Guyana Times Daily August 22 2017

Game Day THE BEACON OF TRUTH

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

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Issue No. 3309

Minister roasted for calling Amerindians ‘greedy’ See stories on pages 3&7

... NTC cites political interference in Amerindian communities

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WHAT'S INSIDE: After 4 months…

Nurses decry non-payment of salaries P7

Alleged rapist remanded for escaping Police P9 custody

Chicken pen drug bust

Amazon Warriors mentor differently abled students

Essequibo businessman slapped with narco trafficking P8 charge

Page 13

The Guyana Amazon Warriors showed a softer side on Monday when they mentored students attached to the Diamond Special Needs School. The event, hosted at the Georgetown Marriott, was the result of a partnership between Digicel and the CPL organisation

Guyana’s 1st major roundabout 50% complete Page 2

– some road closures necessary to complete project

Carifesta XIII kicks off with grand display

Page 12

… Guyana steals spotlight at opening night

Govt still P9 working to meet 2017 LGC deadline – Bulkan Bandits P2 strike at West Canje; 2 homes broken into

2 News

tuesDAY, august 22, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana’s first major Bandits strike roundabout 50% complete at West Canje; 2 – some road closures necessary to complete project

T

he Carifesta Avenue/ Vlissengen Road Roundabout Project is halfway done and the Public Infrastructure Ministry (MPI) has advised that some temporary road closures will be necessary to complete the project. This will result in some inconvenience to motorists and road users and the Ministry is asking the public to exercise patience and to use alternative routes from Wednesday, August 23.

“Weather permitting, the traffic disruption will last for just three weeks,” the Department of Public Information (DPI) advised.

It said traffic will be diverted through Alexander Street and MPI Maintenance Engineer, Sherod Parkinson is urging road users “to take precautions as they use Alexander Street, David Street and Barr Street to access lower Georgetown.”

Parkinson also explained

homes broken into

The two houses that were robbed An overhead shot of the Carifesta Avenue, Rupert Craig Highway and Vlissengen Road junction

By Andrew Carmichael

that the contractors need to connect the newly installed pumps at the Kitty Pump Station where a major sinkhole had developed several months ago. This has since been filled in prior to the commencement of the roundabout project.

Parkinson also disclosed that the first and second phases of the project are

wo homes in West Canje, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) were burglarised on Sunday night and more than $1 million in valuables stolen. At the time of the separate break and enter incidents, no one was in either of the houses located in the same yard.

The family was out for the weekend when the intruders hit. When they returned on Monday morning, it was discovered that their Lot 40 Mount Sinai homes

completed. The third phase will see works on the Sandal Place section extending to the centre of the carriageway.

Once the third phase of the project is completed, the final phase of connecting all the roads – Carifesta Avenue, Seawall Road, Rupert Craig Highway and Vlissengen Road will begin. This $127.1 million road improvement

project is due to be completed by year-end and will allow for a smoother and unhindered flow of traffic at the busy intersection.

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

T

Monday, a neighbour telephoned her saying that the doors on two of the houses were opened. She said she contacted a brother who confirmed that the houses were broken into. According to Kowlessar, when they returned, they found both homes in disarray.

She explained that the bandits made off with an unused grass slashing machine valued $146,000, in excess of $400,000 worth gold jewellery, a laptop computer and a quantity of US currency from her home.

Meanwhile, her sister,

One of the rooms was ransacked by the intruders

were broken into. Mount Sinai is one of the suburbs of New Amsterdam and is frequently referred to as Angoy’s Avenue.

The homes are situated in the same yard, where three houses are occupied by siblings. Devi Kowlessar told Guyana Times that she along with her husband, children and her other relatives left for a trip to the Corentyne at about 17:00h on Saturday; securing both homes before they left.

At about 9:00h on

Rookmin Dindyal told this publication that her daughter's diamond wedding ring worth US$1600, along with local and foreign currency, were taken from her home.

According to Dindyal, at the time her home was broken into, she was keeping $200,000 which belongs to her church. That money, she said, was not found by the intruders.

The Police were summoned and have since dusted for fingerprints as they continue their investigations.

3 NTC cites political interference in Amerindian communities A news

tuesDAY, august 22, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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

Tuesday, August 22 – a night retraction at 05:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Wednesday, August 23 – 05:00h-06:30h.

By Samuel Sukhnandan

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, August 22 – 16:50h-18:20h and Wednesday, August 23 – 05:00h-06:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Light to heavy rain showers with intermittent sunny weather can be expected throughout the day, with clear skies in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius. '

Winds: Easterly to East South-easterly and East Northeasterly between 2.23 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 04:44h and 17:01h reaching maximum heights of 2.76 metres and 2.71 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:41h and 22:56h reaching minimum heights of 0.46 metre and 0.49 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS F

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Monday, August 21, 2017

DAILY MILLIONS 01 08 12 22 23 LUCKY 3 2 0 0 Afternoon Draw

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s the National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference got underway on Monday at the Cyril Potter College of Education, several burning issues affecting Amerindian communities were brought to the fore from the onset, some of which included the alleged political interference in Indigenous communities and the need for strengthening of the NTC – the largest organisation representing this particular ethnic group.

Vice President and Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister, Sydney Allicock stated in his address at the opening of the annual conference that the NTC leadership appears to be weak and disjointed and urged leaders to work towards strengthening this institution. Allicock said however that leadership among villages and communities seems to be much stronger than that of the NTC executive.

“I detect the need for a stronger, more unified approach to decision-making at the level of the executive.

I urge that we recognise the need for deepening the process of consultation on some critical issues between that body and the wider leadership of the NTC – this means you,” the Minister stated.

Allicock questioned whether leaders that form the NTC have been consulted on issues affecting their respective villages and whether they know what happens after the executive of the NTC makes a decision on a particular matter.

On that note, the Minister said a lot more focus needs to be placed on creating positive changes in the many Amerindian villages that spread across Guyana.

According to him, too much negativity is often peddled in forums like that conference. He said while it’s important to highlight challenges that face these Amerindians villages, it would also be good to suggest sound development plans that could help with bettering the livelihoods of the people of the villages.

Meanwhile, NTC Chairman Joel Fredericks told the delegation at the conference that there is political interference, in the execution of programmes and policies in Amerindian communities, such as the establishment of towns.

This includes areas such as: Lethem, in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo); Bartica in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); and Mahdia, in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni).

“We need to have consultation, Mr President; all of these without the Indigenous participation through FPIC (Free Prior and Informed Consent). This is troubling and needs redress mechanism,” he posited, while call-

President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Indigenous People's Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock, NTC Chairman Joel Fredericks and member of the National Toshaos Council at the opening on Monday

ing for the establishment of the Indigenous Peoples Commission.

Fredericks said apart from this issue, the most reoccurring issue affecting Amerindian villages until now is land rights. While acknowledging that these issues can only be addressed over a long period of time, the NTC Chairman said more work is needed in this area.

The NTC Chairman also urged leaders to work together to resolve the issue of the Amerindian Act. He said, “Let us work together instead of back and forth, pulling and tugging.

We need to attack the issues and change our mindset of attacking personalities.”

Land titling and demarcation, and amendments to the Amerindian Act of 2006 are two of the topics that will be up for discussion at this year’s NTC Conference.

Land demarcation of Indigenous settlements, especially with regard to min-

ing activity, has long been a contentious issue among leaders of these communities.

Many Indigenous leaders and organisations have

voiced concerns over the imposition of mining activity on their lands to Government and the public over the years.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, august 22, 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

CWI’s eligibility rule

T

he Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) reported on Monday that the extremely talented batsman, Chris Gayle, will soon play his first One-Day International in 29 months after being recently named in a 15-man squad for the five-match tour of England next month. Gayle will be joined by fellow Jamaican Marlon Samuels who was also kept out of the squad in recent times due to Cricket West Indies’ controversial eligibility rule, which required players to make themselves available for the domestic format in which they wish to play internationally. Certainly, this is good news for cricket fans who were accustomed to seeing popular players such as Gayle, Samuels and the like, go out in the middle and play match-winning innings for the team.

After months of negotiations between CWI and the WIPA – the players’ union, significant progress was made recently which led to an amnesty being proposed that would allow certain players to once again represent the regional team at all formats of the game.

Previously, West Indies selectors followed a stringent policy of considering only those players who participate in the domestic 50-over competition, one that goes back to 2010. This criterion had ruled out a number of senior players including the Bravo brothers (Dwayne and Darren), Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, among others. It could be recalled that several of these players were excluded from the West Indies’ most recent series against Pakistan, which they lost 2-1, falling further behind in their race to be among the top eight teams in the ICC rankings in order to qualify directly for the 2019 World Cup. Several stakeholders including Chairman of the Caricom Cricket Governance Sub-Committee, Dr Keith Mitchell had said that there are serious issues to be resolved regarding the future make-up of the West Indies test and one day international teams. Dr Mitchell who is also the Prime Minister of Grenada, had advocated for a review of the current selection criteria.

It is no secret that many of the Region’s top players are opting to play for more lucrative leagues where they are paid better fees for their skills; and certainly they should not be punished for this. In most cases these are personal, business decisions by players and do not, in any way, mean that players are not committed to the regional side. The answer does not lie in excluding players completely, but rather in finding a proper balance where there is a winwin for all parties involved, more particularly the individual players and the West Indies team as a whole. At the end of the day, players who are involved in the various leagues, will be able to gain experience and strengthen their skills and would in turn be able to play more competitive cricket for the regional side. The CPL, which is currently taking place, is a prime example of how players, who otherwise would have been in the shadows, are able to develop their skills and make a name for themselves.

The current West Indian team ­ under their 25-year-old captain, Jason Holder, are composed of players who are very young and inexperienced. The leading batsman in this West Indies squad is Kraigg Brathwaite, the 24-year-old Vice Captain, who has clocked 2315 Test runs.

Now that CWI has shown a desire to relax the rule, the selection panel will have a wider bunch of players to choose from to represent the team. One may want to even predict that this would result in better performances of the team since the West Indies will be fielding more experienced and competitive players for all formats of the game.

Many believe that the availability of some of the top players who had proven themselves to be a force to reckon with in the past is a significant step in the right direction.

Certainly, the inclusion of Gayle, with over 9000 runs and 22 hundreds from 269 ODIs, will be massive boost to a young squad which, over the past few months, have found it very difficult to match-up with their competitors on the international circuit.

The Guyana booth set up at the Carifesta XIII Grand Market is a sight to behold. Guyana’s rich culture and diversity was beautifully displayed for patrons to enjoy and is being admired by several Guyanese and foreigners alike. In this photo patrons can be seen admiring Guyanese products on display at the Guyana booth

National Toshaos Council Conferences then vs now

Dear Editor, I happily join in welcoming the several hundred Amerindian toshaos, councillors and other elected representatives of the Amerindian villages and communities across Guyana -- who have travelled from the coastal and hinterland regions and remote villages and communities across Guyana; enduring the long journey by land, water and air travel, to attend and participate in discussions and decision making at the National Toshaos Council Conference 2017.

As I look forward to following up the events and activities of the five days, I recollect and reflect on National Toshaos Conferences under the PPP/C Government, set against the many complaints and concerns that many of our toshaos have publicly and privately expressed after the toshaos’ conferences of the postMay 2015 period.

The establishment of the National Toshaos Council under the PPP/C Government ushered in a new era, wherein no longer was accessibility and dialogue with Amerindian leaders a limiting factor in the Government’s determined efforts to engage our Amerindian people and their leaders on development issues.

Furthermore, no longer were PPP/C Government officials going to them only, but they were coming to Government at the level of the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) meeting, with the President and his entire Cabinet and Chief Executive Officers interacting with them, guided by a conference theme and an agenda which the toshaos themselves helped to fashion.

Then, President Bharrat Jagdeo and his Cabinet spent several sessions, spread over a number of days, interacting with the elected leaders of the Amerindian villages and communities; listening to them, discussing with them, and addressing their concerns and requests for assistance; and in the process, offering advice and commitment of resources to create opportunities and support for advancing further the development of the villages/communities.

Cde Jagdeo did also invite all the toshaos to use the opportunity to verify that his Government’s promises and commitments arising out of previous NTC meetings were met, or else to question his Cabinet ministers, who were present for the greater part of three days of the meeting, why any commitment was not met.

As many toshaos often-

times affirmed: they were not aware that Indigenous Peoples in any other part of the world were afforded such opportunities.

This is contrary to what has been happening under the APNU+AFC Government, which has not only been guilty of hijacking the NTC agenda, but which, on one occasion, sought to interfere with the process for electing the executive of the NTC. Most of the toshaos with whom PPP/C comrades have been having discourse on the post-2015 NTC conferences have complained of having to deal with agendas that lacked substance, relevance, depth and meaning.

Many saw the five days of the activities as a waste of time; and indeed, frequently compared the NTC conferences of the post-2015 period to those before then.

Noticeable also is the fact that most of the commitments made by the APNU+AFC Government to our Indigenous Leadership have not materialized. Consequently, there appears to be little the Government can discuss, and so they spend most of the time taking evasive action.

True enough, following 23 years of PPP/C Governance, there are still challenges to be further addressed, but proudly I can say to you that

the PPP brought significant improvement in the lives of our Indigenous population. In the process, the National Toshaos Conference provided a forum for Government officials and village leaders to meet, discuss, and agree on the way forward for our Indigenous people. The PPP/C commits to continue to work with our Amerindian people, their elected leaders, and all who would genuinely work with us to bring further improvements in the quality of the lives of our Amerindian people.

