Guyana Times, 26 June 2017

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3253

Monday, June 26, 2017

1 dead, 5 others injured in Liliendaal accident Page 3

Green State Development Strategy

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Herstelling man P11 crushed to death

Page 9

Document long on promises, short on specifics – Jagdeo …falls short of setting out practical strategies

Eid Mubarak!

Downsizing sugar

“We are P7 trying to limit the damage” – Granger

Hike in MMA/ P14 ADA rates contributing to hardship – Govt accused of ignoring pleas of affected farmers

- to all Guyanese, especially Muslims Muslims across Guyana on Sunday celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Eid-ul-Fitr signifies the end of this fasting period and is a day of joy and thanksgiving. A group of Muslims pose for this photo as they celebrate Eid at the Ogle masjid, East Coast Demerara on Sunday morning

Govt policy on economy misguided P3

Not only engineers, geologists needed

Technical, vocational skills crucial to get jobs in oil industry – T&T energy expert

Page 2

Sophia man found dead with stab wound P12

2 NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Not only engineers, geologists needed

Technical, vocational skills crucial to get jobs in oil industry

– T&T energy expert

Anthony Paul, T&T Resources Ministry

T

energy

he oil-and-gas sector can develop high standard technical and vocational skills which can be transferred to other sectors, according to energy expert Anthony Paul, a Trinidad

consultant

at

the

Natural

national who serves on Guyana’s Local Content Committee.

According to a GINA report, Paul pointed out that there exists a myth over the types of jobs available in the

oil-and-gas sector. While engineers and geologists are necessary skills in the industry, for Guyana, the job opportunities lie in technical and vocational skills.

“You ask where the jobs are? Technical and vocational skills are very important,” Paul said.

Guyana is preparing for oil production sometime in 2020, after significant oil find in 2015.

Paul pointed out that Trinidad and Tobago “did well” at developing those skills with apprenticeship programmes in its oil-andgas industry. “There are many more; as welders, fabricators, mechanics, people doing diesel machine… You have the kernel of that in the schools; they may be distressed at the moment, but do you rescue that culture

Students of GTI learning technical and vocational skills

and use it to build those areas?”

He noted that this is a

decision for the Government to make. More importantly, these skills are transferrable.

In Trinidad’s case, Paul noted, the twin-island state’s oil-and-gas sector employ only about four percent of the workforce, but more than 20 per cent of T&T’s workforce is trained in some technical or vocational skill.

“How do you think they got that skill? Because the oil industry needed the skills and invested in the schools.

If you train 100 technicians and the industry hires 10, 90 are available for elsewhere,” Paul illustrated.

this did not work out. “A lot of families spend money on children doing studies (for which they cannot find employment) now.”

Over the last two years, Paul worked as an advisor to the Ghanaian Government, developing and putting regulatory systems in place for that country’s Ministry of Petroleum.

“Guyana has to be careful about what training you spend your money on,” he said. The Government is cognisant of this, and has been making provision for developing both technical and high-end skills.

The Ministry of Natural

Learning welding at the Government Technical Institute

Additionally, these skills, when transferred, can also raise the standards of the sectors in which they are used.

Paul, however, cautioned that developing technical and vocational skills must not be done at the neglect of high-end skills. “The other high-end skills are of value too, and you want to focus on those as well; but we tend to focus on the operation (of) technical skills,” he said.

“If we fail to develop the high-end skills, we end up using the same foreigners that we had to bring into the country to do the job,” Paul explained.

The Government has to be strategic in how it develops skills for the industry, Paul cautioned. Paul used Ghana as an example of how

Resources (MNRE), through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), has committed to spending $100 million over the next three years to boost UG’s training capacity for the oil-and-gas industry.

Additionally, the MNRE has with the Mexican Petroleum Institute a partnership arrangement that includes scholarships particularly in areas of technical and vocational skills.

There are also plans for a Petroleum Scientific Institute to be established locally by 2020.

Anthony Paul is currently a consultant to the Ministry of Natural Resources on the development of a Local Content Policy for Guyana’s oil-andgas sector.

3 1 dead, 5 others injured in Liliendaal accident A NEWS

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, June 26 – 05:00h-06:30h and Tuesday, June 27 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, June 26 – 05:30h-07:00h and Tuesday, June 27 – 06:20h-07:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day, with clear skies in the evening. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from Easterly to North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 05:56h and 18:28h reaching maximum heights of 2.79 metres and 2.62 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:59h reaching a minimum height of 0.47 metre.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2017

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FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2017 DAILY MILLIONS 05 09 14 21 26 LUCKY 3 7 2 2 Afternoon Draw

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

MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

bridal shower outing turned deadly for one of six friends on Saturday evening after the car they were travelling in veered out of control and slammed into the recently renovated bridge at Liliendaal Railway Embankment, Greater Georgetown.

Dead is 36-year-old Debra Pompey, an employee attached to Medicare Pharmacy and of Lot 473 Belle West Housing Scheme, Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara. Her sister, Tushanna Hubbard, 26, is among those injured and currently hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The others have been identified as Rodlyn Grace, 20, of Lot 74 Blyzeight Gardens, Greater Georgetown; Shameica Martin, 18, of Lot 84 Sideline Dam, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara; Saskiya Boyer, 30, of Lot 228 Lodge, Georgetown, and Petona Welcome, 27, of Lot 391 Austin Street, Campbellville, Georgetown.

According to reports received, the accident occurred around 23:40h as the group of six women were heading home from a night out at the Giftland Mall. Guyana Times understands that one of the friends was getting married this coming weekend.

Public-spirited persons helping to remove the injured women from the vehicle

After partying, the women left the Mall and were heading to Georgetown, with Welcome behind the wheel of the silver-grey motor car, bearing registration number PSS 7195. “(They were) proceeding west along the southern driveway allegedly at a fast rate when she lost control of the vehicle, which collided with the southern rail of the Liliendaal Bridge,” Police said in a statement on Sunday.

They noted too that the driver was tested and found to be above the legal blood alco-

hol limit. Welcome, who suffered a fractured left arm, was treated and discharged from the Hospital. She is currently in custody assisting with the investigation.

The car belonged to a 28-year-old resident of Princes and Chapel Streets, Lodge.

Pompey’s young sister remains hospitalised, nursing two broken legs. The injured woman related to this newspaper from her hospital bed that they had gone out to celebrate her best friend’s bridal shower. They were at an entertainment spot at the Giftland Mall

and had left to go home when the accident occurred.

“We were leaving and while on the East Coast, all I really recall is that the driver swerve and that was it,” Hubbard stated. She is expected to undergo surgery some time this week.

Meanwhile, the mother of the two sisters, Jennifer Clyne, told reporters that her two daughters left to go out with their friends and around midnight, she got a call about the accident.

“I thought they (daughters) were calling me to open the door for them, so I didn’t look at the number, I just answered and walk to the door.

But then a guy came on and say that my daughter was in an accident and break her foot,” the woman recalled.

She continued that she did not wait for the person to say anything more, she immediately left to go to the Hospital.

However, by the time they arrived at the medical institution in the city, it was too late as Pompey had already died.

Clyne added that she only observed a broken ankle on one of the feet of her eldest daughter, noting that they were awaiting a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. This is expected to be conducted today.

Govt policy on economy misguided – economist

By Samuel Sukhnandan

T

he economic policy of the David Granger-led coalition Government is both misguided and misdirected, as it does not cater for addressing critical issues that need immediate attention. This is according to former presidential advisor and outspoken economist, Ramon Gaskin.

Gaskin told Guyana Times that while the training received from the World Bank and other international financial bodies was important and considered issues such as macro-economic stability, exchange rates and other key economic tools, emphasis was never placed on developing communities.

“We have to start looking at community-based economics to create jobs. Create industrial estates and jobs for people, especially those who are likely to be affected by the impending closure of the sugar industry,” the Russiatrained economist advised, stating that this could be done immediately.

Gaskin accused the Government of not placing enough focus on building communities. According to him, if the Government decides to invest in communities across the country, this could lead to greater economic activity and prosperity for the people that reside within them.

“The Minister does not focus on people and communities, and they have to turn their focus on that. What can they do for the people at Wales

and Uitvlugt? They don’t look at those things and I think that is the big problem here with this economy in my opinion,” he opined.

Gaskin, who has remained critical about several policies of both the previous and present Governments, stressed that the Guyanese economy was in terrible shape and something needed to be done.

“It’s deteriorating. It’s not getting better. It’s on a downward trajectory, and I don’t see anything being done to arrest it and to turn around the curve,” he emphasised.

He pointed out that the formal economy has been in bad shape for some time now and things were heading in the wrong direction. “Sugar is in big trouble. Production is down and production is now around 147,000 tonnes. Guyana used

to produce 364,000 tonnes in 1964,” he added.

Gaskin also pointed to the fact that rice production was also on the decline, as it has moved from about 687,000 tonnes in the last year of the previous Administration to a massive 25 per cent decline.

“The bright spot of the economy continues to be gold production and many of them being done by the Canadian companies and their production is shipped out even though you get royalties. On the other hand, local production is being smuggled,” he contended. The local economist said it appeared that the Government was waiting on the production of oil in 2020 to assist with bringing back economic growth and stability in the country.

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A Development State

O

ver the last decade, there have been two sets of concerns -- not entirely unconnected -- raised about economic distribution in Guyana; and both have highlighted the issue of distributive justice. Firstly, there were charges that the overall economic policy of the PPP favoured Indians at the expense of Africans. Charges of “marginalisation,” and even “economic genocide,” were made by elements in the African Guyanese community during the tenure of the PPP regime, echoing the similar cries of the Indians during the PNC’s rule, between 1964 and 1992. After the PNC-led APNU/AFC assumed office in 2015, with 10,000 jobs in the sugar industry on the line, those cries have been renewed.

Secondly, there has been the historical complaint about the uneven geographical development – specifically, that Demerara in general, and Georgetown in particular, receives a disproportionate share of the national developmental thrust. Poverty rates in some hinterland communities rose one hundred percent between 1992 and 1999, for instance. These complaints, which are grounded on a perception that justice is not being served, have been some of the main fuels of the ethnic fire.

What we have seen is that, in severely divided societies, governmental policies are not judged on intentions but on results, and even that will be judged by very subjective criteria. Certain policies which may appear facially neutral can have differential ethnic impact.

Take, for instance, a key plank in the economic strategy pushed by the multilaterals - agricultural development in Guyana. From a standpoint of comparative advantage, it makes sense for Guyana to concentrate on agricultural development in the near term, but since Indians dominate this sector, we can be sure that African Guyanese will have severe problems -- as they demonstrated in the ‘60s -- with a strategy that makes agriculture its central focus. This may be why this government has a hands-off attitude to agriculture.

After a period of rapid growth engendered by the IMF/World Bank-dictated Economic Recovery Programme, beginning in 1991 under the PNC -- wherein the economy expanded primarily in the traditional areas that had collapsed – it ran out of steam. The GDP growth rate since 1997 has not even reached an average of four percent since.

This was far below the ten percent deemed necessary to initiate a self-sustaining level of prosperity. Presently, the rate of GDP growth has slowed to 3% and sinking. The evidence has made it manifest by now that the economic regime imposed by the ‘Washington Consensus’ -- and still guiding governmental policies -- may be necessary, but certainly not sufficient to facilitate a level of growth sufficient to ensure the requisite growth rate.

It is not enough to pin all our hopes on oil revenues starting in 2020, as those in and of themselves will not solve our economic ennui. Our sugar windfalls in 1974 and 1982 were frittered away without registering any long-term impact on the economy. To stimulate such a necessary high growth rate, we propose creation of a Catalytic Entrepreneurial State (CES). To assure an even distribution of development between the various ethnic groups, the ‘Ethnic Impact Statement” that the APNU/AFC Manifesto proposed to evaluate governmental policies must be implemented. Affirmative Action Programmes such as the government has already embarked on in their traditional constituency are also needed, but they must be subjected to CES tests.

An Entrepreneurial State must be strong, but at the same time not centralised, authoritarian, and ethnicallydominated, as is becoming evident with the present Government. The functions of the state can be distributed into multiple layers and segments, so as to deliver a greater likelihood of success of development goals. Even with the unitary state, not all state actions are negative; and, in fact, there may be the necessity for government interventions when the free market or community coordinating mechanisms are stymied for one reason or other -- market failure or community breakdown.

The litmus test of proposed activities would be for the state to implement policies that strengthen market and community coordination, to promote growth and development. The present ethnically skewed policies must go.

Muslims across Guyana on Sunday celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. In photo, PPP/C MP Irfaan Ali among a group of Muslims as they celebrate Eid at the Leonora masjid, West Coast Demerara on Sunday (Taken from Irfaan Ali’s FB page)

Cure for Guyana’s politics (Part 2) Dear Editor, Walter Rodney captured the political animus of Guyana’s political scene brilliantly during an interview in 1976 with African American scholar and Emeritus Professor William Strickland by pointing out: “In the 1960s, we had seen the phase of electoral politics where people were lining up on one side or the other – the PPP if one was Indian, and PNC if one was African.

“That was very clear. I recall it very well, as late as 1961, being very confused on the question of whether one went for the PPP or PNC. As I listed the pros and cons, I said, ‘Well, the PPP says it’s a Marxist party, but it’s not operating that way, and it had Indians. On the other hand, the PNC didn’t even claim to be Marxist, or even a serious socialist party, yet it had the Africans. And for those of us Africans who were struggling to take a progressive position, it was extremely difficult.

“Many who had joined the PPP as the better of two choices had to leave the party. And ultimately, because of these racial questions, a generation of us (has) actually stayed away from the two dominant political parties.”

