Guyana Times, Wednesday August 14, 2019

P15

First Lady encourages youths to use ICT as tool for development Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4015

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESday, august 14, 2019

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Mason charged for murder of taxi driver P8

1 year later

PPP intensifies pressure for Govt to resign, set elections date ― former PNC stalwarts join protest See stories on pages 3 & 7

CJ sets August 23 to rule on 2nd House-to-House challenge

― picket GRDB office in Berbice

See story on page 11

Insanally tells US “time is ripe” to support Guyana’s transformation

Economic sectors show uneven performances ― Bank of Guyana

― bauxite, gold sectors down by over 20%

Teen shot to face during attempted robbery enjoys normal life

EBD carpenter electrocuted while on fishing trip with family ― wife calls for public assistance to maintain family

P2

― lawyer argues Justice Patterson’s June order irrational, void Page 9

Rice farmers demand aerial spraying of crops to rid bugs

P13

See story on page 2

Page 13

MV Canawaima still docked, awaiting P10 repairs 2 months later

Farmer charged for killing man with arrow and bow

P8

2 News

wednesday, august 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

EBD carpenter electrocuted while on fishing trip with family – wife calls for public assistance to maintain family

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olice are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 34-year-old carpenter, who died almost instantly on Monday last after being electrocuted whilst on a fishing trip with his family at Coverden, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Dead is 34-year-old Orlando Ramnarine also called “Lando” of Sarah Johanna, EBD. Initial reports surrounding the man’s death indicate that on the day in question, the father of three, his wife, Aronva Parmanand, and his brother-in-law were out on a fishing trip at El Sol Farm, commonly called the “cherry farm” on the East Bank of Demerara.

Dead: Orlando Ramnarine

At about 13:30h on the said day, Ramnarine was in the process of casting his fishing net when it came

into contact with a live exposed electrical wire, which subsequently caused the now dead man to instantly collapse.

Police ranks who later arrived at the scene examined Ramnarine’s body and confirmed his death.

The dead man’s body was later removed by undertakers and is currently at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem.

However, Ramnarine’s widowed wife still remains in a state of shock since she was the only person who witnessed her husband’s unexpected death.

In an effort to utter a few words, the visibly frustrated woman appealed for justice on her husband’s behalf, as she explained that

he was the sole provider of the family.

“He was the only one who use to provide for me, I don’t have a house on my own, I only get my three children. I have these three children to take care of now and I don’t know how I will do that…I need justice for my husband” the grieving woman cried.

Meanwhile, this publication understands that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) disconnected the exposed wire moments after Ramnarine’s death.

The single mother is asking for the public’s support, to take care of her now fatherless children. Those who wish to assist the family can contact +592 682 6868.

Insanally tells US “time is ripe” to support Guyana’s transformation

Dr Riyad Insanally addresses attendees at the Washington InterGovernmental Professional Group, LLC luncheon

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mbassador of Guyana to the United States, Dr Riyad Insanally, has emphasised the economic prospects that Guyana offered following the discovery of oil and gas reserves.

He was the keynote speaker at a private networking luncheon in Washington DC, the Foreign Ministry announced in a release to the media on

the private sector.

It is during his address, Ambassador Insanally highlighted the potential for partnerships and investment.

His remarks were framed around the theme, “Guyana on the Cusp of Change”.

“He explained that these were available in areas such as downstream industrial activity, renewable en-

Ambassador Insanally with attendees following his presentation at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Centre

Tuesday.

According to the release, it stated that the event was organised by the Washington InterGovernmental Professional Group and attended by representatives of diplomatic missions, United States Government agencies and

ergy, infrastructural development, information and communications technologies, transportation services and ecotourism. He further noted that the time was ripe for greater United States and international public and private sector interest in supporting Guyana’s transformation”, the release added.

According to Ambassador Insanally, the Ministry stated also used the opportunity to update attendees on Guyana’s legal and diplomatic response to the Guyana/Venezuela controversy, emphasising that Guyana placed its faith in diplomacy and the rule of international law.

The Washington InterGovernmental Professional Group, LLC, is an organisation that supports Washington DC-based professionals in maximizing their networking capabilities with embassies and other agencies.

news

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wednesday, august 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Wednesday, August 14 – 04:30h-06:00h and 14:30h-16:00h and Thursday, August 15 – 05:00h - 06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

PPP intensifies pressure for Govt to resign, set elections date

Wednesday, August 14 – 16:00h - 17:30h and Thursday, August 15 – 16:35h - 18:05h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers with intervals of lighter showers will prevail for most of the morning and afternoon. These conditions will continue into the night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

PPP Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali marching with supporters outside the Ministry of the Presidency on Tuesday

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

High Tide: 16:05h reaching a maximum height of 2.40 metres.

Low Tide: 09:39h and 21:52h reaching minimum heights of 0.74 metre and 0.80 metre.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo with protesters on Vlissengen Road

which state that Cabinet including the President should resign and call elections with three months.

While elections ought to have been held by March 21, 2019, the court proceedings filed had put that timeline on pause. But since the Trinidad-based regional court validated the motion, the three-month timeline was activated from that date which means elections ought to be held on or before September 18, 2019.

However, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo contended that the caretaker coalition is deliberately defying constitutional rule.

saturday, AUGUST 10, 2019

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FREE TICKET tuesday, AUGUST 13, 2019

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

PPP Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo addressing party supporters

Turn to page 7

Former Opposition MP Charles Ramson Jr chanting along with protesters for Government to resign and call elections

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he Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has intensified its efforts to get President David Granger to set a date for early elections – something which they will continue to do.

This is according to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday as he addressed hundreds of supporters while protesting the Ministry of the Presidency, which holds the official office of the President.

Tuesday’s protest was heightened as supporters blocked off Vlissengen Road in front of the Ministry of the Presidency, chanting for the President to dissolve Parliament and set a date for elections, as well as have his Cabinet resign as mandated by the Constitution.

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on June 18 validated the December passage of the No-Confidence Motion against the coalition Government, thus triggering Articles 106 (6) and (7),

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, august 14, 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

Government’s duplicitousness

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here has been extensive reportage and opinions on the APNU/AFC Government’s continuous and deliberate delay of elections that should have been held as of March 21 this year.

Despite that, and a related ruling by the nation’s highest legal recourse— the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)— the Government remains steadfast to its own interpretation, thereby, creating an unnecessary, but self-serving, political deadlock.

With just about five months since that constitutional deadline has elapsed, there is still no clear indication as to when the elections will be held. Today, the Chief Justice is expected to rule on the House-to-House (HtH) Registration currently ongoing at the behest of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). That exercise was embarked upon by the Chief Elections Officer following an order signed by the immediate past Chairman— whose appointment was ruled as unconstitutional by the CCJ. The Government is adamant on the necessity of the HtH, despite constitutional provisions to derive a credible voters’ list. Such actions by the Government speak to yet another glaring delaying mechanism it deliberately imposes to extend its stay in office.

Recently, the Attorney General reportedly said that there is no provision for snap elections here. That is either a gross misinterpretation or deliberate trampling on clear and enshrined constitutional provisions on the said matter. That statement, in many ways, has come to embody Government’s position and its ongoing imposition. It is a clear case of wantonly peddling misinformation at a time when fake news seem to be taking a stranglehold.

In doing so, the Government has imprinted in the mindsets of its supporters that HtH is the only mechanism to derive a credible voters’ list. More fake news. In addition, it deliberately and conveniently avoids any mention of the constitutional provisions to derive a credible list, while at the same time, warning of dire consequences if the HtH process is halted. It can only be seen as a calculative and most dangerous ploy, taking into consideration the warring and its historical context.

From all appearances, the Government’s delaying tactics strongly suggest a fear of it losing the elections and the possibility of being made to answer for alleged massive and widespread corruption. Its dismal record since taking office in 2015 more than likely underscores that fear as it’s devoid of anything substantive to boast about. It has even failed abysmally in an area of perceived strength— crime fighting.

From its actions, there seems entrenched an obsession with self-preservation and self-advancement by the Government at the expense of the country, the people and democracy. Since 2015, Government has not been subtle in demonstrating a preference to circumvent established governance procedures, and, over the past eight months, there has been an increase and constant assault on Guyana’s democracy and Constitution.

While some have boldly called out the Government, many have been fearful to speak out for obvious reasons. As it is, the Government has emboldened itself and continues to act as if it’s not bound by the Constitution. Hard-lined supporters are also emboldened as a frightening prospect in the context of the warning looms.

With that in mind, calling a spade a spade is also not without risk. While many have wondered, they may be afraid to publicly ask: what if the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had done what the Government has? It’s a fair question. Even when the PPP, as a government, acted constitutionally, the APNU/AFC coalition, when in Opposition, were up in arms and took to the streets, often with dire consequences, which history vindicates.

The Government’s duplicitousness is therefore mind-boggling, as evident in one instance under the Donald Ramotar administration.

Then, the APNU/AFC coalition used the said constitutional provision for a No-Confidence Motion (NCM) to try and oust the then PPP/C Government. Then, the APNU/AFC coalition had no misunderstanding, misinterpretation or ambiguity in any form as to what must happen constitutionally in the event of a NCM, including snap elections within ninety days.

It threatened such and was on the verge of filing it when President Ramotar prorogued Parliament as he was constitutionally allowed to do. That was condemned by APNU/AFC to the point of convincing that Ramotar did something that was unlawful. It clearly was not, but made to appear so by a coalition for reason of convenience.

That said, the APNU/AFC Government must answer: why when it was in the Opposition, a NCM was constitutional and the results must be abided by, but now in government, it refuses to abide and deems it a conspiracy? Why, now in government, there is suddenly no provisions for a snap election? Why, now in government, defying the Constitution is brazenly defended?

With a growing fear of possible election rigging by the Government, the burning questions many are afraid to ask is: What if the PPP/C had abdicated to GECOM its responsibility of ensuring constitutional timeframe for the holding of elections? The answers are frightening to say the least.

Anti-Extradition Bill protesters distribute leaflets to passengers during a mass demonstration at the Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong, China, August 13, 2019 [Photo by: REUTERS/Tyrone Siu]

Opposition warns against plan to dissolve Venezuela Parliament

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enezuela’s pro-government Constituent Assembly was holding an unscheduled session on Monday, with the Opposition warning that it was preparing to announce the dissolution of the opposition-controlled National Assembly.

The warning was given

by Opposition Leader Juan Guaido, who said in a video published on Sunday that President Nicolas Maduro’s government was planning to call early elections and dissolve Parliament.

“If ... they do what they are planning to do, we shall have a phase of greater conflict,” Guaido said in the video, which was posted on Twitter.

Constituent Assembly President Diosdado Cabello confirmed on Sunday that the assembly would hold a “session for peace”.

Created in 2017, the Constituent Assembly was widely seen as a bid

by Maduro to replace the National Assembly, the country’s Parliament, which had been stripped of its powers for allegedly swearing in legislators whose elections were not valid.

The National Assembly remained as the main bastion of the Opposition, with Guaido elected its President in January. Parliamentary elections are not due before late 2020.

Guaido also said on

Guaido had warned that Maduro was launching a ‘mass pursuit’ of anti-government legislators [Photo by: Manaure Quintero]

Sunday that the Government was preparing to “massively persecute” legislators in the National Assembly by stripping them of their parliamentary immunity.

On Monday, the Supreme Court asked the Constituent Assembly to lift the immunity of three more legislators on charges including treason, the ruling Socialist Party and the daily El Nacional said.

That brings to 18 the number of opposition politicians, including Guaido, accused this year of treason, and instigating rebellion.

Earlier, Guaido had warned that Maduro was launching a “mass pursuit” of anti-government legislators.

‘Attack on democracy’

“The vermin little Juan

and his gang are very anxious, they can’t stand pressure, they worry about whether we are going to dissolve Parliament, about whether we are going to call early elections, about whether we are going to strip 25 lawmakers of their immunity, stop being so nervous,” Cabello, the Constituent Assembly President tweeted on Monday.

The Constituent Assembly meeting followed new sanctions announced last week by the administration of US President Donald Trump, which froze the assets of the Venezuelan government.

“After the bid to close [the National Assembly] ... have no doubt that we shall know how to act with the backing of the International

Community and the strength of the mobilisation of our people,” Parliament tweeted on Monday.

The US embassy in Venezuela, which withdrew its staff after Caracas severed diplomatic relations with Washington in January, also issued a warning against the eventual closure of the National Assembly.

“Any attack against the Assembly is an attack against democracy,” the Embassy tweeted.

Maduro won a second term in an election boycotted by most of the Opposition last year. He has presided over an economic meltdown and is engaged in a power struggle with Guaido, who has won the support of dozens of countries for his campaign to remove the President. (Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, august 14, 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

Free and fair elections

Dear Editor, There is a movement afoot by the caretaker coalition Government to have the next general election slip from the norm of being free and fair, characteristic values recognised and upheld by every democratic country, to being merely credible.

Synonyms for free and fair include: just, impartial, dispassionate, unprejudiced, even, balanced, straightforward, honest, honourable, righteous. virtuous, decent, unfettered, unobstructed, clear and legitimate. You get the picture.

While a credible election can be interpreted to mean reliable, good and sound, it can also mean that the election was simply plausible and believable, these being qualitative terms that are open to individual perspectives and perceptions: what I believe is not necessarily what you believe.

The norm for the democratic election process being linked to the ubiquitous phrase “free and fair” is

not an ad hoc decision that is ever taken lightly. The phrase is used to underscore the clear intent that the process of a democratic election and its outcome should be so just, valid and legitimate that the results would be inviolable and could not be bent to suit any one person’s whims or fancy.

Mr Harry Hergash’s letter in SN last Saturday, August 10, 2019, (Documents show that in the past the PNC considered using Caribbean islanders to rig the 1968 election) should give pause to every citizen.

The declassified documents from the US Department of State disclose the PNC’s past plots and plans to use Caribbean nationals to pad the electoral list in order to rig and win elections.

Such elections would not have been free and fair but they would have had the look of being credible and would have passed muster for the PNC and its international allies at the time.

The PNC continues to at-

tempt to revise and rewrite Guyana’s history but the party continues to find that this history does not belong to them. There is always documented evidence that records the facts and proves the truth.

