesday, with Botafago coming up against High Stars followed by Mile Rock battling Silver Shattas.

The last recorded matches in Linden saw, TOPP XX trashing Amelias Ward Panthers 6-0 with Emanuel Atkins scoring a Hatch Rick in the 21st, 35th & 58th minutes while his colleagues Andrea Myers, Carlon Hinds and Kurliegh Hooper each scored a goal in the 15th, 42nd and 50th minutes respectively in

the first game.

In the second match, Eagles United defeated Net Rockers 3-2. Scoring for the Eagles were Jamal Allicock who wasted no time as he put his team in the lead scoring in the 3rd Minute of the game,while Omar Brewley marked his name in the 12th minute taking his team to a 2-nil lead as play continued Rasheed Johnson also of Eagles United scored their 3rd goal in the 30th minute of the game.

In the second half Eagles United tried to stop Net

Rockers from scoring but Joel Isaacs and Kemuel Batson beat their defense and each scored a goal in the 56th and 58th Minute respectively keeping their team's head above the water.

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22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

monday, august 29, 2016

West Indies v India, 2nd T20I, Lauderhill...

Windies take series win after Florida abandonment

The ground staff at work as rain lashes Lauderhill ©BCCI

I

Dwayne Bravo is castled by Amit Mishra ©WICB

nternational cricket has lost valuable time in strange circumstances in recent weeks - bright daylight but non-drying outfields in rainy months - but what happened in Lauderhill on Sunday might just be too bizarre for even cricket to come up with. For 40 minutes at the start of the day, on another beautiful sunny morning, the full house at the ground was denied cricket because the broadcasters suffered an "unavoidable" and "technical" problem. Once the game began India bowled superbly to bowl West Indies out for 143, but two overs into the chase, a 20-minute shower was enough to ensure the three remaining overs required to constitute a result would not be bowled.

This two-match series, which West Indies won 1-0, was supposed to be an exercise to take the game into

a new market, a market where fans are used to being treated better than cricket tends to treat fans in India.

They would have been in for a rude surprise when, after paying steep prices for their tickets, they didn't even get a proper public announcement explaining the delayed start. The broadcasters had paid massive sums for the rights and deserved some consideration, but there was rain expected later in the afternoon. You can imagine the eggshells the match officials would have walked on while sanctioning that delay.

That was not the last bizarre act of the day. At around 12.40pm, with India looking to be on their way to a win having restricted West Indies, it rained for around 20 minutes. The ground didn't have a Super Sopper, and wasn't covered fully. The business area was

promptly ready for play and the deep parts of the outfield drained well too, but the top of the bowlers' runups, around the area where the painted advertisements are, didn't dry up. The captains were seen looking at that particular area with concern minutes before the game was called off at 2pm.

The official presentation was carried out in gloomy circumstances with the official interviewer steering clear of even mentioning the delayed start, without which the crowd would have had a result. The studio shows and the official interviewer only spoke of how humans are helpless against "mother nature" and "weather".

Without being prompted, the West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite said he hoped the drainage and equipment would improve at the ground, which he said was a wonderful venue otherwise.

It would have been particularly disappointing for the India fans who would have been expecting to cel-

ebrate a bowling comeback after their side went for 245 on Saturday, and the comeback of Amit Mishra. He last played a Twenty20 international during the World T20 in 2014. In the next year-and-a-half India only played bilateral Twenty20 internationals, not bothering with flying in T20 specialists for one or two threehour matches. By the time India started taking T20 internationals seriously again, in the lead-up to the 2016 World T20, Mishra had lost out to Pawan Negi and Harbhajan Singh without being given a chance to build on his impressive bowling in 2014.

Now, perhaps precisely because India didn't bother to fly in T20 specialists for another bilateral series, Mishra got another chance, and made immediate impact to help India bowl West Indies out for 143.

Mishra removed Johnson Charles with the first ball he bowled, inside the Powerplay. Charles had run away to 43 off 24 in the first

five overs, but Mishra began with a front-of-the-hand legbreak that followed Charles as opposed to turning away, cramping him up, getting him caught at long-on. After

that the spinners choked the life out of the West Indies batting. Ravindra Jadeja zipped through with quiet overs, and R Ashwin bowled cleverly to take the wickets of Lendl Simmons and Kieron Pollard.

