Guyana Times - Tuesday, July 9, 2019

NGSA students being prepared for secondary school

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3979

Tuesday, july 9, 2019

PRICE

Jordan’s contempt sentence

President invokes executive power to prevent Finance Minister from serving jail time …interference sends bad signal to investors – Jagdeo stories on …as GRA hits Dipcon with $500M tax bill See pages 7 & 9

PNC members among President’s nominees for GECOM Chair See story on page 3

James Patterson

Aubrey Armstrong

Claudette La Bennett

…Granger acting in bad faith – PPP

Itaballi-Puruni road in a deplorable state See story on page 11

Motorcyclist dies after crashing into car Page 11

…residents calling for Govt’s intervention

…intoxicated driver arrested

Mayor blames Georgetown residents for Page flooding 9

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

$8B in financial crimes reported to FIU for 2018 P7

Annandale man killed in hit-and-run accident P8

Death in Police lock-ups

Lawyer writes DPP, PCA, Top Cop to initiate P14 inquest

Deaths of 3 children at GPHC

Medical Council still to pronounce on fate of P14 doctors

India’s Govtfunded pumps expected P11 within months

2 news

TUESday, JUly 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

P/Nagar residents call on GPL to remove broken pole, live wires

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esidents of Premnaranjan Place, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown, are calling on the Guyana Power and Light to remove a broken electricity pole from the street.

Residents said the broken pole has been leaning onto the road with live wires exposed for more than a month now and several reports were made to the power company to no avail.

Residents reached out to Guyana Times to reiterate calls to the company to have the pole removed. A resident, who gave her name only as Sherry, told this publication that a month ago she made the first report to GPL when the pole started to lean. She noted that the report was taken and she was given a reference number. The woman added that after no inspection crew came to investigate, she called to inquire a

The low-hanging wires resulting from the broken pole

few weeks later and was told that the report is with the maintenance crew. “This situation here is very dangerous. And it has been like this for several weeks now. Right now, the bottom of the pole is splitting and it’s too dangerous. All of the live wires are exposed and dragging on people’s fences,” the woman said.

Further, she explained

that other neighbours have also been making reports to GPL to no avail. Another resident, Donna Fredericks, also shared her concerns with this publication. Fredericks said that the wires have been hanging very low and trucks are unable to pass and as a result, they have to divert from the pole and drive onto the parapet, resulting in damages.

She described the situation as uncomfortable and called on the responsible Minister and those in authority to instruct the power company to do its job.

“I don’t know for how long more we have to endure this situation. It’s very dangerous and I’ve come to realise that things aren’t taken seriously here until it gets ugly. Maybe if someone dies then they would come here to investigate. These wires on this pole are live because these are the very wires that are giving us electricity. The pictures are there, people can see for themselves exactly what’s going on. In addition to this, look at the condition of the road…a huge break in the parapet where high vehicles are now driving…look at the condition of this place, it’s ridiculous,” she argued.

Another resident, Daphne Mentore, also of

The electrical wires hanging on residents’ fences after the pole broke Premnaranjan Place, told this publication that she too is worried about her and her children’s safety. Mentore said the wires are hanging on their fences and it is not safe for children who would often be playing in their yards. She said the pole is evidently rotted and cautioned that if the power company does not intervene soon, it can fall creating harm to those living in

the area or passersby. “I really hope GPL come and do what they are supposed to, to have this pole removed.

It’s been leaning here for too long and the situation is unsafe for us here. It can fall at any time and these exposed wires are also very dangerous. Especially with the heavy rains. We are pleading with them to do something,” she said.

Joel Simpson

Meanwhile, De Abreu, who is no stranger to the court, was charged back in 2017 for discharging a loaded firearm at his pregnant girlfriend and her sister.

However, that charge was dismissed after the virtual complainants refused to give evidence. Another wanted bulletin was issued for De Abreu in relation to an attack on Trinidadian, Rodney LeBlanc commonly known as “Benjai”, which also occurred in 2017. He is currently before the courts for that case.

Wanted man turns self in for alleged attack on SASOD Head

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ays after the Guyana Police Force (GPF) issued a wanted bulletin for 29-year-old Maverick De Abreu, on Monday afternoon he turned himself in to Police custody at the Brickdam Police Station, accompanied by his attorney, Siand Dhurjon.

The wanted bulletin was issued last Friday for De Abreu for questioning in relation to the assault of gay rights activist and Head of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination

(SASOD), Joel Simpson.

De Abreu is suspected to be one of the persons who carried out an attack on SASOD’s Head at Bourda Market, Georgetown, following a party at a popular city bar on June 15, 2019.

According to media reports, Simpson had visited the Bourda Market to make a purchase after a night out when he was attacked by six men whom he had allegedly had an earlier encounter with at a popular night club.

Simpson alleged that as

Maverick De Abreu

he continued to ignore the men while making his order, he was pushed to the ground and badly beaten. Further, it was revealed that a City Constable, who attempted to intervene, was also attacked by the men and was later rescued by market vendors and taken to safety.

After the attack, SASOD’s Head was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he sought medical attention for injuries sustained to his hands, knees and sides.

news

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TUESday, JUly 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

PNC members among President’s

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

Tuesday, July 9 – 10:00h-11:30h and Wednesday, July 10 – 11:30h-13:00h.

nominees for GECOM Chair …Granger acting in bad faith – PPP

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, July 9 – 09:15h-10:45h and Wednesday, July 10 – 10:30h-12:00h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals will prevail throughout the day interrupted by light rain showers in the mid-morning to afternoon hours, with clear to partly cloudy skies expected in the evening.

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

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

High Tide: 09:56h and 22:29h reaching maximum heights of 2.41 metres and 2.39 metres.

Low Tide: 15:56h reaching a minimum height of 0.82 metre.

saturday, JULY 6, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS E

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DAILY MILLIONS

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

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Kessaundra Alves

n an unexpected move, President David Granger on Monday submitted eight nominees for chairmanship of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) through his representatives.

More surprisingly, some of the nominees on the list have displayed strong political linkages to the People’s National Congress (PNC).

Both Opposition and Government officials met on Monday for what the Opposition thought would have been meaningful discussions on the possibility of narrowing candidates to fill the position, from the list of 11 nominees that was submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo as constitutionally mandated in Article 161 (2).

Former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and Members of Parliament Anil Nandlall and Juan Edghill led the Opposition’s delegation, while Ministry of the Presidency Director General Joseph Harmon; Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan represented President Granger. To the Opposition team’s surprise, upon arrival at the meeting, they were handed a list with the names of eight persons, including unconstitutionally-appointed former GECOM Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson.

Other persons on the list were Dr Aubrey Armstrong; Retired Justice Stanley Moore; Retired Justice Claudette La Bennett; Georgetown Public Hospital Chairperon Kessaundra Alves; former Solicitor General Kim Kyte and PNC Executives Stanley Ming and Kads Khan.

Disappointed

After the engagement, Opposition representatives voiced their disappointment and dissatisfaction with the proceedings. Nandlall reiterated that the CCJ’s conclusion on fostering “good faith” was violated by Government’s actions to formally submit its own nominees.

“These names were supposed to be floated in a fluid way so that the Leader of the Opposition would, in turn, take those names and once agreement is arrived in relation to them, put them along with the list of his constituting six and returning them to the President,” he explained.

Kim Kyte

Stanley Moore

Paragraph 26 of the CCJ’s recommendation prescribes that “the most sensible approach is that before a list is submitted, the Leader of the Opposition and the President must communi-

Kads Khan

President could make informal suggestions, the eight names were imposed to be deliberated upon. Moreover, the Government’s representatives expressed that they were given “no instruction”

Stanley Ming

“It was our clear understanding that we were going there this afternoon to consider those 11 names and for the Government to indicate or rather the President’s delegates at that engagement to tell us which of the 11 names the President finds acceptable and which he does not find acceptable. Lo and behold, when we get there, we are confronted with a list from the Government’s side and the members of the President’s team inform us that they have no instruction in relation to the 11 names,” the Attorney-at-Law stressed.

Violates good faith

Opposition and Government representatives during Monday’s meetings

cate with each other in good faith on, or perhaps meet to discuss, eligible candidates for the position of Chairman.

The aim of these discussions must be to agree the names of six persons who fit the stated eligibility requirements and who are not unacceptable to the President.”

According to him, it was their understanding that the 11 names would be deliberated on during the meeting to constrict the list to six persons. While there were signals that the

on Jagdeo’s list, even though the July 4 meeting with the President laid out these matters.

He posited, “That, we believe violates the good faith which is intended for this process to succeed. The President told us very clearly that he would like this process to be completed in a matter of days and we welcome that commitment. turn to page 8

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TUESday, JUly 9, 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

Drinking and Driving

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ver the last three weeks, the issue of alcohol and the massive damaging effects it is having on individuals and communities has again been brought to the fore.

There have been a number of deadly accidents countrywide, most of which were as a result of alcohol consumption.

Persons, all of whom could have been working and assisting their families, and perhaps helping in the development of their communities and country as a whole, are now dead.

This is in addition to the dozens of other persons who had lost their lives earlier in the year because of some form of recklessness committed by drivers, or, in some cases, carelessness by pedestrians themselves.

We are indeed convinced that the efforts being made by law enforcement and other authorities to reduce the alarming rate of road accidents are not achieving the desired results. This year will go down as yet another year when Guyana experienced some of its most horrific road accidents, resulting in losses of lives and injuries to countless others.

We are very much concerned about the number of persons losing their lives on our roadways. Too many families have been broken as a result of losing loved ones due to road accidents, most of which could have been avoided.

According to statistics provided by the Guyana Police Force as of June, there have been 49 accidents recorded throughout Guyana since 2019 commenced, and these accidents resulted in the deaths of 52 individuals. Over the past two weeks, approximately six persons have lost their lives, causing that figure to climb further. Of the total number, over 75 percent of these fatal accidents were caused by driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding; a combination of these two factors, the traffic chief has reported.

In 2018, of the 51 deaths recorded, 41 were males while 10 were females. Of this total, two were children.

The reasons for the high rates of road accidents are well known, and there is no need to rehash them here, except to say that while there are various factors which impact on road safety, there is little doubt that the single most important one, in a general sense, is enforcement of the traffic laws.

The Government has enacted the relevant legislation in relation to driving under the influence, loud music in vehicles, overloading, speeding, etc, but if the laws are not adequately implemented, they become useless. It would be interesting to find out how many of the drivers/ conductors who are stopped for breaking a traffic law/s are actually charged and brought before the courts. It should also be mentioned here that, in some cases, Police officers themselves are engaged in breaking the traffic rules; for example, by speeding or driving under the influence, and hence are the source of some of the accidents we currently experience.

While it is not our intention to paint the entire Police Force with the same brush, as there are many professional and honest officers within the Force, we are convinced that unless what is perceived as the endemic corruption in the organisation -- and the traffic section in particular -is addressed in a systematic way, we will not achieve the desired results.

We had also made the point before that Guyanese need to move away from the culture of disregard and irresponsibility in relation to using the roadways. The Education Ministry and other relevant stakeholders should examine the possibility of strengthening the schools’ curricula with the aim of increasing knowledge, skills and understanding among children and young people about the responsible use of our roadways. Similar efforts should also be made targeting the adult population as they, too, are sometimes found to be irresponsible when using our roadways.

We believe the time has come for all stakeholders to return to the drawing board and re-examine their approach to road accidents, since what currently obtains as road safety has failed the nation.

For a small country such as ours, we cannot afford to continue along this path.

Revellers sprint in front of bulls and steers during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, July 7 (Reuters/Susana

Vera)

Venezuela’s rule of law has crumbled under Maduro, says legal watchdog – International Commission of Jurists calls on Venezuelan authorities to reinstate democratic institutions

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he rule of law has crumbled in Venezuela under the Government of Nicolás Maduro, which has usurped the powers of the legislative and judicial branches, an international legal watchdog said on Monday.

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) called on Venezuelan authorities to reinstate democratic institutions as part of a solution to the political, economic, and humanitarian crisis engulfing the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The Government and a compliant Supreme Court effectively stripped the national assembly of most powers after the Opposition won a majority in the 2015 elections.

Lawmakers loyal to Maduro generally do not attend the sessions, but go to meetings of the constituent assembly, a legislative body that meets in the same building.

The constituent assembly, created in a 2017 election boycotted by the Opposition, is controlled by the ruling Socialist party and its powers supersede the national assembly.

ICJ Secretary General Sam Zarifi presented its latest report on Venezuela: “No Room for Debate”.

“The focus of this report is on the usurpation of the authority of the legislative by the Government in Venezuela.

This comes after the Judiciary was taken over,” he told a news briefing.

“It seems quite clear that in response to the loss of direct support in the legislative assembly, the Government decided to completely trample on the principle of the rule of law really and separation of powers,”

President Nicolás Maduro accompanied by his wife, Cilia Flores, and Diosdado Cabello, Head of the national constituent assembly, in Caracas, Venezuela, on July 5 (Francisco Batista/ AFP/Getty Images)

he said.

The constituent assembly was “formed improperly and illegitimately” and has gone far beyond its stated role, Zarifi said, adding: “In fact, it seemed to do everything but really discuss a new constitution.”

Rafael Chavero Gazdik, a professor of constitutional law at Universidad Central de Venezuela, said that the new body had not produced any work on a new draft charter.

“Basically, it is a body that is helping the President to do whatever he wants without the rule of law,” he said.

“After two years we have not seen in Venezuela a single draft of any article for a new constitution – not a single one.“ After their parliamentary immunity was stripped, four lawmakers of the

national assembly are in jail and another 22 have fled Venezuela, Chavero Gazdik said.

Venezuela’s Opposition will meet with representatives of Maduro’s Government in Barbados for talks mediated by Norway, the parties involved said on Sunday, as part of efforts to resolve the political crisis.

Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó, recognised as Venezuela’s rightful leader by more than 50 Governments, invoked the Constitution in January to assume a rival presidency.

“Addressing the problem of the national constituent assembly is a crucial step in any political solution to the crisis that has gripped Venezuela,” Zarifi said, urging the Government to engage with the Opposition-led legislature. (The Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESday, JUly 9, 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

Govt can avoid any “clash” Patrimony via patronage is between the Court and remnant act of old Guyana hustle Parliament by calling elections Dear Editor, The online press agency, Demerara Waves, (see “Guyana Gov’t asks Caribbean Court to leave elections up to Parliament, GECOM, President, Opposition Leader”), has reported that Government will ask the Caribbean Court of Justice (the Court) to rule that the Court cannot or should not direct that general elections are to be held within three months because that “will clearly be obstructing Parliament from exercising its constitutional power to extend the time if it becomes necessary to do so. The Court would be acting prematurely, and setting itself up for a clash with the Parliament”.

