Guyana Times, Saturday July 20, 2019

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3990

SATURday, JUly 20, 2019

“Respect Guyana’s Constitution!” – PPP supporters to GECOM See stories on pages 3, 9 & 12

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Acting Head of SOCU P2 appointed

Water woes hit WBD after reduced GWI production P10 …1 of 2 wells restored

Woman arrested for assaulting P9 PPP protesters with fetid water

...as GECOM forges ahead with House-to-House Registration ...PPP mulls court action against GECOM’s CEO over breach of court orders …as PNC supports GECOM’s defiance of court orders

Toddler dies after being stung by scorpion Page 2

Fisherman beaten to death See story on page 2

…brother hospitalised

P8 Vendor charged for allegedly attempting to kill girlfriend

2 news

saturday, JUly 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Acting Head of SOCU appointed Toddler dies after being stung by scorpion

T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Friday afternoon announced the appointment of Althea Padmore as acting Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

The Police, however, did not release the credentials and qualifications of Padmore, who was appointed to manage one of the most important unit within the force.

When contacted, the Public Relations Office directed all questions in connection with the appointment to the Police Commissioner.

However, calls to the Top Cop went unanswered. On Thursday, Commissioner Leslie James had promised that an appointment will be made before the end of the week.

Padmore replaces Head of the Unit Sydney James, who is currently on administrative leave amidst allegations of mismanagement of funds at the unit.

The decision to send him on leave came months after a special audit had unearthed several instances of mismanagement of funds and falsification of documents at the entity. The audit had also found some unaccounted-for expenditure which could not be verified by a paper trail.

The audit was ordered by the Police Commissioner in February. Although the Top Cop has not comment-

Newly-appointed acting Head of SOCU Althea Padmore

ed on the findings of that audit, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had described the revelations as “damning”.

The probe into the operations of the white-collar crime-fighting Unit was triggered after the former British adviser, Dr Sam Sittlington, had made a number of allegations against the Unit.

Following those allegations, James was questioned over allegations of improper spending. This is in light of the ongoing investigation and audit which was conducted after termination of the British adviser’s services.

The Public Security Minister had confirmed that an investigation was ongoing into the matter and he had noted that there were allegations of monies not being spent properly and had said it is now within the jurisdiction of the in-

vestigators to understand the spending procedures at SOCU. After being fired amidst a conflict-of-interest scandal, Sittlington had revealed that SOCU had not been operating in the manner in which it should and he had said there are instances of improper spending.

The parliamentary Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has maintained that SOCU, which was set up to fight money-laundering and other white-collar crimes, has become a political Unit under the APNU/AFC regime.

The PPP had said that Sittlington was going beyond his advisory role and was taking on executive functions. It was pointed out that Sittlington was going on operations such as raids and arrests.

Questions were previously raised about the Police investigating James and whether there could be any bias involved; however, the Public Security Minister had assured that the investigation was perfectly normal and that in addition to the Police’s own internal audits ongoing at SOCU, the Auditor General could come in and take control of the proceedings.

He had said the Police auditors were seeking to better understand the systems which had been in place for spending at the agency.

A

n investigation has been launched into the death of 2-yearold Romero Lucian, who died while receiving medical attention for a scorpion bite. The lad was reportedly bitten by the scorpion on Wednesday last at his home located at Kobarimo Hill, Mabaruma, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini).

The child’s grandmother reportedly told health workers that on the day in question, the child’s mother heard him crying and upon checking, she noticed a scorpion in his pants.

As a remedy, the grandmother killed the scorpion and took some of its remains to rub on the wound.

This, she stated, did not help and as such, the child was taken to the Mabaruma Hospital. Whilst there, the relatives were told that there was no treatment for the bite and that the child

Dead: Romero Lucian

would have to be air-dashed to Georgetown.

Further, the relatives were told that a plane was expected to arrive and the necessary arrangements would be made for the child to be transported. The grandmother told the media that the aircraft arrived several hours later.

Nevertheless, the child was transported to Ogle Airport but there was yet another delay since they

had to wait on an ambulance.

Eventually, the child was admitted and the treatment commenced but soon after, the relatives were given the devastating news.

It is on this note that the grandmother lashed out at the manner in which her grandson’s case was handled. The incident was brought to the attention of Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashely, who promised a full investigation.

He has since requested a report from the health authorities at Mabaruma since the medical facility should have been equipped with the necessary medication to treat snake and scorpion bites.

Meanwhile, a post-mortem performed on the body of the toddler proved that he died due to the collapse of his respiratory system, which was a direct result of the scorpion bite.

Fisherman beaten to death

…brother hospitalised

A

fisherman was beaten to death while his brother was admitted a patient at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH).

Dead is 20-year-old Alvin Seenarine also called “Chockoloo”, of Lot 820 G Zeelugt North, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), while his brother, Devendra Shameer Seenarine, was injured.

Reports are the two brothers were imbibing al-

cohol at a relative’s home in Zeelugt, EBE, but left on a bicycle at about 22:45h.

Residents in the area reported that shortly afterwards, they heard a loud commotion and rushed to investigate. A resident said that they noticed three men armed with instruments beating the brother, who is now in the hospital.

The other brother was found in a motionless state a short distance away with

multiple wounds about his body. Both men were picked up and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where Alvin was pronounced dead on arrival and his brother was admitted. However, due to the severity of his injuries, he was transferred to the WDRH where he was admitted.

The matter was reported and the police are on the hunt for the three suspects.

news

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

Saturday, July 20 – 05:30h-07:00h and Sunday, July 21 – 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Open defiance of CCJ ruling

GECOM forges ahead with House-to-House Registration

Saturday, July 20 – 06:15h-07:45h and Sunday, July 21 – 06:45h-08:15h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers are expected during the early to mid-morning hours followed by light rain showers in the late morning to early evening hours. Partly cloudy skies are expected thereafter. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Southerly to North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 06:25h and 18:50h reaching maximum heights of 2.56 metres and 2.45 metres.

Low Tide: 12:38h reaching a minimum height of 0.76 metre.

WEDNESday, JULY 17, 2019

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saturday, JUly 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield

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n clear defiance of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) recent orders for it to prepare for early elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is forging ahead with House-to-House Registration, which commences today.

This was confirmed by GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward, in a statement on Friday. She pointed out that all eligible persons are mandated to register as it is a legal requirement.

GECOM had warned Guyanese in an ad published in the local newspapers last month that persons who refuse to participate in the House-to-House Registration will be charged and fined $16,250 or face six months jail time, as outlined in the National Registration Act – Sections 6.5, 6.6 and 6.7.

Nevertheless, Ward reminded in Friday’s missive that this is a new registration exercise and, therefore, all eligible persons should be registered, even if they had done so before.

“Guyanese citizens by birth, descent, naturalisation or registration, 14 years and older by 31st October 2019 or a citizen of a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for a period of no less than one year preceding the qualifying date are all eligible for registration,” the statement detailed.

GECOM went on to urge residents to have the relevant documents required for registration ready and be on the lookout for GECOM’s registration officials in their area. These documents include an original birth certificate, a valid passport, naturalisation certificate, certificate of registration, adoption certificate and deed poll or marriage certificate (if applicable).

For the purpose of this exercise, each eligible person will only be registered where he/she resides. Residences include dwelling places such as homes, residential institutions such as hospices and homes for youth and the elderly.

A new National Register of Registrants Database (NRRDB) will be created upon the conclusion of the registration process and then the Official List of Electors (OLE) will be extracted to conduct the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

Previously, Ward had stated that this registration

process will take some three months to complete. This means it will pass the constitutional deadline for early elections.

It was reported that GECOM’s in-house attorney had advised Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield against proceeding with House-to-House Registration since it defies the CCJ orders.

In its consequential orders handed down last week, the CCJ said that GECOM is obliged to “abide by the provisions of the Constitution”, which states that the Cabinet, including the President, must resign and call elections within three months upon the passage of a No-Confidence Motion.

According to CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders those three months took effect from its June 18 ruling, validating the December passage of the motion against the coalition. This means elections should be held on or before September 18, 2019.

However, the PNC-led caretaker Government has been pushing for House-toHouse Registration for a “clean” voters’ list to be used in the upcoming polls, saying this is the only way credible elections can be held. The coalition claims that the current list is “padded” with persons who are not supposed to be there and that without fresh elections, young people who were never registered would be disenfranchised. Government believes too that with a new list, it will have a better outcome at the polls.

But a United Nations (UN) Needs Assessment Mission found last year

GECOM Headquarters

that there was no need for a new voter’s list. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had deployed a team back in May 2018 to assess Guyana’s electoral needs following a request from GECOM for technical assistance.

“It is the view of the Mission that there is no certainty that a new voters’ list will have more credibility than the current list and that stakeholders will trust it more. Furthermore, any list created close to the elections will likely be criticised as political motivated,” a report from the visiting team stated.

Meanwhile, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Opposition has insisted that the concerns by the coalition can be addressed through an extended claims and objections period, as had previously confirmed by the Chief Elections Officer.

Back in February, Lowenfield had said “We can move toward the conduct… of a claims and objections exercise of a duration to be specified by the Commission so that we can arrive at a list… claims allow for the youthful to be added and objections for the deceased to be removed based on the submission made by the GRO

(Guyana Register Office).

Other deaths not reported to GRO, when we are in the field, people will come to us and say Jagmohan next door died and we want his name to be removed”.

Moreover, the Opposition further said that new Houseto-House registration would disenfranchise Guyanese students studying abroad, Guyanese working overseas and other Guyanese who may be holidaying during the period when the exercise is being done.

In fact, an overseas-based Guyanese, Bibi Zeenatoun, had filed legal proceedings in the High Court to restraining the elections commission from proceeding with House-to-House registration. The legal documents state that fresh registration will exclude qualified registrants currently on the National Register and the Official List of Electors, such as Zeenatoun, thus breaching her constitutional right to vote here.

Nevertheless, as the elections body forges ahead with the conduct of House-toHouse Registration, GECOM says operational activities for the preparations of General and Regional Elections will be simultaneously undertaken.

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, JUly 20, 2019

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

Caricom’s silence

I

n spite of several criticisms from various stakeholders in the society about its continued silence on the current political crisis gripping Guyana, the Caribbean Community (Caricom), up to press time, has not issued a single word regarding its position— more particularly on the APNU/ AFC Government’s refusal to abide by the recent rulings of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and the Constitution of Guyana in general.

The decisions of the CCJ are clear regarding what happens after a no-confidence vote is passed against the Government.

The expectation was that all parties involved would have genuinely played their part in ensuring that the country moves into elections, in keeping with the constitutional timelines for same.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, himself— highly regarded as one of the region’s best thinkers— has expressed disappointment that the regional body was yet to issue a statement on the matter, given the fact that the CCJ is a regional organ and also headquartered right here in Guyana.

During the consequential orders on July 12, the Government was reduced to that of a caretaker administration and urged to call elections in keeping within the constitutional deadline.

With more than one month passing since the June 18 ruling was handed down, a date for elections has not been announced.

It must be mentioned that Caricom had previously played a key role in helping to address previous political problems here. It could be recalled that Caricom was one of the first organisations that spoke out on the political situation in Guyana after the December 15, 1997 elections, which saw massive unrest and political instability in Georgetown. In fact, the then PPP/C Government had committed itself to facilitating every effort by Caricom to have a successful intervention of a high-level Goodwill Mission to mediate and find solutions to the crisis after the then Opposition PNC rejected the elections results. The Mission, comprising Barbadian Sir Henry Forde, Guyanese Sir Shridath Ramphal, and Grenadian Sir Alister McIntyre, succeeded in getting the then Opposition Leader and President to agree to a poll audit, among other things. More recently, Caricom also intervened in the political problems of Haiti and Venezuela when there were threats to democracy and the rule of law.

As stated by one letter writer, disrespect of the chief laws by the coalition administration points to a threat to democracy, which must be addressed at all costs. The regional body’s silence in this case is, therefore, baffling. From the way it is playing out, the coalition Government will do all that it can to ensure that elections are dragged out for as long as possible.

It is also clear that GECOM is operating as if it is not bothered at all about the CCJ rulings and the impact such rulings have on the electoral body, more particularly, its readiness to runoff elections within the constitutional timeline. As it is today (Saturday), GECOM is pushing ahead with its House-to-House Registration exercise in clear defiance of the CCJ orders and the Constitution.

GECOM’s lawyer Stanley Marcus had told the CCJ on June 24 that GECOM must have House-to-House Registration and that the earliest a voters’ list will be ready is by December 25, 2019 – pushing elections, which ought to have been held since before March 21, 2019 – to next year. This was challenged after the Opposition insisted that a claims and objections period could fix the list in a shorter period of time to ensure that all voters are on the official voters’ list.

GECOM must be aware that this house-to-house exercise will result in the constitutional deadline for elections not being met. It must also be aware that once the deadline is not, met the country will be plunged into a constitutional crisis, especially since the Opposition is maintaining that it will not be returning to Parliament to give the Government more time.

The letter writer reminds us that the CCJ is a creation of Caricom, despite which countries may use it as their final Court. As such, Caricom must ensure that the CCJ is not being made ineffective. It must seek to ensure that the Court’s decisions are honoured and respected by all stakeholders. It is still not too late for Caricom to make its position known that it stands on the side of democracy and respect for the rule of law and start putting pressure on the Government here to abide by the CCJ orders and the Constitution of Guyana. If it does not take a firm stance, the regional body will be found lacking and will lose credibility to speak on matters of good governance and democracy and international best practices on constitutional matters.

A recortador jumps over a bull during a contest in a bullring at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain (Reuters/Jon Nazca)

Condemning wanton defiance of Constitution Dear Editor, I have observed that several of the media houses in Guyana underscored the fact that Canada was not one of the signatories when a joint statement was presented by Western diplomats following the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling on July 12. The dictum had stated, “… It is important for the rule of law that all invoked actors abide by its ruling and the relevant provisions of the Constitution. We urge everyone to do so expedi-

tiously”.

Many supporters of the Government on social media used Canada’s absence in this latest joint statement

by American Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, United Kingdom High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, and European Union Ambassador to Guyana, Jernej Videtic to state that Canada is “neutral” and “indifferent”, and wants no part in the politics of the country. However, nothing could be further

from the truth.

I contacted the High Commission of Canada to inquire about Canada’s apparent lack of interest to join other Western nations to encourage the politicians to abide with the Court rulings. A top official from the High Commission assured me that Canada has articulated the need for stakeholders to abide by the Constitution, and there is certainly no indifference to the goings-on in the country.

