Guyana Times, Wednesday, July 17, 2019

App introduced for farmers to market goods

P17 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3987

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wednesday, july 17, 2019

PRICE

Appointment of GECOM Chair

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: RDC house/office for APNU MP

Staff, Councillors “not too pleased” with situation – Reg 8 Chairman P10

Page 3

4 Opposition nominees “not unacceptable” to President

…discussions between Jagdeo, Granger to continue today

Dead: Daniel Hinckson

Injured: Faith Thompson

Abusive relationship ends in murder See story on page 2

Trio who killed Professor jailed for 34 years P8

Residents decry deplorable P15 Herstelling roads One year after commissioning

P17 Sinkhole developed at Kitty roundabout

…as WBD man shoots girlfriend, kills self

Mother gets 20 NY-based democracy centre, years jail for FITUG urge Govt to end charade killing 8-year…call for int’l community to hold APNU/AFC old son accountable CCJ consequential orders

Page 7

Page 10

Probe into UG finances

P7

“Ask UG Council why we withdrew audit request”– Education Minister

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wednesday, JUly 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Abusive relationship ends in murder …as WBD man shoots girlfriend, kills self

A

rocky relationship ended on Tuesday morning when a 24-year-old La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD) man shot his girlfriend to her neck before shooting himself in the head.

Dead is Daniel Hinckson, while his 20-year-old girlfriend Faith Thompson of Lot 39 Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown is battling for her life at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Reports are the shooting occurred at about 10:45h while the couple were locked in a bedroom in the upper flat of the two-storey, wooden house at Norton Street, Georgetown.

This publication was told that the injured woman’s uncle, Justin, with whom she resides, had just returned home and after realising that the couple were locked in the room, demanded that the door be opened but to no avail. He left the home and shortly afterwards he heard two gunshots. He related that Thompson ran out of the room and sprinted out of the house half naked and covered in blood.

The man, in a bid to help his niece, ran into the house in search of a towel to stop the bleeding when he discovered the lifeless body of Hinckson laying in the room

Injured: Faith Thompson

with a pistol in his hand.

Barbara Robinson, a tenant who resides in the lower flat of the same building related that she also heard the gunshots following which she saw Thompson running out of the building.

“When she run out, she deh calling for Justin!

Justin! Come carry me to the hospital, he went back up and he collect a towel for her to wrap herself in and they go to the hospital but before that I hear him calling for Faith to open the door and she was trying to make some excuse and she ain’t opening the door, so he pick up the wood and tell her that I gon’ beat y’all, all two y’all today inside of here…and then I hear the gunshot, so he like he think that the bai shoot the girl and try to escape through the back, so he ran out to the back but it’s not until he went back inside that he realise that he shoot himself in the house,” the woman

recalled.

Thompson and Hinckson reportedly shared a rocky relationship and as a result, the young woman’s mother reportedly sent her to live with her uncle in a bid to escape the abusive man.

However, shortly after the move, Hinckson began visiting her at the new address. Just two weeks ago, however, the now dead man had attacked Thompson which led the young woman getting a restraining order on July 8 against him.

This publication was told by a neighbour that the now dead man had beaten Thompson some weeks ago, which led to a confrontation between him and the young woman’s father.

“They had an incident where he beat her up and he run into this passage way and she and he and she father had a lil exchange, a lil talking but recently he came and he started peeping for the girl,” the woman related.

According to the neighbour, she saw the now dead man in the walkway between her house and the house where the incident occurred on Tuesday. She said that Hinckson was cladded in a grey hoody; however, not knowing who he was at the time, the woman said that she enquired and was told that he was Thompson’s boyfriend.

Sometime after, the

Dead: Daniel Hinckson

woman said that she heard what she thought to be squibs which were followed by screaming.

“I ran out and I saw the young lady half naked with blood on the right side of her neck and she seh that she boyfriend upstairs shot heself,” the woman explained.

When this publication arrived at the scene, a large crowd had gathered as Hinckson’s body was being removed by undertakers. Family members of the young man had also gathered in the yard and some in tears. The Police have since launched an investigation into the incident.

Only a few months ago, a 39-year-old mother of six was hacked to death by her husband during an argument at their Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) home.

The woman, Farida Khayum, was reportedly stabbed several times about her body by the man who later ingested poison.

That incident came on the heels of the death of 37-year-old Zaila Sugrim, a mother of four whose body was found in a shallow grave in her husband’s West Coast Demerara (WCD) home.

The woman went missing for several days after she had left her brother’s Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home to attend her eldest child’s birthday party at her husband’s home. The two had reportedly been separated for a lengthy period.

This publication had reported that the woman left for the Crane house but failed to return home which alarmed family members.

After one day elapsed and there were no signs of

terrogation, the businessman led detectives to an area where he buried the woman.

She had a single gunshot wound to her head and her body was burnt. He has since confessed to shooting the woman, dowsing her with gasoline and setting her on fire. After that, he reportedly dug a hole and buried her body.

It was reported that the couple has been married for the past fifteen years and the relationship was very abusive.

In March 2019, 20-yearold Omawattie Wazi called “Agile” of Lot 33 D Williamsburg, Rose Hall Town, Berbice was struck down by her husband after

The house on Norton Street, Georgetown where the shooting occurred on Tuesday

the missing woman, the Police were contacted and a search was launched.

The Police would have searched several properties of the businessman, Ryan Sugrim, but came up empty-handed. After intense in-

which she was stabbed and chopped to death by the said man. Wazi had moved to her mother’s Williamsburg, Rose Hall Town home after her husband of 14 months became abusive. (Kizzy Coleman)

news

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wednesday, JUly 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Wednesday, July 17 – 05:00h-06:30h and Thursday, July 18 – 05:00h-06:30h.

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High Tide: 16:40h reaching a maximum height of 2.42 metres.

Low Tide: 09:53h and 22:05h reaching minimum heights of 0.67 metre and 0.79 metre.

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Appointment of GECOM Chair

4 Opposition nominees “not unacceptable” to President …discussions between Jagdeo, Granger to continue today

O

nly four of the initial 11 names put forward

by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to be hammered out have been found to be “not unacceptable” by President David Granger for the appointment of a new Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

This was revealed following a near two-hour meeting between the Head of State and Leader of the Opposition on Tuesday evening at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Accompanying the two leaders were PPP’s Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali and Director General at the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon.

A joint statement coming out of the meeting stated, “It was agreed that from the list of five names shortlisted by the working group, four were found not unacceptable to the President”.

This means that those four individuals can make the final list of six nominees and could potentially become the new GECOM chairperson. While neither side opted to divulge information about those names, Guyana Times understands that Conflict Resolution Specialist Lawrence Latchmansingh is among those whom the Head of State found acceptable.

Initially, Jagdeo presented 11 names to be “hammered out” by a working group comprising of representatives from both Government and the Opposition. These 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 McLean, businessman Ramesh Dookhoo, Retired Puisne Judge William Ramlall and Pastor Onesi La Fleur.

However, during those meetings last week, the President’s representatives shortlisted only five of those nominees and went ahead to submit a list of eight names suggested by the Head of State for consideration.

This resulted in a breakdown in those talks after the Government’s side could not say definitively whether those names shortlisted, as well as those suggested by President, are not objectionable to him.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo along with President David Granger, PPP/C’s Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali, and Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon during Tuesday’s meeting

The process was then referred back to the two political leaders.

After several correspondences over the weekend, Granger and Jagdeo finally met on Tuesday. Coming out of that meeting as well, is the two leaders agreeing that the hammering out process will continue today and during that process, the two names suggested by the President, along with others “as may be necessary”, will be further discussed.

These two persons are Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Chair and lawyer Kesaundra Alves and retired High Court Judge Justice Claudette La Bennet.

Following the meeting, Jagdeo read the joint statement to media operatives outside the Ministry of the Presidency and was cautious not to stray away from what was agreed upon during the meeting.

The same position was taken by President Granger, who, at a media briefing immediately after the meeting,

emphasised that his suggestion of names does not impede on the powers given to the Opposition Leader but is in fact consistent with the Caribbean Court of Justice’s (CCJ) encouragement to hammer out the list.

“Please bear in mind that the authority of the Leader of the Opposition under the Constitution to submit a list of six names not unacceptable to the President has not been impaired, has not varied.

Equally, when the President receives that list, he will make a choice,” Granger posited.

The Head of State, who described the meeting as “fruitful”, is optimistic that today’s engagement will make progress in crafting that final list of six names to be submitted to him to select a chairman of the elections body.

“We feel that this process can be brought to an end very quickly... But the list is not complete even though, numerically, we have six names… it’s a question of selecting persons who satisfy the criteria which has been laid down in

the Constitution,” President Granger asserted.

Meanwhile, Harmon assured that the selection of a new GECOM Chair would not be “stretched out” since both leaders have committed to ensuring that the appointment is made in the fastest possible time so as to allow the elections body to proceed with its work, which includes preparing for early elections.

In handing down the Court’s consequential orders last Friday, CCJ President Adrian Saunders highlighted the provisions of Article 106 of the Constitution of Guyana, saying that “their meaning is clear and it is the responsibility of the constitutional actors in Guyana to honour them…the Guyana Elections Commission has that responsibility to conduct elections and GECOM too must abide by the provisions of the Constitution”.

Furthermore, the CCJ President urged that the two political leaders expedite the process to appoint a new GECOM Chair.

“It is now a matter of the greatest public importance that the President and the Leader of the Opposition should, as soon as possible, embark upon and conclude the process of appointing a new GECOM Chairman. This imperative is now of the utmost urgency in light of our decision in the No-Confidence Motion cases that the motion was validly passed, thereby, triggering the need for fresh general elections,” Justice Saunders stated.

Nevertheless, the “hammering out” process is expected to continue between the Government and the Opposition today.

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wednesday, JUly 17, 2019

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

A veiled threat?

T

he Public Security Minister in a recent television program is reported to have said that the government is fully prepared to deal with any civil strife. He was at the time speaking about the rulings and consequential orders of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

As the public security point man, it can be assumed that the Minister is knowledgeable of related national plans, more specifically, those to deal with civil strife. Naturally, one must ask if he is expecting that, and if so, why?

Generally, civil strife emanates from discontent over an issue or issues that affect people at the national level especially when their freedom, rights and livelihoods are on the line, a case in point; the ongoing protests in Hong Kong.

People, like those in Hong Kong, would not accept what they believe to be impositions by the government and will exercise their right to protest to bring awareness to their concerns. In the context of what the CCJ mandated and people’s dissatisfaction over government’s related action or lack thereof, is the Minister’s comment a hint of what’s to come if protest action were to be taken?

Security forces are either instructed to quell protests or protect the right of those involved to do so. Notably, Guyana has a very dark past under the People’s National Congress (PNC) regime from 19641992 with regard to freedom of expression.

During that very oppressive period, dissatisfaction was rife and opposing was met with brutal responses from the security forces and thugs suspected to be loyal to that Party. In the process of exercising their right to oppose, many Guyanese in that period were beaten and jailed.

While protecting their votes from being stolen in the 1973 elections, two young voters, Jagan Ramessar and Bholanauth Parmanand, were shot and killed reportedly by members of the Army who came to remove the ballot boxes. Many others were injured in that incident on July 16 and the two killed revered as the Ballot Box Martyrs.

On July 14, 1979, Jesuit Priest Father Bernard Darke, was killed while photographing a demonstration by members of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), which opposed the PNC government. At the time, some of its leaders were being hauled before the courts in a Police van which the demonstrators followed. They were attacked by an armed gang and in the melee, the Priest was stabbed.

Incidents like those drove fear into the minds of Guyanese who dared standing up to the PNC dictatorship. Despite that, the citizenry felt the urge to raise their voices in opposition to undemocratic practices meted out to them. Presently, the CCJ has ruled that the constitution must be followed with integrity in keeping with the successful passage of the December 21, 2018, no-confidence motion (NCM) which precipitated elections within three months.

While it should have happened as of March 21, 2019, the government bought time in the courts. The CCJ ruling of June 18, 2019, would have mandated such elections by September 18.

It reiterated that the constitution be followed in its July 12, 2019, consequential orders. That includes the appointment of a new Chairman for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

These are issues of the highest national order and, to date, there is no tangible evidence that the government is moving in the direction to honour the constitution. From all appearances, it seems that the President is once again desirous of having a GECOM Chairman of his choice and has even put forward eight names.

He then claimed of wanting the process completed within days and hopes that the Leader of the Opposition concurs. This is in spite not responding to a proposal by the Opposition Leader for both working throughout the last weekend to have the matter resolved.

It therefore seems a ploy by the President to say he is willing to name a Chairman within days given it’s probably one from of his list of eight. Objections by the Opposition Leader would then be seen as delaying the process.

However, the constitution clearly states that the President must chose a Chairman from a list of names submitted only by the Opposition Leader; a stipulation reiterated strongly by the CCJ. The Opposition Leader would therefore be in order to not consider any name suggested by the President. The reality is continuous delay on the part of the President.

The holding of the elections is also dependent on a Chairman being in place at GECOM. With every passing day of deliberate delay, the constitutional timeline gets push further back which seems the unambiguous desire of the government. Leading Diplomats have also urged adherence, expeditiously, to the CCJ ruling and constitutional provisions.

In these circumstances, the people of Guyana have every right to raise their voices in ways enshrined by the constitution, including protests, to bring awareness to the government’s disregard for constitutional processes and the CCJ’s ruling.

Is the Public Security Minister hinting that any such attempts could be deemed as civil strife and would therefore be met by response for which he says preparations are in place? Having been seemingly consumed by the PNC, is the Minister reminding what those responses could be as history reminds?