With respect, one has to disagree with this sentiment. First of all, the Court cannot undo what the Constitution has done. Since the Court already ruled that the December 21, 2018, NoConfidence Motion was validly passed by operation of law, the follow-up elections must be held “within three months”. It is the Constitution (not the Court) which tells us when elections must be held following the Motion. The Motion cannot be divorced from the timely and follow-up elections.

Secondly, the record shows that it is Government and their friends who voluntarily and knowingly opened the door of the Court and asked for opinions. Since they opened the door, they cannot now close it.

Thirdly, there is no clash between the Court and Parliament. The only “clash” is one between this illegal Government and the Constitution. If Government is concerned about a potential “clash” between the

Court and Parliament, then that clash can be avoided, if there is a clash at all, by obeying the Constitution and calling elections within three months.

But Government is not asking for this. In fact, Government is doing the opposite.

Fourthly, the Opposition has indicated that it has no intention of going to Parliament to extend the timeframe for elections. Even if it wanted to, Government made this difficult given its actions since December 21, 2018, with the lone exception being Government’s initial acceptance that the Motion was validly passed and, therefore, elections are to be timely called.

Parliament is not a place for an elector to be assaulted or to receive a death threat by members of Government, simply for exercising his constitutional right to vote. It is not a place for Government to honour any Islamic fundamentalist who fed sensitive information about Guyana’s national security to a foreign nation and subscribed to international terrorism.

Both Parliament and a law enacted in Parliament must be respected. At the very least, a fallen Administration that seeks to invoke a law inside Parliament for a specified relief of an extension of time, is expected if not required, to show good cause for the delay and meritorious defences to the claims raised in the underlying motion.

Here, Government has neither. Government cannot argue, for example, as one intelligent Government official did a few weeks ago, that Government only went to Court because the Speaker of the House instructed them

to do so. Government has a Minister of Legal Affairs who has a staff. It has always been their job to give legal advice to Government both on and after December 21, 2018, when Government publicly declared that the Motion was passed and, therefore, elections within three months have been trigged.

Finally, Government is also reported as asking the Court to direct that there must be House-to-House Registration before any “credible” elections are held.

In the old days, Guyanese argued for “free and fair” elections. Now Government is uncomfortable with “free and fair” elections, so it is busy trying to re-invent the electoral landscape.

Having failed with mathematics, they are now dabbling with the English language to do so, but are likely to further mislead the public.

If any election is to be “credible” it ought to fall within the ambit of the law, because an event cannot be “credible” if it violates the Constitution.

Unless the Opposition agrees to an extension of time, Government’s so-called “credible” elections must occur within three months.

Yet, Government is asking for its version of elections to occur beyond three months at some unknown time in the near or distant future, so as to have House-to-House Registration.

Therefore, under these circumstances, when this illegal Government says it wants a “credible” election, all it is doing is asking for an extrajudicial or illegal election.

Sincerely, Rakesh Rampertab

Commending traffic officer for a job well done

Dear Editor, I have always thought that a traffic officer within the Guyana Police Force had the easiest job until I was in close proximity of one conducting his duty during the road march parade of the 180th Anniversary of the GPF over the last weekend and I was in for a total shock.

I ventured out to have a photography production coverage in the vicinity of the Independence Square, Brickdam, among other locations, and there was this traffic officer in his yellow raincoat conducting his duties that he was assigned to during this national/state event.

It was unbelievable to witness with disgust, drivers who were grossly disrespectful, rude and uncouth to the officer on duty as they passed by. The officer stood there signalling with his hand for

drivers to turn left and it was clear that they were so angry with him from their responses of verbal attacks. He was simply doing his duty during the national/state event and I did say to him that it’s admirable to witness you with so much of tolerance carrying out your duty. I believe that there are quite a lot of dysfunctional drivers who ply the roads on a daily basis and perhaps they need to check with their personal physicians or any medical personnel who are experts with mental issues.

I take this moment to publicly commend this particular traffic officer for a job well done and if there was a bonus of any kind available by the Guyana Police Force, I say to the Commissioner of Police that I will nominate the individual.

Yours faithfully, T Pemberton

Dear Editor, I have noted with distaste the application for oil blocks by the African Business Roundtable (ABR).

The ABR is also known as the African Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), a group founded by the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) in 2016 “to create business opportunities for people of African descent, facilitate access to markets, openings to financing and stimulate opportunities for self-development and the transformation of villages into viable economic centres” Stabroek News (19.11.2016).

Interestingly, the persons listed as beneficial owners of ABR are Eric Phillips, Charles Ceres, Violet Smith, and Osafo George. It would seem this is a very small table and aimed at ‘opportunities for self-development’ of a few politically favoured elitists.

The policy of the Granger Administration to fund and facilitate the creation of organisations for the advancement of ‘Afro-Guyanese’ to the exclusion of other races was ill-conceived and the result has been the funnelling of hundreds of millions in State funds to a select few to the exclusion of peo-

ple of any descent, Afro or otherwise. There are no barriers to the advancement of persons of any ethnicity in Guyana, the two largest business organisations - Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and the Berbice Chamber - do not have ethnic requirements, there was no obvious gap filled by the ABR/ABCC. Similarly, the other Granger cash cow International Decade for People of African DescentGuyana has done nothing but provide events where persons were offered access to Government services such as house lot application and birth certificate registration, services which are available five days a week (for free) at Government offices.

Eric Phillips is President of African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA), in this capacity he is well equipped to advance the cause of people of African descent. It is sad to see he has instead used his position and influence to acquire large tracts of land and oil blocks.

Head of the Project Management Office of the Ministry of the Presidency, Marlon Bristol would have us believe that land allocation is done in a manner of “pin the

tail on the donkey” as he said that he never had any insider information and it is for the GL&SC to say why they gave him lands suitable for a deep water harbour. Marlon Bristol offers no details on the stated purpose of his application and his silence speaks volumes.

Guyana does not need ethnocentricity at this point in our history, we need selfless leaders who are willing to serve the country for the betterment of all Guyanese; Leaders who understand Guyana is a multi-racial state.

Guyanese are struggling to throw off a socialist past and embrace a capitalist future.

Empowerment begins with education; with investing capital in each other’s plans, projects and businesses. Our past is a story of survival and hustle, the future must bring a change to order and adherence to the rule of law. Eric Phillips and his cohorts’ attempt to secure our patrimony via patronage are remnant acts of the old Guyana hustle, we must condemn them to our opaque past and move to a transparent future; anything less is unacceptable.

Dear Editor, When Dr Ashni Singh was Finance Minister and his wife was working in the same Ministry, Dr Singh, his family and the PPP/C Government went through tremendous criticisms from the PNCR, other political parties and certain sections of the media.

The cry was “conflict of interest”. This was also the fate of Mr Khurshid Sattaur – former Commissioner General of Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and his sons during their employment at GRA. Today, the officials of the coalition Government are doing worse in every sector of the country and the overwhelming silence from the media and civil society is deafening. This Government needs to under-

stand that their officials are “Politically Exposed Persons” (PEPs) and the standard operating procedures must be applied.

They are required by law to declare annually all their assets, contracts, businesses, etc, and they cannot be involved in certain activities or business.

Mr Charles Ceres and Mr S Hopkinson are known businessmen and they are entitled to land and other State contracts, etc but they also should

do their due diligence and refrain from investing with known PEPs, State officials.

We have already seen the demise of SOCU through massive corruption and now SARA is about to face similar questioning. The President seems to be in a perpetual state of slumber with so many inappropriate things happening under his nose. Wake up, sir!

Respectfully, Robin Singh

President seems to be in a perpetual state of slumber

Yours truly, Ragubeer Persaud

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Foundation

Continued from Monday Face up to changes Another thing that may come with puberty is acne (say: AK-nee) — or pimples — caused by all those hormones at work in the body.

Skin gets oilier and pimples sometimes start showing up when puberty begins, and you may get them throughout the teenage years. You might see pimples on your face, your upper back, or your upper chest.

To help control pimples, wash your face twice a day with warm water and a mild soap or cleanser. Don’t squeeze, pick, or pop your pimples. Your doctor can also offer suggestions for clearing up acne. The good news is that acne usually gets a lot better as you get older.

Putting the P.U. in puberty P.U.! A lot of kids notice that they have a new smell under their arms and in other places when they hit puberty – and it’s not a pretty one. That smell is body odour (you may have heard people call it B.O.) and everyone gets it.

As you enter puberty, the puberty hormones stimulate the glands in your skin, including the sweat glands under your arms. When sweat and bacteria on your skin get together, it can smell pretty bad.

So what can you do to feel less stinky? Well, keeping clean can stop you from smelling.

You might want to take a shower every day, either in

the morning before school or at night before bed. Wearing clean clothes and showering after you’ve been playing sports or exercising is also a good idea.

Another way to cut down on body odour is to use deodorant. If you use a deodorant with antiperspirant, it will cut down on sweat as well.

There’s more?

Boys and girls will also notice other body changes as they enter puberty. Girls sometimes might see and feel white or clear stuff coming from their genitals.

This doesn’t mean anything is wrong – it’s called vaginal discharge and is just another sign hormones are changing your body.

Boys will begin to get erections (this is when the genitals fills with blood and becomes hard). Sometimes erections happen when boys think about sexual things or they can happen for no reason at all. Boys also may experience something called nocturnal emissions (or wet dreams). This is when the genitals become erect when a boy is sleeping and he ejaculates. When a boy ejaculates, semen — the fluid that contains sperm – comes out. That’s why they’re called wet dreams — they happen when you’re sleeping and your underwear or the bed might be a little wet when you wake up.

Wet dreams occur less often

as boys move through puberty and they eventually stop.

Change can feel kind of strange Just as those hormones change the way your body looks on the outside, they also create changes on the inside. During puberty, you might feel confused or have strong emotions that you’ve never had before. You might feel overly sensitive or become upset easily.

Some kids lose their tempers more often and get angry with their friends or families. You also may feel anxious about how your changing body looks.

Sometimes it can be hard to deal with all these new emotions.

It’s important to know that while your body is adjusting to the new hormones, so is your mind.

Try to remember that people usually aren’t trying to hurt your feelings or upset you on purpose. It might not be your family or friends — it might be your new “puberty brain” trying to adjust.

You might also have feelings that you’ve never felt before. And you will probably have lots of questions about these new, confusing feelings about sex.

It’s easy to feel embarrassed or nervous when talking about sex. It’s important to get your questions answered, but you need to be sure you have all the right information. Some kids can talk to their parents about sex and get all their

questions answered.

But if you feel funny talking to your parents about sex, there are many other people you can talk to, like your doctor, a school nurse, a teacher, a school counsellor, or some other adult you feel comfortable talking with.

Developing differently People are all a little different from each other, so it makes sense that they don’t all develop in the same way.

During puberty, everyone changes at his or her own pace.

Maybe some of your friends are getting their period, and you haven’t developed breasts yet. Maybe your best friend’s voice has changed, and you think you still sound like a kid.

Or maybe you’re sick of being the tallest girl in your class or the only boy who has to shave.

In a few cases, kids who are developing very early or who are very late in starting have a problem that may need to be checked or treated.

If you are concerned about that possibility, talk with your parents and schedule a visit with your doctor. Your doctor knows all about puberty and can help determine if you are developing normally.

But just about everyone catches up eventually, and most differences between you and your friends will even out. Until then, hang in there.

Puberty can be quite a wild ride! (Excerpt from kidshealth.org)

D

esign a snake or butterfly or iguana that blends into a habitat. Camouflage is an animal adaptation. Many animals have colours or markings on their fur, feathers, scales or skin that enables them to almost disappear into their habitat (the place where that animal lives).

Materials One box of assorted coloured toothpicks Outdoor grassy area or a large piece of fabric or indoor/ outdoor grass Paper snake or butterfly patterns Markers, crayons or coloured pencils Scissors A simple line drawing of a snake, butterfly or iguana Instructions Spread the toothpicks randomly over a large area of grass or green indoor/outdoor grass. If no grass is available, use a bare patch of earth with some tan toothpicks, or a large piece of fabric with a background colour the same as one of the colours of toothpicks.

Give yourself 10 seconds to collect as many of the toothpicks as you can find Count the number of each colour toothpick that the

students retrieved Compare with original number. Which toothpicks were the easiest to find? Which were more difficult? Why? Colour your animal pattern with markers, crayons or coloured pencils so that it will be camouflaged in the habitat you selected.

Place the animals in their habitat without burying them.

The animals must be out in the open, hidden only by their colouring and patterns.

See how many of your animals your friend can find. (anapsid.

org)

news

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TUESday, JUly 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Jordan's contempt sentence

President invokes executive power to prevent Finance Minister from serving jail time …interference sends bad signal to investors – Jagdeo

F

inance Minister Winston Jordan had been depending on a reprieve from President David Granger to save him from prison over an unpaid court judgement and on Monday, the President used an executive order to shield the Minister.

The President issued the grant of respite in keeping with his powers under Article 188 of the Constitution.

According to the order, Jordan was granted his reprieve “until all appeals and remedies available to him and the State were exhausted”.

Article 188 (b) of the Constitution of Guyana says the President may “grant to any person a respite, either indefinite or for a specified period, of the execution of any punishment imposed on that person for such an offence”.

Earlier on Monday, Jordan had acknowledged the July 8 deadline for him to pay a US$2 million court awarded judgement to Dipcon Engineering. Jordan had, however, expressed the view that he should not be responsible in his personal financial capacity for the State being sued when the matter is an inherited one.

Jordan also revealed that the President had been approached in order to grant an executive order protecting him from jail. Asked whether he was prepared to pay the money, he had adopted a “wait-and-see attitude”.

Bad for business

In a statement through social media, Opposition Leader and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo slammed the President’s intervention in a case between Jordan and a private company owed millions from a court judgement dating back to 2015.

“We Guyanese, having observed President Granger in action over the past four years, have collectively come

Saved: President David Granger and Finance Minister Winston Jordan

to the belief that on matters of policy and when dealing with evidence of corruption by those within his government, he is often unable to move with any sort of alacrity, that he is slow and aloof.

“Today he has shattered this belief by moving with lightning speed to thwart a court order and (reprieve) Winston Jordan. Granger’s move to avert settlement on this instance should be contrasted against the multimillion-dollar settlements in matters which involved cro-

“All Government guarantees for loans are now worthless.

Government debt is now bad debt. Once again, the protection of the APNU/AFC cabal ranks higher than the rule of law” – Opposition Leader nies of the [A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change] APNU/AFC,” the Opposition Leader said.

Jagdeo also pointed to the use of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), which sent Dipcon a letter ordering it to pay $527 million in owed taxes. According to the former President, this sends a bad signal to investors and damages an already struggling investment climate.