The fact that spinners bowled so well just after the Powerplay meant India could afford to introduce Jasprit Bumrah after the 10th over. He prefers the ball to be as old as possible. Bumrah responded immediately with the wicket of Marlon Samuels, and the others tightened the screws around him. West Indies, with Brathwaite coming in at No. 9, kept coming hard at India even though they kept losing wickets. India still kept taking wickets, bowling West Indies out for a below-par score, but they were powerless against the "weather". (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD West Indies (20 overs maximum) J Charles c Rahane b Mishra 43 E Lewis c Mishra b Mohammed Shami 7 M Samuels c †Dhoni b Bumrah 5 L Simmons st †Dhoni b Ashwin 19 A Fletcher† b Bumrah 3 K Pollard lbw b Ashwin 13 A Russell c Kohli b Kumar 13 D Bravo b Mishra 3 C Brathwaite* b Mishra 18 S Narine not out 9 S Badree b Mohammed Sha mi 1 Extras (lb 4, w 4, nb 1) 9 Total (all out; 19.4 overs) 143 Fall of wickets: 1-24 (Lewis, 3.2 ov), 2-50 (Charles, 5.1 ov), 3-76 (Simmons, 9.5 ov), 4-76 (Samuels, 10.1 ov),

5-92 (Pollard, 11.5 ov), 6-98 (Fletcher, 12.6 ov), 7-111 (Bravo, 15.2 ov), 8-123 (Russell, 16.6 ov), 9-133 (Brathwaite, 17.5 ov), 10143 (Badree, 19.4 ov) Bowling: Kumar 4-0-36-1(2w),Shami 2.4-0-31-2,Mishra 4-024-3 (1w), Jadeja 2-0-11-0,Ashwin 3-0-11-2(w)Bumrah 4-0-26-2(1nb) India (target: 144 runs from 20 overs) R Sharma not out 10 A Rahane not out 4 Extras (b 1) 1 Total (0 wickets; 2 overs) 15 Did not bat: V Kohli, KL Rahul, MS Dhoni*†, RA Jadeja, R Ashwin, B Kumar, A Mishra, Mohammed Shami, JJ Bumrah Bowling: Russell 1-0-70, Badree 1-0-7-0

RHTY&SC, Albion express disappointment Rain forces Georgetown-East over Jaguars Franchise League planning Bank clash to end in “no result”

A

ccording to a joint press release by the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S and the Albion Cricket Club they have expressed disappointment in the manner which the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Jaguars Franchise League 3-day has been organized.

The release stated, “the management of the two top Cricket Clubs in Berbice – The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S and the Albion Cricket Club would like to express our profound disappointment on the arrangements in place for the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board 3 days inter Zone Tournament. The two Clubs which produces the most cricketers for Berbice has been kept in the dark about arrangements for the upcoming tournament and who is responsible for the selection of the Upper Corentyne and Lower Corentyne or New Amsterdam Teams”.

It further stated, “To

RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster

make matters worse, the Berbice Cricket Board has not been consulted or informed of plans for the tournament. The two Clubs who together share a record nine Guyana Cricket Club of the Year Award are very concerned about the current

state of affairs.

The RHTY&SC, M.S and the ACC are committed towards uniting all the factions of Guyana’s Cricket but we would not be willing to do so in the future if greater effort is not made to ensure that our cricket is administered in a transparent manner. The two Clubs seeks urgent answers to the following questions.

Who were the persons responsible for selecting the teams and what were the criteria’s used ?

Why was the BCB not consulted despite the efforts to unite the two cricket boards?

Does the sponsoring of teams gives the sponsor, the sole right to select players for a team?

Is it not a conflict of interest for a President of a Cricket Club to be a sponsor of a team, which his Club is involved in?

Why was the Clubs and the BCB not consulted on the arrangements for the tournament. Our advice and

suggestions would have assisted in better arrangements.

Who selected the Officials for the Tournament and what were the criteria used?

Is it a deliberate policy to side-line the top two Cricket Clubs in Berbice and the BCB when we were open to healing the wounds in Guyana’s Cricket?”

“Why were a lot of promising young cricketers like Josiah Dhanai, Kevlon Anderson, Kevin Sinclair and Slyus Tyndall left out of the eighteen man squad and the highly productive Collis Butts was not considered?

Butts was the Man of the Finals in the last BCB First Division Tournament.

The RHTY&SC, M.S and ACC are major stakeholder in Berbice and Guyana’s cricket and together have ideas and suggestions that would assist in the development of the game. We are a lost while we are being side-lined” the release ended.

I

n a match which seemed to produce a result, the final day was unfortunately ended prematurely due to an early Sunday morning downpour at the Everest Cricket Club, which meant Georgetown and East Bank clash finished with “No Result” in the first round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Jaguars Franchise League 3-Day. The match was called-off just after lunch and saw both Georgetown and East Bank receiving three points each.

They also got an additional three points each for bowling out each other within 110 overs. Georgetown's fast bowlers gave them the slight edge, as they scored an extra 0.3 points taking their grand total to 6.3. But East Bank bettered their opponents by 0.1, due to the 0.4 points their pacers got which gave them a total of 6.4 points.

