Guyana Times, Thursday July 25, 2019

7 Guyanese selected for Youth Ambassadors Programme in US

P2 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3995

THE BEACON OF TRUTH thursday, JUly 25, 2019

PRICE

Appointment of GECOM Chair

WHAT'S INSIDE:

PPP slams bad faith, footdragging by President

Over 500 persons charged for drug P2 possession in 2018

See story on page 3

131 women P14 trafficked for 1st half of 2019

…says still no word from President on next meeting with Opposition Leader

Page 7

$80 vat included

T&T MP raps Minister for attending Guyana Govt investment outreach

No bids submitted to rehabilitate P12 Georgetown zoo

Appeal Court P8 reduces jail term for convicted murderer

…warns Trini Govt about dealings with Guyana's caretaker Govt

See story on page 7

Gunmen storm Vryheid’s Lust supermarket Itaballi-Puruni Road woes

Miners close operations, urge GGMC intervention

…neglect, counterproductive policies destroying mining sector – PPP/C Presidential Candidate

See story on page 13

Zeelugt beating-killing

Fishermen slapped with murder P12 charge 248 complaints filed against GPL in P10 2018 Death at Suddie Public Hospital

Essequibo Coast teen died from blood poisoning – P13 PME

2 news

thursday, JUly 25, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Over 500 persons charged for illegal drugs in 2018 T

he 2019 Guyana Drug Information Network (GUYDIN) Report revealed that more than 500 persons were charged with drug-related offences during the course of last year.

The GUYDIN report highlighted the national effort to address the drug problem by agencies involved in both supply and demand reduction activities.

According to the report, those persons charged stemmed from a total of 334 drug seizures by the various law enforcement agencies and 22 marijuana eradication operations in 2018.

Of the 500 persons charged, 110 of them were convicted for trafficking narcotics, that is, 89 for trafficking marijuana and 21 for trafficking cocaine.

Additionally, a total of 38 were convicted for the possession of narcotics in 2018 – 14 for possession of marijuana, five for possession of cocaine, and seven for possession of other drugs such as ecstasy, heroin and meth, as well as

none convictions for possession of drug paraphernalia.

This comes at a time when the coalition Government has recently taken steps to remove custodial sentences for small amounts of marijuana possession – a move done while the Government was supposed to be in caretaker mode. The administration was criticised not actively pursuing this is-

sue over the past four years in office with the Opposition saying that it is now doing so to garner political mileage after topping to a No-Confidence Motion back in December.

Nevertheless, the GUYDIN report went on to reveal that a total of 579,412 kilograms of narcotics were taken off of the streets in 2018.

This included 1,050.3 kg mar-

ijuana, 182.6 kg cocaine, 0.72 kg ecstasy, 0.30 kg heroin, and 0.10 kg meth that was seized by authorities last year and a total of 578,178 kilograms of marijuana plants destroyed during that period.

A further breakdown of the 334 seizures highlighted that three of these were made at facilities controlled by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). Two of these seizures were handed over to the Guyana Police Force and the other to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).

The seizures by GRA- Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) yielded a total of 7,140 kilograms of marijuana.

Meanwhile, annual seizure reports from the Police Force’s Narcotics Branch show a total of 275 seizures with 516.11 kilograms last year. This included: 218 seizures for cannabis, amounting to 504.55 kilograms, 50 seizures, totalling 11.09 kilograms of cocaine, and seven seizures of ecstasy yielding 0.47 kilograms.

With regards to seizures

by CANU, this amounted to 59 with a total 718 kilograms for 2018. Of this total, 22 seizures were for cannabis equating to 545.78 kilograms of which

0.16 kilograms were cannabis seeds; 29 seizures were for cocaine totalling 171.58 kilograms; and eight seizures were of other drugs such as 0.304 kilograms of heroin, ecstasy totalling 0.533 kilogram, and meth totalling 0.1 kilogram.

Furthermore, the report also outlined that last year about 8,475 pieces of drug evidence was submitted to the Guyana Forensics Science Laboratory for analysis of presence and identification from the various Police Divisions (A-G) and CANU. These pieces of evidence were a part of 480 drug case investigations, of which 478 cases were processed. Overall, about 387 returned positive results for cannabis, 82 for cocaine and 17 for ecstasy.

In addition, 2018 saw a total of 2,535 drivers charged for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (DUI) with 14 fatal accidents as a result of drunk driving. According to the GUYDIN report, this data is an illustration that more sensitisation must be done to make persons aware of the dangers of drinking and driving.

Over the years, the GUYDIN has been performing situational analysis on Guyana’s drug problem and publishing national drug reports that has been evolving continuously as new information and indicators become available to better monitor and combat the drug issue.

Alcohol, marijuana and tobacco have traditionally been the main substances used and misused across Guyana including among the youth population. In fact, the 2016 Household Drug Prevalence Survey indicated that the rate of binge drinking among males was 64% and 46% among females.

Further, a regional analy-

sis indicated that over 60% of young people in Guyana engaged in the risky activity of binge drinking – the highest in the region.

According to the GUYDIN report, a 2013 study on drug use among students revealed that more than 40% of teenagers nationwide are not aware of the risks associated with any form of substance use. To this end, the need for prevention programmes to target this group was underscored so that young people are equip with the information and tools necessary to make informed decisions about drugs and its consequences.

For the period under review, the Public Health Ministry, the Education Ministry, Social Life Issues and other agencies were involved in a number of drug awareness programmes as a prevention measure. In fact, last year these programmes reached over 3,000 persons and were geared toward providing information about drugs and its adverse effects if used, misuse or abused.

In addition, these agencies also focused on building the capacity of professionals working in the fields of prevention and treatment to address the issue of drug use in schools, communities and other at-risk populations.

An analysis of treatment data for 2018 from the Phoenix Recovery Project and the Salvation Army Men’s Social Service found that a total of 106 persons – 99 males and seven females – sought treatment, with 41% of them having abused cocaine, 37% abused marijuana and 19% for alcohol abuse.

Moreover, the data also found that 36 of the 106 persons in treatment were also diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder and 56 persons had at least one encounter with the criminal justice system.

7 Guyanese selected for youth ambassadors programme in US

United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch and Deputy Chief of Mission, Mark Cullinan along with the 2019 Youth Ambassadors outside the US Embassy, Georgetown (US Embassy photo)

U

nited States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch and Deputy Chief of Mission, Mark Cullinan met recently with the 2019 Youth Ambassadors who will represent Guyana in the Youth Ambassadors Programme (YAP) with the

Caribbean in the United States.

Under the theme “Social Transformation and Civic Engagement”, the seven Guyanese students and one adult mentor will engage in a three-week exchange, along with their peers from the

Caribbean, with a focus on specific issues facing youth across the Region. Representing Guyana are Mia Barker, Abosaide Cadogan, Brianna Gopie, Vish Kistama, Shimron Ram, Beauty Razack, Swasti Saytoo, and Laurel Seales (mentor).

According to the US Embassy in Georgetown, Ambassador Lynch congratulated the new batch of Youth Ambassadors and shared with them some of the responsibilities the title of “Ambassador” carries.

After listening to the participants share their diverse perspectives on issues affecting youth, Ambassador Lynch noted that this programme provided a platform for each participant to develop and enhance their ability to make positive contributions and provide solutions to the very issues affecting their communities.

news

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thursday, JUly 25, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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Appointment of GECOM Chair

PPP slams bad faith, footdragging by President

…says still no word from President on next meeting with Opposition Leader

D

espite the urgency of the matter, a week has passed and there has been no word from President David Granger on the next meeting to come up with nominees for the post of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman.

This was revealed by former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, who has played an integral part as an intermediary between Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and the President and his team while the two sides have been trying to choose a chairman in keeping with the consensual approach recommended by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Teixeira in a statement on Wednesday said that it is unbelievable that one week has passed and no meeting has been scheduled for the continuation of discussions at the informal level, either between the Leader of the Opposition and the President or with their emissaries.

“We, in the Parliamentary Opposition, thought that we were making progress in the informal engagement, albeit slow, with 4 names that are “not unacceptable” to the President,” she added. According to her, despite the CCJ’s ruling that the appointment of the chairman in accordance with the Constitution is of “utmost urgency”, and the President’s statement on July 12th that the appointment could be done in days, the Leader of the Opposition’s informal submission of an additional four names on July 18th for the President’s consideration regarding their acceptability to him remains unanswered.

According to Teixeira, this is the very definition of the “bad faith” that the CCJ cited when they handed down their June 18 ruling and July 12 consequential orders. Teixeira noted that the President’s public statements of wanting to appoint a Chairman in days can no longer be taken at face value.

She pointed out that “on several occasions, he has changed his mind and in other openly contradicted earlier public statements, such as those he made on July 12 and July 19, 2019— which are a complete reversal of the statements he made at his July 4 press conference following the meeting with the

Leader of the Opposition with regards to the appointment of the Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission”.

Teixeira also noted that President Granger has arrogated onto himself a role in submitting names to the Opposition Leader, which then have to be included on the final list. She made it clear that this was untrue.

“In his July 12 and 18 statements, the President has inserted himself in the role of submitting and determining names on the list of six from which he will select, a role in contravention of art 161 (2) and the CCJ ruling of June 18th 2019”.

The Leader of the Opposition, she stated, has on more than one occasion written to the President and declared publicly “his availability to meet at any time and daily” in order to conclude the informal process of finding six names “not unacceptable” to the President in keeping with article 161 (2).

Lists

Jagdeo had submitted a list for GECOM Chairperson that included retired Major General Joe Singh, who served as GECOM Chairman years ago; Environmentalist Annette Arjoon-Martins, retired Justice of Appeal BS Roy, businessman Captain Gerry Gouveia, Attorneyat-Law Kashir Khan, former Magistrate Krishnadatt Persaud, Conflict Resolution Specialist Lawrence Latchmansingh, Retired Major General Norman

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) member Gail Teixeira

McLean, Businessman Ramesh Dookhoo, Retired Puisne Judge William Ramlall and Onesi La Fleur.

But in a turnaround, the President then submitted a list of nominees of his own that featured the return of former GECOM Chairman retired Justices James Patterson, in addition to retired Justice Claudett La Bennet, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Chairperson Kesaundra Alves, Stanley Moore, Economist Aubrey Armstrong, and former Solicitor General Kim Kyte.

The President also proposed known PNC-affiliates and businessmen Stanley Ming (a former PNC Parliamentarian) and Kads Khan.

President David Granger

While the Constitution does not allow the President to submit names, Jagdeo, in a compromise, had permitted the President to informally suggest names of persons he had no objection to. The fact that a formal list was presented by the President’s representatives has been criticised by political observers as a demonstration of bad faith.

Government subsequently confirmed Alves and retired Justice La Bennet as nominees the President has no objection to. However, Jagdeo rejected these two names and had been poised to make more submissions. Subsequently, President Granger left the jurisdiction for Cuba to do a medical check-up.

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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

PNC’s green red herrings

O

n Tuesday last, in the hallowed corridors of the High Court, the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) dropped a bombshell by stating that the voters’ list, which expired on April 30, 2019, can be refreshed and used for the elections which should have been held as of March 21, 2019.

He further explained that if a Claims and Objections exercise is used, then the expired list would form the basis of a preliminary one to facilitate that process. That is exactly what the Opposition has been saying since the Government raised concerns after the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) was passed.

The CEO’s statement in question is, therefore, tremendously significant given that he embarked on House-to-House (H2H) Registration to derive a new list which, in reality, can take up to about nine months— a period way beyond the three-month constitutional period for the elections to be held. Noteworthy, his comments were made at a time when the Chief Justice was hearing a case for the halting of the H2H exercise.

The mind is therefore boggled as to why he did not implement that process as against the contentious H2H registration. While he can claim to be executing an order of the past Chairman of GECOM, he could have been more forceful in stating that position from the time the Government launched an attack on the list even before it expired.

GECOM’s legal officer made known her position on the issue— one that differed from the Chairman and the Governmentappointed Commissioners’. While she was vilified by Government supporters for simply reiterating the law, she stood her ground and advised that the H2H exercise would be illegal in the context of what has transpired since December 21 last year.

The Government peddled before April 30 that the voters’ list in its current form is unacceptable. The President branded it corrupt, outdated and with 200,000 incorrect entries. Those were the grounds for demanding that GECOM conduct a new H2H process. It was convenient to say the least as was resorting to the Courts— red herrings to avoid the elections following the NCM. Another bombshell by the CEO was his claim of not advising the President that the list is bloated with 200,000 names. He said the bloated claim is speculative. By him not saying that the list is bloated suggests that it’s not; that’s from the horse’s mouth so to speak. What then did the President use to make that assertion?

Again, it reeks of a red herring to continuously delay the elections.

If then, according to the CEO, the current list, even though considered expired, can be used as a basis for a preliminary one to facilitate a Claims and Objections exercise to ensure that the elections be held within the three-month timeframe, and that the list may not be bloated as the President claims, why not immediately stop the H2H? In doing so, he would not only be heeding the Commission lawyer’s advice, but can commence the Claims and Objections exercise to meet the constitutional deadline, as ordered by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). What the Government has done successfully so far is create distractions to avoid and push the elections to 2020— its seemingly desired timeline.

Given its dismal record in office, the Government believes that with more time, it can effect some level of damage control to appease voters. Buying time with the “currency” of red herring seems its preference. That could possibly explain why, despite the clarity in ruling of the CCJ, the President is still insisting that he must have a role in crafting the list of nominees for the Chairman of GECOM. By using that self-imposed role, he predicted gridlock in the process of deriving the names of six acceptable nominees. His prediction seems premised on his insistence of having persons of his choice on that list of six. After the CCJ’s ruling, he put forward eight names with most, if not all, affiliated to the Government and the Party he heads— the PNC. He has kept two in play, which the Leader of the Opposition has rejected. The Constitution is clear; the Leader of the Opposition submits a list of six names not unacceptable to the President from which he chooses one. As it is, some two weeks after the CCJ delivered its consequential orders, a Chairman for GECOM has not been named, no fault of the Leader of the Opposition.

By keeping two names of his choice in play and by predicting gridlock, the President is probably signalling an intention to once again have a Chairman of his liking. He does have a role— to choose one name from six. If, and more than likely he wouldn’t, the Leader of the Opposition does not place the President’s two choices on the official list of six, the said list could be rejected.

The President rejected three in the past.

Again, his self-interpreted role is nothing but another skilfully crafted red herring out from the green corner to frustrate the process. The mother of all thus far, is the preposterous mathematical theory the Government used in the Courts to try to invalidate the NCM. The CCJ knew something was fishy. Sadly, the scent lingers.

Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Boris Johnson to Buckingham Palace to officially recognise him as the new Prime Minister in London (Victoria Jones/Pool via Reuters)

Imposing visa restrictions on Nigerians,

T

responsible for undermining the democratic process

he United States is a steadfast supporter of Nigerian democracy. We commend all those Nigerians who participated peacefully in the February and March 2019 elections and have worked to strengthen Nigerian democratic institutions and processes. As Nigeria marks the twentieth anniversary of a return to democratic rule this year, we remain committed to working together to continue to

advance democracy and respect for human rights and achieve greater peace and prosperity for both our nations. We condemn those whose acts of violence, intimidation, or corruption harmed Nigerians or undermined the democratic process.

In a January 24 statement, the U.S. government said that we would consider consequences – including visa restrictions – for individuals responsible for

undermining the Nigerian democratic process or for organizing election-related violence. To that end, the Secretary of State is imposing visa restrictions on Nigerians believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Nigeria. These individuals have operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and undermined democratic principles and human rights.

The Department of

State emphasizes that the actions announced today are specific to certain individuals and not directed at the Nigerian people or the newly elected government.

This decision reflects the Department of State’s commitment to working with the Nigerian government to realize its expressed commitment to end corruption and strengthen democracy, accountability, and respect for human rights. (www.state.gov)

GECOM wasting hard-earned taxpayers’ money Dear Editor, GECOM and the fallen APNU cabal have utilised every available media in an attempt to farcically justify their wasteful use of our taxpayers’ dollars. The dubious report of 20, 000 completed registrations is totally false and intended to camouflage the biased contemptuous behaviour against the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice and the constitutional pillars of our democracy.

The shenanigans are nothing but putting plans ‘X, Y and Z’ into place, in advancing other flagrant attempts to further delay mandated National and Regional Elections. The approach will result in the disenfranchisement of thousands of living citizens currently on the List of Electors and is designed to create much confusion towards the end of the process. By that time, many of our citizens who live here in Guyana or are otherwise overseas for whatever useful purpose will be scrambling with a crunched announced deadline for elections.

It is obvious that GECOM has proceeded to advance the lawless, vulgar process in the first instance without officially inviting scrutineers

from the main opposition political parties. It is rational that the effort seeks to falsify positions of the list which existed prior to April 30, 2019.

