Guyana Times -- Wednesday, July 24, 2019

GEA hosts consultation on P14 Region 9 hydropower project Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3994

THE BEACON OF TRUTH wednesday, JUly 24, 2019

GECOM’s CEO says current voters' list can be used to conduct free and fair elections …says Claims & Objections exercise can update list Page 3

…denies advising President that voters’ list bloated by 200,000

Chief Justice affirms elections must be held by Sept 18

See story on page 7

...needs evidence H2H exercise will preclude same

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Essequibo Coast teen P11 dies after treated for ankle pain

Guyanese P8 remanded for disorderly behaviour on T&T-bound flight Minibus driver charged for causing death by dangerous driving P8

CCJ consequential orders

Clear ploy to obfuscate Court’s decision, muddy clear-watered ruling – FITUG See stories on pages 9 & 11

…Caricom cannot intervene unless democracy, justice break down – SG

Guyanese registered vessel intercepted with cocaine in BVI

Linden to Lethem road remains P14 flooded …commuters still awaiting Govt intervention

See story on page 10

Armed bandit chops off P16 guard’s fingers during robbery

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wednesday, JUly 24, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

news

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wednesday, JUly 24, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Wednesday, July 24 – 10:00h-11:30h and Thursday, July 25 – 11:00h-12:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, July 24 – 08:50h-10:20h and Thursday, July 25 – 09:55h-11:25h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals will prevail throughout the day, interrupted in the mid-morning hours by thundery showers. Clear skies will give way to thundery showers in the early evening hours followed by partly cloudy conditions.

Temperatures will range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to South-westerly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 09:20h and 21:47h reaching maximum heights of 2.33 metres and 2.31 metres.

Low Tide: 02:51 and 15:17h reaching minimum heights of 0.88 metre and 0.91 metre.

GECOM’s CEO says current voters’ list can be used to conduct free and fair elections …says Claims & Objections exercise can update list …denies advising President that voters’ list bloated by 200,000

T

he Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, has admitted that a claims and objections period could be used to refresh the voters’ list which expired on April 30, 2019, and can be used to conduct the constitutionally stipulated General and Regional Elections.

Lowenfield was at the time being questioned on the side-lines of a High Court hearing on Tuesday, where he went to represent GECOM in the Court challenge mounted against by Anti-Corruption Advocate Christopher Ram, who was seeking an injunction against the current Houseto-House Registration.

“That’s correct. It always has (been updated by claims and objections) and always will,” Lowenfield said when asked if the previous voters’ list could be used in a free and fair elections. He noted that it could with claims and objections.

“I’m saying to you, we have a list that was expired at April 30… the list as at 30th April was the list that was used for our elections, registration and so on.

Bloated is not a word I would affix to it,” Lowenfield added.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) have long contended that house-to-house was no more than a delaying tactic

They have long held the view that claims and objections could be used to clean up the voters’ list, rather than the scrapping of the entire database. This view has also been supported by several sections of society, including the Private Sector Commission (PSC).

Only recently, Chairman of the PSC Gerry Gouveia wrote a stinging letter to Lowenfield, in which he upbraided the CEO for starting the House-toHouse Registration when a Chairman of GECOM has not been appointed.

Specifically, Gouveia had pointed out that with 10 cycles of continuous registration and claims and objection since the last house-to-house exercise, there could be no logical justification for the need for the exercise.

When it comes to claims that 200,000 extra entries are on the voters list, the PSC had noted at the time that GECOM has never verified this through a field test, a point corroborated

pushed by the Government through its Commissioners in order to hold on to power and push back the holding of General and Regional Elections.

by Lowenfield on Tuesday.

Even if it were true, Gouveia wrote, there are too many systems in polling stations to allow double voting to occur.

GECOM’s own legal of-

GECOM Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

House-to-House Registration began on Saturday. On Tuesday, the Court denied an application for an interim order suspending the activity.

Delaying tactic

Never advised President

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Lowenfield also admitted that he never advised the President that the voters’ list was bloated with 200,000 names, raising questions about where President David Granger got such information.

The Government had claimed that the possible existence of 200,000 extra names necessitated Houseto-House Registration— an exercise that could further delay elections. But on Tuesday, on the side-lines of the High Court, Lowenfield denied that he advised the President in this direction.

“I have not engaged His Excellency on the numbers game. And I cannot pronounce on that… it’s speculative. I would want to do an exercise to determine that amount,” Lowenfield said when asked about the President’s comments.

President David Granger

ficer, Excellence Dazzel, advised the commission that instead of going to Houseto-House Registration and breaking the law, GECOM should be updating the voters’ list for the elections in accordance with Section 7, (1) of the Elections Amendment Act (2000). For her advice, Dazzel was criticised by the Governmentnominated GECOM Commissioners.

The house-to-house exercise, which was last conducted in 2008, will see enumerators going in teams of two to three, from door to door, in various communities across Guyana. The enumerators will present forms to registrants to fill up, as well as take fingerprints and pictures.

It is understood that these enumerators work from 15:30h to 18:30h during the week and from 09:00h to 16:00h on weekends and holidays. The exercise is intended to produce a new National Register of Registrants Database and Official List of Electors.

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wednesday, JUly 24, 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

Caricom’s silence

B

ishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa is attributed as saying, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality”. The moral of that statement seems apt given the current political situation Guyana is experiencing.

Within that context, one would have thought that the ruling and consequential orders of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) clearly decided the way forward on the burgeoning political impasse. After all, the final decision of the final Court is expected to do just that.

Thus far it hasn’t, and from all appearances, the APNU/AFC coalition Government is using its own interpretation to frustrate the implementation of the CCJ’s decision and orders. The Government’s unwillingness to abide by the rulings has not only created grave uncertainties in the country, but is swiftly pushing the nation into the realms of a dictatorship.

Its latest and bold support for the ongoing House-to-House Registration (HtH) by GECOM would ensure the elections not held within the constitutionally stipulated three-month period. The CCJ was clear on the holding of those elections having upheld the validity of the December 21, 2018, No-Confidence Motion (NCM).

Even with a protracted timeline of three months as claimed by GECOM, at the end of the HtH registration, there has to be a period for claims and objections. When that is taken into consideration and the fact that the HtH process began a month after the CCJ’s ruling, elections cannot be held before December this year. That seems conservative given GECOM’s current approach.

Important to note is that GECOM is following the instructions of its immediate past Chairman whose unilateral appointment by the President was ruled unconstitutional by the CCJ. It, therefore, stands to reason that his instructions could also be unconstitutional.

Significantly, GECOM’s Lawyer advised it not to undertake the HtH registration as it would be illegal. Many in the civil society have echoed the same sentiment.

In a related response to the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Chief Elections Officer is reported as saying the HtH registration will continue until directions from a duly constituted Commission.

The obvious question is why proceed in the absence of a duly constituted Commission? Is that a hint of engaging in an illegality?

In that scenario, the President and his Government are seemingly supporting an illegal exercise while simultaneously flouting the CCJ’s ruling. One would have also expected that the President, as the Head of State, would have risen above the political fray and instruct his subjects to follow the rule of law as laid out by the CCJ. Instead, he appears to be the spokesperson advocating, through seemingly convenient excuses, in defiance of the CCJ. That aside, very noticeable is the deafening and what seems to be a convenient silence of Caricom. That regional body was never shy of raising its voice during the aftermath of the 1997 elections.

Then, it swiftly established an investigative Commission and an audit was carried out. In the end, it brokered the Herdmanston Accord which called for and resulted in the then PPP/C Government shortening its constitutional five-year term to three years.

As it is, the APNU/AFC Government is flagrantly extending its term despite the NCM and Caricom is still to speak on the situation while finding time earlier this year to issue a statement on the situation in Venezuela. Many questions have been asked about its silence on the Guyana situation and some worrying answers have been posited.

If those were to be true, then interpretation could render the institution as possibly biased. Even if it wants to appear as neutral, Bishop Tutu’s statement explains the related impact of taking such a position and brings into relevance Elie Wiesel’s, “Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented”.

By its continuous silence, even with the benefit of neutrality, Caricom may be encouraging the APNU/AFC Government, which continues to disregard the Constitution, thereby, trampling upon democracy. When that happens, a dictatorship is often and unavoidably precipitated.

In its statement on the situation in Venezuela, Caricom stated, “it has noted with concern the turn of events in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the potential they hold for the escalation of the political crisis”. It also cited that the constitutional framework must be upheld. What then prevents it from saying even just that on the situation here?

The headquarters of Caricom is in Guyana, thereby, negating any excuse of not having a first-hand assessment of what’s unfolding. Its silence can also be taken as tacit support for what seems a growing dictatorship and could probably undo whatever democratic gains it claims to have facilitated following the 1997 elections.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out the whole truth and acting accordingly”. Caricom, by not speaking out, stands to be accused of not acting accordingly in the context of the preservation of democratic principles and for the adherence to the rule of law by APNU/AFC. One may ask, is it in any way afraid of that proverbial Guyanese elephant with a history of inflicting torment? Time holds the answer.

As part of the Guyana Police Force’s 180th Anniversary activities, ranks of Leguan Police Station assisted by members of the Station Management Committee held a Fun Day at the Enterprise Sports Ground for the youth groups and cricket teams on the island. The groups participated in games of football and cricket and they also took a trip on a horse cart around the village and visited several historical sites on the island. In photo, Miss G Division, Police Constable Kerriane Clarke, enjoys a horse cart ride around Leguan (GPF photo)

Mayor’s claim of bag of money in Chief Constable’s vehicle deceitful

Dear Editor, At a statuary meeting of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) held on Monday, July 22, 2019, I noted with shock and surprise in the print media that the Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine, reported that a bag containing cash belonging to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) was found inside the vehicle assigned to Chief Constable Andrew Foo, and the Local Government Commission has since been called in to launch an investigation.

I further noted that the Mayor said “The only thing that bothers me is that no one apprised me of this. I had to hear it on the road, which is not good for business,” Narine expressed, adding, “I heard it on the road and when I came here, I walked into the Town Clerk’s office and asked her to launch an investigation” as reported in the State-owned newspaper on Tuesday, July 23, 2019.

I wish to state categorically that the Mayor’s claim of hearing of the discovery of the bag on the “road” is untruth, deceitful and is a clear attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Chief Constable and more particularly the image of the City Constabulary department which is the policing arm of the Georgetown Municipality that is a hybrid body comprised of the regular personnel (sworn officers) and an auxiliary section of security guards.

The provision of ser-

vices to the municipality and to citizens is executed through several substations and units of the agency and pertain to the enforcement of the city Government ByLaws and other laws within the city limits, provision of cash escorts, protective details (demolition exercises) prosecution support to the Engineers and Public Health departments and security of municipal installations. In keeping with its mandate under Section 137 (1) of the Municipal and District Councils Act Chap 28:01, and also empowered under the Summary Jurisdiction Offences Act Chapter 8:02, Section 4 (minor offences committed chiefly in Town) which provides for members of the City Police to have police powers.

Please allow me to set the record straight on the discovery of the ‘bag’ containing cash belonging to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) that was found inside the vehicle assigned to Chief Constable Andrew Foo on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, by City Police 1930, Norman Hope.

At about 15:40h on Thursday, June 20, 2019, a request was made for the vehicle assigned to the Chief Constable’s office to use to transport monies to the bank. In keeping with the request made, City Police 1930, Norman Hope used vehicle number PVV 1405 assigned to the Chief Constable’s office to take the revenue team,

along with the Escort Unit of the City Constabulary department to the bank and returned with them at the City Hall compound where they disembarked the said vehicle and went their separate way.

At about 16:00h on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, while City Police 1930 Hope was cleaning the said vehicle, he discovered a sealed bank deposit bag under the driver’s seat and he immediately brought it to the attention of the Chief Constable.

The Chief Constable then summoned the Administrative Inspector Petal Bancroft-Anthony and the Officer in Charge of the City Police Investigation Section, Inspector Lindon Bristol to his office and informed them what the City Police 1930 Hope found in his vehicle.

Inspector Petal BancroftAnthony was instructed by the Chief Constable to lodge the sealed bank deposit bag at the Constabulary’s Enquiries office which she did without any delay.

Inspector Bristol was ordered to lunch an investigation into the matter that commenced immediately which is ongoing.

