Guyana Times -- Monday, August 12, 2019

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CCJ did not have to set specific election date −PPP

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Issue No. 4013

monday, august 12, 2019

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Berbice welder struck by car P16 ...on life support

Page 3

Parents guilty P9 of condoning, causing child abuse must be held accountable- CCPA

…ruling clearly outlines 3-month constitutional timeline for elections …Court may have overestimated integrity of constitutional actors

Aviation inspectors to probe American Airlines' U-turn to CJIA …to also review standard procedure for ensuring airworthiness of aircraft – GCCA Page 7

Berbice paddy bug woes

Farmers fear P10 substantial financial losses … GRDB still to intervene with aerial spraying

President reiterates commitment to free P8 education Accused serial robber released on bail Patrons enjoying horse racing at Number 36 Village racing facility on the Corentyne in Berbice on Sunday during the Sky Plus Sprint Classic (Brandon Corlette photo)

at NA Gunmen beat, rob Services Hospital affected Leonora man of by malfunctioning equipment, no X-ray films motorcycle Page 11

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Exploitation of P8 foreigners highest in Region 4 - Task Force …Venezuelans, Cubans identified as top TIP victims

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BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, August 12 – 03:00h - 04:30h and 14:30h - 16:00h and Tuesday, August 13 – 03:30h - 05:00h and 14:30h - 16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, August 12 – 14:45h-16:15h and Tuesday, August 13 – 15:25h -16:55h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Light cloud is expected during the morning hours followed by thundery showers. Light rain showers are expected from the afternoon hours until early evening. These conditions will be followed by lightly cloudy conditions and clear skies. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to South-westerly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 14:39h reaching a maximum height of 2.24 metres.

Low Tide: 08:08h and 20:26h reaching minimum heights of 0.88 metre and 0.97 metre.

saturday, AUGUST 10, 2019

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CCJ did not have to set specific election date – PPP

…ruling clearly outlines 3-month constitutional timeline for elections …Court may have overestimated integrity of constitutional actors

W

hen the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) delivered its ruling on the No-Confidence Motion, they were hopeful that local politicians would act responsibly. But according to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the regional court may have been too optimistic.

In a statement on Sunday, in which the party called out Trade Unionist Lincoln Lewis for distorting the CCJ rulings, the PPP noted that the regional court overestimated the integrity of Government apologists.

In his weekly column, Lewis had claimed that the September 18 deadline for General and Regional Elections emanated from Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and others, but not the CCJ. The party made it clear that this was not true.

“His assertions must be condemned as nothing but a barefaced attempt to mislead. He selectively refers to one sentence from the consequential orders granted by the Caribbean Court of Justice,” the party said in its statement.

“Had Lincoln Lewis read the consequential orders, issued by the Court on July 12, 2019, in totality, he would have been clear on what is now the constitutionally mandated deadline for elections to be held in Guyana.”

The party reminded that Article 106 (6) of the Constitution of Guyana mandates that General and Regional Elections are to be held within three months of the passage of a NoConfidence Motion. And the CCJ in its ruling made direct reference to this.

“Paragraph six of the CCJ’s consequential orders states that: “Given the passage of the No-Confidence Motion on 21 December 2018, a general election should have been held in Guyana by 21 March 2019,”

fectively placed matters on pause, but this Court rendered its decision on 18 June 2019. The CCJ was clear that the clock on the threemonth election timeline started on June 18, 2019 – meaning the deadline for elections to be held end on September 18, 2019.”

Lack of understanding

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

the party noted.

“Further, the CCJ’s consequential orders goes on to add that, “The filing of the court proceedings in January challenging the validity of the no-confidence vote ef-

The party, therefore, questioned whether political opportunism or a lack of understanding could be behind attempts to confuse the CCJ rulings. The PPP pointed out that even though the regional court did not set a specific date, they pronounced clearly on the timeline within which elections should be held.

General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress, Lincoln Lewis

“On Lincoln Lewis’ point that the Caribbean Court of Justice did not set a date for elections, he seems to miss the point that the Court pronounced on the timeline within which elections must be held. continued on page 7

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Monday, august 12, 2019

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, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Cry, the Beloved Country

G

uyana is once again being pushed down the path of societal disintegration because of the politics practised by the PNC. It set this centrifugal process in motion in 1955 when its founder, Forbes Burnham, split the nationalist movement represented by the PPP and exploited racial sentiments to mobilise African Guyanese under its banner. External forces used the fissure created to precipitate ethnic conflict that boiled over into murderous open warfare, leaving scars that still have not healed more than half a century later.

And it is this experience of internecine warfare between the major ethnic groups that distinguishes us from other similar plural societies, such as Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname. While there are the dynamics of ethnic competition in electoral politics, in which the processes of group comparison and group legitimacy are fundamentally similar, there is in those societies a Maginot Line against violence that has not been crossed. In our country, there was only a lull between 1964 and 1992, occasioned by the PNC’s rigging of elections to guarantee its hold on power.

There was hope that the privations brought down by the PNC upon the entire nation during those years would have impressed upon its supporters the folly of reflexively voting along ethnic lines. But in 1992, it received the same percentage of votes as in 1964, which had been widely regarded as an ethnic census because of the polarisation due to the ethnic conflict, even though there was an alternative non-PPP vehicle in the WPA. The 1992 voting results emphasised the strength of ethnic voting in Guyana.

After the PNC lost the 1997 elections, however, the violence unleashed in the 1960s Pandora Box returned with intensified force in a new form that further scarred the body politic. It started with PNC street protests that escalated into open violence, when roving mobs assaulted Indian Guyanese axiomatically dubbed as “PPP supporters”. A CARICOM intervention led to the PPP’s term of office being truncated by two years and a host of constitutional amendments enacted, which gave significant parliamentary powers to the Opposition, then the PNC. The elections of 2001 were again won by the PPP, and this unleashed another round of arson, kidnappings and murders. Matters took an ominous turn for the country’s fortunes when a violent gang with a core of five hardened criminals entered the fray, overtly asserting they were “African Freedom Fighters”. They ensconced themselves in the village of Buxton, which was transformed virtually into “a state within the state”.

This would further widen the fissures in the country, as the killings were invariably ethnically directed; with the exception of Policemen, who were targeted for protecting the “PPP state”. The violence escalated exponentially when criminal gangs associated with the drug trade entered the fray and turned the country into a killing field reminiscent of the “garrison killings” of Jamaica. Between 1998 and 2008, when the last gangs were exterminated in a bloody shootout with the Police, hundreds of innocent “civilians” on both sides of the “divide” were killed.

It is against this background of violence unleashed in Guyana in the wake of PNC’s dissatisfaction with elections’ results that we have to evaluate AG Basil Williams’s utterances about the PPP at the AmCham-sponsored panel discussion on elections: “They are willing to go to the election with an anyhow list. They are ready for their properties and all these things to be subjected to those same post-election type of violence that we had in the past. I don’t want to say, ‘Well, y’all go, go to the election’, because the consequences would be dire”.

Back in May 2019, Williams had also warned about “unrest” that might follow in Guyana if the CCJ ruled against the Government in the three consolidated cases related to the challenge to the validity of the No-Confidence Motion passed on December 21, 2018.

Those utterances are nothing more than threats that would inevitably take our country further down the precipice of destruction.

Who will listen to the cry of our beloved country?

A family with balloons celebrating Eid al-Adha in a park in London (Photo:Rob Stothard/Getty Images)

Remembering the sacrifices of Prophet Ibrahim and his family

E

ven after 40 centuries, the message and the character of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) remains exemplary for millions of people. A proponent of monotheism, he declared the Oneness of Almighty God at a time when the whole world was submerged into darkness of polytheism. In this backdrop, he heralded his determination to turn his face to the Almighty God, the One Who is the Creator of the universe.

Born in Babylon (modern Iraq) some 2000 BC, Ibrahim travelled through Syria, Egypt, Hijaz and Palestine, where he died and is buried at a place which is known after his name as Al-Khaleel. He made the entire Middle East areas his area of operation for his mission, and assigned his nephew Lot to Sodom, his son Isaac to Palestine, and planted his elder son Ismail at Hijaz. He is ancestor of most of the prophets referred to in Old Testament, New Testament and the Holy Qur’an. He holds the highest position in world history, with no parallel to him. Here, we analyze his life and mission in light of the Holy Qur’an.

Ibrahim: God’s friend

Almighty God chose him as His friend (Khaleel). The people of his time in Syria would worship stars (thurayya). He is said to have been invited to select a star for his own worship, but after examining the sun and the moon, he rejected the idea and turned his face towards Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

“When the night covered him over, he saw a star: he said: ‘This is my Lord.’ But when it set, he said: ‘I love not those that set.’ When he saw the moon rising in splendour, he said: ‘This is my Lord.’ But when the moon set, he said: ‘Unless my Lord guides me, I shall surely be among those who go astray.’ When he saw the sun rising in splendour, he said: ‘This is my Lord; this is the greatest (of all).’ But when the sun set, he said: ‘O my people! I am indeed free from your (guilt) of giving partners to Allah. ‘For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah’.”

Ibrahim: the iconoclast

In Iraq, King Nimrud then was powerful and a tyrant. The people were generally idolatrous and had many temples. Ibrahim was astonished to see people assigning their aspirations to idols of stone.

One day, when they were out of town for a festival, he entered the temple and hammered the stone idols, mutilating their faces, except the big one on which he placed the axe. When the people returned and saw their deities smashed and mutilated, they became angry. Although they felt ashamed of worshipping the idols that could not save themselves, they however decided to kill Ibrahim.

“So he broke them to pieces (all) but the biggest of them, that they might turn (and address themselves) to it. They said, ‘Who has done this to our gods?

He must indeed be some man of impiety!’ They said, ‘We heard a youth talk of them: he is called Ibrahim.’ They said, ‘Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may bear witness.’ They said, ‘Art thou the one that did this with our gods, O Ibrahim?’ He said: ‘Nay, this was done by, this is their biggest one! Ask them, if they can speak intelligently!’ So they turned to themselves and said, ‘Surely ye are the ones in the wrong!’

Then were they confounded with shame: (they said) ‘Thou knowest full well that these (idols) do not speak!’ (Ibrahim) said, ‘Do ye then worship, besides Allah, things that can neither be of any good to you nor do you harm? ‘Fie upon you, and upon the things that ye worship besides Allah! Have ye no sense’?” (21:57-67) “So naught was the answer of (Ibrahim’s) people. Except that they said: ‘Slay him or burn him.’

But Allah did save him from the fire. Verily, in this are Signs for people who believe.” (29:23)

Argument with the king

When caught and brought before the king, Ibrahim declared the power of his Lord in the open court: “Hast thou not turned thy vision to one who disputed with Ibrahim about his Lord, because Allah had granted him power?

Ibrahim said: ‘My Lord is He Who giveth life and death.’ He said: ‘I

give life and death.’ Said Ibrahim: ‘But it is Allah that causeth the sun to rise from the East; do thou then cause it to rise from the West?’ Thus was he confounded who (in arrogance) rejected Faith.

Nor doth Allah give guidance to a people unjust.” (2: 258)

The migration

Ibrahim left his father and the fatherland, and migrated to Egypt with his wife Sarah, and he returned triumphant to Palestine with many gifts from the Egyptian king, including a maid named Hajrah. Since Sarah was barren, Ibrahim married Hajrah, who gave birth to a baby boy at his old age of 95. A jealous Sarah pressed her husband to take Hajrah away from her. On the Divine Guidance, Ibrahim took Hajrah and the new born Ismail to a distant place (present day Makkah) in Hijaz.

Ibrahim left his beloved wife and infant son in the barren valley with no greenery, water or human inhabitation, and prayed for the prosperity and security of his offspring in this barren valley.

Moments of trial

When the little amount of dates and water left by Ibrahim was over within few days, she felt thirsty, and her infant son Ismail was crying to death. She ran madly between the two nearby hillocks of Safa and Marwah looking for water. She ran seven times. The hills and hillocks echoed with her cries. This was an ordeal, a great ordeal of God. She cried again and again, but called none except Him. God showered His mercy upon her, and a forceful spring of sweet water gushed out near Ismail’s feet. She called it Zamzam, and it is flowing at the same place for the last 4,000 years. Almighty Allah declared Safa and Marwah as His signs, and ordained the pilgrims to run seven times between them like His devoted lady, Hajrah: “Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the House in the Season or at other times should compass them round, it is no sin in them. And if any one obeyeth his own impulse to Good, be sure that Allah is He Who recogniseth and knoweth.” (2:158)

The great triumph

Ibrahim returned a few years later to find his infant Ismail an energetic boy. He was tested again.

He saw in a dream that he was offering his son Ismail as a sacrifice to his Lord. Ismail was his only son at this ripe age. Having decided, however, to win His pleasure, Ibrahim told the son of his dream.

Being son of a great soul, Ismail immediately agreed, for this he said was ordained by God. Ibrahim took him to Mina (near Makkah), and as he laid Ismail to slaughter him, his Lord awarded him with great pleasure and ransomed Ismail with a goat sacrifice. This is the practice which is followed by all Muslims throughout the world as Eid Al-Adha, or the Festival of Sacrifice.

