Guyana Times Monday July 1, 2019

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3971

MONday, july 1, 2019

PRICE

PSC report

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana's import bill increases to US$1.8B for 2018

See story on page 7

– but exports amount to just US$1.3B

Pedestrian dies in P2 Tuschen accident US Embassy can bridge business gaps between Guyana and US – Ambassador P10 Lynch

Appointment of GECOM Chair

President’s letter to Opposition Leader misinterpreted CCJ’s instructions – legal analysts Page 3

– stress necessity for CCJ to issue timelines to hold elections

ISG gives P14 away 3rd bike in “Oil and Go” promotion

Page 14

BoI’s probe into arbitrary firing of PSM staff delayed

Linden hosts Riverfront Festival 2019

Boys who disappeared while fishing rescued See story on page 2

...Public Service Minister was out of country hence delay in process – Harmon P9

Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon and Festival founder and coordinator Samuel Wright at the launch on Friday

P8 123 lbs ganja found, suspected transporter arrested

2 news

moNday, JUly 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Boys who disappeared while fishing rescued F

our cousins who had disappeared on the high seas while on a fishing expedition four days ago have reportedly been rescued on Sunday morning by relatives.

The young men: 18-yearold Anand Sookram, 19-year-old Shadeo Ramkissoon, 17-yearold Adesh Lachman, and 18-year-old Mohan Indar, were reportedly rescued at around 05:00h as they drifted in the Atlantic Ocean somewhere between Mahaica and Mahaicony on the East Coast of Demerara.

Guyana Times understands that on Tuesday last

the boys left their homes in an ‘ice box’ fishing vessel to go fish, and were expected to return on Wednesday, but this did not happen.

On Saturday, one of the boys had attempted to contact a family member, but the poor signal resulted in the call being disconnected. Several attempts made to contact the friends had proved futile.

According to an uncle of one of the boys, this led family members to report the matter to the Police, and a search party was immediately established.

“We couldn’t really hear what was wrong because

the signal was very bad, but then we realised that something was wrong, so we took another boat and went to look for them,” the man relayed.

The lads, when found, reported that their outboard

engine had encountered some mechanical issues and had stopped working.

Nevertheless, the teenagers were all in good health, and reportedly had gone without food for only a day.

The boys: 18-year-old Anand Sookram, 19-year-old Shadeo Ramkissoon, 17-year-old Adesh Lachman and 18-year-old Mohan Indar

Pedestrian dies in Tuschen accident A pedestrian who is yet to be identified was struck dead by a vehicle as he attempted to cross the Tuschen Public Road, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) reportedly at about 00:50h on Sunday.

Police investigations revealed that the vehicle was proceeding along the Tuschen Public Road when the pedestrian allegedly ran across the road and into its path.

The pedestrian sustained

severe injuries about his body, and was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital in an unconscious state, but succumbed while receiving medical attention.

His body is presently at the Ezekiel Funeral Home.

The driver of the vehicle, who is said to be a Police officer, has been detained. A breathalyzer test administered to him found no trace of alcohol in his system.

Police Investigations are ongoing.

news

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moNday, JUly 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Appointment of GECOM Chair

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

President’s letter to Opposition Leader

Monday, July 1 – 03:30h and 14:30h-16:00h and Tuesday, July 2 – 04:00h and 14:30h-16:00h.

misinterpreted CCJ’s instructions – legal analysts

– stress necessity for CCJ to issue timelines to hold elections

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

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Monday, July 1 – 15:45h-17:15h and Tuesday, July 2 – 16:40h-18:10h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to light rain showers are expected until mid afternoon followed by cloudy conditions. Cloudy skies are expected in the evening. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South-easterly to North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 15:40h reaching a maximum height of 2.55 metres.

Low Tide: 09:11h and 21:27h reaching minimum heights of 0.55 metre and 0.67 metre.

saturday, JUNE 29, 2019

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he suggestion by President David Granger that he be allowed to submit nominees for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman continues to befuddle legal minds, with two analysts questioning whether this is may be a ruse to further delay the election process.

During an appearance on the Globespan 24×7 live show in New York on Sunday, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall noted that the letter in which the suggestion was made, which was penned on Granger’s behalf by Director General Joseph Harmon, entirely misinterpreted what the Caribbean Court of justice (CCJ) had suggested.

“Mr Harmon is a lawyer of more than a dozen years standing. Mr Harmon cannot be seriously writing that kind of letter. Look at the paragraph he quoted, intending to use that paragraph to say that the CCJ said that the President is to submit names.

That paragraph says no such thing!” Nandlall said.

“What the CCJ meant, they said look, it’s a consensual process that will have to produce these names.

And, therefore, since the Opposition Leader cannot in isolation, submit names, the CCJ suggested a more sensible approach is to engage, and in the engagement, names can float informally from the President. We are big, intelligent people!”

The former Attorney General pointed out that the role of the Opposition Leader in submitting names for the President to consider was never in any question. But he noted that suddenly, the President and his team have raised this as a new red herring.

Nandlall’s fellow guest, former Speaker of the House and Senior Counsel, Ralph Ramkarran questioned whether the President’s suggestion was intended to frustrate the process. He noted that both the CCJ and the Constitution are quite clear about the need for dialogue between the President and Opposition Leader.

“I think they’re trying to delay. This is another effort to delay the process. And that is why it is vital for the CCJ to set a timeframe [for the appointment of Chairman, elections]. President Granger does not have an equal status as the Opposition Leader, under the Article.”

“Article 161 of the Constitution is quite clear when you read it. It has been misinterpreted by the President. The CCJ has pronounced on it. It is again misinterpreted by the President.

The President wants his own way. He wants his own interpretation. And the objective of this is stubbornness, and for the purpose of creating delay,” Ramkarran said.

The panellists on Globespan. From left: former AG Anil Nandlall, moderator Sase Singh and former Speaker of the House, Ralph Ramkarran

The letter

The letter in question was written by Harmon, who based his reasoning for suggesting the President nominate a GECOM Chairman on the CCJ’s request that the two sides meet and discuss eligible candidates. Harmon also suggested Jagdeo consider this before a date for his meeting with the President is set.

In its judgement on the appointment of former Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson, the CCJ had said clearly that “once the President and the Leader of the Opposition have hammered out a list of names not unacceptable to the President, the list, comprising the six persons, must then formally be submitted to the President by the Leader of the Opposition and the President must then select the Chairman from among those names”.

While explaining the consensual process to appoint the GECOM Chairman, the CCJ had gone on to advise that “This approach gives the President a role in the identi-

fication of the six names, but it obviates [eliminates] the possibility that after the formal presentation of the list, the President could suggest that one or more of the names or indeed the entire list, is unacceptable”.

In addition, Article 161 (2) of the Constitution states that “…the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge, or any other fit and proper person…”

It goes on to outline the process by which the Chairman is appointed, stating that the Chairman is “to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation [between] political parties represented in the National Assembly”.

Not unsurprisingly, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), through its executive member Gail Teixeira, rejected the President’s proposal in a missive dated the same day as the President’s letter.

Teixeira pointed out that Article 161 of the Constitution makes it the Opposition Leader’s job to submit names to the President, not the other way around. She noted that to do otherwise would be a case of the President usurping the Opposition Leader’s role.

The former Chief Whip also noted that the CCJ was merely providing guidance on how to conduct the engagement with the two sides.

Notwithstanding this, however, Teixeira had informed Harmon that the Opposition Leader was open to the President suggesting names, informally.

The CCJ is expected to issue consequential orders on its rulings pertaining to the No-Confidence Motion and possibly the appointment of a new GECOM Chairman when it meets with all the involved parties on July 12.

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guyanatimesgy.com

moNday, JUly 1, 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

The Courts and PNC politics

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oday the lawyers for the several parties involved in CCJ judgements on the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) passed in the National Assembly on Dec 21, 2018 will be presenting their written submissions to the Court on the suggestions of their principals for the necessary post-judgement consequential orders. The CCJ has turned cartwheels in an effort to have the disputes reconciled by the parties themselves in accordance with the spirit and letter of the Constitution; the spirit being “consensual”.

The Justices have valiantly attempted not to show their impatience with the casuistry displayed by the representatives of the Government and GECOM in their idiosyncratic and cavalier approach to the Constitution.

But it would be very difficult to continue in this vein if the Attorney General were to present the latest interpretation of his Government on the way forward in selecting the next GECOM Chair, now that the incumbent had stepped aside after a momentary studied hesitation.

The pertinent Art 161 (2), inter alia, specifies that the person should “be appointed by the President from a list of six persons not unacceptable to the president, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition, meaning consultations by political parties represented in the National Assembly.” That the list would be prepared and presented by the Leader of the Opposition has never been questioned since 1992, when the rule was introduced.

The President is now on record as interpreting that instruction as insisting that he is also entitled to present names to the Opposition Leader: “The Government interpreted [the CCJ’s ruling] to mean that both the President and Leader of the Opposition will provide nominees on the list of six persons.” Not surprising, PPP quickly responded, “In this regard, it was never a matter of controversy that the list of six names must emanate from the Leader of the Opposition, and the appointment of one therefrom is exclusively the remit of the President.”

But in outrageously moving the goalposts once more in interpreting the Constitution, the PNC-led Government is placing enormous pressure on the Courts in general, and the CCJ in particular, to walk a fine line on the boundaries between the judiciary on one hand and the executive and administrative branches on the other. It would appear that because of the obduracy of the PNC, the Courts will now become the arena for settling the political disputes of the day – which have always been fractured and febrile, to begin with.

There are some in the PNC camp who have already complained in the state-owned newspaper that the Courts are getting too “intrusive” into politics, and it is important that the Guyanese people understand that politics is ultimately dependent on the “rules of the game” as delineated by the Constitution. And that in our system of governance, our Constitution has authorised the courts with the power of “Judicial Review” – that is to authoritatively examine the actions of the other coequal branches of the state, the executive/administrative bodies and the Legislature, when petitioned, to determine whether the latter are acting within the limits of their remit as delineated by the Constitution.

In the US, there is a tradition of “judicial deference” on questions that involve policies for governmental actions that are seen as within the bailiwick of the Executive, and so may raise issues of “separation of powers”: but the cases before the CCJ at this time are not within that realm. The Court is being asked to use grounds of rationality, legality, proportionality and reasonableness, which have been authorised as the standards to evaluate all exercises of public power in determining questions which the Court has already signalled should never have reached the Judiciary.

When one reviews the history of the PNC on the question of clinging on to state power, it is not difficult to conclude that they are once again laying the grounds for challenging any adverse result of the next elections, even though they have succeeded in delaying those elections for almost a year.

Fireworks explode over the Brig “Rossiya” (Russia) as it floats on the Neva River during the Scarlet Sails festivities marking school graduation in Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 24 (Reuters/Anton Vaganov)

Venezuela confirms death of detained officer, his wife says he was tortured

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enezuela’s Defence Ministry on Sunday confirmed the death of a military officer who Opposition Leaders and family members said was tortured in custody after his detention over alleged involvement in a coup plot against President Nicolás Maduro.

The death of Navy Captain Rafael Acosta came on the heels of a visit by the United Nations’ human rights chief Michelle Bachelet to investigate rights violations ranging from extrajudicial killings to forced disappearances.

Maduro last week said military officers, with the support of Opposition politicians and foreign political leaders, had plotted to overthrow his Government.

Acosta was taken to a military tribunal on June 28, but he fainted before the hearing could begin, the Defence Ministry said in a brief statement on Sunday, leading the Judge in the case to transfer him to a military hospital.

“Despite providing him with the appropriate medical attention, he died,” the statement said.

The US State Department accused Maduro’s Government of torturing

Acosta to death.

“This is not the first time the Maduro regime has used violence against its political prisoners,” State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.

“The United States calls on the democracies of the world to join us in condemning this latest violation of human rights and in applying pressure to achieve accountability against the aggressors.”

Acosta was barely conscious in a court hearing on Friday after having been beaten and tortured, his wife Waleska Perez said in an interview with a Miami television station, based on information she said she received from Acosta’s defence counsel.

“They tortured him so much that they killed him,” Perez said in an interview with EVTV Miami from Colombia.

The Information Ministry and the State Prosecutor’s office on Saturday night both issued statements about Acosta’s death, but neither described the cause of death.

The Information Ministry did not immediately respond to an email asking whether or not Acosta had been tortured.

Increasing scrutiny

Venezuela’s security forces have come under increasing scrutiny for arbitrary detentions, inhumane conditions of detainees, and inadequate investigation of torture allegations.

Political leaders and rights groups last year accused authorities of torturing Opposition politician Fernando Alban and throwing him from a window after he was detained in connection with an attack on Maduro.

The Government called his death a suicide.

Maduro says the country is unfairly targeted for criticism by foreign Governments, and insists that his Administration investigates and prosecutes human rights abusers.

Former intelligence chief Manuel Christopher, who joined a failed April 30 uprising against Maduro and later fled the country, in a letter on Sunday called on military commanders to “join the side of those in need and stop crossing your arms while our people and our soldiers are killed and tortured”.

Christopher was deputy director of military intel-

ligence agency DGCIM until last year. Acosta’s family and human rights advocates accuse the DGCIM of having tortured Acosta, and the group is described by local rights organisation Provea as the State security agency most involved in torture in 2018.

A phone number listed on DGCIM’s website was not functioning. The Defence Ministry, which oversees DGCIM, did not respond to an email seeking comment.

The ruling Socialist Party has overseen a devastating economic collapse of a once-prosperous nation.

Maduro says the country’s problems are caused by sanctions imposed by the Trump Administration.

Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó, who in January invoked the Constitution to assume a rival interim presidency, said Acosta was murdered and that was further evidence that Maduro’s allies refuse to heed demands for a change of government.

“Do they not hear? From the grave, from basements where people are being tortured, the people (are calling for) a change,” said Guaidó in remarks broadcast over the Internet. (Reuters)

The President of Guyana cannot be President and Leader of the Opposition simultaneously Dear Editor, The call by Government for the President to nominate persons for the post of GECOM Chairman is an attempt to make the President and Leader of the Opposition one. That is, it is meant to eliminate the non-delegable role of the Leader of the Opposition.

The Constitution does not allow for this. Where the Constitution says that a Leader of the Opposition gets to nominate, and a President gets to appoint, a GECOM Chairman, then that is the law of the land.

It is meant to prevent electoral theft, not promote electoral profit.

This law is, and must be, non-negotiable. Neither the President nor the Leader of the Opposition is allowed lawfully to change it in the name of consensus. Any attempt to do so is to break this law. The public must guard against, and resist this, as no one can uphold the Constitution by breaking a law.

Therefore, the idea being peddled by some: that today’s fallen President and the Leader of the

Opposition should each be allowed to name 3 nominees, or nominees on the list to be submitted, is a mischievous suggestion to break the law.

It is a suggestion to break the law because it is meant to usurp or strangle the role of the Leader of the Opposition by giving the President unilateral decision-making powers under the circumstance. The President cannot nominate a nominee unto himself.

