Guyana Times, Saturday June 22 , 2019

NGSA results to be released July 3 P14 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3962

THE BEACON OF TRUTH SATURday, june 22, 2019

PNC Minister rejects CCJ’s appellate jurisdiction ...reflects Govt's executive authoritarianism

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

8000 cannabis plants destroyed P14 at Ituni

See story on page 3

Minister admits to using public funds for elections campaign Page 11

Creating mischief!

Overhauled P13 security measures needed at M&CC – Councillor …will foster energyefficient operations

Visa Card scam was “brute P14 force” attack by fraudsters – Republic Bank …new security measures may block some online activities

GPL gets US$2.5M from IDB for P14 expansion works

P7 Another Region 5 RDC meeting ends abruptly …as REO walks out

APNU supporter and lead protester Linda Gomes-Haley, who deliberately claimed her name was not on the voters' list was found by Guyana Times on GECOM's official List of Electors when a search was conducted on the elections body's website

“Street protest”, “War break” remarks inciting hostilities – Trade Union

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GENEQUIP P15 unveils new dealership facility

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SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

news

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SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

PNC Minister rejects CCJ’s appellate jurisdiction

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

Saturday, June 22 – 08:00h-09:30h and Sunday, June 23 – 09:00h-10:30h.

...reflects Govt's executive authoritarianism

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, June 22 – 07:10h-08:40h and Sunday, June 23 – 08:00h-09:30h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Cloudy conditions in the morning will be followed by sunny intervals and light rain showers in the afternoon into the evening.

Partly cloudy skies will prevail in the evening.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 07:26h and 19:58h reaching maximum heights of 2.44 metres and 2.30 metres.

Low Tide: 13:30h reaching a minimum height of 0.80 metre.

wednesday, JUNE 19, 2019

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

Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams; Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Karen Cummings and a few APNU supporters outside GECOM on Friday

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inister of State, Dawn HastingsWilliams, on Friday rejected the Caribbean Court of Justice’s appellate jurisdiction.

During a bizarre protest staged by several Government ministers and a few A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) supporters outside the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM’s) headquarters, where they were calling for house-to-house registration before elections are held, Hastings-Williams voiced her blatant disregard for the CCJ as Guyana’s final court of appeal by saying that that court has no authority to issue any consequential orders on Monday, since Guyana is an independent state with its own laws.

“GECOM is the only authoritative body that will inform the Government whether they’re ready or not for elections. CCJ cannot rule, Guyana has its own institution. Guyana is an independent country with its own independent laws,” the minister said.

Hastings was joined by Foreign Affairs Minister Karen Cummings, who also called for house-to-house registration before elections.

And as the APNU supporters made allegations against the voters list and GECOM, Linda Gomes-Haley, one of the protestors, held up a placard that said that her name was not on the voters’ list.

However, a quick perusal of the voters’ list available on the GECOM website showed that the woman, a resident of Kitty, Georgetown, was registered, and her name is on the Official List of Electors.

This act of deception did not go down well with several senior persons within the business community, who told this publication that it is blatant acts of deception like this that causes confusion.

Meanwhile, at a gathering of supporters, PNCR member James Bond was addressing the supporters when shouts of “Slow fire, more fire” became audible in the video recording as coming from supporters.

A senior Private Sector official told this newspaper that the business community is the sector that feels the brunt of such irresponsible behaviour.

The Caribbean Court of Justice has two jurisdictions: an original jurisdiction

and an appellate jurisdiction. In its original jurisdiction, the CCJ interprets and applies the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (which established the Caribbean Community), and is an international court with compulsory and exclusive jurisdiction in respect to the interpretation of the treaty.

In its appellate jurisdiction, the CCJ, as the court of last resort, hears appeals in both civil and criminal matters from those member states which have ceased to allow appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC). As of March 2015, Barbados, Belize, Dominica and Guyana have replaced the JCPC’s appellate jurisdiction with that of the CCJ. The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is the Caribbean’s regional judicial tribunal. It was established on 14 February 2001 by the Agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice. That agreement

was signed on that date by the CARICOM states of Antigua & Barbuda; Barbados; Belize; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; Saint Kitts & Nevis; Saint Lucia; Suriname; and Trinidad & Tobago. Two further states, Dominica and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, signed the agreement on 15 February 2003, bringing the total number of signatories to 12.

The Bahamas and Haiti, although full members of CARICOM, are not yet signatories; and because of Montserrat’s status as a British territory, that country must await Instruments

of Entrustment from the UK before it can ratify the treaty.

The Agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice came into force on 23 July 2003, and the CCJ was inaugurated on 16 April 2005 in Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, the seat of the Court.

The reasons given for the establishment of a supreme appellate court are many and varied, including a perceived regional disenfranchisement by the British Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 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

Maintaining the HIV/AIDS fight

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he Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continues to be a major global public health issue that claims the lives of thousands worldwide every year. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2017, 940, 000 people died from HIV-related causes globally. There were approximately 36.9 million people living with HIV at the end of 2017 with 1.8 million people becoming newly infected in 2017 globally.

59% of adults and 52% of children living with HIV were receiving lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2017. Global ART coverage for pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV is high at 80%.

The WHO African Region is the most affected region, with 25.7 million people living with HIV in 2017. The African region also accounts for over two thirds of the global total of new HIV infections. It is estimated that currently only 70% of people with HIV know their status.

To reach the target of 90%, an additional 7.5 million people need to access HIV testing services. It should be noted though that many more people with HIV are now receiving life-saving drugs which help to keep the virus under control. But millions of people who need treatment still do not have it. For example, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most severely affected part of the world, though some countries there have made impressive efforts in reducing fresh cases. For example; Ethiopia, Malawi and Botswana have achieved big reductions in new infections which shows they are capable of controlling the spread of the disease.

Caribbean countries, including Guyana, can boast of several successes in relation to our HIV response. Programmes to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission, reduce new HIV infections and treat people living with the virus have yielded encouraging results. Additionally, the Caribbean is the only developing region that has approached the near-universal coverage of antiretroviral medicines to prevent mother-to-child transmission. According to official statistics, the Caribbean leads the world in the rates of its reduction in new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths.

In Guyana in particular, there is a steady decline in the number of new reported cases of HIV infection among a significantly higher number of persons coming forward to be tested. The programmes that have been implemented have resulted in significant progress being made and should certainly be continued.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud, was quoted in this newspaper recently as saying that Guyana continues to forge ahead with achieving the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) “90-90-90 targets”. This target seeks to have 90 per cent of people living with HIV become aware of their infection, 90 per cent of the people diagnosed with HIV linked to antiretroviral treatment (ART) and 90 per cent of those on ART adhering and having undetectable levels of HIV in their blood.

Dr Persaud noted that there have been significant improvements in the 90-90-90 programme, but there were a few challenges that the Public Health Ministry continues to battle with in order to successfully achieve this goal.

Recent statistics from the Education Ministry revealed that Guyana has a higher percentage of its HIV+ population on treatment than the total percentage of the Caribbean Region.

Last year, of the 8369 persons estimated to be infected in Guyana, 66 per cent (5557) were successfully put on treatment.

That said, Guyana cannot become complacent as the gains made over the years, due to the efforts of the previous and current administrations and other health partners, could be reversed. In order to sustain the advances made, the government and other development partners need to put more money and effort towards ensuring that their HIV programmes can be sustained. For example, more needs to be done to address the prejudice and social inequities that operate to make some people, both more vulnerable to HIV infection and less likely to access prevention, testing, treatment and care services.

Young people, men who have sex with men and sex workers are among the populations that need targeted investments and more protective environments through a combination of social dialogue and increased tolerance.

The battle against HIV/AIDs is one that is ongoing. It is therefore wise to continue reassessing where we are at present, what could be done differently and what sort of interventions and resources are need to ensure that Guyana is on top of its game in meeting the relevant HIV/AIDS targets.

French Air Force Patrouille de France team performs at the 53rd International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France (Reuters/Pascal Rossignol)

Protests erupt in Caracas during Venezuela visit by UN’s Bachelet

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Protesters during a visit by UN High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet on June 21

rotests broke out in eastern Caracas on Friday during the third day of visits by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet in Venezuela.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the UN’s Venezuela office to denounce what they say are the myriad rights abuses by the regime of President Nicolás Maduro, including extrajudicial killings, and has held hundreds of political prisoners and detained Journalists.

“Bachelet, do not be fooled, this is a dictatorship!” protesters shouted, many of them holding signs calling for the release of lawmaker Juan Requesens, detained since August for his alleged participation in a plan to assassinate Maduro.

Demonstrators also invited the former Chilean President to visit Maracaibo, a city in north-western Venezuela where chronic blackouts and gasoline shortages have

wreaked havoc on municipal services, security, healthcare and all manner of daily life.

“This is a peaceful protest, demonstrating the need we have for medicines such as antibiotics or chemotherapy in the country,” said Beatriz Gonzalez, a hospital worker protesting alongside co-workers dressed in scrubs.

Earlier this week, Bachelet sat with local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Maduro officials, including Public Prosecutor Tarek William Saab, who after the meeting said Venezuela guaranteed human rights despite “a political faction that had chosen a violent path”. She visited Opposition Leader and National Assembly head Juan Guaidó on Friday morning, where he discussed the nearly 700 political prisoners currently detained in Venezuela, according to NGO Penal Forum.

“For us, beyond using

the visit to draw attention to systematic abuse of human rights in Venezuela, we used it to talk about real solutions to the crisis,” Guaidó told reporters following a closeddoor meeting with Bachelet at the National Assembly.

In a report earlier this year, Bachelet said she was “deeply concerned by the magnitude and gravity of the human rights impact of the current crisis”, citing reports of abuses by security forces and pro-Government armed groups. Bachelet was expected to speak before she left Venezuela on Friday night. (Bloomberg)

Popular movements mobilise to demand housing self-management

Venezuelan popular movements marched to the National Constituent Assembly on Tuesday to demand their voices be heard on the issue of housing.

Thirty-six organisations from Caracas and Miranda State, including

the Venezuelan Housing Assemblies (Asambleas Viviendo Venezolanos, AVV) and the Squatters’ Movement platform (Movimiento de Pobladoras), delivered a letter demanding the right to speak at the plenary session of the National Constituent Assembly (ANC).

Rigel Sergent, spokesman from the Tenants’ Movement, a part of the broader Pobladoras movement, explained that the mobilisation was the result of months of organising by the different platforms.

“We are proposing that the current economic crisis is all the more reason to trust the organised people,” Sergent told Venezuelanalysis.

“That’s why we want to spur debate around a law for the self-managed production of habitat and housing,” he added.

Around 37 per cent of the over 2.5 million homes built by Venezuela’s Great Housing Mission (GMVV) has been undertaken by popular movements. With the Government setting the target of five million homes, which are assigned mainly to low-income families at little to no cost, by 2025, popular housing movements are proposing they be granted responsibility for 50 per cent of the total construction.

“We’re not just talking about access to resources, but that the conditions [to build those 50 per cent of homes] be created,” Sergent explained. “This means having access to land plots under social property and access to means of production.

In the same way that the State is pursuing alliances with the Private Sector, we believe we also have the capacity to produce, for example, bricks on a massive scale.” (Venezuelanalysis.com)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2019

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

Build shelters and safe houses in every region

Dear Editor, Social Protection Minister Amna Ally and US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch were among those at the sod-turning exercise recently in Linden for the construction of two shelters.

These projects are being undertaken by the United

States Military Services, under the New Horizons initiative. Indeed, it is very laudable that the Linden community and Region 10 will finally be having shelters for abused women and children.

Incidentally, in reacting to news of the Linden shel-

ters, a youth activist and ERC Commissioner lauded the efforts on social media but called for similar shelters to be built in other regions, especially Regions Two and Six which have very pressing needs. A member of the Child Rights Commission responded to

the young man’s call by telling him to get his fellow Hindus to build other shelters. Requested to explain what her bewilderingly biased statement has to do with the issue under discussion, that CRC Commissioner has gone silent.

In any case, The Caribbean Voice reminds the Honourable Minister, Amna Ally, that while there are a couple of drop-in centres and homes, there are no shelters for abused women and children in any other region. But we are certain that the Honourable

Minister recognises the urgent need for such shelters and even safe houses in every region. And so we look forward to soon hearing about these initiatives.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

Respect the Constitution and CCJ Govt continues to be illegal

Dear Editor, There has been a lot of language of defiance following the CCJ’s ruling of June 18. Losing a no-confidence vote is not the end of political life. As the CCJ said, a no-confidence vote is an aspect of democratic governance in parliamentary democracies. It is used to hold governments accountable to Parliament and to the voters by way of their representatives. So many regimes (governments) and political leaders lost a no-confidence vote in recent times (including in the UK, Australia, Austria, Greece, Spain, Portugal, etc).

Political life goes on. Some make a comeback; others quit. Democracy is strengthened and corruption is lessened. This is how countries get better governance. Rulers become fearful they could lose power if they don’t govern in the best interests of the nation. No one is cheated. All benefit from a no-confidence vote; a country learns from it. So why the defiance?

A ruler must not take measures to evade the consequences of a successful no-confidence vote by taking instruction from the elections commission to set a date for elections. The law states that the President has to dissolve Parliament and hold elections within ninety days.

Guyana is perhaps the worst case of a government seeking to avoid elections after a no-confidence vote by invoking the name of the elections commission as an excuse.

The law does not state that the President must consult with GECOM on its preparedness for elections. The elections commission is supposed to be permanently prepared for elections because a government can fall anytime. In fact, the law states that that the voters’ list must be continuously updated in preparation for elections.

There is continuous identity registration of fourteenyear-olds so that eligible voters (attaining 18) would be on the voters’ list. Saying the list is not ready is a lame excuse. Saying that the list has names of the dead and migrants is also a lame excuse;

those dead and migrants were also on every voters’ list including the one used last November for the local elections and last May 2015 elections that catapulted the coalition to office.

No ruler should be fearful of facing the electorate – the true bosses of the politicians. A ruler can very well win re-election after losing a no-confidence vote or when counted out of the voting ring. Just last month, the Australian PM won re-election when he was all but counted out. The rulers of Austria, Greece, Israel, and several other countries have decided to face the electorate after the Parliament lost confidence in them (even though a formal vote was not taken). The ruler of the United Kingdom decided to step down after failing to get a majority of MPs to back her.

We should not forget that former President Donald Ramotar “fired himself” rather than face a no-confidence vote – that is an option of a country and is also an aspect of democracy. Basdeo Panday of Trinidad also fired himself in December 2001 and called elections that he lost rather than face a no-confidence vote.

President David Granger is a military man and I am sure he will do the right and honourable thing; he knows what are orders and will subject himself to the orders of the court (CCJ). I am confident the President will dissolve Parliament very soon and begin consultation with the Opposition Leader on the replacement of his unilateral appointee of GECOM Chair.

The court was very clear that the appointment of James Patterson violated the Constitution. The President was misadvised that he could act unilaterally in appointing the Chair of GECOM. The court has so informed him that the process he used to appoint Patterson was flawed and a violation of the Constitution. There must be consultation with the Opposition Leader, who will provide six names and the President will choose one as GECOM Chair; there is no

way around that process. I think President Granger will act accordingly.

Separately, I am disappointed with the incendiary language used by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Finance Minister Winston Jordan – “there is going to be war” if there is no house-to-house registration.

Both know that the law does not call for house-to-house registration, in fact, the CCJ also made reference to this point. That kind of militant language of violence belongs to a bygone era. As the CCJ judges said, the country can’t go back to the period of Burnhamism or authoritarian rule. The law is very clear that once a government loses a no-confidence vote, it must resign, serve as a caretaker, and hold elections within ninety days. The CCJ will not allow a violation of the Constitution, having drawn heavily from the language in the Constitution in rendering the unanimous judgment in favour of the no-confidence vote.

Even the court noted that

there is no need for house-tohouse registration of voters; names not on the list can be added. Those who migrated or the dead, the latter in particular, can’t turn up to vote or can the latter vote as happened in 1968, 1973, 1978, 1980, and 1985.

Nagamootoo has had a reputation of championing democracy since his high school days in the 1960s. It would be disingenuous of him to evade democratic practices by threatening violence if Government does not get its way. That is not the result of a no-confidence vote and how the system works. The no-confidence vote allows the polity to cleanse or revitalise itself.

All sides must pull back on this talk of violence, desist from advocating delayed elections, and respect the rule of law as clarified by the learned judges of the CCJ – new elections within ninety days from June 24.

Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram

Constitutional obligation of GECOM to fulfil

Dear Editor, I want to reiterate that GECOM should, at any given moment, be ready to hold elections in 90 days. This is a constitutional obligation of GECOM to fulfil. The President should not be waiting on GECOM for a date. The President should set a date based on the Constitution and GECOM should meet

that requirement unless the Opposition and Government come to an agreement in Parliament (2/3 majority) that extends the 90 days.

Guyanese should no longer fall to the excuses of GECOM and this Government.

