Guyana times 20 june 2017

HJ raises awareness P17 against domestic violence Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3247

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

PRICE

WPA members mull breakaway from coalition

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Lawrence mulls heightened security at health facilities P11

Page 7

Pomeroon coconut farmers affected by red palm mite …production dropped significantly – farmer

P11

…cite disrespect, side-lining from Govt

Jagdeo describes Trotman’s attack as “fatuous antics”

Teen killed P2 after slamming into lorry Red House lease challenge

P11

Plaintiff fears being ejected forcefully … requests conservatory order

Page 3

…lacks knowledge of matters relating to Ministry

Guyana may feel effects of Tropical Storm Bret Page 17

…CAL,Liat cancel flights

Cocaine mule nabbed at Ogle airport Page 5

Former landlord takes Minister Broomes to court for rent Page 9

…Govt owes $1,560,000

Labourer killed in P7 suspected hit and run Parking P5 meter official charged for shooting child

2 news

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Teen killed after Cocaine mule nabbed at Ogle airport slamming into lorry A

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teenager was killed after he reportedly crashed into a lorry along a trail at Monkey Mountain, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Fifteen-year-old Huston Stanislaus of Monkey Mountain reportedly rode his All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) out from a track and into the path of a truck that was travelling along the access road on Friday last.

The young man sustained severe injuries to his lower body, and died before receiving medical attention.

The teen’s body was transported by air to the Mahdia Hospital Mortuary.

A team of Police ranks has travelled to the area to conduct the investigation.

Only recently, the Police disclosed that fatal accidents were reduced to 29.3 per cent with a total of 44 fatalities recorded for the

year by the end of May. This is against 62 fatalities recorded for the same period last year. In addition, there was also a 75 per cent decrease in deaths of children as a result of accidents.

The Police also revealed that serious, minor and damage accidents have declined 16.4 per cent, 32 per cent and 36.3 per cent respectively.

With regard to traffic violations, the Police in a release stated that 28,822 cases were made out from January to May. Of this number, 7475 were for speeding; 1402 for Breach of Conditions of Road Service Licence/Music; 1040 for Driving Under the Influence (DUI); 732 for using a cellphone while driving; 664 for Breach of Traffic Light Signals and 646 for tinted motor vehicles.

Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara man was on Sunday arrested at the Eugene F Correia International Airport at Ogle, East Coast Demerara after confessing that he had swallowed at least 72 pellets of cocaine.

Randolph Muir, also known as “Roach” of Lot 3 L Enterprise, Mahaicony, ECD, was seen acting in a suspicious manner by members of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).

Muir was an outgoing passenger on a LIAT flight destined for Barbados.

However, after the man

was observed perspiring profusely, he was confronted by members of the drug enforcement unit and was questioned. He was taken into a detention room and during further interrogation, confessed to swallowing the illegal substance.

Muir was then escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he excreted 72 pellets containing 592 grams of cocaine.

He is presently under guard at the medical facility, and is expected to make a court appearance on Wednesday on a charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The 72 pellets containing 592 grams of cocaine

World Blood Donor Day

GTT staff donate 34 units of blood

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taff members of the GTT have donated 34 units of blood to the National Blood Bank in observance of World Blood

Donor Day 2017 –June 14.

Held at the company’s headquarters, the blood donation exercise was an initiative of GTT staff and is

Staff members of GTT during the blood donation exercise

intended to potentially save the lives of persons in need of blood.

National Blood Bank Phlebotomist Yonette Jeffrey highlighted that the 34 pints of blood were received from the GTT team in quite timely fashion, since several paediatric surgeries scheduled for the end of this week require adequate supplies of blood.

The GTT staff who initiated the blood donation ex-

ercise are encouraging employees of other companies to organize a similar activity at their places of work.

World Blood Donor Day is observed by countries around the world every year on June 14. The event, established in 2004, serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products, and to thank blood donors for their voluntary lifesaving gifts of blood.

news

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Tuesday, June 20 – a night retraction at 01:00h and a day retraction from 14:00h-15:30h and Wednesday, June 21 – a night retraction at 02:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, June 20 – 13:20h-14:50h and Wednesday, June 21 – 14:15h-15:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Thundery showers and heavy to light rainfall can be expected during the day, while clear skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from East South-easterly to East North-easterly between 3.12 metre and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 13:27h reaching a maximum height of 2.48 metres.

Jagdeo describes Trotman’s attack as “fatuous antics” …lacks knowledge of matters relating to Ministry

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hile Natural R e s o u r c e s Minister Raphael Trotman’s verbal outburst in the National Assembly on Thursday evening has been viewed by some as a major hype for the Government, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday said the minister’s “fatuous antics” were designed to cover up his incompetence and lack of knowledge on subject matters relating to his ministry, as well as economics and finance.

Jagdeo told a news conference on Monday that his presentation had an-

Low Tide: 06:57h and 19:20h reaching minimum heights of 0.69 metre and 0.71 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, June 17, 2017

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MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2017

DAILY MILLIONS 06 08 15 20 22

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

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Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

gered the minister, and this had led the minister to behave in a manner “improper” for a sitting Member of Parliament (MP).

However, the Opposition Leader observed that Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, did not attempt to reprimand the minister, but had instead allowed him to continue with his rants.

The former Head of State said he has always regarded Trotman as a mediocre lawyer, Speaker of the National Assembly and minister of government, and he was not surprised by Trotman’s action in Parliament.

“He was smarting from the exposure of his incompetence. Rather than trying to defend it, he descended into

ture as an individual.

“Trotman has been trying to carefully cultivate an image of efficiency, reasonableness; that he is sophisticated, suave, and he is above the fray. I believe he is slick, inefficient, and one of the most hostile people in the APNU/AFC coalition; and this behaviour is the real Trotman. What you saw there, we’ve seen it on the

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

his antics,” Jagdeo observed.

Jagdeo recalled that Trotman had attempted to get the Speaker to have him barred from speaking, and when that did not work, “because he knows of his own deficiency -- he cannot respond without somebody writing a brief for him to those matters that were raised in the debate,” he started to attack him.

“Being incapable of responding to technical and economic analysis, what do you do? You descend into this fatuous antic that he displayed in the Parliament.

I’ve never seen somebody’s face contorted with rage as he has displayed in Parliament. He was shaking uncontrollably and largely because he felt incompetent and exposed, so he went after me,” the Opposition Leader said.

Although some persons were surprised by the minister’s behaviour in Parliament, Jagdeo said it revealed Trotman’s true na-

street corners and in many places.” Generally speaking about the Government’s posture and general mode of response to critiques about policies and programmes that are highly questionable, Jagdeo said they (Government) have become “this very touchy when you expose their incompetence and their lack of vision for Guyana.” turn to page 7

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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

Childhood development

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ccording to findings from the recently-published ‘The Lancet’s Series, Advancing Early Childhood Development: from Science to Scale’ an estimated 43 percent—249 million—of children under five in low-and middle-income countries are at an elevated risk of poor development due to extreme poverty and stunting.

The Caribbean regional launch of the series took place immediately following the 32 Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) on Education, and was hosted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat.

The Series has once again made a strong case for Governments and other stakeholders to work towards designing and implementing effective policies and programmes and allocate the necessary resources to ensure early childhood development.

According to the authors of the Series, early childhood development interventions that promote nurturing care— health, nutrition, responsive caregiving, security and safety, and early learning—may cost very little, when combined with existing services such as health.

Sylvie Fouet, Representative of UNICEF - Guyana and Suriname, was quoted by CARICOM as saying: “The science and economics are clearly on the side of investing in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. The cost of not doing so is higher. Children fall behind long before they set foot in school.”

There is therefore need for increased global commitment to early childhood development. The consequences of inaction impact not only present but future generations. In the region, there is less public provisioning for early childhood education, especially for the 0-2 year age group, as opposed to the preschool years. For example, it was explained that the uneven funding distribution across sectors is striking; expenditure on pre-primary as share of government expenditure on education is only 2.9% compared to primary at 34.9% and 40.3% for secondary education.

One of the authors of the Lancet Series, Rafael PérezEscamilla, Professor of Epidemiology & Public Health, Director of the Office of Public Health Practice, and Director of the Global Health Concentration at the Yale School of Public Health, presented the research findings and recommendations to Ministers of Education from several CARICOM member states, as well as Regional Education officials at the COHSOD Meeting.

The Series authors propose several ways the global community can scale-up support for early childhood development services; these include by; encouraging the adoption and implementation of policies to create supportive environments for families to provide nurturing care for young children, building capacity and strengthening coordination to promote early childhood development through existing health, nutrition, education, social, and child protection services, strengthening measurement and ensuring accountability for early childhood development services, increasing research, and fostering global and regional leadership and action and expanding political will and funding through advocacy for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Guyana must be commended for placing the issue of early childhood development high on its national development agenda. In September 2015, the Government, through a US$1.7M grant from the World Bank, launched its Early Childhood Development Project. The project, which came as a result of intense discussions between early childhood educators and other relevant officials, is aimed at improving the emergent literacy and numeracy outcomes for children at the nursery level and primary Grade one in hinterland regions.

The first component of the project caters for capacity building for nursery and Grade one teachers and is aimed at improving the quality of instruction and learning at the nursery and Grade 1 levels by strengthening teachers’ knowledge, particularly with regard to the implementation of new strategies for the development of emergent literacy and numeracy skills, through an in-service teacher training programme. The second component of the project targets improved supply of teaching and learning materials.

The issue of early childhood development must be taken seriously by all stakeholders as research has shown that a child’s brain develops faster in the first 2-3 years than at any other time in life. It was proven that these early years are also a critical period of adaptability and responsiveness to interventions.

Patron of the Arts. Caricom Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque as he views some of the art work on display by students of the University of Guyana in their end of year show, entitled Aspects of Perception: The Renaissance at the Umana Yana, Kingston on Monday

Violation of Accountability Act by GRA

Dear Editor, The 2015 Auditor General’s Report highlighted the continual violation of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, 2003 (FMA) by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The GRA is in the habit of pointing fingers at all and sundry – especially members of the private sector – regarding their alleged violating the law; but when it comes to their own internal transgressions, they make a determined attempt to spin the truth.

On Page 47 of the 2015 Auditor General’s Report, it reveals that the last GRA Report laid in Parliament

was the 2014 Report. I enquired and found that the 2015 Report is still to be laid in Parliament. This is a total violation of the law, which clearly states, in Article 74 of the FMA, that nine (9) months after the closure of the year, the financial statement of all of these entities should be presented to Parliament. So where is the GRA’s Annual Report for 2015?

These acts of the GRA – proverbially trying to paint their own grave white in order to make it look good compared to others – have set a dangerous precedent, because the GRA continues to fail to acknowledge that it

has lots of skeletons in its own closet; exposing the hypocrisy of the leadership of that agency.

Organizations like the Ministry of Finance, Bank of Guyana, and the GRA ought to be the gold standard on public financial behaviour.

To the credit of the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Guyana, they have published their financial statement for 2016 and continue to meet their statutory publication of data. The GRA, on the other hand, is still to publish its 2015 and 2016 financial statements. This state of affair exposes the lack of focus on accountability at the highest levels in the GRA, and Mr

Statia has to be held accountable for this transgression.

I am calling upon the Minister to read the Riot Act to the management of the GRA, so that agency can make right by the people.

Further, civil society -- especially the Private Sector Commission, should raise this as an agenda item for the next meeting with the Minister.

Based on the information coming out of GRA of late, there seems to be a lot of financial skullduggery in that agency.

Sincerely, Sase Singh, MSc - Finance, ACCA

Incompetent, inexperienced, unqualified consultants, contractors Dear Editor, It has been reported in the media on June 7, that a Government investigation into the collapse of the Palmyra monument on April 26, found that failure was due primarily to a poorly designed earthen foundation supporting the structure.

Also, failure of the masonry blocks filled in with mortar for the base support was probably due to their low compressive strength. However, poorly cast masonry blocks filled in with concrete would not have increased the crushing strength of the blocks significantly, as was reported.

The previous PPP/C Govt. had apparently assigned Design Consultants Services Ltd. (DCSL) to prepare the preliminary design. Specifications and estimated cost to construct this project was given at $125M. Construction, however, was

kept on hold until the newly elected APNU/AFC Govt. decided to resurrect the project; and based on a revision of the DCSL design by its appointed consultant, FEBCAM, the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture decided to proceed with project execution.

Accordingly, Innovative Engineering Consultant Services (IECS) were appointed to prepare the final design; and FEBCAM, as supervisory consultant and alternate contracting enterprise (ACE) was appointed primary contractor.

During design of the project, IECS observed that soil data was required for the foundation design, in order to determine the strength and consolidation characteristics of the soil, and its capability of supporting the stresses imposed by the structure.

IECS therefore requested

the applicable soils data to complete its design, but was advised by the Ministry of Culture that geotechnical investigation was not carried out and would not be done, since no budgetary allowance was made for this aspect of project work.

At this stage of its work, IECS should have walked away from its contract, since the Govt. had to provide the soils data, and no professional engineer could design the foundation for a structure of seeming complexity without adequate soil data.

Instead, it was reported that IECS used historic soil data to prepare the foundation design, which, when used during construction, was a major cause of the structure’s collapse.

Similarly, it is not clear whether the specification had listed the minimum crushing strength require-

ments for the mortar-filled blocks, which also failed. A concrete-testing laboratory should have tested the blocks during construction, to ensure they met design requirements.

Failure of the Palmyra Monument, Kato Secondary School, and several other public works’ projects indicates that the APNU+AFC Govt continues to employ incompetent, inexperienced, and generally unqualified consultants, construction supervisors and contractors for its civil engineering projects.

Firstly, these service providers should be pre-qualified, to ensure that they have the relevant qualification, experience, and other parameters to competently undertake their given assignments.

Continued reluctance to do so would only add to failures and cost escalation of public works’ projects. continues on page 5

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News Health centres equipped to deal Parking meter official with increased cases of ‘red eye’ charged for shooting child T A n official of Smart City Solutions Inc (SCSI), the company that was given the highly controversial contract to erect parking meters across the city of Georgetown, has been charged with the accidental shooting of a 10-year-old boy in Prince’s Bay, Staten Island in the State of New York.

Semion Mosheshvili, 42, who resides at Hewlett, New York, made an appearance at the Richmond County Criminal Court recently where he was charged.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges of criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, first degree reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child.

SILive.com reported that the child, who was shot Saturday, was rushed to the hospital by the shooter's wife, according to the defendant's attorney, Arthur Gershfeld.

Semion Mosheshvili

"When my client's wife took the (victim) to the hospital, my client took his children home," said Gershfeld. "As soon as the detective called, we went to the (123 Police) Precinct.”

It was also reported that Mosheshvili, a longtime friend of the homeowners, was visiting from Long Island with his wife. Their five children also were in

the house at the time of the incident.

"My client had no idea the gun was loaded," the Attorney said. "They're not ruthless people."

Police said the gun was licensed to a woman who lives at the house and that Mosheshvili allegedly began handling the 9mm handgun on the second floor and it went off.

Although Prosecutors requested US$20,000 bail, based on reports he fled the scene before Police arrived, the presiding judge, Raymond Rodriguez set bail at US$10,000 bond or US$5000 cash.

Mosheshvili’s wife was in attendance at his arraignment and paid for his release.

Neighbours said they did not hear any shots Saturday on what typically was a quiet street.

The victim, who authorities said was a neighbour, was at home recuperating.

he Campbellville Health Centre has seen a dramatic increase in cases of conjunctivitis better known as ‘red eye,” compared to the entire month of May. During the period June 12-16, 2017, 179 cases were recorded, as compared to 24 cases in May. Speaking with Government Information News Agency (GINA) Dr Angelique Parkinson of the Campbellville Health Centre urged persons who feel that their eyes are infected should visit the nearest Health Centre in their Community as soon as possible.

Dr Parkinson that, “Red eye is usually a self-limiting condition which means that within a week a person will recover from the symptoms so it is better to seek care at the primary health care level rather than the emergency department of GPHC,” she urged., “For this type of condition it is best to visit the health centre closest to you rather than appearing at the emergency department of the public hospital,”

she added Conditions of ‘red eye’ include a sandy feeling in one or both eyes, itching or burning sensation in one or both eyes, excessive tearing, discharge from one or both eyes, swollen eyelids, Pink discoloration to the whites of one or both eyes and increased sensitivity to light.

It is important for persons who have red eye to note that if they touch their infected eyes and touch simple things the virus will spread Dr. Parkinson pointed out.

Persons are advised to avoid touching eyes with your hands, wash hands frequently with soap and water, use anti-bacterial hand sanitizer, avoid sharing towels, blankets and pillow cases. Persons should not use anyone else’s eye makeup, face make up, makeup brushes, contact lenses or eye glasses, and should not use swimming pools.

It is also recommended that if you have red eye you apply a cold pack to the affected eye, two to three times daily for 10-15 minutes, or use anti-inflammatory drugs prescribes by a health worker.

Conjunctivitis

Incompetent, inexperienced, unqualified...

Performance bonds should be mandatory for all contracts, as this would enable the Govt. to recoup its expenditures when contractors fail to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of their obligations. Those firms that fail to perform should also

be barred from future Govt. assignments, at least for a specified period.

Finally, the APNU/ AFC Govt should recognize that many, if not all of its Ministries, do not have the required technical personnel, with the training, competence and experience to

undertake execution and oversight of many of its engineering projects.