Further, this fallen Government’s predictable misreading of what

the Caribbean Court of Justice said underscores Government’s need to have a chairman who manages the elections from inside of the President’s front pocket.

Said another way: The President is attempting to go around what the Court said about his “flawed” unilateral appointment, and resurrect Mr. Patterson from resignation, but with a new face.

Unfortunately, people know what time it is.

Sincerely, Rakesh Rampertab

guyanatimesgy.com

moNday, JUly 1, 2019

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

Elections in Guyana!

Dear Editor, With each passing day, the excessively vulgar behaviour of the now illegal Granger-led APNU/AFC clan is becoming more and more frontal in adding to Guyana’s constitutional crisis. In the face of amazed global and international observers, the cabal continues to demonstrate its lack of concern for the democratic observance and rights of the majority of the citizens while effectively defacing the nation’s image. The APNU/ AFC coalition has taken to displaying a heightened pretence of concern while abusing the nation’s public purse. This is only because the Opposition Leader’s NoConfidence Motion (NCM) has driven them in this direction.

The sequence of events leading up to this embarrassing fiasco indicates the extant characteristic, defiant and abusive nature of the cabal, for which the majority of citizens have long demonstrated a loss of confidence. Their previous and current actions place no holds on the abundance of radicalism and unlawful dictatorship that they attempt to force, while illegally occupying the seat of Government.

Guyanese are experiencing serious survival difficulties associated with the sky-rocking cost of living due to impositions of a laden tax system, escalating scary and dangerous crime situations, while people cannot provide the basics for their children’s education and healthcare. We are now witnessing substantial fraudulent giveaway of State lands to persons reflecting a significant conflict of interests in the instance of SARA and other public persons that is most worrying. Further, this entire nation is in tension, as our people live under an illegal and unconstitutional regime.

At the time of penning this letter, it was plain for all to see that President Granger, who now has the responsibility of ensuring elections are held within 90 days in keeping with Section 106 (7) of the Constitution, remains in his go-slow mode. He still had not re-

sponded to the Leader of the Opposition’s acceptance to his invitation to meet on the urgent critical matter of appointing a new Chairman of the GECOM, urged by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

From the top-heavy self-aggrandising APNU/ AFC Government officials to the many bullish agents of the cabal, there is a wickedly utilised approach of de-stabilising Local Government Areas where the Government lost support so they suffer the population. It is also clear that the Government knew all along that their abuse of the people was intolerable and that they became illegal with the passing of the NCM on December 21, 2018. Mr Harmon and Mr Nagamootoo at the recent Bartica Public meeting affirmed that the Government was very clear that their case at the CCJ had no basis, but yet continued to deliberately frustrate our democracy and the nation while spending lavishly and creating further debts.

The Government’s resistance to the CCJ’s rulings is an outright assault on our democracy. On one side, the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo’s call for “war” is inciting and most worrying, and this would be confirmed by the older population that the PNC never wants to adhere to free and fair elections. On the other, President Granger’s slurs, together with the rants of the senior APNU/AFC Ministers in their open criticisms and rejection of the CCJ and against the acceptance of the CCJ decisions, is most distasteful and unacceptable.

As it turns out, the PNC/APNU/AFC has been forced to accept that the former Chairman of GECOM, Justice Retired James Patterson had to go. It was indeed silly to know that President Granger was questioning the ruling of the CCJ, on the ruling that Chairman Patterson was not properly appointed.

The fact that the CCJ ruled in favour of the NoConfidence Motion (NCM), makes it clear that we will have to get Regional and

National Elections within ninety days. With the ongoing lack of urgency and due diligence given by the President regarding the CCJ’s advised consultations with the Leader of the Opposition, the resulting unwarranted delays make it absolutely clear that time-bound directions must emerge in the CCJ’s consequential orders.

Given the posture adopted and publicly demonstrated by the President, however, these orders, critically, should pave the way for the immediate appointment of a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission and the time schedules for the organisation to hold free and fair elections within the time established by the Guyana Constitution.

Obviously, with all of the increasing waste of time and taxpayers’ monies in this respect by the Government, it is understandable that the Leader of the Opposition has signalled his party’s decision of not going back to the National Assembly to grant additional time.

Over the last three years, it has been really painful to follow the poor performances of Guyana ‘PNC’ Attorney General Basil Williams.

Most disgraceful is his recent lies and misrepresentations to the eminent Judges of the CCJ. We are indeed ashamed as citizens to be receiving related calls from people in the diaspora, and worst of all, to listen to them talking about the incompetent Basil Williams.

It is indeed heartening to hear that the Leader of the Opposition, Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, is willing to reach with President Granger albeit, on a daily basis in order to resolve the appointment of a Chairman of GECOM. Further appreciated are his stance and urgings by the diplomatic community to all stakeholders to respect the CCJ’s rulings. The mirrored willingness of civil society, in particular, the Private Sector body, is also

most welcoming and demonstrative.

Indeed, the CCJ’s ruling, so far, is final and the highest in the land, which must now be followed up with specific timelines to stop this blatant bullying and illegality.

It is clear that the coalition Government will only respond to pressure and they have no respect for the Constitution and the highest court of law. As the wanton, rampant thieving, and unlawful spending continues, our people are boiling up.

It is of note that the coalition Government lawyers alluded to the massive spending by GECOM to train nine thousand enumerators in preparation for House-toHouse Registration and this is very serious. This column already hinted at the significant wastage and non-accountability at GECOM. All of the monies being spent on the enumerators will achieve much less than will be acquired in one week of the Claims and Objections cycle in preparing the

Preliminary Voters’ List.

Inside sources at GECOM have already publically declared their readiness for holding Regional and National Elections and this is the only acceptable way forward. The CCJ must, therefore, assert themselves and rule, giving directives on the viable way forward for immediate efficacy in upholding constitutionally required elections in Guyana.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Major transactions after the NCM are fraudulent, null and void

Dear Editor, All major transactions conducted by this PNC-led coalition Government after the successful passage of the No-Confidence Motion are fraudulent and considered null and void.

Even if those transactions were Cabinet decisions, they nonetheless constitute a fraud on this nation and I hasten to say all of those land deals will be at the investigation and recovery of the State Assets Recovery Agency. It is the mistaken belief in some quarters that because these are Cabinet decisions those land deals are binding on succeeding governments.

Well, they are ever so wrong because no deal, business or otherwise, conducted after the No-Confidence Motion will stand, this a fraud perpetrated at the highest level which will see recovery at the detriment of the beneficiaries.

The State Assets Recovery Agency will be in full mode to recover those stolen assets, this Government cannot wantonly break the law and expect us to be cheerleaders for them. It also means that the benefactors of these corrupt deals must kiss those sweet assets goodbye. It is as simple as that, end of discussion.

For some strange unexplained reason, Mr Granger believes that this country is his private domain for him to do as he pleases. He has turned up his nose on the law some six months now and is presently in the process of a brazen sellout of our prime resources to his friends. This is corruption at its highest if you have ever seen one.

So, I hasten to tell Mr Granger that Guyana is not his private property and we are not for sale. Your actions have not gone unnoticed and there will be consequences for those gross violations of our laws. There will be consequences for your transgressions.

Some time ago, Kaieteur News used to carry a section captioned “Heist of Guyana” I wonder what they are saying now that thousands of acres of prime lands were given away to PNC friends

and associates? I wonder what are their thoughts now seeing everything is in the spotlight with verifiable and damnable evidence. I see Adam Harris in his usual apologetic role, trying desperately to make out a case for Granger’s actions by making the Opposition Leader’s claims to be a racial one. Well, I must tell this learned gentleman that it is not any of what he is insinuating, but what we have witnessed this past week was a clear case of a Government’s crass disrespect for the laws of this country and nothing else.

This type of behaviour is symptomatic of the old dictatorial PNC party which should not be allowed to flourish here. We say down with dictatorial and illegal governments.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

The Young and The Restless

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moNday, JUly 1, 2019

Page Foundation Let summer be time for children to play, laugh, learn, heal

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Ahhh, Summer! hat do you remember of the lazy days of summer when you were a child? What were the best times? What did you look forward to all year long? What new experiences did you have that taught you new things about the world, your talents, and yourself?

For parents in two-job and three-job households, the anticipation of the fun of summer with kids is lost in the pressured rush of figuring out child care, camps, and whether or not a vaca-

tion is financially possible this year. But it’s important to think, for a moment, about what opportunities summer can bring – both conventional and unconven-

tional!

Summer = more chances to play fully

The chance to play all day, every day is wonderful for children. They need those long days and weeks with no pressure to perform, pass tests, or prove themselves, except by their own choosing. Play is the natural habitat of children. At play, they are using all their minds and their hearts to learn and grow.

We can relax some of the rules and worries we

usually live by to let fuller play happen. Having water fights in the yard, playing hide and seek at dusk in the neighbourhood, staying at the park until it’s re-

ally dark, making a mud hole and some really thick “chocolate” cakes in it, making a tent from a sheet in the back yard as a hideout, spitting watermelon seeds as far as you can—these are the kinds of play that don’t require electricity, don’t require any purchases. They just take imagination and a “Sure, that sounds great!” attitude from a parent.

Any play that includes laughter (and doesn’t include tickling or making fun of someone) is play that helps children grow strong.

They gain confidence in the goodness of others as they laugh. They feel like there’s genius in the air when they laugh. And, chuckle by chuckle, they

shake loose from their fears and worries.

low when life has to be more structured.

Summer = more chances to learn in unusual ways

Summer = more chances to learn to help children with the feeling of boredom Some summer days can lose their sparkle. Children feel listless, and say they are bored. You’ll notice that there actually are things they could do, and people they could play with, but they are missing that sense of adventure that can turn a simple piece of paper and a scissors into an experiment with hat making, or airplane crafting, or cut out design.

The feeling inside of them is actually the problem, not any lack of things to do.

As far as I can tell, when children say they’re bored, they really are telling you that they don’t feel connected enough to feel hopeful. So rather than become irritated that they don’t appreciate all the things they have, or all the time you’ve spent trying to make them happy, move in close. Lie down with them, or next to them, where they languish. Don’t try to solve the problem of what to do. But do look pleased to be with them. Do cuddle. Do just stay there with them, until they can absorb your presence and your attention.

If you want, after several moments of just lying with your child, paying attention but not prodding, you can begin musing about things they could do. But be silly in your suggestions! Suggest things like: “Well, we could start a booger collection and pick all our noses and see how much we can get, and figure out where to store it!”

“We could try to give Bowser an airplane ride like you get on my feet!”

“We could hide under the bed when Daddy gets home, and see how long it would take for him to find us.”

“I could lick your toes and see how they taste!”

“I could shake you upside down, and see if that gives you any ideas at all.”

“We could put a cotton ball on the overhead fan, and then turn it on, and see

Use summer’s off, outside to explore things most of concern to your child.

When you have a child who’s afraid of the dark, you can sleep outside with her when the moon is full, to see what it’s like to have it be light all night long without a night light.

When you have a child afraid of the water at the pool, you can try to stick your toe in, and then run playfully away, “afraid” of the water, so he can laugh while you “borrow” his difficulty for a half hour or so.

When you’ve got a child who chews her fingernails, you can grab a puppet, and let the puppet want a nibble, getting some laughter going as your child denies the poor puppet a taste.

Summer means that fresh new things can happen, usual boundaries can flex, and parents can relax a bit more around play that they wouldn’t perhaps al-

what happens!”

Any silly idea will do!

You’re not trying to solve the problem of what to do.

You’re trying to get a bit of laughter going, and then a bit more, and then even more. While children are laughing, the bridge between you and them rebuilds. Your silly ideas, and the release of laughter, jumpstart their minds.

Soon, they know what they want to do again.

If not, they become irritated with you, and your presence becomes more and more of a bother. They work themselves into a good cry, which is the other way children clear their minds of emotional sludge, and regain their enthusiasm for life.

Stay. Listen to what a dumb day they are having, and how you are a stupid parent because you won’t let them x, y or z. To really get the awful feelings out, they need a safe person to serve as their target. That would be you! You don’t have to believe that this is their full and final evaluation of your parenting. It’s not. It’s just what they need to do to get the tears going strong, so they can come back to you and feel their love for you again when they have finished.

If you can remember that when conditions are especially good, children can cry about times they weren’t wonderful, and that they do this so they can leave the emotional debris of that past incident behind, you’ll think, “Well, this is a hassle for sure. But here we are, we don’t have anywhere we have to be. We can sit here and listen to her cry about wanting a second stuffed animal. We can just keep saying ‘No’, and loving her.

That’s what she needs, and that’s what we’ve got. Time and love. The rest of the people here we’ll never see again. If they are bothered by us, they can find another gift shop.” (Excerpt from handinhandparenting.org)

To be continued

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moNday, JUly 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

PSC report

Guyana's import bill increases to US$1.8B for 2018 – but exports amount to just US$1.3B

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he Private Sector Commission (PSC) has noted in its annual report that Guyana has imported US$1.8 billion in goods for 2018, but has exported only US$1.3 billion for the same period.

That figure represents a 4.4 per cent reduction compared to 2017, when US$1.437 billion was earned.

These figures were juxtaposed in the report with imports into Guyana from other countries costing US$1.825 billion. According to the report, these payments increased by 11 per cent from the previous year, when importation in 2017 cost US$1.644 billion.

“Given these figures, Guyana’s trade balance as at end of December 2018 stood at negative US$451.2, which represents a 118 per cent decline or a worsened deficit,” the PSC noted in the report.

“All categories of importation payments increased

New PSC Chairman Gerry Gouveia

significantly during 2018.

Payments for consumption goods, fuel and lubricants, other intermediate goods, capital goods and miscellaneous items imported increased by 1.8 per cent, 20.6 per cent, 12.7 per cent, 11.4 per cent and 12.9 per cent respectively during 2018,”

the report adds.

There were some positive indicators in the exports.

For instance, the report pointed out that the export of Bauxite and other commodities increased by 22.6 per cent. But it was found that the export figures of most commodities declined for last year, compared to 2017.

“Export receipts from sugar, rice, gold and timber declined by 44.1 per cent, 7.4 per cent, 6.2 per cent and 7 per cent respectively at the end of 2018,” the report states. “These performances were due mainly to internal industry issues and falling production in some sectors.”

The PSC held its Annual General Meeting at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown, only a few days ago, where their report was made available. At that AGM, Captain Gerald Gouveia was elected as the new Chairman of the PSC.

The economy

The balance of payment tables in the report contains statistical data on a country’s fiscal transactions, including imports and exports.

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

The parliamentary Opposition had previously expressed concern over the increasing deficit in the country’s balance of payments, which it had said would continue to have implications for the local economy.

Last month, Guyana’s central bank in its 2018 Annual Report had revised previous economic projections for the country, downwards. It had said that Guyana’s economy is actually projected to grow by 4.4 per cent by the end of 2019.

According to the report, various productive sectors are

expected to record growth.

“The economy is projected to grow by 4.4 per cent at the end of 2019 on account of growth in the major economic sectors. The agriculture sector is expected to increase by 3.2 per cent, due to the increases in other crops by 4.0 per cent, production of rice by 3.4 per cent and the output of sugar by 3.2 per cent.

