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Lawrence outlines plans for vulnerable women, P16 children

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Issue No. 2956

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Budget 2017 to be presented on December 5 Page 7

Pensioner found with throat slit in ECD home Page 9

– son, 2 others detained

2nd victim in Mahaicony accident dies

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Expeditiousness needed on P7 Norton/bond fiasco – Rohee

Page 9

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry is no postman – Granger Page 2

President David Granger, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock and Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton along with leaders of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on Monday share a photo moment before the conference commenced (Photo: Dexter Ceres)

Page 3

Jagdeo warns of sinister plans afoot against Amerindians

…says Minister Allicock a “good man” but powerless

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo addresses scores of Toshaos at the Regency Hotel in Georgetown – ahead of opening of the annual National Toshaos Council (NTC) at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (Photo: Carl Croker)

Beaten ‘bandit’ slapped with attempted P8 robbery charge

Public Security Ministry to P17 carry out countrywide prison survey

Beaten accomplice of dead bandit leads Police P10 to gun

Cattle farmer found dead P12 Region 8 miners to be trained in P17 malaria testing

2 NEWS Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry is no postman – Granger TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

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A section of the gathering at the National Toshaos Council meeting on Monday

resident David Granger on Monday advised for the establishment of a five-person Indigenous People’s Authority to speed up the implementation of decisions coming out of the National Toshaos Council (NTC).

Citing that it is unfair for the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to act as “postman” in a fragmented system diffusing across the several ministries in order to access aid for health, physical infrastructure, social protection, economics, and education, Granger stated that it is applicable for such a novel establishment.

The president was at the time delivering his keynote address at the opening of the National Toshaos Council Conference at the Arthur Chung Convention

Centre. He predicted that the body will implement decisions made by the NTC and the National Assembly.

“We need to clothe the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs with the authority to act decisively to deal with some of these problems,” he said, charging the minister to recommend measures to set up the authority.

He explained that the authority would work under the ministry to lend support to the NTC as a measure to better the quality of life for indigenous people.

However, although his proposal received resounding applause from the audience, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs shadow minister Pauline Sukhai rejected it.

She contended that the new body would undermine the work of the ministry and the

NTC, explaining that the ministry is already staffed

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock along with Minister within the Natural Resources Ministry Simona Broomes greeting Toshaos at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre

attempt to usurp the power of the NTC now and even

sions. I don’t see independence in that,” Sukhai said.

President David Granger greeting Toshaos at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre

with technical people to manage the affairs of the people.

“I noticed that there is an

the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs where now you are going to propose to establish a five-man committee to implement deci-

“…there is need for support for empowering and support of indigenous leaders. How will you establish a five-person committee when there

is a Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs with two ministers?” she queried.

She also indicated that government needs to provide more money to fund the decisions coming out of the NTC conference. She argued that nothing was being done to Indigenous peoples’ affairs issues though money has been budgeted for them.

Meanwhile, NTC Chairman Joel Fredericks received President Granger’s announcement with elation. “I believe this is a step in the right direction and I support it but I think the NTC should be a part it,” he said.

The function of the NTC is to promote good governance, prepare strategy for reducing poverty, and improving access to health and education.

(Jeanna Pearson)

news

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tuesDAY, august 23, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, August 23 –08:30h-10:00h and Wednesday, August 24 –09:30h-11:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, August 23 –07:50h-09:20h and Wednesday, August 24 –08:40h-10:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Sunny conditions for most of the morning followed by light to heavy rain showers throughout the rest of the day. Partly cloudy to clear skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Southerly to East North-easterly between 0.447 metre and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 07:59h and 20:19 reaching maximum heights of 2.65 metres and 2.62 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 13:52h reaching a minimum height of 0.49 metre.

Jagdeo warns of sinister plans afoot against Amerindians

…says Minister Allicock a “good man” but powerless

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here are surreptitious, sinister and pernicious plans afoot to erode the rights and land entitlements of the Indigenous people of Guyana through the legislative changes being proposed to the Amerindian Act by the coalition A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo sounded the alarm on Sunday evening when he met with scores of Toshaos at the Regency Hotel in Georgetown—ahead of Monday’s opening of the annual National Toshaos Council (NTC) at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.

The former President

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo chatting with Chairman of the NTC Joel Fredericks and other NTC members at Regency Hotel on Sunday

Saturday, august 20, 2016

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Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo shares a light moment with a few Toshaos

was at the time heading a People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) delegation that included Executives Donald Ramotar, Clement Rohee, Anil Nandlall, Gail Teixeira and Pauline Sukhai.

Speaking of the impending plans of the Administration, Jagdeo firstly pointed to the fact that the policy directives are no longer in the hands of the substantive Ministry or Minister since Vice President and Minster of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs,

Sidney Allicock is ‘without authority.’

“He is a good man,” said Jagdeo, who added that the only problem is that he is without authority since the decision-makers, are at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Jagdeo further lamented this situation and pointed to the fact that there are numerous ‘racist-oriented’ persons who now form the core of the decision making process.

He cited as examples Eric Phillips of the African Cultural Development

Association and prolific political activist Dr David Hinds.

Jagdeo is adamant that the current Administration is not only governing the coun-

try in the interest of one group of persons but it is in fact “unapologetic” for this.

The Opposition Leader in spelling out the dangers of the proposals to be discussed by the Amerindian leaders during the course of this week’s NTC, said while the name change of the legislation—from Amerindian Act to Indigenous People Act— on the face of it appears innocent, it has to be seen in the context of recent assertions of the Administration.

He reminded of what he called false claims by Phillips that Amerindians who make up less than 10 per cent of the population was in fact handed 14 per cent of Guyana while AfroGuyanese were only the owners of a meagre three per cent.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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guyana-times.com

tuesday, august 23, 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

Slave trade abolition

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oday, August 23, is the date set aside by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.

The impetus for the remembrance of the Slave Trade and its abolition, UNESCO posits, is so that people could imprint on their minds the “tragedy” of the slave trade and for an “analysis of the interactions to which it has given rise between Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean”.

The historical antecedents of slavery and its aforementioned analysis would invariably be too small to summate within a single editorial. Focus will be placed on the Slave Trade as this is the aspect being highlighted in the observance of this international day.

The Europeans felt that they were in every way superior to the Africans and that, for them, justified the owning of Africans as chattel slaves. However, history has since shown that the Africans were a very civilized society of peoples, spread throughout Africa and further afield. They, in some cases, were more civilised than their European counterparts in their application of trade and economics. This mattered nil however, as they did not have the technological prowess to overcome the European weaponry.

The Transatlantic Slave Trade, which was proliferated by British hegemony during the 1600s, was very profitable for them since it provided work, wealth and consumer goods.

Leading inexorably to Britain becoming an Empire off of the sweat and free labour of African slaves who were property to their masters.

While there were voices (abolitionists) condemning the slave trade and slavery altogether, the rise of the sugar, tobacco and coffee industries within the Caribbean colonies, (that were owned by Britain) drove the need for cheap labour and owning slaves to keep production up and costs down was deemed the most advantageous route. This demand facilitated the further growth of the Slave Trade, which was legal at the time, as it enriched slave traders who would ruthlessly capture Africans from Sierra Leone and the Congo areas to supply the need.

The abolitionists, led by William Wilberforce, in Parliament articulated for the prohibition of the Slave Trade for tactical reasons. It was felt that change was more attainable in gradual steps. Hence, they championed for the end of the Slave Trade before they demanded the abolition of slavery itself. They felt that if the trade ceased, slavery would eventually wither away.

As history has outlined, to the contrary, many absentee plantation owners and merchants involved in the Slave Trade rose to high office and served in the British Parliament. Hence, any attempt during the 1700s to champion the cause of the abolition of the Slave Trade proved futile. For over 200 years, supporters of the Slave Trade were successful in opposing any opposition.

It was not until 1807, when the horrors of slavery were becoming evident, that laws were passed in the British Parliament paving the way for the abolition of the Slave Trade.

However, when it became clear that the West Indian planters were not implementing the improvements to conditions and rights for enslaved people, the abolitionists hardened their stance.

In July 1833, a Bill to abolish slavery throughout the British Empire passed in the House of Commons, followed by the House of Lords on August 1.

While there were a lot of militating factors – such as the industrial revolution, British parliamentary reform that removed much of the elite plantocracy and the campaigns of abolitionist and religious groups – that contributed to the abolition of slavery, it was invariably the resistance of the African slaves that inevitably brought about the change.

Within the Caribbean there was a successful slavery revolt in Haiti that was led by Toussaint L'Ouverture, followed by revolts in Barbados in 1816; (Guiana) Demerara in 1823 and Jamaica in 1831. Many of the African slaves who revolted lost their lives in their rightful quest to be free, but their sacrifices were not in vain. The British Government was forced to relent and abolished slavery on August 1, 1838.

Not before however, compensating the plantation owners with 20 million pounds. This has led to the call by a unified Caribbean Community for reparations to also be given, inter alia, to Africans for the 400 years of inhumane subjugation that they endured.

Amerindian dancers performing a cultural piece at the opening of the five-day National Toshaos Council Conference at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on Monday (Dexter Ceres photo)

Chancellor/JSC, Minister cannot both administer Deeds and Commercial Authority Dear Editor, I write in relation to a letter published in another section of the media on Thursday, August 18, 2016 under the caption “JSC has power to appoint the Deputy Registrar of Deeds”.

Editor I agree with the caption because it is the APNU/AFC’s Government which made this possible.

Among its first acts was the passage into law of legislation which restored the independence of constitutional bodies emasculated during the 23 years of PPP/C rule, including the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

However Editor, independent commissions are not above the rule of law in Guyana. That the rules and decisions they make can be challenged in a Court of Law where they breach them or act excessively, is established law in Commonwealth Jurisdictions, including Guyana.

Independent commissions are required to exercise their discretion judiciously, not whimsically or capriciously. The power of the JSC to appoint Registrars and Deputy Registrars of the Deeds and Supreme Court Registries was not contemplated in the Westminster type Constitution Guyana received on its Independence in 1966, and did not exist.

This power also did not exist in the 1970, 1980 and the 1980 Revised Constitutions, the reason being that Guyana’s Constitution is based on the doctrine of the separation of powers of the three arms of the State to wit the Executive/Government, Legislature/Parliament and the Judiciary.

The Deeds and the

Supreme Court Registries were since independence part of the Executive and not the Judiciary.

On the dawning of the 21st Century a power struggle developed over whether the Chief Justice/ Chancellor or the Registrar of the Supreme Court was in charge of the Supreme Court and Deeds Registries.

In 2001 the Constitution was amended quite inexplicably and the power to appoint the Registrar and Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court and Deeds Registries was removed from the Public Service Commission (PSC) to the JSC by the provisions of Article 199(3) of the Constitution.

The reason why the JSC was given the power to appoint the top two officers of the Deeds and Supreme Court Registries, while the PSC continues to appoint the rest of the staff in these Registries might suggest that the PSC is inferior to the JSC or that the persons appointed by the JSC are superior to their “underlings” appointed by the PSC. It thus appears that the constitutional engineering had resulted in the Chief Justice/Chancellor having control over the heads of these Registries, who may believe that having been appointed by the JSC, the latter had supervisory control over them, the rest of the staff and the business of the Registries and so blur the lines of governance.

This is a serious intrusion and interference into the affairs of the Executive/ Government by the Judiciary and breach of the doctrine of the separation of powers.

Under Article 199 (1) of the Constitution the power of the JSC is limited to appointing, removing and disciplining the Registrars and Deputy Registrars.

This Article cannot remove the Registries from the Executive/Government arm to the Judiciary.

The power of the JSC to appoint the Registrars and Deputy Registrars of the Supreme Court and the Deeds Registries did not exist in the 1966, 1970, 1980 and the 1980 Revised Constitutions.

It is therefore in 2001 that the Registrars and Deputy Registrars were transferred to the JSC by Article 199(3) of the Constitution. From 1966 to 2001 the Supreme Court and Deeds Registries were part of the Executive arm of the State and not the Judiciary.

The question which arises however is whether the “Registrar of the High Court” is the same person as the “Registrar of the Supreme Court”.

In Article 125 of the 1966 and 1970 Constitutions the word “court” means “any court of law in Guyana and shall be construed as including the Judicial Committee”.

In Article 232 of the 1980 Constitution and 1980 Revised Constitution the word “court” means “any court of law in Guyana.”

At no time did the definition of “court” include the Supreme Court, Deeds or Land Registries.

In the 1966, 1970 and 1980 Constitutions there was no equivalent to Article 122A of the 1980 Revised Constitution of 2001 speaking to the independence of the Judiciary.

It is contended that the

provisions of this Article did not include or speak to the aforementioned Registries, which are not part of the Judiciary. It is further contended that Article 122 A (2) contemplates a court having a secretariat or its own registry to service it specifically and the head can be described as the Registrar of the High Court not the Supreme Court, the latter being part of the administration of government or executive like the Deeds and Land Registries.

That the Deeds Registry has at all material times from Independence in 1966, to the present been administered by the Executive/ Government and not the Judiciary is supported by the provision of section 7 (1) of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Act 2013.

Section 2 defines “Minister” as meaning the Minister of Legal Affairs.

The Act establishes under section 3, the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority as a corporate body with a governing board.

It is clear that whatever policy directive is given by the Minister, for the smooth and effective running of the Authority, the JSC could undermine by simply inserting a Registrar and Deputy Registrar of its choice.

This could only lead to anarchy. The Chancellor/ JSC and the designated Minister cannot both administer the Deeds and Commercial Authority.

Yours respectfully, Hon Basil Williams Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs

guyana-times.com

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016

5

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

Giftland Theatres must respect movie restrictions Dear Editor, A few nights ago I went to the Giftland Movie Theatre to see ‘Bad Moms’.

As expected, it wasn’t a bad movie; albeit not one I’d want to see a second time. Light, and portraying the hardship of being a modern-day city mom and family breadwinner, it also featured adult conversations and language. This came as no shock as it was a movie for adults, internationally rated R. Anyone

who saw the trailer or poster would have been aware.

I was therefore surprised to see parents and grandparents taking children and even toddlers and babies to see the movie. At least a third of the theatre was populated by children under the age of 12, at a session which commenced at 21:30h.

A grandmother taking her young grandson was saying that it was such a great movie she had to see

it a second time.

Perhaps the most important question, besides those of morality, is why did the administration of the Giftland Movie Theatres ignore the internationally prescribed ratings of the movies on display, violating its obligations as a service provider of entertainment, to the wider public?

