GUYANA TIMES - Sunday, July 29, 2018

11 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3639

Sunday, July 29, 2018

Amended AML/CFT Bill tramples on judicial powers – Opposition Page 3

...compels DPP, Judges to seek, grant orders freezing assets ...former AG lambastes Govt for invasive clause

Gun-toting bandits rob security guard Page 7

AFC Berbice faction outraged over $120M untendered contracts to members

Page 11

PPP launches countrywide Page LGE campaign 9

PRICE

$120 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Ganja- P7 purchasing trip ends in shooting

Despite criticisms

National payment system being fast-tracked - BoG P10

GPSU reluctant to join Credit Info P12 …says it's unaware of mandatory membership

Urgent call made to address Region 2 health delivery system

P12

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo addressing a large gathering during an outreach in Region Three on Saturday as the Party prepares for the upcoming Local Government Elections for which it has launched its campaign

“Govt’s investment in education is paying dividends” – Harmon

Page 6

Local products shine at "Marketplace Uncapped" exhibition P16

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NEWS

SUnDAY, july 29, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Baramita Health Centre

Doctor feels victimised for demanding better medical supplies

B

aramita is a small village located in the Barima-Waini region some 20 miles west of Matthews Ridge. It is one of the most populated Amerindian settlements in Guyana, but it is being plagued by a number of issues.

Among those issues is that residents are not afforded the chance to receive proper medical treatment, and according to young Dr Narash Torres, he feels he is being victimised for demanding better for the residents.

Three days ago, Dr Torres took to social media and posted about the struggles residents of Baramita are facing to access proper health care.

He appealed for something to be done to alleviate the residents’ situation.

According to him, since the post, an official of the Public Health Ministry has written him, threatening his dismissal or suspension following the incident.

The Carib tribe predominantly occupies the village.

The community is said to have some 23 settlements, with approximately 3,000 persons living there.

According to a study titled ‘Impact of Mining: Survival Strategies for Interior Communities in Guyana’ conducted by the Guyana Human Rights Association, Baramita has a lot of social ills, and very little is being done to address them. The study indicated

risk. I was willing to do it for the people of Baramita,” Dr Torres said.

Dr Torres told Guyana

The Public Health Ministry, via the Regional Health Officer and the Director of Regional and Clinical Services, allegedly never acknowledged or responded to Dr Torres’ request for assistance, but when his

Times he requested help from the regional authorities, but to no avail. He said that because Baramita does not have a Health Centre, whenever they request certain emergency medication, it would not be delivered. He began to question his assignment, since the tools he required to execute

in charge, but (there was) no response,” he explained.

The Rupununi native said he requested that the authorities have the ATV fixed, so that the medical team could visit the residents, rather than having the residents walk for hours to receive care.

“You find people walking all day for 5-6 hours to get to

plea went viral and the local media began asking questions, he was reportedly threatened with dismissal.

This newspaper was told Director of Regional and Clinical Services, Dr Kay Shako, wrote to RHO Dr Cerdel Mc Watt demanding answers as to who gave Dr Torres permission to speak

The Baramita Health Post

that girls as young as 14 were being raped, forcing them to adopt measures to protect themselves.

Dr Torres said he met that exact situation when he was transferred to the Baramita Health Post about a month ago. He explained that after completing his studies in Cuba in 2016, he returned home and did his two-year internship at the Suddie Public Hospital on the Essequibo Coast, after which he was transferred to Baramita to complete his one-year hinterland stint.

“I haven’t been there for a month, and seeing the inhumane situation that the people have to face on a dayto-day basis, it was heartbreaking and it was getting to me. I was depressed and stressed out, and I sought help from the authorities in the region. I realised that nothing was being done. I realised that I needed to do way more, and let the people know what was going on, even if it meant putting my career at

the health centre. One-yearolds, 6-month-old babies with severe anaemia, malaria, high fever and crashing. That is what it is like in here, and we don’t have the resources to provide the care to the people,” he noted.

his functions were not available.

“So my question has always been, why send doctors there? There is no need for medical doctors there, and you are sending me there to basically waste my time? So that is where it basically started.

And after I reached out to the people of Baramita and I noticed that it was indeed a sad situation and I needed to act fast, I did that through the relevant authorities, and I was well aware of what should be done. I contacted the relevant authorities through the doctor

Response

Dr Narash Torres

with the media.

In response, Dr Mc Watt allegedly threatened to have Dr Torres suspended, and he has since been informed that his services would be put on hold despite him still being in Baramita.

“I was asked to submit a written report of what triggered me to put something like that in the media. After I submitted it, it would be taken to PS and the relevant authorities to discuss and then determine my fate,” Dr Torres related.

However, he said, he would not buckle under any form of pressure, since what he had done was the humane thing. This publication’s attempt to contract the Public Health Ministers – Senior Minister Volda Lawrence and Junior Minister Karren Cummings – were futile.

Additionally, the regional health authorities directed all questions to the MOPH.

3 Amended AML/CFT Bill tramples on judicial powers – Opposition news

SUnDAY, july 29, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

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

Sunday, July 29 – 05:30h-07:00h and Monday, July 30 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

…compels DPP, Judges to seek, grant orders freezing assets …former AG lambastes Government for invasive clause

Sunday, July 29 – 05:30h-07:00h and Monday, July 30 – 06:00h-07:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers are expected then light rain showers in the mid-morning hours followed by lightly cloudy skies, with sunny intervals in the late afternoon. Thundery showers are expected to return in the early evening hours followed by partly cloudy skies. Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Southerly to North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 17:39h reaching a maximum height of 2.52 metres.

Low Tide: 11:15h and 23:27h reaching minimum heights of 0.62 metre and 0.69 metre.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

By Jarryl Bryan

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o other bill has touched off as much contention recently as the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Bill passed in the National Assembly on Friday.

Besides the tax exemptions for Attorney General Basil Williams and other members of the Proliferation Financing National Coordination Committee, the parliamentary Opposition has accused Government of stripping away the discretionary powers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Judiciary with the Bill.

Particularly, this applies when it comes to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) seeking a freeze order against anyone flagged by the United Nations Security Council under the Proliferation Security Initiative.

For instance, Clause 13, Subsection 6 of the Bill states: “The Director of Public Prosecutions shall immediately on notification by the Director, but not later than five days after the notice, apply ex parte to a Judge in Chambers for a freezing order in respect of the funds or assets of the listed person or entity ...”

Subsection 7 goes on to state “the court shall immediately, pursuant to the application of the Director of Public Prosecutions un-

der Subsection 6, grant the freezing order where a person or entity is listed in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 and its successor resolutions or United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 and its successor resolutions”.

Not finished with issuing directives to the DPP, the Bill goes on to state that the DPP must immediately serve the freeze order once it is obtained on the reporting entity, for example a bank, that would be holding the listed person’s property.

The DPP’s office itself is insulated from State directives by the Constitution of Guyana. Article 187 (4) of the Constitution states “In the exercise of the powers conferred upon him or her by this article, the Director shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.”

complying with international best practices. Citing Clauses 13, 6 and 7 of the Bill, Nandlall made it clear that the Bill was an unconstitutional one.

“The Constitution, as we know, is the supreme law.

Any law inconsistent with the Constitution would be unconstitutional to the extent of that inconsistency.

In so far as this bill directs and mandates to the DPP, it is unconstitutional. It has to be refashioned in such a way that DPP maintains her discretion.”

“We must know that this is wrong. How can we go to a judge for an application and tell the Judge he or she must grant. The Judge has an inherent power. The Judge may grant, but you have to make out a case for the Judge to grant!”

The removal of Subsection 9 from Section 68 (A) of the principal Act

Police Officer out there. We know that there is misbehaviour in those agencies on certain occasions.”

Functions

The Bill seeks to amend the AML/CFT Act and related legislation to strengthen the regime for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing (AML/CFT/PF).

Clause three of the Bill amends Section 7A of the principal Act to satisfy recommendation 2 of the FATF which states that countries should designate an authority to have a mechanism that is responsible for national AML/CFT/PF policies.

Only recently, at the Money Laundering/ Terrorist Financing National Risk Assessment Seminar, Williams underscored the importance of coordination and information sharing among related

Removal of protection and due process

According to former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who was instrumental in crafting the AML/ CFT Bill under the former Government, the coalition’s amendments contradict the protections set out in the Constitution, the supreme law of Guyana.

“These bills are littered with instances of a removal of protection and due process…But when we are internalising international requirements, we have a duty to ensure they comply with our Constitution, they can adapt to our society, that they do not conflict with other municipal laws of this land and that it is good, so we don’t accept wholesale what is given to us on a platter. Whenever international recommendations are made, they must go through a filtering process!”

Nandlall recalled that as Attorney General, he sat and perused the Financial Action Task Force/ Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (FATF/CFATF) recommendations for long hours to ensure they were adapted for Guyana while

According to the Opposition, the Bill removes the discretionary power of the Judiciary in granting freeze orders

was also zeroed in on by Nandlall. Nandlall said that that subsection had only allowed Customs Officers above the rank of supervisor and Police Officers above the rank of Superintendent the ability to enforce the AML/CFT law. The 2009 Act had given these specific ranks and higher, the power to seize money linked to terrorism.

“What that means is any Police or Customs Officer is empowered to discharge draconian powers. That could not have been a CFATF requirement. We put these mechanisms in place for the protection of our citizens.

None of you can guarantee the performance of every

agencies in the fight against money laundering.

The US Department of State’s International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) Volume Two of March 2018 had listed Guyana, among many other countries including the USA, as “major money laundering jurisdictions in 2017”.

The report declared that there was a lack of strong interagency cooperation among AML and drug-fighting agencies, adding that these departments did not have adequate human resources and the necessary training for complete effectiveness.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, july 29, 2018

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 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

Editorial

China Belt and Road

T

he Government of Guyana has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of China within the framework of the latter’s “Belt and Road Initiative” (BBI) which was conceptualised by President Xi Jinping back in 2013, echoing the ancient “Silk Road” trade routes between Europe and China. It is probably an irony of history that Guyana, as a part of the “New World” discovered

by Europeans seeking an alternative to the Silk Road, is the first country in the Americas to sign on to the project.

But what exactly is the BBI? It was first launched as the “One Belt and One Road Initiative (OBOR)”, but in 2016 was abbreviated to remove the seeming confirmation by the word “one” of a Chinese drive to dominate world trade. Up to the beginning of this year, the thrust of Chinese plans to finance and build infrastructure was in several concentric circles, with corridors spreading outwards from its centre and culminating in Eastern Europe and East Africa, and the East Indies and Australia in the east and south.

One major corridor is the China/Mongolia/ Russia Corridor to the north; then there is the China/India/Bangladesh Corridor, south; the new Eurasian Landbridge westwards; and the China/ Central Asia/West Asia Corridor southwest. The latter has extensions via sea routes to East Africa, where, for instance, a new railroad has just been completed linking Mombassa with Nairobi in Kenya. In each of the other corridors, there have been massive infrastructural projects initiated using Chinese Government financing with construction by Chinese-owned companies.

Whatever might be the new name, the BBI echoes the old colonial focus of building infrastructure in colonies, not necessarily to develop them, but to transport primary products from their interior to the coasts, to be shipped to the metropoles. But there is a modern twist. In the present, the developing economies themselves are crying out for infrastructure, and while China may also desire primary products, it also wants to be able to ship its manufactured products directly into these countries, bypassing the western marketing outlets.

In January of this year, a China-CELAC Ministerial meeting in Santiago, Chile endorsed the Silk Road BBI development model.

Both sides said they are willing to promote cooperation under what had been dubbed the “1+3+6” framework. As explained, “In July 2014, Xi Jinping laid out the “1+3+6” cooperation framework in his keynote speech at a China-Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) summit held in Brasilia, Brazil.

“The “1” refers to the China-LAC Countries Cooperation Plan 2015-2019 to guide specific cooperation projects. The “3” identifies three driving forces for cooperation’ namely trade, investment and finance. The “6” prioritises six fields of cooperation: energy and resources; infrastructure construction; agriculture; manufacturing; scientific and technological innovation; and information technology.”

What has been the experience of those countries with the BBI efforts, so that Guyanese might make informed choices?

We quote extensively from one European source: “The reality of Beijing’s investment in Central and Eastern European countries falls short of the rhetoric at the summits. Numbers on Chinese investment connected to the Belt and Road Initiative tend to be inflated and misleading. Only a fraction of the reported sums is connected to actual infrastructure projects on the ground. And most of the projects that are underway are financed by Chinese loans, exposing debt-ridden governments to additional risks.”

As with Belt and Road projects elsewhere in the world, loans made by Beijing to CEE countries create potential for financial instability. Smaller countries, which might lack the institutional capacity to assess agreements (such as risks associated with currency fluctuation), are particularly vulnerable.

The Bar-Boljare motorway in Montenegro illustrates this point. It is being built by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) with an 809 million EUR loan from Exim Bank. The IMF claims that without construction of the highway, Montenegro’s debt would have declined to 59% of GDP, rather than risen to 78% of GDP in 2019. It warns that continued construction of the highway “would again endanger debt sustainability.”

Forewarned is forearmed.

Dolls on display at the Emancipation Exhibition and sale along Main Street avenue, Georgetown on Saturday afternoon

Travelling public seeks freedom from uniformed, muted terrorism Dear Editor, A section of the media editorial on July 24, 2018 was captioned, “The mistreatment of police vehicles”; then we have the frequent writings of a local columnist on the excesses of our Police traffic ranks, and the Guyana Times article dated July 28, 2018 that refers to Tactical Services Unit ranks being charged for accepting bribes related to a traffic office. These all speak to a muted terrorism of the Guyanese travelling public.

It seems that Guyana’s more paved roads are overrun with Policemen seeking to be spongers, moochers and fleecers smartly attired in uniforms and sporting flashy Police vehicles, big sticks and/or guns. In short, we have some freeloader cops taking away precious freedom from Guyanese – a freedom that obtains in the rest of the Caribbean Community.

If forty percent of these traffic ranks are transferred from non-traffic divisions, and focus on carrying out their specified duties in other divisions, our country would be blessed with a significant decline in criminal activities, and our countrymen and women would enjoy the freedom of driving on our highways and byways.

Over eighty years ago, Jews were being stopped and arrested for persecutory reasons only. In Guyana, the purpose is fi-

nancial: breach of traffic light, whether the light is working or not; driving up a one way; overtaking on a double-lined road; vehicle lights not working. Matters not, it’s pay day.

The bribe is not only for the cop on the beat, but also for some of the chairbound senior officers, who budget the necessary daily takings that need to be extracted from the humiliated travelling public that is stopped.

Drivers of motor vehicles, motorcycle riders, and pedal cyclists; exemptions appear to be made for oversized sport utility vehicles (SUV), normally black in colour. The non-exempted drivers are asked to stop, and then are directed to park for an indeterminable period, while the Police rank subjugates more victims.

As the terrified, sweating and frustrated driver awaits his imagined and/ or real ill-fate, he or she is already calculating how many dollars will have to be served up to enjoy his freedom. The loss in productivity, or the weather conditions, or the urgent mission the driver is pursing are of no moment or meaning to the extracting cop.

Passersby and other travellers may see the cop signal the harried driver to follow the traffic vehicle. Don’t be deceived into thinking the driver is being taken to the Police station;

no-no, the destination is a relatively remote area for the handover.

From the early dewed morning to late in the night, you have some odious traffic ranks infesting our highways and by-ways like charlatans with a winning hand.

These charlatans disgrace other Policemen who act in a fit and proper manner to ensure a component of the good life for Guyanese.

Trafficking in fear and abusing the freedom of Guyanese is terrorism.

Many Guyanese are so plagued and programmed with fear and trepidation of the bogus stop-and-search by the traffic rank that a few thousand dollars are already placed within their vehicle’s travel documents, which the rank will inevitably demand.

The new recruits into the Guyana Police Force have a preference to be in the Traffic Division and stop vehicles…

With all the non-traffic crime taking place in Guyana, the Guyana Police Force is able to have an excessive amount of traffic cops, and other Policemen acting as traffic cops, operate on a 24-hour basis to stop drivers for undetermined and imagined offences by snatching riders off their motorcycles and bicycles, stopping all types of vehicles, and pretty much creating an oppressive environment for the travel-

ling public.

The freedoms that Guyanese should be allowed -- as is the case in Antigua, Trinidad, Barbados, Suriname, and Jamaica -- are suppressed by some of our ambitious and devious traffic ranks via abusive and “skullduggery” tactics.

These rock-star ranks use, in many instances, nonworking speed testers, set up witless traffic checkpoints that convert a ten-minute drive into an hour of wasting one’s little time in life, with the use of plain capricious stops; and some of the beat cops have the gumption to request a birthday present, offer a ticket sales for a barbeque being held in Region 1; or both.

