Guyana times september 1, 2017

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3319

Friday, September 1, 2017

PRICE

President carefully examining third GECOM nominees’ list Page 3

Largest asteroid in a century to whiz

by Earth today

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

7-yr-old girl feared P6 dead

– reportedly swept into Atlantic during swimming outing

US-based Guyanese gets 4 years jail for P15 trafficking cocaine

38 more medical doctors P12 graduate

The largest asteroid in more than a century will whiz safely past Earth today at a safe but unusually close distance of about 4.4 million miles (seven million kilometres), NASA said.

The asteroid was discovered in 1981, and is named Florence after the famed 19th century founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale. "Florence is the largest asteroid to pass this close to our planet since the first nearEarth asteroid was discovered over a century ago," said a US space agency statement. It is one of the biggest asteroids in the Earth's vicinity, and measures about 2.7 miles (4.4 kilometres) wide – or about the size of 30 Egyptian pyramids stuck together

Oil sector

Govt must guard against complacency P14 – TIGI

Corentyne man claims he was raped during robbery Page 6

GCAA shuttling operations ban

Gouveia calls decision knee-jerk reaction Page 7

Granger expresses fear P3

... says his office, family members must be protected

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Friday, September 1 – a night retraction at 01:30h and a day retraction from 14:00h-15:30h and Saturday, September 2 – a night retraction at 02:00h and a day retraction from 14:00h-15:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 1 –13:05h-14:35h and Saturday, September 2 – 13:55h-15:25h

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Sunny weather in the morning is expected to be interrupted by heavy rain showers which are expected to last throughout the better part of the day. Sunny skies are expected in the later afternoon and clear skies in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 00:16h and 13:03h reaching maximum heights of 2.13 metres and 2.12 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 06:26h and 18:56h reaching minimum heights of 1.05 metres and 1.11 metres respectively.

Upon receipt of CoI report of alleged assassination plot

Granger expresses fear ... says his office, family members must be protected

By S hemuel F anfair

A

s President David Granger received the report on the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into an alleged assassination plot against him, he said he feared for his office, telling reporters that the First Lady and members of his immediate family should also be protected against any security threats.

“I am fearful for the office of the Presidency; I think that the office of the President is one that should enjoy the protection of the security services and any reports of threats or any risk against

sassinate the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. The report will include the Commission’s findings as well as offer recommendations.

Reporters questioned President Granger over possible fears for his personal safety and the fact the accused persons were released by Police.

The President however indicated that he will wait to assess the Commission’s findings and hold consultations with his Cabinet before he makes any pronouncements on the matter.

“It is good practice to ensure that the President is safe and if there is a

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President Granger responding to the media at State House on Thursday

the President’s life or the lives of the immediate relatives of the President including the First Lady or the President’s children deserve to be properly and thoroughly investigated.

President David Granger made these comments at a handing over ceremony at State House where he received the report from CoI Chairman, retired Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe.

The Chairman, who was appointed in July 2017, was tasked to inquire into the persons, places, time, circumstances and events by and through which allegations came to be made of an intention or a plan to as-

threat to that safety, it should be investigated,” the President affirmed.

Commissioner Slowe spoke briefly to media operatives after presenting his findings.

He categorised the Commission’s work as a very “involved and lengthy process” in which enough evidence and witness statements were provided to meet the requirements as set out when he was first installed to investigate the alleged plot.

The CoI sought to find out whether or not the Police conducted sufficient investigations into the allegations and threats to assassinate the President of the day and to ascertain

CoI Chairman Paul Slowe shakes the hand of President Granger as Minister of State Joseph Harmon looks on (Carl Croker photo)

if the Police had knowledge of the plot before, and what actions were taken after the receipt of that information.

The inquiry further sought to establish whether there was neglect or omission to thoroughly investigate the plot to assassinate the President and determine whether such failure or omission was intentional. It also sought to recommend suitable prevention measures to thwart future occurrences.

“The Terms of Reference spoke of diligence and thoroughness and all of those things, I think I attempted to answer fully,” Commissioner Slowe stated on Thursday.

Though the Chairman was tight-lipped on whether or not he recommended disciplinary action on any Police rank involved in the investigation, the media was informed that after the President reviews the report, it will be made public.

Several senior ranks had testified before the CoI.

It was earlier this year that Andriff Gillard alleged that businessman Nizam Khan offered to pay him $7 million to kill President Granger sometime in 2015; an allegation that Khan denied.

The CoI had heard that Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, while on leave, had ordered the release of businessman Khan – the accused plotter; his brother, Imran Khan, and the complainant – Andrif Gillard in March. Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine claimed that a proper investigation was not carried out.

He had also agreed that the Police probe was lethargic and noted that he could not have defended the Guyana Police Force.

Police Legal Advisor, Retired Justice Claudette Singh said that in her view, the matter was not treasonous while the mental state of the accuser, Gillard was questioned during the course of the CoI.

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

Parking meters revisited

T

he controversial parking meter project is once again in the spotlight, as the report on that issue done by the Commission of Inquiry appointed by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) had been published. The M&CC is now expected to deliberate on the content of the report, and make a decision on the way forward based on the various options provided by the Committee, taking into account its contractual obligations and so on. So far, the M&CC seems to be shying away from tackling the issue frontally, as it has further delayed any decision on the project until sometime in September, when the matter will come up for discussion again.

The parking meter project attracted much controversy when it was officially rolled out in January 2017. Due to the several concerns regarding the contract and the actual implementation of the project itself, citizens, led by the Movement Against Parking Meters, formed large protests, demanding that the contract be rescinded. These sustained protests resulted in Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan ordering that the paid parking initiative be suspended and a committee be formed to have the contract revised.

The Committee held several consultations with individuals and various stakeholder groups, and even though the sessions were poorly attended, it was clear that majority of persons were against the project and favour a complete termination of the contract. It should be mentioned that the report laid out five or six options, ranging from rejection to acceptance of the parking meter project; but the Commission, on its part, did not recommend any position.

The Guyana Consumers Association (GCA), which speaks on behalf of all consumers, had from the inception pointed out that there is no social or economic justification for such a project to be imposed on the City, and had called for the contract to be revised or scrapped altogether. On this basis, the GCA had listed several valid reasons why the project in its present form should be rejected; these include: (1) Smart City Solutions (SCS) had refused to disclose any financial information, including investment, except the Commission took an oath of non-disclosure of such information.

This refusal to provide any financial and accounting information

by SCS hindered the work of the Commission, and went counter to the Government of Guyana's policy on transparency.

(2) In the Contract between SCS and M&CC, SCS was allotted 80% of the returns and M&CC 20%. SCS would notionally have made an investment of US$10M, while the City Council's investment would have been the road system of Georgetown, worth many billions of dollars, plus the cost of the continuous maintaining of the roads over the next 20 years of the Contract.

In other words, SCS would have invested less than 1% of the cost of the Scheme but would have been collecting 80% of the revenues! Such a giveaway of public funds is unacceptable.

(3) The owners of the Parking Meter Scheme would have been harvesting hundreds of millions of dollars per year, which would be sent abroad, causing a constant drain of the foreign exchange on the country. Such a net foreign exchange drain would lead to a weakening of the Guyana currency, resulting in increases in prices of goods and services.

(4) The Parking Meter Scheme would have caused businesses great losses. Their customer parking would have been eliminated, and the acceptance and delivery of goods at their premises would have become more expensive and time-consuming. Any contraction of business could result in unemployment and increase in prices of some consumer goods. The business community were therefore against the Scheme.

(5) Business in Georgetown would have further dried up, since business people and folk from the countryside who usually came to the City to shop and participate in entertainment activities would find it too expensive to do so, and would no longer come.

Finally, we agree with the GCA that the overwhelming majority of the population of Georgetown, as well as the tens of thousands who visit the City every day for business or pleasure, are against parking meters. This is good enough reason for the project to be scrapped. The M&CC should therefore proceed in making the tough decisions, and do what is necessary to relieve us of this monster which no doubt would add more stress to an already burdened population.

The graduation ceremony for participants in the fourth edition of classes in ‘Spanish as a Foreign Language’ for Guyana Government officials was held on Thursday afternoon at the Parc Rayne Banquet Hall, Greater Georgetown. The four-month session was organised by the Foreign Service Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Embassy of Colombia based in Trinidad and Tobago. The classes were conducted in Georgetown. The sixty participants pose for a photo with the officials at the event (Carl Croker

photo)

Mission impossible!

Dear Editor, Something is rotten in this Cooperative Republic of ours. And the stench is greater than what emanates from the Haags Bosch dumpsite.

