Guyana times 12 august 2017

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

Issue No. 3299

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, August 12, 2017

PRICE

Businessman kills wife, commits suicide

WHAT'S INSIDE:

PSC ‘surrendering’ authority by P7 obeying executive orders – Nandlall

Page 9

… does not have to take orders from President

… financial woes led to dispute – relatives

No fuel:

Lethem gas stations shut down Page 3

$80 vat included

Govt moving ahead with ancestral land CoI

GTT fibre-optic cable vandal P8 granted $350,000 bail

Page 17

NWD murder accused P17 nabbed 50 lbs ganja tossed out of moving car P14

Page 16

Youth Parliamentarians display hope for politics – PM Participants of Youth Parliament 2017 on Thursday evening were treated to a grand reception at the Office of the National Assembly, where they were honoured

Bandits rob, murder Chinese businessman Page 10

Assassination claims

Mental stability of informant questioned Page 14

… Ramnarine maintains he is not “after” Top Cop's position

Medical team completes 1-week P16 outreach at GPHC Govt broke promise to meet stakeholders P11 – TIGI

… before issuing production licence to ExxonMobil

2

saturDAY, august 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

news

3

saturDAY, august 12, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, August 12 – 08:30h-10:00h and Sunday, August 13 – 08:30h-10:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, August 12 – 07:10h-08:40h and Sunday, August 13 – 07:50h-09:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected in the morning, while light rains showers with sunny intervals can be expected in the afternoon. Clear to thundery showers are expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from Easterly to East South-easterly and East North-easterly between 1.34 metre to 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 07:27h and 19:48h reaching maximum heights of 2.67 metres and 2.62 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 00:59h and 13:22h reaching minimum heights of 0.54 metre and 0.59 metre respectively.

No fuel: Lethem gas stations shut down T

he deplorable state of the roads leading into Region Nine (Upper Takutu – Upper Essequibo) has made it well nigh impossible to get a timely supply of fuel into the Lethem area, and this has led to a total shutdown of gas stations there.

Sources within the Region say the Macedo and Lammy fuel stations have been without fuel for now several days, while the Takutu Gas Station sold its last bit of fuel on Friday.

This publication has been reliably informed that the Regional Administration is aware of the situation but is making no intervention.

This shortage causes a major loss of revenue for the Region, since vehicle owners are going over to neighbouring Brazil to fuel up.

However, efforts to contact Regional Chairman Brian Allicock and Regional Executive Officer Kerwin Ward proved futile.

Lethem residents and minibus operators plying the

A section of the Lethem-Georgetown trail, called ‘Hunt Oil’

January that construction of the first phase of the LindenLethem Road – from Linden to Mabura – was expected to commence without a hitch, and that the MPI would be working closely with the UK Government to bring the project to a successful end.

Now, some four months lat-

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS F

05

07 09

10

20 27

04 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Friday, August 11, 2017

Takutu Gas Station

DAILY MILLIONS 06 13 17 19 26 LUCKY 3 3 1 6 Afternoon Draw

8

5

3

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

02 04

13 14 17 18 21

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

Lethem–Georgetown route have been calling on the authorities to have the roads repaired. The operators are complaining about the deplorable state of the road, and are contending that it is plagued with extraordinarily large potholes and broken and washed away bridges.

The Public Infrastructure Ministry (MPI) had announced at the end of

er, the project is yet to begin.

The first phase of the project covers approximately 122.5 kilometres of road from Linden, and construction of a bridge across the Essequibo River at the Kurupukari Crossing. The Government, as a part of a collaborative effort with the UK Government, is seeking to engage a multi-discipline and transport sector-experi-

enced consulting firm to assist in the preparation of a two-component capital project.

The components for this capital project are the upgrade of approximately 122.5 km of road between Linden and Mabura Hill (including drainage), and construction of a new single- or dual-lane fixed bridge across the Essequibo River at the Kurupukari ferry crossing, which is approximately 600 metres long.

While the proposed road upgrade applies only to one section of the LindenLethem road, the capital works on the remaining 331.5km of the laterite road will be undertaken through funding from other sources.

The remaining capital works would fall under additional phases, and the MPI has disclosed that it has already engaged the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)

on possible funding for the stretch of road between Mabura Hill and Lethem.

During the 2017 Budget presentation, Finance Minister Winston Jordan, speaking about “infrastructure for integration”, had noted that an infrastructure network that can support rapid economic development requires huge capital investment.

“This is especially true of Guyana, with its sparsely populated town and village centres scattered over its 214,970 square kilometres,” he had posited.

Jordan had noted that Government had budgeted some $37.2 billion to narrow the infrastructure deficit in the country, while at the same time pursuing other financing options, including Public-Private Partnerships (P3s), for the large-scale transformative projects.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, august 12, 2017

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, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Power woes O

ver the past few months, the complaints coming from various sections of the population, including private citizens and business, about constant power outages have increased dramatically. In fact, recently there have been several letters to the editor where persons expressed their frustration over prolonged periods of blackouts in their communities with the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) doing very little to assuage the concerns of residents.

Businesses have also been very vocal about the huge negative impact the prolonged periods of blackouts have had on their operations. However, officials of the power company have done very little to convince the populace that serious efforts are being made to bring a lasting solution to the power woes the country has been experiencing over the years; they have been giving one excuse after the other which does not help in any way.

A few weeks ago, frustrated businessmen from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) met with staff from the GPL at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), where they vented their anger at the constant and prolonged power outages on the Essequibo Coast. With the northern side of the Essequibo Coast hardest hit, the businessmen pointed to the plight of residents in Charity, who have suffered greatly. They related that a number of businesses suffered tremendous losses as a direct result of the blackouts and questioned whether the company was willing to provide compensation for their suffering and losses.

One letter writer from West Coast Demerara also complained that a recent power outage in his area resulted in most of his electrical appliances being damaged. He related that he had to pay a hefty sum to ensure they are fixed or replaced. Unfortunately, this has been the experience of many consumers and has been so for many years. There is no clear policy in relation to compensation for consumers/ businesses who suffer losses due to voltage surges etc; or even if there is such, it is not being implemented in a transparent and professional manner. Many persons have claimed that in such situations GPL officials would show an uncaring and unhelpful attitude when they are approached for assistance.

While it is not our intention to sound like a pessimist, from the way it looks, ‘blackouts’ will remain with us for a very long time. Despite the promises from both the previous and present governments, that ‘blackouts’ will be “a thing of the past”, the nation is yet to see any measurable progress in relation to an affordable and reliable service to consumers. Very little has changed under this administration who used every opportunity while in opposition to criticize the previous government in relation to the manner in which the electricity sector was being managed.

At a year-end (2016) press conference, GPL had announced that some G$3 billion would be spent by the company towards the construction of four new substations. The company had explained that this formed part of G$6.6 billion that had been set aside for works to improve service delivery of the company; G$3 billion for the new substations and G$1.4 billion for renovation works to existing substations. This and other interventions were meant to contribute to the company offering a more stable electricity supply to consumers, however for the first quarter of 2017, it seems as if the service has actually deteriorated.

That said, we are not oblivious to the many problems being experienced by the power company. These problems which include line losses and electricity theft have been known for decades and have certainly had a tremendous impact on the company’s ability to provide better services to Guyanese consumers. The extent of electricity theft is shocking and GPL must continue to tackle the issue frontally. Once such issues are addressed the company would be in a better position to perform better.

After investing so many billions, in this day and age, these constant power outages are unacceptable. In addition to being a huge discomfort to citizens they discourage investors who have an interest in doing business here. The authorities must stop making excuses and find a solution to the problem once and for all.

“Guyana’s first peoples; sustaining a rich cultural environment” The Riverside Angels performing at the launched of Amerindian Heritage Month 2017, which will be celebrated under the theme, “Guyana’s first peoples; sustaining a rich cultural environment”. The month-long celebrations are geared at celebrating Guyana’s first peoples by reflecting on their contributions and to protect, pursue and promote Indigenous heritage, while trying to recapture lost traditions

Refuting false charges again (Part One) Dear Editor, I write to dispute the letter which appeared in sections of the media on Sunday, 6th August, from a ‘Guyanese Nationalist’, entitled “Jagdeo lost a great opportunity to move this country forward”, and “Where Does The PPP Go From Here?” signed ‘Concerned’.

This letter, distorting our recent history, does great injustice to our former President, Jagdeo, and the PPP. Firstly, our people and country made great forward strides during the 23 years that the PPP/C was in office, with Mr Jagdeo as Finance Minister initially, then as our President for more than half of the time.

Secondly, be assured that the PPP will continue to work its way towards one Guyanese People, one Guyanese Country and One Common Guyanese Destiny on the background of ‘A New Global Human Order’ – the World being one, and we all being members of one Human Race.

True, there are the challenges of comprehensively and explicitly coming to terms with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the passing of our founders, Comrades Cheddi and Janet; and yes, there have been tensions, contentions, contradictions, differences and departures, but the basic vision still holds the

overwhelming majority together, and continues to attract new, young citizens to its fold. The future and the way forward are seldom clear and undisputed; contradictions are testimonies of evolving situations, and the basis for further evolution. The PPP will always be there as the Champion for the less able.

Former President Jagdeo, carrying on in the changed direction for our country initiated by former President Cheddi Jagan, changed the face of Georgetown and Guyana for the better, and our people and country moved remarkably forward from where we had been, really getting on with the tasks and anticipated rewards of our Independence.

Editor, when before did we have regular minibus service to Mahdia and to Lethem? And when before did we have regular annual safaris from Georgetown to Orinduik, passing through and linking some twenty Amerindian villages across the North Pakarimas? When before did we have electricity service to Lethem/St Ignatius, Mahdia/Campbelltown, and Port Kaituma 24 X7? And when before did we have photovoltaic solar home systems providing electric lights to 20,000 homes across our hinterland?

When before did we have

the second East Coast Road (Railway Embankment), and the bridge across the Berbice river, eliminating hours, even days, of waiting to cross on a steamer? And when did we have two Roll On-Roll Off steamers crossing between Parika and the Essequibo Coast, with potential of a ten-fold increase in commerce and travel?

When did we have the Ogle crop-dusting airstrip grown to the centre for scheduled domestic flights and become the Eugene F. Correia Regional Airport?

The then still young former President Jagdeo made himself a champion for establishing the new and future IT economy in Guyana, to provide new and better jobs, as jobs were lost in the old traditional sectors.

When before did we have a second competing telephone service and mobile and Internet service rapidly available all across our country?

You can be sure that there was much encouragement and patient nurturing to attract and hold and initiate the new IT sector, inclusive of Qualfon, Teleperformance, the unsuccessful medical transcription venture, and the local Nand Persaud operations.

When did Guyana and we, the Guyanese people, deliver on that bold commitment of former President Burnham in 1973 to pro-

vide a headquarters building for Caricom? As a member of Cabinet, I saw former President Jagdeo laying out a vision for the development of that area,which saw construction of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the Caricom Headquarters, the Aquatic Centre, and the allocation of lands for private development – the Giftland Mall; Movie Town, now nearing the end of construction; one or two hotels, and lands for upscale housing and offices.

Our present President may well consider renaming the area ‘Jagdeo Square’, perhaps with an eye to naming the Caricom Headquarters the ‘L F S Burnham’ building.

Georgetown and Guyana were changed in so many ways by the overwhelming number of Guyanese leaving their earlier disillusionment, downcast psyche and hopelessness behind them.

The large numbers of new and improved homes and the surge in the number of vehicle owners all across our country provide the solid evidence. For the majority of us, former President Jagdeo delivered on the hope and enthusiasm generated with his coming to office.

Yours truly, Samuel A A Hinds Former Prime Minister and former President

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, august 12, 2017

5

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

Ominous and dangerous events Dear Editor, We have, over the last week, witnessed two more occurrences that have added to the already many violations of our people’s constitutional rights. These are:I. The passing of amendments to the Broadcasting Act, and II. The instruction by the President to halt police promotions.

These measures are indicators as to the direction that our country is drifting towards. They are dangerous, since they violate fundamental freedoms and rights.

The broadcasting amendments are aimed to ultimately repossess licences granted legally to owners/operators of radio and television facilities.

One of the characteristic features of a past PNC regime was its intolerance of any independent organisation and to different pointsof-view.

We must not forget, too, that it was the PNC/APNU that stifled press freedom.

The privately owned “Argosy” and “Graphic” newspapers were taken over by the then PNC regime. This was particularly after the massively rigged 1973 elections.

Recall the journalists of the “Graphic” -- Ricky Singh and Ric Mentus -- who were forced to leave Guyana in search of jobs abroad. Their “crime”? Ric Mentus, editor of the Sunday Graphic, wrote an editorial headlined “The Mind Bogglers.” Ricky Singh’s column was titled “The Shame is Greater than the Victory.” This was in the post 1973 army takeover of the elections.

We also must not forget the gallant battle waged by the “Mirror” in defence of democracy and press freedom.

For that, it was starved of newsprint and ink to publish its evening and Sunday edi-

tions. It still has not fully recovered from those blows.

The “Catholic Standard” was also reduced to a minuscule version of what it was.