The great assembly of Haj

Haj was started by Prophet Ibrahim. It is the perfect replica of the incidents and occasions of the life of Prophet Ibrahim and his family. Here we mention the main rites of Haj and their relationship with this noble family.

I. Construction of Holy Kaaba: Almighty Allah bestowed great favour on Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail to build the Holy Kaaba at Makkah Mukarramah, which is the focal point of the true faith in the world. Muslims turn their faces towards it in prayer five times a day from every corner of the earth. Even their dead are buried facing the Holy Kaaba.

II. Performing Tawaf: Later, Almighty Allah told him to call the people to perform Haj and Tawaf.

III. Saie of Safa and Marwah: Every pilgrim is obliged to run between the two hillocks.

IV. Zamzam: This is the water which gushed out as a gift to infant Ismail. Pilgrims drink it and take it with them as holy water to the four corners of the world.

V. Rami Jamraat: When Prophet Ibrahim was taking his son Ismail for a sacrifice in Mina, the Iblees tried to seduce the family three times, and they threw dust and pebbles upon him. The pilgrims follow the same practice and throw pebbles upon Iblees seven times each in three days of Haj. Continued on page 5

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

Govt cannot cherry-pick Re-registration process is clearly designed when it comes to the law to make it easier to be de-registered

Dear Editor, The CCJ has given its ruling that the No-Confidence Motion was valid and Article 106 (6) and (7) ought to take effect. The Court has also ruled that Granger’s unilateral appointment of the GECOM Chairman was invalid, null and void and as such, that Chairman must resign and a nominee chosen from the list submitted by the Leader of The Opposition. To date, only one aspect of that ruling has been complied with and that is the appointment of a new GECOM Chairman and nothing else. This is unacceptable behaviour where only some aspects of the Constitution is adhered to and others discarded.

This is the height of dishonesty and brazen dictatorship by this Granger Government.

You cannot cherry-pick when it comes to the law and this is what the leader of this country

is promoting.

Important sections of Article 106 (6) and (7), which state that the President and his Cabinet shall resign and a date set for general elections, has been sidestepped as the Government continues down a path of lawlessness. Even recent statements by Granger on the matter of his resignation and the setting of a date for elections seem to suggest that he is not prepared to accept nor would he set a date for elections, these actions are a direct violation of the Constitution.

This is unacceptable behaviour and such actions cannot be allowed to continue with impunity. The president must be held accountable and must adhere to the rule of law.

A point of note here is that this entire process should have been completed by March 21, 2019, instead, the Granger Government has been pussy-

footing around ever since and the aforementioned order was never complied with, so, technically, this Government is illegal. Eight months have passed since this order was passed and the Government has not resigned.

But these have been the actions of this Administration, that is, showing utter disregard for the Constitution and the tenacious holding on to office, irrespective of the many court rulings. The contempt for the Constitution and the rulings of the court are blatantly obvious coupled with the glaring fact that the Granger cabal wants to hold on to power for all its worth. I would like to tell Granger that the longer you hold Guyana captive, the greater and harder would be your fall come next election.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Intentionally misleading persons to subvert our Constitution, democratic processes Dear Editor, One hundred seventy-four thousand (174,000) persons registered by GECOM, shouted the Stabroek News headline, using figures provided by Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward. Factually, however, I can show not a single person has, as yet, been registered. We are being intentionally misled by persons possibly engaged in a conspiracy to subvert our Constitution and our democratic institutions and processes.

GECOM is currently engaged in a field exercise gathering data for the creation of a new National Register of Registrants Database (NRRDB), this is not an update of the existing NRRDB and as such, not a single person has as yet had their datasheet processed as that portion of the House-to-House (H2H) work plan has not yet begun.

At this point, it may be instructive to explain the steps needed towards the creation of a new NRRDB. The GECOM work plan lists 41 steps, for brevity, I shall start with number 24: OPS – Commence and Conduct H-t-H Registration (120 days); this activity concludes on September 29, 2019. Following Item 24, major Items are 30: VRD/ITD – Produce draft consolidated list of transactions encoded for checking and verification (internal use only) (October 22). Items 31-37 involve cropping fingerprints and sending overseas for cross-matching, processes for dealing with conflicts identified, etc. (December 3). Items 38-40 deal with the removal of duplicates identified and deceased persons from the Register (Dec 16) and on December 18, a new NRRDB is created. At that point, 80 days after the current field exercise, there can be a claim that ‘persons have been registered’. To do so before is deceptive.

Immediately after the passage of the No-Confidence Motion, Chief Elections Officer Lowenfield convened emergency meetings of the GECOM Secretariat on December 23, cognisant of the responsibilities to provide General and

Regional Elections within the three-month timeframe specified by our Constitution. On December 27, GECOM PRO Yolanda Ward said “With this No-Confidence Motion, it means once the date is set, it will be held… it is our constitutional mandate to conduct the General and Regional Elections and Local Government Elections (LGEs) whenever they are constitutionally due; so whether it is in the 90 days then it is GECOM’s responsibility to conduct elections”. By the morning of the 29th, all of this changed as Nigel Hughes, Husband of Minister Cathy Hughes, was on all media platforms insisting that 33 votes out of 65 did not constitute a majority. It is my sincere belief that it was at this point that an investigation can begin to examine if a conspiracy to delay elections and thwart the provisions of the Constitution was forged between GECOM Chairman Patterson, APNU, GECOM CEO Lowenfield and possibly other actors.

Editor, claims of such a conspiracy to subvert provisions of the Constitution are not made lightly, as they rise to the level of treason. A full Commission of Inquiry must be conducted in the near future to determine why: 1) The GECOM Secretariat did not submit a work plan for General and Regional Elections until Jan 22, 2019, 32 days after the passage of the Noconfidence Motion 2) The work plan for elections was for 148 days, far beyond the 90 days stipulated by the Constitution (the 90-day timeframe was arrived at after consultation with GECOM as to requirements during the constitutional reform process, it is not arbitrary) 3) The work plan submitted also contained an alternative 290-day plan that included H2H Registration and creation of a new NRRDB. This act has inevitably led to an unstable nation and must be explained fully 4) APNU/AFC used judicial challenges to the No-Confidence Motion to delay the elections.

This should not have affected GECOM’s preparations, however, the Secretariat stood idly by for months awaiting ‘direction’ from the Commission 5) CEO Lowenfield began an H2H exercise based on an order from James Patterson that was fortuitously provisioned with dates that allowed Patterson to make the order while still Chairman and that encompassed the 48-day delay in readiness of GECOM to begin the H2H 6) The proceeding with H2H despite the absence of agreement of all parliamentary political parties as is the norm 7) The absence of political party scrutineers on GECOM data gathering teams. (The data forms have a provision for the signature of party scrutineers). This may serve as the basis for a legal challenge to the veracity of the data gathered during this costly exercise 8) CEO Lowenfield has stated that he is running two concurrent exercises, a H2H and preparations for elections, Lowenfield must know his actions are causing great uncertainty and instability in the nation, so why is he (Lowenfield) persisting? These and other questions require answers.

Of interest is the historical data of the number of new registrants added to the NRRDB during the last four Claims and Objections periods. Do the numbers of new registrants garnered from these exercises justify the discarding of the present NRRDB? Is the present NRRDB being used as a basis for the current H2H? Are more persons being enfranchised or disenfranchised by H2H? Guyana may be undergoing a period of disregard for rule of law and our Constitution is being subverted, but time being longer than twine, I am confident that we will one day return to the status as a nation of laws, and this CoI will be held.

These should be dire consequences for any found complicit in any conspiracy to subvert our laws.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

Dear Editor, I am already registered and voted at the last elections. As part of that registration, I was issued a National ID Card.

GECOM staff arrived at my home on August 11 for re-registration. I was asked for a passport or birth certificate. I do not have an original birth certificate. My Guyana Passport has expired. I brought my Canadian passport.

I was not registered because they cannot use my Canadian Passport. I offered my Guyana National Identification Card.

This was also not acceptable. I offered my driver’s license and this was also not acceptable. At

this point, it appears that I will be de-registered.

Two members of my family do not have original birth certificates; they have colour copies only. They cannot be registered.

They were registered before and now it appears they will also be deregistered.

My relative from Canal 1 attempted to re-register. She had her original birth certificate but she did not have her marriage certificate nor her husband’s death certificate. It appears she is also destined for de-registration.

Anywhere you go in this country the National ID Card is accepted. It was issued as a result of GECOM Registration.

Since your biometrics will not change, it should be accepted for re-registration.

My clear impression from this experience is that this re-registration process is clearly designed with rules and procedures to make it more difficult to register and easier to be de-registered.

I will have no confidence that the National Register of Voters that this process is likely to produce will be fully representative of the voting population. Too many people will be left out.

Regards, Sase Shewnarain

President Granger needs to stop making excuses

Dear Editor, I submitted a letter published on August 8 to which I referred to GHK Lall’s DemWaves article speaking on the House-to-House issue. I previously submitted a letter published July 23 stating my objections to the House-to-House exercise; as I will be removed from the National Register of Registrants Database.

Two things happened; I personally emailed my former educator to inform him I was replying to his piece and I attached both of the abovementioned letters so he can clearly understand my position. His response to me (privately) was quite different from his reply to me publicly. This is a non-factor to me currently, and should be noted.

My issue is that Mister Lall doesn’t see my point that a House-to-House exercise will lead us into 2020 for elections. As I’ve said before, how many more 90 days must pass? December 21, 2018, was 234 days ago, almost 3 sets of 90 days away. I strongly urge Mister Lall and all Guyanese

to take a look at the GECOM work plan being circulated all over social media. It is clear that the way forward is to head to a period of Claims and Objections to sanitise the list drawn from the database – a database that has been deemed credible by many international bodies.

House-to-House is reinventing the wheel, GECOM has spent a decade creating this database. Young people have the opportunity to register during a Continuous Registration cycle as I did. I believe we can use the House-to-House to assist with Claims and Objections, but not the re-creation of a database. Don’t remove people that aren’t home from the list, they could be on holiday or like me, studying to come back to make our home a better place.

What I found surprising and this is what took me aback for a while, was the reference of the Constitution as “evil concoction that was crafted to mislead and tie in countless knots”.

I agree with him that it could be nationally despised in cer-

tain aspects. However, flaws and all, it’s our Constitution, we as Guyanese people. It is what endows powers into the Government. Without the rule of law (the Constitution), there would be anarchy. If this is the case after September 18 (if no election date is called), I would urge all Guyanese to stop paying taxes. As we have now entered an anarchical period.

My cry for Guyanese to harden on their stances and demand elections now wasn’t one to lead to “harder hearts and hardest minds”. I would like to remind Mister Lall that hot water softens a potato but hardens an egg. It is all about the stuff that one is made with.

We need to accept the ruling of the courts and move forward.

President Granger needs to stop making excuses and give an election date. He has had multiple excuses since the 21, all with which he claims to respect the Constitution.

Something he hasn’t done yet.

Respectfully, Nutana Singh

Remembering the sacrifices of...

VI. Animal sacrifice: This is in commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s decision to sacrifice his son Ismail, and God’s Mercy upon him to ransom him by a sheep. The pilgrims in Mina and other Muslims celebrate the Great Win by sacrificing sheep, goat, cow and camels throughout the world. About two million animals in Mina and many millions abroad are slaughtered within three days, whose meat is distributed to the poor. This is the largest free food distribution programme in the world on the ‘Eid Al Adha’ annually.

VII. Maqam-i-Ibrahim: This is the place of a stone marked with the footprint of Prophet Ibrahim, where he was standing while raising the walls of Holy Kaaba. Every pilgrim offers prayer at this blessed place in every Tawaf.

VIII. Hijr Ismail: This place, marked with Prophet Ismail’s name, is now a part of the holy Kaaba, and pilgrims offer prayers at this place.

The above rites of Haj are directly connected with the noble family of Prophet Ibrahim.

Although Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) initiated

Haj, there is however no Haj rite connected with his life. It is the commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim and his submission to the will of Almighty Allah.

Islam is the religion of

From page 4

Prophet Ibrahim. This is mainstream of Divine guidance, including all prophets of Torah and the Bible. Judaism and Christianity are the offshoots of that one thread of divinity.

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Page

Foundation Family timeline Dealing with feelings accordion book

when you're overweight

T

Recognising feelings

he teen years come with all sorts of changes, so it's normal to face some emotional ups and downs. If a person is strugglin3g with extra weight, it may add to these emotions.

Of course, not everyone who is overweight is worried or upset about it. Lots of us know confident, happy people who are overweight – and thin, fit people who are insecure. But because people often feel pressure to look a certain way, teens with weight issues may feel bad about themselves.

If you are overweight, you may feel frustrated, angry, or upset. Being aware of difficult emotions is the first step in dealing with them.

It takes practice to recognise emotions. Sometimes they can be so sudden and powerful that it's hard to sort out exactly what you're feeling. The best way is to pause and pay attention for a moment when you first notice yourself feeling upset.

I

Try to name what emotion you're feeling without judging yourself. Say to yourself, "I feel angry [or sad, or frustrated]".