IMPRESSED! Students and teachers attending a workshop at the Guyana Society for the Blind paid a visit to the Times Media Group complex at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt where they were given a tour of the facilities. Some even expressed their interest in joining the media fraternity to lend their voices to those differently abled persons out there. The group said they were impressed and enthused to get a privileged view of the inner workings of the news world

1973 rigged elections must now be questioned again Dear Editor, The late Malcolm X, a courageous advocate for the rights of Black Americans, once said, “I have more respect for a man who lets me know where he stands, even if he’s wrong, than the one who comes up like an angel and is nothing but a devil”.

Following the defeat of the Granger-led APNU/ AFC Administration on December 21, 2018, by a vote of no-confidence, it is now clear that when it suits the President and the Government to ignore constitutional precepts, it is prepared to do so. On the one hand, the President says he respects the ruling of the CCJ and the Constitution, “As far as I’m concerned, I have always operated within the ambit of the Constitution… I have never gone outside of the Constitution”. But then based on his actions, he is engaging in deliberate tactics to stall the appointment of a new Chairman of GECOM and to further delay elections which should have taken place four months ago.

But regardless of how innocent he thinks he is, or wants us to believe, there are documented evidence of the President’s blatant disregard for our Constitution from the moment the APNU/AFC formed the Government in May of 2015.

Article 226 (1) of the Constitution states: “In the exercise of its functions under the Constitution, a Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority”.

In May 2015, the then

Junior Social Protection Minister Simona Broomes instructed the Secretary of the Public Service Commission that “all interviews and meetings of the Commission are to cease forthwith until further as instructed by His Excellency, the President, David Arthur Granger’s notice”.

This was challenged in the High Court, and Justice Chang ruled that the Public Service Commission, a Commission established by the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, in the exercise of its functions, shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.

The Chief Justice called it a violation of Article 226 of the Constitution of the Cooperative of Guyana and ruled that it is unlawful, null, void and of no legal effect.

Then in June 2016, the President again deliberately violated the Constitution when he instructed Minister of State Joseph Harmon to issue a directive to the Police Service Commission (PSC) in his name, instructing the PSC to halt the police promotions process. This vulgar and authoritarian attempt by the President to trample upon the independence and functional autonomy of the Police Service Commission, a constitutional agency, was again challenged in the High Court.

Again on October 8, 2016, in a public statement released to the press, trade unionist Carvil Duncan said that he was asked by

President David Granger in February of that year, to resign as Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and from other constitutional commissions.

Duncan related that he was invited to meet with the President and the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, and was asked to submit his resignation. Harmon, he said, offered him a suitable financial package for his exit. And during the course of the meeting, Duncan reported that the President said no less than three times, “that he does not want any blood on his carpet”. Having rejected their offer, the Government embarked upon a manifestly unlawful course of action. While certain criminal charges were pending in the Magistrate’s Court against Duncan, the Government decided to trigger a constitutional process to remove him from office. Without a hearing, President Granger set up a ‘kangaroo tribunal’ to remove the embattled trade unionist as Chairman of the Public Service Commission. But by virtue of being Chairman of the PSC, Carvil Duncan was ex-officio, a member of the Judicial Service Commission and the Police Service Commission, institutions created by the Constitution and endowed with the fundamental role and function of guarding against executive abuses.

As Chairman of the PSC, Carvil Duncan enjoyed all these constitutional protections.

It is obvious that this President demonstrates absolute disrespect and disre-

gard for the letter and spirit of the Constitution, and continues to contravene its provisions with impunity.

His unilateral decision to appoint the 84-yearold retired Justice James Patterson, a man with ties to the PNC, as the GECOM Chairman, led to the CCJ ruling that the process of his appointment was flawed. But Granger is determined to stay in power at all costs and is hell-bent on once again unilaterally appointing a new GECOM Chairman with one thing in mind… to rig the next General and Regional Elections whenever it is called. This troubling behaviour evokes memories of Guyana under the dictatorship of the PNC, whose leader David Granger idolises till now.

According to leaked confidential diplomatic cables sent on July 19, 1973, by the US Embassy in Georgetown to US Missions in Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica, expressing amazement at the level of bare-faced, blatant rigging that took place during the 1973 General Election, “In attempting its forecast of this election (Ref A), Embassy had not really expected PNC to abandon all pretence of honest election. In event, however, this is what appears to have happened. Whether out of fear, confusion, inefficiency, exuberance or sheer lack of coordination, rigging does seem to have gotten out of hand.”

“From all reports, ballot boxes were delivered by a variety of means Monday night to Guyana Defence Continued on page 5

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wednesday, JUly 17, 2019

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

President Granger has What is our land policy suspended democracy for the Guyanese people?

Dear Editor, We are a nation held in suspense.

President Granger has accepted that he now heads a caretaker or ‘interim’ Government but refuses to comply with the clear provision that states his Cabinet stands resigned. We are subject to a steady stream of double-speak and transparent ploys to delay or obfuscate the holding of elections on or before September 18, 2019, as required by our Constitution and ensuring unbroken democracy in Guyana.

While David Granger has us suspended in his web, he may want to consider what else is in suspension because of his intransigence.

Local content legislation cannot be passed into law.

Discovery of Oil in commercial quantity was announced on May 21, 2015, the failure to formulate policy and accompanying legislation is unforgivable dereliction of duty to the people of Guyana. I have no

knowledge that any legislation has been prepared for debate. In the absence of laws, Guyanese are reliant on ExxonMobil to be a good actor in this regard.

The Leader of the Opposition has already made it clear that vital Sovereign Wealth legislation was not passed by legitimate means and is of no effect. Such legislation will have to be tabled and debated post-elections, in the new Parliament.

The oil revenue that should flow to the nation’s coffers will also be in suspension. ExxonMobil is cognizant of its mistakes in Equatorial Guinea and Angola, and have committed itself to transparent operations in Guyana. Oil production will not be delayed or suspended; ‘First Oil’ will be produced and sold. Guyana is supposed to receive her share in oil for resale by her own devices; however, with a caretaker or ‘interim’ Government in place, Guyana’s portion of oil will in fact be sold and

the revenues placed in a suspension account. This is not an escrow account held in trust by a third party such as the US Federal Reserve; it is in fact a paper transaction to account for money held in ExxonMobil’s operational account. It will earn no interest and may become subject to US taxation and eventual seizure if the situation persists for a longer period. Even if the money is all there when this period is behind us, time that should be spent kick starting our economy will be lost cannot be recovered.

It may be prudent to ask ExxonMobil to confirm its course of action in the eventuality that “First Oil’ precedes the next General & Regional Election.

President Granger has suspended democracy for now but will find he is hoisted by his own petard in the end, for every rope, no matter how long, ends with a backward jerk into reality.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

1973 rigged elections...

Force (GDF) headquarters in Georgetown where they remained under armed guard for upwards of 10 hours before vote counting began.

PPP evidently succeeded only too well in alarming PNC by its last-minute exhortations to its followers to prevent removal of ballot boxes to three central counting locations. [Evidently], plans to engage in ballot-box stuffing and switching while boxes being delivered, as had apparently been the original intention, were abandoned and stuffing and switching seems to have taken place while the boxes [were] held at GDF headquarters before delivery to three counting locations.”

Readers may recall I had repeatedly demanded that David Granger account for his role in the 1973 seizure of ballot boxes by the GDF which gave the PNC a two-third majority in Parliament. On Election Day 1973, GDF soldiers opened fire at Number 63 Village on the Corentyne, killing 45-year-old Parmanand Bholanauth and wounding several others. Jagan Ramessar, a 17-year-old youth was seriously wounded during the shooting, but instead of taking him to the hospital, the police and

GDF soldiers transported him to the Number 51 Police Station where they refused to provide him with medical attention. He died there after being further physically brutalised by Police and soldiers. This is the same rigged election referred to earlier in one of the leaked diplomatic cables sent by the US Embassy in Georgetown. As such, Granger’s role in the 1973 rigged elections must now be questioned again.

David Granger never fully explained his involvement in the seizure of those ballot boxes although he was at the time a political liaison officer to Forbes Burnham.

In his capacity, how could he not have known of the PNC plans to rig the election?

Surely Burnham would have relied on his support to subvert the army. He later defended the killings of those defenceless civilians by his GDF squaddies in a March 18, 2011, article in the Guyana Chronicle, “Granger endorsed the soldiers’ actions on elections day 1973”.

According to the article, “In 2003, in Chile, Mr Granger presented a paper entitled “Civil Violence, Domestic Terrorism and Internal Security in Guyana, 1953 – 2003”, wherein he referred to the sinking of

from page 4

MV Sun Chapman when 40 African Guyanese were killed as “the most alarming slaughter of the ‘disturbances’ between the period 1953 – 2004.

Yet, nowhere in this work were the beatings, rape and murder of hundreds of innocent Indian Guyanese residing in Wismar ever mentioned. Indians were forced out of their own homes, which were then permanently occupied by the perpetrators; yet this was not considered in Granger’s writing of the history of civil violence in Guyana.

If this is not blatant racism and intellectual dishonesty on the part of Mr Granger then what is?”

Isn’t it ironic that on June 27, 1974, a US diplomatic cable on the Guyana National Service described the then GDF Major David Granger

Dear Editor, I have read the reports of certain executive members and Government officials obtaining substantial acres of land in Guyana. It is the method by which it was so acquired that caused the alarm.

I do not think anyone ought to quarrel or seek mileage of that ownership save and except that they ought to ensure the unfortunate poor are also entitled to lands do receive same.

It is generally forgotten that 83,000 square miles of lands, together with 200 miles radius of sea, make up the Republic of Guyana.

The ancestors of the Africans dug trenches and made dams with whiplashes penniless and were made into chattels yet none of the Government leaders since Independence has seen it fit to give each family 1000 acres of land for their development but they have to crawl, bribe or beg for a simple house lot in vain.

Guyana has no more than 180,000 families at an

average of 5 members per family yet all the regimes of Guyana since Independence cannot bring themselves to give out 180,000 acres of land lawfully at 1000 acres to each such family.

I know of a citizen who captured in excess of 170,000 acres of land once owned

by LIDCO to enrich himself with the cattle thereon yet owing substantial outstanding sum to MMA and Government for arrears of rates and taxes. By divine grace, those leases are now expired.

What sin is there in giving the citizens of this country land to which they should have title and raise money for self-development and make their livelihood for generations to come?

The colonial Government did give large tracts with long leases and grants thereto.

It is a shame that our own citizens, in whose name we pontificate and promise substantial benefits at political meetings by every political party on the hustings,

become the victims of foreign plunder and continue to lead poor, destitute wretched lives as the leaders hitherto poor and powerless now falsely in the citizens’ name ascend to glory and regal splendour whilst these very citizens’ screams and anguish, their supporters, fall on deaf ears.

I ask and plead to correct these unforgivable wrongs by ameliorating the lives of the unfortunate poor and enthusiastic farmers through adequate distribution of substantial acres of land just as the leaders of 60,000 Amerindians continue to enjoy large tracts while descendants of slaves and indenture are denied the same consideration.

What is our land policy for the Guyanese people? Who should possess and work our fertile lands? Oh, citizens please answer.

as having the reputation of being an ideologue and “anti-East Indian racist”?

But the Chronicle article continued, “How can shooting and then allowing two men to bleed to death simply because they demanded that the ballots be counted at the place of polls rather than taken away by the GDF be endorsed as “splendid” and “discretionary” behaviour?

Where was the “discretion” in murdering these two young men for protesting their democratic right to have their votes counted?

What was “really credible” in the army taking the ballot boxes to the GDF base?”

Listening to the rhetoric emanating from David Granger and some of his Ministers, it is obvious they have no intention of obeying the rulings of the CCJ and Article 106 (6) and 106 (7) of our Constitution.

I welcome the joint statement by Western diplomats urging the expeditious ad-

herence to the rule of law and the relevant provisions of the Constitution, but they need to follow this up by inflicting severe personal sanctions such as revocation of visas and the freezing of all foreign bank accounts for “all invoked actors” who seem determined to take this country down the same road as Venezuela, a country led by a dictator, whose corrupt policies have now caused the once oil-rich nation to be bankrupted and lawless. Guyana must never be allowed to return to those dark days under the PNC/ APNU dictatorship.

The consequential orders from the CCJ are as clear as daylight: Articles 106

(6) and 106 (7) have been triggered. The President and his Cabinet must resign but remain as a caretaker Government with diminished powers to provide essential services and to prepare for elections. No more “ministerial outreach” to squander taxpayers’ money on political campaigning; no more borrowing to add to the national debt; and no awarding of major contracts. And above all, elections must be called within three months, that is, by September 18, 2019, period!

Sincerely, Jailall T Kissoon Attorney-at-Law Former PNC MP and Minister

Sincerely, Harry Gill PPP/C Member of Parliament

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wednesday, JUly 17, 2019

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earn about llamas, read up on your favourite skateboard star, or study a stegosaurus. You can do all these things online and then email or text your best friend about it. That’s why the Internet is amazing! But it also has some things you need to watch out for.

Who are you online?

You’re always you, of course. But if you use a smartphone, tablet, or computer to play games and text with friends, you also have an online identity. Games and websites might let you create a profile picture that represents you. It’s fun to dress up that character and maybe give it a sense of style you’d never try at school.

Apps and websites also let you choose your own username. If you want to be known as King_of_Ketchup, that’s your new name. So if you start calling yourself the King of Ketchup, does that mean you really like ketchup? Should you tell your new online friends how much you love ketchup? That’s up to you, but it brings up a good point: How much should you share about your real self online?