The PPP/C will continue to support Amerindian development by raising all matters of concern to the Amerindian people and elected leaders with relevant authorities, and in particular in the Parliament.

I urge toshaos to determine and to ensure the agenda of this weeklong engagement has your significant input, and that commitments of the Government, including those from prior years, are not just mere promises, but point to a plan of action for translating these promises into reality.

Sincerely, Norman Whittaker Fmr Local Government Minister

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, august 22, 2017

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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

The AG's gambit Dear Editor, Since his ascension to the highest office, President Granger has been making some decisions that many believe are in direct conflict with his, and the promises made in the 2015 APNU/ AFC Manifesto.

Prior to the General and Regional Elections of 2015, many believed -- and some still do -- that (retired) Brigadier David Arthur Granger was an honourable, God-fearing man who would use the essential principles that were the foundation of his long career in the military to “eradicate crime”, “stop corruption”, “restore democracy”, and initiate policies and programmes that are “transparent” and “accountable”, and are in the best interest of the Guyanese people.

The sheer number of scandals that have taken place since the APNU/ AFC came to power has been overwhelming. We all thought in the beginning that their collective inexperience in running a Government was responsible for this; but, month after month, the public is being bombarded like “shock and awe”, as one scandal is exposed after another, that exposes the incompetence and ineptitude of the Grangerled APNU/AFC government.

The fact that they have the cojones to blame the former PPP/C Government for every mistake and corrupt act they make now has become laughable. These scandals are of their own making, and “it is time” that they take full responsibility for the mismanagement of

the economy and the sufferings of our people.

And, of course, the Granger Administration has recently been demonstrating nothing but disdain and contempt for our Constitution and the Rule of Law by undermining the judicial process.

Recently, we’ve seen instructions given to the Police Service Commission (PSC) by President Granger to stop the police promotion process in contravention of the Guyana Constitution, in an effort to decapitate the leadership of the Guyana Police Force. And we’re seeing an incompetent Minister of Public Security, whose portfolio seems to be diminishing rapidly and whose authority may have been encroached upon without his knowledge and approval.

Discrimination in any form should be eradicated Dear Editor, I refer to an article, ‘Linden church leader stages march against homosexuality’, appearing in sections of the media. I shook my head in disbelief as I read this; and I thought to myself that women are raped and battered every day in this country, and this is what this man of God chooses to march against – homosexuality; which is in fact taking a public stand on discriminating on people that are different from him.

I am always so curious about why people seem to have such harsh opinions about others’ lifestyles that have no impact on them.

So this march was to counter SASOD’s efforts to appeal Guyana’s buggery laws. Well, I wonder if the goodly and godly pastor knows that the antiquated buggery laws also apply to heterosexual persons who may also practise this act.

In Guyana we love to

practise with I call ‘othering’ -- ‘them and us’. We see this in politics, diaspora, race, etc. True humanity and godliness, in my view, is to practise understanding and love for others who are also different from us. In the case of homosexuality, you do not have to accept, but at least make a space for understanding that many are born this way, and do not have the choices that heterosexuals do.

Depression and suicide are high among the gay community, I understand. Many who discriminate against LBGTQ people are the loudest critics against racism and other forms of abuse. Often, we are very vocal about issues that affect us directly, but sometimes we need to stretch beyond ourselves and place ourselves in the shoes of others. We all have to be our brothers and sisters’ keepers, we must all be open to speaking up on issues that may not affect us directly but

have terrible impacts on others. This is not a religious issue at all; this is a human rights issue!

A few months ago, there was an idea floated about a referendum to have Guyanese choose whether to repeal the sodomy law.

Imagine, an issue like this left up to citizens, where discrimination against the LBGTQ community is rife.

Discrimination is learnt, and at some point discrimination becomes a choice; but to have laws that go against the fundamental practise of human rights is cause for deep reflection within ourselves and as a nation.

Dr Raquel ThomasCaesar

The same, however, cannot be said about the blundering Attorney General, whose influence seems to be growing rapidly with the PNC Leader and President of Guyana, despite suffering such humiliating and embarrassing losses in the courtroom to his predecessor, the former AG, Anil Nandlall.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon may have been just following orders

from President Granger like the good soldier he was when he sent that letter to the PSC. But the President may have been ill-advised once again to do so by his Legal Advisor, the Attorney General.

However, I fear that the AG will continue to make legal blunders and the Granger Administration will continue to trample on the Constitution because of its philosophy that they

know what’s best for the Guyanese people.

In the meanwhile, there may be growing dissension and a power-grab between these two Cabinet Ministers as advisors to a dormant President, and it will be interesting to see how the AG’s gambit plays out.

Sincerely, Harry Gill PPP/C Member of Parliament

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tuesDAY, august 22, 2017

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

‒ the life lesson we should have been taught at school

BY ROB KENDALL

W

e all suffer from emotional overreactions. In the heat of the moment we say something to a person we love without stopping to consider the shockwaves. Or we blast off an email and wonder why we didn’t sleep on it before pressing ‘Send’. Our emotions spill over and, by the time they recede, the damage is done.

There’s no denying that this kind of behaviour is on the rise. In the public domain, barely a day passes without newspapers splashing the story that a comment, tweet or email has caused an uproar. Demands are made for heads to roll, and responses range from retractions (‘I apologise unreservedly for my lack of judgement …’) to defiance (‘This is a ridiculous case of political correctness…’). And then the next story breaks.

The converse situation is that we feel gripped by fear or anxiety and fail to seize the moment to speak up or act according to our values. The consequences of freezing can be just as deleterious, and sometimes more so, than overreacting. Either way, managing our emotions is a tricky business.

When we look back on these situations our stock explanation is, ‘My emotions got the better of me’. But this raises a serious question: am I in charge of my emotions, or are they in charge of me? Nobody asked me this question at school, or told me the answer. Consequently I stumbled into the adult world with a royal flush of emotions – ranging from joy and excitement to fear and anger – without a manual for how to live with them.

The truth is that we’ve ended up with a tangled mess of advice in this area.

Much of the prevailing literature tells us to squash negative emotions and replace them with positive ones. Other experts tell us this is tantamount to putting icing on dog food and calling it cake. So which,

if any, is right?

To navigate through this emotional battleground, some important distinctions need to be made: 1. We cannot turn emotions on and off like a tap. They will come and go whether we like it or not. Once this is clear in your mind, you can stop waiting for unwanted emotions to go away. The idea that we can banish them is unhelpful and doesn’t hold up to scrutiny; they are part-andparcel of the human experience. Besides, the more we strive to live according to our values and commitments, the more our emotions will rise up to challenge us.

2.Emotions aren’t positive or

negative.

T h e human brain is wired to categorise things as positive or negative, and is particularly alert to threats. This made good evolutionary sense for our ancestors, who learned to react to external threats for the purposes of survival. As humans developed language, we employed the same process of classification to our internal state, including our emotions. Thus we see joy as positive, and therefore welcome, and fear as negative and unwelcome. However, this creates new problems. On the basis that ‘what we resist persists’, suppressing emotions that we perceive to be negative only tightens their grip. So what’s the alternative? If we can experience the full range of human emotions without attaching positive and negative labels to them, the result can be hugely liberating.

Take Dame Judi Dench as an example, who has won one Oscar, two Golden Globes and 10 BAFTA awards. She says that the more she acts the more frightened she becomes. In contrast to thousands of aspiring performers who are waiting for the day when they’ll overcome their fear, she treats it as a companion rather than an enemy. This is not to say that she finds her fear comfortable, but she makes no attempt to resist it, and therefore it doesn’t define her. ‘I have the fear,’ she says. ‘I wouldn’t be without it.’ Perhaps this is why her on-screen characters brim with humanity.

3.You are not your emotions.

Emotions are, by their very nature, strong.

However, it’s important to get clear that you are not your emotions. You are a person with values and commitments who happens to have emotions that are triggered on a regular and ongoing basis. This point might seem semantic, but it isn’t. When we become fused t o our emotions – thinking that ‘they’ and ‘we’ are one and the same thing – we are effectively hijacked by them. If you can notice emotions without becoming them, they no longer determine your behaviour.

4.We always have a choice. A thought or feeling in itself doesn’t prevent you from taking any action. It’s easy to think, ‘I’m frightened and can’t speak’, but this is a trick of the mind. It would be more accurate and authentic to say, ‘I’m frightened and I’m choosing not to speak.’

Being able to observe our emotions – even when they feel overwhelmingly powerful – creates a space in which we can reference our commitments and values. While we cannot always choose our emotions, we can choose our response to them. This gets to the heart of responsibility, and responsibility is probably the closest thing to a superpower that human beings possess. (psychologytoday.com)

(Continued from Monday)

BY HARLEENA SINGH

• Need love and attention – Just like you have your share of mood swings, teenage mood swings sometimes occur because they just want to be loved and noticed.

• Listen to and support them– Sometimes teens act moody when things don’t go their way. Try not reacting to your teenager’s mood swings, though I know it’s easier said than done! Sometimes they do or say things just to get a reaction from you, but if you ignore that, you might change their attitude.

You need to show your support through thick and thin, if they are right. Of course, you need to set boundaries for your teens and ensure they don’t cross them.

Without being judgmental, just try and listen to them.

Sometimes they want someone to hear them without talking in-between.

• Spend family time together– If you spend quality family time, the teenage mood swings will lessen because your teens would be less angry, anxious, secretive, withdrawn, or upset.

Go out for family outings, movies, picnics, or anyplace together to have fun together. Simply having a meal together can be great stress busters for your teens too.

•Relax and take a breather– Just taking things easy, stepping back, and looking at the situation from another angle will help your teens realize that things aren’t as bad as they seem.

• Wait a while – Let your teenagers know that if they wait for a while, the mood may pass as quickly as it came. So, they should wait before acting out on extreme emotions.

You as parents need to role play and teach your teens how to cope with their mood swings. You could do things like count back from 10, listen to music, or go for a walk.

If the mood swings in your teens are severely abnormal or prolonged, they would need professional help.

Warning signs of teenage mood swings

Sometimes your teens might show some warning signs that might be more than the normal mood swings teenagers undergo.

They can be due to more serious conditions like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, or other mental illness.

Keep a look out if the following warning signs are visible in your teen – * Irritable or sad for over two weeks. * Have extreme feelings of highs and lows. * Feelings of worthlessness. * Erratic behaviour. * Failing grades. * Suspected substance abuse. * Refuses to participate in activities he/she once enjoyed. * Mood swings go beyond the mood swings of a normal teenager. * Talk of self-harm or suicide, even if they are joking or trying to seek attention – get help.

There are many treatment options available to cope with teenage mood swings, depending on which might suit your teen best. To name a few – behavioural therapy, cognitive therapy, literary therapy, non-prescriptive alternatives, talk therapy, or talking to a medical professional about mood swings.

The teen years are an emotional time for your teens and you as well. If you try talking to them, they raise their voice. If they open up with you one day, the next day they go into their own shell.

Remember the time when you were a teen and had those teenage mood swings! Didn’t you also experience some of the overwhelming emotions or the feelings of inadequacy?

Although nothing has changed, today’s teens face more pressures and complicated situations as compared to what you and I did. So, try putting yourself in their position and feel what they undergo.

Support your teen and be understanding of their turbulent emotions. Remember, if your teens don’t listen to you, there might be reasons for that – try to get to know those reasons. Teens are typically critical of their parents in most cases. It’s not always fun parenting a teen, especially when you’re attacked on a personal level! (www. aha-now.com)

news

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tuesDAY, august 22, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Minister roasted for calling Amerindians ‘greedy’ T he leadership of the National Toshao Council (NTC) used the opportunity on Monday to condemn recent comments made by a Government Minister, who suggested that Amerindians are greedy.

At the opening of the 11th Annual NTC conference, Chairman of the Council Joel Fredericks criticised Government over an incident which took place in the National Assembly.

Fredericks said the organisation views the comments made by the Minister as a direct attack on Indigenous people’s identity and expressed disappointment with the Minister’s statement. “(There are) Ministers of the Government, insulting the Indigenous people and calling them greedy, also in Parliament without any consequence,” he lamented.

He also raised concerns over the fact that no parliamentarian, from both the Government and Opposition, objected to the remarks purportedly made by the said Minister in Parliament.

While touting the need for cohesion and unity, the NTC Chairman lamented that Amerindians are sometimes still treated as third class citizens in Guyana, but he contends that Amerindians deserve respect like every other racial group in the country.

The head of the NTC also committed to rebuking any form of racial provocation and propaganda that seeks to damage the image and

National Unity/Alliance For Change Government (APNU/AFC).

The Minister was debating the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) motion to halt the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the issues surrounding lands belonging to Amerindians and freed African slaves.

Several Amerindian leaders and organisations have rejected Government’s decision to establish the CoI into land rights, on the grounds of lack of consulta-

tion among others.

The NTC had said it views this decision as a “blatant attempt” to dispossess the Indigenous people of their lands and has argued that the two issues are unique and need to be addressed separately.

The organisation said while it support reparations and repatriation of African Lands and addressing that issue with a great degree of urgency, the Indigenous lands issue cannot and should not be viewed in the

same light, nor can it be addressed under the same framework.

Although Amerindians leaders have met with President David Granger over this issue, the matter is yet to be resolved. No amicable solution has been found between parties.

At the conclusion of the opening ceremony for the NTC Conference, a sod turning exercise took place at Sophia, Greater Georgetown, where the proposed site for the NTC

Secretariat was revealed.

Amerindian leaders from across the country will meet for the next several days during the conference to discuss issues facing their communities and talk about the successes they have achieved.

