Guyana Times - Monday, July 15, 2019

P9

GPF remembers 64 fallen heroes Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3985

THE BEACON OF TRUTH monday, july 15, 2019

PRICE

President must dissolve Parliament – fmr National Assembly Clerk

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: Better Hope double murder

Suspects likely for court today P9

Skeldon P14 continues to face hardships after closure of sugar estate

…says it demonstrates sincere intent to hold See story on page 7 early elections

APNU/AFC pollster urges Govt to call elections now with existing OLE

Page 3

...can be cleaned up in Claims and Objections period

BoI into accidental release of “Satan” completed P12

...once apprehended, he will go straight to prison – Prisons Director

Linden to Lethem road woes continue

Page 10

…Govt blamed for non-intervention

Trotman gives up on reducing gold smuggling

Family seeks P14 assistance to care for motherless 5-month-old baby

See story on page 13

14-year-old Waiakabra girl disappears without trace

Page 11

GPL still awaiting “parts” to P15 fix damaged submarine cable one month later

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monday, JUly 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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monday, JUly 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Monday, July 15 – 04:00h and 14:30h-16:00h and Tuesday, July 16 – 04:30h and 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, July 15 –15:40h- 17:10h and Tuesday, July 16 –16:20h-17:50h.

APNU/AFC pollster urges Govt to call elections now with existing OLE ...can be cleaned up in Claims and Objections period

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals will give way to light rain showers in the mid-afternoon into the evening followed by partly cloudy skies. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-easterly to North Northwesterly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 15:39h reaching a maximum height of 2.39 metres.

Low Tide: 09:12h and 21:24h reaching minimum heights of 0.71 metre and 0.83 metre.

saturday, JULY 13, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS N

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DAILY MILLIONS

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LUCKY 3

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

Caretaker President David Granger

Retired Justice James Patterson

he A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) pollster, Peter Wickham appeared on a News Talk Radio Guyana panel discussion on Sunday, recommending that President David Granger calls general and regional elections as soon as possible without House-to-House Registration.

In a panel discussion post Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) consequential orders, the political scientist argued that the coalition Government would have contested the 2011 and 2015 polls with the Official List of Electors (OLE) that expired on April 30, 2019 and won same.

According to a Demerara Waves article, Wickham stated, “I personally don’t think that the list is in a bad shape and I believe if you won once on the list, you can probably win a second time on the list.” In fact, Wickham, who runs the Caribbean Development Research Services (CADRES), predicted that if an election was called, there would be a close fight between the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the APNU/AFC. Further, on the radio show, Wickham posited that there were bloated voters’ lists in almost every Caribbean country, since names of migrants and deceased persons were not easily removed. On this note, he added that this could be corrected by a Claims and Objections period.

“The reality of the electoral lists all over the Region is an unfortunate one. There are many countries in the Region where the list is easily one-third larger than the size of the actual population for many different reasons,” he said, according to the Demerara Waves article.

He also made reference to the 2016 and 2018 Local Government Elections (LGE) in which the same voters’ list was used. As such, he believes that the law can be amended for the life of the list to be extended and subjected to a Claims and Objections period.

In June, the CCJ validated a no-confidence motion against the Government,

triggering the need for early elections in accordance with Article 106 (6) and 106 (7) of the Constitution.

In the Government’s submission of consequential orders, Attorney General Basil Williams held out that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) must proceed with national registration.

He said the Court should order that “the registration of persons for the purpose of ascertaining who is qualified to be an elector is by ‘house to house’ visits as provided for under section 3(1) of the Elections Law (Amendment) Act of 2000.”

This has been opposed by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who urged that a Claims and Objections period would solve the problem.

However, the holding of an election is not possible, since the CCJ had also ruled that the unilateral appointment of GECOM Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson was a breach of Guyana’s Constitution. He

T

has since resigned.

CCJ President, Justice Adrian Saunders declared in the ruling that before President David Granger rejected persons nominated by Opposition Leader Jagdeo, reasons should have been given for the rejections in the interest of transparency.

However, in handing down its consequential orders on Friday, the CCJ had urged that Guyana’s political leaders appoint a new GECOM Chairman with the utmost urgency.

This is especially in light of its previous June 18 ruling validating the December No-Confidence Motion thus

APNU/AFC pollster Peter Wickham

triggering the need for fresh elections by September 18.

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, JUly 15, 2019

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Bastille Day: again

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n July 14th 1789, revolutionaries in France stormed the Bastille fortress housing political prisoners in Paris -- a symbol of the despotic absolute monarchy defined by King Louis XIV’s arrogant declaration, “I am the state”. The following year, King Louis XVI was deposed and France set on the course to constitutional democracy under the immortal slogan, “liberty, equality, fraternity”. Along with the American War of Independence a decade earlier, these two events have reminded oppressed people across the world that freedom cannot be won without struggle, and it must be guarded against those who would stifle it in their lust for power.

Yesterday was July 14, but sadly, no one appeared to have remembered that, 40 years ago, on that day in 1979, the murder of Father Darke prompted our national poet Martin Carter to pen his poem, “Bastille Day”.

Burnham was preparing his customised constitution to institutionalise his dictatorship by creating an Executive Presidency in which he could echo Louis XIV, “I am the state”. Walter Rodney and several other members of the WPA had been charged with arson of the Ministry of National Development and the Office of the General Secretary of the ruling PNC, and had appeared in court that morning. Supporters, including Martin Carter, who followed the van taking them from the Court and along Brickdam were attacked by House of Israel thugs, one of whom fatally stabbed Fr Darke, who was taking out photographs.

In the poem, one draft of which he had dedicated to Walter Rodney, Carter lamented: “Not wanting to deny, I believed it. /Not wanting to believe it, I denied our Bastille Day. /I have at last started/ To understand the origin/ Of our vileness, and being/ Unable to deny it, I suggest/ Its nativity/ In the shame of knowledge/ Of our vileness, we shall fight.”

On the eve of Bastille Day 2019, when PNC Leader David Granger reacted to the consequential orders of the CCJ in an Address to the Nation, it was clear that he intended to exploit the “vileness” of racialised politics in our society to remain in power, never mind that he is destroying the sanctity of our Constitution, which undergirds our fledgling democracy.

In the face of the CCJ’s pleas for Guyanese leaders to “exercise their responsibilities with integrity” in choosing the new GECOM Chair and setting a date for elections, in accordance with the Constitution, Granger, sadly, betrayed that he is lacking that critical value for democratic leadership. Since it is impossible to cover every contingency with specific rules in a constitution, democracy demands that leaders not only respect the letter, but the spirit of their foundational social contract. However, even though the CCJ painstakingly delineated that under Art 106, elections must be held within 3 months of the successful passage of a noconfidence motion -- in this case Sept 18, as measured from its definitive confirmation on July 18 -- Granger dragged his old red herring of “credible elections” to pass the buck to GECOM, where he is once again wangling to have his handpicked candidate for the Chair, possessed as he is of the casting vote.

Secondly, Granger actually lied when he claimed the Opposition Leader “rejected the idea of acting in a consensual manner (when) he chose to put forward candidates for the post who have been rejected previously”, because he is on record as having approved those submissions when he met the press following the July 4th meeting with the Opposition Leader.

While on Bastille Day 1979 our democracy was challenged by the murder of a priest -- and Burnham promoted David Granger as Commander of the GDF to protect that flank -the challenge today from Granger and the PNC is even more insidious, because of the disinformation they are spreading to undermine the Constitution.

After the PNC regime had assassinated Rodney a year after Bastille Day 1979, in his poem, “For Walter Rodney”, Carter called them “assassins of conversation”, i.e. of civilised political discourse.

Guyanese must not deny our Bastille Day threat, but rise up to arrest the slide towards dictatorship.

From left: Sandeka Rampersaud – 1st Runner-up Miss India Guyana 2019; Kristal Inshan, Mrs India Guyana 2019; Yashmini Amisha Sarjoo, Miss Teen India Guyana 2019; Steven Ramphal – Guyana Chutney Monarch 2019; Rashena Hanif, Miss India Guyana 2019 and Sharona Haniff, 2nd Runner-up Miss India Guyana 2019 at the HIGH Chai event that was hosted on Sunday at the Oasis Café, Carmichael Street, Georgetown

Pope appeals for political dialogue in Venezuela ...Pope Francis appealed to Venezuelan political leaders to reach an agreement for the good of the suffering nation and entire region

By Linda Bordoni

“O

nce again,” Pope Francis said on Sunday, “I would like to express my closeness to the beloved people of Venezuela, who have been particularly hard hit by the continuing crisis”.

Addressing the crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square for the Angelus, the Pope asked the faithful to join him in asking the Lord “to inspire and enlighten the parties involved, so that they can reach an agreement as soon as possible that will put an end to the suffering of the people for the good of the country and of the entire region”.

The Venezuelan Bishops asked Thursday that President Nicolás Maduro resign from the office which he “illegitimately” exercises and that a new president be elected in the shortest time possible.

“In face of the reality of an illegitimate and failed government, Venezuela is crying out for a change of direction, a return to the Constitution. That change demands the departure of the one exercising power illegitimately and the election in the shortest possible time of a new president of the republic,” the Bishops said in their July 11 apostolic exhortation, released at the end of their general assembly.

Under Maduro’s socialist Administration, Venezuela has been marred by violence and social upheaval, with severe shortages of food and medicine, high unemployment, and hyperinflation. More than

Venezuelan migrants gather to cross into Ecuador from Colombia, most of them trying to reach Peru

four million Venezuelans have emigrated since 2015.

The Bishops also cited a July 4 report from the United Nations human rights commissioner which said the Government has committed a variety of human rights abuses, including a high number of extrajudicial killings. (vaticannews.va)

Guaidó security guards detained during break in Venezuela political talks

Two members of Venezuelan National Assembly chief Juan Guaidó’s security detail were detained on Friday, both the Opposition Leader and Government officials said on Saturday, during a pause in negotiations between the two divided political factions.

Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said in a television broadcast that Erick Sanchez and Jason Parisi were arrested for attempting to sell rifles he said were taken from a

National Guard armoury at the legislative palace in preparation for Guaidó’s failed attempt to unseat President Maduro on April 30.

The arrests came just days after representatives of both Maduro and Guaidó returned from negotiations in Barbados to resolve a political crisis that began in January, when Guaidó invoked the constitution to assume a rival interim presidency, arguing Maduro’s 2018 re-election was illegitimate.

Norway’s Government, which is mediating the talks, has said they are expected to continue. But the arrests could exacerbate tensions between the two sides at a time when other members of Guaidó’s inner circle, including his chief of staff Roberto Marrero and National Assembly deputy chief Edgar Zambrano, remain in State custody.

“They are going to plant arms on them, like with Roberto Marrero. This is

not new: we know what we are up against,” Guaidó said in a speech in the western state of Trujillo, where he is rallying supporters this weekend.

Marrero was accused of smuggling guns and explosives from Colombia when he was arrested in March.

His lawyer, Joel Garcia, has said Marrero denies all the charges and alleges that the Sebin intelligence agency planted weapons in Marrero’s home.

Venezuela’s Chief Prosecutor’s office has not commented on the arrest of Sanchez and Parisi.

Rodriguez said he would bring evidence of the weapons accusations against the two guards to the next round of negotiations with the Opposition.

“We have to play clean,” Rodriguez said. “There cannot continue to be different agendas.”

Maduro calls Guaidó a puppet of the United States seeking to oust him in a coup. (Reuters)

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monday, JUly 15, 2019

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

We cannot go on with an illegal Government, punitive measures must be applied now Dear Editor, The present shenanigans by Granger and crew is a direct violation of Article 106 (6) and (7) of the Constitution of this country.

It has been seven months to the date of a Successful NCM, but the Government of David Granger remains intact. We have seen the PNC-led Government trying every which way to circumvent this aspect of the Constitution, with their lying excuses, absolutely nothing has changed. There have been several rulings by our final appellate court, the CCJ, and not one, I repeat not one of its rulings has been adhered to.

In all of this, Granger can consider himself “successful” because his Government has remained in office without any change or respect for the Constitution or any ruling of the final court. He

can also consider himself a clever fox in outsmarting the Opposition Leader in every aspect of a successful no-confidence vote on his Government, so, Granger and his cabal persist.

So, let us for one final time, review the occurrences of this Government since the December 21, 2018, NCM; 1. A successful passage of a No-Confidence Motion and the automatic activation of Articles 106 (6) and (7) 2.

The Granger Government appealed the matter, hoping for a favourable response from the Court.

3. The Chief Justice ruled that the NCM was valid and the Government has to resign and call elections.

4.

The PNC-led Government then appealed the High Court ruling to our Court of Appeal which in part granted them a reprieve

Govt should honour Constitution Dear Editor, Over the past 24 hours, I have seen a lot of comments on social media after the decision was handed down by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on the NCM and the unilateral appointment of the GECOM Chairman. Whilst the decision of the CCJ did not specify a date for elections, President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders, urged all political parties to honour the Constitution of Guyana.

If we are to look carefully on this statement “honouring the Constitution” one can safely anticipate election on or before September 18 due to the directives of the Constitution saying

that after the passage of a No-Confidence Motion (NCM), the President and the Cabinet shall resign and call elections within 90 days.

It is with great hope that if the Government should honour the Constitution, it, therefore, means that we can have an election within the stipulated time of the Constitution, ie, within 90 days counting from June 18, 2019.

In conclusion, whilst the CCJ could not have given a specific date for elections, the Constitution of Guyana clearly gives a timeframe should we honour same.

Sincerely, Ranjeev Singh

in that the Appeal Court erroneously stated that 34 constitutes a majority vote to topple the Government.

5. The Opposition then went on to the CCJ, which is our final court on the matter. The CCJ upheld every aspect of the rulings of the High Court of Guyana including the matter of the unilateral appointment of the GECOM Chairman, Retired Justice Patterson, on the grounds that his appointment was illegal, null and void.

6.

The Granger Government was asked by the CCJ to respect the constitutional ruling of Articles 106 (6) and (7).

7. To date, Granger has not honoured any of the CCJ’s ruling, but has remained in office illegally since.

Now, this is the position we have come to in our

country, where we have a President who is illegally occupying his post and presiding over a Government that does not want to face the electorate. This is a vexing situation to which we have come and there are calls for something more serious and pressing to force him to comply with the law, this will only come in the international community issuing sanctions on the Granger regime. The ABC and E Governments must start the process of issuing travel bans, and the revocation of visas. we are also looking forward to the seizure of the assets of Government officials overseas. These and other punitive actions will force Granger to comply.