The Palmyra project clearly bears this out, as the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture technical personnel did not comprehend the importance of geotechnical investigations

from page 4

and material testing, such as the determination of masonry blocks’ strength requirements for the design and construction of this structure, in accordance with generally accepted standards.

Yours truly, Charles Sohan

When the conjunctiva;

the thin transparent layer of tissue that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye becomes swollen or infected, it is known as Conjunctivitis, or ‘red eye.

Types of Conjunctivitis are the Viral Conjunctivitis occurs with symptoms of a cold, flu, or other respiratory infection. It begins in one eye and may spread to the other eye within days and discharge from the eye is usually watery rather than thick.

Bacterial Conjunctivitis usually begins in one eye and sometimes spreads to the other eye. Discharge is normally of pus, a yellow-green color and can occur with an ear infection.

Allergic Conjunctivitis may occur with symptoms of allergy, such as an itchy nose, sneezing, a scratchy throat, or asthma and Conjunctivitis Caused by Irritants can produce watery eyes and mucus discharge.

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

By Debbie Pincus

D

As?

o you have a child who comes home with failing grades year after year – or straight Cs when you know he could get

You assume, based on his abilities, that he should be more successful in school. It’s enough to drive you crazy – especially because you know how important it is for him to do well so he can get into college someday – or even just graduate. You’re worried sick about his future, so you nag and get on his case about his laziness, lack of motivation and irresponsibility. You just don’t get why he’s so uninterested in doing well, so you try everything you can think of to motivate him.

But try as you might, the situation doesn’t get better – in fact, it gets worse.

The truth is, most children are motivated, but not by what we think should motivate them.

As a parent, it’s difficult not to become invested in our child’s academic life because we know how important it is for their future.

From our perspective, it makes no sense that our children would put things like friends or electronics before their work. The truth is, most children are motivated, but not by what we think should motivate them. Look at it this way: your child is probably highly motivated and not at all lazy when it comes to things that excite him, like video games, music, Facebook and what cool new jeans to buy. One thing for certain is that if you pressure your child in order to motivate him, it almost always makes things worse. Understand that children need to buy into the value of doing well. Think about it in terms of your own life—even as an adult, you may know it’s best to eat right, but actually following through is another story! In a way, your child must own the importance of doing well himself. Of course, external factors may also get in the way (mental or physical illnesses, learning disabilities or behavioural disorders, family issues and substance abuse, to name a few).

For some people, all the stars are aligned at the right time – motivation, skill and attitude combine to create a successful outcome. But for most of us, it’s way trickier and a much more uneven path to motivation and success. When you think about it, not every child asks teachers for help, does all

their homework on time all the time, reviews the material they learned each night and puts aside all the other distractions to get down to their studies. The ones who do are typically the children who have what is called “good executive functioning”, because the front part of their brain is more developed. This plays a significant role in school achievement. It helps the regulation of emotions, attention span, perseverance, and flexibility. For many, many children their functioning often does not develop until much later in the adolescent years. This is particularly tough if you are a parent who was responsible at an early age, but you now have a child lagging behind. It’s hard to imagine that they’re not just lazy, irresponsible and unmotivated. Of course, if you start believing these things about your child, you will simply get annoyed, frustrated, angry, and reactive to their laziness – which will contribute to the power struggle and to their to their defiance. How can you avoid doing this? Read on to find out.

Keep a relationship with your children that is open, respectful and positive Stay on your children’ team, don’t play against them. This will allow you to be most influential with them, which is your most important parenting tool. Punishing, preaching, threatening and manipulating will get you nowhere and will be detrimental to your relationship and to their ultimate motivation. Your feelings of anxiety, frustration and fear are normal and understandable. But reacting to your children out of these emotions will be ineffective. Remember, your child is not behaving this way on purpose to make your life miserable or because they are lazy goodfor-nothings. When you feel yourself getting worked up, try saying to yourself, “My child is just not there yet.” Remember, your job is to help them learn how to be responsible. If you get negative and make this a moral issue, then your child might become defiant, reacting to you instead of thinking through things himself.

Incorporate the “when you” rule One of life’s lessons is that we get the goodies after we do the work. When you practise shooting hoops every day, you start making more baskets. You get paid after you work at your job. So start saying things like, “When you finish studying you are

welcome to go to Gavin’s house.” Or “When your homework is completed, we can discuss watching that movie you wanted to see on Netflix.” Enforce this rule and stick to it. If your child does not yet have the ability to plan and initiate and persevere, by sticking to this rule, you are helping them learn how to do what their own brain is not yet equipped to do, which is to create the structure for him.

When you are invited in If your child is not studying and his grades are dropping, you’re invited in whether he wants you or there or not. Again, you’re there to help set up a structure that he is not able to create for himself. The structure might include scheduled study times, having the computer out in a public place in your home, and saying, “No video games or TV until after homework is done”. You might decide that he must spend a certain amount of hours devoted to study time. During this time, no electronics or other distractions are allowed. You might make the rule that even if he finishes all his homework, he must complete study time by reviewing, reading, or editing. You might make the rule that he devotes an hour-and-a-half to quiet time, no electronics, and just doing his work.

Understand that it’s not meant as punishment; rather, this is helping him develop a good work ethic and to focus on his school subjects. Some children do better listening to music while they study, but no other electronics or multi-tasking is recommended.

CONTINUED FROM MONDAY

By Dr Michael Ascher, Dr Robert Garfield Dr Stephanie Heck

Show physical affection

Society has presented fathers with confusing advice about showing physical affection, particularly with their sons, because of the mistaken notion that this encourages weakness of character. There’s more evidence to the contrary, however. Psychologist and historian Lloyd DeMause points out that boys’ problems with aggression and lack of impulse control is more connected to the lack of tender nurturance, physical touch, and verbal cooing they receive as infants rather than testosterone levels, which are relatively equal in boys and girls during early childhood years (10).

Consequently, boys don’t learn to self-soothe as well as girls do. Dads, it’s okay to hug and kiss your boys and girls as much as you want, for as long as you want — as long as they enjoy it.

Learn to let go

If you’ve done your job well as a parent, eventually your kids will be able to leave home and live on their own. This doesn’t happen all at once, and many kids, even after high

Ask the teacher If your child’s grades and work habits are not up to par, you can set up a plan by sitting down with him and his teachers. He might have to check with them to make sure he has everything before leaving school, and then check with you before going back to school to make sure all his work is in his bag. Once your child gets better at managing his time, completing his work and reviewing his subjects before tests, then it’s time for you to back off.

(Excerpt from empoweringparents.com) school, have periods of returning to live at home while they work on becoming independent. Because control is such an important aspect of the Male Code, many fathers have trouble letting go and trusting their children, and struggle with the emotions of loss that accompany this transition. You can have a continued mentoring role with your adult kids as they go through this period of separation, as a caring father who respectfully checks in and is interested in sharing his feelings and finding out about his children’s lives. Believe it or not, your children appreciate this kind of “post-graduate” relationship. It opens the door for your having a mature friendship with them over time.

Honour your partner

Remember that fathering is generally done in partnership. Women have carried the load of parenting, physically and emotionally, for generations, and haven’t gotten the respect they deserve for the hard work they’ve done. As you develop your identity as a first-rate father, remember to honor your partner in this process, female or male. In doing so, honor the role that feminism and gender equality continue to play in allowing you to become this kind of dad. Your children will absorb this and appreciate the attitude of respect and carry it with them as they develop into healthy adults.

Know yourself

One way to improve all aspects of your life as a father and partner is to get to know yourself. Don’t shy away from entering psychotherapy if you are struggling in any of the areas we’ve listed. We routinely see men’s relationships, emotional lives, parenting abilities, and success at balancing life and work improve as a result of the self-exploration process. As you become more comfortable with who you are, as you face yourself with openness, honesty, and acceptance, you will build stronger bonds than you ever imagined, and will lead a more fulfilling life. Knowing yourself often takes courage, but the benefits are boundless. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

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WPA members mull Labourer breakaway from coalition killed in

suspected hit and run

…cite disrespect, side-lining from Govt

T

he executives of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) may have found themselves proverbially between a rock and a hard place, as they have been receiving heavy pressure from members and supporters here and abroad to cut ties with the APNU (A Partnership for National Unity).

However, the party which claims to be the premiere unit that has been pushing for a government of national unity has said it is not even considering that suggestion at this time, although it feels highly sidelined by the People’s National Congressled APNU. The PNC is a major stakeholder in the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

The Working People’s Alliance had, in 2011, joined forces with the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the Guyana Action Party (GAP) and the Justice for All Party (JFAP), among others, to form the A Partnership for National Unity coalition that contested the General and Regional elections of that year.

Six years down the line, after being successful at another shot at the elections, the WPA has said it feels shafted by the coalition

Government.

WPA executive member Tacuma Ogunseye on Monday said there is no doubt the party and fellow members have been given second-class treatment by the major partner in the APNU coalition.

“We in the WPA believe that when you look at the way in which the relationship unfolded in the APNU, the WPA was effectively side-lined; there is no question about that. You may argue about why and so on, but we feel that any objective examination will be forced to come to that conclusion.”

The party’s top brass is scheduled to meet with other members of the APNU in July, and Ogunseye has said that meeting would provide WPA executives with answers to give their members on the way forward for the party. “There we will have a frank discussion with our partners, and use the opportunity to assess the way in which they respond to our concerns. And after that exercise, we will come back and decide on a line of action.

But the approach of that meeting is to try to be (as) objective as possible, and try to enter the discourse with 100 per cent goodwill,” Ogunseye explained.

He said the meeting

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Executive members of the WPA at the party’s press conference on Monday

could have a very serious impact on the future of relations between the WPA and its partners.

And executive member Dr David Hinds has said there are a range of opinions in the WPA in regard to how the party should treat Government.

“It ranges from those who feel that we should disengage with Government immediately… We are confident that if we should hold a members’ meeting, there would be a strong opinion among our members for us to disengage from the Government,” he revealed.

He said the meeting with Government would inform the WPA executive what to tell the membership. He explained that the party has to manage all of the views within the party, especially

since the WPA has come out of a different tradition from its partners.

According to him, the party has emerged from the radical traditions of the 1970s, when it always felt the need for a critical voice against government and authority.

“And so, therefore, the fact that we are part of Government in a sense creates a kind of contradiction that we have got to work through. We have got to balance support for the Government, but of course (retain) support for our tradition; which is one that questions power. He said the partners in the APNU coalition did not come from such a tradition, but have, in fact, been holders of power for the most part.

“So here we are, part of

power, but also with the responsibility of questioning power; and so we have to balance that,” Hinds told reporters.

He said it has not been an easy task, especially since the party has always been championing the cause of coalition Government.

“So therefore, we have been the party of coalition, and so we do not want to be the party that kills a coalition,” he said as he noted that the party is trying to do the best that it can, but should not be disrespected or taken for granted.

Hinds make it clear that although the WPA might not have garnered many votes within the coalition, it had, over the years, been a critical player in shaping public opinion and ideas in Guyana.

Jagdeo describes Trotman’s...

FROM PAGE 3

In reflecting on some of the points he had made during Thursday’s debate in Parliament, Jagdeo told the local media that his presentation was based on facts that the Government was unwilling to accept; and instead of taking the statements as a piece of advice, they decided to attack him.

Jagdeo mentioned that he was basically advising the Government to paint an entire picture of the prospects and opportunities of oil and gas, as well as the risks associated with that new industry. “When we pointed out the risks, they said that’s the profit of doom, but that is a realistic assessment of what could be prospects or negatives of the industry,” the Opposition Leader asserted.

The trained economist stated that Government was focused on emphasising on the prospect that large sums of money will flow in, because “it suits their narrative of selling hope of a brighter future.” However, he strongly believes that they are doing an inept job of managing the current sectors.

“And that is why they are so hostile and angry about any narrative that tries to paints a balanced picture of the oil industry. Any rightthinking Guyanese can relate to this, because if oil prices can bring large quantities of money, if oil prices

globally are very low, then these huge sums of money we are talking about may not materialize for significant periods,” he added.

The former Head of State, pointing to an example, recalled that when the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) left office in 2015, a barrel of crude was US$120.

However, within a matter of six months, it had dropped steeply to US$28, before climbing back to US$50 within the last two years.

“So a lot of the profit oil and proceeds are dependent on international prices. Why do you think that Saudi Arabia and many of the other countries in the Middle East had to embark on diversification? Because they were heavily reliant on oil flows, and those are not coming in, and therefore it is decimating their reserves,” Jagdeo said.

Another argument that Jagdeo thinks had angered the minister and coalition Government is the fact that he had raised concerns that there was no clear or wellthought-out assessment of the oil industry in Guyana, yet emphasis was continuously being placed only on the prospects.

Jagdeo argued that if this continues, then the Government could eventually end up destroying the rest of the economy, especially if

the so-called brighter future through oil never materialises.

“That is why they are saying we are painting a picture of doom, because we are exposing the underbelly of their arguments: the false hopes that they sell to many people -- that oil will resolve everything, and oil has not resolved everything around the world,” he added.

The PPP General Secretary also accused the minister of speaking unwisely and foolishly about big projects which most of the technical people recognise are not feasible.

“How can we trust the judgment of a minister who doesn’t understand that you have to do the basic economic feasibility studies -- you have to have a purchaser of the service before you make an investment of that nature, and that there is something called opportunity cost?” he further asked.

Touching on another important issue that is often discussed by Trotman: the setting up of a Sovereign Wealth Fund for the oil industry, Jagdeo said that although the Government has not revealed many details about how it would go about setting up this fund, he had suggested that the Norwegian model, which insulates the spending from the political process, be used.

he body of a man was on Monday morning found along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway with injuries consistent with a hit-and-run accident.

Dead is 27-year-old Mokesh Tobin, a labourer of Waikabra, SoesdykeLinden Highway.

Reports are the mangled body was discovered about 07:15h in the vicinity of the Murudi Public Road, Soesdyke-Linden Highway The body was identified

by Tobin’s wife a few hours later, while it was still on the roadway as the Police were conducting their investigations. At the scene, there were pieces of glass and other debris that the Police suspect had come from the vehicle that was involved in the accident. A portion of the registration plate was also retrieved from the scene.

The body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home to await a post-mortem examination. The Police are continuing their investigations.

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tuesDAY, june 20, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GRA to install tax processing, fraud detection software

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he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will be implementing a

more modern, and customized solution, the United Nations Conference on

Unity…

Security guard charged for wounding …released on $60,000 bail

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rraigned on Monday before Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman, 45-year-old security guard Paula Gill of Laing Avenue, Georgetown admitted that, on June 15, 2017, at Charlestown Secondary School, she had unlawfully assaulted Suesattie Latchand so as to cause her actual bodily harm.

Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves, in disclosing the facts of the matter, told the court that both the VC and defendant are security guards at the school; and on the day in question, the defendant asked the VC to clean the guard hut, as it was reportedly in an unsanitary condition.

This precipitated an ar-

gument that escalated into a scuffle, during which the VC sustained injuries to her body. He said the VC, who had failed to attend court, is being cross-charged, and an arrest warrant has been issued for her arrest.

The defendant, also, explained to the court that the incident escalated into a scuffle after the VC had grabbed her. “She hit me first,” Gill told the court, adding that she also had sustained injuries to her body.

Following Gill’s explanation, Magistrate Latchman entered a not-guilty plea on her behalf; and because the prosecutor had no objection, placed the defendant on $60,000 bail. The case will continue on June 26.

Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) Customs ESUASYPM Solution, to aid in effective customs administration.

The software solution will eliminate the need for the manual retrieval of documents across agencies and will be completed and implemented by January 2018.

It is an automated system for managing customs data which aids in the efficiency of tax processing, prevention and detection of fraud, expedition of the clearance of goods among others.

During his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing last Friday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon announced the sum of US$4,500,000will be invested to rollout this project. The contract was awarded to the United Nations Conference on Trade

and Development.

Minister Harmon explained that the software will accept the submission of electronic documents which include warehousing and risk management modules. It also has single window capabilities for when a document or transaction is submitted to the GRA, the software gathers data from other agencies that will be required for the processing of that transaction. This initiative was taken after it was revealed that the GRA would have failed to implement critical parts of an Information Technology (IT) system, the Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS) for almost a decade.

This has resulted in revenue leakages and extensive corruption which saw billions of dollars being lost in tax revenue collection to the GRA.

Receptionist jailed for embezzlement

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delle Junior was on Monday arraigned before Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman on a charge of embezzling from jewellery shop owner Paul Williams some $219,000 between March 1, 2016 and March 16, 2017 at Charlestown, Georgetown.

The 28-year-old receptionist admitted to the offence and was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment.

Williams told the court that Junior habitually stole money from his business operation. He explained that Junior previously worked in other sections of the business establishment but he had had, on four occasions, to move her to other sections as a result of her being unable to account for money received.

Given opportunity to speak, the defendant, who has had no antecedents, said she was willing to work to repay the money she had stolen.

Asked why she had had to steal, Junior told the magistrate, “I was on probation, and the pay wasn’t much and the situation that I was in, I didn’t know what to do; things were hard.”

In handing down the sentence, Magistrate Latchman told the defendant that she had been placed in a position of trust, which she had exploited. She added that everyone faces struggles in life, but that is no excuse to disobey the law.