Yours truly, Hemendra Ramdatt

Dear Editor, The extension of the life of the Government following the successful passage of NCM and failure to hold elections within the stipulated timeframe needs to be urgently addressed. Each day

that passes with no legal redress the Government continues to be illegal. Guyana is in a constitutional quagmire.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

The law is the law and all parties are bound by it

Dear Editor, The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has ruled that the no-confidence vote passed on December 21, 2018, over six months ago, was valid, which means that the Government is now illegal.

In another pressing matter, the court also ruled that the unilateral appointment of the Chairman of the elections commission was also illegal, two very important and definitive decisions. In simple concise language, this means that the Government of David Arthur Granger has fallen. There should be a return to the ballot box and a fresh mandate sought for the people of this country, end of discussion.

The sum total of all of this is not what the Government or Opposition in Guyana thinks, it is not based on the legal opinion or lack thereof, of Government or Opposition, it is solely based on the Constitution and the rule of law.

Whether Granger or Jagdeo likes or dislikes this aspect of the law is of no consequence to our discussion, the law is the law and all parties are bonded by it.

Now, the vexing issue of the appointment of a new

GECOM Chairman has again hit centre stage and the reason for me saying this is before an appointment of a new Chairman can be made, there must be a revocation of the old. Neither of the two things Granger is prepared to do, and here is where the problem arises. The President is not going to let Patterson go, reason being Patterson was placed there to do dirty work in the rigging of the next election, so his argument for his illegal appointee to remain in office is real to him. In the same vein, Granger would not choose someone from Jagdeo’s list either, but shuffle around from one list to another just like he did earlier this year.

Here is where the CCJ’s consequential order kicks in.

The final appellate court of our jurisdiction in its wisdom has anticipated this delay tactic of Granger, hence the consequential order for the parties to return to court on Monday. On June 24, the CCJ will make its final statement on the Guyana issue and from henceforth our country should be guided thereby.

Elections are coming.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

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SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2019

Page

Foundation

…nowadays, “Honour thy father and mother” is just a suggestion

By Tina Gilbertson, LPC, BC-TMH

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nside the Reconnection Club, my online school for parents of estranged adult children, a member recently posted this comment: “As a Baby Boomer I was raised to respect our elders. Now I hear ‘Respect has to be earned’.”

I often hear variations on that lament from estranged parents, and understandably so. They’re confused and frustrated with their adult children’s apparent disregard for the basic rules of social conduct that the parents learnt when they were children … and could have sworn they passed along.

It’s especially confusing when we realise that, in reality, respect has always had to be earned. But in the olden days, we showed respect even when we didn’t feel it, and when it hadn’t been earned through respectable behaviour.

The question of respecting parents (“Honour thy father and thy mother,” in Biblical terms) arises in part because of the ever-present confusion in our society between behaviour and emotion.

Is respect something we do? Or is it something we feel?

The appearance of respect It may or may not be obvious that respect can be both an action and a feeling.

And lately, the two go together more than they used to.

In the past, we demonstrated respect for adults through language like “sir” and “ma’am”. We avoided speaking the truth if the truth might make the adult look or feel bad. Both children and adults showed respect for our elders, whether we actually respected those people or not.

Surely you remember thinking, even as a child, that certain adults didn’t seem entirely worthy of respect – from you or anybody else – because of their behaviour. Yet you were polite to them because that was good behaviour, and you wanted to be good.

In those days, outwardly respectful behaviour toward elders was expected both at home and at school, and the message was consistent. With the exception of Rodney Dangerfield, adults who didn’t earn your respect through their behaviour received (at least the appearance of) it anyway.

But respect, as a feeling, has always been earned. We can

make ourselves act respectful toward our parents and others.

But we can’t make ourselves feel respect if we don’t already feel it. Those of us who are very lucky both love and respect our parents. It feels wonderful to do so. Most children *want* to respect their parents, even if they don’t always manage it.

Today’s youth and respect The difference in respect nowadays is not in the internal feelings of younger adults and children. It’s in their behaviour.

For a variety of reasons, respectful behaviour toward parents seems to be optional now for young adults in the US. They can get plenty of what they need without offering respect in return.

This can be infuriating to their parents, from whom young adults are more free than ever to estrange themselves – adding injury to insult. (Yes, that is what I meant to say.)

How to get respect from your child (ren) This new reality suggests that the best way for parents to receive respect from their adult children is to first practice respect for themselves and others, rather than relying on the child to initiate.

This isn’t a new idea.

Confucius advised, “Respect yourself and others will respect you.” Meaning that self-respect, and not just elder status, is required if you

want the genuine goods.

Ralph Waldo Emerson came at it from the angle of being the change you wish to see in the relationship. He said, “Men are respectable only as they respect.” He was referring to the Golden Rule of treating others the way you would have them treat you.

Thomas Paine agreed. “Give to every other human being every right that you claim for yourself,” he said. This goes beyond respect to dignity, understanding, the benefit of the doubt, etc.

It’s easiest for parents if their kids show them respect, without the parents having to demand it. But when that doesn’t happen naturally for whatever reason, demanding respect is a sure way not to receive it.

Instead, follow the advice of the great thinkers who came before us. BE the change you wish to see in your relationship with your child. At the very least, make sure to respect yourself first. (psychologytoday.com)

H

Introduction ave you ever enjoyed watching something lift off into the air, like fireworks at a show or a spacecraft launching? It can be an amazing experience. It is thrilling to see something lift off against Earth’s gravity. To launch a spacecraft, its rockets give it a strong push that is due to a chemical reaction. This means that every time you see a spacecraft launch, you are watching chemistry at work. In this activity you will get to blast an object into the air using two simple ingredients— baking soda and vinegar. Investigate how to mix these ingredients to get the best lift off, and then you could give your friends and family a homemade, gravity-defying show!

Materials Plastic film canister with a lid and tight seal. Fuji or Kodak canisters should work. Tip: Try asking a local camera shop for empty canisters.

Baking soda Measuring spoons Wax paper or bowl Spoon Water Vinegar An open outdoor area at least two metres from buildings. It is ideal to have a hard, flat surface, like a paved patio or driveway.

Safety goggles Rag or paper towel Optional: Construction paper, transparent tape, stickers, and scissors Procedure If you want, you may decorate your film canister, which will be the body of your rocket.

You could take a piece of construction paper and wrap it around the film canister. Make sure to wrap along the short side of the paper, about 2 millimetres below the lip of the canister, and make sure that the lid is not enclosed or covered by the tube of paper.

Wrap the paper neatly and evenly along the canister and use the scissors to remove the excess paper from the bottom. Secure the paper with a few pieces of transparent tape.

Make sure it is still easy to put the lid on the canister.

Now go outside to your test site, which should be an open area next to a tall exterior wall, with nothing above it. Prepare the test site so you will be able to measure how high the rocket goes.

Put a long piece of masking tape or painter’s tape on the wall, just 15 centimetres (cm) from the ground. The piece of tape should be about 50 cm long.

Then put a long piece of tape every 15 cm up after that until you reach the top of the wall (or about 4 meters [m] high). Ask an adult to help put up the higher pieces of tape (possibly using a ladder may be needed).

Use the permanent marker to label each piece of tape. For example, the first piece should be labelled “15 cm,” the next should be “30 cm,” and so on.

Now prepare the baking soda for the rocket. Place 1 teaspoon (tsp.) of baking soda in the bowl.

Carefully add 1/8 tsp. of water to the baking soda and mix it in using the spoon.

T h i s should wet t h e baking soda enough s o that you can pack it into the depression on the inside of the canister lid.

Turn the film canister lid over and tightly pack the inside of the depression with the damp baking soda.

Briefly turn the lid upside-down and make sure that the baking soda does not fall out. If the baking soda all falls out, then add a little bit more water to the baking soda and mix it in. Try to add only a minimal amount of water to the baking soda in order to make it stick together inside the lid.

Now prepare the vinegar for the rocket.

Add 1 tsp of vinegar to the canister at a time, filling it almost to the top. You need to add as much vinegar to the canister as possible without the vinegar and the baking soda coming into contact when you eventually snap the lid onto the canister. This might take a little trial and error, but be patient and keep trying.

Go over to the outdoor area where you put tape strips on the wall. Put on your safety goggles. Stoop down near the ground on a flat, hard spot and quickly snap the lid onto the canister to seal it.

Immediately turn the canister over so the lid is on the ground, and quickly move away.

Wait for the chemical reaction to occur (the time depends on the amount of baking soda and vinegar you are using).

When the lid finally pops off, the rocket should overcome gravity and launch. (Teisha Rowland, PhD, Science Buddies.com)

news

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SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

“Street protest”, “war break” remarks inciting hostilities – Trade Union

C

ivil society bodies are viewing the remarks made by senior officials of the APNU/AFC Government, following the recent ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) that the No-Confidence Motion was validly passed, as inciting hostilities among Guyanese.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan, during a Government outreach in Bartica on Tuesday, rallied coalition supporters saying, “Comrades, be on the ready! Because we will be able to call you out to picket for House-to-House registration… From today (Monday) Comrades, war break, because we got to go to elections before the end of this year…”

On the other hand, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, at the same public meeting told coalition supporters that there would be trouble if youths are disenfranchised.

“The young people who turned 18 since the last elections, their names are not on that voters’ list and anyone who calls for an election without our young people being on that voters’ list, is calling for trouble in this country,”

Nagamootoo said.

But in a statement on Friday, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) expressed concerns over these statements made by the Government officials.

“The remarks which, among other things, included a call for “war”— which we could not fail to recognize have been deemed by some as inciting hostilities in our society. Indeed, we share the view that the utterances by leaders of our nation have no place in our contemporary times and could, very well, serve to ratchet up tensions among our peoples,” the umbrella Union said.

The missive went on to outline that these statements are “totally unacceptable” and cannot be countenanced, regardless of the circumstances. FITUG posited that the connotation of a call to war naturally evokes strong sentiments and causes, undoubtedly, heightened anxieties.

This remark, according to the Trade Union, goes against the Government and more so President David Granger’s

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

call for our people to live in cohesion. Further making reference to another incident where a similar call was sounded on a video recording circulated on social media, FITUG noted that these two incidents were too close for comfort.

“At this time, as is the case all the time, we urge our leaders to consider their words and statements, especially taking into account the lasting impression they can have on our people,” the Trade Union stated while being cognizant that these political remarks were made at a

Government outreach funded by state resources.

Meanwhile, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition had wasted no time in writing to Police Commissioner Leslie James and the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to register its complaints over the two officials’ statements.

Those remarks by the senior Government officials were made on the same day that the Trinidad-based Regional Court handed down its ruling that the Oppositionsponsored No-Confidence Motion against the coali-

tion Government was validly passed on December 21, 2018 and that the unilateral appointment of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman was flawed and unconstitutional.

Stakeholders, including civil society bodies, the public sector and even the diplomatic community, had called on the political leaders to respect the CCJ ruling and find consensus on the way forward.

In fact, the New Yorkbased International Centre for Democracy (ICD) joined the calls for Guyanese leaders to seize the opportunity given by the CCJ in this interim period to demonstrate responsible leadership.

“We commend the CCJ for giving the leaders in Guyana a chance to demonstrate political maturity and responsible behaviour in working out the way forward… While we are cautiously optimistic the political leaders will resolve the timeline based on the CCJ rulings, we are encouraged further by the CCJ's indication that they will meet again on June 24 to consider consequential orders, should the

political leaders in Guyana fail to reach consensus on a way forward,” the ICD noted in a missive on Friday.

According to the two-yearold body, validity of the NoConfidence Motion has been accepted by all parties since they all previously committed to honour the CCJ rulings. To this end, the ICD posited that the Constitution must be supreme and as such, the parties should work for elections within 90 days from the CCJ ruling – since the Constitution did stipulate the resignation of the Cabinet, a dissolution of Parliament and an election within 90 days after the passage of the No-Confidence Movement.

“The democratic processes must be allowed to work and the CCJ has become an adjudicator and mediator to ensure democracy blossoms in Guyana. We are hopeful that the combination of legal authority exercised by the CCJ and mature political dialogue with a commitment to uphold the Constitution will ensure Guyana faithfully stays on the democratic course,” the ICD noted.

cially the farmers of Region Five. Currently, many of the farm to market roads are

in a deplorable state. Many of the drainage and irrigation structures are also in a deplorable state, heavily clogged with weed and silt, and we cannot effectively address all of these situations because of one man hijacking the entire Council," he noted.

Ramphal said all citizens of the region are being affected by the REO's actions. Ramphal noted that for the year, the RDC has not been able to have a successful meeting. This, he said, is because the Clerk of Council, who is the Regional Executive Officer, continues to disrespect the Council and the people of Region Five.

Another Region 5 RDC meeting ends abruptly …as REO walks out

T

he business of Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice) came to an abrupt halt for the sixteenth consecutive month after Regional Executive Officer (REO), Ovid Morrison led a walkout of the Regional Democratic Council’s meeting on Thursday.

Morrison’s walkout stemmed from Regional Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal asking two controversial Councillors to leave the horseshoe table while their legality was being discussed. However, the Chairman’s request was met with pushback from the coalition Government's Councillors.

In April, Morrison swore in three persons as Councillors unbeknown to the Chairman and the full Council. Ever since, there have been issues at every statutory meeting in relation to the legality of the Councillors which ultimately led to walkouts by Government Councillors and the REO.

Over the past three years, only a few successful monthly meetings were held. At Thursday’s meeting, two of the three persons were present and Ramphal asked for them to excuse themselves so that the issue of their legality could be discussed.

They did not move and following a brief debate on the issue, Morrison led the walkout even as Ramphal sought to ensure that the RDC could have a meaningful meeting.

“The deputy Regional Executive Officer, who is the second after the REO, please come and perform the functions as Clerk… Well there we have it; all the officers are now leaving the boardroom and walking out of the meeting. Here we are again for another month in the year we cannot have a successful statutory meeting. Is very clear of what transpired.

Councillors, at this point in time I have no other option what's adjourn this meeting since the Clerk of Council would have vacated without permission, so we cannot

Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal

Region Five RDC walkout

proceed. Again, Region Five is being held hostage by the Clerk of Council, who is the Regional Executive Officer," Ramphal said.

Following that, the Chairman held a press conference at his office where he told reporters that it was unfortunate that the region found itself in the position which is resulting in no representation for residents.

He explained that when the REO refuses to sit at the meetings, the entire region is set back.

“Because we cannot address too many problems af-

fecting people within the region. There are many issues affecting the region espe-

8 News

saturDAY, JUNE 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Bus driver charged for 62 lbs ganja in spare wheels

Bullshitting…

O The ganja that was found

One of the wheels in which the narcotics were found

A

Route 72 minibus driver who reportedly had a large quantity of cannabis in his two spare wheels was on Friday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Seon Bakker, called “Akbar”, of Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) appeared at the

Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where he denied the charge which stated that on June 15, 2019 at Mabura, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), he had in his possession 28.148 kilogram (or 62 lbs) of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

The prosecution is contending that the 42-year-

old man was arrested about 17:00h when ranks at the Mabura Police Outpost conducted a search on minibus BNN 7872, which was driven by the defendant and destined for Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, in court on Friday, said that during the search, it was observed that two bulky wheels were strapped to the top of the minibus and each

wheel was cut open. According to the Prosecutor, a quantity of leaves, stems, and seeds were observed to be wrapped in transparent plastic.

As a result of this, the defendant was taken into custody, cautioned, and the present charge was later instituted.

The unrepresented man was remanded to prison. The case will continue on July 10, 2019 at Linden Magistrate’s Court.

Supply resident jailed after failing to repay VC for phone

J

ust one month after being released on bail and given a second chance to correct his mistake, 22-yearold Morvin Akeem Micko on Friday reappeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who without hesitation handed him a sixmonth jail term.

The sentencing came after Micko failed to attend court and pay a sum of money to Travis Rampaul, whose phone he stole while they were hanging out.

In addition, on his first court appearance, the defendant had given his name as “Akeem Bennett”; however, it was later revealed that his correct name was Morvin Akeem Micko. This was among the factors that caused Micko to be sentenced.

Jailed: Morvin Akeem Micko

The Supply, East Bank Demerara (EBD) resident was initially slapped with a theft charge that stated on April 14, 2019 at Seawall Road,

Georgetown, he stole one phone valued $85,000, property of Rampaul. He was later released on $10,000 bail, which was paid by the said Virtual Complainant.

According to facts presented in court, the defendant and the VC were hanging out at the seawall when the latter asked the former to collect a pack of cigarettes from his motor vehicle.

Some time later, upon realising that Micko had not returned, Rampaul went in search of him and he discovered his cellphone and the defendant were missing. The matter was reported, and Micko was later arrested and charged.

However, in a statement to the court on his first appearance, Micko explained

that it was Rampaul who entrusted his personal belongings to him. In his statement, Micko admitted to being sent for a pack of cigarettes, but said he did not find any in the car. He further explained that after informing Rampaul of this, he was later given cash and instructed to purchase a pack of cigarettes; however, on his way back, he was attacked and relieved of the VC’s property.

