Guyana Times 24 July 2018

16 THE BEACON OF TRUTH

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

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Issue No. 3634

PRICE

Govt admits to loopholes in tracking immigrants

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyanese will soon be able to check P9 credit scores online

Page 2

Corentyne man P8 charged for forging adoption papers

Trade hampered by poor Nagamootoo spreading local manufacturing “blatant and sector – Govt Page Page 9 Page 2 2

Canal flooding

absurd lie” – PPP

…after PM claims threatening gesture made at him Page 3

ExxonMobil estimates more than 4 billion oil-equivalent barrels at Stabroek Block Page 14

Regional administration, NDC blame errant contractor P11

…farmers maintain call for REO’s removal

Budget 2019

P7

Region 2 administration wants $39M for 3 vehicles …$800,000 for guard hut …RDC shocked at lavishness

Ex-GDF rank shot Kitty man with P11 friend’s service weapon – jury hears ExxonMobil announced on Monday that it has increased its estimate of the discovered recoverable resource from a previous estimate of 3.2 billion oil-equivalent barrels and has advanced its evaluation to support a third phase of development and consideration of two additional phases

Miner stabbed while fighting off bandits Page 12

AFC financier charged Page 8 for supplying unregistered drugs to GPHC

18-year-old's death at resort P10

Family, friends call for implementation of safety measures

2 news

tuesdAY, JUly 24, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt admits to loopholes in tracking immigrants vealed that some 22,520 persons had entered Guyana between January and April 2018.

However, of worry was 6,170 of those did not depart.

The records also showed that 3515 Haitians had entered Guyana in 2017, but only 291 were documented to have left.

By Jarryl Bryan

I

n the wake of an influx of persons from neighbouring countries, Government has admitted that while data is collected from immigrants crossing Guyana’s borders, authorities here carry out only limited tracking of such immigrants afterwards.

This was outlined by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, who noted during a press conference on Monday that there is a Cabinet-vetted policy guideline currently in place to establish how immigrants are to be treated.

Immigrants, upon entry, must fill out an arrival card that details their country of origin and proposed place of residence while in Guyana.

“It isn’t normal in Guyana, once the person enters the country, to follow them around to see where they are,” Greenidge explained. “We’re not that type of state. However, immigration authorities can ask you to report to them from time to time.

That, as far as I’m aware, is the only requirement,” Greenidge explained.

“There were concerns about the need to avoid criminalising these persons for what might be regarded as simple immigration infractions. So that was a major consideration, bearing in mind that, since 1809, any Caribbean person landing on the shores of Haiti would be granted the right to stay in

Vaccination & inoculation

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

Haiti. So that was a consideration,” he explained.

Greenidge recalled that after the Foreign Affairs Ministry had brought it to Cabinet’s attention, a request was made for the matter to be investigated.

As a result, he explained, there were established common guidelines that took into account that ‘you don’t want to be providing arrangements that allow undesirables -- meaning criminals, terrorists and others –‘into the territory ’.”

“Those who are returning from Venezuela…if you say you are Guyanese, you would be required to prove it. You would be given the opportunity to establish… if you are Guyanese by birth, naturalisation or descent. If you are not Guyanese, you will be treated as non-Guyanese,” he outlined.

The Ministry of Citizenship had earlier this month re-

However, Guyanese or not, the minister explained, vaccination is a prerequisite in cases where persons may have been exposed to a pandemic from their country of origin.

Greenidge noted the serious effects that can visit indigenous populations encountering persons who may have been exposed to a pandemic, and related that if persons refuse to be vaccinated, they would have to leave this country.

Asked about the influx of Venezuelans in Mabaruma, Greenidge noted that a joint ministerial team of personnel from the Public Health and Citizenship ministries is aware of the guidelines. He noted that applications from those seeking to stay in Guyana are being handled.

“The region is encouraging countries to try not to deport these people (Venezuelans), or try not to jail them for immigration infractions in the current era, where there are special problems in Venezuela giving rise to irregular movements. Yes, the authorities in Whitewater are aware of

these… there’s nothing special about Whitewater.”

“There are, of course in some instances, persons who are camped on the other side of the border. That is not our issue. There are some in Guyanese territory seeking the right to stay; that is being handled. Problems arose because some felt they didn’t have to be vaccinated or inoculated. That is wrong. If they don’t want to, they have to leave,” Greenidge explained.

It has been reported that Venezuelan nationals are crossing into Guyana, especially at Region One, to seek medical treatment for malaria.

At least 368 cases of malaria were, in May 2017, reported to national health authorities in Region One, but Venezuelans seeking treatment were treated, according to Government.

Considering this to be part of Guyana’s international humanitarian contribution, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, had related that instructions were given to the Public Health Ministry to assist all comers. This assistance encompassed both Venezuelans and Guyanese who are living in the Spanishspeaking country.

There have been persistent reports that, due to a troubled economy and unrest that has gripped that nation, shortages of basic services exist in Venezuela, and those include health services.

Father-in-law’s attempted murder

Accused unable to secure Attorney

Sudesh Rambhajue

S

udesh Rambhajue -- who recently denied he had attempted to kill his father-in-law Latchman Narine Persaud on September 18, 2015 at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo – has been granted another adjournment on Monday after revealing that he was still unable to afford the services of an attorney. He was alternatively charged with felonious wounding, but he denied both counts at last Tuesday’s appearance.

“We ain’t got enough money; we a little short,” he informed the court.

Justice Brassington Reynolds informed the accused that the court is working according to time via the schedule of the assizes, but he nevertheless gave Rambhajue until Wednesday to secure an attorney. Further, Justice Reynolds

encouraged the family to seek the services of the Legal Aid Clinic, since the State is not required to assign a publicly-funded attorney to defend such charges.

Rambhajue’s case will commence with or without him having a defence attorney, but he will, however, be guided by the court on the inadmissibly of evidence.

Rambhajue last week told the court he could not afford to retain an attorney, and requested that the State provide representation for him.

However, he was informed that the charges he faces do not necessarily require the State to provide him with legal counsel.

Prosecutor Seeta Bishundial is presenting the State’s case, assisted by fellow attorneys Narissa Leander and Tiffini Lyken.

It was previously reported that Narine Persaud claimed to have been attacked by the suspect after he had asked him to move out from his house.

Persaud explained that after Rambhajue had ignored his request, he sought to repeat it when he saw the man approaching his home on the evening in question.

Narine Persaud reported that the man became annoyed, and stabbed him before fleeing the scene.

news

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tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Tuesday, July 24 – a night-time retraction of 03:00h and a day-time retraction of 14:30h-16:00h and Wednesday, July 25 – a night-time retraction of 03:30h and a day-time retraction of 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, July 24 – 14:25h-15:55h and Wednesday, July 25 – 15:10h-16:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Lightly cloudy skies in the early morning are expected to be followed by light rain showers. Thundery showers in the early evening hours are expected to be followed by light rain showers and partly cloudy skies. Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East South-Easterly to East North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 14:20h reaching a maximum height of 2.25 metres.

Low Tide: 07:52h and 20:08h reaching minimum heights of 0.89 metre and 0.96 metre.

SATURDAY, July 21, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS A

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16

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25 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

DAILY MILLIONS 02 09 10 18

22

LUCKY 3 0 5 7

7

Afternoon Draw DRAW DE LINE

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24

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5

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Evening Draw

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

Nagamootoo spreading “blatant and absurd lie” – PPP

…after PM claims threatening gesture made at him

C

laims contained in Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo’s column “My Turn” of July 22 are being sharply rebuffed by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

In a statement, the Party denied Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo made any threatening gesture towards the elderly politician.

The Party noted on Monday that Nagamootoo claimed that Jagdeo, at Parliament on Thursday last, “swiped his neck with his right index finger, motioning that someone had cut my throat”.

The Party reiterated Jagdeo’s position that Nagamootoo could not lead talks between the Parliamentary Opposition and the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government because of his lack of a substantial portfolio. As a result, he could not be in a position to treat with and make commitments to the Opposition Leader.

“The PPP wishes to make clear its rejection of this blatant and absurd lie,” the party stated. “Nagamootoo is desperately searching for sympathy by peddling his distortions.

Nagamootoo’s party leader, head of the AFC, Raphael Trotman, has said that the PM would have to step aside while President David Granger leads talks between the parliamentary Opposition and the Government.

According to the PPP, “contrary to these comments, however, Nagamootoo’s ramblings seem to indicate otherwise. The PPP urges Guyanese to not fall prey to Nagamootoo’s charade.”

Jagdeo, on Thursday, reaffirmed the Opposition PPP/Civic’s commitment to being part of any formal talks with the coalition Government, once there was a clear agenda and personnel on the part of the coalition who have the power, portfolio weight, and authority to make binding commitments during the discussions.

The Opposition Leader also made it clear that as a responsible stakeholder, the PPP/C was not interested in entering “cosmetic talks and arrangements” that were aimed at achieving political mileage and deceiving the public that progress was being made between the Government and the Opposition in key areas, especially those related to constitutional reform, gover-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

nance, and the fight against all forms of political and public corruption.

Jagdeo had made public his Party’s recommitment to being part of discussions sponsored by the Government, once they are transparent, serious in nature, and aimed at tackling some key issues which are eating away at the moral, social, economic and political fabric of society.

He explained that he felt the need to publicly share his Party’s position on any proposed talks, in order to clarify any misconception or belief that the PPP was not interested in dialogue with the Government, and was, therefore, avoiding the same because of its perceived resentment of the Prime Minister, who initially had been identified as the person who would spearhead discussions.

Jagdeo added he was compelled to ensure that the international community and Guyanese with-

in the Diaspora did not get the wrong impression of the PPP/C’s posture.

“I received a call from President Carter, [former US President] Jimmy Carter, and after talking a bit about Guyana, he said to me he had spoken to President Granger, and somehow, (what) he got from that conversation is that the Government wanted to engage with us and we are unwilling to engage, because we don’t like Nagamootoo. So, I said to him that that’s absolutely not true,” the Opposition Leader said.

Even then, Jagdeo had maintained that the only issue his Party has with Nagamootoo was related to his portfolio.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018

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

Dignity for women I

nvesting in girls, developing their social and economic assets, ensuring they have access to education and health services, and ensuring that they can postpone marriage until they are ready; all this means greater dignity for women.

According to Executive Director of United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, it also means healthier families and higher levels of gender equality. This in turn makes for stronger societies and more vibrant economies.

Dr Babatunde, in a report released by the UNFPA, also indicated that “investment in later marriage for girls is investment in development for everyone”.

“No society can afford the lost opportunity, waste of talent, or personal exploitation that child marriage causes,” he stated.

The UNFPA report, in which Guyana was flagged for child marriages and low life expectancy, shows what the evidence of the study tells us about this harmful practice and to assist decision makers to sharpen their focus on the urgent protection of girls’ human rights. Respect for girls’ human rights requires that we prevent and end child marriage and demands that we actively support girls who are already married. Human rights realised for girls are simply the fulfilment of our duty to them. It is, as Dr Babatunde said, the only course by which we can avert what otherwise is the human tragedy of child marriage.

The UN report stressed the need for more attention to be placed on social welfare and protection for the average citizen in middle-income countries – among which Guyana numbers.

As previously published in the Guyana Times, the report places a focus on social protection services being offered by Governments throughout the world. It details that there is more work to be done when it comes to eradicating child marriage.

According to the report, up to last year, 30 per cent of children in Guyana got married by the age of 18. Haiti’s rate was listed as 18 per cent, while in St Lucia the prevalence of child marriage was recorded at 24 per cent. Data on this subject was missing from several other regional countries.

As of 2017, the report also pegged Guyana as having a life expectancy rate of 69 years for females and 65 for males.

It is a rate which does not compare well with the regional average. Trinidad and Tobago has a life expectancy of 74 for females and 67 for males, while Barbados’ rate stands at 78 years for females and 74 for males. French Guiana’s life expectancy rate stands at 83 for females and 77 for males.

Suriname’s rate is 75 years for females and 68 years for males.

Even Venezuela’s rate of 79 years for females and 71 years for males exceeds Guyana’s, despite the economic challenges the Spanish-speaking country is beset with.

One section of the report also ranks countries based on the rate of maternal deaths. It uses a Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of deaths per 100,000 live births. According to the report, Guyana had an MMR of 229 deaths as of 2015.

This is a regional high, when compared to the rates in other countries. Jamaica had 89 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines clocked in at 48 and 45 respectively. Trinidad has an MMR of 63, while Barbados stood at 27.

When it comes to women having access to antenatal care, the report paints a more favourable picture of Guyana. It notes that women in Guyana are afforded the same level of access to antenatal care irrespective of rural or urban residency.

In terms of the prevalence of contraceptive use in females aged 15 to 49, 41 per cent of Guyanese women were found to use modern methods while 42 per cent used any method at all. The report also noted that 86 per cent of all births in Guyana had been attended by skilled medical personnel.

While acknowledging that great strides have been made over the years, all stakeholders in Guyana need to take note of where we are stand, or are perceived to stand, currently, with regard to these crucial issues. We must pay heed to the advice that bold initiatives need to be undertaken in order to increase access to health care, and contraceptives; and to include as many households as possible in the social protection net. Government must lead the way, with scope for civil society and the business community to get involved.

Anything less, especially in efforts to restore pride and dignity to our girls and women, will be unacceptable.

West Indies cricketking star, Christopher Gayle on Monday paid a courtesy call on Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, at his office at the Ministry of the Presidency. During the meeting, the two discussed West Indies cricket, how the game can be improved and how it can influence the lives of both the young and the old. Minister Harmon used the opportunity to pledge the Government’s support to the sport as he further noted that the entire nation stands strongly behind the team. “Cricket is not just a game, it is a part of our culture; it’s a lifestyle. This loved game of cricket is such a huge part of not just the Guyanese culture but it’s a part of our Caribbean culture, it is one of the sports that unify our people. The Government of Guyana fully supports the team and its players,” he said

Guyana has, to a large extent, lost its sense of history

Dear Editor, Boat dun gon a falls, and it can’t turn back. I learnt that many years ago. Editor, did I not pen a correspondence very recently stating that Guyana needs to have a museum that houses artefacts of British Guiana because it plays a pivotal role within the tourism sector?

Editor, did I not, in another article, suggest we should consider erecting a Photography Museum on the premises of the National Park, because of the historic events held there?

Editor, have I not said in past articles, via the press, that the subject areas of History and Geography need to be more vibrant within the school’s curriculum, be-

cause of their relevance to the tourism sector?

Editor, have I not brought to the public’s attention, via the press, the vintage British- made vehicle once used by the late President LFS Burnham, which is now in a storage bond decaying? And did I not suggest we need to have it restored and perhaps put on display?

Does the above not all coincide with preserving Guyana’s history, past and present, towards tourism development?

Past or present Government of the day, has anyone ever considered my suggestions?