Most people are infected with it, but they pretend not to in the hope that, with a whiff of fresh air, this repugnant odour will go away.

Even sections of the media refuse to encourage an exchange of views on the problem. It is as if, in contrast with the Midas touch, if they do, the reputation and credibility of their businesses will be irreparably damaged.

The state-owned Chronicle newspaper publishes racially prejudicial and race baiting fulminations by supporters of the APNU+AFC coalition Administration, and they are allowed to get away with 'murder.'

What is sad in all this is that, save for social media, there is a silence on the issue that pales in comparison to what obtains at a morgue.

In this regard, the upper hand gained by social media over the print media was again demonstrated just a few weeks ago in Tennessee in the USA, where the iconic film "Gone with the Wind" was cancelled at a Memphis theatre after being deemed 'insensitive and racist.'

Here, in Guyana, the deceptive language we hear from time to time emanating from the mouth of the President of the Republic, such as: "Time for togetherness," and "Embrace harmony, shun discrimination," rings hollow when measured against the racist rhetoric and socially disharmonious views that emerge from forums such as the Cuffy

250 Committee, which held its 5th Annual 'State of the African-Guyanese Forum' earlier this month.

At that forum, having had their call for compensation for 'African Reparation' rejected by the ruling class in London, the bornagain 'champions' of 'landless African-Guyanese' have now turned their wrath on the Guyana Government, demanding that it step in, replacing the Brits, and provide the resources for 'African reparation.'

What is ironic about this entire situation is that the petit bourgeois bureaucratic elitist descendants of African slaves who currently hold political power are being called upon by a professional traditionalist and elitist group masquerading as black radicals to provide public money as compensation for slavery in a country that is yet to shed itself of the vestiges of a colonial economy.

And as if to add insult to injury, a president who professes to be president of all Guyana throws his weight behind this small, divisive, racist grouping, and invites them to submit project proposals in the name of reparations for inclusion in the 2018 budget.

Implicit in this decision is a raid on the national coffers solely for the exclusive benefit of a single block of Guyanese in a multi-ethnic society.

Word magic and skin strategy are now embraced and being used openly as a means to obtain public funds in the national budget. This is an ominous sign that can fracture even further an already ethnically fractured society.

Thus Government can-

not escape scrutiny nor criticism due to its relationship with groups such as the Cuffy 250 Movement in light of its decision to include in the 2018 estimates of expenditure a budgetary allocation for this group.

In the circumstances, the garbage crisis we seem to be 'inching towards' is symptomatic of a wider political and social crisis that is looming on the horizon.

Referring to a similar situation in his country, former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Basdeo Panday, declared: "There is a deep racial divide in the country that is going to get worse..."

Panday went on, "I think racism is intensifying; one sees it in the Parliament, one reads about it on Facebook all the time ...what is happening is, we are going downhill and we are going downhill very fast.

One sees the expression of racism much more prevalent now than it ever was, and I think we have to do something about it."

Panday concluded, “I think we are going to get into serious trouble. We have seen it happen in Guyana, and I think we are heading in that direction.'

(S/N 5/7/07) Behind all the noise about SARU and SOCU, constitutional disorder, the absence of a GECOM chairman and corruption, divisive politics nurtured by the bogey man of racism is creeping up on us like a thief in the night.

With every passing day, occurrences that reek of racism are unfolding before our very eyes. Racism manifests itself in the appointment of permanent secretaries, statutory boards and heads of these boards, con-

stitutional bodies, the appointment of heads of CoIs, awarding of scholarships and contracts, as well as access to the state media.

The much anticipated selection of a GECOM Chairman and a new senior management of the Guyana Police Force would come as no surprise were they to reflect consistency with other appointments of a particular racial genre.

Yet, though we live in a multi-ethnic society and we bear witness to these unsavory events on a daily basis, we prefer to turn away out of fear or indifference, hoping the bad taste in our mouths would eventually salivate away.

And the culprit is not the PPP, as some may want us to believe; from the inception it has been the PNC. Mark my words: this is not about playing the blame game, nor is it about putting the plague on both houses.

Guyana's racial problematic has its genesis in the split in the racially united national movement in 1955, when Burnham, after failing to take over the united, multi-racial PPP, broke away and formed his own black-dominated PNC. The political/social conditions for the split in the national movement was nurtured and fomented by British colonialism, aided by the then Kennedy Administration to ensure an outcome satisfactory to their long term political and economic interests.

The political competition between the PPP and the PNC, irrespective of its shape or form, must be seen in the context of colonialism's manipulative efforts at divide-and-rule. continued on page 5

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Independence celebrations similar in Guyana and India Dear Editor, I was invited for ceremonies marking India’s 71st Independence in New Delhi, and what an experience it was, with a lot of similarities to independence celebrations in Guyana and America (among the Guyanese or Indian diaspora in the New York area).

As in America and Guyana, there was pomp, glittering shows, huge fervour and enthusiasm among the people marking the day.

And as in Guyana, there was also revelry in the schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the days leading up to the holiday. Similar to Guyana, it was a day of national pride, patriotism, nationalism, processions, parades, flag hoisting, speeches by politi-

cians, greetings, kite flying, and other fun-filled activities at public places.

As in the US, Indians displayed flags in front of their homes, and waved flags in their hands similar to what they do in the US or similar to Guyanese waving their country’s flags in America on May 26th and American flags on July 4.

India Independence Day is an annual observance, celebrated every year on 15th of August since 1947 – a day when India got freedom from British colonial rule after long years of slave-like subjugation. It was a freedom that would pave the way for independence of colonial territories worldwide, including Guyana’s freedom on May 26th, 1966. As in Guyana and the US, and for

all countries, Independence Day is a national holiday (almost all businesses completely close down, except for restaurants, late shopping, public transport, and street fast foods). As in the US and Guyana, the national, state (regional) and local governments independently commemorate the independence of the country with their own activities, following that of the national ceremonies that took place early in the morning. The day is used to pay tribute and remember the many freedom fighters who contributed to the struggle for the independence of India, and to laud the country’s achievements as well as to address socio-economic concerns.

Not much different from Guyana, when the

Mission impossible...

It seems paradoxical, but it is not, that the ABC countries supported the PNC instead of the PPP to get into government in 1964 up to 1992. This same ABC group supported the PPP to get in to government in 1992 up to 2015. Today, there is a widespread belief that the ABC countries helped the APNU/ AFC get into government in 2015.

The question is: Is there some kind of cyclic pattern of manipulation being played out by the ABC countries?

A popular view circulating for some time now in and out of Guyana is that, without the support of the ABC countries, neither the PPP nor the PNC can hold power in Guyana.

This fatalistic narrative helps promote the view that it is the ABC countries which are the final arbiters that define and determine which political party must hold political power in Guyana, and for how long.

This narrative rejects the view that it is people themselves, through mass political struggle, who determine who holds political power in Guyana every five years.

The ethnically biased polemic on land, launched by the so-called black radicals who have so far appeared before the CoI on land, closely resemble the weapon used by their colonial masters.

They effectively used the policy of divide-and-rule to keep the racially divided groups captive in ethnic garrisons. The modern-day black radicals resort to racial solidarity and ethnic insecurity to arrive at the same objective.

Using magical language, they present their case for ancestral land as a winning strategy on behalf of a 'dispossessed black minority' whom they claim own no land as against the Amerindians and IndoGuyanese, who are 'better off' where ownership of land

in Guyana's is concerned.

The irony here is that while we squabble over who has what and who should get what, the state has handed over 800,000 hectares of pristine forests to just two foreign and local businesses.

By portraying their brethren as 'landless,' the fake radicals fan the flames of racial tensions in a country with a history of ethnic conflict. This is bound to open old wounds and point the way to disunity, block alliance racism, and cause exploitation and oppression of one race over others.

It has been widely acknowledged that race and class impact significantly on Guyanese politics; but to place emphasis on the intensity of black oppression and deprivation gives a false ring of authenticity, and is not as candid as it might seem.

The ABC countries must be laughing at Guyanese as we seek to perpetuate their well-known colonial practices, such as divide and rule.

This time it is not the white man, but a small clique of African Guyanese pseudo radicals and intellectuals who, having been well tutored and groomed in the wiles of their former colonial masters, now advocate racially-oriented governance practices.

Those who advocate black capitalism and the

President addresses the nation at midnight, before independence at a public park on Independence Day. It is the custom for the Indian Prime Minister to address the nation at the ramparts (on top) of the iconic Red Fort early morning. As in Guyana, it is a highly patriotic speech, paying tribute to the freedom fighters and leaders of the Indian independence movement, who had sacrificed their lives.

