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Issue No. 2944

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, August 11, 2016

PRICE

Pharmagate

Ware “house” deal a totally corrupt transaction – Jagdeo Page 3

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Policeman slapped with attempted murder P8 charge

… PPP/C to reprimand Health Minister over “blatant lies”

88.2kg cocaine unearthed in frozen fish at CJIA Page 7

Miner shoots wife, commits suicide

Campbellville man arrested for illegal P10 gun, ammo Omai pit collapse

Dead miner P10 ID’d as father of 7

Page 5

Nagamootoo powerless – Opposition Leader P9

Surama cultural group performing for Iwokrama’s 20th anniversary celebration at the Arthur Chung’s Convention Centre on Wednesday. The Iwokrama Forest is a vast wilderness of nearly one million acres – a protected area and homeland of the Makushi people who have used the forest for generations. A unique blend of technology, ancient culture, and traditional knowledge, Iwokrama fulfils its mandate and promise to the world (Dexter Ceres photo)

Govt formalises tax waivers for oil giant, partners Page 7

Jamaican busted at GPOC attempting to smuggle P9 cocaine

Pharmagate

President orders immediate investigation into ware "house" fiasco

Page 12

Govt hikes taxes on steel imports P5

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

NEWS

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, August 11 – 10:30h-12:00h and Friday, August 12 – 12:00h-13:30h

Pharmagate

Ware “house” deal a totally corrupt transaction – Jagdeo

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: 09:35h-11:05h and Friday, August 12 – 10:55h-12:25h.

… PPP/C to reprimand Health Minister over “blatant lies”

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Heavy to light rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected in the morning, while heavy rainfall is expected to dominate in the afternoon. Clear skies can be expected in the evening with temperatures ranging between 24 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide:10:14h and 22:40h reaching maximum heights of 2.19 metres and 2.20 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 03:42h and 16:09h reaching minimum heights of 0.96 metre and 1.05 metres respectively.

T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has signalled its intention to have Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton reprimanded by the Parliamentary Committee of Privileges, over the “blatant lies” he told the National Assembly regarding Government’s sourcing of a building in Sussex Street, Charlestown, to be used as a storage bond for the nation’s drugs and medical supplies.

This disclosure was made on Wednesday, when Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo met with members of the local media at the Party’s Freedom House Headquarters.

In fact, Jagdeo told me-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Cabinet decision.

The Opposition Leader said the actions of the Government illustrates that there was an attempt to cover up a blatantly corrupt

$25M advance

Jagdeo said that the $25 million which was advanced by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2016

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drinks.

He said the first month’s rental of $12.5 million that was paid to Linden Holding Inc is what is being used to renovate the facility.

Government, he said, financed the acquisition of the property for Singh and is also “paying to fix it up.”

The Opposition Leader on Wednesday spoke publicly on the matter for the first time since it was first disclosed to the National Assembly.

He said Dr Norton’s “first lie” was to tell the Members of Parliament (MPs) that Government was paying the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation in excess of $19 million a month for the use of its bond to store drugs and medical supplies.

Jagdeo vehemently denied this charge and said the PPP/C Government, while in office, never paid a cent to NEW GPC INC for the use of its storage bond.

He said the current Government is fully aware of this fact and would have been in possession of all the relevant documentation since taking office.

The Sussex Street bond

dia operatives that the Opposition may very well have to go after the entire Cabinet since the decision to front Linden Holding Inc $25 million from the nation’s coffers was as a result of a

deal to transfer $12.5 million monthly to a party supporter. “It is a totally corrupt transaction and I want to see whether (President) Granger will order a Commission of Inquiry into this matter.”

For Change (APNU/AFC) Government to Larry Singh’s Linden Holding Inc, was in fact used to purchase the building – formerly a beverage depot for Tom-Boy

Another blatant lie told

by Dr Norton, according to Jagdeo, is that the Public Health Ministry had begun using the facility now owned

by Linden Holding Inc. Several independent checks have found this to not be the case, since the facility is still in the process of being refurbished. “There is nothing in the bond, it is under construction now,” Jagdeo said.

TURN TO PAGE 12

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guyana-times.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

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

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

Editorial

African Decade support

W

ith the present activities focusing on giving meaning to the International Decade for People of African Descent, it might be useful to remember the efforts of the previous PPP Administrations to commemorate the prior "International Year for People of African Descent" (IYPAD) declared in 2011. This is against the background of persistent allegations of "race baiting" statements by former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Back in 2009, the United Nations had designated the year as IYPAD in acknowledgement of the historic injustices that had been inflicted on African peoples and on the need for the world to attempt rectification in the present. At the launching of the event, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had pointed out: “The international community has affirmed that the transatlantic slave trade was an appalling tragedy not only because of its barbarism, but also because of its magnitude, organised nature and negation of the essential humanity of the victims. Even today, Africans and people of African descent continue to suffer the consequences of these acts.”

The PPP Government, through the Ministry of Culture, immediately organised a broad- based committee to plan a year-round roster of activities to give life to the declaration. In January, after the launching of the plan of activities, there were some accusations that the Government was excluding some organisations.

President Bharrat Jagdeo's Administration then granted $10 million to the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) to support the organisation’s activities to mark the occasion. He did this even though ACDA has been one of the most independent organisations in the African community and has not been shy in criticising the Government on occasion.

At the launching of the IYPAD commemoration at the International Convention Centre, then President Jagdeo had promised, “We will as a nation salute, honour and pay tribute to the people of African descent who constitute such a vital part of the fabric of this plural nation and we’re not just going to talk about it, but make sure that financially, the Government will support it.” In a very candid and forthright challenge, Jagdeo also declared, “When we come to the table, whatever differences we have, let’s talk about it here. If you feel that there are sections of the Government that do things that are inimical to the interest of people of African descent, bring it to the table, don’t stay in the corner and cry like a baby.”

We believe the former President touched on the crux of the conversations that are presently swirling about his statements on "racial discrimination" against Indian Guyanese in New York. In a society that is racially "plural" as Jagdeo reminded us, we cannot escape the reality that one group or another will unfortunately read "racism" when the issue of race is invoked. But responsible leaders will have to be measured in their responses since the latter can also be dubbed "race baiting". It is time that those who use our group identifications to divide us be rejected: there are still the disabilities consequent to slavery and indentureship in our midst to confront.

As Jagdeo said back then, “This dedication of 2011 as the year for peoples of African descent was necessary because the world needs to yield itself from these afflictions in history, particularly the single affliction that is at the root of the ills suffered by Africans, that is African slavery.” But what should be appreciated is that the then President, as with the present one, sought to go beyond the identification and celebration of cultural survivals – important as those might be.

In a landmark speech in 2007 on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade, then President Jagdeo became the first Head of Government of a Caricom State to officially, unequivocally demand reparations for the descendants of Africans against the European slave traders and owners. The support for reparations was once again articulated by Jagdeo at the 2011 launching of IYPAD and these actions should not be conveniently forgotten.

Ostriches wear masks as they are transported by a truck for relocation in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China (Reuters)

NEW GPC corrects misrepresentations made by Public Health Minister

T

he NEWGPC would like to correct several misrepresentations that are being published in the press subsequent to the erroneous statement by Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton that the Government of Guyana paid the corporation $19.2M per month for rental of its 70,000 sq ft warehouse for storage of pharmaceuticals for the Ministry of Public Health and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The fact is that the NEWGPC has been storing pharmaceuticals at its warehouse FREE OF CHARGE to the Government for more than a decade up to March

1st 2016. The corporation invested hundreds of millions into the most extensive and modern warehousing facility for the Government’s pharmaceuticals. The NEW GPC storage warehouse facility of 70,000 square feet had been provided free of cost to the GPHC and the Ministry of Health. It has the necessary equipment, staff, IT, security, certification and sanitation to comply with WHO/ PAHO standards. The facility also has three separate temperature control zones for the storage of temperaturesensitive pharmaceuticals in addition to a separate area for the storage of controlled substances. It also has testing facilities for pharmaceuti-

cals as well as several loading docks to handle the multiple containers that are usual in the government procurement shipment.

After the Ministry of Public Health indicated a substantive and substantial alterations in the old bidding procedure for pharmaceuticals on March 1, 2016, they approached the NEWGPC to continue providing storage for pharmaceuticals for the Ministry of Public Health and the GPHC. At that point the corporation indicated it would charge the government a rate of $237/sq foot for the state of the art storage facility. At this time, contrary to the asseverations of the Minister in Parliament, the

NEWGPC has not received a single cent from the government for the rentals due since March 1, 2016 even though there are substantial quantities of pharmaceuticals being stored in the warehouse.

There have also been references attributed to Government officials about a "previous" rental agreement . This is totally false: NEWGPC always provided its warehouse free of charge.

The NEWGPC, as a professional company that prides itself as one of the most modern in its field in the Caribbean, simply wishes to clarify the false and ambitious statements being circulated.

Hinds, Granger, Africanists not racist

Dear Editor, At a conference for AfroGuyanese held last weekend to discuss the state of the African population, my friend, David Hinds, boldly demanded, and also instructed fellow Africans to so demand a fair share of resources (land, money, etc) from the APNU-PNC-AFC coalition because they voted “the Africans into Government”, and the African dominated (PNCAFC) Government has to respond to their demand by fulfilling their victory obligations.

Other Africanists endorsed Hinds’ demand saying the African Government owes them for their votes.

That is not an unreasonable demand from David Hinds and fellow Africanists and one cannot disagree with the logic employed by Hinds and others.

That is politics. The problem is other Guyanese ethnic groups do not make same or similar demands from their ethnic parties (leaders) or from the PNC-AFC coalition although it was their vote that led to the victory of the African PNC (APNU). Instead of attacking the Africanists, they should be saluted and complimented for advocating for their people. President Granger rightly assented to the demand as he is the leader of

the Africans and “is supposed to do for his people” as he must also for others.

In addressing the conference, Granger responded positively by telling fellow Africans “organise and make your demands as the State will respond positively to them” (my paraphrase) I compliment Hinds, Granger and other Africanists for taking this position and encourage Indians, Amerindians and other ethnic groups to make similar (if not same) demands on the state. Those pseudo-intellectuals who describe the demand of Hinds and other Africanists as well as the response from Granger as “racist” do not understand the concept of race, racism and being racist.

A racist is someone who seeks resources for his group at the expense of other groups and/or denying same to other groups. When a Government fires people primarily from one race or favours one race at the expense of others, it is racist.

Hinds and other Africanists did not say to deny other groups resources and Granger did not say he will not react positively to demands of other ethnic groups.

Thus, they are not racist. The Government can be described as racist in its behaviour towards Indians and

Amerindians by terminating their employment, closing factories, and refusing to fulfil obligations (guaranteeing paddy price at $9000 a bag, not closing any factory, etc) committed during the election campaign.

The African Government, as the Government is described

by Hinds and others, received 51 per cent of the vote. Of that, Africans contributed less than 25 per cent, Indians 11 per cent, Amerindians 4 per cent, Europeans and Chinese a fraction of a per cent, and Mixed around 10 per cent. The AFC was promised 40 per cent of the seats, Cabinet posts and appointments (and by extension resources).

Since Indians make up the bulk of the 11 per cent of the AFC, one would expect the 40 per cent resources would go to the Indians (farmers and sugar workers in particular). But so far, not only have the Indians not gotten 40 per cent, they have gotten negative or zilch resources.

Paddy is a tenth of what was promised and Indians have lost crops and employment.

The Government (Granger and Nagamootoo) told the rice farmers they can’t help them.

So Indians are worse off today than they were under the PPP.

Granger has told Africans to organise because Government is willing to help them. So who will help the Indians given that they are responsible for the PNC being in Government? Ramjattan and Nagamootoo are supposed to be negotiating on behalf of Indians.

But so far, the two (and Charandass Persaud) have taken a hands-off attitude in doing anything for their constituents; guys, demand your 40 per cent for your supporters. It is to be noted that when PPP was in Government, it neglected and abused its own supporters causing Indians to cross over and vote for the African led coalition.

When Indian intellectuals complained that Indians were neglected by the PPP leadership and would leave the PPP, the party leaders attacked the intellectuals as “racist”. It will be out of office for many years to come because of arrogance.

Has the PPP leadership learnt any lesson? When will Indian and Amerindian intellectuals or leaders hold their conference on the state of their groups? I salute Hinds and Granger for their positions.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

5 Audit of GCAA likely Miner shoots wife, commits suicide soon – new Director A news

thursday, august 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BY SHEMUEL FANFAIR

A

n international audit on aviation is expected to be conducted into the operations of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA). Soon to be appointed Director General, Egbert Field, made this revelation at the welcoming ceremony of the inaugural flight of Fly AllWays airline at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on Tuesday.

His comments came on the heels that most air carriers operating out of Guyana are unable to land at air-

New Director of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, retired Colonel Egbert Field

ports in North America due to the lack of international Category One aviation status. On this note, Field told reporters that immediately upon him taking office, one of the priorities will be to raise the country’s level of compliance in line with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

“No airline that is registered and based in Guyana has the ability to go to airports North America because we are in Category Two,” he noted.

It was explained that ICAO representatives will soon be in Guyana to carry out an assessment after which it is hoped that the country can move from a Category Two status to Category One. “After the audit, depending on our level of compliance, we may have some corrective actions to do but I can see us moving toward Category One [which] we will gain from the FAA (Federal Aviation Authority)… gaining Category One will allow airlines starting up and basing themselves in Guyana will have the opportunity to fly to North America,” the new GCAA Director noted.

With his 40 years of experience in the aviation sector, including some 30 years as a Guyana Airways pilot and later a stint in Jamaica’s Aviation Authority, Field posited that this has made him suitable to lead the country’s aviation sector.

“I’m a retired Colonel, also a captain… with over 30 years experience flying – over 18,000 hours, I know what I can do for this industry and we may have a return to Guyana Airways in the future,” Field expressed.

The retired military officer shared the view that Guyana achieving the improved aviation status is especially timely since he believes that air traffic will increase once the oil sector takes off.

Established in March 2002, The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority is guided by Civil Aviation Act (2000) which governs navigation, licensing and security regulations for air transport services in Guyana.

miner is now dead and his wife hospitalised after he shot the

Dead: Theodore Adams

42-year-old woman at their Lot 24 North Road, Bourda, Georgetown, home.

Dead is Theodore Adams, who shot himself, after shooting his wife to the mouth.

The injured woman, Sarojini Warnauth, is in critical condition at a City hospital.

Reports are at about

Relatives gathered outside the couple’s North Road, Bourda home on Wednesday evening

19:20hrs, neighbours rescued the woman and rushed her to a local hospital after they saw her trying to jump through a window from the second flat of the two-storey home.