The attack on that paper took place because of the fearlessness of Father Wong, who edited the paper in the early 1970s. He, too, was removed as editor of that paper. After the 1973 elections, he wrote an article titled ‘The Fairy Tale Elections.’

Therefore, the move to implement amendments to the Broadcasting Act is a clear and very ominous sign.

The regime has the most powerful media unit in its hands. It owns the national television station, with the widest coverage in the country. It also controls the most powerful radio station in Guyana.

The Prime Minister is in charge of a big media apparatus owned by the regime.

Further, each minister now

has a public relations unit.

With all of this, Government personnel are demanding one hour from private radio and television stations.

There is no reasonable justification for this. The regime has more than enough media facilities to get its views out to the public. The only explanation is because it wants to control and minimise this indispensable right to a functioning democracy freedom of expression.

This is only the beginning.

The other issues relate to the subversion of constitutional bodies. The instruction by the President to the Police Service Commission is taking us on a road to chaos.

These bodies have emerged in democracies to ensure their independence; to ensure their proper functioning, and to insulate it from political dictation.

Only Amerindians have ancestral land rights Dear Editor, ACDA President Eric Phillips and some other African nationalists err when they claim ancestral land rights in Guyana. No immigrant group, by the very definition of the term, has ancestral land; but those cheated by the colonial rulers have a case for land as compensation.

The concept of ancestral land refers to lands and resources of indigenous peoples (those settled thousands of years in a particular area) or communities. As one article in the literature on the subject states, “this includes the continuous and open possession and occupation of land by the said indigenous people or community and its members”.

Only original people in an area have ancestral land rights.

The Amerindians have ancestral land rights because they are considered the native people of Guyana. Africans, Indians, Portuguese, Chinese, British, and Mixed peoples have no claim to ancestral land, as they are migrant groups who settled in Guyana through the circumstances of history. These groups can acquire title ownership, purchasing and transferring of land in the colony was done by law and deeded.

The indigenous Amerindian tribes don’t need to make a land rights’ claim, as they are custodi-

ans or guardians of the ancestral lands. They are not title owners or landowners, and there is no need for them to purchase or acquire title to land that is in communal ownership.

The concept of property ownership was introduced by the colonial empires, and was not applicable to Amerindians, or natives. The Amerindians have a claim to ancestral rights because they never bought or sold land, as they saw the land as theirs.

Ancestral lands are not bought and sold, like plots of land that are titled and deeded. Indians, Africans, and other groups have to acquire title (purchase or being given by the state) to land, since they cannot make a claim to ancestral land. Some squatted on land after slavery because they could not afford to purchase land.

Africans, Europeans, Chinese, and Indians have no ancestral land in Guyana.

These groups were brought to the colony to do the work of the colonial rulers. And the mere fact that Africans bought land (villages and estates right after slavery ended) renders moot any argument that Africans have ancestral right to land. Why buy land if you have ancestral land?

In the 1840s, Africans acquired land by purchasing it, and not by ancestral rights.

Africans and Portuguese owned land around the same time. Land acquisi-

tion and ownership is communal for Africans, because they bought whole villages.

For Indians or Portuguese or Chinese, it is a private right of passage – they want title and ownership. Had the indentured Indians pooled their return passage savings and financial incentives for re-indenture (in excess of $4M), they would have been able to purchase over 125 estates (500 acres each).

Indians were cheated of their money when acquiring land -- money taken for worthless, useless land; they are entitled to compensation. And Africans had far more land than other groups (except the colonial rulers) well into the

20th century.

It is interesting to note that the villages bought by Africans did not have African names, but retained the names of the Europeans from whom they purchased the land. The fact that Indians purchased or leased land from Africans for farming during and after indentureship affirms the argument that Africans owned more land than Indians.

Since Africans, Indians, Europeans, Chinese owned land by buying it, they and other immigrant groups lack claim to ancestral lands.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

These undemocratic practices will have serious effects on the whole country. Every section of the population will be affected. Our economy will decline, as these and other such measures taken by the Granger Administration take hold.

It will lead to massive corruption, as accountability will disappear. It will lead to further migration, whereby we will lose our young professionals and the brightest in the society.

Human capital is vital to a country’s development.

These policies will chase many of our best minds away.

It is time to stand up now.

Let your voices be heard before it is too late.

The regime must be forced to abandon its plans to stifle freedom of expression, and must respect our constitution and the rule of law.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar

Neglect of burial grounds Dear Editor, The continuing ‘neglect’ of burial grounds has hit the media again. I am personally aware of the condition of several burial grounds, including the ones at Blairmont and Cotton Tree in West Berbice, that are not only forested, but harbour dangerous reptiles and insects, including the deadly African bees. However, I must also acknowledge that there are some very well-kept burial grounds in Guyana.

I also recall the fact that when I was working in Bangladesh, I used to go for my morning walks in the beautifully kept cemetery in Dhaka, with its manicured lawns and paved walkways.

I believe that well-maintained cremation sites are a better alternative to unkempt burial grounds; they are considerably less difficult to maintain; more easily accessible to women, children and the old & infirm; and are certainly more dignified than what obtains currently.

It is in this context that I cordially and humbly invite those who are not yet fa-

miliar with the Blairmont Crematorium & Memorial Garden to visit the site (located south of the Blairmont Estate Sugar factory). This facility includes an all-weather access road, a concrete car park for at least 50 cars, a comfortable pavilion that can seat 200 persons, rooms for meditation and prayers, flush-toilet facilities for men and women, a canteen, two pyres etc; all within a beautiful garden setting of flowers and many tall trees, providing additional shade for those who cannot be accommodated in, or do not want to use, the pavilion. The garden setting adds to the serenity and agreeableness of the ambience. Facilities are also available for conducting all relevant religious rites and ceremonies. In the same way that we make certain good, special, and often elaborate provisions to welcome our fellow human beings into this world, let us try to give a similarly good ‘send-off’ to our deceased families and friends!

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

6

saturDAY, August 12, 2017

Page

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation our relationship.

9. Tuck them into bed

BY JESSICA BOWERS

I

t was during my 13-yearold's annual check-up that the doctor informed me that my parenting days are numbered. "You no longer have the greatest influence over your teenager. In fact, you come in fourth behind friends, teachers, and his doctor," he told me glibly. While I mentally threw a tantrum over his blasé rundown on my role as a parent, I considered whether I was willing to tuck my tail and move to the back of the line.

Admittedly, as I've moved into the role of parenting a teenager, the time that we spend together has been more restricted. Of course, that limits my overall influence, but I'm completely unwilling to watch from the back and hope for the best as my children traverse their most formative years.

Fortunately, by a heap of dumb luck, I have built some habits prior to the "dreaded teen years" that I hope will serve to carry my influence just a bit further and create a positive relationship with my teens.

1. Eat dinner together

So much of successful teen parenting is about getting face time with them. So many other things vie for their attention that parents have to be diligent about getting noticed. Setting a habit

to have one meal together every day carves out a time for all of you to reconnect.

2. Put away your phone at the table and when you drive

I'll admit that this decision was first driven by fear and guilt. In other words, I felt guilty for wanting to surf Facebook while eating dinner, and I was fearful that if they saw me texting in the car, they would mimic that behaviour. Sometimes fear and guilt serve us well. This is a habit that has helped to set a standard for how we interact with each other in the digital world. The times at the table and in the car are the most concentrated conversation moments of our day. I'm glad that we have all learned to put away the gadgets and use that time to connect.

3. Set aside time to talk about their day

I'm sure you're starting to notice a trend. When it comes to teens, the biggest challenge is grabbing their attention. Before the busyness of high school hits, make sure you have a habit of checking in with each other every day. Maybe it's through text or email, but make it consistent. When your grown child calls you every Sunday, you'll thank yourself for the effort.

4. Make physical contact

"Mother of Family Therapy" psychotherapist Virginia Satir said that people "need four hugs a day for survival, eight hugs a day for maintenance, and 12 hugs a day for growth." Teenagers are definitely growing in so many ways, but they're not often cuddly. As children hit the preteen years, make an effort to find new ways to keep the physical contact up.

Maybe it's a quick scratch on the back or a smoothing of the hair. It doesn't have to be prolonged, but it has to be present.

5. Interact with their technology

Technology is constantly changing, and consequently, blowing right past the parents of teenagers. It's almost expected that parents will be in the dark about the latest app. That is a dangerous place to be. By the time they hit the teen years, children should be used to you knowing about what's new in their tech world and checking on how they're using it.

While you're at it, put limits on their technology use and keep that up during the teen years.

6. Spend time with their friends

While it's said that you can't choose your child's friends, you can certainly know who they are. With such a high possibility of getting left out of the loop,

knowing who your children are with and what they're doing is key. Start this habit by being the parent with the best play dates, so your children will be used to having you around with their friends. And heed this warning sign: if your children are talking about people who you've never met and don't know anything about, it's time to get acquainted.

7. Understand their interests

As soon as my children start talking about Creepers, TNT, or anything related to Minecraft, I start wishing I had a dentist appointment to get me out of the conversation. The things that interest my children are often boring to me, but because it matters to them, I pretend like it matters to me. Being willing to understand what matters to them is a huge relationship builder that carries over into the teen years.

Conventional parenting wisdom holds that the first three minutes after children wake up and the last three minutes before they go to bed are the best times to connect with them. The magic behind bedtime conversations is simple: children will do anything, even tell you the details of their day, to stay up a little later. Prior to the teen years, this is a great time to catch up with your child, but it's a habit that should definitely continue as they age. Turns out, teens are just as willing to talk, and there's an even more serious reason why checking in at night should be your habit. If children are going to start making dangerous choices, the evidence of those habits will be more obvious at night. We have checked in on our children at night to find that they've snuck their iPads to bed or

they're eating junk food after bedtime. More importantly, though, teens are so much more likely to get in trouble, including sneaking out, when they feel like their parents have gone "off-duty" for the night. Checking in reminds them that you're always present.

10. Let them fail (or succeed)

At the beginning of this parenting gig, you were quite literally responsible for your child's survival. Remember, the early years – what I like to call the "death watch" period – when you got to the end of every day grateful that they hadn't ingested bleach or fallen down the stairs? That kind of vigilance is a hard habit to break. It's best for parents to start early to begin to train themselves to give their children space to try things on their own. That way, when it's time to let them go for good, you have enough practice to actually be able to do it. (Parenting.com)

8. Find a hobby to share

When my son turned 10, we started running together and training for short races.

It helped to burn off his preteen hormones and jumpstart my 30-something metabolism, but it also gave us another commonality and bonding point. Now, that he is a teenager, he looks forward to our runs (mostly because he is faster than me), but also because it's something special that defines

BY JULIE TILSNER

W

hen my daughter, Anna, got home from school the other day, I told her, "We've got to get you new shoes.

Take a quick break, and then let's jump in the car."

In response, my usually mellow and mild-mannered 12-year-old threw down her backpack and snapped, "Oh. My. God. I JUST got home and you're not EVEN gonna let me rest for five minutes?

FINE! LET'S GO! " "We don't have to leave this instant," I said. "Let me get you some iced tea."

"NO! I have to get in the car. COME ON!" "Hey, calm down. You can rest a minute..."

"YOU rest! I've got to go somewhere NOW!" And she slammed out the door.

"What's wrong with her?" my eight-year-old asked.

"I think the hormones have arrived,” I said.

"What the...?!"

When your tween starts talking back, or yelling at you or rolling her eyes every time you start to open your mouth, you're bound to feel shock, then maybe anger followed closely by hurt. "In the beginning you try to chalk it up to a reason, just as you did when she was younger: Is she hungry? Overtired? " says Christina Bess, the mom of a nine- and a 12-year-old in Maplewood, NJ. "And then you realise the reason is, she's a tween."

"The first time I heard her say something under her breath, I was surprised,"

says Gamin Summers of her "extra-sweet" nine-yearold daughter. "She'll mutter, 'You clean your room' at me. I know it's normal, but when you put everything into raising them right and they come back at you with disrespect, it stings and it makes you second-guess your parenting skills," adds the mom of five, including two tweens, from Flagstaff, AZ. This may be especially true if it seems that your child has gone from happy to snappy before her time.

After all, this is the kind of behaviour you expect from 13- and 14-year-olds – not children who haven't even hit the double digits.

But the onset of sassiness is not your fault. With adolescence looming, children naturally feel compelled to start going their own way.

"They're not intentionally being disobedient," says Mary-Ann Lowry, a parenting coach and educator from Thousand Oaks, CA. "They're on a path toward 'individuation,' when they really try to figure out who they are separate from you."

And then, of course, there are myriad outside influences. Thanks to cell phones and texting, for example, tweens are developing closer bonds with their peer groups and, as a result, pushing away from their parents at earlier ages. Plus, many TV shows and even books aimed at this age group often portray adults as clueless fools – as any parent who's been on the receiving end of "Duh!" can attest. (parenting.com) TO BE CONTINUED

news

7

SATURDAY, August 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

PSC ‘surrendering’ authority by obeying executive orders – Nandlall

… does not have to take orders from President

A

constitutionally mandated commission is supposed to be an independent body that is able to make hard decisions which, even if they displease the Government, are still protected by law. Thus, by bending to political pressure it is giving up its authority and independence.

ger be acting in the best interest of those whose welfare its business is to protect.”