Finally, Granger is still on a “three card game of tricks” with that move of not selecting a nominee submitted by the Opposition Leader.

Instead of selecting a name from the Opposition’s list, he has stubbornly stalled the process with a list of his own choosing, which is another blatant violation of the Constitution of Guyana.

The Constitution of Guyana emphatically states that the President must choose a name from the list submitted by the Opposition.

Granger will have none of that, which is a very sad and dangerous place to be.

Now, it is very clear that this President is hell-bent on having his way, and his mistaken belief that nothing can be done about it, well I have news for Mr Granger.

This is what is going to happen come midnight on Monday, July 15, 2019, if a name is not selected by Granger, and I am speaking of a name from Jagdeo’s list, not one from Granger’s list.

If Granger does not select a name from the Opposition Leader’s list, then Jagdeo will have one recourse and that is to call on the assistance of the United Nations to intervene.

They have the right to intervene in the domestic affairs of any country that has a dictator regime as its Head and one who refuses to respect the rule of law.

Guyana is a signatory to the UN Charter on such matters, so they must adhere to the UN Charter.

The Opposition Leader also has the option of calling on the UN to send in troops to supervise the process, because we do not have faith in a “kith and kin”. Security forces to supervise a free and fair process or a process free from fear. I rest my case.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Caricom should be the umpire to implement the CCJ orders Dear Editor, The CCJ’s final orders emphasised that the Constitution, which deals with the consequences of the passage of such a motion, should be strictly followed, while the process of the appointment of a GECOM Chairman must be done with utmost importance to ensure that Guyana remains a democratic State.

Unfortunately, because of David Granger and his reluctance to appoint an impartial GECOM Chairman, who would be independent and competent to manage the elections per the provision of the electoral laws, GECOM remains non-functional.

The President is definitely bent to ensure that his

choice (a person who will take instructions from him) would be the result in any process or negotiation. The Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, must ensure that he does not concede to any process or negotiation that will give President David Granger an opportunity to select a GECOM Chairman that would “dance to the President’s tune “.

We must be convinced that the basic single description of an election which meets universally-recognised electoral and human rights standards is contained in the universally-recognised International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Article 25 (b) “genuine peri-

odic elections.... guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors”, so based on this evidence, the issue of H-t-H registration is not necessary but the “claims and objections” is mandatory to ensure every elector is guaranteed an opportunity to vote in the elections.

The most troubling and worrisome consequence that is prevalent is the prolonged silence of Caricom, that is a clear indication that Caricom is tolerating the APNU/AFC coalition Government’s disrespect and disregard for the Constitution.

The last instance that Caricom intervened, the accord that was formed rewarded the PNC for demonstrating to the people that

if you lose by a set of rules that the PNC themselves had drafted, you simply seize the umpire and demand new rules which will guarantee PNC victory, the accord also rewarded the PNC for its wilful lawless, bullying tactics culminating in the January 12 incident.

Caricom must intervene now. Don’t allow the current situation to escalate to a level that existed during the period of the post-1997 elections. Caricom’s refusal to intervene must not be seen as being supportive of the APNU/AFC coalition Government’s constitutional breaches.

Regards, Zamal Hussain

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Foundation

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f you live with one parent, you know that a lot of other kids do, too. More than 20 million kids in the United States live with one parent. Separation and divorce are the most common reasons for this. In other cases, the mom and dad may never have lived together, or one of them may have died.

Living with one parent instead of two can bring out a lot of to know what to do in case of an emergency, as well as how emotions. These feelings can be pretty strong, and they can be to use your time wisely. And if you’re by yourself, you should confusing, too. You might feel terribly sad and angry because know how to handle loneliness, too.

Other choices include going to a summer programme or your parents divorced. camp, staying with a neighbour or relative. During the sumYou also might feel happy that your parents split up and mer, many schools and towns offer summer programs and aren’t fighting anymore, but you may also feel upset when camps. your mom introduces you to a man that she is dating. You might love the uncle or grandma who takes care Time troubles of you, but sometimes you might wish you could It can be tough when you don’t have But even though you might have one family with both a mom and a dad. enough time with your dad or mom.

Emotions all by themselves aren’t either understand why your mom or When you live with one parent, that pergood or bad. They’re just feelings. Because livdad has to work, sometimes son really has to do the work of two peoing with one parent can sometimes be stressful, it can be hard to accept. “Not ple. Besides a job, your mom or dad is it can help to talk about it. You can talk with now, I have to work” isn’t what responsible for caring for the kids, the your parent, a relative, school counsellor, or anhouse, the yard, the car, the pets – everyother trusted adult. Talking with other kids who you want to hear when you’d thing that grown-ups do! And besides all live with single parents can be a great idea, too. like to do something fun. This that, your dad or mom would like to be able to spend more time just hanging out is especially true during the Single parents and work with you, too. So, what can you do?

Single parents are often working parents besummer or school vacations.

One of the best ways is to hold a famcause someone needs to earn money to pay for You’re home, they’re gone, and ily meeting. Talk about everyone’s schedfood, clothing, and a place to live. Having a job the days can seem really long. ule for work, school, and activities. You means your mom or dad is able to provide these can also talk about what jobs around the things and more for you. People work for othhouse need to be done every day, which er reasons, too. A job can let a person use his or ones can be done less often, and who her special talents and skills. A job can be important because could do each job. it helps people in the community. Or a job can simply be excitWhen you take a look at chores and other time demands, ing or interesting.

But even though you might understand why your mom or you can try to work some family time into the schedule. Maybe dad has to work, sometimes it can be hard to accept. “Not now, you can eat more meals together. You might want to help your I have to work” isn’t what you want to hear when you’d like to parent cook dinner sometimes. That can be both fun and helpdo something fun. This is especially true during the summer or ful to your parent. Maybe you also can schedule a weekly game school vacations. You’re home, they’re gone, and the days can or movie night.

Time may be tight, but kids in single-parent families can seem really long. make a difference by helping out around the house. They also Many kids simply take care of themselves for all or part can make another important contribution: reminding their of the time that a parent is at work. This can be all right, but moms or dads to have a little fun! (kidshealth.org) only if you’re prepared to handle the responsibility. You need

Here’s what you need to make your hovercraft!

CD or DVD Straw Packing foam (1-2” piece with a flat side) or dry sponge Balloon Duct tape Rubber band Barbeque skewer Pencil (sharpened)

Directions Build the air supply:

Cut the straw in half.

Slip it one or two inches into the balloon.

Attach the balloon to the straw, using tape or a rubber band. Make the seal tight enough so no air escapes, but not so tight that it blocks the air from flowing through the straw.

Make the collar:

Find the flattest, smoothest side of the foam or sponge.

Use a barbecue skewer to poke a hole through the flat side.

Widen the hole with a sharp pencil. Make it about the width of a straw.

Attach the collar to the base:

Put the flat side of the collar against the disc.

Line up the hole you made in the collar with the hole in the disc.

Tape the collar and disc together. Make sure no tape ends up on the bottom of the disk. (That will make the bottom rough and uneven, which will stop the hovercraft.)

Add the air supply:

Push the open end of the straw into the collar. It should fit tightly.

Push the straw through the collar so you can blow into it.

TIP: If the collar is not holding the straw… The straw should sit snugly in the foam or sponge. If the hole is too big, and the straw can move within it, the air will escape. Make a new collar.

Inflate the balloon.

Power your hovercraft:

Once the balloon is full, pinch the straw so that no air escapes.

Slide the straw back up into the collar so the tip isn’t poking out. (If it does, it will drag on the surface and stop the hovercraft.)

Launch your hovercraft:

Place your hovercraft on a large, smooth surface, like a table.

Start the air flowing. Give your hovercraft a push!

TIP: If the hovercraft is not gliding… Make sure the tabletop and bottom of the disk are smooth and dry. (Water droplets from your breath can slow or stop a hovercraft.)

Also make sure that the straw is not poking out. Anything that disturbs the air cushion will stop the hovercraft.

TIP: If the hovercraft is spinning… If one side is heavy, the hovercraft will go in circles.

TIP: This is fun too, but if you want your hovercraft to go straight, make sure the weight above is distributed evenly.

TIP: If the ride is too short... Slow the flow of air through the straw—or try a bigger balloon. (pbskids.org)

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monday, JUly 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

President must dissolve Parliament – fmr National Assembly Clerk … says it demonstrates sincere intent to hold early elections

President David Granger

P

rior to the holding of a general and regional elections, Parliament has to be dissolved by a proclamation from the President with a set date for elections.

Despite the passage of a NoConfidence Motion against his government over seven months ago, however, President David Granger has failed to do anything.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Sunday, longstanding former Clerk of the National Assembly, Frank Narine asserted that indeed the President was supposed to dissolve Parliament before an election date could be set – if elections are to be held.

“Everyone seems to be interpreting the Constitution in their own way,” he asserted. “The Constitution says what must happen. Article 106 says that when a NoConfidence Motion is passed, the President and Cabinet have to resign. And it goes on to say elections must be held in three months after the passing of the motion, unless the National Assembly extends the time.

“The President has to proclaim a date for elections. And it is the President who will have to dissolve Parliament before elections. The President has to formally issue a proclamation dissolving Parliament,

so the National Assembly can’t meet. Members cease to be members … I think if it’s dissolved, it means he’s serious: he’s going to have elections. But the President hasn’t done anything.”

Narine noted that when the No-Confidence Motion was passed, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) should have been getting its systems ready for the possibility of holding elections and not idling.

He likened it to staff knowing what they have to do, but failing to carry out their mandate.

“It means they were sleeping. If the President has a member of staff and he says I want this report by the end of the month, and that staff member fails to give it, what must the President do? It means the President has the wrong staff member. Did they get directions not to (get ready to) hold elections?”

Already, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has ruled out his side supporting any extension of the life of the Government through Parliament.

According to Article 106 of the Constitution, such an extension requires a two-thirds

Former Clerk of the National Assembly, Frank Narine

majority of all members of National Assembly.

Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Meanwhile, Article 106 (7) states: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less

than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

Such a No-Confidence Motion was passed on December 21, 2018 and according to Jagdeo, during a previous press conference, Government sought to delay election preparations rather than comply with the Constitution. As a consequence, the Opposition Leader said that the window for his side to agree to extend their time in Government has closed.

Meanwhile, GECOM has no Chairman.

Since the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruled that former GECOM Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson was appointed unconstitutionally, he has resigned. As such, Jagdeo and Granger have been trying to find a replacement to carry out the necessary early elections. In keeping with this, Jagdeo submitted a list of 11 nominees gleaned from the lists he submitted in 2017, before Patterson’s unilateral appointment.

On the other hand, President Granger’s infor-

mal list includes Retired Justices James Patterson, Claudette La Bennett and Stanley Moore as well as economist Aubrey Armstrong, Attorney Kesaundra Alves and former Solicitor General Kim Kyte. The President also proposed known People’s National Congress (PNC) affiliates Stanley Ming (a former PNC parliamentarian) and Kads Khan.

8 News

monday, JUly 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Murder of Lethem businessman

Hotelier gets High Court bail, alleged accomplice remains in confinement

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ust one day after being further remanded to prison on an indictable charge, 57-yearold Mark Grimmond, the owner of Rockies Hotel, was granted bail by the Demerara High Court. His attorney, Bernard Da Silva was successful in a bail application at the court last

Still on remand: Chatterpaul Singh

week.

Grimmond was released on $500,000 bail, which was granted by Justice Navindra Singh, however, his alleged “hit man” Chatterpaul Singh remains on remand for the allegations they jointly faced.

The matter is currently being dealt with at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and the trial is set to commence on June 24, 2019, which was announced

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan last Thursday when the case was called.

When the duo reappeared before the Chief Magistrate on the last occasion, attorneys for Grimmond, Da Silva and Mark Waldron, made new bail applications on behalf of their client but was again unsuccessful due to lack of special reasons presented. Meanwhile, Singh, who was unrepresented, was also further remanded.

T Bailed: Mark Grimmond

Grimmond of Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and his co-accused, Singh, of Cummingsburg, Georgetown, were slapped with a joint charge alleging that they both conspired with each other and persons unknown to kill Dwayne Grant, a businessman of Lethem, Region Nine.

Police reports indicate that Grant received infor-

mation that the accused were plotting to kill him.

After reporting the matter, Police arrested Singh, who was found with a firearm in his possession. After intense questioning, Singh reportedly confessed to the police that he was contracted by the hotelier to carry out the execution.

Grimmond was then subsequently apprehended and placed in custody.

More resources needed to expand prisoners’ reintegration programme – Prisons Director

D

irector of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels believes that despite several programmes have been conducted to reintegrate prisoners into society, the process is not at the desired level.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Samuels explained that the reintegration programme is progressing as it should with effective training and opportunities being granted to prisoners who will soon be released back into society.

As such, he posited that once more resources are provided, the Prison Service can offer more to a larger number of prisoners who fit the criteria for exposure into the relevant programmes.

“All of that is happening but it is not happening at

the level that it should because our focus is on having staff deployed to the prisons’ locations. But at those out flung areas, Mazaruni, Timehri and so on those are still activities there that persons are involved in. It is going well.”

He further stated that some of the prisoners who earn a payment are being allowed to assist their family members in taking care of their necessary expenses.

“Come September, a number of those persons who are working would have to assist their children in going back to school. This would be done from them earning some monies while in prison. Which some people on the road are not doing.”

Additionally, he stat-

Political…

Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels

ed that the programme will provide the inmates with the necessary skills to find employment when they are released. This is expected to have an impact on them becoming repeat offenders.

Last year, the final report of the study of inmates in Guyana was released and showed the rate of recidivism in Guyana is lower than that of many developed countries.

He had described the findings as evidence that the local approach to rehabilitation of prisoners is working.

“What I am happy about based on the findings submitted, is that while recidivism is something we have been working to reduce in

Guyana, this study would have revealed that our recidivism rate is way below many developed countries in the world. This points to the fact that our rehabilitative programmes are serving the purpose in terms of preparing prisoners with life skills that will allow them to better reintegrate into society,” Samuels had said.

Further, Samuels at that time had explained that through the survey conducted, the authorities were better informed and policies have been derived to improve the delivery of service [to inmates]. He had also assured that the report’s findings will be meaningfully utilised to develop existing programmes and craft new ones for inmates’ rehabilitation.

“The Guyana Prison Service has as one of its main mandates, the rehabilitation of offenders, in order to prepare them for reentry into society. [It] is something that we have been paying attention to despite the fact [that] we recognise the need for us to improve in terms of the number of persons we capture. Efforts are continuously being made in order to do so”, the acting Director of Prisons added.