While details remain sketchy, this newspaper was

told that after neighbours rescued Warnauth, they heard a single gunshot.

Speaking with Guyana Times, the dead man’s brother, Orlando Adams, said that his brother has been ill for some time now.

She said the couple was

married for 17 years and shared one child. That child is 9 years old.

The Police were summoned and they found the license firearm holder dead in the house. (More details in our Friday edition of the Guyana Times)

Govt hikes taxes on steel imports G

overnment has hiked the applicable taxes paid by importers for the importation of steel into Guyana. The disclosure was made on Wednesday

by Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Irfaan Ali, who was at the time engaging a public forum held at Sleepin Hotel on Brickdam, along with the key leadership of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

Ali told those in attendance that Finance Minister Winston Jordan on Wednesday circulated a correspondence with brokers and other relevant stake-

holders, indicating that the tariff (taxes) charged for the importation of steel into Guyana would be doubled, since it has been increased from five per cent to 10 per cent.

Ali said the consequences of such a move will be detrimental to sections of the Guyanese society. Giving as example, Ali said persons building a home, renovating or engaged in other types of construction, will now see their costs being escalated.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo called the move on the part of the coalition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance

For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration, “an attack on the productive sector in Guyana.”

Jagdeo used the opportunity to point out too that while the PPP/C Administration had removed the Value Added Tax (VAT) on the importation of heavy-duty equipment being imported into the country, this was ‘surreptitiously’ re-instated by the current Administration.

He said this has since had a significant disadvantageous impact on industries dependent on such machinery, including those operating in the agriculture, mining and forestry sectors.

The move by Jordan follows on a sleuth of earlier increases to be paid for a range of fees and licences, as announced in his 2016 Budget presentation.

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thursday, august 11, 2016

Page Foundation How to raise a child of character

BY KAREN RUSKIN

H

ow many of you think there are many children that struggle with communicating their needs, thoughts and feelings with words and instead are physically impulsive? Whether you have noticed this behaviour challenge with your own children, or in your observation of other children, it does exist for many. Bullying is now in the forefront of media coverage, and it seems that too many children are disinterested and have no concern over another child’s feelings.

Some children barely stop for a moment to consider their own feelings or another’s feelings, and how their choices impact others.

But, a child that is a) interested in the thoughts of others, b) shows empathy, c) has the skill to express her thoughts with words instead of “acts out” her feelings (eg, misbehaves), and d) has the ability to negotiate with words, can compromise, and has a positive sense of self, is less likely to make intentionally hurtful choices towards another; she is less likely to be a bully. In essence, a child that exhibits the aforementioned skills is on the road towards being a person of character.

There is a direct connection between a child’s lack of empathy, a lack of taking ownership of his own actions, and a lack of communication skills. Your child’s ability to communicate in a healthy interactive manner

that reflects good character should include sharing his feelings in a style that acknowledges the other with whom he dialogues, caring about and being inter-

ested in the other person’s thoughts and being interested in trying to understand his own thoughts.

The selfishness of being wrapped up in himself and what he needs emotionally, rather than considering not only what another child needs but also how his own actions affect another’s life experience, can be changed, taught, learned, and improved. It is our job as parents to teach and model those lessons.

Having great character includes caring for and about one’s self and others. This can be a “both/ and” experience rather than an “either/or” life philosophy. Parenting absolutely impacts children’s develop-

ment of character!

Here are four important life skills for your child to develop that will play a significant role in building his

character: 1. Show empathy 2. Have the ability to compromise and negotiate 3. Take ownership of one’s own actions 4. Express one’s feelings and wants with words rather than with impulsive behavioural reactions Empathy In an effort to help your child develop empathy, teach him that “What the other person does says more about him than it does about you.”

Teach your child this statement about others and help him to understand what it means by offering concrete examples to which he can relate. Then, to make sure he really understands this con-

cept, ask him to share with you an example that proves this statement is true.

For an example, your son tells you that a schoolmate, John (who used to socialise a lot with your son), now excludes him whenever his is playing with his other friend, Mark, and John is more aggressive in school lately. In addition, your son has noticed that Mark’s mother often drives John home.

Help your son examine the different reasons why John may be excluding him and being aggressive.

Perhaps John’s mom cannot pick him up from school because she has to work more hours and Mark’s mom is doing John’s mom a favour.

Perhaps John is angry and hurt that his mother is not as available or attentive as she used to be and he therefore is attaching himself more onto Mark since he feels like that is who is helping him through this painful time right now. Perhaps John is struggling sharing Mark and being inclusive because he feels the stability in his life is threatened and does not know how to communicate this feeling of instability with words; instead he acts out his feelings of instability and insecurity. Or, perhaps John’s aggressive behaviour is also a result of his hurt feelings. Explore with your son what feelings he may have about John and whether his reaction to John’s behaviour may be different based on this new perspective. (psychcentral.com)

guyana-times.com

Choosing your

Have you ever been in a bad mood that you just can't shake? Or had a pile of homework but realised you're not in the mood to get it done? Sometimes we feel at the mercy of our moods – but moods aren't things that just happen to us. We can influence and change them.

Being able to choose the mood that's best suited to a situation is one of the skills of emotional intelligence.

Choosing the right mood can help you control whatever situation you're in.

Mood + Mindset = Success Moods can influence how well we do in certain situations, but so can something else: our mindset. What's the difference between a mood and a mindset? Moods are the emotions we feel. A mindset is the thoughts and ideas that go along with that mood.

Mood and mindset go hand in hand because our thoughts can influence our

C. But what if you're feeling A or B and worry that those moods might affect your performance? Luckily, you can change your mood.

How to choose a mood

Step 1: Identify your mood

To switch moods, you need to check in with what you're currently thinking and feeling. That way you can decide if you need to change your mood to one that's more suited to your situation – or if you're in the best mood to begin with.

To identify a mood, stop and think about what you're feeling and why. Put those feelings into words, like, "Wow, I'm really sad right now" or "I'm feeling really alone." You can say this silently to yourself, out loud, or to someone else.

Step 2: Accept what you feel

After you name your emotion, show yourself some understanding for feeling

TO BE CONTINUED

mood. Here's an example: Imagine you're competing in a swim meet this afternoon. Which mood and mindset helps you do your best?

Mood A: Insecure

You keep thinking about how the competition might blow you out of the water and maybe you're not good enough to be on the team.

Mood B: Annoyed

You're thinking about how swimming interferes with your social life.

Mood C: Pumped up and confident

You're thinking that if you do your best, there's a good chance your team can place well.

Of course, you're likely to do your best with the mood and mindset in option

the way you do. It's perfectly OK (and natural!) to feel bored on a rainy Saturday or annoyed about having to study when everyone else is going out. All emotions are acceptable and understandable. But you don't have to hold on to feeling that way.

Notice your mood, then choose to move past it.

Step 3: Identify the mood that's best for the situation you're in

If you're competing in a swim meet, it's best to be pumped up and confident. If you need to get down to some serious studying, it's better to feel interested, alert, and confident (and not so helpful to feel grumpy, annoyed, and self-defeated). Take a minute to think about which emotions will help you accomplish your goal. (Kids Health) TO BE CONTINUED

NEWS

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

88.2 kg cocaine Govt formalises tax waivers for oil giant, partners S unearthed in frozen fish at CJIA

One of the neatly packed cocaine pellets found in one of the frozen fish

M

embers of the Police Narcotics Branch on Tuesday evening intercepted more than 88.2 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a shipment of frozen seafood destined for the United States of America.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the drug was detected while the shipment of seafood was being processed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

The cocaine was neatly wrapped in white tape and plastic and placed just above the backbone of a quantity of fish that were in the shipment.

A senior Police source confirmed that the shipment has been under surveillance and it was due to excellent intelligence gathering that the shipment was intercepted before it left Guyana. He also confirmed that the 88.2 kgs of cocaine was found in 35 boxes of seafood.

This newspaper was told that a popular businessman on the West Coast of

Demerara (WCD) has been arrested and is assisting Police with their investigations. He was reportedly overlooking the preparation of the drug laden cargo. The Police are also on the lookout for several other people in connection with the cocaine bust.

In June, at least 10 persons were arrested by members of the Police Narcotics Branch following the discovery of more than six kilograms of cocaine in a cargo shipment of frozen fish at Guyana’s main port of entry.

The consignment of frozen fish was also destined for the United States of America.

Safoor Ali, 27; and 22-year-old Nazeema Inraze, both from WCD, were subsequently charged in connection with the bust.

Over the past months, several drug enforcement bodies have managed to put a dent in the drug trade in Guyana making it more difficult to traffic the illegal substance.

eventeen years after the first oil exploration agreement was signed with Esso Exploration and Production and partners, Government has formalised all applicable tax waivers from which the entity and its partners will be benefiting.

This was obtained when Finance Minister Winston Jordan presented for the House, the Order for affirmation by Members of the National Assembly.

The Order formalising the waivers relate to the relevant corporation, property, corporation and other taxes.

Jordan, in presenting the motion to the House for a vote, said it was nothing new or isolated to the current Administration and pointed to previous similar orders issued in relation to other exploration companies such as CGX Resources.

Speaking to the importance of, and the need for, the tax waivers to be granted to the oil giant and its partners, Minister Jordan pointed out that oil exploration is an expensive business, requiring significant levels of investments before any returns could be had.

He said, in order to encourage companies to remain engaged in oil exploration in Guyana, concessions were given over time and companies have been seeing promising results.

Jordan drew reference to the more than 1.4 billion barrels of crude oil estimated to be found in the reserves. According to Jordan, the discovery of oil “has created excitement at home and abroad.”

He posited that everyone recognises that once managed with prudence, “the financial windfall will create the fiscal space we crave for the rapid development.”

As such, the Order formal-

Odinga Lumumba

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

ising the tax waivers are important to provide investors with the necessary comfort required by its shareholders and directors that the agreement with the Guyana Government remains unaltered.

“We will continue to do our part to improve the business climate,” he said.

He pointed to the fact that the oil company has secured an extension of its exploratory permits warranting the need for the formalising of the tax waivers as provided for under Guyana’s Petroleum Laws.

The motion was eventually unanimously supported by all members of the House, but not before some Opposition speakers expressed reservations about the process used to bring the motion to the House.

Chairperson of the Standing Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources, Odinga Lumumba, informed the House that he was unaware of the motion being brought to the House for approval.

He told the House while oil could serve as a significant boost for the Guyanese economy, it could also be equally detrimental and as such, “we can’t carry on like this in this

country… we have to be careful, we have to work together… what is the problem; why the secrecy?”

Lumumba said the relative secrecy with which the motion was brought to the House “makes us feel as if there is a hidden agenda.”

“We cannot embrace the future of our country in secrecy, in darkness, we have to do it in the light,” he noted.

Oil, he reminded, can lead to destruction, “it has destroyed several countries, and therefore we have to work together.” Substantive Minister for the oil sector, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, sought to assure the House that there were no sinister motives afoot.

In fact, Trotman told the House there was no disrespect meant to members of the House or the public at large and that there is “an entitlement to know what is happening.”

He used the opportunity in his presentation to update the House on a number of bilateral engagements with the US Government, the European Union and the Canadian and Mexican administration, among others.

These engagements, he

said, have led to outreaches such as the provision of scholarships for Guyanese students wanting to study in that field, in addition to the establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

He said too that the Norwegian Government has also expressed an interest in assisting Guyana in addition to pledged assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Minister Trotman informed the House too that the University of the West Indies (UWI) has also been engaged.

In calling for the support of the House, Minister Trotman recalled that ever since the agreement was first signed in 1999, this is the first time the order formalising the tax waivers has been brought to the House and is in fact, “many years overdue.”

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, in her contribution to the short debate, told the House that while they are eagerly awaiting the realisation of the prospects of oil but the Opposition would have wanted to be privy to the Order at an earlier time, since it would have liked to been more prepared for such an important debate.

She told the House that the Opposition was essentially being asked to support tax waivers, but there was no indication as to how long or even the quantum of waivers that would be applicable.

The motion was nonetheless approved by all members of the House.

The tax waivers addressed in the Order, as presented by Minister Jordan, relates to the applicable section of the Income Tax Act, the Income Tax in Aid of Industry Act, and laws relevant to Corporation and Property taxes.

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

IN THE COURTS Policeman slapped with 5 more Venezuelans attempted murder charge deported

A

Police Constable was on Wednesday slapped with a charge of intent to commit murder when he appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Lyndon Thompson, 29, of Lot 284 Caneville, Grove, East Bank Demerara, was not required to plead to the indictable offence.

It is alleged that on August 5, 2016 at Itabali Landing, Essequibo River, with intent to commit murder, he discharged several rounds at Shawn Williams.

According to the Prosecution’s case, the defendant was in the process of stopping a domestic dispute when he shot Williams.

He was reportedly attempting to prevent Williams from abusing his female companion and in the process, Williams was shot.

His attorney, Ronald Daniels made a successful bail application on the grounds

Eyew tness

Sinecure...

F

Constable Lyndon Thompson

that he has been serving in the Guyana Police Force for the past six years.

He added that since the incident, his client has been under house arrest and sees no reason why he should not be granted his pretrial liberty.

Bail was granted at $150,000.

As a condition of his bail, Thompson is required to report to the F Division (Interior locations) office once per week.

He will return to court on September 6.

The deported Venezuelan nationals outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts

F

ive more Venezuelans were on Wednesday deported when they appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Julio Fuguro, Carona Guataran, Maria Couplan, Yola Sanchez and Lana Parina Esequar all pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that they all entered Guyana illegally on July 25, 2016, at Eteringbang, Cuyuni River.

They were all fined $10,000 each and deported.

Venezuela is currently fac-

ing its most devastating economic crisis, caused in part by the decline in oil prices on the world market and its people have been suffering.

Venezuelans are calling for assistance as they claim there is no food or jobs for them to provide for their families. However, Guyana’s Head of State, President David Granger explained that while the situation in the neighbouring country was cause for concern, Venezuelans are welcome in Guyana once they enter through legal means and abide by the laws of Guyana.

...in Government

olks in academia are always struggling to get “tenure” – that is, to be confirmed in their job from which it’ll be “hell no hell” to get them fired. It’s almost as good as becoming a Public Servant – but not quite. Public Servants get a “sinecure” the moment they’re confirmed – which, the dictionary informs us is “a position that requires little or no work but giving the holder status and financial benefits.