Similar to Guyana, where thousands show up at the park, in India, hundreds of thousands usually gather in front of the fort to listen to the PM. As in Guyana, the PM (President, in Guyana) hoists the national flag. The national anthem is sung, followed by a twenty-one-gun salute in a very solemn oc-

from page 4

Balkanization of Guyana's land mass along racial lines need to recognise that the answer to their demands does not lie within the strategy and legacy of our former colonial masters, but within a broad, all-encompassing people's strategy in which the primary force are the African, Indian, Amerindian, Mixed, Chinese and Portuguese working people, led by their respective social and political organizations.

Moreover, we must reject the myth that Guyana's future is determined jointly by those countries with whom our economic and political interests are linked.

Our true economic emancipation will not be achieved through Government's plan to move from the Britishcontrolled sugar industry to an American-controlled petroleum industry. This is tantamount to jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

African Guyanese’ de-

mands in respect to overcoming exclusion and inequality must not be separate and distinct from the just demands of all other Guyanese. The plight of the sugar workers is a case in point.

The ideology of separatism and going it alone rejects united action by all those who are laden and heavily burdened, and plays into the hands of those who uphold the old colonial policy of divide and rule.

African Guyanese must resolve not to separate themselves from their IndoGuyanese and Amerindian brothers. They are their brethren by ties of consanguinity, suffering and wrong. Consequently, there must be camaraderie in suffering and fighting with them, rather than pursuing fancied advantages for the season.

Yours faithfully, Clement J Rohee

casion. The prime minister usually highlights all the achievements of the past year, important social issues and solutions, further development in the country, educational matters, etc, during his speech on the Independence Day. And as in Guyana, a grand march past of the armed forces and paramilitary forces takes place.

India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, made his fourth appearance since becoming the PM (2014) delivering a well-received speech.

He invoked the Quit India Movement (paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and others who led the freedom struggle), and urged the nation to use the same spirit as the freedom fighters to eliminate problems like corruption, communalism, terrorism, casteism, poverty, and other evils from the country by 2022. He appealed to Indians “to take a pledge to root out these evils from the country, and create a New India”. Modi-ji condemned the use of violence. The PM said: "India is about shanti (peace), ekta (unity) and sadbhavana (harmony).

Casteism and communalism will not help the country.

Our cultural heritage cannot be lost. Earlier, it was Quit India, now it is Unite India. Everybody should be taken along."

The celebration of Independence Day continues with diverse cultural traditions, where Chief Ministers of individual states hoist the national flag

followed by marches of state troops and local police or militias. The speeches of State Chief Ministers focused on eradicating poverty, illiteracy and unemployment, and to help make India a more powerful nation. This is followed by various cultural activities by the participants.

And later in the afternoon, the President of India hosts a reception at his official home in the rose garden – only the cream of society are invited.

Around New Delhi, the capital, people were seen wearing their trademark cap worn by Pandit Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi and others during the struggle.

Millions were dressed in colourful garb representing the colours of the national flag.

There were colourful marches of soldiers, police, and guards all over the national capital and each state capital as well, as shown on TV. And on the streets, school children marched dressed in colours of the national flag and spelling of Bharat, the ancient Hindi name of India.

As in Guyana, there were (live) broadcasting and webcasting of the celebrations. And as in Guyana or America, Independence Day in India is used for family get-togethers in the afternoons or evenings -- dinner, picnic, mall shopping, cinema, kite flying, and other forms of entertainment.

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram

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Corentyne man claims he was raped during robbery

By Andrew Carmichael

T

he Police in Berbice are hunting a male suspect, who broke and entered the dwelling house of a Corentyne man on Tuesday, before robbing and allegedly raping him.

The 22-year-old victim, who migrated from the United Kingdom to Guyana, told Guyana Times that he was up at 04:30h on Tuesday morning and was having a telephone conversation with a close relative in Europe.

The man had been living alone for the past several months.

He said he heard a strange sound and soon after noticed a window being pushed open.

At first, he thought it was ‘something evil’ and was advised by the person on the phone to close the window.

After he did there was a voice demanding that he opens the door and shortly af-

ter one of the bedroom windows was smashed.

The traumatised young man said at about 05:00h, he telephoned the Number 51 Village Police Station and told them that someone was attempting to break into his home.

According to the man, a male wearing a short pair of trousers allegedly climbed through the bedroom window and he gave the man all the money he had and the man who used his shirt to form a mask over his face, also picked up his cellular phone and then said that is not what he was there for.

“He told me that he was here to have sex with me,” the young man said.

The man related that a chopper was allegedly held to his neck and he was told that he will be killed if he did not cooperate. The robbery victim said he was then sodomised.

“I had to cooperate be-

cause the chopper was at my neck,” he blurted out.

Speaking of the attack, the victim referred to his attacker as having a smell which led him to believe that the man had been living in the bushes.

According to the victim, the man remained in the house until daylight and at almost 07:00h, the Police ar-

rived. He said had the Police responded promptly, they could have prevented the incident from occurring and even if they were not prompt but had responded in a timely manner, the attacker could have been caught.

The Police were called in and they visited the scene and escorted the victim to the Skeldon Public Hospital

7-yr-old girl feared dead – reportedly swept into Atlantic during swimming outing

By Ramona Luthi

A

seven-year-old girl is feared dead following an incident on Saturday afternoon which resulted in her being swept into the Atlantic Ocean behind the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.

Missing is Jayleena Titus of Lot 29 Second Street, Alberttown, Georgetown.

Jayleena resides with her father, Richard Titus and her mother, Onecia Henry, along with her three other siblings, ages 10, 15 and 19.

On the day that the seven-year-old was last seen, she had left home with her father, 10-year-old brother and eight-year-old cousin to go to the seawalls, behind the Marriott Hotel, as was frequent for them to do on weekends.

Thirty-eight-year-old Henry told Guyana Times that according to her 10-year-old son, the three children were playing close to the water behind the Hotel, while his father was some distance away.

Richard Titus has indicated to his wife and Police that he was only a short distance away and he had been monitoring the children all the time, up until the incident which caused him his youngest child, as he became occupied briefly.

The 10-year-old child recalled that he continuously warned his sister and cousin against going closer to the water. However, he found himself having to run after his younger sister numerous times as she kept disregarding his warnings.

The tearful mother on

Feared dead: Jayleena Titus

Thursday morning said her son told her that at around 17:00h, as he and his cousin were playing, he noticed that Jayleena was not around. After scanning the area for several minutes, the young child recounted seeing his sister being swept away by the strong water

currents.

“He tell me how he run in the water and try fuh grab she hand but the waves deh too strong. Then he seh he shout fuh he cousin and told him to ‘call daddy! Call daddy! Look the wave gone with Jayleena!’” the distraught mother of four said to this publication.

After being alerted, Titus reportedly jumped into the water in an attempt to save his youngest child. However, this proved futile.

The matter was reported at the Alberttown Police Station then the Brickdam Police Station and a search for Jayleena Titus was launched.

Anyone with information leading to the missing child is asked to contact the nearest Police station or her mother on telephone number 667-8860.

where he was examined by a doctor, who confirmed that he was indeed sodomised.

According to the man, the attacker as he was about to leave said he was going to return the cellular phone.

Meanwhile, Police Divisional Commander (Assistant Commissioner) Paul Williams said the information he received differed slightly from what was told to this newspaper.

He said the report the Police received was that the intruder entered through a door and not a window. He added that when he first heard of the alleged incident, there were no issue as it related to the Police’s response time.

“What I learnt is that the person who visited the gentleman (victim), they know each other. The person appealed to him to open the door because he wanted to have sex with him and he refused to open

the door. The person then decided to force his way into the house.”

The Police Commander is questioning why from the time the person entered the building and was there for something, had the householder not notified the Police, since he claimed the intruder’s presence was unwanted.

He said the Police were told that it was after the person entered the house and would have completed the alleged sex act then the Police were called.

“I don’t know what time he would have called, but what I was made to understand is that when they would have received the report was when the act was already committed. Our information is that when the person was there and telling him that he wanted to come in, he never called,” Williams explained. The Police are continuing their investigation.

Botched Liliendaal robbery

Injured accomplice of killed bandit wanted

by Police in Berbice

Slain bandit: Trydon Munroe

By Andrew Carmichael

T

he man who showed up at the Georgetown Public Hospital with a suspected gunshot wound and who is believed to be the accomplice of slain bandit, Trydon Munroe, of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, is wanted by Police in Berbice.