Following that, the Chief Constable informed the Georgetown Mayor, Mr Ubraj Narine, Acting Town Clerk, Sharon HarryMunroe, Clerk of Market, Sherlock Lovell, the Human Resource Manager of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC) Paulette Braithwaite and other of-

ficials of the Council about the discovery of the bag containing cash belonging to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) that was found inside the vehicle assigned to him.

At about 09:30h on Thursday, July 18, 2019, the Clerk of Market, Mr Sherlock Lovell, arrived at the City Constabulary headquarters and identified the bag containing cash belonging to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) as the bag with the monies collected from the Bourda Market in revenue collection on Thursday, June 20, 2019.

Initial investigation revealed that the cash was checked off and placed in a bank deposit bag by the Bourda Revenue Collectors for depositing at the bank on Thursday, June 20, 2019.

Investigations further revealed that ranks attached to the Escort Unit of the City Constabulary department had transported the Bourda Revenue Collectors to the bank to deposit the money on Thursday, June 20, 2019, which they never did.

Three weeks later, on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, the bag containing the cash and deposit slip that was supposed to have been deposited by Revenue Collectors on Thursday, June 20, 2019, was found by City Police 1930 Hope inside the vehicle assigned to Chief Constable Andrew Foo and the matter is now under Police investigation.

Continued on page 5

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wednesday, JUly 24, 2019

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

The illegal House-to-House has a three-fold agenda

Dear Editor, The illegal exercise of a House-to-House Registration has a threefold dubious agenda; 1. It is the PNC-dominated coalition's intention to pad the voters’ list with names of those foreign nationals in one last-ditch desperate attempt to beef up their chances at the next general election. There are a number of Haitian nationals brought into Guyana expressly for that exercise.

Further, this is the reason why Lowenfield did not notify the Opposition nor did he include Opposition scrutineers in the exercise.

2. In like manner, The PNC-controlled GECOM hopes to delete the names of voters from the list who they think are supporters of The PPP/C. Mark you well, one of the questions in the House to House Registration officers arsenal of tricks is the subtle question as to which is the party of your choice,

This in itself is an illegality, aimed at disenfranchising a potential voter for the Opposition.

This means at the affirmation that if you are a supporter of the Opposition you would immediately become a target for either a removal from the list of electors or struck off as being deceased. This old PNC tactic of tampering with the list of electors would have succeeded in removing legitimate voters from the list or at the least create confusion on election day when hundreds of persons would turn up to vote only to find that their names are not on the voters’ list.

3. Lastly, the House-toHouse exercise is meant to extend the life of the PNC in office for a possible two years more. And here's the trick; that house-tohouse so-called registration cannot be completed in three months as hinted by GECOM, Houseto-House takes at the

Mayor’s claim of bag of money... from page 4

However, I find it very strange at this initial stage of the investigation that the Mayor of Georgetown, Mr Ubraj Narine, whom I have great respect for, in society as a young, intelligent and ambitious young man with integrity would go publicly to say that the Chief Constable never informed him about the incident and he only learnt about it on the road when it is not so.

The Mayor of Georgetown should retract

the statement he made at Monday’s statuary meeting and apologise since his report on the matter can be seen as an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Chief Constable, Mr Andrew Foo, and more particularly the image of the City Constabulary department collectively which doesn’t look good in the eyesight of the public.

Yours faithfully, Rayvonne P Bourne

minimum 15 months to complete and no less time.

So, that 3-month suggestion is just a ploy designed to lull the Opposition into believing that the registration exercise can be effectively done in time for gen-

eral elections on or around September 18, which is the stipulated deadline given by the CCJ. In all of this, the PNC hopes to rig the next general elections and secure an illegal victory at the per-

il of the people of this entire country. This PNC’s age-old trick must not be allowed to flourish again, ever, and on this note, I call on all the people involved to get on board so that we can save our country from

this tyrannical, illegal PNC regime and return Guyana to the beaten path of democracy.

Dear Editor, It’s quite late at night and sleep is yet to visit me as I lay awake submerged in the sad reality that life in Guyana has come full circle and we are once again starkly staring at a fullfledged PNC dictatorship.

But this time it is far worse than that which Guyanese had experienced during the period 1964 to 1992.

This time, it began almost as soon as the PNCdominated coalition assumed Office with the complete disdain and utmost defiance of the Supreme Law of the land which ironically was conceived and given birth to during the same dark era of Burnham’s PNC dictatorship rule.

It was equally sad to helplessly stare in bewilderment as two of Cheddi Jagan’s self-proclaimed ‘disciples’, Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan, joined hands with the very people who had terrorised, impoverished and oppressed the entire Guyanese nation and have now themselves metamorphosed into an integral part of the growing PNC dictatorship.

In fact, they have now become worse dictators having immersed themselves in the wealth snatched from the blood, sweat and tears

of the taxpayers. Ill-gotten wealth which could have fed the children of the thousands of jobless persons, which could have created jobs for our young people and which could have improved the healthcare of the poor masses. All these are issues which they have fought against the same PNC which they now gleefully embrace.

The masses in Guyana are poor people, of which multitudes have fled from their homeland in a courageous quest to bring good to themselves and families and they live abroad with the earnest hope that one day those living in poverty will live an improved life in an economically prosperous environment. In 1992, we saw the advent of such a life as Guyanese were taken from dire poverty and oppression into a journey which saw their lives improved almost on a daily basis.

Guyana was taken from bankruptcy to prosperity and for 23 years had almost forgotten the 28 years suffered under the PNC dictatorship when it was a crime to eat food! Empty shelves became filled as never before and Guyanese were becoming owners of homes and luxurious items as not only needs but wants were

fulfilled.

Our National Treasury was once again becoming filled as we moved up the economic ladder to become a middle-income country.

Guyanese had started to go to the US on vacation enjoying their ten-year visa. But this came to an end in 2015 which saw the venomous resurgence of the PNC and the diminishing of such holiday visas as Guyanese once again are seen as fleeing from economic hardships.

The coalition’s adamant refusal to abide by the Constitution and the defiance for the rule of law has exposed its true dictatorial nature, not only to Guyanese but to the world at large. It took a meagre four years for that to materialise! Many Guyanese had thought that in this new era, that the PNC, after several baptismal names change, would have learnt an invaluable lesson from the 28 years it was in Government and sought to erase that sinister and catastrophic image it had indelibly carved in their psyche.

But that was not to be since the true PNC characteristic began to emerge on a daily basis as squandermania, corruption, cronyism, criminal activities and harsh taxation measures wreaked havoc as the

balance of payments deficit grew, our gross domestic product declined and economic development took a plunge. We now have bigger budgets but equally bigger corruption.

It now becomes clear that the coalition is bent on an illegal trajectory to remain in power even if it means to once again become a pariah to the civilised nations of the world.

They believe that the revenue from oil will see them through this time around but they are mistaken. Guyanese will not allow the PNC to get away with its dictatorial rule this time. We demand that democracy prevails!

We have had enough of poverty and hunger under the PNC and we must now stand up to this PNC monster which once again threatens to gobble this nation. We demand that GECOM’s Chairman be appointed and elections be held by September 18, 2019, as per our Constitution and the CCJ’s rulings. We demand that the delaying tactic of House-to-House Registration be jettisoned immediately! We want no more PNC fabricated delaying tactics!

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Dictatorship! Not again!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

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WEDNESday, JUly 24, 2019

Page

Foundation

Solar System Model (Distance)

D

o you ever wish you could change something about your body? If so, you’re not alone.

Lots of people feel unhappy with some part of their looks.

But when you get stuck on what you don’t like, it can really bring down your selfesteem.

You don’t need a perfect body to have a good body image. When you like your body as it is, right now, you boost your body image. And your self-esteem too.

But what if I need to be in better shape? Some people think, “When I get in better shape, I’ll like my body. But it’s best to start the other way.

First, accept your body. Find things to like about it. Take good care of your body. When you like your body, it’s easier to treat it right.

Want to look and feel your best? Here are some tips: Accept your body

Nobody’s perfect. Everybody wants to be liked and accepted just as they are. That’s true for every BODY, too! See your body the way it is. Be less of a critic. Be more of a friend.

Don’t body-shame yourself. When you make harsh comments about your own body, it hurts your self-esteem.

That’s true whether you say it out loud or think it to yourself.

It hurts just as much as if someone else said it. Be kind.

Respect yourself, even if you have things to work on.

Build a better habit. Do you have a habit of putting your body down? To break that bad habit, build a good one in its place. Tell yourself what you like instead of what you don’t.

Keep doing it until it is a habit.

Like your body

Find things to like about your looks. Maybe you like your hair, face, or hands. What about your shape, shoulders, or legs? Your eyes or your smile? Tell yourself what you like and why. If you get stuck, think of what your good friends like about how you look. Accept those things. Know that there’s lots to like about you. Let yourself feel good.

Focus on what your body can DO. There’s more to your body than your looks. When you play a sport, walk, run, dance, swim — that’s your body in action. Your body is there for you when you stretch, reach, climb, or jump for joy. When you carry things, build things, or give someone a hug. Be amazed. Be thankful.

Be aware of your body. Don’t ignore your body as you go through the day. Learn to breathe slowly and calmly as you

O

ur solar system is the Sun and everything that travels around it. Travelling around the Sun are eight official planets, at least five dwarf planets, nearly 200 moons (or natural satellites of the planets), and a large number of comets and asteroids.

Supplies

Tape measure Rolls of toilet paper Index cards or paper Markers Tape Solar System Statistics cards

Get kids thinking

move and stretch. Learn to tell when your body needs food or rest. Enjoy the way your body feels when you walk, run, and play.

Take care of your body

Eat healthy foods. Learn what foods are good for you, and how much is the right amount. Take your time when you eat.

Really taste your food. Enjoy it. Eating right helps you look your best. It gives you the energy you need. And it boosts your body image. When you treat your body right, you feel good about yourself.

Get good sleep. Learn how much sleep you need for your age. Get to bed on time. Turn off screens hours before bedtime so you can sleep well.

Be active every day. Your body needs to move to be strong, fit, and healthy. You can be active by playing a sport.

You can run, walk, work out, do yoga, swim, or dance. Pick activities you like. Enjoy the fun you can have.

Keep to a healthy weight. Being a healthy weight is good for you. And it helps you feel good about your body. But don’t try to diet on your own. Always talk to your parent or doctor.

Your doctor can suggest ways you can keep to a weight that’s right for you.

What if I need help with my body image and self-esteem?

Sometimes, body image or self-esteem problems are too much to handle alone. Health issues, depression, or trauma can affect how you feel about yourself. Eating disorders can cause a poor body image that isn’t true.

Tell a parent, doctor, or therapist what you’re going through. Ask for help. Body image and self-esteem can get better with help and care. (kidshealth.org)

Our solar system is BIG! The sizes of the planets vary greatly as do the distances between planets and their distance from the Sun. Step 1: Identify the planets Step 2: Decide on the scale for your model .Toilet paper sheets are going to represent the distances of planets from the Sun in this model. What’s fun about making this model is deciding the scale. If you have a lot of space , consider a scale of 10,000,000 (10 million) miles equals 1 square of toilet paper. That will put Neptune about 1,100 sheets or 94 feet away from your “Sun.” Alternative scale options If you do not have access to 95 feet of room, you can calculate the numbers for a scale that requires only about 20 feet of space. This is a good Maths challenge for kids who like to do calculations! 50,000,000 miles = 1 square of toilet paper (19 feet of floor or outdoor space needed) Distance Between Each Planet in Sheets MERCURY 35,983,610 36,000,00 3.6 14.4 1.2 VENUS 67,232,360 26.8 2.3

67,000,000

6.7

EARTH 92,957,100 37.2 3.1

93,000,000

9.3

MARS 141,635,300 142,000,000 56.8 4.7

14.2

JUPITER 483,632,000 484,000,000 193.6 16.2

48.4

SATURN 888,188,000 888,200,000 352.2 29.6

88.8

URANUS 1,783,950,000 1,800,000,000 720 60

180

NEPTUNE 2,798,842,000 2,800,000,000 1,120 93.3 Expanded Distance Table 10,000,000 miles = 1 square of toilet paper (95 feet of floor or outdoor space needed) Step 3: Make your model • Make an index card for the Sun (or a construction paper Sun) and secure it on the ground (with tape if you are inside, set a rock on top of it if you are outside).

• Attach the toilet paper to the index card with tape.

• Lay the toilet paper down, slowly walk and unroll the toilet paper. (If you are outside and it is even a little windy, get some rocks to hold the toilet paper in place.)