“Today’s (Monday’s) action, therefore, sends a signal that contracts can be

broken at will, orders of the court against the State, even in commercial disputes, can be ignored at will and that the executive powers of the President can be invoked to protect those in his inner circle who are the violators.

“All Government guarantees for loans are now worthless. Government debt is now bad debt. Once again, the protection of the APNU/AFC cabal ranks higher than the rule of law,” he also stated.

Legal battle

Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s Chambers has since filed an appeal of the Full Court’s decision to reject its earlier attempts to stay the court order. According to the appeal, Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry “misdirected herself in a number of points when she rejected them”.

Among the contentions are a regurgitation of the previous argument they made that Dipcon’s court action fell under public law and, therefore, Jordan should not be liable in his personal capacity.

Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy Article 188 of the Constitution of Guyana empowers the President to grant to convicted persons, a state pardon, either conditionally or otherwise or grant a respite of the execution of the punishment imposed or substitute a less severe punishment.

However, in an article published by the Ministry of

$8B in financial crimes reported to FIU for 2018

T

he Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has submitted its annual report to the Finance Minister, even as the Unit has revealed that financial crimes involving over $8 billion worth of illicit money were reported to it for the 2018 fiscal year.

This was according to FIU Director, Matthew Langevine in his comments during the handing over of the report on Monday at the Ministry of Finance.

According to Langevine, many of these reports centred on money laundering.

“We’ve done a lot of work in sharing information [with] the Special Organised Crime Unit and

the other stakeholders like the central bank, about some of the suspicious transactions we’re seeing in the sector,” Langevine said during the handing over of the report.

He added that reports were also received about suspected money laundering from the money transfer sector. “But we’ve also seen suspicious transactions related to tax evasion, drug trafficking, corruption in public office, suspected terrorist financing and insider trading.”

According to Langevine, they would have examined all these reports and shared information where applicable. Besides SOCU,

Langevine revealed that they have also been sharing info with the State Assets Recovery Agency and the Guyana Revenue Authority.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Winston Jordan noted that this is the first report from the FIU that he has received. Despite the passage of a NoConfidence Motion against the Government, Jordan was optimistic of having the report tabled in Parliament.

The Minister was also optimistic that the FIU will be preparing similar reports on an annual basis.

The FIU is an autonomous agency that investigates financial crimes. turn to page 11

the Presidency in 2016, it was pointed out that the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, under Article 189, is therefore mandated to advise the President on the aforementioned. The Prerogative of Mercy is usually exercised in response to a petition from a convicted person or someone acting on their behalf and by constitutional convention on advice from the relevant Government Minister.

In Jordan’s case, it was not clear if President Granger engaged that council before invoking his executive powers on Monday.

Jail time

Last month, High Court Judge, Justice SewnarineBeharry had ordered Minister Jordan to pay Dipcon the US$2.2 million award or face jail time. The Trinidad-based construction company had taken the Finance Minister to court for failing to honour the payment of millions of dollars, which was awarded to Dipcon by Justice Rishi Persaud in 2015.

After Dipcon took the Government to court back in 2009 to recover monies owed for road works done, Justice Persaud had ordered Government to pay the company US$665,032.17 as payment for the works done along with US$1,563,368.50 for costs it incurred for those works, together with interest on both amounts, at a rate of six per cent annum from February 10, 2009, to October

The executive order issued by the President on the same day his Finance Minister was staring jail in the face

21, 2015 and thereafter at the rate of four per cent per annum until fully paid.

The Government has previously claimed that the previous Government had outsourced the case and when the coalition got into office, it was taken by surprise by the matter. But former Attorney General Anil Nandlall has repeatedly explained that when he left office, he briefed his successor on all outstanding matters.

According to Nandlall, the Attorney General failed to file an appeal of the Rishi Persaud judgement in time, but rather, filed an applica-

tion several months late asking for an extension of time.

This application was denied by the court.

However, since none of the payments it was owed was made, Dipcon had successfully approached the High Court for an administrative order to compel the Minister to make the payment.

On Friday, Justices Diana Insanally and Simone MorrisRamlall threw out Jordan’s application, filed by Attorney General Williams, for a stay of the court order. In their judgement, the Judges expressed their view that his application had no merit.

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TUESday, JUly 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Annandale man killed in hit-and-run accident

A

31-year-old man is now dead after being struck down by an unknown motor vehicle along the Annandale Railway Embankment Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Sunday night.

Dead is Leon Fung-aFat of Lot 162 Annandale South, ECD. Fung-a-Fat was picked up by a public-spirited citizen who saw him on the roadway and stopped to render assistance.

Reports are that the now dead man was reportedly struck at about 21:30h while walking along the main access road.

It is unclear whether or not Fung-a-Fat was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

However, based on reports received, after the alleged accident, Fung-a-Fat was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation to seek medical attention but was pro-

nounced dead upon arrival.

The mother of the man told the media that she was at home when she received news that her son was involved in an accident and that he was in an unconscious state. She noted that by the time she arrived at the medical facility, her son was already dead. From all indications, the young man sustained severe head injuries, she added.

Commander of C Division, Calvin Brutus

told Guyana Times on Monday that investigating ranks are pursuing all avenues to apprehend the driver who is responsible for the man’s death.

“There are no CCTV cameras in that area that we can utilise to ascertain what happened and the type of vehicle we should look for. At this point, we do not have the information as to who the driver is. But we are investigating and will continue to do so,” he said.

Hampton Court rice lands drained after being under water for weeks

A

fter weeks of flooded canals and inundated rice lands, residents of Hampton Court and other Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) areas let out a sigh of relief when the Regional Administration dispatched an excavator to clear clogged drains and a pontoon excavator to clear a sluice and open same.

This effort brought great relief to residents whose rice lands were under threat as a result of the flood.

Several reports were made to the regional office whose initial efforts were unsuccessful in getting the water to recede. However, after the sluice was opened, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) dredge began works in the area and the water drained off in a short time.

A few of the rice farmers who spoke to Guyana Times on Monday stated that the effort is much appreciated but urged that the Administration execute regular draining and irrigation works in the future so as to prevent much downtime for farmers during the rainy season.

Thalakdari Singh, who spoke to this publication on Monday, commended the effort as he is now able to access his rice lands that had been swamped for several weeks. “I am very happy about the clearing the agriculture department did. It was a challenge because after they finish the first set of clearing no water drained

The pumps at Hampton Court, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are fully functional

off but with the NDIA excavator it was better and the lands are now dry. There is no flooding anywhere,” he said.

Singh urged the department to maintain regular upgrades and clearing works in the area so that future showers will not affect farmers in a major way. “I would be glad if they could upkeep the works. And not only wait till it’s flooded before they do something.

Is weeks and weeks we were swamped and after a group of us went to the outreach, we pleaded with the Minister for assistance and finally we got through,” he added.

Another resident, Shawn Persaud, who also spoke to this publication, welcomed the drainage works and echoed calls for the author-

ities to upkeep the works.

He also called on the regional officials to carry out regular inspections in the usually affected areas so as to be aware of when to commence draining before the problem gets out of hand. “We glad for the work but we wish that they could be more proactive in the future. This will save us time and money. Don’t wait till it get so bad,” he opined.

Another resident, Farouk Basir, who also spoke to this publication, related that he visited the Windsor Castle, Hampton Court and Devonshire Castle areas on Monday afternoon and the water had been completely drained off all residential and rice field areas. He noted that the pumps were in operation along with the sluices to ensure maxi-

PNC members among...

Here it is at our very first meeting, the President’s delegation has no instruction in relation to the 11 names that he invited us to submit for his consideration, but puts to us, eight names of his own. That does not augur well for the continuation of the process.”

The former Attorney General insisted that if progress was not made on the 11 names in future meetings, they would be convinced that the process was not being “constructively pursued”.

Meanwhile, he pointed to the selections made by the President, noting that some were perceptibly politically affiliated. This contradicted the Head of State’s recommendations to Jagdeo

to select persons with judgelike and impartial qualities, beyond the political scope.

“We don’t wish to cast any aspersions on the names submitted, but the names have been revealed. Look at those names and you will see among those names, persons who are highly politically connected to the Government.

Now, the President even before the ruling of the CCJ, had articulated certain qualities that he would like to see in the nominees submitted by the Leader of the Opposition,” Nandlall stated.

He added, “He said that they must have judgelike qualities and he expounded that to mean that they must be persons who are impartial, who have integrity, who

mum water is taken off the land.

Additionally, since the works were done, drainage was significantly improved and there was no more buildup of water. “The place has been dry since and nowhere is experiencing any flood at the moment. The pump is on and the sluice is closed,” he said.

During the Government outreach at Anna Regina last month, several farmers who visited the Ministry of Agriculture’s booth voiced their frustration over the drainage and irrigation issues significantly affecting their rice production.

The farmers highlighted how the situation has been costing them as the canals were clogged and in need of urgent cleaning. Another plight was the issue of non-working kokers.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NDIA, Federick Flatts, had committed to having those issues resolved within two weeks. Further, additional works were to be done to tackle the areas and specific locations related by farmers. “We have our normal working programme and we will continue to carry out our programme, based on what the farmers have said, there are some works that are needed outside of our current work programme and we are planning to visit the areas within two weeks and based on those visits we will seek to execute additional programmes,” Flatts said.

from page 3

are above the political fray, etc. If that’s the President’s position and he wants the Leader of the Opposition to submit names bearing those qualifications, then one would expect him to reciprocate and put names of the same calibre and pedigree.”

These persons selected by the Opposition were once rejected by the President, who then unilaterally appointed Justice Patterson as the GECOM Chairman, a move which was flawed.

As such, the Opposition’s former Chief Whip signalled that the President might be making that blunder again. Other questions were raised as to whether this list was an indirect rejection of the Opposition Leader’s choices.

The Constitution states that the Leader of the Opposition was solely responsible for sourcing six nominees for the position of GECOM Chairman who should be acceptable to the President.

Teixeira expressed, “For the President now to be imposing in a sense eight names and not allowing us to go through the 11, these are not good indications that the Government is serious about moving forward.”

She, nevertheless, said that both sides would meet again today, and the 11 nominees would have to be addressed foremost. After that, other choices will be considered or the Opposition Leader will submit more names if necessary.

Tragedies…

T …in Linden

here was an official Govt-sponsored event in Linden, addressed by AG Basil Williams, commemorating the Son Chapman tragedy of July 6, 1964, when a passenger boat of that name was blown up on its way back to the mining town, and 43 persons were killed. Lest he be accused of bias, your Eyewitness will today simply reprint a column by Rickey Singh, the veteran journalist, on the 2013 commemoration, captioned “APNU Granger’s political amnesia–‘Son Chapman’ and ‘Wismar’ tragedies”. The narrative hasn’t changed today.

“As if committed to sustaining old political hostilities and fuel the racial divide that makes national unity in Guyana such a mountainous challenge, the 68-year-old leader of APNU, David Granger, has expediently opted to overlook a most outrageous dimension of this nation’s painful fratricidal warfare during the 1960s.

It is all the more troubling, if not shocking, that ex-GDF Brigadier Granger should have so arrogantly chosen to ignore referencing the single most despicable ethnic-cleansing political development of Guyana’s 1964 race-driven conflicts when addressing a memorial event marking the 49th anniversary of the horrendous bombing tragedy of the transport vessel “Son Chapman” on July 6, 1964.

“Speaking at a memorial service last weekend at “Burnham Drive” (and against the backdrop of an imposing monument bearing the names of the 43 victims who perished on board the privately-owned “Son Chapman” in the Demerara River, APNU’s Granger claimed: “…The communities of Mackenzie (renamed Linden, after the PNC’s leader), Wismar, and Christianburg had been targeted for terrorism by the masterminds of terrorism…They succeeded…” Over 176 persons were killed “during that dark period, and thousands of buildings were burnt…” he added.

“As Chief Reporter of the then British-owned “Guiana Graphic” newspaper, I was among media colleagues, providing first-hand accounts of tragedies like that of the “Son Chapman”, as well (as) what directly followed, but, astonishingly, APNU’s Granger conveniently failed to mention that it was the infamous political reprisal that was to ferociously dislocate once harmonious multi-racial communities in the Upper Demerara River region.

“Ethnic cleansing

“It came to be more popularly described as “the Mackenzie/ Wismar riots” when hundreds of Guyanese of Indian descent (actually 2399) were specifically targeted as victims for “ethnic cleansing” and forced to flee. The crimes of murder, rape, arson, robbery and other degrading acts of reprisal that had swiftly erupted in that politically-inspired “ethnic cleansing” process in the wake of the “Son Chapman” tragedy are chronicled in the official report from an independent Commission of Inquiry.

Those now piously talking — like APNU’s Granger — about a “dark period” of Guyana’s pre-independence history, and glibly refer to “the masterminds of terrorism”, should also acquaint themselves with relevant available documents, such as the infamous “X-13 plan” uncovered by the police at the headquarters of the People’s National Congress (now absorbed by the Granger-led APNU). It may be fun politics for some to fake amnesia of convenience when talking about the “masterminds of terrorism” while being aware of the dread involvement by both PPP and PNC in the internecine warfare of the 1960s.

“Linking two tragedies

“It is perhaps commendable that there is now a monument located at ‘Burnham Drive’ to remind all and sundry of the 43 innocent victims who perished in the ‘Son Chapman disaster’.

“Nevertheless, from my own perspective, justice and sheer human decency should have made it compelling to consider broadening the “memorial” gesture, however appropriately determined, to also recognise the directly related ‘ethnic cleansing’ Wismar/Mackenize/Christianburg tragedy that APNU’s Granger, for all his “knowledge”, has failed to mention.

“The harsh reality, never mind the APNU leader’s sophistry about letting “the pain of the past be used to propel us to peace and prosperity”, is that the shocking “Son Chapman” disaster is integrally linked to the unprecedented ethnic-cleansing tragedy that preceded it.

“If, as the political reasoning goes, the PPP strategists were involved in the “Son Chapman” disaster as an extension of widening opposition to the government it led in Georgetown, then it would be simply puerile to disassociate PNC’s involvement in the execution of what some prefer to reference as the “Wismar/Mackenzie massacre”.

…memorial for all ’60s tragedies

“Finally”, Singh concluded, “there ought to be the creation also of an appropriate memorial in honour of the 176-odd Guyanese killed during our dreadful political/racial conflicts”

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

news

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TUESday, JUly 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GRA hits Dipcon with $500M tax bill …legal counsel says tax claim was previously rejected by court

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n the same day that Finance Minister Winston Jordan was supposed to pay Dipcon US$2 million in a court-awarded judgement, it has emerged that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has slapped the Trinidad-based company with a tax bill of over $500 million.