At this 2017 juncture of our political evolution, it seems obligatory that the de facto FounderLeader of the WPA should

have his dream for the shaping of a multiracial Guyana realized through his comrades of yore. Some of those comrades stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Rodney in the 1970s; some of them died doing do, others were imprisoned and/or brutalized.

Now that the WPA is in a position to balance the policies of the governance of Guyana by the two dominant parties in Guyana – namely, the PNC and the PPP -- let us seize this moment for the betterment of Guyana. Clive, Rupert, David, Mazarool, Tacuma, Tabitha, Wazir, Desmond, Rishi, et al, let us optimize this opportunity to be servant-leaders for the working class of Guyana, the less fortunate, the oppressed and downtrodden; be the Guyanese leaders that embrace all our brothers and sisters. The tepid, grovelling and undefined or vague positions taken by this dispensation of WPA leaders are a betrayal of Rodney’s sincerity, honesty, forthrightness and courage. Hypocrisy like half-positions should be abandoned.

Do not trade the honour of the WPA, which was displayed with such effectiveness in the 1970s, to now play second fiddle and act as if certain individuals or groups are sacrosanct. For a few more years of what?

Such conduct will certainly return Guyanese to

the hellish period during which Rodney died. Let us not condone mismanagement and misplaced polices shrouded in hubris, arrogance and elitism from anyone or in any form. Let us strive to be our better selves.

The most undemocratic, twisted and warped Shahabadeen’s Constitution, unleashed in 1980 under the guidance of Prime Minister Forbes Burnham and referred to many times by Rodney as the Paramount Constitution, has become wholly at odds with Rodney’s view on power and power-sharing. It is time we set this Paramount Constitution adrift and draft a new Guyanese Constitution in the spirit of, and with the intent of, having a multiracial democracy.

Dr. Roopnaraine has served us well. Many great men have reached a point where their capacity is diminished by some ailment.

It is a reality that must be actioned. We need in the National Assembly a new representative who can vote based on the principled position of a Rodneyoriented WPA, and certainly not depend on a WPA Member of Parliament (MP) hidden away behind the vast and fortress-like fences surrounding the Ministry of the Presidency, with the MP being walked or escorted out convenient-

ly to support a position in the National Assembly that the WPA does not support.

In what may be considered Rodney’s most powerful, scathing, selfless and brilliant speech -- People’s Power No Dictator – made against the unelected reign of Forbes Burnham over Guyanese, we find this gem of a multiracial statement when Dr. Rodney said “…

It was usually after the end of their five-year bond that our Indian foreparents were able to turn to the temple, the mosque or the church as the case might be”. This is a most revealing statement coming from one of the world’s great African historians.

Working People’s Alliance, rise up and serve Guyana in the way Rodney envisioned. You represent an alliance that played the most transformative and courageous role in the history of Guyana’s politics, and now you are called upon once again to play a pivotal role in cultivating a multiracial Guyana by disavowing bootlicking language, lackeys, square pegs, racism and discrimination.

Albert Campus captured the needs of Guyana well with this quote: “We must mend what has been torn apart, make justice imaginable again in a world so obviously unjust, give happiness a meaning once more.”

Sincerely, Nigel Hinds

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017

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

NY Guyanese Muslims celebrate Eid Dear Editor, Guyanese Muslims joined others across the New York metro area early Sunday morning to celebrate the Islamic festival of Eid-ulFitr with fervour and zeal.

Eid marks the end of the dawn-to-dusk fasting during the holy month of Ramadan (called Ramzan by IndoCaribbeans), which began on May 26 evening and ended on June 24 evening.

Muslims at the several Guyanese mosques in Richmond Hill observed the festival in traditional Guyanese style -- with prayers, feasts, distribution of vamazelly (vermicelli or sawine), cajoor, sirni (or butter-made mohanbhoog), and charitable contributions to the less fortunate.

The Indo-Guyanese and Indo-Caribbean Muslim di-

aspora in New York is a very tight-knit community, and they observe all Islamic traditions, especially during Ramadan or Ramzan (Rojah). In NY, every national community has its own masjid, and Muslims tend to patronise the mosque of nationals of their own former country. The Greater Richmond Hill area alone has half a dozen masjids.

There are also masjids established by Bengali, Moroccan, Yemeni, Iranian, and other Arabs in the heart of the Indo-Guyanese Islamic community.

Muslim-owned businesses, homes, schools and masjids were beautifully decorated with greenery, crescent moons, trimmings, colourful lights, and huge signs of Eid greetings. Muslims gathered at mosques early on Sunday

morning, all decked up in traditional garb for prayer.

They were led in prayers by a head imam or mullah, assisted by other meijis. Masjids were overflowing with worshippers. Streets were closed off to accommodate the congregation. Tents were set up just outside of each masjid.

Celebrants put on their best, most colourful clothing – traditional kurthas, kamiz, lahengas, and Nehru suits.

Eid is accorded official city recognition that comes with cancellation of parking regulations for two days (Sunday and Monday) and a public school holiday. The Eid festivities culminated the end of the pious observance of Ramadan (called Rojah in Guyana and parts of India) in the Islamic calendar.

Ramzan is an import-

ant pillar in Islam. During this period, pious Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise until sunset for an entire lunar month. Even many Muslim students fasted during the month, Guyanese were observed making the nightly trek to the mosque for prayers and the breaking of the fast in the evening at sundown. Breaking of the fast took place around 8:30 pm to 9 pm during these long summer days. From half a mile away, one could have heard the azan (announcement for prayers) over the microphone during the day and every evening, alerting pious Muslims that it was time for breaking of the fast.

In Richmond Hill, people attired in colourful Islamic garb crowded the masjids in congregations for night

Simply ludicrous to still be discussing parking meter behemoth Dear Editor, It has been reported in the press that the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown have given themselves or the so-called Parking Meter Committee an additional month to complete its consultations, as the initial three-month period which was granted by Minister Bulkan seemed to be insufficient.

Is this not simply ludicrous? 90 days and these people cannot complete a simple review of the scandalous parking meter initiative? Do they need a year?

And why did it take one whole month for Pat and

Roy to form this committee after the suspension? Were they awaiting instructions on who should be placed on the committee?

And why are they only now seeking to acquire pertinent documents from the contracting parking meter company, Smart City Solutions Inc. (SCSI), including the socioeconomic feasibility study that was purportedly undertaken.

Are any of the members of this committee legally trained and qualified? Do they have any experience in parking meter systems?

Will they be in contact with other cities that have suc-

cessfully implemented paid parking?

Clearly they don’t need any more time to consult with the citizens, as the citizens have shown evidently that they have no interest in discussing the parking meter behemoth with this kangaroo committee. The citizens have made their position pellucid, and that is: a big ‘no’ to parking meters; but, more importantly, they demand the complete scrapping of the illegal and disgusting contract entered into by the ‘Fantastic Four’.

It is my sincere hope that councillors on this committee are not going to

seek to be given special remuneration outside of their regular stipends and allowances for undertaking this task. This would be adding insult to injury, as the Council is supposedly cashstrapped and was the entity that created the problem in the first place.

One can always rely on the Georgetown City Council to put the cart before the horse and bungle everything they undertake, and that is because they lack a competent and honest administration.

Sincerely, Amber Valentine

prayers that normally ended around 9 p.m.

According to Islamic belief, people fasted for blessings, and celebrated their achievement with the marking of Eid, which commemorated the end of the fasting period, bringing Muslims together. It is an annual rite for the Muslim community to contract theme parks for a day of fun and recreation for children. Many Muslims hosted banquets, inviting friends, neighbours and relatives, especially that

Monday is a holiday. Many businesses were also closed early on Saturday in preparation for the two days of holiday. During Sunday, Muslims feasted on a variety of cuisine (gulab jamun, vermicelli, sirni, jalebi, maleda, cajoor, mohanbhog, and other mithai). As in Guyana, it is a tradition to distribute sawine and sirni (maleda) to neighbours, friends and relatives.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017

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Foundation

Striking out: When parents hit Here’s a confession: I have hit my children.

BY JOYCE MAYNARD

T

(CONCLUSION)

here’s no magic solution, of course, but the risk of hitting a child is substantially diminished once you’ve made a conscious decision to pursue an alternative response to anger.

When my own children were small, and I’d feel myself becoming dangerously worn down (usually at the end of an afternoon), I’d announce I was having a quiet time. For me, that meant sitting in a particular chair in our kitchen, with a cup of tea. Maybe because I used quiet times sparingly, and saved them for when I needed them most, my children nearly always respected them.

Another mother actually sits in her closet with a cordless phone and calls her sister. “She and I have a code we use with each other,” says the fulltime at-home mother of two preschoolers, in Pensacola, FL. “I dial her number and say ‘red alert,’ and she goes into gear. It’s not that she has anything new or surprising to tell me – it’s always ‘Fix a cup of tea and put on some soft music.’ But just hearing the sound of her voice and getting to talk about how I feel is usually enough to calm me down.”

For some parents, putting distance between themselves and the child or children who’ve been driving them around the bend is the essential element in regaining control. Others head for the eye of the storm, embracing their child rather than separating from him. One mother says she takes a walk with her son and daughter when she feels she could lose it. Another gets in the tub with her daughter or takes a nap with her. One father of two says that when he senses he’s in danger of losing control, he piles everyone in the car and heads to the children’s room of the town

library: “I guess what I’m looking for, when I do that, is partly the calm that comes from reading books together. But partly, I want to be surrounded by witnesses.”

One of the most helpful things I did with my son Willy was to stop everything (which once meant abandoning an overflowing cart in the supermarket and heading out of the store) and get into our car. Not to drive – just to sit there, in a quiet, familiar, controlled environment, removed from all the stuff going on, with nothing much to do but sit there, catch our breath, and look out

the windows. Sometimes, we’d end up talking. Other times, I’d hold him. Other times, we’d just sit there. I’d close my eyes. He might wail. But sooner or later, maybe out of sheer boredom and lack of stimuli, he’d quiet down. Then we’d get up and resume our lives.

Realistically, even the most sensible strategies won’t always work. I slapped my daughter two or three times when she said things to me so deeply disrespectful I felt as if I’d been stabbed. I slapped my

younger son twice, both at moments when, more painful even than if he’d defied me, he ignored me altogether.

The times I’ve struck one of my children have taught me why I don’t ever want to do so again. I want them to grow up believing they can trust me. When a child experiences the sensation of his larger, stronger, more powerful parent raising a hand to him, he may not feel wholly safe with her.

There’s another unfortunate thing that happens when you strike your child in anger: You significantly undercut your ability to challenge inappropriate behaviour effectively. Each of the times I’ve struck one of my children, my actions have come in response to actions of theirs that did, in fact, deserve to be challenged. But each time I’ve ended up apologizing, instead of extracting the apology their actions warranted.

What’s to be done, if that happens? What does a parent do when she’s hit her child, and she knows she shouldn’t have, and she’s sick with guilt and regret and shame about it?

Talk to your child about it. This won’t undo the experience. But where hitting him tears the two of you apart, hugging him, telling him you’re sorry, and letting him tell you how he feels can bring you back together.

My son Willy was seven the day I slapped him hard enough to leave a red mark on his cheek. Afterward – after the angry words, the apologies, the tears – we lay on the couch together, just holding each other, not saying anything for a long time. I knew I wanted to promise him it

would never happen again, and I wanted more than words to seal my promise.

So we went outside and took a walk. We went down our street to a stream where some wildflowers grew, where we sailed boats a few times when he was younger. We still didn’t talk. “Let’s always remember this moment,” I said to him, and I froze it in my head: the sound of the water, the sun on the trees, the smell of the air, the memory of my son’s tears and my own. Because sometimes, I think, the best insurance you can have against repeating a

mistake is to remember how it made you feel the first time.

I do remember. And I’ve never hit my son again. He remembers too, I know. And he believes my word is good.

He knows his mother makes mistakes sometimes (what else is new?), but he also knows I learn from them: He’s seen me change. And he has changed his behaviour too.

I know he may always carry, in his head, a picture of me slapping him. But he will have another picture too – a picture of the two of us, vowing to do better in the future. (parenting.com)

Positive punishment: Using consequences to change your child’s behaviour

BY LAURA AGADONI

Y

our child calls you a bad name and, as a result, you’re making him scrub the toilet. That’s an example of positive punishment -- an effective discipline tool when used correctly. “Positive punishment is the idea that something is added to the environment that would make the behaviour cease,” says Dr Stacy Haynes, a specialist in the treatment of behavioural and emotional disturbance of children. This punishment method follows B. F. Skinner’s operant conditioning theory that you change behaviours through consequences.

However, this tool doesn’t include spanking your child. Spanking hurts. “It might stop bad behaviour temporarily, but there is no psychological research that says it’s an effective parenting tool,” says Dr Pete Stavinoha, the co-author of Stress-Free Discipline and director of the paediatric neuropsychology service at the Children’s Medical Centre of Dallas.

So what are some examples for how and when you can use positive punishment effectively?

1) Your child is disrespectful to you

Your child wants a cookie before dinner. You say no. Your child argues and calls you a name. Put her in timeout, about one minute per year of your child’s age, says Dr Tom Phelan, a registered clinical psychologist and author of “1-2-3 Magic.” If your child escalates the situation and hits you, it’s another immediate timeout.

Timeouts should only be in accordance with a child’s age, lasting brief periods. Your child is now ready to be respectful to you.

2) Your child has a tantrum

Calmly tell him to stop. Wait about five seconds.