Canada is still among the

“ABC/EU” bloc that takes a strong interest in the happenings in Guyana.

I urge the Guyanese people to contact various local and international outfits to condemn the apparent wanton defiance of the Constitution and let the Government know that it will not be business as usual with such audacious bravado.

Yours truly, Dr Devanand Bhagwan

Airlines have come and gone while CAL has remained Dear Editor, It will be recalled that on July 5, 2019, I published a letter describing an unfortunate experience on Caribbean Airlines coming through Trinidad and Tobago. It is only fair, therefore, that I write, pointing out that I immediately received a phone call and correspondence from Regional Manager Carl Stuart, apologising.

I have also received a

written apology from CAL’s Customer Experience Officer, Ms Aneesa Mohammed, informing me that the matter was fully investigated and sending me “deepest apologies for the inconvenience experienced” and advising that the Trinidad and Tobago Airport Manager was informed of the matter and “measures have been taken to avoid future occurrence”.

As I said in my let-

ter, “I have been a faithful and unwavering customer of Caribbean Airlines” and sincerely believe that CAL is the Caribbean’s airline first and foremost, even though it’s owned by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.

In fact, I have been spoken and written to by a number of Guyanese, thanking me for my letter, who have not been happy with CAL’s services. I encourage them

to continue to fly with CAL and to register, as I have, their complaints and their praise when deserved.

Other airlines have come and gone while CAL has remained. Some will now come because of the new opportunities arising from the event of the riches of oil and gas.

Nevertheless, CAL is, or should be, “a-we own”.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

Independent investigations needed Dear Editor, The media recently reported that the Guyana Defence Force has launched an internal investigation into the “initiation beating of a number of new officers of the Force who were recently commissioned. The initiation usually forms part of the ‘welcome into the Force’, but this year, senior officers expressed concerns that those involved in the incident went too far. A number of the new officers had to be taken to the hospital to seek medical attention for various injuries, while a young doctor, who is a reserve officer, was likely to have undergone surgery due to injuries he sustained during training”.

In response to this issue, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan stated that if the allegations turned out to be true, they must be condemned.

Firstly, if this kind of physical abuse, which is what it is, has been part of initiation then how come the Minister is not aware of it?

Secondly, if the allegations are true, is the Minister saying that condemnation would be a sufficient response?

Physical abuse as part of any army training is a ‘tradition’ of the past. Army regulations should be urgently updated to make it clear that any physical abuse of recruits or other army personnel is unacceptable and perpetrators would be penalised. In fact, in the US Army, trainers have to seek the permission of recruits to even touch them. I know because a member of The Caribbean Voice undertook that training.

Also, it is well known that globally, armies have the highest rates of suicide, and that army personnel often suffer a range of men-

tal health issues resulting in many veterans never recovering and some often ending up on the streets. Thus, this kind of physical abuse and the resultant trauma at the very beginning of their career can catalyse mental health issues ever earlier than usual.

Incidentally, some years ago the GDF had reached out to TCV to help address suicide, but for whatever reason, the subsequent follow-up to formalise plans were met with silence from army personnel who had contacted us. We sincerely hope that if such help was not sought elsewhere then it should be given urgent priority and that overall mental health should be part of the regular annual checkup of all army personnel.

On a final note, military and paramilitary entities globally have erected a ‘‘wall of silence” to prevent

their transgressions from being known by the public.

It is not inconceivable that the same situation exists in Guyana and whistleblowers know that they are putting their lives at risk. Thus, any internal investigation will always be suspect and viewed with scepticism by the public.

The Public Security Minister should, therefore, get the Government to set up independent investigation committees to handle issues like this as this would ensure that trust in the army (and Police with respect to other situations such as the ongoing revelations in Berbice and the claims of Police complicity in investigating sexual abuse) would not be eroded as well as to be able to weed out unsavoury practices and personnel.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, JUly 20, 2019

5

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

CCJ consequential orders are clear Let Court manage elections Dear Editor, The APNU/AFC coalition’s characteristic and consistent malfunctioning have and continue to defiantly realise a serious decay of our constitutionally provided democracy. Our people must, therefore, take the necessary steps to preserve and defend our rights with a sense of sincere commitment and vigour. The sacrifices of our fore-parents and martyrs must not be allowed to dissipate into thin air at the fantasy of this tyrannical Government. We must resist and fight to have elections immediately, in keeping with the Constitution and the rule of law!

At all costs, we must repel the sufferings of our nation under the ultra-bullying, deliberate dodging delaying tactics of this illegal, unconstitutional and oppressive APNU/AFC coalition regime. The shameful antics and devious manoeuvres are obvious demonstrations of the great fear within the APNU/AFC of facing the people at the polls.

It is, therefore, imperative that we take to the streets and demand that we have free and fair elections now. The delaying tactics of abusing the courts have been exhausted and it is now time for action to rid the oppressors.

The vulgar incestuous relationship transcends, contaminates, and flagrantly continues to interfere with the functions of critical autonomous agencies, approved to uphold constitutional pillars.

Standing out as a beacon is the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), which ought to have been and should always be in a state of readiness to hold elections at short notice.

The severe, irrecoverable times that sufferings re-

lated to the matters have been exhausted in our High and Appeal Courts as well as the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as Guyana Final Appeal Court is telling enough.

Although the CCJ has ruled absolutely and definitively upholding our constitutional imperatives, and removing the illegally appointed Chairman, James Patterson, who subscribed to some irrational and abusive decision, the Secretariat is now moving to implement House-toHouse Registration to purportedly end in October in contempt of the CCJ ruling and an absolute breach of the Constitution. It is of note that Section 8 of the Constitution Cap. 101 states: “This Constitution is the supreme law of Guyana and, if any other law is inconsistent with it, that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void”.

It is, therefore, outright and illegal for the Secretariat of the Elections Commission to be proceeding under the direction of Keith Lowenfied or any other person, to implement actions which defy and frustrate rulings of the CCJ. As a constitutional agency, it goes against the grain of enforceability of Section 106 of the Constitution, which instructs the holding of elections within three months. The situation is outright unconstitutional, blatant, flagrant, and initiates a formula for massive resistance and protests which will be activated and should be supported by all.

The deviousness of this cabal knows no bounds. It would be recalled that immediately after the fall of the coalition Government on December 21, 2018, key administrative personnel at GECOM made public statements that the organisation is ready to hold

elections. Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward and the Chief Executive Officer, Keith Lowenfield, were quick to say that the list is ready and with the activation of Standard Operating Procedures while the Legal Officer Excellence Dazzell was very positive and strong in her pronouncements in respect to GECOM’s preparation for elections. The actions now by the GECOM Secretariat amuse one and all, and steps must be taken to sanction the abusive and ransom approach being illustrated from the back end by the PNC. The consequential orders are clear. National and Regional Elections must be held within 90 days after the CCJ made its ruling and that was on June 18, 2019.

Cabinet and the President must resign.

Further, GECOM has the responsibility to conduct elections and abide by the provisions of the Constitution that instruct elections be held within three months.

It is necessary that we highlight, for public attention, revelations contained in the Official Gazette Legal Supplement—“B” May 15, 2018, which addresses the National Registration (Residents) (Revision of Registers) Order 2018, made under National Registration Act (19:08). Contained therein, it is stated as follows: “In exercise of the powers conferred on the Elections Commission by sections 61 (b), 6 (a), 14 and 15 of the National Registration Act, Cap 19:08, the Elections Commission makes the following order: 1. The Registration Officer of every Registration Area in the first schedule is required to prepare a Register of Registrants and Register of Electors for that Registration Area.

2. The qualifying

date, was 31st October 2018.

3. This Order shall apply to all eligible persons in Guyana who have attained the age of 14 years.

4. ( T r a n s a c t i o n s ) , those persons whose names appear on the Central Register at the coming into operation of this Order may also effect changes/corrections to their particulars and request transfers.

This Order was published in the Official Gazette, was signed by the then Chairman of GECOM, Justice Patterson.

Following these procedures, the Register of Registrants was prepared and the final voters’ list was made available for the highly successful 2018 Local Government Elections. That Register was valid until April 30, 2019. Following the same trend, it is notable that all relevant requirements for the List of Electors to be properly updated for the upcoming Regional and National Elections was done in a very short period of Claims and Objections so that the List could be fully sanitised and ready for elections.

Guyana is now in a full constitutional crisis with a caretaker Government, whose primary function is to ensure elections which must be held within 90 days from the date of the consequential orders of the CCJ. This Constitution is the supreme law of Guyana and no other law or inconsistent decision must be tolerated or allowed to override its supremacy. Guyana’s image is now damaged and deteriorating fast as the thieving, corruption, crime, prostitution and high cost of living envelopes our days.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Dear Editor, Elections are due within eight weeks as per the order of the Caribbean Court of Justice. But to have an election, a Chairman of GECOM is required. The position has been vacant for a month now. The position must be urgently filled. A compromise is needed from the President and Leader of the Opposition to resolve the two related issues so that credible elections are held within the shortest time without violating the Constitution.

A Chairman should have been appointed days ago but the two sides, PNC (the dominant party leading the coalition) and PPP (official Opposition), can’t agree on six nominees for the President to choose one as Chair. Clearly, both sides want someone each side feels will help it in the elections – give it an edge or place it in an advantageous position to win the elections. A compromise is needed on this issue as well as on the date for elections.

On the issue of GECOM Chair, a potential solution is for both sides to agree to someone (a non-Guyanese perhaps if necessary) appointed by the UN or Commonwealth or Caricom after consultation with the leadership of both parties.

Or perhaps both sides can agree to ask the Court to appoint someone to head GECOM. Neither side will have an advantage by having a non-Guyanese run the affairs of GECOM through the next elections.

On the date for an election, GECOM says it can’t hold an election without conducting House-to-

House Registration to update a voters’ list. This process will take up to a year, if not longer. This will violate the Constitution and defy the ruling of the Court that validated the No-Confidence Motion on June 18, triggering an election within three months.

The PNC wants a delayed election, believing it will give it an advantage while the PPP wants election before September 18, confident it will win. Neither side can be guaranteed a victory now or later. The later the election is held, the greater the advantage of the minor parties to make inroads into the base of support of the two major parties. Division within the PPP gives the coalition an advantage going into an election held now.

A compromise is needed on the date of elections and proposed House-to-House Registration to remove the potential of an advantage for either side. Some kind of a registration procedure is needed to guarantee that all eligible voters (18 and above) are on the voters’ list and this must be done within days so as not to violate the constitutional date for elections as ordered by the Court. How about the President and the Leader of the Opposition agreeing for the Court to manage the elections? Other societies used the Court to manage elections when there were doubts about the process and date. If the Court manages the elections, neither side will enjoy an advantage and/or make credible claims of fraud.

Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram

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saturday, JUly 20, 2019

Page

Foundation

Why do I fight with my parents so much?

D

iscover the many different types of animal homes.

Materials

Animal Homes Hike print-outs Clipboard Pencil or crayon (optional) Sketchbook (optional) Camera (optional)

What you do

Print out the Animal Homes Hike sheets from rangerrick.org.

Keep track of which animals’ homes you find. For smaller children, they can check them off on the printout. If you bring crayons, they could colour them in.

T

he clothes you wear. The food you eat. The colour of your bedroom walls. Where you go and how you get there. The people you hang with. What time you go to bed.

What do these things have in common, you’re asking? They’re just a few examples of the many hundreds of things that your parents controlled for you when you were a child. As a kid, you didn’t have a say in very much that went on; your parents made decisions about everything from the cereal you ate in the morning to the pyjamas you wore at night. And it’s a good thing, too – kids need this kind of protection and assistance, because they aren’t mature enough to take care of themselves and make careful decisions on their own.

But eventually, kids grow up and become teens. And part of being a teen is developing your own identity – one that is separate from your parents’. It’s totally normal for teens to create their own opinions, thoughts, and values about life; it’s what prepares them for adulthood.

But as you change and grow into this new person who makes his or her own decisions, your parents may have

a difficult time adjusting. They aren’t used to the new you yet – they only know you as the kid who had everything decided for you and didn’t mind.

In most families, it’s this adjustment that can cause a lot of fighting between teens and parents. You want to cover your walls with posters; they don’t understand why you don’t like your kiddie wallpaper anymore. You think it’s OK to hang at the mall every day after school; they would rather that you play a sport.

Clashes like these are very common between teens and parents – teens get angry because they feel parents don’t respect them and aren’t giving them space to do what they like, and parents get angry because they aren’t used to not being in control or they disagree with the teens’ decisions.

It’s easy for feelings to get very hurt when there are conflicts like these.

And more complicated issues – like the types of friends you have or your attitudes about sex and partying – can cause even bigger arguments, because your parents will always be intent on protecting you and keeping you safe, no matter how old you are.

The upside

The good news about fighting with your parents is that in many families the arguing will lessen as parents get more comfortable with the idea that their teen has a right to certain opinions and an identity that may be different from theirs.

It can take several years for parents and teens to adjust to their new roles, though. In the meantime, concentrate on communicating with your parents as best you can.

Sometimes this can feel impossible – like they just don’t see your point of view and never will. But talking and expressing your opinions can help you gain more respect from your parents, and you may be able to reach compromises that make everyone happy. For example, if you are willing to clean your room in order to stay out an hour later, both you and your parents walk away with a good deal.

Keep in mind, too, that your parents were teens once and that, in most cases, they can relate to what you’re going through. (kidshealth.org)

DIRECTIONS: Place a tally mark below the animal home each time you observe it on your hike.

For older children, they could draw the animal home that they find, or take a photo of it with a camera.

Look at the handiwork of wildlife. Some animal homes take hours of work. If you find a bird’s nest for example, look at all the tiny bits they put together to make it.

Do you recognise anything that is man-made?

Keep your Animal Homes print-outs with you when you travel.

For example, you might not have a wetland close to home. But wetlands are rich with diverse animal homes.

So consider bringing your animal homes print-outs the next time you can visit one. (rangerrick.org)

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saturday, JUly 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Granger flip-flops on appointment of GECOM Chairman

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resident David Granger, during a televised interview on Friday to address concerns that he was overstepping his role in the process of selecting a GECOM Chairman by presenting nominees to be considered for the post, said he foresaw gridlock in the process of selecting six acceptable nominees.