But making out even better than Public Servants are Ministers of Government. These worthies get “mega status” to go with their “mega salaries” – while, to be honest, Public Servants are “catching they tail”! Trying to motivate the Ministers to do their jobs, (we think) Prezzie gave them a massive 60% raise within a month of entering office. In the normal course of things – in private business, for instance – the boss would wait for a period, decide how the employee’s doing – and THEN give him a raise, or the boot! But then they’re not Government – where the guiding philosophy is: “it’s only money!”

All of this flashed into your humble Eyewitness’ mind when he kept reading of the scandal unfolding in “Warehouse-gate”. Imagine a sitting Minister was caught in at least a dozen “misstatements” – the fella is, after all, an HONOURABLE Minister – which exposed he’d engaged in gross negligence at best or gross malfeasance at worse.

But the man hasn’t been given even a hint he should step down!!

Did a minister have the warehouse rental open to bidding, as required by law? No!! Was the warehouse certified to store Pharma – literally a matter of life and death? Yes...

But...Oooops! by the Minister himself!!! Why seek new storage space? The competition was too expensive, says the Minister, but then signed a contract for THREE times what he’s been given by the former warehouse’s owners!!

Who’d been giving free storage to the Government for eleven years, but decided to start charging when the same Minister decided to give them the boot!

Hand supposed to wash hand, nuh? But the Minister claimed this created an “emergency” to find a new warehouse – and paid out our money even though the warehouse wasn’t even a glint in anybody’s eyes!! Still a work in progress...but rental’s being paid! So your Eyewitness returns to the question of Ministerial responsibility. When does enough become “enough” for Prezzie??

The cock’s crowed way beyond the requisite three times for this Minister. Now Prezzie’s shown he’s loath to fire Ministers – but he stands in danger of sending a message to them that “anything goes”. And too much has already gone down without comment.

So maybe he should appoint a Commission of Inquiry into “Warehouse-gate”??

...for MPs

And here it is your Eyewitness thought that cometh the hour (of crisis) for the country’s economy, the peoples’ representatives would rally round the flag, put their shoulders to the wheel and come up with a rescue plan. But they’ve just taken their vacation – scheduled to extend way into October – a month longer than the school kids. And you can’t blame them, can you? After all in the 450 days since they took office in mid May 2015, the Government’s really pushed their MPs at a gruelling pace. They’ve had to show up for 42 days in those 450 days!!

Can you imagine that? If your Eyewitness didn’t know better he would’ve sworn slavery’d been reintroduced just as we celebrated Emancipation. Problem is, most folks don’t appreciate how hard it is to be a Parliamentarian – especially for the Government MPs who’re practically all Ministers.

And Prezzie only gave them a 50% salary raise which only gave them $12.5M for their 42 days of working. What a slave driver!!

...for contractors

There’d been nothing wrong with Carifesta Ave. But it was going to be recapped, lit up, given a median and widened. All to impress Caricom HOGs – for $180M. No widening, the money’s gone but were the HOGs impressed?

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

news

9

thursday, august 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Nagamootoo powerless Jamaican busted at GPOC attempting – Opposition Leader to smuggle cocaine P rime Minister and First Vice President Moses Nagamootoo is a powerless figurehead in the coalition, A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government and his sole purpose is to criticise the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, made this observation on Wednesday, as he suggested that “he (Nagamootoo) has absolutely no power.”

In fact, Jagdeo suggested that Nagamootoo has since been relegated to “singing for his supper” and his only instruction taken is to sing for how loud and for how long.

Dr Walter Rodney

Jagdeo was at the time addressing members of the media at Freedom House and was responding to the former PPP member’s about-face on the culpability of the People’s National Congress (PNC) in the death of international scholar, world renowned historian and political activist, Dr Walter Rodney.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

The Opposition Leader said Nagamootoo awaits a chosen topic by President David Granger after which his role, “is to sing for his supper.”

Nagamootoo – once at the forefront of laying the blame for Dr Rodney’s death at the hands of the PNC and its then leader Forbes Burnham – strayed from this position as he denounced the findings of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into Dr Rodney’s death.

Dr Rodney, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) strong-man and political activist, was killed on June 13, 1980, in a bomb explosion while seated in his brother’s car.

Drawing reference to the debate in Parliament, which saw Government rejecting the findings of the report of the Rodney CoI, Jagdeo said he was bothered by what obtained in the House during the debate.

In fact, Jagdeo said, “in my lifetime, I have never seen such serious acts of cowardice.” He spoke to the fact that a number of new excuses were proffered by

the Prime Minister, including the resort to accusing the Americans of being involved in Dr Rodney’s death.

Jagdeo said Nagamootoo also went at great lengths during that debate to denigrate the work of the Commission and to disparage the internationally recognised jurists that served as the Commissioners for the inquiry.

According to the former President, Nagamootoo – who only recently matriculated as an Attorney-at-Law – is in no position to disparage the learned jurists.

“He sought to disparage these people, a man who just recently matriculated in the law,” said Jagdeo.

In fact, Jagdeo was adamant that the Prime Minister owes the three Commissioners an apology.

The Opposition Leader posits that all and sundry knew of the PNC’s involvement in the death of Dr Rodney and this had been confirmed in the findings of the CoI. He said Nagamootoo in attempting to divert attention from the PNC – which he (Nagamootoo) now faithfully serves – even suggested that Dr Rodney could have been a victim of the Cold War. “He created a new scenario and sought to blame the Americans… He said Rodney could have been a victim of the Cold War when it was quite clear who were the political authors and it was confirmed in the CoI.” Jagdeo suggested that the Prime Minister’s utterances bordered on suggesting that Dr Rodney committed suicide in order to

Prime Minister and First Vice President Moses Nagamootoo

justify his multimilliondollar package as Prime Minister.

Jagdeo said Nagamootoo has no work to do as a Government official, only to ‘criticise the PPP and to sing for his supper.’

Former President Jagdeo made it clear he in understanding of the positions adopted by senior members of the PNC since they have been consistent, “to hide the fact that they killed Walter Rodney”.

Jagdeo said he has never before seen such serious opportunism, particularly from someone who had always maintained the PNC’s culpability in Dr Rodney’s death.

L

Some of the bottles that contained the cocaine

ess than 12 hours after a West Coast Demerara businessman was busted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport with over 88 kilograms of cocaine in frozen fish, a Jamaican was nabbed at the Georgetown Post Office Corporation (GPOC) attempting to smuggle a quantity of the illegal substance in deodorant bottles.

According to reports received, the 54-year-old man was nabbed by members of the Customs Anti-Narcotics

Unit (CANU) during an inspection of the bottles on Wednesday. Reports are that during the inspection, the ranks came into contact with a strange scent, thus prompting them to check more than 20 deodorant bottles individually.

The ranks reportedly checked and found the white powdery substance which later tested positive for cocaine. The drug was weighed and amounted to 580 grams. The man was arrested and is expected to be charged shortly.

10

guyana-times.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2016

News

Ruimveldt man charged with narco trafficking A West Ruimveldt man was on Wednesday slapped with a possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking charge when he appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly.

Trevor Hopkinson, 29, pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on August 5, 2016, at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he had in his possession 47.2 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

In a bail application, defence Attorney Ronald

Trevor Hopkinson

Daniels told the court that his client was at a shop in the area when the Police approached him and four other men and searched them for drugs. According to the lawyer, nothing was found on his client, but the Policemen began searching the immediate surroundings where they found the illegal substance. The lawyer told the court that the illegal substance could have belonged to anyone of the four men but instead his client was the only one charged.

Hopkinson was released on $50,000 and will return on September 14.

Campbellville man arrested for illegal gun, ammo

R

anks of the Guyana Police Force have arrested a man in Campbellville, Georgetown, who was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

According to Police reports, sometime around 12:00h on Tuesday, ranks were on patrol duty in the Campbellville area when they stopped and searched

the man on Duncan Street.

During the search, the officers discovered a .32 pistol along with four matching rounds.

The suspect was taken into custody and is assisting with the investigation.

This comes just one day after an Essequibo man was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition without being

the holder of a valid licence.

According to reports, Paul Primo, of Farm Village, East Bank Essequibo, was arrested on Monday at Arakaka, North West District.

He pleaded guilty when he appeared at the Mathews Ridge Magistrate’s Court the same day and was sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Omai pit collapse

Dead miner ID'd as father of 7

The mining pit where the accident occurred

A

nother mining accident has left one man dead while another is nursing injuries about his body after a mining pit collapsed at Omai Gold Mine, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The dead man has been identified as Ricky Hughes, 45, of Lot 90 Glasgow, East Bank Berbice.

Reports are the man, who operated an excavator, came too close to the edge of the mining pit it was prospecting, causing the soil to break away.

The equipment reportedly landed on its side in the flooded mine pit with Hughes strapped to the driver’s seat. The excavator was completely submerged.

Guyana Times understands that the depth of the pit is about 15 feet. After sometime, the now dead man was pulled from the water in an unconscious state but had

Dead: Ricky Hughes

no visible sign of injuries to his body.

He was picked up, placed into a 4Runner and taken to the Omai Airstrip where he was air dashed to Georgetown for medical attention. This publication was told that there were no medical personnel at the mining facility at the time of

the incident.

The man succumbed while being transported to the city. The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission has launched an investigation into the incident. Heliantha Hughes, wife of the dead father of seven, told Guyana Times that the post-mortem examination revealed that her husband died from drowning.

She explained that she left her husband in the interior about two weeks ago to look after some business at home. She said she worked along with her husband in the mining camp for the past two months.

They both travelled into the interior in January but only recently, her husband started to operate the excavator at the location where he met his demise. The dead man leaves to mourn his wife, seven children and siblings.

news

11

thurSday, august 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

By: Lorraine Ince-Carvalhal

Expectations: are we setting ourselves up for failure?

W

hy do we expect what we expect to happen? We all learn to expect certain outcomes from certain situations based on previous experiences and either real or imagined outcomes. These learnt expectations could have come from what we ourselves have experienced, but can also be heavily based on what significant others have told, shown or insinuated to us. The information is then used to form predictions about what is going to happen if we do something and subsequently, we choose our actions based on that perceived knowledge.

This process of learning is the natural human way to learn and it has numerous benefits as it can guide us to make good and safe decisions in many circumstances and situations.

The problem occurs when we make a very basic mistake; we confuse what we believe is likely to happen with believing something will definitely happen.

It is the subtle but vital difference between degrees of likelihood and certainty that can be the cause of potential problems because our response to unrealised expectations can affect us in various ways. We learn that because we have seen the same outcome over and over, it is very likely that if something is done again, the same outcome will result.

When we stop and consider this, most of us can quite easily find instances where our expectations have not come to fruition, despite the certainty with which we have formed them.

Many times, this can be a learning experience and nothing more than a surprise. At others, expectations can have a more serious and detrimental effect on the psychological well-being of a person. In time, people may begin to believe they have a right to a certain outcome and when that does not happen, it can be difficult to cope with. A person can feel deep disappointment, shock and confusion when what they believed about reality is challenged. Failure can become magnified and instead of seeing it as an isolated failure, the person can begin to feel their life is a failure.

There are generally three ways that people deal with failed expectations;healthily by re-evaluating the situation and accepting that expectations need to be adjusted, unhealthily by blaming others and taking the attitude that life is so unfair and wonder “why me?”, or more detrimentally, by internally focusing the blame and exaggeratingthe failure leading to thoughts that future success is unattainable.

If you are the type of person who finds the first response difficult to adopt, then it may help to focus on getting specific and identifying what EXACTLY failed and why it is so upsetting.

Often, it can be because of heavy expectations early on in life and so it is important to look at your core beliefs and where they come from before analysing whether they need to be readjusted. Much of the pressure we place on ourselves can be due to what we tell ourselves we should be doing, achieving, striving for, but these “shoulds” are often not really part of who we are or want to be and rather others’ views and beliefs that we have adopted over the years.

Sometimes we follow paths that have been imposed on us, either directly, or because of conditioning. We can choose to design our own path whenever we recognise which of our accepted beliefs are actually at odds with our true selves.

That does not mean we should completely unpick our core values and principles, as many of them will be rooted in positive moral, ethical and cultural standards and will contribute greatly to who we are, but there will always be a time when a person will benefit from understanding what these things mean to them right now. A balance between what they have learnt and what parts fit with their feelings and views currently.

If we do not re-evaluate why we have the expectations we have, we are more than likely going to find ourselves unable to meet up to them. When we can establish a set of expectations based on our own real beliefs and values and can be prepared for a variation of outcomes, we are more than likely going to find a comfortable place with which we can live and function, learn and reflect, adapt and accept that life can be full of surprises and we are not necessarily always entitled to a specific outcome. Think about your expectations, why you have them and if they feel right for you.

Dumping of derelict vehicle charge against Edghill dropped S ome four months after being charged with breaching the City’s by-laws by “dumping a derelict vehicle” on the side of the road, a City Magistrate on Wednesday dismissed the case against People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Parliamentarian Juan Edghill.

In April, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) brought charges against Edghill, accusing him of covering the southern parapet outside his Sugar Cane Street, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, home with a derelict vehicle.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge with his Attorney Sase Gunraj, challenging the charge on two grounds: one, that the definition of derelict vehicle in the charge was wrong; and two, if instituting such a charge the prosecution must be able to establish ownership of the vehicle.

Juan Edghill

The prosecution had contended that the vehicle was in a derelict state when the former Minister was spoken to by a Constable. He reportedly admitted to being the owner of the vehicle and was given two weeks to remove it from the parapet.

It was further pointed

out that all four wheels of the said vehicle were deflated, hence it’s derelict state.

But Edghill maintained that the vehicle is in full working order.

Nevertheless, the trial went on for close to four months, following which the court found the testimony

of City Constable Anasha Williamson to be manifestly unreliable. Williamson’s testimony was found to be inconsistent, incoherent and contradictory, which clearly revealed that the charge was designed by the City authorities to embarrass and defame Edghill, a sitting Member of Parliament.

Despite having won the case, Edghill is however seriously concerned about the abuse of the judicial process to target, intimidate and victimise Guyanese for political and other purposes.

“I am urging that we continue to build a society where social justice, fairness and equity are upheld by all. Furthermore, I encourage public servants and officials in the employ of the State to be professional and refuse being used as instruments to settle political scores by the APNU/ AFC Administration,” he posited.

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Pharmagate

President orders immediate investigation into ware “house” fiasco

I

n light of startling revelations with respect to the rental of a ware “house” to store Government medicine and medical supplies, President David Granger has announced that he has set up a Cabinet Sub-Committee to investigate the contract.

In a statement issued Wednesday evening, the Ministry of the Presidency said that the Head of State was briefed by Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton on the issue during this week’s Cabinet (Council of Ministers) meeting.

