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SARA agents to get Police, Customs, Immigration powers guyana-times.com

Issue No. 2931

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Page 3

South Ruimveldt man wanted for narco trafficking

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Police wardens to tame lawlessness in mining areas

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WHAT'S INSIDE: UG loan repayment debacle

P12 Govt threatens to blacklist defaulters

New GRA boss begins familiarisation P2 tours

20 communities to benefit P9 from security strengthening programme

Mining industry has to do more to regulate P10 itself – Trotman

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo takes time out to have a photo opp with overseas based Guyanese during the CPL match between Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Barbados Tridents in Lauderhill, Fort Lauderdale Florida on Thursday evening

ECD health centres without essential children vaccines Page 9

... “We are making every effort to get these vaccines” – Health Minister

Amidst flooding

2-storey houses should be built in Guyana – report Page 7

NDC accused of disrupting ancestral P17 cemetery at No 56 Village

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news

saturDAY, july 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

New GRA boss begins familiarisation tours N

ewly appointed CommissionerGeneral of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, began his first few days on the job getting acquainted with staff at the Authority’s Camp Street Headquarters

former Senior Deputy Commissioner of the then Inland Revenue Department, conducted his familiarisation tour accompanied by Deputy Commissioner-General Hema Khan, Deputy Commissioner of Customs

Fernandes Wharf and Terminal, Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC), Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC), Muneshwers Wharf, the GRA Goods Examination Unit and Scanner Operations at

New GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia (centre) surrounded by officials

Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Godfrey Statia overlooking a cargo examination by Customs Officers at the Demerara Shipping Company Limited

and at the different locations under Customs Excise and Trade Operations.

Statia, a Certified Accountant, Attorney and

Excise and Trade Operation Lancelot Wills, among other seniors.

Visits were made to Q-Trex International, John

Lombard Street, the Demerara Shipping Company Limited (DSCL), Customs Boathouse, Guyana Post Office

Corporation (GPOC), the Eugene F Correia International Airport, and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

The presence of Customs officers are mandatory at these locations, oftentimes on a twenty-four-hour basis, given the frequency of cargo transportation and the tendency to smuggle.

Statia was introduced to the officers on the various sites, whose duties include examining containerised cargo and ship files, de-

stuffing, rummaging and reporting of vessels and oil tankers.

He was updated on plans to improve some of the critical aspects of Customs operations, particularly with the peak season approaching. Facilities for improved record keeping and staff accommodation, the human resource and training needs, uniformity and promotion of officers, were some of the areas targeted.

Amidst the many handshakes and light conversations, the new C-G gave the assurance of his open door policy and resolute stance against corrupt practices, which have tainted the image of the semi-autonomous organisation in the past.

He also encouraged teamwork among junior officers and their senior counterparts, whom he has en-

trusted with the authority to make even-handed decisions, but must also adhere to standard operating procedures as required by the country’s tax, trade and border laws and regulations.

Statia officially commenced duties on Monday, July 25. He is also scheduled to visit the different regions in Guyana where GRA offices are located.

As outlined by the Revenue Authority Act of 1996, the Commissioner General “who shall be the Chief Executive of the Authority,” is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Authority, the management of its funds, property and affairs and the administration, organisation and control of its staff.

South Ruimveldt man wanted for narco trafficking

T

he Guyana Police Force has issued a wanted bulletin for a South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, man in a trafficking in narcotics investigation.

Obina Hendricks, called ‘Hiney’ of Lot 3 Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, is wanted by Police for questioning in a narcotics trafficking incident that occurred on July 11, 2016 at the Eugene Correia International Airport, Ogle, East Coast Demerara.

The Police are asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Obina Hendricks to contact them on telephone

Wanted: Obina Hendricks aka “Hiney”

numbers: 229-2289, 2292569, 227-2128, 225-6411, 225-2227, 225-8196, 2271149, 226-7065, 911, or the nearest Police Station.

All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Kwakwani man remanded for narco trafficking

A

Kwakwani, Upper Berbice River, man was remanded to prison following an appearance before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s Court Alford Williams, 50, was slapped with a trafficking in narcotics charge, which alleged that he had 375 grams

of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking, while at Kwakwani, on July 25, 2016.

The Prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds of the quantity of drugs that were discovered.

The Prosecution’s objections were upheld and the father of 10 was remanded.

news

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saturDAY, july 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, July 30 – 14:30h-16:00h and Sunday, July 31 – 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, July 30 – 13:55h-15:25h and Sunday, July 31 – 14:50h-16:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions will prevail throughout the day, with light rain showers in the late afternoon hours.

Clear to partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to South Southwesterly between 0.89 metre and 2.68 metres.

High Tide: 13:49h reaching a maximum height of 2.34 metres.

Low Tide: 07:16h and 19:40h reaching minimum heights of 0.77 metre and 0.87 metre respectively.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS G

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FREE TICKET friday, July 29, 2016

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SARA agents to get Police, Customs, Immigration powers

D

raft legislation has been completed for Government’s State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA), previously called the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU), which provides measures for its Officers to be given the powers of sworn members of the Guyana Police Force, including Immigration Officers.

The draft State Asset Recovery Bill was completed with the assistance of international consultant Brian Horne, and would be up for further consultations in the coming weeks.

The proposed legislation envisages along with a name change for the controversial body, ascribing its members with powers normally reserved for Revenue and Customs Officers, in addition to those for ranks of the Guyana Police Force.

The outfit has, in recent months, come under heavy criticism by sections of society, particularly the main Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP), over its ‘ad-hoc’ operations outside any legal parameters.

SARU’s Head, Professor Clive Thomas recently told media operatives he was optimistic that the draft legislation would be tabled in the National Assembly in September when the House returns from its annual recess.

Upon enactment of the proposed SARA Bill, the outfit is expected to no longer be housed as a department physically in the Ministry of the Presidency.

According to the draft bill made public by the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Finance Minister may, in writing, “designate the (SARA) Director and other named officers of SARA as persons having the powers of a Revenue and Customs officer”.

The proposed legislation also stipulates that the Public Security Minister may in writing, “designate the Director and other named officers of SARA as persons having the following powers – (a) the powers of a police officer; and (b) the powers of an immigration officer”.

The powers attributed to the lowest rank of the Guyana Police Force, includes effecting an arrest, search and seizure of a person or property without a warrant, including aircrafts, seafaring vessels and vehicles.

The Customs Act, under which SARA agents will ob-

SARU’s Head, Professor Clive Thomas tain the powers of a Customs and Revenue Officer, provides for such ranks to be bestowed with the powers of a Police rank.

Director decides

Meanwhile, the proposed laws governing the outfit – long considered by the Opposition of being engaged in a political witch-hunt – also make it clear that it is the SARA Director, who “shall decide which particular operations are to be mounted by SARA and how those operations are to be conducted”.

It is also envisioned under the proposed legislation that the SARA Director – a post held in the interim by outspoken PPP/C critic Professor Clive Thomas – may do “anything, including the carrying out of investigations, which the Director considers appropriate for facilitating or incidental or conducive to the discharge of the functions of SARA”.

Among the core functions of SARA, as outlined in the draft bill, the Asset Recovery Agency will be tasked with launching investigations into whether property or interests in property constitutes State property obtained by or derived from – directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, with or in connection with – unlawful conduct involving a public official or any other person, or whether benefit has been derived– directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, with or in connection with – a public official’s or any other person’s unlawful conduct in respect of State property.

SARA, according to the proposed legislation, will also be tasked with the tracing and identification of property, located in or out of Guyana, suspected to be State Property obtained illegally.

It is also envisioned that

SARA agents, in the execution of its functions, will also be legally empowered to collaborate with any Government body.

According to the proposed legislation, the SARA Director may be able to enter into agreements with any Government Ministry or Department, Public Authority or Statutory Body in Guyana, “for the collection, use or disclosure of information, for the purpose of exchanging or sharing information within Guyana…”

The outfit will also be empowered to conduct investigations in conjunction with any person “who is, in the opinion of the director, a proper person to be concerned with.”

The SARA Bill is slated for a final round of public consultation on August 11, at the Pegasus Hotel.

“Witch hunting”

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has maintained that forthcoming legislation to institutionalise the Asset Recovery Agency could be regarded as nothing more than laws for “witch hunting”, which could backfire on the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition.

Jagdeo contended that there really was no need for legislation to be put in place to govern a body that has no need to be in existence.

“Corruption cases can be dealt with routinely by the Police. The current legislation can deal with any act of corruption. We have enough laws

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to deal with corruption by anyone,” he had stated.

Moreover, the former President questioned whether the asset recovery body would also investigate corruption allegations against sitting Government officials or if it would just target instances under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

He also opined that should an allegation of corruption be levied against Government Ministers or even President David Granger, would the asset recovery outfit be mandated to investigate those claims.

In this regard, Jagdeo contended that from all indications, SARU, now SARA, was being established as a ‘witch hunting’ body under the pretext of a transparency mechanism to satisfy the demands of the international community.

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saturdAY, july 30, 2016

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

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

Editorial

Changing lifestyles

O

ver the past few years there has been much talk about climate change and the devastating impact it is having, and is likely to have, on communities and the world as a whole. However, while governments and policy makers are busy debating the issues at the national and international levels, many believe that enough is not being done in terms of designing and implementing critical projects at the community levels to encourage and sensitise individuals about the need to play their part in mitigating the effects of climate change.

In fact, it could be argued that on the global level, not many persons are educated about the issue especially as it relates to the kind of impact climate change has on the environment and on individuals themselves. Citizens still do take the issue for granted and do not pay much heed to the various messages about the need to change lifestyle patterns, and so on.

Scientists have argued that the planet is indeed threatened by lifestyle patterns of individuals and if persons continue to use resources the way we currently do, the planet’s reserves will be exhausted at an increasingly rapid pace. For many countries, there is still the challenge of getting everyone to not only understand and appreciate the idea of the need to work towards sustainable consumption, but also to take practical steps to move in this direction.

Certainly, governments can set the framework with their policies: set targets, define standards, and give incentives to make companies go green. Businesses and industries together with researchers can provide the solutions, but, in the end, the consumers have the power of the purse, whether they buy green products or not. The highly touted ‘green model,’ reduces our ecological footprint, emits less greenhouse gases, uses less energy and raw materials, and can create new sources of growth and employment.

In essence, achieving economic growth and sustainable development requires that we urgently reduce our ecological footprint by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources.

As stated by UNDP, the efficient management of our shared natural resources, and the way we dispose of toxic waste and pollutants, are important targets to achieve this goal.

Based on statistics, the world’s population is growing rapidly, as more than a billion new people will enter the middle class by 2050. Experts have predicted that if citizens do not change their consumption patterns, the global use of resources will be multiplied by 15, which is considered dangerous for our planet as it would not be able to satisfy the needs of everyone.

At the individual level, every individual does play a crucial role in defining his/her own consumption patterns, and can in a way also contribute to the fight against climate change. For example, we can reduce the level of energy utilised and the money that is saved on energy could be used instead to develop climate-friendly technologies and appliances.

Official records show that, on a global level, more than 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions are related to household consumption. While it is accepted that it is not an easy task to get persons to change lifestyles and to work towards a climate friendly environment, the task would be much easier if they are educated about the role they can play and the benefits of their own action.

Here in Guyana, we still continue to dump garbage carelessly. For example, persons continue to dispose of plastics and Styrofoam items in reckless manner, resulting in the clogging of drains and trenches, thereby leading to flooding, etc.

The 2005 floods exposed our vulnerability and should serve as a big wake-up call for us to treat the environment differently.

For sure there is need for more effective public education campaigns on climate change and to highlight the effects of poor environmental practices. There is also need for more ‘green projects’ to be implemented at the local levels to encourage communities to work towards achieving a cleaner and healthier environment.

The curtains came down on the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited Annual Early Savers Summer Camp at the bank's recreational centre, which was held July 25-29. The summer camp was facilitated with the help of members of the Guyana Women Artists Association (Carl Croker photo)

Govt assessment and support needed for effective 6-month maternity leave benefit Dear Editor, The Minister of Health Dr Norton and the Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence are extremely ecstatic with the recent pronouncement with regards the six-month maternity leave benefit for all working mothers which will bring Guyana in line with PAHO’s guideline.

This six-month exclusive breast feeding will mean healthier children and mothers. This he says will also increase the productivity of women on their jobs. In fact more working mothers will be encouraged to breastfeed other than the meagre 23% currently doing so, according to a UNICEF Report.

In addition, Minister Norton in November 2015 even went further and advocated that paternity leave be given to fathers in order to allow them to be involved in child care, to get a break from work, and to give their wives a break from child rearing.

Minister Lawrence is adamant that the six-month maternity leave should become law as early as next year. I am in total agreement with these benefits.

However, while the health benefits of this extended maternity leave are being extolled, there is the question of whether our fragile economy

is ready for such a move. We know for a fact that the mere labelling of our economy as an upper middle income one does nothing to hide the fact that it is only the top 5-10% of people in this country are actually enjoying the increased GDP. There is no doubt that great inequalities of income existing in Guyana and nearly 40% of our working population is unemployed, mostly youths. There is also no doubt that the private sector is currently experiencing a downward spiral which needs sound financial policies for it to recuperate, not additional burdens especially increasing employment costs which will push the operational costs upward.

Such increasing costs will definitely erode the profit margins of businesses which may be forced to transfer those costs to consumers.

Currently, the three-month leave is financed by NIS and the employer.

In view of this increased economic costs, Dr Shamdeo, the country’s Chief Medical Officer, has warned that employers may not be willing to sign formal employment contracts with women. While this is also a serious possibility, this increased employment costs may result in reduced female employment

rate leading to deteriorating employment prospects because of increasing costs of operation to businesses.

Moreover, wage discrepancies may widen because of the seemingly additional burden of employing women.

Furthermore, apart from the actual increased employment costs, employers will face the additional burden and costs associated with the training and development of substitute staff.