“The mining and quarrying sector is forecasted to expand by 3.4 per cent due to increases in the production of bauxite by 10.0 per cent and gold by 1.7 per cent. The

services industry is estimated to grow by 3.7 per cent on account of higher outturns of wholesale and retail trade by 5.0 per cent and transportation and storage activities by 3.5 per cent,” the report had stated.

Meanwhile, the report projected that Guyana’s construction and manufacturing industries are projected to increase by 10.5 per cent and 3.8 per cent respectively. It also projected that inflation rates would be measured at 2.5 per cent, owing to moderate increases in food and fuel prices.

Investigations into beatings, death of Lusignan prisoner Ali still ongoing – Prison Service Director

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lmost three months have elapsed since Shaheed Ali, who was on remand on a murder charge at the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara, was beaten to death and the police have not charged anyone.

Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels in a telephone interview on Sunday explained that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has not

completed its investigation into the alleged murder of the prisoner.

He stated that the GPF is yet to provide word to the Prison Service on the results of its findings which would most likely be provided when the probe concludes.

However, Samuels noted that the investigation into Ali’s beatings and death is “active”.

On April 2 last, Ali of

The Lusignan prisoner who was badly beaten in the lockups and died

Albouystown, Georgetown, was in Bay One at the Lusignan Prison around 22:58h when several other prisoners began to beat him following a dispute.

The injured inmate was taken to the GPHC where he was admitted as a patient.

However, three days later, at about 20:50h, he succumbed to his injuries at the GPHC. A report was subsequently made to the police.

Guyana Times had been told that Ali had undergone surgery for several injuries including a fractured skull on the day of his death.

Just a few days ago, one week after 23-yearold Samuel Little of Lot 1 Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, was remanded for breaking and entering and larceny, he was killed in the Lusignan Holding Bay by another inmate.

Reports are that Little was involved in an argument with another male prisoner when he was struck with a piece of wood.

Initially, he was treated at the prison infirmary but rushed to GPHC due to the severity of his injuries.

Police have since confirmed that they have launched an investigation while the suspect was said to be assisting.

8 News

moNday, JUly 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Eteringbang Landing murder-suicide

Bodies of dead fuel dealer, Venezuelan wife awaiting PME The devil…

T he body of the 36-year-old fuel dealer, Munishwar Ramkellawan, who was found dead with a suspected gunshot wound to his head on Friday afternoon, has been transported to Georgetown and is awaiting a post-mortem examination (PME).

Meanwhile, the body of his reputed Venezuelan wife, 26-year-old Marianny Martinez, remains in Eteringbang, Cuyuni (Region One).

This is according to Commander of F Division (Interior locations) Kevin Adonis, who on Sunday told this publication that the dead woman’s body is also awaiting a post-mortem examination (PME) but had to remain in Region One since she is a Venezuelan national.

He stated that her relatives had been contacted and would have arrived in the country where preparations are ongoing to have the PME conducted and

Commander of F Division (Interior Locations), Kevin Adonis

then have the body transported back to Venezuela for funeral arrangements.

Commander Adonis noted that the police are treating the matter as a murder/ suicide case and it is believed that Ramkellawan shot his wife to her head once before turning the gun on himself moments after the couple had a dispute in their Eteringbang Landing, Cuyuni River home.

Reports are that the couple had been involved in a common-law relationship and operated a fuel business from their residence along the Eteringbang Landing.

According to eyewitnesses, on Thursday last, at around 15:00h, Ramkellawan and his wife were seen imbibing alcoholic beverages at their residence, and this continued into the wee hours of Friday morning.

This publication was told that after some hours of imbibing with each other, persons observed the man and woman engaged in a heated argument.

Their row is said to have lasted quite a while before they eventually retreated to the inside of their home together.

Shortly after the duo had entered their residence, persons in the area heard two loud noises, which sounded like gunshots, but could not ascertain from which direction they came.

However, it was not until late Friday afternoon, around 17:50h, that Ramkellawan and Martinez were both discovered lifeless in their home lying next to each other.

It was an employee who worked for the couple that made the gruesome discovery when he turned up at the residence/business and did not locate his bosses.

According to the police, the bodies of Ramkellawan and Martinez were found dead on their bed.

Ramkellawan was discovered bearing a single suspected gunshot wound to the right side of his head while his wife bore a single suspected wound to the left side of her head.

Additionally, a 9mm Taurus pistol along with eight live rounds were found on the bed between their two bodies and two spent shells were discovered in the room.

Investigations into the matter continue.

123 lbs ganja found, suspected transporter arrested

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Ganja found at Weldaad

ne man was taken into custody following the discovery of a large quantity of ganja along the Weldaad Public Road, West Coast Berbice on Friday evening.

Based on information received, about 23:30h on the day in question, Police ranks in Berbice observed a vehicle which was heading to Georgetown stop a short distance away from a roadblock. Soon after, two men were seen in a nearby street with two large bags. As such, the Police approached the vehicle and the men.

Upon seeing the Police, the two men dropped the bags and escaped.

When ranks inspected the bag, 13 parcels of cannabis were found. Further checks nearby also revealed nine other parcels of ganja. The illegal substance was weighed and amounted to 55.9 kilograms (123 pounds). The vehicle was searched, but nothing illegal or unlawful was found.

However, the driver was taken into custody as investigations continue.

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...in the leases’ details

ost bullies are cowards, and like to “give it” but can’t “take it. Take this fella Eric Phillips, who spent the last decade cussing out Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo for disempowering ordinary African Guyanese. When Jagdeo finally exposed him for the fraud he’s always been by showing he was hustling behind the scenes to secure huge swathes of land for his personal enrichment through his SARA connections, and nothing for those ordinary Africans, he cries “RACISM”!!

Phillips is from Mahaicony. So how come, when all those African farmers from neighbouring West Berbice were being disposed of their lands (and livelihoods), he didn’t use his connections to help them out? And he dares to call the GS of the party that DID help those African Guyanese farmers out a racist?

The other ironical revelation over the land giveaway scandal is that, rather than complimenting the mostly African Guyanese staff of the GL&SC, who had the courage of their convictions to blow the whistle on the frittering away of their country’s patrimony, Phillips goes in cahoots with CEO Benn to deal with them “condignly”!

But, apart from the betrayal of his high-sounding rhetoric about helping the small African Guyanese man, Phillips fell victim to that ever present danger for all “smart flies” – invariably ending up in a cow’s backside!!

In the law and order field, it’s a cliché that crooks who talk too much inevitably trip themselves up; since, the more details they provide, the harder it becomes for them to keep everything aligned.

Phillips cooked his goose with the welter of documents he released. He showed he had made the application for 1000 acres of land along the Essequibo River for farming in May 2013. What he didn’t say is that this was because, at that time, President Ramotar had resuscitated the Del Conte Road project from Parika to Bartica, and he saw an opportunity to make a killing, since the road would make the land very valuable!

Why didn’t he tell ordinary African Guyanese about this possible windfall and get them also to invest??

He then claimed his application was ducked at GL&SC, and only the intervention of Burrowes at GOInvest and Roger Luncheon had revived it on 20th Jan 2015 – the day Ramotar called elections for May 11. He then claimed the lease was supposed to be approved “before end March”, but wasn’t, because of the PPP. But his receipt showed he only part-paid for inspection of the land on March 30, and the balance “AFTER the inspection”! So how could the transfer have been for “end March”?

Did he have friends in the GL&SC to waive inspection, or did he have a time machine?

…in the approval details

Phillips then showed copies of a letter he had written Harmon on June 19, 2015 about the Essequibo 1000 acres. The application was revived, and he paid the cadastral (marking boundaries) fee in November 2015 – AND ONLY THEN FOUND OUT THAT 400 ACRES WAS SWAMP!! So what happened to the inspection from March, smart fly??

He then, in Jan 2016, applies for presumably substitute land in “Region 3”. Then, out of the blue, in April 2019, two months ago, not only does Phillips get the lease for the 1000 acres in Demerara, BUT ALSO THE 1000 ACRES IN ESSEQUIBO!! Were those 400 acres of swamp also miraculously drained?

Yet, in Feb 2019, Phillips denied in the press that he’d even APPLIED for land anywhere!! Further, last November, Trevor Benn, CEO of GL&SC, revealed that his department had a backlog of over 30,000 applications for land. By what miracle did Phillips’s application rise to the top of Benn’s ‘in’ basket??

Maybe he could’ve sprinkled some of that miracle dust on all 30,000 applications, and not just on PNC applicants.

…in Art 161 (2)

Which part of Art 161 (2) doesn’t Granger understand? That he must select a GECOM Chair from a list of six names SUBMITTED BY THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION! Has he hired that GECOM lawyer Marcus??

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

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monday, JUly 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BoI’s probe into arbitrary firing of PSM staff delayed

..Public Service Minister was out of country hence delay in process – Harmon

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ore than two weeks ago, a special Board of Inquiry (BoI) was commissioned by President David Granger to probe the arbitrary firing of staff at the Public Service Ministry by Minister Tabitha Sarabo-Halley but to date, no real groundwork has been done.

Seasoned Human Resources practitioner, Lance Carberry was appointed by the Administration to investigate the dismissal of the three employees in June.

Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon on Sunday told Guyana Times that investigations into the matter did not commence at the expected starting time since the Minister in question was out of the jurisdiction.

“The probe is ongoing; the case would have started the week before but they had to push it back. Well, they had to push it to this week because the Minister was out of the country, so it has officially started now. I think within two weeks we would be able to give you an update, we will give them [investigators] two weeks,” he stated.

Meanwhile, over two weeks ago, State Minister, Dawn Hastings-Williams said the President had directed that the BoI be commissioned to investigate the allegations of misconduct, corruption and improper behaviour against named public servants within the Department of Public Service.

The State Minister noted that the investigation would be done in a fair and professional manner and expressed confidence that an unbiased report will be presented to the Government. However, she said it is important that witnesses co-operate with the Chairman of the Board and be open and honest in their interaction.

On May 31, 2019, the personnel staff and chief accountant at the Public Service Ministry were sent packing by Minister Tabitha Sarabo-Halley shortly after she was ap-

Public Service Minister Tabitha Sarabo-Halley

Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon

pointed to that post.

The three workers were all on contractual employment with the Government.

When the news broke about the arbitrary firing of those staffers, the Government had initially denied firing them but one week after this, Harmon had confirmed that indeed, the workers were sent home while adding that an investigation has been launched into the incident.

At that time, Harmon, however, told Guyana Times during a telephone interview that the termination letters were rescinded and that the workers are now on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

He had maintained that the staff in question are still employees of the Government as the decision

by Minister Sarabo-Halley to terminate their services has been halted.

Following the revelation, Deputy Director of Press Affairs at the Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP), Ariana Gordon told sections of the media that while allegations have been levelled against the public service employees, they were not dismissed.

However, shortly after, a document seen by this publication proved otherwise. A “Determination of 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 aforesaid contract of employment, your services are

Jagdeo had alluded to the fact that those workers were initially targeted and arbitrarily dismissed by Minister Sarabo-Halley after he blew the whistle on transactions at the Ministry of the Presidency which he claims saw the children of a Government Minister receiving payments amounting to over $20 million in the last two years.

hereby terminated with immediate effect”, the letter stated.

Several staff members were said to have also received similar letters.

Employees who have been removed were called PPP “moles” by political activist David Hinds, who is said to have a close relationship with the subject Minister.

Opposition Leader Bharrat

One of those revelations is that the children of a senior Minister allegedly received over US$86,000 in 2018, monies that were transferred from the Department of Public Service. Then again, this year, another transfer of millions reportedly took place.

“In 2019, another child of that Minister got trans-

ferred from the same Office of the President, the Ministry of the Presidency, Public Service Division, $2,510,575. So combined, over $20 million because the other one was over $17 million – over $20 million… this is taxpayers’ money and clearly, we need an explanation, let the country decide if the explanation is a plausible one. So, we have been asking for an explanation and guess what?

Silence from the Ministry of the Presidency and silence from the Minister, a person who is very, very vocal on other matters, it’s silence.”

According to the Opposition Leader, the Public Service Minister rushed to illegally fire all the staff in the department that had access to this information since the Government believes that those fired workers had sent information to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

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monday, JUly 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

US Embassy can bridge business gaps between Guyana and US – Ambassador Lynch T he United States (US) Embassy in Guyana creates a vital link in potential investment between Guyana and the US, and vice versa.

This is according to the US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, who was at the time addressing the Private Sector Commission’s (PSC’s) Annual General Meeting, held at the Marriott Hotel on Friday.

“The Embassy also helps to create partnership linkages between U.S. and local companies…to help build the bridge between interested U.S. and Guyanese companies. The Embassy maintains an active database; when companies inquire about partnering opportunities, the Embassy can help make the connections in both directions,” she further stated.

She added that, over the last three years, the US Embassy has recorded a steady increase in inquiries from companies which are interested in working in Guyana. She was keen to note that those companies are not only looking to invest in the oil and gas sector in Guyana, but have com-

events such as the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) which was held in Houston, Texas this year, among several other events.

The Ambassador explained that Guyana’s booth at that Conference had seen a steady stream of visitors, who were all intrigued by what the country has to offer. In fact, she said, “The OTC break-out session on

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch

municated to the Embassy their interest in working in the fields of engineering, healthcare, telecommunications, infrastructure, air transportation, and information technology, just to name a few.

Ambassador Lynch has said that very much commercial interest is being shown in Guyana, and the Embassy is doing its best to assist companies from both countries in this regard.

“This assistance comes in a variety of forms. Every year, the Embassy releas-

es a Country Commercial Guide, including an updated Investment Climate Statement. These documents are freely available, and (are) provided to U.S. companies. They (documents) outline how the business climate is evolving, and help inform how interested companies approach investment in Guyana,” she explained.

In addition to this, she noted that the Embassy also participates in trade shows and reverse trade missions globally, to support

Guyana’s oil filled the room to capacity, with more than 300 representatives from various American corporations…

“In addition, a Guyanathemed happy hour networking event brought in over 400 people,” the Ambassador said.

She described the event as having been more than successful, in that several

Guyanese business persons were able to sign business deals or start business relations at the OTC. As a result, the Ambassador said, “These symbiotic relationships are good for Guyana and for the United States. I encourage businesses interested in being added to this database to reach out to our economic or commercial staff”.

Natural Resources supports initiatives of such nature. … The safety of active personnel in the mining sector is of utmost importance and, therefore, this course seeks to considerably impact the efficiency of open cut mining operations,” Bacchus noted.

On that note, the coordinator applauded the efforts made by the mining school in offering the training which will specifically benefit the miners by allowing them to have the required knowledge.

On the other hand, Chairman of the Guyana Mining School Board of Directors, Audwin Rutherford in his address to the participants used the opportunity to admonish them to take advantage and receive the relevant training needed in their mining pro-

fessions.

The training was a result of a collaboration between the Guyana Mining School, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Orica Mines Services.

Some of the topics that are expected to be discussed are types of explosives, explosive parameters, practical blast design in quarries and mines, vibrations, laws and regulations of Guyana among others.

