Guyana Times July 13, 2017

Potable water now accessible to P10 Mabaruma villages Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3270

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, July 13, 2017

PRICE

Jailbreak

300 prisoners released – Ramjattan ... Police ID 3 more escapees

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$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

10 names shortlisted for 3rd P9 GECOM list

– nominee fears public humiliation

Garbage P13 collection resumes in Georgetown

Wanted: Desmond James

Wanted: Cornelius Thomas

Wanted: Cobena Stephens

– M&CC seeking to acquire own garbage trucks by 2018

Escaped prisoners

Jagdeo supports “largescale manhunt” – says Ramjattan should take responsibility for unrest See story on page 3

Early-savers benefit from GBTI’s Annual Summer Camp

Relatives of Lusignan prisoners P11 decry conditions at jail

Page 13

Suspected ‘terror gang’ member on trial for P14 murder

Excited! GBTI’s Annual Early-Savers Summer Camp, which commenced on Monday, is in full swing at the bank’s recreational facility in Bel Air Gardens, Georgetown. In photo, the thrilled participants were all smiles for the camera as they engaged in Guyana’s rich folklore

Brazil’s exPresident Lula convicted of corruption P16

2 news

thursDAY, july 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Jailbreak

300 prisoners released – Ramjattan ... Police ID 3 more escapees P

ublic Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan late Wednesday night revealed that about 300 prisoners have been released following the massive fire which flattened the Georgetown Prison at Camp Street. He also stated that 85 convicted inmates have been relocated to the Mazaruni Prison in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

The Minister made those revelations in an interview with media operatives at the University of Guyana Turkeyen and Tain Talks at the Pegasus Hotel.

The approximately 300 persons include those who have been granted bail for non-violent offences and prisoners who were scheduled for release in the months of July and August.

The Minister said he invoked his extraordinary powers and granted those inmates early release since they would have displayed good behaviour for the duration of their sentences.

Ramjattan further stated that more prisoners are expected to be released to ease overcrowding and make room for those displaced.

“We will be going to the other prisons at Mazaruni, Lusignan and Timehri and

see those prisoners who are scheduled to be released soon and if they display good behaviour, they will also be released, so we can transfer those (from Camp Street) to those facilities,” the Minister stated.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force has identified three more high-profile prisoners who have escaped from the Camp Street penitentiary during Sunday’s jailbreak.

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud on Tuesday confirmed to Guyana Times that a total of eight prisoners are on the run; at the time of the jailbreak, the identity of only three was made public, but the Police Force has since identified three others, and on Wednesday released their identities. They are: 24-year-old Desmond James of Hotoquai Creek, North West District; 32-yearold Cornelius Thomas of Lot 36 Guyhoc Gardens, Georgetown and of Trinidad & Tobago; and 26-year-old Cobena Stephens of Lot 82 Gope Street, Middle Walk, Buxton, ECD. The police have said these each of these three prisoners was in jail for the capital offence of murder, and are now additionally wanted for escaping from

the Georgetown Prison on Sunday last, when the facility was set on fire.

Police have already issued wanted bulletins for the alleged masterminds of the jailbreak -- Mark Royden Durant, ex-cop Uree Varswyck, and Stafrei Hopkinson Alexander.

Durant, also known as “Royden Williams” and “Smallie”, was jailed for both the gruesome Lusignan and Bartica massacres. The other two were also imprisoned for murder.

The police are still to release the identities of two other prisoners that comprise the eight escapees on the run. In the meantime, a Joint Service Operation is currently being carried out in the backlands of East Bank and East Coast Demerara villages, as well as in the community of Buxton.

“In an effort to recapture the prisoners, there is a joint patrol in the backlands,” Assistant Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken told the Guyana Times.

And acting Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, told the Government’s Information Hub on Wednesday that prison authorities are currently

Wanted: Desmond James

Wanted: Cornelius Thomas

Wanted: Cobena Stephens

working to accurately inform the public about the prisoners as soon as possible.

“I know that the media is seeking a lot of information as it relates to names of persons who have been transferred, who have been discharged, who are probably at large; we are currently working on compiling all of those lists, so that the information can be provided…

We have several persons putting the pieces together,” he stated.

Samuels added that, once completed, the information would be submitted to the Public Security Minister, who would in turn

make it public. This information, the acting Director of Prisons noted, would bring some sense of relief to the public, especially in light of speculations that there are “many prisoners” at large following Sunday’s incident.

Authorities revealed earlier in the week that some 1018 inmates were at the Camp Street facility at the time of the jailbreak. But there have been subsequent reports of that figure being 1090, 1110 and even 1144.

When pressed further, however, to state what was the exact number of prisoners that were at the Camp Street Prison at the time of

the incident, Commissioner Persaud posit, “I am interested in the ones that have escaped…we are trying to assist the prison in restoring order, and pursue those who have escaped and get them rearrested.”

Sunday’s fire which flattened the Camp Street jail had served as a distraction for inmates to escape from prisons. In their bid to do so, several prison officers were brutally attacked, and have suffering from shotgun wounds and lacerations.

In fact, one of the seven wounded officers, 33-yearold Odinga Wickham, succumbed to several gunshot wounds to the chest.

news

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THURsDAY, july 13, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, July 13 – 05:00h-06:30h and Friday, July 14 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, July 13 – 06:50h-08:20h and Friday, July 14 – 07:35h-09:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery and heavy rain showers with light cloud cover can be expected throughout the day, while partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging between South South-westerly to North North-easterly to Easterly to East South-easterly between 0.89 metre and 1.78 metres.

High Tide: 07:02h and 19:29h reaching maximum heights of 2.62 metres and 2.52 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 13:02h reaching a minimum height of 0.62 metre.

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Jagdeo supports “large-scale manhunt” for escaped prisoners - says Ramjattan should take responsibility for unrest

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n commending the efforts made by the joint services in responding to the crisis at the Georgetown Prison on Sunday last, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) would encourage the law enforcement agencies to engage in a “large-scale manhunt” for the eight prisoners who escaped from the penitentiary during the fiery unrest.

Jagdeo made these remarks on Wednesday while addressing the media during a press conference. The former president said his party would give its continued support to the joint services, unlike what had obtained when the present ruling administration had served in the Opposition during the 2002 escape of five prisoners from the Georgetown Prison -- which led to the creation of violent gangs and serious crime for many years. “…no political support from the Opposition; and secondly, we are not going to go to any communities and ask them to provide safe havens for any of the escapees. Our security forces will not be shot at when they go into communities, or have to face an entire community,” Jagdeo remarked, while recounting incidents wherein women and children were used to block security forces from going after criminals.

The former head of state also recalled that during the 2002-2009 crime spree, the current Government ministers, who served in the Opposition back then, had also vilified the police; but he said, “No escapee will have political cover now, as they did in the past.”

Jagdeo also reiterated that the PPP/C would continue to fully support the security forces as they move to restore law and order in the country.

Government was also criticised by the Opposition Leader for negotiating with prisoners during last year’s deadly prison riot that left

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

close to two dozen inmates dead, and for negotiating again with inmates this past Sunday. He described the situation at hand as a “moral hazard” which could get out of control if the Government continues to respond every time to the demands of prisoners.

Using one example of how the Government has given in to the demands made by inmates in this most recent incident, Jagdeo said it was decided, subsequently after the unrest on Sunday, that several inmates would be released on self-bail or be granted shortened prison sentences.

“It is going to affect us in the long-term, whoever is there in office. We can’t be expedient and sow seeds for another crisis in the future,” Jagdeo further warned.

Responsibility Some level of restraint was exercised by the Opposition since Sunday’s prison unrest, to allow the security forces to do their

jobs, Jagdeo told media operatives. However, he said now that there is not much cause for optimism, especially since the issue is not being appropriately addressed, he has decided to speak out on the matter.

“What we have seen from the Government does not give us cause for much optimism that they are being truthful and that they are in total command of the situation. Photo opportunities, press conferences, public statements are meaningless unless they are backed by substance. And what we have seen is an early attempt to absolve themselves from any responsibility whatsoever,” he opined.

Saying the issue should be treated with more seriousness, Jagdeo referred to statements made by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who claimed that because the Government has had to pump sums of money into the sugar industry,

it had to defer implementing various capital projects intended to tighten security at all prisons, as were recommended by the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) which stemmed from the previous incident.

“Ramjattan has to take responsibility for what’s going on. He has to take responsibility just like in the past, when they used to call on PPP/C ministers -- when there was a problem in the sector -- to resign. Well, I’ve seen lots of public calls for Ramjattan to resign. Maybe he should consider it, or Granger (President) should consider firing him at this point in time,” he added.

Jagdeo said that unlike his party, which while in Government was accused of lacking security experience, the now coalition Government is “overladen with national security experience,” given the number of former army officials who serve in senior capacities in Government; but they have failed to respond effectively to the crisis; and days later, they are still struggling to get things in order.

The Opposition Leader expressed hope that there will be an emergency session of the National Assembly to have a full debate on the situation, so as to ensure continued public safety.

The Opposition is calling for full disclosure of all aspects of the tragedy that occurred at Camp Street Prison, and has repeated calls for full disclosure to likewise be made of all aspects of the identical tragedy -- including loss of lives and destruction of property -that occurred there in March 2016.

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thursDAY, july 13, 2017

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

Why not just prison reform

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n the aftemath of the latest conflagration at the Camp Street Prison, there are once again calls for “prison reform” -- this time, bound by the exigency of having to either replace the structures that were completely razed.

However, these calls cannot be addressed in isolation and outside the need for broader criminal justice reform.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) advises, “It is of utmost importance that prison reform is not regarded in isolation from broader criminal justice reform. UNODC believes that effective prison reform is dependent on the improvement and rationalisation of criminal justice policies, including crime prevention and sentencing policies, and on the care and treatment made available to vulnerable groups in the community. Reform of the prison system should therefore always take into account the needs relating to the reform of the criminal justice system as a whole, and employ an integrated multi-disciplinary strategy to achieve sustainable impact. Thus reform initiatives will usually need to also encompass criminal justice institutions other than the prison service; such as the judiciary, prosecution and police service, as relevant.”

But there is a prior question that must be answered: what is the purpose of incarcerating persons convicted of crimes? Traditionally these were four: punishment, incapacitation, deterrence and rehabilitation. The greatest confusion lies in a disagreement on what constitutes “punishment”. Most persons still hold that, after conviction of a crime against society, the person placed in jail must then be “punished”. Incarceration is thus seen as depriving the inmate of all his/her human rights. It is because of this view that the harsh treatment of prisoners by wardens and prisoners are excused, and calls for more humane treatment are derided as demanding “hotel accommodations”.

But as the UNOCD has stated, “A sentence of imprisonment constitutes only a deprivation of the basic right to liberty. It does not entail the restriction of other human rights, with the exception of those which are naturally restricted by the very fact of being in prison.

Prison reform is necessary to ensure that this principle is respected, the human rights of prisoners protected, and their prospects for social reintegration increased in compliance with relevant international standards and norms.”

In other words, we must understand that the removal of the convicted from society IS the punishment. Depriving criminals of their freedom is the way of making them pay a debt to society for their crimes. This is the “retribution” - not starving them, or forcing them to sleep in the stench of their urine, etc.

As such, the question as to whether individuals on remand should be housed in the same facilities with convicted prisoners should not even be raised. These individuals have not been tried; and one would have thought it obvious that they should be detained only if they do not pose a risk to society, and when they are, the conditions of detention must reflect the presumption that they are innocent.

It was very disconcerting to discover that half of the inmates at Camp Street were on remand, and that one day after the blaze, dozens of them were freed by a magistrate.

Why could this not have been done in the first instance? It is obvious that sentencing guidelines have to be completely revamped. There have been calls for whatever facility is constructed at Camp St to be designated to house individuals on remand, who can be brought to the nearby courts more expeditiously.

We understand that Guyana is still a poor country, with limited resources; but surely, the removal of criminals from society -- so that they can no longer harm innocent people (incapacitation) -- should be enough of a deterrence to prevent the commission of future crimes. Combined with a programme of rehabilitation, this should help reintegrate them into society, and prove less costly than the present astronomical rate of recidivism.

For the incorrigible criminals, we will just have to create facilities to incarcerate them for life.

The Mercy Wings Vocational and Day Care Centre graduating class of 2017 boasts intricate crafts and exhibits on display at Wednesday’s “passing out” ceremony.

Prison destruction – a tragedy waiting to happen Dear Editor, On July 9, 2017 we experienced the worst jail break and destruction of the jail in our history. The whole prison on Camp Street was destroyed by arson. The Officers Club, across the street from the prison, was also razed to the ground.

Many very dangerous criminals escaped.

It was not just the worst such incident in Guyana, but one of the worst in the English-speaking Caribbean.

If we look at the behaviour of the APNU regime since it took power in May 2015, then we can see that that was an in incident waiting to happen. This regime, from its very inception, gave the impression of being soft on crimes and criminals.

Recall that the Granger Administration, almost as soon as its term commenced, began pardoning criminals, releasing many back into the society. Despite many criticism and caution by knowledgeable persons, the process continued. There is no evidence that those released went through any serious rehabilitation programmes.

Some of the crimes that this regime speaks about as not being serious include stealing of cell phones.

Yet we know that Sheema Mangar from the East Coast of Demerara was murdered for her phone, and that crime remains unsolved.

The parents of Ms Mangar continue to grieve the loss of their precious daughter be-

cause of a cell phone theft.

Criminals, sensing this sympathy of the regime, began to push for more concessions. More skirmishes began to take place in the Camp Street Prison. Police and prison officers began to take less forceful positions in relation to criminals. No doubt taking heed of the attitude of the regime to crime and the criminals, many appear to believe that they could get into trouble if they took a hard stance against the criminals.

On March 3, 2016, we had a major riot in the Camp Street Prison. Many persons, unfortunately, lost their lives. There was a fire set by some of the prisoners, and it killed their fellow inmates. Officers were injured.

One March 4, 2016, two very senior ministers of the Government, Joseph Harmon and Khemraj Ramjattan, went to the prison to meet with the inmates.

Not a word in solidarity with the prison officers, whose work is so important in keeping our society safe.

Indeed, former Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, had cautioned the Government to be careful with their actions, lest it be interpreted by the prisoners that the Government was tolerant of their behavior, and this embolden them into taking more such actions.

That is what seems to have happened.

The criticism of the police being too harsh appears

to have given the criminals a sense of security. The police and prison officers have been cowed.

This is what led to the tragic events of July 9, 2017.

The criminals destroyed the prison totally, murdered an officer, and injured many others. Billions of dollars in property have been lost.

More pressure is being put on our already heavily burdened taxpayers.

The regime is blaming the overcrowding of the prisons for the incident. We know that the prisons have been overcrowded.

It is also true that this is not a recent phenomenon.

The overcrowding started a long time ago. This has been a problem since the first PNC government (1964-92).

It never led to this type of riots and destruction. Clearly, therefore, this is not the main reason.

If the regime felt that overcrowding was the main issue, then why did they put a halt on the reform programme that the PPP/Civic was implementing?