Given President David Granger’s vow to fulfil Burnham’s legacy, the coalition Government’s obstructive moves to delay the elections following last December’s no-confidence vote, the current illegal House-to-House Registration process, the Attorney General’s public threats of violence should his party not get its way, and the coalition Government’s total disregard for the Constitution, it is clear that the country is dealing with the PNC of old and all that this means for Guyana.

It is the duty of every citizen to question and demand proper answers from the relevant authorities with regard to the illegal registration process and the huge influx of Haitians into our country.

These are not merely political issues. Far from it.

These issues go to the very heart and soul of our nation and question whether we are willing to have our country held hostage once again to a PNC dictatorship.

It is incumbent on GECOM to deliver a general election that will withstand national and international scrutiny. The election, which is long overdue, must be free and fair, and independent from any political meddling. Nothing else will do.

Sincerely, Ryhaan Shah

This illegal H2H Registration must stop!

Dear Editor, This illegal registration must stop. Over the weekend the police were called in by a GECOM enumerator working the Herstelling area to arrest some people who were then taken to the Providence Police Station after they refused to take part in the illegal process of House-toHouse Registration, knowing that all Guyanese have until October 30, according to GECOM, to do so.

The enumerators went to the resident’s home and called out for the people to register, the women very politely showed no interest in the registration, however, passersby made varying comments.

As a result, the enumerators were embarrassed and they went and took the police to the residence where the incident allegedly took place.

The enumerators told the po-

lice that a person wearing a red shirt cursed them. On arrival, nobody was wearing a red shirt.

The police then asked a peace-loving male who was busy doing some work in the yard to put on a shirt and accompany them to the station.

At the station, the enumerators, realising that they could not have pointed out the person who cursed them, decided to shamelessly accuse the innocent man of indecent language.

However, as the entire village was coming out to picket the station, better sense prevailed. With the polite intervention by an elder person, the women on the bench were allowed to leave and the police released the boy who was already in the cell on five thousand dollars bail.

It is clear that the GECOM enumerators are

overstepping their boundaries and getting argumentative with residents. On many occasions, the enumerators would threaten residents to register despite the residents might not have their source documents available.

The police should certainly look into those allegations from the residents against some of the enumerators.

Enumerators should also be aware that by GECOM’s proclamation, all Guyanese have until October 30 to register if they so desire so no action can be taken against anyone prior to the date. It is also the enumerator’s responsibility to visit and make revisits to homes to ensure persons are registered in keeping with the Registration Act.

Dear Editor, Electricity plays an important role in the modern world. The electricity business can be broken down into two parts: generation of electricity and distribution of electricity. Generation comes from diesel generators, wind farms, solar farms, hydro, etc. While distribution is the national grid (the wiring, transformers, etc).

Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) is the Stateowned company responsible for providing electricity to Guyanese. It has a near-monopoly in doing this. Because

of this monopoly, GPL does not fulfil its obligation with merits with numerous blackouts every year. Why is this?

It is because of GPL being a State-run enterprise with a monopoly that it has a don’tcare attitude.

Is it really a don’t-care attitude or is it a lack of knowledge and poor planning?

In a country prone to blackouts there is no logic in having the distribution system interconnected.

This is because when there is a blackout in one part of the national grid it will affect the other parts. Hence,

the national grid needs to be segregated.

Also, GPL’s monopoly needs to be broken. This can be done by simply creating two State-owned electricity companies – one responsible for the generation of electricity and the other responsible for maintaining the national grid. Then companies (like Giftland Mall) can supply electricity to the national grid as opposed to waiting over 4 years for a Power Purchasing Agreement from GPL.

Respectfully, Neil Kumar

End the monopoly

Yours faithfully, Sean Ori

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wednesday, AUGUST 14, 2019

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Foundation Rehab

Prevention first

A rehabilitation programme also can help you stay fit as you recover. If rehabilitation (“rehab” for short) is part of your treatment programme it might include exercise, manual therapy from a physical therapist, and ultrasound or other technology to help relieve pain and promote healing.

Types of sports injuries

When you’ve recovered, you might need new protective gear to protect an injured body part. This can include modified shoes, tape to

he best way to deal with sports injuries is to keep them from happening in the first place.

Think of avoiding injury as just another part of playing by the rulebook. Knowing the rules of the game you’re playing and using the right equipment can go a long way toward preventing injuries.

Common reasons why teens get injured playing sports include: not training or playing properly training too much not wearing the right footwear not wearing the right safety equipment rapid growth during puberty There are two kinds of sports injuries: Acute traumatic injuries are things like fractures, sprains and strains, concussions, and cuts. They usually happen after a blow or force – like getting tackled in football or wiping out while skateboarding.

Overuse injuries include things like stress fractures and tendonitis. These injuries are also called chronic injuries because they happen over time, usually from repetitive training, like running, overhand throwing, or serving a ball in tennis. Overuse injuries can be just as damaging as acute injuries, even though they might not seem serious at first. If they’re not treated, they usually get worse.

What to do

If you think you’ve been injured, pull yourself out the game or stop doing your activity or workout. Let a coach or parent know what happened in case you need to see a doctor.

Call a doctor when:

Preventing reinjury

pain is very bad pain is worse when you’re active the injured area is swollen you’re limping your range of motion is limited pain continues for a while, gets worse at times, or lasts for a week or more following an injury

Where injuries happen

You can get a sports injury anywhere on your body. Here are some key points to know about common sports injuries.

Head and neck injuries

Serious head and neck injuries happen most often in athletes who play contact sports (like football or rugby) or sports with the potential for falling accidents, such as horseback riding and gymnastics.

Head injuries include fractures, concussions, contusions (bruises), and hematomas. A hematoma is bleeding or pooling of blood in or around the brain caused by an impact to the head from a fall, forceful shaking of the head, or a blow to the head.

Neck injuries include strains, sprains, fractures, burners, and whiplash, which is an injury to the neck caused by an abrupt jerking motion

of the head. Neck injuries are among the most dangerous sports injuries.

Never try to move someone who may have a neck injury. A mishandled neck fracture could lead to permanent paralysis or even death. Keep the injured person still with his or her head held straight while someone calls for emergency medical help. If the person is lying on the ground, do not try to move him or her.

Back injuries

health.org)

Hand and wrist injuries

Hand, finger, and wrist injuries can happen after things like a fall that forces the hand or fingers backward, or a direct blow. As with other injuries, hand and wrist injuries are most common in contact sports, such as football, lacrosse, and hockey, or in sports like gymnastics, field hockey, rowing, and basketball where the fingers, hands, and wrists are at risk.

Most back injuries are caused by twists or overexertion of back muscles during bending or lifting movements.

Back injuries are most common in contact sports like football and ice hockey, or in weightlifting, rowing, golf, figure skating, gymnastics, and dancing.

Feet and ankles are particularly vulnerable to injury in sports that involve a lot of running. Another reason for foot injuries is wearing the wrong shoes, especially if someone has flat feet, high arches, or other foot differences.

Sex organ injuries

Getting back in the game

Injuries to the sex organs usually affect guys more than girls because the penis and testicles are outside the body and are more exposed.

Injuries to the uterus or ovaries are rare, but breast injuries are a common complaint among teen girls. As the breasts develop, they often can be sore, and a blow from a softball or a collision during field hockey can be painful.

provide extra support, or additional padding to protect against a direct blow.

To help prevent reinjury, be sure to warm up before practice and games. Take it slow when you first get back to your sport and gradually build back up to your preinjury level.

Most importantly, know your limits. Check in with your body: if a previously injured area (or any body part) begins to hurt, stop right away and rest. Get help from a doctor if the pain continues.

Pain is your body’s way of saying something isn’t right. (kid-

Foot and ankle injuries

Your first question after a sports injury will probably be, “When can I play again?”

This depends on the injury and what your doctor tells you. Even if you can’t return to your sport right away, a doctor or physical therapist might have suggestions and advice on what you can do to stay fit. Always check with your doctor before trying any activity following an injury.

Supplies:

Two 2-litre bottles (Sprite bottles were used in this instance – Different bottles have different textures) 1 can of silver spray paint Hot glue Sturdy piece of cardboard (I used a piece from a shipping box) 16? of 1?elastic Stapler Felt (A few of those 29 cent craft store sheets is perfect. I used red, orange and yellow.)

How to make the soda bottle jet pack:

Spray paint bottles and cardboard While paint dries, cut out the flame shapes. then overlap

and glue the tops together (you want the flames to “fly” on the jetpacks, so only glue the top edge) When the bottles are dry, glue the flames to the inside of the opening of each bottle.

Cut your elastic into two 8? strips. Then loop it and staple it to the top of the cardboard (about 2?in from the edge)—put arms through this to hold the jet pack on back.

Hot glue the bottles to your cardboard ( Hot glue + plastic means that you can pretty easy pull the bottles off the cardboard, but they certainly are not going to go anywhere with normal wear and tear.

And if they do, some new glue is a pretty easy solution) Let your imagination soar! (Adapted from themomcreative.com)

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wednesday, august 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Former PNC stalwarts join PPP protest

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Dave Danny Jr at PPP’s protest on Tuesday

ongstanding People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) stalwart and Member of Parliament, Dave Danny and his son joined scores of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) protesters outside the Ministry of the Presidency on Tuesday as they continue to mount pressure on the

coalition Government to resign and call elections.

Danny Senior, who served as a PNCR parliamentarian in the 8th and 9th Parliament, and his son, Dave Danny Jr, who announced his resignation from the party last week, held placards calling for elections as they marched

outside the President’s Office.

Speaking with reporters, Danny Snr related that he joined the protest because he is tired of Government’s excuse for not adhering to constitutional rule.

“The Constitution is clear that [within] 90 days, elections should be called

PPP intensifies pressure...

From page 3

PPP supporters protesting for early elections and the resignation of the Granger-led Cabinet

“It’s a dual game they’re playing. On one hand, [the President] wants to seem like the statesman – ‘I’m complying with the Constitution; I’m complying with the CCJ’ – but on the other hand, his people are seriously undermining our ability to move forward…

And then GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission), you know the shenanigans that they have gone through with to delay the elections by claiming they have to go to House-to-House Registration to prepare a list which is nonsense and will result in elections way into next year, and that is what they want. So we have to keep putting the pressure on this Administration to comply with the Constitution,” the Opposition Leader told scores of protestors.

According to Jagdeo, he had outlined a path that would bring the country back into constitutional rule, hold early elections and eventually have the country move forward but the President has rejected this.

“That’s all we want; a country that obeys the laws, a country that protects all of its people and a Government

that continue to work in favour of all the people of Guyana to create jobs, give them better welfare etc.

And the faster we get those elections, the faster we will move to restore credibility to this country and to start solving people’s problems once again,” he noted.

Meanwhile, PPP’s Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, who led the protest, told supporters that the party is continuing to mount pressure on the coalition for the future of the country and all of its people.

“Let us not forget that we are doing this on behalf of every single Guyanese…

Go back to history and you will see that the PPP has already stood up, stood up strong, stood up mighty, stood up peacefully, and what did we stand up for?

We stand up for the rights of the people… and until this dictatorship is removed and until democracy is returned and until the respect for constitutional rule is returned, we will stand up every day and we fight,” Ali declared to loud cheers and applause from the crowd.

Even as the Opposition intensifies pressure on the

coalition Government to set a date for early elections, GECOM is continuing with its House-to-House Registration which is now in its 26th day and has since recorded over 150,000 registrations.

However, the exercise has been contested in the High Court and Chief Justice Roxane George is expected to rule on its constitutionality today. Charted accountant and attorney Christopher Ram had filed proceedings, challenging the conduct of House-to-House Registration.

In the meantime, President Granger is expecting to hear from the GECOM Chair, (ret’d) Justice Claudette Singh, in the coming days on the way forward.

The Head of State had met with Justice Singh and the six GECOM Commissioners as well as the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, last Thursday.

The following day, he met with the Opposition Leader during which they shared their contesting views on the hosting of early elections.

and the excuse they having about GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) not being ready is just an excuse to prolong [the delays of holding elections]… You have to be able to adhere to the rule of law but people don’t want to obey the law, and they expect you to obey the law. So the reason I’m here is that I would like to see the rule of law [adhered to] and if you don’t practice what you preach then you gotta be a hypocrite,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, his son, Danny Jr, echoed similar sentiments, declaring that the caretaker Government has no respect for the country’s Constitution.

“We see that the Government and the President clearly has no respect for the Constitution, they’re just sitting there. I don’t know what they waiting on… this cannot go on,” he noted.

According to the younger Danny, Guyanese are frustrated with the state of affairs in the country caused by the actions of the coalition Government.

“People are suffering… and people are preparing to run out of this place because people are afraid of their lives…,” he asserted.

Only last week Danny Jnr made headlines after

Former PNCR parliamentarian Dave Danny speaking with reporters on the sidelines of PPP’s protest on Tuesday

announcing his resignation from the PNCR, ending three generations of commitment and dedication by his bloodline to the party.

In a video shared on social media by the PPP, Danny Jr said he left the party because of the many downfalls of the PNC-led coalition Government but most specifically, its failure to deliver on their promises made in the manifesto.

He had stated too that the APNU/AFC Government continues to ignore the plights of its supporters.

“It saddens me to say the PNC I knew is seemingly allowing wickedness to prevail, the root of their denial and arrogance stems from

their disconnection from society. I know that there are many in the PNC, including cardholders and supporters outside, who are also displeased with the party and by extension, the performance in Government. I have spoken to many supporters who complained that certain Ministers do not have 10 minutes time to spend to listen to the various concerns, the recent scrambling by Government is comical for supporters cannot be hoodwinked.”

The younger Danny is a Government Regional Councillor in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a former PNC Youth Executive.

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wednesday, august 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mason charged for murder of taxi driver

A

mason was on Tuesday charged for the murder of a taxi driver who was stabbed to death while plying his trade in Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Forty-eight-year-old Kwayana Fernandes of Lot 475 Cemetery Road, Mocha Arcadia, EBD, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Fernandes was required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on August 6 last, at Mocha Arcadia, EBD, he murdered Owayne Lynch.