Participants of the programme are from various agencies including Jaguar Mining Syndicates, National Mining Syndicates, Aurora Gold Mines (AGM) Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Police Force (GPF), Troy Resources, STRACON along with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

Miners benefit from safety training initiative

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number of persons, particularly in the mining sector, were registered on Tuesday last to participate in another safety training course hosted by Guyana Mining School and Training Centre. The third of the two-day course is being held under the theme “Safe and efficient blasting for open cut mines”.

Mining Coordinator for the Natural Resources Ministry, Kiefer Bacchus noted that both safety and efficiency are of much importance, especially in the mining sector. Speaking on behalf of Minister Raphael Trotman, Bacchus underscored that the presence of same will guarantee extreme production within the respective sector.

“Therefore, it is paramount that the Ministry of

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monday, JUly 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GDF $500M aircraft grounded since August 2018 commissioning – disassembled for checks, never used by Army to date – GCAA still to receive documentation for approval

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he two BrittenNorman Islanders that were purchased and added to the Air Corps’ fleet of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) are yet to be utilised for the purposes for they which have been bought.

In fact, upon the arrival of the two aircraft in August last, maintenance works and checks were being carried out before they could be flown by military officials but to date, these Islanders are yet to take to the skies.

Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon on Sunday told <<<Guyana Times>>> that the two planes had been “stripped down” when they were brought to Guyana so that components on each aircraft could be inspected and checked thoroughly.

One month short of a year since those planes landed in Guyana these checks are still ongoing but Harmon stated that they should be in the skies soon.

“They have actually almost completed both of them. One of them I believe should be waiting on an inspection now to complete one and the other one they are basically still doing some investigations on some of the parts that…they have to actually check every part of it before they allow it to fly, checks by the Civil Aviation here too… they were being flown in a commercial sense because now they have to fly them for military purposes, they have to go through several additional checks, so this is really what the situation is.”

No application for the GDF aircraft made to Aviation Authority

However, Director of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Egbert Field, also on Sunday afternoon told this publication that his agency cannot give approval for aircraft to ply the routes in Guyana unless the agency or organisation makes an application for such.

“It is not that they made an application and we refused. We are waiting for

them to send in the documentation or reference to the aircraft and then we will review it with the aim of either approving or not approving. But I say again, they have not submitted any documentation to us as yet for approval.”

He explained that while the GCAA is aware that the two Britten Islanders are in Guyana and in the possession of the GDF, there needs to be a formal application lodged at the GCAA for any further step to be taken.

Since August last, to date, the GDF has not submitted such.

“I think that they are doing some maintenance work but we would not get into that until they submit their documents and we review it, if there are any questions then we will approach the GDF, but we are just waiting for them to submit. They have not sent anything to us, they informed us that the aircraft are here but they have not done a formal application. Maybe they are dealing with certain issues…we are just waiting for them to submit their paperwork so I guess they are trying to dot all their Is and cross all their Ts, the GCAA Director stated.

$484.2M supplemental paper in Parliament for GDF aircraft

Earlier in 2018, the APNU/AFC Government sought $484.2 million in supplemental financing to acquire four aircraft, including two Islanders.

Harmon, who was State Minister at that time, during a post-Cabinet press briefing late in 2018 had explained that a C check or maintenance check was being carried out. This entails the aircraft being disassembled and individual components checked.

The supplemental funds for the aircraft were sought on the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) behalf in the National Assembly back in May 2018.

At the time, Harmon was asked by Opposition parliamentarian and former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee about the manufacturing date of the aircraft.

One of the two multimillion-dollar Britten-Norman Islanders that have been grounded almost one year to date (DPI photo)

“These are not new aircraft. They are aircraft that have been in service and are being purchased by the company that owns them. The two Skyvans were manufactured in 1977 and the two Islanders in 1976. The Islanders were [used to transport] passengers and cargo while the Skyvans were for paratrooping,”

Harmon had said.

Under further questioning from Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, Harmon had assured that the planes were issued with airworthiness certificates from Brazilian and European Aviation officials. Harmon had also noted that the two Islanders would be further examined before Guyana

even uses them.

GDF expectations on use of the two aircraft

At the time of the commissioning of the aircraft in August 2018, Commanding Officer of the Air Corps, Commander Courtney Burns had laid out his expectations for how the aircraft would be used.

For instance, he had said the aircraft would be used for search and rescue as required; airborne and airmobile operations; casualty evacuations; day and night medical evacuation; air transport for troops; as a platform for tactical operation; surveillance through the country including the Exclusive Economic Zone and disaster relief operations.

He had also listed the use of the aircraft for replenishing supplies for those deployed, provide support for Government programmes, conduct trainings, conduct anti-piracy, anti-illegal mining, logging and fishing activities, support civil powers and the police, provide internal support operations, conduct counter-narcotic operations and cross border operations.

12 News

monday, JUly 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Entrepreneurial skills training aids in crime reduction – Ramjattan …programme challenged with late stipends, inadequate materials

Participants who recently completed the training programme

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ollowing nine months of vocational training through the Citizen Security Strengthening Skills programme, 50 youths, drawn from communities such as Albouystown, South and North Ruimveldt, Sophia, Haslington, Enmore and Buxton, are now equipped with the necessary prerequisites to better their lives.

As part of the course, facilitators were assigned to guide the youths in six fields; namely: masonry, in-

formation technology and business, welding, plumbing, air conditioning and refrigeration, and catering.

Many youths had started the programme, but only 18 males and 32 females successfully completed the training.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has said the training helped to create responsible citizens who can make lifelong earnings and, more so, contribute to society. The main focus of the youths’ training

was to eliminate the plaguing increase of criminal activities in the various areas from which they were drawn.

“It is the completion of a milestone, and (their) taking one step closer towards becoming responsible citizens, employees and entrepreneurs. The programme had to do with a reduction in crime and a reduction of youth violence”, Ramjattan expressed.

He added that the programme guarantees a reduc-

tion of violence among our young people, even as he explained that this approach is used by many Caribbean countries, and positive responses have been recorded. The youths in Guyana who participated in the programme were also offered tutoring in Mathematics and English.

Ezraleen Mc Lean of the Sophia Training Centre, who was responsible for some of the programme’s activities, highlighted some challenges the programme had faced over the nine months of its existence, including stipends for the trainees arriving late and materials for the projects being in inadequate supply. Some participants had also failed to comply with the dress code, among other requirements.

“We have encountered our fair share of challenges during the period under review. Some of these are late payments of stipend, late and inadequate supply of training materials, late-

Valedictorian Joel Primo receiving one of his prizes from Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

ness, failure to comply with our dress code, absenteeism due to economic situation at home, students’ low academic level, no entrepreneurship instructor, late payment of staff members, and lack of involvement of community action officers,” she listed.

Valedictorian of the programme is Joel Primo.

Osafa Browne has been declared the second best graduating student. Others recognised were as follows: Alana Argyle, best graduate of the catering class; Jolana

Callender, best graduate for information technology; Nkala Gordon, same for masonry; Joel Primo, same for plumbing; Osafa Browne, same for refrigeration; and Fay Robinson, same for welding.

This initiative was launched in 2016 with US$15 million funding from the Inter-American Development Bank. Going forward, the Ministry will supply finances for its continuation.

Business leaders called on to invest in implementing green practices

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usiness Minister Haimraj Ramkumar is urging business leaders to invest in implementing green practices throughout their business activities, because those practices have long-term effects.

Speaking on Saturday at the opening of the Regional Agricultural and Commercial Exhibition (RACE), which was held at the Albion Sports Complex in Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne), the Minister said many persons are not aligning themselves with businesses which promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Now in its second year, the one-day exhibition was held under the team “Promoting investment in agriculture, showcasing our local products”, and catered for businesses involved in agriculture and agro-processing. The exhibition was also expected to connect producers and consumers while improving and expanding trade opportunities in the region.

The Business Minister noted that Guyana has a long history of agricultural production.

“This sector has long been the cornerstone of our country’s economy, contributing substantively to the development of Guyana, and being one of the largest creators of employment throughout the country,” he said.

“Agriculture plays an increasingly important role today,” he also said, while adding that the United Nations (UN), in its 2018 Report, indicated that growth in the

Business Minister Haimraj Ramkumar

agricultural sector is twice as effective in reducing poverty as in any other sector.

“The importance of agriculture in the elimination of word hunger cannot be overstated, especially when an estimated 224 million people in 51 countries are currently facing a global food shortage,” the minister said.

Minister Ramkumar has said Guyana must transition to the modern agricultural systems and technologies so that it can realise its true potential as a major food producer in the Caribbean.

At the global level, he noted, technologies in agriculture are so common that manual application of water, fertilisers and pesticides is almost unheard of.

“The application of smart systems in agriculture contributes towards better crop management, higher yields, optimal use of water and chemicals (and) our rivers and canals, which essentially is the protection of our environment,” he said.

He said smart agriculture is also part of the country’s Green State Development Strategy.

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monday, JUly 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mahdia Town Clerk fired – accuses Council of discrimination against youths

Former Town Clerk of Mahdia Hakeem Wong with Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan at a recent meeting held in Georgetown

J

ust days after Councillors and businesses at Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), called out the Administration for discrimination, they have moved to terminate the services of the Town Clerk with immediate effect.

The Town Clerk, Hakeem Wong, a 21-yearold, during an interview with Guyana Times on Sunday related that he received the termination letter in his email on Thursday afternoon. The email was sent by the Secretary of the Local Government Commission, Nickalai Pryce.

Wong said he was surprised to receive such a letter since he has never had any issues with the Council and was executing his duties diligently. “We haven’t had a problem or anything and the letter stated that my service was being terminated because the Council has lost confidence in my abilities,” he said.

Wong, who is the son of a popular businessman, Roger Hinds, told this publication that no accusations were ever levied against him that would warrant a consultation or investigation and as a result, no factual decision could have been made.

He accused the Administration of discriminating against the youths in the community. “I see this as blatant discrimination against youths. I am 21 working for my community and I have a family to maintain. I have a daughter and one on the way,” he added.

Further, Wong noted that he has already indicated to the Council that he is appealing their decision as there were no proper grounds for this dismissal. As such, he called on the relevant authorities to visit the town and conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and also speak to members of the communities who will attest to the

positive work he has been doing. Attempts to contact the subject Minister for a comment proved futile.

Meanwhile, just last week, a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Councillor of the region and other party supporters who operate businesses in the mining town accused the Regional Administration of victimisation and discrimination against them owing to their party affiliation.

Party supporters accused the regional authorities of taking away their contracts and giving same to A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) supporters.

This, they said, is unfair as everyone irrespective of which party they support should be allowed to earn their daily bread.

PPP/C supporter and Councillor Davo Ramphal, who reached out to Guyana Times, explained that he was awarded the garbage disposal contract for the region. However, without reason, the contract was taken away from him and given to a known AFC supporter, who is unequipped to execute the job.

The businessman added that in some cases, regional officials are deliberately stifling PPP/C supporters.

Ramphal explained that during the independence celebrations in the mining town last month, when Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence attended a flag-raising ceremony, she visited the hospital where the garbage was piled up as the newly contracted service provider was doing a poor job.

The authorities then requested his company do the disposal of garbage for that day after which they awarded him the contract again and it was this that angered the AFC supporter. “They behave as if only they are entitled … Once you’re a PPP in this region you should not

be allowed to make a living,” a businessman said.

He noted that in one case, an AFC Councillor (name withheld) was heard in a recording threatening to pull support if any PPP/C supporters were awarded any contracts or benefited in any way from the region. “We are heading into some real unchartered territory here and we are losing grounds because the PPP should not be gaining any work in this community from our Government when we have our supporters who are bending over backwards,” the AFC Councillor was heard saying in the recording.

Other business owners also expressed their dissatisfaction with treatment they have been receiving from officials in the region who continue to encourage supporters to boycott “PPP” businesses.

Another businessman

A section of the mining town of Mahdia

told Guyana Times on Wednesday that his sales have declined significantly and he was struggling to make ends meet. He blamed the regional authorities for inciting division and discrimination within that region.

“All the years we have been living and doing busi-

ness here, and we have never encountered problems like this. Everyone lived well and supported each other no matter which party they support but now it’s a big race [ethnic] thing. It’s as if once you aren’t a supporter of APNU/AFC, you don’t belong. Imagine you have their Councillors telling peo-

ple where to shop and where to dine. It’s almost unbelievable,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ramphal also disclosed that last week, the region dismissed the Manager of the Mahdia Power and Light Company and hired another AFC supporter who has no experience in that field.

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monday, JUly 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

ISG gives away 3rd bike in “Oil and Go” promotion A s Industrial Supply of Guyana Incorporated (ISG) celebrates its 16th Anniversary, another lucky Guyanese on Sunday rode away with a Honda motorbike as that company held the third drawing of its “Oil and Go” promotion at its Head Office at Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara.

The event commenced with a stunning “bikers’ parade” from ISG, a subsidiary company of Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited (MACORP), and bikers from the Sonic Bikers Club and the Piranha Bikers Club (Guyana Bikers Association) blazed the roadways from Peters Hall to Parika, East Bank Essequibo, performing stunts as they promoted the newest motorcycle lubricant.

The bikers stopped at two ISG authorised dealers along the West Coast of Demerara to encourage persons to purchase the new product and to entice participation in the promotion to win one of the motorcycles up for grabs. The show the bikers put on left many bystanders in awe.

V. Ramdial was the third lucky customer to walk away with a brand-new motorcycle, after purchasing oil which cost $4500.

The grand draw was done at

Natasha Ali (Operations Manager); Guillermo Escarraga (MACORP CEO) and Raymond Adams (second winner)

the L. Bukhan Supermarket in Parika, EBE. The promotion has already seen two winners, Aderemi Adams being the first, and Raymond James the second. Present at Sunday’s draw, Raymond James was handed the keys to his brand-new motorcycle, valued at $250,000.

The newest product line launched by ISG in collaboration with its Trinidad partner National Petroleum is the Ultra Motorcycle Oil, a high-quality oil specifical-

ly made with a number of detergents and solutions designed to reduce engine corrosion; improve engine response; and remove wet clutch slippage, thereby resulting in greater power and fuel economy, and an extended engine life.

The company is giving back to customers in the form of a promotion in which persons can win one of six Honda 110 motorcycles. This promotion commenced in March, and will conclude on September 30, 2019, prior to which customers

were enlightened and advised to participate therein by simply purchasing the Ultra Motorcycle Oil, which is solely distributed by ISG. The promotion did not exclude authorised resellers from participating, as they were eligible to win one of two weekend all-expenses-paid trips to Barbados.

The resellers drawing would be held at the end of this promotion, but drawings for the motorcycles would be held monthly, and customers can also double their

chances of winning therein by shopping Ultra Powermax 10W 40 Motorcycle Oil. To win, users must fill out the coupon with all the required fields, especially tax invoice numbers, so that the purchase can be verified at resellers across Guyana.

Vouchers without invoice numbers would automatically be disqualified. Other criteria are that no customer can win twice, and no staff or family member from ISG or MACORP can participate.

