Guyana Times August 3, 2017

2 THE BEACON OF TRUTH

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

Thursday, August 3, 2017

Issue No. 3290

PRICE

Broadcast Amendment Bill

GPA stands in solidarity with local broadcasters Page 9

CASC participants pay special visit to orphaned children

Page 13

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Canje murder suspect still at large P10

…ex-girlfriend warns others not to fall prey

Region 9 "picking up the pieces" after devastating P13 flood

RCC proposes reformative P14 approach to juvenile detention … separation of juvenile offenders

Some of the Caribbean Award Sub-Regional Council (CASC) participants interacting with children of the Guyana Red Cross Society Children's Convalescent Home during a special visit on Wednesday

Tobacco control

Bill not “balanced”; could lead to loss of billions in revenue – DEMTOCO Page 3

…calls on President to send Bill to select committee

Bandits Ramjattan to storm be invited to E-Networks give evidence ECD branch

Assassination claim CoI Page 7

Amerindian Act, CoI to top agenda

– at 2017 Toshao’s Conference P14

Prison system is a national P12 emergency – GTUC

… says no need for another CoI

Page 2

Teen jailed for 2 years on larceny P8 charge

2 news

thursDAY, august 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Bandits storm E-Networks ECD branch

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benign Wednesday afternoon on the East Coast of Demerara turned ominous at about 15:00hrs when two reportedly unmasked bandits, one toting a gun, stormed the

motorcar. Fortunately, no one was injured during the ordeal.

This newspaper was informed that Police are reviewing the CCTV footage of this Wednesday robbery, but no one has

E-Networks Store housed in the lower flat of the Mon Repos Mall and ordered everyone to lie on the ground, before searching them and confiscating their valuables and the day’s sales of the store.

Guyana Times was told that five persons -- three customers and two sales representatives -- were robbed of cash, mobile phones and other valuables, including I-pads, in an ordeal that lasted for mere minutes before the bandits fled in a waiting

as yet been arrested.

This is not the first robbery to have occurred at this Mall.

In January 2016, four bandits invaded the Bank of Baroda branch located on the ground floor of this Mall, at about 12:50h on the day in question, and relieved the female security guard of her .32 service revolver before robbing the entity of more than $2 million cash.

Several persons have, however, been charged for that crime.

Mother fears daughter missing, implores her return A

disconsolate Nalini Indal is pleading for the safe return of her twelve-year-old daughter, Rebekah King, who left her residence at Lot 25 West La Penitence Housing Scheme, Georgetown on Sunday afternoon and has since not returned.

Indal told Guyana Times on Wednesday that her niece, “Rose Mary,” visited her residence on the day her daughter disappeared and requested that the teen accompany her to visit her brother, who at the time was a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

Indal said she consented to the request and instructed her niece to return Rebekah at 16:30 hrs, but several days have since passed and she has since not heard from either her niece or her daughter.

The grieving mother relayed that she does not have the slightest clue where her daughter might be, but she suspects that her niece might have been up to no good.

“She never called me!

I never get contact with them! I don’t know where she take my child! She just

Rose Mary (left) and Rebekah King (right)

come out of ‘girls school’ (female correctional facility) in January. She been there for three years now! This girl gotta carry she away, because me daughter never left the house and went anywhere…,” Indal explained.

Guyana Times understands that Indal even visited the residence Rose Mary shares with her dad and Indal’s former hus-

band (Rebekah’s father) at Beterverwagting, on the East Coast of Demerara, in hope that her daughter was there; but to no avail, since Rebekah’s father had seemingly been unbothered by the news of her absence, and had seemed least concerned at the situation.

“I explain and tell the father what it is, but the father said he don’t have time

with her (Rose Mary), because he said if I see she anywhere, I must tell she to go and collect she clothes...,” Indal recounted. She added that she had received information that her nephew was discharged from the hospital since Monday.

Family members have on Monday lodged a report with the East La Penitence Police Station, giving the police detailed statements regarding the matter. The Police are, on a daily basis, keeping the family posted on developments in the ongoing investigation.

“I just want to say to Rose Mary – whichever side she get my child: please bring my child home. I need my child home!” Indal pleaded.

Rebekah was last seen wearing a blue damaged jeans and a green blouse, paired with green flats and a black head-tie. Rose Mary was last seen attired in a long, white, striped top with shorts and black boots.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of these two females is kindly asked to contact the nearest Police Station or the family of the missing girls on cell numbers 698-5499 or 663-1368.

news

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thursDAY, august 3, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Thursday, August 3 – a night time retraction of 02:00h and a daytime retraction of 14:30h-16:00h and Friday, August 4 – a night time retraction of 02:30h and a daytime retraction of 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, August 3 –13:35h-15:05h and Friday, August 4 – 14:25h-15:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Thundery to heavy rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, while partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening.

Temperatures expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from South-easterly and South Southeasterly and East South-easterly between 2.23 metre to 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 00:56h and 13:33h reaching maximum heights of 2.22 metres and 2.18 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:02h and 19:24h reaching minimum heights of 0.98 metres and 1.03 metres respectively.

wednesDAY, August 2, 2017

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

Tobacco control

Bill not “balanced”; could lead to loss of billions in revenue – DEMTOCO … calls on President to send bill to select committee

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hile recognising that Guyana has obligations to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the Demerara Tobacco Company (DEMTOCO) has said it is not opposed to the new regulations.

However, the company believes that the Bill is not only unbalanced, but is not justifiable, as it believes that there are less restrictive alternatives that are available.

In light of these issues, Managing Director of DEMTOCO, Maurlain Kirton therefore called on President David Granger to send the Bill to a select committee so that it can be properly analysed and reviewed to minimise the impact of the measures, not only for the industry but also for the citizens of Guyana.

Kirton told a media conference on Wednesday that the principal concern for her company is to ensure that when policymakers institute laws such as these, they do not pass measures that are highly draconian, discriminatory and even unconstitutional.

“We are of the view that some of the proposals are not balanced and justified, and we believe there are less restrictive alternatives which are proportionate, effective, and feasible and that there are several clauses which infringe on the rights of ordinary citizens, and discriminate against many who are seeking to earn their livelihood from the selling of a legal product,” she asserted.

While acknowledging that the Bill is seeking to prohibit smoking in public places aimed at protecting non-smokers, the company’s Managing Director highlighted that the Bill addresses many other areas of the industry to which the measures still require some further probing and amending, to ensure that they are not outright bans and draconian in their impact and interpretation.

Kirton also believes that the definitions in the Bill are too vague and as such, she is requesting that it be properly reviewed before being assented to by President Granger.

She said that the definition of the term “workplace", as defined in the Bill, infringes upon the privacy of all Guyanese.

“Imagine, if you hire any sort of help, be it a gardener, babysitter, or housekeeper even your home may now be considered a workplace based on the prevailing definition.

This definition is too wide, and now raises questions of enforceability. How can this possibly be policed?” she questioned.

The Managing Director told media operatives that the words, "place of collective use, regardless of ownership or right to access" should be removed from the said definition.

She continued, “We also believe that public places,

Managing Director of DEMTOCO, Maurlain Kirton addressing media operatives on Wednesday

such as private entities and workplaces should be allowed by law, to set up adequately designated smoking areas.

For example, factories, restaurants, bars, casinos, hotels, other workplaces or facilities that would be accessible to the public, should have such designated smoking areas that cater for both smokers and non-smokers alike.”

More than that, however, the head of the company pointed out that selling tobacco products in trays is not unique to Guyana and by attempting to restrict this will have devastating effects. These people are often referred to as hawkers, and they will now be restricted to execute this trade, through the Bill. “It is our belief that the Government can in fact regulate hawkers, but in a way that will allow them to continue their trade with a stricter way of operation,” she added.

The company expressed disappointment with the fact that they were not given the full opportunity to have a for-

mal consultation with the Government regarding the Bill. “The industry is a key stakeholder of a legal product and should be consulted on any policies which are likely to affect the industry… From conventional wisdom, it would be regulatory best practice to allow all affected stakeholders to participate in the policy-making process, inclusive of the Tobacco Industry…,” she added.

While noting that DEMTOCO is one of the largest Private Sector companies in Guyana, Kirton said that with the current restrictions included in the Bill, this could lead to a loss in revenue.

According to her, while there is no study to prove this, from a business stands point, this is likely to happen for various reasons, especially since it has the potential to create market

where people would evade taxes. In 2016, DEMTOCO contributed $4 billion in revenues.

“Acknowledging that Bill is now passed and awaiting final signature from the President, the company maintains that it is still not too late to send the Bill to a joint Select Committee of the Parliament where some of contentious issues can be robustly reviewed.

These are the industry’s main concerns which we have being sharing with various stakeholders,” Kirton stated.

Years in the making, the Bill passed in the National Assembly on July 27 with most of the Opposition party abstaining from the vote. In her presentation, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence had argued that the Bill would rectify Guyana’s failure to fulfill its international and constitutional commitments.

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thursDAY, august 3, 2017

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, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Emancipation musings

N

ow that the official public holiday and its observation is behind us, it may be opportune to reflect on what “Emancipation Day” should mean for us in Guyana. First of all, it was very clear that this year, an increasing number of persons who turned out to the various locales across the country to observe this special day wore garments made from “Kente” cloth. This “basket weave” from brightly coloured silk and cotton yarn was originally the wear of royalty in the Akan and Ewe peoples of modern day Ghana and Ivory Coast.

In the modern period, as peoples of African origin, slowly tried to extricate themselves from the hegemonic structures that were imposed during and after slavery over their minds, they realised that everything of African origin had been denigrated as “inferior”, even in the education they were receiving in the new schools that had been launched after emancipation.

“Proper clothes” were those of the Europeans – and in particular the British – who were our latest rulers before independence.

When one looked at the pictures of the descendants of slaves during the 19th century, the men are generally garbed in dark woollen suits with ties and the women, in the voluminous dresses of Victorian England, including the obligatory parasols. It was not until the 20th century that visionary leaders like Marcus Garvey from Jamaica, began to teach an alternative view that things African could not be by definition “inferior” and in fact could be of equal value, if not sometimes better, as anything else.

This idea slowly spread, interestingly by individuals who in the main had some connection to the West Indies, across the world and by the middle of the 20th century, the “Black Power” movement launched the present wave which still has not subsided on “African Pride”. The garments made from Kente Cloth come out of the new consciousness to signify that no one’s heritage should be degraded.

It is our hope therefore, that the wearing of the Kente cloth garments in Guyana by Guyanese of African origin means that they have moved beyond the mere annual donning of the garment to a point where they have freed themselves from “mental slavery” of which Bob Marley sang about so many decades ago. Beyond the clothes, food, drumming, and dancing, the peoples of Africa also evolved profound philosophies of life that provide cogent alternatives to the ennui that modern man faces after two centuries of Eurocentric “development” that unfortunately focused on the individual and not the collectivity.

In each part of Africa, on the other hand, one’s identity was acknowledged as arising out of the group and as such the latter takes precedence. From South Africa, for instance, there is the concept of “ubuntu”.

According to Michael Onyebuchi Eze, the core of ubuntu can best be summarised as follows: “A person is a person through other people' strikes an affirmation of one’s humanity through recognition of an ‘other’ in his or her uniqueness and difference. It is a demand for a creative intersubjective formation in which the ‘other’ becomes a mirror (but only a mirror) for my subjectivity.

“This idealism suggests to us that humanity is not embedded in my person solely as an individual; my humanity is co-substantively bestowed upon the other and me. Humanity is a quality we owe to each other. We create each other and need to sustain this otherness creation. And if we belong to each other, we participate in our creations: we are because you are, and since you are, definitely I am. The ‘I am’ is not a rigid subject, but a dynamic self-constitution dependent on this otherness creation of relation and distance”.

After emancipation, the miseducation of the people of African origin continued, with the other peoples who were dragged here to work on the plantations being inducted into the hegemonic structures. It is time that the powers that be resuscitate all their heritages that were suppressed.

Face painting in full swing! These two youngsters were decked in full face painting as they relished the festivities at the National Park on Tuesday during the Emancipation celebrations 2017

Closing sugar for oil is a monumental mistake in the making

Dear Editor, Just on eve of the APNU taking power here in Guyana, oil was found in commercial quantities. It is one of the largest finds in recent times.

Understandably, the new regime is ecstatic at this find.

Indeed, its members seem to be thinking that this is the answer to all our problems.

This find is most likely one factor that has influenced their decision in relation to the sugar industry. The old hatred for sugar workers has resurfaced. They have announced that they are closing several estates. The intention is to shut the whole industry down.

This decision to decimate and close the industry was taken even though the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that they set up did not recommend any closure.

It is clear they believe that oil will more than compensate for the loss of revenue from the closed/decimated sugar industry. They therefore decided to abandon the plan to restructure and revitalise the industry.

This will prove to be a colossal mistake, one from which Guyanese will suffer great pains, both now and in the future.

If you look around the world, you will find that countries which are very heavily dependent on oil are going through great economic difficulties. Some have major political problems as well, because of the hardship flowing from loss of oil revenues. We don’t have to look very far to prove this. A Caribbean

Development Bank Senior Economist has just released an opinion in which were expressed grave concerns about the economic difficulties that Trinidad and Tobago is experiencing because of the fall in oil revenues.

Venezuela’s economy is also in some crisis, mainly due to the fall in oil prices.

In that country, the economic difficulties have led to a dangerous political situation.

Further afield, even though to a less extent, Russia’s economic problems are also traceable to the fall in oil revenues.

There are many other examples, but this will do for the time being.

It is not likely that, in the future, the price of oil will reach the heights it did in the 1970s. Since the oil crisis in the 1970s, countries have been searching for alternative sources of energy.

In the post-oil crisis period, another huge problem has arisen, and has forced the best minds in the world to deal with it. That is the problem of climate change, all the evidence is there to prove that our climate is changing rapidly. This is mainly caused by the heavy dependence on fossil fuel. If nothing is done, the world can experience more and more catastrophic disasters.

This has fuelled the search for alternative energy.

Indeed, scientists have gone a far way in finding alternative sources of energy. Solar, wind, bio-fuels have all made considerable strides, and are poised to replace fossil fuel as

the most used product to generate energy for our industries and transportation, etc.

One of the main obstacles to the commercial use of alternative energy is now being overcome. That obstacle was the development of batteries to store large quantities of energy. Our scientists have now developed batteries to perform at the level of industries and transportation.

Those batteries will do so at a level comparable to oil, keeping in mind that batteries are being improved all the time.

This means that oil is losing the strategic importance it once held and, to a lesser extent, still holds. However, technology is moving so fast that it is predicted that by the year 2020, alternative fuels will become cheaper than using oil.

Many countries in Europe have been setting dates to stop producing vehicles powered by fossil fuel. France, for instance, has just announced its intention to stop producing vehicles driven by fossil fuel by 2040.

Another development that suggests that alternative energy is going to largely replace oil is the fact that many big oil companies are investing heavily in companies that produce alternative energy.

The reason for this is twofold. On the one hand, they have huge investments in fossil fuels and would like to ensure maximum returns for their capital. Therefore, one of the reasons is to slow down the growth of alternatives, to keep oil prices up.

On the other hand, they are recognising the inevitable and the need to stay ahead of the curve, so to speak.

While we must welcome the oil find and try to maximise our benefits, we must not lose sight of these facts.

We can become a major player in alternative energy as well. Our potential in bio-fuels is significant.

Sugar offers us the best opportunity in this regard.

Already, we have sunken capital in the industry, and that will give us a strategic advantage. With sugar at the base, we can also develop alternative energy using rice, coconuts, soya, and other crops.

President Granger has professed a commitment to a green economy. He is on the right side of history in his pronouncement. However, it is hard to see how he would succeed in building a green economy when he has abandoned the Amaila Falls Hydro Project and is now devastating the sugar industry. Both of these could go a far way in reducing our carbon footprint.

It is still not too late to prevent this inevitable hardship that closure of estates would cause. President Granger has an opportunity to reverse this ill-advised position. We can be both a major player in oil and in alternative energy.

Let’s grab the moment. Do not squander our future.

We could avoid this colossal mistake by not closing the sugar estates.