It was reported that on the day in question,

Kwayana Fernandes

Lynch picked up Fernandes in Sophia, Greater Georgetown, who requested to be taken to Mocha.

According to reports, at around 21:45h, the taxi driver and the passenger got into an argument over

payment and it was at this time that Fernandes pulled out an icepick from his pocket and dealt Lynch several stabs about his body.

Lynch was later seen lying motionless on Cemetery Road, Mocha. His body bore multiple wounds and an ice pick was found close by.

He was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Lynch, of Stevedore Housing Scheme, Georgetown, was employed at Swift Cabs, located at Dennis Street, Sophia.

Fernandes was remanded to prison until August 27, 2019.

Farmer charged for killing man with arrow and bow

A

farmer who shot and killed another man with an arrow and bow at Karaudanawa Village, South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), was on Tuesday arraigned for the murder.

Fifty-year-old Munroe Lawrence of Karaudanawa Village, South Rupununi, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

The police stated that between August 5 and 6, 2019, at Karaudanawa Village, South Rupununi, he murdered Pius Ernest.

Munroe Lawrence

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield in presenting the facts of the case stated that the accused got upset after

he found out that his wife and Ernest were involved in a relationship.

The court was told that

Lawrence followed his wife to Ernest’s home and hid in a clump of bushes with an arrow and bow. Lawrence, on seeing Ernest, fired the arrow from his bow which struck the victim to the chest.

The injured man fell to the ground but was picked up and taken to the Lethem Hospital where he was treated and admitted. He later succumbed and the matter was reported.

The suspect was arrested and during interrogation, the suspect admitted to the crime which he was accused of.

Lawrence was remanded to prison and the matter was transferred to the Lethem Magistrate’s Court for August 26, 2019.

GTT deploys 3G site to replace fallen cell site tower at Diamond

The GTT tower moments after it collapsed

T

he Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) on Thursday last deployed a 3G site at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, to

provide services to its customers following the collapse of its cell site tower in July.

As a result of the intervention, all

services that were affected in the area have been fully restored.

On July 26, GTT’s cell site tower in Diamond, East Bank Demerara, collapsed across the East Bank Demerara Highway, causing a reduction in mobile coverage in the area. According to reports, the tower collapsed around 03:00h during a prolonged period of bad weather.

The company has noted that investigations are still ongoing, however, the result of field tests will determine whether there will be a replacement of the collapsed tower. The 3G site is functioning efficiently to service all customers in the area.

MoPT donates prizes for Rose Hall Town annual spelling bee

A

s Guyana gears up to observe National Education Month in September, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications (MoPT) is playing a notable role in ensuring that children have greater access to learning materials and facilities.

As such, the Ministry has donated 15 digital tablets for the top performers in the Annual Primary School Spelling Bee Competition, organised by the Rose Hall Town Council as it celebrates its 64th anniversary as a town.

The competition will be held on September 24 and will see the Rose Hall Town, Tain, Cropper and Port Mourant Primary Schools participating. Rose Hall Primary has been the defending champion for the past three years.

Still clueless…

T

…after all these years here was a soiree in Buxton dubbed “The Coming Elections and the African Guyanese Emancipation Agenda”. Your Eyewitness was intrigued by one of the speakers on the panel, Carl Greenidge, who’s now “Foreign Secretary” – after he refused to give up his British citizenship and had to (supposedly) relinquish his job as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

At the time he resigned, Greenidge insisted he’d renounce his British citizenship after the Court cases on the NCM were done with. But that just didn’t make any sense, did it? After all, no one had challenged the clear declaration of the Constitution – affirmed by Justice George in the High Court – that dual citizens weren’t eligible to become MP’s.

The reassignment was just a sleight of hand to let him have his cake and eat it too – with just a little less of the icing that came with the Ministerial designation.

But the question that popped into your Eyewitness’ mind was how could the organisers of the Buxton Emancipation event invited a fella who put his British citizenship ahead of his Guyanese one, to pontificate on an “African Guyanese Emancipation Agenda”?? What was the point of Emancipation if not for us as Guyanese to proudly rule our own country?? Were they comfortable with the fella’s divided loyalty – even when the Constitution of our land isn’t??

Well, it soon became clear those concerns were spot on. In his presentation, Greenidge absolutely rejected the notion that some of our poor should get an annual lumpsum stipend from the coming oil revenues. But that wasn’t all – he claimed the reason for his stance was that the folks who were working would be resentful of those who got this “free money” …and it would be a disincentive to them to keep on working!! Did he ever think that the “free money” he and the rest of the Cabinet received in their 50% unilateral salary increase, might’ve been a disincentive to all of Guyana??

But there was more to come. Greenidge had the gall to tell the Buxtonians that Guyana should use its oil revenues to invest in Exxon stocks!! No wonder this guy presided over the bankruptcy of Guyana in the 1980’s. Did he read the latest assessment of Exxon’s stock?

“Exxon stock is on a downward trend with no pattern in sight, and the Dow Jones component has a very weak longterm RS line. Exxon earnings are volatile. Both earnings and XOM stock swing with crude oil prices. That can mean rapid short-term gains but also abrupt sell-offs.

Investors can find companies with stronger, moreconsistent earnings growth and better stock technical.

Bottom line: Exxon stock is not a buy”. But not to clueless Greenidge!! …on sugar The strike by the cane cutters at Albion emphasised the cluelessness of the Government on sugar. Imagine there’s been no revision of their harvesting rates since 2014 and now the powers-that-be insist the weekly targets to earn their API must be increased!! More work for less pay…while the public servants have now been promised a five-year wage package by Winston Jordan!!

At the stratospheric levels of the SPU that was formed to divest the four closed estates, that’s ground to a halt after prospective bidders showed no slightest interest in what Winston Jordan described as “scrap iron”!! What did they expect to happen to factories that are abandoned for years to the elements?? It’s a good thing they didn’t take the marks to see the abandoned cane fields— they would’ve needed St Patrick to drive out the snakes from the “bush”, which the fields have deteriorated into.

And let’s not talk about the interest on the $30B borrowed to “diversify” the industry. Another $1.5Billion due…and not “hassa” produced!! …on crime Public Security Minister must’ve given up on his 2 am curfew to solve Guyana’s crime tsunami. According to the Chronic, he’s got a new “exciting” plan— “…to use primary and secondary school children to help determine the root causes of crime”!!

Founder of Rose Hall Town Anniversary Development Organisation, Andrew Griffith receives the donation from Quincy Gordon

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

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wednesday, august 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

CJ sets August 23 to rule on 2nd House-to-House challenge – lawyer argues Justice Patterson’s June order unreasonable, void

Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin

By Jarryl Bryan

G

uyana’s High Court on Tuesday heard the case brought by former National Toshaos Council (NTC) Vice Chairman Lennox Shuman, challenging the ongoing House-to-House process on the grounds that it will disenfranchise large sections of the population, including indigenous people.

During the hearing before acting Chief Justice Roxane George, Shuman’s lawyer, Sanjeev Datadin, argued strongly against the process.

Datadin cited case law to argue that the order to start Houseto-House— issued by former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman Retired Justice James Patterson— was void.

According to Datadin, this is because Patterson was unconstitutionally appointed in the first place and specific orders he made, once brought to the court’s attention, could not stand up. In addition, Datadin described the former Chairman’s decision as irrational, considering the fact that since the December 21 passage of the No-Confidence Motion (NCM), GECOM knew it ought to prepare for elections.

Datadin noted that at the time, and despite the possibility that they would have to carry out elections, GECOM moved towards House-to-House, de-

spite a schedule that would have exceeded the time frame.

In addition, Datadin noted that GECOM had received a legal opinion from its legal officer, Excellence Dazzel, telling it that it would have to update the voters’ list and not create a new one.

He pointed out that the GECOM Chairman should have made his decision on H2H while catering for whether the CCJ might rule the way it actually did, that the NCMwas validly passed and elections must be held. Justice George noted that by Datadin’s reasoning, Patterson therefore gambled that the CCJ would rule against the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

Datadin informed the court that since Patterson should have been aware of the possibility that GECOM would have to hold elections in three months, but he chose to ignore that possibility and plough ahead with H2H Registration, his order was therefore unreasonable.

However, GECOM’s lawyer, Roysdale Forde, and Solicitor General Nigel Hawke endeavoured to counter this argument.

In Hawke’s case, he noted that GECOM was preparing for House-to-House anyway, and it is not a case where Patterson woke up one morning and decided to issue the order. Hawke also argued that this matter should be left to the political actors and that the courts should not interfere.

Meanwhile, Forde cited a section of the National Registration Act, which he claims contemplates Houseto-House registration as the means to update the List of Electors. According to Forde, Datadin did not prove that the law does not allow for House-toHouse.

In his rebuttal to Hawke’s submission, Datadin argued that they are not interfering with GECOM’s independence but rather, they are seeking to have GECOM act within the law, by holding elections in three months as specified by

GECOM Attorney Roysdale Forde

the Constitution. Datadin cited case law to emphasise that the court can— and should— question the legality of the actions of constitutional bodies and act accordingly if the law is being breached.

Election mode

In an interview with this publication outside the court, Datadin noted that the NCM should have put GECOM in a different mode, instead of carrying on as though nothing had happened. And he noted that the de facto officer doctrine cannot protect Patterson’s issuance of the order.

“The order that was made on June 11 and took effect until July 20. The de facto doctrine really saves complete acts.

This was not complete as yet because it took place in the future by which time he had been declared unlawful. But the decision was irrational and unreasonable. Everyone in Guyana knows where we are and what we’re doing”.

“On December 21, when we had a No-Confidence Motion, we know that what follows is elections in three months. Now if you say it went through the court system, well it was on pause. On June 18, when the courts ruled, then you know you have to hold elections in three months. You’re embarking on House-to-House, that’s going to take half a year or more”.

Datadin also pointed out

Solicitor General Nigel Hawke

that Patterson’s House-toHouse order was issued before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) invalidated the former Justice’s decision. Datadin therefore questioned how such a decision could be rational or reasonable.

In addition, Datadin noted that the law does not cater for a new round of H2H Registration after the original National Register of Registrants (NRR) is created, but rather, for the list to be updated by continuous registration and Claims and Objections.

In an interview with this publication, however, Forde insisted that the law does cater for House-to-House. Moreover, he was hopeful that the September 18 date can be extended, something Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has repeatedly poured cold water on.

“There’s nothing in the CCJ’s decision that limited elections to September 18. We’re currently in the time period where the National Assembly

The order issued by former GECOM Chair Retired Justice James Patterson

as the body in the Constitution with the authority, has to meet and extend the date for national elections. That would have to be a decision made by the political parties,” Forde said.

“There is no law which says there is only one time a list can be compiled. It speaks about database. But we’re speaking about the Official List of Electors. The list has to satisfy a number of requirements.

Persons must be resident at the date of qualification. So how can GECOM comply with the law which says persons must be resident to be able to vote and you have persons not resident, living all over Guyana? Does that list comply with the consti-

tutional requirements?”

Patterson’s National Registration (Residents) Order of 2019, setting July 20 as the date for GECOM to commence House-to-House and for it to conclude on October, was gazetted in July. However, the order was signed by Patterson since June 11. The CCJ invalidated Patterson’s appointment via its ruling on June 18, with the retired Judge stepping down from his post at GECOM soon after.

The Chief Justice set August 23 as the date for her ruling on Shuman’s case. Meanwhile, the Christopher Ram’s case against House-to-House will be ruled on today.

10 news

wednesday, august 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

MV Canawaima still docked, awaiting repairs 2 months later

I

t has been close to three months since the MV Canawaima, which operates the GuyanaSuriname route, encountered mechanical issues and was grounded.

The jointly owned vessel was scheduled to under-

go repairs by Surinamese, but although they promised to have it up and running in two months, the boat is still inoperable, leaving persons to use an alternative route, which some say are not safe.

Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson

in a brief telephone interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday explained, “Our Surinamese counterparts had written us saying that the parts will take two months [but] you know how long that has been so… we would have thought that if

they would have ordered the parts it should have been here already and fixed so I mean I really can’t say anything”.

Patterson added, “We are now almost into the third month so we are still waiting on them to confirm what position we are at the moment”.

He confirmed that services are yet to be resumed as no alternative is in place.

On May 27, services of the ferry were officially suspended, preventing it from plying the Moleson Creek, Guyana – Nickerie, Suriname route. Patterson had told Guyana Times back then that the vessel was being powered by a tug for some time now which has encountered some issues.

A few days later, it was announced that the MB

of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon told reporters, “The question of whether a new vessel will go there and who’s going to have that – all of these will be a matter which we will have to sort out [with Suriname] …

But this is a service which the people are depending on and if it becomes necessary, I believe our Minister of Public Infrastructure [David Patterson] has already started to contemplate whether, in fact, we may have to put a vessel there ourselves”.

With travel being cut via water transport between the two countries, the need for an alternative, such as a bridge linking the two countries has come up once again.

In fact, the subject Minister told this publica-

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

Administration, with both countries looking to capitalise on the current brisk trade expected to increase many folds when the structure becomes operational.

The bridge, according to Patterson, will have a similar arrangement as the Guyana-Suriname Ferry in that it is jointly owned.

The MV Canawaima vessel

Sandaka was re-routed to provide services between Guyana and Suriname. This vessel operated from May 31 to June 2, 2019, to facilitate the return of stranded passengers on both sides.

More recently, the Government signalled its intent to operate its own ferry service to ply this route.

In June, Director General of the Ministry

tion only last week, that talks between the two countries in this regard is active.

Patterson explained that the technical aspect of the project is currently being discussed while details are yet to be sorted out with regards to the project’s “foreign affairs” aspect.

The bridge had been in the works for a number of years under the PPP/C

This, he explained, would, therefore, mean that the project will pass through several stages before it can be completed.

As a result, he was unable to say when a contract would be inked to allow these works to commence.

There are reports that the bridge is likely to be erected at Moleson Creek or Orealla.

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wednesday, august 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Rice farmers demand aerial spraying of crops to rid bugs

― picket GRDB office in Berbice

R

ice farmers on the Corentyne in Berbice on Tuesday picketed the Guyana Rice Development Board’s (GRDB) Seed Paddy Drying Facility at Number 58 Village, calling for the aerial spray of crops to combat the current infestation of paddy bugs.