…opportunists he consequential orders of the CCJ are serving like inkblots in Rorschach Tests to reveal the true nature of some characters, who’d like us to believe they have “open” minds on matters political. There’s this WPA fella who insists that after the CCJ defined the PNC-led Government as a “Caretaker”, they can carry on smartly with whatever they were doing (like looting the State coffers?!) but putting new elections on the top of their agenda – presumably with the State funding their campaign!!

And this fella’s supposed to be moulding impressionable young minds in Arizona!! But maybe he’s more au fait with the situation in the US? However, he betrays his ignorance of the American political system when he asserted, “a caretaker government is no different from a lame-duck government”. There couldn’t be two things more different from each other than a “caretaker government” and a “lame-duck government”, the latter being a unique US concept.

A “lame-duck” politician is an elected official who isn’t seeking re-election and is often used to describe US Presidents in their second and final terms in the White House. They’re usually seen as ineffectual. The term can also be used to describe Administrations of US Presidents who’ve lost the elections in November, but continue in office until a new President’s inaugurated the following January. But here, there’s legislation on the books – the Presidential Transition Acts – which are focused on getting the teams of the new President into their new roles. Most pertinently, the outgoing President doesn’t take any action that would saddle the new Administration with any new policy initiative. In other words, they work as a “caretaker” administration.

A “caretaker government”, on the other hand, is a fixture in the parliamentary democratic system, and is most frequently one where elections have been scheduled, the Assembly stands dissolved but they just have to hold the fort until the elections are over and a new government is elected!! More infrequently, a government can fall upon the passage of a “no-confidence motion” in the Parliament and elections have to be called pronto – in the case of Guyana, three months. The incumbent Government becomes a “Caretaker government”.

In parliamentary democracies like Guyana, “Caretaker Conventions” – detailing the parameters of the incumbent Government for the duration, have been explicitly articulated. According to the Canadian version, such “a government should restrict itself – in matters of policy, expenditure and appointments – to activity that is: routine, or non-controversial, or urgent and in the public interest, or reversible by a new government without undue cost or disruption, or agreed to by Opposition parties (in those cases where consultation is appropriate).”

Does that sound like “keep on keeping on”?? Gwan da side!!

…prostitutes One has to understand the reality of the handful of WPA survivors who’ve lived off the political capital paid for with the blood of Walter Rodney, but now’s exhausted. How else can they get their offspring and relatives a piece of the Guyana giveaway being run by the PNC? The situation of the AFC, however, is different. They went into the coalition with the PNC with eyes wide open and articulated what they’d do to move the politics of Guyana into a more positive direction.

At all times, they knew that in coalition governments – especially ones holding power by small majorities –- the smaller parties have absolute make or break power on the margins with their votes. It’s like jiujitsu!! Just look at how the minuscule Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of Northern Ireland was able to force the Tories of Theresa May to torpedo Brexit because of their demands!!

But being political prostitutes, the leaders of the AFC – Ramjattan and Trotman (Trotman was always PNC) – sold out for filthy lucre.

And now are fighting for the “best bootlicker” title!! …has-beens One can now appreciate the resentment, envy, and anger of fellas like Eric Phillips against the PPP. It had nothing to do with the claimed “marginalisation of their constituency.

And everything to do with self-enrichment!!

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

news

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monday, JUly 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Better Hope double murder

Suspects likely for court today

– file to be sent for legal advice

A

s investigations intensify into the murder of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara money changer Aaron Latchman and his 18-year-old daughter, Arianna Lathcman, the police are expected to send the file for legal advice this morning.

A source close to investigations told Guyana Times that the file has been completed and once legal advice is sought, five suspects will be taken to court. These include “Rasta Man” of East La Penitence; “Marco” of Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE); “Red Man” of Sophia; “Julian” of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, and the man who allegedly provided the weapon to them to commit the robbery.

The senior officer also refuted any report that suggest-

Dead: Arianna Latchman

ed that the men were paid by a friend of the now dead businessman to execute him. He noted that the police have no such information and that it was all false reports that had surfaced.

The police would have arrested four of the five suspects on Thursday last.

The first to be arrested was “Rasta Man”. He was reportedly arrested at Front Road, La Penitence, Georgetown,

after Police swooped down on a house there. After his arrest, he took the police to Dennis Street, Sophia and Parika, where the others were arrested.

Additionally, a motorcar used by the bandits that belonged to the dead businessman was found at Front Road, La Penitence. During a search of the vehicle, an illegal firearm and several rounds of ammunition were found.

As the detectives worked with several leads, a Mocha Arcadia resident was arrested after his name was called by the four men. He was the one who reportedly provided them with the weapons that they used to murder the money changer and his daughter.

He was nabbed in North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, and was described by two of

Dead: Aaron Latchman

the three men detained for the murders as “second in charge”.

The alleged shooters told detectives that on the day in question, their second “boss” was at the scene in a car.

Further, the men allegedly told Police that after the shooting, they were taken to a house in Sophia, Greater Georgetown, where they split the money paid for the hit.

The detectives, Guyana Times understands, went to the house in Sophia and in-

terrogated the owner, who admitted that his friend (“second boss”) brought a group of men to his house where they were seen counting money. He was reportedly given $10,000 before the men left.

It is believed that the “second boss” might be behind the killings of the America Street money changers who were all gunned down during robberies.

The alleged mastermind is no stranger to the police and the courts. He was charged for gun and ammunition possession. In addition, he is on trial for several armed robberies committed in 2018.

On June 4, the now dead businessman had dropped off his younger daughter at her lessons and upon his return at home, he was confronted by the two gunmen.

He was held at gunpoint and escorted to the upper flat of his home with his 18-year-

old daughter.

Reports are that the teen was attacked and shot to her chest when the bandits entered the house through the back door and began demanding cash.

They then escorted Latchman into the yard where they shot him multiple times before escaping with a bag of cash.

However, a source said that the elder Latchman fought with the bandits and managed to disarm one of them before he was shot.

The bandits quickly made good their escape in a white Toyota Carina 212 motor car, leaving a trail of money behind.

The man and his daughter were picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival. They were laid to rest on Wednesday last.

GPF remembers 64 fallen heroes

S

ixty-four fallen heroes of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were on Sunday morning honoured and remembered for their contributions as the Force observed its annual Wreath Laying Ceremony in the compound of the Police Officers’ Mess Hall, Eve Leary.

The event saw the Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, Commissioner of Police, Leslie James along with his Deputy Commanders and other high-ranking officials of the Force with widows, children, relatives and friends of the fallen heroes laying wreaths

at the feet of the Monument to Fallen Heroes.

As a mark of respect, a 21-gun salute was executed and the Police Military Band sounded the Last Post and the Reveille following which a moment of silence was observed.

In his remarks, Commissioner James pointed to the dangers faced by ranks of the Police Force on a daily basis and thanked the ranks who charge their obligation.

“Fleeing is not an option for police officers in the line of duty since they are mandated to serve and protect the citizens of the country.

Ranks are duty-bound to confront violators of the laws and this confrontation in which triggers the fight or flight response...During some of these attacks, some ranks are killed in the line of duty making them our heroes…I thank all ranks for making that sacrifice daily and pray that the great almighty continues to allow us to move our great country forward” James briefly stated.

Chairman of the Guyana Police Force Fallen Heroes Foundation, Rev Raphael Massiah in his remarks thanked the serving members of the Force for their monthly contribution to the Fallen Heroes Fund.

This Fund contributes to the children of the deceased for their education and welfare. He said he will honour this charge and his obligations to the families of the fallen heroes.

During the ceremony, words

of comfort were offered to the relatives and friends of the ranks killed in the line of duty by the Police Force Chaplain, Pastor Patrick Doolichand.

Also attending the ceremony were Heads of the Disciplined Services, Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Paul Slowe DSM, Former Police Commissioner, Floyd McDonald and other retired senior officers of the Guyana Police Force.

10 NEWS CJIA to be fully operational this week – Minister Patterson P monday, JUly 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

ublic Infrastructure Minister David Patterson told reporters on Friday that the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri(CJIA) will be in full operation this week.

He noted that once a warranty is provided for the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system, the airport will be fully operable.

However, Patterson explained that while it is necessary to obtain the warranty certificate, the Government will accept it since there is a defect liability period.

This means that the contractor will remain liable under the building contract for a certain period after practical completion of his services in this regard.

“There is a defect liability period for quite some time, so if anything comes up, they would have to repair it. But it’s just to wait until we get the [warran-

A model of the works initially proposed on the terminal

ty from the] manufacturers of the air conditioning system,” he explained.

The expansion of the CJIA has been ongoing for a number of years, and while the APNU+AFC Government has repeatedly blamed the former administration for not including necessary plans in the project during the initial stages, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has stated that the absence of those necessary

plans is a deliberate strategy to create opportunities for local contractors.

He said in May that while several aspects were not included in the contract, the Government should have implemented those that were already there.

According to Jagdeo, the Government ought to be held accountable for not doing its part to ensure the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company

(CHEC), delivered what it was contracted to deliver.

“Now we’re getting criticised for what’s not in the contract, rather than what was in the contract that this Government has changed; so we now have a rehabilitated terminal, rather than a new terminal, and they reduced the size of the apron,” Jagdeo said. “And we get criticised for what we didn’t put in the contract, but they’re not even achiev-

ing what we put in the contract.”

Meanwhile, as of January, 2019, CHEC has been paid US$132 million.

When payments to the consultant and local contractors are also factored in, that sum rises to US$142 million. Government’s contract with CHEC expired in December of last year.

In 2012, under the PPP/C Administration, Guyana secured a US$138 million loan from the China Exim (Export-Import) Bank to fund the expansion and modernisation project, for which the Guyana Government was slated to inject some US$12 million.

Nevertheless, millions of dollars had to be pumped into the expansion project after issues started to surface. The Govt had approached the National Assembly for supplementary funding to offset additional expenses that were already incurred.

In addition to the addi-

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

tional sums of money, there were several delays in the time set for operation to commence at the main port of entry.

Meanwhile, upon completion, the CJIA is expected to have four air passenger boarding bridges for arrivals and departures; a 450-seat departure area; escalators and elevators in addition to an extended runway catering for larger categories of aircraft.

Trotman gives up on reducing gold smuggling

T

he issue of gold smuggling in Guyana is nothing new, and although it is highly unlike-

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

ly that this practice can be eliminated, there has been notable progress in minimising its occurrences.

This is according to

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, who recently told Guyana Times that although this problem is usually handled by another Ministry, he has taken note of the reduction in this illegal trade in Guyana.

“It is an ongoing matter and, largely, it is dealt with by Public Security (Ministry) and the security agencies, but I do not believe that we can eliminate smuggling; it is a part of the trade all over the world.

But we have certainly, I believe, put a dent in it. It is an ongoing process,” he explained.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan told this publication that, from the start of 2019 to this present time, much has been done to curb the issue and prevent the trend of smuggling gold out of Guyana.

“As far as I am aware, yes, we are doing well in

addressing this matter,” he said. “For instance, at the airport and at the various places where they have to declare (gold) before it is sent abroad, we are working. And we have tightened up on that (declaration process)”, he added.

A few months ago, the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) had asserted that “unknown” forces were smug-

gling gold out of Guyana, but in other media reports, there have been allegations that most of the gold smuggling taking place from Guyana is being done by those who are “legally involved” in the trade.

The GGB has disclosed that “on a comparative basis, the quantity of gold coming to the Gold Board has declined,” and that “consis-

tent reports and intelligence are that activities in the mining sector and the corresponding production levels do not match the amounts being declared at the Gold Board locations.”

That, in effect, amounts to saying that gold smuggling is continuing unabated, notwithstanding the efforts of the authorities to rein in the smugglers.

For the past three years, illegal gold exportation has affected the growth of the country and directly affected the public treasury.

Minister Trotman had, in 2016, publicly declared that illegal gold exports amounted to around 15,000 ounces per week. That rate of smuggling meant the country was losing between 50 and 60 per cent of its gold production to illegal exportation.

As a result of the serious implications of gold smug-

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

gling, the local authorities then had opted to call in the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which reportedly confirmed that Guyana, like some other countries in the region, had been losing significant amounts of gold to “highly organised smugglers”.

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monday, JUly 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com10

Samples sent overseas to test for measles returned negative ...immigrants from Venezuela tested also, nothing “unusual” found – CMO

S

ince the year began, several countries within the Caribbean along with the US have reported hundreds of cases of measles and this, in turn, has caused authorities in Guyana to go on “high alert”.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud recently told Guyana Times that several samples obtained from persons suspected to have contracted measles in Guyana were already sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) laboratory in Trinidad for confirmation.

However, he noted that there were no positive results from any of those samples.

“We have many sam-

ples. So far, we have all the samples coming back but all came back negative so far but it is an ongoing process.

What we have been doing too is ensuring that we are in a state to ensure that we have full protective coverage of our population.”

According to the CMO, a surveillance system is currently in place to detect cases where persons may have developed rashes along with a fever since these are symptoms associated with measles.

“Those persons, once we see the rash with the fever, there is a procedure to collect samples of blood and have them checked. Also, we have set a sort of suggestive provision that people who

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud

are coming to visit this part [Guyana] to ensure that they are covered by the measles vaccine. But we have been doing well for Guyana so far - samples collected from the North West, Coastland ar-

eas, among the immigrants from Venezuela and so far, we have not detected anything unusual.”

Dr Persaud explained that in Guyana, immunisation against measles is almost 100 per cent in terms of coverage for all children under the age of one or at one-year-old and also among adults who may have missed their measles vaccines previously.

“Measles occurs in other parts of the world so there is always a possibility of someone coming into Guyana with this contagious disease but we have been doing well so far here. During the time from 2019, all negative so far for measles. However, we will still be continuing test-

ing of samples as we stay alert.”

In the United States, between January 1 and May 31, 2019, there were 981 confirmed cases of measles in 26 States.

Meanwhile, in the Caribbean, the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, and St Lucia have all reported confirmed cases of imported measles.

The influx of Venezuelans into Guyana, coupled with free and open travel among Guyana, North and South America and the Caribbean further increases this country’s risk of importing measles.

In 2015, there was an outbreak in Venezuela. Between June 2017 and October 2018,

some 7500 suspected cases of measles were reported in Venezuela. With thousands of Venezuelan refugees flocking the Cooperative Republic in 2017, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared an emergency response for Guyana, following Venezuela’s crises and a subsequent spread of this re-emerging disease to Brazil.