Following the briefing, President Granger immediately appointed the Cabinet Sub-Committee to “review, examine and report on the issue”.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister

Storage at NEW GPC’s facility

senting one month’s rent for the storage facility.

Dr Norton told the House that Government opted to ‘sole source’ the bond from Singh since NEW GPC INC

lar premier pharmaceutical company had over the years afforded the Ministry and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) the use of its facility free of cost. Government terminated this arrangement after it took office, which led to NEW GPC requesting payment for the continued use of its facility.

ty, its loading area has been tailored to accept 40-foot containers. The loading area in addition to the sanitary and security considerations also takes into account space requirements since the process dictates that there be an adequate virtual quarantine location since drugs will have to be sorted even before being taken into the storage racks within the bond itself.

While the NEW GPC bond boasts a large loading area, the entrance to the Linden Holding Inc bond is in fact the only entrance for the facility which is above a normally clogged canal.

Among the mandatory requirements is the need for temperature controls in compartmentalised sections within the bond since differ-

Entrance to Cold Room storage at NEW GPC’s facility

zones. This location is used to house drugs and medical supplies that would have been flagged at the virtual quarantine space since those

70,0000 sq ft vs 10,000 sq ft

Another section of the NEW GPC storage facility at Ruimveldt

Raphael Trotman has been appointed Chair of the SubCommittee which includes Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. The preliminary report is expected to be presented to the media today.

Drugs ware “house”

The controversy erupted on Monday when

was demanding an exorbitant fee as rental for its Ruimveldt, Industrial Site bond.

His assertions generated significant public furore, since it was found he was misleading the House on the request made by NEW GPC, in addition to being less than forthcoming on the transaction with Linden

A comparative analysis of the two facilities in question, taking into account the international standards required for such facilities, reveals the Linden Holding Inc bond to be a far inferior facility and location.

This newspaper researched the requirements for the operation of a drugs bond: Guyana Times was told that the operation of such a facility requires at least 20 staff members, including at least two pharmacists on site.

This publication was told that a storage bond for drugs and medical supplies require certain mandatory requirements such as compartmentalised climate controls, security consid-

Entrance to Linden Holding Inc's bond at Sussex Street, Georgetown

Government presented for consideration more than $930 million in advances from the Contingency Fund to meet a number of “unforeseen and urgent” expenditure.

Included in that amount is a $25 million deposit paid to Linden Holding Inc – a company owned by Larry Singh, a financier of the coalition A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government – along with a $12.5 million amount repre-

Holding Inc. It was later revealed that the Ministry not only entered into a shady contract to rent a sub-standard facility, that is more than seven times smaller than NEW GPC’s facility, but it also agreed to pay as much as five times more than what NEW GPC requested. An invoice was computed by NEW GPC at $237 per square foot against the more than $1000 Government has decided to pay Linden Holding Inc. The multibillion-dol-

erations, sanitary requirements and space considerations among others.

The inventory chain begins with the delivery of drugs to the bond and ends when the drugs or medical supplies leave the bond.

A visit to the NEW GPC bond at Industrial Site has since revealed the glaring deficiencies and inadequacies that exist at the Linden Holding Inc’s bond when compared to that of NEW GPC. At the NEW GPC facili-

NEW GPC's security checkpoint and protective gear

ent drugs require different storage conditions. Failure to adhere to stringent temperature control measures could result in drugs losing their integrity and could, in fact, become harmful to patients if not detected through quality assurance measures.

Two small air-conditioning units were seen in the yard of the Linden Holding

materials cannot be housed within the bond among other supplies.

Space considerations were also said to be of paramount importance since in addition to the working environment, there is need for strict climate control measures.

This newspaper was also told of the importance of the sanitary conditions being of

tocols and other safety gear.

There were two black water tanks observed in the compound of Linden Holding Inc. The Guyana Fire Service is also required to undertake an inspection of storage bonds since such facilities pose real fire hazards as many drugs and medical supplies are extremely flammable.

Guyana Times was told too of the importance of specialised security zones for the storage of controlled substances such as morphine and oxycontin among such drugs. Since such drugs are controlled substances under the laws of Guyana, such zones are required to ensure adequate security measures are in place to guard against pilferage and such like occurrences.

In fact, the pre-qualification requirements for suppliers of pharmaceuticals as set out by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board in 2010 speak to the fact that NEW GPC exceeded all the expected requirements.

The criteria for selecting the potential supplier at the time specifically includ-

NEW GPC’s state-of-the-art storage facility at Ruimveldt, Georgetown showing air conditioning systems and loading docks

Inc bond’s compound while a few residential air-conditioning units appeared to be installed.

NEW GPC’s bond boasts 13 industrial air-conditioning units, each with a capacity of 20,000 BTU, which are used to maintain the climate for at least three different temperature zones inclusive of extreme cold storage.

Guyana Times was also informed of the importance of mandatory sections of such a facility inclusive of adequate quarantine

the highest standards to ensure among other requirement, the facility is free of rodents and pests. Of note is that during Wednesday’s visit to the facility, rats could be seen running in the compound, in addition to algae in the drains in the yard housing the bond.

Guyana Times was told too that fire hazards are among the safety issues to be considered in the use of such a facility. NEW GPC’s bond has been equipped with sprinkler systems, pro-

ed storage capacity and temperature as priorities.

At the time, NEW GPC was selected by the Guyana Government as the only prequalified supplier; competitors such as IPA were disregarded since they were found to have insufficient storage; inadequate storage for drugs, including controlled narcotics; a lack of SOPs and a paucity of computerised inventory management.

NEWS

13

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Fly All Ways airline launches service to Guyana S

urinamese-based carrier Fly AllWays has launched its services in Guyana, arriving to the shores of Guyana from Paramaribo, Suriname at around 09:50h on Tuesday to favourable weather and a warm welcome. The carrier currently offers three direct

the airline’s safety and comfort. He also pointed out that connectivity across the three Guiana’s will be enhanced.

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh also observed that connectivity will foster development.

“This new route will cre-

Passengers aboard Fly AllWays aircraft

flights per week from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to Suriname and to Barbados, with flights to

ate a wealth of opportunities to increase intra-regional travel, trade and connectivity and further facilitate the

presence of the airline as a boost for the local sector.

“The tourism industry is heavily dependent on air transport and airlift and interconnectivity will definitely improve Guyana’s accessibility which is critical in boosting arrivals on a sustainable basis,” the GTA Director noted.

After landing at Bridgetown following a one hour, 15-minute flight, the airline’s CEO was honoured

by Barbados aviation authority in recognition of the airline’s inaugural flight.

Parliamentary Secretary of the Barbados Tourism and International Transport Ministry, Irene Garner, welcomed the airline, noting that it is the first regional carrier since Red Jet in 2011.

Also speaking at the Barbados leg was Junior Public Infrastructure Minister, Annette Ferguson who encouraged Fly AllWays

Fly All Ways made its inaugural flight to Guyana on Tuesday

neighbouring Brazil in the pipeline.

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony at CJIA’s VIP lounge, Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Amichand Jauw, said the carrier has an 80-seat passenger capacity and boasted

development of multi-destination tourism and packages, the new route will also result in time and cost savings, especially with travels waiting for connections,” he noted.

Haralsingh further expressed that GTA views the

to bring a high standard of service to passengers since other start-up airlines have left what she termed a “bad taste” in the mouths of Guyanese. Ferguson further noted her appreciation for the airline investing in Guyana.

“[People] moving from one area to the other depend heavily on air transport [and] I am happy that Mr Jauw and the other directors of Fly AllWays would have seen the need to come and invest in the region,” she observed.

The Minister also expressed enthusiasm for the expansion of flights to Brazil.

Several Surinamese tourists and officials were passengers on the inaugural flight.

Mental health workshop opens

A

s the Public Health Ministry continues its efforts to place emphasis on mental health, some 25 stakeholders from across the country are meeting for a four-day trainers’ workshop which concentrates on the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP).

The workshop, which began on Tuesday, is the fruit of the collaboration of the Public Health Ministry and the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO).

Participants are a mixture of stakeholders from regional hospitals, as well as those from areas where there are more cases of suicide.

Shedding light on the purpose of the World Health Organisation’s mhGAP, the Public Health Ministry in a statement explained that the programme aims to improve services for health disorders such as mental, neurological and substance, with special attention paid to low and middle-income countries.

The programme preaches that with proper care, psychosocial assistance and medication, tens of millions could be treated for depression, schizophrenia, and

Ware ‘house’ deal a totally...

The Opposition Leader further charged that Government had violated Guyana’s procurement laws when it opted to sole source the facility from Linden Holding Inc. He was at pains to explain that while the PPP/C Government had been accused of sole sourcing drugs from NEW GPC, this was not the case.

Jagdeo explained that NEW GPC was pre-qualified as a supplier – an option that was available to all potential suppliers.

Dr Norton told the House on Monday that there was an emergency situation which warranted the need for the bond, hence the single sourcing method employed by Government.

Jagdeo has since denied this was the case since the drugs were being stored in NEW GPC’s bond free of cost.

He insists that Government’s resort to single sourcing, in this case, breached the procurement laws since it did not meet the requirements.

No NEW GPC rental

Jagdeo maintained too that there was no rental agreement with NEW GPC for the use of its bond and said that the figures quoted by Dr Norton was in fact a VAT inclusive quotation that was submitted to Government.

The Opposition Leader explained that the quotation submitted by NEW GPC is for the rental of a stateof-the-art, certified 70,000 square foot facility.

He said the NEW GPC proposal works out to $237 per square foot.

The NEW GPC proposal was disregarded, according to Jagdeo, who said Government instead made advance payments to use a 10,000 square foot, sub-standard facility, at a rental fee of $12.5 million and this works out to $1250 per square foot.

This essentially means that Government is paying five times the amount asked by NEW GPC for a facility that is essentially seven times smaller and does not meet any of the minimal international standards required for such facility.

Officials in Barbados welcome the carrier to the shores of Barbados

New trend

FROM PAGE 3

Guyana Times understands that Government terminated the prequalified status of NEW GPC, an arrangement under which the Ministry’s drugs and medical supplies were stored free of cost.

Condemning the arrangement, Jagdeo observed too that this appears to be a new trend emerging with Government.

He pointed to the negotiations for a power purchase agreement for a wind farm proposed by a close affiliate of the coalition, in addition to a fertiliser contract among other similar transactions to have taken place involving supporters of the APNU/AFC coalition and Government involving public money.

He lamented too some of the informal exhortations on the part of Government during the course of the deliberations over the advance payments to Linden Holding Inc. Jagdeo recalled that there were utterances such as “is we time now… you all did the same thing.”

epilepsy, prevented from suicide and begin to lead normal lives– even where resources are scarce.

One primary objective of the workshop is the training of mental health and primary care professionals so that once the mhGAP is introduced, they themselves may serve as trainers to frontline health providers.

Before the programme takes off at the community level, some 300 persons are hoped to be trained.

The workshop also aims to review the mhGAP interventional guide training manual, adapting it to be more suitable for the Guyanese environment, while simultaneously familiarising participants with the use of said guide.

Some of the topics being examined are general principles of care, issues of support and supervision, depression, suicide, psychosis, drugs, behavioural disorders and the general framework for working with children and adolescents.

Guyana has consistently recorded staggeringly high figures of suicide and suicide attempts, which coupled its less than one million population, earned the country the title of hav-

ing the world’s highest suicide rate. The Public Health Ministry reports that between 2010 and 2012, there were 667 suicides, resulting in an average of 200 deaths per year.

The Ministry continued that the National Mental Health Action Plan for 2015-2020 and the National Suicide Prevention plan is being implemented.

Additionally, there has been the formation of a National Task Force which is intended to focus on risk factor reduction, health promotion and prevention; reducing the access to the means of suicide, health systems response to suicidal behaviour and surveillance and research.

There are 16 satellite clinics available in all but Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), where mental health services are available. In terms of staff, there are five psychiatrists, seven psychologists, five general doctors, 11 social workers, 153 nurses and one occupational therapist.

The Public Health Ministry launched its Suicide Hotline Numbers in August 2015. The numbers are 223-0001, 223-0009, 600-7896, 623-4444.

NDC damaged Diamond water main – Van West Charles

T

he water woes which were being faced by residents of Diamond, East Bank Demerara, is now being blamed on the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

“In the case of Diamond, the NDC was doing some works that damaged the mains there,” Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Water Inc (GWI), Dr Richard Van West Charles, told a news conference on Wednesday.

Earlier this year, Diamond was without any potable water supply for several weeks at the time, and GWI’s Director of Operations, Dwayne Shako, had said that the pump was breached and had begun “pumping mud”.

It was noted that the in-

GWI CEO, Dr Richard Van West Charles

trusion of mud took place at a depth of some 239 feet of the total 665 feet well.

Shako had highlighted that there was an attempt to remedy the rupture, but it proved futile owing to the pressure placed on the well by the growing community.

14

guyana-times.com

THURsday, AUGUSt 11, 2016

Regional

Venezuela sets recall referendum timetable

V

enezuelan officials have set out the timetable for a recall referendum on whether President Nicolas Maduro should remain in power.

The Venezuelan Opposition reacted angrily when they heard they would only be allowed to collect more petition signatures in late October.

Opposition Leader Henrique Capriles said an Opposition march would go ahead in September.

A referendum defeat for Maduro this year would trigger a presidential poll.

But a recall vote next year would see Maduro replaced by his Vice President, meaning the Socialist party would remain in power.

The National Electoral Council (CNE) President Tibisay Lucena said the

Head of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council Tibisay Lucena said a second petition could take place at the end of October

Opposition would be authorised in late October to try to collect petition signatures from the 20 per cent of the country’s voters, or four million people, needed to start a recall referendum, on condition that “all the regulatory require-

ments are fulfilled”.

If the Opposition was successful in gathering these signatures, the CNE would have a month to verify them.

Lucena said electoral officials would then have 90 days to schedule a referendum.

Constitutional experts say this appears to make it unlikely a referendum would be held in January as demanded by the Opposition.

Election officials have already been accused of stretching out the first phase of the recall referendum where the Opposition had to collect signatures from one per cent of voters.

The Opposition accuses the Government of dragging its feet while not totally rejecting the recall referendum process. (Exerpt

fromBBC News)

Rio venues struggle to meet demand for food and drink

O

lympics organisers are struggling to supply enough food and drink at some Rio venues, but say they are confident the problem can be solved.

Visitors have been allowed to leave venues to find supplies elsewhere, organising committee spokesman Mario Andrada said.

He said extra food and water supplies were on their way.

Some venues have also struggled to fill seats, even for the most popular sports in Brazil such as football.