The GRDB had made a decision to have aerial spraying done since in May but for some unknown reason, the farmers are being made to repeatedly apply insecticides.

After huge losses during the last rice crop resulting in farmers not being able to meet financial obligations, the farmers made a decision to plant this crop hoping to make up for previous losses but they are now being faced with a situation which seems even worse than the last crop.

One of the farmers, Ramlagan Singh, who is also an extension office of the Rice Producers’ Association (RPA), told this publication that they were protesting to reiterate to the GRDB that their crops are in danger.

He said the last crop showed that over 25 per cent of the farmers lost their crop and barely made it into the current crop.

“Now that they are, the rice is now flowering and the paddy bugs are in very high population so we are asking GRDB to do aerial spraying immediately to save the rice crop.”

He explained that farmers are being forced to spray their fields and within two days, the paddy bugs return.

Meanwhile, President of the 52-74 Water Users’ Association, Ahmad Rajab, who is also a rice farmer,

52-74 Water Users’ Association President Ahmad Rajab

The farmers are demanding that aerial spraying be done but this, they claimed, has been falling on deaf ears. As such, they are seeking to get wider attention.

More than 20 rice farmers held placards and chanted “aerial spraying now” and “GRDB Manager must go”, as they marched in front of the Rice Board’s Corentyne facility.

explained that the Water Users’ Association met with the GRDB two weeks ago to address the issue.

“They promised us that they are going to do something about it and we are not hearing from them. They said that they will spray the dams and trenches but they have two blowers and they have one extension officer who has the responsibility from Number 43 Village all

Rice farmers protesting outside of the GRDB’s Seed Paddy Drying Facility at Number 58 Village

the way to Moleson Creek; just in the 52-74 area alone I have over three hundred miles of dams and trenches and he has not done much as yet. So, we are calling on the GRDB to help the farmers because they are hitting a dead end,” Rajab noted.

He added that any type of assistance will be appreciated but aerial spraying will adequately address the issue.

However, President of Guyana Rice Producers’ Association Leekha Rambrich stated that the infestation of paddy bugs is beyond their control.

“We want the authorities to understand that with that amount of paddy bugs in the field, it is out of the farmers’ reach to control them and we are demanding aerial spraying to be done immediately to bring some assistance and relief to the farmers. If this is not done then we will see that the 62,000 acres which is under rice cultivation in the region might go down.”

He added that the Board made a decision three months ago and instructed the General Manager to go ahead with aerial spraying, however, it was only one week ago that the GRDB be-

gan to source an aircraft to get the job done.

“This shows gross incompetence in the General Manager because as a General Manager, the Board gave him instructions three months ago to start looking for an aircraft and he has

be made by the Board and be distributed to farmers.

To date, none has been distributed and the decision was made two months ago.”

He said another decision taken by the Board was for two specialists to be brought to Guyana to study the be-

one time for leafworm and heartworm and then one time for stem bora. So, we do two spraying and then we spray for paddy bugs. Now, these agronomists come in and tell farmers that their practices are wrong. Fifty years ago, we were doing

haviour pattern of the bugs.

“The GRDB brought in two agronomists who come around to fool the farmers; telling them that they are spraying their rice too much. Fifty years ago, my father used to plant rice and it is the same thing I was going up to now; spraying

this and the practice was not wrong then,” the RPA President claimed.

Nevertheless, the farmers reiterated that they will continue to protest until they get some satisfaction from the Guyana Rice Development Board.

(Andrew Carmichael)

A bug-infested rice field

the go-ahead to implement the decision of the Board but did nothing; gross incompetence. We had a special committee that met and came up with a way forward for the paddy bugs and we made a few recommendations, one of which was for two hundred sweep nets to

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wednesday, august 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

1 year after “XX”

GRA commences vehicle registration in “YY” series I

n just over one year, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has managed to register 9999 vehicles in the “XX” series and has moved to the next

alphabetically due letter, “Y”.

In a notice published in Guyana Times on Tuesday, the tax agency explained that registration of vehi-

cles in the “YY” series commenced on August 8, 2019, following the end of the “XX” series on the said date.

GRA informed that the “X” series began on June 11,

2018.

The issuance of this new series means the revenue authority is now one step closer towards moving to its “customisable plates”.

Back in March, a reliable source at GRA told this publication that at the conclusion of the “ZZ” series, vehicle owners will be given the opportunity to design their own registration plates.

It was explained that persons will be given letters to choose from, while the option of having a name, accompanied by a number, on the registration plates will be accessible “at a small cost”.

“It will have specific numbers and letters that you can put … everything is not quite clear as yet because it’s still going through

the process through management,” the source revealed.

In the case of the vehicle being transferred and the registration plates bear the original owner’s name, the new owner will also have the option of changing the name on the plates, according to the source.

In the meantime, the officials are working on how

privately-owned vehicles can be differentiated from vehicles up for hire.

Registration plates in the United States have already been upgraded to the system GRA is seeking to implement here.

Many states there distinguish their licence plates through distinctive colour schemes and logos, which persist over time.

First Lady encourages youths to use ICT as tool for development

F

irst Lady Sandra Granger on Tuesday encouraged a group of young people of CuyuniMazaruni (Region Seven), to take Information and Communication Technology (ICT) seriously and to utilise it as a tool for developing the region.

She made these statements in her address at the opening of her ICT workshop, held in the Education Boardroom at Kamarang.

“You have to prepare yourself as the young people who will inherit this country to be always learning… I want you to recognise also, how serious we are about this programme…

It is a time for you to learn and also to build networks

Sandra Granger along with officials and participants of the training

among yourselves so that you can plan how you are going to move forward and you can move forward and hopefully gain some money,” the First Lady said.

The First Lady cau-

tioned the participants that although there is much excitement and anticipation about the oil and gas sector, there are several other avenues for earning. turn to page 13

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wednesday, august 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Economic sectors show uneven performances – Bank of Guyana – bauxite, gold sectors down by over 20%

T

he Bank of Guyana has found that Guyana’s major productive sectors showed uneven performances for the first quarter of the year.

While on the one hand, forestry showed good performances, critical industries like gold and sugar took a beating.

This is according to the

Bank of Guyana’s recently released first-quarter statistical bulletin. In the bulletin, it showed that sugar experienced a major decline of 34.3 per cent, owing to the

restructuring process the Guyana Sugar Corporation is undergoing.

On the other hand, the decline of rice output by 9.3 per cent was attributed to rice bug infestation and the increased costs of production.

The mining and quarrying sectors exhibited lower production. According

to the bulletin, there was a 4.9 per cent decline in gold declarations. The Bank cited particular mining companies. Troy Resources output declined by 40.4 per cent,

while Guyana Goldfields showed slight increases.

One of the worst-hit sectors was the bauxite industry, which contracted by 24.4 per cent in terms of production. The Bank attributed this to industrial unrest at the Russia-owned bauxite company, RUSAL. Earlier this year, 61 workers downed tools against RUSAL’s subsidiary, the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BGCI). This came after they received a one per cent salary increase. Thirty other workers were subsequently dismissed.

At the time, the company also temporarily closed a section of its operations as a result of the strike. The impasse had to be mediated and the workers were reinstated, but not before hours of downtime impacted production.

Meanwhile, the Bank also noted that Guyana’s construction sector experienced increased public and private investments, buoyed in part by the activities in Guyana’s burgeoning oil and

The Bank of Guyana

gas sector.

“The outturn in the services sector was reflective of activities in the real estate and storage subsectors.

Preliminary estimates suggest that the activities of the petroleum industry have capitalised economic activities, particularly in the construction and services sectors during the first quarter of 2019.”

“The performance of the manufacturing sector was mixed with increased production of ice cream, margarine and non-alcoholic beverages while there was decreased output of oxygen, liquid pharmaceuticals, acetylene and nitrogen gas,”

it said.

When it comes to the balance of payment, things have actually improved.

This publication had reported earlier in the year that in 2018, the balance of payment deficit was US$132.2 million, a 90 per cent deterioration from 2017 when it was at $69.5 million.

According to a previous Bank of Guyana report, the current account deficit worsened to US$679.7 million in 2018 from a deficit of US$297.2 million in the previous year. Singh’s stated principal reason for this is the state of the export sector.

The report stated that

exports declined by 4.4 per cent. This is an equivalent of US$63.6 million to US$1373.8 million. The report explained that revenue from sugar, rice, timber and gold declined by 44.1 per cent, 7.5 per cent, 6.9 per cent and 6.2 per cent respectively. Both the decline in exports and the average export price was cited in the case of sugar.

According to the 2019 quarterly bulletin, however, “the overall balance of payments recorded a lower deficit of US$71.2 million at the end of March 2019 compared to US$94.0 million for the same period last year. This was primarily due to a higher capital account surplus.

The capital account surplus resulted from increased foreign direct investments mainly on account of the oil and gas sector at [the] end [of] March 2019.”

Balance of payment statistics is data on a country’s fiscal transactions, including imports and exports.

To record a deficit, Guyana would, therefore, have had to spend more on imports, among other things, that is derived from exports.

1 year later

Teen shot to face during attempted robbery enjoys normal life By: Davina Ramdass

A

nzan Ledoux, 19, was shot to his face in 2018 while trying to protect his family members during an attempted robbery at their Good Hope, East Coast Demerara home and today, although he still wears the scar of bravery, the young man is more than grateful that he is alive.

Recognising that many do not survive a gunshot wound, especially to the face, the heroic young man, who has grown to become an even braver soul, in an interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday at his home, recalled that he was having an after-

at full speed.

Recognising that something was amiss, relatives started to rush into the house and close the gates.

It was young Ledoux who ensured that all of his relatives, including a five-yearold child, entered the yard before the men reached their home.

In his bid to lock his gates, young Ledoux attempted to fight off the two men, who had already rushed to the fence. It was reported that the young man struck one of the bandits to his hand, causing him to whip out a gun and fire a shot in the teen’s direction, which struck him to the face and caused him to fall onto the concrete

Anzan Ledoux showing a scar he collected near his ear from the bullet

noon “hang” with his family members just outside of his home when he observed two strange men on motorcycles riding through their street at around 21:15h on August 11, 2018.

The men had slowed down in front of their home but rode towards the head of the street and returned

ground.

Anzan, who is now 21, said he could not remember anything that happened after he was shot, except that he woke up in the hospital not knowing what had happened. The young man had suffered a broken jaw and underwent surgery to have it rectified. He was hospi-

The injured young man, Anzan Ledoux

talised for about five days before he returned to the comforts of his home.

His mother, Gangadai Jairam, told Guyana Times that she thought she had lost her son the moment she heard the gunshot. She recalled that she started to scream with tears streaming down her cheeks as she rushed towards her son, who was covered in blood.

According to her, the young man had blood rushing through his nose, ears and mouth. But although an entire year has passed, the family said their entire life has changed as they are still fearful and traumatised after the incident.

“We were traumatised for months. It was hard cause every time we keep closing the gates. Every time we see motorbikes pass, cars pass, we always scared”. While Ledoux’s mother is still fearful, the woman said she is unable to express in words how grateful she is that her son has been given a second chance at life. “I thank God

for that cause he protected all of us. If those men came in they probably could’ve shoot up more of us because was 10 or 11 of us out there that night,” the woman stated.

While the young man’s life had been saved, doctors were not certain if he would have been able to hear again, due to the severe injuries he had sustained. Ledoux’s mother was happy to report that her son now lives a normal life.

The woman, however, explained that although his life was not majorly im-

pacted by the incident, loud noises still affect him, given that near his ear was partially damaged by the bullet. “He usually gets bad migraine when there is like loud music and so but other than that, he is quite healthy,” the happy mother reported.

No closure on investigation

Although CCTV footage was reviewed and Police tried their best to tie the ends of this investigation, it was never done.

Jairam told this publication that officers called several times to check up

on the family and relatives were even summoned to the police station to hopefully identify the suspects but they were unable to.

The distraught woman said that although the men on the motorcycle were not masked, the family was too worried about their safety to take note of the men’s features.

In the meantime, the woman explained that the family has taken some initiatives to ensure that their safety is ensured. One of these measures includes adding more cameras, especially one at their gate.

First Lady encourages...

“Everybody is excited about oil and gas, but I want you to remember, not everybody [should] be going into the oil and gas industry, people who are working in the industry have to be fed, they will need services, so you could focus on agriculture…

How do you set up the systems where you could move your produce from farm to airstrip, to Georgetown or wherever it is?” she said.

Former Vice Chairman of Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Norma Thomas, speaking on behalf of the Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford, commended the First Lady for holding the ICT workshop in the region.

“Thank you so much.

Let’s continue this way…

We want such leaders that are action people, like the First Lady, who has put everything in place,” she said.

A participant, Barbalee

from page 12

Some of the young people who were part of the ICT training

John, is thankful for the knowledge that she will get from the training.

“I think it is helpful… I can teach the children how to use a computer… [and help] with typing and so, to do records…these days people want computerised work and I think in that way I can

help,” she highlighted.

Senior Technical Officer of the Board of Industrial Training, Rondell Jordon; Regional Vice Chairperson, Olinda Kyrenhoff-Griffith; Toshao of Kamarang, Clifford Melville and Vice Toshao, McNeil Reid also attended the ceremony.

14 News

wednesday, august 14, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

Survey to determine reasons perpetrators abuse children to commence soon – CCPA

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hile some are of the view that perpetrators of child abuse suffer from some form of mental health illness, the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) is in the process of commencing a survey to determine the root causes of this social scourge with the aim of preventing them from occurring in the future.

The Director of the agency, Ann Greene, in a recent interview with Guyana Times, admitted that cur-

rently, the CCPA does not take on the responsibility of sitting down with abusers to find out the reasons for their behaviour.

However, with abuse cases seemingly sky-rocketing in the past few years, this venture has now become more necessary than ever.