Describing it as the height of executive lawlessness, Nandlall noted that the issue is symptomatic of the breakdown of constitutional institutions in Guyana. And while the Commission has its role to play, Nandlall emphasised that protecting the Constitution of Guyana was everyone’s business.

“What we are witnessing is political pressure being applied and which is causing a breakdown of constitutional institutions and a breakdown in law and order in this country. This is the height of executive lawlessness,” Nandlall said.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

This is according to former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who expressed grave concern that the Police Service Commission (PSC) appears to be obeying directives from President David Granger. The President had instructed the Commission, via letter, to halt all Police promotions. “(If) the Commission agrees to abide by the direction of the President, then the Commission itself would be aiding and abetting the unconstitutionality,” the attorney said. “No authority or institution in this country has the power, the authority or the jurisdiction to violate or act contrary to the Constitution.”

“If the Police Service Commission is succumbing to those unconstitutional directives,” Nandlall continued, “then it is ceding its integrity, its independence and its functional authority and therefore would no lon-

to adhere to the order to halt all promotions until further notice.

Even the Chairman had expressed concern that halting the entire promotion process would be a blow to senior officers. He had noted that these officers have invested time and energy in building a career at the Guyana Police Force and were expecting their just reward.

Noting that this was the first time a sitting President had issued such a directive to the Commission, he had called for some clarity and justification as to the circumstances that led to making such a decision.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon, in a letter dated July 27, 2017, wrote to the PSC informing them that the President directed that there be no consideration of promotion for members of the Guyana Police Force until further notice and should be implemented immediately.

Already, a number of decisions made by the coalition

President David Granger

“Any citizen can approach the court for an order declaring the directives of the President as unlawful and obtain an order restraining the Commission from acting and being influenced by the directive. Every citizen has a duty to ensure that the Constitution, the supreme law of the country, is not violated.”

Earlier in the week, Chairman of the PSC, Omesh Satyanand, had made known that after a meeting with the other Commissioners, it was decided that they were going

PSC Chairman Omesh Satyanand

Government have been overturned by an independent judiciary, owing to their unconstitutional nature.

Six West Coast Berbice (WCB) rice farmers had cause to mount a legal chal-

lenge against the revocation of their leases for lands at Seafield and Number 40 Village, under control of the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary Agricultural Development

Authority (MMA/ADA).

The acting Chief Justice ruled that their leases constitute property under Article 142 of the Constitution, and the President’s revoca-

tion of those leases amounted to depriving the applicants of property without compensating them, as noted in Article 142 of the Constitution.

8 news

saturDAY, august 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

GTT fibre-optic cable vandal granted $350,000 bail

T

wenty-two-year-old Ricky Singh of Lot “F” Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was on Friday arraigned before Georgetown Magistrate Annette Singh on a charge detailing that, between July 22 and July 24, 2017, at Soedyke, East Bank Demerara, he was caught vandalising and stealing fibre-optic cable belonging to GTT. Singh pleaded not guilty to the charge, and was placed on bail in the sum of $350,000. He is expected to return to Court on August 25, 2017.

During the month of July, criminal-minded persons had launched an attack

on the GTT, sabotaging its cables over ten times within that month.

As a result of the vandalism, Linden, Ituni, Kwakwani, Mabura,

Mahdia, Troy Mining, and communities in Bartica were affected.

CEO of GTT, Justin Nedd, had called on Guyanese to assist the company to capture the vandals, and had even offered a reward of $10 million in

this respect. He had called the attack a destruction of GTT’s communication infrastructure by persons who had clear motives.

A n d Telecommunication’s Minister Cathy Hughes had also called the situation “sad,” and had disclosed that the perpetrators, when found, will face the full brunt of the law.

On July 24, GTT workers discovered that the company’s Blaze fibre optic cables at one location were sabotaged just one day before it was launched; and in February, similar vandalism was carried out when the company had just launched its high speed LTE

…who in oil?

Ricky Singh

broadband in Essequibo.

The estimated losses had amounted to some $50 million.

“Buse out” lands several persons in court

T

wenty-three-yearold construction worker and barber Kwame Carmichael of Onderneeming, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara was on Thursday arraigned before Wales Magistrate Rushell Liverpool on a charge of assaulting his neighbour Wesley Montaser, and using threatening language against him on August 3rd at Onderneeming, WBD.

Unrepresented by legal counsel, Carmichael denied the charges, and was placed on $20,000 bail and a bond to keep the peace pending the outcome of his trial. His matter was adjourned to September 7.

In a separate matter, Lestor Raymond, a miner from Goed Fortuin Squatting Area, WBD, pleaded not guilty to using abusive language towards Arte Sugrim and threatening language toward Karen Sugrim, on July 10 last.

Magistrate Liverpool, taking into account that

Protecting…

Y

the miner had appeared in court on a previous charge, placed Raymond on $20,000 bail and ordered that he return to court on September 14.

our Eyewitness had asked about the details of the oil contract Trotman “re-negotiated” with Exxon over a year ago. He’s happy the issue’s gained traction, and some in civil society and the media are demanding Trotman “fess up”. All the fella’s revealed -- in one of the most disingenuous statements in the annals of governance -- was he’d “doubled” the royalty rate from that the PPP had signed back in 1999.

He didn’t expatiate that his “doubling” meant Guyana would be getting a measly 2% of revenues in an industry where the average royalty’s between 7% and 10%!!! The PPP had agreed to 1% at a time when no one knew if there was oil under that part of the ocean…and had to bend over backwards to attract a credible operator like Exxon.

Trotman, on the other hand, was “re-negotiating” at a time when that contract had expired - and IT WAS CONFIRMED Exxon had struck a world-class oil field!!

Exxon could’ve been taken to the cleaners!

Guyanese will one day find out what happened during those “re-negotiations”. As a caution, an exNigerian oil minister, on the lam for money-laundering, just had her US$37.5 million property seized. Here, a new issue has surfaced that’s already drawn sharp criticism -the details in the new Petroleum Act that gives so much power to - guess who??! - Trotman! Clause 8 of the Act makes the Petroleum Commission his handmaiden, if not his chamber maid.

The Petroleum Commission’s supposed to oversee the Oil sector and ensure everything’s kosher. So, with Trotman holding the strings, no one will get a chance to look at squat, much less the contract. So much for the fuss about us joining EITI to ensure everything is “above board”! Everything of consequence has already passed “below board (the table)” by placing the Commission under Trotman’s skirt!

We know the Devil’s in the details, but how do we ever get to know what the horned’ fella’s up to if we don’t get to see the contract?

Guyanese have to wake up and smell the bush rum.

This Eyewitness has insisted it’s the DUTY of the Exxon executives to do whatever it takes -- within the law -- to deliver more profits for their shareholders. Their trail of lawsuits and fines from Alaska to Zanzibar show Exxon’ll push the envelope on what’s the law. Unfortunately, Guyana’s represented by Trotman, who’s more concerned about Exxon than Guyana.

Pick sense from nonsense: if Trotman REVEALED a 2% royalty…imagine what’s he’s hiding!!

…Chinese reservists

One of the under-commented occurrences that’s increasing in our dear mud-land is about the robberies, murders, and other attacks on Chinese restaurants and their owners. With the rise of China as a global power, there was an expected parallel increase in Chinese businessmen and construction/project personnel. But whether spontaneously or as official policy -- following in the former’s wake -- there have been other Chinese migrants who’ve gravitated in retailing and restaurants.

They’re everywhere in Guyana. With their immigrant drive for economic advancement and willingness to use the one factor of production - labour and time - they have in abundance, they’ve become targets for night time robberies. These Chinese petty business owners are considered soft targets by the criminals, and there isn’t a week that goes by that another “incident” isn’t reported.

Over in TT, the same phenomenon’s been reported, and several victims have responded by packing up and leaving the island. Your Eyewitness believes this is one option here.

Another is Chinese gangs forming to protect their people.

…the people or party?

Well, the promise to launch a People’s Militia as an “army reserve” is now fulfilled. 400+ men and women are being trained right now - and this is only the beginning.

Will they also be asked to “fetch” ballot boxes?

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

News

9

SATURDAY, august 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Businessman kills wife, commits suicide

By Andrew Carmichael

A

Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) businessman was discovered dead lying in a pool of blood in a clump of bushes behind his East Canje house, hours after his wife was found dead in the couple’s home.

the owners of the Stretch ‘D’ Dollar Supermarket chain, situated in East Canje, New Amsterdam and Rosignol, West Coast Berbice.

Police in a release said Rhonda Blair’s body was discovered, about 00:05h on Friday in her backyard with two stab wounds – one to the left side breast and

The scene at Cumberland on Friday morning

Dead are Rhonda Blair, 42; and her husband Rudolph Blair, 26, of Lot 91 Coburg Street, Cumberland Village, East Canje.

The entrepreneurs were

the other to the right side neck. Meanwhile, Rudolph Blair’s body was discovered with two suspected gunshot wounds to the left ear and left side chest, about 08:40h

about 19:30h on Thursday, Rhonda Blair was expected to be home after her regular business day but had not been answering her phone.

The report was made to the Rose Hall Police Outpost, Williams said.

According to him, the Police accompanied the

Dead: Rhonda Blair

Dead: Rudolph Blair

in some bushes at the back of his premises. His licensed .32 pistol with six live rounds and one spent shell were found next to his body, the release said.

Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams told the media that shortly after midnight, one of Rhonda Blair’s friends reported to the Police that she was not finding her.

According to the friend, at

ty meeting financial obligations to a financial institution for a loan for the New Amsterdam building, this newspaper was told. The bank had reportedly made an attempt on foreclose but through negotiations, the loan was renegotiated.

This newspaper was told that Rhonda Blair had turned the Rosignol outlet into a church, reducing income and the ability to meet financial obligations to the bank.

Vehicles were sold in an effort to keep up with bank instalments, Guyana Times was told and Blair had suggested to his wife that they sell the Rosignol property to pay off the bank loan on the New Amsterdam property, but she insisted that she be allowed to hold on to her church.

However, two months ago, he sold another property he owned and purchased a car and operated it as hire but it could not rake in the amount of money needed to prevent the bank from foreclosing.

Earlier this week, he reportedly told close associates that he could not take the financial pressure, criticising his wife for the stand she took on the New Amsterdam property. The couple has two children.

Constant power outages costly for Essequibians – Councillor

P

eople's Progressive Party Councillor Humace Odit has said that Essequibians are very disappointed at the Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL’s) unreliable power supplied over the past few months on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

He is also contending that the sudden switch from 50 cycles to 60 cycles is “costing residents a fortune”.

Speaking at the Regional Democratic Council’s statutory meeting for the month of August, Odit said the current situation in Region Two is “very frustrating”.

He said there are daily power outages affecting the region for two to three hours and creating extra burdens on residents and the business community, forcing persons to find alternatives to preserving their perishable items.

Odit also contends that

because the changeover from 50 cycles to 60 cycles was not adequately publicized, many residents were made to incur additional expenses. He noted that he has had to purchase new bulbs for his home, since the sudden change in the cycle had damaged the previous ones.

"If residents were informed about the change, they could have been prepared. The bulbs cannot withstand the high voltage from the sudden 60 cycle switch, and as such they blow,” Odit explained.

Other Opposition councillors supported Odit’s contentions and called on Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson to speed up the process of acquiring the new generators and having them commissioned earlier than the expected time.

These councillors described as unacceptable what they contend residents are facing.

ery was made, there was a back and forth conversation among the Police, relatives and the suspect.

“Earlier when we tried negotiating with him, he was talking but his voice was very faint. I told him that he should come out and give up himself and deal with the

Regional Vice Chairperson Nandranie Coonjah also said many persons had met her and vented their frustrations.

She said housewives are daily dumping loads of perishables because of the unreliable supply of power.

Persons living in the northern section of the Essequibo Coast have only recently been made to endure nearly three days of power outage. They opine that pressure from the business community forced GPL to install an extra generator set in Region 2. The power company is also currently converting the 50 cycle to 60 cycles, and according to residents, the project lacks sensitization (Indrawattie Natram)

Undertakers removing the businessman's body

friend and the couple’s son to the home in East Canje, where Rhonda’s body was discovered in a pool of blood.

At that time, her husband was the prime suspect and at about 05:00h the Police received information that he was in the bushes.

According to reports, he told close relatives not to come further and that he was okay. During the standoff, according to residents, there was the sound of what appeared to be a gunshot followed by two louder explosions.

The Commander said he was able to speak with the suspect as he hid between the bushes. “We kept talking to him all the time as we were going and then we discovered the body…”

The man’s body was lying face up on a plot of land covered with large trees about 60 meters from his fenced yard.

The Commander noted that before the discov-

matter professionally but he said “No”, so I told him that the relatives are going to come and he said, “Don’t come. I don’t want anybody to come. I am okay”. He kept talking for a while and then eventually he stopped talking but we kept talking for a while without hearing anything and then we went in,” Williams revealed.

When the body was brought out from the bushes, there was much wailing by family members. Blair was said to be the main source of support for the extended family; most of whom referred to him as the advisor in the family.