• As you unroll, count the number of squares.

• When you reach Mercury (3.6 sheets on a 10,000,000 mile scale), use a marker to make a dot on the toilet paper and secure the Mercury card next to that square.

• If you want to be precise about where to put the dot, turn a square of toilet paper into a tool that can help.

• Continue unrolling the toilet paper and placing the planet cards until you get all the way to Neptune! Far out, right? (www.startwithabook.org)

7 Chief Justice affirms elections must be held by Sept 18 news

wednesday, JUly 24, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

...needs evidence H2H exercise will preclude same

T

he High Court has denied an application for an interim conservatory order to block the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from continuing its House-toHouse Registration exercise that began on Saturday.

This was revealed following the hearing of the application on Tuesday.

According to former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, counsel for the applicant Christopher Ram, the order was not granted since Chief Justice (CJ) Roxanne George required more evidence as to the unconstitutionality of the exercise.

“The Chief Justice did not grant the conservatory order which we sought to restrain the registration process,” Nandlall explained.

“But significantly, the Chief Justice emphasised that she understood that the CCJ ruled that the elections must be held by September 18”.

“And she said that very clearly, that that is what the CCJ ruled in accordance with articles 106 (6 and 7).

However, she said that we have not satisfied her on the affidavit that there is enough evidence to show that GECOM is not acting to complete this process and hold elections within that time”.

As such, Nandlall is expected to file an affidavit to this effect. However, the former Attorney General maintained that GECOM cannot complete the exercise in time for the constitu-

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George

tionally mandated elections

by September 18.

“The whole country knows that it will go beyond.

Because they are constructing a new list. They are saying that the list is bad. And there is no way that this exercise, starting from citizen number 1 to citizen number 750,000, can be concluded within and for the holding of an election by September 18”.

Nandlall reminded that the list has to be compiled, then there has to be claims and objections to the list itself and then it has to be extracted from the national register to the voters’ list.

“Then you have to put everything in place for elections. By what logic can that be concluded by September 18? Of course, we have to put that in an affidavit to persuade the Judge”.

Nandlall also noted that apart from the unlawful extension in power the Government would have from the exercise, it violates the National Registration Act. He pointed out that the exercise can deregister per-

sons who are already entitled to vote but might be out of the jurisdiction at the moment or not at home.

Meanwhile, Attorney-atLaw Neil Boston’s request for 14 days to present his written arguments was denied by the CJ, who gave him up to July 29 to submit his affidavits. Boston is representing GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield.

Nandlall and team, who this publication understands have filed an affidavit with the additional evidence for the CJ as of Tuesday afternoon, were given until July 31 to respond to these filings, with the Chief Justice ordering that all relevant submissions be laid over with the Court by July 31.

The Guyana Bar Association, which will be represented by its President Teni Housty and prominent Attorney Sanjeev Datadin, was also given leave to join the proceedings as a party and make written submissions. The case will meanwhile be heard on August 2nd.

290 days

Nandlall’s affidavit containing additional evidence cites the work plan presented by Lowenfield, which shows that House-to-House Registration will take 290, and not the 90 days GECOM claimed it would take. This work plan was presented to the CJ as an exhibit.

The affidavit also refers to and includes as an exhibition the order issued by

Attorney Anil Nandlall and his client Christopher Ram

former GECOM Chairman retired Justice James Patterson and published on the June 11, 2019, in the Official Gazette. This order was cited by Lowenfield as the basis for carrying out House-to-House Registration.

Interestingly, however, the order itself states that the house- to-house exercise will begin on the July 20, 2019, and end on October 20, 2019, showing that elections cannot be held by the September 18 deadline envisioned by the Chief Justice.

The house-to-house exercise, which was last conducted in 2008, will see enumerators going in teams of two to three, from door to door in various communities across Guyana. The enumerators will present forms to registrants to fill up, as well as take fingerprints and pictures.

It is understood that these enumerators work from 15:30h to 18:30h during the week and from 9:00h to 16:00h on weekends and holidays. The exercise is intended to produce

a new National Register of Registrants Database and Official List of Electors.

This means that everyone, regardless of whether they were registered before or not, must register anew at their place of residence between July 20 and October of this year.

Citizen

The requirement for proof of residency has produced alarm for overseas-based Guyanese, to the point where a Court case was filed earlier this year by an overseas-based Guyanese against House-to-House Registration on the basis that it would disenfranchise her.

In her Court filings, Bibi Zeenatoun— a retired teacher and citizen of Guyana— had sought Writs of Prohibition and injunction and a conservatory order against GECOM. Her fixed date application had stated that she worked in the United Kingdom from 1980 until her retirement in 2014. She then acquired property and maintained a residence in that coun-

Senior Counsel Neil Boston

try. Besides her citizenship, however, she has family ties to Guyana that include an adult son and his two children.

According to the application, Zeenatoun, “fears that she will be excluded from the proposed exercise of Houseto-House Registration and, thereby, in effect, be de-registered and in consequence thereof, she will be unlawfully denied her statutory and constitutional right to be registered and to vote”.

“The applicant’s right to vote will and can be protected if the Respondents were to engage in continuous registration as provided for in Section 6 (1) of the National Registration Act Cap. 19:08,” the application advised.

Nandlall revealed, however, that this case was withdrawn following the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling since it was expected that GECOM would comply and kick into election mode. In hindsight, he noted that had that case been allowed to continue, they might have been able to get an order blocking GECOM by now.

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Minibus driver charged for causing death by dangerous driving

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Route 42 minibus driver was on Monday slapped with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Thirty-one-year-old Typhon Sampson of Supply, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The charge against Sampson stated that on May 5, 2019, at the Garden of Eden Public Road, East Bank Demerara, he drove

minibus BXX 3014 in a dangerous manner to the public, thereby causing the deaths of Linden Charles and Michael Cozier.

Sampson denied the charges after they were read to him and was released on $700,000 bail.

Reports are Cozier, 34, of Charlestown, Georgetown, and Police Constable Charles were among seven passengers in the minibus, driven by Sampson.

The minibus was reportedly travelling south at a fast

rate along the eastern side of the road in the vicinity of the Guyana Defence Force’s Agriculture Corps when Sampson allegedly lost control of the vehicle and ended up in a trench on the western side of the road.

The injured passengers were taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where Cozier was pronounced dead on arrival.

Charles and the other passengers were transferred to the Georgetown

The rot spreads…

Typhon Sampson

Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where Charles died while receiving treatment.

The case will continue on August 6, 2019.

Guyanese remanded for Man jailed for stealing disorderly behaviour on chicken T&T-bound flight

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man who is accused of stealing 77.1 kilograms (170 pounds) of chicken was on Tuesday sentenced to six months in absentia.

The sentence was handed down by Magistrate Rondel Weever at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Twenty-three-yearold Omalo Dick, of A Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was charged and released on $10,000 bail; however, he failed to turn up to court for his trial.

Dick had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge when he made his first appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

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Jailed: Omalo Dick

The charge stated that on June 22, 2019, at Mandela Avenue, he stole 170 pounds of chicken valued at $51,680, the property of Rawle Burkett.

Guyanese woman has been remanded to a Trinidad prison after she reportedly behaved disorderly on a Trinidad-bound flight. Sylvanie Roxanne Shivnarine reportedly behaved in a disorderly manner on flight BW457, which left Guyana for Trinidad on Monday. According to a report from the T&T Newsday, upon arrival in the twin island Republic, the woman was taken off the flight by security officials. She was slapped with a charge which stated that on July 20, she behaved in a manner which caused annoyance to passengers onboard the flight. Shivnarine

appeared before the Arima Magistrates’ First Court, but was not required to plea to the indictable charge.

Magistrate Cheron Raphael remanded Shivnarine to prison, stating that bail could not be granted since she did not pass through Trinidad’s immigration after she was taken off the flight. However, according to the news report, she is expected to be processed by immigration shortly.

Shivanrine is expected to make her second Court appearance on Thursday. As the Guyanese woman was being taken away from Court, she was weeping uncontrollably.

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…to GECOM’s CEO hile all eyes have been focused on the Chairman of GECOM, James Patterson, as the epicentre of whatever scam Granger and cohorts in the PNC wanted to pull in the next elections – which necessitated them dragging it out as long as possible – the CEO, Keith Lowenfield, had slipped under the radar. Of course, there was the nasty stench back in 2015 when, just before the elections, the fella insisted as to how he absolutely had to have $100 million of high frequency radio sets to bring off the elections.

He ignored the authorised dealer for the radios, went to a favoured supplier of everything to GECOM – including the kitchen sink –and bought the radios at seven times the standard price – $2 million a pop!! The thing was – to add insult to injury (to the Guyanese taxpayers’ pocketbooks) – the radios were never ever used and were later found to be mostly unserviceable!! There’d also been the matter of $82million worth of office supplies from one supplier, which he’d cannily split into several contracts under $15 million each – the standard ploy to escape from having the Cabinet approving them. In the supplies were pliers that cost $6000 each!!

Anyhow, Lowenfield’s name next surfaced when the PPP went to the ERC and pointed out that 85% of the employees at the Secretariat were from one ethnic group – the one who comprises of traditional supporters of the PNC. While Patterson took the flak for not providing info on the Commission’s hiring practices, insiders pointed out that all the tests for hiring staff passed through Lowenfield’s hands and it’s he who decides who passes or who fails!! No one can enter the kingdom of the GECOM Secretariat but through the personage of ex-Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Major Keith Lowenfield!!

And we arrive at the present imbroglio in which Lowenfield suddenly unearthed (or conjured up?) an order supposedly issued by Patterson since June 11 for Houseto-House Registration to begin on July 20. Even though the order was claimed to be gazetted, no one had seen it until July 18 – two days before the contested event was supposed to begin!! Lowenstein had ignored GECOM’s legal Counsel’s advice that a house-to-house registration was totally unnecessary to have a clean list and comply with the CCJ ruling.

But lo and behold – it had to be a miracle! – he asked the council as to whether Patterson’s alleged June 11 order was valid and he claimed she said “yes!” since the CCJ’s definitive ruling disqualifying Patterson hadn’t been delivered till June 18! And her word was now gospel to Lowenstein!

Never mind, Patterson’s status had been on “pause” and shouldn’t have made any major decisions!! …in Caricom No Guyanese can forget Caricom’s studied silence during the 1970’s and 80’s when the PNC entrenched their dictatorship. Seems we’re gonna have a repeat performance as Granger keeps his promise to “fulfil the legacy” of Burnham. Presumably responding to Opposition Leader Jagdeo’s complaint that Caricom is mute as the PNC Government outrageously flouts the CCJ’s judgement and consequential orders, Caricom SG Irwin LaRocque finally offered a comment.

If you thought it was on the substantive issues, you just wasted a thought, dear reader!! La Roque merely set out three conditions before Caricom would deign to comment substantively. To wit, “if the democratic and judicial processes break down and if both parties – Government and Opposition – deem it necessary”. In other words they’ll sit on the side-lines and twiddle their thumbs unless we become another Haiti!! There, if anyone “breaks wind” in Port-au-Prince too loudly, a note verbal is dashed off!!

When Caricom condemned the US for “interfering” in Haiti, we wonder if Maduro and Guaido “deemed it necessary”?? …in trade unions The TUC called the PPP’s call for Guyanese to boycott the unilaterally imposed H-t-H process “backward” because that’ll infringe on their franchise – won by stalwarts like Critchlow.

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

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wednesday, JUly 24, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

CCJ consequential orders

Caricom cannot intervene unless

democracy, justice break down – SG

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he Caribbean Community (Caricom) is keeping a close eye on proceedings in Guyana, with its leadership being regularly briefed and in touch with the parties involved in the aftermath of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) rulings on the no-confidence vote cases.

This is according to Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque on Tuesday while being interviewed on the sidelines of an event. He sought to deny reports that Caricom has not been active enough in trying to ensure

worked so far, in the sense that the CCJ delivered a judgement and its consequential orders. And the CCJ, in my view, was very, very clear that all the actors concerned, must play their part,” LaRocque told the media.

“As I understand it, there continues to be dialogue among the parties. We continue to monitor everything very closely. I have met with both the President and the Leader of the Opposition on more than one occasion.

Following the ruling, I’ve met the Opposition Leader

Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris, is being briefed regularly on the situation and has also reached out to leaders in Guyana. But LaRocque stayed on the side of caution when it comes to taking a more proactive role.