Measles is an infectious viral disease, causing fever and rash. The virus lives in the mucus of the nose and throat of an infected person.

When someone with measles coughs, sneezes or talks, infected droplets spray into the air and when other people inhale them, contraction is inevitable.

information as to the girl’s whereabouts and provided the information to the police in an effort to get them to act, however, they are still to make any tangible progress. “All the information we are giving to the police.

But they seem laid back in doing anything. I don’t know how the force deals with missing persons’ cases.

It’s this type of response by those in authority that fail us every day,” she added.

The relative also said that they had received messages on Facebook from a young lady (name withheld) claiming to have known the teen’s whereabouts, however, upon requesting more information from the person, she became abusive.

The relative added that this information and the young lady’s profile information had been provided to the police but the family is still to receive any updates.

The family of Fidel is calling on the relevant authorities to inform the public and Police of the guidelines to follow in dealing with missing children as this could save time and save someone’s life.

The family is calling on the public to report any information that would lead them to locating the teen.

The public is asked to contact the family on telephone numbers 644-2838 or the nearest police station.

14-year-old Waiakabra girl disappears without trace – family decries slothfulness in Police response

A

14-year-old girl of Waiakabra on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway has been missing since Sunday, July 7, 2019, and according to her relatives, the police are dragging their feet on the report.

The teen, Jessica Fidel, was reportedly last seen with a male friend from her neighbourhood, who claimed that he followed her to a neighbour’s house on the night she went missing.

A missing persons’ report was lodged at the Timehri Police Station and Kuru Kururu Police Outpost.

After several calls to the police station plead-

ing with ranks to visit the home where the young man claimed the teen went, the ranks turned up to question the occupant of the home, however, she denied that the teenager was ever there.

A relative of Fidel, who reached out to Guyana Times anonymously, fearing victimisation, stated that the young man was questioned and sent away, however, the neighbour had not been questioned.

“When the police visited the woman, she denied that the girl was there and the Police just left it as is. They said they couldn’t search the premises because they

hadn’t a warrant. We would have felt better if they had searched the premises because chances are that she could have been right in there,” she said.

Further, the relative alleged that no progress has been made thus far by the police. They had reportedly sent out the All Police Stations Bulletin (APB) to Brickdam Police Station that is tasked with dispatching information across the country.

Relatives believe that the process is slow and uncertain as oftentimes, the photograph of the missing person may become misplaced,

Missing: Jessica Fidel

therefore, none would be attached to the bulletin.

The relative stated that they had received certain

12 news BoI into accidental release of “Satan” completed monday, JUly 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

– once apprehended, he will go straight to prison – Prisons Director

Alvin Reid, also known as “Satan”, who was mistakenly freed from prison

T

he Board of Inquiry (BoI) into the accidental release from prison of murder accused Alvin Reid, the 35-year-old who is also called “Satan”, has been completed, and its findings will soon be made public.

This is according to Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels, who told Guyana Times on Saturday that, having been tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding the unauthorised release of that prisoner, the BoI would determine the outcome for ranks who had been on duty and had handled the matter at that time.

“Satan”, however, remains on the run as law enforcement officials continue to comb villages in search of him. A wanted bulletin was

last week issued for his arrest, but the Police have made no progress in apprehending him.

Samuels noted that when ‘Satan’ has been recaptured, he will face no additional charges for the blunder that led to his release.

“The thing is: if he is rearrested at any point, it is just for him to be brought straight to the prison, since there is a valid warrant for his imprisonment. So it is not a situation where he has to be taken before the court and all of that. Also, the BoI is finished, but I still have to go through it and prepare a report to send out.”

This blunder of the ranks is said to have occurred because the murder accused had also been on remand for a lesser offence, on which he was freed. It was upon conclusion of the interviewing process pending release for the lesser offence that the rank released “Satan”, being unaware of the information regarding the murder charge against the man. By the time the rank was finally provided with that crucial bit of information, the murder accused was long gone.

“Satan” was, in September 2018, committed to stand trial for the murder of 14-year-old Malika Hamilton, whose body was fished out of the Hope Canal, East Coast Demerara, on August 12, 2016.

It is alleged that she was reported missing after going for a swim with the accused

Sophia teen hospitalised after crashing motorcycle into minibus

N

ineteen-year-old Travis Brown of ‘A’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown is now a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital, after the motorcycle he was riding on Saturday collided with a minibus before crashing into a lamp pole in the vicinity of the main access road at “B” Field Sophia.

Based on reports re-

ceived, minibus BXX 6056 was proceeding north along the main access road in Sophia when the motorcyclist, who reportedly was speeding at the time, allegedly collided with the front of the vehicle before crashing into the lamp post.

Picked up in an unconscious state with injuries about his body, Brown was rushed to the Georgetown

Public Hospital, where he was admitted.

A passenger of the minibus who sustained injuries was treated and sent away, but the driver was up to late Saturday evening in Police custody, assisting with investigations. A breathalyzer test administered on him found no trace of alcohol in his system, but investigations are ongoing.

Victims of Linden-Soesdyke Highway smash-up identified Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels

and another male.

Police arrested “Satan” a few days after Hamilton’s body had been found, having found him hiding in a barrel at a relative’s house. He was subsequently charged and remanded. The unrepresented accused had alleged that Police ranks had beaten him to say things that he did not know about.

A Magistrate subsequently threw the matter out, after ruling that Police had not made out a case against “Satan”. The Police subsequently filed an appeal, and in September 2018, Satan was rearrested.

This time around, police had provided further evidence against him.

Magistrate Peter Hugh had ruled that sufficient evidence was provided for “Satan” to stand trial.

T

he two victims who succumbed to their injuries following a two-vehicle smash-up along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway on Saturday evening have been identified.

They are Royston Stewart, 44, of Sandville and Faye Williams of Bus Shed Street, both areas of the Kuru Kururu community on the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. Williams reportedly died on the spot, after suffering severe injuries to her face which left her unrecognisable; while Stewart suffered a broken hip and died while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital hours after he was transferred from the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

However, Alliyah Munroe and Randy Stoby, both also of Kuru Kururu, remain hospitalised.

Based on information received, an SUV registered PVV 535 was heading towards the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway Junction while hire car HC 2554, be-

Dead: Royston Stewart

ing driven by Stewart, was travelling in the opposite direction. The SUV was reportedly in the process of overtaking another vehicle which was heading in the same direction when it came into the path of the taxi. The resultant head-on collision saw Stewart and his four passengers, as well as the driver of the other motorcar and a passenger, sustaining injuries; as did the driver of the SUV and a passenger therein.

They were all rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where they were examined and treated.

Williams, however, was pronounced dead on arrival there, while Royston Stewart, Randy Stoby and Alliyha Munroe were transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they were admitted.

Stoby suffered a fracture to his lower back, Munroe suffered injuries to her lungs, while Royston Stewart suffered a fractured right hip. Stewart died while receiving medical attention.

Guyana Times understands that the occupants of the SUV were returning from a creek, and the driver might have been under the influence.

The bodies of both victims are at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting post mortem, while the driver of the SUV is reportedly in Police custody, rendering assistance as Police continue their investigations into the accident.

news

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monday, JUly 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Linden to Lethem road woes continue …Govt blamed for non-intervention

to persons that don’t have tools and what happens is that the contractors receive the money to do nothing and residents are left to suffer the consequence and nobody cares,” he said.

Road users, particularly minibus operators, plying the trail have been complaining of the deteriorated condition of the trail which had become almost impassible over the past few months.

Just recently, rehabilitation works were done on the Linden to Lethem road.

The remedial works which commenced on June 23 and completed on June 28, 2019, was expected to bring relief to minibus operators and passengers who traverse This minibus transporting passengers to Mahdia became stuck and occupants were forced to brave the flood and assist the driver

T

he Linden to Lethem trail has returned to its deplorable state just about two weeks after it had been repaired. The trail is flooded and breakages at major intervals are causing it to be almost impassible once again.

Residents of Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), who face the brunt of the challenges associated with the state of the trail, are pleading with the authorities to offer a longterm solution to this issue.

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

Further, the road users alleged that a major contributing factor to this issue is the awarding of contracts to inexperienced contractors. Orlando Phillips, a bus operator who also resides in Mahdia, told Guyana Times on Sunday that if the Government steps in and awards a contract to a reputable contracting firm, the road can be fixed for the long term.

“These fly by night contracting companies that the Government giving contract

to is the problem. They don’t know anything about road works. Somebody should be investigating these people and monitoring them because is we the people left to suffer,” he noted.

On Friday last, a minibus became fastened in a ditch on the flooded terrain for several hours. A passenger, Raymond Charles, that was in the minibus at the time reached out to Guyana Times. He explained that the trip, which usually takes seven hours is now 10 1/2 hours due to the deteriorated state of the roadway. He said that the bus, after being stuck, remained in the position for about two hours as the passengers came out to assist the driver in getting it out of the ditch.

“It’s very frustrating and overwhelming. Getting in and out of here is a task and its right there evident. No one is making this stuff up, the videos and images are plastered on social media every day and nothing is being done. The Administration don’t care about the people up here. The road fix about two weeks ago and that brought us a few days of relief but now we are back at square one, it’s the Ministry responsible for this…they

need to intervene now,” he said.

Meanwhile, another resident and Councillor of Mahdia, Davo Ramphal, who also spoke to this publication, highlighted the agony he faced travelling into Mahdia on Thursday last.

He said the journey took 11 1/2 hours, some 4 hours more than the trip usually takes. He said the passengers were forced to endure the minibus being stuck at various intervals along the trail. This resulted in the exhausted passengers having to disembark the minibus and plough through mud and floodwaters to offer the driver some assistance in getting out of those ditches to continue the journey to Mahdia.

Ramphal said that the current state of the road is due to the Administration giving contracts to friends and family who do not own the necessary machinery and equipment and who do not possess the relevant experience for conducting such works and as such, substandard works are being done.

“The Administration giving contracts to party people that do not even own a spade or a shovel. They are giving these contracts

the trail, however, it lasted all of about two weeks.

The works were done on certain patches and major holes were filled. This was confirmed by the Mayor of the mining town, David Adams, who told Guyana Times that the works were done by the Regional Administration of Region Eight and vehicles are now able to reach into Mahdia.

He added, however, that due to the persistent heavy showers and the heavy-duty trucks traversing the area, he is unsure of how long the works would suffice.

He noted that the works have brought significant relief to the road users that have been suffering in the recent months.

14 News

monday, JUly 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Skeldon continues to face hardships after closure of sugar estate

The closed sugar estate

T

he Skeldon Sugar Estate has been the main source of income in the Upper Corentyne area but since its closure in 2017, the livelihoods of the sacked workers and their families have fallen apart.

A recent visit to Skeldon proved that families are still trying to make ends meet as they shared their sentiments on the effect the closure has had on them.

A market vendor disclosed that she has not made a profit from her vegetables because people in the area cannot afford to purchase those items.

“All my customers are out of a job, because of the closure of the Skeldon Estate and my products goes to waste”, the vendor explained. She added that the fishermen are keeping the

area alive but a lot of people remain unemployed.

A known businessman of the Skeldon area also expressed similar sentiments.

“This estate has affected everyone, it is not easy to have employees on your payroll when your profit is so little, it is only me and my wife to run our business”, the businessman stated.

Operating his business at a loss, the businessman told Guyana Times that he is considering closing down his business since it is slowly dying in a dying Skeldon area.

A group of pensioners took some time to share their views on this issue and they also related the hardships they face on a daily basis.

“I am a pensioner and this issue not only affecting

A frustrated resident speaks to Guyana Times

me but the smallest school child, books are so expensive these days”, one pensioner disclosed. His colleague, who was also discreet in giving name and designations, shared similar views.

“Imagine this present Government has members who grow up in Berbice and they are not doing enough

for us, how can they take away we income?” he asked.

Most of the respondents who shared their views on this issue were totally disappointed in the state of the Skeldon/Corriverton area.

Members of the community stated that Corriverton was one of the brightest areas, the markets, roadways

does not want his baby to be taken away from him, as the child is one of the only memories he has of his late wife.

Although the man loves his daughter dearly, he is afraid that he may not be able to take care of her, his mother said, as his earnings are hardly enough to feed himself at the end of the day.

The worried grandmother said it is hard to look at her son every day, fighting to earn a daily bread, as his business has been really slow over the past few months.

Carter, who is unemployed at this point, said her husband, 70-year-old Raymond Carter, depends on his pension to sustain the family. She said the pensioner would usually take up “day works” around the community, but has been unable to do so due to his health deteriorating.

She said that her husband’s monthly allowance is hardly able to feed everyone in the house since most of it goes towards paying bills.

She, however, noted, as she hid her tears behind her voice, that it has not only been financially challenging for the family, but physically as well.

According to her, she wakes up several times during the night with the little baby, who appears to be looking for her mom. In fact, Carter said that the now dead woman’s other chil-

dren sometimes even ask where she is.

The family is now seeking assistance from the public to be able to care for the little children. Carter said the family is willing to accept clothing for the children, food stocks and even financial assistance. Persons who would like to make a donation to the family can do so by contacting the widower’s mother on cellphone number 687-7302.

The mother of six, Sunita Vandyke died in May at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) two days after being referred there from the Leonora Hospital in Region Three because of the severity of her condition.

The young mother had been admitted at the Suddie Hospital on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) for several weeks, after doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital had removed one of her eyes without any proper explanation, although she had never had any medical complication with her eye.

She had been taken to the Parika Health Centre, where the nurses had administered saline. After receiving the saline, she had started complaining of blurred vision.

She explained that after her daughter-in-law had continued to complain about having blurred vision,

and supermarkets used to be filled.

Things have changed since the main source of income has been taken away.

The market vendors continue to cry as well as businessmen and young unemployed individuals.

A father of three also explained how he has been hurting since he has been out of employment since the closure of the sugar estate.

“I took a work pulling lumber and only $4000 I gaining, this cannot do to feed my children on a weekly basis”, the father explained.

Meanwhile, an elderly citizen explained that this issue should not be of race, but of economics.

Taking away the sugar estate from Skeldon has not done any good for anyone in the Skeldon area. “If the estate is closed, a replacement institute should have been

in place for all those unemployed and broke workers”, he stated.

Another businessman at the upper-part of Skeldon, asked how things will get better, and how the money will circulate if the main income has been taken away.

The money is simply not circulating and business has been on the lower side of things in the area. This estate has left many unemployed, people from the Skeldon area onto Eversham have suffered the consequences of the closure of the sugar estate.