In December 2013, the Blairs’ opened their third store in Pitt Street, New Amsterdam. The couple’s businesses employed a total of 67 persons – the first was opened at Cumberland in 2002, while the Rosignol outlet was opened in 2010.

In recent years, Blair had been having difficul-

10 news Bandits rob, murder Chinese businessman T saturdAY, august 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

he body of Chinese restaurateur Liyan Jiang, a 44-yearold father of three, was on Thursday evening found in the bathroom of his bottom flat Third Street, Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo home with hands bound and mouth gagged.

Formerly of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, the late Liyan Jiang was found at about 22:00h by a friend after his wife requested that the friend check on her husband, since calls to his mobile phone had been going unanswered.

The friend arrived at the house to meet the main access door ajar and the light in the building still on. He reportedly called several times for Jiang but received no response. He made the gruesome discovery as he looked around,

Dead: Liyan Jiang

and without hesitation contacted the Police.

The home was ransacked, and there were about Jiang’s body marks of violence which suggest-

ed that he had been beaten mercilessly; but there was no sign of blood, even though there was a visible mark around Jiang’s neck that led investigators to believe he had died by strangulation.

Reports are that the man had last been heard from at about 03:00h on Thursday, when he reportedly told friends with whom he was playing online games to “hold on”. It is believed that he had gone to check on sounds emanating from the bathroom and was attacked and killed.

Guyana Times visited the house on Friday to find ranks of the Criminal Investigation Department still conducting their investigations. The man’s wife was also in the building, trying to ascertain what the intruders had taken

The house which Jiang occupied up to the time of his demise

away.

The friend who had made the gruesome discovery explained that the culprits must have jumped the perimeter fence to gain access to the premises, after which they went to the other side of the house and removed the louvre panes and then the grill.

Based on evidence, the person who went through the window had to be smallboned.

Investigators are working on the theory that after the intruder had gained access to the house, there might have been a scuffle between the suspects and the victim, since the surroundings were disturbed.

The Police are of the opinion that the perpetrators departed the building through the main access door.

The Police are in the process of acquiring CCTV footage from nearby buildings as they continue their investigations.

Commander ‘D’ Division, Leslie James, when contacted, related that the Police are working to solve the murder, and in so doing are following several leads.

He confirmed that no one has as yet been arrested for the heinous crime.

Meanwhile, residents in the area believe a particular gang is terrorising and robbing people in the village. One man told Guyana Times that three men were recently seen scaling his fence to gain access to a Chinese supermarket.

He noted that, upon realising what was happening, a relative raised an alarm and the men es-

caped.

That resident, also a businessman, is calling on the relevant authorities to increase a security presence in the area.

He nevertheless stated that the now dead Chinese businessman moved into the area only about two months ago. He cooked and served, hence there was no need for staff. He also noted that persons in the area did not hear any unusual sounds emanating from the businessman’s home.

Guyana Times understands that the late Chinese businessman had moved into the village to set up the business, and his wife and three children were expected to join him at the end of the month. His wife operates another Chinese Restaurant at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara.

11 Govt broke promise to meet stakeholders – TIGI news

saturDAY, august 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

… before issuing production licence to ExxonMobil

G

overnment has issued a production license to ExxonMobil, but prior to its issuance, anti-corruption advocate Transparency Institute Guyana Incorporated (TIGI) had raised a number of questions for which an undertaken was given that a meeting would have been held with stakeholders.

According to TIGI President, Dr Troy Thomas, the organisation is of the view that its many questions about the process remain unanswered. Thomas stated that contrary to what had been expressed to them, a production licence was issued to Exxon days after it raised its concerns with Government.

“At one point the Minister had said to us that they would have some consultations prior to issuing the licence, because we had asked about feasibility studies and all that,” Thomas said. “We haven’t really gotten any response on it.

TIGI President, Dr Troy Thomas

And then we saw that the licence was issued shortly after, in direct contradiction to what was said in that letter.”

He noted that the organisation would continue to press for the contract to be released in the interest of trans-

parency.

In April, TIGI had issued a statement calling for the Government to share with it the types and particulars of the studies and investigations they had requested as part of the process for evaluating Exxon’s production licence application.

TIGI had also requested that the Government provide clarification on whether Exxon had submitted an economic feasibility study of its proposed operations in the Stabroek block.

In May, TIGI had reported that after a month of no responses to its issued statement, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman finally responded.

But instead of responding directly to TIGI’s questions, the Minister deferred to Worley Parsons, a consultant company the Government contracted without any open tendering.

According to TIGI,

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

Minister Trotman never responded directly to its questions and claimed that “the matters raised in your letter are presently being addressed by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) in conjunction with an inter-

national consulting company, Worley Parsons.”

Worley Parsons is an Australian resources and energy consultant company that had been contracted by Government to review Exxon’s development plan.

In addition, offshore and civil engineering expert, Dr Jan Mangal was appointed earlier this year as an advisor on Petroleum within the Ministry of the Presidency.

But TIGI noted that at no point in time was there a public tender for the services of the consultancy firm.

TIGI had also noted that Minister Trotman concluded his letter by indicating that Government was committed to holding “stakeholder discussions” after Worley Parsons and the GGMC have submitted their reports.

In June 2017, Exxon was granted its formal production licence. Before that, reviews were done of the technical and environmental aspects of

the Liza Project Development Plan submitted by Esso Exploration and Production (Guyana) Ltd in December 2017

Grey areas

Government has revealed that Guyana will receive a two per cent royalty on gross earnings from the oil on a barrel to barrel basis.

In addition, Guyana will receive 50 per cent of the profits from Exxon’s sale of petroleum.

But there have always been grey areas concerning other particulars of the contract. Economist Ramon Gaskin is one such individual who has questioned the lack of information concerning the contract. He had noted that the public’s lack of information, besides what royalty payments Guyana would accrue, extended to how much taxes Exxon would pay when it did start production.

12

saturDAY, august 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

13

saturDAY, august 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

14

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, august 12, 2017

News Assassination claims

Mental stability of informant questioned … Ramnarine maintains he is not “after” Top Cop position

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he mental health of Andriff Gillard, who reported that he was offered $7 million by Nizam Khan to assassinate President David Granger, was brought into the spotlight, while being cross-examined by Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud’s lawyer Glen Hanoman when he appeared before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Friday.

Gillard took umbrage with Hanoman’s line of questioning and asked the attorney whether he is of the view that he is mentally challenged, to which Hanoman replied in the affirmative.

Hanoman tried to establish that Gillard is an attention seeker, who concocted the entire assassination plot and then decided to cast blame on Nizam Khan. To further compound his belief, the attorney asked Gillard whether he was ever treated for any psychiatric conditions to which he replied in the negative.

“Would you be willing to seek professional psychiatric help, if it is necessary,” Hanoman asked. “Upon what suggestion of yours?” Gillard retortedly asked.

“I observed you. I am asking you would you be willing, if necessary, to seek psychiatric help,” Hanoman pressed.

“Do I look mad to you?”

Gillard questioned.

At this point, CoI Commissioner Paul Slowe, in-

tervened and told Gillard to answer the questions directly however the fiery exchange continued throughout the cross-examination.

Professionally investigated

Nizam Khan allegedly made the offer to kill President Granger in June of 2015 and Gillard kept that information until March 29, 2017. However, he told the Commission that he was hesitant to report the matter to the Police since Nizam Khan, his brother Imran Khan, Commissioner Persaud and Head of the Office of Professional Responsibility Heeralall Mackhanlall were all close friends. He added that because of that friendship, he felt the report would not be professionally investigated and treated with the priority it needed.

“I did not go to the Police.

I was sent to the Police. The reason I did not went to the Police is because I know the affiliation between Imran Khan and Nizam Khan. I also know the affiliation of Mr Mackhanlall and Imran Khan. I was once sent to Mr Mackhanlall to have Police (officers) removed from the Diamond/Grove Police Station on behalf of Imran Khan. So, I know for a fact that I cannot go to Mr Mackhanlall and complain on he friend because he friend gon still hear back what happen and the complaint will be a problem,” Gillard related.

Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine

He said that he consulted with his attorney – who requested that his name be withheld – who advised him to report the details of the plot to the highest office holder within Office of the President, to which he adhered.

Gillard said that on March 29, he went to the Office of the President and met with a man who advised him to go over to the Public Security Ministry (MoPS) and they would take the investigation further. He related when he visited the MoPS he was taken to the office of A Division Commander, Clifton Hicken, and later to the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarter, Eve Leary where a statement was taken.

be further cross-examined.

Ramnarine said there was no evidence to suggest that Gillard was lying when he made the allegation and that a background check conducted by the Special Branch Unit, proved that he has no criminal records. He also maintained that criminal records were discovered to date in the investigation.

However, that was disputed since Gillard has been charged with several offences ranging from robbery under arms to threatening language against his wife. Attorney Christopher Ram, who represents the interest of Imran Khan, revealed the details about Gillard’s lengthy criminal rap sheet to which Gillard attempted to give an explanation for every charge.

Ram provided evidence to the Commission to show that Gillard was arraigned in the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court for the charge of robbery under arms. He had several

charges for simple larceny, threatening behaviour and assault.

When Ram asked Gillard whether he made any contemporaneous notes from July 2015, the latter replied in the negative and said he relied on his memory. However, during cross examination, his memory faded since he could not remember the names, dates and places where he had brushes with the law.

Misled

Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine, denied misleading President Granger about the status of a probe into an alleged assassination plot.

He told the Commission that on the morning of March 30, the day after the alleged plot was reported to the Police, he was expected the brief the President and he did.

However, Ramnarine did not review the investigation file and conducted his briefing

based on Gillard’s allegation and a statement that was taken from him. He added that he did not see the contents of the statement and that he was unaware that there were at least three other statements taken during the night of March 29.

Attorney Hanoman suggested that the acting Top Cop provided the President with false information to which he replied “that is quite outrageous.”

Acknowledging the initial stage of an investigation is most important, he later said based on certain actions his instructions were “largely disregarded”. Ramnarine said he agree that the Police probe was lethargic and could not have defend the Guyana Police Force.

The public hearing aspect of the CoI is expected to conclude on Wednesday when Police Legal Adviser, Justice Claudette Singh (ret’d) takes the stand.

50 lbs ganja tossed out of moving car

Stellar memory, lengthy criminal record

In the afternoon session of the CoI, acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine was recalled to

The cannabis that was tossed out of the moving The abandoned car in West Coast Berbice car

A

Toyota Primo motorcar from which 50 pounds of compressed marijuana was tossed was on Thursday found abandoned in a street in a community on the West Coast of Berbice Reports are that the car, registered to a couple living in Laluni Street Queenstown, Georgetown, made an aboutturn upon seeing a Police

operation in the vicinity of the Weldaad Police Station.

Police accordingly gave chase, during which two well wrapped parcels were tossed out of the vehicle. aPolice retrieved the parcels, and an inspection revealed that they contained cannabis.

The car was found parked among some bushes some

distance away. It was subsequently towed and impounded.

Police are continuing their investigations. Meanwhile, a 33-year-old miner of Carabise Hill, Bartica, Region Seven was arrested by Police at Itaballi Police Check Point with 589 grams of cannabis. He is being processed for court.

news

15

saturDAY, august 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

East Street man Mother of dead prison accused of stealing ‘escapee’ speaks out cellphone Timehri prison break

F

ollowing the shooting death of her son, 26-year-old Winston Hinds, at the Timehri prison about a week ago, Carla Bobb of Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), said she remains hurt over the incident.

Hinds, formerly of Linden, was the fourth of six children and father of two. He was on remand for the alleged murder of 44-year-old Richard Remington of Lot 19 Christianburg, Wismar, Linden, who was murdered at Cholmondeley Hill, Wismar.

Remington was shot by a prison officer during an alleged escape bid following a reported fight in the prison’s dormitory. Reports are that he fled into the prison yard while officers tried to break up the fight and restore order

and did not adhere to repeated orders. A post-mortem examination conducted on the body of the deceased reportedly revealed that he was shot to the abdomen, stirring speculation that he was not trying to escape at the time he was shot. Speaking on Thursday, Hinds’ mother related how saddened she was over the entire episode. She said her son was also chopped while in prison about a year ago and she was only informed of the incident via phone calls from fellow inmates. She noted that she had visited him after she had learned of the incident and was only informed about what transpired during the visit. The woman alleges that her son was in prison for over two years awaiting trial.

“I feel really bad because I think the jail should take

Winston Hinds care of your children when they’re in prison...So, it pains a lot. I’m a single parent of six children,” the woman noted.

Bobb said she and another son were present to witness the post mortem, pointing out that she last spoke to Hinds the day before he died

and he did not inform her of any issues at the prison.

She said Director of Prisons Galdwin Samuels has since reached out to her in conversation and offered to provide help.

The woman noted that she was also informed of how the incident occurred which led to her son’s death and that the prison officer who shot him also called and apologised.

“He said he sorry, he didn’t go to shoot him like that and he said he go to shoot him in his foot. He even promised to help with the two kids... I really can’t ‘fight the fire with the fire’ because I’m very poor,” the woman said.