This will impact heavily in the private sector in such areas as manufacturing, wholesale and retail, hotels and restaurants.

In view of the foregoing, there is definitely a need to do a special labour survey to ascertain the number of females employed in both the private and public sectors, those who have given birth, those who are actually breastfeeding their children and make an assessment of what the estimated increase in employment costs will be do the numbers.

Having done so the Government should set up a system whereby the wages of the persons on leave is financed by a public or private funded scheme.

This scheme will ensure that employees on the sixmonth maternity leave will receive their wages from

such a fund. This scheme should be fully undertaken by the government, not private businesses.

The private business will already be bearing the costs associated with the decreased productivity of new employees and the associated costs of training and development.

The creation of such a scheme will assist the employers who can then use the unspent wage bill to take on temporary staff to substitute for the mothers who will be on six-month maternity leave.

But the big question here is whether all mothers will embark on this exclusive sixmonth breastfeeding programme when some young mothers feel that breast feeding is taboo for obvious reasons - some may be selfish in nature.

In my days I could vividly recall that my mother would be working in the fields and yet able to breastfeed me for nearly a year. This was the norm in those days and many hard working mothers suckled sometimes as many as 10 children!

Therefore, many mothers today may just enjoy the paid vacation with no regard for the numerous health benefits to the child and themselves!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Actions of APNU/AFC Councillors of Region 5 are contrary to the concept of social cohesion

Dear Editor, I am appalled by the continuous disruptive and barbaric behaviour of the APNU/AFC councillors of Region Five Regional Democratic Council which is preventing the convening of its monthly statutory meetings and by extension frustrating the development

of the region and its people and the country as a whole.

According to the media coverage, the main reason for this standoff is that the APNU/AFC councillors are demanding an apology from the Regional Chairman for not attending a function to which the President of the Republic of Guyana was

present and that it was tantamount to being disrespectful of the President.

The Regional Chairman on the other hand asserted that he was not invited to the function and therefore could not offer an apology. I am in solidarity with him because it would have been uncouth of him, us-

ing Guyanese parlance, “to crash the party.” I say so because to date I have not read nor heard anyone refuting the assertion made by the Regional Chairman.

Editor, this protracted and ludicrous behaviour must stop! The RDC must not be held hostage. continues on page 5

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

Time to abolish stringent IDC mourns the passing of Dr Bishnodat Persaud dress codes for visitors

Dear Editor, It is high time that the dress code/rules for visitors to public offices, including Regional Democratic Council (RDC) compounds be re-examined.

Upon re-migrating to Guyana in 2014 after 25 years overseas, it was a culture shock for me to confront ubiquitous signboards at schools and government offices with far-fetched and tasteless dress code requirements for entering and be served. Many residents, some travelling long distances are turned away by security guards without being attended to.

Codes/rules like no slippers, no short pants, no jerseys, no T-Shirt with slogan and art, among other requirements, are being enforced without discretion.

Recently, the President was on TV saying that such practices are “archaic and backward.” Do we need the President to micromanage and tell us everything that needs changing?

Just this week a motorist struck down two young Scouts after she was likely in road rage after being re-

fused to register a student because of her attire.

Why can’t reason and good sense prevail in admitting and serving people? It is in bad taste to display such codes and bad judgment to turn away people due to subjective evaluation.

If a t-shirt or other garment has a slogan that is not subversive or vulgar it should be acceptable.

Slippers and short pants midyear in a tropical country should be similarly permitted. The deportment and behaviour of a person is more important than their attire.

Mind you, we are not talking about the workers, but visitors who are as Mohandas K Gandhi said, “We are dependent on…and the purpose of it (our work)…and part of it … and who is giving us an opportunity to serve”.

Are we aware of our roles and responsibilities or are visitors being turned away to lighten work load? I hope not.

Poor people travel long distances for assistance only to be turned away by untrained, insensitive security guards at the gates. (Some are not turned away depend-

ing on who they are there to see, or how they look physically, among other subjective factors, causing double standards). How can a modern society accept this travesty?

No colour should be too bright to become unacceptable; no artwork on a garment should be unacceptable; they are graphic freedoms of expression.

More people travel abroad nowadays and TVs proliferate, yet we seem to be ignorant of what pertains outside of Guyana. Drastic changes are needed in the way we provide customer service and relate to the public; these codes/requirements should be torn down and replaced by hospitality.

Editor, in this day and age we need transformational leaders who can make differences and leave legacies; pioneers, trailblasers and pathfinders; not copycats without vision who frustrate our residents and do little too late in air-conditioned offices.

Yours truly, Karan Chand

Dear Editor, The Indian Diaspora Council (IDC) joins in solidarity with organisations, institutions, agencies, groups and individuals in various countries in mourning the passing of Dr Bishnodat Persaud on July 24, 2016 in the UK. We express our sympathies and condolences to his surviving spouse Dr Lakshmi Persaud and his family.

Born 1933 in Guyana, Dr Persaud graduated from University of Reading, UK, with a PhD in Agricultural Economics.

He was a Research Fellow in the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Barbados, 196574; joined Commonwealth Secretariat in 1974 with positions as: Chief Economics Officer of Commodities Division, 1974-76; Assistant Director of Economic Affairs Division, 1976-82; Director and Head of Economic Affairs Division, 1982-92.

He was Alcan Professor of Sustainable Development at UWI, 1992-96; Chief Technical Coordinator, Caribbean Community, 1996; Member of UN

Actions of APNU/AFC Councillors of Region 5...

The elected officials must be allowed to execute their constitutional functions.

The people are suffering: the villages are suffering because social and physical infrastructures are not being efficiently monitored and are gradually deteriorating.

I am afraid that this kind of behaviour by the

governmental councillors could become contagious and contaminate the other Administrative Regions controlled by the Opposition if it is not curtailed.

Furthermore, I wish to posit that actions of the APNU/AFC Councillors of Region Five are contrary to the concept of social cohesion

which the coalition administration is currently promulgating.

As a matter of fact, the Councillors’ recent behaviour has taken a disturbing twist, according to Lincoln Lewis “to that of race.”

I recall the President quoting scriptures during his speech when he took

the Oath of Office and also during the election campaign in 2015.

I recall also that Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”

Secretary-General’s HighLevel Committee on Development Policy (CDP), 1994-2000; Senior Associate, Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery, 2002-10; and Advisor to Commonwealth Secretariat and World Bank on Small States, 2005-06.

Dr Persaud served on many boards as Director or Trustee on the Commonwealth Equity Fund, the Barbados Central Bank, the Ramphal Institute, World Aware, Commonwealth Partnership for Technology Management; The Iwokrama International Rain Forest Programme; the UK Universities FSSU; the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust; and the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica.

Dr Bishnodat Persaud has written a number of articles and reviews in journals, chapters in books and technical reports. He co-edited and co-authored three books, Developing with Foreign Investment with Vince Cable in 1987; Building Consensus for Social and Economic Reconstruction in Guyana, IDB 1994 with Mike Faber et a.; and Economic Policy

and the Environment: the Caribbean Experience UWI, 1995 with Mark Griffith.

Dr Persaud’s illustrious career spanned several prominent positions in prestigious institutions where he excelled with distinction and honors. He was a remarkable man respected by many as learned scholar, with dignity and patience.

Remarked Dr Yesu Persaud chairman of Guyana’s Indian Commemoration Trust and personal friend of Dr Bishnodat Persaud for many years: “He was an outstanding Guyanese of exemplary stature who attained the highest levels of achievement and made us all proud.”

Dr Bishnodat Persaud is survived by his wife Dr Lakshmi Persaud, world acclaimed author of several award winning books; his son Dr Rajendra Persaud who is also a well established author of several publications; daughter Sharda Dean, also a well known author; and son Professor Avinash Persaud, a financial specialist.

Yours faithfully, The Indian Diaspora Council (IDC)

from page 4

was extensively quoted while on the campaign trail.

What is occurring at this point in time in Region Five is clearly the manifestation of Ephesians 6:12 “principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, spiritual wickedness in high places.” I further ask, how could they sing the Lord’s song in a strange and

unruly atmosphere?

I am therefore calling on the Minister of Communities and the President of the Republic of Guyana to walk the talk by their intervention to swiftly end this imbroglio and to let democracy work.

Yours faithfully, Rudolph CG Williams

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Foundation

Swimming pools and health risks: A parent's evidence-based guide

BY GWEN DEWAR, PHD (Continued from Friday)

Why is this harmful?

Researchers are still trying to understand how the body reacts to chlorinated water and DBPs. Like chlorine itself, some DBPs are known respiratory irritants. Maybe long-term exposure to chlorinated water vapour causes inflammation of the air passageways.

Maybe it causes oxidative stress, damaging the lungs.

It also seems that DBPs can damage the DNA. In a recent study, researchers tested the effects of disinfected swimming pool water on mammalian DNA. They prepared several solutions – each a different kind of disinfectant mixed with water – and applied them to living mammal cells. The results were consistent with other studies.

All mixtures induced more DNA damage than plain tap water.

DNA damage is worrying because it increases the risk of cancer. And that’s borne out by research. In laboratory experiments, DBPs have caused cancer in rats. And studies have linked exposure to these DPBs with an increased risk of cancer in humans.

So we have good theoretical reasons to be suspicious about chlorinated pool water. What about practical observations? Are swimmers becoming ill?

Does swimming in chlorinated water increase your risk of allergies and respiratory disease?

Unfortunately,

guyana-times.com

there

isn't any clear answer to this question.

Several studies conducted in Belgium and the Netherlands have reported higher risk of respiratory problems. For example, in one study, children exposed to chlorinated pools before the age of two years were more likely to have developed asthma, respiratory allergies, and bronchiolitis, an inflammation of the bronchioles.

Other research has linked early childhood pool exposure to higher rates of eczema, air passageway inflammation, and sensitization to dust mites.

And a study of more than 800 Belgian teenagers found that children who spent longer hours in chlorinated pools were more likely to suffer from asthma, hay fever, and other allergies. There was no increased risk of respiratory allergies among teens that swam in pools disinfection with a copper-silver solution.

Such results sound worrying, but several larger studies – conducted in Germany, Italy, Spain, and Britain – have failed to find any links between swimming pool exposure and respiratory illness.

Minimising risks

As I note above, the evidence is inconclusive. The research on DNA and cancer is still in the early stages, and we need more information before we can interpret epidemiological studies.

But meanwhile, concerned parents can follow these guidelines.

• If you can smell the

chlorine in the pool environment, there’s too much of it. That’s the rule of thumb offered by researchers Brent S Rushall and Larry Weisenthal. Tell your local pool manager about your concerns.

• If you frequently swim indoors, find a pool with good ventilation. That means avoiding pools that re-circulate air rather than replace it with fresh air. It also means avoiding pools in rooms with low ceilings.

• Avoid swimming pools that don’t insist on cleanliness – including showers before swimming. As noted above, perspiration and other body products mix with chlorine to produce disinfection by-products. When people wash with soap and water before entering the pool, they help minimize the generation of DBPs. • Tell children not to pee or spit in the pool. It isn’t just gross – it contributes to the creation of DBPs. • Encourage your local pool manager to consider research-based alternatives to traditional chlorination.

According to the researchers who conducted the DNA study, the safest approach to disinfection may be a combination treatment: UV irradiation with supplemental chlorination.

• If you are responsible for a pool or hot tub, don’t skip the disinfection process. As noted above, disinfection serves a crucial purpose. The answer isn’t to stop disinfecting pools. The answer is to find ways to disinfect while minimising other health risks. (Excerpt from parent-

ingscience.com)

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questions for children fearful of trying new things

By Sean Grover

B

estselling author Paul Smith knows a lot of ways of encouraging hesitant children, 101 ways to be precise. In his book Parenting With A Story, Paul documents 101 inspiring lessons to help children build the kind of character that they and their parents can be proud of.

I a s k e d Paul to share his thoughts on a common pare n t i n g struggle: what do you do when your kid resists trying something new?

Here's what he had to say: One of the most common fears young people face early in their lives is trying something new. The uncertainty and apprehension of failure can be crippling.

And if it’s not overcome as a child, it can haunt someone throughout life. One person who’s earned some valuable wisdom struggling to find courage is Kerri Whitfield.

When she was 12-yearsold, her family moved. Two years later, Kerri was still feeling a bit like the new kid in town. She’d made a few friends but still didn’t know that many other 12-year-

olds. Watching one of her girlfriends play on a softball team that summer, Kerri sat in the bleachers and secretly wished she was on the field with her.

“It looks like fun to play,” she thought.

And she’d make so many new friends that way, too.

Eventually her friend asked Kerri if she

wanted to join the team. This was her big opportunity! What did Kerri do?

“I told her, ‘No.’” Three-plus decades later, Kerri explains that decision this way: “I was so scared. I’d never played softball before.

I’d never played any organised sport before! So I didn’t know anything about the game. I didn’t know the rules, or how to play. All I could think about was how I would fail because I didn’t know how. It never occurred to me they could teach me those things. So I just said no.”

The remorse didn’t take long to set in.

“I was so sad. I kept going to the games and watching them play. There were times I had to wipe away tears, hoping no one had seen me cry. I so wanted to be out on that field. It’s a decision I still regret.”

That event kicked off a lifetime of what Kerri now sees as missed opportunities. Her fear of failure kept her from succeeding at many new things. Sometimes it kept her from trying in the first place, like the singing lessons she never took or the new job she never applied for. And sometimes that fear made her quit soon after starting. She recalls a failed attempt at gymnastics.

“I hadn’t been in the class for long, and we were learning how to do the splits. One of the coaches said that if we couldn’t get all the way down, they would push us the rest of the way. I never went back. Somehow my parents never challenged that decision. So that was

the end of my gymnastics career.”

One of her more memorable successes was in learning to waterski. A friend had invited her to ski. But when it was Kerri’s turn, she was too afraid to even get in the water. After a few minutes of grace and ineffective coaxing, her girlfriend’s father pushed her off the boat. Kerri Whitfield learned to ski that day.

