Guyana Times Daily - July 23, 2015

Joe Singh to head task force to P tackle floods 13

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Male sex worker gunned down guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 2563

Thursday, July 23, 2015

PRICE $80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

GRA’s Sattaur job under P3 review – Harmon

Page 9

…accused of robbing ‘client’ Environmental Tax payment…

Govt, RUDISA enter pact to reduce US$7.72M settlement Page 17

Govt P7 suspends works on CJIA expansion project …cites “irregularity” in contract documents

Marketing Guyana’s rice

Tax waivers, free trade agreements P7 crucial – stakeholders

From left to right: President David Granger, RUDISA Executive President Rudi Sardjoe, RUDISA Motor Company Managing Director Maurice Gajadhar and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

Shawn Hinds Rugby player confesses to crushed involvement with by truck at PPP/C rejects links to Crum“Death Squad” Agricola Ewing’s murder GPL Deputy CEO sent P16 on leave

Page 3

...not implicated in Crum-Ewing’s killing – Police

– for allegedly paying himself $27.8M

Page 12

P17

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BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, July 23 – 09:30h-11:00h and Friday, July 24 – 10:30h-12:00h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, July 23 – 08:10h-09:45h and Friday, July 24 – 09:10h-10:40h

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers can be expected in the morning with heavy rain showers expected in the afternoon.

Thundery showers are expected to return in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 2.68 metre and 4.47 metres per second.

High Tide: 09:06h and 21:31h reaching maximum heights of 2.34 metres and 2.32 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 02:37h and 15:01h reaching minimum heights of 0.86 metre and 0.90 metre respectively.

Saturday, July 18, 2015

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Shawn Hinds confesses to involvement with “Death Squad”

...not implicated in Crum-Ewing’s killing – Police

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overnment has announced that it is willing to meet with self confessed death squad member Sean Hinds, but made it clear it will not be offering any amnesty for the information he has provided. Police also said that Hinds was not wanted for the killing of ex-soldier, Courtney Crum-Ewing.

The former cop made some shocking and scurrilous allegations to another media house on Tuesday, where he disclosed that he was an integral part of a "death squad" which had a rampant operation during the mid 2000’s.

Hinds claimed that he was directed by the CID and if he wasn’t a part of the "killing squad this country wouldn’t a got law and order…" He also claimed he was being fingered for the killing of Crum Ewing.

The “death squad” was reportedly responsible for going after criminal elements, particularly those who emerged after the massive jailbreak of February 2002, when five high profile criminals escaped from the Camp Street Prison.

The men Andrew Douglas, Dale Moore, Shawn Browne, Mark Fraser and Troy Dick have all been killed after having confrontation with police ranks.

They formed the core and leadership of a gang based in Buxton that wreaked havoc on the surrounding villages of Annandale and Lusignan and further afield. Dozens of innocent citizens were murdered, robbed, kidnapped, maimed and raped by the gang.

Several homes in the village of Buxton were also razed.

Most alarmingly, the gang an-

Former Police Officer Sean Hinds

nounced they were “Freedom Fighters” and launched an all out assault on ranks of the Guyana Police Force killing more than previously killed in the entire history of the force.

Surprise

Meanwhile, police said Hinds’ allegations came as a surprise to the country and more so, the Guyana Police Force since they never implicated him for the murder of Crum-Ewing. So far, the only person with solid evidence for the murder is Regan Rodrigues whose illegal firearm matched the one used to execute the father of three. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told the Guyana Times on Wednesday that he was cornered by reporters on Sunday last where the question was asked about the relation with Crum Ewing and Hinds but immediately responded in the negative.

“At no point in time did Hinds name was raised as

a suspect for the murder of Courtney Crum-Ewing… I am not sure, where all this is coming from’, he stated.

Hinds on Tuesday during an exclusive interview with HGPTV Nightly news he stated “Somebody implicate me in Crum-Ewing murder, saying that I was the person who pass the money or the person who went with the killer. At no time, I did not went with no killer”.

On this note, a senior police rank disclosed that during the interrogation of Rodrigues, he did not call names and as such, there is no reason for Hinds to implicate himself unless there is something he is hiding. “Anyone can come forward and talk but it is up to the public to believe and those who know hinds will not fall for his antics”, the senior rank stated.

No amnesty

Minister of State Joseph Harmon speaking to reporters on the revelations on Wednesday, said while government would welcome Hinds to share all that he knows, it will not promise any official pardon to him. “I am not offering any amnesty whatsoever to anybody who admittedly involved in a criminal activity or criminal activities, who would say that I told you this and I told you that and I should be exempted”, Harmon said.

He noted, however, that Hinds is most welcomed to go to the police if he feels the need for some kind of protection for the information that he has, but as far as the state

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

is concerned, this will not be provided. Harmon said, while he has spoken to the media, the state apparatus would be interested in following up those leads “more aggressively” and getting some additional answers.

“The issue is not with what Shawn Hinds said, but the implication of what he said. Two weeks ago while we were addressing the current spike in crime, our response was that we were not just going after the common criminal, but the intellectual authors and the people who are behind”, Harmon said.

The previous government had also reiterated that they were interested in the “intellectual authors” of the crime wave unleashed by the Mash Day 5. Asked about this and the implication of the CID, on the allegations of Hinds, Harmon said that if such is the case, then the state has an agency that will carry out an independent investigation in this regard.

GRA’s Sattaur job under review – Harmon

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overnment is currently reviewing the operations of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) as part of its approach to shake up State entities and weed out alleged corrupt officials.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon, during a postCabinet press briefing on Wednesday, told reporters that GRA’s Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur’s job is currently under review and when the time comes to make a decision on the need for his services in the future, then the Government will do so and the information will

Currently, audits are ongoing in several State agencies, the GRA included, and when the findings of these probes are revealed, Government will then be in a better position to decide on the way forward.

“This Administration will not preempt what is likely to come out of the audit. If at the end of it, the audit points in a certain direc-

GRA Head Khurshid Sattaur

be made available to the public.

tion, then that will be the direction in which we will go,” he said.

Harmon said once the audit reveals that there is a lack of competence, lack of integrity, evidence of corruption or a proposition of no confidence; then these findings will be factors to take into consideration when these decisions are to be made. turn to page 8

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Views Editor: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Whither sustainable clean energy?

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maila Falls HydroElectric Project (AFHEP) was the cornerstone of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) crafted by the previous PPPC administration.

It was supposed to steer Guyana through the energy and climate challenges of this millennium. The then Government, under the leadership of Bharrat Jagdeo had intervened directly to market the forests that cover more than 80% of our country as a "carbon sequestration" mechanism that should be recompensed financially.

With an Agreement with the Government of Norway to pay US$250 million over a span of five years, for not harvesting our forests beyond a stipulated rate, the LCDS would be receive its initial funding for "green sustainable" projects. AFHEP addressed climate concerns directly by substituting the burning of petroleum to generate electricity with using a renewable resource. The electricity from AFHEP would also be cheaper than that from petroleum, going a long way towards addressing the major hurdle faced by businesses here.

AFHEP was designed to generate 165 MW of electricity to satisfy consumer and industrial demand. Presently this is achieved solely from imported oil which consumes scarce foreign reserves. The utilisation of our renewable water resource to generate electricity would - after the investment were paid off in twenty years - allow these funds to be utilised for social or infrastructural spending.

However, the then Opposition which is now in office, early on dismissed the project as a "pie in the sky" dream of former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Yet it was subsequently revealed from studies conducted by the World Bank in the 1970's, that they always knew Amaila Falls was a contender for a hydroelectric facility.

They also claimed not to have information of the financial and other agreements. But then President Ramotar supplied these immediately upon assuming office. Even though Guyana is without a sovereign rating, the the Government was able to secure the full US$840 million financing for the AFHEP. Without increasing Guyana's debt burden. Guyana was to put in US$100 million (of which US$80 million would come from the Norwegian Fund accessible to Guyana); the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) partner Sithe Global US$152 million; InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) US$175 million, and China Development Bank (CDB) US$413 million.

The contractor China Rail had already signed an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) agreement with Sithe for US$506 million, when Sithe Global pulled out of the project last August because the "consensus" between the Government and the Opposition it demanded was not reached. The then Opposition had demanded completion of an IDB "due diligence" report.

That report has now been supplied and the IDB has asked that a decision be made by the end of the month - only one week away. It would appear that the Government might be getting stuck with its rhetoric when it was in opposition. At that time, its major objection was that the overall price tag was too high and there was possible corruption involved. But since it is now in receipt of the IDB report, they are now in a position to access all the details of the funding.

After Sithe had walked away from the deal, the PPP/C Government earlier this year, before the elections, claimed to have secured another private investor in the Private Public Partnership (PPP). The present government can engage this new company directly since the details would be available to them. Alternatively, they can also seek a new partner.

With Guyana seemingly headed into a recession, the AFHEP can be one of the stimuli to give the economy a needed fillip. While the government has hinted that it is looking at the wider development of hydro power to encompass the entire Cuyuni-Mazaruni basins, AFHEP does not all preclude going in that direction later.

What we know for sure, is that Guyana should not lose an (energy) bird in hand, for two in the bush.

Participants of the World Congress of Santa Clauses 2015 take part in the annual swim at Bellevue beach, north of Copenhagen, Denmark, July 21 (Reuters/Scanpix Denmark/Erik Refner)

The Caribbean Voice welcomes suicide helplines Dear Editor, The Caribbean Voice and its partners welcome the announcement by Police Commissioner Mr. Seelall Persaud, that the Guyana Police Force will be launching suicide helplines, especially given that we have been calling for this for quite a while. If our understanding is correct these helplines would be located at every police station and manned 24/7 by trained personnel.

Indeed that is how it should be as single centralized help line would be an exercise in futility. We must emphasize that personnel manning these helplines must be trained to employ empathetic communication to ensure that callers feel comfortable and connected. They must also display basic knowledge of warning signs in order to quickly and easily pin down the factors that may have led to a call.

With respect to faith based counselors being the first line of response in the counseling process, we very strongly urge that such counselors must be provided with basic clinical training and not be left to fall back only on the faith based approach. And we strongly suggest that faith based counselors must be drawn from all three major faiths – Christianity, Hinduism and Islam – as it is critically important not to impose faith based counselors of one religion on those who subscribe to other religions.

Also, in areas where priests/ pandits/imams/moulvis are not available and/or easily accessible, institutional faith leaders or profession-

als such teachers for example, can also be provided this training (https://caribvoice. wordpress.com/2015/07/17/ religious-leaders-mustbreak-their-silence-2/). The point is that gap between receipt of a call on the helpline and access to a counselor must be as short as possible and thus every area should have counselors available and accessible within minutes.

Given that the police station personnel would “…go pick up a counselor, either from the Ministry of Social Protection or a member of the faith-based organization and take them to the location, let them take over the cases and the process,” the Police Commissioner and line minister must ensure that vehicles for this purpose are always available, for in these situations time could critical.

The Commissioner also stated that,”.. The force would have had the input of doctors providing training to the pastors and police ranks who will be involved in the project.” We sincerely hope that esteemed Commissioner means psychologists and counselors and not medical doctors unless the latter are adequately equipped to provide training in counseling and suicide prevention strategies.

The Commissioner also revealed that he has been having discussions with the Minister of Public Security, Hon. Khemraj Ramjattan, regarding legislation to control access to pesticides and weedicides. However, may we suggest that there is really no need to reinvent

the wheel? The Caribbean Voice has been advocating employment of the Sri Lankan Model of Hazard Reduction, which helped to reduce suicides in that nation by 50% in a decade or so, (https://caribvoice.wordpress.com/2015/02/28/shrilankas-hazard-reductionmodel-suicide-drop-by-50/) and, in fact, along with a number of other stakeholders, including the Rights of the Child Commission and the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabbha, had met with the Pesticide Board, which had indicated that it would have rolled out an adaptation of the Sri Lankan Model in May this year. We do understand that elections and its aftermath may have resulted in the May deadline not being kept, but now surely the esteemed Commissioner and the Hon. Minister of Public Security can reach out to the Pesticide Board and get this process up and running?

We also commend this collaborative approach outlined by the Police Commissioner and we suggest that the Cops and Faith Initiative and the Gatekeepers Program (which the Hon. Minister of Health indicated would be brought back) can also become critical collaborators in the help lines initiative, along with community organizations and NGOs. The Caribbean Voice and other stakeholders have also pointed out the nexus between suicide on the one hand and other pathologies such as abuse, (especially domestic and child abuse), rape, incest, alcoholism and

drug and we strongly suggest that help lines would be more effective, as a suicide prevention tool, if the collaborative process engages relevant stakeholders to address these other issues as well. In this regards also, may we suggest that the establishment of a registry of sex offenders be placed on the agenda and rolled out ASAP? Additionally, we urge also that a process be set in motion to decriminalize attempted suicide.

Finally, in an attempt to enhance the collaborative and holistic processes, The Caribbean Voice is organizing an all day National Stakeholders’ Conference on suicide and related issues on August 21, in collaboration with Cara Hotel, Save Abee Foundation, Office Resources Inc, CADVA, CPIC Monique’s Helping Hands and a number of other entities. We are also extending an open invitation to NGO’s and activists on the social landscape to contact us to be involved in the conference. Because we want the conference to be truly national in representation, we may not be able to accommodate more than one representative per organization and, in fact would have to operate on a first come basis since seating is limited. Also, because it is a catered conference pre-registration is mandatory. There is no registration fee and we are exploring the possibility of helping organizations in outlying areas with transportation.

The Caribbean Voice

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St Lucia awaiting Why no date from High confirmation from Court on elections petition? the UK to delink Dear Editor, The PPP/C has filed the elections petition in the High Court challenging the May 11 elections results. A good many weeks have passed since and

supporters of the party are wondering what has become of the petition in the court. The last news in the media was that there was no word yet on a date for the hearing.

Why is there no date for a hearing after all this time?

Sincerely, Daren Jaipaul

Worldly loss or profit are playthings of a day Dear Editor, One may have a picture or two of the form of GOD s/ he likes. “O LORD,” you may cry before the picture and prostrate before it, in humility and contrition. It helps to ensure peace of mind. But one should not pray for paltry gains, or petty vengeance against others. Such prayers will take one away from Grace and faith will suffer set-backs. Worldly loss and profit are playthings of a day, dreams that disappear

when one awakes. When one gains knowledge and awareness of the GOD in themself, these worldly pleasures melt away from consciousness.

Then why bother with gaining them or losing them?

All are of one essence and let this truth be established in the heart. Then there can be no faction, no fear, and no fanatic attachment to someone. For want of this vision, we have at present cliques in every family at cross purposes over every mat-

ter. The Raamaayana and the Mahaabhaaratha hold forth examples of avoiding such situations and establishing Dharma (righteousness) in the home, the village and the nation. Wives like Seetha, husbands like Raama, brothers like Lakshmana and Bhaeatha, Arjuna and Bheema are delineated therein.

One shouldn’t try to avoid contact with others or with external nature but instead should develop a wid-

er, universal outlook. One must look upon the external nature as the investment of GOD; it is the expression of the will of GOD, it is the manifestation of His glory, His power, His might, His majesty. See these in every blade of grass, in every floral petal, every slice of fruit.

Learn lessons from the river, the sea, the mountains and the sky.

Andit Surendranauth P Tiwari

Congratulations to Mr Hamilton Green for receiving Order of Roraima Dear Editor, Please permit me to publicly congratulate Mr Hamilton Green for receiving the Order of Roraima.

I pray that the good Lord may continue to bless him so that his days on Earth may be long and rewarding. However, on his passing which regrettably is inevitable, I further pray that his canonisation and sub-

sequent elevation to sainthood would be pursued with equal haste and like vigour, for I can think of no one else in Guyana, neither past nor present, who is more deserving of such an accolade.

Indeed, change has come… for my two teenaged boys no longer see me as a good role model, they are quick to remind me that I have never won a nation-

al award. In Mr. Hamilton Green they have found a new role model and are hoping that they may be able to secure his autograph and grab a few photo opportunities before his elevation to sainthood.

In closing, I wish to humbly recommend that Mr. Rondel “Fineman” Rawlins and Mr. Linden “Blackie” London be seriously consid-

ered for the lesser but by no means insignificant Cacique Crown of Honour or Medal of Service for their contributions to nation building.

May I have someone second this please?