The approach is very slow and certainly cannot end by the three-month constitutionally mandated period. In addition, the process can be further abused as there are indications that many of the enumerators will be stretching the process for as long as possible to get as much taxfree money that they can accumulate.

On Saturday last, two officials from GECOM, along with a PNC scrutineer, attempted to complete registrations of citizens following the commencement of the illegal House-to-House Registration.

Information received informs that for this group, a total of nine registrations transactions were completed in the fields that day. The officials went through a frustrating morning from their Registration Office and also struggled in the field to do the ‘House-toHouse’ exercises. At the end of their first-day sojourn that day, they reported to their seniors at the office where they were verbally abused and instructed to return the

next day and correct all nine of transactions.

On the following day, the GECOM officials returned to the first person who demanded that if he is to ‘re-do’ his transaction, it must be ascertained that the first documents that he signed have been cancelled. The official told him that the document was cancelled and the officer in charge at the office has the documents. The registrant insisted that he wanted to see the cancelled document which was requested

by GECOM official who returned after three hours. To the registrant’s surprise, the document was not cancelled.

After another approximately two hours, the transaction was said to be ok at that level.

Observations after the first two days reveal that the trainers and the persons trained for the ‘Houseto-House Registration’ process need some measure of refresher training since they were trained since last year/ January. In some instances, it is believed that some are totally unfit for the tasks.

It is of interests that the GECOM officials are not visiting the houses in any sequential manner. It has been

alleged that the PNC scrutineer is directing the GECOM Officials to selected homes.

It is observed that the “RO -1 Form” that the declarant has to sign has space for the signature of two scrutineers.

However, only one PNC scrutineer is signing and this is much cause for concern as the deliberate attempt to leave some persons off the list and force perceived supporters of the opposition to clamber for registration if this is process is allowed to continue.

It is of significant note that the employment of all GECOM staff under the relevant law is to be done only by the GECOM Commission/ Commissioners.

The Secretariat is not authorised to employ staff, but in their deliberate actions, the serious imbalance continues. It is a fact that approximately ninety per cent of the GECOM staff are all Afro-Guyanese and many of these officials are not visiting the houses in any sequence. The PNC scrutineer is directing the GECOM officials to selected homes.

The “form” that the declarant has to sign has space for two scrutineers to sign; however, only one PNC scrutineer is signing. CONTINUED oN page 5

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Blind loyalty, unabashed support to preserve status quo Dear Editor, I have been following quite closely the different views that have emerged since the ruling and subsequent orders by the CCJ. Quite a few persons have expressed what I consider as reasonable views but then, unfortunately, there are sadly the odd few who have taken outlandish views to unprecedented levels. In that process, they have descended to unfortunate levels and have eroded their credibility.

This grouping, which I recognise as self-identified champions of democracy, upholders of the rule of law, and fighters on behalf of the oppressed and exploited, have today sold themselves for a few pieces silver and have become obvious agents doing the ignoble bidding of their political masters. These now former honourable individuals, who hold themselves out as leaders, are apparently hell-bent on a campaign of misinformation, undoubtedly, to safeguard their cushy perks and posts. For me, this is particularly disheartening as some in this grouping were very much involved in the struggle for the restoration of democracy in our country. It is particularly hard for me to imagine that these so-called comrades have today apparently sold out their once cherished principles and ideals. They have in that betrayed what they once stood for and, astonishingly, have joined in perpetuating actions they previously rallied against. I wonder how they can really be taken at face value.

Swinging from one rickety limb to another, they have launched, more re-

cently, an unconvincing defence of the just commenced house-to-house (H2H) exercise. True to their new form, they have expressed critical views of those calling for a boycott of the exercise as they seek to justify the H2H alongside calls for a credible elections process. I am sure right-thinking Guyanese are desirous of a credible, free and fair elections process. This is an achievement that our people won out of struggle. But the misguided few want to have their cake and eat it too, as they seek to promote electoral credibility to suit the whim and fancies.

While they seek to embellish a situation, democracy, constitutional respect and our people’s franchise are literally held hostage and judicial rule has become a mocking stock in the eyes of those in high positions. The shedding of crocodile tears does not wish away that H2H is a product of the ‘unfit-and-improper’ Chairman of GECOM. Nor does the wailing erase that the Chief Elections Officer, himself, publicly said that H2H is not necessary as the current list is more than suitable.

I also see the lamentations over Government’s “caretaker” status. It is laughable to see statements that CCJ-deemed caretaker Government must retain its full array of powers.

Arguments have been proffered to say there is really not any difference in the current status of the administration. In the real world, this is just being as disingenuous as one could possibly be, but then it seems we have those among us living in wonderland. If this were really the case, the CCJ needed

GECOM wasting...

The camera seems to be faulty while the ink-pad that they are using is certainly inferior and it will lead to serious smudging.

The GECOM officials/ enumerators claimed that they were trained very long and they were called suddenly to do this ‘House to House’ thing. If after two days one set of GECOM officials can only do four transactions then the end results will be confusion and more delays.

There are also reports of enumerators engaging persons on the road and other commuters to do registration where as its clearly defined that thsese Registrations must be done through house visits.There are also claims of no photos been taken but promises to return and do same.

Further, many persons have reported that the enumerators seem to be going to houses in a very adhoc manner while skipping some houses all together.

This process is certainly a waste of time and money.

It is indeed sad to hear from the mouth of the GECOM Chief Executive

from page 4

Officer Mr Keith Lowenfield that the list is not bloated and the List can be ready for elections within a short period of Claims and Objections.

This nation must ask the question why is it Lowinfueld and the GECOM secretariat is allowed to continue do what they want without the Commission’s authorization.

It must be noted that in the twenty nine(29) permanent GECOM Offices throughout the country,each has an Assistant Chief Scrutineer representing the PPP,yet they are not privy to any information coming out of the Illegal House to House registration. Collective information,through reliable sources confirm that less that 2000 transctions were completed since the commencement.

GECOM is not above the Laws of Guyana,the Chief Elections Officer must abide by the Constitution or face Contempt of Court.Elections must be held by Septembr 18,2019.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

not label the administration with the caretaker status? I am disturbed, yet amazed, to see how far the new minions are willing to bend over to defend their masters. It seems they have no backbone whatsoever and they have become puppets whose strings are pulled by their handlers with impunity. Of course, President Granger, himself, has thrown a wet towel on the matter and has recognised his Government has lost a full mandate to govern as he wishes.

I recognise too the almost consistent calls for dialogue between the main forces. I must admit on the surface this seems to be the right approach. But it is wisely said once bitten, twice shy. Clearly, the administration is apparently showing no intention to engage in meaningful, goodfaith discussions. The immediate aftermath of the NCM

vote saw expressions to engage in meaningful dialogue.

The hope and optimism that sprung up were scuttled by the bad-faith actions of the administration. Certainly, had there really been a commitment to sincere interactions, we would not have found ourselves seven months after the NCM without an election. Undoubtedly, the matter of the GECOM Chairman would have been settled. The imputing of tangential conditions, at best, would have never risen to the fore and bellowed calls for H2H would have been abandoned. In fact, the approach to the Courts for adjudication would have never entered the fray. While certainly attempts have been made to engage in dialogue, reasonableness on one side has been lacking and every attempt has been made to stall and procrastinate. One would have felt that follow-

ing the CCJ’s ruling and orders the ploys would have ended, but it appears that the plot is merely thickening.

Similarly, the calls for the Government to act unfettered after losing the NCM belies the notion of the NCM in the first place. If that were the intentions of the framers of the Constitution, wouldn’t it have been prudent to just not have recourse to an NCM in the first place? The mere fact that the NCM inserted says that a loss meant it could not be business-as-usual as the current grouping seems to practice. Then, too, there are the calls for a return to the National Assembly to extend the current life of the administration. I wonder how such a suggestion can be really realised when all attempts at being reasonable have failed to begin with and previous commitments, some of which were recorded for posteri-

ty, have been thrown to the wayside without explanation or justification.

It is clear that there are those wolves among the sheep who will unashamedly seek to defend a situation that is indefensible. They, in my mind, are equally, if not more guilty than those who seek to perpetuate the current situation in our country and in which our people have found themselves in today. These individuals, who themselves, should know better and do better while offering crucial and critical leadership are today no longer practicing what they preach.

Principles, consciousness and conscientiousness have departed their psyche, and nowadays, blind loyalty and unabashed support to preserve the status-quo are now blindly in charge.

Yours faithfully, Liebert Alleyne

Dear Editor, A generation ago, a British sitcom captured the essence of the Westminster model of governance and dispensed with the polite fiction that ministers are indispensable. ‘Yes Minister’ portrayed the attempts of a bumbling over-promoted politician (now minister) to enact policies and handle crises. Each policy floundered as it met the impermeable ranks of the British civil service; each crisis was handled by civil servants with minimal input from the minister. The source of the satire holds true wherever the Westminster model persists— ministers are really just transitory figures at the helm of a permanent structure of government.

The model of a permanent, politically-neutral civil service derives from our time as a British colony.

Patronage— always a feature of the colonial civil service— became entrenched post-Independence. Much of our public sector has since served as a repository for po-

litical acolytes through successive administrations. The result? An Orwellian dystopia: a hopelessly bloated bureaucracy, a chronic shortfall of skillsets and experience, and a corresponding decline of trust in these public institutions and services among the general populace.

Our solution? Two strategies linked to American-style governance have been adopted, perhaps a symptom of our unabashed reverence for all things American. The first is to hire contract workers at inflated salaries (either as an additional layer of patronage and cronyism or to fulfil key tasks or both). The second is an insatiable appetite for ‘capacity building’ in all spheres of government. Presumably the donor agencies prefer to continually fund ‘capacity building’ than to insist that the entire system requires root-and-branch reform, and not just periodic ‘tweaks’ and upgrades.

The current system is, therefore, an uncomfortable and unworkable hybrid of two competing models of gov-

ernance from Westminster and Capitol Hill. The bloat extends as far as our Cabinet, now the same size as Brazil’s, with few obvious gains other than an index-linked rise in photo-opportunities and travel junkets.

Neither Westminster nor Capitol Hill can be held up these days as infallible models of good governance.

However, the ethos of the Westminster model endures in our system of governance.

No one is indispensable. No politician, no minister, no civil servant. All are in place to serve the nation. Further, the politics of division have birthed a precarious situation where minority govern-

ments look set to continue indefinitely in Guyana. So no one, no particular party, no interest group, no cohort is assured a lasting grip on power. A plea, therefore, for all involved to adjust their mind-sets and get on with the business of governance in a functioning democracy. There is a compelling need for all parties to adhere to due process, to honour the CCJ’s recent rulings and to proceed with gravitas and dignity. What we have at present is a ‘pappy show’ worthy of an episode of ‘Yes Minister’.

Adhere to due process to honour CCJ’s recent rulings

Yours faithfully, Isabelle de Caires

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thurSday, JUly 25, 2019

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Foundation

n a house with more than one kid, there are talk to your mom or dad. If a parent knows you’re bound to be some problems. Brothers and feeling left out, together you can figure out ways sisters borrow stuff, and don’t always return to help you feel better again. it in top condition. Younger kids sometimes feel like the older kids get to do whatever they want.

Don’t lose your cool Older brothers and sisters think that the baby of Sometimes when you’re jealous and frustrated, the family gets more attention. These are typical it’s easy to lose your temper. Try to follow these problems found throughout the ages, everywhere tips to avoid getting into a fight with your brother in the world. or sister: When brothers and sisters don’t get along, it’s Take a deep breath and think a bit. Try to called sibling rivalry (say: SIH-bling RYE-vul-ree). figure out if you are angry with the person or just A sibling is a brother or sister and rivalry means frustrated with the situation. competition. It’s normal, but too much competition Remind yourself that you have special talents. can make for an unhappy home life.

Your sister may have won an art contest, but you Let’s talk about getting along with brothers and might be better at basketball, or Maths, or singing. sisters. They’re not so bad, are they?

Eight-year-old Marisa says her brother “always wins running races, but I always get gold stars for What is sibling rivalry? good homework grades and that makes me feel A little competition isn’t a bad thing. Sometimes better.” it can keep you working hard -- like when you and Try to congratulate your siblings on their your brother spend time shooting hoops. If he’s achievements and share their happiness. If you do good at it, it may make you want to improve, too. this for them, they’ll be more likely to do it for you.

But some sibling rivalry involves arguing, like when Hopefully, these tips will work. But if the you think your brother is hogging the ball. People situation gets out of control and you and your who love each other might argue sometimes, but brother or sister start fighting a lot, you may need too much fighting is unpleasant for everyone. to talk to someone. Mean words can lead to hitting Have you ever heard of the green-eyed monster and physical fighting. If this is going on with you called jealousy? Sometimes brothers and sisters are and your sibling, talk to a parent or another trusted jealous of one another. For instance, if your sister adult. always does well at school, it may be frustrating for you, especially if your grades are lower.

Future friends Although you’re probably proud of your sibling It may be hard to believe now, but your brother or siblings, it’s normal to be a little jealous, too. It or sister may turn out to be your best friend may make you feel better to focus more on doing someday. Many brothers and sisters fight and your own personal best, rather than comparing compete with each other while growing up but yourself with a brother or sister. become very close when they get older. As you All kids want attention from their parents, but grow up, your friends might change, but your sometimes you need to take turns. If you’re feeling family is your family forever. (kidshealth.org) ignored or like your sibling is always in the spotlight,

Origami Money Box

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thursday, JUly 25, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Gunmen storm Vryheid’s T&T MP raps Minister for attending Lust supermarket Guyana Govt investment outreach

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recently opened supermarket located at Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara, was stormed by gunmen who carted off with a large quantity of cash and other valuables.

Reports are the robbery occurred at A-Wei Supermarket at Lot 160 Vryheid’s Lust Public Road at about 20:15h on Tuesday night.

Proprietor of the building Rameshwar Seeraj told Guyana Times that he rented the lower flat of his building to Chinese nationals who operate the business.

According to him, two of the gunmen entered the property through the front entrance, while a getaway car was parked outside.

At that time, the establishment was open with customers inside. This publication was told that one of the bandits was armed with a gun and held everyone at gunpoint, while the other collected $400,000 and a quantity of prepaid phone

…warns Trini Govt about dealings with Guyana's caretaker Govt Opposition Leader

A-Wei Supermarket was robbed by armed men on Tuesday night

cards.

The duo made their escape and ran towards the silver vehicle. No injuries were reported after the ordeal.

“Last night, two guys with guns run in and hold everybody and carry away money from the supermarket. It’s about $400,000 and cellphone cards mostly. All the workers were here and a couple customers,” the man stated.

The matter was reported to the Police and CCTV footage of the scene is being examined. Seeraj stated

that the men were allegedly at the business earlier in the day and returned later to commit the robbery, based on footage recorded.

“We have everything on camera. It show how they come in fast and then run out to the silver/grey Premio that was outside. They had a driver in the car waiting.

Apparently, they were here earlier in the day so the Police is working on that and the car that they used,” the proprietor stated.

Police are continuing their investigation.

The publication in which Charles criticises the Minister for attending the event

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he presence of a Trinidadian Minister at the Guyana Government’s recent investment outreach in Trinidad and Tobago has drawn criticism from a lawmaker in the twin island Republic, who is urging his Government to maintain neutrality when dealing with Guyana’s caretaker Government.

Trinidad Member of Parliament Rodney Charles, who represents Naparima, was quoted in Trinidad’s Newsday berating the twin island’s Energy Minister, Franklin Khan, for attending at the event.

The event, which was picketed by pro-Opposition supporters— who held placards urging the coalition to comply with the Constitution-- was held by Guyana’s Government at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain on Friday last. Charles pointed out to Minister Khan that a question mark hangs over Guyana’s Government fol-

doubtful whether hosting the investment outreach could be classified as a caretaker responsibility.

Moreover, Charles in the news report also referenced Trinidad Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s foreign policy of non-interference.

He noted that Khan was out of order for attending the Guyana Government-hosted event. Moreover, he questioned the repercussions if the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) were to win the next elections that must be held following the passage of the No-Confidence Motion.

“If, in fact, a TT minister of Government attended an official function in our country last week hosted by the Government of President David Granger to raise investments… that would be entirely out of order. How will (a potential PPP Government) view our actions in the run up to the elections? Will this affect our relations with Guyana?”

He pointed out in the

Pro-PPP supporters protest the Government outside the Hyatt

lowing the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) rulings.

The Parliamentarian was quoted reminding Khan that the CCJ ruled that the Guyana Government should operate as a caretaker government with the main purpose of calling elections as soon as possible.

“The CCJ, the highest Court in Guyana, recently ruled that the present Government in Guyana led

by President David Granger should operate as a caretaker government with the primary purpose of calling elections as soon as possible to determine the will of the Guyanese peoples. That is its only job,” Newsday quoted Charles as saying.

