Guyana Times -- Monday June 17, 2019

P13

Faydeha King crowned Miss Earth Guyana 2019 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3957

THE BEACON OF TRUTH MONday, june 17, 2019

PRICE

TIGI urges probe

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

LGBTQ activist attacked, P10 beaten at Bourda Market

into sale of 2 towers to Bobby Vieira

See story on page 3

– says SARA should be involved if GuySuCo assets were undervalued in sale

Essequibo man killed in motorcycle crash

Page 2

3 arrested after 28kg cannabis found in Route 72 minibus P10

Cabinet P14 approves over $578M for road works

On Sunday, persons gathered at the Enmore Martyrs’ Monument site on the East Coast of Demerara to commemorate the deaths of the five sugar workers who made the ultimate sacrifice 71 years ago fighting for better working conditions. The event was hosted by the Ministry of the Presidency's Department of Social Cohesion (Shaconeil Burnette photo)

Enemies against working class “alive and well” – Wit er – tells Enmore Martyrs' commemoration gathering struggle for better conditions still ongoing Page 9

Nagamootoo says AFC Deeds Registry clamps

can negotiate more down on businesses power from APNU for non-compliance

Page 11

Page 7

...even after abysmal performance at LGE – mining, construction companies’ registration revoked

Toshaos, P14 loggers receive forest management training Ramjattan plans to eliminate P12 drug trafficking "big guns" by "reducing profit margins"

2 news

monDAY, JUNE 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Essequibo man killed in motorcycle crash F amily members of 20-year-old Kishan Sankar, called “Dadoo,” of Lot 320 Richmond Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast were on Saturday night thrown into mourning after he was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle, CJ 2467, around 21:20h, and it crashed into a culvert in the scheme where he had been living.

Reports indicate that Sankar had been speeding along the eastern side of School Street when he lost control of the bike, which reportedly fell onto

Dead: Kishan Sankar, also known as “Dadoo”

the roadway and skidded into the concrete rails of

a bridge that is in front of the Richmond Nursery School before ending up into a nearby drain, all the time dragging Sankar along.

Residents in the area said they heard the loud impact of the crash and rushed to the scene, where they found the cyclist pinned under the bike in a nearby drain. They quickly removed the cycle from on top of the badly injured and unconscious man before pulling his body from the drain and rushing him to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he was

The concrete bridge into which Sankar crashed before ending up in the drain

pronounced dead on arrival.

This newspaper was told that the young man appeared to have suffered head injuries, especially since he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

Sankar’s grieving grandmother told this publication that he had left home to drop a friend to the Richmond Public Road, and was reportedly returning home when the accident occurred.

She said Sankar’s death has come at a time

when the family is still mourning the death of his younger brother, Vejay -- a 17-year-old who had suddenly fallen ill and died on September 10, 2017.

“The family is still in mourning; and now, with this other blow, the family is ripped apart… My only hope is for God to take care of the only son left in the family,” the woman cried.

The late Kishan Sankar, called Dadoo, leaves to mourn his parents, brother, grandparents and other relatives and friends.

news

3

monDAY, JUNE 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Monday, June 17 – 05:00h-06:30h and Tuesday, June 18 – 05:00h-06:30h.

– says SARA should be involved if GuySuCo assets were undervalued in sale

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, June 17 – 16:35h-18:00h and Tuesday, June 18 – 17:00h-18:30h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Lightly cloudy skies and light rain showers are expected in the morning hours with sunny intervals in the afternoon period. Partly cloudy skies are expected to prevail in the evening.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South South-easterly to North Northeasterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 16:36h reaching a maximum height of 2.52 metres.

Low Tide: 10:10h and 22:21h reaching minimum heights of 0.55 metre and 0.71 metre respectively.

saturday, JUNE 15, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS C

06

07

13

15

17

26

FREE TICKET

04 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

06

07

13 19

21

0

4

LUCKY 3

1

8

Afternoon Draw

9

7

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01

04

10

11

PAY DAY

01 02 03 10 13

13

14

TIGI urges probe into SPU sale of 2 towers to Bobby Vieira

17 SUPER PAY DAY

09 15 18 19 21

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

tions of the media questioning the sale by NICIL of two of its transmission towers to Bobby Vieira’s Multicultural Communications Inc for a mere $2.1 million. One of the towers, reports suggest, has since been leased to another company. Another concern was that the assets were not even vested to NICIL. It is understood that the officials had written a letter about the matter to Agriculture Minister Noel TIGI President, Dr Troy Thomas Holder, in which they had noted that “we recently saw n light of reports that the a draft Agreement of sale National Industrial and whereby Mr (Colvin) HeathCommercial Investments London, through NICIL is Limited (NICIL) sold and in the process of, or permay have undervalued two haps have sold GuySuCo’s transmission towers belong- Transmission Tower located ing to the Guyana Sugar at Drill, Mahaicony to a comCorporation (GuySuCo), pany named Multicultural Transparency International Communications Inc….

Guyana Incorporated (TIGI) Again, that property was not is calling for answers. vested to NICIL and would During an interview with be another unlawful act by Guyana Times on Sunday, NICIL.” TIGI President, Dr Troy Repeated attempts by Thomas noted that NICIL’s this publication to make conSpecial Purpose Unit (SPU) – tact with SPU Head Heathwhich was created to oversee London, whose agency has the divestment of GuySuCo’s responsibility for divesting assets after the industry was GuySuCo of its assets, were downsized to only three es- futile. tates – must provide answers Since the story broke, on the sale, which sources at Vieira, who has had ties to GuySuCo allege netted a sub- the coalition Government and par price of just $2.1 million. served as the assistant events “They must answer ques- coordinator for President tions about how that (trans- David Granger’s inauguraaction) was done and whether tion in 2015, has been directthe laws were followed. And ing questions to the relevant if the laws were not followed, authorities. then that would come under SARA (State Assets Recovery Tension Agency) at this point, alThis sale is the latest though there can be other cause of friction between agencies. But we definitely NICIL and GuySuCo. While need to make sure that things NICIL has claimed GuySuCo were done properly and if has not been forthcoming with they were not done properly, information for the divestthen those responsible must ment, the Sugar Corporation be held accountable,” he pos- has denied this and countered ited. with records of submitted inPersons have opined that the towers should have fetched no less than $10 million. In fact, Dr Thomas reminded that when Government assets are being disposed of, there should be open tendering to ensure the State receives the best price for its property. He noted that assets could easily be undervalued and the State would lose money when procurement laws were not followed.

“There should be an official evaluation of it, because I think that $10 million is somewhat anecdotal in the sense that people say I know it should be this. But we need a proper evaluation. And I would say if it was sold below the market value, then it’s a matter for SARA to look into, being the State Assets Recovery Agency,” the Head of the local transparency watchdog stressed.

Dr Thomas went on to add, “If State assets (were disposed of) in a manner that does not return the maximum value, then it’s something that SARA should take up and see whether something was done inappropriately and whether there are grounds for applying legal sanctions.”

Officials from GuySuCo were recently quoted in sec-

I

NICIL/SPU Head Colvin Heath-London

formation. In fact, GuySuCo has expressed concerns that NICIL is less than transparent about the process.

The company criticised NICIL for the current arrangement that sees the agency pocketing proceeds from the assets it does divest. GuySuCo claims that it should be the other way around, so that the Corporation could fund its own strategic plan.

“As a matter of fact, in an attempt to extend the life of the SPU, having been created for the specific purposes above and within a particular timeframe; the agency has now assumed the role and operates as a proprietor and landlord. This is totally inconsistent with its intended purposes,” GuySuCo had said in a recent statement.

“Additionally, GuySuCo is still awaiting a full report from NICIL-SPU on all and any transaction(s) which were completed or are in progress in relation to its immoveable and moveable assets, including the scrap metals, machinery, plant and equipment,” the Corporation complained.

This is telling, as in April of this year, reports emerged that scrap metal from GuySuCo worth $3 billion was sold to a mysterious buy-

Businessman Bobby Vieira

er, but the proceeds from the sale were not received by the Corporation.

This is another transaction the Government has been silent on, with former Business Minister Dominic Gaskin distancing his Ministry from the sale when questioned by this publication in April. The Business Ministry has overall responsibility for the scrap metal trade.

Nor is that all. According to GuySuCo, it is yet to be informed by NICIL about the extent of the valuation done

by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) into its assets, information others, including Opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo, have repeatedly called for.

In fact, Jagdeo last week called on Government to intervene and sort out the issues between GuySuCo and NICIL’s SPU which have been playing out publicly.

The following day, however, Director General at the Ministry of the Presidency and Government’s spokesperson, Joseph Harmon, told media operatives that while Cabinet has already given some guidance, the matter was still engaging its attention.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, JUNE 17, 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

Scaling up efforts to address NCDs

T

he issue of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the impacts they are having on countries has always been a matter of concern for governments and international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations, and others. It has always been said that too many people are dying prematurely, and urgent actions must be taken to prevent these deaths.

According to the WHO, of all the major health threats that have emerged over the years, none has challenged the very foundations of public health so profoundly as the rise of chronic non-communicable diseases. Due to poor lifestyle choices -such as tobacco use, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity -- NCDs have resulted in large numbers of young people dying. Another significant number have fallen ill, and therefore cannot contribute to their families or the development of their communities in any way.

Heart diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases, once linked only to affluent societies, have affected, and continue to affect, every country in the world; with the poor suffering the most, due to the lack of proper medical care and access to drugs etc.

It should be noted that, based on a 2017 study, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago were found to have the highest mortality rates for premature cardiovascular diseases and diabetes in the Americas. For Guyana in particular, this is indeed quite worrisome, and must serve as a wake-up call for the authorities here to take the issue of fighting NCDs more seriously; as, from all indications, efforts in this regard are being weakened or minimized to some extent.

While there have been some positive moves in tackling NCDs here, such as finalising the Tobacco Control Legislation etc., some experts believe that enough is not being done in the fight against NCDs. Some of the crucial programmes that were previously in place to tackle NCDs appear to have been reduced or totally abandoned. For example, community health fairs, school programmes, and other initiatives which were used to address issues such as positive lifestyles, are becoming less visible. Also, the education and awareness campaigns that were very much visible some years ago need to come back on stream. These are all useful strategies in ensuring the message of healthy lifestyles continues to reach everyone in every community across the country.

A new report from the WHO’s Independent High-level Commission on NCDs, launched recently, calls for urgent action to address chronic diseases and mental health disorders. It demands high-level political commitment and the immediate scaling up of actions to address the epidemic of NCDs. The report, which was also published simultaneously in the medical journal The Lancet, recognises the need to ensure that Health Ministries have the influence they require to ensure the issue is backed by the political will and the necessary financial resources it merits.

The Commission’s report makes six useful recommendations, which countries -- including Guyana -- should take seriously in order to make continuous progress in relation to tackling NCDs. These include: Heads of State and Governments should take responsibility for the NCD agenda, rather than delegating it to ministers of health alone; as it requires collaboration and cooperation across many sectors.

Governments should identify and implement a specific set of priorities within the overall NCD and mental health agenda, based on public health needs.

Governments should reorient health systems to include NCDs’ prevention and control and mental health services in their universal health coverage policies and plans.

Governments should increase effective regulation and appropriate engagement with the private sector, academia, civil society, and communities.

Governments and the international community should develop a new economic paradigm for funding actions on NCDs and mental health.

Governments need to strengthen accountability to their citizens for action on NCDs, and simplify existing international accountability mechanisms.

We had stated before that discussions surrounding NCDs should constantly be kept on the national development agenda, where serious efforts are made at all levels to reduce the large numbers of persons suffering or facing death. It is hoped that Governments and international development partners would use this most recent WHO report as a guide in their efforts to effectively address NCDs.

Success! Miss Earth Guyana Fadeha King raises her trophy in jubilation as she celebrates her crowning on Saturday at the National Cultural Centre. Alongside her are Miss Eco-Guyana 2019, Cintiana Harry, who was also crowned on Saturday night and their predecessors as pageant personnel look on (Shaconeil Burnette photo)

As Peru tightens its border, desperate Venezuelans cling to asylum lifeline

T

housands of Venezuelans crossed into Peru despite a crackdown on migrants without passports or visas meant to stem the flood of immigration from their crisis-stricken nation, as many lacking those documents filed asylum requests instead.

Venezuela’s economic collapse under President Nicolás Maduro has unleashed the biggest migratory crisis in recent Latin American history, forcing countries like Peru – a developing nation of 32 million people – to grapple with an unprecedented surge in immigration.

Under the new rules imposed on Saturday, migrants must have passports and visas before coming to Peru – closing a door to many Venezuelans who cannot afford the fees needed to acquire them.

However, asylum seekers are not required to have passports under international law, providing poor Venezuelans with a way around the changes.

Desperate Venezuelans rushed to reach Peru before the crackdown took effect. A record 4700 asylum claims were filed in Peru on Friday, part of more than 8000 Venezuelans who entered the country that day, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Thousands of Venezuelans waited in lines at the border checkpoint in Tumbes on Saturday, as immigration officials struggled to process a backlog of paperwork. Some of them had

Venezuelan migrants queue at the Ecuadorian Peruvian border service centre, to process their documents and be able to continue their journey, on the outskirts of Tumbes, Peru, June 14, 2019

walked for weeks to reach Peru, UN officials said.

Families spread out their luggage on sidewalks and streets, with children playing and adults napping.

“This is my last resort. I hope they let me in,” Yaisy Segovia said, as she waited to fill out a form requesting asylum at tents set up by the UN refugee agency. Inside the tents, UN assistants helped Venezuelans answer questions on the forms.

Segovia, 32, said she left her three children with their grandparents in Venezuela to seek work in Peru.

After trekking and taking buses through Colombia and Ecuador, she made it to Tumbes, only to be robbed of her immigration documents and cash late on Friday, she said.

“I just want this trip to be over.”

The UN estimates that four million Venezuelan refugees and migrants have fled widespread shortages of basic foods and medicines as well as political violence in their homeland.

The crisis has deepened since the United States imposed tough sanctions on the nation’s oil industry in January in an effort to oust leftist President Maduro in favour of Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó.

Peru is home to some 800,000 Venezuelan migrants, the Government says – the second-largest population outside Colombia, which houses more than 1.2 million.

Just two years ago, Peru had introduced new migratory laws to accommodate Venezuelans. It doled out hundreds of thousands of special residency cards so they could work legally, go to school, and access public health care.

But the tide has since turned, amid growing fears fanned by media reports and politicians that Venezuelan migrants are driving down wages and fuelling crime.

Regina de la Portilla, a UNHCR spokeswoman in Peru, said she was unaware of any Venezuelans seeking asylum who were barred

from entering Peru.

She said that most Venezuelans leaving their homeland en mass should be considered refugees, given the acute humanitarian crisis.

But Peru applies a narrower definition of refugee. Peru President Martin Vizcarra’s Government has said that 99 per cent of Venezuelans who request asylum in Peru do not qualify for it, raising the prospect of nearly 280,000 Venezuelans eventually losing legal protections provided to them under the refugee system.

The UNHCR said that the latest waves of migrants were the neediest yet. Too poor to acquire passports, many were women with children who were rushing to join their partners in cities across South America before it was too late.

“People are arriving in a more and more vulnerable situation,” said Federico Agusti, UNHCR’s representative in Peru, said in a statement. “Some have been walking for 30 or 40 days through various countries in the region. We see people suffering from malnutrition or dehydration.”

Josverrelly Pena, a 29-year-old pregnant mother, said she and her husband arrived by bus just hours before the midnight deadline.