The 24-year-old Munroe was shot and killed during a botched daylight robbery on Tuesday, while his accomplice Mark Griffith, 22, fled the deadly robbery scene at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, on foot and was believed injured. Later that morning he turned up at the Georgetown Public Hospital seeking medical attention for a suspected gunshot wound.

Both men were shot at by a private bodyguard who was accompanying a businesswoman from the Eugene F Correia International Airport with a parcel believed to have contained a substantial amount of cash and gold.

Reports indicate that the businesswoman was cornered along the Liliendaal Railway Embankment Road in the vicinity of the Giftland Mall junction, when a dark coloured vehicle drove into her path, blocking her. Two men then exited that vehicle bearing weapons, and pounced on

Mark Griffith, the suspected accomplice in the botched Liliendaal robbery, is also wanted by the Police in Berbice

the businesswoman, being unaware that her armed escort was seated in the vehicle.

Dismissed Prison Officer, Trydon Munroe of Levi Dam, Angoys Avenue, New Amsterdam was shot and killed by the businesswoman’s bodyguard during the robbery attack, while his accomplice escaped with gunshot wounds, but later surfaced at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Griffith on May 29, 2017, was sentenced to two years in his absence by Magistrate Alex Moore at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court after the former Prisoner Officer was found guilty of armed robbery. turn to page 18

news

7

friday, September 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GCAA shuttling operations ban

Gouveia calls decision knee-jerk reaction B y S amuel S ukhnandan

T

he Guyana Civil Aviation Authority’s (GCAA’s) decision to suspend all shuttling operations to the interior has been described as an unnecessary knee-jerk reaction.

Commenting on the decision, Captain Gerald “Gerry” Gouveia, Managing Director of Roraima Airways, told Guyana Times on Thursday that he sees no basis for the suspension, nor was there any real analysis done.

“I believe it was unnecessary. What this is doing is not hurting the operators, but the people in the hinterland; because these operations brought down the cost of living in the hinterland in Guyana tremendously,” he explained.

Gouveia said shuttling, which is basically short flights to transport goods and fuel between interior airstrips, does not cause accidents. He said, “Pilots should obey and observe the same rules of flying, same technical operations of the plane, and same respect for safety altitudes.”

He opined that instead of suspending the operations, there needs

Director General of GCAA, Egbert Field

to be increased operational control and oversight, monitoring of pilots’ duty times, and establishment of a proper search-andrescue system. In addition to the foregoing, he said, runways in the interior region should be improved, and there needs to be more training given in regard to air safety requirements.

The businessman argued that the suspension should not have been triggered by the three recent planes crashes; GCAA needs to get to the root of the issue.

In fact, a pilot attached to Roraima Airways had

perished in one of those recent plane crashes, but Gouveia claims that each of the three crashes has its own peculiarities, and there is no correlation; a fact he said would be determined by at the GCAA the end of its process of investigations.

Although concerns have emanated from certain sections of society regarding shuttle planes being overloaded during operations -- which may have caused the recent incidents, Gouveia has said he doubts that is the case, because, based on the information he got, all three of the crashed planes were empty.

Asked whether he thinks there are enough stringent measures in place to prevent accidents, he told this newspaper that the local aviation sector is right now safer than it ever was before.

“Guyana has the most advanced and biggest domestic (aviation) sector in the Caribbean. Because of the size of our country, the operators and the private sector have responded not only to bring in more planes, but to bring relief to the people of the hinterland,” he pointed out.

The GCAA on

Managing Director of Roraima Airways, Captain Gerry Gouveia

Wednesday ordered that all domestic shuttle operations be suspended until operators can provide Standard Operational Manuals and other documents showing how they conduct their business.

These documents would have to be reviewed and approved by the GCAA before operations can be resumed.

This move comes in light of the three recent crashes in the local aviation sector that resulted in the deaths of two pilots. All of the planes crashed while on shuttle operations. The GCAA met with domestic operators, but the decision to suspend shuttling did not go down “too good” with the operators.

Director General of GCAA, Egbert Field, noted that the decision is necessary, since shuttle operations have expanded over the years, and this is the first time it is going to be fully regularised. The GCAA boss acknowledged the impact the decision would have on the mining industry as well as on some Indigenous communities.

No specific period has been given for the ban to be lifted, but Fields has said he is hopeful the operators would submit their documents in a timely fashion. He added that some indicated that they were in the process of compiling those documents, and would be submitting them soon.

This newspaper was told by a senior aviator that a meeting was held on Thursday evening with pilots from across the country, to put things in order to lift the suspension.

That apart, a high level team from the Eugene F. Correia International Airport met with GCAA officials on Thursday to come to an amicable solution in regard to getting to the root causes of the recent accidents and to strengthen the safety system at the airport and with its operators.

8 news

friday, September 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

Nigel Dodson committed to stand trial for murder at High Court Changes…

T

he preliminary inquiry (PI) into the arson at Kaneville, East Bank Demerara which claimed the life of eight-month-old Romain Seth earlier this year concluded on Thursday with Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman ruling that sufficient evidence has been presented before the court to establish a prima facie case of murder against Nigel Dodson.

She has accordingly committed him to stand trial at the next practicable sitting of the High Court in Georgetown.

In delivering her ruling after a moment of deliberation, the magistrate returned to the bench and declared, “I am of the opinion that the evidence has established a prima facie case on the charge of murder against the accused”.

Dodson appeared visibly upset as the magistrate

Nigel Dodson

handed down her ruling, and declined to say anything or present witnesses when given opportunity to so do.

Defence reference

Defence counsel Keoma

Griffith, relying on the recently closed murder case of the Police versus Regan Rodrigues, aka “Grey Boy,” as one of his authorities, had earlier submitted that there was insufficient evidence to implicate his client in the crime.

Griffith made reference to a witness’s statement to the court (under cross-examination by the Defence during the PI) to the effect that a few days prior to the arson incident, he (the witness) had a confrontation with the accused, during which Dodson had mouthed threats directed solely at him (the witness).

Griffith therefore submitted that other witnesses who had heard the threat expressed should not have considered themselves likewise threatened, and their testimonies can only be deemed “hearsay”.

Moreover, Griffith continued, it was confirmed by po-

O

Deceased: Romain Seth

lice statements in court that the accused had said he did not set fire to the house, nor had he any intention of doing so, nor did he have any knowledge of how the fire had been set. continued on page 9

…in oil stance?

ur old people say, “do fuh do na obeah” - meaning there’s nothing wrong is doing something to a party that they did to you.

Minister of Business Gaskin (any relation to that fella Rambo Gaskin?) had claimed there was nothing wrong with that giant oil company flying five of them up to Texas and paying all their other expenses (shopping?).

They were merely being “briefed” on our oil (NOT oily!) developments.

Well, some of the oil company’s executives just flew down (away from Harvey?) to huddle with our Government -- including Pressie - and your Eyewitness wonders whether the favour was reciprocated. After all, if the giant oil company will be charging us eventually for the trips up north (There will be more, no?) why can’t we include their flights and accommodations at the Marriott when we bill them for our oil?

But your (anxious) Eyewitness is happy Pressie directed his ministers to keep us, the Guyanese public, “abreast” of “oil progress”. Pressie was very clear: “We have got to keep the public informed, to ensure that civil society does not feel that there is some underhand relationship which is injurious to the country.”

Now civil society has made very clear why it feels something “underhand” is going on -- the refusal of Trotman and the Government of Guyana to make the contract with Exxon public. Just like what occurred when City Hall’s Gang of Four were flown up to Panama City by the aptly named Smart City Solutions and brought back that (infamous) contract for Parking Meters. Civil Society was concerned the Feckless Foursome hadn’t only given away the store - but the entire city! And lo and behold, so feared and so confirmed - when the contract finally saw the light of day!

Fool Civil Society once, shame on the slick businessmen; shame Civil Society twice, shame on Civil Society!! As this jaded Eyewitness has said time and again, the oil company Executives, through the years, have shown their fidelity to THEIR cause -- increasing their shareholders’ net worth. While Pressie may be correct to say there may be some “aligned interests” between Guyana and the oil company, there are also “unaligned interests”.

And among these are that not-so-inconsequential matter of sharing the profits - and the rule in this matter is: “caveat emptor - Buyer beware”!! Here, Guyana’s the buyer, and we can’t afford to buy a pig in a poke.

Even though we know the oil company will be putting lipstick on the pig, for its benefit, Civil Society must get a look at the pig!

This has to be the starting point for “staying abreast”.

…in the proposed new Demerara Harbour Bridge

And here it was your (normally placid) Eyewitness thought because the Demerara Harbour Bridge was falling down (and apart), the opportunity was being used to construct another one that would cater for the future development of Region 3 and $ which the bridge connects. The pre-feasibility study done back in 2013 by engineers of the Bridge proposed a four-lane, fixed, high concrete structure that could accommodate ships passing under its span.