“Personally, we don’t [converse with perpetrators] but the whole processing of a perpetrator, even when they go to the prison, they have to analyse the man because

you going there for rehabilitation so when they enter prison these things got to be done. If you are a child abuser, they need to be evaluated and find out what’s happening so they can do the whole rehabilitation. So, it is not done say by us but to tell you that people who abuse children something got to be wrong”, Greene stated.

As a consequence, the Child Care Director spoke of the need for the survey, which will hopefully com-

GPSU now represents MMA-ADA workers following signing of MoA

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he Mahaica Mahaicony AbaryA g r i c u l t u r a l Development Authority (MMA-ADA) and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) guarantying the entities mutual grounds for the recognition, avoidance and settlement of disputes.

The MoA signing also ensures that the GPSU regains its position as the sole bargaining agent for the Authority. This was according to GPSU First Vice President, Dawn Gardener during the signing exercise at the Ministry of Social Protection, Department of Labour.

Gardener, in recognising the accomplishment of the agencies, noted that the MoA stands as the first step towards the development of MMA-ADA, given that the Union is now solely responsible for ensuring the rights of these public servants.

“The Guyana Public Service Union is proud today in signing this [recognition] agreement with the MMA and history will have it, it’s not the first agree-

mence soon in the prisons, to learn why abusers resort to these acts.

“There is a mental issue and, in fact, I am looking at doing a research this year to show something. I am hoping to do a research this year and go into the prisons and talk to all those serious offenders to prove something that I have done a literature review on it but I am actually going to do a research to really come out with some evidence because people who abuse children, you got to got some mental health issues”.

Last year, over 4900 cases of child abuse were re-

Child Care Protection Agency Director Ann Greene

corded. In fact, the CCPA noted that by the end of October 2018, the agency had already responded to 4352 child abuse reports, which happens to be the highest number of reported cases ever for the period.

In fact, a 25.4 per cent increase was recorded when compared with figures for the same period of the previous year. Only recently, a report conducted by Child Link revealed that there have been three times the sexual violence cases against boys, while girls continue to be the dominant victims of such acts. (Davina Ramdass)

GuyOil hosts summer camp for employees’ children

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GPSU First Vice President Dawn Gardener and General Manager of the MMA-ADA, Aubrey Charles display the MoA

ment because the Union was once the bargaining for the workers at MMA….but the Union has now regained its position as it relates to the bargaining unit for the workers at MMA and this is because the workers recognise the strength and the ability of the Union”, she stated.

Additionally, Gardener pointed out that the Collective Labour Agreements (CLA) which

usually regulates the terms and conditions of employees at work, is yet to be signed.

This, she added, will be done before the end of the year.

The CLA includes the management of wages, benefits, and duties of the employees.

“After this, we’ll have with management, the collective agreement signed, we’ll work and done and have the signing of that.

That should be finished before the end of the year because collectively, we’ll work on that.” Gardener noted.

Meanwhile, General Manager of the MMA-ADA, Aubrey Charles expressed satisfaction with the Union’s interest of the workers’ representation noting that it [the Union] is the means by which workers become more aware of their rights.

“Today we have closed another chapter in the journey as it relates to workers’ rights and what the Union stands for…. however, we appreciate that because it helps in development of workers and it has made workers more aware of their rights,” Charles said.

The signing of the MoA was conducted in the presence of Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle along with representatives of the two agreeing parties.

he Guyana Oil Company Limited (GuyOil) hosted its inaugural summer camp for employees’ children under the theme “You Serve Us, We Serve You”.

The camp was an initiative by the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Renatha Exeter, who is always looking for creative ways to give back to employees and customers.

“The vision for this camp came from a place of genuine interest for our employees. School is out and daily, parents have to work and at the same time figure out ways to keep their children engaged, safe and well taken care of. For me, it was about serving them and taking off some of the burden although in a small way”, the CEO stated.

The camp was open to children between the ages of five and 12 and was held

Nutritionist Leveyah Yisrael speaking with the children in attendance about good nutrition

professional clown Michael Khan, also known as “Old Man Papi” and his team.

The story time allowed the children to learn about Guyanese folklores, while the games allowed them to be involved in friendly competition. The face painting and bonus balloon creations

“Old Man Papi” Michael Khan and the participants of the summer camp

in the conference room of the Kitty Service Station between August 8 and 9.

The children were treated to story time, games and face painting by puppeteer/

were the highlights of day one of the camp.

On day two, the children were taught the basics of good nutrition by Nutritionist Leveyah

Yisrael. This allowed the children to better understand their role in their own nutrition and how to make better snack choices when they return to school.

Additionally, the children were shown two movies with complete movie theatre settings.

The children were provided with snacks, lunch, beverages and tokens but more importantly, they were provided with stationery for school.

GuyOil intends to make the summer camp programme an annual event.

One employee, Stacy Williams, stated, “I’m happy for this summer camp; my children were happy they attended and had fun”.

Another employee, Ewan Obermuller stated, “It was a good initiative and my children came home happy, I was pleased”.

In a release, the company stated that GuyOil recognises the value of human resources and the importance of showing appreciation to them. The company, it stated will continually strive to show appreciation for their employees and offer excellence in service.

news

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wednesday, august 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Health sector collapsing, Minister missing, APNU/AFC busy avoiding elections

I

t is really sad – while APNU/AFC is obsessed with illegally trying to avoid an election due since March 21 and again due on September 18, the health sector is falling apart. Worse, they are not aware or don’t even care.

Right now, the Region 6 health sector is reeling from nonfunctioning X-Ray and Laboratory services. Unfortunately, malfunctioning services have become chronic at New Amsterdam Hospital.

Even more unfortunate is non-functioning X-Ray and other services have become chronic across the health sector in all ten regions.

If anyone is still shocked the X-Ray services in New Amsterdam is not operational, imagine how people must feel that the Dr Leslie Ramsammy Georgetown Hospital X-Ray services are also once again not working. While we are at it, news have been simmering of the chronic non-functioning operating theatre at West Demerara Hospital.

There is still the problem of inadequate electricity at Skeldon, causing a rationing of equipment use. While the ministers were ebullient a few weeks ago commissioning a refurbished kitchen at the New Amsterdam Hospital, they ignored there still in no functioning mortuary at the New Amsterdam Hospital. The operating theatre at Suddie is either dead or limping along, with more than 90% downtime this year. Similar problems exist at Linden and other hospitals around the country.

The Port Mourant Ophthalmology Centre has not done a cataract surgery since 2015. A few weeks ago, the Minister herself boasted cataract surgery has returned to the institution when an American military medical team visited and completed dozens of surgeries. But since then, we have returned to status quo – no cataract surgery.

Now and then, the Health Minister shows up from her invisible act to commission something and behaves as if health is enjoying the “good life”. But the non-functioning X-Ray services at the New Amsterdam Hospital is due to another chronically chronic problem – unavailability of medicines and medical supplies. Supplies required for the X-ray services are not available. In spite of billions of dollars in illegal sole-sourcing, supplies are either not procured or are not being distributed.

GPHC now provides CT services on site and this is progress. But access to CT diagnostic services is not new for GPHC or public hospital patients. These were available since 2005. The Ministry of Health then had arranged for the private sector to provide CT services for patients from the GPHC and other public hospitals, with the Ministry and GPHC paying for the services from the private sector.

While CT on site at the GPHC makes access easier for patients from the GPHC, these patients are required to pay as much as $15,000 for each CT. For those who cannot pay, there is a long wait for the Ministry to process their application for payment assistance, often denied.

The sector’s budget has increased significantly, this cannot be denied. But the question is where have the extra billions gone. The downtime in operating theatres across the country has become chronic and is worse right at this moment than at any time in the last two decades. The downtime in X-Ray services similarly have become scandalous, more downtime than working time in some hospitals. Certainly X-Ray services at both New Amsterdam and Skeldon have experienced more down time than working time. The continued shortage of medical supplies and medicines has made diagnostic and treatment services in the public sector unreliable, in spite of more money being spent.

Meanwhile, human resource management brings greater dismay. Young Guyanese doctors graduating from Cuba have left the public sector in droves, some working in the private sector, but others migrating. Conditions of work have deteriorated and no one seems to care.

Non-taxable allowances that doctors received in the past are now taxable. Conditions under which doctors gain access to post-graduate programmes have become onerous.

Thoughtless transfers of doctors around the country have caused major dissatisfaction. No one seems to care, no one listens to the problem’s doctors and nurses face.

The Minister of Public Health is clueless. Worse, for almost a year now, she has been less a Minister of Public Health and more the Chairman of the PNC. As the problems mount, the Minister is even scarcer, even more missing in action.

The constitutional crisis the country faces right now because APNU/AFC is too scared of an election does not mean we have a licence to ignore important sectors like health— even for a caretaker government. But that is exactly what is happening right now.

7-year-old burn victim on recovery road as 1st corrective surgery successfully completed

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even-year-old Shaniya Persaud, who was severely burnt about her body less than a week ago, is demonstrating great determination in her road to recovery, as the youngster successfully completed her first corrective surgery on Tuesday, and is now in a stable condition.

Little Shaniya underwent her first phase of treatment to remove the damaged tissues across her body after being safely medevacked to the Shriners Hospital, Galveston Texas in the United States (US) from Guyana on Saturday

from page 11

Little Shaniya injuries

before

her

last. This was according to a non-governmental organisation, Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA), which disclosed this success via a social media post.

SHEA added that the child’s condition is now listed as stable, as she is expected to undergo another surgical operation today.

The NGO in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Demerara, are the two organisations which successfully raised funds for the little girl to be transferred for overseas treatment. The cost is estimated to be about US$42,000, which is equivalent to GY$8,807,400.

The child sustained third and second degree burns across 97.8 per cent of her body when her home at Lot 101 Mon Repos North, East

Coast Demerara (ECD), was completely gutted by a fire of an unknown origin.

Persaud survived the fire by walking out of the house as it burned; she was covered in flames and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by neighbours Previous reports indicate that the child’s mother left the home to attend a wedding in the community on Sunday, leaving her in the care of her older siblings.

An investigation has since been launched by the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Fire Service.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, august 14, 2019

Regional

Antigua: Travelling to obtain Canadian visa no longer required

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ntiguans and Barbudans will no longer have to endure the added expense of travelling to the Canadian High Commissions in Barbados or Trinidad to apply for a Canadian visa.

This is according to Foreign Affairs Minister EP “Chet” Greene, who made the major announcement through a press statement on Monday.

The statement read: “the Government of Canada has decided to send a team of officials to Antigua and Barbuda and other member states of the OECS to collect biometrics from nationals of Antigua and Barbuda

and the sub-region, seeking visas to enter Canada”.

The release also said that the development was embraced openly by the Minister, who described it as a “great convenience” to Antiguans and Barbudans, “saving them both time and money since they will no longer have to travel to Trinidad or Barbados to provide their biometric details”.

Furthermore, the Minister praised the work of Ambassador Sir Ronald Sanders who, shortly after the introduction of visa requirements, advocated in Ottawa for a mobile Canadian team to visit pe-

riodically to gather the biometric data.

Greene said that for over a year, Ambassador Sanders has been meeting officials of the Canada Office of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship as well as the Head of the Western Hemisphere Department of the Canadian Foreign Affairs Ministry.

He also pointed out that applications for Canadian visas have to be made online on the website of Canada Immigration, and once a letter of acceptance has been received, applicants can then provide their biometric data to the mobile Canada team. (Antigua Observer)

Jamaican energy company helping 1,500 primary school children

F

ortress Energy says more than 1,500 students attending primary and infant schools in Jamaica will benefit from its annual Back-toSchool Education Assistance Programme, starting on Tuesday.

The students will be treated at back-to-school fairs to be hosted in the company's respective operating communities, with the first two that took place on August 13 in Old Harbour, St Catherine, and on Wednesday August 14 in the Jamalco refinery communities. The third fair will follow on Wednesday, August 21 in Montego Bay, James, where the company started its operation in Jamaica more than three years ago.

During each fair, students will receive a voucher valued at JMD$7,000 to purchase uniforms and school supplies from local-partnered stores, as well as a backpack pre-packed with notebooks, pens and pencils.

The company is also partnering with doctors and den-

Brazil's Indigenous women protest against Bolsonaro policies

H

undreds of Indigenous women occupied a building of Brazil's Health Ministry in the capital, Brasília, on Monday to protest against the policies of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.

The group of some 300 protesters demanded better healthcare for indigenous people, especially women, and condemned proposed changes to how these services are delivered.

The Bolsonaro government wants to make towns and cities responsible for providing medical services to Indigenous people, and community leaders fear local authorities lack the infrastructure and specialised units required.

The federal Government is currently in charge of healthcare, and Indigenous communities are visited by specially trained professionals.

The protesters, who are in the city for the first March of Indigenous Women,

Indigenous women protest Bolsonaro policies

sang and danced inside and outside the building of the Special Secretariat of Indigenous Health, known as Sesai.

"We've been left abandoned. They treat indigenous people like animals," 43-year-old Teresa Cristina Kezonazokere told Correio Braziliense newspaper.

The demonstration ended almost 10 hours later, when Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta said he would talk to some of their leaders. There were no reports of violence.

The President has promised to integrate Indigenous people into the rest of the population and repeatedly questioned the existence of their protected reserves, which are rights guaranteed in the country's Constitution.

Bolsonaro, who supports policies that favour development over conservation, says the Indigenous territories are too big in relation to the number of people who live there and has promised to open some of them to agriculture and mining. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Cancer now 2nd leading cause of death in the Caribbean

C Verona Carter, Vice President at New Fortress Energy, poses for a photo with Omario Rowe (left) and Gerry Graham after handing them backpacks at last year's back-to-school fair in Montego Bay, Jamaica

tists who will be conducting school medicals and dental examinations. Community barbers will provide haircuts for the boys.

“At New Fortress Energy, we are passionate about playing a key role in fostering the economic and social development of the communities in which we operate in. Education is a fundamental tool that can transform lives and provide a pathway to economic prosperity for our next generation of workforce,” said Verona

Carter, Vice President of New Fortress Energy.

“That is what our Back-toSchool Education Assistance Programme is all about. We work with the schools and the community leaders to identify those boys and girls who have huge potential academically, but who need financial support to realise their true potential, while relieving parents of some of the stresses that come with the back to school preparations,” continued Carter. (Excerpt from

That upset some supporters of the President who felt he should be doing more to punish wrongdoing from previous governments. In recent months, investigators have begun to close in on some prominent figures in the last administration.