According to Charles in the news report, it was

Newsday that it is clearly not in "T&T's national interest at this time to appear to be taking sides either with the present caretaker Government of David Granger or with the Opposition. Given all the circumstances, our national interest will be best served by being scrupulously neutral”. Efforts by this publication to reach both Charles and Khan were futile.

No confidence

Guyana’s Government fell to a No-Confidence Motion on December 21, 2018, and approached the Courts soon after to overturn the vote. When the matter reached the CCJ, the regional Court validated the vote.

Bharrat Jagdeo has always maintained that the Government should be acting in a caretaker capacity only and not be entering into large scale contracts.

Jagdeo’s position was vindicated by the CCJ on July 12, when it ruled that the Government should be in a caretaker status.

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

“Article 106 envisaged that the tenure in office of the Cabinet, including the President after the Government’s defeat, is on a different footage from that which existed prior to the vote of no confidence…By convention, the Government

T&T Energy Minister Franklin Khan speaking at the event

is expected to behave, during this interim period, as a caretaker and so restrain the exercise of its legal authority. It is this caretaker or interim role that explains the three-month deadline in the first instance that the Article lays down in principle for the holding of fresh elections,” Justice Saunders stated.

Since the post-judgement hearing at the CCJ last month, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) lawyer Stanley Marcus and Attorney General Basil Williams had both argued that the Article 106 (7) provision meant the President and his Cabinet had to remain in power until after a new President was sworn in But CCJ Judge Justice Jacob Wit had also debunked this argument. He had noted that it is international practice that following a successful No-Confidence Motion, a caretaker government is usually left in place with a limited timeframe in which to carry out snap elections.

He had made it clear that contrary to the Government’s arguments, a provision for a caretaker government does not have to be explicit in the Constitution as this is a standard and recognised international practice.

Following the ruling, the coalition Government issued a statement in which it claimed that it accepted its “interim” status, but Cabinet has not stopped functioning.

8 News

thursday, JUly 25, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS Appeal Court reduces jail term for convicted murderer

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he Court of Appeal on Wednesday reduced the jail term of convicted murderer Clive Knights to 30 years imprisonment after the hearing into the case concluded before Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud.

The appeal was filed following his conviction in 2015 by a High Court jury for the murder of 44-year-old Bert Whyte, a former Assistant Secretary at the Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Life (GTM). Whyte was stabbed several times by Knights after he (Whyte), without consent, engaged in sexual acts with the convicted man whilst he was asleep. For the capital offence, Knights was sentenced to 57 years imprisonment by Justice Navindra Singh.

The appeal was filled

by Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd earlier this year.

The lawyer argued that Knights did not receive proper legal representation throughout his High

Convicted: Clive Knights

Court trial which took place in 2015. Todd further contended that the evidence presented in the trial did not disclose any previous actions which prove that Knights intentionally committed the crime, but rather, revealed that his client was defending himself from being sexually assaulted, and thus, the conviction was not suitable.

Prosecutor for the State, Sarah Gooding, in her address to the panel of judges, noted that Knight’s previ-

ous attorney did advise him that he could exercise the right to remain silent when the prosecution had closed their case against him.

According to Gooding’s, Knights adhered to the advice and at no time indicated that he was not allowed to address the High Court in either an unsworn statement or by leading his defence.

Police reports indicated that on May 12, 2014, Whyte, formerly of Phoenix Park, West Bank Demerara (WBD), along with Knights, had visited a bar where they began imbibing. Sometime after, the convicted murderer visited Whyte’s motorcar and fell asleep, in the midst of same, Knights was allegedly awaken to the now dead man performing sexual acts on him.

Reports are it was then the murder convict armed himself with an ice picker and inflicted several stab wounds about Whyte’s body. Knights, after committing the act, fled the scene, whilst public spirited persons later rushed the

Murdered: Bert Whyte

victim to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he died while receiving medical attention.

The convict was later apprehended and admitted to the crime, for which he will now serve a 30-year sentence term. A Post-Mortem Examination (PME) conducted on the body of Whyte revealed that he died from haemorrhage and shock due the perforation of the heart and lungs as a result of the stab wounds he sustained.

Fiction…

…in PNC Government This desperate attempt by the PNC and its camp followers like the AFC and WPA to justify their continued occupation of office – to continue enjoying pelf, perks and power – has exposed some as real jokers. Take, for instance, this fella Khemraj Ramjattan.

He used to be famous for ejaculating, “Haul yuh ass!” to reporters who asked him uncomfortable questions.

Like, exactly how was he going to survive the smell of dead meat for the five years with the PNC, after he hitched up with them! Well now we know…the smell seems to have acted like a truth serum and he now ejaculates some home truths about what’s going on in the minds of the coalition.

He was debating Edghill from the PPP/C on a radio show and was badgered by the latter as to how come they were carrying on about obeying the CCJ’s ruling on the Constitution’s Art 106 (6) and yet the President and Cabinet hadn’t resigned as demanded by the Article after the passage of a NCM. And this is what Ramjattan – supposedly a lawyer – ejaculated: “The article is a legal fiction”!! Mouth open and story jump out!!

This now explains the behaviour of Granger and his myrmidons ever since that fateful night of Dec 21, 2018! They don’t have to abide by the strictures of the Constitution ‘cause they’re all “legal fictions”!! Why not obey Art 162 (2) and only appoint a GECOM chair from a list provided by the Opposition Leader?? That’s a legal fiction!! Granger can continue to appoint party hacks like James Patterson either unilaterally – as he did before – or by insisting that the Opposition Leader accepts his (Granger’s) nominations on his (Opposition Leader’s) list!!

But what Ramjattan hasn’t noticed, or pretends he hasn’t noticed, is that the “legal fiction” principle on the Constitution is always only applied when it benefits the PNC. After Ramjattan and his (then) sidekick Nagamootoo were suckered into joining the PNC via their Valentine’s Day “Cummingsburg Accord”, Granger never kept the main promise that Nagamootoo would preside over Cabinet meetings. He insisted that according to Art 106 (3) “Cabinet meetings shall be presided over by (a) by the President. And poor Nagamootoo was out like south!! Granger never suggested he could raise the proposal that the clause was a “legal fiction”!! Nagamootoo couldn’t even sit on the left hand of Granger.

But even as early as then, the dead meat smell must’ve gotten to Ramjattan and Nagamootoo. They never pointed out that Art 106 (2) (b) says the PM could preside “in the absence of the President”.

All Granger had to do was not show up!! And that ain’t no fiction!! …vs fact For a while, GECOM CEO Major (retired) Keith Lowenfield had your Eyewitness thinking he was also a follower of the “Constitution as a legal fiction” school of thought. As dissected yesterday, he’d turned cartwheels to explain why he launched H2H registration – even though that would’ve taken elections beyond the CCJ’s mandated Sept 18 deadline. He said, in true army command style, he was “only following orders”!!

But he followed the orders after his commanding officer was declared to have been a fake!! As a welltrained army officer, he would know that “just following orders” doesn’t spare him from at least being court marshalled – even if his superiors hadn’t been disqualified. Didn’t all those German officers at the Nuremberg Trials also say they “were just following orders”? Didn’t cut it!! But suddenly Lowenfield did a volte face and recanted everything about the H2H being the only road to electoral salvation! Some folks are excited…but not your Eyewitness.

Lowenfield did order the H2H, which is still ongoing.

He should face that firing squad. And ain’t no legal fiction!! …in High Court?

The Chief Justice agreed the CCJ ordered elections must be held by Sept 18. But said she needed evidence to show this was the case.

Couldn’t she’ve taken judicial notice of Patterson’s order to Lowenfield?? Or was it invisible?

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

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thursday, JUly 25, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Neglect, counterproductive Allicock’s visit to Matthews policies destroying mining Ridge political – residents …failed to address community issues sector – Ali

PPP/C Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali

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residential Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Irfaan Ali has flagged the now caretaker coalition Government for neglecting the mining sector, noting that its counterproductive policies have destroyed the once flourishing sector.

According to Ali, the neglect of the gold production and export sector is causing the industry to shrink. He also lamented on the declining and inaccurate levels of gold declaration.

“Had it not been for the two large gold mines established under the PPP/C, gold production would have been at a standstill, killing this once vibrant sector that sustained the Guyanese economy following the global financial crisis,” he posited.

Today, Ali went on to say Guyana is becoming a conduit for smuggled gold from Venezuela and other countries. With this, he noted the country runs the risk of losing international export markets. This is further compounded by the fact that President

David Granger has refused to meet the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) over the past three years, despite pleadings and begging by miners, he added.

The PPP Presidential Candidate further criticised the coalition administration for its lack of clear mining policy and framework to better manage the sector, in spite of the efforts made under the PPP/C to improve governance and security of the industry.

“The mining sector is one of the key economic drivers of our economy. Today, our miners who work to sustain developing communities are totally neglected with their true livelihood in jeopardy due to a callous and uncaring Government,” Ali asserted.

Chief among the poor policies of the APNU/AFC administration, he pointed out are the burdensome taxes that have negatively affected recapitalisation and increase transactional cost. He further mentioned the lack of inventions in infrastructure which has led

to higher cost of transportation and increased cost of production.

Other areas which Ali flagged the now caretaker coalition Government over include: the removal of incentives that brought cost savings to miners and hinterland communities; leakages and favouritism in the distribution of mining properties and claims, and neglect, mismanagement and corruption.

To this end, the PPP’s Presidential Candidate outlined a few of the initiatives his party intends to pursue to revive in the industry, should it get into office at the upcoming elections.

Among these are the removal value-added tax (VAT) on hinterland travel and freight to benefit not only mining sector, but residents and communities; removal of fee imposed by the coalition Government to sell gold; removal of sliding scale imposed by Government and replace it with 2% final tax; and the removal VAT on machinery and equipment.

Moreover, Ali disclosed that a PPP administration will also support easier transportation for the mining and forestry sectors as well as communities by reducing travel time and cost.

This, he explained, will be done by investing a minimum of $2 billion annually to support hinterland roads.

Additionally, he noted too that under a PPP regime, Guyanese can expect to see the establishment of a fairer and more equitable system for the distribution of mining property along with reviewing the onerous documentation required by small miners.

T

The community of Matthews Ridge, Region One (Barima -Waini)

he much-anticipated visit of Indigenous Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock to Matthew’s Ridge, Region One (Barima-Waini) on Monday has left much to be desired as he was unable to address the concerns of residents.

According to residents, the Minister’s visit was more political and focused heavily on the ‘legality’ of the Government, rather than what the Government intends to do for the residents of that community.

This newspaper was told that a meeting was held at the community centre with residents who attended to voice their concerns about issues af-

fecting them and sought the intervention of the Minister.

However, a resident told this newspaper that they were disappointed as the Minister was evidently unprepared to offer any guidance on the issues highlighted.

Of a total of 20 youths, only six received their stimulus grant of $50,000. The resident said that the Minister encouraged them to use the grant to improve their businesses. He also encouraged residents to embark upon the plantain chips business and stated that the Government should request that the youths return the grant if their business fails.

Meanwhile, the communi-

ty’s Community Development Council and those across the Matarkai sub-district have ended their term since February 2019 and the Chairman is still functioning.

This was of major concern for residents who said they were confused and as a result raised same to the Minister; however, he had no response.

Also among the issues highlighted to the Minister was that following the Local Government Elections (LGE), a representative from the Pakera/Heaven Hill Constituency in Matthew’s Ridge is yet to be sworn in on the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

TURN TO PAGE 11

10 NEWS Mahaicony commuters, farmers decry deplorable Branch Road C thursday, JUly 25, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

ommuters and farmers traversing the Mahaicony Branch Road in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) have called for urgent intervention on Government to fix the deplorable road, which has been in its current poor condition for some time now.

Concerned residents reached out to this publication on Wednesday insisting that farming activities will commence in a short while, but it is impossible for heavy equipment to navigate successfully along the many deep crates.

Mansood Saleem, a resident expressed, “We have farmlands at the back there and the road is a good way in. Since last year we having this problem and report it but nothing [is] happening.

You have tractor and trucks that supposed to be there by now but we can’t help it.

People here don’t know what to do anymore”.

The carriageway, which was fashioned with asphalt

Deplorable condition of Mahaicony Branch Road

and silt, is completely degraded and serves as the main entrance towards hundreds of acres of farmland.

According to Saleem, other farmers will suffer losses and be denied the rainy weather to tend their crops.

“If we don’t get in there now, then we miss the crop season and that is money losing there. Now is the time

that we actually get money and [it] is a shame that the road is causing trouble,” the aggrieved man explained.

The current situation also affects normal motorists since it damages their vehicles. Strategic points are also inaccessible.

“A car would find it very hard to pass through here.

That’s why people thinking

twice before coming through.

I am calling on the Ministry and the Government to find a solution”.

While Guyana’s main road networks have been widened or rehabilitated, many roads along the interior and streets in rural communities remain in a poor state.

For some time, the

Linden-Lethem trail has been flooded as a result of heavy rainfall and some vehicles were overturned while attempting to pass through.

Minibuses transporting passengers to Mahdia were forced to stop and occupants were forced to brave the flood and assist the driver in getting through the waters.

Guyana Times has re-

ported the ordeals of minibus operators on several occasions but the Public Infrastructure Ministry is yet to provide a permanent solution.

Even as business owners, residents and other users of the road continue to fume over its deplorable state, the Public Infrastructure Ministry that has responsibility for the maintenance of the road is yet to make a pronouncement on it or its engineer yet to pay a visit to the area.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, residents of Fourth Bridge, Herstelling New Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD) called on the regional officials to pay heed to their current plight of having to daily traverse deplorable roads in the area.

The roads, for the past months since the rainy season commenced, could not be used, thus, forcing residents to use alternative and very lengthy routes to get to and from their homes.

248 complaints filed against GPL in 2018

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espite a 32 per cent decline in complaints last year, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) received some 248 complaints against the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc – nearly half of the 563 total complaints against utility companies during that period.

Of the total complaints, 16 per cent represents tampering issues with GPL’s service and 11 per cent were against the power company for technical issues with their infrastructure and meters.

The highest complaints against GPL were received from Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). These complaints had to do with application for new service (27 complaints), billing issues (35), change of tenancy (6), claims of compensation (13), claims of wrongful disconnection (7), allegation of tampering (90), reconnection of service (6), and technical issues (64).

This information, which was contained in the PUC’s 2018 Annual Report, comes at a time when the power company is continuously

criticised for failing to provide stable electricity to the country.

The annual report also revealed that the Commission has fined GPL for failing to improve its services in accordance with performance targets previously set out.

Back in October 2010, GPL’s license was expanded to include Operating Standards and Performance Targets (OSPT), which are eight service standards with pre-determined targets that the company is expected to achieve.

However, PUC Chair Dela Britton explained in the report that in the first quarter of 2018, the Commission, as required by law, reviewed GPL’s 2017 OSPT and found that the company had failed to improve its service against its 2016 standards. As a consequence, the Commission imposed a fine of five per cent of the total value of dividends payable to the company’s shareholders.

“This stance by the Commission sent a strong message to the utility company, which should in turn motivate it to strive to achieve optimum stan-

dards,” Britton posited.

In the report, the Commission went on to flag the power company over its inability to earn a profit as contained in the license. GPL presented its Development and Expansion Five Year Programme 2018-2022 to

reservations that this debt may prove unsustainability for the company.

“The seemingly inability of the company to earn a profit as contained in the license, ultimately limits the company’s liquidity and creates un-certainty in planning. This is evidenced by repeated failures

the PUC last November, detailing, among other things, that it is projecting an accumulated operating loss of some $21 billion.

The PUC said it is “disquieting” that the power company intends to rely on debt capital to fund its operations during this period. This, it noted, will trigger a significant increase in GPL’s liabilities at the end of the programme. The Commission also expressed

of the company to achieve its planned deliverables in its successive five-year rolling Development and Expansion programmes,” the report outlined.

Among these deliverables, in its five-year plan is the on-going programme to install approximately 85,000 Advance Meter Infrastructure (AMI) metres, something which the PUC Chair commended GPL for. The AMI metred

No profit

will allow the power company to not only bring an end to manual meter readings, but also reduce meter tampering.

The implementation of the AMI meters commenced in 2014 under the Power Utility Upgrade Program (PUUP). In its five-year Development and Expansion Plan, GPL had projected that in 2018 21,696 AMI meters will be installed nationwide.

However, the Commission reported that this projection fell short as only 14,695 AMI meters were installed last year.

Nevertheless, it was outlined that at the end of the current Development and Expansion programme, the company anticipates that commercial losses— which are losses associated with consumers’ theft of electricity— would be reduced from its current 14.7 per cent at the end of 2017 to 8.22 per cent by the end of 2022. This reduction will be mainly attributable to the installation of the AMI meters.