They even had pics of the Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge Suriname had built back in the 1990s across their comparable river. But the feasibility study for the bridge was just released, and guess what? Let the Government’s report speak for itself: “It was further noted that the bridge should be a low-level one with a movable part and three-lanes.”

Imagine that!! In other words, the bridge will continue to be retractable!! The daily rush hour congestion -- sure to increase as Guyana’s rate of importing 10,000 cars annually keeps heading skyward -- will continue!

And at what cost?

…in the world order?

With the US reeling from Trumpism and his isolationism, China and India have resolved their border stand-off just in time for the BRICS meeting this week to fill the power vacuum.

A brave new world?

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

News

9

friDAY, september 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

President carefully examining third GECOM nominees’ list

P

resident David Granger has confirmed receiving the third list of nominees for the post of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo a week ago.

The President told media operatives on Thursday that, after receiving that list, he responded by confirming receipt of the document.

“I have responded to Mr. Jagdeo (Leader of the Opposition) stating I have received the list and I am examining those names now very critically,” he said.

Asked whether any decision would soon be made on the third list, the President said selection cannot be a hurried process, but would be done at an appropriate time, following proper con-

sultation.

“I don’t make these decisions without advice, and I will discuss these matters with my colleagues. It certainly will be before next cabinet, which will be held next Tuesday (September 5),” he explained.

Already, several commentators, including outspoken personalities Ramon Gaskin and Christopher Ram, have said they don’t see any reason why the President would reject this new list.

Gaskin has told Guyana Times in a recent interview that if the President rejects this third list, it would indicate that he is attempting to frustrate the system and, by extension, Jagdeo.

On submitting the third list, on August 25, the Opposition Leader had said he was hopeful that the

President would take into consideration the ruling of the acting Chief Justice (CJ) in regard to the constitutional stipulation governing the appointment of a Chairman for GECOM.

Nigel Dodson committed...

Referring to Grey Boy’s case, the lawyer reminded the court that concrete evidence is important; for, despite it being confirmed that a weapon found in a house had indeed been used in commission of a murder, the mere fact that this weapon was found in the dwelling house of the accused was undoubtedly insufficient to convict the defendant of murder.

Along this line, he argued that there was no direct evidence to link his client to the crime, except for the mere presence of the accused at the scene and the reported threats he had uttered.

Prosecution conclusion

Conversely, Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves submitted that

a prima facie case had been made out against the defendant, as the witnesses’ evidence was solid and well corroborated, at no point being discredited by intense cross-examination by the Defence during the course of the PI. The prosecutor, no doubt well prepared, argued that it is undisputed that the deceased was at the time in the said house, and lost his life as a result of smoke inhalation and burns -- so confirmed by the post mortem report.

The prosecutor reiterated that the fire report had indicated that the blaze was not caused by electrical means, thus inferring the possibility of foul play.

In addition, he requested that the court rely on voluntary oral statements

from page 8

made by the accused to investigators, admitting that he did threaten to kill the family.

While accepting that no eyewitness had seen the defendant commit the act, the prosecutor submitted that a properly directed jury would return a guilty verdict after putting together the “bits and pieces” of evidence presented.

Recap

An early morning fire on January 23, 2017 destroyed the three-bedroom home of Michelle Menezes several days after arson accused Nigel Dodson had threatened to kill her entire family. Most regrettably, it claimed the life of her eight-month-old grandson, Romain Seth.

This third list of nominees for the GECOM chairmanship comprises Major General (retired) Joseph Singh, Attorneys-at-law Teni Housty and Sanjeev Datadin, Businesswoman and Conservationist Annette Arjune-Martins, Pastor Onesi LaFleur and former Magistrate Krishnadatt Persaud.

Jagdeo’s letter to the President accompanying the list had detailed that arriving at the six names was not an easy task. Jagdeo explained that taking into consideration antecedents in relation to the matter and a subsequent meeting with the President at State House back in June, he had continued elaborate and protracted consultations with various stakeholders in an exercise that lasted for several weeks. During that process, Jagdeo said, he had solicited their views and sought nominations in efforts to ensure that six names were presented to the President that satisfy the requirements contemplated by Article 161(2) of the Constitution.

Regarding the nominees, Jagdeo explained that one is a former Chairman of GECOM, while two are attorneys with over 10 years of “good standing” at the Guyana Bar, and both are qualified to be appointed as Judges of a court having un-

limited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in Guyana.

Following the rejection of the second list, a consultation was held among Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister Joseph Harmon, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall and PPP/C Parliamentarian Irfaan Ali, to find an amicable solution to the issue.

It was agreed that in the event the third list was rejected by the President, there would be established a high-level team representing the President and the Opposition Leader, and that team would be tasked with instantaneously working on exploring modalities to bring a resolution to the matter of selecting a chair for GECOM. However, there has been no word on this team; and GECOM has been without a Chairman since February 28, 2017.

10

friday, September 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

news

S RAIGHT

New Demerara River crossing

Pre-feasibility study in 2013 had recommended fixed bridge – new study abandons model, endorses another retractable bridge

T

The Guyanese economy in numbers - at halfway point 2017

W

hat difference does a half-year make? The Bank of Guyana publicized its Half Year Report for 2017 this month, a few weeks after the Finance Minister released his half-year status update on the economy. Let us reflect on this important period in what is looking more and more like a one-term Granger Presidency.

2.2% That was the announced growth of the Guyanese economy during the past six months, in real terms. But I question this figure, because the performance in the real sector just does not add up. Fact! Four out of the six sisters have regressed during this period (sugar, gold, forestry, and bauxite); but yet the Bureau of Statistics declared a growth rate. Plus, if you discount the contribution from the two large foreign gold companies incubated by the PPP, we are definitely in a negative growth zone.

The question the overwhelming majority of Guyanese are asking themselves is: Why am I not seeing my personal wealth and my lifestyle improving too, because of this growth rate? The growth of this small, open economy is clearly driven by domestic consumption, but where is this domestic consumption really coming from? Householders are now starting to default on their loans at the banks at an increasing pace, so they do not have the resources to drive aggregate demand. It is all a Jordan MYTH! Too many people in the middle and working classes have complained to me on how their lives has become so much harder since 2014. They claimed that this period of austerity that started under former President Ramotar has intensified under President Granger. Whatever has happened to all those promises made by Team Granger in 2015? Plus this snake oil illusion that they are trying to pull off with this oil dream has ZERO relevance to the people in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. For them, these years will become increasingly more challenge as hard guava season steps in. If you carefully evaluate the performance of Team Granger, you will struggle to find evidence of what they have done for the people lately. In 2015, Team Granger promised six per cent growth rate; today it is more under two per cent. Where is the good life?

6.7% The monetary aggregate of reserve money has contracted by 6.7 per cent, while even broad money has fallen by 1.3 per cent. The former was attributed mainly to a decrease in both net domestic and net foreign assets, while the latter primarily reflected lower net domestic credit and net foreign assets. Credit to the private sector declined by 1.0 per cent. What does this mean, and how has it impacted economic growth?

The plain truth is that people are not borrowing because they are not investing in Guyana, and this has resulted in less money circulating in the economy; which continues to squeeze everyone adversely, save and except for the members of the Granger cabal. This begs the question: did the majority of the people vote for Granger so that his cabal can get fatter?

Clearly, the more important point and the most worrying is that there seem to be coming out of the Granger government very little new ideas that are adding value to the agenda of turning around the economy.

Because of this poor economic performance under President Granger, the impact on the extreme poor will only get worse, and this is an indisputable fact.

The literature clearly points to the fact that Guyana must grow at a rate at six per cent or above before the lives of the people at the bottom of the economic scale (the poor and the vulnerable) can improve. I do not see this happening under the ‘clueless’ Minister Jordan. With such a zigzag performance, the people must fortify their minds into not being surprised with negative growth before the uncertainty continues!

Please2020. shareAnd your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

11

friDAY, september 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

he $146.3 million feasibility study Government carried out on the new Demerara River bridge has finally been completed, but its findings indicate a preference for another retractable bridge; something a 2013 pre-feasibility study had found, through consultations that stakeholders did not want.

The Feasibility Study and Design for the new Demerara River bridge was presented to Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Ferguson on Wednesday. The 57-page final report was done by Dutch company, LievenseCSO. The project team had included officials and technical personnel from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation and the Transport and Harbours Department. It is based on an agreement which was signed last year.

It is understood that

The Demerara Harbour Bridge is already a retractable model.

