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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2922

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Public schools’ registration fee not compulsory – Ministry Page 9

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana to seek Denmark’s assistance in local energy development – Granger P3

…no mandatory supplies needed for nursery school

Ex-soldier fires shots indiscriminately Page 8

GTT wants Govt to honour contracts with service Page providers 7

…under Police guard at Suddie Hospital …welcomes liberalisation – CEO

Economics Ministry P7 would create additional bureaucracy – Harmon P8 Shipping Association takes City Hall to court over container fees

Residents P10 bemoan “deplorable” state of Coomacka access road Former President Bharrat Jagdeo is currently participating in forestry events in Rome, Italy where he will be chairing the working sessions of the FAO’s Committee on Forests (COFO)

Govt to increase Int’l rights groups want fees for leased death penalty removed lands AML/CFT legislation

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P13 Police Commissoner awards D Division ranks

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news

thursDAY, july 21, 2016 | guyana-times.com

AML/CFT legislation

Int’l rights groups want death penalty removed A s concerns grow over the lack of regional interest to abolish the death penalty, calls have been made for capital punishment to be removed from Guyana’s Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) legislation.

Though Guyana has committed to join worldwide efforts to abolish this act, the death penalty was included in the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill 2016 despite objections from the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) parliamentary Opposition.

Ahead of a judicial colloquium on the death penalty on Wednesday at the Marriott Hotel, the international representatives call for this clause to be removed from the legislation, and from all other pieces of legislature in Guyana.

EU Charge D’Affaires Derek Lambe, disclosed

that he was informed that Cabinet is actively reviewing the legislation and it is his hope that it will be removed.

“We would very much like to see the death penalty being removed from any legislation in Guyana and every other country in the world,” he stated, when prompted to comment on how this dilemma will affect its advocacy for the abolition of the death penalty.

Judge Navi Pillay, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, also expressed hope that the death penalty will be removed from the books completely.

She explained that governments should not just pass a law because something terrible occurred.

“Law is not done emotionally. The rule of law follows intentional standard and Guyana is very much a part of the interna-

From left to right: UN Assistant Secretary General of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic; Judge Navi Pillay, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; Member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Marc Bossuyt and EU Chargé D’Affaires Derek Lambe

tional community… so you have to pass laws that are sound and definite and not responding each time there is a terrorist act committed here or in France or wherever. Of course, these are terrible crimes and the UN has very specific requirements for counter terrorism measures,” she stated, emphasising that these measures do not comply with the capital punishment.

On this note, she urged that Guyana advance forward and not backward in its efforts to abolish the death penalty.

“This country should be proud that in 20 years there has been no execution,” she highlighted. Guyana last executed a death row inmate in 1997.

But Pillay stressed that it ought not to be just a moratorium but it must be abolished.

Moreover, Assistant Secretary General from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ivan Simonovic, also pointed out that there is no evidence that proves that the death penalty deters any crime, including terrorism.

The European Union (EU) in collaboration with United Nations (UN) representatives organised a conference with members of the local judiciary to engage in a detail discussions on the movement towards abolishing the death penalty.

Just before the event got underway, the delegation hosted a news conference

to brief the media about the expectations of the activity.

The forum will see presentations being done by members of the international rights groups, where they will share experiences and progress of other countries towards the abolition of the death penalty.

The aim is to broaden the discussion on the matter in Guyana.

The visiting delegation also visited several Government officials including Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams.

They intend on meeting Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan today.

The Attorney General had argued that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) regime mandates the capital punishment be enshrined in the AML/CFT legislation.

However, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall asserted that in other countries deemed FATF compliant, the death penalty is abolished. He pointed out that in France, where FATF is headquartered, the death penalty was abolished decades ago; and the country is still FATF compliant.

According to statistics

by Amnesty International, 140 countries abolished the death penalty in 2014, by law or practice. This is significant given that when the organisation started its campaign against the death penalty in 1997, only 16 countries had abolished this punishment for all crimes.

Seven countries that carried out executions in 2013 did not do so in 2014; those being Bangladesh, Botswana, Indonesia, India, Kuwait, Nigeria and South Sudan.

Despite this remarkable progress, there was a recorded 28 per cent increase in the number of executions in 2014 when compared to the figures in 2013. There were 2466 death sentences in 55 countries in 2014, with a total of 607 executions. This figure excludes China, which executed more persons than the rest of the world combined. The top five countries which still execute prisoners on death row are China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the USA. Additionally, seven other countries resumed executions – Belarus, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Jordan, Pakistan, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.

(Devina Samaroo)

news

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thursDAY, july 21, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, July 21 – 05:00h-06:30h and Friday, July 22 – 05:00h-06:30h.

Govt to increase fees for leased lands

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, July 21 – 05:05h-06:35h and Friday, July 22 – 05:45h-07:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected in the morning and early afternoon hours, while sunshine is expected in the late afternoon hours. Clear skies can be expected in the evening with temperatures ranging between 24 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 0.89 metre and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 05:17h and 17:44h reaching maximum heights of 2.74 metres and 2.65 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:18h and 23:33h reaching minimum heights of 0.47 metre and 0.56 metre respectively.

Lease lands are commonly used by investors for industrial and agricultural purposes

O

n the heels of immense outcry over the avalanche of tax increases and the introduction of new expenses being instigated by Government, persons are now likely to also pay a higher fee for the rental of lease lands.

A land re-evaluation exercise will soon get underway with the aim of assessing the current market value of all state-lands in order to increase the fees for the rental of lease lands in accordance with the present market value.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon made this disclosure on Wednesday during

the Parliamentary Standing Select Committee on Natural Resources, chaired by parliamentary Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Odinga Lumumba.

The Minister of State spoke on matters related to land titling, climate change and Information Communication Technology (ICT).

Harmon explained that Government is moving to put in place a land classification system to develop and implement a classification methodology for revision of rental

rates, based on assessments of the market value of land.

Lease lands are commonly used by investors for industrial and agricultural purposes, and they stand to bear the brunt of these increased fees should Government proceed with this initiative.

Harmon indicated that the fees presently being charged are well below market value and as such, Government needs to ascertain the lands’ true value so that the right amount can be paid.

“If you look at the price paid for one acre of State land to the Lands and Surveys Commission, then you will

understand what I am talking about,” he reasoned.

He pointed out also that in areas where the land rates have been significantly low, large enterprises still failed to pay those rates over the years which resulted in difficult circumstances under which the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (LSC) had to operate.

He posited that the intention of the Government is to ensure the LSC becomes a profitable entity with little to no dependency on Government funding.

“We have to change that and we have to ensure that the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission is a profitable undertaking and one that can stand on its own feet without having to have too much Government intervention,” Harmon stated.

Already, Government has increased property taxes, gun licence fees, operating licence fees, introduced container taxes, University of Guyana graduation fees, and registration fees for Government schools, among others.

(Devina Samaroo)

Guyana to seek Denmark’s assistance for local energy development – Granger of the Presidency.

Upon accepting the accreditation documents, the Head of State noted that with the appointment of Ambassador Christensen, the existing relations between Guyana and Denmark will be further strengthened.

On this note, he pointed out that Guyana is particularly looking forward to working closely with Denmark to advance cooperation for the development of the renewable energy sector in order to build a green and

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

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President David Granger and Denmark’s Ambassador to Guyana Kim Hojlund Christensen shortly after the accreditation ceremony on Wednesday

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W

ith Guyana embarking on developing its energy sector, the country is looking to tap into the experience of the Kingdom of Denmark as it accredits a new non-resident

Ambassador.

Denmark’s Ambassador to Guyana, Kim Hojlund Christensen, handed over his Letters of Credence to President David Granger on Wednesday at the Ministry

sustainable society.

“Denmark is an international bellwether in development of sustainable energy… Guyana, like Denmark, is a small low lying coastal state; in fact, we are one of the smallest states on the continent of South America.

So we are keen to learn from Denmark’s experience with community energy models which can guide our own path towards implementation of our national green agenda,” he stated. turn to page 14

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thursdAY, july 21, 2016

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

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

Editorial

Committees in Parliament

T

he passage this week of the Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill 2016 exposed citizens to the work, possibilities and shortcomings of “Committees” in our parliamentary system of governance. In this system, Members of Parliament (MPs) are supposed to be engaged in three tasks – representing the interests of their constituencies, legislating laws introduced by the Executive, and oversight of the Government’s work.

While MPs are supposed to be “representing” at all times, they are afforded the opportunity to selectively perform the last two in the two types of committees of Parliament. These are the “Select” ad hoc committees that consider specific Bills and issues that have been laid before the Assembly and “Standing Committees”, which are constituted with every Parliament and generally exist for the duration of the Parliament. The Committee to which the Telecommunications Bill was sent since 2013 by the then PPP Executive, was an example of the “Select” type. The Public Accounts Committee exemplifies a Standing Committee, in this case one that is supposed to scrutinise the work of the Executive. In addition to “scrutinising”, Standing Committees such as the “Privileges Committee” are also constituted to facilitate the functioning of the National Assembly.

Committees are crucial for the entrenchment of substantive democracy in the parliamentary system, but we saw one of the constraints exposed this week. When the Telecommunications Bill was originally introduced, the members of the then Opposition parties APNU and AFC on the Select Committee felt that too many powers were placed into the hands of the subject Minister. Since at that time there was the unique situation where the Opposition parties also had a majority in the Parliament, the Government was unable to pass the legislation.

While there must have been some MPs from the Opposition benches that felt strongly enough about the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, because of the power of the political parties to insist their MPs literally “toe the party line”, the duty to represent their constituencies’ interest was sacrificed at the altar of political expediency. The party Whips can “whip” support into line for their party’s position because of their power to “recall” contrary MPs. The political expediency was exposed when the APNU and AFC parties – now in government – supported the bill in the new Select Committee formed for this Parliament and was able to have it passed on the floor of the House since they also had a majority of votes there.

The PPP, now in Opposition, objected to the powers placed into the hands of the Telecommunications Minister.

The shoe was now on the other foot. The challenge for greater substantive democracy, then, would be to facilitate MPs to take a more independent stance when Bills are being considered in Committee and in the National Assembly. In the US system where there is a more explicit “division of powers” between the Executive and the Legislature, the former does not sit in the latter, as is the case here, and Members of Congress are more independent. One way to rectify this matter here would be to eliminate the “party list” system where the party leaders have total control over which candidate on their list during elections are later selected as parliamentarians. This power, along with the desire of the MPs to move into Executive office, keeps them behind the “party line”. A reversion to a total constituency system of elections would also assist in allowing MPs to better fulfil their representative function.

The Parliament of Guyana also has Standings Committees, including the four Sectoral Committees – Economic, Natural Resources, Social Services and Foreign Affairs – which are not used sufficiently to scrutinise the work of the Executive.

In the instance of the Telecommunications Bill, the Economic Services Committee could have called officials of the Government and the telecommunications companies to give evidence on the issue. In the presence of the media and with the assistance of experts they could hire, democracy would have been better served. But this was trumped by party discipline.

Police ranks, members of the business community and faith-based organisations were honoured for their contribution to community relation and crime prevention programmes in D Division. Also in photo are Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud and D Division Commander Stephen Mansell (Dexter Ceres photo)

Why do Guyanese have to always fight for what is rightfully ours?

Dear Editor, Guyana has some sick people in privileged positions. These people make you fight for everything that belongs to you. My friend, Carla, just lost her son in a very tragic accident on the Linden Highway.

Her son was a Police Officer stationed at the Soesdyke outpost and was rushing to a Police function in Linden when the car tire blew out. It was his mother’s car he was driving and it was totalled.

Immediately after confirming the accident, Carla contacted the insurance company where she had comprehensive insurance on the vehicle. One would think that they would have been both understanding and sympathetic to her cause but no.

From the beginning of her reporting the accident, her hell with them began. At one point they told her that the investigation of the accident involved her finding out if her son had any other insurance on any other vehicle/s.

They told her that she – yes, she Carla – must make sure that nothing is missing from the car during the time it was at the Police station, until it got to their holding facility.

As Carla was explaining her frustrations with the company to me – and there were many – I offered to accompany her to the insurance company on Monday last. When we got there, the

car had just been towed from the Soesdyke Police Station to the insurance holding facility on Mandela Avenue. I watched as the company’s investigating officer placed his report on the desk of one of his colleagues; that young man never touched it or acknowledged that the report was placed in front of him.

We were standing there (they never even offered us a seat) right in his line of vision.

About 15 minutes later – we were still standing – a young female employee asked us if we were getting through. Carla explained that she was waiting to know what next she should do. The young lady went to the desk of the employee that had the accident report in front of him, they spoke briefly and she returned to us. And here is where I almost lost my cool.

She said to Carla, “You cannot get your letter (to take to the bank) today. You have to wait three days”. I asked her why and she explained. She said that the title of the vehicle needs to be taken out of Carla’s name before she can get her letter but they cannot put the title in the name of the insurance company.

She explained that if they put it in the name of the company, they would have to then transfer it into the name of whomsoever will buy the vehicle. So the “normal”, “usual” policy of the insur-

ance company is for them to have the customer wait until someone buys the wrecked vehicle, so the title could be transferred directly into the name of the buyer.

I listened to this explanation in utter shock and total disbelief. The insurance company representative actually told a grieving mother, that she had to wait until they sold her vehicle to some yetto-be-identified buyer, before they could give her a letter to take to the bank. Carla could take it no more and she went outside. While she was gone, I sought to explain the gravity of Carla’s grief, pain and frustration but the representative would not budge. She maintained that that is the “normal”, “usual” policy of the company.

At this point – my anger barely under control – I asked to speak with the Manager. He was out. So I asked to speak to whomever was higher than the Manager. I was given the name for someone at the main branch.

Carla and I immediately went to the main office.

The General Manager was out of office, so I explained to his Secretary why we where there. I told her that I thought the insurance company was unfair to Carla.

I also noted that every day that she does not get her letter, is another day that the interest is being accrued on her car loan.

I finished by highlighting

to the Secretary that it would be reasonable to have Carla seek a refund for the interest that has accrued on her loan, plus cost for her inconvenience, plus compensation for her emotional distress, plus lost of pay for the time she was away from work, plus any and all other cost that might be reasonable and that a court of law would allow.

I am not naming the insurance company only because Carla got a call the very Monday afternoon from no less than the General Manager himself. He apologised for the inconvenience and promised to have the letter ready the next day. She got her letter as promised.

Editor, last week I highlighted in your newspaper the fact that my phone line was not working for two months, even though I had called several times to report the fault. Two days after the story was published, they came and fix the problem. Why do Guyanese have to always fight for what is rightfully ours?

The Guyana Teachers’ Union is in a fight for an increase in teachers’ wages.

The Public Service Union is in a fight for an increase in workers’ wages. It seems like all Guyanese need to be Members of Parliament.

They get to double their wages, without any fight.

Sincerely, Wendell Jeffrey

Have we lost all sense of national pride?