And the next time, she jumped off the boat by herself.

It probably wasn’t until she had children of her own that Kerri decided her insecurities would no longer impact her or her growing family.

She shares these stories with her son a n d daughter to help them have the courage to try new things. Looking back, there are three lessons she thinks she learnt. * "First, I wished I’d shared my desires more openly with my parents.

Maybe then they could have encouraged me to play softball. * "Second, I wish I’d understood then that I didn’t have to be the best at everything on the first day.

Everyone has to learn, even the experts. If I’d known that, I might have gone back for the second day of gymnastics class. * "Third, I learned that part of life is getting unexpectedly wet. Because sometimes good parenting means pushing your kid off the boat.

The best way to find wisdom in this or any story is to share it with your children, and then have a discussion about it. Do so. Here are five questions to get you started.

1. Can you recall two or three things you tried but gave up on soon after? What were they? Is it too late to try again?

2. Name something you’d like to do now but have been afraid to try. How can I help you with that?

3. How long do you think it takes for people to get really good at something new, like learning to play the guitar or throw a baseball or write poetry?

4. Can you think of something some people are just naturally good at without having to learn and practice?

5. Let’s have this conversation again next month to see what’s changed and what you’re interested in then, okay? (psychologytoday.com)

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7

saturday, july 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

President reassures of humanitarian commitment to Venezuelans

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ollowing mixed reactions locally over the deportation of 14 Venezuelans earlier this week, President David Granger has reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to citizens from the neighbouring country seeking food and other necessities.

However, he noted that those with ulterior motives, wanting to enter Guyana under the guise of distress, will not be welcomed.

“We will not turn away persons on humanitarian grounds but if we feel there is no justification and people just wandered into Guyana illegally and there is no evidence that they are under any sort of political persecution or economic deprivation, we have duty to protect our territory and our citizens,” the Head of State

President David Granger

of State noted that the Ministry of Citizenship is aware of this policy and the Administration is going to make sure that people from the neighbouring Spanishspeaking nation receive refuge from persecution.

Earlier this month, Chief of Staff of the Guyana

in Guyanese waters.

According to reports, about 19:20h May 30, 2016, a chartered boat was ferrying three GGMC officers from Arau in the Essequibo Region, when they came under fire from the Venezuelan military.

No one was injured in the attack, which occurred one mile from the Eteringbang Police Station. It was reported that the captain of the boat was known to the neighbouring army and it was after he identified himself that they were allowed to proceed freely.

Venezuela has been experiencing economic turmoil following the decline of oil prices on the world market over the past months.

The situation had escalated to the point where President Nicolas Maduro

bouring nations.

The Guyana Government had posited that it will accept Venezuelans arriving here in search of better lives but maintained that they should not do so illegally.

This was said against the backdrop of 14 Venezuelans being deported on Monday last after they were found illegally here. Among those refugees deported were five mothers and nine fathers who were miners.

According to court documents, the group illegally entered Guyana by sea in the vicinity of Eterinbang, Cuyuni River. With the help of a translator, the refugees explained that they departed Venezuela with the hope of finding jobs in Guyana to support their families back home.

14 Venezuelans were recently charged and deported from Guyana for illegal entry

told reporters on his weekly television programme – The Public Interest, which aired on Friday.

According to the President, Guyana has had some issues recently with persons from Venezuela, who have “done things” in the Cuyuni and Wenamu Rivers that were of concern to the Guyana Government.

“We want to make sure that people don’t continue that sort of mischief. Once we are assured of what the bona fide is of persons who need to enter our territory on humanitarian ground, we will give consideration,” he reassured.

The Guyanese Head

Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Mark Phillips, had confirmed that the army is working along with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to investigate reports of a Venezuelan gang attacking Guyanese in the Arau and Mango Landing areas, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), along the Wenamu River in the Cuyuni Mining District and close to the Venezuelan border.

Meanwhile, in May, Venezuelan soldiers’ opened fire at a vessel that was transporting officers of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC)

had declared a 60-day state of emergency in May. Reports coming out of the Spanish-speaking State reveal that there is massive food shortage and limited access to basic health care and amenities such as electricity.

Reports of rampant outbursts of looting and violence are also emerging from the neighbouring country.

With the situation in Venezuela deteriorating and no evidence of economic turn-around, it was predicted that there will be a refugee crisis in the region as persons from that country are likely to flee to neigh-

The women explained that they were punishing in Venezuela since there were no jobs and only limited food available. Meanwhile, the men told the court that it was a struggle to provide for their families in Venezuela; as such, they came to Guyana in search for work.

Sources have confirmed that an additional 100 refugees are expected to be deported in the coming weeks.

(Vahnu Manickchand)

Amidst flooding

2-storey houses should be built in Guyana – report

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ccording to the Dutch Risk Reduction (DRR) Team report released earlier this month, Guyanese can develop resilience against flooding if they build two-storey houses, with the main functions on the upper flat.

The report recommended that this advice should become mandatory for project developers, while ensuring the prevention of squatting—without sanitation—in flood-prone areas to reduce health risks.

It stated that flood-proofing sewerage infrastructure should also be developed.

It emphasised that while flooding will remain an issue in Guyana, particularly in Georgetown, it is important to communicate this to the people. And so a communication strategy should be developed and implemented to explain the principles of ‘Living with Water’. It noted that the plan has to be clear that the flood risk will never be reduced to zero.

In most instances of flooding, especially in poor areas of Georgetown, most people would complain of their houses being severely flooded, along with their possessions destroyed.

Many of them would have to seek shelter elsewhere until the waters have receded.

It said further that an inundation probability map

of Georgetown should be drafted and used to explain to the people why it is important to build their properties to be flood-proof.

“Most people will be aware of flood threats when it happens and forget about it soon after. This loss of awareness influences their behaviour regarding the existing water management infrastructure,” it said, adding, “living with water is not just about threats and flood damage, but it is also extremely economically valuable.”

It indicated that, “people who are aware of the benefits of living with water tend to better understand the constraints that space for water puts on them as well. Flood risk maps are an example of a specific way of communication to the people. It shows the probability of floods and the consequences of floods.”

The report stated that people can further increase their resilience if there are better early warning systems and assistance for the private companies to floodproof their businesses It also stated that there should be simple presentations available nationwide on how the drainage system works, why water needs space, and why it is important to keep the drainage system free from construction operations and solid waste.

8 NEWS

SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

IN THE COURTS

4 men charged for Eyew tness raping Lethem teen Spreading...

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our men on Friday appeared at the G e o r g e t o w n Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with the rape of a teenager.

Harold Anderson, Nick Skeete, John Lee Edward and

LeFleur (only name) were charged with the offence, which alleged that they raped the young woman at Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takatu/ Upper Essequibo).

The Prosecution’s file on the matter is yet to be completed, as such the case was

adjourned.

However, when given the opportunity to speak, the men all cried of their innocence, stating that they are not aware of the offence for which they were charged.

The men pleaded with the Magistrate for bail, explain-

ing that the conditions that they are being held under is causing them to fall sick.

Magistrate McLennan however remanded them.

They will make their next court appearance at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court on August 29.

Alleged serial robber remanded

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n alleged serial robber was on Friday remanded to prison after pleading not guilty to six counts of robbery under arms when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Adrian Dailey pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

It is alleged that on July 24, 2016 at Georgetown and while being armed with a dangerous weapon and in the company of others, he stole $200,000, phone cards valued $30,000 and GPL cards valued $6600, property of Chen Hang.

It is also alleged that on the same day at Aubrey Barker Road, Georgetown, he stole one Samsung Galaxy phone valued $50,000 from Ayana Daniels.

On the same day at the same location, he stole one phone valued $55,000 and one gold chain valued $15,000, property of Tenita

Wales.

He is also accused of robbing Elizabeth Barclay of one cell phone valued $60,000, Tiffany Graham of one cell phone valued $36,000 and Delisa Wales of one BLU cell phone valued $20,000.

The case will continue on September 14.

Essequibo labourer jailed for cocaine possession

M

uneshwar Singh, 23, called “Rocky” a labourer from Walton Hall Village, Essequibo Coast was sentenced to three years imprisonment after he was found guilty of possession of cocaine by Magistrate Sunil Scarce.

Singh was before Magistrate Scarce on a charge which stated that on

November 11, 2015 at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court he was found smoking cocaine. He had initially pleaded not guilty and was on $60,000 bail.

The defendant did not turn up to court on several occasions and so an arrest warrant was issued for his arrest.

Upon completion of trial, in his absence, he was found

guilty and given a threeyear prison sentence.

Acting on information on July 28, 2016 ranks from

the Major Crime Unit went to one of his relatives’ home where he was arrested.

Teen charged with wounding

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Kwakwani teen Friday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with unlawful wounding.

Anthony Collenell, 18, of Kwakwani, Berbice, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on July 24, 2016, at Kwakwani, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Tarrick Harris with intent to maim, disfigure or disable, or to cause grievous bodily harm.

The Prosecution’s case contended that on the day in question, the defendant and the virtual complainant (VC) were playing football when an argument ensued. After the argument escalated, the defendant dealt the VC several blows, injuring him.

Magistrate McLennan placed him on a bond to keep the peace and he was granted $50,000 bail.

He will return to the Kwakwani Magistrate’s Court on August 18.

F

... Caribbean Cricket

or reasons not quite plausible to this Eyewitness, Florida isn't technically IN the Caribbean even though it juts almost all the way to Cuba, which is. Go figure. But Thursday night Florida was dragged all the way into the British Caribbean via the latter's most distinctive signifier – cricket, glorious cricket!

And glorious it was indeed. Now this wasn't the first time Cricket was played in Florida. There'd been several one-off matches over the years that brought a taste of the old life to countless thousands of West Indians in the US. They could enjoy the best of both worlds – the comforts of the US with the uninhibited joy of West Indian cricket!

But this time it was different. The match between our own Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Barbados Tridents is the first of six scheduled by the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) that're intended to be the beachhead for establishing cricket as a permanent game in the US. Now some old heads might be wondering if the US was once a colony of England, how come it doesn't have "indigenous" cricket, like say, Australia. Well... there WAS cricket played against Australia and Britain even after the 1776 breakaway. But most folks figure the five-day leisurely pace of Test Cricket was just too drawn out for a new nation in a hurry to become a super power!

Americans then and Americans now don't have the patience or the time for Test cricket. So enter T20 cricket.

However you cut it, slice it or dice its origin – this format of the game's tailor made for the US. And it's probably the reason that vagabond, Texan con-man Sandford beamed some of the games of his short-lived tournaments into that country. The hitting, fielding, uniforms, dugouts, and more to the point – the length of a T20 – game isn't much different from that most American of sports – baseball.

Be as it may, the first game was an absolute delight – especially for all the fans of Guyanese origin that showed up at the ground. And the pitch was just the thing the doctor ordered – it didn't inhibit either fine cricket batting or power hitting. Their Warriors won in fine style and the fans celebrated in even finer West Indian style. The bowling of the Warriors just overwhelmed the Tridents and they were restricted to a still respectable 142 runs.

The Warriors made short work of that though! Sixes and fours were hammered at regular intervals, The game hadn't even been finished when the Indian Cricket Board indicated it wanted to schedule a T20 series with the WI. Cricket's beachhead is secured!

...fear

Seems the Opposition Leader's having everything – including the kitchen sink – thrown at him for saying, "democracy, Indo Guyanese and rural Guyanese are under attack in Guyana by the Government". And imagine he's head of a party that's composed of primarily of IndoGuyanese – just as APNU in Government has mostly African Guyanese members. He's been accused of "race baiting".

To the virulent critics coming out of the woodwork, the Government wasn't "race baiting" when it accused the PPP Government of being complicit in "killing 400 Afro Guyanese youths" with no evidence. Head of the TUC wasn't "race baiting when he claimed "Economic genocide against African Guyanese" with no evidence.

But the PPP's Gail Teixeira HAS produced evidence: On a dozen State Boards – including GuySuCo’s – Indians, 40% of the country, comprise an average of just 17% of Board Members! And none of the dozens of Presidential Advisors are Indian Guyanese.

So is it a case of "goat bite Indians" or they're not qualified?!

...ignorance

Sherod Duncan admitted he wasn't too bright in school.

He just showed nothing's changed. He obviously just crammed for his exams and never learnt critical thinking.

Imagine him saying "race has no relevance". Say that to African-Americans being shot by "their policemen"!

Or Guyanese Indians who can't sit on the aforementioned Boards.

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

news

9

saturday, july 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

20 communities to benefit from ECD health centres without security strengthening programme essential children vaccines

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he Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has given permission for activities to commence under the Community Crime and Violence Prevention component of the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP).

The IDB has also approved 20 communities for interventions under this component. The communities selected are located in Regions Three through Six, and 10.

The identification of communities was based on a two -stage methodology. In the first stage, crime data at the community level for murder (2010, 2011 and 2013); domestic violence, robberies, breaking and entering and larceny (2011-2013) were used to identify 25 communities with the highest crime rates in Guyana.

The short-listed communities were then ranked in terms of suitability for CSSP intervention based on a range of additional criteria, including the percentage of youths and young adults, the percentage of persons who have primary or lower education, the percentage of persons who have no formal qualifications, the percentage of unemployed persons, the population size within each community, and the ethnic composition of each community The CSSP aims to contribute to a reduction in crime and violence in Guyana, especially in the targeted communities and among youths, by increasing their human

...“We are making every effort to get these vaccines” – Health Minister

A

and social capacity. The specific objectives of the project are: to improve behaviours for non- violent conflict resolution in target communities; increase Guyana Police Force’s effectiveness in crime prevention and crime investigation nationally; and improve the Guyana Prison Service’s effectiveness in reducing offender recidivism.