She told the defendant that she was sentenced to spend the next 36 months in prison.

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…in coalitions?

he meeting between Prezzie and the WPA might’ve been precipitated by the demotion of the latter group’s co-leader, but it seems that the larger issue of the internal relationships within the APNU umbrella was raised.

They’ll all be meeting in July, but we don’t know the agenda as yet. It should be interesting, however, if for no other reason than that it reminds Guyanese exactly who’re in this “coalition” with the PNC. In case you’ve forgotten, back in 2011, when it was launched, we were told “A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)” consists of the PNCR, the WPA, the GAP, the NFA, the Guyana People’s Partnership (GPP), the Guyana National Congress (GNC), the Guyana Association of Local Authorities, the National Democratic Front (NDF), and the Justice for All Party (JFAP). Did we get them all??

As your Eyewitness noted recently, all these groups were really just adding “lipstick to a pig” - in the memorable phrase of President Obama. Do any of you, dear readers, recognise any of them - with the exception of GAP and WPA? These latter two are probably the only groups with any kind of name recognition; but folks could be excused for going along with the PNC’s dismissal even of them.

With GAP, which had insisted on the distinction most folks thought was without a difference -- calling itself a “hinterland” party, rather than an Indigenous Peoples’ Party -- it was clear that party had no clout in the Government. Why else would the latter include Amerindian land issues with African ancestral land issues? GAP not only shot itself in the foot, but plunged a spear into its heart. It really boggled the mind of your Eyewitness when the Govt insisted the agreement on Amerindian lands -- part of the agreement with Britain to grant us independence (Annex “C”) -- could be made the subject of a CoI. What was there to “inquire” into?

Anyhow, if it’s not “sayonara” to GAP, it ain’t “Hakuna Matata”!!!

As for the WPA, what more can be said about that party that hasn’t already been muttered? Before that July meeting, shouldn’t the WPA at least vet the words of the PNC via their actions on Roopnaraine?

So exactly what will he be doing over at the Ministry of the Presidency? Looking after the Public Service, as was first announced? In other words, the Coalition’s answer to Jennifer Westford? Or will be in charge of the “Department of Innovation and Education Reform”, as we just heard? And exactly what is THAT? Your Eyewitness figures that, at the July conclave, the PNC will just remind its “partners” they really hold no pieces in the game of chess that’s realpolitik!

Checkmate!!

…on crime fighting?

On one hand, we hear the police are really on the ball when it comes to crime fighting! All kinds of positive figures have been tossed out to convince us of that “fact”. But with statistics, what’s covered up is always more revealing (pun intended) than what’s exposed!

For instance, what’s this nonsense about the police is so hapless on the “assassination threat” to Prezzie, the poor man was forced to launch a CoI to look into the matter??

All the man in charge of the police -- Public Security Minister Ramjattan -- could say was, “All of us didn’t like what was playing out. It was taking a long time, the witness wasn’t turning up, confrontation and a number of things concerning all of that.” The GPF’s been boosted from 3000 to 4000 trained operatives, and we can’t have a “confrontation” when Prezzie’s facing a threat!!!??

What nonsense! Obviously Prezzie knows it’s a conflict of interest for him to craft the ToR of a CoI when he’s the target.

But what can he do?

…and victory

Your Eyewitness was enthralled by Pakistan’s victory over India in the Champion’s Trophy final. Those fellas were united in defending the honour of their beleaguered country.

And they came through like true champions.

Pakistan Zindabad!!

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

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tuesDAY, june 20, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Education Minister’s demotion

WPA maintains party was not consulted …says Govt’s announcement insensitive

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he Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has dubbed as “insensitive” the announcement of WPA leader Dr Rupert Roopnaraine’s shift to the Ministry of the Presidency, especially since it was done on the very day which marked the death anniversary of founding leader Dr Walter Rodney.

The political party has been raging over the removal, or what it considers the demotion of Dr Roopnaraine from his senior ministerial post, especially since there was no consultation done.

“We feel that it is high time that the Government of this country set a new tone… 37 years after Rodney’s assassination, it is time that those in power come to grips with the fact that Walter Rodney

was easily the most famous Guyanese academic and political activist of the latter part of the 20th Century and so we are very, very concerned that the Government would make that announcement on that day,” Executive Member Dr David Hinds said.

The WPA reiterated that while it did not question the President’s right to determine where in the Cabinet Ministers were asked to serve, the fact that it was part of a partnership and coalition and the Minister in question was an Executive Member of the WPA meant it would have been prudent and respectful to consult with it before making a decision.

The party said it disagreed with the President’s notion of consultation in

Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

Dr Walter Rodney

this instance.

“For us, consultation constitutes active engagement prior to decision making. We cannot accept that notification of a decision after it has been made amounts to consultation.

However, we hope that

in the future, we can find common ground on this matter,” the party said.

According to the party, it used the opportunity at the meeting to relay to the President its belief that Government and not par-

ties should govern.

“Hence the WPA has no desire to interfere with the day-to-day business of Government. It is, however, our firm view that as a partner in the coalition, we should play a meaningful role in shaping the general vision and programme that inform the direction of the Government. In this regard, we suggested to the President and his team some areas in which we feel the WPA has an immediate interest in helping to shape thinking and policy.”

In particular, the WPA expressed the view that the transition to a “green state” cannot be actualized outside of the decentralisation of the current State apparatus. It said this was critical, since the party was of the view that the nature of the State was

an important aspect of national development. Other areas touched on during the meeting were the sugar and rice industries, the imminent oil economy, social cohesion, and the education sector.

“WPA feels that the most important outcome of the meeting is the decision to hold an APNU meeting on July 22, 2017. We see this as a major breakthrough, since the APNU has not met for almost two years. It is our view that much of the discontent and concerns arise out of the failure of the APNU to function. WPA hopes to further press its case for a deepening of relations and meaningful participation within the APNU and the broader coalition at this meeting.”

Former landlord takes Minister Broomes to court for rent …Govt owes $1,560,000

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unior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes is the subject of court action initiated by her former landlord, who has taken her to court allegedly because of rent owed.

Guyana Times obtained a copy of the legal proceedings, which shows the minister as a co-defendant in a default of over $1 million in house rent, reportedly incurred between November 2016 and January 2017.

The plaintiff, Dr Peter Ramsaroop, has initiated legal action against three co-defendants: the Attorney General of Guyana, Basil Williams; the Parliament of Guyana, and the junior minister, Broomes.

The lawsuit highlighted that on January 13, 2016, the plaintiff, using his Lot 27 Jacaranda Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown property, entered into a written Agreement of Tenancy with the Parliament of Guyana, the second-named defendant -- represented therein by the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly -- for the said body to let the premises from February 1, 2016 to February 1, 2017 at a monthly rental of the Guyana dollar equivalent of US$2,500 (GYD $520,000).

According to the Agreement of Tenancy, upon its signing, a deposit of the Guyana Dollars’ equivalent of US$7,500. (GYD $1,560,000), being 2 (two) months’ rent and a security deposit, was to be made, and was duly made, by the tenant to the plaintiff.

According to the noted particulars, several months were left outstanding: Rent for November 2016, Guyana Dollar equivalent of

US$7,500 (GYD$1,560,000),” the plaintiff has stated. Dr Ramsaroop also claimed that the minister supposedly was responsible for damage caused to his property, and has reportedly refused to return the security deposit to her.

“The security deposit is being set off for the damage caused by the thirdnamed defendant (Minister

Plaintiff, Dr Peter Ramsaroop

US$2,500 Rent for December 2016, Guyana Dollar equivalent of US$2,500 Rent for January 2017, Guyana Dollar equivalent of US$2,500 Total Guyana Dollar equivalent of US$7,500 The suit alleges that Parliament is in breach of the Tenancy Agreement, and noted that the second named

Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes

defendant had “failed, refused and/or neglected to pay to the plaintiff the said sum of the Guyana Dollar equivalent of US$7,500.00 (GYD $1,560,000).

The suit added that another breach of the agreement was found on or around September 19, 2016, when 30 days of written notice to

Attorney General Basil Williams

terminate the tenancy was given to the plaintiff by the second named defendant, who thereafter vacated and “delivered up possession of the premises on or around October 31, 2016.

“The second(named) defendant has failed, refused and/or neglected to pay to me the said sum of the Guyana dollar equivalent of

Broomes) during occupancy pursuant to the said Agreement with the second-named defendant; demand for payment has been made without effect,” expressed Dr Ramsaroop in his court proceedings.

Dr Ramsaroop is being represented by Attorneysat-law Sanjeey Datadin, L. Mark Conway and Charles S. Ramson.

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tuesDAY, june 20, 2017

News

Old Year’s Day murder

Pathologist tells jury shock, haemorrhage killed victim

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ays after an arrest warrant had been issued for his arrest following delays in giving evidence, State Pathologist Dr Vivekanand Brijmohan appeared on Monday at the High Court trial of Steve Allicock, accused of murdering Wendell Tappin on Old Year’s Day 2009.

The final witnesses were expected to testify by Friday last, but the prosecution was unable to find Dr Brijmohan and Natasha Tappin, sister of the deceased Wendell Tappin; thus Justice Navindra Singh had issued arrest warrants for them, and this had resulted in their prompt and timely appearance in court on Monday.

Taking the stand just after 10:00h, Dr Brijmohan testified to carrying out the post-mortem examination (PME) on the body of Wendell Tappin. The PME report was later admitted into evidence.

According to the pathologist, the victim had suffered multiple stabbing injuries, as evidenced by wounds of varying depths. The doctor told the court of witnessing wounds that were oval-shaped and semi-circular in nature.

The 12-member jury heard that Tappin’s ribs were fractured, he had been stabbed in the left ventricle of the heart, and had suffered abrasions to the forehead, face and nose. The pathologist gave the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage due to stab wounds.

Before stepping down from the stand, Dr Brijmoham turned directly to the jury and apologised for his absence in court.

The late Wendell Tappin’s elder sister, Natasha Tappin, was quite shaky in giving her evidence, and had to be asked several times if she wanted to sit. She, however, braved through, recalling amid tears that she had rushed

Accused Steve Allicock will soon know his fate

to the scene of her brother’s fatal stabbing, near a truck, after receiving information that it had occurred.

“I saw him on the ground. I turn he over and I put me hand on he and I start calling for help,” she recalled, nothing she had also exclaimed: “Somebody please help me!”

At this point, several of the deceased man’s family members were seen weeping.

Natasha Tappin also told the jury that on the way to the scene of the attack she had seen “Buck”, a name referring to one of the Allicock family members. She also said she had seen her own brother, Tyson Tappin, at the scene.

State Prosecutor Tuana Hardy asked the witness how she came to know Steve Allicock, and Natasha Tappin responded that she knew him

all her life, growing up in Albouystown.

She further explained that, before the incident, she used to see the accused all the time; but after the incident, she never saw him again until Monday’s hearing.

Allicock’s defence attorney, Maxwell McKay, opted not to call any witnesses to the stand after the prosecution had closed its case.

The State’s contention is that Steve Allicock had murdered Wendell Tappin on December 31, 2009 at Hill Street, Albouystown. Reports are that on the day of the killing, Tappin, of Lot 88 James Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, had reportedly had an altercation with three members of the Allicock family, and this had led to his being stabbed and chopped. Tappin had been rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Later in Monday’s hearing, both the Defence and Prosecution presented closing arguments, which indicates that the accused will soon know his fate.

Steve Allicock, of Albouystown, Georgetown, denies being responsible for the demise of Wendell Tappin. Six witnesses testified throughout the trial.

Allicock’s uncle, Randolph Allicock, and father, Leonard Allicock, had also been charged with the murder of Tappin, but one of these two former murder accused was acquitted for the capital offence.

State Prosecutor Hardy led the State’s case, with assistance from Tamica Clarke and Seeta Bishundial.

Justice Nadindra Singh will soon sum up the case, before the 12-member jury can deliberate and make a determination on Steve Allicock’s innocence or guilt.

GAM to play pivotal role municipal advancement

…urged to serve communities not political interest

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ewly elected president of the recently resuscitated Guyana Association of Municipalities (GAM) Carwyn Holland believes that the association has a pivotal role to play in the advancing of municipal development. Holland recently told Guyana Times that that newly instituted executive body represents a diverse group of individuals who are willing to work towards advancement of the cause of municipalities through the association.

Other executives include Vice President Mayor Gifford Marshall of Bartica, Treasurer Mayor Patricia Chase Green, Secretary Mayor Kurt Winter of New Amsterdam, Assistant Secretary Treasurer Councillor Kurt Fraser amongst others including other executive members inclusive of Linden Deputy Mayor Waneka Arindell.

Holland noted that one of the first things the group will be seeking to do is to host consultations which each municipality. He said

he expects for executives to meet within the confines of their Councils and conduct consultations within their communities to determine issues which are affecting the people. This, he noted is in an effort for the GAM executive body to have a better understanding of what is lacking and to determine what can be done to assist.

Holland noted that together, members have spent months discussing pertinent issues affecting municipalities which were brought to the fore during the recent mayoral conference and it was realized that there are numerous similarities as it relates to those issues.

"We'll be able to discuss issues with one front…

With the municipal conference and the resuscitation of GAM, it shows that Guyana can unite…that's why I'm very happy that our Mayoral comrades came together and put forward a great effort to better the Local Governance organ," Holland said.

He further stated that he is moved by the commit-

GAM President, Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland

ment of Mayors across the country towards a move for more meaningful and collaborative relationship between municipalities.

Holland said he would implore upon municipal leaders to serve in the interest of the people as opposed to that of political interest.

"I believe, that with GAM now in place, we can look at the various issues affecting each individual municipality and we can pres-

ent one united front to the Government irrespective of Party or whose dominance is in Council.”

“We are looking at the people, because we were elected to serve the people.

We were not elected to serve a political interest. We were elected to serve the people of our constituencies of our municipalities. We have to be servant leaders, and as president of GAM, it is something I would implore on all of the municipalities, that they be servant leaders," he noted.

Additionally, Holland said executives will also be looking to visit the newly- established towns so as to set them on a trajectory path which will make their operation easier.

"We will offer our guidance…support, so that we can make representation on their behalf as well, to Central Government.

Especially in areas that are in much need…I am thankful and I believe that we can move forward from here, developing our communities," he said.

When social activism becomes socio-pathological, what do we do?

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oo often in this mud land, the solution to the problem becomes the problem to the solution. Too often in this water land, Government’s policy to regulate foreign investors results in foreign investors regulating Government. Too often in this multicultural land, social activism becomes a league of its own, inconsistent with the entire notion of what social activism ought to be: fair; honest; balanced; placing pressure through protest demonstrations on governments to achieve some particular goals, rather than being one-dimensional and selectively laconic.

Since this regime slipped into power some two years ago, some Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine so-called activists have continued to use this activist label rather loosely, to satisfy desired goals in the tabloids and state media. You may want to dismiss their motive, but I think that if this sort of mislabelling ad misrepresentation of social activism is not addressed, then their repeated folly may turn out to be deviously pro-social and persistent.

An estimated four percent of individuals at any time in any place and in any society live this way; and contrary to common thought, they are not serial killers and murderers. They can be government personnel, they can be writers, they can be among you, and they can be your next door neighbour. They can be people who are writing to support this regime.

To understand Guyana-style social activism, I researched the literature of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to see if the above described behaviour of activism falls into the category of anti-social personality disorder. The APA suggests that if someone has three of seven characteristics: manipulativeness, consistent irresponsibility, and the lack of remorse, that person is said to have an anti-social personality disorder or sociopathy. People who have this disorder are generally reckless and careless about other people’s right, and how they think and feel. There are some in the current regime, and there are some who write for the dailies, who have declared repeatedly they do not care what others think about what they say and do. Are these individuals’ behaviour cocksure or sociopathic?

If I were to apply the APA guidelines and my own ethnographic observations, I would say an estimated 50 percent of Guyanese have some sort of anti-social personality disorder. What is even sadder is that there is no attempt to address this social ill. The University of Guyana, which is a community college by any measurement, does not have a psychology programme, or any significant program to deal with social ills. While we wait for intervention, it is not common to see, hear, and read rancorous statements, unsubstantiated claims, spurious reasoning, and finger-pointing; accompanied with little remorse from all sections of society.

What is worse, however, is when the above comes from the socalled upper crust of society.

Some of the social activists will defend this regime to the end, even when the evidence indicates that this regime has gas-lighted this nation and catapulted an estimated 50 percent of Guyanese into a cataclysmic state of survival. The national motto seems now to sound like this: my oil is your oil and Guyana oil will oil Guyanese.

If you were to ask these activists one thing that they need, they would most likely say they want all PPP politicians jailed, and they never want to see the PPP return to power. I have no beef with their positions. But is this really activism?

Activism, as I know it, is when people engage in events that bring justice and fairness, not pick and choose to meet selfcentred interests. But, most of all, in the process, activists question themselves, weigh their actions, consider what they say and write. They have constraints. They are not loose cannons. Rarely do they believe they are absolutely right. Put simply, activism is geared towards correcting a problem, not creating another one.

The above approach to activism does not exist in Guyana, only in fairy tale books.

The problem here is that when social activists are shaped by an elaborate toolbox of hate, revenge, and remorseless ways, any possibility of positive activism becomes an uphill challenge.

What we can hope for, so that all can benefit, is that individuals do change to the positive direction.