Guyana Times was able to confirm with Dipcon’s legal representative, Timothy Jonas that the GRA sent his client the letter claiming it owed the tax authority the money. According to reports

reaching this publication, the alleged debt is $527.8 million.

“What I can tell you is that a similar letter from the GRA, about six months ago, was challenged by Dipcon and thrown out by the court.

The timing was about the same, when a claim was made for a mandamus for Jordan to pay the money.

The same day we appeared in court, that letter came,” the Attorney said.

Section 101 (1) of the Income Tax Act states that “When the Commissioner General has knowledge or

suspects that a person is or is about to become indebted or liable to make a payment of tax under this Act, he may, by registered letter or by letter served personally, require such first-mentioned person to pay the monies otherwise payable to such second-mentioned person in whole or in part to him on account of the liability of the second mentioned person under this Act.” It goes on to say, “The receipt of the Commissioner General for monies paid as required under this section shall to the extent of the

Mayor also blames Georgetown residents for flooding

The environs of the Georgetown Public Hospital were flooded during the rainy season

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine

“W

hen flooding happens, [it] is not only the Mayor and City Council, [it] is our people also contributing to it,” Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine said on Monday as he pointed accusing fingers at the residents of Georgetown.

Pointing out that City Hall is not the only party to be blamed for flooding, Narine, during the Council’s Statutory Meeting on Monday, called on residents of the city to desist from littering as he lamented the fact that the recent flash floods in the city could have been worse.

While making this appeal, the Mayor revealed that during a recent cleanup activity in Georgetown, a host of items such as sofa sets and old pieces of cloth were among other things that clogged the drainage system.

“So far we were able to get off most of the water and the reason why the water was in the city as well for a very long time, many of the areas was clogged with plastic bottles, plastic bags, old cloths and even chair! Chair!

We had to get and get people to send down to take out these things them,” Narine said.

Further, the Mayor said he understands that several other areas, such as the East Coast of Demerara were affected by accumulated water. He highlighted the work of the Council’s Deputy Engineer, who was reportedly working tirelessly to ensure the water runs off in a timely manner.

Narine called on residents in the city to work along with the Council to keep the city in a “proper condition”.

Last weekend, Guyana Times visited parts of the capital city where it was observed that several inches of water had accumulated in key sections, including the environs of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

In other sections, the trenches and canals could not have been differentiated from the roads due to the buildup of water around the city.

The Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, also told this publication on Wednesday that drainage works in the capital city were ongoing to ensure that floodwaters recede as the Ministry prepares for up-

coming spring tides.

This is although some $163 million was spent in April by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to assist in reducing the occurrence of flooding.

In April, Guyana Times reported on the costly project undertaken by the NDIA to reduce flooding in Georgetown.

It was revealed that three high-capacity mobile drainage pumps would be installed at Church Street, Sussex Street, and Ruimveldt to assist in reducing flooding.

The NDIA stated that the contracts have been approved for the cleaning of the city’s drainage channels, with manual cleaning operations totalling $71.9 million and mechanical cleaning operations totalling $91.6 million.

However, in May, when the rainy season kicked in, several sections of the capital city were flooded despite the costly works. A study conducted by a European firm, Vivid Economics, had found that some $1.3 billion is lost every year in Georgetown as a result of flooding.

The lead consultant from the agency, Charlie Dixon, shared a few findings during his presentation, which indicated that the vast sum is not only is a reason for concern presently but also in years to come, as it is expected to increase significantly with oil production.

The Guyana Revenue Authority

payment be a good and sufficient discharge of the original liability: – (a) of the person who pays such monies to the Commissioner General to the person liable to make a payment tax under this Act; (b) of the person liable to make a payment of tax under this Act to the Commissioner General.”

Efforts to contact GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia were futile. Last month, High

Court Judge, Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry had ordered Minister Jordan to pay Dipcon a US$2.2 million award or face jail time.

The Trinidad-based construction company had taken the Finance Minister to court for failing to honour the payment of millions of dollars, which was awarded to Dipcon by Justice Rishi Persaud in 2015.

After Dipcon took the Government to court back

in 2009 to recover monies owed for road works done, Justice Persaud had ordered Government to pay the company US$665,032.17 as payment for the works done along with US$1,563,368.50 for costs it incurred for those works, together with interest on both amounts, at a rate of six per cent annum from February 10, 2009, to October 21, 2015 and thereafter at the rate of four per cent per annum until fully paid.

However, since none of the payments owed were made, Dipcon had successfully approached the High Court for an administrative order to compel the Minister to pay.

On Friday, Justices Diana Insanally and Simone Morris-Ramlall threw out Jordan’s application, filed

by Attorney General Basil Williams, for a stay of the court order. In their judgement, the Judges expressed the view that his application had no merit.

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tuesday, JUly 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

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TUESday, JUly 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Itaballi-Puruni road in a deplorable state …residents calling for Govt’s intervention

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he Itaballi to Puruni road in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) is yet again in a deteriorated state and residents and miners who traverse the road which serves as the only entrance and exit to various sections of the region are calling on the authorities to intervene now as the road has become impassible.

Miners are being forced to suspend their operations at various intervals owing to the deteriorated roads in the area. The miners made calls on the Government to correct the problem so they can earn a livelihood without hindrance.

This road, which is the gateway to Guyana’s mining sector, sees thousands of persons traversing on a daily basis to get into various backdams to mine.

Several of those miners reached out to Guyana Times on Monday to highlight the plight they are facing in seeking their daily bread.

A gold miner, Trevor Alphonso, who was left stranded on the road right through Friday night after his pick-up became stuck on the trail told Guyana Times

and I left stranded for hours before a truck pass and assisted me. We all need to work. We know the condition of the road but we can’t just stay at home waiting for the Government to fix it. We would all die out because the Government don’t care about the people. Once their pocket full that all they interested in,” he said.

Alphonso added that several times, he and other miners brought this issue to the attention of the regional authorities, who always say that they have been informing Central Government as it is their responsibility to repair the road.

“Every time we bring it up and complain, the only thing they say is that it’s up to Central Government.

They claiming they keep reporting to Infrastructure but nobody has ever re-

The deteriorated state of the Itaballi to Puruni road which miners are forced to traverse in seeking their livelihood that he was on his way out of the backdam as he received news that his son had fallen ill. He said that he was aware of the state of the road but was willing to make the effort to get home

to his son at any cost.

“When I spoke to my wife Friday morning and she told me my son wasn’t well I got worried and like any father, I started to make my way out. My pick-up got stuck

Motorcyclist dies after crashing into car …intoxicated driver arrested

A

nother drunk driver has been arrested after being involved in a vehicular accident that claimed the life of a motorcyclist and severely injured the pillion rider thereof.

Motorcyclist Stephon Beckles, 28, of Guyhoc Park Georgetown, was killed early on Monday morning when the motorcycle he was riding allegedly at a fast rate, CH 9859, crashed into motor car PTT 2510 at Vlissengen Road in the vicinity of the Agriculture Ministry.

Reports are that the accident occurred at about 00:30h on Monday, and that the car was being driven by a 29-year-old resident of Thomas Street, Kitty Georgetown, on whom a breathalyzer test was conducted, and it was determined that his blood alcohol level was above the prescribed legal limit. As such, he has been arrested.

The injured pillion rider has been identified as 22-year-old Kevin Andy of Perry Street, Tucville, Georgetown. He is currently a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where his condition is said to be stable.

The car was said to be proceeding north along the western lane of Vlissengen Road, while the motorcycle was said to be proceeding south along the eastern lane.

As the car arrived in the

vicinity of the Agriculture Ministry, the motorcycle allegedly ended up in its lane, and the resultant collision caused the motorcyclist and the pillion rider to fall onto the roadway.

They both sustained severe head injuries, and were rushed to the GPHC for emergency treatment. The motorcyclist was, however, pronounced dead on arrival there, while the pillion rider, Andy, was admitted a patient.

Just a few days ago, the Police Traffic Department had released data showing there has been a slight increase in fatal accidents recorded in the country for the first half of 2019, compared with the same period for last year. A combination of speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol had been blamed for a large percentage of these accidents.

The Traffic Chief has said that, in total, there have been 49 accidents recorded throughout Guyana since 2019 commenced, and these have resulted in the deaths of 52 individuals.

In “A” Division, there were 13 accidents that claimed the lives of 14 individuals. In “B” Division, 14 accidents caused 14 deaths.

In “C” Division, five accidents resulted in six persons losing their lives; and in “D” Division, 11 accidents resulted in 11 deaths.

In “E” Division, there

Dead: Motorcyclist Stephon Beckles

were three lives lost as a result of two accidents, while in “F” Division, one accident took one life; and in “G” Division, three accidents resulted in three individuals losing their lives, the Traffic Chief detailed.

“That will give you 49 accidents with 52 deaths overall, which is a slight increase,” the Traffic Chief detailed.

“We had 51 deaths last year from 44 accidents. Over 75 percent of these fatal accidents were caused by driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding; a combination of these two (factors),” he declared.

Guyana Times was told that, of the 51 deaths recorded in 2018 as a result of fatal accidents, 41 were males while 10 were females. Of this total, two were children.

Meanwhile, statistics have revealed that, of the 52 deaths recorded for 2019 so far, 42 were males while 10 were females; moreover, four of these fatalities were children.

sponded or even visited.

But they are boasting about outreach and outreach and fooling up the people, this Government care nothing about the people. We all know that”, Alphonso stated.

Another miner, Jerrick Amos, who also spoke to this publication explained how the condition of the road is affecting his ability to work and provide for his family. He noted that the road has been in this atrocious state since February and no visit was ever done nor was any effort made to carry out any works on the road. He described the situation as hazardous and very frustrating. “I can’t work as I use to, I am lucky if I get a good trip in there in a week.

When the gold slow I take in fuel to sell and the struggle that it is to reach in there

and the damages to your vehicle it’s like you’re working at a loss but we all need to live, we need to earn to take care of our responsibility.

The Government isn’t helping the situation at all. They making life harder than it is already. I would like them to see this story and see the pictures and I hope it touch them and they decide to pool some resources here,” Amos said.

Other miners and business operators who were forced to halt their operations pointed out that the road has been neglected for more than a year and deteriorated to this state over the past few months. They also called on the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to make an urgent intervention and arrange the much-needed repairs for the road soon.

India’s Govt-funded pumps

expected within months

G

uyana will soon be receiving the 14 mobile and fixed water pumps that are being funded via a US$4 million line of credit (LOC) from the Indian Government.

The LOC agreement was signed back in February 2017 between Finance Minister Winston Jordan and an official from the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India. The contract was subsequently awarded to India-based Apollo International Limited (AIL) which had submitted a US$3.6 million bid for the project.

During a recent interview with Guyana Times, former Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venekatachalam Mahalingam explained that the company has already commenced working on acquiring the pieces of drainage and irrigation equipment that will be used to boost flood prevention efforts in Guyana.

“They are already working with their suppliers to manufacture those pumps to Government of Guyana…

The timeframe should be, I think, four to six months.

It takes time because they

have to get it done from somebody but it’s on stream now so nothing will stop them…,” he noted.

According to Mahalingam, who recently ended a five-year tour in Guyana, once the equipment is manufactured, it would just be a matter of weeks to get them to Guyana and installed across the country.

The project falls under the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and includes the design, supply, installation and commissioning of nine fixed and five mobile high-capacity pumps and associated structures and equipment.

The five mobile pumps will provide drainage services to Georgetown and its environs including La Penitence South, Cummings Canal, Church Street, Sussex Street and South Ruimveldt. These mobile drainage pumps will be assigned to various locations close to existing sluices in the city and their surrounding areas and will also be deployed to other areas to alleviate flooding whenever necessary.

Meanwhile, resi-

dents in Hampton Court and Devonshire Castle in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); Den Amstel in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Hope and Nooten Zuil in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); Mora Point in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), and Rose Hall in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), will benefit from the placement of eight fixed pumps within their communities which will help to restrict flooding there.

In addition to procuring and installing the 14 pumps, the agreement also catered for the provision of associated spares and institutional strengthening related to the use and maintenance of the equipment.

The acquisition of these pumps is expected to reduce the risks of flooding in low-lying areas and will bring relief to residents and farmers whose economic activities are usually disrupted by flooding caused by intensive rainfall and overtopping of the sea defence.

They will provide flood relief to approximately 25,000 acres of agricultural and residential lands.

$8B in financial...

It operates under the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act. The Unit has to work closely with other agencies, including the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Gaming Authority.

But while the FIU has been walking the straight and narrow, its sister agency, SOCU, has been beleaguered with problems since an audit into its operations was carried out by the Guyana Police Force.

The audit into SOCU,

an arm of the police, was first ordered by Police Commissioner Leslie James in February following claims of grave mismanagement which included the misuse of its operational fund.

The audit of the financial records of SOCU subsequently uncovered serious irregularities, including the falsification of records, and it has recommended immediate transfers and a fraud investigation of several of the discrepancies, sources say.

from page 7

It has resulted in Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan announcing in May of this year that several SOCU ranks would be transferred or even have their services terminated based on the findings.

Added to this, SOCU has had several of its cases tossed out of the window by the courts, including a number of charges against former Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) executives and Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Directors.

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Deaths of 3 children at GPHC

Medical Council still to pronounce on fate of doctors

A

lmost six months have passed since the deaths of three juveniles at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and although there were two independent investigations into those matters that have been concluded, sanctions, if any, are yet to be imposed.

The buck was finally passed to the Guyana Medical Council for it to conduct its own probe into the children’s deaths and this too has been completed. The files were then sent to the Council’s Disciplinary Committee for review but to date, there has been no word as to the next step.

However, Government’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud, who also holds a seat on the Medical Council told Guyana Times on Monday that a process is being followed before any revelations can be made about the Council’s decision(s).

“We have a process there.

And that process is ongoing.

It won’t be right for me to be giving information to anyone except through the right channels. I cannot give you information, it is something that a procedure is in place for, but we will give you the information after it is discussed [with all those in-

volved].”

In May, Chairman of the Guyana Medical Council, Dr Navindranauth Rambarran during an exclusive interview with this publication had confirmed that the Guyana Medical Council concluded its probe into the deaths and the files were sent to the Council’s Disciplinary Committee.

“All I could say on the issue is that the issue is now engaging the Disciplinary Committee at the Medical Council. But the course of natural justice has to take its path. So I cannot comment on that further,” Dr Rambarran had stated at that time.

With regard to the doctors who were found in the initial probe by the hospital to be negligent of following protocol, and who are still on the job, Dr Rambarran also had explained that it is not the role of the Guyana Medical Council to interfere in those operations but rather, the Disciplinary Committee has to do its work.

GPHC, earlier this year, concluded its own probe into the matter, which found that the medical personnel did not follow the established protocol in administering drugs to the three children who died earlier this year.

tients.