Reginald Sookram Kamarang Upper Mazaruni, Region 7

from Privy Council Dear Editor, While the St Lucia Government is awaiting the green light from the UK to delink from the Privy Council in order to join the appellate jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), former Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur, has blasted Governments from the countries which haven’t yet abolished appeals to the Privy Council.

Arthur’s recent comments in Jamaica at the Gleaner Editors’ Forum over the weekend were severely criticizing of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago who he said fought for the regional court to be headquartered in that country and to date it has not yet joined the appellate division of the court. He pointed out maybe the twin island republic is the only country on the planet in which a court is located and is not a member. Jamaica, the other big State in the region was also criticized for the delay.

The Heads of Government in the region took a decision since 1988 to establish the regional court and I recall the Edward Seaga JLP Government was in the forefront with Trinidad

and Tobago urging countries to join the regional court. It took 17 years for the to be established on April 6, 2005, and now ten years after inauguration only four countries Guyana, Barbados, Belize, and recently Dominica have severed ties with the London based Privy Council.

St Lucia which recently successfully sought an Opinion from the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal for that country to join the regional court without a referendum, will seek approval from Parliament after receiving formal blessings from the British Government.

Approval from the St. Lucia Parliament will take some time because there is a 90 day laying and debating period before a vote is taken and it requires 2/3 majority of the lawmakers The process is slow and the Governments are not in a hurry, but nevertheless the President of the Court CCJ Sir Denis Byron is optimistic that before the end of next year the two big countries, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago will be on board and most of the Eastern Caribbean countries.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

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Foundation

(Part four)

BY PATTY WIPFLER

If your child wakes in the night, tackle that difficulty next

Before your child will sleep deeply and securely in his own bed, he needs work through the fears that grab him in the middle of the night, or to tackle his dependency on nursing. A good way help him with the fears that break up his sleep is to Staylisten, rather than soothe or nurse him, when he wakes for the first time in the night. Make sure you feed him well before bed, to reassure yourself that he won’t starve. You can prepare a cup of milk or formula to offer him instead of his usual. Most children nurse or take a bottle to keep stored feelings under control, and not for the nourishment, so your child will most likely refuse the substitute nutrition.

When your child wakes, turn on a nightlight, so he can see your face, and can see the eye contact and gentle listening attitude you’re bringing to him. Don’t give him so much closeness that his feelings are tamped down. But do give him enough touch and reassurance to let him know you’re listening, caring, and protecting him.

For example, my grandson was rushed to Neonatal Intensive Care for treatment immediately after his birth. He couldn’t breathe

on his own. He lay on a little table there, under warming lights, for the first 48 hours of his life. This was a lonely, frightening way start to his life.

We think it was fear from his hospital experience that made it impossible for him to sleep through the night.

When his parents were nearly worn out from waking, they began to do extended Staylistening at his first waking each night. There were earplugs and a bed on the sofa for the parent who got to sleep through. The listener for the night would go to him in his crib (two feet from their bed). My grandson would stand up in his crib, pump up and down and cry hard.

His dad would hold him close, but didn’t take him out of the crib.

The crib slats were sandwiched between toddler and parent. His dad would gently murmur, “You’re safe.

I’m right here. I’m watching over you every minute.

I won’t stop protecting you.”

And when my grandson’s crying would begin to taper down, his daddy would pat his bed, saying, “You can lie

down right here and go to sleep. I’ll stay right here.”

And my grandson would cry and tremble some more.

Eventually, he would lose his need to cry, lie down, and fall asleep.

Because he had been in a life-threatening situation, getting rid of my grandson’s fears took awhile. Slowly,

he progressed to sleeping peacefully through the night, and then, with more work, to sleeping in his own bed.

Work from one change to the next, staylistening all the way, until your child reaches

his own bed. You’ll see good progress along the way

Every cry, every thrashing episode shaves off another chunk of the fear that keeps your child from nodding off, sweetly and confidently. And those cries might free up other rigidities he’s burdened by, as well.

After a crying episode, look

for subtle signs that he’s got more confidence. He might sleep a little longer before waking. Or he might show sudden progress in acquiring language. He might tell you more of his thoughts. He might nap more easily during the day, or laugh more often, a sure sign that the

strictures of fear are lifting.

See what surprises in courage and affection your child might have for you.

It can happen that a child has a lot of stored feelings all lined up, and ready to be shed. So when you Staylisten for the first time, he cries long and hard, and some rocky days follow. He’s been waiting for you to understand his need for emotional release, and now that you have opened the floodgates, he’s having big cries or tantrums about lots of issues you thought he had outgrown. It can be hard when this happens – you were hoping for quick, positive results, and instead, you have a child who is now making an emotional issue out of the slightest thing. Be reassured that your child is OK. His instinct to offload the emotional burdens he’s been carrying is strong, and that soon, he’ll be more flexible, more playful, more eager to connect, and more affectionate. He’s taking full advantage of your intention to help.

Once your child is unafraid to sleep in his own bed, everyone in the family

has relaxed sleeping choices. You can all sleep together when you want, and you can have separate beds when you want. Your child will be able to flex, and so will you. On the odd night that he’s clingy again, you’ll have learned to Staylisten, so he can get his emotional work done, and you can know that it’s a kindness to him to give him a chance to cry, feel your love, and offload the tensions of the day.

Vigorous play/listening at bedtime will also build your child’s confidence

Contrary to what most parents believe, a good, laughter-filled physical playtime before bed is a great way to help your child connect securely with you. The benefits of laughter and freewheeling physical play are many. Try a nightly wrestle, a pillow fight or a game of “Let me give you 100 kisses! Hey, wait, you’re getting away!” in which you fall to your hands and knees in a clumsy chase, while your child outfoxes you again and again. Land a few kisses, but barely. Notice what makes your child laugh, and do more of the same. Let your child be the victor in the end.

Laughter releases the lighter side of fear, and Playlistening, in which you promote laughter by taking the less powerful role, is a great way to bond with your child. Don’t tickle. Instead, feel free to nuzzle, bounce, snuggle, gently bump and roll and toss and fall in order to get laughter going. You can pretend to tickle, if your child begs for it. Just wiggle your fingers above his tummy, and let him laugh in anticipation – that way, he’s not trapped by you, and his laughter will do him the kind of good you intend.

You will learn much about your child’s resilience

Most of us don’t begin parenting with the understanding that our children have their own innate way to recover from hurt feelings, fears, and overwhelming experiences. So when you decide to help your child feel safe in his own bed, at his pace, listening to his feelings along the way, you’ll see your child shed his fears completely. You’ll have the chance to change your child’s life. And we hope you will become familiar with the benefits of Listening Partnerships, so you aren’t trying to be Wonder Woman or Superman. You, like all parents, need a way to replenish your emotional energy and to offload the feelings that come with the challenge of parenting.

(Handinhandparenting.com)

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thursday, july 23, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Marketing Guyana’s rice Govt suspends Tax waivers, free trade agreements works on CJIA crucial – stakeholders expansion project

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

…cites “irregularity” in contract documents

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ork on the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project has been suspended, pending reviews of several irregularities in the contract between the Chinese state company and the Government of Guyana, according to Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson.

Public Infrastructure Minister Patterson on Wednesday stated that he has ordered the company to cease work on CJIA until all disputes are resolved.

He told Guyana Times that China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Ltd and the Government intended to sort through these issues by July 27. It was also reported that the Government had complained about missed deadlines and failure to do proper engineering studies.

Additionally, Government officials also stated that the company did not perform proper soil tests on the land targeted for the extended runway and tons of sand dumped as foundation has been getting absorbed by nearby marsh.

In 2011, Guyana signed a US$138 million agreement with CHEC to extend the main airport’s runway by about 3200 feet (1000 metres). The work was expected to be finished by September 2015, but officials now say that the Project would not be complete until 2017. Only late last month, Government announced that the US$150 million budgeted was not enough to complete the Project and as such, adjustments to the designs have to be made.

Under the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, the Project budget amounted to some US$150 million.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, during a post-Cabi-

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

net press briefing on June 24, announced that the US$150 million identified for the project was far below what was required to complete it. Since the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration came into office, one of the first tasks undertaken was an extensive investigation into the project.

Patterson had requested from CJIA management a comprehensive report on the Project. At the post-Cabinet press briefing, Harmon disclosed that Patterson reported to Cabinet that there were several areas of expenditure that were not included in the US$150 million.

These include: a car park estimated at US$2.7 million, equipment for the terminal at US$16 million, navigational aids that needed to be changed and upgraded at a cost of US$1.3 million, a generator building and pump house valued at US$60,000, perimeter fence and security lights at US$565,000, relocation of the electrical and mechanical engineer department valued US$250,000 and relocation of airport operators which would cost US$510,000. There were other areas of expenditure that were not account-

Grandfather gets bail for allegedly attacking grandson

Morris Barker

A

6 7 - y e a r - o l d Pensioner was granted $30,000 bail on Tuesday when he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Morris Barker from Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, told the court that he did not attack his grandson, Keefa Rose on June 27, while he was at Sulphur Rose, Cuyuni River.

He was charged for unlawful and malicious wounding.

Barker told the court he works in the interior. No other details were given by State Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones.

However, he told the court that he has no objections to bail, stating that the VC is the defendant’s grandson.

Magistrate McLennan allowed bail but asked Barker to ensure he appears in court on July 20.

ed for. Generally, Harmon disclosed that an estimated US$65 million was needed to complete the CJIA Expansion Project in the form it was initially presented.

Further, Harmon had reported that some 32 per cent of the money was already utilised, but only six per cent of the work was done. As a result, Cabinet took a decision to review the Project and have a different model designed which will see the project being completed with the funds that were left. Key components of the initial project included: the extension of the runway from 7500 to 10,800 feet – to accommodate Boeing 747-400 aircraft; doubling of aircraft positions from four to eight; installation of eight passenger boarding bridges; and the fortification of the CCTV system with approximately 300 cameras.

Harmon said with the new model, there will still be the expansion of the runway and a modified airport terminal. He assured that the new project will still aim to make the CJIA up to par with international standards.

A

lthough the rice industry lies in the hands of the Private Sector, Government’s involvement is integral in the marketing of Guyana’s bumper harvest as certain aspects needed to enhance its promotion require intervention from the state.

This is the view expressed by former Chairman of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Nigel Dharamlall and Chairman of the Guyana Millers and Exporters Marketing Association (GMEMA), Dr Peter De Groot.

Guyana’s rice industry is currently experiencing a short-term crisis, especially as it relates to securing lucrative and sustainable markets. In fact, Guyana has always been struggling with securing adequate markets and now with the collapse of the PetroCaribe deal with Venezuela – a significant buyer – the struggle has drastically intensified.

Already, prominent stakeholders including Region Three Regional Chairman Julius Faeber and Head of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA) Dharamkumar Seeraj have predicted that

Head of the RPA Dharamkumar Seeraj

Former Chairman of the GRDB Nigel Dharamlall

rice farmers will be struggling to sell their paddy when the next crop is harvested, which will happen in a matter of two months.

This is because the millers face the reality of an unavailability of enough markets and therefore, will limit the amount of produce they purchase from the farmers, resulting in the farmers having a surplus which may very well be wasted. This in turn means huge losses for rice farmers, putting the entire industry in jeopardy.

The argument of who has the responsibility of marketing rice and securing adequate markets has been an ongoing one. On one hand, the perception is that the rice sector is privately owned and therefore,

the onus is on the millers to ensure they find markets for their rice.

Dharamlall and De Groot, however, believe that it is Government’s role, since it is exceedingly crucial to ensure this industry, though privately owned, survives and remains functional so as to continue to contribute to the stability of the already crumbling economy.

During an invited comment, Dharamlall explained that marketing rice does not involve setting competitive prices and securing markets alone. He added that it also involves ensuring there is better productivity (cheaper costs of production, greater quantity of produce). turn to page 12

8 NEWS

thursday, july 23, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Sex worker advocate urges end of vile attacks on colleagues Eyew tness

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

A

gainst the background of Wednesday morning’s slaying of a commercial sex worker, a staunch advocate of the group is calling for more protection for this class of Guyanese and has vowed to “reshuffle” the workers who ply their trade around the Church and Carmichael Streets block.

Christened Otis Pearson, but now goes by the name “Otisha,” the group’s advocate said that the vile attack on 20-year-old sex worker Noel Luther is an attack against all Guyanese.

During an exclusive interview with Guyana Times on Wednesday, Otisha explained how she became aware of her co-worker’s death and the circumstances which led to his demise.

“Last night, after celebrating the emphatic win of the Amazon Warriors, I decided to go at Seeta’s Bar, me and about 40 gentlemen.

We went there and we partied and I think I ended up drinking until 05:00h. That’s the time I finished drinking and I had my phone inside my vehicle so when I go inside of my vehicle now to go home, I noticed that

there were 63 missed calls so I know it had to be something important. So I didn’t had credit in my phone so I decided to go and check the corner because you know, it’s my vicinity. So when I got there, I got the shocking news that one of my colleagues was gunned down,” Otisha related. According to information, she said Luther was killed because one of his clients did not enjoy his service, however, she said it is difficult to digest the fact that someone would kill another person because the “service was poor”.

“That news was really shocking to me when I was made to understand that he was gunned down with some mix up with some client. I don’t know what was the mix up. I was made to understand that like he overcharged him and like the man didn’t enjoy the service.

Something like that, the man did not enjoy the service too good but there are a lot of men who come and do not enjoy the service and they want a refund back but you don’t have to get a refund…,” Otisha explained.

Otisha also spoke of the cold treatment members of the LGBT community and sex workers receive from so-

Otis Pearson, called “Otisha”

ciety, noting that even in the 21st century, persons are still harshly victimised and ostracised from the rest of the world because of their sexual orientation. On that note, Otisha called on the new Government to intervene and ensure commercial sex workers and those in the LGBT community are treated fairly.

“Seeing that we have a new Administration, I think certain things should be put in place where gay people are concerned, because at the end of the day we feel it, we feel the pain cast by society. I think gay people votes count. I think every gay person’s vote counts… so I hope that the new Administration

GRA’s Sattaur job under...

He maintained that the GRA is a major revenue earner agency in the country and therefore the Government will “not treat lightly the structure or the administration of such an entity until you are very sure about what you want to do.” Sattaur is currently on vacation along with several other middle managers. Finance Minister Winston Jordan explained that Sattaur had requested his leave.

In addition, some 20 staff members were sent on leave;

however, theirs were accumulated leave and therefore they were instructed to take them. Although speculation is rife that Sattaur is being let go, Jordan insisted that the GRA Head was not sent on leave but rather requested his leave.

Meanwhile, despite maintaining that Sattaur had requested leave, Guyana Times was told that the new Government has reportedly identified a replacement for him. This publication was told that the New York-based replacement for

Sattaur has already toured the GRA facility and could take up his position as soon as Sattaur’s contract expires.

Sattaur has already reached the age of retirement, but was retained by the former Administration.

Sources said the Government will await the expiration of his current contract to replace him. Contacted previously on this issue, Jordan and Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma both denied having any knowledge of Sattaur’s replacement. “I…

will put things in place and put certain policies…,” she said.

She maintained, however, that she is not fighting for a legislation to be passed as is the situation in the US, even though the country is farther advanced than Guyana is. Thousands of persons were not in favour of the recent court ruling on the marriage of gay people across the United States. “But there are certain measures that can be put into place like when you go to the Police Station so you won’t be discriminated and like hospitals and your workplace and those kind of stuff and I hope that our new President can look into this matter,” he insisted.

Otisha made it clear that she will continue to stand up for the rights of the LGBT community and do whatever it takes to ensure they are protected. She encouraged those in the LGBT circle to conduct themselves in a respectable manner, so perhaps in return people can respect them. Also, she urged parents to accept, though it can be difficult, the fact that their child is gay and still shower them with the love they would have if it were of any other sexual orientation.

from page 3

don’t know what’s going on,” Jordan told this newspaper recently. “That does not fall under my responsibility so I don’t know,” Sharma insisted.

However, GRA employees told this publication that the “word around the office” is that Sattaur will be replaced. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who has responsibility for the appointment of agency heads as per the Cummingsburg Accord, was recently asked why Sattaur has not been let go by the Administration.

In seventh heaven...