Sincerely, Anna Correia

Spending taxpayers’ monies Dear Editor, It is beyond the wildest imagination and rudimentary understanding of every levelheaded Guyanese as to why the Georgetown City Council would choose to recklessly expend close to $300M on the Merriman’s Mall on an injudicious Presidential Park and chaotic mix of other things, rather than spending the same amount of the citizens’ taxes repairing a dilapidated City Hall building.

Somebody at City Hall certainly has his or her priorities utterly mixed up when they can chose to disregard the iconic Guyanese landmark, the fairytale like gothic archi-

tectural wonder, the headquarters of the Georgetown Municipality that has been crying out desperately for attention, and which they have responsibility for maintaining to opt instead to build a senseless Presidential Park, a project that if it were indeed worthwhile should be undertaken by the central government or an NGO and not a municipality.

Someone needs to explain to the citizens of Georgetown the reason why after many experts who examined City Hall and pronounced why the Big Wigs at City Hall would be so irresponsible as to leave that historic edifice to fur-

ther deteriorate whilst trying to play political games with the money by building a presidential park, and a cluster of other equally meaningless structures that just clutters the mall.

This has to stop.

Property rates are collected for specific purposes, not to be spent profligately by any one or two persons at the Council. Was this this puerile project on the mall even budgeted for or approved by the Council? If it is not then the officer who is responsible for this insanity must be dealt with condignly.

Sincerely, Mark Roopan

M&CC disconnected from citizenry

Dear Editor, How many times more must the clueless Town Clerk, the Mayor of Georgetown and the City Council be allowed to fail before the Government realises that these failures reflect against them and say enough, and put a stopping to the destruction of the capital of Guyana?

The most recent flop is the purported “pilot flea market project”. The pilot flea market was set up by the city administration to allow persons selling backto-school items to vend on Regent Street between Cummings and Alexander streets, a colossal failure where neither vendors nor shoppers supported.

How could they be so ill-advised to believe that

vendors who are now unionised and who have been ill-treated by the council for so long would just jump at the first opportunity given by the council to sell? Do they understand the difference between flea market vending from street vending?

The first thing the council’s administration has to understand is that there is need for consultation with the citizens of Georgetown, whether it is the vendors, businesspersons, home owners or visitors.

There is a need for discussion and consensus on everything that affects our people. They can’t just dream up some half-baked idea and then jump to implement it unitarily.

Why do they have a Public Relations Department? Just to write letters and send out erroneous press releases?

Public Relations is a twoway street.

Clearly, the Mayor and Town Clerk who have been travelling the world, rather than use their initiative and come up with original ideas that can be applied to Guyana, chose to plagiarise wholesale the American concept of a Flea Market.

This flea market idea and worse yet on a Sunday, shows how disconnected the Council is from the citizenry.

Sincerely, James Mc Onnell

What happened to the Green Conference and Expo?

Dear Editor, It is with considerable disappointment that I ask, what has happened with this year’s Green Conference and Expo?

Thinking that the Georgetown Municipality was serious about greening our city, and being a model to other towns in Guyana, and supporting the President’s initiative of a green economy, I kept passing by the Independence Ground hoping to see them setting up again for this

year’s edition of the Green Conference and Expo, but this seems not to be.

The City Council needs to be a little more persistent than this. Not because their first conference and expo last year was an abysmal failure means that they should give up and not have it again.

It is an important concept that should be developed.

What they need are experienced and skilled event co-ordinators, and not try

to do it themselves as they lack the knowledge in this subject area and the competence in planning and co-ordinating an Expo which was much too expensive a venture, when it should have been a profit-making venture.

There is GuyExpo, the Building Expo, and the Wedding Expo etc, so why no Green Expo?

Best regards, Deodarie Putulall

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tuesday, august 23, 2016

Page

Foundation

The danger of telling children “you can do anything!”

– the unexpected downsides of constant encouragement

By Erica Reischer, PhD

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any parents tell their children, “You can do anything!”

Of course, we want to encourage our children to pursue their interests and not be limited by society’s view of their capabilities.

At the same time, telling children t h a t they can do anything is not really truthful and may have unexpected downsides.

It’s not true, for example, that anyone can be a professional basketball player or a fashion model, and not everyone can win a Nobel Prize or be a Supreme Court Justice.

We are all limited in particular ways by our genetic endowment and by the statistical realities of competition. In addition, luck and chance play a much larger role in life outcomes, including success, than we generally acknowledge.

In addition, research shows that when we create highly ambitious goals for ourselves, those goals can become harmful – for example, leading to unethical behaviour in order to meet those ambitious goals, or leading us to feel like a failure when we don’t achieve them.

Telling children that

guyana-times.com

they can do anything creates the vision without the road map: It implies they should set a lofty goal but gives no information about how to achieve it.

Better to acknowledge that significant accomplishments will be challenging to

achieve, that luck plays a key role in life, and then give children a road map for how they can advance their goals. I call this road map “the three Ps.” Instead of just telling children they can do anything, teach them the three Ps: Practice, Patience, and Perseverance.

Practice, because effort coupled with feedback is critical to developing mastery and achieving excellence.

Patience, because mastery and meaningful accomplishment happen over a long time frame.

Perseverance, because obstacles are likely and setbacks are common in any endeavour.

Emphasise to your children that success is defined by effort and step-by-step progress, not by comparison

with others.

As Thomas Edison supposedly said, after a colleague discovered Edison at his workbench surrounded by the results of thousands of hours’ worth of failed experiments: “I’ve tried everything. [But] I have not failed. I have just found ten thousand ways that won’t work!”

T R Y T H I S : Imagine your child is struggling with science homework and exclaims in frustration: “I can’t do this!”

Rather than respond, “Yes, you can, let me show you,” you might say something like this instead: “Yes, science can be challenging so it’s normal that you’re struggling with it right now.

The more time and effort you spend on it, the easier it will get.”

Then support your child by answering his questions about the work as best you can, without giving him the answers.

Similarly, when you see someone who demonstrates a high level of mastery or excellence, such as a professional sports player or an accomplished musician, you might say something like this: “Wow, she is a fantastic tennis player. I’ll bet she’s spent many years and thousands of hours practising.” (psychologytoday.com)

25

ways to inculcate good habits in your children (Part three)

By Enozia Vakil

8. Stay involved

No matter how busy you may be in your day-today work and chores, you must make it a point to be involved in your child’s life.

Make sure you are updated about where he goes, the kind of friends he has, and how he’s doing at school.

It is a great idea to have a short chat with your child after he comes back home from school – it’ll keep you updated of your child’s emotional status.

9. Family dinners

Family dinners are an excellent way to inculcate the habit of healthy eating in your child. If the family sits together for dinner, your child is less likely to consume unhealthy foods and will be more in touch with the family. It also nurtures the feeling of bonding in him.

10. Show respect

Respecting elders is something you would want your child to build as his etiquette. If you haven’t done that already, it’s now time to encourage him to do the same. Read out bedtime stories that talk about children seeking blessings from the elders and helping them out with their activities. It

is also a great way to help your child connect with his grandparents.

11. Good manners – An early start

It’s never too early to start finding good habits for children. Encourage him to use phrases like Thank you, Welcome and Sorry where appropriate. You can also give examples of good mannered children that your child may know, but make sure you don’t go overboard and start comparing.

12. Induct good literature

Reading out stories to your child from a book makes a significant difference. Good literature has an effective way of inspiring children to behave in a correct manner, follow a code of discipline and have a positive outlook in life. Get some good books from your local store and read out moralsbased stories at bedtime.

You can read aloud stories of famous authors so that the child’s command over the language becomes strong.

13. Community projects

Help your child understand his role as a citizen by involving him in community projects. This will encourage him to do something for the greater good. Your child will derive immense satisfaction by helping and serving others. One great idea is to help him plant trees or be a part of a social campaign. Social responsibility is a great way to create awareness in the young mind and get him motivated for a good cause.

You should instil the value of social service in your child. If you teach orphan children or visit an old age home, try to take your child along with you and interact with the children and the elderly people. He will feel good and also learn to work for a noble cause. Also check whether the child’s school also inculcates the value of social services. Values learnt at childhood stay with him throughout his life.

14. Manage pocket money

This one is probably one of the most important factors in most households.

Thankfully, it isn’t that tough. Try and get a rough estimation of how much money your child needs.

Give him a fixed amount every month. Also, get your child a ‘piggy bank’ and ask

him to try and save money for anything he’d like to purchase later. This will get him into the habit of saving.

Nowadays banks are offering opportunity for opening bank accounts for minors. You can ask your child to open a bank account and manage his own pocket money. It is very important to learn how a bank functions, this will pave the way towards making your child a self-sufficient, confident and independent individual.

15. Be responsible

Getting your child to be responsible is not easy, but there are some good ways you can make your child to feel accountable. If your little one is old enough, consider getting him a pet – this will instil a sense of responsibility in your child. Hand over something important to your child and ask him to keep it safe, and see how he goes about it. These small methods are effective to make your child become responsible.

16. Set expectations

As a parent, it is okay to set expectations with your child. Explain him that you would want him to achieve success in life and be a pro at whatever he wants. Don’t overburden him, but do not forget to give a pat on his back whether he stands up to your expectations or not.

Appreciate the fact that he tried. This way, you’ll motivate him constantly to do his best.

17. Say no

Your child should know that when you say ‘No’ to something, it’s a final call!

The last thing you need is your child turning into an arrogant and ruthless personality who always gets away with his excuses.

Remind him that you are in authority and you will be the one making decisions on his behalf till he grows older. Of course, make him realise he can always get a chance to voice his opinion and explain his side, but the end verdict will be yours.

18. Say yes

As much as saying ‘No’ matters, you must know when to say ‘Yes’ as well. If your child has to attend a birthday party, let him go ahead and actively participate, even if it means changes in the schedule. The little things that enhance your child’s social skills are completely acceptable (momjunction.com)

NEWS

7

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Expeditiousness needed on Budget 2017 to Norton/bond fiasco – Rohee be presented on December 5

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

C

oncerns are growing over the slothfulness of the Government in reprimanding Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton after he misled the nation over controversial contracts for the storage of pharmaceuticals.

People’s Progressive Party General Secretary Clement Rohee, during a news conference on Monday, declared that the nation was still waiting on the Government to take the relevant actions with respect to the unfolding con-

troversy.

He urged that the Minister expeditiously issue his apology as recommended by Government and be brought before the parliamentary Privileges Committee.

The Public Health Minister misled the National Assembly during his bid to defend a $25 million advance from the Contingency Fund to pay Linden Holdings Inc for the storage of pharmaceuticals as a result of an “emergency”.

Dr Norton said the fees charged by NEW GPC INC of $19.2 million a month to store the pharmaceuticals were too exorbitant, and, therefore, Government opted for a cheaper facility.

However, it was revealed that the cheaper facility was not even a bond but a house that was currently being renovated into a pharmaceutical warehouse.

In 2015, Government terminated the prequalification system for procurement of pharmaceuticals for the Public Health Ministry and the Georgetown Public Hospital. NEW GPC had provided free storage at its

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

PAHO/WHO approved warehouse for the drugs it supplied on the bids it won. The Public Health Ministry then requested the NEW GPC to provide a rental quotation for its 70,000 square foot warehouse.

The NEW GPC quoted a rental of the equivalent of $237 per square foot, yet the Public Health Ministry forked over the $25 million deposit to Linden Holding Inc – a company whose majority shareholder is listed as Larry Singh – for rental of

the building in Sussex Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, to be used as a storage bond for drugs and medical supplies for the Ministry and Georgetown Public Hospital at a rate that works out to $1250 per square foot.

Dr Norton had stated that the Sussex Street facility, now rented by the Ministry and the Georgetown Public Hospital, is certified as meeting PAHO/WHO standards by relevant Ministry departments, including the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Administration Department.

But investigations later indicated that Minister Norton was being more than disingenuous in his pronouncements on the matter regarding public funds.

Dr Norton was also found to be misleading when he told the National Assembly that NEW GPC was asking for an exorbitant fee.

It was later revealed that the NEW GPC has never received any rent from the Government of Guyana for use of its state-of-the-art storage facility for over a decade.

Jagdeo warns of sinister plans...

Jagdeo said this statement has to be seen in the context of a promise on the part of President David Granger, to set up a commission to address the issue of ancestral lands in conjunction with the expanded definition of ‘Indigenous people’ by the United Nations.

The Opposition Leader was adamant that changes to the Amerindian Act to Indigenous peoples could inherently cause other groups of persons to be deemed indigenous. Jagdeo was adamant that the purpose of the Amerindian Act is to cater for the needs of the Amerindian People and said the PPP/C will never at the national level support any changes that will erode the rights afforded to the Indigenous people.

Jagdeo urged the Toshaos to enquire diligently about the benefits to be accrued by any proposed changes and if

however, the answer is in the negative, then it is the duty of the Indigenous people to fight against the changes.

“We are worried because we see a pattern,” Jagdeo pointed out, and recalled that during the first week in office by the APNU/AFC administration, close to 2000 Community Support Officers—primarily Amerindians scattered across the country—had their services terminated.

According to Jagdeo this act, in addition to placing 2000 persons on the breadline, immediately removed in excess of $700 million which were being pumped directly into the village economies. He reminded too of the arrangement between the Kingdom of Norway and the Government of Guyana under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

That programme saw Guyana earning some US$250 million of which US$30 million had been set aside to be directly invested in Amerindian communities but this has been neglected by the current Administration.

He said Government is instead looking to ‘coastalise’ the LCDS to shift the resources accrued from hinterland communities to instead be spent in urban Guyana. Speaking directly of the interventions by the PPP/C Administration in protecting the rights of all Guyanese, Jagdeo was adamant that there is no super-race and this is protected under the Constitution of Guyana which guarantees equal rights to all.

Jagdeo also used the opportunity to remind the Toshaos of the support through Government programmes and policies un-

FROM PAGE 3

der the PPP/C administration meant to directly benefit the Indigenous people through measures such as the Amerindian Act, which in addition to land entitlement rights, also for the first time in the nation’s history, gave the Indigenous people subsurface rights to their communities. Previously all subsurface rights belonged to the State.

He was adamant that the Indigenous people communities cannot be developed through the handouts of slippers but the administration must focus on transforming the hinterland village economies throughout the country.

He committed the PPP to supporting any measures that would see an increase in the resources for the development of the nation’s First Peoples even as he vowed to vigorously oppose the ‘sinister surreptitious’ plans afoot.

P

resident David Granger on Monday announced that the Guyana 2017 National Budget will be presented on December 5, 2016.

Granger stated that Government is debating the establishment of a ministerial planning unit to help in the preparation of the budget.

The Head of State made the announcement on Monday at the National Toshaos Conference (NTC) at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.