Members of the Skeldon area are calling for a better standard of living, reopening of the sugar estate and for employment to all.

Unemployed youngsters have been involved in crime and it is not doing the community any good.

Family seeks assistance to care for motherless 5-month-old baby

Phyllis Carter with two of her grandchildren that she cares for

By Davina Ramdass

S

unita Vandyke, who died six days after removing her eye at the Suddie Hospital in Region Two, has died, leaving six children behind for relatives to care for, something that has become a major challenge.

The now dead woman’s mother-in-law, 59-year-old Phyllis Carter of Parika,

East Bank Essequibo, recently reached out to this publication to share her story. Carter has been taking care of Vandyke’s two small children since her passing.

According to her, after her daughter-in-law died, her relatives also took custody of the other children.

She said her son, 32-yearold Brian Oswald, is self-employed and makes television antennas for a living and

Five-month-old Rebecca Thorne

she had taken her to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, from where doctors had transferred her to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

However, she had taken Vandyke to the GPHC after the eye problem had worsened and Vandyke’s condition had deteriorated. “We meet GPHC Emergency (Department) with the eye draining inflammation and the nose bleeding, and they said, ‘That’s not an emergency’. And we waited sever-

al hours and were sent away without seeing a doctor.

“I even went to the boss upstairs to complain that we were not getting to see a doctor, and still we could [not] get help; we were sent away,” Carter said.

The woman’s health condition had gotten worse, to the point where she had been unable to walk, and had stopped speaking. Since the incident, she had been in and out of hospital, and had been unable to care for her newborn.

news

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monday, JUly 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say

I SAY...

Should the Police do more public relations (PR) work with regards to traffic laws?

Lester Glenn “Yes because like some people are still not aware.

They need more signboards too.”

Caesar McAlmont “Definitely. For both drivers and pedestrians.

I think they need a little reminder sometimes.”

Tanisha Petty “Of course, most Guyanese road users don’t know their rights that’s why they are being embarrassed and harassed wrongfully a lot of times by traffic officers.

Very few times do I see any awareness campaigns being held. So I definitely would recommend more to be done in this department.”

Leslyn Thompson “Daily, we see a lot of injustices being meted out to road users especially bus drivers who are being unjustifiably stopped and stalled by traffic ranks. Not only do the road users need to be made aware of road laws, that what is lawful and which is not, but traffic ranks need to also be cognisant of the fact that they should not act illegally on the roadways so workshops or awareness programmes should also be held for them.”

Wendy Hernandez “They should not only do more of public relations work for traffic laws but others as well. Finding a medium which guarantees that this information will reach the public.”

Andrew Khan “Yes, they should cause there are some of them breaking the traffic laws and some citizens of Guyana seeing that and breaking the laws too.

They need more work on the traffic area of the Force.”

Damaged submarine cable

GPL still awaiting “parts” to fix damaged submarine cable one month later A

s power outages continue to plague several parts of the country, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has said it is awaiting a “part” to rectify its submarine cable which was damaged over a month ago by a vessel in the Demerara River.

This was revealed to Guyana Times on Tuesday by a credible source attached to the power agency.

The source could not state where the material is being sourced from, neither could she state when it is expected to be in Guyana.

There has been no word about when the part will arrive since most of the persons involved are tightlipped.

The 13.8kV submarine cable, which rests along the upper Demerara River within proximity of Craig, East Bank Demerara, was dislodged by a barge sailing along the Demerara River at around 04:23h on June 6, 2019.

As a result of this incident, West Demerara customers from Vriesland to La

The barge involved in the incident

Gaico Construction Services and staff from GPL’s Project Management Department, Engineering Services, System Planning and Designs, Network Operations and System Control and Engineering Services departments.

Compromised section of the 69 kV submarine cable

Retraite were without electricity until 07:46h, while efforts were underway to alternatively power these customers from the Vreeden-Hoop Substation.

Officials from the China Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) were a part of the GPL efforts to retrieve and examine the submarine cable.

Both entities are also engaged in discussions regarding establishing improved maritime conduct within proximity of the submarine cables.

Another submarine cable across the Demerara River linking the Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston power plants was also damaged four days before the other cable was restored about two weeks later. GPL had warned, however, that residents along the West Coast of Demerara may not be relieved of power failures just yet.

In a statement to the media, GPL explained, “…customers on the West Bank and West Coast Demerara may experience periods of service interruptions as the Vreed-en-Hoop plant, which is now operating in an isolated mode, is not as stable as when it was interconnected to the rest of the DBIS (Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System)”.

The routing and laying of the new cable were done with the aid of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD),

MARAD will be responsible for ensuring the safety of the cable from potential damage by oceangoing vessels, even as plans are afoot to have it laid at least three metres beneath the riverbed.

In the meantime, the

new 13.8 kV cable will be providing over 5 MW of power to the Eastern DBIS. “It spans approximately 4000 feet from Princess Street, Georgetown, to the GPL power station at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.

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guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, JUly 15, 2019

Regional

Guatemala postpones Venezuelans being preyed Trump summit, says will not upon despite registration sign 'safe third country' deal

A

G

uatemala said on Sunday it would postpone President Jimmy Morales’ visit to Washington to discuss Guatemala’s potential designation as a ‘safe third country’ for asylum seekers, stressing that it has no plans to sign such an agreement.

In a statement, Guatemala said the planned meeting between Morales and US President Donald Trump this week had been postponed until the Guatemalan Constitutional Court had ruled on legal challenges. Last week, five former senior officials appealed to the court to block any agreement with the United States that would declare Guatemala a ‘safe third country’.

Under such a deal,

Guatemala's President Jimmy Morales gestures after a meeting with acting Secretary of US Homeland Security, Kevin McAleenan (unseen) in Guatemala City, Guatemala, May 27, 2019

Guatemala would be obliged to offer asylum to migrants who entered its territory en route to the United States.

Migrants from Honduras and El Salvador heading to the US-Mexican border overland usually cross into Mexico via Guatemala.

Over the past week, opposition has mounted

to such a designation for Guatemala, which would radically reshape migration in the region.

“The Government of the republic reiterates that at no point it considers signing an agreement to convert Guatemala into a safe third country,” the Government said. (Reuters)

Cuban Parliament unanimously approves electoral law

C

uba's Parliament has approved a new electoral law which calls for both a President and a Prime Minister, but has no provision for a multiparty system, maintaining the Communist Party as the only permitted political organisation in the country.

The new electoral law was unanimously approved in Saturday's parliamentary session which included former President Raul Castro, who remains the head of the Communist Party of Cuba, and current President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

Like the President and Parliament deputies, the Prime Minister can now be

elected to a maximum of two five-year consecutive terms.

Diaz-Canel is expected to remain President and appoint a Prime Minister, a position for which there are still no official candidates.

Previously, the 1976 Constitution had abolished the role of the Prime Minister, consolidating all executive powers into the presidency.

Esteban Lazo, the President of the National Assembly, said the Prime Minister would be named in December, while the vote to elect the President will happen in October.

Following the new legislation, Parliament will be

downsized from the present 605 deputies to 474 seats.

The new constitution was approved in February this year in a referendum which included some noteworthy economic and social reforms.

More than 86 per cent of Cuban voters voted yes to approve the constitution, according to the Government.

While the constitution reaffirms the nation's commitment to socialism, including guaranteeing health care and education as fundamental human rights, there is a notable liberal shift in the country's economic direction, an attempt to reinvigorate its troubled economy. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Jamaica: Integrity Commission wants corruption courts

T

he often-repeated call for special courts to be established to deal with corruption cases has received the backing of the Integrity Commission in Jamaica, which is mandated to promote and enhance standards of ethical conduct for parliamentarians, public officials and other persons.

In its first annual report to Parliament, Chairman of the Commission, former Court of Appeal Judge Justice Karl Harrison argued that special courts dedicated to corruption matters would be a key measure in the fight against this scourge.

“If we are serious about

fighting corruption, it is the view of the Commission that special 'corruption courts' should be established to adjudicate upon all corruption-related offences. Parish courts are already overburdened and have serious backlogs of cases,” argued Harrison.

The call for corruption courts is one of several recommendations from the Commission in its 2018/2019 report to Parliament.

Harrison and his fellow Commissioners, retired Justice Seymour Panton, Pamela Monroe Ellis, Eric Crawford, and Dr Derrick McKoy had previously made it clear that they want changes to the legisla-

tion which governs its operation, and they highlighted some of the areas they are considering.

These include Section 10 of the Integrity commission Act which provides that, “An appointed Commissioner shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, hold office for a period not exceeding seven years, and may be eligible for reappointment.

“However, if, for any reason, there is no reappointment of the persons who served as appointed Commissioners during the previous term, the Commission will be constituted by entirely new appointed Commissioners”.

(Jamaica Observer)

n SOS for help has gone out to law enforcement from a group of Venezuelans who came before the recent registration exercise in Trinidad, but did not get the opportunity to register and who are now allegedly being “kept” by people they are working for.

That problem, plus job scams, sexual advances on job interviews and other issues are among some of the experiences Venezuelan migrants have encountered since Government’s registration exercise ended on June 14 – a month ago.

Members of several Venezuelan community networks related experiences to the Sunday Guardian as Venezuelans continue settling in and awaiting their registration cards.

Last Thursday, National Security Minister Stuart Young said cards being printed should be distributed in a few weeks. He said registration forms had provided a wealth of information and authorities were

Interpreter Aracelie D’Olivera speaking to migrants on the last day of registration

now tracking problems, including trafficking. But for those in T&T who did not register, authorities would not have information on certain problems affecting them.

Interpreter Aracelie D’Olivera, part of various groups assisting migrants, has, however, been getting information beyond what is on forms. She said she received a message early last week from a Venezuelan man who sought help. He said he came to T&T prior to

the registration but did not get to register and he and 25 others were now working for employers in the East-West corridor (locations given) and were now allegedly being “held hostage” to ensure they worked off payment for the trip.

The man told D’Olivera he came here illegally with about 25 others.

They thought they were being brought for the registration, “But “we were fooled,” he said. (Excerpt from Trinidad

rently facing at least 40 charges of armed robbery and is to be deported a second time by Immigration Canada when his case has been resolved in a Montreal court.

“This case is an aberration,” Reginald Farley, Barbados’ High Commissioner in Ottawa said recently.

“The Canadian authori-

ties haven’t reached out to us for travel documents to facilitate his deportation to Barbados. It will take time for the case to be resolved and if convicted he may have to serve time in jail again,” he said, adding, “No, we haven’t been informed by the authorities about pending deportation but we know some of the details of the case.” (nationnews)

Guardian)

Bajan faces deportation

I

f a convicted Barbadianborn killer isn’t already in Barbados, the island’s law enforcement authorities have every reason to fear his eventual presence.

That’s because 45-yearold James Craigwell, who has spent most of his life in Canada, including a long stretch in a Quebec jail for killing a young man, is cur-

Criminal charges looming over former Petrojam managers

T

he Integrity Commission has completed its probe into the operations of Petrojam, and indications are that criminal charges could soon be laid against some of the main players.

In its 2018/2019 Annual Report tabled in the Senate last Friday, the Commission notes that, “The investigative process and report dealing with matters concerning Petrojam Limited has been completed and is being forwarded to the director of corruption prosecution, pursuant to Section 54 of the Integrity Commission Act”.

In keeping with the legislation governing its operations, the Commission gave no indication of its findings, but the fact that it has been sent to the director of corruption prosecution is a clear indication that criminal charges may be pending.

Auditor General Pamela

Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis, whose probe exposed the many issues surrounding Petrojam

Monroe Ellis, who is also a Commissioner on the Integrity Commission, last year tabled a report of her office's investigation into the State-run oil refinery, which uncovered several questionable management practic-

es that cost the entity hundreds of millions of dollars.

The probe revealed that millions were spent on lavish parties and unapproved sponsorships, while glaring human resource breaches occurred which caused Petrojam to end up in court as sacked employees challenge their dismissal.

It also found that Petrojam made questionable payments related to procurement activities, had significant project cost overruns, and overspent on donations which impaired cash flow.

According to the Auditor General's report, Petrojam did not provide documentary evidence to substantiate payments of J$14.9 million for counselling service for employees, and consultancy services relating to its 35th anniversary planning activities. (Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, JUly 15, 2019

Hong Kong protests: Tens of thousands again turn out

T

ens of thousands have again taken to the streets of Hong Kong as weeks of anti-Government unrest show no sign of stopping.

There were violent clashes between police and a small number of demonstrators in Sha Tin. The protests were sparked by a proposed extradition bill which would allow people to be sent to China for trial.

But they now reflect broader demands for democratic reform and concerns Hong Kong's freedoms are being eroded.

Hong Kong, a former British colony, is part of China but run under a "one country, two systems" arrangement that guarantees it a level of autonomy. It has its own judiciary, and a separate legal system, compared to mainland China.

The Financial Times cited sources as saying Hong Kong's leader, Carrie Lam, had offered to resign several times over the protests but

Tens of thousands took part in the latest rally

China refused to let her.

China insists she must "stay to clean up the mess she created", one of those quoted said.

Police pepper-sprayed a number of demonstrators who had broken away from the official route. A stand-off developed when masked protesters built barricades.

Another rally saw journalists march against what they say is the police mistreatment

of reporters.

It follows a march on Saturday against Hong Kong goods being smuggled into mainland China.

Traders use Sheung Shui to buy goods and sell them at inflated prices over the border, but locals have complained the influx of visitors has driven up prices, put pressure on services and changed the character of the area. (Excerpt from BBC News)

17

Around the World Chandrayaan-2: India space launch delayed by technical problem

T

he launch of India’s second lunar mission has been halted, less than an hour before the scheduled blast-off, owing to a technical problem, says the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

If successful, India will become the fourth country to make a soft landing on the Moon’s surface.

Only the US, China and the former Soviet Union have been able to do so.

The US$150 million mission – Chandrayaan-2 (Moon vehicle 2) – aims to gather data on water, minerals and rock formations on the Moon.

The Indian-made satellite had been scheduled for launch at 02:51h local time on Monday (21:21 GMT Sunday) from Sriharikota space station on India’s eastern coast.

But the countdown was halted 56 minutes before the launch time after a “technical snag was observed in launch vehicle system”,

The rocket weighs as much as a fully-loaded jumbo jet

ISRO said. A new launch time will be announced later.

ISRO Chief K Sivan said this was “the most complex space mission ever to be undertaken by the agency”.

The lander and rover are expected to touch down near the lunar south pole in early September, becoming the first ever spacecraft to land in that region.