Y

...as a cricket tragic

ou don't know what's a "cricket tragic"? There's this explanation your Eyewitness, who's a card carrying one, found on the web. "A mere "cricket fan" is someone who enjoys watching or playing cricket. But a "cricket tragic" is someone who is so emotionally engaged with their team that a loss, injury, or even an unfavourable umpiring decision can have a significant emotional effect on them. Separating a "cricket tragic" from their game will induce severe withdrawal symptoms - spending time at a Christmas party cowering in a corner with a radio. It can be tragic to witness severe cases."

But while that expatiation might suggest that "cricket tragics" are ALWAYS morose or moping about, that isn't necessarily so. Even if you're a West Indian tragic since the nineties, as your Eyewitness is. We do have our occasional moments of euphoria. But he has to tell you something... this CPL T-20 cricket's doing wonders for his mental equilibrium.

After years of "cowering in corners"with the arrival of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, he can now look directly into people's eyes when he's speaking to them!! It's been three years now...and he still can't get over the feeling that to be "a" cricket tragic, doesn't mean that life's a tragedy. The secret of the T-20 game is not only that it's "professional" - but that it moves us away from our narrow parochialism to become real cosmopolitans.

Take this last game at the Stadium: how sweet it was!

Here were these uppity Trinis trying to run us into the ground. Boy did we show them!! But imagine the fellas who did most of the "showing" for us Guyanese were also Trinis - Simmons, Ramdhin and Narine. Throw in an Aussie in Hodge and a South African in De Lange and imagine you had twenty thousand Guyanese fans screaming their hearts out (forget about their throats - those had long been gone!!) for THEIR players.

So your Eyewitness started wondering whether Guyanese can become "tragics" for their country. If we just select a random group of players as "our team" and we mope about or jump for joy at their goings on, wouldn't it be wonderful if we could do it for our mudland? As he looked around his fellow cricket tragics in the Red Stand (can't we give them names?) they were from all races, ethnicities, colours, genders, sexes or whatever. But they were all rooting for THEIR team.

Your Eyewitness places a lot of the blame for our divisions on the politicians -who he spied at cricket screaming like everyone else.

Will they now seize the opportunity to make us all one team?

...over oil find

When your Eyewitness was growing up, one bit of folklore absorbed from the older generation was that we had more oil that Venezuela. "How was that so?" your young whippersnapper would ask. And he'd be told - with the exasperation that befits answering the question of a moron - "Well, jeez! We are LOWER that Venezuela, aren't we? We're BELOW sea level!!

It may not be as simple as that... the U.S. oil giant Exxon finally confirmed that the old folks surmise about the oil. Over in Texas, when Exxon discovered oil every fleabitten farmer with a couple of acres in his name became millionaires. All they had to do was to allow Exxon to install a pump on their land...and the royalties kept rolling in.

Your Eyewitness will let you in on a little secret. If you drew a straight line from Exxon's strike, it'll cross the humble abode of yours truly. And his land's so low, he's permanently flooded.

He's starting to make plans on how to spend all those royalties!

...over Hope Canal

Your Eyewitness has to give a shout out to former Minister Ramsammy.

Even though his yard's still flooded, he wasn't inundated by water dumped from the conservancy!

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

news

9

thursday, july 23, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Male sex worker gunned down … accused of robbing ‘client’

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED

A

male sex worker was gunned down in the wee hours of Wednesday morning in the vicinity of Carmichael and Quamina Streets, Georgetown during a confrontation with a client and another man who accused him of robbery.

The dead commercial sex worker has been identified as Nephi Noel Wilson Luthers, age 20, of ZZ Durban Street, Worthmanville, Georgetown. He was reportedly shot once to his chest by a man who fled the scene in a Honda CRV Motor vehicle.

According to information received, the shooting might have stemmed from a robbery committed on a client.

Guyana Times understands that on Tuesday evening, a client turned up at Church and Carmichael Streets and paid a sex worker $5000 to perform a sex act. During the excitement, he was reportedly relieved of his personal belongings. After the act was completed, he left in his motorcar but subsequently realised that his phone and cash were missing. The “client”, from reports received, collected one of his friends and went back to the location where they confronted Luthers but he denied doing business with the man, which resulted in an argument.

During the argument the client reportedly told Luther’s “You have to give back the thing”, but in response, the commercial sex worker said “me ain’t been with you”. At this time, the friend pulled out the gun and pulled the trigger, shooting Luthers to his chest. The sex worker fell onto the roadway and the two men fled the scene. Luthers colleagues picked him up and rushed him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Guyana Times that the incident occurred at about 02:30h in the vicinity of the Bishop’s High School.

He noted that the Police have received an image of the two men and are presently in pursuit of them. He also noted that during investigations, it was revealed that indeed, Luthers did not conduct business with the man who had accused him of theft. It was another commercial sex worker, who is also maintaining that he did not steal from the man. The Police are continuing their investigations into the matter.

However, at the home of the dead man, his mother, Joy Luthers was surrounded by family members as she tried to come to grips with the murder of her son. She added that at about 04:00h on Wednesday, she received a call from a relative informing her that her son was shot and requested that she visited the Georgetown Public

Dead: Nephi Noel Wilson Luthers

Murdered: Nandkumar Poonwassie, called “Darshanie”

Hospital.

When she arrived at the hospital, his body was in the mortuary and she was told that she cannot see him unless she is accompanied by a Police rank. She subsequently visited the Police station where the ranks took a statement and promised to contact her but up to midday on Wednesday; she was still waiting on the telephone call.

In tears, she stated that from reports received, her son was shot and thrown out of a car. She last saw her son on Tuesday afternoon and he was in good spirits. She admitted that she is aware that her son was involved in sex work and would leave home at about 23:00h each night to go on the road.

The woman also admitted that her son got into the trade about a year ago to assist his family during a difficult period. The distressed mother told Guyana Times that although she spoke to her son about getting out of the business, he never heeded her pleas. She recalled getting him enrolled at Carnegie School of Home Economics to pursue a course in cooking but at the last minute, he changed his mind.

“I pay down for the course and everything and was going to buy his clothes when he told me that he didn’t want to go… I went back to the school but they told me that I couldn’t get back the money”, she stated. She even set up an interview with Banks DIH in an effort for her son to acquire a respectable job, but he even refused that, claiming that he was happy working on the streets. Working in the streets, he claimed, gave him the ability to make more money.

The shooting to death of Luthers came days after a candle light vigil was held to mark the first death anniversary of two sex workers who were stabbed to death while conducting business on High Street, Georgetown. On July 20, 2014, Carlyle Sinclair, 24, also known as “Tyra Banks” of Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo and Jason John, 23, also known as “Jada” of Lamaha Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, were knifed to death by a man who was spurned by his lover.

The suspect, Samuel Bristol, 31, of 16 Section C Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara, subsequently set himself on fire along Regent Street, Georgetown.

Bristol reportedly attacked and stabbed Sinclair and John on Leopold Street.

Sinclair, however, ran a few blocks away to Lombard Street, in the vicinity of

Slain sex worker Wesley Holder called “Oraysha” or “Tiffany”

ARK Enterprises, where he succumbed to his injuries while John died on the spot.

In November of that year, the battered body of Nandkumar Poonwassie, also called “Darshanie” of Port Mourant, Corentyne, Beribce, was discovered on a street in the vicinity of the Day Clean Bar,

Slain sex worker Carlyle Sinclair called “Tyra Banks”

Slain sex worker Jason John, called “Jada”

Port Mourant, hours after he left a party at a friend’s house. Poonwassie at the time of his discovery was clad in a plaid short pants and a white T-shirt, bracing a metal pipe on the roadside. A piece of wood with blood stains suspected to be the murder weapon was retrieved from the scene. A post-mortem performed on

the body proved that he was strangled to death.

Earlier in that year, Wesley Holder, age 19, called “Oraysha” or “Tiffany” of 65 Cross Street, Werk-en-Rust was found dead in the compound of St Phillips Green, High Street, Georgetown. He was found with a gash to the back of the neck, one to his throat and cuts to his wrists.

10

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, july 23, 2015

News

Small businesses keen on GuyExpo …but PSC, GMSA will go along with decision of Govt

A

number of small businesses are urging Government to stick with GuyExpo although the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) and Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman, Norman Mc Lean said the entities were prepared to go along with whatever decision the Government made.

Business and Investment Minister Dominic Gaskin had recently told media operatives that he could neither confirm nor deny whether there would be a GuyExpo for the year 2015, arguing that over the years the event has been reduced to a big party and the real promotion of local businesses was not done. He said the matter was currently being discussed.

Mc Lean told Guyana Times that the Private Sector stood with the Government on possibly hosting a modified version of GuyExpo focusing on manufacturing and services. He added, however, that the final decision to actually host this event rested with Minister Gaskin.

Business and Investment Minister Dominic Gaskin

However, a few small business owners are apprehensive about the possible scrapping of the trade fair.

Some shared that GuyExpo should not be cancelled but be given a “make-over”. It was also mentioned that GuyExpo has become more of an event where major business operations to just come and “show-off”.

Charles Williams of Xen1 Networks, a telecommunications business that operates in the interior, told Guyana Times that if the Ministry moved to reinvent

the entire event, it should go back to its original objective, he added that for many years GuyExpo has been a source of excitement and recreation for many Guyanese and a showcase of the health of the business sector and, by extension, the economy.

However, Williams added that the event has been dominated by the giants of the industries and the entire spirit of the exhibition has been lost simply because newcomers and startups were unable to showcase their services properly because of the price point of the best stalls.

Given that all of the good spaces were usually taken many weeks before the event, many small businesses either choose not to participate or were hidden away from the general flow of visitors. He added that he hopes the government does not permanently cancel GuyExpo, but rejuvenate the experience.

Vital enough

Twenty-one-year-old entrepreneur Jenelle Pierre, who owns BowJay, an ac-

cessories business, stated that if the Government cancelled GuyExpo, it would be a blow to Guyana’s economy. She stated that many small businesses, including hers, use GuyExpo to market their product on a larger scale than they would be likely to accomplish on their own in their own time. She stated that this event was also used for networking with other small businesses and it would not be fair if it was cancelled.

Minister Gaskin stated that discussions were being held within the Ministry about GuyExpo 2015 and as soon as those discussions were concluded, presumably at the end of July,

Guyanese would know whether or not the trade fair would take place this year. He said if there was a GuyExpo 2015, various changes have to be made to bring this event back to what it was truly meant to be.

Minister Gaskin shared that he would like the focus of the event to be the promotion of Guyanese businesses and not a crowd of foreigners making the works of Guyanese appear inferior.

The Business Minister mentioned that the Government would like to be sure that if it chose to carry on this event, that the model and format that used was aligned with its vision.

He said he believed that GuyExpo was designed to be a trade fair to promote Guyanese businesses and the Government of Guyana would like to ensure that the priorities of the grand event were so aligned.

He noted that he is aware that many businesses, both large and small, do rely on GuyExpo as a money-making venture and it was, therefore, important to them. Gaskin added that if the event was only seen as a money-making venture or an entertainment event, while he has no problem with money making or entertainment, these were not the priorities of the Business Ministry.

Albouystown still under water, emergency shelter to close soon

F

ollowing a horrendous thunderstorm last Wednesday into Thursday morning and the consequent severe flash floods in areas throughout the country, persons are now trying to get their lives back on track.

However, residents of Albouystown remain under water, as the Sussex Street Koker was not working to full capacity. A few weeks ago, the Koker suffered a breach which resulted in flooding in Albouystown. While repair work was carried out, the Koker has not been functioning effectively, so following the floods, water stayed on the land in surrounding communities for days, especially in Albouystown, which has borne the brunt of the recent floods.

The water in the community reportedly receded, but on Monday night rose again. According to Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, the issue is being dealt with. He explained that there were some minor works left to be done on the sluice before it can again function effectively.

The Minister disclosed that a pump has been set up at the Koker to help drain water from the affected areas in the meantime. He further stated that he has ordered that the pump be left running expect when there was high tide.

During last week’s floods, the La Penitence Market was one of the areas affected and vendors were crying out against the low pace at which the water was being drained.

One man explained that the market is usually flooded whenever it rained heavily since the bridge that cuts across Sussex Street was built a few years ago with inadequate drainage facility.

The man said there were also some problems with the Koker and urged that it be fixed at the earliest time possible.

Meanwhile, after realising the extent of the recent flash floods after the most rainfall in one day since 1829,

The Sussex Street Koker during last week’s floods

Government had set up emergency shelters to provide assistance to those who were most affected by the floods.

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence has been tasked with setting up these shelters to accommodate persons such as residents in Albouystown as well as elderly persons. Two shelters had been set up in Albouystown – one at the Selman Fraser Nursery School and the other at another nearby school.

According to Head of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), retired Colonel Chabilall Ramsarup, several families had moved to the temporary facility. He disclosed that there were over a hundred persons from the community of Albouystown at the shelter.

Ramsarup pointed out that while some families have moved there, some persons have opted to leave their children at the facility while they remain at home trying to clean up. He noted that three square meals are being provided as well as some items such as clothes and footwear, donated by the Food For The Poor. Ramsarup added that some food items were also donated and were being distributed to families in the community.

However, the CDC head explained that they did not intend to keep the shelter go-

ing for much longer, and were hoping to have them closed by the end of the week.

Further, he disclosed that the CDC was currently preparing some “cleaning kits” that will be distributed to affected communities to help residents sanitise their surroundings. He also mentioned that families would be given food hampers and hygiene kits when they leave the shelter.

Asked how much money was plugged into the flood response, Ramsarup could not give a figure. However, at the post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday, Minister Patterson pointed out that the Ministry has not spent the $75 million that Cabinet had previously approved for flood relief programmes.

He noted that the remainder was currently being used to have works done on various outfalls and so forth.

Patterson went on to say that the CDC had requested a budget of less than $3 million, but this amount may need to be revised depending on the length of time the flood situation persists.

Residents from Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five and Six were affected; however, Region Four experienced more intense flooding, with the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara along with the Georgetown bearing the brunt.

thursday, july 23, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

Granger off to US for State Barbadian Attorney admitted Department meeting to the Bar in Guyana ...will also address graduates of Caribbean security course

P

resident David Granger will today leave for the United States of America where he will hold discussions with Department of State officials and also deliver the keynote address to the graduating class of the Caribbean Defence and Security Course (CDSC) at Fort Lesley J McNair on Friday.

President Granger, an alumnus and former adjunct professor of the Perry Centre, will be accompanied to the event by Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Mark Phillips.

“The Perry Centre is proud to recognise the hard work done by these security and defence professionals over the past six weeks.

Moreover, the Perry Centre is honoured to welcome His Excellency, David Arthur Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, as the commencement speaker for Friday’s ceremony,” a release on the Centre’s website read. The graduation ceremony will take place between 14:00h and 15:00h EST, and will be broadcast live at http://original.livestream. com/chds.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon told media operatives on Wednesday, the President will also meet with officials of the US State Department while on his visit to

President David Granger

Washington. Since his inauguration, President Granger has made several overseas visits. Just about two weeks into his presidency, he travelled to the US on a private trip.

He then attended the Caricom Heads of Government meeting in Barbados earlier this month, then later a United Nations meeting on Sustainable Development in Ethiopia. Just last week, he attended the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) conference for South American leaders in Brazil.

Newest member of the Guyana Bar Association, Barbadian Attorney Vidisha Kumar Hathiramani

A

Barbadian Attorney has been admitted to the bar in Guyana before Justice Nareshwar Harnanan.

Vidisha Kumar Hathiramani, who resides in Christ Church, Barbados, was admitted to the Barbados Bar in 2002. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree and a Master of Laws and is also on the Roll of Solicitors of England and Wales.

Hathiramani is a Partner of Lex Caribbean Law Offices, having worked there from the

start of her legal career to present. Lex Caribbean is a leading law firm practising mainly the laws of Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and London.

Hathiramani also specialises in corporate finance and in commercial real estate.

Additionally, she is fluent in French after having studied at New York University, Business French and French Translation at University of Wisconsin, Professional French Translation

at the University of Toronto, Business French at University of Leeds, a minor in French at McMaster University, Canada.

She has conducted mergers and acquisitions transactions in French.

She is a Certified Mediator and a member of the ADR Association of Barbados Inc and has attended workshops and courses on negotiation at Harvard Law School and the London School of Economics and Political Science, and in Barbados.

12 news

thursday, july 23, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Rugby player crushed by truck at Agricola A

former Under-19 rugby player was crushed to death by a truck after disembarking a minibus in the vicinity of Flour Mill Road, Agricola, Greater Georgetown on Wednesday.