Donald Ramotar Former President

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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

Is Kaieteur News an arm of Govt’s Department of Public Information?

Dear Editor, A competent investigative auditing team can easily debunk the scurrilous claim that NICIL is broke, as published by the Kaieteur News on July 30, 2017.

NICIL head, Horace James, is imputing this state of affairs to fraudulent practices by the former PPP/C administration. The cold hard truth is that NICIL generated billions of dollars for the treasury and had billions of dollars in assets and dividends at the time when the PPP left Office. If it is now broke, as James claims, then either the monies were stolen or squandered or both under this Administration.

However, this claim is the normal gimmickry designed to bamboozle the public with the government’s now recognisable pattern in the continuum of unfounded and unjustified accusations of

fraud and corruption against the leadership and functionaries of the previous PPP/C administration. These specious claims are nothing but obfuscatory strategies to divert public attention from their mal-administration, squandermania, naked incompetence and outright corruption.

Kaieteur News is, as usual, in the forefront, as the coalition mouthpiece, peddling these baseless and libelous attacks against the former administration. Rather than publish the PPP’s Press Statement, which details the relevant facts on this matter, the Kaieteur News chose to respond to the statement.

Imagine NICIL has not responded; the Government has not responded; but Kaieteur News has!

The truth is that Kaieteur News should have been the last entity to respond. The

credibility of this media entity, especially in this instance, is compromised, as its publisher Glen Lall, has a pecuniary interest in distorting facts to corroborate the coalition government’s contentions against the former government and its functionaries, because Guyana Stores Limited, of which Lall is a co-owner, is one of the biggest defaulters. For this reason alone, any self-respecting and professional media outfit would have either recused itself from publishing on this matter, or at a minimum, would have exercised extraordinary due care and attention when so doing, to be as objective as possible. Obviously, these high ethical principles are alien to Kaieteur News.

It is obvious that, notwithstanding the indebtedness to NICIL of the financiers and cronies of the

coalition partnership, who are direct beneficiaries of the government’s largesse, they are never persecuted or prosecuted like other entrepreneurs. The corruption and incest stink to high heavens and we hope that we will hear more on these issues from organisations such as Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc. All the PPP/C's transactions can bear scrutiny: National Hardware was sold land through a competitive bidding process; land to Movietown was sold above market value and today it is the only investment of its size and type in the country. However, despite that the Beepat’s business entity was sold land at a lower price, there has been no outcry. It is reasonable to conjecture that this is because of the honour bestowed upon Moses Nagamootoo for cut-

Maha Sabha is important to the history of Guyana Dear Editor, I refer to Mr Badree Etwaroo's letter dated July 28th, 2017, in which he sought to highlight the current situation at the oldest Hindu organisation in Guyana - The Maha Sabha.

Editor, I wish to concur to Etwaroo's allegations, and also to join with him in calling on the Government to look into the manner in which the Maha Sabha is being run.

Editor, I can recall clearly when the Maha Sabha was the voice of the Hindu populace throughout Guyana -- promoting the Hindu culture and religion in all ten

regions, and propagating the eradication of poverty by the many charity drives once held. The Maha Sabha also once operated one of the most successful secondary schools in Georgetown, The Maha Sabha Secondary, which was located next to the Temple on Lamaha Street.

My sister and I both attended this school. Today, the Sabha does not even provide a drink of water to the less fortunate, much less promote culture and Dharma!

Mr Editor, it disturbs me very much when I hear of the state of affairs of the Sabha.

Such an organisation should be at the forefront of prop-

agating Sanatan Dharma; instead, it has become a graveyard. There was a time when you could've sat at Jhandi Houses and, from the time the Pandit opened his mouth to speak, you would've known that he was from the Maha Sabha. But according to Mr Etwaroo's letter, the priest of the Sabha can hardly understand the basics of grammar and Hindi, much less captivate an audience with his sermon! Very sad indeed.

Editor, my heart longs for the return of the good days that the Sabha once enjoyed, and the only way that can happen is if the

Government takes control of the organization's affairs.

Mr. Editor, I am joining with Mr. Etwaroo in calling on Attorney General Mr. Basil Williams and the Minister of Culture, Nicolette Henry, to assist the Hindus of Guyana in regaining what was once the backbone of Hindus in Guyana. The Maha Sabha is important to the history of Guyana, and members should at least be able to attend service and listen to an informative sermon, not some rantings from an unlettered and unschooled priest.

Yours faithfully, Kamini Jaigobind

ting the ribbon. Why the purchase price that Glenn Lall paid for a huge block of land at industrial site Eccles, which is similar to the prices that other investors were sold land by the Government, never made an issue by Kaieteur News?

If land sold by the Government to other investors were below market value, the same argument applies with equal force to the land which Glenn Lall purchased at industrial site.

Currently, Kaieteur News is on another mission: that of excusing Ramjattan from culpability for the crime situation and the tragic occurrences at the prisons in recent times. They are vulgarly arguing that IndoGuyanese would feel insecure if Ramjattan is removed as Public Security Minister a position in which he has failed abysmally. The reality is that Indians are in the forefront of calling for his head to roll.

Another motivation for Lall’s misleading the nation through ‘fake’ news, is that the coalition promised him a broadcasting licence.

The government has been engaging in actions that would deter investments in the country and further demoralise the private

sector. The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill of 2017, is another attempt at driving fear into investors and entrepreneurs.

However, what this Bill seeks to achieve is to dispossess proprietors of ownership of legally-acquired properties and to put government control over programme content of media houses, which directly contravenes all international edicts guaranteeing freedom of expression. This bodes ill for the nation and sets a dangerous precedent for entrepreneurship in Guyana.

This odious strategy of obfuscating the incompetencies and blatant corruption of this government and its functionaries, is no longer fooling the people, because the swath of disillusion engendered by an obviously uncaring government cuts across every divide in this country.

The rapidly deteriorating quality of life of Guyanese all across the country can no longer be excused by clumsy rhetoric and false promises. Hopelessness is engulfing the national psyche, which is mired in corruption and scandals on a daily basis.

People’s Progressive Party

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Foundation ‘Negative parenting’ starts aggressive personalities early

one's romantic partner later in life."

Infant temperament

BY JENNIFER WELSH

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arents who express negative emotions toward their infants, or handle them roughly, may be inadvertently harming their babies' psyches, new research suggests. This type of "negative parenting" results in aggressive, defiant kindergarteners and even affects adult behaviour, the researchers said.

"Before the study, we thought it was likely the combination of difficult infant temperament and negative parenting that put parent-child pairs most at risk for conflict in the toddler period," study researcher Michael Lorber, of New York University, said in a statement. "However, our findings suggest that it was negative parenting in early infancy that mattered most."

Aggressive behaviour is fairly common in toddlers, but in most cases, this drops off by the time they reach age five.

In children whose aggressive behaviour does not stop, they have a pretty good chance of staying that way, Lorber said.

"Conduct problems around age five are probably one of the strongest predictors of anything that you care to predict for years to come, including depression, substance use, academic problems and peer rejection," Lorber told LiveScience.

"They predict even aggression against

The researchers studied 260 mothers and their children from birth until first grade. The sample was selected from mothers who received prenatal care from a public health clinic, a "high-risk urban sample," selected between 1975 and 1977.

The researchers assessed the infants' temperaments and the mothers' parenting styles in the first six months of life (by observing the pair during feeding time) and during the toddler years through observational and paren-

tal reports. The researchers followed up with the mothers and the children's teachers when their children were in kindergarten (ages five and six), asking them to rate the children's behaviour.

The researchers found that children who exhibit aggressive, defiant and explosive behaviour by the time they're in kindergarten very often have tumultuous relationships with their parents from early on.

"Moms that did more of that stuff, that was a stronger predictor of conduct problems later on," Lorber said. "In toddlerhood in the pairs where the mom had been negative to the child during

infancy, the mothers were more hostile and the children were more angry in a series of teaching tests."

What they didn't find was a correlation between difficult early-life behaviours of the child (if the child was irritable or quick to switch mood in his or her first six months) and later aggressive actions and attitudes.

Negative cycle

The negative activity of parents in an infant's first few months of life seems to start this cycle, the researchers say; negative parenting results in highly angry toddlers, the research finds, thus spurring more hostility from mothers.

It is possible that such negativity could be caused by an outside source, possibly the family's genetics or even the environment around them during those early years. Either way, the findings from infancy also carry on to later in life for the study participants.

"This study's been going on now for over 30 years," Lorber said.

"We've found that those parenting measures, those feedings in infancy, not only predict early conduct problems, but 26 years later, those children we saw as babies, they are more aggressive as adults."

Discovering what causes these overly aggressive toddlers could help researchers design and implement appropriate interventions to prevent negative parenting before this cycle develops.

"If you want to prevent conduct problems before they start, you would want to do something in infancy," Lorber said. "Even in the first six months you would want to do something to improve the parent-child relationship." (livescience.com)

BY JEREMI DAVIDSON

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efore having children, prospective parents should consider how this decision will change their lives.

Parenting is never easy and does lead to significant lifestyle changes, which some new parents find difficult to adjust to. However, parenting also provides incomparable rewards, as you have a direct hand in shaping the life of a child. Ensure that you are ready to handle the difficulties of raising children before beginning this stage of your life by finding out what you can expect from parenthood.

Forming a bond

Bonding is very important to a baby's development, as it provides the child with his first intimate relationship and can raise his self-esteem. This aids the baby's social and cognitive development, notes KidsHealth.org.

The bond that you form with your baby is an enjoyable part of parenting, and seeing the baby smile brings parents a genuine happiness. Some parents are able to bond with their children immediately, while it takes others some additional time. The bond is formed through caregiving, since the baby is reliant on you for everything.

The attachment that you form with your child is something that lasts a lifetime.

Influencing a life

An important part of parenting is raising a child who chooses to live morally, according to AskDrSears.com.

The goal is to teach your child how to treat others respectfully and to think about the consequences of an action before committing it. Seeing your child become a contributing member of society because of the morals and values that you've taught is very rewarding for parents.

Knowing that you had an influence on the next generation in your community through raising your child is reason enough for many people to decide to have children.

Always tired

If you hear parents complain about their children, it often has to do with fatigue. Starting almost immediately after they are born, babies tire their parents out to the point that they often don't have energy for anything other than caring for the child. It makes matters worse if the baby doesn't sleep well at night, as parents are not only responsible for meeting the child's needs during the day but also attending to him if he cannot sleep. For some prospective parents, seeing an exhausted mother in the morning is reason enough to avoid having children.

Effect on relationships

Having a child undoubtedly affects relationships, and this is not always a positive thing. Some couples believe that having a child may somehow solve any problems that they are having, but this is not normally the case.

Once you have a child, your relationship with your partner often becomes secondary, and caring for the baby is the priority. Your relationship takes on a completely different dynamic and you may find you have very little free time, so make sure that you are ready for this major life change before making your decision.(www.livestrong.com)

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THURSDAY, August 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

ExxonMobil contract

Time for full agreement to be made public – Gaskin

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conomist and political commentator, Ramon Gaskin, has urged Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, to release the full text of the Production Sharing Agreement with ExxonMobil, claiming that the time has come for this information to be made public.

Gaskin observed that both the current coalition Government and previous People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government have both refused, consistently, to publish this document, but stressed the importance of having it done now, especially since production of oil and gas is expected to begin by mid-2020.

The outspoken economist argued that while Trotman claimed he could not release the contract because of restrictions placed on its

release by Section 4 of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, the law does not prohibits him. In fact, Gaskin said the language of the law is clear and the Minister as a lawyer should know better than to keep “peddling inaccurate information” to the public.

“The fact of the matter is that the Minister is misleading the public while stubbornly refusing to release the contract. If the Government of Guyana is interested in joining Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, then it must start now by publishing the deal. There is no law that prevents this,” he asserted.

Providing a breakdown of the law as it pertains to the release of this contract, Gaskin said Section Four Subsection (2) of the Act

states that no information furnished or information in a report submitted pursuant to the Act by a licensee shall be disclosed to any person who is not a Minister, a public officer or an employee of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission except with the consent of the licensee. It also allows for the disclosure of information without the consent of a licensee in seven situations.

However, Gaskin argued that the Production Sharing Agreement is neither ‘information furnished’ nor ‘information in a report’.

Therefore, Section 4 does not apply at all. He said Subsection (3) also speaks about a petroleum agreement, which is what the public is rightfully demanding to be published.

“These restrictions affect only the licensee; his

Assassination claim CoI

Ramjattan to be invited to give evidence

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ublic Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan is more than likely to take the stand before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to give evidence, following a request by Attorney Christopher Ram to have him invited to do so.

Ram, who represents the interest of businessman Imran Khan, made the request before CoI Commissioner Paul Slowe on Wednesday. He told the Commission that given Ramjattan is responsible for the Guyana Police Force (GPF), him giving testimony might be pertinent to the work of the Commission.

Slowe promised to take that course of action and will extend the invitation to Minister Ramjattan to make an appearance before the CoI sometime during next week.

On March 29, Andrif Gillard reported that his neighbour Nizam Khan offered him $7 million to kill President David Granger. In June, President Granger decided to launch a CoI into the alleged plot to assassinate him and named Slowe as Chairman of the Commission.

The CoI seeks to inquire into persons, places, time and circumstances

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

and events by and through which allegations and reports came to be made of an intention to assassinate the President; investigate the full range of the actions and responses of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to the reports and the extent to which such actions were conducted or executed with due diligence; determine whether any person, and in particular, officers of the GPF had information before and after reports were made

of a plan to assassinate the President and whether any such officers communicated that information to a superior authority.

Commissioners will also record and report on what official action was taken on the basis of the information received and whether there was due diligence by the officers of the GPF in the investigation of the plan to assassinate the President and determine whether there was failure, neglect or omission to thoroughly and properly investigate the plan to assassinate the President and determine whether such failure or omission was intentional.

The Commissioners will seek to also determine the blameworthiness for the failure or neglect of officers or persons involved in the investigation and recommend action to be taken against persons found to be blameworthy.

They will also recommend steps that can be taken to prevent the recurrence of such incident and identify systemic issues, if any, in the GPF’s competence to investigate matters of this nature.

The report is due to be submitted to President Granger on August 18.

Economist and political commentator, Ramon Gaskin

servants or agents (not the Minister except, of course, if the said minister considers himself an agent or servant of ExxonMobil) and deal with information about “prospecting or production operations” and these restrictions have to be “spec-

ified in the agreement”.

There is nothing here about restrictions on publication of the agreement,” Gaskin asserted.

The economist concluded that Government is far too secretive about matters concerning the people of Guyana, although, in all fairness to Minister Trotman, the previous Government also behaved in the same way, keeping the original contract secret since June 1999.

Trotman claimed that the position taken by him as Minister is one that is embraced by the entire Government and does not represent a singular opinion and/or position. Government has received expert opinions and advice to the effect that the terms of the agreement should not be publicised at this time as the provisions of Section 4 of the Petroleum Act, though it may appear

ambiguous, should be interpreted in a manner that prevents publication.

“The Petroleum Act is currently under review for amendments and the Government will await the completion of that process, and the recommendations made, before reviewing the matter of the publication of the agreement,” Trotman said in a recent statement.

However, Gaskin termed the Minister’s response as “nonsense” stating that the release of the contract has nothing to do with timing but it has to do with the law.

Several agencies, including the Transparency International Guyana Group had repeatedly called on the Government to release the 1999 contract with ExxonMobil to prospect for oil, arguing that it would help to even the odds stacked against this country in pending negotiations.

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THURSDAY, august 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

Mabaruma man on remand for narco trafficking

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Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) resident was made to stand before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday to answer to a charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Derick Persaud, 36, of Brooms Estate, Mabaruma,

denied the charge which stated that on July 29, 2017, at Aruka River, North West District, had in his possession 65 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

On the day of the incident at about 09:15h, the Police was on river patrol at the Aruka River, Mabaruma, when they intercepted a met-

al boat containing 22 drums of fuel and three empty drums containing food items enrouted to the Arakaka Mining District.

A search was conducted on Persaud and two transparent Ziploc plastic bags and a small black plastic bag with a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to

be cannabis was found.