Again tell him to stop. If that doesn’t work, wait another five seconds. If the tantrum continues, lead him to timeout. Do not lecture or try to talk with your child in this state. Just act. If the tantrum happens in a public place, such as a grocery store or restaurant, use the same method, says Dr Phelan, but give the timeout in an out-of-the-way place like a corner of the grocery store or the bathroom of the restaurant. Resume your activity when the child has his behaviour back in check.

3) Your child was mean to a playmate

“For those behaviours, call your child out,” says Tina Nocera, the author of Parents Ask, Experts Answer and Parental Wisdom blog. Reprimand your child and explain why it’s bad to hurt people’s feelings. Do this in private. “Never embarrass a child in front of others,” says Nocera. The child will understand that you mean business and being mean is not acceptable and ideally will gain some empathy for the other child. (www.care.com) TO BE CONTINUED

NEWS

7

MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Downsizing sugar

“We are trying to limit the damage” – Granger

I

n providing more reasons why the Government has moved to begin downsizing the sugar industry in Guyana, President David Granger maintains that it is a necessary decision and his Administration is trying its utmost to “limit the damage” in executing this process.

The Head of State was adamant that widespread consultation had taken place at all levels of society to include the input of all stakeholders before the white paper on sugar was presented to the National Assembly by Agriculture

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

Minister Noel Holder.

“As far as the sugar industry is concerned, we had months of consultation and a Commission of Inquiry (CoI). We actually published a draft paper, the unions were invited and the Opposition as well. So, consultations are taking place,” he said during a recent “Public Interest” programme.

While acknowledging that workers have been actively involved in massive protest action across the country, Granger said that sugar was contracting and it was highly impossible to sell sugar at very high prices on the world market. It, therefore, means that downsizing has to take place.

“So, we have no choice.

What we are trying to do is to limit the damage by establishing three mega estates – one in East Berbice, West Berbice and one in West Demerara,” he said.

According to him, Government will also try to save as many jobs as possible while simultaneously trying to maintain sugar production at a high level/ quality. Granger also recognised the need for engagement with the European Union and Britain about market availability.

“So, yes, there have been consultations. We are spending billions of dollars on the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Let the union make presentations on how it could be

President David Granger

House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland

saved without bleeding the bag and depriving the other sectors of the economy from billions every year,” he posited.

However, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) President Komal Chand has said repeatedly that when Government met with them to discuss its plans to downsize the industry, they had presented a paper which provided several options to help save the industry.

While the recommendations by GAWU have not been made public, Chand had told this newspaper that the Government did not take any of them into account and they were disappointed that Government moved quickly to announce its plans without looking at the social and economic impact this might have.

Chand has also claimed that the Government is not prepared to have the white paper debated in the National Assembly.

He also highlighted that the Speaker of the

GAWU President Komal Chand

National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland denied a Parliamentary Committee from holding consultations in various administrative regions.

And most recently, the GAWU official stated that it was the moral responsibility of Government to hold a referendum to determine whether the sugar industry should be downsized or not.

On the other hand, Government has said that its plan for the industry includes creating a small sugar sector with reduced losses and cash deficits. According to the Administration, this, coupled with diversification, is a much-needed ingredient to keep the industry afloat and profitable.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had highlighted the dangers that lay ahead for the 10,000 workers who stood to lose their jobs and the hardships this would put on their families.

He believes that the closure of the industry has the potential to affect about 50,000 people, and in his view, it was a “political, discriminatory decision on the part of the Government”.

Jagdeo reiterated that the sugar industry could be sustained and become viable if more attention was placed on fixing the current problems.

The Agro-Industrial Workers’ Union (AIWU) of the Russian Federation; the Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland (ATUSWA), and the Hindustan Unilever Ltd (PPF) Workers’ Union Doom Dooma in India have all come out and pledged their support in the fight against the downsizing of the sugar industry.

8 NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Digitisation Wales Police nab suspected process will speed up GRO’s work gas bottle thief

P

olice on Friday apprehended a man suspected of pouncing with an accomplice on the People’s Supermarket at Wales, West Bank Demerara late on Thursday night, and making off with two cooking gas cylinders.

Guyana Times was told that one of the robbery suspects was identified by tattoo markings on a section of his body.

The cylinder thieves fled the scene on Thursday

night, but when the now apprehended man returned to the scene on Friday, allegedly to perpetrate another robbery on the establishment, he was captured by persons in the area and reportedly administered a sound thrashing before being handed over to the police at Wales.

This male suspect is reportedly in police custody, and will be arraigned in court this week.

C

itizenship Minister Winston Felix has said the process of digitizing the records of the General Registrar’s Office (GRO) should be completed soon.

Minister Felix, who has direct responsibility for the Department of Citizenship within the Ministry of the Presidency, said, “The digitisation process started last year, and we are progressing satisfactorily.”

According to a GINA report, additional staff were

hired to ensure the programme is completed within a two-year period.

Felix has said that once digitization has been completed, the department would be able to produce a document in a printed format at a much faster rate.

He said the reach to persons outside of Georgetown is still being looked at, and collaboration is important for that.

There have, for years, been numerous complaints made about the slow delivery of services by the GRO.

Local…

P

…govt popularity test rezzie just made a quite interest suggestion: to wit, Local Government elections in 2018 is gonna be a test of his government’s popularity.

There was a time when the PNC were serious about Local Government - but that statement confirms those days are looong gone. Their seriousness was signalled back then by their insistence that political parties at the centre shouldn’t contest these elections, since that would simply transfer the imperatives that drive national politics down to the local level.

So, rather than using Local Government to give autonomy to local people, by having them launch new groupings to contest the elections to deal with their local issues on their merit, we now have the election as a straw poll on the government’s popularity!

But we know, to our cost, that political popularity in Guyana has almost nothing to do with effectiveness, and everything to do with ethnicity. Imagine, when asked why folks at the local level would give the APNU/ AFC combine their votes, the best he could offer was they were “proud of having their own towns” and the “green state”!! Really? What exactly has been done to improve, say, Anna Regina -- which went to the PPP the last time -- to encourage them to change their votes?

But Prezzie probably has in mind places like Georgetown and Bartica, and is expecting an ethnic repeat. But what’s the point? Will he be proud that, for example, Georgetown once again will return Patricia Chase Green and her Gang of Four at the helm of City Hall? What about Local Government freeing Georgetown from corrupt officials? Ooops! That’s only the PPP! What about Georgetowners being captains of their fate and masters of their destiny and all that? But Prezzie will insist that Chase Green -- PNC Executive -heads the PNC slate in G/town.

But is that a test of “popularity,” or a test of ethnic loyalties?? We’re going to have a repeat of Bartica in 2016, when Raphael Trotman -- putatively from the AFC, as he is again – revealed “the prodigal son has returned home”. Prezzie was more subtle than Amna Ally, who openly called for Barticians not to “split the vote”. He advised, “If we do not stay united, somebody is going to ride a Trojan Horse into this town. A Trojan Horse; they want you to think it is a gift, but the gift is in unity.” But it was the same race card, no?

If this Government’s serious about Local Government, there would’ve been a Local Government Commission in place by now.

Not the foot-dragging by Bulkan, which symbolises the crippling of Local Government and autonomy.

It’s a shad, shad situation.

…contradiction Prezzie, in defending his government’s electoral popularity, also said: “I want people to accept the notion that the coalition, as a module of inclusionary democracy, is good for Guyana.” Imagine that! Just after the WPA sat across from him to complain they weren’t being “consulted” on matters of Governance!!

But, as with the Local Government comment, this statement is revealing about how he sees “inclusionary” government.

And it reveals that the PPP knew what they were talking about when they said they didn’t trust the early talk from the PNC about the idea of “inclusionary government”. What kind of “inclusion” is it when you appoint a man from a party as a Minister but don’t even discuss the matter with the party? As your Eyewitness said earlier, this isn’t “inclusion,” but “buy out”!!

Where’s the “inclusion,” when even the explicitly negotiated Cummingsburg Accord’s been breached so many times it’s not even referred to nowadays.

Even by the fella who got Larwah!

…floods Ignoring history, the PPP were accused that it was their neglect of Buxton that led to flooding there. So, what’s the story now under this PNC-led govt?

Fact is, while the entire coastland’s a depression between the “backdam” and the “sea wall”, sadly, Buxton’s in a trench.

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

NEWS

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MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Green State Development Strategy

Document long on promises, short on specifics – Jagdeo …falls short of setting out practical strategies

W

ith nationwide consultations on the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) scheduled to have started from April, eyebrows are being raised over the shortened time frame and the general lack of specificity of the framework document.

The framework document states that the elements of the Strategy will be examined and consulted upon between April and December of 2017.

Two months into this period, consultations are yet to begin.

Within the framework, seven “central themes” are provided. They include promises to diversify the economy, “creating decent jobs for all”, transitioning to renewable energy and “human development and well-being”. But questions are being raised about exactly how many of these strategies will be achieved.

According to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, the vagueness of the document at such an advanced stage of the consultative process is cause for concern. He noted that the document is devoid of a practical strategy for achieving many of its goals.

“It’s big on promises, but it does not have a practical outline (on how) to achieve those outcomes. And, therefore, it’s

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

useless from that perspective.

You can pull together a document based on best practices around the world, but it has to be relevant to Guyana.”

“It has to be achievable,” the former President stressed.

“And the document needs to set out how we are going to get to those goals. And this one falls short on all counts.”

Consultations

The former President noted that when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had developed and started consultations on its Low Carbon

Development Strategy (LCDS), it was from a standpoint of clearly outlined project proposals. In addition, information on how these proposals would be implemented had been provided.

“When we developed the Low Carbon Development Strategy, we had about 300 meetings, we sent out text messages to over 500,000 cell phones for people to read the strategy,” Jagdeo said. “It was out of those consultations that we came up with a list of projects to implement that would see Guyana move forward, both in terms of having a greener outcome and more prosperity.”

“That’s why we said our LCDS was not an environmental strategy, it was a development strategy. It set out to achieve the same prosperity for Guyanese, but using a greener path way. We did some work on ethanol. We set some money aside for the centre for bio-diversity studies…,” he pointed out.

According to Jagdeo, there were plans to set money aside for adaptation measures against climate change; such as money to do research into the types of crops that would be drought and flood resistant to ensure that farmers would be less vulnerable.

“Some resources were

set aside to transform the Amerindian village economy, for land titling. Some were set aside for a grant programme for Guyanese. If they had green projects, they could have applied for and gotten a grant to do some of those projects. So we had the projects already there.”

It is understood that the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is providing the Government of Guyana with technical support to develop the Green

of Environment, Ndibi Schwiers, noted that the Strategy sought to fully maximise the “potential and promise” of Guyana becoming a green economy.

Schwiers had said that the green growth pathway “will positively transform our economy” by helping to maximise Guyana’s potential and develop adequate infrastructure to utilise energy resources.

“It is also an advocate for green businesses… with consideration for sus-

step for the GSDS is another round of consultations.

Zacarias said this was the third phase.

“There will be a series of consultations in the country, not only in Georgetown but around the country, in getting the input from the business sector,” Zacarias had said.

The framework of the GSDS and financing mechanisms’ document was completed in March with financial and technical support from UN Environment. Initial

An aerial view of a small section of Guyana’s interior

State Development Strategy.

At the inaugural Green Business Forum held at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown on June 9, Director of the Department

tainability and conservation,” Schwiers added.

Adriana Zacarias, Regional Coordinator, Resource Efficiency of UN Environment, said the next

consultations with regard to the development of the framework document began last December between the Government and other key stakeholders.

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MONDAY, june 26, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

11 Herstelling man crushed to death A NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Herstelling, East Bank Demerara man is now dead after he was reportedly crushed to death by a motor car on Saturday afternoon.

The accident occurred around 15:00h on Saturday at Second Street,

Herstelling.

Dead is 48-year-old Kalicharran Goordial, a carpenter of Creekdam, Herstelling. According to Police reports, Goordial was under the influence of alcohol and was lying on the roadway when he was driv-

Region 3 health sector gets much-needed boost

Region Three Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr Naail Uthman

T

here are 43 health facilities in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara), and many of them are currently undergoing infrastructural works in addition to rolling out new health and wellness programmes.

This was revealed by Region Three Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr Naail Uthman in an interview with GINA. “We have seen improvement in a lot of areas. New programmes are the adolescent health clinic, the teenage pregnancy support group, and mental health GAP Intervention Guide.

These are all being rolled out at Parika, West Demerara, Leonora, Vreed-en-Hoop, among several other (areas),” Dr Uthman detailed.

He said infrastructural works are ongoing to extend health facilities across the region, to improve the quality and quantity of services being provided to residents in those

Dead: Kalicharran Goordial

communities. en over by motor car PVV The West Demerara 4911. The vehicle was at Regional Hospital now has a the time being driven by a new doctor’s lounge, the male young man from the village. and female wards are being “Investigation revealed extended, the nurses departthat the pedestrian, who ment is being relocated, and was said to be highly inthe hospital will have a new toxicated, was lying on the entrance as of next week, Dr centre of a cross street adUthman detailed. joining to Second Street The Leonora Health when the motor car, which Centre will have an extendwas proceeding east along ed waiting area and a materSecond Street, suddenly nity ward soon. Dr Uthman veered north into the cross said this development is street and collided with the part of the Maternal and pedestrian,” the Police said Child Health programme. in a statement on Sunday.

Den Amstel, Santa Mission, The injured man was Windsor Forest and Parika subsequently taken to the facilities will also undergo works soon.

According to GINA, the RHO explained that the increased population poses some challenges: there is need for more equipment, and power outages sometimes cause damage to equipment.