Dead is Dustin Crawford,

19, of Lot 39 Public Road, Friendship, East Bank Demerara. According to information reaching Guyana Times, the father of one, exited a Route 42 minibus at Agricola to join his colleagues at the Namilco Flour Mill for

a tour of the facility. As he made his way to the head of the road, he was reportedly struck down by a lorry, which crushed his head. The Massy Group of Companies truck reportedly drove off the scene leaving the man on the road-

way.

Guyana Times understands that the driver of the motor lorry was not aware that he had struck down someone as he made the turn onto the East Bank Highway.

He was subsequently taken into Police custody and was assisting with investigations.

Troy Yipp, an official of the National Rugby Team, when contacted, told this publication that Crawford was part of the Summer Camp which ended last week. As part of the training camp, a tour to the Flour Mill was scheduled.

He noted that members of the team were asked to be at the facility for a certain time, but Crawford was surprisingly late.

He stated that while at the facility, they received news of an accident but did not pay much attention to it until one of the members dialled Crawford’s number.

The person on the other line related that the owner of the phone had just met in an accident and died, he related.

He and the members of the team rushed to the scene where they saw the young man lying on the roadway.

He explained that the young man started to play with the team five years ago.

Condolences

Yipp said Crawford played a major role in the team. He described the teenager as a

dedicated player who was very disciplined. He recalled that he wanted to be like his bother Allen Crawford who is a member of the national team. Yipp expressed his condolences to the relatives and friends of Crawford.

At the Crawford home, Mary Budhu, an aunt of the

At that point in time, the relatives were not aware that the young man had died; it was not until the father arrived at the scene and saw his son’s lifeless body on the roadway.

His father called back to say that Crawford “did not make it … he told us that a truck hit down Dustin and drove

Dead, Dustin Crawford

dead teen, told Guyana Times that her nephew left home about 12:00h claiming that he was summoned to an emergency rugby meeting. She stated that about 13:00h, her daughter received a phone call from a friend who informed her that her cousin was involved in an accident at Agricola.

Her daughter, Budhu noted, immediately contacted Crawford’s father and informed him of the accident.

way … He was a real good person and a great father”, the woman related tearfully.

Crawford was a student of the Georgetown Technical Institute where he was pursuing a career in welding.

Crawford’s body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination. He leaves to mourn his one-year-old daughter, parents and four siblings. Police are continuing their investigation.

Tax waivers, free trade...

Also, he explained, Government needs to invest heavily in the sector to ensure supportive systems are in place to assist the farmers and millers to get more for their money. He explained that the former Administration wanted to contract a cereal factory which would see diversity in the sector and possibly attract more markets.

Other areas he is urging the Government to focus on are research and water management, which he noted is crucial to the survival of the rice industry.

Tax waivers, free trade agreements

Most importantly, Dharamlall said Government needs to implement systems which will see tax waivers and free trade agreements being offered in an attempt to attract buyers.

De Groot also expressed similar sentiments. He contended that in other countries, Governments negotiate and succeed in securing free trade agreements with other countries for rice and other economically crucial commodities.

He explained that Guyana is competing with other countries which are being given better offers and better prices for rice, which Guyana cannot afford to allow.

De Groot is maintaining that international prices for rice are too low and not a figure which Guyanese are pre-

from page 7

Tax waivers, free trade agreements necessary to compete on international rice market

pared to accept for its bumper crop, as it may very well result in significant losses for millers and farmers.

He had explained that international prices for rice are almost half the price Venezuela was offering Guyana and, therefore, if Guyana is forced to depend on alternative markets, then the rice industry may very well suffer.

Lessen dependency

Meanwhile, while several stakeholders believe Government has a crucial role to play in the marketing of rice, there are some who believe that millers depend too heavily on the Government.

Seeraj said he has been urging millers to recommence the process of seeking their own markets. He said the millers need to form one

unit among themselves so that marketing of Guyana’s rice can be addressed in a more strategic way as an organisation of millers will be better able to secure markets rather than taking an individualistic approach.

He explained that this system would decrease the chances of competition among millers in Guyana and thus promote the local industry as one by having a single unit marketing Guyana’s rice. “Let’s say Tom Jones is selling to Jamaica for $420 and Harry may turn up and sell at a different price, it won’t be good for the industry,” he stated.

Moreover, stakeholders believe that Government and the Private Sector need to forge a better relationship and develop a concrete marketing strategy that will better promote rice.

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thursday, july 23, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Public servants’ annual leave

Joe Singh to head task “Use it or lose it” – force to tackle floods

Minister Harmon P

ublic servants are being urged to take their leave when it is due or it will be forfeited. This was the message from Minister of State, Joseph Harmon as he explained to media operatives Wednesday morning at his office, that the Government was faced with many challenges in this regard.

“We are saying, as a general statement as from 2015 going forward, that when you are entitled to your leave, you have to take it in the year. If you don’t use it, you are going to lose it,” he said. Minister Harmon explained that Government was facing significant challenges with regard to public servants and their leave, particularly as it relates to senior officers who have accumulated hundreds of days of leave.

It was pointed out that proper records were not being kept by various ministries and semi-autonomous bodies and that some public servants proceeded on leave and were also being

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

paid salary in lieu for the same leave. The Minister of State made reference to one Ministry where a Permanent Secretary was sent on leave.

He was entitled to 195 days’ leave. When the files were checked, there were documents to show that the same person was paid three -four months’ pay in lieu of leave.

This, Harmon said, has resulted from ineffective filing

and record keeping.

“So we are having a lot of issues with public servants’ leave. The position that we take is that people must enjoy their leave in the year the leave becomes due. The only time you will find people who don’t want to go on leave at all is when they want to sit on something,” Harmon said, adding that, the Government wanted people to enjoy their leave.

Only this week, Finance Minister Winston Jordan was forced to send some 20 Customs officials on leave. He noted that some of the employees have leave amounting to 300, 280, and 240 days and he thought that they should proceed on leave and return.

Nevertheless, he stated that before sending the officers on leave, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner General was consulted and the Finance Minister was assured that the decision to send the staff on leave would not affect the smooth running of the Authority. “As the list

Bulkan replaces Rose Hall Town IMC – PNCR’s Winston Hope elected Chairman

The newly sworn-in members of the Rose Hall Town IMC

P

eople’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) activist Winston Hope was on Wednesday elected as the Chairman of the newly installed Rose Hall Town Interim Management Committee (IMC).

This follows the disbanding of the former IMC on Tuesday by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, who installed a new 12-person IMC. At Wednesday’s election, Hope was unanimously elected as Chairman while Arnold King was elected as Vice Chairman. The previous IMC, which came into being in 2005, was depleted with only five councillors being active. This resulted in the IMC not having a quorum to hold statutory meetings to discuss the town’s business. Then Opposition had severely criticised the former Government for installing a number of IMCs across the country.

The other members of the IMC are: the 10 Councillors – Rookmin Ramcharran, Paul La Cruz, Gregory Butcher, Raywattie Dhanpat, Andrea Batson,

Ikeela Benjamin, David Fraser, Sandra Chisholm, Kenrick Davis and Glen Khadaar.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Wednesday about plans for the country’s smallest town, Hope said one of his first projects would be the rehabilitation of the Rose Hall Market, Municipal Ground and the Courts Kiddies Corner. He added that the new IMC would be looking at concreting all of the drains in the town. “We want to do that so that we will be able to clean them easily and prevent stagnant water from being in the town. With concrete drains we can also get the Fire Department to assist to flush out the drains.”

Currently, the town of Rose Hall had mud drains.

Hope also said that the IMC would be seeking to reactivate the farmlands situated in Rose Hall. There are about 500 acres of farmland which sits idle in the southernmost part of the town.

Most of the land had previously been under private cane cultivation. “Most of the drains are clogged up

and for the past two decades nothing was done to develop those lands, so people slowly gave up farming. We want people to go back to farming and take up those abundant lands,” the new IMC Chairman said.

Hope, who has been a PNC activist for the past 33 years, said the town was in need of public convenient facilities so that the more than 5000 persons who visit the town daily could be accommodated. According to the Chairman, the town is also in need of a landfill site. He noted that the landfill site which has been earmarked was situated at Number Naught Village – 20 miles away from Rose Hall.

Arrangements were being made by the previous IMC to utilise a section of the town for a landfill site.

However, to date, no approval has been given by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) for the site to be used for the disposal of solid waste. Meanwhile, the new Rose Hall IMC will be holding its statutory meetings on the third Wednesday of every month.

was perused, I asked the Commissioner General if by sending a particular person on leave, will it affect the operations at the GRA … and once he would have indicated in the negative, we immediately informed the officer to proceed on leave,” Jordan added. He noted his surprise that members of staff had that amount of leave, and as result, emphasised that it was time for them to recharge their batteries and come back refreshed.

The Minister stated that at no point in time, heads of department should encourage staff members to have accumulative leave owed to them. “Once the time has come for leave to be taken… it must be taken … we cannot have people working in an organisation for years without taking leave… there are others who can do the same job,” he noted.

Also recently, Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wordsworth was sent on 308 days ‘leave commencing on July 5.

Wordsworth had headed the NDIA for a number of years.

R

etired Major General Joseph Singh has been appointed head of a task force Government has established to address the flood situation in Guyana.

Minister Patterson informed that there were moves to get the multidisciplinary task force on track.

Given the massive rainfall and continuous flooding in and around Georgetown, the unit will be required to focus on the drainage situation among others.

The unit, headed by the retired Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief, will also include engineers Charles Sohan, Malcolm Ali, Andrew Bishop, Egbert Carter, Stanley Ming and Dr David Singh, along with representatives of the Civil Defence Commission, the Private Sector and Government Ministries.

Patterson said Government has also been promised assistance from the Netherlands which would send a technical team here to assist the task force in its work. The unit will also be supported by a secretariat, which was established over the last two weeks.

The unit will be venturing out to the various regions to

Retired Major General Joe Singh

see how best it could assess their drainage. The Minister last month made the announcement of the establishment of the Board, after it was found that a number of sluices had been inoperable for a while, a contributing factor to the widespread flooding in the capital.

Cabinet had approved the multidisciplinary task force, established to present a holistic plan for the further restoration and renewal of Georgetown. Its mandate was later expanded to include drainage, traffic management and rehabilitation of all towns and urban centres.

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, july 23, 2015

Regional

UWI targets younger recruits Additional financing option

for Barbados

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Dr Jennifer Obidah (second right) and FirstCaribbean Bank’s Mark St Hill (next to her), giving students an idea of what they can expect during the week

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he University of the West Indies (UWI) has launched a programme which will see it recruiting students from a much earlier age. Speaking at the opening of the UWI 101 programme in the Arts Lecture Theatre on Monday, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education, Dr Jennifer Obidah, said it was one way of making sure future generations knew about UWI and what it had to offer.

She admitted that the programme was on one hand a way to address the fall-off in enrolment, which she said prompted them to think of

ways of “reintroducing UWI, in a more dynamic way, to the Barbadian and also regionally and internationally”.

Dr Obidah said it was also her way of working with the youngsters over the summer, and introducing them to what UWI had to offer. “[At] the University of the West Indies we’re determined to make effort to bring our young people to us.

We’re not taking for granted that the young people are going to choose us. That’s in the past. We know that we’re in competition with many other choices that they have, and we know we have a good

product, so it’s up to us to make sure that they know the kind of product that we have,” Obidah said.

The programme opened with 75 students, but Obidah said she expected more to register by the end of the day. They ranged in age from 15 to 17 years old.

Students were drawn from 18 secondary schools, including one private, and were all recommended by either the principal or guidance counsellor at their school.

FirstCaribbean International Bank provided scholarships for almost all the students who are on the programme. (Excerpt from Pressreader)

Venezuela detains two exmilitary officers over drugs

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enezuela said on Tuesday it had arrested two former military officers on drug charges including one man linked by the government to Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel and wanted by the United States.

Foreign and local critics allege Venezuela’s socialist Government, under current President Nicolás Maduro and former leader Hugo Chávez, has been abetting cocaine shipments from neighbouring Colombia to the United States and

Europe.

But officials here say that is a lie, intended to justify US-led hostility toward the Government, and point to arrests such as those of the two former military officers at an Army roadblock on Monday as evidence of Venezuela’s anti-drugs zeal.

The best-known of the two detainees is retired captain Vassyly Villarroel, 43, who headed a trafficking group called “The 40s Cartel”, said a statement from the Interior Ministry.

He was wanted for drug

crimes and money-laundering in the United States and was a financier of the Sinaloa cartel, the statement added. “He is responsible for sending large quantities of cocaine from Mexico to the United States.”

A former Lieutenant, Robert Pinto, 32, who escaped jail in 2013 and was a leader of trafficking groups in Anzoategui and Sucre states, was also arrested during the same operation, the Ministry and state media said. (Reuters)

n additional financing option to assist Barbados in its development was created with the signing of agreements

by Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, Minister of Finance, Christopher Sinckler, and the Executive President of the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) L Enrique Garcia.

A Policy Based Agreement and an Agreement on Technical Cooperation were signed at Government Headquarters, with officials from Government and CAF witnessing the brief ceremony.

Prime Minister Stuart said: “Pursuant to the Agreement for the Subscription of Common Capital Stock which afforded Barbados the opportunity to subscribe to Series “C” Shares in CAF, was an Agreement for a Policy Based Loan for US$50 million in support of the Barbados Growth and Development Strategy, 2013 to 2020. This loan enables Barbados to fund the shares in CAF to the level

T

National Congress (UNC) party. She said the bank has agreed to provide US$100 million to co-finance projects in the energy sector over the next six years.

“This will enable promotion of energy diversification, energy efficiency and a reliable supply of alternative fuels at a reduced cost in the Caribbean. It is very exciting because it will bring

stability, security and sustainability to our region,” Persad-Bissessar said.

She added that it would help Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean. “Recently [Caribbean Community] Caricom declared its unequivocal support for the initiative. So you see with my Government, Trinidad and Tobago is leading and energising the region,” she said.

(Caribbean News Now)

of three thousand, five hundred and twenty-two Series “C” shares.”

He pointed out that the Agreement for the Subscription of Common Capital Stock between Barbados and the CAF was signed last September in Washington and it was followed up with the signing of the Agreement of Immunities, Exemptions and Privileges last November.

The Prime Minister explained that Barbados’ in-

terest in developing a relationship with CAF, which he described as a “unique international financial institution” dated back to 2002.

Stating that the signing of the agreements was the start of a long-term relationship, Mr Garcia gave the assurance that Barbados could count on the CAF’s support.

He said the financial institution might adopt many more initiatives in the future to support this country’s development and growth strategy. (Excerpt form BGISMedia)

Jamaica Police Force rocked by second cop killing in a week

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nother Police Officer has been gunned down, a week after a female Constable he worked with was killed.

Constable Lyndon Barrett was shot in the head and upper body around 20:00h last night while on patrol on Wellington Street in downtown Kingston.

Last Thursday, his colleague at the Denham Town Police Station in Westcentral Kingston, 24-yearold Constable Crystal Thomas, was shot on a bus after leaving work.

In a statement issued after the latest cop kill-

ing, Minister of National Security Peter Bunting said it was another sad day for the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the country, and called all Jamaicans to join him in “condemning this heinous crime”.

“We will not allow this cowardly attack on law and order to go unpunished. I wish to assure the Jamaican people that the Police will not be deterred in their efforts to defend communities and to maintain the pressure on criminal elements,” he said.

The Minister encouraged the men and women of

the Jamaica Constabulary Force to remain courageous and resolute in the face of the attacks. “We have the capacity to track and apprehend these vicious attackers, whose agenda seems to be to cause fear among the citizenry. With the partnership and cooperation of the people of Jamaica, we will bring these perpetrators to justice,” Bunting declared.

The murder of Constable Barrett also came less than 24 hours after gunmen fired shots in the vicinity of an armoured Police vehicle. (Excerpt

from Caribbean360)

Global warming is ticking time bomb for the Caribbean, expert says

IDB approves US$100M for A Caribbean energy facility proposed by Trinidad PM

he Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has said it will support a proposal by Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar to establish a multi-donor energy facility for Caribbean sustainability.