Now with vehicles and motorcycles galore for the Police Force, granted to the Police by China and other international donors for a good cause, this has led instead to our freedom to ride and drive in peace being obstructed and oppressed.

I write this short note to ask the ruling administration to ensure our Police and traffic ranks desist from this repressive situation by making a special effort to curb this abuse of power, which has resulted in an harassing environment for the Guyanese travelling public.

Sincerely, Nigel Hinds

guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, july 29, 2018

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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

Guyanese support sex offenders’ registry Enactment of George Orwell’s political allegory, Animal Farm Dear Editor, During the past three (3) years of this Coalition Government in office, we have witnessed a modern-day, real life enactment of George Orwell’s political allegory, Animal Farm.

It must be recalled that immediately before the entry of the APNU/AFC Coalition into Government in May 2015, the then Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, was sacked by the PPP/C Administration after there was a ‘public outcry’ backed by the Guyana Bar Association, the Guyana Women Lawyers Association, the Justice Institute of Guyana, and the Private Sector Commission.

This was supported by condemnation from the US and British envoys. It was concluded that the utterances by the minister cannot be condoned. This is despite Dr Ramsaran being charged and hauled before the courts!

Let us now fast forward to July 2018, a sitting Junior Minister of Government, Simona Broomes, claimed that two security guards attached to the KGM security firm approached her vehicle as she and her driver were parking, and abused them. One of them cocked his gun in her direction and threatened her life. The two guards were arrested and locked up for 12 hours, before being released on their own recognizance.

The surveillance camera, however, contradicted her version of what happened.

It was the Minister and her driver who were abusive to the guards, and the

Minister even went as far as hurling the ‘No Parking ’signs to the ground. It is evident that she willfully lied to the Police, which resulted in the wrongful arrest and unlawful detention of the two guards.

Unfortunately, the ‘public outcry’ is now subdued, and the various organisations which were so vociferous in Dr Ramsaran’s case are among the silent majority. Can you imagine private citizens being locked up because a Minister, who is supposed to serve their interests, lied and snatched away their civil liberty? This is the same Minister who had declared that the monthly rental of $500,000 is justified, since she has made ‘great sacrifice’ and ‘commitment to her people’, and asked ‘God to keep her heart in the right place’. This is the same Minister who was reprimanded by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, for bringing the House to disrepute for filming a parody video in the Chambers and distributing it on the social media.

This Minister is untouchable: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

It must be recalled also that it was the APNU/AFC Coalition which had said that the Code of Conduct for Ministers will be in effect before their first 100 days in office, but despite coming into effect nearly two years later, the effectiveness of the Code is questionable, since disciplinary action and penalties for the breach of this Code lie sole-

ly with President Granger and the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

T r a n s p a r e n c y International Guyana had noted that, instead of leaving this to the will of the very people the Code would govern, specific penalties for some breaches should be laid out. This has now come to pass!

The Code of Conduct for Public Officials clearly states that “a person in public life shall, in the execution of his or her official functions, conduct themselves in a manner which engenders the respect of their peers and the public.”

It also states that “a person in public life owes a duty to the public, and shall consider themselves servants of the people.”

It is evident that there was a breach of this Code, but the Minister of State had concluded that the Broomes case is ‘a Police matter…let the Police do their work’; while the President is silent, the Minister of Public Security offered ‘no comment’, and the Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, ‘got better things to do’ than addressing ‘social protection issues’. Surely, the Code does not apply to Government Ministers and officials!

“Man serves the interests of no creature except himself.”

– George Orwell, Animal Farm.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor -Region 6

Dear Editor, Guyanese overwhelmingly support the establishment of a registry of sex offenders.

This was one of several findings in a poll commissioned

by The Caribbean Voice and conducted in June and July.

And although most Guyanese seemed unaware that attempted suicide is a criminal offence, they significantly agree that it should be decriminalised.

Other findings include significant support for mandated counselling for all persons with mental health issues who appear in courts to answer charges; all health care workers and educators be mandated to report any and all forms of abuse or suspicion of abuse; and all Police ranks be trained to appropriately handle abuse and suicide cases.

Below are the stats relating to the poll:

Lack of awareness that attempted suicide is a crime seems to be because the law is not enforced, but survey respondents were very vehement in calling for it to be taken off the books. They also felt that the system is failing those who become suicidal, and that significant efforts to prevent suicide have not been made by Government.

As well, they believe that suicide is greater among the poorer segments of the population, driven especially by alcoholism and unemployment.

Thus they are calling for counselling to be provided free of charge across the nation, as the charges would become an additional burden on victims.

Many also feel that suicides and suicide victims should not be publicized, since this could also compound the problem.

Unemployment indeed seems to lead to depression and suicidal mindsets, based

on TCV’s interactions with many, especially young people, who have contacted us seeking help to obtain jobs. They often detail their struggles with depression and suicide ideation. While we do refer some to individuals we feel might be able to help, in almost all cases, the help never materialised, in spite of the promises made. TCV is of the view that, suicide-wise, this a disaster waiting to happen. So we are wondering whether there is a mechanism in place that we can refer these persons to access. Perhaps the media can publicise any info relating to a referral system for these young people. Requests have come in from many different regions.

Coordinated by pollster Dr. Vishnu Bisram, the poll had a sample of 1010 respondents (410 Indians, 304 Africans, 182 Mixed, 102 Amerindians, 12 others), which yielded a demographically representative sample of the adult population.

Voters were polled randomly to make it as representative as possible with respect to varied age, class, occupational, residential and religious statuses, as well as of ethnicity, educational levels and geographical diversity.

The results of the poll were analysed at a 95 percent significance level and a statistical sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points was found. This means that, in theory, in 19 cases out of 20, the results based on such a sample will differ by no more than 4 percentage points in either direction from what should have been obtained by seeking to interview the whole voting population. Sampling results based on subgroups (such as Indians or Africans) have a larger potential sampling error.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

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Ashley Anthony

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n my last article, I took some time to address the article written by Clifford Krauss, in which I specifically pointed out what was being said that was misleading. However, I did not address why misleading articles such as these are particularly dangerous.

Responses to this article have been impressive. There have been people who fall on both sides of the “issue”.

There are those like me who see this as a deliberate gross misrepresentation of our country, and there are those who see it as “pointing out inconvenient truths”.

If you will, for a moment, picture Africa, what is the first image that comes to mind? Is it of starving, scantily clad, dirty children?

How many of us can even see Africa as being a whole continent, one where there are numerous countries which experience a variety of economic prosperity? Do we see a variety of standards of living, or do we picture one specific image which has been fed to us over and over?

How many of us have even seen a picture of Johannesburg or Lagos?

Meanwhile, when we think of the United States, what do we think of?

More than likely, the first places that come to our mind are Manhattan and Washington. We imagine a place of wealth and prosperity, and I highly doubt that any of us automatically focus on the poorer neighbour-

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation hoods of the US. The thing is, as prosperous as some parts of Africa are, the “inconvenient truths” that they live with are what we are inundated with in the media. Media is an incredibly powerful tool.

An article published by the Washington Post entitled “Media portrayals of Africa promote paternalism”, by Andy Barker, explained that critics believe biased presentation (reporting only on the negatives) of Africa has led to “misinformation, stereotyping, validation of white privilege, excessive fear of foreigners and immigrants, and even mishandled foreign policy interventions.”

Most interestingly, the article focused on the idea that, because of the way Africa had been presented to the world, Americans felt “paternalistic” towards the people, a term which here was meant to describe “the authoritative but benevolent relationship of parents to their children, with the latter needing guidance, since children are unable to act “properly” on their own.”

The author of the article designed two experiments to test his theories. In the first, random participants were shown either of two families, one from Cameroon, and one from Moldova, and they were told that the average person from that country lived on about US$5 dollars a day. What was found was that respondents from the Cameroonian treatment group were more likely to agree with a statement such as, “There is little that people in poor countries can do by themselves to improve their livelihoods.” The second experiment was similar, with one white and one

black family, except that the countries of origin were Armenia and Guyana. And, yet again, it was found that people from the Guyanese respondent group were more likely to agree with a statement such as, “When it comes to improving their economic standard of living, people in poor countries are like extremely sick or paralyzed patients; they are completely unable to help themselves.” Respondents were more likely to support financial aid for the black family; and further, in regard to aid, respondents were only generous if they could exercise control over how the aid was being handed out; for example, if the aid was in the form of “free school supplies”, or “trips to the doctor”. However, if it was proposed to give the families so that they could determine how to spend it, the response was largely negative.

This led the author to then conclude, “My findings here reveal a rare case of greater generosity to one’s racial outgroup than to one’s racial ingroup, yet this does not mean prejudice is absent. It is grounded in a widespread underestimation of Africans’ and Caribbeans’ agency, a narrative that surely stems from the pornography of violence, immiseration, and helplessness propagated by Western media.”

I understand that many might not see the impact of this one article, and may feel like Guyanese are overreacting and in denial of their own issues. No one is saying that we do not have issues, or that they should not be spoken about; but our issues are not our entire country. If the article wanted to focus on the preparedness

of Guyana to handle the oil find, I fail to see the relevance to mention “children who go to school in dug out canoes”, whilst not mentioning that our high schools typically produce the top

students in the Caribbean every year, and that some of those very scholars are at top universities studying petroleum and chemical engineering.

His description of

Guyana served nothing but to further fuel the idea that Guyanese are hapless and in desperate need of foreign intervention.

“Government’s investment in education is paying dividends” – Harmon

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon flanked by some of the outstanding students and their teachers at the Regional Education Office on Saturday

M

inister of State, Joseph Harmon on Saturday said that the billions of dollars which have been plugged into the education and Information Communication Technology (ICT) sectors by the Government are paying dividends as he congratulated the top 10 students of Region Three ( Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), all of whom have secured a spot at the nation’s premier secondary institution, Queen’s College.

Minister Harmon was at the time speaking at a simple ceremony organised by the Education Ministry at the Regional Education Office, Plantain Walk, West Bank Demerara (WBD), where the top 10 students received tokens for their outstanding performance.

Noting that the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) is a critical point in the promotion of learning at the primary level, Minister Harmon said that this assessment enabled the nation to identify the ‘cream of our human resource potential’ as a nation and served as the basis for the placement of students in the secondary school system, so that those with the acumen and ability could benefit from the best environment and facilities to forge ahead with their academic endeavours and educational development.

“This system, though not perfect, seeks to provide those with the potential and talent with the best opportunities and resources for continued success as they move from the primary to the secondary level of education.

This assessment, albeit very important, is but one aspect of our Government’s wider perception of the role of education and its importance to national development.

“With regard to that wider perception, it is our conviction that the objective of creating a ‘green’ state and ‘green’ economy through the sustainable development of our vast resources for the benefit of all of our citizens and of providing a good life for all of our citizens can be achieved only by people with a first-class education. This has been emphasised by President David Granger,” he said.

The Minister added that this conviction could be discerned by the resources that the Government has allocated to education over the past three years and the efforts that have been made to improve the public education system with technology such as smart classrooms, ICT hubs and other such tangible projects.

He added that the aim was to modernise the edu-

cation sector and improve the delivery of education in rural communities across Guyana, by making ICT available in classrooms.

Region Three, he noted, has not been left out of these developments. “For example, Zeeburg Secondary School and the [Saraswati Vidya Niketan] SVN Hindu School received $1 million each to boost their Science and Technology laboratories, while so far, 12 secondary schools and 27 primary schools have been provided with Internet service. In addition, 22 ICT hubs have been installed in communities in Region Three that will enable students without Internet access at home to complete research, assignments and other school-based activities,” the Minister of State is quoted by the Ministry of the Presidency as saying.

Meanwhile, Senior Education Officer at the Education Ministry, Carol Benn told the students that the opportunities before them were now boundless and they must ensure that they take advantage of these.

The students who received tokens were: Darren Ramphal of Leonora Primary School, who copped 522 marks; Saif Azeze from the Academy of Excellence (522 marks); Virendra Dookie, Leonora Primary School (521 marks); Devina Chan, Vreed-enHoop Primary (520 marks); Ziya Haniff, Vreed-enHoop Primary (519 marks); Haresh Persaud, Academy of Excellence (519 marks); Bhairav Hardat, Leonora Primary (518 marks); Narendra Maraj, Academy of Excellence (518 marks); Afiyah Harry, Academy of Excellence (518 marks) and Zackiea Ali, Meten-MeerZorg Islamic (518 marks).

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SUnDAY, july 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Gun-toting bandits rob security guard

T

wo gun-toting bandits robbed a security officer on Savage Street, North-East La Penitence, Georgetown on Friday at about 20:40h.

According to reports, the victim, O’Neal Hopkinson, 24, of Lot 294 Savage Street, North-East La Penitence, was walking east along Savage Street when he was approached by two males dressed in dark clothing. He observed that one of them was armed with a handgun, and so he

began to run, but the two suspects managed to catch up with him.

They took away his wallet containing $7,000 that was in his right-side pants pocket, and his haversack,

Ganja-purchasing trip ends in shooting A

Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown resident who allegedly was on his way with an acquaintance to purchase marijuana is nursing a gunshot wound to his right shoulder at a city hospital.

Reports are that Tirace Fraser, a 23-year-old miner, was shot in Cemetery Road, Georgetown on Friday at about 21:15h.

Fraser told investigators that he had gone to the suspect’s home at Freeman Street, East La Penitence, and they had left to go to Cemetery Road to purchase marijuana.

Fraser and the suspect, identified only as “Black Boy,” were walking along Cemetery Road when the suspect asked Fraser to lend him $1000.

Fraser went into his front pants pocket and took out the money to give to the suspect, who was walking behind him.

In a bizarre twist, “Black Boy” allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Fraser. This newspaper was told that the injured man began running with the suspect giving chase.

Fraser subsequently fell to the ground, and “Black Boy” reportedly snatched his 19 penny weight gold chain and confiscated $80,000 from

him.

The injured man was picked up by public-spirited persons and was rushed him to a city hospital, where he was admitted a patient in stable condition.

Checks were made for the suspect, but he was nowhere to be found. Investigators processing the scene did not find any spent shell, nor was there any footage from any CCTV camera. Nevertheless, investigations are in progress.

valued at $3,500, before making good their escape in a southerly direction.

The matter was reported to the Police, and the area was checked for the suspects, but there was no

trace of the men.

Moreover, unsuccessful checks were made for CCTV cameras, in order to obtain video footage of the incident.

Investigations are ongoing.

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SUnDAY, july 29, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Partially decomposed body

Employers claim deceased man was mentally ill

T

he employers of Soesdyke resident Patrick Vyfhuis, whose partially decomposed body was discovered on Wednesday in Kuribrong, Region Eight, are claiming that the man had been mentally ill, and they were unaware of this when he was hired.

The employers, of Kuribrong, Region Eight, told Guyana Times on Saturday that Vyfhuis had left for the interior on July 11. According to his employer, after the labourer arrived at the mining camp, he began acting strange, and even told them that somebody wanted to kill him.

“He went in with my husband, and when he go in, everything was okay.

The next day now, he went to my husband and he tell him that, ‘Look (names given) coming to kill meh’. Me husband said he turn and tell him and said, ‘Bai relax yourself, nah?’ So he said the night now, he keep running into the bush and want run to the creek and so,” the employer told this publication.

It was further related that other workers on the camp attempted to

Dead: Patrick Vyfhuis

control the man’s absurd behavior, but failed.

The employer said that as a result of this, on July 15, they were about to escort the man to his home. “When he reach on the landing, he start running up and down at all them shops. So they (ended up) getting him back into the cruiser; and while going out now, he messed his skin up so they stopped

at a creek to wash off him, because he can’t go in the vehicle like that. So when they stop now, he run and gone in the bush,” the employer said.

According to three other employees, they again went in search of Vyfhuis, but failed in their attempts. A report was subsequently made to the Bartica and Mahdia Police Stations.

The employer contends that Vyfhuis’s mother knew of his mental illness and did not inform them.

But Odessia Spencer, sister of the deceased man, rebutted the allegation made by the employers, since, according to her, her brother had never suffered from any mental illnesses.

Family members of the now dead man have called for a thorough investigation into circumstances surrounding his death.

Vyfhuis’s body was reportedly found by a pork-knocker some four miles away from the camp site on Wednesday last, and was later identified by his employer.

The duo was questioned in relation to the body found.

Investigations are ongoing.

Untouchable…

Y

…PNC big ones

our Eyewitness isn’t the least surprised that the powers-that-be decided no charges would be laid against Simona Broomes for her actions at the Amazonia Mall in Providence.

After all, as she pointed out early in her public life – when she insisted on ignoring the Police and leading a “trafficking in persons” (TIP) raid in Bartica that rounded up 29 foreign women, whom she shipped to Georgetown.

Rather than being reprimanded for breaking the law and entering private property without a warrant, the Minister was allowed to get away with her high-handedness!