He explained that the CCJ had made it clear that it is not altering the Constitution, which states that the Opposition Leader should present a list of six to the President for the selection of the new GECOM Chair, but was moving away from unilateralism in the appointment and towards consensus.

“This means that if the President of Guyana has the role to play in the selection of Chairman, the process will be faster, and both sides will be happier at the end of it because we would have agreed during the stage of the (hammering out) process on the appointment of the Chairman. I can only do that if I’m involved,” he posited.

President Granger went on to say that he cannot simply sit and wait for the final list to be sent to him,

Former Attorney General Mohabir Anil Nandlall

because this is what failed in the past and forced him to resort to the proviso in the Constitution which empowers him to appoint a Chairman if the list submitted by the Leader of the Opposition was not in accordance with the Constitution.

“So it’s very important that we pay attention to spirit and the letter of consequential orders (of the CCJ); that is to say, that the President must be given a role, and it means that I have to be involved in the selection of nominees before the (final list of six) nominees comes back to me. It is no longer a one-sided affair. It is no longer unilateral; it is consensual.

Both Government and the Opposition have to be in-

volved,” he asserted.

“There is no way the removal of the President’s role in the hammering out process of that list could result in an outcome that is consensual and that is acceptable. It would be spurious if the Opposition insists on exclusively or unilaterally crafting that list. The CCJ ruling makes that impossible,” he said.

However, former Attorney General Mohabir Anil Nandlall stated, “Something is seriously wrong with the President.

The CCJ ruled that the President cannot appoint a person of his own choosing once the Leader of the Opposition submits a list to him. When one strips the engagement between the Leader of the Opposition and the President of their esoteric content, it boils down to the President insisting on appointing someone of his own choosing.”

Nandlall further explained that, “The CCJ guidance must be interpreted in a context. That context is Article 161 (2) of the Constitution. That Article mandates for the Leader of the Opposition to submit names to find the “not unacceptability” of the President.

“All that the CCJ did

was to explain how this objective can be achieved.

The CCJ never intended -and simply could not have intended -- to invest the President with a power to submit names to the Leader of the Opposition. Any interpretation of the CCJ judgement which lends to that conclusion is an interpretation that is irrational, capricious, whimsical, and absolutely ignorant of the provisions of Article 161 of the Constitution and the intention placed upon it by the CCJ,” the former Attorney General stated.

At this stage of the informal process, four names were deemed “not unacceptable” to the President

by Granger. However, after Granger’s representatives submitted a list of eight names, the list was “shortlisted” to two names, because not all eight names were “not unacceptable” to the President.

However, the Opposition Leader submitted four new names to the President for his consideration, as part of the ongoing informal pro-

President David Granger

cess.

Notably, at his most recent press conference (18th July 2019), in addressing the current process that is ongoing, Jagdeo said both sides are trying to “hammer out” names as part of a process to reach consensus.

“We have not changed the Constitution…we have made some progress; we have four already, we will work on two or three more.

And we will have no questions of rejection at that point in time of the list,” he declared.

The June 18, 2019 ruling of the Caribbean Court of

Justice made clear that once there is a process of engagement, the President cannot use the proviso to make a unilateral appointment. The ruling said, “[Paragraph 28] Unilateral appointment by the President in keeping with the proviso to Article 161(2) can hardly be an option if the Leader of the Opposition demonstrates a willingness to engage in good faith the process outlined above.”

On the smoothness of the engagement between the Parliamentary Opposition and the APNU+AFC Coalition, the Opposition Leader said, “There are a lot of outside players who are trying to influence the process and influence the President not to comply with the Constitution. That is for him to sort out.”

Nonetheless, he stressed that the Constitution has not been changed relative to his role in submitting to Granger names which will be considered for appointment of a new GECOM Chairperson.

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saturday, JUly 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Vendor charged for allegedly attempting to kill girlfriend

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n Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) vendor, who was charged back in 2018 for a $22 million jewellery heist, was hurled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts once again, but this time slapped with an attempted murder charge.

Trayon Parks appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to face the indictable charge, which read that on July 10, 2019, at Bagotstown, EBD, he grievously wounded Cresheia Nero with intent to murder her.

The Stabroek Market

vendor was represented by Attorney Adrian Thompson, who in a bail application, told the court that his client and the victim were involved in a fight when Nero was injured.

However, Prosecutor Neville Jeffers contended that on July 10, Parks attacked the victim at her Bagotstown home, and while being armed with a sharp weapon, dealt Nero several stab wounds to her abdomen.

The prosecutor further requested that Parks be remanded given the serious nature of the offence and the fact that he was previously

Remanded: Trayon Parks

charged for stealing millions in jewellery.

Chief Magistrate McLennan, after listening to the submissions, upheld the prosecution’s application to have Parks remanded. The case will continue on August 5, 2019.

In July 2018, Parks along with two others, Clifford Rodney and Albert Defreitas, were charged for the offence of breaking and entering the L Seepersaud Maraj and Sons Jewellery store at the Stabroek Market.

Parks and his accomplices were accused of stealing $22 million worth in gold and diamond jewellery.

“Curl Up” jailed for stealing gold band

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ust weeks after pleading guilty to a simple larceny charge, 27-year-old Jason Thomas of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, was on Friday sentenced to serve 2 years in prison for the offence.

Thomas, also known as “Curl up”, was handed the sentence by Magistrate Dylon Bess after a probation report was presented. According to the report, the father of two was previously charged for

Jailed: Jason Thomas

possession of narcotics and is currently unemployed.

The charge against the father of two read that on June 22, 2019, at Regent and Wellington Streets, Georgetown, he stole a $120,000 gold band from Clairan Rambarran.

On his first court appearance, Thomas admitted to the charge and explained to the court that he committed the act since he was frustrated and needed money to pur-

chase milk for his two young children.

Nevertheless, Magistrate Bess in handing down his sentence considered the fact that Thomas pleaded guilty and did not waste the court’s time, along with the information revealed from the probation report.

As such, an unrepresented Thomas will now spend the next two years behind bars for the offence.

Renegade…

J

… GECOM ust when your Eyewitness is ready to throw up his hands in disgust and growl, “Fyah on dem”, there appears an individual who does the right thing and ignites a flicker of hope that all is not lost for Guyana under the battering ram of the PNC in its obscene quest to hold on to power. Asked by Lowenfield for an opinion on the recently-departed (but not mourned) illegallyappointed GECOM Chair Patterson’s order that H2H registration should begin tomorrow, the aptly-named GECOM in-house counsel Excellence Dazzell didn’t pull any punches.

She replied that to follow Patterson’s directive would place GECOM in contempt of the CCJ’s definitive orders of June 18. Those orders, of course, are what the PNC and its myrmidons have been playing ducks and drakes with to avoid their clear and unambiguous import: elections

by Sept 18!! No if, ands, or buts about that!! Once the order was given, Caretaker Granger was constitutionally required to issue a proclamation declaring that date as the date for elections.

For Granger to pass the ball to GECOM to set the election date is to place the cart before the donkey! The mandated date to be set by the Caretaker President – Sept 18 – can only be changed by GECOM if they comply with Art 162 (2). To wit, after consulting with the PM and Opposition Leader, they would have to show that elections on that date would be accompanied by “danger or serious hardship”. Up to now the illegallyappointed Patterson and the PNC Commissioners have been agreeing with the delaying ploy of the PNC that the present list is irretrievably flawed and this presumably would pose a “danger” to “credible” elections.

But this is where Excellence Dazzell comes in. She’d already shown that the present list can be sanitised and updated to address all the claims of the PNCites – “disenfranchisement of youths” and names of the dead on the list – but was slapped down by Patterson, who said he hadn’t asked her. How dare she express an opinion? Well, here she’s gone and done that again – but this time after being asked by CEO Lowenfield!

She pointed out that in view of the CCJ’s order, the most expeditious method to clean the list must be used to satisfy the specified date – and this was the Claims and Objections route!!

She also pointed out that the rushed H2H exercise would impact adversely on an accurate list and should be halted since it would lead to more disagreement, confusion, and court interventions. But we know that “accuracy” of the voters’ list is just a red herring, don’t we??

When this fails, there will be new delaying tactics!! …SARA Investigator Well, mout’ open and story jump out!! This time about the sanctimonious Eric Phillips of ACDA fame who denounced the PPP for playing fast and loose with the rules concerning the public weal, but was uncovered as playing both ends against the middle on ethics. Imagine this man was appointed as the LEAD investigator of SARA on the award of some oil blocks by then President Ramotar – in which there were alleged hanky-panky – but didn’t tell his boss Clive Thomas that he and others from the African Business Roundtable had applied for their own oil block!!

Up to now he’d been insisting that since the oil block hadn’t actually been awarded (yet?), there was no conflict of interest!! Thomas tartly pointed out that for a man who constantly boasted he’d interned at the White House, how come he didn’t know even if there was an APPEARANCE of a conflict, he shouldn’t have taken the job!! …poverty pimp But that wasn’t the only contradiction. The fella claimed he’d jettisoned the ABR – to help marginalised Africans – at the time he and his cohorts from that organisation formed ABR Oil and Gas. Yet he’d written letters to the press long after the latter entity was launched, describing himself as an Executive of ABR!!

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

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saturday, JUly 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

PNC supports GECOM’s defiance of CCJ orders

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he People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) – the largest party of the coalition Government – is backing the move by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to begin House-to-House Registration today - a move which is in flagrant violation of the Guyana Constitution and the rulings of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

The party made its position known on Friday at a press conference hosted at Congress Place, Sophia, Georgetown.

Communities Minister and Treasurer of the PNC, Ronald Bulkan said that the party “welcomes the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM’s) independent decision to commence Houseto-House Registration starting tomorrow, Saturday 20th

July 2019. This decision is completely consistent with both the Constitution and the CCJ’s ruling that we need to hold fair and credible elections in the shortest possible time”.

This is although the Trinidad-based Court ordered that Article 106 (6) and (7) of the Constitution be upheld and respected, bearing in mind that the NoConfidence Motion against the Government was passed as long as December 21, 2018.

Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence”.

Meanwhile Article 107 (7) states: “Notwithstanding its

PNCR Treasurer Ronald Bulkan

defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected mem-

bers of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election” Nevertheless, the caretaker Government is contending that House-to-House Registration must be conducted given that as much as 200,000 names on the present voters’ list are not eligible.

According to Bulkan, while his party “respects” the CCJ’s ruling, House-to-House Registration should take precedence over early elections.

The Communities Minister further argued that the last voters’ list used for Local Government Elections has already expired while a Claims and Objections period will not be successful in updating that list.

Ever since the Caribbean

Court of Justice (CCJ) ruled that the No-Confidence Motion was validly passed, the Administration has been accused of “buying time” to remain in power.

In fact, even after the CCJ ruled on the validity of the motion, the Government has employed several delaying tactics and even made utterances which defied the court judgment.

GECOM’s own legal officer, Excellence Dazzell, had advised the Commission that proceeding with House-toHouse Registration would be in contempt of court.

Going ahead with this lengthy registration process would result in elections being held until after September 18, 2019 – which would have marked the end of the threemonth constitutional deadline

for elections.

Only on Thursday, Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo warned that attempts to pursue House-to-House Registration instead of elections would be in defiance of the pronouncements made by the CCJ. His statement comes at a time when it was recently published in the Official Gazette that GECOM announced House-to-House Registration, commencing July 20, 2019, which will run until October.

Though it was signed by the former GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson, since June 11, the Gazette was only recently made public. Patterson’s appointment to the position of GECOM Chairman has since been ruled by the CCJ as unconstitutional.

Woman arrested for assaulting PPP protesters with fetid water

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woman, who confronted and doused several People’s Progressive Party (PPP) protesters on Friday outside of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) with muddy gutter water, was arrested.

The woman, who has been identified as Cassandra Amsterdam, confronted the protesters at the corner of High and Barrack Streets, Kingston, Georgetown, where they were gathered for a peaceful protest, and threw the muddy water on protesters while hurling expletives at them.

Cassandra Amsterdam

At the time, the protesters had been gathered behind Police barri-

cades, chanting for GECOM to comply with Guyana’s Constitution and honour the CCJ ruling.

While hurling expletives, the visibly angry woman entered her house and exited with a cutlass, which she used to further threaten the protesters. Others who were at the time in the woman’s yard were seen brandishing knives as they also began threatening the peaceful protesters.

Further irritated as the chanting continued from the protesters, Amsterdam took up a bucket, which she used to dip water from a near-

The woman being arrested by Police

by gutter, and proceeded to throw the water into the crowd.

She then continued her assault, running into her house, this time emerging with a pitchfork and confronted the crowd.

Ranks from the Guyana Police Force, who had gathered at the scene, were forced to restrain the woman, disarming her and later placing her in handcuffs.

Amsterdam is a squatter at the building and in 2018 was given a court order to remove from the property where she committed the act on Friday.

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saturday, JUly 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Despite CCJ orders

Govt continues to function in full capacity – Jagdeo …advises President to dissolve Parliament

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espite orders from the Caribbean Court of Justice that Guyana’s Government is in caretaker mode following their defeat after the No-Confidence Motion, operations have continued as though they are acting in full capacity.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday stated that while Government has acknowledged their position as an interim Administration, they are yet to abide by those lines and are, therefore, infringing the ruling.

Speaking at his weekly press conference, the Opposition Leader said that while the President has accepted that his Administration is a caretaker Government, they have continued to function in the same manner that they did before they were given a caretaker status by the CCJ. “Further, in open defiance

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

also of the CCJ’s ruling, they continue to say that the Cabinet is not resigning when the Constitution says that and the CCJ orders that the Cabinet and President must resign. That is one area where they have decided not to obey the decision of the CCJ,” said Jagdeo.

In handing down the con-

sequential order on July 12, CCJ President Adrian Saunders had outlined that the Cabinet, including the President, should have already been resigned, thus, reaffirming that the APNU/ AFC coalition is, in fact, and should be in a caretaker mode leading up to elections.

The CCJ outlined that Article 106 (6) and (7) of the Constitution of Guyana must be honoured.

The clauses read that “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.” And “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less

than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election”.

A caretaker Government is tasked only with the routine management of the country and makes necessary preparations for the holding of elections and according to Jagdeo, Cabinet meetings, ministerial outreaches and the passage of bills must stop.

“Every time they mention about Cabinet briefing and Cabinet meetings etc, it means that they are acting illegally…I’ve seen Basil Williams continue to speak as though the President could set the date at will and that he can wait on GECOM’s advice. That is what the argument was before the ruling...We asked that they treat June 18, the date that the ruling of the

President David Granger

CCJ was made, and start the count from there,” he said.