The Prime Minister made the announcement on Monday night at a political meeting of her United

CAF Executive President L Enrique Garcia (left), Finance Minister Christopher Sinckler (right) and Prime Minister Freundel Stuart (centre) are all smiles after signing agreements for policy and technical cooperation today at Government Headquarters

leading geothermal expert warns that the small island states in the Caribbean face “a ticking time bomb” due to the effects of global warming and suggests a shift away from fossil fuels to renewable energy is the only way to defuse it.

President of the Ocean Geothermal Energy Foundation (OGEF), Jim Shnell says to solve the problems of global warming and climate change, the world needs a new energy source to replace coal, oil and other carbon-based fuels.

“With global warming

comes the melting of the icecaps in Greenland and Antarctica and the projection is that at the rate we are going, they will both melt by the end of this century,” Shnell told IPS, adding “if that happens the water levels in the ocean will rise by approximately 200 feet and there are some islands that will disappear altogether.

It has taken just eight inches of water for Jamaica to be affected by rising sea levels, with one of a set of cays called Pedro Cays disappearing in recent years.

Scientists have warned

that as the seas continue to swell, they will swallow entire island nations from the Maldives to the Marshall Islands, inundate vast areas of countries from Bangladesh to Egypt, and submerge parts of scores of coastal cities.

In the Caribbean, scientists have also pointed to the likelihood of Barbuda disappearing in 40 years. Shnell said countries could “essentially eliminate” the threat by turning to renewable energy, thereby decreasing the amount of fossil fuels or carbon-based fuels they burn.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

thursday, july 23, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

South Sudan Army crushed India arrests 16 for beheading civilians under tanks – HRW woman for ‘witchcraft’

The 42-page HRW report was based on interviews with 173 survivors – a fraction of those killed in the April through June offensive [Getty]

S

outh Sudan’s Government forces and armed groups allied to it have carried out a series of horrific killings, rapes, including burning civilians alive and crushing others under tanks, in devastating violence in the Unity State since May, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said.

The international human rights advocacy group said in a report released on Wednesday, that the brutal offensive in rebel-held parts of the Unity State is “the latest in a conflict characterised by shocking disregard for civilian life”.

It accused the Government troops of committing war crimes and pos-

sibly crimes against humanity during its offensive.

“Government-aligned forces carried out gruesome killings and widespread rapes and burned countless homes as they swept across large parts of Unity State,” Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said.

The conflict in South Sudan began in December 2013, when clashes erupted between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned to the former Vice President Riek Machar.

Two million people have fled their homes, with 100,000 forced to flee since May alone.

The struggle between the two sides has been dominat-

ed by war crimes, including widespread killings of civilians because of their ethnicity or perceived allegiances, HRW said.

The South Sudanese army and their allies in the Bul Nuer ethnic group forcibly displaced tens of thousands of people in Unity by attacking women, elderly, and children, while burning villages and stealing cattle, Human Rights Watch alleges.

Responding to the report, Philip Aguer, South Sudan army spokesperson, told Al Jazeera that his Government was ready to accept any investigation but also urged for a probe into the behaviour of rebel groups. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Burundi Opposition Leader calls for unity Government

B

urundi’s leading Opposition politician has called on President Pierre Nkurunziza to hold talks with rivals and form a national unity government after this week’s election, saying it could help avert a new civil war.

Agathon Rwasa, a former rebel leader like Nkurunziza in Burundi’s civil war, told the Reuters news agency on Wednesday that there was an urgent need to prevent generals behind a failed coup in May taking up arms in the crisis sparked by the incumbent’s bid for a third term in office.

A Government of national unity is not a problem for Pierre Nkurunziza, we are ready to do so “Some have already been waving the threat of armed struggle,” he said.

“For the sake of Burundi, the idea of a Government of national unity can be accepted,” he said, adding his demands also included new elections, possibly in a year.

Reacting to the call from the Opposition, a presidential official told Reuters that Nkurunziza would not oppose forming a national unity government in the event of him winning the election.

“A Government of national unity is not a problem for Pierre Nkurunziza, we are ready to do so,” Willy Nyamitwe, Adviser to the President said.

But he rejected the idea of cutting short any new fiveyear mandate as “impossible”.

Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa, reporting from Bujumbura, said Opposition Leaders have been talking up the possibility of a unity Government even before Tuesday’s election.

Our correspondent, however, said the process could “take time” since the votes are still being counted. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Italian Police seize €2B in ‘Ndrangheta mafia assets

I

talian Police have seized €2 billion of assets that belonged to a powerful mafia group in a series of raids.

The seizures included hundreds of betting shops owned by the ‘Ndrangheta, who experts say are behind most of Europe’s cocaine trade.

Police also issued 41 arrest warrants.

Italy’s Interior Minister, Angelino Alfano, said the raids in the southern Calabria region were

“a serious blow to the ‘Ndrangheta”.

Police said they had seized at least 1500 betting shops, 82 gambling websites, 45 Italian companies and 11 foreign firms, as well as a large number of other properties.

Six of the companies were in Malta, they said.

Two were in Spain, two in Romania and one was in Austria.

The gang “recycled an enormous amount of ‘dirty’ money through the use of

gaming accounts assigned to willing or unwitting people,” a police statement said.

“They bypassed the laws governing this sector, accumulating significant profits that were then reinvested in the acquisition of new companies and licences to further expand their activities,” it added.

The ‘Ndrangheta is a network of clans in the “toe” of Italy that dominates the country’s cocaine trade. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Police say villagers blamed a woman for their illnesses

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olice in India say they have held 16 people in connection with the killing of a woman accused of practising witchcraft.

Purni Orang, 63, was stripped naked and beheaded by villagers in Assam state, after she was blamed for illness in a tribal settlement in Sonitpur district.

Among those arrested were nine women.

Police in Assam say nearly 90 people, mostly women, have been beheaded, burnt alive or stabbed

to death after such accusations over the last six years.

Branding women as witches is particularly prevalent among tribal communities and tea plantation workers in the state.

The Police said the villagers in Sonitpur district had killed another woman after branding her a witch some seven years ago.

A group of villagers have protested at the local Police station, demanding the release of those arrested.

“Purni was a witch and had cast evil spells on her

enemies, there is no place for such sorcerers and so her killing is justified”, Kiran Teronpi, a villager, was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

In October, an Indian athlete Debjani Bora was severely beaten after being branded a witch in Assam.

Experts say superstitious beliefs are behind some of these attacks, but there are occasions when people – especially widows – are targeted for their land and property. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Greek bailout vote puts Syriza party rebellion to the test

G

reek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras sought on Wednesday to contain a rebellion in his left-wing Syriza party ahead of a vote on a second package of reforms required to start talks on a rescue deal.

A first set of reforms that focused largely on tax hikes and budget discipline triggered a rebellion in Syriza last week and passed only thanks to votes from proEU Opposition parties.

The bill lawmakers voted on late on Wednesday covers rules for dealing with

failed banks and speeding up the justice system – two more conditions set by the eurozone and International Monetary Fund (IMF) to open negotiations on an 86 billion euro rescue loan.

The legislation is all but certain to pass, despite planned protests, after proEuropean Opposition parties said they would back it.

But with divisions in Tsipras’ leftist Syriza party laid bare by last week’s rebellion by 39 deputies, Wednesday’s vote will be closely monitored to see if he loses even more support.

“We are making an effort to have fewer dissenters,” Health Minister Panagiotis Kouroumplis told Greek TV, while Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said it was crucial that Parliament backed the deal so bailout talks could start on Friday.

But hardline Left Platform lawmakers from the Syriza party, who opposed last week’s bill, said they rejected this week’s law as well and they complained about the length of the bill, which covered more than 900 pages. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Dissident Chinese artist gets his passport back

D

issident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has gotten back his passport four years after it was confiscated by Beijing authorities and plans to attend a London exhibition in September.

The artist and Government critic posted an Instagram photo on Wednesday of himself holding a Chinese passport with the caption, “Today, I got my passport.”

Ai’s representative confirmed the passport had been returned, but did not immediately respond to further questions.

Ai was on his way to Hong Kong from Beijing,

Ai Weiwei

when he was detained by authorities for about three months in 2011, but not charged. His design firm later was slapped with a $2.4 million tax bill, which he fought unsuccessfully in Chinese courts.

Chinese authorities of-

ten deny passports to dissidents who might embarrass the ruling Communist Party overseas.

Ai’s work has gotten much attention worldwide, making him one of bestknown Chinese dissidents.

Britain’s Royal Academy of Arts said Ai would travel to London for a major exhibition of his work in September.

“This is wonderful news for Ai Weiwei, his family and for artists worldwide,” said Royal Academy Director Tim Marlow. “We are delighted to announce that he will be joining us as we finalise the installation of his exhibition.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

16 News

thursday, july 23, 2015| guyanatimesGY.com

GPL Deputy CEO sent on leave DPP to decide on whether to Crum-Ewing’s murder

– for allegedly paying himself $27.8M

GPL Deputy CEO Aeshwar Deonarine

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he forensic audit being carried out into the PetroCaribe Fund has revealed that officials at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) have been allegedly siphoning off funds into their personal accounts.

The revelation was made on Wednesday by Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson. The discovery has seen Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of GPL, Aeshwar Deonarine being sent on immediate administrative leave. He has been accused of transferring some $27.8 million to his personal account. He also paid board member Carvil Duncan a sum of $948,000, which was not authorised.

Government had found that close to $142 million of the PetroCaribe Fund was plugged into the operations of the state-owned GPL. This was realised after Government said it had found an empty PetroCaribe

fund when it took office and later launched an investigation.

Based on information, Patterson explained, the power company has two DCEOs – one for operations and the other for administration. Patterson said apparently the operations DCEO was receiving a higher salary than the administration DCEO and the operations DCEO had been making representations to the Board for there to be parity in the salaries of the two. This, he explained, was reportedly disapproved by the previous Board. In June of this year, with the signature of Director Duncan, Deonarine made the payment to himself retroactive from January 2013 to June 2015.

Patterson said Board Members had made several representations to have board fees increase from $5000 to $20,000. He said while the Board had discussed the recommendation, no final decision was made in that regard. However, Duncan later went ahead and approved payment to the tune of $948,000 for himself, representing “back pay” for the 48 months that he has been a board member of GPL. Duncan, who sits on several other Boards and Commissions, including the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Judicial Service Commission, is reportedly the only director who received a retroactive payment from GPL. Patterson said when clarification was sought, Duncan

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GPL Board Member Carvil Duncan

had given conflicting reports.

He had said that the Board had given him the authority to take the money. When he was later confronted, he said the Chairman had given him permission. Chairman Winston Brassington was contacted and denied ever giving such permission.

Patterson said when he was further questioned, Duncan disclosed that former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds had given the go-ahead. The former PM, when contacted, denied such and when later confronted again, Duncan reportedly said that it “had to be President Ramotar”.

The information, Patterson informed would be forwarded to the Police to assist them in the criminal investigation. The life of the current Board comes to an end this month. Efforts by this newspaper to contact both Deonarine and Duncan were futile.

Duo charged for robbery on Sol Guyana Inc granted bail

A

duo was allowed to walk out of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday after paying $200,000 bail each for a charge of break and enter and simple larceny.

Michael Gomes, a 35-year-old Fish Vendor and Businessman Devon Allicock, 23, pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged they broke into a Sol Guyana Inc warehouse in Agricola, Greater Georgetown, and

stole 135 pails of Shell Rimula Oil R2 40 valued $2,317,680 between July 17-19.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones told the court that the warehouse was secured on July 17 when everyone left for the day. It was on July 19 around 20:00h that the Police received information about the robbery and went to the Sol compound where they conducted a search and found that the warehouse was indeed broken into and

charge Regan Rodrigues

the aforementioned items were missing.

Further investigations by the police indicated that the duo had made their escape via the Demerara River where a boat was waiting for them.

Prosecutor Jones had no objections to bail. Neither of the defendants was represented by an Attorney.

Magistrate McLennan granted them bail and they are expected back in court on July 29.

he Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack is today expected to deliver her advice on whether to charge a man accused of killing activist Courtney CrumEwing earlier this year.

Crum-Ewing was gunned down on March 10 while encouraging residents of Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara to cast their vote in the May 11 General and Regional Elections. A source had told Guyana Times that the .32 pistol which was found in Regan Rodrigues’ possession on Monday last was tested and it was proved that the same gun was used to execute the exsoldier. Rodrigues was on Wednesday last charged and refused bail for being in possession of the Taurus pistol and 14 matching rounds. He was remanded and will make his next court appearance for that matter on August 4. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Sunday morning told media operatives that investigators have hard evidence against the suspect which can potentially lead to prosecution. “This is not somebody we just went on the road and pick up off the street. He has been fingered previously in at least one execution and also he is a known character to the Police … so currently we are continuing our probe into the Courtney Crum-Ewing murder,” Blanhum stated.

From the inception, it was believed that CrumEwing’s execution was politically motivated and this

Courtney Crum-Ewing

was confirmed by Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud on Saturday when he was bombarded with questions from the media with respect to probe.“There are several lines of inquiry: the proximity of the incident to the election, the time of the incident to the election would have driven one line of inquiry that this thing may be related to the elections. The fact that it occurred near to the home of a political activist again developed that line of inquiry that not only this thing is related to election, but somebody wants to bring a focus to the individual that lives there,” Persaud told media operatives on Saturday.

With Rodrigues in custody, the Police are looking for the “intellectual authors” in the execution-style killing, since they believe that the suspect was paid a hefty sum to get the job done to cause chaos during the elections period. They have a few leads that they will con-

tinue to pursue and the investigative team is confident that they will have a major breakthrough sooner or later.

Crum-Ewing, a father of three, came to the public’s attention after he held a one-man demonstration for 80 days in front of the office of Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, following revelations of a taped conversation between that official and a senior reporter of Kaieteur News.

He was shot five times – three bullets to the head, one to the back of the neck and the fifth bullet entered under one of his arms. All the bullets were fired from behind and at close range except the one that hit under his arm and exited through his shoulder. Rodrigues has been implicated in a number of armed robberies within the past 10 years. He was held for illegal possession of arms and ammunition and armed robberies, one of which cost him 10 years in prison. He was also questioned for the murder of Police Corporal Romein Cleto, who was gunned down in the vicinity of Avenue of the Republic and Regent Street, Georgetown in April 2013. Also, he was questioned for the murder of Jason Wills, called “Teddy”, of Mahdia, Region Eight who was shot at least seven times in May 2013 as he sat watching television in the bottom flat of the two-storey house at Meadow Brook Gardens.

US Department of State officials pay courtesy call on AG

$15,000 fine for woman caught with ganja

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35-year-old woman was fined $15,000 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday when she admitted to carrying a quantity of cannabis sativa (marijuana).

Nicole Sawyers appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan after she was charged with being in possession of four grams of marijuana, while she was in Kwakwani Park, Berbice, on July 20.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones told the court that the Police were tipped off about the marijuana in the apartments along

Kwakwani Park, hence their search of the building. The defendant was found accompanied by a male.

Prosecutor Jones said she was told of their suspicions so when the Police asked her about any illegal drugs she may have on her persons, she handed over the packaged leaves and stems. She told them that someone named “Jerry” had given it to her.

Corporal Jones said she was taken to the Kwakwani Police Station, with the man called “Jerry” where the narcotic was weighed in their presence.

However, though she admitted to being in possession of the narcotic, she told the court that it was given to her by the male she was accompanying. They had gone to the apartment for some money as he is the father of her child.

Sawyers said she “didn’t know what to do” when he gave it to her, so she stuck it in her waist where the Police later found it. She was extremely “sorry” and would not do such a thing again.

Magistrate McLennan heard her and fined her $15,000, along with two weeks community service.

From left to right: Attorney General Basil Williams, US Embassy International and Law Enforcement (INL) Coordinator Leon Carr and Economic and Commercial Officer Frisco Mc Donald

L

egal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Basil Williams on Wednesday met with United States Embassy’s Economic and Commercial Officer Frisco Mc Donald and International and Law Enforcement (INL) Coordinator Leon Carr

at the Attorney General Chambers.

Donald focused on legislation to support Guyana’s efforts to prepare its energy sector for oil through its Energy Governance and Capacity Initiative (EGCI) , while Carr spoke on cybercrime and the US

Department of Justice’s proffered assistance to participating countries in developing laws and procedures that will improve their ability to investigate and prosecute crimes involving the use of computers and the Internet.

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news

thursday, july 23, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

PPP/C rejects links to Postponement of Toshaos’ Elections Crum-Ewing’s murder Ministry says “villages” did

T

he People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has rejected allegations that it had a part to play in the killing of ex-solder, Courtney Crum-Ewing.