Lacking a passport for her son, she said they decided to leave everything to join her mother in Peru.

“We had been thinking about it for more than a year,” Pena said as she washed her hands over a sewage grate. “It was now or never.” (Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, JUNE 17, 2019

5

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

Transformational and visionary leaders are needed for a better Guyana

Dear Editor, What did Bill Gates (Microsoft), Steve Jobs (Apple), Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Tim Berners-Lee (the Internet), Larry Page (Google), Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), and Elon Musk (Tesla) all have in common?

Uncompromising vision, a passion to change the world, a willingness to take risks, and exceptional business acumen.

Such transformational and visionary leaders have the ability to view life, work, strategies, products and services in a way that very few others can; and with a deep sense of purpose and commitment. They rise above tribalism and ego, and use their talents for the betterment of all. In doing so, they inspire their team members to think outside the box for a better life and a better world for everyone, and not just for members of their own tribe.

The key characteristic of such leadership is the willingness to take bold, riskbased actions that aren’t in the mainstream.

There are some good

souls in Guyana who can meet the above criteria, rise above party politics, tribalism, ego, and personal enrichment, and use their talents for the betterment of all Guyanese. The problem is that the current environment does not support this thinking, and is rather hostile to such budding leaders, thus stifling creativity and innovation.

Were such local leaders to emerge, they must have a profound knowledge of the Guyanese multicultural landscape, business environment, economy, position within the geopolitical and geo-economic orbit, geography of the land, the country’s narrative history, its profile, and its rich and varied resources. Fusing this background with an awareness of an encroaching digital world -- where digitisation in almost everything we do will be transformative -will ensure a better Guyana for everyone, and not just for a few.

Microsoft has been an integral part of social change and world affairs that im-

pacted cultures, communities, and governments around the world. Over four decades ago, its founders -- Bill Gates and Paul Allen -- set the ambitious goal of putting a PC on every desk and in every home; a goal now largely realised.

Though the PC market declined after the laptops’ and smartphones’ advent, the existence of these “modern mobile PCs” is a testimony to the company’s impact on the world and on personal computing. Can you think of a computer without MSOffice and its suite of applications?

The Internet, the world’s library at our fingertips, has been widely available in the West only since the late 1990s, but its impact on how we live our daily lives is incalculable. Thanks to Tim Berners-Lee, who invented the Web in the early 1990s.

Google, founded by Larry Page and Sergey Bin, is the leading search engine and artificial intelligence outfit.

It’s certainly true that we now have instant access to information in a way we’ve

never had before. However, nothing has impacted our online lives to the same level as Google has; whether using our PC, laptop, mobile phone or tablet.

Tesla’s founder, Elon Musk, could have sat on his PayPal fortune and never been heard from again; but he wanted to change the world for better, and so we have Tesla, SolarCity and SpaceX, and even his plans for colonising Mars.

Jeff Bezos’s Amazon, the giant e-commerce site, is remaking the retail industry in its own image and leading the charge in artificial intelligence. Mark Zuckerberg took Facebook from campus experiment to a social network of unprecedented scale and size, with a mission to connect the whole world.

When the late Steve Jobs announced the release of the first generation iPhone in 2007, he said it was like having “your life in your pocket”, but the smartphone has ever since truly taken on a life of its own. Today, smartphones don’t just connect to the Web, their appli-

cations enable their use for any type of activity, such as sports, cooking, purchasing goods, organising, travelling, finding your soul mate, and money management.

History tends to focus on the builders, the deciders, the leaders: in education, health care, science, business, the arts, as well as politics; because they are the men and women whose contributions have shaped the destiny of their nations.

In fact, “transformational leadership” – leadership that makes a significant difference in the life of a nation – recognises that political capital is acquired to be spent in great causes for one’s country. Presidents and prime ministers are not chosen to seek popularity; they are chosen to provide leadership. There are times when voters must be told not what they want to hear, but what they have to know.

Leaders must have vision, and they must find the courage to fight for the policies that will give that vision life. Leaders must govern, not for easy headlines

in a few days, but for better countries in 10 years.

They must recognise that the workhorses of the digital revolution — computers, the Internet, and artificial intelligence -- backed by electrical power and big data, are widely available to all.

In today’s era of globalisation and rapid technological advances, transformational and visionary leaders must be willing to continually learn, unlearn, and relearn to really impact change. True leaders are those who lead by serving others. Amidst the complex global, social, economic, political and technological landscapes in which they operate, they are persistently and conscientiously pursuing their goals with a single-minded purpose that is geared for the betterment of humanity.

Dear Editor, The Mission Statement of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI), posted on that ministry's website is, “To plan, build and maintain a reliable, safe, efficient, and cost-effective Main Road Network and Sea and River defence system to protect life and property; support the movement of people, goods and services; reduce the cost of transportation; promote economic growth and quality of life, and protect the environment”.

Unfortunately, this Mission Statement is nothing but a misleading message to distract persons who don't know the reality obtaining at the MoPI. Numerous issues are being raised at the level of the Regional Democratic

Council, and despite their being communicated to the subject minister, all the issues remain unattended.

This is the pattern in all the ministries of the APNU/ AFC coalition Government, and since Guyanese are punishing, it must be highlighted.

These issues are intended to expose the incompetence that is existing in Government.

1: The Main Road that runs throughout Black Bush Polder; that is, from Lesbeholden to Yakusari, is in a deplorable state. It has not been maintained by the MoPI, and is currently impassable, so farmers cannot use the road to move their produce to their desired market locations. The movement of people is restricted, whilst transportation cost

has been increased.

2: The Corentyne Highway from Adventure village to Crabwood Creek needs immediate maintenance. The potholes are causing fatal accidents.

3: East and West Canje’s public roads also need immediate attention. Since their construction, there has been no maintenance; and so these roads must be maintained before they

become impossible to traverse. For about three years now, a sink hole has existed on the New Forest village main road, and despite numerous complaints, nothing has been done to fix it.

Many accidents have occurred there, and vehicles are damaged daily.

3: The MoPI is spending millions to paint the Canje Bridge, but refuse to address the issue of ‘spaces’

being created on the Bridge.

Commuters are feeling the burden, since vehicle tyres are being damaged because of the spaces that are now on the Bridge.

4: Maintenance of street lights in Berbice is of great concern, since crime is on the increase. Nothing is, however, being done to address this issue.

The MoPI is spending money only where there can

be "kickbacks" from contractors. Having direct responsibility for maintenance of the main public roads in Region Six, the MoPI continues to disregard the people’s cries and refuse to fix these roads.

They fix roads only in the APNU/AFC coalition Government support base.

Respectfully, Lal Balkaran IIA-Guyana Founder, and Past IIA-Toronto President lalbalkaran@rogers. com

MoPI must fix Black Bush Polder Road immediately

Regards, Zamal Hussain

6

monDAY, JUNE 17, 2019

Page What speech problems can kids have?

K

ids who stutter know what they want to say, but the words just don’t come out smoothly. They might repeat a word or a sound or drag out part of a word.

Some kids may have problems with certain sounds.

For instance, “Ss” and “Zs” are tough for kids with a lisp. They say the “th” sound when they mean to use an “s” or “z” sound. Other kids have trouble only with words that have “Rs” in them.

But whatever the speech problem, help is available.

Foundation way of everyday talking and is noticeable to other people.

A person may have a tough time getting thoughts out.

It also can cause embarrassment or frustration.

Why do kids have speech problems?

Doctors and scientists aren’t completely sure why talking is harder for some kids. But most believe speech difficulties happen because there’s a problem with the way the brain’s messages interact with the muscles and body parts needed for speaking.

ask you to read out loud, pronounce some words, or do some talking.

You might also have a hearing test with an audiologist (say: aw-dee-OL-uhjist), a specialist who diagnoses hearing problems. Why would you need to take a hearing test? Because if you can’t hear very well, you may have trouble hearing yourself and pronouncing words properly.

How are stuttering or other speech problems treated?

After you’ve seen the

What are stuttering and speech problems?

As human beings, we have the special ability to share our thoughts by talking. We start by forming a thought in our brains.

In the brain, this thought is changed into a code we’ve learned called language.

Once the thought is coded into language, the brain sends a message to the muscles that control speech, telling them to move and make the right sounds come out.

Then the mouth, face, neck, tongue, and throat muscles move to form words.

Sometimes this process doesn’t work perfectly, though. There might be an interruption or break in the flow of speech. This interruption is called a dysfluency (say: dis-FLOO-en-see).

Now and then, everyone has trouble getting words out. It’s normal to stumble over a word or two every once in a while. Dysfluency becomes a speech problem, though, when it gets in the

Many believe that stuttering may be genetic (say: juh-NEH-tik). This means that a characteristic — in this case, dysfluency — is passed on in the genes.

Kids who stutter are three times more likely to have a close family member who also stutters. So if you stutter, you may have a grandmother, parent, or brother or sister who stutters or once did.

How are speech problems diagnosed?

Your regular doctor might refer you to a speech and language therapist or you might go to one directly. Sometimes, the therapist, also called a speech and language pathologist (say: pahTHOL-uh-jist), will come right to your school to meet with you. The therapist may

speech and language therapist, he or she will go over the results of the tests with you and one or both of your parents. The tests may show that you need speech therapy. These are sessions when you can work on your speech and practise your skills.

Your therapy session could be just you and the therapist or you might have a session with a group of kids.

It’s also important to spend time practising your skills on your own. The therapist can give you exercises that you can do at home.

Practising will improve your skills and help with your everyday talking. You’ll discover easier or different ways of making sounds so you can speak more clearly.

At first, these skills may seem strange or even feel a little weird. But give it some

time. Soon, if you work at it, you’ll notice improvement and start to feel more confident in your speaking. You won’t be perfect at it, but that’s OK. No one talks perfectly 100% of the time.

6 simple ways to improve the way you speak

Living with a speech problem

Having a speech problem might make you feel sad or shy. You might even decide it would be easier if you just didn’t talk too much.

But as with other kinds of problems, ignoring speech problems won’t make them go away. Instead of hiding a lisp or stutter, be open about the way you talk and the steps you’re taking to improve your speech.

Explain the situation to friends and teachers.

Unfortunately, living with a speech problem may also mean learning how to deal with teasing. It really hurts when someone makes fun of you for something you can’t completely control, like the way you talk.

Turn to your parents, friends, and teachers for support. If someone makes fun of you, simply say you have a speech problem and you’re working on correcting it. If the teasing keeps going, ask an adult for help.

Be patient with yourself. Most kids with speech problems will get better at talking, especially if they practise, practise, practise.

If you don’t have a speech problem, but you know someone who does, try to be a friend. Be patient while your friend finishes a thought, and don’t be afraid to say (politely) that you didn’t understand what he or she said and could they please say it again. (kidshealth.org)

O

Slow down

ne of the most important things you can do to improve the clarity of your message is to slow down, says Katie Schwartz, president of Durham, North Carolina speech coaching firm Business Speech Improvement. People tend to speak quickly when they’re nervous or unsure of what they’re saying.

Speaking slower not only improves how well your audience comprehends what you’re saying, but it also makes you sound more confident and in control, she says.

A good benchmark is to speak slow enough that, if you were reciting a phone number, the person listening to you would be able to write it down. Practice your speech speed by reciting a long string of numbers, and writing them in the air as you do so. That’s just about the perfect cadence, she says.

Breathe

If you breathe shallowly in your chest instead of deeply into your abdomen, your voice will sound weaker and possibly jittery. It can be tough to remember to breathe deeply when you’re nervous or stressed, but taking full-relaxed breaths will improve the depth of your voice and can help you sound more confident, says Kate DeVore, founder of Total Voice, a Chicago, Illinois-based speech coaching firm.

Watch your posture

The way you sit or stand could affect your speech.

Standing or sitting straight allows you to breathe properly and gives your voice greater strength and clarity, says DeVore.

Moving your head a bit

can also make a difference.

If you lift up your chin and tilt your head slightly, you can cut some of the resonance and make your voice sound more clear. If your shoulders are tight and hunched up toward your head, “you’re cutting out big chunks of your voice’s potential potency,” she says.

Hydrate

Keeping yourself well-hydrated also helps the quality of your voice, DeVore says. If you’re drinking coffee or soda throughout the day instead of water, your vocal cords might not have the moisture they need to make your voice sound the best it can be.

“The vocal cords need to be fairly pliable because of how fast they vibrate,” DeVore says. “For women they vibrate an average of 200 times per second, and for men it’s about 120 times per second.”

Watch your pitch

Voices with high pitch or a nasal quality are often that way because the speaker is insecure or nervous, Schwartz says. Using the right vocal pitch helps you be a more effective communicator. You can find your perfect pitch by saying, “uhhuh” as if you were casually saying “yes” to a friend’s question. Schwartz says the pitch of your voice when you speak should match the “uh.”

Avoid yelling

Love cheering on your team at the top of your lungs? That’s not exactly great for your vocal cords, Schwartz says. Yelling can strain them and make it difficult for you to speak.

In the worst cases, yelling can lead to vocal nodules, or bumps on your vocal chords. (fastcompany.com)

news

7

monDAY, JUNE 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

PPP wants Police to probe alleged fraud at GRA over seized vehicles

O

pposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has approached the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to investigate alleged fraud at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) over seized vehicles that find their way onto the streets without being registered or gazetted.

According to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, they were forced to make this move owing to inaction on the part of the GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia to look into the matter. “(Thursday) we wrote the Police. If the GRA is not going to write the Police, they have now been written to because it’s fraud.

So let’s see what the Police will do on this matter,” Jagdeo noted.

The Opposition Leader told reporters at last week’s press conference that hundreds of motor vehicles were being imported into Guyana and were not being placed on the register for Want of Entry and, therefore, were never gazetted and put up for action. In fact, Jagdeo posited that these motor vehicles, most of which were luxu-

The Guyana Revenue Authority

ry vehicles, were finding their way onto the streets.

“The hundreds of luxury vehicles like Land Cruisers, Lexus, Hummers, BMW that came into the country were seized by GRA, never made it to the register for the want of entry and so were never gazetted and placed at the auctions.

These hundreds of vehicles found their way into the hands of people sympathetic to the Government resulting in billions of dollars of lost revenue,” he disclosed.

Jagdeo went on to outline that most recently, two vehicles, both Land Cruisers, were brought into Guyana from Venezuela and were

seized by the GRA in Lethem, back in May 2019. However, in a turn of events, the very same vehicles were then registered to a member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), but backdated to March 14, 2019.

In documents seen by the Opposition Leader, for the vehicles PXX 5337 and PXX 6338, there were several blank areas which are required to be filled by GRA, including the sourcing area.

“So, after my press conference, I was hoping that the Commissioner General would pick up his phone and say ‘is this so? When did the vehicles come in?’ They would have told him and then he would have asked ‘when were they registered?’ And if he was told this, the next thing he would do is to put out a statement and call in the Police because this is corruption. (It) is fraud to backdate a vehicle (document and) I’m not even sure that it’s sold. It might be given or sold below value. So until now, nothing, not a word!” Jagdeo pointed out.

Further questioned on the matter, the Opposition Leader argued

that if the GRA Head did not have anything to hide, then he should call the Auditor General in to prove the issue.

“I want to give him the benefit of the doubt: maybe he doesn’t know about this information, but I ask if the Commissioner doesn’t have anything to hide too, he would call in the Auditor General.

I have not seen any movement on that,” Jagdeo contended.

As such, the Opposition Leader noted that his Party had to act on the matter and get the Police involved. He added too that they would be closely monitoring the issue to see the outcome.