The implementation of community-based preventive and restorative strategies is a core component of the CSSP. The Community Crime and Violence Prevention component aims to reduce crime and violence in target communities through: (i) strengthening the participation of residents, agencies, and businesses in community decision-making; (ii) building community leadership in violence prevention; (iii) promoting community cohesion; (iv) improving well-being and socio-economic conditions; (v) influencing the implementation of effective public policies that address risk factors associated with crime and violence; and (vi) promote recognition of the strengths and capacities of Guyanese communities and groups in preventing violence.

This component will be

operated through a number of interrelated interventions including: (i) creation of community action councils; (ii) implementation of rapid impact projects, communitybased social interventions, community violence prevention training; and (iii) facilitation of economic inclusion of youths, particularly at-risk youths, through vocational and remedial education, job-readiness, job seeking and job placement services, entrepreneurship, mentoring, counselling and psychological skills training, and literacy programmes. Communities to benefit are Vreed-en-Hoop, Westminster, Albouystown, Sophia, South Ruimveldt Park and Gardens and North Ruimveldt, Alberttown and South Cummingsburg, Kingston and Lacytown, La Penitence and West Ruimveldt, AgricolaMcDoom, Mocha-Providence, Annandale-Lusignan, Buxton-Friendship and Vigilance, EnmoreHaslington, Rosignol, Friendship-Kildonan, Albion-Fyrish, Port Mourant and Rose Hall, Adelphi Village and Canefield, Angoy’s Avenue and Wismar.

mid a shortage of yellow fever vaccines in the country, two other vaccines which are administered to small children in clinics are in depletion for several months, health officials have disclosed.

During visits to a number of health centres on the East Coast Demerara and in Georgetown over the past week, healthcare workers are complaining that there are shortages of Rotavirus vaccines, Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and the Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines.

“When the people come to us and expecting to receive their injections they don’t argue with the ministry or anyone else, they blast us. We have to listen to their complaints and calm them down, especially mothers whose babies haven’t had their vaccines in over two months,” one nurse told Guyana Times on Wednesday.

This newspaper was reliably informed that the rotavirus vaccine has not been in the country since May, leaving many children vulnerable to risks of gastro-enteritis.

Meanwhile, the PCV vaccine, which is used to protect infants, young children, and adults against disease caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumonia, is being distributed by the “handful” to health centres.

“What this means is that some children get and some don’t. Those who don’t get will have to wait four weeks before they can actually get it. We are looking at a first come first serve system,” another health official stated.

The shortage of the yellow fever vaccine has struck the country amid a mad rush to obtain the medication because of travelling purposes. Recently, Guyana has mandated that persons travelling overseas should be vaccinated, following a massive outbreak of the disease in Angola.

Public Health Minister Dr George Norton stated that the PCV 13 vaccine has in fact been out of stock but it arrived in the country recently and has been distributed to all health facilities across the country, except for Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni).

However, he indicated that the region will receive its quota next week.

The rotavirus vaccine, he stated, has also been out of stock but a shipment is expected in two weeks: “We are making every effort to get these vaccines but some of them cost a lot of money and we would have to negotiate the best prices for them. For example, the yellow fever vaccine there are only three factories in the world that produces it and so everyone is rushing to get it and we have to compete.”

Addressing the issue

of the yellow fever vaccine shortage, he said that the ministry is trying to procure medicines from Barbados and Belize because the shipment from Brazil will arrive in two weeks.

“We are looking to ensure that we have the vaccines before,” he said, adding that his Junior Minister Dr Karen Cummings has returned from Belize where she discussed procurement of the vaccine.

The outbreak of the fatal disease in Angola prompted several countries to impose a travel requirement for the yellow fever vaccination.

Guyana, as part of the Latin American region with risk of yellow fever, is listed as one of the countries whose residents would be required to be immunised and issued with a certificate prior to travel.

According to the Berbice Regional Health Service, over 9000 yellow fever vaccines were administered within the space of three weeks in that county.

Persons needing the vaccination to travel within the next 14 days are likely to delay or alter their plans, owing to the absence of the vaccine.

Earlier reports indicate that the shortage being experienced was not as a result of lack of funding, but because of the global demand for the vaccine.

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guyana-times.com

saturDAY, july 30, 2016

News

Mining industry has to do more Triple murder accused to regulate itself – Trotman threatens Police

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he Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) will review its management and organisational structure to deal with the many challenges it faces, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman said.

Minister Trotman, at the 37th anniversary observance of the GGMC held at Parc Rayne, Rahaman’s Park, Georgetown, said that the review is aimed at making the commission more efficient to deal with the myriad of challenges it has to deal with.

GGMC is the regulatory body for the mining sector.

Acting GGMC commissioner Newell Dennison said the challenges facing the GGMC include mindsets, compliance issues, image, and incorporating technology with land reclamation.

Minister Trotman informed the gathering that government has identified key priorities that will inform the GGMC on the way forward. He spoke of the continual improvement of GGMC as an organisation, “…the second category are those that address issues that are pertinent to miners and stakeholders in the

Minister Raphael Trotman addressing staff of GGMC at their anniversary celebrations

mining and petroleum sectors,” Trotman said.

It is important to enhance the general image of the sector, in particular the GGMC, by “promoting greater levels of research, surveys, efficiency, transparency and accountability,” Trotman pointed out.

Creating opportunities for the development of the organisation through investment in training is essential towards achieving this goal. The Natural Resources Ministry will be developing a mining policy framework to inform the long-term development of

GGMC. Trotman said government also recognised the need for diversification in the sector. This means more focus on bauxite production and other minerals.

However, the minister said that miners must work in tandem with GGMC to ensure the transformation of the sector: “The mining community, in my view, has to do a little more to regulate itself and work in partnership with the GGMC.” The responsibility must be on mine owners and proprietors to ensure they are “more knowledgeable,

adaptable and qualified in the business that they chose to enter into, especially when huge sums of money are involved and human life is at risk,” he said.

Improving occupational health and safety in mining is a top priority for Trotman and the government. For the year, there have been four mining deaths. “We believe that one death is too many,” Trotman said.

The extractive sector has performed well in its mid-year report: Gold and diamond have exceeded their targeted production.

Gold is expected to exceed 600,000 ounces by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Dennison pointed out that GGMC has already begun building staff capacity: “We have a relatively young cadre of operators, officers and from the perspective of building that cadre, building the capacity, helping them to understand what their appointed functions are and how to carry out those functions.”

There is also the need to increase the GGMC’s public relations, Dennison added, stating: “I know that there is a perception out there about what the commission is and we have to get it out there in a better way that we’ve got to do a little more self-promotion.”

Additionally, GGMC’s long serving employees were honoured with plaques and gifts. Children of staff were also presented with bursary awards at the celebrations.

Prosecutor, family

P

olice Prosecutor Deniro Jones of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, on Thursday received a slew of deadly threats towards him and his family by Orin Arthur, an accused on trial for three murder.

Jones, speaking to Guyana Times, disclosed that he will not take the threats of the murder accused lightly: “I have already made a report to the court supervisor and later I will be going to the Brickdam Police Station to make another report.”

The accused, while being escorted from the holding cell at the Court to the prison van, began hurling comments at the sight of the Police Prosecutor which then escalated into a heated argument.

The argument between Arthur and Jones is suspected to have stemmed from the searching of Arthur’s food.

Jones told this publication that on the previous day, Arthur’s family brought food for him at the holding cell and he ordered an officer to search the food. This, he noted, apparently offended the accused. He added that when a constable took the food to Arthur along with a bottle of water, Arthur threw the water on the constable.

It was related that as Arthur was walking past the Police Prosecutor at Court on Thursday, he told

Prosecutor Deniro Jones

him that his food must not be searched, to which the Police Prosecutor replied that it has to be searched.

Arthur then told Jones that he will kill him and his family, while addressing him with several derogatory names. The officers at the court had to intervene and placed Arthur in the awaiting prison van.

Thinking that to be the end of it, the accused still blurted that he has “his connections out of prison to do his external jobs.”

Arthur is currently facing a joint charge for the murder of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission engineer Trevor Abrams, and the murder of Beharry Security Guard, Wilfred Stewart, at Sterling Products Limited on December 2014.

According to prosecutors, Arthur is said to be facing a third murder charge.

SATURDAY, july 30, 2016

guyana-times.com

11

News

“We want to be able to work without GRA launches being condemned” – minibus touts investigations into ‘hostile’ officers I

n light of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) tightening their reins around the illegal activity of soliciting passengers, a few “touts” have began complaining that they want to be allowed to work without being hassled and opted to explain why they continue to disobey the law in this regards.

Speaking to Guyana Times on Wednesday, the “touts”, who identified themselves as “Reds”, “Rambo” and “Jerry,” while acknowledging their awareness of “touting” as being unlawful, expressed disappointment at the measures that the M&CC Constabulary Officers have taken to discourage persons from touting, highlighting that they consider the means of punishment “too harsh.”

“We know it illegal, but they shouldn’t ah lock up and charge all them people suh, man. We is nah thieves. They should chase the thieves instead of deh hounding we down like this,” Reds said.

They further explained that they continue to stay with the banned profession because it has proven to be quite difficult for them to obtain proper jobs and they have grown accustomed to acquiring “easy cash.”

A

The Route 45 minibus park

“This lifestyle is easy. We still working. We aint gotta get all ah them qualifications. Most of us drop out of school and so. Plus the few that do have the education saying it hard to get work. It aint easy. Everybody mekin deh living. At least we working fuh we money….the cash is fast too,” Jerry related.

According to the three men, their main problem is with the Police and “their sometimes hostile behaviour” towards the touts on the various minibus parks.

“We aint got no problem when we touting. Our main issue is the Police; they don’t know how to treat people.

They always abusing we and

so. That’s all. No other problem but the Police,” Rambo told this publication.

The touts highlighted that they hoped for there to be a change in the system soon where they would be able to register and “tout” without any hassles, since it was their only means of income.

On Monday, the Chief Constable of the M&CC, Andrew Foo, announced that a total of 80 touts were detained in the span of one month and charged with the offence of soliciting passengers.

However, it was also explained that the recent “crackdown” on touting by

the M&CC was influenced by the increase in complaints by passengers about the unprincipled behaviour of many touts on the various bus parks.

Complaints made by very many passengers revolved around the hostile and bullying behaviour of some touts who refuse to accept rejection, and would resort to the use of indecent language when rejected.

Touts have been known for grasping onto passenger’s belongings and in some cases, one tout will escort a passenger to one minibus, while another takes the baggage to a different vehicle.

n investigation has been launched by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) into the numerous accusations of aggressive behaviour of its officers attached to the Corentyne Authority.

According to GRA officials, several complaints were made by persons within the Upper Corentyne business community. They highlighted that all findings of the investigations will be made public.

A Corriverton woman, Indrouti Shamshundar, 56, complained to Guyana Times that she became fearful for the life of herself and family after the Corentyne GRA officers stormed into her home in search of her 20-year-old nephew. However, not able to locate him, the officers opted to take her into custody, instead.

She said that the officers demanded that she disclose the location of the person they were looking for but she was unable to do so since she said that she knows her nephew as “Ratty” and that was not the name the officers provided to her.

The woman explained that after the officers realised that she could not assist them in their search, they opted to confiscate her passport and ordered that

she accompany them to GRA’s Springlands office, where they then disclosed that she would be taken to court and fined.

Shamshundar relayed that she has returned temporarily to Guyana to visit her ill 78-year-old mother.

It is alleged that the Corriverton Mayor also raised an alarm prior to this incident, over the excessive behaviour of the GRA officers.

12 news

saturDay, july 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

UG loan repayment debacle

Defaulters could be barred from leaving Guyana

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inance Minister Winston Jordan on Friday disclosed that students who still owe monies to the University of Guyana could be prevented from leaving the country, as their names would be made available to all ports of exit and entry in Guyana.

He was at the time speaking at the commissioning of the new Student Loan Agency building located on the campus of the University of Guyana.

He said all information on recalcitrant borrowers would be eventually put at all immigration points and information desks would be set up for those who would be stopped from travelling to make the necessary arrangements for payment of their student debt prior to departure.

Jordan’s announcement follows a recommendation coming out of the Audit into the Student Loan Agency, which was completed last

month, that suggested Government move in this direction to recover the hundreds of millions owed.

Several high-ranking politicians and legal practitioners are among the over 17,500 defaulters.

They include former Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Robert Corbin; People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Central Committee member Majeed Hussain; Magistrate Judy Latchman; former A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament James Bond; Legal Adviser in the Ministry of the Presidency Geeta Chandan-Edmond and daughter of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Adela Nagamootoo.

The loans approved and issued amount to $9,159,644,463.

This amount represents 96.5 per cent of the total Government contributions received by the Agency.

During the period 1994 to May 2015, the Government of Guyana approved $9,489,453,973 through the National Budget or US$45.5 million (using the current rate of exchange of G$210 to US$1), the 77-page audit rep ort.

The report stated that during the period April 2011 to December 2014, $1.8 billion was received through a process whereby the Agency’s head was informed by the Budget Department that funds have been approved to be released to the Agency.

The Agency head then, at least twice per year, requested disbursements equivalent to the approved amount which were then deposited, awaiting request from the University and upon request, the Agency head sought approval from the Finance Secretary for the requests to be fulfilled.

It noted that there was

The newly commissioned Finance Ministry’s Student Loan Agency building located in the University of Guyana (UG) Compound

no receipt of funds from the Government in 2015.

“Loans issued during the audit period (academic years 2011-2012 to 2014-2015) amounted to $1,581,422,277 of which $1,432,669,005 was issued to students at Turkeyen Campus and $148,753,272 was issued to students at the Tain Campus,” the report stated. It further stated that as at December 31, 2014, some 25,335 students received loans with a total value of $9,159,644,463.

Of the 25,335 students, 4713 or 18.6 per cent are recent graduates or are still students, 1776 or seven per cent have repaid their loans totalling $679,918,794, including principal and interest. Five had their loans written off, 1278 or five per cent have been paying but not all are up-to-date, and 17,56l or 69.4 per cent of the loan portfolio are deemed delinquent because they have not been honouring their indebtedness, according to the audit report.