Other areas that are being addressed diligently are building staff capacity and ridding the region of expired drugs, both of which have already begun, Dr Uthman explained.

Region Three has four hospitals: the West Demerara Regional Hospital at Vreeden-Hoop; the Leonora Diagnostic Centre at Leonora, West Coast Demerara; the Leguan District Hospital on Leguan Island; and the Wakenaam District Hospital on the island of Wakenaam.

There are also 18 health centres and 21 health posts.

The Ministry of Public Health has some $21.5B allocated for 2017 health works.

Diamond hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver had reportedly fled the scene after hitting the man. However, he was arrested later on Saturday and taken into custody. A breathalyser test was conducted, and no trace of alcohol was found. He remains in custody assisting with the investigation.

When Guyana Times visited the home of the now deceased man on Sunday, his sister Jasmattie related that she last saw her brother Saturday morning and did not know about his accident until she saw the crowd gathered at the scene.

“I was coming home and I see the crowd, so I thought is a fight or something, but when I walk closer is then I see him,” the woman recalled, adding that this was almost an hour after the accident happened.

“He left lie down there over an hour, because I was coming home minutes to four (o’clock) and he was still there,” she not-

ed. His head was reportedly crushed.

The woman said that they were still unsure as to what exactly transpired since the residents around the area where the accident

“After I went back inside, he went his way (heading home) and then I heard people shouting and so. When I go out, I see people gathering and then I get to know is he get knock down and

The spot where Goordial was killed

occurred have been tightlipped.

When this publication visited the scene, one neighbour said that she had just talked to Goordial and had gone inside when a few minutes after, she heard a commotion outside.

lie down there. But I don’t know is how the accident happen,” the resident said.

The body of Goordial is presently at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination, which is expected to be done today.

12 NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MACORP receives ISO 9001 certification

Quality coordinator Sonia Richard-Yong hands over the certificate to CEO of MACORP Group of Companies, Jorge Medina

A

fter three and a half years of consistent effort, the Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited (MACORP) has been able to receive its International Standard Organization (ISO) 9001 certification.

This was handed over to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MACORP Group of Companies, Jorge Medina, in a ceremony held at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown last Friday evening.

Announcing that the future of Guyana is here, Medina emphasized the company’s need to perform in accordance with its new certification. He presented an overview of the company, during which he recalled that in the late 1980s, Guyana encouraged foreign investors to come, and MACORP was invited in 1993 to form part of the mining and forestry sector, among other things.

Medina described

MACORP as a pioneer company that brought the age of technology to Guyana, and continues to perform

he said.

While highlighting the achievements of MACORP over the years, the CEO noted that the journey was not an easy one. “We were the first company to provide equipment connectivity in the real time…Every single piece of equipment can be connected by satellite and internet protocol to the offices of the owners and customers, and they may supervise and administrate their fleets, and figure out how their equipment is performing,” he explained.

MACORP was recognised in 2011 as the winner of ‘Excellence in the Caribbean dealership in Caterpillar equipment’. In 2013, the com-

dards. The CEO announced that he believes MACORP is prepared to face the oil-andgas boom in the near future, and is able to offer packages for the oil-and-gas industry.

“Additionally, MACORP can support complacent pumping and generation packages, as well as offshore water treatment services,” he explained.

Executive Director of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), Candelle Bostwick, congratulated MACORP and applauded the exceptional efforts and commitment of the company from the inception of consultation. She urged the staff of the company to continue on this note.

“Every time a company

pressed her optimism that MACORP would continue to serve Guyana with distinction, reliability, and in compliance with the certification.

As MACORP expands its services, she expressed, it is hoped that the company would extend its services to the oil-and-gas industry, as this certification places the company in an ideal position to provide services to that industry.

“It’s one where its operations are streamlined; it’s one where you have focus on customer requirements; and, of course, you can have reliable and consistent service. MACORP has served Guyana for many years, and

Sophia man found dead with stab wound

T

Special invitees at Friday’s event at the Pegasus Hotel

at high levels of excellence by educating customers in maintenance and fuel management.

“We need to educate our customers in their practices and maintenance of fuel management, and the utilisation of the ultra-low fuel (is) compatible with today’s technology; it’s a process to teach users and customers,”

pany was ranked third in Latin America for efficiency. However, this was not enough, as the company was required to perform to international standards to be able to compete globally, and as such, the company sought to be ISO certified.

Having attained this, Medina assured consistency to match international stan-

in Guyana becomes internationally recognized, it tells us that Guyana is being prepared to take up the challenge, to compete with international companies and investors,” she stated.

Bostwick noted that the ISO 9001 Certification is an international recognition that companies aspire to achieve, and she ex-

we look forward for continued support as they expand their services. I’m sure that they have started to look into the area of the oil-andgas industry, as we know that everyone is looking towards that level, and also this (ISO 9001 Certification) will put them in the right place so that they can be among those companies to provide services to that industry,” she declared.

She concluded that MACORP’s achievement provides an opportunity for other businesses to get on board, as the ISO 9001 Certification is a reality that can be achieved by local companies.

he body of a Sophia, Greater Georgetown man was discovered late Saturday evening in the area with a stab wound.

The dead man has been identified as 49-year-old Trevor Dublin, a serviceman employed with BK International, of Lot 385 C Field, Sophia. His lifeless body was found around 22:15h on the C Field Access Road by Police ranks on mobile patrol.

According to Police reports, the body “bore a single wound to the left side chest” and is presently at the Lyken Funeral Home.

At the time his body was found, Dublin was clad in a dark-coloured shirt and blue

jeans. The 5' 8" man was also wearing a pair of black long boots. Investigators also found a knife and a toque in close proximity to his body.

Meanwhile, the Police have arrested an E Field Sophia resident Saturday evening. He is assisting with the investigation.

Police sources told Guyana Times that the suspect was taken into custody after he was found in the vicinity of Dublin’s body.

However, while investigators believe that the suspect may have something to do with or know something about Dublin’s murder, the E Field resident has reportedly denied any involvement in the man’s death.

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MONDAY, june 26, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

14 NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Hike in MMA/ADA rates contributing to hardship – Govt accused of ignoring pleas of affected farmers

S

ince the Mahaica, Mahaicony Abary/ A g r i c u l t u r a l Development Authority (MMA/ADA) made sweeping increases in land rental rates, the pleas of farmers to the Government to reverse these have fallen on deaf ears.

According to rice magnate Beni Sankar, the increases are not helping to alleviate the difficulties faced by rice farmers and the subsequent social ills. Sankar, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kayman Sankar and Associates, is of the view that those getting yields below 25 bags per acre are the worst-off as a result.

“Generally, the farmers are very efficient and produce way above the national average of two tons (32 bags per) acre,” Sankar said. “At this level, they can make in excess of 25 per cent (per) crop on their investment and lots more when it’s above that yield.”

“Unfortunately,” Sankar observed, “there are many farmers who don’t cultivate 25 (bags per) acre and there (are) no other jobs where he can enhance his earnings. It has been shown that farmers farming below 25 (bags per) acre do not even clear the minimum wage, resulting in lots of discontent and complaints.”

According to Sankar, financial problems among the farming communities can lead

A protest by rice farmers outside the Agriculture Ministry

to dire societal effects, including an increase in alcohol consumption and social problems.

“With the Government increasing land rent and Drainage and Irrigation charges, (this) will not help the situation.”

Farmers are paid by millers according to the grade of paddy produced, ranging from A to C. But for the longest time, farmers have been paid between $1500 and $3000 per bag of paddy. Coupled with this have been challenges such as paddy bug infestations.

Rice farmers from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) had protested over the increases in land rental rates by the MMA/ADA, which were announced earlier this year. In March, a group of irate farmers had gathered outside the Agriculture Ministry, where they vented their frustration over the 2017 hikes.

The Agriculture Ministry announced the increase in land rent from $3500 to $15,000 per acre, which repre-

sented a 600 per cent increase and other rates from $1000 to $7000. The MMA/ADA had stated that the fee was implemented so that it could take care of drainage and irrigation.

During the protest, the farmers clearly outlined that they could not afford the increases, highlighting that the future of their children was in jeopardy.

“From $1000 an acre we ah pay over $7000 an acre, is better de Government take back de land and plant um heself; if you can’t plant to survive, you got to make de jail lil bit mo big and abbe ah get mine in de jail… wha de lil child dem gone do when they grow, crime escalate high and higher,” a protester lamented.

He further vented that these increases are coupled with a rising cost of living.

Meanwhile, a farmer from Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice (WCB), expressed similar concerns. He, along with other farmers, noted Agriculture Minister Noel Holder has re-

peatedly ignored their calls for dialogue. The WCB farmer also decried the reduced earnings farmers have been receiving for their paddy.

“We (are) getting a very hard time with the MMA and Minister for Agriculture. In the MMA scheme, you cannot get more than 25-30 bags of paddy,” the WCB farmer expressed. The farmers told the press that while they were receiving $1300 for a bag of paddy, it was noted that manure amounts to $1000 per bag.

“They recommend that you got to throw three doses, [but] where you gon find this money from?” the WCB farmer pondered. “This Minister does not realise what’s going on with the farmers,” he lamented.

Moments after their demonstration wrapped up, the protestors took their cries to the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo at his Church Street office. It was explained that the farmers condemned the “huge increases” in land rent, drainage and irrigation rates, lease fees and Value Added Tax (VAT) on agricultural inputs, equipment and machinery.

In a subsequent press statement from the Office of the Opposition Leader, the call was made for Government to curtail its high-handed approach in dealing with farmers, whose concerns are genuine and legitimate.

Last month, a mo-

tion by the parliamentary Opposition to have the increases rescinded was defeated by the Government side in the National Assembly.

For the Government’s part, it had stated that the current rate could not sustain the Authority’s operations.

Govt policy on...

“So, essentially what they are saying is you could bear strain until 2020 and you would be happy. I don’t believe that, of course. We don’t know what it will be like in 2020,” he said. Shifting his attention back to the need for more community-based economics, Gaskin told Guyana Times that if the Government was so determined to close down the sugar industry, it should commence working to create alternative employment for those likely to be affected.

He said since there were already plans in the pipeline to send home some 10,000 sugar workers, the Government should find jobs for them. He argued that if the plan for sugar materialised, it could put a huge strain on the economy, given the enormous number of people employed within the industry.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has said that the restoration of Guyana’s economy was inevitably and intimately linked to the future of sugar. “It would be sad to lose the sugar industry and realise five years later that this would have been a success story,” the PSC had said in a statement in May. Guyana’s economic for-

FROM PAGE 3

tunes in recent years have reflected the path of global commodity prices. Between 2005 and 2014, the economy grew by 4.7 per cent per year on average, ending a disappointing decade of alternating years of growth and contraction.

According to the World Bank, real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth decelerated to 3.1 per cent in 2015, as commodity prices collapsed for Guyana’s major exports.

Preliminary estimates showed growth of 3.3 per cent in 2016.

Increased output from mining, agriculture, and fishing compensated for lower global prices and balanced out contractions in forestry and manufacturing.

It was reported that the economy was expected to grow by around 3.6 per cent over the 2017–19 period. Most of this growth is expected to come from continued growth of gold production and rebounding performance in other sectors.

The discovery of oil off Guyana’s coast holds the promise of increased revenue to finance the country’s development needs – but brings with it new challenges that will require careful management of economic, governance, and environmental risks.

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MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

VOX POPULI

What the people say about

I SAY...

Limiting the number of subjects written at CSEC

T

he Education Ministry has signalled its intention to put a cap on the number of subjects being written by students at the CSEC examinations.

This limit would debar students of the senior secondary schools, including the schools with sixth form, from writing more than 10 subjects, while students from junior secondary schools would write no more than six subjects. We asked persons their views on this proposal by the Education Ministry:

Fazeena Akbar – Parent

Manohar Narine – Mathematics Teacher

“I personally think it’s not such a great idea, because I think students should be allowed to write any amount of subjects which he or she chooses since they know what they can handle. Besides, only a small portion of students attempt over 10 subjects, so I think it should be left to the candidate for them to decide.”

Aquon Chester

“I think it should stay the way it is. Let the students decide how much they want to do. They [are] working so hard from primary to secondary for this, so why deprive them of it? Plus it’s only a small percentage [of students] who [undertake] the challenge of doing over 10 subjects.”

“Once the child has the ability to write as many subjects as he/she desires, I think they should be given that opportunity. The reason for this is that in most organisations these days, when applying for a position, the employers want applicants to have seven and above CXC subjects.”

“I want to be able to choose how many subjects I write at CSEC. I don’t want them to put a cap on how many subjects students are allowed to write. I think once you can handle the amount of subjects and it’s not a problem for you, then you should be allowed to write. “

so [much] that passes [whether] in 6 subjects or 16 [does] not matter. I have had a class of over 90 students at UG comprising of incoming students in Geological Engineering and second year students in Civil Engineering unable to convert from 1 kilogram per cubic metre to 1 gram per cubic centimetre. Not one got the conversion correct (in two hours), but between them they cumulatively possessed over 800 CSEC subjects.”

ministry – Education. Students have tripled their demands for secondary education in the last two decades.

Teachers are now each teaching several subjects, some of which they never studied. Timetables are now too packed for each teacher to have enough time with students per week. Plus, too many students are now in each class session for there to be proper delivery of information to each. The 10-subject limit will, until that greasy upgrade comes, improve each student’s performance (instead of having just a few headliners, and mostly low achievers) and will improve teacher performance and job satisfaction.”

or something of the sort, whereby we’re told to always try to push our boundaries and here there are stipulations being placed on how far that boundary can be pushed. It also should be a student’s right to determine how hard they want to push themselves and how hard they want to work. If a student wishes to write 20 odd subjects and is signed by the relevant teachers to do so, then that is entirely their business since the only person responsible for their success will be themselves due to their continuous efforts and the support of their teachers.”