For resellers with 30 days’ credit, the account must be in good standing and the coupon must be filled out accurately.

During the draw, it was pointed out that participating vendors and users had to have purchased MP Ultra Lubricant, which boasts over 50 years of experience in blending lubricants in Trinidad.

All lubricants must adhere to the strict quality standards stipulated by international rating bodies, including the American Petroleum Institute (API), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

By being compliant with these standards, MP ensures its products rank in performance with any established international brand.

Linden hosts Riverfront Festival 2019 L inden’s Annual Riverfront Festival 2019 was on Friday evening launched under the theme “Embracing the river” with several activities planned for the momentous occasion.

The celebration brings to light the uniqueness of Linden being a town and more so one that has a river which runs through it.

Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon in declaring the festival open said the riverfront development is part of the development envi-

A section of the gathering on Friday evening

sioned for a “Green Guyana” and is part of the Green State Development Strategy which will see Guyana transformed

into a “Green State” and economy within the next thirty years.

As such, he said the at-

titude towards the environment which includes rivers, creeks, trees and the air that we breathe has to significantly change in keeping with that strategy.

“Guyana, as you are aware, is now deemed the number one ecotourist destination in the world, and this means that our ecotourist product that as a people we have to take the benefits that accrue from such a status. We have to seek the benefits that would see tourists coming to Guyana to enjoy that product that we have here...to enjoy this waterfront. So, when people come to Linden... to Guyana they know that there’s a waterfront festival that takes place every year...”, he noted.

Harmon added that Government supports the initiative, which he deemed an important one, and will continue to do so in an effort to develop the waterfront.

The initiative was Samuel Wright’s brainchild. He was also the coordinator and in delivering an overview of the festival, he said the idea of working towards the development of the Linden riverfront was developed after travelling overseas.

He reminisced on his younger years swimming in the river and pointed to ways in which it is utilised for sim-

ple things.

Wright said the idea for the riverfront development came after the realisation that not much attention is paid to the water these days.

He said it is important to have an understanding of the river and how it contributes to our way of life, and also to be mindful of the harm it can have on future generations.

He said the Riverfront Development Plan which was created aims at protecting the river and the need for a comprehensive development plan to enhance it.

“The riverfront festival is simply an attempt to bring us to the river in a very conscious way. What do we do for the riverfront festival? We simply do the things we do all the time over a shorter period of time...The riverfront festival says we’re bringing to the river [and] we’re doing the things which are important to us...and we’ll celebrate the river by doing the things we always do”, he said.

Meanwhile, Linden Mayor Waneka Arrindell stressed the need for all to realise and understand the importance of the river, noting that it is so much more than we imagine.

She said the river aids in the commerce and diversification of Linden’s economics.

“It’s a lifeline for development, for the development of our community. It stands as the main water source for our community. And the connection that bridges the gap between Wismar and Mackenzie and sometimes sends the significant message of how two persons across the river can unite. Two varying cultures as you walk along.

This river connects that culture together to call it Linden and we are proud of that”, the Mayor said.

She also pointed to the

need to turn to ecotourism by utilising available resources one of which is the river, more so since Guyana has been named number one destination for ecotourism. She also urged all to think of ways of developing the riverfront and waterways.

The Linden Riverfront Development Plan focuses on working towards goals such as access along the riverfront (parks, open spaces, marinas, cultural facilities, etc), environmental stewardship and green designs of facilities, historic preservation, economic access and opportunity and the development of a working riverfront supporting aspects such as shipping, transportation, fishing and recreation amongst others.

On opening day, the festival also featured the Linden Riverfront Development Forum and live boxing and music at the Wismar Market tarmac.

On Saturday, a Market Day was hosted at the Wismar Market tarmac. Also, on the calendar of activities are a bike parade along Republic Avenue to Burnham Drive, fishing competition along the riverfront, cross country races at Wismar, kids’ fest at Co-op Crescent, street football at the Mackenzie Market tarmac and club hopping at clubs along the river.

On Sunday, June 30, church services were held along the riverfront, a senior’s brunch at the Pensioners Hall, an open river swim activity at Dejonge’s Landing at Co-op Crescent, Colours event featuring jazz, fashion, poetry and wine tasting at the Watooka lawns.

On Monday, July 1, a regatta, river sports, food fair and wash down events are scheduled to be hosted at the Egbert Benjamin Centre.

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monday, JUly 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say about

I SAY...

Do you think the Police should investigate themselves?

Dan Rahim “It’s about time some of these police be investigated by private people after most of them are corrupt and this Government is hiding them from their wrongdoings and because of that they think that they are untouchable.”

Chetan Puran “A separate branch of authority attached to the overall disciplinary forces of Guyana. More like the structure of internal affairs in the USA.”

Parmanand Kandhai “Independent private investigators should definitely be hired. Reason being is because it’s like putting a “hypocrite” to mark his/her own exam paper.”

Andrew Khan “Yes, independent or private investigators should be hired because how can corrupt officers investigate corrupt officers? A private investigator would be an asset to the Guyana Police Force. Only in that way corruption within the force would end.”

Sheryl Johnson “For me, it would not be the best decision to have them investigate their own self, but if there should be a special agency to conduct these said investigations, I think they should be the ones to avoid further conflicts and compromise.”

Arif Fareed “Yes, independent private investigators should be hired because if the Police Force is investigating itself then that would be a case of conflict of interest.”

Davika Seeraj “How can the police investigate itself? This will only make ways for them to cover up internal issues that need to be revealed. An independent body is most needed and should be pursued.”

Anjali Balkaran “In no way the police should investigate itself. I would think that some police normally become biased and side with officers they know. In the first place, the Force isn’t trustworthy to begin with because if they were, doubt wouldn’t arise. In Guyana, a lot of this is going on. You cannot trust anybody. They should bring in trustworthy persons, persons who have the skill to do this.”

Linden Rehabilitation Services Department targets earlier detection of related issues

W

ith the observance of Rehab Week 2019, Lindeners were encouraged to take better advantage of services offered through the Rehabilitation Department of the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC).

The week of activities which concluded on Saturday was observed under the theme, “Rebuilding lives everyday with better awareness, action and accessibility”.

As part of the activities, the LHC Rehabilitation Department hosted numerous activities aimed at heightening awareness of its services with calls being made to support earlier detection of related issues.

The activities included screening for hearing and posture defects in school children, a radio sensitisation programme and a manual handling sensitisation seminar.

The department has also planned a number of sensitisation activities at various clinics in Linden.

Superintendent of physiotherapy, Gloria Garraway, who also manages the Rehabilitation Services within Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), said a lot of persons in the community are unaware of the services offered by the hospital’s Rehabilitation Department as she stressed that many are only referred to access the services when their ailments are at the chronic stages.

She outlined that services offered include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and

language therapy and audiology.

Garraway said the department is presently working to have more patients referred to access the services.

“We want the public out there to know of the service, so if they have any problems, they can access the services we offer at the hospital. A lot of the patients in order to come to us they need to be referred by a doctor and we don’t really have that much specialists at the hospital so a lot of the medical doctors, their first option is analgesics - the tablets...So I still think that a lot of patients who need our services are not being referred”, Garraway said.

She explained that this has a lot to do with education and sensitisation of patients and doctors.

According to Garraway, the department has hosted sensitisation sessions with doctors, informing them of services offered, however, she said the rapid change in doctors also results in fewer referrals.

As such, she said the department is trying its best to educate the newer batch of doctors in this regard.

In the area of physiotherapy, the department targets persons who experience pain, strains, sprains and swelling as well as patients with disabilities. Garraway noted that patients can also request to access rehabilitation services when they see the doctor or they can feel free to simply walk into the department and seek advice. Persons who suffer from neurological problems such as head injuries and audiological issues such

From left: Rehabilitation Assistant Johann Burnett; Audiological Practitioner Chrisann Stephens; Rehabilitation Assistant (Kwakwani) Martine Edward; Superintendent in Rehabilitation Services, Gloria Garraway; Physiotherapist Quacy Paddy and Rehabilitation Assistant (Kwakwani) Martine Edward

as trouble hearing are also seen.

“It’s basically rehabilitation, so whatever disability or problem you have we rehabilitate you.

If you have pains in the joints, if you twist your ankle...”, Garraway pointed out.

The other aspect of the department’s function is speech and language therapy. Presently there is an ongoing initiative whereby a speech and language therapist visits nursery schools to screen students who are identified by teachers. In this regard, Garraway stressed the importance of early identification of issues affecting children.

“We’re able to detect persons with speech defects like stuttering,

children who are not speaking at a certain age. In most cases, they come to us when it’s time to go off to primary school which is pretty late. If we know of the defects they have early, we can help the family and teachers in nursery schools to solve the problems earlier”, she noted.

The students are also screened for issues with hearing and postural defects.

“Because we would find every now and then children come more, per se from high schools, they come with postural [problems] - the lateral curvature of the spine, so we would want to detect that early so we would be able to advise them what to do”, she explained.

Garraway pointed out that postural defects in students may be caused by slouching, heavy haversacks as well as poor sitting and standing methods as she noted that earlier detection can prevent the development of structural issues.

“Every now and then we see some children who we would consider [to suffer from] structural [problems] which means the actual spine has already started curving and we’re not really able to straighten it. So, if we can identify this in the children earlier when it’s more a postural issue it’s better for those children”, she noted.

Persons with disabilities who are patients benefit from equipment such as wheelchairs and walking aids. Garraway noted that amputees, patients who have suffered a stroke and those with cerebral palsy also benefit from services offered.

“When they come here we try to make them as independent as possible with the disability”, she noted.

The department sees an average of 30 to 40 new patients per month. The services are also available at sister hospitals within the region including the Upper Demerara Hospital (UDH) and Kwakwani Hospital. Garraway noted that the LHC has developed over the years from offering physiotherapy services which started in the 1970s to now offering additional overall rehabilitation services.

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, July 1, 2019

Regional

Muslim group sends letters to T&T Govt: Bring home ISIS survivors

"B

ring these 25 children and adults home from Syria."

That appeal was made in letters to Government on May 24 and up to last Friday by the Concerned Muslims of T&T (CMTT) group seeking to bring "home" children and adults who are relatives of Islamic State (ISIS) fighters.

They have been at the al Hol refugee camp in north-eastern Syria following ISIS' collapse to international forces in the last year – and relatives of theirs in T&T have asked CMTT to seek their return.

The individuals are connected to T&T nationals who joined ISIS in conflict zones over the period the terrorist group recruited people worldwide from 2012.

The children range in ages from one to nine years and some were born in Syria recently.

Also located at the camp are people from 30 to 40 countries who were detained when ISIS toppled. The camp’s population up to last week was 73,043 with very poor conditions, the United Nations stated.

In 2016, former National Security Minister Edmund Dillon said 130 T&T nationals –fighters and families –

A

The layout of the al Hol refugee camp in north-east Syria

went to conflict zones. A subsequent figure of 180 was given in the 2017 Budget debate. An intelligence list obtained by Guardian Media in 2016 showed 105 departing – including families – over 2012-2015. This included former Enterprise resident Shane Crawford and others officially deemed terrorists and killed in battle in 2017.

CMTT, headed by Imam Sheraz Ali and Imtiaz Mohammed, sent letters on May 24 and up to last Friday to the Foreign Affairs and National Security Ministers

seeking the State's intervention to bring "home" the children and adults. They submitted lists of those in camps.

CMTT represents some congregations within T&T's Muslim community including some mosques in North, Central, and South. The letter acknowledged there are different sects in the community, the vast majority of whom are peaceful, law-abiding citizens. And there has been a rise in fundamentalism across the board. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Bodies of Salvadoran migrants return home after harrowing border deaths

T

he corpses of a Salvadoran father and his 23-month-old daughter, whose bodies lying face down in the Rio Grande became symbols of the perils of illegal immigration to the United States, were returned to their homeland on Sunday.

A stark photo of the dead Oscar Martinez, 25, and his daughter Angie Valeria floating near the bank of the river ignited fresh criticism of US

President Donald Trump’s tough policies on undocumented migrants entering the United States via Mexico.

Martinez and his family had left El Salvador in April, hoping to find work in the United States. But their dream unravelled last Sunday when they tried to cross the river that separates northeast Mexico from the United States.

Travelling in a convoy of Government vehi-

cles and white vans from a funeral home, the bodies of the drowned migrants left Mexico for El Salvador, where they are due to be buried today. Interior Minister Mario Duran accompanied the remains but did not speak to reporters.

Amid a large Police presence, the convoy entered El Salvador through the border crossing of La Hachadura on the frontier with Guatemala.

American couple still missing in Barbados (Excerpt from Reuters)

O

scar Suarez and Magdalena Devil are still missing.

But although the search for the American couple ends today, local authorities are still hoping for the best.

Tourism Minister Kerrie Symmonds flanked by Deputy Police Commissioner Erwin Boyce and Lieutenant Commander at the Barbados Coast Guard, Ryan Alleyne updated members of the media Sunday morning, at Government Headquarters, Bay Street, St Michael.

“The United States Air Force, who have not found anything, recalled their plane. And obviously with the passage of time, the prospect of this having a happy ending

C'bean nationals spend 'excessive out-of-pocket' dollars on health services — report

Tourism Minister Kerrie Symmonds (centre); Lieutenant Commander at the Barbados Coast Guard Ryan Alleyne (left) and Deputy Police Commissioner Erwin Boyce (Picture by Tre Greaves)

becomes smaller, but we will continue this search with the Barbados Coast Guard and the Regional Security Service until sunset this evening,” Symmonds said.

The New Jersey couple arrived in Barbados last week Saturday, and went missing after going on a jet

ski from Holetown Beach on Monday.

Their disappearance prompted a response from numerous local and international officials, including Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, who on Thursday extended the search to 72 hours. (nationnews)

new World Bank report says that people in developing countries, including the Caribbean, spend half a trillion dollars annually – over US$80 per person – out of their own pockets to access health services.

The report, which was launched ahead of the G20 Summit in Japan, says such expenses “hit the poor the hardest”.

It says that lack of universal access to quality, affordable health services threatens decades-long progress on health, endangers countries' long-term economic prospects, and makes them more vulnerable to pandemic risks.

The World Bank said financing universal health coverage (UHC) in developing countries is “a priority for the G20 Presidency of Japan”.

The Washington-based financial institution said

Lack of universal access to quality, affordable health services threatens decades-long progress on health

the report informed a first-ever G20 Finance and Health Ministers joint session hosted by Japan on Friday in Osaka, after being discussed by G20 Finance Ministers earlier this month.

“Globally, health is an important economic sector that accounts for 11 per cent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and generates millions of jobs, many of them for women,” the World Bank said.

Taro Aso, Japan's Finance Minister, said: “UHC is not just about better health, it is fundamental to inclusive growth.”

“Japan's adoption of a system that provided quality, affordable health-care in 1961 helped drive decades of social and economic progress,” he said. “We believe UHC is essential for all developing countries and the G20 has a critical role to play to enable it.” (Excerpt from CMC)

1 dead, 4 injured in Jamaica crash

A

man died Sunday morning and four people were injured in two-vehicle collision on the Lilliput main road in St James. Jamaica.