Lopez Obrador told his regular morning news conference he was aware of Robles’ detention and said judicial authorities would decide whether others were implicated in the case.

“But it’s not our business, and I’m not Pontius Pilate either,” he said, referring to the Roman Governor of Judea who oversaw the trial of Jesus.

Still, when asked whether the Robles case represented an achievement for his ad-

ministration, Lopez Obrador said: “I believe it’s an accomplishment that there is no impunity.”

Prosecutors have accused Robles, a former party colleague of Lopez Obrador, of “improper exercise of public service.”

Robles last week appeared in court over prosecution claims that more than 5 billion pesos ($258 million) destined for welfare programmes during her tenure had gone missing at the Ministry, according to local media reports.

The Attorney General’s office has declined to give details of the case, but the investigation has fuelled accusations that the money was siphoned off. Robles denies the allegations. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Jamaica Observer)

ancer is now the second leading cause of death, after cardiovascular disease, in most countries and territories in the Caribbean.

This is according to a recently published paper, Cancer Control in the Caribbean Island Countries and Territories: some progress but the journey continues by Senior Technical Officer for NonCommunicable Diseases, Dr Glennis Andall-Bereton, at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), which noted that “cancer causes a fifth of deaths in the Caribbean region and its incidence is increasing”.

It further noted that providing comprehensive and locally responsive cancer care is particularly challenging in the Caribbean because

of the geographical spread of the islands, the frequently under-resourced healthcare systems, and the absence of a cohesive approach to cancer control.

“In many Caribbean countries and territories, cancer surveillance systems are poorly developed, advanced disease presentations are commonplace, and access to cancer screening, diagnostics, and treatment is often suboptimal, with many patients with cancer seeking treatment abroad,” it said.

“Capacity building across the cancer-control continuum in the region is urgently needed and can be accomplished through collaborative efforts and increased investment in health care and cancer control”.

The authors lament-

ed that the grouping by policy makers like the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) of the Caribbean region with other, larger nations in the Americas means the cancer-control issues in small islands are often overlooked or downplayed.

Dr Andall-Brereton and the others said strengthening cancer-control programmes should start with those interventions that are the most cost-effective and benefit the largest populations. For example, in the absence of any existing cancer control plan, rapid gains can be made via an initial focus on prevention (including tobacco control), improving diagnostic capacity, basic treatment for a few common cancers, and palliative care.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Trinidad: Rowley fires Marlene Mexican former Minister detained, deepening President's anti-graft quest as deputy PNM political leader

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Judge ordered a former Mexican Cabinet Minister to be detained pending a trial over suspected losses to taxpayers, her lawyer said on Tuesday, opening a new front in President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s campaign to eradicate corruption.

The detention of former Social Development Minister Rosario Robles is likely to ramp up scrutiny of the administration of Lopez Obrador’s predecessor, Enrique Pena Nieto, whose 2012-2018 presidency was plagued by graft scandals.

Lopez Obrador has made rooting out corruption the cornerstone of his career, though he took office in December saying he did not want to rake through the past.

P

rime Minister and Political Leader of the People's National Movement (PNM), Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, has revoked the appointment of Marlene McDonald as the deputy political leader of the PNM. Dr Rowley made the announcement via his Facebook page.

"As the Political Leader of the People's National Movement, I have today revoked the appointment of Ms Marlene McDonald as Deputy Political Leader of the PNM," the statement said.

McDonald was one of four deputy political leaders of the PNM, together with the THA Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles, Works and

Marlene Mc Donald

Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan and party stalwart Joan Yuille-Williams.

McDonald was removed as Minister of Public Administration on Monday, with the Office of the Prime Minister announcing that Prime Minister DR Keith Rowley would take up the

portfolio.

The new position was initially earmarked for Government Senator Garvin Simonette but the swearing-in ceremony was 'postponed' in light of new minister in light of 'new information'.

Shortly after the government had announced its decision to appoint Simonette as McDonald's replacement, pictures began circulating of a 2014 mug shot of Simonette from the Brevard County's police officer in Oklahoma, USA. The arrest record said the booking relates to a charge for driving under the influence.

Simonette resigned as a Senator Monday afternoon.

(Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, august 14, 2019

17

Around the World

US to delay China tariffs on India needs time to restore order some products, including in Kashmir – top court Judge laptops, cell phones

T

he Trump administration on Tuesday delayed imposing a 10 per cent import tariff on laptops, cell phones, video game consoles and a wide range of other products made in China, in an abrupt pullback from a hardline stance on Chinese trade.

“We’re doing this for the Christmas season, just in case some of the tariffs would have an impact on US customers,” President Donald Trump told reporters as he prepared to depart from New Jersey for an event in Pittsburgh.

The decision came less than two weeks after Trump

said on Aug 1 he would impose a 10 per cent tariff on US$300 billion of Chinese goods, blaming China for not following through on promises to buy more American agricultural products.

The Administration is still moving forward with 10 per cent tariffs on much of the US$300 billion of imports first disclosed in May, publishing a 122-page list of products that will face tariffs beginning Sept 1, including smartwatches.

The exemptions, combined with renewed talks with China, suggest Trump may be willing to compromise.

In a sign the Administration may be expecting something in return, Trump tweeted on Tuesday: “As usual, China said they were going to be buying “big” from our great American farmers. So far they have not done what they said. Maybe this will be different!” Trump tweeted.

The US Chamber of Commerce praised the tariff delays and said it was “more important than ever that the two sides return to the negotiating table and recommit to achieving progress towards a comprehensive, enforceable agreement.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Hong Kong protests cripple airport for 2nd day

Some struggled to get through crowds before flights were suspended

F

light check-in has been suspended at Hong Kong International Airport for a second consecutive day because of anti-Government protests.

The airport, which is one of the world’s busiest, has been the site of daily protests since Friday.

Videos on social media showed passengers struggling to get through demonstrators, who were sitting inside and blocking depar-

tures.

Amid tense scenes, police and protesters clashed outside the airport.

The police, wearing riot gear and brandishing truncheons, are said to have deployed pepper spray to push protesters back.

In an ugly incident, young protesters mobbed a man they suspected was an undercover policeman and zip-tied his hands together. Paramedics struggled to

treat the man amid a crowd of angry protesters before he was taken to hospital.

The editor of China’s Global Times newspaper said the man was one of his reporters who was merely doing his job.

Hong Kong Police have admitted deploying officers disguised as anti-Government protesters during the unrest in the city.

The city’s leader, Carrie Lam, earlier issued a fresh warning to protesters.

Lam said Hong Kong had “reached [a] dangerous situation” and that violence during protests would push it “down a path of no return”.

The official Xinhua news agency said “mobsters” had created “an atmosphere of terror” on Hong Kong’s streets.

Mass unrest has rocked Hong Kong for 10 weeks and shows no signs of abating.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Danish PM apologises for historical abuse in children’s homes

D

anish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has officially said sorry to hundreds of victims of historical abuse in Staterun homes.

From 1945 to 1976 children were sexually abused, beaten and drugged at the homes, an official inquiry found.

The abuse took place across Denmark and campaigners have for years appealed to the State to accept it was at fault.

The Social Democrat Prime Minister met dozens of victims of the scandal at her official residence at Marienborg on Tuesday.

“I would like to look every one of you in the eyes and say sorry,” she told them.

“I can’t take the blame but I can shoulder the responsi-

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen

bility.”

Many were in tears as she said that children had been taken from their parents and instead of getting support and warmth, they received humiliation and abuse.

“The authorities did nothing. As a society, we cannot and must not close our eyes,” she had said earlier.

Details about the homes first hit the headlines in 2005, when a Danish TV documentary featured shocking allegations of abuse and mistreatment from victims of the state-run Godhavn Boys’ Home, in north-eastern Denmark.

The documentary also uncovered evidence that a psychiatrist had tested drugs on some of the children. Bjorn Elmquist, then an MP who had already been working on the abuse cases, said the drug LSD had been used to counter bed-wetting, leading to many of the children later becoming drug addicts. (Excerpt from BBC News)

An officer stands behind the concertina wire during restrictions on Eid-al-Adha after the scrapping of India-administered Kashmir’s constitutional autonomy by New Delhi in Srinagar August 12, 2019 (Reuters)

I

ndian authorities need more time to restore order in Kashmir, a Supreme Court Justice said on Tuesday as a security clampdown entered a ninth day since New Delhi revoked the region’s special status, triggering protests.

The court is hearing an activist’s petition seeking to lift curbs on communications and movement that have disrupted normal life

and essential services in the Himalayan region.

Telephone lines, internet and television networks have been blocked since Aug 5 when India withdrew Jammu and Kashmir state’s right to frame its own laws and allowed non-residents to buy property there.

Restrictions on movement and assembly, including a ban on gatherings of more than four people, were

tightly enforced on Tuesday in the region’s main city, Srinagar.

Justice Arun Mishra said the Government wanted to bring Kashmir back to normal as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s move on Kashmir threw a tighter grasp on the country’s only Muslimmajority region, and drew strong protests from neighbouring Pakistan, which also lays claim to the region.

Modi’s Government has said the old laws prohibiting people from outside Kashmir from buying property, settling there and taking up Government jobs had hindered its development.

Restrictions were lifted in five districts of Jammu on Monday, and relaxed in nine Kashmir districts, the Home Ministry said. Still, it said there would be heightened security for Pakistan’s Independence Day today followed by India’s the next day and then Muslim Friday prayers. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Russian village evacuation as rocket blast sparks radiation fears

R

ussian authorities have advised residents of a village to leave while clear-up work is being carried out nearby following a mysterious rocket engine accident last week that caused a temporary spike in radiation, according to a report.

Russia’s Rosatom nuclear agency said five of its staff were killed in the August 8 blast at a naval facility that tests ballistic missiles used by nuclear submarines. At least three people were injured.

On Tuesday, Interfax news agency cited local officials as saying they had received a notification about clear-up work being carried out by military authorities.

Rosgidromet, the weather monitoring service, said on Tuesday its sensors in Severodvinsk - located about

Thousands of people attend the burial of five Russian nuclear engineers killed by an explosion

30km from the test site registered radiation exceeding background levels by “four to 16 times” on the day of the blast.

One of the sensors registered a level of 1.78 microsieverts per hour, well above the local average but far below dangerous levels.

The blast caused panic, with residents rushing to

buy iodide, which can help limit the damage from exposure to radiation.

Following the explosion, Russian authorities also closed part of Dvina Bay on the White Sea to shipping for a month, in what could be an attempt to prevent outsiders from seeing an operation to recover the missile debris. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

an ethnic uprising by Tuaregs in the north. More recently the violence has moved to central Mali, where fighting between farmers and herders has surged this year.

The number of children in Mali who were killed or maimed in conflict almost quadrupled to 229 in the first half of 2019, up from 59 in the same period last year, UNICEF said.

Fulani herders and Dogon farmers have long competed for land and resources in Mali but jihadist groups have exploited their ethnic rivalry to boost recruitment and ex-

pand their reach.

In March, suspected Dogon militiamen killed more than 150 Fulani in central Mali, one of the worst acts of bloodshed in the country’s recent history.

The insecurity has forced over 900 schools to close, which is another factor driving recruitment of children, said Luthi.

The figures reflect a wider trend of children being more caught up in conflicts globally, said Keyan Salarkia, an expert on conflict with British charity Save the Children.

Child soldiers and deaths surge in Mali as violence worsens

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he number of children forced to join armed groups in Mali has doubled since last year amid worsening jihadist and ethnic violence, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

In the first six months of 2019, the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, recorded 99 cases of children in Mali being recruited or used by armed groups, often as soldiers, spies, cooks or cleaners, compared to 47 in the same period last year.

The West African country has been in conflict since 2012 when Islamists hijacked

(Excerpt from Reuters)

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guyanatimesgy.com

Wednesday, AUGUST 14, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES

Head in a direction that

(March 21- you feel drawn to and stick April 19) to the people you love to be

around. Much can change if you follow your heart.

Romance is encouraged.

Change can be expectTAURUS ed. Be careful how you pro(April 20- ceed and whom you trust.

May 20) Take your time and focus on detail, precision, facts and truth. Discipline will pay off.

dilbert

Use your intelligence, and

GEMINI make choices based on what (May 21- you see, not on what you hear.

June 20) Home improvements and romance will enhance your personal life and lead to positive change.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

You’ll be drawn to unusual people and events, but before you immerse yourself in someone else’s beliefs or lifestyle, take a moment to think about it. Don’t be fooled into thinking the grass is greener elsewhere.

Focus on productivity. Get along with others and avoid letting your emotions take charge in professional situations or when you are making decisions that can lead to trouble with authority.

Let others do as they VIRGO please, and get on with your (Aug. 23own business. Don’t give anySept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

one the upper hand in situations that concern money, home or partnerships. Strive for equality and fair play.

Get into the swing of LIBRA things and take part in (Sept. 23- events that excite you.

Oct. 23) Updating your appearance or consorting with people who motivate and inspire you should be your focus.

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Take care of business before someone complains or tries to take charge. A change may not be expected or wanted, but it should be considered and dealt with responsibly.

Personal gains and imSAGITTARIUS provements are heading in (Nov. 23your direction. Don’t miss out Dec. 21) because you are too busy do-

ing things for someone else.

Upgrade, update and outdo.

Romance is in the stars.

CAPRICORN Size up whatever situation (Dec. 22you face and make the necesJan. 19) sary adjustments. Emotions

YESTERDAY’S WORD

and money won’t mix well.

Avoid joint ventures that are risky or could potentially ruin a relationship.

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

Express your thoughts, take action and do what you promised you’d do. Set the standard instead of being subject to someone else’s rules. Romance is highlighted.

Stick to what’s essential.

PISCES Don’t go overboard or let (Feb. 20anyone push you into someMarch 20) thing outlandish. Discipline will be required if you want to get things done. Avoid temptation.

WEDNESday, august 14, 2019

19

Man City fined but avoid transfer ban for breaching Fifa rules on under-18 signings M

anchester City have avoided a transfer ban after admitting breaching Fifa rules on signing youth players.

