Guyana Times June 05, 2019

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

Issue No. 3945

THE BEACON OF TRUTH wednesday, june 5, 2019

PRICE

Divestment of GuySuCo

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Approximately 1000 acres of land sold to CH&PA for development – NICIL

Page 7

Staff vacate decrepit City Hall building

...allowed to run down by M&CC over decades P13

…Opposition calls for full disclosure of deals Black Bush Polder flood: Day 13

Page 13

Govt continues to neglect residents – as NDIA shifts blame to regional administration

Duo arraigned for biker’s P8 murder

Damage to Aishalton P14 main access road being assessed – Govt promises relief to residents soon

Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo was on Tuesday paid a farewell courtesy call by Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Holger Michael, who was accompanied by Dr Ingo Winkelmann, Head of the Division for Latin America and the Caribbean at the German Federal Foreign Office

AFC crisis deepens

Nagamootoo usurps authority of GNNL Board, reinstates Duncan as GM

Teen admits P10 killing overseas-based University Professor in 2016 – trial to commence soon for 4 others

Page 3

Termination letter Page sent to PSM 12 staff surfaces

– refutes MotP’s denial of dismissals

Teens held at NOC for ‘simple larceny’ pardoned by President Page 2

ExxonMobil stages oil spill demonstration exercise on P9 Shell Beach

2 news Teens held at NOC for ‘simple larceny’ pardoned by President WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

President David Granger

T

wo inmates of the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) were granted early release from President David Granger in commemoration of the country’s 53rd Independence Anniversary.

The presidential pardons were done by virtue of the powers vested in him under Article 188 (1) (a) and 188 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana, the Ministry of the

Presidency said in a statement on Tuesday.

Article 188 (1) (a) of the Constitution of Guyana states that the President has the power to grant any person concerned in, or convicted of, any offence under the laws of Guyana, a pardon, either free or subject to lawful condition.

The two pardon beneficiaries were serving sentences for simple larceny. The President ordered their release with effect from May 26, 2019, so that they can be re-integrated into their families.

This is the third set of pardons granted to inmates of the NOC by the Head of State. Back in September 2017, he had released five female students, ranging from ages 13 to 16.

Then in December of that year, another eight inmates received presidential pardons in time

for the Christmas holidays. This was repeated again in 2018 when 11 more NOC students – nine females and two males between the ages of 13 and 17 – benefited from presidential pardons and were released early ahead of the Christmas holiday last year.

During a June 2017 visit to the correctional facility, President Granger had indicated that as part of an overall plan to ensure improvements to the physical conditions and the programmes offered, Government will be, in the short term, setting up criteria and a system to ensure that regular early release is an option for those who qualify.

President Granger had noted that his Administration remains focused on education and youth empowerment and strongly believes that chil-

The New Opportunity Corps.

dren are better off in educational institutions rather than in incarceration or detention.

“Going to school is important for me and staying in school is important for me and it is important for

you too, because in whatever you do, you must be able to read, write, spell and count… You must be literate. We cannot build a country with illiterate persons and that is why I want all of you to take

your education seriously. It is my vision that you must get the best possible preparation for when you are ready to take over this country,” the President had said to the students.

news

3

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

AFC crisis deepens

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

Wednesday, June 5 – 05:00h-06:30h and Thursday, June 6 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Nagamootoo usurps authority of GNNL Board, reinstates Duncan as GM

Wednesday, June 5 – 05:10h-06:40h and Thursday, June 6 – 05:55h-07:25h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers and lightly cloudy skies will prevail throughout the day, with sunny intervals in the late afternoon. Partly cloudy skies are expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 18:09h reaching a maximum height of 2.61 metres.

Low Tide: 11:40h and 23:54h reaching minimum heights of 0.42 metre and 0.65 metre respectively.

saturday, JUNE 1, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS J

05 12 13

20 26 28

FREE TICKET

24 Bonus Ball

TUESDAY, june 4, 2019

DAILY MILLIONS

02 03 12 18 26 LUCKY 3

8

8

7

9

Afternoon Draw

2

7

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01

03

10

17

PAY DAY

03 04 08 11 15

18 20

21 SUPER PAY DAY

02 06 11 15 21

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

Sherod Duncan

Geeta Chandan-Edmond

Mervyn Williams

ust over two months after he was fired over a series of financial irregularities, embattled General Manager of the Guyana Chronicle, Sherod Duncan has been reinstated – a move which has resulted in the resignation of the Chairman and at least one Director of the Guyana National Newspaper Limited (GNNL).

The decision to have Duncan, an Alliance For Change (AFC) party member, back on the job was taken by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, an AFC executive member.

In a letter dated May 31, 2019, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo “instructed” the Chair of the Guyana National Newspaper Limited, Geeta ChandanEdmond, to rescind the decision taken by the Board two months ago.

Back in April, ChandanEdmond had reportedly broken a deadlock and voted to have Duncan dismissed following recommendations from an audit which found 20 transactions in which he breached several financial regulations.

In a statement at the time, the GNNL Board had disclosed that one Director recommended a one-month suspension and an extension of probation for Duncan while two other Directors recommended an extension in the probation period while three other Directors held the view that Duncan’s services should be terminated with immediate effect for gross misconduct.

It was noted that a vote was then put on the matter and there was a tie which Chandan-Edmond broke.

However, in the correspondence to the GNNL Chair, the Prime Minister, who has responsibility for State media, pointed out that he was informed by Directors that there was, in fact, no vote put to the table.

“What now remains is a glaring question of procedural irregularity in arriving at the decision to terminate Mr Duncan. It should be clear that asking members of the Board their views on a situation does not amount to a vote,” Nagamootoo stated.

Calling the decision to fire Duncan “arbitrary, ca-

pricious, unlawful and in excess of the jurisdiction of the Board,” the Prime Minister further stated in the missive that the Chair sought to mislead his office into thinking that the Board made the decision.

“It is clear that you deliberately sought to terminate Mr Duncan without following prescribed procedures and further, misleading this Office. In this premises, I cannot rely on your advice that the termination of the service of Mr Duncan accords with due process and procedural fairness, and instruct that that decision be rescinded.”

Guyana Times understands that the management and staff of the Guyana Chronicle were informed of this decision by acting General Manager Donna Todd on Tuesday in an emergency meeting.

The staff had previously indicated to management that they do not want to have Duncan return at the State’s newspaper after seeing reports that he had challenged his termination in court.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s decision was not welcomed by certain Board members, who felt that it was an attack on their integrity as professionals. In fact, this newspaper has learnt that Chandan-Edmond has submitted her resignation along with Director Mervyn

J

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Williams.

This publication was further told that Directors Hilbert Foster and Aaron Fraser have also indicated their intention to follow suit and resign in light of this decision by the Prime Minister. turn to page 9

4

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, JUNE 5, 2019

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

Green businesses

T

he local Private Sector and the Government of Guyana must redouble their efforts to ensure that no stone is left unturned in transforming Guyana into a modern and resilient “green economy” that caters to the socioeconomic needs of its citizenry in an environmentally sustainable manner.

This is critical, because Guyana has unparalleled opportunities for green business development, and immense potential to be a green business leader, not follower. It is therefore imperative for the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to be active partners in the effort to realise the immense potential of green business opportunities.

This must be done against the backdrop of Guyana’s historic offer of the Iwokrama Rainforest to the Commonwealth as a laboratory for sustainable forest management, and its crafting and implementing of one of the developing world’s first Low Carbon Development Strategies. These are, no doubt, examples of how it has led the way already in the area of green policy creation, environmental sustainability, and the fight against climate change.

Also, the move with the Kingdom of Norway, which saw the setting up of the world’s second largest international partnership on climate change and sustainable forests’ management, and, more recently, Government’s commitment to a green development path through the Green State Development Strategy are other examples of how Guyana has made a reputation for itself across the world as a green leader.

There is still further potential to be grasped from these initiatives – for business, for Government, and for communities across Guyana.

It is no secret, too, that in the manufacturing sector, energy efficiency measures and behavioural change were leading to reduced energy costs in other parts of the world, and many local businesses were moving towards hybrid systems utilising solar technology. And while the Private Sector could – and should – make progress on its own initiative, its ability to deliver sustainable development outcomes could be elevated through the right kind of enabling environment and, crucially, through public-private partnerships.

Additionally, at the policy level, to this day, the GuyanaNorway partnership is a model for forest countries across the world, because of its central themes -- protecting forests; earning revenue; using revenue to diversify and green the economy; building resilience to climate change – which were radical back then, but are now the goals that are recognised by others.

There is a commitment by Government to power our economy through renewable energy, and several initiatives are being pursued. The LCDS, featuring the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project and the GSDS, opens the door to other options in the future. There is broad consensus on the key economic green sectors, and much work has been done on environmental management systems and conservation of biodiversity. Put together, this is a platform for ambition, not incremental change.

Many of our country’s most exciting economic development sectors were outlined originally in the National Development Strategy, and subsequently in the National Competitiveness Strategy.

The LCDS drew on the National Competitiveness Strategy to set out several low-carbon growth areas, one of them being business process outsourcing. Through a combination of policy and public-private partnerships, we have seen tremendous growth in the business process outsourcing sector, with international operators investing and creating thousands of jobs.

It is possible for key sectors that we recognise today as green growth sectors to be transformed in a relatively short period of time if the enabling environment is in place to encourage investment.

Recall, too, that the Government has expressed its intention to continue this theme of developing green economic sectors, and to support initiatives in this regard.

All Guyanese should be proud of what we have achieved over many years, but the Private Sector and Government’s challenge in the months ahead is to ask, ‘What do we need to do to further support greening of businesses and achieving this ambition?’

Guyana needs to work towards building public-private partnerships for green projects, and while Government has already initiated several incentive measures to encourage investments in green technologies, consideration should be given to expanding incentives and to considering performance benefits as a means of encouraging businesses.

We should work together to push for an internationally recognisable Guyana Brand to act as a Green Label for Guyanese products, which takes on board all our efforts; for example on EITI, EU-FLEGT, having one of the lowest deforestation rates in the world, commitment to renewable energy, etc. Costa Rica and other countries have made progress with this, but it must be argued that Guyana has the potential for a world-leading brand.

There is still need for the country to commence a genuine and well-thought-out National Programme for the Greening of Businesses, which can result in the type of outcomes that we seek.

Police Commissioner Leslie James and a team of senior officers toured Stabroek Market after which they met with Chief Constable Andrew Foo at Eve Leary to discuss planned strategies to address the situation in and around the Stabroek Market area.

The nightmare of growing up in Venezuela

By Juan Carlos Gabaldón

I

still remember when I turned six. It was 1999 and when I came back from school, I found a cake waiting for me. There was what, at that time, looked like a huge box, gift wrapped, in the middle of our living room next to the TV: a brand new Nintendo 64, with a copy of the recently released Super Smash Bros. One of the happiest days in my life, and that’s just one of the many happy memories I keep from my childhood, in a country that most Venezuelan kids can only dream about today. Hugo Chávez had been president for little more than four months, there were no power outages, middle-class families like mine could afford video-game consoles without it meaning an economic catastrophe, and a kid’s biggest worry was homework, rather than hunger.

Growing up in Venezuela today is entirely different.

Candies and other treats, which I could easily buy in my school cafeteria, are now unaffordable for most families. Going to the movies and getting some popcorn and two cups of coke will cost you about 60,000 bolivars, 1.5 times the monthly minimum wage today. Similarly, a McDonald’s Happy Meal is now almost half the monthly minimum wage, its classic toys replaced by thin colouring books or cardboard figures.

Actually, toys in general, have almost disappeared. The few stores that remain open have only a few Chinese imitations of brands like Lego or Mattel,

(Photo: The New York Times retrieved)

which are still unaffordable for most Venezuelans.

Even families that somehow keep some purchasing power see their children rarely leaving home, other than for school, since they have turned into easy targets for kidnappers.

Things like playing soccer in the streets, walking in the park, or even taking the bus are high-risk activities because of widespread regular crime. Last week, I met a 12-year-old girl who was forced to stop her flamenco lessons, because her parents had run out of gas and couldn’t drive her anymore.

But these “frivolities” aren’t the only things that have disappeared from Venezuelans’ childhood. Things that most Venezuelans took for granted growing up, such as three daily meals or quality education, are now out of reach for increasingly larger numbers of children across the country.

Something as simple as a family dinner is a privilege in a country where up to 840,000 children have lost a parent due to emigration. I see them every day in my practice as a rural doctor, left behind with their grandparents, all of them depending on the lit-

tle money their parents send them.

Even staying healthy is now a huge challenge for most Venezuelan children. Malnourished kids are more common all over the country and controlled infectious diseases have re-emerged. With irregular access to vaccines (which sometimes spoil after hours-long blackouts), many families are forced to travel all the way to Colombia just to vaccinate their children. Those who can afford it, often buy them in dollars in the private health sector. Scabies and cavities are common among children, since their families can’t afford to buy toothpaste and other basic hygiene items. Some are forced to spend several days without showering, since access to running water is also extremely irregular.

In fact, Venezuela is now (objectively) one of the worst places in the world to grow up. According to a report released last year by NGO Save the Children, the country ranked 129th out of 175 in the index of dangers for childhood, below places like Nigeria, Haiti or Iraq, and the worstranked South American country, as well as the one

with the sharpest deterioration compared to 2017 in the region. The index measures several indicators, including child mortality rate, malnourishment, access to education, teenage pregnancy and child homicide rate. Just the homicide rate hiked to 26.9 homicides per 100,000 citizens under 19 years old, more than twice the regional average, and almost eight times higher than the world average.

The overall situation may be even worse, since some indicators were calculated with outdated data released by the Maduro Administration. For instance, while Save the Children reports that only 15 per cent of Venezuelan children are not enrolled in school (a number still much higher than the regional average), the most recent data gathered by the ENCOVI project, organised by some of the most important Venezuelan universities, indicates that only half of those children in school actually show up for classes on a regular basis.

Venezuelan kids don’t know what it means to be a child. They have no idea what it’s like to know you’ll get a new toy on your birthday, or to get some cookies and a glass of milk for an afternoon snack, or a burger to celebrate good grades on a Maths test. They don’t know, and they don’t care, because they’re too busy worrying about their parents leaving them behind in a crumbling country, or wondering if they’ll eat the next day. Chavismo, and the crisis it provoked, stole their childhood, and no one will give it back. (Caracas

Chronicles)

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, JUNE 5, 2019

5

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

KN on another smear campaign Clean control Dear Editor, One of the features of our country’s history is the role that the media have played in political developments.

From time of the formation of the PPP, the mainstream media have been extremely hostile to it. During the 1950s and 1960s, the media actively promoted racial divisions in our country. That contributed to the racial clashes of the 1960s, something from which we have not fully recovered.

The Kaieteur News is continuing that despicable role in today’s Guyana. It lacks ethics and objectivity, and just promotes half-

truths and downright lies.

On May 31 last, its lead story accused me of deliberately misleading the nation in relation to the time that the oil find was known, even though I had dealt with this issue over and over in comments that I gave to the press whenever I was asked.

After reading the issue of May 31, 2019, I decided to give a more detailed and factual account of what the situation was in relation to oil at the time of the elections of May 2015. At the same time, I took the opportunity to deal with many of the misrepresentations of the regime and its arm

SARA, all of which found prominence in the Kaieteur News. In my statement, I made it explicit that neither I nor the Government that I led had ever misled the public, as the Kaieteur News had headlined.

At a minimum, I had expected that the Kaieteur News would have published that response, which is in keeping with the principle of ‘the right to reply’. Maybe it was too much to expect.