Dead is 21-year-old Christopher Sherman of Ranch Road, Montego Bay

in St James.

Reports from the Barrett Town Police are that about 02:00h, Sherman was driving a Toyota Yaris motor car with three female passengers when he collided with a Toyota Axio motor car.

The Police were sum-

moned and Sherman, his passengers and the male driver of the Toyota Axio were taken to hospital.

Sherman was pronounced dead and the others admitted in serious condition.

Investigations continue.

(Jamaica Observer)

Mexican leader admits shortcomings on security at launch of new armed force

M

exican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Sunday his seven-monthold government had yet to make progress in tackling record levels of violence afflicting the country as he launched a new militarised police force tasked with fixing the problem.

Formally inaugurating the new National Guard, veteran leftist Lopez Obrador blamed the economic policies of previous Administrations for exacerbating the violence, and said his Government was rooting out corruption and inequality in Mexico.

“But we still have to resolve the serious problem of insecurity and violence,” the President said in an address to thousands of new National Guard members standing in formation in the Campo Marte (Field of Mars) of central Mexico City.

“We can’t say there that there’s been progress.

Unfortunately, the same conditions prevail that we inherited from previous Governments in terms of insecurity and violence.”

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

Lopez Obrador took office in December 2018, and last year the country registered nearly 29,000 murder investigations, many fuelled by brutal turf wars between powerful drug gangs.

There were 14,505 murder probes in the first six months of the Lopez Obrador Administration, 5.4 per cent more than in the same period a year earlier, official data show. Nevertheless, the totals registered in April and May were lower than in 2018.

The National Guard would deploy 70,000 members during the first phase of its introduction and gradually rise to 150,000 units across Mexico, the President said.

The guard has already stirred controversy, and the president’s decision to deploy it to police Mexico’s borders against illegal immigration met with criticism from within his own National Regeneration Movement party. (Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

moNday, JUly 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Millions march: Sudanese renew US-North Korea: Trump and Kim protests to demand civilian rule agree to restart talks in historic meeting

T

ens of thousands of protesters have poured onto the streets of Khartoum and elsewhere as part of mass rallies aimed at pressuring Sudan's ruling generals to hand over power to a civilian-led administration and seeking justice for the scores of victims of a deadly military crackdown.

Dubbed the "millions march", Sunday's demonstrations were the first since security forces on June 3 killed more than 100 people during the bloody dispersal of a protest camp outside the military headquarters, the focal point of the protesters' months-long struggle for democracy.

Images posted on social media appeared to show heightened security around the capital, with the feared paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the group blamed by protesters for the June 3 killings deployed in pick-up trucks mounted

D

RSF chief General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo on Saturday warned he would not tolerate any 'vandalism' at Sunday's protests

with machine guns in several Khartoum squares.

In the northern Khartoum district of Bahari and in Mamura and Arkweit, in the capital's east, police fired tear gas as thousands of protesters chanted "Civilian rule! Civilian rule!", witnesses reportedly said. Security forces were also reported to have fired tear gas at demonstrators in the eastern town of Gadaref.

Reports also said that a protester had been shot

dead in Atbara, the birthplace of the uprising that led to al-Bashir's removal.

The march came as the African Union (AU) and neighbouring Ethiopia stepped up efforts to mediate the ongoing crisis between the protest organisers and the TMC, which seized power in April when it overthrew long-time President Omar al-Bashir in the wake of mass protests against his autocrat rule.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

India's PM calls for water

conservation push as drought hits crops

I

ndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday pushed for greater grassroots water conservation efforts amid concerns weak monsoon rains would push millions of drought-hit people to the edge and hammer agricultural production in Asia’s third-biggest economy.

The monsoon season is responsible for around 70 per cent of India’s annual rainfall, and is particularly important for the farm sector since more than half of the country’s arable land is rain-fed.

“Only 8 per cent of all the rainwater in India is

conserved,” Modi said in his first monthly radio broadcast after winning re-election last month. “It’s now time to solve this problem.”

India received 24 per cent less rainfall than the 50-year average in the week ended on June 26, data from the India Meteorological Department showed, with scant rains over central and western regions of the country.

The spectre of a crisis this year comes after drought in some parts of India in 2018 destroyed crops, ravaged livestock, exhausted reservoirs, leaving some cities and indus-

tries with little water.

The Prime Minister said there was a need to create public awareness about water conservation and explore traditional water management methods, in much the same way as the “Clean India” mission to end open defecation, started in 2014, had.

Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of the South Asia Network of Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP), said Modi’s initiative would have limited impact without the Government fixing problems like rampant groundwater usage. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Gunmen open fire on Lebanese Minister's convoy, killing 2

G

unmen have opened fire on the convoy of a Lebanese Minister in a mountain village near Beirut, killing two of his guards and wounding another, in what he called an assassination attempt.

Saleh al-Gharib, the Minister of State handling refugee issues, told local TV he was heading to the mountain village of Qabr Shamoun when his convoy came under fire on Sunday.

Gharib is a member of a party allied with Hezbollah and supportive of the Syrian Government, and has close ties with pro-Syrian Druze leader Talal Arslan.

Lebanese State news agency NNA reported that the violence erupted in 30km southeast of Beirut, where followers of the Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party

Al-Gharib's party is allied with Hezbollah and supports the Syrian Government

(PSP), a vocal critic of the Syrian Government, had blocked a road to prevent Foreign Minister Jubran Bassil, an ally of the Syriaallied Hezbollah movement, from visiting the area.

As al-Gharib's convoy tried to pass, an argument followed by shooting took

place between both sides, leaving three bodyguards and a PSP follower injured, NNA added.

Two of the three bodyguards later died of injuries at the hospital.

The PSP said in a statement that al-Gharib's guards opened fire "randomly" at a group of people who were closing the road to prevent Bassil from passing.

It said a PSP supporter was wounded in the shooting, and that others who had weapons opened fire at al-Gharib's convoy, killing two of his guards.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun called for the country's Higher Defence Council to meet today to discuss the incident.

The Lebanese army sent reinforcements to the area.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

onald Trump has become the first sitting US President to set foot in North Korea, after meeting Kim Jong-un in the area dividing the two Koreas.

Trump and the North Korean leader posed for handshakes before talking for nearly an hour in the heavily fortified demilitarised zone (DMZ).

Both countries agreed to set up teams to resume stalled nuclear talks.

Their last summit broke down in February with no progress on denuclearisation in North Korea.

Critics have dismissed the occasion - the two leaders' third face-to-face encounter in just over a year - as a political theatre and say North Korea still needs to show that it is serious

President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un each stepped over the border into North and South Korea

in getting rid of its nuclear weapons.

In a meeting apparently arranged after Trump invited Kim on Twitter on Saturday, they shook hands across the demarcation line between the Koreas before Trump briefly crossed into North Korea, a symbolic milestone.

The encounter had initially been billed as a short greeting but Trump and Kim ended up talking for almost an hour in a building known

as the Freedom House, on the South Korean side.

Speaking next to Trump in a rare statement to the press, Mr Kim said the meeting was a symbol of their "excellent" relationship.

Negotiators from the two countries will meet in the next weeks to resume discussions about North Korea's nuclear programme, Trump told reporters, saying he was "not looking for speed [but] looking to get it right." (Excerpt from BBC News)

Italy and Germany in war of words over German rescue ship captain

A

war of words broke out between Germany and Italy on Sunday over the German captain of a rescue ship, who defied a docking ban enforced by Rome to bring migrants ashore.

Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini angrily dismissed a German call not to treat the captain as a criminal.

After spending two weeks in international waters with dozens of rescued African migrants, Carola Rackete, 31, was arrested on Saturday when the SeaWatch 3 ship docked at the island port of Lampedusa without permission.

Salvini, leader of the

ruling right-wing League party, has taken a hard stance on immigration, closing off Italian ports and accusing fellow European countries of leaving Italy alone to deal with sea arrivals.

The Sea-Watch 3 case rekindled tensions with both France and Germany.

“We kindly ask the German President to worry about what happens in Germany and if possible ask its citizens not to break Italian laws,” Salvini said in response to German President Frank Walter Steinmeier.

“Anyone who saves people’s lives cannot be considered a criminal,”

Steinmeier told German public broadcaster ZDF. The Italian Government blames Rackete for endangering the lives of four policemen who were aboard a patrol boat that ended up squeezed against the quay as the Sea-Watch 3 approached, before managing to free itself.

Salvini has called it “a criminal act, an act of war”.

“A magistrate has 48 hours to decide if the lady in charge of the ship that tried to squash four policemen like sardines deserves to remain in jail or not,” Salvini added.

“If she is released, we have an expulsion order ready.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Hong Kong protests: Thousands rally in support of Police and Beijing

T

ens of thousands of pro-Beijing protesters are rallying in support of the police in Hong Kong.

The demonstrators, dressed in white and blue and waving Chinese flags, oppose the anti-extradition protests that have taken over the city this month.

Two record-breaking rallies were held against a proposed law that would see suspects extradited to mainland China.

On June 12 Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds - the worst violence in the city in decades.

Hong Kong's justice secretary Teresa Cheng later ruled out an investigation into police brutality.

However, the demonstrations forced the Government to apologise and suspend the planned bill.

Local media say about

Many protesters waved Chinese flags at the rally in Tamar Park

165,000 pro-Beijing protesters turned up to the rally in Tamar Park on Sunday.

This is far fewer than the number of people who protested against the extradition bill - activist groups put the figure at about two million for the latest rally.

However, it is a sign of significant pro-Beijing movement in the territory.

The controversial bill would have allowed extradition to mainland China, Taiwan and Macau for suspects accused of crimes such as rape and murder.

Hong Kong has been part of China since 1997 under the "one country, two systems" principle, which allows it freedoms not seen on the mainland, including judicial independence.

But protesters fear the bill could bring Hong Kong more decisively under China's control.

Another mass rally against the extradition bill is being planned for today, to coincide with the 22nd anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong to China. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, July 1, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

If you are going to get into a discussion, know what you want and what you’ll be willing to settle for before you begin.

Outmaneuvering someone takes finesse and knowledge.

Check over your personTAURUS (April 20- al finances before you make May 20) a purchase or get involved in a risky joint venture. Be practical and selective when it comes to money matters.

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Question motives if someone is acting strange or being unusually accommodating. A hidden matter will be revealed. Don’t let anger set in when facts and intelligence are what’s required.

CANCER

Question what others are doing. Don’t feel that you must follow someone who is coaxing you to get involved in something that makes you anxious. Choose to do your own thing.

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Size up a situation and take on feasible responsibilities. Know your limits and refuse to let anyone talk you into something you know you shouldn’t do.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Make change happen.

Concentrate on being your best, not on trying to get others to adjust to your way of thinking. Give everyone space and do your own thing.

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SATURDAY’S WORD

Offer help because you want to, not in order to impress someone. Bragging will be misleading, causing others to want more from you. Focus on self-improvement instead of trying to change others.

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Don’t feel that you must spend money or keep up with someone who tends to live lavishly. Attend an event that is quite different than anything you’ve encountered in the past.

A personal adjustment will encourage you to do what’s right. Make choices based on facts, not on following others. Romance will bring you closer to a loved one.

Don’t let the changes that someone makes bother you. You don’t have to join in if you don’t want to. Focus on what makes you happy instead of trying to appease others.

Take a time-out and relax. Spend time doing something that makes you feel good about your appearance or capabilities. Offer peace and love, not discord.

Before you sign up for something expensive, consider what you are going to get for your money. Life lessons are often more educational than listening to a self-help guru selling malarkey.

MONday, JUly 1, 2019

19

US Judge awards upwards of US$20M in Warner’s absence F

– CONCACAF goes after former football boss

ormer North American soccer confederation president Austin “Jack” Warner, accused of taking millions in bribes and kickbacks, was found in default, on Monday , in a US$20 million lawsuit against him by CONCACAF which accused him and fellow FIFA official Chuck Blazer of making a fortune through embezzlement.

US District judge William F Kuntz entered judgement against Warner, who is facing extradition to the US in a separate criminal case, on Monday. Warner never responded to the lawsuit by CONCACAF after he was served with it in October 2017. Kuntz granted CONCACAF’s motion for default judgement against Warner, with no opposition, as he was unrepresented in court. The lawsuit, filed in April 2017, mirrored allegations in the US indictment that resulted in charges against several top football officials.

CONCACAF’s case against Warner and Blazer accused the two of making a fortune through embezzlement – allegations that mirror those in a sprawling US criminal investigation that has resulted in charges against several top football officials. The suit accused the pair of negotiating bribes and kickbacks in connection with lucrative broadcasting rights for

tournaments including CONCACAF’s Gold Cup championship.

“There can be no doubt that Warner and Blazer victimised CONCACAF, stealing and defrauding it out of tens of millions of dollars in brazen acts of corruption for their own personal benefit at the expense of the entire CONCACAF region,” the suit said. Both men were banned from FIFA for life.

It also sought US$20 million in compensatory damages and unspecified punitive damages. It includes the cost of the Centre of Excellence, which is also the focus of a separate claim in the local courts.

Blazer, Warner’s co-defendant, a former CONCACAF general secretary, reached a plea agreement stemming from the criminal indictment for which Warner is facing extradition on allegations of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering.

Blazer died in July 2017, and his estate settled with CONCACAF for US$20 million, but the confederation said it was unlikely to recover the money because of unpaid taxes and another US court’s ruling that the estate was insolvent.

In TT, CONCACAF filed yet another lawsuit against Warner, in his personal capacity and as a partner in the firm Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence;

the centre itself; Renraw Investments Ltd and CCAN and Company, also in its personal capacity as partners in the centre; Warner’s wife Maureen; and accountant Kenny Rampersad and his company.

That lawsuit, being heard by Justice Robin Mohammed, seeks compensation for the misappropriation of funds with respect to the ownership and use of the Centre of Excellence (COE) complex in Macoya.

CONCACAF is seeking to recover its assets and hearing of an application by Renraw, CCAM and Maureen Warner to have the claim against them struck out came up before Mohammed yesterday at the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain. It is the companies’ and Mrs Warner’s contention that the claim is statute-barred and cannot go forward.

Making the case for them was Senior Counsel Fyard Hosein, who argued that CONCACAF’s claim against the three parties should be dismissed as it was “generalised and lacking in particulars and direction.”

Mohammed is expected to rule on the applications at a later date.

According to the TT claim, Warner and Blazer, in breach of their fiduciary duties, defrauded CONCACAF of tens of millions of US dollars by engaging in self-dealing schemes to enrich themselves and the other defendants.