Back in 2013, major stakeholders when consulted had expressed the need for a fixed one

the feasibility study determined the proposed location of Houston-Versailles as the most ideal. It was further noted that the bridge should be a low-level one with a movable part and three-lanes.

According to the report, this structure would provide the most socio-economic benefits for Guyana. The report is also claiming that this

would lead to the lowest urban environmental impact.

Furthermore, it was recommended that the promotion of alternative transportation routes should be encouraged to lend to the longevity of the new bridge.

The completion of the feasibility study paves the way for the next stage, the pre-qualification of contrac-

tors for the construction of the bridge. This process has already begun and will likely conclude by October 17.

The contract between the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) and the Dutch company was signed on December 9, 2016, during which Arie Mol, Advisor to the CEO of LievenseCSO, committed to ensuring that all schedules are met and completed on time.

Floating at 1.25 miles, the Demerara Harbour Bridge is a strategic link between the eastern and western banks of the Demerara River. It facilitates the daily movement of a large numbers of vehicles, people and cargo. The structure was built in the 1970s, but was opened in July 1978 with the expectation of lasting only 10 years. However, some 37 years later, it is still floating. turn to page 17

12 news

friDAY, september 1, 2017 | guya

38 more medical do T

hirty-eight medical doctors who have spent the last six years in Cuba studying have now graduated. The ceremony which was hosted by the Department of Public Service, Ministry of the Presidency, was held at the National Cultural Centre on Wednesday August 30, 2017.

At the graduation, feature speaker, Public Service Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine took the opportunity to demand the best level of patient-centred care from the new doctors.

Minister Roopnaraine charged the doctors to be more sensitive to the concerns of their patients. “Each of you began life as a medical student-doctor in the age of Information Technology.

Your greatest challenge as a newly minted doctor in this information age will be to put your cellphone down, look up from its glowing screen and that will let you see your patient’s downward stares that tell you their deepest personal secrets.”

– after spending last 6 yea

Valedictorian of the graduating batch, Dr Inderjeet Ramdas

The Minister also reflected on the scholarship programme of which the doctors are beneficiaries. “Today’s batch of graduands are beneficiaries of a bilateral agreement that was signed in 2000.

These scholarships were awarded over a seven-year period and today's graduands, 38 in number, will join more than 500 gradu-

ates from this programme,” Minister Roopnaraine explained.

Dr Roopnaraine further detailed that since 1979, Guyanese have benefited from medical education provided by the Cuban Government. These persons have since had the opportunity to specialise and continue to serve the people of Guyana in various specialties.

“The first medical student who graduated from the University of Havana in Cuba in 1979 was Dr Richard Van West-Charles, former Minister of Health….

Some of those persons are still serving here in Guyana such as Dr Leslie Carter, former Regional Health Officer from the second batch; Dr Edward Segala, Dr Henry Jeffrey, Dr Terry Joseph and the current Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton, all specialists in General Medicine, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology,” the Minister highlighted.

Ambassador of Cuba to

Seated Medica and For Cuban A by the n

Guyan César added tributi human will co

news

er 1, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

al doctors graduate

st 6 years in Cuba studying

amme,” ne ex-

fursince e beneducaCuban persons ortuniontinue Guyana

al stud from Havana was Dr harles, ealth…. ns are Guyana er, forOfficer ch; Dr Henry ph and f Social Norton, General cs and Minister

uba to

Seated in front from left: Dr Tatianna Garcia Telles, Head of the Cuban Medical Brigade and Dean of the Medical Faculty; Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Minister of Public Service; Carl Greenidge, Prime Minister (ag) and Foreign Affairs Minister; Dr George Norton, Social Cohesion Minister; Julio César González Marchante, Cuban Ambassador to Guyana; and Shamdeo Persaud, Chief Medical Officer, Public Health Ministry, flanked by the new batch of Cuban trained doctors

Guyana, His Excellency Julio César González Marchante, added that his country’s contribution to the Caribbean’s human resource development will continue in spite of chal-

lenges the country might have faced over the years.

“Cuba deeply recognises the commitment of the Government not only to continue but to strengthen the

fraternal relation between our countries. Also, we share common purposes like to strengthen our Caribbean community of nations.” turn to page 18

13

14 news

friDAY, september 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Oil sector

Govt must guard against complacency – TIGI ... when negotiating, securing best local content concessions

E

ven as Guyana readies itself for a new oil sector, anti-corruption advocate group Transparency Institute of

Guyana Inc (TIGI) is warning the Government against becoming complacent and relaxed in its negotiations.

According to TIGI

President, Dr Trevor Thomas, the Government’s attitude towards local content has been more relaxed than might be expected. This

comes after the Government shared a draft local content plan, which was criticised by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).

“It does seem, from everything that I’ve heard, that the attitude of the Government is more relaxed than Guyanese expect,” Thomas said. “And from that perspective I urge them to look at the matter keenly and ensure that we get the best deal.”

“At the end of the day, what we want is for Guyana to develop multidimensional-

Exxon’s operations in the Stabroek block

ly, given its oil resources. It is therefore important that the Government takes whatever steps are necessary to

ensure that that happens.”

According to the information released by Government, we do know that Guyana will receive a two per cent royalty on gross earnings from the oil on a barrel to barrel basis.

In addition, Guyana will receive 50 per cent of the profits from ExxonMobil’s sale of petroleum on the world market.

In the past, Government has sought to justify the two per cent royalty by contrasting it with the 50/50 share of the profits; an arrangement that the Ggovernment has said is a reasonable one, arrived at through the advice of experts.

Oil is currently at US$50 a barrel. But with the world market price for oil a volatile rollercoaster at times and Exxon having to clear its initial investment cost, some have opined that a revenue sharing arrangement would be a better option than a profit sharing one.

But local content and what it will do for Guyana has been a burning question since the announcement of oil in the Stabroek block. continued on page 15

news

15

friDAY, september 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

US-based Guyanese gets 4 years for trafficking 3 pounds cocaine

F

orty-eight-year-old Warren McKi was on Thursday sentenced to four years in prison by Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Providence Magistrates Court following a guilty plea to trafficking three pounds of cocaine, which he claimed was a means of supporting

his son through college in realising his dream career in medical science.

Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford presented the case, which alleged that the defendant was an outgoing passenger heading to JFK Airport in New York

on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 when he was busted by members of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) with 1.252 kilogrammes of the illicit substance concealed in a false back of his carry-on luggage.

A synopsis of the facts detailed that the defendant’s

luggage was placed on a scanner, which highlighted two strange images appearing to be hidden in the back of the luggage, arousing suspicion of the ranks.

Subsequent searches revealed two packets of cocaine behind the false wall.

The accused was further

Govt must guard against...

After Exxon first tempered expectations by saying that few job opportunities will be created by oil, it has since said that it will help with local content delivery. Since the oil giant was granted a production licence in June of this year, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had given Exxon a six-month deadline in order to supply its local content plan to Government.

ExxonMobil’s newly appointed Country Manager in Guyana, Rod Henson, had recently announced that the company would be relocating its onshore operations, which were used for support services, from neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago to Guyana.

He had told participants at a meeting that it was not a case whereby ExxonMobil would be looking to build a facility for its support services, but would rather put out tenders, and anyone interested in providing the shore base services could present a proposal.

Trotman had, in 2016, an-

nounced that Cabinet had given its ‘no objection’ to the establishment of the onshore industrial site on Crab Island, in the mouth of the Berbice River.

He had said it would be forged through the joint efforts of the ministries of Natural Resources, Public Infrastructure and Business.

Construction was announced for early this year, and the investments from the Private Sector and Government’s infrastructural work and support were to be equivalent to US$500 million; but the Crab Island facility is yet to materialise.

According to information released this March by the Government’s Department of Public Information (DPI), the construction of an onshore oil-and-gas facility seeks to cater to the expansion of exploration and subsequent production of oil in Guyana.

That report had said Government would be investing US$500 million to construct the onshore facility during the course of this year, and that the facility would serve as a logistics and

supply base to the offshore production, crucial areas of opportunity for local content.

What is happening now

nabbed with US$2,667, which CANU motioned for seizure.

The remorseful father of three sought to justify his actions in court by explaining that his constrained financial situation had prevented him from fulfilling his duties to his family,

and he was, as such, driven to resort to drug trafficking.

Taking into consideration McKi’s early guilty plea and remorse before the court, Magistrate Scarce handed down a four year sentence along with a fine of $3.3 million.

(GYSBI) at Houston, Greater Georgetown.