“The reasons that were given encompassed the fact that they were stretched and maybe not fully attentive at the time. That pretty much is the long and short of the reasons given but I don’t think that initially they realised. But eventually, when they recognised that the patients were deteriorating when they checked they realised their mistake.”

Deficiencies

Roshini Seegobin and Sharezer Mendonca

In March last, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) of Guyana, Dr Karen Gordon-Campbell, told the media that the doctors who treated the three juvenile leukaemia patients who later died at the GPHC administered the drugs incorrectly. Instead of intrathecal administration of the drug vincristine, they administered it intravenously.

It was this that led to the adverse reactions of those three children and ultimately their deaths.

She explained that investigations revealed that protocols the medical practitioners should have followed would have stipulated which drug has to be administered “when and where”.

NGSA students being prepared for secondary school

Students will be exposed to learning guidelines and other activities

S

tudents who recently completed the National Grade Six Assessment examination are being prepped for secondary school during a five-day interactive camp at the New Campbellville Secondary School.

The Students Transition Camp was organised by the Education Ministry to prepare upcoming Grade Seven students for the academic year ahead. Those that were targeted were the ones who did not perform exceptionally at the NGSA. Education official, Acklima Pearce stated that they will be introduced to a number of subjects, etiquette training and life skills. This initiative commenced after a careful analysis of the NGSA results and adds to the Transition Class that was established back in 2010 to provide children with an extra year to make

academic progress.

Pearce expounded, “Looking at the analysis, [the Ministry] saw it fitting for a special programme to be set up for those students who were not able to attain a score to enter into the normal secondary school. In September 2010, the sixyear Transition Class was established in ten regions in Guyana. These students who were not able to gain marks for the five-year programme will now be given the opportunity to attend the same secondary schools but will now do the six-year programme.”

During the week of activities, students will be exposed to mathematics, English, phonics, reading, art, physical education, dance, music, etiquette and environmental health.

Meanwhile, Deputy Education Officer (Secondary) Sherwyn

Blackman noted that while special emphasis will be placed on life skills, the main aim is to achieve better performances in these schools.

He acknowledged that progress has been observed through the Transition Class to produce better CSEC grades.

“For us, we believe that the programme has been generating the kind of results, that even though the students might have started with what we will term a below average mark, many of the students that have come through the transition programme were able to write the CSEC examinations six years later and they were just as successful as students who went to mainstream schools,” the DEO stated.

Along with curbing low performances, the Ministry is looking at providing additional resources and better facilities for learning.

During the last NGSA examinations, only mathematics saw an increase in students who would have passed with 50 per cent or more. Poor performances in English, science and social studies persisted. English dropped from 60.6 per cent to 57.4 per cent. The same followed for science with figures decreasing from 46.8 per cent to 46.4 per cent and social studies with 46.1 per cent to 39 per cent.

“It wasn’t a question of dosage but administration in terms of where it was administered. That was done incorrectly. The dosages would have been fine but in terms of where they administered what,” the Deputy CMO explained.

She stated that the three medical personnel involved in the matters were aware that they had broken protocol but not at the initial stage of administering the medicinal drugs to those pa-

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at the GPHC, Kesaundra Alves told the media that an internal investigation by the hospital’s administration into the circumstances surrounding the treatment of three leukaemia patients and their subsequent adverse reactions has revealed that human deficiencies and systemic challenges contributed to the demise of those three children.

“Statements were solicited from the parties directly or indirectly involved and parties who were witnesses

or otherwise privy to pertinent information that could assist with the investigation.

The Director of Medical and Professional Services, Dr Jeffery, submitted his final report to the Chief Executive Officer on January 28, 2019.

That report concluded that human deficiencies and systemic challenges contributed to the demise of the three children.”

She stated that an independent investigation by the Public Health Ministry was also launched and findings were similar to those of the GPHC’s; non-adherence to the hospital’s protocols led to the three young children succumbing at the GPHC. Since the deaths occurred, parents and other activists began their calls for the suspension of medical licenses of those doctors responsible for the deaths of seven-year-old Curwayne Edwards on January 14, three-year-old Roshini Seegobin on January 18 and sixyear-old Sharezer Mendonca on January 24.

Death in Police lock-ups

Lawyer writes DPP, PCA, Top Cop to initiate inquest

A

ttorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall has written the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Police Complaints Authority and Police Commissioner Leslie James as he requested an investigation into the death of 39-year-old Lallbachan Bachan, who died in Police-lockups on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

These letters were written on behalf of the deceased’s wife, Samanta Elizabeth Bachan, who had positioned her determination for justice and to know what happened on the night her husband was killed.

These calls mounted after photos of the deceased demonstrated multiple injuries about the body.

According to the lawyer, credible sources suggested that officers on duty during the night of Bachan’s death were imbibing at the Suddie Police Station.

Therefore, a “comprehensive and professional” investigation would provide clarity into what actually transpired.

Guyana Times understands that Bachan was arrested on June 28, 2019, at Maria’s Lodge, Essequibo Coast. He died during the night on June 30.

Last week the family of Bachan sought legal assistance from Nandlall to pursue to matter.

Samantha stated that her husband was arrested on June 12 for driving under the influence of alcohol. He was placed on $20,000 bail at the Suddie Police Station

Deceased: Lallbachan Bachan

and was told to appear before the District Court on June 20.

However, when her husband appeared at the court on the given date, the matter was postponed to June 28. He was, however, unable to attend court on that date and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

She explained that on the said date, the police visited their home, where they allegedly dragged him into the van and transported him to the police station.

The widow said her mother-in-law took dinner for him later in the evening but was prevented by the police from visiting him.

The widow said she was finally granted permission to see her husband on Sunday, who enquired about his kids and complained again of feeling unwell.

On July 1, she recounted that as the family was preparing to visit the police station, they received news

that he had died. She explained that she rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where she observed her husband bleeding from his head, which was also swollen. This left them to believe that the man was beaten.

After the incident, Police, in a release to the media, said that the man’s body bore no marks of violence. But contrary to this, the family had photographs showing what appeared to be marks of violence.

The police also said that Bachan was the lone prisoner in the cell. A post-mortem examination conducted

by Dr Nehaul Singh on the man’s body gave the cause of death as asphyxiation.

Meanwhile, the lawyer is arguing that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is responsible for the safety of persons in custody and must be answerable when such situations occur.

Moreover, he told this publication that it is illegal for relatives to be prevented by the police from visiting their imprisoned family member.

“It’s an absolute abuse of power and absolute abuse of the constitutional rights of citizens of this country to deny access to them while they are in the lockups… the law will determine what compensation [the family gets]. You ask for an amount and you now have to prove that you are entitled to that.

If you prove, for example, the police are liable, right away you get a quantum and then you build on that,” he stressed.

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guyanatimesgy.com

Tuesday, JUly 9, 2019

Regional

Brazil’s Justice Minister considered LatAm, C’bean faces obesity/ leak to harm Maduro – report food insecurity paradox – report

B

razilian Justice Minister Sergio Moro considered releasing construction giant Odebrecht's confession to paying bribes in Venezuela to harm the country's President Nicolás Maduro, The Intercept investigative website reported on Sunday.

The report came after The Intercept last month began publishing excerpts from leaked chats with Moro, causing a scandal for the former anti-corruption judge who became Attorney General under far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.

The Intercept's most explosive report purportedly showed Moro conspiring with Prosecutors in a sprawling corruption probe known as Car Wash to keep popular leftist former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva out of the 2018 presidential race.

On Sunday, The Intercept published chats in which Moro considers whether to use information gathered about Odebrecht during the Car Wash investigation against socialist leader Maduro, who has

L

The revelations regarding Brazilian Justice Minister Sergio Moro have led to calls for his resignation along with demonstrations in support of the Justice Minister [Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters]

presided over a political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

"Maybe we should reveal Odebrecht's confessions about bribes in Venezuela?" Moro said to Chief Prosecutor Deltan Dallagnol via the encrypted Telegram messaging app in August 2017.

Earlier in the conversation, Dallagnol had told Moro: "There will be criticism and a price (to be paid), but it's worth exposing oneself to help the Venezuelans."

It remains unclear if

the confessions were ever leaked, but Odebrecht has admitted to paying bribes across Latin America, including US$98 million in Venezuela – its biggest payoff outside Brazil.

In a statement, the Prosecutor's office in the city of Curitiba, which handled some of the most publicised aspects of the probe, rejected The Intercept's report.

The revelations regarding Moro have led to calls for his resignation along with demonstrations in support of the Justice Minister. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Mexico human rights group concerned about National Guard detaining US-bound migrants

M

exico’s newly-created National Guard has detained USbound migrants and the Government should make public the rules governing their power to curb immigration, the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) said on Monday.

The National Guard is a security force created by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to bring down record homicide rates. But now it has been tasked with patrolling the border to placate US President Donald Trump, who threatened to slap tariffs on Mexican goods un-

less the country did more to stem the flow of Central American migrants heading to the United States.

“Publishing the protocols and coordination rules under which the National Guard operates in support of immigration authorities, particularly regarding the procedures for detaining persons with an illegal immigration status, is desirable,” CNDH President Luis Raul Gonzalez said in a speech.

“If such protocols and rules don’t exist, establishing and publishing them is an urgent matter.”

The Mexican

Government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the speech.

While some 21,000 National Guard troops, nearly a third of their total ranks, have been deployed to Mexico’s northern and southern borders on immigration duties, their rules of engagement are still unclear.

Facing accusations the troops had been heavy-handed in their efforts to deter migrants from crossing the northern border, Lopez Obrador said on June 25 that the National Guard does not have orders to detain migrants. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Antigua reports “positive” talks with Trinidad-based bank on Scotiabank sale

T

he Antigua and Barbuda Government says it has received "positive” feedback to a proposal that would allow it to own at least 40 per cent of the Scotiabank branch there, which is being sold as part of several branches in the Caribbean to a Trinidad and Tobago-based financial institution.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne, speaking on his privately-owned radio station, said that his Administration had put two options on the table with the Trinidadbased Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) regarding the sale.

“Our first position is that Antigua and Barbuda consortium comprising the Government and a group of

Antigua Prime Minister Gaston Browne

domestic banks should be given the first option to buy the Antigua Scotia branch.

"Our second option is to partner with Republic Bank and in that case, we will take up to 40 per cent shares. I can tell you that Republic Bank has indicated a willingness and in fact they said to us formally that yes they will

cooperate. They will allow us to get the 40 per cent shares, so we have to look at price,” he added.

Last November, the RFHL announced that it was seeking to acquire Scotiabank operations in several Caribbean countries.

Antigua and Barbuda and Guyana had initially expressed reservations about the proposed acquisition, with St John's indicating that it would not be issuing a vesting order to facilitate the move.

The RFHL statement said that the banks being acquired are located in Guyana, St Maarten, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. (Excerpt from CMC)

atin America and the Caribbean is facing an obesity epidemic while paradoxically the number of people facing food insecurity in the region continues to rise, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation (OECD) and United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) warned in a report on Monday.

“In Latin America and the Caribbean ... obesity currently affects around one quarter of the population, while about 60 percent of the population is overweight,” the Organisations said in a joint report.

It called the rapid development in the number of people who are overweight

and obese an “epidemic” and a “growing public health problem”.

The report, an overview of developments expected in the food and agricultural sectors over the coming decade, found that a combination of excessive calorie consumption, unbalanced diets and declining activity levels were fuelling a growing burden of overweight and obesity in various countries across the world.

It said that in many low and middle-income countries, obesity exists alongside undernourishment and micronutrient deficiencies, calling it “a ‘triple burden’ of malnutrition”.

In Latin America and the Caribbean “obesity seems to

remain on the rise, particularly affecting lower-income sectors of the population, women, Indigenous peoples, Afrodescendants and, in some cases, children”, said the report.

“Paradoxically, being an agricultural and food surplus region, Latin America witnessed the number of food insecure population increase for the third consecutive year,” it added.

Latin America is one of the world’s major food exporting regions, and the OECD and FAO said the rising food insecurity was likely driven by “the affordability of food to poor consumers ... rather than the physical availability of food...”. (Excerpt from AFP)

Chile suffers the worst drought in 60 years

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hile’s populated capital Santiago, as well as the Valparaiso region, could be left without drinking water by 2030.

Central Chile is suffering the worst drought in 60 years. That includes the capital Santiago, home to nearly half the country’s population of 18 million.

Experts predict climate change, over-exploitation by agriculture and other factors means the shortage of water will be permanent.(Al Jazeera)

The shortage of water will be permanent, experts say

Barbados Government approves shutdown policy for island in event of storm or other severe weather

T

he Barbados Cabinet has approved a shutdown policy that would take effect in the event a severe weather, tropical storm or hurricane warning is issued by the Barbados Meteorological Service.

The revised Policy Framework and Standard Operating Procedures for the Systematic Shutdown and Reactivation of Barbados will be activated in collaboration with the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) and the Emergency Management Advisory Council. Under the revised policy, Government, through

the Home Affairs Minister, will issue a National Shutdown Administrative Instruction to shut down the country, following consultation with the relevant agencies in relation to the threat.

However, the document indicates that the National Shutdown would be done on a staggered basis to ensure that key elements of national operations are followed to maintain an effective level of operation for as long as possible, while facilitating the systematic closure of non-essential operations.

According to the schedule for the national shutdown, visitors will be given an op-

portunity to leave the island 36 to 48 hours ahead of the expected impact, depending on flight availability.

All educational institutions, including schools, preschools, day care centres (both for children and the elderly) and the Barbados Community College, will close 24 hours ahead of impact, while visitors will also be given a final opportunity to leave the island.

All non-essential services of the Public and Private Sectors must shut down 18 hours ahead of impact, while public shelters will be activated 12 to 18 hours ahead.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

T&T Police polygraph tests start next week

P

olygrapH testing of regular and Special Reserve Police officers will be done next week. This testing forms part of transformational policing for greater accountability within the Police Service, a TTPS release stated.

This polygraph testing will be conducted across all Divisions and is not limited to officers assigned to stations along the South Western Peninsula. As a matter of fact, the release said, Commissioner Griffith

has noted that the vast majority of officers assigned to the South Western Division have been doing their jobs commendably.

However, a few officers because of their involvement with criminal activity, are permitting the entry of illegal drugs, guns and human trafficking from the mainland, are making it difficult for the vast majority of hardworking Police Officers in that Division to be successful.

Commissioner Griffith

says every Police Officer was willing to be polygraphed and drug tested prior to entry into the Police Service, so he sees no reason for an officer to be reluctant, unless the Officer’s ethics have changed; if in fact, this is so, the Commissioner does not want them in the Police Service.