Chuck Blazer (left) with Jack Warner during their time at the helm of regional football

The allegations against them also revolve around the management and use of the COE, and in particular concerns an alleged conspiracy to misappropriate over US$50 million in CONCACAF money by claiming the COE belonged to CONCACAF. Conflict of interest is also alleged against the group and CONCACAF is seeking reimbursement for US$37.8million, in addition to unquantified sums for general and exemplary damages, an account for all profits and funds sent

by CONCACAF and the ownership of the land, assets and property of the COE. In the US claim heard in the Brooklyn court on Monday, CONCACAF alleged Warner and Blazer accepted millions from companies in

foreign governments in exchange for their votes and broadcasting rights in major tournaments, including the 2010 World Cup. Warner has repeatedly accused CONCACAF of waging a personal war against him and has labelled the allegations as spurious. In the matter before Mohammed, CONCACAF is represented by attorneys Christopher Hamel-Smith,SC, Jonathan Walker, and Cherie Gopie.

Hosein, Sasha Bridgemohansingh and Anil Maraj represent Warner, Renraw, CCAM, the the COE. Rishi Dass and Marina Narinesingh represent Mrs Warner, and Stanley Marcus, Debra James and Lemuel Murphy appear for Mohammed and his company. (Newsday)

CWC: Sri Lanka, West Indies eye future T

Dimuth Karunaratne

he defeat to South Africa put an improbable qualification beyond their control, and England's win sealed their fate, but Sri Lanka are aiming to give it their best shot against a vibrant West Indies outfit which has nothing to lose in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019.

Sri Lanka’s 20-run win over England, on 21 June, had well and truly opened up the competition for the semi-final spots at the World Cup. However, a painful loss to South Africa, in the very next game, made their own qualifying chances extremely bleak.

In their nine-wicket loss at this very venue on 28 June, their inconsistent batting came to the fore yet again. Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne would be aiming to improve that aspect against a challenging West Indian bowling attack.

The Jason Holder-led side, on the other hand, has reached the fag-end of a sorrowful campaign that has seen them win just one out of seven games. Though they have been impressive in parts, the side has failed to close out key moments in tight games. Things went downhill after a breezy seven-wicket win over Pakistan in their opening game, and they now sit just above Afghanistan in the points table, having lost out on the semi-final race.

Sri Lanka’s batting unit has misfired more often than not, putting the onus on Lasith Malinga to deliver with the ball in clutch situations.

With nine wickets in five games, seven of which came in Sri Lanka’s two wins, the

veteran pacer has done his bit. With Nuwan Pradeep’s premature exit, Sri Lanka will be relying heavily on their bowling spearhead once again.

Chris Gayle, in the dying embers of his international career, will look to sign off from his fifth, and final, World Cup on a high. Leading the run-charts for West Indies in the tournament, the 39-year-old has shown signs of vintage form in the recent past. With no pressure of qualifying, a liberated Gayle could end up doing the damage at the top of the order.

Playing host in their first game of the tournament, the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street produced a sluggish surface in Sri Lanka’s nine-wicket loss to South Africa. Durham is expected to have clear skies on Monday, with extremely low chances of rain.

Squads Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Avishka Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Jeevan Mendis, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera (wk), Thisara Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Milinda Siriwardana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Kasun Ranjitha West Indies: Jason Holder (c), Chris Gayle, Kemar Roach, Darren Bravo, Sunil Ambris, Shai Hope, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shannon Gabriel, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Shimron Hetmyer, Fabian Allen, Oshane Thomas, Nicholas Pooran (ICC)

Chris Gayle

Jason Holder

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

MONday, JUly 1, 2019

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League…

Timehri Panthers sink Mocha Champs as EBDFA leg commences Players and club officials take a photo op with NAMILCO’s Finance Director Fitzroy McLeod

A

brace each from Ishmael Pulsaram, Captain Shannon Samnauth and Tyrel Khan piloted Timehri Panthers to a comfortable 7-0 win over Mocha Champs when the East Bank Demerara Football Association’s (EBDFA’s) leg of the 2019 edition of the GFF/ NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League kicked off in style yesterday at the GFF Facility at Providence, EBD. Following a brief opening ceremony and official opening remarks from Finance Director Fitzroy McLeod of the National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO), Timehri Panthers wasted little time in registering their first win.

Pulsaram netted the 1st goal in the 2nd minute of play, and from then the game belonged to the Panthers. Pulsaram was again on target in the 37th minute, whereas Captain Samnauth had rocked the nets in the 9th and 24th minutes, with Khan emulating him in the 58th and 63rd minutes.

The other goal came off the boot of Joseph De Freitas

in the 17th minute.

Agricola was slated to play Swan in the other scheduled match, but failed to show up, and Swan was accorded three points without breaking a sweat.

The top two teams from this tournament would earn the right to contest the National Playoffs, which would also include participation of the top two clubs from each of the nine (9) regional member associations.

In remarks addressed to the players, McLeod challenged them to make use of the opportunities being afforded them, and to work towards becoming the best they can be.

“I encourage you to train hard (and to) follow the directions and directives of your coaches and the adults around you, not only in terms of your play, but in terms of your conduct, your deportment, and the life skills you need to be successful in whatever endeavour you pursue,” McLeod declared.

The football enthusiast identified sports as a good training ground to prepare them for both a sporting career and for academic excel-

lence. He pointed out that the level of application that’s needed on the field, as well as the respect that is due to those who guide them, are tools that will serve them well in life.

“We encourage you to apply all that you learn here, because there are opportunities not just in playing football, but in other facets of life that you are being prepared for through this means. NAMILCO is investing in this activity because we see the potential in young people, but we want to see more than just potential,” he said.

He posited that it’s one thing to claim having potential, but another thing to see that potential developed and gradually coming in to bear fruit.

“We don’t want to hear, 20 years from now, that you had so much potential; we want to hear about your accomplishments. So, day in day out, as you go through the process, apply yourself and develop.

“NAMILCO is here to make sure you have this opportunity, this outlet, to test your development and to further develop; and we pro-

vide nutrition, which we expect you to make sure you consume as part of that development process. Your Wheat-up, your Thunderbolt flour, these are crucial ingredients in terms of your nutrition, to make sure that

you are strong,” he advised.

Players were also encouraged to have fun while competing, and to display sportsmanship as a key pillar of their play.

Grove Hi Tech are the defending champions.

Clubs participating in the march past were: Grove Hi Tech, Timehri Panthers, Mocha Champs, Diamond United, Herstelling Raiders, Friendship All Stars, Swan and Somatta Point Kaneville.

Thomas dusts himself off and prepares Tour de France defence

T

he video footage of Geraint Thomas sitting forlornly on the road, his face splattered with blood and his mind apparently dazed after a crash at the Tour de Suisse, appeared chilling. But as the 33-year-old Welshman prepares to begin his defence of his yellow jersey he insists that those images were misleading – and that he can defy the sceptics by bouncing back to retain his title.

Thomas, who will be Team Ineos’s joint leader alongside Egan Bernal when the Tour de France begins in Brussels on Saturday, admits the crash stopped him riding for three days. But he says he remained sitting on the ground afterwards out of frustration rather than anything more serious.

“When I saw blood dripping from my face I knew the doc wasn’t going to let me continue, so I just stayed sat on the floor,” he explains. “But it was more from just the anger and the disappointment, really. Just sitting there never looks great, because if a guy doesn’t get up straight away it normally means something bad has happened, but I was fine.”

He adds: “It was disappointing to have to pull out but it was the right call. I hit my head pretty hard and I was cut above the eye. However, there was no real concussion symptoms in the couple of days afterwards, so I was able to start training again on the Friday after the crash and I’ve had some decent rides since.”

Ineos will be without Chris Froome after the four-times Tour winner broke his femur in a training crash at the Critérium du Dauphiné. This has left Thomas and his Colombian teammate Bernal favourites with the bookies. The 34-year-old Swiss Jakob Fuglsang, riding for Astana, and Britain’s Adam Yates,

Geraint Thomas in Paris on the final stage of his victory in 2018 (Getty Images)

of Mitchelton–Scott, are rated as the next likeliest contenders for the podium.

With last year’s runner-up, Tom Dumoulin, also out with injury, this year’s field is not the strongest on paper. Even so, many believe the yellow jersey rests uneasily on Thomas’s shoulders, especially after his latest spill. But the Welshman says he remains confident. “The crash was not ideal, mainly because I wanted to see where I was and to be more certain about what everyone else was doing compared to me,” he says. “But purely from a physical point of view, I don’t think the crash is too much of an issue. I would have liked to have done all the race just to have a really good test.

“All I can do now is worry about myself in training and crack on with that. But the stages I was in during the Tour de Suisse, I was feeling OK and getting better as it was going on. But we’ll soon find out what form I am in.”

Being joint leader with Bernal will make for an interesting dynamic, but Thomas has played down fears there could be any tension as there was last year between him and Froome. “Discussing with the team, we believe it makes sense to go into the race with joint leaders as it gives us more options,” he says. “Egan and I will work hard for each other and the team over the three weeks of the race.”

Thomas also denies that his confidence had taken a hit from his latest crash. “It’s just something that happens, really,” he s a y s .

“You just get on with it and you don’t think about it much going again, otherwise you do end up taking it a bit steady, drifting back, and not being able to race like you normally do.” (The Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, July 1, 2019

CWI High Performance cricketers sharing and gaining knowledge

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Chandrapaul Hemraj

June 30.

It saw participation of 16 players drawn from across the Caribbean, chosen with the aim of enhancing their red-ball cricketing skills.

Among those players were four Guyanese: Chanderpaul Hemraj, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd and Tagenarine Chanderpaul.

During the past week, those 16 players have been gaining knowledge, but have also been sharing knowledge with kiddy cricketers across Antigua.

CWI continues to invest in the future of its cricketers, and this camp is the second of its kind, following one that was aimed to enhance white-ball cricketing skills. That camp ended on June 12, 2019.

Under the Ricky Skerritt-administration, these camps are ongoing investments in players’ development, and are aimed to fortify the pool of talent available.

In addition to the basics that every cricketer is required to know in red ball-cricket, these promising cricketers have been expose to yoga, which would aid and improve their good focus.

Guyana’s solid opening batsman

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who has personified patience in Regional cricket, has said this camp has definitely enhanced his playability.

Chandrapaul Hemraj, who played One Day International (ODI) cricket for the West Indies, has also gained from this camp, which would enhance the batting of this flamboyant cricketer. Romario Shepherd, who was among the six fast bowlers in the training camp, has been recognized as making great strides.

The T20 player Sherfane Rutherford has also gained from this camp, his skill as a three-dimensional player has been enhanced.

These players have gained personal development from a developmental programme that was designed to deliver involvement in community projects, media training, nutritional guidance, and further training in physical and mental aspects.

Program Manager Graeme West has been spearheading this program, which included five players with full international caps. The full squad reads: Keacy Carty, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Dominic Drakes, Akim Frazer, Keon Harding, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Kavem Hodge, Chemar Holder, Brandon King, Shermon Lewis, Marquino Mindley, Khary Pierre, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd and Jeremy Solozano.

CWI confirms committee members

C

ricket West Indies (CWI) announced that it has completed the assembling of 13 committees and two task forces, which will provide pragmatic operational and policy advice to the Board of Directors and its Professional Management Team, for the period up to March 2021.

The committees are Audit, Risk and Compliance, Chief Executives, Communications & Commercial Affairs, Cricket, Disciplinary Tribunal, Ethics, Executive Performance Review, Finance, Human Resources Development, International Fixtures, Medical Advisory, No Objection Certificate (NOC) and Umpires and Match Referees.

The Skerritt/Shallow led CWI has also appointed two specialized Task Forces to review and implement reform of the organization’s governance, and the outdated system of team selections.

The five member Governance Task Force is chaired by Jamaican Businessman and Senator Don Wehby, and includes Professor Sir Hilary Beckles of UWI, Charles Wilkin QC of St. Kitts & Nevis, Jamaican entrepreneur OK Melhado, and former Trinidad and West Indies cricketer, Deryck Murray.

The 6-member Selection Task Force is chaired by CWI Vice President Dr. Kishore Shallow and includes former West Indian cricketers

Ramnaresh Sarwan

Ramnaresh Sarwan, Philo Wallace, and Miles Bascombe, Jimmy Adams, CWI Director of Cricket, and Enoch Lewis, CWI Chairman of the Cricket

Committee.

CWI President Ricky Skerritt has confirmed that the committee compositions include a wide variety of

stakeholder interests. Over 50% of the total committee membership are independent of the traditional cricket fraternity, originating from 11 different Caribbean territories.

The total number of women on CWI committees has increased, with a few of the committees actually having a woman member for the first time.

Skerritt also confirmed that there remains one more task force to be assembled later this year. The “High Performance Implementation System” Task Force will be charged with designing a more modernized and effective system of partnership-based player development/intervention initiatives. (CWI)

Austrian Grand Prix: Verstappen wins thriller after late pass on Leclerc R ed Bull’s Max Verstappen passed Charles Leclerc with two laps remaining to win a thrilling Austrian Grand Prix.

The win was only confirmed three hours after the race finished following an investigation into whether Verstappen unfairly ran Leclerc off the track.

Ferrari’s Leclerc seemed in control of the race after Verstappen made a bad start to drop from second to seventh.

But Red Bull pitted Verstappen 10 laps later than Leclerc and Verstappen fought up from fourth to take the win.

It was a sensational drive from Verstappen, making superb use of fresher tyres than the cars in front of him, but the move with which he took the lead was controversial.

Leclerc had already fought off one pass by Verstappen on the previous lap, when the Red Bull got inside the Ferrari at Turn Three but Leclerc held on around the outside and out-accelerated him up to Turn Four.

But on the next lap, with two to go, Verstappen again dived up the inside, and this time he ran Leclerc off the road on the exit.

On the incident with Leclerc, he said: “It’s hard racing or we have to stay home. If those things are not allowed in racing then we have to stay home.”

Leclerc said: “The race was good. At the end I had a bit more [tyre] degradation than I thought so Max came back.

“On the incident, I will let the stewards decide. I was on the outside, like the lap before - which was perfectly fine, he left a car space - but he didn’t on that lap and he pushed me wide so I didn’t have the

Max Verstappen finally got the better of Vettel’s Ferrari after a cat-and-mouse chase (Getty Images)

chance to fight back. It’s a shame.”

After both drivers were called before the stewards, the FIA, after lengthy deliberation, confirmed the result would stand.

A statement read: “In the totality of the circumstances, we did not consider that either driver was wholly or predominantly to blame for the incident. We consider that this is a racing incident.”

It brings to an end Mercedes’ run of eight consecutive wins this season - a run that actually stretches back two races further, to last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix. (BBC Sport)

22

MONday, JUly 1, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

KFC Independence Cup Tournament

Dynamic looking to win it all today

By Jemima Holmes

W

in or lose today, Dynamic Football Club will have a success story to tell about their journey to the finals of the inaugural KFC

Independence Cup Under 20 tournament, in which they finished in second place, after going down to Buxton United 3-0.

Hailing from the East Coast Demerara Football Association, this team, although new to such competitions, brought their ‘A’ game to the Intra- association phase, and weeded out their opponents: Potaro Strikers (5-0) and Botofago FC (4-2), to make their way into the final.

Speaking exclusively with Guyana Times Sport, Coach Dwayne Jacobs described the elation the players felt after sealing their spot in the final.