“We’ll continue monitoring this. We remain available to assist if we’re asked to assist. But Caricom does not interfere unless the democratic and judicial process breaks down. It doesn’t mean we don’t care.

It doesn’t mean we’re not engaged. We are fully engaged,” he stressed.

Pressure

With the parliamentary Opposition continuing to mount pressure, most of the representatives from the international community have been urging the country’s political players to act swiftly and in compliance with

Guyana remains a democratic and not authoritative State.

“There’s a process ongoing since the no-confidence vote. The process has

and spoken to the President.

So I’m in touch, I’ll continue to be in touch.”

The Secretary General added that the Chairman of Caricom, St Kitts and Nevis

Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque

the Constitution, as ordered by the CCJ. In a joint statement issued recently, members of the diplomatic community in Guyana, including the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union, stated that they have taken note of the CCJ’s pronouncements on July 12.

They said it is important for the rule of law that all invoked actors abide by the CCJ’s ruling and the relevant provisions of the Constitution. The diplomats furthered urged that this adherence be done expeditiously.

“The Caribbean Court of Justice – Guyana’s Supreme Court – has spoken. It is important for the rule of law that all invoked actors abide by its ruling and the relevant provisions of the Constitution. We urge everyone to do so expeditiously,” the diplomats said in the joint communique.

This follows statements issued by the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), American Chambers (AmCham) and other sections of society, which also urged compliance with the

Chairman of Caricom, St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr Timothy Harris

Court and Constitution.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and other observers have, however, previously called out Caricom for its silence on the Government’s reluctance to adhere to the Constitution of Guyana and the CCJ rulings.

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Guyanese registered vessel Sophia miner killed at intercepted with cocaine in BVI neighbourhood party

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Guyana-registered vessel has been intercepted in Tortola, British Virgin Islands (BVI) with a total of 43.18 kilograms (95 pounds) of cocaine concealed in Thin-Set Cement.

News reports out of the BVI stated that on July 18, three pallets containing 200 bags of Thin-Set Cement was found on the vessel Krautsand after it docked at Port of Purcell. The boat arrived from Trinidad and Tobago.

The seizure was part of a joint operation involving both the Police and Customs Department of the BVI. The vessel reportedly left Guyana in mid-June for Trinidad and Tobago.

There has been no information released on the owner of the vessel as the investigations are ongoing. Attempts to get a comment from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) proved futile on Tuesday.

P

olice are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 28-year-old Terry Ault, a miner of Lot 63 South Sophia, Greater Georgetown, who was shot and killed in the wee hours of Sunday at a pool party within the com-

On March 19, 2019, four Guyanese were sentenced in St Croix District Court, US Virgin Islands for possession of cocaine on board a vessel.

They are Neville Jeffrey, 70; Mohamed Hoseain, 66; Richard La Cruz, 51, and Mark Anthony Williams, 32.

It was reported that District Court Judge Wilma A Lewis sentenced Jeffrey to 48 months, Hoseain to 36 months, La Cruz to 30 months and Williams to 27 months.

Lewis also sentenced each defendant to two years of supervised release, but ordered that they be deported upon

release from incarceration.

She further ordered them to pay a special assessment of US$100 each and did not impose a fine.

They all pleaded guilty to cocaine possession charges in November and December of 2018. According to plea agreements filed with the court and statements at the sentencing hearing, the US Coast Guard Cutter Napier intercepted a suspicious vessel in a joint operation with the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard approximately 70 nautical miles north of Paramaribo, Suriname, in international waters, on February 16, 2017.

Father of the deceased: George Ault

munity.

Guyana Times understands that Ault had left his home on Saturday evening to attend a pool party within the area. However, just before 03:00h the following morning, he was killed during an alleged altercation.

On Tuesday this publi-

cation visited the home of the deceased and spoke to the father, George Ault, who explained that neighbours went to his house at about 03:00h and told him that his son was shot.

“Coming onto 3 o’clock in the morning some neighbours from the neighbourhood come and start hollering pato! pato! come! come!

And they say you son dead,” the grieving man related. He said that he rushed to the scene but his son was already taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The grieving father also confirmed that two females were arrested and are being questioned in relation to the shooting.

“We went to the police and they say they catch two girls, that were going away after the incident happen… some police guy went in the area, they didn’t know he was a police and they [the girls] say ‘we man just kill someone ah dem’….and I understand they pick them up and carry them at the station and start do the investi-

Dead: Terry Ault gations,” Ault related.

The visibly shaken father described his son as a “people person” adding that all he wants is justice for his son’s unexpected death.

“He’s peaceful, he is a people man, he like everybody he got that loving type of way…I would glad if I could get lil justice.” Ault pleaded.

A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted on the body of Ault today. He leaves to mourn his daughter, reputed wife, father and four other siblings.

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Present political climate

Clear ploy to obfuscate Court’s decision, muddy clear-watered ruling – FITUG …says grounds for H2H Registration “unconvincing”

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he Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) said that the air that permeates the current political climate in Guyana reeks of a “clear ploy to obfuscate the Court’s decision and muddy the clear-watered ruling” handed down by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

The Trade Union body said that it has been following the unfolding developments in the recent days. In a statement, the Union said that it has taken note of the various interpretations of the CCJ rulings in the NoConfidence Motion challenge, as well as the challenge in relation to the unilateral appointment of Justice James Patterson as Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

“Indeed, while we have seen several postulations and prognostications, we reiterate, that the CCJ left, in our view, no ambiguity. The Court’s ruling was manifest and any rational, clear-eyed person would recognise that respect for the Constitution was expressly reiterated in the ruling,” FITUG said.

The body explained that they are confused as to the many arguments and interpretations of the rulings.

“It appears to us, like many reasonable-minded Guyanese, that there is a clear ploy to obfuscate the Court’s decision and muddy the clear-watered ruling.

We are at a loss to see the logic in such an approach, especially when those contentions being advanced are quickly sliding down the slippery slope. The fact that apparently intelligent persons have joined this bandwagon is an aghast situation in itself”.

In relation to the ongoing House-to-House Registration process, the legitimacy of the decision is contentious, bearing in mind that it was supported by a GECOM Chairman, who the CCJ ruled was unconstitutionally appointed.

Moreover, the Union added that it could not ignore the seeming surreptitious appearance of an order regarding the commencement

of the H-t-H, which has only served to heighten apprehensions.

Unconvincing

According the Union, the grounds for the H-t-H, so far, remain unconvincing.

“We recall, for instance, the sentiment that hundreds of thousands of Guyanese are improperly on the extant list but, so far, empirical evidence to substantiate this assertion remains lacking.

At the same time, the call for H-t-H is sounded against the backdrop that thousands of youths are excluded. Again facts supportive of this assertion remain questionably absent. Neither has any explanation been advanced as to why the ‘youths’ in question did not take advantage of the several claims and objection exercises over the years. Political parties, in our view, have a role in this regard and it astonishes us that parties did not take an active role,” the statement said.

The FITUG noted that the proverbial clock is ticking, while referring what is set forth in Article 106 of the Constitution, which was ordered to be engaged by the

CCJ. FITUG said that it is simply abhorrent that institutions of the State have turned apparently a blind eye to their responsibilities and obligations that are outlined clearly in the statues.

Such actions, from our perspective, cause them to worry about the example it sets and the precedent it creates.

“The FITUG, at this time, sees the need, without further delay, for full and complete abidance with the ruling of the CCJ and the enabling of the necessary mechanisms that will see our Constitution complied with. In our view, the perpetuation of the ‘skirting-around’ we have seen will do our country and its people no good,” the statement concluded.

On July 12, the CCJ handed down consequential orders stipulating that the Constitution of Guyana must be upheld. According to Guyana’s Constitution, when a No-Confidence Motion is passed against Government, the President and Cabinet must resign and call fresh elections within three months.

In this instance the NoConfidence Motion was

passed on December 21, 2018. However, because of a number of legal challenges, the CCJ ruled on June 18, 2019 that the No-Confidence Motion, brought by the Leader of the Opposition against APNU/ AFC Government, was validly passed. This, therefore, means that elections must be held in Guyana in September.

While the Court stayed away from setting specific dates, President Justice Adrian Saunders emphasised that the key players, such as the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the President, and by extension the Government, are obligated to “exercise their responsibilities with integrity”. In its ruling, the CCJ made it clear that since the passage of the No-Confidence Motion against the Government on December 21, 2018, the Government should have complied with the provisions of the Constitution, i.e., to resign and call elections.

Essequibo Coast teen dies after being treated for ankle pain

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former student of the Anna Regina Multilateral School died on Monday while receiving medical attention for pain to her ankle at the Suddie Public Hospital.

Dead is 14-year-old Ramindra Khagaram of Lot 14 Henrietta, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Reports are the teen started crying out for pain to his left ankle on Sunday and as such, he was taken to the Suddie Public Hospital. On Sunday, he would have celebrated his 14th birthday.

According to relatives, the teen was given an injection and antibiotics. He was sent away and upon his arrival at home, he went to bed since he told relatives that he was feeling drowsy.

His mother told Guyana Times that soon after, her son woke up and started to cry out for chest pains and without hesitation, he was rushed back to the hospital. The grieving mother said that her son was seen by another doctor, who administered another injection and prescribed some tablets.

At about 02:00h on Monday morning, the mother went to her son’s room to check on

Dead: Ramindra Khagaram

his condition but found that his body was extremely cold and he was perspiring heavily.

Again, she took him back to the hospital where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He took his last breath a few hours later. The grieving mother said that the teen was their eldest son.

“He went to the hospital with just pain in the left ankle, he was anxious to come home to celebrate his birthday with the family and friends,” the mother said as she cried. The teen’s parents related that they are awaiting the results of the post-mortem before deciding what legal actions, if any, would be taken against the hospital.

The young man leaves to mourn his parents and a brother.

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wednesday, JUly 24, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

Linden to Lethem GEA hosts consultation on road remains flooded Region 9 hydropower project

…commuters still awaiting Govt intervention

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t has been more than a week since the Linden to Lethem road became flooded, making it almost impossible for vehicles to pass and the Public Infrastructure Ministry is still to intervene in the situation to assist commuters.

Even as business owners, residents and other users of the road continue to fume over its deplorable state, the Public Infrastructure Ministry, which has responsibility for the maintenance of the road, is yet to make a pronouncement on it and its engineer is yet to pay a visit to the area.

Efforts to contact the Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, for an update on Tuesday proved futile, however, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Krest Cummings, told Guyana Times that the Ministry is aware of the situation and its Hinterland Engineer is looking into the situation and seeking ways to provide a quick solution to the problem.

Residents of Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), who usually suffer the harsh effects associated with the condition of the road, have refuted the PRO’s claim, saying that the engineer has not visited the area and the Council has not received any updates on the way forward.

Business operators depend on this route to get

The deplorable condition of a section of the Linden to Lethem road

their goods into Mahdia. A businessman, Neil Jailall, who reached out to this publication on Tuesday reiterated calls for Government intervention. He said when the road is in this state, it is difficult to get supplies into the town. In addition to this, he said the cost is sometimes more than doubled, putting a strain on business operators who have to increase their prices to offset these high transportation costs.

This, he said, creates more hardships on residents.

Minibuses transporting passengers to Mahdia were forced to stop and occupants were made to brave the flood and assist the driver in getting through the waters.

During a recent interview with this publication, Chairman of Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni)

Bonaventure Fredericks highlighted the need for competent road contractors to execute these much-needed road works. He pointed out that oftentimes, the road work contracts are being awarded to inexperienced contractors who may not possess the necessary knowledge for building all-weather roads.

Residents of Mahdia are pleading with the authorities to offer a long-term solution to this issue.

The residents accused the Government of neglect as they have made countless calls for intervention but have not received a response from the subject Ministry.

The road users also alleged that a major contributing factor to this issue is the awarding of contracts to inexperienced contractors.

T

he Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) hosted a public consultation with stakeholders and residents of the villages of St Ignatius, Kumu and Quarrie in preparation for its proposed 1.5-megawatt Kumu Hydropower Project.

The consultation, which was recently held at St Ignatius at the community’s benab, was conducted as part of the process to ensure that both residents and other stakeholders were aware of what the project entails, its benefits to the community and to address any concerns they may have regarding the project.