As such, Micko claimed that he became afraid and left the location without informing the VC of what transpired. Given the explanation, a not-guilty plea was entered on the defendant’s behalf, and he committed to paying the VC for the phone. His failure to do so landed him in jail.

Cops can be charged for failure to act on domestic violence cases

I

n tightening measures to ensure a swift process to justice, the Sexual Offences Act provides for Police Officers to be charged if they fail to institute charges against a suspect three months after a complaint was made and if they delay in seeking advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

This was highlighted by Justice Jo Ann Barlow during a workshop hosted by the Guyana Judiciary and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Friday for the media, which focused on domestic abuse, at Parc Rayne, Houston, East Bank Demerara.

“When a report is made, the first step then is the investigation and what the new legislation introduces is a mechanism which forces the investigator to move along in a timely fashion. Section 41 of the Act mandates that when a complaint is made, a charge must be laid within three months of the making of that complaint,” the Judge said.

Justice Barlow added that an investigator, who cannot lay that charge within three months must send the file to

Justice Jo Ann Barlow addressing the gathering during the workshop

the DPP. The Judge noted that this process was to aid the investigator in laying the charge, if they encountered difficulties or were unsure of what charge to institute. The DPP will then give legal advice on the way forward. However, “A policeman who does not adhere to those provisions can find himself facing disciplinary charges, because the Act says that failure to comply with Section 41 may result in disciplinary charges,” she warned.

In such cases, the law enforcement men and women can be charged with “Neglect of duty for failing to institute

the charge” or sending the file for advice from the DPP. Many of the Police Divisions have what are referred to as the Gender-Based Violence Units, which are equipped with persons trained to handle matters such as sexual offences and others. However, owing to reasons such as lack of evidence or witnesses, these officers encounter challenges and may not be able to institute a charge in the specified timeframe, as was pointed out by Justice Barlow.

In these situations, the Police would then rely on Forensic Interviewers, who are trained to conduct interviews

with witnesses. The information is then passed on to the Police. A summary or indictable charge can then be laid.

Over the past few months, there has been an alarming spike in the number of reported cases of domestic abuse.

This did not go unnoticed by the Judge, who even said she was still trying to understand the reason behind the sudden spike.

The most recent statistics shared by First Lady Sandra Granger back in March 2018 had indicated that there was a high prevalence of gender-based violence in Guyana, with a 14.2 per cent increase recorded over the past six years.

According to her, reported incidents of domestic violence by an intimate or previous intimate partner rose from 74.8 per cent in 2011 to 89 per cent in 2017, with females accounting for upward of 80 per cent of the victims.

It was noted that three-quarters of the gender-based violence cases come mostly from Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

…and gaslighting by the PNC pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo hit out in frustration after the CCJ vote, when Granger told supporters he’s insisting on new house-to-house registration, because, otherwise, thousands of youths would be disenfranchised. Jagdeo bluntly protested, “This is a total lie! It’s beneath the President to so flagrantly lie to the people of our country. It’s a flagrant lie; so this is to stir up anger among young people who are not going to be on the list, are going to be disenfranchised, et cetera.”

But Granger wasn’t lying, he was bullshitting; and that’s a crucial distinction we Guyanese will have to appreciate in this “post-truth” era of politics the PNC has plunged us into. As your Eyewitness mentioned several times over the last four years, the Princeton philosopher Harry Frankfurt originally made this distinction between lying and bullshitting: You lie when you know the facts, but you misstate them to score “points”. Bullshitting, however, is when you don’t give a damn about what you are saying; you just speak for effect! As Frankfurt showed, bullshitting is worse than lying, especially with people in authority; because of the possible consequences.

Granger’s speaking just for effect; the same effect that Jagdeo noted in this instance: anger, but more than that.

Anger is only one of many emotions that bullshitters in politics -- like Granger -- strive to evoke. In sum, they’re actually “gaslighting” their followers, convincing them the reality and truth they’re experiencing isn’t REALLY so! Their followers end up doubting their own sanity and believing something’s wrong with THEM. Take the CCJ ruling on the cases the PNC and Granger brought: every supporter of the PNC KNOWS to their soul that the argument of 33 not being the majority of 65 was pure bullshit! But Granger and his myrmidons (look it up!!) spread the bullshit so thick that those supporters started disbelieving what they knew from Lil ABC – that 33 is greater than 32!! That’s gaslighting!! So now those supporters are angry at the PPP for “winning” a case which should’ve never been brought!!

Ditto on the unilateral appointment of Patterson, a poseur and charlatan of the first order, who claimed his pen had “slipped” when he wrote on his resume that he’s been Chief Justice of Grenada!! Which Guyanese didn’t know the constitution was amended so that presidents couldn’t, like Burnham, choose the GECOM Chair on their lonesome!! And even after Patterson proved he was Granger’s myrmidon par excellence, those PNC faithful now FEEL they wuz robbed!

Bullshitted and gaslighted!!

The bullshitting started from the moment the PNC convinced the AFC they’d share power with them!!

Nagamootoo is still thoroughly gaslighted!!

Bullshitters bullshitting bullshitters!! …and house-to-house registration Now, what’s the scoop on house-to-house (HtH) registration, apart from the PNC’s bullshit? This came out of the insistence by the Opposition back in 1992 to have a new list instead of the one the PNC had rigged from for years. But, in the new dispensation, this was changed to CONTINUOUS REGISTRATION, as was the norm in other democracies.

The ACT No. 15 of 2000 ELECTION LAWS (AMENDMENT) ACT 2000, under section 3.0 THE REGISTRATION SYSTEM, declares “Registration of persons in Guyana is conducted continually through the process of Continuous Registration”.

It was to this piece of legislation that GECOM’s legal counsel had referred when she pointed out that the legislation (sec 7 (1) referred to the list being “revised” through additions and deletions using existing data.

Patterson, of course, chastised the counsel for her input!!

But it’s for these reasons that the Constitution could, in Art 106 (6) and elsewhere, prescribe that elections could be held in 90 days!!

So what was GECOM doing since Dec 21st? Bullshitting, that’s what! …on squatting OK, James Patterson may’ve puffed his CV on his Chief Justice claim, but we know he was a Judge. So how come, after the CCJ declared he was ILLEGALLY appointed, he now says he doesn’t know what to do??

More BS to squat??

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

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saturDAY, JUNE 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt trying to polarise Guyana – Opposition Leader …as diplomats briefed on “inflammatory language” following CCJ ruling

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

P

resident David Granger, along with ministers of the Government, is trying to polarise Guyana to suit self-serving agendas; but the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has been notifying and updating the international community, and will continue to do so in regard to the actions and utterances of the administration, which are in direct defiance of democracy and the country’s Constitution.

This is according to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who told reporters that since the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Monday -- that the APNU/AFC Government was defeated by the Opposition’s no-confidence motion last year December -- he has been meeting with ambassadors and other representatives of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and the European Union, besides the Commonwealth Secretary General; and is scheduled to meet with the Caricom Secretary General sometime next week.

“With the diplomatic community, we are briefing them on our position on the issue, going forward. Secondly, we are pointing out to them about the threats to democracy that seem to be emanating now from the Government, and the use of inflammatory language to polarise the country once again. So we are putting the diplomatic community on notice on those two issues particularly,” Jagdeo said.

He emphasised that, despite their public declarations, the response by the APNU/ AFC coalition Government and the President’s defiance show that they are unwilling to act in accordance with the country’s laws.

According to the Opposition Leader, the excuses made by the President and other Government officials about the current voters’ list not being applicable are simply excuses put forward to delay the hosting of national elections, as stipulated by Guyana’s Constitution.

One of the main excuses being touted by the Government is that the names of dead individuals are on the present list, but Jagdeo noted that this can easily be remedied.

“GECOM has the authority to remove (from the list the names of) people who have passed away, once they get a death certificate from the General Registrar’s Office (GRO). So why not get (the names of) all the people who have passed away for the last 10 years? Send for (the information) from GRO! Publish their names! Send the list to the two parties, and then remove every one (name). It is (as) simple as that! GECOM is empowered to do this without having to go to house-tohouse registration, and people can get on the list without house-to-house registration… so nobody would be disenfranchised,” Jagdeo declared.

The Opposition Leader posited that the APNU/AFC coalition administration is us-

United States Ambassador Sarah Ann Lynch

British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn

Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee

European Union Ambassador Jernej Videtič

ing weak arguments and excuses in order to prevent free and fair elections from taking place in the country, and he said this is an act which stifles the democratic rights of every Guyanese.

“That is what they are hoping to work on. This house-to-house registration is a ploy to delay elections… that is what they are aiming for. Thankfully, now the Constitution has spoken, the CCJ has spoken, elections (should be held) in three months.”

The Opposition Leader is adamant that house-tohouse registration is not necessary to facilitate elections during the constitutionally mandated timeframe of three months, and he said GECOM can be ready to host elections by that date.

to the Official List of Electors, commonly called the voters’ list.

Given the three cycles of continuous registration that have occurred since 2015, Jagdeo said, the current voters’ list is not flawed, and can be used to facilitate elections in Guyana within the constitutionally stipulated time frame.

“So this falsehood, this falsehood that he perpetuates: that people are not on (the list) since the last elections in 2015, the people who are not on the list is a total lie.

It is beneath the President to so flagrantly lie to the people of our country. It is a flagrant lie!” the Opposition Leader said.

He explained that, in light of the recent ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice: that the no-confidence motion was validly passed in December 2018, elections can

be held within three months from the date that this momentous decision was made, which is June 18, 2019.

Jagdeo reminded that the list in question is the same list that Government Commissioners at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the GECOM Chairman had deemed valid up to April 30 last.

He added that there have been several cycles of continuous registration, giving Guyanese an opportunity to register since the last houseto-house registration exercise was undertaken. Therefore, he said, house-to-house registration is not necessary to facilitate elections during the constitutionally-mandated timeframe of three months, and GECOM could be ready to host elections by the time stipulated.

Jagdeo emphasised that the Public Relations Officer of

GECOM had earlier this year stated that the Commission could be ready to hold elections within a three-month period, and even the Chief Elections Officer appointed at GECOM had confirmed that the current voters’ list is “clean”.

It was only on Tuesday that the CCJ ruled that Government was defeated by the Opposition’s no-confidence motion last December.

Article 106 of Guyana’s Constitution states that, following the passage of the no-confidence motion, the President and Cabinet must resign, and elections must be held within three months of the motion. That deadline elapsed since March 21, 2019, with Government having spent much of the time in court, seeking to overturn the motion rather than ensuring elections were held.

Delaying tactics

However, the Government has been peddling misinformation about the Official List of Electors in what the Opposition has since said is an effort to further delay the hosting of elections, which were due since March.

In fact, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had called out President David Granger earlier this week for deliberately peddling falsehoods about the voters’ list.

Contrary to President Granger’s declaration: that the current voters’ list will not include the names of youths and young adults who have attained the age of 18 years since 2015, there have occurred at least three cycles of continuous registration, and those were done to update the National Register of Registrants; and once those persons attain the age of 18, their names are transferred

10 news

saturDAY, JUNE 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

City Hall still withholds AG requested audit records …Mayor unaware of Council’s status

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine

T

he Audit Office of Guyana is still awaiting documents from the City Hall to complete an audit into its financial affairs, and this process remains delayed while the Mayor is unaware as to why or when these records will be provided.

When contacted on Friday, Auditor General Deodat Sharma told this publication that the audit

is still delayed because officials of the Council are yet to submit relevant documents.

“It is delayed. Once we get the records, we can continue. They have to supply the documents that were needed so it is ongoing,” he stated.

However, Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine could not supply the specifics on when Council plans to meet these requirements.

Furthermore, he positioned that the Town Clerk is responsible for those undertakings.

“I am unaware of that.

The Town Clerk would know,” the Mayor positioned.

The decision to conduct an audit stemmed from the alarming findings of the Commission of Inquiry, which exposed financial irregularities and mismanagement at the Council.

Lone Commissioner, retired Justice Cecil Kennard had called for the Audit Office of Guyana to conduct a fo-

rensic audit into the entity’s management even as officers are being disciplined.

Recently, there have been reports in the media that City Hall has failed to submit a large percentage of the required documents for the Audit Office to continue the inspection.

During the CoI hearings, financial records from the Audit Office were presented by the Audit Manager, Dhanraj Persaud, which showed unaccountability for millions of dollars.

As he delved into the matter, Persaud showed that Central Government, through the Communities Ministry, had supplied funds for city restoration projects at a sum of $300 million in 2015 and in 2016, another $200 million was injected into the initiative which totalled an overall balance of $500 million.

However, when checks were made into the pieces of evidence presented for the expenditure of these proj-

Audit Office of Guyana

ects, $70.489 million was unaccounted for.

“For 2016, Council did not produce evidence to account for amount totalling $70.489 million,” he said.

It was related that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has a history of failing to source records. In the course of six years which date back to the period from 2006 to 2011, there have

been no financial records for the disbursement of monies at City Hall. Additionally, for the year 2005, documents were submitted but an audit could not be completed because the files were “damaged”.

Persaud said, “A few documents were submitted [in 2005] but those are the ones that were damaged”.

The Audit Manager stood

before the Commission as he explained what was relayed to them by the Council, adding that the organisation would’ve inquired about the absence of the report but no explanation was pronounced. In 2012, records were also damaged but from 2013 to 2015, some amount of files was presented for auditing, for which they were able to inspect and extract information.

According to the Auditor General’s 2015 Report, there were several “discrepancies” in the way the sums of money allotted to the City Council had been spent during that year.

After examining 212 payment vouchers, a number of inconsistent points were reportedly found, including hundreds of instances wherein there was no evidence that the validity of payment vouchers had been certified by the accountant or other authorised officer before being payable.

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saturDAY, JUNE 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Minister admits to using public New Board of Directors appointed funds for elections campaign at Ruimveldt Lions Club

F

ollowing concerns that the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) was misusing state resources for political purposes, a senior Government Minister has admitted that indeed, taxpayers’ money is being used to fund its campaigning activities across the country.

Second Vice President and Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan was on a live radio programme, “Straight Up”, on Thursday evening, when he was asked about the APNU/AFC coalition’s preparation for the impending elections.

In response, Ramjattam explained that the coalition had already started its campaign through the ministerial outreaches across the country.

“We had started our campaign in a sense. We were outreaching in all the areas, even having Cabinet in different areas, having lots of meetings on the weekends especially and carrying our Government projects and programmes for the people to see it themselves and promoting our accomplishments. And that is what part of the campaigning was all about during that time because there was always this 50-50 chance that we’re gonna lose it and indeed, we lost it,” Ramjattan, the newly elected AFC leader, stated.

Since February, the coalition Administration rolled out its “ministerial outreach” programme un-

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

der the slogan of “bringing Government to the people”.

Government had come under heavy criticism over these outreaches but insisted that they were initiatives aimed at meeting and listening to the concerns of members of the public.

In fact, former Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had told reporters back in February that the outreaches are nothing but “normal Government business” in response to concerns that the coalition was campaigning with state funds.

Harmon, who is now the Director General at the Ministry of the Presidency, had noted that “that is the way Government functions… It is important that Government always meet the people”.

More recently, however, Harmon defended a move by his Administration to secure

in excess of $300 million in supplementary funding from the National Assembly for ministerial outreaches across the country.

At May 23, 2019, parliamentary sitting, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had presented Financial Paper 1 of 2019, totalling in excess of $7.9 billion. Of that amount, $800 million was approved for the Finance Ministry, part of which is for “increased activities such as ministerial outreaches”.

Harmon had pointed out that the public needed to see and wanted to be in touch with the Government Ministers more.

“So the outreaches by the Ministers was an approach to listen to persons and hear what they have to say and whether, in fact, what we’re doing is working and if, in fact, they need to give us addition advice. So these were some of the rationale behind the outreaches,” he contended.

Since February, the APNU/AFC Administration has held similar exercises in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Nine (Upper Takatu-Essequibo), 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), and more recently, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

Despite claims that these events are not politically motivated, the outreach held in the mining town of Bartica earlier this week-

end attracted much criticisms and concerns after several senior Government officials, including Finance Minister Winston Jordan and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, spouted remarks about “war break”, “street protest” and “troubles” in a bid to push the conduct of house-to-house registration.

However, this incident comes on the heels of a previous one whereby another Minister, during a hinterland outreach back in February, asked residents to vote for the coalition Government.

Citizenship Minister Winston Felix, while addressing a small gathering at Tiger Pond village, located in the Karasabai District, South Pakaraimas, Region Nine, made it clear that he was there simply to garner votes.

“You understand why it is important for us to come and convince you that you should vote for this coalition,” Minister Felix remarked.

He added: “If I wanted to go to church, I’d go to church in Georgetown. I wouldn’t come here for Sunday school.

While I wouldn’t mind worshipping with you, but I come here to ask for your vote, let’s understand that clearly. Vote coalition!”