The NTC conference opened on Monday at the Cyril Potter College of Education. The theme for this year’s conference is: “Good Governance – A brighter future for Guyana’s First peoples.”

After 4 months…

Chairman of the NTC, Joel Fredericks

the identity of the country’s first peoples.

“We see a member working for this Administration, openly attacking the Indigenous people’s identity, integrity and history. We advise caution because such uttering drives a deep wedge in a nation,” he added.

Although the NTC Chairman did not name the Minister, he was indirectly referring to Minister within the Social Protection Ministry, with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott.

Scott during a parliamentary sitting in June reportedly said that Amerindians are greedy because they requested security in the lands they have held since time immemorial.

Scott had also philosophised that sovereignty now belongs to the State, governed by the coalition A Partnership for

Nurses decry non-payment of salaries

By Shemuel Fanfair

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group of frustrated newly recruited nurses attached to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) are contending that they have not been remunerated after working for more than four months, even though they had made several attempts to get word on their status, and had attempted to ventilate their situation with the Permanent Secretary of the MoPH and other officials.

Guyana Times was on Monday informed that these nurses are often told, “You’re not the only one,” and, “Have patience.”

Guyana Times also understands that the MoPH protocol stipulates that newly recruited nurses are to be

paid only after completion of their three-month probationary period.

“Last month made three months,” one young woman related. “That was my probation period. I haven’t been paid yet. It’s approaching five months!”

This newspaper was further told that probes made by the nurses for an update on disbursement resulted in them being informed that their names had been submitted to the Public Service Commission (PSC), and a signature is being awaited.

“They said they have to wait on a signature to release our salaries. That’s all we hearing. How are we expected to report to work on a daily basis when we aren’t even being paid? And if yuh absent one day, they threat-

ening to write yuh up,” a nurse explained.

Guyana Times sought to garner official word in regard to the situation of the nurses, but learnt that Permanent Secretary of the MoPH, Collette Adams, is overseas and cannot be reached for comment.

However, MoPH Personnel Officer Chetwin Phoenix, when contacted, neither confirmed nor denied the nurses’ contention of not being paid, but urged that the affected persons report the matter to him, so that it could be addressed. But probed further, he related that his superiors have more authority to relay official information to media operatives.

“I would love to request that the persons come to

talk to me at the Ministry of Public Health, and let me see exactly where their matters are…I don’t want to come across as being reluctant to provide information…the framework that I work within, it is difficult for me to engage the media…,” he stressed.

Phoenix referred this publication to the attention of his superiors. However, the Deputy PS was, up to press time, unavailable to speak to this newspaper.

Guyana Times understands that the Public Health Ministry received from the Public Service Commission correspondence in this regard as recent as Monday morning, but it remains unclear when the newly recruited nurses would receive their first salaries.

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tuesDAY, august 22, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS Chicken pen drug bust

Essequibo businessman slapped with narco trafficking charge

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usinessman Devon Fordyce of Lot 45 Dartmouth Village, Essequibo Coast was on Monday arraigned before Charity Magistrate Esther Sam on a narcotics trafficking charge alleging that on August 19th, at about 17:30h, ranks swooped down on his premises to conduct a search, and unearthed 1539 grams of cannabis and 32 grams of cocaine in various sections of the house and in a chicken pen in the yard.

Unrepresented by legal counsel, the 40-year-old defendant denied the charge, but was remanded to September 3rd, when next the case will be called. (Indra Nathram)

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The ganja that was found in a bucket

Remanded: Devon Fordyce

Taxi driver granted $120,000 bail for hit-&-run

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axi driver Doreon Simpson of Lot 24 Public Road La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD) was on Monday arraigned before Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate Christel Lambert on a slew of traffic-related charges following his alleged involvement in a hit-and-run accident that caused a motorcyclist to be hospitalized.

He faces the following charges: dangerous driving; being an unlicensed hire car driver; breach of insurance; failure to report an accident within 24 hours of its occurrence; failure to render assistance to an injured person; driving an unlicensed motor vehicle; and breach of motor vehicle insurance.

Represented by legal counsel, the 33-year-old father of three denied the prosecution’s contention -that while dangerously driv-

Not all equal…

ing motor car HC 7046 on the Versailles Public Road, WBD on June 5, 2017, he was involved in a hit-andrun accident.

The prosecution informed that after Simpson had hit motorcyclist Deonauth Ramdeo, he fled the scene and went into hiding.

Ramdeo was not present in court, but his wife explained that he was at home in bed, recovering from an injury.

The court heard that public-spirited citizens had transported Ramdeo to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), from whence he was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

Simpson, the alleged driver, was later found, and charged and released on $30,000 station bail on July 5.

At Monday’s court appearance, Simpson main-

tained that his car documents exist, but he could not produce same because they were misplaced during the course of an accident.

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Lambert queried if the accused had sought duplicates of his documents from the relevant authorities for presentation in court.

The taxi driver could not provide evidence of road service, insurance and road licence for his vehicle.

Simpson’s attorney appealed for bail in a reasonable sum, and made application for disclosure by the prosecution, which was granted.

Magistrate Lambert placed the accused on $30,000 bail for each of the following charges: driving an uninsured motor vehicle, and failure to render assistance.

Additionally,

Simpson was placed on $20,000 bail for operating an unlicensed hire car, and $40,000 bail on the dangerous driving charge.

Simpson’s next court appearance is listed as September 5, for statements and disclosure.

In a separate incident, taxi driver Samuel Assing of La Grange, WBD pleaded not guilty to parking opposite stationary vehicles.

Police contend that Assing committed the traffic offence on August 12, 2017.

He was released on $5,000 bail, and will next appear in court on September 18 for trial.

Meanwhile, another taxi driver – 43 years old -- was reprimanded and discharged for parking opposite stationary vehicles after he pleaded guilty when he appeared before the Magistrate on Monday.

…academically

our Eyewitness feels this Lall fella - who keeps pumping out those letters with their convoluted prose - was quite mean-spirited with his backhanded “compliment” to the kid who passed 25 subjects at CSEC!! He at least had the grace to admit his “congratulation” sounded “lame”. So why offer it in the first place?

Well, now that Roopnaraine’s banished, Lall’s the flag-bearer of the brigade that insists that kids should be limited in how many CSEC subjects they can write. Lall dubs the ever-increasing number of subjects written an “insane trajectory”; but why is this so? Your Eyewitness can understand if kids were forced to write these doubledigit number of subjects, but the kid said clearly this was HIS choice. In fact, his teachers discouraged him from writing the 25, and managed to bring him down from the 27 he’d originally contemplated.

Lall asks: how many subjects next year? Your Eyewitness thinks the limit will eventually be the number of subjects CXC offers! What is it? 35?

How come they don’t complain about FORCING kids to write AT LEAST five subjects? Aren’t there thousands of kids who just can’t cope with that number? The fact of the matter is that this whole argument’s a tempest in a teacup, since there is already a system in place to evaluate and determine how many subjects can be taken.

In all schools, the students have to get the specific subjects and number of subjects APPROVED by the teachers, HoDs, and eventually the head-teacher. In the case of the latest exceptional performer, the teachers’ assessments were obviously vindicated, since he passed all his subjects with such flying colours.

But Lall revealed the flawed premise of his “limit” brigade when he asked: what’s the point proven by a batsman who scores 1000 runs when the team mightn’t be doing so well?

But we can see the falsity of this premise, can’t we?

When the kid wrote and passed 25 subjects, he didn’t PREVENT any other student from performing as well - or even better - as would’ve happened when the 1000-run batter didn’t possibly allow others on the team to bat.

Kids writing many subjects aren’t preventing teachers from teaching others, are they?

The demand that CSEC subjects be limited comes from a misguided urge for an “egalitarian” outcome wherein no kid’s allowed to rise above others - even through his/her own efforts. This is the dumbing down compulsion that will perpetuate Guyana’s mediocrity.

The hero Mallory who ultimately perished trying to scale Mt Everest was asked why he persisted. “Because it’s there!” he said. We always need heroes who can push the envelope.

Congratulations, Michael Bhopaul!!!

…in cricket

Your Eyewitness is in Cricket Limbo…you know, that state of uncertainty when you’re caught betwixt and between (and not him slithering backwards under some low-slung pole!). On one hand, he’s ecstatic the Guyana Amazon Warriors won their match against the Barbados Tridents and kept hope alive. But on the other hand, the West Indies’ test side was ignominiously bowled out TWICE IN ONE DAY by England; and lost the match by an innings and some 200 -odd runs.

Can there be more shame than this? But who’d send out these inexperienced youths like lambs to the slaughter to play the English on their home turf? And therein lies the problem, doesn’t it? The WICB, that’s who! How many years hasn’t your Eyewitness been joining some of the most prominent citizens of the West Indies demanding someone get rid of this poisonous Board? Caricom’s tried.

Because its member boards fear setting a precedent that would seal their own doom, the ICC has firmly opposed Caricom getting involved.

So maybe they can do so themselves?

…in comedy

Jerry Lewis and Dick Gregory - American comedians who entertained several generations with their specific brands of humour - both passed away this weekend.

But Gregory, who didn’t ignore the African American condition in his routine, is barely mentioned.

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

News

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tuesDAY, august 22, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt still working Sweeper-cleaners debacle to meet 2017 LGC GPSU hopes for amicable outcome deadline – Bulkan ‒ as Education Ministry examines proposals

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S

etting up of the Local Government Commission (LGC) is still in the pipelines, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan has said.

He has given his full assurance that the process is still ongoing, and iterates that there is no intention on the part of Government to abandon the setting up of that body.

Bulkan told Guyana Times on Monday that discussions in this regard are still taking place; but, “regrettably, we have not arrived at a position as it relates to the full composition of that Commission, (so it) can be named, sworn in, and become operationalized.”

He, however, noted that a few months are still left.

“But the administration is committed, as previously indicated:- that that Commission becomes operational before the end of this year,” he added, explaining that the Government is cognizant of the importance this body will play in creating a robust and independent local Government system in Guyana.

The minister told this publication that while the Government had set previous deadlines, it will work hard to ensure that the next deadline is met. He said the appropriate site to house the facility is still being sought after, explaining that the problem is trying to get a suitable location.

Former Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud has said it is extremely disappointing that after all the statements and concerns expressed by the coalition Government -to enhance democracy and to rush bills, while promising to give more autonomy to the local Government bodies, the LGC is yet to be established. He said the delay exposes the coalition’s “falsity.”

This long-awaited commission will be tasked with oversight of the various local authorities, rather than have directives issued by

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

the Communities Minister.

It was previously reported that the Commission will be able to monitor and assess the performance of the local government organs, administer disciplinary action and implement policies such as tax collection. At a post-election press conference on March 19, Minister Bulkan had stated that the operationalisation of the commission was expected to be “fairly imminent”. He had also noted that the appropriate Government property to house the Commission has been identified, and stressed that a rental may have to be paid. Bulkan had announced in 2015 that the body would be established and be operational in 2016. After a 22-year absence, Local Government Elections returned with a turnout of just over 47 per cent. The ruling APNU/AFC (A Partnership for National Unity /Alliance For Change) coalition won six out of nine towns and the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic claimed 28,000 more overall votes than the ruling Administration.

In the 2016 budget estimates, some $30 million had been allocated by the Government to the non-functioning LGC. When asked, Bulkan had stated that this was to allow the Commission to operate independently of Central Government.

he Ministry of Education (MoE) is currently engaging the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) in looking at some proposals put forward by the public servants’ representative on behalf of sweeper-cleaners within public schools.

GPSU first Vice President, Mortimer Livan, told Guyana Times on Monday that following the protests of the sweeper cleaners, the GPSU was invited to a meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, and was asked to put forward some proposals.

Livan said the Union did what was requested, and is now awaiting the response of the MoE, which he said should be forthcoming during the course of this week. Asked about the content of the proposal, the Vice President said he did not wish to share until the union meets again with the MoE. He said the body is hoping for an amicable outcome.

The GPSU had promised that the mounting protests

Sweeper-cleaners during one of their protest actions

would continue until someone listened to the cries of the women. The most recent protest was held last Tuesday, moments before the GPSU was invited to meet with the Education Ministry official.

Just about two weeks ago, sweeper cleaners from schools across the country protested in front of the Ministry of the Presidency in what would become the first of a number of demonstrations in front of government agencies. They said they were tired of the system that was treating them “inhumanely”. They had complained about poor working conditions and very low wag-

es.

While the Ministry is currently engaging the GPSU, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had said that Cabinet was also discussing matters regarding the state of affairs of the sweeper-cleaners.

The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) had been calling for the implementation of some decisions made during a 2013 Cabinet meeting under the previous People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Administration.

GPSU’s first Vice President, Mortimer Livan, said neither of the two Governments has implemented the decisions,

which included that the wages of the sweeper/cleaners be set in accordance with the minimum wages order, and that payment be timely. He said the matter was brought up again with President David Granger, but even with his directives, nothing has been done.

Livan has said the conditions under which the cleaners work are unacceptable.

He said the situation is developing further into an economic disaster for the workers and their families, as they are on many occasions the only source of income for their families.

Alleged rapist remanded for escaping police custody

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olice contend that Cleveland King, charged with allegedly engaging in sexual activity with a minor (child), was on August 17, 2017 under lawful custody at Kuru Kururu on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway when he escaped from the police outpost.

At King’s arraignment

before City Magistrate Judy Latchman on Monday, Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves contended that the 24-year-old excavator operator of the Kuru Kururu, EBD community simply walked out of the police outpost on the day in question. He also strenuously objected to King being placed on bail because

Remanded: Cleveland King

of the serious nature of the offence.