I do welcome to the shelves of Guyana Pro. McGowan’s book titled

“A Survey of Guyana’s History”, and I do support President David Granger’s call for History to be given its rightful place in the education system. In my opinion, Guyana has, to a large extent, lost both its sense and preservation of history, and only God knows in which decade we will actually witness such a development. Sometime in 2016 (I think), I was tasked with a little project to sell 10 copies of The Guyana Annual Magazine (1000), and I never managed to sell any. No one I contacted was interested, and that magazine also relates to Guyana’s history. I did have the books returned, and I hope they were sold off.

I wish Professor McGowan total success in having his books sold off at $4000 each, as reported in the press.

I continue to wish that all stakeholders who have not given up the fight would keep fighting harder, and hopefully, one good sunny day, Guyana will shine like a diamond as an elite tourist destination.

Unfortunately, my resource has dried up, and whenever I can manage to squeeze in additional work from the sidewalk, I will continue to so do.

Yours faithfully, T Pemberton Tour Guide/ Photographer

Abusive relationships scar children for life

Dear Editor, Very often, victims of gender-based abuse say they chose not to walk away from it because of the children. The fact is that staying in an abusive relationship because of the children will cause the children to be scarred for life, as growing up in such a home is one of the most terrifying and traumatic experiences a child can have.

Children in abusive relationships may blame themselves for the abuse, thinking if they had not done or said a particular thing the abuse would not have occurred.

They may also become angry at their siblings or their mothers for triggering the abuse, and may display increased aggression towards peers or mothers.

Such children may feel rage, embarrassment and humiliation. They generally feel isolated and vulnerable, and can easily engage in self-

harm, or even become suicidal. They are starved for attention, affection, and approval as they become physically, emotionally and psychologically abandoned. Thus they can also be continually angry and act out, or they can become depressed and withdraw, too frightened and embarrassed to speak out, and easy to be bullied. Also, they can be anxious to please, and thus become easy to manipulate and be taken advantage of.

Since children have a natural tendency to identify with strength, they may ally themselves with the abuser, and lose respect for their seemingly helpless mother. In fact, there is a definite correlation between violence and child abuse. Growing up in a violent home can set patterns for children; patterns that can cause them to commit violence and abuse, thereby continuing that cycle. In effect,

witnessing domestic violence is the single best predictor of juvenile delinquency and adult criminality.

As well, females can also become accepting of abuse -- thinking that it is normal -- as they grew up seeing it happen continually, with the victim staying rather than leaving. And so they will not only tolerate intimate-partner abuse as they get older, but may actually think such abuse is normal.

Children in abusive relationships may experience developmental delays in speech, motor, or cognitive skills; are also more apt to use poor judgment; have health problems; experience social and emotional issues; be at higher risk of alcohol/drug abuse; suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder; and are also more apt to become school dropouts, pregnant teens, and gun users. They grow up to suffer from low self-es-

teem; stay in dead-end jobs; or worse, be unable to keep a job.

According to a 2002 US Department of Justice Special Report, children who grow up in homes where violence is present are: 1) Six (6) times more likely to take their lives 2) Twenty-four (24) times more likely to be sexually assaulted 3) Sixty-seven (67) times more likely to engage in delinquent behaviours as adolescents 4) One hundred (100) times more likely to be abusers themselves 5) Five hundred (500) times more likely to be abused or neglected.

In effect, children should be the abused person’s most critical reason NOT TO STAY in an abusive relationship.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

3 held with over US$90,000 en route to Guyana T

hree foreign nationals were on Sunday arrested at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston, Jamaica

after cash totalling US$93,000 and other currencies were reportedly found in their possession.

Two of the accused are na-

tionals of Suriname, while the other is from French Guiana.

The three, who were attempting to board a flight to Guyana, were arrested

about 14:45h after they were searched, and US dollars were found concealed on their persons.

Other currencies they had

in their possession included SR$325, €150, and J$50. The Police said they were arrested on suspicion of breaching the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The three remain in custody as the investigation continues. The Police said their identities are being withheld at this time. (Jamaica Observer)

Review of local content policy to be completed next year – Gaskin

T

he second review of the local content policy is expected to be completed by the first quarter of next year. This is so according to Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, who made the announcement while addressing a recent forum at the Pegasus Hotel.

“There is currently a second draft local content policy framework being reviewed and consulted on. We’ve also recently completed a terms of reference for a consultancy to complete the local content policy based on consultations

and a draft, also an implementation plan depending on whether or not legislation is going to be needed for the implementation. This process should be completed by the fourth quarter of this year or the first quarter of next year,” the Minister informed.

He added that it was important for the new legislation to be ‘balanced’, since a ‘too strongly national’ local content policy can jeopardise the efficiency or the viability of the company being relied on to harness the resource.

Gaskin, however, warned

that Guyanese would not be able to benefit from the local content policy if they were unable to meet the capacity of the oil and gas sector. According to him, capacity development costs should be borne by the industry that is going to benefit in the long run.

In continuing, the Business Minister advised that Guyanese should be willing to carry the burden of oil expenditure and not only seek to benefit from oil revenue.

“As the owners of this oil,

Guyanese people must become the main beneficiaries of those production costs. In other words, we have to benefit not only from oil revenues, but from the spending that is associated with oil production,” he pointed out.

Gaskin said despite the fact that oil and gas will provide growth opportunities, persons should not only be dependent on job opportunities in the sector as he noted that “we should not be blinkered in our own approach to investments”.

The primary aim of the

Who can help us?

Dear Editor, Whenever I go anywhere, there’s always something worrying that I would see, and pen a letter about it. And like me, many others do the same.

Sometimes long after, you would notice steps being taken to address the problems, but most times nothing happens; and sadly, I wonder if it is because those in authority who can address these issues are not directly being affected by them, so they are reluctant to address these matters.

On Sunday at 10:40h, I was about to board the speedboat (Brotherhood) at the Georgetown Stelling when the bowman informed me that the cost to travel across the river to Vreed-en-Hoop was two hundred dollars.

There were a few other prospective passengers present, and they started to raise questions about the fare increase, and the bowman informed them that on Sundays and holidays the price is double.

Now, I mentioned in a previous letter that the increase in fares on Sundays and holidays would cover the cost of

the boat travelling half full, because the boat would leave when it is about half-filled or a little bit more than half, so that increase would cover the seats not being paid for.

Shockingly, the operators waited until the boat was completely full before departing; which means that they are getting double on the trip. At Vreed-en-Hoop, I observed the same thing happening, thus I have concluded that if those boat operators are allowed to take an inch, they would want to extend it to a yard.

These atrocities have been taking place for years; and had those in authority -- who are being paid to so do -- monitored the operations of these crooks and taken steps to curb their dishonesty, today it would have been a different situation for passengers on Sundays and holidays.

Editor, this blatant robbery also extends to the minibuses, which have also increased their fares; but instead of passengers travelling in comfort, they are still forced to travel in overloaded buses.

Travelling in a Route 40, 41, 42, or 48 bus used to cost

sixty dollars for a short drop.

Now they are demanding eighty dollars.

On the West Side, even if you travel from one village to the next village, you have to pay eighty dollars.

Now they are taking your hundred dollars and ignoring your demand for change; driving away instead. I know it’s more costly for someone to go and make a report against the bus, and that it would take a toll on time and involve running to the station for confrontation and court, but I am urging the Police to please be stricter in charging operators of overloaded buses, because they are overcharging passengers and still overloading the buses.

Leaving the Vreed-enHoop Stelling, the minibus was overloaded, and one woman didn’t know her destination, so the bus was forced to turn back in the vicinity of the Leonora Stadium.

Incidentally, two traffic ranks were over the bridge, and they observed the bus making the U-turn, so one of them followed the bus and observed that it was overloaded.

The bus was ordered to go to the station, and the conductor was arrested. I do hope charges were instituted and no bribe was paid.

Many of the traffic ranks and senior officers are ‘friendly’ with many minibus operators, especially the so-called ‘shine buses’, which are more abusive to the system and are not getting charged. Should the Police forsake their greed, I think we all would be better off and happier; but sad to so, the same nonsense keeps happening all the years, and the poor travelling public have to suffer whilst the demons enjoy themselves.

Sincerely, Sahadeo Bates

policy is ensuring the education, inclusion, and advancement of as many Guyanese as possible in the industry.

As ExxonMobil prepares to officially commence production in 2020, there is much preparatory work currently ongoing, which requires services tailored to the specific needs of the industry.

The draft local content policy has been criticised in recent months for lacking provisions which would safeguard against exploitation by companies, especially since there have been intensified reports of the local companies being bypassed for contracts and services with foreign companies being favoured.

The document does not cater for issues such as how to avoid procurement fraud,

conflict of interest and favouritism, among others.

According to the draft local content framework document, the policy seeks to address the suite of opportunities that may arise and the approaches to be taken in selecting and developing opportunities related to enhancing the capabilities of Guyanese nationals and businesses through training and well-tailored social contributions for greater impact and benefits among others.

Earlier this year, following the closing of the inaugural Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit (GIPEX), the Private Sector Commission (PSC) vowed to continue pushing for an effective local content policy that would benefit all Guyanese.

Canvas City man fined for DUI

A

s Police in Linden continue to crack down on incidents of drinking and driving, more perpetrators continue to be hauled before the court.

Thirty-eight-yearold Kelvin Samuels was charged with the offence of driving under the influence (DUI) and appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

The court heard that Samuels operated a motor

vehicle while his breath alcohol level exceeded the legal limit.

According to the facts of the case, on July 16, Samuels drove motor vehicle PKK 9468 along the Washer Pond road, Mackenzie, Linden, while his breath alcohol level was 59 micrograms.

Samuels, of G5 Canvas City, Wismar, Linden, pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $7500. Failure to pay the fine will result in one week’s imprisonment.

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tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018

Page

By Ugo Uche

Y

ou want your son to become more proactive in following through with his chores around the home. But there is a dance you both engage in, which involves you periodically allowing some time to elapse before his lethargy becomes intolerable. At which time you initiate an intervention. You seize his gaming console, restrict his time on his computer, and in some cases suspend his driving privileges.

In most cases when parents resort to the suspension of privileges, there is a radical shift in their teen’s behaviour. Grades come up and he becomes more cooperative around the home. Then after some time has passed, his privileges are restored one at a time. In most cases, the improvement lasts for a significant amount of time even after privileges have been fully restored.

Then, slowly but surely, your teen starts to resort to his old ways of procrastinating to outright lethargy. A common question most parents find themselves asking, are: “Why isn’t the change we have been witnessing, lasting?”

The reason for this cycle is because you and your teen are reliant on external factors to motivate him.

External factors are typically reliable as sources of motivation for children, but after 12, the factors, such as the desire for parental and social approval, start to diminish as core sources of motivation. Most children are often eager to please their parents and will often follow through with assigned tasks and duties in the school and home. While most teens still have a desire for parental approval, it becomes a lower priority as the teen transitions through a state of turmoil in his efforts to make

Foundation sense of life and assign to it, his own meaning. It is from this meaning he becomes motivated.

This is not to say that the teen is not at all motivated by a desire to please his parents, but regardless of where he is in making sense of his life, he becomes more motivated by his inner desires. Specifically, he finds himself motivated by the things that

bring him pleasure and joy. Therefore, parents will often find immediate improvement when certain privileges are suspended. However, this has its limits, as some parents have learned, that even when all privileges are seized, the teen continues in his reluctance to participate fully in his activities of daily living.

External factors which influence

motivation have their limits; even desirable activities like video games will reach the point of diminishing returns.

This is because in the absence of an internal narrative that drives the teen’s behaviour, his daily activities have no meaning and even the activities he typically enjoys are becoming bland to him.

So, what does internal motivation look like? It looks like a narrative which the teen uses to make sense of his daily experiences in the world around him. A common theme for such a narrative would be mastery, in which the teen seeks to become the best or as good as he can become in whatever he is doing.

I have found that when teens have created a vision of a goal they would like to achieve, and strive towards, that it becomes easier to sell them the importance of the activities of daily living they are not so fond of doing.

So, what can parents do with this information?

When running an intervention with your teen, regarding his lack of cooperation around the household or his reluctance to engage in activities that benefit in the long run, have a conversation with him about what his goals for the future might look like. It is not unusual for parents to receive the answer, of “I don’t know.” In situations like this, your teen might benefit from the services of a professional to help guide him towards creating a healthy narrative that motivates him.

Kaieteur Falls

Pakaraimas Mountains

(psychologytoday.com)

I

Shell Beach

n Guyana, we have so many beautiful and amazing places. Places that have meaning to all of us as citizens — Georgetown; places that are geographically stunning — the Kaieteur Falls, the Pakaraimas Mountains, the Shell Beach; and places that have personal meaning to us as individuals and smaller communities — towns our ancestors emigrated from, places our friends and relatives live now, favourite vacation spots, town monuments, libraries, fields, all kinds of special places.

Make us a map with at least 10 locations (Grades K-5) or 20 locations (Grades 6-12) that are important to you. And we don't just want you to show us the places on a map; we also want you to tell us what these special places are and why they are important to you, so remember to add labels to the points on your map.

You may draw your map or use software. There are several free online application you can use — Google Earth (for mapping) and TimeGlider (for timelines). Note: Google Earth requires installation on your computer. (Adapted from readingrockets.org) Submit your map, with your parent’s permission, to Summer of Reading @ Facebook for a chance to win prizes.

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tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Budget 2019

Corentyne beating to death

Region 2 administration wants $39M for 3 vehicles …$800,000 for guard hut …RDC shocked at lavishness

The RDC special meeting held on Monday to discuss Region 2's budget

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he Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) was shocked on Monday when the body met for a special sitting to review the 2019 Regional Budget and saw $39 million being requested for three vehicles. Also, alarming is the request of $800,000 to build a single guard hut.

During the meeting where heads of department presented drafts

which were discussed in detail, adjustments made and passed, Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt affirmed that the Region had enough vehicles and taxpayers’ monies must be spent wisely. He noted that luxury vehicles were not necessary, but rather the Region needed to focus on providing much-needed services to residents. He asked the advice of the Councillors, who were in full support to strike off the three vehicles. The

$800,000 guard hut was also removed from the budget.

In the health department, a paramedic ambulance was budgeted for to transport critical patients to the Georgetown Public Hospital in a more safe and timely manner.

A verification of some of the works budgeted for 2019 will be done today when Councillors of the RDC will be visiting the various sites, before the final draft is approved.

Autopsy shows woman died of natural causes …family calls for 2nd autopsy

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n autopsy conducted on Monday on the body of 43-year-old Sabita Shamnarine of Lot 2 Section ‘E’, Line Path Corriverton, Corentyne gave her cause of death as gastro internal bleeding and haemorrhage.

Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh has therefore concluded that her death resulted from natural causes.

Shamnarine’s family members are, however, calling for a second autopsy to be performed on her body.

Shamnarine died on Saturday last at the New Amsterdam Hospital, after being transferred from the Skeldon Hospital where she had been admitted after complaining of pain in her neck and back, allegedly following a beating from her husband.

The woman was reportedly beaten by her husband on July 15, and neighbours reportedly took her in an injured state to the Skeldon Hospital after she complained of experiencing severe pain.