I will share a story how that can happen. Two individuals (Tom and Jones) from two different directions meet perchance in a neutral place for the first time. Tom asks Jones what he has in the bag, because he is hungry. Jones opens the bag and Tom grabs a sandwich, but Tom sees a gold band in the bag and asks for it. Jones says no, but Tom insists on asking for the band. Jones softens up and gives Tom the band. Two days later, the men meet up again. Tom says to Jones, “Here is your gold band back.” Jones asks “Why?” Toms says, “I do not want your gold band. What I want from you is for you to tell me what is in you that made you give that gold band to me. I rather have that than the gold band. (lomarsh. roopnarine@jsums.edu)

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News

Lawrence mulls Plaintiff fears being ejected forcefully heightened security …requests Conservatory Order at health facilities Red House lease challenge

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he legal challenge against the revocation of the Red House lease continued before acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, at the High Court on Monday, when Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall, representing the Cheddi Jagan Research Inc against the Attorney General and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, petitioned the court to grant a Conservatory Order to prevent the State from evicting the occupants, pending the outcome of legal proceedings.

In a meticulously detailed submission, the former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs noted that if the Conservatory Order is not granted, the applicant would suffer “irreparable harm”.

He suggested that in the end the trial may be a “futile exercise”, and the court not granting the order may result in the CJRI, current occupants of the premises, being forced out of the premises.

“If the Conservatory Order is not granted, there is sufficient evidence to persuade this court that the applicant will be ejected forcefully, and will therefore suffer irreparable harm and damage; and in those circumstances, the trial will certainly be an exercise in futility. It is only the grant of a Conservatory Order which can ensure that such a miscarriage of justice does not take place,” an excerpt from the court document stated.

Nandlall reasoned that

if the court is not minded to grant the Conservatory Order, then, at minimum, Attorney-General Basil Williams should be “made to continue until the hearing and determination of the action, in order to preserve the status quo”.

stage, to question the validity of the Red House lease.

“The Attorney General is free to file separate proceedings to do so. Prima facie, the lease is valid. In this matter, we are merely at interlocutory proceedings (in regard to) conservatory orders. The

The Red House

An argument has been tendered by Attorney General Basil Williams to the effect that the lease was not executed in accordance with Section 13 of the Deeds Registry Act. Nandlall has, however, reasoned that a leasehold interest is “property” in law. “I do not think that this Honourable Court needs an authority to support that proposition. Article 142 protects that property from unlawful deprivation,” the former AG stressed.

Nandall’s submission cited Article 153 of the Constitution, contending that it allows the applicant to come to this court for protection. He further noted that it is not the function of the court, at this

merits of the matter are not before the court. No pleadings are before the court from either party. How can the court, at this embryonic stage of the proceedings, address the validity of the lease? I submit that it would be premature and wrong to do so,” Nandlall stressed. His submission cited several regional and international cases to affirm his position.

However, the State, led by Judy Stuart-Adonis, Senior Legal Advisor in the AG’s Chambers, opined that Nandlall’s submissions came in too late. As such, the State could not delve into its legal arguments, which seek to solidify its contention that the lease is invalid.

The matter returns to the Chief Justice on July 25, as the State has been given time to respond to Nandlall’s submissions.

Recap

Earlier this year, AG Williams had expressed an opinion that the Red House lease was invalid and could not be pleaded in any court of justice. He had argued that the case should have been thrown out because the applicants had failed to make full and frank disclosures before the court.

But Nandlall, in response, had noted that the Attorney General’s arguments were premature at that stage; and he had also accused the AG of pressuring the Chief Justice by signifying on several occasions that the President has a special interest in the Red House proceedings.

Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, then acting Chief Justice, had said that while the President is immune from the proceedings, his actions are not. This had clarified the reiterated contention that the President’s actions could not be prosecuted.

President David Granger had, last year, given the occupants of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre 48 hours to vacate the premises, a directive which Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has described as “unconscionable and vindictive”.

Pomeroon coconut farmers affected by red palm mite …production dropped significantly – farmer

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roduction of coconuts in the Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) area has significantly dropped and, according to largescale cash crop farmer and Councillor, Vilma Da Silva it was as a result of red palm mite infestation.

This pest, she explained, is taking a toll on coconut estates, and farmers have recorded as much as a 75 per cent decline in production. At the monthly statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Tuesday last, Da Silva said that the industry was declining owing to the devastating effects of the mites.

She informed the RDC

Farmer Vilma Da Silva

that coconut cultivation played an integral role in the Region by providing a livelihood for many families in

the Pomeroon and opined if attention was not given to farmers, they would be affected economically.

“Urgent attention needs to be given to coconut farmers; rice is always declining and if the coconut industry is affected, it will definitely have a negative effect on the Region’s economy,” Da Silva explained.

She alleged that planting materials were entering the Pomeroon area without any proper quarantine measures.

She said when this happened, estates became infected and the diseases were easily spread. The farmer noted that five-year-old coconut plants were predominately affected and trees were bear-

ing less.

RDC Chairman Devanand Ramdatt stressed that the coconut industry was the second leading industry in Region Two and as such, if coconut farmers were affected, the regional economy would suffer. He said he also heard about the infestation and forwarded same to Agriculture Minister Noel Holder.

Government Councillor Naitram, however, told the RDC that National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute (NAREI), Dr Oudho Homenauth informed him that all coconut seeds when imported undergo the necessary quality control procedures before entering Guyana.

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Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

ublic Health Minister Volda Lawrence wants the support of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) as she mulls beefing up security at medical facilities nationwide.

A release from the Public Health Ministry said that Minister Lawrence wanted perpetrators of attacks on health workers to face the full brunt of the law and be given “the maximum penalty” for turning health facilities into combat zones.

After a verbal altercation between a guard and a patient at a health centre in Sophia, Greater Georgetown, the latter, after threatening to shoot the security official, returned the following day armed with a machete hidden in a backpack, the Public Health Ministry stated.

According to the Ministry, the staff at that Sophia health facility are understandably “not feeling safe” in their work environment.

Minister Lawrence, the press release stated, is worried by the heightened danger faced by health workers who have endured sexual assaults, physical attacks and racially-charged verbal threats from irate, drunken and short-tempered persons seeking medical care.

While Lawrence admits

being uncomfortable with armed security at health facilities becoming a norm, she maintained that the “safety of health workers and patients is my priority”.

Only recently, hospital staff at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) have suffered assaults by patients and/or their families, drawing intense Government, regional and national concern and criticism.

Lawrence met with Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) authorities and security officials to help craft a blueprint to reverse what doctors at the institution said were years of aggressive behaviour from angry patients and/or their families who were either drunk or upset at the time spent before getting medical attention.

The situation arose when a drunken relative of a patient exploded in rage, damaging hospital property, assaulting emergency room doctors and making threats before escaping. That person remains on the lam.

Since that meeting, D Division (West Demerara) Commander Leslie James has ramped up security at the West Demerara Regional Hospital with support from the Region Three authorities.

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tuesDAY, june 20, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

CoI into alleged plot against President

Granger has no confidence in local Police – Jagdeo O

ne day after it was announced that President David Granger has ordered a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into an alleged plot to assassinate him, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said this move was one that could be seen as the President’s lack of confidence in the local security forces.

Jagdeo told the press on Monday that this revelation also highlighted the Government’s intention to do all it could to distract the Guyanese populace from the multiple issues that needed urgent attention.

“You need another CoI… into this? That means you don’t trust your security forces or the Police to investigate this. You are saying that somebody didn’t investigate this properly,” he opined. Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan recently confirmed with sections of the media that the President

had indeed ordered a CoI into the alleged plot to assassinate him.

Ramjattan revealed that the decision was taken after the President and others within the Cabinet felt that the investigation was taking too long (it has been ongoing for months now) and there were countless issues with the case.

He did note that the President had deliberated on the terms and conditions of the CoI. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had earlier disclosed that the Administration had been provided with some information by the Police about an ongoing investigation of that nature.

He said the matter was being investigated by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Police’s legal advisor.

Harmon had said, “I have the full confidence

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

of the ability of the security forces to protect our President and the Ministers of Government who have been elected by the people to run the Government.”

The matter involving the alleged plot to assassinate President Granger was first brought to light by Minister Harmon in April at

Parking meter fiasco

Renegotiation committee granted one-month extension …Mayor awaiting recommendations to act further

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eorgetown Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen says she is awaiting the recommendations of the Parking Meter Renegotiation Committee (PMRC) before making a pronouncement on whether paid parking would remain under Smart City Solutions Inc (SCSI) or be scrapped and retendered.

Chase-Green told Guyana Times that PMRC Committee Chairman Malcolm Ferreira has requested an additional month to wrap up consultations and prepare a report for presentation to the M&CC; and the Council voted on, and approved, this request.

Town Clerk Royston King has since written Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, informing him of the additional month’s suspension.

The M&CC had, on May 13, 2016, entered into a contract with SCSI for metered parking to be implemented in Georgetown. However, the project, having come under intense scrutiny, was rejected by various public and private stakeholders, the Opposition, and even some Central Government officials over the clandestine way it was being foisted unto the populace, its prohibitive pricing, and the contracting company's general disregard for the way the new mechanism was introduced to the public, among many other concerns.

The project had become effective in late January 2017, but several large pro-

Mayor Patricia Chase Green

tests calling for the contract to be revoked were staged in front of City Hall, while multiple stakeholders took the M&CC and the SCSI to court over the matter.

Under pressure, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, who had initially passed the by-laws bringing parking meters into effect, ordered on March 21, 2017 that it be suspended for a period of three months, to facilitate renegotiation of the terms of the contract.

The Parking Meter Renegotiation Committee (PMRC) was established on April 26, 2017, one month after Minister Bulkan had suspended the paid parking initiative. Its members are Malcolm Ferreira (Chairman), Noelle ChowChee (VC), Roopnarine Persaud, Ivelaw Henry, Trichria Richards, Carlyle Goring, and Heston Bostwick.

Consultations are ongoing, and stakeholders

are encouraged to visit the Council Chambers to meet with PMRC members and submit their proposals.

Asked about the possibility of refunding citizens who would have purchased parking meter credit in bulk quantities, Mayor ChaseGreen has said it is too early to make a pronouncement in this respect, and that she would have to await receipt of the PMRC report in order to be guided in her actions.

The PMRC’s terms of reference (ToR) were drafted and approved by a majority of City Councillors.

The ToR authorises the PMRC to “engage with all stakeholders within the parameters of the framework agreed upon by the Council, Cabinet and Smart City Solutions (SCSI), to seek to determine what terms of the agreement can and should be negotiated to bring the contract in harmony with the desires of the Council, Central Government, SCSI and the citizenry.”

Mayor Chase-Green has since withdrawn herself from participating in any matter relating to renegotiation of the contract, since she, Town Clerk Royston King, and Councillor Oscar Clarke are the ones who had signed the contract to implement the controversial project. PPP councillors have likewise withdrawn from participating in any matter relating to renegotiation of this contract, since they also were against paid parking from the inception.

a post-Cabinet press briefing.

Shortly after news broke of the investigations into the alleged assassination plot against the Head of State, the complainant, a wellknown barber of Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), appeared on a local private television station to relate his story.

In that interview, the barber revealed that he was offered $7 million and given a “long black gun” by a businessman to carry out the job of assassinating the President, but he had declined the offer.

Reports indicate that

President David Granger

he subsequently filed a complaint with the Police.

However, the alleged witness to the offer have since told investigators during the confrontation that the complainant had contacted him and offered a sum of money in exchange for him giving a statement claiming that he (the alleged witness) was present when two businessmen contacted the complainant about allegedly assassinating the President.

According to a Police source, the complainant had only made the monetary offer after he informed the Police of the assassination plot.

Teacher protests nonpayment for 6 months

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yson English, former Physical Education Instructor at the Bishops’ High School, is pleading with the Education Ministry to “walk the talk” as he seeks legal advice regarding his predicament.

He has not been paid a salary for the last six months, and now assumes he has been dismissed following his staging of a one-man protest outside of the school last Friday.

The PE instructor was, in January this year, appointed a part-time teacher tasked with teaching all five levels at the school (Forms 1-5). He reportedly has not received any salary or financial compensation for his services within the first term.

“I was told by the principal that the system, or the process that was holding up the salaries, was because there was a switch or changeover in permanent secretaries within the ministry,” English explained.

He pointed out that even though he understands there is an ever prolonging procedure, he still has to be compensated for his teaching services.

“If I work or teach, I expect to be paid. I can’t turn up at the ministry or at the school and request payment, unless I would’ve carried out my duties,” English told this publication on Monday.

The teacher alleged that at the beginning of the second term, he approached the principal, and upon making checks, it was discovered that his documents had been misplaced. It finally was decided that a contract was going to be prepared by the school’s board to validate his employment, leading him to believe that his problem was being rectified.

For a second time, he was instructed to sign documents that were identical to those he had signed when he commenced teaching at the school, but he complied with the request. Having received no substantial feedback after some time had elapsed, he reportedly lodged numer-

Tyson English

ous complaints regarding his non-payment with the school board and the Education Ministry. However, he still received little consolation.

Frustrated at the prolonged delay in getting a response, the teacher resorted to staging a one-man protest in front of the school, and allegedly was thereafter denied access to the school’s premises. He reportedly was even instructed to remove his belongings from the school.

“During my protest, I was informed by the deputy principal that she was instructed by the principal to have me remove all my belongings from the staff room, and I am no longer allowed access to the compound; so the security guards were also instructed to deny me access to the compound,” the teacher explained.

While stating that the school had made no provision for locker rooms, he declared that he refused to change in “toilets”, thus being the reason why he was attired in “track pants and t-shirt”. He likened the scenario to that of an agriculture teacher going to the farm, who would have to be “dressed for it”.

English is urging teachers who may be confronting similar situations to rise up and fight for what is fair and just, without fear of being victimized. He highlighted that the three months’ probationary period has been done away with, thus teachers are eligible to receive their salaries by the first month upon entering the teaching profession.

The exasperated instruc-

tor says he has had to struggle to support himself and maintain his family during this period of non-payment.

“It would be foolish of me to say that I have been living from paycheck to paycheck, because in six months I haven’t seen a single pay(check).

So, basically, with the support of my family, I’ve been able to get by; and it is ridiculous to know that I have been working and I have to be depending on the support of my family to pay bills and offset other expenses,” he explained.

Meanwhile, this teacher is pleading with the Education Ministry to pay more heed to the welfare of teachers, who are vital dispensers of knowledge to the leaders of tomorrow. “Recently, they would have invested millions in the commission of inquiry (CoI) in the education system, and I would like to believe that one of the things that they found was teachers being paid on time or properly compensated for their work to be a part of that package,” he stated.

Principal of Bishops’ High, Winifred Ellis, has refuted the claims made by English, contending that he had stopped teaching since May 25, and was asked to remove his belongings as he no longer taught there.

Moreover, she affirmed that English has not served any formal notice of resignation to the school since his departure, while adding that the school’s board is not responsible for the payment of teachers; this responsibility being solely vested in the Education Ministry.

news

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tuesDAY, june 20, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Art dubbed a catalyst of social cohesion PPP urges President to hold …as UG relaunches Art Exhibition press conference I

President David Granger

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he Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has come out swinging at President David Granger and his Government for their silence on a number of matters of national importance, calling on the President to toughen up and face the entire local media corps.

Jagdeo made this call during a press conference on Monday, stating that since the Government had accused the Opposition PPP of being “doom-peddling people”, the President could bring hope to the country by providing clarification on a number of topical issues.

“I hope the President holds a press conference, so a lot of these matters could give clarity…But he is not going to bring hope to Guyana by saying we must sell pepper sauce, salt fish and cook-up rice. Or saying he didn’t promise jobs to young people or the rice industry is a private industry,” Jagdeo opined.

The Guyana Press Association (GPA) had also called on the President to host press conferences to answer questions about his Government’s policies and

programmes.

The GPA had acknowledged that the President was not averse to speaking with the media on the sidelines of public events or during his “Public Interest” televised programme; however, the Association believes that accountability to the Guyanese people would be best served through press conferences.

Meanwhile, the PPP General Secretary said that many things were being done to sidetrack people from the truth. He pointed to the recent video that went viral on social media in which Minister within the Natural Resources Ministry, Simona Broomes behaved in an unseemly manner.

“This pappyshow with Simona (Broomes) in Parliament, Trotman ranting is all to sidetrack people,” he said, pointing out that the Government was not dealing with critical issues like job creation for people, circulation of money, more income for businesses, and better prospects for Guyana.

“When have you heard the Government speak about those things… all of these issues? And the President hides from the media, so you can’t get to explore these matters,” he lamented.

Jagdeo also said that Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Government side continued to show grave disrespect for the National Assembly, which often times would go unnoticed by the Speaker.

“One MP is constantly drunk in Parliament and a few asleep all the time. And others try to curtail debates in Parliament. Now, we have Simone Broomes, the new star of Guyana,” he added.

ntricate paintings, sculptures, ceramics, mixed media work, textiles and tapestry pieces attracted scores of viewers who marvelled in wonder at the fascinating pieces on display at the relaunch of the University of Guyana Art Exhibition, hosted at Umana Yana on Monday evening.

Presented under the theme “Aspects of Perception: The Renaissance”, the exhibition boasted artwork of a wide variety crafted by students of the Division of Creative Arts at the local university.