From right: Past District Governor, Lion Sean Noel handing over the gavel, a symbol of the President’s authority, to Lion Daryl Adams, the newly-installed President

A

s the new fiscal year begins in July for the Ruimveldt Lions Club, a new Board of Directors, who were elected, were welcomed last Saturday to their newly appointed positions during an installation ceremony and dinner meeting at their den in Festival City, North Ruimveldt. These Directors are now tasked with overseeing the management of the club.

At the ceremony, Lion Adams, an anaesthetist by profession, was presented with the symbolic gavel, as he was elected President of the club, along with Debbie-Ann Thompson filling the crucial role of Club Secretary.

During his acceptance speech, Daryl Adams noted that the motto for the year will be “Progress through shared vision, commitment and active participation”, which places much empha-

sis on more meaningful community projects, and recruitment of younger members to ensure the viability of the club in its future.

In addition to the auspicious installation ceremony, the Leo Club of Ruimveldt (a sponsored youth project of the Lions Club) also held its installation ceremony which saw medical technologist, Shamar Khan accepting the leadership for the group, and the introduction of new members to the youth project.

Being in existence for more than forty years, the Ruimveldt Lions Club is a part of a larger network of the world’s largest service organisation that is Lions Clubs International.

Lions clubs, wherever they exist, function under the motto, “We Serve”, as the organisation seeks to aid in the upliftment of the less fortunate in society.

12 News

saturDAY, JUNE 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Vendors reluctant to participate in lottery for market spots …as new marketing tarmac completed

F

ollowing the completion of a new marketing tarmac at Annandale, East Coast Demerara (ECD), vendors from the Lusignan marketplace and surrounding areas were on Wednesday invited to participate in a lottery for market spots at the new location. However, this paved the way for a new situation.

Vendors who showed up at the Lusignan Community Centre Ground (LCCG) on Wednesday morning expressed reluctance to participate in the lottery after being informed that they would not be allocated spots in the front section of the tarmac.

This new issue was disclosed by Chairman

Some of the vendors at the lottery on Wednesday

of the Mon Repos/ La Reconnaissance N e i g h b o u r h o o d Democratic Council (NDC), Ayube Mohammed during an interview on Wednesday with this publication. Only recently, the Chairman had made it public that vendors should comply with the respective authority, so as to make the relocation a much easier process.

Nevertheless, the Chairman has once again explained that these vendors are making matters worse for themselves by refusing to accept a vending spot early, “They refused to push their hands in the bag, but then some of them came back and they did draw the lot…because most of the spots are

Constant low voltage plaguing WCD residents

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esidents of the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) are now concerned over their electrical appliances as they are being plagued by constant low voltage from the power being provided by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

Complaints indicate that since the restoration of one of the company’s submerged cables which received damages, load shedding is now a constant issue.

Reports reaching Guyana Times reveal that nightly, residents are forced to unplug appliances for safety.

Roycelyn Alleyne, a resident of Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD), revealed to this publication that her refrig-

erator has since stopped functioning as per normal.

“One night my fridge

started to make a loud noise.

When I checked I saw the lights were dimming so I realise that it was low voltage again, so I plugged out the fridge. However, since then,

the fridge doesn’t get cold, it works whenever it wants to…and this is every night

thing, I gotta keep plugging in and out my appliances” the frustrated woman stated.

In another comment, a resident of Hague also complained of the said issue, expressing her worry.

“Although GPL has fixed its damaged submarine cable, I have been affected by load shedding almost every day. My electricity is hardly ever stable and I am severely worried about my appliances” the resident explained.

“I constantly have to keep changing bulbs because every minute them blowing…I changed about five since this thing started, the problem with GPL”, a De Willem resident revealed.

GPL had announced on

June 15 that the load shedding would be discontinued since the company successfully energised a new 13.8 kV submarine cable across the Demerara River, linking the Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston power plants on June 12, 2019.

The new 13.8 kV cable is currently providing over 5 MW of power to the eastern DBIS. It spans approximately 4000 feet from Princess Street, Georgetown to the GPL power station at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.

Additionally, two small generating units with an aggregate capacity of 2 MW were returned from Anna Regina to boost generation during peak demand.

Further, one of GPL’s second largest units, a 7.8 MW, is back in operation after being unavailable for planned maintenance.

On June 2, GPL’s 69 kV cable sustained damages which resulted in the unavailability of 14 MW of generation to the eastern half of the DemeraraBerbice Interconnected System (DBIS).

GPL developed an emergency plan to reduce outages, which included the laying of the new cable. Though the outages have decreased, residents are calling for the frequent low voltages to be addressed.

Workers complete marking off spots at the new tarmac

gone already” he stated.

Mohammed further explained that the new issue arrived since most of the merchants are in favour of the front section. However, according to him, the newly completed tarmac is sectioned to facilitate various vendors. He clarified that the specific area will house the clothing vendors.

“We were doing the lottery for spots at the Mon Repos tarmac, but there were some controversy this morning because everybody fighting for the front part. We have sectioned the tarmac but some of them wants to sell where the clothing vendor would be” Mohammed related.

In addition to this revelation, some vendors who ply their trade at the Lusignan market are contending that they were not informed of the lottery that was held. Shaheed Ahmad, one of the merchants, told Guyana times that he along with others were never informed of this activity.

“Up to last we sell at

Lusignan…and we were not informed by no one that today was the lottery. I am very much disappointed for not being informed about this situation” Ahmad said.

Further expressing concerns over the new location, the worried vendor reiterated how unsafe the location is while adding that there is limited space for any business to be done as well as their vulnerability to significant losses.

“When you speak about that tarmac, it is in chaos.

I agree that many people would want to sell in the front because that is the only safe part, it is very much dangerous. People will be robbed, they will not have places to park their vehicles and people would not take the chance to come in there and purchase from you wholesale…there are people around the tarmac area that advise the vendors to very much be careful in that area”, a concerned Ahmad stated.

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saturDAY, JUNE 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Pedal cyclist struck by intoxicated GDF rank succumbs

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ifty-seven-yearold pedal cyclist Ramlackhan, who was struck down by an intoxicated corporal attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday last at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

His death occurred less than two weeks after he underwent emergency surgery while in an unconscious state at that hospital.

Meanwhile, the military rank is yet to be charged since the file that had been sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to have a driving under the influence charge laid has not been returned to the police to date.

Commander of C Division, Calvin Brutus had recently explained to

this publication that since Ramlackhan had been involved in the accident, he never regained consciousness.

Therefore, while he was in an unconscious state, the only charge that could be laid against the army corporal was that of DUI. “Dangerous driving is subject to the individual.

So, we have already started the preliminary work in relation to the advice for the Driving Under the Influence (DUI). But not the accident in general…given the present state of the victim.”

However, according to the police on Friday, now that Ramlackhan has succumbed to his injuries, investigations into the situation will take a different route since the military official can be charged with causing death by dangerous

driving.

“The army rank is presently on station bail but has to return to the police station on Monday [June 24, 2019]. The file for the DUI is yet to be returned to us [police] for further action. In relation to the pedal cyclist losing his life, further investigation has to be done since the victim died,” the police explained.

On May 25 last, Ramlackhan was struck down while on the Vryheid’s Lust Railway Embankment Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), by motorcar PRR 7815, which was allegedly being driven by the soldier.

The severely injured man is said to hail from Lot 346 Martyrs Ville, Mon Repos, ECD. At the time of the accident, Ramlackhan was towing another friend who is re-

portedly from Sixth Street, Success, ECD. His friend suffered minor injuries.

Reports are that on the day in question, the duo was riding along the roadway when they were hit off the bicycle by the vehicle being driven by the GDF rank, who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol.

Ramlackhan was picked up and taken to the GPHC, where he was admitted a patient.

A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver of

the vehicle, and it was discovered that his alcohol intake was above the legal limit. Investigations into the matter continue.

However, Commander Brutus had earlier this month explained that the soldier who was allegedly driving the car involved in the accident was released into the custody of the Army.

“The Joint Services Protocol dictates that we hand him over to his superiors pending the advice of the Director of Public

Prosecutions (DPP). With regards to Police having custody of Joint Services ranks, it is dependent on the category of crime. For instance, if it is murder or so, they will stay in our [GPF] custody. If it is a lesser category, we hand them over to their respective agency and they will take responsibility to bring them back whenever is needed; or if advice is to charge, they will make them available and bring them so.”

TVG introduces “The K-Pop World”

Overhauled security measures needed at M&CC – Councillor

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City Hall

lawed security arrangements at the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has raised concerns over the protection of valuable assets and important documents, some of which have been stolen in recent time.

This was shared by one of the Councillors, Bishram Kuppen, as he highlighted the need for a vigilant approach to secure the Council’s resources. This fear came amid a break-in at the Mayor’s office just a few weeks ago, where important files pertaining to the Local Government Commission were stolen.

“There is need for the security policy to be developed.

In fact, our position has always been that the entire City Council and the various departments need to be overhauled because if you look at the occurrence of crime in the city, it is very high and there are no effective ways for the City Constabulary to handle it. Now, we’re having a problem where the Mayor’s office was broken into,” Kuppen related.

The incident was confirmed by a senior police rank, who told this publica-

tion this week that an investigation was launched. The Mayor noted that from all indications, no other items were removed from the office. He stated that the perpetrators gained entry to his office via a window from his washroom. Due to the lack of security cameras at the facility, he instructed that the windows be barred thereafter to prevent such occurrences in the future.

However, Kuppen stated that some persons are of the opinion that the robbery was orchestrated by employees to hide incriminating information.

“While the limited details that was there sounded somewhat unusual, there is something that is more to it.

It does not appear to be an outside job. It appears to be something on the inside and the Mayor possibly would have had some incriminating documents that would have caused concerns. That is why people are suggesting that the files were removed.”

Last year, the Commission of Inquiry into City Hall’s operations unearthed information that employees of the council had broken into a training cen-

tre on Water Street and removed books from the archives. According to the Councillor, this speaks to the necessity for amplified safekeeping measures.

“Definitely, the city council compound needs to be secured. The Mayor’s office and important documents needs to be secured. We would recall that during the CoI last year into the operations of the council, there were reports that the archive area was forcefully opened by members of the Town Clerk’s office and files were removed,” he stated.

The Finance Committee had inked on their Thursday agenda, yet another breakin, this time in one of the Stabroek Market stalls.

Adding to that, discussions are underway to reshuffle the structure of the City Constabulary.

“I think it is not just the office but the entire complex needs an improvement in security. We have a breakages inside the market. In fact, one of those issues will come up at the Finance Committee meeting. It has to do with security again, where a major stall was broken into at Stabroek Market. There is need for attention and a restructuring of the City Constabulary in the security arrangements that they have for the offices. There are plans to integrate both the security section and the regular force into one from a financial perspective for better affordability and also to have one operating procedure for all.”

Last July, L Seepersaud Maraj and Sons Jewellery Store was robbed of $22 million in jewellery after bandits broke into the stall and torched the vault with the security personnel at the market claiming that they were unaware of the theft.

Three persons were later charged.

T

elevision Guyana is set to debut what promises to be an electrifying new programme titled “The K-Pop World”, featuring the music, videos, fashion and personalities of “Korean Pop” or “K-Pop”.

K-Pop is the fastest growing genre of music worldwide, with songs presently on major charts in the US, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean.

Psy, with his most popular hit “Gangnam Style”, made significant inroads on charts throughout the Caribbean and worldwide, enjoying major airplay on almost every radio station and in local clubs. This was K-Pop’s introduction to most Guyanese.

The most popular K-Pop group by far is the all-boy band BTS aka “Bangtan Boys” which was formed in early 2010.

The group’s must cur-

rent hits include “Boy with love”, “Save me”, “Idol”, among others.

The K-Pop Idols, as they are widely called, are considered some of the hardest working people in show biz and

we intend to delve into their lifestyles, bringing you every possible detail on their rise to stardom and what it takes to stay there.

So whether you’re already a fan or you are now learning about this amazing music style, here is an invitation to tune in every Sunday from 16:30h on TVG channel 28.

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saturDAY, JUNE 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

NGSA results to be released July 3 Govt paving way for locals to be

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tudents who wrote the National Grade Six Assessment earlier this year will be able to access their results on July 3, 2019.

Along with the announcement of the top performers, persons can view their score online with their respective candidate number among other details. This assessment marks the completion of the primary education programme and determines which secondary institution these students would be placed at.

The two-day examina-

tion was written on April 17 and 18, covering four key subject areas. This year saw an increase in the candidates from 14,551 to 14,715.

The NGSA performance is calculated by adding five per cent of each candidate’s Grade Two scores in Mathematics and English, and 10 per cent of the Grade Four score in the same subjects.

This is then added to a further 85 per cent of each candidate’s score in those subjects at the Grade Six Assessment. The combined scores in Mathematics and

English are then added to the scores gained in Science and Social Studies.

However, prior to this, the students had to write the National Grades Two and Four Assessments back in 2012 and 2014 respectively. A percentage of the marks from all three assessments will be calculated to determine the overall performance of each student.

Last year, Nalia Rahaman of Westfield Prep was named the top performer, having obtained a perfect score.

Visa Card scam was “brute force” attack by fraudsters – Republic Bank

exploited by foreign investors – GPTWU

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n light of Government not paying heed to retired workers who are owed pensions by them as a result of the privatisation of the Guyana Telephone Company (GTC) back in 1990 to the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), the Guyana Postal and Telecommunications Workers Union (GPTWU) believes that the Administration is paving the way for local work-

ers to be exploited by foreign investors.

“This situation is a bad message that our Government is sending to the foreign investors. They may want to say that if our Government is treating us this way they can do the same to their employees,” an executive member of the association, David Wallace said.

He made those remarks during a press conference

GPL gets US$2.5M from IDB for expansion works in 2020

…new security measures may block some online activities

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epublic Bank (Guyana) Limited has described the recent breach to its Visa OneCard service as a “brute force attack”, which is a trial and error method used by fraudsters to obtain, within seconds, payment information such as account numbers, card expiration dates and security codes.

This brute force attack is what resulted in many local customers becoming victims of theft, as they discovered monies missing from their accounts.

The bank, in a statement Friday, explained that once this data is obtained by the fraudsters, they attempt numerous transactions at online merchants globally. “While many of these attempts failed, some were also authorised resulting in those customers’ accounts being debited,” the regional financial institution explained.

Going forward, Republic Bank in collaboration with Visa, implemented additional authorising measures which might result in some legitimate online transactions being blocked.

The bank is advising customers who experience difficulty in attempting online transactions using their Visa OneCard to contact Customer Support using the following numbers: 1-800271-4725 or 1-868-625-1200.

According to the bank, efforts are being made to obtain a toll-free number in the shortest possible timeframe.

In the meantime, Republic Bank said it is working with affected customers to detect which online purchases were unauthorised, in a bid to issue refunds.

“We continue to reimburse sums proven to have been fraudulently with-

drawn. To this end, we encourage customers who suspect fraudulent transactions to their accounts to visit their nearest branch to confirm and validate their transactions,” the bank said.

Only recently, Central Bank Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga made it clear that all customers affected by the Republic Bank Visa Card scam must be refunded in full.

“That is something that we wouldn’t tolerate. If there is a fraud, it doesn’t matter how long that fraud is dated back. Republic Bank or any bank would have to ensure that the customers receive his/her appropriate refund,” Dr Ganga told reporters ear-

lier in the week.

Guyana Times understands that some customers have already received their refunds in full.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank Governor said he would also be meeting with the management of the bank to ensure the situation does not occur again, or if it does, better mechanisms would be put in place to deal with the issue.

“We will be working with the commercial banks to ensure that the Guyanese public are afforded the opportunity to transact business almost risk-free,” Dr Ganga noted.

Additionally, Republic Bank is urging customers to remain vigilant in monitoring their account activities.

Moreover, the bank, in its statement, sincerely apologised for this temporary inconvenience. According to Republic Bank, it is seeking “your continued understanding as we work towards a permanent solution with the safety and security of our valued customers being foremost in those considerations”.

A section of GPL’s interconnected system

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he Guyana Power and Light Inc has secured US$2.5 million in funding from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), which it will use for expansion works slated to begin next year.

Among the projects to be executed is the construction of a transmission line measuring five kilometres between the Sophia and Kingston Substations, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI).

This will be done to duplicate the link between the two stations to make the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) more resilient.

In recent months, GPL has come in for major criti-

cisms for its ineffective service.

Meanwhile, GPL’s Divisional Director of Projects, Ryan Ross explained that GPL only has one transmission line between the two stations, and if that line develops a fault, the entire system shuts down.

A second transmission line would help to minimise these power disruption occurrences. Plans are also in the pipeline to construct a transmission line from Vreed-enHoop to Wales.

Afterwards, a substation will be constructed at Wales, from which another transmission line will connect Wales to Garden of Eden.