However, in the June 1st issue of the Kaieteur News, I saw a reply to my statement without the statement being published by the newspaper. This is most unethical; and clearly, the

Kaieteur News seems to be on another smear campaign, in the process distorting the facts and changing the main issue, while denying the right to reply.

Is it any wonder that this paper is the most sued newspaper in Guyana? The controllers seem to have no regard for objectivity, truth and balanced reporting.

I am aware that this paper always has an objective when it goes after persons and institutions. I wonder what it is that this paper is after now.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

Andaiye was one of the few who spoke truth to power Dear Editor, I write to add my personal tribute to Andaiye, whom I was fortunate to know from my teenage years, as she was a friend of my father’s. There were few plain speakers in the Guyana of my youth.

Many were lions in their private circles and mice in the public sphere.

Andaiye was one of the few who spoke truth to power, whatever the circum-

stances, consistently and fearlessly. It was a trait that continued throughout her life.

In her conversations and writing, there was a singular clarity of thought and clarity of expression. This was a feat both of intellect and compassion. She read, she listened, she absorbed and then she formulated an opinion.

What made her almost unique in Guyana was that

her deeds matched her words. She lived her beliefs in a manner that many may aspire to but few achieve.

These qualities combined to give her words unusual weight in our society.

Perhaps rather than seeking to bestow posthumous honours and accolades (for which she had little appetite and for which there was ample time while she lived), we might best hon-

our her memory by striving to adopt a little of her praxis; to empower the weak, to give agency and a livelihood to the poor, to listen carefully to the voices in society that we continually silence and to speak out clearly and firmly against what we perceive to be unjust or ill-conceived.

Yours faithfully, Isabelle de Caires

Is it crime fighting, or a reaction to the SA advisory?

Dear Editor, First, it was the killing of three bandits on the Corentyne, then there was a follow-up with three more killings in Norton Street, Lodge, yet crime continues unabated.

Since last Thursday night’s shooting, there have been several other armed robberies, many of which were conducted in broad daylight, so what have we here in Guyana? The point is we are having a lot of piecemeal, double talking, political posturing, on crime with the real crime situation certainly getting out of control.

So, let us take a candid look at crime in Guyana.

First, it was the Director General, Harmon, speaking for the Government, stating in one voice that Guyana is a beautiful place, one where crime is down and persons should want to visit. Then in the same tone, he confirmed that crime is hurting the economy and foreign investment would shy away from this country.

Then, the Police Commissioner came on board shortly after, stating that crime is down, quoting statistical figures from who knows where to support his argument.

I guess he was referring to the recent killings of criminals by the Force, hailing this as a success. Be that as it may, crime continues to be a bugbear and nothing seems to stop it.

The point I am making here is that the State, speaking through its representatives, the Director General and Commissioner is telling you one thing when the actual reality of the situation is totally different. Crime is a problem, a real big problem and if a comprehensive plan is not put in place things will - as they already have - become really ugly for locals and foreigners alike.

The recent killings and the strident statements by the Government have nothing to do with crime fighting, rather, it is a stop-gap reactionary move by the State as a result of the United States

Advisory on Guyana. This PNC-led coalition is hardpressed to stem the harsh criticism levelled against it by the US Government that they were forced to take those drastic measures, otherwise, it was business as usual where crime is concerned.

I told myself that I would not bring politics into my discussion on crime but the situation warrants me revealing the facts as it presents itself. This Government has to face the fact that they were and still is too cosy with criminals while in opposition as well as in Government, and as such they have only themselves

to blame. One just has to look into the not so distant past and see their political manoeuvres and you would get the picture. This Government appears to only be concerned when the situation becomes sour and dire as the USA Government has indicated.

The Americans have been in and out of Guyana since the oil discovery and the superpower is ensuring that its citizens get the maximum-security doing business here. Hence, they have told the Guyana Government that they are not prepared to accept this armed robbery nonsense as normal behaviour. In this

regard, we are now faced with these brutal put-downs.

But like I said, a piecemeal haphazard approach will get us nowhere, we have to get down to a long term concrete approach on crime to get this scourge under control. That long-term approach has been done in the last Administration and is on some shelf gathering dust. We must take a good look again at our crime plan and work that plan, it is the only way to bring crime down to a minuscule level.

Respectfully submitted, Neil Adams

Dear Editor, As the nation and the region await the CCJ ruling on the NCM, some skilful manipulating seems to be happening behind the scenes to deal with certain parts of the media.

The broadcasting authority pops up at strategic times in media releases to make threatening noises about the section of the media under its control.

From all the media releases, it is easy to think that this Government entity is taking steps to frighten the media into submission and control its coverage. It uses the cover of cleaning up television, radio and cable and is aided by some strong laws amended under this Government.

It claims to hold stakeholder forums to obtain this legitimacy. Who are these stakeholders and are they at liberty to act as fearless media operators? Or

are they Government supporters brought in to make the entity look good? If this body is so concerned about clean media, can it outline the support it is giving to the media under its control, outside of holding closed meetings and making public statements about regulation? How much is being earned by each of the members and consultants who attend these meetings? Is clean the same as transparency?

All this talk about clean is a joke when what is happening elsewhere is considered. The President is still to file returns to the Integrity Commission. Has he offered any reasons for not showing how clean he is? And why is Minister Patterson not coming clean about the airport contract?

Yours sincerely, Rudy Shaw

6

wednesday, JUNE 5, 2019

Page

Foundation

Dealing with bullying

& I hurt my friends’ feelings.

What should I do?

I think I’ve really hurt several people’s feelings.

Yesterday I said something insensitive to Friend A about Friend B and Friend C, and I don’t think any of them will like me now. I feel really guilty.

What should I do please?

– Elizabeth* No one’s perfect. We all mess up now and then and wish we could hit some magical “undo” key. It can help a little bit to remember that most people have been in the situation you’re in.

What makes the difference is what you do next.

Use the power of a sincere apology

Apologies can go a long way toward healing hurt or angry feelings. It takes courage to step up and admit what you did was wrong.

Try saying: “What I said the other day was really insensitive of me. I shouldn’t have said that. It wasn’t fair. I was being judgmental and gossipy – and I don’t feel proud of that.

I just want to say I’m sorry. I messed up.”

The important thing about an apology is sincerity. When we apologise, we need to do so because we feel genuinely sorry about how hurt another person may be. An apology shouldn’t be a way to protect our own image or be liked. If an apology is more about ourselves and how we can benefit, it might not seem true.

Another element of a sin-

What can you do?

cere apology is the intention to change. Let the person know you’re not going to let it happen again. You could tell your friends, “I’m going to be more aware of what I think and say about people in the future. I’ll make an effort to be kinder and more positive about people, and not to talk behind their backs – especially when it’s my friends.”

Apologising in person is best. But if you can’t bring yourself to have a conversation in person, write a note.

Whichever way you decide to communicate, be sure that you’d feel comfortable if anything you say is shared with other friends, too.

Hopefully, your friends can accept your apology. But don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t happen instantly. Some people are quick to forgive. Others may have to think about what you said and need time to get over hurt feelings or anger, or to rebuild trust. Do your best with the part that’s up to you.

The rest is up to them.

Forgive yourself, too

We can learn from mistakes. Focus on mending the situation, not replaying it in your head. Being too self-critical can’t help you. Neither can wishing the situation away, thinking about what you said over and over, or dwelling on what you could have said instead. Move forward. Focus your energies on trying to make things right and working on your good intentions! *Names have been changed to protect privacy. (kidshealth.org)

For younger kids, the best way to solve a bullying problem is to tell a trusted adult.

For teens, though, the tellan-adult approach depends on the bullying situation.

One situation in which it is vital to report bullying is if it threatens to lead to physical danger and harm. Numerous high school students have died when stalking, threats, and attacks went unreported and the silence gave the bully licence to become more and more violent. Sometimes the victim of repeated bullying cannot control the need for revenge and the situation becomes dangerous for everyone.

Adults in positions of authority – parents, teachers, or coaches – often can find ways to resolve dangerous bullying problems without the bully ever learning how they found out about it.

If you’re in a bullying situation that you think may escalate into physical violence, try to avoid being alone (and if you have a friend in this situation, spend as much time together as you can).

Try to remain part of a group by walking home at the same time as other people or by sticking close to friends or classmates during the times that the bullying takes place.

Bullying survival tips

Here are some things you can do to combat psychological and verbal bullying. They’re also good tips to share with a friend as a way to show your support: ***Ignore the bully and walk away***. It’s definitely not a coward’s response – sometimes it can be harder than losing your temper.

Bullies thrive on the reaction they get, and if you walk away or ignore hurtful emails or instant messages, you’re telling the bully that you just don’t care. Sooner or later the bully will probably get bored with trying to bother you.

Walk tall and hold your head high. Using this type of body language sends a message that you’re not vulnerable. ***Hold the anger***.

Who doesn’t want to get really upset with a bully? But that’s exactly the response he or she is trying to get. Bullies want to know they have control over your emotions. If you’re in a situation where you have to deal with a bully and you can’t walk away with poise, use humour – it can throw the bully off guard.

Work out your anger in another way, such as through exercise or writing it down (make sure you tear up any letters or notes you write in anger). ***Don’t get physical.

However you choose to deal with a bully, don’t use physical force (like kicking, hitting, or pushing)***. Not only are you showing your anger, you can never be sure what the bully will do in response. You are more likely to be hurt and get into trouble if you use violence against a bully. You can stand up for yourself in other ways, such as gaining control of the situation by walking away or by being assertive in your actions.

Some adults believe that bullying is part of growing up, that it builds character, and that hitting back is the only way to tackle the problem. But that’s not the case.

Aggressive responses tend to lead to more violence and more bullying for the victims.

Part 2

***Practise confidence***. Practise ways to respond to the bully verbally or through your behaviour.

Practise feeling good about yourself (even if you have to fake it at first). ***Take charge of your life***. You can’t control other people’s actions, but you can stay true to yourself. Think about ways to feel your best – and your strongest. Exercise is one way to feel strong and powerful.

(It’s a great mood lifter, too!)

Learn a martial art or take a class like yoga. Another way to gain confidence is to hone your skills in something like chess, art, music, computers, or writing. Joining a class, club, or gym is a great way to make new friends and feel good about yourself. The confidence you gain will help you ignore the mean kids. ***Talk about it***. It may help to talk to a guidance counsellor, teacher, or friend — anyone who can give you the support you need. Talking can be a good outlet for the fears and frustrations that can build when you’re being bullied. ***Find your (true) friends***. If you’ve been bullied with rumours or gossip, all of these tips (especially ignoring and not reacting) can apply. But take it one step further to help ease feelings of hurt and isolation. Find one or two true friends and confide how the gossip has hurt your feelings. Set the record straight by telling your friends quietly and confidently what’s true and not true about you. Hearing a friend say, “I know the rumour’s not true. I didn’t pay attention to it,” can help you realise that most of the time people see

gossip for what it is — petty, rude, and immature.

What if you’re the bully?

All of us have to deal with a lot of difficult situations and emotions. When some people feel stressed, angry, or frustrated, picking on someone else can be a quick escape – it takes the attention away from them and their problems. Some bullies learn from firsthand experience. Perhaps name-calling, putdowns, or physical force are the norms in their families. Whatever the reason, though, it’s no excuse for being the bully.

If you find it hard to resist the temptation to bully, you might want to talk with someone you look up to. Try to think about how others feel when you tease or hurt them. If you have trouble figuring this out (many people who bully do), you might ask someone else to help you think of the other person’s side.

Bullying behaviour backfires and makes everyone feel miserable — even the bullies.

People might feel intimidated by bullies, but they don’t respect them. If you would rather that people see your strength and character – even look up to you as a leader – find a way to use your power for something positive rather than to put others down.

Do you really want people to think of you as unkind, abusive, and mean? It’s never too late to change, although changing a pattern of bullying might seem difficult at first. Ask an adult you respect for some mentoring or coaching on how you could change.(kidshealth.org)

Steps to stop bullying in schools If the environment at your school supports bullying, working to change it can help. For example, there might be areas where bullies harass people, such as in stairwells or courtyards that are unobserved by staff. Because a lot of bullying takes part in the presence of peers (the bully wants to be recognised and feel powerful, after all), enlisting the help of friends or a group is a good way to change the culture and stand up to bullies.

You can try to talk to the bully. If you don’t feel comfortable in a face-to-face discussion, leave a note in the bully’s locker. Try to point out that his or her behaviour is serious and harmful. This can work well in group situations, such as if you notice that a member of your group has started to pick on or shun another member.

Most people hesitate to speak out because it can be hard. It takes confidence to stand up to a bully – especially if he or she is one of the established group leaders. But chances are that other students witnessing the bullying behaviour feel as uncomfortable as you do – they just don’t speak up. Perhaps they feel that they’re not popular enough to take a stand or worry that they’re vulnerable and the bully will turn on them. Staying quiet (even though they don’t like the bully’s behaviour) is a way to distance themselves from the person who is the target.

When a group of people keeps quiet like this, the bully’s reach is extending beyond just one person. He or she is managing to intimidate lots of people. But when one person speaks out against a bully, the reverse happens. It gives others licence to add their support and take a stand, too.

Another way to combat bullying is to join your school’s anti-violence programme or, if your school doesn’t have one, to start one of your own.

news

7

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Divestment of GuySuCo

Approximately 1000 acres of land sold to CH&PA for development - NICIL …Opposition calls for full disclosure of deals

T

he National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) since it took over the privatisation process for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has sold approximately 1000 acres of land to the housing authorities.

This was revealed by NICIL’s Special Purpose Unit (SPU) Head Colvin HeathLondon, during a press conference. According to HeathLondon, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) received almost 300 acres as recent as a month ago.

“We have given Central Housing and Planning in excess of 500 acres (of land),” Heath-London explained. “Up to recently, a month ago, we gave them close to 300 acres – so in excess of 1000 acres.”

Meanwhile, the People's Progressive Party/Civic has called for full disclosure of the deals with regards to the sales of land.

According to HeathLondon, the Rose Hall Estate (another of the estates being divested) has in excess of 4000 hectares of land. A total of 20,000 hectares of land are to be divested from all the estates.

“GuySuCo, in their recapitalisation plan, had prescribed a certain acreage of non-arable land – land that was not in sugar cane production – to be sold to garner the funding for their recapitalisation. These lands are separate from those lands in production” he noted.

“As you are aware, most of the land on the coast of Guyana once belonged to the Sugar

GuySuCo owned lands around an estate

Corporation and most of those lands were taken for housing projects. So these lands are to be sold and a lot of these lands that Central Housing and Planning has allocated are former GuySuCo lands. So we presently sell these lands to Central Housing, for their projects.”

Heath-London further explained that land around the estates being divested would not be sold to investors but would be leased based on their production needs. At present, a consortium of investors from Guyana, Ghana and India are strong contenders for the Rose Hall estate.

“The agricultural land around the three estates will remain the property of the people of Guyana. And these lands will be leased to the investors to provide for their production needs. The factories and the land surrounding the factories, in most cases 15 to 20 acres, will be sold in some arrangement with these investors to engender some longevity.

“We don’t want to enter into arrangements with investors who will take the assets and then, in a few months or years, shove the assets down.

So we’re looking for investors

in it for the long haul,” he explained.

A few days ago, Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon had revealed that Government planned to set up a committee to oversee the sale of the sugar lands. Harmon had noted that with the valuation completed, the process has started to facilitate the sale of the Sugar Corporation’s lands that are no longer needed by the “new GuySuCo”.

“We’ve had to establish a State’s Land Sales Committee that will ensure there is transparency in the disposal of these assets, because, in our modern history, this will be the largest transfer of assets by the State to the Private Sector,” he revealed.