Earlier this month when Jagdeo had first made this fraud claim, local media reported Statia confirming that indeed the vehicles were seized and disposed of.

However, he had indicated that he would have to investigate the other allegations being made by the Opposition Leader before he could comment.

But efforts to contact the GRA Head for an update on the matter were futile.

Deeds Registry clamps down on businesses for non-compliance – mining, construction companies among those struck off register

A

s of June 4, 2019, almost 500 companies, ranging from contractors to educational institutions, were removed from the companies’ register by the Deeds and Commercial Registry (DCR).

According to a notice from the DCR, these companies were removed on the grounds that they were non-compliant with the regulations. Specifically, they were not in compliance with Sections 153 and 481 (1) of the Companies Act of 1991.

Section 481 (1) of the Act states, “If a certificate that contains an error is issued to a company by the Registrar, the directors or shareholders of the company must, upon the request of the Registrar, pass

the resolutions and send to the Registrar the documents required to comply with this Act, and take such other steps as the Registrar may reasonably require and the Registrar may demand the surrender of the certificate and issue a corrected certificate.”

Section 153 of the Act also states that “Subject to this section, every company shall, at least once every year, make a return (a) in the prescribed form; (b) made up to the date of the Annual General Meeting of the company; (c) containing the particulars referred to in the fifth schedule and where a recommendation with respect to a dividend is rejected, the statement required by section 50 (2).”

Among the companies the DCR

The Deeds and Commercial Registry office

announced were struck off the register are construction firm Samaroo Investments incorporated, mining company Tesouro Resources

Guyana, The Business School and SBT Guyana. The notice, dated June 4, 2019, was signed by acting Registrar of Companies, Geeta

Baijnath.

The DCR is an independent body, which was established in 2013, to promote the efficient and orderly operations of the Deeds Registry and the Commercial Registry. It also established a Governing Board, which ensures the proper and efficient performance of the functions of the authority.

The Board is usually made up of a Chairman, the Registrar of Deeds and the Commercial Registry, a nominee from each of the following entities: the Finance Ministry, the Communities Ministry, the Guyana Bar Association, the Guyana Association of Legal Professionals, and the Private Sector.

8 News

monDAY, JUNE 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

LGBTQ activist attacked, beaten at Bourda Market – 2 attackers identified

P

opular Gay rights activist and Managing Director of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), Joel Earl Simpson, was rushed to the hospital in the wee hours of Sunday after he was reportedly attacked and beaten by six men at Bourda Market.

According to reports, Simpson visited the market after a night out at a popular night club located on Main Street, Georgetown to purchase snacks.

However, while there, he was swarmed by the six men, whom he had an earlier encounter with at the night club.

While ignoring the men and continuing to make his order, Simpson was reportedly pushed to the ground and badly beaten.

A City Constable attempted to intervene but also became a victim after the men attacked him as well.

Nevertheless, Simpson was saved when vendors of the market went to his assistance and rushed him to safety inside one of the stalls.

Joel Simpson

The activist was later rushed to the hospital, where he was treated for injuries to about his body.

In a Facebook post, Simpson detailed what transpired. He explained that the men began the homophobic attack at the night club where he was with a group of friends following a day of activities.

He explained that while partying, at around midnight, a group of men entered the night club and positioned themselves behind him and his friends.

Simpson recounted that sometime after, he felt a watery substance later identi-

fied as beer being thrown at him and his friends.

“I thought it must have been a drunken spill so I ignored it, but we then felt a second douse of beer on us.

At this point, we realised this was very deliberate” he related.

As such, a complaint was made to a Supervisor of the popular night spot but Simpson said he was left stunned when the man (supervisor) stated “we don’t want man wining pun man here”.

Following this, the activist recounted that his angered friends began verbally abusing the group of men, but he intervened and stopped them.

Simpson added that he and his friends proceeded to leave the business establishment and it was at this time, while enroute to Bourda Market, he made a Facebook post highlighting the ordeal he faced.

However, the activist posited that shortly after arriving at Bourda, he was surprised when the group of men from the club turned up

and proceeded to attack him.

At the time, he was alone.

The activist is calling for justice and also calling for a public apology from the night club which he named in his Facebook post.

Meanwhile a report was lodged at the Alberttown Police Station. When contacted ‘A’ Division (Georgetown) Commander Marlon Chapman told the Guyana Times that no arrests were made.

However, this newspaper understands that one of the attackers has been identified as Maverick De Abreu.

He is said to be the leader of the group which attacked Simpson.

De Abreu is currently on trial over the April 2017 beating of popular Trinidadian Soca artiste, Rodney “Benjai” La Blanc, outside the said night. He was also charged for discharging a loaded firearm at his pregnant girlfriend and her sister in May of that year.

Additionally, another one of the men who attacked Simpson was identified as “Jahmol” (only name given),

Teen on bail for attempting to smuggle lighter into lock-ups

A

teenager who attempted to smuggle a cigarette lighter into the East Ruimveldt Police Station for her child’s father was charged and released on

bail on Friday last.

Seventeen-year-old Sharmaine Lamazon of Tucville, Georgetown, appeared before senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the

Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Lamazon denied the charge which stated that on June 9, 2019 at the East Ruimveldt Police Station,

she brought a prohibited article to one Daniel Boutrim, a prisoner.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh had no objection to bail being granted. He further stated that according to information, on the day in question, the teenager went to visit her child’s father at the East Ruimveldt Police Station and handed over a box of food to an officer to give to Boutrim. However, when the officer searched the food, the cigarette lighter was found under the rice.

The teenager was then told of the offence, taken into custody, and charged.

The Magistrate, after listening to the facts, released Lamazon on $40,000 bail.

The mother of one was instructed to make her next court appearance on July 18, 2019.

Last week, Boutrim appeared before the same Magistrate where he was slapped with four charges, including two counts of using threatening language, inflicting grievous bodily harm, and escaping custody.

How many times…

B

…can Naga take Larwah? ack during the 2015 campaign, after Nagamootoo was made the PNC-led coalition’s PM candidate, his erstwhile comrade in the PPP, Donald Ramotar – who just happened to be that party’s candidate – predicted the PNC would give him “Larwah”!!

Now, Ramotar was there for most of the 50 years that Nagamootoo regularly boasted he’d been in the PPP, and with what has happened subsequently, Ramotar’s proven to be a prophet. Everyone knew the PNC wasn’t gonna give away anything, but Ramotar also knew Nagamootoo loved GETTING Larwah!!

The only question was how long could he take it?!!

The poet/songwriter Bob Dylan, from Nagamootoo’s generation, had once asked plaintively, “Yes, ‘n’ how many times can a man turn his head/And pretend that he just doesn’t see?/The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind/ The answer is blowin’ in the wind.” Well, it ain’t blowin’ in the wind no mo’! The members of the AFC, which had given him succor, decided that anyone who would take so much Larwah willingly, and with evident relish, had to go! They voted 200 to 45 to reject Nagamootoo as the PM candidate in favour of Ramjattan!!

Only days before, Nagamootoo had gleefully published a CADRES poll in the Chronic that showed him being preferred over Ramjattan as the PM candidate 38 per cent to 5per cent!! Well, we now know how fixed THAT “poll” was – including its outlandish claims about the popularity of Granger!! The Larwah had come hard on the heels of the election, when Granger reneged on the PNC/AFC’s Cummingsburg Accord which promised Nagamootoo a PM on steroids, but gave him just a weekly column in the Chronic!!

When this newspaper reported that Nagamootoo had been stripped of all responsibilities, which had been transferred to the Ministry of the Presidency, run by Joseph Harmon, he protested vehemently. He had Rickey Singh fired as a Chronic columnist after the veteran pointed out that the so-called Prime Minister really had on no clothes after being Larwah’d!! It was therefore poetic justice that just before he was given the massive Larwah by the AFC, it was the same Joseph Harmon who overrode his reinstatement of Sherod Duncan as the Chronic’s GM!!

How much Larwah can one man take??

Notwithstanding his protestations after his shafting, Nagamootoo had waged a vicious and dirty rearguard to prevent it. His lackey, the DPI, insisted that he and his wife (Nagamootoo sycophants both) were “threatened by a thug” close to an AFC big wig (read Ramjattan) and that “criminals and misfits are infiltrating the AFC”.

But your Eyewitness predicts that Nagamootoo will yet be Granger’s PM candidate! Why? No one will take Larwah like him!! …will Ramjattan be the bridesmaid?

If he has any political sense, Ramjattan shouldn’t be too precipitate in his celebrations. True, he’s humiliated the man for whom he’d stepped aside in the party he’d help found, but who’d inveigled himself into becoming the AFC’s face and had run him down. But he should question the nonsense being peddled, that the AFC still has a lock on who becomes the PM candidate because of the Cummingsburg Accord.

Even when the Accord hadn’t expired, when did the PNC ever follow up on its promises to the AFC? Forget about Nagamootoo being neutered – was he, Ramjattan, allowed to keep his family jewels as Public Security Minister? To the PNC, the Accord’s no more than the toilet paper the Chronic is to most folks! Granger and the PNC will use the CADRES Poll to justify them picking Nagamootoo as their PM Candidate, arguing that they’d sampled a wider cross section than just the AFC diehards.

Their supporters will have no problem with that. They saw how receptive Nagamootoo was to Larwah!! …will the Treasury be raided?

The so called “scholarships payments” made directly to Minister Broomes’s children should remind us that, with oil on the way, we’re well on course to becoming the “Equatorial Guinea” of South America.

Earning US$45 billion from oil between 2000-2013, the average Guinean still lives on US$1 daily!!

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

news

9

monDAY, JUNE 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Enemies against working class “alive and well” – Witter – tells Enmore Martyrs’ commemoration gathering struggle for better conditions still ongoing

Veteran trade unionist Norris Witter

I

n presence of persons gathered to observe Enmore Martyrs Day, in commemoration of those five sugar workers who had each made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight for better working conditions, Executive Member of the Guyana Trades Unions Congress (GTUC), Norris Witter, pointed out that some 71 years after their deaths, the struggle for better conditions still remains for the working class people.

Delivering remarks at Sunday’s ceremony in commemoration of Enmore Martyrs Day, Witter pointed to two major incidents of today that remind of this continuous struggle; those are: the closure of the sugar estates, and the firing of the

RUSAL workers with impunity.

“It is not the closure of those estates (that is at issue), but it was how it was done. There was no consultation with the unions that are recognised within the industry,” Witter noted.

He went on to say that, “The enemies against the working class are alive and well. They might not be easily recognisable, but they are ever present, subtle and vicious.”

Witter acknowledged the selfless sacrifice of those who had given their lives for their rights and those of other workers. That tragedy, he noted, served as a catalyst for change that resulted in statutory recognition of all trade unions, in collective

bargaining for better wages and benefits with employers, and in emergence of a broad menu of Labour laws that regulate wages, holidays with pay, termination of employment, old age pension, and National Insurance and social benefits.

Witter posited that in this era of corporate capitalism, trade unionists must be vigilant, as more challenges are ahead, and solidarity is necessary in fighting those challenges.

His statements come as fired sugar workers continue to struggle for their daily bread following closure of four sugar estates by the Coalition Government.

The downsizing of the sugar industry resulted in some 7000 workers being displaced.

Added to this, some 100 bauxite workers were initially fired earlier this year; but while they were subsequently reinstated, they continue to push for better working conditions.

Further, the APNU+AFC Government has come in for much criticism over the dismissal of several staff members from the Department of Public Service within the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP). These staffers were fired by newly installed Minister Tabitha SaraboHalley, reportedly for leaking information alleging cor-

A section of the gathering at Sunday’s Ceremony

ruption within the MoTP. N e v e r t h e l e s s , Government buckled under pressure and reversed the dismissal decision. Those staffers are now on administrative leave, pending the outcome of a Presidential Board of Inquiry which commences today.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, in his address to the gathering at Sunday’s commemoration ceremony, said those sugar workers’ lives were not lost in vain, as their heroism remains a part of the country’s history.

Williams pointed out that the sugar industry at the time of the closures was

suffering some $50 billion in losses, and adding that “the industry is not dead, but rather is in recovery, being nursed back to health.”

He echoed President David Granger’s appeal for all stakeholders to work together to ensure the survival of the sugar industry.

“Seventy-one years ago, five sugar workers laid down their lives for the improvement of all sugar workers… we owe it to them to do our best to assure this industry continues to contribute to the development of the people who depend on it.

Let us all work together to turn this industry around,” Williams said.

Sunday’s commemoration was held at the Enmore Martyrs Monument Site on the East Coast of Demerara in honour of Lallabaggie and Dookie from Enmore; and Rambarran, Harry and Pooran, who were on June 16, 1948 shot and killed by Police at the Enmore Estate while protesting for improved working conditions on sugar plantations.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from various trade unions, Government ministers, Members of Parliament, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and members of the public, who participated in the wreath laying ceremony.

10 news

monDAY, JUNE 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

3 arrested after 28kg cannabis found in Route 72 minibus

T

hree persons, including the driver and a female occupant, were taken into Police custody following the discovery of more than 28 kilograms of cannabis on a Route 72 minibus intercepted by ranks of the Mabura Police Outpost at about 17:00h on Saturday.

According to reports, Police acted on information received and intercepted the minibus as it was heading to the township of Mahdia in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). At time of interception, the 42-yearold bus driver had two females in the vehicle.

One of the wheels in which the narcotics were found

The ranks observed two wheels strapped to the top of the bus. These were re-

moved and searched, and 29 bulky, transparent parcels, suspected to be canna-

bis, were unearthed. Later weighed, they amounted to 28.148kg, or 61 pounds.

As a result of that discovery, the driver, a resident of Wismar, Linden, and one of the female occupants were arrested, along with another person who was not in the vehicle at time of its interception.

Guyana Times was told that the driver alleged receiving a “job� to transport the narcotics for someone in Georgetown. That person is the third suspect in custody.

Investigations are continuing.

In April last, 61 taped parcels containing 9.5 ki-

The illegal substance found

lograms (21 pounds) of cocaine and 45.9 kilograms (101 pounds) of compressed ganja were confiscated by the Police during a raid at an incomplete structure at Tabatinga, Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Police, acting on information, visited that location and spotted a male

who, upon realising that ranks were closing in on him, fled the scene and is yet to be apprehended.

According to Police, the parcels containing the illegal substances were found when the incomplete structure was searched. Two males were subsequently arrested in connection with that find.

C

news

11

monDAY, JUNE 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Nagamootoo says AFC can negotiate more power from APNU ...even after abysmal performance at LGE

I

t has had a poor showing at the Local Government Elections (LGE), and criticisms abound that it has lost its independence since coalescing with the larger partner, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), but Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is still hoping that his party, the Alliance For Change (AFC), can get a better deal out of the Cummingsburg Accord.

Nagamootoo made this statement at St. Paul’s Retreat at Vryheid Lust on Saturday, only a short while before news emerged that party leader Khemraj Ramjattan had ousted him as the AFC’s preferred Prime Ministerial candidate for the upcoming elections.

Asked by the media whether that party could expect the same allocation of parliamentary seats after the next General and Regional elections, his response was: “(We’ll) have to go back and reconfigure the formula. And however that is reformulated, it has to be what we old time politicians call dialectically. You have to take account of changes; everything has to happen in that way.

“There is a platform we

The goodbye wave: Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo as he exited the NEC

have been standing on so far, the Cummingsburg Accord, and we can improve on the platform. I’m hoping that we can.”

Nagamootoo noted that even if the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) necessitates early elections this year, an arrangement could be worked out in a short space of time, as occurred in 2015.