The GEA on Tuesday said that the session saw over 140 participants which included representatives from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Mayor and Town Council, Rupununi Chambers of Commerce (RCCI), Lethem Power Company (LPC) along with residents of Kumu, St Ignatius and Quarrie. The Kumu Hydropower Project, located on the Kumu River in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), is a diversion type run of the river plant that is located 15 km southeast of the town of Lethem. The project aims to utilise water from the Kumu River which will facilitate the installation of a 1.5 MW plant. It will be connected to the Lethem electrical grid

A section of the gathering at a consultation session hosted by GEA in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo)

to serve Lethem and nearby villages with electricity.

The 1.5-megawatt plant will be connected to the Lethem power grid, which is operated by the Lethem Power Company Inc (LPCI) a subsidiary of the State-owned Hinterland Electrification Company Inc (HECI) that oversees the generation, transmission, distribution and sales of electric energy to customers in the hinterland region.

Other benefits of the project include the supply of electricity from a renewable indigenous energy source to the town of Lethem and its environs of St Ignatius and Kumu to promote and increase the use of renewable energy in Guyana, to support the social and economic development of the town of Lethem and its surrounding communities and to reduce the dependence on fossil-based fuels for electricity generation in Lethem.

Meanwhile, Hydropower

Support Engineer, Dolwin Khan, who facilitated the presentation, assured stakeholders that the project will be designed to minimise environmental impacts during construction and operation.

In response to questions related to possible flooding due to the breaking of the hydropower weir/dam, Khan affirmed that this was not a concern given the anticipated design and location of the dam. He further explained that a significant reduction in the production cost of electricity generated in Lethem is one of the main benefits of the construction of the hydropower station while the need for annual Government subventions, which amounts to about US$500,000 per year, would be eliminated after commissioning.

The project is expected to be funded by the Islamic Development Bank and is expected to become operational by 2025.

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Ramsammy’s Ruminations 8 homeless as fire razes Time for action: platitudes, silence enabling APNU/AFC hijacking of democracy

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ome say we ought to be thankful for small mercies.

Outside of the PPP fighting against dictatorship, fighting to ensure our democracy is not killed, there have been some encouraging signs from other stakeholders. Various private sector organisations have come out with forceful statements demanding Government adheres to the Constitution, urging respect for the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). The ABCE countries have appealed for the Government to respect the Constitution, honour the rulings of the CCJ and sustain Guyana’s commitment to democracy.

Some individuals, like Chris Ram, have gone beyond Dr Leslie Ramsammy condemning the egregious violation of the Constitution and the disrespect for the CCJ, they have taken actions to resist. Mr Ram has vowed to boycott the illegal House-to-House Registration and has, in every instance, challenged the Government in Court. The PPP has not only sought redress in the Courts, but has resisted by public protests and taking their case to the international community.

But if open statements by some stakeholders are not accompanied by a commitment for action, these statements appealing for the Government to adhere to the Constitution and the rulings of the Court will be nothing but platitudes.

Will the various private sector organisations stand up today and declare the Government will be an illegal government come September 18th? Unless they do so, their statements, as welcomed and helpful as they are, will be mere platitudes.

APNU/AFC is not fazed by the statements because, in their minds, despite these statements, the stakeholders will simply carry on with business as usual come September 18.

The same can be said about the statements emanating from the ABCE countries. Their statements were substantial and contained the right sentiments. But what will the ABCE countries do if the Government continues their arrogance and their flagrant disregard for the Constitution and the CCJ? Are they prepared to put a hold for the various initiatives they are presently involved with? Are they prepared to withdraw and withhold visas to treat the Government as an illegal government?

Whether it is the private sector or international bodies or the ABCE countries, the time has come for more stringent action if we are truly interested in sustaining democracy in Guyana, if we are genuinely committed to resist dictatorship.

It has been more than seven months since the Government has flagrantly been violating the Constitution – we are already living in a dictatorship. How long more will we wait for David Granger and APNU/AFC to finally behave as a democratic government? It is dangerous to wait for September 18. Since the ruling of the CCJ, the second iteration of the three-month period for elections is already 36 days gone. There are now only 54 days left for the election. Since nomination day has to be at least 32 days before the election, we have just 22 days left to dissolve Parliament and begin the claims and objections period to update the voters list. In the meanwhile, clearly taking instructions from APNU/AFC, Mr Lowenfield and his GECOM staff are not preparing for elections, illegally carrying on with activities, such as House-to-House Registration, in a long-term plan for rigged elections.

The Government is deliberately testing the resolve of everyone. They know they are violating the Constitution and know it is egregious and shameless to disrespect the CCJ. But they are counting on the sustained willingness of stakeholders, other than the PPP, to persist with platitudes and meaningless statements. The intent was always to buy time. Just like March 21st came and went, without any consequence, they fully expect September 18th to come and go. The only thing which will encourage APNU/AFC to do the right thing is consequence for their behaviour; they must not wait to see what those consequences will be. It is why all stakeholders must declare their intentions now, that the Government will be treated as illegal, with no recognition of the President, no recognition for the ministers, with a standstill of all internationally-supported programmes, with all agreements and contracts signed after September 18th deemed and treated as illegal. None of the stakeholders should leave any room for the Government to believe they will again be able to get away with their illegal actions, no room left for them to buy any more time.

All stakeholders must speak with a single voice that public officers, including the officers of GECOM, will be held accountable for illegal actions taken at the behest of an illegal government. This is where we have arrived and there is no room left for niceness.

La Penitence house

E

ight persons including the 72-year-old owner of a Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown house are now homeless after a fire of unknown origin destroyed their home.

Millions of dollars were lost as the family was unable to save anything when the fire broke out at about 15:35h on Monday in the upper flat of the twostorey wooden and concrete building.

Guyana Times understands that Norma Clarke, the owner, and a grandchild were at home at the time of the inferno.

Neighbours reported

The burnt out building at Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown

that they saw flames coming from the upper front of the property and sounded an alarm.

Several residents quickly

3 witnesses remaining in ex-cop extradition case

Moleson Creek, Berbice, while illegally attempting to cross over to Suriname.

Shawn Neblett

T

hree remaining witnesses are expected to testify in the extradition case against ex-policeman Shawn Neblett. This is according to Attorney Stacy Goodings, who is representing the interest of the United States.

Neblett is wanted by the United States Government in relation to trafficking narcotics through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

The extradition proceedings continued before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Testifying on the matter on Tuesday was a treaty officer at the Public Security Ministry, Ormella Gladstone. She gave extensive evidence on receiving several documents from the Public Security Minister in relation to the matter.

The documents were then tendered into evidence.

The matter was adjourned to September 24, 2019.

On February 2, 2017, Police issued a wanted bulletin for Shawn Neblett in connection to the trafficking of narcotics through CJIA, Timehri.

Neblett, who had been evading the police, was arrested last May at

ran into the scorching property and were able to pull the two occupants to safety.

A bucket brigade was formed while the residents awaited the fire tenders.

However, by the time the firefighters arrived on the scene, the property was already up in flames.

Shawn Clarke, the owner’s son who occupies an apartment in the bottom flat of the house, said that he was at work when he

received a call from a friend informing him that the house was on fire.

According to Clarke, he rushed to the scene but was left in a dumfounded state when he saw the building completely engulfed.

“Like about 3 o’clock time I got a call that my house was on fire and I came down but by that time the whole house was already on fire so I didn’t get to save anything.

Everything was already burn up for me…the fire burned through the flooring and burned the bottom flat of the house,” Clarke revealed.

The bottom flat of the property was divided into two apartments which two families occupied. Both of the apartments were fully furnished.

Clarke told this publication that he was only able to save one speaker of his music set.

The Guyana Fire Service has since launched an investigation.

16 news

wednesday, JUly 24, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Armed bandit chops off guard’s

fingers during robbery

A

security guard had two of his fingers severed when he was attacked by a lone bandit on Monday evening in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Jadesh Gealall of Kent Street New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne), who works with Integrated Security Service, was on duty at Mount Sinai Nursery when he was attacked and robbed of his cellular phone.

The lone masked bandit, who was armed with a cutlass, went to the school at about 23:30h where he confronted the 36-year-old security and demanded him to hand over his Samsung Galaxy cellular phone val-

ued $56,000. During the robbery, the security guard was chopped to his knee and hand. Two of his fingers were severed as a result.

The bandit then made good his escape.

Gealall was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. He remains a patient at the medical facility.

Police are investigating the incident.

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, JUly 24, 2019

Around the World

Boris Johnson wins race to be Tory leader and PM

B

oris Johnson has been elected new Conservative Leader in a ballot of party members and will become the next UK Prime Minister.

He beat Jeremy Hunt comfortably, winning 92,153 votes to his rival's 46,656.

The former London Mayor takes over from Theresa May today.

In his victory speech, Johnson promised he would "deliver Brexit, unite the country and defeat Jeremy Corbyn".

Johnson thanked his predecessor, saying it had been

Britain’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson

"a privilege to serve in her Cabinet". He was May's Foreign Secretary until re-

signing over Brexit.

The outgoing PM - who is standing down after a revolt

by Conservative MPs over her Brexit policy - congratulated her successor, promising him her "full support from the backbenches".

Foreign Secretary Hunt said he was "very disappointed", but Johnson would do "a great job". He said he had "total, unshakeable confidence in our country" and that was a valuable quality at such a challenging time.

Donald Trump told an event in Washington "a really good man is going to be

the Prime Minister of the UK now," and Johnson would "get it done", referring to Brexit.

Almost 160,000 Conservative members were eligible to vote in the contest and turnout was 87.4 per.

A number of senior figures have already said they will not serve under Johnson, though, citing their opposition to his stance on Brexit.

He has pledged the UK will leave the EU on October 31 "do or die", accepting that a no-deal exit will happen if a new agreement cannot be reached by then. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

Venezuela rejoins regional defence treaty but Guaidó warns it's no 'magic' solution

V

enezuela’s National Assembly approved a law returning the nation to a regional defence treaty on Tuesday, but Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó sought to tamp down supporters’ hopes it could lead to President Nicolás Maduro’s imminent downfall.

Opposition hardliners had been pressuring Guaidó to join the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, signed in Rio de Janeiro in 1947, as a precursor to requesting a foreign military intervention to oust Maduro, a socialist who has overseen an economic col-

17

lapse and is accused of human rights violations.

“The TIAR is not magic, it is not a button that we press and then tomorrow everything is resolved,” Guaidó told a rally of supporters in Caracas, using the treaty’s Spanish initials.

“In itself it is not the solution – it obliges us to take to the streets with greater force to exercise our majority.”

The treaty states that an attack on one of the members – which include most large Western Hemisphere countries including the United States, Brazil and Colombia – should be considered an at-

Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó, who many nations have recognised as the country's rightful interim ruler, gestures as he speaks during a session of Venezuela’s National Assembly at a public square in Caracas, Venezuela, July 23, 2019

tack on all. Venezuela and other leftist Latin American countries left the alliance between 2012 and 2013.

Venezuela plunged into a deep power struggle in January when Guaidó invoked the Constitution to de-

clare a rival presidency, arguing Maduro’s May 2018 re-election was illegitimate.

He has been recognised as the rightful leader by most Western countries, including the United States. (Excerpt

not tolerate any interference.

“The US should know one thing, that Hong Kong is China’s Hong Kong, and we do not allow any foreign interference,” she said.

“We advise the U.S. to withdraw their black hands.”

The financial hub returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” formula that allows freedoms not enjoyed in the mainland, including

freedom to protest and an independent judiciary. But many in Hong Kong resent what they see as Beijing’s creeping control and its refusal to let its residents directly elect their leader.

China denies interfering in Hong Kong and has warned that the violent protests over the proposed legislation allowing extraditions to mainland China were an “undisguised challenge” to the formula under which it is ruled. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Indian FM denies Modi asked Trump for US mediation on Kashmir

Trump's comments risked further straining political ties with India, which are already under pressure over trade [File: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]

I

ndia's Foreign Minister has strenuously denied Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked US President Donald Trump to help mediate with Pakistan over the disputed Kashmir region.

Trump told reporters on Monday that Modi had asked him, during a meeting in Japan last month, if he would like to be a mediator on Kashmir, which is at the heart of decades of hostility between India and Pakistan.

But Foreign Minister Subrahmanyan Jaishankar, who was part of the Indian delegation at the G20 meeting in Japan where Trump and Modi met, rebutted that claim and told agitated legislators on Tuesday that Modi did not seek any help from Trump over the divided Himalayan region.