According to the Government spokesperson, it is important to ensure that all the processes are transparent and open so that no one can question the process and say one buyer benefited more than another.

“So that is being done right and that activity for the sale of lands that are not going to be part of the new GuySuCo will commence very shortly,” Harmon said. turn to page 11

8 News Duo arraigned for biker’s murder WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Murdered, Patrick Fraser

A

duo was jointly arraigned for the murder of Patrick Matthew Fraser, also called “White boy” when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday.

Twenty-two-year-old Kevin Rose known as “Boyo” of Lot 1058 Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara,

and 23-year-old Shamar Moore known as “Frankie” of Lot 108 Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, were not required to plead to the indictment charge which stated that on May 9, 2019, at Norton Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, they murdered Fraser.

Police Prosecutor Shellon Daniels told the court that the prosecution file is incomplete while noting that they are awaiting the post-mortem result, along with the ballistic report.

The court heard that the duo was recently released from prison. Rose served a four-year sentence for a gun-related charge and Moore served a nine-month sentence for breaking and entering.

Both men were released from prison in April 2019.

Patrick Fraser was shot

Grinding…

Murder accused: Kevin Rose

twice in the yard of a burnt house in Bagotstown, EBD, while he was hanging out with friends. It was reported that the young man was shot to his arm and abdomen and was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he succumbed while receiving medical attention.

Based on information re-

Murder accused: Shamar Moore

ceived, the police were able to arrest Rose, who during interrogation, confessed to killing the young man. In fact, he wanted a gun that the now dead biker was carrying.

Further, Moore was later arrested and he too was charged for the heinous crime.

They will make their next court appearance on June 19, 2019.

Shop owner charged for murder

A

46-year-old shop owner appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where he was not required to plead to a murder charge that was recorded against him.

Troy Wharton of Lot 198 Wisrock Housing Scheme, Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), is accused of killing Mark Jacobus on May 31, 2019, at Kuribrong Landing, Region Nine.

The accused was represented by Attorney-at-Law Trenton Lake, who requested the court to provide any evidence in the matter since he was surprised that his client

Accused: Troy Wharton

Dead: Mark Jacobus

was charged for manslaughter instead.

Police Prosecutor Shellon Daniels stated that on the

day in question, at Karibrong Landing, the now dead man was imbibing alcohol at a shop owned by the accused during

which he requested credit but was refused.

At that point, the now dead man reportedly attempted to enter the shop and in retaliating, the owner armed himself with a cutlass and dealt the man several chops about the body. He was rushed to a health centre where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The prosecutor also revealed that the investigator reported that the now dead man was armed with a gun.

However, Wharton was remanded to prison and his next court appearance is slated at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on June 14, 2019.

Porter arraigned for murdering friend over old grievance

A

21-year-old man was on Tuesday remanded to prison by Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus for killing a friend as revenge over an old grievance.

Clayton Allen appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and was not required to plead to the charge which stated that on May 30, 2019, at Kamarang Landing, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), he murdered Godrell Joseph.

Police Prosecutor Shellon

Daniels told the court that on the day in question, the two men were seen consuming alcohol at a bar.

However, after some time, Allen reportedly went outside, waited for Joseph and confronted him about an old grievance. This led to an argument.

The suspect was under the influence when he sought out his revenge.

It was at this time that the accused broke a beer bottle and stabbed the deceased to his neck. The injured Joseph

was rushed to the nearest health centre where he succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention.

It was reported that Joseph had allegedly cut the accused across his face two years ago.

A police report was made and the accused was arrested.

He later confessed to the heinous crime during a police investigation.

The matter was transferred to the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court for June 17, 2019.

Clayton Allen

W

… sugar workers down hen it comes to sugar in Guyana, the calamity never lets up. But what can you expect when the PNC-led Government sugar policies have nothing to do with economic rationality or efficiency and everything to do with political spite and vindictiveness: cut the leg from under the PPP. By whatever means necessary! And what better way to do this than to destroy the entire sugar industry – and with it, the livelihood of 15,000 workers from GuySuCo and another 5000 from private cane farming??

5000 of the former and 2000 of the latter have already been thrown into the streets and from the news oozing out in dribs and drabs, the end is nigh for the remainder.

Imagine the PNC telling us that they couldn’t sustain the “subsidies” to keep GuySuCo going any longer, so the four factories had to be shuttered. But yet they secured $30 billion on the bond market to “diversity” the remaining three estates – after rejecting their CoI’s recommendation to “fix up” the entire entity and put it up for sale.

So here it is, mout’ open and story jump out: $7 billion of the bond money has already been disbursed from the $30 billion – but ABSOLUTELY NOTHING CAN BE SHOWN FOR IT!! And this is on top of the $1.6 billion that’s already paid out in taxes and another $800 million due in November!! What the heck is going on??!! The sad truth is the PNC still can’t even run a cake shop forty years after they completely wrecked our economy and are steadfast in their determination to give it another shot, even though it’s certain we’ll end up in the same pickle again!

After your Eyewitness exposed their game, one of their paid apologists tried to rebut his argument in the Chronic. And imagine at that time your Eyewitness was only highlighting the interest costs on the bond and hadn’t known about the $7 billion thrown into the black hole of ineptitude! C’mon! Can there be any reason than spite to spend more on three estates with nothing to show for it, when all seven estates could’ve been refurbished and on the blocks by now?

Now the moment your Eyewitness made the point that nothing was heard about the bids for the estates – there’s an announcement that a “consortium” of Guyanese, Indian, Ghanaian investors are interested!!

The Govt can’t release the names of the investors or give any info on their experience and financial standing – but they’re INTERESTED!! Now if you believe any of that, your Eyewitness has a bridge to sell to you!!

Even as the Govt spokesperson said it’s “back to the drawing board”!! …the crime data Obviously stung by the wave of indignation over the upsurge in crimes across the country, the Commissioner of Police (CoP) summoned a press conference to announce that the US State Department are a bunch of alarmists – and wailing Jeremiahs at that! Well, he couldn’t come out as bluntly as that, could he? But what else could he mean when the Americans had issued a warning to their visiting citizens to be careful of the said crime wave while in Guyana, and he insisted that crime had actually DECREASED!!

And yes, Dear Reader, he didn’t look like he’s been smoking anything that was left over from the Buju Banton Concert!! What he was doing, of course, was following the cue from his Public Security Minister and the Presidential Spokesperson, who insisted that Guyana was “safe”!!

Having no answer to what they’d promised to “wipe out” while in Opposition, the PNC-led Government has evidently chosen a new course.

If they keep saying that there’s no crime long and often enough, it’ll go away!! …UG Students Meanwhile, the UG soap opera does provide entertainment for a bemused populace. The handappointed rep of the TUC on the UG Council defended himself against charges that he favoured the VC and not the UG Unions, He explained he voted for a new SUV for the VC because the previous one was “depreciated”!!

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

news

9

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

ExxonMobil stages oil spill demonstration exercise on Shell Beach

M

ore than 100 persons recently participated in an oil spill demonstration exercise facilitated

by ExxonMobil Guyana at Waini Point, Shell Beach Protected Area in Region One (Barima-Waini).

These representatives were from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), coastal village councils and other key agencies.

“Because we want to ensure that yours and other communities remain beautiful and untouched,

ExxonMobil Guyana is committed to safe and environmentally responsible operations. This commitment is highlighted in our Corporate Environment Policy; Protect Tomorrow, Today,” Country Manager Rod Henson indicated in his

Nagamootoo usurps...

Guyana Times saw a copy of Chandan-Edmond’s resignation letter, dated June 4, 2019, in which she responded to the Prime Minister’s “insults” to her and the other Directors’ integrity. She sought to remind him that Duncan was accused of financial impropriety and mismanagement, which warranted the involvement of the Auditor General.

Pointing out that Duncan was afforded all tenets of natural justice including a Board hearing during which he was allowed to be accompanied by his lawyer, Chandan-Edmond contended that not only was the process that led to Duncan’s dismissal exceedingly thorough in terms of due process but it came under the express jurisdiction of the Board of Directors.

“When I accepted the position of Chair of the Board of Directors of Guyana National Newspapers Limited, it was with the understanding that my professionalism and integrity would not be unfairly assailed. I find that your letter not only calls into question my professionalism but the professionalism of fellow members of the Board of GNNL. In light of this, I hereby submit my resignation as Chairman of the Board of Directors, with im-

mediate effect, since I believe I cannot continue to act at the level of ethics that you clearly require of the position,” Chandan-Edmond stated in the correspondence.

The April 2, 2019, decision to dismiss Duncan came after a five-hour long meeting at the company’s office where Duncan, in the company Attorney James Bond, was given the opportunity to provide an explanation in response to the findings of the audit report, which was dated March 18, 2019, and answer questions posed by the Directors as to why he should not be disciplined in accordance with the recommendations of the report, which was presented by the Office of the Auditor General.

There are over 20 transactions conducted under Duncan’s watch or by Duncan himself which were in blatant violation of financial regulations. A special audit ordered by the Office of the Auditor General found numerous violations during the short three-month period under Duncan’s stewardship of the company.

The audit – conducted by auditing firm Chateram Ramdihal Chartered Accountants on the State newspaper’s operations from June 1, 2018, to September

FROM PAGE 3

10, 2018 – found that tender rules were violated, services were procured without contracts and approvals were given for payments without the regular procedure of company stamp or signature.

Further, cash advances were given to Duncan to travel overseas but he did not clear the amounts. It was also found that the company’s personnel policy and procedures manual were ignored during the recruitment, termination and dismissal of employees.

Guyana Chronicle has a Management Tender Committee, which approves transactions ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 before payments are made. But during the stipulated time examined, no approval was given for nine such transactions valued at $1.6 million.

Duncan took an overseas trip with the marketing coordinator for the resuscitation of the publication’s New York edition. This trip cost in excess of $736,028, but there was no approval for such an event and to date, no relevant documents were brought forward to support these expenditures, the audit found.

Efforts to contact Duncan for a comment on the issue proved futile.

address to those gathered on the Beach last Friday.

According to him, it is the company’s fundamental goal everywhere it operates to ensure that there are no environmental incidents.

“Not only do we comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, but we seek to go beyond these where practical and apply international standards where laws and regulations do not exist.

Already, we have partnered with key agencies over the years and even here in Region One to ensure that the natural beauty of coastal communities and life beyond the shores remain intact.”

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley has said that the Administration is pleased that coastal communities are now better able to protect themselves from an oil spill, should one occur.

“This exercise while it

may seem very simple, it is very important and significant to the development of this newfound wealth in our country in which, as a people at the local level, [we] will be empowered to know what needs to be done if there should be an oil spill,” he explained.

Similarly, Captain Salim October of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) stated that while existing concerns of citizens cannot be ignored, this is an important part of the country’s overall preparedness to respond to a potential oil spill.

“Engaging in this exer-

cise no doubt is considered proactive and to some extent, it is considered preventative,” he expressed.

The demonstration exercise was done with support from the Civil Defence Commission, the Regional Democratic Council, Protected Areas Commission (PAC), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD).

Friday’s event is one in a series of drills and workshops planned by ExxonMobil Guyana in coastal communities across the country.

10 news

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Teen admits killing overseas-based University Professor in 2016 – trial to commence soon for 4 others

A

fter spending the last three years on remand for the murder of a retired overseas based University Professor, the five teenagers who were indicted for the capital offence in 2016, on Tuesday made their first appearance at the Demerara High Court before Justice Navindra Singh to face the allegations.

The five accused, who are no longer teenagers were all charged jointly for the capital offence of murder when they made their first court appearance in May of 2016 and were remanded to prison.

In court on Tuesday, 18-year-old Naomi Adams called ‘shortee’ appeared separately to face the indictment, as she opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

The charge against her stated that on May 12, 2016 in the county of Demerara she killed Pariedeau Mars also called ‘Perry’, in furtherance of a robbery.

Attorney-at-law Mark Conway represented the accused, while the state’s case was led by Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy, in association with Sarah Martin.

Facts presented by pros-

Guilty of manslaughter: Naomi Adams called “Shortee”

Accused: Timithy Paul Chance

ecutor Hardy stated that on the day in question, the accused who was 15-years-old at the time visited the home of the deceased where she assisted in tying up the now dead man while the others choked him to death. Adams was found with the deceased cellular phone in her possession, and later confessed to the crime.

Due to her plea, Adams is expected to be sentenced on June 24, 2019 as Justice Singh ordered a probation report to be prepared and presented on the abovementioned date given the fact that the convicted teen was a juvenile when she committed the crime.

Other the hand, Nikkisha Dover, Timithy Paul Chance, Orin Mc Crae and Andre Benjamin appeared together to face the indictment, however, as a result of Dover not having legal representation on Tuesday’s court hearing, the charge was not read to them and Justice Singh deferred the commencement of the case to June 17, for report.

Chance is being represented by Attorney Nigel Hughes, while Mc Crae and Benjamin are being represented by Adrian Thompson, as Dover will be represented by a state assigned lawyer.

According to police reports then, 75-year-old

Accused: Andre Benjamin

Accused: Orin Mc Crae

Murdered: Pariedeau also called “Perry”

Mars

Mars, of Bissessar Avenue, Prashad Nagar, Greater Georgetown, was found bound and beaten in his home about 18:30h on the day in question by his wife.

He was subsequently rushed

to a hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Investigations revealed that an accused, who was 17-years-old at the time was known to the now dead man as she would visit his home

from time to time, it was further revealed that the said accused confessed to conspiring with her boyfriend to rob the elderly man as he was home alone on the day of the incident.

Youth gets 8 years for unlawfully killing man – another to stand trial for murder

B

eing just 17-years-old when he was indicted on a murder charge, now 21, Linden Williams on Tuesday appeared at the Demerara High Court with no intention of wasting the court’s time, thus pleading to a lesser count of manslaughter before Justice Navindra Singh.

Williams also called “Serpy”, opted to make a guilty plea to the indictment which stated that on January 1, 2015, he unlawfully killed Sydney Earl Campbell.

The accused was represented by Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd, who in a miti-

Accused: Simeon Pompey

Jailed: Linden Williams

gation plea to the court stated that Williams was a juvenile when he was charged for murder, while further stating that the young man is now a certified welder and a member of the Prisoners’

steel pan band and is recognised as one of the many talented persons who are incarcerated.

A remorseful Williams was given the opportunity to TURN TO PAGE 12

news

11

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Drilling of water well leads to eruption of natural gas at Mabaruma – situation being monitored

The natural gas eruption which occurred at Mabaruma as a resident was drilling a well

T

he National E m e r g e n c y Monitoring System (NEMS) is currently monitoring an eruption of natural gas which occurred in Mabaruma, Barima-

Waini (Region One) Monday afternoon.

Based on information deceived, a businessman was reportedly drilling a well at Kumaka Water Front on his private prop-

erty when he came into contact with suspected natural gas.

This was confirmed

by Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley who told the Guyana Times that several agencies including the Guyana Water Inc (GWI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Hydromet Department have been contacted to conduct an assessment.

It is unclear whether the businessman had relevant permission to drill a well on his property.

However, a resident residing close to where the spill occurred by related that she observed “slush” erupting from the ground.

She said she was not pay heed until she noticed that it started to spread rapidly and continued to “bubble” at a fast rate.

“I know they were drilling for a well in a private capacity. Not for GWI or anything. And I heard a noise and when I came out, I saw the grey-

Approximately 1000 acres...

The sale of these lands is intended to raise money to sustain the downsized sugar industry, which only has three estates operating and is still facing financial troubles.