Evan Persaud – University of Guyana (UG) Lecturer

John Milton Fraser

Shaquille Ramesh – Student

“With oil, Guyana will soon be able to, for the first time, significantly upgrade our most expensive

“The CSEC curriculum for most of the subjects is woefully inadequate,

Ravi Mohan – Parent

“I don’t think there should be a cap on how many subjects a student wants to write. I have always believed that this should be determined by the student’s potential. If they are capable of writing 14 subjects, so be it.

Why should we limit students when clearly some are capable of handling the amount of subjects they wish to write?”

Javed Khan – Parent

Roshan Jaundoo – Parent

“Capping of [a large number of] subjects at CSEC for an average student doesn’t really matter.

Dabriah Frank

“I tend to agree since I always felt that kids these days are doing too much subjects and the way I see it, it’s a money making thing.

More subjects, more lesson fees to pay and these kids just have to adapt and try to impress the world.

[They’re] doing 15 subjects, but what else do they do? Just study?

How is that healthy for a child’s upbringing?”

However, those with the ability to acquire subjects in higher numbers may be broken hearted, [because] many of those subjects may not be relevant in the working world, or even in a faculty for higher education. It can be simply treated as personal gain. Some persons with fewer subjects may be able to research and widen their knowledge in those subjects, giving them the ability to grasp experience very quickly and not just to cram/ memorise formulas, principles and notes, since their direction will be more focused in just a few areas.

Writing 20 subjects and achieving various grades is not advisable, but to do [smaller] amounts and achieve distinctions in them, is. I’m of the view that limiting students still shouldn’t be, because results have proven only few who have the ability actually write more than 10 subjects. There are lots of students who [can barely manage] to write six subjects.”

Elijah Bobb – University of West Indies (UWI) Student

“It’s fair to say [that] I can see this from both sides of the coin.

“It is a very short-sighted thing to do when the motto of most schools is “strive for excellence” When an individual attempts about 17+ subjects, the way in which they prepare for the exams seems more like a routine. They’d learn pattern and not concept which tends to cause problems at higher level learning. Which brings the question: ‘Have they actually learned or just passed the exam with a good grade?’ Such a great number of subjects rob a student of the chance to explore outside of the CXC syllabus for the subjects he/she actually needs for occupational purposes. This causes a lack in knowledge depth for those subjects since superficial learning would’ve occurred in an attempt to cover that much content. However, there are talented students who would not want ‘to be limited’, but having 18 subjects over a person with a solid 12 at max doesn’t guarantee you a space above them – in mental capacity nor the work arena.”

Twedale Marks

“The Constitution stipulates that “it is the duty of the State to provide education that would include

curricula designed to reflect the cultural diversities of Guyana and disciplines that are necessary to prepare students to deal with social issues and to meet the challenges of the modern technological age”. Quite paradoxically, however, the same State which has a duty to provide an education system which is reflective of the cultural diversities of Guyana and disciplines that are necessary to prepare students to deal with social issues of today’s society, with one arm appears to want to strike it down with the other. Ever so often, I am struck by the low level of thinking of persons who believe that a student who is writing more than 10 subjects is wasting his/her time because he or she will only need six for a job or for a chance to get into an institution of a higher level of education. When did we start teaching our students to settle for the bare minimum? In my humble opinion, writing CSEC is more than getting a job or moving to a tertiary institution.

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MONDAY, june 26, 2017

News

Eid message from CIOG President A llahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa elaaha Illal laa, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa lil laa hil Hamd. Allah is the Greatest! Allah is the Greatest!

Allah is the Greatest!

Allah is the Greatest, and there is no God but Allah (SWT). Allah is the Greatest!

Allah is the Greatest, and to Him belong all Praises.

My dear brothers and sisters – I greet you with the universal greetings of Islam.

Assalamu-O-Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahe Wabarakatuhu. May the Peace, Mercy and Blessings of Allah (SWT) be with you.

On this auspicious occasion, the end of the holy month of Ramadan, I extend on behalf of myself, family, and the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana, to all Guyanese, and especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, Eid Mubarak!! Eid Mubarak!! Eid Mubarak!!

On this day of Eid-ulFitr, we join with Muslims worldwide to congratulate each other with greetings of Eid Mubarak. The holy month of Ramadan was a month of great sacrifice, during which we intensified our devotion to Allah (SWT) by fasting from dawn to sunset, while remaining in the remembrance of Allah (SWT) and being in a state of goodwill by giving chari-

ty to the poor, needy and the vulnerable, by feeding those suffering from hunger, and the increase of prayers to compliment the compulsory five-daily prayers. We perform these actions knowing that by the promise of Allah SWT we will obtain taqwa, or God consciousness, and at our journey’s end, obtain His paradise.

The obligation of fasting in the month of Ramadaan for the believers, men and women who are sane and healthy, is a clear message to mankind that unrestricted indulgence in fulfilling the desires of one’s base or animal self has to be curbed for some time, to give an upliftment to one’s spiritual self.

The objective of fasting, as described in the Holy Quran, is “so that you may guard against evil”.

During the auspicious month of Ramadan, a fasting person abstains from food, drink and sexual relations from dawn until sunset, in obedience to the command of his Creator, Allah.

The month is a training period whereby the believer’s trait of God-consciousness is nurtured. Even though he may be in place of total privacy and seclusion on the hottest day of the year, he does not submit to the temptation of sipping even a few drops of water, for he is convinced that he cannot evade the

sight of the All-Observing Almighty.

If the spirit of fasting were to become a reality in the society of Muslims who have observed the fasts of Ramadaan and advanced in his piety, then mankind would see a society in which every person becomes

complete justice will be meted out. These are long-term solutions and solutions that were proven to give the best results and create the best societies on the face of the earth.

Eid-ul- Fitr signifies the end of this fasting period, and is a day of joy and thanksgiving; but despite

the guardian of the respect, honour, property and possessions of others; a society in which the needy, the poor, the destitute and the under-privileged are taken care of; a society in which honesty, chastity, nobility, kindness, compassion, mercy and forgiveness shine forth like the midday sun; a society in which no harm is caused to any human or animal without a just reason; and a society in which material progress does not bring about a moral collapse.

Man is a created being, and only divine guidance can solve his problems. The reality is clear: The heavy arm of the law on its own; just legislation; the imposition of fines and jail sentences cannot, and will not, solve problems that face mankind. The only sure deterrent to crimes of all kinds is firm conviction and belief in our Creator Allah, a life hereafter, and a day of judgement wherein

being a day of celebration, the day commences with an additional prayer after sunrise, reminding the believers that the objective of fasting must be fully borne in mind even after Ramadan.

While conveying to the Muslim community best wishes for a happy Eid, I make a humble appeal to every Muslim brother and sister to keep the spirit of fasting alive. Let obedience of Allah Ta’ala shine forth from this day forward. Let

the rest of mankind observe the effect that fasting has in changing the outlook of a believing Muslim.

Let the world observe a community free from all sins, crime and vice; and let us be an example which is worthy of emulation and of others accepting Islam. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the guidance to resolve that we shall make the Quran and Sunnah our guiding lights, and practise Islam as much as possible.

On this Blessed day, we thank Allah (SWT) that, in our country of Guyana, we as Muslims can coexist in harmony with peoples of all faiths. We live in harmony with our brothers and sisters of the Christian and Hindu communities, and our views and representation are reflected in the Government of the day. We work closely with our Government to ensure our contributions are felt in the development of our country.

Let us lead by example, and join with all of them in our country who have similar beliefs to try our best to wipe out corruption and crime at

all levels of society; violence against women; rape; sexual molestation of children; alcohol abuse, suicide and racial discrimination. We have been trained and fortified in Ramadan, now is the time to put the lessons we have learnt into practice.

It is only the people with strong faith and a high level of Taqwaa (God consciousness) who would be able to take up these challenges.

It is only these people who can turn the society back to the path of righteousness.

This was the reason we had to be trained in Ramadan.

The whole world is calling on us to do this work.

May Allah (SWT) help us all to work for the establishment of peace, justice, and high moral values in our country and the world at large.

May Allah (SWT) bless us all, and may He continue to guide us.

Eid Mubarak!

Eid Mubarak! Eid Mubarak!

President of CIOG, Al Hajj Shahabudeen Ahmad (ag)

Be comforted that sacrifices bring success – PPP in Eid message

T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) wishes to extend to the Muslim commu-

nities in Guyana and the Diaspora Eid Mubarak on the auspicious occasion of Eid-Ul-Fitr.

The PPP, in a statement, said this joyous observance marks the end of the Islamic Holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, refraining from many natural human urges.

“Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it was during the month of Ramadan that the Holy Quran was revealed, and charity is urged. As this significant occasion is being observed, it allows an opportune moment for reflection on its pertinent message, which has relevance for all mankind. It embodies the virtues of sacrifices, generosity and charity, and brings peace and unity,” the party stated.

As Ramadan culminates with the feast of Eid-Ul-Fitr, deprivation through fasting brings sympathy and appreciation of the sufferings of others, while charity teaches to give, rather than expect.

According to the PPP, these values of humanity are of extreme importance in helping to build a better country and world all desire.

The PPP said it wishes to draw from the rich virtues of this occasion to reiterate that sacrifices bring success and that hope is alive and must never be lost.

Once again, the Party extends greetings to all, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, on this happy occasion.

Eid Mubarak!

MONDAY, june 26, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Qatar demands At least 153 killed in to meet, tanker fire in Pakistan difficult says US A S t least 153 people have been burnt alive and dozens of others injured after a fuel tanker overturned and exploded outside the eastern city of Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province.

The incident occurred on Sunday morning as a large number of people gathered to collect petrol from the vehicle, according to rescue services.

Residents could be seen walking past blackened and twisted bodies piled by the side of the road.

Earlier, television footage showed shooting flames and a thick plume of smoke as firefighters battled to extinguish the blaze.

The charred wreckage of

Children were among the dead and injured in blaze in Ahmedpur East (Reuters)

dozens of motorcycles and cars could be seen scattered on the highway, along with kitchen utensils, pots, water coolers, jerrycans and

buckets which victims had brought to collect the petrol.

Local sources told Al Jazeera that most of the victims were residents of near-

by areas who were collecting fuel from the oil tanker, which had overturned after skidding off a national highway in Ahmedpur East.

Analysts said the reaction of the crowds is not surprising, given the problem of fuel shortages and poverty.

"If you go to these areas of Bahawalpur … the poverty level here rises up to 65 per cent at times," Sabir Shah, a journalist at GEO TV in Lahore, told Al Jazeera.

"In these conditions, with these figures, how can you expect people not to collect cooking fuel for themselves?

This petrol is being used as cooking fuel by many people in nearby fields." (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

China landslide: More than 100 missing as search continues

M

ore than 100 people remain missing after a huge landslide buried homes in a village in Sichuan province, south-western China.

A couple and a baby were rescued and taken to hospital on Saturday, but hopes of finding more sur-

vivors are fading.

The bodies of 15 people have so far been recovered, but many more are feared trapped beneath the rubble.

Thousands of rescuers were deployed after some 40 homes were destroyed in Xinmo village in Maoxian

county.

Emergency workers have been digging through earth and rocks for a second day, with rescue dogs scouring the debris for some 118 people who remain unaccounted for.

One of those rescued, Qiao Dashuai, told state

broadcaster CCTV that his baby had woken him and his partner in the early hours, adding that when the couple opened the door of their home they were swept away by water. He said his parents and other relatives were still missing. (Excerpt from BBC News)

ome demands set by four Arab States on Qatar in return for lifting sanctions will be "difficult to meet", US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says.

However, Tillerson said the proposals provided a basis for dialogue leading to a solution of the crisis.

On Saturday, Qatar's Foreign Minister rejected the list of 13 conditions imposed by Saudi Arabia and its allies, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain.

They accuse Qatar of backing terrorism – a charge it denies.

Qatar has been under unprecedented diplomatic and economic sanctions for more than two weeks, with Iran and Turkey increasingly supplying it with food and other goods.

The four countries also want Qatar to reduce its ties with Iran and close a Turkish military base, setting a deadline on Friday of 10 days.

Among other things, the fellow Gulf states have demanded the closure of Al Jazeera TV, which is funded

by the Qatari Government.

Tillerson said Qatar was assessing the demands and stressed there were "significant areas which provide a basis for ongoing dialogue leading to resolution".

He urged the countries to sit together to stop terrorism and counter extremism.

"A lowering of rhetoric would also help ease the tension," Tillerson said.

After the demands were made on Friday, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the dispute was "a family issue" that the countries should work out together.

On Saturday, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, quoted by Al Jazeera, said: "The US Secretary of State recently called upon the blockading nations to produce a list of grievances that was 'reasonable and actionable'.

"The British foreign secretary asked that the demands be 'measured and realistic.' This list does not satisfy that [sic] criteria."

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Trinidad: Speaker under Crowded boat sinks on Colombia reservoir fire from UNC

A

boat carrying more than 150 people has sunk on a reservoir in north-western Colombia, officials say.

It was not immediately clear whether there were any casualties.

The vessel went down on the Penol reservoir in the tourist town of Guatapé, about 45 kilometres (28 miles) east of Medellín.

A rescue operation is under way. Many leisure boats came to the assistance of those on board.

An air force helicopter has been sent to the area.