On the downside, however, technical losses as a result of the distribution of electricity through its transmission systems are antici-

pated to remain at much the same level in 2022 as it was in 2018.

Moreover, the Commission noted GPL, in its five-year plan, budgeted to spend approximately US$30 million in capital works to its transmission and distribution system, and during this period technical losses are anticipated to be reduced from 15.24 per cent in 2018 to 14.81 per cent in 2022.

“The Commission had in its previous annual reports reported on the negative impact, which the financial cost has had, on all stakeholders. The company is urged to review its current technical loss reduction programme to determine whether more financial resources could be allotted into the programme to fast track the reduction of these losses… The significance of cheap energy to the wellbeing of a nation cannot be over emphasised and the Commission urges that there should be meaningful dialogue amongst all stakeholders to bring an end to this impasse and create a new dawn for the company,” the PUC stated in its 2018 annual report.

Meanwhile, one project that would have assisted the Guyana Power and Light to get adequate electricity supply was the Amaila Falls hydropower project, which the coalition Government continually blocked while controlling the National Assembly by a one-seat Opposition majority.

The Norway-funded project, when completed, would have provided 165 megawatts to the National Grid, thus providing cheaper and more reliable power to citizens and businesses.

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thursday, JUly 25, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GLDA monitoring chicken Appeal Court sets aside rape conviction for former cameraman shortage in Guyana …orders retrial

F

T

he Guyana Livestock and Development Authority (GLDA) said that it has received reports of a shortage of chicken in the local market and is monitoring the situation.

In a statement on its Facebook page, the Authority said based on their records, there has been a reduction in the

number of cases of hatching eggs imported when compared to 2018, which perhaps could be attributed for the shortage.

Additionally, some farmers have also been complaining of reduced growth rates and higher mortality, which may be attributed to the reduction of poultry meat on the market.

“The major players in the sector were consulted and assured that the situation would be rectified during the week. This is based on the hatching and grow out time for the chickens. They have also assured that they are able to maintain supply to their major customers,” the statement noted.

Allicock’s visit to...

The representative, Wayne Williams, was expected to be sworn in since December 12, 2018, but this was not done and as a result, the community remains unrepresented.

Guyana Times understands that Williams did not show up at the swearing in ceremony and has never shown interest. As a result, residents have enquired the reason for not replacing Williams, but they have not received a response.

The residents brought this up before the Minister who was not in a position to address the issue.

A resident, who attended Monday’s meeting, said the meeting lacked substance and it appeared as if the Minister visited the community to “show face” and campaign. “The Minister didn’t come with a plan. He had no answers to anything residents inquired about.

He only kept taking notes

and said he will get back to us and he will look into it. Nothing substantial and this was not good enough at all. We waited so long for a meeting and then it turned out to be this. The Minister went to give a campaign speech and only tried to convince the residents that the illegal Government was legal because this is mainly what his remarks were about,” the resident said.

Residents of Matthew’s Ridge earlier this week accused the coalition Government of neglect, noting that prior to the elections, it has made countless promises to them in return for their votes, but four years after, they are yet to see any of those promises fulfilled.

Residents of Matthew’s Ridge outlined a number of issues that continue to affect them on a daily basis.

High unemployment rate, land titling issues, lack

FROM PAGE 9

of access to potable water for some residents, lack of proper electricity and discrimination by APNU officials if complaints are levied against them are among the issues the residents complained of.

“They aren’t responding to our concerns. We asking all the time because the residents are suffering. No one remembers Matthew’s Ridge. It appears that we don’t even exist. When we see ministers and so visiting Region One it’s always Mabaruma, Moruca or Port Kaituma and those places but never here. This is unacceptable. The residents are very dissatisfied because we give them a fair chance. We know what we have to do in the upcoming elections,” a resident told the Guyana Times.

They admitted that the Government holds meeting in the community but only for their supporters.

orty-six-year-old Andre Hetsberger, a former cameraman, is now expected to face another trial at the Demerara High Court in relation to rape charges for which he was convicted of in 2016. This ruling was handed down by Appeal Judges Chief Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire, Dawn Gregory, and Rishi Persaud, who on Wednesday set aside the conviction and ordered a retrial.

Hetsberger was found guilty by a mixed 12-member jury after being on trial for the offence before Justice Navindra Singh in 2016.

After the unanimous guilty verdict was delivered, Hetsberger was sentenced to serve 25 years imprisonment for the offence.

Hetsberger, nevertheless, maintained his innocence and filed an appeal.

Attorney Dexter Todd appealed on the grounds that the sentence was severe and the guilty verdict is not in accordance with the evidence, since it (the verdict) could be supported by same.

Andre Hetsberger

As a result of Todd’s arguments, the Appeal Court had now instructed that the matter be set to be heard at the next sitting of the Demerara Assizes at the Demerara High Court on the basis that unfavourable evidence was allowed to be presented throughout the trial.

According to media reports, on October 17, 2014, he allegedly engaged in digital penetration with a 13-year-old. He was also accused of forcing the child to engage in fellatio (oral sex)

with him.

In January of 2015, Hetsberger was charged for the offence and appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He was released on $300,000 bail but was later committed to stand trial at the High Court.

It was until 2016 that Hetsberger was convicted and sentenced for the offence. Hetsberger still remains incarcerated pending an application for High Court bail.

12 news

thursday, JUly 25, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

No bids submitted Fishermen slapped with murder charge to rehabilitate Georgetown zoo F Zeelugt beating-killing

our days after a Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), resident was badly beaten and later succumbed to his injuries, three men were slapped with the capital offence of murder on Wednesday and taken to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Arnold Bruce Kennedy, 19, of Lot 847 Zeelugt, EBE, Tavish Mangra, 19, of Lot 858 Zeelugt, EBE, and Richie Mahase, 26, of Lot 68 Zeelugt, EBE, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The charge alleged that on July 18, 2019 at Zeelugt, EBE, they murdered Alvin, also called “Chuckoloo”.

Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield informed the Court that on July 18, Alvin and the three accused, who are known to each other, had a misunderstanding and got into a heated argument. The Prosecutor told the Court

The three accused after their Court appearance on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts

that the trio armed themselves with cutlasses and dealt Alvin several chops about his body. The injured man was picked up by public-spirited persons and rushed in an unconscious state to the Leonora Cottage

Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Prosecutor Mansfield further indicted to the Court that the Police file is complete, but he is still awaiting the post-mortem results.

The three men were

remanded to prison and their next Court appearance is slated for August 6 at the Leonora Magistrates’ Courts.

Alvin, also called “Chockoloo”, of Lot 820 G Zeelugt North, EBE, along with his brother, Devendra, had visited a relative’s home located in the same village and were reported to have been imbibing alcohol when a short while afterwards, residents in the area said that they heard a loud commotion and rushed to investigate. A resident said that he noticed that three men armed with instruments were beating Devendra, who is presently at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) battling for his life.

The other brother, Alvin, was discovered in a motionless state a short distance away from his injured brother with multiple wounds about his body.

Persons caught dumping garbage will be charged

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The area before it was cleaned ersons caught dumping garbage behind the Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI), Water Street, Georgetown, location— which is home to the John Fernandes Container Wharf— will be prosecuted, Solid Waste Director Walter Narine has said.

The disclosure came on Wednesday following a clean-up campaign at the location which had a pile of garbage.

The exercise, which lasted two hours, saw excava-

tors from the Solid Waste Department, along with a bobcat provided by John Fernandes, being used to remove the garbage which was reportedly dumped by vendors and vagrants.

According to Narine, the department is seeking to regulate the area beginning with the clean-up. However, the area is now expected to be monitored by constabulary officers and anyone caught dumping waste will be arrested and prosecuted.

“We will monitor the area with constabulary and

The cleared area following the clean-up exercise

anyone caught doing that again there, we will prosecute them because I am totally fed up of it,” Narine told Guyana Times.

The garbage at the John Fernandes Container Wharf had piled up over a oneweek period, despite receptacles being placed at the location.

Narine told this publication that person are not using the receptacles but are clearly just dumping the garbage.

He is appealing to the vendors to properly dis-

pose of their waste and forewarned that action will be taken.

“We are appealing to everybody to have at least a receptacle, vendors they are the major problem because many of them do not have receptacles, they have plastic bags and so but in the interim this is our challenge. This is madness, garbage decomposes within a four-hour period, then you have the leaches, it has a lot of dangerous effects on humans and animals,” Narine cautioned.

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he long-awaited and much-anticipated rehabilitation of the Zoological Park may take longer than expected as no contractors expressed interest in the project when it came up on Tuesday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

This was confirmed to Guyana Times on Wednesday by an official from NPTAB. The specifics of the project entail “execution of the rehabilitation of enclosures and exhibits for birds” within the park.

Several notices were published in the newspapers but there was no interest from contractors.

Nevertheless, this would mean that the sections of the zoo, which are long overdue for a facelift, would have to wait longer if the National Parks Commission, under the Department of Environment, Ministry of the Presidency, decides to retender for the works to be conducted.

The zoo has been in quite a state for some time now.

Many were excited by the news of the rehabilitation, which would have hopefully helped to restore it to its former glory.

Former Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, who had the responsibility for Guyana’s tourism, had announced plans to construct a safari-type facility for the remaining animals back in March of this year.

According to

him, the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC) was considering this type of structure for the animals.

Contractors at risk

Meanwhile, only recently the Private Sector Commission (PSC) said that the uncertain footing of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government has put private sector contracts with the State at risk.

The PSC had slammed the behaviour of President David Granger and his Government, who despite being toppled by a NoConfidence Motion, have been criticised for seeming reluctant to go to the polls and comply with the Constitution and Court rulings.

“It is the private sector’s view that the President, by his behaviour, has put at risk all private sector entities and other organisations made subject to contracts and any other action authorised by the Cabinet, by presuming them to be legal. The Private Sector Commission has, therefore, advised its members to seek legal advice in this regard,” the Commission stated.

According to the PSC, the President announcing that Cabinet shall continue to function is “totally unacceptable”, noting that this means that the President is refusing to honour the Constitution of Guyana.

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thursday, JUly 25, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Itaballi-Puruni Road woes

Miners close operations, urge GGMC intervention T

he Itaballi-Puruni Road, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) remains in a deplorable state weeks after miners and other business operators complained of not being able to reach the mining areas to work.

This road, which is the gateway to Guyana’s mining sector, sees thousands of persons traversing on a daily basis to get into various backdams to mine.

The Itaballi-Puruni Road is the main thoroughfare used by persons in accessing the gold mining districts of Puruni Number 3, Cuyuni Number 4, and the Middle Mazaruni area, Region Seven from the Papishou Landing. The Puruni Road runs from the Community of Itabali, Mazaruni River, Lower Mazaruni, to the Papishou Landing, Mazaruni River, and Middle Mazaruni, and is the only entrance and exit to various key sections of Region Seven. This newspaper was told that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has the sole responsibility for the maintenance of this road; however, users say they have been doing an unsatisfactory job.

Gold miner Nicholas Gomes on Wednesday told Guyana Times that because of the deplorable state of the road, he was forced to close his operation and send his workers home. He said that such a tough decision was made as they were unable to get the usual food supplies into the mining camp.

He added that 4x4 vehicles are unable in many instances to pass through the

claimed that millions were spent and by April the road was in an atrocious state all over again. Now it’s three months since we are complaining and the GGMC speechless. The contractor should be sanctioned for ripping people off. We all need to work and live and how can we earn a daily bread when we can’t go to work,” the miner stated.

Efforts to obtain a comment from the GGMC by this publication Wednesday proved unsuccessful as the Engineers Department forwarded all questions to the

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teries.

During the same month, Government announced that a contract was signed for the rehabilitation of the Puruni Road after weeks of public outcry from miners and other stakeholders. The contract facilitated the rehabilitation and construction of the Itabali to Puruni Road surface.

Miners and business operators who were forced to halt their operations pointed out that the road has been neglected and deteriorated to this state over the past few months.

Death at Suddie Public Hospital

Essequibo Coast teen died from blood poisoning – PME The deteriorated state of the Itaballi-Puruni Road, which miners are forced to traverse in seeking their livelihood

huge mud ditches.

He explained that his staff were left without food after the land cruiser he hired to transport the food supplies could not make way into the mining area. He added that the vehicle became stuck in a ditch along the trail and remained there overnight and had to be towed out.

“It’s a very frustrating situation. I have a dredge operation and it’s unfair for persons to be working and you can’t get stuff in in a timely manner and in the event of an emergency you can’t get out of there. It’s really rough because we’re all trying to make a living.

I would really love if the

GGMC can come in here and do some work on this road, grade it a bit or something, this is really unacceptable,” Gomes said.

Another miner told this publication that he too was forced to temporarily close his operation. He called on the GGMC to honour its commitment and commence works on the road.

The miner noted that the multi-million dollar rehabilitation works done in February of this year on the same road lasted less than two months and described the contractor as a “rip off.”

“Earlier this year when the road was impassable, then GGMC stepped in and contracted a firm. They

2 on bail for unlawful wounding Kwakwani Park, Upper Berbice man was granted $30,000 bail by Magistrate Wanda Fortune when he appeared at the Linden Magistrates’ Court to answer to the charge of unlawful wounding.

Patrick Sheckle denied the charge which stated that on Monday July 22, 2019 at Kwakwani Park, Kwakwani, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Makel Williams.

Commissioner, whose secretary said he was unavailable.

In February of this year, a woman died while she was stranded on the deplorable road for two days. The deceased woman, Patricia Joseph, known as ‘Patsy’ of West Indies Housing Scheme, Bartica, was heading into the Puruni Landing where she worked as a cook, when the truck that she was travelling in got stuck inside a ditch.

A post-mortem after the incident revealed that the she died from ruptured ar-

The 27-year-old miner also currently has a pending traffic matter in the Court. Sheckle will return to Court on August 16.

Meanwhile, in the same Court, a 21-year-old construction worker was on Wednesday granted $30,000 bail for unlawful wounding.

Samuel Joe of 24 Chumley Hill, Wismar, Linden, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Joe is accused of un-

lawfully wounding Deon Barkchoi on December 22, 2018 at Section B Christianburg, Wismar.

Joe was represented by Attorney Leslyn Charles, who in a bail application, told the Court that her client has no prior brushes with the law.

The prosecution had no objection to bail. The case will continue on August 5.

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he Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) teen, who succumbed at the Suddie Public Hospital while being treated for pain in his ankle, died as a result of blood poisoning, a Post-Mortem Examination (PME) revealed.

The PME conducted by Dr Nehaul Singh revealed that 14-year-old Rabindra Khagaram of Henrietta, Essequibo, blood became septic. The teen, a former student of the Anna Regina Multilateral School, died on Monday after he was taken to the hospital crying out for pain in his ankle. Reports are Khagaram began complaining of pain in his ankle on Sunday while he was celebrating his 14th birthday.

Reports are the teen started crying out for pain his left

Dead teen: Rabindra Khagaram

ankle and as such, he was taken to the Suddie Public Hospital.

According to relatives, the teen was given an injection and antibiotics. He was sent away and upon arrival at home, he went to bed since he told relatives that he was feeling drowsy. His mother told Guyana Times

that soon after her son woke up, he started to cry out for chest pains and without hesitation, he was rushed back to the hospital. The grieving mother said that her son was seen by another doctor, who administered another injection and prescribed some tablets. At about 02:00h on Monday morning, the mother went to her son’s room to check on his condition but found that his body was extremely cold and he was perspiring heavily.

Again, she took him back to the hospital where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) but took his last breath a few hours later. The grieving mother said that the teen was their eldest son.

The young man leaves to mourn his parents and a brother.

14 News

thursday, JUly 25, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

131 women trafficked for 1st half of 2019

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ome 131 women have been trafficked between January and June 2019.

This was revealed by the Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, who during remarks at the opening of a one-day training session for education personnel on Trafficking in Persons (TIP), said that the victims were from 18 reported cases of TIP. These cases, according to the Minister, stemmed from Regions Two (PomeroonSupenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (DemeraraMahaica) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). He added that sadly, these women were being trafficked mostly for the purpose of smuggling drugs, prostitution, and even forced labour.

The Minister was keen to note that Indigenous persons are more at risk of being trafficked because of their vul-

nerability.

He, nevertheless, added that the risk of human trafficking remains a real concern for all parts of Guyana.

On this note, the importance of the training for education personnel, inclusive of welfare officers and guidance counsellors, was underscored.

The facilitator of the training session, Daniel Griffith, explained the reason for the training of these officers.

“We recognise that anyone can become a victim, including adolescents, hence the need for this training. In essence, this training today will primarily be aimed at equipping guidance counsellors and welfare officers with the working knowledge on Trafficking in Persons, victim identification, assistance and referrals,” Griffith said.

Prosecution

Most victims of human

trafficking, when rescued, often long to meet their families. This urge often gets in the way of prosecution, given that Guyana’s judicial system generally takes a while to handle such cases.