Correspondents say the

problems suggest that the rush to complete the basic infrastructure at the Games has meant some tests on the systems have not been possible.

Andrada confirmed that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had complained about the lack of food and drink at some events.

But he added: “Harsh words are how partners sometimes work.

“Even teammates on the field of play shout at each other sometimes - it’s a heads-up moment and part of life. The issue is how fast

O

country “predominantly dependent on tourism”.

“Be honest, but do not be alarmist so folks won’t think it’s a rampant disease in Antigua and Barbuda, which it is not,” he declared. “It is a reality of today’s world”.

He noted that Zika is present in several other Caribbean countries, in South America and in the United States, where a level 2 Travel Advisory was recently issued for US citizens coming to Antigua & Barbuda.

“We are honest as to the cases that we’ve had. We don’t want to be alarmist because we live in a [24 hours a day and 7 days a week] media age, particularly in the online arena. We have to ensure that we are as honest, but yet as responsible as possible with the communication,” James said.

He contends that the ABTA informs travellers of the level of risk to their health, but maintains that the level is low and some cautions are taken. (Exerpt from Antigua Observer)

from BBC News)

LIAT passenger fined for bomb threat

Tourism boss cautions media on being “alarmist” about Zika ne of Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism executives has appealed to local media houses not to be “alarmist in any way” regarding their treatment of the growing number of confirmed Zika Virus cases in the country, the latest of which is suspected to have been transmitted locally.

According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), Colin C James, “alarmist” reporting on the topic would have adverse effects on a

you fix these problems and no event of this size will be trouble-free.”

Andrada said they were allowing people to leave the venues for food and water “because this eases the pressure” on supplies inside the gates.

He said there would soon be “new food trucks, more efficient water supply, and free water supplies for the public standing in line”.

Andrada also said bigger crowds were being seen at the more central venues and popular sports, as ticket sales have picked up. (Exerpt

A

Guadeloupe man is back at home having been convicted in Antigua for making a bomb threat.

Francois Zavier Renaud Boisneuf, 35, was on Monday ordered to pay EC$4000 forthwith having pleaded guilty to one of two charges laid against him in connection with the threat he made on a LIAT flight, at the VC Bird International Airport, on August 4. The prosecution withdrew a charge of disorderly conduct.

The Frenchman, who was en route to his home-

land from Barbados’ Crop Over, used the words “bomb” and “terrorist” when repeatedly asked by a LIAT flight attendant for his boarding pass. The flight had made a stop in Antigua.

Boisneuf was removed from the flight after the remark that he had come to blow up the plane.

The threat resulted in the bomb squad being called in. Luggage had to be rechecked and the flight left the tarmac behind schedule.

Just before handing down the decision in the St John’s Magistrates’ Court,

Magistrate Conliffe Clarke told the French national that given his education, work and family background he should have known better than to let idle words and loose talk land him before the court.

The Guadeloupian paid the fine to avoid a six-month jail time.

Meanwhile, the airline’s acting CEO Julie ReiferJones is urging passengers to be responsible, as disruptions onboard flights or even at airlines can be viewed as threats to security.

“We advise all passengers to follow the instructions from the flight crew, and not to engage in disruptive behaviour,” ReiferJones said. “If a passenger is disruptive we do have procedures to remove the passenger from the flight, and that was done on this occasion.

Of course, we would always cooperate with the local authorities in any investigation they are carrying out,” she added. (Antigua Observer)

St Vincent PM urges citizens to look after their health

S

t Vincent and Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves says he is HIV negative.

Speaking on a radio programme, Gonsalves, who turned 70 on Monday, said that his latest medical examination on June 5 showed that he was in good health and that he was also HIV negative.

He told radio listeners, however, that it was important not to discriminate against persons who have tested positive for the virus that causes AIDS. He said that his father, who died at age 85 from a prostrate problem, could have lived longer had he gone to his doctors more often.

St Vincent and Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves

“I do medical every year. In fact, I tend to do one here with …and then as soon as I get an opportunity immediately thereafter, when I go on a busi-

ness trip to Cuba, I would also have it done.

In fact … just two months ago, on the 5th of June, I did my medicals,” Gonsalves said, noting that apart from being HIV negative, he was also free of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. “I could have answered you and told you that it is none of your business,” he told the radio announcer who responded that his health is also the business of the public.

“No. What I am saying is this: I could have told you that but I don’t mind answering it. I’m not answering it from the standpoint of your right to know, I am just saying you ask me…,” Gonsalves said. (Exerpt

from CMC)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the World

US election: Trump blames India Police investigate media for ‘gun threat’ row “great train robbery”

R

epublican Donald Trump has blamed the media after being accused of urging supporters to kill his Democratic rival for the White House, Hillary Clinton.

He told Fox News “dishonest” reporters had twisted his remarks, which appeared to suggest that gun rights advocates could stop Clinton if elected.

The businessman-turnedpolitician denied incitement and said he was exhorting his supporters to vote.

The comments on Tuesday afternoon sparked a firestorm of criticism.

Some interpreted his comments as a dark suggestion that gun owners could take up arms against Clinton, while others said

Donald Trump denied accusations of incitement

they were at the very least irresponsible remarks that could have violent consequences.

The highest-ranked Republican, House Speaker Paul Ryan, said it was an inappropriate joke.

And Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said it was a death threat by a “pathetic coward” who was sore because he was trailing in the polls to a woman.

The controversial remarks were made at a ral-

ly in Wilmington, North Carolina, and refer to a future president’s power to nominate a judge to fill a vacancy on the US Supreme Court.

The Republican presidential nominee said of his Democratic opponent: “Hillary wants to abolish, essentially abolish the Second Amendment, by the way, and if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks.

“But the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don’t know.”

The Second Amendment enshrines the right to bear arms in the US Constitution, and there is no evidence that Clinton wants to abolish it, although she does want to tighten some restrictions.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Russia announces daily ceasefires in Syria’s Aleppo to let in aid

R

ussia said on Wednesday there would be daily threehour ceasefires in Syria’s Aleppo starting Thursday to allow humanitarian convoys to enter the city safely, a proposal which the United Nations said it would consider.

Aleppo is split into rebel- and Government-held areas. The rebel-held east, where about 250,000 people are thought to be living,

came under siege in early July after Government forces cut the Castello Road, the main supply route into the district.

On Friday rebels staged a major assault southwest of Aleppo to break through this siege. Fighters did manage to pierce the ring of Government-controlled territory, but a safe corridor for civilians and aid has not yet been established as fierce fighting continues.

Speaking at a televised briefing, LieutenantGeneral Sergei Rudskoi, a senior Russian Defence Ministry official, said the pause in fighting would run from 10:00h to 13:00h local time.

Rudskoi said the question of joint control over delivery of humanitarian aid via Castello Road was being discussed with the United Nations and the United States.

Meanwhile, according to the BBC, Russia has accused Ukraine of trying to carry out armed incursions into Crimea – the territory annexed by Russia in 2014 after an unrecognised referendum.

The FSB intelligence agency said two attempted incursions had taken place over the weekend and a Russian soldier and an FSB employee had been killed.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

The thieves cut a hole into the roof of the train

P

olice in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu are investigating an unusual case of theft.

Thieves targeted a train carrying over 200 chests of used and damaged bank notes – cutting a hole in the roof of the train carriage and stealing 57.5 million rupees (US$860,000).

Police are unsure whether the thieves had hid in the carriage or cut their way into the train while it was moving.

The theft was only discovered when the train reached its destination.

The news has been prominently covered by Indian media, with some calling it “the great train robbery”.

Police say they believe that a group of six to eight robbers may have been involved in the heist, which took place between Monday

night and Tuesday morning during the train’s 350 kilometre-long (270 miles) journey from Salem town to Chennai (Madras).

The coach was carrying 3.4 billion rupees (US$51 million) – and security personnel guarding the money were sat nearby, in the neighbouring compartment. The notes belonged to India’s central bank, Reserve Bank of India, and were on their way to Chennai to be destroyed.

But on arrival, when officials broke the seal on the carriage, they found chests broken open and a hole cut in the train’s metal roof.

“We are inquiring with the train guard and the Police personnel if they heard any unusual noises on the roof,” police superintendent P Vijayakumar told the AFP news agency. (Excerpt from BBC News)

S Sudan turns down proposal to take more UN troops

S

outh Sudan has rejected a proposal by the United States for the United Nations Security Council to send 4000 additional troops to the country, claiming it “seriously undermines” its sovereignty.

Michael Makuei, a government spokesman, said on Wednesday that the proposal that could be voted on Friday by the Security Council was giving the UN the ability to govern.

“If South Sudan is turned into a UN protectorate, then

this is not the end of the game but the beginning,” Makuei said.

“It will begin with South Sudan, but it will end up with all of us being turned into new colonies.”

Under the US proposal, the force would be part of a 12,000-strong UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, which has been on the ground since the country gained independence from Sudan in 2011.

The regional force would protect the airport and pro-

mote “safe and free movement” in and out of the capital.

If UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reports within a month that authorities have blocked the regional force, an arms embargo could be imposed on South Sudan in a vote suggested in the proposal.

An East African political body, IGAD, last week said South Sudan had agreed to a regional force, but Makuei on Wednesday disagreed and said the Government had not

Investigators said the girl was “extremely radicalised” and was the administrator of a chat group dedicated to ISIL propaganda on the Telegram app, which has been used by suspected fighters to communicate, deputy prosecutor Laure Vermeersch said.

Vermeersch said no specific targets had been mentioned by the teenager, who had no criminal history before.

Investigators are now trying to trace other participants of the chat group and know whether the girl had possible accomplices in her alleged attack plot or in spreading ISIL propaganda.

The girl was arrested on Thursday in the Melun region, a southern Paris suburb, during a police operation. It is not the first time an underage girl has been detained in France under suspicion of trying to commit an attack.

In March, two girls aged 15 and 17 were charged with taking part in a criminal terrorist association for allegedly plotting to attack a target, possibly a Paris concert hall, in a copycat action of November’s Bataclan massacre in the capital. But investigators acknowledged the plot was not in an advanced stage.

French teen girl charged over Telegram app terror plan

A

16-year-old French girl has been charged in the capital Paris with supporting the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant and trying to perpetrate an attack, prosecutors said.

The girl, whose name has not been released yet, was allegedly using a social media app to spread calls by ISIL to commit violent acts, the Paris Prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday.

A judge charged the teenager with taking part in a “criminal terrorist association” and “inciting to commit terrorist acts through an online communication medium”.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

been consulted.

Yasmina Bouziane, a spokeswoman for the UN mission, told the AP news

agency that South Sudan’s Government has seized at least 86 passports of UN workers and imposed other

restrictions that were a “clear violation” of the UN’s operating agreement with the authorities. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

16

thursday, august 11, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

Shonta Noel of Khaleesi’s I

t can be hard to strike out on your own path when you have a famous last name – but for Shonta Noel of Khaleesi’s, it just fuels her drive to live up to the standards set by her famous fashion designer mom Sonia and give customers the best value.

Establishing Khaleesi’s, a custom card, invitation and gift shop business, with her sister while still in high school was always on the cards for the now 20-yearold who just celebrated her birthday on Saturday.

“I have always known that I’d be in the business field, because of my love for it and thus wanted to be an entrepreneur since I knew what the word meant, so it

came as no surprise when my business was established, the only surprise was the age at which I did it,” she explained.

That the former Rose’s High School student took

crafting, which she describes as her most therapeutic hobby that unleashes her creativity, and turned it into a business in the midst of preparing to sit her sec-

ond year of CAPE exams a little over a year ago speaks to an indomitable character and perhaps the invincibility of youth.

“Time management would definitely be the biggest lesson [I] learnt ….I

had to do a lot of prioritising when it came to business, school and the social/recreational aspect of my life,” she confessed.

Describing Khaleesi’s as a creative business “which can bring any idea to life”, the Bartica native, who now lives in Georgetown, has big plans for the venture. “I’d like for my business to reach a stage where I wouldn’t even have to put much thought into a 9-5 job.

In other words, I want it to grow through more recognition and expansion.”

“It’s definitely a growing market, since a few other similar businesses have also been established within the last year, so I definitely think there’s a place for this type of business since persons are becoming more sensitive towards the products being offered.”

Noel says authorities and other stakeholders should make funding more accessible for young persons and those without previous entrepreneurial experience, an academic degree or collateral.

The die-hard Games of Thrones fan – with her business bearing a name like Khaleesi, she’d have to be, right? – encourages other would-be entrepreneurs to “go for it”. “Some people think that you need a large sum of initial funding, but that depends on the type of business you wanna start,” the young millennial remarked. “The biggest or most valued resources I started with were my talent and my time, then I had a few materials. You should, therefore, go for it once you think you can provide value to the market and it’s really what you want to do.”

She believes risk taking

Market statistics Cambio Rates

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

Selling

GBP

$269.39

$272.80

CAN

$158.43

$160.26

USD

$205.98

$208.44

EURO

$ 230.25

$233.20

Calculated at 94% purity, August 10, 2016

USD

$1351.85

Gross

$261,035

Net

$242,763

Indicators as on August 10, 2016 Indicators Crude Oil

Price

US$ per barrel $44.98

USD

Change % -0.91

Change %

Rough Rice

$209.44/ton

0.00

London Sugar

$549.40/ton

0.00

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1346.80

$1347.80

Low/High

$1342.20

$1358.10

Change

Business Concept – Due Diligence

+1.00

+0.07%

1. General: Measure of prudence, responsibility, and diligence that is expected from, and ordinarily exercised by, a reasonable and prudent person under the circumstances. 2. Business: Duty of a firm’s directors and officers to act prudently in evaluating associated risks in all transactions. 3. Investing: Duty of the investor to gather necessary information on actual or potential risks involved in an investment. 4. Negotiating: Duty of each party to confirm each other’s expectations and understandings, and to independently verify the abilities of the other to fulfil the conditions and requirements of the agreement. Also called reasonable diligence. (Business Dictionary)

and bearing are the most valuable qualities for those now starting out in business. “…There will be unexpected things that come along which you’ll be required to make a decision about (that’s the risk), then you’ll have to be able to not crumble after making that decision or going through an unwanted experience”.

With a philanthropic bent that has seen her teaching students of the David Rose School for

Special Needs craft skills that can help them earn a living, Noel is an inspiration, highlighting how one can help create change by sharing the things we love.

She listed Michelle Obama as her dream mentor, musing “she’s such an educated phenomenal woman who always carries herself gracefully and anyone would be lucky to learn from her through mentorship”.