Griffith has directed that he will be the first to be polygraphed and drug tested. In March, Griffith announced both polygraph and drug testing for Police Officers.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, JUly 9, 2019

Around the World

Bus crash kills 29 in northern India

3

At least 29 people have been killed after a bus they were travelling in went off an expressway in the northern Indian STATE of Uttar Pradesh.

The crash happened early on Monday near the city of Agra, 336km (208 miles) from the State capital, Lucknow.

The bus was carrying about 50 people and travelling from Lucknow to the Indian capital, Delhi.

Road accidents are frequent in India, with one taking place every four minutes.

Locals rushed to the spot to help and rescued 20 in-

The bus was travelling from New Delhi to Lucknow when the accident happened about 04:15h near Agra

jured passengers.

Reports said that the driver fell asleep and lost control of the double-decker bus before it went off a high-

way and plunged into a canal below.

The 165km (100-mile) Yamuna expressway from Delhi to Agra is one of

India's longest six-lane motorways.

About 900 people have been killed on the road since it opened in 2012, according to authorities.

Road accidents in India are usually blamed on badly maintained vehicles, poor driving and the state of the roads.

Correspondents say buses in rural India are often old and rickety. Many also do not follow or enforce basic safety measures - it's not uncommon to see people crowding into buses or even travelling on the roof if they cannot find a seat inside.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Iran passes new nuclear deal limit as China blames US for crisis

I

ran has passed the uranium enrichment cap set in its 2015 nuclear deal, marking the second time in a week that it made good on a promise to reduce compliance with the international pact following the United States' unilateral exit last year.

The announcement on Monday from Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation came amid growing frustration in Tehran over a failure by the landmark accord's remaining signatories to deliver on its promised eco-

nomic benefits.

B e h r o u z Kamalvandi, spokesman for the nuclear agency, confirmed Tehran had enriched uranium beyond the 3.67 per cent purity that the deal allows, passing 4.5 per cent, according to the Iranian students' news agency ISNA. A day after US officials threatened Iran with further "sanctions and isolation", some of the pact's other parties hit out at Washington for escalating the crisis that has thrown

Congolese rebel Ntaganda 'Terminator' guilty of war crimes – ICC

into question the future of the accord, which offered Iran relief from sanctions in exchange for drastic limits on its nuclear programme.

"The facts show that unilateral bullying has already become a worsening tumour," Geng Shuang, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, told a press briefing in Beijing on Monday.

"The maximum pressure exerted by the US on Iran is the root cause of the Iranian nuclear crisis," he said.

Moscow also blamed Washington and pledged to pursue diplomatic efforts to salvage the deal, with Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, saying on Monday: "Russia aims to continue dialogue and efforts on the diplomatic front.

"Russia and President [Vladimir] Putin warned of the consequences that would be imminent after one of the countries decided to end its obligations and exit the deal." (Excerpt from

Al Jazeera)

UK regrets leak of memos calling Trump Administration 'inept'

T

he International Criminal Court has convicted Congolese former rebel leader Bosco Ntaganda, dubbed the "Terminator", as guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Ntaganda, 45, has been charged with overseeing the slaughter of civilians by his soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo's volatile, mineral-rich Ituri region in 2002 and 2003. His sentence will be determined at a later hearing.

Prosecutors gave horrific details of victims including some who were disembowelled and had their throats slit, as part of the evidence during his threeyear trial in The Hague.

The soft-spoken Ntaganda told judges during his trial that he was a "soldier, not a criminal" and that the "Terminator" nickname did not apply to him.

Ntaganda had faced 13 counts of war crimes and five counts of crimes against humanity for his role in the brutal conflict that wracked the northeastern region.

Prosecutors portrayed him as the ruthless leader of ethnic Tutsi revolts amid

17

Ivanka Trump and Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox arrive through the East Gallery during the State Banquet, on day one of the US President Donald Trump’s State visit, at Buckingham Palace, London, Britain, June 3, 2019 Bosco Ntaganda was convicted of leading a brutal campaign in eastern DR Congo

the wars that wracked the Democratic Republic of Congo after the 1994 genocide of Tutsis in neighbouring Rwanda.

More than 60,000 people have been killed since the violence erupted in the region in 1999 according to rights groups, as militias battle each other for control of scarce mineral resources.

Last year, Ntaganda told the ICC that the allegations against him were "nothing more than lies".

"I am a revolutionary, but not a criminal," he said.

Ntaganda is one of five Congolese rebel leaders brought before the ICC, which was set up in 2002 as an independent international body to prosecute those accused of the world's worst crimes. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

B

ritain said on Monday it had contacted Washington to express regret for the leak of confidential memos in which its ambassador described US President Donald Trump’s Administration as “dysfunctional” and “inept”.

The memos from Kim Darroch, ambassador to Washington, were divulged to a Sunday newspaper, annoying Trump and embarrassing London.

“Contact has been made with the Trump Administration, setting out our view that we believe the leak is unacceptable,” Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokesman told reporters. “It is, of course, a matter of regret that this has happened.”

Trade Minister Liam Fox, who is visiting Washington, told BBC radio he would apologise to Trump’s daughter Ivanka, whom he is due to meet.

“I will be apologising for the fact that either our civil service or elements of our political class have not lived up to the expectations that either we have or the United States has about their behaviour, which in this particular case has lapsed in a most extraordinary and unacceptable way,” he said.

“Malicious leaks of this nature ... can actually lead to a damage to that relationship, which can, therefore, affect our wider security interest.”

The revelations come at a time when Britain is hoping to strike a major trade deal with its closest ally after it leaves the European Union, an exit currently scheduled for October 31.

Trump told reporters, of Darroch: “We are not big fans of that man and he has not served the UK well, so I can understand and I can say things about him but I won’t bother.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Conservative leader Mitsotakis becomes Greek PM, picks Cabinet

Leader of New Democracy conservative party and winner of the Greek general election, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, along with his wife Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotakis, arrives for a swearing-in ceremony as Prime Minister near the Presidential Palace in Athens, Greece July 8, 2019

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onservative politician Kyriakos Mitsotakis took office as Greece’s new Prime Minister and named his Cabinet on Monday, after storming to victory on a pledge to create jobs and lure investment to the economically stricken nation.

Mitsotakis’s New Democracy party won an outright majority with 158 seats in the 300-seat legislature. His pledges for more investments, well-paid jobs and fewer taxes won over Greeks worn out by years of EU-prescribed austerity and the euro zone’s highest unemployment.

Greeks hope the new Government can make the economy work better after the country emerged from the close surveillance of its international lenders last year. The economy is now growing at a moderate clip, expanding by 1.3 per cent on an annual basis in the first quarter.

For Mitsotakis the first test is likely to come from outside Greece, as tensions simmer between its close ally Cyprus and historic foe Turkey over offshore energy reserves.

Cyprus has discovered natural gas offshore in recent years, but its jurisdiction has been challenged by Turkey, which supports a breakaway state in the north of the island.

On Monday Cyprus condemned what it called an infringement of its sovereign rights by Turkey after Ankara sent a second drill ship to explore for oil and gas off the island.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was the first foreign leader to call to congratulate Mitsotakis on Sunday evening, aides to the Greek leader said. On Monday Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said it hoped bilateral relations could be further enhanced under Mitsotakis’s stewardship. (Excerpt from Reuters)

IVF 'mix up': US couple say they gave birth to wrong children

A

n Asian couple who tried to conceive through IVF has claimed that a mix-up at a California fertility clinic left them pregnant with the wrong children.

A lawsuit filed by the couple in New York states that the couple was shocked to give birth to two boys who were not of Asian descent, US media reported.

The lawsuit says DNA tests confirmed the children were not related to the couple and they relinquished custody.

The fertility clinic has not commented on the allegations.

The couple - identified in the lawsuit only as AP and YZ to minimise the "embarrassment and humiliation" - say they tried for years to get pregnant before spending more than $100,000 (£80,000) on the IVF, or in vitro fertilisation, including medication, laboratory fees, travel and other costs.

The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of New York last week, accuses CHA Fertility and two men identified as its co-owners and directors of offences including medical malpractice and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

There were earlier signs that things were amiss when a scan revealed they were expecting boys, despite the fact that the doctors had said they did not use male embryos during the treatment.

Doctors reportedly told the couple that the scan was inaccurate, before they went on to have the baby boys in April. In addition to not being related to the couple, the children were not related to each other, according to the lawsuit.

On its website, CHA Fertility says it delivers the "highest degree of personalised care...with the utmost sense of duty". (Excerpt from BBC News)

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tuesday, JUly 9, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Lay down some ground rules if you feel someone is being too controlling. Use your intelligence and have facts ready to back your feelings and decisions. Handle relationships with care.

Keep moving and don’t TAURUS stop until you are satis(April 20fied with what you’ve done.

May 20) Expect to face opposition if you make a change that will disrupt your household or plans.

Consider your options GEMINI and what you’ll have to con(May 21tend with to pursue your June 20) goal. Rely on your skills to help you get ahead, not on someone who is making empty promises.

dilbert

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

SUDOKU

Stay calm when dealing with partnerships. Before you jump to conclusions, consider every aspect of the situation and how to best make it work for everyone involved.

Compromise will pay off.

Get the go-ahead before you make changes that will affect other people.

Communication will help broaden your awareness about emotional issues that have been ignored for too long.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Let the past go. If you hold grudges, you will miss out on something special.

Take the plunge and get involved in something meaningful. Romance is on the rise.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Don’t labour over things you cannot change.

Forward motion and new beginnings will help you expand your interests and friendships, and encourage you to use your skills more diversely.

SCORPIO

If change is what you want, do something to make it happen. Your actions will be what makes a difference. Stop spinning your wheels.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Listen earnestly and acknowledge what others are doing, but don’t feel that you must be a follower. Use whatever information you gather to help in your own pursuit.

Don’t make a fuss when you should be making a move. If you don’t like something, walk away. Don’t take care of someone else’s business when you should be dealing with your own.

Consider what you want and how to make it happen.

Check out the changes that need to be made and decide whether the effort’s worthwhile. Pay attention to detail.

A minimalist attitude will help you stretch your budget and reach your goal.

Distance yourself from anyone who isn’t playing fair or is trying to entice you to be excessive.

tuesday, JUly 9, 2019

19

Wimbledon 2019: Coco Gauff knocked out in last 16 by Halep C

oco Gauff’s remarkable fairytale run at Wimbledon came to an end with a straight-set defeat by former world number one Simona Halep.

Seventh seed Halep, 27, beat the 15-year-old American qualifier 6-3 6-3 to advance to the quarter-finals, where she will play China’s Zhang Shuai.

Gauff had beaten Venus Williams, Magdalena Rybarikova and Polona Hercog on her way to the last 16.

But she appeared out of sorts on court, calling on a doctor in the second set.

Gauff had been bidding to become the youngest Wimbledon quarter-finalist since fellow 15-year-old American Jennifer Capriati in 1991.

“I wasn’t feeling very well but I still played my best. I’m not sure what it was but I still had fun even though I was losing,” she said.

“I learned a lot about

Karolina Pliskova, and now Kvitova, it leaves seventh seed Simona Halep, eighth seed Elina Svitolina and 11th seed Serena Williams as the highest ranked players left i n the women’s draw. “ I t was small margins in the end,” said Konta, who is Rafael Nadal

how to play in front of a big crowd and how to play under pressure. I am really grateful for the experience.”

Konta, Serena also advance British number one Johanna Konta reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals with an accomplished display against two-time champion Petra Kvitova.

The 28-year-old came from a set down to beat the

enjoying deep runs at back-toback Grand Slams for the first time following last month’s French Open semi-final.

“I’m tremendously grateful to be here and I’m just happy to still be in this event and to be competing against the best players in the world.”

Czech sixth seed 4-6 6-2 6-4.

Konta is one win away from emulating her 2017 feat of reaching the last four and two away from becoming the first British women’s singles finalist since Virginia Wade won the title in 1977.

She will take on Czech world number 54 Barbora Strycova on Tuesday.

With defeats on Monday Romania’s Simona Halep (right) shakes hands with US player Cori for world number one “Coco” Gauff Ashleigh Barty, third seed

Jonathan Dos Santos’s strike seals Gold Cup Final win for Mexico over USA

Big 3 ease into quarters Roger Federer reached a record-extending 17th Wimbledon quarter-final as young Italian Matteo Berrettini was overwhelmed on Centre Court.

The Swiss great, bidding for a ninth title, needed just an hour and 14 minutes to seal a 6-1 6-2 6-2 win.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal also continued to breeze through the draw with equally-comfortable last-16 wins.

Defending champion Djokovic knocked out inexperienced Frenchman Ugo Humbert, while Nadal beat Portugal’s Joao Sousa.

Serbian top seed Djokovic showed the gulf in class as he won 6-3 6-2 6-3 against world number 66 Humbert, while Nadal - only tested so far by second-round opponent Nick Kyrgios - eased to a 6-2 6-2 6-2 win over Sousa.

Lebron James presents Lakers’ Number 23 jersey to Anthony Davis

Mexico won the Gold Cup for the first time since 2015

T

he US couldn’t make it two titles in one day.

Hours after the US women’s team won the World Cup final, the men lost to old rivals Mexico in the deciding match of the Gold Cup. Jonathan Dos Santos scored in the 73rd minute of the final for the Mexicans on Sunday night as El Tri won a record eighth Concacaf title.

Despite missing their top three forwards, El Tri dominated possession against an American team playing in their first tournament under new coach Gregg Berhalter. Christian Pulisic, the Americans’ 20-year-old star midfielder, was by far the best US player and his pace and skill created chances for the home team. Jordan Morris beat goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa with a 6-yard header from Pulisic’s corner in the 51st minute, but Andres Guardado headed the ball off the goalline. Cristian Roldan had a chance to tie the score in the 87th minute, but his pointblank shot hit Hector Moreno on the head and bounced away.

While the crowd in France was overwhelmingly pro-American as the US beat the Netherlands 2-0 in the Women’s World Cup final earlier in the day, Mexican fans in green, white and red in the crowd of 62,493 made Solider Field seem like Mexico City’s Estadio

Azteca. Whenever US keeper Zack Steffen took a goal kick, there were loud chants of “puto,” a homophobic slur Mexican fans have repeatedly been admonished for.

Mexico scored from a move started by Dos Santos, who plays in Major League Soccer for the LA Galaxy. He passed the ball to Rodolfo Pizarro, who switched from the left flank to the right in the second half. Pizarro crossed into the area where Raul Jimenez played a back-heel to Dos Santos, who had continued his run. His leftfooted shot went past the outstretched arm of Steffen for just his third goal in 46 international appearances.

The US have been rebuilding under Berhalter, the first American to coach the national team after playing in the World Cup for the US. Qualifying for the 2022 World Cup will not start until next summer, leaving the Gold Cup as the first measuring test for a team whose streak of seven straight World Cup appearances ended when they failed to make the field in Russia last year.