The AFC has previously been criticised, especially from the parliamentary Opposition, for what many describe as the submissive role it has been playing since

joining forces with APNU as a coalition ahead of the 2015 polls.

Decisions such as the closure of sugar estates, which has put thousands of sugar workers out of jobs, have gone unchallenged, and have even been supported by the AFC. This despite the portfolio of the Ministry of Agriculture being held by an AFC party member, Noel Holder.

In addition, there has been the strategic re-allocation of responsibilities away from Ministries headed by AFC officials to other Ministries.

There is also the fact that,

despite the Cummingsburg Accord stipulating that the Prime Minister has responsibility for chairing cabinet and domestic issues, this has not been followed through.

The AFC top leadership had, in mid-November of 2017, moved to revise its governing agreement with its majority coalition partner. This made little headway, and talks of revising the agreement petered out after the AFC’s showing at the LGE in 2018, their having failed to win a single Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

Notwithstanding all this, Nagamootoo is still insisting that the AFC has political influence. He pointed out that at the delegates conference itself, members of the party, both local and overseas, turned out in their numbers.

“The AFC started out as a 10 per cent party, as a junior party in the coalition.

Today the AFC is a significant partner of the coalition,” Nagamootoo told the media.

“The AFC has under its wings strategic ministries.

Look, they have been calling

me rubberstamp and a person without power, and everything else, but tomorrow you’ll see. If I announce I am walking, (they) will celebrate, because they’ll think they got rid of (me).

“So you’ll have the critics saying all manner of things.

At one point, they’d say the AFC is being bullied in the coalition, and another time they’ll say the AFC is dead. So you don’t bully the dead.

“We cannot work according to the agenda of the detractors; we have to work in real terms: that here is a party that is a member and part of a coalition,” he declared.

Recycling leaders

Nagamootoo also responded to allegations that the AFC was just recycling its old leaders. For instance, on Saturday, Ramjattan was also elected unopposed as leader of his party, prior to being chosen as the PM candidate, riding on the endorsement of former leader Raphael Trotman.

Both David Patterson, Public Infrastructure Minister and eventual AFC

General Secretary, and Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes had previously declined nomination for the leadership of the party, paving the way for Ramjattan’s election.

Trotman, the Natural Resources Minister, has in turn been endorsed as Chairman of the party by Ramjattan, and this was not opposed. Hughes was also re-elected to her post as Vice Chair.

Nagamootoo is still insisting that the AFC is a party that believes in giving others in its membership a chance to lead. According to the PM, time is needed to “incubate” the party.

Commenting on his own future with the party, he noted that he is not a “dinosaur.”

“I believe (that) at some point in time, Nagamootoo will have to make way for someone. That, for me, is the perfect transition. I’m not here as a dinosaur, to stay or an old boat dropping my anchor. That is not my thought,” he said.

12 News

monDAY, JUNE 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramjattan plans to eliminate drug trafficking “big guns” by “reducing profit margins”

G

overnment will be pumping more funds into the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) with the expectation that there will be more interdictions and successful prosecutions being made by that agency.

This is according to Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who made this disclosure to the media at a ceremony to commission the spanking new $42 million building constructed for CANU recently. “(We expect) more and more successful prosecutions of especially those at the very upper level (who are) involved in this trade.

That is where we want the prosecutions to come from…

We have to realise that it is important that our monies be spent on personnel and infrastructure and all the other things to get the

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

big gunners targeted and prosecuted successfully,” Ramjattan explained.

He further explained that the thrust should be to have the kingpins arrested and charged for their drug-related crimes. He said that while there have been prosecutions against drug

mules, more needs to be done to nab the persons who recruit them.

“The little guy on the street there, I am very concerned about him going to spend a year, or three years, in jail for a spliff. We have a legislation or a bill in Parliament to deal with

that. But the big gunners… those are the ones we are after. What it also helps with -- when they are prosecuted successfully and so on, and you knock down their little empires -- is that you drive the profit motive out of the trade. This drug-(trafficking) trade has as its primary motivation profit,” the Public Security Minister posited.

Ramjattan has noted that it is necessary that more resources be put into the goal of minimising and eventually eliminating the profit motivation related to narco-trafficking in Guyana.

“And if we can do the necessary things to cut the profit out of the trade: catching them, destroying the cultivation field, eradicating where they are planting the marijuana – all those kind of things will then break (the trade) down,” he stated.

A United States (US) State Department report had earlier this year declared that while Guyana has a comprehensive drug demand reduction strategy, the use of drugs like marijuana, and even cocaine, is still a growing problem.

This information is contained in the 2019 International Narcotics

Control Strategy Report, which contains a section on Guyana’s profile.

Notwithstanding the trafficking, the report notes, actual consumption of these drugs is a growing problem. According to the report, marijuana is the most commonly used drug.

The document has also noted reported seizures of synthetic drugs like MethyleneDioxyamphetamine (MDMA), most commonly known as “ecstasy”, and detailed Government’s response to the scourge.

“The Government of Guyana’s National Drug Abuse Control Unit trains public health officers, teachers, social workers, and civil society groups as part of the Government’s supply re-

duction strategy,” the report states.

It went on to outline that, “The Guyanese Government has a drug enforcement presence at its international airports, post offices, and to a lesser extent at seaports and land-border entry points. Control agencies reported several interdiction efforts and drug-related seizures and convictions during the first nine months of 2018.”

Further, the report detailed that, during the first nine months of 2018, authorities here seized 164.9 kilograms (kg) of cocaine and 889kg of cannabis. It also stated that local authorities had initiated 358 prosecutions and convicted 24 individuals for drug trafficking.

news

13

monDAY, JUNE 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Faydeha King crowned Miss Earth Guyana 2019 …Cintiana Harry crowned Miss Eco-Guyana

Miss Earth Guyana 2019, Faydeha King

A

fter a night of entertainment and glamour, 26-year-old Faydeha King was crowned Miss Earth Guyana 2019 on Saturday evening, after dominating all categories and wowing the judges with a fiery red evening gown.

In a grand coronation ceremony at the National Cultural Centre, the Berbician competed against seven other delegates to win the coveted crown. Amelia Baksh, Annesa Vansluytman, Cintiana Harry, Kataina Phillips, Maricia Meusa, Phelicia Adams and Selena Guyadeen were the other delegates who worked endlessly to execute their routines to perfection.

This year, the theme circled around the celebration of flora, prompting the ladies to represent flowers that are native to Guyana.

The theme was displayed in its entirety during the costume segment, as the stage was transformed into a garden. Vansluytman gained first place for her hibiscus costume, and King and Harry emerged second and third respectively.

This was followed by the resort wear, in which King once again achieved gold, Adams won silver and bronze awarded to Vansluytman.

For the People’s Choice Award, Baksh gained the highest number of points for likes, comments and shares on her social media photo.

For the talent segment, which was judged prior to the coronation ceremony, King also secured the first prize. It focused on the significance of the waves which

form throughout the waterways of Guyana and was demonstrated through drums.

Lastly, the evening gown segment did not disappoint the audience, who witnessed fabulous gowns from local designers. As expected, King’s dress was a step above the rest with a flowing trail and ensemble, designed solely by Randy Madray.

Over the years, this local designer has been on the forefront in promoting fashion here in Guyana.

Vansluytman’s shiny white gown gained her the silver award, and Harry third.

However, the deciding factor to determining the winner depended on the question-and answer-segment, which saw four women – King, Baksh, Harry and Vansluytman – trying their best to define the beauty

earth warrior.

King answered, “I’m the definition of the beauty of an earth warrior. You can also be the definition of a beautiful earth warrior. You just have to listen to what Earth is telling us…She is asking us to start beautifying and stop making her ugly and destroying her because she is here to supply and provide for us.”

For the newly-introduced Miss Eco-Guyana title, Harry emerged victorious.

Baksh strutted in as first runner-up and Vansluytman was second runner-up. The winner was crowned by last year’s queen, Xameira Kippins.

It was a tedious process of judging each piece with the relevant criteria, which prompted the pageant coordinators to source qualified individuals, with knowledge about Guyana’s natural features and ways to preserve it.

To date, King has competed in 11 pageants. She participated in the Skeldon High, Miss Corriverton, Miss Region Six, Miss Bartica Regatta, Miss Caribbean Culture Guyana and Miss Black San International Pageants, all of which she won. She gained first runner-up for Miss Jamzone 2013 and second runner-up for Miss Universe Guyana 2015 and Miss Global International Guyana.

The Miss Earth Pageant represents the most beautiful women of the Earth to serve as role models dedicated to advocacy to preserve

Second runner-up Anessa Vansluytman with Miss Earth Guyana 2019 Faydeha King, Miss Eco-Guyana Cintiana Harry and first runner-up Amelia Baksh

and restore Mother Earth.

Miss Earth is the largest environmental event in the world, channelling the beauty pageant entertainment industry as an effective tool to promote environmental awareness.

The Miss Earth Guyana and Miss Eco-Guyana crowns were made with recyclable materials and semi-precious stones.

Last year, Kippins won the title of Miss Earth Guyana 2018, and later rep-

resented the country in the Philippines, bringing home the gold medal for her Ole Higue costume. Later during her reign, King too will represent Guyana on the international stage alongside 102 other countries.

14 news

monDAY, JUNE 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Toshaos, loggers receive forest management training

T

oshaos and loggers are now better equipped to manage Guyana’s forests, having attended a training workshop for those in administrative and managerial positions held at the National Toshaos Council on Hadfield Street, Georgetown from June 12 to 14.

The workshop, which concluded on Saturday, was aimed at ensuring adherence to the European Union Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (EUFLEGT) process.

The training also sought to build administrative and managerial capacities of the participants, who will ultimately play leading roles in ensuring adherence to the EU-FLEGT process within Indigenous communities.

Training for Indigenous leaders in this regard forms part of an agreement between the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, under the FAO EU-FLEGT programme, and the NTC, for promoting sustainable forestry in Indigenous peoples’ communities through capacity building and direct participation in the EU-FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) process.

The training included areas of financial management, project management, and proposals and budgeting; and it is expected that the skills of the participating leaders have been boosted.

Toshao of Kimbia, Chairman of the Region 10 Council, Ricky Boyle, has said the programme

Toshaos and loggers have benefited from a Forest Management Workshop held at the offices of the National Toshaos Council on Hadfield Street

has already made a difference within communities in that Upper Demerara-Berbice region. Boyle explained that villagers, many of whom are involved in the forestry sector, are very interested in the project, since they are seeking markets for their produce.

“If they can get a direct market to EU, instead of going through a middle man, that would be of great benefit to my village…The people are dependent on the forest,” he disclosed.

He also said the loggers are hopeful that, through the EUFLEGT VPA project, EU buyers can have a direct exchange with them. He noted the importance of the training in ensuring the right products are supplied and buyers’

requirements are met.

Meanwhile, Toshao Romeo Smith of Karrau Village, Lower Mazaruni, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), who also benefited from the programme, highlighted the importance of such a training to ensure that the village councils understand the EU-FLEGT process and what is meant by sustainable forest management.

Smith has promised to engage the loggers in his village regarding the programme, for which he has expressed gratitude at having been allowed to participate.

The FAO EU-FLEGT programme seeks to promote implementation of the FLEGT Action Plan by improving forest governance, providing technical as-

sistance, and building capacity through funding for projects in eligible countries.

Guyana has received some Gy$104 million (US$49,990) for the project. Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe; FAO Country Representative Gillian Smith, and the EU Delegation Representative Frederico Suarez were also present at the conclusion of the workshop.

Communities that benefited from the training were those from Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The toshaos and loggers in attendance were: Rymple Williams (toshao) and Garfield Williams (logger) of Waikerebi in Region One; Baramita Toshao Sharmain Rambajue, Kwebanna Deputy Toshao Andrew Wilson, and logger Marbel Hackette; Manawarin Toshao Shambach John and logger Kishore John; and Warapoka Toshao Allan Henry.

Those in attendance from Region Two were: Mainstay Toshao Milton Fredericks and Wakapao Toshao Howard Cornelius. And those from Region Seven were Karrau Toshao Romeo Smith and Logger Sylvena Hohenkrik, Batavia Councillor Darline Bernard and Logger Clinton Prence.

Those in attendance from Region 10 were River View Toshao Kenneth Edward and logger Andy Braithwaite; Great Falls Toshao

Nichole Daniels and logger Curtis Bennette; Muritaro Toshao Loretta Fiedtkou and logger Selvis Spencer; and Kimbia Toshao Rickey Boyle.

This training session on better management of the country’s forests comes days after Government had said it is looking to make reforestation a mandatory requirement for loggers and miners applying for concessions, so as to preserve and sustain its forests.

This was announced by President David Granger during a World Environment Day 2019 event wherein he emphasised that protecting the environment is an obligation, not an option. He noted that with Guyana being part of the ‘Guiana Shield’, considered the ‘lungs of the world’, it is important to safeguard the country’s forests from harmful activities such as mining and logging.

“Mining and logging are two of the principal contributors to deforestation. Small-scale mining alone accounted for about 89 per cent of deforestation over the past three years.

So small-scale mining has a largescale impact on the environment.

Deforestation by both mining and logging has scarred our rainforests with craters. These wastelands result in further land degradation of the exposed land. Guyana’s forestry and mining laws will be strengthened to make re-forestation and land reclamation conditional for the approval of mining and logging concessions,” the Head of State had posited.

Cabinet approves over $578M for road works

A

number of road works are expected to get underway as Cabinet approved in excess of $578 million in contracts to be awarded for the rehabilitation and construction of roads across the country.

The Public Infrastructure Ministry will undertake the rehabilitation of miscellaneous roads in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), including the Coldigen Road Network, East Coast Demerara (ECD), which was awarded to A&S General Contractors Incorporated at a cost of $56.4 million. The Cane Grove Main Road, Mahaica will also see upgrades being carried by BK International Incorporated for $82.6 million.

Meanwhile, under the Communities Ministry, in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), much-needed works will be done to upgrade Semple Street – a $22.6 mil-

lion contract awarded to Shereaz Bacchus General Contractor; Saga Street, Bath Settlement – a $14.4 million contract awarded to Golden Splash Construction Service; Sideline Dam, Onderneeming – a $12 million contract awarded to Romel Jagroop General Construction Service; and the Eastern Sideline Dam in Belladrum to be upgraded by Shereaz Bacchus General Contractor to the tune of $13.9 million.

In Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), road works at Four Miles, Bartica were awarded to B&J Civil Works for $57.6 million.

Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) will see works conducted at Nursery School Road, Richmond Housing Scheme, by Vish Turbo Contracting for $19.6 million, and at Sideline Dam, Henrietta, conducted by Mohamed Ramzanalli

Works ongoing on the East Coast Road

Khan for $22 million, while Mohamed Fawaaz Bacchus Construction & Transportation Services was given the $26.3 million contract for the enhancement of Main Street, Charity Housing Scheme, which also includes a link to the public road.

Adding to that, several streets in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)

are listed for rehabilitative works. These include: Bristol Street, Levi Dam, and Patrick Dam at Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam; Lucas Street, Corriverton, and Second Cross Street, Rose Hall, Berbice – for a total sum of $136.4 million.

Works will also be executed in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) at Bacchus Street, Wismar for

$16.7 million; Homestretch, Christiansburg to the tune of $14.7 million; Johnson Ring, Block 22, Linden, for $37 million; Main Street, Amelia’s Ward (South) at a cost of $37.9 million; Proctor Road, Kara Kara, $24 million; and South Lane Road, Amelia’s Ward (South) for $26.5 million.