Speaking to this publication, lecturer and exhibition curator Philbert Gajadhar

Raising awareness against domestic violence

saw the transportation of students and artwork for an art camp which attracted art students from all across the world, facilitating in-

One of the pieces featured at the exhibition

said the exhibition was long overdue. Presenting an overview of the programme, he related that the University started its Bachelor of Art programme in 1990 and there had been exhibitions annually, not confined to Guyana but in the neighbouring countries of Suriname and Venezuela, and even the United States of America.

A pilgrimage was started to visit two local colleges in Mississippi, USA, which

teraction and assimilation of cultures and knowledge among the artists. This had continued until 1998 when one of the students defected, sadly causing the international exhibition to be discontinued.

Gajadhar continued that around the same time the number of students enrolling in the arts programme had declined owing to the then Government’s failure to recognise the importance of art; the Education Ministry’s policy, which

stipulated that only persons doing education at the University would be granted release to qualify for the programme.

Consequently, exhibits hosted after the 1999 period were confined to a small class of students – two or three at most sometimes. As such, the department, this year, in keeping with the theme “renaissance”, decided to bring a renaissance to the people of Guyana with the exhibition being the gratified end product of the relentless work of 10 students over the past year.

According to the curator, the exhibition was fittingly named “The Aspects of Perception” reflecting the diversity in Guyana, as we are from different backgrounds and we have different perceptions, more so marking the rebirth of the exhibition.

While recognising that in Guyana, like most developing countries, persons feel that art has no place other than for decoration, the co-coordinator was optimistic that the exhibition would change this common perception and raise awareness on the importance of such an aspect, as he hinted to the possibility of an an-

nual exhibition.

Guyana Times was told that the University of Guyana has been threatened with the closure of the art department largely owing to the small number of students enrolled in the programme. However, Gajadhar assured that the programme was safe under Vice Chancellor, Ivelaw Griffith, who recognised the importance of art and held firm to the belief that there was no renaissance without artists.

Griffith had even facilitated the framing and displaying of other pieces around the campus of the University.

“I see art as a catalyst of reuniting our people … bringing the people of Guyana together; as a catalyst of social cohesion and I certainly believe that we can achieve it,” Gajadhar concluded.

Meanwhile, the talented Leevon Brummel flaunted several astounding pieces under the theme “Mother Nature”. He said as he engaged onlookers about one of his works entitled “the Creator”: “… Mother Nature is a creative force in this entire piece, which is not a realistic piece, more figurative,” he enthusiastically explained, although there were some elements that could be identified.

Other featured artists include Aliesha Williams, Michael Griffith, Elodie Smith, Tonya Williams, Sandra Larocque, Chelsea Ramotar, Alvina Naughton, Keisha Beharry, and Violet Holder.

The exhibition, which commenced on Monday evening at the Umana Yana, Kingston Georgetown, is open to the public from 10:00h to 17:00h daily until June 24.

World Sickle Cell Day commemorated with health fair

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he Public Health Ministry in collaboration with a number of organizations on Monday hosted a Health Fair in commemoration of World Sickle Cell Day. The event hosted at the Stabroek Market Square provided health services to members of the public, especially targeting those who are living with sickle cell anaemia. These services included testing for hypertension and diabetes along with medical consultation on mental health and nutrition, among others.

In an interview with Guyana Times during the daylong activities, sickle cell activist, William Harris provided an insight into the generic ailment.

Harris outlines, “Sickle cell is a lifelong condition that affects the circulatory system and it is a condition that creates anaemia, it creates pain about the body.”

The sickle cell patient went on to say that, “This is a very heartening event for us because here in Guyana we’ve been pushing for initiatives like this for a very

with the support of the Ministry of Public Health and I think this bodes well for persons living with sickle cell,” and continued on by positing that, “This is a sign

publication at the event on Monday was Caroline Hicks, a technical support officer to the Public Health Ministry who explained the objectives of the initia-

Sickle cell patients spreading awareness at the health fair

long time.”

He noted that, “This is the first time we have an event of this magnitude

that things will improve for persons living with sickle cell in Guyana.”

Also peaking to this

tive to commemorate World Sickle Cell Day. Moreover, Hicks indicated that the Ministry has

embarked on similar efforts to assist patients suffering from sickle cell anaemia.

As a result, she further stated, “We from the Ministry decided to give them some support where we bring out a few heath boots.”

The technical support officer boasted that day’s event offered a wide array of services which catered for the holistic medical care of sickle cell patients. This she indicated is in precaution of the many health treats which poses a risk for those living with the disease.

Pharmaceutical Advisor to the Public Health Minister, O’Neil Atkins indicated that it is the goal of the ministry to establish a Health Centre for the victims of this disease, which will not only provide readily available access to medical services, but also employment for the patients who are often unable to main-

tain a steady job due to the effect of this sickness.

The duo even encouraged sickle cell patients to reach out to the Ministry in offering recommendations for the provision of adequate care and supplies.

The Public Health Fair hosted in Georgetown on Monday was as a result of a collaboration involving organizations advocating for the rights and access to services for patients suffering from sickle cell anaemia.

The event was one in a series of activities which was hosted to celebrate World Sickle Cell Day, observed annually on June 19.

Another similar undertaking is set for today, June 20, as local organization, the Fight against Sickle Cell Stigma (FACES) donates hampers to patients aliment who were rendered jobless as a result of the effects of the sickle cell disease.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, june 20, 2017

Regional

Mexico pushes OAS for pact to 2630 workers retrenched in T&T preserve democracy in Venezuela

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exico, the United States and Canada on Monday lobbied countries from across the Americas to adopt a watered-down resolution criticising Venezuela’s Government after seeing resistance from some of the socialist oil exporter’s allies.

After failing to reach consensus in May, Ministers from the 34-nation Organisation of American States (OAS) were meeting for three days at a resort in Cancún and attempted to hash out a joint statement on the political and economic crisis rocking Venezuela.

Mexico and Peru have led the push with the United States for a resolution that defends representative democracy in Venezuela, where President Nicolás Maduro is accused of leading the OPEC member towards dictatorship by delaying elections, jailing Opposition activists and pressing to overhaul the Constitution.

Both Mexican and US of-

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez (centre) checks some documents with the delegation after a meeting with Foreign Ministers ahead of the OAS 47th General Assembly in Cancún, Mexico, June 19, 2017

ficials were negotiating with a bloc of countries from the Caribbean, many of which are grateful to Venezuela for soft oil loans.

“We want to reach a unified resolution,” Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray said at a news conference. He spoke of wanting to agree “to defend the values that unite us ... in this specific case it’s the defence of representative

democracy as the only form of government that should prevail in the American continent”.

At least 72 people have been killed in two months of violence between protestors and Police as Venezuelans decry shortages of food and medicine. Maduro says the protests, along with the diplomatic efforts, are part of a plot by the United States to topple him. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Jamaica developing plan to guide modern energy sector

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amaica is developing an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to guide the development of a modern energy sector.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Science, Energy, and Technology, Hillary Alexander, speaking at the opening ceremony of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), Jamaica Alternative Energy Expo over the weekend, said the IRP will establish the projected electricity demand over a 20-year period as well as determine the generation capacity and technologies to be used to satisfy the demand over this period.

In addition, it will also establish agreements on the transmission and distribution infrastructure to generate and deliver the needed electricity and the resulting tariffs.

The plan, which is slated for completion later this year, will also inform the procurement of new generating capacity, as well as the investment requirements for the transmission and distribution system over the medium to long term.

“We anticipate that when the plan is completed, all stakeholders, including the investment community, will have a clear view of the agreed suite of medium to

long term investment opportunities,” she said, reiterating that the Ministry will continue to create a framework that will give rise to a vibrant renewable energy industry.

“Our target of having 30 per cent of Jamaica’s energy being generated from renewable sources by 2030 is what has given rise to facilities such as the wind farms operated by Wigton and Blue Mountain Renewables, as well as solar power plants like the 20 megawatts (MW) plant in Content and the 37 MW Eight Rivers plant which is scheduled to come on stream later this year,” she said. (Excerpt from CMC)

he number of people identified in retrenchment notices submitted to the Labour Ministry from September 2015 to this month stands at a total of 2630, the Ministry has confirmed.

The Ministry provided the figures in response to queries.

Last Thursday, Labour Minister Jennifer BaptistePrimus, had told the T&T Guardian’s political column the figure from late 2015 to around May was approximately 2500 and she would have subsequently given the final official figure.

The Ministry subsequently provided the final figure of 2630 applying from September 2015 to June 2017.

It stated the number of those retrenched from September 2015 to September 16, was 1865, based on notices received by the Ministry. In February 2016, Baptiste-Primus had said 846 had been retrenched up to then.

Baptiste-Primus explained that the Ministry had figures, excluding numbers of less than five people retrenched from any entity.

For numbers under five who

were retrenched, an entity didn’t need to submit notices to the ministry, she noted.

According to the Ministry’s figures, between January to December 2015, the total number of notices sent to the Ministry regarding retrenched people was 1721.

Baptiste-Primus noted there are 22 pieces of legislation under the Labour Ministry. Government is expediting labour law revision, prioritising Industrial Relations and Retrenchment and Severance Benefit legislation. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Airlines cancel dozens of flights as weather system approaches

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ropical Storm Bret was expected to dump heavy rain over Venezuela’s east coast and the south-eastern Caribbean late Monday as it moved west across the Region, forecasters said.

The storm’s eye was located about 125 miles (200 kilometres) southeast of Trinidad Monday evening. It had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) with higher gusts, according to the National Hurricane Centre in Miami.

The Caribbean island of Trinidad said it would close all public schools today, while the sister island of Tobago expects to shutter its Government offices. Meteorologists warned of waves of more than nine feet (3 meters) along the islands’ coasts and said up to five inches of rain could fall in Trinidad and in neighbouring Grenada.

LIAT and Caribbean Airlines (CAL) have cancelled dozens of flights because of the potential storm brewing in the Caribbean.

CAL has cancelled 31 international and domestic flights.

CAL said affected customers travelling between

CAL and LIAT have cancelled flights

Monday and Wednesday will be allowed to change or cancel their reservations without penalty, once they have a confirmed ticket issued before Monday, and the complete their travel by next Sunday.

Only eight LIAT flights have been affected.

However, the regional airline said there may be further disruptions to its schedule and any additional affected flights would be published in a subsequent advisory.

LIAT said passengers who have been affected will be allowed to rebook with the next two weeks with all change fees waived.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Trinidad, Tobago, Grenada, part of

Venezuela’s east coast and Isla de Margarita.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for the nearby Dutch Caribbean islands of Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within 24 hours, while a tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

Bret was moving toward the west-northwest near 30 mph (48 kph) and was expected to continue at a slightly slower speed over the next two days. (Excerpt from Caribbean360 and Jamaica Observer)

Dominica examining legislation to JDF member arrested with ban smoking in public places

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ominica is reviewing draft legislation which could lead to the island restricting smoking in public places, Health Minister Dr Kenneth Darroux has said.

He said that a consultant from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) was there assisting the Roosevelt Skerrit Government in the revision of draft legislation for this tobacco legislation.

Darroux told the Dominica online publication “DaVibes” that the island has received draft legislation regarding tobacco legislation from other Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries and “the hope is that we’re going to revise all of this draft legislation and see which of these are pertinent to Dominica”.

Barbados, Grenada and Jamaica, have already implemented this tobacco legislation and banned smoking in public places.

Both PAHO and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have said the most cost-effective tobacco control measures include higher tobacco taxes, elimination of tobacco advertising and promotion, smoke-free environments and strong, graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging.

Darroux said that in support of the framework convention, an increase in tax was applied on tobacco products from 45 to 75 per cent in the 2013 national budget.

“I’m really hoping that pretty soon that we can take this to Parliament,” Darroux said, adding “this is also going to be a tremendous achievement and assist us, and it’s also going to look good on our resume as it pertains to combatting NCD’s (non-communicable diseases)”.

“We know the cause of NCDs, a lot of these are lifestyle related, alcohol and smoking etc., so as the Minister for Health I think that it would be quite a big feather in my cap if I could take this to Parliament soon,” he continued.

(Excerpt from CMC)

cocaine

A

member of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) was on Sunday arrested at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) on several breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act. The police did not name the soldier, but said he was a 32-year-old lance corporal.

He is to be charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine and attempting to export cocaine Reports are that about 16:45h, the soldier was attempting to board a flight

destined for Toronto, Canada when personnel from the police’s Canine Division alerted the detectives to a suitcase belonging to him.

The suitcase was removed and searched in his presence. The search revealed several false compartments which contained cocaine, the police reported.

The lawmen said they also discovered that more cocaine was hidden in three souvenir cups. The illicit drug reportedly weighed 6.2 pounds and has an estimated street value of J$3,351,600. (Jamaica Observer)

tuesDAY, june 20, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

White House says it retains right to selfWith the clock ticking, defence in Syria; Moscow warns Washington Britain, EU play up chance of deal T

he White House said on Monday that coalition forces fighting Islamic State militants in Syria retained the right to self-defence as Russia warned it viewed any planes flying in its area of operations as potential targets.

Tensions escalated on Sunday as the US military brought down a Syrian military jet near Raqqa for bombing near US-allied forces on the ground, the first time Washington had carried out such an action in the multi-pronged civil war.

It was also the first time the US Air Force had shot down a manned aircraft since May 1999.

In a move that will fan tensions between Washington and Moscow,

The US says the Syrian jet was targeting SDF fighters (like those pictured) battling IS in Raqqa province, but Syria and Russia deny this (file photo)

Russia made clear it was changing its military posture in response to the US downing of the jet.

Russia, a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, said it would treat US-led coalition aircraft fly-

ing west of the Euphrates River in Syria as potential targets and track them with missile systems and military aircraft. It stopped short of saying it would shoot them down.

The Russian Defence Ministry said it was also immediately scrapping a Syrian air safety agreement with Washington designed to avoid collisions and dangerous incidents.

Moscow accused Washington of failing to honour the pact by not informing it of the decision to shoot down the Syrian plane despite Russian aircraft being airborne at the same time.

Washington hit back, saying it would "do what we can to protect our interests". (Excerpt from Reuters)

T

he British and European Union Brexit negotiators agreed how to organise talks on Britain's divorce at a first meeting in Brussels on Monday, where both sides stressed goodwill but also the huge complexity and tight deadline.

"We've laid solid foundations for future discussions and an ambitious but achievable timetable," said David Davis, Britain's Brexit Minister, adding he was "encouraged" by the first talks.

But the EU's Michel Barnier made clear little was agreed

but an initial calendar and a structure for negotiations.

The talks began almost a year to the day after Britain shocked Europe by voting to cut loose from the 28-nation EU, its biggest market.

They also come three months after Prime Minister Theresa May locked Britain into a two-year countdown to Brexit in March 2019.

Perhaps more important, they begin just 10 days after a humbling election setback revived divisions within May's Government on what kind of relationship it wants with the EU. (Excerpt from Reuters)

CAR Government signs peace deal US student jailed by North Korea, with rebel groups

then sent home in coma dies

T

he American student who was released last week after being held in captivity for more than 15 months in North Korea has died, his family says.

Otto Warmbier, 22, returned to the US last Tuesday, but it emerged he had been in a coma for a year.

North Korea said botulism led to the coma, but a team of US doctors who assessed him dispute this account.

Warmbier was sentenced to 15 years of hard labour for attempting to steal a propaganda sign from a hotel.

He had suffered severe brain damage, and was

medically evacuated from North Korea on June 13 to a hospital in his home city of Cincinnati. Ohio. It is unclear how he fell ill.

The Warmbier family has blamed his death on torture they say he suffered in North Korea.

"It is our sad duty to report that our son, Otto

Warmbier, has completed his journey home.

Surrounded by his loving family, Otto died today at 2:20pm," a statement from the family said.

It said the student had been "unable to speak, unable to see and unable to react to verbal commands".

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Members of the Anti-Balaka armed militia pose as they display their weapons in the town of Bocaranga, Central African Republic

Van rams Muslims in London; T car rams Police van in Paris [Reuters]

A

van ploughed into worshippers near a London mosque in the early hours of Monday, injuring 11 people, two of them seriously, in what Prime Minister Theresa May said was a sickening, terrorist attack.

The vehicle swerved into a group of mainly North and West African people shortly after midnight as they left prayers at the Muslim Welfare House and the nearby Finsbury Park Mosque in north London, one of the biggest in Britain.

The driver, a 47-yearold white man, was grabbed at the scene by locals and pinned down until Police arrived.

The man was not named

by Police, but local media reported he was a father of four who lived in Wales. He was held on suspicion of attempted murder which was later extended to preparing or instigating terrorism, including murder and attempted murder.

After being seized, he said he had wanted to kill "many Muslim people", one witness told journalists.

A man, who had earlier suffered a heart attack, died at the scene, but it was not clear if his death was connected to the van attack.

Meanwhile, in Paris, a man deliberately rammed a car carrying weapons and explosives into a Police van as it drove in a convoy down Champs Elysees avenue on

British Prime Minister Theresa May said it was a sickening, terrorist attack on Muslims

Monday, officials said.

The man, who was known to French security services, died in the incident and the Paris prosecutor's counter-terrorism unit said

it had opened an investigation.