This was pointed out by Ramjattan on the side-lines of the event. He explained, “When the trails come on it’s very difficult. We are trying to have a witness protection thing so that we can keep them in Guyana, but it is very costly because sometimes the cases take years”.

When it comes to dealing with such cases in a timely manner, the subject Minister admitted that the country “needs to step up its game”.

One alternative, he said, is for witnesses to “Skype” their testimonies to aid in prosecuting the perpetrators.

Last year, Guyana recorded 156 cases of TIP, which already does not spell well for the country, with 131 cases already recorded.

The growing phenomena is the second most profitable illegal business in the country, with drugs taking the lead spot.

Just in March, the owner of Love Bar, Savita Persaud, was remanded to prison for unlawfully recruiting and transporting Venezuelans for sexual exploitation.

The defendant was also slapped with two counts of Trafficking in Persons during the same period. Additionally, she was charged with employing a child on a property that sells liquor.

Attorney George Thomas, in a bail submission, told the Court that his client rented the property to the Venezuelans and is innocent of the trafficking accusations.

However, the Prosecutor opposed bail on the grounds of the serious nature, prevalence and the penalty that the offence attracts.

British High Commission begins

consultation on Marine Economies Plan

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he British High Commission in collaboration with a number of local stakeholders commenced consultations on a Marine Economies Plan (MEP), which seeks to tackle the dreadful effects of climate change.

At the simple opening ceremony hosted at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Bel Air, Georgetown, it was pointed out that Guyana is the first country to sign up to create a Marine Economies Plan.

The British Government started this project in 2016 with a commitment to help develop small islands and developing states to build their ‘blue economy’ capacity.

The plan is intended to help locals to better understand the events taking place in the marine sector, given that a vast amount of the population are still ignorant of some basic facts.

One of the main goals of the plan is to better inform mariners on the

making informed choices (and) decisions on what to tell our investors (and) how to deal with them when they come,” Benn said.

He said that far too often, when investors visit Guyana with data acquired privately, locals cannot validate the information.

However, he expressed hope of this being addressed with the Marine Plan.

In his remarks, he said he was well pleased to be part of the activity, given the importance. Along with the other objectives of the

Programme, he outlined some other areas the plan will hopefully address once completed.

Meanwhile, the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory Quinn, noted that the plan aims to identify sectors of the maritime industries that foster sustainable development, and to prepare a tailored action plan to address gaps, overcome obstacles and build capacity to grow those sectors.

In this process, he said it will consider the Government’s short, medium, and long term priorities.

The plan will be developed in accordance with the principles and concepts of the ‘blue economy’, sustainable development goals and the achievement of SGD 14, including climate change impacts and mitigation.

Some of the agencies that participated in the event were the Natural Resources Ministry, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency and the Business Ministry.

In a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency, it was stated that four examinations were conducted during this most recent visit, which lacked any negative indications about the President’s health. As such, he was advised by doctors to return after 90 days for another evaluation.

“The President’s team of medical specialists undertook four investigations and have expressed satisfaction with the results and indeed his recovery process. They have found nothing negative about his state of pres-

ent health and, in keeping with the treatment and monitoring of this type of medical condition, the specialists have proposed that he returns to Cuba after 90 days for another round of evaluation,” the statement said.

On October 30, 2018, the President and First Lady Sandra Granger travelled to Cuba for him to undergo medical tests after he had complained of feeling ill. Days later, he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He has since been receiving treatment for the condition.

From right: Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Trevor Benn; British High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory Quinn and other UK High Commission staff

usage of the waterways. It was explained that large foreign vessels would sail on Guyana’s waterways unaware of the regulations.

Another objective, according to the Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), Trevor Benn, is to address certain issues relating to surveys.

“We have not remapped our country for more than 50 years and it’s having an effect on the data that is available to help us in

President to return to Cuba in 90 days for another medical check-up

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fter undergoing medical evaluation in Cuba earlier this week, President David Granger was advised by his doctors to return in 90 days for a further medical check-up.

The Head of State departed Guyana with First Lady Sandra Granger on Saturday last and returned on Tuesday evening.

He is being treated at the Centro de Investigaciones Medico Quirurgicas (CIMEQ) in Havana, Cuba, for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and healthcare professionals have expressed

President David Granger

satisfaction with his current condition.

New landing equipment for CJIA in 2020

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ith the announcement that the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) is expected to be in full operation, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) has signed a contract with a Canadian firm to supply the airport with new equipment to aid in the landing of aircrafts at the facility.

The contract was signed on Tuesday, the Public Infrastructure Ministry said in a social media post.

The firm, IntelCan, which is based in Montreal, Canadam will be tasked with supplying and installing an upgraded Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) at the CJIA, Timehri, East Bank Demerara by February, 2020.

The ILS is an approach which employs two radio signals that provides a pilot with vertical and horizontal guidance during the landing phase of an aircraft. The localiser (LOC) provides azimuth guidance, while the glideslope (GS) defines the correct vertical descent profile.

The Ministry noted in its post that the upgrade of the runway at the airport will now be boosted further with the modern ILS instrument to enhance the landing capability of aircrafts, which will also alleviate the need for diversions of aircraft in minimal weather conditions.

In addition to the ILS, the aviation systems will also be boosted with a Digital Automatic Terminal Information System (D-ATIS) to provide pilots with real time information on weather and safety.

As of now, this information is provided to pilots by the Air Traffic Controllers without automation.

In the future, the D-ATIS will provide automatic data to the aircraft every hour.

Further, the Ministry said the acquisition of the new Digital Automatic Terminal Information System will align the GCAA with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Global Interoperability Plans, which aims to provide a seamless operation and experience for pilots operating in any part of the world.

On July 12, subject Minister David Patterson told reporters that the CJIA would be in full operation in the coming week.

Calls made to the Minister for an update proved futile. Nonetheless, he had noted during the previous interview that once a warranty is provided for the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system, the airport will be fully operable.

The expansion of the CJIA has been ongoing for a number of years, and while the APNU/AFC Government

has repeatedly blamed the former administration for not including necessary plans in the project during the initial stages, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has stated that the absence of those necessary plans is a deliberate strategy to create opportunities for local contractors.

In 2012, under the PPP/C administration, Guyana secured a US$138 million loan from the China Exim (Export-Import) Bank to fund the expansion and modernisation project, for which the Guyana Government was slated to inject some US$12 million.

The A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC), when in Opposition, had cut the funding the then PPP/C Government had allocated for the expansion project.

When the coalition Government came into power in 2015, the project was put on hold, but after discussions between Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), it was later announced that the project would be continued but a number of downgrades were done to the design.

The extension of works into 2019 comes in disparity to an earlier commitment

by Government, whereby it pledged that the works associated with the expansion would have been completed by the last quarter of 2018.

Upon completion, the CJIA in its downgraded design expansion, is expected to have four air passenger boarding bridges for arrivals and departures, a 450-seat departure area, escalators and elevators, in addition to an extended runway catering for larger categories of aircraft.

In the meantime, the much-anticipated financial audit of the airport expansion project is expected to commence shortly once the Public Infrastructure Ministry supplies certain information to the Auditor General’s Office.

This is according to Auditor General Deodat Sharma, who told Guyana Times during a telephone interview that his office is awaiting word from the subject Ministry as to when the relevant documents will be made available.

This special audit comes in light of a series of calls mounting for a thorough probe into the CJIA expansion project by a wide section of society.

For some time, the Public Infrastructure Ministry has faced questions over the CJIA expansion project’s costs and delayed construction.

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thursday, JUly 25, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Venezuela: Widespread Ramjattan claims constitutional blackouts could be new normal – experts warn article mandating Granger’s …country struggled to restore power after massive Defying CCJ consequential orders

resignation a “fiction”

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rticle 106 (6) of the Constitution of Guyana clearly states that the President and Cabinet must resign after a no-confidence vote, but according to Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, this provision is a “fiction”.

He made this pronouncement during an appearance on radio programme ‘Hot Seat’, hosted by broadcaster Stan Gouveia, alongside People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament Bishop Juan Edghill.

Ramjattan, who is also a lawyer by profession, described Articles 106 (6) and (7) of the Guyana Constitution as “legal fiction” when he was called out by Edghill for not complying with its provisions, that is, for the Government to resign and have elections within three months.

“We’re not going to resign! We are not going to resign because we are still… there’s absolutely nothing in the Constitution that indicates a formal resignation. That was gone through by the CCJ and it was even gone through by the High Court”.

“Announce what?

Because the next article says notwithstanding that resignation, whatever it is, we continue in government.

Who will the President send in his resignation to? I could send my resignation in to the President, but then I stop becoming a Minister that will have any powers whatsoever. So it’s a kind of a legal fiction that is spoken to in that article”.

Ramjattan was hotly debated by Edghill, who stressed that Government cannot use the Doctrine of Necessity argument to remain in government without calling elections after September 18, when they were the ones who created the conditions for the necessity in the first place.

“What needs to be done is for Granger and his Cabinet to do the first thing, resign.

When they resign, they have publicly acknowledged that they intend to comply with the rulings of the CCJ and the Constitution”.

“After their defeat, they became a caretaker government. A caretaker government means the Executive, the Cabinet, is disbanded. It means there can be no approval of new legislations, no amendments to current legislation, no implementation of new policy, no treaties signed, no agreements made, no major

Khemraj Ramjattan

PPP/C MP Juan Edghill

contracts awarded”.

Edghill stressed that Guyana was not in a state of normalcy and that President David Granger needed to lead from the front, act in good faith, and uphold the CCJ rulings and the Constitution of Guyana.

Bharrat Jagdeo wrote President David Granger demanding his resignation.

In the letter, Jagdeo reminded the President that since July 12, 2019, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) delivered its consequential orders in the matters of Zulkficar Mustapha versus the AG and others, Christopher Ram versus the AG and others, Bharrat Jagdeo versus the AG and others and Charandass Persaud versus Compton Reid and others.

He listed several conditions for the President to accede to, including that the President and his Cabinet immediately resign and that the President issue a proclamation dissolving Parliament. He also called for the President to fix a date for the next General and Regional Elections, not beyond September 18, 2019.

Jagdeo reminded the President that CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders had said that when the No-Confidence Motion was passed on December 21, 2019, Article 106 of the Constitution had immediately been activated.

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

Meanwhile, Article 106 (7) states: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election”.

Pressure

Pressure has continued to mount on the Government to comply with the Constitution.

Recently, representatives of the international community had urged the country’s political players to act swiftly and in compliance with the Constitution, as ordered by the CCJ. In a joint statement issued last week, members of the diplomatic community in Guyana, including the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union, stated they have taken note of the CCJ’s pronouncements on July 12.

They said it is important for the rule of law that all invoked actors abide by the CCJ’s ruling and the relevant provisions of the Constitution. The diplomats furthered urged that this adherence be done expeditiously.

“The Caribbean Court of Justice – Guyana’s Supreme Court – has spoken. It is important for the rule of law that all invoked actors abide by its ruling and the relevant provisions of the Constitution. We urge everyone to do so expeditiously,” the diplomats said in the joint communique.

This follows statements issued by the Private Sector Commission (PSC), which also urged compliance with the Court and Constitution.

Dissolving parliament is a necessary step before calling an election. But so far, the President has made no moves to do this.

It was only a few days ago that Opposition Leader

blackout on Monday left millions without power

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i d e s p r e a d electricity outages could become the new normal in Venezuela, experts have warned, as the country struggled to restore power after a massive blackout that left millions without power or access to the Internet.

The Energy Minister, Freddy Brito, said on Tuesday morning that power had been restored in Caracas and at least five states after the outage which the Government blamed on an “electromagnetic attack” at hydroelectric dams in the south of the country. About 80 per cent of Venezuela’s grid is served by hydropower.

But energy analysts were deeply suspicious of Government claims, arguing instead that years of corruption and mismanagement have eroded Venezuela’s energy capacity.

“This blackout is the result of negligent misoperation of the power grid,” said José Aguilar, a Venezuelan energy and risk consultant based in the US. “These will keep happening and it will get worse before it gets better.”

Other analysts express similar incredulity. “It’s hard to believe that it was an electromagnetic attack, when you’ve seen years of theft and corruption in the energy sector,” said Geoff Ramsey, an analyst at the Washington Office on Latin America. “This blackout shows Government doesn’t have the tools to return to normalcy.”

Some supporters of

The lights went out in most of Caracas on Monday (Yuri Cortéz/ AFP/Getty Images photograph)

Nicolás Maduro have claimed that US sanctions aimed at Venezuela’s oil industry have hampered his government’s ability to keep the lights on, but many of those sanctions target individuals accused of corruption.

A wave of nationwide blackouts struck Venezuela in March and helped drive support for Juan Guaidó, the Opposition Leader who is heading a movement to unseat Maduro.

Since taking office in 2013, Maduro has overseen a political and economic crisis without parallel in Latin America’s recent history.

Hyperinflation could reach 10 million per cent this year, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), while shortages in foodstuffs and medicines are commonplace. More than four million people have fled the country, according to the United Nations refugee agency –

the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Guaidó swore himself in as President in January, but although he counts on the backing of the US and dozens of other Western states, he has been unable to force Maduro from power, and public support for his campaign has run into headwinds.

“Popular sentiment goes against politicians that cannot resolve the country’s problems,” said Dimitris Pantoulas, an analyst.

“That goes for the whole political class.”

Guaidó was set to hold a rally on Tuesday morning in Caracas, where he was likely to address the blackouts.

“They tried to hide the tragedy by rationing supplies across the country, but their failure is evident,” Guaidó tweeted on Monday night. “They destroyed the system and they don’t have answers.”(The Guardian)

Russia says world should foster Venezuela talks, not impose agenda

T

he international community should continue fostering dialogue between the Government in Venezuela and the Opposition, but not in order to impose its own agenda, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters during a visit to Havana.

In the joint news conference with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez, Lavrov said Havana and Moscow agreed that Venezuela’s political crisis should be resolved pacifically through dialogue and without foreign interference, in a jibe at the West.

Both countries are staunch allies of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro while most Western powers have recognised Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó as the country’s legitimate leader, arguing that Maduro’s 2018 re-election was fraudulent.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

Talks between the Venezuelan Government and the country’s Opposition are continuing in Barbados, the Foreign Ministry of mediator Norway said late last week in a rare statement about the progress of the discussions. This was the latest round of talks that began in

Norway in May in an effort to resolve the stalemate resulting from Maduro’s disputed re-election.

“Regarding the contacts stimulating direct dialogue between the Government and Opposition – we want these to develop, but again we want to mention that these should strengthen dialogue and not aim to impose” certain results, Lavrov said.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry website on Tuesday cited interviews Lavrov had given in Latin America in which he said the situation in Venezuela was changing for the better.

Moscow had been in touch with Venezuela’s Opposition and told it not to “decide its domestic problems by provoking external interference”, Lavrov was quoted as saying. (Excerpt from Reuters)

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Regional

Lima Group seeks global Cuba dismisses findings pressure on Venezuela's Maduro of 'sonic attack' study

The Lima Group representatives

A

group consisting of a dozen Latin American countries and Canada has said Venezuela's political turmoil is threatening regional peace and global security, and urged the international community to make a "huge effort to re-establish" democracy in the South American country.

The Lima Group on Tuesday began its 15th meeting in Argentina's capital with a message of support for Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó and a request

for democratic elections in Venezuela – a call rejected by President Nicolás Maduro.

"We have to make a great effort to ensure that the restoration of the democratic order in Venezuela is achieved through the call for elections," Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie said during the meeting in Buenos Aires.

Venezuela was thrust into a political impasse six months ago when Guaidó declared himself acting president after branding Maduro a "usurper" because of his "fraudulent"

2018 re-election.

Maduro calls Guaidó a United States-backed puppet seeking to remove him in a coup.

The Lima Group meeting came as Government and Opposition representatives were holding talks in Barbados in an attempt to break the stalemate.

In Buenos Aires, Nestor Popolizio, Peru's Foreign Minister, asked for "urgent and concrete help in the form of international cooperation" to relieve the burden on countries hosting the migrants.

"The crisis is worsening and requires an urgent solution in the form of credible, transparent, free and fair elections," Popolizio said.

A quarter of Venezuela's 30 million people are in need of humanitarian aid, according to the United Nations.

The regional bloc also called on the UN Security Council to discuss Venezuela after the world body's High Commission for Human Rights released a damning report on Maduro's Government. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Chilean lawmakers abolish law requiring Codelco to finance military

C

hilean lawmakers passed a measure on Wednesday abolishing an antiquated, decades-old law under which state-run Codelco, the world’s largest copper miner, helped foot the bill for the country’s military.

The bill establishes a dedicated fund to finance the Chilean armed forces, and beefs up congressional oversight of the use of those funds, according to a statement from Chile’s Congress.

Codelco’s payments to Chilean State coffers will be phased out over a period lasting more than a decade.