According to a source, the accused was reportedly heard saying, “This girl been living by me”, in relation to the alleged case of sexual assault.

King was remanded to prison until August 28, 2017, when next his case would be called.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, august 22, 2017

News Confessed carjacker jailed S

elf-confessed carjacker Curt Savory was on Monday jailed by Leonora Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool before whom he was arraigned mere hours after his 1:00 am apprehension by Police Officers conducting a morning patrol in Dennis Street, Sophia Georgetown.

Unrepresented by legal counsel, the 24-yearold resident of Lot 100 D4 South Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara admitted to the magistrate that between July 27 and 28, 2017,

at Tenez Ferme, Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara (WBD), he stole Toyota Spacio PSS 3642, property of Musad Yusuf.

The Prosecution contended that the virtual complainant (VC) had secured his car on the day it was stolen, but found that it was missing some time later. A report was made to the La Grange Police Station, and based on information, the car was recovered on August 11 at Turkeyen. Attempts were made to contact the defen-

dant, but he had managed to evade Police.

Wanted by the police

“I just saw the keys in the car and I took it (the car).” in connection with several carjacking reports, Savory had bolted after seeing the lawmen on Monday morning, but was pursued, cap-

tured and escorted to the La Grange Police Station, from whence he was handed over to police at Leonora, West Coast Demerara. Police contend that the allegation was put to Savory, and he admitted to the offence.

Questioned by Magistrate Liverpool as to why he had committed the act, Savory responded, “I just saw the keys in the car and I took it (the car). I had no reason for taking the car”.

Savory was accordingly sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment.

Robbery-under-arms quartet granted $100,000 bail each

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rraigned on Monday before Leonora Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool on a joint charge of armed robbery, 24-year-old J e r e m i a h Lovell of Lot 161 Lion’s Place, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown; 38-year-old Adrian Bailey of Lot 163 La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD); 29-year-old Carlton Miller of Lot 14 Bent Street, Georgetown; and 37-year-old Timothy Sentil of Lot 337 Diamond Housing

Scheme, East Bank Demerara each denied that on August 17, 2017, at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), being armed with a gun, they robbed Zabeeda Hamid of two gold chains valued $145,000 and $300,000 in cash.

Police Prosecutor Sherwin Matthews, objecting to the men being placed on bail on ground that each poses a flight risk, told the court that the virtual complainant resides in

the same are as one of the defendants, and as such, the defendant might attempt to interfere with the witness.

Magistrate Liverpool overruled the prosecutor’s objections and placed each defendant on $100,000 bail, with the requirement that they each report to the La Grange Police Station once per month until the completion of their trial. They were also warned not to make any contact with the VC, or their bail would be revoked.

This matter has been transferred to the Wales Magistrate’s Court for continuation on September 7.

Wakapao labourer on bail over alleged engine theft

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emuel James, a 21-year-old labourer of Wakapao, Lower Pomeroon River, was on Monday arraigned before Charity Magistrate Esther Sam on an allegation that he had stolen a Five-horsepower Yamaha outboard engine valued $300,000 from Roddy Williams.

The unrepresented defendant denied the charge, and was placed on $50,000 bail. The case will continue on September 4.

Govt playing Russian roulette with Guyana

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he dictionary defines the game of Russian roulette as a “stunt in which one spins the cylinder of a revolver loaded with one bullet and aims the muzzle at one’s head, and pulls the trigger.”

I first noticed this reckless game in a movie back in the mid1980s. I was shocked at the thought that anyone, real or imagined, would actually participate in this lethal game. If one takes into consideration that a general revolver has six chambers, then every participant has one of six chances to get blown away, if that is the ultimate goal.

In Guyana, the current regime has hamstrung the people by what is described above: a game of Russian roulette. Take, for example, the prison escapees who are still on the run. They have not struck yet, but they are like live electric wires and cobras; if cornered or interfered with, they will strike Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine with no remorse. The nation has been living with this ongoing uncertainty for weeks now, exacerbated by the ominous thought that, at any time, at any place, anyone’s life can be snuffed out by individuals who should not be on the loose. If this is not Guyanese style Russian roulette, then what is?

If anyone of my family is hurt -- or anyone, for that matter -- by the prison escapees, then this regime would be held accountable.

Violent actions against the innocent lives - especially when the regime knows that is imminent - will be a case of recklessness against humanity, not for the Guyanese, but for the international courts.

My fellow Guyanese, this is not the time when most of the nation was forced to be ignorant about their basic human rights. This is not the time when we were muzzled to a point when we could not say even coo against a dictatorship. This is not the time when we were deprived of television to see and learn about what was going on in the world. We are no longer trapped (but it is probably creeping back) in a sense of dependency from a demonic, dictatorial regime that transformed Guyana from a “bread basket to a begging bowl” of the Caribbean. We are now living in a new era, a post-modern world in which governments can be held accountable for the violation of human rights.

The game of Russian roulette continues with regard to oil finds which have cascaded this nation into a circus of more questions than answers. The regime has been selectively silent on how the country would proceed with oil revenues, a position that has parachuted the local dailies and analysts into a labyrinth of perspectives. The consequence is that one in six readers is totally confused. One in six Guyanese has given up. One in six Guyanese has become impatient.

Some Guyanese have remained loyal to the regime’s position with ExxonMobil.

In the meanwhile, the regime has slipped into an oil-drunk mode, believing that Guyana’s oil belongs not to the nation, but to the ruling Government of the day.

How else can one define the regime’s position of not releasing to the Guyanese public the terms of the oil contract signed with ExxonMobil? The release to the public of signed contracts between multinational corporations and developing countries, even the most corrupt, has been the norm for the past two decades.

We have come to understand that Guyana will receive 2 percent royalty, which is below expectations elsewhere in the world. That is all the public is allowed to know, because everything else is considered confidential. Everything else about Guyana’s oil we will have to find out serendipitously.

This is a classic example of Guyanese-style Russian roulette. One in six persons will go insane; one in six persons will lose his or her life (like environmentalists) trying to find out how much oil revenues Guyana will receive, and how the oil revenues will be used to promote growth and development in Guyana, coupled with a sustainable approach without raping the environment.

Then there is this instruction from the President to the Police Service Commission: to halt all promotions in the Police Force until God knows when. This move is controversial. The fact that three officers who were summoned to the Commission of Inquiry into the alleged plot to assassinate the President were on the list to be promoted raises suspicion as to what the President’s ultimate motive behind the halting of promotions for Police Officers is. One becomes more suspicious about the President’s motive, since it followed on the heels of his interpretation as to who should serve as GECOM Chairman. Both situations reveal bravado the nation does not need right now. Even the ordinary man in the street believes that the President’s motive is incomprehensive, senseless and unconstitutional, over-stepping the boundaries of the law. One begins to question the President’s capacity to understand or respect the Constitution of Guyana.

What is unsettling about the President’s controversial motives is that there is no guarantee or indication that they would be discontinued. Actually, we should not be surprised to see more controversial motives to come, which have the potential for others in his government to emulate with a grandstanding style. This is dangerous and egregious. We need not more dictatorial tendencies in Guyana. We are sick of it. Perhaps more unsettling is the fact that the regime is playing Russian roulette with the Police Force, especially those who have given years of service. The message is that to have a promotion in the Police Force, one must learn how to spin that revolver. (lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu).

tuesDAY, august 22, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

Exxon oil contract

More objectivity needed at the table – Govt Minister W

ith continuous criticism raining down on Government from various quarters over its handling of the oil and gas sector, Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes has called for some amount of objectivity to be put forward.

The Minister who is also an executive member of the Alliance For Change (AFC), made the call recently in the company of other executive members at the party’s press conference.

The party was being questioned about its stance on the oil and gas sector, particularly about Government’s failure to release the details of the contract Government has signed with the USbased exploration company ExxonMobil.

ExxonMobil is said to have had some run-ins with

its part of the deal in many oil producing countries.

The issue has seen many stakeholders here berating Government for moving blindly even with the necessary facts before it.

AFC Executive Cathy Hughes said even with the known realities, there must be some objectivity by persons putting information in the public domain.

“The assumption that we are pushing out every day is that we have problems that this Government is weak and all the oil money will be stolen”. Hughes said, noting that is no real suggestion at this point in time that upholds that. “And so there is some amount of objectivity that needs to come to the table,” the Minister said.

She said as a citizen, she wants to see all Guyanese benefiting from the oil sec-

AFC Executive Telecommunications Cathy Hughes

and Minister

tor. According to her, she is very sure it is the case of all agencies that are giving advice to the Guyanese populace and making relevant information available.

“And that is why the media and other agencies … that want to bring advice and mobilise the population bring information as to what is going to be possible to Guyanese and how we are going to promote local content that is an aspect of the discussion that needs to take place on an equal level with our fears,” she said.

While acknowledging that the fears should not be overlooked, Hughes said there must be conversations on how the nation will benefit from the oil sector.

“Let’s have conversations with young people, telling them ‘why not start looking at the petroleum sector’. Those are the kinds of thinking that must balance this discussion. We don’t want to be consumed by this fear that Guyana will be like

Husband charged for hitting wife with knife

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husband who reportedly hit his wife with a knife was on Monday granted $60,000 bail when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for assault.

Shawn Charles is accused of unlawfully assaulting Alexis Welcome, occasioning actual bodily harm to her person on August 18, 2017, at East La Penitence in Georgetown. He appeared before Magistrate

Judy Latchman on Monday.

According to prosecution’s case, the accused and the victim share marital ties and on the day in question, they were engaged in an argument, which quickly became physical. Charles

reportedly picked up a knife and started to hit his spouse on her face and about her body.

Bail was granted in the sum of $60,000. Charles returns to court on August 23.

many other countries that was not able to make the best of it”.

Hughes said the challenge lies in the country’s failure to give an objective view to the issue. She said while ExxonMobil may have had challenges in other countries and specific areas, Guyana has not been making an analysis of other areas Exxon has invested in over the years.

Meanwhile, AFC Executive and Business Minister Dominic Gaskins said the project is very significant and is something that both Government and party want to see happen.

“We understand the significance of it; we understand the kind of revenues that we are talking about and what those revenues could be used for,” he said.

According to him, Government was told by a number of advisors who were critical of some aspects of the process, that Guyana could have been much worse in choosing a partner for the project. He said Exxon is a fairly reputable company as far as oil companies are concerned, reiterating that Guyana could have done a lot worse.

“I know we could have done a lot worse so I don’t know why we are agonising over doing business with a large company that is accountable in the country in which it operates. We should not look to talk ourselves out of a big economic development that has taken place in Guyana. We need to be positive about it because it is an extremely positive development,” he stated.

12 news

tuesDAY, august 22, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Carifesta XIII kicks off with grand display

… Guyana steals spotlight on opening night

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ollowing an unfortunate delay in the commencement of the Caribbean’s major festival as a result of the passage of Tropical Storm Harvey, Barbados on Sunday came to life as Carifesta XIII kicked off with a grand display of culture and talent from across the Region.

The Queens Park in Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados was ignited by a colourful parade as participating countries in the 13th edition of Carifesta, took to the regional stage to displayed their cultural traditions while adorned in costumes of their national colours.

Attending the opening ceremony of Carifesta XIII were the hosting Prime Minister Freundel Stuart of Barbados; along with the Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, as well as Government members and other officials of each of the participating countries.

While taking to the stage to raise the curtains on this highly anticipated regional celebration, Barbadian Culture Minister Stephon Lashley, posited that Carifesta

LaRocque said Barbados’ hosting of Carifesta XIII demonstrated in a tangible way, the country’s recognition of the significant contribution that culture and the creative industries can make to economic and social development of member states. He continued by saying it reaffirms the country’s commitment to Caricom and to regional integration.

“The cultural flagship, Carifesta is a highly-valued Caricom event that is near and dear to our hearts. Since its inception in 1972 in Guyana, it has given us a regional platform where we can share and exchange, showcase

‘Land of the Flying Fish’ as Barbados also took on the festivities for Carifesta IV in 1981.

Carifesta XIII is expected to run for 10 days but is off to a late start due to the tropical storm.

Nevertheless, a delegation of about 60 Guyanese have journey to the island and have bee representing Guyana with outstanding performances at this edition of the biannual regional platform.

Tabled on the official agenda for Carifesta XIII is a list of over 500 events to be hosted at 25 venues throughout the island of Barbados. The celebrations will reflect the theme for

Education Minister Nicolette Henry leading the Guyanese procession at Carifesta XIII

XIII will be remembered as a turning point in the Region’s quest to further economic diversity and a time for deepening cultural ties within the Region.

Adding to that, Lashley in a reminder to the gathering highlighted that the festival was birthed by Caribbean Literary Artists who advocated for the event becoming a reality years prior. On that note, he relayed, “Guyana hosted the first event and we

salute Mr Forbes Burnham for leading the way as the first host. Guyana has always been a strong representative at the event and they must be celebrated.”

Echoing the sentiments of the Minister was the Caricom Secretary General who told the opening ceremony that the arts is a cornerstone of the regional integration movement, and a force that binds, inspires us, and defines Caricom in a unique way.

Representatives from each country take to the streets of Barbados to showcase their national colours at the opening parade of Carifesta XIII

As such, he noted, Carifesta aids in promoting a regional identity while strengthening ties among the countries.

Moreover, Ambassador

our talents.” the Secretary General expressed.

This is the second time that this mega cultural festival is being hosted in the

this; the 13th observance of the Caribbean festival, which has been established as, “Assert Our Culture and Celebrate Ourselves.”

news

13

tuesDAY, august 22, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Amazon Warriors mentor differently abled students

By Ashraf Dabie

J

ust hours after the Guyana Amazon Warriors swept their way to the first home victory in this year’s CPL tournament, the local team on Monday morning took on the role of ‘Big Brothers’ to a batch of students attached to the Diamond Special Needs School.