If you're upset, but aren't quite sure why, it can help to talk to someone you trust, like a close friend, or family member. Talking things over can also help people figure out how to deal with your feelings.

If it's hard to talk about your feelings or you think people won't understand, keep a journal, draw or paint, or do something else that helps you sort through difficult emotions. The more you take time to explore your feelings, the more skilled you become at coping with emotions as they come up. That can make it easier to find solutions to problems.

Social concerns

An overweight person may worry about what others think. When people judge you unfairly, it can make you feel like it's your

fault. Well-meaning parents, siblings, or friends can sometimes make things worse by making "suggestions" about food or exercise.

These good intentions may come across as criticism.

Some teens who are overweight are teased or bullied.

Teasing and bullying can make you feel sad or embarrassed. Fear of being judged or rejected might make you shy away from people. You may stop doing things you enjoy. But the best thing to do is to take your mind – and other people's – off your weight and back onto you as a person.

Social concerns: what you can do

Here are some ideas to help you deal with social situations: Volunteer for something you really like doing. The people you volunteer with will share the same interests, so you'll all be focused on a common goal.

Join after-school clubs and other activities.

Writing prompt:

n Steven Kellogg's book Best Friends, best friends Kathy and Louise share and do everything together. Fun, secrets, happiness, and sorrows are all better when shared with a buddy or pal. Think about a special friend you have.

What does your friend look like?

What do you like to do together?

Write a descriptive paragraph about your friend that includes three facts about your friend. Be sure to include an illustration of you and your friend having fun together!

Find out what's going on at the library, the YMCA, or a local drama group.

Focus on building one or two close friendships.

Knowing that you have a couple of true friends who are always there for you can help anyone deal with life's ups and downs.

Remember that everyone feels shy when stepping into a new situation, even people who seem really confident. You may want to ask a friend to join you when trying new activities.

But what about when friends and family aren't giving you the support you need? If you feel pressured or misunderstood by friends or family, tell them how you feel. For example, tell them it doesn't help when they call you out when you slip up.

Let people know what you appreciate (such as praise when you do well) and what you don't like (such as comments about weight or lecturing about food or exercise). (Excerpt from kidshealth.org) To be continued

M

…made with recycled materials

aking books engages the hands, the head, and the heart. It gives us the opportunity to tell our stories and express our feelings while working together in creative community.

This accordion book was inspired by the books of the Aztecs and Mayans in Mexico and Central America. In the classroom, it can be used for history, science, or biography.

At home, you can make a family timeline of four decades.

Ours went from the 1970s to the 2000s and combined personal events with historical and cultural ones. We included marriages, births and deaths, houses we lived in, politics, sports, fashion, trips, and favourite books and movies.

To make the book, you’ll need

* the front or back panel of a paper grocery bag (or other large rectangular paper) * a piece of yarn (I braided mine), ribbon, or to continue with the recycled theme, old videotape, twice the length of the paper * a hole punch.

Folding the book:

1. Fold the paper in half. If it has writing on one side, the writing should be on the inside.

2. Take the top layer of the folded paper, flip the edge back to meet the fold, and crease.

3. Turn the paper over, flip the edge of the paper to meet the fold, and crease.

Your accordion book is folded. If you’d like to glue white or other coloured panels onto the pages like I did, now is the time to do it.

Punching the holes:

Keep the book folded and hold it so that it taller than wide. About a thumb’s length down from the top, punch holes through all the layers on the outer sides of the

folded pages.

Threading the yarn or ribbon:

Place your folded book so that you see the letter W when you look at it from the side. Starting at the top hole on the outside of the W, push the yarn into the hole. (I find that if I fold over the end of the yarn and insert the folded part into the hole, I don’t have to worry about the yarn unravelling.) Thread it in and out of the holes. There should be long stitches on the front and short ones on the back.

Adding the content:

Put the decades above the timeline and fill the rest of the page with photos and drawings from your family collection and things that you find online. (imaginationsoup.com)

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Aviation inspectors to probe American Airlines' U-turn to CJIA …to also review standard procedure for ensuring airworthiness of aircraft – GCCA

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n the wake of Saturday’s incident involving American Airlines plane having to abort its flight, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) will be examining this matter as a matter of procedure.

This is according to GCAA Director, Colonel (ret’d) Egbert Fields, who explained during an interview with this publication on Sunday the process his agency follows in such cases where a commercial aeroplane has developed technical problems mid-flight.

“In such cases, the report has to be submitted to the civil aviation authority, seeing as it was a loss of pressurisation, and then we will take it from there.

Aviation inspectors will begin conducting their investigations,” he explained.

“They would have to report to the authority that the aircraft is airworthy before they depart… the inspectors of the civil aviation authority are very competent and efficient,” he said, adding that it is likely that such an investigation would be completed within a week or two.

This publication had reported on Sunday that an American Airline flight on its way to Miami had to abort

its flight and return to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in the wee hours of Saturday morning, after losing cabin pressure mid-air. Passengers spoke of feeling horror and the uncomfortable buildup of heat, preceding their midair U-turn.

“When the cabin pressure issue developed, the pilot advised us that we’re going to travel to Trinidad and that [Piarco] is large enough to accommodate an easy landing with the amount of fuel we had,” one passenger explained to this publication.

Meanwhile, another passenger interviewed by this newscast related that the aeroplane cabin started to really heat up at approximately 10,000 feet in the air.

She noted that the original plan was to divert from their direct pathway to Miami, to Trinidad.

“From the time it took off, I knew something was wrong. As we started ascending and we reached 10,000 feet, it started getting hot. The pilot said we’re going to go to Trinidad and get it fixed. I looked at my map and realised that we were turning back and coming back to Guyana.”

“But we didn’t just come

back to Guyana. We had to burn the fuel. To land with all that weight and bags, we had to burn the fuel. So we were circling and circling for two hours. For me, I’m happy we got safely on the ground.”

It was only on Thursday that another American Airlines flight was forced to divert from originally landing at CJIA, going all the way to Trinidad to land.

This time, reports indicate that CJIA’s lighting system for its runway experienced a failure, forcing the airport to deploy temporary lights.

A senior airport official had explained to Guyana Times that the runway light cables are usually ran underground but because of the ongoing extension works, temporary cables are be-

ing used. These, it was noted, were run to the extreme ends of the runway.

“That is just a temporary arrangement but when the runway is extended fully, [the cables] will go back down underground as it would normally be. The temporary cable got loose, it got slack and that caused the lights to go off physically and we had to use the portable lights,” the official said.

Nevertheless, the Airport Management assured in the missive on Friday that the portable runway lights that were used comply with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

This allowed for the departure of the Suriname Airways flight shortly after midnight and the arrival

CCJ did not have to set...

The party would recommend that he reads paragraph five of the CCJ’s consequential orders. It states clearly that… upon the passage of a vote of no confidence, the Article requires the resignation of the Cabinet including the President.”

“The Article goes on to state, among other things, that notwithstanding such resignation, the Government shall remain in office and that an election shall be held within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine.”

The party also pointed out that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is itself bound by the Constitution and must abide by the constitutional provisions of three months.

This is something the party has long criticised GECOM for not doing.

“It would seem that the Caribbean Court of Justice overestimated the levels of integrity among the likes of Lincoln Lewis and others when, in paragraph seven of its consequential orders, it said ‘the Court must assume that these bodies and personages will exercise their responsibilities with integrity and in keeping with the unambiguous provisions of the Constitution bearing in mind that the No-Confidence Motion was validly passed as long ago as 21 December

2018,’” the PPP added.

This comes even as Government has stated clearly that the President and Cabinet would not be resigning and that the President will not set a date for elections and dissolve Parliament until he is advised by GECOM. This advice may not be

long in coming, as newly appointed GECOM Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh has scheduled a meeting with her six Commissioners for August 15 – the day after the High Court rules on the legal challenge against GECOM’s House-to-House Registration.

from page 3

of Caribbean Airlines flight BW 605 from Port of Spain around 02:12h on Friday.

However, Thursday night’s incoming American Airlines flight was diverted to Trinidad, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded in Piarco International Airport in Port-of-Spain and at the Timehri Airport in Guyana.

Passengers who were on the diverted flight complained of being left at the Trinidad airport for hours with little to no word from the flight crew or airline representatives. The same plights were experienced by passengers scheduled to depart Guyana with that same flight.

“I can’t comment on the decision taken by American Airlines [to divert] but our runway was operational,” the official contended.

CJIA has since assured that the main runway lighting system has since been

GCAA Director, Col (ret’d) Egbert Field

repaired for operations.

According to the official, measures were also put in place to prevent a reoccurrence of Thursday’s incident.

Meanwhile, efforts by this newspaper to obtain a comment from American Airlines on the issues with their aircraft were futile.

It was only last year that American Airlines launched its flight services in Guyana.

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Exploitation of foreigners highest in Region 4 – Task Force …Venezuelans, Cubans identified as top TIP victims

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uman trafficking continues to rear its ugly head in Guyana, with Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) being identified as the main area in the country where this scourge occurs with the highest incidences of alleged exploitation of foreign nationals.

This is according to the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking In Persons (TIP), which recently stated that between the period of January last and March 2019, various operations by ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) resulted in the discovery of 215 alleged TIP Venezuelan victims, 49 Cuban TIP victims and 14 Dominican victims.

Venezuelans ranked the highest out of the lot of foreigners who allegedly suffered from exploitation in Region Four.

The Ministerial Task Force on TIP also pointed out that as a result of the influx of non-nationals during last year, large numbers of Venezuelans flocked the shores of Guyana to seek refuge from the crisis their country was and is still battling with.

Guyana Times understands that in light of Venezuelans accounting for the largest population of foreigners coming to Guyana and trying to sustain their livelihoods, this resulted in them being the highest numbers on the TIP scale in Guyana.

According to the Task Force’s release, last year alleged victims of TIP totalled 245.

Of this total, 162 were from Venezuela, 49 from Cuba, 21 were from Guyana and 10 were from the Dominican Republic.

The remaining alleged victims were from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Brazil.

Meanwhile, from

January to March of this year, the operations conducted by the GPF, countrywide, unearthed 67 alleged victims of TIP. Fifty-three were Venezuelans, 10 were Guyanese and four were Dominicans.

However, despite public concerns about the influx of Haitians into Guyana, the Task Force noted that no reports have surfaced about those nationals that are in Guyana being involved in TIP. “While it is understood that Trafficking In Persons is a crime that can be perpetrated by anyone and that anyone can be a victim, the Task Force is also cognisant of the risk factors associated

with this crime. However, the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking In Persons has not received any recent reports or discovered any incidents where Haitians coming to Guyana are victims or perpetrators of Trafficking In Persons. With the aforementioned influx of non-nationals, Venezuelans accounted for the majority of alleged victims in Guyana for 2018 and the early parts of 2019,” the Task Force stated.

The TIP Task Force further stated that training exercises in Victim Identification and Referral with immigration officers who manage and operate at various ports-of-entry and other locations in Guyana have also been conducted to ensure that the fight against TIP is intensified.

Additionally, the Task Force in collaboration with the individual efforts of Task Force Member Agencies is appealing to the public that if anyone has information on alleged activities related to trafficking or suspected trafficking to report it to any law enforcement agency so that perpetrators can be apprehended.

President reiterates commitment to free education P resident David Granger on Sunday reiterated his commitment to restoring free education in Guyana.

The Head of State, who was accompanied by First Lady Sandra Granger, attended the Bicentenary Anniversary celebration of the Mission Chapel Congregational Church, New Amsterdam, East Berbice-Corentyne.

President Granger, in his address, told congregants that the church occupies an “exalted position of reverence in Guyanese history” noting that it played a phenomenal role in pioneering Christianity and community development at the dawn of Guyanese nationhood.

He said the church holds a central place in the history of Christianity and education in Guyana. “This church

President David Granger addressing the Mission Chapel congregation in New Amsterdam, Berbice

was established as a ‘mother church’ for the expansion of congregationalism in Berbice. The church was in the forefront of the congregationalists’ efforts to provide religious teaching and general education to the population and, particularly, the non-European population of Berbice,” the President is quoted as saying by the Public Information and Press Services Unit of the Ministry of the Presidency.

Guyana, the Head of State said, owes an immeasurable debt of gratitude to the congregational churches for pioneering education in the villages of this country.

“Their exertions prepared Africans for Emancipation in 1838…Their efforts laid the foundation

for the expansion of universal public, primary education, which we all enjoy in our country today.”

As such, President Granger said “no Guyanese child needs to pay for primary education because of the foundation created. As I said in Union Village (Number 53 Village Corentyne on August 1, 2019), in anticipation of revenues from our petroleum industry, education will be free not only at the primary level, or secondary level but also at the tertiary level.”

Mission Chapel Congregational Church was designated a historic monument by the Government of Guyana in 1966. There are thirty-three churches and missions across the country.

Daubing…

I

…doody n Guyana, there’s an old, if earthy, saying that pithily summarises what’s going on today in our dear old mudland: “Takin’ yuh doody and daubin’ it pon yuh mattie backside!” How else can you describe the PNC saying that for not returning to the National Assembly and agreeing to an extension of time for elections, the PPP’s breaching the Constitution!!