You may feel fine telling your best friends about your biggest crush, but what if the whole school could see your poem about your crush’s beautiful eyes? What if strangers could see it?

There are rules about being online, just like there are rules about what you do and say in other places. It’s important you learn the rules so you can play safely online.

Keep your privacy

Anybody who uses the Internet has been asked to sign in, log in, or create a profile. Kids need to check with a parent or grown-up before doing so. Why? This information could be used for reasons you wouldn’t like, like getting a lot of junk email.

Another word about email: If you have your own account, let your mom or dad know before you reply to email that asks for your personal information. Some email looks official, but it’s actually a trick to get your personal info.

Another way to keep your privacy is to choose a screen name or email account name that isn’t your real name.

For instance, instead of “Jack_Smith,” why not choose “Sk8boardKing21”? Only your

Foundation

friends and family will know your code name!

Social media and strangers

Maybe you’re allowed to use your phone to send texts or watch videos. As you get older, you might get interested in social media sites. These usually have a minimum age (13 years), but many kids look at these sites before they’re 13.

Social media sites let you text, share photos, play online games with friends, and tell people as much or as little about yourself as you want. But they also can let you meet strangers. It might seem fun to make new friends, but do not communicate with strangers you meet online. Don’t talk to them, agree to phone them, or email them photos of yourself.

To a kid, this can seem kind of silly.

The writer might seem really nice and tell you how you sound really smart and cute. Unfortunately, kids have been tricked online by people who pretend to be something that they’re not. Someone might lie and say they’re in sixth grade too, when they’re really all grown up. Some kids have found themselves in a dangerous situation when they agreed to meet the mysterious online “friend” in person.

Let your parents know if a stranger emails you, sends a text message, or starts a conversation with you online. A grownup should decide what’s best to do, which may include changing your email address or telling the police. In general, if you’re thinking about creating an account on a social media site, talk with your mom or dad first.

Online bullying

When you’re using the computer, it can be tempting to hide behind a username to play a joke on someone by teasing the person or pretending to be someone else.

Or maybe you’re angry with someone and it’s easier to say something mean if the person doesn’t know it’s you.

Just like in the real world, it’s mean and hurtful to do stuff like that online. Even if you’re only kidding, they might not know that you’re only joking and they might be very hurt or angry by what you said. It’s a lonely feeling when you don’t know who’s messing with you. Is it someone just being funny or does the person really mean it?

Whether they’re strangers or friends,

the rule is: Be kind online. Schools, teachers, and parents are all getting stricter about what is OK or not OK to send as a message on your phone or computer.

Here’s a good test: If you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, don’t say it to the person on the computer. And just like with regular bullying, tell a grownup if you or someone you know is being upset in this way.

Steampunk dragon hunters goggles What you’ll need Fabric or leather, 2 x Polybottle caps, 2 litre PET soda bottle, gold paint (pen), transparent coloured cellophane sweet wrapper, glue, Velcro What to do

Rules to follow

If you’re a kid who likes to have fun and chat with friends online, here’s how you can stay safe and avoid problems: Stick to safer sites. Your parents and teachers can guide you to the best sites for you. Some sites have age restrictions, so you might be tempted to lie about your age. It’s safer to tell the truth and avoid those sites until you’re older.

Guard your passwords. If someone can sign in as you, you have no control over what they do or say. And everyone will think it’s you! So don’t share your passwords with anyone except your parents.

Limit what you share. Never tell a stranger where you live or your phone number. If you’re not sure if you should share something, ask a parent. Remember that anything you put online or post on a site is there forever, even if you try to delete it. If you wouldn’t want your entire class to know or see something, you shouldn’t share it with anyone online, not even your best friends.

Don’t be mean or embarrass other people online. Just like you, there’s a real person attached to that screen name who has feelings too.

Always tell if you see strange or bad online behaviour. Tell an adult right away if someone says something to you that makes you uncomfortable. Also tell an adult if you see anyone bullying or saying strange stuff to other kids.

Be choosy about your online friends.

Some sites let kids make lots of friends with people they don’t know. But online friends are not the same as real in-person friends. Never agree to meet an online friend in person or give out personal information about yourself. It’s dangerous because some people pretend to be kids online but actually are creepy adults.

the rest of the goggles.

5. Follow the instructions on the template sheet for making the lens.

Your lens doesn’t need to be curved, but it really does add a nice touch to the finished goggles if it is. If you don’t have any old soda bottle you can always buy a bottle of soda very cheaply and drink or discard the contents.

1. Measure round the head. You’ll be surprised how big the measurement is. Ideally just wrap the thick fabric or preferably leather strip you are going to use round the head and mark off the length with a permanent marker.

Remember to leave some overlap for the velcro (hook and eye) fixing.

2. Cut out the shape of the goggles from the template sheet and lay it on the fabric or leather at the centre of the strip and draw round it with a marker. Then cut out the shape, including the eye holes, using a strong pair of scissors.

(kidshealth.org)

3. Cut most of the centre from 2 x Polybottle (milk bottle) closures so that you leave a small rim round the edge.

Some closures have a rim inside which is useful to follow as a cutting guide. If your closures don’t, then you’ll need to draw a guide line round with a marker before you start cutting. Take care with sharp knives and only cut soft polythene plastic lids.

4.

Paint both closures with gold paint. You can use spray, gold felt tipped markers or gold paint.

Put them on one side to dry while you make

6. To make the inner coloured filters, cut two circles of boiled sweet wrapper cellophane (or similar) about the same size as the lenses. Check out whether you can see through the sheet by holding it close to your eyes, most candy wrappers and even some crisp bag metalised plastic foils are actually see through if you look up close.

7. Assemble the eye pieces by first sticking the lens inside the golden ring.

To do this, first put some g l u e inside the ring (a). If using glue gun glue, wait a few seconds for it to cool slightly before pressing in the lens as the very hot glue can melt the lens slightly and spoil the look of it. Next put a ring of glue on the goggle strap just round the eye hole (b) and stick the colour filter film to that. Lastly apply some glue to the underside of the ring (c) and stick that to the goggle strip.

8. Using a gold or silver marker, or a paint brush, make a number of small dots along the goggle strip as shown on the template. Alternatively, make up your own pattern.

9. Don’t forget the velcro (hook and eye fastener). Use a self-adhesive version, sew or stick with glue gun glue. Remember that the velcro is stuck to the front of one end and the back of the other end so that the strap lays flat when the velcro is fastened.

(www.dadcando.com)

news

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WEDNESday, JUly 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

CCJ consequential orders

NY-based democracy centre, FITUG urge Govt to end charade …advised to comply with Constitution …call for int’l community to hold APNU/AFC accountable

T

he International Center for Democracy (ICD) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) have become the latest organisations to urge the Government to comply with the Constitution of Guyana and recent Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) rulings.

In a statement on Tuesday, the ICD expressed concern that the appointment of a new Chairman of GECOM is being used as a barrier to timely elections.

According to the group, Guyana’s economic future with oil and gas cannot be derailed by unconstitutionality.

It called on the Government to take its caretaker responsibilities seriously, noting that carrying on as though it's business as usual flies in the face of the CCJ rulings. The ICD, therefore, urged political leaders to come together to resolve Guyana’s burgeoning constitutional crisis.

“A democratic Guyana, with an economy that can benefit enormously from a new oil and gas industry beginning in 2020, can be the model for transforming a developing country. This opportunity can only be squandered by a pathway whereby the Constitution is railroaded. All stakeholders must work diligently to avoid the trajectory Guyana is on at this time,” the group stated.

The New York-based group went on to urge the Caribbean Community, the ABC countries, the Inter American and Caribbean Development Banks and the World Bank to do their part in keeping Guyana on the right path.

The ICD also urged stakeholders, including the international community, to speak out and encourage the Government and the Opposition to ensure Guyana remains within the family of democratic nations.

“Subverting the Constitution is not consistent with a democratic nation and, unfortunately, Guyana is on the pathway of total subver-

President David Granger

sion of its Constitution. Voices must be raised to encourage the stakeholders to be faithful to democratic principles and the Constitution,” the group added.

FITUG

Meanwhile, FITUG also urged the Government to “do the right thing”. According to the workers union, the CCJ rulings are clear and unambiguous. FITUG noted the need for Guyana’s leaders to now act with integrity.

It expressed dismay that based on utterances from persons associated with the coalition, the Government seemed not to have any intent to be compliant. It noted that this does not bode well for the future, considering Guyana is supposed to experience exponential economic growth.

“We must express concern too, having taken account of statements that followed the CCJ ruling emanating from the Government, and more so President David Granger.

Though we felt that the ruling was clear and unambiguous, it appears not to be the case when the Government’s utterances are considered.”

FITUG made it clear that for the Government to do otherwise is to plunge Guyana down a path that reverses previous efforts and struggles for democracy and the rule of law. The umbrella union body noted that even though the ruling was clear and ambiguous to it, the Government appeared to be confused about

its meaning.

“This is disheartening, dismaying and is a worrying state of affairs that calls attention to a disrespect for the rule of law while not upholding our democratic culture and practices. For our Guyanese people, who in the past, struggled for the restoration of democracy and respect for law, this is an unwelcome reversal and one which is not reassuring of blissful times ahead, especially considering that Guyana is expected to be the world leader in economic growth in the coming years.”

The shenanigans and charades, it added, have been pursued for far too long and it is now time that we put Guyana and Guyanese first and be respectful of Guyana’s laws.

“It is in our interest and in the interest of future generations that we bequeath to them a society that is fully observant of democratic practices and respectful of the rule of law.”

These two groups are the latest to put pressure on the Government to respect the Constitution and court rulings, coming on the heels of the advocacy of the parliamentary Opposition, and statements from the diplomatic community and the Private Sector Commission.

Pressure

On Monday the diplomatic community with the exception of Canada put out a joint communique in which it urged the Government to adhere to the consequential orders given by the CCJ. In the joint statement, members of the diplomatic community in Guyana, including the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union, stated that 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 PSC, which not-

ed in a statement that the appointment of a new Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman must be done the right way. The Commission, which is the umbrella body for the business community, warned that President David Granger must not go down the road of another unilateral appointment.

FITUG President Carvil Duncan

Probe into UG finances

“Ask UG council why we withdrew audit request”— Education Minister

Education Minister Nicolette Henry

A

fter requesting that the Audit Office of Guyana (AOG) conduct an audit into the University of Guyana (UG) finances, the Education Ministry mysteriously withdrew its request for the audit.

Now, it is deferring to the UG council when asked for an explanation.

In a brief interview with this publication on Monday, Education Minister Nicolette Henry was asked about the reasons behind the Ministry’s decision to withdraw its request for the audit and was now disinclined to pay the auditor that the AOG procured.

But the Minister referred all questions to UG. “The University of Guyana is managed by a council. I would appreciate if you direct the question to the council so far as its operations are concerned,” she said, adding that the Ministry would be willing to provide any additional clarity.

When the Ministry with-

drew its request, the audit office had heeded widespread calls to continue the exercise anyway. But on Monday, Auditor General Deodat Sharma had revealed in an interview with this publication that the special audit had been stalled until authorities can figure out who will stand the expense involved in conducting the probe.

Initially, the Audit Office of Guyana had contracted an independent company to conduct the much-needed and highly-anticipated audit into UG – in light of allegationsof the mismanagement of funds.

The audit was first ordered by the Education Ministry after a request was made by the two workers’ unions at UG to have such an investigation launched. The Ministry was going to stand the expense associated with the investigation.

However, this newspaper was told that shortly after the independent company commenced its work into the matter, the Education Ministry withdrew its request for the audit with no explanation given.

Nonetheless, the Audit Office had committed to going ahead with the probe. But according to Auditor General (AG) Deodat Sharma, owing to issues regarding lack of finances, the audit is currently at a standstill.

Less than three weeks ago, AG Sharma had noted that the backlog of years that UG did not complete its audited

Auditor Sharma

General

Deodat

financial statements was a cause for worry.

“The issue [is] UG’s audited [financials] were up to 2017. They’ve now submitted financial statements for 2015. So we still have 16, 17, and 18 due. So until you get those statements and audits up to date, you really can’t do a proper audit, unless you do a special investigation in particular areas”.

Sharma, whose agency audits Government’s public accounts on an annual basis, went on to note the importance of having those accounts up to date up to 2018. He was not convinced about the UG administration’s sincerity in clearing this backlog.

UG’s administration has previously been accused of wanton spending— including hosting several events, standing the expenses of meals and accommodation for guest speakers, as well as hiring select individuals, TURN TO PAGE 8

8 News

WEDNESday, JUly 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Trio who killed Professor jailed for 34 years

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his is a very sad case. Here I have in front of me are three persons who are still children,” Justice Navindra Singh said on Tuesday as he considered suitable sentences for three teenagers who had confessed to killing Professor Pariedeau Mars in 2016.

The three that confessed to the crime are 18-yearold Naomi Adams, 20-yearold Nikkisha Dover, and 19-year-old Orin McCrae.

The convicted trio were represented by Attorneys Mark Conway, Mohammed Ali and Adrian Thompson respectively.

Initially charged for the capital offence of murder, the teenagers recently opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter and their sentencing was deferred to Tuesday for presentation of a probation re-

Violating the Constitution…

Jailed: Orin Mc Crae

Jailed: Naomi Adams

port.

The joint charge read that on May 12, 2016, in the county of Demerara, they killed Pariedeau Mars, also called ‘Perry’, in furtherance of a robbery.