But the behaviour at Amazonia crossed a line that was forbidden by the LAW OF THE LAND: she filed a “false report” with the Police that didn’t only waste the Police’s time (which is one charge right there, since she knew her statement was false) but her false report “perverted the course of justice” – a much more serious charge. What are the elements of this charge?

Now, dear reader, Broomes satisfied every element of those crimes – “filing a false report” to the Police and “perversion of the course of justice”.

She fully knew she was lying in her teeth against those two poor security guards…and she certainly had the opportunity to retract!! Her asking reporters “Wha’ alyu talking ‘bout?” reinforced her unrepentant behaviour over her crime. In terms of reputation, apart from Broomes’s early damage, her partisans have further damaged one of the guard’s reputation by making all sorts of allegations against him.

So we return to the question as to why Broomes is allowed to get away with her bullyism.

Well, in Guyana, Burnham’s original PNC made its reputation on “might is right” through the bullyism of folks like Hamilton Green.

…James Patterson

Because of the existential danger of Executives in democratic governments subverting constitutionally built-in mechanisms that prevent dictatorial rule, in addition to the ‘separation of powers” doctrine, several institutions of the state are given constitutional protection against Executive interference. But this has never stopped the Executive from trying to work around such controls!

One such institution is GECOM. For obvious reasons, since we suffered for 28 years from rigged elections caused by an Executive-pliant body, a consensual mechanism between the President and the Opposition Leader was introduced via Art 161 (2) to prevent Executive unilateralism. We don’t have to rehearse the stipulations; do we, dear reader?

Yet CJ (ag) George ruled that President Granger could reject the list of names provided by the Opposition Leader and appoint someone originating from the judiciary as Chairman of GECOM!! In interpreting Constitutional Articles, the primary question has to be: “What was the PURPOSE of the stipulations?” In this case, it was clearly to prevent Executive unilateralism!!

Your Eyewitness is pleased this anomaly’s being reviewed promptly!!

…drug dealers

The Bajans sneered at us for years because we used their airport to trade in consumer goods.

And all the time, the executives of their largest business conglomerate, Goddards, have been using their yachts to smuggle cocaine.

Say it ain’t so!!

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

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SUnDAY, july 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

PPP launches countrywide LGE campaign

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo along with Executive Member Zulfikar Mustapha during a LGE meeting in Hogtown, Berbice

T

he Opposition People’s Progressive P a r t y / C i v i c (PPP/C), in preparation for the November 12 Local Government Elections (LGE), launched its campaign in all 10 Administrative Regions throughout Guyana during the course of last week.

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo late last week launched its Region Six (East Berbice-

Corentyne) campaign. The Party held four meetings in the Region at Number 70 Village, Number 56 Village, Hogtown Chesney, and Hampshire.

Jagdeo has pointed out that the Party was implementing a 12-point criteria list for choosing persons to represent their constituencies at the upcoming LGE. Addressing a crowd of about 400 at Number 70 Village, Jagdeo said one of the cri-

teria was to ensure widespread consultation to select a representative.

“We don’t want the people who are selected to represent you in an area to be selected by a small group of people of the party group alone. We want widespread consultation with our people in the areas, so that the people that we select are the best people we put forward.

I hope that you participate in that process to help us

A section of the gathering during the launch of the LGE campaign in Region Six

to select those people, because in the past like at the last elections in some of the NDCs [Neighbourhood Democratic Councils], we had a small group who sat down and decided who will run and when we won those areas we were stuck with small groups of persons who did not have the skills to move the communities forward,” he noted.

The Opposition Leader asked all to participate in

the process and said by August 18, the names of those selected should be submitted to the Party’s head office. Meanwhile, PPP Executive Member Zulfikar Mustapha explained that the Kilcoy/Chesney NDC area was critical to the Party as he made mention of the 1994 LGE. “In 1994, when we had Local Government Elections we had a tie in this NDC [Fyrish/Gibraltar] and we

went back to a by-election and we won it… At the last Local Government Elections in 2016, we had another tie and instead of the Government and the Ministry of Communities go back to a by-election, the Minister decided to choose the APNU [A Partnership for National Unity] appoint a Chairman and a Vice Chairman,” Mustapha told the gathering. turn to page 14

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SUnDAY, july 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Despite criticisms

National payment system being fast-tracked – BoG

N

otwithstanding criticisms of the initiative, infrastructure that would allow for electronic payments under the new National Payment System are being put in place.

This was expounded upon at a press conference at the Finance Ministry on Friday, where Bank of Guyana Governor Dr Gobind Ganga laid out his expectations for the project. It was pointed out by Ganga that the project was originally of a four-year duration.

“The system is being put in place. This is a four-year project, but we’re hoping to complete this project in two years, and people start benefit,” Ganga, who was speaking on the sidelines of another Finance Ministry event, explained.

The Governor explained that while there was an old payment system administered by the bank, it was an ineffective one. He expressed expectations that the new one being implemented would conform to international standards.

“We had a payment system under the Bank of Guyana, but we didn’t have the power to ensure there

“For example, if the Ministry of Finance has to pay vendors out there, instead of the vendor coming to the Ministry of Finance to collect a cheque, that payment will be done directly into his bank account. That will enhance transparency and good governance,” Ganga explained.

Bank of Guyana Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga

could be electronic payments, digital signatures, etc. This Act recognises all of that, and makes it legal.

For example, we will have more bank-to-bank transactions rather than the use of cheques. We will also reduce cash payments as we move forward. That is not to say that there is going to be an elimination of cash; cash will still be used, but we will be providing the infrastructure for electronic payments, and that will ensure that we have much more efficiency,” Ganga explained.

Passage An important bill in principle, much contention nevertheless attended the National Payment System Bill when it was passed earlier this month. Criticism had included concerns over the Bank of Guyana’s role as a regulator, and whether it had too much power.

For instance, former Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, had expressed concern over Clause 18 (2) of the bill, which allows the regulator to enter the premises of someone suspected of operating without a licence and carry out searches. Edghill urged the inclusion of stipulations that such searches can be carried out only after a warrant has been obtained.

His successor in Government, Minister

Jaipaul Sharma, had defended the bill in his presentation. For instance, Sharma noted that the Central Bank cannot revoke licences in a “willy-nilly” manner, but persons with grievances would instead be given time to defend their licences.

Besides urging that the general public be educated about the new system, none of the Opposition entreaties found sympathetic ears on the Government side.

The bill was eventually passed without any amendment.

A National Payment System (NPS) is an infrastructure that provides the economy with information communication technology (ICT) options for processing payments resulting from the many different types of economic transactions that take place daily. In other words, this includes e-payments, credit cards, and wire transfers.

The Bank of Guyana (BoG) has been tasked with leading the development and implementing a strategic approach to advancing the development of Guyana’s NPS by establishing the parameters to guide policy and set priorities.

Clapboard and claptrap

S

atiricus had worked himself up into a lather of outrage as he walked to the Back Street Bar. How dare this foreign NYTimes journalist come into his country for a two-day visit and then pontificate so conclusively – and negatively - on local conditions!

Who the hell did he think he was? Winston Churchill covering the second Boer War of 1899 in Transvaal? Guyana was independent for fifty years, for goodness’ sake!!

“Well, even the Business Association has condemned that Yankee journalist!” exploded Satiricus to his friends at the Back Street Bar. “How come you fellas are staying quiet?”

“Bec’ase me t’ink wha’ de maan ‘rite a true?” said Bungi.

“True?!” Satiricus practically shrieked. “What you talking about?”

“Tek am easy, Sato,” advised Cappo. “Tell abee wha’ lie de maan tell pan abee po’ Guyana.”

“Well, let me just say what the Business Association pointed out,” said Satiricus. “The new colonialist wrote we had only three paved highways!!”

“And how many paved highways do you think we have, Sato?” asked Hari mildly.

“Well, MORE than three!!” said Satiricus indignantly.

“Corentyne, East Coast, East Bank, West Coast, Linden and Essequibo!”

“Sato, ole fr’en, yuh know wha’ wan highway?” asked Cappo, who had backtracked to New York for a year.

“Well of course I do!” said Satiricus in outrage.

“Wan highway mus’ gat two 20-foot lane wha’ guh both way – AN’ wan 10-foot shoulda!” pointed out Cappo.

“Oh!” replied Satiricus, in surprise. “But why he wrote Georgetown and other towns are full with “clapboard” houses?”

“A wha’ a clapboard?” asked Bungi.

“A long, thin, flat piece of wood with edges horizontally overlapping in series, used to cover the outer walls of buildings,” said Hari, struggling to control a smile.

“Na da wha’ abee a call “lap-edge?” asked Bungi, in surprise.

“An’ most a dem house in abee Tong mek wid da!”

“Wha’ else dem business people seh?” asked Cappo as Satiricus struggled to absorb the information.

“Let’s talk about young Hetemyer’s century!” Satiricus suggested, as he lifted his beer bottle for an all-round clink.

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SUnDAY, july 29, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

AFC Berbice faction outraged over $120M untendered contracts to members

By Andrew Carmichael

How politics affects business

By Ryhaan Shah

T

hat any Government minister anywhere would ever contend that there is no connection between business and politics; especially when that Government is overseeing a shrinking economy resulting from bad policies and widespread corruption, has sacked thousands from a traditional agroindustry for sheer vengeance on its political opponent, and shows utter disregard for the rule of law; that any Government minister bearing this baggage can say to business leaders they must stay clear of politics is either sheer audacity, or else ignorance of how business works.

But that is exactly what Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, did when he addressed the recent Business Development Forum hosted by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He told business leaders they must stay clear of politics and concentrate on the creation of business.

Even non-business types know that stock markets rise and fall on just statements made by political leaders, because politics can affect the stability and worth of corporate stock in a matter of minutes. The political environment impacts business, and the stability or instability of a Government is always a primary risk factor; no business decision is made without considering this basic.

That there are no new investments and no significant business expansion stem from the political uncertainty in the local marketplace, and despite all the trumpeting of the oil discovery off our coast, no investors are flocking to Guyana.

Recent articles in “The Wall Street Journal” and “New York Times” gave international media exposure to the find, but with the caveat of the inherently widespread state corruption. Not many investors would risk capital ventures in such an economy.

For business people, the political environment is the least predictable of all risk factors, since it is out of their control; and with the Granger Government’s poor performance in just about every sector -- economic and social -- that exposes its racism, unlawfulness and incompetence, it is no surprise that the marketplace is jittery.

A list of the ways politics affects business includes not only the level of state corruption, but red tape and bureaucracy in administrative processes; tariffs and taxation; involvement in trade unions and wage negotiations; consumer protection laws; environmental pollution regulations; freedom of the press; health and safety laws; and that most critical factor regarding policies that would be tough on crime.

Import and export taxes, concessions for investments, customs and excise regulations are all political decisions that have a huge impact on business and investment. They also impact the relationship between the business, its customers, suppliers, and its relationship with other companies. The nexus between commerce and politics is so vital and so intrinsically linked that for any business to stay clear of, and take no interest in, the country’s politics would be to their peril.

The political environment of a country affects its economy.

This is a basic equation of business. Political instability or uncertainty leads to lessened or no investor confidence. There is no creation of business, as Gaskin wants, in this kind of environment.

Much of the current business uncertainty could have resulted from Granger’s vow to return Guyana to Burnhamism.

The PNC was the architect and instigator of political violence for over 50 years through riots, ethnic attacks, the “slow fyah mo’ fyah” campaign, and the Buxton Terror. With PNC protests targeting Regent Street for looting and arson, they were undoubtedly intended to impact negatively not only on business, but the Government, economy, and the society as a whole.

Guyana continues to suffer from capital flight because of the real fear of a return to PNC dictatorial rule. Note that the Granger Government does nothing to dispel these fears.

Instead, Guyana’s fragile democracy is being methodically dismantled.

It is not only the private sector that is concerned about the balance of payments’ deficit which has skyrocketed to US$94 million compared to the US$8.8 million for the corresponding period last year. While the increase is due to higher fuel costs, lower earnings from exports, especially sugar and gold, have contributed to the larger deficit; and most of the citizenry are alarmed at the state of the economy, given that last year Government had to continually revise the projected growth rate downward from the expected 3.8 per cent to the final figure of just 2.1 per cent.

Instead of admonishing the business sector to stay clear of politics, the Granger Government should seek their advice on the policies needed to restore investor confidence and economic growth and stability. This would help achieve that goal of the good life for everyone.

T

here is an apparent rift in the Alliance For Change (AFC) constituency in East Berbice, with some members complaining bitterly that contracts totalling approximately $120 million have been awarded to six AFC-affiliated contractors without first passing through the tendering process.

This issue was brought to the fore by longstanding contractors in the region, who are also supporters of the AFC but are being sidelined in favour of other party members who recently became involved in the construction industry.

In one of the most recent practices in the region by supporters of the minority party in the Coalition Government, it was pointed out that some of these new contractors are even using paid Government workers.

Guyana Times was told

Some of the workers cleaning the road shoulders in Region Six

that the contract to clean the road shoulders in the region has been given to eight contractors, six of whom are AFC supporters.

In a matter that was recently before a Corentyne court, the defendant had told the magistrate that he was employed with Derrick Basdeo to weed the road. Basdeo is the National Executive for the AFC Diaspora, and runs DeMoxReality Estate Construction. That company was awarded one of the eight weeding contracts.

Quad Construction,

which is run by Joseph Baichu, was given another contract. Baichu is also an executive of the AFC in Berbice.

Another executive of the AFC is Gladwin Abdulla, whose company has also been awarded one of the contracts. Khousal Goberton, who is an AFC Regional Councillor, has also been awarded one of the contracts; while another one has gone to Subas Orilall, who is the AFC Chairman in Region Six. Last year, a total of 15 contractors were award-

ed contracts; this year, six contractors were awarded contracts. The contracts are worth $15 million each.

Reports reaching this newspaper indicate that two of the six contractors were given two contracts each.

Further, there are also reports that both ministers in the Public Infrastructure Ministry, David Patterson and Annette Ferguson, are aware of the situation. A ministerial advisor’s son is also one of the contractors.

The issue of contracts being awarded without tendering, and to contractors who did not exist before, was recently raised at the Region Six RDC meeting.

On Saturday, Guyana Times contacted Region Chairman David Armogan on the matter. He commented thus, “People were selected on the basis of their political affiliation, and this is cause for great worry for us in this region. turn to page 17

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SUnDAY, july 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GPSU reluctant to join Credit Info Urgent call made to address

…says it’s unaware of mandatory membership

T

he Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), which is by law mandated to subscribe to Credit Info, is reluctant to do so.

This is according to the Credit Information Bureau, which noted that it has been engaging the Union for the past five years, but to no avail.

The issue of the union’s reluctance to subscribe first surfaced at a press conference hosted by Credit Info last week at the entity’s New Market Street, Georgetown head office.

“Section 12 of the Credit Reporting Act of 2010 and the Credit Reporting Amendment Act of 2016, those are the governing pieces of legislation that speak to this specific issue,” Credit Info’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Judy Semple-Joseph, told Guyana Times.

She said that, for the past five years, the team has been engaging with GPSU and with several other credit unions, so as to ensure that they benefit from the advantages of being subscribers to the service.

She noted that the institution was able to gain support from two credit unions, but has failed to gain subscription from the GPSU. “It is absolutely necessary for the larger credit unions to be affiliated with Credit Info. It is critical, let’s say, for them to be associated. I think their positions will be so much better. They will do much better business, there will be much

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Credit Info, Judy Semple-Joseph

better financial positions at the end of the day,” the CEO underscored.

Semple-Joseph said the agency will be working aggressively to specifically get the GPSU on board.

“Even though it is mandated by law, there is a process, and it is quite a task in some instances to get institutions to sign on… Even though it’s mandated by law, we still have to engage. It’s our responsibility to show them that it is a mutually beneficial arrangement,” she explained.

The CEO said she understands the system is fairly new to Guyana, but it is nevertheless important.

Manager of Sales and Business Development, David Falkconer, noted that Credit Info had consulted with the GPSU about three years ago, and is hoping that with the new managing body, it will be

able to come up with a fruitful outcome.

“Even though there is a requirement by law, our policy is not to go with a big stick and say you must do this. We prefer to have you see the benefits and come on board voluntarily…we have engaged the credit union sector. I can tell you that we have engaged every single credit union in the sector. I can tell you that we have targeted our outreach to the National Credit Union League, and through them we have had innumerable meetings, presentations and engagements with every single credit union in the sector,” Falkconer explained.

Contacted on Friday, the GPSU said it was unaware that it is mandated to join the credit bureau.

Credit Info, Guyana is a fairly new initiative, which started five years ago locally.

Its objective is to collect credit information for the purpose of facilitating access to credit.

The credit bureau therefore has information from debtors who use credit cards, or even have a bank loan.

A few of the agencies who would have subscribed to Credit Info along with all the banks, include the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), Courts Guyana, University of Guyana, and Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED), among others.