The Premier League champions have been fined 370,000 Swiss Francs (£315,000).

Fifa said City breached article 19 of its regulations: “International transfers of players are only permitted if the player is over the age of 18.”

City say the breaches, which all occurred before December 2016, were as a result of “misinterpretation of the regulations in question”.

Chelsea were banned from signing players for two transfer windows for a similar rule breach - but the club are appealing to have that overturned.

City said the rule breach was in relation to players on trial and their partici-

City have been fined £315,000 by Fifa for breaches of article 19 on international transfers of under18s

pation in friendly games, and that the club had been “fully compliant” since. The

club also said they “co-operated fully” with Fifa’s investigation.

“The club accepts responsibility for the breaches which arose as a result

of misinterpretation of the regulations in question,” said City.

Last year, two players from Ghana’s Right to Dream football academy - Sierra Leone’s George Davies and Ghanaian Dominic Oduro - told Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten that they signed for City and played in youth matches before they turned 18.

“The Fifa disciplinary committee has sanctioned English club Manchester City FC for breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18,” said football’s world governing body in a statement.

“Manchester City FC was found to have breached, among others, article 19 of the Fifa Regulations on the status and transfer of players.

“The disciplinary com-

mittee took into account the fact that Manchester City FC accepted its responsibility and sanctioned the club with a fine of CHF 370,000.”

Chelsea were sanctioned

by Fifa in February for breaching rules in relation to 29 youth players, and were fined £460,000 in addition to their transfer ban.

In June the Blues, who were not allowed to make any signings in the summer transfer window, announced they were taking their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, having failed with their first appeal to Fifa.

In May 2017, City were banned from signing academy players for two years and fined £300,000 after breaching Premier League transfer rules.

The club are currently being investigated by Uefa for alleged financial fair play violations. (BBC Sport)

Fury v Wallin: Las Vegas bout confirmed for September 14

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yson Fury has been warned he “has everything to lose” by Sweden’s Otto Wallin as the 14 September bout between the pair was confirmed.

News of 30-year-old Fury’s Las Vegas contest with Wallin broke on 2 August.

The Briton is expected to face WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in 2020 if he wins.

“I know I’m an underdog in this fight, but I’m ready for this opportunity and I’m going to grab it with both

hands,” said Wallin, 28.

“Anybody can get beat and especially in the heavyweight division. I like the fact that I have everything to gain and Tyson has everything to lose.”

Wallin, a 6ft 5in southpaw, has 20 wins - 13 via knockout - and one no contest on his record.

In the rankings of the four major sanctioning bodies, he is ranked fourth globally by the WBA and 11th by the IBF but has never competed with an opponent of the calibre of Fury - the former IBF, WBO and

Fury (right) beat Tom Schwarz in his last fight in Las Vegas in June (Reuters)

WBA world heavyweight champion.

“Otto Wallin is a worldranked fighter and is tall,

something we want with the Deontay Wilder rematch around the corner,” said Fury, who has 28 wins and a draw on his record.

“He is also a southpaw, which will bring its own obstacles, but I will be fully focused to get this job done because the rematch needs to happen.”

Wilder is due to face Cuba’s Luis Ortiz later this year in a repeat of their 2018 contest in which the American scored a late stoppage.

Should he win again and Fury overcomes Wallin, the

pair - who shared a thrilling draw on 1 December were expected contest their rematch on 22 February.

“After the Ortiz fight, Wilder isn’t going to be ready to fight again in February,” Fury told BT Sport. “So after I beat Wallin, I am going to fight again in December back in England.”

Legendary promoter Bob Arum, who promotes Fury in the US, has said he “can’t fathom” why the rematch with Wilder is not happening next. (BBC Sport)

Teenager Gauff, former champ Stephanie Frappart “not afraid” of Super Stosur get US Open wildcards Cup between Chelsea and Liverpool

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merican teenager Cori “Coco” Gauff and former champion Samantha Stosur were among players to be given wildcards into the main draw of the US Open starting later this month, organizers said on Tuesday.

Gauff, 15, stunned players and fans alike when she made her debut in the main draw of a Grand Slam at this year’s Wimbledon, reaching the fourth round where she was beaten by eventual champion Simona Halep.

Gauff, the youngest finalist in the girls’ singles event at the US Open in 2017 aged 13, is one of five teenagers given wildcards at Flushing Meadows.

Americans Caty McNally, Whitney Osuigwe and Katie Volynets (all 17) and France’s 16-year-old Diane Parry, who became the youngest player this decade to win a main-draw match in the French Open in May, also received them.

Coco Gauff announced herself to the world when she beat former world number one Venus Williams at Wimbledon in July

Australia’s Stosur, US Open champion in 2011, will be making her 15th appearance in the main draw.

The 35-year-old, who last reached a Grand Slam singles semi-final in 2016 at Roland Garros, was also a doubles champion in New York in 2005.

“Parry and Stosur earn their entry via the USTA’s reciprocal wildcard arrangement with the French Tennis Federation and

Tennis Australia,” organizers said in a statement.

American Jack Sock headlines the men’s singles wildcards.

The 26-year-old, who was sidelined for six months after sustaining a thumb injury at the Australian Open, is looking to maintain his streak of playing in every US Open main draw since 2010.

The US Open begins on Aug. 26. (Reuters)

hen Stephanie Frappart takes charge of the Uefa Super Cup between Chelsea and Liverpool on Wednesday, it could be argued it’s not even the biggest game she has refereed this summer.

The French official will make history by becoming the first female to officiate in a major men’s European match on Wednesday.

But having also taken charge of the Women’s World Cup final in July and Ligue 1 matches in France since April, she says she won’t be feeling any extra pressure.

“We train a lot of all the time, so we are not afraid because we are always ready for all the games,” the 35-year-old said.

Frappart admits her “life has changed” since she was appointed earlier this month

Stephanie Frappart (centre) will be flanked by the same team as the Women’s World Cup final ― Manuela Nicolosi of Italy (left) and Michelle O’Neill from Republic of Ireland

as part of an all-female onfield referee team for the match between last season’s Champions League and Europa League winners.

She will line up alongside assistant referees Manuela Nicolosi of Italy and Michelle O’Neill from the Republic of Ireland, who also joined her at the World Cup. Turkish male referee

Cuneyt Cakir will be the fourth official in his home city of Istanbul.

“I’m now popular all over the world,” Frappart added.

“But I was also appointed in Ligue 1, so I know the feelings and emotions and how to manage them and how to train for [the occasion].

“This is not my first appointment.” (BBC Sport)

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WEDNESday, august 14, 2019

Root urges England bowlers to be “ruthless” against Steve Smith J

young guy. He can swing the ball both ways. oe Root has told England to look past He’s got a good bouncer and bowls at good Steve Smith’s twitchiness at the crease pace consistently. So I’m sure he’ll cause and be ruthless with their plans as problems on most surfaces. And hopefully, they look to nullify Australia’s premier batshe can exploit this one this time around.” man when the second Ashes Test begins at Just as Australia’s batting line-up is not Lord’s on Wednesday. solely about one man, nor should England’s Sitting 1-0 down and wary that no attack rest on the shoulders of a debutant.

England team has come back from a twoRoot was coy about which of Archer, Stuart match deficit in an Ashes series, Root’s playBroad and Chris Woakes would share the ers know Smith’s wicket is key after his new ball but was happy to discuss the lattwin centuries at Edgbaston. The England ter’s record at Lord’s, where he averages captain, set to hand Jofra Archer his debut nine with the ball and 66 with the bat from but still to decide if Sam Curran can also four Tests. be squeezed into the XI with damp weathRoot said: “I don’t think you really need er forecast, believes Smith’s fidgety style has to remind Chris of his record here – every perhaps contributed to past problems bowltime you walk through the dressing room ing to him. you see his name at the bottom of the honRoot, stressing Smith must start on zero ours board a few times, especially in the once more, said: “It’s something you’ve got to bowling column. It’s great when you’ve got look past. A lot of what he does is try to put guys coming back to venues where they’ve you off in a way, trying to make it look extremely different so you have to think way Joe Root and England had trouble dismissing Steve Smith at Edgbaston in the first Ashes Test [Photo got really fond memories. It’s really powerful and feeds a lot of confidence through him outside the box. You look at his dismissals overby: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian] and the rest of the guys.” a period of time, it’s not far away from everyone ing with Joe Denly for his place – England would move batsAustralia have rested James Pattinson from the side else’s – the movements before and after it might look slightmen up to make the switch – the latter could also be rethat won at Edgbaston in a bid to keep their attack fresh. ly different but it’s just being really clear on how we want tained if the expected rain reduces the length of match and There are three days between the second and third Tests, to go about it. thus the need for their spinner, Jack Leach. with Josh Hazlewood expected to be preferred to Mitchell “When we go to a plan, we’ve got to be really ruthless Archer is certain to play with the 24-year-old fast bowlStarc as the initial replacement seamer. with it and stick to it. [And also] to make sure if we’re not er having previously claimed that Smith avoided him in the For Tim Paine, who made his Test debut at Lord’s alonggetting him out, we’re containing him and building pressure nets while teammates at Rajasthan Royals. Root, without side Smith in 2010 before seven years in the wilderness, a on him at the other end. I’m expecting a big response from Jimmy Anderson after a calf injury, is keen to find out why.

2-0 lead would put him within touching distance of a rethe boys this time around.”

Asked if the extra pace might unsettle Smith, Root remarkable feat as Australia captain, having rebuilt the team Analysts noted that Smith made 23 idiosyncratic moveplied: “It could, potentially. You try and use your whole arafter the ball-tampering scandal last year. ments between deliveries during the last Ashes – a series moury in different ways. I’m fully confident that the whole Paine said: “I’m rapped to be playing international crickhe dominated with three centuries with an average of 137 bowling group have got everything it takes to get every sinet again and to have a second opportunity to have the cap– and shuffles back and across before meeting the ball, but gle one of their players out.” taincy is a great honour as well. It’s certainly one I didn’t England at least have fresh weapons with which to chalOn facing Archer, he said: “It’s not always pleasant. But want or expect but doing the job now, I’m thoroughly enjoylenge the right-hander this week. it’s very exciting to stand at slip to and he’s a very skilful ing it.” (The Guardian) While the more all-round Curran appears to be compet-

Enticing matchups highlight 2019-20 NBA schedule

Reggae Boyz Shamar Nicholson signs with Belgian club Sporting Charleroi

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GSW’s Klay Thompson guards against Toronto Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard during the NBA finals playoffs Pelicans at the Raptors on ring

hen the NBA released its regular season and TV schedules for the 2019-20 season on Monday, there were some immediate matchups worth noting that involve moving-on All-Stars like Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis.

Leonard, who helped the Toronto Raptors win an NBA title in June, is now with the Los Angeles Clippers, who will meet his former team in Toronto on Dec. 11. Davis, who moved from the New Orleans Pelicans to join LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers, goes back to the Big Easy to face No. 1 draft pick Zion Williamson and Co. on Nov. 27, the same day the Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving goes back to Boston to meet his ex-Celtics teammates.

Other notables include the Houston Rockets’ Russell Westbrook returning to face his former Thunder teammates in Oklahoma City on Jan. 9 after previously playing them in Houston on Oct. 28, and new Clippers forward Paul George also returning to Oklahoma City, on Dec. 22.

Also, Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley plays in Memphis for the first time as a visitor on Nov. 15, and Boston guard Kemba Walker makes his return to Charlotte on Nov. 7.

There are many other highlights with the NBA schedule, in its 74th regular season that tips off on Oct. 22 and ends on April 15. Opening night includes a doubleheader with the

night, and what promises to be the beginning of a more heated rivalry when the Lakers and Clippers meet in the battle for Los Angeles.

Twelve of TNT’s 31 doubleheaders and 22 of ESPN’s 36 doubleheaders will tip off at 7:30/10 p.m. ET or 7/9:30 p.m. ET, a half-hour or hour earlier than last year’s 8/10:30 p.m. starts.

National TV starts at 10:30 p.m. ET were reduced from 57 to 33.

The Lakers will have the most national TV appearances (31), followed up the Golden State Warriors (30), who will get the chance to show off their new arena, the Clippers and Rockets (26), the Celtics (25) and the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers (24). Williamson and the Pelicans will be on national TV 20 times.

The previously announced Christmas Day schedule includes five games — beginning with the Celtics at Raptors at noon ET; other matchups (all times ET) are Bucks at 76ers (2:30 p.m.), Rockets at Warriors (5 p.m.), Clippers-Lakers (8 p.m.) and Pelicans at Denver Nuggets (10:30 p.m.).

Games on TNT, ESPN, ABC and NBA TV will include flexible scheduling during the regular season “to provide the most compelling matchups to a national audience,” the league said in a release.

The All-Star Game is Feb. 16 in Chicago. There are no games from Feb. 14-19. (Reuters)

eggae Boyz striker Shamar Nicholson is moving on from Slovenian club NK Domzale after signing a contract to play for Belgian club Sporting Charleroi.

The 22-year-old Nicholson made 47 appearances for NK Domzale scoring 18 goals since he joined the club from Boys Town FC in September 2017. He now looks forward to doing the same for his new club in the Belgian First Division A. The club finished ninth during the 2018/2019 season.

Shamar Nicholson “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in my career,” said Nicholson who scored three goals in six appearances for Jamaica in 2019.

“This is a proud day for me, my family, friends, my boyhood club Boys Town, NK Domžale and all of Jamaica. I’m fully focused and I’m ready for the big challenge that’s in front of me. Thanks to all my past coaches, my agent, and everyone who helped me along the way. Now I’m just ready to meet my new teammates and coaches at R.C.S.C so I can get to work.”

Nicholson came up through Boys Town youth system where head coach Andrew Price helped shape him into one of the club’s most potent strikers. Price expressed his pride at Nicholson’s progress as he makes the next step in his burgeoning career.

“My son with whom I am well pleased,” Price posted on his Facebook page.

“So proud of you Shamar Boza Genna. We have been there and back. But we still rise. Continue to have the same fixity of purpose in your new challenge. Continue to be humble and thankful in all your future endeavours. Put God First. Keep the fire burning.”