Yep!! That’s what they said…and you can read all about it in Nagamootoo’s column and editorial in the Chronic.

One wonders if this version of “33 not the majority of 65” originated with him. After all, he keeps insisting he’s a fiction writer – and even put his efforts in the same sentence mentioning the departure of the great Toni Morrison!!

Does he think this will get him the nod over Ramjattan as the PM footstool for the PNC in the next elections?

But what about his reaction right after the passage of the no-confidence motion back in Dec 21 2018? Didn’t he say his government would have to resign within three months to comply with Art 106 (6)? Didn’t he say, “Guyanese must understand that the democratic process is sometimes unpredictable. You may have results that are not planned for…but the outcome has to be accepted… It may be a surprise to some, it may be a shock to others; it may be welcomed by some, and others may rejoice over the results, but that is how democracy works, and we are fully committed to the rule of law”?

Didn’t he plead, “We want our people to maintain the peace, the good order, the stability of our country. We want nothing to happen in our society that will affect the stability and peace, and we want nothing to happen that will affect the business community in this particular period that you have bright business”? And now he’s demanding that it’s the PPP’s duty to return to Parliament and extend the time Government has already stolen? Even though the society is tense and business sucks?

So how’d they arrive at this oxymoron?? The PNC and Nagamootoo insist that Art 106 (6) and 106 (7) must be read together. Okay so far. But where they veer off into la-la land is when they insist that the observation in Art 106 (7), that the 3 months’ deadline of 106 (6) CAN be extended by a two-thirds majority vote, places a DUTY on the PPP to lend them their votes to get that majority!!

So they breach their Constitutional obligations by remaining in office beyond the allowed 3 months, and the PPP’s in breach if they don’t go along??

Is Nagamootoo back to imbibing bush rum from Whim?? …with the race brush The PNC machinery is in high gear, daubing this newspaper with the race brush because it cited concerns that the Haitians pouring through Guyana might pose health risks. The Chronic reported NY Caribbeandescended lawmakers that such was the case.

But what’s so “racist” about raising these concerns When, according to SN, “Mabaruma Mayor Henry Smith yesterday warned that a health crisis may be looming in Region One, given the large number of Venezuelans who are illegally crossing the border”?? Was he being racist??

When the PNC-appointed REO seconded this stance, was he being racist?? Or is it that “racism” is okay if it’s against Venezuelan Amerindians?

The Ministry of Health agreed that these Haitian health concerns were “reasonable”. Were they racist??

On the concerns about cholera…doesn’t the bacteria survive in the infected for long periods?? Couldn’t they be transmitted to others who use overcrowded toilet facilities in the hotel rooms they’re herded into? Is it unreasonable that, apart from demanding cash, sex might be demanded from AIDS infected Haitian women?

The race card is being used to muzzle valid concerns. …the victims The Chronic also ran a human-interest piece about residents of Buxton reflecting on the killings and mayhem in their village. One called for a “COI” into the events – as did Jagdeo.

So why’s the PNC refusing?

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

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Berbice paddy bug woes

Farmers fear substantial financial losses … GRDB still to intervene with aerial spraying

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ice farmers in Berbice are expected to harvest their rice fields within weeks, but with the current untreated paddy bug

infestation crisis that is affecting the region, the quality of paddy reaped will be terrible and worth nothing.

This is according to

Regional Chairman of Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), David Armogan, who on Sunday told Guyana Times that most rice farm-

ers in the Ancient County will suffer substantial financial losses from this crop if the matter is not addressed within the next few days.

“The representative of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) came to our agriculture committee meeting last week and he said that the GRDB is in the process of arranging to do aerial spraying in the region.

They recognise that you have to kill all these paddy bugs at one blow…you have to be able to do one spray that could take care of all of them at the same time. The GRDB understands that but I don’t know what is preventing them from doing the aerial spray.”

According to the Chairman, the GRDB indicated that it will commence the aerial spraying in Region Six, but failed to correspond how soon this much-needed intervention will commence.

“The time is running because most of the rice is flowering and this is the time

Paddy bugs on rice plants in Berbice

that the paddy bugs would infest the fields when there is flowering. In another two or three weeks, rice farmers will be harvesting so you would not get a good quality of paddy if these bugs continue to be in these fields. The whole of Berbice is basically an agricultural community and so if we don’t get help in the agriculture sector, it means that people are going to suffer.”

Deplorable dams

Compounding the plight of these rice farmers is the current deplorable state of

the dams that they have to traverse to access their fields and transport their yields when harvesting commences.

“The dams are in a very bad condition and it might very well be difficult for them to take out the paddy with the present state.

But at the regional level and at the level of National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), I am trying to put together some help to see how we can be able to assist them with the dams once the weather holds up,” Armogan stated.

TURN TO PAGE 11

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Services at NA Hospital affected by malfunctioning equipment, no X-ray films

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he New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), is once again under the spotlight for inadequate services being provided to the public as a result of malfunctioning equipment in its laboratory and a shortage of X-ray films.

According to Regional Chairman of Region Six, David Armogan, the health sector in Berbice continues to be plagued by some level of difficulties and this, in turn, is having a direct adverse effect on patients and their families.

“Right now, the New Amsterdam Hospital does not even have X-ray films. A

Regional Chairman David Armogan

provided to the medical staff operating there then “the services provided will be limited or non-existent and residents will have to suffer heavy financial burdens to

The New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, Region Six

lot of the equipment in the laboratory are not functioning properly so that will, of course, affect the diagnostic capacity of the doctors. If they cannot do proper tests, then, of course, they will not be able to diagnose properly,” the Regional Chairman told this publication.

He lamented that the hospital in question is a regional hospital and was expected to be a state-of-the-art facility with efficient and exceptional services, free of cost.

According to the Chairman, if proper equipment and supplies are not

seek private medical care.”

“Poor people, if they have to do an X-ray, they have to go to the private institutions.

They still have many issues in the health sector but we are trying to grapple with it…be able to deal with this situation,” Armogan added.

Over the past few months, residents in Berbice have complained bitterly that the health sector in Region Six has been delivering a service which is less than expected for more than two years. A shortage of drugs and medical supplies

Farmers fear...

He stressed the importance of remedying the issues affecting the rice farmers and pointed out that there is only so much that the regional authorities can do and without the intervention of Central Government, the economic situation in Berbice will continue to decline.

Just recently, a number of rice farmers reached out to this publication calling for aerial spraying to be allowed, claiming that if not, losses will be worse than those suffered during the last crop.

The GRDB had announced that it was expanding its paddy bug campaigns with intent to completely eradicate the issue.

Last crop, in the Number 52-72 Villages and Crabwood Creek, 17 farmers were forced to dump their paddy after mills refused them because of the damage as a result of the paddy bug infestation.

According to the GRDB, it has now adopted the strategy of using trained and experienced personnel to conduct spraying.

from page 10

The new approach will see the GRDB not only spraying the fields, but also the perimeter to avoid the bugs getting to the actual rice crop, GRDB’s Allison Peters had stated.

However, Extension Officer Ramglan Singh explained that the GRDB has only contracted two motor blowers to the entire Region Six. The project commenced in the Number 52-74 rice cultivation area only.

“It has approximately 300 miles access dams, irrigation dams and drainage dams and two motor blowers will take them several months to complete just 5274,” the Extension Officer had revealed.

However, that does not include the Black Bush Polder, Crabwood Creek, Lower Corentyne, both East and West Canje and East Bank Berbice, where rice is also being cultivated.

However, farmers are calling on Government to allow aerial spraying, noting that the paddy bugs are in the savannah and field, and dam spraying will not eradicate the insects.

has been one of the major issues.

In 2018, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence publicly admitted that there is massive stealing of drugs at the New Amsterdam Hospital. Lawrence said Government has been spending too much money on health for there to be a constant drug shortage at that hospital.

One year later, such an issue is still prevalent among health facilities and hospitals in the Ancient County.

During the recent commissioning of an $8 million staff on-call quarter and state-of-the-art kitchen in Berbice, Director of Regional Health Services, Jevaughn Andrew Stephen, stated that the Regional Health Services mandate is to provide essential healthcare services to the residents of East Berbice Corentyne, and for that to be executed, the staff of the health facility must be comfortable in their work environment.

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monday, august 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Gunmen beat, rob Leonora man of motorcycle

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Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD) man had to be treated at the Leonora Cottage Hospital after he was beaten by gunmen who robbed him of his motorcycle and other valuables.

Twenty-five-year-old Jevaughn Williams of Leonora was attacked by the bandits on the Leonora Public Road and robbed just after 22:00h on Friday night last.

Reports are Williams rode his motorcycle to the neighbouring village to purchase food but was attacked when he stopped on the road on his way back home.

Guyana Times understands that the victim stopped to place the box of food in his haversack when he was pounced upon by the gunmen who exited a silver-grey motorcar.

Williams told this publication that as soon as he stopped, the vehicle pulled up alongside him and three men exited.

“I feel one lash to the back of my head…I fall and by time I look up, two of them start to kick me up and the other one collect my motorcycle, one of them collect the bike key because it did fall next to me and he ride off with my bike” Williams disclosed.

According to the man, the beating stopped when another vehicle which was passing slowed down.

“When the other two see the light, one pick up my bag and they jumped back in the car which was waiting and drove off,” this newspaper was told.

Williams was taken to the hospital where he was treated and sent away. The matter has since been reported to the police.

Williams is the third victim of a similar crime which occurred just over a week ago. Eighteen-year-old Kurt Amsterdam of Boerasirie, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was attacked and robbed by men who also exited a motorcar.

In that report, the teenager had stopped his motorcycle in front of a car wash in the village to enter a shop at the same establishment.

As he was in the process of parking the vehicle, a white motorcar pulled up alongside him and two men exited. One of them was brandishing a handgun. As the teenager raised an alarm, the man carrying the weapon pointed same to his head and ordered him to

“shut up”.

At this time, persons from the business establishment who heard the screams made inquiries but no one went to the teen’s assistance.

The teen, when contacted, told this publication that he was told to hand over the keys to the motorcycle and out of fear, he complied.

He stood helplessly as the other man mounted the motorcycle and rode off the scene. The man carrying the gun then entered the car and followed his accomplice.

And before that incident, in late July, Keoma McAlmont, 21, said that he was riding from Tuschen, EBE, when it started to rain and as such, he stopped to take shelter at De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

He recalled taking a telephone call and while having a conversation, he saw a white motorcar pass by. Soon after, he noticed the car, which was heading in the direction of Vreed-en-Hoop, reversing and stop in front of the bus shed in which he was standing.

McAlmont related that two men exited the car and approached him. He said that one of the men pulled out a firearm from the waist of his pants and pointed it to his head.

He then demanded that he hand over the keys to the motorcycle. McAlmont complied and the perpetrators quickly escaped with his motorcycle.

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monday, august 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Accused serial robber released on bail

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n alleged serial robber, who has faced a string of robbery charges, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday, charged with another theft and was again granted bail.

Eighteen-year-old Chris Pollard appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied a charge when it was read to him.

The charge alleged that on August 5, 2019, at

Croal Street, Georgetown, he stole a cellphone valued $35,000 from Saskia Pestano.

According to Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, the woman was in a Route 48 minibus when the phone was snatched out of her hand. The minibus had stopped for a passenger to disembark and Pestano was sitting by an open window seat.

Pollard allegedly ran up to the minibus window, snatched the phone and

ran away. However, he was caught by public-spirited persons.

A report was filed at the Stabroek Market Police Outpost and a search was conducted and the cellphone was found in his possession.

Pollard was released on $15,000.

The Chief Magistrate then transferred the matter to Court 11 and it will be called again on August 27, 2019.

In January, Pollard had

appeared in court on a robbery with violence charge and was granted bail. In March, he faced five rob-

bery charges. Last year, he was also charged with stealing his father’s gun and ammunition but the charges

were dropped after the elder Pollard told the court that he no longer wished to proceed with the matter.

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Parents guilty of condoning, causing child abuse must be held accountable – CCPA

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ny parent or guardian who knowingly contributes to or intentionally allows their child to be abused should face the brunt of the law since this is a crime.

This is according to Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) Director, Ann Greene, who told Guyana Times that welfare officers at the agency are not targeting parents/guardians or “gunning” for them to be imprisoned, however, this is in keeping with a child’s rights as well as an opportunity to change the behaviours of those guilty.

“Some of the police are reluctant to charge parents and then there is the whole public approach saying we are locking up parents but they don’t understand that it is not we are locking up parents but that we want to hold parents accountable.

To hold parents accountable, we might have to get them charged. How would we hold parents accountable if they

do all these things to children and we don’t get them charged?”

She explained that charging parents/guardians does not necessarily result in imprisonment because in many cases, there are guilty parties who suffer from mental health issues which are the causes of them harming a child. By charging persons, they will be able to get the help and treatment they need, if necessary.

“We are not locking up the parents, we get you charged, you might go to a Magistrate, the Magistrate will ask for some guidance and we could put forward what we do…it is not easy to get parents to go to parenting you know. Those who really need it, it is difficult to get them in, it is not easy and then some are mentally challenged.”