These projects are part of Government’s commitment to upgrade the country’s road network. In fact, it is currently undertaking two major road improvement projects.

The East Coast Road Expansion Project is underway and is expected to be completed before the ending of this year. The US$50.2 million project has two components; one features a four-lane expansion of the road from Better Hope to Annandale and the other caters for an upgrade to the existing two-lane road from Annandale to Belfield.

Guyana had received a US$45.3 million concessional loan from the China Export-Import (EXIM) Bank to finance the road project, under an agreement signed in January last year. In total, 16.998 kilometres of roads and 33.996 kilometres of drains are to be built.

Meanwhile, the US$31.03 million Sheriff Street to Mandela Avenue project is being executed by Sinohydro Corporation Ltd. The two-year project, which will cover approximately seven kilometres of road, is being funded by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), and involves the relocation of utilities, lane and shoulder improvements, placement of sidewalks and paved shoulders, traffic signals, traffic signs, streetlights, drainage, a pedestrian overhead walkway, culverts, bridges, and a roundabout.

news

15

monDAY, JUNE 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Major success in meeting HIV/AIDS 9090-90 targets – Chief Medical Officer

…more will be done to eliminate challenges posed to viral suppression

Guyana’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud

By Kristen Macklingam

T

he Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continues to be a major global public health issue that claims the lives of millions of infected persons annually despite interventions by relevant authorities.

Here in Guyana, even with recent successes in the treatment of HIV patients and their prolonged lifespans, this deadly disease remains high on the agenda for the Public Health Ministry and other stakeholders.

This is according to Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud, who during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times, stated that although the country was on the right trajectory in achieving the goals set to minimise and

eventually eradicate the transmission and prevalence of HIV, much more work needs to be done.

“We have seen some changes in the occurrences in HIV. We really would like to solicit not only the patients – I know the patients do make a great effort to comply with treatment – but we need support from our general population. HIV is not any longer that stigmatised disease that we label people, and we call them names or anything, they are human beings like you and I, who need to access this treatment, lifesaving treatment, and to ensure that they comply with all of the requirements,” the CMO said.

He stated that Guyana has now almost transitioned to “full country support” of the procurement of necessary medication as well as local involvement in the execution process and implementation programme of the country’s HIV programme.

Notable successes

According to the CMO, Guyana continues to forge ahead with achieving the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) “9090-90 target”, which seeks to have 90 per cent of people living with HIV become aware of their infection, 90 per cent of the people diagnosed with HIV linked to antiretroviral treatment (ART) and 90 per cent of

those on ART adhering and having undetectable levels of HIV in their blood.

Dr Persaud posited that in Guyana, there have been significant improvements in the 90-90-90 programme, but there were a few challenges that the Public Health Ministry continues to battle with in order to successfully achieve this goal.

“The first 90 is the proportion of persons who are sexually active who know their status and that is the greatest increase in

that needs to be done and treatment starts.”

He explained that there were varied treatments available for those who tested positive since not every pill would work effectively on every individual.

“So, once those details are attended to at any one of the family health clinics that we operate, the HIV treatment centres across the country, and we have some Private Sector centres too, so we allow for persons to obtain their treatment.

They are free of cost, of

With regard to the third 90 of the UNAIDS 9090-90 target, Dr Persaud

elaborated that this was where the country aimed to demonstrate that there was viral suppression since this would mean that the treatment was working.

However, this area is where the Public Health Ministry faces the greatest challenges.

“Particularly with the laboratory components, and, you know, it is quite a daunting task to have to sample and to test everyone who is on treatment periodically throughout treatment to demonstrate that they are now undetected virally or that there is viral suppression. But on that front, we have been improving, so this is the one we need to work a little more on. The pills do have some challenges intermittently, and the clinicians at the care and treatment centres are working along with persons to ensure that they address those challenges as they go along.”

Nonetheless, the CMO noted that by the end of this

year (2019) the public health sector will have “more significant improvements” as it fills its next Global AIDS programme report.

“So, all in all, I think we are standing on better ground. For our testing programme, I must give kudos to all those persons working – the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) and more importantly, our partners, both in the Private Sector. Also, the NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) sector and the civil society that has been really coordinating with us to reach out to everyone.”

Recent statistics from the Education Ministry revealed that Guyana has a higher percentage of its HIV+ population on treatment than the total percentage of the Caribbean Region. Last year, of the 8369 persons estimated to be infected in Guyana, 66 per cent (5557) were successfully put on treatment.

and the proper pro-cedures for splinting a broken bone, in addition to protocols for securing and moving injured

commitment to the training.

Prior to the training, the drivers did not have any medical training as they

The first phase which is currently ongoing is based in Georgetown while the 2nd phase will see the services

A young man about to have a sample of blood taken from his finger to be tested for HIV

the numbers that we have seen.

“Secondly, the placement of persons who are tested positive on treatment. On this front, we are now able to, first of all, identify all those people who need to be on treatment, and, of course, once you are tested positive, there are some confirmation

A small sample of blood about to be taken from someone’s arm for an HIV test

course. Those numbers have been increasing. We are not fully at the 90 yet but we are getting closer there.”

Viral suppression and challenges with HIV treatment pills

8 Berbice ambulance drivers trained as First Responders

Recipients of the training exercise being taught the proper way of administering CPR

T

he emergency response services for Berbice received a welcomed boost on Friday as eight ambulance drivers in the region completed emergency medical response training at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Speaking with the Department of Public information (DPI), Chief Emergency Medical Trainer for the Guyana Medical

Emergency Services, Nandaram Datt said the training is part of the government’s plan to enhance the emergency response department within the Ministry of Pub-lic Health.

Datt noted that often times doctors or nurses responding to a scene may require assistance and, in most cases, the drivers are present and willing to assist,

but due to lack of basic training they sometimes do more harm than good. As such, the decision was taken to train drivers on the basics so that if the need arises, they can be as effective as first responders.

The drivers were trained in basic life support and how to perform Cardiopulmonary resuscita-tion (CPR), how to handle a patient that may be choking, bleeding control

The drivers put into practice how to correctly lift an injured person

persons.

Datt said the response from the drivers was overwhelming and he was pleasantly surprised at their enthusiasm and

were employed mainly based on their driving experience.

The training was the first of many such planned for a 5-year period to cover the entire Guyana.

branching out across the country based on the density of the population, until the entire length and breadth of Guyana is covered.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, JUNE 17, 2019

Regional

Guatemala votes for new leader amid Mexico detains 791 undocumented migrants, tensions over violence, migration

G

uatemalans on Sunday began voting for a new president, who will face the challenge of curbing drug gang violence that has convulsed the country and helped spur illegal immigration to the United States, fuelling tensions with President Donald Trump.

Nineteen candidates are competing in the election, which is expected to yield no outright winner, forcing the top two contenders to face off in a second round on August 11.

Former First Lady Sandra Torres, of the centre-left UNE party, has led the race to succeed President Jimmy Morales, a conservative former television host, whose term has been blight-

Sandra Torres, presidential candidate for the National Unity of Hope (UNE) casts her vote at a polling station during the first round of the presidential election in Guatemala City, Guatemala, June 16, 2019

ed by accusations of corruption made by United Nationsbacked investigators.

Torres, who wants to send troops onto the streets to fight drug gangs, and to

tackle poverty with welfare programmes, has the support of around 20 per cent of the electorate, polls show.

“We have to sort out our problems here, and part of the reason for the migration is the lack of jobs, the gap in wages between the United States and here,” Torres said as she arrived to cast her vote in Guatemala City. “We need to work with the business community to revive the economy and create jobs.”

Her closest rivals, trailing by a few percentage points, are conservatives Alejandro Giammattei, who is running in his fourth campaign, and Edmond Mulet, a former UN official, whose candidacy has gained traction in the run-up to the vote. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Argentina and Uruguay scramble to restore power after massive outage

P

ower is being restored to Argentina and Uruguay after a massive electrical failure left large parts of both countries without electricity.

Argentine President Mauricio Macri has promised a full investigation.

Argentine media said the power cut occurred shortly after 07:00 (10:00GMT), causing trains to be halted and failures with traffic signalling.

The blackout was prompted by a failure in an electrical grid that serves both Argentina and Uruguay.

The outage occurred as people in Argentina were preparing to go to the polls for local elections, delaying voting

in several regional provinces.

Parts of Paraguay were also affected, a State energy company said.

“A massive failure in the electrical interconnection system left all of Argentina and Uruguay without power,” electricity supply company Edesur said in a tweet.

Alejandra Martinez, a spokeswoman for the company, described the power cut as unprecedented.

“This is the first time something like this has happened across the entire country.”

Citing official sources, Argentine media reported that the outage was linked to a failure in the transmission of elec-

tricity from the Yacycretá hydroelectric dam.

Argentina’s Energy Minister Gustavo Lopetegui insisted that the country’s electrical system was “very robust”, but added that the exact cause of this failure was unclear.

“At the moment, we’re not ruling out any possibility. But we don’t think it is down to a cyber-attack,” he told reporters.

President Macri said power had been restored to over 50 per cent of clients.

Priority has been given to hospitals.

Uruguay’s energy company, UTE, said power had been restored to 88 per cent of customers. (Excerpt from Reuters)

National Guard starts to patrol southern border

M

exican officials detained nearly 800 undocumented migrants on Saturday, the Government said, in one of the biggest swoops against illegal immigration in recent months as members of the National Guard began patrolling the southern border.

Mexico’s National Migration Institute (INM) said in a statement late on Saturday that 791 foreign nationals were found in four trucks stopped in the eastern state of Veracruz, confirming earlier reports about a mass detention.

The apprehension came as Mexico steps up efforts to reduce a surge of migrants toward the US border under pressure from US President Donald Trump, who vowed to hit Mexican goods with tariffs if Mexico does not do more to stem illegal immigration.

As part of those efforts, Mexico has pledged to de-

ploy 6000 National Guard members along its border with Guatemala.

Although there have been few signs of that deployment so far, a Reuters reporter near the border in Tapachula this weekend saw a handful of security officials wearing National Guard insignia and spoke to others in military outfits who said they were part of the guard.

Mexico made a deal on June 7 with the United States to avert the tariffs, setting the clock ticking on a 45-day period for the Mexican Government to make palpable progress in reducing the numbers of people trying to cross the US border illegally.

There has been a jump in apprehensions at the USMexico border this year, angering Trump, who has made reducing illegal immigration one of his signature policy pledges. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Haitian President calls meeting to address political crisis

New visa policy for Venezuelans in Trinidad

F

rom today, Venezuelans seeking to enter Trinidad and Tobago will have to get a visa as the Government announced the new measure to prevent the free flow of immigrants into the country.

National Security Minister Stuart Young made the announcement at a media briefing at the close of the two-week registration process, which ended at 17:00h on Friday.

He said over 15,000 Venezuelans were registered at three centres – Queen’s Park Oval, in Port-of-Spain; one in San Fernando and one in Tobago.

The Minister said from his information all the people

A Venezuelan immigrant walks away from the Caroline Building in Scarborough, Tobago, after she was turned away without being processed at the 17:00h cutoff time on Friday

waiting to be registered were accommodated, but the situation in San Fernando and Tobago was in total contrast

to his statements. Told by reporters that the situation was not as he described, the Minister said that was the in-

formation he had.

“We have completed the registration process as we had said we would, we stuck to it.

There were absolutely no incidents or injuries to anyone during the two-week process.”

Young claimed there no crowds of migrants waiting to be registered by the cut-off time, but rather persons who were “ring-fenced” and would have been processed later.

He said, “The significance of that is it shows the success of this registration process and the accuracy of it.

“This registration process was a well-thought-out and implemented process that is now a success, also allowed to gather intelligence,” he added. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

US Coast Guard warns of “dangerous, illegal” migration attempts from the Caribbean

T

he United States Coast Guard on Saturday continued to discourage Caribbean migrants from conducting what it describes as “dangerous, illegal voyages on unsafe and unseaworthy vessels”.

The US Coast Guard said that on Thursday a Customs Air and Marine Branch aircraft detected a 20-foot pleasure craft about 46 miles east of Boca Raton, Florida and notified Coast Guard Sector Miami watch standers.

The vessel was interdicted with 14 Haitian migrants and two suspected smug-

glers. This followed a similar incident the previous day when a helicopter crew, deployed to Great Inagua in The Bahamas, detected a migrant vessel about 49 miles southeast of Great Inagua.

Along with a Royal Bahamas Defence Force vessel, the US Coast Guard interdicted about 177 Haitian migrants, seven of those being minors, aboard an overloaded 45-foot wooden freighter.

In addition, on that same day, the Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser repatriated 18 Dominican Republic migrants

to a Dominican Republic Navy patrol vessel, following the interdiction of an illegal migrant voyage off the coast of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

Six other Dominican Republic migrants travelling in the group remain in US federal custody facing possible prosecution.

According to the Coast Guard, the interdictions are the result of ongoing efforts in support of Operation Unified Resolve, Operation Caribbean Guard and the Caribbean Border Interagency Group (CBIG). (Excerpt from CMC)

P

President Jovenel Moise

resident Jovenel Moise will be meeting with representatives from various sectors today in an effort to find a solution to the political crisis gripping the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country.

The President has scheduled the meeting for 10:00h (local time) with representatives of the trade union, religious, academic, peasant and civil society sectors.

In the invitation sent, signed by Nahomme Dorvil, the Chief of Staff of the Head of State, it is stated that during this hearing “the President of the Republic would like to know their reading of the current situation and lead discussions that will help pave the way for the national dialogue advocated by all”.

However, some sectors have rejected the invitation of the Head of State, including René Monplaisir, leader of the Haitian People’s Sector, who justified his re-

fusal in a letter.

“We regret to announce you that we will not be able to attend this hearing. Indeed, we find that the representatives of the Democratic and Popular Sector, Fanmi Lavalas, Pitit Dessalines, the four Senators and Opposition members, the forces of the nation are absent.”

On Saturday, the Caricom grouping called on all political stakeholders in the country to “act responsibly” following deadly demonstrations aimed at forcing President Moise out of office.

In a brief statement, the 15-member grouping said it is “deeply concerned about the present unsettled situation in …Haiti” adding: “this has been brought about by the long delay in having a new government installed which, in turn, has deprived the Administration of much-needed resources promised by its international financial and development partners.” (CMC)

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, JUNE 17, 2019

17

Around the World

Hong Kong leader says sorry As accusations fly in Gulf tanker as protesters insist she quits row, Russia urges restraint

R

H

ong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam apologised to its people on Sunday as an estimated one million-plus black-clad protesters insisted that she resign over her handling of a bill that would allow citizens to be sent to mainland China for trial.

Organisers said almost two million turned out on Sunday to demand that Chief Executive Lam step down in what is becoming the most significant challenge to China’s relationship with the territory since it was handed back by Britain 22 years ago.

Sunday’s demonstration came in spite of Lam indefinitely delaying – though not withdrawing – the bill on Saturday in a dramatic climbdown that threw into question her ability to continue to lead the city.

On Sunday, she apologised for the way the Government had handled the draft law, which had been scheduled for debate last Wednesday, but gave no further insight into its fate.

The protests have plunged Hong Kong into political crisis, heaping pressure on the administration and its official backers in Beijing

Organisers pressed ahead with the protest to demand the bill’s full withdrawal, as well as to mark their anger at the way Police handled a demonstration against it on Wednesday, when more than 70 people were injured by rubber bullets and tear gas.

Some of Sunday’s marchers held signs saying, “Do not shoot, we are HongKonger.”