GPL recently appeared before the Public Utilities

8000 cannabis plants destroyed at Ituni

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anks of the Guyana Police Force on Thursday conducted a narcotics eradication operation at Five Miles Backdam, on the Ituni trail in which 8000 cannabis plants were destroyed.

The exercise was carried out by the E Division (Interior Locations) over the course of five hours during which the plants, ranging from two to five feet in height, were discovered.

Along with the three acres of illegal vegetation, some 30 pounds of dried cannabis was also found and destroyed by fire.

During that time, no arrests were made but Police are continuing their investigation.

Last month, almost 7000 cannabis plants, ranging from two to six feet in height, were destroyed at a seven-acre marijuana farm at Eleven Miles, also off of the Ituni Main Road. These

Some of the illegal plants being destroyed during the operation

plants were estimated to weigh about 485 kilograms.

There was also a makeshift camp along with a quantity of kitchen utensils and foodstuff at that location. However, when the police arrived at that location,

held at the Union’s East Street, Georgetown office on Tuesday.

Guyana Times had inadvertently quoted Wallace as saying that “…the Government is continuing to paint a bad image of themselves to investors with this particular situation, as many may fear to invest in the country due to their fear of how they might be treated later on”.

there was no one in sight.

One week prior, the Division also made a similar discovery at the back of Wisroc Village, Wismar, Linden.

Police acting on information ventured to that lo-

cation where the one-anda-half-acre marijuana farm was found. It is averaged that there were close 25003000 cannabis plants cultivated there ranging from one foot to six and a half feet.

The police said that there was also an improvised tent at that location comprising one hammock, a quantity of utensils, as well as green and dried suspected cannabis on that farm. The cannabis plants had an estimated weight of 250 kilograms.

Head of the Police Narcotics Branch, Senior Superintendent Kurleigh Simon told this publication earlier this year that there were several major cannabis busts and interceptions of individuals transporting the illicit substance from Berbice, Region Six and Linden, Region 10, and this is because this illicit substance is largely cultivated in those areas.

Commission (PUC) where company officials rolled out their plans for improved performance.

The utility company has long come under fire for its subpar service, characterised by an unstable supply of electricity to its customers.

In fact, only recently, GPL’s submarine cable that transmits power between the Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston Substations was damaged, triggering widespread and prolonged blackouts across the country.

GPL told the PUC that for 2018, there was a 1.86 per cent reduction in losses in comparison to 2017. This translated to an overall 27.74 per cent reduction, while 2017 had a record of 29.6 per cent. According to GPL’s presentation, the reduced losses were attributed to the replacement of a number of smart meters, detection and energy recovery from electricity diversion, installation of a more secure network to safeguard against electricity diversion, load balancing on low voltage and primary network, and the upgrade of approximately 300km of low voltage and primary network.

With this in mind, the power company rolled out measures that have taken effect as of this year to improve its performance. These include the upgrade of additional low voltage and primary network under GPL’s Power Utility Upgrade Programme (PUUP). Moreover, GPL continues to work towards the upgrade of its network to aid in the reduction of electricity diversion.

In relation to the measures implemented to improve performance for its large customers, GPL outlined plans to complete a field audit of all maximum demand and small business installation.

With respect to meter reading, plans are afoot to complete the field audit of all meter reading routes. This will be done to improve customer account records and bring estimated billing to an all-time low.

Last month, newly appointed Chairman of GPL, Rawle Lucas expressed optimism of being able to end what has been described as the country’s “blackout woes”.

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saturDAY, JUNE 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GENEQUIP unveils new dealership facility …will foster energy-efficient operations

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eneral Equipment Guyana Limited (GENEQUIP) on Thursday commissioned a new dealership facility at Houston Industrial Site, as part of its commitment to expand the services to all Guyanese.

The new state-of-the-art facility is constructed on a two-acre plot of land, with a building covering 36,000 square feet, comprising of a showroom, parts warehouse, workshop and training facility to conduct technical and operator training.

The facility is fully compliant with international standards and is equipped with waste separating bins to promote the separation of waste and promote recycling practices. Additionally, it creates job opportunities for persons in the fields of sales, projects, service and security.

Managing Director of GENEQUIP, Renger Van Dijk stated during the commissioning ceremony, “Our strength has always been our aftermarket services because our company is run by engineers. We have to make the customer happy.

Fairness and honesty towards our customers is important for us”.

He added, “GENEQUIP was established and not long after we became a John Deere distributor. It was not that easy because of several candidates but experience and a realistic approach worked in our favour”.

The company has provided a number of reputable brands such

will be starting another test farm for rice cultivation,” he stated.

GENEQUIP commenced operations in Guyana back 1992, with a line of heavy equipment at

Beyonće’s publicist to deliver key address at women’s conference The spanking new GENEQUIP dealership facility at Houston that caters for modern innovations

as John Deere, Komatsu, Baldan, Lucas Mill, Menegotti and Masalta.

It also recently become the authorised distributor for Yanmar, Maximal, Suzuki Marine, Genmac, StamfordAvK and Gorman Rupp.

Generally, the equipment covers sectors ranging from agriculture, construction, mining, power generation, material handling, oil and marine applications. With the move to this new facility, it further improves the ability to better serve its customers

and also better accommodate its staff.

However, Director of Sales, Shahdra Shoo announced plans to partner with farmers to optimise their yield using technological support from test farms.

“We have started with 150 hectares of test farm where we are testing simple technologies for sugar cultivation and harvesting…The data collected from our test farm will be shared with other farmers to aid in their farm operations and soon we

President of WeLead Caribbean, Abbigale Lonke

Beyonće’s publicist, Yvette Noel-Shure

or the third consecutive year, WeLead Caribbean, a Guyanese-based non-profit organisation, will be hosting its annual conference under the theme “Transition from Inspiration to Action” and American superstar, Beyonće’s publicist will be there to deliver the keynote address.

At the launch of the event on Wednesday, President of the organisation, Abbigale Lonke explained that the conference was developed with the intent of empowering women to get out of their comfort zones and take up roles as leaders to effect the necessary changes in society.

To help women realise their worth, the organisation reached out to Beyonće’s publicist, Yvette NoelSchure, who will be one of the featured presenters at the forum set for September 18 to 19 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

While urging women to support the event, Lonke said, “She [Noel-Schure] has been Beyonće’s publicist since Beyonće was 14…she’s basically done everything in terms of representing Beyonće’s products, her lines, her business and also for Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams…if we have a woman who has been moulding the biggest celebrity in the world right now, coming here to impart knowledge to us and to just give back to us during the two days of our conference, I honestly think that is huge”.

Noel-Shure, who is the owner of Shure Media Group, has already noted how excited she is to be visiting

Guyana for the first time and moreover to speak at such an event. In addition to her, the First Ladies of Jamaica, Patricia Allen and Guyana, Sandra Granger will be addressing the gathering as well as the US Ambassador, Sarah Ann-Lynch.

International speakers will also be at the forum to deliberate on how to “outperform no matter the circumstances”, and “applying your emotional intelligence to leadership” among others.

Tickets for the event cost $15,000 and will be available at the Eco For Life store on North Road, Georgetown, and 592 Tees in the Courtyard Mall.

Abbigale Lonke was one of four Guyanese selected to take part in former US President Barack Obama’s 2016 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI).

She has since become the Chief Executive Officer of Community Health Care.

The YLAI is a one-month programme hosted in the US where young people from across the globe connect with mentors to develop ideas to benefit their respective countries, as was pointed out by the American Embassy’s Public Affairs Officer, Amanda Cauldwell.

Following her success in the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative, Lonke was granted an opportunity to host a project or programme in Guyana. She decided to host a workshop geared towards women empowerment in April 2016.

Following its success, she opted to continue the initiative to help women develop their inner abilities.

Optique opens new branch at MovieTowne F

Daughter of the CEO Dhani Narine and his wife, Madonna, cut the ribbon declaring the new facility opened

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ptique Vision Care, in its mission to provide highquality eye care services to all Guyanese, has expanded, opening its fifth branch at MovieTowne on Thursday evening.

The new location, which features Optique’s complete design with the inclusion of luxury brands such as Cartier, Bvlgari and Gucci, will illustrate cutting edge technology and customers can expect to have the VIP experience as the company seeks to transform the optical industry in Guyana.

The new Electronic Health Record System, which will allow for more efficient customer care, which is a critical component of modern patient care, will be rolled out at all locations within the next two months.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Dhani Narine stated that Optique’s mission is to become nationally recognised as a household brand and Guyana’s leading optical centre.

the Water Street branch.

With increased demands, it moved to Houston and McDoom on the East Bank of Demerara. This new branch is accessible through South Ruimveldt.

As such, in addition to the opening of the new branch, Optique recently commenced their Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme which will address the growing burden of diabetic retinopathy in Guyana.

“We are excited to share our new service with Guyana. As a result of this initiative, more than 70 per cent of our optometrists are now certified in grading fundus photos and we were able to establish a central electronic diabetes register and have increased diabetic retinopathy screening rates at Optique by 50 per cent in under 5 months” Narine revealed.

Optique has also implemented monthly continuing medical education sessions that have been approved by the Medical Council of Guyana which allows for optometrists to receive credits for the annual registration of their medical license.

“As leaders in the optical industry, we are committed to the development of our staff, improved services to

our customers and to the continuous evolution of eye care services in Guyana. We will continue to invest in the training of optometry interns from the University of Guyana’s optometry programme and cultivate partnerships with the public sector in order to develop and implement sustainable eye care programmes that address the burden of visual impairment in Guyana,” the CEO assured.

Delivering the feature remarks, President of AmCham, Zulfikar Ally congratulated Optique, noting that now is the time to invest in Guyana.

“I think that we can all appreciate the fact that our small business owners are taking risks and pursuing dreams and as a direct result are creating jobs for hundreds of Guyanese. Businesses like yours are very important for the economic wellbeing of our country and the generation of today. We can all agree that the next 5 to 10 years will bring about a lot of dramatic changes in the business landscape of Guyana. Our economy is posed for unprecedented growth and the time to make investments is now” Ally urged Guyanese.

The AmCham President noted that his institution is very optimistic about Guyana’s future and as such is more optimistic when small businesses expand.

“While Optique Vision Care may be a young company, it has demonstrated over a short period that it is serious about business and I am quite sure that anyone who have benefitted from their service would know this.

The level of customer care is not only superior but affordable and the products cater to a diverse customer base. The company have a great model that any small business should follow” Ally congratulated.

Optique presently provides employment for 42 Guyanese and has other branches at the Giftland Mall, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), East Street, Georgetown and Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2019

Regional

US ramps up return of asylum US imposes sanctions on 4 highseekers to Mexico, adding Cubans ranking Nicaraguan officials

Migrants from Cuba are seen on the banks of the Rio Bravo as they cross illegally into the United States to turn themselves in to request asylum in El Paso, Texas, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, June 6, 2019

T

he United States is more than doubling the number of asylum seekers it returns to Mexico in one city and adding groups like Cubans as it rapidly expands a policy to make migrants wait out claims south of the border, Mexican and US officials said.

The policy, known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), is being applied to

all Spanish-speaking asylum seekers, other than Mexicans, at three USMexico border crossings, said a US Government official familiar with the programme, who asked not to be named.

The Trump Administration plans to expand the programme, which faces court challenges, across the border to act as a deterrent to frivolous asy-

lum claims during a surge in Central American migrant families.

A US Department of Homeland Security official said the Administration was considering building temporary immigration courts along the border to process MPP returnees.

The MPP expansion follows Mexico’s agreement earlier this month to receive thousands more migrants under the programme.

As of June 19, according to Mexican officials, 13,987 people had been returned to Mexico under MPP. In its first months, the policy primarily applied to Central American migrants, but as of Monday the United States began applying it to Spanish speakers more broadly, including Cubans, said Rogelio Pinal, a municipal official in Juarez, Mexico.

Cubans, a political force in US election swing state Florida, have a history of being welcomed in the United States. (Excerpt from Reuters)

TT Police Corporal pleads guilty to drug trafficking in Jamaica

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rinidadian woman Police Corporal Tamara Boyce pleaded guilty on the charges of possession of cocaine with

intent to traffic when she appeared before a magistrate in Jamaica Thursday.

Sources told Newsday the woman was fined

JA$300,000 (TT$16,000) or face one year imprisonment.

Police said she was waiting for someone to pay the fine. (Trinidad Newsday)

Trinidad: Man found with throat slit

I

nvestigating officers in Trinidad are yet to establish a motive in the killing of a man from Carapichaima, who was found with his throat slit.

The man, who was identified as Nicholas Murphy, 43, also bore multiple stab wounds to the head.

Murphy lived at

Roopsingh Road off Waterloo Road.

According to a Police report, about 13:45h on Thursday, a couple had just arrived at their home at Cassava Lane when they noticed Murphy slumped on the ground bleeding from the head and neck.

He was taken to the

Couva District Hospital where he later died.

Sergeant Ramoutar and other officers from Couva Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as well as Corporal Bridgemohan from the Homicide Investigations Bureau (Region III) visited the scene. (Trinidad Guardian)

T

he United States Treasury Department on Friday imposed sanctions on four high-ranking Nicaraguan Government officials for allegedly preventing their country’s citizens from exercising fundamental freedoms.

Among them are the head of Nicaragua’s National Assembly, Gustavo Porras Cortes; the chief of the State-run telecommunications agency, Orlando Castillo Castillo; the

Minister of Health, Sonia Castro Gonzalez; and the Minister of Transportation, Oscar Mojica Obregon, the Treasury Department said in a statement.

The officials are all described by the United States as members of President Daniel Ortega’s “inner circle”.

The US says the institutions headed by the individuals all targeted protesters who took to the streets against Ortega’s Government last year

by denying them medical care, promoting the Government’s policies against demonstrators, silencing independent media, and pardoning Police Officers who have been accused of killing the protesters.

The action blocks the officials from accessing any property they own, directly or indirectly, by more than 50 per cent in the United States or in the possession or control of Americans.

(Reuters)

Guatemala to hold election recount over fraud allegations

Protests broke out on Thursday in several municipalities where mayoral candidates rejected the results [Saul Martinez/Reuters]

G

uatemala will hold a vote recount after fraud allegations in the wake of last Sunday's presidential and legislative elections, the country's Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) announced on Thursday.

TSE President Julio Solorzano told Journalists in the Central American country that he had ordered a recount of certified returns from each ballot box to "clarify disagreements."

Speaking at a news conference, Solorzano said the recount would begin

on Monday. The recount would include municipal and congressional elections held in tandem with the presidential vote.

Centre-left former first lady Sandra Torres leads in the presidential polls with 25.7 per cent of the vote, ahead of conservative Alejandro Giammattei, with 14 per cent.

Both had been expected to contest the August 11 run-off round before Thursday's announcement.

The leftist Movement for the Liberation of

Peoples – whose candidate Thelma Cabrera came fifth in the presidential race – denounced "evident electoral fraud".

Solorzano said he had invited Cabrera and her party to the court to check her complaint.

The tumultuous campaign to succeed outgoing President Jimmy Morales saw two leading candidates barred from taking part in the election and the country's top electoral crimes prosecutor flee the country after threats.

Disturbances broke out on Thursday in several municipalities where mayoral candidates rejected the results.

A lawmaker from Morales' FCN-Nacion party, Estuardo Galdamez, went on social media to condemn electoral fraud and said the country was on the brink of becoming a "dictatorship" under Torres' Unity of Hope party. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

IMF's Jamaica office staying open Sick-out threat prompts relocation of Antiguan Police Station

IMF Resident Representative in Jamaica, Dr Constant Lonkeng Ngouana (Karl McLarty photo)

T

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) will not be closing its Jamaican office this year, as previously planned when its current US$1.6 billion Precautionary Stand-By Arrangement (PSBA) with the Government comes to an end this September.

IMF Resident

Representative in Jamaica, Dr Constant Lonkeng Ngouana, who made the disclosure at a Sterling Asset Management Annual Investor's Briefing on Wednesday, pointed out that this decision was made recently by the IMF's executive team.

Speaking in an interview with the Caribbean Business Report after his presentation, Dr Ngouana, a Cameroon national, emphasised that the decision was not to keep the office permanently open, but “to maintain the local IMF office for an additional two years after the PSBA”.

Jamaica's progression to a PSBA in 2016 was preceded by a standby facility, initiated in 2010 and followed by an Extended Fund Facility in 2013, all covering two administrations.

“This speaks loudly about the type of partnership between Jamaica and the IMF,” Dr Ngouana remarked, referring to keeping the IMF office in Jamaica open when the norm for the multilateral lending agency is to close its local office when its programme with a country ends.

He explained that by keeping the office open, it would allow the IMF to continue the strong partnership that have been cultivated with the Jamaican authorities over the years.

Dr Ngouana made the point that “while the financial leg of the Fund's operations in Jamaica will come to an end in September, there are two other functions that will remain”.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

P

eople who reside in All Saints, Antigua and its environs who have a crime to report or any other business at the All Saints Police Station will now have to do so at the Liberta Police Station.