Lusignan was being transformed into a prison to rehabilitate prisoners before releasing them. A great deal of capital works was going on there, new buildings, fencing of the place, and preparation for facilities to educate and reform the prisoners. All this was taking place. It is these facilities that have now come in handy to house those prisoners who have been displaced by the arson from the Camp

Street Prison.

This programme was halted by this APNU regime.

In responding to one of the queries from one of the journalist on the night of July 9, 2017, Minister Ramjattan blamed the sugar workers for halting the building of new facilities.

He said the money had to be given to sugar.

This is the worst kind of distortion and slander heaped on sugar workers, who are themselves victims of this uncaring regime.

This Government could find money to waste on projects like the Durban Park Stadium; they could spend fourteen million ($14M) a month on a bottom house to store condoms and lubricants; they could spend millions of tax-payers’ money on procuring drugs, given to what appears to be a favoured contractor, while avoiding the bidding process and the National Tender Board. They have no qualms about increasing ministers’s salaries by fifty percent, to increase the number of ministers and advisors; they can find money to pay huge amounts to ministers for house allowances and rents.

They can spend money to buy a US$124,000 vehicle for the Prime Minister to ride, in and to charter planes to travel abroad. At the same time giving themselves almost unlimited travelling allowances.

Continued on page 5

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THURsDAY, july 13, 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

Bad decision on construction of overhead pedestrian crossings

Dear Editor, Although no meaningful consultations were conducted within the Neighbourhood Democratic Council, the construction of three overhead pedestrian crossings at three locations along the East Bank Demerara Corridor has commenced. The contract, for US$1,034,326 (GY$2,111,990,239), has been awarded to B&J Civil Works for the construction of the crossings at Houston, Eccles and Peter’s Hall.

It is quite disappointing that, with farcical consultations and at a cost of approximately G$70.4 million each, the APNU/AFC Coalition Government decided that these over-passes for pedestrians will significantly reduce accidents, save on travel time for those travelling from Diamond, and enable a freer flow of traffic.

We support the view of many that the decision is judgmentally unsound. In fact, numerous residents and other commuters passing through this area now question whether the tremendous cost for the construction could ever be justified. We believe not!!

The disappointment comes with the fact that initial pronouncements by the Government led residents to believe that the overpasses to be constructed at these tremendous costs would have had the capacity to allow overhead vehicular passing to facilitate the merging of traffic lanes from the new high populated areas, with the main continuous flow below.

It is now known that the commuters would have to climb to cross over, or use the elevator lifts that are touted to be a part of these new overpass facilities. It follows that the Government must also make weather protective accommodations; guarantee reliable power supply, and ensure reliable police protection, since the vicinity of these structures to the renowned Agricola & Bagotstown will now realise the bringing of on-foot commuters to the slaughter houses.

Many citizens are of the very strong opinion that the hard-earned tax payers’ money can be better spent on fixing the streets and roads in the communities. It is noteworthy that the deliberate weakening of many of the NDCs functionality through the non implementation of the Local Government Commission is now having spiraling effects in many communities.

In Eccles/Ramsburg Local Government area, roads and streets are littered with very big pot-holes while the council is complaining about the length of time for approval of fixing project by the RDC and the Ministry. At the same time, residents are complaining bitterly about the cost of fixing and repairing their vehicles, while the taxis are not willing to go in some areas; and if they do, they tend to charge a higher fare.

People are also questioning the stupidity to build one by-pass at Peters Hall, which is next to the present Demerara Harbour Bridge,

while another is being constructed at Eccles, less than a mile away. Further, the communities are questioning the judgment of the Government to build a bypass at the particular area where they have commenced by driving piles. Further, the proposal to build another by-pass at Providence, again less than one mile away from the one at Peters Hall, is another way of wasting money.

In Parliament, the Opposition has raised many questions on the operation of these by-pass and it is clear that pedestrians would be at the mercy of the bandits, and blackout periods would be ‘lotto’-- free for all.

The construction of all these pedestrian over-passes was just not done properly; they were not thought out, and for sure, people will be correct to resist the Government’s decision in this respect.

The situation in reality is that citizens would not walk to these overpasses if they are positioned out of reach (perhaps more than 30 metres) from one’s access. Mini-buses and taxis will still stop to pick up passengers, and these monuments will be more obstacles than solutions. Many have opined that Government should have instead built roundabouts and vehicle over-passes. It is rational to believe the latter will certainly expedite the heavy vehicular traffic, particularly at peak time in the mornings and the evenings.

The traffic congestion on the East Bank of Demerara when the Harbour Bridge

retracts and in the early morning and the evening is a nightmare for the commuters. On the other hand, the potholes and impassable roads are also a tremendous burden on our people. A solution that must be expedited is the construction of roads connecting the East Coast and the East Bank, which was being advanced during the PPP/C Administration.

It is known that in the 2017 budget, G$400,000,000 was the voted provision for the road projects, and the APNU/AFC, with no work to show, came to the Parliament and bullied their way to get a further $57,077,500. More tax-payers’ money for the same road work that is still to commence!!

It is notable that many residents refused to attend their stake-holders meetings because they do not have any confidence in APNU/AFC Ministers. The people are confident that these pedestrian over-passes will all be failures. We demand the Local Government Commission now!!!

Neil Kumar

Vital reform needed in our penal system Dear Editor, I think we should all look at the recent disaster with the destruction of the Camp Street Prison and subsequent escapes of convicts, as we human beings should always view any problems that we encounter in our lives with a deep examination of the conditions and events that may have been the real causes of this fiasco.

I have always posited that the system by which criminals are incarcerated for some wrongdoing should be one more geared towards the purpose of reform of these unfortunate members of our society, rather than punishment. We must realise that criminals are a product of our own society, and together we have a bounden obligation to attempt to get them back on the path to becoming useful and successful members of this society.

The connection I make with this and the destruction of the prison is that the present culture of punishment of wrongdoers must say to all those involved in their incarceration that their duty lies in making this as drastic as possible. This approach must surely result in

inmates becoming more and more aggrieved and desperate to escape at all costs, as well as more hardened in their evil ways. This may be seen as in sharp contrast to a situation where they are treated humanely and can clearly see that they are being taken on the road to reform into useful citizens, and treated as potential contributors to our development.

If we, who feel that we are above these unfortunates, lack the will and the ability to implement this system of reform, then we will have to suffer the consequences -in more unrest in these institutions, and the absence of more and more citizens to help in our nation’s progress; and, at the same time, effecting a drain on our scarce resources, with much-needed funds going towards their upkeep and supervision, as well as continuing the grave risk of disasters like this one.

Please let us use our inborn feelings for our fellowmen and this recent debacle to start on the road to this vital reform in our penal system.

Yours sincerely, Roy Paul

Prison destruction...

They can find money to set-up numerous Commissions of Inquiry, which recommendations are promptly ignored, as in the case of sugar.

Yet they abandoned the many aspects of the security reform measures started by the PPP/C Administration, even though those were de-

signed to keep our people safe.

This regime has failed the Guyanese people in every sector. The recent tragic events in our prisons are just another example.

Unfortunately, they are a tragic and expensive example that stands out as a

from page 4

monument to the APNU regime’s incompetence.

The Government must re-examine their attitude to crimes and criminals, so that a July 9, 2017 should not occur again.

Donald Ramotar Former President

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Foundation

Survive your difficult family by being calm – 8 skills for handling any family situation

By Eric R Maisel, PhD

I

t is hard for us to achieve calmness.

This is true because we may experience lifelong agitation as a result of early adverse experiences, because all human beings regularly experience anxiety and also because we have a brain that naturally races.

You’re probably aware of the role that anxiety plays in our difficulties with calmness and you may also be aware of the lifelong negative effects of early trauma. But you may not be aware that our brain is built to do a certain sort of work and never really stops doing it, even for much of the time that we sleep or try to sleep.

This racing brain of ours interferes with our ability to maintain calmness. It is hard to be calm or remain calm if your brain is racing along, intent on thinking about something.

No doubt you would love to be able to deal with the difficulties in your family life calmly. Yet calmness is hard to attain, because anxiety is part of our nature, because this racing brain of ours is also part of our nature, because the challenges of living agitate us, distract us, and unsettle us, because we get in the habit of countenancing thoughts that rattle us, and for many other reasons as well. And even if we do manage to attain calmness in one part of our life – say, during our meditation practice or while walking in nature –that same calmness may prove elusive or unavailable when we step into our family circle and must deal with the problems that are making family life feel so difficult. We have two truths to reckon with: that calmness is hard to attain; and that it is hardest to attain when we need it the most.

Fortunately there are many strat-

egies and techniques available to you that can help you achieve and maintain a reasonable level of calmness. There are breathing techniques; relaxation techniques; cognitive techniques; detachment techniques; reorienting tech-

Part 2 The simplest – and a quite powerful – anxiety management technique is deep breathing. By stopping to deeply breathe (five seconds on the inhale, five seconds on the exhale) you stop your racing mind and alert your body to the fact that you wish to be calmer.

Cognitive self-help

Changing the way you think is a powerful anti-anxiety strategy.

You can do this straightforwardly by 1) noticing what you are saying to yourself; 2) disputing the selftalk that makes you anxious or does not serve you; and 3) substituting more affirmative, calming or useful self-talk. This three-step process really works.

Mindfulness practices

Meditation and other mindfulness practices that help you take charge of your thoughts and get a grip on your mind can prove very useful as part of your anxiety management programme. The better you grasp the idea that the contents of your mind make suffering and the better job you do of releasing those thoughts, the less you will experience anxiety.

Guided imagery

Guided imagery is a technique where you guide yourself to calmness by mentally picturing a calming image or a series of images. You might picture yourself on a blanket by the beach, walking by a lake, or swinging on a porch swing. First determine what images actually calm you by trying out various images in your mind’s eye; then, when you’ve landed on some calming images, bring them to mind when you’re feeling anxious.

Disidentification and detachment techniques

A great way to reduce your experience of anxiety is by learning to bring a calm, detached perspective to life and by turning yourself into someone whose default approach to life is to create calm rather than drama and stress. You do this in part by affirming that you are different from and larger than any transitory part of your life: any feeling, any thought, any worry, any regret. By taking a more philosophical and detached approach to life, you meet life more calmly.

Reorienting techniques

You can consciously reorient yourself away from your anxious thoughts and toward a more neutral stimulus. For example, if you’re a performer, instead of focusing on the audience entering the concert hall, you might reorient yourself toward the notices on the bulletin board in the green room, paying them just enough attention to take your mind off the sounds of the audience arriving. (Excerpt from psychologytoday. com)

to be continued

Incanting

A variation on strategies one and two is to use them together by “dropping” a useful cognition into a deep breath, thinking “half” the thought on the inhale and “half” the thought on the exhale.

Incantations that might reduce your experience of anxiety include “I am perfectly calm” and “I trust my resources.” Experiment with some short phrases and find one or two that, when dropped into a deep breath, serve to calm you.

Physical relaxation techniques

niques (turning away from the stimulus that is agitating you); mindfulness techniques; discharge techniques (like “silently screaming” to release anxiety); and many more.

The following are some anxiety management techniques that you might want to try:

Deep breathing

Physical relaxation techniques include such simple procedures as rubbing your shoulder and such elaborate procedures as “progressive relaxation techniques” where you slowly relax each part of your body in turn. Doing something physically soothing can prove really useful to help you calm yourself.

B

en had just started eating his lunch when his mom noticed him trying to scratch an itch in his mouth. After he vomited and began wheezing, his mom took him to the doctor. Ben was diagnosed with a food allergy — in this case, to peanuts.

Along with milk, eggs, soy, wheat, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish, peanuts are among the most common foods that cause allergies.

Learning how to recognize an allergic reaction will help you get your child the medical care needed if a reaction occurs. If your child has already been diagnosed with a food allergy, it's important to know: how to manage your child's dietary needs what emergency preparations to make in the event of an allergic reaction

About food allergies

With a food allergy, the body reacts as though that particular food product is harmful. As a result, the body's immune system (which fights infection and disease) creates antibodies to fight the food allergen, the substance in the food that triggers the allergy.

The next time a person comes in contact with that food by touching or eating it or inhaling its particles, the body releases chemicals, including one called histamine, to "protect" itself. These chemicals trigger allergic symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, or cardiovascular system. These symptoms might include a runny nose; an itchy skin rash; a tingling in the tongue, lips, or throat; swelling; abdominal pain; or wheezing.

People often confuse food allergies with food intolerance because of similar symptoms. The symptoms of food intolerance can include burping, indigestion, gas, loose stools, headaches, nervousness, or a feeling of being "flushed." But food intolerance: doesn't involve the immune system can be caused by a person's inability to digest certain substances, such as lactose can be unpleasant but is rarely dangerous According to the Food Allergy Research and Education network (FARE), 1 in every 13 children in the United States under age 18 have food allergies. They are less common in adults but, overall, food allergies affect millions of people. (Excerpt from kidshealth.org)

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thursDAY, july 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 9 flood woes

Rupununi farmers now assessing damage

…almost all farms in North and South destroyed

By Lakeram Bhagirat

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everal Toshaos in the Rupununi area are reporting that most of the village farms have been destroyed and they are worried about the economic implications it will have on the villages. Meanwhile, the water continues to rise in the North Rupununi area, cut-

their plantain and cassava farms.

At the beginning of the month, several communities in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) have come under water owing to heavy rainfall in the areas as well as in neighbouring Brazil. As a result, the Takutu and Rupununi Rivers overtopped their

Commission (CDC) continues to monitor the situation. The preparedness and response manager of CDC, Major Shawn Welcome has been deployed to the Region to guide and give technical support to the regional bodies. The CDC has since taken sanitary flood relief items in for the flood victims – bleach, mops, and disinfec-

A section of a washed-away road in the Region

because the rain is falling in Aishalton and you can’t cross the Rupununi;

The flooded Takutu River

ting off access to some villages.

The villages of Moco Moco (Central); Parikwarenawau (South); Aishalton (Deep South); Kumu (Central) and Karaudarnauwau (Deep South) have reported that the floodwaters destroyed

banks cutting off access from Lethem to several of the remote villages. Over 40 households, from the Tabatinga, Culvert City, St Ignatius and Lethem areas had to be evacuated due to the high water level.

The Civil Defence

tants.

Regional Chairman Brian Allicock said the water in Central Rupununi continued to recede rapidly. However, in North and South Rupununi, it is rising and falling rapidly.

“The water is coming back

the creeks are already up.

Access is cut off in some areas and the water had ris-

en two feet in some areas,” Allicock related. turn to page 14

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thursDAY, july 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Vendor charged for attempted murder gets $150,000 bail

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vendor was on Wednesday granted bail in the sum of $150,000 when he made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the indictable charge of attempted murder.

Curt Joseph, of 116 Guyhoc Park, Georgetown, was not allowed to plead to the indictable charge when it was read to him by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The charge against him alleges that on June 18, 2017 while in Tucville, Georgetown , he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Tavel December with the intent to murder him.

On the day of the incident, Joseph, along with the Virtual Complainant (VC), were said to be playing football at the Tucville ball field when an argument ensued between the two.

The prosecution revealed

that the argument became heated, which resulted in the defendant taking out a knife that was on his person and stabbing the VC to his chest.