As such, Jagdeo added, that true acceptance of the court’s pronouncement would mean the dissolution of Parliament and preparations for Claims and Objections to produce a clean voters’ list.

“The position is that the Government must com-

ply with the ruling of the CCJ and he must dissolve Parliament. That brings us closer to the elections.

GECOM must prepare for elections. They must prepare for a period of Claims and Objections which will allow those who are not on the list to get on the list….

This is what should happen now, nothing else.”

Both sides had several meetings over the past two weeks to “hammer out” names for the position of a GECOM Chairman. The Opposition Leader is duly responsible for selecting six nominees for the post but it must be “not unacceptable” by the President. That process is still under discussion with four names of 18 submitted by the Opposition Leader which were “not unacceptable” to the President.

The Opposition Leader has since submitted an additional four names for consideration.

Water woes hit WBD after reduced GWI production …1 of 2 wells restored

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or the past three weeks, water supply to residents in West Bank Demerara has been severely affected after two wells operated by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) decreased its production rate.

At present, the utility company is still trying to remedy the situation and trucks are now supplying potable water, while one well still remains unfixed. The area is usually

supplied by three wells in Westminster, L’Oratoire, and Onderneeming.

Director of Operations at GWI Dwayne Shako explained on Friday that the L’Oratoire and Westminster wells dropped their production rate by 39,000 and 40,000 gallons of water per hour respectively. This created a serious dent in the supDirector of Operations, Dwayne Shako

ply chain and many households were affected.

“For the last three weeks, we experienced a severe drop in production in one of the wells and by the time we attempted to do some work on that well, we

experienced a severe drop in the next well,” he explained.

According to the Director, the water is sourced from groundwater reserves so these problems cannot be detected instantaneously.

“Because this is a groundwater source and it is coming from very deep, we would not see the effect right away. It will take many months and possible years of rain to really have any immediate effect on the aquifer. The issue really is that from time to time, because of migration of particles. We many times experience a loss in production”.

On Friday morning, the L’Oratoire well was restored but the Recht Door Zee Phase Two and Onderneeming Phase Two communities remained without potable water.

“The team tried really hard to get L’Oratoire back

in operation and we completed that well this morning (Friday) and were able to restore service at that well.

We now have a smaller part of Westminister, Dairy and the Recht Door Zee (Phase One) area that has now gotten some amount of relief but we still have the Phase Two of both the Recht Door Zee and the Onderneeming area,” said Shako.

Regional Manager Denise Woolford explained that they have put plans in place to have water supplied via trucks. However, it is a limited access to cater for daily activities. Until the West Minster well is fully operational, these efforts will continue.

“In an attempt to alleviate the issues being faced, we put measures in place to truck potable water in the areas. We have three different sets of tankers that will be going in and they will be working round the clock.

The water that we’re providing in the area is free but we’re just asking that they conserve. This trucking is going to continue until we have West Minister back in operation,” Woolford stated.

Adding to that, Shako shared that the tankers are large, resulting in technicalities to maneuver on smaller streets.

“We were very skeptical about starting the water distribution because the tankers are large. In Onderneeming, the streets are small so we’ll try to stay on the main road and pump water through the streets if we can...We’ll try our best to ensure that everybody receives a supply of water,” he positioned.

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saturday, JUly 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Jagdeo slams public entities for intimidating whistleblowers

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

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orruptive acts in the public sector have been brought to light in recent times through whistleblowers within these entities.

On Thursday, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo directed that it is the expectation that these persons’ rights are protected to safeguard a continuation in these reports.

In Guyana, however, individuals are being intimidated to report wrongful activities in their workplace through the use of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

“What are they blowing whistle on? It’s corrupted acts. When the world is going in a direction, when you strengthen the rights of those individuals because it’s part of your fight against corruption, in Guyana we want to intimidate these [persons]…They want to use the coercive power of the Police to stop this,” he stated.

On May 31, 2019, the

personnel staff and chief accountant at the Public Service Ministry were sent packing by Minister Tabitha Sarabo-Halley shortly after she was appointed to that post.

When the news broke about the arbitrary firing of these employees, the Government initially denied firing them, but one week after, Director General Joseph Harmon confirmed that, indeed, the workers were sent home.

But he said higher authorities had since intervened and the dismissed staff were eventually sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. He had maintained that the staff in question are still employees of the Government as the decision by Minister SaraboHalley to terminate their services has been halted.

Jagdeo had contended that they were sent packing since it is presumed that they had exposed cas-

es of corruption in the Government. One of those revelations are that the children of a senior Minister allegedly received over US$86,000 in 2018 monies that were transferred from the Department of Public Service. Then again this year, another transfer of millions reportedly took place.

According to him, the Public Service Minister rushed to illegally fire all the staff in the department that had access to this information, since the Government believes that those fired workers had sent information to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

A special Board of Inquiry (BoI) was later commissioned by President David Granger to probe the actions of Sarabo-Halley.

Guyana Times understands that the investigation has been completed but the report is yet to be revealed.

Meanwhile, he also relighted similar events which have been unfolding at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and urged the Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia, to release pertinent information to the public, which have instigated suspicions.

“We have asked them to disclose issues surrounding corruption. I’m sure it is not an offence and Guyanese would want to know. That is not protected by the secrecy surrounding people’s tax files. Guyanese would want to know from the Commissioner General, in his tenure, how many luxury vehicles were seized and not placed on public auction [and] given or sold cheaply to individuals associated

Public Service Minister Tabitha Sarabo-Halley

with this Government. You should be able in light of transparency. This is not a

secret thing,” he related.

During an earlier press conference, he revealed

that hundreds of motor vehicles were being imported into Guyana and were not being placed on the register for Want of Entry and, therefore, were never gazetted and put up for action.

In fact, Jagdeo posited that these motor vehicles were finding their way on to the streets.

Meanwhile, at the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GS&LC), alleged corrupted activities surrounding the giveaway of lands were recently revealed. Instead, Commissioner Trevor Benn called on the Police to conduct a probe where he promised that liable staff members would be “condignly dealt with”.

12 news

saturday, JUly 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

“Respect Guyana’s Constitution!” – PPP supporters to GECOM ...PPP mulls court action against GECOM’s CEO over breach of court orders

Protesters gathered at the Red House as they continued their protest action Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali addressing media operatives

H

undreds of People’s Progressive Party supporters gathered outside of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in a massive protest against GECOM’s decision to defy the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling and proceed with House-toHouse Registration - scheduled to begin today.

Organised by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), the supporters called on GECOM officials to respect

the Constitution and start preparing for the constitutionally due elections.

GECOM’s move to proceed with House-to-House Registration is in defiance of the Caribbean Court of Justice’s (CCJ’s) ruling, which mandates that the Guyana Constitution be respected.

The Constitution unambiguously states that elections must be held in three months after a Government topples to a No-Confidence Motion.

With House-to-House Registration, elections will not be held within the constitutionally stipulated period.

Opposition Leader baffled

by CEO’s proclamation

Speaking with the media on the protest lines, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said that he is baffled about the legal basis on which GECOM’s CEO,

Keith Lowenfield, is proceeding with the House-to-House Registration.

“GECOM’s lawyer this week advised Mr. Lowenfield against pursuing House-toHouse Registration, pointing out that this will conflict with the CCJ’s order. One then has to question his motive to act in contempt of both the CCJ’s order and against the advice of his own Legal Officer”, said the Opposition Leader.

He added that Lowenfield has not even formally informed the PPP about the

confirmed start of new Houseto-House Registration on Saturday, July 20, 2019, despite the fact that the enumeration forms to be used in the process require the signatures of scrutineers from political parties.

“We in the PPP are now contemplating approaching the Court to prevent this activity by Lowenfield, which is in contempt of the order of the CCJ and in defiance of the Constitution of Guyana. If this wasn’t bad, what is worse is that the planned start of the exercise is done in a manner to exclude scrutiny. Without notice, parties were not given sufficient time to ready a list of over 2,000 scrutineers to ensure that the activity is done in a manner that is above board”, the Opposition Leader explained.

In addition, he added, the “secret” June 11, 2019 Order

signed by the illegally appointed GECOM Chairman James Patterson was overtaken by the order of the CCJ on July 12, 2019, and cannot be used as the basis on which House-to-House Registration is pursued.

The CCJ order stated that GECOM must comply with the Constitution; that is: Elections in three months – and GECOM itself had advised the Court that embarking on Houseto-House Registration will delay Elections until after

December 25, 2019.

Further, Jagdeo added that GECOM should immediately start preparations for updating the last valid List of Electors through a period of Claims and Objections -- something that Lowenfield himself, in February 2019,

had said could be done to allow any Guyanese who is not registered to be registered, among other transactions.

“GECOM should discontinue any attempt to do House-to-House Registration and pay a lump sum, let’s say $100,000, to all the enumerators who have been trained, for their efforts thus far. GECOM should recall the over 8,000 persons who were

er Government and GECOM respect the ruling of the CCJ and Guyana’s Constitution.

“This Government said that they will win convincingly. I know that if you will win, why is it that you are afraid to call the elections? If you really believe that you have a chance of winning anything, call elections now! And I want to remind Mr Lowenfield that he is not above the law; that

garding when fresh elections will be held.

The CCJ ruled on June 18, 2019 that the No-Confidence Motion against the David Granger-led Administration was validly passed on December 21, 2018. This means that Article 106 (6) and (7) of the Constitution of Guyana takes effect.

The clauses read: “The Cabinet including the

trained for the November 2018 Local Government Elections, as well as others, and start the process of training -- and where necessary, re-training -- for General and Regional Elections”, the Opposition Leader stated.

There can be no acceptance of any action that represents blatant disregard and disrespect of our Constitution, he added.

he is an ordinary citizen just like all of us, and he must respect the Constitution of our country. And we are going to stand up against his singular attempt to derail the process of democracy,” Ali said in addressing the protesters.

Since the CCJ’s ruling, which validated the passage of the motion on June 18, 2019, the Opposition has been calling for elections by September 18. Though it has been more than a month since the CCJ’s ruling was handed down, there has been no indication from GECOM or President David Granger re-

President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence”. And “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election”.

Also calling out the Government was the A New and United Guyana (ANUG) political party, which has urged strict adherence to the CCJ’s decision and for the Government to respect and uphold Article 106 (7) of the Constitution which mandates elections be held within three months of the passage of a no-confidence motion.

The party added that GECOM’s House-to-House Registration is without a doubt an act of contempt of court which was deliberate and premeditated.

Respect Constitution

Meanwhile, PPP Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali said his party intends to fight until the caretak-

13 Scenes from Friday’s massive protest against GECOM

saturday, JUly 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

14 News 71 students complete GPHC’s work-study programme saturday, JUly 20, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

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eventy-one students from various public and private schools across the country have completed their work-study attachment programme at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where they experienced the challenges and excitement of working in the medical field.

The students underwent six weeks of training, where they shadowed various personnel in the profession.

They were trained in areas within GPHC’s four macro departments.

That is, within the Nursing Services, which include the clinics; the Professional Services, which include the hospitals’ laboratory and Medical Imaging Department; the Pharmacy Department; the Health Information; and the Management Systems.

The Facilities Management Services catered for the training of the technical institute students who were trained in plumbing, carpentry, electrical, laundry and biomedical departments.

Additionally, the Administrative Services, which encompass the Human Resources Department, the Finance Department, Procurement Department and the Dietary Department, were

“For each of you, you would have gained knowledge, experience, wisdom and discipline that prepares you for your next level in life, whether it’s returning back to school or beginning work. So as you go ahead, I will charge you that you should always be punctual and do your best no matter what those around you are doing,” Wilson charged.

Two other programmes are expected to commence soon for another batch of students at GPHC.

The work-study students and GPHC personnel

where the students from the Carnegie School of Economics were trained.

Jedia Jeffrey, one of the trainees and a student of Queen’s College, said her experience was fulfilling.

“I had never expected to learn so much that I know now. Never had I expected to now have such an appreciation for this institution because I never expected for everybody to be working along so well and for it to be so organised. So firstly, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the staff of the Radiology Department for accommodating me and explaining everything I didn’t understand, and for always answering my questions be-

cause I had many,” the young woman expressed.

Pricilla Hope of the North Georgetown Secondary School and Kareem McLean of the Government Technical Institute (GTI) shared similar sentiments.

“I learned filing for the matrons’ office, I filed correspondents, my hands hurt, my back hurt but it was very much fun. We really did enjoy our time here especially with our supervisor Ms Roberts, who gave us motherly advice and it was always fun,” Hope said.

Manager (ag) of GPHC’s Pharmacy Department Catherine Wilson urged the students to continue working hard when they fully enter into the world of work.

Jamaican serving 1-year sentence gets additional 9 months behind bars

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Jamaican, who was recently sentenced to one year imprisonment after he admitted to sharing an obscene video of a woman via social media, was given additional jail time on Friday by Magistrate Leron Daly after a change of plea to a charge of escaping Police custody.

In Court on Friday, Anthony Lynch opted to change his not guilty plea to guilty for the charge which read that on January 7, 2019, at Eve Leary, Georgetown, while being in lawful custody for an offence, he escaped from the said custody.

When Lynch made his first Court appearance before Magistrate Daly, he was initially slapped with three charges, including the aforementioned and overstaying in Guyana.

After admitting that on January 1, 2019, at Lot 20 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he knowingly and without any lawful excuse exposed an obscene video to cause public embarrassment, Lynch was jailed for one year.

According to Police reports, on the day in question, Lynch was arrested for sharing an obscene video of his girlfriend and was taken to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for questioning. The Court was informed that while at the location, Lynch was ordered to sit and wait on a bench; however, he used the opportunity to escape from the

Jailed: Anthony Lynch

Police.

Just days after, Police ranks managed to locate and rearrested the convicted man for the offences.

Lynch was, nevertheless, sentenced to 9 months imprisonment for the second charge he admitted to and is still before the Court for the third.

news

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saturday, JUly 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Junior Communities Minister boasts of “increased access” to electricity …as GPL continues to grapple with prolonged blackouts

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ice Chair of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Junior Communities Minister, Annette Ferguson on Friday boasted of an increase in access to electricity even as sections of the country continue to face frequent blackouts.

Ferguson was at the time speaking of the achievements of the ruling caretaker Government during a press conference on Friday at Congress Place, Sophia, Georgetown.