Persaud was taken to the Mabaruma Police Station where the suspected cannabis was weighed and amounted to the above mentioned grams. He was remanded to prison and is expected to make his next appearance at the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court on August 22.

Coomacka Mines attempted robbery accused remanded to prison

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teenager of Coomacka Mines, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) was on Wednesday remanded to prison on several charges. Nineteen-yearold Travis Peters made his first court appearance before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on the charges of assault with intention to commit a felony (robbery), possession of an unlicensed firearm, unlawful possession of live rounds and cartridges of ammunition and possession

narcotics at Coomacka Mines on July 31, 2017. Peters was represented by Attorney Clive Forde. Asked by the Magistrate whether he preferred the matter to be tried at the Linden Magistrate’s Court or the High Court in Georgetown, the defendant chose the former. The presiding Magistrate refused bail for all of the charges except that of possession of narcotics for which the defendant was granted $25,000 bail. The Prosecution is contending that Peters was

apprehended on Monday after Police thwarted a robbery. According to the Prosecution’s case, the Police relieved him of a shotgun in the process.

Reports are at about 21:00h on Monday, the Virtual Complaint, Stanley Coachman, 67, after closing his shop at Coomacka Mines, ventured outside and was about to close his front gate when he was confronted by the defendant who demanded cash and was reportedly armed with a shotgun.

During an altercation with the accused, Coachman was struck to the head but managed to raise an alarm. His son-in-law called the Police who responded quickly and managed to relieve Peters of the gun. However, the suspect managed to escape after the Police tried to arrest him.

Based on the description of the assailant given to law enforcement, Peters was later arrested at his home where a quantity of cannabis sativa was reportedly found to be in his possession.

Teen jailed for 2 years on larceny charge

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teenager was on Wednesday jailed

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared before her at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Joshua Austin, 18, of Lot 151 Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown, admitted to the charge when it was read to him.

The charge stated that between July 29 and 30, 2017, at Lodge Housing Scheme, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Shawn Ferguson and stole one radio set valued $27,000, three television sets valued $416,996, one PlayStation set valued $116,000; with a total value of $559,996 all property of Ferguson.

Ferguson was not in Georgetown at the time of the incident but made a report to the Police after he received a call informing him of same.

On July 31, Austin was taken into custody by the Police for questioning regarding the theft of the articles from the Virtual Complainants (VC) home.

He reportedly told officers that he sold the stolen items to a resident of Festival City, Georgetown.

When the officers visited that person, one of the stolen television sets was recovered. As such, the teen was cautioned and charged with the present offence.

The teenager promised to change his wrongful ways after he completes his time in prison.

More…

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… differences the merrier magine if all the creatures in the world were the same, think of how dull life would be!! Heck…we wouldn’t even be able to distinguish between us and the hyenas and tigers! We would be like some massive, humongous undifferentiated ocean. Excepting we’d be losing body parts to creatures that look just like us!

Fact of the matter, variety isn’t just “the spice of life” – it is the foundation of life. Each living creature forms a part of this world and plays its part in making it go around. And today, folks have finally accepted that diversity in the plant and animal kingdom is something we should work at to preserve – if not actually increase.

“Bio-diversity” is the going thing. We’re told the more diversity there is in any one species, the better chances it has of surviving in different circumstances.

But when it comes to us humans – somehow everyone’s complaining that there are too many differences. Take this last Emancipation Day celebrated on Tuesday. There were actually folks saying why should people emphasise cultural differences. We’re supposed to be “One People; One Nation: One Destiny”, weren’t we?” they asked your Eyewitness.

Well, yes and no. “One People” doesn’t mean that all peoples have to be IDENTICAL to each other. We’re all “people”, aren’t we? Well in that sense, we ARE “one people”. In Guyana, it should actually be seen as a blessing that there are peoples who practice so many cultures in our “one nation”. Like a rainbow, these cultures may be different but together what a beautiful sight it is to behold!

The real problem is that when folks talk about all of us being “one people” and complaining about our differences, they want everybody to try to become like THEM. They’re the ones who will then be in a superior position because everybody else outside of THEIR GROUP will be in an inferior position since they’re all trying to imitate the “uniformity” brigade. The bottom line, as it usually always is, comes down to the question of power and privilege.

When the Europeans dragged us from all the continents of Earth (Australia isn’t REALLY not a continent, Is it?!!) they insisted we had to become like them. In cricketing terms, we automatically placed on the back foot. No matter how hard we tried we couldn’t ever become them. When we got close, they simply moved the goalpost!! In cricket, for instance, when our fast bowlers became too good (dangerous!) for them – then they forbid more than two bouncers per over!!

Anyhow, back to our diversity in Guyana, let us now salute our good fortune in being the “land of six peoples”!! …boondoggle It’s practiced wherever there’s democracy. Over in the US, it’s called “boondoggling”. The Government spends money hand over fist either for its supporters.

In Guyana, the coalition Government accused the PPP Government of spending money on sugar just to keep its supporters employed.

The PPP’s riposte that the workers paid taxes into the Consolidated Fund; brought in massive foreign exchange the country needed to purchase essential stuff from “outside”; kept its massive drainage and irrigation going – benefiting the villages on the front-lands etc, didn’t cut any ice. Whether it was a boondoggle or not, the present PNC Government sure put an end to that by chopping the sugar industry in half!

But that didn’t stop them from massively investing to prepare lands behind several villages dominated by their supporters for agriculture. They insist the investment will pay off since the agricultural produce would do all that sugar couldn’t.

But how will their unemployed supporters from Lombard Street upkeep their boondoggle new homes at Barnwell? …jobs for ex-armed forces personnel Some complained that too many ex-armed forces fellas snagged cushy Government jobs under the new Administration.

What’ll they say now when they overwhelm the Prison Services with applications for “warden wuk”?

Patriotism!!

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THURSDAY, august 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Broadcast Amendment Bill

GPA stands in solidarity with local broadcasters O ne day after private broadcast companies came out to criticise the Government over the proposed Broadcast Amendment Bill and asked for the deferral of the debate and passage of a recently-tabled bill, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) has come out in support of these companies.

“We stand in solidarity with local broadcasters on this issue and will be seeking further legal advice to convince the Government of the need to halt or reverse this process given the severe consequences these amendments pose to freedom of the press in Guyana and the commercial viability of private radio and television stations,” the GPA said in a strongly worded statement.

The press body claimed that the amendments being sought will essentially introduce an unwarranted “programme manager” position by the State in the daily schedules of radio and television stations. It said, “The overall provision for the allocation of 60 minutes for public service programmes will disrupt and violate contractual obligations that stations will have with advertisers and programme

sponsors.”

While recognising that private broadcasters have an important role to play in cases of emergencies and disasters, including matters of public health, the GPA said it out-rightly opposed the actual allocation of times or the need to inform the authority about this or for the authority to dictate time slots if it does not agree with those allocated by the stations.

“The GPA strongly objects to the Guyana Government seeking to redefine what constitutes “public service programmes” as this is in direct contradiction and a violation of the letter and spirit of the definition of public service broadcasting as laid down by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) of which Guyana is a member,” it explained.

In referring to one of UNESCO's factors in determining public service broadcasting is independent and free from State and political control, the Press Association asserted that public broadcasting is a forum where ideas should be expressed freely, where information, opinions and crit-

Festival City man charged for purchasing stolen TV

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man from Festival City, Georgetown, was on Wednesday charged for purchasing a stolen television set and made an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Emmanuel Darrel, 28, of Lot 1848 Nutmeg Street, Festival City, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer to the charge.

He denied the allegation which stated that between July 29 and 30, 2017,

at Festival City, he received from Joshua Austin one television set valued $146,996, knowing same to have been feloniously stolen or unlawfully obtained. The item was the property of Shawn Ferguson.

The court was told that the defendant purchased the television set from Austin, who was later jailed for two years for the theft of the item, among others.

Darrel was granted bail in the sum of $50,000 and is expected to return to court on August 22.

President of the GPA, Neil Marks

icisms can circulate.

This is, according to the body, possible only if the broadcaster is independent, thereby allowing the freedom of public broadcasting to be maintained against commercial or political influence.

“If the information provided by the public broadcaster was influenced by the Government, people are

less likely to believe the content. Likewise, if the public broadcaster’s programming were designed for commercial ends, people would not understand why they are being asked to finance a service providing programming that is not substantially different from those provided by commercial broadcasters."

The GPA also thinks President David Granger and the rest of the Cabinet may have been ill-advised by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo of what constitutes "public service programmes.”

Nagamootoo holds the portfolio of Broadcasting and Information Minister.

Further legal advice from local and international experts is being sought by the GPA. The Association also plans on raising this matter with its affiliates such as the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) and the International Press

Institute (IPI), and other global press freedom bodies.

Several private media owners and operators have expressed several concerns about the Bill. Most of them have said that this Bill could negatively impact their operations, particularly as it relates to the licensing fee structure, the imposition on property and infringement to determine broadcast content. They also claimed that they were not consulted on the amendments.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has said that the Bill in its current form is a direct attack on press freedom while urging broadcasters not to sit idly by and allow the Government, through its one-seat majority, to get its way with the passage of the Bill; but rather seek recourse through the courts.

Part two of the Bill sets out that broadcast agencies will be mandated to broadcast public service pro-

grammes for a total of up to one hour daily. Broadcast agencies will be airing these public service programmes free of cost and as requested by the Government between 06:00h and 22:00h.

It is also states that the GNBA reserves the right to direct a broadcasting agency to broadcast emergency notices or disaster warnings for any length of time, and regularly during peak or prime advertising time periods, depending on the nature of the emergency and having regard to public safety.Revoking the 2014 broadcasting regulations, the Act also puts those broadcasters who are already licensed at the mercy of the Authority.

It mandates that any licensed entity carrying out broadcast services immediately before the act went into effect will have no choice but to reapply within 30 days for a licence in accordance with the amended law, and plethora of other restrictions.

Trio on bail for cannabis possession

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ssequibians Frank Melville, 40, of Maria Lodge; Michael Cotton, 38; and Hemant Dhanpaul, 40, were on Wednesday arraigned before Magistrate Ester Sam at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on a joint charge of possessing

18 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

The Prosecution is contending that Joint Services ranks, on July 31, went into Hemant Dhanpaul’s yard and conducted a search. Amidst the three defendants was found a bucket containing a

quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis. They were told of the offence – which they denied – and were subsequently arrested and charged.

The trio professed their innocence before Magistrate Sam and were each placed

on $20,000 bail, a condition of which is that they each are expected to report at the Suddie Police Station every Saturday until determination of their case in court.

The matter will continue before Magistrate Sam on September 7.

10 news Canje murder suspect still at large THURSdAY, august 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

…ex-girlfriend warns others not to fall prey

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wo years ago on Valentine’s Day, Aszeema Ali of Lot 21 First Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, then 19, was stabbed 52 times

by Ryan Singh, who is now wanted for the murder of 16-year-old Parbattie Lakhpal of Lot 369 Number Two Village, East Canje, Berbice.

Singh was wanted by the Police in 2015 for attempted murder, and now he is again running from the police, this time for committing murder.

Having long moved on with her life, Ali recounted that the relationship she shared with Singh was very violent. She described him as “an arrogant and selfish individual.”

After the gruesome attack she had endured at the hands of Ryan Singh, she was hospitalised for a long period, during which her relatives had kept her guarded at the hospital out of fear that Singh might have showed up there.

But ever since that horrific experience, Ali has neither heard from Singh nor from any member of his family, although he resides at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

After she was discharged

Dead: Parbattie Lakhpal

from hospital, Ali had visited the Police on several occasions with the hope that she would receive news of Singh’s apprehension, but each time the Police told her they were still trying to locate him. She is firmly convinced that, had the lawmen employed more robust effort to arrest the then 28-yearold Singh, he would not have been involved in another relationship, which ultimately has led to him committing murder. Ali became aware of Singh’s whereabouts when she read about the murder of the 16-year-old female in Berbice. “For the past two years, I have not heard from him, I have not seen him, I

did not hear from his family, and we had no idea where he was; until the death of the teenager,” Ali told this publication in an interview.

Having experienced violence at the hands of someone who had professed love and care for her, Aszeema Ali is urging other young women to be careful not to fall prey to Singh’s portrayed “loving and caring attitude. He did it once, he did it twice, he might do it again,” she stated. Ali was reportedly attacked and stabbed at Singh’s home during a party. He allegedly had lured her into his room, and had attempted to force himself on her, but she had reportedly told him that the relationship was over and she was seeing someone else.

This had angered Singh, and he had reportedly pulled out a knife and started to stab Ali about the body. She had managed to raise an alarm, and Singh’s sister had come to her rescue. After committing the act, Singh had fled the scene.

Ali was 13 when she became involved in the relationship with Singh.

Parbattie Lakhpal, however, was only 15 when she fell in love with Singh and moved in with him. Two

Wanted: Murder accused, Ryan Singh

years, she was brutally murdered. Her lifeless body was discovered lying on the floor of her mother’s No 2 Village, East Canje home in Berbice.

Reports are that, two days prior to the incident, the now dead teen and the suspect had been heard arguing over his lack of interest in finding a job, and her mother had demanded that he leave the home. On the day in question, the teen’s mother had left for work at a hotel in New Amsterdam, and the suspect had forced his way into her yard and ultimately into her house, where he committed the act.

Ex-girlfriend: Aszeema Ali

Assassination claim

Businessman may have been framed – frm landlady

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izam Khan, the man accused of offering $7 million to his neighbour and friend Andrif Gillard to assassinate President David Granger may have been framed according to a statement from Gillard’s former landlady, Louanna Walker. Detective Corporal Jermain Laundry read the statement when he was recalled to give evidence before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI).

Corporal Laundry took the statement on July 19, 2017.

Walker said she knew Gillard for over six years and about three years ago, she opened a salon and rented a barbering station to the accuser. She related that during that time she had to make several reports to the Police Station because Gillard would not pay her the rental fee.

“He was living opposite me and he told me he was moving from where he have a taxi service and move to another property which is not too far from where his taxi service was at Diamond main road. He told me that he get a new place and if I want open a salon at the same property and pay him a rent and I told him no, I don’t want any salon in Diamond,” the statement read.

“I then asked him why he was moving from where he was and he told me it was a long story and I then ask he why and he told me that the people who he was renting the taxi service from, a man help them to win the matter in the court which he had with them and he has a short time to move off the property… he told me that a man name Nizam,” Walker said in her statement.

She said that she would have seen about two or three times when he came by the salon for Gillard to cut his hair and that Gillard would have accused Khan of paying to have him and his taxi service kicked out off that location.

“I then ask Andrif how he know that and he said “I does know anything I want to know, when I done with he I gon give everybody thing fuh talk.” I then told Andrif that he must not do Nizam nothing because he must remember he get a son and he told me he don’t have to beat nobody he will lost him away in jail. I then said to Andrif how you mean you gon lost he away in jail, what you gon to do him, you gon plant something on him or set he up with a gun and he said no. He said I got better things to do when I done with he everybody gon believe because people know me and he is friends and when I done plan I gon go and say that he pay me to kill (President)

Corporal Jermain Laundry reading the landlady’s statement to the CoI

Granger. I then told Andrif not to do that,” Walker told the Police.

She explained that the conversation took place while Gillard was in her yard.

The statement added that after Walker saw the allegations on Facebook and in the media, she thought it would have blown over, but it did not.

“I heard of the CoI and I decided to speak to my lawyer who told me to go to the Police. I was not forced nor coached to make this statement and I have nothing against Andrif,” she concluded.

The alleged plot was hatched in June 2015, but Gillard reported the matter to the Police on March 29. The Police Legal Adviser, Retired Justice of Appeal, Claudette Singh has since advised that the evidence was tenuous and that investigations should continue.

The businessman earlier this week denied offering Gillard money to kill President Granger. However, in the past Guillard had borrowed monies but never repaid him in full.

Lawyers for the Guyana Police Force and Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud have sought to discredit the allegation and prove that investigators had investigated the report sufficiently, instead of being tardy and unprofessional.

The CoI continues on Friday with Nizam Khan’s brother, Imran, taking the stand and Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine and Inspector Prem Narine being recalled.