“I think success is achieving something you’ve set out

to do or part thereof under the condition that it’s not the end,” the budding business mogul added.

“Hearing the words “I’m proud of you” is definitely inspiration for me to keep going especially if it comes from one whose opinion I really value.”

Contact: 178 Crown Street, Queenstown I 6683019 | facebook.com/madebykhaleesi

Business News

KFC told to stop using chicken treated with antibiotics

T

he company that owns Kentucky Fried Chicken is facing new calls to stop using poultry that has been treated with antibiotics.

US consumer groups will deliver a petition signed by more than 350,000 people to Yum Brands on Wednesday.

KFC has already promised to limit the use of human antibiotics in its chicken by next year.

However, critics claim the policy effectively allows for routine use of antibiotics by its chicken suppliers.

The chain does not allow the use of antibiotics to promote the growth of poultry in line with federal government rules.

A KFC spokesperson said it was reviewing whether it could force suppliers to go beyond Food and Drug Administration

rules on antibiotics usage.

“KFC is lagging woefully behind – diners around the country want KFC to step up,” said Lena Brook of the Natural Resources Defence Council, which is one of the groups delivering petitions to KFC headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky.

The action comes a day after Yum investors submitted a proposal asking that the company to speed up plans to stop using anti-

biotics in its meat.

Other Yum brand chains – Taco Bell and Pizza Hut – plan to cut the use of chicken treated with antibiotics by early next year.

Medical experts warn that the routine use of antibiotics to promote growth and prevent illness in farm animals contributes to the rise of drug-resistant “superbug” infections and represent a significant threat to global health. (BBC News)

Investors’ Guide

Oil slide pulls Wall Street back from record levels

W

all Street retreated from record levels on Wednesday after a drop in oil prices pressured energy stocks, while shares of Walt Disney surged on its results and an acquisition.

A rally since late June has pushed the S&P 500 up more than six per cent in 2016 as low interest rates encourage investors to buy US equities, although high valuations are of concern to many.

The energy index fell 1.41 per cent, hurt by a drop in oil prices after the US Government reported a surprise crude stockpile build.

ExxonMobil lost 1.75 per cent and was the biggest drag on the S&P 500 and the Dow. “Once we saw inventories this morning, that certainly moved energy far lower and dragged almost everything else down,” said Tim Dreiling, regional investment director for The Private Client Reserve of US Bank.

“To grind higher, we do need to see earnings improvement, and that’s only

going to come from economic improvement,” Dreiling said.

The Dow Jones industrial average declined 0.2 per cent to finish at 18,495.66 points and the S&P 500 lost 0.29 per cent, to 2175.49 points. The S&P 500 has hit four record intraday highs this month.

The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.4 per cent to 5204.59.

Six of the 10 major S&P 500 indexes were lower. Trading volume was low in the absence of market-moving information in a traditionally low-volume season.

About 5.92 billion shares changed hands on US exchanges, compared with the 6.45 billion daily average over the last 20 sessions.

Shares of Walt Disney rose 1.23 per cent after the company late on Tuesday reported results that beat estimates and said it was buying a 33 per cent stake in video-streaming firm BAMTech. The stock provided the biggest boost to the S&P 500 and the Dow. After the bell, Shake Shack

reported a weaker-thanexpected rise in quarterly sales at established restaurants, sending the burger chain’s shares down 8.3 per cent.

In regular trade, SunPower shares sank 30 per cent after the company swung to a second-quarter loss, lowered its full-year revenue forecast and said it would reorganise its business.

Perrigo dropped nearly 10 per cent after reporting a lower-than-expected profit and slashing its earnings forecast.

JD.com jumped 4.65 per cent after it reported revenue within its forecast. The stock gave the biggest boost to the Nasdaq.

Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones on the NYSE by a 1.25-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 1.89-to-1 ratio favoured decliners.

The S&P 500 posted 19 new 52-week highs and two new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 84 new highs and 34 new lows. (Reuters)

17

NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Consultations on today for GRDB denies inaction to tackle 2 paddy bug infestation State Assets Recovery Bill Region – says “actively” working to eradicate problem T T

he Legal Affairs Ministry and the Attorney General’s Chambers will be hosting a public consultation session on the drafted State Assets Recovery Bill 2016; a proposed legislation that seeks to fight corruption within public offices.

The six-part Bill was drafted by the Attorney General’s Chambers with the assistance of the United Nations, the World Bank and a British fraud expert.

The drafted Bill was published on the Ministry’s website two weeks ago ahead of the consultation, which will be held today at the Pegasus Hotel commencing at 09:00h.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday,

Dr Clive Thomas

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams disclosed that the Bill is designed to create the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) and contains provisions to employ and empower a director, along with staff members, including the designation of the Public Security Minister of staff, such as Police Officers and immigration officers, as well as designation by the

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams

Finance Minister of staff, such as customs and revenue officers.

“This is largely a civil recovery and civil remedy bill so that you will have civil recourses for protection order, restraint orders and the like. And of course, there is the aspect of international cooperation. This order, of course, relates to state assets unlawfully stolen or unlawfully acquired by public officials or any other persons and those assets could be reached wherever the trail takes the director and his staff,” Williams stated.

According to the Attorney General, the provisions of the Bill are quite clear and without any complexity. The Bill, he added, is aimed at a particularly mischief and is developed in consonance with UN policies against corruption.

“This Bill has been sometime in the making and it is vital in the war against corruption by State officials, public officials and persons whom they may act in consort with,” he noted.

The Legal Affairs Minister went on to highlight the importance of the Bill against the background of SARU conducting its in-

vestigation during which they requested information from various agencies but it was not forthcoming.

He clarified that SARA will more be given civil recovery powers and not prosecution powers but noted that it would be the discretion of the Director to decided whether criminal recourse would be a better avenue in any particularly cases.

Moreover, Williams outlined that one of the hallmarks of the Bill is that it will create a fund, hence the assets recovered will go into that fund for the operations of SARA. Among the stakeholders expected to be at the consultations are the Guyana Bar Association, the Private Sector Commission and the Guyana Human Rights Association. In addition, there will be a representative from the US Embassy; current Director of SARU, Dr Clive Thomas; Chief Parliamentary Council; along with the UK Fraud specialists and also representatives from the UN and World Bank, who will preside over the consultations on the various provisions of the Bill.

WOW being extended to hinterland communities

I

ndigenous women will be given another opportunity to upgrade their economic standing with the introduction of the Women Of Worth (WOW) microcredit initiative to the hinterland regions.

This programme has since been beneficial to coastlanders; however, it is the Ministry’s intention to ensure that women in the outlying areas have the opportunity to access loans to expand income generating projects.

During an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence explained that a number of single parent women and women’s groups in the hinterland have already submitted proposals and the Ministry is in the process of reviewing them. “… What has happened is that we have had several beneficiaries, but they are from the coastland, so

Minister Volda Lawrence

we are going to move the staff into the outlying areas so that they can reach other women in those areas so that we can spread it around… they have already been to Region Nine and there are four women there who qualified for the loan and what we have to now look at are those women who applied through groups,” Minister Lawrence

pointed out.

This process will officially begin in September.

Minister Lawrence said the loan officers will be going into the hinterland communities to engage the women on the project and work with them to ensure they are viable.

The WOW Programme, which started under the previous Administration, empowers single parent women to take advantage of the economic opportunities around them, and so increase their participation in society.

The sum of $40 million was allocated to the Ministry to fund this initiative, which allows the women to access loans to expand business projects.

Additionally, hinterland residents who are not single parents will also have access to loans through the People Of Worth Entrepreneurial Resources Project (POWER), which is currently being rolled out.

he Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) is denying reports of its non-involvement in efforts to rid rice crops in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) of the bout of paddy bug infestations.

Farmers in Region Two had complained bitterly to Guyana Times of having to spray their rice crops more than usual as a result of the high infestation of paddy bugs invading acres of rice lands, and that no assistance has been forthcoming from the GRBD despite many reports made.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, the GRDB noted that its officials have been working round-theclock with rice farmers to tackle the recent infestation.

“Intense visits to fields were conducted by extension officers of the GRDB, apart from a daily monitoring of the paddy bug to ensure that the situation remains under control,” the agency stated.

In addition, it was noted that Agriculture Minister Noel Holder had also talked about some of the work embarked upon by the GRDB to ensure that the situation is rectified.

“We have been working assiduously to ensure that the issue of paddy bugs doesn’t get out of control and for the media to say we have not been working with farmers is absurd. In fact, intense visits by the extension staff and meeting with farmers to advise them on the correct

A farmer spraying his rice field

methodologies in controlling the bug were also done,” the Minister said.

Mention was also made of an advisory that was placed on the local television station on the current situation from July 29 to August 4, while outreach meetings were held in the different districts so as to better sensitise farmers of the situation and the best practice for control.

These areas include Spring Garden, Vilvoorden, Johanna Cecilia, Golden Fleece, Perseverance, Queenstown, Affiance, Three Friends, Reliance, Lima, Sparta and Hampton Court.

“During the meetings, the importance of regular monitoring of fields, especially when the crop is in the flowering stage, grain filling and ripening stages were discussed,” the Agriculture Minister noted.

However, several rice farmers who spoke with this newspaper vented their frustrations, relating that harvesting will soon commence and there is no help.

They related that under the previous Government, several paddy bug seminars and demonstrations were conducted; however, they explained this has not happened for quite some time.

The infestation has caused rice farmers to spend extra on their crop.

The farmers said they are quite worried and if the infestation continues, then their harvest will be affected. One rice farmer also attested that no one has visited his field or given any advice as it relates to paddy bugs.

“Whatever little knowledge I learnt from the past, that’s what I am practicing,” the farmer related.

18

guyana-times.com

thursday, august 11, 2016

ARCHIE

You’ll gain valuable information if you discuss your fi(March 21- nancial, legal or medical conApril 19) cerns with an expert. It’s best to know your rights before stepping into battle.

ARIES

Share your thoughts with

dilbert

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Move forward with confiCANCER dence. Trust in your ideas and (June 21- bring about subtle changes that July 22) will position you for a brighter future at home and work.

Peanuts

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Use your imagination and experiment.

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 Keep your emotions under (Feb. 20- control. If you are too verbal March 20) or aggressive, you will end up being isolated. If you want to get ahead, you’ll have to be a team player.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

19

Reigning champions Mexico knocked out at group stage

“I never think about Gatlin or losing” — Bolt L W orld’s fastest man Usain Bolt insists he does not think about American competitor Justin Gatlin or losing, despite the rapid approach of the much-anticipated Rio Olympics sprint events.

Both athletes will line up in the 100m heats on Saturday, with Bolt looking to be the first man in history to claim the 100m, 200m and 4x100m at three straight Olympic Games.

Gatlin, who has emerged as the sprinter’s primary rival in the last couple of seasons is widely regarded to be the man who stands in the way of Bolt and his Olympic dreams.

“I don’t think about him really. I always try to run the race in my head I try to execute, but I’m definitely not trying to sit down and think about anyone,” Bolt

Usain Bolt

said.

“I’m just focused on working out trying to execute and figure out what I need to do to get it right,” he added.

“You can’t think about

that (losing). The moment you start thinking about what if then you going the wrong way. So for me I just think about being positive. I think about winning. (sportsmax)

ondon 2012 champions Mexico failed to reach the quarter-finals of the Olympic men's football in Rio after losing 1-0 to South Korea.

Kwon Chang-hoon's stunning strike secured the win for the Koreans, who finished top of Group C. Argentina were also knocked out at the group stage after a 1-1 draw with Honduras, but Germany progressed after beating Fiji 10-0.

Hosts Brazil play Denmark at 02:00 BST on Thursday and need a win to progress.

The Brazilians, currently second in Group A on two points, have not even scored at the tournament following goalless draws with Iraq and Denmark.

Scoring was not a problem for Germany against

Mexico beat Brazil 2-1 in the final at London 2012

Fiji.

SC Freiburg forward Nils Petersen hit five goals, Schalke midfielder Max Meyler grabbed a hat-trick and Arsenal's Serge Gnabry scored twice as Germany

finished second in Group C to set up a last-eight match with Portugal.

The Portuguese finished top of Group D after drawing 1-1 with Algeria in Belo Horizonte. (BBC)

Police patrols beefed up at Rio Jack Laugher and Chris Mears Games as security concerns mount

win historic diving gold

J

Mears (left) and Laugher scored dives of 52.80, 53.40, 84.66, 85.68, 86.58 and 91.20

ack Laugher and Chris Mears won Great Britain's first Olympic diving gold medal with victory in the men's synchronised 3m springboard in Rio. The pair produced a sparkling display to add the Olympic title to their Commonwealth and European crowns.

The Britons scored a total of 454.32 to end China's hopes of a clean sweep of diving golds at the Games.

Qin Kai and Cao Yuan had to settle for bronze (443.70) behind US pair Sam Dorman and Mike Hixon (450.21).

Laugher and Mears, who was given a 5% chance of surviving serious illness in 2009, stopped China winning a fourth gold in Rio. The Chinese have domi-

nated the sport for decades, having topped the medal table for seven successive Olympic Games and eight World Championships.

But their ambitions of winning all eight events in Brazil were ruined by the British pair, who live and train together in Leeds.

Laugher, 21, and Mears, 23, broke down in tears inside the open-air Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre when their victory was confirmed

by Qin and Cao's faltering final dive.

"With the wind and the rain it felt like English weather out there," said Yorkshireman Laugher.

"We embraced it and we came out with a medal. We are really happy.

The pair led the standings from the end of round

three, showing remarkable composure to continue setting the pace and then execute a brilliant final dive under pressure.

Americans Dorman and Hixon, who were third to go in the last round, set up a tense podium battle with an event-high final dive of 98.04.

Mears and Laugher scored 91.20 with a forward four-and-a-half somersault with tuck, leaving China needing more than 93.84 to win.

Qin and Cao, the reigning world champions, were the penultimate divers to go, but only scored 83.22 to spark jubilant celebrations among the British team.

Britain had only ever won eight previous Olympic medals - all silver and bronze

R

io Olympics organizers stepped up police patrols on Wednesday as security concerns mounted over the threat posed by street violence, with a Games bus being hit by stones and a security patrol coming under fire near Rio's international airport.

In the latest incident, gunmen fired on a military police car which strayed into the entrance of a slum near the airport, off a highway used by visitors traveling between there and the Olympic Park, security sources and the country's justice minister said.

Three members of the patrol were wounded, including one who is in a critical condition and receiving a blood transfusion in hospital.

Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes called the attack "unfortunate and cowardly." He said two suspects had been identified and police would move swiftly to arrest them.