“The situation looks serious,” The vessel went down on the Penol reservoir in the tourist a local government official told town of Guatapé, about 45 kilometres (28 miles) east of Medellín (Photo: Teleantioquia/Twitter) AFP news agency. (BBC News)

T

he United National Congress (UNC) intends to file a no-confidence motion against House Speaker Bridgid AnnisetteGeorge following a heated sitting of the Parliament on Friday night which culminated in a walkout by the Opposition.

In a media briefing on Saturday, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the party staged a walkout of the Parliament around 19:15h after “racist” remarks were made to Princes Town MP Barry Padarath.

Speaking to the Sunday Guardian Saturday night, Annisette-George described

the possible motion of no confidence against her as “part and parcel” of the job. “That is their prerogative and if they do so, the Standing Orders will dictate how it is done, and I think that is all part and parcel of the job as Speaker.”

During Friday’s sitting of the House of Representatives, AnnisetteGeorge granted permission to Persad-Bissessar to raise a definite matter of urgent public importance related to the aftermath of Tropical Storm Bret. That debate began at 18:00h.

Around 19:00h, Rowley entered the debate. Rowley

said he noticed that during the debate every member from the Opposition bench took the opportunity to “grand stand on this tragedy”.

He also defended his stay in Tobago over the weekend.

“Let me tell you something, I have to make no apologies to any of you for being in Tobago, I have a house in Tobago and I live in Tobago.

So I make no apologies to any of you for being in Tobago and for sleeping in my house in Tobago,” he said.

Rowley said the storm hit on Monday night and he monitored the developments from Tobago. (Excerpt from Trinidad)

St Kitts Police charge 1 man Bermuda under threat following fatal shooting at hospital from EU – Finance Minister

T

he St Kitts-Nevis police say they have arrested and charged a 23 year-old man with murder following the incident at the JN France Hospital that resulted in the shooting death of 31-year-old Darnell Govia.

The Police said that Shakeem “Lil Nozzle” Mitchum-Cranston had been charged with murdering Govia, the 16th homicide in the twin-island Federation so far this year.

The incident on Tuesday resulting in his death forced staff and others at the health facility to scamper for safety after the gunman entered

the building firing several gunshots at his victim.

Police said that Cranston was apprehended shortly after the incident as a result of a coordinated response by officers of the Special Services Unit and the St Johnson’s Police Station.

In October 2015, Cranston was himself a victim of a shooting when he was ambushed by three masked men, who pumped several shots into his body.

On Tuesday, the St KittsNevis Government said it would not “back down or relent in any way” in its fight against crime in the country.

“Those bent on terror-

ising the law abiding citizens and residents of our country shall be confronted and they shall fail. As our Prime Minister has repeatedly stated, in any confrontation between law enforcement and criminality, law enforcement must prevail,” acting Prime Minister Shawn Richards said in a statement.

The acting Prime Minister said that additional security is being provided at the hospital “to ensure that acts such as these do not reoccur”. The killing is the second such incident at the hospital in the past three years. (Excerpt from CMC)

F

inance Minister Bob Richards says Bermuda will fight to maintain its international standing as a business destination after it again came under attack by the European Union (EU).

Richards told reporters earlier this month that the Bermuda Government received a questionnaire from the EU’s Code of Conduct Group which he said was intended to damage the island’s position in international business.

“The questionnaire is designed to lead to a predetermined conclusion that

Bermuda is a tax haven that is harmful to the global economy, and the EU in particular, and, therefore, should be placed on an economic blacklist,” he said.

“This (is) despite the fact that the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Financial Action Task Force to combat money laundering have concluded that Bermuda is not ‘harmful’ in its conduct or the application of its laws in the global economy.

“The first attempt by the Code of Conduct Group to blacklist Bermuda in 2015

was thoroughly repudiated by the OECD and was dropped, but this latest attempt has been more cleverly constructed and poses a much greater threat.

“We believe it constitutes a clear and present danger to our international business sector.”

Richards said the questionnaire was received by e-mail on June 9, and if the Government fails to respond by July 7, the island – a British Overseas Territory – will be deemed non-compliant by the organisation. (Excerpt from CMC)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017

ARCHIE

Trust your instincts, not what others say or prompt (March 21- you to do. Spend time making April 19) cost-efficient changes at home that will bring you joy. Don’t give in to pressure or dramatic circumstances.

ARIES

Put your emotions aside TAURUS and stay focused on what you (April 20- need to accomplish. Your dilMay 20) igence and attention to detail will make others take notice.

One of your peers will be envious.

DILBERT

Look for an opportunity GEMINI (May 21- to try something new. If you June 20) talk to a former co-worker, you will get wind of a position that interests you.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Take the mystery out of what you want to pursue by stepping firmly forward. You won’t know what’s possible unless you try. Take a chance.

Keep looking straight ahead to make it to your destination. Taking on too much or expanding your ideas or plans too quickly will set you back.

What you do will count.

VIRGO (Aug. 23- Don’t be afraid to act. If you Sept. 22) say what you think, your suggestions will be well received.

Personal gains are apparent.

Surround yourself with LIBRA people you trust and know (Sept. 23Oct. 23) well. Refuse to let anyone pressure you into something you don’t want to do. Too much of anything will lead to regret.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Live, learn and enjoy the SCORPIO company of people who share (Oct. 24your passion, opinions and Nov. 22) plans. Engage in open discussions that are geared toward getting the most for the least.

Look around and consider SAGITTARIUS ways to make improvements (Nov. 23- that will help you get ahead Dec. 21) personally, professionally and financially. Unusual changes at home can be expected.

Weigh the pros and cons.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

Look over your personCAPRICORN al finances and make adjust(Dec. 22- ments that will help prevent Jan. 19) losses or unnecessary overspending. Your input regarding a partnership situation will pay off.

Pursue your dreams. Pick

AQUARIUS up information and expand (Jan. 20- your knowledge, skills and exFeb. 19) perience. Discuss your concerns openly. A partner will encourage you to go the distance and finish what you start.

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

Expand your interests and PISCES sign up for activities that will (Feb. 20March 20) inspire and challenge you to follow your dreams and develop your skills, talents and knowledge.

monDAY, june 26, 2017

19

Ricciardo wins chaotic Mae’s boys & girls Azerbaijan Grand Prix NSC/MoE/Al’s Sports & Tour Windball

advance

M

‒ Vettel penalised

Umpires were busy signalling boundaries as batsmen were in aggressive mode

ae’s Primary School had a warmup session for the quarterfinals of the National Sports Commission/ Ministry of Education/ Al’s Sports & Tour Promotions’ 20th annual end-of-schoolyear Primary Schools Overhand Windball Cricket Champions Trophy Georgetown division with a comprehensive victory over St. Anne’s Primary School.

Playing in the boys’ category, Mae’s won the match by 72 runs, recording a mammoth total of 174-1 before restricting St. Anne’s to 102-2.

Scores in the match were: Mae’s 1741, Antwan Pinto 80 (12x6s), Jonathan Van Lange 78 (11x6s). St. Anne’s 102-2, Kester Singh 56, Jeol Lakhan 35.

In the other matches, North Georgetown and Winfer Gardens recorded wins.

North Georgetown scored 134-1, with Yonnick North registering 46, Shiloh Adams 42, Kellon King 34. Saint Angela’s scored 113-1, with Paul Grant registering 62 and Antonio Mc Arthur 42.

Winfer Gardens scored 103-2, with Yuwen Clementson making 36, Orlando Dickie 32, and Rashidi Taylor 16. Saint Pius recorded 103-0, with Damian Ifill scoring 76 and Akeem Pereira 16.

In the girls’ segment, Mae’s comfortably defeated Graham’s Hall by 44 runs.

Mae’s scored 119-0, with Jayna Qualander recording 78 (7x6s) and Sasha Persaud 24. Graham’s Hall could muster only 75-1, with Alecia Elcock scoring 54 and Marcia Ketwaroo 16.

Meanwhile, the Q Finals will be played on Monday, June 26, commencing at 10:00h. the schools that will be in action are last year’s joint winners Sophia and Graham’s Hall, Mae’s, North Georgetown, Winfer Gardens, Stalla Maris, Sophia and Saint Ambrose.

The semifinals and finals will be played on Saturday, July 1st, at the same venue.

Semis starts at 16:00h, third place playoff starts at 18:00h, and finals at 19:00h.

BCB 50-Over tournament…

teams in the county. Teams are mandated to play on a round-robin basis in their respective zones to qualify for

R

ed Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo won a chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday, with Formula One championship leader Sebastian Vettel finishing fourth after being penalised for swerving into rival Lewis Hamilton who came home in fifth.

Hamilton’s Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas finished second after overcoming a firstlap collision with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, while Canadian teenager Lance Stroll was third for his first podium after being pipped on the line by Bottas.

Ferrari’s Vettel got a 10-second stop-go penalty, which saw him drop from second to ninth, after he steered into race leader Hamilton under safety car conditions after a red-flag stoppage.

“Nothing happened, did it?” Vettel said to Sky Sports. the next round of competition. “He brake-checked me as well, Two teams from each of the so what do you expect? I’m two zones will qualify for the sure he didn’t do it on purpose but for sure it was not the right quarter-final stage.

Matches abandoned due to rain A A ll four weekend matches in the Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB’s) 50-Over tournament were abandoned due to persistent rainfall in the Ancient County.

The scheduled matches: Albion Cricket Club doing battle with the Young Warriors Cricket Club at the Albion Community Centre; Port Mourant Cricket Club being hosted by the Blairmont Cricket Club at the Blairmont Community Centre; West Berbice Cricket Association competing against Bush Lot at the Bush Lot Community Centre; Tucber Park engaging Police Cricket Club at the Port Mourant Community Centre; and Rose Hall Estate Cricket Club coming up against hosts Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club at the Area H Ground in Rose Hall Town, will be rescheduled for a date to be announced by the BCB’s Competition Committee.

The competition is being contested by 12 first division

Red Bull Racing Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia celebrates his victory over second placed Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas and third placed Williams’ Lance Stroll

Balotelli signs new Nice contract

fter scoring 17 goals in 28 appearances last season, Nice striker Mario Balotelli has signed a new contract to stay at the Ligue 1 club.

Mario Balotelli has signed a new contract to remain at Nice for the new Ligue 1 season, after he fired the club into the Champions League.

Balotelli hit 17 goals in 28 appearances last season as Nice finished third, with 15 of his strikes coming in the league.

The striker signed a 12-month deal last year after leaving Premier League club Liverpool and Nice hinted Balotelli has taken a pay cut to stay, although the length of his new contract is unconfirmed.

“Despite other offers, the Italian international has made considerable financial efforts to continue - as he always intended during this off-season - the Nice adventure, favouring the sporting aspect and the choice of the heart,” a club statement released on Sunday said.

move.

“I got damage, he risked damage,” added the German.

“After the incident, we were side by side, I raised my hand and showed him that I wasn’t happy with that.”

Vettel reacted incredulously when he learnt of the 10-second penalty on lap 32, while Hamilton, whose hopes of victory were later ended when he had to pit due to a loose head rest, complained over his radio that the sanction was insufficient.

“I don’t really care about (what happened),” Hamilton responded. “It’s done and dusted and we move on.

“I think it’s just not driver conduct. It’s dangerous driving and to get a 10-second penalty for that... “I don’t need to say anything else.”

Crazy race Vettel leads the overall standings on 153 points ahead of Briton Hamilton on 139 and Finland’s Bottas with 111.

Mario Balotelli

Torino coach Sinisa Mihajlovic had previously indicated he would like to take former Inter and AC Milan forward Balotelli back to Serie A, while Borussia Dortmund and Las Palmas were among the other clubs reportedly interested in making the striker an offer. But the 26-year-old has opted to extend his stay in France, writing on Instagram: “Anyone happy? I am.” (Sportsmax)

Australian Ricciardo’s first victory since he won the Malaysian Grand Prix last year lifted him to fourth on 92.

“I can’t really believe it,” said Ricciardo. “It was a crazy race. We knew the podium was a chance after the restart, then we heard of the problems with Lewis and Seb. “(I didn’t think I’d win) for all my money, but this was the race we expected last year, all the safety cars and chaos. We had to stay out of trouble and certainly pulled it off today.”

The 18-year-old Stroll’s previous best had been a ninthplaced finish on home soil earlier this month, but he kept his nerve under pressure to become the youngest Formula One driver to make the podium in his maiden season.

The anticipated Mercedes dominance was tested early on when Bottas came off the kerb and collided with Ferrari rival Raikkonen, forcing both Finns into the pits.

While Raikkonen was ultimately forced to retire later in the race, Bottas staged a remarkable comeback, emulating his fine performance on the Sochi street circuit to battle back to a podium position before overhauling Stroll on the line.

Force India’s Esteban Ocon finished sixth, equalling his career-best performance, although he may rue missing out on the podium after clashing with Mexican team mate Sergio Perez, whose retirement ended his 37-race streak of consecutive finishes.

Ricciardo’s Red Bull team mate Max Verstappen, the pacesetter during practice on Friday, was forced to retire for the fourth time in the last six races with engine trouble on lap 11 after the Dutchman attempted to attack Perez and take third. (Reuters)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monDAY, june 26, 2017

England v South Africa, 3rd T20I…

E

Malan's debut onslaught sets up England series win

ngland gave opportunities to new players throughout their T20 series with South Africa and Dawid Malan ensured their boldness was rewarded.

Dawid Malan compiled a dazzling 78 on debut as England beat South Africa by 19 runs in Cardiff to win their three-match Twenty20 series.

Batting at three on Sunday with captain Eoin Morgan and Jonny Bairstow rested, Malan made the most of his opportunity to impress by striking 12 fours and two sixes in an attractive maiden innings.