December was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he underwent surgery and upon recovery was released.

Attorney Michael Summersault successfully petitioned for bail to be granted to the accused on

the ground that he was not previously convicted of any crime. He also stated that his client was not a flight risk.

Bail was granted on the conditions that the defendant must not go within 50 feet of the VC. He is also required to make weekly reports to the East La Penitence Police Station.

Joseph is scheduled to make his next court appearance on August 7, 2017.

Minister Cummings, Prison Director visit warden injured during riot

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inister within the Public Health Ministry , Dr Karen Cummings and Director of Prisons (ag), Gladwin Samuels on Wednesday visited Hubert Trim, one of the prison wardens injured in Sunday's riot at the Georgetown Prison at Camp Street.

According to information reaching this newspaper, Trim was badly beaten and chopped several times about his body and thrown through a window during the prison unrest.

One of his colleagues, Odinga Wickham, succumbed to his injuries.

Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings and Director of Prisons (ag), Gladwin Samuels visited prison warden Hubert Trim

Empty promises…

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…on life and death

ow that the smoke has cleared around Camp Street, it’s quite clear the dust hasn’t settled and won’t for a long time. Yet nobody will be given the old heave-ho, that’s for sure!

It was a pathetic sight to behold those who were responsible for the prison walking around with their protruding bellies, pointing out authoritatively this and that to the President, as if explaining the whole sordid fiasco! And the “explanation’? “It was an accident waiting to happen”!!

An “accident” is when a mishap occurs with absolutely no warning. Here there was solid info floating around that a prison break was in the offing. A whole lotta people ignored or ducked these warnings. Maybe there ought to be a CoI to find out why? Was it bribes exceeding the quotidian ones necessary to supply the prisoners with phones and other items essential for modern times?

And so we’re told that all that ails the penal system will now be fixed! Yeah, right!! Your Eyewitness won’t even bring up the vexed question of why the recommendations from last year’s CoI weren’t even assigned to a task force - much less implemented.

NO, he won’t go there. He has a simpler test for the Government: to show the Guyanese people that this time things will be different. Just level about the number of convicts who’re on the loose; and, more importantly, nab them!

Does anyone in the Government appreciate the apprehension paralysing Guyanese people right now?

It’s like a return to the days of the Buxton gang! The ineptness of those in charge of the “Big Jail” is so palpable after they were shown up by just half-a-dozen criminals, even petty criminals out there have been emboldened. Witness the brazen but well-coordinated daylight attack on that bus in front of Agricola-McDoom.

At least 8 bandits are loose; Agricola’s probably the most bandit-infested village in Guyana - and the police didn’t place a cordon around it? Schuups! And three hours after the murder of that poor bus driver just trying to make an honest buck - troops run around Agricola firing indiscriminately -hitting one poor woman in the buttocks!! What a comedy of errors!!

Going into the last elections, if it was one thing the Coalition had going for them was their supposed better handle on the “security” question. With their top candidate being a Brigadier and half of the folks around him all be-medalled, that wasn’t surprising. Especially since the PPP never commanded the loyalty of the Disciplined Forces.

But they’ve blown that perception, haven’t they??

Like Humpty Dumpty, let’s see them put that together again!!

…on treating prisoners

Your Eyewitness was struck by one line from a warden when interviewed about the events leading to the Camp Street conflagration. She said it was around 3pm - “feeding time” for the inmates. Not “lunch” or “dinner” or “mealtime” - but “feeding time”. Maybe your Eyewitness is reading too much into it, but don’t we use ‘feeding time” when talking about animals?

“Feeding time” for the cattle or the ducks or the hogs.

But inmates?

From the Report of the CoI into the last conflagration, it was clear the inmates were in fact treated like animals - and feral ones at that. Now, maybe if we were dealing with all hardened, convicted killers, that may be OK but at least half of the inmates were on remand!! They hadn’t even been given a trial. And for all we know, they could’ve been innocent!

All studies show that, almost invariably, the way you treat people, they’ll act to fulfil your expectations. So last Sunday the “animals” rebelled?

…on feeding time?

But looks like things became worse for the inmates after they were transferred to the Lusignan Jail. “Feeding time” came and went and no food.

The “animals’ had to lasso a cow, slaughter and eat it. It was unclear if they cooked it.

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

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THURsDAY, july 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

10 names shortlisted for 3rd GECOM list – nominee fears public humiliation

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he Opposition has commenced the process of preparing a third list of nominees for the post of Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to be submitted to President David Granger. At least ten persons have been shortlisted so far, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has revealed.

Jagdeo told media operatives on Wednesday that the list will be further reduced to six before it is submitted, but hinted that there might be some difficulty finalising that list. According to him, one of the ten persons shortlisted has already indicated a reluctance to be nominated, because of fear of public humiliation.

“So I will now have to talk one-on-one with those people. So, over the course of the next few days, I will do that,” Jagdeo said, explaining that he could not say definitively whether the list would be submitted to the President anytime soon, because he would need to give the proposed nominees some time to think things over.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

“I have to go through the process, meet people and talk to them. Some of them say to me, ‘We have to talk to our family’. So, I can’t say, ‘I need a word from you immediately,’ or call you to a meeting and say, ‘Will you agree to your name going on the list?’ They would say, ‘Can I get a few days to meet and talk with my family?’ It’s not a process you could almost short cut,” he stated.

Asked whether names from the previous two lists could be included in the third

one to be submitted to the President, Jagdeo confirmed that this would most likely not happen. “If I do, then that could be another excuse by the President to say, ‘Look, he is being provocative’,” the Opposition Leader added.

President Granger had rejected the second list of nominees on the basis that it was “unacceptable” in accordance with Article 161 (2) of the Constitution. The first list submitted by the Opposition was also rejected on that very basis, but with no detailed reason given.

The six nominees for the second list were: retired Justice of Appeal BS Roy, retired Justice William Ramlall, Attorney and former Magistrate Oneidge WalrondAllicock, Attorney Kashir Khan, Attorney Nadia Sagar, and Captain Gerald Gouveia.

Jagdeo had, in respect to the now rejected list of nominees, posited that “one (1) is a former Judge of the Court of Appeal of Guyana; one (1) is a former Judge of the High Court of Guyana; three (3) are Attorneys-at-law with over

President David Granger

ten (10) years of good standing at the Guyana Bar; and one(1) is a former Magistrate, and therefore qualified to be Judges of a Court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in Guyana, in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana; and one (1) is a former Captain of the Guyana Defence Force, a Pilot, and a Businessman and Entrepreneur.”

The first list included names like: Governance and Conflict Resolution Specialist Lawrence Lachmansingh; Attorney-at-Law and

26% decrease in road accidents

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he number of road traffic accidents in Guyana has declined by 26 percent in the first six months of this year as compared to the same period last year, according to Police Traffic Chief Dion Moore.

Moore, in an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI,) said the Force recorded 824 traffic accidents in the first six months of 2017, compared to the 1,120 recorded for the same period last year.

He said that of the 824 traffic accidents recorded so far for this year, 168 were serious; 240 were minor; and 48 were fatal, resulting in 51 deaths, one of which was a child. Of the 1,120 accidents recorded for the same period in 2016, serious accidents accounted for180 of those accidents; 295 were minor and 65 were fatal, which resulted in 64 deaths, of which four were children.

The Traffic Chief attributed the reduction in the various categories to the Force’s several awareness campaigns and security steps, which are running simultaneously with the National Road Safety Action Plan, 2017-2019.

Moore explained: “There is the daily road safety talks on the radio still ongoing. We also have the

Law Enforcement and You on NCN (National Communication Network), (of) which traffic (issues) play a major part.”

The National Road Safety Plan 2017-2017 was launched on May 03, 2017, and is aimed at assisting Guyana to meet the Decade of

Traffic Chief of the Guyana Police Force, Dion Moore

Action for Road Safety, 20112020 plan: to reach 50 percent death reduction by 2020.

Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram; businesswoman and former broadcast executive Rhyaan Shah; Retired Major General Norman Mc Lean; Business Executive Ramesh Dookhoo, and History Professor James Rose.

The President’s interpretation adumbrated that a current or sitting judge or someone eligible to be a judge in Guyana or the Commonwealth Caribbean is preferred to be appointed as Chairman of the electoral body. The Opposition’s contention, however, is that the Constitution clearly contemplates two categories of persons for the post: “Firstly, a High Court judge or an Appellate Court judge; a former High Court or Appellate Court judge, or a person qualified to be a High Court or an Appellate Court judge.

Secondly, or (disjunctive), any “fit and proper” person.

The President subsequently amended his position to include his ‘criteria’ that

the GECOM Chairman must not only be a Judge, but must not be an activist or member of any political party, among many other provisions.

Following the rejection of the second list, a consultation was held between Jagdeo, Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman, former AttorneyGeneral Anil Nandlall and PPP/C Parliamentarian Irfaan Ali. It was agreed that in the event that the third list is rejected by the President, a high-level team would be established, representing the President and the Opposition Leader, to begin working instantaneously on exploring modalities to bring a resolution to the matter. However, there has been no word on this team.

GECOM has been without a Chairman since February 28, 2017, when Dr Steve Surujbally stepped down after 15 years at the helm.

(Samuel Sukhnandan)

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THURsdAY, july 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

White paper for improving country’s drainage A committee comprising personnel from the ministries of Communities, Agriculture, and Public Infrastructure are currently working on recommendations to craft a ‘white paper’ that would aid in addressing the critical drainage issues throughout Guyana.

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan has said that, six weeks ago, the President entrusted the three government ministries to craft this white paper, since the issue of drainage has become a critical one across Guyana.

The committee has already started working; and, so far, a preliminary paper has been prepared by

the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

Several options are listed therein, including an expanded role for the NDIA. Minister Bulkan notes that this initiative is necessary, since Regional Democratic Councils (RDC), Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC), and municipalities do not have the capacity, and are challenged to effectively manage drainage in their respective areas.

“I engaged all the RDCs, putting the policy paper before them and inviting their responses to the actions, and all of them favoured this recommendation. And it is clear (that they favour this recommendation) because they

recognise they don’t have the technical skills, capacity, resources and machinery to otherwise address the drainage in their regions,” Bulkan said.

Minister Bulkan noted that the RDCs, NDCs and Municipalities’ lack of resources is resulting in hardship and misery for many people, especially when there is severe flooding and no systems are in place to deal with it. He emphasised that the option recommended is one that would allow for an expanded role for a central authority, to be properly resourced by the Central Government to discharge this responsibility.

Several communities, in-

cluding communities along the Pomeroon River and communities in regions Six, Seven and Eight, have experienced severe flooding. This resulted in destruction of homes, farmlands and other

livelihoods.

Minister Bulkan has said that Government is working assiduously to ensure that this chronic drainage issue is resolved and flooding is a thing of past.

A white paper is an authoritative report or guide that informs concisely about a complex issue. It is meant to create understanding about an issue, solve a problem, or make a decision.

Potable water now accessible to Mabaruma villages

Managing Director of GWI, Dr Richard Van West-Charles, handing over one of the jerrycans to Nicholas Lewis, CDC Chairperson of Waikerbi

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esidents of several villages in Mabaruma now have access to potable water. The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has presented jerrycans to indigenous leaders at the Regional Toshaos and Community Development Council (CDC) Chairpersons Conference on Monday. The jerrycans are designed to instantly sterilize untreated water without the use of chlorine or the need to boil for consumption.

Three jerrycans were each given to the communities by Managing Director of GWI, Dr Richard Van-

West Charles. The villages which can now improve the quality of water they consume include Smith Creek, Black Water Savannah and Waikerbi.

CDC Chairperson, Leroy Ramit of Black Water Savannah, has said he is very thankful for the GWI’s efforts. “I am more than grateful for this, because, in our area, potable water… is very, very hard to get; and with the filters it will be better, especially for the youths, because during the dry season we get a lot of diarrhoea, vomiting, and water-borne diseases. So, I am thankful to GWI for this

step,” he expressed.

Sherman Lewis, CDC Chairperson of Smith Creek, also pointed out that the jerrycans would assist in preventing water-borne diseases from affecting communities.

“I think it would be very helpful to the community, because we (had) already received some filters from the Red Cross, and since then we did not have another situation with the diarrhoea. So this what we have now will be more helpful,” Lewis explained.

GWI representatives gave demonstrations to the leaders of the Indigenous communities on how to use the jerrycans. An additional 40 jerrycans are slated to arrive in Mabaruma on Tuesday.

These will be distributed to the 10 communities of Barima Koriabo, Black Water, Hobodia, Hotiquai, Imbotero, Red Hill, Three Brothers, Aruka Mouth, St. Dominics and Lower Kaituma.

The GWI Managing Director has said that plans are also in place to have a large filter placed in Mabaruma, so that more persons would have access to potable water.

According to a GINA report, the filter is expected to be installed as soon as Cabinet grants its approval.

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THURsDAY, july 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Relatives of Lusignan prisoners decry conditions at jail she turn and say: ‘We eat it,’ and she bused me,” a female relative of a prisoner claimed.

Another woman, whose nephew is a remand prisoner, echoed similar sentiments of disgruntlement.

She indicated that she also had experienced ill-treatment at the prison. She decried the manner in which the prison warden had inspected the sealed bottled

Relatives of the Lusignan prisoners as they gathered on Wednesday

The footage released online shows inmates showering together outdoors

By Shemuel Fanfair

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amily members of the prisoners relocated from the Camp Street penitentiary to the one at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara have on Wednesday decried the conditions that obtain at the Lusignan Prison, and have expressed disgust that the police have moved back the check-in point, thereby preventing them from seeing their loved ones. <<Guyana Times>> understands that the police have received instructions to limit the number of persons approaching the Lusignan Prison, includ-

ing media operatives. The relatives of the prisoners complain that they were standing in the sun for long periods, waiting to take in meals, water and toiletries for their incarcerated loved ones. A few who arrived in the early daylight hours were briefly permitted to pass the cordoned-off area.

They, however, allege that staff members at the penitentiary were rude, and that the inmates are being treated poorly.

“I put in food for me brother, and they had it on top the table baking in the sun, and when I go an asked the [female] prison warden where the food [is],

Police have moved back the check-in point, preventing some relatives from seeing their loved ones

water she had taken for her nephew, and alleged that the staff sniffed the liquid.

She called on prison staff to embrace professionalism.

“If they are the professionals, they’re supposed to behave in a professional manner to the public. We are the civilians. Show people some kind of respect; we have concerns because those people in there are our family and they are human beings,” the woman angrily stated.

Other relatives ex-

plained that their loved ones are sleeping in conditions filled with mud and water. It was noted that prisoners who did not partake in eating beef from

the cow that fellow inmates had slaughtered for meat were reportedly “left to suffer”.

Some family members told <<Guyana Times>> that they want from prison officials answers regarding how long the prisoners would be forced to endure present conditions at the Lusignan Prison, and for how long prisoners would be incarcerated there. This newspaper was informed that there are insufficient beds for prisoners to sleep upon, while bed sheets are

going missing.