In pleas of mitigation to the Court, each defence counsel asked that Justice Singh consider the fact that their clients were ages 15, 16 and 17 respectively when

“Ask UG Council why... paying them super salaries, and sending large delegations overseas, all on the University’s bill. Former Vice-Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith had always denied those claims.

The University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) have levelled these accusations in particular. The Unions had joined forces to question why monies were allocated in previous budgets to entities which do not exist and what became of those funds.

They had also demanded

FROM PAGE 7

answers from the administration on how much money was spent on nonessential events within the last two and half years — which included, but were not limited to, the Law and Society series, the TurkeyenTain talks, and the ViceChancellor’s installation ceremony.

They had argued that while these monies were being spent, the core units of the University, which include faculties and schools, had been informed that no money is available for essential repairs and payment for stationery, among others.

Dead: Professor Pariedeau Mars

the senseless crime was committed and also that they did not waste the Court’s time and pleaded guilty on first appearances.

Moreover, Attorney Thompson on his client’s behalf (McCrae) specifically highlighted that he has been attending anger management classes during his time spent on remand. Meanwhile, Attorney Conway noted that his client (Adams) has also been attending anger management classes and church services regularly.

However, the prosecution which consisted of State Prosecutors Tuanna Hardy, Teriq Mohammed, and Sarah Martin, contended that the sentences should reflect the nature, gravity, and circumstances in which the crime was committed, since Professor Mars died gruesomely.

As such, Justice Singh, before handing down the sentences, advised each of the convicted teens to use the time being incarcerated to complete their secondary education and prepare

themselves for their release back into society.

Adams, being the first to confess to the crime, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, while her co-accused Dover and McCrae were both sentenced to 12 years each. It was ordered that the prison authorities deduct the years spent on remand from each of the sentences imposed.

Timithy Paul Chance and Andre Benjamin are the two that remain accused of murder and are expected to face trials to determine their fate.

According to Police reports in 2016, 75-year-old Mars, of Bissessar Avenue, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown, was found bound and beaten in his home about 18:30h on May 12, 2016 by his wife. He was subsequently rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Investigations revealed that Dover was known to the now dead professor as she would visit his home. It was further revealed that the said accused confessed to conspiring with McCrae to rob the elderly man as he was home alone on the day of the incident.

A

…is PNC’s norm lot of people are all het up about the way Granger’s shredding the Constitution into confetti. Not your Eyewitness. He’s said it before, but it looks like he’ll have to say it again: to you and the rest of folks who desire to live a civilised existence, the Constitution may be a sacred document – a social contract – but to the PNC, it is just a piece of paper.

Back in the day when the PPP was preparing for independence which the British had promised would be after the 1961 elections, the former were all up in arms about the Constitution the British would foist on them.

Fears of “neo-colonialism” resonated from Robb Street and they had their brilliant young AG, Fenton Ramsahoye, craft a whole new constitution which they were going to propose to the departing Brits. Burnham, who in the meantime had left the PPP, formed the PNC and was plotting with the Brits to stage a “legal” PR coup to overthrow the PPP, announced that he didn’t give a hoot about what constitution the Brits gave him – once he was in power, he’d be able to do whatever the hell he wanted to do!!

And so said; so done!! As soon as he was in fact parachuted into office, Burnham rounded up all the PPP top guns and activists and locked them up at Sibley Hall at Mazaruni Prison! Was that in accordance with the Constitution he’d received from the Brits?? Of course, it wasn’t!! But Burnham declared that the PPP fellas were “terrorists”, plotting to bring down the Government by force!! While walking about the country on his “meet-thepeople” tour spouting platitudes of “Peace, Not Conflict”, he blithely extended the Special Detention Orders in force during the racial riots he’d facilitated to bring down the PPP!!

This set the mould for the PNC in relation with Constitutions and the rule of law, which undergirds it and it explains Granger’s cynical attitude as the latest PNC leader, when it comes to obeying the letter much less the spirit of the Constitution. A la Burnham, he runs around unctuously spouting platitudes about the Constitution being “sacrosanct” and yet feigns ignorance about that document’s specific instruction to hold elections 3 months after a successful NCM!!

Like the feint of “terrorism” with which Burnham subverted the Constitution, Granger is analogously using the ploy of “credible” elections – which he orchestrated with his illegal, unilaterally-appointed GECOM Chair. So what next?? Don’t expect Granger to go quietly into the night – which an election will guarantee.

C’mon Diaspora…petition those Congressmen!! C’mon locals, flood the streets.

Remember it was a call from the White House, elicited

by President Carter, that threw out Hoyte!! …to pick a GECOM Chair As your Eyewitness is diligently pecking away at his keyboard on this piece, the Opposition Leader’s just strolling into the now green-painted Presidential Compound – which he’d occupied for 12 years – to meet Granger on the selection on the next GECOM Chair. Let’s not describe how Granger from the very beginning wanted to have his own man at the helm – the more important question is WHY he wanted that!!

What was so special about Patterson that made him qualified – apart from actually being a judge, which Granger initially insisted was the only qualification necessary? Was he more conversant about bureaucratic matters dealing with fractious factions than, say, Lawrence Latchmansingh, formerly of the UNDP? Of course not!! Was he more familiar with electoral matters than Major General Joe Singh? Of course not!! Joe Singh had actually served as a GECOM Chair – WITH DISTINCTION!!

What Patterson had was loyalty to the PNC!! And this was necessary for fiddling with the elections to ensure they remain in office!! …but also personal beef Some observers have wondered why Granger dissed his fellow Armed Forces colleague Major General Joe Singh for the GECOM Chair. That goes back to President Hoyte passing over the desk-bound Granger for the field-oriented Singh to head the Armed Forces in 1990!!

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

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WEDNESday, JUly 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

10 NEWS

WEDNESday, JUly 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

RDC house/office for APNU MP

Staff, Councillors “not too pleased” with situation – Reg 8 Chairman

C

hairman of Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) Bonaventure Fredericks has acknowledged that A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) party member and Member of Parliament Rajkumarie Bancroft had been given accommodation and office within the Council’s compound despite the displeasure and disagreement by other administrative staff and Councillors of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

During an interview with Guyana Times, Fredericks said that regional officials were asked if MPs could have been accommodated in those regions although they were not residents so as to execute works in those areas. He noted that this position did not go down well with the RDC nevertheless, the then Regional Executive Officer, Rafel Downes, in 2015 went ahead and made the arrangement which is still in place. However, the courtesy was only extended to Government MPs. This decision, Chairman Fredericks said, was taken despite the shortage of living quarters within the region for staff who are unable to gain accommodation at the RDC and have to stay at the regional guest house.

“It is an issue with the other administrators to have

this MP accommodated. That is true that she occupies a place here although she resides in Georgetown. They [staff] are not too comfortable with it because of the shortage of quarters in our region because we have some of the employees that are not in their own quarters but rather at the guest house,” he said.

Further, in response to questions on the work being done by MP Bancroft in the region, he said that she has not had a presence in the region for months now owing to a medical condition. “For the past few months she has not been active in [the] region because she has a physical condition and she is not in the region because of that issue,” he stated.

Meanwhile, it was also highlighted during complaints by Councillors that the Opposition People’s Progressive Party Member of Parliament Pauline Sukhai, who is the regional MP for the Opposition, does not enjoy accommodation or even an office there and is not included or invited to meetings held in that region.

Councillor Davo Ramphal told this publication that the Administration is clearly biased and only caters for its party members and supporters.

The Region Eight Councillors recently accused

Member of Parliament, Rajkumarie Bancroft

the Government of micromanaging and politicising the region’s administrative office. They claimed that the Government Member of Parliament and the People’s National Congress (PNC) office are giving instructions on how the office should be managed and sought into the internal affairs of its operations. Some of these allegations were not denied by Chairman Fredericks.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Councillor Davo Ramphal, during an interview with Guyana Times last week expressed dissatisfaction with the way in which the RDC is being managed.

He alleged that there is gross discrimination, victimisation and political interference ongoing at the RDC. Ramphal disclosed the issue of accommodation for Bancroft, who was mar-

ried to a former Regional Chairman and PNC member Ewart Clarke, that has an office within the RDC and also was provided with a house within the RDC’s compound, although she resides in Georgetown. This, he said, is unfair since some of the Council’s workers are forced to live at the region’s guest house when the accommodation at the Council was intended for their benefit.

Further, Ramphal highlight-

ed that Bancroft was also a Board Member of the Mahdia Power and Light Company’s Board up until last month when MPs were not permitted to form part of any Board.

Additionally, he stated that the Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO), who is also the PNC Chairperson for Region Eight, also has a permanent office at the Council, whereby, his office is supposed to be at Sub-Region One, North

Pakaraimas.

Meanwhile, just recently, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan cautioned those elected to serve on the Regional and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils to remove politics from the management of their respective communities.

He was at the time addressing similar concerns at a community meeting at Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

Mother gets 20 years jail for killing 8-year-old son

J

ustice Navindra Singh on Tuesday imposed a sentence of 20 years, on the mother of eight year-old Emmanuel King, who died at the hands of the said woman that was expected to protect him.

In a heartless act, Sonia King placed a bed sheet over her son’s head and strangled him to death while he was asleep. The mother formerly of Lot 565 Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), confessed to the lesser count of manslaughter at her first court appearance. During this matter, the convicted woman was represented

by Attorney Mark Conway, while the state’s case was presented by prosecutor’s Teriq Mohammed, Tuanna Hardy, and Sarah Martin.

King was slapped with the charge that detailed hat on February 21, 2016, in the county of Demerara, she killed Emmanuel King.

After a probation report was presented in court, Attorney Conway in an effort to provide mitigating factors on behalf of his client, informed the court that King been involved in hairdressing at the prison. He further stat-

ed that she expresses deep regrets for her actions.

Meanwhile, prosecutor Hardy told the court that King’s actions had caused much distraught to the child’s father and other family members, and thus the sentence should reflect that such senseless behaviors are not tolerated in society. Hardy further highlighted that now dead child was very brave as he represented his country at a singing competition in another Caribbean country.

When asked why she committed the crime, King responded to Justice Singh saying, “It’s hurting me, I don’t really know what came over me at that moment”.

Nevertheless, Justice Singh pointed out that there is no excuse for her actions since this was her child.

As Justice Singh handed down the 20 years sentence, the younger King’s father, broke down in tears witnessing the woman he once shared a relationship with, facing the consequences for her actions.

The prison authorities was ordered to deduct the years spent on remand from the given sentence.

Reports are that King ini-

Jailed: Sonia King

tially claimed that the child fell from a guava tree during the afternoon of February 21 after which he retired to bed.

At about 22:00h, the mother had claimed that she went to check on the child but found him in a motionless state.

He was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. However, she later confessed that she killed the child due to frustration, saying that she took a bed sheet and choked the child to death while he was sleeping.

After the incident, King reportedly confessed to her husband to killing the child.

She was arrested after confessing to investigators.

11

WEDNESday, JUly 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

W

elcome to the Guyana Times Housing Special. This twopart Special is dedicated to providing our readers and

interested persons with the current options that they have available to them when it comes to homeownership.

Similar to how we did our Automotive Special, we will

be featuring the best institutions that persons can approach to aid them in their homeownership endeavours from beginning to end.

The inception

of any project, whether it be buying a car or buying a house, is acquiring financing.

While there are persons who would

have the capital upfront to invest in buying or building a home, most Guyanese would have to borrow to obtain the millions necessary to own a home.

This is where the different banking institutions come in. As you peruse our Special, you would see some of the best banks featured that you could approach for that housing loan. The trusted institutions listed are the most popular in Guyana right now and are the ones that will be offering the most competitivelyrated loans.

Provided that you are successful in acquiring the loan to finance your dream home or you have the capital upfront to proceed with the acquisition of same, then the

next step would be to either purchase an already existing home or build from scratch.

If your interest is to buy an already existing home and land, then your best bet would be to go through a reputable real estate agency.

We have some of those listed in our feature.

However, if you are building from scratch, then you would definitely need building materials. Featured are some of the best hardware depots to assist in in this endeavour.

Join us on June 26 for the second part of this Special, where in addition to recapping, we will feature the best businesses that you can use to finish your dream home from landscaping to interior furnishings and electronics.

12 7 no-brainer tips for any new homeowner WEDNESday, JUly 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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ake the stress out of moving house with our seven nobrainer tips to help you prepare, pack, and settle into your new home.

If you’re about to become a new homeowner – congratulations! It may

feel like moving day can’t come soon enough, but now’s the time to start preparing for the big move.

Prep, prep, prep

Never underestimate the time it takes to move house. When it comes

to preparing for moving day, you can’t start early enough… * Collect cardboard boxes of all shapes and sizes, crates, plastic storage boxes and thick bin liners and begin by filling them up, first with items you hardly ever use such as DIY books and the sentimental ornaments you can’t bear to part with. * Cleary label your boxes as you go using

sticky labels and a thick marker pen, to make unpacking easier at the other end. * It’s also worth investing in plastic wrap to protect your furniture during the move. * For the day of the move, you’ll need to pack a suitcase containing all the essentials you’ll need straightaway like a change of clothes, medication and your toothbrush. * And don’t forget

to redirect your mail to your new address.

Buying things for your new home

Don’t get carried away buying things for your new home, until you get in there. We know it’s

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WEDNESday, JUly 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

tempting to purchase the pretty vase you have your eye on, but wouldn’t it be a waste if it doesn’t go with anything?

H o w e v e r you will need to order larger furniture such as a sofa, wardrobe or bed, well in advance, as it can take months for some items to arrive. So you can have your fun, but do take measurements first to avoid feeling disappointed if your lovely new piece of furniture doesn’t fit into the space as well as you thought it would.