Dear Editor, Some reactions, both objective and unduly ‘personal,’ appear to have missed the essence of my letter clarifying that rum does not equate alcoholism. Also

overlooked is the important issue of ‘national pride’ in a legal Guyanese product which the rest of the world raves about.

If the Scots and Brits can revere their “Scotch” whis-

ky, the French their wines, the Russians their vodka, the Germans their beer, the Mexicans their Tequila etc, why can’t we Guyanese be proud of our world famous rum? Of course we, like all

others, must do our drinking responsibly and in this regard we all have a moral responsibility.

Regards, Nowrang Persaud

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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

Do our politicians see things GHRA remembers Bishop through the prism of negativity? Randolph George Dear Editor, As a Commissioner of GECOM I received a copy of a letter of protestation: “Recent actions by GECOM on access to its database” which was sent to GECOM by the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party.

The content of the letter has since been referred to, and elaborated on, in Mr Rohee’s weekly press conference. That letter contains the most idiotic and ludicrous pronouncements I have heard, in recent times. Idiotic because it lacks any thought based on fact.

It is all contrived thinking.

Ludicrous because it is nonsensical, absolutely baseless and far from the truth. It is founded on fabrications.

One of the bases of Rohee’s contention is that Commissioner Alexander, presumably on behalf of the Ministry of Education, was seeking access to GECOM’s database. What Commissioner Alexander requested are read-only CDs, of the Official List of Voters (OLV ), to be used for address verification by the Ministry’s school placement officers. That can never be considered to be access to the database.

What was requested is that GECOM provide a report generated from the database, which is quite separate from the database, once produced.

Rohee’s contention, therefore,

demonstrates either ignorance of such matters or an attempt to misrepresent the reality and mislead the gullible.

Another basis is that no formal request was made to GECOM. That is an absolute falsehood. GECOM’s decision was that the CDs would be made available upon a formal request. That request was made by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, in response to which GECOM availed the CDs. Of note is that a similar report, on each iteration of the voters’ list, with much more information, is always available to GECOM Commissioners and the political parties. Not to mention that the said information and more is accessible online @www.gecom.org.gy/_2016.

How then does the availability of less information in the same format (read-only CDs, not the database) to the Ministry of Education, suddenly present the opportunity for padding of the voters’ list as Mr Rohee contends?

That a senior political figure can seek to create such hysteria out of anon-issue, on such a sensitive matter, based on fabrications, is a matter of grave concern. On the other hand, that it cannot, apparently, be perceived how we can make the best use of our national assets, such as the voters’ list or the National

Register of Registrants, is an indication of the backward nature of our politics, which seems to stymie progress and create division rather than foster unity and development.

In other countries, national databases are developed as integrated systems rather than the disparate, silo approach which seems to be the Guyana approach.

One is left to wonder whether we are visionless or whether our politicians see things through the prisms of negativity, given their own machinations and the fear that others may also have those machinations, hence their unwillingness to embrace change and or modernisation, if they are not in charge or stand to derive partisan benefits.

In employment law, fidelity is considered to be a fundamental condition of a contract and obligation of the holders of senior positions.

Shouldn’t this also apply to State officials/holders of public offices, who are paid taxpayers’ monies in return for the proper conduct of the people’s affairs, rather than subject us to sinned souls in the name of politics, more aptly referred to as politricks.

Yours sincerely, Vincent Alexander GECOM Commissioner

Good Samaritan urgently needed in Region 1 Dear Editor, I read a letter in the Guyana Times (Mon, July 18, 2016) titled “Good Samaritan leads the way in Region 5”

by Harry Gill, Member of Parliament (PPP/C).

Gill wrote that Nowrang Persaud with the blessings of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) built a permanent shed with wooden benches for our pensioners to relax while they wait to uplift their pensions at the Blairmont Post Office.

I think this is highly commendable by Nowrang Persaud which is an outstanding demonstration to show that pensioners, our se-

nior citizens, need to be treated with respect and dignity, which is my opinion is sadly and generally lacking in our Guyanese society.

MP Harry Gill seems to be responsible for Region 5, but I may have to ask him to also lobby the GPOC for a similar shed to be built at the Acquero Post Office in the Moruca sub-region of Region One where our Amerindian pensioners from distant communities have to wait (at times in vain) for extremely long hours and exposed to the sun and rain to uplift their $18,000.

I am impressed also with the representative actions of

MP Harry Gill and the Good Samaritan demonstration by Nowrang Persaud. Let me kindly call on the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) General Karen Brown to have a waiting shed with benches built for the Moruca sub-region pensioners at the Acquero Post Office.

However, if this is impossible then a Good Samaritan is also urgently needed in Region One (Moruca –sub Region). MP Harry Gill, can you please monitor this plea for help?

Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud

Dear Editor, The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) extends its sympathy and condolences on the recent death of Bishop Randolph George to his wife, Sheila; their family and the Anglican community.

Although he spent almost the last two decades of his long life in relative privacy, his leadership of civic resistance to oppression in Guyana from the late 1970s to the early 1990s was pivotal and historic.

As one of the first trio of Co-Presidents of the GHRA, Bishop George’s astuteness and wisdom lent dignity and a sense of purpose in challenging the widespread repression of the late ‘70s and ‘80s. His courageous and unflappable spirit was reassuring to human rights and political activists in times of tension. Bishop George’s willingness to be the voice of the voiceless was unwavering in an era of rationed newsprint, seized publications, disabled gestofax machines, raided printing enterprises and non-existent private radio or television.

The three notable contributions made by Bishop George to defend human rights were rooted in freedom of expression, the independence of the courts and countering abuses generated by the paramountcy of the ruling party. The second notable show of political

courage – along with Roman Catholic Bishop Benedict Singh – was to defend trade union demonstrations and denounce Police actions against them during the severe economic austerity of the late 1980s.

The third major contribution made by Bishop George in pursuit of a more civilised and dignified public life was the leadership he provided in the struggle for free and fair elections. His role in the Guyanese Action for Reform & Democracy (GUARD) consolidated his stature as a trusted national figure whose influence reached well beyond the religious and civic community, without the slightest inclination on his part to seek leadership or the limelight. His influence as a unifying figure across the ethnic divide derived from inclination and instinct for what was right and decent and a genuine interest in everyone he came into contact with. Moreover, as a result of constant trekking across the interior visiting Anglican communities over the years, the number of Amerindians he knew by name was extraordinary.

It was predictable after the restoration of democratic space in 1992, for a man for whom social justice was a dimension of his larger religious calling, rather than a political inclination, that Bishop George would have

no difficulty slipping away from a prominent role in public life.

To those sceptical of the value of social and political activism which often felt more symbolic than substantive in that repressive era, Bishop George’s response was that, whether successful or not, without such activism the situation would have been much worse.

Sincerely, Executive Committee Guyana Human Rights Association

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Foundation

Child nagging and negotiating

BY AMY MCCREADY

— end child nagging and negotiating with just three simple words When it comes to persistence, few things compare to a child nagging and negotiating to try and get what he wants. And few people know that better than a parent who has given that child an answer they don’t want to hear.

From the famed “Are we there yet?” to this morning’s “Can I have ice cream for breakfast?” to this afternoon’s “Can I have ice cream for dinner?” kids are notorious for their one-track minds, and they will ask… and ask… and ask… just in case you’ve changed your mind in the last minute.

Child nagging is a learned behaviour that children of any age can pick up.

They might continue to use it because once, in a moment of weakness, you caved and let them stay up an extra half hour after they asked for the eighth time.

But like any learned behaviour, child nagging can be unlearned. The solution comes from Lynn Lott, co-author of the Positive Discipline series of books, and it works on kids as young as two or three, all the way through their teens.

It only takes three simple words: “Asked and Answered.”

The concept is simple.

When seven-year-old Daniel begs to dig a giant hole in the front yard and gets “no” for an answer, chances are he’ll be back in five minutes

asking again – this time with a “pleeeeeeaase” just so you know he really, really wants to dig the hole.

Instead of repeating yourself or jumping in to a lecture, avoid child nagging by getting eye to eye and follow the process below: Step 1: Ask, “Have you ever heard of ‘Asked and Answered’?” (He’ll probably say no.)

Step 2: Ask, “Did you ask me a question about digging a hole?” (He’ll say yes.)

Step 3: Ask, “Did I answer it?” (He’ll probably say, “Yes, but, I really ….”)

Step 4: Ask, “Do I look like the kind of mom/ dad/teacher who will change her/his mind if you ask me the same thing over and over?” (Chances are Daniel will walk away, maybe with a frustrated grunt, and engage in something else.)

Step 5: If Daniel asks again, simply say, “Asked and Answered.”

(No other words are necessary!)

Once this technique has been established, these are the only words you should need to say to address nagging questions.

Consistency is key!

Once you decide to use “Asked and Answered” with your nagging child, be sure to stick to it. If 14-year-old Emma is particularly determined to keep asking to get her eyebrow pierced, stay strong. Answering her question again – or worse yet, changing your answer – will reinforce to her that her nagging works. Although it’ll take some patience, your child will eventually connect the dots and you’ll see results!

Make “Asked and Answered” a joint effort w i t h your

spouse, and consider including any family or friends who may have to deal with child nagging and negotiating from your child. When Daniel and Emma realize that they won’t get a “yes,” even after they’ve asked twelve times, they’ll get the hint and retire this tactic.

Speech and Language Pathologist Stacy Pulley reports this technique works well for children with communication challenges, particularly those with autism. She suggests bringing a notebook or a chalk/dry erase board into the mix and writing down a question once they’ve asked it more than once, keeping in mind their reading level. Or, draw a picture. Then, when your child asks again, point to the board or notebook to remind them that they’ve asked, and you’ve answered. Be sure to use as few words as possible and stay consistent in your language to help them understand the connection as they learn to listen to and respect your answers.

Adding this tool to your parenting toolbox is a positive step toward ending the child nagging and negotiating that can wear on even the most resolute of parents.

Then, be sure to follow through and stay consistent – and before you know it, 20 questions will be a fun game once again, and no longer a negotiation tactic! (positivepar-

steps to put the brakes on

BY AMY MCCREADY

As a parent, the words “No, I won’t,” or “You do it,” from our children is enough to make us cringe. In fact, back talk is the number one parenting complaint from all the parents I’ve worked with – and it can be so hard to get children to respond to our requests without whining, eye-rolling, or simply ignoring us that many of us can’t help but snip back, “You’ll do it because I said so,” or “Don’t you dare talk to me that way!”

Back talk might be annoying and, at times, infuriating, but it’s a common side-effect of growing up and gaining independence. At all ages, children need a strong sense of personal power on an emotional level. When they can’t get it because we’re ordering them around or doing everything for them, they lash out with words. It’s a typical “fight or flight” response: since they can’t exactly move into their own apartment (flight), they’ll fight back by testing limits and trying to get a reaction.

The best way to stop back talk in its tracks is to allow our children the positive personal power they need. By fostering independence within our limits, we can help them grow up, as well as limit the back talk, arguing, whining that no one enjoys. Here’s how:

1. Give children some power

Find opportunities for your children to assume some control of their own world, whether that means picking their own outfit for the day (for a toddler) or planning an activity for a family vacation (for a teenager). The more positive power you give them, the less they’ll try to get it in negative ways.

entingsolutions.com)

2. Don’t play a role

Recognise that parents may unknowingly contribute to the power struggles that produce back talk by bossing children around too frequently. After all, would you be able to hold your tongue if you were told what to do all day? Limit the ordering, directing and correcting you do by finding alternate ways to get cooperation, and you may find that back talk is greatly reduced.

3. Pay attention!

Your children have an attention basket that needs to get filled every day – they need your undivided attention, and will get it one way or another! Spend 10 minutes twice a day getting into each child’s world with no interruptions (let your phone go to voice mail), and you’ll see get a lot more cooperation in the future.

4. Refer to the rules

Set very clear rules for your house, and set up very clear consequences for any child who chooses to test them. You don’t have to be overly harsh or strict, you simply need to stick with the limits you put in place.

5. Keep your cool

Your children may be talking back simply to get a rise out of you – so don’t give them the satisfaction! Simply say, “I feel hurt by the way you’re talking to me. When I hear that tone of voice, I’m going to walk away. We can talk again when you can speak respectfully to me.” Then walk away.

Next time it happens, there’s no need for even a warning – simply leave the room. You’re sending the message that you refuse to participate in a power struggle. And when there’s no one to fight with, there’s no fight!

By following these five steps, you’ll be able to greatly reduce the amount of backtalk you hear from your children.

And isn’t that music to your ears? (positiveparentingsolutions.com)

news

7

thursday, july 21, 2016 | guyana-times.com

GTT wants Govt to honour contracts with service providers … welcomes liberalisation – CEO

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hile the Guyana T e l e p h o n e and Telegraph Company (GTT) welcome the passage of the Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill 2016, Chief Executive Officer Justin Nedd has stated that Government should honour its contracts with service providers.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, Nedd stated that GTT is looking forward to further talks with the Government and is confident about Government honouring its contract with the service provider.

“In order to get the liberalisation after the passage of the Bill, we have to talk to the Government, work out some negotiations and hopefully, we’ll get that done soon. And again, I emphasise, we are ready to do that very quickly,” Nedd said; adding, however, that they are not opposed to the monopoly being broken.

The legislation was passed in the House on Monday after nearly seven hours of heated debate.

Member of Parliament Odinga Lumumba, who described the monopoly as

a noose around the necks of Guyanese, stated that when GT&T took over the sector it became a cash cow and instead of building national cable networks and advancing the sector, its only interest was in maximising profits.

In November 2013, the National Assembly sent the legislation to a Special Select Committee with the then Opposition indicating that while it supported the Bill, it had unease over the then Minister’s control. The Bill was put back several times because the two telecommunications giants in Guyana were in discussions about breaking the monopoly held by GTT. According to the Explanatory Memorandum, the Bill provides for an open, liberalised and competitive telecommunications sector that will be attractive to new market entrants and investors while preserving the activities of the current sector participants. It expounded that by creating such an environment, the bill is expected to result in greater choice, better quality of service and lower prices for

GTT CEO Justin Nedd

Digicel CEO Kevin Kelly

consumers.

GTT, which had legal monopoly on international voice and data transmissions and the domestic wire line service, has always declared that the sector is free because of the existence of other service providers.

But, Digicel, its biggest competitor, had lambasted the company for its statement.

Nevertheless, Nedd on Wednesday stated that, “GTT is excited at the prospect of bringing a wider range of services to Guyana over the coming months.

Liberalisation will bring much needed clarity to the sector, engendering a level playing field for all market participants and greater investment in Guyana.”

“This is great for the people of Guyana and GTT remains ready to work quickly with the Government to complete the path to market liberalisation. Guyana will be very different with the development of the robust 4G broadband services that liberalisation will enable. GTT intends to be a big part of that transformation,” Nedd added.