According to the Head of State, the pattern of preparation can only occur if there are established planning units to assist the process.

Since the coalition Government’s entrance to office, two National Budgets were present early by Finance Minister Winston Jordon.

Two weeks ago Jordon had hinted that the budget would be presented earlier, stating that it would be sooner than expected. The budgets are presented early to allow for timely and

efficient spending of funds.

By law, the National Budgets should be debated and approved by the House for assent by the President no later than April 30 of each year.

It is anticipated that the budget will have provisions for wages and salaries increases since the government is already considering proposals for pay hikes.

There are hopes that the 16 per cent Valued Added Tax (VAT) would be reduced since an assessment by the regional technical assistance mechanism of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is being carried.

Meanwhile, consultations have already begun with the stakeholders and government.

The platform for the Budget 2016 was anchored on the five outlined in Granger’s New Year’s Speech. These entailed national unity, national infrastructure, national institutions, national security and public services.

(Jeanna Pearson)

8 news

tuesDAY, august 23, 2016 | guyana-times.com

IN THE COURTS Beaten ‘bandit’ slapped with attempted robbery charge

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n alleged bandit who was soundly beaten, along with his accomplice, in North Ruimveldt, was on Monday slapped with an attempted robbery under arms charge.

Patrick Goodluck, 22, of Lot T-72 North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on August 17, 2016, at North Ruimveldt,

Patrick Goodluck

Greater Georgetown, he attempted to commit armed robbery, while being in the company of another.

The prosecution contended that the Virtual Complainant (VC) was watching television when the defendants broke in to the house and demanded his gold chain and motorcycle.

However, an alarm was raised and the defendants were apprehended and dealt a severe thrashing by publicspirited persons.

The other defendant,

who was not named, is said to be clinging to life at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Goodluck’s Attorney, Paul Fung-A-Fat made a bail application, pointing out that his client needed urgent medical attention. In court on Monday, Goodluck’s face was swollen and bore numerous stitches. The lawyer also told the Court that as a result of the beating, his client lost nine of his teeth.

He was, however, remanded to prison. The case will continue on September 2.

Laing Avenue shooting

2nd murder accused charged R egus Lumza, 19, of Lot 51 Durban Street, Georgetown on Monday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman charged with the murder of Orin Malik David.

It is alleged that on August 1, 2016, at Laing Avenue, Georgetown, he murdered David.

He was remanded to prison and would return to court on September 8, 2016.

Earlier this month, Samuel McIntyre was also charged with the murder of David and was remanded to prison.

According to the prosecution’s case, on August 1, the

Deceased: Orin Malik David

Murder accused Regus Lumza

deceased had an argument with one of the suspects over some $100,000 that was owed to him.

The man left but lat-

er returned and told David that he was there to talk.

However, after David approached the vehicle in which the defendant ar-

rived, along with two other men, another argument ensued and he was shot twice to his body.

According to reports, after being shot, the defendant ran a short distance from the scene and collapsed.

The injured man was then picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The matter was reported and the individuals involved were said to be known by Police.

The third person involved in the crime is yet to be arrested by Police.

David was previously charged for murder but was acquitted.

Feuding sisters: Magistrate places instigator on 6-month bond

T

wo sisters who are always at loggerheads appeared at the Wales Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and one of them was placed on a six-month bond to keep the peace.

Gail Duncan-Clarke, 48, entered a guilty plea to the

charge that on June 30, at Belle West, West Bank Demerara, she made use of abusive language to her sister, Ruth Samuels.

Duncan-Clarke, who resides at Lot 63 Belle West, stated that this was the first time she faced the court.

Her sister explained that the two were “not on speaking terms” and she preferred it to remain that way.

Presiding Magistrate Clive Nurse urged the defendant to apologise to her sibling, which she did.

Duncan-Clarke was placed

on the bond and told if she failed to adhere to the ruling, she would spend eight weeks in the New Amsterdam Prison.

“Live at peace with your sister,” Magistrate Nurse told the first-time defendant.

Eyew tness

Heritage...

T

...of the First People

he Toshaos of the First People of Guyana are meeting to parley. And it's high time they did. Prezzie just pretty much confirmed that henceforth there will be no beating around the bush. If politics is about who gets what, when and how, in Guyanese politics it is the responsibility of the leaders of the various ethnic groups to demand of the political directorate what, when and how they want what they want.

So what is it First People want? We know they want their land titled. Some want more than they have been presently allocated in accordance to what they had occupied "traditionally". But who determines what is "traditional"? The First People never created fences to demarcate their land. Heck...they lived in such harmony with the land, the Europeans who stumbled over Guyana thought this land was still jungle. Most of us have become convinced that to be "civilised" we have to clear the jungles.

With climate change threatening all that civilisation has produced, it will be up to First Peoples to save this planet - if indeed it can be saved - by saving the jungles. And you should note your Eyewitness uses the word "jungles" not the more genteel "forests" which are basically what they have up north. Our "jungles" have that connotation of being "untamed" with more than a hint of adventure.

That's why you never had a "Tarzan of the Forests"!!

But after getting as much land that are still covered with forests, then what? If their leaders were to look north at the experience of their relatives in the most developed country in the world - the USA - they'd see just having land didn't do much for them. If America is "First World" then the reservations on which their "First Peoples" live have to be Third World. So the Toshaos must demand they get all the benefits of what their land has and will deliver from not cutting down their forests - which is now worth a heck of a lot of money.

While African-Guyanese must boast about clearing 15,000 square miles of real estate on the coast in accordance with what the Europeans had defined as "civilised agriculture" - the leaders of the First People must boast about preserving the jungles - which are now the "lungs" of planet Earth.

So now, dear readers, you'll understand why your Eyewitness figures the US$250 million the government got from Norway should've all gone to the First People.

And so too, all the benefits that'll come from the 4000MW of electricity etc from the rivers. The gold?

This should be the basis for the "Declaration of Liliendaal".

...of private sector and govt

The USAID Report claims our private businesses are "too dependent" on government. Well what'd you expect when government spending constitutes such a large percentage of the GDP? Maybe the fellas who compiled the report from up in Vermont forgot that not so long ago, the PNC government destroyed the fledgling private sector (kept "fledging" for centuries of colonial policy) when they nationalised the "commanding heights of the economy. 80 per cent!!!

With our internal markets so small, our private businesses are forced to look out for their biggest customer in so many areas for goods and services - the government. In many instances they're the only game in town. But your Eyewitness is absolutely sure another USAID Report must've promoted the "Aid for Trade" policy that was supposed to increase markets for the products of our Private Sector that just couldn't cope with the low-cost products that flooded our markets from the developed countries after "liberalisation".

Remember what happened to our coconut oil?

So whatever happened to "Aid for Trade"??

...of self doubt

And let's not forget that truth only comes when it is validated from the outside. So now that USAID had told us that our politics is ethnically based, and centralised etc etc, maybe we'll listen to those locals who've been crying like voices in the wilderness about this?

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

NEWS

9

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Pensioner found with throat slit in ECD home – son, 2 others detained

A

pensioner was on Sunday evening found by his son with his throat slit in the lower flat of his Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home. The discovery was made about 19:00h.

Dead is 76-year-old Ramkissoon David, also called “Dilip” or “Short man” of Lot 61 Better Hope South.

He was found in an upright position facing a wall by his son.

The bedrooms in the upper flat of the house were ransacked. Family members subsequently found several envelopes torn and placed in the freezing compartment of a refrigerator. The envelopes reportedly contained money belonging to the now dead man.

At the home on Monday

The house in which the body was found Ramkissoon David (deceased) and his wife in happier times

morning, the dead man’s daughter-in-law, Nalini Kissoon, explained that her father-in-law was left at home as other family members went to an outing along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. The woman stated that when they left home

about 11:00h, her father-inlaw was sitting in a hammock under a house.

She noted that later that evening they attempted to contact him, but his phone went unanswered.

“We de trying to call him to tell he fuh hot up food

2nd victim in Mahaicony accident dies

T

wo days after a horrific accident at Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara left a fouryear-old dead, another victim succumbed to her injuries on Monday morning while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Dead is Sueanna Walcott, 37, of Lot 137 Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara. She was a project coordinator with a Government Ministry.

Reports are that Walcott sustained several broken bones following the two-vehicle collision on Saturday afternoon at Bushy Park, Mahaicony. This newspaper was told that the now dead woman was the driver of one of the cars involved in the accident. It was reported that Walcott was negotiating a turn when she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the other car, which was heading in the

Dead: Sueanna Walcott

opposite direction.

Among those injured are Pearlson Fattette, the driver of the other car; Latoya Wayne, a reporter attached to the Little Rock Television Station, Berbice, and Samantha Bowling.

The mother and sevenyear-old sister of the other victim (Raveena Harris of West Canje, Berbice), along with several others, were still receiving medical attention. Rafeena Harris is said to be in critical condition.

Meanwhile, speaking with media operatives on Monday, Walcott’s brother, Christopher Walcott noted that she telephoned him from the hospital to enquire if anyone was bringing something for her to eat.

He explained that after receiving the call, he, along with other relatives, went to the hospital and while feeding her, she suffered a seizure and was not breathing as normal. Doctors were summoned and tended to her, but after some time, she took her last breath.

The distraught brother noted that Walcott only celebrated her 37th birthday on Sunday. Her twin sister, who lives in London, was immediately informed of her passing.

When asked about the accident, Walcott’s brother could not provide much information, but noted that she was coming from Berbice when the accident occurred.

from the fridge, because we went on the East Bank and de traffic de heavy, but he never answer,” she told this newspaper.

The woman recalled telling her relatives that David might have been liming on the road hence the phone ringing out. Kissoon noted that upon reaching home, the house was in darkness, but they thought the elderly man might have fallen asleep not realising the lights were not switched on.

“Meh husband come out the bus and he push open de door and start calling for he father… he went upstairs to put on the lights, as we stay under the house… as he put on the lights he went to he

father room to look for he, but the room ransacked… he went to the middle room and that ransacked and then he start scream for he father.”

As her husband rushed to the lower flat of the house, he saw his father sitting in a pool of blood. The grieving woman stated that they immediately raised an alarm and the Police were contacted. As the detectives arrived, they realised that the man’s throat was slit.

“We just see the one cut to the neck and I couldn’t bear it anymore,” Bissoon added.

Persons in the area did not see or hear any unusual movements or sounds emanating from the house. One

neighbour recalled that she saw the pipe to the tank running and called upon the man to turn it off, but he did not answer.

Several persons also claimed that they saw David about 13:30h when he went to the shop to purchase an item.

The backdoor of the home, according to the daughter-in-law, which is normally closed, was open and there was a hole in the fence, which led investigators to believe that the killer(s) might have gained access to the house from the backyard.

When Guyana Times visited the scene, blood stains were seen on the floor and the bloodstained mattress was in the backyard, awaiting disposal. Family members were gathered and were making arrangements for a wake.

Meanwhile, this publication was told that the now dead man’s son was detained along with two other persons as Police continue their investigations into the murder. The man leaves to mourn his five children and siblings. (Bhisham Mohamed)

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016| GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Why does Granger want the Walter Roth Museum building? – Rohee

P

eople’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee is demanding that Government tell the nation the real reason behind the move to relocate the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology.

Amid immense public discord over Government’s intention to relocate the museum, no explanation was given of why the building was wanted.

During a press conference on Monday, Rohee pointed out that while everyone was validly debating the soundness of the decision, no one bothered to question the reason for the move, and called for an explanation to be given.

“There has been no public reason, no public explanations from that gentleman who goes on TV on every “Public Interest”; he has never offered this nation an explanation why he wants the building. I think the nation deserves an explanation. Is (the President) a collector of buildings of that type? He is allowing our imagination to run wild. He should put this to rest by telling us why he wants the building,” Rohee posited.

Government had explained that it wanted to occupy the building as an extension of State House, however, it was never reported for what

Ethno-local identity L The Walter Roth Museum

purpose.

Moreover, Rohee noted that the decision was completely ridiculous and demonstrated a total disregard for the country’s history.

“It appears they are not getting very far because they are bumping from pillar to post looking for somewhere to house this museum. This act, by its very nature, will end up as a museum piece by the Government. It’s really amazing how museums of such national and regional importance are being treated; it reminds me of Christmas Eve night when Mary and her husband was looking for somewhere for Gentle Jesus to be born and they found a stable, they couldn’t find anywhere else,” he stated.

Rohee also explained that the move to relocate the museum flew in the face of pres-

ervation of Amerindian culture.

He said the “pursuance of a devious plan that is fraught with horrendous consequences which is to re-locate the Walter Roth Museum, where treasured and precious Amerindian artefacts and exhibits are currently located to an unknown destination simply because of a presidential edict to expand the Estate of the Presidency” is another of the many blows delivered to the Amerindian people of Guyana by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

Government came in for great criticism over its recent decision to relocate the museum.

This was done without any public consultations and presumably without any as-

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

sessment to determine how such a move would affect the artefacts and documents within the museum.

It was the intention of the Government to house the museum in the western wing of the National Museum; however, reports indicate that this may be impossible since there would be space limitations.

Meanwhile, President Granger on last Monday justified the Government’s decision for the removal of the museum, insisting that the move was not “whimsical” but was made on the basis of organisational changes in the Administration.

Granger had stated that he did not view the removal of the museum from the heritage building as a “problem but as an improvement”.

Beaten accomplice of dead bandit leads Police to gun

H

ours after an East Bank Demerara (EBD) man was beaten and his partner killed in a vigilantestyle attack, he led Police ranks to an area in Pearl, EBD, where a hidden .380 Beretta pistol was recovered.

Along with the gun were six matching rounds of ammunition and two mobile phones. The items were revealed by the man who is still nursing injuries from the thrashing he received.

While it is still unclear about the trashing and consequential death surround-

ing the incident, the Police are questioning several persons.

It was reported that Seon Clarke, 21, called “Cash Money” of Old Road, Land of Canaan, EBD, was fatally shot at Pearl during an alleged attempted robbery on a business.

Dead, Seon Clark

A Police report indicated that Clarke was shot, while the other man was allegedly beaten by residents and handed over to the Police.

According to information, the deceased and another went into a grocery store at Sarah Johanna and the proprietor thought they were acting in a suspicious manner.

The proprietor alerted a Policeman who was passing at the time, but the men fled the area during which they discharged two rounds.

Later in the night, members of the community spotted the men on the Pearl Public Road and cornered them during which Clarke was shot and his accomplice beaten.

The Police are continuing investigations into the matter.

ast week, I suggested that ongoing analyses of Indian identity have not produced new convincing thoughts and trends.