Police said the demonstration reached 338,000 at its peak. Organisers and

Police have routinely produced vastly different estimates at recent demonstrations.

Organisers estimated a protest the week before drew one million while Police said 240,000.

“It’s much bigger today.

Many more people,” said one protester who gave her name as Ms Wong. “I came today because of what happened on Wednesday, with the Police violence.” (Excerpt from

ussia warned against “baseless accusations” and a “sober appraisal of evidence” after Iran and the United States traded charges over the reported attacks on commercial tankers in the Gulf of Oman.

The mysterious incidents, which caused damage to two tankers on Thursday, have ratcheted up already high tensions between Tehran and Washington, prompting fears of a regional conflagration and sending oil prices soaring.

Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom on Sunday sided with Washington’s assessment that Iran was responsible for last week’s incidents, which left one tanker

ablaze and both adrift in the Gulf.

Britain’s stance drew a diplomatic protest from Tehran, which vehemently denies the claims.

Ali Larijani, Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, accused Washington of staging the tanker attacks “after the failure of its harsh sanctions” on Tehran, according to the official IRNA news agency.

The US has re-imposed and tightened punishing sanctions on Iran in the year since it exited an international accord that curbed Tehran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

US President Donald

Trump said the “maximum pressure” campaign was aimed at forcing Iran to negotiate a new deal that also encompasses its ballistic missiles programme and addressed its support for regional armed groups.

But Larijani, speaking in the Iranian Parliament, said it was “comical” that the US was urging Iran to turn to diplomacy after launching a “full-scale economic war” against the country.

Hours later, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it was “unmistakable” that Iran was responsible for the suspected attacks, but said Washington did not seek war with Tehran. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

Tory leadership race: Contenders clash over Brexit

Reuters)

India: Diplomats advise caution over Pakistani intelligence inputs on terror attack

P

akistan sharing intelligence inputs about a major terror strike in Kashmir is a good development, but there is a need to be circumspect, former Indian diplomats have said, noting that Islamabad is facing pressure from the United States and organisations such as Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to take concrete action against terror groups.

Former Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry Shashi U Tripathi said it was a good development, but it was too early to get euphoric.

“Let’s not forget it was Masood Azhar’s outfit that claimed responsibility for Pulwama. And we know that he enjoys the patronage of Pakistan army and intelligence,” she said.

Tripathi said that Pakistan was under tremendous pressure and its economy is in a shambles.

“It is looking at the World Bank and IMF to save it from bankruptcy and it’s on the grey list,” she said, adding that the whole world is aware about its role as “a major hub of terrorism and its support to terrorist outfits operating from its soil”. (Excerpt from Gulf News)

Golan Heights: Israel unveils ‘Trump Heights’ settlement

I

sraeli Prime M i n i s t e r Benjamin Netanyahu has unveiled a new settlement in the occupied Golan Heights, named after US President Donald Trump.

At a naming ceremony on Sunday, Netanyahu said Trump Heights honoured Trump for his decision to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiling the new settlement in recognise Israeli the occupied Golan Heights sovereignty over the territory. the US became the first ceremony, called the settleBuilding work has yet country to recognise Israeli ment “well deserved, but to begin, but a sign bearing sovereignty over the area much appreciated”.

Trump’s name and US and since Israel effectively anIsrael’s premier pledged Israeli flags was unveiled. nexed it in 1981. in April to name a new setCritics called the move a “This is a historic day,” tlement after Trump, soon publicity stunt with no legal said Netanyahu, hail- after the President overauthority. ing President Trump as “a turned decades of US polIsrael seized the Golan friend of Israel”. icy by recognising Israel’s from Syria in the 1967 US Ambassador David sovereignty over the Golan.

Middle East war. In March, Friedman, who attended the (Excerpt from BBC News)

A moment you may have missed from the Tory leadership TV debate

C

ontenders to replace Theresa May as Conservative leader have clashed over delivering Brexit during a TV debate.

The Members of Parliament argued over whether a new deal could be renegotiated with the EU, and the prospect of a no-deal Brexit.

Leadership hopefuls appeared before a studio audience at a debate hosted

by Channel 4 News in east London.

Boris Johnson came under fire for not taking part.

He had defended his non-appearance, arguing debates with many guests “can be slightly cacophonous”.

Some of the sharpest exchanges came over whether Parliament should be shut down in order to push through a no-deal Brexit by October 31– something four of the five candidates argued against.

The United Kingdom had been due to leave the EU on March 29, but EU leaders agreed to delay the date to October after MPs repeatedly rejected May’s Brexit

deal.

I n t e r n a t i o n a l Development Secretary Rory Stewart said proroguing Parliament was a “deeply disturbing” option and Home Secretary Sajid Javid warned “you don’t deliver democracy by trashing our democracy”.

However, ex-Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab refused to rule it out, saying “every time one of these candidates take an option away… we weaken our chances of getting the best deal”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Libya PM Serraj will not sit down with rival Haftar to end war

L

ibya’s internationally recognised Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj said on Sunday he was not prepared to sit down with eastern commander Khalifa Haftar to negotiate an end to the two-month offensive against Tripoli.

His comments to Reuters suggest low prospects for a ceasefire soon in the battle for Libya’s coastal capital, where Serraj and his Administration are based.

In the latest turmoil since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) force has been unable

to take Tripoli despite fighting that has caused havoc in southern suburbs and displaced tens of thousands of people.

“I will not sit down again with this person because what he has done in past years shows he won’t be a partner in the political process,” the 59-year-old Serraj said in an interview at his wood-panelled office in central Tripoli.

The longest-serving in a succession of Tripoli-based Prime Ministers since 2011, Serraj has met Haftar, a 75-year-old former general in Gaddafi’s army, six times

in the past few years.

The last meeting was in February in Abu Dhabi as foreign powers sought to broker a power-sharing deal between the rival eastern and western administrations.

“He was only trying to gain time,” Serraj said, pointing out that his rival had sent planes to bomb Tripoli.

Serraj struck a defiant tone, saying his troops, from armed groups in western cities, would continue to fend off Haftar, whom he views as a would-be dictator like Gaddafi. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, JUNE 17, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Broaden your outlook, knowledge and connections.

Network, participate and listen to what others have to offer. Don’t let someone’s negativity stifle your plans.

Retaliation will be a waste of time.

TAURUS Make up your mind and (April 20- follow through with your May 20) plans. Don’t lend or borrow money or possessions. Base your actions on facts, not on emotions or hearsay.

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

A simple approach to what you want is favored.

If you make a fuss or trust someone you shouldn’t, disappointment will follow.

You are best off doing your own thing.

CANCER

Listen to what’s being said or offered to you, but don’t feel that you must make a decision. Facts matter, and you may be receiving an inflated version of the truth.

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

You have more options, so don’t settle for something that doesn’t fit your criteria.

Connect with people who have something to offer, but verify the information you receive before you get in too deep.

Give sensitive situations time to cool down. Focus on what you can accomplish. If you keep busy, it will be easier to distance yourself from conditions you cannot currently change.

Don’t try to change others when you should be looking inward and making personal adjustments that will improve your life. A positive change will help you avoid criticism.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Keep the momentum flowing until you feel satisfied with the results. Refuse to let anyone disrupt your plans. Getting things done will satisfy you and boost your confidence.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Review personal papers that can shed light on an emotional situation.

Whether faced with a financial, medical or legal matter, it’s best to be fully aware of your options.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

If change is what you want, make it happen. Draw up a plan and get started.

Much can be accomplished if you are practical and smart when making your dream come true.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Improve your environment, living space or appearance. Don’t let someone else design your look or dictate your lifestyle.

Be innovative and do what suits you best.

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Get out and meet people, and pitch in and help a cause. Look, see and do.

Make bold commitments and follow through on them.

Now’s your time to shine.

Saturday’s WORD

solution for saturday’s puzzle

monday, june 17, 2019

19

Rohit Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav put SCOREBOARD India 7-0 ahead 3

S

even-nil. On its biggest stage, cricket’s most fraught rivalry really hasn’t lived up to its billing.

None of the six previous World Cup meetings between India and Pakistan has produced anything approaching a tight finish, although most of them

contained tense passages of play and moments of crackling electricity.

Sunday’s play at Old Trafford had none of that. There was plenty of quality cricket, but nearly all of it was from one side. The other side was a shadow, not just of what it had been in the past, but even of what it had been two weeks ago.

Pakistan barely showed up, and the contest was turned into an uninterrupted celebration of Indian excellence. Rohit Sharma scored his second hundred in three games, a far breezier knock than his effort in a scrappy chase against South Africa; and at one stage, he seemed set for a tilt at a fourth ODI double-hundred.

KL Rahul, batting in his preferred position, thanks to the enforced absence of Shikhar Dhawan, made a solid half-century in an opening stand of 136.

Virat Kohli came to the crease, occupied it like a favourite bit of lawn furniture, and made 77 at comfortably over a run a ball without ever seeming to stretch himself.

These efforts set Pakistan a target of 337. This was a flat pitch, and India had lost one of their two main fast bowlers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, to hamstring stiffness after he had delivered just 1.4 overs, leaving the fifth and sixth bowlers 17.2 overs, rather than just 10, to handle.

And yet, apart from a brief period during a 104-run second-wicket stand between Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam, Pakistan never threatened to make a chase of it.

The Fakhar-Babar partnership only rarely hit high gear, partly because of the discipline from India’s bowlers - even Vijay Shankar and Hardik Pandya - and partly because Pakistan were looking to keep wickets in hand, perhaps with an eye on staying close to the DLS par score, given that rain had already caused a couple of brief interruptions.

A series of authoritative slog-sweeps from both batsmen brought Pakistan 26 runs from overs 21 to 23, one of them

bringing up Fakhar’s half-century. At the 23-over mark, Pakistan were 113 for 1, 11 behind the DLS par score of 124 for 1.

That was as close as they got, as Kuldeep Yadav put India firmly on top once more with the wickets of both set batsmen. They didn’t arrive out of the blue; Kuldeep was consistently challenging the batsmen in the air and o f f t h e pitch, and he had already come close to having Fakhar stumped, ripping one across his bat face and causing him to overbalance.

The breakthrough arrived in the 24th over, courtesy of a cocktail of drift, dip and turn. Drift drew Babar into playing at a wider line as Kuldeep floated one across him from left-arm over, opening a gap between bat and pad. Dip ensured the ball landed shorter than Babar wanted, causing him to push further out in front of his body than he would have wanted. Turn did the rest.

Dip forced Fakhar to top-edge a sweep in Kuldeep’s next over, and Pakistan were 126 for 3. When Pandya followed up in the next over with the backto-back wickets of Mohammad Hafeez and the dreadfully out-of-sorts Shoaib Malik, the con-

test was all but over.

The contest dragged on for a while longer though, thanks to a 40-minute spell of rain that shaved 10 overs off the chase. When play resumed, Pakistan needed 130 in 30 balls, with four wickets in hand, in front of stands that had gone twothirds empty. It was the tired and farcical end that this contest - hyped to absurd levels for months, and painted in danger-

ously jingoistic shades - probably deserved.

The match was probably won and lost in its first ten overs, when Pakistan chose to bowl in overcast conditions and failed to make use of them.

Unlike most of the grounds at this World Cup, Old Trafford has long, straight boundaries and short, square ones; and with the clouds massed overhead, it was the one place at which to bowl a fuller length.

B a r r i n g Mohammad Amir, none of Pakistan’s fast bowlers did this.

The quicks bowled nine of the first 10 overs for Pakistan, and of the 54 balls they sent down, 30 were pitched either short or short of a length, according to ESPNcricinfo’s

India Innings (50 overs maximum) KL Rahul c B Azam b W Riaz 57 RG Sharma c W Riaz b H Ali 140 V Kohli (c) c †S Ahmed b M Amir 77 HH Pandya c B Azam b M Amir 26 MS Dhoni † c †S Ahmed b M Amir 1 V Shankar not out 15 KM Jadhav not out 9 Extras 11 (b 1, lb 1, w 9) TOTAL 336/5 (50 Overs, RR: 6.72) Did not bat: B Kumar, K Yadav, YS Chahal, JJ Bumrah Fall of wickets: 1-136 (KL Rahul, 23.5 ov), 2-234 (RG Sharma, 38.2 ov), 3-285 (HH Pandya, 43.5 ov), 4-298 (MS Dhoni, 45.1 ov), 5-314 (V Kohli, 47.4 ov) BOWLING M Amir 10-1-47-3

H Ali

9-0-84-1 W Riaz 10-0-71-1 I Wasim 10-049-0 S Khan

9-0-61-0 S Malik 1-0-11-0 M Hafeez 1-0-11-0 Pakistan Innings (target: 302 runs from 40 overs)

data. Rohit and Rahul scored 35 from those 30 balls, with Rohit in especially punishing mood with his square-cut and his range of pulls. The other 24 balls, mostly from Amir, were pitched on a good length or fuller, and off those balls, India only scored 13 runs.

In comparison, India’s seamers bowled 36 balls on the fuller lengths in their first Powerplay, conceding 18 runs; and 24 on the shorter lengths, conceding 17.

Rohit usually starts sedately in ODIs, and beds in for the long haul, accelerating gradually through his innings. Pakistan’s freebies had allowed him to begin in much more of a hurry now. At the 10-over mark, he was on 37 off 29 balls, and a drive to the cover point boundary off Shadab Khan in the 12th over brought up his fifty off 34 balls. It was his quickest in ODIs. The pace of Rohit’s scoring allowed Rahul to play at his own pace at the other end, and ease into a role he hasn’t really played too much of in his ODI career so far.

Having moved to 14 off 31 at the 10-over mark, he accelerated when the spinners came on, bringing out his sweep, square

Imam-ul-Haq lbw b Shankar 7 F Zaman c Chahal b Kuldeep Yadav 62 B Azam b K Yadav 48 M Hafeez c Shankar b Pandya 9 S Ahmed (c) † b Shankar 12 S Malik b Pandya 0 I Wasim not out 46 S Khan not out 20 Extras 8 (lb 1, nb 1, w 6) TOTAL 212/6 (40 Overs, RR: 5.3) Did not bat: Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Imamul-Haq, 4.5 ov), 2-117 (Babar Azam, 23.6 ov), 3-126 (Fakhar Zaman, 25.2 ov), 4-129 (Mohammad Hafeez, 26.5 ov), 5-129 (Shoaib Malik, 26.6 ov), 6-165 (Sarfaraz Ahmed, 34.1 ov) BOWLING B Kumar 2.40-8-0 JJ Bumrah 8-0-52-0 V Shankar 5.2-0-22-2 HH Pandya 8-0-44-2 Kuldeep Yadav 9-1-32-2 YS Chahal 7-0-53-0

cut, and lofted hits with a full extension of the arms. In all, he scored 12 off 30 against the faster bowlers, and 45 off 48 against the spinners.

When Rahul spooned Wahab Riaz to short cover in the 24th over, India had already laid the base for a massive total.

Rohit and Kohli, masters of pressing home advantageous situations, did what they do best, putting on 104 runs of increasing inevitability in 19.1 overs. Rohit brought up his century, his second-quickest in ODIs: off 85 balls, off the last ball of the 30th over, and proceeded to add 40 more to his score off his next 27 balls.

Another double-century seemed to be his for the taking, but right after he had hammered Hasan Ali for a typical Rohit boundary - a mighty pull over mid-on - he fell playing an entirely atypical shot, shuffling across and scooping to short fine leg.