Mexico were playing in their first tournament under new coach Tata Martino. They have not lost a competitive match to the US since 2013, reestablishing El Tri as the region’s power. (The Guardian)

Anthony Davis (left) takes over the number 23 jersey when the season commences

L

eBron James marked a new Los Angeles Lakers era on Sunday night with a ceremonial passing of his number to new team-mate Anthony Davis.

Lakers star James posted a picture on Instagram of the pair holding a Lakers number 23 jersey with Davis’ name on the back, with the accompanying caption reading, “Officially a Laker!!”

Davis has worn 23 throughout his seven-year career with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Not only had James indicated that he might give up his Lakers number for his new colleague, but he also hinted previously at what number he might wear beginning in the 2019-20 season.

Some 10 days before the Davis deal officially became a reality, James tweeted a tiny number six with a praying-hands emoji.

James wore 23 for most of his career, including two stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and his first season with the Lakers.

However, he wore six in his four seasons with the Miami Heat and often does so in Lakers practices too.

What we do know with relative certainty is that James will not wear the 11 Lakers numbers that have been retired: eight and 24 (Kobe Bryant), 13 (Wilt Chamberlain), 22 (Elgin Baylor), 25 (Gail Goodrich), 32 (Magic Johnson), 33 (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), 34 (Shaquille O’Neal), 42 (James Worthy), 44 (Jerry West) and 52 (Jamaal Wilkes). (Sportmax)

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AP Invitational to continue boosting local athletes …more support from corporate entities needed

By Jemima Holmes

I

t is quite ironic that a power outage and total darkness became the unfortunate highlight of this year’s Aliann Pompey Invitational meet, hosted at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora, WCD over the last weekend.

It, however, remains a fact that the ‘blackout’ added some spice to the fourth edition of this international invitational meet, although it halted the proceedings for quite some time.

Misfortune notwithstanding, former Guyanese Olympian Aliann Pompey was pleased with the quality of this year’s meet.

“Aside from the untimely blackout, I think it was a success. I appreciate the fans that stayed until the end, and the athletes for bearing with us,” Pompey said.

Questioned about challenges the meet faced this year, Pompey highlighted a smaller budget as one of the difficult areas. The former 400m specialist explained how the lack of funds and sponsorship stifled the meet, especially in relation to enticing international athletes.

“This year’s budget was

A glimpse of the action during last Saturday’s AP Invitational

Aliann Pompey receiving her Olympic pin from GOA President KA Juman-Yassin

cut by a substantial amount.

We weren’t able to raise the (amount of) funds that we did last year, and it showed.

We had Kirani James and other big athletes (last year), but these athletes don’t come to race for free; so that’s all it takes (money). The more money and resources we have, the more athletes we can bring in,” she explained.

In this regard, Pompey

went on to disclose why so much emphasis was placed on the contributions of this year’s sponsors, which included Banks DIH, Sentinel Security and the Ministry of Communities. She also made a public call to individuals and corporate entities who have the resources to take advantage of the opportunity to boost the meet next time around.

“That’s one of the reasons

we had a separate press conference for the sponsors this year: to highlight the contributions, and to say that we wouldn’t be able to do what we did without them. That being said, there is work to do. There are companies and individuals who can truly make a difference,” Pompey expounded.

Questioned about the direction she hopes the AP Invitational would take in the future, she declared her hope is to maintain a quality track-and-field meet that would benefit Guyanese athletes. However, the meet will continue to feature international stars.

“The hope is that it grows

every year. In terms of direction: just growth, whether that means attracting bigger names or showcasing Guyana’s talent. I think this year we had a lot of local athletes featured mainly because they are doing so well.

But it is an international meet, and we won’t stray from that too much; and (we will) continue to make it an international field for all the events,” she disclosed.

Quite a few of last Saturday’s races -- for instance, the male and female 800m races -- featured all-Guyanese athletes. This, she explained, was not the doing of fate, but a measure used to boost the confidence

of local athletes.

“There were some races where we didn’t have an international field because I want the local athletes to continue to develop and be encouraged, so we had some races specifically for them,” Pompey explained.

With the help of individual sponsors and corporate entities, the Aliann Pompey Invitational is sure to continue creating a solid platform for aspiring Guyanese athletes who are looking to test the proverbial waters against international talent.

Without a doubt, the invitational meet will return in 2020; hopefully, bigger and better.

Thomas loses time Kohli’s fire or Williamson’s ice?

Manchester gears up for first semi-final as Alaphilippe

claims yellow jersey

A

fter more than five weeks of exciting cricket, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup now enters its decisive phase as India and New Zealand faceoff in the first semi-final at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

The Indian team, despite being plagued by a couple of injuries, have topped the World Cup league stage points table with seven wins from eight completed games. While Rohit Sharma has been at his fluent best, having already scored five centuries so far, his new opening partner Lokesh Rahul has put up scores of 77 and 111 in his last two innings.

The bowling attack too, led by the ever reliable Jasprit Bumrah has been delivering on a consistent basis. Virat Kohli will have some interesting decisions to make in the bowling department, as he seeks a perfect combination for an all-important clash on Tuesday.

The 2015 runners-up New Zealand, have had a mixed campaign so far. Powered by some collective bowling performances and led by their skipper Kane Williamson with the bat, the BlackCaps had notched up five wins from their first six games which included a complete washout against India. However, three successive losses thereafter saw them slipping to the fourth position, as they qualified for the semi-finals by virtue of a superior net run-rate. New Zealand will hope for a strong performance from their opener

G

New Zealand defeated India in the preliminary round

Martin Guptill, who hasn’t been able to put up a significant score ever since his team’s opening game against Sri Lanka.

Recent form and team combinations suggest India are hot favourites. However, New Zealand, led by a shrewd captain in Williamson, is capable of producing a clinical performance against any opposition on any given day.

Kohli, the Indian captain, has been a consistent performer in this World Cup, having scored 442 runs in eight innings so far. However, he’s yet to register a three-figure score in the tournament. A high pressure game such as a World Cup semi-final, presents a

perfect opportunity for Kohli to put up another match-winning performance for India.

Trent Boult, much like he did in the 2015 edition, has been leading the New Zealand bowling attack with 15 wickets from eight games. Boult, who had powered his team to a sixwicket win with figures of 4/33 in the warm-up game against India, will look to produce a similar performance to put his team in a commanding position.

Skies are likely to remain cloudy throughout the day, with chances of some odd light showers. Teams batting first have won each of the five games played at Old Trafford in this

tournament and considering the nature of the contest, both captains will look to bat first.

Squads India: Virat Kohli (c), Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Colin Munro, Ish Sodhi, Henry Nicholls, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Jimmy Neesham (ICC)

eraint Thomas lost time on two of his Tour de France rivals as France’s Julian Alaphilippe took the yellow jersey with a solo win on stage three.

Thomas lost five seconds to his Ineos co-leader Egan Bernal and France’s Thibaut Pinot at the finish in Epernay.

Alaphilippe’s late attack on the Cote de Mutigny saw him ride clear of the peloton to win by 26 seconds.

Australia’s Michael Matthews and Belgium’s Jasper Stuyven were second and third.

Defending champion Thomas stayed out of trouble on the 215km stage which travelled from Belgium into the heart of France’s champagne region.

But the Welshman lost ground on the 500m uphill sprint to the line as his Colombian team-mate Bernal and Groupama-FDJ rider Pinot stole a march on him.

Thomas remains seventh in the general classification, seven seconds ahead of Pinot in 12th.

Britain’s MitcheltonScott rider Adam Yates finished 25th in the same time as Thomas alongside a host of other general classification contenders, including Jumbo Visma’s Steven Kruijswijk, AG2R La Mondiale’s

Romain Bardet and the 2014 champion, Bahrain Merida’s Vincenzo

Nibali.

Jumbo-Visma rider Mike Teunissen, who started the day in the yellow jersey, cracked on the final climb to finish almost five minutes down on Alaphilippe. (BBC Sport)

General classification after stage three

1. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra/Deceuninck-Quick Step) 9hrs 32mins 19secs 2. Wout van Aert (Bel/Jumbo-Visma) +20secs 3. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/Jumbo-Visma) +25secs 4. George Bennett (NZ/Jumbo-Visma) Same time 5. Michael Matthews (Aus/Sunweb) +40secs 6. Egan Bernal (Col/Ineos) Same time 7. Geraint Thomas (GB/Ineos) +45secs 8. Enric Mas (Spa/Deceuninck-Quick Step) +46secs 9. Greg van Avermaet (Bel/CCC) +51secs 10. Wilco Kelderman (Ned/Sunweb) Same time

CWI announces Central Contracts list for 2019-20 season C

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ricket West Indies (CWI) has increased the number of all-forShemaine Campbelle mat contracts awarded to West Indies men’s players and expanded the list of centrally-contracted West Indies women’s players for the 2019-20 season.

The number of all-format contracts on the men’s side has now increased from four to seven with Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul joining Test and One-Day International captain Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph and Kemar Roach on the list.

A total of 19 men have been retained for the upcoming contract year which runs from July 1 this year to June 30 next year, including first-timers Fabian Allen, Nicholas Pooran and Oshane Thomas, all members of the West Indies squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 England & Wales, along with left-handed opener John Campbell.

A total of 15 women – an increase of three – have also earned central contracts to run for the same period, including veteran all-rounder StacyAnn King, fellow left-hander Kycia Knight and newcomers Shabika Gajnabi, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry, Natasha McLean and Karishma Ramharack.

“We believe the 2019-20 contract list provides us with a multi-talented group of players who can represent West Indies men and women across all formats over the contract period,” said interim Chairman of the CWI Selection Panel, Robert Haynes.

“We believe the mix of players selected are im-

portant for the development of our teams going forward and we have looked to award contracts to players who have shown commitment and performance during the past year.”

Contracts were offered to players who have achieved consistent performances for the West Indies throughout the evaluation period of April 1 last year to March 31 this year, and players who the Selection Panel believes will feature in the squads for all matches in the respective formats over the next contract year.

CWI Board policy allows up to 22 contracts to be offered each contract year to West Indies men’s players, so the Selection Panel may decide to offer additional central contracts throughout the year.

CWI director of cricket Jimmy Adams said verbal offers had been made to all players, and contracts will be issued in the next few weeks, as soon as CWI has concluded a new four-year Memorandum of Understanding with the West Indies Players Association.

“To assist in our drive of towards a new fitness and conditioning culture, the CWI board of directors has approved our recommendation that the award of all new West Indies men’s contracts this year will be conditional on each player achieving a minimum standard of fitness,” he said.

“This new policy will also be introduced to all men’s regional franchise contracts and West Indies Women’s contracts next year for the 202021 season.”

This is the third year that CWI will award central contracts to West Indies men under three different categories.

All-format contracts are awarded to players expected to feature in Tests, ODIs and T20Is during the coming year. Red-ball contracts are

GFF/NAMILCO U-17 League, Bartica leg…

Rising Stars remain dominant

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Ian Gomes Jr, Joshua Jones, Regan Kippins and Kareem Hughes were the main goal-scorers for Rising Stars

T

wo goals each from Ian Gomes Jr and Joshua Jones, and one each from Regan Kippins and Kareem Hughes, launched Rising Stars FC to 19 points – which proved too much for Agatash United FC to surmount with their lone goal, which came off the boot of Ashton Simmons as the GFF-NAMILCO Under-17 League continued on Saturday at the Bartica Secondary School Ground.

Rising Stars continue their rampage in the series, winning six of the seven matches they played; drawing only one, for the record.

Newcomers Agatash United having a place at the bottom of the table can be considered an injustice for the many individual talents landscaping that young team. Outstanding among these are goalkeeper Shalimar Crighton and forward Ashton Simmons.

The outcome of the Agatash game against the Rising Stars saw the dominant Rising Stars winning by a margin of six goals to the Agatash lone goal. The first half of the game saw the Rising Stars capitalising on weaknesses of the Agatash side by scoring multiple goals to leave

Agatash confused as the Rising Stars plundered their goal.

With a chance to reclaim participation in the match in the second half of play, Agatash soon found that no amount of substitution could stop the rampage, and they had to settle for the face-saving lone consolation goal.

The NAMILCO Under-17 tournament, having a format similar to that of the Frank Watson Under-15 tournament, will first be played at the Regional Member Association (RMAs) level, before there is a grand playoff with the nine winners to crown a national champion.

The league is part of the Youth Development Programme of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) through its Regional Member Associations, and is being held in association with the National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO).

The clubs that are competing in this tournament are Beacons, Lazio, Rising Stars, Potaro Strikers, Mil Ballers, Wolves United, Rivers View, and Agatash United.

Action in the league will continue during the course of the week at the same venue.

given to players who predominantly play Test cricket and white-ball contracts are awarded to players who predominantly play ODIs and T20Is.

Shimron Hetmyer

The full list of contracted players are

West Indies Men Centrally-Contracted Players 2019-20 All-Format Contracts: Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach Red-Ball Contracts: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Jomel Warrican White-Ball Contracts: Fabian Allen, Carlos Brathwaite, Sheldon Cottrell, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Oshane Thomas Players no longer on contracts: Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Miguel Cummins, Ashley Nurse, Kieran Powell, Raymon Reifer

West Indies Women CentrallyContracted Players 2019-20

Players who retained contracts: Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor New players offered contracts for 2019-20: Shabika Gajnabi, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry, Stacy-Ann King, Kycia Knight, Natasha McLean, Karishma Ramharack Players no longer on contracts: Merissa Aguilleira, Reniece Boyce, Anisa Mohammed, Akeira Peters

Thankful for the support LGC says it saved course from being waterlogged – Open Golf C/ships scheduled for July 20 -21

P

wanted

VACANCY

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tuesday, JUly 9, 2019

henomenal, commendable and spontaneous support from grounds staff Avinash Persaud, Barney, Budhu and Mahgo, who worked tirelessly from 9hrs to 23hrs on Saturday, July 6, under the leadership of Club President Aleem Hussain; in addition to the ready and willing contribution of a powerful water pump from Padmawattie Joree and her son Sachin, besides the sterling efforts of several other supporters of the Lusignan Golf Club (LBC), saved the day and the season for the Lusignan Golf Course.

The rainy season in Guyana is the Achilles heel of every outdoor sporting organisation. It causes a total shutdown of some facilities for any time between one and three months in the aftermath of torrential rains.

That used to be the norm at the Lusignan Golf Course, until the Executive that was elected to office in December 2017, of which Aleem Hussain is president, determined that things would be positively different. From January 2018 until June 2019, the LGC boasted almost 18 months of uninterrupted golf, until the week of July 1, 2019.