Of particular concern is the location of this East Coast Demerara facility. Some family members of prisoners said they have been travelling from as far as Parika, on the East Bank of Essequibo, and Yarrowkabra on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

They claim it is difficult to travel from such far distances only to be compelled to stand in the blazing midday sun, and still be disallowed from seeing their loved ones. turn to page 14

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THURsDAY, july 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

NWD man arrested Weight limits will result in following discovery exorbitant services – MP of gun in house Interior roads

…speaks of twice yearly road maintenance formula

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he complaints from truckers about the deplorable state of interior roads preceded Government’s declaration that weight limits would be imposed on vehicles traversing the interior.

The announcement is being greeted by worry that the additional cost would be passed onto customers.

Speaking specifically about the situation in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), Opposition Member of Parliament, Alister Charlie acknowledged that the roads were in a sorry state and trucks were one contributory factor.

“We’re looking at the roads specifically,” he said in an interview with Guyana Times while in Region Nine.

“Lethem is a beautiful place, but minus the roads. Our roads at this time are in a deplorable state. Trucks traversing along the roads in hinterland regions is one contributing factor to the deterioration of the roads.”

But noting Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson’s recent utterances that a weight limit will be imposed on all trucks traversing these roads, Charlie expressed worry that the measure would

The state of roads in Lethem

hamper the delivery of goods and services to those in need.

“Because we will see the escalation of prices, prices start to rise and everything goes with it. When we were in Government, we did road maintenance across this region, inclusive of the Lethem-Linden roads. We did road maintenance two times annually – one before the rainy season and one after.”

“We did not wait until the road was in such a deplorable state and then we go to fix it. The Minister (had) alluded that in August some road work would be done, but at this time it would not be feasible. So, we are facing a problem that might take us to year-end.”

Declaring that overweight trucks were chiefly responsible for wreaking havoc on interior roads in Guyana, Government had announced that moves would be made to amend the relevant laws in order to enforce weight limits on the roadways.

In fact, the legislative instrument to enable the change in the law is currently with the Chambers of the Attorney General for vetting. Three heavy-duty scales have already been procured, and Government will be moving to have them installed at key locations shortly.

Of the $2.3 billion allocated to the Public Infrastructure Ministry for

use on hinterland roads, some 82 per cent of those funds has been committed to contracts, with 43 per cent of the money committed to contracts having already been disbursed to contractors.

Patterson, who made his announcement at the beginning of the 67th Sitting of the National Assembly, was responding to People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Juan Edghill, who queried what measures were being put in place to address the plight of truckers moving goods and providing services to interior locations using roads such as the Linden-Lethem road link.

In presenting an update to members of the National Assembly, Patterson elucidated the damage done by overweight trucks traversing the interior roads, and pointed out that the pontoon at the Puruni crossing in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) was only recently damaged by a truck.

He explained that the limit for drums on a truck is 50, but that truck that damaged the pontoon at the time was carrying 130 drums of diesel.

A

46-year-old farmer of William Place, Baramita Village, North West District (NWD), was on Tuesday evening arrested following the discovery of a shotgun in his home.

Based on reports gathered, Police ranks acted on information and went to the man’s home about 20:30h and conducted a search during which the unlicensed single-barrel shotgun was unearthed.

He is expected to make his court appearance before the end of the week.

Only recently, Police stated that a total of 64 illegal firearms were taken off the streets up to the end of May, compared to 29 for the corresponding period last year.

These included 39 pistols, eight revolvers, nine shotguns, and eight rifles.

Twenty-seven of these firearms were found in A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank); five in B Division (Berbice); seven in C Division (East Coast); five in D Division (West Demerara), one in E Division (Linden-

The shotgun that was unearthed at Baramita, NWD

Kwakwani) and 19 found in F Division (Lethem and Interior Locations).

There was no firearm seizure in G Division during this time.

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THURsDAY, july 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Garbage collection resumes in Georgetown – M&CC seeking to acquire own garbage trucks by 2018

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evons Waste Management and Puran Brothers Disposal have resumed their garbage collection services across the city, following talks with the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green made the official announcement during a press briefing Wednesday at City Hall on Regent Street.

“I am happy to say that as I speak they have resumed duties, both contractors have resumed work,” Mayor Chase Green said.

The garbage collectors on Friday, June 7 pulled their service from Georgetown over the M&CC’s failure to pay them more than $300 million owed since 2015.

The Mayor explained that the M&CC was still in negotiations with both Cevons Waste Management

Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green

Director of Solid Waste, Walter Narine

and Puran Brothers Disposal towards working out a strategy for settling that outstanding debts.

She also said that the Council was taking steps to avoid having a similar disruption of garbage service in the future.

The Council will be seeking to boost its capacity to better deliver the service itself, the Mayor said.

“A team has been set up to look at all the details of our new plan into having our own garbage trucks, even if we start with one or two come 2018, so we can move forward in that direction,” she explained.

However, the Mayor noted that several things would have to be in place before this could happen.

Some of those things in-

clude the M&CC having their own workshop and employees to maintain their vehicles.

Director of Solid Waste, Walter Narine was also in agreement with the Mayor of the need for the city to strengthen its solid waste collection capacity.

“We do not foresee 10 to 15 years from now private contractors doing garbage collection for the city, because we have to save cost; we have employees and we are paying employees every month. So, I do not foresee that in the future,” he stated.

Additionally, the Solid Waste Director said persons were producing more garbage than the 45-gallon barrel worth per week.

Narine said this prompted a move by the M&CC to distribute garbage bins to households within the city. “What we are going to do to combat that; we are

City Hall, Georgetown, Guyana

hoping very soon to give each household an additional garbage bin so that they can store the refuse,” Narine stated.

The bins according to Narine, are available and will soon be distributed to every household in the city along with garbage bags.

Early-savers benefit from GBTI’s Annual Summer Camp Several participants spoke to this publication and expressed their delight at being a part of the beneficial summer programme.

“I really like this summer camp. Some things I’d

Participants are mesmerised by the folk tales of Alan Fenty

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he Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Incorporated (GBTI) has this year collaborated with Television Guyana’s “Kids today, Leaders’ tomorrow” to raise literacy awareness in Guyana.

GBTI’s Annual EarlySavers Summer Camp, which commenced on June 10, is in full swing at the bank’s recreational facility in Bel Air Gardens, Georgetown.

Public Relations and Marketing Manager Pamela Binda told Guyana Times that the camp is a beneficial programme geared at engaging participants in educational programmes in a non-formal setting, while enlightening them on Guyana’s rich folklore.

She related that the programme incorporates two segments, a literacy session and an arts and crafts session. Participants were enthralled by local folk tales narrated by Mr. Alan Fenty, who is a renowned playwright and story teller.

Binda urges members of the public to get on board

An eight-year-old artist illustrates his vision of the solar system

with GBTI. Who knows?

You may be the next lucky participant in next year’s summer camp!

“We encourage persons out there: If you don’t have an Early Savers Account, come with GBTI, sigh up with us and enjoy the myriad of benefits that we offer you,” she admonished.

Thirty active members of the Early Savers Club were randomly selected in two groups of 15 each, the first being between the ages of 7 and 11 and the other being between 12 and 15. The morning session is allocated for the younger group, while the latter group is engaged in the afternoon session.

like to learn are arts and craft, folk takes and folk songs. We also get to learn history of Guyana at this exciting camp, in the old age and in the present,” eightyear-old Akil Elcock artic-

ulated. The summer camp concludes on (Friday July 14) with a fair exhibiting artistic pieces prepared by the children during the course of the week.

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thursDAY, july 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Cow slaughtering at Lusignan jail

Weapons used snuck out from Camp Street Prison – Ramjattan

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video circulating on social media of transferred prisoners slaughtering and roasting animals to eat at the Lusignan Prison have raised concerns about the level of security at the East Coast Demerara facility.

Many questions have arisen about how the inmates were able to get their hands on weapons to kill the animal and materials to start the fire.

Having admitted knowledge of this particular incident, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan told Guyana Times on Wednesday that the weapons used by the prisoners were “snuck out” of the Camp Street jail on Sunday.

“Yes, that happened. They were desperate and there was a young cow and some sheep I believe, at the back there… But those knives and cutlasses and so on, they got them from raiding the weapon store at Camp Street. During the fire and in all the chaos, they slipped in the storeroom and workshop and stole those weapons,” he stated.

The Minister explained that the inmates hid the weapons as they were ushered out of the burning Georgetown facility on Sunday and subsequently transferred to the Lusignan Prison. According to Ramjattan, at the time of the transfer, the authorities were unable to conduct any searches on the prisoner since the main priority then was to “save lives” and get the prisoners to a “secure” location.

He went on to say that no searches were conducted since the transfer because they wanted the prisoners to settle in at their new location. Nevertheless, the Public Security Minister noted that each prisoner would be searched when they were relocated to the new section that has been built to accommodate them.

The construction of the

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

shed-structure comes in light of relatives complaining bitterly about the treatment of the prisoners who have been placed in a pasture at the Lusignan Backlands in makeshift tents made out of tarpaulins. This project is being undertaken by the Public Infrastructure Ministry and according to the subject Minister, David Patterson, the structure was about 80 per cent completed and was scheduled to be completed by the end of Wednesday, after which it would be handed over to the Public Security Ministry.

Minister Ramjattan told this newspaper that once the structure was completed, the prisoners would be transferred to that facility, where they would be better accommodated.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday chided the coalition Administration for its incompetence in handling the entire incident, especially the security aspect. In fact, he made reference to the video that was circulated on social media saying that the situation needed to be addressed instantaneously.

“It looks like one of these jungle survival reality shows and these things are unac-

Suspected ‘terror gang’ member on trial for murder

B

asil Morgan who was believed to have been part and parcel of a gang that carried out several terror-related crimes almost nine years ago has finally appeared in the High Court for trial.

Among the crimes the gang allegedly carried out was setting fire to a public building – the Supreme Court of Judicature’s Registry department. However, State Prosecutors opted to institute a murder charge only relative to the demise of Woddet Roberts, called “Buck Man”, who was killed during the course of a robbery between November 3 and November 4, 2009.

When the accused, Morgan appeared before Justice James Bovell-Drakes on Tuesday, he pleaded not guilty to murdering Roberts.

As such, a 12-member jury was empanelled to hear the case which is being led by Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy for

the State. Police said Morgan was part of the gang that robbed the now deceased man and stole a Toyota Tacoma vehicle along the LindenSoesdyke highway.

Morgan’s alleged accomplices, David Anthony Watson, called “Tupac”, Randy Mars, known as “Ratty”, and Jafar Simpson, were sentenced to 19 years’ imprisonment in April 2017 after pleading guilty to manslaughter for Roberts’ killing.

They were additionally sentenced for other terror-related crimes.

Meanwhile, gang leader Colin Jones admitted guilt for the 2009 terror acts and was sentenced to 80 years’ imprisonment for the offences he inflicted between 2009 and 2010.

Morgan’s trial continues before Justice Bovell-Drakes on Thursday. He is represented by defence counsel Lyndon Amsterdam.

ceptable too! If you have those conditions and they persist for long, then it would create a lot of dissatisfaction… Our security forces acted well; I am in support of our security Forces, but the Government has to give leadership. The Government needs to say what’s happening at the gymnasium or some other facility, take the people there, at least they will be in sheltered environment. You drop them like cattle in a pasture and then they’re gonna get worked up too,” Jagdeo stated.

On the other hand, acting Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, told the Government’s Information Hub on Wednesday that while they were doing their best to control the transferred prisoners, there were definitely some rogue ones making this task difficult. “We are still in the process of working very hard to establish proper control and order at the location.

While a lot of the prisoners are cooperating with us, there are some rogue elements amongst them. Efforts are being made to have that situation rectified,” Samuels said. The acting Prisons Director noted that among the measures put in place to better control the behaviour of the prisoners was the installation of a louder public address system so that messages and instructions could be clearly and effectively passed on to the inmates.

Many CoI recommendations implemented or ongoing – according to Prison Director

T

he acting Director of Prisons, Mr Gladwin Samuels, has refuted claims that there has been no follow-up on the recommendations arising out of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the last fire and unrest that occurred at the Georgetown Prison on Camp Street in 2016.

Mr Samuels has said that the issue is being addressed in steps, as for example staff shortage that was identified by the CoI. “As it relates to some of the recommendations made, we have gone on a recruitment drive, where our entry level is filled in terms of recruiting persons to assist in manning the prison,” Samuels noted.

According to a GINA release, Mr Samuels stressed, “A lot of the recommendations are a work in progress, and we have several consultancies going on right now that will serve to guide the implementation of some of the recommendations.”

He, however, explained that finances have been a major challenge to the implementation of some of the major recommendations coming out of the CoI. “There are some 40-odd recommendations that came out of the last Commission of Inquiry (CoI); and a lot of the major recommendations that came out require capital investment,

Director of Prisons (acting), Gladwin Samuels

which we are currently working on,” Samuels pointed out.

The CoI report cited the combination of overcrowding and uncomfortable and unhygienic confinement at the prison as having created the ideal conditions for epidemics, and for gangs to prosper and propagate discontent.

The CoI recommended reducing numbers in the prison to manageable levels as the single most important priority for establishing a safe, humane, and purposeful environment. Towards meeting this recommendation, the Government has commenced work to expand the Mazaruni Prison in Region Seven.

Government had injected over $350 million into expansion works at the Mazaruni

Prison to accommodate more inmates as part of efforts to address the overcrowding at the Camp Street, Georgetown prison.

Last year, seventeen prisoners in the Capital Section of this Georgetown Prison died as a result of an unrest started by the prisoners. That unrest also resulted in damage to several sections of the prison.

Most of what was the Georgetown Prisons has been destroyed by the events that unfolded on Sunday, July 09, after several fires were simultaneously started in multiple locations in the prison in a coordinated attack by the inmates.

The prisoners initially set fire to two locations of the prison, the Strong Cell Division and the Wooden Prison/ Condemned Division, but the fires quickly spread to other parts of the prison compound, and eventually gutted all the wooden sections of the facility.

Officials have confirmed that the fires were orchestrated by Mark 'Royden' Durant, who wanted to escape, and were meant to be distractions for his escape bid.

Following the fire, the authorities were forced to relocate the prisoners to the Lusignan Prison. Some of the prisoners were later moved to the Mazaruni and New Amsterdam Prisons.

Relatives of Lusignan prisoners...

Over the last few days, more than 60 inmates who had been charged with petty crimes have been granted bail and their released pending trial, but some relatives are up in arms over sentencing for smaller offences, saying that prisoners should be fined for certain categories of crimes.

A female relative of a

prisoner who has been sentenced to 18 months for stealing 4 articles of clothing and a mobile phone has said that her incarcerated family member should have been ordered to pay a fine instead.

Meanwhile, Oswald Benjamin, father of prisoner Larry Da Silva, has said it is unfair that his son has been remanded since February 9

for charges relating to a fight and subsequent escape from arrest. The father claimed that his son was lawfully released after three hours of interrogation, only to be picked up a few days later by police.

“They treating people like animals inside there. The authorities got to speed up and get the people children

out of this mess, it ain’t nice at all!” Benjamin expressed.

The Sunday afternoon fire has reduced the Camp Street jail to virtual rubble and has forced law enforcement ranks to transport inmates by truck loads to Timehri, Mazaruni and Lusignan, where the bulk is housed under tents, exposed to the elements.