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THURSDAY, august 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Medical shortages expected to Verdict looms for suspected be remedied with LMIS Manual terror gang member

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Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence receives the manual from USAID Country Director Caroline Healey. Also in photo, from left, are Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud; Regional Health Services Director, Dr Kay Shako; Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings; Permanent Secretary Collette Adams; and Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Karen Boyle

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he Logistics M a n a g e m e n t Information System (LMIS) Manual was on Monday received by the Public Health Ministry, at the Ministry’s Brickdam office in Georgetown, to aid and expand the understanding of laypersons within the (health) sector while facilitating further consistent scientific forecasting by professionals.

This development of the manual was made possible owing to the support of the Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) and through funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

The guidebooks will be distributed shortly to all public health facilities across Guyana according to the Health Minister who believes every person should have access to the handbook.

USAID Country Director, Caroline Healey, stated that the document will assist in ending medication stockouts, expiration of medicines while ensuring that drugs

and medical supplies are accessible by the recipients at the right time, at the right place, at the right quality and at the right price.

Healey communicated the Agency’s eagerness to support the reinforcement of the health-supply chain from the Health Ministry to all 10 regions across the country. Deeming the manual a “tool kit” for health sector employees, the director of USAID is confident that successful execution and compliance with the document’s guidelines will help eliminate the systemic difficulties plaguing the health sector at present.

Meanwhile, Director of Regional Health Services (RHS), Dr Kay Shako, spoke to the gathering briefly during which she stated that the handbook will assist health care providers and allow the citizenry an eye into the workings of the public health system, therefore enabling them to recognise and comprehend the prevalent challenges faced within the sector.

“It will help underscore the reasons for shortages… not just perception but re-

ality. It is enriched with information sufficient to coerce us to unlearn previous misconceptions about the supply chain management system, and adopt a new approach through an educated and informed position,” Shako held.

Speaking on the issue of “stock-outs”, the doctor posited that healthcare providers within the primary care system play a pivotal role in how medicines and medical supplies should be managed from the time of arrival to the health facilities to the time they are dispensed to patients. This system, according to Shako (in the manual’s forward), is designed to guarantee that usage is monitored and to help inform decisions when (and how much) drugs and medical supplies should be ordered to which in turn enables health care providers to know precisely how to comply with LMIS to ensure adequate, efficient and ef-

fective supply of medicines and medical supplies at all health care facilities.

The manual further outlines the procedures to be followed by healthcare providers when reordering, receiving, storing, distributing or dispensing health products within the public health supply chain.

Dr Shako further believes that the manual is beneficial to all in that after reading same, one’s knowledge and understanding of the drivers of medicine and medical supplies shortages will be broadened. She also urged local healthcare providers to understand how critical it is to maintain the basic structure at every health facility in Guyana. The doctor further expressed her concern in light of several situations where persons are told that they cannot be treated at a particular health facility because there are no medicines.

12-member jury which has heard Basil Morgan’s High Court trial is expected to return a verdict on Friday.

Deliberations will proceed after presiding Judge, James Bovell-Drakes sums up the matter in the morning session. The case has been ongoing for the last three weeks.

Morgan is accused of murdering Woddet “Buck Man” Roberts, who was killed during the course of a robbery between November 3 and November 4, 2009, along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway. Roberts died from asphyxiation the court was told. Reports are several gang members had tied up Roberts and other occupants of a Toyota Tacoma before they stole it and made their way to Georgetown, where other crimes were committed.

Morgan was believed to have been part of the gang, which carried out several terror-related crimes including setting fire to the Supreme Court of Judicature’s Registry department.

Morgan’s defence attorney, Lyndon Amsterdam and State Prosecutor Tuana Hardy made passionate closing arguments before the jury. Amsterdam reminded the 12 members of the jury that Police never stated where Roberts had actually died. The attorney also highlighted that there were gaps in the evidence, suggesting that the post-mortem examination (PME) was inconclusive.

He further encouraged the jury to carefully address the evidence provided by the prosecution, which according to Amsterdam, had “failed

Murder accused: Basil Morgan

to prove beyond reasonable doubt” that Morgan was indeed responsible for Roberts’ killing. The Prosecutor however maintained that the jury should find the defendant guilty of the crime for which he is indicted. It was late last week that Prosecutor Hardy closed the State’s case.

Though Morgan denied being responsible for Woddet’s murder, other members of the alleged gang have admitted to their terror-related crimes. These include David Anthony Watson, called “Tupac”; Randy Mars, known as “Ratty”; and Jafar Simpson, who were all sentenced to 19 years imprisonment in April after pleading guilty to manslaughter for Roberts’ killing. They were additionally sentenced for other terror-related crimes.

Meanwhile, gang leader Colin Jones admitted guilt for the 2009 terror acts and was sentenced to 80 years imprisonment for the offences he inflicted between 2009 and 2010. The summing up of the case will commence on Friday at 09:00h.

12 news

THURsDAY, august 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Police urge prison escapees to surrender …solicit assistance of public to provide information

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he manhunt has intensified to apprehend the four prisoners who escaped from the Camp Street and Lusignan prisons respectively on July 9 and 24, and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is urging them to surrender, in order to avoid any serious confrontation that would result in the use of force.

This call was made on Wednesday as the Guyana Police Force issued new wanted bulletins for the four fugitive convicts -- Uree Varswyck, also called “Malcolm Gordon”; Mark Royden Durant, also called “Royden Williams” and “Smallie”; Cobena Stephens, also known as “OJ”; and Paul Goriah.

Eleven of the inmates who escaped from the Lusignan Prison have so far been recaptured; but one, Clive Forde, was killed during a violent gun battle with members of the Joint Services on Sunday last in East La Penitence, Georgetown.

Stafrie Alexander Hopkinson, one of the four who escaped from the Camp Street Penitentiary, was arrested in Berbice on Saturday evening.

The GPF is urging members of the public and relatives and friends of these four wanted men to provide the police with any relevant information regarding their whereabouts, so they can be recaptured and returned to prison.

Seven of the recaptured escapees have since been ar-

raigned before Cove and John Magistrate Peter Hugh.

During the arraignment, 22-year-old Jamal Forde, Jamal Joseph, and 19-yearold Winston Long pleaded guilty as charged and were each sentenced to a year’s imprisonment.

Teshawn McKenzie, Royan Jones, Jason Howard, and Odel Roberts pleaded not guilty as charged, and were remanded until their case is called again, in August, at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.

The arraigned escapees told the court that they had escaped from a pasture, and not a prison. They argued that the only reason they had so done was because of the conditions in which they were forced to stay.

Those escapees who have not yet been arraigned before a magistrate are expected to so do during the week.

Camp Street Penitentiary escapee Uree Varswyck has been identified as the person who had shot and killed Prison Officer Odinga Wickham and had injured at least four other officers, one of whom has claimed that he had to “play dead” in order to survive the attack. Varswyck is an ex-police rank who has been charged with the 2014 murder of a security guard at the Sterling Products Limited during a robbery.

He has also been fingered as the one who had suggested that 22-year-old taxi driver Matthew Shivtahal be put to death, after holding the taxi driver hostage for more than

24 hours.

Mark Royden Durant, on the other hand, has been identified as the one who had allowed the taxi driver to go free after the driver had pleaded for his life. A seemingly more dangerous “Smallie” has been sentenced to death for his involvement in the Bartica Massacre which claimed the lives of 12 persons in 2008.

Cobena Stephens and Paul Goriah were each charged and remanded for separate murders.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan only recently told media operatives that although 11 of the Lusignan Prison escapees have been arrested, along with an escapee from Camp

Street, a lot more still needs to be done to bring the security situation in the country back to normalcy.

He accordingly is encouraging the public to continue collaborating with the lawmen as the manhunt continues to apprehend the four criminals who remain on the run, and he has cautioned that they should be considered dangerous.

Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of these four men is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 225-8196, 911, or the nearest police station.

The Police Force has assured that all information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Prison system is a national emergency – GTUC …says no need for another CoI

T

he Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has said the problems facing the prison system are of a national emergency nature, and they necessitate a bipartisan approach through debates and engagements in and out of the National Assembly.

Because it perceives the situation as very grave, the GTUC recommends constructive engagement between Government and the Opposition to address the problems at reference.

According to the GTUC, the current situation is a “national security crisis.”

“This nation does not need another Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to admit what has been known for years and not being attended to. In the last 16 years, there were several commissioned reports and discussions on the prison system,” the GTUC said in a statement.

The GTUC deems the following reports as notable: Guyana Prisons TenYear Strategic Development Plan (2001-2011); British Prison Reform (2001); Justice Cecil Kennard CoI (2002 jailbreak); Disciplined Services Commission Report (2004); Lloyd Nickram Study (2009); and Justice James Patterson CoI (2016 jailbreak).

“Sitting on the 2004 Commission was Mr David Granger, who is now President (of Guyana) and Commanderin-Chief. It is not lost on GTUC that recommendations in the 2016 CoI which could have easily been implemented were only acted on after the 9th July unrest. The other reports were done during

the Bharrat Jagdeo presidency. Recommendations from the stated reports must now be used in determining the future of the prison system,” the GTUC statement has declared.

The GTUC has also said it recognises improvements in the techniques used to recapture the escapees, which resulted in the minimising of causalities; and the overall handling of situations which clearly had potential to get worse was also noted. However, the Trade Union representative body has accused both the past and present governing administrations of putting prison reform on the back burner, prioritising other issues of lesser import and ignoring the problems that have been festering for years.

Reiterating its commitment to the wellbeing of the prisoners, the GTUC proceeded to highlight the inhumane treatment to which they are subjected, and spoke of the absence of proactive and carefully-thought-out-and-implemented policies that continue to result in logistical nightmares.

Hopefully, the GTUC has said, the welfare of the prisoners is not lost on the administration, whose actions are signalling the existence of human rights and environmental crises.

The GTUC has said that, in many instances, conditions are not better than animals being held experience, which animal rights activists will rightly condemn.

The GTUC has said it rejects the idea of privatising the prison system, and has urged the Government to equip prison officers to be able to deal with crises.

NEWS

13

THURSDAY, august 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 9 “picking up the pieces” GPL working to after devastating flood eradicate illegal – cashing in on major donations

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s residents of Region Nine (Upper TakatuUpper Essequibo) grapple with the effects of the months long flooding, donor agencies are throwing in their support to help communities get back on their feet.

The flood has caused significant damages to homes and farmlands, rendering many living quarters uninhabitable for weeks.

Just over a week ago the water receded in the region, although water from the Ireng and Rupununi rivers continue to flow into the township from time to time.

Region Nine Chairman Brian Allicock told Guyana Times on Wednesday residents are now recovering from the effects of the flood. At the same time, regional officials are assessing the damages and are involved in the distribution of items to the far flung affected villages. According to Allicock, the Council has so far received lists of damages from 42 of the 56 villages in the region, representing some 2100 households. More lists are expected to come in, he said.

While attention is now fo-

Region Nine Chairman, Brian Allicock

cused on the small villages in the far flung areas, the Chairman said the larger villages have indicated that they will soon need assistance as well, as their stocks are running out.

“The lists are coming in from the large villages and they are reporting that within the next month and a half they will have to start getting relief because all of their crops are damaged and they try to solve it as much as possible and that will last until the

next month and half,” Allicock told Guyana Times.

Allicock said there is no food shortage at the moment except for a few small villages that are far away that have been receiving flood relief.

According to him, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has been assisting greatly by getting the donations from the organisations to the region.

“We have various organisations, various business places including the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Ministry of Public Health, the Chambers of Commerce of Region Three along with Fly Jamaica said it will assist through the Amerindian People’s Association,” he said.

Allicock took the opportunity to encourage persons or organisations that wish to make donations, to do so through the CDC. He said this will allow for proper accountability.

Allicock said the damage to farms in the various villages has been severe.

“The farms that were flooded, we cannot harvest the cassava that spoils after three days. We are trying to get the food to the small villages,” he

reiterated.

He said while the water receded in the town just about a week ago, it was still going over the roadways into the savannahs, overtopping from the Ireng and the Rupununi rivers.

Meanwhile, the Regional Chairman said the region is also battling another problem and hopes that by today some relief could be had. He explained that the flood water has created havoc on the main access road between Georgetown and Lethem, making it very hard for fuel in particular to reach the village.

“We have another problem where the access road from Georgetown to Lethem is in a state where we are unable to have fuel come into the villages for the Lethem Power Company (LPC),” he stated.

He said a contract had already been awarded to a contractor who was hoping to start some work on Wednesday.

“Water has receded but has left the road soggy and soft and we are having a lot of difficulty getting food and fuel to the township. We are hoping that this trip the work will be done much better,” he told this publication.

connections

O

ver the last 12 years, the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) has removed in excess of 80,000 illegal connections across Guyana. For this reason, the power company will apply new tactics to address and eradicate this scourge.

Senior Field Service Manager at the utility company, Looknauth Singh, said his department frequently visits communities with illegal connections and is engaging the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and the Government to become involved in the process.

Illegal connections which began in 2005 have since destroyed several homes and cost many lives. Singh, according to the Department of Public Information, explained that GPL has observed that about 36 communities across

Amerindian Act, CoI to top agenda

– at 2017 Toshao’s Conference

T

he controversial Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into Amerindian land titling, along with the Amerindian Act are among the top issues that will form the basis of this year’s National Toshao’s Conference, Chairman Joel Fredricks has said.

The Conference is scheduled for August 21-26 at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and will be held under the theme “Good governance – A brighter future for Guyana’s first peoples”.

Speaking to <<<Guyana Times>>> on Wednesday, Fredricks said the “burning issues” that have been a burden to members of the

Indigenous community will be brought to the fore at the five-day confab.

“Some of the burning issues that will be discussed are the revision of the Amerindian Act, mining and health issues, education and the CoI,” he told Guyana Times during a telephone interview on Wednesday.

Even among that list, Fredrick said there are matters that will take precedence, such as the revision of the Amerindian Act. The Chairman said there still remain issues with land titling and the Act must be addressed.

Earlier this year the Toshao’s Council had begun a process, collaborating with

the Amerindian People’s Association (APA) to begin consultation for the revision of the Act, which both bodies believe is very much outdated. Details of the Act include focus on land rights, mining, logging, decision-making and governance, among other things.

Following the Amerindian Act is the Commission of Inquiry set up by Government in March to investigate land titling in Amerindian communities. And although the Toshao’s Council was able to influence the temporary halting of the investigation, Fredricks said the Council and residents are not clear about the functions of the CoI. He maintains too that

there was no consultation.

Mining and land titling remain issues of deep concern for residents in the Amerindian communities.

Those will also take preference at the Conference.

Meanwhile, Fredricks said apart from the hiccup of finding a venue for the Conference, systems have already been put in place for the smooth running of the five-day event.

“For the preparations so far we had some challenges in identifying a venue for the Conference because the Arthur Chung Convention Centre is currently under renovation. We were able to get the CPCE and will be visiting there tomorrow (today).

GPL Public Relations Officer Shevion Sears

Guyana have illegal connections. He added that from 2006 to present, over 3000 persons were arrested for illegal connections after several raids in various communities.

However, during those raids, the teams encountered hostilities. GPL will seek to have those persons arrested. “We began looking at the area of arresting persons with much more em-

GPL Senior Field Service Manager Looknauth Singh

phasis, since that is the only way we can make an impact in sensitising the people that GPL is ready to tackle this illegal connection in a different manner,” Singh explained.

The Senior Field Service Manager further explained that GPL is also disseminating more information on illegal connections or electricity theft through its public relations department.

The power company will launch its Customers in Focus project on August 8, targeting electricity theft.

Public Relations Officer, Shevion Sears advises customers to ensure they are legally connected, especially in relatively new communities.

“We are admonishing our customers to adhere to the rules for those of you not connected legally, there is a process where we would educate on how you can get that done and for those who have legal electricity but are determined to pay less in the form of stealing, we’ll have to convince you of a behaviour change.”

Fourteen areas in Regions Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) are set to benefit from this project.

CASC participants pay special visit to orphaned children – at Guyana Red Cross Society Children’s Convalescent Home

T

he children living at the Guyana Red Cross Society Children’s Convalescent Home have received a special visit from participants of the the Caribbean Award Sub-Regional Council (CASC) on Wednesday.