Economics Ministry would create additional bureaucracy – Harmon

Dr David Hinds

M

inister of State, Joseph Harmon on Wednesday said the establishment of an Economics Ministry would create “additional bureaucracy”.

Harmon’s comments comes on the heels of calls by political activist, Dr David Hinds and former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran for a Ministry of Economic Planning to be established, giving the current state of Guyana’s economy.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Wednesday, Harmon indicated that while the economy did need extra coverage, that fact did not justify the country needing a whole new ministry.

He stated that he was aware that the Finance Ministry would deal with matters relating to the economy.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

Meanwhile, Dr Hinds stated that while more emphasis should be placed on economic development, he was not of the opinion that the Ministry of Business was the “place for that kind of thing or the Ministry of Finance”.

He explained that those Ministries would have their own agendas and given the magnitude of economic development, its own ministry was much needed. “We need a Ministry of Economic Planning and even if not a ministry, there should be a prominent section that deals with economic planning,” Hinds reiterated.

Citing Guyana’s relationship to the Caribbean and the rapidly changing world, Hinds stated that the country would constantly need to implement novel economic strategies.

Goolsarran also had

Anand Goolsarran

stated that economic planning was a prerequisite for any country’s development and given Guyana’s economic status, it made sense for the country to have a Ministry of Economics.

The Government has been consistently criticised for stating that Guyana’s

economy has been growing.

Goolsarran rebuked the coalition Government for its denial of the current ailing state of the country’s economy, stating that a three per cent growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) did not mean all was well with the economy.

“The Government is in denial that the economy is slowing down, but it is evident,” he stated.

Goolsarran indicated that 40 per cent of the youths were unemployed; there was evidence of under-employment; businesses were struggling; and there was also the existence of parallel economies.

Hinds had suggested that both the Government and the Opposition sit down and come up with a National Development Plan for Guyana.

He also indicated that he remains optimistic that Government will honour the rule of law regarding its contract with GTT since non-compliance could impact future deals within the sector. ““If any country wants foreign direct investment, it is important for investors to understand that if I have contract with the government, it will be honoured,” he explained.

He stated that GTT is not asking the Government for the monopoly to remain but noted that there are some things that need to be resolved.

“Right now there are many grey areas we are trying to resolve and we’ve been operating in those grey areas for several years, so

we’re optimistic that with liberalisation, it will be clear. Businesses need predictability so once we have predictable operating environment, we know that we can focus on driving the business, providing good services and satisfying the customers.”

Digicel Guyana on Tuesday had issued a statement welcoming the passage of the Bill. It indicated that the Bill “is the first step in the long overdue ending of the telephone monopoly, which is a laudable achievement and a position that Digicel supports”.

The company added that it also awaits engagements with the Government to discuss its licence and regulations for a level playing field.

8 news

thursDAY, july 21, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Ex-soldier fires shots indiscriminately … under Police guard at Suddie Public Hospital

T

hirty-four-yearold Joel Benjamin, an ex-soldier from Queenstown village in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) is presently hospitalised and under Police guard at the Suddie Public Hospital after he indiscriminately fired several rounds in the air with his father’s licensed firearm.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the incident reportedly occurred around 14:00h on Wednesday and lasted for approximately three hours.

Benjamin allegedly broke

into his father’s house and unknowing to him, stole his 12 gauge shotgun. He began to indiscriminately fire several rounds in the air.

Interviews conducted with residents in the Sand Reef area revealed that they panicked, since numerous shots were fired.

According to information received, the Police arrived promptly on the scene and the suspect began firing in their direction. For hours he resisted Police arrest. The Police were then required to use necessary force and opened fire on the suspect.

However, the shots from the Police did not injure him.

After three hours of chaos, the Police finally managed to arrest Benjamin.

During his arrest, the suspect received a laceration to his lip. It was reported that the suspect appeared to be under the influence of drugs, hence the reason for his unusual behaviour.

The shotgun is presently lodged at the Police station and Benjamin will soon face the necessary charges.

Information received also revealed that on many occasions, Benjamin would

ask to borrow his father’s gun to shoot birds at the backdam and upon his father’s refusal, an argument would often ensue with Benjamin reportedly threatening him.

According to villagers, the sudden onslaught of gunshots had many of them scared and lying for hours on the ground, fearful for their lives.

One villager related that she was so afraid, she thought that she would have died, having heard the countless gun shots that were fired.

Shipping Association takes M&CC to court over container fees

A

fter demanding that shipping companies pay a new fee of $25,000 for laden containers to leave their wharves, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), after being challenged, haS disclosed that the policy of this implementation will be reviewed.

However, even before the announcement of the review, the Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG) moved to the High Court on Tuesday challenging the M&CC’s decision to impose the new fee.

The SAG, in its court documents filled, emphasised that the Municipal and Municipal District Councils Act, Ch 28:01 and by-laws does not provide for the imposition of such a tax.

According to the Notice of Motion, the SAG through Attorneys Sase Gunraj and Christopher Ram, sought to have an Order or Rule Nisi of Certiorari directed to Royston King, the Town Clerk of the City of Georgetown, quashing the decision made on July 19, 2016 to block and/or impede access of motor vehicles transporting shipping

A M&CC official seeks a permit from a truck driver on Water Street, Georgetown while a City Constabulary officer stands guard

containers on streets within the City of Georgetown unless a fee of $25,000 per container is paid. This application was made on the grounds that the decision is contrary to and in violation of Municipal and Municipal District Councils Act, Ch 28:01 and by-laws made there under, is biased, without jurisdiction, made in bad faith, is unreasonable, arbitrary, capricious, mala fide, malicious, vindictive, unlawful, ultra vires, null, void and of no legal ef-

fect. The SAG is seeking for Town Clerk Royston King to show some cause as to why the said Order or Rule Nisi of Certiorari should not be made absolute.

On Tuesday, the M&CC blocked several streets in Georgetown and its environs, demanding that a $25,000 fee be paid for each container to traverse the city streets.

The management staff of John Fernandes Terminal told Guyana Times that they were approached by

the Deputy Town Clerk, Sherry Jerrick, on behalf of the M&CC on Tuesday and were informed that all laden container trucks must pay a fee of $25,000 to traverse the city streets or be blocked at the wharves.

M&CC officials were also present outside the Muneshwer’s Wharf, where they also prevented container trucks from entering or leaving the location unless the $25,000 fee was paid.

While there, Deputy Town Clerk, Sherry Jerrick told media operatives that the City Council was merely invoking Numbers 273 and 274 of its by-laws with respect to the use of its roads by vehicles of a “certain weight”.

Meanwhile, in an effort to pacify the situation, which was out rightly rejected by several prominent members of the business community, the M&CC in a statement late Tuesday evening claimed that it conducted a “road assessment” exercise that saw particular thoroughfares being closed to heavy-duty vehicles.

(Ramona Luthi)

Eyew tness Moving on up...

T

...to upper middle class?

he announcement by the World Bank that Guyana has moved on out of being a “middle income economy, to an “UPPER middle income economy” brings to mind the old saw about “lies, damned lies and statistics”. All your clean-mouthed Eyewitness could exclaim when he read the blurb was, “What the freak??!!”

The claim is made because the World Bank announced our gross national income (GNI) per capita is now between US$4036 and $12,475. And this is where the ridiculous statistics come in that make it even worse than “damned lies”. The GNI is calculated by dividing the Gross National Product – the value of all the goods and services Guyana produces – by the population. We’re dealing with “averages” here.

Now the year before – taken from the 2014 figures but dubbed “2015” because of when it is released – our GNI was supposed to be US$3663. Using a round GY$200 for US$1, this means each man, woman and child in Guyana were raking in GY$732,600 annually. Or a typical family of four made GY$2,930,400!!! Typical!! Can you believe this?

But this is what statistics does. It doesn’t matter that 10 per cent of the populace could be raking in 50 per cent of the income...it’s assumed the income is shared equally! But even though we know this is pure, undiluted bunkum, we now hear we are pulling in even larger incomes! Even assuming the new statistics barely put us into the new bracket – say another US$400 (GY$80,000) annually giving us a GNI of US$4063 – does this sound reasonable?

Where the heck is this additional income coming from when RICE, sugar, timber, bauxite and retail sales are down? Well...the Finance Minister did give us a clue last week when he said gold production was up. The problem is – how much of this money from gold gets into the pockets of the AVERAGE Guyanese. Right off the top, the two largest gold mining companies are FOREIGN and all GOVERNMENT of Guyana gets if 5- per cent.

The rest goes abroad.

But the irony isn’t just that the Government will now boast we’re in an Upper Middle Income bracket – hinting, wink! Wink!— we’re at the upper end of the scale of US$12,000 per annum: better than Malaya!! No that’s expected.

The irony is we now won’t qualify for a host of concessionary financing from institutions like the same World Bank that issued the new classification to begin with. This Government will never have the guts of Singapore that disputed their new classification when it was first awarded.

There’s no Lee Kwan Yu in sight here!!

...international procurement

Word is the Government’s contemplating opening up Government procurement – which totals a whopping 27 per cent of our national spending – to international competition. It might’ve done better by first contemplating its collective navel. Which developing country opens up Government spending to international firms? Why would it do this?

Governments spend from taxes it collects from citizens – even the loans have to be repaid from the latter. And it will now use this to pay foreigners rather than locals? Jeez!!

The reason Minister Sharma gave was “more efficient spending”. So this is the alpha and omega of Government spending? What about getting money to locals – without having to resorption to handouts?

Another reason proffered was to stop corruption?!Really??!! Surendra? Fedders Lloyd? Bai Shan Lin? Wal-Mart? 427 top companies from the OECD? When will we stop believing in the superiority of the “foreign”?

And allowing the region’s to monitor larger contracts will lower corruption? There’s no need to reinvent the wheel.

We can’t delay the Public Procurement Commission any longer.

...on City high handedness

Your Eyewitness wants to emphasise he has no problems with a surcharge on containers – parked or moving – on city streets per se. But he objects to the authoritarian lack of consultations in imposing the levy.

Bullyism it is!

news

9

thurSday, july 21, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Public schools' registration fee not compulsory – Ministry … no mandatory supplies needed for nursery school

T

he Education Ministry has announced that no student should be denied registration to public schools because of parents’ inability to pay registration fees. announcement This comes on the heels of parents’ outcry about the high registration fees requested by school administrators.

The Ministry said that some schools have been requesting these monies under the pretext that fees were previously agreed upon by the Parent Teachers Association (PTA).

However, it said having given consideration to the

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

needs of the schools, several guidelines were issued.

Among them is the authorisation of the Parent Teachers Association for each school to conduct fundraising exercises to help support school administrations offset non-budgetary costs.

“If the activities planned and executed by the PTA do not generate the income to offset nonbudgetary costs, then no more than $2500 should be requested from nursery schools, $3000 from primary schools, $5000 from secondary schools and $8000 from national secondary schools,” the Ministry said.

It reiterated that no

student shall be denied registration to any school due to the inability of the family to pay the registration fee, noting that children have a right to schooling and must be registered.

Meanwhile, the Ministry made it clear that there must be no compulsion for students to purchase physical exercise clothes, aprons for home economics, lab coats, tie pin, etc from the school.

It also made it clear that parents of nursery school children should not be issued with any list of supplies to be purchased.

The Ministry of Education

No Cabinet decision on probe into Dataram’s allegations – Granger

T

President David Granger

Barry Dataram

he report into the damning allegations made against several officers of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) by self-proclaimed drug lord Barry Dataram was tabled before Cabinet on Tuesday, however, no in-depth discussions were held.

This is according to President David Granger, who told reporters on Wednesday that the report of the inquest has been handed in.

“I cannot say specifically what was discussed.

The matter was laid before Cabinet and we have not come to any conclusions about the matter… but it

was not a significant matter (that) was discussed (Tuesday) with any depth,” he noted.

Nevertheless, the Head of State noted that he personally had a look at the report but will not comment on it without Cabinet first discussing the findings.

However, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had stated last week that after Cabinet is done reviewing the report, it will be made public.

In February, Dataram, during an interview with HGPTV Nightly News, alleged that senior CANU officials are involved in illegal drug trafficking activities

and had even alleged that one of the agents bagged some $10 million in exchange for allowing cocaine to leave the country.

He also made allegations against the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). A week after the interview was broadcast; President Granger ordered that an inquest be established into the allegations.

The probe went on for some two months and following its completion, the report was handed over to Minister Harmon on behalf of the Head of State last Friday. Brigadier Bruce Lovell was appointed by the Head of State to probe the allegations made against ranks of the country’s premier drug enforcement unit.

During the handing over of the report, Brigadier Lovell noted that the allegations made by Dataram are serious, especially since State officials were named.

As such, it was necessary that Government carry out an investigation.

He expressed his confidence that Government will consider his conclusion and recommendations, and take appropriate actions.

Upon receiving the report, Minister Harmon highlighted the importance of having the inquiry done. He noted that this way, they will determine what the facts of

any situation are.

Moreover, the Minister of State added that Government will take the appropriate actions after reviewing the report.

A copy of the document was handed over to the President and Ministry of Public Security for further review.

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016| GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Residents bemoan “deplorable” state of Coomacka access road ... will shorten lifespan of 5Bs’ school bus – CDC Chairman on the road. The Public Infrastructure Ministry and the relevant authorities should place immediate emphasis on the road because the longevity, the sustainability of the bus would not last,” Harding said.

He added that there are also issues with the bridge at Coomacka, since the contractor did “faulty” works and it is in the process of being repaired. Harding said

over at the Three Friends area, the bridge had collapsed, adding that it is a route that the newly commissioned bus would have to take.

“I’m asking the region to intervene in this situation because this bus would be traversing to pick up the children,” he said.

Residents have complained that they are finding it difficult to gain access

to their homes, as minibuses are abandoning the route, due to the state of the main access thoroughfare.

Meanwhile, the issue of the bridge was discussed at a recent statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), where Councillor Sandra Adams had indicated that it should be fixed to accommodate students who will be utilising the bus.

Fire averted at Woodlands Hospital

A section of the Coomacka access road

By Utamu Belle

R

esidents and community leaders of Coomacka Mines area, in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) have bemoaned the deplorable state of the community’s main access road, as well as numerous internal road networks.

During an interview with Guyana Times, Chairman of the Coomacka Development Council (CDC) and Regional Councillor, Dexter Harding, registered his concern over the deplorable state of the road, more so against the backdrop of the recently gifted 15-seat minibus under President Granger’s ‘Five Bs’ initiative which is used

The state of an internal road at Coomacka

to transport students within the small farming community.

Harding noted that the state of the roads may have damaging effects on the longevity of the school bus, while urging that necessary attention must be given. He said while he is in full support of the school bus to assist school children, he cannot run away from the fact that the Coomacka Mines access road is presently in a deplorable state.

He remarked that it was even more appalling that the President, at the time of the handing over of the bus, had to be re-routed to an access road used by Bosai Minerals

Group Guyana Incorporated (BMGGI) to gain access into the community, given the state of the access road.