Region 2 health delivery system

R

esidents of Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), especially those living deep in the Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast area, along with Region Two Chairman Davanand Ramdatt, are calling for urgent attention to be given to the health system, which is facing some major deficiencies.

Chief among the issues being encountered is the non-functioning of available medical equipment and facilities, and health-related projects that are incomplete.

According to reports, a $13 million health post at Red Village, construction of which started in 2016, is still incomplete. This forces Red Village occupants to travel long distances to access a health centre.

Additionally, Guyana Times was told that a dental X-ray machine purchased since 2015 was never put into operation, while residents are crying out for its much-needed service in the region.

Coupled with that, a $27-million Maternity Waiting Home at Suddie village was completed in the first quarter of this year, but is yet to be opened due to delays resulting from lack of furnishing for the building. The building was built to accommodate pregnant mothers, especially those from far-flung

The non-functional Maternity Waiting Home at Suddie, Essequibo Coast

Amerindian communities.

In addition, the Dental Service Department at the Anna Regina Health Centre is no longer operational, since there is no dental chair. Added to this, the mobile dental boat --The Lady J-- which is used to service residents in Pomeroon and other Amerindian communities, is not functioning.

At a Regional Democratic Council (RDC) statutory meeting held on Friday, it was also revealed that there are major issues at the Oscar Joseph District Hospital in Charity as a result of personnel deficiencies.

The RDC was also informed that the resident doctor at Wakapao Health Centre cannot occupy the provided accommodation which was completed several months ago, since it is unfurnished.

The issue of non-func-

tioning ambulances was also raised at the RDC meeting, and officials were informed that four ambulances assigned to the region are all grounded.

Additionally, the newly acquired standby generator for Suddie Public Hospital, which was purchased from 2017 budget and recently supplied, is still to have the automatic changeover switch system in place in case of GPL power outages.

At the RDC meeting, Region Two Chairman Davanand Ramdatt, after deliberating on the woes of the health system, noted that it stemmed from “weaknesses at the management levels.”

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) head is calling on the Regional Executive Officer to urgently attend to the matters at hand before consultation for the 2019 budget begins.

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SUnDAY, july 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana continues to record high number of foreign TIP victims …77 victims rescued Social Comparison and Ethnic Relations

T

he Ethnic Relations Commission has been reconstituted, and, over the past few months, has been interacting with “stakeholders” from the various ethnic groups, to better appreciate their concerns so as to inform their work programme.

On Thursday, two members of the Girmitiya Research Center (Guyana), I and Vikash Ramkissoon, met the ERC Commissioners along with two representatives of the Indian Action Committee (IAC) as members of the Indian community.

The GRI’s focus was to remind the body that they were not in existence only to respond to charges of ethnic discrimination – important as that was, and encompassed in No 10 of their 24 enumerated functions.

As importantly, they also are supposed to head off ethnic conflict by appreciating the precursors of ethnic conflict and taking preventative measures early in the cycle.

We described the inevitable “social comparison process” that occurs in plural societies, and its connection to identity, group and individual self-worth. All Ravi Dev with emotional wellsprings.

We advised that the ERC has an obligation to insist and advise that the comparisons, especially in the media, be based on facts and are not invidious, since this leads to escalating claims and counter claims. We illustrated the point by citing the oft-regurgitated assertion that “Indians got free land”, which leads to further claims that they were ‘pampered” and given an unfair advantage over other ethnic groups. We showed from the research of Prof Leslie Potter that of the 165,000 Indian immigrants, only 2600 received land in lieu of their return passage, as was the contracted right of all of them.

We cited No 5 of their mandate: “Promote educational and training programmes and research projects which provide for, and encourage, ethnic peace and harmony”; and proposed that the GRI could engage in research in conjunction with other groups, to ensure greater acceptance of the facts and make them less contested.

The point of checking the invidious comparisons is they are also tied to the insistence of some groups that they have a greater “legitimacy” to make greater claim to the national patrimony.

Prior arrival; greater contribution to “building” Guyana; greater suffering; earlier acceptance of western culture; are only some of the arguments used to justify jettisoning the norm of equality of opportunity for all ethnic groups.

Group comparison for group worth, to claim greater legitimacy to the national patrimony, we showed, led to the debilitating politics that has typified our post-independence history: the politics of entitlement. Indians are increasingly defined as “interlopers” with no right to occupy national office.

The very first duty of the ERC, we pointed out, was to, “Provide for equality of opportunity between persons of different ethnic groups, and to promote harmony and good relations between such persons.”

It was very possible, we noted, that some groups may need affirmative action – positive discrimination – such as, for instance, as in the US, when there was verified systemic discrimination against those groups in particular facets of national life. In such instances, we pointed out, the policy should be clearly stated, as well as the instances of allowed discriminatory treatment. To simply engage in rectifactory action such as sharing out lands to some groups would inevitably lead to charges of discrimination and increased ethnic tensions.

As such, we recommended our long-proffered “Ethnic Impact Statement” (EIS) that should accompany or follow governmental policies and actions. In ethnically divided societies like Guyana, especially with the extraordinary intrusive power of the state, such assessments would inevitably be made at the ground level, but almost as inevitably would result in one or another group feeling discriminated against.

We noted that this statement was implicitly covered by Number 11 of their mandate: “Monitor and review all legislation and all administrative acts or omissions relating to, or having implications for, ethnic relations and equal opportunities; and, from time to time, prepare and submit proposals for revision of such legislation and administrative acts and omissions.”

We illustrated our contentions by illustrations from the same day’s newspapers. The Minister of Social Cohesion delivering “steel pans” to the University of Guyana’s music programme.

Why not, it was asked, some dholaks (Indian two-headed drums) which have never been introduced in the primary, secondary or tertiary levels?

The Government also announced it was contributing $17million to Emancipation Day celebrations, and officially cosponsoring them. It was asked why there were no comparable contributions to Indian Arrival Celebrations, and would this not lead to claims of unequal treatment?

T

rafficking in Persons (TIP) remains an issue for Guyana. Due to Guyana’s porous borders, high numbers of foreigners are trafficked into the country. According to Social Protection Minister Amna Ally, some 16 foreign nationals were rescued from being trafficked during the month of May alone.

Ally made the disclosure during the launch of Freedom Fest in commemoration of World Trafficking in Persons Day at D’Urban Park. She said 14 Venezuelans, one Cuban and one Dominican Republic national were rescued during a raid executed by the Guyana Police Force in May of this year.

Additionally, she explained that from January 5 to July 03, 2018, some 77 TIP victims were rescued from being trafficked, and were provided with the necessary psy-

chosocial support.

According to Minister Ally, 60 of the 77 victims were placed in protective care, while some were assisted with job placements, educational and training opportunities, and judicial support when necessary.

“I can assure that your Government will, by all means necessary, do what it can to curb this illicit activity,” she noted.

Late June, acting Coordinator of the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking In Persons (TIP), Oliver Profitt, said a majority of the humans trafficked, as recorded by the Guyana Police Force from January to May of 2018, were Latin American nationals, with Venezuelans heading the list. He noted that within that period some 68 cases were recorded, with 41 victims being rescued, 35 of whom were Venezuelan na-

tionals.

Police statistics also recorded 41 alleged TIP cases in 2014; fifty-one in 2015, ninety-eight in 2016 and fifty in 2017.

Meanwhile, although there has been some level of success in tackling this issue, and Guyana recently moving to a Tier 1 country, the TIP coordinator explained that there are still some challenges.

According to Profitt, one of the major challenges is being able to secure successful prosecutions, and this is mainly because the alleged victims are most times deported.

In most cases, the victims

would have families back at home, and would need their support in order to stay through the process. If they don’t have the support, then it is more than likely they would return to their home country and the cases are left unsolved.

In the United States’ State Department Trafficking in Persons 2017 Report, Guyana has been described as a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour in mining, agriculture, forestry, domestic service and shops. turn to page 15

14 news

SUnDAY, july 29, 2018| guyanatimesgy.com

US citizens robbed after arriving in Guyana

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ive persons, including four United Statesbased Guyanese, were robbed at gunpoint by four unmasked men at Leopold and Breda Streets, Werk-enRust, Georgetown.

Among the victims were 64-year-old Darlene Gaines of the USA and of Coomacka Mines in Linden, who was robbed of one Samsung Galaxy S8 cellular phone valued at $140,000 and a quantity of medications amounting to $80,000.

Also robbed was 19-yearold Daisy Gaines-Sluss of the USA and of Coomacka Mines, who was relieved of one MP3 Player value $5,000 and her

United States of America passport.

Sixty-year-old Joe Hughes of the USA and of Coomacka Mines was relieved of a quantity of US currency amounting to Gy$160,000.

Forty-five-year-old Christina Gaines-Sluss of the USA and of Coomacka Mines was relieved of a quantity of US currency amounting to Gy$260,000, as well as her US passport and other documents.

And 40-year-old Robin Collins, a housewife of Coomacka Mines, was relieved of one Samsung Galaxy cellphone valued at $40,000, one LG cellphone

valued at $40,000, and $9000 in cash.

The incident occurred at about 13:00h on Friday.

According to reports, except for Robin Collins, all five victims are members of the Coomacka Church of Christ, who arrived in Guyana from the USA. Darlene, Daisy, Joe and Christina were picked up at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport by Robin and Wayne Collins, also of Coomacka Mines, in minibus BKK 337.

They all then proceeded to Georgetown to do some shopping, and as they were proceeding east along Leopold

Street, Wayne slowed down at Cross Street to allow other vehicles to pass.

At that point, one of the suspects walked up to him and held him at gunpoint.

The perpetrator then pulled out the bus keys, while three other suspects rushed up and relieved the other occupants in the vehicle of their belongings. The four suspects then made good their escape by running east along Leopold Street.

The matter was reported and a search was conducted in the area for the suspects, but they were not found.

Investigations are continuing.

PPP launches countrywide...

Party member Anand Persaud stressed that in many of the communities that he has visited across Guyana, persons were starved for development.

“Everywhere I go, I see

people with faces expressing despair; people are down and they look as if they have lost hope,” Persaud said.

On Tuesday, the PPP/C launched its LGE campaign in Region Three (Essequibo

Islands-West Demerara) while on Wednesday, it launched the Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) campaign.

On Saturday, Jagdeo conducted a number of outreach-

from page 9

es in Regions Three and Four (Demerara-Mahaica) in preparation for the campaigning season. The PPP/C is hoping to win the LGE by a landslide as it prepares for the 2020 General Election.

Setting limits to protect Guyana’s many waters

Hello Readers, I’m sure most of you are of the view that Guyana has abundant water sources, and you are certainly correct!

However, many of these sources are being polluted by activities which make them unclean and unhealthy. Here is where the EPA comes in: in order to ensure the preservation of our water resources and to prevent pollution, developers are required to manage their effluent (waste released).

For this to be possible, there need to be standards or parameter limits set to assist in guiding them on the quality of effluent they are allowed to discharge, which will not have a major impact on our waters. Under the Environmental Protection Act, Cap. 20:05, Laws of Guyana; more specifically, the Environmental Protection (Water Quality) Regulations 2000, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is mandated to set these limits.

Baseline sampling Recently, the diligent staff of the Water Quality Management Programme Area conducted baseline sampling at several of our rivers, in order to test them to develop a national industrial effluent discharge limit. The collection of this data would be useful in improving the existing standards, which are interim guidelines to control discharge. The project is funded by the Canadian Funds for Local Initiatives (CFLI). The rivers in which tests were conducted are the Ireng, Pomeroon, Mahaicony, Mahaica, Abary, Canje and Barima. Additionally, tests were carried out in the Demerara Watershed. These water bodies were chosen because they are surrounded by economic activities that have high effluent discharge.

What do we test for?

The Agency recognises the importance of conducting this project, since there are many new industrial activities that are taking place in Guyana but are not catered for in the present parameter limits. The parameters tested included the levels of pH, phosphate, sulphates, coliform, suspended solids, oil and grease, biological oxygen demand (BOD), ammonia, nitrate, turbidity, potassium, mercury, copper, iron and lead. These elements are dangerous at certain levels, and would lead to poor water quality.

The water samples that were taken are currently being tested to assess the levels of these parameters. When the results are attained, they will be interpreted by the EPA, in collaboration with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS).

As part of this i n te r p re ta t i o n , the data collected, as well as the existing data, will be reviewed and analysed to inform the setting of interim standards.

The data would also be used to update the State of the Environment Report.

To this end, the EPA continues to take the necessary steps to protect Guyana’s many waters. The Agency understands the need to set these parameter limits, to ensure the control of water pollution by economic and other activities. This project would allow for the enforcement of the Agency’s mandate to manage water quality.

You can share your ideas and questions by sending your letters to: “The Earth Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division.

Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN; or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com.

news

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SUnDAY, july 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Pensioner dies after falling off veranda

The need for an improved economic relationship between the Private Sector and Central Government to advance Guyana’s economic development

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t the recently held Business Development Forum hosted by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), there were some interesting (unhealthy) exchanges of dialogue – albeit constructive -between very senior executive members of the Private Sector and senior Government functionaries. In dissecting some of the presentations in this regard that would have appeared in the press, one may agree that both sides of the argument constituted and reflected valid, pragmatic points of interest.

Before moving on any further, it is perhaps worthwhile to objectively analyse both sides of the key arguments presented. The first being the Minister of Business, in his presentation, was requesting of the Private Sector to stay out of politics, at least until elections’ time. He then went on to state, in response to the president of the GCCI, that Guyana has been enjoying political stability for some time now. To this end, the GCCI president, in his presentation, sought to emphasise the need for political stability.

The question is: Is there any form or symptom of political instability in Guyana? The answer to this question is no; hence the Minister is quite correct in his assertion.

Political instability is when a country experiences politically motivated violence and/or crimes in society, violent protests, workers going on strikes, and so forth. Political instability is also defined as the propensity of a government collapse, and when growth is significantly lower than otherwise. Poor economic performance, however, may lead to a government’s collapse and political unrest.

That being said, there was a time in Guyana when there was political instability – a period characterised as when there were politically motivated crimes and riots in the city etc.

Then, subsequently, at the said forum, a former president of the GCCI countered the Minister’s bold request to the Private Sector members, in which the argument was made that “the Private Sector has the right to be involved in politics, because it involves the expenditure of their money.”

This is an equally meritorious argument put forward by the Chamber’s former president, and the reason for this is quite simple to comprehend; and that is: the Government has a responsibility to stimulate confidence in the economy, and to create an enabling environment in which businesses are incentivised to prosper and invest more in the economy.

But perhaps in order to achieve such outcomes, this analyst is of the view that these Private Sector agencies may need to relook at their approach in how they seek to promote their interests and concerns to the Government of the day.

While such business forums are held with good intent, and do serve in a positive spirit, the Chamber and the Private Sector Commission should consider consolidating their resources into one agency. With due respect, it should be mentioned that this is a notion that was originally conveyed to this columnist by one of the Chamber’s former presidents; and it of course has a lot of merit, and is thus endorsed and re-stated here by this author.

Suffice it to state that this will aid in the optimisation of the limited resources which these agencies possess. And secondly, they would be able to focus on engaging in more meaningful dialogues with the Government in a more formal and appropriate setting, rather than utilising a multiplicity of other mechanisms to channel those concerns.

It is sometimes very essential that businesses and/or firms remain and maintain neutrality at all times; because, at the end of the day -- if not all times, most of the time -national politics tends to triumph as being supreme.

As Clare Goff from the Centre of Economic Strategies in the United Kingdom put it: “a new era of regeneration is emerging; one defined by less money and fewer programmes, but where the top-down approach of the previous era will be replaced with the bottom-up approach. The Private Sector is being called on to lead countries back to growth, but with fewer resources or support to do so. Alongside this, corporate social responsibility is moving into a new phase, defined by stronger partnerships with stakeholders, and a deeper engagement with social and local issues. The opportunities are opening up for businesses to engage at a deeper level with local communities and social issues, but business alone is not enough to transform deprived local areas. Rather, bold thinking and stronger partnerships between the public, private and social sectors would help communities move towards a more resilient future”.

Next week, the author shall examine this subject matter from a number of different dimensions.

(For comments, questions and responses on articles featured in this column, readers can reach the author at jbinsights@outlook.com).

A

pensioner has died hours after falling off the veranda of his home at Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne.

Construction workers who were working on a house in front of his home last Sunday reportedly observed 76-year-old Fazil Hussain lying in a hammock calling for help, and when they ventured into his yard, they realised that he has fallen and was bleeding.

The carpenters informed the man’s granddaughter, who resides in a house at the back of the yard.

This publication was told Hussain said he had fallen from the veranda at about 11:00h, but it was not until 15:00h that the construction workers heard his cry for help.

However, as he was being rushed to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.

A neighbour, Natasha Rooplall, told this news-

paper that Hussain, who lived alone, frequently consumed alcohol, and was often in a drunken state.

She said she had known him for more than three decades, and he had been like a father to her and a grandfather to her children.