That is because the operations of the All Saints Police Station – District C – have been relocated to the Liberta Station owing to unsanitary and other poor working conditions of which the officers have been complaining.

The move came abruptly on Thursday and without any public notice as to where residents should go or call to file reports,

follow up on reports, or where individuals on bail from that area should go to sign in if that is a condition of their bail.

The notice of the relocation first came unofficially from junior officers after Police from the All Saints Station allegedly staged a sick-out and others were threatening to follow suit if alternative accommodation was not immediately provided.

Observer Media sought to verify their reports and found that calls to the Station went unanswered.

Acting Police Commissioner Atlee Rodney later confirmed the relocation of “all the

services” from the District C station to Liberta.

Meanwhile, Public Works Minister Lennox Weston told Observer Media that a lot of work has to be done to get the Police Station in that District up and running again.

“They, of course, know we are going to be fixing the courthouse, do the entire building; we have agreed to do that, but we have to find a place to relocate them first,” Weston said early Thursday before the Police Officers upped the ante and demanded immediate action.

(Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2019

17

Around the World

Spain: Top court rules Wolf Chinese Police rescue hundreds of trafficked women Pack gang were rapists

C

hina rescued more than 1100 women trafficked into the country, many of them sold as brides, in a joint operation with Southeast Asian countries, police said in a statement on Friday.

Seventeen children were among those rescued in raids carried out with officers from Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand between July and December 2018, the Ministry of Public Security said, announcing the operation for the first time.

China’s decades-long

one-child policy created a huge gender imbalance, leaving the country with far fewer women of marriage age than men.

“The police will continue to crack down so there is no room left for such crime,” the Ministry said in a statement on its official website.

A rising number of women, especially those from poor families in Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia and Myanmar, have been sold as brides in China in recent years, the United Nations has said.

They are usually ap-

proached by brokers in poor rural areas with promises of a job in the city, or they come to the city themselves, and are preyed on by traffickers.

Cambodia said in 2016 that about 7000 women were living in forced marriages in China and that it had asked Beijing to tighten the number of visas it issued to single Cambodian women.

China eased its one-child policy in 2016, but anti-trafficking campaigners say the impact on trafficking and forced marriage will not be immediate. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Iraq: Civilians killed in Baghdad blast at Shia mosque

Security forces deployed at the scene cordoned off the site

S

Al-Mousily/Reuters]

everal people have been killed in a blast at a Shia Muslim mosque in Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, according to police and security sources.

The explosion hit the Imam Mahdi al-Muntadhar mosque in Baladiyat neighbourhood during Friday prayers, near the massive and densely-populated district of Sadr City.

The attacker was wearing an explosive-laden belt

[Khalid

targetting the mosque, Police Captain Ahmed Khalaf told Anadolu Agency.

He said 10 people were killed and dozens wounded, while other news agencies’ reports quoting unidentified security sources put the death toll to at least seven.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Iraq has witnessed a rare period of relative calm in recent months after decades of

back-to-back conflict, including years of sectarian violence that regularly saw dozens killed in explosions in Baghdad.

In 2017, Iraq declared victory against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) group, which had also carried out mass attacks against civilians in the capital.

The improved security situation has led officials to dismantle the concrete blast walls, barbed wire and checkpoints that had become ubiquitous in Baghdad.

But occasional hit-and-run attacks have continued.

Last month, at least eight people were killed and 15 wounded in a suicide bombing at a market in eastern Baghdad.

In November, explosions in several Shia-majority districts killed six people, most of them civilians. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

US-Iran: Trump says military was “cocked and loaded” to retaliate

The US military identified the drone downed on Thursday as a US Navy RQ-4A Global Hawk

P

resident Donald Trump has said the US military was “cocked and loaded to retaliate” against Iran, but he changed his mind 10 minutes before planned strikes.

Attacks on three sites were planned in response to the shooting down of a US unmanned drone this week.

Trump said he had called off strikes after being told 150 people would die.

The late reversal was first reported by the New York Times on Thursday night. The newspaper said

the operation had been “in its early stages” when Trump stood the US military down.

Tehran says the unmanned US aircraft entered Iranian airspace early on Thursday morning. The US maintains it was shot down in international airspace.

Tensions have been escalating between the two countries, with the US recently blaming Iran for attacks on oil tankers operating in the region. Iran has announced it will soon exceed international agreed limits on its

nuclear programme.

The strikes had been set to take place just before dawn on Friday to minimise risk to the Iranian military or to civilians, the newspaper added.

According to the New York Times, top Pentagon officials warned a military response could result in a spiralling escalation with risks for US forces in the region.

The operation was called off after President Trump spent most of Thursday discussing Iran with his national security advisers and congressional leaders, AP reports.

Separately, Reuters quoted two Iranian officials as saying Tehran had received a message from Trump through Oman overnight warning about an imminent US attack.

That report was later denied by a spokesman for Iran’s national security council, who said there was no truth to it and no message was sent. (Excerpt from BBC News)

There were further protests on Friday as women said “enough of judicial violence”

S

pain’s Supreme Court has ruled that an attack on a teenage woman that shocked Spain was gang rape, rather than an earlier verdict of sexual abuse.

The five men, known as the “wolf pack”, were originally given nine years in jail when they were cleared of rape.

But prosecutors appealed to the Supreme Court to upgrade the conviction and judges increased

their sentences to 15 years.

The attack prompted Spain to announce a review of its rape laws.

All five had been on provisional release since last year pending the Supreme Court decision. Prosecutors had asked for their jail terms to be doubled to 18 years.

The court ruled decisively that the five had carried out the attack in “a genuinely intimidating scenario”. Under current Spanish

rape law use of intimidation is key to a rape conviction.

In July 2016, when the city of Pamplona was holding its traditional San Fermin bull-running festival, the 18-year-old woman was dragged into the hallway of a residential building. The five men removed her clothes and had unprotected sex with her.

Some of them filmed it on their phones. The woman’s phone was also stolen and she was found reportedly in a distraught state.

They sent the video around their WhatsApp chat group, called “La manada” (the wolf pack), and the video has since become central to the question of whether they raped the woman or sexually abused her.

A police report said she had kept her eyes closed at all times, showing a “passive or neutral” expression throughout. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Pompeo to seek stronger strategic ties with India despite trade tensions

U

S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will seek to further strengthen strategic ties with India during a visit next week despite increasing frictions over trade, data flows and arms from Russia, officials said.

Pompeo arrives in New Delhi on Tuesday for talks that are aimed at laying the ground for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the week at a G20 meeting in Japan.

India is embroiled in disputes with the United States over tariffs, Indian

price caps on imported medical devices, most from the United States, and Indian rules on e-commerce that impose conditions on the operations of major US companies such as Amazon and Walmart.

Another issue that has alarmed India is the possibility of US restrictions on work visas for Indian professionals in retaliation for India’s insistence on local data storage by big foreign firms, even though the State Department said on Thursday it had no such plan.

The Indian Government led by Modi, who was

re-elected last month with a big majority, said it has been trying to negotiate solutions to the disputes with the United States but that, as a developing country, it has to protect the interests of its people.

Trump has repeatedly criticised India for its high tariffs and last month raised the stakes with the withdrawal of a decades-old trade privilege.

Indian and US officials said trade would be addressed during Pompeo’s visit but emphasised the broader political and security relationship. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Malawi leader vows to lift economy as protests continue

Malawian President Peter Mutharika

M

alawi’s economy will grow 5 per cent in 2019, President Peter Mutharika promised on Friday, in a state of the nation address boycotted by the Opposition who again clashed with police in more protests against a recent vote.

Opposition supporters burned tires and hurled

rocks, overwhelming police as they converged on the Constitutional Court, which ruled on Friday that the election dispute must go to trial after the case was referred to it by a lower court.

Soldiers were deployed to surround the court.

Addressing legislators from his party along with a few independents, Mutharika accused the Opposition of trying to sabotage the economy and engage mercenaries to spread chaos.

On the economy, he promised to continue with efforts to keep inflation and interest rates low, and comply with policy conditions on a $112 million International Monetary Fund loan.

Mutharika, 78, a former law professor, presid-

ed over improvements to infrastructure and a slowdown in inflation during his first five-year term, but critics accuse him of corruption and cronyism He said this year’s anticipated growth of 5 per cent, up from around 4 per cent in 2018, would be driven by increased production in agriculture, and supported by mining, ICT, and financial services.

The small, landlocked nation of under 20 million people won independence from Britain in 1964.

After an initial period of economic and social stability, it is now among the world’s poorest countries, reliant on donor funding and tobacco and tea exports.

It suffers regular blackouts and unemployment is high. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

SUDOKU

Don’t let anyone stop you from learning or making personal improvements.

Set your sights on what you want, and you’ll find a way to reach your goal. Romance is highlighted.

Take an unusual path, and you will learn from the experience as well as from the people you encounter.

Life changes will be exhilarating. Embrace the future with optimism.

Partnerships are highlighted. Whether you are trying to rekindle a connection or looking for love, be transparent about your feelings and needs.

Work at improving meaningful relationships to ease stress and promote trust, unity and equality.

Say what you mean and do what you say. Make romance a priority.

Stick close to home and make positive changes that will improve your relationships with the people closest to you. Self-improvement projects are encouraged, and romance is favored.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Make positive adjustments that will simplify your life and help you deal with anyone who tends to take advantage of you.

Surround yourself with productive people.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Make a lifestyle change or update your appearance.

Don’t feel obligated to take care of responsibilities that don’t belong to you. Plan an adventure that you can share with a loved one.

SCORPIO

Get involved in something that challenges you creatively and stimulates you mentally. It’s time to try something new and exciting or to make a change to where or how you live.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Do whatever makes you happy. Don’t feel that you must tag along with someone who is heading down a path that doesn’t interest you. Achieving a personal goal will be rewarding.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Friends will ask for your help and suggestions. Your input will gain you respect and praise. Plan something special for someone you want to impress.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Avoid unpredictable situations and people who tend to be inconsistent.

Focus on home and personal improvements that will add to your comfort. Spend quality time with a loved one.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED puzzle

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Know enough to walk away from anyone who is out of control. Your time is best spent helping those who want help. Discipline and hard work will allow you to get what you want.

saturday, JUNE 22, 2019

19

Can West Indies find a way to stay alive without Andre Russell?

R

emember Bristol, May 28? Seems like a long time ago, doesn’t it? In their final warm-up game before the World Cup, West Indies gave everyone a taste of what they could be at their best. A fast start, courtesy Chris Gayle. A

hold-the-innings-together hundred from Shai Hope.

Big hitting from almost everyone else, all the way down to No. 10, with Andre Russell in particularly unforgiving mood. A total well north of

Andre Russell did not complete his quota of 10 overs in any matches of the 2019 World Cup

400.

Pace and bounce from a fiveman seam attack, and eventually a 91-run win.

All this against one of the more fancied sides going into the World Cup, New Zealand.

Three weeks on, West Indies have one win from five matches in the tournament proper, and are falling behind in the race if it can still be called that - for semi-final spots.

Much like Shimron Hetmyer scored a half-century in the recent match

Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, Russell hasn’t managed to make the switch from bossing a T20 league to doing likewise in a 50-overs tour-

nament, with further complications thrown in by a pair of utterly wonky knees.

His World Cup has been a microcosm of his team’s tournament; too much hitting, too little batting, slow on the field, and no real Plan B beyond the short ball. If West Indies are to make any kind of push - even a heroic failed one - they’ll need to show there’s more to their game. Their last two round-robin fixtures are against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, but they could be out of top-four contention before that if they don’t find a way past New Zealand and India. New Zealand?

They’re still unbeaten, and they’ve come through a couple of cliffhangers to stay that way. They are more than likely to make the semi-finals, but they know they can’t relax against West Indies - who remain a dangerous team for all their flaws - especially given that they are yet to meet two of their fellow top-four favourites, Australia and England. He made an unbeaten half-century in New Zealand’s tournament-opener against Sri Lanka, and got off to a couple of starts thereafter, but Martin Guptill hasn’t really lit up this World Cup. West Indies, however, will want to get rid of him as soon as

possible. While they’ve undergone plenty of personnel changes since 2015, Gayle, Russell and their captain Jason Holder will remember all too well Guptill’s 237 against them in the quarter-final in Wellington.

West Indies’ lower-order hitters become more dangerous the less time they’re required to bat, and if Lewis clicks alongside either Gayle or Hope, he could set them up to do what they do best.

New Zealand seem unlikely to make any changes, unless they replace the outof-sorts Colin Munro with Henry Nicholls at the top of the order. The two matches so far at Old Trafford have produced first-innings totals of 336 and 397, so plenty of runs can be expected once more, though there has been a bit of help for the spinners too. Friday was a sunny day in Manchester, and more of the same is expected on matchday.

What should West Indies do if they win the toss? New Zealand have batted second in all of their matches at the World Cup so far, and their biggest target has been 245, against Bangladesh.

They’ve shown a bit of vulnerability in a couple of these small chases, so West Indies have two options: back themselves to post a big total on what has been

a flat pitch so far, and put New Zealand under scoreboard pressure; or bowl first and expose New Zealand to a

challenge they haven’t faced in a while. Since scoring an unbeaten 58 against Sri Lanka, Colin Munro has made 24, 22 and 9, and has twice fallen to the short ball, against Afghanistan and South Africa. Given West Indies’ propensity to bowl fast and short, New Zealand could replace Munro with Henry Nicholls, a strong back-foot player who has been in excellent form, across formats, in the months leading up to the World Cup. West Indies’ fast bowlers have pitched 52% of their deliveries at this World Cup either “short” or “short of good length”, according to ESPNcricinfo’s data. That’s significantly higher than the overall figure (before the England-Sri Lanka match) of 43% for all fast bowlers at the tournament. Given the dimensions of Old Trafford, with long straight boundaries and short square ones,

Team New Zealand have been led brilliantly by Kane Williamson

West Indies might need to find a Plan B. New Zealand have won four of their seven World Cup matches against West Indies, including the three most recent meetings.

Trent Boult has an exceptional ODI record against West Indies: 17 wickets in seven matches at an average of 15.58, with a best of 7 for 34. om Latham averages 33.00 in ODIs, but that figure drops to 27.00 when he keeps wicket. “I think we still have a possible chance to qualify for the semifinals, but we’ve just got to take it game by game. This encounter with New Zealand is very important. We all know what’s at stake and we just have to come and bring our A game. It’s as simple as that.” West Indies captain Jason Holder. (Cricinfo)

NBA draft: Williamson is selected Hamilton tops as Ferrari to meet first by the New Orleans Pelicans over Vettel Canada penalty

Z

ion Williamson has been selected as the number one pick at the NBA draft by the New Orleans Pelicans.

Williamson, 18, who is 6ft 7in and 129kg, was named college player of the year after his only season for Duke in which he averaged 22.6 points.

The draft sees teams select the best young college players and eligible international talent.

“My mom sacrificed a lot for me. I wouldn’t be here without her,” said an emotional Williamson.

Speaking at the draft at the Barclays Center in New York, he added: “She put her dreams aside for mine. She always looked out for the family first before herself.”

The Pelicans had won the NBA draft lottery, despite only having a 6% chance of getting the number one spot - the seventh best odds before the draft.

The Memphis Grizzlies used their second pick to select Ja Morant from Murray State, while the New York Knicks had the third pick and chose Duke shooting guard RJ Barrett.

De’Andre Hunter is expected to join the Atlanta Hawks as the fourth pick.

The Lakers originally owned the pick, but traded it to the Pelicans as part of the deal that took Anthony Davis to Los Angeles, and they then traded it to Atlanta.

L

Zion Williamson was selected as number one draft pick and joins the Pelicans

The Cleveland Cavaliers rounded off the five picks by selecting Vanderbilt point guard Darius Garland.

Bol Bol, son of former NBA player Manute Bol, was expected to be a first-round selection.

But the 19-year-old 7ft 2in centre was eventually selected in the second round as the Miami Heat acquired the 44th pick and then traded him to the Denver Nuggets. (BBC Sport)

ewis Hamilton led Valtteri Bottas in a Mercedes one-two in first practice at the French Grand Prix.

Hamilton was just 0.069 seconds ahead of the Finn, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc third, 0.373secs off the pace.

Ferrari will focus on a review hearing into the penalty that cost Sebastian Vettel victory in the Canadian GP. The team will go before the stewards at 13:15 BST to make their case for the penalty to be reviewed on the basis of new evidence.

If the stewards accept that there is justification, the offence - of rejoining unsafely and forcing Hamilton off track - will be looked at again.

Vettel was fifth in practice, behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who was 0.880secs behind Hamilton.

Ferrari spent the session trialling upgrades to their car, including a new front wing, that they hope might start moving them towards Mercedes’ pace.

A number of drivers complained about the tyres wearing out quickly, and there were spins and off-track moments as the limits of grip were explored.

Vettel was adjudged to have rejoined the track unsafely and forced Hamilton’s Mercedes off the circuit after making a mistake and going off at Turns Three and Four at the Canadian Grand Prix Red Bull’s Pierre Gasly was sixth, ahead of the McLarens of Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz and Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo.