“This is a clear indication that the Ministry of Finance, and by extension the Agency, has not pursued the defaulters with a view to recover their indebtedness. The Agency head confirmed that his department is not equipped to pursue defaulters,” the auditors stated in the report.

The auditors have recommended sweeping changes at the Agency to address the issue of defaulting loans. Included among those recommendations is preventing students who owe the agency from travelling overseas unless systems are in place to guarantee the recovery of the outstanding balance should the student fail to return to the country.

“Consideration should be given to endorse the passport of students so that they cannot leave the country without making provision to repay their loans if they fail to return. Or students should not be allowed to travel abroad un-

less the guarantors undertake to repay the loan in full and immediately if the students do not return,” the auditors suggested.

It was also recommended that the format and security for the issuance of loans be reviewed to strengthen the existing systems and put in place mechanisms for the prompt repayment of loans, the auditors noted, adding that the student loan form should include the name of an alternative guarantor in the event of the death of the guarantor. That person should give a written commitment annually.

“The criteria for the issuing of student loans should also be reviewed to ensure that only Guyanese are eligible instead of those holding national ID cards,” it stated.

The auditors also recommended that students should be made to start repayment on or before the one-year grace period once they have been employed.

news

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saturday, july 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Former Anglican Bishop laid to rest

F

The draped casket of Bishop George at St George’s Cathedral during the funeral service

ormer Anglican Bishop of Guyana Randolph Oswald George was on Friday laid to rest following a sombre service at the St George’s Cathedral.

Among the distinguished dignitaries were President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, former President Donald Ramotar and former Prime Minister

A ceremonial guard stands with the Cacique Crown of Honour as the late Bishop’s eulogy was read by his youngest child, Christopher George

In a solemn atmosphere, Bishop George was sent off amongst his grief stricken family, friends and congregation, who gathered to pay their last respects to the first Guyanese Anglican Bishop of Guyana.

Samuel Hinds, along with several government ministers and religious leaders, among others.

Delivering the eulogy, the youngest child of Bishop George, Christopher George, gave a brief history of the

early life of his father, while highlighting his love and commitment to his faith.

“Some of his irritants were bad manners, prudence and lawlessness,” he said. The younger George also recalled fond memories shared with his father and wisdom passed on.

At age 92, Bishop George died peacefully on July 18 at his Republic Park, East Bank Demerara, home.

The father of four was a priest for 63 years and served as Bishop of Guyana from 1980 until his retirement in 2008.

He also served stints in Trinidad and England and later in the local Anglican Diocese at St Mathews, Supply, Golden Grove and Soesdyke, all on the East Bank Demerara.

Following his death, his widow, Sheila George, who he wed 45 years ago, said that her husband was caring, thoughtful and fully devoted to the work of the church and welfare of parishioners.

“He was a great encourager and as a priest, he was

Tuschen South Shiva Mandir to host blood drive today

T

he Shiva Mandir of Tuschen South, West Coast Demerara will be hosting a Community Blood Drive today and Sunday between 09:00h and 16:00h.

This initiative is being undertaken by the Tuschen South Shiva Mandir and the Marcus Brian Bisram Foundation, in collaboration with Shri Devi Mandir Global Humanitarian Foundation of New York and the Health Ministry’s National Blood Transfusion Service.

According to the Pandit of the Tuschen South Shiva Mandir, the idea to host the blood drive came from the youths of the religious entity.

He highlighted that this initiative would not isolate anyone, emphasising that “ethnicity and religion should not divide us since the colour of our blood will always remain the same”.

The Director of the National Blood Transfusion Service, Dr Pedro Willis encouraged persons to support

the drive, pointing out that one litre of blood has the capacity to save four lives.

The members of the Mandir told Guyana Times that approximately 500 persons have already registered to be present at the location

on Saturday and they are encouraging others to join in helping to save a life.

Additionally, a total of 340 pressure kits will be distributed to persons who successfully donate blood.

very meticulous about his priestly craft and even when he became a bishop, he always said that he would have preferred to be a parish priest, because it gave him contact with people on a regular basis,” she told Guyana Times.

Bishop George’s widow, a teacher by profession, further explained that her spouse particularly liked working at parishes in the interior.

Bishop George was born in Georgetown, the third of ten children. He attended

Former Anglican Bishop Randolph Oswald George (July 15, 1924 – July 18, 2016)

Bishop George, it is said, became a bishop of Guyana at a time when many changes were taking place in society and the church. Guyana was struggling through the early years of life as an independent nation under the leadership of a Government which had remained in power from the inception.

Both the church and State were said to be struggling with a loss of skilled manpower, and resources were very limited.

Bishop George has been credited with bringing a

President David Granger extends condolences to the wife and children of the late Bishop Randolph George

the St Phillips School during his early years and received his secondary education at Modern High School.

His interest in the church started early as he joined the St Phillips choir at the age of seven in 1933.

Three years later, he and his two brothers were presented to the choir master of St George’s and there began his long association with St George’s Cathedral.

Later in his life he en-

tered the Codrington College in Barbados in 1946 and was ordained in 1951 and served as Vicar for twoand-a-half years before leaving for England in 1953. He served in various parishes in Lancashire, Manchester and London, and returned to the Caribbean, where he served the diocese of Trinidad for almost ten years.

He later took up the position of Dean and Director of St George’s, where he spent some five years.

pragmatic approach to the situation, since, while he was always willing to work in difficult circumstances, he was also a great respecter of tradition and never willing to accept change simply because it was popular.

During the time of socialism and party paramountcy, Bishop George kept the prophetic ministry of the church alive by being a voice of reason.

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guyana-times.com

saturday, july 30, 2016

Regional

Brazil's Lula to stand US concerned about hungertrial for obstruction striking Cuban dissidents T of justice – court

Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends a protest against Brazil's interim President Michel Temer and in support of suspended President Dilma Rousseff at Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil, June 10, 2016

B

razil's ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the former chief executive of investment bank Grupo BTG Pactual SA will stand trial for obstruction of justice, documents from a federal court in Brasilia showed on Friday.

Lula was previously under investigation in various jurisdictions in a sprawling corruption probe focused on State-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA

(Petrobras) but is now officially a defendant.

The case dates to last November, when former Senator Delcidio do Amaral and Andre Esteves, the founder and former CEO of BTG Pactual, were arrested for allegedly trying to stop a jailed former Petrobras executive from collaborating with Brazil's largest-ever corruption investigation.

The executive's son recorded Amaral, who is now collaborating with prose-

cutors himself in exchange for a lesser sentence, saying judges could be influenced into freeing him and Esteves was willing to pay for his silence.

The case had previously been secret, and less is known about Lula's alleged involvement in that incident.

Lula's lawyers said in a statement that they had not been notified of the court's decision, but intended to prove his innocence. BTG Pactual declined to comment. Esteves's lawyers said he committed no illegal acts.

Lula has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, though prosecutors say the multibillion-dollar graft scheme originated during his 20032011 presidency and continued during the presidency of his chosen successor, Dilma Rousseff.

Brazil's largest engineering companies are accused of overcharging Petrobras for work and passing on kickbacks to executives and politicians. They are also being investigated for graft on venues for the 2014 World Cup and upcoming Olympics, events awarded to Brazil under Lula. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

Tourism a key part of Jamaica’s growth strategy – Holness

he United States is concerned about the physical well-being of hunger-striking activists in Cuba and is closely watching their situation, the US State Department said on Friday.

"We stand in solidarity with those who advocate for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly," State Department

J

amaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has assured local and international tourism investors of the Government’s support for the continued development of the sector.

He noted that tourism was a key part of the national growth strategy and was a priority area of focus.

“Tourism, being such a major part of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), would be the obvious place to start in growing the economy,” he said at a meeting

with the investment partners at the Office of the Prime Minister, Wednesday.

Holness said his vision was to realise “a doubling of our tourism firms, an expansion in our tourism product and an expansion in our tourism market”.

“My job, therefore, is to support firms to grow, support the innovation of products and use foreign policy to expand markets,” he said.

The Prime Minister noted that the meeting was convened to hear the concerns

of tourism players and to see how the Government can continue “to help your firms to grow, facilitate the innovation in the marketplace, and how we can make new markets (develop)”.

The investors were also updated on various projects and plans to grow the sector.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, who was in attendance, stressed the importance of partnership among stakeholders in the development of the tourism industry. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

strike earlier this month calling, for Raul Castro's Government to end torture and human rights abuses.

He was taken to Arnaldo Milian Castro Hospital in the city of Santa Clara on Thursday after becoming extremely weak and fainting eight days into the strike, The Miami Herald reported.

Farinas and about 20 other rights activists are on hunger-strike in Cuba. (Reuters)

El Salvador claims blow against powerful street gang

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he authorities in El Salvador have announced a series of raids against one of the country's most powerful street gangs, the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13).

Five leaders of the gang have been arrested, the Attorney General said, including the finance chief.

Police detained 120 people in total and seized weapons, money, drugs and other assets.

El Salvador has been plagued by gang violence and has one of the highest murder rates in the world.

Many of the deaths have been caused by the rivalry between the MS-13 and another gang, the Barrio 18.

A temporary truce between the two in 2012 saw the murder rate drop by 40 per cent.

The raids against MS-13 began on Wednesday night.

Hotels, bars, restaurants,

Alleged members of the gang were paraded in front of the press

brothels, homes and transport connected to the gang were all targeted.

Millions of dollars were seized and several bank accounts frozen, authorities said.

Justice and Security Minister Mauricio Ramirez Landaverde said it was the first time the Government had disrupted the gang's financing by identifying how they were investing illicit earnings, the Associated Press reports.

Mara Salvatrucha and

Barrio 18 have their roots in the 1980s in southern California.

They were created in Los Angeles and its suburbs by poor, mostly illegal, immigrants who had escaped civil wars in Central America.

When the conflicts ended there, many gang members were deported from the US, exporting LA's gang culture with them.

There are an estimated 70,000 active gang members in El Salvador. (BBC News)

their heads and “an impending doom was surely coming if this situation persists” .

Delivering the feature address to a small group of dealers at a special general meeting at Kam-po Restaurant, Chaguanas, Naraynsingh pleaded with Energy Minister Nicole Olivierre to meet with them before the situation worsened and jobs were lost.

The Association also threatened to seek judicial review against Government’s proposal to award retail marketing licences in the landowner’s name rather than the operator.

“Our Government came in and promised a rising tide of prosperity. We have instead been plunged into a crisis that is now beginning to affect all present here today.

Our industry is on the brink of destruction. We are not the only ones who are feeling the pinch of a reduced profit margin, many of us are near insolvency,” Naraynsingh said.

He said businesses were being lost while gas station dealers were being shattered which showed that their future and livelihoods were in deep trouble. (Excerpt from Trinidad

Petrol Pinch: T&T industry on brink of crisis

P

Prime Minister Andrew Holness (right) looks at breaded fish nuggets being shown to him by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rainforest Seafoods Brian Jardim, during a tour of the company’s manufacturing facility on Slipe Road in Kingston on Wednesday

spokesman John Kirby told a briefing.

"We have raised our concerns directly with the Cuban Government, both in Washington and Havana," he added.

Kirby said Washington was particularly concerned about the health of dissidents Carlos Amel Oliva, who leads the youth wing of a Cuban dissident group, and Guillermo Farinas.

Farinas began a hunger

resident of the Petroleum Dealers’ Association of T&T, Robindranath Naraynsingh, Thursday said the country’s 170 gas stations were on the verge of collapse due to poor profitability margins from the sale of fuel.

Saying the gas stations service more than half the population on a daily basis, Naraynsingh admitted their industry had been plunged into a crisis. He could not say what percentage of the gas stations were likely to close their doors, but said a dark cloud was hanging over

Guardian)

Member of Islamic militant group on the run in Martinique

S

ecurity officials in Martinique have been hunting for a 40-yearold man, reportedly linked to the Islamic group – al-Qaeda.

Rachid Rafaa, from Morocco, is said to be linked to a senior member of the Islamist militant organisation, which aims to overthrow the government in Algeria.

According to local me-

dia reports, Rafaa, was under house arrest in Morne Rouge, before disappearing on Wednesday.

The Police have issued a warning on social media, urging residents to call the authorities if Rafaa is seen.

They have also asked the public to refrain from intervening, as he is considered dangerous.

It is reported that Rafaa used his computer skills to

disseminate information on the Internet on the behalf of al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb.

He was arrested in France and transferred to Martinique after the European Court of Human Rights decided not to extradite him to Morocco for fear he may be tortured.

He has been under house arrest in Morne Rouge since May 2014. (CMC)

saturday, july 30, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the World

Zika Virus: Florida Turkey shakes up armed forces, US cases likely to be 1st of says purges harming cooperation US-based transmissions

The Zika Virus is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito

F

our people suffering from the Zika Virus in Florida are probably the first cases contracted within the United States, health officials say.

So far, cases outside of Latin America and the Caribbean, where the virus is prevalent, have been

spread by travel to that region or sexual transmission.

The four Florida cases mean US mosquitoes may be carrying the virus.

Zika causes only a mild illness in most people. but the virus has been linked to severe brain defects in newborns.

The Florida department of health said "a high likelihood exists that four cases are the result of local transmission", centred on one small area just north of downtown Miami.

More than 1650 cases of Zika have so far been detected in the United States, but the Florida cases would be the first in the US not involving sexual contact or foreign travel.

"This is not just a Florida issue," Gov Rick Scott said.

"It's a national issue – we just happen to be at the fore-

front."

In the latest reaction: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said they anticipated more cases will emerge over the coming weeks.

CDC chief Tom Frieden said infection occurred "several weeks ago" and that there were no plans to restrict travel to Florida.

The White House said President Obama had directed that all necessary resources be given to help Florida beat the virus.

White House spokesman Eric Schultz repeated criticism of Congress for not agreeing to fund the fight against Zika before breaking for summer.