In the past week, three Swedish tourists were briefly abducted when they visited a slum, Portugal’s visiting education minister was robbed at knifepoint, bullets flew into the equestrian center and a Games bus was attacked with stones.

On Tuesday night, the bus was ferrying journalists from a basketball venue to the Olympics media center when projectiles shat-

tered two windows. Some passengers said they heard gunshots but a police investigation concluded that they were stones.

Two people suffered minor lacerations in the incident.

Police said they were investigating a second bullet discovered at the equestrian center. A security source said the shell was found near the stables.

Authorities say a bullet fired on Saturday was targeting a surveillance blimp being flown near the equestrian center during the Games.

Untargeted vandalism

In the case of the bus attack, Luiz Fernando Correa, security chief for the Games, said stones had hit the metal rim of the vehicle's windows, making a loud noise, before smashing the glass.

"We have not been able to identify who did this but it appears to be an act of vandalism, not an act of criminal aggression targeting anyone in particular," he told reporters. He did not specify whether they had found the stones.

Correa said police would step up patrols along roads linking the Olympic Park with the Deodoro stadium where basketball events are being held. The route passes several poor neighborhoods.

A police source told Reuters it was the third

time an Olympics bus had been targeted by youths throwing stones.

"This was a worrying and intolerable incident," Rio 2016 spokesman Mario Andrada told a news conference, adding that organizers were striving to improve security.

Andrada said a separate incident, involving a man who impaled himself after falling off a fence in the media complex, was a "one-off" and had nothing to do with the quality of facilities. The man was rushed to hospital.

In relation to the bus attack, one of the passengers said she was unsatisfied with authorities' explanations.

Sherryl "Lee" Michaelson, who was traveling on the bus when it was hit, said she had heard shots just before the windows shattered. She said she was a retired U.S. Air Force captain and is working in Rio for a basketball publication.

A Reuters photograph taken in the first moments after the bus was attacked showed a small hole, about the width of a finger, in one of the windows.

"I will not believe that was stone-throwing unless I see a forensics and a ballistics report looking not at the steel surround ... but at the glass, which was the point of impact," Michaelson told reporters after the news conference. (Reuters)

20

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Former West Indies opening batsman Ryan Ramdass ties the knot F

By Ravi Madholall in Toronto

ormer Guyana and West Indies opening batsman Ryan Ramdass tied the knot on Saturday to his long-time sweetheart Ashley Panday at a wedding ceremony which was held in Scarborough.

One year after their engagement also in Toronto, the Canadian-based Guyanese decided to form the union under the Hindu rites. The 33-year-old Ramdass, who represented the regional side in a test and one-day international, produced several outstanding innings for Guyana at the first-class level.

Ramdass, the only son of the Roy Ramdass stated that he was delighted to start the new chapter of his career by marrying 23-year-old Ashley, the youngest daughter of businessman Suresh Panday.

Both expressed happiness and are highly excited becoming husband and wife.

“I [am] very excited and happy today (Saturday); I would like to thank each and everyone for gracing the occasion and witnessing our wedding,” Ramdass related

Zim vs NZ, 2nd Test, Bulawayo

NZ complete 254run drubbing & 2-0 series victory

– biggest Test win in terms of runs

Ryan Ramdass and his wife Ashley Panday just after the marriage ceremony

just after his auspicious moment.

The right-handed batsman currently featuring for Vikings Cricket Club in the Toronto and District Cricket Association Elite competition and has a great degree of eagerness to attire in the Canadian colours at the highest level.

The wedding function was kept at Vishnu Satsang Mandir where friends, families and other cricketers were in attendance. Ashley’s uncle Bishwa Panday was also presented.

Bish, as he is called is as a former Guyana Cricket Board’s Secretary

and ex-Georgetown Cricket Association President.

The parents’ of the newlyweds extended congratulations to them and wished the marriage great success and eternity.

Meanwhile, President of Vikings, Bhowan Persaud wholeheartedly congratulated the club’s captain and his wife a prosperous life and is very confident Ryan would play a fantastic ‘innings’.

Many other families and friends also shared similar sentiments and were set to continue with the celebrations with a Reception function on Sunday also in Scarborough.

A

New Zealand pose with the trophy after sweeping the series 2-0

fter wondering whether they could pick up 20 wickets on unresponsive Zimbabwean surfaces before the series began, New Zealand did it twice to seal the rubber 2-0. They took seven for 35 on the final day in Bulawayo to round up a Zimbabwean line-up that was as unlucky as they were uncertain.

Two poor umpiring decisions in the morning session opened Zimbabwe up and the middle and lower order could not muster the fight they had

Hand-in-Hand Insurance sponsors Rose Hall Town 46th Anniversary 5/5 Cricket

shown earlier in the series.

Martin Guptill proved a surprise destroyer-in-chief, finding turn that neither of New Zealand's specialist spinners had produced, although, Ish Sodhi finished the match with seven wickets including a career-best four for 60 in the first innings.

Zimbabwe's hopes of batting out the day started well as nightwatchman Donald Tiripano and Craig Ervine saw off 70 minutes of play.

They left well, coped with movement from Trent Boult and the short-ball symphony from Neil Wagner. They were dealing with spin equally well until Mitchell Santner sent Tiripano a delivery that pitched on leg, went on with the arm hit the batsman's pads and seemed to miss the stumps. Umpire Paul Reiffel, however, up-

were hopeful of getting to lunch without further damage. But Guptill found a way through Ervine, dragging the batsman forward to defend and having him caught behind. Replays indicated there was daylight between bat and ball though.

After the break, it appeared the sting had been taken out of the Zimbabwean tail. A combination of poor shot selection - Sean Williams drilled a drive off a Guptll half-volley to Williamson at short cover while Peter Moor played for turn when there was none from Sodhi - and more poor umpiring decisions led to their undoing. Reiffel ruled Graeme Cremer lbw even though he had hit the ball and Michael Gough ruled Masvaure out caught though the ball had lobbed off his

SCOREBOARD

RHTY&SC, MS, Executive Member Mark Papannah receives the sponsorship from Hand-in-Hand Supervisor Zalena Ram Kishun in the presence of other staff

G

uyana’s oldest Insurance company, Hand in Hand Insurance on Tuesday last became the latest official sponsor to come on board for the Rose Hall Town 46th Anniversary Celebration that would be organised by the Cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S. The insurance giant would be sponsoring a 5/5 cricket tournament for ten teams at the cost of $188,000.00.

Secretary/CEO of the RHTYSC, Hilbert Foster at the simple presentation ceremony at the company’s New Amsterdam office, expressed the Club’s gratitude to the Management of the Company especially Chairman Johnny Carpenter and New Amsterdam Branch Manager Tajpaul Adjodhea

for their assistance towards making the Rose Hall Town Week celebration a success.

Hand in Hand Insurance, Foster stated is one of the main sponsor of the RHTYSC, M.S and he noted that the company which has an office in the township has always been supportive of activities directed towards youth and sports development. The one day cricket tournament would be played on Sunday 2016.09.18 at the Area ‘H’ Ground as part of a 46th anniversary Day of Sports that would also include football and basketball tournaments.

A total of 10 teams including three form the RHTYSC, M.S would battle for prizes worth over $100,000.00. The Second division teams involved would be allowed two first division players while

the first two overs would be power play overs where only two fielders would be allowed out of the 30 yards circle. The tournament would be played on a knockout basis. Berbice Manager of Hand in Hand Insurance, Tajpaul Adjodhea stated that his company has a long working relationship with the township of Rose Hall and was pleased to be associated with its 46th anniversary celebration. He described the township as a progressive hub of development and expressed confidence that the Town Week celebrations would be a great success.

Hand in Hand Insurance as a responsible corporate entity, Adjodhea stated invests heavily in education and sports especially cricket.

The RHTYSC, M.S from the 14th to 25th of

September would be organising a series of activities to celebrate Guyana’s smallest town 46th anniversary as a township. The Club whose Honorary Patron is H.E President David Granger has committed itself to organising Guyana’s best ever Town Week celebration.

Apart from the Day of Sports, other activities includes the Opening Ceremony, Medical Outreach Programme, Public Exhibition, Steelband Concert, Launching of a Booklet on the history of Rose Hal Town, Opening of a Family Recreational Park, Rose Hall Town Cuisine Competition, Educational Competition among others.

The Club is issuing an invitation to all overseas based residents to return home to be part of the memorable celebrations.

New Zealand 1st Innings 582/4 declared Zimbabwe 1st Innings 362 New Zealand 2ns Innings 166/2 declared Zimbabwe 2nd Innings (58/3 overnight) (target: 387 runs) TMK Mawoyo lbw b Boult 35 CJ Chibhabha c Guptill b Wagner 21 Sikandar Raza lbw b Southee 0 DT Tiripano lbw b Santner 22 CR Ervine c †Watling b Guptill 27 PS Masvaure c Taylor b Sodhi 11 SC Williams c Williamson b Guptill 11 PJ Moor† lbw b Sodhi 1 AG Cremer* lbw b Guptill 1

held the appeal.

Prince Masvaure, who sprained an ankle in warmups on the third day had recovered to join Ervine, but looked edgy. He had faced 10 balls when he tried to turn Santner to short leg and gave Henry Nicholls a chance but the ball popped out of his hands. Two balls later, Masvaure thought a single was on and was halfway down the pitch at the non-strikers' end, but got back in time to avoid any damage.

With Williamson keeping the field spread, Zimbabwe

J Nyumbu not out 0 MT Chinouya c Williamson b Sodhi 0 Extras (b-1, lb-2) 3 Total (all out; 68.4 overs; 274 mins) 132 Fall of wickets 1-45 (Chibhabha, 16.5 ov), 2-58 (Mawoyo, 24.6 ov), 3-58 (Sikandar Raza, 25.2 ov), 4-97 (Tiripano, 47.4 ov), 5-112 (Ervine, 55.3 ov), 6-130 (Williams, 61.1 ov), 7-131 (Moor, 62.3 ov), 8-132 (Cremer, 67.5 ov), 9-132 (Masvaure, 68.2 ov), 10-132 (Chinouya, 68.4 ov) Bowling: TG Southee 14-735-1, TA Boult 12-4-26-1, N Wagner 12-5-23-1, MJ Santner 12-4-15-1, IS Sodhi 11.4-519-3, MJ Guptill 7-4-11-3

pad to slip. New Zealand needed only 44 minutes to wrap up the five wickets they needed.

Despite the decisions, the end result reflects the difference between the two teams. While New Zealand had three centurions in each Test, Zimbabwe only had two in the series and could not string together enough big partnerships. Zimbabwe were unable to bowl New Zealand out even once and managed just 12 wickets in the series but showed that with more cricket, there have the talent to improve.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

YELLOW PAGES THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 | WWW.GUYANA-TIMES.COM

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WICB Regional U-19…

21

SPORTS

Paul inspires Guyana to big win over ICC Americas — Yadram hits fifty

R

eigning champions Guyana are in winners’ row as first round of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-19 limited over ended yesterday in St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Barbados and Jamaica were the other teams to record wins on the opening day.

In the three matches, Guyana defeated ICC Americas by six wickets, Jamaica got past threeday champs Trinidad and Tobago by six wickets and Barbados thrashed Leeward Islands by seven wickets.

At the Arnos Vale Playing Field, West Indies U-19 vice captain Keemo Paul marked his return to the Guyana team after surprisingly being rested for the last match in the threeday version, with a spectacular all-round performance which saw him belted 72 runs and took four wickets to inspire Guyana to a convincing six-wicket victory.

Paul was instrumental with figures of 4-37 in dismissing his opponents for 173 in 48.5 overs after they were inserted by Guyana.

He was supported by left arm spinner Akenie Adams, who bowled economically and effectively to claim 3-27 from 10 overs and part time spinner Malcolm Hubbard, who bagged 2-15. Opener Akasdeep Gill and Aran Pathmanathan were ICC Americas main contributors with scores of 41 and 28 respectively.

In reply, Paul led Guyana’s charge as he combined with 16 year-old

Bhaskar Yadram

Keemo Paul

Bhaskar Yadram for a fourth wicket partnership worth 111 runs after Guyana had slipped to 34-3. Paul innings contained six fours and four sixes. After Paul’s demise, Yadram saw Guyana home remaining unbeaten on 57 off 63 balls and with him was skipper Travis Persaud on 15; Keifer Phill collected two wickets.

At Sion Hill, Miguel Smith 5-35 and Keyshawn Beale 56 not out inspired Jamaica to a comfortable win over Trinidad. Opting to bowl first, Jamaica restricted Trinidad to 131 all out before replying with 135-4 in 32 overs.

When Trinidad batted, Keagon Simon (28) and Jonathan Bootan were the only batsmen to reach 20 as Smith, and left arm spinner Jeavor Royan 3-20 made constant inroads for the Jamaicans. In response, Beale led the way for Jamaica with an unbeaten half century while West Indies U-19 player, Michael

Frew, contributed with 45.

Barbados completed an easy win against Leewards at Park Hill as Tremaine Harris 4-20 from 10 overs and Joshua Bishop 3-21 from 10 overs joined forces to capture seven wickets as the latter team was routed for 105 in 40.2 overs. Tyrone Williams fought hard for 34 as no other batsman reached 15. West Indies U-19 fast bowler claimed one wicket.

Nicholas Kirton hit 30 not out to spearhead Barbados’ chase. He received support from Kilano Braithwaite, who made 21 while Shamar Spriinger hit a cameo of 19 from 11 deliveries. Daniel Doram got two wickets for Leewards while Kion Pemberton claimed the only other wicket.

The tournament is scheduled to continue today , with Jamaica playing Windwards at Arnos Vale Sports Complex; Leewards against ICC Americas at Park Hill and Trinidad and Barbados clash at Sion Hill.

Greene, Correia crowned champions of Sudesh “Kerry” Fitzgerald tourney

S

herwin Greene and Mary Correia won their respective men’s and women’s categories of the Sudesh“Kerry” Fitzgerald Darts tournament. The tournament was hosted by Guyana Darts Association on Sunday to honour national men’s champion Sudesh“Kerry” Fitzgerald on his birth anniversary.

The event featured several of Guyana’s top players, who were very competitive for a shot of the various titles in the inaugural event.

The winners in respective categories were as follows: - Men’ Singles –firstSherwin Greene; second –Luis Merlano-Ramirez, third – Anup Lachhman.

In the Ladies Singles – first– Mary Correia, second – Shondell Hyles, third – Rosita Hiralall.

Fitzgerald was prohibited from playing in the singles but collaborated with

Mary Correia to win the the luck of the draw doubles on the back of an outstanding performance.