Although excellent death bowling from Dane Paterson, who was twice on a hat-trick en route to 4-32, limited England’s acceleration in the closing overs, the hosts’ total of 181-8 proved more than sufficient as South Africa faltered in reply.

AB de Villiers raced to 35 before becoming a first

international victim for young leg-spinner Mason Crane and Mangaliso Mosehle thumped 36 down the order, but the Proteas fell short on 162-7 as Chris Jordan (331) and Tom Curran (2-22) excelled.

Malan quickly looked at ease after coming to the crease at the start of the third over, the left-hander pulling the second ball he faced from Chris Morris for six.

The bulk of Malan’s early runs came through the leg side, yet the Middlesex batsman was soon scoring freely all around the wicket as he recorded the highest score by an England T20 debutant.

Alex Hales (36)

Dawid Malan raced to a half-century on debut ©Getty Images

and stand-in skipper Jos Buttler (31)

also made handy contributions, the former playing second fiddle to Malan in a second-wicket stand of 105.

Having been stifled by England’s seamers early in their chase, South Africa gained renewed hope when De Villiers - the form man of the series - took Crane for three successive boundaries at the start of the 11th over.

However, the touring captain then holed out to deep backward square sparking a jubilant celebration from Crane - and Jordan led the way as England seized total control thereafter.

Mosehle and Andile Phehlukwayo (27 not out) delayed the inevitable with a defiant seventh-wicket stand of 54, but it mattered little as the Proteas were well beaten.

(Sportsmax)

Women’s 50-over World Cup…

South Africa secure tense win over Pakistan S outh Africa had only won four out of 30 ODIs in which they had to chase 200 or more. But victory looked a mere formality on Sunday when Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt, their openers, put on 113 in chase of 207. Then, out of nowhere, they lost five wickets for 34 runs, three of them to run outs, to induce panic.

A cruise had turned into a full-blown collapse with Pakistan gleefully tightening the noose and it came down to the No. 9 batsman Shabnim Ismail, who had a poor day with the ball, conceding 52 off her nine overs for two wickets - expensive when taken into account the low-scoring contest - to introduce the calm back into South Africa’s chase as she hit back-to-back fours to clinch a three-wicket win with an over to spare.

Sune Luus contributed 15 valuable runs to an unbroken 30-run stand for the eighth wicket to deliver the knockout blow for Pakistan, who last won a World Cup match in March 2009.

All the tension began in the middle overs of the chase.

Nashra Sandhu, who took nine wickets in five matches in the qualifying tournament to put Pakistan in the World Cup, bowled with immaculate control, conceding only 32 runs in a single spell of 10 overs. Then, Sadia Yousuf, who dropped a straightforward catch at long-off to reprieve Lee on 46, picked up the big wickets of Chloe Tryon and Mignon du Preez as Pakistan brought themselves back to life.

With the equation down to 16 off 12 balls, Sana Mir,

the captain who had one over left, punted on Kainat Imtiaz, who had conceded 40 off seven overs until that point.

Ayesha Zafar put down a tough chance at mid-off, the ball went to the boundary, South Africa sneaked home and Mir, who had been Pakistan’s most economical bowler with 1 for 27 off nine overs, was left to rue the crucial decision.

The trigger for South Africa’s collapse was the runout of Wolvaardt. The 18-year old, playing her first World Cup game, batted fluently to bring up her fourth half-century in ODIs. But in the 31st over, she was sold a dummy by the new batsman Trisha Chetty.

Wolvaardt was more than halfway down the pitch when her partner decided a second run was not on. South Africa, cruising high and happy at 124 for 1 at that stage, suddenly slipped into a hole. They were lucky to have got away.

When Pakistan reflect on the game, they’d perhaps point to the crucial 30 runs which they couldn’t get while batting as a reason for not getting in two crucial points. Opener Nahida Khan top scored with 79, the highest individual score for Pakistan in a World Cup, and potentially set them up for a total of at least 230.

But poor running and a succession of desperate strokes resulted in a middleorder muddle. Two of their most accomplished batsmen - Bismah Maroof and Nain Abidi - were guilty of these indiscretions; both of them were stumped in an attempt to hit out when the situation demanded a calmer approach.

Nahida was forced back into playing the anchor role before

SCOREBOARD England innings (20 overs maximum) J Roy c †Mosehle b Morkel 8 A Hales c Miller b Phehlukwayo 36 D Malan c Paterson b Imran 78 Tahir

J Buttler*† c Smuts b Paterson31 S Billings c de Villiers b Paterson 12 L Livingstone b Paterson 0 L Plunkett c Miller b Phehlukwayo 0 1 D Willey b Paterson C Jordan not out 0 T Curran not out 1 Extras (b 5, lb 6, w 3) 14 Total (8 wickets; 20 overs) 181 Did not bat: MS Crane Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Roy, 1.6 ov), 2-118 (Hales, 12.3 ov), 3-127 (Malan, 13.3 ov), 4-166 (Billings, 17.4 ov), 5-166 (Livingstone, 17.5 ov), 6-179 (Plunkett, 18.6 ov), 7-180 (Buttler, 19.3 ov), 8-180 (Willey, 19.4 ov) Bowling: Morris 4-0-240 (1w), M Morkel 4-0-321 (1w), Phehlukwayo 4-0-44-2 (1w), Paterson

4-0-32-4, Imran Tahir 4-038-1 South Africa innings (target: 182 runs from 20 overs) J Smuts c Malan b Plunkett 29 R Hendricks c Plunkett b 0 Curran C Morris c Hales b Jordan 8 AB de Villiers* c Hales b Crane35 D Miller c †Buttler b Jordan 7 F Behardien c Billings b Jordan 3 M Mosehle† c Billings b Curran 36 A Phehlukwayo not out 27 M Morkel not out 5 Extras (lb 9, w 2, nb 1) 12 Total (7 wickets; 20 overs) 162 Did not bat: D Paterson, Imran Tahir Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Hendricks, 1.6 ov), 2-22 (Morris, 4.2 ov), 3-59 (Smuts, 9.1 ov), 4-82 (de Villiers, 10.6 ov), 5-86 (Miller, 11.3 ov), 6-91 (Behardien, 13.4 ov), 7-145 (Mosehle, 18.6 ov) Bowling: Willey 4-0-40-0 (1w), Curran 4-0-22-2, Jordan 4-031-3 (1nb, 1w), Plunkett 4-04-0-38-1 22-1, Crane

Windies not focused on Australia ahead of World Cup opener – Taylor

Chaos reigns supreme: Marizanne Kapp can’t believe she’s been run out ©International Cricket Council

she was run-out in the 39th over. Pakistan were clearly far

from their best, and still they put on quite a show. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Pakistan Women innings (50 overs maximum) Ayesha Zafar b Kapp 9 Nahida Khan run out (Ismail/ Kapp) 79 b Daniels 17 Javeria Khan Bismah Maroof st †Chetty b van Niekerk 10 Nain Abidi st †Chetty b Luus 22 Kainat Imtiaz c Kapp b Daniels 13 Asmavia Iqbal c Daniels b Ismail27 Sana Mir* c †Chetty b Ismail 15 Sidra Nawaz† not out 1 Extras (b 2, lb 3, w 7, nb 1) 13 Total (8 wickets; 50 overs) 206 Did not bat: Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Yousuf Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Ayesha Zafar, 1.4 ov), 2-43 (Javeria Khan, 8.6 ov), 3-61 (Bismah Maroof, 17.5 ov), 4-124 (Nain Abidi, 33.3 ov), 5-157 (Nahida Khan, 38.4 ov), 6-158 (Kainat Imtiaz, 41.1 ov), 7-201 (Sana Mir, 49.1 ov), 8-206 (Asmavia Iqbal, 49.6 ov) Bowling: Ismail 9-0-52-2 (1nb, 1w), Kapp 10-1-48-1(2w), Khaka 10-1-33-0(1w), Daniels 10-4-21-2 (1w), D van Niekerk 5-0-14-1, Tryon 2-0-150 (1w), Luus 4-0-18-1

South Africa Women innings (target: 207 runs from 50 overs) L Wolvaardt run out (†Sidra Nawaz/Ayesha Zafar) 52 lbw b Sana Mir L Lee 60 T Chetty† c Javeria Khan b Bismah Maroof 11 M du Preez c Asmavia Iqbal b 30 Sadia Yousuf M Kapp run out (†Sidra Nawaz/ Javeria Khan) 1 3 C Tryon b Sadia Yousuf D van Niekerk* run out (Asmavia Iqbal) 5 15 S Luus not out S Ismail not out 22 Extras (w 8) 8 207 Total (7 wickets; 49 overs) Did not bat: M Daniels, A Khaka Fall of wickets: 1-113 (Lee, 25.4 ov), 2-124 (Wolvaardt, 30.1 ov), 3-143 (Chetty, 34.2 ov), 4-146 (Kapp, 35.5 ov), 5-155 (Tryon, 38.3 ov), 6-162 (van Niekerk, 41.3 ov), 7-177 (du Preez, 44.6 ov) Bowling: Asmavia Iqbal 10-0-55-0 (1w), Sadia Yousuf 100-30-2 (1w), Sana Mir 9-1-27-1 (1w), Nashra Sandhu 10-2-32-0 (1w), Kainat Imtiaz 8-056-0 (3w), Bismah Maroof 2-07-1

W

West Indies Women’s Captain Stafanie Taylor

est Indies Women’s captain Stafanie Taylor insists the team will be more focused on themselves than world champions Australia ahead of what is expected to be a difficult start to the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup. The Windies are scheduled to open the group stages of the tournament against the Australians at the Country Ground in Taunton at 4:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m. EST) today. The teams will enter the fixture at opposite poles as far as form is concerned, however, with the world number one Aussies confident on the back of two comfortable wins over South Africa and Pakistan by eight wickets and 103 runs respectively, in the warm-up matches.

The West Indies on the other hand lost both its official warm-up games, be-

ing bowled out for just 63 by South Africa and then failing to defend 246 against Pakistan. Prior to those games the team lost three unofficial warm-ups.

Taylor, however, insists the difference in pre-World Cup preparations and the good form of their opponents will not factor into the team’s psyche.

“We are not focusing too much on the Australians.

We are focusing on ourselves and what we need to do as a team to win,” Taylor told members of the media following the team’s final practice session.

“We know they will come hard at us but as I said we just need to focus on our game and what we do best.

We are focused all areas and trying to everything right because that is what you need, especially to beat a team like Australia.” (Sportsmax)

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sports GMR&SC National Race of Champions…

21

Running Brave team take

Jeffrey not daunted by Olympic Day 10k Road Race T Group 3 rivalry he Running Braves Athletics Club won overall at the “Olympic Day” 10k Team run, while GDF and Police Sports Clubs came in second and third respectively.

Although Cleveland Forde finished first in a time of 34m, 44s, his team, GDF, placed second -- behind the Running

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Nicholson, Jamal Chisholm and Tishaun Bentick.

The event was hosted by the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), in collaboration with the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG). Prizes were awarded for the team event.

The teams had to be comprised of four male and two

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The victorious Running Braves team

Stephan Jeffrey’s Honda Civic has defied the odds and brought him much success

roup three driver Stephan Jeffrey is well aware of the challenge that awaits when the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) National Race of Champions gets underway on July 2 at the South Dakota Circuit.

The likes of Danny Persaud, Gavin Gouveia, Adrian Fernandes and Syed Hassan form a hard corps of daredevils that will pose stiff competition to Jeffrey.

“All those guys are phenomenal drivers. I had a great battle with Danny [Persaud] last meeting; and definitely, if the car is finished, I look forward to coming and drive (against) him again”.

He added, “The level of driving in Group Three is

a lot different to the lower groups; the machines are a lot more prepared, and the competition is very stiff”.

At the meet held in April, the former Go-Karter rolled back his more than 10 years of experience to produce some trilling performances, sealing two first places and one second.

Given the heat the group brought recently, Jeffrey expects things to be no different come Sunday.

“Judging from (the) last race meeting, it will be fairly competitive. With the package we had, we still have a lot of work to do regarding developing the aero-dynamics, but we should be competitive,” he disclosed.

“Despite it is a Honda, given the development we have done to the car, it has

gotten more competitive; and it should show in the results,” the driver contended.

Though Jeffrey is brewing confidence, they is uncertainty weather his Honda Civic will be ready for the highly anticipated meeting.

“I’m still waiting on some parts to come in from England, and (being) not too sure when it will arrive, but we are trying to work hard to get it done,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey is thanking Automotive Art, Hold and Bolts, Shiv Auto Body, Crystal Palace, and Golden Supreme Lubricants for fuelling his success. He hopes to participate in the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships in Trinidad and Tobago or Barbados.

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female runners.

This race started from YMCA on Thomas Lands, proceeded north on Camp Street to Carifesta Avenue, east on Carifesta Avenue and the Rupert Craig Highway to Liliendaal, turned back west to Vlissengen Road, proceeded south on Vlissengen Road to Thomas Lands, and back to the YMCA for the finish.

31 teams for Hamilton Green Cup, over $1M up for grabs

Ming races to yet another podium finish T

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Braves, who had an average time of 40m, 3s.

The victorious Running Braves team was represented

by Claudrice McKoy, Maria Urquhart, Cleveland Thomas, Devaun Barrington, Matthew McKenzie and Winston Missigher.

The GDF team comprised Cleveland Forde, Ashanti Scott, Leana Charles, Marlon

he ‘Pabst Racing’ team drivers -- Rinus Veekay of Holland, Lucas Kohl of Brazil and Calvin Ming of Guyana -- all had a very successful weekend in the 4th round of the USF2000 series, held on Friday and Saturday at the ‘Road America’ circuit in Wisconsin.