Assistant Field Officer of the President’s Youth Award, Republic of Guyana (PYARG), Shanette Dey, has said the visit allowed the CASC participants to give back to the community, since they will be exploring -- and capturing on camera -- local sites before departing the country.

Dey explained, “They (participants) are happy I do not think they knew what they were coming to do, because usually community service is physical work; so when they came and saw that they were going to mix and mingle with the kids, they were happy.”

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), she noted: “Since they have already completed the expedition and exhibition, the remainder of their stay will cover learning about Guyana”.

This is third time Guyana is hosting CASC. Representatives hail from the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Grenada, St Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. CASC 2017 has been held under the theme, “Legend of the Eleven Giants.”

Sanje Christie, representative of Nassau, Bahamas, has said he enjoyed exploring the country’s forests and discovering the fauna, but he felt there was insufficient time to view everything.

“My experience in the expedition was really amazing… I saw some of the elev-

Some of the Caribbean Award Sub-Regional Council (CASC) participants pushing children on a swing

en giants, which was really amazing, because they were mind blowing; and now returning to help with the little children has been great, especially since they are all cute and welcoming,” Christie explained.

Ochron Smith, also from Nassau, Bahamas, remarked

that the scenes “were very different from what we have in the Bahamas, especially the animals. And it was nice to see the waterfall, even how big the forest is.”

Kimberly Carlos, representative of the Cayman Islands, shared that she was able to conquer her fears once

she saw how beautiful the country’s forest is, especially the animals -- and particularly when crossing a river, when teamwork was instrumental. She noted that helping out at the convalescent home is a great way to get youths involved.

“I think it is great to get youths involved right now, because this is what we need out of the youths… However, I enjoyed being able to see the rainforest, animals, and even the waterfall; I think it is the best way to explore Guyana, and I hope to come back,” Carlos noted.

Sarah Brooks, Guyana’s representative, said while she enjoyed exploring the country’s forest, “it was a lot of walking…and it was challenging; but we got to push ourselves to the limit to see it to the finish.”

She noted that volunteer-

ing at the home is normal for her, and she hopes that it will become the same for others.

The aim of CASC is to foster cultural integration and build the capacity of Award youths in the Americas.

The main focus will be on the eighty-plus (80+) silver and gold youth participants, unit leaders and volunteers who will be exposed to, inter alia, certified FirstAid training, swimming and watermanship, a study of Guyana and its expedition routes, the Award in Action residential project, a qualifying expedition and cultural exchanges.

This expedition is a collaborative effort between the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport of the Ministry of Education, CASC, and the President’s Youth Award, Republic of Guyana (PYARG), M.S.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, august 3, 2017

News

RCC proposes reformative approach to juvenile detention … separation of juvenile offenders

I

n an effort to assure the reintegration and safety of juvenile offenders detained at correctional centres across Guyana, the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) has presented a list of recommendations regarding the enhancement of facilitates and curriculum of the two main institutions.

This was announcement during a recent press conference hosted by RCC, where representatives expressed

Coast and the Sophia Juvenile Holding Centre in Georgetown.

The Chief Executive Office, Amernauth Panday, noted that since 2015, the RCC has been engaging with the residents housed at these institutions. During their visits to both of the centres, defects in the facilities and shortcomings in their operations are continuously discovered.

As such, Panday noted that the RCC has been makNew Opportunity Corps, Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast Amernauth Panday, CEO, Rights of the Child Commission

Sophia Juvenile Holding Centre, Georgetown

a series of concerns in relations to the conditions under which young offenders are being detained at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) at Onderneeming, Essequibo

ing several recommendations to Government.

“We have made recommendations with regards to the upgrading of the physical structure. We felt that

it is not child-friendly and that the Ministry must move to make that facility more child-friendly,” posited Panday.

He noted that while the Public Security Ministry was in the process of complementing measures aimed at improving the overall facilities, these enhancements are yet to materialise. Apart from renovations to the structure, these upgrades would have included the installation of recreational facilities, such as sports courts.

However, adding to the much need upgrades to the

physical structure of the NOC and Sophia Centre, Panday further highlighted that the administrations need to revisit the curriculum of these institutions.

This is so as to ensure that the youths are exposed to the necessary capacity building for the reformation and reintegration as productive members of society.

The CEO stated that, “It is no secret that we have made the recommendation that NOC’s curriculum needs to be widened to make the stay of a child more reforming as against punitive.”

A

A group of the LRTT volunteers with children in New Amsterdam, Berbice

which originated from the United States of America, United Kingdom and the Middle East, arrived in Guyana on July 25 last to facilitate a three week training programme.

LRTT not only seeks impart wisdom to?the teachers of Guyana but also gain knowledge and understanding from the local people.

“We believe every mind has the ability to grow and we hope to contribute to the growth of the mindset of the teachers of Guyana,” one

overseas teacher said.

Annually, during the month of August, professional teachers volunteer and travel in groups to various developing and underdeveloped countries to assist children and local teachers. Participants are awarded certificates upon successful completion of the programme.

The workshop concludes on Friday, August 4, 2017 and a total of 90 teachers are expected to benefit from the programme.

for example murder, should not be kept in the same location as a child that is charged for wandering,” conveyed Panday. The reiteration of these petitions came just days after three juveniles escaped from custody while serving time at the NOC as well as weeks after an incident in which residents set fire to a mattress at the holding centre in Sophia. At the same time, the recommendations are in accordance with the emergence of a Juvenile Justice Bill in Guyana which is yet to be tabled in the National Assembly.

Guyana lauds CXC Connect app

LRTT teachers’ workshop E moves to Georgetown fter spending two weeks in Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), the Limited Resources Teachers Training (LRTT) has extended their arms to host a fourday teachers’ workshop in Georgetown, by providing a model of high-quality, lowcost teacher training.

Guyana Times had previously reported that the Education Ministry, along with the School of the Nations (Guyana) had partnered with the international organisation to provide teachers’ workshops, where 130 local teachers were expected to benefit. Training is based on tested strategies which use international best practices while considering local challenges and contexts.

As the workshop concluded at the School of the Nations’ New Amsterdam, Berbice branch last Friday, which benefited 40 teachers, the team of 25 foreign teachers on Tuesday kick-started the second leg of the programme at the School of the Nations in Georgetown, located on New Market Street, Georgetown.

The team,

As such, the RCC is advocating for the introduction of courses in art, music among other programmes so as to increase the impact of time spent at these correctional centres. Meanwhile, in addressing the matter of safety within the institutions, the Commission pointed out a need for separation among the residents, especially as it relates to isolating the more serious offenders.

“We have recommended that some measures of distinction or separation should be instituted so that persons who are charged for more serious offences,

ducation Minister (ag) Nicolette Henry has lauded the launch of the Caribbean Examination Council’s (CXC) mobile application ‘CXC Connect’, saying education is now thriving in “exciting times”.

The app was launched in Barbados last Thursday, and on Monday the Minister and other officials of the Education Ministry met at the Giftland Mall to praise the initiative.

“We are truly in exciting times, where ICT is, at last, providing a chance for our countries to be globally competitive in innovation and education,” the Minister told officials.

According to Minister Henry, educators must not fail to embrace and apply new technology to education. According to her, the new app will bring much easier access to results to students.

“The website will no doubt be transformative to the child with a laptop, a smartphone, and an Internet connection.”

With the newly launched Connect app, not only will students be able to access examination results as soon as they are released, they will also be able to carry them in their pockets wherever they go, via their smartphones and other mo-

bile devices.

Students, parents and even educators have over the years complained about the late arrival of the examination results, and though efforts were made to see the early release of grades, the new app will reduce that waiting time to an all-time significant low.

The app will be available to students as early as August 12.

Students, who sat the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) during the May/June 2017 exams, will be able to utilise the app to access their results on August 12. Meanwhile students who wrote the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC) exam will be able to access their results via the app on August 15.

Assistant Registrar, Webmaster Ayodele Pompey, gave a demonstration of the app at the launching event. He said beyond results students can also get information, advice and guidance as well, via CXC Connect.

In terms of the benefits for persons who sat CXC exams prior to 2017, Pompey said there is currently no archive for past students, how-

ever, that should be ruled as an addition to the second or third generation versions of the CXC Connect app.

“One of the things the app does is to enhance the communication perspective between CXC and its various stakeholders, students included. Part of that whole process is to be able to deliver information as it happens,” he said Regard results and the timing of results, the Assistant Registrar said CXC has always been seeking to shorten the time from the examination to the results cycle. He assured that is something that will be ongoing.

“But with respect to the app, whatever result immediacies we can be able to improve on certainly the app will provide that information at that time. For example, if we determine in the future and I believe that this is something that we will be able to do, if we determine that we can be able to enhance our delivery times, the app will be the most ideal thing to use.”

In terms of what the future holds, he reiterated, “there will definitely be a shortening of time.”

Parents and guardians can also receive tips to help their children and be guided on charges using the mobile app.

thursDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Life and art: Wood sculptor Andrew Ridley “Give respect to earn respect”

B

orn on May 11, Mother’s Day, 1969, three-dimensional artist Andrew Ridley, who describes himself as a “real Mother’s boy”, owes his life as an artist to his mother, Irma, who hired his first tutor in art, Singh, after recognising his talent in the pictures he drew. “It was a mother’s gift to me,” he related more than three decades later, a faraway look in his eyes.

But Singh’s tutelage of the young “Andre”, as his mother called him, came to an abrupt end just as he was instructing the budding artist on perspective when his student discovered him talking to himself in the Botanical Gardens and informed his protective housewife mother, who promptly acted and removed her son. “My mother was a serious woman,” the Gordon Street, Kitty native

said fondly.

Ridley, who says he is inspired by nature and reality, said then fishes were his teachers, crediting them with teaching him “dynamics”. “I am a fisherman,” he added, alluding to his biblical namesake. He would catch the fish and put them in glass bottles

and study them. “They taught me secrets

of life, secrets of nature – the creativity of air, land and sea –life and nature.” His fascination with fishes continues to this day. “I always have aquariums.

Once I got financially set, I got an aquarium. They are my TV. I watch them all the time” Eventually, he was sent to the Burrowes’ art school for instruction. Sometime later, owing to family circumstances, he was pulled out by his mother despite the pleas of the head himself, who he said asked his mother if she knew what a talent he had. The regret that he never finished “his theory” still sounds in his voice all these years later.

It was at this time, the loquacious and philosophical Ridley recalled – gesturing with the crutches that he now uses as he heals from a re-

Business News

Dow ends at 5th straight record but misses 22,000 milestone

T

he Dow surged to its fifth straight record close yesterday amid bullish investor sentiment following strong corporate earnings and ahead of Apple's much-anticipated quarterly report.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.3 per cent to 21,963.92, after getting to within 10 points of hitting 22,000 for the first time.

The broad-based S&P

500 won 0.2 percent to end at 2,476.35, as did the techrich Nasdaq Composite Index which closed at 6,362.94.

Through July 28, companies in the S&P 500 earned 9.1 per cent more in the second quarter compared with the year-ago period, according to Factset.

Dow members Chevron, JPMorgan Chase and Verizon, all of which reported strong results, each

gained at least one percent.

Apple, which reports after the market closes Tuesday, advanced 0.9 per cent.

“It's a continuation of the bullish momentum,” said Karl Haeling of LBBW. “Earnings are good.”

US economic data were mixed, however. A key measure of inflation was flat in June for the second straight month, while the annual rate declined. (Excerpt

from Jamaica Observer)

Market statistics Cambio Rates

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

Calculated at 94% purity, August 2, 2017

Selling

GBP

$272.27

$275.72

CAN

$164.67

$166.58

USD

$205.98

$208.44

$ 243.47

$246.58

EURO

USD

$1269.60

Gross

$247,719

Net

$230,379

Indicators as on August 2, 2017 Indicators

US$ per barrel

Crude Oil

$52.36

Price

USD

Rough Rice

$269.79/ton

London Sugar

382.00/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change %

+0.58 Change %

+1.01 -2.87 USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1260.40

$1261.40

Low/High

$1256.80

$1273.60

Change

Business Concept – Entrepreneurship

-2.90

-0.23%

The capacity and willingness to develop, organize and manage a business venture along with any of its risks in order to make a profit. The most obvious example of entrepreneurship is the starting of new businesses. (Business Dictionary)

cent accident that left him with a leg injury – he turned from two-dimensional painting and sketches to sculpting in wood, influenced by a neighbourhood sculptor.

Soon he was producing for the older artist, but money issues and the sculptor’s efforts to push Ridley to really go into business together when he felt he was not ready brought that association to a close. “You have different stages to become a businessman,” he opined.

“Educational, spiritual and visual (vision). It cannot be done if you are not ready.”

The artist, who prides himself on meticulousness and excellence in his art, would then undertake apprenticeships in crafts, model making, carpentry and joinery under skilled artists – learning the ins and outs of several fields of artistic endeavour.

After dabbling in what he called “road business” – vending, bus conducting, et, to support himself, Ridley took his artistry as his livelihood and has been a fixture on Main Street ever since, first outside the Guyana Stores building where his wooden majestic pieces adorned the green lawns and were a mecca for tourists seeking an artistic,

attention-grabbing memento of their trip, and now on the Main Street Avenue, where his work is displayed most days.

He says his customers are mostly tourists, although locals do support him. “... but some things they say are upsetting... ‘I am Guyanese, give me a Guyanese price.’ My artistry is not Guyanese artistry – I am a Guyanese talent, but my artistry is not Guyanese....

Talk to me if you can’t afford it, maybe we can work something out.”

“I have had terrible ups and downs in my life,” the well-known sculptor revealed, detailing a troubled relationship with his ship navigator father, financial struggles after his father’s death, a spouse who tried to have him killed before leaving him with six children, and his recent injury that slowed production. “The strength and God in me have kept me.”

His advice to budding artists, particularly those looking to make a living off their art is: “Be a starter; be educated – take up your knowledge; be obedient to

your pare n t s ; get training, then take up your field of expertise; be careful of your company (you could be misled by bad company) – if you show me your friends, I show you who you are.

“Creativity develops.

It’s a great challenge. You ought to play while you play and work while you work.

Generalise to be yourself and nobody else. Show me who you are and I will tell you.”

GraceKennedy profit down 19% for second quarter

– but at $2.2B, ahead of plan says Wehby

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raceKennedy Group has reported a decline of $516.4 million or 19.1 per cent in net profit year over year for its second-quarter 2017 results.

The conglomerate blamed the decline on a non-recurring gain in 2016, which accounted for $423.5 million of the amount.

“As previously reported, this non-recurring gain was realised on the liquidation of some non-operating subsidiaries for the corresponding period of 2016. Without this, net profit for the current period would have been lower than the corresponding period of 2016 by 5.5 per cent,” GraceKennedy said in a release to the public.

Nonetheless, the company reported revenues of $46.4 billion, an increase of $2.3 billion or 5.1 per cent over the corresponding period of 2016. This was driven by growth in both its food trading and financial segments.

Profitability for the quarter was ahead of plan, with net profit for the period at $2.2 billion.

In speaking to the company's performance, Group CEO Don Wehby said, “We are satisfied with the profits

of $2.2 billion which, while below prior year, are ahead of plan as factors such as costs associated with expansion were taken into account in our 2017 planning process. The group is on track for improved operating performance over prior year.”

Last month, the board of directors approved an interim dividend of 38 cents per stock unit to be paid on 26th September 2017, a 12 per cent increase over the dividends paid in September 2016.

The food trading segment continued to experience growth in the reporting period. Included among the highlights of the period was GraceKennedy's agreement to acquire Consumer Brands Ltd, a large player in the Jamaican distribution market.

The company currently distributes the Proctor and Gamble (P&G) line of products, among other international brands.

“Our expertise in managing top-tier brands and deep distribution channels makes this acquisition a natural fit for us,” said Wehby.

The group also announced the planned opening of its sixth manufacturing plant

in Jamaica. When opened, it will produce a range of conveniently portioned and packaged locally grown fruits and vegetables, including frozen produce primarily for export markets in North America and the United Kingdom.