A group of young sport fanatics currently enrolled at the Diamond Special Needs School were afforded the opportunity of their lifetime as they met with, and were mentored by, players of the Guyana Amazon Warriors cricket team.

Fresh off their victory following a record breaking win against the Barbados Tridents at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday, the local squad kicked off their week by sharing lights moments with students who are living with various forms of disabilities.

The event, hosted at the Georgetown Marriott on Monday, was the result of a partnership between Digicel and the CPL organisation.

Vidya Sanichara, Digicel’s Communications Manager, expressed delight at being part of the Big Brother programme, and even outlined the objectives of this collaborative initiative.

She noted that following the tiresome efforts to secure a win within the past few days, “We are giving them (the players) the opportunity to meet some of the real hearts of Guyana, so that’s why we are doing this activity; to bring the players and Digicel a little closer to the people….”

Moreover, she indicated that given some of the students have never been exposed to the true wonders of the game, Digicel is happy to bring the CPL experience to the students.

On that note, the Digicel spokesperson relayed, “The guys won yesterday (Sunday), we know that. But today they are winning even bigger, because they are winning the hearts of the kids here from the Diamond Special Needs School.”

The Guyana Amazon Warriors while meeting with students of the Diamond Special Needs School on Monday

Adding to that, Sanichara pointed out that this is not the first time an event of such nature was being executed, as it is customary for Digicel to bring the sport festivities to children within the various CPL destinations throughout the Region.

Sharing in the excitement of participating in the meet-and-greet between the students and international cricketers was West Indian all-rounder Rayad Emrit, who is currently enlisted on the Amazon Warriors squad.

Emrit relayed the team’s experience in Guyana thus far, pin pointing their time with the children as one of their highlights.

“Being in Guyana is always a good experience for us. The people in Guyana always treat us well. It’s always a pleasure to be there,” the Trinidadian conveyed.

Zooming in on the experience of sharing their morning with the students, the Amazon Warrior continued, “It’s always good to share our knowledge with the kids. Having played last night and coming out with a victory, the guys are excited to be here with the kids.”

Meanwhile, conveying her gratitude to both Digicel and the Amazon Warriors for taking the time out of their schedule to socialise with the students was Tracey Michael, a teach-

er attached the Diamond Special Needs School.

Michael relayed that for many of the students, meeting the local and international cricket stars is a dream come true.

“I think they find this is

a great opportunity to get to meet the Warriors, because some of them are really interested in cricket,” stated the teacher.

The Diamond Special Needs School is an educational institution that cur-

rently caters for 58 students of varying disabilities.

The school has, over the years, seen the support of Digicel, with CPL now coming on board to add to their work of developing the young minds.

However, this is the second time the Guyana Amazon Warriors have taken the cricket cheer to the lesser fortunate Guyanese youth as a part of their home tour in this year’s CPL tournament.

14 news

tuesDAY, august 22, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mararunau – keeping their Indigenous language alive

M

ararunau is a small Indigenous village located deep-south of the Rupununi in Region Nine. It has a population of over 800 persons, all of whom are Wapishanas. It is surrounded by the majestic Kanuku Mountains, which create a mesmerizing view for your eyes, no matter how

It would take little over a day if the entire trip is by land. A journey that is so breathtaking, one blink and you would miss out on Mother Nature’s magnificence.

The current Toshao/Leader of the village is Patrick Gomes.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) sat with

A man and his family riding through the Savannahs

many times you have seen it.

It would take you approximately nine hours to reach the village from Georgetown. This includes almost one and a half hours flying from the Eugene F. Correia International Airport to Lethem, and the remaining hours travelling overland.

him and got an insight into the village.

Brief history

It was fascinating to learn that the current location of the village is not where it used to be 200 years ago. According to the toshao, in October 1919 a decision was made by the then leader of the community and a

catholic priest to relocate.

This was due to the rising water level of the creek, from which the village got its name. The previous site of the village was approximately five miles away from its current location.

the village has been able to keep the language alive.

“I guess it’s the way the people are being taught. For example, this is one of the villages that is an academic village,” he posited.

A unique village

The village has a history of producing intellectuals. In October 1947, the first primary school was established in the village. Today there is a larger primary school with a nursery section added.

Another fascinating fact about Mararunau is that “most of the teachers are from this village, both in the primary and nursery schools (teachers), from this village.

No longer do we have coast landers coming to work in the village,” the Toshao ex-

The community is unique in its own right, because it has been able to do what over 90 percent of the other Indigenous communities have failed to do. That is to preserve their culture, but more specifically their language.

“One of the things that make this village unique is that it is one of the villages that keep their Wapishana language very much alive.

Every single person in the village speaks the language, and that is something unique,” Toshao Patrick Gomes said. You might question yourself as to why the preservation of language is something unique. Well, language is an integral part of a people’s culture, and without one’s culture one is like a ship without a sail.

Being one of the few villages that speak their native language, Gomes said, he cannot pinpoint exactly how

Academic prowess

Toshao of Maruranau Patrick Gomes enjoying a swim in the Creek

who work in the region and on the coast, lecture at the University of Guyana, are medics and even engineers.

Health expansion

Mararunau currently has

Some homes in Maruranau

plained.

Most of the teachers were trained at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).

According to Gomes, those who are not trained will soon be trained formally. However, he pointed out that many persons from the village are teachers

a single health post, which Toshao Gomes is planning to upgrade. He explained, “We are working to see how best we can develop this health post into a health hut, so we can have more facilities and it can have more resources, not only health workers, but we can have a midwife and

maybe even a Medex in time to come; but we are working on that”.

Agriculture on the move Like most Indigenous villages, livelihood in the village of Mararunau is mainly through subsistence farming; and as is customary, surplus produce is sold to earn extra cash. Nevertheless, over the years, there has been a new trend in the community, and it has great potential for economic development.

“I notice farmers start to increase the production of bananas. I was speaking with one farmer and he said he planted 800 banana trees (suckers)… he has to start looking for market outside, and we have like three or four farmers who are now embarking on banana cultivation,” an optimistic Gomes said. Other crops include yams, plantains, potato, peppers, and of course cassava, which is used to make a number of Indigenous dishes. (DPI feature)

15

tuesDAY, August 22, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say about

I SAY...

Views on GPL’s blackout woes, increased revenue collection

T

he Guyana Power and Light Company’s (GPL) mid-year report revealed a $17 billion revenue for the first half of 2017, which is an increase from last year’s $14.7 billion. As such, Guyana Times asked persons their take on this report, especially given that Guyanese countrywide are still faced with frequent power outages, almost on a daily basis. Here are the views of the public:

Charles Adrian “GPL needs to step up its quality of service so as to show value to customers since they have recorded an increase in their profits.

They need to let customers know the reasons for the prolonged periods of blackout and what they are doing to rectify that problem. The blackout woes must stop!”

Arudranath Parasnath “GPL realised that most customers don’t have another option, so they just don't even bother to provide a quality service or even to pay much attention to maintaining the already existing equipment, as long as they are profiting.”

Orin Brutus “I believe if the generators were looked after years ago we would not have still been faced with this problem. This new Government take over GPL while it was in a mess but this Government is getting blame for that. However, I have faith the problems will be fixed. So we need to pray and keep the faith and trust in God that this can change.”

Lilla Prettypaul “When was ‘outa crop’ (GuySuCo’s out-of-crop season) I does hustle in the market and the power went off for three days and all the chicken spoil… but you ain’t hearing anything from GPL. I am surprised to know that people paying them all dah money and they still giving you blackouts. All this Government wants to do is to close down the sugar estate and they not looking into GPL and GWI (Guyana Water Inc).”

Gavin Persaud “We can just hope that the increase in budget will be used to eliminate some of the problems we've experienced in the recent past and in effect, provide a better product. Another thing, the new budget needs to be thoroughly looked over with a fine tooth comb and look at where we can cut costs.”

Joel Amihere “The Guyana Power and Light is a service company and if they cannot provide an efficient service to this country, how do you expect the citizens to provide any service of quality to its citizens. You would see that by the end of the year, the company would declare that it collected billions for the year and it is because of good management but there is nothing good about providing a poor service.”

Orin Houston “It is not surprising because everything in this country we have to pay more for; and because we are paying more, GPL making more money. Since you lapse they come and cut you off but you not hearing that GPL buying any new equipment and investing in the company to provide a better service. We will continue to suffer and by Christmas time, it will be even worse. Don’t be surprised if the President orders a [Commission of Inquiry] CoI to see why we getting so much blackouts.”

Mark Subryan “God said “let there be light in Bartica”, but GPL said otherwise. It’s quite absurd if you ask me. Billions in profit, but poor service and

if we are ever a few days late with bills, they’d march to our doors with the audacity to clip our wires. We were promised new generators but all we got were used up ones that worked for a few days then it’s back to square one where half of Bartica receiving electricity and the other is darkness.

This is unacceptable to the people of Bartica and I speak on behalf of everyone with a conscious mind when I say, ‘we need better services, we need new generators!’ They need to look into the needs of the Barticians, and stop giving us the impression that we’re behind God’s back.”

16

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, august 22, 2017

News

Land CoI begins…

Guyana has no dedicated ancestral land institution – GL&SC Commissioner …more updated systems needed to better process titles, leases

By Lakhram Bhagirat

P

ublic hearings in the controversial Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into African and Amerindian ancestral lands began on Monday with the Amerindian aspect being put on hold until President David Granger orders the commencement.

The CoI heard that there are no designated institutions to deal with ancestral lands in Guyana, and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) needs a more updated system to execute its mandate.

President Granger in March of this year established the CoI under the Commission of Inquiry Act, to examine and make recommendations to resolve all issues and uncertainties surrounding the claims of Amerindian land titling; the individual, joint or communal ownership of lands acquired by freed Africans, and any matters relating to land titling in Guyana.

The Commission is headed by Reverend Oswald Peter Chuck-A-Sang, and include Paulette Henry, David James, Carol Khan-James, Professor Rudolph James, Lennox Caleb and Berlinda

Persaud. The public hearings are being conducted at the GL&SC Secretariat in Durban Backlands.

First to take the stand in the public inquiry process was Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the GL&SC, Trevor Benn, and he told the CoI that while there is no designated ancestral lands institution in Guyana, the GL&SC is responsible for overseeing all public lands. He added that the entity has the authority to lease those lands and provide titles as well.

He explained that in order for persons to acquire leases for state or government land, they are required to submit an expression of interest and the Commission will take the process further.

When asked about gaps in the system, Benn said no system is perfect and that they are continuously working to upgrade. He, however, noted that the lack of a computerized database often hinders the work of the commission.

“We are operating a paper-based system at them, and because of that it takes extraordinarily long to process applications, and we would like to see a more electronic process to ensure that

The Commissioners at the start of the public hearings of the CoI

our clients receive more rapid attention in terms of their application process,” Benn said.

He told the commission that there are over 15 agencies that deal with lands in Guyana, and it can be confusing at times for citizens when it comes to determining where the authority lies. He said those should be looked, at because some of the functions are contradictory to the work of the GL&SC. However, the Commissioner informed that all the agencies work together where necessary in order to execute their mandate.

He testified that the GL&SC has been inundated with reports relative to land administration, but quite of-

ten the issues reported do not fall within the mandate of the authority. Benn added that there are policies that need to be changed and legislations that ought to be amended.

However, he said the agency is not responsible for crafting legislation; rather, it is there just to implement them.

Lack of infrastructure

Meanwhile, GL&SC’s Manager of Land Administration, Michael Hutson, testified that while the commission receives over 5,000 expressions of interest on an annual basis, it has the capacity to comfortably process only approximately 1,200 of those each

year.

“We are lacking in infrastructure in order to make more land available and satisfy the need of the people.

If the Department of Land Administration had the resources to put in infrastructure, then we will be able to allocate more lands,” Hutson said.

The sworn surveyor said the commission has the authority to issue leases to different persons for the same plot of land. He explained that his department processes the applications and makes recommendations to the Commissioner, who forwards the applications to the President for his approval.

When asked about how the GL&SC deals with

squatters, he explained that while the law provides for prosecution, the authority has never done so.

Central Housing and Planning Authority’s Director of Operations, Denise King-Tudor, told the commission that her department is responsible for the allocation of residential and commercial properties.

She explained that in order for one to acquire a residential plot of land, one must be over 18 years old and be a citizen of Guyana residing here for over six months.

Tudor responded in the negative when asked by CoI Counsel Darren Wade whether the children of former government officials, within the People’s Progressive Party under the age of 21 had received land allocations.

She suggested to the CoI that there should be a working committee with the heads of the various land agencies to ensure that they do not usurp each other’s functions and create conflicts. She added that they are currently reviewing their systems to ensure every citizen who qualifies receive government house lots.

The public hearings continue today.

Discovery of illegal aircraft

President urges Toshaos to protect communities from criminals

By Shemuel Fanfair

A

s mystery continues to surround the discovery of an illegal aircraft in North Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), President

Toshao’s Conference (NTC) on Monday, where he highlighted matters of national security, saying Guyana must take responsibility for protecting its hinterland from outside forces which may want to conduct illegal

cartels will bring violence and death; they will suck our young people to criminality and inflict harm on our way of life,” he noted.

On Sunday, August 13, Police intercepted an illegal Beechcraft Kingair air-

The seized foreign aircraft was seen frequenting the Santa Fe area

David Granger has said that hinterland communities must be protected from criminal elements transporting contraband items. The Head of State made these comments at the opening of the National

activities here.