According to a release from Stanley Ming, the circuit is more than 6.5 kilometres long, with 14 turns over very undulating terrain, and there are several elevation changes. The cars were clocked at speeds in excess of 140 mph, and an average speed around the circuit of over 111 mph. Each race is run for 30 minutes from start to finish.

For the first race on Friday, Rinus qualified in P2 and finished in first place, Lucas qualified in P5 and finished in third place, and Calvin qualified in P15 and finished in fourth place -- after a very exciting drive, coming through the pack from way behind.

For the second race on Saturday, Rinus qualified

Calvin Ming-P2, Rinus Veekay-P1, Oliver Askew-P3, after Saturday’s race

in P1 and finished in first place, Calvin qualified in P5 and finished in second place, and Lucas qualified in P7 and finished in sixth place.

Calvin turned in the fastest time for the weekend: 2 mins 10.163 secs.

The entire Pabst team was very pleased and happy, having won 4 out of the

total of 6 top places in the two races, and is currently in the lead for the team championship. The current leader of the series is Oliver Askew. Round #5 of the series is scheduled for July 8-9 in Iowa, followed by round #6 on July 15-16 in Toronto, Canada, the release detailed.

Tournament Coordinator Lennox Arthur

T

he Hamilton Green Cup Knockout Football tournament will begin on July 9 with a double-header at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground in Linden, starting from 7:00pm. Coordinator for the tournament is Lennox Arthur, a former national footballer and coach. Arthur has, for over 23 years, been staging this tournament, named in honour of former Prime Minister of Guyana and Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green.

The following 31 teams have been invited from the various area associations to participate in the tournament: Western Tigers, Police, Santos, Pele, GFC, Riddim Squad, Beacon, Flamingo, Black Pearl and Camptown from Georgetown; Federal Winners Connection, Eagles, Silver Shattas and Milerock from Linden; Den Amstel, Uitvlugt, Pouderoyen, Eagles FC, Young Achievers and Golden Warriors from the West Demerara; Ann’s Grove, Mahaica, Golden Grove, Buxton Bakewell and Plaisance from the East Coast; Grove Hi Tech, Agricola, Herstelling, Soesdyke and Kuru Kururu from the East Bank; and New Amsterdam United from Berbice.

The respective clubs will be battling for cash prizes

Former PM and Mayor Hamilton Green

of $700,000 for the winner, $300,000 for second place, $200,000 for third place and $100,000 for fourth.

Only clubs and players affiliated to their respective associations will be allowed to participate in this knockout tournament. Matches will be last for the usual 90 minutes, with 20 minutes (two halves of 10) extra time being used to separate a deadlock; failing which penalty kicks, and if necessary sudden death kicks, will be employed.

Players receiving two yellow cards will be suspended for one match. Serious offences will be dealt with by the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) Disciplinary Committee.

Matches are fixed for July 9, 16, 19, 23, 29, 30; August 1, 6, 14, 16, 19, 20, 25, 27; September 3 and 10, when the semi-finals and final will be contested.

The opening fixtures will see Milerock facing Riddim Squad and Silver Shattas battling Police at the MSC ground on Sunday, July 9. Match venues include the GFC, Victoria, Den Amstel and Leonora Sports Facility grounds.

The tournament was previously staged under the Mayor’s Cup KO Tournament, but has been changed from this edition to the Hamilton Green Cup Knockout Tournament.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

MONdAY, june 26, 2017

‒ hosts sink to 105-run defeat

N

o team has scored as many 300s as India - 96 - and it was fitting that they took the lead by seamlessly recalibrating their approach in a rain-curtailed ODI. Ajinkya Rahane got to his third ODI century - the period approaching his hundred was the only slow spell in India's innings, Shikhar Dhawan's run continued with yet another half-century, and Virat Kohli knocked off an effortless 87 off 66.

Shai Hope delayed the inevitable West Indies defeat with a fine 81, but once they had lost two wickets before the first run had been scored off a bat, further rain was their only ally. It was not to be.

Early morning rain had left the pitch damp and the atmosphere heavy, ideal bowling conditions that prompted the hosts to invite India to bat. They were either too short or too full, getting cut and pulled or driven with ease.. India's 63 in the first 10 overs was about 14 more than what has been their average since the 2015 World Cup. The busy scoring continued, especially given that Devendra Bishoo, who bowled well in the first match, struggled with his length. In Bishoo's third

Shai Hope led the home side fightback with an upbeat 81 (Photo by WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography)

over, Rahane picked up two boundaries to get into the 40s. He lost Dhawan immediately after, stumped off the offspin of Ashley Nurse for 63 off 59, but took over the dominant role as Kohli settled down.

From 36 off 45, Rahane

scored the next 50 runs in 40 balls, but slowed down near the hundred. The nerves were understandable.. He risked a run-out, he edged a cut, and the next 11 runs took 16 balls. He then laced a cover drive to bring up the hundred, but

fell immediately after, looking to slog.

Kohli, though, didn't let the wickets slow India down. His acceleration was dramatic. He scored his final 50 runs in 25 balls. You could see he was struggling physically because of the high humidity, which is perhaps why there was an extra effort to set that solid base and concentrate on the swing of the bat and not the power. He didn't over-hit any of his four sixes, but hit them so clean that he didn't need to look up to see where they went. In the end, that lack of power did him in when he lofted an Alzarri Joseph slower ball to longon in the penultimate over of the innings.

If there were any doubts about India getting the 300, Holder put paid to them by bowling three beamers and a foot-fault no-ball in his last two overs. The extra deliveries and runs took India over, making it 99 runs in the last nine overs. The next 99 runs would take more than half the length of West Indies' innings, and three wickets to boot.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar started off bowling in areas where batsmen's mistakes hurt them, taking two wickets in his first two overs. In the fourth over, Hope steered Umesh Yadav to score the first run off the

bat. By the time he hit the first boundary of the innings, in the sixth over, the asking rate had crossed eight.

Hope showed the promise he carries with a composed innings, but he alone was never going to be able to make up for the disastrous and a struggling Evin Lewis at the other end. One of the final acts of the match

belonged to a man bowling for the first time in ODIs: Kuldeep Yadav had Lewis stumped off a wrong'un, and Hope lbw on the sweep moments after the batsman had hit him for a six over long-off.

He later came back to have Holder stumped off another wrong'un to stamp out the last bit of resistance. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD India innings (43 overs maximum) A Rahane b Cummins 103 S Dhawan st †Hope b Nurse 63 V Kohli* c Nurse b Joseph 87 H Pandya c Cummins b 4 Joseph Yuvraj Singh c †Hope b Holder 14 13 MS Dhoni† not out 13 K Jadhav not out 13 Extras (lb 4, w 4, nb 5) Total (5 wickets; 43 overs) 310 Did not bat: R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, B Kumar, UT Yadav Fall of wickets: 1-114 (Dhawan, 18.2 ov), 2-211 (Rahane, 33.6 ov), 3-223 (Pandya, 34.6 ov), 4-254 (Yuvraj Singh, 38.1 ov), 5-285 (Kohli, 41.2 ov) Bowling: A Joseph 8-0-73-2 (1nb, 2w), Holder 8.5-0-761, (4nb)Nurse 9-0-38-1(1w), Bishoo 9-0-60-0 (1w), Cummins 8-0-57-1, Carter 0.1-0-2-0

West Indies innings (target: 311 runs from 43 overs) K Powell c †Dhoni b Kumar 0 S Hope† lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 81 J Mohammed c Pandya b Kumar 0 E Lewis st †Dhoni b Kuldeep Yadav 21 J Carter lbw b Ashwin 13 J Holder* st †Dhoni b 29 Kuldeep Yadav 33 R Chase not out 19 A Nurse not out Extras (lb 6, w 3) 9 Total (6 wickets; 43 overs) 205 Did not bat: D Bishoo, AS Joseph, ML Cummins Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Powell, 0.3 ov), 2-4 (Mohammed, 2.5 ov), 3-93 (Lewis, 19.6 ov), 4-112 (Hope, 25.3 ov), 5-132 (Carter, 29.2 ov), 6-174 (Holder, 36.4 ov) Bowling: B Kumar 5-1-9-2 (1w), U Yadav 6-0-36-0 (1w), H Pandya 9-0-32-0 (1w), Ashwin 9-0-47-1, Kuldeep Yadav 9-0-50-3, Yuvraj Singh 5-0-25-0

2 floodlight softball teams to attend

New York League

T

Ricky Deonarain

he Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) is sending the Floodlights and Floodlights Legends -- two softball teams -- to participate in the New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) Independence/Legend Cup Softball tournament. This occasion represents ten consecutive years since the GFSCA has been sending representatives to participate in this NYSCL tournament.

The tournament will be held on June 30th, July 1st & July 2nd at the Canarsie Park in Brooklyn, and the finals will be held on Sunday at the Roy Wilkinson Park in Queens. Most of the local

players have already trav- would be played simultaneelled to New York, and the ously. Ricky Deonarain is few remaining here will go captaining the Floodlights team, and Dharam Persaud early in this week. is captaining the Floodlights Floodlights are the Legends. Hubern Evans is reigning champions of this year’s inauguthe coach for both teams.

The two teams will be ral Orlando Premier picked from the following League, played in persons: Uniss Mohamed March this year in Yousuf, Ramo Malone, Orlando, Florida.

Ramesh Narine Deonarine, They emerged champions in Lloyd Ruplall, Wayne the Florida Jones, Kamraj S u m a i r , Cup played Robert Mohan, in March M a h e s h 2016 in Fort Lauderdale, and Lutchman, were also champiT u l s h i ons at the Legends Lutchman, Cup staged in July Vishawnauth 2015 in New York, but Lutchman, Anil Beharry, were bested in July Goordial Mattai, 2016 by local rivals Regal Masters.

Ricky Deonarain, They are confiJagdish Persaud, dent of regaining Dharam Persaud, Lakhram Singh, their softball suGopaul Boj-Raj, premacy this weekJailall Doedass, end over all their rivals in the New York Vivakenand Legend Cup, where Ramsaywack, 12 teams from around Nadir Baksh, USA, Canada & Mohan Sukhu, Guyana will be taking Richard Persaud, Surendra Nauth, part. The Independence Armogan Gopaul, Unos Cup will also feature 12 teams in the Open categoBaksh, Teekchand Madho ry. and Ramchand Both tournaments Ragbeer.

Anil Beharry

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, june 26, 2017

23

"Obeah Man" unleashes the beast ‒ annihilates field to seal National Road Race title

By Michelangelo Jacobus

R

aynauth ‘Obeah Man’ Jeffrey rode a well calculated race to dethrone Geron Williams in Sunday’s Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF) National Championships Road Race.

With a time of 3hrs, 59m, 37s, Jeffrey beat Paul De Nobrega into 2nd place and Hamzah Eastman into 3rd place to take the National Champion title from Geron Williams, who finished in fourth place. DeNobrega and Eastman clocked identical times of 4hrs, 16s.

Commencing from before the National Sports Commission’s (NSC’s) office on Homestretch Avenue, the cyclists battled their way in the sweltering heat to Timehri; then doubled back to the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and headed to Camp Seweyo, where they then turned around to make for the finish line on Homestretch Avenue.

At that juncture, Williams was leading the Peloton. He pulled away as Raynauth Jeffrey, Hamzah Eastman, Michael Anthony, Andrew Hicks, Paul De Nobrega, Jamual John and Orville Hinds gave chase.

Jeffrey and Williams were still leading the pack at Supply, East Bank Demerara when fatigue began to take its toll on the pursuing riders; and defending champion Geron Williams soon became one of its victims. At that stage, Jamaul John and “the Obeah Man” decided to take the action up a notch, breaking away from the pack and never looking back.

Jeffrey, who rides for Team Pharmaco-Deep

South based in Georgia, US and Trinidad/Tobago, told media operatives that coming down the final miles, although he was in a bit of discomfort, he put his head down and gave it his all. He noted that at that point he knew he had the race in the bag.

As he turned the junction at Mandela and Homestretch Avenues on the final stretch to the finish line, there was not another rider in sight.

Jeffrey attributed his success to his experience in the USA, saying he has learned to ride better in a pack and conserve energy.

The Pharmaco rider had previously won the Championships in 2013, but was absent for the 2014 edition, as he was nursing a broken collar bone.

He was beaten last year by Williams, who also won the 2014 Championships.

Jeffrey started off the Championships on a high by topping the field in the time trials on day one of the Championships -- June 17. He topped the field in a time of 14:20.25s, while Jamal John came in second in 14:35s, and Romello Crawford clocked 14:58s to close out the top three in the seniors’ category.

Warren McKay was the winner of the road race on day two of the Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF’s) National Championships on June 18, when he crossed the finish line ahead of Leer Nunes, who came in second, and Steve Ramsuchit, who came in third in the U-45 category. McKay finished that race in a time of 2hrs, 58m, 40s.

Winners from the three days of the GCF’s National Cycling Championships

MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017

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

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"Obeah Man" unleashes the beast

Pg 23

‒ annihilates field to seal National Road Race title Champion! A jubilant Raynauth "Obeah Man" Jeffrey crosses the finish line a great distance ahead of the competition

Winners row: (L-R) 2nd place Paul DeNobrega, 1st place Raynauth Jeffrey, 3rd place Hamzah Eastman

Classy Rahane downs Windies’ hopes Pg 22

West Indies bowlers lacked potency and penetration (Photo by WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography)

Ajinkya Rahane scored a delightful third ODI century (Photo by WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography)

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