Rupununi farmers now...

He explained that the roads in some parts were washed away and they were expecting more to follow suit.

Allicock said that Massara and Yakarinta villages were completely covered in water owing to the high water level in the Rupununi River.

He said the villages were now starting to assess the damage done to their farms and calculating their losses.

He added that the Region would be making efforts to assist the farmers to start over and ease the burden.

“We are not allowing the people (who we evacuated) to go back into the villages until the water starts to recede and stay that way.

There are no alarming cases of vomiting and diarrhoea, but we are monitoring the situation and we are getting reports daily,” the Regional Chairman informed.

When asked about the medical supplies to combat water-borne diseases

and other health issues that may arise due to the flooding, Allicock said that thus far, the Region has adequate drugs, but was still awaiting the promised supplies from the Prime Minister.

Eugene La Cruz from Karaudarnauwau Village in Deep South Rupununi said that the farms in the village were under water. He related that the farmers were sceptical about replanting in the event of another flooding.

“We don’t know how much damage we have right now, but the earth is soaked and we can’t plant back for now. The cassava and plantain rotting out and we won’t have anything to sell,” he related.

Since the beginning of the May-June rainy season, citizens were warned to expect higher than normal rainfall and to take the necessary precautions. However, since it began, several villag-

es have experienced major flooding and some were still trying to rebuild after the floods. The hard-hit communities were mostly limited to Regions Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and Eighty (Potaro-Siparuni) as the water washed away houses, but fortunately, there were no casualties.

One such village is Chenapau in Region Eight. Water levels in the Amerindian village rose to approximately 20 feet in some areas and the Potaro River remained flooded owing to the heavy rains the Region is currently experiencing.

The residents there are fearful of rebuilding since the threat of another flood is looming on the horizon. Roadways and access to the other zones in the village remain flooded.

Villagers are also accusing the Government of neglecting them since the water re-

from page 11

from page 7

ceded from their lands.

They complained that following the initial relief supplies, the Government has yet to offer any additional supplies to the community as they are still battling to recuperate. Farms in the village were washed away and residents were finding it difficult to restart.

Several weeks ago, access to Aishalton, Region 9 was cut off when the Kabanawau Creek overtopped its banks and flooded the area. The bridge leading into Aishalton was flooded, cutting off access to the village for several hours.

Just a couple of weeks ago, several communities along the East Coast of Demerara and in Georgetown reported water levels over two feet in some areas. This was a result of heavy rainfall and poor drainage management/infrastructure in some areas.

thursDAY, july 13, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

“Tea cups and saucers” from the bin W

How a businessman makes money from used tires

ould you hold something worth at least $4000 and throw it away? Well, that is what many of us do, but a budding businessman of the Corentyne – Quacy Smartt refuses to do so. He is turning garbage into money.

Known as the “Plant Pot Man”, this entrepreneur who lives at Ulverston, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) is doing one of the most responsible

things that we can all do to help save our environment by recycling: he is recycling vehicular tires to make plant pots.

These fashionable designs have made him the envy of others who tried their hands at the same business.

The difference is that Smartt uses his skill as an artist coupled with his determination to make a success out of the business.

It all started in 2014

when a friend sent a picture of a bin made out of used car tires.

“Me and my friend were chatting online and he was telling me how he see some stuff made out of tires and how they look good, so he send me a picture of them,” he explained.

“I have some friends like me, that like the things that are close to nature…”

The young man said he fell in love with the picture of

Business News

Brazil’s Senate passes unpopular labour reforms

T

he Senate passed an unpopular overhaul of Brazil’s labour laws on Tuesday night, a move that was crucial for embattled President Michel Temer to show he has political support while trying to survive damaging corruption allegations.

Opposition Senators had tried to block the vote with

a sit-in at the President’s rostrum, but the session resumed after a six-hour delay and in a vote on the measure’s initial reading, the body voted 50-26 in favour.

The bill is part of a programme being pushed by Temer that he says will get the economy going again.

Senators allied with the President did not take the

opportunity to speak in favour of loosening work rules and other changes in the overhaul, which opinion polls indicate is widely unpopular with Brazilians.

“The Brazilian people know that this reform will not bring jobs,” said Humberto Costa, leader of the Opposition Worker’s Party.

Tech firms protest proposed changes to US net neutrality rules

F

acebook Inc, Twitter Inc, Alphabet Inc and dozens of other major technology companies protested online on Wednesday against proposed changes to US net neutrality rules that prohibit broadband providers from giving or selling access to certain Internet services over others.

In support of the

“Internet-Wide Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality”, more than 80,000 websites - from big social media platforms like Facebook to streaming services like Netflix and matchmaking website OkCupid – are displaying banners, alerts, ads and short videos to urge the public to oppose the overturn of the landmark 2015

net neutrality rules.

Net neutrality is a broad principle that prohibits broadband providers from giving or selling access to speedy Internet, essentially a “fast lane”, to certain Internet services over others. The rule was implemented by the Obama Administration in 2015. (Al

Jazeera)

Market statistics Cambio Rates

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

Calculated at 94% purity, July 12, 2017

Selling

GBP

$264.85

$268.22

CAN

$159.23

$161.08

USD

$205.98

$208.44

$ 235.81

$238.83

EURO

USD

$1243.50

Gross

$242,626

Net

$225,643

Indicators as on July 5, 2017 Indicators

US$ per barrel

Crude Oil

$47.52

Price

USD

Rough Rice

$261.21/ton

London Sugar

$402.20/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change %

+1.35 Change %

-1.26 -0.69 USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1219.00

$1220.00

Low/High

$1212.90

$1226.30

Change

-1.00

-0.08%

Business Concept – Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

Standardised method of quoting the effective interest rate (actual cost of credit) on consumer loans, specially where interest is computed on monthly or other non-annual basis. An APR includes all fees (except penalties), and takes into account the continual reduction of principal amount through amortisation. (Business Dictionary)

the bins. He challenged himself to make one. However, bins were not something Smartt thought many persons in his community would like, so he tried to make plant pots and came up with the tea cup and saucer design; a design which viewers immediately took a liking for.

His first customer was his sister-in-law after she saw the first two pairs of tea cup and saucer plant pots.

The budding businessman was able to rake in $15,000 from four tires which were waiting on the next garbage truck to be taken away to the dumpsite.

In 2015, the business kicked off; now the young man has his hands filled as he tries to keep up with his orders. He explained that most of the time is spent on designing the tires (plant pots and saucers).

The plant pots come in different designs: cars, ducks,

birds and snakes. Smartt said that he could also make swings, birds and much more designs, reflective of a person who loves nature and is cre-

ative.

“Last year for the (Guyana) 50th anniversary, I gave a 50th design to the Youth, Sports and Culture Minister and I have had many requests for that design after that.”

Smartt is of the belief that just as he has been able to start a business by recycling tires, many who claim to be unemployed can do something similar.

“We all born with five senses; we could do so much.

You just have to think higher all the time,” he said.

Smartt can be contacted on email address Quacysmart299@gmail. com or on 673-6215.

The entrepreneur said most of his orders are made via social media, particularly Facebook.

He says he has been doing deliveries all over Berbice.

Investors’ Guide

Dow sets record-high close; Fed signals gradual rate hikes

T

he Dow rose to a record-high close while US stocks kept their upward momentum Wednesday following Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's congressional testimony to gradually raise interest rates.

Yellen's speech was a nod to Wall Street as the Fed signalled it would gradually tighten policy and gradually unwind its massive balance sheet. A neutral interest rate level refers to one that neither encourages nor discourages economic activity.

Investors cheered Yellen's dovish tone, alleviating some concerns over the recent dip in inflation.

"People were worried about her coming out more hawkish. She said exactly what the market expected and that's why the market was happy with it," said Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer

at Cornerstone Financial Partners, based near Charlotte, North Carolina.

The rate-sensitive S&P 500 real estate index was among the strongest in the benchmark index, posting a 1.3 per cent gain, its biggest one-day percentage gain in about four months.

Technology shares also rose sharply, with the tech index also up 1.3 per cent.

The dovish sentiment from the Fed at the same time put the S&P 500 financials, which tend to benefit from higher rates, last among sectors, ending with just a gain of 0.1 per cent.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 123.07 points, or 0.57 per cent, to close at 21,532.14, a record high. The Dow also hit an intraday record.

The S&P 500 gained 17.72 points, or 0.73 per cent, to 2443.25 and the Nasdaq Composite added 67.87 points, or 1.10 per

cent, to 6261.17.

An index of airline stocks was up 2.3 per cent after the number one US airline, American Airlines Group Inc, reported quarterly results that beat expectations and its shares rose 4.2 per cent.

Delta Air Lines Inc, United Continental Holdings Inc, Alaska Air Group Inc, Spirit Airlines Inc and JetBlue Airways Corp stocks also gained at least one per cent each.

Delta Air Lines is due to report results today. On Friday, reports from three of the biggest US banks – JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Citigroup – are expected.

Stocks held their gains after the Fed's latest Beige Book report showed that the US economy grew at a "slight to moderate" pace over the last several weeks across all regions. .

(Reuters)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, july 13, 2017

Regional

PM orders audit of Brazil’s ex-President Lula Jamaica Ministers’ cellphone expenses after convicted of corruption multimillion-dollar phone bill F P

ormer Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been convicted of corruption charges and sentenced to nine and a half years in prison.

The Judge ruled he could remain free pending an appeal.

Lula has rejected claims that he received an apartment as a bribe in a corruption scandal linked to state oil company Petrobras.

He says the trial is politically motivated and has strongly denied any wrongdoing. The case is the first of five charges against him.

Lula served eight years as President until 2011 and has expressed interest in running again in next year’s elections for the left-wing Workers’ Party.

On Wednesday, a judge found him guilty of accepting bribes from engineering firm OAS in the form of a beachfront apartment in return for his help in winning contracts with the state oil company.

The head of the Workers’ Party, Senator Gleisi Hoffmann, hit out at the ruling, saying it was de-

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva faces five different corruption trials

signed to stop Lula standing for office. She said the party would protest against the decision.

The BBC’s Katy Watson in Rio says Lula remains a popular politician and the sentence will deeply divide Brazil. The charges Lula faces all relate to the Car Wash scandal, the nickname for Brazil’s biggest ever corruption probe. Operation Car Wash was launched three years ago amid escalating public anger over political corruption.

The investigation centres on firms that were allegedly offered deals with Petrobras in exchange for bribes, which were funnelled into

politicians’ pockets and party slush funds.

Lula, a former steel worker turned union leader, came to office as the first left-wing leader in Brazil in nearly half a century.

He was Brazil’s most popular President during his tenure – former US President Barack Obama labelled him the most popular politician on Earth.

Unable to stand for a third consecutive term, he was succeeded by close ally Dilma Rousseff, who was later impeached. Current President Michel Temer also faces corruption allegations and is resisting calls for him to step down.(BBC News)

El Salvador media bill prompts ‘censorship’ claim

E

l Salvador’s Government has proposed a new bill which says the press should self-regulate to produce “non-violent” content and promote peace.

It is part of wider strategy to reduce the country’s murder rate, one of the world’s highest according to the United Nations.

Critics accuse the State of trying to censor the press.

But the Security Minister has justified the bill, saying the measures would be introduced to pro-

tect the population’s mental health.

The media clause is part of the proposed Law on the National System for the Prevention of Violence.

It was presented in Congress on Tuesday.

It says the press “should contribute to the promotion of the prevention of violence, tolerance and the culture of peace?(...) by seeking the ethical self-regulation of information and non-violent content”.

Most of the violence is caused by criminal gangs, known locally as maras.

The bill “does not contain any sanctions to the media of communication, and only talks of self-regulation”, said Justice and Security Minister Mauricio Ramírez Landaverde.

Opposition politician Patricia Valdivieso tweeted on Wednesday: “If it’s self-regulation, it does not have to be included in the law. Let’s not open doors to media regulation, because that’s where they hide gags for the press.”

Media bosses will be consulted, says the Government. (Excerpt from BBC News)

rime Minister Andrew Holness has ordered an audit of the cellphone bills of all Ministers and a cap on cell phone expenses, on the heels of a whopping J$8 million (US$62,612) bill racked up by Minister of Finance Audley Shaw.

He said the situation was unacceptable and had to be addressed immediately.

It was during a meeting of Cabinet Ministers that he called Tuesday to discuss and review the issue of communication costs and high cellular phone bills being incurred for roaming and data charges, that the Prime Minister ordered an audit of all cell phone bills of Ministers and State Ministers.

Coming out of the meeting, it was also acknowledged that there was no standard, clear and consistent policy being applied across Government regarding the treatment of communication expenses for Ministers and Ministers of State.

“The Prime Minister therefore directed the Ministry of Finance to review

Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness meeting with his Cabinet about communication costs and high cellular phone bills on Monday (Photo: JIS)

and report on the respective policies for the provision of communication services including cell phones, operating in the various Ministries.

This is to allow Cabinet to make a comprehensive decision on how communication services and expenses for Ministers are treated,” a Government statement said.

In the interim, the Prime Minister directed that cellular phone expenses be

capped.

The Ministry of Finance has been tasked to advise the Prime Minister, within a week, on the appropriate amount for the cap to be paid by each ministry for the Minister’s cellular phone bills. Any amount exceeding the cap would be the responsibility of the respective Ministers unless otherwise approved by the Permanent Secretary. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

New US regulations on Cuba to be announced in September

T

he Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Treasury Department is to publish new regulations on Cuba on September 15, according to a report on Monday from US-Cuba Economic and Commercial Council.

The announcement includes a timetable that marks 90 days after US President

Donald Trump’s June 16 speech in Miami announcing his change of policy towards Cuba.

After his speech, which has been widely condemned both inside and outside the US, Trump signed a presidential memorandum of national security on the strengthening of the US policy towards Cuba.

The document restricts travel to Cuba, creating bureaucratic barriers and the elimination of individual travel.

The memorandum also prohibits economic, commercial and financial transactions between US companies and Cuban entities linked to the armed forces and intelligence and security services.

As announced by the Cuban government in a recent declaration, the US is imposing additional obstacles to the already restrictive opportunities for US companies to trade or invest in Cuba.

On June 16, US federal entities published guidelines that outlined the changes including questions and answers on the new measures.

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Barbados PM given 48 hours to ease tax Commonwealth observers submit final squeeze or face national shutdown report on Cayman Islands elections

B

arbados is facing the possibility of a nationwide shutdown led by the island’s leading trade unions.

The Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU), the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) and the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) Tuesday gave Prime Minister Freundel Stuart 48 hours to respond positively to their demands for a reprieve from the austerity measures announced in the May 30 Budget, or they would take that action

The threat came after the leaders of the four unions had earlier aborted an attempt to hand-deliver their request in writing to the Prime Minister.

“We will give the Government 48 hours to respond to the request that we made and if we don’t have a favourable response we will do what we have to do as a trade union movement,” NUPW President Akanni McDowall told Barbados Today after addressing a gathering of members of the unions at Independence Square.