India came into the World Cup with questions over their No. 4, but through the tournament, they’ve found a solution: by taking so long to lose their second wicket, they can promote Pandya. They did so again, and he clattered 26 off 19, but there wasn’t really a proper end-overs explosion to follow his dismissal, as Amir’s angle and changes of pace tied down India’s lower middle order.

India only made 38 off their last five overs, but by then they had already had more than enough. (ESPNcricinfo)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monday, june 17, 2019

Chelsea confirm Maurizio Sarri’s exit

– want talk with Frank Lampard

C

helsea are primed to make an approach to Derby for Frank Lampard, after confirming they had allowed Maurizio Sarri to join Juventus following one season at the club.

Chelsea Director Marina Granovskaia said: “In talks we had following the Europa League final, Maurizio made it clear how strongly he desired to return to his native country, explaining that his reasons for wanting to return to work in Italy were significant.

“He also believed it important to be nearer his family; and for the wellbeing of his elderly parents, he felt he needed to live closer to them at this point. Maurizio leaves Chelsea with thanks from us all for the work he and his assistants did.”

Practicality has driven Chelsea towards Lampard, who has legendary status in the eyes of their fans: as the club’s record goal-scorer, with 211 from 649 appearances over 13 years.

They considered a move for Massimiliano Allegri, only for the Italian to announce he would take a year out after leaving Juventus; and another possibility, Erik ten Hag, is expected to stay at Ajax.

Lampard has come to tick a lot of boxes, not least the one about a willingness to promote academy products. He worked productively at Derby last season with Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori, who were on loan from Stamford Bridge, and it is likely the incoming Chelsea manager would

also have to embrace talents such as Reece James and Tammy Abraham, together with Callum Hudson-Odoi, when he recovers from an achilles surgery, as the club faces a FIFA transfer ban. It was handed out in February for breaches of the rules regarding the registration of under-18 foreign players.

Lampard’s lack of experience is well documented. Last season was his first as a manager, and in other circumstances, the Chelsea hierarchy might have preferred to wait for him. Yet they know how great his impact has been at Derby, particularly on the players, who admire his professionalism and enjoy working for him. He has transformed Derby’s style and substantially reduced the average age of the team.

It would be a blow for Derby to lose Lampard, and they have made moves since their defeat by Aston Villa in the Championship play-off final to improve his contract. Equally, they know how difficult it would be for him to turn down Chelsea.

Derby would be due around £4m in compensation for the remaining two years on Lampard’s deal.

Lampard would want to bring his assistant, Jody Morris, to Stamford Bridge.

Morris is a former Chelsea player and under-18s coach; and another club favourite, Petr Cech, is to be confirmed as the sporting director, a position that needed to be filled since Michael Emenalo’s departure.

Chelsea have sold Eden Hazard to Real Madrid for an initial £88.5m, and they ap-

pear ready to begin serving their transfer ban this summer. Although they have appealed against the two-window sanction at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), they have not asked for the punishment to be frozen pending the ruling.

One of the requirements for a freeze is that a club shows urgency in demanding it -basically, when they take their case to CAS. Chelsea have not done so; and, consequently, if they were to ask for one now, it would have less chance of being granted. CAS will not hear Chelsea’s case until after 8 August, when the transfer window closes for Premier League clubs.

Chelsea said they had, at the Italian’s request, terminated Sarri’s contract with two years to run; and at the same time, Juventus announced his arrival on a threeyear deal.

Sarri won the Europa League and finished third in the Premier League, but his relationship with a vocal section of the Chelsea support broke down over concerns about the lack of drive in his team’s style. He made it clear he wanted to return to Italy, partly for family reasons, and Juventus have agreed a compensation package with Chelsea that could be worth more than £5m.

Sarri’s assistant, Gianfranco Zola, will also leave Chelsea. It is believed that Zola wants his next move to be into a manager’s position, rather than another assistant’s role. (Exerpted from the Guardian)

Andy Murray: Hip surgery revived my love of tennis B

ritain’s Andy Murray says “life-changing” surgery rekindled his love of tennis, as he prepares to make his comeback five months after he was seemingly set for retirement.

Murray, 32, will play doubles with Spain’s Feliciano Lopez at Queen’s on Wednesday. The threetime Grand Slam champion had planned to retire because of hip pain, before having an operation in

Andy Murray is a five-time winner of the singles title at Queen’s Club

January.

“I didn’t expect to be in this position,” the Scot said. “I didn’t know how it would feel if I went and had the operation. But it has been brilliant, completely life-changing for me from where I was.

“I’m looking forward to getting back out there, but I don’t know what to expect, and I’m not putting any kind of expectations on myself.

Just being out on the Andy and brother, Jamie Murray, have teamed up on the doubles court for Davis Cup matches and exhibitions

tennis court and being pain free is enough.”

At the Australian Open in January, an emotional Murray had said he planned to retire after Wimbledon because he had been suffering “too much pain for about 20 months”.

He had also feared that the opening Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne, where he lost in the opening round to Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut, would have been the last tournament of his illustrious career.

Murray had said that pain had made it difficult for him to play with his two children, and to do basic everyday tasks like putting on his socks. But he says he is now pain free after having the hip resurfacing operation, which keeps more of the damaged bone than a hip replacement, smooth-

ing the ball down and covering it with a metal cap - in London on 28 January.

Now the former world number one is back on court alongside 37-year-old Lopez, and is saying his priority is simply enjoying the sport, which has brought him two Wimbledon titles, a US Open crown and two Olympic gold medals.

“There have been a number of times over the past 18 months (when) I did want to stop. I was getting no enjoyment out of tennis at all, whether that be training, practice, matches,” he said.

“I wasn’t bothered about winning matches either, because it wasn’t fun. Now I like playing tennis, getting out on the court and hitting balls. I want to keep playing if I can, because I enjoy it.

“It would be nice to be winning Wimbledon and

other major tournaments, but hardly anyone gets the opportunity to do that.

There are loads of players, and it is still about having the love and enjoyment for the sport without being able to win the biggest competitions. I would hope I would be able to deal with that absolutely fine.”

Murray also hopes to play in the Wimbledon doubles next month, although he has not said with whom he will play. Asked if he could win the doubles, he said: “It is possible, but it doesn’t matter either way.

I’d like to, but it doesn’t matter if I don’t. I’d say it is unlikely, because I’ve not played many matches.”

Murray has said he will not play alongside older brother Jamie, who has linked up with fellow Briton Neal Skupski. (BBC Sport)

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, june 17, 2019

CLASSIFIED ADS ARACARI ARACARI HOTEL, WBD (NEAR HARBOUR BRIDGE) ALL MODERN AMENITIES- RATES FROM US$25.

TEL #264-2946-8

BCB to host 2nd annual Brian Ramphal Awards Ceremony

– Upper Corentyne Cricket Association Awards to be held on the same day

CONFERENCE & RETREATS- FULL SERVICE: HOTEL, CATERING & FACILITES. ARACARI RESORT, WBD. ALEX WAYNE: 264-2946.

WEDDINGS & ANNIVERSARIES. RENTAL OR FULL SERVICE: BANQUET HALL & CATERING, ARACARI RESORT. ALEX WAYNE: 264-2946.

SALON: COSMETOLOGY-FULL COURSE $100,000. TECHNICIAN $40,000. ARACARI SALON & SPA, WBD 264-3312, 600-3927.

LAND for sale TRANSPORTED LAND 11.6 ACRES. LOT 15 PUBLIC ROAD, No2 VILLAGE, WCB/CE. PRICE $18M. CONTACT # 686-4818, 648-7109

ROOMS AND SHOPPING ROOMS AND SHOPPING IN CENTRAL GEORGETOWN FOR MORE INFORMATION: EMAIL: caribamercare@gmail.com TELEPHONES #: 2262409/223-4159/644-2388/687-5448

spirituality & ASTROLOGY OM SHAKTI ASTROLOGY. MEET PANDIT ONCE AND GET PERMANENT SOLUTIONS FOR ALL YOUR PROBLEMS, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. JOB, LOVE, HEALTH AND DOMESTIC PROBLEMS 100%. CALL OR WHATSAPP 692-9449. LOCATED – ECCLES EAST BANK DEMERARA.

VACANCY 1 Female Accounts Clerk Qualifications: CXC English A, Mathematics and Accounts Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and VAT preparation 5 years’ experience Apply to Vinod Mohan Maraj Building Charlotte and King Sts Or contact 227-1713/629-1525

T

he ‘Ancient County’ of Berbice enjoyed a remarkable 2018 after a long period of dormancy, with the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) organising in excess of 30 tournaments at different levels and dozens of developmental programmes while raising over $10 million in sponsorship.

The successes of 2018 would be celebrated on Sunday, June 23rd, 2019, when the BCB hosts the second edition of the Brian Ramphal Awards Ceremony at the Port Mourant Community Centre.

BCB President Hilbert Foster has said the venue was chosen because of the BCB policy of taking Berbice Cricket activities to different areas.

Last year’s a w a r d s c e r e m o ny was held at the Albion Community Centre.

A total of 32 awards will be given out for outstanding performances on the cricket field in 2018; while numerous persons, including media personnel and sponsors, will be recognised for their contributions to Berbice Cricket. Among

the awards to be given are Berbice Under-15 Player of the Year, Berbice Under-17 Player of Year, Berbice Under-19 Male and Female Players of the Year, Disciplined Player of the Year, Most Disciplined Player of the Year, Most Improved Player of the Year, Female Cricketer of the Year, Umpire of the Year, and Coach of the Year.

In recognition of the efforts of players across Berbice, the BCB would also recognise the performances of players in the four sub-zones: West Berbice, New Amsterdam/ Canje, Lower Corentyne and Upper Corentyne.

Four different teams from the Sub-zones will be honoured as Clubs of the Year. West Indies Players Shimron Hetmyer and Erva Giddings have been named Male and Female Cricketer of the Year respectively. BCB President Hilbert Foster will provide a comprehensive report on the outstanding work of the board in 2018, and unveil plans for the BCB 80th

Guyana completes p ls tour with series draw against Trinidad

Anniversary Celebrations set for later in the year.

Director of Sports, Christopher Jones, has been invited to attend the event and to deliver the feature address.

The BCB would also be hosting the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association’s 2nd Awards Ceremony during the BCB Ceremony.

A total of ten awards will be given for outstanding performances recorded in the Upper Corentyne area. These awards are: Under-15 Player of the Year, Under-17 Player of the Year, Under-19 Player of the Year, Second Division Player of the Year, First Division Player of the Year, Junior Cricket Club of the Year, Senior Cricket Club of the Year, Primary School of the Year, Secondary School of the Year, and Most Improved Club.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

T

Guyana were able to make a comeback to level the series 2-2

NOT YOUR

DAILY & SUNDAY COPIES OF THE

GUYANA TIMES

in your area?

Contact our

Circulation Department on Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 55

he Guyana National Pools Team recently completed their tour to Trinidad & Tobago with the series drawn 2-2.

The tour kick-started with a victory for the Guyana Team in play against Trinidad's All-Star National Team on June 6. That score ended 8-7 in favour of the Guyana Team.

Guyana Team, on June 7, played the Trinidad Under-30 National Team and lost 9-2, before playing a 2-day match on June 10 against the Trinidad National Team and losing 11-3.

The Guyanese then travelled to Tobago to play the national team, and won that encounter 4-3. That match concluded the Guyana Tour to Trinidad & Tobago, with the Guyanese team making a comeback and drawing the series 2-2.

The Guyanese players captured all of the MVP Awards, with Sean DeSouza twice earning the award for the Most Valuable Player, as he was able to defeat two of Trinidad's best players, Aaron Raghoonanan and Lyndon Ramkissoon.

Anthony Xavier of Guyana also captured the award for the Most Outstanding Player in the Tobago leg of the tour.

The Guyana Team played exceptionally well, considering that they were at a major disadvantage with the games being played on 9-foot tables, as Guyana does not have pools tables of such standard.

Team Manager Ryan Baksh has declared that Guyana had been up against a country whose pools level is far ahead of Guyana’s, with players travelling to different countries to play pools professionally for many years.

Baksh also said the Trinidad team would be visiting Guyana for a tour in May 2020.

Some of the entities that sponsored this event were: Grand Central Sports Bar (Jerries’ at Grove), Target Hardware Store Jagroop Auto Electrical, Seepaul's Sports Bar, Royalty Billiards, Peerless Solutions, Skippers Jewelry, Seeta's Bar, X-Clusive Sports Bar, Jai Signs & Auto Designs, Narine’s Wholesale Liquor Store at Grove, Shaquille Williams, Maria Chin, Shameeza Ramnauth and Yolande Semple.

All of the trophies and medals to be used out at the Ceremony have been donated by the ten cricket clubs of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS.; Vice President Sydney Jackman; and a former Guyana Senior Player.

The Berbice Cricket Board Awards Ceremony is being sponsored by one of its main donors, Brian Ramphal.

BCB mourns the passing of former Assistant Secretary Shan Razack

T

RECEIVING

21

he President, Executives and Members of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) have expressed shock and deepest regret at the sudden passing of Shan Razack on June 5.

Razack, who passed away in the United States at the age of 75, is survived by his wife Beauty, his son Shan Jr, daughter Petal, sisters Sheila and Bibi, and brother Wally; all of whom deeply mourn his passing.

The late Shan Razack had been a member of the Mental Hospital (Fort Canje) Sports Club, and had also played for Rose Hall Estate Cricket Club in his youth as a right arm leg spinner. He had served on the Berbice Cricket Board as Assistant Secretary and Chairman of the Competitions Committee in 1966 and 1967; and as the BCB official scorer in all international, regional, and inter-county matches played in Berbice between 1964 and 1997.

He had, moreover, been broadly respected for the role he had played as

a sports writer, and had had a wealth of knowledge on the history of cricket in Berbice. He had been employed as an administrator of the Berbice and Georgetown Hospitals before migrating to the U.S.A. The BCB acknowledges his long, dedicated and exceptional service to the development of cricket in Berbice. Berbice Cricket is at its strongest point because of the foundation laid in the past by Administrators like Razack, Leslie Amsterdam, Lennox Phillips, Ancel Hazel, Carl Moore, Mortimer George, Malcolm Peters, Roy Baijnauth, Sam Suchit, Maurice Haniff and Rex Ramnarace.

The BCB would like to reassure the Berbice Cricketing public that it would work every day to make sure the legacy of Kanhai, Butcher, Solomon and Kallicharran is upheld.

The BCB hereby expresses deepest sympathy to the Razack family in these dark times.

RFA

22

monday, june 17, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

CWI’s shocking selections continue to hurt all Jaguars players

By Brandon Corlette

C

ricket West Indies (CWI) recently announced the squads to play India “A” next month; and devastatingly for the Guyana Jaguars, five-time winning team in the CWI Regional 4-day tournament, only one of its players has been included in the West Indies senior team, and only four of its players have been included in the West Indies “A” four-day team.

This shocking selection has caused bewilderment ev-

Leon Johnson

erywhere in Guyana, and has forced this reporter to ask: “How can this be?”

The “A” team’s tour will commence with the first of five one-day matches being played on July 11, 2019 in Antigua.

The four Jaguars players who will participate are Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd and Raymon Reifer.

The first of three 4-Day matches will commence on July 24, 2019, and only one Jaguars player -- the Barbadian Raymon Reifer –will participate.

Questions will continue to be asked, because, for a team to win five consecutive Regional 4-Day championships, its players would undoubtedly have had to be performing exceptionally well.

So the query is repeated: How can this be?