"The US President made certain remarks to the effect he was ready to medi-

ate if requested by India and Pakistan. I categorically assure the House that no such request has been made by the Prime Minister, I repeat, no such request was made," he told India's Parliament.

Trump was speaking at the White House just before he sat down for talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who welcomed the US effort to intercede, saying he would carry the hopes of more than a billion people in the region.

But the US leader's comments triggered a political storm in India, which has long bristled at any suggestion of third-party involvement in tackling Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region that it considers as an integral part of the country.

Jaishankar said there could be no third-party involvement in India's problems with Pakistan. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Singapore seizes elephant China tells US to remove 'black hands' ivory and pangolin scales in record US$48M haul from Hong Kong

C

hina said on Tuesday that US officials were behind violent chaos in Hong Kong and warned against interference, following a series of protests in the city, including bloody clashes on the weekend.

“We can see that US officials are even behind such incidents,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a regular press briefing on

Tuesday.

She was referring to violence related to weeks of protests spearheaded by pro-democracy activists against a bill that would allow people to be extradited from the city to stand trial in courts in mainland China.

Hua, asked about criticism of violence by the United States and Hong Kong’s former colonial ruler, Britain, said China would

from Reuters)

Shi'ite protesters clash with Nigeria military, Police in Abuja

N

igerian troops and Police clashed on Tuesday with Shi’ite Muslim marchers in the capital Abuja and gunfire could be heard, according to a Reuters witness.

The air was thick with teargas as soldiers and Police officers made arrests.

The Shi’ite group marched in protest against the continued detention of its leader, despite a court ruling that he be released.

The violence happened a day after at least three people - including a journalist and senior policeman - were killed in a similar confrontation in the administrative heart of Abuja. As many as

A police officer detains a young man after Police dispersed members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) from a street in Abuja, Nigeria July 23, 2019

10 more people may have died in the violence, a spokesman for the Shi’ites said that day.

President Muhammadu Buhari, a Sunni like the vast majority of Nigeria’s Muslim

community, warned in a statement before Tuesday’s protest: “Let nobody or group doubt or test our will to act in the higher interest of the majority of our citizens.”

He added: “Perpetrators

of the mayhem will not go unpunished [and] no Government can tolerate unceasing affront to constituted authority.”

Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) members regularly take to the streets of Abuja to call for the release of Ibrahim Zakzaky, who has been in detention since 2015.

They say Zakzaky requires medical help. Live ammunition and teargas have been used by security forces in recent weeks.

Clashes between Police and Zakzaky’s backers have raised fears that the IMN might turn to violent insurgency as did Sunni Islamist group Boko Haram after police killed their leader in 2009. (Excerpt from Reuters)

The haul was Singapore's largest ivory seizure to date

S

ingapore authorities have seized 8.8 tonnes (8800kg) of elephant ivory, its largest seizure to date.

Authorities estimate that the tusks, valued at $12.9 million (£10.4 million), have come from nearly 300 African elephants.

Some 11.9 tonnes of pangolin scales valued at $35.7 million were also seized. It is believed to have belonged to about 2000 of the mammals.

The illegal cargo was found in containers after a tip-off from China's customs department.

Authorities discovered the animal parts on Sunday after they inspected a shipment from the Democratic Republic of Congo that was passing through Singapore on its way to Vietnam.

The containers were falsely declared to contain timber.

The seized pangolin scales and elephant ivory will be destroyed.

It is not the first time such illegal goods have been

found in Singapore. The country has seized a total of 37.5 tonnes of pangolin scales since April this year.

"Singapore has always been inadvertently implicated in the global ivory trade for two reasons: its global connectivity, as well as the presence of a small domestic market where pre-1990s ivory can be legally sold," Kim Stengert, chief communications officer for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Singapore, told Reuters.

Ivory is used for ornaments and in traditional medicine in Asia. Pangolin scales are also in high demand in Asia for use in traditional Chinese medicine.

The pangolin is said to be the most widely trafficked mammal in the world.

Under Singapore's Endangered Species Act, the maximum penalty for illegally importing, exporting and re-exporting wildlife is a fine of up to S$500,000 (US$370,000; £295,000) and/or two years’ imprisonment. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, JUly 24, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Look on the bright side of every situation you face.

Take action and set goals that are conducive to expanding and exploring your interests. A lifestyle change looks inviting.

Think twice before you TAURUS make a change at home or (April 20May 20) work. Someone who counts on you will cause a ruckus if he or she isn’t forewarned of your plans.

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

solution for THURSDAY’S puzzle AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Make your home, private affairs and relationships your primary concerns. Don’t lend or borrow money or possessions, or donate to a cause about which you know little.

A slip of the tongue will lead to an unexpected turn of events. Walk away from situations that can lead to a falling-out with someone you care about.

Expressing your thoughts will backfire. Someone you least expect will use your words against you. Keep your emotions and ego under control. Be astute when dealing with authority, rules and regulations.

You can help someone without going overboard. If someone asks for too much, offer only what you feel comfortable contributing. Don’t pussyfoot around; honesty is the best policy.

Do what needs to be done and go about your business.

If someone interferes in your affairs or is controlling, set him or her straight. Make a positive adjustment to your spending habits.

You don’t need to travel to get things done. Make contact with people who have something you need or want, and make them an offer. How you handle others will determine your success.

Don’t let anyone talk you into something that you know you shouldn’t do. Your aim should be to take better care of your health and personal finances.

A change at home will take some finagling. Be vocal, listen to suggestions and make sure anyone who will be affected by your plans is supportive before you begin.

Romance is encouraged.

A change someone makes will not sit right with you.

Look for alternatives to counter any problem that might arise. Look out for your interests and protect your reputation.

Your imagination will be vivid. Don’t embellish a situation to make it more interesting. If you stick to the truth, you will avoid being corrected. Make romance and self-improvement priorities.

wednesday, JUly 24, 2019

19

Ewan wins stage 16 …Alaphilippe keeps lead over Thomas

“But I had extra motivation – my daughter and wife are here and I’m so happy I could win for them. Now I’ve won two stages, I can’t believe it.”

With stage 16 the last opportunity for the sprinters before the final day in Paris, the five-man breakaway of Lars Bak, Alexis Gougeard, Paul Ourselin, Stephane Rossetto and Lukasz Wisniowski were never allowed to get much more than two minutes up the road.

They stayed away longer than expected, but were caught inside the final 3km as the sprinters’ teams took charge.

Deceuninck Quick-Step’s Viviani looked in prime position with two team-mates leading him into the final 300m, but Ewan started his sprint early to make up the deficit, flying past his rivals and holding them off on the line. (BBC Sport)

A

ustralian Caleb Ewan won a bunch sprint to take stage 16 of the Tour de France, while Julian Alaphilippe retained the overall lead.

The Lotto Soudal rider surged from deep to pip Elia Viviani on the line in Nimes and take his second stage win.

Britain’s Geraint Thomas crashed when his gears jammed with 130 kilometres to go.

The defending champion sustained grazes to his left side, but finished safely in the bunch to remain 95 seconds behind Frenchman Alaphilippe.

“I had one hand on the bars and the gears jumped and jammed and I got thrown off my bike on a corner,” Thomas, 33, told ITV4.

“I knew the race wasn’t on, so I just got back into the group, it’s just frustrating. It was such a freak thing.”

While Thomas avoided serious injury, Astana’s Jakob Fuglsang, who started the day in ninth overall, was forced to abandon after crashing with 27 km remaining.

His team later said the Dane had not sustained any fractures, but had “heavy contusions on his hand, arms and knees.”

Caleb Ewan has now won two stages in his debut Tour de France Thomas came down on an innocuous right-hand bend when his front wheel suddenly slipped from under him.

The Team Ineos rider has now crashed three times during the Tour and, although none have been serious, he will hope they do not add up to affect his form.

Only 39 seconds cover Thomas in second to Emanuel Buchmann in sixth, with three tough stages in the Alps that will determine this year’s

champion starting on Thursday.

A flat route and the lack of strong crosswinds to split the race meant there was little general classification action but this was still another testing day, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius on the 177km stage, which also started in Nimes.

“I felt so bad during the day – the heat really got to me and I was suffering so much I was going to tell the team to get off the front of the peloton,” Ewan said.

General classification after stage 16

1. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra/Deceuninck Quick-Step) 64hrs 57mins 30secs 2. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Ineos) +1min 35secs 3. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/Jumbo-Visma) +1min 47secs 4. Thibaut Pinot (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) +1min 50secs 5. Egan Bernal (Col/Team Ineos) +2mins 2secs 6. Emanuel Buchmann (Ger/Bora-Hansgrohe) +2mins 14secs 7. Mikel Landa (Spa/Movistar) +4mins 54secs 8. Alejandro Valverde (Spa/Movistar) +5mins 9. Rigoberto Uran (Col/EF Education First) +5mins 33secs 10. Richie Porte (Aus/Trek-Segafredo) +6mins 30secs

Maxim Dadashev dies after Commonwealth Cricket League… boxing injuries sustained Warriors tie in thriller, remain against Subriel Matias unbeaten in tournament

R

ussian boxer Maxim Dadashev has died at the age of 28 following injuries suffered i n his International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightwelterweight fight against Subriel Matias.

Dadashev was reportedly unable to walk to the dressing room after his bout was stopped by trainer Buddy McGirt at the end of the 11th round on Friday.

H e was

Maxim Dadashev

hospitalised with bleeding on the brain and underwent emergency surgery, but failed to recover.

The Russian Boxing Federation paid “deep condolences” to his family. USAbased Dadashev had won all of his previous 13 fights, but had to absorb a barrage of punches from Puerto Rican Matias during the course of the fight in Maryland.

McGirt had said afterwards he “could not convince” his fighter to stop, but opted to throw in the towel when he saw him “getting hit with more and more clean shots as the fight went on”.

Northern Ireland’s former world champion Carl Frampton was among those to pay tribute, saying on Twitter: “Saddened to hear about the passing of Maxim Dadashev. Deepest condolences to his friends and family. RIP.” British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn added: “So terribly sad to hear the news of the passing of Maxim Dadashev.

Rest in peace.” (BBC Sport)

Y

utesh “Avi” Dhanpaul, currently playing in the Commonwealth Cricket League in New York with fellow Zeeburg Cricket Club member Balbiner Shivpersaud, has continued to light up the league with his run scoring. But facing Demolition Cricket Club was never an easy task as for the first time in the tournament the Warriors registered a tie in a low-scoring affair.

The match was originally a 30-over affair to be played against the in-form Demolition Cricket Club at the Baisley Park in New York, but overs were reduced to 25 each because of the vagaries of the weather. The Warriors won the toss and elected to bat with the intention of setting a target in the 250-run range to give their opponents a challenge.

They,

however, were unable to tap into their full potential, as Demolition drew first blood, capitalised on the ‘powerplay’ overs, and picked up a few wickets. Forced on the defensive, the Warriors found the going too tough for their liking, as, whenever a partnership was budding, Demolition would dent the Warriors’ hopes of achieving a challenging total. The Warriors could only muster 121 all out in 24.5 overs with Rajendra Khan making 40, Chanderpaul Persaud 33 and Cornelius Jaisingh 15. Bowling for Demolition w e r e

Rajendra Khan and Anil Sookdeo were the top two performers

Kevin Jawahir –3 for 10 – with his leg spin and Jafferally (only name) – 3 for 12.

Needing a total of 122 for victory, the Demolition innings got off to the same start as the Warriors’.

For most of the match-up, their innings mirrored their opponents’.

Key partnerships were made, but somehow were thrown away by reckless shots. The Demolition side showed no intent of winning the match; however, with nine wickets down and one more run to win off the last two balls, the Warriors managed to strike and secure a tie. Which meant that their undefeated streak was not tarnished. Demolition in reply made 121 all out in 24.5 overs. Top scoring were Colin Duke (23) and Danile Barker (14).

Bowling for WCW were Anil Sookdeo (3 for 23 from 5 overs); Vickash Dhaniram (3 for 24 from 5) and Dhanpaul (2 for 16 from 5).

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesday, JUly 24, 2019

ExxonMobil Schools’ U-14 Tournament

Dolphin, Camel, Queenstown, Cummings Lodge storm into male semi-finals

W

hile it is known that a new female champion will be crowned in the ExxonMobil Girls Under-14 football tournament after 2018 winners Charlestown Secondary were knocked out of contention on Saturday last, the male teams in the competition are still a step further from the final showdown after battling for semi-final spots.