The US Food and Drug Administration has asked for blood donation in both affected counties to be suspended. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Philippines slogans on Friday.

Vietnam's transport ministry said a Chinese hacker was responsible.

Vietnam Airlines' website was also briefly hacked.

Media in Vietnam reported that staff at the airports had to resort to checking in passengers manually, avoiding computers for several hours.

The hack comes days after a row involving a Chinese

tourist at one of the hacked airports – Tan Son Nhat, in Ho Chi Minh City.

China asked Vietnam to investigate reports that a Chinese visitor's passport was handed back with obscenities written on two pages.

Pictures show a four-letter word written on the pages that contain a map including China's "nine-dash line", that marks China's claim to territories in the South China Sea. The tourist, surnamed Zhong and from China's Guangdong province, was entering Vietnam through Tan Son Nhat airport.

She told local media that she was "very disappointed at the personal qualities of Vietnamese officials".

The Chinese consulate in Ho Chi Minh City said in a statement the act was "shameless and cowardly", adding that it had "stained the dignity of both China and its nationals". (Excerpt from BBC News)

South China Sea: Vietnam airport screens hacked F

light display screens at Vietnam's two largest airports were hacked to show messages criticising Vietnam's claims of territory in the South China Sea. China's territorial claims, which overlap with Vietnam's, were recently rejected by an international tribunal.

Screens and sound systems at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City airports broadcast anti-Vietnamese and

Screens at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi broadcast unscheduled messages on Friday

P

resident Recep Tayyip Erdogan angrily rejected Western criticism of purges under way in Turkey's military and other State institutions after a failed coup, suggesting some in the United States were on the side of the plotters.

The purges target supporters of US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Ankara of masterminding the July 15-16 coup. Turkey's Western allies condemned the coup, in which at least 246 people were killed and more than 2000 injured, but they have been rattled by the scale of the crackdown.

The Director of US na-

tional intelligence, James Clapper, said on Thursday the purges were harming the fight against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq by sweeping away Turkish officers who had worked closely with the United States.

The head of US Central Command, General Joseph Votel, said he believed some of the military figures whom the United States had worked with were in jail, drawing condemnation from Erdogan, who was speaking on Friday at a special forces headquarters in Ankara badly damaged by violence on the night of the coup.

"Instead of thanking this country which repelled a coup attempt, you take the

side of the coup plotters. The putschist is in your country already," Erdogan said, referring to Gulen, who denies any involvement in the coup attempt.

In a statement released by the US military on Friday, Votel said any claims that he was involved in a failed coup attempt in Turkey were "unfortunate and completely inaccurate".

"Turkey has been an extraordinary and vital partner in the region for many years. We appreciate Turkey's continuing cooperation and look forward to our future partnership in the counter-ISIL fight," he said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Syrian maternity hospital bombed – charity

People inspect the damage as they stand near a Save the Children sponsored maternity hospital after an airstrike in the rebel-controlled town of Kafer Takhareem in Idlib province, Syria July 29, 2016

A

Syrian maternity hospital in a rebel-held area of Idlib province was extensively damaged on Friday after a direct hit, international charity Save the Children, which supports the hospital, said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors violence in Syria's

five-year-old conflict, said air strikes hit the hospital and also a civil defence building.

The number of casualties is not yet known, a spokesman for Save the Children said.

The hospital in Kafer Takhareem, the only maternity facility for about 70 miles (110 kilometres),

works with around 1300 women and children a month and delivered some 340 babies last month, the spokesman said.

In another part of the northern Idlib countryside, air strikes on Friday killed at least five people and seriously injured more than 25, the Observatory said. (Reuters)

Judge snubs claims by 29 Libyan forces battle would-be heirs of Prince snipers for streets of Sirte A L

ibyan forces made a fresh push on Friday to capture ground from Islamic State militants besieged in the centre of their former North African stronghold of Sirte.

Nearly three months into a campaign to recapture the city, brigades mainly composed of fighters from nearby Misrata are waging sporadic street battles in residential areas where militants use snipers, mines and concealed explosives to defend their positions.

The brigades advanced

rapidly on Sirte after launching a counter-attack against Islamic State in early May, but their progress has slowed as they close in on the city centre.Losing Sirte would be a major blow for Islamic State, which established total control over the coastal city last year and expanded its presence along about 250 kilometres (150 miles) of sparsely populated land on either side.

The brigades fighting Islamic State are aligned with Libya's UN-backed Government, which arrived in the capital, Tripoli, in March.

Western powers hope to unite rival factions that set up competing Parliaments and administrations in the east and west of Libya in 2014 as their armed supporters fought for power.But as the new Government tries to impose its authority on a country still in turmoil, it has struggled to provide rapid financial and logistical support to the brigades in Sirte.

Friday's fighting was focused on the "Dollar" neighbourhood, about 1.5 km southwest of the middle of the city. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Judge in the US state of Minnesota has dismissed claims by 29 people who said they were owed a share of Prince's inheritance.

The singer died in April from an accidental overdose of the painkiller fentanyl, but he did not leave a will and did not have any children.

Reports in Minnesota say his estate may be worth at least US$300 million.

A Judge has now ordered genetic tests to be carried out on six people who claim to be relatives of the singer.

Four siblings or half-siblings, as well as two women believed to be a niece and a grand-niece, will be tested.

Genetic tests had already ruled out the claim of a man in jail in Colorado who said he was Prince's son.

And, as part of the latest ruling, Judge Kevin Eide decided a claim by a Georgia woman, who said she and Prince were once married, was not valid. She had said the CIA was keeping their marriage record secret.

Minneapolis' Star Tribune newspaper said the case was thrown out against

five men who said they were Prince's father.

Prince was found unresponsive in a lift at his Paisley Park Studios on the morning of April 21, local officials said. First responders tried to revive him with CPR but he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Prescription painkillers were in the 57-year-old's possession following his death, officials told US media in May. He is believed to have suffered from knee and hip pain from years of performing. (Excerpt from BBC News)

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SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

News

17

saturDay, july 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

NDC accused of disrupting ancestral Police wardens to tame lawlessness in mining areas cemetery at No 56 Village

I

S

A tomb at the disputed land

ome residents of Number 56 Village, Corentyne, are accusing authorities of bulldozing an ancestral village cemetery, but officials say the land has been earmarked for a cricket ground, resulting in a standoff between some villagers and the Neighbour Democratic Council (NDC).

The land, situated on the seaside of the village, was cleared a few days ago and villagers say tombs have been destroyed. Fifty years ago it was known as the village burial ground.

Back then, ‘Old Poonai’ as he was known, had owned most of Number 56 Village.

A section of it was given for the burial of family but other villagers also utilized the area, Guyana Times was told.

Dhaneshwar Poonai told this newspaper that about 200 persons were buried there. He said although the cemetery had not been used for half a century it was still viewed as the resting place of their ancestors.

He said last year cousins from the United Kingdom came and assisted with cleaning the overgrowth and painting the tombs.

Meanwhile, Reerakraj Poonai said he tried to intervene when the land was being bulldozed, but was unsuccessful. Guyana Times was shown a grave with the inscription Adit Poonai, died 1946 on it.

Reerakraj Poonai said ‘Old Poonai’ and his children, grandchildren and cousins are buried there, along with scores of other villagers. He explained that when the area was regularised, a cemetery was established in the Number 55 Village and it became the communal cemetery.

Meanwhile, acting Regional Chairman Dennis DeRoop, in an invited comment said the area belongs to the 52/74 NDC and is part of their reserve land.

According to DeRoop, it is not a cemetery. He said some residents had gone to the NDC seeking permission

to utilise the land.

Chairman of the 52/74 NDC Davanand Chaitram said that residents applied for the land in 1988 to establish a cricket field: “I have never known that place to be a cemetery. All I know is that in the plan that land was reserved and it was highly forested. A part of that land was given to build the water treatment plant and the water treatment plant is there working. The people in the area requested to have a playfield and the NDC sought assistance from the regional administration. Now people are saying that there was a burial ground which I never knew about.” DeRoop says the issue is a political one as some members of the community want the land to construct a party office.

Nevertheless, the NDC Chairman says the fact that a tomb is visible on the land means that the NDC will have to be advised on the way forward. (Andrew Carmichael)

n light of increasing criminal activities in the hinterland, Government will be introducing batches of Police wardens to curb illegal activities there, particularly in mining areas.

Speaking on the weekly television programme, “The Public Interest”, which aired on Friday, President David Granger pointed out that this was one of a series of efforts taken to address the “lawlessness” that has been occurring in the hinterland.

He noted that already the presence of Police Officers in those areas have been strengthened, with the mounted Police branch now in the Rupununi – Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). However, the President outlined that other measures have been put in place to increase the presence of law enforcement in the hinterland.

“We would also work towards increasing the number of rural constables to support the Police, but in addition to that, we are developing a core of

President David Granger

wardens who will be working in the mining areas… there has been some lawlessness in mining areas leading to deaths, unfortunately; sometimes traffic accidents, sometimes murders, sometimes fatal accidents in the mines,” Granger told reporters during the programme.

According to the Head of State, these wardens will fall under the Guyana Police Force (GPF), operating under the Police Act, but will be performing specialised functions in those areas of interest.

“There needs to be better policing of our forested

areas as well as to protect tourists when they come into this country. So, we already have a concept paper on the development of our core of wardens who will be working mainly in the extractive industries and the tourist industry in the hinterland.

That will come on stream after they are trained and properly equipped,” he remarked.

In efforts to bring crime across the country under control, the Police Force has implemented a series of other actions.

One such step is the transfer of the Commander of the hinterland division (F Division), who has responsibility for Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine to Bartica, as opposed to being at the Police Headquarters, Eve Leary.

Moreover, President Granger had previously mentioned plans to have the various Policing Divisions further sub-divided so that there are strong divisional commanders in each one of the administrative regions.

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guyana-times.com

SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2016

ARCHIE

Love conquers all. Your changeable attitude and ex(March 21- perimental nature will atApril 19) tract all sorts of responses.

Offer love and compassion, and you will receive the same in return.

ARIES

You should spend a little extra on something that makes TAURUS you happy and is conducive to (April 20bringing about positive change.

May 20) Don't let a stubborn attitude deter you from getting the help and support you need to forge ahead.

DILBERT

Stick close to home and GEMINI enjoy building a strong foun(May 21dation with the people who June 20) love you the most. Don't let temptation take you from a safe environment to a questionable situation.

Make changes to how or CANCER where you live. Renovating (June 21- your domestic space, hosting July 22) an event at your place or exploring your creative ideas with an inspirational partner will bring good results.

PEANUTS

Offer your expertise, but LEO give others a chance to make (July 23their own decisions. Taking Aug. 22) charge of your personal life will encourage a healthy and fruitful lifestyle.

You need to keep secrets, VIRGO or you may find that you will (Aug. 23Sept. 22) be blamed for the outcome of a sensitive situation. Problems with older relatives or friends will be taxing. Patience will be necessary.

Satisfaction will be the LIBRA name of the game. Put your (Sept. 23ideas out there and show your Oct. 23) interest in bringing about community or environmental improvements. Romance will enhance your personal life.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Stay on top of health isSCORPIO sues and situations that (Oct. 24might jeopardise your posiNov. 22) tion or reputation. Strategic planning will be necessary to achieve the personal improvement you desire.

Don't make promises or SAGITTARIUS commit to something that (Nov. 23- you will have second thoughts Dec. 21) about. Put more into personal enhancement and home comfort. Say no to anyone being overly pushy.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

If you reflect on what you CAPRICORN have done and the people you (Dec. 22Jan. 19) have met along the way, you will come to realise what's important to you now and see the best way to move forward.

Your insight will help you AQUARIUS assist those in need. Don't ne(Jan. 20glect an important partnerFeb. 19) ship with someone who has been there for you in the past.

Schedule time for romance.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

PISCES Don't expect everyone to (Feb. 20- share your opinion. If you are March 20) willing to listen and learn, you will find common ground and a prosperous way to move forward.

SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2016

19

Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st Test, Pallekele...

Australia need 185 on 5th day, SL seven wickets

A

ustralia do not lose Tests to Sri Lanka.

That, at least, is the conventional wisdom, for it has happened only once in the 33-year history between the two nations. It has not happened this century. But times change. There is every chance Sri Lanka will rewrite the conventions in 2016, for at stumps on day four they were in a powerful position, seven wickets from victory. Australia needed 185 runs, and runs were coming at glacial speed.

Day four was abridged, cut short at both ends.

Rain delayed the start and bad light forced an early finish, so only 40.4 overs were bowled. But that was enough for Sri Lanka to set Australia 268 for victory, the kind of target that against quality spinners in Asian conditions would naturally lead to Australian nerves.

And so it did. David Warner was so hypercharged that he danced down the pitch and was bowled by Rangana Herath in the second over.

Australia's top order decided that the quicker they could score the runs, the better. Usman Khawaja also took the attacking approach, until on 18 from 21 balls he missed an attempted sweep and was lbw to Dilruwan Perera. At 33 for 2, Australia decided a more reasoned method might be required. Steven Smith and Joe Burns slowed down a touch, though Sri Lanka's

spinners did not let up on the pressure.

In particular, Australia's batsmen found Lakshan Sandakan harder to read

There were surprised faces all round when replays showed the ball had turned enough that it would have missed leg stump, Voges'

Rangana Herath exults after bowling David Warner with his second ball

than the Odyssey in the original Ancient Greek.

His wrong'un clouded their minds, but it was his stock ball that brought his only wicket, when Burns played back to a big-turning wristspinner and was bowled for 29. Seven times in this Test Australian batsmen have passed 20, but none have yet gone on to a half-century.

Perera thought he had struck again when Adam Voges was adjudged lbw for a golden duck and asked half-heartedly for a review.

lengthy stride down the track saving him. It was a big moment – Australia would have been 64 for 4 had Voges been out.