Not only are residents of Coomacka affected as a result but Harding noted that nearby communities, such as Three Friends and Old England as well. “… As it relates to the discomfort, [of residents] months after months for the three villages [Coomacka, Three Friends, Old England] I would not agree with the region for leaving it in that state. I would call on the Mayor and the Region [Regional Democratic Council] to have immediate attention be placed

Q

One of the fire trucks at the Woodlands Hospital

uick action by employees of Woodlands Hospital averted a major catastrophe at the facility on Wednesday.

The Hospital’s staff reacted in a timely manner when an alarm was raised after a generator overheated and though the Fire Service was informed, the staff managed to gain control of the situation before their arrival, preventing what could have been a fullblown fire.

When Guyana Times

arrived at the scene, fire trucks were present and eyewitnesses revealed that the fire reportedly began at the rear of the building among the generators.

“The whole back start smoke and we hear people start holler fire. The hospital staff went in and they deal with it. The firefighters came and gone in, but we ain’t hear nothing back yet,” said one eyewitness who evacuated the Hospital’s premises upon the fire alarm being raised.

However, when questioned, the Safety and Health Officer, Roger Hastwood relayed that the commotion was created simply because of a fire drill.

“You are witnesses of our first, in a long time, fire drill,” was Hastwood’s response to the claims of a fire on the hospital’s premises.

Members of the Fire Service would not confirm that the incident was indeed a fire drill, and refused to comment on the matter.

NEWS

11

THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

6 months’ maternity leave policy for 2017 – Lawrence … Ministry will lead way with corporate day-care service By: Lorraine Ince-Carvalhal

Marijuana…

D

Natural high or brain destroyer?

rug misuse and abuse has existed from the beginning of time, especially those drugs which are found growing naturally.

The use of marijuana has increased significantly and is often underestimated in its risk capacity. Scientific studies increasingly suggest it may not be the risk-free high that many users and non-users believe it to be. However, it is still widely perceived by young smokers as relatively harmless.

Marijuana contains more than 400 chemicals, including THC (delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol).

Since THC is the main active chemical in marijuana, the amount of THC determines its strength or potency and therefore its effects. The THC content of marijuana has been increasing since the 1980s.

All forms of marijuana are mind-altering; they change how the brain works.

The risk to both physical and mental health is becoming frighteningly evident, unfortunately predominantly among young people. It is presenting itself in significantly higher incidences of hallucinations, paranoia and the triggering of psychotic illness in adolescent users. Although the risks are dangerous to all ages, the developing brain can be the most severely damaged through cannabis use.

Brain development in childhood continues through teenage years and into the early 20s. Cannabis affects how the brain's regulator controls things like mood and memory. The fragile circuitry that is developing in the teenage brain that allows for risk-taking is being tampered with and cannabis can alter the system that's there to regulate things. These effects cannot be corrected. If damage is done to the brain during growth, it will forever be affected.

Studies of frequent adolescent users suggest those who start smoking early have a higher tendency to develop psychotic illnesses. While cannabis use is not to be condoned, if you are going to indulge, it would be wise to avoid doing so until later in life when the brain has stopped developing. It can worsen psychotic symptoms in people who already have the mental illness schizophrenia, and it can increase the risk of long-lasting psychosis in some people.

For many, repeated use leads to addiction; controlling the drug use becomes difficult and a person often cannot stop even if they wanted to. Like most abused substances, it alters judgment leading to risky behaviours that can expose the user to danger in all sorts of dimensions. Regular use of marijuana has also been linked to depression, anxiety, and a loss of drive or motivation, which means a loss of interest even in previously enjoyable activities.

Of course, not everyone who smokes marijuana will become addicted. Each person is affected in different ways and that can depend on many factors including genetics, the age you start using, whether you also use other drugs, family and peer relationships.

People are often heard saying that they have used marijuana for decades with no psychotic effect and there may be rare cases where this appears to be so, but if you were to ask people closest to the users they would no doubt tell a different story.

Users may function well enough, hold down a job, continue in school and lead an apparently normal life, but the likelihood is that they experience and exhibit some negative personality traits that are enhanced by smoking. High doses of marijuana can cause disturbed perceptions and thoughts or paranoia.

Users are not necessarily aware of this but family members, partners or friends will be and it can have a negative effect on relationships.

Even those users who manage to stay in school will be more likely to experience school failure due to adverse effects on memory, attention and learning. If you use regularly; alertness, concentration, and coordination will diminish. Combined, this makes it difficult to learn something new or do complex tasks that require focus and concentration. Daily use can cause the brain to become ‘dimmed down’ and result in lower grades and high dropout rates. Research even shows that IQ can be lower if you smoke marijuana regularly in your teen years.

The irreversible consequences of using this drug at an early age can be devastating. It can significantly impede development of key brain functions that are vital for the perusal of successful adulthood. The financial burden and high instances of addiction are detrimental aspects that can affect those closest to you significantly. Believing there are no effects or consequences is a dangerous oversight to make about your physical and mental health. As with many drugs, the highs will eventually be over and you will be left with the long-term effects of the lows.

S

ocial Protection Minister Volda Lawrence on Wednesday stated that her Ministry is in support of a social policy for six months maternity leave to be granted to mothers, and so it has been placed on the 2017 Ministry’s agenda.

Currently, the mandate for three months of maternity leave flies in the face of the World Health Organisation’s calls for mothers to breastfeed their babies for six months. The Public Health Ministry and its Minister, Dr George Norton, has bemoaned mothers only being able to breastfeed for three months.

Norton stated that if the health sector would recommend six months exclusive breastfeeding then there should be discussions about mothers being granted six months leave. He acknowledged that this might burden employers but in the long-run, it will be worth it.

Lawrence indicated that in the Ministry’s 2017 programme, they will push to ensure that wherever there are Ministries and Government agencies, there should be a place for mothers to go and breastfeed their babies. “… we will push to ensure that where there are entities, Ministries, agencies and any place where mothers go to for services, that they have a place set aside so that mothers can breastfeed their babies. And we are going to start with the Ministry of Social Protection as soon as we have our new building,” she announced.

Minister Lawrence stated that day care services in corporate companies is another programme that they are looking to incorporate into the system. “It is something that we have to sell especially to the corporate society in Guyana and it is something other persons will get into,” she noted.

Citing that maternal and child health care is an aspect of the health sector, Minister Norton said he will be moving sometime soon to take this issue to Cabinet. “I hope that six months of maternity leave will become a law before my tenure as Minister is up,” he said.

Chile is the only country in the Americas that has established the gold standard for breastfeeding by legally requiring six months of paid maternity leave for working mothers, the period of time recommended by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) for babies to be exclusively breastfed.

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence

In 2015, PAHO had called for more employers to support breastfeeding mothers in the Caribbean and the Americas. The Organisation stated that the employers were more than likely to reap the benefits for their businesses and their countries’ economies.

PAHO had stressed the need to support women in balancing work and fami-

ly, especially where breastfeeding their babies were concerned. Empirically researched public health recommendations have articulated the health benefits from breastfeeding, which ranged from reduced infections and improved IQ (intelligence quotient), in babies, to lowering the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in mothers.

The Health Organisation stated that promoting breastfeeding in the workplace increases benefits for employers, including employee loyalty to companies as a result of gratitude and satisfaction, and reduced absenteeism because breastfeeding employees’ babies get sick less often and less severely.

Therefore, it recommended that employers employ policies, specifically paid maternity leave, paid breaks for breastfeeding, a dedicated room for breastfeeding in the workplace that is private and hygienic, and flexible or reduced working hours for breastfeeding mothers.

PAHO/WHO’s Senior Advisor in Food and Nutrition, Dr Chessa Lutter stated that while many countries have made progress in setting up legislations and policies that support working mothers to breastfeed, there is a lot more to be done to ensure implementation and enforcement.

12 news Social workers, educators conference launched T thursDay, july 21, 2016 | guyana-times.com

he Social Protection Ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the University of Guyana (UG), and the Association of Social Workers on Wednesday held a grand launch of a

conference at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, to promote and bring recognition to social workers, practitioners and educators in Guyana.

With the theme “Standards for Professional

and Social Work Practices”, the initiative was launched with the aim of regularising and standardising social work practices in Guyana.

The conference is set to be held for two days and hopes to see a massive turn out, not only from the social

A section of the gathering at the conference at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown

workers but from the general public and those that have a keen interest in promoting the event.

The momentous activity has been in the works for the past year after the Social Protection Ministry collaborated with stakeholders to regularise and bring recognition to the body of social workers in Guyana who make up a substantive percentage of the Ministry’s work force.

At the conference, a clear list of all the standard operating procedures which are critical to the smooth running and success of any organisation will be provided.

In attendance at the affair was the Prime Minister’s wife, Sita Nagamootoo, Vice Chancellor of the UG, Dr Ivelaw Griffith, UNICEF representative Marianne Flach and the Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence.

Delivering the feature address, the Minister said that social workers in Guyana are replete with a

vast array of talents, however, all stakeholders have been operating for too long without any comprehensive model to guide and channel the services that they provide to their clients.

“Our world has been advancing by leaps and bounds, technologically, socially and otherwise and it is only fitting that we in Guyana make efforts to catch up and keep abreast with global standards and practices,” the Minister noted, adding that this is what the conference hopes to achieve such.

Lawrence revealed that the Social Protection Ministry has envisioned betterment for professional social workers and social work practice in Guyana, hence the timely hosting of the conference.

The Minister noted that social workers deserve to be duly recognised for the services that they provide and once standardisation is accomplished, the Ministry wants to direct

their thoughts to the objective of the conference so that all can focus on a plan of action.

Also speaking at the conference, UG Vice Chancellor, Dr Griffith applauded the organisers of the conference for executing it successfully.

He noted that by hosting the conference, it will begin to build a platform for standards. “Any conversation about standards though needs to begin with values that will guide those standards,” he noted.

UNICEF representative, Marianne Flach revealed UNICEF’s delight in supporting the delivery of the conference as part of their continuous engagement with the Government of Guyana particularly the Social Protection Ministry.

The organisation commended all involved in making the conference a success. The second and final day of the conference kicks off today at the same venue.

NEWS

13

THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Late Bishop Randolph George

Hailed as fighter for social justice, democratic reforms

F

ormer Anglican Bishop Randolph George is hailed as a true champion of democracy and a fighter for social justice as local politicians, social activists, his family and the Anglican community continue to mourn his passing.

Bishop George passed away peacefully about 01:45h on Monday, at his Republic Park, East Bank Demerara home.

President David Granger in a statement described Bishop George as a distinguished son of our soil, who he remembered as a towering figure in the life of the Anglican Church, having served the episcopate for 28 years.

Bishop George, who was bestowed with the Cacique Crown of Honour in 1994, was described by the President as a “sagacious, soft-spoken and amicable leader of the Diocese.”

“Randolph George will be recorded as a person of quiet and unassuming dignity, whose respect and stature amongst the faithful never diminished, even after his retirement. He will be remembered, also, for his steadfast commitment to social justice, his advocacy of democratic reforms and for his service to the Integrity Commission of Guyana, the President’s office said.

Meanwhile, the

Former Anglican Randolph George

Bishop

Opposition, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in a statement said Guyana has lost a true son, a spiritual leader and a patriot.

“Bishop George’s contribution to Guyana goes beyond that of just a spiritual leader. As a spiritual leader, he was dedicated to his flock and sought to promote both their spiritual and physical well-being. His work among the indigenous peoples and persons living in the hinterlands of Guyana are well known. As a patriot, he was a fearless supporter of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. He assumed leadership of the church during a difficult period in Guyana’s history but his outspoken honesty and integrity assisted in ensuring that Guyana returned to the path of democracy,” the PPP said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) also extended condolences on the passing of Bishop George.

The GHRA said that although he spent almost the last two decades of his long life in relative privacy, his leadership of civic resistance to oppression in Guyana from the late 1970s to the early 1990s was pivotal and historic.

“As one of the first trio of Co-Presidents of the GHRA, Bishop George’s astuteness and wisdom lent dignity and a sense of purpose in challenging the widespread repression of the late ‘70s and ‘80s. His courageous and unflappable spirit was re-assuring to human rights and political activists in times of tension. Bishop George’s willingness to be the voice of the voiceless was unwavering in an era of rationed newsprint, seized publications, disabled gestofax machines, raided printing enterprises and nonexistent private radio or television,” the GHRA stated.

It said that three notable contributions made by Bishop George to defend human rights violations were rooted in freedom of expression, the independence of the courts and countering abuses generated by the paramountcy of the ruling party defend trade union demonstrations and denounce Police actions

against them during the severe economic austerity of the late 1980s and the pursuit of a more civilised and dignified, public life was the leadership he provided in the struggle for free and fair elections.

“His role in the Guyanese Action for Reform and Democracy (GUARD) consolidated his stature as a trusted national figure whose influence reached well beyond the religious and civil community, without the slightest inclination on his part to seek leadership or the limelight. His influence as a unifying figure across the ethnic divide derived from inclination and instinct for what was right and decent and a genuine interest in everyone he came into contact with.

Moreover, as a result of constant trekking across the interior visiting Anglican communities over the years, the number of Amerindians he knew by name was extra-ordinary,” the GHRA stated It continued that it was predictable after the restoration of democratic space in 1992, for a man for whom social justice was a dimension of his larger religious calling, rather than a political inclination, that Bishop George would have no difficulty slipping away from a prominent role in public life.

Bishop George also served as the first Chair of the Integrity Commission.

D Division Police Officers honoured

Rural Constable Maywattie James honoured for contribution to social crime prevention programmes

S

everal Police Officers in the D Division (West Bank Demerara-East Bank Essequibo) were honoured for their outstanding service in the Force’s Community Relations and Social Crime Prevention programmes. At an award ceremony held at the Leonora Station compound, West Coast Demerara, on Wednesday, the Guyana Police Force’s D Division issued certificates, plaques and trophies to ranks, members of the business community and faithbased organisations for their contribution to crime reduction programmes in the district.

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, who was also honoured, noted that these awards are meant to recognise people for their efforts and that it would encourage officers to continue in the same vein.

“It [the awards] will not only add value to the social crime prevention programme but [we] can have safer communities,” the Commissioner posited.

Persaud added that it helps officers to maintain best prac-

tices in dealing with members of the community.

“There is a sense of ownership that is created, the working partnership is down a grass root level and people know each other on a one on one [basis]; it’s a work in progress but it can go a long way from where it is,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, D Division Commander Stephen Mansell told Guyana Times hat the exercise could also motivate the business community to do more for the people in the Division.

Some of the businesses honoured were Bacchus Poultry Farm, Seenarine Auto Sales and Sunrise Wood Buildings. Police ranks who received special recognition included Commander Mansell; Sergeant Yonette Edwards; Inspector Andre Grant; Corporal Veronica Wilson; Constables Green, Collins, and Edmonson; and Rural Constables Donnette Brammer and Maywattie James.

The awards period covered July 2015 to July 2016.