Home removals and storage

You won’t realise just how much stuff you have until your life-long

van or better still, book a removal company (well in advance) to move it all for you and carry it all into your new home too. You’ll be glad you did.

There are also a couple of things you can do to make things easier at the other end, such as dismantling large furniture like beds and wardrobes so they’re small enough to fit through your new front door and up the stairs.

And think about where you want to put all of those boxes once you get there. Is there a garage, shed or a spare room? It will help if you can put them all in one space and once you have all of your furniture in place, you can tackle those boxes and start the process of unpacking in your own time.

Keep calm and carry on moving

possessions are packed into boxes – it’s nearly impossible to fit it all into the car. Hire a large

Order takeout on the first night to save you cooking and washing up and consider taking your

pets and children out of the equation by booking a cat/babysitter. After all, it won’t be easy to slide that over-sized wardrobe up the stairs with kids and pets running riot.

The big clean

When you set foot into your lovely new home for the first

Moving is stressful!

Full stop.

So do whatever it takes to lighten the load, keep time, you might get a calm and lessen those shock. You’ll discover inevitable arguments. a massive carpet stain

where there once stood a sofa, years of grease and grime on top of the kitchen cabinetry and even mouse droppings lurking inside! Yes, be prepared for the spring clean of your life and arm yourself with rubber gloves, bin liners, mops, sponges As you start striping and disinfectants galore. wallpaper or paint you might notice a few problems (such as damp Painting, decorating and building work or dodgy plaster). And Once you’re settled even if you’ve had a in, you’ll get to know comprehensive survey your new home better. completed, there could

be all sorts of potential building work you didn’t account for.

Make friends with the neighbours

Make a good first impression by introducing yourself to your new neighbours and let them know if you are planning any noisy building work – it’s only polite.

Enjoy your new home! (Excerpt from idealhome.co.uk)

14 6 smart steps every new homeowner should take WEDNESday, JUly 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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ew things are more exciting than making the leap from being a renter to being a first-time homeowner.

Getting swept up in all the excitement is a wonderful feeling, but some first-time homeowners lose their heads and make mistakes that can jeopardise everything they’ve worked so hard to earn. Following a series of practical steps early in the homeowning experience can save new owners time, money, and effort later down the road.

Don’t overspend to personalise You’ve just handed over a large portion of your life savings for a down payment, closing costs and moving expenses. Money is tight for most first-time homeowners. Not only are their savings depleted, but their monthly expenses are also often higher as well, thanks to the new expenses that come with home ownership, such as water and trash bills, and extra insurance.

Everyone wants to personalise a new home and upgrade what may have been temporary apartment furniture for something nicer, but don’t go on a massive spending spree to improve everything all at once. Just as important as getting your first home is staying in it, and as nice as solid maple kitchen cabinets might be, they aren’t worth jeopardising your new status as a homeowner. Give yourself time to adjust to the expenses of home ownership and rebuild your savings –- the cabinets will still be waiting for you when you can more comfortably afford them.

Don’t ignore important maintenance One of the new expenses that accompany homeownership is making repairs. There’s no landlord to call if your roof is leaking or your toilet is clogged. To look at the positive side, there’s also no rent increase notice taped to your door on a random Friday afternoon.

While you should exercise restraint in purchasing the nonessentials, you shouldn’t neglect any problem that puts you in danger or could get worse over time. Delay can turn a relatively small problem into a much larger and costlier one.

Hire qualified contractors Don’t try to save money by making improvements and repairs yourself that you aren’t qualified to make.

This may seem to contradict the first point slightly, but it really doesn’t. Your home is both the place where you live and an investment. It deserves the same level of care and attention you would give to anything else you value highly.

There’s nothing wrong with painting the walls yourself, but if there’s no wiring for an electric opener in your garage, don’t cut a hole in the wall and start playing with copper wiring. Hiring professionals to do work you don’t know how to do is the best way to keep your home in top condition and avoid injuring – or even killing –yourself.

Also, be sure to check with the local building authority and pull any necessary permits to complete the work.

Get help with your tax return Even if you hate the thought of spending money on an accountant when you normally do your tax returns yourself, and even if you’re already feeling broke from buying that house, hiring an accountant to make sure you complete your return correctly and maximise your refund is a good idea. Homeownership significantly changes most people’s tax situations and the deductions they are eligible to claim.

Just getting your taxes professionally done for one year can give you a template to use in future years if you want to continue doing your taxes yourself.

Keep receipts for improvements When you sell your home, you can use these costs to increase your home’s basis, which can help you to maximise your tax-free earnings on the sale of your home.

Get properly insured

Your mortgage lender requires you not only to purchase homeowners insurance, but also to purchase enough to fully replace the property in the event of a total loss. But that’s not the only insurance coverage you need as a homeowner. If you share your home with anyone who relies on your income to pay the mortgage, you’ll need life insurance with that person named as a beneficiary so that they won’t lose the house if you die unexpectedly. Also, once you own a home, you have more to lose in the event of a lawsuit, so you’ll want to make sure you have excellent car insurance coverage. If you are self-employed as a sole proprietor, you may want to consider forming a corporation for the greater legal protection of your assets.

You may also want to purchase an umbrella policy that picks up where your other policies leave off.

The bottom line

With the great freedom of owning your own home come great responsibilities. You must manage your finances well enough to keep the home and maintain the home’s condition well enough to protect your investment and keep your family safe. Don’t let the excitement of being a new homeowner lead you to bad decisions or oversights that jeopardise your financial or physical security. (Excerpt from investopedia.com)

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wednESday, JUly 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Residents decry deplorable Herstelling roads Silence, non-involvement R are tools that permit and acquiesce with injustice

D

ictatorships are only possible because too many people prefer silence and to pretend it is not their business.

Without any exception, injustices become entrenched in countries where dictatorships are allowed to blossom. Often, people justify their silence in the face of dictatorships as an option to reduce divisiveness, claiming noninvolvement, not speaking out, not taking sides, being neutral, and contributing to healing the nation. It is a cop out. Injustices flourish in the presence of silence; those who choose silence aid and abet dictatorships.

In the face of injustice, in the face of a Government Dr Leslie Ramsammy clearly abrogating the Constitution and the law, blatantly disregarding the Courts, illegally holding on to power— the exact scenario as exists in Guyana today— silence is the ally of the oppressors.

Both silence and non-involvement aid and abet the oppressors to subjugate people and entrench injustices; both promote divisiveness, neither contribute to healing.

The appointment of the GECOM Chair is a matter of importance to every Guyanese citizen. The Constitution provides for a Chairman chosen through a consensual mechanism— the Leader of the Opposition widely consults with civil society and submits six names to the President who chooses one of those persons. The President could actively engage the Leader of the Opposition in removing and adding names, but the list ultimately is one composed by the Leader of the Opposition. One year ago, the President decided he wanted a person totally subservient to him and he appointed such a person arbitrarily, rejecting eighteen names of distinguished Guyanese submitted by the Leader of the Opposition. On June 18, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruled the President acted in breach of the Constitution.

After the ruling, the President promised to comply with the CCJ ruling and with the Constitution. He had a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition on July 4 and announced they had agreed on a process, including informal discussions around the names previously submitted by the Leader of the Opposition. On July 12, he accused the Leader of the Opposition as acting in bad faith by submitting for informal consideration eleven of the previous eighteen names. The President ignored he inappropriately submitted a list of eight names of persons clearly linked politically to the PNC. But he promised he was willing to appoint someone by Monday July 15. In response, the Leader of the Opposition signalled in writing and orally his preparedness to meet anytime during the weekend, even multiple times in a day, so they can come to a consensus. Monday came and went and the President did not convene a single meeting with the Leader of the Opposition.

We must call a spade a spade. Clearly, the President wants his man or his lady to be the Chairman, someone who will act in accordance with his and APNU/AFC/PNC whims and fancies.

This is entirely a strategy designed to, first, delay the elections beyond September 18 and, second, to rig the elections. In the entire sordid affair, the President and APNU/AFC have acted without integrity, with bad faith, and with total arrogance. It is not about taking sides, it is about people raising their voices, about people resisting wrong-doings. Those who remain silent— and there are too many who chose this option— are contributing to the mockery of the CCJ, to the violation of the Constitution, and the rigging of our elections.

The same silence, the same non-involvement, make possible the other breaches of the Constitution. Having been defeated in Parliament since December 21, having lost their futile bid to avoid an election, they claim they respect and honour the rulings of the CCJ, they claim adherence to the sanctity of the Constitution. They disown the role of a caretaker Government, claiming they are an interim Government, with all the powers of a duly-elected Government. The Constitution is clear – Government, in this period, is only engaged in active preparation for an imminent election and in ensuring routine activities like security and paying public servants. Activities like Cabinet meetings, convening parliaments, Cabinet outreaches, etc. are not part of the functions of a caretaker Government. Yet, the Grangerled APNU/AFC and their sycophants, like David Hinds, want everyone to think it is business as usual.

The CCJ made it clear for anyone who might have misconstrued the Constitution. The Government must resign, Cabinet no longer exists, there is a caretaker Government only, and elections must be held on or before September 18. But the Government is acting as if it is oblivious of these obligations. It is acting as a dictatorship, clearly carrying out an overt coup d’état. In the meanwhile, their apologists and sycophants are vigorously spreading hate. The Opposition party and others, mostly ordinary citizens, are fighting this dictatorship. But while many people quietly admit Granger and APNU/AFC are up to no good, determined to entrench a dictatorship, they are silent, claiming they do not want to further polarise our country. Most of the ones who chose silence are good people. But it is these good people who are aiding and abetting injustice in our country.

esidents of Fourth Bridge, Herstelling, New Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD) are calling 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, cannot be used, thus, forcing residents to use alternative and very lengthy routes to get to and from their homes.

This prompted several residents to reach out to Guyana Times. When this publication visited the area, it was observed that several sections of the roads had eroded severely leaving large water ponds throughout.

According to one resident, vehicles are stuck in potholes daily.

“Every single day some vehicle have to be pulled out from one of these holes because the road gone so bad that you can’t even let you try to drive through. Them holes this like river man, watch, we aint lying, tell me how anything can pass here?” the man questioned.

One businessman said that because of the road’s condition, company trucks which supply him with goods for his grocery shop have requested that he find alternative means for getting his items delivered. The man noted that this is costly for him, which is causing

A section of the Herstelling Road which is causing much distress to residents

him to lose profits.

“Now tell me how that could work out for me? I can’t be vex with the people because watch at this here, how in heavens name will any vehicle pass through this? The people got a right to refuse to come in but while they refusing, its putting a strain on me and my business because now I got to find extra gas to make several runs to pick up my goods them on my own, all because we can’t get this road fixed” the businessman lamented.

According to the residents, the area is relatively new and as such to date, the roads have not been properly built.

However, they are calling for the

Public Infrastructure Ministry to have some work carried out in order for the roads to be made useable.

“We aint look for nothing fancy, even if they fill up these hole with bauxite and all right now it would be better because this here can’t work.

We have children going to school, not everybody rich and have money to call taxi. My son does have to use bicycle and sometimes when he come home if you does see he condition. One day he deh trying to pass one of this whole and he fall in…” the man recalled.

The residents are hoping for swift action to be taking to address their woes.

16 news ‘Missing’ 14-year-old girl found at Essequibo Coast bar T wednesday, JUly 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

he missing 14-yearold girl, Jessica Fidel, of Waiakabra on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway— who disappeared without a trace on July 7, 2019— was found alive at a bar at Aurora Village, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Reports are that Police located the teen Monday after acting on a tip off where the teen was found in the company of two women— who operate a bar at Aurora Village.

The teen, who was reunited with her family, was questioned at Timehri Police Station and released into her family’s care. She will also be interviewed by the Welfare Department of the Child Care Protection Agency.

The teen’s family is happy that she was found but believe that she was aided by a person or persons since she had never

travelled anywhere on her own and had never been to Essequibo Coast.

“We are happy that she was found safe. How she got to Essequibo remains a mystery. She isn’t saying much but we believe that she was aided by someone and the Police are investigating the matter,” a relative said.

The Police will be questioning a few persons after welfare officers conclude their report.

The family expressed appreciation to the ranks of the Timehri Police Station and the policing group who exercised patience and assisted in the teen being found.

The teen was reportedly last seen with a male friend from her neighbourhood, who claimed that he only accompanied her to a neighbour’s house on the night she went missing.

A missing person’s report was lodged at the Timehri

S RAIGHT Granger fools the nation yet again?

I Jessica Fidel

Police Station and Kuru Kururu Police Outpost the following day.

A relative of Fidel, who reached out to Guyana Times, stated that the young man was questioned and released but the neighbour

had not been questioned.

The relative stated that they had received certain information as to the girl’s whereabouts and provided the information to the Police in an effort to get them to act on it.

n every society, the reality of decision-making sometimes falls short of the democratic ideal; Guyana is no exception.

However, part of the solution lies in the preservation of a sound, democratic, constitutional framework and full adherence to the rule of law.

But such things do not come easy to politicians who are cultivated in a system that has little grounding in democracy.

Over the last 60 years, a group of the advantaged, middleclass (mainly Georgetown based) men walks around with the perception that they alone have the authority to rule. Let me be clear, this phenomenon happened on all sides of the political spectrum (no side is innocent). However, the PPP has always self-corrected themselves. The PNC, on the other hand, for all intent and purpose seems welded to the Sophia declaration and its anti-democratic mission with mantras such as "the State is but an arm of the Party".