“Currently over 90 per cent of the people in Guyana have access to electricity, rising by four per cent since 2014”, she added.

The Minister further highlighted some of the investments that have been done to achieve this notable accomplishment.

“New oil and diesel power plants in Anna Regina which is 5.5 megawatts which cost the Government in excess of $1.1 billion, Bartica 3.5 megawatts, which cost us

$800 million and renewable energy projects including Canefield 5.5 megawatts which cost us $1.7 billion”.

In addition, she pointed out that some 21,700 LED lights were installed along with 4793 occupancy sensors under the Administration’s Green Public Sector Programme.

The Vice Chair’s praises of the Government’s work in this regard does not take away from the fact that only a few weeks ago, countrywide blackouts had been massively affecting the country.

This was triggered after two of the Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL’s) submarine cables got damaged by vessels.

Last month although one was recovered across the Demerara River linking the Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston power plants, GPL told residents not to breathe a sigh of relief just yet as the interconnected system was not stable as yet.

On the other hand, the second damaged cable remains in its destructed form as GPL awaits materials needed to rectify the cable.

Only last week Guyana Times reported that the materials are being sourced to fix the 13.8kV submarine cable which rests along the upper Demerara River within proximity of Craig, East Bank Demerara. The cable was dislodged by a barge sailing along the Demerara River at around 04:23h on June 6, 2019.

The Government was blasted by the Opposition

Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, last month when he held a press conference, as he explained that the occurrence of regular blackouts and load shedding could have been prevented by the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project that was scrapped by the APNU/AFC coalition.

The Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, which was initiated under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, could have been generating about 50 per cent more electricity than the entire GPL supply at the time in 2012.

But the project was scrapped by the coalition Administration which had controlled the National Assembly by a one-seat majority.

In addition, the former President posited that the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project was far more stable and reliable than any of the renewable energy projects being pursued by the Government.

In fact, none of the renewable energy projects that are being undertaken by the coalition Government will contribute to the national grid and as such, it will not help solve the blackout woes. The Amaila Falls Hydropower Project was the flagship of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy.

Amaila was expected to deliver a steady source of clean, renewable energy that would have been affordable and reliable and was envisioned to meet approximately 90 per cent

Vice Chair of PNCR and Junior Communities Minister Annette Ferguson at a press conference on Friday

of Guyana’s domestic energy needs while removing the dependency on fossil fuels.

The electric plant was proposed to be a 165 MW (installed capacity) hydropower generation facility, located in west-central Guyana, approximately 250 kilometres south-west of Georgetown.

Over $500M spent annually to maintain DHB

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ver $500 million is spent annually to maintain the 41-yearold Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), which is nestled across the Demerara River from Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara, to Schoonord, West Bank Demerara.

In a recent interview with this publication, General Manager of the 1.25 miles (2.01 km) long floating structure, Rawlston Adams explained that this figure is usually deducted from the Bridge’s toll revenue.

The far too frequent and costly maintenance works are triggered by the fact that the Bridge was only intended to service commuters for about 10 years, however, it is still being used.

Only on Friday Junior Communities Minister, Annette Ferguson, who once functioned as Minister within the Infrastructure Ministry, told the media that works are frequently conducted to maintain the Bridge.

According to her, since the A Partnership for National

Crew members of the DHB conducting maintenance works on a section of the structure on Friday morning

Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government took office, three new pontoons were installed while 77 existing ones were rehabilitated.

Along with the pontoons, the Bridge itself is usually maintained almost on a daily basis, occasionally at various spots simultaneously. The maintenance crew of the Bridge would usually

be required to conduct welding works, which results in traffic build-up across the Bridge.

Strangely, those works are done during peak hours, commonly when persons are rushing to work or school in the mornings.

Due to the maintenance crew working on one section of the two-lane bridge, traffic is usually diverted to the

other lane, which means that vehicles in their rightful lane would have to wait until the path is clear again.

Many drivers have complained to Guyana Times of the traffic build-up on the Bridge during these hours.

They argued that maintenance works should be conducted at “less busy” hours to allow the traffic to flow as it should.

With the Bridge slowly self-destructing, plans are afoot to have a new bridge built across the Demerara River to better facilitate the flow of traffic.

The new bridge would be built to accommodate four lanes of traffic in the future. Already, however, controversy surrounds the new proposed structure as Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson has been accused of sole-sourcing the feasibility contract into the bridge.

In fact, a probe was conducted by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) into the awarding of a sole-sourced contract

DHB General Manager Rawlston Adams

for a feasibility study into the construction of the new Demerara River bridge.

The contract in question was awarded to Dutch company LievenseCSO for a feasibility study into the new bridge.

The Opposition had requested that the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) investigate the award of the $148 million solesourced contract.

The PPC had flagged

Minister Patterson for requesting from Cabinet that the contract be sole-sourced instead of being processed through the Procurement Board as the law says should be done.

The PPC completed its investigation into the award of the contract for a feasibility study on a new Demerara River bridge and handed its report over on August 7, 2018. The report noted that several companies had bid for the project to do the feasibility study and design for the new Demerara River bridge and 12 companies had been shortlisted.

The report added that only two of the 12 companies had made proposals.

As such, the bidding process was annulled. It added that on November 12, 2016, the Tender Administration Board approved the move for the project to be re-tendered. The project was not re-tendered; instead, Dutch company LievenseCSO was engaged by the Public Infrastructure Ministry to do the work. (Davina Ramdass)

Region 5 RDC fails to break deadlock once again

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he Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Thursday failed to break the deadlock among the councilors of the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition thus resulting in the meeting ending without any meaningful discussion.

The two sides are in disagreement over whether Region Executive Officer, Ovid Morrison who also the Clerk of Council can perform duties outside of RDC. Regional Vice Chairman Rian Pieters was forced to adjourn the meeting since the Coalition side of the table maintained that the swearing-in of three new councilors was legal while the PPP is holding out that it was not.

The Region Five RDC has eighteen seats with the Coalition occupying eight.

When the May meeting was called to order,

Regional Vice Chairman Rian Pieters

Chairman Vickchand Ramphal recalled seeing three persons at the horseshoe and was told that they were new councilors who took the oath of office before Morrison at a private ceremony.

Ramphal argued then that Morrison did not have the authority in his capacity as REO to perform the ceremony but Morrison and the Coalition Councilors felt otherwise and supported Morrison’s walkout.

The three persons are Frank Wilson, Emerson Benjamin and Marian

Fordyce. They would have replaced Carol Joseph and Dolston Huston who resigned and Renie McCalmont who never took her seat.

On Thursday, however, councilors Abel Seetaram of the AFC and Delon Crawford of APNU argued that the REO acted in accordance with the law.

“If we uphold the constitution, we cannot go wrong. The constitution states that any additional councilor should be sworn in by the Clerk,” Crawford said while adding that it was the Clerk of Council who administers the oath of office.

Pieters on the other hand maintained that the Clerk cannot perform the duties as Clerk outside of the RDC. However, Seetaram questioned whether the REO could attend a function upon an invitation to the Clerk of Council.

Pieters responded by saying that the full council will have to sit and make

that decision, whether or not the Clerk of Council will be allowed to attend a function outside of the RDC as the Clark.

On this note, he added that the between RDC meetings, the Chairman acts on behalf of the Council.

Over the past three years, the RDC had only a few successful monthly meetings as the Coalition had initially refused to sit demanding that the Regional Chairman apologise to President David Granger.

That situation existed until the President stepped

AFC Councillor Abel Seetaram

in and said he apology. The for months led stating that he

needed no RDC had a walkout wanted an

apology from the Chairman.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, it was Pieters who adjourned the meeting.

“Since the Council is unable to resolve the issue that is before us, I have no choice but to adorn this meeting,” he said as another month went by without the RDC being able to meaningfully address issues affecting that Region.

In June the Regional Chairman had said the entire Region is being set back. He noted that the youths are the once who are mostly affected.

Lindeners charged for assault

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wenty-nine-year-old Twancy Langhorne was on Thursday fined $10,000 by Magistrate Annette Singh when she appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on an assault charge.

The woman, who hails from One Mile, Wismar, Linden, pleaded guilty to the

charge which stated that on Monday July 8, 2019 at One Mile, Wismar, she unlawfully assaulted Tomeka Fausett.

The presiding Magistrate ordered Langhorne to pay the fine or face an alternative sentence of one month in prison for the offence.

In another matter, a 21-year-old Steffon Deane

was ordered to pay a fine of $7,500 by Magistrate Annette Singh on a similar matter.

Deane admitted that on Saturday July 13, 2019 he unlawfully assaulted Nivita Adams at Third Alley, Wismar, Linden. Failure to pay the fine will result in Deane spending one week in prison.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURday, JUly 20, 2019

Regional

US Judge orders Peru ex- Caricom urged to ensure President Toledo held in protection of the oceans jail as extradition sought A

Former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo, who faces extradition from the United States as part of a corruption investigation, stands before US Magistrate Judge Thomas Hixson (left) with his Attorney Joseph Russoniello during a hearing in San Francisco

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ormer Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo, facing extradition from the United States as part of a corruption investigation, was deemed a flight risk by a US Judge on Friday and ordered for him to be held in jail.

US Magistrate Judge Thomas Hixson ruled that Toledo, who was arrested earlier this week in California and appeared in

a packed courtroom wearing a red prison jumpsuit, should be kept in custody during extradition proceedings, a process that could last a year.

Toledo, who served as President from 2001 to 2006, is a fugitive from Peruvian justice for allegedly receiving $20 million from the Brazilian construction company, Odebrecht, in exchange for aid to win public works

contracts.

He was arrested on Tuesday following a formal request by Peru for his extradition a year ago.

Hixson cited for his decision $40,000 in cash found by the FBI in a suitcase when they arrested Toledo, adding if he fled it would cause diplomatic tensions for the United States under its treaty obligations with Peru.

Toledo has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

His lawyer during the hearing, Joseph Russoniello, said Toledo was an “extraordinary person” and argued the Peruvian arrest warrant was insufficient to extradite him. Toledo wanted to seek justice in the United States because of discrimination against him in Peru, he added. (Excerpt from

senior Barbados official has called on the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to do everything within its power to ensure that the high seas remain healthy and protected.

Addressing the third Caricom workshop on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, the island's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Juliette Babb-Riley noted that “we are negotiating a treaty with over 100 developed and developing countries from different regions, and we are trying to reach con-

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Affairs Ministry said it wished to inform the public that based on Cabinet Decision Numbers 94 and 95 of July 5, 2014, Cabinet agreed to provide visa exemption to diplomats and investors from the UAE, a release from the Foreign Affairs Ministry said on Thursday.

In this regard, the

Reuters)

Ministry wishes to advise that visa-free travel be made possible for holders of UAE diplomatic, official and ordinary passports with immediate effect.

The Ministry advised that this information will also appear on popular travel sites for the attention of all. (Antigua Observer)

Ahead of US deadline, Mexican Minister has fulfilled migration enforcement pledge

Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard gestures during a news conference in Mexico City, Mexico

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exican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Friday that Mexico has followed through on its commitment to the United States to reduce migration from Central America, as a deadline in a bilateral pact approaches.

US Secretary of State

Mike Pompeo is scheduled to travel to Mexico City to discuss migration and trade with Ebrard on Sunday, a day before the end of a 45-day period in which the Mexican Government pledged to significantly lower the number of people trying to cross the US border il-

legally.

Mexico struck the deal in June to avert punitive trade tariffs. Under the deal, if the United States deems that Mexico has not done enough, the two countries will begin talks over changing rules to make most asylum seekers apply for refuge in Mexico, not the United States.

Mexico has long resisted US pressure to accept this “safe third country” status.

The number of migrants apprehended on the southern US border dropped by roughly a third to about 100,000 in June, after Mexico deployed some 21,000 militarised National Guard Police to stem the flow. (Excerpt from Reuters)

pening beyond areas of national jurisdiction. This agreement is seeking to do that, to make sure we do what is in our power to have a healthy ocean,” Babb-Riley said.

The three-day workshop, which ended in Barbados on Thursday, allowed for discussions on topics relevant to the conservation of the ocean, such as area-based management tools, which include marine protected areas; environmental impact assessments; capacity building and technology transfer; and access and benefit sharing of marine genetic resources. (Excerpt from

Jamaica Observer)

Barbados lawyer gets landmark ruling to go directly to CCJ after 6-year wait at Court of Appeal

Antigua waives visa for UAE officials he Government of Antigua and Barbuda has implemented a policy under which certain categories of United Arab Emirates (UAE) passport holders will get visa-free entry into the country with immediate effect.

In making the announcement, the Foreign

sensus on what would be the test of this new instrument”.

The workshop discussed a new international agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which focuses on the protection of the high seas.

“Biologically and ecologically, there are no boundaries. Marine species move between areas that are under the jurisdiction of states and those that are outside the national jurisdiction of states.

“So, if you want to properly conserve your marine resources which fall under your area, you need to pay attention to what is hap-

Queen’s Counsel Andrew Pilgrim has won a victory over the Barbados Court of Appeal after a six-year wait for an appeal for his client who was convicted of three murders

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ueen’s Counsel Andrew Pilgrim has won a monumental victory over the Barbados Court of Appeal that gave him the green light to take an outstanding matter directly to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) for resolution.

In a landmark ruling, the CCJ gave Pilgrim the

authority to “leapfrog” the local Court of Appeal and have a matter heard before the regional judicial tribunal.

The decision of the final appellate Court was reportedly made because of the inordinate length of time it was taking the Court of Appeal to rule in the case of Omar Dacosta Holder.

Holder had been found guilty of the triple murders of 20-year-old Sakina Walrond, her three-yearold son Shaqkem Gittens and two-month old daughter Sha-Mya Mapp on March 31, 2005 and was sentenced to death by Justice Margaret Reifer in 2010. However, Pilgrim appealed the sentence before the Court of Appeal in 2013, but has been unable to get a judgement since

then.

In an interview with online newspaper Barbados Today, Pilgrim said after listening to the case management of Omar Holder versus the Queen on Monday, the CCJ made a determination that the Court of Appeal, headed

by President Chief Justice Sir Marston Gibson and comprising Madam Justice Sandra Mason and Justice Andrew Burgess, by failing to make a decision had effectively rendered a decision.

Pilgrim said the Trinidad-based CCJ treated the absence of a decision as if the Court of Appeal had affirmed the conviction and sentence.

He said the CCJ granted the appellant leave to appeal and file grounds.