The legislation replaces a 1958 law, strengthened during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, that required Codelco to turn over 10 per cent of its export sales to the military.

Centre-right President Sebastian Pinera, who spearheaded the bill and is expected to sign it into law, had said it was “absurd” that the strategic spending of Chile’s armed forces was affected by a fluctuating copper price.

Codelco Chief Executive Nelson Pizarro has said the state miner would be better off without the military

funding requirement.

The top copper producer, which turns over all its profits to the State, needs to invest nearly US$40 billion over 10 years to keep output of the red metal flowing from its aging mines.

Codelco did not immediately comment on passage of the law.

The law requires the miner to continue paying the 10 per cent tax to State coffers “for a period of nine years, gradually falling by 2.5 per cent per year beginning year 10”, the congressional statement said. (Excerpt

G

uatemalan President Jimmy Morales has filed an appeal against a court ruling blocking a deal to reduce the number of asylum seekers reaching the US border.

He said last week's court injunction could damage ties with the US. This comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Guatemalan goods.

The deal with the US would define Guatemala as a "safe third country", and

migrants en route to the US would have to apply for asylum in Guatemala.

Guatemala, as well as its southern neighbours El Salvador and Honduras, has been struggling to curb the flow of people leaving for the United States.

The case of a Salvadorean migrant who drowned alongside his daughter trying to cross the Rio Grande on the US-Mexican border prompted El Salvador's President to say his country had to do more to fix the problems

lished in the Journal of the American Medical Association and was led by professors at the University of Pennsylvania.

Researchers took MRI scans of 44 US diplomats and family members who had been stationed in Cuba and compared them to a control group of healthy volunteers.

The authors said the diplomats showed less white matter which could affect the brain's ability to send messages as well as other changes affecting auditory and spatial functions.

Ragini Verma, one of the

forcing people to leave.

In his Tuesday appeal, Morales argued that the injunction by Guatemala's Constitutional Court was unlawful.

He said there were people in the Central American country interested in damaging its stability.

It was not immediately clear when the appeal would be considered.

Trump took to Twitter to warn that he was considering a series of retaliatory measures, including tariffs or remittance fees.

The Trump Administration has been seeking to curb migration from Central America by introducing new rules over who can claim asylum in the US. The measures, unveiled last week, say migrants who fail to apply for asylum in a country they pass through en route to the US will be ineligible.

Migrants who have been trafficked will be exempt from the ban. (Excerpt from BBC News)

study's co-authors, said the scans had shown "something happened to the brains" of the diplomats.

"Whatever happened was not due to a pre-existing condition, because we test for that," Professor Verma added. "It's not imagined, all I can say is that there is truth to be found."

Late in 2016, staff at the US Embassy in Havana and some of their relatives started complaining about symptoms ranging from dizziness, loss of balance, hearing loss, anxiety and something they described as "cognitive fog".

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Antigua PM says no ban on Toyota vehicle Prime Minister Gaston Browne Wednesday said there would be “no ban” on the importation of the Toyota Vitz motor car after Health Minister Molwyn Joseph said he was urging the Government to do so after describing the vehicle as a “public health issue”.

“There is no ban on Vitz vehicles. The Health Minister expressed concerns about the safety of those vehicles and we recommend caution when driving with speed. Please note however, there will be no such ban on these vehicles,” Browne said in the brief message post-

ed on his official Facebook page.

Joseph has linked the vehicle to a number of serious accidents involving young people, adding “it is a public health problem costing the Government a lot of money to respond.” (CMC)

Thousands of Puerto Ricans abroad return home to join protests

from Reuters)

Guatemalan President seeks to unblock US migration deal

Thousands of migrants cross Guatemala on their way north to the US

C

uba has dismissed the findings of a US academic study which found brain abnormalities in US diplomats who worked in Cuba.

The research follows accusations by the US that Cuba carried out "sonic attacks", after several diplomats complained of unexplained symptoms including dizziness and hearing loss.

The study's authors said brain scans showed the diplomats' symptoms were "not imagined".

But Cuba said the results were unclear.

The study was pub-

The protests have expanded to include demands for an end to corruption and better governance

T

housands of Puerto Ricans who moved to the US main-

land have been watching protests against their Governor from afar for

nearly two weeks.

They have now returned home to demand that Governor Ricardo Rossello step down.

Rossello is at the heart of a scandal over leaked private messages widely condemned as sexist and homophobic.

But the protests have expanded to include demands for an end to corruption and better governance. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

T&T: SDMS Secretary General wins lawsuit against Police

S

anatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) Secretary General Satnarayan Maharaj and the organisation's media company Central Broadcasting Services have won their lawsuit over the refusal of the T&T Police Service (TTPS) to disclose the warrant used to search Radio and TV Jaagriti, in April.

Delivering a 28-page judgement at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain, Wednesday afternoon, High Court Judge Ronnie Boodoosingh upheld the judicial review lawsuit brought by Maharaj and the company.

Boodoosingh ruled that the parties were entitled

to challenge the issue and that the TTPS's decision was unlawful.

"The claimant, acting through its officers, is well entitled to see a copy of a warrant under which its premises were searched," Boodoosingh said.

As part of the decision, Boodoosingh gave Police Commissioner Gary Griffith seven days to provide a copy of the warrant and have the original available for inspection

by Maharaj and the company's lawyers. The TTPS was also ordered to pay the parties' legal costs for bringing the lawsuit.

The warrant was executed after Maharaj made a series of incendiary

statements on his Maha Sabha Strikes Back programme on TV Jaagriti on April 15.

Maharaj claimed that citizens living in Tobago were lazy and labelled the men as rapists.

T h e Telecommunications Authority of T&T (TATT) issued a warning to Maharaj and the company over the comments, which is now being challenged by them in a separate lawsuit.

While no criminal charges have been brought against Maharaj and he suggested that such was inevitable. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

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17

Around the World

Trump was not exonerated by my Europe heatwave: Records tumble in report, Robert Mueller tells Congress Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands

P

resident Donald Trump’s claim that he was “totally exonerated” by special counsel Robert Mueller was rejected

by Mueller in a hearing on Wednesday.

Appearing before Congress, Mueller said he had not exonerated the President of obstruction of justice.

Mueller spent two years investigating alleged collusion between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia.

He concluded that Russia interfered on Trump’s behalf, but he was not able to establish collusion in a crime.

In all, 35 people and three companies were charged by the special counsel on matters relating both directly and indirectly to alleged Russian interference in the

2016 election. No members of the Trump family were charged.

Mueller – a former FBI director – and his team concluded that they were unable to charge the President with a crime, but could not exonerate him either.

Across two Congressional hearings, Mueller repeatedly declined to stray outside of confines of his 448page report, generally giving clipped answers or referring committee members back to the text of his findings.

He appeared at times to struggle with the proceedings, amid convoluted and detailed questioning from House committee members about various parts of his team’s 448-page report.

The questions focused largely on Mueller’s investigation of President Trump and his decision to say he

Special counsel Robert Mueller

could not exonerate the President of obstruction of justice, but Mueller repeatedly stressed the importance of concerns over ongoing Russian interference in US democracy.

“Over the course of my career I have seen a number of challenges to our democracy.

The Russian Government’s effort to interfere in our election is among the most serious,” he said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Boris Johnson overhauls Cabinet on 1st day as PM

B

oris Johnson has given key Cabinet roles to leading Brexiteers after becoming the UK’s new Prime Minister.

Dominic Raab and Priti Patel return to Government as Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary respectively.

Sajid Javid has been named as the new Chancellor as more than half of Theresa May’s old Cabinet, including leadership rival Jeremy Hunt, quit or were sacked.

Earlier, Johnson said the Brexit “doomsters and gloomsters” were wrong and the UK would leave on October 31.

Speaking outside No 10, he said the UK would meet that deadline “no ifs, no buts”, adding: “The buck

stops with me.”

Johnson then turned his attention to a radical overhaul of the Government, with 17 of May’s former senior ministers being axed or stepping down.

Announcing his departure, Foreign Secretary Hunt said he had been offered an alternative role, but had turned it down.

Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt, a leading Brexiteer who is popular across the party, was the most surprising departure.

She has been replaced by Ben Wallace, a former soldier and longstanding ally of Johnson.

Another prominent Brexiteer, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, was also ousted, along with Business Secretary Greg

Clark – a vocal opponent of a no-deal Brexit.

All three supported Hunt in the Tory leadership contest.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds, Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley, Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes, Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright and Communities Secretary James Brokenshire have also gone, along with Chris Grayling, whose record as Transport Secretary was much criticised.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell, who has left his position after four years, joked whether there would be “room” on the backbenches after all the dismissals.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Beachgoers at Zinnowitz on the island of Usedom in the Baltic Sea, northern Germany

B

elgium, Germany and the Netherlands have recorded their highest ever temperatures, in a heatwave searing Western Europe.

The Belgian town of

Kleine Brogel hit 39.9C (102F), the hottest since 1833.

The southern Dutch city of Eindhoven beat the 75-year-old national record, with a new high of 39.3C.

Germany’s weather service said a new record of 40.5C – just 0.2C higher – had been set in Geilenkirchen, near the Belgian and Dutch borders.

The new German record was still to be confirmed, it said, warning that it could get even hotter on Thursday.

Amid the sweltering temperatures, a Eurostar train broke down, trapping passengers.

Elsewhere, French reports suggested five deaths might have been linked to the heatwave.

The highest temperature recorded in Paris – 40.4C in 1947 – is expected to be surpassed on Thursday. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Sudan Army Chief among senior officers arrested in coup plot

S

udan’s military said it has arrested a number of senior officers in connection with the coup attempt earlier this month, the State news agency said.

The military council, which took over the country after overthrowing longtime leader Omar al-Bashir in April, said it arrested at least 16 active and retired military officers over an at-

tempted coup on July 11.

The military “revealed a coup attempt involving General Hashim Abdel Muttalib Ahmed, head of the joint chiefs of staff, and several high-ranking officers from the armed forces and the National Intelligence and Security Service, along with leaders of the Islamic Movement and the National Congress Party”, SUNA said

on Wednesday.

“They have been detained and investigations with them are going on so that they can be tried.”

Talks between the military and Sudan’s pro-democracy movement have dragged out over the final and crucial part of a power-sharing deal for the nation’s transitional period.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

China warns of war in case of move toward Taiwan independence

C

hina warned on Wednesday it was ready for war if there was any move toward Taiwan’s independence, accusing the United States of undermining global stability and denouncing its arms sales to the self-ruled island.

This month, the United States approved sales of weapons requested by Taiwan, including tanks

and Stinger missiles, estimated to be worth US$2.2 billion.

China responded by saying it would impose sanctions on US firms involved in any deals.

Defence Ministry spokesman Wu Qian told a news briefing on a defence white paper, the first like it in several years to outline the military’s strategic concerns, that China would make its

greatest effort for peaceful reunification with Taiwan.

“However, we must firmly point out that seeking Taiwan independence is a dead end,” Wu said.

“If there are people who dare to try to split Taiwan from the country, China’s military will be ready to go to war to firmly safeguard national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity,” he said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Canadian manhunt for teen murder Bangladesh lynchings: Eight killed by suspects spreads across country mobs over false child abduction rumours

A

national manhunt for two teens suspected of murdering three people including an Australian and an American in Northern Canada has the country on edge, with Police from coast to coast issuing warnings and urging people to stay vigilant.

The suspects, Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, both from Port Alberni, British Columbia, were last confirmed to have been seen driving a grey 2011 Toyota RAV4 in northern Saskatchewan, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said.

On Wednesday, the RCMP said a car matching that description was found

Corporal Julie Courchaine, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), speaks to members of the media regarding the search for the suspects, July 24, 2019

on fire on Monday outside Fox Lake Cree Nation, an Indigenous reserve located just over 1000 km (621 miles) north of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

McLeod and Schmegelsky were origi-

nally reported as missing on July 19 when their red and grey Dodge pickup was found in flames near Dease Lake, British Columbia, just 2 kilometres from an as-yet unidentified body.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Bangladesh Police Chief Javed Patwary asked people to ignore false child abduction rumours

E

ight people have been killed in mob attacks in Bangladesh after false rumours about child abductions spread online, Police have said.

The victims were tar-

geted over rumours that human sacrifices were needed to build the Padma Bridge, south of the capital Dhaka.

Rumours claimed children were being beheaded as offerings to the US$3

billion project.

Vigilante groups in turn lynched people they suspected of kidnappings.

None of the victims were involved in child abduction, Police Chief Javed Patwary told reporters in Dhaka.

Taslima Begum, a single mother of two children aged 11 and four, was among the eight people killed. More than 30 people were reportedly attacked over the rumours.

Eight people were arrested over Begum’s murder, and five others are being held in connection with the rumours, according to AFP news agency. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

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thursday, JUly 25, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Be careful what you reveal to others. Someone will use the information you share against you. A personal matter needs to be addressed before you can make a positive move.

Maintain balance and TAURUS integrity, regardless of what (April 20May 20) others do. If you stay calm and focus on what’s important to you, everything else will fall into place. Romance is highlighted.

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Make a domestic or relationship adjustment.

You don’t have to put up with abuse or someone’s bad habits. Do whatever it takes to make your life better.

CANCER

If you want something to happen, it’s up to you to do the legwork. You can make a difference if you put your energy toward a cause or project that matters to you.

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

If you gather information about your heritage, you’ll come across something that intrigues you or provides insight into your personality.

Romance will enrich an intimate relationship.

LIBRA

Draw on your experience to help you make a decision. You’ll have to take action if you want to avoid being put in a position that disrupts your status or reputation.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

Refuse to let the actions of others upset you. Look for the positive in everything, and make choices based on knowledge and experience, not on what others lead you to believe.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

solution for LAST PUBLISHED puzzle AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Channel your energy into your responsibilities, profession or anything that will help you get ahead. Use your experience, charm and wisdom to entice others to see things your way.

Think big, but be moderate when spending money, consuming food and drink or making promises you may not be able to keep. Focus on knowledge, personal growth and health.

The changes you make at home will affect your relationships or possibly go against code. Get your facts straight and your plans approved before you begin.

Refuse to let others’ actions influence you emotionally. If you dwell on what you cannot change, you will miss out on something that you can do to make your life better.

Participate in functions that make a difference in your community or bring someone from your past back into your life. An offer you receive will grab your interest.

thursday, JUly 25, 2019

19

World Cup champions England pulled back down to Earth by Ireland, thanks to Tim Murtagh SCOREBOARD B arely a week after England began enjoying one of the most triumphant days in their international history, they were pulled down to earth by an Ireland side making their first Test appearance at Lord’s.

On the ground where England were crowned World Cup winners, applause quickly turned to gasps as Tim Murtagh claimed the quickest five-for, in terms of deliveries bowled, in the history of Test cricket on this ground.

And if there was any danger that a return to the rhythms of Test cricket could be shown up by the drama of the finish to that World Cup final, it was soon dispelled.

By lunch, England had been bowled out for 85; by tea, Ireland had a lead; by stumps, England’s second innings was underway. No opening Test day in the long history of this grand old ground has produced as many wickets; 18 taken in 1896 was the previous record.

It looked, for all the world, like a batting day. The temperature had exceeded 30 degrees, and barely a cloud could be seen. Yet, this Dukes ball ─ the 2018 version, with its more pronounced seam, will be used in Test cricket this English season keeps bowlers interested; while this surface, surprisingly green as it was, offered further encouragement.

Perhaps most pertinently, the old skills of batting: sound defence, knowledge of which deliveries to leave, and a degree of patience, would appear to be as endangered as the rhino or giant panda. And in Murtagh, Ireland had a bowler with the skills and experience to exploit all those factors.

Murtagh is the sort of cricketer - little more than medium-paced - who has become unfashionable among England selectors. Which is odd, really, as James Anderson has evolved into something not so different. Maintaining an immaculate line and length, Murtagh gained just enough assistance to exploit the fragile techniques of the England top order to earn a place on the Honours’ Board after he had bowled just 44 deliveries.

At one stage, nagging like a tax return, he took four wickets for one run in 11 balls, as England subsided from 36 for 1 to 43 for 7.

It was the first time in history that England had been bowled out in the opening session of a Lord’s Test, but it was also the fourth time in three years that they had lost 10 wickets in a session. The other occasions were in Dhaka (in October 2016), Auckland (in March 2018) and Bridgetown (in January). Before the game in Dhaka, England had not lost 10 wickets in a session since 1938.

This was also the shortest complete Test innings England have ever had (again, in terms of deliveries) at home.

It may leave England captain Joe Root ruing his decision to bat first on winning the toss. Root admitted that at the time he had expected the green surface to offer bowlers some assistance in the first hour, but he had backed his top order to navigate their way through and capitalise after lunch.

He also reasoned that his two spinners Jack Leach was included for his first Test in England may enjoy conditions later in the game.