The CCPA reiterated that the majority of vulnerability to children are as a result of parental mental health issues.

Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) Director, Ann Greene

“So even if we carry you [charged by the police] we have got to get help for you but we got to get the court backing to get you help and to get you to stay one place so we can help you. The law says it clearly; we have to hold parents accountable.

We keep trying to engage with the community, because they are saying how we keep locking up the par-

ents.”

She further explained that there are many cases where a parent whose child has been taken into custody by the CCPA visits the location with hopes of simply making appeals and claims so that the child could be returned to their care.

Greene made reference to a current case that officers at the CCPA are investigating where a nine-year-old boy was discovered locked up inside of a house and was allegedly abused by a male who once shared relations with the boy’s mother.

“The police should charge her because she is part of what happened to this child but they [parents] tend to get away with saying it is poverty and they went to look for betterment. No, you have to first get the child properly cared for and then go and look for betterment so parents have got to understand this too. This child, he is traumatised with what happened to him and so he

has to get proper care.”

According to the CCPA Director, although the mother is appealing for her son’s return in her care, at this point she is being considered an accessory to whatever abuse and trauma the boy experienced in her absence.

She further explained

that once a child has been removed from a home for child abuse in any form, even if the parent was not the one who inflicted the abuse then that parent would have to work with the CCPA to show that he/she is capable of providing a safe environment for that child.

ERC partakes in celebration of Eid-ul-Adha

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Commissioner Roshan Khan during his presentation

s followers of the Islamic faith in Guyana and globally observe Eid-ul-Adha, the Ethnic Relations Commissions (ERC) in accordance with its mandate to respect the country’s religious diversity, has also joined in celebrating the holiday’s significance.

During the agency’s annual Eid-ul-Adha celebrations on Friday, non-Muslims present were given an insight into the background story, as to why this holiday holds much significance.

This informative piece was shared by the ERC’s Commissioner, Roshan Khan, who firmly asserted that the Islamic faith is one without discrimination.

“There is about three million or four million people Makkah all to observe the period of the Hajj, which is basically three days. A place called Meena, which is desert lands where Prophet Abraham and his firstborn, according to the religion of Islam and according to us who follow the religion on Abraham, it was Ishmail, his firstborn was to have

been sacrificed.

“All that’s taking place right now technically is honouring an African woman while you’re worshipping God, by the English name Hagar but her real African Egyptian name is Hajjar and that’s where the word Hajj comes from.

That’s why in the religion of Islam we are not allowed to have any form into discrimination or racism” the Commissioner communicated.

Traditional Quesadas (or Islamic songs) performed by Nawaz Khan and Imran Ali, complimented the backstory of the memorable holiday, whose celebrations commenced on Saturday and will conclude today.

The religious holiday, Eid-ul-Adha, is also called the “festival of the sacrifice”, and is the second of two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year.

It is considered the holier of the two.

This holiday honours the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God’s command.

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MONday, august 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Eid-ul-Adha reminds of willingness to selflessly make sacrifice in obedience to God – PPP

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id-ul-Adha reminds of the willingness to selflessly make sacrifice in obedience to God. Its observance is imbued with pertinent messages for the spiritual upliftment of all mankind, offering great potential for the redounding of peace and togetherness.

This sacred observance comes during the annual Holy Pilgrimage Muslims across the world make to Mecca: Hajj -- one of the five pillars of Islam. It is a journey that embodies sacrifices in the quest to fulfill religious obligations demonstrative of the teachings of equality, as exemplified in

Islam.

On this auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend greetings to the Muslim communities, both here in Guyana and in the Diaspora.

The Party is cognisant of the significance of Eid-ulAdha to our country and its people. Its observance continues to exemplify the characteristics of generosity, morality, and love for others.

In a multifaceted society like Guyana, these attributes have proven to be invaluable in strengthening bonds among all of our people, and forging better un-

derstanding and appreciation of our cultures.

As our Muslim brothers and sisters celebrate Eid-ulAdha, once again it brings into focus the many sacrifices Guyanese have made, and continue to make, for self-advancement and nation building with the common objective of a better life and future for all.

The PPP remains mindful of the prevailing challenges Guyanese face, and urges all to remain hopeful, to be inspired by the engrained message of Eidul-Adha, and to draw upon their resilience and resoluteness.

Eid-ul-Adha demonstrates concern for others, building of a more equitable society – President

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extend best wishes to all Guyanese, but especially our Islamic community, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. This sacred day recalls the unshakeable faith and unwavering obedience of the Prophet Ibrahim.

Eid-ul-Adha is observed throughout our country with the offering of prayers and the distribution of food and alms to the less fortune in our society. The expressions

of kindness to the poor and needy strengthen the cords of cohesion within our society, and demonstrate our concern for others and for the building of a more equitable society, where everyone will be treated with dignity.

Guyana is today moving in the right direction. We are becoming a more caring, considerate and compassionate nation. We are work-

ing towards an inclusive future, where no one will feel excluded and where everyone, regardless of class, race or religion, will be respected.

May the outpouring of kindness and concern for others, which is characteristic of Eid-ul-Adha, promote greater harmony in our beloved country! I wish all Guyanese a peaceful and joyous Eid-ul-Adha.

Eid Mubarak to all!

Inspiration embedded in festival Eid-ul-Adha message from of Eid-ul-Adha can result in early rewards – GAWU

CIOG President

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n the name of Allah, The Merciful, The Compassionate, Eid Mubarak, Eid Mubarak, Eid Mubarak!

As Salamualaikumwarahmatullah.

My brothers and sisters in Islam and humanity, I extend to you, on behalf of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana, Eid Mubarak greetings. I pray that Allah (SWT) bless us and accept our devotion and service… Ameen.

Eid-ul-Adha is the time during which we commemorate and honour the willingness of Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) to sacrifice his beloved son lsmail (Alaihis salaam) as an act of obedience and trust, before Allah (SWT) intervened to provide a ram to be sacrificed instead.

Let this act of faithfulness and devotion remind us that obedience and complete reliance on Allah is the ultimate solution to everything.

This act of complete submission to Allah (SWl) earned Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) the title of Khaleelullah (Friend of Allah).

Following this example, let us consider what the will of our Lord is in our lives; and let us be true to our faith, regardless of how difficult or painful it may appear. This means surrendering your pride, your life, your whole being; all that you are, all that you have, and all that you identify with, to Allah (SWT) and for Allah (SWl).

“Truly, my prayers and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are all for Allah

Almighty, the Sustainer of the universe; no partner has HE. This I am commanded, and I am commanding those who submit to HIS Will.

Let us submit to the commands of Allah (SWl) and follow the path of our Holy and noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW), to love what he loved and refrain from what he despised.

When you sacrifice everything that you identify with for Allah, you will be rewarded with inner strength, peace, and happiness.

On this holy day, let us rededicate our lives to the service of the Creator and Sustainer of this Universe. In order to change our masjid, community, society, or the world at large, we have to start first by changing ourselves.

When we perform the sacrifices, we are pledging to make a change; to improve ourselves, our family, our community, and our country.

Let us seek Allah’s (SWT) forgiveness, and ask Him for the strength, courage, and wisdom to obey Him fully, for He is our Creator who provides us with everything we need. Let us trust and love Him with full faith and devotion.

I request that, in these blessed days of this blessed month of Dhul Hijjah, you remember me, my family, executives of the CIOG, and the entire Ummah in your prayers.

Eid Mubarak, Eid Mubarak, Eid Mubarak.

As salamualaikumwaralmatullah.

Eid–ul–Adha is a time for believers to learn value of self-denial – IAC

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he Indian Action Committee (IAC) wishes to extend greetings to all Guyanese citizens -- especially those who are adherents of Islam -- on the sacred occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, a national holiday.

The IAC recognises that Eid–ul–Adha is a time for believers to learn the value of self-denial by making to Almighty God a sacrifice of the things they love.

The IAC understands that Prophet Ibrahim’s great act of submission is thus regarded solely as an example of genuine surrender to the will of his Creator.

The IAC feels that today, more than ever, human beings need to incorporate with humility the lesson of this great sacrifice, thus underlining the importance of the festival in memory of Prophet Ibrahim’s great act of faith many centuries ago.

The IAC exhorts everyone, in the spirit of self-sacrifice, to not forget the poor and needy in our community by sharing the sacrificial offerings with them.

The IAC sincerely hopes that this holy observance can bring people of different religious, ethnic and social backgrounds together in a spirit of

national unity.

The IAC understands also that the festival of Eid-ulAdha falls on the third day of Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, which is made by millions of Muslims every year. The IAC congratulates our brothers and sisters from home who have undertaken this journey, and extend good wishes for their safe return.

The IAC calls upon all Guyanese to ensure that this country remains a peaceful one, and, in the future, a prosperous nation.

Eid Mubarak!

“Preserving Indian Culture”

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n any lifetime, mankind is often confronted with the choice of making significant sacrifices. Whether a person or a family, a community or a Government, some sacrifices leave no options: something held dearly in some esteem has to be given up for a general better good. That is the essence of the Eid-ul-Adha festival, which Muslims commemorate to celebrate the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to hand up his son’s life in obedience to God’s command.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union

(GAWU) relates to this story of obedience to God, and joins Muslims in their observance of Eid-ul-Adha, 2019.

By this act, in response to God’s request, the Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail were put to the ultimate test of faith, submission and sacrifice. Ibrahim passed that test, and thus showed the strength of his belief and willingness to submit to God. In Guyana, at this time, Guyanese are made to make choices that entail sacrifices in order to live from one day to another. An economy under siege forces collec-

tive sacrifice of one kind or the other literally daily. Our Muslim members in the sugar sector, as well as those from other beliefs, know all too well about sacrifice and choices. Unlike the reprieve that God granted to Prophet Ibrahim, Guyana’s working-class people cannot easily identify any saviour in these times when a saviour is really needed.

GAWU trusts that the inspiration embedded in the festival of Eid-ul-Adha can result in early rewards for all.

16 news

MONday, august 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say

I SAY...

What are your thoughts on the issue of shortage of chicken on the local market? And how can this be avoided in the future?

Arif Fareed “Well, Guyanese now have the opportunity to invest in a business and supply the market with local chickens. They could also start their own subsistence chicken rearing project so they would not be affected by chicken shortages in the future.”

Dan Rahim “Clamping down on the influx of smuggled chicken was good. It gives the farmers in Guyana to benefit a little more and have a fair share of the wealth Guyanese have to offer.”

Ronison Thomas “One way or the other, Guyanese people have to eat. It’s sad what is causing the shortage though.”

Sherryl Johnson “The right thing is being done now, and even though this has been causing chicken shortages, I think it’s best to do what's right.

From what I see, those businesses will be back to normal services soon. It's not a big issue that will last forever.”

Emily Hendricks “All of us up to now is still having difficulty purchasing chicken in our area. I personally hope that it would end soon because for us that's the cheapest meat kind it has.”

Tanisha Petty “Right now all the shops raise the chicken price by over $100 so as usual, the consumers are being affected. It is sad that Guyanese still have to smuggle things like chicken. I cant understand that at all.”

Hesron Gittens “Guyana does be hit with all kind of shortages for various reasons, so this isn’t surprising to me at all. At least Guyanese that rear chicken will be able to profit now.”

Shaunell Wilson “Chicken prices raise all over, I wonder how long this will last? I hope things get better before it gets worse because I like my meat.”

Leslyn Thompson “In my view, it is a good thing that they clamped down on smuggling so that Guyanese businesses can fully benefit from chicken sales. It will be tough for the first but eventually, things will get better.”

Berbice welder struck by car Ignatius Hernandez “If those big fast food places are being affected by the chicken shortage there is no difference between us as family persons. We too are having issues with this, and even though the GRA is doing the right thing only now, it's causing major problems in the country.”

...on life support

following his shift at the Blairmont Sugar Estate when the accident occurred.

Guyana Times understands that Ahmad was in Sheildstown, WCB, when he was struck from behind by a white motorcar.

As a result of the impact, the man was thrown from his bicycle into the corner of the road. He was discov-

Irfaan Ahmad

Shanette Persaud “It’s not just the food businesses that is affected but the entire country. I think the GLDA (Guyana Livestock Development Authority) needs to do more monitoring because if stricter mechanisms were in place, the seizure would not have happened and there wouldn’t have been a shortage.”

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Sheildstown, West Coast Berbice (WCB) welder is yet to regain consciousness after he was struck by a motorcar while journeying home on Wednesday last.

Twenty-six-year-old Irfaan Ahmad, a father of one, is presently nursing injuries about his body in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The man was making his way home at about 22:00h

The bicycle involved in the accident

The car which struck the victim

ered when an acquaintance

stopped to made inspections.

At this time, the driver of the car which struck the young father and who was still at the scene attempted to escape but was caught.

He was instructed to take Ahmad to the hospital, to which he complied, rushing the man to the Fort Wellington Hospital.

Ahmad is nursing two broken arms and legs, a disconnected hip, spi-

nal injuries and swelling to his brain.

However, since the accident on Wednesday last, traffic ranks only visited the scene on Sunday when they took measurements on the road.