Instead, there has been a repetition of analyses based on cultural loss, cultural retention, cultural assimilation, Creolisation, Coolitude and Douglarisation.

I do acknowledge the contributions of these analyses in understanding Indian identity in the Caribbean. In this column, I will examine what I label as Indian ethno-local identity.

The word ethno comes from ethnicity which refers to people who identify with each other based on common ancestry and common heritage. Their sense of belonging is generally attached Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine to a nation-state or region but I argue here, in the case of Indians, a specific locality.

The word locality refers to a specific place or an area where certain types of people, in this case Indians, regard as home and are free to engage in any particular activities, preferably sacred rather than profane.

So when we put together ethno-local identity we have this explanation: individuals with a specific ethnicity living in a specific environment with unwritten rules as to what comes in and what goes out.

In sociological terms, this social dynamic is called ethnic work, meaning that certain activities are intended to re/discover, promote and maintain ethnic identification and the localisation of culture. What is certain in this process, as in the case of Indian ethno-local identity, is that it is not related to Irving Janis’ concept of groupthink, that is to say, when groups of people think their ways, their culture are the only correct ones.

Ethno-local identity is noticeable mainly in some rural areas in the Caribbean where Indians have settled, such as in Corentyne, Guyana, Barrack Pore, South Trinidad, and Nannie Polder, Suriname.

Some pockets of local Indian identity also exist throughout the Caribbean, including urban areas. I will address ethno-local identity in Upper Corentyne just to be more focused on my analysis.

Some main characteristics of Indian ethno-local identity are the retention of their ancestral customs, particularly with regards to their attachment to 1) ecology – the reliance on land and sea for survival, 2) religion – the practice of Hinduism and Islam to meet spiritual needs, 3) the extended family – generations of family living under one roof to meet and satisfy implicit and explicit obligations.

This form of local identity exists because of two fundamental reasons: The first is that Indians were placed in isolated communities on the plantations during indenture and remained there after indentured emancipation. This isolation allowed them to reconstruct their cultural ways and over time have certainly evolved in relation to the wider host society but arguably more internally rather than externally.

Even today, some Indian communities have made little meaningful contact with other ethnic groups, and therefore have not been influenced by external customs. What has occurred in these ethno-local communities is the growth in confidence and comfort with rural living grounded in tandem with their homeland culture (India) amidst some internal and external modifications.

Rural Indians still believe that urban life undermines family stability and social solidarity and despise living in anonymity. They feel that the need to adapt to a new environment is an attack on their identity. The second reason is that even when ethno-local Indians come into contact with other ethnic groups, they try to hold on to their homeland ways to protect themselves from absorption into the wider Caribbean culture, Creolisation, and Christianisation.

This is very noticeable when Christian missionaries try to convert rural Indians to Christianity. While a small percentage of Indians have converted, the majority of them, with the guidance and influence from their Brahmin priests, have resisted to protect their language, religious beliefs, and the overall impact of Westernisation on their children and community.

Paradoxically, intrusion has pushed Indians to embrace ethnolocal identity more rigorously.

In modern times, ethno-local Indians have resisted from being absorbed in the national culture of Guyana based on the axiom “all of us are one,” which emphasises Euro-Afro characteristics.

Guyana’s dark period of dictatorship led by then the predominately African People’s National Congress party from 1966 to 1992 inadvertently promoted Indian ethno-local identity.

The government’s restrictive economic substitution policy affected Indian material culture—food, dress, and religious items –through the banning of these imported items in an attempt to encourage the use and consumption of local commodities.

However, some items could not be substituted, and Indians saw the government’s policy as a direct attack on their culture.

While all ethno-local Indians were not totally against the regime, since they depended on it, the regime’s restrictive policy pushed Indians into a sort of localism in which they relied on their internal communal support-system to hold on to their local identity.

Others migrated to North America but some have reconstructed their ethno-local identity in their new enclave. To be continued.

NEWS

11

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Cabinet to deliberate on land for Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Secretariat

F formed on Raksha Bandhan may differ from place to place, but they carry the same aura throughout the globe.

In Guyana, families traverse villages and in some cases, counties to gather and partake in the tradition. In many cases, it is done by friends across different faiths and races to strengthen the bonds that they may share.

It is a chance to reconnect as well as a chance to maintain our 6000-year-old traditions and pass them on to the children.

In Hindu Swayamsevak Sangha, Raksha Bandhan signifies more than just the love from a sister or the protection from a brother. Its importance extends to the love as well as the protection of our Culture and Dharma. Happy Raksha Bandhan to all.

This little man was quite uneasy as his sister tries to tie a rakhi on his hand

R

aksha Bandhan is an occasion in the month of August to celebrate the sacred bond of love and affection between siblings with lots of verve. Known as Raksha Bandhan across the world, this festival is primarily a north Indian festival that is celebrated by all brothers and sisters to express their deep emotions, love and affection. Even though traditionally between siblings, the occasion extends to boys and girls, both young and old who don’t share a blood relation.

On the day of Rakhi fes-

ing any preparations. Sisters prepare the puja thali which consists of roli, tilak, Rakhi threads, rice grains, aggarbattis (incense sticks), diyas and sweets. After offering the rituals to the deities of the family, the sisters perform aarti on their brothers and tie Rakhi on their wrist. Then, they put kumkum powder on the forehead of their brothers and offer sweets. All these rituals take place amid the chanting of the following mantras: "Surajshakhanchhodian, Moolichhodiabeej Behennerakhibandhi /

tival, the sister ties Rakhi on the wrist of her brother and both make prayer to God for the well-being of each other.

Sisters perform 'aarti' and put tilak on the forehead of their brothers. In return, brothers make a promise (a lifelong vow) to take care of their sisters under all circumstances and to protect them.

Usually, brothers gift something to their sisters to mark the occasion. The mirth that surrounds the festival is unsurpassed. Amidst the merriment the rituals are also followed with great devotion.

Bhaituchir jug jee."

"The sun radiates its sunlight, the radish spreads its seeds, I tie the rakhi to you O brother and wish that may you live long."

After the prayer for a long life for her brother, the sister says that she will tie the ever-protective Raksha to her brother's wrist and chants: "Yenabaddho Baleeraaj aadaanavendromahaabalah tenatwaamanubadhnaamirakshemaachalamaachala" “I tie you the rakhi that was tied to King Bali, the king of Demons, O Rakhi I pray that you never falter in protecting your devotee.”

In return, brothers pamper and bless their sisters and promise to protect them from all the evils of this world.

They also present a token of their love and affection as a Rakhi gift. The rituals per-

Preparation of Rakhi Festival

Generally, the fancy Rakhis (sacred threads) and delicious sweets are prepared long before the Shravana Purnima. According to the Indian tradition, the family members get ready for the rituals early in the morning.

They take a bath to purify mind and body before start-

ollowing a request from National Toshaos Council (NTC) Chairman Joel Fredericks for a plot of land to build the Council’s Secretariat, President David Granger has promised that he will take the matter to Cabinet for consideration.

The 10th annual NTC conference commenced on Monday at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre in Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, with the Council calling on the Government to urgently address issues of land titling, stipends for Toshaos and the granting of a piece of land in Georgetown for the Council’s Secretariat.

Fredericks stated that it was necessary for there to be one place where indigenous people can go to relate their complaints and worries. He noted that the allocation of the piece of land would “be building bridges for development” in the country.

He also requested that Toshaos’ stipends be increased since it was hard for them to provide for their fam-

NTC Chairman Joel Fredericks addressing the gathering on Monday

ilies when they are focused on the affairs of their villages.

“I believe that this is a time when the leaders can sit with His Excellency and his Government to talk about land issues; we have the ALT project and under the ALT project started under the former Administration and I would like to say, they have done some work, but more needs to be done to address land issues for the indigenous people.”

The Chairman also called on all stakeholders and

Government to join in an effort to better hinterland education and health, since the future of indigenous children was of great importance. It has been reported that teenage pregnancy is rampant in the hinterlands, along with a high rate of school drop-outs and illiteracy.

Over the next four days, the Council will address issues such as the revision of the Amerindian Act, land titling, problems caused by mining and hinterland education.

12 News

tuesDay, august 23, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Disconnect between people, regional authorities highlighted in Region 10 P

resented with wide issues from residents of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice), Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence said she believes that there is a clog in the system of the community and a disconnect between the people and administrators in the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), the Mayor and Town Council and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).

The Minister made the observation during a consultation with residents at the Harmony Secondary School, Wismar, Linden on Saturday where various concerns were highlighted with her and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott.

During the consultation, concerns were raised over numerous issues including the recent dismissal of workers under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP), unemployment, cutting of gratuity payment of nurses of the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), amongst others.

The minister indicated that while most of the issues are localised, she will seek to have a meeting with the mayor, deputy mayor and other principal officers to discuss those issues.

She said the three areas of most concern are education, health and policing: "I don't know what is in the pipeline from the local level, they should be telling

Residents at the ministerial consultation in Linden

you...There's a disconnect, people need to know what is happening, what are the plans of both the RDC and the NDCs and the Mayor and Town Council," Minister Lawrence noted.

RDC Councillor Gordon Callender made representation on behalf of the hundreds of workers issued termination letters under the CIIP, and urged the intervention of the Ministers.

CIIP worker Dolores Gibbons said she is dissatisfied since the Mayor of Linden has not met with workers regarding the termination of contracts; and that workers feel as though they are being pushed around.

Meanwhile, Minister Scott assured that of the 271 CIIP terminated workers, while 250 will be reemployed, the 21 others would be considered for work through the Ministry of Communities.

Resident Bernita Primo complained of overcrowding at the St Aidan's Primary School in Linden, which also houses students of the Christiansburg Primary. It was also highlighted that several schools were in need of repairs.

Maurice Butters also complained of the meagre salaries and ill-treatment of security guards in the community.

Minister Lawrence in

response lamented: "I am getting a little fed up, every single region we go to, it's the same nonsense over and over. It doesn't matter where we go...and I just want to say to my colleagues that after tonight, talking stop, and we have to just take these employers to court.”

She urged Lindeners to form a consumer group and become advocates for their rights to address stores with 'no return' policies, after the complaint was brought forward.

Lawrence also promised to meet with the board of the Linden Hospital regarding issues.

She said local authorities

should be vigilant on matters such as garbage disposal, after it was highlighted by resident Mark Benjamin that garbage is being dumped in the Demerara River at Christiansburg, Linden. It was also brought to the attention of the ministers that D&I workers are being asked to contribute money towards construction of a government office and that monies were being deducted from their salaries to support the claim.

Minister Lawrence promised to follow-up that issue with the relevant minister, and urged workers not to pay, since she noted this appears to be a scam!

"Since when Government

does ask people to build a Government building? I never heard that yet...D&I gets a subvention under the Ministry of Agriculture," she noted.

In relation to the deplorable condition of schools Lawrence said there is supposed to be a visiting committee to schools in the Region this week; however issues highlighted will be brought to the (Education) Ministry's attention. She noted that she is particularly disturbed with what she heard regarding the education sector in Region 10.

"There is a clog in the system in Linden...There's something or someone preventing the services from reaching the people of the community...Community leaders need to meet with the people...This Region need a shakeup", the minister said.

She added that the Social Protection Ministry wants to work with non-governmental organisations to assist with social issues and want to ensure that teachers are also trained on social issues, adding that Linden alone needs about 10 social workers since the workload is heavy.

Juliet Atwell, a taxi driver pointed to poor system of operation at the Linden Taxi Park and poor lighting outside of the Linden Hospital Complex.

Minister Lawrence indicated that she will be visiting the community again this week. (Utamu Belle)

Cattle farmer found dead P olice in G Division (Essequibo Coast and Islands) are currently investigating the death of 58-year-old Edward Goberdhan, whose body was discovered on August 20, 2016, a short distance away from the Johanna Cecelia Public Road.

The cattle farmer, who went missing on August 19, reportedly left his home to tend to his cattle and never

returned. After Goberdhan failed to return home, family members became alarmed and subsequently launched a search.

It was during the search that the man’s body was discovered behind a building currently under construction at Johanna Cecelia.

Detectives were summoned to the scene shortly after.

No marks of violence were visible about

Goberdhan’s body which was taken to the Suddie Public Hospital where doctors certified him as dead. His body was later transferred to the Suddie Mortuary for an autopsy.

Further investigations revealed that the deceased was a habitual drinker who was seen imbibing earlier that day. (Indrawattie Natram)

Causing death accused carried into courtroom – released on $1M bail A

26-year-old man had to be carried into the courtroom of Magistrate Judy Latchman to answer to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving, as a result of injuries he sustained.

Shameer Mohammed, of East Bank Demerara (EBD), pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on July

24, 2016 at Diamond Public Road, EBD, Mohammed drove vehicle PVV 2022 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Wavel Sampson.

He was also slapped with an additional charge which stated that on the same day at the same location, the defendant was found to be under the influence of alcohol, with 103 micrograms of alcohol – which is above the legal limit – in his system that

undermined his control of the vehicle.

The prosecution had no objections to bail, but requested that the defendant report to a traffic officer at the Grove Police Station twice per week.

Bail was granted in the sum of $1 million for the causing death charge and $10,000 for the DUI. The defendant will return to court on September 2.

NEWS

13

tuesday, august 23, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Guyana Society for the Blind President celebrates Raksha Bandhan with Brahma Kumaris records CSEC success

Sister Bharti Khetwani ties a Rakhi or sacred thread on President David Granger’s wrist in observance of Raksha Bandhan

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wo representatives from the Brahma Kumaris visited and celebrated Raksha Bandhan with President David Granger and his staff at the Ministry of the Presidency, an event which the President said has the potential to bridge gaps and promote social cohesion in Guyana.

“I would like to thank you very much for thinking about us… thank you for your thoughtfulness and bringing these blessings for us. Although it is a Hindu ceremony mainly, it is one that has universal relevance,” President Granger

said.

The two women, Sister Jean Ramnauth from the Guyana Chapter and Sister Bharti Khetwani, who is on a three-day visit to Guyana, tied ‘Rakhi’ or a sacred thread on the President’s wrist, while offering prayers on his behalf, as is customary for the observance.

“All of us here are, of course, Government servants, but we believe that we have an obligation, not just to ourselves but a whole country, and this ceremony helps us to understand how people of different ethnic and religious groups could come together. I think cere-

monies like this would help to promote understanding and also brotherhood and sisterhood among us and of course, reverence to God. This is a good place to start in helping to spread the message of the festival,” the President said.

In tying the sacred thread on President Granger’s right hand, Sister Bharti explained the relevance of the occasion. She noted that while the popular belief is that a sister should tie the thread on an individual she considers a brother; there is deeper meaning, one, which involves every person.