Hours after being admitted, she fell into an unconsciousness state.

However, before she had lost consciousness, she allegedly told medical personnel that she had been cuffed behind her head and at the side of her neck, and had

Dead: Sabita Shamnarine

also been kicked in her back.

She claimed the injuries on her body were inflicted by her husband, who formerly worked with the Skeldon Sugar Estate.

The woman’s daughter had also reported that her father had used a hammer to hit her mother in her head.

The woman’s condition reportedly worsened while she had been a patient at the Skeldon Hospital, and she was subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries on Saturday.

Neighbours have since said that the late Sabita Shamnarine had suffered almost 20 years of abuse.

“Well, they always get a lil up and down, like when

he drink rum. Sometimes in the morning when she come out to go to work, you see she face black and blue, or marks on she skin, or sometimes she head swell up. This thing going on long,” one neighbour told Guyana Times.

Another neighbour said Shamnarine had, on a few occasions, sought refuge at their home to escape being abused by her husband.

Shamnarine had mothered three children, two of whom had died. However, a five-yearold lived with the couple.

Shamnarine’s former colleagues have said she was dismissed after she started acting abnormally and was found on more than one occasion speaking to herself. They believe that blows to her head over a prolonged period might have started affecting her mentally.

On Wednesday, a social worker went to Shamnarine’s home and found the suspect there with a male friend and the couple’s child.

When the social worker attempted to take away the child, the suspect resisted, the Police were called in, and he was arrested.

Police are today expected to seek advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on the way forward.

8 news

tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

AFC financier charged for supplying unregistered drugs to GPHC

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lliance for Change financier Lloyd Singh was on Monday slapped with two counts of supplying unregistered drugs to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Singh appeared before Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman and denied the charges.

The prosecution is contending that the father of five, owner of the International Pharmaceutical Agency at Lot 226 “B” Camp Street, Georgetown, on August 12, 2017 supplied the unregistered drug Rituximab 100mg to the Georgetown Public Hospital in violation of Part 3, Section 28 of the Food and Drugs Regulations Act (Guyana) of 1977.

The prosecution is also contending that the 51-year-old businessman committed the same act on October 23, 2017 at the said location.

In court on Monday, Singh’s attorney, in a bail application, asked the court to release his client on his own recogni-

IPA owner Lloyd Singh

sance. The lawyer told the court that the charge against his client is bogus.

Magistrate Latchman placed the businessman on $60,000 bail, and put down the case for continuation on July 27.

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence had revealed last year that, in 2016 and 2017, several firms had been awarded contracts to supply pharmaceuticals to the health sector, but failed to deliver. The International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA) is one of those companies that failed to supply all of the drugs it was contracted to supply, because it was not qualified to import some specialised pharmaceuticals, it was revealed.

In February 2016, Singh, a major financier of the Alliance For Change Headquarters in Kitty, Georgetown, was hailed by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan for his contribution to the party.

At the opening, party leader, Raphael Trotman described the contribution from Singh as a “political investment”.

Corentyne man charged for forging adoption papers

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riskar Maniram of Lot 121, Number 73 Village, Corentyne, Berbice on Monday appeared before Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman

on a charge alleging that he had forged his own adoption papers.

The charge specified that between July 17 and July 20, 2018, with intent

Ariskar Maniram being escorted after his court appearance

to defraud, Maniram conspired with a person or persons in Georgetown to forge a Certificate of Adoption in favour of himself, purporting to show that it was issued by the General Registrar’s Office.

Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris told the court that the 30-year-old resident of the United States since 2003 paid someone $73,000 to forge the document, then attempted to use the document to apply for citizenship in the United States of America, but was caught.

Maniram told Magistrate Latchman he was unaware that the document had been forged, and is as such innocent of the fraud.

He was placed on bail in the sum of $100,000 and the matter was adjourned to August 13. As a condition of his bail, Maniram was ordered to lodge his passport and to report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) weekly.

Sore points…

T

…about NYT report hat NYT reporter certainly seems to’ve struck a raw nerve in some folks here with his story, “The $20 Billion question for Guyana”. As your Eyewitness commented yesterday, three columnists of the Muckraker got their buktas into such a knot you could just see their eyes bulging!! Today, they were joined by the PRO from the Ministry of Finance, and by a playwright who hadn’t been heard from for years, but suddenly surfaced to argue the Guyana Prize for Literature be kept. This monument to mediocrity had coughed up US$20,000 to him as of now!!

And this in itself is an instance of “shit-hole-ness” that the NYT reporter missed. How do you dole out “National” Literature Prizes to submissions on “Exercise Books”??!!

What does it say about your nation, except that it’s in a shithole? The irony is, the playwright doesn’t even live here any longer!! He parlayed his prize winnings into a grubstake to live in some basement in NY!! And imagine, he’s all cut up because the NYT fella described Guyana as a “backwater”!!

Trying to make his “point”, the pedantic playwright even defined “backwater: a place that seems stuck in a rut—a place unmoved by current events.” Now, tell me, if this doesn’t describe Guyana to a tee, what does? Yet the “playwright” had the temerity to assert: “The description ‘Backwater’ therefore does NOT fit Guyana”!!! If New Yorkers could call New Jersey a “backwater”, what’s so insulting to accept we’re not exactly at the crossroads of the world – like Times Square!! He also insists Guyana isn’t “isolated”!! We have ONE scheduled (Third World) airline connecting us with the rest of the world, and we’re PLUGGED IN?? Pleease!! And yes, this fella won FOUR Guyana Prizes!!

The other defender of Guyana’s honour was a paid hack… the PRO of the Ministry of Finance…so your Eyewitness understands she has to defend the indefensible. After all, how could her boss puff his chest out at international gatherings if his country’s publicly dubbed as a “shithole country”? Problem is, at the said international gatherings, he’s mostly begging for handouts!! Like the $900 million he claims to’ve extracted from the Islamic Development Bank!

She had the grace to not contest the NYT charge that “the Civil Service is corrupt”!! What she did pick a bone with was: “foreign bank developers have told the government that legislation to create a sovereign wealth fund…lacks sufficient regulatory controls to avert corruption” and that “the legislation is in limbo.” Then guess what? She goes on to describe the advice the Finance Ministry has received from the IFI’s!!

And admits the legislation still hasn’t been tabled.

That’s called “in limbo”!! …on socialism Ahhh…the times are a changin’!! Imagine, sixty years after its revolution – when it inspired even book revolutionaries like Moses Nagamootoo to adopt the “Che Beret”! – the Cuban Government announced it’s abandoning “communism” for “socialism”. So what does this mean? Your Eyewitness couldn’t find it in himself to plough through “Das Capital”, so he stuck with Marx’s “Reader’s Digest” version of the difference between the two ideologies.

Communism, he said, means “from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs!” Now this is great, isn’t it? You get whatever you need…but you only work according to your “ability”!! The point, of course, is who’s to say what’s your “ability”, if you don’t like to work? “Socialism”, on the other hand, meant “from each according to his ability, to each according to his work”. You had to work, baby!! But could also own private property and vote and enjoy such bourgeoisie “rights”!

But did you realise, dear readers, that according to our Constitution, Guyana, like Cuba, is also “in transition to socialism”?

CIA regime change, anyone? …from Nagamootoo In his Chronic Column, Nagamootoo claimed the Opposition Leader unfairly called him a “lightweight,” so as not to negotiate with him. But, he said, “Jagdeo walked away with a Pyrrhic victory”! “Pyrrhic victory”?

Jagdeo suffered such devastating losses he might’ve well have lost. Wanker!!

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

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tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Trade hampered by poor local manufacturing sector – Govt

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ith the economy and trade dominating recent foreign bilateral engagements, talks with Brazil to improve the Partial Scope Trade deal were the subject of recent talks.

Progress in this regard has, however, been hampered by Guyana’s lacklustre manufacturing capacity.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge made this revelation during a press conference on Monday. The minister has long contended that Guyana is missing valuable opportunities to export more under the

Guyanese will soon be able to check credit scores online

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Credit Info CEO Judy Semple-Joseph

he management of Credit Info Guyana is seeking to up its game with the introduction of a new application (app) which will enable Guyanese to access their credit scores online by next year. The announcement about the upgrade to the current system was made at the entity’s New Market Street, Georgetown location on Monday even as the entity celebrates its fifth anniversary.

Manager of Sales and Business Development, David Falkconer, noted, “I should let you know that we are working on an application; so, pretty soon, you

will be able to access your credit score and your credit report on your phone, on your tablet, and on your laptops”.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Judy Semple-Joseph added that the company was hoping to launch the system earlier, but will facilitate sensitisation sessions with the public before the system kicks off in January 2019.

She pointed out that several agencies have already subscribed to the service. The CEO explained, “We have about 26 subscribers, including all the banks and micro-financing institutions and other non-

bank entities”.

A few of the agencies who would have subscribed include the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), Courts Guyana, University of Guyana, and the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED).

The CEO stressed that having a good credit score entitles a person to access a loan much easier, and even aids in better financial management.

Presently, persons who wish to access their credit information are required to go through a process, but hopefully, with the new APP, the service will be much easier.

The APP will allow persons to check their credit score as often as they would like, and at any time of the day. A small annual fee of $8000 is attached.

Users will, however, be entitled to one free credit report per year.

Partial Scope Agreement.

“The issue is this: If you have a partner and you are interested in doing trade with them, you have to have commodities that can be sold in that market. The situation we have with Brazil is that Brazil can offer us a wide range of products, 100 or more than we are able to offer to Brazil.

Part of the reason has to do with the standards that are set by the Brazilians, as well as the types of things demanded by the Brazilians,” Greenidge explained.

According to the minister, there is no point in expecting that “we are going to be able to sell basic staples to a neighbour that has exactly the same ecology as you. If you want to sell plantain, eddoes, sweet potatoes, they grow both sides of the border. So you have to do something with them; add value, process them, deliver them as a different product. We are not able to do that to any significant extent.”

The importance of value added products and processing cannot be overstated. It is, however, an area in which Guyana has long lagged. In fact, Greenidge acknowledged that the manufacturing sector it-

self faces hurdles, having to contend with high energy prices, among other things.

Experts, for instance from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), have pointed out that Guyanese are paying too much for energy. In Guyana, the Guyana Power and Light’s Demerara (GPL) interconnected system is fed with power by the Power Producers and Distributors Inc, itself powered by imported oil.

In the Finance Ministry’s 2017 Mid-Year Report, it was detailed that GPL’s expenditure increased from $9.3 billion in the first half of 2016 to $12.6 billion in the same period this year.

Interestingly enough, this increase in expenditure was noted to be due to higher costs for heavy fuel oil, reinforcing the need for clean and renewable energy if the Government hopes to cut costs.

Manufacturing sector The Finance Ministry’s latest end-of-year outcome report which covers the year 2016 had stated that the manufacturing sector contracted by 9.5 per cent and not the 7.1 per cent Finance Minister Winston Jordan had projected in November of last year.

The decline in the manufacturing sector was linked to the shrinking production in agriculture.

The manufacturing sector is heavily dependent on sugar and rice production, a fact that Jordan had acknowledged last month at a press conference earlier this year.

“Very little manufacturing activity takes place in Guyana… the last number I looked at manufacturing, without sugar and rice milling, (it) contribute(s) a mere five per cent to GDP (Gross Domestic Product), which is very low,” Jordan

had told journalists at the press conference.

COTED Guyana hosted the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) last year, and there are developments coming out of that.

According to Greenidge, Guyana is in the process of organising talks between Caribbean sugar producers and other interested parties. These talks will be centred on rum production and the use of Plantation White Sugar in the region.

“You asked whether there is an expectation that as a result of the discussion there would be a drastic reduction in importation of refined white sugar. I don’t expect there will be any drastic reduction…but a region which commits itself to a single economic space cannot at the same time ask for those who are spending to spend on foreign products and expect that, regionally, it is going to have an advantageous effect on employment and income,” Greenidge explained.

“So you have, as a region, to recognise the (need) for consistent economic policies. Employment in the region is not dependent on foreigners; it’s first dependent on you and how you implement rules in establishing a single market; and whether you recognise that if you have to sell your products you must be able to afford a market to other members of the region. Otherwise, it can’t go forward,” the Minister pointed out.

He acknowledged that the imported sugar being cheaper is a major consideration for countries who import it, but he stressed that the region could not just operate on the basis of buying cheaper, because of the implications for those who do produce the product in the region.

10 news

tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

18-year-old’s death at resort

Family, friends call for implementation of safety measures S

ome seemingly upset family members and friends of the late 18-year-old Ronaldo Gomes, who was killed at a private resort on Tuesday last, have vented their concerns during a peaceful protest on Monday at the resort’s head office at High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown.

The young man was on July 14 found dead, with his face disfigured. The injuries were reportedly caused by a jet-ski with which he had come into contact while taking his ‘last dip’ before heading back to the city.

At the picket line, the group called for better life safety measures to be put into place at the resort, and for a thorough investigation to be conducted into the circumstances surrounding the demise of the young man.

United Bridge Builders Mission member and Women’s Rights Activist

The late Ronaldo Gomes’ father (second from right), along with family members and friends as they protested on Monday

Benita Montague is of the view that the resort should be held accountable for Gomes’s death.

“We are now calling Guyana a tourism destination and we are inviting people to come. So, if we are going to be doing that, then we need to put security measures in place… There were no life guards (available) at

the time of the incident. This is not the first or second time an incident like this occurred at the particular resort, and nothing has being done about it,” Montague said.

The objectives of the protest are to prevent the loss of another life, and for the management to implement safety measures at the resort, the group noted. If this cannot

Traffic hazard at Herstelling …residents complain about containers parked on roadway

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number of containers parked on the roadway at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara have raised concerns from residents who are fearful of the dangers currently being posed to drivers.

The containers, 20 feet in length, take up almost half the roadway at the entrance of Rum Shop Street, and have captured the attention of many within the neighbourhood, who opine that the containers are unlawfully positioned and are obstructing the free flow of traffic.

One of the affected persons, Samuel (only name given), contacted this publication to detail the numerous instances when vehicles almost collided with the containers. He said the situation gets even more difficult at night, when many persons become unaware of the presence of the containers.

be done, they are urging the relevant authorities to close down the facility until the situation is corrected.

The devastated mother of the teenager, Paula Williams, related that since her son’s death, the resort proprietor has not given her a proper explanation about what had transpired, and whether an investigation has been launched with the aim of holding someone responsible.

At the protest line was the brother of a young man who had suffered a similar fate some 16 years ago.

Adrian Brandt explained that his brother, Jermaine Brandt, was also on an outing with his family when he lost his life at this facility.

As protestors marched through the streets, they could be heard shouting, “Justice for Ronaldo Gomes!” among other slogans.

A post-mortem conducted by State Pathologist Dr

Nehaul Singh revealed that the teen died of asphyxiation as a result of incised wounds to the neck and body.