The driver of the car which struck Ahmad was taken into Police custody but was subsequently released on station bail.

The family is calling for a swift investigation into the matter. Ahmad’s only child is only 21 months old.

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, august 12, 2019

Regional

Maduro's inner circle wants to see him step

down - former spy chief

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enezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro is isolated, and key members of his governing coalition have secretly begun searching for an exit strategy, with some ready to oust him if it gains them safe passage out of the current crisis, the country’s former spy chief says.

“There are many people [inside the regime] that have done business [and accumulated a lot of money], and are basically not interested in Maduro staying. That is the truth,” said Gen. Manuel Cristopher Figuera, the former head of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service, who defected in April after taking part in an effort to have Maduro leave power.

The general, who is currently in the United States after first going underground in Venezuela, said he fled the country in fear for his life.

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro

“There are people in the country, at different levels, desperate to get rid of Maduro ....There are ministers currently in office, there are mayors, there are governors. At this point, I do not believe that Maduro has unconditional backers, except for his family,” he added in

an interview with el Nuevo Herald held at a Miami-area hotel.

Cristopher Figuera, an early supporter of former Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez, became head of the intelligence services in October 2018.

Under Chávez, Christopher Figuera served as an aide for over twelve years.1/8 2 3/8 He became the deputy director of the Directorate General of Military Intelligence in 2007.

Among those who particularly want to see Maduro out of power are the socalled boliburgueses — the great tycoons that became billionaires and who benefited most from the corruption surrounding the regime.

These tycoons, the general claimed, want to see an end to Maduro’s standoff with the United States and the international community. (The

Miami Herald)

Guatemala poll pits ex-first lady against ex-prison chief

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oting is underway in Guatemala for the final round of the presidential election. The two candidates in the run-off have both stood for the presidency before. Ex-first lady Sandra Torres hopes it will be third time lucky, while ex-prison chief Alejandro Giammattei is running for the fourth time.

Guatemalans have cited insecurity as their main concern, followed by unemployment, high living costs and corruption. The president is elected for a single four-year term. Current President Jimmy Morales

cannot stand for a second term. As none of the 19 candidates in the first round held on 16 June got the 50% of votes needed to win outright, the top two candidates progressed to a second and final round.

Voting closes at 18:00 local time (00:00 GMT) on Sunday and the result is expected to be announced later in the night.

The candidate to win the most votes will become president and take up office in January 2020. The former first lady failed in her two previous attempts to be elected president but won

the first round of voting with 26% of the votes.

Ms Torres was married to Álvaro Colom, who governed Guatemala from 2008 to 2012, and who is currently under investigation for alleged fraud.

She divorced him in 2011 in order to bypass a law which banned close relatives of the president from succeeding him. At the time she said that "I'm divorcing my husband but I'm getting married to the people".

She also said she had found it "very difficult" to leave her "loving marriage" to Mr Colom. (BBC)

CXC to determine fate of students caught cheating

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rinidad and Tobago's Education Minister Anthony Garcia says the Barbados-based Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) will determine whether or not four students who were caught cheating during Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Maths exams earlier this year, will be disqualified for a period of two years from all exams.

The students, from the Tranquility Government Secondary School who sat the exam in May, were caught cheating after a video was posted to social media showing them and other students using their cell-phones to share an answer sheet.

According to the education minister, the disqualified students were the ones

17

that were easily identified in the video.

It's reported that after they were caught cheating, the invigilators allowed the students to complete their exams but warned that they would face severe consequences.

The invigilators were later dismissed.

Investigations carried out by both the Ministry of Education and CXC found that some students had refused to leave their cell phones with school officials on the day of the exam.

Both the Ministry of Education and CXC have strict policies prohibiting the use of electronic devices during exams.

The results of the 2019 CSEC and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) will be

T&T Education Minister Anthony Garcia

released by the Ministry of Education this week.

“Our students are doing exceptionally well as the pass rate is 94 per cent,” said Garcia, who was quoted by the Trinidad Guardian as saying that officials were yet to complete the analysis of the CSEC results but assured it would be done by Tuesday. (CMC)

Canada launches new programmes to boost settlement of Caribbean, other migrants

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anada's immigration agency says it has launched over 800 projects across the country to boost settlement and integration of Caribbean and other new immigrants.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said it has selected 824 projects that will “deliver high quality services to newcomers across the country for up to five years.”

IRCC said one such project is with the Boys and Girls Club of Moncton, New Brunswick.

It said this new service provider organisation will work with youth ages 13 to 18 in the Moncton area, “bringing newcomers and locally-born youth together to form trusting relationships through a variety of activities, mentorship, career development, community, political and civic engagement, advocacy, volunteerism, shared entre-

preneurial goals and leadership development.”

IRCC said the project will promote intercultural understanding, foster enduring links, and help youth – “regardless of where they were born – to develop new skills that set them up for success.”

It said other partners involved in this project include all levels of government, Atlantic Superstore, and local business leaders and corporate partners

who will provide mentorship opportunities, such as the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Midland, Irving and Medavie Blue Cross.

Through IRCC's Settlement Program, eligible newcomers receive information about life in Canada and the community in which they will settle, language training, help finding a job, and connections with established immigrants and Canadians.

cated and tracked the vessel as they carried out maritime patrols.

“The AMO P-3 crew maintained the initial radar contact of the target of interest, a 45-foot long, blue, open hull go-fast with four out-board engines,” CBP said. “Five individuals could be seen onboard removing a tarp that covered a portion of the vessel.”

It's reported that after spotting the aircraft and ves-

sel, the individuals onboard the go-fast began dumping the suspected contraband into the sea.

“The go-fast departed the area after dumping over 80 bales of contraband, later identified as cocaine.”

CBP said the Panamanian Navy interdicted the go-fast, and took five Colombians into custody.

In addition, it said 8,791 pounds of cocaine was recovered from the scene. (CMC)

(CMC)

Cocaine-filled go-fast style vessel interdicted in Caribbean Sea

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he United States Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agency says its crew assigned to the National Air Security Operations CenterJacksonville, Florida recently interdicted a “cocaine-filled go-fast style vessel” in the Caribbean Sea. CBP said that on Thursday the cocaine with an estimated wholesale value of US$114.6 million was found by the crew that lo-

T&T Minister remains in custody ...2 contractors arrested as probe widens

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overnment Minister Marlene McDonald and her husband, Michael Carew will remain in police custody for a third night.

As at 14:00h on Saturday, both McDonald and Carew completed their police interviews but there are no plans to release the two until police complete their interviews of “others” involved in the case.

Guardian Media has been reliably informed that two contractors are among those who have been detained by police and are also expected to be interviewed in connection with the receipt of state funds for three NGOs distributed by a government ministry.

Senior Counsel Pamela Elder, who is representing both McDonald and Carew, in an interview with Guardian Media on Saturday said that she had not yet determined whether she would file any legal action to seek to have her clients released from police custody.

The two were detained for questioning early Thursday and remained in

Government Minister Marlene McDonald

police custody since then.

Asked about the unusual period her clients have been detained without charge, Elder said, “They could hold them for as long as they need to, whether it is legal to or not is another question.”

Elder said she remained in communication with her clients throughout the day and the process.

“We will see what transpires,” she said.

Elder said she expected that the police would

go to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard for directions soon.

“I can see no reason for the police to not go to the DPP shortly,” she said.

A source confirmed that the police will approach the DPP on Sunday for advice on what charges, if any, can be supported by the evidence they have gathered.

Guardian Media has learned though that McDonald’s electronic devices—cellphone and computer—were confiscated and form part of the investigation.

From early on Thursday morning police visited McDonald’s home in Maracas, St Joseph were they carted away several documents as well as a bag.

By Friday fresh information was unearthed and the investigation widened.

It was confirmed to Guardian Media that the investigation relates to the distribution of over a million dollars to three organisations from he Public Administration Ministry to help the needy but the funds were never used for that purpose. (T&T Guardian)

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, august 12, 2019

Around the World

Death toll from typhoon in eastern China rises to 32 as storm moves north

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he death toll from a typhoon in eastern China rose to 32 on Sunday, with 16 people missing, State broadcaster CCTV reported, as the country braced for more travel disruptions as the storm moved further north up the coast.

Typhoon Lekima made landfall early on Saturday in the eastern province of Zhejiang with winds gusting to 187 km (116 miles) per hour, causing travel chaos with thousands of flights cancelled and rail operations suspended.

In Zhejiang, many of the deaths occurred about 130 km north of the coastal city of Wenzhou, where a natural dam collapsed in an area deluged with 160 mm

A man rows an inflatable kayak carrying a boy on a flooded street after Typhoon Lekima hit Wenling, Zhejiang province, China August 10, 2019

(6.3 inches) of rain within three hours, causing a landslide.

The Ministry of Emergency Management

said that more than one million people had been evacuated in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces and the financial hub of Shanghai

due to the typhoon.

Lekima, China’s ninth typhoon this year, is expected to make a second landing along the coastline in Shandong province, prompting more flight cancellations and the closure of some expressways.

Xinhua reported that Qingdao city in Shandong issued a red alert for heavy rain on Sunday and shut all its tourist destinations to the public, adding that 127 trains and all long-distance bus services had been suspended.

Over 3200 flights were cancelled since Saturday, State broadcaster CCTV reported, although some suspensions on high-speed railway lines were lifted on Sunday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Libya conflict: Fighters agree a truce during Eid al-Adha

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he UN has welcomed a truce agreed by Libya's main warring parties during the three-day Muslim festival Eid al-Adha.

It follows a car bomb attack on Saturday in Benghazi which killed three UN staff.

The truce involves the UN-backed Government of National Accord and

the rogue general, Khalifa Haftar.

His forces have been attacking the capital, Tripoli, since April. More than 1000 people have died, according to the World Health Organisation.

Gen Haftar agreed to the truce "so that Libyan citizens can celebrate this

Eid in peace", his spokesman Ahmad al-Mesmari explained.

The truce started on Saturday at 15:00 local time (13:00 GMT) and would last until the same time on Monday afternoon, the spokesman added.

Eid al-Adha is the Muslim festival which commemo-

rates when God appeared to Ibrahim in a dream and told him to sacrifice his son but before the sacrifice goes ahead, God provides a lamb to be sacrificed instead.

The festival happens after the Hajj - the annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Palestinians and Israeli Police clash at Jerusalem holy site

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sraeli Police fired sound grenades to disperse Palestinians during confrontations on Sunday outside Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque where tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers gathered for the Eid al-Adha holiday, witnesses said.

A Palestinian ambulance service said that at least 14 Palestinians were taken to hospitals for treatment. Israel’s Kan public radio said four police officers were injured.

Scuffles ensued and the crowd fled as the sound grenades exploded and smoke wafted through the compound, witnesses said.

Revered by Jews as Temple Mount, the site of two biblical Jewish temples, and by Muslims as

the Noble Sanctuary, the area is one of the most sensitive sites in the IsraeliPalestinian conflict.

Tensions had mounted at the flashpoint complex at the start of Eid al-Adha as the holiday overlapped this year with the Jewish fast day of Tisha B’Av, amid calls by Jewish nationalist and religious politicians for Jews to visit the holy compound.

In a statement, Police said they had deployed forces at the site in anticipation of disturbances and “dispersed rioters”.

In an effort to avoid friction at the site, Police barred the entry of non-Muslim visitors, including Jews, before the clashes erupted.

After the confrontations died down, Jerusalem

The Dome of the Rock is seen in the background as Israeli Police clash with Palestinian worshippers on the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount as Muslims mark Eid al-Adha in Jerusalem’s Old City August 11, 2019

District Police Chief Doron Yedid said on Kan radio that he had lifted the ban.

Jewish visitors then entered the area under heavy Police guard and no serious violence was reported.

Eid al-Adha commemorates God’s testing of Abraham’s faith by commanding him to sacrifice his son. Tisha B’Av marks the destruction of the two temples. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Norway mosque shooting probed as terror act

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shooting at a mosque in Norway is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism, Police say.

A gunman opened fire on the Al-Noor Islamic Centre, on the outskirts of the capital Oslo, on Saturday.

One person in the mosque managed to overpower the gunman and was injured in the process. The suspect was arrested after the attack.

Police also charged the

suspect with murder after his 17-year-old stepsister was found dead in a separate location.

The suspect has not yet been named, but Police have described him as a white Norwegian citizen of "around 20 years old".

He was said to be "from the area" where the mosque attack took place, in the town of Baerum.

Rune Skjold, the acting chief of the police operation, said the suspect had been

known to Police before the incident but could not be described as someone with a "criminal background".

Skjold said the man appeared to hold "far-right" and "anti-immigrant" views and had expressed sympathy for Vidkun Quisling, the leader of Norway's collaborationist Government during the Nazi occupation.

Norwegian media reported that the suspect was believed to have posted on

an online forum hours before the attack. The post seemingly praised the gunman who killed 51 people in mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, earlier this year.

The shooting has prompted debate over whether enough was being done to protect Norway's Muslim population.