In a statement, the Party said that Freedom House is available to all who seek help. “It is a political office,” the Party insisted. According to the PPP characteristically, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) has already determined the outcome prejudicing the results with their hostile anti-PPP statements. “Leader of the AFC and Ministers of the APNU/AFC Government have already discovered PPP/C involvement from the very evening of the execution of Crum-Ewing and publicly proclaimed the direction that the investigation must take in establishing the political connection, the political intellectual authors,

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

the PPP of his murder. The PPP/C exposes this entire effort as a plot by the APNU/ AFC Government. It is apposite to note that at no time did Shawn Hinds mention Ministerial involvement.”

According to the PPP, their entire campaign in Opposition was about the high level of PPP corruption

in office. “The APNU/AFC Government is ashamed to admit their failure to uncover those levels of corruption and accept the conclusion that they misled the Guyanese people. The plot involving Shawn Hinds incriminating PPP/C Ministers and members must be exposed for what it is, designed by the Granger-Government to tarnish the image of the PPP with accusations of murder and directing the investigations to prove PPP/C involvement.”

“The PPP/C rejects any involvement in CrumEwing’s murder. The PPP/C rejects the vile attempts by the Government to link it with the killing. The PPP/C calls on the Guyana Police Force to disclose the results of their investigations into the murder. The PPP is confident that this disclosure will exonerate the PPP/C fully.”

Environmental Tax payment

Govt, RUDISA enter pact to reduce US$7.72M settlement

S

urinamese beverage company Rudisa International NV has agreed to “significantly” reduce the whopping US$7.7 million owed by the Government of Guyana for taxes imposed on the company.

The agreement was made during an early morning meeting between President David Granger and the owner of the company, Rudi Sardjoe, on Wednesday to iron out a settlement of some $1.2 billion that Guyana was ordered by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to repay the company for taxes charged on imported beverage bottles.

Government’s failure to repay the money in a timely manner has resulted in the cost being increased by an additional $4 million, to a total of $1.6 billion. However, the engagement between President Granger and the beverage company’s boss has resulted in Sardjoe agreeing to Government repaying a reduced sum.

Sardjoe commented that his decision was based on the fact that he wanted to maintain good relations with Guyana. He said: “It is not about the money ... We are a company working in Guyana a lot and we want to maintain the close relations that we have with the people of Guyana.”

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon was also part of the meeting, and pointed out that it was important for there to be good cooperation between investors and the Government of Guyana.

He added too that the agreement bodes well for the relationship between Guyana and the company.

“When Guyana has to fork out money to pay for anything, it is the people of the country that actual-

ly have to do without and so Mr Sarjoe’s generosity is something we really appreciate. He has actually given us a package which gives us some breathing room,” the Minister of State said.

Further, Harmon, while speaking on the matter at the post-Cabinet press briefing later in the day, disclosed that the total of US$7.72 million also included interest to the tune of US$338,000 as well as legal cost of some US$120,000. While he did not disclose the reduced figure, the Minister of State stated that it was “reasonably significant”.

Extension

Also as part of the preliminary agreement, Government was able to obtain an extension to the period of time within which the judgement is to be paid. The case is scheduled to be heard by the CCJ today for reports.

Nevertheless, Harmon posited that Government was committed to abiding by the court ruling. “We respect judgments of courts and once they are final judgments, we accept also the consequences … This is why we have been in consultation and talks with the person who has the judgement in his favour, for us to basically work it out. These are things that have been thrown into our laps by the previous Administrations and we have to now clean up that mess,” he declared.

In May last year, the CCJ ordered Guyana to pay the Surinamese beverage company some $1.2 billion, for imposing the controversial “environmental tax” on each non-returnable bottle imported into the country. Rudisa, along with its local distributor, Caribbean International Distributors Inc, claimed that the tax was

against the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC), a view which the court upheld and subsequently ordered the repayment.

However, former Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, during an interview last year, had pointed out that Government was being made to repay the company when the tax monies never went to the customers. She explained that during the testimony of the Surinamese company’s, Sardjoe stated that it had adopted certain measures in preparation of the company’s invoices to prevent passing on the taxes to customers.

“Now if you fudged the invoices, then you owe me or I ain’t owe you anything … you basically demonstrated that you didn’t pass it on to the customers, you did something with the invoices… if you say you fudge the invoice to pay less then you breaking our laws,” the former Minister had argued.

Rudisa subsequently informed the court that it will write off the payments if the Guyana Government sought to amend the legislation. The previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration had taken the amendment bill to the National Assembly, but it was voted down by the combined parliamentary Opposition.

Addressing this issue, the Minister of State went on to say that Government will soon be presenting the amended legislation, which will be passed by its majority 33 seats. He revealed that Cabinet has already seen and approved a draft for that section of the law, which is discriminatory in nature, to be expunged so that there can be a level playing field for all companies and investors.

not qualify for elections

T

he Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry has stated that the last-minute postponement of the Elections for Toshaos in two villages in Region One (Barima-Waini) on July 21 was because it was only then realised that those two communities were not legally identified as Amerindian Villages. The Ministry said they were without Amerindian Land Titles and therefore, the Ministry could not possibly supervise an election process for a community that was not legally Amerindian land.

Four Miles and Eclipse Falls Top both received confirmation letters from the Ministry for elections to take place on Tuesday, July 21 at 09:00h, but as officials were just about to commence the process, they were informed, without reason, that the elections must be stopped.

Village leaders of both communities were informed of this development by the Amerindian Regional Executive Officer (AREO) Susan Sawack who reported that instructions were given by Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock to halt all election proceedings.

Guyana Times spoke to the Adviser on Indigenous People’s Affairs Mervyn Williams on Wednesday who explained that the reason the Ministry decided to halt the elections was because the two communities were being managed by Community Development Councils (CDC) and the Ministry was only mandated to supervise elections for Amerindian Villages (meaning those villages with Amerindian Land Titles).

He sympathised with the fact that CDC-run villages needed elections, but made it clear that the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry was not responsible for overseeing that aspect.

“We inherited an operation that was a bit snub … The previous Administration created CDCs, but there is no statutory body that provides for CDC. It is not provided for by law … the Ministry only supervises Amerindian Villages. I guess the AREOs were accustomed to running these elections in this manner, but the Ministry is not responsible for elections in CDCs …in the future, the government [would], and I believe the responsibility lies with the Honourable Minister Bulkan (Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan) to determine how they want to deal with CDCs,” he explained.

Former Adviser to the Amerindian Affairs Minister, Yvonne Pearson

Adviser on Indigenous People’s Affairs Mervyn Williams

Amerindian Communities However, former Adviser to the Amerindian Affairs Minister, Yvonne Pearson pointed out that the Amerindian Act 2006 shows that there was a clear distinction between an Amerindian Village and an Amerindian Community and that the Ministry in charge has responsibility for both.

According to the Act, an Amerindian Village means “a group of Amerindians occupying or using Village lands; “Village lands” means lands owned communally by a Village under title granted to a Village Council to hold for the benefit of the Village”, whereas an Amerindian Community is “a group of Amerindians organised as a traditional community with a common culture and occupying or using the State lands which they have traditionally occupied or used”.

Pearson further stated that both Community Councils and Village Councils fall under the responsibility of the Ministry.

She quoted Section 85 of the Amerindian Act: "The Minister may by order recognise as a Community Council, a council which was established by an Amerindian Community no later than 31st December 2003".

She explained that Eclipse Falls Top was considered an Amerindian Community because it was yet to receive its title, but despite this, elections should have been held as it was provided for in the law. Section 86 of the Amerindian Act ensures that Community Councils "exercise the same functions of a Village Council" argued Pearson.

Further, she emphasized that Eclipse Falls Top already applied for Land Title and investigations were completed under the previous Administration

and it was agreed that the community qualified to be titled.

Pearson also contended that under the previous Administration, elections were held in those areas and therefore, she was utterly surprised that Minister Allicock would put a halt to the elections, especially with such short notice.

“I am highly disappointed that both the Minister and his adviser, Mervyn Williams do not know this, and have ot respected the principle of FPIC” she said.

Elections in Four Mile Meanwhile, following the postponement, Williams said research was done into the two communities and it was discovered that Four Miles' application for Land Title was actually already approved under the previous Administration but the document was not yet delivered by the Ministry.

However Pearson indicated that the new Administration knew the Four Miles was titled since this information was given to them when they took Office.

"If they didn't know then all they had to do was consult with me or the Amerindian Land Titling Project staff before they sent us all away" she argued.

Williams said the Ministry would soon be delivering the document to the Four Mile community and since it would now legally be identified as an Amerindian Village, the Ministry could then supervise an election process.

As it relates to Eclipse Fall Top, Williams disclosed that the application was currently being processed. He said, thus far, the residents were united in their quest to achieve village status and for that reason, he was confident that they would receive their title in the near future.

4-month sentence for Construction Worker who stole from 11-year-old

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Construction Worker was sentenced to four months imprisonment on Wednesday when he was found guilty of robbing an 11-year-old boy.

Omar Stephens is 21 years old and a resident of 28 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Magistrate Annette Singh sentenced him to imprisonment after he was found guilty of simple larceny.

The court heard that

on May 25, while the Virtual Complainant was on East Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, the accused stole a black RCA Tablet valued $15,000 from him.

Initially, Stephens had pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him on his first court appearance in May. However, after a trial – where persons who witnessed the incident and Police Officers who took the

charge came forward to testify – the verdict was given on Stephens’ guilt.

In an appeal for leniency, Stephens told the court that he has three children and another one on the way. He told the court that the mother of his children does not work as he was the only breadwinner for the family.

Magistrate Singh heard this and granted him leniency in the form of the fourmonth sentence.

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, july 23, 2015

ARCHIE

The money that is headed your way should be put into (March 21April 19) your savings and not squandered on unnecessary purchases. Plan on enjoying inexpensive entertainment with a friend.

ARIES

You will need to go TAURUS through unusual sources to (April 20- get the information you need.

May 20) It’s time to have a heart-to-

dilbert

heart talk with someone who will be affected by the choices you make.

Someone from your past GEMINI (May 21- will help you find a way out June 20) of a current situation. Your research will help you decide whether an investment offer is worth your while.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Your ideas may not be welcome if you share your plans prematurely. Mulling over your thoughts will help you precisely present what you want to do.

It’s easy to become anxLEO ious when you are constantly (July 23trying to improve. Getting toAug. 22) gether with people from your past will lighten your mood and give you a comforting sense of accomplishment.

Calvin and Hobbes

A creative approach to a VIRGO project will pay off. Property (Aug. 23or investment deals will turn Sept. 22) a profit if you are well-informed and have the cash, but don’t lend or borrow money.

Get together with friends.

LIBRA (Sept. 23- Family members will be hard Oct. 23) to deal with, so plan to attend a social event away from home. A short trip will lead to an opportunity.

SUDOKU

You will be able to perSCORPIO suade others to follow your (Oct. 24Nov. 22) plans. If you are assertive and bold, you will gain recognition, respect and assistance.

You may be itching to travSAGITTARIUS el, but it would be best to wait (Nov. 23if your budget is tight. Going Dec. 21) into debt for a quick getaway will seem like a mistake when the bills start flowing in.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

You will be inclined to CAPRICORN overreact to a personal mat(Dec. 22ter that arises. Financial, Jan. 19) medical or legal questions are best addressed swiftly. A professional change should be considered.

AQUARIUS

Helping others will boost (Jan. 20- your confidence and give you Feb. 19) a sense of satisfaction. It’s time to let your friends and allies know how much you value their support and encouragement.

Careful budgeting will PISCES (Feb. 20- help you out of a temporary fiMarch 20) nancial bind. Your plans may be set back for a while, but you will be able to get back on track if you are frugal.

thursday, july 23, 2015

19

Life of GFF’s Froome still leads as Thomas moves fourth Normalisation T Committee could be extended Tour de France 2015…

eam Sky’s Chris Froome remains as Tour de France leader after holding off several attacks by secondplaced Nairo Quintana as Germany’s Simon Geschke won stage 17 in the French Alps.

Giant’s Geschke broke free with 50km left of the 161km stage.

Earlier, American Tejay van Garderen, third in the general classification, was forced to retire through illness.

Froome leads Colombian Quintana by three minutes 10 seconds with Britain’s Geraint Thomas now fourth overall.

Team Sky rider Thomas improved his position after Van Garderen’s withdrawal and a late mechanical problem for Spaniard Alberto

By Avenash Ramzan

T

he life of Normalisation Committee of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) could be extended after Chairman Clinton Urling on Tuesday expressed doubt that its work could be completed by the September deadline stipulated by football’s world governing FIFA. The five-man Committee was put together last October

by FIFA to regularise the country’s football landscape, following years of administrative squabble.

FIFA’s Head of Member Association, Primo Cavaro, had said that the Normalisation Committee will be tasked with reforming the constitution of the GFF and its affiliates and had given a deadline of September 2015 for new elections to be held.

Subsequently, the GFF held its Extraordinary Congress in June at the Marriott Hotel where the new constitution was adopted, setting a pathway for the constitutional reform process of all 22 affiliates, and ultimately paving the way for elections.

Addressing local media operatives on Tuesday last at the GFF head office in Campbellville, Urling pointed out, “To finish all the Member Associations constitutions and also to go down on the ground and do everything, it doesn’t look like we’re going to reach the September deadline. We’ve worked as efficient as possible to meet the earlier date, but if we can meet the end of September; fine, but that will mean that by mid-August, all the Members would’ve had their constitutions and elections.”

He added, “Looking at it from my standpoint, I’m not optimistic that it could happen, but who knows. We have prepared a draft which will now be given to the Members and remember, the Normalisation Committee is the electoral body for all these elections; not just at the GFF level, but for our Member Associations as well.”

Quizzed on the possible length of the extension should the Normalisation Committee

Clinton Urling

miss the September deadline, businessman Urling replied, “I wish if I could tell you man.

I don’t know. I hope it’s the shortest possible time if an extension is given.”

Despite the magnitude of work at the door of the Committee, Urling is still hopeful of meeting the deadline and allowing the football fraternity to decide democratically who they wish to administer the affairs of football in Guyana.

“At the end of the day, we will just inform FIFA. From what I’m sensing, I don’t think extension might be more than two to three months, but I don’t know, I can’t say- that’s up to FIFA. They will have to decide based on the realities on the ground, and whatever process they use to even arrive at the first September date,” he highlighted.

It was under the Normalisation Committee that Guyana is closest to realising its first FIFA Goal Project, after securing a 30year lease for the Providence Community Centre ground, along with the resuscitation of the Golden Jaguars and especially the ‘Lady Jags’ after an almost five-year absence from the international arena.

Other members of the Normalisation Committee are Dr Karen Pilgrim, Tariq Williams, Rabindranauth Chandarpal and Dr Eric Phillips. In early June, Dr Phillips replaced Stuart May, who relinquished his role for personal reasons.

Simon Geschke

Contador, who started the day fifth and slipped to six minutes 40 seconds off the leaders’ pace.

After the end of stage 17, which climbed 161km through the Alps from Digne-les-Bains to Pra Loup, Spain’s Alejandro Valverde is now third, while Thomas is six minutes 34 seconds be-

hind Froome.

Geschke, 29, recorded his first stage victory in any Grand Tour race and it was the fifth stage won by a German rider in this year’s Tour de France.

Thought of as a domestique for team-mate John Degenkolb, Geschke pulled away on the category-one

climb up Col d’Allos.

Frenchman Thibaut Pinot suffered a fall in the subsequent descent, as he tried to pull back the leader, and American Andrew Talansky made a late attempt for the win but finished 32 seconds behind.

“I came as a helper for John but knew I could go for my own chances and today was that day,” Geschke told ITV4.

“I didn’t feel great this morning. I was going with the flow and suddenly I was in a bigger group and thought I’d give it a try. I hope Germany is proud.”

Today’s stage may have been Quintana’s best chance yet of making up time on 30-year-old leader Froome, with just three stages remaining before Sunday’s procession into Paris. (BBC

Sport)

Hammon is first female coach to win NBA title George

B

Becky Hammon

ecky Hammon is the first female head coach in NBA summer league history to win a title after San Antonio Spurs beat Phoenix Suns 9390 in the final.

Hammon, 38, became

the NBA’s first female fulltime assistant coach last year and then took charge of the Spurs for the Las Vegas tournament.