Ricciardo is using an upgraded engine this weekend, along with a number of aerodynamic

Sebastian Vettel was adjudged to have rejoined the track unsafely and forced Hamilton’s Mercedes off the circuit after making a mistake and going off at Turns Three and Four at the Canadian Grand Prix

upgrades that are on both Renaults, which they team hope will move them clear of the rest in the battle for fourth place.

Team-mate Nico Hulkenberg has the new car parts but not the new engine because taking it would have meant a grid penalty and Renault wanted to avoid that at their home race.

There are also new, upgraded Honda engines in the cars of Verstappen, Gasly and Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat, who will start from the back of the grid as a result for using too many engine parts this season, The Russian’s team-mate, the Anglo-Thai rookie Alexander Albon, will get the engine at a later race to avoid both cars getting penalties at the same event. (BBC Sport)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturday, JUNE 22, 2019

West Indies Women suffer 42-run defeat against England W

est Indies Women fell short by 42 runs in the second Vitality T20 International match at Northampton County Ground. Chasing 181 for victory, the Caribbean Women were restricted to 138-9 in 20 overs.

Although the last nine balls of the England Women’s innings produced 11 runs, and three wickets were taken, they yet ended on 180-6 when the 20 overs had expired. This total is the joint highest women’s T20I total against the West Indies Women. The Caribbean team has never passed 159 batting second in a T20I. England Women won the toss and elected to bat.

The opening pair of Dannie Wyatt and Amy Jones went on a rampage, smashing 67 runs within nine o v e r s .

Jones was the first to be dismissed -for 37 runs scored from 27 balls – being bowled by Jamaican seamer Chinelle Henry.

Tammy Beaumont’s stay at the crease was short; she hit a return catch to leg-spinner Afy Fletcher at

72-2. Nat S c i v e r and Wyatt p l a y e d some top shots to take the score to 1 2 8 - 3 in 15. 2 overs.

Sciver fell

Stacy Ann King topscored for West Indies Women

for a quick 31 from 19 balls, Hayley Matthews rattling her stumps.

Wyatt’s innings ended in the 19th over when she was caught at backward point off Matthews off the bowling of Shamilia Connell.

She had made a brisk 81 from 55 balls after batting for 83 minutes.

Heather Knight, who sustained an injury after her 22 scored from 11 balls,

finished off in style as England ended with 180-6 in 20 overs.

Connell, Matthews, Henry and Fletcher e a c h had one wicket for West Indies.

In response, England used spin to remove Matthews, who sliced one to third man and was out in the first over for two. With the first ball of Anya Shrubsole’s spell, Britney Cooper was caught on the crease, falling for a golden duck when she was adjudged leg-before.

Stacy Ann King looked positive throughout her innings, hitting boundaries and punishing anything with width on offer.

Recently promoted to number three, King motored along nicely before she lost her partner Stafanie Taylor for 19 via the run out route.

Benefiting from a dropped catch when the score was on 40, King was then partnered by Chedean Nation, and the duo revived the record chase, which required 99 runs from the final 10 overs, with seven wickets

3

SCOREBOARD

Dannie Wyatt smashed a brilliant 81 for England

intact.

The game-changing over was the 13th, when Linsey Smith removed King for 43 from 34 balls, after she had hit seven fours. With the final ball of that over, Chedean Nation was run out for 32, scored from 20 balls, after she had smashed two sixes and four boundaries. West Indies Women were further restricted to 97-5 in 13 overs, with a tall ask ahead.

With the lower order failing to offer much resistance with the bat, the Windies Women were eventually restricted to 138-9 in 20 overs.

Smith and Katherine Brunt had two wickets each,

England Women’s Innings (20 overs maximum) AE Jones b Henry 37 DN Wyatt c Matthews b Connell 81 TT Beaumont c & b Fletcher 2 NR Sciver b Matthews 31 HC Knight (c) run out (Ramharack) 22 KH Brunt run out (†Kycia A Kn ight) 2 SJ Taylor † not out 2 A Shrubsole not out 0 Extras 3 (b 1, w 2) TOTAL 180/6 (20 Overs, RR: 9.0) Fall of wickets: 1-67 (Amy Jones, 8.5 ov), 2-72 (Tammy Beaumont, 9.4 ov), 3-128 (Natalie Sciver, 15.2 ov), 4-169 (Danielle Wyatt, 18.4 ov), 5-171 (Katherine Brunt, 19.1 ov), 6-179 (Heather Knight, 19.5 ov) Bowling SS Connell (4-0-34-1) HK Matthews (4 -0-28-1) SR Taylor (4-0-42-0) CA Henry (4-0-33-1) ASS Fletcher (3-0-29-1) K Ramharack (1-0-13-0) West Indies Women’s Innings HK Matthews c Ecclestone b as the English team won by 42 runs. The third and fi-

Smith 2 B Cooper lbw b Shrubsole 0 SACA King c Wyatt b Smith 43 SR Taylor (c) run out (Brunt) 19 CN Nation run out 32 NY McLean b Brunt 9 Kycia A Knight † b Brunt 7 CA Henry st †Taylor b Sciver 6 AS Fletcher not out 13 K Ramharack b Ecclestone 3 SS Connell not out 1 Extras 3 (nb 1, w 2) TOTAL 138/9 (19.6 Overs, RR: 6.9) Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Hayley Matthews, 0.5 ov), 2-19 (Britney Cooper, 1.6 ov), 3-58 (Stafanie Taylor, 7.5 ov), 4-96 (Stacy-Ann King, 12.2 ov), 5-97 (Chedean Nation, 12.6 ov), 6-109 (Kycia Knight, 15.1 ov), 7-114 (Natasha McLean, 15.4 ov), 8-125 (Chinelle Henry, 17.4 ov), 9-132 (Karishma Ramharack, 18.6 ov) Bowling LCN Smith (4-0-22-2) A Shrubsole (2-0-16-1) KH Brunt (3-0-22-2) S Ecclestone (4-0-29-1) NR Sciver (4-0-19-1) KL Cross (3-0-30-0) nal T20I will bowl off on Tuesday June 25.

GFF-KFC National U-20 Independence Cup… Demoralised Afghanistan face daunting task against upbeat India Quarterfinal stage unravels this weekend H aving lost each of their five completed games so far, Afghanistan face an uphill challenge as they take on India in their sixth match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 in Southampton on Saturday at Hampshire Bowl from 5:30h local time. India’s progress at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 has been an ascending march so far. They have put on complete performances in each of their three completed games. While the top-order has consistently given good starts, the bowlers, aided by some good fielding, have backed it up with disciplined performance. The team management, however, will be worried over their key players getting injured.

Mohammed Shami is likely to replace Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the playing XI against Afghanistan as the latter has been ruled out due to hamstring injury. There is some doubt over Vijay Shankar’s inclusion too, who was in pain after being hit on his toes by a Jasprit Bumrah yorker, during India’s training session on Wednesday.

Afghanistan have been unable to recreate the magic they did in the ICC Men’s World Cup Qualifiers and Asia Cup last year, having faced five defeats in as many completed games so far. Inconsistent bowling and dropped chances in the field cost them dearly against England, as they were set a daunting target of 398 by the hosts. The batsmen, having batted for the full 50-overs at Old Trafford, will have to do so again, in order to pose any challenge to a strong Indian side.

KL Rahul was promoted to open in absence of Shikhar Dhawan in the previous game, and gave good account for himself with a gritty 57 against Pakistan at Old Trafford. The 27-year old, who scored a century on his ODI debut three years ago, will fancy his chances for an elusive second one against Afghanistan.

Hashmatullah Shahidi played a defiant innings against New Zealand and England, only to watch wickets falling from the other end. Hashmatullah, who completed 1,000 ODI runs during his 100-ball 76 against England, will again look to make a mark on Saturday. It is likely to remain dry tomor-

T

he quarterfinal matches of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) KFC- sponsored National U20 “Independence Cup” Playoff 2019 are scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday at the GFF’s National Training Centre at Providence, EBD. Dynamic FC and NA United FC will kick things off at 12:30hrs today (Saturday), followed by Timehri Panthers versus Botofago FC at 15:00hrs; while on Sunday, matches will feature Santos FC versus Strikers FC at 13:00hrs, and Fruta Conquerors versus Buxton United at 15:30hrs.

These quarterfinal matches feature winners of the first leg of the national playoff held last weekend, and involve the respective winners of the intra-association tournament.

According to tournament rules, kicks

from the penalty mark will be implemented following a tied score at the end of regulation time and 20 minutes added time. “If, at the end of regulation time, the score is tied...for the National Play-off, an additional twenty (20) minutes will be played; two periods of ten (10) minutes each; and then, if the score remains tied, kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with FIFA Regulations regarding kicks from the penalty mark will be implemented.”

The winner of the tournament will cart off $500,000, while second-placed team wins $300,000, and third-placed pockets $200,000. The tournament’s top four finishers would also each receive a trophy and medals.

The semifinal matches are set for next Saturday, with the third-place playoff and the finale set for July 1.

Team India

row with almost no chances of rain. There will be sunny spells for most part of the day with partial build up of cloud. Teams batting second have won both the completed games at the Hampshire Bowl so far.

Squads: India: Virat Kohli (c), Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, Vijay Shankar, Rohit Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav Afghanistan: Gulbadin Naib (c), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah (wk), Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Ikram Ali Khil. (ICC)

Dynamic and NA United kick off proceedings today

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, JUNE 22, 2019

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Golden Jaguars try to hunt the Canal Men

T

he Golden Jaguars’ Gold Cup debut against the defending champions USA was a tough challenge to get their campaign underway.

That match immediately placed pressure on the Jaguars when they lost 4 – nil; and now they are pitted to battle Panama, a team which currently ranks 75th on the FIFA list, compared to Guyana’s position at 177.

Billed to kick off at 17:30 hrs today (Saturday), this clash precedes the other Group D showdown between USA and Trinidad & Tobago, which commences at 20:30 hrs.

USA and Panama, the team nicknamed ‘The Canal Men’, lead the Group with three points each, but the latter has a weaker goal

difference after securing a 2 – nil win against Trinidad and Tobago.

Meanwhile, the two Caribbean teams are yet to secure a point.

On Thursday, during Guyana’s rain-hit Ohio training session, Head Coach Michael Johnson said the session went well and the team spirit is still very high.

Commenting again on the USA clash, Johnson noted that, on a global level, the team has been getting many plaudits for the manner in which they played.

He said international managers and managers operating in the top leagues in Europe have commented on how well the boys played, particularly for that first hour.

Johnson takes great comfort in knowing that they have made great

The goalkeeping department engages in some drills

strides, have looked very organised and out-passed a very good USA team. The coach believes if his side can get to those levels in the next two games, they should be in a bet-

ter position.

Tonight is Guyana’s final training session before Saturday’s clash at the FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.

Queen's: Nick Kyrgios fined Fernando Torres: Former Liverpool, for unsportsmanlike conduct Chelsea & Spain striker to retire

N

ick Kyrgios has been fined £13,766 ($17,500) for unsportsmanlike conduct in two matches at Queen's on Thursday.

In the first he accused a line judge of "rigging the game" and mocked the umpire, as well as threatening to walk off court.

In the second the Australian, 24, hit a ball out of the stadium.

Kyrgios, who also berated himself for "playing Fifa until 3am", beat Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena, then lost to Canadian Felix AugerAliassime.

The former Wimbledon quarter-finalist was fined £13,000 at Queen's last year for making a lewd gesture with a water bottle.

In his first-round match at the tournament this year, the world number 39 ranted at umpire Fergus Murphy after losing a set point which he thought was a double fault.

"It couldn't have been further out.

What are you doing?" said Kyrgios.

"The ball was this far out on the second serve. I'm going," he later added.

"I'm not going to give 100% when I've got linesmen rigging the game; I don't want to play."

His other antics included peering over a fence at a changeover to watch Gilles Simon's match against Kevin Anderson on the adjacent court, trying to fist-bump with a line judge and mocking the umpire's choice of headwear.

"It's a joke, man. It's a serious joke," he said to Murphy. "Like your hat looks ridiculous, also. It's not even sunny."

Rain delays meant the Australian had to play his second-round match against Auger-Aliassime later on Thursday and he was disruptive then too, serving underarm and overruling a line call in his opponent's favour. (BBC Sport)

Oakland’s RECEIVING Montas suspended YOUR DAILY & 80 games for SUNDAY COPIES PED use OF THE

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Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Frankie Montas

O

akland Athletics right-hander Frankie Montas was suspended 80 games without pay on Friday after testing positive for Ostarine in violation of Major League Baseball’s

S

panish World Cup-winning striker Fernando Torres has announced he is to retire from football.

Torres, 35, played at Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea in his 18-year career and is currently at Sagan Tosu in Japan's J1 League.

In 110 games for Spain, he scored the winner in Euro 2008 and was on target in their Euro 2012 final win.

"After 18 exciting years, the time has come to put an end to my football career," he said on social media.

Torres said he will hold a news conference in Tokyo on Sunday to "explain all the details".

His career started with Atletico, before a £20m move to Liverpool in 2007, where he scored 81 goals in 142 games.

In 2011, he was signed by Chelsea for a then British record transfer fee of £50m.

Although he failed to replicate his goalscor-

ing form at Stamford Bridge, he was part of the Blues' Champions League-winning team in 2012.

He also won the FA Cup and scored in their 2-1 win against Benfica in the Europa League final in 2013.

After 45 goals in 172 games at Chelsea and a brief four-month loan spell at AC Milan, he returned to Atletico in late 2014.

He finished on the losing side as Atletico lost the 2016 Champions League final to Real Madrid, but won a second Europa League in 2018 - his final appearance before moving to Japan.

Torres, who is Spain's third highest goalscorer with 38, played in six major tournaments including their 2010 World Cup triumph.

"During his career he became a legend by his own merits, and left an unforgettable mark both in the field and in the hearts of everyone he worked with," said Atletico. (BBC Sport)

Fernando Torres

Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program.

Ostarine is a performance-enhancing substance that helps prevent muscle wasting while improving stamina and fitness.

The 26-year-old Montas was enjoying a breakthrough season with a 9-2 record and 2.70 ERA in 15 starts.

He struck out 97 and walked just 21 in 90 innings and figured to have a solid chance at being named to the American League All-Star team.

Montas, who is from the Dominican Republic, accepted responsibility for the “mistake” and apologized to the Athletics and the

team’s fans.

“I am deeply saddened to confirm that MLB recently notified me I have tested positive for

Ostarine, a prohibited substance under MLB’s Joint Drug Agreement,” Montas said in a statement released through the Major League Baseball Players Association. “While I never intended to take any prohibited substance, I unfortunately and unknowingly ingested a contaminated supplement that I had purchased over-the-counter at a nutrition store here in the United States.

“That said, I respect MLB rules and understand my responsibilities under the Joint Drug Agreement, and accept full responsibility. I sincerely apologize to the A’s organization, the fans, my teammates and my family for this mistake.

My hope is to be able to return to the A’s later this season and contribute as best I can.”

Because of the suspension, Montas will be ineligible to pitch in the postseason should Oakland qualify. The A’s will have six games left in the regular season once he is eligible to return.

“The A’s were disappointed upon learning of the suspension,” the team said in a statement.

“We fully support MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and we will welcome Frankie back after the discipline has been served.”

Montas was 5-4 with a 3.88 ERA in 13 appearances (11 starts) last season before becoming Oakland’s best starter this season. (Reuters)

22

saturday, JUNE 22, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

A great feeling to be included in GT20 Canada – Nandu

By Brandon Corlette

M

atthew Nandu, a talented lad from Canada, has been selected to play for the Vancouver Knights, defending champions of the 2019 Global T20 League (GT20).

Born in Canada on June 9, 2003, Matthew Nandu is the son of Arjune Nandu, the former Guyana leg-spinner who had played four first-class matches for Guyana. In the final round of the GT20 Draft, on Thursday last, the 16-year-old Matthew was snapped up by Chris Gayle’s Vancouver Knights.

He visited Guyana earlier this year, and played for the Guyana Under-17 select team, being among the brightest talents on show.

He also played for the New York TriState team in the Georgetown Cricket Association’s Under-19 tournament in 2019.

His team, the NY Tri-State, had become champions of the tournament by inflicting a defeat upon the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) team.

The left-handed opener is expected to open the batting for the Guyana Under-17 team when the CWI Regional Under-17 tournament commences on July 8th in Trinidad and Tobago.

Speaking exclusively with Guyana Times

Sport yesterday, Nandu expressed his delight at being selected to play in the second edition of the GT20 Canada. He described this development as just the start of his blooming cricket career.

“I will continue to work hard in order to be successful,” Nandu pledged.

Nandu’s highest score is 150 not out, made in the Sir Garfield Sobers Under-19 International Schools’ tournament in Barbados against t h e Presentation College of Trinidad and Tobago. The elegant left-hander also bowls spin, and his best figures are 7-4 in four overs against the Brampton International in a junior game.