Previously, GuySuCo had sold a portion of its lands to the CH&PA and according to President David Granger on Friday, he has instructed that the agency purchase more lands to fa-

ish slushy mud bubbling and it started to get bigger and bigger then started spilling up into the air.

I quickly ran inside and lock up my door and left the area because I was afraid and I didn’t know was what,” she said.

Meanwhile, Head of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Kester Craig in a social media post stated that an investigating in currently underway with respect to an eruption of natural gas in Kumaka, BarimaWaini (Region One).

He added that the situation is currently being monitored by the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS).

It was later confirmed

by CDC Senior Response Officer, Salim October that the eruption was as a result of a Brazilian company drilling a water well at the location.

He noted that the EPA is liaising closely with the Regional Environmental Officer as an assessment of the situation is being

from page 7

cilitate Government’s housing drive.

“Some lands will be coming out of sugar… But when those lands become available, I’ve asked Central Housing and Planning Authority [and]

the Minister of Communities (Ronald Bulkan) to put in a bid for lands for low-income settlements,” the Head of State told residents on the East Bank of Demerara during a visit.

conducted.

In June 2018, a similar occurrence at the Diamond New Housing Scheme which plastered several buildings with mud as a resident attempted to drill a well.

The well was being

dug by a resident of one of the affected houses when it exploded and spurted water, mud and methane gas continuously. It was believed that a pocket of methane gas exploded underground as a result of the drilling of the well.

12 News

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Termination letter sent to PSM staff surfaces – refutes MotP’s denial of dismissals

Minister of Public Service Tabitha Sarabo-Halley

H

ours after the Ministry of the Presidency denied that newly appointed Public Service Minister, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley sent the personnel department and the chief accountant packing on Friday last, a document seen by Guyana Times proved otherwise.

A “Determination Contract” letter signed by the Minister in question was addressed to a staff member stating that his services will no longer be required.

“Pursuant to the afore-

said contract of employment, your services are hereby terminated with immediate effect”, the letter stated.

In addition, the letters also include that the recipient of the letter will be given one month’s salary in lieu of notice. The former employee was also asked to return all property belonging to the Government so that the work of the Ministry can continue.

Ironically, the letter also stated, “Please accept greatest gratitude for your invaluable contributions to our nation”.

Guyana Times understands that several staff members received similar letters on Friday last.

This letter came to light on Tuesday after Deputy Director of Press Affairs at the Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP), Ariana Gordon, was quoted as saying “The civil servants in question have not been dismissed. Some allegations have been lev-

The termination letter which of the staff members received on Friday last

Youth gets 8 years for... apologise to the relatives of the deceased man.

As such, Justice Singh noted that he would not be the one to keep a talented youth incarcerated, while advising Williams to prepare for his release back into society, and on this note sentenced the young man to 8 years in prison.

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

Meanwhile, a 12-member jury was also empanelled to hear the murder trial of the said deceased in which Simeon Pompey is the accused.

from PAGE 10

To the charge which read that on January 1, 2015, he murdered Sydney Campbell, Pompey pleaded not guilty.

The accused is being represented by Attorneys Nigel Hughes in association with Ronald Daniels and Ashley Henry while State Prosecutors Teriq Mohammed, Sarah

Martin and Tuanna Hardy presented the State’s case in both of the separate court sessions.

However, Justice Singh deferred the commencement of the trial to June 6, 2019, when the accused is expected to make his next court appearance.

elled against them, and those [allegations] would be the subject of an investigation.” She added that the Government is very respectful to the rights of civil servants.

However, this is not the only instance of such an action by the Government. In 2018, a staff member of the Ministry of the Presidency who had been in the employ of the Government for ten years received a similar letter without any reason or explanation.

That individual was then recommended to another Ministry but was subsequently denied all retroactive pay and increases as a result of her termination.

It was reported that just over three weeks after being appointed Public Service Minister, SaraboHalley sent the entire personnel department and the accountant packing.

According to information received, the Minister claimed that the department is moving in a different direction and that the services of the old staff will no longer be required.

A source related that the Minister does not have the authority to dismiss any staff member.

“As far as I know, a Minister does not have the authority to dismiss any staff… it is [the] duty of the Permanent Secretary to do so. To make matters worse,

she had the police escort them out of the building at Lot 164 Waterloo Street as if they were criminals,” the source recalled.

Some of these staff members, he noted, have been working at the Ministry for the past fifteen years. The source posited that the other staff members, as well as those sent packing, were in tears as they were being escorted out of the building.

“The Minister then sent the driver into the accounts department to collect money and changed the locks at the Department of Public Service and only she has the key to the building and all the offices.”

It was reported that Minister Sarabo-Halley had been requesting the files of all staff members and making judgments based on the information she gathered from the files.

The source added that the Minister seems to be confused about her role as a Minister and in only three weeks, she has taken control and oversight of every aspect of the day-to-day running of the DPS. “The Minister is not supposed to be involved in that,” the source said.

Minister Sarabo-Halley had stated that she did not wish to offer a comment on the matter at the time she was contacted.

news

13

wednesday, JUNE 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Staff vacate decrepit City Hall building ...allowed to run down by M&CC over decades

T

he staff attached to City Hall are expected to be relocated sooner than later due to the dilapidated state of the building located at Regent Street, Georgetown.

This was confirmed by His Worship the Mayor, Ubraj Narine during an interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday where he further stated that the City Treasurer has complained of dust dropping from the ceiling and affecting him and other staff members.

Narine also stated that the Mayor’s Complex was also partially damaged, but persons there will not be relocated. Moreover, he confirmed that the entire building is affected by the leaking roof though efforts are presently being made to have it rehabilitated.

As a consequence, he posited that he is looking at alternative measures to ensure the workers are kept safe and healthy.

“We are looking to relocate them [employees] but I don’t know how soon we would be able to move forward with that,” he said.

The Mayor informed that City Hall understands the importance of the issue but will need the requisite financing before moving the workers.

He explained, “Indeed, the Treasurer’s Department ought to be relocated somewhere but at this point in time we are working on it and we do not know how early we can be able to deal with it because these things would include finance”.

Narine did not state exactly how many workers are

Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine

being affected by the flaws of the building.

Just last week, Guyana Times reported that the rainy season has not only brought flooding to some sections of Georgetown but also a reminder that the City Hall building is currently on its last stride as a recent vis-

it to the building painted a scary picture.

This publication observed that the railings were falling apart, with broken windows and stumbling woodwork that was seemingly attached by a thread.

Speaking with Guyana Times, one of the Councillors, Bishram Kuppen, noted that this severe damage could have been averted if frequent maintenance was carried out.

However, the building has been neglected for decades by past mayors and these small problems were mounted into a significant one which is difficult to remedy.

A study was conducted by the European Union, pegging the rehabilitation works at some $400 million.

For now, the Council is awaiting funds to construct a new building next to the

A section of the deplorable building

existing structure, which will house employees during the rehabilitation period.

Over the years, millions of dollars were injected into the Council for the building’s restoration, including

some $20 million in 2012.

Last year, it was indicated that proceeds from the Council’s City Week activities were to be used to start the restoration project at City Hall.

Black Bush Polder flood: Day 13

Govt continues to neglect residents – as NDIA shifts blame to regional administration

T

oday makes it 13 days since Johanna and Yakusari in Black Bush Polder have been flooded with no assistance from the Government and the NDIA is blaming the Regional Administration.

While residents and farmers continue to battle with the water, disease and loss of crops, Government continues to turn a blind eye to the situation.

On Tuesday, a team from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) visited the sluice at Joppa, Number 43 Village, and the outfall channel to access ongoing works there.

A senior official noted that work is progressing well while adding that the agency has been able to identify the problems which caused flooding in the two polders.

“It is the outfall channel which we are clearing now and we had to wait until the rains started so there would be water in the system to flush it,” the official said.

He added that the situation at the mouth of the sluice and vegetation in the Yakusari canal were the other two factors which caused the flooding.

However, this publication had pointed out those very factors from the first day of the flood.

In fact, the day prior to the two polders being inundated, Guyana Times had pointed out those three factors as they relate to flooding in the Black Bush Polder.

Meanwhile, the NDIA official said the agency is only responsible for the clearing

cleaning,” he told this publication on Tuesday evening.

DeRoop further stated that the NDIA has the responsibility for the 300 feet in front of the sluice door.

“Because this was not cleaned the pump could not work,” DeRoop said.

of the outfall channel.

“The region has the responsibility for the canal, the pump and the canal.”

Regional Vice Chairman Dennis DeRoop put the blame back on the NDIA, claiming that the 150-foot wide canal with floating grass cannot cause flooding.

However, he admitted that the canal had not been cleared for the year.

“The REO (Regional Executive Officer) failed to get a contractor to do the

The pump at Joppa had only worked for five hours and ten minutes in one week because of siltation.

DeRoop said he asked the REO to send an excavator to the residential areas of the affected polders to help to ease the flooding there.

“The REO is sending the machines to other places where there is no emergency. They are playing politics with people’s lives.”

On Tuesday, residents told this publication that no

one from the Government has visited since the flood started.

Balgai Rajkumar of South Yakusari said the flood water was at her door for one week.

She, like many other cash crop farmers, complained of losing all of her crop as a result of the almost two weeks of flooding.

Residents in North

Yakusari reported children falling ill, resulting in them being unable to attend school.

“The nurses from the health centre tell us that they coming Monday and I wait home and nobody come.

I wait home whole day today (Tuesday) and nobody come,” one resident said.

As the Yakusari Primary

School compound remains under water, students reported seeing a snake in the water on Monday.

One teacher said the reptile which was spotted in the water is considered a dangerous snake. Residents said the water had started receding but a downpour on Monday took them back to square one. (Andrew Carmichael)

14 news

wednesday, JUNE 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Linden’s For the Children’s Sake Foundation celebrates 17 years

― awards 64 persons for contributions towards development

Guyana Times Journalist Utamu Belle, who was awarded for her contributions in journalism

I

n observance of its 17th year in existence, Linden NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), For the Children’s Sake Foundation (FTCSF) on Saturday awarded 64 individuals who have played an integral role in assisting in community development through its philosophy of “service above self”.

The organisation, which boasts approximately 55 members including youths, celebrated the milestone with the hosting of a dinner and award ceremony at the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN).

Speaking at the occasion, a member of the organisation, Tishon Fraser, asserted that over the years, FTCSF has developed into “a pillar of hope” for the community and adolescents through its programmes which are organised to promote healthy and positive social lifestyles.

Many underprivileged families and vulnerable children and adolescents also benefit from various community development programmes each year.

“This year we celebrate guided by the philosophy, ‘service above self’. We have stood on the shoulders of giants who have aided us in our mission - the business community, loyal members that remain persistent. And today we celebrate you, the

ones who have worked selflessly, that gave of their most valuable asset – their time for the good of others...”, Fraser noted.

The organisation’s Executive Director, Vernon Todd, in addressing the gathering alluded that it has been engaged in projects not only in Linden but throughout Guyana in collaboration with various agencies such as the Department of Youth. He also pointed to qualities which have kept the organisation on the right path over the years.

“What keeps us together is the love, commitment and the passion that we have to develop young people...”, he explained.

In her remarks, Linden Mayor Waneka Arrindell urged that the FTCSF continue along the path of positivity by spreading positive messages and saving lives.

She noted that the organisation’s literacy programme is one which is going to propel it further. She also encouraged members to continue to stick together and to work towards the development of Linden youths and the community as a whole.

“I want to say congratulations to you on 17 years.

We have seen the change, Linden needs this kind of change...We’ve got to move Linden forward”, she urged.

Former Member of

Some of the invitees at the award ceremony on Saturday evening

Parliament (MP) Vanessa Kissoon also urged members of the organisation to continue along the path of service above self as she encouraged the youths to give back in meaningful ways to their communities. She also challenged them to rise above challenges and to play important roles in society.

Meanwhile, an official, Aubrey Norton, congratulated the members of the organisation and urged its youths to develop a clear sense vision as to where they want to go in life and to be positive role models for the community. He further implored them to develop a clear plan for the future and to cultivate leadership skills such as self-discipline, problem-solving and positive attitude. These, he noted, can be cultivated by developing positive habits such as waking up early and being on time. Norton also urged the youths to focus on inter-generational preparation as well as to pursue educational and business development opportunities. He further challenged them to expand their vision to help others achieve these opportunities and to utilise technological skills as a means of advancement.

The 64 awardees were all awarded trophies for contributions in various categories. Amongst some of the awardees were Mayor Arrindell, Nurse Colwyn Allen, teacher Charlyn Duke, Guyana Times journalist Utamu Belle, member of the organisation Samantha Henry, former Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon, June Julien, businesswoman Lauren Joseph and former MP Vanessa Kissoon. Todd was also awarded by members of the organisation for his contributions over the years.

Some of the programmes executed by the organisation include school health clubs, youth seeking answers, skills training, literacy, back to school and toy drives, monthly satellite tables, peer education, outreaches, youth-friendly and capacity-building at church and youth clubs amongst others.

Its functions are both social and humanitarian, with focus on personal and community development.

Damage to Aishalton main access road being assessed

– Govt promises relief to residents soon

O

ne day after it was reported that the main access road to Aishalton from Lethem, Region Nine, was cut off to residents due to the flash flooding over the weekend, the Public Infrastructure Ministry related that they were working assiduously to assess and evaluate the damage.

As such, the residents of Aishalton were asked to remain patient as regional engineers consult with the Regional Executive Officer (REO) on the way forward.

“The Ministry of Public Infrastructure along with the Ministry of Natural

miles of driving. As a result of this destruction, fuel supply to the communities has decreased, the Toshao said.

The situation is expected to worsen, as June month is the peak of the rainy season, which lasts until August in those areas.

The location began erod-

paying zero interest in conducting long-term repairs to that trail which is the only access to those areas.

Resources understand the importance of this access road to the livelihood of the residents in and around Aishalton and jointly, the Ministries will ensure that the road will become passable in a short while. We deeply regret any inconveniences caused by this unforeseen event,” the statement added.

The main access road connecting two major indigenous communities – Lethem and Aishalton – has been completely cut off as the rainy season has only just begun.

Toshao of Aishalton, Michael Thomas on Monday told Guyana Times that a particular location, some 12 miles from his village, is in a deplorable state and in dire need of emergency repairs.

The damage, he added, has cut off all vehicles travelling from Lethem to Aishalton, as well as seven other surrounding villages.

The alternative route requires an additional 60

ing two years ago due to the rainy season, but this time around, the damage is greater. According to the Toshao, the hole in the road is two metres deep and it has become. Additionally, the culverts have broken in half.

Toshao Thomas explained that in 2017, the village received assistance from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) to fix the road, and last year, help was provided by the Brazilian Army which was in Guyana to drill wells in the Rupununi.

This time around, the Toshao believes assistance from Central Government may be required.

Minibus operators are even complaining of the deplorable state of the LindenLethem road, describing it as a “death trap”.

The bus operators who reached out to Guyana Times on Sunday described the trail as a “death trap” and bashed the Public Infrastructure Ministry for

are done on certain patches and the problem continues to recur.

A route 72 bus driver, Keith Daniels, on Sunday told Guyana Times that he was forced to park his minibus due to the condition of the road since the risk of making a trip is way more than the gains.

“To be honest, since Wednesday I ain’t make a trip. The last trip I make last week I had to come and take my bus to the mechanic and spend a set of money which I didn’t even make. This trail just getting bad to worse.

Destroying people bus.

“The Government need to do better than what they are doing. The small man punishing in this place. You struggling to get load to go up and when you do, you are faced with that trash for a road. We got families to feed and we gotta pay mortgage and even pay for the same bus that destroying in that mud. This could be fair,” he argued.