The country’s first lunar mission in 2008 – Chandrayaan-1 – did not land on the lunar surface, but it carried out the first and most detailed search for

water on the Moon using radars.

India is using its most powerful rocket, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk-III), in this mission. It weighs 640 tonnes (almost 1.5 times the weight of a fully-loaded 747 jumbo jet) and at 44 metres (144ft) is as high as a 14-storey building.

The spacecraft weighs 2379 kilogram (5244 pounds) and has three distinct parts: an orbiter, a lander and a rover. (Excerpt from

Burundi names Head of ruling party French Police fire tear gas as militia to lead State broadcaster

B

urundi has appointed the Head of the ruling party youth league to head its State-run broadcaster, a move an opposition party has described as a danger to press freedom.

In a presidential decree signed on July 3 and seen by Reuters on Sunday, President Pierre Nkurunziza said he had appointed Eric Nshimirimana to be the Director-General of the National Radio Television of Burundi (RTNB).

Hundreds of Burundians have been killed in clashes with security forces and half a million have fled since Nkurunziza said in 2015 he

would run for a third term in what his opponents saw as a breach of the Constitution. He won reelection.

Human rights groups have in the past raised concerns that Imbonerakure, the youth wing of Nkurunziza’s CNDDFDD party, have been used to cause violence against anyone perceived to be opposed to Nkurunziza.

The Government dismissed the charge, saying the group was purely political and accused opponents of stirring up tensions in a nation that emerged from an ethnically charged civil war in 2005.

The Deputy Chairman of

the opposition FRODEBU party, Léonce Ngendakumana said the appointment could point to Nkurunziza planning to seek another term in office in next year’s election and now the ruling party will get more dominant coverage.

A journalist working with RTNB who did not wish to be named said Nshimirimana’s appointment would not change things.

“The floor is only given to people supporting the ruling party. The Opposition is rarely given a chance to talk. So, the situation will remain the same,” the journalist said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

BBC News)

protests follow Bastille Day parade

F

rench police fired tear gas to disperse protesters from Paris’s Champs Elysees avenue on Sunday, a few hours after President Emmanuel Macron had reviewed the traditional Bastille Day military parade alongside other European leaders.

The famous boulevard was reopened to traffic as soon as the parade finished, but a few hundred protesters from the grassroots ‘yellow vests’ movement tried to occupy it.

Police fired tear gas to disperse the protesters, some hooded, who were trying to block the road with metal bar-

ricades, dustbins and other debris.

The Police Prefecture said on Twitter it had ordered the protesters to leave the area, or be forcibly removed.

Paris Police Chief Didier Lallement told journalists during a Sunday evening patrol of the boulevard that order had been restored. He said some 200 rioters had tried to occupy the Champs Elysees but had been pushed out.

Paris authorities had banned ‘yellow vest’ demonstrations near the parade but several groups linked to the movement had called for gatherings around the Champs

Elysees on Bastille Day, a national holiday in France.

Earlier a French police source and a court source said 152 people — whom they linked to the ‘yellow vests’ — had been detained near the Champs Elysees as they tried to stage a protest.

The number of ‘yellow vest’ protesters has dwindled to a few hundred recently from a high of around 300,000 nationwide in November when demonstrations started against fuel price hikes and later morphed into a general discontent against Macron’s policies and Government.

Trump under fire for racially-charged Iran “ready for talks” with tweets against congresswomen US if sanctions are lifted

U

S President Donald Trump has been accused of racism after posting tweets attacking Democratic congresswomen.

He claimed the women "originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe", before suggesting they "go back".

He then said Speaker Nancy Pelosi "would be very happy to quickly work out free travel arrangements".

It comes a week after Pelosi clashed with "the squad", a group of four leftwing Democratic women of colour.

Of the four congresswomen, three - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley - were born and raised in the US, while the fourth, Ilhan Omar, moved to the US as a child.

Pelosi, Speaker of the House, quoted Trump's tweets and described them as "xenophobic".

"When @realDonaldTrump tells four American

(Excerpt from Reuters)

I Rashida Tlaib (centre), who responded by calling Trump 'a lawless and complete failure of a President', with Alexandria OcasioCortez (left) and Ayanna Pressley (right)

congresswomen to go back to their countries, he reaffirms his plan to 'Make America Great Again' has always been about making America white again," she said.

"Our diversity is our strength and our unity is our power," she added.

Omar told the President that he was "stoking white nationalism because you are angry that people like us are serving in Congress and fighting against your hate-filled

agenda".

She also called him "the worst, most corrupt and inept President we have ever seen".

Others have also flooded the social network with criticism.

Trump has not responded to the criticism.

However, he has since tweeted about migrants being held at US border detention centres, saying: "Sorry, can't let them into our country." (Excerpt from BBC News)

ran is ready to hold talks with the United States if Washington lifts sanctions and returns to the 2015 nuclear deal it pulled out of last year, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said.

But Iran has made any talks conditional on first being able to export as much oil as it did before the United States withdrew from the nuclear pact with world powers in May 2018.

Tensions heightened between the longtime foes last year when US President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers and reimposed sanctions on Tehran that had been lifted under the pact.

In reaction to US sanctions, which have notably targeted Iran's main foreign revenue stream in the shape of crude oil exports. Tehran announced in May it would scale back its commitments

In reaction to US sanctions, Tehran announced in May that it would scale back its commitments to the 2015 nuclear deal

to the deal.

In defiance of a warning by European parties to the pact to continue its full compliance, Tehran amassed more low-enriched uranium than permitted and it has started to enrich uranium above the 3.67 per cent permitted under the agreement.

But after the US unilaterally withdrew in May 2018 and reimposed stinging sanctions on Iran, including on its important banking and oil sectors, the future of the ac-

cord became uncertain.

As the Iranian economy went into freefall, Tehran demanded that the other parties to the deal, especially France, Germany and the United Kingdom, deliver the promised economic benefits and help it bypass US sanctions.

The three European countries on Sunday called for fresh talks aimed at bringing escalating tensions over Iran's nuclear programme to an end. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, JUly 15, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Speak up if you want to make a difference. You’ll face opposition, but if you are willing to listen, compromise and work alongside others, much can be accomplished.

Let your actions speak for you. What you do to put others at ease or to make life better will reflect who you are and what you care about.

Keep life simple and refuse to be pushed in a direction that isn’t good for you. Use your experience to guide you, and speak out to ensure you aren’t taken for granted.

Share your opinions and beliefs only with like-minded souls. If you tangle with someone who has a different agenda, you will end up losing ground. Fight for your rights.

You can try something new without going overboard. Keep your cash in a safe place until you find something in which you really want to invest your time and money.

You are overdue for a VIRGO change.

Look over the possi(Aug. 23bilities and take a step in a Sept. 22) direction that interests you.

Meeting exciting people or sharing with a loved one is encouraged.

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Saturday’s WORD

solution for LAST PUBLISHED puzzle AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

You’ll have some great ideas, but before you begin something new, take care of your responsibilities. Keep the peace in order to limit interference.

Size up what it is you want to do. Go over your plans and take the path that most interests you.

Learn as you go and enjoy what you discover.

Be careful with anyone who appears to be acting strange or is trying to sell you something you don’t need or want. Only make a move, change or purchase if it’s absolutely necessary.

Don’t expect everyone to like your actions, but do your best to help them understand your motives. How you handle others will affect the way things turn out.

Don’t let your temper get the better of you. Poor choices will be the result of acting too quickly or making assumptions. Concentrate on personal growth, not on changing others.

Get involved in something that moves you. Your contribution to a charitable cause will encourage positive change and personal satisfaction.

MONday, JUly 15, 2019

Djokovic beats Federer in Wimbledon final set tie-break thriller N

ovak Djokovic saved two championship points to retain his Wimbledon title with a thrilling final-set tiebreak win over Roger Federer.

On a Centre Court, with an atmosphere that felt at times more akin to football than tennis, Djokovic won 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 13-12 (7-3).

The Serbian world number one has now won 16 Grand Slam titles.

It was the longest Wimbledon final, at four hours 57 minutes, with a Federer error handing Djokovic victory.

“It’s quite unreal,” Djokovic said after winning his fifth Wimbledon title.

Federer, who at 37 was chasing a record-equalling ninth Wimbledon singles title, added: “It was a great match, it was long, it had everything. Novak,

congratulations, man, that was crazy.”

A highly anticipated final between two of the sport’s greats always had the potential to go the distance - and this did that and more.

With fans unable to watch at times, while leaping to their feet and chanting at others, a nervejangling final set turned this into a classic.

When Federer had two championship points at 8-7, Djokovic held his nerve to save both and then break back, eventually taking it to the new tie-break at 12-12.

The Serb - who for extended periods of the match had been second best - had won the match’s previous two tie-breaks and he did so again, snatching victory when Federer scooped a return high.

The Swiss had been seeking to become the oldest Grand Slam champion of the Open era but instead found himself part of a different record as the match time surpassed the Wimbledon record of four hours 48 minutes play of the 2008 final he lost to Rafael Nadal.

Anyone looking at the stats for this match would simply not fathom how Djokovic came out on top.

The Serb trailed the Swiss on first-serve points won, winners made, aces, break points converted, games won and total points won and led him on double faults.

But he won the key points and none more so than in the final set.

A diving volley winner at 5-5 and 15-30 prevented Federer establishing two break points,

19

Novak Djokovic successfully defended his title

while having let the Swiss take an 8-7 lead with an opportunity to serve for the match, he immediately broke back.

Ignoring the increasingly vocal “Roger, Roger” chants from the partisan crowd, Djokovic surged 6-3 ahead in the tie-break.

There was more drama when the final point had to be replayed after a Hawkeye challenge, but Djokovic finally celebrated victory when Federer sent a forehand off the frame of his racquet.

The Serb became the first man to win a Wimbledon singles final after being down match point since 1948 when Bob Falkenburg saved three match points and came back to defeat John Bromwich. (BBC Sport)

Tour de France: Daryl Impey wins 9th Hamilton wins record 6th British stage, Julian Alaphilippe still leads Grand Prix after Vettel crash

S

outh Africa’s Daryl Impey won stage nine of the Tour de France as Julian Alaphilippe retained his overall lead.

Impey, 34, beat Tiesj Benoot to secure his first victory in the race on the run from Saint-Etienne to Brioude.

British defending champion Geraint Thomas, who lost ground on Saturday after a crash, remains in fifth - one minute 12 seconds behind Alaphilippe.

Three-time Vuelta a Espana stage winner Alessandro de Marchi was taken to hospital after a heavy crash early on.

The 33-year-old’s CCC team said the Italian was fully conscious after the crash but had a “deep facial laceration” and was taken to hospital for X-rays.

Impey was a deserving winner after forming part of a 15-man

breakaway which finished over 16 minutes clear of the main peloton.

He is the first South African to win an individual stage at the Tour since Robert Hunter’s triumph in Montpellier in 2007.

The Mitchelton-Scott rider displayed all of his race craft in the defining move of the day, feigning fatigue on the final climb on the Cote de Saint-Just before powering past Benoot and Ireland’s Nicholas Roche.

After Roche was detached about eight kilometres from the finish, Impey beat Belgian rider Benoot in a sprint finish.

“I have been in quite a few breakaways and to finally nail it is a dream come true,” Impey told ITV 4. “All the stars lined up.

“I kind of found a lucky move and didn’t have to do too much to get in there. I played it smart at

the end and knew I had to reach Tiesj and was glad I got there.

“The last time a South African won a stage was in 2007 so it’s been a long time between drinks but it’s a magic memory.”

All the main general classification hopefuls arrived in Brioude together after a late attack from Romain Bardet and Richie Porte was comfortably closed down by Thomas and Team Ineos.

Stage 10 takes the race from Saint-Flour to Albi. In his BBC Sport Tour de France stage-by-stage guide, Mitchelton-Scott ’s Adam Yates backs Italian sprinter Elia Viviani to win the 217.5km leg. (BBC Sport)

Stage nine result

1. Daryl Impey (SA/Mitchelton-Scott) 4hrs 3minutes 12seconds 2. Tiesj Benoot (Bel/Lotto-Soudal) same time 3. Jan Tratnik (Slo/Bahrain-Merida) +10secs 4. Oliver Naesen (Bel/AG2R La Mondiale) same time 5. Jasper Stuyven (Bel/Trek-Segafredo) same time 6. Nicholas Roche (Ire/Team Sunweb) +14secs 7. Marc Soler (Spa/Movistar) +21secs 8. Ivan Garcia (Spa/Bahrain-Merida) +1min 50secs 9. Simon Clarke (Aus/EF Education First) same time 10. Anthony Delaplace (Fra/Arkea-Samsic) +2mins 42secs

General classification after stage nine

1. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra/Deceuninck-Quick-Step) 38hrs 37mins 36secs 2. Giulio Ciccone (Ita/Trek-Segafredo) +23secs 3. Thibaut Pinot (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) +53secs 4. George Bennett (NZ/Team Jumbo-Visma) +1mins 10secs 5. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Ineos)+1mins 12secs 6. Egan Bernal (Col/Team Ineos) +1mins 16secs 7. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/Team Jumbo-Visma) +1mins 27secs 8. Rigoberto Uran (Col/EF Education First) +1mins 38secs 9. Jakob Fuglsang (Den/Astana Pro Team) +1mins 42secs 10. Emanuel Buchmann (Ger/BORA-Hansgrohe) +1mins 45secs

L

ewis Hamilton took a record sixth British Grand Prix victory in a thrilling race featuring a crash between Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel.

Battles throughout the field created a dramatic race - by far the best of the year so far - as Hamilton benefited from a safety-car period to take a lead he never lost after Valtteri Bottas had held back an early attack from his Mercedes team-mate.

Behind them, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Verstappen staged a duel for the ages in disputing third place for the first third of the race.

Their exquisite driving would have been the talk of the day had it not been for the collision between the Dutchman and Leclerc’s team-mate Vettel, for which the German four-time champion was given 10-second time penalty and two penalty points on his super licence.

Hamilton’s victory extends his championship lead to 39 points at the effective halfway point of the championship, but the discussion will focus on Vettel, and what many will perceive as yet another error in the heat of battle - the latest in a series over the past year.

Bottas converted his pole position into a lead at the first corner, but Hamilton challenged hard over the first two or three laps, the Finn just managing to hold him off.

On lap four, Hamilton appeared to have taken the lead, going for the outside at Brooklands then cutting back and passing Bottas around the outside of the 180-degree corner of Luffield.