“My takeaway from the GT20 Canada will be experience, especially at age 16. I can learn a lot from the international players. Being a part of this tournament allows me to ask questions and learn from older guys”, Nandu explained.

Presently sitting exams in Canada, Nandu will return to Guyana shortly, and

is looking forward to play for Guyana Under-17s.

Nandu has expressed gratitude to his family: his dad, mom and brother, and every other person who has supported him throughout everything that he wanted to do.

Nandu will be playing in the GT20 that is scheduled for play in Brampton, Canada from July 25 to August 11, 2019.

He will have the privilege of playing alongside Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Guyana Amazon Warriors’ very own Shoaib Malik. The Jamaican Donovan Miller will be coach of the star-studded Vancouver

Knights, who will be looking to defend their title under Gayle’s captaincy.

Vancouver Knights Full squad: Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Shoaib Malik, Tim Southee, Rassie van der Dussen, Chadwick Walton, Daniel Sams, Hayden Walsh Jr, JJ Smit, Tobias Visee, Michael Rippon, Ali Khan, Saad Zafar, Rizwan Cheema, Rayaan Pathan, Harsh Thaker, and Matthew Nandu.

Matthew Nandu playing an elegant shot on the off-side

GIKMAA enjoys fruitful 2019 Former national footballer gives back to Bartica

BFA President Alden Marslowe receiving the items donated by Vibert De Freitas

T

he Guyana

International Kyokushinkai Martial Arts A c a d e m y (GIKMAA), having started the year on a high note, has continued on that road, with the first half of the year ending with the Academy growing in numbers, and students growing in confidence and ability.

GIKMAA has held a very successful weapons workshop, coloured belt exams, fund-raising activities, its second Health & Fitness Walk, and National Championships, all from January to this present date.

At the exams, a total of 27 students from 4 branches (Mahaica, Wales, Enterprise, and Enmore) moved up another rank. The event saw two students move from 10th Kyu White belt to 9th Kyu Yellow Strip, and from 9th Kyu Yellow Strip to 8th Kyu Yellow

F

Fazal Bacchus and champions of Kyokushinkai Guyana

belt.

Also moving up the ranks were 9 students from 8th Kyu Yellow belt to 7th Kyu Orange belt, and from 7th Kyu Orange belt to 6th Kyu Green belt.

At the just concluded N a t i o n a l Championships held on May 19, 2019, students were outstanding in their discipline, with Mahaica being well represented by 2 students winning a gold and a bronze medal respectively.

Enterprise also saw 4 students bagging 7 medals, 6 gold and 1 bronze; while Enmore sent 11 students and walked away with 21 medals, copping 7 gold, 10 silvers and 4 bronze. Rounding off the competition was the Wales branch, with 6 students being able to attain 15 medals consisting of 11 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze.

Some of the outstanding students were Enmore’s Sensei Kelvin Walcott with 3 gold

medals, and Amika Hall and Daniel Lashley with 2 gold medals each. The Enterprise branch also saw 6-year-old Shonna Seusingh, N i c h o l a s Rampersaud, and Instructor Vikash S o m w a r u w a l k i n g away with 2 gold medals respectively.

For Wales, Christian Freeman, Marcus Chowtie, Ganesh Persaud, Sharda Sookwah and Sensei Marcell Yassim each won 2 gold medals.

Other outstanding students were Bhudesh Shilchand and instructor Umish Parasram, with one gold each.

The Guyana International Kyokushinkai Martial Arts

Academy expresses gratitude t o Fazal Bacchus and Cacique Accounting College, along with Grandmaster/ S o ke / D r.

A. Nazim Yassim for sponsorship of this tournament; a n d to Guyana Sugar Corporation’s Uitvlugt Estate, for the use of the Wales Community Centre Building for the tournament.

Attention will now be turned to the annual Martial Arts Training Camp in July, the Suriname tournament in August, and the GIKMAA 7th Open International Tournament in September.

As GIKMAA continues to seek sponsorship for the upcoming events, persons desirous of obtaining further information are invited to contact GM/Soke/Dr. A. Nazim Yassim on 592-662-7211 Or email n_yassim@ hotmail.com or gikmaa@ hotmail.com.

ormer national goalkeeper Vibert De Freitas, who now lives overseas, was on a recent visit to his hometown of Bartica, and donated a number of balls, referee flags, whistles and caution cards to the Bartica Football Association (BFA).

De Freitas had visited Bartica during the recent Easter Regatta, but was unable to make the presentation in person due to time constraints. The donation was subsequently handed over by his niece, Amanda.

In his football career, De Freitas had played for his hometown Bartica, his adopted home of Linden, and also for the Guyana National Team. He had made his hometown proud when he was included in Guyana’s first World Cup training squad in 1975.

He experienced limited time in his first and second series against Bare of Brazil and Texaco of Trinidad and Tobago. Both series were contested at Camp Ayanganna in Georgetown.

De Freitas’s first tour overseas was to Brazil in January 1976, with the World Cup Squad. After that tour, De Freitas had appeared in four friendly Internationals: against Cuba at Mackenzie Sports Club ground; at the Burnham Park in New Amsterdam; and at the GCC ground at Bourda, Georgetown.

He was also the first choice keeper for International matches against Suriname in Paramaribo; at the MSC against Kwang Tung Province; and against the touring Russian Textile team at GCC, Bourda.

Guyana had played no international matches in 1979, so De Freitas had to settle for Inter-Sub Association and First Division matches. Guyana returned to World Cup action in 1980, and De Freitas and Denzil Thompson were the men who had shared goalkeeping duties in qualifiers against Grenada, Suriname and Cuba.

In the Cuba encounter, played at the MSC ground, Guyana lost 0-3, and that was De Freitas’s last match in national colours.

In an invited comment, President of the Bartica Football Association, Alden Marslowe, said, “The BFA expresses gratitude to Mr De Freitas for returning with such a meaningful gesture towards the development of the sport. This equipment will definitely help to engage our game and help our officials to be better equipped.

“This year, we have seen a definite rise in activity, which augurs well for development. We surely appreciate the support we have been getting from the Guyana Football Federation and all other partners.

“Because we are still in need of further input, we urge our local businesses to get on board to join us in promoting this healthy and wholesome sport in our community.”

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, JUNE 22, 2019

23

Malinga, Mathews stun England in Sri Lanka shocker

L

asith Malinga conjured a vintage spell, part-time offspinner Dhananjaya de Silva struck three times in nine balls, Angelo Mathews scored a stubborn 85 not out, and Avishka Fernando made a rollicking 49 to shock tournament favourites England and give Sri Lanka enough reason to dream of a spot in the semi-finals. There were other heroes as well for Sri Lanka. Nuwan Pradeep bowled some mean inswingers with the new ball and then returned for the last over to have No. 11 Mark Wood feathering behind to deny Ben Stokes, who remained unbeaten - and heartbroken - on 82 off 89 balls. Isuru Udana backed up his excellent pace variations with two sharp catches - one off his own bowling and the other at the edge of the boundary. Kusal Mendis (46), like Mathews, had produced his highest score of the tournament to haul Sri Lanka to a scrappy 232 for 9. All of this resulted in Sri Lanka admirably defending that meagre total against a mighty England side that had topped 300 in eight of their last nine ODI innings. This, despite some late monster blows from Stokes. He threatened a jailbreak even after England were reduced to 186 for 9 in the 44th over. He farmed the strike and teed off, violently carting Udana for back-toback sixes and then hitting the returning Pradeep for back-to-back fours. Stokes found a single off the fifth

ball of the 47th over and Wood needed to see off just one ball. However, it wasn’t to be as Pradeep’s near-perfect full ball in the channel grazed the thinnest of outside edges and capped a remarkable comeback for the ragtag, seemingly downand-out team. Malinga had struck with the second ball of the chase to pin local lad Jonny Bairstow lbw for a duck and, not much later, sent James Vince back caught at slip. He would return to whip up some old magic, dismissing the other local boy Joe Root for 57 and Jos Buttler for 10 in successive overs. While Root was late onto a glance and was snaffled down the leg side, the ball that bested Buttler was a Malinga special: an inch-perfect leg-stump yorker that burst under his bat and had him lbw. Just as Sri Lanka were ramping up the pressure on England, Jeevan Mendis bowled a half-volley and a dirty long-hop that was smoked into the stands by Stokes. Enter Dhananjaya.

Exit Moeen. The batsman had just aerially slog-swept an offbreak just away from the reach of deep midwicket, but he still ventured another big blow off the next ball, but was deceived in flight and picked out Udana at longoff for 16. Then, in his next over, Dhananjaya took down both Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid to leave England at 178 for 8. It became 186 for 9 when Udana tricked Jofra Archer with his back-of-thehand variation. Stokes then went bang, but Wood, who

had hoped at the halfway mark that England might not need him with the bat, couldn’t hang on with him.

Had he safely negotiated that ball from Pradeep, England would have only had to deal with the change bowlers, with Malinga having bowled out too. An upset did not seem likely when Root was unflappable in the early half of the chase, playing percentage shots on a slow, grippy Headingley pitch. He got cracking with a serene punch behind point, but Malinga and Pradeep didn’t allow him to keep going with similar fluency.

Root, though, soldiered to his fifth fifty-plus score in six innings this World Cup. However, it was his dismissal that triggered a fullblown collapse. The sun was shining in its full glory in the morning, and Avishka played more glorious backfoot drives and pulls that had former Sri Lankan stylist Kumar Sangakarra gushing, “He’s got timing, this boy!” on TV commentary. Archer was clubbed so far into the stands beyond square leg that the ball bounced off a railing and disappeared out of the ground. All told, Avishka took Archer for 24 off 15 balls. However, when Wood banged one short and wide outside off, he neither played an upper-cut nor a ramp and wound up simply gliding the ball into the lap of deep third man. Mathews and Kusal Mendis then got

and Wood’s extra pace made light work of the lower order, but they could not find a way past Mathews. He tiptoed to an 84-ball half-century the joint-slowest in this tournamentalongside Afghanistan’s

Hashmatullah Shahidi’s effort. But, it wasn’t until the last over of the innings that Mathews unleashed a shot in anger. His lusty legside club off Archer helped Sri Lanka reach 232, which proved enough in the end. (Cricinfo)

3

SCOREBOARD

Lasith Malinga had four wickets in a player of the match effort

together for a 71-run stand - the highest in the game.

Mathews took 13 balls to get off the mark and 39 to find the boundary, but Kusal Mendis scored at a brisker clip at the other end as they kept Moeen and Rashid at bay until the 30th over. Rashid, who is nursing a shoulder issue and taking injections for it, suddenly rediscovered some zip and removed Kusal Mendis and Jeevan Mendis off successive balls to reduce Sri Lanka to 133 for 5. With the innings spiralling out of control, Mathews adopted a more vigilant approach and tightened up further to give Sri Lanka a shot at batting out their 50 overs. Archer

D Karunaratne (c) c †Buttler b Archer 1 KJ Perera † c Ali b Woakes 2 WIA Fernando c Rashid b Wood 49 K Mendis c Morgan b Rashid

46 A Mathews not out 85 BMAJ Mendis c & b Rashid 0 DM de Silva c Root b Archer

29 NLTC Perera c Rashid b Archer 2 I Udana c Root b Wood 6 SL Malinga b Wood 1 N Pradeep not out 1 Extras 10 (lb 4, w 6) TOTAL 232/9 (50 Overs, RR: 4.64) Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Dimuth Karunaratne, 1.6 ov), 2-3 (Kusal Perera, 2.2 ov), 3-62 (Avishka Fernando, 12.5 ov), 4-133 (Kusal Mendis, 29.4 ov), 5-133 (Jeevan Mendis, 29.5 ov), 6-190 (Dhananjaya de Silva, 43.3 ov), 7-200 (Thisara Perera, 45.4 ov), 8-209 (Isuru Udana, 46.4 ov), 9-220 (Lasith Malinga, 48.3 ov) Bowling CR Woakes (5-0-22-1) JC Archer (10-2-52-3) MA Wood (8-0-40-3) BA Stokes (5-0-16-0) MM Ali (10-0-40-0) AU Rashid (10-0-45-2) JE Root (2-0-13-0)

England Innings (target: 233

runs from 50 overs) JM Vince c BKG Mendis b Malinga 14 JM Bairstow lbw b Malinga 0 JE Root c †MDKJ Perera b Malinga 57 EJG Morgan (c) c & b Udana

21 BA Stokes not out 82 JC Buttler † lbw b Malinga 10 MM Ali c Udana b de Silva 16 CR Woakes c †MDKJ Perera b de Silva 2 AU Rashid c †MDKJ Perera b de Silva 1 JC Archer c NLTC Perera b Udana 3 MA Wood c †MDKJ Perera b Pradeep 0 Extras 6 (lb 1, w 5) TOTAL 212 all out (47 Overs, RR: 4.51) Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Jonny Bairstow, 0.2 ov), 2-26 (James Vince, 6.5 ov), 3-73 (Eoin Morgan, 18.4 ov), 4-127 (Joe Root, 30.3 ov), 5-144 (Jos Buttler, 32.3 ov), 6-170 (Moeen Ali, 38.3 ov), 7-176 (Chris Woakes, 40.1 ov), 8-178 (Adil Rashid, 40.5 ov), 9-186 (Jofra Archer, 43.4 ov), 10-212 (Mark Wood, 46.6 ov) Bowling SL Malinga (10-1-43-4) N Pradeep (10-1-38-1) DM de Silva (8-0-32-3) NLTC Perera (8-0-34-0) I Udana (8-0-41-2) BMAJ Mendis (3-0-23-0)

National Cycling Championships Female competition commences, commence today males battle in round 2 ExxonMobil U-14 Schools’ Football Tournament…

T

he National Cycling Championships will pedal off today, Saturday June 22, with the time trials; the Road Races will follow on Sunday June 23, 2019.

In these time trials, four different categories will pedal off from 9:00h local time. The Female time trials will be over a distance of 6.21 miles, begi nning from the Police outpost at

Part of the ongoing action in the ExxonMobil U-14 Schools’ Football Competition

A

fter a successful inaugural tournament in 2018, the ExxonMobil Girls and Boys Under-14 Football tournament will, in its second edition, continue today at the Ministry of Education Ground in Georgetown.

Round 1 one the action in the girls’ category will commence at 10:00 hrs with Ann’s Grove battling Tucville and Lodge duking it out with New Campbellville.

East Ruimveldt and St Stanislaus College will vie for the honour of seeing the loser off, and St Mary will attempt to overcome Charlestown Secondary.

These matches commence at 10:50 hrs.

In the male division, a total of 12 matches are said to continue in round 2. The first two matchups, at 12:00 hrs, will see Dolphin Secondary taking on St Stanislaus Secondary, and Carmel Secondary taking on Marian Academy.

At 12:50 hrs, President’s College will lock horns with Uitvlugt Secondary, and Brickdam Secondary will take on Golden Grove. At 13:40 hrs, Cummings Lodge will attempt to overthrow the in-form Charlestown Secondary.

Also doing battle will be St Mary and North Riumvedlt Multilateral.

Plaisance Orphanage and Annandale Secondary will battle for supremacy, while Richard Ishmael will seek to defeat Ann’s Grove. These matches will be played at 14:30 hrs.

At 15:20 hrs New Campbellville will battle for supremacy against Lodge Secondary, while Kingston will aim to overthrow East Ruimveldt.

Culminating the afternoon’s action, Tutorial will aim to demolish St John’s and Queens town Secondary will set out to thrash Tucville.

For the Boys, the top two teams from the six groups, along with the best four third-placed teams, will advance to the Round-of-16. A similar arrangement would apply for the girls.

In the inaugural tournament in 2018, Chase’s Academy were the male winners while Charlestown Secondary took home the female championship.

As first prize, the winning schools will have opportunity to choose a school project that they would like to see completed.

Yarrowkabra on the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway.

The Masters time trials will cover a distance of 12.42 miles, beginning at the same Yarrowkabra Police Outpost (Linden Highway). The Junior/ Juvenile and Senior categories will travel the same distance, and begin from the same starting point at the same location.

On Sunday June 23, the three categories of races will pedal off from 7:30h local time. The first of these races is the Female Road Race, which covers a total of 52 miles from Georgetown to Timehri. The race will end at its point of origin at the National Sports Commission (NSC).

The Juvenile Road Race will be the 53-mile Road Race from Georgetown to Timehri, where the completion of the race will be at its

point of origin.

T h e Masters R o a d Race will be an 80-mile event from Georgetown to Timehri to Long Creek, and return for the finish at its point of origin.

The main event will be a 120-mile-long event which will feature the elite males. that will commence at Georgetown, travel to Timehri, then Moblissa Hill, then back to Georgetown to finish at the NSC.

Tailed by Michael Anthony, Ajay Gopilal, one of the leading Junior cyclists, on the charge in Linden

saturday, JUNE 22, 2019

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