Bobb was also part of a group of women in Linden who had protested against alleged Police brutality last year, seeking justice for their sons whom they alleged had fallen victims to Police brutality.

A

man was remanded to prison on Friday morning when he appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly charged for stealing a cellphone.

Seon Prince made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and denied the allegation against him.

The charge against Prince alleged that on August 9, 2017, at East Street, Georgetown he stole one RCA cellphone; property of Richard Grandy.

However, according to Prince, he did not steal the cellphone and is being falsely accused.

He told the court that he was in the car where the Virtual Complainant (VC) dropped his cellphone. He said that he was accused of

taking the phone.

The Police Prosecutor objected to bail being granted as the defendant does not have a fix place of abode, adding that he previously failed to make court appearances.

As such, bail was denied and the defendant was remanded to prison. He will return to court on August 29.

Magistrate Leron Daly read it to him.

It is alleged that on August 3, 2017, at Regent Street, Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Alfred Williams.

The Police Prosecutor had no bail objections but

asked that the defendant be placed on a bond to keep the peace until the completion of the matter.

Bail was granted in the sum of $25,000 and the defendant is scheduled to make his next court appearance on August 29.

Seon Prince

Crime still ‘out of control’ under coalition Govt – former Minister Teen charged for wounding pensioner

W

hile millions of dollars continue to be pumped into the local security sector, former Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee has said that the coalition Government is yet to deliver on its political campaign promise to reduce crime and keep Guyana safe.

Rohee roasted Government for what he described as a weak performance in relation to the proper management of the security sector, drawing reference to the recent prison unrest and several other issues which have plagued the country in recent times.

Rohee is of the firm view that crime is still ‘out of control,’ even though the current Government boasts one of the largest teams of former national security experts.

These include former senior ranking Guyana Police Force and Guyana Defence Force officials.

“When the Finance Minister (Winston Jordan) presented the Budget in 2016 for 2017, the security sector was allocated $29.1 billion and Jordan had said that this would have restored public confidence in the security sector,” the former Minister recalled.

However, Rohee asserted that the recent prison unrest tells a different story.

According to him, while there were prison breaks under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Administration, it was never escalated to the magnitude of the Georgetown prison unrest.

Rohee said, “I can’t imagine how much it will measure on the political ritchter scale, if that was at all possible.

But what we do know, nothing of that nature ever occurred under the PPP; even though we were faced with similar challenges as the new Administration is faced with when they came into office.”

Overcrowding in the local

Former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

prison system is nothing new, Rohee argued, while adding that it has been an issue from time immemorial. “When we got into Government in 1992, the prisons were overcrowded. For the years we’ve been in Government, the prison remained overcrowded.

And the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change came in and inherited an overcrowded prison.”

But the former Minister said the difference, however, is that the PPP had put certain mechanisms in place to deal with attendant problems and challenges that they knew could have arisen in a prison, which had huge amount of overcrowding for a number of years.

He recalled that under the PPP, the Parole Board was fully constituted and active. Apart from that, the body met regularly and carried out its functions effectively. Further, Rohee said during holiday periods, particularly at Christmas, the prisons would submit a list with the names of persons, who should be considered for remissions for petty criminal offenders, among other measures.

As a result of this prison unrest, Parliament recently approved $756.1 million, which now adds to the

already $29.1 billion, which was allocated to the security sector in this year’s budget.

“So, we don’t only have central damage, we have a financial cost to this situation…

The fact of the matter is, apart from the Government foisting a bill, taxpayers now have to carry an additional burden.”

Meanwhile, Rohee also recalled statements made

by Minister of State Joseph Harmon, where he gave his commitment that drug trafficking will be something of the past. The former Minister said the situation has not improved in any significant way and maintained that Guyana is still a major transshipment point for drugs to be shipped in North America.

“We do not accept this because only recently a huge amount of drugs was discovered in the Pomeroon River, in gas cylinders. Huge amounts are also still being exported from CJIA (Cheddi Jagan International Airport) and firearms are being legally imported through barrels in our ports. And we know the link between drugs and firearms,” he further explained.

While the former Minister admitted that the Opposition is not proud of the issues facing the country in relation to crime and security, Rohee said these issues could be addressed if the coalition Government becomes more effective in its management of the local security sector.

The Opposition has long criticised Government for failing to implement stringent and effective crime-fighting strategies.

They had described Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan’s performance as “blundering incompetence” and said the Police Force is paralysed by mixed signals from President David Granger and other members of the executive, which seems to favour criminals.

A

teenager who wounded an elderly man was on Friday dragged before the court, charged with malicious wounding.

Akeem Douglas of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, denied the charge when

16 NEWS

saturDAY, august 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Medical team completes 1-week outreach at GPHC

Youth Parliamentarians display hope for politics – PM

…over 30 free corrective surgeries done

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland (seated seventh from left), joined by the 2017 delegation of Youth Parliamentarians and former Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai (seated right)

T Dr John Mitchell (right) is seated next to Brigadier George Lewis, Dr Sheik Amir, and Kesaundra Alves, Chair of the GPHC board

T

he Health Education and Relief Organisation (HERO), a non-profit humanitarian organisation that provides free high-quality health care and educational support throughout the Caribbean, has successfully completed 30 of 45 surgeries at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), and is eagerly awaiting its next trip to Guyana, slated for early next year.

The HERO team has been visiting Guyana twice every year since 2000, but began performing corrective

surgeries some twelve years ago.

On Thursday, after completing a number of surgeries, the team was ready to leave, but was very excited about its impending return in March 2018.

HERO is one of the many teams of medical professionals that visit the GPHC to share their expertise and be involved in collaborative efforts with local medical personnel.

Team member Dr John Mitchell, speaking on Thursday on behalf of the 40-member team, explained

that the group has, over the years, been undertaking medical outreaches, among them correcting Clubfoot, a disorder of the ankle in children, as well as low extremity deformities.

“Over the years, we have gone to expand that programme not only in surgeries, but in our medical mission, our literacy programmes, and introducing this year a programme aimed at addressing the needs of children who are orphaned and abandoned”, he said.

Dr Mitchell said the medical team was also spread out in Region 10 over the past four days, and had conducted literacy programmes at Providence and Mocha on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

“The programme is not only to perform surgeries”, Dr Mitchell said.

he curtains came down on the 3rd annual Youth Parliament on Thursday evening with a grand reception dinner, as the Office of the National Assembly, in collaboration with the Rights of the Child Commission, celebrated the efforts and accomplishments of each of the participants.

The groundbreaking debates presented by both the delegated government and opposition at this year’s sitting were showered with high praise, and the students were awarded for their outstanding performances during the festivities.

The event featured a series of entertainment and cultural performances, but more importantly provided an opportunity for the young delegates to meet and interact with actual Members of Parliament.

Addressing the gathering of both past and present Youth Parliamentarians as well as the organizers of the initiative, Prime Minister and First Vice President, Moses Nagamootoo, congratulated the participating students for successfully taking on the roles of some in the highest offices in Guyana, and pointed out that their involvement in Youth Parliament will set them one step ahead of their future endeavour.

Nagamootoo noted that

Best Debater, Tyriq Scott, receiving his award from a representative of Bazillo Cobb Associates

the presentations by the high school students was a welcome reminder of what is expected of Members of Parliament, especially in light of the many disruptions that frequent the National Assembly in Guyana.

“So it is a difference that we must take away: that there is hope for our Parliament.

There is hope away from the divisiveness that we experience from time to time, and from the type/quality of politics we’ve had 50 years after our country had become independent,” the Prime Minister said.

Nagamootoo continued, “I believe there are qualities we need to revive, and practices that should be of a higher standard,” as he hinted that such noteworthy characteristics were displayed by the

‘Fuel Save’ winner gets mortgage paid for 1 year

I

lham Wazid was announced the grand winner as Sol Guyana Incorporated concluded their “Save For A Year – Fuel Save Promotion” during a grand draw on Wednesday, at Lowe’s Service Station, Vlissengen Road, Bel Air, Georgetown.

The promotion began on June 9, 2017 in keeping with the company’s policy of providing quality service to its customers, where every $3000 spent in Shell ‘Fuel Save’ made customers eligible to win one of three grand prizes.

First prize winner, Wazid will receive mortgage or rent payments for one year, while second prize winner Fhyhad Edoo of Meter-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara will now have his car payments covered and Leon James of Lamaha Park, Georgetown, the third runner-up, will enjoy the benefit of free Shell ‘Fuel Save’ all year long.

Sol applauded the support of customers as they revealed that a total of 500,000 entries were made over the

A customer draws the winner

past two months.

Shell’s ‘Fuel Save’ is designed to last longer than regular gasoline at $186 per litre and the price is expected to be reduced in the future, according to the company’s representative, who encouraged drivers to fill up with ‘Fuel Save’.

In addition, over the past eight weeks, lucky customers were able to increase their chances of winning up to $100,000 in the Cash Machine during weekly hap-

py hours, while each week a lucky winner was also drawn to have a monthly bill of their choice paid including fuel, groceries, utilities or cable, Internet and telephone.

Liz Wyatt, recently appointed General Manager of Sol Guyana Inc, who spoke briefly at the drawing ceremony, expressed her pleasure at being a part of the Sol family, once more commending the support of customers over the past eight weeks.

youth delegation during their deliberations.

Moreover, Nagamootoo highlighted that both the delegated Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the grouping were females, and posited that it is paving the way for women to not just be leaders in the home, but potentially at the forefront of the country as well.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, echoing the sentiments of his follow parliamentarian, commended the works of the students in taking up leadership roles and advocating for significant development for the nation.

Dr Scotland indicated that this is the first time Youth Parliament was staged for an entire week, allowing participants to dig deeper into their debates, which he noted certainly paid off.

He is consequently charging the budding politicians to utilize the knowledge and skills gained during this extended experience.

“What the young parliamentarians will want (to) take from that is to learn to respect your fellows; to conduct yourself with decorum; and always give your very best in what you are undertaking,” the Speaker of the National Assembly outlined.

The top prizes at this year’s Youth Parliament were awarded as follows: to Tyriq Scott, the delegated Public Health Minister, who was dubbed the Best Debater; and to Sherlyn Semple, the Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was awarded Best Speaker. They both won themselves a Sumsung Galaxy tab E, compliments of Bazillo Cobb Associates.

Even with the strong arguments put forth by the members of the opposition, the delegated government won the overall debates at Youth Parliament 2017, held under the theme: “Our Generation, Our Voice: Inspire, Encourage, Impact.”

Education Minister Nicolette Henry was the chief judge of a panel of three judges, which included Aleema Nasir from the Rights of the Child Commission, and Dr Valerie Leung.

SATURDAY, August 12, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

News

5 charged for raping 2 teens in Bartica

Farfan and Mendes supports expansion of autism foundation

… Berbice Police probing rape of 15-year-old

P

olice ranks in ‘F’ Division (Interior Locations) have arrested and charged five men for allegedly raping two teenagers in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) earlier this year.

Romario Smartt, Ryan Boodhoo, Dale Edwards and Cadacy Degees were on Friday charged and placed before the courts for the offence of rape of a child under 16 years.

The joint charge alleges that between January 1 and January 31, 2017, at 9th Street Bartica, Essequibo River, they raped two teenage girls.

The men were arraigned before the Bartica Magistrate at about 10:00h on Friday, and were read the charge, to which they each pleaded not guilty.

They were then placed on $150,000 bail each.

Another Bartician, Shawn Peters, was charged on Thursday with the offence of raping one of same two girls during the same period. During his arraignment, he was granted bail

in the sum of $200,000 after also pleading not guilty to the rape of a child under 16 years old.

According to Police Divisional Commander Ravindranauth Budhram, these charges were instituted against the suspects following advice sought from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Of recent, sexual assault cases have been on the rise in Bartica, and teenage girls are principally the victims.

Residents are therefore complaining bitterly about this situation. In fact, one resi-

dent had spoken out about the situation, revealing that there is a gang of men in the town luring 13, 14 and 15-year-old school girls, and in some cases drugging them before having sexual intercourse with them.

The Police Force had, back in June, disclosed that some 14 reports of sexual assault against females in Bartica were reported over the first half of the year. At that time, 10 of those matters were before the courts.

One has since been dismissed for want of prosecution; two were sent for legal

advice, and advice was obtained for one but the suspect no longer resides in the area although he is being sought.

Meanwhile, investigators from the Sexual Offence Unit in Berbice are investigating a report of an alleged rape of a 15-year-old female.

The incident is said to have been committed in a Corentyne village on Thursday evening.

According to reports, the teenager was walking along the Corentyne Highway at about 20:00h when the 21-year-old suspect called her into a yard and forced her into a house, where the act was committed.

The teen told investigators that the suspect left the premises after the act, and she reported the matter to her father. The police were then alerted, and the suspect was subsequently arrested.

A medical examination confirmed that the female had been violated. Investigations are ongoing, and the suspect is expected to be charged soon.

NWD murder accused nabbed

T

he miner who killed his colleague after he allegedly refused to perform oral sex on him during a drinking spree at Jack and Vieira Backdam, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini), was on Thursday nabbed at

Mabaruma, NWD. Orland LaCruz, 40, of Pomeroon River, was shot once to the neck and died almost immediately on June 15, 2017.