“We are very pleased that GraceKennedy Foods (USA) LLC continues to experience growth from both the Grace and La Fe brands over the corresponding period of 2016,” said Wehby.

The company was recently appointed the exclusive distributor of the premier Puerto Rican coffee brand, Yaucono, which is already having a positive impact on third-party brand sales.

GraceKennedy also reported positive feedback from customers to its frozen patties, which have gotten shelf space in 240 Walmart stores across Atlanta (Georgia), Florida and New Jersey.

Wehby disclosed that the GraceKennedy Financial Group experienced mixed results during the period under review. GraceKennedy Money Services, and the banking and investments segment reported strong growth in both revenue and pre-tax profit over prior year.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, august 3, 2017

Regional

Brazil: Congress votes on President E-voting firm: Venezuela turnout Temer corruption charges

B

razilian lawmakers are voting on whether President Michel Temer should face trial for corruption. The historic session in the lower house of Congress has been marred by scenes of chaos and angry exchanges.

Lawmakers shouted abuse, pushed each other and threw fake bank notes at their opponents. Temer has been accused of receiving US$12 million (£9 million) in bribes from the boss of a giant meatpacking firm, JBS. He has denied the allegation.

If two thirds of the deputies vote to press ahead with charges, the case will be sent to the Supreme Court.

Government legislators took inflatable dolls of former President Lula to the chamber, angering Opposition supporters

Despite having low approval ratings, Temer is expected to survive the vote.

Left-wing Congressman Ivan Valente, of the

Socialism and Liberty Party, demanded the ousting of Temer and the holding of new elections. “The Brazilian people do not want

Temer, the Brazilian people want direct elections. We do not want to change six for half-a-dozen. Out with Temer! Direct (elections) now!” he said.

The lengthy session descended into chaos earlier, when both sides traded accusations of corruption.

Pro-Government lawmakers displayed inflatable dolls depicting former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as a prisoner.

He was sentenced last month to nine years and six months in jail and is facing other charges of corruption.

Lula says all the accusations against him are politically-motivated. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

LIAT appoints first female CEO

T

he Board of Directors of regional air carrier LIAT has confirmed the appointment of Julie Reifer-Jones as chief executive officer, the airline’s first female CEO. Reifer-Jones is a graduate of The University of the West Indies, a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados. Prior to joining LIAT as chief financial officer in 2008, ReiferJones held several senior finance positions and has more than 25 years of experience in the fields of finance and management. On her appointment, Reifer-Jones stated she is delighted to be taking up this new challenge and is looking forward to delivering an improved level of ser- Julie Reifer-Jones

vice from LIAT to the region. In announcing her appointment, chairman of the board of LIAT, Dr Jean Holder, noted, “Mrs ReiferJones has served at LIAT in the number two position for some nine years and in that capacity has acted as CEO for extended periods on several occasions. “In addition to her familiarity with the people and culture of the region and her intimate knowledge of the company, her financial and academic qualifications should complement the practical experience of the airline industry she has acquired on the job.

“I wish her well as she undertakes one of the most challenging assignments in the region.” (Caribbean

figures ‘manipulated’

T

he firm that provided Venezuela’s election technology has cast doubt on the outcome of its polls for a new assembly, saying the turnout figures were “manipulated”.

Government-allied electoral authorities say more than eight million people voted on July 30, a turnout figure that has been disputed by the Opposition and independent analysts and condemned by many nations in the region and beyond.

In a statement issued in London on Wednesday, Smartmatic, which has provided voting machines to Venezuela for the past decade, said: “Based on the robustness of our system, we know, without any doubt, that the turnout of the recent election for a National Constituent Assembly was manipulated.”

Tareck El Aissami, Venezuela’s Vice President said the election results had been reviewed and the 545 assembly members would take the reins of the nation’s government “within hours”.

The new legislative body is entrusted with rewriting the constitution, overriding other branches of government including the opposition-dominated Congress.

Also on Wednesday, General Vladimir Padrino Lopez, Venezuela’s Defence Minister, appeared on television to affirm his loyalty to Maduro.

The US earlier this week hit Maduro with sanctions, and diplomats from the 28 EU countries were meeting Federica Mogherini, EU foreign affairs chief, in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss the bloc’s course of action. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

St Lucia signs Principle 10

News Now)

40 countries protest Venezuela’s new assembly amid fraud accusations

V

e n e z u e l a ’ s Opposition has announced plans to block the inauguration of a contentious constituent assembly whose election was further clouded on Wednesday by fresh allegations of ballot fraud.

The Opposition coalition called for mass protests “against the installation of the constituent fraud” to prevent the new assembly – made up entirely by the

ruling Socialist party and its political allies – from beginning its sessions today. As many as 40 countries have said they would not recognise the new assembly, which critics say is a thinly veiled attempt

by Nicolás Maduro to consolidate power. The body will have the ability to dissolve state institutions and rewrite the Constitution.

Maduro has said his aim is to bring peace to the sharp-

ly split country caught up in political crisis and economic meltdown. But the president and his closest allies have also vowed to use the assembly to jail key opposition leaders, remove the country’s outspoken chief prosecutor from her post and strip Opposition legislators of their constitutional immunity. nNew doubts were cast on the official turnout for the assembly vote, after the com-

pany that provides the technological platform for Venezuela’s voting system said on Wednesday that the government’s claim that more than 8 million people voted on Sunday were wrong. The electoral council president, Tibisay Lucena, put the turnout at 41.53 per cent, or 8,089,320 people. The Opposition put the number at between two million and three million.

(Excerpt from The Guardian)

EU give US$30M socio-economic boost to Jamaica

H

ead of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Jamaica, Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, said the funds, which were made available since 2013, had been provided under the EU’s Accompanying Measures for Sugar Protocol Countries, Jamaica (AMS 2013) Project, which is being implemented through

the Sugar Transformation Unit (STU) of the Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry. The objectives of the AMS are the creation of a commercially viable sugar-cane industry by strengthened sector management, improved field and factory productivity, and the development of the sugar-dependent areas to strengthen and support the improvement of

living conditions in these areas based on sustainable economic and social development. It also aims to support the national policy environment by improving the environmental and energy performances of the industry to promote the sustainable management of environmental resources and to contribute to an inclusive economy, social and environmen-

tally sustainable growth.

The funds have gone towards the repair of roads, the introduction of social programmes, training, provision of sporting facilities, and entrepreneurial support. Recently, a contract was signed with the University of Technology (UTech) to facilitate the establishment of at least 80 business ventures. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

According to Leon, “This marks the beginning of another important step in this process, as we now commit to working towards building the capacity of our national institutions and enhancing our legislative framework at the national level, to effectively implement this regional instrument and to facilitate progress on access rights”

S

aint Lucia on Monday became the 24th signatory to the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Access to Justice in Latin America and the Caribbean (Principle 10).

Permanent Secretary in the Department of Sustainable Development Valerie Leon made the announcement on the first day of the seventh meeting of the negotiating committee at Palacio San Martín, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from July 31-August 4, 2017.

Principle 10 is geared towards reaching an agreement which will give citizens in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) an opportunity to be involved from the onset in the deci-

sion-making process on environmental matters.

The process began at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012 with the Declaration on the application of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.

In November 2014, the signatory countries adopted the Santiago Decision, in which they agreed to commence negotiations on a regional instrument on access to information, participation and justice in environmental matters in Latin America and the Caribbean, with significant participation by the public and the support of Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean as technical secretariat. To date, 24 countries have signed the declaration. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

THURSDAY, August 3, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Trump signs Russia sanctions bill; Moscow calls it 'trade war'

U

S President Donald Trump grudgingly signed into law new sanctions against Russia on Wednesday, a move Moscow said amounted to a fullscale trade war and an end to hopes for better ties with the Trump administration.

Congress overwhelmingly approved the legislation last week, passing a measure that conflicts with the Republican President's desire to improve relations with Moscow.

While Trump signed the bill, he criticised it as infringing on his powers to shape foreign policy and said he could make "far better deals" with governments than Congress can.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev called the sanctions tantamount to a "full-scale trade war," adding in a Facebook post that they showed the Trump administration had demonstrated "utter powerlessness."

"The hope that our relations with the new American

17

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit

administration would improve is finished," he wrote.

Trump's litany of concerns about the sanctions, which also affect Iran and North Korea, nonetheless raised the question of how vigorously Trump will enforce them and pursue action against Russia.

"While I favour tough measures to punish and deter aggressive and destabilizing behaviour by Iran,

North Korea, and Russia, this legislation is significantly flawed," Trump said in a message to lawmakers.

The new law allows Congress to stop any effort

by Trump to ease sanctions on Russia. Trump said in a separate statement that he was signing the measure "for the sake of national unity" even though he saw problems with it. (Excerpt from Reuters)

2 sunbathers killed as plane lands on beach in Portugal

T

wo people were killed when a light plane made an emergency landing on a beach near Lisbon, Portuguese authorities have said.

The two sunbathers, a 56-year-old man and an eight-year-old girl, died while others ran into the sea when the plane came down on Wednesday.

Hundreds of sunbathers were on the popular São João da Caparica beach, 20 miles (30km) south of Lisbon, at the time.

Officials said they were not aware of any other injuries.

The two occupants of the plane were unhurt and were being questioned by officers from Portugal’s national maritime police. The small aircraft, a Cessna, appeared to be in difficulty and wobbled as it skimmed low over the sunbathers, scattering them and spreading panic on the

The small aircraft, a Cessna, appeared to be in difficulty and wobbled as it skimmed low over the sunbathers, scattering them and spreading panic on the beach, witnesses said

beach, witnesses said.

The plane appeared to have a partly broken left wing, which hung lower than the right wing, according to Portuguese TV pictures. Local reports said the aircraft was registered to a flying school in Torres Vedras.

The Portuguese newspaper Diário de Notícias reported that the Aerocondor aviation school had con-

firmed the aircraft was “on a training flight with one student and one senior instructor”, who had “high experience and thousands of hours of flying time”.

The dead girl was with her parents, who were unhurt, witnesses told local media. The plane passed over the dead man’s legs as he sunbathed on a towel, they said. (Excerpt from The

Guardian)

2 missing after blast levels Poland eyes demanding WWII Minneapolis school reparations from Germany

P

olish authorities are looking into demanding reparations from Germany for the massive losses inflicted on Poland during World War II, an official said on Wednesday.

The Polish Parliament's research office is preparing an analysis of whether Poland can legally make the claim and will have it ready by August 11, said Arkadiusz Mularczyk, a lawmaker with the ruling Law and Justice party who requested the report.

The step comes after Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Poland's most powerful politician, said the "Polish Government is preparing itself for a historical counteroffensive."

"We are talking here about huge sums, and

also about the fact that Germany for many years refused to take responsibility for World War II," Kaczynski, the leader of the conservative ruling party, told Radio Maryja last week. In Berlin, Ulrike Demmer, a spokeswoman for Chancellor Angela Merkel, reacted by saying: "Of course Germany stands by its responsibility in World War II, politically, morally and financially."

"It has made significant reparations for general war damage, including to Poland, and is still paying significant compensation for Nazi wrongdoing," Demmer told reporters.

The massive suffering inflicted on Poland has been a topic of public discussion as Poland marked

the anniversary this week of the start of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. The doomed revolt against the Nazi German occupying forces resulted in the killing of 200,000 Poles and the near-total destruction of the Polish capital.

Amid the observances, Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz said on Tuesday that Germans need to "pay back the terrible debt they owe to the Polish people."

World War II, which began with the German invasion of Poland in 1939, killed nearly six million Polish citizens and inflicted huge material losses, including the destruction of cultural treasures, industry and entire cities. (Excerpt

from MSN)

Iran says new US sanctions violate nuclear deal, vows 'proportional reaction'

I

ran said new sanctions imposed by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday break the terms of its nuclear deal with the United States and other world powers, and vowed an "appropriate and proportional" response.

Trump, who during his election campaign called the nuclear agreement – negotiated under his predecessor Barack Obama – "the worst deal ever", signed the new sanctions into law along with measures against Russia and North Korea. Iran had al-

ready said it would complain to the body that oversees the 2015 deal – under which it accepted curbs on its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief – about the measures passed in Congress last week in response to a missile development programme and human rights abuses.

"In our view the nuclear deal has been violated and we will show an appropriate and proportional reaction to this issue," Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in an interview with state TV, according to the ISNA news

agency. While Russia has reacted to the sanctions by ejecting US embassy staff, Iran has no diplomatic relations or direct trade links with the United States so its options are limited.

Araqchi said Tehran's response would be "intelligent".

The new US sanctions, signed a day before Iranian President Hassan Rouhani takes part in a ceremony before being sworn in for a second term, are likely to embolden his hardline critics who say the nuclear deal was a form of capitulation.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

The Minneapolis Fire Department initially said one fatality was reported, but later said that death was unconfirmed

T

wo people are unaccounted for and nine others were injured after an explosion partially

levelled a school in the US state of Minnesota, Police say.

Investigators suspect

natural gas as the cause of the blast at Minnehaha Academy in the city of Minneapolis.

Rescuers plucked three people from the roof after the explosion, which set part of the building ablaze.

Medics said three people were in a critical condition, four in serious condition and two had "minor trauma".

The Minneapolis Fire Department initially said one fatality was reported, but later said that death was unconfirmed.

Assistant Fire Chief Brian Tyner told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that a "search and rescue mission" is on for two people.

"Our hopes are that they are not in there," he said, referring to the smoking mound of rubble. (BBC News)

Qatar to buy 7 navy vessels from Italy for €5B

I

taly has signed a five billion euro (US$5.9 billion) agreement with Qatar's naval forces that includes the sale of seven naval units, according to a joint announcement by the foreign ministers of Qatar and Italy.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's Foreign Minister, also announced the signing of two other bilateral agreements that will increase political consultations and

joint economic investments between the two countries.

During his one-day visit to Doha, Angelino Alfano, Italy's Foreign Minister, stressed his country's excellent political and economic ties with Qatar and expressed his support for Qatar’s efforts to combat terrorism.

"I would like to point out to our excellent ties with Qatar and that our goal is to support Qatar’s plans in the international arena," he

said.

Speaking about the current crisis between Qatar and a Saudi-led bloc – Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain – Alfano said Italy encourages all parties to use wisdom and engage in dialogue and moderation to end the crisis.

The four Arab countries severed relations with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of supporting "terrorism". Qatar has denied the allegation.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, august 3, 2017

ARCHIE

Look at every side of an issue before you form an opin(March 21- ion. Hard work, less fuss and April 19) not trying to put the blame elsewhere will be the best way to get ahead.

ARIES

A change at home can afTAURUS fect your financial situation.

(April 20- If you listen and look for ways May 20) to compromise, you will avoid a loss. Use your intelligence to overcome adversity.

dilbert

Partnerships will need GEMINI (May 21- nurturing. Aim to please, June 20) but not at the expense of being used or manipulated.

Equality will be required if you want your relationship with someone to flourish.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Find out where you stand and what you must do to get ahead. A partnership will raise your profile but will end up being costly if you give up too much.

Participate in activities and connect with people who are as ambitious and energetic as you. Show your enthusiasm by offering hands-on help. A change of scenery will inspire you.

Charm coupled with pracVIRGO (Aug. 23- ticality will help you overSept. 22) come any mishap or opposition. Make your point clear and bring about the change you feel is necessary to excel.

Question someone’s moLIBRA tives if you feel you are being (Sept. 23manipulated.

Once you know Oct. 23) what others want from you, it will be easy to decide what to give in return.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Your desire for change SCORPIO and your dedication and hard (Oct. 24work will pay off. Don’t limit Nov. 22) what you can accomplish because someone who is jealous or insecure makes a fuss.

Don’t let distress lead to SAGITTARIUS uncertainty. Trust in your (Nov. 23- ability to pull things togethDec. 21) er, and use your connections and charm to get things done properly. Do your own fact-checking.

Don’t let anyone rush you CAPRICORN or dominate a situation that (Dec. 22- can influence your life or a Jan. 19) relationship with an important someone. If something doesn’t add up, ask questions.

solution for Last Published Puzzle Make changes to the way AQUARIUS you help others. Staying in (Jan. 20- control to ensure that no one Feb. 19) takes advantage of you will improve your state of mind and your willingness to do more.