It was unclear how the man, who was not named, had died. Nobody else was hurt. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Mosul battle: Fierce fighting as Iraqi troops push into Old City

T

he last Islamic State militants in Mosul are reportedly putting up fierce resistance as Iraqi forces try to seize their final stronghold in the city.

One commander said penetrating the jihadists' defences was very difficult, as they had blocked all en-

trances to the area and booby-trapped houses.

Overnight, aircraft dropped leaflets urging civilians to avoid open spaces and to take any opportunity to escape.

The United Nations says IS may be holding more than 100,000 people there

as human shields.

Pro-Government forces launched an offensive to retake Mosul in October with air and ground support from a US-led coalition.

They managed to take full control of the eastern half of the city in January and started an assault

on the west the following month.

On Sunday, commanders announced the start of the "final chapter" of the offensive, with CounterTerrorism Service, Army and Federal Police attacking the Old City from all directions. (Excerpt from BBC News)

he Government of the Central African Republic (CAR) has signed an "immediate ceasefire" deal with rebel groups at a meeting in Italy's capital, Rome, aimed at ending violence in the strife-torn country.

Under Monday's accord, armed groups will be given representation in the political arena in exchange for an end to attacks and blockades, and their members will be brought into the country's armed forces.

"We commit to the immediate implementation by political-military groups of a countrywide ceasefire, to be monitored by the international community, as a fun-

damental step on the way to definitive peace," the deal read.

"The Government undertakes to ensure military groups are represented at all levels" and are "recognised as part of the reconstruction efforts", it said.

The rebel groups pledged to ensure "the free movement of people and goods by removing illegal barriers as an immediate consequence of the ceasefire".

The accord was mediated by the Roman Catholic Sant Egidio peace group, and calls for an immediate end to hostilities and the recognition of legitimate authorities following the last elections. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

India at BRICS meet: There’s no ‘good’ terrorist

I

ndia has sent out a clear message to the BRICS countries, including China, that they should not believe in the Pakistani narrative about making a distinction between "good" and "bad" terrorists. Pakistani leaders have been trying to propagate this theory to protect a section of extremists, and China has shown no signs of discomfort about this narrative.

"I have pointed out that terrorism remains the most

potent global menace and threatens global peace... And terrorists cannot be differentiated by calling them good or bad," V K Singh, Minister of State for external affairs, said at a joint press conference after the meeting of BRICS Foreign Ministers in Beijing on Monday.

The press conference was also attended by Foreign Ministers of all BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

(Excerpt from Times of India)

16 news

tuesDAY, june 20, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Tackling the scourge

Small quantity of cannabis

Mental Health Unit making Bill removing jail strides in care delivery sentence on hold …40 additional doctors trained

By Lakhram Bhagirat

A

lthough just a little over one year old, the Public Health Ministry’s Mental Health Unit has been making great strides in the delivery of adequate mental health services throughout the country. However, it has not been without its challenges.

The Unit is equipped with six trained psychiatrists, four psychologists, and six social workers.

However, in a population of over 750,000, it means that one psychiatrist would have to service at least 100,000 persons. In a country known for its high suicide rate, that is just not enough to combat the range of mental issues among Guyanese.

To address this, Director of the Mental Health Unit, Dr Util Thomas says that the department in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) developed a training manual to train doctors in the general principles of mental health care.

“We have trained 40 doctors from Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six. The training programme is four days, because they are licensed doctors; [it] is just to train them in the (mhGAP Intervention Guide) manual,” she said.

She added that the doctors were being trained about the general principles of mental health and effec-

Director of the Mental Health Unit, Dr Util Thomas

tive communication.

“But the real hardcore mental health stuff is the depression, psychosis, epilepsy, child and adolescent mental and behavioural disorders, dementia, substance use, self-harm/suicide and this is a manual prepared by the World Health Organisation specifically to train non-specialist doctors to treat these conditions,” she added.

Mental Health Action Plan

The National Mental Health Action Plan 20152020 seeks to decentralise mental health care delivery and bring it to the grassroots level. As a requirement, the Unit is mandated to train 80 per cent of the doctors in the mhGAP programme by the year 2020.

However, Dr Thomas said that they were going one step further and would be train-

ing all registered doctors to provide mental health care.

“This is going to be an ongoing training. We are being provided with all the materials by the WHO; they are strongly backing us. Every health centre will have doctors trained to deliver mental health services. If it is a case which that doctor can’t handle it, then they will refer to a specialist, but if they are handling it, then they keep and treat,” Dr Thomas said.

“We want anybody who has a mental health condition to be able to walk off the road into the Health Centre and get their mental health condition treated and that is why we are taking it to a community level and working very hard to ensure this works,” she added.

The Mental Health Action Plan seeks to reduce the role of the National Psychiatric Hospital (NPH), in Berbice, reducing the number of beds after deinstitutionalising psychiatric care and to transform the NPH into a rehabilitation centre. The NPH rehab centre would specialise in psychosocial and drug abuse rehabilitative care.

The estimated cost to implement the plan is some $2.34 billion over the fiveyear period.

Challenges

Sourcing human resources is one of the major challenges of the Unit, but steps

are being taken to remedy that, according to Dr Thomas.

“We don’t have enough specialists, so what we have to do is train people to deliver the service in the community. In July 12-21, we have a training for non-specialists in psychology. It is another WHO training for persons who are not psychologists to offer low-level interventions. When we receive that training, we will train persons to have counselling facilities; we will make sure that there are counselling facilities in every health centre offering low-level counselling services,” she revealed.

Dr Thomas said the training programme would focus specifically on nurses so that they can be placed at various health centres to deliver counselling services to persons suffering from depression and other mental illnesses.

“The Unit is a young unit and we are going about as fast as we can to educate people about mental illness that is not necessarily a mad man eating out the bin, but it can be somebody you see well-dressed who was having and going to work and everything, and he is having some difficulty,” Dr Thomas informed.

Persons desirous of accessing mental health services can visit the various satellite clinics throughout the country.

Prevention of discrimination bill in pipeline – SASOD

T

he Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) said it has received a commitment from the United Nations Developmental Programme (UNDP) to fund the drafting of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill and the process has begun.

SASOD Managing Director Joel Simpson said the UNDP was in the process of advertising for a consultant with the expertise in legislation drafting to commence the process of drafting the bill to address sexual orientation and gender identity.

He added that the LGBTQ advocacy body agreed to draft the bill in order to fast track the process of decriminalising same-sex intimacy and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

A team from SASOD met with Attorney General Basil Williams to discuss the repealing of the anti-buggery law and the task was given to them to draft a bill to incorporate all they are asking

From left to right: SASOD Human Rights Coordinator Ernestine Leonard, SASOD Managing Director Joel Simpson and SASOD Board Secretary Alana Da Silva

for. The advocacy body then took up the challenge and sought the support of its international partners.

The UNDP agreed to fund the drafting and once the consultant was hired, the bill would be ready in a few months.

SASOD, in collaboration with the American University Washington College of Law, chronicled

Guyana’s voting records and responses on LGBT human rights issues at international fora and presented the report today. The report highlighted the country’s failure to comprehensively address LGBT human rights issues such as discrimination and marginalisation.

The Government had responded to the InterAmerican Commission on

Human Rights (IACHR), in April, saying that the issue of decriminalising samesex intimacy would be taken to a referendum. Several Government Ministers supported this position.

However, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said the issue of a referendum was never brought to Cabinet and as such, that was not the position of the Government.

A

motion tabled in the National Assembly by Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament (MP), Michael Carrington, which seeks to amend the Narcotics Drug and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Bill is still under review by all parties within the coalition Government.

Carrington told Guyana Times in a recent interview that before the Bill was presented to the National Assembly seeking the necessary amendments, the Government had requested to take a closer look at it, to ensure that a sensible decision was taken with regard to the proposed amendments.

The AFC MP explained that all parties within the coalition were given the opportunity to voice their opinions and to review the proposed amendments. He said so far all parties have not completed reviewing the Bill, but it was hoped that this would be done in the near future.

While the Bill was intended to remove the sentence of three to five years in prison for possession of a joint of cannabis or a small quantity for personal use, Carrington stressed that the Government also wanted to put in place the necessary mechanisms to reduce the chances of having repeat offenders.

“The problem we have in Guyana is while the Act says certain institutions must be in place, it is not in place and the Government does not have a rehab centre, only Salvation Army…

Certain things will have to be put in place to ensure that we have a good bill,” the Government MP added.

Carrington reemphasised that the Bill had nothing to do with legalising cannabis, but explained that it was a fact that hundreds of people in Guyana were sentenced to jail, for three years or more for smoking a joint or having small quantities of cannabis for personal use.

The MP said that research on the effects of cannabis on people was minimal, compared with its benefits and jailing someone for smoking cannabis, and not for drinking rum which has the same effects or worse, was absurd and not in keeping with modern and civilised societies.

The amendments to Section Four of the Narcotics Drug and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Amendment Bill 2015 – No 17 of 2015 seek to remove jail sentences for the possession of a small quantity of the narcotic, leaving the fine in place.

The amendment to Section Five is intended

AFC Member of Parliament Michael Carrington

to increase the stipulated amount of cannabis from 15 grams to 55 grams for possession. Meanwhile, the proposed amendments to Section 12 are intended to prevent persons from being sentenced to one year for smoking or possession of a smoking utensil.

Carrington believes the amendments will help to reduce the prison population; reduce the time wasted in court; save the State $1 million for each person sentenced for the possession of a small quantity of cannabis; prevent persons from being corrupted by others in jail; and prevent broken homes.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said recently that sentencing people for possessing small amounts of marijuana was a matter for the Judiciary to consider.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has reiterated that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) supported the decriminalisation of marijuana, but he noted that the Party did not have enough research on the topic to make a definitive pronouncement.

Former AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes, with the help of Attorney Mark Waldron, had compiled the draft bill, which seeks to soften the penalties for marijuana possession. The draft stipulates that persons who are found in possession of the drug for personal use would be required to pay a fine of $10,000 or perform community service for a period of time.

While the decriminalisation/legalisation of marijuana movement is gaining much momentum worldwide, President David Granger had cautioned against buying into practices being embarked upon by developed countries that have the requisite framework in place to support such legislative reforms.

President Granger made it clear that such reforms were not a current concern of the Government; and, on a more personal note, he declared that he would not subscribe to the usage of marijuana.

news

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tuesDAY, june 20, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana may feel effects HJ raises awareness against domestic violence of Tropical Storm Bret

A

s Guyana joined the rest of the world in celebrating Father’s Day 2017, Hits and Jams Entertainment on Sunday hosted a walk against domestic violence.

The event, titled “The Walkout”, was a male-led march against the actions of abusers while advocating for the rights of both male and female victims.

The walk commenced at the junction near the Bank of Guyana and saw scores of marchers leading down Main Street before making their way to the National Park.

During the event, Guyana Times caught up

…CAL, Liat cancels flights

A Participants of Sunday’s walk against domestic violence

the men against domestic violence walk was birthed.

Also speaking to this publication on Sunday was Senior Gender Affairs Officer Diego Alfonso attached

Men against domestic violence partnering in the awareness campaign

with the Director of the entertainment network, Kerwin Bollers who explained his organisation’s objectives in staging such an event.

“One of our presenters… he lost his sister a couple months ago to domestic violence and that really hit home to the organisation, seeing him trying to cope with that,” relayed Bollers.

The H&J director went on to say, “We thought that we should do our part in raising the awareness of what’s happening in Guyana and how we can eradicate [domestic violence].” As such,

to the Social Protection Ministry, who commended Hits and Jams for its efforts to address the matter of domestic violence and pointed out the Ministry’s undertakings in assisting victims of this pressing social issue.

“We will work together to eradicate this scourge of domestic violence in our nation especially; there is a new focus now on partnering with men in this whole battle against domestic violence.”

Meanwhile, participating in the march also was Director of Sport,

Christopher Jones, who highlighted the need for such collaborative efforts in staging events which align with the interests of the nation.

“I think every person in any society should come out once an activity like this is had to lend support and raise their voice in the awareness of violence against women and of course, where the scourge is found, we should start to root it out and root it out condignly,” posited Jones.

The men against domestic violence march was aimed at highlighting the role of men both as victims and perpetrators of domestic violence. As such, Hits and Jams Entertainment maximised on the opportune occasion of Father’s Day to initiate its campaign against the social ill.

In Guyana, a high number of domestic violence cases have been recorded, while a large number remain unreported. The issue has claimed quite a number of lives, while other victims were left nursing various levels of injuries. Women are the primary victims of domestic violence, but attention has been directed towards men as victims of abuse, especially in recent years.

tropical storm brewing in the Atlantic is expected to pass over Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana may feel the effects of it in the form of wind and occasional showers. It is expected to rain today with thunder because of Tropical Storm Bret.

The weather pattern for today, according to hydrometeorological reports, would be mostly cloudy skies with light to moderate showers and intermittent rain in Regions Three to Six. All other locations can expect continuous rain, light to moderate showers, and isolated thundershowers, according to the Hydrometeorological Office of Guyana.

High tide warnings are

The situation at Cost Cutters Supermarket as citizens flock to stock up on emergency supplies

supermarkets and gas stations to stock up on emergency supplies.

There are reports of residents feeling the effects of the storm in all parts of T&T. Schools and public offices in Tobago have been ordered closed for today.

The roof from this house blows in Siparia, South Trinidad

still in effect until Thursday, and residents are asked to take the necessary precautions to avoid flooding.

Meanwhile, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) says that they are prepared for the eventuality of Tropical Storm Bret hitting the twin-island republic and urged citizens not to panic. However, citizens flocked

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles said that the Administration was not taking any risks as it related to the safety of its citizens and delayed the scheduled reading of the Tobago Budget until Thursday.

However, in Trinidad, the Administration is still contemplating closing all government offices, but

the Education Minister announced that all schools would be closed today. The Banking Association, along with several other businesses, also announced that their organisations would remain closed on Tuesday and they would update the citizenry as required.

There are already reports of roofs blowing off, trees and utility poles crashing down and landslides on the island of Trinidad.

T&T national airline, Caribbean Airlines Limited, cancelled several domestic and international flights in and out of the twin-island republic. A total of 31 flights have been cancelled and would affect passengers travelling between Monday and Wednesday.

Residents close to the Piarco International Airport are reporting heavy rainfall coupled with strong winds. “The wind is picking up so everybody hurrying to get home and make sure everything is safe,” Piarco resident Jayson Seeram told Guyana Times.

However, some residents of Trinidad are taking the storm warnings lightly as the CNC3 reports that a boat filled with revellers was spotted in the Gulf of Paria. (Lakhram Bhagirat)

40 emerging leaders cash in on Diversity Training in Linden

T

he Social Cohesion Ministry on Saturday kick-started the 35th Diversity Education and Inclusion Regional Training Workshop, which was hosted at the Linden Foundation Secondary School, Amelia’s Ward, Linden, targeting youths as agents of social

change.

The two-day workshop saw the participation of 40 youths between the ages of 15 and 30, originating from communities such as Mackenzie, Cinderella City, Speight Land, Amelia’s Ward and Central Amelia’s Ward.

The forum was aimed at increasing the capacity of the participants, so as to encourage the young Guyanese to promote social cohesion, in their strides as the future leaders of the country.

Addressing the youths during the opening ceremony of the workshop was the

Programme Coordinator at the Social Cohesion Ministry, Sharon Patterson joined by Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian and lead trainer Kala Seegopaul at the forum in Linden

Participants engaged in a session during the workshop

Programme Coordinator Sharon Patterson, who encouraged the 40 young Guyanese to capitalise on the learning experience, which will allow them to develop the skills that will foster closer relations with their peers and others colleagues. This, Patterson indicated, will allow youths to better manage conflicts and contribute to the building of the nation.

Also speaking at the forum was Region 10

(Upper Demerara-Berbice) Chairman Renis Morian, who pointed out that the Ministry was seeking to channel the exuberance of youth into the right direction.

Following the completion of the sessions over the weekend, the participants provided feedback on the workshop, with some indicating that the sessions provided assistance in decision-making and significantly enhanced their lives.

The Diversity Education

and Inclusion Regional Training Workshop is one in a series of initiatives embarked upon by the Social Cohesion Ministry aimed at engaging stakeholders in discussions and practical exercises to identify the factors that are stymieing social inclusion and unity. These sessions are geared at refining the views of Guyanese, thereby equipping them with the necessary skills to erase inequalities and social injustice.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, june 20, 2017

ARCHIE

Business trips, interviews, serious discussions and big (March 21- plans are all favored. If you April 19) want to bring about change, be the one to initiate what you want to see happen.

ARIES

Share your feelings with TAURUS someone who is willing to tell (April 20- you all as well. Confronting May 20) problems or situations will help you come to a decision that will make your life better.

dilbert

Precision, preparation and GEMINI (May 21- a group of loyal and dedicatJune 20) ed supporters will help you succeed. Your ability to bring about change must not be wasted. Focus and excel.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

What you put out, you will get back. Your involvement in the community and efforts to assist a loved one will put you in a good position.

Emotional matters will escalate, leaving you in an awkward position. Make sure you take care of your responsibilities regardless of the situation you face at home or work.

You’ll experience frustraVIRGO (Aug. 23- tion at home and work due Sept. 22) to demands someone puts on you. Venture out with someone special and participate in things that you find interesting.