It was reported that the men were imbibing at the mining camp when an argu-

ment broke out after LaCruz refused to perform the sexual act. As a result, the suspect loaded the shotgun and discharged a round hitting LaCruz, after which he fled the scene.

The Police have been on the hunt for the suspect and

it was based on information received, the Police were able to apprehend the wanted man.

Now that he has been apprehended, he is expected to be charged with the capital offence of murder in the new week.

Farfan and Mendes handing over the cheque to Chairperson of the Step By Step Foundation

W

hile Farfan and Mendes this year celebrates its 50th anniversary, the company hosted a “Discounts for Donations” promotion to honour its years’ long commitment to the Step by Step Foundation.

The local heavy-duty equipment distributor during the month of July facilitated a promotion which allowed for customers to pledge donations to one of the company’s charities and in turn, benefit from discounts on the purchases at any of its dealers, nationwide.

The contributions accumulated from this initiative were on Friday presented to the Step by Step Foundation as means of supporting the expansion of the institution.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony on Friday was the proprietor of Farfan and Mendes who outlined the objectives of this undertaking.

He explained that the “Step by Step Foundation is one of the organisations we’ve been helping since 2012. Autistic children and addressing those issues is

not one that is always in the mainstream here but we felt strongly, this was something we wanted to support to give these kids a best opportunity for a brighter future.”

On that note, the businessman went on to say, “We’ve been supporting Step

by Step by funding education for one child every year since 2012.”

Meanwhile, on the receiving end was Chairperson of Step by Step Foundation, who thanked the company for their much needed contribution.

Moreover, she underlined the operations of her organisation, thereby emphasising the need for sponsorship and other forms of assistance.

The leader of the organisation pinpointed that over 40 special need students are awaiting accommodation at her institution and as they are currently working on expanding their facilities.

The Step By Step Foundation currently houses 18 special needs students and provides a unique, personalised programme to aid in the development of children living with autism.

Govt moving ahead with ancestral land CoI W

ith the investigation into Indigenous land rights being put on hold, Government is moving ahead with the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into ancestral lands, and has begun inviting members of the public to start indicating their interest in participating by submitting matters for consideration.

The first round of the public hearings will begin on August 21. During that segment, the CoI will hear matters relating to ancestral lands and other land issues.

Groups and individuals interested in submitting matters for consideration have until today to do so.

President David Granger had in March of this year established a CoI under the Commission of Inquiry Act, to examine and make recommendations to resolve all issues, and uncertainties surrounding the claims of Amerindian land titling, the individual, joint or communal ownership of lands acquired by freed Africans and any matters relating to land titling in Guyana.

The Commission will be headed by Reverend Oswald Peter Chuck-A-Sang, and will include other members such as Paulette Henry, David James, Carol Khan, Professor Rudolph James, Lennox

President David Granger with the newly sworn-in commissioners of the Lands Commission

Caleb and Berlinda Persaud.

According to the official Gazette, prior to Guyana gaining independence in 1966, several ordinances and declarations were passed by the colonial Administration related to the definition of lands, including those of 1902, post-1904 and 1910. After gaining independence, several efforts

aimed at resolving ancestral land right issues were undertaken.

In particular, an official investigation through a Commission known as the Amerindian Lands Commission (ALC) was established in 1967. Subsequently, in 1976, the 1951 the Amerindian Act was amended to provide for the granting of ti-

tles to Amerindian communities. The outcome of the initial, as well as current titling, efforts did not provide closure on issues of Amerindian land claims. For various reasons, many of these issues remain unresolved to date.

Meanwhile, the status of lands that were purchased by the freed Africans around and after 1839, and formed the first villages in Guyana, have not been accessible to their descendants for various reasons.

Lands, which were acquired by freed Africans and were the subject of joint or communal ownership or of individual ownership, are now subject to much uncertainty.

The original CoI had included investigations into land rights in Amerindian communities, however after much protest by the National Toshao’s Council (NTC) and the Amerindian People’s Association (APA) Government was forced to put that aspect of the investigation on hold.

The NTC had argued that it really did not understand the real function of the CoI, particularly since there was no consultation between Government and representatives of Guyana’s first people.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, august 12, 2017

ARCHIE

Impulsive actions will bring about personal change.

(March 21- Take part in an event that April 19) will broaden your awareness about something you value or enjoy doing. Personal gains and growth look promising.

ARIES

Use your intelligence and TAURUS experience to help you make (April 20- the best choice for you. Don’t May 20) get drawn into costly situations. Learn something new that will contribute to your success.

dilbert

Things are looking up. If GEMINI (May 21- you want something, take the June 20) initiative and put your plan into motion. Control the situation rather than letting it control you. Home improvements are favored.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Channel your energy into something constructive. Live within your means and stick to what you know is possible.

Chasing an unrealistic dream is a waste of valuable time.

Live life your way. Set standards and be willing to let others do the same. Offering equality to others will help you maintain your position and keep your relationships healthy.

Take care of personal matVIRGO (Aug. 23- ters. Fix up your residence to Sept. 22) suit your current situation.

Added responsibilities due to a child, parent or partner must be handled with care.

Concentrate on important LIBRA relationships.

Make plans to do (Sept. 23Oct. 23) something that will bring you

and your loved ones closer together. You can call in a favor that will optimize your chance to reach a personal objective.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Concentrate on helping SCORPIO others and building your rep(Oct. 24utation as being the go-to Nov. 22) person when problems arise.

Separate those who take advantage from those with stellar motives.

Set a high standard and SAGITTARIUS live up to it. Improve your liv(Nov. 23- ing space to suit your needs.

Dec. 21) Apply physical labor and do the work yourself to cut your costs.

YESTERDAY’S WORD

solution for Last Published Puzzle

What you want to do and CAPRICORN what you should do will not (Dec. 22- coincide. Err on the side of Jan. 19) caution when dealing with financial matters. Don’t spend impulsively or let indulgent tendencies take control.

You’ll be able to make AQUARIUS changes that will improve (Jan. 20- your status, reputation and fiFeb. 19) nancial position. Act on your gut feeling and you will find success.

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

If you want to make a PISCES change, do the prep work (Feb. 20March 20) before you move forward.

Taking care of business first will ensure that you avoid a costly mistake as well as criticism.

SATURDAY, august 12, 2017

19

Mayweather vows to finish McGregor bout early

F

loyd Mayweather has said he has done his homework on mixed martial artist Conor McGregor and promised their multi-million dollar fight in Las Vegas on Aug. 26 will not go the distance.

Both fighters have now tipped a knockout finish to the hotly anticipated bout between arguably one of the greatest boxers of all time and the explosive UFC champion.

"Expect excitement. He's gonna talk trash, I'm gonna talk trash, there's gonna be a lot of blood, sweat and tears," Mayweather told reporters at a media conference at his gym in Las Vegas.

Casually dressed in a black T-shirt and shorts, the bluster and profanity of the recent four-city promotional tour undertaken with McGregor was replaced by a more sober analysis.

"It's about doing your homework. It's not really watching fight tapes, it's about knowing the person you're facing across the ring from you. You want to know what they

like to eat, what they're doing when they're not in camp," said the undefeated 40-yearold.

"That's called really doing your due diligence, doing your homework on your opponent."

Mayweather brushed off suggestions that the left-handed McGregor might cause him problems.

"Last time I checked I was undefeated, whether it was orthodox or southpaw.

McGregor, he's gonna come out and keep switching (stances)... but when you keep switching all you're doing is burning energy," he told reporters. The brash 29-yearold Irishman, who has never boxed professionally, became the first UFC fighter to hold two belts simultaneously when he added the lightweight belt to the featherweight title he already held last November.

Having scored two knockouts to win his belts, McGregor has confidently predicted he will floor Mayweather within four rounds to hand the American his first de-

Iran bans 2 players from national team after playing Israelis

I

ran has banned two players from representing the national team after facing an Israeli club in the Europa League, a government spokesperson announced.

Iran captain Masoud Shojaei, 33, and midfielder Ehsan Haji Safi, 27, played for Greece's Panionios against Israeli outfit Maccabi Tel Aviv last week.

Even though they sat out the first leg of the Europa League qualifier in Israel, they featured in the 1-0 loss at home to Tel Aviv on August 3, which is still a violation of Iran's government policy.

Iran does not recognise Israel as a country and has barred all their athletes from playing against any Israeli teams.

"It is certain that Masoud Shojaei and Ehsan Haji Safi will never be invited to join the national football team because they violated the red line," Iran deputy sports minister Mohammad Reza Davarzani said on state television, via The New York Times.

"They have a financial contract with a club to be paid and play for that team, but to play with the representative of a loathsome regime… this is not acceptable for Iranian people."

Shojaei – who has earned 70 international caps – was instrumental in helping Iran secure a spot at the 2018 World Cup. Haji Safi – an 84-cap veteran – was on the bench in the sealing victory over Uzbekistan in June, and he was expected to play when Iran travelled to Russia next year.

Shojaei was also ostracized in June when he asked Iran president Hassan Rouhani if women could enter the stadium to watch the team play.

Women have been barred from stadiums in Iran since 1979, since arenas are deemed inappropriate for women.

(SportsMax)

feat in what will be his 50th professional bout.

"He's looking forward to getting out there and ending the fight early. I'm looking forward to going out there and ending the fight early.

It won't go the distance," said Mayweather, the winner of a slew of titles in various weight classes.

"He's confident. They're always confident. But it's different when you get in there with Floyd Mayweather."

WBA light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly will defend his title against Sweden's Badou Jack, who is promoted by Mayweather, on the undercard of the Las Vegas bout, event organizers announced on Thursday. This fight will be Briton Cleverly's first title defense since beating German Juergen Braehmer to win the belt last October.

"This is a fight I have wanted ever since

Kohli rules out taking a rest for Sri Lanka ODI series

Floyd Mayweather Badou Jack moved to light heavyweight and I'm delighted to fight in Vegas on an event like this," Cleverly said. The other fight on the undercard sees Gervonta "Tank" Davis put his IBF junior lightweight world title on the line against the undefeated Francisco Fonseca.

(Reuters)

'I want my own legacy' – Van Niekerk rejects comparison to Bolt, Johnson

S

outh African track star Wayde Van Niekerk is determined not to live in the shadow of track and field greats Usain Bolt and Michael Johnson and has shrugged off recent comparisons to both.

Van Niekerk, who has been tipped by many to replace Bolt as track and field’s biggest star, recently failed in his bid to emulate Michael Johnson as the only man to achieve winning the 200m, 400m double at a major games. After

I

ndia captain Virat Kohli said he has "no problems in playing" against Sri Lanka in the ODIs following reports that he will take a break.

Virat Kohli has dismissed talk that he will sit out India's one-day international series against Sri Lanka.

It was reported that the India captain will take a break from leading his country in the five-match series.

But Kohli, speaking on the eve of the third and final Test in Pallekele, said he has no intention of having a rest following a hectic schedule.

"Who said I am not playing? I don't know where this came from, but I have no problems in playing." the prolific batsman stated.

"We [team management and selectors] are going to sit down on selection soon and we certainly have plans

in mind and combinations that we want to speak about.

"So as captain, I am definitely in the thick of things and knowing what to speak to the committee about."

The top-ranked Test side already have another Test series victory in the bag, but Kohli has demanded one last effort as they eye a 3-0 whitewash.

"For us, it's all about playing another Test match.

We have already won the series," he said on Friday.

"It doesn't mean we can afford to be complacent.

"I personally feel it [talk of a whitewash] is just a distraction, we need to stay in the present, and treat every session and game with respect. It's exactly what are we are looking for."

Kohli said spinner Kuldeep Yadav could make his debut in the absence of the suspended Ravindra Jadeja.(SportsMax)

Usian Bolt greets South African track star Wayde Van Niekerk (left)

winning the 400m race, Van Niekerk was foiled in his quest for both titles after being beaten by Turkey’s Ramil Guliyev in the half-lap final. The sprinter insists he is determined to build his own legacy.

"I will never try and fill Usain's shoes, or Michael's," said Van Niekerk. "I've shown enough dominance, hard work and performances to start building my own image and brand,” he added.

"I have the utmost respect for Usain and he is the one I have been watching over the last few years. I have got to know him quite well and I thank him for what he has done for the sport. This week is the perfect time for us to honour him." The 25-year-old Van Niekerk has established himself as one of the sport’s most talented and versatile athletes after becoming the first man in history to run faster than 10 seconds for 100m, 20 seconds for 200m and 44 seconds for 400m. (SportsMax)

20

Wrong move!

SATURdAY, AUGUST 12, 2017

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Usain Bolt

Former sprint hurdler Jackson believes Bolt's retirement plans dampened preparation

U

sain Bolt's plan announced well in advance to retire at the end of the London World Championships, was a contributing factor to his failure to defend his 100-metre title, believes former 110m hurdles world record holder Colin Jackson.

Bolt had stunned many when he said he was retiring well over a year ago before capturing three gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

“I remember my coach said to me when I was going to retire, if you keep talking to yourself that you are going to retire you are actually already retired, which makes it really difficult for you to prepare,” said Jackson.