14

guyana-times.com

THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016

News

600 benefit from Save Abee US, Cuba cite progress toward closer ties medical care in Mora Point M A pproximately 600 residents of St Cuthbert’s Mission and Mora Point, Mahaicony Creek took advantage of the medical outreaches provided by the Save Abee Foundation on July 8 and 10.

This initiative was made possible by the Save Abee Foundation in collaboration with the Government of Guyana, the Cancer Institute, the Cheddi Jagan Dental School, the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, CCB Eye Care, National Transfusion Service, GIVE Foundation and international and local doctors.

Medical care was provided for persons to obtain general checkups, Pap smear tests, VIA and prostate screening, HIV testing and counselling, tooth extractions, filling and cleaning, eye examinations, as well as receive free consultations from professional doctors and free medication. In addition, they were also recipients of toiletries and free reading glasses.

Many residents expressed appreci-

ation towards being able to gain these services within their respective villages since it is expensive to travel to the Georgetown.

Save Abee Organisation also opted to provide residents with food hampers and clothing as a form of assistance to the families in the areas.

Many children and the elderly were recipients of wheelchairs as well.

Having been registered in Guyana, the United States of America and Canada, over the years, this non-prof-

it organisation has provided free computer education at its computer school located in Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice, as well as promoting activities geared towards youth empowerment and education, community development, poverty reduction, and providing medical assistance.

After realising there was a need for medical assistance in Guyana, the foundation hosted its first medical outreach in 2014.

This event was well received by residents, and there was a call for the programme to continue, and so Save Abee Foundation continued annually, hosting medical outreaches in Guyana.

In 2016, the Foundation decided to carry out the medical activities at St Cuthbert’s Mission and Mora Point, Mahicony Creek.

These locations were chosen because of limited facilities available to residents and the difficulties they usually face in acquiring transportation to the city to obtain medical care.

arking the oneyear anniversary of the renewal of USCuban diplomatic ties, the former Cold War foes said on Wednesday they were working hard on further deepening their détente this year, as the clock ticks down on the Obama Administration.

Cuban and US representatives will meet this week in Havana to sign a deal on fighting drug trafficking and hold further talks later this month in Washington on their countries' property claims against one another, a senior US State Department official said.

"Normalisation is a longterm process ... but we are making slow and steady progress," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters on a conference call. While much remains to be done, the neighbours have made his-

toric progress in forging closer ties over the past year that both sides were at pains to underscore on Wednesday.

They reopened embassies a year ago after more than five decades of estrangement and have since agreed on matters of common concern such as the resumption of direct mail service and US commercial flights to Cuba.

US President Barack Obama also made a historic trip to the island in March.

Yet the mood on the street in Havana was downbeat on Wednesday. The détente has raised Cubans' expectations yet their economic reality has worsened.

President Raul Castro warned Cubans earlier this month they would have to tighten their belts due to lower oil assistance from key ally Venezuela and a cash crunch as lower commodities prices hurt exports. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Suspect held for La Grange murder 5 charged with murder of pastor decapitated in Belize P

olice have arrested a man for the murder of James Stuart, who was killed at La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on Sunday.

The 51-year-old labourer’s body was discovered along the roadside near his Lot 101 Unity Street, La Grange, WBD home.

Guyana Times was told that one male suspect is being held and questioned over the July 17 killing.

This publication understands that the suspect was also wanted for other crimes in the area and was also involved in several altercations.

Stuart, also known as “Goobie”, was reportedly drinking at ‘Ann Jones’ shop on Saturday night before he vanished just after midnight.

James Stuart was found dead at La Grange on Sunday

Brother of the deceased, Lloyd Richards, related that he was surprised by his friends, while on his way to the market, when he was asked if had seen Stuart.

The man’s body was later found after sunrise.

Reports indicated that robbery might have been the motive behind the murder.

Relatives had also observed that Stuart was beaten severely, which was confirmed by an autopsy report performed on Wednesday. The autopsy revealed that the man died from haemorrhaging and other injuries to the head. Reports also indicated that his eye was reportedly protruding from his head.

Meanwhile, the suspect who escaped from the La Grange Police Station last week during a power outage has not been re-captured. That suspect, Anthony Jhagroo, had been held for the beating to death of mechanic Yogeswar Shivcharran at Bell West. Police are still searching for him.

Guyana to seek Denmark’s...

The President went on to say that relation between Guyana and Denmark over the years has been characterised by principles of mutual respect, mutual noninterference in each other’s internal affairs and cooperation for mutual benefit.

He specifically recalled the agreement signed in 2004, cancelling Guyana’s commercial debt to Denmark.

Moreover, Granger noted that Guyana looks forward to continued cooperation with Denmark in addressing common global challenges. “Guyana is committed to continuing to be active in global issues such as mitigation, adverse effects of climate change with the aim of finalising sustainable solutions,” he remarked.

On this note, the Guyanese Head of State ratified the May 2016 Paris Agreement as well as committed to realising, through international co-operation

and national developmental initiatives, the ambitious objectives that were set as part of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Meanwhile, in brief remarks, Ambassador Christensen, who is based in Brazil, expressed his commitment to promoting cooperation and developing the good relations between Guyana and Denmark.

“The relationship between Denmark and Guyana is both longstanding and marked by mutual respect and friendship,” he stated.

The Diplomat noted that Denmark and Guyana are committed to showing that the world can come together on important decisions, as was demonstrated at induction of the new Sustainable Development Goals in New York last September and by the Climate Agreement in Paris in December.

F u r t h e r m o r e ,

FROM PAGE 3

Christensen pointed out that efforts to combat climate change and its impacts is of particular importance for low lying coastal countries, such as Guyana and Denmark.

“Our countries geo-interest in ensuring strong and effective multilateral organisations is the framework for dealing with challenges of globalisation,” he stated.

The Ambassador went on to outline that with Denmark having strong historic ties with North European countries and its membership within the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU), it creates a background of common policies and democracies between itself and Guyana.

Diplomatic relations between Guyana and the Kingdom of Denmark dates back to November 16, 1979.

(Vahnu Manickchand)

F

ive men, including a Guyanese/Canadian national, will re-appear in court on September 14 in connection with the murder of 47-year-old pastor Llewellyn Lucas, whose head was discovered in a vehicle driven by the foreign national over the weekend.

The Guyanese/ Canadian businessman William Mason, along with Ernest Castillo, 23; Keron Fernandez, 29; Ashton Vanegas, 29, and 30 yearold Terence Fernandez have been slapped with murder and conspiracy to murder charges, kidnapping and conspiracy to kidnap.

They have been remanded into custody until September 14.

Police say that the torso of the pastor was disposed of at a farm owned by Mason near Mile 32 on the Western Highway.

There has been speculation that the pastor had gone to the farm last Friday reportedly as an agent of couple to collect a debt on behalf of the two people.

Prosecutor and Assistant Commissioner of Police,

William Mason (centre) along with four other accused in the murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas

Chester Williams, said that the charge of murder and conspiracy to commit murder occurred in the Belize Judicial District and as a result the matter will be heard in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court.

He said as it relates to the charges of kidnapping and the conspiracy to kid-

nap, the Chief Magistrate allowed for the arraignment and referred the matter to Belmopan.

Attorney Herbert Panton, who appeared on behalf of Mason and the other accused men, said that the bases of his submission were hinged on two factors.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Jamaican woman busted with cocaine at US airport

U

S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers arrested a Jamaican woman on Monday after they discovered nearly three pounds of cocaine in her baggage at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

CBP officers turned the cocaine and 30-year-old Trudian James over to the Maryland State Police for prosecution.

James arrived at the airport about 16:30h. During a secondary baggage examination, CBP officers noticed that the bottom of her suitcase was unusually thick.

An X-ray detected a mass, which CBP officers probed and discovered a white, powdery substance that field-tested positive for cocaine.

The cocaine and packaging weighed nearly two pounds, 14 ounces. It has a

street value of approximately US$90,000.

“Transnational criminal organisations employ many unique concealment methods to smuggle their deadly drugs into the United States, and Customs and Border Protection officers must remain vigilant to stop these attempts,” said Dianna Bowman, CBP Area Port Director for the Area Port of Baltimore. (Caribbean360)

THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the World

Turkey coup attempt: Malaysia 1MDB investigation: US Charges laid against 99 seeks to seize US$1B in assets Generals and Admirals

Soldiers detained for suspected coup involvement are brought to court in Istanbul

T

urkey has formally charged 99 Generals and Admirals in connection with the weekend’s thwarted coup attempt, just under a third of the country’s 356 top military officers.

Authorities have banned all academics from travelling abroad, as the purge of State employees suspected of being connected to the failed coup continues.

More than 50,000 people have been rounded up, sacked or suspended.

President Recep Tayyip

Erdogan is expected to announce further measures.

He chaired a five-hour emergency meeting of the National Security Council and was expected to lay out a series of emergency measures later on Wednesday, sources told the Reuters news agency.

So far about 1577 university deans have been asked to resign in addition to 21,000 teachers and 15,000 Education Ministry officials.

They are suspected of having links to the alleged

mastermind of the coup, USbased cleric Fethullah Gulen – who denies any involvement.

Some 626 institutions have also been shut down, most of them private educational establishments, officials say.

Meanwhile, Turkish F-16 fighter jets launched an operation to check reports that two missing coastguard vessels were trying to reach Greek waters, but details were few. As soon as it became clear that the coup had failed on Saturday, the purges began – first with the security forces, then spreading to Turkey’s entire civilian infrastructure.

Human rights group Amnesty International has warned the purges are being extended to censor media outlets and journalists, including those critical of government policy.

“We are witnessing a crackdown of exceptional proportions in Turkey at the moment.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

There has been no official reaction from Malaysia on the lawsuits

T

he US Justice Department has moved to seize more than US$1 billion from Malaysia’s State fund 1MDB. The Department alleges that the funds were “misappropriated” and though it did not name PM Najib Razak directly, he is identifiable in the suit as someone whose account allegedly received huge sums.

HRW: Security agencies killing suspects in Kenya

S

ecurity agencies in Kenya have killed or abducted dozens of men suspected of links to al-Shabab, a rights group has said, as Kenyan officials challenged them to provide evidence to an independent body.

In a report late on Tuesday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) documented 34 “enforced disappearances” and 11 suspected “extrajudicial killings” over two years as part of counterterrorism operations in the capital, Nairobi, as well as in the country’s north-east .

“People in north-eastern Kenya deserve protection from al-Shabab attacks, not further abuse from the authorities,” HRW Executive Director Ken Roth said.

Roth described the cases documented in the report as “just the tip of the iceberg”.

The report details peo-

He has in the past denied wrongdoing.

Najib set up 1MDB in 2009 to turn Kuala Lumpur into a financial hub, but it missed debt payments in 2015.

The Justice Department alleges the “misappropriated” funds financed lavish lifestyles of “multiple individuals including public officials”.

There is no allegation

ple taken from their homes by masked, armed men who did not identify themselves, or being beaten in the streets and driven away in Government vehicles.

Some of the disappeared were last seen in Police or military custody, the report said. No one has been charged with any crime, nor are their families able to

trace them.

“Rounding people up and refusing to disclose their whereabouts is a serious crime and only compounds fears and mistrust in the security forces,” Roth said.

HRW said they spent more than eight months investigating the abuses in Nairobi and in the northeastern counties of Garissa,

Wajir, and Mandera.

The group interviewed 117 people, including victims and witnesses of counterterrorism operations, Imams, government officials, journalists, lawyers, human rights activists, police and military officers, and local community leaders for the report. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

BBC News)

French lawmakers extend state of emergency after Nice attack

F

The report details people taken from their homes by masked, armed men who did not identify themselves [Daniel Irungu/EPA]

that Najib spent any of the money but people close to him are accused of using billions of dollars to buy jewellery, art and luxury properties, pay gambling expenses and hire musicians and celebrities to attend parties.

The court papers, filed in Los Angeles, allege that money was laundered through accounts in the US. If successful the US Justice Department would seize assets, including property in the US, UK and Switzerland.

The US$1 billion would only make up a proportion of the money that was allegedly diverted, which comes to more than US$3.5 billion.

Najib’s stepson, Riza Aziz, is named in the court papers, which were filed in Los Angeles. Riza produced the Leonardo DiCaprio film “The Wolf of Wall Street”.

A Malaysian financier and two Abu Dhabi Government officials are also among those named.

There has been no official reaction from Malaysia on the lawsuits. (Excerpt from

rench lawmakers approved a six-month extension of emergency rule on Wednesday after last week’s truck attack on holiday crowds in Nice, the third deadly assault in just 18 months for which Islamist militants have claimed responsibility.

President Francois Hollande’s Socialist Government, accused by political opponents of doing too little to avert the attack that killed 84 and hurt hundreds, also said it would step up strikes against Islamic State in its strongholds in Iraq and Syria. A year from elections, Hollande is under intense pressure as opponents accuse his Administration of Police failings over the tragedy. A Tunisian man was able to drive a 19-tonne truck along a packed sea-front promenade, mowing down people in the

Bastille Day crowd, before he was shot dead by Police.

In a sign of other tensions, the outer wall of a Mosque in Lyon was spray-painted in red with the words “leave or die”, local prefect Michel Delpuech said. And Paris’s police prefect cancelled an open-air film festival as well as plans to turn the Champs Elysees boulevard into a summer pedestrian zone.

The extension of exceptional search-and-arrest powers for Police was approved by 489 votes to 26 shortly before dawn in France’s National Assembly, the lower House of Parliament, but not without renewed calls for an inquest.

The Senate, where conservative lawmakers hold a majority, adopted the extension hours later with 310 votes in favour and 26 against after tweaking the text to make it tougher. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Kashmir newspapers ‘ban’ lifted Melania Trump plagiarism row: Staffer

A

uthorities in Indianadministered Kashmir have lifted a ban on publication of newspapers.

The three-day ban was imposed after violent protests sparked by the killing of a prominent separatist militant. But the publishers have delayed print runs, saying the Government should guarantee freedom of operation.

More than 40 people have been killed and nearly 2000 people and 1600 security forces have been injured in clashes since 9 July.

Last week, the Kashmir Government asked newspapers to stop publication for a

few days, saying that the ban was a “temporary measure to address an extraordinary situation”.

However, the Government’s political adviser, Amitabh Mattoo, said the decision was made without the knowledge of the State’s Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. “Sometimes decisions taken at a local level are not something the highest authority approves of.

There was some miscommunication,’’ he told the NDTV news channel. But newspaper editors in Kashmir said they would resume publishing if the Government assured freedom of operation. (Excerpt from BBC News)

admits role in speech

A

n employee of the Trump Organisation, Meredith McIver, has admitted her role in writing Melania Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention.

Mrs Trump, the third wife of Republican candidate Donald Trump, faced accusations that parts of her speech had plagiarised one of Michelle Obama’s.

Lines in the speech matched almost word for word those delivered by Mrs Obama at the Democrats’ convention in 2008.