She said of her team: “They listened and they played really hard for me.

They were tired but fought through.”

Spurs won six straight games to win the off-season mini-league.

Hammon is a former professional basketball player who played in America, Spain and Russia and who played internationally for both the United States and Russia after gaining Russian citizenship.

Jonathan Simmons, 25, scored 23 points to take the Most Valuable Player Award.

He said: “She’s a real cool coach. She’s a player coach.

That’s something we all like.”

The Las Vegas competition is one of three summer leagues run by the NBA with clubs often using young players and trialists to identify potential future talent.

(BBC Sport)

Cricket stakeholders vent...

While he did not divulge much details of that meeting, Cameron said the burying of “personality issues” and having a desire to move forward in the interest of the game may be the best solution.

Having matters held up in the courts did not find favour with the WICB head, and he hinted at possible mediation, which was suggested by attorney-atlaw Emily Dodson.

Dodson, who kicked off the question and an-

swer session, was vocal in her quest to have women’s cricket being given more focus and attention at the regional level. She highlighted the need to have age group cricket for females, as in the case of the males.

Dodson was also keen on having the female cricketers receive attractive remuneration packages and contracts, just as their male counterparts are enjoying at certain levels of cricket. Cameron highlighted that the WICB cur-

makes 400m final at Pan Am Games

G

Winston George

from back page

rently has 10 females on retainer contracts.

Other issues that came to the fore were the sacking of Shivnarine Chanderpaul from the Test team, the High Performance Programme which has replaced the Sagicor High Performance Centre, the Professional Cricket League Four-day competition, West Indies’ IPL players’ availability, WICB’s subvention to the GCB and the MOU/CBA for players.

uyana’s top quarter-miler Winston George is into the final of the 400 metres at this year’s Pan American Championships after competing in his semi-final on Wednesday in Canada.

George clocked 46.39s to finish fifth, but qualified with the fastest time outside of the automatic qualifiers, who finished in the top three of the race.

George will have to produce one of his best races today if he is to leave Canada with some hardware when the final takes place.

20

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, july 23, 2015

Aussies ‘happy’ about Pietersen’s Ashes omission

Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 4th ODI, Colombo…

Shehzad, bowlers give Pakistan series A

F

Ahmed Shehzad was fluent from the start of the run-chase

or the third time in the series Pakistan denied those expecting drama and nerves and inexplicable events normally associated with Pakistan cricket. They first refused to let Sri Lanka get away despite a seemingly effortless 100-run secondwicket stand and dragged them down to 256, and then Ahmed Shehzad followed it with a ruthless chase of a target that could have been tricky on a dry turning surface. This was their first bilateral series win in Sri Lanka in nine years, and took them closer to Champions Trophy qualification.

In fact even in the second match - the one that they lost - Pakistan were predictable and excellent. They just came up against individual brilliance of the Pakistani kind, and even after that record fastest fifty by Kusal Perera Pakistan fought to make sure it was not a cakewalk for Sri Lanka. There was no such out-of-the-world brilliance from Sri Lanka this time, but Pakistan retained that tenacity even though Lahiru Thirimanne and Tillakaratne Dilshan seemed in control scoring half-centuries after Perera fell for a duck. The fielders cut out the singles, the spinners choked supply of easy runs, the quicks struck to cash in on the pressure, and Sri Lanka went from 170 for 3 to score only 86 in the last 14 overs.

As a comparison, in the next 14 overs there was enough evidence Pakistan were going to cruise through the chase. Sri Lanka finally went to using Lasith Malinga as an attacking option, but Azhar Ali and Shehzad took his first three overs for 20.

When it seemed like pace on ball was flying, Sri Lanka went to spin only to see Shehzad jump out of the crease and belt Sachith Pathirana back over his head first ball for a six. Nuwan Pradeep injured himself, Suranga Lakmal looked ineffective, and already Malinga was back for a second spell. Malinga provided a breakthrough, but then had Shehzad edge through vacant slip and then through the hands of slip for successive fours. All in the first 14 overs.

With his side 92 for 1 in the first 14, Mohammad Hafeez could now afford to take his time settling in. He also blunted out Malinga as he exhaust-

ed his nine overs in the first 20, looking desperately for a breakthrough. In Malinga’s ninth, Shehzad suggested it wouldn’t have made a difference had Malinga many more left in his bag. He whipped him for successive fours to reach 71, and Pakistan were now 116 for 1 in 20 overs.

Let down by spinners, missing in-form attacking bowlers, Sri Lanka threw other options at Pakistan, but there were no batsmen willing to oblige those looking for what has in the last 10 or so years become inevitable drama with Pakistan matches.

Shehzad and Hafeez batted with authority. While Hafeez accelerated from 7 off 24 to the eventual 70 off 88, Shehzad never really slowed down. The only regret for Pakistan will be that a rare moment of fielding brilliance - diving-forward catch by Perera at third man - from Sri Lanka resulted in Shehzad’s falling five short of a hundred.

Fielding brilliance was plentiful when Pakistan were in the field. From the time left-arm spinner Imad Wasim, playing only his second match, combined an arm ball with low bounce to remove Dilshan at 109 for 2 in the 23rd over, the fielders and the spinners circled around Sri Lanka. Often six men stayed

inside the circle, and the spinners ran through their overs, building pressure dot by dot.

Between them the three spinners - Yasir Shah, Wasim and Shoaib Malik - conceded just 108 in 24 overs.

The first victim of the pressure was Mathews. Shah had been negotiated well by Dilshan and Thirimanne, but Mathews found it tough to face Wasim and Malik. With no easy singles on offer, Pakistan kept daring Mathews to take the risk. Nineteen runs came in Mathews’ first 5.3 overs at the wicket, and when he looked to break the shackles he hit Rahat Ali - in his first over back - straight to mid-off.

Dinesh Chandimal, seemingly thanks to instructions from the dressing room, sought to avoid a similar fate - Mathews scored 12 off 23 - and went on a hitting spree. He tried one ambitious shot too many, getting out to Mohammad Irfan for 20 off 21. Amid all this Thirimanne went on smoothly, driving and late-cutting his way towards a hundred.

Now, though, with an inexperienced lower middle order with him Thirimanne had to make a decision: stay the anchorman and bat till the 50th over or hit a few shots to take some pressure off the youngsters.

Thirimanne went for the latter. When he first tried the big sweep off Shah, he was dropped by Ahmed Shehzad at deep square leg, a catch he somehow went on to claim.

An over later Thirmanne provided both Shah and Shehzad the redemption, trying another big sweep, mis-hitting it, and watching Shehzad fly to his left. An innings that had looked solid for a long time had slowly but surely disintegrated, setting Pakistan a target that would be hunted down with 9.1 overs to spare.

(Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka innings (50 overs maximum) MDKJ Perera c Imad Wasim b Mohammad Irfan 0 TM Dilshan b Imad Wasim 50 HDRL Thirimanne c Ahmed Shehzad b Yasir Shah 90 AD Mathews* c Yasir Shah b Rahat Ali 12 LD Chandimal† c Yasir Shah b Mohammad Irfan 20 SMA Priyanjan c Mohammad Hafeez b Anwar Ali 18 TAM Siriwardana c Mohammad Rizwan b Anwar Ali 19 SS Pathirana run out (Anwar Ali) 14 SL Malinga c Mohammad Rizwan b Mohammad Irfan 17 RAS Lakmal not out 1 N Pradeep not out 0 Extras (b-4, lb-1, w-8, nb-2) 15 Total (9 wickets; 50 overs) 256 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Perera, 0.2 ov), 2-109 (Dilshan, 22.3 ov), 3-143 (Mathews, 30.4 ov), 4-170 (Chandimal, 35.6 ov), 5-186 (Thirimanne, 41.1 ov), 6-215 (Siriwardana, 44.3 ov), 7-228 (Priyanjan, 46.3 ov), 8-243 (Pathirana, 48.1

ov), 9-252 (Malinga, 49.3 ov) Bowling: Mohammad Irfan 100-50-3 (1-nb, 2-w), Anwar Ali 7-0-41-2 (4-w), Rahat Ali 7-0-391 (2-w), Yasir Shah 10-0-50-1, Azhar Ali 2-0-13-0, Imad Wasim 10-0-43-1, Shoaib Malik 4-0-15-0 Pakistan innings (target: 257 runs from 50 overs) Azhar Ali* c sub (SMSM Senanayake) b Malinga 33 Ahmed Shehzad c Perera b Lakmal 95 Mohammad Hafeez c †Chandimal b Siriwardana 70 Sarfraz Ahmed† not out 17 29 Shoaib Malik not out Extras (b-4, w-9) 13 Total (3 wickets; 40.5 overs) 257 Fall of wickets: 1-75 (Azhar Ali, 11.1 ov), 2-190 (Ahmed Shehzad, 31.2 ov), 3-213 (Mohammad Hafeez, 36.1 ov) Bowling: SL Malinga 9-2-461, RAS Lakmal 8-0-50-1 (3w), SS Pathirana 10-0-81-0, N Pradeep 2.2-0-9-0 (1-w), AD Mathews 2.4-0-9-0 (2-w), TAM Siriwardana 5.5-0-28-1, TM Dilshan 3-0-30-0 (3-w)

ustralia players are “very happy” that batsman Kevin Pietersen is not playing in the Ashes, according to former England spinner Shaun Udal.

Pietersen, 35, was left out after what previous captain and now England and Wales Cricket Board director of cricket Andrew Strauss called “trust issues”.

But after England’s second Test loss to Australia, Udal believes his omission is “unfair” on fans and “ridiculous”.

“That’s also the view of three Aussie players I saw at Lord’s,” Udal said.

“They are very happy Kev isn’t being picked because, in their words, if he came back the ‘chances of Australia winning the Ashes would be reduced’.

Udal, who was Pietersen’s captain at previous team Hampshire told Kicca.com: “If that’s what the opposition thinks then that speaks volumes.”

Pietersen described his treatment as “deceitful” after claiming he was given hope of a recall by ECB chairman Colin Graves.

Graves claimed that he “did not make any promises”

Kevin Pietersen has been sidelined for quite some time now

despite saying that selectors “could not ignore” Pietersen if he scored lots of runs for a county side.

The South-African born batsman’s 355 not out for Surrey made no difference to England’s position.

With the Ashes series tied 1-1, England face Australia in the third Test at Edgbaston on July 29.

The heavy defeat at Lord’s in the second Test has seen Jonny Bairstow restored to the squad in place of his Yorkshire colleague Gary Ballance, which will see Ian Bell moved up the batting order to three.

Bell has averaged just

14.50 with the bat this summer and there have been suggestions he could also be dropped if he fails to get runs in the third Test.

However, Australia batsman David Warner says his camp is wary of writing off Bell too soon.

“He’s got the weight of runs behind him, the experience in the games. I think he’s a world class player,” said Warner.

“He may be out of touch at the moment, but we know what he’s capable of, he killed us last time when we were over here, scored a lot of runs and we have to respect that.” (BBC Sport)

Liberia FA president admits trafficking errors

T

he Liberian Football Association should have done more to prevent the trafficking of 23 youngsters to Laos, according to its president.

A BBC investigation discovered that Laos side Champasak United imported 23 under-age players from West Africa to an unregistered football academy.

FIFA prohibits movement of players to a foreign academy until they are 18.

LFA President Musa Bility said: “Whatever role we might have played, I believe it is regrettable. Maybe we should have done more than we did,” Bility told BBC Sport.

“At our level, we probably need to have an investigation as to why they didn’t do that.”

Six minors are still with top Laos side Champasak United, but the club, based in the southern city Pakse, denies any wrongdoing.

Bility - who intends to run for the FIFA presidency wants the remaining children to return home.

Musa Bility

“We have to bring them home,” he insisted.

“Not only that, we asked the foreign ministry a month ago to ask the Laos government to intervene. They have to come home.

“I went to the foreign minister myself. They have diplomatic protocols and they are going to make the necessary representation.”

However, BBC Sport understands some of the boys do not want to come home despite a lack of work permits and very little freedom.

And Bility admits that Liberia needs to make im-

provements in order to prevent similar issues in the future.

“That is a sad story, a truly sad story,” he said.

“We should, as a country, be able to provide opportunity.

Those opportunities are not here. Liberia is over 165 years old and we are just completing the first football training centre. Maybe if that training centre was here, those kids would not be in Laos.”

He also defended the LFA’s role in allowing the players to move to Laos.

“I think the organisation that sent for these people misinformed the LFA - that is a serious crime,” he said.

“They should have no place in football. I hope that FIFA will look into this - we hope something will happen.

“Because as it is, this is almost tantamount to child trafficking.

“This organisation must be banned - otherwise you might have worst cases than this because these kids could be lost.”

(BBC Sport)

Crunch time as teams...

Barbados Tridents are in prime position to defend their CPL title by virtue of finishing top of the pile in the group stage. The holders progress straight to the final and will be looking on with more than a little interest over the coming days.

Despite losing to the Amazon Warriors on

Tuesday, the Red Steel will be hopeful of progressing to a dream home final and maintaining what has still been a strong run of recent form.

Yet the home team will be very wary of the Tallawahs, despite the side generally underperforming at this year’s tourna-

from back page

ment. The potential destructiveness of their batsmen – including Andre Russell, Mahela Jayawardene and Chris Lynn as well as Gayle – could explode and finally ignite in blistering fashion on the biggest stage.

The stage is set. Who will shine as the heat rises higher than ever? (www.cplt20.com)

sports

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Bangladesh v South Africa, 1st Test, Chittagong, 2nd day…

thursday, july 23, 2015

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Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah shared in a third-wicket stand of 89 that took Bangladesh to less than 100 runs of South Africa’s first innings total

H

alf-centuries from Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah, who shared in a third-wicket stand of 89, took Bangladesh to less than 100 runs of South Africa’s first-innings total before rain ruined their chances of pressing towards a lead. Only 42 minutes of play were possible in the third session after a heavy shower, which abated long enough for South Africa to bowl a ball, forced an early end to the day.

Neither side will mind the break, although South Africa may have appreciated it more since it would have allowed them to rethink their tactics on a slow pitch. Run-scoring was a struggle but Bangladesh, unlike South Africa, fought through the frustration.

They blunted South Africa’s premier pace pack for the bulk of the day but lost three of their four wickets to the lesser-knowns to leave the match balanced.

Tamim and Mahmudullah both showed the technique and temperament to chip away at South Africa’s lead. They saw off the seamers and asserted themselves slightly more over the slower bowlers but, overall, paid attention to not taking undue risks and not forcing strike rotation.

Tamim’s maturity was particularly impressive. He kept his cool even as an increasingly annoyed Dale Steyn tried to turn on the heat with some conversation, after all his huffing and puffing did not succeed in blowing the Bangladesh house down.

Steyn’s new accessory a Dennis Lillee-style headband - was perhaps the scariest thing about him. He did not look like a bowler going in search of his 400th Test wicket (and he remains four

away from the milestone) as he offered up too many full deliveries and too few short ones. He found neither swing nor reverse-swing on a day where South Africa’s frontline bowlers seemed flat.

Vernon Philander could not make the ball talk off the seam although he held his end with a tight line outside off. Morne Morkel made conservative use of aggression when more was needed. He barely aimed for the body and did not push Bangladesh back enough to make them uncomfortable.

JP Duminy was not used at all, and it was up to the sole specialist spinner, Simon Harmer, and the part-timers, Stiaan van Zyl and Dean Elgar, to break through.

Van Zyl was a surprise move, brought on after an eight-over period when Morkel and Harmer had kept Bangladesh to only 19 runs, and he got the result.

Van Zyl found the movement Steyn could not and even though it was only slight swing, it enticed Imrul Kayes out of his crease after the opener had seen off a testing period.

Imrul overbalanced as he tried to flick it away and Quinton de Kock pulled off a nimble stumping. Mominul Haque was dismissed three overs later when he went back to cut Harmer but was late on the shot and the ball found the off stump instead of the bat.

Those two wickets gave South Africa an opening and Amla hoped to widen it with bursts from Steyn before and after lunch. Tamim, however, gave nothing away.

The closest Steyn got to success was when he induced an edge from Tamim in the first over after the lunch break but the ball skittled through the va-

cant second-slip region.

Philander got a little closer when he also drew the edge, from Mahmudullah, but it dropped short of Amla at first slip.