Jackson, who turned 50 in February and represented Great Britain with distinction, won an Olympic silver medal in 1988 and won the World Championships twice — in 1990 and 1993.

Jackson, born in Cardiff, Wales of Jamaican parents, said Bolt had a lot on his mind.

“He was focusing on this being his last competition. He wanted it to be a good competition. I think the team around him did a good job to get him here in the state that he is in,” he noted.

“Remember he [was within] just a jiffy of

D

Colin Jackson taking the title and that's an amazing job that they have done to make him be where he is,” Jackson added.

Bolt was third in the 100m final in 9.95 seconds, behind second-place finisher Christian Coleman in 9.94 and champion

Chandimal warns India ahead of final Test

inesh Chandimal is backing his Sri Lanka side to prevent a 3-0 series loss to India in the absence of spinner Ravindra Jadeja.

Chandimal said Ravindra Jadeja's suspension has given Sri Lanka a lift and his side have "something up our sleeves" as they attempt to deny India a Test series whitewash.

India spinner Jadeja was banned for the third and final match of the series after racking up six demerit points in the last two years.

The top-ranked Test bowler's latest offence came on day three of the second Test in Colombo, which India won emphatically to wrap up the series with one match to play.

Jadeja was named man of the match in India's latest crushing win and Sri Lanka captain Chandimal is relieved he will miss out in Pallekele, where the hosts will set about trying to salvage some pride on Saturday.

"We are two down but still we are a really good team and are hoping to win this game." said Chandimal.

"If we can do that, definitely we can get more confidence and move forward.

"We all know he [Jadeja] is the number one bowler at the moment. It gives us a bit of confidence - bit unfortunate for you [India] guys. As a team, we have something up our sleeves."

Chandimal bemoaned Sri Lanka's bad luck with injuries in a one-sided series, having lost Asela Gunaratne, Nuwan Pradeep and Rangana Herath. He added: "India are a really good team, especially in the last two to three years, [but] every time players of my team are getting injured.

We cannot get the combination right. "Especially if you lose players like Rangana, Nuwan Pradeep and Asela. We are struggling because of that, but we don't want Dinesh Chandimal to give excuses." (SportsMax)

Justin Gatlin, who ran 9.92.

Jackson went unbeaten at the European Championships for 12 years and was a twotime Commonwealth Games champion. His world record for the 110m hurdles of 12.91 seconds in 1993 stood for over 10 years. He remains the 60m hurdles record holder with 7.30, established in 1994.

Jackson, who was also renowned for being a fast starter, was fascinated that Bolt was able to finish so close to those ahead of him despite throwing his technique through the window.

“It was an exceptional race really and I think because Usain felt that he was slightly out of practice of his starting technique in that sense... I think all that was on him and when you are under pressure at a major championships, the emotional stress being your actual last race and last competition and everywhere you go people wishing you good luck and that absorbs a lot from you,” Jackson pointed out.

“I can remember when I retired how hard it was to deal with the fact that you will never ever, ever run again,” said Jackson, who retired in 2003.

He continued: “So you play all that with

the slight complication of the technical issues and you end up t h e performance that Usain really gave us which was, he actually just drove out the blocks and ran and chased instead of him doing his beautiful normal fluid action and just take it in time and move himself through.”

“So it's a couple of many things which ended up with that performance. He was literally only just five strides from the gold medal,” he noted.

Jackson, who dabbled in sports management and coaching, and who is now a sports commentator, believes Bolt is more than just an athletics star, but a global sport star.

“It's been incredible and as a super star of sport, not just athletics he's been an amazing iconic figure. So many people really look up to and aspire to be like [him]. I would say if you see it you can be it and he showed that every and every single element you can be a great super star, a great human being, a nice personality and you can achieve. So when you kind of put all of those into one package it's called Usain Bolt,” Jackson remarked.(Jamaica Observer)

West Indies tour of England

Howzzat!

West Indies batsmen impress Teenage cricketer on day 1 of final tour match takes 6 wickets in an over, all bowled

A

Kyle Hope

K

yle Hope’s century along with half centuries by Kieran Powell, Shai Hope and in form batsman Roston Chase gave West Indies a solid start in their three day tour match against Derbyshire yesterday.

Kyle, who is firmly in line for Test debut when West Indies commence the Test series against England on August 17, stroked his way to 102 from 167 deliveries.

After losing his opening partner, Kraigg Brathwaite for 3 with the score on six, Kyle added 153 for the second wicket with Powell, who recorded his first 50 plus score in five tour innings.

After Powell was dismissed the right handed Kyle then added 72 with little brother Shai, before he was finally removed.

West Indies finished the day on 340-3, their best batting performance since entering England almost three weeks ago.

Shai on 69 and Chase on 62 are the unbeaten batsmen at the crease.

SCOREBOARD West Indies 1st Innings KC Brathwaite lbw b Milnes 3 KOA Powell lbw b Palladino 92 KA Hope b Sonczak 105 SD Hope not out 62 RL Chase not out 53 Extras 9 (lb 3, nb 6) TOTAL 324/3 (82.1 Overs) Yet to bat: J Blackwood, SO

Dowrich †, JO Holder (c), KAJ Roach, AS Joseph, ST Gabriel Bowling: TAI Taylor 15-3-68-0, TP Milnes 17-2-65-1, J Taylor 10-1-40-0 AP Palladino 12.1-1-38-1, GTG Cork 13-2-53-0 M Sonczak 15-1-57-1 Fall of wickets:1-6 (KC Brathwaite, 3.2 ov), 2-159 (KOA Powell, 32.4 ov), 3-231 (KA Hope, 57.2 ov)

13-year-old schoolboy cricketer in England has taken six wickets in six balls, all of them clean bowled.

Luke Robinson produced his match-winning performance this week for Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Under13s, based near Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear in north-east England.

His family were all on hand to witness his remarkable achievement, with father Stephen having the best view of all -he was umpiring at the bowler’s end at the time.

Meanwhile mother Helen was the first person to record her son’s feat as she was scoring the match, while Luke’s younger brother Matthew was fielding and grandfather Glenn was watching from the boundary.

“It was surreal,” said Stephen Robinson, who plays for the senior side. “I have been playing for 30 years and have taken hat-tricks but never anything like this.

“Time stood still and I thought, ‘is this really happening?’“ (HindustanTimes)

sports

CLASSIFIED ADS SATURday, august 12, 2017 www.guyanatimesgy.com

ACCOMMODATIONS Conferences and retreats – full service: Hotel, Catering & Facilities.

Aracari Resort WBD – 264-2946 Alex Wayne Weddings and anniversaries: Rental or full service: Banquet Hall & Catering. Aracari Resort 264-2946 Alex Wayne

21

Guyana register five wins on opening day of CAREBACO

Aracari Hotel, WBD (Near Harbour Bridge) – All modern amenities, rates from $25. Phone 264-2946-8

FOR RENT Furnished apartment at lot 3E Public road, East Coast Demerara Contact 234-0302 Whatsapp 347-285-8250

LAND for sale No. 7 Village, West Coast Berbice.

86’ x 317’ Located on Public Road. $34 M. Neg. 622-6473 Raj, 648-6873 Bernard, 661-4604 Veronica

property for sale One two-flat building painted, equipped with lights, telephone, water, two overhead black tanks, two sheds and one outside bathroom.

Upper flat green heart wood, three bedrooms, veranda, inside and outside step. Bottom flat concrete inside, toilet and bathroom, one room, place to cook and eat with sink. Price $7M. Lot 218 Patenia Housing Scheme, Wales. Tel: 610-8963

SALON / SPA COSMETOLOGY – FULL COURSE $100,000. TECHNICIAN $40,000.

Aracari Salon & Spa, WBD 264-3312, 600-3927

services Attention all Patriotic Guyanese and overseas visitors in Guyana.

Greetings, interested in helping to developed yourself and this country? For a better tomorrow please contact Wesley Browne. Tel: 6963030 or wensey4life@gmail.com

spirituality & ASTROLOGY Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc. Call 651-9663/600-7719.

taxi services GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

TO LET Furnished 3-bedroom upstairs at 57 Turkeyen, US$700. Peter 2563887/693-1832

VEHICLES FOR SALE Toyota Allion PSS series. 2003 model $1.8M negotiable. Contact 681-3004

NOT RECEIVING YOUR

DAILY & SUNDAY COPIES OF THE

GUYANA TIMES in your area?

Contact our

Circulation Department on

Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 35

Action in the Mix Doubles U-17 category which featured Tyrese Jeffrey and Priyanna Ramdhani

T

eam Guyana started day one of the Caribbean Regional and International Badminton Championships with five wins on Thursday.

Priyanna Ramdhani showed early progress to secure two wins on the first day of the tournament which is currently being played at the National Racket Centre in Tacarigua, Trinidad.

In her Girls under-17 singles match, she had the better of Ria Hassanali of Trinidad and Tobago 21-1, 21-8.

Following was her success in the Mix Doubles under-17 quarterfinals which she won with Tyrese Jeffrey 21-15, 21-13.

The Guyanese dominated the first round of proceedings as Akili Haynes, Ramdhani, Jeffrey, Ambika Ramraj and Jonathan Mangra all tasted success.

The following is part of the opening day results; Under-13 Boys Singles Round 2: Vikash Mootoo (GUY) lost to Kye Isaac (TT): 21-10, 218. Under-17 Boys Singles Round 1: Akili Haynes defeated Mattaus Joatchim (TT): 22-20, 21-15.

Under-17 Boys Singles Round 2: Tyrese Jeffrey (GUY) defeated Aidan Mootoosingh (TT): 21-8, 21-7. Akili Haynes (GUY) lost to Daniel Acosta (DOM): 21-6, 21-13. Under-17 Girls Singles Round 1: Priyanna Ramdhani (GUY) defeated Ria

Hassanali (TT): 21-1, 21-8 Under-17 Mix Doubles Quarter-Finals: Priyanna Ramdhani and Tyrese Jeffrey (GUY): 21-15, 21-13 Under-19 Boys Singles Round 1: Jonathan Mangra (GUY) defeated Aleem Ali (TT): 21-13, 21-14 Under-19 Girls Singles Round 1: Ambika Ramraj (GUY) lost to Shemara LinDveld (SUR): 21-6, 21-7 Under-19 Boys Singles Round 2: Jonathan Mangra (GUY) lost Shane Wilson (JAM): 21-14, 22-20 Guyana is being represented by a nine-member contingent.

Brilliant Cuba frustrated in goalless draw with Barbados – CONCACAF U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers

By Michelangelo Jacobus

D

espite dominating the entire match, Cuba were left frustrated when their Group D clash with Barbados ended 0-0 at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora on Friday evening.

The Cuban U-17 ladies attacked from the first whistle and dominated possession as the Bajan players were made to look sluggish and out of their league.

Winger Elianne Surmiento was a constant threat as she kept finding her way behind Barbados backline but failed to convert from the many chances.

The Cuban midfield was majestic with breath taking passing and vision as they played controlled attacking football.

To the credit of the Barbadian side, they fought tooth and nail but were outmatched, outplayed and outran as the game wore on.

Cuba’s Elianne Surmiento (left) is a picture of concentration against Barbados

The two sides went into the halftime break with Barbados failing to make a single shot at the goal.

As play in the second half continued, the Cubans picked up right where they left off and continued creating chances and failing to

convert.

With 15 minutes left in the game Cuba was awarded a penalty as a Barbadian defender fouled the fleet footed Surmiento in the box resulting in the referee pointing to the spot.

Surmiento would fail

yet again as her penalty kick sent the ball crashing into the cross bar.

The game eventually petered out to a draw thus the two sides being awarded a point each. Barbados now tops the points table with four points. Cuba fol-

lows with a point while Guyana is yet receive.

At the post match conference, the Barbados Assistant Coach Gabrielle Lopez noted that the game was quite competitive even though she acknowledged that her team was outmatched. Lopez pointed out that despite being outplayed they Bajan outfit were happy with a draw.

Meanwhile her Cuban counterpart said that it was a good game noting that his side was superior and consistent but lamented their inability to convert their chances.

Asked about his side’s upcoming match against hosts Guyana on Sunday, he minced no words stating “we fight, fight, fight as we aim to win all our matches”.

The final game of the group will be played on Sunday at the same venue beginning at 17:00hrs as the Lady Jags bid for a victory against the Cubans.

22 Miller-Uibo gets Guyana invites Dr Wu to on the podium Caricom boxing meeting as Schippers defends title T GUYANATIMESgy.COM

SATURdAY, AUGUST 12, 2017

Netherlands' Dafne Schippers crosses the finish line ahead of Côte d'Ivoire's Marie-Josée Ta Lou (right) and Bahamas' Shaunae Miller-Uibo

T

he Netherlands' Dafne Schippers defended her IAAF World Championship 200 metre title on Friday, relegating the Bahamas' Shaunae MillerUibo to a bronze medal.

Schippers, winning in 22.05, also got the better of Côte d'Ivoire's Marie-Josée Ta Lou, who was earning her second silver medal of the championships after her efforts in the 100 metres.

Then Ta Lou got the better of Schippers, pushing her down to a bronze medal. benefitted Schippers from running a brilliant corner, to lead down the straightaway, just ahead of Ta Lou, who had all but made up the stagger at the end of the corner.