“We have to take responsibility for our security because these transnational cartels do not wish us any good; they will destroy our households, families, communities. These criminal

craft minutes after it landed. It is currently registered to Banco Brandesco – one of Brazil’s third largest banks.

However, an official from the bank had said that while the financial institution does not own any planes, the

aircraft is registered to the bank since the owner may have acquired a loan to purchase it.

N e v e r t h e l e s s , Government says it is treating the matter as a national security threat. President Granger told the toshaos that these very types of aircraft can transport prohibited substances to the hinterlands and observed that the authorities must do everything in its powers to put an end to it.

“We must work together to protect our hinterland and border communities from the threat of transnational criminal syndicates.

We cannot have a situation in any region where a foreign aircraft lands and deposits contraband substances and no one saw or heard or knows what went on,” the President asserted.

During the search of the aircraft, several pieces of communication equipment, including cellular phones, flashlights, a quantity of dried ration, medical supplies and identification cards were discovered. The ID cards were later found to be that of a Venezuelan and a Brazilian.

President David Granger

Following the discovery of the plane, an extensive search was mounted by a Joint Services team for the men. F Division (Interior locations) Commander, Ravindradat Budhram noted that a search of the area unearthed three abandoned camps, in which canned food and other items had been found. Additionally, 16 ten-gallon containers, which are suspected to have contained aviation fuel, had also been discovered.

A mining company named Riwa SA

Incorporated Investments and participants operates the aircraft and no trace of narcotic was found. When the plane was found, three men were reportedly seen running from the landed aircraft.

The plane’s discovery in the Santa Fe area came less than two weeks after an illegal airstrip was discovered. It was in early August that this airstrip had been unearthed about five kilometres West of Santa Fe, Rupununi, Region Nine, by members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who were patrolling the area.

Inspections revealed several dug out trenches which were covered with black plastic and dried branches.

Upon removing the plastic and branches, several items were found concealed in the holes including a chainsaw and fuel drums. In addition, a ¼ drum of aviation fuel was also found at the site. At least 12 abandoned camps were also found in close proximity of the airstrip. These camps had been reportedly used by farmers over a period of time.

Investigations into the discoveries are continuing.

tuesDAY, august 22, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Godzilla is ‘great opportunity’ for Mexico City P arts of Mexico City's historic centre have been closed to traffic as film crews shoot scenes for a new Godzilla film in the Mexican capital. Mexico City Mayor Miguel Ángel Mancera says the fact that the capital has been chosen as one of the film's location is "a great opportunity". He said the film would boost tourism and create shortterm employment opportunities for many.

Mexican fans of the scifi monster tried to catch glimpses of the filming.

But heavy security meant few could get near the historic streets

A Godzilla fan tries to catch a glimpse of the filming under way in Mexico City

where filming was under way. Godzilla: King of the Monsters will see the sci-fi monster battle "ancient super species" such as the gi-

ant moth Mothra and the three-headed dragon King Ghidorah in a sequel to the 2014 film Godzilla.

The film's producer Alex

Garcia said that filming in Mexico City would "not only have an economic impact, but will also attract the world's attention".

Mayor Mancera hopes the film will recreate the positive impact that James Bond film Spectre had. The opening scene saw the spy take part in a Day of the Dead parade in the city's Zócalo square.

The fictional scene proved so popular that Mexico City authorities decided to organise a parade inspired by the film and, after it drew large numbers of tourists, have made it an annual event. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Spanish Police shoot dead main Barcelona attack suspect

S

panish police confirmed on Monday that Younes Abouyaaqoub, the man suspected of driving the van that killed 13 people in Barcelona last week, has been shot dead.

Ending a five-day manhunt, Police tracked 22-year-old Younes Abouyaaqoub to a rural area near Barcelona. They said they shot him after he held up what appeared to be an explosives belt.

Police gave few immediate details of the incident in Subirats, saying they had called in a bomb squad to approach the man's body after gunning him down.

Police also confirmed the death of Moroccan imam, Abdelbaki Es Satty, who had been reported missing since the attack and was thought responsible for radicalising the young sus-

17

pects.

Catalan Police Chief Josep Lluis Trapero said Monday that the remains of the imam were found in a house in Alcanar, south of Barcelona, where an explosion took place.

Abouyaaqoub had been on the run since Thursday evening, after he drove at high speed into throngs of people strolling along Barcelona's most famous avenue, Las Ramblas, in Spain's worst militant attack in over a decade.

Islamic State claimed responsibility and police believe the attack was planned by a dozen accomplices, including a brother and two first cousins of Moroccanborn Abouyaaqoub. "The suspect wore what appeared to be an explosive belt. He has been shot down," Police said in an official tweet.

(Excerpt from France24)

Qatar criticises Saudi over haj planes offer

File photo: Muslims circle the Kaaba inside the Grand Mosque in Mecca December 13, 2007

Q

atar has criticised an offer by Saudi Arabia to convey Qataris to the haj pilgrimage on the kingdom's national carrier, Saudi Arabia Airlines, rather than allowing Qatar's airline or others to fly them to the Islamic rite in Mecca.

Saudi Arabia and three other Arab states severed transport and trade ties with Qatar in June, citing its alleged support for terrorism and Iran - charges Doha denies.

Riyadh said last week it would aid the travel of Qataris to haj in a move initially welcomed by Doha, but Saudi Arabia complained on Sunday that its planes had yet to receive landing per-

mits for the rite beginning at the end of August. "It is usual and customary for pilgrims to be transported from any country by means of national air, land and sea transportation in that country," said Ahmed al-Rumaihi, information director at Qatar's Foreign Affairs Ministry.

"Saudi Arabia should lift the embargo on the State of Qatar without restriction and enable ... Qatar to oversee its haj contingent and the transportation of Qatari pilgrims via their choice of airlines, Qatar Airways or otherwise," he added. The four blockading countries have closed their airspace to Qatar's carrier and all but Egypt expelled most Qatari citizens. (Reuters)

Second surgery for beaten T&T girl

T

Police had been hunting for Abouyaaqoub since last Thursday's deadly attack (Al Jazeera)

he parent of a twoyear-old girl whose colon was ruptured after she received a beating from a woman was scheduled to undergo another major surgery on Monday at the Wendy Fitzwilliam Paediatric Hospital in Mt Hope.

Last Sunday, doctors had to perform an emergency operation on the toddler after she was punched in the stomach and back over a period of time by a close female friend of the family who lives in Diego Martin.

The toddler suffered a ruptured colon during the beating last Saturday and doctors had to work on her in a twoand-half hour operation.

Part of the child’s bowels also had gangrene. Following the surgery, doctors were unable to stitch up the opening due to swelling around the child’s stomach and arteries.

Since then she has been warded in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) hooked up to life support. The findings by the medical doctors prompted a full-scale investigation by the T&T Police Service’s Child Protection Unit (CPU). Since then CPU investigators have been visiting the ICU every day to get updates on the toddler’s condition.

Investigators are expected to receive a medical report from the hospital soon.(Excerpt from

Trinidad Guardian)

'Worth everything': America Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister takes in total solar eclipse says no to fixed election date from coast to coast A

T

he moon blocked out the sun on Monday as the first coastto-coast total solar eclipse in the US in nearly a century began over the west coast, while millions of Americans looked skyward in wonder through protective glasses, telescopes and cameras. After weeks of anticipation, the sight of the moon’s silhouette passing directly in front of the sun, blotting out all but a halo-like solar corona and causing a precipitous drop in temperature, drew whoops and cheers from onlookers gathered in Madras, Oregon.

“First contact!” someone yelled. Horns honked.

Eclipse glasses were popped on to faces, all of which turned eastward to the sun.

As the sky grew dark, around 10.16am, the temperature started to drop and eclipse viewers started to shout and cheer. The most common exclamation was: “Oh my God!” A ring of light glimmered around the black moon – the long-awaited corona, finally safe to view with the naked eye.

Light returned quickly. “Come back, moon!” someone yelled. As onlook-

ers exhaled and shook the tension out of their bodies, someone said: “I could have looked at that for another 20 minutes!”

As quickly as it came, the eclipse receded, as the umbra – the location of the total shadow – bolted across the continent at an average speed of 1700 miles per hour. When all is said and done the “totality” will have engulfed a strip of the country occupied by 12.2 million people, joined temporarily by millions more who travelled to the 70-mile-wide eclipse path for the spectacle. (Excerpt from The

Guardian)

ntigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Brown has flatly rejected calls for his Government to introduce a fixed date for elections. The recommendation was tabled by Member of Parliament Joanne Massiah who leads the newly formed Democratic National Alliance (DNA).

Massiah, a former member of the Opposition United Progressive Party (UPP), argued that the election date should not be left to the whim and fancy of a Prime Minister. She made it clear that if her party is elected, it would abandon the practice.

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Brown

“We want elections to be fixed so that the people will know that the elections are due every five years and in March, April, May, June or whatever the month is

elections are due,” Massiah said last week.

However in response, an unmoved Brown said the people of Antigua & Barbuda would have to make the call, and not Massiah.

Prime Minister Browne said this was clearly demonstrated by the political games that were played leading up to the aborted Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) referendum, as he chided the UPP for failing to respond to the government’s request for a bipartisan approach to transition to the regional court headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago. (Excerpt from Caribbean

360)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, august 22, 2017

ARCHIE

Be responsible for your actions. Offer to make reason(March 21- able changes if it will help April 19) keep the peace with someone you live or work with. Protect yourself against injury and avoid excessive behavior.

ARIES

A steady pace and comTAURUS prehensive plan will help you (April 20- achieve your goal. Someone May 20) unique or unexpected will step up and offer valuable information or help.

dilbert

An emotional situation GEMINI (May 21- will leave you questioning a June 20) certain relationship. Look for alternative ways to protect your status without compromising an important partnership.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Stick to the way you are used to doing things. If someone is being impulsive, don’t follow suit. A sensible approach to life and entertainment will protect against loss and regret.

Embrace a challenge that requires energy, skill and endurance. You’ll master whatever you try hard to achieve. Changes at home will turn out to your liking. Listen to someone offering wisdom born of experience.

Partnerships are best VIRGO (Aug. 23- dealt with fairly and dipSept. 22) lomatically. Your intuition will help you make the right choice regarding someone who is dependent on you.

Romance is encouraged.

An emotional situation LIBRA will trouble you. Don’t share (Sept. 23Oct. 23) personal feelings or information with your peers. Take care of your responsibilities and tend to personal issues secretively.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

You’ll instinctively know SCORPIO and understand what to do (Oct. 24and the best way to reach your Nov. 22) goal. Dismiss anyone trying to tempt you to do things differently. Moderation will be necessary.

Certain emotions will SAGITTARIUS stand between you and the (Nov. 23- truth. Facts will be offered, Dec. 21) but it’s up to you whether to believe or ignore what you discover. A physical workout will ease stress.

Review your finances beCAPRICORN fore you make a purchase or (Dec. 22- invest in something that has Jan. 19) the potential to turn into a money pit. Only take on what you can handle.

solution for Last Published Puzzle Gather information that AQUARIUS will help you formulate the (Jan. 20- best way to deal with a fiFeb. 19) nancial, legal or health matter. The more you know, the harder it will be for someone to manipulate you.

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

Keep an open mind when PISCES asked to make changes to the (Feb. 20March 20) way you do your job. If you show reluctance to try something new, you will be viewed as difficult to get along with.

tuesdAY, august 22, 2017

19

CAS upholds life ban Windies' Brathwaite on former top officials reported for suspect action for doping blackmail A Z

URICH (Reuters) Sports highest tribunal has upheld life bans on two top Russian athletics officials and the son of former world governing body president Lamine Diack for covering up an elite Russian athlete's positive dope test and blackmailing her over it.

Valentin Balakhnichev, the former head of the Russian athletics federation, and Alexei Melnikov, the country's former head distance coach, were banned by the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) ethics commission in January last year.

Papa Massata Diack, a former marketing consultant to the IAAF, was also banned. All three denied any wrongdoing and subsequently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

"The IAAF Ethics Commission decision is confirmed and Valentin Balakhnichev, Alexei Melnikov and Papa Massata Diack remain banned for life from any involvement in the sport of athletics," said CAS in announcing its verdict on Monday.

Lamine Diack

"The panel concluded that on the evidence adduced, the charges established against Messers Balakhnichev, Melnikov and Diack were established beyond reasonable doubt and the sanctions imposed should be upheld."

It said it would give a full reasoned decision at a later date.

The bans followed the previous year's World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) independent commission report that found a state-sponsored culture of doping in Russia and

prompted the country's suspension from the sport.

The sanctions related primarily to the case of Russian former London marathon winner Liliya Shobukhova, who paid $600,000 to have positive dope tests covered up.

Russia remains banned from athletics although its athletes can apply to compete as neutrals if they meet stringent criteria set by the IAAF. Nineteen Russian athletes competed as neutrals at this month's World Championships in London.

bad week got worse for West Indies as Kraigg Brathwaite was reported to the ICC for a suspect bowling action.

West Indies' occasional off-spinner Brathwaite has been reported to the ICC for a suspect bowling action following the first-Test hammering at the hands of England.

Nominally an opening batsman, Brathwaite bowled six wicketless overs for six runs as England racked up a mammoth 5148 declared at Edgbaston, before rolling out the tourists for 168 and 137 to win by an innings and 209 runs inside three days.

Brathwaite made a duck and 40 with the bat and a disheartening week for the Windies got worse after the ICC confirmed late on Sunday that his bowling action had been reported by the match officials.