By the time the umpires called bad light, the Australians were happy to get safely inside, Smith on 26 and Voges on 9, with the total on 83 for 3. After the early flurry, boundaries virtually ceased to be a consideration. Sixteen overs passed without one, before Voges finally latched on to a short ball from Sandakan and pulled it for four. At

stumps, the partnership was worth 20, which felt like a steadying stand but only highlighted the value of Sri Lanka's lower-order runs.

At length, the morning's play began with Sri Lanka at 282 for 6. Yesterday's hero, Kusal Mendis, added only seven to his overnight total before he was caught behind off Mitchell Starc for 176, the only wicket to fall in an opening session that was limited to just 45 deliveries. Australia also had Herath lbw in that session, but a review found Josh Hazlewood's ball had pitched outside leg. Herath and Dilruwan Perera added 24 for the eighth wicket and Nuwan Pradeep later joined Herath for a 30-run tenth-wicket stand. They were runs of significant value, given the mental difference they would make to Australia's batsmen, set something closer to 300 than 200.

Australia's bowlers perhaps lost their way a little, trying too hard instead of simply aiming at the stumps. In the end, that was the way Dilruwan Perera fell, lbw to Hazlewood for 12. Sandakan departed in somewhat comical fashion when he backed away against Mitchell Starc, who followed him with a shortish delivery that lobbed off the midriff and trickled onto the stumps.

Still Sri Lanka would

not be cowed. Herath and Pradeep fought gamely and frustrated the bowlers into wide lines. Eventually on 35 Herath fell to a brilliant catch from a man who was not even in Australia's XI: 12th man Moises Henriques at cover hurled himself to his left to pull off a remarkable take that gave Hazlewood his second wicket.

Herath's Test career started with the very next match after Sri Lanka's historic win against Australia in Kandy in 1999. Seventeen years later, his tail-end runs gave them real hope of a second win in the same city.

But that will be determined by how Australia handle his bowling –- and that of his colleagues – on the final day. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka 2nd innings (282/6 overnight score) MDKJ Perera lbw b Starc 4 JK Silva lbw b O’Keefe 7 FDM Karunaratne lbw b Starc 0 BKG Mendis c †Nevill b Sta rc 176 AD Mathews* c Burns b Lyon 9 LD Chandimal† lbw b Marsh 42 DM de Silva c Khawaja b Lyon 36 MDK Perera lbw b Hazlewood 12 HMRKB Herath c sub (MC Henriques) b Hazlewood 35 PADLR Sandakan b Starc 9 N Pradeep not out 10 Extras (b 1, lb 12) 13 Total (all out; 93.4 overs) 353 Fall of wickets 1-6 (MDKJ Perera, 2.2 ov), 2-6 (Karunaratne, 2.5 ov), 3-45 (Silva, 12.2 ov), 4-86 (Mathews, 27.1 ov), 5-203 (Chandimal, 58.1 ov), 6-274 (de Silva, 77.3 ov), 7-290 (Mendis, 82.1 ov), 8-314 (MDK Perera, 87.4 ov), 9-323 (Sandakan, 88.5 ov),

10-353 (Herath, 93.4 ov) Bowling: MA Starc 19-4-844, JR Hazlewood 18.4-3-592,SNJ O’Keefe 16.2-3-421, NM Lyon 27-2-108-2, DA Warner 1-0-10-0, AC Voges 1.4-0-3-0,MR Marsh 9-133-1, SPD Smith 1-0-1-0 Australia 2nd innings (target: 268 runs) JA Burns b Sandakan 29 DA Warner b Herath 1 UT Khawaja lbw b MDK Perera 18 SPD Smith* not out 26 AC Voges not out 9 Extras 0 Total (3 wickets; 27 overs) 83 To bat MR Marsh, PM Nevill†, SNJ O’Keefe, MA Starc, JR Hazlewood, NM Lyon Fall of wickets 1-2 (Warner, 1.2 ov), 2-33 (Khawaja, 8.1 ov), 3-63 (Burns, 17.6 ov) Bowling: N Pradeep 3-016-0, HMRKB Herath 10-135-1, MDK Perera 9-1-19-1, PADLR Sandakan 5-1-13-1

Rio Olympics 2016…

Russian weightlifters banned from Olympic Games R

ussia’s weightlifting team has been banned from competing at the Rio Olympics because of doping offences.

Individual sport federations must rule on whether Russians can compete in Rio following the country’s doping scandal.

Two of the eight-strong weightlifting team had already been banned for prior violations, and another four were named in the McLaren report into the issue.

Russia’s Sports Minister said 272 of the original 387 athletes selected had been cleared to compete in Rio. A final figure is expected today, with the federa-

tions of boxing, golf, gymnastics and taekwondo still to confirm their decisions.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) had recommended all Russian athletes be banned from the Games, but weightlifting and athletics are the only sports to have imposed a blanket ban on Russian competitors.

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) took the step following a series of suspicious test results at the Beijing and London Games.

“We would like to highlight the extremely shocking and disappointing statistics regarding the Russian weightlifters,”

said a statement by IWF. “The integrity of the weightlifting sport has been seriously damaged on multiple times and levels by the Russians; therefore, an appropriate sanction was applied in order to preserve the status of the sport.”

Tommy Yule, team leader of GB weightlifting, said: “Initial reaction is that happy that a decision has been made so that we know what the situation is with the Russian team.

“Secondly, I’m happy that to see the toughest possible sanctions have been put in place.”

The Games get under way on August 5. (BBC Sport)

Russia’s weightlifting team has been banned from competing at the Rio Olympics because of doping offences

20

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2016

Hero Caribbean Premier League…

Mighty challenge awaits Zouks in clash with Tallawahs

A

Jerome Taylor

Shane Watson

mighty challenge awaits the St Lucia Zouks as they prepare for an important clash with leaders Jamaica Tallawahs from noon today at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Fort Lauderdale, as the Florida leg of the CPL continues.

The Zouks are one of four teams fighting to progress to

up comprising solid strokemaking and big-hitting batsmen, namely Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Shane Watson, David Miller, Michael Hussey, Darren Sammy, Grant Elliot and Kyle Mayers.

On the other hand, the Zouks’ bowling department has found form in their last four matches and has delivered the goods to their for-

Teams

night.

The Tallawahs have been outstanding so far and would be banking on their current form to remain at the top of the point standings. Gayle, Chadwick Walton, Kumar Sangakkara, Rovman Powell, Shakib Al Hassan and Andre Russell have all played key innings in the Tallawahs’ wins so far and dismantling this batting line-

Mat Won Lost N/R

Pts Net RR

Jamaica Tallawahs

8

6

1

1

13

+1.502

Guyana Amazon Warriors

9

6

3

0

12

+0.093

St Lucia Zouks

8

4

4

0

8

-0.101

Trinbago Knight Riders

9

4

5

0

8

-0.219

Barbados Tridents

9

3

5

1

7

-0.256

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

9

2

7

0

4

-0.717

the second round and they must win one of their two games remaining if they are to advance as well as improve their net run rate and wait on the results of the other matches.

The Zouks are yet to make it to the playoffs since the Caribbean Premier League was inaugurated in 2013 and this year has seen their best display after finishing in the bottom two on all three previous occasions. However, though it looks brighter for the Zouks this time around than it did in previous instances, the Tallawahs is the penultimate and ultimate hurdle for them to cross before a shot at the playoffs.

In that case, it would take a gigantic effort since the Tallawahs have been playing superb cricket and have dominated the Zouks in four of their previous five clashes, with wins by margins of 10 wickets, nine wickets, seven wickets and six wickets, while the Zouks managed one joyful moment with a seven-wicket victory.

Although it may seem a tough task for the Zouks, it is definitely not an impossible one since they possess a very strong batting line-up and a bowling line-up that has grown as a unit. Whether setting or chasing a target, once the Zouks’ batsmen get a day in their favour and they concentrate to execute, then any goal is achievable with a line-

tune, with experienced fast bowler Jerome Taylor being

recently returned to South Africa. The two formed a formidable partnership that was effective until it was broken by Steyn’s departure. Besides the two pacers, Jamaica have depended on Imad Wasim, Al Hasan, Russell, Gary Mathurin and Powell, all of whom have delivered in one way or another.

Although Jamaica will

Chadwick Walton

start as favourites in today’s match, the Zouks are not to be written off.

Jamaica Tallawahs: Chris Gayle (Captain); Shakib Al Hasan; Andre Russell; Kumar Sangakkara; Imad Wasim; Dale Patterson; Rovman Powell; Chadwick Walton; Jon-Russ Jaggesar; Andre McCarthy; Jonathan Foo; Alex Ross; Keswick Williams; Nkrumah Bonner;

Garey Mathurin; Timroy Allen and Oshane Thomas.

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

12th Annual P&P Tennis Camp concludes

up is not just a tough task for the Zouks but for any opposi-

A

P&P representative Vikash Panday with participants of the camp

Andre Russell

the standout along with skipper Sammy, Delorn Johnson and Watson.

Taylor has led from the front and has stifled batsmen in his opening spell as well as in the depth. Watson and Sammy have supported well and have played integral roles in the middle overs.

However, it is the left-arm pacer Johnson, who can be a big threat to the Tallawahs’ destructive opening batsman Chris Gayle, who is usually in discomfort against the leftarm quicks.

With the batsmen and bowlers in their repertoire, the Zouks could upset the Tallawahs, but they must be prepared to do so on game

tion in the tournament.

As expected, Gayle is the most destructive of Jamaica’s batsmen and has been well supported by the others.

Young and exciting Powell has surprised and is very similar in style to Russell with his aggressive hitting.

Shakib and Sangakkara have shown their experience in pressure situations, while Walton has shown his worth at the top. In his rare appearances at the crease, Russell has also proven his worth with a few cameos.

Surprisingly, rookie Kesrick Williams has been at the top of Jamaica’s bowling, which included hostile fast bowler Dale Steyn, who

nother chapter was Friday closed in the history of lawn tennis in Guyana as the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) successfully concluded the 12th P&P Insurance Brokers’ annual Junior Tennis Camp.

The camp, which ran for three weeks from July 11, began at the National Racquet Centre and concluded at the National Gymnasium, attracting some 61 participants.

The objective of the camp was to provide the ultimate opportunity for young children to learn the game of tennis in a fun but progressive way, combining physical, technical and mental training, culminating with a competition.

The type of tennis played at the camp was mini-tennis, which catered for the development of very young children and is the only type of tennis that paves the way towards full-court tennis.

So much so that in its 12th

year, the camp can boast continuous success with a steady flow of juniors subsequently joining tennis clubs to continue training.

Some of these players aspire to one day represent Guyana, earn a college scholarship or simply play the game at an advanced level. Led by the top tennis coaches in Guyana, the P&P camp has proven to be the most consistent and successful tennis camp conducted by the GLTA with participants generally numbering over 60.

The owner of P&P Insurance Brokers, Bish Panday, who has for decades committed his business towards significant contributions to sports development in general in Guyana, made a commitment to the annual tennis camp in 2005, a year after the Tennis Association was re-established and has not wavered.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, P&P representative Jaya Panday said

the entity was always happy to sponsor the event, and it recognised that it owed something to society and to be able to give back in such a way, especially with the kids, P&P was forming the future.

In her speech, GLTA committee member Grace McCalman said every year there were coaches who voluntarily provided their service just because the camp was the biggest thing for local tennis development. She added that the Association was without the resources to get a top world-ranked player but what it has been doing consistently was providing children with a kind of opportunity that allowed them to gain scholarships to improve at universities overseas.

Each year the camp continues to grow and be successful, a good sign for tennis in Guyana which is not competing with the more popular sports like cricket, football or athletics.

YELLOW PAGES SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2016 | WWW.GUYANA-TIMES.COM

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21

SPORTS WICB Regional U-19…

Jamaica upset Guyana — Leewards defeat Windwards

I

t was a disappointing start to their title defence when current champions Guyana suffered a humiliating loss inside of two days to Jamaica in a low-scoring opening round match in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-19 three-day tournament at Park Hill, St Vincent.

In two innings, the winners recorded totals of 143 all out and 129 all out, while Guyana made 121 and 112-9, with batsman Renaldo Ali Mohamed not batting.

Guyana lost the first innings by 21 r u n s on the f i r s t d a y after l e f t a r m spinner Akinie Adams took seven wickets.

Jamaica made 143 in their first innings with Jeavor Royal top scoring with 53 from 39 deliveries including six sixes. He then returned with the ball to rout Guyana with figures of 6-29 and was supported by Michael Frew, who bagged 4-39.

Guyana’s top four got starts, with opening batsman Ronaldo Renee being the only one to carry on, making 55. Raymond Perez and Joshua Persaud made 16 apiece while Sherfane Rutherford fell for 15.

Royal (44), who batted at seven in both innings top scored for a second time, as

Jamaica was rattled out for 129. Rutherford and Travis Persaud claimed two wickets each, along with Adams who fell short of a 10-wicket match haul.

Needing 151 to claim a come-from-behind victory, Guyana fell for 1129 innings closed, losing by 39 runs. West Indies U-19 player Keemo Paul made a brisk 35, while Renee scored 24. Royal completed a fine allround performance b y picking up 4-23 to finish with 1 0 wickets in the

match, but it was Javelle Glenn who was the main destroyer in the second innings with figures of 5-27.

Meanwhile, the Leewards recorded a comefrom-behind victory over the Windwards yesterday after losing first innings points on the opening day and being outplayed on the second day.

Windwards were 109 all out and 163 all out while Leewards scored 104 all out and 171-4 in 50.1 overs. In Windwards’ first innings, Alick Anthanaze led the way with 39, while Kian Pemberton, Kofi James and Daniel Doram got three wickets each for Leewards.

In reply’ Ross Powell made

33 for the Leewards, who were wrecked by Rasheed Fredericks (4-25) and Athneil Lewis (3-23).