But he ran a little wide on the exit, Bottas came back at him on the inside and took the lead back into the 180mph Copse corner.

Their fight settled down, Hamilton sitting just over a second behind, until Bottas stopped for fresh tyres on lap 16, his decision to go for the same medium compound he had used at the start committing him to a second stop.

Hamilton, though, stayed out, clearly intending to go for a one-stop strategy, and when the safety car was called after Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi crashed at Vale, he could make a pit stop, comfortably rejoin in the lead and cruise to the finish.

The safety car gave Hamilton the lead as a gift, but the indications were Bottas would have found it difficult to hold him off anyway, once he had committed to a two-stop.

Amazingly, Hamilton also took fastest lap on 30-lap-old hard tyres on the last lap, beating the mark Bottas had set a couple of laps earlier after a stop for fresh tyres.

His sixth British GP win moved him clear of Jim Clark and Alain Prost and puts him in a commanding position in this season’s championship. (BBC Sport) Verstappen is punted off the circuit - by the man who was supposed to be challenging Hamilton for the title this year (Getty Images)

Mitchelton-Scott rider Daryl Impey wins the ninth stage

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monday, JUly 15, 2019

AFCON: Senegal reach final with victory over Tunisia

S

enegal reached the Africa Cup of Nations final for the second time as Tunisia defender Dylan Bronn’s extra-time own goal gave them victory.

Both sides had penalties saved in normal time before Bronn inadvertently headed the only goal of the game.

Mouez Hassen tipped Sadio Mane’s free-kick on to Bronn’s head as Senegal - who next face Algeria or Nigeria - moved closer to a first Afcon title.

Tunisia had a late penalty award overturned by VAR. After Salif Sane’s headed clearance ricocheted off Idrissa Gueye’s elbow, the referee initially pointed to the spot before overturning his decision after reviewing video footage.

Senegal dominated the first half, producing seven shots to Tunisia’s two, with Mane spurning their best opportunity when he missed an open goal.

Tunisia improved after the interval and were awarded a penalty when Ferjani Sassi’s effort struck Kalidou Koulibaly’s arm, but Sassi’s spot-kick lacked power and direction and was saved by

Algeria’s captain Riyad Mahrez celebrates scoring the winning goal

Alfred Gomis.

Four minutes later Senegal were given a penalty of their own when Ismaila Sarr was brought down by Bronn, but Henri Saivet’s shot was kept out by Hassen.

Chess grandmaster admits to cheating with phone on toilet during tournament

The Tunisia goalkeeper then inadvertently gifted victory to Senegal, who will be without influential captain Koulibaly for the final as he is suspended.

Mahrez free-kick sends Algeria into final Riyad Mahrez scored a stunning free-kick with virtually the last kick of the game as Algeria beat Nigeria to

reach the Africa Cup of Nations final.

With the match heading for extra time, Manchester City forward Mahrez whipped a fierce set-piece into the top corner.

T

later signed a declaration that it belonged to him.

“I simply lost my mind yesterday,” Rausis told the website. “I confirmed the fact of using my phone during the game by written [statement]. What could I say more? Yes, I was tired after the morning game and all the Facebook activity of accusers also have a known impact. At least what I committed yesterday is a good lesson, not for me – I played my last game of chess already.”

While there is no evidence of Rausis cheating prior to the incident, his rating had made a remarkable ascent in recent years, climbing by nearly 200 points after hovering around the 2500 range for the previous decade.

Sutovsky said the wrongdoing was also reported to French police.

It is said to be the highest-profile cheating scandal in the sport since Georgia’s Gaioz Nigalidze was banned from a tournament in 2015 after his phone was found in a toilet, earning him a threeyear ban and the loss of his grandmaster title. (The Guardian)

(BBC Sport)

LGC Appreciation Day Tournament…

Cadogan, Hussain, Persaud take top honours

The International Chess Federation says it has suspended Igors Rausis after the grandmaster was “caught red-handed using his phone during a game” (Photograph: John Robertson/The Guardian)

he International Chess Federation says it has suspended a player at a tournament in France after the man was “caught red-handed using his phone during a game”.

The organization said Friday on Twitter that all the evidence in the case of Igors Rausis had been sent to its ethics committee and that it was “determined to fight cheating in chess”.

Rausis is a 58-year-old Latvian-Czech player who won the grandmaster title in 1992 and has over the years represented Latvia, Bangladesh and the Czech Republic.

At No 53 with an Elo of 2686, he is currently the oldest player in the Fide world ratings by seven years.

Federation director-general Emil Sutovsky wrote on Facebook that Rausis had long been under suspicion for cheating and that catching him was “merely the first shot” in a years-long battle against cheating.

Chess.com reported a phone was found in a toilet that had just been used

by Rausis at the Strasbourg Open, and the grandmaster

A William Troost-Ekong own goal had given Algeria the lead before Odion Ighalo’s penalty levelled the scores.

Algeria will face Senegal, who earlier beat Tunisia thanks to an extra-time own goal, in the final on Friday.

Algeria started brightly and came close on two occasions thanks to the dangerous Baghdad Bounedjah.

The striker first poked the ball past Kenneth Omeruo then shot straight at Daniel Akpeyi, before bursting through on goal only for Jamilu Collins to narrowly lift the ball over his own crossbar.

But Algeria took a deserved lead when Troost-Ekong turned Mahrez’s deflected cross into his own net from close range.

Nigeria equalised through Ighalo after Aissa Mandi was penalised, following a VAR review, for handling Peter Etebo’s shot.

That was just the second goal Algeria have conceded in the tournament, but they responded well, and Mahrez’s late strike kept alive their hopes of a second Afcon title.

Other participants of the Appreciation Day Tourney. From left: Captain Chatterpaul Deo, Max Persaud, Padmawati Joree, Mike Mangal, Aleem Hussain, Vishnu “Mahgo” Seecharran, Harry Dhanai, Natasha Joree, Patrick Prashad (standing in for William Walker), and Maxim Mangra

B

eing fully determined to enjoy themselves, and win despite prevailing conditions being wetter than desired, even an accentuated 15-minute heavy downpour during play could not deter Troy Cadogan, Aleem Hussain or Rabindranath Persaud from emerging as champions in their respective flights when the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) Appreciation Day tournament was held on Saturday.

Some 20 golfers took to the course in expectation of great performances, while appreciating the conditions: well-cut greens; clean bunkers or sand-traps; and clear 100 yards of cut, though wet, fairways. In attendance as spectators were several members of the Joree family, whose spontaneous and generous contribution of a large water pump early in

the week was instrumental in preserving the course from being waterlogged.

At the end of the day’s play, in the 0-10 flight, winners were: 1st, Aleem Hussain 70/8, and 2nd, Mike Mangal 72/10.

In the 11-18 flight,1st was Rabindranath Persaud 72/17, and 2nd was William Walker 74/12. Walker tied with Max Persaud, but had a better score on the back 9, and so edged him out of 2nd place.

In the 19-28 flight, Troy Cadogan was 1st with a phenomenal 64/26, while Maxim Mangra was 2nd with 76/22.

Winner of the Longest Drive was Parmanand ‘Max’ Persaud.

Club President Aleem Hussain expressed the LGC’s deepest appreciation to the Joree family for their great contribution. He also thanked the grounds staff/ caddies: Avinash Persaud,

of duty to save the grounds from being waterlogged.

Hussain said that without the combined efforts of the grounds staff and those of several other members who gave finance and equipment, the grounds would have been flooded and waterlogged at time of this Appreciation tournament.

Past Club Captain Patrick Prashad noted that President Hussain should also be highly commended for his own tremendous initiative and leadership, as his presence and example were surely the driving and supporting forces for the workers. He said that Hussain had also worked barefooted (injuring his foot in the process) and had personally operated the pump.

For more information on

Troy Cadogan receiving his trophy from Padmawati Joree

who suffered an injured shoulder in the exercise; Jaswan ‘Barney’ Lokhnauth, ‘Basil’ S. Kellawan, Vishnu ‘Mahgo’ Seecharran, and Harry ‘Budhu’ Dhanai, for being outstanding persons who worked willingly and tirelessly beyond the call

the LGC: on how to become a member, how to learn the basics of golfing free of charge, how to contribute to the Club, or how to use the facilities, please visit the LGC’s Facebook page, or call 220-5660.

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monday, JUly 15, 2019

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DELIVERY

Christianburg-Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) expectedly clinched the inaugural championship after earning a hard fought victory over Linden Technical Institute (LTI) in the final, via kicks from the penalty mark at the Mackenzie Sports Club’s (MSC’s) basketball court.

CWSS prevailed 7-6, and

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Kevin Dornick was named Most Valuable Player (MVP).

In the third-place playoff, Mackenzie High School (MHS) made light work of Linden Foundation to prevail 4-1.

CWSS pocketed $600,000 for the win, while LTI carted off $250,000. MHS received $100,000 for their third place finish, while Linden

Foundation walked away with $50,000.

Each prize money will go towards a project of the school’s choice.

The NEE promotional group will now switch their focus to their annual Mohamed’s Enterprise/ ExxonMobil senior futsal championships, which are set to be launched on Wednesday.

everal teams claimed massive wins when the ExxonMobil Boys’ & Girls’ Under-14 Football tournament continued on Saturday at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Carifesta Avenue.

The largest win in the Petraorganised tournament over the weekend was Dolphin Secondary in crushing Tutorial High 7-nil.

Doubles from Jude Charles (2nd, 22nd) and Jequa Cole (12th, 33rd), along with a goal each from Tyreece John, Devon Chance and Ronaldo James secured the win for Dolphin.

Cummings Lodge had earlier

drubbed Ann’s Grove 6-2. Ann’s Grove were up 2-0, compliments of a goal each from Travis Williams and Bryan Wharton, but Shiloh Adams’s hat-trick, along with Jitzek Martin’s double and a successful strike from Keyshawn Millington, paved the way for an intriguing come-from-behind win.

North Ruimveldt got past Queenstown 5-3. The eventual victors took a two-possession lead early, and kept mounting the pressure on the opposition.

Carlo James and Orlando Dieuy’s doubles, along with Emperor Cusbing’s

37th minute goal, proved enough to overshadow the Queenstown efforts.

Queenstown had a goal each scored

by Tishawn Valenzuela, Tywrell Boodhoo and Kempson Spencer.

Plaisance Orphanage’s 4–1 win over St John’s saw every goal coming off the efforts of Plaisance.

Charran opened scoring in the 12th minute, then Winston Gumar doubled the lead in the 16th minute, before Jeremiah Marks scored in the 23rd and 31st minutes. St John’s lone goal was an own goal scored in the 26th minute.

Other results

New Campbellville won 6 to 5 on penalty kicks Goal Scorers New Campbellville Kellon Lynch, 14th min

St Mary’s Terry Martin, 24th min

New Campbellville 1 vs Tucville 1

Boys

East Ruimveldt 1 vs Marian Academy 2

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DELIVERY

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CWSS’ skipper Andre Mayers receiving the championship trophy from a representative of NEE

ExxonMobil Boys & Girls’ U-14 Football Tournament…

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21

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

Goal Scorers East Ruimveldt Adrian Wharton 6th min

Marian Academy Malik Barker 9th min Daniel Lowe 39th min

Carmel 1 vs Golden Grove 1

Carmel won 5 to 4 on penalty kicks Goal Scorers Carmel Ian Daniels 19th min

Golden Grove Quintin December 20th min

New Campbellville 1 vs St Mary’s 1

Lodge 1 vs Charlestown 1

Goal Scorers Lodge Tyrese Boodhoo, 11th min

Charlestown Own Goal, 17th min Lodge won 4 to 3 on penalty kicks

Girls

Uitvlugt vs Lodge

Uitvlugt won by walkover

Goal Scorers New Campbellville Z. Rockliffe 22nd min

Tucville Karen Jupiter 5th min

East Ruimveldt vs St Mary’s

East Ruimveldt won by walk over Charlestown vs St Stanislaus Charlestown won by walkover Ann’s Grove vs Annandale: Game abandoned

Dolphin vs Richard Ishmael: Game abandoned

22

monday, JUly 15, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Guyana U-17's finish winless in poorest show at CWI regional tournament – Barbados retain title

By Brandon Corlette

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he Guyana U-17 Team have been denied a victory in the fifth and final round of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional U-17 One-Day Championship, and remain at the bottom of the points table with 3.1 points after registering four defeats.

In contest against the Leeward Islands in the final round, the Guyanese were hit hard when rain ended the match with the Islanders on 26-1 after 7.1 overs.

Barbados retained the title, finishing with 17.9 points after recording three wins without any defeat.

This was easily the poorest showing by any Guyanese team in a U-17 Regional tourney.

Only a few players were noticeable by their performance, with Matthew Nandu, Sheldon Charles and Mavindra Dindyal readily coming to mind. This team lacked cooperation, and thus remained winless.

Moving forward, the en-

tire team, management and members of the board must put other systems in place for these youth teams in Guyana.

Players should be gelling together for weeks leading into the buildup of a tournament.

This Guyana U-17 team has been a topic of discussion in the country, especially since more capable players were omitted from the touring squad.

The Guyana U-17 teams have been using the inter-county tournaments to prepare for their regional tournaments. This team played the Hand-inHand Inter-County tournament that featured Berbice U-19s, Essequibo U-19s and Demerara U-19s. They showed some amount of effort in those encounters, but some of the players who played in the Select U-17 team have not performed, yet they were still selected.

The inter-county U-17 tourney was played earlier in the year, and two members from the Select U-15 team led the batting charts.

Rampertab Ramnauth and Mavindra Dindyal were those batsmen, along with Nandu, who scored heavily. Additionally, Sarwan Chaitnarine and Jonathan Rampersuad showed promise with the bat.

West Indies U-15 selectee Ramnauth was not picked to play for the U-17 team, and his West Indies U-15 team mate Isai Thorne was also omitted. Man of the Final in the U-19 Inter-County tourney, Daniel Mootoo, was also left out of this team. A lot more names can be added in the omission list, but the tournament is done and dusted.

Those selections made for the poor showing of the Guyana U-17 team, and the results were evident. This squad went into training camp days before departure, not weeks; and the gap from their preparation tournament was large, while they lacked match time.

Not all the selectors should be blamed, but some must take responsibility for the team’s poor performance. Omitting players

Some of the players in the Guyana U-17 squad were not picked on performance

with Regional experience and great talent is certainly unacceptable.

This tournament will be seen as a learning curve, and the country’s cricket board should improve preparation systems for these Regional

youth teams.