In East Bank’s first innings, they were bowled out for paltry 192 on the opening day. However they managed to snatch first innings points after skipper, off-spin-

Dexter Solomon

ner Steven Jacobs 3-29, the medium-pace of Sherfene Rutherford accounted for 3-23 and left-arm spinner Totoram Bishun figures of 2-35 did the damage restrict Georgetown to 183.

Starring with the bat for Georgetown, were wicket-keeper/batsman Dexter Solomon who stroked an unbeaten 62 which was supported by Kwame Crosse’s 36 and National all-rounder Christopher Barnwell 31.

In East Bank’s 2nd innings, they were staggering at 68-5 but had a decent lead of 77 nevertheless with Rutherford on 12 and Jacobs on 02.

guyana-times.com

monday, august 29, 2016

23

Corley wins Fecarbox title Baboolall keen to satisfy —Holmes knocks out Austin

DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley

By Romario Samaroo

I

n front of a number of boxing lovers at the Giftland Mall parking lot; United States veteran, DeMarcus ‘Chop Chop’ Corley stunned the nation when he edged past Dexter ‘Cobra’ Gonsalves to win the World Boxing Council’s Fecarbox title in the 12-round affair.

The hype was already set heading in to the match with four captivating cards.

Gonsalves entered the match as a favourite, being only 27-years-old and having an impressive record.

On the other hand, Corley was a veteran of 75 fights having faced the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr and Miguel Cotto.

In the first round, both boxers were watchful of each other but the speed of the younger boxer proved to be a factor. Gonsalves jabbed well, using his reach to good effect and connected to the his opponent’s face with a solid right hand as Corley took to the mat with a surprised look on his face.

The second round started in similar fashion but the third round saw Corley going down to a right hand punch, sending the crowd into a tantrum.

However, Corley rebounded in the fourth round showing the Guyana crowd why he was a world rated fighter. Halfway through the fight, Gonsalves was sent to the mat by Corley but that did not keep the hometown boy down for long backing up Corley a few times into the ropes and landing good body shots.

The highlight of round eight saw a beautiful upper cut seconds before the round ended.

Entering the ninth round, both boxers showed signs of tiredness and the younger fighter used it to his advantage finding Corley’s face consistently.’

The final three rounds saw the contenders showing the effect of expounding their energies but it was the experience of Corley that proved to be one of the deciding factors.

In a questionable decision, the judges pronounced Corley the new WBC Fecarbox title holder in a 115-110, 113-112 and 113113.

Several boxing pundits and fans noted that it was a tough call but adamantly proclaimed Gonslaves could have walked away with a draw.

In the other contests, it looked as if the regional boxers were dominating the locals.

Jamaican powerhouse, Richard Holmes was booked to fight Guyanese, Mark Austin in an eight round match, but Austin did not last the full rounds, taking a knockout one minute fifty-two seconds into round two. Holmes said it is what he came to do and executed perfectly, attributing his success to constantly being in the gym while Austin blamed a slippery boots and poor preparation ahead of the fight.

Austin added that his circumstances, having to work three jobs, was proving burdensome on his career and only being his first fight of the year.

In the match dubbed to be a grudge match, Quincy Gomes once again prevailed over Imran Khan in the sixround contest.

Khan’s stamina was once again a factor but improved on his general game. Khan started off watchful wearing down his opponent into the fourth round but Gomes bounced back in the fifth round to floor the six foot fighter moments before the bell rang. Khan returned in the final round and threw in some solid jabs and landed a number of body shots.

Khan stated after the fight that this is not the end and will return to his roots and work harder pushing in some good fights and building his way back to being on top of the sport he loves.

Kelsey George is still to come off the mark and register a win as he suffered defeat at the hands of Barbadian, Charwin Eswick.

In the opening fight of the night, Anthony Narine was declared the winner following what was deemed an illegal punch by his opponent, Keeve Alicock.

tradition through regatta

By Delvon McEwan

M

any might view the Aruwai Summer Regatta as an event that was hosted to rake in millions in profit, but to the man behind the initiative, Chunilall Baboolall, this is not the case as he is keen to satisfy the people of Bartica and the adjacent areas’ cultural desires.

According to Baboolall, Regatta for Barticians is a tradition, “one where we (Barticians) get to showcase and sustain our culture.” Actually the Summer Regatta is not the brainchild of Baboolall but due to the desire of the people in the region, he saw the need to reintroduce the activity after

Chunilall Baboolall (centre) with Region Seven Regional Chairman Goordan Bradford and three of the riders

races, but the dirt bike inclusion was wholesomely the new host’s idea and he wants to make it a ‘big deal’ locally and internationally,

days of entertainment and relaxation.

He is inviting all Guyanese, not just the Essequibians, to hop on

hinting that by the time of the next event, the races on the track could be done under lights.