Luck of the Draw Doubles – first- Sudesh Fitzgerald and Mary Correia; second– Shondell Hyles and Bryan James, third – Luis Merlano-Ramirerz and Melissa Smartt.

Fulton won the team division followed by G.I. Joes and Victors in that order.

Team Game – Team Fulton first comprised of, C. Fulton, B. James, C. France S. Greene; second team-G.I.

Joe comprise of S. Fitzgerald, P. Allen, N.Seetaram, J. Bhupan; third team Victors comprised of V. Chandro, R. Hiralallm S. Hyles, T. Joseph.

The highest checkout (91) was done by Adrian Damon. The most 180’s were made by Luis MerlanoRamirez.

The sponsors for the Tournament were Bryan James, Terence Joseph, Edward Richmond, Lallchand Rambharose, Patrick Allen and Sudesh Fitzgerald.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Seagram’s Royal Stag Cup Test Series…

West Indies reply solidly to India's 353

I

Wriddhiman Saha (left) congratulates R Ashwin on his century ©Associated Press

ndia lost their first wickets for 126 and their last five for 14, but between the two collapses R Aswin and Wriddhiman Saha added 213 runs to save their blushes. Ashwin scored his fourth century, all against West Indies and two in this series, and Saha attacked his way to a maiden Test century, which countered West Indies' plan to keep India from scoring freely on a slow outfield.

The day, though, belonged to West Indies, whose new opening combination of Leon Johnson and Kraigg Brathwaite followed the bowling charge with a stand greater than all their earlier opening partnerships in this series put together. Brathwaite ended the day unbeaten on 53, with West Indies still 246 behind, which could take some time coming on the slow outfield.

After 230 runs on the first day, the second day again produced 230 for six wickets.

India's theoretical dislike of slow scoring, and some of the selections in Virat Kohli's Test team

might leave you worried for the future of old-fashioned Test batsmen, but Saha and Ashwin continued to bat for the tribe after the rescue job on day one. While Ashwin, resuming on 75, gave India the solidity, it was Saha who played with intent against a limited West Indies attack happy to play the defensive game. Saha added 58 off 107 balls to his overnight 46 even as West Indies kept it tight at the other end.

The first hour of the day replicated what happened for long periods on the opening day. West Indies stacked up one side of the field, and their strike bowlers spent their energy bowling on that side of the wicket, hoping for impatient shots from the batsmen. None of that arrived.

The intent came in the second hour with Saha taking risks and Ashwin taking only what came his way, understandable given he was approaching a hundred.

Saha's effort on the second morning was a repeat of his approach on the first day.

Against disciplined bowling, Saha had scored 1 off the

6 off the first 31 balls he faced, but then drove Alzarri Joseph through cover for the first boundary of the day, in the 10th over of the morning.

After drinks the clear plan seemed for Saha to have a go and disrupt West Indies from their plan of taking time out of the game.

Sixty-one came in the second hour as opposed to 21 in the first. Saha was at the forefront, hitting all of the first five boundaries of the day. The third of those, a slog off Roston Chase, the off-spinner, took him to his personal best, 64. The fourth took the partnership to 150.

In the 21st over of the morning, Ashwin cut away from his body and got his first boundary of the day, moving to 99.

Even as Ashwin stayed

SCOREBOARD India 1st innings K Rahul c Brathwaite b Cha se 50 S Dhawan c †Dowrich b Gabriel 1 V Kohli*c Bravo b Joseph 3 View dismissal AM Rahane b Ch ase 35 R Sharma c †Dowrich b Joseph 9 R Ashwin c Blackwood b Cummins 118 W Saha† c †Dowrich b Joseph 104 R Jadeja c †Dowrich b Cummins 6 B Kumar c Johnson b Gabriel 0 Mohammed Shami not out 0 I Sharma c Johnson b Cummins 0 Extras (b 7, lb 8, w 2, nb 10) 27 Total (all out; 129.4 overs) 353 Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Dhawan, 2.3 ov), 2-19 (Kohli, 5.3 ov), 3-77 (Rahul, 19.3 ov), 4-87 (RG Sharma, 25.6 ov), 5-126 (Rahane, 49.3 ov), 6-339 (Saha,

first 34 balls he faced, 8 off the first 65, and then opened up to end the day on 46 off 122. When he came back on Wednesday he scored just

121.5 ov), 7-351 (Jadeja, 127.1 ov), 8-353 (Kumar, 128.6 ov), 9-353 (Ashwin, 129.1 ov), 10353 (I Sharma, 129.4 ov) Bowling: Gabriel 23-4-84-2, Joseph 24-6-69-3, Cummins 21.4-8-54-3, Holder 197-34-0, Chase 33-9-702, Brathwaite 9-1-27-0 West Indies 1st innings K Brathwaite not out 53 L Johnson run out (Rahul) 23 D Bravo not out 18 Extras (b 9, w 2, nb 2) 13 Total (1 wicket; 47 overs) 107 To bat: MN Samuels, J Blackwood, RL Chase, SO Dowrich†, JO Holder*, ML Cummins, AS Joseph, ST Gabriel Fall of wickets: 1-59 (Johnson, 23.6 ov) Bowling :Kumar 11-4-11-0, Mohammed Shami 9-1-350, Ashwin 13-4-17-0, Sharma 7-0-26-0, Jadeja 7-2-9-0

on 99, Saha raced away from 76 to 93 by the time the players went off for their second meal of the day. In the last

Alzarri Joseph in his delivery stride©Associated Press

over before lunch, though, Shannon Gabriel caught Saha on the bare forearm with a short ball. Saha came back with a swollen elbow, but both the batsmen duly reached their centuries with Saha becoming only the fourth India wicketkeeper to score an away century. In the seventh over after lunch, Saha went to drive a really full delivery from Alzarri Joseph, edging it through to Shane Dowrich.

Now the West Indies pace attack charged at the tail with renewed vigour.

Having waited 281 balls for his first Test wicket, Miguel Cummins took three in 10 balls: Ravindra Jadeja following an angling delivery, and Ashwin and Ishant Sharma fending at awkward short balls. In between the Cummins carnage, Gabriel came back to get a muchdeserved second wicket, Bhuvneshwar Kumar caught at short leg.

That the quick bowlers were making the batsmen fend pointed to some life in the pitch, but only if you

banged the ball in. The India bowlers - Bhuvneshwar and Mohammed Shami with the new ball - looked to nick the batsmen out. Shami took over Cummins' poor luck; in the half hour before tea he drew an edge from Brathwaite fell short, and one from Johnson was dropped by KL Rahul at third slip. By the time Rahul made amends with a direct hit from midwicket to run Johnson out, West Indies had put together their first fifty opening in 26 innings.

For the first time in the series Darren Bravo walked out after a good start, and batted with more assurance than earlier. Brathwaite brought out the discipline he is known for, waiting for loose balls, not minding having to run runs because of the slow outfield, breaking the monotony with a chip shot here or there, spending more than three hours at the wicket for his halfcentury. The closest India came to a wicket was indifferent running from Bravo and Brathwaite. (Cricinfo)

Golden Fleece Rice Investment sponsors 1-week cricket academy in Essequibo BY: INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

M

ales youths living across Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) have been benefiting from one week of cricket academy compliments of Golden Fleece Rice Investment. The rice miller, Nazemul Hakh provided the resources and gears needed for the coaching while Imam Bacchus and Sons provided the ground needed for the practical play.

Speaking to youths at Imam Bacchus Affiance Sports ground, Wednesday morning, owner of Golden Fleece Investment, Nazeemul Hakh, said that his company contribution

was to support Essequibo Cricket board in moulding youths for the game of cricket. He added that often times youths love cricket but do not have the kind of knowledge and practical skills to play the game.

Hakh urged youths to make maximum use of the opportunity provided to them and pledged his support towards future games and training sessions.

Meanwhile, Member of the Essequibo Cricket Board, Aotto Christiani, extended gratitude on behalf of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB), towards businessmen, Hakh and Bacchus for promoting cricket in Essequibo.

He said training is pres-

Cricketers posing at the Imam Bacchus cricket ground with sponsor Nazeemul Hakh

ently provided to youths to further equip them with knowledge on the game.

Christiani is of the view that one of the major challenges for the ECB in Region Two

is securing sponsorship and was happy to have the businessmen on board. " The greatest investment one can make is in youths, to see them achieve

and gain in the future is the greatest achievement" Christiani said.

During his address he also noted that Essequibo has been struggling with

cricket for the longest while however he suggested that youngster need to have a change of attitude towards the game. In encouraging the youths he said youths need to be physically fit in and remain focus.

Youths will be coached in the field of cricket and life skills by Linden Daniel.

Coach Daniel said it is important for youths to be discipline in the field of cricket.

Youths Orlando Jailall and Joshwa Jones during interviews related the seminars were very educational and they are happy to be a part of such; the youths thanked the Essequibo Cricket Board for organizing such events.

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Horse stables up preparations ahead of Sunday’s Guyana Cup

23

Motor racing not an elite sport, says GMR&SC President

Every November race meet, thousands of fans would flock the South Dakota Circuit to get a glimpse of local and regional motor race car drivers and bikers in action

By Akeem Greene

P Brave Sky (left) and Golden Blue Echo out of the Karibee Rice Stable in Number 36 Village, Corentyne with owner Nand Persaud. Both horses are from Canada and will be on show at Sunday’s Guyana Cup

By Akeem Greene

T

he top horse stables in Guyana have raised the level of preparation for their horses for Jumbo Jet’s 10th annual Guyana Cup on Sunday at the Port Mourant Turf Club. This event will see racers from the United States of America, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Barbados, Jamaica and Guyana taking a crack at

the sport; I brought four horses, we have sand tracks so when it rains here, it keeps us a bit back”.

Therbhuwan Jagdeo, owner of champion horse “Jus call me bas” revealed that rain has been hampering his horses’ preparation but still expects his horses to go at full throttle.

“The rain has been falling a lot, preparation has t been hindered percent but were trying because this is

Beaco” did well in January ,so we should do well, we have been exercising them but it has not been the best because of the weather but we are still hopeful”.

Nine exciting races are on the cards for when riders from across the Caribbean battle for $30 million in cash and prizes.

For the first time, the first prize will be $4 million as well as $500,000 bonus for the winning horse of the

resident of the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) Raj Boodhoo has dispelled the notion that the one of the country’s popular sport of Motor racing is one only for the elites. Indeed one of the major facets of motor racing is having a strong financial support mechanism in order to build the fastest car or motor bike but the President’s contention is that it is a sport for all and plans are afoot to make it more affordable.

“We are working on various rules to make it cheaper for racing, so the average guy can come into race; the perception of is that it is an elite sport but we are of the opinion, it is not an elite sport since we can get so much people involved in it”, Boodhoo stated.

have the fans more involved and have a great facility and we will be concentrating a lot on safety, the President revealed.

The top events coming on the motor racing calendar is the International Drag Meet which be held on October 2 where cars from Suriname and Trinidad are expected to attend.

The more featured event of the season is the Caribbean Motor Racing Champions (CMRC) which is scheduled for November 13 at the South Dakota Circuit.

Guyana, are the defending champions but have not had the best of season by any stretch, as many of their top drivers have faced horrendous mechanical issues, which sees them being placed in third position on 276 points in the cars cham-

pionship.

That champion is lead

by Trinidad and Tobago who have 799 points while Jamaica have 465 in second place; Barbados (202 points) and Cayman Islands on 60 points, round-off the top five.

In the Biker’s category, they have simply unstoppable led by Mathew and Stephen Vieira, which sees them lead that category on 326 points, way ahead of second place Jamaica (138 points), third placed Trinidad (97 points) and fourth Barbados (26 points).

The next leg of the CMRC will be held at Bushy Park, Barbados on September 4, where the local contingent will be desperate to scrape valuable points before returning to these in a bid to defend home territory.

Digicel on board with Guyana horse racing cup

Raj Boodhoo

Therbhuwan Jagdeo, owner of champion horse “Jus Call Me Bas”

the $30 million prize.

Guyana Times Sport spoke to Surinamese Denny Gummels in Berbice on Wednesday to get his thoughts on the preparations for the mega meet.

Gummels explained that,” I know it’s a stiff one, we really don’t mind that, we just want to have a clean run, a good run, so we can come back often; everybody wants to win, for us winning is second, finishing is first”.

He added that, ““In Suriname, the racing pool is small so we can come here to show the Suriname population that we can promote

the biggest race meet of the year and the fans expect excitement”, Jagdeo said.

Quizzed if he thinks other stables will come out aggressive against his horses he responded saying, “there are a few good horses right now and the competition has been heating up, but I think we have good chances with “Jus call me bas” once the rains stay away and we get a good track”.

Mahendra Persaud, commonly known as Nand Persaud is making his way back into the races with his imports from Canada and believes he will excel, stating, “We should do well, “Golden

feature event and $200,000 for the winning jockey.

Jumbo Jet has extended thanks to Banks DIH Ltd for their years of contribution and partnership in making this the biggest meet in the Caribbean.

The A class and lower, three-year-old West Indian bread, two-year-old Guyana bread, E1 and lower, G1 and lower, H3 and lower for Guyana bread horses; J and K event, L class event and the H1 and lower opened to West Indian haven’t started since August 30, 2015.

Admission is $2000 for adults and $1000 for children.

More so, the club President added, “we are working always to make it friendlier, as a sporting organisation, to bring more people, too have everybody involved”.

Over the past months, the club which is located on Albert Street and Thomas Lands has undergone some renovations works and Boodhoo expressed that it is a facility for all to come and enjoy.

A long standing member in the motor racing fraternity, the avid drag racing fan believes his tenure in office is a good one thus far and that he is aiming to push the aspect of safety for both participants and fans.

“It has been good, I think the sport is on a rise and we are focusing a lot on the cohesion between the fans and the sport; it’s where we can

Louanna Abrams, Digicel's Sponsorship Executive and Compton Sancho – Coordinator of the 10th Annual Guyana Cup

F

or the past five years, Digicel has been the proud Sponsor of the Guyana Cup Horse Race Meet hosted by Jumbo Jet Auto Sales.

The release from the company stated that “this

year, we are quite excited to be the official sponsor of the E & Lower Class Race where we will be donating the grand prize and trophy”.

The meet will be on, at Port Mourant Turf Club, Berbice on August 14th.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

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

Seagram’s Royal Stag Cup Test Series…

West Indies reply solidly to India's 353 Pg 22

West Indies celebrate the fall of another wicket on the second day of the Test in St Lucia

Horse stables up preparations ahead of Sunday’s Guyana Cup Pg 23

Trainer of the Surinamese contingent Angelica Hilversum and their three horses

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