Certainly, England will have to bat far better the second time around if they are to later enjoy conditions in the game.

While Jason Roy was unfortunate to receive a fine delivery - he was drawn into poking at one that left him down the slope - he had lived dangerously until that point. He was

saved from a leg-before dismissal on five, as Adair had overstepped; and he had survived an inside edge that passed perilously close to the stumps off the same bowler when he was on three.

Joe Denly, playing his first Test in England, had produced a couple of pleasing strokes two cover drives and a clip off his legs ─ but was not entirely convincing either. As the only man in England’s top seven to hit a boundary, he was drawn into another drive, which had seen an edge fly between third slip and gully for another four, before Adair nipped one back to exploit a gap between bat and pad.

And that’s when things grew ugly. Root was trapped leg-before by another delivery that nipped back and exploited his tendency to fall towards the off-side, William Porterfield being rewarded for reviewing the original ‘not out’ decision.

Rory Burns was drawn into prodding at one angled across him, and Jonny Bairstow was bowled as he played across a straight one.

By the time Moeen Ali had edged a tentative push at one angled across him, England’s five World Cup winners had contributed just seven runs between them, and England had lost six wickets for the addition of seven runs in 28 deliveries.

That wicket also gave Murtagh his five-for. In little more than a week, he will be 38 years old, and he bowls at a pace that is a little more than 75 mph, which can appear sedate, but he knows these conditions well. Lord’s has been his home ground for many years, and he has the skill and control to exploit any assistance that may be available.

Ireland took the lead for the loss of just two wickets. And if their openers had been disappointed with the manner of their dismissals: Porterfield pulled a long-hop to mid-wicket; James McCollum played one off his inside edge, Ireland’s innings was given substance by a stand of 87 in 15 overs between Andy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling.

Balbirnie, in particular, timed the ball sweetly in registering Ireland’s quickest half-century to date at Test level (he reached the mark in 56 balls).

But such statistics reflect equally on the quality of bowling. And while Murtagh and co. used the new ball expertly, England’s seamers were, not for the first time, guilty of pitching too short, and failing to make the batsmen play.

That England have any foothold at all in the game is largely due to the post-tea spells of Stuart Broad and Olly Stone. At the interval, Ireland had a lead of 42 with eight wickets in hand, but so well did England bowl immediately afterwards that five wickets fell for the addition of just 17 runs.

Stone, in particular, generated sharp pace and gave notice of skills that could serve England well. Balbirnie was bowled by a beauty - angled in and straightening sharply off the pitch at a speed of 89 mph - before Gary Wilson fenced at a short one.

But once those two were out of the attack, Ireland’s tail was able to stage something of a recovery, and the lead was extended well beyond a hundred. It took the return of Broad and Stone to end things, though not before Murtagh - as uncomplicated with bat as he had been with ball - had thumped four boundaries.

3

England 1st Innings RJ Burns c †Wilson b Murtagh 6 JJ Roy c Stirling b Murtagh 5 JL Denly lbw b Adair 23 JE Root (c) lbw b Adair 2 JM Bairstow † b Murtagh 0 MM Ali c †Wilson b Murtagh 0 CR Woakes lbw b Murtagh 0 SM Curran c McCollum b Rankin 18 SCJ Broad c †Wilson b Rankin 3 OP Stone b Adair 19 MJ Leach not out 1 Extras 8 (lb 5, nb 2, w 1) TOTAL 85 all out (23.4 Overs, RR: 3.59) Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Jason Roy, 2.4 ov), 2-36 (Joe Denly, 9.5 ov), 3-36 (Rory Burns, 10.4 ov), 4-42 (Joe Root, 11.6 ov), 5-42 (Jonny Bairstow, 12.4 ov), 6-42 (Chris Woakes, 12.6 ov), 7-43 (Moeen Ali, 14.2 ov), 8-58 (Stuart Broad, 18.4 ov), 9-67 (Sam Curran, 20.1 ov), 10-85 (Olly Stone, 23.4 ov) BOWLING O M R W TJ Murtagh 9 2 13 5 MR Adair 7.4 1 32 3 SR Thompson 4 1 30 0 WB Rankin 3 1 5 2 Ireland 1st Innings WTS Porterfield (c) c Leach b Curran 14 JA McCollum b Curran 19 A Balbirnie b Stone 55 PR Stirling lbw b Broad 36 KJ O’Brien not out 28 GC Wilson † c Root b Stone 0 SR Thompson b Broad 0 MR Adair b Curran 3 AR McBrine b Broad 11 TJ Murtagh c Burns b Stone 16 WB Rankin b Ali 7 Extras 18 (b 10, lb 6, w 2) TOTAL 207 all out (58.2 Overs, RR: 3.54) Fall of wickets: 1-32 (William Porterfield, 12.1 ov), 2-45 (James McCollum, 18.4 ov), 3-132 (Paul Stirling, 33.3 ov), 4-138 (Andy Balbirnie, 36.1 ov), 5-138 (Gary Wilson, 36.5 ov), 6-141 (Stuart Thompson, 39.1 ov), 7-149 (Mark Adair, 43.1 ov), 8-174 (Andy McBrine, 52.4 ov), 9-195 (Tim Murtagh, 55.3 ov), 10-207 (Boyd Rankin, 58.2 ov) BOWLING O M R W SCJ Broad 19 5 60 3 CR Woakes 10 2 34 0 OP Stone 12 3 29 3 SM Curran 10 3 28 3 MJ Leach 3 0 26 0 MM Ali 4.2 1 14 1 England 2nd Innings MJ Leach not out 0 RJ Burns not out 0 Extras 0 TOTAL 0/0 (1 Overs, RR: 0.0) Yet to bat: JJ Roy, JL Denly, JE Root (c), JM Bairstow †, MM Ali, CR Woakes, SM Curran, SCJ Broad, OP Stone BOWLING O M R W ECON

TJ Murtagh 1 1 0 0 0.00

So, 20 wickets in the day. In years to come, one suspects, people will glance at the scorecard and conclude it was a murky day on a green seamer. There was some assistance, it’s true, and some fine bowling too. But, most of all, there was some pretty feeble batting. (Excerpted from Cricinfo.com)

Friends of DCC chip in to assist national U-19 selectees

P

resident and executives of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) have gathered resources to assist their club members that are selected to the national under 19 side to take part in the Cricket West Indies Regional under 19 tournament which bowls off in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Sunday July 28.

Club captain, Dennis Squires told members of the media that as a club, DCC is very proud of the achievement of having five members selected to represent Guyana at the championships and they have collectively pooled resources to add to the players’ comfort while away on national duties.

Together the club members and friends have organized donations of cricket gears and money that will be distributed to the five selectees that are expected to wing out on Thursday St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Among the corporate companies making contributions are Royal Real Estate and Construction firm, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre and Roger Harper Sports while Vice Presidents Patrick Harding and Lawrence Smith and member Carol Lonke have also chipped in.

The players that are expected to don the national colours are left-arm spinners Daniel Mootoo and Ashmead Nedd, top order batsmen Sachin Singh and Alphius Bookie and

impressive fast medium bowler Qumar Torrington.

Squires thanked the donors for once again assisting the club’s initiative and used the opportunity to wish the players well.

Guyana will begin their quest for a sixth consecutive title on Sunday when they take on hosts the Windward Islands at Arnos Vale Sporting Complex. This year, only 50 overs matches will be contested among the six CWI territorial teams in a round robin format where each team play each other once.

The final round is on August 6.

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thursday, JUly 25, 2019

Aurora Gold Mine Inc bats for RHTY&SC cricket team’s Say No/Say Yes Programme T

he Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC), MS, last Tuesday received a major boost for its highly successful Say No/Say Yes Campaign when the Aurora Gold Mine Inc (AGM) presented the Club with a cheque for $500,000.

This donation, received at a simple presentation ceremony held at the St. Francis Community Developers Training Centre at the Area H Ground on the Corentyne, represents the second year that the Aurora Gold Mine, offshoot of the Canada-based Guyana Goldfield Inc, is supporting the RHTY&SC, Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation.

Under this well-organised programme, the Club targets more than 70,000 Region 6 youths to say no to suicide, drugs, crime, alcohol, tobacco, and pre-marital sex; and yes to education, sports, culture, life, and religion.

The programme is directly managed by the RHTY&SC’s Assistant Secretary, 19-year-old Simon Naidu, with support from the Club’s ten cricket teams and the more than 35 sections. The campaign involves educational scholarships, donations of sporting and educational materials, magazines, youth information booklets, television programmes and commercial posters, educational competitions, sporting tournaments, career fairs, youth inspiration sessions, educational summer camps, cricket academies and rallies among other things.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert

Foster, MS, has said the RHTY&SC is very grateful for the donation, as it would be used for three main projects, as agreed with the sponsors.

Ten youths attending primary and secondary schools would be provided with bicycles in an effort to get them to stay in school. The Club, in 2019, has already assisted dozens of less fortunate students with bicycles under its Patron’s Fund Programme.

distribution to schools across the Region. The main objective is to educate youths that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

The third project would be the hosting of a Youth Inspiration Session for students and young sports persons. The session would be held at the St. Francis Centre and would involve hundreds of school children from across Berbice

RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO receives sponsorship from Delon Brathwaite of AGM Inc in the presence of the other Executives

RHTY&SC Vice President Mark Papannah hands over a gift to Miranda La Rose, Aurora CSR Coordinator

Fifteen hundred Say No to Suicide Posters, featuring the images of RHTY&SC National Youth Players would be published for

when school reopens in September, 2019. A panel of positive role models and inspirational leaders would be invited to speak to the youths.

Windies A fall for 228 ─ Cornwall, Blackwood hit half-centuries ─ India A 70-1 at stumps

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ed by fighting half-centuries from Rahkeem Cornwall and Jermaine Blackwood, West Indies ‘A’ team recorded a score of 228 all out in 66.5 overs on day one of the unofficial 4-Day Test against India ‘A’.

Windies ‘A’ opene r s Montcin Hodge and Jeremy Solozano fell cheaply; Hodge to fast bowler Mohammed Siraj for 16, and Solozano for nine.

Captain Shamarh Brooks scored 12, while Roston Chase scored 25.

After the top order had been blown away, former West Indies Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood and Rahkeem Cornwall postRakheem Cornwall

ed a vital century stand.

Blackwood eventually fell for 53 while Cornwall, mistiming one, fell for 59 from 100 balls.

Jomel Warrican pushed the score over 200 with an unbeaten 21 in the lower o r -

der, as West Indies ‘A’ were blown away for 228.

Left-arm spinner Shabaz Nadeem was the pick of the bowlers, taking 5-62 in 22 impressive overs. Right-arm speedster Mohammed Siraj and leg-spinner Mayank Markande each took two wickets in a collective bowling effort.

In reply, the India ‘A’ openers consolidated their innings, adding 61 runs before Warrican got the breakthrough by snaring Jermain Blackwood

Abhimanyu Easwaran for 28.

India ‘A’ ended the day on 70-1. Priyank Panchal is unbeaten on 31, while Shubman Gill is on nine.

Day two will commence from 9:30h local time in Antigua.

Foster has said that the major problems facing youths in Berbice are lack of job opportunities, suicide, drug abuse, high involvement rate in crime, truancy at the secondary level, and a lack of positive role models to emulate.

In expressing gratitude to the company for its annual support, he made special mention of Senior Manager Peter Benny, CSR Coordinator Ms Miranda La Rose, and Delon Brathwaite. He assured them that the three programmes would be well organised and achieve all of their objectives.

Ms La Rose has said she is well

aware of the RHTY&SC’s record of outstanding service to youths in Berbice, and the effect it has had on them. She committed the company to working along with the Club, and urged the Executives to uphold the high standard they have achieved in the past. She also expressed confidence that the three programmes would be successful.

RHTY&SC Vice President Mark Papannah gave a special gift to Ms La Rose on behalf of the Club, MS, along with a Certificate of Appreciation.

Gudakesh Motie lone Guyanese in CWI spin-bowling camp

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ricket West Indies (CWI) is investing in two regional spin- bowling camps in which the services of legendary former Pakistan leg-spinner and current West Indies spin-bowling coach, Mushtaq Ahmed, would be employed.

This is part of a new coaching investment programme that would focus on improving the skills of those players who are breaking through to elite level cricket, and it follows on the heels of the recent white ball/ T20 skills camp and the red ball skills camps, which were recently held in Antigua.

The two regional spinners’ camps are being held in Antigua & Barbuda and in Trinidad & Tobago. The Antigua camp commenced on July 20th and concludes on July 27th. Players taking part in this camp are: current West Indies ‘A’ squad members Rahkeem Cornwall (Leeward Islands), Roston Chase (Barbados) and Khary Pierre (Trinidad and Tobago); besides Joshua Bishop (Barbados), Gudakesh Motie (Guyana), Keron Cottoy (Windward Islands), Larry Edwards (Windward Islands), Akim Frazer (Jamaica) and Chaim Holder (Barbados).

The Trinidad and Tobago camp would commence on July 29th and conclude on August 3rd. It is exclusively for spinners, and those taking part are Imran Khan, Yannick Cariah, Yannick Ottley, Akeal Hosein and Kissoondath Magram.

Mushtaq Ahmed

These camps have been organised by CWI to assist in the development of regional spinners. Regional coaches have been included in the sessions to assist Mushtaq Ahmed and to develop their coaching skills.

Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, has said: “To have Mushtaq involved in our spin-bowling programmes is invaluable. His past record as a world class player and coach points to someone who can make a tangible contribution to the development of our spinners and the coaches who work with them. We hope this relationship with Mushtaq can be extended beyond the current term, for the benefit of our regional players and coaches.

SpinB o w l i n g Coach Mushtaq Ahmed, in response, has said: “We are looking for spinners (who) can play a role in one-day cricket (by) bowling in the middle overs, while also making the slow bowling bench strength strong.

“So the whole point is not just to focus on national team spin-bowling options, but also (on) domestic cricket, where having improved quality spinners will also help the local batsmen.

“The potential effect here will be (that) when West Indies play in the sub-continent, their batsmen will play spin more confidently, and bowlers will develop wicket-taking skills.

(Excerpted from CWI)

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BCB to host tournaments for Chesney, Whim CC as countywide visits continue ― former BCB President Somwaru to be honoured

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he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) commenced a countywide programme to visit all of its 13 clubs and 3 sub- associations on Wednesday July 10, 2019.

President Hilbert Foster, Vice President Albert Smith, Asst Secretary Ameer Rahaman and Administrator Angela Haniff commenced this project by visiting the Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club and the Port Mourant Cricket Club on Wednesday July 10, and Thursday July 11 respectively.

Foster then visited the Chesney Cricket Club and Whim National Cricket Club on Wednesday July 17 and Thursday July 18, 2019.

The President is expected to visit three other Clubs: Guymine, Mt. Sinai and Mental Hospital, before the end of July, 2019.

During these visits, Foster made known that the objective was to inform Club Members of the achievements made over the last eighteen months, unveil plans for the future, discuss areas of cooperation, and to listen to suggestions from the Clubs on the development of the game.

Foster encouraged members of these clubs to offer constructive criticism and be frank in their assessment of Berbice Cricket.

The Foster-led Berbice Cricket Board has

reportedly raised more than $18 million in cash and kind after taking over a bank account with less than $50,000 inside. Numerous developmental programmes have been launched, and Clubs have been assisted with millions of dollars’ worth of items.

Foster has urged all clubs to invest heavily in development of new cricketing talent, and has pledge BCB’s assistance by providing coaches. He has urged clubs to ensure they increase membership; promote t h e

importance of education and discipline, and get involved in social work to make a positive difference in the lives of youths.

The clubs were informed that the BCB would assist them with balls, water pitchers, scorebooks, cricket T/shirts and youth information booklets. Some clubs would also benefit from donation of bicycles, batting gloves, educational materials, school bags, trophies and medals as the BCB strives to assist its members to fulfill their mandates.

At the Whim National

BCB President Hilbert Foster posed with members of the Whim National Cricket Club

Club, the President was able to solve an internal problem by getting Club members to agree the holding of an Annual General Meeting on Saturday July 27, 2019. The Whim National Cricket Club would also be hosting a four-team cricket tournament co-sponsored by the BCB and the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS. The four teams would be Whim, Tain Block Four, Tamarind Root and Belvedere United.

The Chesney Cricket Club would also host

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Angus Chess Institute chess camp…

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educational materials and batting gloves has already been fulfilled. Members of all of the clubs visited to date have expressed gratitude to the BCB President for his visit, and have praised the outstanding work of the Board.

The clubs are delighted that the BCB is willing to listen to their views and, most importantly, to offer areas of cooperation. Foster has committed to visiting the clubs on a regular basis, and to upholding the high standard the BCB has set.