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Take control, whether at PISCES home or at work, and make (Feb. 20March 20) decisions that are in your best interest. It’s time to look out for your needs first. Romance is highlighted.

thursDAY, august 3, 2017

19

Neymar on verge of recordbreaking move to PSG: agent

N

eymar’s record-breaking 222 million euros ($263 million) transfer from Barcelona to French side Paris Saint-Germain appeared close to completion on Wednesday, when his agent predicted he could be unveiled by the weekend.

Neymar’s team mate Lionel Messi posted a farewell message on social media to the Brazilian, whose agent Wagner Ribeiro was quoted on Spanish radio as saying PSG would pay Barcelona’s asking price and his client was en route to finalize the deal.

“They (PSG) are going to pay Neymar’s (222 million euros buyout) clause today so that he can be presented at the weekend,” Ribeiro told Spanish radio station Cadena COPE. “They (Neymar and his father) are in the air now.”

The move would complete a hectic few days in which Neymar’s heavily trailed exit has inched closer.

Events moved swiftly on Wednesday when Barcelona released a statement announcing that the 25-year-old had informed them of his intention to leave, and confirming the amount of his buyout clause.

“The player Neymar Jr, accompanied by his father and agent, has informed FC Barcelona this morning of his decision to leave

R

icky Simms, the agent of world’s fastest man Usain Bolt, has poured cold water on his aspirations of playing football at a high level in post track and field retirement after claiming the runner will be too old and lacking motivation.

The 30-year-old Bolt is expected to call time on a legendary athletics career sometime following the upcoming London World

The Championships. sprinter a well-known fan of English Premier League club Manchester United who has for the last several years expressed an interest in one day playing professional football.

According to Simms that dream could be a reality with several clubs already lining up to give the

the club in a meeting held at the club’s offices,” Barcelona said in a statement.

“The club refer to the buyout clause of his existing contract which as of 1 July totals 222 million euros.”

Earlier the 25-year-old arrived at the club’s training ground to tell team mates he was moving to Paris, Catalan radio RAC1 reported.

The Brazilian striker left the training area minutes later, it said, with the club confirming on Twitter that he had been given permission not to train.

Neymar’s departure would end a four-year stay at the club, where he formed a formidable strike force with Messi and Luis Suarez.

Messi reacted to his teammate’s imminent move by posting on his Instagram account: “It was a great pleasure to have shared all these years with you, my friend @ naymarjr. I wish you much luck in this new stage of your life. Be seeing you.”

In October, Neymar signed a new contract until 2021 with the buy-out clause raised.

For a while it seemed that the deal might stall over concerns about Financial Fair Play.

In an interview published on Wednesday, the president of the national football league, Javier

Tebas, said the league would not accept payment by PSG to trigger the release clause. It would potentially be in breach of UEFA Financial Fair Play rules, he told Spanish sports newspaper AS. However, UEFA told Reuters on Wednesday that no complaint had been received, adding that European football’s governing body would not block any potential deal in advance.

“UEFA will look into the details of this transfer in due course to ensure PSG are compliant with FFP requirements,” the UEFA statement said.

“The transfer of Neymar to PSG will have an effect on the club finances over several years but the impact of such an operation cannot be judged in advance, notably as PSG could well sell several players for a significant amount.

“We shall therefore only make calculations at the end and make sure that they respect the rules.”

PSG are one of the world’s richest clubs following their 2012 takeover by Qatar Sports Investments, an arm of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, which has transformed their fortunes.

Under the fair play rules which Uefa’s FFP project leader Andrea Traverso was last week quoted by Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport as saying PSG

Bolt too Federer to launch old to play top flight in Montreal football – agent G

player trial runs, but don’t expect to see Bolt in the UEFA Champions League or Premier League.

“Can a sprinter who is 30-years-old play in the Bundesliga or the Premier League? Realistically that is a step too far. I think if he had six months or nine months playing and training with a team then he could play at some level whether that is League One or League Two,” Simms told EuroSport.

“He would hit me on the head for saying he is not going to play in the Champions League, but I don’t know realistically if he has the motivation at this stage of his life to go training with the reserves on a rainy day in Manchester or Munich or somewhere as he is a wealthy guy and has a great life.” (SportsMax)

rand slam king Roger Federer will kick off his North American hardcourt campaign and buildup to the U.S. Open by competing at the Rogers Cup in Montreal, the Swiss confirmed on Tuesday.

“I’m happy to be coming back to Montreal, as I have not had the chance to play there for many years,” said Federer in a statement released by Tennis Canada.

“This 2017 season has been very exciting and I am really looking forward to being back on the court on the ATP Tour.”

Federer will be seeking his third Rogers Cup title but first in Montreal, where he has not competed since 2011 in the tournament that alternates between Montreal and Toronto, where he registered his previous wins in 2004 and 2006.

It has been a magical season for the 35-year-old Swiss highlighted by the 18th and 19th grand slam titles of his career at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, extending his all-time men’s record haul.

“We are celebrating today and the celebrations will continue over the next few days especially since Federer will celebrate his birthday with us on August 8,” said tournament director Eugene Lapierre.

The Rogers Cup runs from Aug Roger Federer 6-13. (Reuters)

were currently following - a club’s wage bill must not exceed 70 percent of its revenue.

PSG’s 2015/16 revenue came to 521 million euros, according to Deloitte’s Football Money League report issued in January.

550,000 Euros a Week?

M e d i a s o u r c es across Europe reported that Neymar is negotiating

a potential six-year d e a l worth m o r e than 550,000 euros a week.

The striker only arrived back i n Spain on Tuesday after trips to China and the Middle East.

Neymar has been active on social me- d i a , sharing an excerpt from the New

Testament (Philippians 4:11) on Instagram which said “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content ...whether living in plenty or in want.”

A PSG spokesman declined to comment.

Neymar signed for Barcelona from Brazilian side Santos for 57.1 million euros in 2013, although it was later revealed the cost was closer to 100 million euros. (Reuters)

Ruling in Warner

extradition case

put off until September

A

ruling regarding the challenge of extradition to the United States by former FIFA Vice-president Jack Warner’s has been put off until September.

Trinidad and Tobago Supreme court judge Justice James Aboud was expected to rule on the issue on Monday, but choose to adjourn the case to a date that will be set in September following the opening of the new law term. Warner is wanted in the United States to Jack Warner face 12 charges related to racketeering, corruption and money laundering said to have been committed during his time as CONCACAF president, dating as far back as 1990.

Warner has, however, filed a motion to question the procedure adopted by the Office of the Attorney General in signing off on the extradition request made in May 2015.

The former CONCACAF boss’ attorneys claim T&T’s extradition treaty with the US contradicts the Extradition (Commonwealth and Foreign Territories) Act. According to documents presented to the court, in passing the Act, Parliament afforded citizens certain protections which are ignored by the international treaty.

The former official claimed the case against him is politically motivated and accused the United States of seeking revenge because it lost to Qatar in its bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

(SportsMax)

20

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thursdAY, AUGUST 3, 2017

Messi bids fond farewell to Neymar N

eymar and Lionel Messi made up two thirds of world football’s most feared forward line but their alliance will be broken by PSG. Lionel Messi has wished Neymar “a lot of luck in this new stage of your life” as his Barcelona colleague closes in on a world-record move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar’s proposed €222million switch to the French capital swiftly gathered pace on Wednesday as Barca head coach Ernesto Valverde granted the 25-year-old permission to miss training and tie up his future.

The Brazil star informed the Barcelona board and his team-mates of his intention to leave and Messi, who lined up in the all-conquering “MSN” forward line alongside Neymar and Luis Suarez, paid tribute to his colleague in an Instagram post.

“It was a great pleasure to have shared

all these years with you friend @neymarjr,” Messi posted alongside a photo montage of the pair.

“I wish you a lot of luck in this new stage of your life. See you, I love you a lot.”

Messi signed a new contract at Barcelona last month, reportedly worth €565,000 per week, tying him to Camp Nou until 2021.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s continued presence at Barca is rumoured to have been a factor in Neymar’s decision to leave, with his inner circle reportedly of the opinion that he will not be considered the best player in the world until he has the opportunity to step out of Messi’s shadow.

Neymar scored 105 goals in 186 games for Barcelona, with 20 of those strikes coming from Messi assists. He set up Messi on 22 occasions out of a total 59 assists.

In a club statement, Barca said they would insist on the full payment of Neymar’s €222m release clause – something one of the players’ representatives, Wagner Ribeiro, told Spanish reporters at Barcelona’s El Prat airport would not present a problem.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas told AS on Wednesday that Spain’s top

flight could seek to block the transfer on the grounds of PSG being in breach of UEFA Financial Fair Play rules by paying such a fee.

UEFA told Omnisport all transfers come under the jurisdiction of FIFA so this would be a matter for world football’s governing body.

McGregor warns Mayweather:

Dinesh Chandimal

Fit-again Chandimal insists India won’t whitewash Sri Lanka “I am coming sprinting at you with bricks” D C inesh Chandimal came out fighting against suggestions India will whitewash Sri Lanka in their three-match Test series.

Fit-again Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal emphatically batted away suggestions his team will suffer a 3-0 Test series whitewash against India.

Chandimal, appointed skipper last month following the resignation of Angelo Mathews, was laid low by pneumonia in the first contest as India romped to a 304run victory.

The 27-year-old is back in the team thanks largely to the use of an ICCapproved inhaler and was in little mood to contemplate a damage-limitation job against the world’s top-ranked Test side.

“Who is saying it will be 3-0?” he said.

“You can’t say that. India are a very talented team, but we aren’t going to lose 3-0.”

“We are looking to level the series and then go to the third match. We have the determination to do that.”

With the pitch in Colombo expected to provide plenty of turn, Sri Lanka are set to go with two spinners and name the uncapped Malinda Pushpakumara in their team.

“Most probably Malinda will come into the side,” he added.

“It’s a really good opportunity if Malinda plays, to benefit from Rangana’s [Herath] experience in the middle and the dressing room.

“That’s what we want to do. I hope both are going to do really good things.” (SportsMax)

P Hearn: Joshua-Klitschko rematch could be confirmed next week

onor McGregor said he would fight “brittle hands” Floyd Mayweather Jr with 4oz gloves, declaring he is prepared to “destroy” the American.

Conor McGregor says he has no interest what size gloves Floyd Mayweather Jr. wears when they fight in Las Vegas and warned the legendary boxer: “I am coming sprinting at you with bricks”.

Mayweather revealed that he intends to use 8oz gloves rather than the standard 10oz for a super-welterweight bout when they step into the ring at the T-Mobile Arena on August 26.

UFC star McGregor offered a curt response as he continued his preparations for the mega-money contest with another sparring session.

The Irishman posted on Instagram: “Another

romoter Eddie Hearn said “everything is geared towards Wladimir Klitschko in Las Vegas” for Anthony Joshua’s next fight.

Eddie Hearn has revealed there are still “interesting dynamics” to settle on before details of Anthony Joshua’s next fight can be announced but a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko could be confirmed next week.

Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, stated last week that November 11 has been “pencilled in” for another showdown between the British heavyweight champion and veteran Klitschko.

Talks between the two parties are ongoing, but a bout in Las Vegas is still on the cards and Hearn hopes an agreement can be reached in the very near future.

“I think by the end of next week, we’ll have a final decision in terms of venue and opponent for Anthony Joshua,” Hearn told Sky Sports.

“At the moment, everything is geared towards Wladimir Klitschko in Las Vegas. There are some interesting dynamics to the commercials of the deal, which we are working through with [Klitschko’s manager] Bernd Boente.

“AJ will go on holiday at the weekend with his family for a week and then we will be going straight into camp. Watch this space for an announcement.”

IBF, IBO and WBA (super) heavyweight Joshua knocked former world champion Klitschko out in the 11th round of an epic battle at Wembley in April.

(SportsMax)

handy 12 rounds today.

We are prepared to destroy Floyd.

“Pick whatever size gloves you want as well little man. I fight with 4oz. I don’t give a f*** about the size of the glove.

“I am coming sprinting at you with bricks. Know that.

Brittle hands.”

Mayweather had written on the same social media platform: “Don’t believe what you hear in the media.

Don’t believe what you hear on blog sites.

“If it’s not coming directly from me, then it’s not true. I’m telling McGregor, ‘Let’s fight in 8oz gloves’.

McGregor can fight in any brand he prefers or chooses.

“I’ll be wearing 8 oz Grant gloves. Whatever advantage McGregor needs to feel more comfortable in the ring, I’m willing to accommodate. Let’s give the boxing and MMA fans what they want to see.”

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sports

Phillies cancel Rose ceremony amid allegations

T

he Philadelphia Phillies canceled a ceremony to induct Pete Rose into the team’s Wall of Fame after allegations surfaced this week that the all-time hits leader maintained a sexual relationship in the 1970s with a girl before she turned 16.

“Due to recent events, the Phillies and Pete Rose have decided that Pete will not participate in the Phillies Alumni Weekend festivities to be held at Citizens Bank Park on Aug. 10-13, 2017,” the Phillies announced Wednesday in a release.

Rose, who is banned from baseball because he bet on games while manager of the Cincinnati Reds, had been voted by Phillies fans to be inducted into the team’s Wall of Fame. He was scheduled to be honored Aug. 12.

“While I am truly honored that the Phillies fans voted for me to be this year’s Wall of Fame inductee, I am concerned that other matters will overshadow the goodwill associated with Alumni Weekend, and I agree with the decision not to participate,” the now 76-year-old Rose said in a statement.

ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” reported this week

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South Africa’s Vernon Philander attends a press conference at Old Trafford in Manchester?on Wednesday (AP)

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Pete Rose

that a sworn statement by an unidentified woman, contained in a motion filed in John Dowd’s defense against Rose’s defamation lawsuit, alleges that Rose had a sexual relationship with the woman for several years in the 1970s, beginning before she turned 16.

Dowd oversaw the investigation that led to Rose’s ban from baseball in 1989.

Rose acknowledged he had a sexual relationship with the woman in court documents made public Monday and obtained by ESPN, but he said his information and belief was that it started when she was 16.

Rose was 34, married and the father of two chil-

dren in 1975 when he admitted he began having sex with the woman, referred to in the filing as “Jane Doe.” Rose said he does not recall how long the relationship lasted, according to the court documents.

The woman’s account does not raise the prospect of a criminal charge for Rose because it is well past Ohio’s statute of limitations.

Contacted by “Outside the Lines” on Monday, Ray Genco, one of Rose’s attorneys, said in an email: “John Dowd purposely made a defamatory statement that damaged Pete -- serial pedophilia consisting of the statutory rape of 12- to 14-yearolds during spring training.

It is also false. And Judge Tucker just ruled that it constitutes defamation per se.

“Dowd can’t defend his own actions here -- so he is distracting. It’s just Dowd attacking Pete instead of defending his own inexplicable accusations on the radio the day before Pete was to be honored in Cincinnati at the All-Star Game. His litigation strategy is to further drag Pete’s name through the mud. It’s a witch hunt -and won’t be a successful litigation strategy.”

David Tobin, an attorney

Vernon Philander fit, ready to aid South Africa revival vs England

TO LET

DAILY & SUNDAY COPIES

21

ernon Philander is confident both he and South Africa will be firing on all cylinders as they look to draw their Test series with England at Old Trafford.

Philander was unable to be at his best during England’s 239-run win in the third Test at The Oval after being struck down by a mystery stomach virus which meant he could only bowl 32 overs in the match.

What made it worse for the Proteas was that the overcast conditions appeared ideal for accurate seamer Philander, re-

nowned for his ability to make the most of any assistance from either cloudy skies or a pitch with some ‘juice’ in it.

The man-of-the-match in the Proteas’ second Test success at Trent Bridge, Philander even spent one night of The Oval match on a hospital drip.

The best South Africa can hope for now, at 2-1 down in this four-match series, is a share of the spoils.

And Philander is eager to play his full part when the Manchester fixture starts on Friday.

“It was either something I picked up or something I ate that really ‘drilled’ me for a couple of days,” Philander told reporters at Old Trafford on Wednesday as he recalled his illness.

“It was a tough week personally, but I’m looking forward to this one,” he added.