In fact, from Monday, July 1, and for every day until Friday, July 5, torrential downpours resulted in all the fairways at the LGC being under water, threatening to leave the land waterlogged if not removed speedily. However, the contagious and indomitable spirit of President Hussain fired the Grounds staff -- and a willing cast of old and new supporters -- with an attitude of “never say never” to correcting the situation.

To begin with, the previously unknown Padmawattie and Sachin Joree of Mahaicony, a family that lost their patriarch earlier this year, and with no previous link to golfing, at first word, unhesitatingly loaned a massive field pump. Then came forth other timely supporters, to whom the LGC is also extremely grateful for all their significant contributions.

Funds were contributed by Maurice Solomon, Robert Hanoman and Pur Persaud; and to overcome the challenges of towing, installation and operation of the pump and use of a large tractor and 4x4, the joint efforts of Dr Anwar Hussain, Rudy Ramalingum, A. Persaud, Hardeo ‘Curry’ Ganpat from Global Auto Spares, the local NDC, Macorp and Ronald’s Machine Shop were highly appreciated.

Work continued from Sunday at 6:00h with the pump being manned by no other than Club President Hussain himself; so that, along with the glorious sunshine on Sunday and Monday, by end of Monday, July 8, 2019, the LGC was returned to full golfing capacity, being sufficiently prepared for an Appreciation Tournament to be held on Sunday, July 14, in honour of the contributors and companies who gave willingly and graciously for the Course to be restored to great condition.

The much-anticipated 2-day Lusignan Open Golf Championship is now rescheduled to be held on Saturday and Sunday July 20-21, 2019.

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Albion Cricket Academy officially opens – Bishoo encourages youths to stay focused

BCB President Hilbert Foster making presentation to Albion CC (Brandon Corlette photos) B y B randon C orlette

T

he Albion Community Centre Cricket Academy officially commenced on Monday, July 8, and will be held for six days until Saturday, July 13.

Its opening ceremony was graced by the presence of West Indies player Devandra Bishoo, its official sponsor, and Guyana Jaguars player Gudakesh Motie.

At that

opening ceremony, Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President, Hilbert Foster, said he was happy to see that Bishoo, who sponsored this academy, was giving back to the cricket club that had made him a West Indies player.

Foster also said he is happy to see the Albion Cricket Club continuing to invest in cricket in Berbice. He said the BCB would play a role in assisting these youths’

development by providing two coaches under the BCB coaching programme.

“As soon as the weather suits cricket, the BCB will also (host) an Under-13 tournament for these youths,” Foster disclosed.

Foster informed that the Albion CC has produced Test cricketers, and this academy has been an important process in their achievement.

The BCB boss also donated trophies, educational materials and six cricket balls to assist Albion CC during this six-day cricket academy.

Chairperson of the opening ceremony, Orvin Mangru, also encouraged the youths to use to their advantage this academy, wherein they will learn a lot in regard to cricket.

Acting Vice President of the Albion Cricket Club, Imtiaz Bacchus, charged the youths to develop great capacity for the mental aspect of cricket.

Emphasising the importance of technique and patience, he urged that batsmen play with a straight bat, and play each ball on the ground.

He told the young cricketers, “The likes of Narasingh Deonarine and Sewnarine Chattergoon played softball cricket in the streets, and hitting the ball in the air

Devandra Bishoo and Gudakesh Motie among the audience at the opening ceremony

was prohibited, since it was a way to get out.”

Bacchus urged the youths to develop patience because, he said, 99% of the time, a batsm a n would get out hitting the ball off the ground.

E s t a t e M a n a g e r Threbhowan Shiwprasad encouraged the youths to stay focused throughout this six-day programme.

West Indies leg-spinner Bishoo, who delivered the final remarks of the opening ceremo-

ny, said this programme is something he had passed through.

He urged the youths to bring their friends out to benefit from this six-day academy, and charged the youths to enjoy every moment of their childhood, and remain disciplined and focused in the process.

The six-day programme includes interactive sessions, lectures on the importance of physical fitness, and outdoor activities. National players from the Albion Cricket Club will conduct these sessions, among whom are Devandra Bishoo, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul and Anthony Bramble.

There will be sessions on basic Mathematics

with Yamanie Algoo, motivational sessions with David Brijbukan, English classes with Omanauth Outar, and public speaking sessions with Joshua Harrichand.

The youths will also be provided with information on the importance of food and nutrition, etiquette, and captaincy/leadership conducted by Veerasammy Permaul and Miss Angela Haniff.

Lunch will be provided daily during this 6-day programme.

The Albion CC is led by President Vemen Walter.

It won the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) Club of the Year award in 2017 (most recent), and has produced five Test players for the West Indies.

Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club’s 29th annual cricket academy bowls off

By Brandon Corlette

I

nvestment in cricket in Berbice continues to expand with the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) launching their 29th annual cricket academy at the Area ‘H’ ground on Monday, July 8.

This academy will last for two weeks, during which the aim would be to improve the general knowledge and capability of the academy’s participants. Youths would be exposed to techniques that improve cricketing skills; information that enhances knowledge of cricket, its history and laws, the importance of education, and the importance of physical fitness.

When this daily publication visited the Area ‘H’ Ground, the youths were engaged in a batting session under the tutelage of Coach Delbert Hicks and national player Eon Hooper.

The academy will be holding sessions from 8:30h to 12:30h from Monday to Thursday, and the RHTY&SC will provide free refreshments, meals and all cricket gear required in the learning process.

Speaking exclusively with this reporter, RHTYSC Assistant Secretary and Director of the Cricket Academy, Simon Naidu, said this academy would spot the promising talents that would follow in the footsteps of RHTY&SC players Assad Fudadin and Esuan Crandon.

Players between the ages of eight and 18 will be facilitated at this 29th annual cricket academy.

Additionally, the RHTYSC has launched its Grade Six Summer Classes that would last for four weeks, starting from 8:30 to 13:00 hours daily.

These cricketers and students will further gain exposure in classroom sessions wherein they will understand their roles as ambassadors of their school or cricket club.

Among the other topics that will be discussed in the class rooms are drug abuse, career choices,

The students in the classroom for the Form 1 Summer Classes

importance of education, discipline, personal hygiene, the role of a sports ambassador, rules of cricket, captaincy, public speaking, and dealing with the media.

Naidu noted that attendance at this academy is without charge to participants, who are expected to benefit greatly from attending. The five-time Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Club of the Year will also award outstanding performers at the end of the two-week cricket academy.

RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO, Hilbert Foster, will spearhead the classes, along with some highly qualified and successful personnel, including doctors, social workers and head-teachers from various schools.

The RHTY&SC has, over the last 29 years, won 60 major championships and produced

numerous Berbice, Guyana and W e s t Indies cricketers.

Some of the players who had come through this cricket academy are: Royston Crandon, Assad Fudadin, Abdel Fudadin, Eon Hooper, Renwick Batson, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Plaffiana Millington, Mariam Samaroo, Dominique Rikhi, Askay Homraj, Khemraj Mahadeo, Shawn Pereira, Delbert Hicks, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Keith Simpson, Sylus Tyndall, Murphy La Rose, Melanie Henry, Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Dian Prahalad, Uma Matadin and Neil Williams.

The Albion CC’s ninth annual academy and

t h e RHTY&SC’s 29th annual academy bowled off on the same day. These two cricket clubs have produced some of the best cricketing talents in Guyana over the years.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, JUly 9, 2019

Divine Entertainment’s Linden Summer Super Cup opens

23

Eagles down Top XX for 1st win E

agles United, led by goals from Deon Charter and Donovan Francis, began their campaign in the Linden Summer Super Cup tournament with a 2-1 victory against Topp XX in the feature match on Sunday evening.

Net Rockers, seeded number two to Eagles United, settled for a 1-1 draw against Amelia’s Ward Panthers in their Group B game, as the Divine Entertainmentsponsored Senior Football Championships began on Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

The 12-team championships got underway in front of a sizeable crowd, and while both teams in the feature match failed to find the back of the net in the first half, the second half produced the goals which decided the game.

It was the top-ranked Eagles United who gained the lead in the 75th minute when Deon ‘Crab’ Charter volleyed home a left side cross to make it 1-0.

But soon after, Topp XX levelled the scores through Jamal Bentick in the 77th minute.

However, the Eagles

United regained their composure through one of their brightest prospects, Donovan Francis, who scored the goal for the eventual win. Francis worked his way inside through the middle before tucking home the winner in the 78th minute, to grab the lead which they never relinquished, to end the game 2-1.

In the other match, Net Rockers came from behind to secure a draw against Amelia’s Ward Panthers.

Panthers took the lead in the 18th minute through

a Delon Duke free kick just outside the 18-yard box; but Central defender Deshawn Joseph was there to pull things even for the Rockers with an easy goal in the 47th minute of play.

Neither team could find the edge to claim the lead after that.

The top teams from each group advance to the semifinals, and the results so far mean that Eagles United have taken the lead in Group A with three points, while Topp XX have none in a group in which Coomacka

West Indies’ Rising Stars U-17 championships…

is also included. In Group B, which has the Rockers and Panthers Hill, Blueberry Hill United complete the lot.

On Friday, Haynes and Lewis Winners Connection will be taking on Capital FC in a Group C game, while the other game that night brings together Milerock and Botafago in a Group D encounter. The other team in Group C is Hi Stars, while Silver Shattas round out the three in Group D. Member of Parliament Audwin Rutherford said in

his remarks at the opening, “The promoters have deemed the tournament one for Upper Demerara teams; and I am looking forward, in the not too distant future -- next year -for the tournament to extended to Sub-Region Two, for teams in Aroiama, Ituni and Kwakwani; or at least two of them, (to be) in the tournament.”

Deputy Mayor of Linden, Wainwright Bethune, commended the promoters, and also said, “We would have seen the decline in the foot-

ball due to a lack of tournaments; and apart from the year-end tournament, the Mayor and Town Council did have a Town Week tournament.

“But it is good that Divine Entertainment saw it fit to have this tournament, to give the players an opportunity to participate in more competitions…

“If you notice, no Linden player has been featuring in our national teams.

But from this, I think more Lindeners will be featured in our national teams, with more football being played.”

Devin Sears, Chief Executive of the Divine Entertainment Group, said: “The Summer Super Cup includes 12 teams within the Upper Demerara Football Association, and we are trying to raise the level of football in Linden and bridge the gap between year-end football and now. We have just come from the Mayor’s Cup, and this is the summer and it’s a perfect opportunity to prepare our players for the upcoming National League.”

Sears noted that the tournament will be played on Fridays and Sundays until the finale on August 3 at the Mackenzie Sports Club.

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League, EBFA Leg

Guyana Under-17 seeking Herstelling Raiders prevail turnaround after heavy defeats over Mocha Champs

H

The 2019 Guyana Under-17 prior to departure

T

he jaded Guyana U-17 Team will meet Windward Islands in their third-round match today, Tuesday July 9.

In their first-round match, Guyana U-17 lost to Trinidad and Tobago by nine wickets at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago. The second round match saw the Guyanese team suffering a seven-wicket defeat against Barbados at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad &Tobago.

Those results were not surprising, considering that this Guyana U-17 team is one of the poorest ever selected. Its Trinidad & Tobago counterpart has seven players with national experience, while not one Guyana player has ever played inter-county cricket. The magicians we have for selectors should take responsibility for the team’s outstandingly poor performance and for the lastmoment preparations that were put in place for the team.

In the opening round, the Guyanese were bowled out for 91, with only West Indies U-15 player Mavindra Dindyal scoring 46. He was the only bright performer. The second match saw the highly talented Matthew Nandu scoring an unbeaten 71 as Guyana posted 141 for nine in their allotted 50 overs. Captain Sheldon Charles also scored 21 runs in opening the batting.

These players will be aiming for a strong finish to save themselves from further embarrassment.

Guyana will play Jamaica and the Leeward Islands in their final two rounds of matches, which will conclude on July 13, 2019.

The Guyana Under-15 captain, Zeynul Ramsammy, was not given the opportunity to lead the team, after he had led the Under-15 team in a strong tournament last year.

Numerous talented and capable players were omitted, and a few average performers were selected to represent Guyana U-17.

The likes of West Indies U-15 players Isai Thorne and Rampertab Ramnauth were among the notable omissions. Jonathan Rampersaud, Daniel Mootoo, Ricardo Ramdehol, Abdul Ramsammy and Shamar Yearwood were among the players with previous Regional experience who were omitted although eligible for selection this year. (Brandon Corlette)

erstelling Raiders recorded their second draw in as many matches when they were held

by Mocha Champs to a 2-all draw as play in the East Bank Demerara F o o t b a l l Association leg of the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League continued on Sunday morning.

That was the lone match played at the GFF Facility at Providence, EBD. Mocha took the lead in the 11th minute when Yohance Porter scored the first of his double to put Herstelling on the back foot, but just before the halfway mark, Daniel Lowe levelled the score with the first of his brace coming in the 34th minute.

Five minutes into the second half, Lowe again troubled the goal when he converted a pass to hand Herstelling the lead in the 40th minute. But as the minutes diDiamond United’s Shaquan Joseph

minished and fulltime drew near, Porter ensured that Mocha left the pitch with an equal share of the points, because he rocked the net in the 66th minute.

When Herstelling had faced Diamond United on July 1st at the same venue, a similar situation had occurred, in that Diamond United had scored in the closing minutes of the match to deny Herstelling full points.

That match was a 4-4 humdinger between two young sides. Ronald Mohamed had handed Herstelling the lead in the 9th minute, but Diamond United had equalised in the 16th minute when Carlos Wilkie found the back of the net.

Three minutes later, 12-year-old Shaquan Joseph had sent Diamond into the lead when he scored the first of his two goals in the 19th minute; but it became a 2-2 game in the 24th minute when Xavi Atkinson scored as the game was just about heating up.

Ronald Mohamed found the back of the net for Herstelling in the 27th minute, to hand his team the lead again; but it soon became even-stevens when Ronaldo Adams worked his way past the Herstelling defense to tuck his shot past the goal-keeper and make the score 3-3.

Shoran James placed Herstelling back into the lead for the third time in the match when he converted in the 42nd, but Diamond fired back in the 59th minute, thanks to another Shaquan Joseph goal.

Thus each team had walked away with one point each from the encounter.

Meanwhile, given the prolonged rainy season which has rendered grounds unplayable and the fact that the GFF all-weather facility is the only one in use for national and regional member associations, the EBFA is exploring the possibility of playing matches at the Timehri Red Ground.

tuesday, JUly 9, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club’s 29th annual cricket academy bowls off

Page 23

Albion Cricket Academy officially opens

Page 23

Page 20

Kohli’s fire or Williamson’s ice?

– Bishoo encourages youths to stay focused

Manchester gears up for 1st semi-final

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