“Raksha Bandhan is when a sister ties the sacred thread on her brother’s hands and prays to God that he will be protected and the brother takes the oath for the sister that he will protect her through her life. However, it has a more spiritual meaning. It is not the brother or sister, who requires protection only. It is all human beings in the world. Whatever may be the relationship now requires a protection. It is the festival of the bond, of love,” she explained.

This occasion, she said, must, therefore, serve to promote peace, unity and love and in so doing, a better world will be achieved.

T

he Guyana Society for the Blind on Monday announced the success of its candidates at CSEC examinations.

Ganesh Singh, executive of the Guyana Society for the Blind in charge of the CXC classes reported that there was a marginal decrease in the overall pass rate of the students from last year, moving from 80 per cent to 75 per cent, but said that this was still commendable, considering that the national pass rate this year was 63 per cent. Singh related that this is their third batch of pupils, and since 2013, the programme has managed to change some 20 lives.

The teachers and students explained that this accomplishment did not come without struggle, citing the minimal resources as a serious hindrance. Whilst the students were able to use computers for the purpose of learning, it is important to remember that many of

Malika Crawford

them do not have such resources in their homes.

This year’s top student visually impaired Malika Crawford, secured five CSEC passes, and related how arduous her journey was, relating that she often felt like giving up. She said, too, that lack of re-

sources was her major obstacle. Quite happy and proud of herself, the hopeful young woman is set to pursue International Relations at the University of Guyana this year.

The class consisted of ten students, all of who wrote between one to five subjects. Mathematics however, reported Singh, was not available for students, and will not be next year.

President of the Society, Cecil Morris, expressed pride and joy in having visually impaired students perform well at the examinations. He hopes that the success of these students will inspire others, so that more visually impaired persons may become qualified and become productive members of society.

He urged this year’s class to continue on to university, furthering their studies, so that they may contribute to the development of Guyana.

14

guyana-times.com

TUESday, AUGUSt 23, 2016

Regional

Venezuela Interior Minister lashes out at US over cocaine charges

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enezuela’s Interior Minister and former boss of the country’s anti-narcotics agency, General Nestor Reverol, hit back on Monday at accusations by a US federal court that he abetted cocaine trafficking.

Earlier this month, US Prosecutors announced an indictment charging that from 2008 to 2010, Reverol and another official took payments to alert traffickers over raids, hinder investigations and arrange the release of suspects, cash and drugs. He called the accusations “unfounded”.

“I reject them categorically in all their parts,” Reverol, 51, said at a news conference at the anti-narcotics agency he used to lead in Caracas.

“They want to use it as a political weapon,” Reverol

Venezuela’s Interior and Justice Minister Nestor Reverol speaks during a news conference in Caracas, Venezuela, August 22

said, flanked by General Edylberto Molina, his former deputy and until recently Venezuela’s defence attaché in Germany. Molina was also named in the Brooklyn court indictment and sat stony faced in a gray suit during the conference, without speaking.

Venezuela is a large, lightly populated country that shares a long and lawless border with Colombia.

It is a major transport hub for its neighbour’s cocaine destined to Europe and to a lesser extent to the United States.

Washington has long alleged senior Venezuelan military officials and political allies of President Nicolás Maduro were complicit in the trade. Last year, two nephews of the First Lady were indicted in New York on charges of attempting to smuggle cocaine to the United States via Honduras.

Venezuela started seizing precursor chemicals used in cocaine production last year along the Colombian border, leading them to cocaine laboratories in Venezuela, he said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Journalists accuse Mexican President of plagiarising thesis

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ournalists in Mexico have accused President Enrique Pena Nieto of plagiarism.

A video on news website Aristegui Noticias alleges that almost 29 per cent of his 1991 law thesis had been lifted from other authors without crediting them.

A Government spokesman said the President had committed “style errors” when he failed to acknowledge his sources, but denied plagiarism.

Pena Nieto graduated from Mexico’s private Universidad Panamericana.

According to the report, 197 of 682 paragraphs in Pena Nieto’s thesis were

copied from authors ranging from Mexican historian Enrique Krauze to University of New Mexico academic Linda Hall.

The journalists from Aristegui Noticias allege that the paragraphs in question are not in quotation marks and that some of their original authors are not even mentioned in the thesis’ bibliography.

Government spokesman Eduardo Sanchez expressed his surprise at the fact that “style errors such as quotes without quotation marks and missing references to authors...should be of interest to journalists two and a half decades later”.

He said that Pena Nieto had “fulfilled the requisites set by the Universidad Panamericana to graduate as a lawyer”.

The investigative team at Aristegui Noticias has clashed with President Pena Nieto before.

In November 2014, they uncovered evidence that Pena Nieto’s wife had bought a house for US$7 million from a government contractor.

Two months ago, Pena Nieto apologised for the purchase saying it had damaged people’s faith in the presidency. (Excerpt from BBC News)

We’ll take blame but forget about compensation, UN says of Haiti cholera outbreak

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he United Nations has finally acknowledged that it played a role in an outbreak of cholera in Haiti in 2010 that has since killed about 10,000 people and continues to sicken thousands every year.

The deadly cholera epidemic began to unfold within months of the devastating 2010 earthquake. It went on to sweep through the sprawling tent cities that had become home to thousands of displaced families.

Experts traced the outbreak to a base housing UN peacekeepers sent from

Nepal to assist with the recovery efforts. But for years, the UN has refused to accept responsibility for introducing the killer disease to the impoverished Caribbean nation.

An internal report seen by the New York Times is said to have led to the change of heart, but the UN still maintains that it is protected by diplomatic immunity from claims for compensation from victims’ families.

Farhan Haq, a spokesman for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, said that “over the past year the

UN has become convinced it needs to do much more regarding its own involvement in the initial outbreak and the suffering of those affected by cholera”.

Haq nevertheless reiterated the UN’s legal position on diplomatic immunity and possible compensation “has not changed”.

According to the New York Times newspaper, his comments came after the confidential internal report stated that the epidemic “would not have broken out but for the actions of the United Nations.” (Excerpt from

Caribbean360)

Wanted: Volunteers willing to be infected with Zika Virus

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ika is an unorthodox virus, transmittable through mosquito bites, sexual intercourse and blood. Therefore, it only seems natural that researchers are taking unorthodox methods to combat the virus, and they are now looking for people who are willing to be infected to help in their efforts to combat it.

Yes, that’s right, the very virus that was once viewed as a mere nuisance — until it was found to be linked to a birth defect that affects a foetus’ brain — just under a year ago could soon be injected into willing participants in order to accelerate the development of a muchneeded vaccine.

Researchers in the US are already in the midst of safety-testing two vaccine candidates, and more experimental shots are poised to enter that preliminary testing soon. Any that appear promising will be tested in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean that are

Human challenge studies are rare because they’re difficult to perform and expensive, and while there are some ethical issues involved, they offer a unique set of advantages that will prove invaluable in the fight against Zika

hard-hit by the mosquitoborne virus.

However this approach, while reliable, also has two significant weaknesses: First, testing experimental vaccines in this manner is the only way to see if it really works. If it doesn’t, then not only did researchers waste time, but money as well. Second, in the chance that it does work, research-

ers would still have a long road ahead of them to make the vaccine readily available for the public.

This is where this avenue of research comes in. Called a human challenge study — when healthy and non-pregnant people agree to be deliberately injected with a virus, mimicking natural infection while scientists track how their bodies react. (Excerpt

from Caribbean360)

Chileans protest against Pinochet- Govt contemplates building bridge era private pension scheme between St Kitts and Nevis

M

inister of Public Infrastructure for St Kitts and Nevis, Ian Liburd says the Cabinet is considering two proposals for the construction of a bridge to link St Kitts and Nevis.

At a recent town hall meeting, Liburd said a bridge would bring greater ease of travel between the islands in the federation.

“I commit to you that

H

Organisers said more than one million people joined demonstrations across Chile

undreds of thousands of people across Chile have taken part in protests against the country’s controversial privatised pension plan.

The scheme was launched in 1981, during the military Government of General Augusto Pinochet.

Protesters say some 10 million people who joined have now been left with very low retirement incomes – less than minimum wage in

many cases.

They are calling for President Michelle Bachelet to scrap the scheme.

The Chilean pension fund system has been praised by pro-market politicians and economists across the world.

But critics say it pays many contributors less than the minimum wage, far less than the 70 per cent of final salary originally intended.

President Bachelet, who is left wing, announced a number of reforms earlier

this month to try to boost the income of pensioners.

She proposed an increase in employer’s contributions and a reduction in commissions paid to the fund managers.

But protesters want the Pension Fund Administrators (or AFP) scheme to be scrapped altogether.

Leaders of the No More AFP movement have called a nationwide strike on November 4.(BBC News)

as the Minister of Public Infrastructure, that I will drive that (initiative)… and I know I have the full support of the entire Cabinet and the Minister of Finance.”

Liburd said the project will bring the people of the islands closer together and facilitate greater inter-island travel.

The Public Infrastructure Minister said the federal Cabinet already has plans to

alternate meetings between St Kitts and Nevis.

Officials have predicted an increase in economic activity between the islands if a bridge is constructed.

Liburd expects the project to be completed before the end of the first term of the current Government, which constitutionally ends in 2020. (CMC)

Iran seeks closer ties with Cuba

I

ran wants to forge a “new path” in its relations with Cuba by tightening ties, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Monday at the start of a Latin American tour.

“It’s a very opportune moment to extend our relations,” he told journalists at the start of a meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.

“We have always been on

the side of the great Cuban people in the face of the atrocities and unjust sanctions they have faced, and vice versa,” he said, in an apparent reference to Cuba’s long history of enmity with the United States.

Cuba re-established diplomatic ties with the United States last year, but their historic rapprochement has not yet brought an end to the US embargo imposed on

the communist island since 1962.

Zarif praised Cuba’s “resistance” to the United States, with which Iran has not had formal diplomatic relations since 1980.

“We are going to forge a new path in our bilateral relations with Cuba,” he said, mentioning the energy, industrial and technology sectors as possible areas for cooperation. (Excerpt from AFP)

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the World

Turkey vows to cleanse Islamic State UN: All parties must commit to Aleppo aid truce; Russia stops using Iran base from border after wedding attack

Relatives of Kumri Ilter, one of the victims of Saturday’s suicide bombing at a wedding, mourn during her funeral ceremony in the south-eastern city of Gaziantep, Turkey, August 22

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urkey vowed on Monday to “completely cleanse” Islamic State militants from its border region after a suicide bomber suspected of links to the group killed 54 people, including 22 children, at a Kurdish wedding.

Saturday’s attack in the south-eastern city of Gaziantep is the deadliest in Turkey this year. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday it was carried out by a suicide bomber aged

between 12 and 14, adding that initial evidence pointed to Islamic State.

But speaking to reporters in Ankara on Monday, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said it was too early to verify the organisation responsible or whether the attack was carried out by a child.

A senior security official told Reuters the device used was the same type as those employed in the July 2015 suicide attack in the bor-

der town of Suruc and the October 2015 suicide bombing of a rally of pro-Kurdish activists in Ankara.

Both of those attacks were blamed on Islamic State. The group has targeted Kurdish gatherings in an apparent effort to further inflame ethnic tensions strained by a long Kurdish insurgency. The Ankara bombing was the deadliest of its kind in Turkey, killing more than 100 people.

“Daesh should be completely cleansed from our borders and we are ready to do what it takes for that,” Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at a news conference in Ankara, using an Arabic name for the group.

On Monday, Turkey’s military launched howitzer attacks on Islamic State while artillery pounded Kurdish YPG militants in Syria, whom Ankara sees as an extension of its own Kurdish insurgency. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

US election: Questions over Trump’s deportation plan

R

epublican presidential nominee Donald Trump has signalled he may drop his proposal to deport 11 million people who are living illegally in the US. His campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said the mass deportation plan, which was a central plank of his campaign, was yet “to be determined”.

Her comments at the weekend came after Trump met with a new panel of Hispanic advisers.

He told Fox News on Monday he was not “flip-

flopping”, but wanted a fair plan.The businessman is scheduled to deliver a speech on immigration in Colorado on Thursday.

Trump has taken a hardline stance on immigration since the beginning of his campaign, vowing to create a “deportation force” as well as make Mexico pay for the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border.

While struggling to keep up with Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the polls, Trump has addressed black and Hispanic voters in re-

cent days with the aim of broadening his support beyond white working-class voters.

“What he supports is to make sure we enforce the law, that we are respectful of those Americans who are looking for jobs, and that we are fair and humane to those who live among us,” Conway told CNN on Sunday.

When asked to clarify if Trump would maintain his position on creating a deportation force, Conway responded: “To be determined.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

Germans told to stockpile food and water for civil defence

F

or the first time since the Cold War the German Government is advising citizens to stockpile food and water for use in a national emergency.

Some Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) said the new civil defence concept, to go before Ministers on Wednesday, was scaremongering.

Citizens are advised to store enough food to last them 10 days, because initially a disaster might put national emergency services beyond reach.

Five days’ water – two litres (half a gallon) per person daily – is advised.

The German news website Frankfurter Allgemeine (FAZ) said the new concept was set out in a 69-page German Interior Ministry document.

The document said “an attack on German territory, requiring conventional defence of the nation, is un-

T

he United Nations is ready to deliver aid into Syria’s Aleppo, but needs commitments from all parties in the war –- not just Russia – to abide by a 48-hour humanitarian truce, the United Nations aid chief, angered by lack of assistance to civilians, said on Monday.

Aleppo, Syria’s most populous pre-war city and its commercial hub, has become the focus of fighting in the five-year-old civil war. Up to two million people on both sides do not have clean water after infrastructure was damaged in bombing.

Russia, which has been backing Syrian Government forces with a bombing campaign, said on Thursday it supported the truce. The UN wants a weekly two-day halt in fighting to allow access to rebel-held eastern and Government-controlled western Aleppo.

“While this (Russian) statement is positive, this cannot be a one-sided offer,” the aid chief, Stephen O’Brien, told the UN Security Council. “Once we have the green light, we can start to move assistance within 48 to 72 hours.”

Meanwhile, Iran has said

Russia is no longer using one of its air bases to launch strikes on targets in Syria, but the United States said it is unclear whether Russia’s use of the base has actually stopped.

“It was a specific, authorised mission and it’s over for now,” Bahram Ghasemi, spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, told reporters in Tehran on Monday.Ghasemi left open the possibility of Russia utilising the Hamedan base in the future, saying it would depend on “the situation in the region, and according to our permission”.

(Excerpt from Reuters and Al Jazeera)

Flood misery returns to India; several dead and thousands rescued

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loods across India have killed more than 30 people and displaced thousands.