The trail has been in a deteriorated state for years and worsens during the rainy seasons after which minor substandard repairs

news

15

wednesday, JUNE 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Scandalous – no one knows anything about the $30B loan, SOCU and SARA MIA

A

lmost two years since the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), through the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), took a $30 billion loan, ostensibly for investing into GuySuCo, no one knows what the loan was taken for and what it has been used for so far.

The average Guyanese citizen does not know. Sugar workers do not know. Now we are told that even NICIL itself does not know. Guyanese have been asking for almost two years what happened to the $30 billion, and no one has been able or willing to give an account.

Neither NICIL nor the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) was willing to be accountable, Dr Leslie Ramsammy and their posture was it was nobody’s business.

The Agriculture Minister, in fact, admitted he did not know anything and pronounced rather proudly he did not care and did not want to know. The Finance Minister insisted that the Agriculture Minister was in charge of GuySuCo and, therefore, the loan. The President and the Prime Minister showed no interest.

But two weeks ago, in a rare sharing of information, the Finance Minister indicated that another interest payment, the sum of $132 million, was made, presenting the information as though that was all the interest the Government has paid for the loan so far. Shockingly, two days ago, NICIL stated that, in fact, thus far, almost $800 million has been paid out in interest on the loan.

Adding to the shock, NICIL revealed that over $7 billion of the $30 billion loan has been disbursed by NICIL to GuySuCo, but the Head of NICIL bemoaned the fact that he did not know what GuySuCo has done with the money. Further, the NICIL Head said that the loan was in jeopardy and that Guyana’s creditworthiness was threatened, because GuySuCo has failed to indicate what it has done with the money.

The possibility now exists that the lenders – the bondholders, including GBTI and NIS, might recall the loan. NICIL, it turns out, disbursed more than $7 billion on “good faith”, like playing a game while burdening the Guyanese people.

In all of this, Minister Holder has shown absolutely no interest in the $30 billion loan and no curiosity in how it was being used. As Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, he has a legal responsibility and a political duty to demand accountability. He has never done so. He has abdicated his political duty, and is guilty of political malfeasance.

More seriously, there are questions surrounding his legal responsibility of accounting for $30 billion. How could he not know what happened to $30 billion? How is it that NICIL disbursed more than $7 billion of that $30 billion to GuySuCo and the Minister did not know what it was disbursed for? Did this Minister ever ask for an accounting? If he did ask, were GuySuCo and NICIL guilty of disregarding the Minister’s legal request? What would Cabinet do if GuySuCo and NICIL refused to provide answers to the Minister?

In the meanwhile, GuySuCo continues to flounder. With a low target of just over 100,000 tons for 2019, it is unlikely that GuySuCo will meet its target and, in fact, sugar production for 2019 might well be the lowest for many decades. Little or no investments have been made in improving the factories that still operate. Field operations have suffered because roads and canals have not been adequately maintained, field operations have been negatively impacted, because field equipment have been poorly maintained and are insufficient. Diversification plans have stalled.

Even as operations continue to flounder, workers continue to be demoralised. These workers have not been provided with any wage increases since 2014. There were zero per cent increases in wages for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Some of the sugar workers who lost their jobs are still waiting for their severance payments. The promised investment in other economic ventures to provide jobs for the unemployed sugar workers has not yet materialised. In fact, after spending more than $100 million for rice production at Wales, virtually no paddy was produced and after spending some $50 million on aquaculture, not a single fish has been reared.

While $30 billion is being squandered, while there are scandalous non-transparency and accountability, the closed sugar estates have been scavenged. The promised privatisation has become a well-guarded State secret. No one knows what is happening with the planned privatisation. This past week, the privatisation specialist at the SPU was fired.

There are rumours of secret deals. This past week, one of the rumours that emerged is that a consortium of Indian, Ghanaian and Guyanese investors are about to take over the closed Rose Hall Estate. Clearly, if there is a time for the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) and the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to act, this whole GuySuCo fiasco screams for them to step forward.

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy June 3, 2019

Eid brings positive influences for humanity – PPP

E

id-ul-Fitr marks the end of the Holy month of Ramadan during which Muslims across the globe made tremendous sacrifices for spiritual advancement.

The dedication and selfdiscipline they continue to demonstrate, especially during Ramadan, are exemplary lessons of humility, contentment, restraint and love for mankind.

The Zakat, or charity, associated with Eid-ulFitr is another example of Muslims here in Guyana and across the world contributing to the upliftment of all and for the removal of societal barriers. These selfless acts of giving continue to be vital in strengthening the bonds of brotherhood in a world in which humanity faces many challenges.

On this auspicious

occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) joins with all Guyanese in extending greetings to our brothers and sisters in the Muslim community, both at home and overseas.

All of our religious observances in our country have universal lessons for mankind. As is customary on these occasions, our Party would like to urge that we all reflect on the

pertinent messages this occasion brings and which have positive influences for humanity.

Our Party would also like to take this opportunity to commend all those who made the sacrifice of observing fast during the month of Ramadan and extend best wishes for their success in the future.

Eid Mubarak!

Eid-ul-Fitr should encourage a cohesive nation – President

E

id-ul-Fitr is a joyous occasion for the entire world. It is a sacred observance for individual devotees, for the Islamic community and for the nation.

Eid marks the end of the Holy month of Ramadan during which Muslims strengthen

R

their faith through acts of fasting, prayer and charity and commemorate the glorious revelation of the Quran to the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

Eid’s significance is evident in the attendance of congregations in masjids and jamaats, the assembly of families and

friends to strengthen human ties and to help the poor and needy. Islam, in this way, is an integral and indispensable element of Guyana’s cultural character.

Eid-ul-Fitr should encourage all Guyanese to continue to work to ensure a cohesive and

peaceful society – one characterised by greater compassion towards the poor, understanding and tolerance.

I extend greetings to all Muslims and to every Guyanese on the occasion of the festival of Eid-ulFitr.

CIOG President reflects on Ramadan 2019

espected brothers and sisters, elders, and my nonMuslim friends, As salamu alaikum wa rahamtullahi WaBarakaatuh.

Eid Mubarak Eid Mubarak Eid Mubarak! The blessed month of Ramadan in which the Holy Quran was revealed to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) has ended, and is now followed by a time of celebration, reflection and gratitude.

On this joyous day of Eid al Fitr, I wish, on behalf of the executives and staff of CIOG, to join with you in this spiritual celebration. Ramadan was not just abstention from food and drink.

It was an exercise in patience and discipline, and it was an opportunity to spend our time praying and beseeching Allah (SWT) for His (SWT) forgiveness and mercy.

Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran (2:183): O you who believe! Fasting is ordained for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you may learn self-restraint and God consciousness.

The month of Ramadan provided the opportunity to renew our relationship with the Holy Quran,

and to strengthen our connection with the Lord of the worlds through all the various forms of Ibadaat. The performance of Taraweeh, recitation of the Holy Quran, giving extra charity, extending a lending hand – all of these are considered acts of Ibadaat.

We restrained ourselves physically and mentally, engaged in self-introspection, and subdued our egos in order to get closer to Allah (SWT). Now we celebrate.

In our celebration, let us not forget those among our brothers and sisters for whom Eid day is just another ordinary day.

There are those who open their cupboards on Eid day and find them bare.

There are those in hospitals who will go through a bleak and lonely day with no one visiting them. Friendless, deprived of company, they will have no one to offer solace or comfort. Let us reach out and share, let us see to it that all our brethren welcome the day of Eid with happiness and hope.

Those who believe and do good deeds — the Gracious God will create love in their hearts. (Al Quran 19:96).

Today does not herald

the end of worship or letting go of the concerns of the Akhirah. On the contrary, it heralds a new beginning of heightened Taqwa for the believers who have done so much during Ramadan and are ready to transform their lives as a result. O servants of the most Merciful this is the true cause for joy and celebration today.

The fast of Ramadan reminded us how it feels to be hungry; the Eid al Fitr shows the real meaning of selflessness, goodwill, and community.

As Muslims, we have the moral responsibility to work towards uniting our country by promoting harmony and peace. As Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran (Chapter 41:33): And who is better in speech than the one who calls [his fellow-men] unto Allah, and does what is just and right, and says, “Verily, I am of those who have surrendered themselves to Allah”? I take this opportunity to encourage you to invite our non-Muslim brethren to join in our Eid celebrations.

It is our duty to promote the core Islamic values of co-existence, tolerance, and khidma – to be in the service of others.

Let us decide today, and every day, to nurture harmonious relationships in our families, communities and our nation. As such, we will not only reap material benefits but we will also be grounded by spiritual and ethical values rooted in Islam.

I close with the pillar of reliance of trust in Allah Hasbunnallu Wa Nia’ Mal Wakeel - Allah is enough for us; and how excellent a guardian is He (SWT).

I take this opportunity again to congratulate you for having fulfilled the honourable obligation of fasting in the Holy month of Ramadan. We beseech Allah SWT to accept all our good deeds and forgive all our shortcomings, (Ameen).

Kullu Aam wa Antum Bikhair Eid Mubarak Very best wishes to you – Eid Mubarak WaSalallahu wa salam alaa Nabiyina Muhammad wa Alaa Aali hi wa Sahbihi Ajmaeen And peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and His family and companions.

Shahabudeen Ahmad President Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, JUNE 5, 2019

Regional

US tariffs on Mexican Venezuela’s Govt refuses to renew Canada’s diplomats’ visas – Trudeau goods “likely”

T

wo days after Canada closed its embassy in Venezuela, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the decision was made after the Nicolás Maduro Administration refused to renew the visas of its ambassador and diplomats there.

“We are dismayed by the obligation to close the Canadian Embassy but the Maduro regime is not renewing the visas of the Canadian Ambassador and diplomats there…but we will continue to work with international organisations, with NGOs, with allies to ensure we are fighting for safety and opportunity for the people of Venezuela, particularly women, but we will not get to a good place until Venezuela has transitioned out of this murder-

President Nicolás Maduro

ous, dictatorial regime of Nicolas Maduro,” the Prime Minster told the media on the sidelines of the Women Deliver Conference 2019.

Canada is one of the more than 50 countries who believe Maduro’s re-election last year was fraudulent.

Canadian officials have called for him to step down

so that Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó, who several dozen countries now recognise as Venezuela’s legitimate interim leader, can take over.

On Sunday, Global Affairs confirmed all operations would be suspended effective immediately.

Meanwhile, Canadian

zure approximately one kilogram of cocaine worth J$1.3 million in Olympic Gardens,

Kingston 11 on Saturday, June 1, the Police have reported.

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland has since said that “As Venezuela slides deeper into dictatorship, and as Venezuelans continue to suffer at the hands of the illegitimate Maduro regime, the regime has taken steps to limit the ability of foreign embassies to function in Venezuela.”

Canadians in Venezuela will now have to travel to neighbouring Colombia for consular assistance.

In March, the US withdrew all its diplomatic staff from Venezuela citing the “deteriorating situation” in the Latin American country.

Canada is a key member of the Lima Group, a regional bloc which was set up in 2017 with the aim of finding a solution to the crisis in Venezuela.

U

nited States President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would probably order new tariffs on all Mexican goods imported to the US next week despite a diplomatic push to avoid them.

Last week, Trump threatened to slap five-per cent tariffs on all Mexican goods starting June 10 – and to increase the rate in the coming months to 25 per cent – unless Mexico does more to stem the flow of undocumented migrants trying to reach the US via Mexico.

Mexico is preparing a proposal on immigration to present to US officials at a meeting in Washington today, but Trump said the talks might not be enough.

“We’re going to see if we can do something, but I think it’s more likely that the tariffs go on,” Trump said at a news conference in London. “Mexico

should step up and stop this onslaught, this invasion into our country.”

Trump called on the US Congress to pass immigration laws to address the situation and blamed Democrats for stalling any such effort.

Asked to comment on Trump’s remarks, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told his regular morning news conference that he was optimistic a deal could be reached.

“The most important thing now is to reach an agreement,” Lopez Obrador said, indicating that he would continue to negotiate even if Trump did go ahead with the tariffs.

Before Trump spoke, Lopez Obrador told the twohour news conference he expected Mexico to reach a deal with the US over immigration ahead of the June 10 deadline.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

T&T: 1 dead as vehicle Kingston taxi driver charged for cocaine worth over J$1M bursts into flames

A

taxi operator has been charged in connection with the sei-

Charged is 30-year-old Courtney Baker of Arnett Gardens, Kingston 12.

Reports from the Narcotics Police are that Baker was driving a Toyota Probox motor car in the community about 11:00h when he was signalled to stop. The vehicle was searched and a rectangular parcel containing cocaine was found. The motorcar and the parcel were seized and Baker was taken into custody.

He was charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine and use of conveyance.

Baker is scheduled to appear before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Friday, June 7, 2019.

(Jamaica Observer)

Firefighters on the scene of the incident in which one man died and another critically injured

O

ne man is dead and another one critically injured after a truck contracted with Massy Energies burst into flames in Penal Rock Road, Trinidad.

Phillip Ramlochan of Oropouche died while Drig Paul is being treated at the San Fernando General Hospital after the back of the oil tanker exploded.

The incident occurred around 08:15h at Haggard

Trace, Penal Rock Road.

Police said the men were working near an oil well in an oil and gas mining zone when Ramlochan opened the tanker and it exploded.

Paul was rushed to hospital by an ambulance.

Chairman of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation, Dr Allen Sammy said the disaster management teams were mobilised in case assistance was needed. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Trump Administration bans cruises to Cuba

as hurt US travel companies that had built up business with Cuba during the brief 20142016 detente between the old Cold War foes.

The State Department said the United States would no longer permit visits to Cuba via passenger and recreational vessels, including cruise ships and yachts, as well as private and corporate aircraft.

The country will also Tourists ride inside a vintage car as they pass by the Norwegian Sky no longer allow so-called cruise ship, operated by Norwegian Cruise Lines in Havana, Cuba, May group people-to-people 7, 2019 educational travel, one of the most popular exhe Trump reform and end its support emptions to the overall ban Administration on for Venezuela’s embattled on US tourism to Cuba.

Tuesday imposed President Nicolás Maduro.

Travel experts said some The tightening of the deheavy new restrictions on groups may get around that US travel to Cuba, including cades-old US embargo on by instead using one of the a ban on cruises, in a further the Caribbean’s largest is11 other categories still albid to pressure the island’s land will further wound its lowed.

(Excerpt from Reuters) Communist Government to crippled economy, as well

T

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, JUNE 5, 2019

17

Around the World

Sudan protesters reject military Canada announces CAN$1.4B commitment to women’s health election plan after crackdown

C

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

anada on Tuesday announced an investment of CAN$1.4 billion annually to support women and girls’ health globally, positioning it as a leading donor worldwide on comprehensive sexual and reproductive health rights.

This announcement was made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Women Deliver Conference 2019 being held in Vancouver, Canada.

Trudeau said that globally and even right in Canada there has been a pushback on women’s rights – whether its attacks on women’s fundamental right to choose to violence against indigenous women and girls – and the moment for Canadian leadership is now, while pointing

out that his country is “stepping up”. “…but there is no silver bullet on gender equality… we need to take action on a whole range of issues if we are going to change the status quo,” the Prime Minister said, adding that new steps will be taken on everything from funding for women’s organisations and women’s health to support for entrepreneurs and members of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) communities.

This fundraising initiative will commence in 2023, to support women and girls’ health around the world.

A ten-year commitment, this historic investment will support sexual and reproductive health rights and maternal, newborn, and child health – with $700 million of the annual investment dedicated to sexual and reproductive health rights, as of 2023.