Gomes’s body – hands and neck – bore marks that are consistent with injuries caused by the propeller of an outboard engine.

Based on the findings of the autopsy, it was determined that the impact of the blow had caused the teenager to lose consciousness, and he subsequently drowned.

His lifeless body was pulled from the water a few hours after he had gone missing. It was discovered that the teen’s face was disfigured, and upon enquiring, relatives were told that he had come into contact with a jet-ski earlier in the day.

Although that had been the case, the rider of the jetski had not reported the incident. It was not until a search had been launched for the teen that someone reportedly told personnel at

the resort that the teen had come into contact with one of the jet-skis.

The late teenager’s mother, Paula Williams, had called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of the former student of both the Business School and School of the Nations.

“If you are in a boat driving, and it hits even a coconut shell, the driver will know he hit something… What is more worrying, too, is the fact that when an alarm was raised that my son was missing, there were no lifeguards and workers of the resort present to help look for him,” the aggrieved mother told Guyana Times.

Meanwhile, after the post-mortem had been conducted, relatives were told by the Police that any step forward would have to be via private action. The teenager will be laid to rest today.

Atlantic Gardens murder

“I wasn’t born to kill anyone” – accused leads defence

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One of the containers that are parked on the street

“It used to be plenty, but now they had like two or three for the past week, and we can’t get out at the road sometimes, especially when they coming in,” the man explained.

He noted that the containers are parked on the roadway which allows for one lane of motor vehicles to pass. As such, this creates a major traffic hazard in the morning

hours.

“Now, in the morning, when you going to work, you have to pass this. That means that you have to wait till somebody pass, and then you could drive. Sometimes I’m waiting for 15 minutes,” he said.

The man said many businesses are present in the area, and the containers may be owned by one of them.

rinces Street, Lodge, Georgetown resident Richard Stanton, on trial for the execution-style killing of businesswoman Patricia Sanasie, had his say in an hour-long address to the court on Monday.

During his presentation, he outright denied being Sanasie’s killer. He gave an unsworn statement from the prisoner’s dock, which meant that his version of events could not be cross-examined by the prosecutor, nor could the judge or jury pose any questions to him.

At the end of his extensive address, his attorney Mark Waldron opted against calling any witnesses in his client’s defence. However, as Waldron did point out in his closing address, the burden of proof rested in the prosecution’s hands to prove a case against his client, and that Stanton did not have anything to prove.

Sanasie was killed as she exited her vehicle to open her gate at her Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara home on January 12, 2015. She reportedly was confronted by a lone gunman, who discharged several rounds at her at point blank range.

When the accused took the stand on Monday, he stood calmly as he told the 12 jurors that he was not in the area at the time of the attack. Having observed that he was not born to kill anyone, Stanton outlined that he was working at his sister’s establishment, the Dynasty Night Club, at time Police first picked him up in January 2015, and when they re-arrested and charged him in April, 2015.

“I said to (Policeman) Sarrabo, ‘Brother man, I

Accused: Richard Stanton

Deceased: Patricia Sanasie

could carry you back there and the staff could verify everything right now,” Stanton recalled telling the Police while in custody.

He later pointed out that based on his life’s experience, he would not have murdered the woman.

“I am not a killer; I didn’t kill that lady. I have three boy children who depend on me. I in jail three years for something I didn’t do and would have never done,” the defendant declared.

He added that he grew up watching his mother being abused by men, and because of this, he didn’t have it in him “to hurt somebody”.

He said he was innocent of the charge. At this point, attorney Waldron attempted to interject, but then allowed his client to continue.

Stanton also called the names of several investigating ranks, one of whom he claimed did not accept that he was being accused of the woman’s murder.

He was picked out as Number ‘3’ on an Identification (ID) parade by the late businesswoman’s daughter, Romona Sanasie, who was driving the car the night her mother was killed.

In fact, her mother allegedly was murdered in her presence.

Speaking about the ID parade, Stanton disputed much of the Police’s account, having told the court Monday that some of the persons in the line-up were not similar in features to him.

After Police ranks Burnett and Sarrabo had informed him that he was picked out, Stanton said, he told the ranks that he works hard and is not a criminal.

The dead woman’s daughter, Ramona Sanasie, told investigators that a “big built” man exited a silver Toyota Raum, and she saw him twice as he passed and looked at her.

The late Patricia Sanasie was reportedly shot to her chest, abdomen and neck, among other areas, and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital. She had been the former Director of Studies at the Academy of Professional Studies. A year prior to her death, a similar attempt had been made on her husband’s life. In that instance, she and her brother had been implicated. (Shemuel Fanfair)

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tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Canal flooding

Regional administration, NDC blame errant contractor …farmers maintain call for REO’s removal

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fter farmers in Canal Number One Polder, West Bank Demerara had bashed the Administration of Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) over its reported failure to address the flooding situation, that administration and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council have thrown all the blame for the flooding on

about the administration’s lack of monitoring. The farmers told this publication that the water inundation of their farms has left them with millions of dollars in damages.

According to the farmers, the flooding has been caused by a number of factors, chief of which is the lack of proper maintenance of the main drainage canal.

that their farms have been flooded for weeks now, and they suspect that Regional Executive Officer Dennis Jaikaran has been hiding from them, thus they are calling for his removal as well.

In response to farmers’ criticisms, Jaikaran assembled Canals Polder NDC Chairman Shameer Baksh and Water Users

A section of Dharamdeo Singh’s farm under water

the contractor responsible for clearing the main drainage canal.

Guyana Times visited the L’Esperance area last Saturday and met farmers, who complained bitterly

They said the Canals Polder Water Users Association had burst the control dam to install tubes, and this had also contributed to the flooding.

The farmers reported

Association Overseer Naushad Ali Boodhoo, and together the trio issued a joint statement exculpating themselves from blame.

“We are not the body responsible for the main

Ex-GDF rank shot Kitty man with friend’s service weapon – jury hears

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ormer Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank Jonathon Williams on Monday took the stand at the High Court, where he admitted that the service pistol he has uplifted from GDF’s Camp Ayanganna headquarters was used to shoot Devon Howell.

Williams, of West Coast

Alistair Woolford as he appeared in 2014

Deceased electrician: Devon Howell

Berbice, was a friend of former GDF rank Alistair Woolford, who stands accused of killing Howell.

Woolford’s trial commenced before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12-member mixed jury. He is facing a manslaughter charge as it is contended that he discharged a loaded firearm at Howell with in-

tent to murder him. Howell was shot on November 21, 2014 at D’Andrade Street, Kitty, Georgetown. He was hospitalised after the incident, and succumbed to his injuries three weeks later on December 8, 2014.

At Monday’s hearing, Williams testified that armed with his weapon, he visited Woolford’s Kitty residence and requested to use the toilet. His story was that as he was in there, he heard the gun go off and he immediately fled the toilet and saw Woolford attempting to apply first aid to Howell, who was still alive at that point. In the midst of several audible breaths, the witness pointed out that Woolford was his squaddie as they trained together in the army.

Earlier during court proceedings, another friend, Daniel Fletchman recalled witnessing Woolford aim an apparently silver gun towards Howell and it went off. He said Howell spun around before falling to the ground.

In an opening address to the jury, State Prosecutor Mandell Moore said that on the day in question, Woolford, armed with a gun, shot and killed his friend. Howell reportedly received injuries to his upper spinal cord, and died without regaining consciousness.

Woolford is represented by Attorneys Compton Richardson and Hewley Griffith. He was previously released on bail prior to his matter being called up in the High Court.

Fom left: Canals Polder NDC Chairman Shameer Baksh; Regional Executive Officer Dennis Jaikaran, and Naushad Ali Boodhoo, Overseer of the Water Users Association

drainage Canals Numbers 1 and 2, nor are we in any position to make award on contracts for the clearing. All residents, farmers and other beneficiaries of Canals Polder have said to us that the flooding was mainly because of the grossly substandard and inefficient work from the contractor responsible for cleaning and maintenance of the Canals. We are forced to believe the same,” Jaikaran said.

Additionally, Boodhoo said the tubes were placed where they are many years ago, and the farmers have been urged to make a formal request to have the tubes removed.

Baksh, meanwhile, said the contractor has been derelict in perform-

ing his job, and this dereliction has been reported to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, (NDIA) but nothing has been done.

While the regional authorities continue to cast blame, the farmers continue to suffer; and according to 87-year-old farmer Dharamdeo Singh, the floodwater shows no sign of receding. He said farmers are maintaining their call for the removal of both the NDC Chairman and the REO, since they are of no assistance to the community.

He further related that farmers are calling for Deokinandan to be reinstated as the contractor to clear the main drainage canal.

Farmers say the current

contractor cleans the main access canal haphazardly.

They contend that the canal is laden with “shrimp moss,” which hampers the flow of water, and that the contractor neglects to clear this moss.

The farmers also claim to have been told by the NDC Chairman that the NDC is bankrupt, and no assistance can be rendered them.

Just last December, the residents of Canals Polder experienced a devastating period of flooding, resulting in them incurring millions of dollars in losses.

Government is yet to assist those farmers, and this current flooding has come just as they were getting back on their feet.

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tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Miner stabbed while Welfare officers to be stationed in fighting off bandits hinterland communities …to bridge gap between hinterland, coastal regions

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hirty-four-year-old Ryan Chanderban of Laing Avenue, Georgetown attempted to prevent two men from confiscating a cellphone his female friend had in her possession as they were sitting on the Georgetown Seawall on Sunday. In the process he was stabbed to his arm, and is now a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Based on reports received, Chanderban and his female friend, a resident of Industry, East Coast Demerara, were sitting on the seawall when the two suspects, one of whom was armed with a knife, confronted them.

The men demanded that the woman hand over the mobile phone she had in her

hands. When she refused, one of the men dealt her a blow to her forehead, causing her to sustain injuries.

Chanderban intervened, and was stabbed once to his left armpit before the bandits made good their escape on a motorcycle.

Persons who were in close proximity to Chanderban reportedly contacted the Police, and the injured couple was eventually transported by ambulance to the GPHC, where the woman was treated and sent away while Chanderban was admitted a patient.

Several persons who were in the area, when questioned, gave Police an account of what they had seen transpire. Investigations are ongoing.

en welfare officers on Monday commenced a training programme which is expected to enable them to serve and address the issues of hinterland communities.

The training, which will last for one month, is expected to bridge the gap between the hinterland and coastal regions through increased communication.

After the training exercise has been completed, the officers will be deployed to Region One (Barima-Waini), Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

In remarks at the opening ceremony of the training programme, Junior Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe highlighted that introduction of welfare officers in these remote communities would facilitate monitoring of some of the ongoing social issues, such as incest and domestic violence. She urged the residents of these communi-

The participants of the training programme are seen with Ministers Valerie Garrido-Lowe (fourth from right) and Sydney Allicock (fifth from right)

ties to acquire birth certificates for their children. This is an ongoing issue that is common in most households within these communities.

She further said the programme would add to the knowledge of these officers, and equip them with requisite skills to provide guidance to people of the hinterland communities. The presence of welfare officers in hinterland regions is intended to enable residents of those regions to acquire some of the services that are available in the coastal regions.

“We want to bridge that gap between coastland and

hinterland. The same opportunities that we have in Georgetown, the same opportunities the hinterland must have,” the minister declared.

The welfare officers were also addressed by Senior Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock, who posited that this is a timely approach to engage persons in the hinterland regions, since the recent National Toshaos Council (NTC) meeting would’ve highlighted some of the problems that are encountered by the people on a daily basis.

He further stated that the presence of welfare of-

ficers in hinterland regions would ensure that persons living in those regions are informed and involved in good decision-making processes to improve services in their regions.

“You were there, you listened to the issues, and you were part of the solution to many of those issues that we have been hearing,” he said to the officers.

This is the first such training of its kind, and inputs have been forthcoming from the Social Protection Ministry and the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Cocaine in gas cylinder

2 accused to know their fate today

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Mark Gomes and Mohammed Kadir

hirty-three-year-old Mark Gomes and 38-year-old Mohamed Kadir, charged for possession of 2.25 kg of cocaine found hidden in a gas cylinder, will know their fate today when they appear before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The men were charged along with Ryan Fowler, who has since pleaded guilty

to the allegation and has been jailed for four years.

It has been reported that two vehicles which were parked in the vicinity of Sheriff Street, Georgetown were under surveillance by ranks of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU). At about 19:45h, the ranks allegedly noticed Kadir exiting one of the vehicles fetching a yellow gas cylinder. He

reportedly moved into the vehicle occupied by Gomes and Fowler.

The three suspects were allegedly accosted by the CANU ranks, and there ensued a search which unearthed the quantity of illegal substance discovered.

Gomes and Kadir have been given opportunity to tell their side of the story in court. In unsworn statements, Kadir first explained that he had been called

by Gomes to meet a friend who was encountering mechanical issues with his vehicle. He said that when the friend (Ryan Fowler) showed up with Gomes as a passenger in his vehicle at a shop on Sheriff Street, Georgetown, CANU ranks pounced on them.

Kadir said he was unaware why he was arrested, until much later. He told the Court that Fowler had told him and Gomes that the drugs found belonged only to him.

Gomes’s story corroborated what was said by Kadir.

Their attorneys, Glenn Hanoman and Mark Waldron, in summing up their cases, said the Prosecution’s case is based on the reliability and credibility of one witness, and that their clients therefore have no case to answer.

However, in her rebuttal, CANU Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford said the cases against the defendants had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

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tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Hauraruni road not upgraded in 30 years

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oncerned residents of Hauraruni Village, Linden-Soesdyke Highway, are calling on the relevant authorities to hear their pleas and urgently repair their rapidly deteriorating main access road.

According to residents who reached out to Guyana Times, the community has a clinic and schools (nursery, primary, and secondary), which are all utilised by its 250 residents and other persons of nearby communities, but the road is in a bad

state.

These persons have been using the deteriorated main access road to access these facilities, a resident said.

There has been no sign of rehabilitation plans being put into place, although the Community Development Council (CDC) Chairman as well as religious leaders within the community had written multiple letters to the Public Infrastructure Ministry on the matter.

Hauraruni CDC Chairman Debra Wong told

this publication that there has been no response to the letters to date and no work done on the road for decades.

“To date, there has been no response, I’ve planned to visit and I plan to write again (to the Public Infrastructure Ministry), but previously other leaders would have been writing over the years, no response.… a letter was also sent to the national CDC officer… the Government not doing anything on the road…under the previous administra-

tion, we were told that our community is a private community and nothing can be done about our road. But we still pursue, we still continue writing.”

In addition, the residents are frustrated, since they have to traverse the road with their vehicles, which is proving costly since damage is recorded daily.

According to the residents, when it rains, it is difficult to travel since the road is in a bad state and it is too far to walk (to get out of the

Skeletal remains at Puruni

PM inconclusive, 1 remains in custody

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s investigations continue into the discovery of skeletal remains suspected to be those of 31-year-old Petol Hafez of Lot 21 Side Line Dam, Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo, the Police exhumed the remains on Saturday last to facilitate a post-mortem.

Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh was unable to determine the cause of this person’s death, but noted the presence of a crack on the skull. His findings are therefore inconclusive, but relatives of Hafez after holding out that the mother of five might have been murdered.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Monday, Hafez’s daughter explained that her mother had left home for Thomas Island, Puruni around the second week in May, and had last been heard from on June 28.

“She normally calls…

Since she reach Thomas Island she would call us, like three times a week… The last day she called was on June 28, and we never get back any contact,” the teenager cried.

She noted that her mother had worked at several other mining locations in order to provide for her children, and this was the first time she had travelled to Thomas Island.

“Our father left us when we were small, and it was our mother who looked us after… She worked and worked to provide everything for us, and it is now

Suspected murder victim: Petol Hafez

sad that we can’t even give her a proper send-off,” the young lady noted.

Asked how certain she was that the remains are those of her mother, the teenager related that the several pieces of clothing found in close proximity to the shallow grave had belonged to her mother.

“I know my mother’s clothing…I helped her pack, so I know what she left with,” the teen declared. She said that upon hearing the news of a body being found at Thomas Island, her mother immediately came to mind.

“I know my mother went to Thomas Island, and after we didn’t hear from her since June 28, I thought something was not right…

No matter what, she does call… When I heard about the body found on July 8, I started to scream, knowing that the body could be my

mom’s,” she related.

The teen said she then contacted the Police and informed them of her suspicions. She was taken to the Bartica Police Station, where she was shown the clothing.

“As soon as I see a flowered top I start scream, and that was it until I wake up back on the bench,” she related.

When probed about her mother having a relationship with the owner of the camp, she responded in the negative. “No, I don’t think they shared any relationship… but all we were told (is that) the owner of the mining camp where my mother last worked was in Police custody.”

A Police source close to the investigations revealed that the case jacket has been prepared and will soon be sent to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

After discovery of the body on July 8, 2018, the Police arrested the East Coast Demerara man in connection with the murder.

The man was allegedly arrested based on his past record of reportedly abusing women in several interior locations.

The female remains were found at Thomas Island, Puruni River, Region Seven.

The badly decomposed body was found in a shallow grave. A bag containing the woman’s clothes was found close to the body, but there was no form of identification.

Commencing on Saturday last, a construction firm carrying out works in the East Coast community of Buxton desilted the Company Road trench and proceeded to silt Company Road from the seawall all the way to the Railway Embankment. Upon enquiries, a worker stated that work was being done on behalf of the Public Infrastructure Ministry

It was reported that a security personnel had stumbled upon the remains while heading to an internet cafe to make a telephone call. He, however, reported the findings to the Police a few days later. As such, a party of Police ranks was dispatched to the scene to conduct preliminary investigations.

Due to its present state, identification of the body -clad only in a brassiere and still having some amount of flesh -- was not possible.

On this note, the aggrieved daughter noted that samples of the remains were sent overseas to determine the identity of the remains.

The daughter is positive the remains are those of her mother.

A section of the deteriorated road in Hauraruni

village).

Another resident, Pastor Jonathan Banwarie related to this newspaper that “the road has been in a deteriorated state over 30 years. We wrote letters and we’ve been appealing to the Government a while now.

We are very much affected, because in here we have farmers who would have to take out their produce, people who normally go out with their vehicles, it would damage the vehicle tyres and parts.

“It’s the main road. And we, the villagers, would try to make it, but we never got any help from the Government. We would normally take broken bricks and put them on the road,” he said.

He also related that the church in Hauraruni is known for holding conferences, conventions and youths camps with over 800 persons attending and that was one of the reasons why the road should be fixed.

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tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

ExxonMobil estimates more Safety of aviation sector than 4 billion oil-equivalent to be boosted barrels at Stabroek Block …Automatic Dependent Surveillance-

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he ExxonMobilcontrolled Stabroek Block offshore Guyana has now been confirmed to have in excess of four billion oil-equivalent barrels.

ExxonMobil announced on Monday that it has increased its estimate of the discovered recoverable resource from a previous estimate of 3.2 billion oil-equivalent barrels and has advanced its evaluation to support a third phase of development and consideration of two additional phases.

In a statement, the oil giant said that the increase followed the completion of testing at the Liza-5 appraisal well; a discovery at Ranger; the eighth discovery, Longtail into the Turbot area evaluation; and completion of the Pacora discovery evaluation.

According to Exxon, “Guyana’s first development, Liza Phase 1, will use a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel to produce 120,000 barrels of oil per day, starting by early 2020.

Liza Phase 2, which is targeted for sanctioning by the end of this year, will use an FPSO vessel designed to produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day and is expected to be produced by mid-2022.”

Broadcast system before year-end

T According to ExxonMobil Senior Vice President Neil Chapman, continued success in Guyana and progress in other upstream growth projects in the US Permian Basin, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea and Brazil are giving “us additional confidence in achieving our longterm earnings growth plans that we outlined in March”.

In addition, it was outlined that the Liza-5 well successfully tested the northern portion of the Liza field and, along with the giant Payara field, will support the third phase of development in Guyana. “The Payara development will target sanctioning in 2019 and will use an FPSO vessel designed to produce approximately 180,000 barrels of oil per day, as early as 2023.”

The Longtail well established the Turbot-Longtail area as a potential development hub for recovery of more than 500 mil-

lion oil-equivalent barrels.

Additional prospects to be drilled in this area could increase this estimate.

“The collective discoveries on the Stabroek Block to date have established the potential for up to five FPSOs producing over 750,000 barrels per day by 2025. There is potential for additional production from significant undrilled targets and plans for rapid exploration and appraisal drilling, including at the Ranger discovery,” Exxon said.

The Stabroek Block covers 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres).

ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, is the operator and holds a 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds a 30 per cent stake and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds the other 25 per cent.

he Automatic D e p e n d e n t SurveillanceBroadcast (ADS-B) systems which are aimed at bolstering safety in the aviation sector will become fully operational before the end of the year.

Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Director General, Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d), Egbert Field said this would put Guyana ahead of the United States, since their mandatory commencement date is January 1, 2020.

The ADS-B Systems are currently installed at the Kaieteur, Port Kaituma, Annai and Kamarang air traffic control towers. The satellite stations at Port Kaituma and Kamarang are up and running. The two at Kaieteur and Annai are yet to come on stream; this is as a result of the uplink of the data being slower as a result of insufficient bandwidth.

“We have entered an agreement with E-governance to supply us with the bandwidth. They ran all the cables and necessary equipment to the tower at Timehri and we are awaiting the installation of the IP address. That should

GCAA Director General Egbert Field

be taking place very shortly, which will activate the other two stations,” Field explained.

for Guyana’s aviation sector. Operators are urged to install the complementary equipment, the transponder, on their aircraft.

“On a weekly basis, I see documents where operators are asking for permission to do the modification of the aircraft to have the system installed. So, we are moving ahead and by the end of this year or before, we will be looking at moving from the test mode to fully operational. So, [we] will be ahead of the US in the implementation of the ADS-B,” the Director General explained.

An ADS-B system is one that allows an aircraft to

A domestic aircraft at the Eugene F Correia International Airport, Ogle

The Director General said the GCAA has included necessary elements of the ADS-B equipment which must be installed in aircraft in its regulation. He noted that the ADS-B programme was critical and necessary

determine its position via satellite navigation and periodically broadcast its location, enabling it to be tracked. The systems were installed last year, upon acquisition of the simulator.

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tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Controversial parking meters

Illegal mining in Upper Demerara River

MAPM willing to take legal challenge all the way to CCJ

Region 10 council, LM&TC meet with parties to discuss ‘discrepancies’

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espite local courts having not yet ruled on the Parking Meter Project’s legal challenge, advocate Jonathan Yearwood, during a recent interview with Guyana Times, has said the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) is willing to take the matter all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to ensure that they are not being exploited by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown.

Yearwood informed that MAPM has halted its protest at this time, since the matter is presently in the hands of the Court, something he noted that the body has been calling for from the inception.

“MAPM has, after some discussions, decided to put a hold on our protests against City Hall and against the Parking Meter Contract.

City Hall has taken the contract to Government for approval, and Government has taken it to cabinet, and cabinet has organised a sub-committee which will look at the Parking Meters Contract.

The sub-committee says they will basically wait until the decision of the court is given. The contract is in court. MAPM has taken that contract to court, and what the Government is actually saying is that they will wait on the outcome of the court case to determine what will happen, so it makes no sense for MAPM to continue a protest which is now in the hands of the court. This is one of the things we’ve asked for from the very beginning,”

he informed.

The advocate went on say, “We will wait until the court makes a decision and then we will decide whether we want to challenge it up to the Guyana Court of Appeal (level). And there again we will, depending on the decision, we will take it up to CCJ”.

The MAPM body began protesting in early February of last year, after M&CC implemented its paid parking system in the capital city.

The parking meter fees were rolled out on January 24. However, as a backlash to the “exorbitant” fees, motorists have mostly stopped parking in the central business district, where several areas are metered.

The M&CC had, on May 13, 2016, entered into a contract with Smart City Solutions (SCS) Inc for parking meters to be implemented in Georgetown, but following heavy objection and intense protest from citizens, Central Government

suspended the by-laws of the project. The renegotiated contract with SCS resulted in restructured fees.

The Renegotiation Committee’s report noted that SCS has agreed that the condition for enforcement of paid parking in the city be in conjunction with the parking meter by-laws, despite those by-laws being quashed.

M&CC had first imposed as much as $200 per hour for parking in the city.

However, after much protests and renegotiations, City Hall reached agreement for persons to pay $150 per hour and $800 for eight hours of parking in the city. Residents of the city would have been issued with a restricted residential pass for free parking from 17:00h-19:00h Monday to Friday, while parking would have been free on Saturdays.

Advocates have since managed to land the case in the hands of the local court, where it is presently awaiting a ruling.

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everal persons, including nine Brazilians, implicated in alleged illegal mining activity in the Upper Demerara River in Linden were questioned and released by Police in Linden.

About 12 persons were detained on Saturday after suspicion arose that they were conducting unauthorised activities. Acting on suspicion, Municipal Councillor Lennox Gasper along with Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) Orrin Gordon ventured to the area at Watooka, Mackenzie and confronted the individuals prior to summoning Regional Chairman Renis Morian, Deputy Mayor Wainewright Bethune and Police to the area.

An investigation has since been launched by the Police. Councillor Gasper has indicated that the individuals said they had received permission to conduct mining further up the river. However, enquiries disclosed that the permission did not come from the office of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). It was noted, however, that the group was in possession of written permission which was granted by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) in 2014. The permit which was seen by this publication gave permission for small scale mining for gold and precious stones. It is unclear whether the document was updated or renewed since 2014. However, those implicated, according to sources, were also allegedly operating under the pretense of transporting parts of a

The dredge which was spotted in the Upper Demerara River

dredge to dredge the Berbice River at Kwakwani to assist in flood relief efforts. But the Regional Chairman confirmed that the group was not part of the flood relief efforts. Further investigation disclosed that some of the individuals were not in possession of work permits, and some had passports which were near expiry.

The Regional Chairman told this publication on Monday that he, along with some Councillors and representatives of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) met with those involved on Monday and would have discussed the “discrepancies” associated with the situation. He promised to provide a full update on Tuesday.

According to Councillor Gasper, who was part of the meeting, both the RDC and LM&TC remain resolute that the activity be halted because of health concerns.

Meanwhile, a source close to the investigation told this publication that the investigation disclosed that three of the Brazilians were not in possession of work permits

but claimed that their documentation was processing at the time, by the company to which they are attached.

This, the source noted, has been verified by Police after the nationals were detained.

They were later released, given that all were in possession of valid passports, and documentation for work permits of the three Brazilian nationals were being processed.

The source added that they were sent away until they receive permission to conduct dredging, and were instructed to have the dredge removed. Regional officials were concerned that any dredging activities at the particular section of the river could lead to erosion.

Councillor Gasper has also questioned the lack of an assessment report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as is necessary for such activities.

Officials have also indicated that neither the RDC nor LM&TC, the two main organs of governance in the Region, had been informed of the activities which were being conducted in the river.

Lindeners benefit from Food For The Poor's animal husbandry project

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total of 30 families from Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) are benefitting from a sustainable development animal husbandry project initiated by Food for the Poor Guyana Inc. The project aims at improving the economic status of low-income families and the promotion of food security within the region.

The sustainable project, being executed in partnership with the Agriculture Ministry, Guyana Livestock

Development Authority (GLDA), entails pig rearing by low income families as an alternative source of income. The families benefitting from the project hail from Amelia’s Ward, West Watooka, Wisroc, Siberia/ Old England, Coomacka and Blueberry Hill.

Representatives of Food for the Poor Guyana Inc recently met with the families who are a part of the project.

Those families are expected to receive four piglets -- three sows and a boar -- in addition

to materials to construct a housing unit for the animals and feed for 6 months. While Food for the Poor Guyana Inc has provided the livestock for the project, the GLDA provided technical advice and training.

Participants have also benefitted from a capacity building workshop conducted over a 5-week period. It entailed training in production systems; and record keeping, site selection and housing designs in Swine production; feeds and feeding practices,

as well as care and management.

Following this, participants from the region were awarded certificates of participation from the capacity-building workshop. They were also presented with a copy of Guyana Livestock Development Authority’s Pig Rearing Manual, which will serve as a guide to pig rearing.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Food for the Poor Guyana Inc, Ken Vincent, congratulated the partici-

pants on the completion of a workshop in which they were educated on caring for the animals. Additionally, Senior Project Manager of Food for the Poor Guyana Inc, Andrea Benjamin, urged that the beneficiaries make the project a success to enable others to benefit. “You have been given a great opportunity.

This is our first pig project, and this is one of our first major projects in Region 10.

We have done some work before, but not anything much, so I want you guys to repre-

sent your region. I want you guys to ensure that we get 100% success rate from this project,” she noted.

Senior Livestock Extension Officer of GLDA Selwyn Anthony said the Association is delighted to be in collaboration with Food for the Poor Guyana Inc. in support of the venture. The next phase of the project will see the construction of housing units for the pig. Region Five is also set to benefit from the initiative.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018

Regional

Time for a Caribbean Chilean Prosecutors probing 36 FBI, says Barbados claims of Catholic Church sex abuse parliamentarian T A he Chilean civil authorities are investigating 36 accusations of sexual abuse against bishops, clerics and lay workers in the Roman Catholic Church, the national prosecutor’s office said on Monday.

The investigations are among 144 reports of sexual abuse implicating 158 Church workers made since 2000, it added in a statement.

The figures were released at a news conference in the capital Santiago by Luis Torres, the head of human rights and gender crime divisions for the Chilean national prosecutor’s office.

“We have met (with the Chilean Church) and sought to agree a coordinated ap-

A Roman Catholic prays during Mass at Santiago Cathedral

photo)

proach that will help to advance these (live) cases,” he said.