Mosque Director Mushtaq said the Government needed to take action. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Death toll from Indian floods reaches 147, thousands evacuated

Indian Army personnel rescue people stranded in flood waters after heavy rains on the outskirts of Sangli in Maharashtra state

T

he death toll from floods in the Indian states of Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra has risen to at least 147, according to authorities, as rescue teams raced to evacuate people and waters submerged parts of a world heritage site.

Heavy rain and landslides forced hundreds of thousands of people to take shelter in relief camps, while train services were cancelled in several flood-hit areas.

In the southern state of Kerala, at least 57 people were killed in rain-related incidents while more than 165,000 were in relief camps in the State, local authorities said on Sunday.

"Several houses are still covered under 10-12 feet deep mud. This is hampering rescue work," State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.

Authorities worried that rescue operations would be hit by thunderstorms and rainfall predicted in some parts of Kerala.

Last year, more than 200 people were killed in Kerala and over five million were affected in one of the State's worst floods in 100 years.

So far, 60 people have died in rain-related incidents, said State Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, adding nearly 227,000 people were staying in relief camps.

While Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra have been the worst hit this year, several other states including Gujarat, Assam and Bihar have also seen heavy damage due to floods.

India's main Opposition Congress party on Sunday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide relief packages. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Police fire tear gas as thousands once again rally in Hong Kong

A sit-in at Hong Kong's international airport stretched into its third day on Sunday [Issei Kato/Reuters]

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ong Kong Police have fired tear gas at demonstrators after petrol bombs exploded in the downtown bar district of Wan Chai as clashes during a tenth weekend of protests in the city intensified.

Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of the city's leader Carrie Lam, democratic elections, the release of those arrested in earlier protests, and an investigation into Police use of force against the protesters.

The demonstrations have since morphed into a broader bid to reverse a slide in democratic freedoms in the city.

Protesters took over streets in two parts of the Asian financial hub, blocking traffic and setting up another night of likely showdowns with riot police as they chanted: "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of

our time."

They hurled bricks at officers and ignored warnings to leave the Sham Shui Po area before tear gas was deployed, Police said, calling the march an "unauthorised assembly."

Many wore face masks to shield their identities, and a few had helmets. Others just carried backpacks over the black T-shirts that have become their uniform.

Following a rally at the centrally located Victoria Park, protesters fanned out across the city, often playing a cat-and-mouse game with Police.

At the same time, a more subdued sit-in protest at the Hong Kong airport stretched into its third day.

While riot police fired tear gas and arrested 16 people, the two sides avoided the lengthy pitched battles that have been seen in recent weeks. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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MONday, AUGUST 12, 2019

19

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

dilbert

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

Strive to get things done.

Put quality first and quantity second. If you learn from your mistakes, you’ll come out on top. Keep your distance from inconsistent people.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Focus on personal relationships. Refuse to let an outsider cause a problem for you at home or with someone who has always been there for you in the past.

CANCER

Do things your way. If you let your creative imagination take charge, you’ll come up with ideas and solutions that will impress onlookers and boost your confidence and reputation.

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

WORD GAME

Keep your finger on the pulse. The more you know, the better you will understand what’s going on around you. Refuse to let your emotions take the reins.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Expand your circle of friends if it will help you excel. Branching out will encourage you to use your skills in innovative ways. A personal change should be based on facts, not on hearsay.

Be prepared to act if someone makes an unexpected choice. Your actions should send a positive message. A steady pace forward is encouraged.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Helping someone else will lead to personal gain. Look for an opportunity that will help you expand into new territory with your work, relationships or educational pursuits.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Listen and learn. Patience and discipline will be your ticket to success. Don’t fall for someone’s grandiose plans that could leave you in a vulnerable position. Do your own thing.

SUDOKU

One door closes, but anSAGITTARIUS other door opens. Follow (Nov. 23- your heart, embrace personDec. 21) al growth and take steps to implement a healthy, less stressful lifestyle. Romance is highlighted.

SATURDAY’S

solution for SATURDAY’s puzzle

Make a change if it will CAPRICORN help keep the peace. Listen (Dec. 22- to complaints and share Jan. 19) your feelings. Compromise will make a difference when dealing with domestic problems.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Concentrate on what you are trying to achieve. If you explore new possibilities, you’ll come up with a way to use your skills to bring in more cash. Romance is encouraged.

How you help others will reflect the type of person you are. The changes you bring about will make a difference and encourage others to do things for themselves. Practise moderation.

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

MONday, august 12, 2019

Golden Blue Echo wins feature event at Nand Persaud Sprint Classic

Justify the Heat got the better of Uprising King

By Brandon Corlette

E

arly morning showers that assailed the Corentyne Coast last Sunday could not cast a damper on the excitement generated by the 2019 edi-

tion of the Nand Persaud Sky Plus Sprint Classic horse-racing meet, which rode off in fine fashion at that company’s racing facility at Macedonia Estate, Number 36 Village, Corentyne.

In the feature event of the

Touch Down got the better of his counterparts (Brandon Corlette photos)

meet, the E Class & Lower race over four furlongs for a top prize of $300,000, Golden Blue Echo of the Nand Persaud Racing Stables, under control of local champion jockey Colin Ross, thrilled spectators packed in the

Gayle surpasses Lara to become Windies’ record ODI scorer

stands by outsprinting top race horses T&T into second place and Simple Slide, controlled by Trinidadian jockey Santo, into third place.

This was the penultimate event of the meet, and Golden Dancer was ruled out of the race after running off the track before the race began, leaving just three top horses in hot contention for the winner’s prize.

The packed seven-race programme began with the L-Class Male event, which saw Touch Down from the East Side dominating the likes of Oryan (second), Awesome Banner (third) and The Rock (fourth).

In the second race of the event, the L-Class Female, Victoria claimed the top spot,

followed by Delilah, Amazon Warrior and Touch the Cash.

The third race of the day, for 2-Year-Old horses, was arguably the best race of the meet, having produced the closest of finishes. Justify the Heat won by the narrowest of margins after outsprinting Uprising King and Katholic Boy. The judges were tasked with reviewing this race on the big screen because the owners and fans of contending animals were not satisfied with the results, but the review only confirmed that the right decision had been made.

Thus Justify the Heat, of the Port Mourant Racing Stables, was awarded the first prize of $150,000, while Uprising King pocketed

$75,000.

The fourth race of the day was the Cow Horse Race, which saw a horse named Brown defying all odds to emerge winner.

In the day’s fifth race, Touch Down picked up another win in the K & Lower event, carting off the $140,000 prize.

Victoria came in second, while Stolen Diamond and Awesome Banner followed in that order.

Organized by rice giants Nand Persaud & Company Limited, the meet was supported by ANSA McAL, Nausrudeen Mohamed (Jumbo Jet) Truck and Auto Sales, Prem’s Electrical, 4R Bearing &Belts, Trophy Stall, and NTN TV among other sponsors.

Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Championships…

Sparta Boss are ‘National Kings’ C

Chris Gayle became the first player from the West Indies to play 300 ODIs

hris Gayle broke Brian Lara’s ODI run-scoring and West Indies appearance records before falling cheaply after India captain Virat Kohli made another sublime century in Port of Spain.

Gayle marked his historic 300th match in the 50over format by bettering the great Lara’s tally of 10,348 runs at the Queen’s Park Oval on Sunday.

The 39-year-old opening batsman was given a stand-

ing ovation and a shake of the hand from Kohli when he set the record in Lara’s hometown.

Gayle was five ahead of Lara when he fell for only 11, failing with a review after he was trapped leg before wicket bang in front by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, reducing the Windies to 45-1 in reply to 279-7 in the second match of the series.

Kohli earlier produced another masterclass, moving above Sourav Ganguly

into second on the list of leading India ODI run-scorers with a magnificent 120 from 125 balls.

The classy skipper struck a six and another 14 boundaries and Shreyas Iyer made 71 after the tourists had won the toss.

Kohli also set a record for the fewest innings to score 2,000 ODI runs against one nation in what was his 34th knock against the Windies.

(Sportsmax)

S

parta Boss ended an unbeaten run with a Championship title win on Saturday evening to become the Guinness Greatest of the Street National Champions.

The two-day event concluded with a Georgetown versus East Coast showdown which saw the eventual champions needle Melanie ‘B’ to suddenly become $500,000 richer.

Gregory Richardson’s 9th minute goal was the decider, leaving the opposition to settle for the runners-up prize of $250,000.

Prior to the finale, Gold is Money easily disposed of

Brothers United in the third place playoffs, which ended 2 –nil. Hubert Pedro scored in the 8th minute, while Michael Pedro put the victory beyond doubt with a 26th minute goal.

Gold is Money’s effort endowed them with the $150,000 third place prize, while Brothers United, victors of the West Demerara/East Bank segment, claimed the $100,000 fourth place prize.

Earlier in the night, Sparta Boss squeezed past Brothers United 2–1 in the semi-final round.

Ryan Hackett drew first blood for Sparta, but Andrew Murray Jr equalised for the opposition in the 18th minute.

Richardson’s first decider of the night was crafted in this match when, in the 25th minute, he blasted a successful strike which propelled them into the final.

Melanie ‘B’ became finalists after a closely contested showdown against Gold is Money that spiralled out of control in the closing moments for the Georgetown side and ended 2-0 in favour of Melanie ‘B’.

After a goalless first half, Ryan Searles put his side ahead in the 19th minute, then Odell Gulliver made it a two-possession lead in the 26th minute.

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MONday, august 12, 2019

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VACANCY

BCB donates $250,000+ to Upper Corentyne Cricket Association

T

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President, Hilbert Foster, in continuing his countywide visits to the 13 clubs and 3 sub-associations of the BCB, met last Wednesday with representatives of the 26 clubs of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UPCA) at the Riverton Suite in Corriverton, Corentyne.

This visit was the sixth made by Foster as he continues his countrywide visits to BCB- affiliated clubs and sub-associations. He had earlier met with the sub-associations of Rose Hall Canje, Port Mourant, Whim, Chesney and RHTY&SC, MS. Foster brought the clubs’ executive members up-todate on the progress made over the last 19 months, the financial status of the Berbice Cricket Board, and challenges confronting Berbice Cricket, as he unveiled several developmental programmes that would benefit clubs in the future.

He hailed the UPCA as the most active and progressive sub-association in Berbice, and credits this to their having a group of dedicated administrators, with Dennis D’Andrade, Sydney Jackman and Lakeram Latchman being the best examples.

The UPCA has organised numerous cricket tournaments at the under-15, under-19, primary school, secondary school and second division levels, along with several others sponsored by the BCB. These include the Ramnaresh Sarwan

BCB President, Hilbert Foster, posing with representatives of some of the clubs

40-Overs, RHTY&SC/GNNL 20/20, and Magic Moments 20/20.

Once the weather improves, teams in the Upper Corentyne area would have a packed season, with the Let’s Bet Sports 20/20, NBS 40Over and R&R Taxi Service 40-Over tournaments being held.

Foster also announced that the UPCA, with support from the BCB and the RHTY&SC, MS, would, from August 19, be hosting a three-day cricket academy for 40 youths at the Scottsburg Ground. He said the UPCA Inter-Secondary School Tournament would start in the new school year, and the Upper Corentyne and Skeldon teams would participate in at least four first divi-

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sion tournaments.

Foster spoke widely of his efforts to obtain a two-day first division tournament, and said the BCB would work closely with the UPCA to coach junior cricketers as an investment in their future.

He donated cricket balls to 16 UPCA clubs, including Dukestown, No. 72 All Stars, No. 72 Cut and Load, All Family, Scottsburg, Skeldon Titans and No. 70 MYO. The remaining 10 clubs, he said, would shortly receive cricket balls.

Each club has also benefited from the donation of a scorebook.

Foster has said that all 26 clubs would each shortly benefit from the donation of a water pitcher, white T/ shirts, and 12 BCB Youth Information Booklets.

He has also committed to assisting one club with a set of stumps, and providing gear for a less fortunate cricketer whose parents are unable to so provide for him.

Foster is on record as having visited the UPCA 47 times since assuming the presidency of the BCB. He has also unveiled plans for the 80th Anniversary Celebration of the BCB, which would be done during the entire month of September.

He has urged the 26 clubs of the UPCA to participate in celebrating the BCB’s anniversary by undertaking a project that would make a positive difference in the lives of a less fortunate family. The Club will then submit a photo and brief report of the project to the BCB, who will select the best project. The winner

was wrong to fire every selector. We just beat England and they fired everybody.

The ‘A’ team lick up, the ‘B’ team lick up, and the dressing room is in disarray. I say what I have to say, the BCA board of management can

vote me out. I am a life member, but I can’t see something that is wrong and say that it is right.”

would receive a gift from the RHTY&SC, MS, and from the BCB. At a club representative’s request, Foster will shortly visit an area to resolve a problem between two clubs who use the same venue.

At end of the highly successful meeting, Foster handed over a collection of stationery and educational materials to UPCA, to be used for the upcoming cricket academy. This sub-association had earlier benefited from a donation of a bicycle, trophies, medals, school bags, cricket balls and cases of water for the academy.

UPCA President, Dennis D’Andrade, and representatives of the clubs have proffered gratitude to the BCB President for the visit.