This investment will advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, promote sexual and reproductive health rights, and build on Canada’s leadership on global gender equal-

ity.

The funding will help make sure women and girls around the world have access to the quality health services they need, including safe and legal abortion, and support women’s right to make their own decisions about their bodies. From providing comprehensive sexual education, to supporting maternal and neonatal care, the investment will advance the rights and health of women and girls around the world.

Women Deliver is the world’s largest gathering on the health, rights, and wellbeing of women and girls.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Trudeau honoured the work and leadership of gender equality activists and advocates. He stressed the importance of governments stepping up to support feminist advocates on the frontlines around the world.

Among the world leaders attending the conference are President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, and President of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde.

Shooter kills 4 in Australian city of Darwin

A

gunman killed four people and wounded one in the Australian city of Darwin on Tuesday, authorities said, in one of the country’s most violent attacks in years.

A suspect had been arrested, police said.

“At this stage, we do not believe this is terrorism-related. This is one individual who has acted individually and, unfortunately, taken the action they have,”

Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw told reporters.

Kershaw said a 47-yearold man, who was known to Police, had been taken into custody within an hour of the first shots being reported in the northern city.

The suspect, who had been on parole since January, was believed to have used a shotgun, Kershaw said.

Police had identified five crime scenes, including pubs, a park and a convenience store.

“We are still trying to es-

tablish the intent and motivation behind this,” Kershaw said.

Australia has some of the world’s toughest gun control laws, adopted after its worst mass shooting when a gunman killed 35 people at Port Arthur in the island state of Tasmania.

A murder-suicide last year in Western Australia in which seven members of a family were killed was the country’s worst mass shooting since the Port Arthur incident. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Nipah virus resurfaces in India’s Kerala after killing 17 last year

FILE PHOTO - Doctors and relatives wearing protective gear carry the body of a victim, who lost his battle against the braindamaging Nipah virus, during his funeral at a burial ground in Kozhikode, in the southern Indian state of Kerala, India, May 24, 2018

T

he deadly brain-damaging Nipah virus has resurfaced in the southern Indian state of Kerala a year after it killed 17 people, state officials said on Tuesday.

A 23-year-old student tested positive for the virus, which is transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected bats, pigs or other people.

Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja told report-

ers that four other people had Nipah-like symptoms.

Another 80 people were being monitored, including some who were in close contact with the student.

Shailaja said isolation wards had been set up across the State, where 19 cases were reported last year.

India’s National Health and Wildlife Ministries are working to test and identify bats with the virus, Health

Minister Harsh Vardhan said in New Delhi.

“There is no need for panic,” he told reporters.

There is no vaccine for the virus which can cause encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). It recommends treatment through supportive care.

Nipah is on the WHO’s research and development “priority pathogen” list alongside Ebola, Zika, MERS, Lassa and CrimeanCongo haemorrhagic fever.

The virus was first identified in 1999 during an outbreak of illness affecting pig farmers and others in close contact with pigs in Malaysia and Singapore.

More than 100 people died in that outbreak that year, and about a million pigs were killed to try to halt its spread. (Excerpt from Reuters)

S

udan’s opposition has rejected a plan by the country’s military to hold elections within nine months, a day after more than 35 people were reportedly killed when security forces attacked a protest camp in the capital, Khartoum.

Madani Abbas Madani, a leader of the opposition Freedom and Change alliance, said on Tuesday that an open-ended civil disobedience campaign would continue to try to force the ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) to hand over power to a civilian-led interim Government.

The TMC removed veteran President Omar alBashir in April after months of protests against his authoritarian rule. But the security forces’ bloody dispersal of a weeks-long sitin outside the army headquarters in Khartoum poses a new challenge to Sudan’s protest movement.

The Sudanese

Sudanese protesters demand the military hand over power to civilians in Khartoum [Stringer/Reuters]

Professionals Association (SPA), which spearheaded the protests against alBashir, called for an international committee to investigate the deaths in what it branded a “massacre”.

Security forces in the city centre barred access to the former site of the sit-in outside the military’s headquarters, the scene of Monday’s violence.

Despite the security presence and internet outages, residents of some ar-

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

cities - including Glasgow, Edinburgh and Sheffield to voice their opposition to President Trump’s visit.

Corbyn - who boycotted Monday evening’s State dinner - was joined at the rally by members of other political parties, including the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party.

On Monday, Trump was welcomed by the Queen and had lunch at Buckingham Palace with senior royals.

He also visited Westminster Abbey and had tea at

Clarence House with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Queen said the countries were celebrating an alliance which had ensured the “safety and prosperity of both our peoples for decades”.

The President’s visit coincides with the commemorations for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, which the Queen, Trump and other Heads of State will attend at Portsmouth today. (Excerpt from BBC News)

eas of the capital still came out to mark the Eid al-Fitr festival a day early and to protest.

The military announced the festival would begin today. But the SPA said astronomers at Khartoum University had determined that Tuesday was the first day of the holiday, and urged people to hold Eid prayers to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan to “pray for the martyrs” and then “demonstrate peacefully”.

Trump praises “extraordinary” US-UK alliance on State visit

U

S President Donald Trump has said the US and UK have the “greatest alliance the world has ever known”.

In a news conference with Theresa May, he promised a “phenomenal” trade deal after the UK leaves the European Union, but added that “everything is on the table” - including the NHS. May said the scope of trade talks had to be agreed by both countries.

Protesters gathered in central London and other

Massive crowds at Hong Kong Tiananmen vigil on 30th anniversary

T

ens of thousands joined a sombre candlelight vigil in Hong Kong on Tuesday to mark the 30th anniversary of Chinese troops opening fire on student-led democracy protesters in and around Tiananmen Square, as authorities in Beijing went into lockdown.

Demonstrators gathered in the financial hub’s Victoria Park, holding up candles and placards as others rallied next to a replica of the Goddess of Democracy statue, which was erected in Tiananmen Square during the 1989 demonstrations in Beijing and looked like the US Statue of Liberty.

As tens of thousands thronged Hong Kong for the annual vigil, censors at Chinese internet companies said tools to detect and block content related to the 1989 crackdown had reached unprecedented levels of accuracy.

In the former British colony of Hong Kong, which

An estimated 180,000 attended the vigil to mark the 30th anniversary of the repression of a pro-democracy movement at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square [Tyrone Siu/Reuters]

returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a “one country, two systems formula” that guarantees rights and freedoms not seen on the mainland, organisers said 180,000 joined the peaceful vigil, filling six football fields.

Police authorities put the turnout at 37,000.

In comparison, authorities in mainland China, where the anniversary remains taboo, deployed a se-

curity blanket in and around Tiananmen Square. China has never provided a death toll for the 1989 violence.

Rights groups and witnesses say it could run into the thousands.

The vigil in Hong Kong is the largest on Chinese soil.

Smaller vigils are held in the former Portuguese territory of Macau and the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which China claims as its own. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, June 5, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

SUDOKU

You are best off being an observer, not a participant.

If you get involved in a discussion or someone else’s battle, prepare to suffer an emotional, financial or physical loss.

Speak up and make things happen. An aggressive approach will get the results you want with the least amount of interference. Personal gains and improvements are favored.

You will have plenty of options regarding money, legal and medical matters, but choosing what’s best will require research. Avoid shortcuts, and don’t rely on someone’s say-so.

Let your heart lead the way. If you observe what others do, you will know exactly how to respond.

Partnership issues can be resolved if you discuss your intentions and plans.

Look at every possibility. Don’t feel pressured by others’ actions. Sit tight and watch things unfold. If you are patient, you’ll know what to do when the time is right.

A personal change will help you engage in situations that you may have shied away from in the past. Trust in your ability to get things done, not in what others promise to do.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

An open mind can be an asset, as long as you don’t let someone lead you to believe that you aren’t qualified or good enough to do your own thing.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Take pride in what and who you know. Discussions will help clear up any misconception you may have about someone. Personal relationships will flourish if you express your feelings. Travel is favored.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Rely on what’s tangible, not on what someone is trying to convince you to believe. Partnerships will need to be handled carefully if money is involved.

Moderation is encouraged.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

You have more wiggle room than you think.

Proceed with the changes you want to make, and don’t forget to spend time with a loved one.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Choose your actions and compatriots based on how you feel and what’s best for you. If something doesn’t feel right, take a pass.

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Take any opportunity you get to express your thoughts, feelings and intentions. Build a solid platform for whatever you want to pursue, and make your dreams come true.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED puzzle

wednesday, june 5, 2019

19

NBA FINALS: Thompson T

questionable for Game 3

he “Road Warriors” got the job done in Toronto as they successfully split the first two games with the Raptors at one win apiece.

Tonight, the NBA Finals shift to Oracle Arena, where the Warriors hold a 9-3 NBA Finals record over the previous four years.

With injuries to Klay Thompson (questionable, hamstring) and Kevon Looney (out, costal cartilage fracture) altering their Game 3 rotations, the team will look for an extra shot of energy from their role players and the crowd as they attempt to extend their winning streak on the home hardwood in front of Dub Nation. The game has a scheduled 21:00 hrs start.

mance: 17 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists, two steals, one block.

Draymond Green’s play has been on another level since beginning the Playoffs, and he has not shown any signs of letting his foot off the pedal.

With his 10-point, 10-re-

bound, 10-assist triple-double in Game 1 of the Finals, he became just the third player in NBA history to tally three consecutive triple-doubles in the Playoffs.

If that

tions have gone beyond the court though, as he recently received high praise from Steve Kerr when the Dubs’ head coach said: “He’s been great on and off the floor. I mean, his leadership has been great… You’re seeing the best of Draymond right now.”

Green continues to remain one of the most consistent sources of production for t h e

Last time out

After a slow start by both teams, the Warriors went on a 27-3 run over an 8-minute stretch bridging second and third quarters that would be the ultimate difference in their 109-104 Game 2 win. Klay Thompson led the team with 25 points before leaving the game with a tight hamstring, and Draymond Green nearly had a triple-double in an allaround strong perfor-

w a s n o t enough, Green had himself a near-repeat performance in Game 2 when he posted a stat-sheetfilling line of 17 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists to go along with a block and two steals.

His contribu-

Warriors over the last five seasons with averages of 12.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.1 steals in his career in the NBA Finals.

Raptors scouting report

Two of the Raptors’ stars of the NBA Playoffs continued to shine through Game 2 of the Finals as Kawhi Leonard and Fred VanVleet led their team in scoring with 34 and 17 points, respectively.

Leonard’s line included a perfect night from from the charity stripe, where he went 16-for-16, and added 14 rebounds. Despite the strong showing from these two, the Warriors found ways to limit other Raptors who had a larger impact on Game 1; namely young talent Pascal Siakam and veteran center Marc Gasol.

Siakam was held to 12 points on 5-of-18 shooting, while Gasol chipped-in six points on 2-of7 from the field. Toronto as a whole shot 37.2 percent on field goals for the game, and just 28.9 percent from beyond the arc, including a stretch where they did not make a field goal for six minutes and 43 seconds between the second and third quarters. (NBA)

Federer to face Nadal in French Open semi-finals

R

oger Federer set up a French Open semi-final against defending champion Rafael Nadal by overcoming fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka in four sets.

Shortly before Federer won, Nadal completed a 6-1 6-1 6-3 win over Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals.

But 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer endured an energy-sapping three hours and 17 minutes on Court Suzanne Lenglen to win 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.

“The complete dream would be to win the tournament,” said Federer, 37.

“But I’m very happy, number one, to be back in another semi-final of a Grand Slam. It hasn’t happened in the last year or so. I had some tough losses in fourth rounds or quarters.

“So from that standpoint, I exceeded my expectations here.”

Both quarter-finals were interrupted by a thunderstorm in Paris.

Federer is playing at Roland Garros for the first time in four years, having missed the 2016 event with a back injury and skipped the past two clay-court swings to preserve his body.

He faced the toughest test of his clay comeback so far against Wawrinka, the 2015 champion, who had progressed beyond the

second round of a Grand Slam for the first time since losing in the 2017 French Open final.

Federer, the third seed, dropped his first set of the tournament and only converted two of his 18 break points, although the second of those - in the ninth game of the fourth set - proved decisive.

“Stan has had some tough years with injuries,” added Federer, who is into the l a s t four o f t h e comp e tition for the first time since 2012.

“I had to break his rhythm because he’s so powerful. I took some risks and they came off but I was pretty lucky at the end.”

Konta to face teenager

Johanna Konta’s extraordinary French Open continued as she beat Sloane Stephens to become the first British woman since 1983 to

reach the semi-finals at Roland Garros.

The British number one, seeded 26th, played near-perfect tennis in a 6-1 6-4 win over the American seventh seed.

Konta, 28, broke serve three times and dropped just 13 points on her serve.

She will play unseeded Czech teenager Marketa Vondrousova in the last four on Thursday in Paris.

Konta will be playing in her third Grand Slam semi-final - on a third different surface - after runs to the same stage at the 2016 Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2017.

And she will look to go one better than Jo Durie - the last Briton to reach the women’s semi-finals 36 years ago by reaching Saturday’s final.

“To play on the new Chatrier court against a top player and at the level I did, I’m really proud of myself,” said Konta.

“It’s hard to say if it was one of the best matches of my career, but dealing with conditions out here and against an opponent like Sloane who can run away with it, I was pleased to get her on the back foot and control the points a little bit.”

Rafael Nadal (right) has 11 French Open titles while Roger Federer has one

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesday, june 5, 2019

Golden Jaguars focused on making an impression ahead of Gold Cup debut A

t a joint press conference hosted ahead of their Thursday night international friendly at the Bermuda National Sports Center, the respective Head Coaches of both the host nation Bermuda and visitors Guyana have expressed that the match is about getting it right ahead of their debuts at this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. The two nations have

Johnson and Sam Cox and Bermuda’s Kyle Lightbourne and Dante Leverock with the moderator being Bermuda Football Federation (BFA) Press Officer, Antoine Augustus.

Johnson explained that Guyana would not be leaving its fate up to another country: “We just want to look after business ourselves, we can’t start looking and focusing on other teams and what they do and how they do. We’ve just

Captain Sam Cox speaks while Head Coach Michael Johnson looks on

a lot in common as they continue their walk into history: the first time they have both qualified for the highest possible tournament in the Confederation. Guyana have been drawn in Group D along with the USA, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago while Bermuda is in Group B alongside Haiti, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Sharing the Head Table were respective Head Coaches and Captains, Guyana’s Michael

got to go about our business and make sure we are mentally prepared, physically prepared and when we go out there, to perform at the standards that we know we are capable of doing. If we do that, where that takes us, we are more than happy.”

Johnson, who would be making his debut as a Coach at the CONCACAF Gold Cup having represented Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz as a player in 2010, noted that Guyana

would not be showing much from a strategic standpoint as opposing teams would be on the hunt for information.

“Are we going to go out and show our formation, our personnel and the players that are going to start, absolutely not; we would be wrong to do that knowing that the likelihood is that US, Panama and Trinidad would all be looking at this game,” Johnson said. “What we want to do is make sure we are moving and progressing in the right way, the players are looking as sharp and physically ready within the formation that we are going and play,” he added.

He reminded that it is not about Guyana’s strongest team or starting eleven as of yet as this would come for the opening CONCACAF Gold Cup match: “A lot of it is just individual units, just making sure that things are clicking and all the players are in good nick.”

Lightbourne shared his thoughts on his aims for the Gold Cup: “We’re new to the competition; we’re a nation that’s growing so we are looking for a good performance from our players. If we play to our ability that we know we can play; don’t be afraid of the occasion, enjoy it and maybe put a couple teams on the back foot, that’s what we are looking for at this stage.”