Central Madhya Pradesh state has suffered the highest death toll with at least 17 people killed in flood-related incidents, officials said.

And in eastern Bihar state, at least 15,000 people have been evacuated from their homes after a “floodlike situation” in a dozen districts.

Floods are common in India during the monsoon season between June and September.

But excessive rains this year have caused the Ganges River and its tributaries to rise above the danger level in about 20 districts in the states of Madhya Pradesh,

Bihar is one of the worst-affected states

Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

At least 13 people have died in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh states because of drowning, electrocution or injuries sustained after house collapses.

In Bihar, where at least six rivers are flowing above

the danger mark, thousands of people have taken shelter in more than 80 relief camps, reports say.People have taken shelter on the roofs of their submerged huts, and houses along the banks of the river are inundated. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Hundreds of flights cancelled as typhoon hits Tokyo

A

strong typhoon packing heavy rain and wind has struck near Tokyo, grounding hundreds of domestic flights.

Typhoon Mindulle made landfall about 12:30h local time (04:30 GMT) in Tateyama city, some 80 kilometres (50 miles) southeast of the capital.

The storm packed gusts

of up to 180 km/h (112 mph), and was headed north at a speed of 20 km/h, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

Officials have warned of landslides and flooding.

“In Tokyo... please exercise caution for landslides, flooding in low-lying areas, surging rivers, violent wind and high waves,” said the weather agency.

There were no official reports of casualties; however, local media reports said at least two are feared dead.

The storm caused airlines across the country to cancel about 400 domestic flights, local media said, with the majority going to and from Tokyo’s Haneda airport. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Guilty plea in ICC Timbuktu artefacts destruction case

Bottled water in Munich: Terror attacks have fuelled concern about national security

likely”. But, it said, a major security threat to the nation in future could not be ruled out, so civil defence measures were necessary.

Soon, Germans began tweeting ironically under the hashtag “Hamsterkaeufe” (panic-buying).

Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere told a group of schoolchildren that Germany must be prepared to react if water or food reserves were poisoned, or if oil and gas supplies were in-

terrupted.

The parliamentary head of the left-wing Die Linke party, Dietmar Bartsch, criticised the move, saying “you can completely unsettle people with yet another round of proposals, such as hoarding supplies”.

The Greens’ deputy parliamentary leader, Konstantin von Notz, said it was sensible to update civil defence advice which had not been touched since 1995.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

A

Malian fighter has admitted guilt at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the first-ever case of a suspect charged with war crimes against a World Heritage site. Ahmas al-Faqi al-Mahdi pleaded guilty on Monday at the ICC in The Hague where he is accused of intentionally attacking nine mausoleums and the Sidi Yahi mosque within the city of Timbuktu in Mali.

Mahdi asked for forgiveness and said he had been swept up in an “evil wave” by al-Qaeda and the Ansar Dine groups, which briefly seized control of the northern city in 2012.

“This is the first and last

The rubble left from an ancient mausoleum destroyed in Timbuktu [File: Joe Penney/Reuters]

wrongful act I will ever commit,” Mahdi told the court in a measured and grave opening address.

“I regret what I have caused to my family, my community in Timbuktu,

what I have caused to my home nation Mali,” he added.

“I would like to seek the pardon of all the whole people of Timbuktu.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

16 NEWS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Lawrence outlines plans for 21st Delegates’ Congress vulnerable women, children GAWU to vote on council …pledges support for teen mothers, senior citizens

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ocial Protection Minister Volda Lawrence has pledged support for teenage mothers and senior citizens within the Linden community.

During a consultation hosted with residents at the Harmony Secondary School in the community on Saturday, the minister said there are several programmes expected to take shape later this year, one of which will see teenage mothers in Linden and along the Linden/Soesdyke highway benefitting.

The minister, who recently wrapped up consultations with residents in areas across Region 10, (Upper Demerara/ Berbice), more specifically Subregion 2 (areas along the Berbice River) has made a promise to return to the Linden community this week, to explore possibilities of securing a home for senior citizens, women who are victims of domestic violence, and children in distress.

The programme to assist teenage mothers she noted is expected to commence in October: “There are several programmes that are going to be rolled out in the latter part of this year...one for the teenage mothers in Wismar (Linden), where we’re going to contract women

Social Protection Volda Lawrence

Minister

across differences, to come into Wismar and to do some work with the teenage mothers.”

She added that the programme is not “just a session” where they are merely told what to do but rather a life skills venture. She said that the programme will also help teens find jobs and at the same time put them on the public assistance programme: “Those who would like to go back to school, you get them into school and those who would like to continue their learning, we will get them back into learning,” the minister disclosed.

Minister Lawrence added that the ministry will also be looking at areas where there are high incidences of teenage pregnancies: “We’re going to work in Wismar, put a lot of effort into Wismar and

on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.”

During the consultation, a senior citizen, Lawrence Talbot, voiced concerns that senior citizens in the community are not given equal opportunity in terms of performing exercises. He pointed out that many seniors are therefore at “rum shops” and suggested the construction of a senior citizen facility equipped with a gym and amenities to facilitate indoor activities.

The minister told residents that she will return to the community next month, with the aim of providing assistance for senior citizens and vulnerable women and children.

“I’m going to be back in the month of September... and I promise you that one of those trips, we’re going to do some sightseeing because one of the things that would bring me back in the coming week is specifically...to look at the senior citizens home. I’m coming back to look at a children’s home, where we can place our children who are in distress and also to see whether we can have a part of that home for women who are suffering from domestic violence. So I’m coming back to look at that because I’d like to deal with it in the 2017 Budget,” she stated. (Utamu Belle)

members today

A

s the 21st Delegates Congress of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) continues, the elections of General Council members will be held.

Guyana Timeshas learnt that the voting process will take place today (Tuesday 23), which is the final day of the Congress.

Information reaching this publication indicated that members will also hear the results of the newly elected Council members on the same day, after which the posts of President and General Secretary will be determined.

However, this newspaper was unable to ascertain if current General Secretary, Seepaul Narine and long-time President, Komal Chand, would be retained as leaders since GAWU is tight-lipped on the front runners for the posts.

This publication also learnt that on Monday (August 22), a myriad of issues regarding the plight of sugar workers were discussed, in addition to extended discussions on the operations of the union – its funding, and other financial activities.

This newspaper was made aware that the general secretary will present his report on activities of the union since the last congress in 2012.

Other issues addressed by the congress included discussions on the Wales Estate closure, Annual Production Incentives, advocacy for increases to wages, and the merging of the La Bonne Intention and Enmore estates.

Meanwhile, even as the Congress concludes, it was not without hiccups as full participation was said to be hindered because the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) reportedly disallowed sugar workers from obtaining “paid-release” to attend their Congress as delegates.

In a statement issued Saturday, GAWU pointed out that since July 7 it had sought to discuss the release of workers with GuySuCo to attend the congress, but were told that the sugar corporation would not do so. GuySuCo reportedly claimed that its financial situation “restricted it from approving the release of the workers and assisting

Incumbent GAWU President Komal Chand, speaking at the 21st Delegates’ Congress at the Opening Ceremony on Saturday

in transportation”.

GAWU had however noted the importance of its Congress, held every three years and had accused GuySuCo of undermining the union, and likened that the denial was an “anti-sugar worker” approach.

GAWU termed the entire situation a “travesty” and posited that an “undermining” of the country’s “fragile democracy” was making its way in the union’s operations.

GAWU President Komal Chand had called for a united trade union movement.

He had outlined that trade unions representing workers in the sugar industry to be more vigilant. He had also noted that the sugar industry is the most important industry in Guyana.

Over the last few weeks, sugar workers and their Union representatives have taken industrial action to vent their frustrations over GuySuCo finalising its decision to merge the La Bonne Intention and Enmore estates. Protestors had denounced what they described as “bullyism” and “hostility” meted out to them by GuySuCo. Additionally, over the last several months GAWU has also registered its concerns over the announcement in January that the sugar operations at Wales Estate will cease by yearend.

17

NEWS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Public Security Ministry to carry Death threats case out countrywide prison survey Janitor to know fate Thursday C ommencing next month, the Public Security Ministry will facilitate a nationwide prison survey with the aim of designing rehabilitation and social reintegration services for inmates.

The Inter-American Development Bank’s US$2.3 million project is the third component of the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP).

The aim of the survey is to gather information on the experiences of the lives of inmates prior to their incarceration, during imprisonment, and those of recidivists or repeat offenders, CSSP Project Manager Clement Henry said.

“The hope is that when we look at the information capturing what has been happening to these inmates and ex-inmates, we can be able to design programmes to target recidivism, and to also improve conditions in the pris-

on. The pre-prison experiences will help us in terms of designing programmes to deal with ‘at risks youths’ so that they don’t end up in the prisons,” Henry pointed out.

He said that the CSSP would begin crafting rehabilitation and social reintegration programmes on the preliminary findings. “These preliminary data will help us as we move towards developing a comprehensive rehabilitation, reintegration service, so that is why this survey is of critical importance,” Henry explained.

The data capturing period is expected to last six weeks, with a preliminary report expected by the end of November. The final report is expected at the end of April 2017.

The comprehensive survey has more than 200 indicators. Henry noted that the survey would sample the male population, but would likely have a full census of

the female population. Highrisk prisoners are not expected to be part of the survey.

The data collection will be implemented by the Tres de Febrero University of Argentina, in collaboration with the University of Guyana. Already, the CSSP is engaging the two universities to resolve the survey’s terms of reference.

“University of Guyana’s role would be to capture the data, and the Tres de Febrero University’s role is to analyse the data and prepare and compile the report. They will also overlook the implementation of the survey by the University of Guyana,” Henry explained to the Government Information Agency (GINA).

Henry expressed confidence in the Argentine university’s lead role based on its extensive experience in conducting prison surveys in this hemisphere. “We feel confident that they will be

able to do this task effectively,” Henry noted.

A 2015 US State Department Report on Human Rights had indicated that rehabilitation programmes within the local prison services did not adequately address the needs of prisoners. Overcrowding and the harsh conditions faced by inmates were also highlighted by the report.

More recently, a Commission of Inquiry into the prison riot of March 3 which resulted in the deaths of 17 inmates pointed to overcrowding and inadequate facilities as some of the shortcomings of the system.

Meanwhile, Henry said he hoped that the final report will generate intellectual presentations on the conditions of the prisons. “They will make recommendations from these reports and the recommendations we can pull and we can utilise.”

Region 8 miners to be trained in malaria testing

T

esting for malaria will be done by miners in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) in an effort to foster a more efficient response and early detection of cases in the mining sector where the illness is prevalent.

Director of Vector Control Services (VCS), Dr Horace Cox told the Government Information Agency (GINA) on Monday, that the Public Health Ministry, along with the VCS, is currently carrying out a pilot project in Region Eight.

“We are attempting through a pilot project to train miners in the use of the diagnostic test. Going to the Region, we engage them through the relevant bodies – GGMC [Guyana Geology and Mines Commission]; GGDMA [Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association]; regional officials, and train these miners because we have recognised that miners are an at-risk group, very high risk and, as a result of that, we want to really build capacity in the mining sector,” Dr Cox explained.

The rapid diagnostic test will provide results in a timely manner, and serve as a substitute for the gold standard microscopy examination, but will not replace it, Dr Cox explained.

“Microscopy is still the gold standard, but we have rolled out the rapid diagnostic test, and this is a test that can have a malaria result available, whether negative or positive, within 15 to 20 minutes,” Dr Cox added.

Malaria in the hinterland regions is currently detected through the microscopy examination. Microscopy entails visualisation of the malaria parasites in a thick

the United States, in 2015, there was an estimated 214 million cases of malaria worldwide, with 438,000 deaths, mostly children.

Director of Vector Control Services, Dr Horace Cox

or thin smear of the person’s blood, examining it and then giving the result.

The VCS has been focusing on elimination of the vector-borne disease in the hinterland regions. It has been distributing chemically treated bed nets to vulnerable and at-risk groups in

an effort to reduce the incidence of the disease.

Malaria is caused by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. An infected person may have symptoms such as fever, chills, aches and nausea.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) of

T

wo neighbours, of Recht-door-Zee, Canal Number 1, West Bank Demerara, on Monday made another appearance at the Wales Magistrate’s Court in relation to an ongoing dispute over loud music.

Krishna Roberts, a 23-year-old janitor, will know his fate on Thursday, after it was alleged that on June 28, 2016, in an altercation with Rolleta Junior, his neighbour, he threw stones and issued death threats after she objected to the loudness of his music. Junior, a fishery labourer, will also know her fate on allegations that she threatened Roberts.

Junior testified that on the night in question, Roberts was playing his music loudly while she was watching television and she “couldn’t hear anything”.

She stated that she asked Roberts to lower the volume as she has young children.

The Court heard that the janitor reportedly threatened Junior in the presence of Police ranks.

“He seh if de Police take away he music, he will kill me and me children,” the

woman told the court. The Court further heard that it was when the Police left that Roberts “threw stones” at her house.

When Junior was crossexamined, she broke down in tears.

In the young man’s version of events, he had turned his music down after the woman started quarrelling about it.

“She start buse me about de music; I tek off me music and she continue busing me… she start cussing up,” Roberts posited. The janitor, who lives with his mother, explained that Junior allegedly threatened to have him “beaten up”.

Roberts had been placed on self-bail for throwing missiles and $5000 bail for the threatening language charge. Junior, a single mother of four, was placed on $5000 bail.

The Magistrate directed that the two would return on August 25 for a ruling on the matter.

Additionally, Roberts will also be called before the Wales Magistrate’s Court on a separate matter involving an altercation with another neighbour.

18

guyana-times.com

TUESday, august 23, 2016

ARCHIE

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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.

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016

19

Rio provided commendable Olympic Games despite challenges A

warding the Olympic expected to rise further for But it was the empty lives in a favela.

Games to the Tokyo in 2020. seats in some of the venues Even if they were not in Brazilian city of Rio in No other sporting event that provided the biggest the arenas, though, locals 2009 was viewed as a gamble in the world generates inter- headache once the action were moved by the Games. by some critics. est in quite the same way, started.

“Living in a favela isn’t However, the but some have suggested At first, organisers easy, especially when your International Olympic there is an ever-growing dis- blamed long queues for the country tries to make them Committee (IOC) saw it as connect between the Games poor turnouts and then point- invisible,” said 19-yearthe perfect opportunity to reand the public ed out that the Brazilian old Isabella Alves de emphasise its core message because of is- people are notoriously slow Oliveira, who lives of taking the spirit of sport to sues such as at getting involved in sport, in the infamous as many people as possible. doping and unless it is football or volleyCity of God IOC president Thomas corruption. ball. favela.