(Excerpt from Caribbean 360)

Nicaragua mothers mourn on eve of Sandinista revolution's anniversary

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he people of Masaya say rebellion runs in their blood. But there is no one in the Nicaraguan city of whom that is truer than Father Edwin Román.

"Sandino was my grandmother's brother, my great-uncle," says the priest of Nicaragua's revolutionary hero and rebel leader, Augusto César Sandino.

Few can boast such a direct familial link to

the man who ended the United States' occupation of Nicaragua in 1933 and whose name would become synonymous with another revolution in Nicaragua decades later.

Sandino's great-nephew is a quieter kind of rebel.

At the height of the violent anti-Government protests, which rocked Masaya last year, Father Román sheltered dozens of demonstrators in his

church as they were being fired upon by Police and armed left-wing radicals.

He also turned the clergy house into a makeshift triage unit for the injured.

"The doorbell rang and there was a group of kids with blood streaming from their heads. From 7pm until the following morning, with the support of a few local medical students, we attended to anyone who arrived at our door," he recalls. (Excerpt from BBC News)

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SATURday, JUly 20, 2019

17

Around the World

Vietnam says Chinese vessel violated Mob in India kills 3 on its sovereignty in South China Sea suspicion of cattle theft

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ietnam on Friday accused a Chinese oil survey vessel and its escorts of violating its sovereignty and demanded that China remove the ships from Vietnamese waters.

Vietnam and China have for years long been embroiled in a dispute over the potentially energy-rich stretch of waters in the South China Sea. On Wednesday, two US-based think tanks reported that Chinese and Vietnamese vessels had engaged in a standoff lasting several weeks near an oil

block in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone. Neither Beijing nor Hanoi have directly confirmed or denied the reports.

Vietnam has demanded China stop the “unlawful activities” and that its ships leave Vietnamese waters, she said.

Hang also said Vietnam called on the international community to join its efforts in maintaining order, peace and security in the South China Sea, which was in the common interest of all countries in the region and beyond.

Chinese Foreign

Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang, in response to questions for comments about the standoff, said on Wednesday that “We hope the Vietnamese side can earnestly respect China’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant waters, and do not take any move that may complicate matters.”

According to further analysis provided on Friday by one of the think tanks, the Centre for Advanced Defence Studies (C4ADS), the Haiyang Dizhi 8 was still active in Vietnamese waters. (Excerpt from Reuters)

South Africa’s Ramaphosa dealt twin blows in anti-graft fight

Former South African President Jacob Zuma talks with members of his legal team during a break in proceedings at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 19, 2019

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outh African President Cyril Ramaphosa suffered two major setbacks on Friday, when he was accused of misleading Parliament and his predecessor Jacob Zuma won significant concessions from a corruption inquiry.

Ramaphosa has staked his reputation on cleaning up South African politics since he replaced Zuma as Head of State in February 2018 and then won a first

full five-year term in May. Zuma has ducked and dived this week at the inquiry, which is testing allegations that he allowed cronies to plunder State resources and influence senior appointments during his nine years in power. He has denied those allegations.

He complained that he was being questioned unfairly, but on Friday he secured a deal whereby he will provide only written state-

ments for now, before returning later to give more public testimony.

Political analysts say if the inquiry, which Zuma set up in his final weeks in office under pressure from rivals including Ramaphosa, fails to link the former President to serious wrongdoing it could dent Ramaphosa’s credibility.

Zuma is a shrewd operator who survived several no-confidence votes before being ousted as President.

As Head of intelligence for the outlawed ANC under apartheid, he was privy to sensitive information which he has threatened to use against former comrades in the liberation struggle.

After the inquiry adjourned on Friday, he made a rousing speech to several hundred supporters in downtown Johannesburg, saying spies had infiltrated the ANC and that he was ready to expose them. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Greek earthquake: Buildings collapse as powerful tremor shakes Athens

The crucifix was shaken from the bell tower of the Church of the Pantanassa

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strong earthquake has shaken the Greek capital of Athens, knocking out phone networks and power in parts of the city.

The 5.1 magnitude earthquake had an epicentre about 22km (14 miles) north-west of Athens.

Athenians ran out into the streets as the city shook for 15 seconds.

There were no reports of serious injuries, but several aftershocks have been felt and two buildings have

collapsed.

The strongest aftershock had a magnitude of 4.3, almost an hour after the initial quake hit at 14:13 (11:13 GMT).

Seismologists warn there could be more.

The earthquake was felt particularly strongly in the centre of Athens, where people stood in the streets after evacuating from tall buildings.

The city lies on several fault lines which cause some earthquakes, al-

though they rarely cause casualties or damage, said Professor Iain Stewart, a geologist at the University of Plymouth.

Before the earthquake in 1999, the city was considered at low risk – but “if a place has an earthquake it increases the hazard” in future, he said.

Athens is built on solid ground, so there is less potential for damage to the Ancient Greek monuments in the city, which date back thousands of years.

However, Prof Stewart notes that Ancient Greek settlements were possibly deliberately built on top of seismic fault lines, perhaps to provide access to natural springs. Earthquakes may also have been of cultural significance in Greek antiquity.

In 2017, two people were killed by a 6.7 magnitude quake which hit the island of Kos, a popular tourist destination. (Excerpt from BBC News)

A

mob in an Indian village has beaten to death three men suspected of trying to steal cattle, the latest in a spate of attacks that have provoked alarm among the country’s religious minorities.

The three men were caught by some villagers in Saran district’s Pithauri village in the eastern state of Bihar early on Friday while trying to load cattle on a pick-up truck, Police official Har Kishore Rai told Reuters news agency.

At least one of the dead was Muslim. A fourth man was in critical condition in hospital after the attack.

As news of the deaths spread, Pithauri residents went to the hospital to stage an angry protest, Police said. Relatives of the dead beat up a man from the village.

Police have arrested three people and filed a case of murder against four more from the village,

Relatives of the mob lynching victims speak to a police officer as they mourn outside a hospital in Chapra in Bihar [Reuters]

local administrative official Lokesh Mishra told Reuters.

Hinduism, India’s dominant religion, considers cows sacred, and killing them is taboo. Many Indian states ban cow slaughter or eating of beef.

In recent years, Hindu mobs have lynched many people from marginalised groups, especially Muslims and Dalits (the least-privileged caste), often over suspicions of cow slaughter.

At least 44 people were killed in cow-related violence between 2015 and 2018, according to Human Rights Watch. At least three other cases were reported this year before Friday’s killings in Bihar.

On Friday, the opposition Congress party accused the Bihar Government of failing to protect the minorities. The BJP is a member of the ruling coalition in the state. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Iran “seizes British-flagged oil tanker”

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British-flagged oil tanker has been seized in the Gulf by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Iran media said.

The owners of the Stena Impero, which was bound for Saudi Arabia, said they have been unable to contact the vessel and it is “heading north towards Iran”.

The company said there are 23 personnel on board and it was approached by “unidentified small crafts and a helicopter” in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Foreign Office is “urgently” looking into the reports.

The Government’s emergency committee, Cobra, is meeting in Whitehall to discuss the incident.

The Tasnim news agency quoted the Ports and Maritime Organisation of Iran as saying: “We received some reports on the British oil tanker, Stena Impero, causing problems.

The vessel, bound for Saudi Arabia, that has been seized by Iran

“We asked the military forces to guide this tanker towards Bandar Abbas port to have the required investigations carried out.”

Stena Bulk, the vessel owner, and ship manager Northern Marine Management confirmed the UK-registered Stena Impero was approached at around 16:00 BST on Friday while it was in international waters.

Tensions between the UK and Iran flared up earlier this month when Royal

Marines seized an Iranian tanker which was suspected of breaking EU sanctions.

The UK suspected Grace 1, detained on July 4 near Gibraltar, was carrying oil bound for Syria.

In response to the seizure, Iran threatened to seize a British oil tanker.

Iran has been blamed by the US for attacks on tankers which have happened in the world’s key shipping area since May. Tehran denies all the accusations. (Excerpt from BBC News)

US vows to down any Iran drones that fly “too close” to its ships

T

he United States will destroy any Iranian drones that fly too close to its ships and has “clear evidence” that it shot down such a drone on Thursday, a senior Trump Administration official said.

“If they fly too close to our ships, they’ll continue to be shot down,” the official told reporters at a briefing on Friday.

The comments came a day after US President Donald Trump said the US Navy “destroyed” an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz after it threatened the vessel, a claim Iran denied.

“This is the latest of

many provocative and hostile actions by Iran against vessels operating in international waters. The US reserves the right to defend our personnel, facilities and interests,” Trump said on Thursday.

“The drone was immediately destroyed,” he added. The Pentagon later said the Navy ship had taken “defensive action” against an Iranian drone at 10 am local time (07:00 GMT) on Thursday.

Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, dismissed the claim in a Twitter post on Friday.

“We have not lost any

drone in the Strait of Hormuz nor anywhere else.

I am worried that USS Boxer has shot down their own UAS [Unmanned Aerial System] by mistake!” he wrote.

Later on Friday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released video it said proves the US warship did not destroy its drone.

The senior Trump Administration official on Friday said “we have very clear evidence” that US Navy warship USS Boxer shot down an Iranian drone.

“We’re confident,” the official said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, JUly 20, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

A journey that will teach you something new or give you information that helps you recognize your options should be taken. It’s up to you to do the legwork.

Keep your wits about you TAURUS when dealing with emotion(April 20May 20) al issues. Letting your anger take control will make you look bad. Do something productive and be proud of what you accomplish.

Your charm will help GEMINI you out when dealing with matters.

(May 21- work-related June 20) Taking part in an interview or discussing a professional plan you have mapped out for yourself is favored.

Avoid indulgent people.

Look over your personCANCER al documents and update (June 21anything that is overdue or July 22) could stop you from moving forward with your travel, educational or contractual plans.

dilbert

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

THURSDAY’S

Look for an investment you feel comfortable making. Use your strengths and knowledge to help you instead of depending on someone who may have a different agenda or motive than your own.

The most challenging situation to deal with will involve deception. When in doubt, ask questions. Trust in your judgment, not in hearsay. A personal change will turn out well.

You know what’s expected of you and what you are capable of doing. Be honest about what you are willing to do and put up with. Don’t fold; call the shots.

A change at home may seem daunting at first, but once you start seeing results, you will discover that a transformation is what’s needed to improve your life.

Think big, but don’t go overboard. A little will go a long way if you plan everything out and are prepared to do the work yourself.

Don’t depend on others.

Bring it on. A can-do attitude will help you reach your goals, impress a loved one and forge a better future. Romance is on the rise.

solution for THURSDAY’S puzzle AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Don’t change things midway. See matters through to the end before you start something new. Inconsistency will not help you gain support.

Keep your life simple and your plans doable.

If you want to make a change, be prepared to do the work. Personal gains are within reach, and sharing your success with a loved one will have its rewards.

saturday, JUly 20, 2019

19

D

efending champion Geraint Thomas lost time to mance on such a course but I didn’t think I could win the 2km.

The 24-year-old clipped a barrier on a tight right-hand Tour de France leader Julian Alaphlippe after the stage,” he said.

Frenchman’s stunning time trial win on stage 13.

“I pushed my limits and, with the help of the public, I bend and was taken to hospital after sustaining a deep cut on his leg. (BBC Sport) Britain’s Thomas had set the fastest mark, only to see last gave everything until the line.”

Stage 14 on Saturday takes the riders 117.5km from man Alaphilippe finish 14 seconds quicker over the technical 27.2km course in Pau. Tarbes to the summit of the famous Tourmalet at an altiStage 13 result Alaphilippe now leads Thomas by one minute 26 seconds tude of 2,115m.

1. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra/Deceuninck Quick-Step) 35mins This was still a strong ride by Thomas as he put more 2. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Ineos) +14secs heading into an important weekend in the Pyrenees.

“I didn’t really expect that from Alaphilippe,” Thomas time into his other general classification rivals.

3. Thomas de Gendt (Bel/Lotto Soudal) +36secs The Welshman, who set off second last, beat long-time 4. Rigoberto Uran (Col/EF Education First) +36secs told ITV4.

“The way he’s riding, if he c a n leader Thomas de Gendt by 22 seconds, with the Belgian 5. Richie Porte (Aus/Trek-Segafredo) +45secs keep that up, he’ll win.” finishing third.

6. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/Jumbo-Visma) +45secs It was a remarkable “It was OK, just that last bit I didn’t feel like I really did 7. Thibaut Pinot (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) +49secs it - when I really wanted to step on it, I didn’t have that last 8. Kasper Asgreen (Den/Deceuninck Quick-Step) +52secs effort by Alaphilippe to 5% but it’s still a decent ride,” said Thomas. extend his lead on the 9. Enric Mas (Spa/Deceuninck Quick-Step) +58secs A tricky course that included two lengthy climbs, a fast 10. Joey Rosskopf (US/CCC) + 1min 1sec 100th anniversary of the descent and a ramp at 17% gradient near the finish imintroduction of the yellow jersey, with the proved the overall contenders’ chances of stage victoGeneral classification after stage 13 Deceuninck Quick-Step ry, particularly with world time trial champion Rohan 1. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra/Deceuninck Dennis having mysteriously abandoned the race on rider having been exQuick-Step) 53hrs 1min 9secs Thursday. pected to lose time to 2. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Ineos) +1min Richie Porte and Thibaut Pinot put in fine rides to Thomas here.

26secs limit their losses, while Steven Kruijswijk and Alaphilippe, 27, may yet 3. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/Jumbo-Visma) fade on the longer climbs Enric Mas moved up to third and fourth respec+2mins 12secs to come when Team Ineos tively after Thomas’ team-mate Egan Bernal 4. Enric Mas (Spa/Deceuninck Quickhad a relatively disappointing day, finishing set a high tempo in service Step) +2mins 44secs 22nd. of Thomas and Saturday’s 5. Egan Bernal (Col/Team Ineos) Britain’s Adam Yates also struggled summit finish at the famed +2mins 52secs and dropped from seventh to 10th, while Tourmalet on stage 14 will be a 6. Emanuel Buchmann (Ger/Borahuge test of his overall credentials.

Rigoberto Uran, who finished second in Hansgrohe) +3mins 4secs But this was a clear statement 2017, impressed in finishing fourth on 7. Thibaut Pinot (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) that Alaphilippe, who also the stage to move up to eighth over+3mins 22secs all. won stage three, intends 8. Rigoberto Uran (Col/EF Education Belgium national time trito fight all the way to First) +3mins 54secs al champion Wout van Aert, stay in yellow.

9. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar) +3mins Julian Alaphilippe wearing the overall “It’s incredible. I’m Geraint Thomas finished second but lost time who won stage 10, was forced 55secs leader’s yellow jersey, crosses the really happy. I knew I to Alaphilippe in the overall standings (Getty to abandon the race after a 10. Adam Yates (GB/Mitchelton-Scott) finish line to win the 13th stage (AP) could do a good perfor- Images) heavy crash inside the final +3mins 55secs

World Aquatics Championships: King says The Open 2019: McIlroy misses drug cheats will probably be competing cut, but Lowry shares lead

O

lympic champion Lilly King says she expects there to be drug cheats at this week’s World Aquatics Championships.

King also said she is “not comfortable” with swimming officials’ approach to anti-doping.

“As we’ve seen, I think all of us would say that we’re racing dopers at some point and we shouldn’t really have to say that,” American King said.

“I don’t know what needs to change but something does.”

She added: “It’s kind of sad that we all have raced dopers and they’re all probably swimming in this meet.”

King spoke out after she was asked about reports alleging China’s three-time Olympic champion Sun Yang avoided a drugs ban after destroying blood samples. Sun has denied the allegations.

Nine-time world champion and world record holder Sun was cleared of an anti-doping offence

in January by swimming’s world governing body Fina.

However, the 27-year-old faces a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport after the World AntiDoping Agency appealed against that decision.

On Sunday, Australia’s Daily Telegraph posted a leaked 59-page report by the Fina doping panel following a hearing at which Sun said he refused to comply with a drugs test because of doubts over testers’ accreditation.

The report said testers had taken blood samples from Sun, but the swimmer refused to let them leave with the samples.

It claimed Sun’s mother had a security guard smash open a container containing one of the blood samples.

He was previously banned for three months in 2014 for taking prohibited stimulant trimetazidine.

Sun was called a “drug cheat” by Australian swimmer Mack Horton at the Rio Olympics. (BBC Sport)

R

ory McIlroy agonisingly missed the cut at his home Open as Ireland’s Shane Lowry produced a four-underpar 67 to take a share of the lead.

McIlroy’s 79 on Thursday left him eight shots shy of the cut at one over, and he almost achieved his feat but failed to pick up a birdie at the last.

Lowry, 32, is on eight under alongside USA’s JB Holmes, with England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Lee Westwood a shot back.

Another Englishman, Justin Rose, is on six under after a 67 at Royal Portrush.

World number one Brooks Koepka and 2017 Open champion Jordan Spieth are a shot further back on five under, but former winners Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Darren Clarke all missed the cut.

It is the first time both Woods and Mickelson have gone out of the same major after the first two rounds.

Woods & Mickelson out, Koepka & Spieth in contention

Sun Yang won one gold at Rio 2016 and two at the London Olympics (Getty Images)

Unlike McIlroy, three-time winner and current

Masters champion Woods never looked like making the cut, and finished on six over.

It is only the third time in 21 attempts the 15-time major winner has not made the weekend at The Open, and only the 10th time in majors he has missed the cut. Seven of those have come in the past 13 tournaments.

Fellow American and 2013 champion Mickelson ended his campaign with a 74 for eight over.

Former champions Paul Lawrie and Padraig Harrington also missed the cut, as did European Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter. Another former winner, David Duval, ended his sorry campaign on 27 over after he followed Thursday’s 91 with a 78.

The biggest challenge to a European win might come from world number one Koepka and Spieth, who are both on five under.

American Koepka, seeking his fifth major in two years, followed Thursday’s 68 with a 69, and compatriot Spieth produced an eagle on the par-five seventh on his way to a 67.

Australia’s Cameron Smith and Justin Harding are among those in contention, on six under. (BBC Sport) Brooks Koepka

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturday, JUly 20, 2019

Algeria have won their 1st Africa Cup of Nations since 1990 B

aghdad Bounedjah’s heavily-deflected early goal gave them an accolade that, over the balance of the tournament, they deserve but this was no performance to remember them by. They proceeded to hold off a frustrated Senegal for the duration, barely attempting to force another chance and much less creating one.

It amounted to a colossal riding of their luck but they ground a route over the line and Djamel Belmadi, their astute coach, could celebrate with his players after overcoming Aliou Cissé, his childhood friend, who must wait to guide Senegal to a first title of their own.

The satisfaction during the buildup had been that this would indisputably be a meeting of the tournament’s two best teams. That is not always the case in knockout football but Belmadi and Cissé have both moulded accomplished, incisive units that are a notch above their continental peers and would look more than comfortable on the global stage.

Any edge, much as Belmadi sought to play it down, lay with Algeria. They had deservedly won the group stage iteration of this fixture and, when they loo?ked across the halfway line at opponents who can render a game half-won through sheer physique, they could spy a Senegal back line shorn of its lynchpin, the suspended Kalidou Koulibaly. They could also glance to the south end and appreciate around 15,000 travelling supporters, who formed a green and white mass that made this resemble a home fixture.

How they erupted when, within 79 seconds, Bounedjah confirmed those preconceptions with a bizarre strike. His burst down the inside-left channel past Lamine Gassama oozed menace but the shot he produced after cutting inside, which looped

Riyad Mahrez lifts the trophy as Algeria celebrate winning the Africa Cup of Nations

high into the air off Koulibaly’s replacement, Salif Sané, seemed destined for the athletics track behind the goal. The disbelieving silence when it spun downwards sharply, eventually dropping into the far corner, took a few moments to morph into ecstatic celebrations. Nobody could quite understand the ball had gone in, but Algeria now had every reason to ooze confidence.

The suspicion from there was that Algeria, who could have written the book on how to niggle games through to a satisfactory conclusion, would seek to squeeze the air from this one. They briefly threatened a second goal but soon realised possession could largely be left to Senegal, for whom guile has long been an achilles heel. The first-half minutes ticked on: an inconsequential piece

of skill from Sadio Mané drew cheers from the locals in the crowd, baying for their surrogate Mohamed Salah, and a burst through midfield from Badou Ndiaye raised brief hopes Senegal might open up some space.

Aissa Mandi felled Mané with a crude challenge led from the knee and Senegal’s other winger, Ismaila Sarr, found himself on the end of a hack from Ramy Bensebaini.

Sofiane Feghouli collapsed near the goalline in a foetal position when Senegal advanced far enough to win a corner, before dusting himself down sharply when sympathy proved in short supply. Algeria had learned their lines well although Mbaye Niang, swivelling just outside the box eight minutes before half-time and belting a volley narrowly over, offered a suggestion that

it could be as well for them to start playing some football again.

Medhi Zeffane then made a timely intervention ahead of the breaking Sarr, whose fall sparked anger from Algeria’s players.

That continued after the whistle when a melee saw Alexandre Oukidja, the Algeria substitute goalkeeper, take a dramatic tumble while Cissé and Mandi argued their way down the tunnel. Niggly: you bet.

Hundreds more Algeria fans had been locked out of the stadium during the first half; a palpable own goal from the organisers given the lateral stands were nowhere approaching full. Those who eventually made it in saw their side survive a very modern scare on the hour. Sarr drilled a cross that the referee, Neaant Alioum, adjudged to have struck Adlene Guedioura’s right arm at close quarters. It looked like one of those penalty decisions that leaves defenders helpless: the type that benefited Mané and Liverpool during the Champions League final. But Alioum was encouraged to conduct a VAR review and, after a delay of a minute and to significant Senegalese consternation, settled upon a drop-ball.

Their hackles up, Senegal created their best chance yet when Niang went around Rais Mbolhi but skewed wide from an angle. Mbolhi then tipped a Youssouf Sabaly piledriver over. Having played fast and loose with the game’s principles for so long, Algeria were treading a mightily fine line now.

Youcef Belaili’s cross almost deflected past Alfred Gomis, the item of note being that it was Algeria’s first remotely close call since scoring. Sarr glimpsed a reward not even Alioum could dispute when the ball sat up inside the area, only to blaze wildly off target, and Algeria’s dirty work was done.

(The Guardian)

Ben Stokes nominated for New GPF/RFA 5-a-side Futsal Zealander of the Year Award Tournament kicks off today

Representatives of every competing body were at the launch of the futsal tournament

I Ben Stokes was born in New Zealand

B

en Stokes is already receiving award nominations for his match-winning role in England’s Cricket World Cup win - but not from who you would expect.

Despite breaking Kiwi hearts at Lord’s, he has been nominated for the New Zealander of the Year award.

Stokes, 28, was man of the match on Sunday as England beat New Zealand in a dramatic final.

But the all-rounder was born in New Zealand before moving to England when he was 12 - and it seems some Kiwis still see him as their own.

“He might not have been playing for the Black Caps but, having been born in Christchurch, where his parents now live, and with Maori ancestry, there’s clearly a few Kiwis about who think we can still claim him,” the award’s chief judge Cameron Bennett said.

The New Zealand public nominates “inspirational Kiwis” for the award - those who they believe have made a “significant contribution to our nation and make us proud of our country”.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has also been nominated and will likely prove tough opposition for Stokes after he was named player of the tournament at the World Cup. The award is in its 11th year and previous winners include former New Zealand rugby union captain Richie McCaw, filmmaker Taika Waititi and mental health campaigner Mike King.

Nominations close in September before a judging panel will create a shortlist on 10 candidates to be announced in December.

The final winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in February. (BBC Sport)

n observance of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) 180th anniversary, the Lethem branch of the GPF has teamed up with the Rupununi Football Association (RFA) to host a 5-a-side Knockout Futsal Tournament as part of a day of sports today at the Tabatinga Sports Ground in Lethem.

The one-day activity will feature 16 teams: 5 female and 11 male, and will commence at 13:00hrs. The male teams are: Moco Moco FC, Guyana Police Force (GPF), Rising Stars FC, Snatchers FC, Gladiators FC (A & B teams), Guyana Rush Saints FC, Terminators FC, Far East Sports Club, Potarinau Sky Kings FC and Guyana Defence Force. The female teams are: Guyana Rush Saints, Gladiators FC, Far East United FC, Snatchers FC and Potarinau FC. The male teams will be placed in two groups, and will play against each other to the final, while the female teams will be playing straight matches. The opening matches for each team is as follows: Moco Moco vs Guyana Police Force for the males, and Guyana Rush Saints FC vs Gladiators FC for the females.

This tournament was launched at the

Indigenous People’s Conference Hall last Friday at 18:30hrs. In attendance were representatives of several football clubs that would be taking part in this competition, including the GDF. Representatives of the RFA and GPF gave brief remarks at the launch.

On behalf of the RFA, President Rayan Farias spoke on how inspirational and brilliant the initiative is to Lethem and the Guyana Police Force.

Subordinate officer-in-charge of the GPF at Lethem, Sgt 20113 Connell, gave a brief overview of the activities to mark the 180th anniversary of the GPF, and emphasised that the rules of the various sports must be observed, as discipline is the hallmark of the GPF. Superintendent King, who gave the feature address, charged all participants and members to give of their best in the tournament. He reminded that this initiative is not only because of the Force’s anniversary, but serves as the GPF’s continued will and desire to have a much closer relationship with all communities, villages and stakeholders, as a means of effectively fulfilling the Force’s motto of ‘service and protection’.

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21 Everest CC camp aims to prepare youths for away tours T guyanatimesgy.com

he second annual live-in cricket academy of the Everest Cricket Club (ECC) opened earlier this week to youths from the Under-13 level to the Under-19 level.

Guyana Times Sport visited the ECC and spoke exclusively with Camp Coordinator and Coach Saheed Mohamed, who disclosed that the camp will run until July 21, and it aims to focus on the discipline of players.

The only one of its kind to be opened by any cricket club in Guyana, this live-in camp will prepare youngsters for overseas tours, Mohamed explained.

“This cricket camp will prepare the youngsters to stay away from home, because youngsters who play at the Under-15 level often miss their parents, and (that) may hamper their performances”, Mohamed explained.

This great initiative of the ECC exposes youths daily to lectures from doctors, nutritionists and personnel in disciplined fields.

Mohamed said he was involved in coaching

sessions in both England and Cayman Islands, where this method of cricket camp has been used.

“I know this is important for the guys to learn, and the bond is also important for these youngsters”, Mohamed disclosed.

The 38-member camp is an in-house set-up.

Future camps to be opened to the general public will be targeting a wider range of youths coming from across the country.

Among the 38 members of the camp are: a participant from Pakistan; Guyana Under-15 player Anthony Khan; Reynaldo Mohamed, who played First Division cricket at a tender age; and Aaron Beharry, who played inter-county cricket for Berbice.

Most of the young players from the Everest Cricket Club are participating in the Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools tournament being played in Barbados.

This camp had previously prepared those youths for overseas tours, especially the tournament in

Barbados, where t h e players are away for some three weeks.

The camp was officially opened by Director of Sports, Christopher Jones, and G/town Cricket Association President Roger Harper. On Sunday, July 21, the camp will conclude with a fun day wherein parents, other club members and campers would compete in matches.

Among sponsors of this event are Shell Service Station, Cluckers, New GPC Inc., Comfort Sleep, MS Imports, Bakewell, Toucan Distributors, Clear Waters, Burger King/Pizza Hut, Movie Towne, Carib Foods, Dembake, Metro Office and School Supplies, Bistro, Avi Designs and Construction, Beacon Café, Major Bhageshwar Murli, Robin Bhart, Ravin Balkarran, Dr. Narine Singh and cricket’s own Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

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Participants at the Everest cricket academy prepare for a cricket match (Brandon Corlette photo)

White Tiger Martial Arts Academy championships…

Marcello, Abel, Persaud, Dyal excel T he White Tiger Martial Arts Academy hosted its annual championships at the Town Hall in New Amsterdam last Sunday, and a number of martial arts schools, including The Academy of contemporary Martial Arts, participated.

The tournament proved to be a success, as a number of students were rewarded for their efforts in the various forms of martial arts.

Malia Marcello of the Academy of Contemporary Martial Arts was in splendid touch, bagging gold in the speed kick, sparring and freestyle kata categories. His teammate Ezekiel Abelflameout was superb in the sparring category, where he placed third in the freestyle kata.

It was a momentous night for the Academy of Contemporary Martial Arts, as Neil Machado finished third in the freestyle kata, Naipaul Persaud claiming the traditional kata and taking the runner-up spot in sparring and freestyle kata respectively.