Philander was already unwell come the toss in south London but, with few other options at his disposal, South Africa captain Faf du Plessis decided a half-fit Philander was better than none at all.

In the end, the move did not pay off with the Proteas a bowler down at crucial

stages of England’s first innings in particular.

“I think it probably got a lot worse having to bowl after losing quite a lot of fluids,” the 32-year-old Philander explained.

“The night in hospital, being on a drip, really revitalised me. But then in the morning, it was (not good) again.

“Being on the loo for quite a bit, and having to go out to bowl, it was draining from a fluid point of view -- because I couldn’t really keep anything down.

“It was really bad, but I’m feeling a lot better now,” Philander insisted.

Friday’s match will mark the final fixture of a lengthy tour, by modern standards, that started in mid-May. “We’ve got an honesty policy within the side, and we all admitted it wasn’t our best Test match,” Philander said of South Africa’s display at The Oval. “We let ourselves down with the bat in the first innings ... so we’re looking forward to correcting those mistakes in this one and hoping to go level in the series.”

But there was no denying the effect of Philander’s restricted involvement

for Dowd, told “Outside the Lines” on Monday, “We’ll let the filing speak for itself.”

The Phillies also said

W

they will not give away a Rose bobblehead figure as planned on Aug. 11. (The Sports Xchange)

Roach shows form before rain sets in

est Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach bagged three quick wickets to have Essex Country in trouble at lunch on day-two of their three-day warm up match at County Ground in Chelmsford on Wednesday.

Roach has figures of 3 for 17 as Essex limped to 47 for 4 from 17 overs in reply to the West Indies 338 for 8 declared.

They trail the Windies by 291 runs with six wickets in hand.

Roach bags three wickets as Essex struggle to 47 for 4 Roach, who returned to the West Indies set up after a protracted period of recovery from injury, struck with his third ball having Varun Chopra caught by Kyle Hope for 0.

He then bowled Dan Lawrence for 8 to have Essex 10 for 2 on the last ball of his fourth over, and the seventh of the innings. Roach then trapped Adam Wheater leg before wicket for a duck in the ninth over to have the home side tottering at 19 for 3.

Miguel Cummins added to the misery when he had Ryan ten Doeschate trapped leg before for 6 to leave Essex on the ropes at 33 for 4 in the 13th over.

Opener Nick Browne went to lunch on 16 and with his is Callum Taylor on 6. Rain subsequently ended play for the day.

Miguel Cummins has so far taken 1 for 8 off his six overs.

Resuming from their overnight score of 309 for 8, the West Indies added 29 runs before their declaration. Shane Dowrich who was unbeaten on 28 overnight remained unbeaten on 44 while Roach was 12 not out when skipper Jason Holder called his side in. (Sportsmax) at The Oval, with the all-rounder admitting: “Any sort of bowler, if you can’t go at 100 percent and the conditions are suited for you as well ... it was really frustrating.

“It was really bad, but I’m feeling a lot better now,” Philander insisted.

Friday’s match will mark the final fixture of a lengthy tour, by modern standards, that started in mid-May. “We’ve got an honesty policy within the side, and we all admitted it wasn’t our best Test match,” Philander

said of South Africa’s display at The Oval.

“We let ourselves down with the bat in the first innings ... so we’re looking forward to correcting those mistakes in this one and hoping to go level in the series.” But there was no denying the effect of Philander’s restricted involvement at The Oval, with the all-rounder admitting: “Any sort of bowler, if you can’t go at 100 percent and the conditions are suited for you as well ... it was really frustrating. (HindustanTimes)

CWI Regional Under-15

Rain ruins fourth round R

ain saved Guyana in their fourth round match against leaders Barbados as the match came to a premature end after the last of four stoppages finally curtailed play at KMV Oval in Lakes, Barbados.

At that time, Barbados was nine without loss in 4.3 overs in pursuit of a revised target of 64 from 30 overs to win the match. Guyana made 69 from 35 overs when they batted.

Only Andre Seepersaud with 14 not out, batting at number nine, reached double figures.

No play was possible in the other fourth round matches of the Regional Under-15 Tournament between Windward Islands Under-15s and Trinidad & Tobago Under-15s at St. Catherine in Bayfield and Jamaica and Leeward Islands at Rubis in Brighton due to wet conditions caused by rain.

The final round is scheduled for Friday.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Guyana narrowly miss out on ITF final thursdAY, AUGUST 3, 2017

V

adeanand Resaul was the spark for the future of Guyana’s tennis at the pre-qualifying rounds of the ITF/

Monisha Amba Persaud

COTECC Under -12 Development Championships held recently at

the National Racquet Centre, Trinidad.

Playing as the number two seed for Guyana, Resaul emerged as the top performer with three of four singles victories, and two of four doubles wins with Baker. As if to signal his intention, Resaul won the first match of the tournament and immediately caught the attention of coaches with his consistent focus on and off court and emotional outbursts at pivotal points in a game.

According to a release the talented player prevailed in tough matches even when there was much pressure playing against a Trinidadian in his final singles match.

Two teams of three boys Devine Jeremiah Kalekyezi, Vadeanand Resaul, Wayne Baker and three girls Sekai Akilah Jones, Monisha Amba Persaud, Rashida Hardy, represented Guyana in the country’s 10th participation at the tournament.

The number one seed Ugandan-born Devine Jeremiah Kalekyezi was a strong favourite

but managed to secure only two of four singles wins.

At the end of the third day, Guyana’s boys team fell short to place third of 10 countries barely missing that opportunity to move onwards to play in the finals in Guatemala later this month.

Head coach Shelly Daly was elated with Resaul achievement..

“He is mentally the toughest and is highly motivated” she declared.

The six players, most of whom are products of their school mini– tennis program, were all coached

by Daly and she is confident that Guyana has a bright future in tennis with the current youth crop.

Sekai Akilah Jones the number one seed of the girls' team lost all five of her singles matches but her partnership with the young Rashida Hardy produced two wins.

Guyana Times Sport was informed that the surprise performance came from number two seed Monisha Amba Persaud who showed strong signs of mental strength and patience with long rallies in her matches to come out with two victories.

The GLTA Vice President and girls team captain Grace McCalman acknowledged that the girls were pressured to quickly adapt to the environment of multiple courts. However, McCalman noted that her young charges practiced often and were disciplined enough to fight bravely against the odds and visibly improved each day.

“All players learned significant lessons from the tournament which is ITF’s premier development tournament to determine how nations are preparing the next generation players” McCalman said.

The revised approach to the tournament defined four sub regions of which Guyana falls into sub-region four Vadeanand Resaul excluding Central American territories. This was a welcomed move along with the limited competitions in Guyana.

Davis Cup Format for three memThis is aimed at stimulating ber teams. The recently commis- interest for development of the sioned National Tennis Centre of sport locally. According to the reTrinidad which accommodates 12 lease it is now one year and three tennis courts including four indoor months that the GLTA is waiting courts and one stadium court hosts on the signing of an MoU with the the office of the Committee of Sub National Sports Commission to Region 4. jumpstart the process of developThe President of the Tennis ing eight international standard Association of Trinidad & Tobago courts at the National Racquet Hayden Mitchell is also the Centre.

President of Sub Region 4. During In order to facilitate coachthe visit Ms. McCalman in her ca- es conducting high performance pacity as GLTA executive mem- programs, the GLTA continues to ber, sought to collaborate with depend on the Guyana Bank for Trinidad officials for specific cate- Trade and Industry for provision gories of players to participate in of adequate facilities.

Hing finds target in smallbore shootout T

he Guyana National Rifle Association's Smallbore Captain, Dale Hing emerged as the winner of the Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc, IPSC Sanctioned Level I match at the refurbished Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Ranges at Timehri. Hing accumulated 225.6469 match points out of the 230 points available from three stages.

The first stage, a 32 round, long stage, designed by IPSC Regional Director Harold `Top Gun’ Hopkinson, was the highlight of the day.

Gordon Richards won this stage with 160 points in 51.04 seconds, second in a blistering time of 48.90 seconds was Dale Hing with 158.3266 , Dr Johan Da Silva saw enough to claim the third position with 144.4319 points. Harold Hopkinson 138.4939 and Terry Milling 128.0507 took the 4th and 5th positions.

A representative of the GNRA handing over the winning trophy to Dale Hing

In explaining what happened during this segment of the competition Hopkinson said it was designed to encompass a multitude of IPSC sanctioned rules.

“This stage had the competitors

place their unloaded firearm on one of the two barrels and all magazines to be used on the other barrel. The predicament here was the items were on either end of the stage,” Hopkinson said.

“On the start signal, the shooter had to run to the barrel of their choosing, while adhering to all the rules of firearm safety to avoid disqualification. After completing the task the competitor engaged 10 classic targets and 12 poppers and plates from four positions on the stage.”

In the second Stage the shooters utilized an eight round IPSC classifier comprising of three classic targets and two plates.

Da Silva with the fastest time of 5.71 seconds and 40 stage points took first position, second was Murtland Smith 6.52 seconds and 39.151 stage points, third Dale Hing 6.84 seconds and 37.3203 stage points, closely followed by Gordon Richards with 37.0779 points and Jermaine Softly took fifth with 35.7322.

The third stage comprised of two IPSC classic targets and two plates, Hing took the stage with 30 points, second Dr. DaSilva with 24.1889, third Lawrence Layne 20.3359, fourth Lindsay Baird, 19.6171 and Fifth Harold Hopkinson with 19.1105.

Overall winner of the A Class was Small Bore Captain, Dale Hing, second Gordon Richards, third

Dr. Johan DaSilva, fourth Harold Hopkinson and fifth Terry Milling.

In B Class Murthland Smith first, Sherrard Williams second, third Lawrence Payne, fourth Gordon Pearson and fifth Jermaine Softly.

In C Class first Surujbali Persaud, Jermaine Softly took the second Spot, third Charles Clayton, fourth Bassu Dawarkha and Lindsay Baird took fifth.

The Small Bore section extended gratitude to the IPSC Regional Director, Harold Hopkinson and his team comprising of members Clayton Charles, Terry Milling, Mike Tang, Lindsay Baird and Sherwin Solomon for assisting in setting up their first IPSC stages.

The Regional Director remarked that he would be happy to tour with any of the new shooters, who completed the three stages, whilst observing all of the safety rules. He is meanwhile preparing for the IPSC World Shoot that will be held in France in August and the GNRA wishes him all the best.

This IPSC Level 1 event was sponsored by Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc, Guyana's premiere security company.

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, august 3, 2017

23

Jamaica’s Atkinson wins 50m breaststroke gold at FINA World Cup A

lia Atkinson opened her 2017/2018 FINA/Airweave Swimming World Cup campaign with another win, the 25th career win in the 50-metre short course breaststroke in Moscow, Russia on Wednesday. The world-record holder won in 29.46s ahead of her long-time rival Lithuanian Ruta Meilutyte, who was a shade behind in 29.51. Russian Natalia Ivaneeva won the bronze medal in 29.87.

Atkinson, who eased into the final with a time of 29.73, found herself trailing Meilutyte, who reacted faster at the start - 0.59 to 0.69 – but the Jamaican, relying on her improved back-end speed, surged to get by the Lithuanian in time to touch first. Last season Atkinson competed at eight of the nine World Cup stops and was undefeated in all eight of her 50-metre breaststroke races.

In her final race of the day, Atkinson competed in a stacked final of the 100-metre individual medley in which she finished fourth.

The race would go to the world record holder Katinka Hosszu of Hungary in 57.02.

The silver medal went to Sarah Sjöström in 57.61 while former record holder in the event Australian Emily Seebohm won Bronze in 58.63.

Atkinson, the CCCAN and CARIFTA’s standard bearer clocked 59.55.

The Jamaican star will be in action in the 200m breaststroke and 100m butterfly on Thursday. (SportsMax)

GUYSA hosts Van Niekerk Kings of ready for the Wicket challenge of being the next Bolt W

T

Shaquille Williams

op local cricketers will be engaged this Sunday as the Guyana Students Association (GUYSA) of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, hosts King of the Wicket, at the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) Ground.

It will be a seven-A-side six- overs cricket tournament with teams coming from all parts of the country to showcase their power hitting ability in a very short format of leather ball cricket.

Food and Drinks will be on sale at the venue and there will also be an admission cost of $500 attached to the event.

There is no registration fee attached. Interested teams can contact President of GUYSA, Shaquille Williams on telephone number 638-1389.

The Guyanese Students Association (GUYSA) is a non-profit organization established on 1st January, 2016.

GUYSA is the official student representative body for all Guyanese students within the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI). Its aim is to assist in the welfare of Guyanese students, promote Guyanese cultural ethnicity, create opportunities to develop the skills of members and contribute to the community.The first ball bowls off at 9:00h.

ayde van Niekerk, the athlete identified by Usain Bolt as the next trailblazer for global athletics, was adamant on Wednesday that he was not afraid to take over the responsibility of being the face of his sport.

The day after Bolt had lavished him with praise, the South African Van Niekerk told reporters that he was not intimidated by the expectations being heaped upon him before the World Athletics Championships, which start in London on Friday.

It is perfectly possible that the 25-year-old could upstage Bolt in the Jamaican's final championship by pulling off a 200 metres/400 meters double that has not been achieved since Michael Johnson in Gothenburg in 1995.

Van Niekerk is also being tipped to threaten the 400m world record of 43.03 seconds that he took from Johnson at the Olympic Games last year and warned at a news conference in London on Wednesday that he was "in the best shape I could be" to deliver again.

"It's one thing someone saying I can be the next big thing," Van Niekerk said of

Bolt's words of praise. "But it's another thing working toward that greatness.

"I'm not intimidated (by the responsibility), you can't be. This is track and field, this is a dream I need to fight for -- and I need to fight for it as hard as I can."

Van Niekerk joked that he was expecting an invoice from Bolt for all the advice and encouragement the peerless sprinter had given him.

On Tuesday, the Jamaican had told reporters: "Wayde van Niekerk is proving he is a world star.

He has broken the 400m world record, ran the fastest 300m ever, and now he's doing the 200m also.

For me, he's proving that he can step up to the plate."

It left the South African responding: "All of us have a lot of respect for Usain and have gained motivation from what's he's done for track and field. So it's a massive honor for me to be mentioned in the light that I am right now.

"I need to accept it and take the responsibility.

"It's definitely a good space to be in. Good to see him supporting me as an athlete and backing me as the athlete I am becoming.

It shows that I'm moving in

Wayde van Niekerk

a positive direction as an athlete."

Van Niekerk may not have the sparkling personality that Bolt possesses although, as he demonstrated in an assured performance in front of the world's media here in the shadow of the London Stadium, he's clearly growing more comfortable in the limelight.

And he has a string to his bow that even Bolt does not possess as the only man to have broken 10 seconds for 100m, 20 seconds for 200m and 44 seconds for 400m and his options for the future have left him and his remarkable 75-year-old coach Ans Botha, a great grandmother, spoilt for choice.

"It's still something that we're working on every day," said Van Niekerk, when asked whether he might shift more in the future to the 100m and 200m events that have always

been Bolt's domain rather than the one-lap event.

"Coach and I have daily moments when we're still deciding and sometimes disagreeing on the path forward because things are looking positive and bright when you look at all three events.

"I love competing and that's what makes me go faster. I'm 25 years old and I've still a lot of areas to work on, a lot of fine tuning to do even to reach the heights Usain has in the 100 and 200.

"Yes, I've reached heights that no-one else has in the 400 but at the same time I'm going to go out there and build a total new image of who I am and what I believe in.

"If that means I put up some great times in the 100, 200 and 400, then I'll know I've achieved the goals I want to as an athlete." (Reuters)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017

Sports is no longer our game, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our business

guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana narrowly miss out on ITF final Pg 22

Guyana team; from left to right-Devine Jeremiah Kalekyezi, Akilah Sekai Jones, Vadeanand Resaul, Wayne Baker, Rashida Hardy, and Monisha Amba Persaud. At back Coach Shelly Daly (right) and Grace McCalman VP of GTA

Pg 22

Hing finds target in smallbore shootout Dale Hing (centre front) winner of GNRA latest competition with top performers and other participants

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