McIver said her offer to

resign was rejected by the Trumps.

“This was my mistake, and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused,” she said in a statement.

The Trump staffer said Mrs Trump had read out passages from Mrs Obama’s convention speech in a phone conversation as they discussed people who inspired her.

“A person she has always liked is Michelle Obama,” she wrote.

McIver later included the phrases in a draft of the speech without checking

Did Melania Trump’s speech copy Michelle Obama’s?

Obama’s speeches, she added.

“I am honoured to work for such a great family,” she said.

Mr Trump was formally adopted as the Republican candidate for November’s presidential election on Tuesday. (Excerpt from BBC News)

16

THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

Dennis Muhammad: Serving humanity

C

are and a love for people. They resonate throughout Dennis Muhammad’s words; he defines success as serving humanity. “My greatest hobby is being out there serving humanity, ensuring that people’s needs are met and to be loving and caring to people.”

The proprietor of the Rite-Care Pharmacy in Linden has been able to meld his natural instincts for business and love for humanity in the enterprise that performs an essential service for his community and also offers on-site ultrasounds and heart tests out of its doctor’s office.

The devout Muslim and father of six says his talent for business was apparent early in life. “Since I was in school, I was always doing

business – taking things to sell.” He went to work for himself in his 18th year, after spending one year in the bauxite industry following graduation from the Christianburg Wismar Secondary School and has not looked back since, emerging from a bad period of “low living” in the initial years. The trained phlebotomist attributes his revival to Minister Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam, the man he calls his dream mentor and biggest influence. “I was living a low life. I was wrong with the Creator. With his words, he came and got me,” he said poignantly.

Muhammad would eventually travel to the United States and meet Minister Farrakhan as he pursued his religious studies. During that period, he put his busi-

ness skills to good use in the service of God as he went on “soldiering” (missionary) work, becoming a top salesman for the “Final Call” newspaper of the religious organisation.

A man of strong convictions and conventional family values, the born and bred Lindener, who lives in Block 22 Wismar, stressed that “you pray and then you got out and work to realise that prayer. God is not a mystery God”. “I get up early (and work) because I have a wife (and the children that issue from her)… My wife is my biggest inspiration.”

Juggling business and family life is very difficult, he says, but “it’s part of making dreams a reality – sacrifice”.

Muhammad said wouldbe entrepreneurs must be

Business News

ECLAC: New governance of natural resources is needed for compliance with the 2030 Agenda

T

he organisation’s Executive Secretary, Alicia Bárcena, presented in New York an initiative to create a Regional Centre for Governance of Natural Resources in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Greater and better governance of natural resources is necessary to fulfil the goals of sustainable development. This necessitates

moving towards greater efficiency in the use of material resources, particularly non-renewable natural resources,” Bárcena, said on Wednesday during a side event to the Highlevel Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which is taking place in New York.

The senior United Nations official headed the meeting entitled “How

to Leave No One Behind: Sustainable Natural Resource Management”, which was organised by the International Resource Panel (IRP), an entity made up of prominent scientists and experts on natural resources in which Bárcena serves as CoChair, and which is part of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (ECLAC)

Market statistics Cambio Rates

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

Fixed as at July 20, 2016 Calculated at 94% purity Selling

USD

$1325.36

Gross

$255,960

Net

$238,049

GBP

$270.42

$273.85

CAN

$157.99

$159.83

USD

$205.98

$208.44

EURO

$227.10

$230.01

Indicators as on July 20, 2016 Indicators

US$ per barrel

$47.17

Crude Oil Price

Change %

1.08

USD

Change %

Rough Rice

$236.61/ton

-0.055

London Sugar

$533.60/ton

0.00

Live Spot Gold

Bid/Ask Low/High Change

Business Concept – Retailer

$1312.00 $1310.20 -3.30

USD Per Ounce

$1313.00 $1334.40 -0.25%

A business or person that sells goods to the consumer, as opposed to a wholesaler or supplier, who normally sell their goods to another business. (Business Dictionary)

Dennis Muhammad

prepared to make sacrifices and work long hours.

“Business is about service. Yes, price is important and quality is important, but business is about service. The intention is to make customers come back.

[I] work long hours and go beyond the call of duty: com-

ing out of bed sometimes to provide something that the hospital does not have….”

Asked to pinpoint the most crucial trait for anyone hoping to own a business, he immediately declared: “Honesty. You have to be honest.” He further noted that although the business owner might have employees, he/she always has to be there “regardless”, to interact with customers and ensure they receive that special level of service that owners provide… “people come to see you”.

Highlighting the importance of good customer service, the polite one-time top bodybuilder/power lifter and sports enthusiast candidly said while the local economy was bad, Rite-Care, which was established in 2006, has not been affected because he

“worked hard to provide customer care”.

The passionate customer service advocate is working to achieve big goals for his business and extend his brand of customer care: he is pushing to one day open a private hospital complex, complete with a full-fledged lab and A-class doctor’s office. Questioned about what could be done for entrepreneurs such as himself and those just staring out, the local head of the Nation of Islam said lending agencies needed to be more flexible in their requirement and make it easier to get loans.

They should also “put programmes in place to help borrowers repay loans”.

Contact: 77 Republic Avenue, Mackenzie, Linden; 665-2067

Shaving start-up firm bought by Unilever U nilever has bought US start-up Dollar Shave Club for a reported US$1 billion in cash to compete in the male grooming market.

The four-year-old e-commerce company sells disposable razors and other male grooming products directly to consumers for as little as US$1 a month.

Dollar Shave Club has 3.2 million members – but has yet to make a profit.

Founder Michael Dubin, who will remain as chief ex-

ecutive, said he was “excited” by the deal.

His company came to global attention after he posted a humorous marketing video about shaving on YouTube. The video went viral, crashing the company’s server within an hour.

It now operates in the United States, Australia and Canada.

But the company is facing legal action from rival Gillette, owned by Procter & Gamble, seeking unspecified damages. It claims that

the coating used to strengthen its blades infringes on a Gillette patent.

Since that YouTube video, Dollar Shave Club has taken a sizeable slice out of Gillette’s market share. In response Gillette introduced its own Gillette Shave Club last year.

Now the Anglo-Dutch multi-national Unilever wants to use Dollar Shave Club’s “innovative and disruptive male grooming brand” to compete with Gillette head on. (BBC News)

Investors’ Guide

Microsoft helps Wall St to another day of record highs

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all Street gained on Wednesday and the S&P 500 and Dow industrials set fresh records, as Microsoft’s strong results boosted the indexes and marked the latest sign that US corporate earnings season may be less dour than feared.

Microsoft shares surged 5.3 per cent after the software giant posted sharp growth in its cloud computing business.

The stock gave by far the biggest lift to the major indexes and the tech sector .

Defensive sectors such as utilities and telecoms have led the market’s gains in 2016, while groups such as financials and tech have trailed.

“It seems like the weaker parts of the market are starting to at least try and keep pace with the stronger parts and there really hasn’t been a big selloff in the big winners to this point,” said Rick Meckler, President of LibertyView Capital Management in Jersey City, New Jersey.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 36.02 points, or 0.19 per cent, to 18,595.03, for its ninth straight session of

gains, its longest such streak since March 2013.

The S&P 500 gained 9.24 points, or 0.43 per cent, to 2173.02 and the Nasdaq Composite added 53.56 points, or 1.06 per cent, to 5089.93.

The recent record-setting rally, which has pushed the S&P 500 up more than six per cent this year, has come despite concerns about global instability including Britain’s recent vote to leave the European Union.

“People are saying they don’t want to invest in Europe, they don’t want to invest in Latin America, they don’t want to invest in Asia,” said Jake Dollarhide, Chief Executive Officer of Longbow Asset Management in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “By default, the US markets are getting a lot of foreign capital.”

Second-quarter earnings for S&P 500 companies, which began reporting in earnest this week, are now expected to fall by 3.8 per cent, less than the 4.5 per cent decline estimated earlier in the week, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. “The market has been rallying on the expectation

of good earnings with some companies even providing decent forecasts,” said Thomas Wilson, Managing Director of wealth advisory at Brinker Capital.

In other quarterly reports, Morgan Stanley closed up 2.2 per cent after its profit topped analysts’ estimates, rounding off upbeat results from the six biggest Wall Street banks.

Abbott Laboratories reported better-than-expected quarterly sales and profit, sending its shares up two per cent.

After the market closed, Intel shares slipped three per cent following release of its results. About 6.2 billion shares changed hands in U.S. exchanges, below the 7.5 billion daily average over the past 20 sessions.

Advancing issues outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by a 2.11-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 2.19-to-1 ratio favoured advancers.

The S&P 500 posted 46 new 52-week highs and no new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 107 new highs and 18 new lows.

(Reuters)

news

17

thursDay, july 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Govt to establish Land Reclamation Unit

A

Land Reclamation Unit, aimed at the restoration of the land distributed by mining operations, will soon be established by Government.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon, appearing before the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources in the Parliamentary Chambers on Wednesday, disclosed that Government has already taken steps to set up this department.

Answering questions posed by Head of the Committee, Member of Parliament (MP), Odinga Lumumba, about the need for a better system for land reclamation with regards to the mining sector, Minister Harmon affirmed Government’s commitment to this process.

According to Opposition MP Lumumba, there is legislation, “but it is not firm.”

Lumumba pointed out, “You have to have a policy which clearly states that this is the way that you are going to reclaim the land after you complete your job. This must be

put in the agreement before you start operations.” The former Presidential Adviser added that land reclamation can see lands being used in innovative ways such as creating man-made lakes for sport fishing and recreation.

Responding to the query by his parliamentary colleague, Minister Harmon acknowledged that it was easier for large companies to fulfill this obligation and enforce these regulations. “The question is about our will to enforce those regulations and the fact that we need a stronger enforcement mechanism, within the Ministry of Natural Resources, in terms of forest rangers and other people who can insist and ensure that the companies do what they are required to do under our law.”

The Ministry of the Presidency had announced earlier that the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) will be partnering with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (UNFAO) to implement a Sustainable

There is a need for a better system for land reclamation with regard to the mining sector. Minister Harmon has affirmed Government’s commitment to this process

through better client-employees relations and ensure greater coordination and improved service delivery in technical areas.

Land reclamation remains a sore issue in the mining sector as many hinterland communities have been left with scarred landscapes after mining concessions were exhausted and operations moved to other locations.

Communities such as Mahdia, in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) have been left with many pits and these were not refilled. These formed breeding grounds for mosquitoes and the increase in the spread of malaria.

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) recently embarked upon reinforcing the amendment regulations 2005, for environmental management.

This instantly created an impact in the community, by curbing the pollution of waterways and encouraged soil reclamation and replanting of trees in deforested areas.

In 2014, Natural Resources Minister Robert

Persaud announced a $500 million Land Reclamation Project that his Ministry will undertake to clean up the many mined-out areas in the hinterland.

He had explained that the project will see focus being placed on reclaiming forested land and engaging in reforestation activities in areas that are affected as a result of mining and timber extraction.

Subsequently, the Ministry hosted a Land Reclamation project miners’ forum to educate and enlighten miners on how they can incorporate land reclamation with mining and the benefits that can be derived from this process.

During the presentation, factors that would contribute to successful reclamation were also highlighted which included getting miners to understand the concepts of the process and the economic benefits that can be derived, along with the enforcement of the environmental regulations and non-disturbance of sites under and after reclamation.

Land Development and Management Project, expected to take effect in January 2017.

The proposed project, among other things, is intended to; promote good environmental stewardship in a green economy to achieve a better quality of life, improve planning, monitoring and evaluation capacities to address land management needs, improve standard of living through sustainable land use and management practices, strengthen monitoring and enforcement

capacity and ensure compliance with sustainable land management practices, mainstream policy and implementation by natural resource agencies and implement sustainable land development and management and monitoring using indicators for the reduction of land use conflicts and innovative problem solving initiatives.

It is also expected to increase land reclamation of degraded public lands and reduce degraded areas in relation to total land area, improve organisational image

Police ranks,” Corporal Wilson pointed out.

She further explained that services will be offered between the hours of 16:00h-18:00h – Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The project was spearheaded by Division Commander Stephen Mansell, who was said to have solicited the support from the business community in the Division to ensure the centre’s completion. The Computer Centre was first commissioned on February 15.

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud inspects the Computer Training Centre

Leonora Police Station Computer Training Centre opens

P

olice ranks and residents in the surrounding environs of the West Coast Demerara village of Leonora will be afforded the opportunity to gain knowledge on the use of technology. On Wednesday, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud formally opened a Computer Training Centre located at the Leonora Police Station.

The Commissioner was accompanied by senior Police ranks as they inspected the nine computer

stations available for use.

Persaud was at the time in attendance at an awards ceremony which honoured Police ranks in D Division (West Bank DemeraraEast Bank Essequibo).

Lecturer at the Centre, Corporal Veronica Wilson told Guyana Times that students are currently enrolled in training programmes.

“We are currently having a six weeks training programme for students…

It is opened to persons of the community as well as

18

guyana-times.com

THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016

ARCHIE

Keep your money in a safe place. Don't ignore medical is(March 21- sues. Focus on your needs and April 19) self-improvement. Love and romance are on the rise and will help stabilize your life.

ARIES

Complaints will get you TAURUS nowhere. If something needs (April 20- doing, do it yourself. You only May 20) get out what you put in. Don't wait for someone else to make the first move

DILBERT

Your vocal and outgoGEMINI ing way of dealing with mat(May 21ters will help you bring about June 20) positive change. Don't trust someone else to do as good a job as you. Love is featured.

Don't take on too much CANCER baggage or you won't reach (June 21- your destination. Put your July 22) energy into what's important and expand your interests and concepts while you reach for success.

PEANUTS

You can make positive LEO changes if you discuss matters (July 23openly and proceed to follow Aug. 22) through with the agreed-upon course of action. Romance will enhance your personal life.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

You should take care of VIRGO your responsibilities and (Aug. 23Sept. 22) move on to more enjoyable pastimes. An unusual connection you have with someone will lead to an interesting turn of events.

LIBRA Consider your current po(Sept. 23- sition. If you aren't satisfied Oct. 23) with the way things are going, reconnect with an old coworker. Something good will transpire.

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD – METRONOME

SUDOKU

Socialize with people who SAGITTARIUS are heading in the same direc(Nov. 23- tion as you. If you lose sight of Dec. 21) your goals, you will end up at a destination that won't help you advance.

(METRONOME: MET-truhnome: A musician's device that marks time at a selected rate.)

Average mark 35 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 48 or more words in METRONOME?

Think about the past and CAPRICORN use your findings to help plan (Dec. 22- for the future. You are facing Jan. 19) a changeable time, and you should use this opportunity to explore new possibilities.

The list will be published Monday.