“Right now, the players are very excited. I just want to give God thanks for bringing us through thus far, and hopefully we take away the champion-

A glimpse of the Dynamic FC team in action

Dynamic FC Coach Dwayne Jacobs

ship. For me, this is our first tournament since the team formed, so you could just imagine the feelings right now,” Jacobs explained.

Probed about their semifinal encounter against Linden’s Botofago FC, Jacobs noted that the team did their homework on their opponents in order to prepare for the game.

“When we looked at the Botofago team play before, we went to the drawing board and tried to put together a plan. We had to really look at Number 10,” he said.

Going into today’s final against Georgetown’s Santos FC, the coach revealed that aspects of the team’s play that were worked on in the past have been perfected. However, new issues have arisen.

“I told you about the width before. We went back and worked on it, and we got better with it. The problem right now is finishing. We aren’t clinical in front the goal at all, we’re missing some easy chances,” Jacobs

explained.

The Coach expressed need for more days to prepare, but still asserted that his team would be ready for the final showdown.

“I’m just upset that we don’t have much days to the final, so we could work on that finishing, but that’s football. We’ll just try our best to work on it and be better in the final,” he said.

A former player himself, Jacobs spoke on the importance of giving youth players the opportunity to play on Astro turf that is similar to the surface at the National Training Centre at Providence.

“In the years gone by, this was one of the problems we had. We never had a proper facility, so the young people should just relish the opportunity, continue to be professional, and use this facility as a stepping stone to get better,” he stated.

This afternoon, come rain or shine, the Dynamic FC will play their hearts out in order to announce themselves to the Guyanese football world.

They will battle with the experienced Santos FC in the KFC Under 20 final for a chance to pocket $500,000.

Whichever team finishes in second place will be rewarded with $300,000.

Additionally, F r u t a Conquerors will go toe-to-toe with Linden’s Botofago FC for the third place royalties. The action will go down at the National Training Centre at Providence today.

Caricom Weekend Golf Tourneys…

Albion CC to host 5 surge into winners’ row cricket academy

From left: William Walker; Lekhnarine Shivraj; Guy Griffith (Club PRO standing in for Eureka Giddings); Aasrodeen Shaw; Aleem Hussain (Club President); Troy Cadogan and Chatterpaul Deo (Club Captain)

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Albion First Division Team during a match earlier this year

he Albion Community Centre will host its 2019 Cricket Academy at its ground from Monday July 8, to Saturday July 13.

Known for producing quality West Indies players, the main objective of this five-day academy is exposing young cricketers to the basic fundamentals of the game.

During its awards ceremony held last Sunday, the Berbice Cricket Board had declared that it would greatly assist cricket clubs to fund coaches that would spearhead these cricket academies.

Persons desirous of attending this academy would have to complete an online application or visit the club prior to commencement of the academy.

Albion’s latest spin prodigy, Kelvin Umroa, is the latest West Indies player pro-

duced by this club. Umroa has been selected for inclusion in the West Indies Under-19 team along with three other Guyanese.

Veerasamy Permaul and Devandra Bishoo are proud West Indian players from Albion. Gudakesh Motie, another left-arm spinner, who came through the ranks as a West Indies Under-19 player, is also a senior National Player who plies his trade at Albion Community Centre Ground.

Guyana’s current wicket-keeper/batsman Anthony Bramble is also an Albion player; as are forgotten West Indies batsmen Narasingh Deonarine and Sewnarine Chatergoon, who are also Test cricketers who passed through this cricket academy at Albion. The Albion Community Centre Club also is a well-respected cricket organization that is led by its president, Vemen Walter.

espite damp ground conditions from a rainstorm that assaulted parts of the Guyana Coast last night, highly spirited golfers took to the Lusignan Golf Course in the usual effort to ensure they were in the Winners Row when the LGC Executive kicked off its Caricom-weekend tournaments on Saturday June 29.

In the Winners Row were Aasrodeen Shaw, Troy Cadogan, William Walker, Lekhnarine Shivraj and the greatly-improving Eureka Giddings.

The LGC’s second event, the Caricom Day Golf Tournament, tees off today, Monday July 1, 2019 from 9:00 hrs.

In Saturday’s tournament, instead of playing three flights, the Executive decided on a simple medal-play format, in which the first 5 better net scores were awarded trophies. Best Net scorer and champion Aasrodeen Shaw (68/14) – 1st, indicated: “My all round game was great today.

Despite somewhat wet ground conditions, I adapted well; and my driving, chipping and putting were good, giving me the lead.”

The other winners were: Troy Cadogan (71/26) – 2nd: tied with William Walker

(71/13) – 3rd; Lekhnarine Shivraj (72/16) – 4th; and Eureka Giddings (73/28) – 5th, tied with Kevin Dinanauth (73/5).

Troy and Eureka had better ‘back 9’ scores, which gave them the edge over William and Kevin respectively. Honourable mention was made of Pope Emanuel London, who turned in a score of 74/21.

Club Captain Chatterpaul Deo, in congratulating the winners, noted that the golfers did well to offer such great support in light of some last minute changes that had been made to accommodate the tournament.

Club President Aleem Hussain was heartened by the support, and was excited about the Caricom Day tournament wherein he hoped to improve on his performance on Saturday.

The public is reminded that golf equipment provided by the Shafura Hussain Foundation is available for use at no cost, and anyone who wants to learn the game of golf at the Lusignan Golf Club can use it. Persons may call 220-5660 or 645-0944, or visit the Club or send a message via the lusignangolfclub on Facebook to indicate such interest.

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MONday, JUly 1, 2019

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Bairstow ton overshadows Rohit hundred in England’s crucial win

L

et’s compare the two innings, shall we? At the halfway mark, England were running away with the game at 180 for 1. India on the other hand, were just 120, but with same number of wickets down. That’s a difference of 60 that India had to manage in the second half of their innings, contending not only with scoreboard pressure but also with England’s by now superior knowledge of exactly what to bowl on a wicket that was holding up a bit.

In the end, although India outdid England in the second half of the innings in terms of runs, the difference in the first half was enough for the home team to defeat Virat Kohli’s side by 31 and boost their chances of making the semi-finals. This was India’s first defeat in this World Cup, but it will hurt them knowing that they couldn’t chase the total down despite losing only five wickets.

India had realised midway through their bowling innings that the pacers taking pace of the ball was the best option. But England’s strong start allowed them to go through a phase of just scoring 25 runs between overs 27 and 37 and still line up a strong finish towards the end. India’s slow, watchful phase came at the very start of their chase of 338. They came up with 27 for the loss of KL Rahul in the first ten overs, and almost immediately welcomed pressure on themselves. But this was how India functioned. They were happy playing themselves in, giving the Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, their two best players, time to get their eye in.

England, to their benefit, had batted first and had seen the effect of the off-pace deliveries.

They employed them without any restraint, and India struggled to get a move on. It saw the duo turn agricultural for their runs.

Kohli danced down and lofted Woakes over covers, while Rohit hoicked away after

being frustrated to 12 off 31.

But with two great players at the crease, England were always wary. Players such as Kohli and Rohit can break free from even the sturdiest of shackles, and given time, they did. India stepped on the accelerator.

Kohli crunched two boundaries with such venom that the sound reverberated like thunder. Rohit got his own in by smashing Plunkett for two boundaries in an over.

The gear moved to the next after the 20 over mark.

Rohit suddenly awoke from his slumber and smashed three boundaries backto-back, while Kohli set himself for another one of those chasing clinics.

India reached 146 for 1 when against the run of play, Kohli guided Plunkett to point and gave England a massive opening.

Even if there was a lot of sublime strokeplay i n between, Rohit ’s innings was underlined by his lack of rhythm. He often swung and hoicked wildly, only to either miss or miscue them to fielder. He scratched on though, keeping his side in the game, if not with the score than with his reputation of going big towards the end at least. He got his 25th ODI hundred off his 106th ball faced, but was out three balls later.

From there on, the result looked a formality.

Hardik Pandya tried to change that. He came in at five and raced to 36 off his first 20 balls, giving India a sniff. They still needed an unlikely 95 off 9 overs at that point. England then got their plans for Pandya right.

All the deep fielders were

put in front of Pandya, and he was bowled only slower cutters.

Hit them as hard as he might, Pandya could not find the gap, and eventually holed out for 45 off 33. England closed out the game comfortably from there on, with MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav, bizarrely, playing as if the game was already over.

The England innings was much in contrast. If they needed their batters to step up in this crunch game, their openers certainly got the brief.

Jonny Bairstow slammed his first World Cup century, using the shorter boundaries on one side to great effect, and giving India a

massive early headache. He was brilliantly complemented

by Jason Roy, returning from his injury that saw him miss the last three England games including the two back-to-back losses to Sri Lanka and Australia, who smashed 66 off 57 balls. Their planned attack, they saw off two fine opening spells from India’s frontline opening p a i r before taking on the others,

enabled England to race off to a terrific start. England reached their 50 in the 11th over, then stepped on the gas, notching up their hundred in the 16th and then their 150 in the 21st as India’s spin pair of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav were taken to the cleaners.

Roy soon fell, to a tremendous diving catch by Ravindra Jadeja at long on, but England hardly lost a n y

momentum as a result.

B a i r s t o w, with a point to prove

following his pressers accusing the media of waiting for England to lose, went on to bring up his hundred off 90 balls. England had just played 26 overs at that point, and at 183 for 1, were scoring at more than seven runs to the over. The Bairstow hundred should have been the boost in the arm, but it turned out on the contrary.

Shami finally had the better of him, having seen a number of close shaves during his first spell.

Then the right-armer bounced out Eoin Morgan to bring India firmly back in the contest. Shami enjoyed a terrific spell off 2 wickets for 3 runs from 3 overs.

Ben Stokes however resuscitated England’s momentum with his superb 79 off 54 and give England a total they eventually defended well. (Cricbuzz)

3

SCOREBOARD

Jonny Bairstow celebrates his century Rohit Sharma raises his bat to celebrate scoring a century

England Innings (50 overs maximum) JJ Roy c sub (RA Jadeja) b Kuldeep Yadav . . . . . . . . 66 JM Bairstow c Pant b Mohammed Shami . . . . . 111 JE Root c Pandya b Mohammed Shami . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 EJG Morgan (c) c Jadhav b Mohammed Shami . . . . . 1 BA Stokes c sub (RA Jadeja) b Bumrah . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 JC Buttler † c & b Mohammed Shami . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 CR Woakes c Sharma b Mohammed Shami . . . . . 7 LE Plunkett not out . . . . . 1 JC Archer not out . . . . . . 0 Extras (b 2, lb 2, w 4) . . . . 8 TOTAL (50 Overs, RR: 6.74) 337-7 Did not bat: AU Rashid, MA Wood Fall of wickets: 1-160 (Jason Roy, 22.1 ov), 2-205 (Jonny Bairstow, 31.4 ov), 3-207 (Eoin Morgan, 33.4 ov), 4-277 (Joe Root, 44.1 ov), 5-310 (Jos Buttler, 46.6 ov), 6-319 (Chris Woakes, 48.1 ov), 7-336 (Ben Stokes, 49.4 ov) BOWLING: M Shami (10-1-69-5), JJ Bumrah (10-1-44-1), YS

Chahal (10-0-88-0), HH Pandya (10-0-60-0), K Yadav (10-0-72-1) India Innings (target: 338 runs from 50 overs) KL Rahul c & b Woakes . . . 0 RG Sharma c †Buttler b Woakes . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 V Kohli (c) c sub (JM Vince) b Plunkett . . . . . . . . . . . 66 RR Pant c Woakes b Plunkett 32 HH Pandya c sub (JM Vince) b Plunkett . . . . . . . . . . . 45 MS Dhoni † not out . . . . . 42 KM Jadhav not out . . . . . 12 Extras (lb 1, w 6) . . . . . . . 7 TOTAL (50 Overs, RR: 6.12) 306-5 Did not bat: Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, YS Chahal, JJ Bumrah Fall of wickets: 1-8 (KL Rahul, 2.3 ov), 2-146 (Virat Kohli, 28.2 ov), 3-198 (Rohit Sharma, 36.1 ov), 4-226 (Rishabh Pant, 39.1 ov), 5-267 (Hardik Pandya, 44.5 ov) BOWLING : CR Woakes (10-358-2), JC Archer (10-0-45-0), LE Plunkett (10-0-55-3), MA Wood (10-0-73-0), AU Rashid (6-040-0), BA Stokes (4-0-34-0)

Jamaul John crowned 2019 Senior Guyana Cycling Champion T

eam Coco’s Jamaul John completed the approximately 110-mile-long road race after 4 hours, 28 minutes and 37 seconds to win the 2019 Senior National Cycling Championships on Sunday last.

On a morning filled with overcast clouds, the wheelsmen proceeded from Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown at 7:30h sharp to travel to Moblissa Hill on the SoesdykeLinden Highway before returning to the point of origin to finish the race.

Cycling enthusiasts who filled the finish line area were able to see the classy Jamaul John outsprint the Berbician Trademark celebration!

Andre Hicks into second 2019 Cycling Champion place, and 2018 defendJamaul John raises his ing champion Curtis hands in delight after ‘Chappy’ Dey into third. outsprinting fellow cyclists Walter Grant (Brandon Corlette photos)

Stewart came in fourth, while Briton John, who won the Time Trials, came in fifth.

Michael Anthony rode in sixth to complete the six-man pack that had taken the competition to another level.

Team Evolution’s out-ofform rider Paul De Nobrega rode in seventh; Berbician Andre ‘Padlock’ Green rode in eighth, while brilliant cyclist Romello Crawford rode in ninth.

Rain fell continuously during the race, but that did not stop Jamaul John from distinguishing himself. After the race, John told this publication that, after a quiet start, the race got tough at the airport hill, but the rain played to his advantage, helping to cool his temperature.

“It was not until the end (that)I knew I had the race, since it was a competitive one”, John declared.

The presentation ceremony that took place after the race saw outstanding cyclists being awarded medals. In ad-

The 2019 champions of the National Cycling Championships pose with their silverware at the presentation ceremony

dition to the senior champion for 2019, the veteran cyclist Andre Spencer was awarded.

In addition to the veterans, Team Evolutions’ Denise Jeffery was the female Road Race and Time Trials champion for 2019, while Ajay

Gopilall won the junior category in both the Road Race and Time Trials. Flying Ace’s Mario Washington was the 2019 Juveniles champion, while Jonathan Ramsuchit was the champion in that category at the Time Trials.

The champion cyclists received gold medals, while runners-up riders received gold and bronze respectively.

Exhilarating cycling will continue this Saturday at the National Park in Georgetown.

(Brandon Corlette)

MONday, JUly 1, 2019

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

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Jamaul John crowned 2019 Senior Guyana Cycling Champion Page 23

Tailing away: Jamaul John leading the pack

CWI High Performance cricketers sharing and gaining knowledge Page 21

Bairstow ton

overshadows

Rohit hundred in England’s crucial win

Guyana’s Sherfane Rutherford, Chandrapaul Hemraj and Tagenarine Chanderpaul have enhanced their knowledge during the training camp

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