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a special four-team tournament as a tribute to Chesney resident Mr. D. Somwaru, a former BCB president and umpire. The teams would be Chesney, Topoo, Jai Hind and Albion Open.

Foster has also committed to assisting the Chesney Club with three rolls of fence mesh, so the club could undertake repairs to its ground.

Foster’s commitment to the Rose Hall Canje, Whim and Port Mourant clubs to provide bicycle, school bags,

33rd Annual Sir Garfield Sobers Cricket Tournament…

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The Business School

By Timothy Jaikarran

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he 33rd annual Sir Garfield Sobers Cricket Tournament has seen Sir Everton Weekes’ School of Excellence defeating Alleyne’s High in grand style. However, for the Business School, which represented Guyana in the competition, finishing 15th place was more of a learning experience for the young side.

In a sit-down with Guyana Times Sport, manager of the Business School team, Omesh Dhanram, asked about the team’s performance, said: “It’s been great over the past 3 weeks of competition. We haven’t had the results we have expected. It’s our first year in the competition and our preparations haven’t been (as) tight as (they) should (have) be, due to the weather back home. Our team made use of the resources given to us back home in preparation to come to Barbados. I feel comfortable with my team’s performance, but I’ve highlighted errors and mistakes in the game of the players, so that

they can correct these fault back home.”

The Business School won only two matches in the tourney, and Dhanram noted that at times the School had a range of talent to choose from, and it was tough to find the right 11 at times. However, he said he was highly impressed with the fast bowlers in the tournament.

“I’m impressed with the performance of our fast bowler Chris Harry (for) finishing with 13 wickets in the tournament, with Tatesh also doing well with bat and ball. Improvements were there to be made, we did correct some of our errors, and it brought us victory against Queen’s Park Cricket Club of Trinidad twice,” Dhanram said.

He said he is extremely grateful to the Principal and staff of The Business School for making the journey possible; and reiterated that while the 34th edition of the tournament would be held in 2020, the School would focus on bettering their cricket and returning strong come 2020.

he Angus Chess Institute chess camp commenced on Monday, July 15, at the American University of Peace Studies, located at Lot 135 Sherriff and Fourth Streets Campbellville, Georgetown.

Slated to run until August 7, classes have progressed into the camp’s second week, with students learning many strategies in the game. Classes are being hosted from Monday to Wednesday between the hours of 9am and noon.

The person behind this initiative is Candidate Master (CM) Ronuel Greenidge, rated 1728, who proudly represented Guyana at the 41st Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway during the period August 1st to 14th 2014, where he obtained his CM title.

Greenidge continues to use his platform to train players over the course of his career. Currently Chess Coach for the University of Guyana, Greenidge bagged a total of 11 medals at the University Games in Colombia during the period May 20-26, 2019.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sport, he was asked about the progress thus far, and replied, “The children are learning how the pieces move, rules of the game, how to mate with queen against a lone king, mating a lone king with two rooks, and one rook.

“We will be working on tactics such as double attack and fork, how we start a game, what we are aiming for when we start. In the coming weeks, we will also be focused on the continuation of double attack and fork, pins and endgame concepts.”

Greenidge has said there are many aims involved in this initiative. The first aim is to provide quality training to chess players at all levels. The second aim is to identify chess talents with a desire and drive, so as to help them become titled players (CM, FM, WCM, WFM, WIM).

Greenidge has declared that while he may be teaching the sport, he is still a competitive player with further aspirations.

For additional information, interested individuals are invited to contact CM Ronuel Greenidge on 630-6458 or 657-7543.

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thursday, JUly 25, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

FIH Coach Shiv Jagday returns for Bon Ice-cream Junior Summer Camp F

or the third year in succession, FIH hockey Coach Shiv Jagday is visiting Guyana to run what has become the Bon ice-cream junior hockey camp for under-21 boys and girls from July 21 to 29, 2019. Shiv has been conducting clinics and coaching teams for the past 40 years after learning his hockey in his native India before migrating to Canada as a teenager.

Shiv first visited Guyana in 1988 to conduct a Pan American Hockey Federation coaching course and fell in love with the country. Now that he is semi-retired, Guyana is one of his chosen destinations to visit and conduct clinics. Apart from his clinics in the USA and Canada, Shiv now spends his time in Melbourne, Australia and Punjab India.

Thirty boys and thirty girls, making up the current national under-21 squads will be exposed to Shiv’s clinic which is being held twice per day at the Georgetown Cricket Club.

The schedule includes both theory and practical sessions. In addition, local coaches who work with the junior programs of each club have been invited to participate and observe.

President of the GHB, Philip Fernandes, once a student of Jagday during his early visits, indicated that Shiv brings such a wealth of experience and sound technical knowledge that the young players of Guyana will benefit greatly from this exercise. Fernandes went on to thank ANSA McAL, the distributor for Bon ice-cream, for being supportive of hockey and all sports in general as the company is one of the

Andrews Supermarket on board with Jefford Track and Field Classic X

Albion CC congratulates Bramble on maiden senior team call-up

Andrews Supermarket Supervisor Stacy Burnett (left) handing over the sponsorship to Edison Jefford at the entity's Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt Gardens location

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ndrews Supermarket is the latest entity to join a list of reputable sponsors to offer support for the upcoming Jefford Track and Field Classic X, scheduled for Sunday August 11 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Linden.

The support from Andrews Supermarket will sponsor the Female Javelin event. Each event carries a total purse of $80,000, with the winner carrying home $40,000, second place $25,000 and third place $15,000 along with memorabilia medals.

A total of $2 million will be handed out directly to the athletes in Linden. In addition, the Champion Male and Female athletes will benefit from $25,000 worth in Under Armour sports gear and $25,000 cash, along with trophies. The top three finishers in the schoolboys’ and in the schoolgirls’ 150m will take home hampers and medals.

As it relates to patrons, 10 gate prizes will be up for grabs.

Founder of the Classic, Edison Jefford, indicated that there will be something for everyone at the event this year.

He said he would be sticking to the prize structure, since he has already secured the athletes’ prize monies. He said the athletes will collect their prizes immediately after each event.

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

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

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

local leaders i n supporting activities for the youth of Guyana.

A N S A McAL, the sponsor of the hockey camp, is adding some happiness to Guyana with the introduction of Bon Ice cream to the Guyana Market. Bon Ice Cream is made in the Dominican Republic by Caribbean people for Caribbean People; with real, fresh Caribbean fruits. The range includes Novelties such as Bon Ice Cream Sandwich; Fruit Bars made with real fruits; Popsicles; Fudge Bars and Cream Bars along with mini cups and take home sizes in in a wide variety of flavours.

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he Albion Community Centre Cricket Club has congratulated Anthony Bramble on his selection to the West Indies team for the upcoming India T20 International series.

Bramble, a wicketkeeper for Albion and the Guyana teams, is a prolific player and role model to junior club members who aspire to one day be selected to play for the West Indies.

Bramble was one of the coaches who assisted in delivering the techniques of the game at the Albion Cricket Club’s recently concluded cricket academy. His selection to the West Indies team is another achievement for the Albion C.C., which over the years has produced West Indies players Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Sew Shivnarain, Jonathan Foo, Narsingh Deonarine, Sewnarine Chattergoon, and now Anthony Bramble.

The executive members and players of this club take this opportunity to wish one of their own, Anthony Bramble, many successes in the upcoming T20 International matches, and they pledge their full support throughout his cricketing career.

Bramble has been a consistent member of the Guyana Jaguars team, and is currently a member of the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) squad for the 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The wicket-keeper batsman has 58 First-class matches to his name, 46 List A matches and 12 T20 matches.

This right-hander has scored 2403 runs in First Class cricket at an average of 31.20, with three centuries and 10 half-cen-

Anthony Bramble

turies. He has a high-score of 196*. As a wicket-keeper, he has taken 202 catches and effected 23 stumping in the longer format of the game; while, in List A cricket, he has effected 58 dismissals in 46 matches.

Champion spinner Umroa confident of retaining Regional U-19 title

By Brandon Corlette

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uyana and Berbice Under-19 premier left-arm spinner Kelvin Umroa is confident heading into the 2019 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Under-19 tournament in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Five time defending champions Guyana will begin their 50-over one-day title defence against Windward Islands on Sunday July 28.

Umroa is one of eight players from the 2018 squad returning to St Vincent with this 2019 squad. This squad will shortly be officially announced by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).

Speaking exclusively with this reporter prior to the squad’s departure today, Thursday July 25, Umroa declared that his main objective heading into the tournament is to help his team defend their title successfully.

The left-arm spinner from Albion finished with 31 wickets in the 2019 Handin-Hand Inter-County tournament, which was the most recorded.

Reflecting on that stellar performance, Umroa shared some positive sentiments.

“I think I performed really well in the intercounty tournament, because I was confident coming back from a West Indies Under-19 training camp, where I learned bowling tips and variations from experienced coaches from different countries”.

Umroa is an experienced campaigner and one of four West Indies Under-19 selectees in the Guyana Under-19 team. is aiming to finish the Regional Under-19 tournament as the leading wicket-taker.

“This will give the selectors no doubt to

select me for the World Cup squad”, Umroa noted.

When asked if there is any extra pressure added to his game being a West Indies Under-19 selectee, Umroa replied, “It will not put pressure on me, because, for the past four years, playing for Guyana at the youth level, I've been having really good performances; and this is my last year for junior cricket, and nothing will stop me from performing at my optimum best this year”.

The Guyana Under-19 team recently concluded their training camp, which was carefully conducted by Coach Julian Moore and Andy Ramnarine. During those session, Umroa added that he has been working on some bowling variations, batting and catching techniques, along with fielding and fitness.

Given that Umroa has had the opportunity to play a full three-day and one-day tournament in St Vincent and the Grenadines last year, he is fully aware of the conditions on offer. However, this year’s tournament will be played in only the oneday format.

“The conditions in St Vincent are suitable for spinners, and it will give me the confidence of getting wickets”, Umroa disclosed during an interview with this daily publication. Umroa has been one of the more successful youth players in recent times, and he is provably following the footsteps of his fellow team-mates from Albion: Devandra Bishoo, Verasammy Permaul and Gudakesh Motie, all of whom are spinners who have played for West Indies. On his success journey thus far, Umroa expressed gratitude to his father, his aunt Annie, Uncle Ravi, along with all his team mates and

coaches.

He made s p e c i a l mention of spin trio Motie, Bishoo and Permaul, along with Albion CC

Umroa standing with the three-day intercounty title and his Most Wickets Award at the inter-county

President Vemen Walter, and Mr Outar as persons who played a major role in his blooming cricket career thus far.

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, JUly 25, 2019

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Centurion partners Soesdyke-Coverden NDC commissions with CPL for virtual sports ground in community reality experience ─ $10M+ spent on acquisition, preparation of land

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his year’s biggest party in sport is already looking to be much more exciting than in previous years, as a new attraction is expected to be introduced, which will allow fans to get in the game.

The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will be partnering with Centurion VR Inc. (Centurion) to introduce virtual reality fan experiences at the 2019 tournament which will take place this year from 4 September to 12 October.

Centurion’s ground-breaking virtual reality experience allows you to face bowling from some of the best cricketers in the world giving you the opportunity to hit them for a six or see if you will have your stumps rearranged. The system means users will be facing a virtual version of super quick yorkers and bouncers, or see the ball flying past their outside edge.

Centurion’s product has already proved to be a huge hit internationally, and with Centurion heading to the CPL this year it means fans across the Caribbean can be closer to the action than ever before with the chance to enjoy the world’s best cricket batting simulation during this year’s tournament.

Chris Watson, Head of Marketing for the Hero CPL, said: “At the Caribbean Premier League we have always prided ourselves on being at the forefront of cricketing innovation and also ensuring that those who attend our matches get a world-class experience. The chance for our supporters to be this close to the action is very exciting.”

Ya s s e r Ghanchi, Founder and CEO of Centurion VR Inc., said: “We are delighted to partner with the Caribbean Premier League. Following a very successful consumer activation campaign across India earlier this year, Centurion’s partnership with CPL is an important step in our mission to bring our technology to cricket fans across the world.”

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aving worked industriously for the past four years in order to make the dream of a community playground a reality for residents, council members of the Soesdyke to Coverden Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) are now seeing the fruits of their hard work, as the first community (Soesdyke/Coverden) sports ground was declared open on Sunday.

The simple but significant opening ceremony was held at Latchman Sand Road, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and this event saw NDC Chairman Bhupendra Deokie delivering brief remarks. Unveiling of a plaque to mark the occasion followed.

In a brief interview on Tuesday, Raghunandan Singh, Vice Chairman of the NDC, explained that, the plot of land, then privately owned, was being pursued since 2016, and the council’s team was making efforts to acquire the three and a half acres by purchase, since the NDC had no legal authority over same.

“Mr. Deokie and his sons, along with other business people, developed the ground to a stage where it can accommodate cricket and other sport for many years…the community as a whole never had any official playground, they commenced the negotiation with the proprietor to acquire the plot of land by purchase, and that negotiation went for a while until 2018,”

From left, the Soesdyke Te Huis Te Coverden NDC Chairman, Bhupendra Deokie performing the ribbon cutting exercise

Singh explained.

Singh disclosed that acquisition cost approximately $10 million dollars, and more had to be spent on land preparation, but some of these expenses were absorbed by collaborative business owners.

Singh posited that the newly commissioned ground will benefit the community extensively, especially the youths.

“The ground would bring tremendous economic benefits to the community, because massive tournaments can play there now, because the ground is well prepared even though more works need to be done…it’s a collaborative effort of publicprivate partnership, it will keep the youths occupied in terms of developing their skills in training of whatever sport they want to go into” the Vic-chairman noted. (Leah Hernandez) The unveiled plaque

What is the rationale behind a nonGuyanese Windies A 4-Day team?

─ asks Brandon Corlette

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his is one of the most constant questions being asked by all Guyanese cricket supporters. For the past five seasons, Guyana Jaguars have reigned supreme, not only winning a few matches but winning the Regional 4-Day title for five consecutive years. How does a team win matches and tournaments?

It is simply because the players have been performing exceptional or they have been making significant impact in matches/tournaments. Guyana Jaguars are equipped with those players and yet the current West Indies A 4-Day team that is currently playing England only one Guyana Jaguars player is in the set-up; the Barbadian Raymon Reifer.

From the 2014-2015 Regional 4-Day season, Guyana topped the Points-table year after year, under the captaincy of Leon Johnson won these five-championships.

The likes of Johnson, Anthony Bramble, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Vishal Singh, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Clinton Pestano, and Romario Shepherd should have been constant members given the opportunity at the West Indies A level, especially in the 4-Day format.

It is without doubt that Johnson is the best captain in the Caribbean, but many may say he requires more runs at the Regional level in order to break into the senior team. However, his elite captaincy skills and immense talent with the bat should be given more opportunities

at the West Indies A level. In his past two Regional seasons, Johnson scored 475 runs and 480 runs respectively. He scored one century including a best of 166 and seven half-centuries across both seasons.

Bramble has been ignored by CWI selectors but he has recently earned a callup to the West Indies T20 team but he has never played for West Indies A after finishing the Regional season as the best wicket-keeper batsman. Tagenarine Chanderpaul has also been ignored for the current A series against India.

The young Chanderpaul has shown great temperament in the longer format although his scoring rate has been questioned. In the past two seasons of the Regional 4-Day tournaments, he scored 459 runs and 542 runs. The solid left-hander scored two centuries and four half-centuries across both seasons. Yet he has been ignored, the A team series are not for winning but exposing a wider pool of players for selection to the senior West Indies team.

Are all Guyanese players out of that selection pool?

Another solid batsman that is also seen as a longer format specialist is Vishal Singh. He has not had the best of seasons but he has shown his ability to rebuild a team’s innings. In the 2017/18 season, Singh had 539 runs fol-

lowed by 366 runs in t h e 2018/19 season.

Hemraj has been an impact opening batsman, taking it to opposition early in the innings. He scored 350 runs in the 2018/19 season and 623 runs in 2017/18. The left-handed had an ordinary follow up season but it still should not lead him out of the West Indies A teams.

In addition to the spinners that are taking the wickets for the Guyana Jaguars Shepherd and Pestano have been impressive. Shepherd was included in the limited overs tour but he was not called up for the 4-Day leg of the tour. This area of concern must be addressed and Cricket West Indies should consider these Guyanese for West Indies A matches where they will further earn a spot in the senior team.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

thursday, JUly 25, 2019

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

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What is the rationale behind a non-Guyanese Windies A 4-Day team?

Gudakesh Motie lone

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─ asks Brandon Corlette

Guyanese in CWI Spin Bowling Camp

FIH Coach Shiv Jagday returns for Bon Ice-cream Junior Summer Camp SoesdykeCoverden NDC commissions sports ground in community Page 22 Coach Shiv goes through a demonstration, as the summer camp’s students watch on

....over $10M spent on acquiring, preparation of land

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