Individual Awards

Best WicketkeeperNimar Bolden (Barbados)- 8 dismissals, 8 catches Most wickets - Tyran Theodore (Windward

Islands)- 14 Most runs - Teddy Theodore (Windward Islands) – 149, with a top-score of 96 (highest individual score in tournament) Most Valuable Player was Jaden Leacock (Barbados)

Guinness "Greatest of the Streets" – Georgetown…

8 teams taste victory BCB continues outreach programme at cricket clubs Part of Saturday night’s action at the National Cultural Centre’s Tarmac

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Members of the PMCC stand with BCB executives including President Hilbert Foster and VP Albert Smith

erbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster and Vice President Albert Smith recently visited the Port Mourant Cricket Club (PMCC) as part of the BCB outreach programme.

All BCB member clubs would be visited by the president, with support of some of his executives, as the BCB steps up its effort to inform players of its work, unveil plans for the future, and offer words of advice to youth cricketers.

Speaking at length about the importance of education and the need to always say no to drugs and crime, Foster urged the attentive youths to uphold the rich legacy of the PMCC, and to follow in the footsteps of legends like John Trim, Rohan Kanhai and Basil Butcher, who were all Test cricketers for the West Indies.

The BCB, he promised, would assist the PMCC to hold coaching sessions for young

players, and two players would each receive a cycle and a pair of batting gloves. The RHTY&SC, MS, would also donate school bags and educational materials to five players who recently wrote the Grade Six Exams.

PMCC has already received balls and score books from the BCB, and would shortly get other items, including a five-gallon water cooler and white tee shirts.

The BCB President committed to visiting the club on a regular basis, as he does across Berbice wherever cricket is being played.

The players and executives of the club were also reassured that the BCB would work hard every day to make sure that Berbice Cricket develops even more in the future.

Foster also visited Rose Hall Canje CC on Wednesday last, and during this week, he would be at the Chesney and Whim cricket clubs.

T

he battles have begun to see who makes the National cut this year for the Georgetown leg of the Guinness Greatest of the Street Competition, which took place at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac on Saturday night.

The night started off with a nil-all draw between Rising Stars and Good over Evil, which Rising Stars won 1 – 0 on penalty kicks.

After that, Ol Skool Ballers were needled 0–1 by Sophia. The decider was scored by Dwayne Lowe in the 15th minute.

In Game 3, ‘Albouystown B’ sank Berlin 3–0. Moses Grittens opened the scoring in the 4th minute, then Melvorn Ross scored a Guinness Goal in the 18th minute, to push their side over the line.

Kingston and Broad Street then engaged

in a thriller which saw the latter prevail 3 – 4. Broad St scorers were Jimmy Gravesande with a 19th minute Guinness Goal, Ryan Dowding (5th) and Akeem Sam (12th).

Nigel Denny scored in the 3rd and (GG) 18th minutes, but it was not enough to get them the upper hand against the opposition.

Charlotte Street, Leopold Street and Future Stars all pulled of 1–nil victories against Bent Street, Pike Street and Sophia United, respectively, to advance to the next round.

In the final match of the night, Queen St Tiger Bay won 3-1 against Smyth Street.

Solomon Austin scored in the 3rd and 18th (GG) minutes to give Tiger Bay the win.

Smyth Street’s only goal was scored by Isiah Reddy.

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monday, JUly 15, 2019

23

England edge New Zealand in Super Over thriller to clinch maiden World Cup England’s Jos Buttler runs out New Zealand’s Martin Guptill to win the super over

I

t was a match befitting of a final as both England and New Zealand refused to get rolled over in a gut-wrenching World Cup finale. In what will most likely be the best ever One-Day International played and certainly was the best ever World Cup final played till date, England laid all questions about their fickle temperament to rest with a nervy win after a tied Super Over to lift their maiden World Cup title at Lord’s in a blockbuster Sunday (July 14). This was their moment, and rightly so. Lewis Hamilton’s record win at Silverstone seemed low-key in front of it, the five-set nerve-wracking Wimbledon final failed to pale it as Eoin Morgan and his men lived their moment under the sun and lifted the coveted title at the famed venue.

Ben Stokes, the villain of 2016 at the Eden Gardens, redeemed himself to singlehandedly clinch the title for England with an unbeaten knock of 84 first in chase of 242 and then eight in the oneover eliminator. Set 16, Martin Guptill and James Neesham got the equation down to 2 off 1.

Guptill was run out on the final ball of the game with scores tied as England won on the boundary count - stroking nine more than their opponents. What an end!

New Zealand were forced to live through the scars of the 2015 loss once again but fought a much mightier fight and got a lot closer this time. They refused to present the match on the platter and fought every single moment after posting 241 on a tricky surface. England wobbled but still believed. The depth of the batting

unit held them in good stead as Stokes and Buttler scored 110 for the fifth wicket to keep the hosts in the hunt.

Stokes and Buttler struck halfcenturies - bringing the equation down to 46 off 31 at one stage but it seemed it had all gone pearshaped because of one moment of madness from the latter. But Stokes believed. He wanted this.

As the equation slipped to 22 off 9, Stokes slammed one Neesham delivery wide of long-on. Trent Boult settled under it and took a clean catch. There was more drama though as the pacer then took a step back and stepped on the rope to give England crucial six more. In hindsight, the game was lost there by the visitors.

That wasn’t the end of the drama, though. Stokes found a way to score six off one ball without hitting the ball over the fence. In the final over, Boult started with two dots and then saw Stokes slam a full ball to deep midwicket. The throw came in from Guptill and it deflected off Stokes’s bat to go to the third man fence as Kumar Dharmasena signalled six runs. Two runs outs followed after that as Adil Rashid and Mark Wood failed to make it to the bowler’s end going for the second on both occasions.

England needed two off the final ball as Stokes pushed the ball to long-on but Wood’s sprint wasn’t enough as the game got pushed to the Super Over.

Things were a lot different earlier in the day for England though. The emotions were all different. With England 86 for 4 in the 24th over, New Zealand were

clearly on top. And yet, even with the asking rate over six, Stokes and Buttler chose to deal in singles for most parts of their chase. As the equation came down to 72 off the last ten, with the StokesButtler stand standing at 84, there were just six boundaries. They had done incredibly well to keep the chase within reach even when the boundaries didn’t flow. Such was the quality of the stand that the inevitability of the defeat had started dawning on the visiting side by the 35th over. But as they say, it’s never over till it’s over and a World Cup final is a totally different beast.

One moment of madness from Buttler almost killed it all.

In the 45th over, Buttler slashed a back of length delivery to sweeper cover as Lockie Ferguson got his side back in the game.

Chris Woakes slogged against the pacer and came short as Stokes watched his mates throw it away in disbelief.

For most parts of the chase, New Zealand had it in their grasp but once Buttler and Stokes got together, there were rarely any opportunities for them. The bowlers had put the side within touching distance as England got off to a slow start. Though Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow scored 28 for the first wicket inside six overs, the pressure was always on them.

Roy survived an lbw review on the first ball of the chase as umpire’s call saved the opener. While Boult was on the money, it was Matt Henry who tested England’s toporder.

England were 39 for 1 in the first ten, and then managed just

34 in the next ten. It was the loss of Joe Root - caught behind - and Bairstow - chopped on - that really hurt England. Morgan slashed one straight to sweeper cover to ensure New Zealand had one hand on the trophy. Root was brilliantly set up by Colin de Grandhomme, who bowled his ten taking 1 for 25. On the first ball of the 17th over, he got the ball to nip in beat the inside half of the bat. Root was desperate and was itchy as de Grandhomme and Ferguson had built the pressure in the previous overs.

On the second ball, Root danced down the track and played an ugly hoick as the ball buzzed past the inside edge. On the third, de Grandhomme dangled the carrot in front of the England Test captain. He floated one outside off and got it to move away. Root chased it and all he managed was an outside edge. It all seemed going downhill for England from there on but Buttler and Stokes were just too good on the day to snatch it all away from the visitors and

inflict more scars.

Earlier in the day, an early morning downpour delayed the start by 15 mins as gloomy conditions welcomed both sides. Once the coin fell in Williamson’s favour, both captains acknowledged they weren’t too sure what they should do. New Zealand made the brave call of batting first and all saw both Woakes and Jofra Archer enjoy the conditions. Henry Nicholls survived an lbw appeal as the review - which showed the ball going on top of the stumps from Woakes - but Martin Guptill’s horror-tournament came to an end in the seventh over with just 19 to his name.

Nicholls made 55 and added 74 for the second wicket with Williamson but England stayed in contention as the conditions refused to ease up. Liam Plunkett’s introduction did the trick for England as he had the New

Zealand captain caught behind in the 23rd over and then bowled Nicholls four overs later. Wood pinged Ross Taylor in front and had the decision go to his favour.

Taylor, though, was quite unlucky as Guptill had already lost the team the review early on.

Tom Latham carried the side forward but Neesham and de Grandhomme struggled for any sort of momentum. If Plunkett did the damage in the middle overs, Woakes buried them at the death. Latham chipped a low full toss off Woakes to mid-off as New Zealand’s chances of going past 250 vanished quickly. Jofra Archer bowled five at the death - taking 1 for 22 - as New Zealand scored just 62 in the last ten.

And while it may seem criminal, they’ll look back at the period between 20th over to the 34th - where they went without a single boundary - as the period that lost them the game. (Cricbuzz)

3

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand Innings (50 overs maximum) MJ Guptill lbw b Woakes . . . 19 HM Nicholls b Plunkett . . . . 55 KS Williamson (c) c †Buttler b Plunkett . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 LRPL Taylor lbw b Wood . . . 15 TWM Latham † c sub (JM Vince) b Woakes . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 JDS Neesham c Root b Plunkett . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 C de Grandhomme c sub (JM Vince) b Woakes . . . . . . . . 16 MJ Santner not out . . . . . . 5 MJ Henry b Archer . . . . . . 4 TA Boult not out . . . . . . . . 1 Extras (lb 12, nb 1, w 17) . . . 30 TOTAL (50 Overs, RR: 4.82) 241-8 Did not bat: LH Ferguson Fall of wickets: 1-29 (Martin Guptill, 6.2 ov), 2-103 (Kane Williamson, 22.4 ov), 3-118 (Henry Nicholls, 26.5 ov), 4-141 (Ross Taylor, 33.1 ov), 5-173 (James Neesham, 38.6 ov), 6-219 (Colin de Grandhomme, 46.5 ov), 7-232 (Tom Latham, 48.3 ov), 8-240 (Matt Henry, 49.3 ov) BOWLING: CR Woakes (9-0-37-3), JC Archer (10-0-42-1), LE Plunkett (10-0-42-3), MA Wood (10-1-49-1) AU Rashid (8-0-390) BA Stokes (3-0-20-0)

Ben Stokes was England’s constant driving force in the finale

England Innings (target: 242 runs from 50 overs) JJ Roy c †Latham b Henry . . . 17 JM Bairstow b Ferguson . . . . 36 JE Root c †Latham b de Grandhomme . . . . . . . . . 7 EJG Morgan (c) c Ferguson b Neesham . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 BA Stokes not out . . . . . . . 84 JC Buttler † c sub (TG Southee) b Ferguson . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 CR Woakes c †Latham b Ferguson . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 LE Plunkett c Boult b Neesham 10 JC Archer b Neesham . . . . . 0 AU Rashid run out (Santner/ Boult) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 MA Wood run out (Neesham/ Boult) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Extras (b 2, lb 3, w 12) . . . . . 17 TOTAL (50 Overs, RR: 4.82) 241 all out Fall of wickets: 1-28 (Jason Roy, 5.4 ov), 2-59 (Joe Root, 16.3 ov), 3-71 (Jonny Bairstow, 19.3 ov), 4-86 (Eoin Morgan, 23.1 ov), 5-196 (Jos Buttler, 44.5 ov), 6-203 (Chris Woakes, 46.1 ov), 7-220 (Liam Plunkett, 48.3 ov), 8-227 (Jofra Archer, 48.6 ov), 9-240 (Adil Rashid, 49.5 ov), 10-241 (Mark Wood, 49.6 ov) BOWLING: TA Boult (100-67-0), MJ Henry (10-240-1), C de Grandhomme (10-2-25-1) LH Ferguson (100-50-3), JDS Neesham (7-043-3), MJ Santner (3-0-11-0)

Foster pledges full support for Albion CC D

uring the closing ceremony of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club’s cricket academy, Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President, Hilbert Foster, encouraged the youths to develop a culture of hard work, respect for elders, personal discipline, and dedication to the game.

Also present at the academy’s opening ceremony on Monday last, Foster had given its participants an inspirational speech. The youths were informed of the importance of education, and were urged to always say no to drugs, crime and suicide.

Foster has assured that the BCB would work hard to uphold the high standards attained over the last 18 months, and would, in 2019, host more tournaments at the U-13, U-15, U-17, U-19,

BCB President Hilbert Foster presenting an award to this young participant

U-21 and U-23 levels.

Foster also assured that numerous developmental programmes would be hosted.

He praised the outstanding leadership of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club, and made special mention of

Albion CC President Vemen Walters, Orvin Mangru and Outar. He also noted the contribution of the Albion CC senior players who have dedicated their time to coaching at the Academy.

Veerasammy Permaul;

Anthony Bramble; Gudakesh Motie; and Devandra Bishoo were sponsors of the Cricket Academy, and they contributed significantly to its success.

Foster has handed over a pair of batting gloves to Damian Cecil, a player who he described as an upcoming star. He also handed out prizes to two other players.

The ‘Player of the Academy’ will also receive a bicycle later in the week. The prizes were donated by the BCB and RHTY&SC, MS. The BCB would like to congratulate the Management of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club on a successful job done, and wish to reassure that they would always have the full support of the board.

Berbice Under-15 batsman Tameshwar Mahadeo was awarded Most Promising

Veerasammy Permaul presenting a trophy to the most promising batsman, Ari Afrizal Kadir

Player of the academy. Shiv Harripersaud was the most disciplined participant and most promising fast bowler; Kumar Deopershad was the most promising spin bowler, Ari Afrizal Kadir was the most promising batsman, and

Damion Cecil was the most promising wicket-keeper.

Nicholas Lepps was the most promising fieldsman, Pavendra Ganesh had the best overall attendance and punctuality, and Timothy Brigbhukan was the most participating student.

monday, JUly 15, 2019

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

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England edge New Zealand in Super Over thriller to clinch maiden World Cup Page 23

ExxonMobil Schools’ Futsal tourney

CWSS are inaugural champions Page 21

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