21 Tucber Park CC camp up and running guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESday, august 14, 2019

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Coach Anthony D’Andrade producing batting tips for the youths on the Berbice High School Tarmac

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fter the holiday on Monday last, the first ever Tucber Park Cricket Club Summer Camp commenced on Tuesday, with 30 plus participants at the Berbice High School Ground.

The opening ceremony saw New Amsterdam Mayor Winfred Haywood, Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster and other executive members of the Tucber Park Cricket Club.

At the opening ceremony, BCB boss Foster encouraged the youths to absorb as much knowledge from the camp and say yes to education and no to drugs. This academy, which was officially opened on

August 13, will run from 09:00h to 12:00h local time; the final day will be on Saturday, August 17, 2019.

Tucber Park Cricket Club Secretary Tamesh Mohabir disclosed that this cricket camp will target the ages of 10 and above.

Mohabir disclosed that the main aim of the camp is to improve the cricketing abilities of the youngsters and give them an opportunity to use their summer time wisely.

“Most of them are on summer vacation and this camp will be a meaningful experience”, Mohabir disclosed.

Coach Tremayne Smartt gets feedback from youths after the batting classes

The coaching of the summer camp will be conducted by Cricket West Indies (CWI) level-three Coach Julian Moore, as well as CWI level-two Coaches Tremayne Smartt and Anthony D’Andrade.

The opening day of the camp saw the youths being exposed to the techniques in batting. Coach Smartt took control of the younger group, while Coach D’Andrade took charge of the under-19 and more senior members.

As the camp progresses, the participants will be exposed to all aspects of the game: fielding and bowling, in addition to batting, and they will be exposed to theo-

retical/indoor sessions.

Former West Indies Test bowler Colin Stuart will be conducting the fast bowling session, while veteran Michael Hyles and CWI level-three Winston Smith will also chip in with a few sessions.

This camp will further expose the youths to basic skills in cricket, life skills, leadership, the importance of education, etc.

Some of the sponsors for the event are Trophy Stall, Big B’s Restaurant, Caribbean Vibes Restaurant, Joe Ramsunhai, Quincy Rohleur, Asquith Hamilton, and Fitness 53, among other sponsors.

Moore makes strides in Caribbean Hopes training camp

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uyana’s National Under-10 Boys Champion Malachi Moore has been given a life-changing opportunity to participate in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Caribbean Hopes Table Tennis training camp. Moore is currently in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, taking in all that he can at the high-performance camp, which began on August 11 and will run until August 19, 2019.

The Caribbean camp will see 15 of the best boys and girls ages 11 and under participating.

A product of the Malteenoes Table Tennis Club, Moore is under the tutelage of the experienced Idi Lewis. The youngster and his mother winged out on Saturday, August 10, 2019, en route the Dominican Republic, where they arrived safely. Moore had his first training session the following day (Sunday).

The programme, which is aimed at providing, nurturing and giving early exposure to young talents, is being conducted under the guidance of Venezuela’s experienced ITTF expert Luisana Perez.

For the eight days that they players will be encamped, training will be two 3-hour sessions per day; each day commencing at 09:00h and concluding at 18:30h.

Additionally, coaches will have the opportunity to attend workshops and seminars, followed by a Challenge tournament. Moore is expected to be supported by a coach from the Dominican Republic, a request made to Juan Vila, Pan American and Dominican Table Tennis Federation President.

The World Hopes programme targets players in the Under-11 category, and is the first step on the road to high performance.

Conducted under ITTF Education

Malachi Moore during a training session

and Training Programme, it is an ITTF global continental programme which offers young players – who are selected on the programme from the different continents— a sustaining pathway to benefit from training equipment and support.

The Caribbean Hopes training camp offers players from the region the opportunity to possibly qualify as part of the Pan American team— which resents the Latin continent against the continents of Europe, Asia, Oceania, North America at the

Worlds Hopes Camp and competition Moore was selected by the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) along with 2019 National Girls 11 and 13 cadet champion Jasmine Billingy. However, Billingy was deemed ineligible for the camp, given the age stipulation which required that players must not have been 11 years

by January 1 2019, as such, Moore was Guyana’s lone participant at the camp. The eligible players could have turned 11 years throughout the course of 2019,

but could not be 11 on January 1. This fact nullified the talented Billingy’s possibilities of qualifying even if she wins the Hopes camp. Based on the cost, a decision was taken to have her solely participate in the Caribbean Mini and Pre-Cadet championships.

The two players are amongst a group of other talented players to lead Guyana’s charge at the 2019 Caribbean Mini and Pre-Cadet Table Tennis Championships scheduled for August 19 to 27 2019 in the Dominican Republic.

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Women’s T20 cricket to be included in the 2022 Commonwealth Games

ight international teams will compete at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. All matches to be played at the iconic Edgbaston cricket ground.

Manu Sawhney: This is a truly historic moment for women’s cricket “This is a truly historic moment for women’s cricket and for the global cricket community, who were united in their support of this bid,” said Manu Sawhney, Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council. “Women’s cricket continues to go from strength to strength, and we are delighted and honoured the Commonwealth Games Associations voted to include Women’s T20 cricket at Birmingham 2022.

“Fast and exciting, the T20 format is the perfect fit for the Commonwealth Games and offers another chance to showcase women’s cricket on the global stage as part of our ambitious plans to accelerate the growth of the game, whilst inspiring the next generation of cricketers.

All the players who are lucky enough to compete at Birmingham 2022 will be part of a truly memorable experience."

The inclusion of Women’s T20 within the Commonwealth Games continues the ICC’s commitment to support the global growth of the women’s game and reach new markets whilst getting more girls and women watching, playing and enjoying cricket.

Eight teams will compete across eight match days, as cricket returns to the Commonwealth Games for the first time since 1998, when South Africa won Gold in a men's 50over format competition in Kuala Lumpur.

Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are delighted that Women’s T20 Cricket will be part of Birmingham 2022, an event that represents the biggest female and para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history. Today’s landmark announcement is another indication of the extremely

bright future for women’s cricket.

“Cricket’s inclusion in an event with such a large global reach aligns perfectly with our plan to enable more women and girls to be inspired to get involved in cricket. We would like to thank the teams at Birmingham 2022, the Commonwealth Games Foundation and the International Cricket Council for their support in sharing this vision for one of the world’s biggest team sports.”

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will take place in England from 27th July to 7th August 2022 and will see 4,500 athletes competing at across 18 sports.

The ICC will be responsible for the competition terms and the conduct of cricket, by way of providing match officials and ensuring matches are played as per the laws of the game. The CGF and Birmingham 2022 will be responsible for delivery of the Commonwealth Games 2022.

“Today is an histor-

Windies Women

ic day and we are delighted to welcome the sport of cricket back to the Commonwealth Games,” said CGF President Dame Louise Martin DBE. “Cricket was last played in the Games at Kuala Lumpur in 1998 when the men's 50-overs-aside competition was won

by South Africa and featured icons of the sport including Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar.

“We believe the Commonwealth Games will be a fantastic platform to showcase the exciting sport of Women’s T20 Cricket and continue to help grow the game globally.

“We would like to thank the International Cricket Council for their hard work and efforts to ensure that the sport is in the Games in Birmingham as we believe it will contribute to a spectacular and vibrant multi-

sport event. Cricket is truly a Commonwealth sport and we hope Birmingham 2022 will be the start of a long and successful partnership between Women’s Cricket and the Games.”

All eight matchdays will be held at Edgbaston cricket ground, which played host to a number of memorable matches at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup this summer, including England’s semi-final victory over Australia. (CWI)

DCC summer camp underway - Digicel throws support behind initiative

T

he Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) yesterday launched its 2019 Junior Summer Camp at the club’s pavilion. The two-week initiative was launched with a simple opening ceremony where the youngsters were

given a charge by former national cricketer Dr. Vincent Adams, who implored them to embrace the nurturing nuances of the camp but to also find the right blend between sports and academics.He shared his life experi-

ence of making the national senior team as a teenager and could have forged a career with the West Indies but was forced to turn to academia following a vehicular accident. Dr Adams faced several hindrances thereaf-

Guyana Cycling Federation’s AGM delayed for few months

T

he Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) has been delayed for a few months and will be convened according to the Federation.

This meeting was slated for August 13 at 15:00h at Guyana Olympic Association Office Building, Block XXX Liliendall, East Coast Demerara.

In a notice sent to its members, each eligible member is entitled to send not more than two delegates of which one would be entitled to vote.

The notice further stated that in order for any of the GCF clubs to sit in the AGM and have a vote, they must be in good standing. Resolution (s) must be submitted to the Federation through the General Secretary at least 14 days before the AGM. High on the agenda would be the election of office bearers for the next four years, apart from Report of

DCC President Roger Harper receiving a sponsorship cheque from the Digicel representative

The Horace Burrowes-led GCF administration

the Federation (2015 – 2019) and the Audited Financial Statements (2011 – 2019), among other items.

The last GCF elections were in 2015, where Horace Burrowes was elected President and Paul Choo-

wee-nam was elected first Vice-President.

Andrew Arjoon was second VicePresident, while Jerome Allicock was elected third Vice-President in the 2015 elections.

ter to regain his spot on the national team and it was at this juncture that academics became a more prominent focus. “Athletics is so important. Even cricket,” Dr Adams said, adding, “But it is not only about cricket but also what happens as a player. What you do beside cricket and my experience has taught me not only that cricket gave me the discipline to be successful in life but it also provided me lots of opportunities and opened doors that not would have otherwise been open. “When I was 19, I made it on the Guyana national team. I played one season and got into an automobile accident the very next year. I thought my life had disappeared because my only ambition had been to play cricket for the

West Indies.” Dr Adams, at that point, began to contemplate the unfortunate events that unfolded in his life and the possible end to his cricketing career. He then heeded the advice of former West Indian cricketer Basil Butcher who encouraged him to join the University of Guyana and the rest was history. He is now a doctor.

As such, Dr Adams advised the youngsters and parents to find the right equilibrium.

Meanwhile, Digicel’s Communication’s Manager Vidya Sanichara was on hand to deliver the digital giant’s contribution to the President of the Club Roger Harper. Digicel’s financial contribution will ensure the success of the 2019 edition of the camp which runs up until August 23. The camp will

be conducted by an experienced team of coaches led

by Technical Director Mark Harper along with Travis Dowlin, Gavin Nedd, Reon King, Clyde Butts and Roger Harper. This edition of the camp will be held under the theme “Creating the passion and nurturing the talent” and will seek to inculcate the fundamentals of the game to youth between 7-17 years old. The programme will involve classroom sessions, lectures by a variety of expert presenters, cricket and fitness drills, games simulations, side games and matches.A number of budding stars including Keemo Paul, Sherfance Rutherford, Tevin Imlach, Ashmead Nedd, Sachin Singh and Qumar Torrington have all emerged as products of the camp.

23

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESday, august 14, 2019

Windies yet to recover from ODI downhill slope

― chance to level series today

The West Indies team that last won an ODI series back in 2014

By Brandon Corlette

C

urrently playing against India in the MyTeam11 One Day International (ODI) series, it is an impossible task for the West Indies team to win the three-match series, which will culminate today, August 14.

After the rain-out match in Guyana, followed by the 59-run defeat in Trinidad, West Indies are likely to level the series or more likely to lose the series.

The last time West

Indies won an ODI series was way back in 2014, in a home series against Bangladesh, 3-0. That is a lifetime ago with Dwayne Bravo leading the team that included some seven Trinidad and Tobago players.

Since that 2014 series, West Indies were involved in 22 ODI bilateral series/ major ICC tournaments and failed to register a series win.

The current West Indies management are indicating that this is

a rebuilding process in Caribbean cricket, but significant progress is yet to be made. West Indies have won matches in patches, but winning an ODI series these days is rare. Current Captain Jason Holder has took the Captain’s armband in 2014-15 against South Africa where they lost the ODI series 4-1.

That bilateral series was followed by the 2015 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup that was won by Australia.

Holder took his team to Sri Lanka back in 2015-16 and lost 3-0, then followed up with the Tri-nation home series against Australia and South Africa where Windies lost to the Aussies.

The ODI series results continued downhill; West Indies then lost to Pakistan 3-0, followed by a Tri-series in 2016-17 against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka where they lost.

Their poor ODI series results continued when they lost series against England, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and the World Cup Qualifiers, where they finished second to Afghanistan.

Since West Indies’ 2014 ODI triumph against Bangladesh, they drew two ODI series; in 2017 they leveled 1-1 with Afghanistan and in 2019 they drew 2-2 with England.

Those two performances were the last time West Indies’ nose had a hint of the smell of series success, under the Holder captaincy.

The 27-year old Holder is still searching for his first

ever series win as captain but he will not get it against India since today’s match can either result in a series win for India or a serieslevelling performance by Holder and his team.

West Indies have lacked complete team performances for a long time

and in recent times, Holder and Head Coach Floyd Reifer have been concerned about the batting more than the other areas. Holder, who spoke ahead of the ODI series opener in Guyana, called for batsmen to bat deep and score big.

After the conclusion of the second ODI in Trinidad, Reifer shared similar sentiments where he called upon the batsmen to show more responsibility and grit. The continuous talking and discussion has not been backed up by action as West Indies batsmen failed to bat deep on regular basis.

But in recent times West Indies have been in

comfortable positions to win matches but they have failed to cling on and complete t h o s e

Virat Kholi’s single innings of 120 put him at the top of the run scorers for the ODI series

encounters with a win.

This was seen throughout the World Cup and in the most recent second ODI against India, West Indies were rallying.

The bowlers restricted India to below 300 despite Virat Kolhi’s 42nd ton and the perfect platform which was laid for a big total by India. In the chase West Indies were 148-3 in 28 overs, but slumped to 210 all out, loosing seven wickets for 62 runs.

That would have been the turning point, the moment where the batsmen failed to batsman West Indies to a win.

WEDNESday, august 14, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Page 23

Windies yet to recover from ODI downhill slope

― chance to level series today

Tucber Park CC camp up and running Page 21

Guyana Cycling Federation’s AGM delayed for few months Page 22

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