In total the Regatta investments cost Baboolall approximately twenty million dollars ($20,000,000), ten million ($10,000,000) of which went to prizes and the other half was spent on organising.

With such hefty investments it is Baboolall’s hope that Guyanese enjoy two full

board as he strives to make this event better the next time around.

Evidently, the entrepreneur is diverting from mining to the tourism sector. He seems to have the ideal initiatives and seems to be on the verge of hitting climax.

However, it is just for a matter of patience and consistency, as it is not a sector in which evolution is manifested without the proper approach.

Part of Saturday’s action

it was absent for a year.

The Bartica Races Regatta Club is the original host for the annual Summer Regatta; however, after a downturn in the economy there was no regatta last year. Due to this, Baboolall approached the original host some mere six weeks before this year’s event and was given permission to host the event.

The Regatta was known for its usual power boat

Ecstatic Regatta concludes

Scott, Nobrega dominated 2-day event F

or a second day there were once more abundance of entertainments and thrills as the Aruwai Summer Regatta concluded with the power boat races at the Aruwai Resort.

Dave Scott who drove in the 200 horse power and over category was the day’s most successful competitor, winning three of his four races while finishing second in another. He won the day’s first event which was the Courts 225hp open followed by the Digicel 200 hp and the day’s final race, the 225 hp open.

Scott who drove the Jaguar (the name of his boat) was only beaten in the 225 hp which was won by Pomeroon’s own Clint Gonsalves, who drove Cyzie Boys.

In total Scott won $420,000.00 dollars in cash

and several accolades to go with it as he ended as the day’s top driver. Other winners were, Jose Jardine, Shawn Belle, Danny Benjamin, Israel Henry, Gonsalve and Shawn Jacobs.

The following is a list of the top finishers in each race from the first to the last.

Courts 225 hp open- first Scott ($150,000), second Neil Gonsalves ($120,000) first Jose Jardin and third Shawn Belle ($100,000). 75-M1EMF Yassin-first Jardine ($80,000) and second Danny Benjamin ($60,000). Prime Minister’s Office race-first place Shawn Belle ($100,000), second Selwyn Joseph ($80,000) and third place Jardine ($60,000).

Lalchand Seeraj 40hp-first Benjamin ($50,000), second Clint Gonsalves (40,000) and third Romeo Randolp

Dave Scott standing next to his boat, the “Jaguar”

($30,000). Aruwai CanoeIsrael Henry first and second went to Jerman Samuel.

Digicel 200hp first Dave Scott ($150,000), second Gonsalves ($120,000) abd Belle ($100,000). Courts 40 hp- first Benjamin ($50,000), second Gonsalves ($40,000) and third Belle (30,000).

PM’s Office 225 hp first Gonsalves ($150,000), sec-

ond Scott ($120,000) and Belle ($100,000). Bartica Service Station jet ski racefirst Jacobs ($30,000), second Marlon Sanasie ($25,000) and third Ramcharan Boodhoo ($20,000). 225 open-first Scott ($100,000), second Belle ($80,000) and third Jardine ($60,000).

Most of the day’s proceeding was quite fine with the ex-

ception of one accident which left driver Selwyn Joseph unconscious for some period before he recovered and was safe at home up to press time.

Joseph’s boat ’the girls them sugar’ hit the rope attached to the buoy and toppled, causing him to be thrown into the water. He was retrieved from the water by life guards who acted quickly to rescue him. At the time he was lifted from the water he was unconscious but was quickly revived by coast guards, who were on duty at the time.

Subsequently he was rushed to the Bartica Hospital where he was examined by a doctor, who did x-rays and monitored his condition for some while before he was discharge from the ward.

That accident was the only incident for the two days

but it did not stop the patrons’ fun as the activities continued with much anticipation of who the winner of each race would be. After the races ended there was live entertainment by local soca singer Jomo Primo, who entertained the gathering in his usual energetic and rhythmic delivery.

Subsequently there was the award ceremony before the after lime got underway.

Scott was the top competitor on day two while Steven Nobrega won all the races on day one.

Overall it was two days of spectacular activities which showed scope to expand with longer planning among other concerns which could make it one of Guyana’s premier events on the national calendar of summer activities.

mondAY, august 29, 2016

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

West Indies v India, 2nd T20I, Lauderhill...

Pg 22

Windies take series win after Florida abandonment Carlos Brathwaite of the West Indies and teammates pose with the series trophy © BCCI

Ecstatic Regatta concludes

Scott, Nobrega dominated 2day event

Pg 23

F1600 Formula F Championship

Ming wins by .001 seconds Pg 19

Calvin Ming’s sterling performances in the F1600 championships continued with yet another win for the Guyanese

The “Jaguar” driven by Scott about to go past one of the other boats

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