Harmer invited the batsmen to take him on, offering loopy, flighted deliveries but the pair were not tempted. Both Tamim and Mahmudullah swept with caution and rarely charged at the spinner, instead poking at gaps in the field.

Tamim’s fifty came up off 119 deliveries with a delicate dab to the cover region.

With Bangladesh settling in, and in no obvious hurry, Amla had to do something. He brought on Elgar with tea approaching and again, his intuition paid off.

Elgar also offered flight and Tamim, who had been patient for so long, could not resist a low full toss. He went down to sweep but missed, the ball dipped in and took out leg stump.

Immediately, Steyn was brought back to try and create a collapse but Mahmudullah had settled down well enough to handle it. In fact, he was so comfortable he glanced Steyn down the leg side for four to bring up his half-century, off 109 balls, and see the innings through to tea.

Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim were more positive at the start of the third session. Mushfiqur took Harmer on and seemed to be scoring more freely than batsmen on either side had done over the first two days. Before he could get too far ahead, however, Bangladesh were pegged back again.

Philander rapped Mahmudullah on the pad and he was given out.

He pondered over the review but chose not to take it; replays showed the ball was clipping leg stump and the decision would have remained out on umpire’s call.

(Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD South Africa 1st innings 248 Bangladesh 1st innings Tamim Iqbal b Elgar 57 Imrul Kayes st †de Kock 26 b van Zyl Mominul Haque b Harmer 6 Mahmudullah lbw b 67 Philander Mushfiqur Rahim* not out 16 Shakib Al Hasan not out 1 6 Extras (lb-5, nb-1) Total (4 wickets; 67 overs) 179 Fall of wickets: 1-46 (Imrul Kayes, 18.2 ov), 2-55 (Mominul Haque, 21.5 ov), 3-144 (Tamim Iqbal, 53.3 ov), 4-178 (Mahmudullah, 66.1 ov) Bowling: DW Steyn 13-3-460, VD Philander 12-1-22-1 (1-nb), M Morkel 11-2-28-0, SR Harmer 19-3-59-1, S van Zyl 9-2-13-1, D Elgar 3-0-6-1

22

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, july 23, 2015

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2015…

Another successful P&P Hardworking Emrit tennis camp concludes

enjoys his game

By Avenash Ramzan

B

arbados Tridents allrounder Rayad Emrit has put down his success in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) to a stringent programme of hardwork, and a strong desire to thoroughly enjoy his game.

The right-arm seamer is one of 12 bowlers to take 10 or more wickets in this year’s competition, while he has also chipped in with useful lower-order runs, scoring 41 from four innings.

“I’m enjoying it; I’m thankful to the Tridents staff…they believe in me, they know exactly what I can do and what I’m capable of, and I keep working hard,” Emrit said after the Tridents final preliminary round game.

“They call me the old boy in the team. Thankfully, Misbah [ul-Haq] and Robin [Peterson] are here, so I can get a bit of slack now. I work hard- as hard as I could to stay fit and that’s the most important thing. As long as I keep enjoying [the game], and as long as I’m with the Tridents I’m happy.”

The 34-year-old Emrit, a veteran cricketer of Trinidad and Tobago, has been going at 6.35 runs per over in the third edition of the CPL, with his best figures of 3-20 coming against the St Lucia Zouks.

Emrit’s sterling contribution has significantly aided the Tridents’ passage to the final of the competition for a second year in succession. The Tridents finished on top of the Hero MotoCorp Leaderboard at the end of the preliminary round to au-

Rayad Emrit

tomatically gain a spot in Sunday’s final at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.

The now await the winner of today’s playoff between Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel and 2013 champions Jamaica Tallawahs, who will move on to face two-time runner-up Guyana Amazon Warriors in the second playoff on Saturday.

The winner of that second playoff will then advance to Sunday’s final with the aim of dethroning the Tridents.

While Emrit and his teammates have the luxury of resting for a week ahead of the final, the all-rounder is not too keen on facing any of the three teams remaining in the competition.

“It’s difficult. As I said before, it’s a tough tournament this year. I think it’s the toughest tournament out of the three so far. The teams are very well balanced,” the Tridents #51 intimated.

He added, “Amazon [Warriors] is one of the better teams, even though they’re still not peaking as they did

last year, but you don’t want to write off a team. Playing Trinidad in Trinidad as we saw is very difficult as well, and they’re on a high now, they’re getting some victories. And also the Jamaicans with ‘Crampy’ [Chris Gayle], [Mahela] Jayawardene and [Andre] Russell…there’s a lot of teams we don’t want to play, but whoever we have to play we’re going to be up for it.”

Reflecting on the Tridents’ journey so far in the League, Emrit said having a core group of players returning from last year’s competition was a key factor in the team’s success to date.

“Before the draft, ‘Polly’ [skipper Kieron Pollard] wanted the core players to be back with the Tridents.

We lost a couple players [from last year], and during the tournament we lost [Shoaib] Malik and [Jeevan] Mendis, so it’s been a bit up and down, hot and cold for us, but at the start of the tournament, we had the core of the players, and we started off at home and those three victories set us off on a good foot,” he divulged.

Meanwhile, Emrit played two One Day Internationals against India in 2007, and the lanky and versatile cricketer is still harbouring thoughts of donning the maroon West Indies crest once again.

“As long as I’m playing cricket I want to play for the West Indies. It’s the ultimate goal. If I get the chance I will accept it with both hands. Hopefully the Tridents selectors will be on the West Indies panel,” Emrit chuckled.

The top athletes of the camp pose with their trophies and certificates

T

he P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited’s tennis camp came to a conclusion with its closing ceremony being conducted at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue last weekend. Proud parents and excited young players gathered to bask in their moment of a first tennis spotlight.

Secretary of the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA), Elizabeth Persaud, in her remarks, mentioned that this camp “is significant to the GTA, and we applaud Mr Bish Panday, CEO of P&P Insurance Brokers for his resolute dedication to the sport of [lawn] tennis.

Additionally, it highlights his recognition of the importance and contribution that tennis has in the lives of our

youths in Guyana.”

Varsha Panday represented the company and handed out certificates and prizes to the winners of the different categories. Panday pointed out the 11 years of commitment to the sport, and pledged continued backing for the years to come.

This year the camp attracted 61 participants, who benefitted from two weeks of training to jump start their interest in the game.

The sessions were split into two periods. The mornings at the National Gymnasium had the younger children training, while the older ones were accommodated in the afternoons at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue.

Competition was divided into three levels of play,

based on ball types. In the morning sessions, the Red Ball winner was Lee Choo See Nam and runner-up Daniel Prince, while the Orange Ball winner was Menikshi Jiakissoon and runner-up Makaila Henry.

The Special Kiddie competition had Darren Todd as the winner and Ameila Hassan as runner-up. In the afternoon sessions of the Orange Ball competition, Dwight George emerged as the winner and Tiffon McRae the runner-up. The Green Ball winner was Shimron Lewis and runnerup was Deina Santbeharry.

The advanced players competed in the Yellow Ball division, with Keenan Persaud emerging the winner and Arav Jagroop the runner-up.

NBS contributes to Hearts of Oak football camp T

he New Building Society Limited (NBS) has once again made a contribution to the ‘Teach them Young’ programme conducted by the Hearts of Oak Masters Football Club. The camp has already commenced and will conclude on July 27.

At a simple ceremony held in the office of the New Amsterdam branch of NBS, Arshad Rahaman handed over footballs to Ceon Bristol, the Treasurer of the long-standing football club. Rahaman said that the Society is once more pleased to be part of this event that has attracted so many young footballers.

He added that over the years this initiative has helped to develop many

young players and it is well organised. He commended the work of Neil Humphrey and his team at Hearts of Oak Masters Football Club.

In response, Bristol thanked NBS for its continued support and called on other businesses and private individuals to help. He also thanked all of the sponsors over the years for their support. Bristol added that football is on the rise in Guyana and programmes like these will unearth new talents.

The participants will also be kept meaningfully occupied and learn to live a healthy lifestyle, Bristol pointed out. The camp is being held at the All Saints ground, Princess Elizabeth Road, New Amsterdam.

Arshad Rahaman (centre) of NBS hands over the footballs to Ceon Bristol, the Treasurer of the Hearts of Oak Masters Football Club, in the presence of other staff of NBS

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, july 23, 2015

23

Guyana, T&T clash Annual Police Championships start Saturday as regional U-15 bowls off Friday - Moore confident team will make country proud

Flashback! Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud presents Police Headquarters with their trophy after winning the event last year

T

Julian Moore

Ashmead Nedd

By R ajiv Bisnauth

all-round strength, but most importantly there is a good evidence of self believe among the fellas and we know it’s going to be a tough tournament, but we know what we have to do.

The guys are pretty much ready for that, they have set themselves a lot of goals and at the same time we have the ability to go out there and execute and the win the tournament.”

The tournament, which is now in its 20th year, will be contested under a round-robin format, featuring five rounds of matches, with the team accumulating the most points being declared champions.

The tournament started in 1996 with then hosts T&T taking the inaugural title. They hold the record for the most Regional Under-15 titles with seven, also clinching the trophy in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2010, and 2013.

Reigning champions Guyana have claimed the top prize three times with back-to-back titles in 1998 and 1999, plus last year’s win.

The Jamaicans have won the title on four occasions – 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, while the Bajans have won it three times – 1997, 2004 and 2012. The Windwards emerged champions eight years ago, and the Leewards are yet to win the title. There was no winner in 2003. This year’s tournament will conclude on July 30.

Left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd will lead the squad. The other members are: Sachin Singh, Alphius Bookie, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Garfield Benjamin, Qumar Torrington, Haifa Walters, Nivendra Persaud, Pradesh Ballkishun, Kelvin Umroa, Orlando Jailall, Robin Williams and Kevin Christian.

T

he battle between title-holder Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago at the Albion ground will headline Friday’s opening round of matches in the 2015 West Indies Cricket Board Under-15 one-day cricket tournament.

The other opening encounters are Jamaica versus the Windward Islands at the Guyana National Stadium and Barbados opposing the Leeward Islands at Enmore.

The Guyanese captured the title last year in Jamaica by topping the points table, following victories over all opponents except the Windward Islands.

The Under-15 cricketers may be short of match practice, but they are still very confident of a successful title defence.

Rain has hampered much of their preparation over the last two weeks, but coach Julian Moore feels his charges are still well-prepared for the rigours of the one-day format.

“We made good use of the indoor facilities, and we were able to bring the players up to match readiness, physically, technically and mentally,” Moore said.

He added, “Our plan is to take it one game at a time; the team is wellbalanced and we are very hardworking and disciplined. The players are all ecstatic to be given the opportunity to represent their country and having said that the mood is the camp is very good, the sprit is very high and we are gelling as a team very well.”

Commenting on the squad, Moore said, “I think we have a very good team, there is a good balance in the team with good

he Guyana Police Force will kick off its annual Athletics and Swimming Championships on Saturday at various venues across the country.

The event, which is being held this year under the theme “Integrating professionalism and social cohesion through sport”, will conclude on July 31.

The Force, in a press release, stated that swimming will take place on Saturday from 10:00h at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal, while the following day, the road relay will be hosted from 06:00h from outside the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary.

The heats of the athletics event will take place on

July 28 and 29 from 10:30h on each day at the track and field facility at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, with the final set for July 31 at the same venue from 10:00h.

There will be a march pass of the athletes, prior to the commencement of the finals. Police athletes from St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Trinidad and

Tobago and Suriname are expected to participate in the Championships.

Police Headquarters are the defending champions, having amassed 501 points last year. ‘A’ Division had finished with 402 points; Country Division was third with 206 points and ‘B’ Division was fourth with 191 points.

Preparation in advanced stage for BLUTC horse-race meet fair with the animals running for a winner’s purse of $300,000 and trophy.

The race for Two-yearold Guyana and West Indies bred animals is a 1000-metre contest for a top prize of $300,000 and trophy.

The organisers have added the event for horses classified I and Lower and Three-year-old Guyana

W

Lakeram Sukhdeo

ith entries topping the 60-horse mark, the principals of the Bush Lot United Turf Club (BLUTC) have already put most systems in place for the club’s horse- race meet, scheduled for this Sunday at the club’s entity Sea View Park, Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice.

The organisers have put together an impressive eight-race programme. The feature race is classified for horses in the ‘C’ Class over 1600 metres, with the winner set to race away with $1 million and a trophy.

The other events on the day’s card are the Threeyear-old race for West Indies bred horses for a winning purse of $350,000 and trophy over 1200 metres.

Then there is an event for animals classified E1 and Lower over for a top purse of also $350,000 and trophy over 1500 metres.

The G2 and Lower race will be a 1300-metre af-

bred horses over 1300 metres for a winning take of $200,000 and trophy.

The animals classified J and Lower will be competing for a first prize of $180,000 over 1300-metre.

The final event will be for animals K and Lower, also over 1300 metres for a winning pocket of $140,000 and trophy.

In an invited comment on Wednesday, coordinator Lakeram Sukhdeo said that the track is in excellent condition, despite the recent inclement weather.

The event will be conducted under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. Race time is 12:30h. (Rajiv Bisnauth)

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

thursday, july 23, 2015

Cricket stakeholders vent concerns Crooks leads at town-hall meeting Jamaica to victory WICB Regional U-19 cricket…

By Avenash Ramzan

C

oncerns with the administration of cricket topped the discussion on Wednesday evening when the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) series of town-hall meetings made its stop in Guyana.

WICB President Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron and Vice-president Emmanuel Nanthan, after brief opening remarks, fielded questions from the audience, the majority of which were centred on the current situation regarding the numerous court battles involving the various county boards and officials of those boards.

Claude Raphael, a former Director of the WICB, suggested that only way to solve the problems that face the game locally is the hosting of “free and fair elections”, which he claimed has not been held since 2009.

His remarks were met with rapturous applause. He also raised the issue of the Berbice Cricket Board not receiving a subvention from

over Guyana

D

WICB President Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron (right) addresses the audience in the presence of Vice-president Emmanuel Nanthan and GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie (Avenash Ramzan photo)

the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), which he said is being run by a group of individuals, who were not properly elected.

East Coast Cricket Board Competitions Committee Chairman, Raymond Barton, requested clarity on what constitutes disapproved cricket, as, in his opinion, that has been occurring in Demerara. He also highlighted that some clubs

within his jurisdiction are being marginalised when it comes to assistance from the GCB. President of the GCB, Drubahadur, and Secretary Anand Sanasie, who chaired the proceedings, also heard from the floor that the GCB is not being recognised as a legal entity.

Former West Indies allrounder Roger Harper recommended that the WICB

executives meet with the respective county boards instead of government, since there is where the problems lie.

Cameron, in responding to the concerns, noted that he had a meeting with Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, under whose ministry sport falls, and they have been able to craft a way for Guyana’s cricket. turn to pg 19

efending champions Guyana suffered a five-defeat against Jamaica in the opening round of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-19 competition on Wednesday.

An unbeaten half-century from Shahid Crooks guided the Jamaicans to victory at 204-5 in the 46th over after Guyana batted first and posted 203 all out off 44.3 overs.

For Guyana, R o n a l d o Alimohamed topscored with 39, while on the bowling side, Sherfane Rutherford claimed 2-32.

Below are the summarised scores from the game.

Guyana 203 all out off 44.3 overs (Ronaldo

Alimohamed 39, Kassem Khan 29, Akenie Adams 23, Keemo Paul 20; Oshane Thomas 3-41, Tyrone Daley 3-32, Odean Smith

2-51) versus Jamaica 204 for five off 45.2 overs (Shahid Crooks 73 not out, Ramone Francis 53; Sherfane Rutherford 2-32)

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2015…

Crunch time as teams Hardworking Emrit hunt spot in final enjoys his game Pg 22

T

From left: Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Chris Gayle

he final three games of the 2015 Hero Caribbean Premier League get underway tonight, as Sunday’s showpiece final at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago edges ever closer.

Today’s eliminator kick starts a heady run of matches with everything on the line for the final four hopefuls, after the departure of St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and St Lucia

Zouks at the end of the group stage.

Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel will host Chris Gayle’s Jamaica Tallawahs in front of a fervent home crowd as they bid to fight it out for a place in Sunday’s showdown, but first the winner of that game will have to play Guyana Amazon Warriors, who finished second in the final standings. turn to page 20

Rayad Emrit has been a vital cog in the wheel of Barbados Tridents

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