After being tied at three goals when regulation time expired, Marian Academy and Queenstown Secondary settled their differences at the penalty mark. Jason Titus netted a brace in the eighth and 28th minutes while Kempson Spencer completed Queenstown’s three in the 30th. Bradley Walton opened Marian Academy’s campaign in the 7th minute and Daniel Lowe scored two of his own. Queenstown Secondary eventually emerged victorious after netting three penalties to Marian’s two.

Although New Campbellville put up a fight through Antonio McArthur’s consolation goal in the 31st minute, it

was not enough to challenge Carmel’s three. Ian Daniels (40th); Matthew Layne (6th) and Shem James (9th) netted one each for Carmel’s win.

Meanwhile, the dominant Cummings Lodge breezed their way past Lodge Secondary after a 2-0 encounter. Jitzak Martinez (15th) and Shiloh Adams (32nd) were the marksmen for Cummings Lodge.

In the final game of the day, Dolphin Secondary had their way with Plaisance Bosco handing them a 6-0 drubbing. Dwayne James’s hat-trick of goals in the 4th, 44th and 49th minute and one each from Ian Ward (2nd); Jequan Cole (10th) and Tyrese John (43rd) did the trick for Dolphin.

In the female semi-finals, a blemishless New Campbellville Secondary edged past defending champions Charlestown Secondary after a 3-2 encounter. On the other hand, Ruimveldt cruised into the final with a 2-0 win over Tucville Secondary.

The successful male team will now move on to the semi-finals while the girls await their final game.

The boys’ semifinals promise to be thrilling

Spooner, Algoo get support from Regal BCB, Trophy Stall launch Under-13 Tournament

T

T

wo Guyana Under-19 selectees were the recipients of donations from Regal Stationery and Computer Centre on Tuesday as they get ready to represent Guyana in the upcoming Cricket West Indies regional championships.

All-rounder Joel Spooner received a pair of full-spike bowling sneakers while opening batsman Alex Algoo received a pair of batting gloves

Joel Spooner (centre) receives a pair of sneakers from Regal Stationery and Computer Centre Manager Telesha Ousman while Shawn Massiah looks on

National Under-19 opener Alex Algoo (left) accepts his gifts from Telesha Ousman on Tuesday at Regal Stationery and Computer Centre at 69 Seafort Street, Campbellville, Georgetown

and a professional bat ahead of the six-team tournament which bowls off on Sunday, July 28 in in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

In an invited comment on the presentation, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre Managing Director Mahendra Hardyal congratulated Spooner and Algoo on their selection to the national team and wished them well.

“It is a short tournament of only five One-Day matches, but it is an honour to represent your country and we have decided

to offer some assistance that will add comfort while [they are] away on national duties, Hardyal said.

Hardyal, who singled out Algoo to represent himself, Guyana and the Regal brand well, further stated: “He (Algoo) is another bright and exciting prospect in the long line of talented players that Guyana has produced. We have seen his potential and would like for him to make it big.”

This will be the third year the right-handed opener is representing Guyana at this level and he has his sights set

on being selected to the West Indies Under-19 team for the 2020 Youth World Cup. “I want to thank Mr Hardyal for the gears and I would like to do good to make everyone proud and for my team to win,” Algoo said.

Spooner, a first-time national Under-19 selectee, is confident of doing well after a good run at the recently-concluded Handin-Hand Insurance Company sponsored inter-county tournament and adequate preparation leading up to the team’s departure on Thursday.

He was in full praise for the donation and promised to put his best foot forward.

The format for the tournament this year will see the six territorial teams playing each other once over five rounds of 50-over matches beginning on Sunday, July 28 and ending on Tuesday, August 6.

Five-time defending champions Guyana will begin their campaign against hosts Windward Islands at the international venue, Arnos Vale.

he rainy season has gone on longer than expected and has affected the plans of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) to host as many as 30,000 in 2019.

The pro-active and extremely hard-working Board is, however, forging ahead with its plans with the expectation that there would be an improvement in the weather.

On Thursday last, the Hilbert Foster-led BCB joined hands with the popular Trophy Stall to launch an Under-13 Tournament for the Ancient County. BCB President Foster, at the launching, stated that the Under-13 Tournament was a very important one for Berbice cricket as it served as a nursery for the county’s Under-15 level and would encourage players to start playing at a young age.

Last year, the BCB hosted the Da Silva Motor Spares Under-13 Tournament, which was won by the Rampersaud Ramnauth-led Port Mourant Cricket Club. The BCB is expecting at least 16 clubs to register to play in the Tournament and they would be divided into four Zones.

The date of birth cut-off point would be on or after September 1, 2016. A proud Foster stated the BCB/Trophy Stall Under-13 would be the 44th tournament to be hosted by the vibrant Cricket Board since the new administration took over in February 2018.

Over the last 18 months, the BCB has organised tournaments at the Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Under-21, Female, Internal Zone, Intermediate, Double Wickets, Primary School, Secondary School, Second and First Division levels. The Cricket Board in 2019 would also be hosting an Under-23 Tournament as it strives to uphold the high standard it has set itself.

Foster has spearheaded

BCB President Hilbert Foster and Ramesh Sunich launched the BCB/Trophy Stall Under-13 Tournament at the company’s Port Mourant branch

a massive marketing drive for the BCB which has netted over $18 million in finance and kind. He expressed gratitude to Trophy Stall Managing Director Ramesh Sunich for his continued confidence in Berbice cricket. The company is already a sponsor of an Under-19 Tournament in the Upper Corentyne area and recently donated trophies for the top two awards at the third Annual Brian Ramphal Awards Ceremony.

Foster assured Sunich that the Tournament would be properly organised and the BCB would make sure that his business, especially its Port Mourant branch, was properly promoted. Sunich, in his remarks, stated that he was delighted to be associated with Berbice cricket, which he described as the best organised in Guyana. The popular businessman stated that he readily agreed to

sponsor the Tournament via his Port Mourant branch as he was pleased with the development taking place in Berbice cricket.

Meanwhile, as part of its ongoing campaign to develop new talent in Berbice, the BCB would be hosting its second annual Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh Cricket Academy in early August while the countywide coaching programme is ongoing. The BCB is also on the verge of completing its first-ever Young Cricketer Information Booklet in conjunction with the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sport Club (RHTY&SC).

The booklet will be distributed free of cost to clubs across Berbice with each Berbice cricketer in the county getting a copy as the BCB strives to make sure that every young cricketer fully understands their roles as sports ambassadors of the county.

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wednesday, JUly 24, 2019

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GFF President Wayne Forde and New Amsterdam Mayor Winifred Heywood sign the 30-year lease

he Ancient County of Berbice will, for the first time, have a home of football, courtesy of a 30-year land lease signed on Tuesday between the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Mayor and Town Council of New Amsterdam.

This lease, signed at the municipality building by GFF President Wayne Forde and New Amsterdam Mayor Winifred Heywood, will see the construction of a football facility at Vrymen’s Erven,

New Amsterdam, which will include construction of a field, parameter fence, installation of lighting and construction of a football housing facility.

Following the signing, Mayor Heywood said it was an opportunity for the development of the youth of Berbice. “I would like to thank the members of the Council for supporting and endorsing the application submitted by the GFF. Today’s signing is the first step in

providing opportunities for young boys and girls of the community,” he noted.

For his part, GFF President Forde said the facility, which would be funded under the FIFA Forward Programme, was part of the GFF’s overall strategic plan.

“I would like to thank everyone who played a role in making this symbolic achievement possible. The GFF recognises the importance and impact quality infrastructure will have on the overall development of the game and the quality of players we will produce in the years ahead.

This is a key pillar of our strategic plan to change the local landscape of football,” Forde said.

Present at the signing were representatives of the Berbice Football Association (BFA), including acting President Shurwin Forde, who offered his endorsement of the initiative: “This is a dream come true for me personally. I almost lost hope in ever seeing a home for football in Berbice.

“I have played at every level for many years and always knew that a dedicated venue for developmental programmes would dramatically improve Berbice football. I would like to thank President Wayne Forde for his leadership and guidance in seeing this process through, which began almost two years ago.”

When complete, the facility will be used to house the Academy Training Centre, Elite Referees programme along with other national development and capacity-building programmes. Forde said the next step would be the presentation and approval of the conceptual design to and by the BFA members before construction commenced.

This is the third plot of land identified and acquired for football development following the GFF’s Training Facility at Providence and the recently-acquired 7.4 acres at D’Urban Park. It is the plan of the GFF to acquire land across Guyana to house football development initiatives.

RHTY&SC, BCB invest in Cricket Academies for Upper Corentyne and West Berbice

“A

s long as I remain President of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), special emphasis will be placed on the development of new talents as the present generation of cricket leaders has the responsibility of making sure that the future of our cricket is secured. Any cricket leader that does not plan for the future is not worth his position. The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) and the BCB would invest as much as humanly possible into the development of new talents for Berbice, so that the legacy of (John) Trim; (Rohan) Kanhai; (Basil) Butcher and (Joe) Solomon continue.”

Those were the words of RHTY&SC Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and BCB President Hilbert Foster at a simple presentation ceremony, hosted by the Club, to hand over donations to the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association and the D’Edward Cricket Club for the hosting of a Cricket

Academy in the Upper Corentyne and West Berbice respectively.

The donation included a bicycle each for the Player of the Academy, trophies, a large quantity of bottled water, school bags, and certificate frames. The BCB would also provide coaches for the Academy in each area along with educational materials, medals and youth information booklets among other items. The RHTY&SC is providing the majority of the donations under its Patron Fund Project. Foster stated that since his election as BCB President, the RHTY&SC has used over $3 million of its own funds to assist him in fulfilling his duties at the vibrant Cricket Board.

The Cricket Academy in the Upper Corentyne would be the first of its kind in the area and would be hosted by the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association at the Scottsburg Ground for 50 young cricketers between the ages of 8 and 18 years.

The Academy would be a follow-up to coaching

RHTY&SC Organising Secretary Robby Kissoonlall hands over the donation to a representative of D’Edward Cricket Club

sessions organised by the Board under the Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh Coaching Programme and forms part of an intense effort to get more youths involved in the game in the sub-association.

The Academy at the D’Edward Club would be for 50 youths from the club and others from the West

Berbice area. Foster has also committed to assisting clubs like Port Mourant, Whim, and Rose Hall Canje in organising coaching sessions for their young players. The BCB, over the last month, assisted the RHTY&SC and the Albion Cricket Clubs with the hosting of their Cricket Academies.

The Board provided the coaches for the training of over 100 youths at Rose Hall Town, and Albion benefited from a donation of a bicycle, trophies, medals, scorebooks, cricket balls, a pair of batting gloves and educational materials.

Foster was loud in his praise for the hard work of club officials across Berbice and stated that there was no place for persons whose only interest was in securing positions at the national level as Managers, Coaches and Selectors. The work of the BCB and RHTY&SC is unmatched across Guyana, and he urged club officials in Berbice to work along with his administration to achieve even more.

Meanwhile, the two organisations joined hands in donating items to the Port Mourant Public Hospital for an award ceremony scheduled for Saturday, July 27, 2019 at the University of Guyana, Tain Campus.

The donation included 10 trophies, certificate frames, medals and a collection of special prizes.

22

wednesday, JUly 24, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Georgetown Guinness action resumes tomorrow A glimpse of the Georgetown Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ action

F

ollowing two exciting nights of group stage action, the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Georgetown Championship continues tomorrow with the final round-robin match-day at the Berlin Tarmac.

In the opening match, Alexander Village will oppose Charlotte Street at 19:00h while Broad Street battle John Street at 19:30h and Albouystown A tackle Future Stars from 20:00h.

The fourth affair will pit Sophia against Rising Stars at 20:30h while LA Ballers engage defending champions Gold is Money from 21:00h and Leopold Street face off with Tiger Bay at 21:30h.