BCA boss lashes CWI for wholesale changes ahead of World Cup

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21

CWI Director Conde Riley

O

utspoken Cricket West Indies (CWI) director Conde Riley has claimed Windies captain Jason Holder pleaded with the then newly-appointed Ricky-Skerrit association not to change the regional team’s coaching staff ahead of the ICC World Cup. The administration has come in for some heavy criticism in some quarters after the new president sacked interim coach Richard Pybus and the selection panel only weeks ahead of the tournament.

The move had proven to be particularly controversial as the team had put in a strong performance against

England in an ODI tour of the Caribbean only a few weeks prior. Despite being president of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and a director of the CWI, Riley, who warned against the move, was understandably among the critics.

“We ain’t win a match after the opening game against Pakistan because they fired everybody. Jason Holder, the captain, begged him not to do it, I begged him not to do it. I am hurt,” Riley told the Barbados Nation News.

“I am angry. I said, what they did

(Sportsmax)

Former Head Coach Richard Pybus (left) and assistant coach Esuan Crandon were ousted by the new Ricky Skerritt led-CWI Association

22

MONday, august 12, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

2020 CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship Qualifiers…

NEE/Mohamed’s Enterprise Futsal Tourney…

Team management optimistic Final 4 decided about performance after Saturday’s

“P

reparation has been going great! Over the past eight weeks, we were able to work on the different aspects of the game, and have seen great improvement from the girls.”

That was an assessment proffered by Akilah Castello, Head Coach of the National U17 Women’s Team, in an invited comment to this publication as countdown commences to that team’s participation in the 2020 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship firstround Qualifiers in Curacao, from August 17 to 25.

Castello said the 20-person players’ contingent would comprise eight players from the team’s international base U15 and U20 levels; who, we and 12 from the 17-person lo- believe, will seek to make valucal squad that trains four days able contributions at this level.” a week at the GFF’s National According to Training Centre.

CONCACAF, She was optimistic there will be about Guyana’s perfor32 participatmance at the qualifiers. ing teams.

“We are expecting posQualifiers itive results from this comprise group, along with our inthe lowternational-based players e s t r a n k ed who’ve been preparing as 16 teams, well for this…competition. based We have some good talon ent in the likes of Jalade Trim, S h a m y a Daniels ( a n d ) Samantha Banfield w h o played in the last U15 championships, and Janea Knight who Akilah Castello, Guyana U17 also played Women’s Head Coach both in the

action T

Guyana's National U-17 Women’s Team

the CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Ranking as of July 2018, where the top-finisher of each group will advance to the knockout stage of the championships. These teams are: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Guyana, Honduras, Martinique, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines and US Virgin Islands.

The remaining 16 teams, consisting of top-ranked teams based on the CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Ranking as of July 2018, will participate in the Finals Championships.

Each has been placed in one of four groups: E, F, G and H, and will play in a round-robin tournament, following which “the top three finishers in each of the groups would join the winners of Groups A, B, C and D (from the qualifiers) in the round of 16”, according to CONCACAF.

The 16 teams participating in the group stage of the Final Championship are (in alphabetical order): Bermuda, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago and the United States.

The knockout stage of the competition - round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and final -would be played in its respective stages entirely in a single match elimination format, with the finalists and third place finishers automatically qualifying for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2020.

Guyana has been placed in Group ‘D’, along with the Bahamas, Curacao and St Vincent and the Grenadines, and is scheduled to play on the following days at the Stadion Ergilio Hato Willemstad: MATCH 1: 21st August – Curacao vs Guyana @ 20:30hrs MATCH 2: 23rd August – St. Vincent & The Grenadines vs Guyana @ 18:00hrs MATCH 3: 25th August – Guyana vs The Bahamas @ 17:00hrs

he quarterfinal round of the sixth Annual Mohamed’s Enterprise Futsal Tournament, organised by the New Era Entertainment Group, concluded on Saturday last at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) hard court with some exciting but not entirely surprising victories.

Four teams now remain in the tournament, and a total of $2 million in cash and prizes would be doled out to the top performers.

The first team to qualify for the semi-finals was Dave & Celina All Stars, having edged out fan favourites Germans United 2-1, courtesy of goals off the boots of Benjamin Opasu and Soloman Austin.

The young and talented Andre Mayers netted the consolation goal for Germans.

Hard Knocks then convincingly trampled Royal Warriors 8-4 in the quarterfinal fixture, and look like the team to beat.

Hard Knocks’ victory was spearheaded by Daniel Wilson and Pernell Schultz, who banged home four and three goals respectively, while Colin Nelson added the eighth.

After that, High Rollers slipped past LA Ballers by a solitary goal during their 11-goal thriller, the ping-pong contest causing the huge turnout of fans who had flocked the venue to be on their feet throughout the contest.

Omar Brewly netted a hat-trick for the semifinalists, while Johan Simmons, John Regis and Shane Haynes each

contributed one goal for the victory.

Jaleel Hamilton bagged a brace for LA Ballers, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the loss.

Then Donovan Francis netted a hat-trick to lead NK Ballers to the final semifinal spot, their having got past West Side Connection 6-4.

The fixtures for the semifinal leg will be released in tomorrow’s edition of this publication.

The curtains will fall on the event this Saturday, and the winning team would pocket $600,000 while second place would receive $250,000.

Teams finishing third and fourth would take home $100,000 and $55,000 respectively.

Daniel Wilson

guyanatimesgy.com

MONday, august 12, 2019

23

Kohli ton, Bhuvneshwar 4-for give India 1-0 lead

Sheldon Cottrell dismissed Shikhar Dhawan with the third ball of the game to jolt India early

V

irat Kohli spoiled Chris Gayle’s 300th ODI with his 42nd century in the format as India won the second ODI by 59 runs via DLS method.

India took an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three-match series as the first game was washed out.

Kohli, assisted by Shreyas Iyer’s half-century, helped India to 279 for 7. Rain had reduced West Indies’ target to 270 in 46 overs and a t one stage, they needed 91 off 71 balls before slipping f r o m 179 for 4 to 182 for 8.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the wrecker-in-chief, picking up three of those four wickets - and finishing with figures of 4 for 31 - to effectively seal the game.

After failing to convert five 50-plus scores into a hundred at the World Cup, Kohli ended the drought with a 120 off 125 balls.

During his chanceless knock, he surpassed Sourav Ganguly’s tally of 11,363 ODI runs for India.

Among Indians, only Sachin Tendulkar (18,426) has more ODI runs than Kohli’s 11,406.

Iyer too made full use of his first innings on the tour with 71 off 68. He played a perfect

foil to Kohli, finding singles and boundaries with regular frequency as the duo added 125 in 115 balls for the fourth wicket.

West Indies conceded only 67 from the last ten overs but as it panned out, India had got enough by then.

Earlier, Kohli opted to bat first on a humid day after winning his fifth successive toss on this tour but India didn’t have a great start.

Shikhar Dhawan fell in the first over of the innings to a Sheldon Cottrell

delivery that seemed to be swinging away before coming in off the seam to trap the batsman lbw.

Rohit Sharma didn’t get off the mark until his 11th delivery but Kohli ensured the scoreboard was always ticking.

The second ball Kohli faced, he drove Kemar Roach for four

through extra cover. A similar delivery in Roach’s next over was flicked wristily to the deep midwicket boundary and when the West Indies pacers bowled straight, Kohli encashed them on the leg side.

Kohli reached his fifty with a four to third man but Rohit never got going at the other end.

In an attempt to break the shackles, Rohit ended up slicing Roston Chase towards cover where Nicholas Pooran completed the catch over his shoulder, running backwards.

Shreyas Iyer made 71 and lifted the side to 279 for 7

Continuing at No. 4, Rishabh Pant hit a couple of fours - a whip through midwicket and a cut behind square - but was bowled for 20 off 35 when he failed to connect a pull off Carlos Brathwaite.

With those two wickets, West Indies - and especially Roston Chase - applied brakes on the scoring rate. Chase bowled unchanged for his ten overs and finished with figures of 1 for 37.

Kohli though kept collecting his runs: a nudge here for one, a push there for two and putting away anything loose for four.

A majestic six off Jason Holder over long-off took him to 89.

Four overs later, Kohli brought up his hundred, off 112 balls. However, a tired shot in the 42nd over brought an end to his knock. Trying to go aerial, he ended up mistiming a Brathwaite slower ball to Roach at long-off.

A light drizzle halted play in the 43rd over for about 25 minutes. Iyer and Kedar Jadhav returned to take the side to 250 in the 45th over but India could never really accelerate from there.

Still India had a respectable total and the hosts needed to pull off the highest successful chase at this venue in order to register a win.

Gayle became the leading West Indies run-scorer going past Brian Lara’s tally of 10,405 ODI runs with a four off Khaleel Ahmed but was lbw soon after to Bhuvneshwar. Shai Hope didn’t last long either and chopped Khaleel onto his stumps.

Rain once again made an appearance in the 13th over of the chase and this time forced a reduction of four overs with ten runs taken off the target.

Lewis who had struck four fours and a pulled six off Bhuvneshwar before the rain break resumed with

another boundary, a swept four off Kuldeep Yadav. But Shimron Hetmyer ended up skying a quicker one from the wristspinner to Virat Kohli at extra cover.

Struggling through a calf injury, Lewis brought up his maiden ODI fifty in the Caribbean but became Kuldeep’s second victim after failing to middle a cut shot. Kohli at extra cover leapt in the air and plucked a one-handed catch.

Pooran was severe on both Kuldeep and Jadhav, while Chase kept rotating the strike. The latter also had a slice of luck in the 33rd over when Mohammed

Shami failed to latch on to a return catch when the batsman was on 10.

But Bhuvneshwar, returning for his second spell, removed both batsmen in the same over to peg West Indies back. Pooran ended up top-edging a knuckle ball to Kohli in front of square, while a brilliant one-handed return catch sent Chase back.

Brathwaite fell to Jadeja in the next over and Roach chopped one on to his stumps to give Bhuvneshwar his fourth wicket. There were some fireworks from Cottrell towards the end but West Indies had all but lost the game by then.

(ESPNcricinfo)

3

SCOREBOARD

India Innings (50 overs maximum) S Dhawan lbw b Cottrell 2 RG Sharma c Pooran b Chase 18 V Kohli (c) c Roach b Brathwaite 120 RR Pant † b Brathwaite 20 SS Iyer b Holder 71 KM Jadhav run out (Lewis/ Cottrell) 16 RA Jadeja not out 16 B Kumar c Roach b Brathwaite 1 Mohammed Shami not out 3 Extras (b 1, nb 2, w 9) 12 TOTAL (50 Overs, RR: 5.58) 279-7 Did not bat: Kuldeep Yadav, KK Ahmed Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Shikhar Dhawan, 0.3 ov), 2-76 (Rohit Sharma, 15.3 ov), 3-101 (Rishabh Pant, 22.2 ov), 4-226 (Virat Kohli, 41.3 ov), 5-250 (Shreyas Iyer, 45.3 ov), 6-258 (Kedar Jadhav, 46.4 ov), 7-262 (Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 47.4 ov) BOWLING : SS Cottrell (10-049-1), KAJ Roach (7-0-54-0), JO Holder (9-0-53-1), O Thomas (4-0-32-0), RL Chase (10-1-371), CR Brathwaite (10-0-53-3)

West Indies Innings (target: 270 runs from 46 overs) CH Gayle lbw b Kumar 11 E Lewis c Kohli b Yadav 65 SD Hope † b Ahmed 5 SO Hetmyer c Kohli b Yadav 18 N Pooran c Kohli b Kumar 42 RL Chase c & b Kumar 18 JO Holder (c) not out 13 CR Brathwaite c Shami b Jadeja 0 KAJ Roach b Kumar 0 SS Cottrell c Jadeja b Shami 17 O Thomas lbw b Shami 0 Extras (b 4, lb 5, nb 1, w 11) 21 TOTAL (42 Overs, RR: 5.0) 210 all out Fall of wickets: 1-45 (Chris Gayle, 9.3 ov), 2-52 (Shai Hope, 12.2 ov), 3-92 (Shimron Hetmyer, 17.6 ov), 4-148 (Evin Lewis, 27.2 ov), 5-179 (Nicholas Pooran, 34.2 ov), 6-179 (Roston Chase, 34.5 ov), 7-180 (Carlos Brathwaite, 35.5 ov), 8-182 (Kemar Roach, 36.2 ov), 9-209 (Sheldon Cottrell, 41.3 ov), 10210 (Oshane Thomas, 41.6 ov) BOWLING : B Kumar (8-0-314), M Shami (8-0-39-2) KK Ahmed (7-0-32-1), K Yadav (10-0-59-2), KM Jadhav (5-025-0), RA Jadeja (4-0-15-1)

MONday, august 12, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com Evin Lewis made 65 but no other West Indian batsman got going

Page 23

Virat Kohli went 11 innings without a century before this knock

Kohli ton, Bhuvneshwar 4-for give India 1-0 lead

Gayle surpasses Lara Sparta Boss are to become Windies’ ‘National Kings’ record ODI scorer Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Championships…

Page 20

Page 20 Sparta Boss ‘receiving tribute’ as the new kings of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets National Championships

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