A chat you have with LIBRA someone regarding an edu(Sept. 23Oct. 23) cational opportunity or your current living arrangements will get you thinking about your options. A change will do you good.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Share your intentions and SCORPIO make a point to start the pro(Oct. 24cess of forming a union with Nov. 22) someone you feel is as creative, insightful and ready to strive for perfection as you are.

Partnerships are favored SAGITTARIUS and will make a difference (Nov. 23- to the way you move forward Dec. 21) with a project or your personal life. Negotiate on your own behalf and strive for equality.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Children, friends and peoCAPRICORN ple you enjoy being around will (Dec. 22- make your day special. Express Jan. 19) your feelings by taking the time to physically engage in projects or activities that will bring you closer together.

You’ll gain ground if you AQUARIUS pick up additional knowledge (Jan. 20that will help you change diFeb. 19) rection, improve life in your community or better your relationships with others.

Rethink your priorities.

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

You’ll be compromised by PISCES someone putting demands on (Feb. 20March 20) you. Don’t take on someone else’s responsibilities or let your own goals be jeopardized just to help someone else excel.

TUESDAY, june 20, 2017

Canelo T

19

Major change as Koepka wins US Open

confident of a

knockout

in Golovkin fight W ith over 30 knockouts each in their professional careers, Saul Alvarez expects the trend to continue when he takes on Gennady Golovkin.

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez believes there is a high probability someone will be knocked out in his impending titanic fight against Gennady Golovkin.

The world’s two top middleweights will go head-

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (left) and Gennady Golovkin

to-head in an eagerly anticipated bout in Las Vegas on September 16, with Golovkin putting his WBC, WBA and IBF belts on the line.

With 34 of Canelo’s 49 career wins coming via knockout and Golovkin stopping 33 of his 37 opponents in an unbeaten record, the Mexican does not believe the full 12 rounds will be required.

He said: “This is going to be a very tough fight.

There are fights that are difficult and there are fights that are tough, and this will be a tough fight.

“I’ll prepare like I always do and be 100 per cent and I’m happy we are giving the fans they wanted. It motivates me that the fans are getting the fight they demanded.

“The key is not to receive, not to stand in front of him and take the punches. I’m going to have be smart, be illusive and counter-punch. He’s a powerful fighter when you start in front of him.

“There’s a high probability there will be a knockout because we both can punch and have a high knockout ratio.”

Golovkin branded the fight the biggest of his career and talked up Canelo’s ability, rating his chances in the fight as 50-50.

“This fight is 50-50. I’m ready to fight, I’m a boxer.

I’m really humble. We both have everything. This is different class, the first class,” said Golovkin.

“I respect him, I’ve known his team for a long time.

This is the biggest fight in my career. Everybody knows we have power, huge, big boxing IQs.” (Sportsmax)

he winds of change were blowing at the U.S. Open on Sunday as Brooks Koepka sailed to a four-stroke victory at Erin Hills, making it the seventh consecutive major that has crowned a first-time winner.

A changing of golf’s old guard has been underway for some time but the 117th U.S. Open signaled that it can be considered complete with neither Phil Mickelson and/or Tiger Woods teeing up at major for the first time since the 1994 U.S. Masters.

Fans now run to see Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day, the youth movement having firmly taken hold.

Koepka, South Korea’s Kim Si-woo, Japan’s Hideki Matusyama, Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Americans Brian Harman and Rickie Fowler were the names battling for major glory on Sunday, rather than the likes of Jim Furyk, Stewart Cink and Ernie Els. Sentiment and nostalgia will always find a place on the leaderboard, as 37-yearold Sergio Garcia showed by notching his first major win at the Masters in April, while 50-year-old Wisconsin-native Steve Stricker provided an emotional touchstone in an Erin Hills swan-song.

But the year’s second major belonged to the young guns who tackled the longest

Brooks Koepka holds up the US Open Championship trophy after the final round of the 2017 US Open Championship at Erin Hills Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK

layout ever for a U.S. Open.

Koepka, who looks as if he would be at home in a National Football League huddle, held firm against buffeting winds and crushing pressure to claim a sensational four-shot victory over Harman and Matsuyama.

The muscular American, who started the day one back of the lead, tamed his nerves and a wind-whipped course, carding six birdies, including two to kick-start his round, against a single bogey for a five-under 67.

Koepka’s winning total of 16-under equals the lowest score to par for a U.S. Open, matching Rory McIlroy’s vic-

tory at Congressional in 2011 on a par-71 layout.

After days of being humbled, Erin Hills turned nasty for the final round as heavy winds pummeled the linksstyle layout adding an intriguing wrinkle to the year’s second major.

But Koepka would not be blown off course producing a near-flawless final round, subduing the winds with a mix of power and precision.

“Obviously the wind picked up and I felt like that played right into my hand,” said Koepka, who considers himself a good ball-striker and good putter.

“And I felt confident all

week, so to feel as confident as I did on a Sunday of a major and coming down the stretch was pretty neat.”

One of golf’s biggest hitters, the 27-year-old also demonstrated a killer instinct along with a deft touch with the putter, rolling in a monster 41-foot birdie putt at the eighth.

When Matsuyama, at number four the highest ranked player to make the cut, delivered the round of the day a six-under 66 to get within one of the lead, a rampaging Koepka countered with golf’s version of the knockout punch, clinching victory in ruthless style by registering three straight birdies from the 14th.

Harman, level with Koepka with six to play and without a bogey on the back nine all week, took his first at the 12th after his tee shot ended up in the belt-high fescue and followed that up with another at the 13th.

The miscues put Koepka alone back on top of the leaderboard, a perch from which he would not be removed.

“It hasn’t sunk in, obviously, yet, and probably won’t for a few days,” said Koepka.

“That’s probably one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced and to do it on Father’s Day it’s pretty neat.

“I didn’t exactly get my dad a card, so this works.”

(Reuters)

Australia 2 Germany 3: Goals galore as world champions get off to winning start

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ars Stindl, Julian Draxler and Leon Goretzka were on target as Germany got the better of Australia 3-2 at the Confederations Cup. Germany beat Australia 3-2 in their Confederations Cup opener at Fisht Stadium in Sochi courtesy of goals from Lars Stindl, Julian Draxler and Leon Goretzka.

Stindl opened the scoring early on with a tidy finish after some good work from Julian Brandt, but the Asian Cup holders somewhat surprisingly restored parity shortly before the break when some poor goalkeeping from Bernd Leno allowed Tom Rogic to net.

The world champions, however, were back in front just three minutes later as Draxler converted a penalty, with Goretzka adding a third early in the second half.

Tomi Juric ensured an exciting finish to the game when he pulled one back in the 56th minute - the

goal awarded following the latest Video Assistant Referee (VAR) referral - but Australia lacked the individual quality to genuinely worry an experimental Germany.

Joachim Low’s men now meet Chile on Thursday, while Australia take on Cameroon on matchday two.

Germany made a strong start to the game and needed just five minutes to edge ahead via Stindl, the Borussia Monchengladbach man finding the net with a calm finish from inside the area after a great r u n down the right from Brandt.

Low’s side continued to dominate play after their early opener and Sandro Wagner nearly doubled their lead in the 16th min-

ute, sending a diving header inches wide at the far post following Goretzka’s pinpoint cross, before the Hoffenheim man fired just wide again minutes later after beating the offside trap.

The Germans were fortunate not to concede when the unmarked Trent Sainsbury headed wide from close range after a free-kick, but they had no such luck in the 41st minute when Rogic levelled after all with a half-volley from the edge of the box, Leno failing to keep out the Celtic man’s at-

tempt.

Australia’s joy did not last long, though, as Draxler restored Germany’s lead, coolly dispatching a penalty after Massimo Luongo

had clumsily hacked down Goretzka inside the area.

Germany immediately went in search of a third goal after the break and got what they were after in the 48th minute when Goretzka beat Mathew Ryan with a powerful volley after a brilliant pass form Joshua Kimmich.

But Ange Postecoglou’s men refused to throw in the towel and Juric pulled one back after more unconvincing goalkeeping from Leno, the attacker tapping home a rebound after the Bayer Leverkusen shot stopper failed to hold on to what seemed like an easy ball, with the goal allowed to stand after a VAR referral did not confirm a potential handball in the build-up.

Substitute Timo Werner was unfortunate not to make it 4-2 when he struck the upright with a low shot after shrugging off Sainsbury, yet it mattered little in the end as Germany held on to the win without any major late scares. (Sportsmax)

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T20 Global League: Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils buy teams

olkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan and Delhi Daredevils owners GMR have bought franchises in the Cricket South Africa (CSA)’s eight-team T20 Global League. Both Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises said the initiative was part of their global plans.

GMR’s team will be based in Johannesburg while South African pacer Kagiso Rabada will be its marquee player. Shah Rukh’s franchise will be based in Cape Town with left-handed batsman JP Duminy as the marquee player.

The name of the team will be Cape Town Knight Riders.

After having acquired the Cape Town franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders’ CEO Venky Mysore said: “This initiative is part of our global plans, from Kolkata to Trinidad and now Cape Town.”

Kolkata Knight Riders owners also have a team in the Caribbean Premier League – the Trinbago Knight Riders.

Mysore added that they are happy to have the experienced JP Duminy as marquee player. “Great

Players and owners during the T20 Global League Launch in London.(Gallo Images)

to have JP Duminy but there is no guarantee that he will play for us in IPL next year. The dynamics of every league is different,” Mysore said.

The South African Duminy said that he was elated to be part of Bollywood star Shah Rukh’s team.

“It’s great to be in Shah Rukh’s team. He is a global super-star and I will be happy to see him signing more autographs than I will do,” he joked.

Hemant Dua of GMR, owners of Johannesburg franchise, said: “This is part of our global strategy. DD has several South African

players and Kagiso Rabada will take the journey forward for us in global T20.”

The player draft is scheduled for August 19 with almost 400 players from 10 countries confirming their interest.

“EY (previously known as Ernst & Young) ran the team owner se-

lection process to ensure integrity, compliance and due diligence was followed throughout the process by both CSA and potential owners,” a release from CSA?said.

“Competition was stiff, with more than 150 Expressions of Interest (EOI) received from around the world and a shortlist of heavy hitters to consider, but after rigorous discussions and engagement with each of the potential owners, we are certain that our final eight owners have the perfect combination of strategic insight and passion needed to make the first T20 Global League a complete success,” added CSA president Chris Nenzani.

“The announcement of the team owners is a key milestone to successfully launch our T20 Global League. We are thrilled by the international mix of owners and the passion and excitement that was clearly demonstrated during the bidding process by them and the marquee players. It sets up our #T20GL as a fans’ favourite in the cricketing calendar,” CSA Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said.

(HindustanTimes)

Federer seeks to reignite comeback bid after Stuttgart stumble A fter his comeback was cut short by Tommy Haas in Stuttgart last week, Roger Federer is eager to get a win under his belt in the opening round of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle as the Swiss gears up for another tilt at Wimbledon.

Federer, who was stunned 2-6 7-6(8) 6-4 by 302nd ranked German Haas, faces Taiwan’s Lu YenHsun in his opening game in Halle, a tournament the 18-times grand slam cham-

Roger Federer

Venue issues stymie Windies, T&T Red Force practice match

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here will be no practice game between the Windies and the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force after the former pointed to its unhappiness over the venue for the match.

The game was slated for the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Couva, but Cricket West Indies asked that the match be moved because the venue had not been approved by the West Indies Players Association for firstclass matches.

According to Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) president, Azim Bassarath, the other grounds in Couva are not available and so the game had to be cancelled.

A release from the TTCB, said Cricket West Indies had initially approved the match with the understanding that the Brian Lara Cricket Academy would have been the venue, however, the NCC could not be used.

Roland Holder

“Roland Holder, CWI Operations Manager wrote to the TTCB’s CEO indicating that CWI is unable to approve the WI team playing at the NCC,” read the release.

“The game was agreed on the basis of it being played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) and that WIPA has not approved of our International team playing at the NCC,” it contin-

ued.

A t the moment, the BLCA is having improvements made to the outfield and the pitch.

The game was supposed to form part of the Windies’ preparation for the touring India, which begins on Friday.

The Windies are scheduled to play five One Day Internationals against the visiting Indians, with the first two games at the Queen’s Park Oval, the second of which takes place June 25.

The two following games, are slated for the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on June 30 and July 2, with the final matchup heading to Sabina Park in Jamaica on July 6.

There will also be one T20 International between the teams at Sabina Park on July 9. (Sportsmax)

pion has won eight times.

“A comeback is never simple, especially on grass where margins are so slim,” Federer, who sat out the entire claycourt season to prepare his bid for an eighth Wimbledon crown, was quoted as saying by the ATP website. (www.atpworldtour.com) “It’s important for me, especially after the Stuttgart week, to come here and make sure I win my firstround match and get going ... The history I have here,

having come and played well so often, definitely should help me to play good tennis this week.

“I want to take the right decisions on the tennis court. I don’t want to question myself too much. I’ll have the right focus and mindset, that point-by-point mentality.”

Federer had no regrets about missing the French Open to focus on Wimbledon but said it was a move he was unlikely to repeat.

“It was a decision that

was taken within a couple of days,” Federer added. “For a long time the schedule was to play Paris but all of a sudden I just felt that I wouldn’t be comfortable doing it.

“I didn’t want to compromise the goal of the grasscourt season, Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and beyond ... But it’s not a trend that I might follow in the future. I don’t know what the future holds. This was just a oneoff decision.” (Reuters)

Mexico v New Zealand: Hernandez keen to reap rewards of Portugal late show

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everkusen striker Javier Hernandez scored his 48th Mexico goal in the 2-2 draw with Portugal and is keen to kick on against New Zealand.

Javier Hernandez wants Mexico to make their dramatic late comeback against Portugal count when they face New Zealand in the Confederations Cup in Sochi on Wednesday.

New Roma recruit Hector Moreno pounced in stoppage time to snatch a 2-2 draw in Kazan, where Cedric Soares appeared to have sealed the points for the European champions.

It was the second time Juan Carlos Osorio’s men came from behind in an undulating match, with Hernandez heading home in the 42nd minute after Ricardo Quaresma opened the scoring.

The Gold Cup holders are heavy favourites heading into their next Group A assignment at Fisht Stadium, with New Zealand nursing a 2-0 defeat to Russia last Friday – a match that saw the All Whites tick past 500 minutes without a goal at the Confederations Cup “Coming from behind leaves you with a different feeling,” Hernandez said.

“We want to look at it with tranquillity as we don’t know if this point will be good or not until we play the remaining two group stage matches and we know if we qualify for the semi-finals.

“If we don’t then this point will mean nothing because all we want is qualifying for the next stage

and to end up winning the tournament.”

Upsetting the hosts on the opening night was widely viewed as the best chance for tournament outsiders New Zealand to get some points on the board with a famous scalp, their overall ambitions lying somewhat more modestly.

However, goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic has sought to rally his team-mates and insists any negativity in the camp will not be tolerated.

“Of course belief is still there,” said the 25-yearold, who plays for third-tier German side Unterhaching. “No one in this team is negative and never has been.

“That is one thing that if you want to be in the All Whites, you need to have that belief.

“You need to always be positive… you want to be here. If you have got a negative attitude then you don’t deserve to be here.”

New Zealand boss Andrew Hudson could seek to rebalance his team after the inclusion of attack-minded duo Kosta Barbarouses and Marco Rojas left them lacking midfield numbers against Russia’s early onslaught.

Opposite number Osorio has a long-established commitment to rotating his line-up, often to the chagrin of Mexican fans and pundits, and the combination of a swift turnaround in playing time, alongside the relative weakness of the opposition, means he should be expected to ring the changes once more.(Sportsmax)

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21 Sabina Farms onboard Cameron holds firm to for Stage of Champions Bravo banishment D S sports

abina Farms has stepped on board as a major sponsor of the second edition of Stage of Champions bodybuilding competition. The event is scheduled for November 18 at the Theater Guild in Kingston.

Owner of Sabina Farms David Aparisio who is the owner of Sabina Farms said it is his penchant for sports as a whole that led to his company coming on board the “Stage of Champions”.

“I’m someone who spent some of my youth participating in taekwondo, I did some bodybuilding myself, maybe 10-15 years ago and I felt it helped me to stay focused, I felt it gave me an edge,” Apariso said.

Organiser of the competition, Videsh Sookram told Guyana Times Sports, that the competition has expanded and will be featuring participants from at least eight countries.

“The athletes are the best in the Caribbean, the best of the best is coming to Guyana to compete on

Owner of Sabina Farms, (left) David Aparisio hands over the sponsorship package to organiser Videsh Sookram (right)

stage. So far we have confirmed Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Anguilla and St Martin (French and Dutch)” Sookram declared.

Some of the top local body builders from Guyana are expected to take part in the second edition of the competition with Emmerson Campbell being highlighted as a favourite to retain his crown in the Men’s Physique category.

with local-based squad for Caribbean Cup

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Theodore Withmore

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amaica head coach and former Reggae Boy, Theodore Whitmore has remained true to his vows, naming 11 local-based players to the squad he is taking to defend the country’s Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup title in Martinique.

The Jamaicans left the island on Monday morning for Martinique ahead of an opener against French Guiana on Thursday at the Stade Pierre Aliker in Fort-de-France. The 5pm, 6pm ECT clash will play precursor to the hosts fixture against Curacao at 7:30pm, 8:30pm ECT. While the four teams have already qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, Jamaica will want to defend the title it won in 2014 under then coach, Winfried Schafer, who then went on to take the Reggae Boyz to the final of the Gold Cup. Whitmore, who wants a

more permanent role with the Reggae Boyz needs to create a legacy here as well.