Bach maintains it was a risk “I think On day one of the athworth taking. it’s been a letics, only 58% of available “ B u t “The Brazilians were step back tickets were sold. when we great hosts and really f r o m “I think we expected the watch people united behind these whole atmosphere to sweep from a favela win Games,” he said. us along for the two weeks,” Olympics gold, it is amaz“They turned said four-time Olympic row- ing. this great coming champion and BBC pun“I hope the Olympics will petition into a dit Matthew Pinsent. “I don’t leave a positive legacy, one of party for evthink that has quite hap- possibilities and one where erybody. pened. children can dream and be“The IOC has shown “I do think the specta- lieve that these dreams can that it is possible to tor ticket sales has been a become reality.” organise the Olympic Michael Phelps huge issue that they must What impact did the Games in countries have seen coming and they Russian doping scandal which are not at the top of London,” said Ben Rumsby, haven’t been able to solve.” have? the GDP ranking.” a corresponThe problems that played dent for British out alongside the sport can- n e w s p a p e r not be ignored, though.

The Daily Huge swathes of seats re- Telegraph. “It mained empty for key events, was always exblue pools turned green, ath- pected to be, letes were mugged, others but I think it’s pretended to be, and a key been a bigger IOC official - Ireland’s Pat step back than Hickey - spent the final days the organisers of the Games locked up in expected and a high a security prison ac- they’ll be lookcused of trying to pass tick- ing forward to ets to touts.

Tokyo, which is The Olympic movement expected to be a can tick off another conti- success.” nent but, sporting achieveDid Rio ments aside, the feeling is embrace the they got away with it - just.

Games?

Is the Olympics still a Political big deal? protests before The Brazilians brought their culture and flavour to the closing ceremony to The viewing figures and the Olympics, games went out in a spectacular fashion the size of the sponsorship focusing on aldeals probably provide the legations of corruption and Overall, there is a feeling It was the issue that best answers to this ques- the huge cost of staging the organisers could have done dominated the build-up to tion.

Games, had organisers con- more.

Rio 2016, but, as expected, Officials say more than cerned.

The price of a daily ticket, the action became the fohalf of the world’s populaSo did worries over secu- for example, was the equiva- cus when athletes started to tion consumed the Games rity, water pollution and the lent of a half a week’s wage mount podiums. in some way. That figure is Zika virus. for the average worker who There was a residual fall-

out that crept into the competition, though.

Some of the 271 Russian athletes who made it to Rio were booed, while swimmer Yulia Efimova, who has served a doping ban, was reduced to tears when jeers drowned out the announcement of her silver medal in t h e 100m breaststroke.

A handful of ath-

Usain Bolt

letes tested positive during the Games but, given the small numbers so far, there was no controversy to match the pre-Games trouble.

And what about Zika?

It was one of the most talked about subjects before the Games, thanks chiefly to the number of top male golfers who withdrew.

Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, ensure the Jason Day and Dustin Johnson all said Zika was a very real health threat, both to themselves and their partners.

When the action started, it was hardly ever mentioned.Like those golfers, the mosquitoes stayed away.

Who can replace Bolt and Phelps?

It is difficult to imagine the Olympics ever seeing the likes of Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps again, but sport needs heroes and new stars are emerging.

Both Bolt and Phelps were at the twilight of their p r o fessional careers and by all accounts did not failed to live up expectations. Bolt ended his Olympic reign unbeaten, with nine Olympic medals and goes down as the greatest sprinter ever.

Phelps on the other hand ended his tally with 23 gold out of a total of 28 medals to go be carded as one of the greatest swimmers to grace the pool. Those two exceptional performances was certainly what brought the RIO Olympics to life.

Also in the pool, 19-yearold Katie Ledecky leaves Rio with five Olympic medals, four of them gold. The American is the first women to take gold in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle since 1968.

“She is special,” said former British swimmer Steve Parry, who won bronze at the Athens Games in 2004.

“If she continues to progress the way she has been, she could smash all kinds of records.”

Compatriot Simone Biles, also 19, also won four golds as she dazzled and bewitched in the gymnastics arena.

In the velodrome, British track cyclist Jason Kenny equalled Sir Chris Hoy’s national record of six Olympic golds. If he races for as long as Hoy, then the 28-year-old probably has another two Games to get himself into double figures.

Speedo and Ralph Lauren among 4 to end sponsorship with Lochte

F

our sponsors have dropped disgraced US Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte, including swimwear manufacturer Speedo and fashion label Ralph Lauren.

They were followed by announcements from skin care firm Syneron-Candela and Japanese mattress maker Airweave.

It comes after Lochte lied about being robbed at gunpoint by a policeman after a night out during the Rio Olympics.Lochte, a 12-time Olympic gold medalist, has earned millions of dollars through endorsements.

Speedo, the biggest sponsor of the four, said: “We cannot condone behaviour

that is counter to the values this brand has long stood for.”

Lochte, aged 32, said he respected Speedo’s decision, and thanked the company.

“I am grateful for the opportunities that our partnership has afforded me over the years,’’ he said.

Ralph Lauren, which has removed some of Lochte’s images from its website, said its sponsorship of the swimmer had been only for the Rio Olympics and would not be renewed.Ralph Lauren and Airweave both stressed that they would continue their support of the US Olympic and Paralympic teams.

Syneron-Candela said:

Ryan Lochte

“We hold our employees to high standards, and we expect the same of our business partners.’’

Speedo said it would donate a $50,000 portion of Lochte’s sponsorship fee

to the charity Save The Children’s Brazilian operation.The value of Lochte’s Speedo sponsorship has not been disclosed. The contract reportedly expires this year after 10 years.

The US business magazine Forbes calculated that in the year of the 2012 London Olympics, Lochte earned about $2m in sponsorships from companies such as Gillette, Nissan, AT&T and Gatorade.

Lochte’s performance at Rio did not reach the heights of his London triumph, but Forbes estimated his endorsements would still have been between $1m-$2m.

Disdain The saga started when Lochte and three

team-mates returned to the Olympic village after a late night out in Rio. They tried, unsuccessfully, to use the locked toilet at a garage and urinated outside instead.After first claiming that he and his three teammates had been robbed by bogus policemen, Lochte back-tracked and admitted he had, while still drunk, “left details out” and “overexaggerated some parts of the story”. Despite the evidence against him, including CCTV footage, he has however denied that he actually lied in his initial account to Brazilian police.

Lochte’s behaviour has been met with disdain in the US and he has been widely

pilloried in the US media.

On 19 August the New York Post carried a frontpage headline describing him as the “Ugly American”, along with the slogan “Liar, Liar, Speedo on fire”.

Lochte is one of the most successful swimmers in history, with 12 Olympic medals, and he once had his own reality television show in the US. In Rio, he swam in two events, winning a gold medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay along with teammate Jack Conger.

“We appreciate his many achievements and hope he moves forward and learns from this experience,” Speedo said of Lochte. (BBC)

20

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016

Pakistan rise to No 1 in Test rankings P

akistan have risen to No. 1 in the ICC's Test rankings for the first time. They took the top position from India, following India's washed out Test against West Indies in Trinidad.

Pakistan had moved to No. 2 on the table last week, after drawing the Test series in England 2-2 and after Australia were whitewashed 3-0 in Sri Lanka. At the same time, India had moved to No. 1 after beating West Indies in the St. Lucia to go 2-0 up in their four-match series; they needed to win the final Test, in Trinidad, to hold on to No. 1, but the match was drawn after weather and outfield issues forced play to be abandoned over four days.

Last week was the second time in less than a year that Pakistan had moved to No. 2 on the rankings - the highest they had previously been since the current rankings system was put in place in 2003. They had featured at No. 2 for the first time in November 2015, after beating England 2-0 in the UAE. Their rise to No. 1 was built on the back of a run of unbeaten Test series since August 2014, when they were down at No. 6.

Apart from the successes against England, they had also beaten Sri Lanka 2-1 in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh 1-0 in Bangladesh, and

whitewashed Australia 2-0 in the UAE. Against New Zealand in the UAE in November 2014, the series during which Phillip Hughes died in Sydney, they had drawn 1-1 Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said he was "proud" to have his team at the top, but his focus remained on delivering consistently good performancThe ICC Test table 1 Pakistan (111 rating points) 2 India (110) 3 Australia (108) 4 England (108) 5 New Zealand (99) 6 Sri Lanka (95) 7 South Africa (92) 8 West Indies (67) 9 Bangladesh (57) 10 Zimbabwe (8)

es going forward. "There is no greater feeling than to achieve the No. 1 ranking in the most traditional and purest format of the sport," Misbah said. "This is what cricketers play for and want to achieve in their careers. It is a reward for something we had planned as a group a few years ago and have worked extremely hard to achieve it.

"I want to compliment everyone who has been involved in the process, including all the players, the support personnel, the management, as well as our loyal fans and followers who remained committed to us and continued to

Pakistan’s drawn series against England helped them propel into the top spot

back and support the side through the good and notso-good days.

"For us, the No. 1 ranking is not a destination but part of a journey. Our longterm objective and strategy is to remain competitive, continue to challenge the top sides with good cricket and once again become the most followed side like the Pakistan teams of yesteryears."

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, much like former coach Waqar

Younis, said credit for Pakistan's achievement should go to Misbah. "The ascension to the top of the ICC Test rankings culminates an incredible journey for Pakistan," Khan said. "This is a historic moment in our rich Test cricket history and the credit for this great achievement goes not only to this team but to all... coaches and support staff members who have represented Pakistan in recent years. Misbah-ulHaq deserves special credit

for his leadership through six crucial years."

The No. 1 rank has changed hands several times in 2016. In January, India took over from South Africa after South Africa were defeated 0-2

by England at home.

In February, Australia climbed to No. 1 following their 2-0 win in New Zealand. They gave No. 1 back to India following their recent 0-3 loss in Sri Lanka, and then came India's handover to

Pakistan.

The ICC's ranking system takes into account matches played over the previous four years, with the oldest matches in the cycle being dropped every May. For the current cycle, matches played from May 2013 to April 2015 carry 50% weight age, while matches played since then carry 100% weightage. In May 2017, matches played between May 2013 and April 2014 will be dropped from the calculations. (Cricinfo)

Rio Paralympics: Russia set to hear on Paralympics ban decision

R

ussia will discover on Tuesday whether it will be allowed to compete at next month’s Paralympic Games in Rio. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) is set to give its verdict on Russia’s appeal against the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) ban on all Russian athletes.

The IPC made the decision in light of the McLaren report, which detailed a state-sponsored doping programme operated by Russia.

The Paralympics begin on 7 September.

The IPC’s decision was in contrast to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which chose not to hand Russia a blanket ban from the Olympic Games.

The IOC was widely criticised for ignoring the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) recommendation to ban Russia.

Instead, each individual sporting federation was given the power to decide if Russian competitors were clean to compete.

A three-person IOC panel then had the final say.

Russia Paralympic team ban is 'beyond common sense'

In the end, more than 270 Russian athletes were cleared to compete at the Olympics, with Russia winning 56 medals in total.

The IPC President, Sir Philip Craven, made a blistering attack when he announced the decision to suspend its Russian member committee in Rio, condemning the country’s “medals over morals” philosophy.

“The complete corruption of the anti-doping system is contrary to the rules and strikes at the very heart of the spirit of Paralympic sport,” Craven said. “It shows a blatant disregard for the health and wellbeing of athletes and, quite

simply, has no place in Paralympic sport.”

Craven’s remarks came after information was provided to the IPC by Richard McLaren, the Canadian author of a World Anti-Doping Agency report into Russia’s state-run doping programme. McLaren revealed that 11 positive drugs tests from Russian Paralympic athletes were covered up by the Moscow anti-doping laboratory on orders from Russia’s ministry of sport between 2012 and 2015. He also confirmed that 18 samples from Russian athletes were swapped for clean ones during the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi.

At those winter Games, Russia won nearly half of the gold medals on offer.

But the IPC’s hard-line response to Russia was at odds with the approach taken by much of the rest of the international sporting community before the Rio Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee opted for the compromise of letting each federation that runs an Olympic sport decide on the eligibility of Russian athletes for Rio. (BBC Sport and Guardian)

YELLOW PAGES TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016 | WWW.GUYANA-TIMES.COM

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21

SPORTS

Guyana cycling coach in hot water after missing disciplinary hearing

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andolph Roberts, Guyana’s coach to the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships in St Lucia recently, has heaped more hot water on his head.

The coach was summoned before the Guyana Cycling Federation’s disciplinary committee to explain his absence during the Junior 31, Caribbean Road Race, however, he did not show up.

Reports are that on July 31, Christopher Cornelius,

Randolph Roberts

Raphael Leung, Jornel Yearwood and Andrew Hicks, were left without wa-

ter along their route and suffered dehydration.

Roberts was said he felt unwell on the day, complaining to team manager, Marc Sonoram, about a headache that would stop him from following the race.

Part of the coach’s job is to follow the race and feed water to the racers.

Cornelius finishing 16th, Hicks 18th, Leung 19th and Yearwood 28th.

The performances were considered poor, bearing in mind their abilities. (SportsMax)

2-day activity set for Sports Promotion’s 4th Anniversary

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he Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Sports Promotion team will be hosting a twoday event on Friday August 26 and Sunday August 28.

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The teams will be battling for over $100,000 in cash and prizes.

Lewis highlighted those teams desirous of entering have until Thursday to submit their registration.

Persons wanting more information can contact James Lewis on telephone # 672-6179, 628-1656 or 666-5857

Olympic bronze medalist Walcott slams fragmented T&T

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feature an inter-ministry/ Government agency Domino competition on the lawns of the Protocol department, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive beginning at 16:30h.

The Action will then resume on Sunday where the various agencies will be in serious competition as they participate in a tape ball cricket competition on the National Cultural Centre

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he winner of Trinidad and Tobago’s only medal at the just-concluded Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Keshorn Walcott, has chalked up the country’s poor performance to a lack of unity.

According to Walcott, who was featuring in his second Olympics, having shocked the world with a gold medal in London 2012, the camraderie and team spirit were low in 2016.

“We did not do so well as a team this year because honestly, for my part, we were not a team. We did not come together as a unit as in 2012. I was young in 2012 and I was one of the younger ones and I saw the gelling of

the team, but here it was not like that,” said Walcott.

The two-Olympic medallist believes the lack of unity, in large part, was not the athlete’s fault, but rather the delegation sent to provide support.

“I would not say it was the athletes, I would have to say it was the heads. You need to be able to understand that for a team to be able to perform properly you need to bring them together,” he said.