Earlier, an estimated 400 shop stewards and oth-

er members joined McDowall, BSTU President Mary Redman, BUT President Pedro Shepherd and BWU General Secretary Toni Moore in a walk from Queen’s Park, The City, to Independent Square.

From there, the four leaders made the trek to Parliament, where they expected to present Stuart, along with Opposition Leader Mia Mottley and Independent Members of Parliament Owen Arthur and Dr Maria Agard, with copies of the letter containing their demands. (Excerpt

from Caribbean360)

R

ecommendations to review election laws and further comply with international obligations have been made by the election observation mission (EOM) of six Commonwealth observers, led by Steve Rodan MLC, President of Tynwald (Isle of Man) in its final report on the May 2017 general election in the Cayman Islands.

The EOM, which was arranged by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association British Isles and Mediterranean Region (CPA BIMR), found that the elec-

tions met the international standards for democratic, genuine and transparent elections but offered recommendations, notably regarding voter and candidate’s eligibility criteria, constituency boundaries and the participation of women.

“In light of the mobility of the Cayman Islanders and the contribution of its expat community, it is important in any review of the Constitution Order to consider the requirements on the duration of residence,” Rodan said.

With regard to constituency boundaries, he commented: “Constituency boundaries should be further reviewed with the aim to achieve greater equality between the number of electors within each electoral districts.”

The mission also highlighted the low level of female candidates and elected members. This falls short of the Cayman Islands’ international commitments under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

thursDAY, july 13, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

FBI nominee: Russia Giant iceberg splits from Antarctic probe not witch hunt

O

D

onald Trump's pick to lead the FBI has rejected the President's depiction of a probe into alleged Russian meddling in the US election as a witch hunt.

"I do not consider Director Mueller to be on a witch hunt," Christopher Wray said about the former FBI director who is leading the special investigation.

Wray, 50, also told a Senate hearing he would quit if the president asked him to do anything illegal.

The last FBI director, James Comey, was fired by the US president on May 9.

The US President earlier on Wednesday tweeted: "This is the greatest Witch Hunt in political history. Sad!" Mr Wray told the Senate panel on Wednesday: "Anybody who thinks that I would be pulling punches as FBI director sure doesn't know me well.

"I will never allow the FBI's work to be driven by

Christopher Wray

anything other than the facts, the law, and the impartial pursuit of justice.

Period." The nominee said he was "very committed to supporting" the work of special counsel Robert Mueller.

Mueller, who was described by Wray as "a straight shooter", is a former FBI director who is now leading the special inquiry into alleged Russian at-

tempts to influence the 2016 US presidential election.

Wray also faced questions about emails belonging to Donald Trump Jr the president's eldest son - arranging a meeting with a Russian lawyer linked to the Kremlin.

The nominee told senators he was unfamiliar with the emails. (BBC)

Top US diplomat ends talks in Gulf; no sign Qatar crisis resolved

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson meets with the foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia July 12, 2017

U

S Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ended talks with Ministers from Saudi Arabia and three Arab allies on Wednesday over how to end a month-long rift with Qatar, but there was no immediate word of any breakthrough.

Tillerson returned to Kuwait, the mediator between the feuding Gulf countries, without making any statement on his talks in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah.

He had signed a US-Qatari accord on terrorism financing on Wednesday, but Qatar's oppo-

nents said it fell short of allaying their concerns. Any resolution of the impasse must address all the key issues for Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, a senior UAE official said before the talks in Saudi Arabia. The four countries imposed sanctions on Qatar on June 5, accusing it of financing extremist groups and allying with the Gulf Arab states' arch-foe, Iran. Doha denies those accusations. The four states and Qatar are all US allies. Tillerson met the foreign ministers to try to end the worst dispute in decades among the US-allied Gulf Arab states. He also met separately with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss cooperation in combating terrorism and its financing.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

ne of the biggest icebergs ever recorded has just broken away from Antarctica.

The giant block is estimated to cover an area of roughly 6,000 sq km; that's about a quarter the size of Wales.

A US satellite observed the berg on Wednesday while passing over a region known as the Larsen C Ice Shelf.

Scientists were expecting it. They'd been following the development of a large crack in Larsen's ice for more than a decade.

The rift's propagation had accelerated since 2014, making an imminent calving ever more likely.

The more than 200m-thick tabular berg will not move very far, very fast in the short term. But it will need to be monitored. Currents and winds might eventually push it north of the Antarctic

"I've had lots of brushes with death," said Mr Nadeau (left), "but death keeps ignoring me"

where it could become a hazard to shipping.

An infrared sensor on the American space agency's Aqua satellite spied clear water in the rift between the shelf and the berg on Wednesday. The water is warmer relative to the surrounding ice and air both of which are sub-zero.

"The rift was barely visible in these data in recent

weeks, but the signature is so clear now that it must have opened considerably along its whole length," explained Prof Adrian Luckman, whose Project Midas at Swansea University has followed the berg's evolution most closely.

The event was confirmed by other spacecraft such as Europe's Sentinel-1 satellite-radar system.

China dissident Liu's condition critical

C

hinese Nobel Peace Prize-winning dissident Liu Xiaobo is in critical condition and his breathing is failing, the hospital treating him said on Wednesday.

cancer.

Liu's kidney and liver functions are failing, and he suffers from blood clots, among other ailments, the hospital in the city of Shenyang said on its website.

Members of the Australian Tibetan community stand together as they hold placards during a candlelight vigil for the Chinese Nobel Peace Prize-winning dissident Liu Xiaobo

Liu, a prominent participant in the Tiananmen pro-democracy protests of 1989, was jailed for 11 years in 2009 for "inciting subversion of state power" after helping to write a petition known as "Charter 08" calling for sweeping political reforms.

He was recently moved from jail to a hospital to be treated for late-stage liver

However, Liu's family has declined the use of intubation machinery to help him breathe with the aid of a plastic tube in his windpipe, the hospital said.

"The patient is in a critically ill condition, the hospital is doing all it can to save him, and his family members understand the situation and have given their signatures,"

it added, without elaborating.

The announcement suggested a significant deterioration in Liu's health since early on Wednesday, when the hospital said he was being treated for worsening liver function, septic shock and organ dysfunction.

Rights groups and Western government have urged China to allow Liu and his wife, Liu Xia, to leave the country to be treated abroad, as Liu has said he wants to.

But the government has warned against interference in its internal affairs and has said Liu is getting the best care possible and is being treated by renowned Chinese cancer experts.

Liu's international counsel Jared Genser told Reuters that getting him out of China for treatment was a realistic possibility if approval was granted soon.

"But time is of the essence," he said. "Every moment that passes makes that possibility more difficult. But even a person who is extremely sick can be transported by Medevac, which has state-ofthe-art life support systems."

Genser said the United States has been engaged on the issue "up to the highest leaves of the government," but declined to elaborate.

Canadian father struck by lightning at daughter's wedding Refugees return to Syria from Lebanon

N

o one likes a dull wedding, but one father-of-the-bride's speech was a little too electrifying at his daughter's ceremony last weekend.

JP Nadeau was reportedly struck by lightning mid-sentence in his apple orchard in New Brunswick, Canada.

"And just as I told my new son-in-law 'You're a lucky guy' - Boom!" he told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Aside from a small scar on his thumb, Mr Nadeau says he was unscathed and

the wedding proceeded.

Storm clouds had gathered behind him at the ceremony on 8 July, he said, and his daughter saw lightning strike the ground nearby.

"I had the microphone and the shock jumped into the sound system and my hand just lit up and I saw the spark," he told the CBC. "And I'm looking at my hand and it's all flared upâ&#x20AC;Ś It was like I was holding a lightning bolt in my hand, it was amazing."

Everyone was stunned at first, but that didn't stop

the happy couple from continuing with the festivities.

"It was a beautiful wedding," Mr Nadeau's wife, Maggy Thomas, told the CBC. "But that was pretty terrifying for a second."

Mr Nadeau says he's a lucky-unlucky man in 2015, a cruise ship he was working on near the Falkland Islands caught fire, and he was rescued by the British Royal Air Force.

"I've had lots of brushes with death," said Mr Nadeau. "But death keeps ignoring me." (BBC)

A

convoy of refugees began leaving the Lebanese border region for Syria on Wednesday, a security source said, the second group to return under an agreement brokered by the Lebanese Shi'ite group Hezbollah.

The Lebanese army escorted around 250 people out of the border town of Arsal.

The refugees headed for the Syrian town of Asal al-Ward across the border, northeast of Damascus. A military media unit run by Damascus ally Hezbollah said the buses carried 60 families. An estimated 60,000 refugees are in Arsal.

It was the second batch of people to leave for their hometown across the border Arsal under the agreement, which Hezbollah arranged in indirect talks with the Syrian rebel group Saraya Ahl al-Sham, said an official in the alliance fighting in support of the Damascus government.

Hezbollah also coordinated with the Lebanese military and with the Syrian government separately, securing crossings for refugees who want to leave, the official said.

Several refugees told a Reuters photographer before a checkpoint manned

by Hezbollah fighters they

(Reuters)

were eager to go back to their hometown after several years in squalid, makeshift camps in the border town of Arsal.

"It's been three years and we haven't seen our families and relatives, said Abeer Mahmoud al Haj, in a van with her family members around her. "May God return everyone to his country, there is no better than Syria.â&#x20AC;?

Since early in the Syrian conflict, Hezbollah has backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, along with Iran and Russia, sending thousands of men to fight the mostly Sunni Syrian rebels. (Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, july 13, 2017

ARCHIE

Someone is likely to use deceptive tactics to get you to (March 21- agree to changes that will afApril 19) fect your status, home life or reputation. Use your intelligence and do your own thing.

ARIES

Compromise will be necesTAURUS sary in partnership matters.

(April 20- If you strive for equality, it May 20) will help you maintain a good working relationship that allows you both to prosper.

dilbert

Be careful whom you trust GEMINI (May 21- with personal information.

June 20) Keep your passwords and possessions in a safe place.

Use your charm and intelligence to outwit anyone trying to cross you.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

WORD GAME

Try something different.

Let your imagination wander and explore new possibilities.

Go on a retreat or an adventure and see where it leads.

Embrace new beginnings.

Keep your personal information, passwords and plans a secret. The less obvious you are, the easier it will be to get things done your way.

Sidestep pressure and maintain composure.

Emotional deception is VIRGO (Aug. 23- present, along with ulteriSept. 22) or motives. You’ll have trouble fitting in to unfamiliar situations. Step up and take charge instead of wallowing in the background.

Keep your business and LIBRA personal associates separate.

(Sept. 23Your intentions may be good, Oct. 23) but get don’t caught off guard or in the crossfire ensuing from an unstable situation.

Protect your interests.

SUDOKU

Avoid money problems SCORPIO by smartly handling your (Oct. 24investments and overhead Nov. 22) costs. Too much of anything will work against you. Gain experience before you engage in costly endeavors.

Question anyone offering SAGITTARIUS you something and asking for (Nov. 23- nothing in return. Opt to play Dec. 21) it safe and only take what you are willing to give back.

Protect your assets and possessions.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

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

Someone who is unlike the CAPRICORN people you usually associate (Dec. 22- with will capture your interJan. 19) est and inspire you to consider new options. Justify the financial or emotional expense before making a commitment.

Refuse to let anyone limAQUARIUS it what you can do. Speak up (Jan. 20and show discipline and the Feb. 19) ability to get things done, regardless of what others do or say. Emotional manipulation is apparent.

Self-deception and disilPISCES lusionment will get you into (Feb. 20March 20) trouble. Realistically look at whatever situation you find yourself in. Physical alterations will not turn out the way you expect or want.

THURsDAY, july 13, 2017

19

Wimbledon 2017

Majestic Federer outclasses Raonic to reach semis

R

Switzerland’s Roger Federer celebrates winning the quarter-final match against Canada’s Milos Raonic

oger Federer says the key to winning majors is making sure his average is as high as possible - every round.

There is nothing average about Federer, though, as he proved again on Wednesday by turning his 100th Wimbledon match into an exhibition of his magic, outclassing Milos Raonic 6-4 6-2 7-6(4) to reach the semi-finals for a record 12th time.

Murray loses to Querrey in 5-set quarter-final

D

efending champion Andy Murray appeared hampered by injury as he was knocked out of Wimbledon in the quarter-finals by Sam Querrey on Centre Court.

Querrey, 29, won 3-6 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 6-1 to become the first American man to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009.

Murray, 30, led by a set and a break but the Briton lost 12 of the last 14 games as he struggled physically.

An injury to Novak Djokovic means Murray will

Sam Querrey

remain as world number ings, but an elbow injubecome the first man to win one. the title eight times. ry saw him pull out in the Second seed Djokovic second set of his quarter-fi“I can’t believe it’s needed to win the title to re- nal against Tomas Berdych.

100 matches, it’s a lot but turn to the top of the rank- (BBCSPORT) I’m very happy my body has kept me going all these years,” said Federer who will face Berdych in Friday’s semi-finals.

“You have to make sure you average is as high as edia reports have emerged sugpossible every day and I gesting that West Indies batsman think I’m doing a great job Darren Bravo has finally deleted this week.” (REUTERS) a tweet in which he called the President of Cricket West Indies Dave Cameron ‘an idiot’. The move could pave the way for his return to the West Indies line up following his dismissal from the West Indies tour of Zimbabwe 10 months ago.

However, the player still has a lawsuit pending against the CWI for lost earnings following his dismissal from the November 2016 tour after the offending tweet went out.

CWI had requested that the tweet be was trapped at Parc des Princes, prompting deleted but the player refused. In a recent the midfielder to issue an apology and reafinterview he suggested that someone else firm his commitment to the capital outfit. posted the tweet which was made following Alves, who completed a free transfer to comments made by Cameron during an inthe club on Wednesday, wants the Italy inDarren Bravo ternational to stay at Parc des Princes to help terview on the Caribbean cable sports network show, The SportsMax Zone. them realise their ambition of adding the In response, a tweet went from from Cameron had said that Bravo was downChampions League to domestic silverware.

Bravo’s twitter account which read: “You When asked about Verratti, he told a graded to a ‘C’ retainer contract because his have been failing for 4 d last 4 years. Y don’t news conference: “I came here to play with batting average had dipped over the previ- u resign and FYI I’ve neva been given an A ous two seasons. him so, if he leaves, what would I do? contract. Big idiot @davec51.”

“It’s explicit that if your averages are not “This is my message to him: I hope he While the tweet remained online for the helps us achieve our dream. The more good above a certain level, it tells you what con- past few months, Bravo had not been considplayers we have, the more chances we’ll have tracts you get. His averages over the past ered for selection to the West Indies team. two years have been declining,” Cameron to achieve it.”

A check on his Twitter timeline yesterAlves turned down the chance to join Pep said. “So what do we do, reward poor perfor- day, however, revealed that the tweet had Guardiola’s Manchester City in favour of mance or do you encourage him to get bet- been removed, the Nation said. (Sportsmax) ter?”

Unai Emery’s side.

The 34-year-old says he was encouraged to move to the French capital both by the beauty of the city and the ambition shown by the club.