Ta Lou and Schippers were well away from Miller, whose very conservative corner left her fifth going into the the straight.

he Guyana Boxing Association has invited Dr Ching Kuo-Wu, president of AIBA to share his views on the present issues facing his organization with Caribbean presidents and boxing administrators. Wu was asked to be present at a meeting here on September 10. President of the GBA Steve Ninvalle recently dispatched an email to Wu requesting that he comes to Guyana, or sends a representative to assist in clarifying AIBA’s present status.

The letter to Wu reads: “Dear Dr Wu. Presidents and their representatives of the English speaking Caribbean Countries and Dutch Speaking Suriname will gather in Georgetown, Guyana on September 10, 2017 to discuss the issues surrounding AIBA presently. AIBA is being invited to send a representative to Guyana to share and present its views and or recommendations on the present situation in AIBA. Please note that an invitation

Dr Ching Kuo-Wu

is also being extended to the Interim Management Committee and AMBC to do the same, as our Membership has

mandated that all sides of this impasse be allowed to present to our National federations, their versions of a situation where we have received mixed and confusing signals and communication.”

A response from the embattled AIBA president is being awaited.

AIBA has been rocked recently by allegations of financial mismanagement and several Executive Committee members signed a document calling for Dr Wu to step down from the position that he has held for over a decade. At the upcoming Extra Ordinary Congress in Dubai national federations will vote on whether to have Wu removed from the helm.

Since a recent AIBA Executive Committee meeting in Moscow an Interim Management Committee headed by Italian Franco Falcinelli has claimed to be running the affairs of AIBA but this has been refuted by Wu who has put in motion a legal challenge.

Atkinson wins 100m breaststroke gold in Eindhoven leg of World Cup tour

Then the long legs of Miller-Uibo slowly began to draw the field back to her, but unfortunately for the tall Bahamian, she had not done enough work around the corner and ran out of real estate to finish fast in 22.15, well off her personal best of 21.91 this year.

Great Britain's Dina Asher-Smith with a season's best, 22.22, finished in fourth, the London crowd again having to watch one of their own finish just outside of medal positions.

The United States pair of Deejah Stevens, 22.44, and Kimberlyn Duncan, 22.59, were well beaten into fifth and sixth place, while Canada's Crystal Emmanuel was seventh in 22.60.

Rounding out the field was another Bahamian, 24-year-old, Tynia Gaither, who finished in 23.07 seconds. (SportsMax)

J

amaica’s swim queen Alia Atkinson continues to rack up gold medals on the FINA/Airweave World Cup. On Friday, at the Eindhoven leg of the tour, she won her fourth of the season taking the 100m breaststroke in 1:02.67, which was just outside her own world record of 1:02.36. The winning time was one of the fastest times in history in the short course swim.

In winning, Atkinson relegated her perennial rival Ruta Meilutyte to the silver medal. The Lithuanian was timed in 1:03.79 finishing ahead of the USA’s Breeja Larson who touched the wall in 1:04.81.

Atkinson has now won gold medals at each stop of the World Cup tour following successes in Berlin and Moscow. (SportsMax)

ANSA McAL, Bel Air Lions Club give back

P

articipants of the Tavel Foundation summer camp on Friday were the recipients of donations from the Consumable Goods department of ANSA McAL and the Lions Club of Bel Air. The boys and girls between the ages of 6-12 received book bags that contained stationery expected to come in handy as the new academic school year

approaches. These bags were donated by the Lions Club of Bel Air as part of their back to school project as well as in honour of World Youth Service week.

Meanwhile Consumable Goods Manager at ANSA McAL, Anietta Hinds noted that she would usually drive past the Roxanne Burnham playground where the camp is facilitated.

After meeting with the team,

a decision was made to give donations. The packages included jerseys, socks, water, a tent, a water pitcher and water. Hinds explained that she felt it her corporate responsibility to give back as she is in a position to do so; she encouraged others that are in the same position to also give back to the youths of Guyana as they are the future.

The donation will be a yearly

one according to Hinds.

Meanwhile Mark Young, a founder of the Tavel Foundation thanked both parties for their donations pointing out that the packages will come in handy for the children.

The summer camp which is in its second year is facilitated by Football Coach, Sampson Gilbert on at the Roxanne Burnham playfield.

The Foundation is East Ruimveldt-based and the football camp started on July 24 and concluded on Friday (August 11).

It was held on a Monday-Friday basis from 10:00h to 15:00h with lunch being provided for the participants. Other sponsors of the activity were Party Plus, Big Boss Trucking Service, Hunte Waste Management and Devcom Constructions.

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, august 12, 2017

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2017

Pollard plunders St Lucia Stars

A

brilliant innings by Barbados Tridents captain Kieron Pollard led the way in a 21 run victory (DLS method) for his team against St Lucia Stars in Match 8 of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League.

Pollard powered his way to a brutal 83 not out off 35 balls to help

the Barbados Tridents to a total of 196 for 6, the second highest score at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, and a total that proved too many for the St Lucia Stars in a rain-affected chase.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first the Tridents were given a solid, albeit unspectacular, start by their opening pair of Kane Williamson and Dwayne Smith. Their partnership of 72 came at a healthy rate of 7.84 runs per over and included eight fours and two sixes.

It took an excellent piece of fielding by Jesse Ryder, diving forward at short third man off the bowling of Kyle Mayers, to remove Smith for 36 who had edged a wide yorker. The very next ball the Tridents lost their second wicket when Shoaib Malik cut a wide ball straight to Ryder at point.

After the double-blow the Tridents appeared happy to consolidate but Williamson struggled to move out of first gear and eventually fell to another excellent catch in the deep on the leg side with Marlon Samuels running in and athletically diving forward. After 14 overs the Tridents were 96 for 3.

It was then that Pollard kicked into gear. Off the final six overs of the innings the Tridents plundered an

astonishing 100 runs, with Pollard scoring 77 of them.

Pollard’s innings was one of typical muscular power, with boundaries clubbed straight, clipped over mid-wicket or heaved through square leg.

Nicolas Pooran briefly threatened to match Pollard’s onslaught, hitting consecutive sixes off Jerome Taylor in the 17th over before being caught attempting a third the very next ball. That left Pollard to take on Taylor alone, and take him on he did.

Through a mixture of poor bowling, indifferent fielding and awesome power Pollard seized an incredible 36 runs off Taylor’s last eight deliveries including 28 off the last over as the St Lucia Stars wilted in the face of Pollard’s might.

The Stars required a record run-chase at the venue to win the match and were given an encouraging start by Andre Fletcher and Johnson Charles who took 36 off the first three overs.

The Tridents were fortunate to get the breakthrough when they did, Charles mis-timing a loose first delivery from Wahab Riaz straight to deep mid-wicket.

It was then that things begun to dramatically unravel for the Stars. In the space of 16 balls they lost five wickets, sliding from 36 for 0 to 53 for 5. Fletcher was

caught pulling off Wahab

by Pollard at square leg; Kamran Akmal was caught pulling off Imran Khan by Pollard at mid-wicket and both Marlon Samuels and Shane Watson fell driving loosely outside off stump to consecutive balls from Wayne Parnell. Ryder was also gone shortly after— caught mis-timing a pull off Parnell and in a matter of moments the Stars middle order had been gutted.

23

A rain shower delayed proceedings but when the players returned the match was sparked into life by Darren Sammy who razed the fastest fifty of the season - off just 23 balls. Yet just as it seemed that the Stars had found a way back into the contest the rain returned once more and with the Stars 21 runs shy of the DLS target the match was completed.

SCOREBOARD

Barbados Tridents Innings DR Smith c Ryder b Mayers 36 KS Williamson c Samuels b McClenaghan 46 Shoaib Malik c Ryder b Mayers 0 KA Pollard (c) not out 83 N Pooran † c Charles b Taylor 18 CD Barnwell not out 3 Extras 10 (b 1, lb 3, nb 2, w 4) TOTAL 196/4 (20 Overs, RR: 9.80) Did not bat: Wahab Riaz, AJ Hosein, WD Parnell, I Khan, R Rampaul Bowling: JE Taylor 4-0-55-1, MJ McClenaghan 4-0-32-1, KR Mayers 4-0-32-2, MN Samuels 3-0-20-0, DJG Sammy 1-0-17-0, S Shillingford 4-0-38-0 Fall of wickets:1-72 (DR Smith, 9.1 ov), 2-72 (Shoaib Malik, 9.2 ov), 3-94 (KS Williamson, 13.4 ov), 4-146 (N Pooran, 17.4 ov)

J Charles c Smith b Wahab Ria z 19 ADS Fletcher c Pollard b Wahab Riaz 17 JD Ryder c Hosein b Parnell 10 Kamran Akmal † c Pollard b Kha n 0 MN Samuels c †Pooran b Parnell 10 SR Watson c †Pooran b Parnell 0 DJG Sammy (c) not out 60 KR Mayers not out 8 Extras 5 (lb 1, w 4) TOTAL 129/6 (15.2 Overs, RR: 8.41) Did not bat: MJ McClenaghan, S Shillingford, JE Taylor Bowling: AJ Hosein 3-0-10-0, R Rampaul 3-0-41-0, WD Parnell 3-0-28-3, I Khan 4-0-22-1, Wahab Riaz 2.2-0-27-2 Fall of wickets:1-36 (J Charles, 4.1 ov), 2-41 (ADS Fletcher, 4.6 ov), 3-42 (Kamran Akmal, 5.2 ov), 4-53 (MN Samuels, 6.3 ov), 5-53 (SR Watson, 6.4 ov), 6-64 (JD Ryder, 8.5 ov)

Munro stars in Knight Underestimating newRiders’ win look Tallawahs could prove dangerous −Nixon over Warriors Martin Guptill of Guyana Amazon Warriors hits 6 during Match 9 of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League between Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders at Queen's Park Oval

SCOREBOARD

Guyana Amazon Warriors - 156/7(20.0 overs) C Walton † c McCullum b Cooper 36 M Guptill * c Pierre b Khan 24 B Azam lbw Narine 2 J Mohammed c Pierre b Khan 13 G Singh c Searles b Narine 7 R Primus c Pierre b Khan 23 S Tanvir c Cooper b Khan 11 K Paul Not out 14 R Emrit Not out 11 Extras (10 wd,4 lb,1 B) 15 Total (7 wickets, 20 overs) 156 Did not bat : R Khan, S Jacobs Fall of wickets : 1-40 (M Guptill,3.1), 2-50 (B Azam,4.4), 3-77 (C Walton,8.3), 4-89 (J Mohammed,11.1), 5-97 (G Singh,12.6),

6-131 (R Primus,17.4), 7-131 (S Tanvir,17.5)

Trinbago Knight Riders - 162/3(19.0 overs) B McCullumc Singh b Tanvir 0 S Narine c Mohammed b Jacobs 23 C Munro Not out 70 DM Bravo c Walton b Primus 17 D Ramdin † Not out 42 Extras (7 wd,3 lb,) 10 Total (3 wickets, 19 overs)162 Did not bat : DJ Bravo *, S Khan, R Frylinck, J Searles, K Cooper, K Pierre Fall of wickets : 1-0 (B McCullum,0.1), 2-79 (S Narine,7.3), 3-106 (DM Bravo,13.2)

St Lucia Stars Innings

A

fter being shorn of three of its biggest stars, Jamaica Tallawah’s head coach Paul Nixon believes any likely proclivity to underestimate the current crop of players could work out as a major positive for the new Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season.

Led by T20 top-runs scorer Chris Gayle, one of the game’s best all-rounders Andre Russell and a consistent Chadwick Walton the Jamaica-based franchise captured their second straight title last season.

Since then, however, Gayle has moved to the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Russell has been suspended for missed doping test violations and Walton has been picked up by the Guyana Amazon Warriors. Despite signing Trinidad and Tobago batsman Lendl Simmons in the offseason the general belief seems to be that the team is short on the talent needed to retain the crown.

Nixon, however, begs to differ.

"On paper people probably think we're the weakest because we're missing those three big guns," Nixon, who led the team to victory in the inaugural tournament told NewsandStar.

"Hopefully that will work in our favour,” he added.

"It makes it a good challenge for us. We've got three new faces - a young lad called Kennar Lewis, a big-hitting opening batsman, a really exciting all-rounder called Odean Smith, and we've got Krishmar Santokie, who was with Jamaica, left, and has now come back - he's a clever left-arm seamer.”

The Tallawahs have got off to a fair start to the new season after winning two of their first three games.(SportsMax)

Paul Nixon

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

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Munro stars in Knight Riders’ win over Warriors

Pg 23

Khary Pierre (L) Javon Searles (2L) Kevon Cooper (2R) and Dwayne Bravo (R) of Trinbago Knight Riders celebrate the dismissal of Jason Mohammed of Guyana Amazon Warriors during Match 9 of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League between Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders at Queen's Park Oval

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2017

Pollard plunders St Lucia Stars Pg 23

Wayne Parnell ( centre) celebrates with team mates after taking one of a three wickets

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Sport: sport@guyanatimesgy.com Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 SALES AND MARKETING - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.