In this miasma of poor leadership, every now and then, the people get tired of this sort of caste oppression and rise up behind a leader. I want to refer to three occasions where such a political development occurred. Firstly, in 1980 before his execution, the people from all groups were prepared to galvanise behind Walter Rodney in the rejection of a Government that was not working for them. This phenomenon happened again in 1992 when the people rallied behind Cheddi Jagan. Again in 2011, the people rallied behind the AFC with its youths. The masses are not asses; they know what they are doing.

Today, after some four years of misrule by this group of “lumpen” bourgeoisie class of advantaged individuals, the people are ready to give them the sack. But the people are being denied their chance to exercise their franchise at the ballot box because this group of mainly septuagenarians and octogenarians who dominate this PNC-led coalition operate as if they have the power to take this nation back to 1976 to force the Sophia Declaration upon them where the State was treated as an arm of the Party.

One only has to observe the statements from Mr David Granger and you shall see this common trend that connects the dots to this march toward 1976. Mr Granger is not stupid, he clearly understands the English language and, therefore, to observe him misread and misinterpret the spirit and intent of the Constitution, especially around Article 106 and Article 161, exposes dangerous characteristics. But Guyanese people are not fools, they are fully aware this is all part of a tactic to confuse and disempower the masses. So expect more untruths and contrived gibberish, as the Granger cabal exposes their devotion to unilateralism and dictatorial rule but none of it will fool the people.

But as I said above, this is not 1976. Social media has facilitated the full exposure of the crooks. More citizens, especially young people, are volunteering to work for democratic improvements, rather than allow this nation to revert back to the dictatorship that it suffered between 1968 and 1992. In spite of all the successes at opposing and exposing the caretaker regime since December 21, 2018, a more coordinated effort needs to be launched by all freedomloving forces on two fronts in particular. One, active noncooperation with the caretaker regime by all Guyanese.

Protecting this democracy is the business of “all Guyanese”, and is not the exclusive preview of any one group or political party.

Secondly, Guyanese, especially those in the diaspora must lobby their political leaders in their jurisdiction to apply urgent economic sanctions on the Granger cabal. This 1-2 knockout punch worked for Guyana in 1992 and it will work again. Only this time, it will be more effectively since it has a new tool in the box to supplement past best practice – social media activism.

The fact remains that GECOM needs a Chairman before an elections can be held. But every day Mr Granger's words become more unreliable. In his last public statement, he said “it is clear that elections have to be held at the shortest possible time and it is crucial to appoint a GECOM Chairman” and then he slid into the “BUT” and reveals his true intent. He even teases the Guyanese people by promising that “this can be done as early as Monday”. But by now, most Guyanese see through his subterfuge and deception. Let us ask ourselves these questions and the answer will expose the deceptive tactics of Mr Granger: 1. Who is responsible for appointing the GECOM Chairman from a list submitted by Mr Jagdeo? Mr Granger 2. Who has been rejecting the names Mr Jagdeo has been submitting for the position of GECOM Chairman on several occasions? Mr Granger 3. Who is stalling on the appointment of the GECOM Chairman? Mr Granger 4. Who is stalling on calling the elections? Mr Granger Let us understand this chain of facts clearly as we deconstruct how Mr Granger continues to attempt to fool the nation. But as the evidence reveals, he is failing at his task.

The facts will reveal that he is in no position to play with the people’s As I said before, this is not 1976!

Pleaseintelligence. share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

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WEDNESday, JUly 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

App introduced for Mayor to change revenue collection method for vendors farmers to market goods

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he Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine is seeking to make revenue collection more relaxed for vendors in the city, as they are uncomfortable with the present method of officers visiting their various booths to collect revenue.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday, the Mayor said this was one of the issues brought up at a recent meeting when vendors met with City Hall officials for a meeting last week.

“We met with all the vendors both wholesale and retailers last week Wednesday.

That meeting was really to talk to them and they had wanted to voice their concerns because they have a lot of concerns out there,” he explained.

Going forward, the Mayor has committed to another meeting to hear from those vendors himself.

So far, those persons have complained about businesses dumping their refuse near their places of business among others.

“Those were the most con-

cerns and how we will regularise the revenue collectors.

Some people do not feel comfortable for someone to go and collect revenue from them just like that so we are working to put a system in place since I took office,” Narine posited.

He assured that his Information Technology (IT) Department has been working tirelessly along with the IT Committee to put provisions in place for those vendors to visit City Hall and pay their monthly dues whereby they will be issued a receipt.

On this note, Narine noted that revenue collection is usually done on a weekly basis, where collectors would pick up these dues and issue receipts.

“I think as the Mayor I don’t want to see that in the future,” he said.

The various markets, on the other hand, has an office where stallholders pay their revenue, in an environment which has been described as safer.

Last year June, a similar method was implemented to

collect revenue at the Bourda Market.

Back then, revenue collectors from the market section would act on behalf of the Council to manoeuvre around the vendors and apply the charges on behalf of the Council and collect the revenues based on what was owed.

However, to enhance the transparency and accountability of this process, this will not be done in the future. A booth was established at Regent Street and Orangewalk, where the system will be modified. Cashiers will be present at the booth while “issuers” and “verifiers” will be dispatched to the vendors.

“An issuer would come towards a vendor. They would assess the goods that is on the ground and they would write what is called a ‘slip’. The vendor would be given that slip and the vendor is expected to take that slip towards the cashier booth and make his or her payments,” Accounting Manager of the Council, John Douglas explained.

Teen critical after Ituni trail accident

A

15-year-old Kuru Kururu, LindenSoesdyke Highway resident is now battling for his life at the Georgetown Public Hospital after the vehicle in which he was travelling collided with a lumber truck.

Injured is Randy James.

Reports are James was seated in the left front seat of vehicle GSS 6179 with trailer TXX 8434.

Guyana Times under-

stands that James, and 19-year-old Danieram Persaud of Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), who was driving the vehicle, were proceeding east along the Ituni trail when they stopped to inspect the lorry.

Persaud had reportedly parked the vehicle and exited to do the inspection when suddenly the vehicle began moving forward.

The vehicle ended up striking another lorry car-

rying lumber which was parked some distance ahead.

As a result of the accident, a log from the second vehicle struck James to his right side causing him to sustain injuries to his right shoulder and rib cage.

He was picked up and rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex, where he was treated and transferred to Georgetown Public Hospital.

The Police have since launched an investigation.

One year after commissioning

Sinkhole developed at Kitty roundabout

T

he Public Infrastructure Ministry is currently examining the depression east of the Kitty Roundabout, Georgetown, where a sinkhole has developed.

When contacted about the issue on Tuesday, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Krest Cummings, related that the Ministry is aware of the sinkhole and its senior engineer, Sherod Parkenson, is currently looking at the situation.

One of the engineers had explained that the depression in the road, which resulted in the formation of the sinkhole, was due to a galvanised pipe bursting and water seeping under the road.

The depression could be a sign that more repair works will have to be undertaken.

A section of the Kitty roundabout

When this publication visited the area on Tuesday the depression was visible and it was also observed that several areas were eroding.

A civilian related that persons use a pipeline in the centre of the roundabout which resulted in a huge hole close to the road. The project, which was completed in June 2018, cost some $78.9 million.

In 2017, a decision was

made to have the roundabout constructed at the Kitty Sea Wall where the sinkholes occurred to create a smoother flow of traffic.

The roundabout has reduced waiting and stoppage time for motorists heading to the East Coast of Demerara and those using Carifesta Avenue, Vlissengen Road, and the Kitty Public Road.

h e Telecommunications Ministry, in collaboration with the Agriculture Ministry, on Tuesday launched a website dubbed FarmersMarket.gy to help farmers sell their produce on both the local and international markets.

The trading platform will enable farmers to buy and sell fresh fruits and vegetables for now. In the near future, the Farmers Market App will be extended to include the marketing of livestock, poultry, fish and dairy.

Farmers will, however, have to be certified by the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) by proving their goods are of an exceptional standard.

A representative from the Agriculture Ministry explained that the farm certification means that the Agriculture Ministry, or NAREI, in particular, are providing the assurance that the produce being exported or traded are of the highest quality. This assurance also extends to the face that the products would have passed through a certification programme that ensures that it is free from pests and diseases.

The representative explained that the Agriculture

Ministry’s NAREI branch will be responsible for visiting farmers and advising them to ensure they meet the requirements for certification. The representative stressed the importance of certification, as he alluded to the point that the Ministry is seeking to market these goods on the international front.

Meanwhile, the Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes, pointed out the importance of the App, as she highlighted that some parts of the world are struggling to produce their own food “The most important thing about this App too is it lets us know what’s on demand (so) who in Miami, who in Canada is looking for what”.

The Minister said the App will help farmers to properly choose a crop to plant based on the demands of the public, rather than planting on presumptions.

This will reduce the occurrence of spoilage and more importantly, revenue loss.

It was also explained that several international firms are already looking to purchase goods from Guyana on a large scale.

Hughes encouraged farmers to team up to meet the demands of those customers, rather than decline to supply the items based on its possible “larger scale”.

The new App was developed by 2017’s winner of the Ministry’s Hackathon, Innovative Systems.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, JUly 17, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

You know what needs to be done, so hop to it. If you have to be told to make a move, you will appear to be incompetent. Consistency, dedication and follow-through are encouraged.

You know what you TAURUS have to do to make things (April 20May 20) happen. Leave nothing to chance. If someone challenges you intellectually, don’t get angry; you can outsmart him or her.

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Don’t rely on someone’s promise. You’ll be disappointed if you are too accommodating or you expect others to be as detail-oriented as you. Stick to rules and regulations.

Take the most interesting path. Doing something unexpected or something that will bring you the most unique experience will be the way to go. Personal improvements will lead to compliments.

Your emotions will be difficult to control. Avoid being dramatic when you are at work or dealing with a partnership problem. Making a bold statement or move will be counterproductive.

Do what has to be done VIRGO and get on with your day. If (Aug. 23you labor too long over how Sept. 22) to do something, you will run out of time.

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

You may know in your heart what you should or what you want to do, but doing it may not be possible if someone decides to challenge you.

Approach whatever you decide to do from a unique angle. The less informed others are about your plan, the better. A little romance will bring you closer to a loved one.

If you decide to express yourself, do so with honesty and integrity. If you send the wrong message or give a false impression, you’ll be asked a lot of questions.

Take a moment to rearrange things at home. If you are organized, it will be much easier to deal with everyday responsibilities.

Romance is in the stars.

Emotions will swell if you let your anger surface.

Take more time to think about the consequences should you decide to engage in an argument with an unpredictable person.

Keep personal matters hidden from people trying to pry into your affairs. Keep people’s focus on the positive things you do.

wednesday, JUly 17, 2019

19

Brailsford keen to “twist knife” into Team Ineos’s Tour rivals D

ave Brailsford’s restday habit of provoking the French resurfaced again as the Tour de France took a 24-hour pause in Albi, a day after the home hero Thibaut Pinot had been unceremoniously worked over

by Geraint Thomas and his Ineos teammates in gusting crosswinds.

While Pinot raged against his bad luck at his own team’s media conference, after an opening phase of the Tour in which he had hardly put a foot wrong, Brailsford appeared to relish the Frenchman’s predicament when he spoke to the media. “We are here to race,” the Ineos team principal said. “I live and breathe and think all day about sticking the knife in and, when you get the chance, twisting it.”

Brailsford’s blunt comments may yet come back to haunt him, despite a first part of the Tour that has lacked the bitterness of a year ago when French fans turned angrily on Chris Froome and what was then Team Sky throughout the Tour, after the fourtime winner’s salbutamol investigation was dropped.

Last July, Brailsford was dragged into a slanging match with the UCI president, David Lappartient, after the then Sky team principal had compared the head of world cycling’s governing body to a local French mayor and suggested that spitting by roadside fans was “a French cultural thing”. Brailsford later apologised.

T h i s year’s Tour has seen little anger directed at Ineos, perhaps because of Froome’s absence and also Thomas’s easygoing demeanour.

“It’s a very dramatic change since last year,” Brailsford said. “I guess we can all speculate as to why that may be.

It has been interesting to change teams because it makes you think about what you stand for. Ineos is a very different culture to Sky and we are embracing that. It feels a little bit more relaxed and a bit more open.”

But a frustrated Pinot has promised that he has not thrown in the towel, despite slipping to 11th place overall, a minute and a half behind Thomas, going into Wednesday’s stage to Toulouse. “We are still in the

game,” his Groupama–FDJ team manager, Marc Madiot, proclaimed as he insisted that Pinot could make up the lost time.

Fighting talk that may be, yet the reality is that Pinot’s team let him down while Thomas and Egan Bernal were backed by a team of all-rounders better equipped to seize the day than any other team in the race.

Pinot’s team of specialists, strong riders but assembled more with the heart than the head, were all at sea when Julian Alaphilippe, Thomas and Bernal moved ahead.

“As the teams have reduced [from nine riders to eight] there’s no slack,” Brailsford

said. “You need the guys who can do a bit of everything. As a team we come here with a single focus to try and win the race, we don’t try to win stages. But there are other teams who spread the resources differently.”

Even so, rarely has a Brailsford-led Tour team been in such a good position before the first high mountain stages.

With Thomas and Bernal in second and third place respectively, and only Alaphilippe between them and the yellow jersey, it is hard to imagine Team Ineos dropping the ball even with another 11 stages yet to race.

“With myself and Egan second and third it has been a great 10 days,” Thomas said.

“Obviously it would be better if we were a couple of seconds behind Alaphilippe rather than a minute but other than that it’s great.”