Commenting directly on Thursday’s friendly, Lightbourne noted that they

Bermuda’s Captain Dante Leverock and Head Coach Kyle Lightbourne in the company of Guyana’s Head Coach Michael Johnson and Captain Sam Cox

are expecting to see what they have been working on during training being executed in offence and defence: “All the stuff that we’ve been working on, we hope that we can see come out in this match, that’s the main priority of this match.”

Golden Jaguars’ Captain, Cox said that Guyana are looking forward to the match and are expecting a tough challenge from Bermuda, but suggested that the encounter would be used to build relationships: “...see what we are like in and out of possession and build towards the Gold Cup, but we know it’s going to be a competitive fixture and one that we are

all looking forward to. Players have all got their heads on it, the focus is on the next two to three weeks, but Thursday is going to be a brilliant exercise for both sides for sure.”

Bermuda’s skipper Leverock said there was a good buzz around his team ,sharing that the majority of the players have been training for the past month andputting in the hard work: “It’s just excitement now around the country and for us we want to put on a show, to show that we did not just qualify out of luck or whatever.

It’s a big opportunity for us, even the professional players, some of the local players, some of the guys who are trying to get into professional teams,

it’s a big shop window for us.”

Leverock, who plays in Ireland with Sligo Rovers FC, posited that they do believe that they can beat anyone on the day, “we excited and we are ready to go now.”

Both Coaches agreed that the main business starts on June 16 in the case of Bermuda and June 18 for Guyana.

The last time the two nations met, the match ended in a 1-1 draw and while a win would be accepted, the leading tacticians on both teams also agreed that that would not be the primary focus of the match.

Kick off time is 20:00h in Bermuda and 21:00h in Guyana.

Pradeep career-best saves Sri Lanka’s blushes

Lasith Malinga is mobbed by teammates after his sublime yorker sealed victory for Sri Lanka

L

asith Malinga walked off a relieved man. These are, after all, not the best of days for his side. Having made his disappointment pretty clear, in a press conference, and on the field, he saw Sri Lanka bounce back to secure a 34-run win by DLS method over Afghanistan in Cardiff on Tuesday (June 4). Sri Lanka’s bowlers saved the batsmen major blushes after they posted just 201. Rain intervened and reduced the clash to 41-oversper-side, giving Afghanistan a revised target of 187 out of which they could only manage 152.

Sri Lanka, at one stage, lost 4 for 6 as Kusal Perera, the highest scorer in the game, saw the middle-order get wiped

out by Mohammad Nabi. It all started with the tentativeness of Lahiru Thirimanne as Sri Lanka, horribly short on confidence, found a way to shoot themselves in the foot after putting it on Afghanistan’s throat. Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews were both caught at first slip as Nabi’s 22nd over read - dot, Wicket, 2, Wicket, dot, Wicket.

Sri Lanka had raced off the blocks after being asked to bat, managing 52 for no loss after five overs and then 79 after the powerplay with the openers going strong. Although Dimuth Karunaratne fell with the score on 92 in 13.1 overs, Perera continued with his assault to help Sri Lanka make steady progress and put Afghanistan

under pressure. While the opening pacers were poor, Rashid Khan too found it hard to make an impact with no pressure on the batsmen.

But the fortunes turned quickly in favour of Afghanistan thanks to Nabi’s inspired spell while more recklessness followed for Sri Lanka as Dhananjaya de Silva bagged a duck, Thisara Perera fell after scoring two while Isuru Udana also gifted his wicket away. Meanwhile, Afghanistan bowlers were inconsistent with their lines as well, conceding 35 extras - which included 22 wides and three no-balls - as Sri Lanka huffed and puffed their way past 200.

During the chase, Sri Lanka’s bowlers found swing early

on but weren’t able to make optimum use of it. Hazratullah Zazai consistently plonked his right foot out of the way and swung across the line to give the team a fast start. But Mohammad Shahzad made a timid start and fell to Malinga after a 34-run opening stand.

And that’s when Karunaratne’s side made an exceptional comeback as Afghanistan lost their top five with just 57 on the board.

While Malinga started the slide, Pradeep and Thisara dealt the knockout blows.

Pradeep dismissed Zazai and then nipped out Hashmatullah Shahidi. Zazai’s wicket was also a moment of redemption for Thisara at a venue where his mistake cost his side a place in the 2017 Champions Trophy semifinal. This time though he plucked a tough chance at deep fine-leg to give his side the much-needed boost. Nabi chopped one back off Thisara as Afghanistan nosedived further.

If Sri Lanka lost their wickets to recklessness, Afghanistan’s inability to bat on testing tracks was pretty apparent.

Gulbadin Naib and Najibullah Zadran scored 64 for the sixth wicket to revive the hopes but Pradeep struck again to produce his career-best. In consecutive overs he dismissed Naib and Rashid to put Sri Lanka back on top. Dawlat Zadran batted valiantly with a hamstring issue but Malinga

too produced some magic, producing the perfect yorker to get rid of Dawlat. Najibullah tried to keep the team in the

hunt with some big hits but an ill-timed mistake sealed Afghanistan’s fate.

3

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka Innings (41 overs maximum) FDM Karunaratne (c) c Zadran b Nabi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 MDKJ Perera † c † Shahzad b Khan . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 HDRL Thirimanne b Nabi . . 25 BKG Mendis c Shah b Nabi .

2 AD Mathews c Shah b Nabi . 0 DM de Silva c † Shahzad b Hassan 0 NLTC Perera run out (Shahidi/†Shahzad) . . . . . 2 I Udana b Zadran . . . . . . . 10 RAS Lakmal not out . . . . . 15 SL Malinga b Zadran . . . . . 4 N Pradeep b Khan . . . . . .

0 Extras (lb 10, nb 3, w 22) . . 35 TOTAL (36.5 Overs, RR: 5.45) 201 all out Fall of wickets: 1-92 (FDM Karunaratne, 13.1 ov), 2-144 (HDRL Thirimanne, 21.2 ov), 3-146 (BKG Mendis, 21.4 ov), 4-146 (AD Mathews, 21.6 ov), 5-149 (DM de Silva, 22.6 ov), 6-159 (NLTC Perera, 25.4 ov), 7-178 (I Udana, 31.3 ov), 8-180 (MDKJ Perera, 32.2 ov), 9-199 (SL Malinga, 35.6 ov), 10-201 (N Pradeep, 36.5 ov) BOWLING : D Zadran (6-0-34-2), H Hassan (7-0-53-1), Rahman (3-0-19-0), M Nabi (9-0-304), G Naib (4-0-38-0), R Khan (7.5-1-17-2)

Afghanistan Innings (target: 187 runs from 41 overs) M Shahzad † c Karunaratne b Malinga . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 H Zazai c NLTC Perera b Pradeep . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 R Shah c Mathews b Udana . 2 H Shahidi c †MDKJ Perera b Pradeep . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 M Nabi b NLTC Perera . . . . 11 G Naib (c) lbw b Pradeep . . 23 N Zadran run out (Karunaratne) . . . . . . . . . 43 R Khan b Pradeep . . . . . . 2 D Zadran b Malinga . . . . . 6 H Hassan b Malinga . . . . . 6 M Rahman not out . . . . . . 1 Extras (b 1, nb 1, w 15) . . . 17 TOTAL 152 all out (32.4 Overs, RR: 4.65) Fall of wickets: 1-34 (Mohammad Shahzad, 4.4 ov), 2-42 (Rahmat Shah, 7.5 ov), 3-44 (Hazratullah Zazai, 8.4 ov), 4-57 (Hashmatullah Shahidi, 12.5 ov), 5-57 (Mohammad Nabi, 13.4 ov), 6-121 (Gulbadin Naib, 24.5 ov), 7-123 (Rashid Khan, 26.1 ov), 8-136 (Dawlat Zadran, 30.4 ov), 9-145 (Najibullah Zadran, 31.6 ov), 10152 (Hamid Hassan, 32.4 ov) BOWLING: SL Malinga (6.4-039-3), RAS Lakmal (6-0-27-0), I Udana (6-0-28-1), N Pradeep (91-31-4), NLTC Perera (4-0-19-1), DM de Silva (1-0-7-0)

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, june 5, 2019

CLASSIFIED ADS ARACARI ARACARI HOTEL, WBD (NEAR HARBOUR BRIDGE) ALL MODERN AMENITIES- RATES FROM US$25.

TEL #264-2946-8 CONFERENCE & RETREATS- FULL SERVICE: HOTEL, CATERING & FACILITES. ARACARI RESORT, WBD. ALEX WAYNE: 264-2946.

WEDDINGS & ANNIVERSARIES. RENTAL OR FULL SERVICE: BANQUET HALL & CATERING, ARACARI RESORT. ALEX WAYNE: 264-2946.

SALON: COSMETOLOGY-FULL COURSE $100,000. TECHNICIAN $40,000. ARACARI SALON & SPA, WBD 264-3312, 600-3927.

LAND for sale TRANSPORTED LAND 11.6 ACRES. LOT 15 PUBLIC ROAD, No2 VILLAGE, WCB/CE. PRICE $18M. CONTACT # 686-4818, 648-7109

ROOMS AND SHOPPING ROOMS AND SHOPPING IN CENTRAL GEORGETOWN FOR MORE INFORMATION: EMAIL: caribamercare@gmail.com TELEPHONES #: 2262409/223-4159/644-2388/687-5448

spirituality & ASTROLOGY OM SHAKTI ASTROLOGY. MEET PANDIT ONCE AND GET PERMANENT SOLUTIONS FOR ALL YOUR PROBLEMS, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. JOB, LOVE, HEALTH AND DOMESTIC PROBLEMS 100%. CALL OR WHATSAPP 692-9449. LOCATED – ECCLES EAST BANK DEMERARA.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

Mohamed’s Enterprise committed to developing motorsport locally

W

ith the second installment of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) drag racing championship billed for later this month, Mohamed’s Enterprise has expressed its commitment to the sport.

The company, which also owns and operates the Team Mohamed’s Enterprise racing camp, has been a platinum sponsor of motorsport here.

Team owner Azruddin Mohamed, in an invited comment, said, “We are committed to seeing motorsport grown in Guyana. I personally have a love for the sport here.”

The team, which is home to the local quarter-mile record holder, the Nissan GTR nicknamed Goliath, has made major contributions to the sport locally.

Before round one earlier this year, the team had extended the drag strip from

Team Mohamed’s reigned supreme at the first drag race championships of 2019

1000ft to 1320ft, an unheard-of feat prior to its announcement.

“Yes, we have made several contributions, but it’s in the interest of developing motorsport here. I hope that other entities, private persons and even companies can follow suit in this regard.”

“Because our team alone cannot develop the sport to where it needs to be. I think it’s no secret that drag racing here is growing,” he added.

Apart from the extension of the strip, the team has seen to the refurbishment of the entire strip fencing, to ensure

Caribbean RADO P gets new Chairman

New Caribbean RADO Chairman Patrick Werleman (left) with outgoing Chairman Dr Adrian Lorde (right), who was elected as the Vice Chairman and others

spectator safety and crowd control.

Add in its unwavering support to the actual logistics of the event and its input in the newly-constructed Launchpad and other accessories that come with it, and the company’s commitment is no secret.

atrick Werleman is the new Chairman of the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO).

Werleman, the Board Member representative for Aruba, has been elected to serve for the next term following the 14th Annual Board Meeting in Tortola, British Virgin Islands on Sunday, June 2 2019.

Werleman ,who is also Director of Sports Development of the Aruban Olympic Committee and President of the Aruba Anti-Doping Commission, says compliance with World Anti-Doping Code will be one of his major priorities for Caribbean RADO member countries.

“Even though there is a new chair and there are new Directors, the organisation will continue to move forward and we need everybody to be on board. We need to communicate better, giving more physical and technical support to Board Members. A lot of members are still not compliant, so we really need to work towards addressing that. We need to press a little harder to have everyone compliant with the Code. I think that is the most important priority we have now right.”

Apart from Goliath, the team has acquired the former world record holding Ekanoo racing/Mangus GTR, which had mechanical issues at round one.

The team is working to have it ready for round two.

Meanwhile, GMR&SC President Rameez Mohamed said, “We are really blessed to have guys like the Team Mohamed’s guys onboard with us.”

“Words cannot explain how fantastic these guys have been for motorsport locally. What they have done would have taken us a while to do.”

But it is now for others to take note. Companies, sponsors and others need to stand up.

What Team Mohamed’s has done is set the ball rolling and we need to keep it.”

The second round of the GMR&SC Drag Racing championship is set for June 23rd.

Outgoing Chairman Dr Adrian Lorde, who did not seek re-election, thanked the body for the confidence placed in him since he took up the helm in 2005.

Dr Lorde, who is the Board representative for member country Barbados, will still serve on the Executive Committee, having been elected as its new Vice President – a role in which he is pleased to contribute.

“As the World Conference is coming up in November in Poland with a new Code coming into being in 2021, there will be a need for expert leadership in the region to guide our countries further forward and to keep them compliant.

The new Chair Patrick Werleman has made tremendous strides in the time he has been involved, and I think the Caribbean RADO is in very good hands.”

Werleman and Lorde will be joined by directors Dr Karen Pilgrim (Guyana) who previously served in this role, along with newcomers Joel Johnson (Grenada) and Ephraim Penn (British Virgin Islands).

Meanwhile, Curacao was also chosen as the host of the 2020 Caribbean RADO, where the organisation will celebrate its 15th anniversary.

Windies Women to clash with England Women on Thursday

T

NOT

RECEIVING YOUR

DAILY & SUNDAY COPIES OF THE

GUYANA TIMES

in your area?

Contact our

Circulation Department on Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 55

21

Shemaine Campbelle looked solid during her warm-up against England

he Stafanie Taylor-led West Indies Women’s team will meet England in the first of three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) from Thursday June 6, 2019 at Leicester, England from 9:00h local time. This ODI series is the ICC Championship matches for the preparation of the Women’s 50-over World Cup in 2021 in New Zealand.

Eight nations will participate in the global event and thus far, host nation New Zealand and Australia have qualified while the other six teams will play a series of ICC Championship matches to attain qualification.

After a complete 3-0 performance by the West Indies Women in the T20 International series against Ireland, they will now aim to continue in similar vein when they opened their much more competitive series against the defending 50-over World Cup champions, England.

West Indies Women have been involved in two warm-up matches with the England Academy where they have earned solid preparations for Thursday’s clash. The opening warm-up match was gatecrashed by bees while the Caribbean bowlers had a good outing, restricting their opponents to 177 all out in their second match.

Fresh from a maiden T20I century, Barbados Captain and West Indies vice-captain, Hayley

Matthews had expressed her confidence in the team of performing well in England. The 14-member Windies Women squad that toured Ireland is the same squad in England that include only one Guyanese in Shemaine Campbelle. The explosive Deandra Dottin will continue to miss out due to her injury.

Meanwhile England have welcomed back trio Sarah Taylor, Sophie Ecclestine and Jenny Gunn in their ODI squad for the first two ODIs. The English squad looks formidable and will be led by Heather Knight and include world-class players in Tammy Beaumont and Danni Wyatt.

West Indies squad: Stafanie Taylor (capt), Shemaine Campbelle, Britney Cooper, Afy Fletcher, Chinelle Henry, Stacy-Ann King, Kycia Knight (wk), Kyshona Knight, Natasha McLean, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman.