“It is the environment.

When you as a team do not feel everybody is together (it) is like everybody is just concentrating on their own,” he added.

Walcott was quick to

Keshorn Walcott

add that he did not want to dwell on those things, but preferred to look at the goals he had infront of him, and wanted other athletes to do the same. (SportsMax)

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016

Caribbean Badminton International Championships…

Guyana cop 4 silver, 2 bronze medals

7 boxers sign under NexGen Global Promotions

A

Decision time! The boxers peruse the contracts before inking their signatures

The Guyanese Mixed Pair of Narayan and Priyanna Ramdhani (backing camera) in action

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Photo)

he Guyanese 3-Member Team consisting of SUNBURST Narayan Ramdhani, Jonathan Mangra and Priyanna Ramdhani brought home 4 Silvers & 2 Bronze after four days battling with players from the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Aruba & Suriname.

The Caribbean Badminton International Open Under-19 C h a m p i o n s h i p s (CAREBACO) which was played the Centro Deportivo Sports Hall in Aruba from August 18 and concluded on Sunday.

In the Finals played on Sunday, Narayan Ramdhani and Priyanna Ramdhani lost

to Shae Martin & Amanda Haywood of Barbados in the first two sets 21-9, 2116 in the Mix Doubles, while in the Boys Doubles Finals, Narayan Ramdhani & Jonathan Mangra lost to Shae Martin & Keshem Moore of Barbados in a thrilling three setter with Guyana winning the first set and losing the 2nd and 3rd games, 17-21, 21-15, 21-19.

The Guyana four-Member Team of Narayan Ramdhani, Jonathan Mangra, Priyanna Ramdhani & Ambika Ramraj will now be participating in the Team Events.

Guyana is placed in Group B with Barbados and Aruba, while Group A consists of the Dominican Republic,

(File

Suriname & Trinidad & Tobago. The Guyana Badminton Association would like to thank Mohamed’s Enterprise, Republic Bank, NSC, BK International, Hand-in-Hand Insurance, Crown Mining, Gio Tech and Cosmopolitan Trading.

The overall results are: Narayan Ramdhani- 2 Silvers (Boys Doubles & Mix Doubles) & 1 Bronze (Singles) Priyanna Ramdhani-1 Silver (Mix Doubles) & 1 Bronze (Singles) Jonathan Mangra- 1 Silver (Boys Doubles)

s the countdown to the Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s ‘Bad Intentions’ boxing card comes closer, seven boxers on Monday, signed under the management of NexGen Global Promotions, including Imran ‘Magic’ Khan and Keeve ‘Master Shi Fu’ Allicock.

Other boxers who signed under the management included Ryan Ali, James Walcott, Rondell Singh, Romeo Norville and Mark White.

This is the first of its kind in Guyana, with NexGen Global looking to establish a new approach to the boxing environment in Guyana, aiming to turn Guyana into ‘the Las Vegas of the Caribbean’.

Vice-President of NexGen Global, Aleem Hussain told this publication that this opportunity will provide these youngsters with a career in the sport, providing for the first time in its history, a pension fund scheme as well as qual-

ity training alongside dieticians, doctors and trainers, but the real bonus is the guarantee of regular fights.

Dexter ‘Cobra’ Gonsalves, who has been the first signee of NexGen Global, encouraged the other boxers to join the team highlighting the fact that he has only been in three main fights in the last three years but since joining the team, the promises are becoming a reality.

NexGen Global has already provided Gonsalves with a dietician, as well as proper equipment ahead of his main event fight against American, DeMarcus ‘Chop Chop’ Corley on the August 27.

Fellow boxer, Imran ‘Magic’ Khan, also wished to express his confidence in the management team in lifting his career to a next level, since it is expected that under the promotion company, fighters will get the chance to contend against international fighters rather than the local circuit.

Another reason, as pointed out by James Walcott, was the idea that NexGen Global will be looking to expand the viewing audience to over 22 countries.

Hussain indicated that it is his immediate goal to have all the boxers being members of a gym.

Newcomer, Rondell Singh said that this opportunity was one in which he snatched with both hands since it is a way to be productive, as well as avoid trouble.

At ‘Bad Intentions’, Khan will be fighting Quincy Gomes in the rematch of his life as he looks to take revenge from his loss the last time these two met.

Allicock will clash with Anthony Narine, who is making his debut.

‘Bad Intentions’ will be held on August 27 at the Giftland Office Max Mall, Lilliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

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

GHB/Lucozade Indoor Hockey Tournament…

GCC teams extend dominant run A

s the Guyana Hockey Board/Lucozade Hockey Indoor tournament continues, the GCC teams dominated the night as five thrilling matches unfolded at the National Gymnasium on Saturday.

In the first match of the night, the women’s team started off proceedings with GCC Spartans defeating Old Fort women 2:0.

Marzan Feidtkou scored what would be the only goal of the first half in the second minute while Serena Chan scored in the 30th minute to hand Spartans the victory.

The Hikers clashed with the Pizza Hut GCC ladies, but fell short in the first half and could not recover, eventually going down 4:2.

Pizza Hut’s Kerensa Fernandes scored a penalty goal in the 12th minute, while Aliyah Gordon scored in the 17th minute and Fernandes again in the 19th minute leaving the half time score standing at 3:0 in favour of Pizza Hut GCC. Hikers would resume the second half much more energized with Latacia Chung blasting a field goal in the 27th minute. Gordon,

however, scored her second goal of the night in the 33th minute.

Kenisha Wills then scored a consolidating 40th minute goal to leave the score 4:2.

In the male category, Vintage handed Pitbulls a convincing 9:6 crush ing thanks to doubles from Alan Fernandes, Phillip Fernandes, Devin Hooper and Dwayne Scott.

Scott opened the Vintage account in the first minute due to a penalty goal while Alan Fernandes would score in the second minute and Hooper in the 8th.

Alan Fernandes reached his double and Vintage’s fourth by the 15th minute of play, before Meshach Sargeant could score Pitbulls’ first goal in the 18th minute. By the end of the first half, the score stood in Vintages favour at 4:1.

In the second half both teams managed to score five goals each as Phillip Fernandes scored for Vintage in 23rd and 25th minutes, as well as Hooper again in the 24th.

Sargeant also scored in the 24th minute as his

Action in the GHB/Lucozade Indoor Tournament

brother, Mark, scored in the 29th and 31st respectively.

Marcus Feidtkou scored his only goal of the match in the 32nd minute of play before Meshach produced his hat-trick in the 34th minute.

Scott achieved his double in the 36th minute and Keon McKenzie scored the final goal of the match with

the score at 9:6 in Vintage’s favour.

In a match that saw 13 goals being scored, the men from Bounty GCC thrashed Old Fort Knockers 11:2.

Kevin Spencer scored four goals while Daniel Hooper netted three along with Jason Khalil’s double to lead the GCC guys.

Khalil scored in minute

5, Spencer in the 10th and Steven Xavier two minutes later as the half time score stood at 3:0.

Khalil and Spencer both scored in the 26th minute, as John Abraham scored Knockers’ only two goals in the 31st and 33rd minutes respectively.

Hooper scored his hattrick inclusive of two goals

in the 36th minute followed

by Spencer returning to register two more in the 37th and 38th minutes.

Bounty GCC were then handed their eleventh goal as Kareem McKenzie netted his first in the 40th minute.

In the final contest, Hikers men produced an 8:3 drubbing of Saints.

Hikers’ Leon Bacchus registered the first goal of the match in the 3rd minute, but Yonnick Peters quickly levelled the score in the 11th minute.

Bacchus then scored the second goal for Hikers in the 14th minute while Hilton Chester responded with a goal of his own two minutes later but goals from Aroydy Brandford and Jamarj Assanah in minutes 17 and 20 placed Hikers in the lead.

Hikers’ Captain Robert France showed his skills with three quick goals in minutes 22, 24 and 26, before Brandford returned to score twice before the close of the match and the score stood at 8:3.

The tournament continues at the same venue tonight.

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016

WICB U-19 50-over Tournament

Team spirit, desire brought success for Guyana – Keemo Paul

By Akeem Greene

A

ccording to West Indies and Guyana under-19 vice-captain Keemo Paul, team, a jelling team spirit and a desire to win the tournament is what contributed to the team defending their title and winning three on the trot in the regional under-19 50-over competition on Sunday, having defeated the Windward Islands by five wickets in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Paul in speaking to media operatives on Monday upon the team’s arrival at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport Paul explained that after the team faltered in the threeday leg, they needed to quickly mesh as a unit to secure the limited overs title.

“After the three-day we knew we had to jell as a team, we had to come together and work hard and train hard and assess the conditions much better, which resulted in us winning” Paul stated.

The all-rounder who was a part of all three title wins revealed that this year, the conditions were much more difficult than those of the past.

He said, “This year was very definitely more difficult, especially coming from the three-day format, we didn’t do as well as we wanted to, so we had to lift ourselves and come back in the one-days and we definitely did that”.

The team which was has been dominant force in the region over the past years, winning 50-over titles in 2014 on home turf and then last year, winning both the three- day and the shorten version in Jamaica, surprisingly failed to complete the “double” once more having finished at the bottom half of the points table in the three-day leg.

Questioned as to the reason for the lackluster performance in the longer version,

he Alex Bunbury Sports & Academics Academy (ABSAA) has implemented the Soccer Ball Project, a new initiative geared at spurring the development of football in Guyana. Founder Alex Bunbury, Canadian Hall of Fame and Guyana Football Federation Ambassador, will be sending soccer balls among other football equipment to Guyana.

According to a release by ABSAA, Bunbury said, “I've been fortunate to work intermittently in the soccer/ football industry that I love so much for 16 years. I had the pleasure of encountering wonderful people all over the world that share the same passion. I'm very thankful for it and have always wished to give back.

That's why I created The Soccer Ball Project”.

The Soccer Ball Project is a non-profit organization

that provides new quality soccer balls to children in poverty-stricken communities, underprivileged youth and to sick kids suffering from illness around the world.

The Beautiful game of football has the power to unite all races, genders and colours. It's a universal language without borders. The sport empowers big dreams, provides hope and allows future generations a reason to face their storms with a smile.

The gift of a new soccer ball can change the world for these children, some have never even seen a real one.

They play with makeshift balls made of large fruit, garbage, socks, plastic bags, rubber bands, twine string and cloth.

The released added, “The Soccer ball Project wishes that these kids never fall asleep without a dream

Alex Bunbury

and always wake up with a goal. We Partner with other organizations to ensure we have various sources to assist with donations. All together we can make some dreams come true”.

Captain Travis Persaud and the Championship trophy

Paul responded saying, “the conditions, we didn’t get accustomed to the conditions very quickly and that was our major down fall”.

With an under-19 World Cup and yet another youth title at regional level under his belt, the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) players says the next step is to break into the senior National team.

“Definitely looking to break into the senior team, that is my short term goal but long term is ultimately the West Indies senior team; right now I’m working on getting into the Guyana one-day team and hopefully I get a chance in the fourday as well”, the 18 year-old confidently stated.

Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Drubahadur was extremely pleased with the team’s performance, stating that the next step for those who would have finished the age-group is being placed into academies.

“From here, who is over the age, we will get them into the club system, we have the league system, where more than likely they will make the league teams and they will take the progression from there”, the President explained.

Director of Sports Christopher Jones and other officials of the GCB were also present to congratulate the team.

Colts hold off Pacesetters to win 54-45

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ABSAA to implement Soccer Ball Project T

GFF to host referees’ assistant programme

Turbo Hard Court Basketball Champions

he action in the Turbo Hard-Court basketball championships continued at the Plaisance Community Court continued over the weekend and Colts were one of the teams to register a close victory by defeating Pacesetters 54-45 in the Open division match.

Shelroy Thomas scored a game-high 24 points while Shane Webster assisted with eight points for the Colts. For the losing team Stephon Gillis recorded 22 points and Sherlan Legall

23

11.

In the U23 section, Ravens grounded Eagles 54-49.

Sebastian Luke top scored with 16 points while Enduku Horatio netted 11 points. For the losers, Darrel Williams recorded a game-high 21 points while Lyndon Wilson chipped in with 13.

The division winners will be the teams that win two out of the three stages. Winner of the opening stage held at the Burnham Court were Ravens and

Guyana’s referees are expected to receive a boost to skills, and fitness is expected to be on the agenda

T

he annual Guyana Football Federation (GFF) / FIFA Referees Assistants Programme (RAP) is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, 24th August, 2016 with participation from 20 national Elite and Assistant Referees, 10 from each team.

The five-day programme will commence with a Referees Fitness test at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora on Wednesday at 06:00hrs and will continue with the formal opening at the National Resource Centre at 13:00hrs. The daily sessions

are scheduled to conclude at 17:00hrs.

Among the areas to be addressed during the RAP are the revised FIFA Laws of The Game and their respective interpretation and will consist of classroom and field sessions. The field sessions are scheduled for the Ministry of Education’s Ground, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown on Friday and Saturday at 15:00hrs – 17:00hrs and Sunday at 06:00hrs – 08:00hrs respectively.

The sessions will be facilitated by two FIFA personnel – Peter Prendergast,

FIFA Regional Development Officer / Technical Instructor and the FIFA Fitness Instructor, Allan Morgan Browne. It will be complemented by Head of the GFF’s Referees’ Department, Stanley Lancaster along with Roy Mc Arthur and Ingraham Johnson who are Local Technical Instructors and Lindley Langhorne, Physical Fitness Instructor.

The RAP is a capacity building programme which seeks to create uniformity among elite referees and enable same to meet the demands of the game.

Andrew Sinclair excels at GCUC exams

A

Pacesetters in the Open and u23 sections respectively. The third aspect will be staged at the National Gymnasium outdoor venue.

ndrew Sinclair stood out at the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council (GCUC) preliminary examination, as he amassed 83% to be the leading candidates.

The other successful candidates are Andrew Singh with 64%, Tishana Douglas 61%, Martin Johnson 61%, Zaheer Khan 60% and Mark Anthony Ernest 46%.

The GCUC has extended

congratulations to the suc- Candidates are encouraged cessful candidates and wish to continue with their prepthem well in the future. aration for the final written

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016

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

Team spirit, desire brought success for Guyana - Keemo Paul

Three for three! The victorious Guyana Under-19 team at the Eugene F Correia International Airport along with Director of Sport Christopher Jones (third from left); President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Drubahadur (fourth from left); Marketing Manger Raj Singh (far right) along with other officials from the GCB

Pg 23

Caribbean Badminton International Championships…

Pg 22

Guyana cop 4 silver, 2 bronze medals

7 boxers sign under NexGen Global Promotions

Pg 22

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