“It’s not just this magnificent city that has drawn me here; this great club’s ambitions are also very attractive,” he told PSG’s offiinancial concerns on Thursday. Among them Bahamas, so getting from cial website. and the upcom- are Turks and Caicos, St Kenya to Bahamas and “I really like the manner in which Paris ing Commonwealth Kitts, St Lucia, Puerto then competing would have Saint-Germain have marked footballing hisGames are primary reasons Rico, Jamaica, Guyana, been challenging for those tory and continue to want the same thing, signing big players and showing a lot of de- for Trinidad and Tobago Dominica Republic, Cuba, athletes,” Voisin said.

Additionally, this is the sire out on the pitch. It’s the sporting side of opting not to take part in Cayman Islands, Bahamas things that really made up my mind to come the ongoing World U18 and Antigua and Barbuda. last edition of the World Championships, National The twin-island republic U18 Championships. Given here.

“I have experienced a lot of different Association of Athletics has, however, opted to stay all those factors, we decid(NAAA) closer to home and focus on ed on the Commonwealth things in my life, and I think that the sum Administrations of all these experiences will help me bring secretary Dexter Voisin has the Commonwealth Youth meet instead.”

Games.

The ongoing edition of something to Paris Saint-Germain. There is revealed.

Twelve Caribbean coun“There was the cost fac- the championship will be a lot of talent in this team, be it the youngsters who want to keep growing or more se- tries are currently tak- tor in terms of funds avail- the last, with the IAAF ing part in the games able. Also, the same ath- moving its focus for the unnior figures.

“There is a good balance that, I’m sure, which began at the Moi letes would have gone der-18 age group to conwill take us a long way and allow us to International Sports to the Commonwealth tinental championships. achieve our objectives.” (Sportsmax) Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, Youth Games in Nassau, (Sportsmax)

The Swiss maestro, 36 next month, played his best tennis of the tournament to dismantle the big-serving Canadian - avenging last year’s semi-final defeat in stunning fashion.

With defending champion Andy Murray losing earlier on Centre Court to Sam Querrey and Novak Djokovic retiring with an injury against Tomas Berdych, Federer is now overwhelming favourite to

Offending Bravo tweet deleted – report

M

Alves urges Verratti to snub Barcelona for PSG stay

T&T avoided World U-18 Championships for Commonwealth Games

Marco Verratti

D

ani Alves has made clear what he thinks Marco Verratti should do when it comes to interest from his old club, Barcelona.

New Paris Saint-Germain signing Dani Alves has urged Marco Verratti to ignore interest from Barcelona and help the Ligue 1 side achieve their “dream”.

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu confirmed last week that they and Verratti were keen on a transfer, although PSG have been unwilling to hold talks.

Verratti’s agent suggested that his client

F

20 Tamim Iqbal plays down Chandimal to lead SL abrupt Essex exit in Tests, Tharanga in shorter formats B D GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thurSdAY, july 13, 2017

angladesh batsman Tamim Iqbal and Essex have determinedly played down the reasons for his abruptly abandoning a stint with the county, after allegations emerged that his wife was the victim of a racially-motivated incident in Stratford in east London.

ESPNcricinfo understands that a nervous Tamim reported an altercation to Essex Cricket on Monday, the day after his debut in a NatWest Blast match against Kent at Beckenham, and asked that his contract be terminated so the family could return to Bangladesh.

Essex immediately agreed to his request, and the county and player chose to play down the incident, with Essex’s chairman John Faragher and chief executive Derek Bowden overseeing a brief statement which requested that Tamim’s privacy be respected.

Essex have made no concerted effort to discover the nature of the incident and it is not thought that any official complaint has been lodged with the Metropolitan Police.

It is known that Tamim’s family was uneasy about the environment in London even before his arrival in England. Essex put his family up in a luxury apartment in Stratford at his own request - some 35 miles from their Chelmsford headquarters - after agreeing to an eight-match deal.

Terrorist attacks on the British mainland, in London and Manchester, have caused a marked increase in racial tension. Last week, through the Freedom of Information legislation, the Independent newspaper also obtained police fig-

inesh Chandimal has been named Sri Lanka’s new Test captain, after Angelo Mathews stepped down from the role in all formats on Tuesday. Upul Tharanga will take over in ODIs and T20s.

Chandimal had served as Mathews’ deputy and led the T20 team in the past, while Tharanga led the ODI team when Mathews had been injured.

Speaking at the press conference to announce the new captains, Mathews, who quit following the 3-2 ODI defeat at home to Zimbabwe, said: “Yes, there

Chandimal had also been a successful captain at school level, leading Ananda College to record number of outright victories in his senior year.

“I want to take this team and Sri Lanka forward, so I will put my heart and soul into the job,” Chandimal said after the announcement. “I’m very thankful to the job that Angie [Mathews] has done for us. Captaincy is not an easy job and he was an excellent leader for us over four-and-a-half years.

He’s also a terrific batsman and a match-winner for us, and I have huge hopes that he will continue to be one in

Tamim Iqbal ended up playing only one match for Essex © Getty Images

ures that showed an unparalleled rise in hate crimes of 23% compared to the previous year, in the 11 months after the UK voted to leave the European Union.

The arrival of Tamim’s family in the UK coincided with protests at Stratford train station against recent acid attacks and Islamophobia in east London. The anti-racism demonstration came after police confirmed that an acid attack in neighbouring Newham was being treated as a hate crime.

There have been conflicting reports, emanating from Bangladesh, about the exact nature of the incident involving Tamim, his wife Ayesha Siddiqa who often wears a hijab, and their one-year-old son - it is variously said to have occurred in a Stratford restaurant or while the family was on the street.

Tamim, meanwhile, was keen to keep his agreement with Essex and not make public his reasons for re-

turning home. “I want all my fans and well wishers to know that I cut short my season with Essex to come back home early for personal reasons,” a statement on his official Facebook page read. “Some media reported that we were the target of attempted hate crime. This is really not true.

“England is one my favourite places to play cricket and Essex have been entirely gracious even though I had to leave early. I thank all my fans and well wishers for their concern and messages and look forward to going back to England for future matches.”

Essex continued to insist that they will not expand on their brief statement which read: “We wish him all the best and it would be appreciated if Tamim’s privacy is respected during this time.”

Whatever the cause of Tamim’s hurried departure, it appears that it will remain officially unreported.

(Cricinfo)

Both Upul Tharanga (left) and Dinesh Chandimal have had a taste of captaining Sri Lanka earlier © AFP

have been significant poor performances, and I’m humble enough to accept it. In the past also there were instances where I wanted to step down but I didn’t want to let the team down at that time, mainly because there were no replacements. The team’s interests supercede

United’s Januzaj joins Real Sociedad on 5-year deal A

my personal interests.

“There were two things working in my mind. The first is whether this was the right time considering the team. My honest opinion is that there are candidates who can take over the reins. I’m pretty sure that they will be more successful and better captains than me. I also wanted to give my successor enough time until the World Cup, to build up a team. Those were the main reasons for me to step down.”

Mathews said that although he was disappointed with Sri Lanka’s results in 2017, he resigns having giv-

dnan Januzaj has followed in the footsteps of former Manchester United boss David Moyes by joining Real Sociedad.

Adnan Januzaj has completed a move from Manchester United to Real Sociedad for a reported fee of €11million.

The 22-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the LaLiga club after successfully passing a medical on Wednesday.

The news was confirmed by both clubs, with United writing on their official website: “Adnan Januzaj has completed a transfer from Manchester United to Real Sociedad.

“Jose Mourinho allowed Adnan to spend last season on loan at Sunderland and now the 22-yearold forward has taken the tough decision to leave United and make the

move San Sebastian.

“Everybody at Manchester United wishes Adnan well for the next chapter of his career.”

United manager Jose Mourinho reportedly insisted that a buy-back clause be inserted into the contract, although neither club have disclosed the details of the deal.

Januzaj broke into United’s first team under David Moyes and was one of the few bright points in a dismal 2013-14 season.

He had a short but unsuccessful spell with Borussia Dortmund in 2015, before returning to Old Trafford for the final few months of Louis van Gaal’s time as manager.

The Belgium international spent 2016-17 on loan at Sunderland but struggled to make an impact under former boss Moyes, as the club suffered relegation from the Premier League. *(Sportsmax)

Adnan Januzaj

en his best to the job.

“I have at all times played in the exclusive interest of Sri Lankan cricket, and have not at any time compromised my national duties for any personal gain,” he said, reading a portion of his letter of resignation to the board. “I have at all times given utmost priority to making myself available over any franchise commitment, and have at times pre-terminated franchise commitments in order to fulfill national obligations.

Subject to me being selected for national duty, I would ensure my fullest commitment to the national cricket team. Moreover, I would at all times support and guide our profusely talented young team, as well as my successor, in every way.”

Chandimal was always a top contender to take over from Mathews, particularly because he had been groomed as a leader in the past. Though Chandimal’s patchy form in ODIs led to his exclusion from the recent squad to play Zimbabwe, he has matured as a Test batsman - most recently making a difficult ton against Bangladesh at the P Sara Oval.

He averages 41.17 since the start of 2015, and has scored 2540 runs at an average of 42.33 all told.

the coming years as well.”

Tharanga’s rise to the limited-overs captaincy has been sharper.

He had been dropped from Sri Lanka’s limited-overs sides as recently as the first half of 2016, but has since led the team in 14 ODIs, as acting captain in Mathews’ absence. He has been in excellent form in recent months, however, averaging 49 in ODIs since November.

He has been moved around the batting order during that time, sometimes opening the batting, and batting in the middle order at others. Sri Lanka have won four and lost eight of the ODIs Tharanga has captained - six of those losses coming against South Africa.

Tharanga also thanked Mathews for his leadership, and the selectors for giving him the opportunity to lead.

He acknowledged that Sri Lanka’s recent performances had been modest.

“I don’t want to say that as a team we’ve done poorly in the recent past, but we have had some ups and downs,” Tharanga said.

“Some matches we do well, and others we don’t.

In future we have to be more consistent. We all want to take Sri Lanka forward.” (Crinfo)

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21

Digicel’s School Football Championship

Sir Leon’s maintain South Georgetown dominance

S

ir Leon’s Lesson maintained their stranglehold on the South Georgetown Zone when they won their third successive title in Digicel’s School Football Championships at the Tucville ground on Sunday.

Greenheart Street unit defeated Masters Academy 5-3 on penalty kicks after the match ended in a trilling 1-1 score line.

Masters’ Andel Smith had given his team the lead in the 43rd minute, which they kept for the majority of the match due to steely defending.

A dramatic twist came in the 62nd minute when a Masters Academy defender was found guilty of a ‘hand-ball’ in the penalty area.

The victorious Sir Trevor Williams

Leon’s Lesson celebrate their win while collecting their new uniforms from

Tyresse Forde had no issue in sealing the penalty to level the scores.

second kick in the sudden penalty shootout.

Sir Leon’s won $100,000, which goes towards a school project and have advanced to the regional quarter-finals.

The champion school will collect $1,000,000, to go towards a project of their choice, along with the championship trophy.

Second, third and fourth placed finishers will receive $700,000, $400,000 and $350,000 respectively; and these sums of money are for a project of the school’s choice.

The final is slated for July 30 at Leonora.

A further mishap for Masters came when their player failed to score the

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est Indies batting star Chris Gayle has joined the Rangpur Riders ahead of the new Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season.

The hard-hitting left hander, who played for the Chittagong Vikings last term,

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Quick-Step Floors rider Marcel Kittel of Germany wins over Lotto NL-Jumbo rider Dylan Groenewegen of the Netherlands

P

AU, France German Marcel Kittel was once again a cut above the rest as he claimed his fifth victory in this year’s Tour de France, winning a crash-ridden 11th stage in emphatic style on Wednesday.

The Quick-Step Floors rider, who now has 14 stages to his name, left it late to launch his sprint but easily beat Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNLJumbo) and Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data).

Boasson Hagen raised his arms as if he had won but was comprehensively beaten

by Kittel and Groenewegen after 203.5km from Eymet.

Britain’s Chris Froome retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey on a relaxed day for Team Sky’s defending champion, but some of his rivals did not have a quiet day.

Three of the main contenders crashed as last year’s runner-up Romain

Bardet, third overall, Jakob Fuglsang (fifth) and twice winner Alberto Contador (12th) hit the deck in separate incidents.

Fuglsang was involved in a crash at the feed zone and sustained small fractures in his wrist and elbow but he will start on Thursday, his Astana team said. Astana’s Dario Cataldo was forced to abandon the race because of a wrist injury after the Italian also fell.

Frenchman Bardet, meanwhile, avoided serious injury.

“I escaped unhurt but now I’m happy that the flat stages are over,” said Bardet, who is expected to attack in Thursday’s 12th stage, a 214.5-km trek featuring three major climbs and a summit finish in Peyragudes.

Contador, who slipped down the general classification after a bad day in the Jura mountains on Sunday, fell off his bike 25km from

the finish but managed to make it back to the peloton with the help of his Trek-Segafredo team mate Jarlinson Pantano.

He suffered bruises to his hip and elbow. Contador’s fall was the latest in a series of crashes on the Tour for the Spaniard, who was forced to abandon the race in 2014 and 2016.

“I never believed in bad luck, but this Tour is putting me to the limit, especially psychologically,” he said.

“But those who think I will give up don’t know me.”

At that point, the main pack was traveling at full speed as the sprinters’ teams rode hard at the front to catch the last fugitive of the day, Maciej Bodnar of Poland.

The exhausted BoraHansgrohe rider was reined in 250 meters from the line before Kittel stole the show yet again.

(Reuters)

will joined by Windies teammate and top spin bowler Samuel Badree and Johnson Charles at the club.

Gayle’s arrangements are expected to be similar to previous seasons, where a busy schedule allowed the batsman to take part in only a part of the competition. Nonetheless, few would argue with the 37-year-old’s addition to the squad as he has easily been one of the tournament’s most productive players.

Gayle holds the d i s - tinction of being the high-

est century maker in the BPL with three under his belt, having also scored a half century. With 15 appearances in BPL T20 matches the player has scored 650 runs at an average of 54.16, tallying an amazing strike rate of 174.95.

Other overseas additions to the squad for the new BPL season will include Thisara Perera and Ravi Bopara, while Australian Tom Moody has been selected as the head coach. A total of 60 matches will be played with the competition’s player draft scheduled for September 16.

The first match of the BPL is scheduled to be played on November 4, 2017. (SportsMax)

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

THURsdAY, july 13, 2017

Amazon Warriors select Paul to replace Hetmeyer for 2017 Hero CPL

K

eemo Paul, a member of West Indies Under-19 World Cup Champions player, has been selected as a replacement for Shimron Hetmyer in the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad ahead of this year’s Hero CPL, the franchise’s man-

agement has announced.

Hetmyer, who was initially selected by the Guyana Amazon Warriors as the West Indies Youth Player, will be on West Indies senior team duties and as such Paul has been chosen as his replacement.

“We welcome Keemo to the Guyana Amazon Warriors Team for this year’s Hero CPL,” said GAW Operations Manager, Omar Khan.

“He is a very talented and promising player with lots of potential and his allround ability brings more value to our team. This is another way of giving young Guyanese players opportunities to be part of the biggest party in sport, the Hero CPL, and showcase their skills and talents to the world.”