Police had initially detained the construction workers and the man’s granddaughter in custody for questioning, but later released them.

Dead: Fazil Hussain

Guyana continues to record...

The report stated that for the past five years, women and children from Guyana, Brazil, The Dominican Republic, Suriname, and Venezuela have been subjected to sex trafficking in mining communities in the interior, and in urban areas.

The US had recommended that Guyana provide additional protection

for victims to enable them to testify against traffickers in a way that minimises re-traumatisation; record the number of cases reported to the trafficking hotline, to promote a rapid investigative and victim assistance response; and provide training for diplomatic personnel on human trafficking.

Recommendations were

also made to have funding of specialised victim services; vigorously investigate and prosecute sex and labour trafficking cases; train law enforcement, judicial officials and frontline responders – especially those working outside the capital – on victim identification and referral procedures; and finalise the written identification

from page 13

procedures to better guide law enforcement officials.

In 2016, the Government reported 19 trafficking investigations, 19 prosecutions, and two convictions; compared to 15 trafficking investigations, seven prosecutions, and one conviction in 2015; and seven investigations, four prosecutions, and one conviction in 2014.

16 news

SUnDAY, july 29, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Local products shine at “Marketplace Uncapped” exhibition

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ocal producers were assembled at the Leonora Synthetic Track on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) on Saturday to participate in the Marketplace Uncapped exhibition organised by the Guyana Marketing and Services Association (GMSA).

The expo featured some 40 local booths that took advantage of the platform to showcase enterprises in the areas of clothing, craft, jewellery, food products, and beverages among other things.

Many producers indicated that they would have been engaged in other similar ex-

hibitions that were held over the past months in order for their products to reach a wider range of consumers.

Guyana Times caught up with some of the small and large-scale producers, who shared their journeys on some of the products which they would have created,

Patrons at one of the booths during the exhibition at Leonora Synthetic Track, WCD

such as cereals, breads, herbal oils, wines, dolls and candles.

Mohamed Qamar of Mohamed Enterprise said his business has been in operation for 18 years, and it began in Berbice with items such as photo frames and modelled dolls which were made from wood shaving, corn husks, coconut fibres and banana leaves.

Lisa’s Beauty Supplies owner, Lisa Gibson, explained that her products, made from coconut oil, are for hair growth and healthy skin and scalp.

“This is a salon that manufactures hair and body products made with coconut oil. We have a hair and scalp conditioner which replaces your normal hair and it don’t have no petroleum or no lanolin. We also have hair growth oil that is based with coconut oil and promotes hair growth and moisturises your hair as well,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Lisa’s Manufacturing is an enterprise which produces

Guyanese snacks and specialties which are made from locally sourced ingredients.

These include jams, chips and confectionery.

“We bring to you the best in authentic Guyanese flavours. What we manufacture and bring to the Guyanese public is the carambola fruit.

We’ve also added some confectionery and snacks, such as plantain and cassava chips (and) tamarind balls; and we recently started the pineapple and guava jams,” said Christina Isurdeen.

She noted that this is the second time the entity is bringing its products to the ‘Uncapped’ stage, and she posited that it is a good atmosphere to increase sales and gain advertisement.

Thirteen women’s groups were also represented by the Women’s Agro-processing Network Development (WAND). These groups come from both the hinterland and the coast.

From Region One (Barima-Waini) come the production of cocoa sticks

and coffee; peanut butter and Acai wine come from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); jams, jellies and relishes come from the Hillside Farm in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); while coconut products and chutneys come from Region Five (MahaicaBerbice); and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) produces farine and cashew nuts.

Group member Denise Thomas-Spencer noted that the packaging of these products poses a hindrance to making batches larger, since packaging is difficult and requires large inputs of time and resources.

“We’re looking to make a larger amount, but the only setback that we have so far is the packaging, (which is) difficult and very tedious. A lot of people don’t know about some of our products, so we are glad that we can advertise these great products,” Thomas-Spencer said.

Additionally, service providers and sponsors were present to educate potential clients on some of the facilities which are being offered by their respective businesses. Some of the sponsors, who injected resources into the expo, included ExxonMobil, the National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO), Banks DIH, and Republic Bank.

Guyanese were encouraged to try the local products, which are of good quality and made from ingredients that are produced right in Guyana. Additionally, these products can be trusted, since they are registered and correctly labelled.

17 Vendors union accuses City Constables of harassment news

SUnDAY, july 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

…Chief Constable admits ranks abusing authority

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ccusations have been made by the Market Vendors Union of vendors in Georgetown experiencing harassment from City Constables, but M&CC Chief Constable Andrew Foo recently denied that vendors are being harassed.

Vendors’ Union president Eon Andrews has said he is concerned about the issue, since it happens to be an ongoing one. He has even alleged that City Constables have been extorting money from vendors.

“A lot of these constables go and shake down the vendors, always seeking to get a raise or to probably get a black bag from these people.

They will be collecting these things from a vendor or two, and from the time that vendor stop (giving them anything), they arrest (that vendor),” he told this publication on Saturday.

Lack of security

Andrews has also voiced concern that there is inadequate security in the market

Chief Constable Andrew Foo

area, although constables are being paid to do their jobs.

“We are concerned that you (City Constables) spend time harassing a set of persons who are trying to get a living, who are trying their best to confirm to the requirements of the City; and then the Constabulary in particular, right in front of them, there are those youngsters who hang around right

Market Vendors Union President, Eon Andrews

in front of the parks, robbing people. It means then that people are now afraid to go in those areas and buy,” he complained.

When contacted, Foo told Guyana Times he is unaware that vendors are being harassed by City Constables.

He noted that it is the constables’ duty to ensure order is maintained in the City. “The Constabulary has

Arrest warrant issued for traffic cop

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n arrest warrant has been issued for a rank attached to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) of the Guyana Police Force by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, after he failed to attend court to answer a charge of obtaining money from road users to drop a traffic charge.

Mark Collins and his colleague Chris Brown were summoned to appear in

court after they allegedly accepted a ‘bride’ to drop a traffic charge.

The court heard that on December 7, 2017, at the Ruimveldt Police Station, while being employed by the state, Collins and Brown obtained a sum of $10,000 from Iyana Hutson as inducement or reward to forego instituting charges against Dwayne Dover for a traffic offence he had com-

mitted.

On Friday, Collins did not make his court appearance, but Brown appeared.

Brown’s attorney, George Thomas, in a submission for bail, told the court that his client is innocent, and is also unaware of the allegations that were made against him.

Brown was placed on bail in the sum of $5,000, and the matter was adjourned to August 5.

AFC Berbice faction outraged over $120M... from page 11

“When we ask the relevant agency, which is the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, for the information on how these people were selected, nobody wants to come forward with any information with regard to this particular contract.”

The Regional Chairman disclosed that about eighty per cent of the contractors are active members of the AFC party.

“Which means that they were selected based on their affiliation to that part,” he posited.

According to the Chairman, he has also received complaints from other ACF members who are contractors and who have done work for the regional administration in the past. They are complaining that they were not invited to submit tenders for the contracts.

“This is what is worrying, because there was no public tendering process done.

These people, as far as we

know, were selected, and they have never been contractors before,” the Regional Chairman asserted.

Armogan went on to say that apart from the transaction being corrupt, the handing out of contracts to AFC allies has angered other party members who are sympathetic to the AFC but are not friends of those in the hierarchy.

Meanwhile, there are also reports that some of the contractors are using the Community Organised for the Restoration of the Environment (CORE) workers to remove the grass that was weeded and left there.

While the current contracts are not being made available, similar contracts in the past stipulated that the contractor “cut and remove” the grass.

Armogan has noted that the CORE workers are already being paid $60,000 monthly by the Government.

Meanwhile, the Prime

Minister’s Regional Representative, Gobin Harbhajan, who is also an AFC supporter, views the situation as corruption, and has indicated that he has since penned a letter to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

Harbhajan said he is in receipt of pictorial evidence that some of the CORE workers are being used and are being paid by the Government to execute a private contract.

He is calling for the contracts to be taken away.

According to the Prime Minister’s Representative, the perception both locally and internationally is that Berbice is a breeding ground for corruption.

“We can prove them wrong by doing things the right way. If this contract was awarded as a result of favouritism, and it was not done the right way, then I think that the Ministry should look at it and recall it,” he posited.

a duty to perform in terms of the enforcement of laws.

You mentioned some vendors who are making claims of harassment by constables. I, as we speak, have not been, in terms of formally or officially, notified of these claims, and I am saying this based on the fact that the Constabulary is a Policing body,” the Chief Constable explained.

He went on to say that the Constabulary has provisions in place for persons who have claims of harassment, which can lead to necessary action being taken against constables.

“We will conduct our investigations, which can lead to departmental, in terms of charges, or we can have those ranks placed before the court. Likewise, those persons can, depending on the nature of the matter,

they can also make reports to the Police,” Foo said.

The Chief Constable went on to note that, in keeping with the law, vending activities should not be done on the streets; and this would most times result in breaches of the law.

Abusing authority

Foo admitted that he is aware of the fact that persons within the Constabulary have been abusing their authority, and he is urging vendors to make official reports at the City Constabulary, so that necessary action can be taken.

Over the years, vendors have allegedly been facing harassment by City Constables attached to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

In 2016, several vendors took to the streets in the

form of a peaceful protest, as they sought to put an end to Council’s harassment.

“I think to myself (that) Mr Royston King (Town Clerk) is overstepping his marks. To me, he is behaving as if he was not a poor person. Why is it that you are only attacking the vendors?

There are no other working class persons that you can attack? Maybe because he believe that we are sitting at the road corner selling?

We are doing a legitimate job, he should allow us to sell our time,” one vendor told Guyana Times.

She said the complaints from City Hall are that vendors sometimes leave the area untidy. While that is true to some extent, she claims that council is receiving fees from vendors, and they must know who vends where. “They must be able to tax them, but Peter mustn’t pay for Paul, and Paul pay for all. He is punishing poor people,” she said.

18 news

SUnDAY, july 29, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Guyana needs to build resilient communities – President Granger …calls for eco-tourism to be developed

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or Guyana to attract tourists and boost its ecotourism sector, all communities must be involved in sustainable environmental practices and successful village economies must be

established.

These sentiments were shared by the President of Guyana David Granger earlier this week, who called for residents and moreover communities, to get involved in

activities such as manufacturing and local processing.

“Agro-processing, ecotourism, value added manufacturing; all of these could be added to generate incomes to boost village economies for the qual-

ity of human life is linked to the environment.”

He also noted that while many foreigners might want to visit Guyana, the reckless disposal of garbage is a contributing factor that hinders this process. Additionally, many may not have inten-

tions of returning if the environment is unkempt.

“We cannot attract eco-tourists if they first thing they see is empty beer bottles, plastic bags and Styrofoam boxes. People want to come to see pristine communities whether they are on the coast or off the coast,” the president stated. “People would pay thousands of dollars to see our flora and fauna but they want to see clean villages and we must put emphasis on the environment and protecting the environment,” he added.

While commenting on the country’s energy generation, it was related that persons should be involved in generating energy from alternative sources. He noted that in the early years, the generation of power was done by farmers who used these sources.

However, the new generation is addicted to the use of fuels such as gasoline.

“We seem to have become addicted to gasoline. We need to kick that addiction and get back to using the sun and the wind,” he said.

Meanwhile, instances of the recent flooding were also addressed, highlighting that if resilient communities are

President David Granger

built, these situations would be reduced significantly.

“Villages must therefore build environmental resilience against the constant threats that are faced. Floods and land degradation, reckless disposal of solid waste, pollution of our water ways and the exploitation of our wildlife.”

In the recent time, the Kwakwani area was under water which stemmed from heavy rainfall in April that continued until July. The overtopping of the Berbice River was also a contributing factor. As such, residents were forced to utilise boats as their mode of transportation since all roads were inundated.

Neighbourhood pharmacy hosts blood drive, health fair in Diamond

Some of the persons who accessed services at the health fair on Saturday

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rashad’s Medical and Pharmacy, in collaboration with the Guyana Red Cross Society, National Aids Program Secretariat (NAPS) and the Blood Bank, on Saturday held its second annual blood drive and health fair initiative at the pharmacy’s Lot 62 Second Street, Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) location.

The blood drive and health fair was aimed at increasing the reserves at the National Blood Transfusion Unit, and to assist persons who are unable to access or pay for medical checkups.

According to Prashad’s Chief Executive Officer, Paras Prashad, the objective of the event is also to educate persons about the importance of donating a single unit of blood, and how it can help those in need.

During the six-hour activity, more than 20 units of blood were donated by persons in and around the community.

The event, which also provided a medium to educate persons on the bene-

fits of donating blood, and thereby address the reluctance associated with donating blood, targeted some 100 donors, who also benefited by receiving free gifts, door hamper prizes, free sampling of products, free medical advice, and a prestigious gift basket giveaway.

Additionally, persons were able to access free testing for blood sugar, pressure, haemoglobin, cholesterol.

Tests were provided also for all high school entrance students.

Only recently, the National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) stated that it’s in dire need of blood to satisfy the ever-growing demand for the commodity.

According to the institution, the demand is high and the blood bank is short of all blood groups.

The goal of the NBTS is for all the blood supplied in Guyana to be collected from voluntary, healthy donors.

Every unit of blood that is donated is screened and delivered through a network of Blood Banks countrywide, and is used as needed.

sunDAY, july 29, 2018

19

Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Nat’l Play-offs

National champs march into semis – Silver Bullets also advance

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efending national champions Dave & Celina All-Stars may have already made an emphatic statement that their win last year was no fluke after joining counterparts Silver Bullets in the semi-finals of this year’s Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” national play-offs, which got underway on Friday evening at the Pouderoyen Tarmac, West Bank Demerara.

The holders, who made the trek down to the West Side from their base in Linden, opened their defence with a stiff test against Leopold Street and narrowly escaped with a 1-0 penalty shootout win after regulation time failed to break a 0-0 stalemate.

In their second engagement, they once again had to dig deep to scrape past another team from the mining town, Swag Entertainment 1-0 with Tyric McAllister’s 10th minute strike enough to secure their semi-final berth.

However, the visiting contingent from Linden was not done there as Zone champions, Silver Bullets, booked their spot in the last four with victories over West Side Ballers and Bartica’s Disconnection Crew, who impressed on their first outing.

The Bullets first survived a tense 3-2 win over West Side ballers after regulation times ended 1-1, before returning to cut off the livewire Disconnection Crew with Jermaine Samuels proving to be the hero, courtesy of his sixth minute effort.

West Side champs Showstoppers, Leopold Street, ESPN, Ballers, Disconnection Crew and Swag Entertainment were the teams to be eliminated.

Meanwhile, round two of the competition is set for Wednesday, August 1 (Emancipation Day), at the Haslington Tarmac where some of the ‘big guns’ like Sparta Boss, Bent Street,

COMPLETE RESULTS Guinness Goal (GG) – 2 goals Win in Normal Time – 3pts Win on Penalty Kicks – 2pts 1st Round

Game 1

West Side Ballers 1 v Silver Bullets 1 Silver Bullets won 3-2 on sudden death penalty kicks Silver Bullets Scorer Damion Williams – 8th West Side Scorer Nickel Chetram – 9th

Game 2

ESPN 1 v Disconnection Crew 3 Disconnection Scorers Elsio Oliveira – 2nd and 5th Ryan Andries – 3rd ESPN Scorer Tefon Daly – 12th

Game 3

Leopold Street 0 v Dave & Celina’s All-Stars 0 Dave and Celina’s won 1-0 on penalty kicks

Game 4

Showstoppers 1 v Swag Entertainment 2 Swag Scorer Colwyn Drakes – 5th and 10th Showstoppers Scorer Marvin Josiah – 8th 2nd Round

Game 5

ESPN 4 v West Side Ballers 2 ESPN Scorers Jolyan Harry – (GG) – 19th Tefon Daly – 2nd Kevon Lythcott – 13th West Side Scorer Kwesi Alleyne – (GG) – 20th

Game 6

Silver Bullets 1 v Disconnection Crew 0 Jermaine Samuels – 6th

Game 7

Swag Entertainment 0 v Dave & Celina’s 1 Tyric McAllister – 10th

West Front Road, Trafalgar, Uprising, Buxton Diamond and Paradise will square

off for the remaining two semi-final spots.

Hamilton takes top spot in wet conditions

Game 8

Showstoppers 1 v Leopold Street 2 Leopold Scorer Okanie Fraser – (GG) – 18th Showstoppers Scorer Stephon Jupiter – 1st Semi-finalists

Group A

Silver Bullets – 5pts

Group B

Dave and Celina – 5pts East Coast Demerara – Haslington Tarmac – August 1

Group C

Uprising – Champion Gold is Money – Champion Melanie B Bent Street

Group D

Trafalgar – Champion Sparta Boss Buxton Diamond Paradise Fixtures

Round 1

(D1)Buxton Diamond v Paradise – 19:00h (C1) Melanie B v Bent Street – 19:30h (D2)Sparta Boss v Trafalgar – 20:00h (C2)Gold is Money v Uprising – 20:30h

L

Daniel Ricciardo only just made it through Q1 after a dubious call on tyres, but ran out of luck in Q2

ewis Hamilton took pole position in an enthralling wet qualifying session for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The rain gave Mercedes the chance to upend the form book after Ferrari appeared set for pole in the dry.