The Reggae Boyz get one shot at the final, as the loser of their opener will have to play the loser of the second game where the third and fourth place positions will be decided.

The winners will play for the title, both games taking place on Sunday at the same venue.

“We are the defending champions and everybody is looking forward to playing against a Jamaica team, just like how we are looking to play against everybody… we just have to keep our composure and keep our heads,” said Whitmore.

SQUAD: Dwayne Miller (Syrianska FC), Damion Hyatt (Arnett Gardens FC), Rosario Harriott (Harbour View FC), Damion Lowe (Tampa Bay Rowdies), Ladale Ritchie

en an A contract. Big idiot.”

The two, Cricket West Indies and Bravo have been at an impasse ever since, with the former saying the latter had to apologise and take down the Tweet.

Bravo has refused and so Cricket West Indies have not relented on bringing him back into the team.

In addition, Bravo sued the West Indies Cricket Board, now Cricket West Indies for loss of income.

“Let me make it very clear: what Darren Bravo has to do first and foremost is take down the tweet.

While last year’s edition had only three weight categories, this year there see six being; Under-143lbs, Under 154lbs, Under164lbs, Under-176lbs, 177lbs and over. The winners will all be recipients of cash prizes.

Sabina Farms is located in St. Lawrence, East Bank Essequibo and focuses on using best farm practices while producing a number of crops native to Guyana.

Whitmore keeps promise to strengthen

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arren Bravo’s time in the wilderness outside of West Indies Cricket will continue unless the player makes some adjustments.

According to Cricket West Indies president, Dave Cameron, Bravo has to first remove an offensive tweet before any negotiations on a return can be entertained.

Last November, Bravo responded angrily on Twitter to Cameron’s explanation of downgrading a contract offer to the batsman on SportsMax and was summarily sent home from

(Montego Bay United), Oniel Fisher (Seattle Sounders), Sergio Campbell (Pittsburgh Riverhounds), Jamie Richardson (UWI FC), Ewan Grandison (Portmore United), Cory Burke (Bethlehem Steele), Michael Binns (Portmore United), Shaun Francis (San Jose Earthquakes), Jermaine Johnson (Tivoli Gardens FC), Kevon Lambert (FC Vojvodina), Shamar Nicholson (Boys’ Town FC), Ricardo Morris (Portmore United), Javain Brown (Harbour View FC), Shaun Genus (Reno FC), Junior Flemmings (NY Red Bulls 11), Owayne Gordon (Montego Bay United).

(Sportsmax)

Darren Bravo and Dave Cameron

a tour of Zimbabwe.

Bravo had earlier rejected a C contract from the West Indies Cricket Board now Cricket West Indies, and the court of public opinion had wanted an answer as to why one of the team’s most consistent batsmen, with 3400 runs from 49 Tests at an average of 40, including eight centuries and 16 half-centuries, was treated in that way.

“His averages in the last two years have been declining, so what do you do?

Reward poor performance or do you encourage him to get better?”

“If you continue to keep giving him an A contract then what is the motivation to get better? He has been on an A contract and he hasn’t done well,” said Cameron.

Tagging Cameron on Twitter, Bravo responded with “You hav been failing 4 d last 4yrs. Y don’t u resign and FYI I’ve neva been giv-

Every day that tweet stays up, it is an infraction,” said Cameron.

“Secondly he needs to accept that he’s done something wrong and then we can move forward from there.”

“These are the kinds of lack of standards we have had in the past that we are now trying to [deal with].”

We’re not going to accept that kind of behaviour going forward,” said Cameron.

“No player, no one is entitled to represent Cricket West Indies, none of us. And again, how we operate, how we behave is a reflection on all of us and that’s very important.

“One-point-three billion Indians see Christopher Gayle as an ambassador, they see Bravo [as an ambassador] so how they behave says that’s how Caribbean people are and we take that very, very seriously.” (Sportsmax)

Tiger Woods receiving ‘professional help’ to manage medications, medical issues

T

iger Woods said Monday he is receiving “professional help” to manage his medications and treatment for back pain and insomnia.

Woods’ Twitter statement was just the second time he has commented publicly since a Memorial Day arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) of a combination of sleep and pain medications.

Woods’ statement in full reads: I’m currently receiving professional help to manage my medications and the ways that I deal with back pain and a sleep disorder. I want to thank everyone for the amazing

outpouring of support and understanding, especially the fans and players on tour.

Woods’ statement comes after a gossip site reported the 14-time major winner had entered rehab for prescription medication addiction.

Woods was arrested in the early hours of Memorial Day after he was found by Jupiter (Fla.) police asleep at the wheel of his running Mercedes-Benz on the side of a road going in the opposite direction of his home and nearby restaurant.

The golfer’s foot was on the brake and the turn signal was on. Officers discovered with fresh damage to the driver’s side of the car, including a pair

of flat tires.

Woods, who was cooperative but struggled to remain awake, failed several field sobriety tests. He told officers he was taking a combination of painkilling medication, including the opioid Vicodin, as well an anxiety medication, Xanax. The FDA says these medications can conflict with one another with serious side effects, including possible coma.

Woods blew 0.000 in multiple Breathalyzer tests.

Woods’ arraignment on charges of driving under the influence and illegal parking has been moved from its original July date to August.

(YahooSports)

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Cricket fraternity react to Pakistan’s Champions Trophy victory

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ndia started the Champions Trophy final as favourites, but were absolutely hammered as Pakistan produced a stunning performance.

Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Amir starred as Pakistan completed a remarkable turnaround at the ICC Champions Trophy on Sunday, winning the global 50-over tournament for the first time courtesy of a hugely convincing 180-run victory over great rivals India at The Oval. Guyana Times Sport spoke to some members of the local cricket fraternity on Monday to hear their take on the outcome of the match.

John Ramsingh (Sports Host) “Quite before the tournament opened I had picked hosts, England to lift the Champions Trophy this

year. I really like the unit Eoin Morgan has and with form and home advantage I was expecting them to go all the way.I was pleasantly surprised that Pakistan made it to the final and after they did I expected the defending champions, India to repeat as champions.

Pakistan was one of the dark horses of Champions Trophy 2017 and I was shocked at their performance in the championship match especially after they were outclassed by India in the group stage. However, when it mattered the most they rose to the occasion and played as a team. They deserve to be champions.

Collin Stuart (Guyana Cricket Board Territorial Development Officer) “It was a great game of cricket played by Pakistan -

Steven Jacobs (National Cricketer) “It was a bit surprising obviously knowing how dominant India is in world cricket also at the same time we knew Pakistan could always produce excellent matches in terms of a performance like this. When Pakistan plays good cricket it is good for world cricket because they always play exciting cricket and it’s a team similar to West Indies in terms of how they play. Congrats to Pakistan on playing a good tournament and finishing as champions.”

a true finals against world rated India. They came as the underdogs and not only won the finals against India but recorded a resounding victory. Pakistan demonstrated winning characteristic traits throughout the match.

They showed high levels of confidence, a fighting spirit, willingness and ability to capitalise on opportunities presented, determination to set a high bench mark as done with their target score and vehemently defending it in the field. Pakistan showed that it’s about how well you play on a given day and not just about your ratings. They applied themselves well mentally.

Congratulations to Pakistan they played superbly”

Krytsal Lee (Ardent Cricket fan) “I’m super happy that Pakistan won the CT17. I was rooting for them in the finals. You have got to admire the way Team Green played throughout the tournament especially in the finals. It was a sensational performance.

I think the two youngsters Fakhar [Zaman] and Hasan [Ali] played brilliantly for Pakistan.

It was a great team effort that made them the champions.

Truly a well-deserved victory.”

Bhaskar Yadram (West Indies under-19 player) “I felt that India took the game lightly given their batting power but it was took much for them to score in the end.

Well played by Pakistan.”.

Pre-Emancipation Horse Racing Persaud confident of extending Meet for Kennard’s Memorial Turf GMR&SC National Race of Champions…

Super Stock dominance E

A Pre-Emancipation Horse Racing Meet is set for July 30 at the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club

A

pre-emancipation Horse Race Meet has been set for July 30 at the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club, Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne with in excess of $2 Million up for grabs across seven races.

The rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) will be used to govern the action and entries close on July 23.

The race card promises its usual excitement with

the main event being for horses classified B2 and lower with special weights over eight furlongs. The the winner of this event will collect $1M. Second place is worth $500,000, third $250,000 and fourth $125,000.

Other races will feature E class non-winners. , The F and lower Open covering 5 furlongs has a winning prize of $400,000 while the L class non-winners also over 5 furlongs will see the win-

ner taking home $110,000.

The Guyana Bred 3 years and older 7 furlong race will pay a $240,000 purse while the K class non-winners and L Open race runs for 6 furlongs both have a first prize of $120,000. The H1 and lower race horses will gallop for 7 furlongs with the winner guaranteed $250,000 and the J2 and lower category first place claims a $140,000 prize after covering a distance of 6 furlongs.

ighteen-Year-Old biker Kevin Persaud is confident that he remains the man to beat when the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMRSC) host its second National Race of Champions for the year on July 2 at the South Dakota Circuit.

At the last meet in April, the young daredevil dusted all of his competitors in the Super stock category to clock a fastest lap time of 36.759s on a dependable Kawasaki 600. Interestingly, Persaud was able to start one race at the Gooseneck and able to catch the pack by the seventh lap of the 10-lap event.

“I feel confident because I dominated the last meeting. I’m hoping to repeat at this event”, he stated.

Though he set the

field alight then, Persaud is cognisant that he need to improve is some areas, fitness and cornering being two.

However, he is adamant that both will be under his belt by race day.

The young rider participated in the first leg of the Caribbean Motor Racing Champions (CMRC) held in Jamaica on May 21 but acknowledged he could have performed much better.

“The performance was

satisfying but I could have done better. I was in second place during a race but then I fell. So that was disappointing,” declared Persaud whose driving force is father Narindra.

With the next episode of the Caribbean competition slated for July 30 in Trinidad and Tobago, he is optimistic of turning in a better performance given his experience on the Twin Island Republic’s track.

The speed ace, who claimed that racing is addictive and very good for youths, is asking all of Guyana to come out and support him at the South Dakota meeting.

Given the possibility of stiff competition, Persaud believes that South Dakota is in for a treat. He extended gratitude to Palm Court, R. Kissoon Contracting service, Motor Trend and Miracle Optical for support given. (Akeem Greene)

guyanatimesgy.com

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O

Boxing Referee Agard does it differently ‒ key to success

ne Star boxing referee/judge Ramona Agard who recently created history in Guyana when she became the first from the Land of Many Waters to be selected to officiate in the South American Youth Games attributed her continued success to “doing things differently”.

Agard, who was notified of her selection by way of a recent letter from the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) said that she is more overjoyed at being selected to officiate at the tournament which is slated to take place in October of this year and hailed her selection as a plus for Guyana.

“I am overjoyed, elated and overwhelmed” a grateful Agard told

Guyana Times Sports, she pointed out that she does things differently as she keeps abreast with the ever changing International Boxing Association (IBA) rules by doing a lot of research, reading and by asking questions of colleagues.

Agard maintained that she sticks to the rules and practices what she is taught. “At all times I just stick to the rules, do what I was taught, control the ring, control the bout and I am in charge at all times.”

Interestingly, Agard has always been selected to referee in the finals of her international tournaments.

The humble but experienced referee extended gratitude to President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle and

Romona Agard made history when she became the first Guyanese referee to be selected for officiating at the South American Youth games

his executives, her supportive family, international colleague Trinidadian James Beckles who is a three star referee and K.A Juman Yassin the president of the Guyana Olympic Association.

Cougars get 1st lean of title C

constructive football and Reagan Reece sent them ahead in the 57th minute.

As has been proven before in the tournament Paradise had the ability to dig deep. This resulted in a late strike. Skipper, Nimrod August did not disappoint and scored in the 59th minute forcing both teams to go on an all out attack giving spectators a look at the talent available at the under-20 level in Berbice.

At the end, the score was deadlocked at 2-2 forcing the decision to come from the penalty spot.

Cougars prevailed 3-2.

Earlier, NA United took the third spot after winning the third place play-off against Hopetown United Rangers 4-0 in a one-sided affair which also featured a West Berbice team against a

Hemraj's all-round effort leads Port Mourant to victory A

Golden Arrow U-20 football

ougars FC have claimed the Golden Arrow U-20 football title and bragging right after stunning Paradise Invaders and in the process giving the West Berbice team their first taste of defeat in the tournament.

Playing under floodlights in the final on Friday, at the All Saints Ground on Princess Elizabeth Road New Amsterdam, Cougars registered a 3-2 win over the pre-match favourites on penalty kicks after the two teams had played to a 2-2 draw at the end of regulation time.

Watched by a sizeable crowd, the visiting team took the lead in the 6th minute when the goal hungry Shaqueel DeHarte found the back of the nets to send the West Berbice fans into a

23

brilliant half century and bowling figures of 4-15 from national middle-order batsman, Chandrapaul Hemraj led Port Mourant to a massive victory over Police Cricket Club in the Berbice Cricket Board’s Senior 50-Overs competition.

Playing under brilliant sunshine at the Port Mourant Community Center on Sunday, the host won the toss and elected to field.

Their bowlers proved too much for the visiting Police team which was bowled out for 74 in 30 overs. Batting for Police, C. Lindie top scored with 20 while S. Phillips followed second with 12. All the other batsmen failed to reach double figures.

Bowling for Port Mourant, l Hemraj took 4 for 15 in his 9 overs, which included 3 maidens, while Omesh Mathura and Arrif Chan took 2 wickets each and Doorasani Mahadeo

At the conclusion of the tournament, the trophies and medals along with the Golden Arrow milk products were presented to the winners by Jermain Sripaul of the tournament sponsor J’s Supermarket.

First place trophy and gold medals went to Cougars Football Club along with

the most outstanding goalkeeper trophy to Trivette Edwards, second place trophy went to Paradise Invaders FC, the highest individual goal scorer was Shaqueel DeHarte(4) and MVP was Aubrey Joseph, both of Paradise Invaders FC. (Andrew Carmichael)

took 1.

With Hemraj made a aggressive 52 not out from 42 deliveries which included four fours and two sixes.

He received valuable support from Loydel Lewis and Daniel Samaroo.

The competition continues this Sunday at various venues across the county of Berbice.

ICC announces enhanced prize money

T

Paradise sharpshooters Shaqueel DeHarte and Nimrod August

Chandrapaul Hemraj

he eight top teams of the world will be vying for a winner’s prize of US$660 000 in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, which will be held in the United Kingdom from 24 June to 23 July.

In line with the ICC’s strategy of enhancing the stature of women’s cricket, the ICC had earlier in May announced that the total prize money for the tournament would be US$2 million, ten times of the amount at stake in the 2013 edition. he prize money filters

down the ladder with the runner-up winning US$330 000 and the losing semi-finalists getting $165 000 each. Teams exiting at the group stage will get US$30 000 each while each win in the group stage will earn a side US$20 000.

Meanwhile, the teams will get to tune up for the tournament with the warmup matches which begin on June 19, with host England taking on Sri Lanka in Chesterfield and India playing New Zealand in Derbyshire. (Barbados Nation)

"Everyone must pull weight" ‒Aguilleira says teamwork crucial to Windies Women W

Cougars sharpshooters Reagan Reece & Xavier Johnson

frenzy. The half time whistle came and the writings seemed on the wall.

Urged on by the vocal crowd the home team equalised in the 43rd minute off the booth of Xavier Johnson.

Energised by that goal, Cougars began to play more

New Amsterdam side.

Orin Glen opened the scoring in the 40th minute which opened the goal shout. Stephen Rigby 46th, Quinn Hazel 60thand Jamal Butts 74th then netted to quell the hope of Hopetown.

est Indies Women’s wicketkeeper batsman Merissa Aguilleira believes a strong team spirit will be one of the most crucial components of success for the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup. The 13-man squad, a mix of youth and experience, will look to use the momentum of success from its last major tournament, a T20 World Cup title and better their previous appearance at the tournament, which

saw the team finish second to Australia in the 2013 fi-

key in accomplishing their goals, the player was quick

nal. Though the likes of the experienced Deandra Dottin, Anisa Mohammed captain Stafanie Taylor and Aguilleira herself will be

to point out that it will take a strong overall team effort to lift the title.

“I honestly think everyone has to pull their weight

it’s important. We are a body we need the hand the foot the tongue we need everybody cooperating and on one page,” Aguilleira said.

“If we have one person not on the same page we will have some mishap so I believe everyone has to pull their weight,” she added.

The regional team is currently in England for a twoweek acclimatization period as they prepare for the June 24 start of the tournament. (Sportsmax)

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

TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

"Everyone must pull weight"

Golden Arrow U-20 football

Pg 23

Cougars get 1st lean of title

Pg 23

‒ Aguilleira says teamwork crucial to Windies Women

The winning Cougars team

West Indies Women’s wicketkeeper/batsman Merissa Aguilleira

GMR&SC National Race of Champions…

Persaud confident of extending Super Stock dominance Pg 22

After sweeping the field in April, Kevin Persaud has set his sights on another route (Rohindra Mahase photo)

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