Meanwhile, if Thomas should unexpectedly falter, Brailsford can look to the 22-year-old Bernal,

another of the new generation of riders who can master all disciplines. The Colombian, almost effortlessly it seems, retains second place with the Pyrenees on the horizon.

“Geraint and Chris are coming to the twilight of their careers, at 33, 34, and I wanted a new Chris Froome,” Brailsford said. “I took two years looking at all the younger riders, junior riders, and then managed to negotiate Egan out of his contract.”

“Geraint has won a Tour so he’s capable of doing it again. The first time should be the hardest. For Egan, all of his credentials suggest he should be able to do it, but until he does we won’t know.”

With only Alaphilippe providing resistance to the Ineos steamroller, the first Pyrenean stage on Thursday and Friday’s time trial in Pau could prove decisive. Both stages offer further opportunities to twist that knife.

“Obviously you’ve got to be more and more aware of Alaphilippe the further the race goes on,” Thomas said.

“But there are some big days now in the mountains and the time trial. I guess by the second rest day we’ll know a lot more.” (The Guardian)

General classification after stage 10

The Chris Froome-less Team Ineos have moved into second place after 10 stages

1. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra/Deceuninck-Quick-Step) 43hrs 27mins 15secs 2. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Ineos) +1min 12secs 3. Egan Bernal (Col/Team Ineos) +1min 16secs 4. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/Team Jumbo-Visma) +1min 27secs 5. Emanuel Buchmann (Ger/BORA-Hansgrohe) +1min 45secs 6. Enric Mas (Spa/Deceuninck-Quick-Step) +1min 46secs 7. Adam Yates (GB/ Mitchelton-Scott) +1min 47secs 8. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar Team) +2mins 04secs 9. Daniel Martin (Ire/Team Emirates) +2mins 09secs 10. Giulio Ciccone (Ita/Trek-Segafredo) +2mins 32secs

Pacquiao’s publicist denies Amir Seedorf sacked as Khan claims over Saudi Arabia bout Cameroon Coach

M

anny Pacquiao’s publicist has denied a deal has been agreed to fight Amir Khan in Saudi Arabia in November.

Khan claims the bout in Riyadh on 8 November is “signed off and done” following his stoppage win over Australia’s Billy Dib in the Middle East on Friday.

But Pacquiao’s spokesperson Fred Sternberg told BBC Sport: “Manny has not signed any contract.

“As far as I know it hasn’t been even discussed,” Sternberg added on Tuesday.

A proposed fight between Khan and Pacquiao fell through in 2017 and the 40-yearold icon is scheduled to fight American Keith Thurman in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Khan emphasised Pacquiao has “signed” for the fight, although he was uncertain how things may play out if Thurman was to pursue any rematch with the Filipino in the event he loses his WBA super-welterweight title on Saturday.

“I hope it is him but we will have to look at back-up plans,” Khan added. “I’ve always wanted to fight him. It’s the biggest fight out there for me.”

But Sternberg said his man is solely focused on Thurman.

“He’s been in training camp for the past eight weeks, four in the Philippines and four in the States, and he hasn’t met with Amir Khan during that time.”

He also said he did not know where Khan’s with him and did really well. I have probably claims had come from: “That’s a question you sparred between 200 and 300 rounds with him. He has slowed down a bit.” need to ask Amir Khan”.

Pacquiao holds a record of 61 wins, Khan has long sought the chance to face Pacquiao, one of the sport’s most decorated seven defeats and two draws in a 24-year professional career while Khan has 34 wins fighters. name.

Khan earned a reported £7m in beating and five defeats to his Dib in Saudi Arabia over the weekend and said (BBC Sport) criticism of his move to fight in the Middle East stems from “jealousy”, adding fighters “would be stupid not to” take advantage of fighting there.

Since returning to the sport after almost two years out of the ring in April 2018, Khan has three wins and lost a controversial worldtitle shot against Terence Crawford when he was pulled out by his corner after a low blow.

The Bolton fighter was forced to answer questions on whether he quit in the bout but he returned to the ring to beat Dib and now believes he will again feature in an eye-catching contest against former sparring partner Pacquiao.

“When I sparred with him he was at his peak,” said Khan. “I got good rounds Manny Pacquiao (left) and Amir Khan

F

ormer Netherlands midfielder Clarence Seedorf has been sacked as Cameroon coach after the side failed to defend their Africa Cup of Nations title.

The former Real Madrid player, 43, had been in charge for under a year.

His assistant Patrick Kluivert, his former Netherlands and Ajax team-mate, has also left his role.

Cameroon lost 3-2 to Nigeria in the last 16 in Egypt, leading to the country’s sports minister calling for Seedorf to leave.

Seedorf had said he was happy to continue and felt his squad had shown promising signs.

The former Real Madrid and AC Milan player signed a fouryear deal to take charge of the Indomitable Lions in August 2018.

But a statement confirmed that “following the premature exit of Cameroon’s men’s flagship squad, Cameroon’s football federation in line with clauses in their respective

Clarence Seedorf

contracts has decided to bring an end to the contracts of Seedorf and Kluivert”.

Seedorf and Kluivert were given the task of retaining the Africa Cup of Nations - which was originally intended to be held in Cameroon - and set the target of reaching the 2021 edition of the tournament and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The long-term contracts also stipulated the pair must live in the country and provide support to the other national teams. (BBC

Sport)

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wednesday, JUly 17, 2019

Ajax Captain completes £67.5M Juventus move A

jax captain Matthijs de Ligt has arrived in Turin to complete his £67.5m move to Serie A champions Juventus.

The 19-year-old, who had also been linked with Manchester United, Barcelona and Paris-St Germain, led the Dutch giants to the Champions League semi-finals last season.

After arriving by private jet, the defender said: “I am happy to be here.”

He made his debut in 2016 and has won the Eredivisie and Dutch Cup, and was a Europa League finalist in 2017.

De Ligt scored eight goals in 77 league appearances for the Amsterdam club, who he joined at the age of nine, and became the club’s youngest captain in March 2018.

He scored the winning goal against Juve to send Ajax through to the Champions League semi-finals, where they lost to Tottenham.

De Ligt made his debut for the Netherlands in March 2017, despite having started just two league games for Ajax at the time.

West Ham set to sign Haller for up to £45M

Eintracht Frankfurt striker Sebastien Haller is travelling to West Ham for a medical before a transfer worth up to £45m - a club record for the Hammers.

The 25-year-old former France Under-21 international scored 20 goals in 41 games for the German side last season.

If the deal goes through, it would eclipse the £36m fee paid by West Ham for Brazilian Felipe Anderson in 2018.

Haller has scored 33 goals in 77 appearances in two years at Bundesliga club Eintracht.

He joined them from Dutch side Utrecht, where he scored 51 times in 98 games.

Strikers Lucas Perez, Marko Arnautovic and Andy Carroll have all left the Hammers this summer, and earlier on Tuesday manager Manuel Pellegrini said the club are “trying to bring in good players”.

Everton close to selling winger

Everton are close to agreeing a £22.5m deal to sell England Under-21 forward Ademola Lookman to RB Leipzig.

The Bundesliga club have improved their original offer for the 21-year-old.

Lookman enjoyed a successful loan spell with the German side in the second half of the 2017-18 season, scoring five goals in 11 league games.

Leipzig had been prepared to pay in excess of £20m for the winger last summer but were told he was not for sale.

Lookman has made 48 appearances for Everton since joining from Charlton in January 2017, but missed out on the European Under-21 Championship with England this summer.

Tottenham right-back to join Atletico Madrid

Tottenham’s England right-back Kieran Trippier is close to completing a £20m move to Spanish side Atletico Madrid.

The 28-year-old joined Spurs from Burnley

in June 2015 and has played more than 100 times for the club, with his last appearance coming in the Champions League final in June.

He later admitted he was not sure he would see out his contract, which was due to expire in 2022.

Trippier would become Atletico’s third major defensive signing of the summer.

Coach Diego Simeone has already recruited centre-back Felipe from Porto and left-back Renan Lodi from Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense.

With Portugal striker Joao Felix brought in for £113m and midfielder Marcos Llorente arriving from city rivals Real for about £36m, Trippier’s arrival would bring Atletico’s total transfer spend so far to in excess of £170m.

The Spanish runners-up did however receive £107.7m from the sale of France striker Antoine Griezmann to champions Barcelona. (BBC Sport)

Matthijs de Ligt

Juventus ditches FIFA Australia paper loses for new PES partnership appeal against Gayle – to be called Piemonte Calcio on EA platform

– must pay Windies star US$200k

Juventus player Cristiano Ronaldo was the cover star of the past two FIFA games (Getty Images)

F

IFA 20 will not feature Juventus, after Konami, the games company that makes Pro Evolution Soccer 2020, signed an exclusive deal with the club.

Players of FIFA 20 will instead have to search for “Piemonte Calcio” if they want to play as Juventus stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Aaron Ramsey.

Piemonte Calcio will have its own badge and kit, designed by EA Sports.

This marks the first time in 25 years that FIFA will not hold the licence for the Serie A champions.

PES v FIFA

It is a debate that has raged on for years.

The two games have been rivals since FIFA 95 and International Superstar Soccer (PES’s former name) were released in November 1994.

Annual releases followed for each game, with FIFA almost always holding the licences to every major team and player, barring a few notable absences.

For example, EA Sports missed out on the licence to the other Ronaldo back in FIFA 99, where he was replaced by a suspiciously similar Brazilian called A Calcio.

PES historically chose

not to pay for expensive licences, instead letting its gameplay speak for itself.

And in PES 2019 Juventus were known as PM Black White.

Whether this latest development is the first step in a new direction is unclear - but it marks the first time that PES has got one over on its rival with a major licence.

Meanwhile, FIFA 20 has announced its own “longterm” partnership with Liverpool FC, which comes after Konami announced their contract with the Champions League winners had come to an end.

(BBC News)

Chris Gayle exits the court after the defamation suit against the entity

A

n Australia court has thrown out an appeal by media group Fairfax, which would have annulled damages owed to Windies star Chris Gayle who won a defamation suit against the entity last year.

Gayle took the publishers to court after allegations that he exposed himself to a female masseuse during the 2015 World Cup came out in several of its publications. More spe-

cifically, it was alleged that the batsman exposed his penis and indecently propositioned the woman in a dressing room during the tournament.

The jury sided with the player, who strongly denied the allegations, in finding that the publishers acted with malice and accorded the cricketer damages amounting to US$211,000.

In its appeal, however, Fairfax argued that the

jury should have been discharged after Gayle’s attorney attacked the credibility of the masseuse. In response, the player’s legal team had appealed to increase the size of the payout to the West Indian star. Both appeals were dismissed.

Fairfax newspapers are now owned by commercial broadcaster Nine Entertainment, which purchased the media company last year. (Sportsmax)

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21

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Shawn Rhoden has millions of fans around the world (Photo: Instagram)

B

odybuilding superstar Shawn Rhoden was considered a breath of fresh air when he won last year’s Mr Olympia, but the Jamaican-born American might suffocate under the weight of serious accusations that could see him put behind bars for a long time.

Never in the history of the Mr Olympia – the world’s most prestigious bodybuilding competition – has a champion been in this much trouble and, when rape charges were filed against him in Utah last week, Rhoden’s world came crashing down harder than a 500-pound barbell hitting the floor.

Rhoden caused a massive upset when he dethroned seven-time Olympia champion Phil Heath with his polished look and aesthetic physique winning the hearts of the judges at last September’s contest.

His victory was seen as a win for bodybuilding in general as the title for the world’s bestbuilt man went to a smaller bodybuilder instead of the “mass monsters” we have been used to seeing, such as Heath, Dorian Yates, Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler.

The 117kg bodybuilder

changed the fitness landscape overnight with his chiselled frame and small waist, winning over the bloated “bubble gut” physiques that have dominated the bodybuilding scene for the past 20 years. He was seen as the sport’s future.

The father of bodybuilding, Joe Weider, and his brother Joe created the Olympia back in 1965. Rhoden is the 19th winner of the competition and he’s the oldest at 43 years old, tied with former winner Chris Dickerson.

It’s unprecedented that a Mr Olympia winner, let alone a reigning one, is facing serious time in prison. He was charged last week in 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City with rape and object rape and a host of other nasties. The case has shaken the bodybuilding world to its core and is the biggest scandal since one-time Mr Olympia competitor, Bertil Fox, of Britain, was sent to prison for double homicide back in the 1990s.

TMZ Sports reported that Rhoden’s bail has been set at US$750,000 after a woman bodybuilder accused him of rape in a hotel room in Utah

l a s t O c t o b e r – just a few weeks after winning the Olympia – and details of the allegations make extremely distressing reading.

American Media LLC, the parent company of the Olympia which promotes the competition, acted quickly.

A day after being charged, “Flexatron”, as he is commonly known, had his eligibility to compete in the 2019 Mr Olympia revoked.

American Media and chief executive David Pecker announced Rhoden, 44, will not be allowed to compete in this year’s Olympia and future Olympias. Does that mean that Rhoden has already been given a life ban before he’s been

convicted?

American Media also announced it would suspend coverage of Rhoden in its media b r a n d s , including (magazines) Muscle & Fitness and FLEX, until a ruling has been made.

It’s easy to understand why America Media is taking no chances. It made the decision before the trial, which could take months or even years. The negative publicity surrounding the trial would be bad business.

No other bodybuilder has been kicked out of the Olympia before and Rhoden has the dubious distinction of becoming the first.

However, the IFBB Professional League has not taken any actions for or against Rhoden, “respecting the rights of the accuser, the accused, and the company which owns and operates the prestigious Mr Olympia contest”.