GYSBI is acting in partnership with Muneshwar’s

Limited, Pacific Rim Constructors, Total Tech Oil Field Services and LED Offshore.

from page 14

is that an onshore facility to service Exxon is being constructed by Guyana Shore Base Incorporated

16

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, september 1, 2017

… as Machel expected in Guyana today

A

s the clock counts down on what promises to be the biggest soca event in Guyana this year, International Soca Star Machel Montano is expected to touch down in Guyana today.

This is as the cover blows on the hype just months after Banks DIH Limited, under the Banks Beer brand, dropped the bomb that they will be staging a mega concert featuring “Mr Fete” himself.

On Saturday, September 2, all roads lead to the Providence National Stadium

as the renowned ‘Party Boss’ is set to headline the grand “Soca in My Heart” event.

Setting the pace for the King of Soca on Saturday will be an exhilarating lineup of local artistes, which include Michelle “Big Red” King, Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson, Adrian Dutchin, Timeka Marshall, and Trevor Vibes.

The “Fast Wine” singer will then take the stage with a series of energetic performances which are expected to keep

his local fans on their feet in a whining trance.

This event comes years after Machel had last appeared in Guyana; and such, it is no doubt that local fans are longing to see the ‘King of Soca’ live in concert.

Persons wishing to cash in on the “Soca in my Heart” party can do so by purchasing their tickets at the cost $4000 for general admission and $25,000 for the VIP experience.

Tickets are available at Demico Retail Liquor Store, Brickdam; Caesar Palace, Durban Street; OMG Restaurant, Sheriff Street; Quik Serve and all Banks DIH branches in Linden, Bartica, Berbice and Essequibo. Gates to the event will be open at 17:00h while the action is set to kick off at 19:30h sharp.

A

s if his rise to fame as one of the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ star bowlers in this year’s ‘biggest party in sport’ was not enough, social media went wild for 18-year-old Rashid Khan after he received a public proposal from a bold Guyanese fan while cheering on her favourite player from within the stands of the Providence National Stadium.

During the final match in the team’s home leg of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premiere League (CPL) tournament, a swooning local fan cashed in on the opportunity to make her move on the Afghanistan cricketer with a sensational and truly Guyanese marriage proposal. The young lady was captured in the stands sporting her placard which read: “RASHID KHAN – YOU’RE YOUNG, I’M YOUNG + MY ROTI IS ROUND, LET’S SETTLE DOWN!” Just moments after the Tuesday match which saw the Amazon Warriors thrashing the St Lucia Stars, the proposal went viral reaching the cricketer on his way back to the hotel that evening.

However, after leaving Guyanese anxiously beating their minds over what his response was to the very public gesture; Khan spoke out about being asked for his hand in marriage days later in an

interview with Guyana Times.

His response was, “It was amazing. The love and support was fantastic.” The 18-yearold in an attempt to make light of the matter continued, “Throughout the four games they came out and supported us and it gave us more motivation. So I am very happy to be here for the first time and it is surprising to see the love from the people.”

Nevertheless, a subsequent Facebook post kicked up yet another storm and that was of the first time the Amazon Warriors player met with his daring admirer.

This publication understands that the young woman expressed her surprise over the widespread reach of her poster and thereby attempted to apologise to the teenage cricket star.

This was after a snippet of an alleged conversation between the right-hand blower and his fan girl surfaced, but Khan shut down such rumours by confirming that he never

replied.

In light of all that has transpired, Khan summed up his experience in Guyana by saying, “It’s wonderful to be a part of Guyana Amazon Warriors and playing CPL for the first time.

Everything is like a fresh new experience for me and I am just enjoying it.”

news

17

friDAY, september 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Brazilian businesswoman slapped with fraud charge

T

he charge against Brazilian Businesswoman Buenos De Roacha read that, with intention to defraud, and knowing the document she was tendering was forged, she uttered to Police Constable Kevin King a forged birth certificate in favour of herself, purporting to show that same was issued by the General Registrar Office.

The offence was allegedly committed on August 30, 2017 at the Central Passport and Immigration Office; and on Thursday, August 31, before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, De Roacha entered a not guilty plea in regard to the allegation.

According to her defence counsel, the fifty-two-year-old mother of three is a Brazilian national who has a fixed place of abode in Alberttown, Georgetown; and does not pose any risk of flight on the basis that she has, with her husband, been (jointly) operating a restaurant in the city for the past ten years, which he posited is an indication of strengthening bonds with the country, rather than having a desire to flee same.

But Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore strongly opposed the defendant being placed on bail, arguing that the seriousness of the offence, coupled with the insecurity of the Guyana/Brazil border which

facilitates easy cross-border travel, and especially considering that the defendant is a Brazilian national, ought to preclude the defendant being placed on bail.

Moore attested that the woman did not follow through with the legal process of acquiring the birth certificate document, opting rather to transact business with someone she had met at the restaurant, who had promised to acquire for her the certificate free of cost.

He said investigations had also revealed that a Guyanese Identification Card (ID) had been obtained in favour of the accused, and he said De Roacha may just find

Pre-feasibility study in...

2013 study

In 2013, the Bridge Corporation had collaborated with the then Public Works Ministry to carry out a pre-feasibility study. That study concluded that a ‘fixed high level’ bridge was the best option to pursue, rather than the retractable model.

This option would ensure that traffic would be able to flow even while boats passed underneath the structure. At present, the bridge operates according to schedules, in order to cater for riverain traffic.

This has traditionally resulted in a rush hour and lengthy traffic lines, as motorists hurry to catch the bridge before it closes. It was to solve these traffic woes and the ad-

vanced age of the Demerara Harbour Bridge that a new bridge was even contemplated.

According to the 2013 report, consultations were carried out with various Private Sector agencies and NonGovernmental Organisations (NGO) representing cross sections of the production and manufacturing sectors in Guyana.

These consultations, the report details, were to obtain valuable data to complete the report, introduce stakeholders to the new Demerara River Crossing concept, and garner feedback that could potentially influence the project.

The agencies the Public Works and Finance Ministries engaged were the

from page 11

Private Sector Commission, Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association, the Guyana Shipping Association, the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission, and the Guyana Association of Professional Engineers.

According to the report, these stakeholders “indicated a strong desire for a new fixed bridge structure across the Demerara River.

The new structure would not only relieve road and marine traffic congestion, but would also facilitate and catalyse improved mobility, sector growth, and planned development at the Georgetown Harbour.”

herself before the Georgetown Magistrates Courts once more if the ID is found to be forged as well.

De Roacha has nevertheless been placed on $150,000 bail, and her matter has been transferred to the court of

Magistrate Fabayo Azore, where it will be called again on September 13, 2017.

18

friDAY, september 1, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

“Let significance of this sacred occasion be foremost in our minds” – PPP in Eid message

T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has taken the opportunity to extend greetings and best wishes to the Muslim communities here in Guyana and in the Diaspora on the sacred occasion of Eid-ul-Adah.

A national holiday, Eid-ul-Adah reminds of unbridled humility and the willingness to selflessly make sacrifices in obedience of God. Its message is seen as pertinent to the spiritual upliftment of all mankind which redounds in peace and togetherness.

It comes during the annual Holy Pilgrimage to Mecca, The Hajj – a journey that embodies sacrifices in the quest to fulfil religious obligations and

which is demonstrative of the teachings of equality.

“Its observance continues to exemplify humane characteristics of generosity, morality and love for others, especially the less fortunate. In a diverse society like Guyana where religious boundaries are often transcended, these attributes have proven

many sacrifices Guyanese have made over time for self-advancement and nation building with the common objective of a better life and future for all.

The PPP remains mindful of these sacrifices and those that are currently ongoing. As Guyanese endure in this challenging period, our Party is cognisant of their ingrained resilience and resoluteness which is fortified knowing that with sacrifices come rewards. The PPP urges that the message and significance of Eid-ul-Adah be foremost in the minds of all so that hope flourishes.

Once again the PPP extends best wishes for the occasion. Eid Mubarak!

their value not only in catalysing and strengthening bonds among our people, but which continue to forge better understanding and appreciation of our cultures,” the PPP stated in its Eid message. “As our Muslim brothers and sisters celebrate in traditional ways, the occasion once again brings into focus the

PNCR extends Eid greetings – to all Guyanese, especially Muslims

T

he People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has extended greetings to the Muslim Community in Guyana and, indeed, to all Guyanese, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.

On this occasion, the PNCR said Muslims recognise the value of self-denial and the sacrifice of the things they love. The act of submission by the Prophet Abraham is an example of genuine surrender to the will of God, which should be emulated by all.