Hamilton headed team-mate Valtteri Bottas by 0.260 seconds, while title rival Sebastian Vettel could manage only fourth, behind Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen.

Hamilton leads Vettel by 17 points in the championship heading into the race.

Ferrari dominated the earlier practice sessions, as the Mercedes drivers struggled with a lack of rear grip in hot, dry conditions, with both spinning at the chicane in final practice.

But a rain storm before qualifying doused the track and Hamilton was able to take advantage and what could be a crucial pole on a track where overtaking is notoriously difficult.

Hamilton said: “The Ferraris have been quicker all weekend and we were just trying to be close to them, but the heavens opened.

“It is so tricky out there. It was dry for a part of the lap and then wet. It is really difficult to arrive in the corner and know what grip you have. Then at the end you were just looking for a grippy line.

“It is about give and take, each corner, I was up, I was down, I was up, I was down. It was an emotional rollercoaster.

“We’re going to do our best [in the race] to work as a team and keep the red guys behind us.”

Renault’s Carlos Sainz produced a strong performance in the wet, qualifying fifth after being second fastest in the second session.

He was ahead of another great drive by Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly, who beat Max Verstappen of the Red Bull senior team by 0.4secs.

Brendon Hartley made it two Toro Rossos in the top 10, ahead of the Haas drivers Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean.

However, there was more pain for Force India a day after it was confirmed the team had entered administration, with their drivers Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez eliminated in the first segment of qualifying.

20

guyanatimesGY.com

SUnDAY, july 29, 2018

Tamim, Mahmudullah set up series win for Bangladesh Y

ou must have heard of it ‘n’ number of times about the importance of having runs on the board in a final match, and when Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza opted to bat in the series decider on Saturday (July 28), it showed the confidence he had in his batsmen. The in-form Tamim Iqbal didn’t disappoint and led the way with a stellar ton with Mahmudullah finishing it well for the tourists with a superbly paced 67 to take the side to 301. The hosts had been without a series win since their last 10 bilaterals and were constantly being questioned from every possible corner. And it showed, through Evin Lewis’s scratchiness at the top, the over-dependence on Chris Gayle, the pressure on Shimron Hetmyer to produce another superlative knock, the absence of Andre Russell, and eventually they went down despite Rovman Powell decorating the cow corner with a flurry of sixes.

Bangladesh were hurting after that shambolic Test series loss earlier on the tour, hurting even more after their embarrassing inability to finish a game that was truly theirs. And on Saturday, battling through nervous dropped chances and counter-attacks launched by Gayle and Powell, they famously won the series 2-1. Chasing 302, Lewis’s stay at the crease was painstaking but that didn’t deter the big-hitting Jamaican - Gayle from launching big hits at will while he followed his most popular yet unreal template of biding his time and hammering the big hits when the need be, or when the mood be. It was against Mehidy

Hasan in the sixth over that Gayle opened up for the first time, hitting the offie for a six and a four, then another four in his next over. It was a shame when a four that took the Windies’ score to 44 brought up their highest opening stand of the series. Soon after though, Lewis fell. But Gayle continued and he brought up his 49th fifty. He extended his love for the offspinners when he hit Mahmudullah for two back-to-back sixes.

However, once he fell for his 73, in the 22nd over, the hosts felt the pinch again.

Windies kept up their fight through a 67run stand between Shai Hope and Hetmyer but two wickets in three overs put them behind ball nine again. Hope was holding one end up as Ricardo, err... Rovman Powell emerged onto the scene. He could see only one area - the gap between long on and deep midwicket, but that worked as he milked Mustafizur Rahman with predictable yet infallible precision. Three sixes off the leftarm pacer and a few more fours here and there, Powell raised his fifty off just 27 balls.

Those meaty blows sent panic waves in the Bangladesh camp as the senior players quickly huddled themselves in a conference on the field.

With 40 needed off the last 18, Mustafizur and Rubel Hossain bowled two exceptional overs to concede just 12 runs, giving the left-armer 28 to play with in the final over.

Powell opened the last over with a six but that was it as the hosts failed to connect further before going down by 18 runs and failing to win yet another bilateral series.

Chris Gayle

Earlier in the day, Tamim stretched his form into the final ODI by scoring a fine hundred, his second in the series and 11th overall. In the process, the prolific southpaw registered the record for most runs by any batsman in a three-match ODI series in the Caribbean. Shakib Al Hasan got a start but threw his wicket while trying to break his boundary-drought. The good start wasn’t allowed to fizzle out ordinarily though as skipper Mortaza smashed an attractive cameo (36 off 25) before Mahmudullah ensured a blockbuster finish with his unbeaten 67 that saw the team go past the 300-run mark. In the end, the collective contribution of Sabbir Rahman and Mosaddek Hossain (23 off 14) made a huge difference too as Bangladesh sealed their first series win outside Bangladesh since 2009. (cricbuzz)

SCOREBOARD Bangladesh Innings (50 overs maximum) Tamim Iqbal c KOA Powell b Bishoo 103 Anamul Haque c KOA Powell b Holder 10 Shakib Al Hasan c Paul b Nurse 37 Mushfiqur Rahim † b Nurse 12 Mahmudullah not out 67 Mashrafe Mortaza (c) c Gayle b Holder 36 Sabbir Rahman c Lewis b Cottrell 12 Mosaddek Hossain not out 11 Extras 13 (lb 1, nb 1, w 11) TOTAL 301-6 (50 Overs, RR: 6.02) Did not bat: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman Fall of wickets: 1-35 (Anamul Haque, 9.3 ov), 2-116 (Shakib Al Hasan, 25.3 ov), 3-152 (Mushfiqur Rahim, 31.1 ov), 4-200 (Tamim Iqbal, 38.5 ov), 5-253 (Mashrafe Mortaza, 45.5 ov), 6-279 (Sabbir Rahman, 48.4 ov) BOWLING: SS Cottrell (9-0-59-1), JO Holder (10-0-55-2), D Bishoo (10-142-1), KMA Paul (9-0-77-0), AR Nurse (10-1-53-2), CH Gayle (2-0-14-0)

West Indies Innings (target: 302 runs from 50 overs) CH Gayle c Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Rubel Hossain E Lewis c †Mushfiqur Rahim b Mashrafe Mortaza SD Hope † c Shakib Al Hasan b Mashrafe Mortaza SO Hetmyer b Mehidy Hasan Miraz KOA Powell run out (Mashrafe Mortaza/ Mehidy Hasan Miraz) R Powell not out JO Holder (c) c Rubel Hossain b Mustafizur Rahman AR Nurse not out

73 13 64 30 4 74 9 5

Extras 11 (lb 3, w 8) TOTAL 283-6 (50 Overs, RR: 5.66) Yet to bat: KMA Paul, D Bishoo, SS Cottrell Fall of wickets: 1-53 (E Lewis, 10.1 ov), 2-105 (CH Gayle, 21.5 ov), 3-172 (SO Hetmyer, 35.4 ov), 4-179 (KOA Powell, 37.5 ov), 5-224 (SD Hope, 43.1 ov), 6-262 (JO Holder, 47.1 ov) BOWLING: Mashrafe Mortaza (10-0-63-2), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (10-0-45-1), Mustafizur Rahman (10-0-63-1), Mosaddek Hossain (1-010-0), Mahmudullah (2-0-20-0), Rubel Hossain (7-0-34-1), Shakib Al Hasan (10-0-45-0)

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ne of the sponsors of the fifth annual Grenville Felix Memorial cycle race, which is set for today, favours last year’s winner Paul De Nobrega.

Speaking at the launch of the event on Thursday, Rawl Grenville said De Nobrega has something special in his opinion. “I follow his exploits, as he has been riding in Georgetown and other places. I think he can do it, but it is not easy competition with the guys who will be coming, so he better be prepared,” he said, while adding that he would be delighted to have to buy a new trophy next year.

The lien trophy remains with the club and the first person to have their name inscribed on it three times will be able to take it away.

According to Grenville, each year they try to offer better and more prizes for the race. He noted that while his father could not be regarded as a cyclist, he was an ardent fan of the sport and, in fact, repaired cycles for some of Guyana’s national riders.

Organiser Randolph Roberts, who is also the Coach of the Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) thanked the family and said he was looking forward to a good competition.

“On behalf of the Flying Ace Cycle Club of Berbice, I would to extend gratitude to the Felix family for coming on board for the seventh annual Grenville Felix Memorial cycle race.”

He noted that it was the biggest race on the Club’s annual calendar of events.

The race is held in honour of the late engineer who passed away five years ago at the age of 96.

Felix, who was one of Guyana’s first and oldest engineers at the time of his passing, worked with Bookers and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) in Guyana and various parts of the world.

The first two editions were held in honour of his birthday. The race was changed to a memorial event after he died.

The event is expected to pedal off from his former residence at Canefield, East Canje, Berbice, proceed to the Number 51 Police Station before turning back to finish at its place of origin.

The race will roll off from Betsy Ground Village in East Canje, the birthplace of the late Grenville Felix; however, the starting flag will be down at Canefield in front of the house where he lived.

T

he executives of the Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) are lamenting that they are now required to pay the Police a sum of money to run off cycle road races.

FACC Coach Randolph Roberts has expressed disFlying Ace Cycling Club appointment over a decision Coach Randolph Roberts by the Guyana Police Force B Division which will now see his Club paying for the services offered by the Police there whenever it stages its cycling meets.

According to Roberts, he was required to pay the Police a total of $15,000 to stage a road race recently. Roberts, who continues to work voluntarily to develop the sport of cycling, exclaimed that this was the first time he has ever paid the Force for its services rendered on race day.

“I worked with all the Commanders in this Division and I have never had such a situation. I had a discussion with the Commander and I told him that we are not holding a gate to collect any money, so that we could get money to pay back the

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The race is open to both national and international cyclists and prizes will be awarded to the first 10 finishers, the first four club cyclists, the first three juniors and the first three 12-14 riders. There will also be 10 sprint point prizes up for grabs.

Meanwhile, the sponsors have arranged a special prize for the first juvenile to cross the finish line.

The race is expected to pedal off at 13:00h. (Andrew Carmichael)

Police. I go out there and deal with the business community so that we could get these youngsters off the street and involved in something that is worthwhile for their lives. I cannot afford to pay the Police $15,000 whenever I have a race,” Roberts said, adding that the first prize for many races did not reach the $15,000 level.

Sponsor of the said race, Franco Crawford is in disagreement with the charge of $15,000 to run off a non-profitable cycle race.

“I am surprised that the Police Force which is meant to protect, is now charging $15,000 just to host a bike event. I think that is not good because when they start doing this and we don’t have enough money to give to the cyclists to encourage them and for them to purchases chains and tyres for their training and for their racing and then we have to pay the Police then we may not be able to sponsor any event or to have any event if we had to pay the Police.”

In an invited comment, Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner Lyndon Alves said it was a policy of the Force to be paid for its services. The Commander added that he apologised that it was not done nor told to the Cycling Club in the past, but it was a requirement that the Club pays.

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enowned for its unrivalled provision of services in the security sector, Queensway Security Services confirmed its association with the Three Peat Promotions’ Guinness Cage Competition following a simple ceremony at the entity’s head office at Oronoque and Regent Streets on Friday.

The five-day tournament dubbed “the East Coast Best versus the Rest” will commence on August 8, at the Haslington Market Tarmac with the remaining playing days being August 11, 18, and 25 and September 1, at the same venue.

Making the presentation of a cheque for an undisclosed sum to Three Peat Promotions’ Rawle Welch was Queensway Security Services Operations Manager Clay Flatts, who did so in the presence of Chief Operations Officer Lancelot Khan.

Flatts, a former standout footballer, praised the promoters for their willingness to support the development of the game and urged that they execute the tournament with the professionalism

and discipline that are associated with the company.

Khan, in his remarks, said he was keen to understand the sport and promised to attend the event.

Welch expressed his gratitude to the company for its significant support at the Promotions’ first call, adding that it signalled the seriousness of the organisation in helping to develop sports and cohesion among the various communities that the participating teams come from.

He said unlike many other corporate entities that prefer to wait and watch a product develop before getting on board, Queensway has led the way in helping to shape and develop the product.

“I have to say that Queensway Security Services is a shining example of what corporate responsibility is and should other entities duplicate their deed, then sports and athletes will be able to strive,” Welch mentioned.

The company provides a range of security services, including static, armed and unarmed guards, armed patrol,

response services, alarm monitoring, emergency response, security escorts and VIP protection service.

Twenty-four teams will contest the competition with a minimum of 12 chosen from East Coast villages, while the remainder will comprise teams from Georgetown, Linden and West Demerara.

Every night, there will be a winner among the fans – the fan who buys the most buckets of the sponsor’s beverages.

Among the other entities who have pledged their support are: Banks DIH under its Guinness and Power Wine brands; Clarks footwear giants Chetsons; E-Networks Inc; KSM Investments; Yhip’s Bakery; Brass Aluminium & Cast Iron Foundry (BACIF); Ray’s Auto Sales; YK Investments; Trophy Stall; Express Shipping; Woodpecker Products; National Sports Commission; C Division of the Guyana Police Force; Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde; Julius Variety Store and C & C Prestigious Styles.

22

Double-header cricket action on today at MSC

F

guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, july 29, 2018

resh off convincing victories in their latest games, Fisherman Masters and Success Masters will clash in a heated battle when the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc 40-over round-robin tournament continues today at the Malteenoes Sport Club Ground on Thomas Lands.

In the latest action two weeks ago, Success Masters thrashed Narine Masters by 103 runs in a lop-sided contest at Everest. The victors were led by Hackeem Majeed with 64, Vijay Baljit (35) and Baldeo Muller (25) as they compiled 187 for 8 from their 20 overs before bowling out Narine Masters for 84.

Fisherman Masters replied to 133 for 3 made by RR Masters with 137 for 2 from 15.1 overs for the easy eight-wicket win. Troy Ramsaywack (76) and Dennis Mangar (36) led the chase nicely with a huge partnership that RR Masters had no answer for.

However, the game of the day saw Regal Masters turning the tables on HS Masters with a 26-run victory in challenging conditions. Regal took first strike, but were held up early on by the opposition bowling, which was led by Samuel Kingston with 3-13 from four overs. After losing their top order cheaply with Eoin Abel, Linden Lyght and Mahesh Chunilall back in the hut with the score on 46 for 3 in the ninth over, the victors got a busy 31-run part-

over Regal Masters following their thrilling last-ball win the last time the two teams met in May, then ran into Gamal Seenjan and their plan vanished.

Left-arm bowler Seenjan opened the bowling and sent down his four overs consecutively for just nine runs while claiming a key wicket. HS Masters never recovered from the slow start and eventually folded for 103 off 19.5 overs. Fazleen Mohamed returned to claim 3-22 while Hardyal (3-30) and Persaud (2-23) supported admirably.

In the games today, Success and Fisherman Masters will battle on pitch number two while Narine Masters and RR Masters will slug it out on pitch number one. Both Fazleen Mohamed games begin at 10:00h.

Meanwhile, Regal nership from Saheed Mohamed (29) and Masters, who drew the bye Fazleen Mohamed (21)that put them on this week, are leading the points table course for the challenging total. as the tournament edges closer to the After their dismissal, the lower order play-off stage. The other Masters teams also cashed in with cameos from David in the tournament are Albion Masters, Harper (15 not out); Mahendra Hardyal Essequibo Masters, and Parika Masters.

(15) and Parsram Persaud (10 not out) The round-robin Over-40 and Open that took them to 129 for 7 after 20 overs. tournament is sponsored by Ink Plus, HS Masters, who briefly entertained Crown Mining Supplies, and Elegance thoughts of a second consecutive victory Jewellery and Pawn Shop.

Thomas set to win after maintaining lead on stage 20 Geraint Thomas would be the third Briton to win the Tour de France - a sixth British victory in seven years

B

ritain’s Geraint Thomas is set to win the Tour de France after maintaining his overall lead on the penultimate stage of the race, a 31km time trial.

The Team Sky rider, 32, finished third behind Tom Dumoulin but still leads the Dutchman by one minute, 51 seconds.

Tour convention dictates that the race leader is never challenged on the final stage, so Thomas only needs to reach the finish in Paris on Sunday to win.

“It’s insane. Tour de France! I can’t believe it,” said Thomas on ITV4.

“I’m really trying not to cry, it’s unbelievable. I tried not to think about it, just take it day by day. I’ve won the Tour de France man, I don’t know what to say.”