Essentially that means they are waiting for the facts to come out.

Meanwhile, Rhoden’s fans are standing by their man.

“Stay strong brother I have been there. The truth will always come to the light,” said an Instagram user on his page.

“Never give up, Champ,” said another.

Other fans were not so kind. “Damn you’re gonna be in prison for a while. I was a big fan,” said TheReal­_Mario. “I’ll let the legal process take its course before I comment. But Shawn will not be allowed to compete at the #Olympia this year say officials,” said Matt Weik.

If Rhoden is proven guilty, it would definitely spell the end of his career. Even if he did serve time for his alleged crime, the powers that be would never allow him to compete again, let alone promote their products.

A rape conviction would undoubtedly ruin Rhoden. It would be a sad end to what has been a promising career, with fans (he has more than 1.6 million Instagram followers) needing to look elsewhere to find bodybuilding’s future. (SCMP)

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E

ngland Knights will play Jamaica in a historic international fixture at the Emerald Headingley Stadium this October, as part of both countries’ countdown to the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. The match will be played on Sunday, October 20, eight days after the domestic season concludes with the Betfred Super League Grand Final.

The Reggae Warriors continued their unlikely Rugby League story by beating the USA in Jacksonville last October to secure their first ever World Cup appearance.

The fixture against the Knights will, therefore, work on two levels for Jamaica, providing high-quality international experience for their team at one of the host venues for RLWC2021, and also a platform for them to connect with the hundreds of thousands of British Jamaicans – the second-largest Jamaican population outside the island itself.

“This is a fixture that works on so many levels, and I hope it will capture the imagination of Rugby League supporters and Jamaicans in Leeds, Yorkshire and well beyond,” said Kevin Sinfield, the RFL’s Rugby Director.

“The Knights are an important part of the EPU as we build towards hosting the World Cup in 2021, and it was a priority to find them meaningful competition

again this autumn after the unique experiences they

gained in Papua New Guinea last year.

“The way the Jamaica team has developed over the last few years to reach the World Cup has already been a bit of a Rugby League fairy tale, and it’s great that the Knights can help them with their preparations for RLWC2021.”

Jermaine Coleman, Jamaica’s Assistant Coach described the match as an opportunity for the Reggae Warriors.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us as a team. The effort that has gone into the journey so far has been unbelievable,” Coleman said.

“We have a fantastic group of people involved with the team both on and off the field. We see this as our first steps in our preparation to the World Cup. The England Knights will be an excellent team full of Super League quality from 1-17 so the step up for us is going to be challenging. The one thing this group does better than anything is rise to challenges so we can’t wait for this game opportunity.” (SportsMax)

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wednesday, JUly 17, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Trophy Stall on board Hand-in-Hand sponsors CrossFit GMR&SC’s RoC Round 2 champs Mahadeo and Adonis

Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall (right) hands over his company’s sponsorship to GMR&SC’s Cheryl Gonzalves

T

rophy Stall is the latest entity to join the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s Race of Champions Round 2, which is scheduled for July 21 at the South Dakota Circuit.

The company on Tuesday handed over a number of trophies to be awarded to

the champion drivers in the various categories after this weekend’s event.

Proprietor Ramesh Sunich made the donation to GMR&SC’s Office Executive Cheryl Gonzalves.

In receipt of the trophies, GMR&SC President Rameez Mohamed expressed the

Club’s happiness at having the support of Trophy Stall once again.

“Trophy Stall has been a longstanding sponsor of motorsport. All of our trophies, including those for our international race meet, have been supplied by Trophy Stall.

“We are really happy with the way things are shaping up from our committee’s perspective. Before this weekend, we are going to wash the track because it is a bit sandy in certain parts.”

He urged competitors to get registered early to avoid the last-minute rush.

Meanwhile, in addition to the regular races, there is also expected to be the introduction of the Motulsponsored time attack series.

The sponsors for the event include Hallmark Store, Jaigobin Hotel, Transpacific Motor Spares, Bikers Bar, Ready Mix, ISG, Sankars Auto Works, Special Auto, Tropical Shipping, CEMCO, China Harbour, Del Ice Company, Ramchand’s Wreckers, Hand-in-Hand, Choke Gas Station, Miracle Optical, KGM, Sheriff Security, Motor Trend, Ray Auto Sales, Rent-A-Tent and Jumbo Jet Auto Sales.

Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools tournament…

Business School register 10-wicket win over Queen’s Park CC

T

he Business School continued their campaign in the Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools tournament with a 10-wicket win against the Trinidad and Tobago-based Queen’s Park Cricket Club.

In the match played at Lears, Trinidad, the inclement weather reduced the match to 30 overs.

Batting first, Queen’s Park CC scored 119-8 in 23 overs in the rain-affected match that was further reduced.

Giovanni Ramdeeny top-scored with 38 for Queen’s Park while he got support from Eric Garcia who chipped in with an unbeaten 22.

Darrien Dodds scored 14 and Jabari Phillip made 11 for Queen’s Park. Bowling for the Guyanese Business School, Joel Gikes snapped up 2-17 and Romel Zamal had 2-19.

Berbice U-19 left-arm seam bowler Chris Harry had 2-30 in a collective bowling effort.

In reply, the Business School were tasked to chase a revised target of 78 from 15 overs. The Guyanese boys raced to victory with eight overs to spare. Ushardeva Balgobin took it to the bowlers with a blazing 46 while Transport’s Jamal Michael scored 22 not out in a dominant performance.

The rainy weather continues to affect the matches in Barbados.

Business School and Queen’s College are the only Guyanese schools on show.

Mahadeo and Adonis both won the title of Guyana’s national champion in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, after taking part in the 2019 CrossFit Open, a five-week online qualifier judged by CrossFit Inc. This is the first time Guyana has qualified for a spot.

Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Ltd is excited to see these young athletes represent Guyana for the first time in the Games and will continue to support the sports industry to enhance the development of youths in our communities and to fulfil our corporate responsibility.

Dillon Mahadeo receiving his sponsorship cheque from a Hand-in-Hand representative

I

nsurance giant Handin-Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company continued to show maximum support for sport in Guyana.

Its latest support act came when the CrossFit champions needed sponsored.

The Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Ltd has sponsored Dillon Mahadeo and Delice Adonis as they set out to participate in the 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games in Madison, Wisconsin, which will take place from July 29 to August 5, 2019.

Delice Adonis receiving her sponsorship cheque from a Hand-inHand representative

Romalho wins consecutive GuyanaNRA Record Shoots Leo Romalho

F

ollowing his win one week ago with an aggregate score of 118 points and 6 Vbulls, Leo Romalho repeated as champion of the latest Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) Record Shoot held on Sunday last at the Timehri Rifle Range, Yarrowkabra, Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

Despite notching two points less than the previous week, Romalho recorded enough Vbulls to stave off a stern test from fellow marksman Sherwin Felicien, who also tallied 116 points, the same as Romalho. The difference was 7 Vbulls to 5 Vbulls.

Based on reports from the ranges, the day was hot with the wind factor being strong enough to still switching from left to right with equal strength.

The mirage was running and if attention was not paid to same, it would have resulted in the shooter losing the shot. As it turned out, the shooter who held his nerve came out the victor.

And two possible were recorded on the day, veteran Ransford Goodluck was first to do so at the 300 Yards Range (50.5), he also ended with the most Vbulls for the day – 9. The other was recorded by Felicien at the 500 Yards Range, 35.0.

Here are the full scores for the day: Name Leo Romalho Sherwin Felicien Ransford Goodluck Roberto Tewari Peter Persaud Ushardeva Balgobin and Jamal Michael achieved the target with great ease for Business School

300 49.2 47.2 50.5 47.3 47.1

500 600 Aggregate 33.2 34.3 116.7 35.0 34.3 116.5 30.1 34.3 114.9 32.1 34.2 113.6 33.2 30.1 110.4

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23

Fitness high on agenda in Guyana U-19 training camp – Coach Moore

By Brandon Corlette

W

ith the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Under-19 tournament looming, the Guyana U-19 team began their training camp on Monday last with 18 members encamped at the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence, La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara (ECD).

This reporter visited the camp at LBI earlier this week and spoke exclusively to one of the more successful youth coaches, Guyana U-19 Coach Julian Moore.

The confident Coach disclosed that the camp started properly on Tuesday morning with an indoor fitness session. The camp, which will conclude on Monday, July 22, 2019, is aiming to target the players holistically.

“Obviously, the fitness aspect is high on our agenda; we had a fitness test a week ago and the scores weren’t that promising,” Moore revealed.

He added that the camp would get the fitness level up for the Guyana U-19 players. Moore noted that the players would further be exposed to skill work and would gain match readiness. “We have two practice matches before the ending of the camp and definitely

by Monday, we will be

Eight Berbicians and 10 Demerara players are in the training squad

ready to go,” Moore signalled.

The five-time One-Day title-winning Coach shared some sentiments on the 18-member squad that would be further reduced to a final 14 who would tour St Vincent and the Grenadians later this month.

“We have the basic squad that covers all the areas – a variety of left-arm spinners, four fast bowlers, a few openers and middle-order batsmen,” he said.

This 18-member squad that is currently encamped includes nine

players returning from last year.

Moore pointed out that this has always been an important aspect and management has spoken about this at the beginning of the camp.

“Having nine guys with previous regional U-19 experience in the team is pretty invaluable, not only for the experienced guys to go there and perform well for themselves, but their experience rubbing off on the newcomers,” Moore explained.

The Guyana U-19 team, who are aiming to clinch their sixth

consecutive One-Day title at the Regional U-19 tournament, have had the luxury of welcoming players with previous regional experience. The 2019 edition of the CWI regional U-19 tournament will be played in only the One-Day 50over format and the tournament will be hosted at the same venue that was home to the 2018 tournament.

Speaking on the conditions in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Moore revealed that a few pitches were a bit slow.

“They have a few pitches that will play nice and conducive for batsmen, but then you have a few that will see the ball spin a lot,” Moore disclosed.

This Guyana U-19 squad includes four West Indies U-19 players selected in the training camp and Ashmead Nedd, the prospective captain, has already played an International Cricket Council (ICC) U-19 World Cup for

West Indies. Along with Coach Moore, Andy Ramnarine is the team manager.

The Guyana U-19 training squad reads: Ashmead Nedd (returning from 2018); Kevlon Anderson (returning from 2018); Alex Algoo (returning from 2018); Adrian Hinds (returning from 2018); Yeudistir Persaud (returning from 2018); Kelvin Umroa (returning from 2018); Qumar Torrington (returning from 2018); Sachin Singh (returning from 2018); Junior Sinclair (returning from 2018); Dequan Bamfield; Alphius Bookie; Daniel Mootoo; Garfield Benjamin; Nigel Deodat; Robin Williams; Seon Glasgow; Joel Spooner and Leon Swammy Prospective Captain Ashmead Nedd (Brandon Corlette photos)

Pandey, Pandya crush West Indies A as India A take series

Manish Pandey

I

ndia A clinched the five-match One-Day series against West Indies A with two matches to spare, after a 148-run win.

In the third One-Day match played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, India A batting first scored 295-6 in their allotted 50 overs while West Indies A’s poor batting in the series continued as they folded for 147 all out.

Captain Manish Pandey led the charge for the Indians with an even century; Pandey scored 100 from 87 balls before he was trapped in front by a Romario Shepherd

Krunal Pandya

yorker. Earlier, Pandey received support from opener Shubman Gill, who scored 77 from 81 balls. Shreays Iyer also got some runs under his belt, but missed out on a half-century when he scored a watchful 47 from 69 balls.

Test player Hanuman Vihari scored 29 while Ishan Kishan scored 24 before he was bowled all ends up by Guyanese

Keemo Paul. Bowling for the West Indies A, Rahkeem Cornwall grabbed 2-37 from 10 brilliant overs while Shepherd continued his bowling form with 2-51 from 10 overs. Shepherd bowled with venom, getting his first wicket with a serious bouncer early in the innings and his second came via a well-directed yorker.

Paul had 1-53 from 10 overs, playing his first match while his Guyana Jaguars teammate, Raymon Reifer had 1-62 in nine overs.

West Indies A then had a positive start to their innings, as openers John Campbell and Sunil Ambris survived some close calls to establish a half-century run stand. Campbelle fell for 21, playing a loose pull shot while Ambris scored a promising 30.

But the batting woes continued for the West Indies: Reifer fell for 19 from 45 balls while skipper Roston Chase scored only 15 runs. Chase played back and was bowled all ends up by Krunal Pandya, who is playing his first match on tour. Pandya, the older brother of Indian World Cup player Hardik Pandya, bowled with variation; he removed Jonathan Carter, who scored only four, and Rovman Powell, who scored only one, on his way to a five-wicket haul.

Pandya, a left-arm spinner, got the better of Shepherd who smashed a four down the ground and, the very next ball, got greedy and attempted another big hit. Pandya varied his pace to see Shepherd finding the slip fielder in his innings of four.

Paul, batting at number 10, came in and showed his worth with the bat. The Guyanese smashed Vihari for two sixes in as many balls, but his innings of 34 from 16 balls, the top score for West Indies A, ended when Vihari got the final laugh. West Indies A were bundled out for 147 in 34.2 overs, losing by 148 runs.

Pandya finished with 5-25 in seven overs while Vihari had 2-23 in a splendid bowling effort from India A. The fourth match will bowl off on Friday, July 19. (Brandon Corlette)

wednesday, JUly 17, 2019

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Pandey, Pandya crush West Indies A as India A take series

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– Coach Moore

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Guyana U-19 Head Coach Julian Moore

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