The 24-year-old, who has

Kraigg Brathwaite

12 Test wickets to his name - including 6-29 against Sri Lanka in 2015 - must undergo testing within 14 days and will remain eligible to bowl until the results of that

analysis are known, meaning captain Jason Holder should still be able to turn to him during the second Test at Headingley, which begins on Friday. (SportsMax)

Alleged 'tampering'

by Lakers under investigation

Wayne Rooney to discuss England T return with Gareth Southgate W ayne Rooney has been thrust into contention for an England recall after scoring twice in two Premier League games for Everton.

Rooney said he will speak to England manager Gareth Southgate about a potential return to the national team after he scored his second goal in two Premier League games for Everton.

The 31-year-old striker opened the scoring in the 35th minute of Everton’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium, side-footing into the net from close range for his 200th Premier League goal after Dominic CalvertLewin crossed from the right wing.

Rooney was assisted by Lewin for his first league goal since rejoining Everton when he scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Stoke City at Goodison Park, and he acknowledged that his

good form has put him in contention for England’s forthcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Malta and Slovakia.

When asked about a potential call-up, Rooney told Sky Sports: “We’ll see. I’m focused on Everton.

“I’m sure I’ll speak to Gareth Southgate over the next few days and we’ll have a conversation and see what happens.”

Rooney’s two Premier League goals in as many games have put him well on the way to eclipsing the five he scored for Manchester United last season.

He credited a busy pre-season and regular starts as reasons for his good form for Ronald Koeman’s side.

“The

manager has made it clear he wants to play me in any of the attacking positions.

I’ve done that all of my career. The thing for me is to play,” said Rooney.

“Last year I didn’t feel I played enough games and if you’re not playing those games, you’re not getting the match fitness and I paid the price for that.

“I’ve had a good pre-season, played a lot of games over the last few weeks and I feel good. That’s vital for me if I’m going to play in these different positions.”

Rooney ran further than any other Everton player during the match, and he took the opportunity to hit back at some of his critics in recent years, describing the statistic as “not bad for someone who’s not fit anymore and can’t get about the pitch.” He added: “I’ve always put a shift in for the team and this was no different.” (SportsMax)

he NBA is investigating the Los Angeles Lakers for alleged tampering involving Paul George after the Indiana Pacers filed a formal complaint.

The league released a statement Sunday from Mike Bass, executive vice president of communications.

"At the request of the Indiana Pacers, the NBA opened an investigation into alleged tampering by the Los Angeles Lakers," the NBA statement said.

"The independent investigation is being conducted by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. The Lakers have been cooperative and, at this point, no findings have been made. We have asked both teams to refrain from commenting while the investigation is ongoing."

Peter Vecsey on Patreon reported Saturday that Lakers president Magic Johnson, general manager Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss were contacted by an investigator for the NBA and asked to provide "any correspondence pertaining to" George, his agent and his parents.

"As the NBA's statement made clear, we cannot comment about the specifics of

Paul George

any ongoing investigation," the Lakers said in a statement.

"We can confirm, however, that we are cooperating fully with the NBA in the hope of clearing our name as soon as possible."

The Pacers declined to comment when contacted

by The Indianapolis Star on Sunday.

George's agent contacted the Pacers on June 18 and informed the team that George would not return after his contract expired following the 2017-18 season and that his preference was to play for his hometown Lakers.

When contacted in June, a source told The Indianapolis

Star the Pacers were more concerned about finding a trade for George. The Pacers dealt the All-Star forward to the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 30 in exchange for guard Victor Oladipo and forward Domantas Sabonis.

George, who is from Palmdale, Calif., previously mentioned his admiration of Lakers legends Johnson and Kobe Bryant.

Within an hour of an initial report about George's intentions to leave the Pacers, Johnson tweeted "God is good!" Johnson also acknowledged in a late-night TV interview in April that he would welcome George as a Laker.(The Sports Xchange) -

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesdAY, AUGUST 22, 2017

Gayle, Samuels included in Windies squad for England ODIs

C

hris Gayle and Marlon Samuels have been included in a 15-member Windies squad named to play England in a five-match ODI series in September, following the three-Test series now underway.

However, Dwayne and Darren Bravo have declined invitations to play in the series as did Sunil Narine.

“The panel welcomes back Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels, who will both add value to our batting and help with the nurturing of the young batsmen in the team,” said Chairman of Selectors Courtney Browne, who went on to explain why the other invitees snubbed the opportunity to join the squad at this time.

“Narine has confirmed his desire to play 50-over cricket again but has asked to play in our Regional Super50 before he is considered and Darren said he was not available for selection. Dwayne Bravo said he is still not 100 percent fit but is looking at a possi-

ble return to international cricket next year.”

The full squad reads Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Miguel Cummins, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder (captain), Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed (Vice Captain), Ashley Nurse, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor and Kesrick Williams.

The West Indies will take on Ireland on September 13, at Stormont, Belfast and will open their five-match series against England at Old Trafford on September 19. The second match has been scheduled for Trent Bridge on September 21, with the third set for the County Ground in Bristol on September 24.

The Kia Oval will host the fourth ODI on September 27 before the final match at the Ageas Bowl on September 29.

All the matches, except the match at County Ground, will be day/night affairs. (SportsMax)

Chris Gayle

Pacquiao versus Horn rematch confirmed for Brisbane

Windies for November T20 tour of Pakistan

C

Manny Pacquiao's rematch with Australian Jeff Horn has been confirmed for Brisbane later this year

F

ilipino boxer Manny Pacquiao's rematch with Australian Jeff Horn has been confirmed for Brisbane later this year, the city's mayor said on Monday.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk had earlier threatened to pull funding without confirmation from the Pacquiao camp but said he had been reassured at a meeting with promoters on Monday.

"I have had a meeting earlier today which has confirmed that Manny

Pacquiao will definitely be in Brisbane this year for a rematch with Jeff Horn," Quirk told local media.

The fight is expected to be held in November at the same Lang Park stadium where a packed crowd of 50,000 saw former schoolteacher Horn upset Pacquiao for the WBO welterweight belt in an unanimous 12-round decision last month.

Quirk said Brisbane Marketing, the city council's major events subsidiary, would be re-engaged

for negotiations with promoters Top Rank and Duco Events.

"It was a matter of Manny Pacquiao deciding whether he wanted to take up that clause in the contract to give a rematch in the event that he lost," Quirk added.

Horn's surprise win over 38-year-old Pacquiao caused controversy, with many observers outraged by the decision. But a WBO scoring review later endorsed Horn as the rightful winner. (Reuters)

ricket West Indies and the Pakistan Cricket Board are in advanced discussions that will see the Windies team playing three Twenty20 matches with the Pakistan cricket team in Lahore in late November 2017.

The tour would be subject to the safe conclusion of the ICC World XI team's three-match series in Lahore in September and affirmation of manageable security by the ICC sponsored international security company overseeing the security arrangements of the World XI in September.

This follows discussions between CWI President, Dave Cameron and Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Najam Sethi.

Both sides expressed a desire to facilitate the return of international cricket to Pakistan.

The Caribbean side is currently on a threeTest tour of England and trail 0-1 after losing the first Test at Edgbaston.

(SportsMax)

‘Worst Test team,’ West Indies a tragic story

‒ bemoan cricket legends

T

he gradual decline of West Indian cricket is hardly a new phenomenon but the latest capitulation of a once-dominant test match power has brought genuine expressions of sadness throughout the sport.

The defeat by an innings and 209 runs in the first day-night Test in England at Edgbaston at the weekend left both Caribbean legends and old international foes alike bemoaning what they saw as Windies cricket crashing to rock bottom.

With a callow visiting team looking helpless in the absence of their best players and losing 19 wickets in one woeful day on Saturday, the overwhelming feeling was summed up by former England captain Michael Vaughan, who worries about yet more humiliation for the visitors.

“I really fear that this series could be one of the saddest for Test cricket,” Vaughan told the BBC, before the second Test that starts in Leeds on Friday.

‘Painful to watch’ According to another former captain Geoff Boycott in the Daily Telegraph newspaper, there could be no room for English gloating because the Windies surrender at Edgbaston had been so “painful to watch.”

“This West Indies lot are the worst Test match team I have seen in more than 50 years of watching, playing and commentating on cricket,” Boycott wrote.

“They can’t bat and can’t bowl. I take no pleasure out of saying this as I played against some of the greatest players the world has ever seen wearing the maroon cap of the West Indies.

“It is a cricketing tragedy to see the West Indies like this... It is just sad to see a once-proud cricket Test team lower than any I have ever seen before.”

‘Embarrassing’

The sadness was felt much closer to home, too, with the great Antiguan fast bowler Curtly Ambrose telling the Daily Mail newspaper: “It does hurt. And it has reached a point where it is very embarrassing.

“For now, I’m just hoping West Indies can compete at Headingley and Lord’s (in the third Test) because what we have seen so far has been pathetic.”

It is now 17 years since a West Indies side won a test in England and, as Vaughan suggested, “every time they have arrived here, they seem to have got worse.”

The halcyon days of those thrilling 1980s and early 1990s teams, when Ambrose and his fellow pace demons inspired fear and batting blasters like Viv Richards looked so imperious on English tours, have never felt more like pre-history.

The problems that

have beset the sport in the Caribbean for so long were highlighted brutally in the Edgbaston debacle.

In turmoil

The West Indies may be the Twenty20 world champions but the mainstays of that triumph - like Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy - now play lucrative T20 tournaments around the world rather than representing the West Indies after constant pay disputes with Cricket West Indies.

The world T20 win and the under-19 team’s world

Curtly Ambrose

championship victory last year tell of talent and potential that can still be harnessed in the Caribbean game.

Yet at Test level, the internal conflicts have led to serial under-performing with the Windies having not won a test series away from home, other than against the ‘minnows’ Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, for 22 years.

Lack of experience

Without senior players to guide them, it was the way the young team folded so meekly at Edgbaston that upset Ambrose.

“I talked with Sir Viv Richards and Sir Andy Roberts at length before and during the Test about how we used to dominate world cricket, about our pride and passion. That’s what’s lacking,” wrote Ambrose.

“What concerns me is that I do not think these players know what West Indies cricket means to West Indians and followers of the global game. People feel sad for us and that’s just not right.

Ambrose was desperate to see an improvement at Headingley. “Come back with aggression, confidence and commitment,” he commanded the class of 2017.

“Our history and the pride we once had in our cricket demands it.”

sports

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Team Guyana place

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58 medals – XXIII Goodwill Swim Meet 805 points. Barbados with 445, St Lucia 314.5 and Grenada with 20 points placed fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.

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Seaton captured 8 gold medals and broke four meet records as he refurbished the 100m Freestyle record at 58.19s, 50m Freestyle26.18s, 50m Butterfly29.20s and the 50m Backstroke record at 31.72s.

Persaud bagged 8 gold

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Champion Boy! Leon Seaton with his Champion Boy trophy

By Michelangelo Jacobus

A

vastly improved Guyanese swim team placed third when the curtain came down on the 23rd edition of the Goodwill Swim Meet at the National Aquatic Center on Sunday.

The locals amassed 58 medals and finished on 868.5 points.

Trinidad and Tobago successfully retained their

title while holding off a challenge from perennial nemesis Suriname who placed second. .

Suriname as they staved off a strong challenge from longtime rivals for the title Suriname.

The twin island republic finished with an impressive 1322 points while Suriname tallied 1289 points. The Bahamas was fourth with

Multi record holder Leon Seaton in action

standing performances from 12-year-old Leon Seaton and 10-year-old Aleka Persaud who dominated their events in their respective age categories.

and 2 silver medals as she also broke a record of her own setting the 50m Butterfly record at 31.41s.

Seaton in an interview with the media attributed

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his success to hard work in training as he pushed himself to the limit. The` Little Master’ also revealed that he often raced against the older swimmers.

Lian Winter was another Guyanese swimmer to bag gold. Winter also set a new record in the Girls 1112 50m Backstroke winning in 33.70s.

This year’s performance from the “Land of Many Waters” has shown marked improvement. The hosts more than doubled last year’s medal tally which was 15, including three gold medals while they finished sixth, out of six countries then.

Listed Below is a list of Seaton and Persaud’s medals in their various events: Leon Seaton 100m Freestyle- Gold 100m Backstroke- Gold 200m Medley- Gold 50m Freestyle- Gold 50m Butterfly- Gold 200m Freestyle- Gold 50m Backstroke- Gold 100m Butterfly- Gold Aleka Persaud 100m Freestyle- Gold 50m Breaststroke- Silver 100m Backstroke- Silver 100m Medley- Gold 50m Freestyle- Gold 100m Breaststroke- Gold 50m Butterfly- Gold 200m Freestyle- Gold 50m Backstroke- Gold 100m Butterfly- Gold

Nedd confident of retaining title

GUYANA T TIMES in your area?

21

he National Under-18 Male Volleyball team participating in the Inter-Guiana Games in Suriname should return home still champions.

Head Coach of the team, Levi Nedd expressed confidence in his players who he believes have what it takes to hold off any challenge.

“I have talked to them about what is expected of them and I have full confidence in them, they are not doing too badly, last weekend we had a warm up match against a first division team and we didn’t do badly,” Nedd told Guyana Times.

The coach explained that the team has been through rigorous and intense training with the players being brought to full fitness. The team consists of 12 players who have been selected from various regions across the

tle.

The 14 man contingent will depart Guyana on Thursday for Suriname for the Games that runs from August 24-28.

The team is:

The team that will be defending Guyana’s volleyball title at the Inter-Guiana Games

country.