Dumoulin beat defending champion Chris Froome by one second to win stage 20.

Froome’s second place in the time trial means the fourtime Tour champion climbs to third overall, leapfrogging Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic.

However, his hopes of winning a record-equalling fifth Tour title were effectively ended in the Pyrenees mountains on stages 17 and 19, as his team-mate Thomas proved he was the man to beat.

It will be a sixth British and Team Sky victory in seven years in the three-week race and Thomas will be the first Welshman to win one of cycling’s three Grand Tours.

He will also become the third Briton to win the Tour de France, after Sir Bradley Wiggins in 2012 and Froome. (BBC Sport)

guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, july 29, 2018

Guyana Amazon Warriors new merchandise on sale – road show rolls into Parika today

T

he “Biggest Party in Sport” opens at Providence on Thursday, August 9 when the Guyana Amazon Warriors begin their campaign against last year’s runners-up, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

The commencement of ticket sales locally on July 19 was the first step in the leadup to the excitement that only comes from the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL). This year, Guyana will host five preliminary matches involving the Guyana Amazon Warriors plus two play-off games that will be contested among the top four teams following the league phase of the tournament, which is now in its sixth year.

Providence has been considered the ‘sacred hunting ground’ of the Amazon Warriors mainly as a result of the overwhelming support from local fans. As such, the local franchise has made official players’ merchandise available for sale as is customary annually for the adoring fans. There are hats and caps; playing and warm-up replica tops, long and short sleeved; playing and warm-up trousers, both long and short, all in various sizes for children and adults.

Additionally, souvenir items are on sale, including coffee mugs, umbrellas, bats, balls, batting gloves and pads, and helmets.

However, fans are urged to only buy from the Guyana Amazon Warriors Merchandise Shop at 232 Camp and Quamina Streets in Georgetown as there may be some imitation items elsewhere. In previous years, unsuspecting patrons bought bogus merchandise and even paid higher prices than the authentic TYKA items.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Amazon Warriors began a road show with the Warriors bus taking to the streets on Saturday along the East Coast of Demerara. The bus stopped at the Mahaica and Mon Repos Markets where the models inter-

acted with jubilant fans and shared out gifts, including arm bands and flags.

Today, the road show will roll to the Parika area where the excitement will continue and fans are urged to join in the fun.

The sixth edition of CPL begins on August 8 in Trinidad with defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders taking on St Lucia Stars at the Queen’s Park Oval before the attention shifts to Providence. The Amazon Warriors will play the Stars on August 11 at Providence from 16:00h and will complete their first phase of home matches on August 12 against the Barbados Tridents.

The Shoaib Malik-led team will then head on the road for their away fixtures before returning to Guyana for assignments against Jamaica Tallawahs and Trinbago Knight Riders on September 8 and 9 respectively.

Tickets are on sale at 232 Camp and Quamina Streets, Georgetown; 19 Princess Elizabeth Road, New Amsterdam and at Imam Bacchus General Store at Affiance on the Essequibo Coast.

23

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

SUNDAY, JULY 29, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Pg 20

Tamim Iqbal registered another century in the threematch series

Tamim, Mahmudullah

set up series win for Bangladesh

Mashrafe Mortaza and his charges celebrate another wicket

Guyana Amazon Warriors new merchandise on sale – road show rolls into Parika today

Look out in your area for the Guyana Amazon Warriors bus and models

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Feature

Akshaya sporting a Guyana Amazon Warriors tee and flying the Golden Arrowhead at the Providence National Stadium during the 2017 CPL Tournament

By Lakhram Bhagirat

O

ne year ago, Akshaya Persaud was sitting in the sun-beaten red stands of the Providence National Stadium cheering on the Guyana Amazon Warriors as they fought a diligent battle against the Trinbago Knight Riders.

Today, he cannot believe that he is a part of the Warriors squad heading into the 2018 Caribbean Premier League(CPL) games.

It is truly a surreal experience for Akshaya, but one that he plans to capitalise on and make his mark

in the cricketing world. For the super-hyped 21-yearold, cricket runs through his blood and is part of his DNA since he grew up seeing his father playing.

Akshaya is the eldest of four and is a country boy at heart, having grown up in the quiet village of Cornelia Ida on the West Coast of Demerara. Family, for him, is the foundation of everything and their support has never been lacking resulting in him accomplishing great things.

He received his formal education within his village at the Cornelia Ida

Primary School and then the Saraswati Vidya Niketan where he wrote and passed 14 subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level.

Cricket has always been a part of Akshaya’s life as he fondly remembers using his mother’s “beeta” (a wooden batshaped object used to wash clothes) to play since he was too young to handle a bat.

Most of his afternoons and weekends throughout pri-

mary school involved him with his “beeta” batting for hours as the other boys with-

O n e of the things Akshaya loves about his childhood is the fact that he grew up in a community that was tightin the neighbourly ,knitted and hood bowled. As shared a comtime progressed, mon love for a he graduated good game of from the “beeta” cricket.

They to an actual bat, did not care which made the whether the competition much game was on tougher, since his the streets with father would be makeshift wickon the sidelines ets or on the to help with his pitch or on the strokes and form. field; as long Despite crickas there was a et being an ingame they were tegral part of present.

This Did it go Akshaya’s life, just fuelled for 6? his parents his love for never althe game l o w e d and when him to h e turned lose sight eight, he joined the Cornelia of the benefits of Ida Cricket Club and has a complete education. When never looked back. he was around 14 years old, “I was the youngest playAkshaya had to quit cricket er on the team. Many times, to pay much more attention my father would sit out for to his traditional education. me to get an opportunity to This went on for approxi- play. After making my demately three years, but ac- but for my home club, there cording to him, the sacrifice was no turning back there. was well worth it, since he I represented the club at all would secure 14 CSEC pass- levels,” he said. es.

Over the years, Akshaya Akshaya is a staunch would have the opportuHindu and says the teach- nity to represent his club ings of his dharma are what at the Under-13, 15, 17, 19 keep him grounded and fo- and senior levels. As he rose cused. through the ranks, he would “My love for cricket also captain the team at varstarted when I was start- ious intervals. His success is ing to walk as a baby boy. credited to his hard work My dad used to play cricket and determination, but he and everywhere he went to says that is only one part play, I would go with him. as the other part involves a Sometimes while they were man named Rabindranauth playing on the field, my Seeram. friends and I would have our Seeram has been coachown game happening at the ing the young all-roundside of the pavilion. My fa- er for a number of years. ther would usually bowl me Akshaya’s superb talent whenever he was home from with the bat and ball would work. I would proudly say lead him to be selected to that he’s my first coach.” represent Guyana in the

Akshaya Persaud

Under-15, 17 and 19 tournaments. He would later be awarded an academy contract to train with the Guyana Jaguars and in 2016, during the inaugural Jaguars Franchise League, he scored over 400 runs and topped the top 10 batsmen list. This success further catapulted him and he scored 520 runs the following year and was again the leading scorer for the tournament.

After two successful years of domestic cricket, he made his regional First-Class debut for the Guyana Jaguars earlier this year against the Jamaican Scorpions at Sabina Park, Jamaica. So far, he has played two FirstClass matches and those are memories he would relish.

He related that when he heard of his selection to the Guyana Amazon Warriors, his immediate reaction was to call his parents and share the news.

“I’ve been looking at the Caribbean Premier League from year one and I really enjoy it and now being part of a team that comprises of players that I look up to is really good. I grew up looking at most of the players play international cricket and being part of a dressing room with them is a boost for my career.”

Akshaya is a versatile player who can bowl economically and play at the top of the innings as well as in the middle order. His style is very simple: he sticks to the basics and so far, that has worked for him.

The left-hand batsman plans to contribute in whatever way necessary to make the Warriors take home the trophy this year.

His advice for aspiring young cricketers is that they focus on getting a balance between education and cricket. He advises that they take things in stride, as patience is the foundation of success.

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Feature

T

he name Keemo Paul has been floating around in the cricketing world for a while now, but now we can safely say that it has been cemented as a player of caliber and pure talent. Keemo is the definition of an Island boy. He was born on the Island of Saxacalli in the Essequibo River and then moved to Wakenaam Island at the age of 8 where he started his cricketing career.

He made his List A debut on 16 January 2015 in the 2014–15 Regional Super50 tournament. In December 2015, Keemo was named in the West Indies squad for the 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. During the tournament, Paul attracted some controversy when he mankaded (run out a batsman before bowling the ball) in the last over of the final group match between the West Indies and Zimbabwe. The West Indies won the match and conse-

Keemo with some young fans

quently finished second in their group, qualifying for the quarter-finals and eventually going on to win the tournament. He took 7 wickets throughout the competition, including 2 in the final against India, as well as averaging over 40 with the bat for the tournament.

He made his first-class debut for Guyana in the 2016–17 Regional Four Day Competition on 18 March 2017. He made his Twenty20 debut for Guyana Amazon Warriors in the 2017 Caribbean Premier League on 5 August 2017.

In October 2017, he scored his maiden century in firstclass cricket, batting for Guyana against Jamaica in the 2017–18 Regional Four Day Competition.

In June 2018, he was named the Emerging Cricketer of the Year at the annual Cricket West Indies' Awards.

On 9 March 2018, Paul was added to the West

Keemo celebrates with teammate Luke Ronchi at last year’s CPL

Indies squad for the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament, after Sheldon Cottrell suffered an injury. He made his One Day International (ODI) debut for the West Indies against Afghanistan in the World Cup Qualifier on 15 March 2018. He was also named in the West Indies squad for their Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Pakistan. He made his T20I debut for the West Indies against Pakistan on 1 April 2018.

In July 2018, he was named in the West Indies

Test squad for the series against Bangladesh and made his Test debut for the West Indies on 12 July 2018.

A product of the Guyanese age group cricket, Keemo is inspired by state-mate Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Keemo Paul rightly so got to debut for the senior side in ODIs and T20Is. Now Keemo is a part of the Guyana Amazon Warriors once again and this time he intends to make sure that the team crosses the finish line.

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Feature

I

t was Shimron Hetmyer who led the West Indies Under-19 team to their first World Cup victory in 2016 and on Wednesday last it was Shimron Hetmyer who once again led the West Indies to victory against Bangladesh at the Providence National Stadium. But will it be Shimron Hetmyer who leads the Guyana Amazon Warriors to their first ever Caribbean Premier League trophy?

The 21-year-old top order batsman hails from the ancient country of Berbice and has been in love with the game from a young age.

H e

Shimron receiving the U19 World Cup

started playing from the age of 11 with the Young Warriors Cricket Club in Berbice and since then had been on an upward trajectory.

He represented West Indies at the Under-19 World Cup in 2014 but only managed three single-digit scores out of the five games that he played in that tourney. Even his first-class debut was far from being memorable as he managed scores of 0 and 4 in both innings against Trinidad And Tobago.

However, destiny gave him a second chance and this time he was meant to marshal the troops in the under-19 World Cup and he responded with crucial fifties in the quarterfinals and semi-finals of the 2016 edition en-route to the silverware.

Shimron at his High An attacking and destrucSchool graduation tive opener, he was picked

up Guyana Amazon Warriors for the 2016 edition of the CPL. But he got out for a duck in the only game that he played. His promise and perseverance paid off and he was called up for national duties in April 2017 to feature in the three-match Test series against Pakistan. Slotted to bat at number 3, Shimron failed to convert his starts.

He was later picked up for the tour to New Zealand in December 2017 but again starts never materialized into anything substantial.

On the same tour, he was exposed to white ball cricket as well.

In ODIs and T20Is, Hetmyer did not have a great time tallying only a handful of runs. He did, however, show a lot of promise as he scored a ton against UAE in the World Cup qualifiers to start his campaign.

Hard work and dedication paid off on Wednesday when Shimron was playing his 11th ODI against Bangladesh. He scored a whopping 125 off 93 balls hitting seven sixes and three fours. His ton would prove to be the defining factor as the Bangladeshi failed to match the Windes Shepherd, 271.

K e e m o Shimron said he is working on his starts P a u l , by giving much more value to his wicket and S a u r a b h that could be expected when he takes to the N e t r a v a l k a r field representing the Amazon Warriors. and Akshaya Persaud.

“Yeah, the home crowd helped. It was a The Hero CPL Tournament bowls off on push for me to have my family and girlfriend August from August 9. here. They all support me hand in hand. So, thanks to them,” he noted.

Just imagine what he can do during the shorter format of the game with all of Guyana backing him. We can expect bigger hits from him as he may very well be what the Guyana Amazon Warriors need to gain them that elusive title.

This year the Warriors squad is being described as a force to be reckoned with. They would be led by veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik. Shimron during Malik, who is just three runs short Wednesday’s of 7000 international ODI runs, is game where he rated among the best limited-overs scored 125 players in the world currently with almost 10,000 T20 runs in total, under his belt.

The other members of the squad are Sohail Tanvir, Chadwick Walton, Cameron Delport, Reyad Emrit, Imran Tahir, Jason Mohammed, Luke Ronchi, Veerasammy Permaul, Roshan Primus, Devendra Bishoo, Gajanand Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario

After winning the Under-19 World Cup

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Feature

By Lakhram Bhagirat

H

ard work, determination, commitment and discipline are character traits that lead one to success and for Romario Shepherd, those are the traits he strives to embody. This year, the hard work is paying off since his dream of playing for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has been realised.

The 23-year-old all-rounder has been selected to be part of the Amazon Warriors’ squad, and his fans and supporters are all eager to see him in action. Romario was born in the mining town of Linden, but at a really young age, he moved to Berbice – a move that he described as the best one for him.

Berbice is quite often described as the

cricketing heart of Guyana and, over the years, has produced splendid players. One of the most notable cricketers out of the Ancient County was the legendary batsman Rohan Kanhai. Kanhai scored 6227 Test runs for the West Indies including 16 centuries with his highest Test score being 256 not out versus India. The legend also scored 29,250 First Class runs from 421 matches with 89 centuries.

Romario says he looks up to the greats and hopes that one day his name would be among them. Reflecting on his childhood, he says that the move to Berbice was a good one, because of his love for the game. In Linden, he says, more emphasis is placed on football or track events and although he likes other sports, cricket is his forever love.

He fondly remembers waking up way past his bedtime to watch the West Indies play various matches.

He attended the Vrymen’s Erven Secondary School in New Amsterdam, and it was then that he was given the opportunity to get into the cricketing world. He was eventually selected to open the batting for his school’s team and scored a whopping 129 runs; from then, he never looked back.

“The first game I batted 129 and the next game I bowled 5-29 and after that I was introduced to Mr Carl Moore who was then the Guyana Senior Team Manager. I have learnt so much stuff from him about cricket and as a person off the field. His son, Julian Moore, who is also a Level 3 Coach now, was my first coach and he helped me a lot; he will always message me when I’m on tour and stuff, giving me support.”

Romario says no matter how successful he becomes, he can never forget those who were instrumental in getting him to that point. He recalls receiving the news of his selection to the Warriors team as one of the best days of his life. He says just the mere thought of representing Guyana on such a large stage in a tournament of this magnitude makes him want to give it more than his all.

Romario’s cricketing style is very simple.

Like many cricketers, he sticks to the basics and works hard during his training sessions since he is of the belief that fitness is important to being an all-rounder. He places much emphasis on being fit, since he is of the view that a fit fast bowler is the best fast bowler.

Now Romario is at his fittest and, according to him, he is ready to battle for the Warriors. Romario was the most successful fast bowler during the inaugural Jaguars Franchise League three-day tournament in 2016. He was outstanding with the ball and chipped in with the bat for his franchise. He

would later make his List A debut against Leewards Hurricanes where he grabbed 3-37 from 10 overs and was named man of the match for his exceptional effort, which propelled his team to a comfortable seven-wicket victory at Warner Park in St Kitts and Nevis in the Nagico Super50 2016.

Additionally, Romario was even part of the West Indies A team when they played against the England Lions in a recent series.

Romario believes that this year would be the year of the Guyana Amazon Warriors and that trophy would be coming home. He is hyped and super pumped to be back on the field and representing Guyana. He is ready to give it his all both on the field and off the field.

“For the youngsters just train because hard fitness is key when it comes to cricket. Be disciplined which is also key for your development on and off the cricket field and don’t let know one tell you that you can’t make it. Do the right thing and you will get your break. Be positive and patient because life is a process and it’s the same thing with cricket,” he advises.

Romario is a role model for a number of

youngsters hoping to make a career out of cricket and it is a fact that he is well aware of hence the reason he always gives it his all on and off the field.

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Feature

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he youngest member of the Guyana Amazon Warriors in this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is all pumped and ready to make his mark, cementing his place as a force to be reckoned with in the cricketing

of the most consistent squad in the CPL Tournament are bound to make Sherfane push beyond his boundaries.

His aim is to leave behind a legacy that tells of the kind of life he lived.