YESTERDAY'S WORD – MAJESTIC mace mast mastic mate meat mesa mesic metis mica mice mist

mite acme amice jest jetsam east emit same samite sate scam

scat seam seat sect semi seta site smite steam stem tame

team time item came case cast caste cesta cist cite

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

You need to take care of SCORPIO your domestic chores before (Oct. 24someone criticizes you for neNov. 22) glecting your duties. Take on a challenge that will enlighten you. A short trip will spark a unique idea.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE Learn from those around AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- you. If someone makes a Feb. 19) scene, don't get involved in the furor. A change you make will bring you good fortune and a brighter future.

PISCES Don't make your choices (Feb. 20- based on what others do or March 20) say. Do your own thing, negotiate on your own behalf and draw up contracts that suit you. A take-charge attitude will bring good results.

THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016

Pan American Junior Badminton Championships Peru 2016…

19

Tour de France

Froome extends lead, Zakarin breaks collarbone

Guyana suffered mixed fortunes R

ussia's Ilnur Zakarin won the stage with a breakaway on the steep ascent to the finish at Finhaut-Emosson, before Froome powered away from his rivals.

Adam Yates, who is third overall, was the only yellow-jersey contender close to keeping up with his fellow Briton.

Bauke Mollema and Nairo Quintana lost considerable time on the race leader.

Katusha rider Zakarin, 26, was 55 seconds clear of Colombian Jarlinson Pantano at the finish, with Poland's Rafal Majka tightening his grip on the polka dot jersey - for the best climber - by coming third.

Priyanna Ramdhani (blue) in action during the Girls Doubles match

G

uyana’s top male and female badminton players, siblings Narayan Ramdhani and Priyanna Ramdhani have had mixed fortunes when they participated in the Pan America Junior Badminton Championship at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento Lima Peru which runs until July 23.

Both players are not only

Under-15 Girl Singles and Girls Doubles.

In the Girls Singles she defeated Beien Trocoso of Chile 21-11, 16-21, 21-16 while in the Girls Doubles she reached into the Quarterfinals teaming up with her last year partner, Sara Michelle Barrios Chiong of Guatemala to defeat Andera Flores & Ariana Airi Moromisato of Peru 21-

same and eventually the match.

Narayan returned later on day one to play in the Mix Doubles with Priyanna but again he could not overcome his injury and lost to Sane Wilson and Alana Bailey of JAMAICA 21-11, 21-11.

The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) would like to thank The Guyana Olympic Association Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara pulled out of Tour de France

Narayan Ramdhani (white) serves during his Singles match

playing in the tournament but are up against high altitude and cold conditions as its Peru’s winter period.

On Tuesday four-Time Pan Am Medalist, Priyanna Ramdhani started in great form by winning her First Round Matches in both

12, 21-8.

Narayan Ramdhani seeded No.2 in the Singles Draw lost his Singles match to Nicardo Reid of Jamaica.

Narayan won the first game at 21-14 but at 14-6 in the second game, he picked up a muscle injury and lost the

& National Sports Commission, Yesu Persaud of Demerara Bank, Philip Da Silva, Neville Osman and the Continental Group of Companies through the SUNBURST brand for their contribution to help make the trip possible.

Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara pulled out of the race after the stage so he can rest before next month's Rio Olympics.

"It was a hard Tour for me: a lot of stress and I feel tired," said the TrekSegafredo rider, 35. "If I want to be good at the Olympics I need rest."

Movistar's Quintana, 26, had been billed as Team Sky rider Froome's biggest threat this year, having finished runner-up to the 31-year-old in 2013 and 2015.

But the Colombian, a notable climber, did not have the strength to keep up with Froome, who followed BMC rider Richie Porte in the final 2km of one of the steepest finishes in this year's event.

Trek-Segafredo rider Mollema, second overall, had already been dropped by that point and the

Russia’s Ilnur Zakarin won stage 17 but broke his collarbone

Dutchman conceded a damaging 40 seconds to Froome, with Quintana losing 28 seconds.

The result, on a 184km stage that started in Berne and, for the first time, remained entirely in Switzerland, could prove to be the knockout blow from Froome.

He now has to survive just three more stages through the Alps before the mainly processional final run-in to Paris on Sunday.

"Quintana tried one time to attack but maybe he didn't have the legs like last year," said Froome. "It was tough but I'm happy to follow the best - Richie Porte was very strong on the final climb."

The only rival who looked capable of coming close to matching Froome, who finished the stage 11th, was fellow Briton Yates.

The sight of the 23-yearold from Bury, the leading young rider on the Tour, pulling away from the high-

last year's Tour de France and 82nd in the 2014 Vuelta a Espana - and he was just six seconds behind Froome on the stage, closing the gap to third-placed Mollema to 26 seconds overall.

Yates will be part of Great Britain's road race team at the Rio Olympics next month, where he will support Froome's pursuit of a medal.

Stage winner Zakarin may not be able to represent his country in Rio, with the possibility of Russia being banned after a report accused the nation of statesponsored doping.

The 26-year-old, who served a two-year drugs ban in 2009, timed an escape from Pantano to perfection on the final ascent.

He looked jaded as he approached the finish line and was barely able to zip up his jersey to increase the exposure of the team sponsor, but put in a determined climb for his first Tour stage win.

Chris Froome extends his Tour de France lead with four stages remaining

ly rated Quintana was one few expected to see before the event.

This is only Yates' third appearance in a Grand Tour race - after finishing 50th in

"Thank you to my teammates," he said. "They've been super. This result is not a surprise for me. In the first week, I also tried to go for it." (BBC Sport)

20

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016

Seagram’s Royal Stag Cup Test Series …

West Indies, India begin battle of ‘Patience’ in Antigua A

jinkya Rahane has said it will be the key while Ravichandran Ashwin has said this series will be all about it and West Indies head coach Phil Simmons has said his side will harp on the word throughout the series. All signs so far point to a test of "patience" on what have become typical slow and low Caribbean pitches.

The physicality of winning a Test in the West Indies, no matter how weak the regional Test side might have become, cannot be overstated. The outfields are heavy, which will mean a lot of running. Over the last 10 years, only Zimbabwe and the UAE have produced runs at a slower clip.

This is an uneven contest with the best West Indies players not available through problems with the administration and other lu-

Ravichandra Ashwin

crative options available, the CPL in this case, which will clash with the Test series.

As much as for the bowlers and the batsmen, this will be a test for the watching public of the Caribbean islands; many will be choosing between the modern stadiums sans the character of old hosting attritional Test cricket and the CPL match-

Virat Kohli

es full of life in the cooler and colourful evenings.

If West Indies can manage to make time a factor with good attritional Test cricket, it could be a fascinating series. Make the Indian bowlers earn every wicket, make their batsmen go uneasy in an attempt to give the bowlers enough time, absorb the punches and land one when India leave themselves open in trying too hard. If it works in Antigua, in Jamaica they could even try to blindside India with a green seamer.

At a time when West Indies, the World T20 champions, are on the mend in ODIs and have their own T20 party going on, the Test side will need to tell their fans why they should give them their patience.

On the other end will be a side looking to break away from its limited ambition of the past. India have claimed they don't want to win series 1-0 anymore. They want to win every Test. Their captain has said he won't entertain tired bowlers in the final sessions of long days.

Their new coach is an epitome of relentlessness. They won't be shy of sacrificing a batsman for an allrounder or a bowler in order to claim 20 wickets. From their two warm-up games in St Kitts,

they have realised they will have to stretch every sinew to take 20 wickets: batsmen might have to score quicker, and bowlers will have to peg away for long hours.

Man of World T20 final. Averages 44.69 in ODIs since 2013. Yet Marlon Samuels, the most experienced player in the squad, can be considered lucky to be in the playing party. He has gone 10 Test innings without reaching 20, has scored only two hundreds in the last three years, and has averaged 25.14 in the period. His career average of 33.53 is hardly justification for either his talent or persistence over 64 Tests.

If Kemar Roach's dropping is anything to go by, West Indies selectors might be running out of patience and Samuels time. On him and Darren Bravo will rest the biggest responsibility for scoring runs.

"I'm sure I'll have to be as boring as possible in terms of trying to plug away all day long." R Ashwin is not used to being boring. He has already bagged five Man-ofthe-series awards in Tests, the joint most by an Indian.

He takes a wicket every 52 balls - 46 at home, where he has been at his most effective. He takes a five-for every other Test. If West Indies do manage to hold India off, Ashwin will have to show he can be boring and persistent and, every once in a while, magical.

West Indies will have a new opener, a new wicketkeeper, a new pace attack and a new spinner from the last time they played a Test.

Five men from their last Test XI are not even in this 13-man squad. Expect a debut for Miguel Cummins, Rajendra Chandrika to open alongside Kraigg Brathwaite, and Devendra Bishoo, Leon Johnson and

Devendra Bishoo

Shannon Gabriel to make comebacks.

India go in with a more settled side; seven months since they last played a Test in a different continent. Nobody will bat an eyelid if they retain the XI. Kohli admitted it was tough to choose between Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul, although he hinted Dhawan might retain his place. With the pitch expected to be flat, India are likely to continue with five bowlers, but the decision will be whether that fifth bowler should be a spinner, a pure seamer or an allrounder. Kohli has been known to prefer Stuart Binny in the role outside India. Mohammed Shami, who has taken the new ball on each of the three occasions that India have bowled in the warm-ups, should walk right back into the XI after injury kept him out for most of 2015.

There was some grass on the surface, but it seemed dry underneath on the eve of the match. Kohli felt that the grass was only to hold the pitch together, and it would behave like an Indian track. The ball might not bounce much, with conditions favouring the batsmen initially.

There have been brief, sharp showers on the days

leading up to the Test, and more rain is forecast for days three and four. It's hurricane season all over the Caribbean, but Antigua is usually one of the drier islands. West Indies have

Ravichandran Ashwin who has 16 five-wicket hauls in his first 32 Tests making him level with Clarrie Grimmett among spinners at the end of their 32nd Test.

The five bowlers in the West Indies squad have a combined experience of 111 wickets while Ashwin and Ishant Sharma have taken more by themselves.

The first ball is at 10:00h.

West Indies squad reads; Jason Holder (Captain), Kraigg Brathwaite (Vice Captain), Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Rajendra Chandrika, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Leon Johnson and Marlon

Leon Johnson

played four Test matches at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in North Sound and are yet to lose.

India have played 27 limited-overs internationals since their last Test, in December last year. West Indies last played a Test in the first week of 2016, but have played only 13 other international matches since then.

India’s trump with the ball is no doubt

Samuels India squad reads; Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Ravichandran Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami, Cheteshwar Pujara, Lokesh Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Murali Vijay and Umesh Yadav

Samuels, Taylor, Hetmyer top WICB/WIPA awards M

arlon Samuels was named the One Day International (ODI) Player of the Year and Cricketer of the Year at West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) annual awards function in Antigua on Tuesday.

Samuels has scored 859 runs in 22 ODIs since 2015, including three centuries.

With 258 runs at an average of 36.85, he finished as the second-highest run-getter behind Australia captain Steven Smith in the triseries in West Indies last month.

Prior to that, Samuels had played a starring role in West Indies' World T20 title win in India. He smashed an unbeaten 85 off 66 balls in West Indies' chase of 156, which fetched him his second Man-of-the-Match award in a World T20 final.

Stafanie Taylor scooped the Women's T20 Player of

the Year and ODI Player of the Year awards. Taylor, who was appointed captain in September 2015, led West Indies Women to their first World T20 title in April. She was the leading run-getter in the tournament, with 246 runs in six matches, including 59 in the final against Australia Women. Her ODI form since the start of 2015 has also been excellent: 491 runs in 10 matches at 70.14.

Darren Bravo was named the Test Player of the Year while Dwayne Bravo took the Caribbean T20 Player of the Year award. Chris Gayle, meanwhile, bagged the T20 Player of the Year award.

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, who collected six wickets on Test debut against Sri Lanka at the P Sara Oval in October 2015, was named Emerging Player of the Year.

Shimron Hetmyer, who

Marlon Samuels and Stafanie Taylor with their Player-of-theYear awards

led West Indies to Under-19 glory in Bangladesh earlier this year, won the Under-19 Player of the Year award. He made 158 runs in six matches in the tournament at an average of 26.33.

The under-19 team of the year award went to the Guyana Under-19 team while the Guyana Jaguars received the First Class Team of the year.

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force batsman Jason Mohammed copped the Professional Cricket League (PCL) 50-over player of the year prize and Veerasammy Permaul received the Fourday player of the year award.

Full list of WIPA/WICB award winners; Under-19 Team of the Year: Guyana Under-19 Player of the Year: Shimron Hetmyer First-class Team of the Year: Guyana

PCL 50-over Player of the Year: Jason Mohammed PCL Four-day Player of the Year: Veerasammy Permaul Caribbean T20 Player of the Year: Dwayne Bravo ODI Player of the Year: Marlon Samuels Women's ODI Player of the Year: Stafanie Taylor Test Player of the Year: Darren Bravo T20 Player of the Year: Chris Gayle Women's T20 Player of the Year: Stafanie Taylor Emerging Player of the Year: Jomel Warrican WICB Lifetime Achievement Award: Clarvis Joseph WIPA Lifetime Achievement Award: Ralston Otto Women's Player of the Year: Stafanie Taylor Cricketer of the Year: Marlon Samuels

YELLOW PAGES THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016 | WWW.GUYANA-TIMES.COM

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21

SPORTS WICB Regional Women’s T20 Championships 2016…

Guyana aiming for better record as tournament opens at Providence

BY ROMARIO SAMAROO

G

uyana women’s team is eager to improve their regional record in when they take on the Leeward Islands today when the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Women’s T20 Championships bowls off at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Three matches are slated for today all at the same venue which is a change from the just concluded Super 50 where three venues were used and only four of the 16 scheduled matches were possible. With match-

while showing patience and technique to score.

“When it comes to batting I think the ladies will have to work harder than on the other pitches in the Caribbean because the pitch is not too firm and the ball does not come on to the bat but if the bowlers are to capitalize, they will need to get the balls in the right spots and leave it up to the batters to make mistakes.”

In 2014, the Guyana Women finished fourth while last year they made it to the finals of the tournament only to be halted by the ladies from Jamaica.

This year Percival’s Women

Howard, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Shakera Selman, Charlene Taitt, , Shanna Thompson, Tiffany Thorpe.

GUYANA: Tremayne Smartt (captain), Shemaine Campbelle, Shabika Gajnabi, Erva Giddings, Melanie Henry, Mandy Mangru, Plaffiana Millington, Subrina Munroe, Kaysia Shultz, Heema Singh, Latoya Smith, Akaze Thompson, Lashuna Toussaint, Kavita Yadram.