Dhanraj Dyal bagged

Participants from the Academy of Contemporary Martial Arts with their medals

gold in the traditional kata, placed second in sparring and second in freestyle.

Chad Bourne placed third in traditional kata, third in freestyle kata, and third in sparring. Rodwell Alleyne placed first in sparring, first in traditional kata and

second in freestyle. Aaron Bourne won the freestyle kata and sparring, while he placed second in the traditional kata. Instructor Master Dellon Hyman placed second in traditional kata and freestyle kata, while the Academy of

Contemporary Martial Arts placed second in team kata.

Meanwhile, training continues as per schedule at the Mahaica Guinness Bar, the Perth Society Hall, and at the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary on the Essequibo Coast.

Grading of students in Essequibo will be held on July 24.

Persons interested in becoming students can contact Ullanda Hyman on 687-7427 or 666-3416 for registration.

22 Former NBA player Caron Butler to join Caribbean youths at Digicel NBA Jumpstart Elite Camp saturday, JUly 20, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

─ 34 boys and girls from four Caribbean countries to attend

C

ommunications giant Digicel and the National Basketball Association (NBA) have recently announced that former NBA player Caron Butler will participate in the Digicel NBA Jumpstart Elite Camp, to be held at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, Trinidad and Tobago, from July 20-21, 2019.

This two-day camp for top participants from the Digicel/ NBA Jumpstart programme will feature more than 30 of the top U-14 and U-16 players, including 20 boys and 14 girls drawn from four countries across the Caribbean. Most of the participants were invited following their performance at Digicel/NBA Jumpstart clinics that were held in Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, and Barbados earlier this year.

Digicel and the NBA will select the top 14 boys and girls from the Elite Camp to receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the United States, where they will scrimmage against local youth teams, attend an NBA game, and experience a private city tour, among other activities.

The 2019 Digicel/NBA Jumpstart basketball clinics

which are run by NBA assistant coaches and NBA International Basketball Operations staff provide on-court training to more than 200 participants from three countries. The Elite Camp will provide the top players with a chance to develop their skills alongside their peers from across the region.

“Digicel is working with the NBA to find and develop some of the best young basketball talent in the Caribbean. The local clinics provided an opportunity for players from each country to learn from NBA coaches while also showcasing their talent.

Those who will be going to the Elite Camp will benefit from expert level coaching from the NBA team, including former NBA player Caron Butler,” said Digicel Group Marketing Director, Claudia Nieves.

“This year, friends and family can watch their loved ones compete in the Digicel NBA Jumpstart basketball camps on

Algoo eyeing Windies youth selection in his 3rd Regional U-19 tournament

By Brandon Corlette

N

ot many youth cricketers have had the privilege of representing Guyana at the Under-19 level for three successive years. The hard-hitting opening batsman Alex Algoo is among the few to have attained this distinction, being set to represent Guyana for a third time in the Cricket West Indies’ (CWI’s) Regional U-19 tournament slated for the upcoming week in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Currently participating in the Guyana U-19 training camp at the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence at La Bonne Intention (LBI) ECD, Algoo told this reporter in an exclusive interview that he has gained a lot of experience from playing in pre- Alex Algoo will be making his third appearance for Guyana in the vious Regional U - 1 9 U-19 tourney tournaments, and will be aiming This member of the runs for Berbice in the into score some runs Young Warriors Cricket ter-county tournament in in this tournament.

Club in East Canje Berbice 2019, and is one of nine playT h e -- the same club for which ers who will again be parright-handWest Indies batting senticipating in the CWI ed opener desation Shimron Hetmyer Regional tournament to clared, “Well, plays -- said his be played in St Vincent one of my main performance and the Grenadines. goals is trying was a Speaking about the wickto get the most ets in that country, Algoo runs in the explained that some of them tournament, are good for spin bowling because I am s t e p - and some facilitate the ball looking forward ping stone coming on. for a West Indies h e a d i n g “The wickets (there) are U-19 selection that into the CWI flat, and some of the grounds is coming up in January Regional U-19 are relatively large,” he ex2020”. tourney. plained.

Algoo has had a brilliant “I always Algoo is expressing gratseason in the 2019 Hand(knew) that I itude to his parents, and to in-Hand Inter-County had it in me his coaches: Quacy Maltae, tournament, where he to go out and Julian Moore and Hubern scored the only century perform well Evans. He is also thanktherein. He told this re(at) the in- ing all the other coaches porter that he has been t e r - c o u n t y from the other clubs he has working on the technilevel”, he played for, especially Bharat cal aspect of his game. d e c l a r e d , Mangru of the Police Club.

“The coach has adding that His gratitude also goes out been working with he is con- to all those individuals who me in the nets, and fident his continue to lend their supI am focused on my preparation port to him as a cricketer. fitness right now. would result With the Regional U-19 But when the Algoo’s interin his having tournament slated to be county century tournament a successful played in only the 50-Over was a moment starts, I will Regional U-19 format, Algoo, as an aggresto savour execute efseason. sive player by nature, will (Brandon Corlette fectively,” he A l g o o be aiming to capitalize on photos) explained. scored 365 this development.

Digicel’s social media pages,” she explained.

“The Digicel NBA Jumpstart programme, now in its fifth year, is a key part of our efforts to continue growing the game of basketball throughout Latin America and the Caribbean,” said NBA Senior Vice President, Latin America, Arnon de’Mello. “As a leading operator in the Caribbean and a longtime NBA partner, Digicel shares our vision of growing basketball at the grassroots level, and teaching the value of a healthy, active lifestyle.”

Digicel and the NBA have, since March 2015, enjoyed a multi-year partnership that delivers live games and extensive NBA programming to more than 25 Caribbean territories through SportsMax and the PlayGo app, making Digicel the Official Communications Partner of the NBA in the region.

CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championships…

Corporate sponsors rally with Lady Jags

A

s the national U-20 women’s team, the Lady Jags, continue their steady performance in Group ‘A’ of the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship Qualifiers, being held at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora WCD, four corporate entities have also been steady in their partnership support of the team.

These longstanding partners of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF): Impressions Branding, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Power Producers Inc., and MVP Sports, have contributed in cash and kind to promote the tournament and offset related costs.

Having contributed to the tournament’s awareness via production of a billboard and banner, Impressions Branding has said that women’s empowerment and the promotion of sports are among its key areas of interest.

“Impressions is pleased to be in full support of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) U-20 Lady Jags team as a brand sponsor,” Impression’s Chief Executive Officer Patrick Sukhlal has said.

“The team hopes to promote the importance of women’s empowerment all across Guyana. Impressions,

Group ‘C’:

United States, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Cuba.

Group ‘D’:

Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico.

Group E:

Canada, Jamaica, Guatemala, El Salvador.

Group F:

Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama, Cayman Islands.

Two Lady Jags team members pose with items produced by Impressions Branding

with its 25 years of branding experience, has always been in support of the sports industry, and sees this as a new and equal opportunity for growth in the football arena,” Sukhlal declared.

The other three GFF partners have also signalled their interest in promoting the sport of football, and especially the involvement of females in same.

The CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Qualifiers are being held from July 13th to July 21st, and Guyana has been placed in Group ‘A’ with Bermuda, Antigua and Barbuda, Suriname, and St. Lucia.

The final two Group ‘A’ matches: Guyana vs Suriname @ 16:00h, and Antigua and Barbuda vs Bermuda @ 18:30h, are scheduled for Sunday, and admission to the venue is free of charge.

CONCACAF has said that, following this qualifying leg of the tournament, the top two finishers in Groups ‘A’ and ‘B’ will advance to the knockout stage of the final competition.

They will then be joined by the top three finishers of the following groups, to advance to the knockout stage of the competition.

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saturday, JUly 20, 2019

23

Powell holds nerve as Windies A take consolation win ─ Chase, Thomas, Carter register 50s W

est Indies ‘A’ registered a consolation win in the fourth one-day match against India ‘A’ at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. Rovman Powell, who was asked to defend nine runs in the final over, did it with finesse to hand West Indies ‘A’ a five-run win.

Earlier, India ‘A’ won the toss and elected to field first; West Indies ‘A’ showed great improvement with the bat this series, with their best batting performance. After making three changes to the team, notably Sherfane Rutherford accompanying his fellow Guyanese Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd, the Caribbean team scored 298-9 in 50 overs, with skipper Roston Chase leading the way with a sensible knock of 84 from 100 balls.

Chase was supported by Devon Thomas who scored 70 and Jonathan Carter who chipped in with an even half-century.

Earlier, West Indies ‘A’ got off to a good start after losing newcomer Kjorn Ottley for one. The attacking Sunil Ambris and the promoted Thomas, at number three, added a promising half-century stand before Ambris checked one to long off and was caught for a shot-filled 46 from 37 balls.

Thomas, who soaked up 59 dot balls, then up the ante with

captain Chase. Thomas raced away to 50 from 83 balls with a sound cut shot for four, and followed up with an upper-cut shot for six. His innings came to an end prematurely when he found the deep fielder as he looked to hit another six. He scored 70 from 94 balls, smashing four sixes and the equal number of fours.

Chase and Carter continued the Barbadian reunion with a century stand. Chase’s innings came to an end when he found the fielder at mid-wicket for a well-played 84 from 100 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes.

Carter followed soon after with 50 from 43 balls.

Batting at number 10, Romario Shepherd topped off the batting effort with 21 from eight balls.

Khaleel Ahmed had 4-67 in his 10 overs, while Avesh Khan had 3-62 in eight expensive overs.

In response, the India ‘A’ top-order failed for the first time in the series. Krunal Pandya, batting

at

number four, scored 45 along with Washington Sundar, who scored 45 batting at number seven. However, it was Axar Patel who led with an unbeaten 81 from 63 balls, which was insufficient at the end.

Shepherd, who has been brilliant with the ball, was able to bowl only four overs, but Rovman Powell grabbed 2-47 and Keemo Paul had 2-61 to contain the Indians to 293-9 in 50 overs.

The final one-day match will bowl off on Sunday July 21. India ‘A’ leads the series 3-1.

Rovman Powell defended nine in the final over

Jefford Track and Field Classic…

Lusignan Open Golf MVP Sports and Urban Life Tournament goes throw support behind event international as Department of Tourism gets on board

Representative of MVP Sports, Ian Ramdeo and Founder of the Classic, Edison Jefford

By Timothy Jaikarran

R

enowned global sports brand Under Armor will be part of the Jefford Track and Field Classic through a partnership inked with MVP Sports and Urban Life on Friday.

This was done in a simple ceremony at the Giftland Mall in Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

The Jefford Classic is scheduled for Sunday, August 11, at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden. Founder of the Classic, Edison Jefford, said, “As you know, MVP has been the sole distributor of Under Armor gear in Guyana, one of the most renowned brands in sports. We are happy to have such a brand on board for this event. This definitely shows that we are heading in the right direction in terms of support for sport and development of sport in Guyana.

“Under Armor, MVP Sports, Urban Life, these brands will be associated with the male and female 400m events. They will also sponsor the champion male and female events, which include $25,000 worth in Under

Ian Ramdeo

Armor gear and $25,000 each for the male and female champion athlete, along with trophies.

“So we are happy to have this sponsor on board for these items, and we wish them much success in the future.”

Also speaking at the simple ceremony was representative of MVP Sports, Ian Ramdeo, who related that the Giftland Group has been a longstanding supporter of the event, since its conception. He also noted that the MVP store is interested in a long-term relationship with the event.

Ramdeo said Corporate Guyana need to step up their game in terms of their sup-

port of sports in Guyana. He also indicated that the Under Armor brand is happy to render support to the Classic, and wishes it many successes in the near future.

This track-and-field event has had participation from several of Guyana’s most popular athletes since 2010, including Aliann Pompey competing for the first time in Guyana at the Second Edition in 2011, and Marian Burnett a year later. Every notable Guyanese athlete has competed at the Classic, with most holding meet records, including Brenessa Thompson and Winston George.

This meet is coordinated in accordance with International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Rules, and is sanctioned by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG).

The meet’s major sponsors this year are: ExxonMobil; ANSA McAL Trading Ltd, under the Rush Energy Drink; I-Cool Water, Lucozade, Heineken, Magnum Tonic Wine brands; National Sports Commission; DeSinco Trading Ltd, under their Swiss Brands; and Let’s Bet Sports.

Donald Sinclair (right) handing over the sponsorship cheque to LGC PRO Guy Griffith

T

he grounds have been prepared and the weather has been very supportive, hence all golfing interests will be focused on the events unfolding at the Lusignan Golf Course this weekend, as the now rejuvenated annual Lusignan Golf Open Tournament gets underway, teeing-off at about 5:45 hrs today and tomorrow.

In a very brief presentation ceremony that took place in the Boardroom of the Department of Tourism in Sophia, Georgetown, Donald Sinclair, Director General of this department of the Ministry of Communities, said he is looking forward to a good and successful event for the Lusignan Golf Club.

Sinclair handed over the sponsorship cheque to the Public Relations Officer of the Lusignan Golf Club, Guy Griffith, who expressed to Sinclair the Club’s appreciation for his and the Tourism Department’s involvement.

Lots of trophies have been provided for this event by the sponsor, and with the grounds being well prepared for the tourna-

ment, spectators are urged to come see the best golfers in Guyana showcase their individual talent free of charge, and learn just how intense competition in this amazing sport can be.

The tournament will be played under the Medal Play format, and there will be four flights: 3 men’s flights and 1 ladies’ flight.

The men’s flights are classified as ‘A’ Flight – Handicaps 0-9; ‘B’ Flight – handicaps 1018; and ‘C’ Flight – handicaps 19-28.

The ladies’ flight is for females with handicaps 0-36.

First to 3rd place winners are to be awarded prizes in best net and best gross performances in each flight, and the tournament’s male and female champions will be decided on the best gross score over the 2 days of play.

Persons desirous of obtaining more information on the game of golf, or on the LGC’s tournaments or activities, are invited to contact the Club at 220-5660 or visit their Facebook page: lusignan golf club.

saturday, JUly 20, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championships…

Page 22

Corporate sponsors rally with Lady Jags Powell holds nerve as Windies A take consolation win

Page 22

Former NBA player Caron Butler to join Caribbean youths at Digicel NBA Jumpstart Elite Camp

─ Chase, Thomas, Carter register 50s

Page 23

─ 34 boys and girls from four Caribbean countries to attend

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