England squad for first two West Indies ODIs: Heather Knight (Berkshire, capt), Tammy Beaumont (Kent), Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire), Kate Cross (Lancashire), Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire), Alex Hartley (Lancashire), Jenny Gunn (Nottinghamshire), Amy Jones (Warwickshire, wk), Laura Marsh (Kent), Nat Sciver (Surrey), Anya Shrubsole (Berkshire), Sarah Taylor (Sussex, wk), Fran Wilson (Kent), Lauren Winfield (Yorkshire), Danni Wyatt (Sussex).

22

wednesday, june 5, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

ExxonMobil U-14 kick-off pushed back to June 15

Petra’s Mark Alleyne

O

wing to the inclement weather experienced over the past few weeks, the kick-off of the ExxonMobil Boys and Girls Under-14 tournament will be pushed back by one week.

In spite of this, the second year of the competition is expected to be bigger and better.

With the initial kick-off date being June 8, the start

of the tournament had to be pushed back as ground work is still ongoing after weeks of heavy rains. However, when the action does begin on June 15, 24 boys’ teams and 12 girls’ teams will compete for top honours.

Speaking on giving schools equal opportunity to be part of such activities, Petra’s Mark Alleyne shared that the boundaries of the tournament have been expanded.

“Well, one thing that we would have decided to do was include teams from other parts of the country. So, we’re not restricted to just the usual teams; we would have included teams from other districts and other parts of the country,” he disclosed.

This is the second year that the ExxonMobil Under-14 tournament will be hosted and it promises heightened action and skills from the youth players.

Highlighting the fact that the tournament bridges a gap between the Under-11

Macorp’s exciting annual Golf Extravaganza on June 8 S aturday, June 8, 2019 will be a historic day in the calendar of Macorp – the Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited – as it sponsors an annual Golf Extravaganza, this time with the unique feature of inviting its customers also to come out to participate in a meet-andgreet experience in the ambience of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC).

The very experienced and brilliant Head of Macorp, Guillermo Escarraga has continued the legacy of Macorp of being fantastic support to the development of the Golf Club and, in fact, has initiated a complete driving range with lighting facilities to facilitate driving practice even after-hours, which is soon to be opened to golfers. Escarraga contends that Club President Aleem Hussain’s vision is in sync with Macorp’s vision of making the LGC the undisputed solution for great golfing in the Caribbean.

Saturday’s tournament tees off at 12:30h, and keen competition is expected, especially since the Macorp tournament is one of the largest tournaments on the LGC calendar of tournaments.

Up for grabs are prizes for the 1st and 2nd best net scores in each of four flights, handicaps 0 to 9, 10 to 18 and 19 to 28 for Men, plus a distinct Ladies flight.

In addition, Best Net overall, Best Gross, Longest Drive and Nearest The Pin specialty prizes will be giv-

and Under-18 competitions, Alleyne disclosed that this age group sparked the interest of many.

“Well, schools are excited because as you know, after the Courts tournament there isn’t anything to fill that gap until you get to the Under-18 tournament. So with this one, we would have been getting a whole lot of schools wanting to participate in the tourna-

ment,” he stated.

As expected, the Under-14 category has created a platform for students to showcase their skills, and for scouting.

On this note, Alleyne shared that the organisers were happy that the players have been able to go on to do great things.

“We are happy that we’re seeing from the Pee Wee tournament we would have

had a couple of our youngsters going on to play in the national team. So, we know that at Petra we are helping to push football to where it’s supposed to be,” Alleyne said.

In addition to the team briefing exercise that was conducted, the respective teams were each presented with brand new footballs for the purpose of practising for their upcoming engage-

ments.

In the inaugural tournament in 2018, Chase’s Academy were the male winners while Charlestown Secondary took home the female championship. As the first prize, the winning schools would have the opportunity to choose a school project that they would like to see completed.

CWI emerging player’s camp progressing smoothly

– development, fitness have been main focus

T

he Cricket West Indies (CWI) emerging players have been making great strides at the High Performance Centre at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in their developmental program. Fifteen of the promising players around the Caribbean with the exclusion of any Guyanese, began the program on May 27 that will run until June 13.

Over the past few days, the players have been showing a great deal of progress with High Performance Centre program manager, Graeme West. The main objective of the camp is to focus on the development of the potential International players’ white ball skills in due time. This bunch of players have also enjoyed the luxury of attaining selections for Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchises.

Two of the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) selectees are currently involved in the tournament; Odean Smith and Keagan Simmons. The duo will use this camp that will conclude on June 13, as a yardstick heading into the CPL 2019. Guyana Jaguars franchise player, Ramaal Lewis is also a known member in the 15-member set-up.

Smith, is the lone player with senior representation for West Indies with two T20 Internationals. Most of the players featuring in the 15 have played for West Indies at the U-19 level and are regular First-class faces. This squad will potentially play in the Global T20 League in

One of 15 emerging CWI players, Ramaal Lewis

Canada this July.

Along with Smith, Chemar Holder and Shamar Springer were all members of the 2016 ICC Under-19 World Cup championship win. The promising fastbowling line-up includes Trinidad and Tobago’s Anderson Phillip, Leeward Islands Jermiah Louis, and Barbadian left-arm seamer, Dominic Drakes.

Chemar Holder, Shamar Springer, Keon Harding and Odean Smith completes the furious young fast bowling prospects lists.

The batting group features Amir Jangoo who has been a consistent performer for Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and Combined Campus and Colleges in the Regional circuit.

Keacy Carty another fine batting prospect from Leeward Islands, the Grenadian, Roland Cato, and Keagan Simmons are the few recognized batsmen. Ramaal Lewis, Joshua Bishop, and Jeavor Royal are the spin options in the emerging 15-member group.

The 15-member squad reads: Joshua Bishop, Leniko Boucher, Keacy Carty, Roland Cato, Dominic Drakes, Keon Harding, Chemar Holder, Amir Jangoo, Ramaal Lewis, Jeremiah Louis, Anderson Phillips, Jeavor Royal, Keagan Simmons, Odean Smith and Shamar Springer.

At injury o’clock, India hit South Africa’s campaign trail

Macorp CEO Guillermo Escarraga

en. And even more is added with a raffle for prizes and other giveaways that usually ensure almost every player receives a gift.

Macorp, of 26 Providence, East Bank Demerara, focuses on being “the undisputed leader in supplying sustainable integrated solutions for mining, forestry, agricultural construction, power systems, oil and gas, and industrial sectors of Guyana with a clear sense of permanence in time, which shall be carried out with excellence and due regards to the interest of all stakeholders”.

Macorp may be contacted on +592-265-7330/7332 and +592-265-7313/7319, Fax +592 265-7353, Email info@ macorpgy.com or sales@macorpgy.com

T

here’s a sombre atmosphere around the South African camp on the eve of their game against India. When it rains it pours, as the saying goes. Dale Steyn being ruled out has forced them to reconsider their plans for the World Cup as skipper Faf du Plessis admitted. Lungi Ngidi, too, is out for at least ten days. That means that one of the few teams hinging on a bowling-first plan in the World Cup will now turn to its allrounders to cover up the gaps.

Du Plessis is no stranger to adversity as a skipper but even for him, this first World Cup assignment as a leader has started off like a beginner’s guide to Murphy’s law. It must help South Africa that they have a man as capable as du Plessis leading the side, and putting up a brave face. They’re still docked with two games done, and are attempting to set sail at a place infamous for its Titanic connection. Woe be him, you’d think, but du Plessis is already on top of that.

Foremost amongst du Plessis’ work, he’s said, is to keep the morale up. “At no stage in the game can we as a senior player group look like we are down-andout. It is not an option for us. We are a very, very proud cricketing nation. So, no matter how bad it gets, how good it gets, I will keep driving that,” said du Plessis in the pre-match press conference.

Staying strong was the word repeatedly mentioned right through.

“For me, the natural thing that happens in a team like that is you find that your confidence goes down and naturally younger guys in the team coming to their first World Cup they will potentially go into their self-pity cycle,” du Plessis said. “So, for me, it was strong words in the sense that that

won’t be allowed over the next couple of days. It is important for us to stay strong at this time. If you do slightly go away from that, then as a team you can crumble and unfortunately, we are not in a position where we can afford that.”

It helps that the captain still has his wits about him. “Thanks for that,” was his wry repartee with a laugh when pointed out that things could not possibly get worse.

On the other side of the coin is Virat Kohli, also readying to lead for the first time in a World Cup. Incidentally, it was for Virat Kohli’s team that Steyn played in the IPL and injured himself, and forcing du Plessis to ponder that what-if on Tuesday.

Kohli began with a sigh of relief that India were finally getting into the matches, as he addressed the press. Compared to what du Plessis has on his plate, Kohli’s problems are n e a r

empty. But if there are lessons to learn from his counterpart, it would be about the importance of starting a tournament like the World Cup on a positive note.

Conditions are chilly and the morning start could mean that there’ll be something for the pacers early on. Rain is forecast on the match day, so you could expect a few stoppages.

India Probable XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar/Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah South Africa Probable XI: Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, JP Duminy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Dwayne Pretorius, K a g i s o Rabada, Imran Tahir (cricbuzz)

Du Plessis’s first World Cup assignment as a leader has started off like a beginner’s guide to Murphy’s law. How will Virat Kohli fare?

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, june 5, 2019

23

Pacy, bouncy Windies set to defy all odds in Aussies clash – last clashed in ODIs in 2016

By Brandon Corlette

A

fter that

Sheldon Cottrell

Andre Russell

inspirational performance by the West Indies in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup opener against Pakistan, the entire Caribbean is upbeat about defeating any opponent.

The next challenge for the Jason Holder-led side will be

against Australia t o m o r r o w, Thursday, June 6, 2019.

With the exclusion of the warm-up match against Australia prior to the World Cup, these two teams last played

in a One-Day International (ODI) in 2016, in the tri-nation series in the Caribbean. In that series, South Africa and Australia visited the Caribbean, and the Aussies defeated West Indies in the final.

That performance seemed a lifetime ago as the Aussies were making a mark under the leadership of Steven Smith, who has been replaced as Captain by Aaron Finch. West Indies, who unapologetically made it evident that they will play aggressive cricket and fight fire with fire, will have to use a different ploy to overthrow the defending World Cup Champions.

The short-ball ploy saw the Windies defeat the Pakistanis for 105 runs in a seven-wicket victory. Finch and his Australian team have also responded that they will fight fire with fire. Both teams are equipped with vicious fast bowlers, but will the experienced of the lot end up on the winning side?

Pat Cummins, the world number six ODI bowler, will lead the Aussie pace pack that features Mitchell Starc, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Kane and Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendoff and Marcus Stoins.

In the 2015 World Cup, Starc was the leading wicket-taker, but after he suffered some injuries, Cummins took the mantle to lead the attack.

Meanwhile, the West Indies pace battery includes the brisk Oshane Thomas, who can easily touch 90 miles per hour; the aggressive Andre Russell; Sheldon Cottrell; Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach while Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite are the other seaming options.

After the opening match against Pakistan, Russell made his intentions clear, “I’m not going to change anything, I’m going to be aggressive but be smart about it,” he detailed. Prior to the Pakistan match that saw the big Jamaican starting the proceedings with the short ball, he used the exact ploy in the warm-up match.

Russell hit the Aussie number three, Usman Khawaja in the jaw with a bouncer. This mouthwatering clash between the Aussies and West

CPL returns to Brian Lara Cricket Academy for finals

Indies will be a serious one. The pace ace, Cummins also detailed that he has his eyes set on the veteran Chris Gayle. The self-proclaimed Universe Boss, Gayle is swiftly approaching his 40th birthday, but he is currently in top form, scoring six consecutive ODI scores of fifty plus.

What must be considered is that Pakistan failed to cope with the bouncers, since they are usually spin-dominators like most Asian sides. In contrast to the Aussies, they will be as equally upbeat and confident since their batsmen who play most of their cricket on fast bouncy wickets will be more capable of facing the short balls.

The Aussie captain, Finch, who was the first man to score a century in the ICC World Cup in 2015, also explained the importance of short balls. Around the grounds in England, most of the straight boundaries are short and the long boundaries are often square of the wicket. At some point, the batsmen will mistime one and find a fielder.

Australia are the higher-ranked opponents and history are on their side, but West Indies are the official dark horses. Australia have won four of their last five ODIs against West Indies, but both teams will be looking to continue their winning ways when they meet at Nottingham from 05:30h local time.

Mitchell Starc

Pat Cummins

Denmark Football Federation President to visit Guyana by year end

– tickets go on sale

A

fter the hugely successful finals in 2017 and 2018, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will be returning to the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad for the culmination of the 2019 tournament.

Tickets for these matches have now gone on sale and can be purchased at www. cplt20.com.

The semi-final and final, the culmination of the “Biggest Party in Sport”, will take place in Trinidad for the third successive year. Over the past two years, a sellout crowd has watched the Trinbago Knight Riders win

CPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe

back-to-back titles at the state-of-the-art stadium in southern Trinidad.

For the last two years, tickets for these games have sold very quickly so fans are advised to buy tickets for the matches on Tuesday, October 8 and Saturday, October 12 to ensure they are there when CPL history is made. With

a roster of Caribbean and global T20 superstars lining up for the 2019 tournament, there is sure to be plenty of excitement across the tournament. Throughout the sixyear history of Hero CPL the final has always been a remarkable occasion.

Speaking about the semi-final and final, Hero CPL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Damien O’Donohoe said: “I really do urge fans to buy tickets for the hottest event in town as early as possible to avoid disappointment. The final and semi-final are always so special, and we are delighted to be back in Trinidad for 2019 after such successful games at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy the last two years. There is nowhere in the Caribbean that will be jumping like Tarouba during these two games.”

Tickets are also on sale for group matches in Trinidad and Jamaica. These can be purchased at www.cplt20. com.

… MoU to be signed during visit

F

Brigadier (Retired) Bruce Lovell in deep discussion with Denmark Football Federation President Jesper Moller

irst Vice President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Brigadier (Retired) Bruce Lovell on Tuesday met with the President of the Denmark Football Federation, Jesper Moller, in Paris, France on the sidelines of the 69th FIFA Congress to discuss areas of cooperation between the two football bodies.

The discussions centred on Denmark providing assistance to the GFF in the areas of coaching and refereeing education, infrastructure development, governance and football administration, and girls and women football development, and will lead to the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for which the Danish Federation President will visit Guyana in October this year to sign.

The meeting was done within the framework of UEFA Assist programme, which was launched in 2017, whereby UEFA member associations provide assistance to other confederations and member associations to develop and strengthen football across the globe.

The GFF First Vice President is repre-

senting GFF President Wayne Forde at the FIFA Congress. Forde remained in Guyana to streamline the national team’s preparations for their Gold Cup debut.

The MoU with the Denmark Football Federation was first announced on April 5 by Forde, who disclosed at the time that the MoU was initially supposed to be signed on the day in question. However, the engagement had to be pushed back owing to Moller’s inability to visit Guyana because of UEFA duties.

Nevertheless, Forde disclosed that the time would be used to ascertain what projects the GFF would undertake as part of the partnership with Denmark.

“One category of project will be infrastructure. We visited one of the locations that we want to do a massive grassroots development pitch at, and we are also discussing some of the specific areas of coaching education that we want to put as the first items on the partnership agenda,” Forde had revealed back in April.

wednesday, june 5, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

CPL returns to Brian Lara Cricket Academy for finals Page 23

– tickets go on sale

Page 23

Denmark Football Federation President to visit Guyana by year end … MoU to be signed during visit Brigadier (Retired) Bruce Lovell presents a gift to Denmark Football Federation President Jesper Moller

ExxonMobil U-14 kick-off pushed back to June 15 Page 22

The Under-14 players stop for a photo op after receiving their practice balls

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.