The national prosecuting authority gathered the figures about complaints from around the country for the first time in a bid to take control of a persistent scan-

(File

dal over sexual abuse within the country’s Catholic Church.

Until now, most cases of sexual abuse in the Church that have been made public have fallen under the country’s statute of limitations and been handled by the

Church under canonical law.

Victims groups say the sanctions handed out were inappropriate given the severity of the crimes and in some cases the Church failed to take any action.

In addition to the 36 cases under investigation, 108 have been closed, with 23 people convicted, two exonerated, and 22 cases sent to another judicial office because they alleged crimes committed before the year 2000. The rest was struck off for lack of evidence or other reasons, the dossier found.

Of those implicated in wrongdoing, it said, 139 were bishops, priests or deacons. Of the 266 alleged victims, 178 were children and teenagers. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Mexican prisoners flee Sinaloa jail disguised as guards

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wo prisoners have escaped from a jail in Mexico's northern Sinaloa state by disguising themselves as prison guards.

The two walked out of the prison's main gate in Culiacán wearing uniforms.

They were escorted by two guards believed to have been in their pay who also

drove the getaway cars.

Officials said Carlos Salmón and Julián Grimaldi were considered "highly dangerous" inmates and had been held in special cells to prevent them from escaping.

They had originally been held in federal prisons, which have higher levels of security, but were returned

to the Aguaruto prison in Culiacán after they had successfully appealed against the order to hold them in federal penitentiaries.

Grimaldi was arrested in February and is accused of being a financial operator for the Sinaloa cartel, one of the most powerful criminal organisations in Mexico.

He is also suspected of

having taken part in an ambush in September 2016 during which five soldiers were killed.

Salmón was arrested two years ago on suspicion of being the leader of a gang of hitmen. He is accused of carrying out an attack on a Police convoy in 2012 in which seven officers were shot dead. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Jamaica, Namibia agree to visa waiver

Bilateral discussions taking place between Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his team, and Namibia President, Dr Hage Geingob with other Government officials

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amaicans will not be required to obtain a visa to enter the Republic of Namibia for business or tour-

ism.

The two Governments Monday morning agreed to a visa waiver programme, the first of several agreements between both countries, as Prime Minister Andrew Holness be-

gan a full day of discussions with the Namibian President, Dr Hage Geingob.

Previously, Jamaica unilaterally waived visa requirements for Namibians entering the country as an expression of solidarity and support during Namibia's liberation struggle.

Namibia Monday reciprocated this action.

Speaking at a joint press conference with President Geingob in the Namibian capital, Windhoek, Holness said the two countries have now cemented a deeper bond.

He declared that his official visit to Namibia, the first by a Jamaican Head of Government to that African country, is of strategic importance.

“You know we have two beautiful countries, but we scarcely ever get to enjoy the beauty of our countries. We need to encourage travel between our two countries for tourism. I've welcomed the announcement by your President of the waiver of visa requirements for Jamaicans; Jamaica had long ago abolished visa requirements for Namibians,” said Holness.

Jamaica and Namibia are also working to secure a stronger relationship in several areas including trade, investment, banking, sports and culture. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

parliamentarian in Barbados believes the time has come for the Caribbean to have its own version of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the principal law enforcement agency and domestic intelligence and security service in the United States.

“The time has come in this part of the Region for us to consider an overarching body, something the equivalent [of] an FBI,” Member of Parliament for St Michael West Central, Ian GoodingEdghill said during debate on the Integrity in Public Life Bill, without reference to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), which was set up by regional governments back in July 2006 to manage Caricom’s action agenda on crime and security.

The Trinidad-based Caricom IMPACS has direct responsibility for research, monitoring and evaluation,

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tion in Venezuela is similar to that in Germany in 1923 or Zimbabwe in the late 2000s," said Alejandro Werner, head of the IMF's Western Hemisphere Department.

Venezuela's economy is expected to contract by 18 per cent this year, the third consecutive year of double-digit declines and three points worse than projected in May, amid falling oil production, he said in a statement.

He also pointed to economic "distortions," including printing money to finance the government. (Excerpt from AFP)

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wo best friends died on the spot when the car they were travelling in collided headon with another vehicle travelling in the opposite direction along the Valencia Stretch, Trinidad early on Sunday.

Dead are Shaquille Patrick, 23, and Romell Goodridge, 24. They were returning home after attending a party in Arima.

They suffered broken limps and neck as well as punctured lungs and other internal injuries.

Their deaths, along with the hit-

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Brazil far-right politician enters presidential race

Jair Bolsonaro declared his candidacy to his cheering supporters at a rally in Rio de Janeiro

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controversial farright politician, Jair Bolsonaro, has formally declared that he is running in Brazil's presidential election in October.

The former army officer is currently in second place in the polls behind ex-President Luiz Inácio Lula da

T&T: Friends die instantly IMF says Venezuela to see 1 million % inflation by year-end in car crash

mid the financial and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, the country is expected to see hyperinflation reach epic proportions: a million per cent a year by the end of 2018, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Monday.

And the nation's economic collapse will increasingly spill over into neighbouring countries, the IMF said in its updated regional outlook for Latin America.

"We are projecting a surge in inflation to 1,000,000 per cent by end-2018 to signal that the situa-

analysis and preparation of background documents and reports, as well as project development and implementation of the regional crime and security agenda.

However, GoodingEdghill was adamant that no one was above the law, while suggesting that “we [the Caribbean] ought to start thinking seriously how we police everybody, because often times the political class can be a victim of rumour and innuendo, but there may be others out there who benefit, and we don’t know.

“If you have a body adequately staffed with the powers to address these concerns, I believe it will help this part of the region,” he added.

In making his contribution to the integrity debate, the Barbados Labour Party spokesman also called for local companies to be subjected to the proposed Integrity in Public Life legislation and for auditors to be placed in all statutory corporations.

and-run of Javed Hassanali, took the road death figure to 48.

Police reported that around 06:45h, a Nissan Almera, driven

by Goodridge, was heading East when it collided with a Ford Ranger driven by Israel Khan of Cemetery Street, Princess Town.

Khan was heading in the opposite direction. Patrick was in the front passenger seat of the Nissan Almera.

Patrick and Goodridge died instantly on impact while Khan sustained chest and leg injuries. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Silva.

But Lula is in jail for corruption and is unlikely to be able to run.

Bolsonaro has outraged many in Brazil with racist and homophobic comments.

But his backers see him as a saviour in a crime-ridden country.

Bolsonaro is followed by millions of Brazilians on social media, and many refer to him as the "Brazilian Trump".

In 2011, he told Playboy magazine that he would be "incapable of loving a gay son" and that he would rather see such a son of his "die in an accident".

In 2015, he was fined for saying in a newspaper interview that Congresswoman Maria do Rosario was "not worth raping; she is very ugly".

He is currently being investigated for alleged racism over derogatory remarks he made about Afro-Brazilians.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World UN court rules Trump targets critics’ security clearances Top UAE blockade violated P

resident Donald Trump is considering revoking security clearances for ex-CIA Director John Brennan and other Obama-era critics of his Administration.

The White House named six former intelligence, law enforcement and national security chiefs.

Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said they had “politicised and in some cases monetised their public service” to make “baseless accusations” about Trump.

They include former FBI Director James Comey, whom the President fired.

In Monday’s daily news conference, Sanders also targeted former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former National Security Adviser

The Press Secretary announced that President Donald Trump may revoke clearances of several former intelligence chiefs

Susan Rice, former National Security Agency Director Michael Hayden and former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.

Sanders denied a reporter’s suggestion that the President wanted to punish the former officials for free speech.

The Press Secretary said Trump “doesn’t like the fact that people are politicising agencies and departments that are specifically meant to not be political and to be monetised off security clearances”.

She said security clearance “provides inappropri-

ate legitimacy to accusations with zero evidence”.

Clapper told CNN the plan was “a very, very petty thing to do”.

Sanders said that “accusing the President of the United States of treasonous activity... when you have the nation’s deepest, most sacred secrets at your hands” was something that made Trump “very concerned”.

Hayden said on Twitter after the announcement that even if the President decided to take away his clearance, it would not change anything he says or writes.

A spokeswoman for McCabe, who was fired days before his retirement earlier this year, said that his clearances had already been deactivated due to “FBI policy”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Qataris’ rights

A

provisional ruling by the United Nations’ top court has found that measures put in place by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of its boycott against Qatar amount to racial discrimination.

In June 2017, the UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, imposed a land, air and sea blockade against Qatar and severed ties with it, in one of the worst diplomatic disputes in the Gulf in decades.

Last month, Qatar filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing the UAE of violating

international laws by expelling thousands of Qataris – many of whom have family or own property in the UAE – and closing UAE airspace and seaports to Qatar.

It alleged the boycott violates the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) –- including discrimination on the basis of nationality – a treaty signed by both the UAE and Qatar.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt are not signatories of the CERD convention. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Toronto shooting: Gunman kills De Beers moves 200 elephants woman and child in Greektown from South Africa to Mozambique

Toronto Mayor John Tory condemned the “despicable” attack on “people innocently enjoying a Sunday evening”

A

10-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman have died after a gunman opened fire on a busy avenue in Canada’s largest city, Police say.

Thirteen other people, ranging in age between 10 and 59, were injured in the

attack in the Greektown district of Toronto, Police Chief Mark Saunders told reporters.

The suspect, 29, had an exchange of gunfire with Police Officers before being found dead nearby.

The motive for the shoot-

ing is unknown.

Police have not identified the suspect, who was from Toronto, and it is unclear if he was killed by Police gunfire or took his own life.

The attack happened on Sunday evening. In a video clip shared by Canadian media, a white man wearing a dark cap and dark clothing and carrying a shoulder bag can be seen stopping on a pavement and pulling out a handgun before firing shots.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent his sympathies to the victims and the city in a tweet, while Toronto Mayor John Tory condemned the “despicable” attack on “people innocently enjoying a Sunday evening”.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Mozambique suffers from some of the highest rates of poaching for ivory

D

iamond producer De Beers says it has started an operation to move 200 elephants from its game reserve in South Africa to Mozambique.

The elephant popula-

tion at the private Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve was too high, and risked causing extensive damage to the ecosystem, the firm said.

The relocation of the 200 animals would boost ele-

phant numbers in neighbouring Mozambique, it added.

Elephants in Mozambique are threatened with extinction because of poaching.

Mozambique suffers from some of the highest rates of poaching for ivory.

More than half of its elephant population is thought to have been lost in the last five years because of poaching, according to campaign group Fauna and Flora International.

At one park, the Niassa National Reserve, poachers killed nearly 11,000 elephants since 2007, reducing their numbers to about 1500. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Trump, Rouhani trade angry threats amid rising tensions Images indicate North Korea dismantling facilities U at test site – report S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has blasted Iran’s religious leaders as “hypocritical holy men” whom he says are more interested in lining their pockets and spreading hardline views abroad than helping out their own cashstrapped citizens.

Pompeo’s speech on

Sunday came as US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani traded angry threats amid rising tensions between the two countries.

Prior to Pompeo’s speech on Sunday, Iranian President Hasan Rouhani warned Trump not to escalate tensions with Iran,

saying a confrontation with Iran would be the “mother of all wars”.

“Do not play with the lion’s tail or else you will regret it,” Rouhani said in a televised speech in Iran’s capital Tehran.

Trump hit back shortly after Pompeo’s speech in a tweet directed specifically at

Rouhani.

“NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE,” the US President said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

S

atellite images indicate North Korea has begun dismantling key facilities at a site used to develop engines for ballistic missiles, in a first step towards ful-

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang calls R Kelly denies sex for crackdown on vaccine industry allegations in new song

A

uthorities in China have ordered an investigation into a vaccination scandal as panic grows over product safety.

Last week, vaccine maker Changsheng Biotechnology Co was found to have falsified production data for its rabies vaccine.

The firm has been ordered to halt production and recall rabies vaccines.

There has been no evidence of harm from the vaccine, but the scandal has sparked a

China has seen a number of incidents involving medicine safety in recent years

huge outcry in China.

Changsheng, which suspended trading in its shares for part of Monday, saw their value drop by 10 per cent on the day.

The shares have slumped 47 per cent since mid-July, when news of the scandal first broke.

On Sunday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang urged severe punishment for the people involved, saying the incident had “crossed a moral line”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

R

Kelly has responded to multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against him by releasing a 19-minute song “I Admit”.

The track, posted on the R&B star’s SoundCloud page on Monday, admits to infidelity but denies allegations of paedophilia and non-consensual sex.

The response follows a BBC Three investigation that sparked the #MuteRKelly campaign to limit his business dealings and air-play.

Kelly denies all the allegations.

“I Admit” sees the singer confess to relationship “mistakes” but fiercely deny illegal sexual acts.

“How they gon’ say I don’t respect these women, when all I’ve done is represent?

“Take my career and turn it upside down, ‘cause you mad I’ve got some girlfriends.”

He then sings that he thinks it’s “crazy” to call his behaviour...”paedophile”.

The 51-year-old says he has been unfaithful, singing: “I admit I’m sorry for my sins.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

filling a pledge made to US President Donald Trump at a June summit, a Washingtonbased think tank said on Monday.

The images from July 20 showed work had been carried out at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station to dismantle a building used to assemble space-launch vehicles and a nearby rocket engine test stand used to develop liquid-fuel engines for ballistic missiles and space-launch vehicles, the 38 North think tank said.

“Since these facilities are believed to have played an important role in the development of technologies for the North’s intercontinental ballistic missile programme, these efforts represent a significant confidence-building measure on the part of North Korea,” it said in a report. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, july 24, 2018

ARCHIE

ARIES

Don’t take what others

(March 21- do or say personally. Find April 19) ways to contribute and move

in a direction that suits your needs. Let your intelligence and drive lead the way.

Your changeable attitude TAURUS needs to be tempered if you (April 20- want to get things done. A May 20) slow and steady pace is encouraged and will help deter others from interfering in your plans.

dilbert

Forward thinking will GEMINI (May 21- help you make adjustments June 20) that may have seemed impossible in the past. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you or stand in your way.

Partnerships will take an unusual turn. Don’t fight in(June 21- evitable change. What tranJuly 22) spires will end up being to your advantage, not your detriment. Romance is in the stars.

CANCER

Peanuts

Look for the best, most LEO cost-efficient way to move for(July 23- ward, and then take the first Aug. 22) step. Intelligence, willpower and determination will help you gain the respect you deserve.

Make personal changes VIRGO that will add to your comfort (Aug. 23zone. Discover what’s availSept. 22) able and what will serve you well when you’re trying to adjust to circumstances you have no control over.

Calvin and Hobbes

Share your memories and LIBRA (Sept. 23- stories with people who have Oct. 23) something to contribute.

Discussions will spark new ideas and result in lasting friendships that will change the way you live.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — ABNEGATE (ABNEGATE: AB-nih-gate: To give up; renounce.)

Average mark 20 words

Don’t let what’s going on SAGITTARIUS around you stop you from do(Nov. 23ing your own thing. If you Dec. 21) give others the freedom to do as they please, you will get the same consideration in return.

Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 28 or more words in ABNEGATE? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — FLAMMABLE fable fall fame fell flab flam flame flea label lama lamb

lame leaf llama abeam able aflame amble ameba male mall malm

mama mamba meal bale ball balm beam befall bell blame embalm

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

Size up whatever situSCORPIO ation you face and look for (Oct. 24moderate, realistic answers Nov. 22) that will not break your budget or cause a falling-out with someone you love who doesn’t always agree with you.

solution for last published puzzle

An emotional revelation CAPRICORN will lead to positive change.

(Dec. 22- Don’t resist moving forward.

Jan. 19) The benefits that you end up with will far exceed your expectations. Patience and an innovative vision will lead to victory.

Stay on top of matters AQUARIUS concerning people who tend (Jan. 20- to overdo it. Understanding Feb. 19) and resilience will be required. Listen and offer positive alternatives, but don’t take over.

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

There is power in planning and adopting new ideas that will assimilate well with tried-and-true methods. Your insight and discipline will lead to greater opportunities.

tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018

19

Lochte given 14-month ban for doping violation T

welve-time Olympic medallist Ryan Lochte has been given a 14-month ban for a doping violation.

The 33-year-old American has been sanctioned by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for an intravenous infusion.

While Lochte was not using a banned substance, athletes cannot usually receive IVs unless related to a hospitalisation or via an exemption.

Lochte posted a photo of himself on social media receiving the IV which prompted an investigation.

In 2016, Lochte - the second most decorated US swimmer behind Michael Phelps - was banned from the sport for 10 months after falsely claiming he was robbed at gunpoint during the Rio Olympic Games.

The six-time Olympic champion said he and three team-mates were held up at a petrol station during a night out.

But police questioned the account after CCTV footage showed the group had vandalised the petrol station.

His latest ban runs until July 2019 having been backdated to 24 May, the date he received the pro-

hibited intravenous infusion.

Earlier this year former Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri was banned from football for six months because of a drip treatment he took at a Los Angeles clinic in 2016.

Nasri, 31, took the treatment while on holiday, but it contravened World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) rules leading to a Spanish Anti-Doping investigation.

How Lochte contributed to his own downfall Usada investigated Lochte after he posted an image on social media showing him receiving an intravenous infusion.

While he fully cooperated, Usada found he had received permitted substances at an infusion clinic in a volume greater than 100ml in a 12-hour period without a therapeutic use exemption (TUE).

US anti-doping rules prohibit IV infusions or injections in a volume greater than 100ml within a 12-hour period unless hospital treatment or a surgical procedure is required.

Lochte, who has been training with hopes of making the US Olympic team in 2020, had been expected to swim at this week’s national championships in California.

Lochte’s Olympic medals 2004 Athens (2): Gold 4x200m freestyle, silver 200m medley 2008 Beijing (4): Gold 200m backstroke, 4x200m freestyle; Bronze - 200m medley, 400m medley 2012 London (5): Gold 400m medley, 4x200m freestyle; Silver - 200m medley, 4x100m freestyle, Bronze - 200m backstroke ’s hte n Loc da investigation and Rya 2016 Rio (1): Gold 4x200m freestyle (BBC Sport) This photo led to a Usa 14-month ban

Nowitzki to return to Dallas on 1-year, US$5M deal

Gunathilaka suspended by SLC Everton medical from all forms of international for Richarlison cricket before £50M move

Danushka Gunathilaka

S

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) looks to pass as Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) defends during the second quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center

D

irk Nowitzki signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks to return for an NBA-record 21st season with one team.

The team announced the signing Monday morning. The Mavericks didn’t release terms of the deal, but Marc Stein of The New York Times said the contract is worth $5 million.

Nowitzki, 40, was drafted No. 9 overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1998, then shipped to Dallas in a draft-night trade.

He will pass Kobe Bryant, who played 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, for longevity with one franchise.

He has played 1,471 career games with the Mavericks, averaging 21.2 points and 7.7 rebounds a game. Last season, in 77 games, he scored 12.0 points and averaged 5.7 rebounds. This season, he is expected to help mentor fellow European Luka Doncic, who has been billed as the next Nowitzki.

In Dallas, Nowitzki led the team to the NBA title in 2011. He was the league most valuable player in the 200607 season and is a 12-time All-NBA selection.

He enters the season sixth on the all-time NBA scoring list with 31,187 points. He needs 233 points to pass Wilt Chamberlain for fifth-place on the list. (Reuters)

ri Lanka batsman Danushka Gunathilaka has been suspended from all forms of international cricket by SLC for breaching the ‘Player Code of Conduct’, pending inquiry. The board will also withhold Gunathilaka’s match fee for the ongoing Test against South Africa, in addition to the suspension that will come into effect immediately after the match at SSC. Without divulging more details, an SLC release said, “the decision to suspend the player was taken following an initial inquiry conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket, after the team management reported that the player have violated the ‘’Code of Conduct’.” The offence, for now, is understood to be a breach of curfew during the ongoing Test against South Africa. There is a possibility that a further, more serious offence will come to light as well, which is what has prompted the strong action from SLC. Gunathilaka has had a sequence of disciplinary issues in the recent past. In January this year, he had been officially reprimanded for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the final of the T20 tri-series against Bangladesh. He had been reprimanded for giving Tamim Iqbal a send-off when the batsman was on his way to the dressing room. As a result, one demerit point had been added to his disciplinary records.

Last year, Gunathilaka had been suspended for six white-ball matches for misconduct, and was hence omitted from the ODI squad for the series against Pakistan in the UAE. ESPNcricinfo had reported that Gunathilaka missed a training session, turned up for a match without his gear, and was generally found to have had an indifferent attitude towards training - all during Sri Lanka’s home series against India. The suspension was later revised to three matches, the remaining three matches being part of a suspended sentence over a one-year period, which could come into force in the event of any further disciplinary breaches. He had also been fined 20% of his annual contract fee. (ESPNcricinfo)

Richarlison scored five goals in 41 appearances for Watford during the 2017-18 season – including against Everton at Goodison Park in November

E

verton hope to sign Watford’s Brazilian forward Richarlison within 24 hours in a deal that could eventually be worth £50m.

The 21-year-old was having a medical with the Goodison Park club on Monday.

Toffees boss Marco Silva signed Richarlison for £11.5m from Fluminese in August 2017 when he was in charge at Vicarage Road, after the player had impressed in the Under-20 World Cup. He scored five goals in his first 12 Premier League matches.

Richarlison has not netted since November, but Silva has been keen to take him to Everton since he succeeded the sacked Sam Allardyce on 31 May. Everton were believed to be willing to pay about £35m but there are likely to be clauses that will take the deal closer to Watford’s asking price of £50m.

The Merseyside club’s record signing is Gylfi Sigurdsson, who joined from Swansea in August 2017 for £45m. (BBC Sport)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018

Norton urges players Froome ‘happy’ to take advantage of to sacrifice fifth Tour de France title their opportunities ...as Malteenoes Cricket Academy

for Geraint Thomas

reopens

Dr George Norton addressing the gathering at the Malteenoes Sports Club. He is flanked by MSC Second Vice President Neil Barry and Committee Member Debra Mc Nichol

A

fter having difficulty resuscitating the beloved Malteenoes Cricket Academy over the years, scores of young cricketers, coaches and patrons of the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) were present on Monday morning as the Academy was once again reopened for a two-week session.

Over that period of time, it is expected that young players up to the age of 18 will benefit from not only on field training but also capacity building in terms of etiquette and media interaction.

Delivering the feature address at Monday’s opening ceremony was Social Cohesion Minister with responsibility for youth, culture and sport, Dr George Norton.

The Minister, who is known for throwing himself into a game or two when the opportunity arises, urged the new students to take full advantage of everything they will learn, considering the Academy’s impressive track record.

“We all know that this Academy, over the years, has contributed to the grooming of some of the country’s best cricketers who have done Guyana proud, so I want to encourage you to grasp all that is taught,” he stated.

In relation to the coaching staff on board, Norton expressed confidence in the team, noting that he was impressed with the vari-

ety of topics that would be covered over the next two weeks.

“I am particularly impressed by the depth of the programme, and the fact that the sessions are not only about teaching cricket techniques. I am happy to know that you will be addressing issues like child safety and protection, hygiene and social skills.

I am also quite impressed by the fact that this Academy will not only be grooming future cricketing stars, but umpires, scorers, Journalists and even broadcasters as well,” Minister Norton said.

The Academy’s curriculum is not limited to catering for aspiring cricketers but also children who are desirous of taking up umpiring, scoring, broadcasting and journalism. As such, it was made clear that the aim of the Academy is not only to produce cricketers but also to assist youngsters in exploring the vast opportunities that the sport can provide.

The Academy, which was vibrant in the 1990s, had recommenced in 2016 but missed out on 2017 due to a lack of available coaches. The programme has produced renowned cricketers such as Ramnaresh Sarwan, Narsingh Deonarine and Steve Massiah.

This year’s programme will conclude on August 3.

Chris Froome, left, says he would be happy to ride for Geraint Thomas and not for himself

“I

t’s going to be war out there,” said Geraint Thomas, and for once those words sounded more like prophecy than hyperbole. As this year’s Tour de France heads into the Pyrenees, the Welshman knows there will be rapier thrusts from desperados on the road and raging hostility towards Team Sky off it.

Yet, surprisingly, the biggest threat to his chances of a first Tour victory appeared to offer a pipe of peace during Monday’s rest day in Carcassonne.

It came when Chris Froome was asked whether he would be prepared to help Thomas win the Tour if necessary. Instead of soft-handedly batting the question back, he replied: “As long as there’s a Team Sky rider on the top step in Paris I’m happy.”

There was a gasp. And when pressed further about whether he would sacrifice his ambitions of a record-equalling fifth Tour win, Froome nodded his head and offered just one word. “Yes.” Admittedly we have not crossed that bridge yet, although we are certainly getting closer. Froome, who sits 1min 39sec behind Thomas in second, still believes he can win a fourth straight grand tour – a feat only Eddy Merckx has achieved – but there are only six days, and four realistic opportunities, to flip the placings.

However, those wanting to back Thomas at bookies’ odds of 10-11, which suggests he has a touch higher than 50% chance of triumph, will be wary of his grand tour record.

He has never finished higher than 15th in a three?week tour and has a persistent reputation for always having one “bad” day.

Could history repeat itself?

There are certainly plenty of opportunities in the Pyrenees, starting with Tuesday’s 218km 16th stage from Carcassonne to Bagnères-de-Luchon, which begins relatively sedately but contains a spiteful finale with two category one climbs before a 10km descent to the finish.

Then comes one of the more intriguing stages in recent Tour history. ’s stage to Saint-Lary-Soulan is only 65km – the shortest non-split road stage of the past 30 years – but its climbs include the Montée de Peyragudes, where Froome lost time in 2017, and a slow torture of a climb to the summit finish, which averages nearly 9% gradient along its 16km length.

It would appear to be an obvious stage for Froome to try to wrestle some time back but he dismissed suggestions he would be gunning for his team-mate. “All this talk of attacking or not attacking … we’re in an amazing position, we’re one and two,” he added. “It’s not up to us to be attacking.

It’s for all the other riders in the peloton to make up time on us and dislodge us from the

position we’re in.”

Meanwhile Thomas insists he has been on good terms with Froome ever since they rode for Barloworld together a decade ago.

“We’re good mates. We’ve ridden in the same team for a number of years now and we’ve generally lived in the same areas,” he said. “We get on – for now, anyway.”

There was a smile and then a tribute to Froome. “Obviously training with him you learn a lot,” he added, “but the main things are his mental strength and his never-saydie attitude.”

Yet deep down in his subconscious he will surely be wary. Before the Tour started Froome planned to come good in the third week, repeating the recipe of his staggering Giro d’Italia comeback in May. But how much will he have left in his tank?

There will be two more chances to gain time late in the race: first, on Friday’s epic 200km stage between Lourdes and Laruns, which packs in some of the Tour’s great climbs in the Col d’Aspin, Col du Tourmalet and Col d’Aubisque, and then during Saturday’s punchy 31km individual time trial.

If all goes to plan, Team Sky hope to make that a head-to-head between Thomas and Froome – with whoever is left in the lead walking away with the final yellow jersey. “I think the dream scenario would be going into that TT with a decent gap on any of our rivals, so that the victory isn’t in jeopardy on that last time trial,” said Froome “With Tom Dumoulin and Primoz Roglic, two very strong time triallists, that’s a concern obviously. The more of a buffer you can have the better.”

For now, though, Team Sky appear to be happy to keep two balls in the air as long as possible – although their directeur sportif, Nico Portal, will be constantly monitoring his riders for weariness and weakness.

Thomas insists he feels stronger than ever after a brilliant first two weeks at the Tour – although he is not allowing his mind to run away. “Last year I was confident I could perform, it just didn’t go to plan,” he said. “I had lots of bad luck. But here I have won two mountain stages back to back, which is nuts for me, so I’ve got more confidence and belief.”

Enough to stand on the highest step in Paris, looking down on the man whohas dominated road cycling for the past five years? “Obviously the closer you get, the more you want to stay on the podium,” said Thomas. “But winning is still not something I’m really thinking about.”

Not yet perhaps. But with each passing day this week the thought of wearing yellow in Paris will only grow more luminous – and alluring. (The Guardian)

sports

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In a simple presentation at the company’s head office, Marketing Coordinator Shafeena Juman proudly handed over sponsorship to Thomas.

Juman expressed delight in once again being able to support the bright and talented athlete, and assured that the company will always continue to support the development of sports, especially in the future generation. She also wished Thomas success at the event.

In return, Thomas thanked the company for its longstanding support and promised to bring home the prize.

was good. It was probably similar to the last time we played Pakistan here; yeah it took a little spin up front ‘cause there was a bit of moisture on it.

But nothing that you can’t get around in terms of scoring, probably a pitch that you need to spend a little time on,” the Windies Captain said.

Holder also touched a little on local boy Shimron Hetmyer. Praising the young man for his half-century effort, the Captain noted that although Hetmyer has much more work to do in order to knock consistent centuries, he does see a wealth of potential in the young man who hails from Berbice. “He’s a young talented player and I think he’ll learn as time goes on, we just have to invest a little time in him,” he stated.

After admitting the faults, the Captain noted that the team are aware of their downfalls and would be work-

Jason Holder

ing on them ahead of the next match.

“I just think we need to improve on all three departments, just sharpen up.

The general fielding wasn’t good enough in my opinion. As I said, we missed a few chances. And in terms of our bowling, I think we can execute a lot better at the end; obviously, bowling at two set batsmen at the very end isn’t easy, but I think we could be a lot better at the death bowling,” West Indies and Bangladesh will meet again at the Providence Stadium on Wednesday, July 25 at 14:30h for a daynight one-day encounter.

CSTC preps for August’s month of activities

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It is the incubator for the development of young emerging table tennis talents and a platform from which all regional table tennis stars commence their journey.