In their second turn at the crease, Emmanuel Stewart (58) and Anthanaze (47) guided Windwards to 156 all out. Pemberton captured four scalps, while Doramand Javy Benjamin claimed two wickets each for the winners.

The Leewards reached 171-4 to win the game by six wickets and closed the first round as winners along with Jamaica. Top scorer in the first innings, Powell was once again at the helm with the bat, making 85 not out from 157 deliveries while receiving support from Tyrone Williams, who made 43.

Barbados and Trinidad played to a draw, with the latter taking first innings’ honours. Trinidad were dismissed for 371 in 102.1 overs on the second day, with Kirstan Kallicharan making 110, Bryan Boodram 88, Cephas Cooper 59 and Dejoure Charles 51. Leniko Boucher took 5-66 from 14 overs for Barbados and was aided by West Indies youth pacer Chemar Holder and Dominic Drakes, who captured two wickets each.

In reply, Barbados made 194 all out in 85.4 overs, with Shian Brathwaite (72) the main scorer. Jonathan Bootan (5-53) and Boodram 3-43 combined to take eight of the Barbadians’ wickets.

In their second innings, Barbados were 225-5 in 78 overs when the game was called off. Boucher (119) scored the second century of the tournament and got support from Yvan Grant who made 39. Jarlane Seales took two wickets for Trinidad.

Lucozade Hockey tourney postponed to next week

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he Guyana Hockey Board/Lucozade hockey tourney matches, which were slated for this weekend, have all been postponed to next week to accommodate boxing at the National Gymnasium.

The competition, which is the first local major tournament since the new executive was elected, is expected to continue as normal on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at the said venue with the regular number of matches per night.

The tournament is a stepping stone for both the male and female national teams since they have their sights set on the Pan American Indoor Championships in Canada slated for April next year, and the locker room gossip is that the odds are, so far, in the local teams’ favour.

The tournament has been a competitive one so far, with lots of excitement. Players to watch are Junior National

stars Aroydy Branford and Andrew Stuart from the Hikers team, which also feature Senior National players Robert France and Shane Samuels. The latter is the reigning MVP of the National Indoor Tournament.

Juniors Daniel Hooper and Kareem McKensie, along with National Goalkeeper Medroy Scotland (who is in

for an injured junior, Captain Mark Sergeant), will rejoin GCC; while Saints will have the skills of Ato Greene and Hilton Chester in their arsenal. Old Fort will also be stronger due to Omar Hopkinson’s presence.

The action goes down at the National Gymnasium, beginning at 17:00h on the aforementioned days.

22 “Bad Intentions” boxing card signed and sealed!

T GUYANA-TIMES.COM

SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2016

he highly-anticipated boxing card slated for August 27 at the Giftland Mall, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, was officially brought into reality with the signing of the contracts at Abdool & Abdool Insurance Brokerage, Avenue of the Republic, on Friday.

On the card, as it stands presently, are five actionpacked bouts with much excitement to see the top fighters clash.

The main event of the night will see Guyanese youngster Dexter Gonsalves match gloves with worldranked USA boxer DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley in 12 rounds for the World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX Lightweight Title.

Gonsalves stunned the crowd in his last match against Clive “The Punisher” Atwell, while “Chop Chop” has been in the ring with the

likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr and other top boxers.

Guyana Boxing Board of Control President Peter Abdool noted that this fight was particularly important for young Gonsalves to square up with a contender of this magnitude and it would add to his ranking if he came out victorious.

Abdool indicated, however, that Corley, who is expected to be in the country two weeks prior to the fight, has made his intentions clear. “He is coming to win.”

In the middleweight category, Mark Austin will look to stop the mighty Jamaican Michael Gardener in his boots.

One of the most favoured clashes of the night will be in the lightweight category where Imran Khan will look to redeem himself against Quincy Gomes.

Gomes had emerged vic-

torious against Khan the last time these two met, but Khan has identified his mistakes from the last fight and has already started to correct them.

However, Gomes does not intend to go the full six rounds with Khan, and wants to finish the fight in round one.

Another lightweight bout for the night will see Anthony Narine making his debut when he shares the square with Keeve Allicock for four rounds.

The first fight slated for the night will have the crowd on their toes to witness Kelsey George, a young Berbician, looking to defeat Barbadian Chadwin Estwick.

Estwick, who is on a winning streak, is looking to extend it, while George will be aiming to gain some momentum for his future.

Admission cost $3000 (ringside) and $1000 (general admission).

Junior Caribbean Cycling Championship rides off today

From left: Anthony Narine, Imran Khan, Charwin Estwick, Quincy Gomes, Dexter Gonsalves, Mark Austin and Kelsey George

Everest Cricket Club to host Freedom Day 10/10

The ground being prepared for Monday’s activity

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he Everest Cricket Club is urging all cricket lovers to come out and enjoy a fun day of softball cricket on Monday, August 1 (Freedom Day more commonly known as Emancipation Day).

Some of the top and emerging local softball

teams will play in a fun 10/10 competition for trophies.

The event will be played in two categories, namely the Masters and the Open Divisions.

Registration for teams which would like to participate is absolutely free and

white balls will be available at Everest at cost price.

Teams who want to participate in the event need to be present at the ground prior to 09:00h for registration.

For more information, interested persons can contact the club on telephone numbers 226-6289 or 225-51975.

“50 Shades of the Game” developing table tennis in Guyana T

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The Guyana team for the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championship

he Junior Caribbean Cycling Championship rides off today into Sunday in St Lucia, with the Guyana team being represented by some of the best young talent in the nation.

The team, which only arrived on the island two days prior to the start of the event, are brimming with talent and some experienced riders.

The list includes Andrew Hicks and Raphael Leung, who have both represented Guyana at this level before.

Hicks is rated as the number one junior cyclist in Guyana and hails from Berbice.

In addition to Hicks and Leung, National Junior Time Trials and Road Race Champion Christopher Cornelius is part of the team alongside Zaman Khan and

Jornel Yearwood.

The management of the team has already expressed confidence in the team’s chances of bringing home more medals this year. Last year, only Alonzo Ambrose was able to capture a medal (bronze) for the Guyanese contingency in Suriname.

The team’s management comprises their coach Randolph Roberts and Manager Marc Sonoram.

he annual table tennis summer camp, regularly referred to as the “Teach Them Young” programme but since renamed “50 Shades of the Game”, is grooming some of Guyana’s best in the sport.

The programme, which has been in existence for over two decades, is currently ongoing and will run until August 12 – a period of one month.

National Table Tennis Coach Linden Johnson, who trains the children in the programme, said there were some 58 participants who were benefiting from this initiative, with many being beginners in the sport.

The primary goal of the camp is to develop the players’ technical knowledge of the game and nurture them into the best in Guyana.

As it stands, the record does not lie – with the tournament producing champi-

National Table Tennis Coach Linden Johnson

ons such as Chelsea Edghill and Alishaba Johnson.

“Most of the top players in the country come through this camp, on average about 80 per cent to 90 per cent,” Johnson pointed out.

The national coach added that this camp was held under the auspices of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and has given a lot to the game by sponsoring a light snack for the children.

“The snacks serve as a motivation for the youngsters,” Johnson said.

In addition to the NSC sponsoring snacks, the camp is also benefiting from a national body’s grant which donated 10 tables every year for three years.

As a result, Guyana has the facilities to host international tournaments and has already hosted two.

Johnson noted that he was also pleased with the loyalty shown by past students who return to help the younger ones develop their game.

The programme runs during weekdays in the morning, absolutely free at the National Gymnasium.

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2016

23

Caribbean Premier League 2016…

Patriots stun Knight Riders to make play-off race dicey

By John Ramsingh in Lauderhill, Florida

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he St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots with one victory in the Caribbean and already eliminated from the play-offs before arriving in the United States stunned defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) by runs in match 26 of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at the Central Broward County Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida.

In another carnival-like atmosphere the Patriots batsmen made the most of good batting conditions in compiling 180/5 then turning it over to the bowlers to bowl out the TKR for 146 form 18 overs to win by 34 runs. The Patriots’ victory have thrown the points table in shambles with the St. Lucia Zouks and TKR on eight points and Barbados Tridents on seven points all looking to fill the final two positions available in the play-offs.

There were few Patriots fans who thoroughly enjoyed the match

of the innings also off the bowling of Narine at 78/2 in the eighth over. Faf du Plesis was next in and next out. With the score on 90 in the 10th over skipper de Plessis played over a slower ball from Bravo and was bowled for 2 and the familiar slide was on. After adding 21 runs for the fourth wicket, Lewis was next to go.

SCOREBOARD St Kitts and Nevis Patriots innings (20 overs maximum) JT Smuts c Umar Akmal b Nari ne 16 E Lewis c Bravo b Narine 79 LMP Simmons c Umar Akmal b Narine 5 F du Plessis* b Bravo 2 DC Thomas† b Cooper 10 JL Carter not out 27 35 SSJ Brooksnot out Extras: (b-1, lb-3, w-2) 6 Total: (5 wickets; 20 overs) 180 Did not bat; NLTC Perera, K Santokie, S Badree, SS Cottrell Fall of wickets: 1-65 (Smuts, 5.6 ov), 2-78 (Simmons, 7.2 ov), 3-90 (du Plessis, 9.2 ov), 4-111 (Lewis, 11.5 ov), 5-122 (Thomas, 13.3 ov) Bowling: NO Miller 4-0-350, RR Beaton 4-0-45-0 (w-2), KK Cooper 4-0-32-1, DJ Bravo 4-0-37-1, SP Narine 4-0-27-3 Trinbago Knight Riders innings (target: 181 runs from 20 overs) HM Amla run out (Lewis)

33

After being sent in, the Patriots who started their Florida leg of matches with the knowledge that they won’t go on to the next round began with JJ Smuts and Evin Lewis and they set the stage on fire. Lewis was the aggressor from the get go and Bravo used five bowlers in the Power Play looking for the break through. The first wicket eventually came off the final ball of over number six when the Knight Riders’ trump bowler Sunil Narine had Smuts spectacularly caught at long on by Umar Akmal for 16 from 14 balls with a four and a six. By then the Patriots were well set at 65/1 with Lewis at the other end on 46.

Lendl Simmons who came at number three didn’t stick around long.

When on five he gave Akmal his second catch

BB McCullum c du Plessis b Cottrell 1 C Munro lbw b Santokie 46 RR Sarwan run out (Carter/†Th omas) 9 Umar Akmal c du Plessis b Badr ee 5 DJ Bravo* c Cottrell b Santokie 9 D Ramdin† b Badree 0 SP Narine c Santokie b Cottrell 19 KK Cooper c Carter b Santokie0 RR Beaton c Brooks b Cottrell 7 NO Miller not out 6 11 Extras: (lb-3, w-8) Total:(all out; 18 overs) 146 Fall of wickets: 1-18 (McCullum, 1.5 ov), 2-45 (Amla, 5.4 ov), 3-76 (Sarwan, 10.5 ov), 4-103 (Munro, 12.5 ov), 5-105 (Umar Akmal, 13.1 ov), 6-105 (Ramdin, 13.2 ov), 7-127 (Bravo, 15.2 ov), 8-127 (Cooper, 15.3 ov), 9-139 (Narine, 17.1 ov), 10-146 (Beaton, 17.6 ov) Bowling: S Badree 4-0-302 (w-1), SS Cottrell 4-035-3 (w-2), NLTC Perera 3-0-18-0, K Santokie 4-027-3, JL Carter 3-0-33-0

Lewis hit Narine’s first and second deliveries of over number 12 over midwicket for six but tried to repeat the shot and was caught on the boundary by Bravo for a well-played 79 (40 balls; 4x4; 8x6) at 111/4.

He was Narine’s third victim in his third over and the Knight Riders were back in the game after the Evin Lewis assault. Narine was definitely the pick of the TKR bowlers with three wickets for 27 runs from his quota and the champion off spinner took his tally to 12 wickets this CPL. Devon Thomas who seemed in a hurry was dropped by Bravo off Cooper on eight and next ball he was caught in a tangle and was bowled at 122/5 in the 14th over.

Then came a match winning unbeaten 58-run

sixth wicket partnership between Shamarh Brooks and Jonathan Carter that propped up the Patriots and took the score to the challenging 180-run mark.

Brooks finished on 35 not out from 19 balls with three sixes and a four while the left handed Carter ended on 27 from 24 balls with three fours. The Barbadian pair ensured that 88 runs came from the final 10 overs with

two wickets going down after the first 10 yielded 92 runs for three wickets.

Bravo accounted for the wicket of du Plessis while fellow medium pacer Cooper also had one wicket for the Knight Riders who may be dethroned this year without making it to the play-offs since their batting failed to fire.

The defending champions never got partnerships and were always behind the eight ball chasing 181 under the lights in hot conditions against a pumped up Patriots unit. Colin Munro top scored with a brisk 46 (28 balls; 2x4; 3x6) but got little support from the rest of the batting except Hashim Amla with 33 from 26 balls (4x4). Amla was the first of two run outs for the TKR as their batsmen struggled against the pace and spin combinations employed by Faf du Plessis.

Krishmar Santokie and fellow Jamaican left arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell picked up six wickets with

Devon Thomas (R) of St Kitts and Nevis Patriots bowled by Kevon Cooper (L) of Trinbago Knight Riders (Randy Brooks/Sportsfile Photo)

Samuel Badree claiming the other two. Both Badree and Santokie picked up two wickets in two balls as the Knight Riders were looking for quick runs.

Ramnaresh Sarwan and Hashim Amla came in for William Perkins and Anton Devcich but the Guyanese right handed batsman Sarwan looked match rusty and was run out for 9 at

76/3 in the 11th over to signal the beginning of the end for the 2015 champions.

The tournament will continue today with the first of two double headers with table leaders Jamaica Tallawahs taking on St. Lucia Zouks at midday followed by the return fixture of the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Barbados Tridents at 16:00h.

SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2016

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

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

Patriots stun Knight Riders to make playoff race dicey

Pg 23

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