In the final two matches, North East take aim at Back Circle from 22:00h and Sparta Boss match skills with

Point Standings Group A Team LA Ballers Gold is Money Broad St John St

GP 2 2 2 2

W 2 1 1 0

L 0 1 1 2

GF 2 1 0 1

GA 1 0 0 3

GD +1 +1 0 -2

Pts 6 3 3 0

Group B Team Sparta [Q] Albouystown-B [Q] 2 Charlotte St Alex. Village

GP 2 2 2 2

W 2 2 0 0

L 0 0 2 2

GF 10 1 1 1

GA 2 0 4 7

GD +8 +1 -3 -6

Pts 6 6 0 0

Group C Team Tiger Bay [Q] Leopold St [Q]

GP 2 2

W 2 2

L 0 0

GF 5 4

GA 0 1

GD +5 +3

Pts 6 6

Future Albouystown-A

2 2

0 0

2 2

0 1

2 7

-2 -6

0 0

Group D Team North East Sophia Back Circle Rising Stars

GP 2 2 2 2

W 2 1 1 0

L 0 1 1 2

GF 3 3 2 1

GA 2 3 2 2

GD +1 0 0 -1

Pts 6 3 3 0

Albouystown B at 22:30h.

According to an official release from tournament coordinator Three Peat Promotions, “The ongoing group stage has been the most competitive in the history of the event, as several teams have displayed their respective championship credentials ahead of the knockout rounds. We have seen fierce competition from the onset, with the traditional teams being severely tested by the newcomers and emerging units. This has certainly been a treat for the fans.”

The release further said, “Also the return of the Berlin Tarmac to the list of venues has been another high point of the event. The residents of the area and respective environs came out in their numbers and

supported the decision which is indicative of the community nature and groundings of the tournament.”

At the end of the group stage, the top two finishers will progress to the knockout round. This will be staged on Friday at the National Cultural Centre tarmac.

The winner of the event will collect $500,000 and the championship trophy, with the second-, third- and fourth-place finishers copping $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding trophies.

They will also automatically seal a place in the National Championship in August.

At the moment, Beacons (Bartica champions); Melanie B (East Coast Demerara winners); Brothers United

(West Demerara/East Bank Demerara winners); Trafalgar (Berbice champions) and High Rollers (Linden champions) have sealed automatic berths to the National Championship.

Thursday’s fixtures – Berlin Tarmac-25th July (1)Alexander Village vs Charlotte St-19:00hrs (2)Broad Street vs John Street-19:30hrs (3)Albouystown-A vs Future Stars-20:00hrs (4)Sophia vs Rising Stars-20:30hrs (5)LA Ballers vs Gold is Money-21:00hrs (6)Leopold Street vs Tiger Bay-21:30hrs (7)North East vs Back Circle-22:00hrs (8)Sparta Boss vs Albouystown-B-22:30hrs

Henry, Hardat top performers at RHTY&SC 29th Annual Cricket Academy ends The top cricketers of the Academy including Eon Henry and Trisha Hardat

T

he 29th Annual Award Ceremony of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) concluded on Friday last with an impressive closing ceremony at the St Francis Training Centre. The Academy, conducted by Delbert Hicks and Eon Hooper was described as the best ever in the remarkable history of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation.

Under-13 player Eon Henry and Trisha Hardat copped the major awards at the closing ceremony. The impressive Henry won the overall Player of the Academy Award, while Hardat was named Female Player of the Academy by the coaches.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the Management of the RHTY&SC MS was overwhelmed by the large registration of 105 young cricketers between 8 to 18 years of age. The main objectives of the Academy were to improve the cricketing skills of each player, to educate the players of the tradition, rules, history of the game and to get them to understand their roles of Sports Ambassadors.

The Secretary/CEO who also serves as the President of BCB stated that the RHTY&SC has a rich tradition of success to uphold and as such uses the Academy each year to nurture new talents for the future and also to further develop existing talents. The Academy over the years has developed players like Esuan Crandon, Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Abdel Fudadin, Khemraj Mahadeo, Delbert Hicks, Eon Hooper, Renwick Batson, Shawn Grant, Junior Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Shawn Pereira, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Sheneta Grimmond and Shabika Gajnabi. Special emphasis was placed in classroom lectures on the rules of cricket, drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, suicide, Importance of Education, the Importance of

Discipline, Captaincy, Field Placement.

Players during the Academy were also involved in a special quiz section with the BCB President with over 30 special and financial prizes being shared out. Foster urged the attentive players to practise at home what they have learnt over the two weeks at the Academy and to focus on their personal education careers as it would decide their future. He committed the RHTY&SC, MS and the BCB to continue their investment into the development of youths especially the 8 to 13 years’ age range.

Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu, who served as the Director of the Academy, hailed the outstanding work of Hicks and Hooper, who both worked beyond the call of duty to make sure that every player was looked after individually. Club Members Keith Hicks, Ravindranauth Kissoonlall, Tyrone Pottaya, Phil Archer and Pamie Brusch were also praised for their contribution. Each member of the Academy who successfully participated in the Academy received an educational package worth $2 500.00 while the top awardees received special prizes including bicycles, cricket gears, clocks, photo frames, caps and T/Shirts.

Several of the Academy members also carried home souvenir shirts donated by the Caribbean International Distributors Inc. The top awardees at the Academy, selected by the Coaches were Best batsman - Kamalchand Ramnarace, Best Bowler - Christopher Deroop, Best Allrounder - Xavier Henry, Best Fielder - S. Hardat, Most Discipline - Dorasammy Mahadeo, Most Improved - Tameshwar Deonandan, Best Female - Trisha Hardat, Discipline Junior Player - A Batson and Cricketer of the Academy - Eon Henry.

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, JUly 24, 2019

23

“Just the call I was waiting for”

– Bramble on Windies selection

By Brandon Corlette

Bramble has been a successful player for Guyana Jaguars

A

nthony Bramble is the latest success story from Berbice. The wicketkeeper batsman has rightfully earned his well-deserved selection for the West Indies team.

Bramble has been selected for the first two T20 Internationals against

India at Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida on August 3 and 4.

Speaking to this reporter post his maiden West Indies senior team call-up, Bramble shared some positive sentiments. “It’s an extremely joyful feeling for me and it is just the right call I have been waiting for”, Bramble told this

reporter via telephone. The right-handed wicket-keeper batsman, who hails from Skeldon Corentyne Berbice and plays for Albion Community Centre Cricket Club, is the lone newcomer in the 14-member T20 squad that will play India.

Bramble, who is set to play against some high-quality names from India, has been rewarded with this senior call-up after some consistent performances at the Regional level. “I have been batting well for the past two season for Guyana Jaguars and heading into this T20 series I will be aiming to grab my opportunity with both hands”, Bramble declared.

The 28-year old Bramble signalled his intention during this interview to carry on his consistency when given his opportunity in the West Indies team. Along with Bramble in the West Indies T20 set-up, his fellow Guyana Amazon Warriors wicketkeeper batsman, Nicholas Pooran is the other gloves man. Chief Selector for the Caribbean team, Robert Haynes noted that Bramble has given firm proof of his batting and keeping ability in the Regional circuit for Guyana Jaguars.

Haynes also explained that Bramble, who captained West Indies B team to the final in the 2018 Global T20 in Canada, has been recognized.

Bramble has also been picked up in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for the first time in three years by his home franchise, Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW).

“We have been following his performances in regional competitions over the years and it

cannot be forgotten that he led the West Indies ‘B’ Team to the GT20 in Canada, and that team did well to reach the final,” said Haynes.

The humble Guyanese has played 12 T20 matches back in 2016 for GAW but since then he stamped his authority with some stellar performances in the Regional tournaments for Guyana Jaguars. In the 2017-2018 Regional 4-Day season, Bramble finished with 613 runs in 10 matches. His fruitful season saw him scoring a career-best 196* and four halfcenturies, at an average of 47.15.

The counter-attacking manner in which Bramble scored these runs has always been a joy to watch, and his sharp work behind the stumps is equally attacking.

Topping the wicketkeepers’ chart in 2017/18, Bramble had 42 catches and three stumpings. In the justconcluded 2018-2019 season, he topped the charts for Guyana Jaguars; in terms of runs, he aggregated 580 runs at a stellar average of 52.72, including two centuries against some quality bowling.

He polished off the performance with the bat with his 42 dismissals.

Bramble has richly deserved this maiden call-up after this consistency.

Haynes has spoken highly of Bramble.

“He is young and has a lot of ambition, and we saw his character come out in the way he batted whenever Guyana Jaguars were in problems in the West Indies Championship and Super50 Cup, so we know he is capable of getting the job done”, Haynes disclosed when the West Indies T20 squad was selected.

Alex Hales has one eye on T20 World Cup as he prepares for CPL

T

he very first pick at the 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) draft was opening batsman Alex Hales who will be playing for the Barbados Tridents.

Hales says he is really looking forward to turning out at the CPL for the first time.

“When I was picked it was incredible news. Barbados is probably one of the best places in the world for cricket, incredible ground, good atmosphere in the Caribbean. It’s also a tournament I have never played in before and from what I’ve heard from players and coaches, the standard is really high and the atmosphere is brilliant so, it’s a great opportunity for me.

I’m looking forward to it”.

When asked if playing in T20 tournaments around the world helps in terms of getting international recognition, Hales said the extremely high standard means that selectors have to take notice of performances in leagues like the CPL. “I think the standard now for franchise cricket is just going through the roof, particularly with all the analysis and all the money that’s involved in it. You play with all sorts of different players from all sorts of countries and a few months later you find yourself playing against them so, these guys know your strengths, they know your weaknesses.

So, the standard and the drive to improve and work on your weaknesses and keep on top of your strengths is massive. I think it’s definitely something that national selectors look at or certainly should be looking at because the standard is fantastic.”

Hales also says that playing

in T20 leagues around the world helps with your game especially to get you used t o high pressure situations and, being an overseas player adding to the experience.

“I think it does and also the pressure of being an

overseas player as well there’s always that ex p e c tat i o n on you to perform as it should be. You go and play in Bangladesh and a month later you might find yourself in Australia playing on completely different pitches where your game plan is going to have to adjust quite a bit. So, in terms of developing as a player and honing your skills around the world these domestic tournaments are probably as good as it gets.”

The next

big international assignment for the England team will be the T20 World Cup in Australia in late 2020, and Hales has set this as a target.

“Yeah, I mean obviously that’s still a target of mine.

Whether or not it happens remains to be seen. But for me at the moment, whether it’s with England or not, I’ve got a really busy 12 to 18 months coming up. I think it’s pretty much non-stop, no time off whatsoever, so I’m really looking forward to it. At the moment my focus is just to perform as well as I can in these leagues and for Nottinghamshire.

I’m really excited about the Notts campaign, we’ve got such a good squad with our T20 side, so I’m just going to enjoy my cricket, try and perform and hopefully at the end of the road there’s the World T20.”

Hales says he is particularly looking forward to returning to the Caribbean, a place he says he loves to visit.

“I think it’s the passion of the locals is phenomenal, you don’t quite realise it until you go over there how much the locals and everyone in the Caribbean loves their cricket. It’s such a huge sport for them and their culture and having a chance to play there, you know be part of that atmosphere

Alex Hales will be in action for the Barbados Tridents

especially when it comes to Barbados. I’ve had good memories, I’ve scored an international hundred there for England a few years ago, so playing at that ground, it’s just such good memories. So, it’s a tournament I’m really looking forward to being a part of.” “[Kensington Oval] is just full of history isn’t it, it’s packed with history with international cricket and now they’ve obviously got the CPL there so a chance to play 5 games there, I’m really

looking forward to playing for a different team other than England in that atmosphere.

So it’s a new challenge and one I’m really looking forward to.”

It has been a tricky few years for the Tridents, having missed the playoffs for the last two seasons. Hales feels very positive about the squad the Tridents have put together for this year.

“I think we’ve got a strong team. All overseas guys led well by Jason Holder, we’ve got a nice mix of some pacers, we

have Wahab Riaz and a couple good spinners in Sandeep Lamichhane and Imad Wasim.

I think our squad is very well balanced and I think we’ve got a good chance if guys perform at the right time, I think we’ve got a good chance of challenging hopefully for the trophy.”

Alex Hales will be playing for the Barbados Tridents at the Hero Caribbean Premier League. The tournament takes place from 4 September to 12 October.

wednesday, JUly 24, 2019

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

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Alex Hales has one eye on T20 “Just the call I World Cup was waiting for” as he – Bramble on prepares for CPL Windies selection ExxonMobil Schools’ U-14 Tournament Georgetown Dolphin, Camel, Guinness action Queenstown, resumes tomorrow Cummings Lodge storm into male semi-finals Page 23

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