Apart from Anthony Bramble and Clinton Pestano, who should have been among the first persons consid-

Chandrapaul Hemraj

ered for selection based on their consistent performances, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Veerasammy Permaul, Vishaul Singh, Leon Johnson, Christopher Barnwell and Tagenarine Chanderpaul should have also been considered for “A” team selection.

Hemraj, a flamboyant opener who played One Day Internationals for the West Indies, has churned out some top performances with the bat in both the Regional 4-Day and Super50 tournaments. The left-handed

Guinness "Greatest of the Streets" Bartica

Mighty Rulers, Police, Walking Boyz, Beacon advance

opener scored a player of the match 103* in the Super 50, but his most authoritative innings came in the 4-Day tournament, wherein he smashed a brilliant 144 against a star-studded Barbados Pride attack.

That innings came in the Pride’s backyard at Kensington Oval, and Test players Jason Holder and Roston Chase were humiliated in that event.

In the Regional Super50, Barnwell was arguably the most consistent batsman for the Jaguars. In the nine matches he played, he scored 282 runs in eight innings at an average of 47, including an unbeaten 99.

Jaguar’s captain, Leon Johnson, has been a successful leader in Regional tournaments; the “A” team tour should have been the perfect opening for the lefthander to lead the team, ahead of Roston Chase, who lacks experience as captain.

Johnson, who stroked a century against Jamaica in the 2018/19 Super50 Cup, led the Jaguars to five titles, a rare feat for any captain.

Solid opener Vishaul

Singh, who has been in the West Indies “A” and CWI XI squads, has been another surprise omission from the 4-day “A” team, despite having experience at that level.

Any team the Jaguars oppose in a Regional tournament will have to negotiate the webs Permaul produces with his inimitable spin.

Yet, this left-hander, who has been among the leading wicket-takers in First-Class cricket, has been overlooked despite his consistent Regional performances.

In the “A” team squads, Permaul was pipped by Jomel Warrican and the inexperienced Jamaican Akim Frazer, who has played only four First-Class matches.

Vishaul Singh

Veerasammy Permaul

The rock solid Tagenarine Chanderpaul has demonstrated the ability to show patience at the crease, something Caribbean batsmen lack. In the 2018/19 season, the ‘young tiger’ finished with 542 runs. The 4-Day tour would have suited his technique and exposed him to more quality bowlers in FirstClass cricket.

In the 4-Day squad, Chanderpaul has been pipped by Trinidad’s Jeremy Solozano, who was the best batsman for the Red Force during the 2018/19 season with 572 runs.

When will more of the Jaguars players get their opportunity to represent the West Indies at higher forums in cricket?

Survival Supermarket Pre-Father's Day Golf Classic …

Khan, Shaw, Bhagwandin champions

K

Mighty Ruler are into the semi-finals

B

artica fans were thrilled to have an action-packed night of street football as the Super-8 round of the Guinness Greatest of the Street Tournament was wrapped up at the Community Centre Basketball Court on Saturday.

On a clear night, and witnessed by hundreds of cheering fans, Mighty Rulers, Police, Walking Boyz and Beacon advanced against the fierce challenges of Goal Raiders, Prison Officers, Rivers View and Potaro United. In round 1, Mighty Rulers were able to overcome Prison Service 2-0, while Potaro United did the same (2-0) to the Walking Boyz. In the third matchup, Beacons dominated

Gold Rush 6-2, and Police arrested Rivers View 2-1. Heading into the second round, the in-form Might Rulers demolished Potaro United 6-0, while Walking Boyz managed to edge Prison Service 1-0. The final two matches of the evening saw Goal Raiders pummell Police 3-1 and Beacon humble Rivers View 3-0.

The eight qualifiers will compete in a two-group round-robin format, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals, and the bottom four having to compete a "Plate Competition" for a smaller purse. The winners of the championships will pocket $400,000 and the winner’s trophy, as well as earn the right to represent the zone at the National

Championships. The runners-up will collect $150,000 and a trophy, while the third and fourth place finishers will walk away with $100,000 and $75,000 respectively, together with trophies.

The winner of the Guinness Plate Championship will receive $60,000.

This is the third edition of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets Football Tournament at Bartica.

Rivers View were the inaugural champions, with Disconnection Crew winning last year. With both of them now eliminated, a new champion will be crowned.

The major sponsors of this event are Banks DIH Limited under their Guinness Brand, and Colours Boutique.

Below are the points standing:

Group A Team Mighty Ruler Walking Boyz Potaro United Prison Service Group B Team Beacon Police Goal Raiders Rivers View

GP 2 2 2 2 GP 2 2 2 2

W 2 1 1 0 W 2 1 1 0

L 0 1 1 2 L 0 1 1 2

GF 8 1 2 0

GA 0 2 6 3

GD +8 -1 -4 -3

PTS 6 3 3 0

GF 9 3 5 1

GA 2 4 7 5

GD +7 -1 -2 -4

PTS 6 3 3 0

assim ‘Sugar’ Khan, Mahendra ‘Rommel’ Bhagwandin, and Aasrodeen ‘Tackie’ Shaw defied the opposition to produce the Best Net scores in their three Flights in the refreshing inaugural Survival Supermarket Chain PreFathers’ Day Golf Classic coinciding with Survival’s 19th year of operation, held on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the Lusignan Golf Club.

In 2000 Parshuram Arjune opened his first Survival location on Vlissingen Road & Duncan Street, and 8 years later opened the Sheriff Street location. Survival is now a leading provider of household essentials, with seven days weekly great service, and often discount packages and regular promotions offered by the many suppliers that support the supermarkets’ drive for excellence. In addition, Survival offers other relevant business services such as a travel agency, and Bill Express and Western Union services.

Golfers certainly welcome Survival’s contribution to the Sport especially as how their prizes for this tournament were a refreshing change from trophies to some delightful Father’s Day hampers for the 1st and 2nd best net scores in each Flight.

In the 20 – 28 Flight, ‘Rommel’ who has not been in the Winners Row for a few months, commented “From Tee to Green my game was solid, I ensured that I

From left: William Walker, Balgobin Ragnauth, Kassim Khan, Aleem Hussain, Aasrodeen Shaw, Patrick Prashad, Mahindra Bhagwandin and Joaan Deo proudly display their hampers

didn’t get in the rough, because that would have been very detrimental under these weather conditions; that was the success of my game today.” He placed way ahead of all the other golfers, returning the best net score for his Flight and the whole tournament. Winners were: Rommel Bhagwandin (66/21) – 1st and Apostle Balgobin Ragnauth (74/21) – 2nd. Dr Philbert London (Pope Emmanuel) came in 3rd with 79/24.

In the 11 – 19 Flight, veteran Club Treasurer ‘Tackie’ Shaw outdid former PRO William Walker to emerge champ in the Flight. Tackie indicated that he “chipped and putted very well today”, while William, who has been shy of winning for several months, gleefully indicated “every dog has his day!”

Winners were Tackie Shaw (67/16) – 1st and William Walker (68/13) – 2nd. Other notable scores were offered

by Satrohan Tiwari (72/15), Shanella Webster-London (73/15), and Mahendranauth Tewari (77/14).

In the 0 – 10 Flight, perpetual winners, ‘Sugar’ Khan and ‘Pat’ Prashad, tied for 1st place but Kassim, who contended that “Quality performance which I normally deliver made me stand out today” pipped Pat on the countback of the back nine. Winners were ‘Sugar’ Khan (73/9) – 1st and ‘Pat’ Prashad (73/9) – 2nd. Close contention came from Alfred Mentore (74/10), Mike Mangal (76/10), and Club President Aleem Hussain (77/9).

The Nearest the Pin prize was won by Troy Cadogan, while amusingly the Longest Drive was won by Dr Joaan Deo, who while her drive was not the biggest, she managed to keep her ball on the Fairway, while the other better drives sent their balls into the Rough.

For further information on the LGC, on how to become a member, or learn the basics of golfing free of charge etc. visit the LGC’s Facebook page at lusignangolfclub or call 220-5660 or 668-7419.

23 Bangladesh, WI look to get their Narine reigns floundering campaigns back on track supreme at Flying I Ace cycling meet guyanatimesgy.com

monday, june 17, 2019

s it too early to start calling matches in this World Cup must-win? After all, we are only just over halfway through the group stages.

Including the match at Taunton today, Bangladesh and West Indies each have five matches still to be played; yet, the meeting between these two teams at the County Ground feels significant. It is a match that neither team would want to lose. Indeed, neither can afford to lose, because of the blow it would inflict on their semi-final hopes.

It is a probable must-win match for both teams.

Probably because there still is time to make up for a loss, with four victories still to play for after this game.

But with England, India, Australia and New Zealand beginning to create a gap at the top of the group, and both West Indies and Bangladesh having already lost two games and suffered a washout apiece, a defeat here would mean they face the prospect of sudden death cricket, with another defeat likely to be terminal. And with both teams having to play India, Bangladesh set to face Australia and West Indies still having to play New Zealand, going on an unbeaten run will be no easy task.

After bright beginnings which raised the prospect of semi-final berths, both sides have since rather disappointed, albeit against some of the better teams in the tournament. After beating South Africa first up, Bangladesh pushed New Zealand close in defeat, but were then pumped

by England before a washout against Sri Lanka in Bristol.

West Indies destroyed Pakistan in their opening game, but then lost to Australia, had a washout against South Africa, and were then pulverised by England in Southampton on Friday.

For both sides, expectations have been dampened since those opening game wins.

Nevertheless, after nine games against West Indies in the past 12 months, seven of which they have won, Bangladesh will not lack for confidence. The last three of those victories were achieved in the Tri-Series before the World Cup, also involving Ireland.

These are good recent memories to draw on, but the West Indies were then without Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran and Andre Russell, who were at the IPL. These three players would add a significant amount to any team, and they have shown glimpses of their best form in this tournament.

Bangladesh’s captain, Mushrafe Mortaza, who has come in for some criticism for his returns with the ball so far in this tournament, will hope to continue his good recent returns against West Indies. In those last nine games, Mortaza took 19 wickets at an average of a tick more than 20.

Tamim Iqbal, another one who has had a slow start to the World Cup, scored two hundreds and four half-centuries in those matches. Good recent memories might help something click for both Mortaza and Tamim, two proven players whom Bangladesh need to fire if they are to challenge for a semi-final spot.

What to expect: After last week’s horrendous wet weather, things are sup-

posed to be picking up in the next few days. The forecast for Taunton is set to be dry, although expecting to see some sun might be pushing it. The surface, as it was for the previous two matches at the ground, is expected to offer something for the faster men, but the short boundaries will still encourage the batsmen.

Mushfiqur Rahim suffered a blow in the nets while batting on Saturday, but an X-ray showed no fracture, so he is expected to play. If he doesn’t, Liton Das will keep-wicket. According to bowling coach Courtney Walsh, fast-bowler Rubel Hossain has been trucking well in the nets, and could come into contention, given the expected surface in Taunton.

That could mean Mehidy Hasan missing out.

Possible XI: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Musfhiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun.

Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Rubel Hossain, Mushrafe Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman.

Throughout the tournament, Andre Russell’s knees have been a constant cause of concern for West Indies, and it will be touch-and-go in regard to whether he is fit enough to play. Given the importance of the game, everything that can be done will be done to get him on the pitch, but he may not get through that much bowling.

Ashley Nurse, left out of the game against England, could come back into contention, perhaps for Shannon Gabriel.

Possible XI: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas.

Shai Hope averages a dizzying 94.57 against Bangladesh in ODIs. He has three hundreds and three fifties in nine ODIs, aggregating a total of 662 runs.

Bangladesh’s spinners have taken 10 wickets in the World Cup so far, the most by any team; while West Indies’ spinners have claimed none.

Windies Women, England Women to clash in T20I

T

he West Indies Women will meet the England Women in the first of three T20 International matches on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 (tomorrow). This match will commence from 14:00h local time at County Ground in Northampton, England.

This is third bilateral series the two teams would be contesting in the history of T20I cricket. Having being whitewashed in the three-match One Day International (ODI) series, the West Indies would be looking to rebound with a more positive showing in the T20I series.

In their first ever 3-match bilateral series, played in 2009/10 in the Caribbean, West Indies won the series 2-1. The second T20 bilateral series between these two teams was played in 2012 in England, where the hosts defeated the Caribbean team 4-1 in the five-match series.

In the current West Indies Women’s T20 team, many who had been playing

Kycia Knight reacted after her dismissal during the ODIs

for a long time favour T20 cricket above its One Day counterpart.

Reflecting on the first T20 series between these two teams, in 2009/10, Stafanie Taylor took three wickets in West Indies’ four-wicket win. Shemaine Campbelle, Stacy Ann King, Britney Cooper, Shakera Selman and Taylor are current players in the 2019 tour who played in the maiden T20I bilateral series against

England.

In the second ever T20I bilateral series, West Indies toured England and lost 4-1, completing the consolation win in the final match. This time around, the Stafanie Taylor-led team will be eyeing an improved performance despite the current England team being highly ranked and looking more organised.

In the last five outings between these two teams,

West Indies enjoy a 4-1 win in T20 Internationals. The English final squad is yet to be finalised.

West Indies squad: Stafanie Taylor (capt), Shemaine Campbelle, Britney Cooper, Afy Fletcher, Chinelle Henry, Stacy-Ann King, Kycia Knight (wk), Kyshona Knight, Natasha McLean, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman.

Cyclists showcasing their silverware at the presentation ceremony

B

alram Narine won the Flying Ace Cycling Club’s (FACC’s) third annual Father’s Day Meet in New Amsterdam on Sunday last. He completed the 10-lap race around the town in 47 minutes, and captured all the sprint prizes on offer.

Due to showers that descended across the ancient county, start of the race was delayed until 14:13h.

Narine led the race from its inception, the Flying Ace cyclist looking a class above the competition as he took eight sprint prizes during his stellar performance.

Ralph Seenarine outsprinted Jeremiah Joseph for second position, while Mario Washington came in fourth.

Jeremiah Joseph was the top cyclist in the junior category. He was followed by Mario Washington in second place, while Skeldon lad Steve Bhimsen finished in third position in the junior category.

In the 12-14 category, wherein cyclists rode three laps minimum around New Amsterdam, Aaron Rajnarine finished in first position.

Shazim Yakub and Sachin Karan were the other 12-14 cyclists who finished in second and third respectively.

Each of the cyclists on show was presented with a trophy, while Narine was presented with a cash prize in addition to his trophy. Syborne Fernandes and Wilbert Benjamin were the top veteran riders.

After the race had ended, New Amsterdam Mayor Winifred Haywood hailed this third annual FACC cycling event a success, and specially congratulated champion cycling organizer and coach Randolph Roberts for a job well done.

Sharing his sentiments at the presentation ceremony, Roberts explained that this cycle race was used to prepare the cyclists for the National Championships to be held in Georgetown this weekend.

He also said the Flying Ace Cycling Club will have three of its cyclists participating in the Junior Caribbean Championships that will be held in Bartica on August 10th and 11th.

These cyclists are Jeremiah Joseph, Ralph Seenarine and Mario Washington.

Roberts used this engagement with the media to thank all the businesses and individuals -- including Mayor Haywood -- who continue to support cycling in Berbice, and declared that since coming to power, this current Government has not been doing enough for cycling. (Brandon Corlette)

monday, june 17, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

ICC WORLD CUP 2019 Page 23

Bangladesh, WI look to get their floundering campaigns back on track Narine reigns supreme at Flying Ace cycling meet

ICC WORLD CUP 2019

Page 19

Page 23

Rohit Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav put India 7-0 ahead Balram Narine

India thrashed Pakistan in the rain-affected affair

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.