Thomas is also the winner of the US Open and Caribbean titles and is under the tutelage of Coach Dwain Dick, Colin France and Linden Johnson.

Windies Captain credits loss to ‘sloppy areas’

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nce again the Hand-inHand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Ltd showed why it is the leading insurance company that supports the talent of young sportsmen and women.

On Tuesday last, the company continued its support of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) by sponsoring Guyana’s 2018 National Girls’ 13 and 15 years Champion, Thuraia Thomas.

Thomas will be representing Guyana at the Caribbean Pre-Cadet Table Tennis Championships scheduled for August 24 to September 1, in

fter a crushing loss to Bangladesh on Sunday evening, Windies Captain Jason Holder has credited the 48-run loss to a few “sloppy areas” on the part of the team.

Speaking with the media after the match-up on Sunday, Holder noted that there were not any outside factors that could be blamed for the loss. In his assessment of the match, Holder explained that improvement in several key areas could have won them the match.

“We weren’t up to scratch today: in the field, we were a little sloppy, we missed a few chances. I felt we bowled pretty well up to the 45th over, but we lost our way in the last couple of overs as well. And obviously when we batted, not a lot of partnerships upfront.”

Reflecting on the condition of the Providence pitch and the difficulty that batsmen have had in the past, Holder noted that the pitch was in fact playable.

“Yeah, I felt it was gettable, the pitch

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Table tennis sensation Thuraia Thomas receives the sponsorship cheque from Hand-in-Hand’s Marketing Coordinator Shafeena Juman

uyanese race walkers will join their counterparts from the Caribbean and Suriname to compete for honours when the Cavaliers Sports and Tour Club (CSTC) stage its 14th Race Walk Month of Activities during August under the theme, “RaceWalking in a Modern and Safe Guyana”.

CSTC Coordinator Jennifer Major said that this year’s activities would be bigger and better, with more events being held in all 10 Regions of the country.

Activities planned for the month-long programme will include the Club’s annual Juniors Race Walk Camp, Race Walk Workshops and exhibitions as well as an Award Ceremony.

Major believes race walking can become one of the major sports in Guyana

with a little more support and assistance.

Locally, the sport is way down the list of prominent sport disciplines, but has a remarkable record of success over the past 10 years.

According to the CSTC Coordinator, the sport is not only a healthy one but a virtual necessity, because, as we grow older, we tend to become less active and need some periods of exercise.

She expressed that the CSTC stood ready and committed to push the sport to become a major part of the sporting landscape.

Pre-Emancipation Race

The cream of the country’s race-walkers in all categories will be in action on Sunday, July 29 as the CSTC wraps up

its events for this month.

The CSTC will stage its 10k PreEmancipation Day Race around the outer circuit of the East Ruimveldt Community Centre from 06:30h.

Several of the country’s top walkers and a host of newcomers are expected to participate in the event.

Trophies, medals and other lucrative prizes will be at stake in the male and female seniors, juniors, veterans and differently- abled categories.

Interested participants must be at the starting line at 06:00h.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018

Guyana experiences mixed fortunes as CAC Games continue

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cores of Guyanese athletes began their Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games campaign last week when they opened in Barranquilla, Colombia on July 19. After representing their homeland well in the opening ceremony on Thursday, the athletes got down to business early on Friday morning in the South American nation.

In the swimming pool, Guyana had two representatives who were off to a flying start. Andrew Fowler clocked 55.01s in his 100-metre freestyle event while Jamila Sanmoogan clocked 29.76s in the female 50m butterfly event.

Despite not being able to advance to the next round in their respective races, both athletes registered their personal best times to the delight of their Coach, Sean Baksh.

The local Coach noted that their achievements are testament to their preparation and race day efforts at the Games. The swimmers will hit the pool again on July 25.

Guyana’s table tennis players also got in on the action early, playing both doubles and singles matches.

The power team of Natalie Cummings, Chelsea Edghill and Trenace Lowe lost to Cuba 0-3 and to El Salvador 0-3 but tasted victory when they beat Barbados 3-0. The men’s team also got off to a rough start with a 0-3 loss to Cuba.

In the individual match-ups, Edghill lost to Mabelyn Enriquez of Guatemala 1-3, but made a 3-0 comeback on Linda Partap of

In the women’s draw, Mary Fung-a-Fat beat Charlotte Knaggs of Trinidad and Tobago in her opening match, but ran into the number one seed, Samantha Teran the following day and lost 0-3. Taylor Fernandes, who just made the move from the junior ranks to senior competition, lost a hard-fought match to Amanda Haywood of Barbados 2-3.

The female hockey team were not so lucky in their first encounter, but the male have avenged their female counterparts’ loss. In the men’s competition, the Guyanese men coincidentally faced off against the Dominican Republic.

The Dominicans stunned the confident Guyanese just two minutes into the match when Francisco Garcia deflected in a pass from the right after the Dominicans capiThe Guyanese athletes as they make their way into the stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia talised on a Guyanese defensive mix-up deep in their scoring circle. The game wore on with the Trinidad and Tobago. Trenace Lowe had the group stage to the knockout round.

Guyanese enjoying greater possession, but best outing of all the females with three wins In the world of squash, Guyana’s top seedthe Dominicans defending stoically until the against number five seed Melanie Diaz of ed men’s player, Sunil Seth began his CAC bid Puerto Rico, Daniely Rios of Puerto Rico and with a thrilling win against David Gonzalez 39th minute when Aroydy Branford convertJazel Griffith of Barbados (3-0). of Panama. The young and talented Jason- ed a penalty stroke.

The game grew progressively more physOn the men’s side, Shemar Britton lost to Ray Khalil also began on a good note defeatical as the Dominicans resorted to physiBrian Afanador of Puerto Rico 0-3, but made a ing Nku Patrick of Trinidad and Tobago. cal play to neutralise the skilful Guyanese complete flip with a 3-0 win over Jose Urbina However, both players were left with a bitter forwards but in the 49th and 50th minutes, of Honduras. Nigel Bryan followed in similar taste after losing out to the Salazar twins of Guyana managed to convert two penalty corfashion with a 1-3 loss to Emil Santos of the Mexico. Arturo and Cesar Salazar both beat ners through Marvin Dannet and a bullet of Dominican Republic and a 3-1 win over Oliver the Guyanese men 0-3. a shot from the outstanding Jamarj Assanah.

Mendoza of El Salvador.

In men’s doubles, the same pair managed Guyana would go on to a 3-1 victory at full Christopher Franklyn, Britton, Lowe, to defeat the St Vincent and the Grenadines time.

Edghill and Bryan have all advanced from the duo of Jason Doyle and Othneil Bailey 2-0.

Trophy Stall endorses Guinness Cage Competition T

rophy Stall of Bourda Market joined the list of growing sponsors in support of the Three Peat Promotions’ second annual Guinness Cage Competition, which is scheduled to kick off on August 8 at the Haslington Market Tarmac.

Titled “East Coast Best versus the Rest”, the five-day tournament is expected to attract 24 of the top exponents of the shorter football format with a minimum of 12 teams coming from the East Coast, while

the remaining 12 will be selected from the Georgetown, Linden and West Demerara environs.

On Monday, during a simple ceremony that was conducted at the entity’s location in Bourda Market, Trophy Stall Managing Director Ramesh Sunich took the opportunity to personally hand over his sponsorship to co-principal of the promotional group, Rawle Welch.

Sunich, who is no stranger to the sports

fraternity, in brief remarks, commended the Group for its continued commitment towards the development of sports, while also recognising its contribution in helping to foster camaraderie and cohesion amongst the respective communities.

“I would like to recognise your contribution in assisting to bring together the various communities that will be participating in the tournament and Trophy Stall Managing Director Ramesh Sunich presents the sponsorship at the same cheque and first-place trophy to Three Peat Promotions’ Rawle Welch time, helping to further develop the format in the sport,” teams and, by extension, the communities they hail from.

Sunich said.

Among the other donors to have commitWelch, in response, thanked Sunich for ted assistance are: Clarks footwear giants his unwavering support for the tournament, Chetsons; Queensway Security Services; starting in its inaugural year, while noting E-Networks Inc; KSM Investments; Yhip’s his sterling contribution towards the develBakery; Brass Aluminium & Cast Iron opment of sports and athletes that, accordFoundry (BACIF); Ray’s Auto Sales; YK ing to Welch, is unrivalled.

Investments; Woodpecker Products; the Sport is being used as one of the vehiNational Sports Commission; Express cles to eliminate obstacles that have preShipping; C Division of the Guyana vented unity among villages and commuPolice Force; Julius Variety Store; C & C nities and Three Peat Promotions, through Prestigious Styles and Attorney-at-Law its efforts, is helping to strengthen co-operation and friendship between participating Roysdale Forde.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018

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23

Scotiabank Kiddy Hero Caribbean Cricket continues to Premier League… blossom in Guyana eZone to sponsor

cotiabank Kiddy Cricket made a spectacular return to the field of play with a stunning display of talent and skill by the enthusiastic children of Guyana on Sunday.

More than 100 boys and girls from across the country participated in the lunchtime Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket interval display accompanied by “Chirpy” – the larger-than-life, fun-loving mascot, at the Guyana National Stadium as West Indies and Bangladesh competed in the first One-Day International (ODI) game.

Guyana Cricket Board Secretary and Cricket West Indies Director Anand Sanasie stated during the interval display: “The Kiddy Cricket programme is probably the longest sporting partnership between two entities in the Region, with the Cricket West Indies partnering with Scotiabank for the last 18 years. The programme engages approximately 135,000 children across the Region in 17 countries. In Guyana, we engage 210 primary schools, so we are in contact with 27,000 children who are actively engaged in the game of crick-

The players going through their warm-up phase

et. Through the programme, these children have access to 24 qualified foundation and level one Coaches, who teach them the fundamentals of batting, bowling, fielding and wicket-keeping.”

Between the sponsor, Scotiabank, and Cricket West Indies, cricket gear and equipment are disturbed annually, so that the skills of cricket can be taught across participating schools in Guyana.

Sanasie mentioned that the programme has recently introduced an academic cricket manual for the classroom setting, that will be disturbed to schools across Guyana in partnership with the Ministry of Education,

which will introduce the Mathematics, English, Social Studies, Science, Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) and other core primary subjects in a relatable and fun cricket context.

“I can tell you our current captain of the West Indies team, Jason Holder is a product of the programme. Locally, almost every one of the youngsters who have moved up inclusive of Bhaskar Yadram, Keemo Paul, Jacobs, Jonathan Foo have all passed through the Kiddy Cricket programme, so being a local cricket administrator, we depend on this to identify talent and then to mould that talent and take it to a higher level,”

GFF Elite League III…

Conquerors, GDF, Buxton strike victory W ith the 13th round of matches almost completed in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League III, Fruta Conquerors are narrowly hanging on to the top position with 29 points.

The defending champions, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) are third with 27 points from 13 matches while Western Tigers, who also have 27 points, sit in second after playing just 11 matches.

Den Amstel follow the top three closely with 26 points while Victoria Kings (22) are the only other team to crack the twenties. Like GDF, Den Amstel and Kings have both completed 13 matches.

The action continued on Sunday at the Leonora Stadium with three matches that saw GDF brush aside Ann’s Grove 4-0, Fruta Conquerors squeeze past Den Amstel 2-1 and Buxton United sink Victoria Kings 1- 0.

GDF and Ann’s Grove contested a laid-back first half as the eventual victor drew first blood in the sixth minute, compliments of Shawn

Delroy Fraser

Arthur. However, the second half was completely different form the first 45 minutes with the Ann’s Grove side showing fatigue, which led to the opposition succeeding on three more occasions.

Delroy Fraser scored in the 64th and 76th minutes to complete a brace while Sherwyn Caesar ground the clock right down to the end as he accounted for the final goal in the third minute of injury and stoppage time.

In a match that had three goals being divided among two good teams, Conquerors showed why they have climbed to the top of the

league.

The ever-improving Den Amstel squad battled to a goalless first half with Fruta Conquerors, but six minutes into the second half, Den Amstel were able to find the back of the net from a Delon Lanferman strike.

Conquerors’ Eon Alleyne was able to secure the equaliser in the 79th minute, but when all looked bleak, Domini Garnett with a stunner in the 90th minute ensured a hardfought come-from-behind win was put to rest. Of course, that was all that was needed to gain the three points and climb to the top of the table.

Meanwhile, Buxton, who occupy the sixth position on the points table, needled Victoria Kings to move on to 15 points. Buxton are six points ahead of Milerock (9) while Ann’s Grove and Cougars FC both have six points and NA United are last with only four points.

Dillon Wright was the star of the evening for the Buxtonians with his 36th minute goal which the opposition had no answer for.

said Sanasie.

Scotiabank Public and Corporate Affairs Manager (Caribbean South and East) Cindy Mohammed stated: “Scotiabank is committed to helping our young people become better off and we’re proud that the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Programme enables us to achieve this.

The programme teaches the basics of the sport, but also life skills such as team work, discipline and integrity that help them become well-rounded individuals. It was fantastic seeing the joy on the faces of our top-performing boys and girls from this year’s programme take to the field during the interval period, to showcase their skills, and having the opportunity to meet the players of the West Indies team. This is an experience which I am sure will stay with them for a lifetime, and aspire them as young cricketers.”

As Guyana, St Lucia and Antigua host the first standalone ICC Women’s World Twenty20 in November, Cricket West Indies and Scotiabank will be putting special arrangements in place to give the female cricketers in the Kiddy Cricket programme the opportunity to watch the matches and participate in activities surrounding this grand world event across the three host venues.

fastest 50

Evin Lewis hit a 19-ball 50 in the 2017 edition of the Hero CPL

T

he Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) welcomed eZone as its official logistics partner for the 2018 tournament.

The 2018 event takes place between August 8 and September 16 and will be contested in seven countries.

The services that eZone offers are a vital part of being able to deliver a world-class entertainment product. eZone will be presenting the player who scores the fastest 50 of the 2018 tournament with a prize of US$5000. Last year’s winner was Evin Lewis of the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots who made his half-century in 19 balls on his way to 97 not out against Barbados Tridents.

Paul Pantin of eZone

said, “We are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with the Hero CPL for the second year. Connecting the Caribbean through logistics is what we do best and we look forward to bringing our expertise and support to the CPL team once again.”

Speaking of the second year of the deal, Barrie Corcoran, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Hero CPL said, “The logistical challenges involved in moving six teams of players and support staff, camera crew and CPL staff between seven nation states are massive. eZone showed us last year with their professionalism and ability to solve problems that they are a huge asset to the tournament.”

tuesDAY, JUly 24, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana experiences mixed fortunes as CAC Games continue

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Pg 23

eZone to sponsor fastest CPL 50

A handful of the 98-member Guyanese contingent

The jubilant Kiddy Cricketers after their half time show at the Providence Stadium where Bangladesh defeated West Indies in the first ODI of the series

Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket continues to blossom in Guyana Pg 23

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