JAMAICA: Stafanie Taylor (captain), Alecia Bookal, Shanel Daley, Keneshia Ferron, Chinelle

Eccles: $27M Neg. Enterprise Sec C: $20M Neg. MonRepos: $30M Neg. South Ruimveldt Park:$20M Neg. Broad Street: $80M Neg. Charlotte Street between Camp and Alexander: $55M Neg. Providence(land): $6.5M Neg. Parfaite Harmony(land): $4.5M Neg. Contact: 691-1521 GOOD HOPE AND OGLE. CONTACT: 6735546, 222-3066, 682-7257, 679-0987 Guyana’s top order batswoman Mandy Mangru gets a knock in the nets ahead of today’s opening match against the Leeward Islands

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es scheduled for the international venue this time more cricket action is anticipated for all of the teams given the fact that Providence drains and dries quickly and matches are less likely to be decided by rain.

Last year’s T20 runners-up Guyana will be using home advantage to go one step further this year.

On the eve of their opening match against debutants the Leeward Island the hosts were seen going through paces at the Providence on Wednesday.

After the practice session, Guyana’s Coach Andre Percival spoke to Guyana Times Sport and lauded the work put in by his team to better their game.

“During the training, we are here trying to get the batting right. The batting has been our main downfall in the past and will need to support the bowlers and fielders who are doing their job well. If we are to get this batting right we are in with a very good chance.”

However, Percival highlighted that Providence is no easy track to bat on as was evident during the recent Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) matches where batters had to dig in

will be looking to improve on that and walk away overall winners.

Percival indicated that the Leeward Island girls are not to be underestimated despite playing for the first time as ‘team Leewards.’

In previous competitions the individual territories played while this year they are joined to form the bigger unit of the Leeward Islands.

Leeward Island will be led by Antiguan pacer Shawnisha Hector and their squad includes Saneldo Willett, daughter of former West Indies off-spinner Elquemedo Willett, whose sons Tonito and Akito have also played at the regional level.

The curtain raiser is at 09:00h between Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago which will be followed by the matchup between defending champions Jamaica and the Windward Islands at 14:00h. Guyana will then take on the Leewards in the final match of the day beginning at 19:00h under the lights.

Squads: BARBADOS: Shaquana Quintyne (captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Keila Elliott, Allison Gordon, Reshelle Griffith, Malissa

Henry, Corrine, Howell, Natasha McLean, Jodian Morgan, Chedean Nation, Roshana Outar, Tameka Sanford, Jerona Walcott, Vanessa Watts, Rashada Williams.

LEEWARD ISLANDS: Shawnisha Hector (captain), Jasmine Clarke, Melicia Clarke, Davanna Claxton, Kimberly Dookhan, Amanda Edwards, Sherma Jackson, Rozel Liburd, Terez Parker, Grace Persaud, Kerisha Powell, Jenisen Richards, Eldora Sylvester, Saneldo Willett.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Merissa Aguilleira (captain), Kirbyina Alexander, Reniece Boyce, Britney Cooper, Rosalie Dolabaille, Stacy Ann King, Lee Ann Kirby, Shenelle Lord, Anisa Mohammed, Selene O’Neil, Kamara Ragoobar, Karishma Ramharack, Amanda Samaroo, Rachael Vincent.

W I N D W A R D ISLANDS: Afy Fletcher (captain), Stacy Ann Adams, Holly Charles, Roylyn Cooper, Nerissa Crafton, Krisani Irish, Qiana Joseph, Juliana Nero, Akeira Peters, Rosilia Registe, Yasmine St. Ange, Glendeen Turtin, Rackel Williams, Swayline Williams.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016

Guyana Amazon Warriors name Rayad Emrit as Captain for remainder of Hero CPL — Australian Chris Lynn appointed Vice Captain

G

uyana Amazon Warriors have named Rayad Emrit as captain in place of New Zealander Martin Guptill for the remainder of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) campaign, with in-form Australian batsman Chris Lynn stepping up to the position of vice-captain.

The experienced Emrit, 35, has played in 36 Hero CPL games since 2013, having also previously featured for Barbados Tridents, and has been a key performer in Guyana Amazon Warrior’s ascent up the league table

Rayad Emrit

Chris Lynn

with nine wickets to date in seven matches to date

this season. Capped twice for the West Indies at One-

Day International level, the right-arm medium-fast bowler has displayed strong leadership skills this season.

Emrit said: “I am delighted and extremely honoured to be given this opportunity to lead the Guyana Amazon Warriors team for the rest of the tournament.

Martin did a fantastic job and I just want to continue in that vein by leading the team to more victories and consolidating our position on top of the table. I want to thank the franchise owner and management for having the faith in me to lead such a great group of play-

ers and our aim is to go all the way.”

Chris Lynn, meanwhile, has been in devastating form with the bat for the Amazon Warriors and has so far scored 246 runs in seven innings at an average of 49.2, and an impressive strike rate of 130.2.

The 26-year-old Australian international captained the Brisbane Heat in last year’s Big Bash and was selected as the Player of the Tournament having finished the competition as the tournament’s leading runscorer and six-hitter.

The Amazon Warriors

will next face St. Lucia Zouks in the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium on Sunday, 24 July at 17:00h.

GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS: Sohail Tanvir, Nic Maddinson, Dwayne Smith, Chris Lynn (vice-captain), Rayad Emrit (captain), Adam Zampa, Devendra Bishoo, Jason Mohammed, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Orlando Peters, Assad Fudadin, Anthony Bramble, Paul Wintz, Steven Jacobs, Steven Katwaroo, Ali Khan, Shimron Hetmyer

Digicel Schools Football Championships 2016…

Waramadong book quarter-final spot with 1-0 win over Charity

D.C. Fox-Caesar's Reese Gomez makes a leaping save to keep his side ahead (Akeem Greene Photo)

A section of the crowd at the Mainstay Lake Community Centre, Whyaka, Region Two

The victorious D.C. Fox-Caesar Secondary School (Akeeme Greene Photo)

BY AKEEM GREENE

D

.C Fox-Caesar S e c o n d a r y School, formerly Waramadong Secondary, booked their quarter-final spot after winning 1-0 in a fiercely competed match against Charity Secondary on Wednesday at the Mainstay Lake Community Centre, Wayaka Region two.

Uriah King gave the D.C Fox-Caesar Unit the

win, netting in the 30th, in a match where both sides failed to capitalise of their opportunities.

Both teams began sluggishly in the early minutes but Charity’s John Culpepper had the first genuine shot on target that required a leaping save by the keeper but it was D.C Fox’s Jason King attempt that sparked jubilance in the crowd, taking a shot from the 18-yard box, requiring a

diving effort from the keeper Leeland Smith low to his left.

In the 20th, Uriah had a shot on goal that was deemed an off-side but it was 10 minutes later, he worked his magic on the field, dribbling past two defenders then beating the keeper to score.

One minute later, Collyer Daniels had a chance to stretch the lead, sending the ball inches from a goal and

signalled the end of the first half.

The second half proved to be most exciting phase of play, with the Charity team putting immense pressure on the opposition’s backline that eventually meant keeper Reese Gomez had to pull off some acrobatic saves to keep the score-line in his team’s favour.

The crowd support was clearly behind the Charity team and the Region two

side were beginning to look the part but Aston Ward dribbled past two defenders, wrapping his left-foot around the ball, sending it wide to silence the crowd due to narrow miss.

The seesaw battle continued, unfortunately no team were able to find the back of the net; the result means that D.C Fox-Caesar will now face Sir Leon’s Lesson on Sunday in their quarter-final match to be played

at the Bartica Community Centre, region seven.

Prior to the match, Senior Councillor of the Mainstay Lake Community, Samantha Pearson greeted both teams and thanked Digicel for taking the match to their community. She also made a plea for future matches to be played there noting that soon there will be the installation of floodlights around the ground to allow night games.

guyana-times.com

thursdAY, july 21, 2016

23

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

Walton reigns with whirlwind 97 W

Kumar Sangakkara hit an even half century in quick time against the Tridents at Sabina Park

hen it rains it pours and that was certainly the case at Sabina Park for match 20 of Hero Caribbean Premier League when Jamaica Tallawahs beat the rain to rattle up a mammoth 195/5 from 18 overs against the Barbados Tridents at Sabina Park.

After the rain break which interrupted the match for about an hour it was raining fours and sixes. The innings total was set up by opener Chadwick Walton with admirable assistance from Kumar Sangakkara who featured in a second wicket partnership of 127 runs from 11.1 overs after the Tallawahs were sent in.

The rains first came after two deliveries were bowled with the home team 2/0. The players emerged and at 8/0 after 1.4 overs another shower came this time lasting for close to an hour. The game eventually resumed and was reduced to 18 overs per side.

First to go was Tallawahs captain, Chris

Gayle who fended a short ball from Ravi Rampaul to short fine-leg after hitting two fours from nine balls.

With Gayle gone for eight with the score on 22/1 at the end of the third the Chadwick Walton show began.

Walton whose previous highest score this season was 25 against the same opposition in the rained out match at the Kensington Oval made the most of the opportunity in front of an energetic Sabina Park crowd. He got to 50 from just 26 balls with five fours and two sixes while Sangakkara was not to be out done bringing up his half century off 30 deliveries with four fours and two maximums.

However, the monumental partnership was broken with the reintroduction of David Wiese in the 15th over. Sangakkara got a short slower ball and he spooned it to wide longoff at 149/2. He scored 51 (31balls; 4x4; 2x6).

Andre Russell came and looked to pull his first ball, a short rising one but

only succeeded in edging behind for wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran to jump high and take it one handed to his left at 150/3 in 14.4 overs but Rovman Powell’s consistent run in this year’s tournament continued. He took 25 runs off over number 17 bowled by Wiese who finished with 2/45 from four overs.

Meanwhile Walton seemed set for three figures but when on 97 he holed out to Ahmed Shehzad in the final over of the innings at 190/4. His wonderful display with the bat came off 54 balls with nine fours and five maximums. Powell finished unbeaten on 30 (14 balls; 1x4; 4x6).

Ravi rampaul had 2/35 from his four overs while the other wicket to fall was that of Shakib Al Hassan who was run out in the final over for a duck.

The Tridents travel to St. Lucia where they will meet the Zouks on Saturday July 23 before going on to Florida for their final two prelimi-

nary matches against the Guyana Amazon Warriors on July 28 and 30.

Meanwhile the points leaders, Jamaica Tallawahs have completed their Caribbean fixtures and will next play the St. Lucia Zouks in Florida in the first of their two matches on Saturday July 30.

See full report in tomorrow’s edition of the Guyana Times and on the Evening News Sport this evening at 19:00h.

SCOREBOARD Jamaica Tallawahs innings (18 overs maximum) CAK Walton c Ahmed Shehzad b Rampaul 97 CH Gayle*c Reifer b Rampaul 8 KC Sangakkara† c Shoaib Malik b Wiese 50 AD Russell c †Pooran b Wiese 0 34 R Powell not out Shakib Al Hasan run out (†Pooran/Rampaul) 0 0 TP Allen not out Extras (w-4, nb-2) 6 Total (5 wickets; 18 overs) 195 Did not batImad Wasim, DW Steyn, GE Mathurin, KOK Williams Bowling: R Rampaul 4-0-35-2 (nb-1, w-1), D Wiese 4-0-45-2 (nb-1), RA Reifer 3-0-36-0, AR Nurse 2-0-21-0, ND Stewart 3-031-0, KA Pollard 2-0-27-0

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

Zouks, Patriots in bottom-of-the-table clash

S

t. Lucia Zouks are set to begin their home campaign tonight against the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots as the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) moves to the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet St. Lucia. It will be the first professional match at the stadium since it has been renamed in honour of Darren Sammy the first West Indies player from St. Lucia, a two time World T20 winning captain and skipper of the Zouks.

A tussle is expected in this clash as both teams find themselves in must win territory. Currently the Patriots are in fifth position with one win from seven matches while the Zouks are in the cellar spot with also one win but from four matches.

Although the Zouks are at the bottom of the points standing they have a better chance of qualifying for the play-offs than the Patriots.

The top four teams qualify for the play-offs in St. Kitts and Nevis from August 3 to 7.

The hosts have more games than any other teams remaining and once they improve to win at least four of those games then they can easily qualify for the playoffs. In contrast to the Zouks, the Patriots must win all of their remaining matches and wait to see the results of other matches to

know their fate.

Going into tonight’s clash Patriots holds the advantage in head to head encounters with two wins while the Zouks have won once. The visitors have a strong team but are yet to find their chemistry thus losing six of their seven matches. Their only win was a comprehensive one over the Zouks in the early stage of the tournament in Basseterre.

In that clash, the Patriots

smashed 48 runs in the latter part of the innings. In response, the Zouks were restricted to 145-5, losing by 58 runs.

Since that sterling performance, the Patriots have failed to produce another spectacular like it or near to it. At times when their batting is on the good side the bowling shows otherwise and vice versa. The team has struggled throughout the process though it com-

Johnson Charles

batted first and galloped to a mammoth total of 203-7 on the back of blistering knocks from openers Evin Lewis (73) and Lendl Simmons (30) before Devon Thomas

prises several experience and talented players.

In its batting repertoire there are Simmons, Lewis, Thomas, Brad Hodge, Faf du Plesis and Thisara

Perera while in its bowling department there are Samuel Badree, Tabraiz Shamsi, Krishmar Santokie and Perera, yet the Patriots have failed miserably.

One may wonder the reason(s) for their failure, but judging from their previous outings it seems a matter of poor bowling changes, an unsettled batting line up and poor execution by the players.

In order for the Patriots to repeat their previous performance against the Zouks they must correct the aforementioned facets that are lacking.

Like the Patriots the Zouks have a very strong unit, especially the batting aspect but have found themselves on the losing end.

With a star studded batting line up comprising the likes of Michael Hussey, David Miller, Shane Watson, Johnson Charles, Darren Sammy and Andre Fletcher, it is expected that the Zouks could set mammoth totals and successfully chase any targets. However, that has not been the case. They have also failed miserably winning just the tournament’s opener against Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR).

Unlike its batting, the Zouks bowling is not as strong on paper but possesses the dynamics to deceive teams. It includes Morne Morkel, Derone Davis, Watson, Shane Shillingford and Kyle Mayers.

If these two facets fire together for the Zouks then the oppositions would have to bring their ‘A’ game in the remaining matches.

However, the Zouks must take it one match at a time if they are to improve and qualify for the playoffs for

Patriots- Faf du Plesis (captain), Lendl Simmons, Samuel Badree, Brad Hodge, Thisara Perera, Jonathan Carter, Krishmar Santokie, Evin Lewis, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kieran Powell, JJ Smuts, Devon Thomas, Shamarh Brooks, Tino Best, Jeremiah

Samuel Badree

the first time in CPL history.

Meanwhile, the Patriots must win to stand any chance of reaching the playoffs for the first time.

Fans can enjoy a 50% discount since organizers would be celebrating the historic renaming of the Darren Sammy Stadium and the Johnson Charles stand.

Match time is 18:00h.

St. Kitts and Nevis

Louis, Nikhil Dutta and Alzarri Joseph.

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

thursdAY, july 21, 2016

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

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

Walton reigns with whirlwind 97 Zouks, Patriots in bottom-of-the-table clash Pg 23

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