Meanwhile, Akil Vaughn who plays in a middle position noted that the training has gone to plan and the

team is well balanced.

“The schedule has been excellent, everyone knows their roles, we are setting up plays and the team is play-

ing smoothly,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn like his coach is confident that the team will be performing to its best and will bring back home the ti-

Players Kellon Leitch Renaldo Griffith Hellond Singh Andy Rohoman Kristoff Shepperd Omari Joseph Ronaldo Bobb Montel Denny Nicholas Corlette Akil Vaughn Jaleel Roberts Daimyon Ahmad

Coaches

Assistant Coach Rashaad Razak Head Coach Levi Nedd

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesdAY, AUGUST 22, 2017

Sahadeo qualifies Latin America World Hopes training G

uyana’s Mini cadet champion Krystian Sahadeo qualified for International Table Tennis Federation continental Latin America World Hopes training and selection camp Asuncion Paraguay.

The training camp held from the 14th -19th August ( prior to the 2017 Caribbean Min and Pre Cadet Table tennis championships was first for the Caribbean region was conducted under the auspices of the International Table Tennis Federation Latin American table Tennis Union and the Jamaica table tennis Association for the 11 years and under participants.

The camp used to select the best two (2) 11 years and under Boys and Girls from the participating countries at the 2017 edition of the Caribbean championships to participate in the ITTF Continental Latin American World Hopes Training and selection Camp scheduled for Asuncion Paraguay 18th -23rd September 2017 to participate among the best players from South America Central America and the Caribbean for possible qualification as a world hopes prospect .

The ITTF and Latin America table Tennis Federation used the format of the camp to select for the first time in the region, to bring the Caribbean in line with the rest of the world in terms of the format used to select World hopes players , previously the tournament was used to select the players from the region, this was done in line with ITTF new philosophy of developing the athlete with overall attitude potential for growth and not just

Guyana’s Mini cadet champion Krystian Sahadeo

talent, so elements such as performance at the camp selection competition ranked 65% of the marks , while elements such as talent attitude discipline potential for growth technical ability among other attributes had a weight marks of 35 percent in the assessment of the players selected Krystian follows in the footsteps of compatriot and 2016 Caribbean 11 years and under Boys Champion

Kaysan Ninvalle who qualified last year for the ITTF Latin Hopes camp in Peru. Ninvalle won Bronze medal in Peru. National women’s champion Chelsea Edghill who also was selected in 2012 Special mention was given to Sahadeo’s accompanying team mate at the camp young debutant Jonathan Van Lange who played outstanding made a good run but came up against the more experienced players from the Dominican Republic.

Kenard Sahdeo father of Krystian who accompanied the team to the camp said he was very pleased with both players adaptation and performance at the camp he indicated that he felt a bit of experience hampered Van Lange.

The camp ended on Saturday 19th August 21, 2017, the players have now switched gears to the championships in their quest to bring Guyana regional honours The rest of Guyana national Mini and Pre cadet members who departed Guyana on Sunday morning at 1.15 am on Fly Jamaican flight enroute to Jamaica arrived safely and had their practice session which went well according to national coach linden Johnson championships com The menced yesterday. The draws have placed Guyana’s 13 years and under Boys team of Kaysan Ninvalle, Isaiah Layne, and Jonathan Van Lange being grouped with Jamaica A St Vincent and St Lucia in the group stages for a place into the semi-finals.

Daniel Williams ‒Youth, speed, tenacity

By Michelangelo Jacobus

I

n this week’s column we feature as our rising star athlete Daniel Williams.

The 16 year old has already had a taste of major international competition in her “pet event” the 400 metres dash.

At the World Under-18 Championships in July of this year in Nairobi, Kenya, Williams ran a personal best time of 46.72s to win a silver medal and stun the world.

Born in the mining

turned and would make amends in front of his home crowd. Showing a mental fortitude that belied his age, Williams came up against the best from this continent and won a silver medal at the South America Youth Championships.

His hard work paid off and he was selected by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) along with jumper Chantoba Bright to represent Guyana in Kenya.

Williams repaid the association’s faith by capturing only the sec-

Inaugural Guinness Cage launches Wednesday at Windjammer Hotel ‒ team reps urged to be present

Daniel Williams

The exciting Street football will now make its mark in the National Gymnasium

O

rganisers of the inaugural Guinness Cage / Three Peat Promotions Indoor football Competition are asking all thirty-two teams representatives to attend the Launch of the tournament tomorrow (Wednesday), at the Windjammer International Hotel & Cuisine, Queen Street, Kitty.

According to a release, the Launch which was originally set for Monday had to be postponed due to circumstances beyond their control, but the Organisers have assured that all systems are in place for tomorrow’s official opening scheduled to begin at 14:00hrs.

Over $800,000 in prize monies and trophies will be up for grabs with the winner set to receive $400,000 and the championship trophy, while second, third and fourth place finishers will take home $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 along with trophies respectively. The tournament which kicks off on Thursday at the National Gymnasium, will see teams from Georgetown, West Demerara, Linden, East Coast Demerara and East Bank Demerara go head to head over eight nights for the right to be crowned inaugural champs of the newly-introduced Guinness Cage format.

Those invited are: Georgetown- Sparta Boss, West Front Road, Future Stars, Back Circle, Leopold Street, Sophia, Tucville, North Ruimveldt, Queen Street of Tiger Bay, Abouystown A&B, Channel 9 Warriors, North East La Penitence, Alexander Village, Old Skool Ballers, Broad Street, West Back Road, Bent Street, Campbellville, Pike Street, Sophia, Newtown, Kitty, Kitty Hustlers, New Market Street; East CoastVryhied’s Lust, Plaisance, Melanie; East Bank- Agricola; LindenDave & Celena All Stars, Silver Bullets and West Demerara- Showstoppers

and ESPN and Mocha Champs.

The other playing dates for the championship are August 29 and 31, September 2, 5, 7, 9 with the final set for September 16, at the same venue.

Meanwhile, all the rules and regulations to govern the tournament will be announced at the Launch and the Organisers are imploring on teams representatives to be early for a prompt start.

Kick off time on each playing night is 20:00hrs with five minutes allowance given for any team arriving late after which the opposing team will be granted a walkover.

town of Linden, a town known for producing top athletes, Williams who will soon turn 17, started taking part in athletics at Primary school where he excelled. His success was transferred into the secondary level and he became a constant figure at the National Schools Athletic Championships.

The young speed ace announced his appetite for big things in April this year when he placed second in the CARIFTA Games. However, his elation was short lived as he was soon after disqualified for lane infringement.

Seemingly unperturbed `Mr. Dynamic’ re-

ond World U-18 medal for Guyana at the Championships.

The next few years will be the defining in Williams’ life as an athlete as he seeks to make the step from a junior athlete to the senior level and ultimately a professional.

He has already proven he has what it takes at the highest junior level and the onus is now on the Government of Guyana, the AAG and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) to nurture and afford this son of the soil every possible opportunity to develop to his full potential.

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, august 22, 2017

T

his evening’s clash between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and St Lucia Stars, at the National Stadium at Providence, will be a tale of the two bottom-placed teams in the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) each fighting for supremacy.

Warriors have won only two of their matches, while the Stars have lost six of their seven, with their only point coming via a washout against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

One of the home side’s wins came against the Stars, and given that it is another must-win match for the Warriors, Manager Omar Khan told the media on Monday that they will not be taking the Stars lightly.

Khan explained that the St Lucian franchise has nothing to lose, and will play fearless cricket.

With no room now left

... rush on for tickets

to accommodate mistakes, Khan underscored, to keep their title hopes alive, it

would be of utmost importance that the Warriors build on the momentum

I’m sorry, I’m sorry

‒ Gatlin finally apologises for drug bans

their spirited performance provided on Sunday evening against the Barbados Tridents.

The Manager is yet to be impressed that they have produced a complete performance, given that there were numerous mishaps in the field, and the battle was still “being waged” in the lower-order.

Opener Chadwick Walton blazed a 52-ball 92 against the Tridents, and Khan has rated that feat as a magnific e n t

Conversely, newly installed Stars’ captain Shane Watson admitted that it has been a disappointing season. He blamed this on some players sustaining in-

jury and the team just not having luck in their favour.

Watson revealed that though a play-off spot is out of the question, The Stars want to win their remaining three matches as they look to build for the next season.

Three matches on the newly re-laid Providence pitches have produced varying scores. However, on Sunday the National Stadium recorded its highest total of 160, which Watson hopes can continue to provide a balanced contest with bat and ball.

Today’s match commences at 18:00 hrs, and gates will be open from 15:45 hrs.

Teams are constituted as follows: Guyana Amazon Warriors: Martin Guptill (c), Steven Jacobs, Rashid Khan, Jason Mohammed, Veerasammy Permaul, Sohail Tanvir, Chadwick Walton, Roshon Primus, Gajanand Singh, Keon Joseph, Assad Fudadin, Ryad Emrit, Steven Taylor, Steven Katwaroo, Keemo Paul, Ali Khan.

St. Lucia Stars: Shane Watson (c), Darren Sammy, Rahkeem Cornwall, Andre Fletcher, Kyle Mayers, Jerome Taylor, Marlon Samuels, Shane Shillingford, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jesse Ryder, Johnson Charles, Eddie Leie, Obed Mccoy, Timil Patel, Kamran Akmal, Keddy Lesporis.

Gayle shines as Patriots crush Tallawahs

J

ustin Gatlin apologised to the world of athletics for his pair of drug bans after claiming gold in the 100 metres at the IAAF World Championships.

Gatlin shocked Usain Bolt in London to win his first World Championship gold medal for 12 years earlier this month but the American, who has twice been banned after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, was loudly booed as he topped the podium at the Olympic Stadium.

The 35-year-old has been accused of being unrepentant over his suspensions, the sprinter having insisted the first was as a result of medication he took for his attention deficit disorder and claimed the second was after he was sabotaged by a former employee.

However, more than five years after making his return to the sport, Gatlin finally offered a qualified apology to athletics supporters.

“If they want an official apology, I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” Gatlin said to ITV. “I apologise for any wrongdoings I’ve brought on to the sport.

“I love the sport. That’s why I’ve come back and run

innings, but he is still puzzled at Walton’s dismissal, given that there was no pressure from the scoreboard.

The manager has again appealed to the Warriors’ loyal fans to continue coming out in their numbers to provide the extra encouragem e n t for their home team.

23

SCOREBOARD

St Kitts & Nevis Patriots - 208/3(20.0 overs) C Gayle * Not out 71 E Lewis c Sangakkara b Smith 69 C Brathwaite c Simmons b Santokie 26 M Nabi c Foo b Williams 29 B King Not out 6 Extras (6 wd,1 lb) 7 Total (3 wickets, 20 overs) 208 Did not bat : S Brooks, J Carter, D Thomas †, B Hilfenhaus, S Badree, T Shamsi Fall of wickets : 1-110 (E Lewis,12.3), 2-151 (C Brathwaite,16.3), 3-201 (M Nabi,19.4) BOWLING : A McCarthy (2.0, 0, 24, 0) M Sami (4.0, 0, 51, 0) K Santokie (4.0, 0, 23, 1) O Smith (4.0, 0, 40, 1) K Williams (4.0, 0, 43, 1) R Powell (2.0, 0, 26, 0)

Justin Gatlin

to the best of my abilities.

I have worked hard to right my wrongs.

“I wrote a personal letter to the IAAF, before the trial, before I was sentenced, I wrote an apology. I started a programme where i went and talked to kids and told them about the pitfalls of falling behind the wrong people, staying on the path, doing the right things.

“These are things I thought of doing on my own. I was a role model to the future. The ones coming along. I still feel that way.

The letter I wrote, which came out in 2015, it was suppressed for almost six years and I’m not sure who or why they suppressed it, but I did apologise.”

Gatlin accepted it was difficult to have his big moment, beating all-time great Bolt at the World Championships, upstaged by the negative reaction he received from the London crowd.

“It did hurt because I’m not there for myself,” Gatlin said. “I’m up there for my country. I’m up there for my supporters. I didn’t do it for myself.

“Especially at the starting line, I wasn’t there for me. I was there for people back at home watching who weren’t able to come. Maybe the boos were for me but me standing on the podium was for people that have loved me and my country that I love.” (SportsMax)

Chris Gayle

Jamaica Tallawahs 171/7(20.0 overs) G Phillips c Brooks b Shamsi 32

T Griffith c Lewis b Carter 41 K Sangakkara *† c Shamsi b Nabi 11 L Simmonsc Brooks b Shamsi 6 J Foo b Shamsi 17 R Powell c Lewis b Brathwaite 31 A McCarthy lbw Badree 21 O Smith Not out 10 K Santokie Not out 0 Extras (2 wd,) 2 Total (7 wickets, 20 overs) 171 Yet To Bat : K Williams, M Sami Fall of wickets : 1-64 (T Griffith,8.5), 2-84 (G Phillips,10.3), 3-87 (K Sangakkara,11.3), 4-99 (L Simmons,12.5), 5-110 (J Foo,14.2), 6-149 (A McCarthy,17.5), 7-164 (R Powell,19.2) BOWLING: B Hilfenhaus (4.0, 0, 40, 0) S Badree (4.0, 0, 32, 1) C Brathwaite (3.0, 0, 28, 1) T Shamsi (4.0, 0, 35,3) J Carter (1.0, 0, 5, 1) M Nabi(4.0, 0, 31, 1)

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

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2017

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Resurging Warriors not taking struggling Stars lightly Pg 23

– rush on for tickets

Gayle shines as Patriots crush Tallawahs

Pg 23

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