The country boy was raised in the village of Enmore on the East Coast of Demerara and while grow-

cricket from about the age of nine and his coaches immediately recognised his potential with both the bat and ball.

When he started high school at Annandale Secondary, his love for the game further developed and became a part of his daily routine. He said that not a day would go by without him enjoying a game of cricket.

“The love for cricket was always there throughout

my life. My career started from school cricket and just went on. I was always a confident player and to this day I am, but I find that balance between confidence and overconfidence, because overconfidence never ends well for anyone.”

Like most persons who make cricket into a ca-

“I was determined to play for my country at the highest level and I crave for that success. Now, I am selected for the Guyana Amazon Warriors team and I am overjoyed.

I can’t wait to step out on the field and show them what I am made of. The squad that we have this year is A-1 and I feel that we can bring the trophy home this year. We have the talent and the drive to do that.”

world. At just 19 years old, Sherfane Rutherford is living the best life possible. He is in top form and ready to wreck wickets and hit the ball out of the stadium.

The natural hype of his youth coupled with the adrenaline of being a part

ing up, cricket was a major part of his life. He explains that during his school years all he thought about were receiving a proper education and following his dream of becoming a star cricket player. He started playing

team and I am overjoyed. I can’t wait to step out on the field and show them what I am made of. The squad that we have this year is A-1 and

Omar Khan (2nd R) stands with the newly contracted players, Akshaya Persaud (L), Romario Shepherd (2nd L) and Sherfane Rutherford

reer, Sherfane’s childhood memories of either playing the game or watching the game are too many to recount. However, although Sherfane was in love with the game, he did not watch many matches, rather he preferred to be watched.

Sherfane says that he was always determined to be the best version of himself and that, along with the drive to represent Guyana on the big stage, pushed him to work harder.

“I was determined to play for my country at the highest level and I crave for that success.

Now, I am selected for the Guyana Amazon Warriors

I feel that we can bring the trophy home this year. We have the talent and the drive to do that.”

“It is a dream come true to be able to play for the Warriors and as an all-rounder, I am looking to contribute with the bat and the ball, as well as on the field. My cricketing style is simple: I take the basics and work with that to build myself up,” he enthusiastically adds.

The talented player calls the Demerara Cricket Club home and has been consistently performing for them, so when he was selected for the Warriors

squad, his coaches were not surprised at all. Sherfane bowls economically as well as performs with the bat, and that was proven when he made his First-Class debut in 2017 and subsequent List A debut in 2018.

In June, Sherfane was named part of the West Indies B team for the inaugural edition of the Global T20 Canada Tournament where he went on to become the leading run scorer, having made 230 runs in eight matches. On the Warriors team, he has the least experience, but, according to him, that is not a deciding factor, since he believes that he can match up with his teammates.

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Feature

questions about cricket all the time. This was where it all started. Now, my dream part from professional cricketers, is to one day become a cricket commentanot many people would say that they tor and to some day start my own televiwere born to love the game, but that sion programme called “At the Crease with is not the case with Cindya Khellawan, Cindya”.” since she feels that cricket is part of her exNo one in Cindya’s family plays profesistence. No, she is not a cricketer, but rather sional cricket, but they all share a a professional fan. common love for the game. If Ask Cindya one was to measure, about any then Cindya asa n d pect her fao f t h e r t h e would game o u t and shine she h e r mothwould be able er and to quite easily brother. explain it, or She explains give you stathat her fatistics and prother’s love for vide the rankthe game fuing of each elled her love player. Cindya as he would hails from often relate the village of his experiOcean View, ences watchUitvlugt on ing past the West games at Coast of the Bourda Demerara Cricket and while Ground. growing “ H e up, acw o u l d cording s h a r e to her, statisshe was tics and a “girlym a n y Cindya’s signed Amazon Warriors T-Shirt girl”. cricke t i n g However, her parents wanted her and her memories with me. Listening to him speak brother to be well-rounded individuals and about cricket gives me goose bumps every exposed them to many things and for her, time. My dad and I share a strong bond and from the first time she heard cricket com- cricket makes that bond even stronger,” she mentary, she fell instantly in love. said.

“At a very tender age, I began spending While this generation loves the shorter a lot of time listening to cricket commentary format of the game, Cindya enjoys watchon the radio and watching matches on the ing a good game of Test cricket. Having that television with my dad. It’s obviously excit- love for Test cricket does not mean she will ing to watch matches on the television, but not watch and enjoy the other formats, since at a young age, I also developed love and ap- she says each format holds a special place in preciation for radio commentary. I was very her heart. inquisitive as a child and asked my dad Whenever there is cricket in Guyana,

By Lakhram Bhagirat

A

Cindya is always present and when I asked her whether she would be at the Providence National Stadium supporting the Guyana Amazon Warriors during their Caribbean Premier League (CPL) home games, the answer was an instantaneous “yes!”

“I will be going to all the Guyana games!

The atmosphere at the Providence National Stadium for CPL games is always phenomenal and I’m so excited for this year!

Absolutely looking forward to celebrating with thousands of other Guyanese at Providence in August and September. I just love how cricket brings us all together.”

When I asked her what are the prospects of the Guyana Amazon Warriors taking bringing home the trophy this year, this is what she had to say, “For quite some time, the Warriors have been considered the underdogs. However, they’ve proven themselves to be one of the most consistent teams since the birth of CPL. We’re yet to win a title and it will be interesting to see how this year’s Hero CPL unfolds. I’m excited to see our youngsters Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Sherfane Rutherford perform. I’m happy Luke Ronchi and Chadwick Walton are with us again this year. They’re bringing a wealth of experience with them along with Delport, Malik and Mohammed. Tahir, Tanvir, Bishoo, Permaul and Emrit are all good with the ball. We’ve got a good balance

Cindya Khellawan

and it could very well be our year to win that title and trophy!”

Her excitement when she speaks about cricket is infectious and would convince those who are not even fans of the game to at least give it a try. She describes herself as a proud Guyanese in every shape and form, adding that whenever Guyana is playing a game, she always backs them.

“I’ve always been very patriotic to my country regardless of the format and layout of the game. Though CPL is franchise cricket, at the end of the day the Warriors out in the middle are representing the Golden Arrowhead and for that reason I am a Warriors fan.”

Cindya has already secured her tickets to cheer on the Guyana Amazon Warriors, have you?

Cindya with her father and brother at a cricket match

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Sunday Times Magazine 11

Cooking

A

s we prepare for the biggest party in the Caribbean – the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) here are some quick recipes that will make game day preparation easy. Whether you

are watching the games from the comfort of your living room at the Providence National Stadium cheering on the Guyana Amazon Warriors, these recipes are guaranteed winners.

INGREDIENTS

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce 3 tablespoons white vinegar, divided ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 pound chicken tenders 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons nonfat plain yoghurt Freshly ground pepper, to taste ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese 4 8-inch tortillas 1 cup shredded lettuce 1 cup sliced celery 1 large tomato, diced

DIRECTIONS

INGREDIENTS

• • • • • • • • • •

1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup soy sauce 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon black pepper 2 pounds sirloin steak, cut in 1-inch cubes 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut in 1-inch pieces 1 orange bell pepper, seeded and cut in 1-inch pieces 1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut in 1-inch pieces 1 red onion, cut in 1-inch pieces 8 (12-inch) metal skewers

INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, garlic and pepper. Add the cubed sirloin steak to marinade and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate for 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.

2. Once the meat has marinated, thread it onto the skewers alternating with pieces of bell pepper and red onion.

3. Grill kebabs over medium heat, turning often until all sides of the meat is well brown and vegetables are tender. (About 12 to 15 minutes)

1. Whisk hot pepper sauce, 2 tablespoons vinegar and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl.

2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken tenders; cook until cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Add to the bowl with the hot sauce; toss to coat well.

3. Whisk mayonnaise, yoghurt, pepper and the remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar in a small bowl. Stir in blue cheese.

4. To assemble wraps: Lay a tortilla on a work surface or plate. Spread with 1 tablespoon blue cheese sauce and top with one-fourth of the chicken, lettuce, celery and tomato. Drizzle with some of the hot sauce remaining in the bowl and roll into a wrap sandwich. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.

INGREDIENTS

• • • • • •

1 cup black-eyed peas 3 lbs chicken, cut up 1 lb salted beef 1 medium onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ cup green seasoning

• • • • • •

10 sprigs thyme 1 wiri wiri pepper 2 chicken bouillon 1 tbsp vegetable oil 2 cups rice Approximately 5 cups coconut milk

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound extra-lean ground chicken • 1/2 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs, divided • 1/2 small onion, finely grated • 1 egg • 2 cloves garlic, minced • Salt and ground black pepper to taste • 2 teaspoons olive oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix ground chicken, 1/4 cup bread crumbs, onion, egg, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.

Moisten hands and shape chicken mixture, 2 tablespoons at a time, into flat, oval-shaped patties.

2. Spread remaining 1/4 cup bread crumbs into a shallow dish. Roll patties in bread crumbs to coat.

3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

4. Cook patties in hot oil until deep brown in colour on the bottom, 5 to 6 minutes. Turn patties and cook until the other side is browned, 3 to 4 minutes more.

Serve with your favourite toppings and bun

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place peas in a bowl with enough water to cover and soak overnight. Strain the peas and place in a pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook for 10 minutes, the peas will soften, set aside.

2. Season chicken with green seasoning* and let sit for at least an hour. Place salted beef in a pressure cooker with 3 cups water and pressure for 15 minutes. If you do not have a pressure cooker cook for about 30 minutes.

3. In a separate pot over a medium fire, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add chicken and allow to brown. Add onion, garlic, thyme and pepper and cook for a minute or two.

4. Add beef to chicken and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Add about 2 cups of coconut milk and bring to a boil then add 2 cups rice, scallion and bouillon and stir pot thoroughly.

5. Lower to a simmer then cover the pot. On a low fire, cook for 25 to 30 minutes. The rice should be tender and all of the liquid should be absorbed. If rice is not tender and all of the liquid is gone, add water, a little at a time and continue to cook until rice is tender.

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Puzzles

ACROSS 111 Dependable

1 Charley horse

112 Is, to Fritz

6 Juicy pear

113 Primitive weapon

10 Musician's org.

115 NFL broadcaster

15 Al of "Married With Children" 116 FDR had three

20 Anouk -- of film

117 Kipling classic

21 Use crayons 118 Jumble

22 Guy, slangily

120 Schubert's "The -- King"

23 In the blink of -- -(var.)

24 Reeked

121 Notch shape

25 Once in -- -- moon

123 Sci. class

26 NASA outfit (hyph.)

124 "Count -- --!"

27 Propeller type

125 Natural eyewash

28 Places to sing and drink (2 wds.)

127 Quick looks

30 Ecological problem (2 wds.) 129 Lodge 32 Desists 131 Fairly 33 Hoaxes

135 "A Whiter Shade of Pale"

35 "En garde" weapon group (2 36 Merriment wds.)

39 Dog-scolding word

140 View from Giza

40 One, for Pierre

141 Opera cheer

41 Next year's grads

142 Concrete reinforcer

42 Make airtight 143 Dumbfounded 46 Snare

144 Ladies of Paris

47 Heston's "Ben- --"

145 Solitude enjoyer

48 Grumpy mood

146 Cyclotron targets

51 Choir voice 147 Sired

53 Philosopher -- -tzu

148 Ms. Witherspoon 54 Pledge

149 Related to mom

56 Frankfurt's river

150 Monsieur's pate

57 Mine passages

151 Papas or Dunne

59 Siskel's old partner

DOWN

61 Tapered off 1 Keg

62 Stoles and shawls

2 Hayworth or Rudner

63 Baby goats

3 China-Russia river

64 Spice trees 4 Threaten

65 Red spice

5 Black tea 67 Helper

6 Cut short

68 Thole filler

7 Mexican pots

69 Pack it in

8 Like lime pie

72 Not decaf.

9 Salad green

47

73 Milk sugar

10 Crochet project

48

76 Colonial dance

11 Oscar's street

49

80 -- -relief 12 Leagues

50 81 Movie

13 Et -- (and others)

51

82 D.C. gun lobby

14 Plaid and argyle 52 83 Bone-dry

15 Moisten with drippings 55

85 Opposite of post 16 Cousins' dads

56

86 Faints with pleasure

17 Despot who fiddled

57

88 Least messy

18 Does Easter eggs

58

92 Win at rummy

19 Somber evergreens 60

93 Police sch.

21 Gaul invader

62

94 Android rival

29 Asian capital

64

95 Golden Apple tosser

31 Lhasa - 66

96 Dogpatch denizen (2 wds.)

34 Lean-to

67

99 Nice and warm

36 Nibble away

69

102 Sir -- Guinness

37 Emerging magma

70 103 Embankment

38 Poet's black

71

104 Hidden drawback

41 Hangar occupants 74

108 Madras money

43 Ft. above sea level

75

109 Curly lock

44 Bern's river

77

110 Mineral deposits 45 Zillions

78 Big Band --- -- fit (got mad) Sioux Falls loc.

79 Koppel of the news Where Kathmandu is 81 Big bills (hyph.)

W-2 collectors

84 Crawling with

87 Seine tributary Ocean's motions Fixed the linoleum 89 Moray pursuer Sobbed

90 Mars, to Plato Early theologian

91 Annoying nerd Japanese pooches 93 Botanist's wings Lover of Aeneas

97 Type of mitt Came

98 Plays a part

99 Lace or ribbons Little chirper -- on strong

100 Yorkshire river Prim

101 Two-BR units Farm measure

102 Russian inland sea TD passers

103 -- Gatos, Calif.

Motor City org.

105 Seize Equal, in combos

106 LXVII x VI Mischief

107 Choir rendition "Lyin' Eyes" group 109 Just awful Mdse. bars

111 Get moldy

114 Sphagnum moss

115 Mouse alert

116 Glare protectors

119 Looks a long time

121 Plush fabric

122 Pooh's donkey pal

123 Looked good on 124 Skimpy

126 Jagged, as a leaf

127 Preferred strategy (2 wds.)

128 No-fat Jack

129 C3PO or R2D2

130 Abu - 131 Cake decorator

132 About half of us 133 Mound

134 Elvis' middle name

136 Solar plexus

137 Go postal

138 Hit -- (discover)

139 Give out sparingly See Solution on Pg 14

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- DOCILE

(DOCILE: DAHS-il: Yielding to supervision; tractable.)

Average mark 15 words Time limit 20 minutes Can you find 18 or

more

words in DOCILE?

deli dice diel dole oiled oleic

clod code coed coil cold cole

iced idle idol lice lied lode

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of "s," such as "bats" or "dies," are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a "d" or an "s" may not be used. For example, if "bake" is used, "baked" or "bakes" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

guyanatimesgy.com

JULY 29 , 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 13

14 Sunday Times Magazine

JULY 29 , 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

guyanatimesgy.com

JULY 29 , 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JULY 29 , 2018

Fun Times

Archie

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Be careful who you get involved with. Offering help is admirable, but being taken advantage of is likely if you are too trusting of someone who is a smooth operator.

A day trip will do you TAURUS good. Visit a trusted friend (April 20- and you'll be offered good adMay 20) vice regarding a personal situation you face. Invest your time and money in yourself, not someone else.

You'll have plenty of good GEMINI ideas, but before you take ac(MAY 28tion, check regulations and June 20) fees that may deter you from moving forward too quickly.

Get firsthand information.

Beautify your surroundings or make physical chang(June 21- es that will enhance your apJULY 29) pearance. Plan an evening out with someone special.

Establish your intentions and discuss future plans.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Peanuts

Don't live beyond your means trying to please someone who expects too much from you. Ease your stress by altering the way you live and how you handle your money.

Explore new places, and what you see and who you encounter will inspire you.

A change to the way you live will lead to less stress and greater happiness.

Put your energy to work for you and make the changes at home or to your lifestyle that are long overdue. If you want something, go after it.

It's OK to do things differentSCORPIO (Oct. 24- ly, as long as it doesn't deplete Nov. 22) your bank account. Someone who offers a different take on life will inspire you to regroup and make changes.

SAGITTARIUS Communication will be (Nov. 23- your strong point. Negotiate Dec. 21) on your own behalf and you will come up a winner. Pose incentives to offset competitive offers. A day trip or meeting is favored.

Calvin and Hobbes

Watch what others say, do CAPRICORN and offer. Don't be afraid to (Dec. 22- initiate a change if it will help Jan. 19) you outmaneuver someone trying to upset what you are trying to achieve.

Don't give away your AQUARIUS secrets or let someone see (Jan. 20- your vulnerable side. Walk Feb. 19) away from anyone who is a poor influence or who is likely to cost you emotionally or financially.

Use your persuasive talPISCES (Feb. 20- ents to get the help you need.

Mar. 20) Money or a gift will come from an unusual source. A personal relationship will change the way you move forward.