Paul who was Hetmyer’s deputy when the West Indies Under-19 team won the Youth World Cup in 2016 made his List A debut in January 2015 playing for the West

Indies Under-19s in Tobago.

In March this year, the 19-year-old right-handed all-rounder’s first class debut was overshadowed by injury at the Queen’s Park Oval but came back with a tournament winning six-wicket haul at Providence for the Guyana Jaguars.

The fifth edition of Hero Caribbean Premier League opens on August 4 in St. Lucia and the final is set for September 9 in Trinidad.

The full Amazon Warriors squad is Martin Guptill, Rayad Emrit, Sohail Tanveer, Chadwick Walton, Christopher Lynn, Rashid Khan, Jason Mohammed, Steven Taylor, Veerasammy Permaul, Roshon Primus, Gajanand Singh, Assad Fudadin, Steven Jacobs, Keon Joseph, Steven Katwaroo, Keemo Paul and Muhammad Ali Khan. (SportsMax) Keemo Paul

Mayweather, McGregor press tour kicks off with a war of words Williams qualifies for U 400m semi-finals IAAF World U-18 Championships

ndefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather and mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor traded barbs during a lively press conference in Los Angeles on Tuesday, delighting a rowdy crowd ahead of their Aug. 26 fight in Las Vegas.

The media conference was the first in a four-day international tour promoting the bout.

The contrasts between the two was immediately apparent as McGregor, wearing a navy pinstriped suit and tie, danced around the stage smiling while Mayweather, wearing a track suit with American flag details, looked on stonefaced.

As is expected in the

bout, McGregor was the aggressor, wasting no time bringing up reports that Mayweather earlier this month asked the IRS for more time to pay his 2015 tax bill.

“He’s in a track suit,” McGregor told the crowd of more than 11,000 people, who largely cheered the Irishman and booed the American. “He can’t even afford a suit anymore.”

Later when Mayweather, whose nickname is “Money” and who frequently uses cash as a prop, pulled out a $100 million cheque on stage, McGregor told him to “give it to the taxman”.

When asked about the tax issue, Mayweather said his attorneys were working on it and did not worry him.

“I just showed you all a $100 million cheque that I haven’t even cashed yet, so we ain’t tripping on that,” he told reporters.

The cheque appeared to be the $100 million he earned for his victory over Manny Pacquiao two years ago.

Mayweather was more subdued than the fiery 28-year-old, reminding reporters that even though he is a heavy favorite, he is 40 years old and that anything can happen in a fight.

He said he expected McGregor, who has never fought a professional boxing match, to try to pummel the defensive-minded Mayweather, who is putting his perfect 49-0 record on the line.

“He’s upset, I’ve seen it before,” Mayweather said.

“And when these fighters get upset with me they come out and they try to kill me,” he said with a laugh.

“My job is to do what I do and keep my composure.”

The crossover fight has been criticized as a publicity stunt by boxing purists who give McGregor no chance.

But UFC president Dana White said the fight is one that fans of both sports have wanted.

“When two guys get in there and start throwing punches, anything is possible,” White said.

“If you are a fan of combat sports, there has never been a better time.” (Reuters)

6 for ITF U-12 Championships S Young sprint prodigy Daniel Williams

Y

oung sprint prodigy Daniel Williams has continued his impressive performances both home and away by qualifying for today’s 400M semi-finals at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World U-18 Championships being held in Nairobi, Kenya.

Williams clocked a personal best of 47.41 to finish second in heat two behind Ethiopia’s Melkamu Assefu (47.23s) and ahead of Panama’s Antonio Grant (47.54s).

The South American Youth Championship Silver medallist will enter the sec-

ond semi-final heat with the third fastest time. Jamaica’s Anthony Cox (46.53s) who will be running out of Lane and David Sanayek (47.29s) in Lane 3 have faster qualifying times.

It means the Guyanese will have to make good use of his Lane six assignment since the top two finishers and fastest third-placed times will advance to the final slated for Friday at 12:10 hrs.

The other Guyanese athlete at the Games is Chantoba Bright who will be participating in the Long Jump Final on Sunday from 08:35 hrs.

ix tennis players will embark on a national quest at the International Tennis Federation Under-12 Championships in Trinidad from Monday July 17 to Saturday July 22.

The six who are heading to the championships are; Amba Persaud, Akilah Sekai Jones, Reshida Hardy, Devine Jeremiah Kalekyezi, Vadeanand Resaul and Wayne Baker.

The ITF annual event is usually a singles and doubles event where the top six players (three males, three females) from countries in the Caribbean and Central America compete amongst each other.

However, this time around the Davis Cup Format will be attached and there will be two singles tie and a double tie.

The top two teams will

The six players took time out from a busy training schedule yesterday for a photo opportunity. From left to right: Devine Jeremiah Kalekyezi, Wayne Baker, Vadeanand Resaul, Amba Persaud, Reshida Hardy and Akilah Sekai Jones

then progress to the masters segment which will be held in Mexico in August.

The national team commenced training immediately after the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Tennis Open con-

cluded last month under the watchful eyes of Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan and has so far endured three weeks of intense training at the National Racquet Centre.

Daly-Ramdyhan expressed satisfaction with

each player’s ability but stressed that she would have loved to work with them for a longer period.

The team is scheduled to wing out on Sunday and will start competing on Monday.

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THURsDAY, july 13, 2017

SA U-19 versus West Indies U-19

Yadram’s knock pilots West Indies to victory P

ietermaritzburg, South Africa, Jul 12, CMC – Opener Bhaskar Yadram struck a critical half-century but West Indies Under-19 were forced to overcome a late innings slump before pulling off a two-wicket win over South Africa Under-19s in the second Youth One-Day International here Wednesday.

Set a modest 208 for victory, the Young Windies were coasting along at 165 for three in the 39th over but suffered a collapse where five wickets tumbled for 35 runs in the space of 31 balls.

Tottering on 200 for eight in the 44th, the Caribbean side were rescued by the lion-hearted Jeavor Royal who ended unbeaten on 31 off 17 deliveries, to take the team over the line.

Yadram had earlier top-scored West Indies Under19s innings (target: 208 with 81 off 116 runs from 50 overs) balls while capB Yadram c Christensen tain Emmanuel b Campher 81 Stewart chipped K Simmons c Smith b Rolfes 14 in with 45 off 69 EWJ Stewart*† run out (van balls.

Tonder/†Makwetu) 45 Sixteen-yearC Cooper lbw b Coetzee 2 old fast bowler 21 KA Kallicharan b Coetzee Gerald Coetzee A Athanaze run out led the attack 1 (Pillay/†Makwetu) with two for 55.

J Royal not out 31 The South J Bishop lbw b de Klerk 0 Africans had been T Alleyne run out (van limited to 207 for Tonder/†Makwetu) 1 eight off their 50 0 D Nedd not out overs, after opting Extras (lb 2, w 12) 14 to bat first at City Total (8 wickets; 44.4 overs; Oval, with wick198 mins) 210 etkeeper Wandile Did not bat: J Spencer M a k w e t u Fall of wickets 1-43 (Simmons, top-scoring with 9.1 ov), 2-118 (Stewart, 30.6 53 and openov), 3-122 (Cooper, 32.3 ers Matthew ov), 4-165 (Yadram, 38.5 Breetzke (37) and ov), 5-177 (Kallicharan, 40.1 Jiveshan Pillay ov), 6-183 (Athanaze, 41.1 (36) playing supov), 7-183 (Bishop, 41.5 ov), porting roles.

8-200 (Alleyne, 43.6 ov) Left-arm Bowling: G Coetzee 9.4-0-552 (2w), T Ntini 7-0-39-0 (6w), H spinner Joshua Rolfes 8-2-22-1, Curtis Campher Bishop claimed 7-2-23-1 (1w), J de Klerk 9-1-36two for 30 from 1, KT Smith 4-0-33-0 his 10 overs while Royal, also a left-

SCOREBOARD South Africa Under-19s innings (50 overs maximum) 36 J Pillay lbw b Royal M Breetzke c Yadram b 37 Alleyne R van Tonder* c †Stewart b Yadram 5 J Christensen lbw b Royal 0 W Makwetu† b Bishop 53 H Rolfes c Bishop b Spencer 19 Curtis Campher run out 8 (Bishop/Royal) G Coetzee lbw b Bishop 7 19 KT Smith not out J de Klerk not out 6 Extras (lb 2, w 15) 17 Total (8 wickets; 50 overs; 203 mins) 207 Did not bat: T Ntini Fall of wickets 1-81 (Breetzke, 19.5 ov), 2-90 (Pillay, 24.6 ov), 3-90 (van Tonder, 25.1 ov), 4-90 (Christensen, 26.1 ov), 5-128 (Rolfes, 35.5 ov), 6-143 (Campher, 40.4 ov), 7-168 (Coetzee, 44.4 ov), 8-191 (Makwetu, 46.6 ov) Bowling: J Spencer 10-0-45-1 (4w), D Nedd 4-0-22-0 (6w), T Alleyne 10-0-56-1 (2w), J Bishop 10-2-30-2 (1w), B Yadram 6-1-18-1, J Royal 10-0-34-2 (1w)

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2017

Paul ready arm spinner, laid the groundwork for his eventual all-round display with two for 34.

The hosts got a healthy start from Breetzke and Pillay, the pair adding 81 for the first wicket before Royal’s introduction triggered a collapse where four wickets perished for nine runs in the space of 38 deliveries.

Rocking on 90 for four, South Africa’s innings was repaired by Makwetu who faced 68 balls and counted four fours, while adding 38 for the fifth wicket with Hermann Rolfes (19),

for Warriors’ challenge

Bhaskar Yadram with his man of the match award

25 for the seventh with Coetzee (7) and 23 for the ninth with Kenan Smith (19 not out).

The 17-year-old Yadram then gave the visitors a solid start, putting on 43 for the first wicket with Keagan Simmons (14) and a further 75 with Stewart for the second wicket.

Yadram struck eight fours and a six while Stewart counted five fours in knock. They were separated when Stewart was run out in the 31st over and nine balls Cephas Cooper was lbw to Coetzee for two, to leave the Windies on 122 for three in the 33rd over.

The right-handed Yadram found an ally in Kirstan Kallicharan, who made 21, to add 43 for the fourth wicket and put Windies on course again.

However, once Yadram perished in the 39th over, the innings went into a tail-spin before Royal arrived on his rescue mission which included five fours and a six. He lashed leg-spinner Jade de Klerk for a four and a six in the 44th over which cost 10 runs and punched two boundaries in the 45th from Coetzee, to finish the game emphatically.

The five-match series is tied 1-1, with the next game scheduled for Friday at the same venue.

31st Annual Sir Garfield Sobers International School Cricket

St Joseph on course with winning start S

t Joseph High School has fared well so far at the 31st Annual Sir Garfield Sobers International School Cricket Tournament recording two convincing victories in their first two matches.

On Tuesday at Bank Hall St. Joseph’s defeated Barbadian School St Michael’s by seven wickets while in the first round they got past Birkenhead School (UK) by 11 runs to set their campaign off to a winning start.

In their most recent outing, St. Joseph’s restricted St. Michael’s to 112 all out in 33 overs, with Jared Lovell 30, Kai Patrick 20, Codie Ramsey 15 as left arm spinner Stephon Wilson captured 3-25 and Kennard Moonsammy 2-4 and Nkosi Beaton 2-18 took two wickets apiece.

St Joseph High raced to 113-3 19.5 overs in their response. Moonsammy 33, Wilson 31 not out and Timothy McAlmont 27 were the main scorers while Kyle Edwards claimed 2-24.

In their opening clash at Crab Hill the Guyanese students beat Birkenhead School (UK) by 11 runs.

Scores in that match reads; St Joseph High 172 all out (34 overs) Timothy McAlmont 50, Quinton

23

Stephon Wilson

Timothy McAlmont

Sampson 32, Stephon Wilson 27, Nkosi Beaton 12, Tuen Hicks 10, Toby Brown 3-45, Callum Andrews 2-22) Birkenhead School 161-9 (40 overs) (Ashley Watkins 33, Armand Rabot 29, Toby Brown 15, Tom Corran 15, Jack Corran 10, Allen Andrews 10, Nkosi Beaton 2-19, Quinton Sampson 2-30, Stephon Wilson 2-30).

The tournament has featured sev-

eral Guyanese who went on to play international cricket, namely Leon Johnson and Vishaul Singh, who represented St. Rose’s High in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

However, no Guyanese school has ever won the tournament, with St. Stanislaus College in 2005 making it all the way to the final only to be upstaged by Barbados powerhouse Combermere.

Keemo Paul’s power hitting along with his nippy mediumpace will be vital assets in the Warriors’ title endeavours

By Akeem Greene

G

uyana Amazon Warriors newest recruit Keemo Mandela Angus Paul is ecstatic about his latest accomplishment.

He confessed being more than willing to seize the opportunity with both hands after replacing Shimron Hetmyer, who will be on West Indies senior team duty “Definitely there is going be a lot of pressure playing in front such big crowds since I never did before, but I’m looking forward to the opportunity since I see it as a challenge and I will use it to help me gain confidence”, he told Guyana Times Sport in an interview on Wednesday.

Paul who was Hetmyer’s deputy when the West Indies Under-19 team won the Youth World Cup in 2016 made his List A debut in January 2015 playing for the West Indies Under-19s in Tobago. Since then he grew from strength to strength, making an impressionable debut season for the Guyana Jaguars.

In fact, one his highlights was having a match haul of 9 for 64 against the Windward Islands at Providence to help the three-peat in titles for his team.

“It was a very joyful feeling to be a part of the CPL and if given the opportunity I just want to go out and preform, show my worth and do my best for Guyana”.

Though being a part of previous training camps with the Warriors, the cricketer is eager to learn from the international players.

“Chris Lynn and martin Guptill are guys who hit the ball very clean and I want to learn from them about power hitting and also there is the experience of Sohail Tanveer with the ball and I just want to learn as much as possible from them”, the Essequibo cricketer added.

Given his all-round exploits, Paul said he is confident he can execute attributes such as ‘death bowling’ and being a late-order power hitter.

The player’s selection would bring a great smile to CPL’s Chief Operating Officer Pete Russell who had told this publication that he seeking to develop a Test cricketer from the hinterland. Though former Warriors’, now Trinbago Knight Riders fast bowler also Ronsford Beaton also hails from Essequibo, Paul comes from Saxacalli, a village deep in the heart of the Essequibo river.

With matches now being held in Florida, a venue where Paul has never plied his trade, he is optimistic of doing well once he adapts to the conditions.

The Warriors have reached three of the four finals to date but have not been able to walk away with the silverware. However, the young cricketer is known to be a ‘lucky charm’ after helping Guyana dominate youth cricket from 2014 to 2016 and added to the icing on the cake with a Youth World Cup win.

Paul is hopeful that he can bring the same fortunes to the Warriors this year.

“I have been training hard and I just want to go and perform and I think we can go one step further this year. I will definitely be doing my best” the right handed batsmen disclosed.

The Warriors will begin their preparation with a one week camp commencing on July 25 before their first match against St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Florida on August 5.

THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2017

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

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