“The preparedness of the Holy Prophet to make the supreme sacrifice, as proof of his total commitment to the teachings of

Allah, should inspire us all to strive towards the ideals of brotherly love, peace, justice and empathy towards one another,” the party said in its Eid message.

“It is only by the personal commitment of each Guyanese citizen to the

38 more medical...

Valedictorian of the graduating batch of 2017, Dr Inderjeet Ramdas, thanked the Government for making it possible for young men and women to continue to pursue their dreams and aspirations of becoming medical doctors.

“I would like to say thank you to the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana for inking the Cuban scholarship programme and for ensuring that the friendship and solidarity of the two countries grow so that the historic vision of education continues,” the Valedictorian noted.

He further encouraged his fellow batch mates to now step up and work towards improving the over-

from page 13

all health sector.

“From now we can no longer blame the misfortunes on the system, we have become part of it and must work diligently to make that system better.

As we disperse I know that we will improve the health outcome of the entire community and that demands celebration.”

The doctors, inclusive of six nationals from Tanzania, Malaysia, Belize, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Kitts and Nevis took the Hippocratic oath which was administered by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Public Health Ministry in Guyana, Dr Shamdeo Persaud.

above stated ideals can our country develop into a nation characterised by unity, harmony and a sense of decency,” the PNCR posited. According to the party, it “has always been and will always remain respectful of Guyana’s cultural and religious be-

lieves that our diversity has worked and can continue to work to the country’s advantage”.

“In this latter regard, it should be remembered that it was the PNC Government, under its Founder Leader, Forbes Burnham, which paved the way for each of the country’s major religious groups to observe their holy days as national holidays,” the PNCR stated.

It said the party remains committed to ensuring unity in diversity so that Guyana can experience real development and progress.

Eid Mubarak!

Injured accomplice...

A committal warrant was issued and Griffith was not seen.

Griffith on September 21, at Number 2 Village Corentyne, while being in the company of others and armed with a gun, broke into the dwelling house of Navindra Singh also called “Surish” and stole two cellular phones, an electronic tablet and a laptop computer along with $270,000 worth of jewellery and $40,000 in cash.

Griffith was arrested a few days later when Police intercepted a car he was driving along the East Canje Main Access Road at Cumberland and discovered one of the missing cellphones.

Earlier, investigators were led to a house where a relative of Griffith lived

from page 6

as they tracked one of the phones. The relative is reportedly a member of the Guyana Police Force.

Griffith had been able to post bail which was reduced to $30,000 and stopped attending court; hence he was found guilty and sentenced in his absence.

Meanwhile, Munroe who was also shot on Tuesday and pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital is the third member of his family to have been killed during an alleged robbery.

His father was killed in a similar fashion on the Corentyne under similar circumstances while another brother was killed after being shot by the Police moments after allegedly committing a robbery in Berbice.

GAWU greets Guyana’s Muslims on occasion of Eid-ul-Adha

E

ven as mankind is caught up in continuous life-long efforts to achieve personal and international peace; to acquire material and economic well-being based on general access to education, good health and food and job security, the peoples of the world long ago realised that spiritual development is an indispensable requirement for solace and a bedrock for our very progress, indeed, our very happiness in the future.

World religions provide us guidance that has helped us, in instances, through generations to cope with life’s many severe challenges. Islam, too, a world-wide faith with a following of hundreds of millions, has given guidance not only to its followers, but its teachings have found worldwide acclaim.

Against those reflections, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) said it is again pleased to share in the Eid-ul-Adha joy of our Islamic Community as it observes this important activity of the Islamic faith.

GAWU noted that the willingness of Ibrahim to obey God’s (Allah’s) command to sacrifice his dearest “possession” – his only son – must be a spiritual inspiration to all Muslims and a reminder of the importance of sacrifice in our life and especially as we face its vicissitudes.

GAWU greets Guyana’s Muslims on this special day, which has been fittingly recognised by our nation and which significance is highly valued by us all. “As we strive to go forward, we all need to recognise the value of sacrifice in realising our dreams and aspirations. A happy Eid-ul-Adha to the Muslim community from GAWU,” the Union said in its Eid message.

Faith, submission and sacrifice

– FITUG in Eid message 2017

T

he Eid-ul-Adha/Azha religious legend is a powerful inspirational story of man’s willingness to submit and sacrifice as commanded by God. The Islamic version that spawned the festival of Eid among Prophet Mohamed’s followers bears a striking similarity to one of sacrifices in the Christian Holy Bible. This illustrates the oneness of mankind’s belief in a higher creator whose commands can both test and strengthen the faith of believers.

Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael holds lessons for us ordinary mortals of all faiths. Our love and respect for the God we choose as our spiritual foundation should supersede any earthly authority which beholds us to do their bidding. When we submit to God, he blesses us with endless mercies and gifts just as he substituted an animal for the son Ibrahim willingly presented. It also holds advice relevant to giving to others that which we could afford to assuage their stringent needs.

In Guyana at this time, we are all being made to endure some form of economic sacrifice in our daily lives and existence.

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) hopes that our current hardships and sacrifices will result in early bounty just as Allah granted the dutiful Ibrahim.

A happy Eid-ul-Azha festival to Muslims and all Guyanese.

friDAY, september 1, 2017

Valentino Rossi feared to have broken leg in training accident

AIBA feud spills over into world boxing champs ring

P

unches are flying in and outside the ring at the amateur boxing world championships in Germany this week as a bitter power struggle rages for control of the historic Olympic sport.

In one corner in Hamburg is Wu Ching-Kuo, the embattled Taiwanese president of ruling body the AIBA and an influential member of the International Olympic Committee.

The opposite corner is crowded with the majority of the governing body's executive committee who have joined forces to establish a temporary administration.

They are out to KO Wu, who has led the Lausannebased AIBA since 2006.

Wu's opponents want to oust him from power, and seize control of the organisation in what the current AIBA boss has compared to "a military coup".

Their main gripe is that Wu has left the sport facing bankruptcy, placing the AIBA in peril.

They claim the "AIBA is not in a position to repay" debts totalling 15 million Swiss francs (13 million euros).

"Wrong!" says Wu, who contests that the AIBA's finances are in fact "healthy" with "16mn Swiss francs in the bank".

The rebels, led by Italian Franco Falcinelli and Pat Fiacco of Canada, attempted to force through an urgent management shake-up in the Swiss courts.

A ruling this month rejected their request, saying the matter would have to wait for a proper hearing in September.

Wu Ching-Kuo

The legal action came after Wu's executive committee passed a motion of noconfidence in him at a meeting in Moscow in July.

Wu claims he is being targeted because of his attempt to reform the AIBA and specifically singled out former executive director Ho Kim of South Korea for seeking "revenge" after his ousting over allegations of financial wrongdoing.

Wu insists he is "the legitimate president" and said he had written to IOC chief Thomas Bach to explain the situation, pinning Ho as a main plotter.

Bach was a noticeable absentee from the championships, all the more so with the event being held in his native Germany.

The IOC explained that "the circumstances which AIBA currently faces are not the right environment for a visit of the IOC President to this year’s championships".

Careful to avoid an accusation of taking sides in the internecine conflict, the IOC added: "Such a visit could

be interpreted by either side as a statement of support".

'Dodgy dealings' At Sunday's opening ceremony Wu's rivals met with international federation members who according to a statement were "surprised and concerned" about the AIBA's plight.

Wu had a very different take, claiming "I received lots of support" from his talks with the federations.

The disputing parties are set to clash again in the ring at an extraordinary congress scheduled for November.

But here again it's a case of warring press releases.

The provisional executive board have announced the congress will take place on November 12 in Dubai, while Wu says: "They've got no right to decide where the congress will be held, it's going to be in Lausanne."

When Wu succeeded Pakistan's Anwar Chowdry 11 years ago at the helm of amateur boxing he set about cleaning up a sport associated at the time with questionable

practices.

"When Wu arrived it seemed as though things were going better. Under Chowdry there were some very dodgy dealings and it was known that medals could be bought at that time," confided an IOC member who wished to remain anonymous.

"It's hard to understand the reasons for this current crisis.

Has Wu been careless or too ambitious over investments?

Or is it revenge of ousted former officials?" he added.

Whatever the causes the AIBA feud is an embarrassment for the IOC at a time when in the wake of the crippling FIFA corruption scandal, it is pursuing widespread reform of international federations, with none more enshrined in the Olympic family than amateur boxing.

19

Valentino Rossi

V

alentino Rossi was hurt in a motocross accident on Thursday and his father was quoted as saying: "They fear there is a fracture."

MotoGP icon Rossi appears likely to miss a significant chunk of the 2017 season after suffering a suspected broken leg in a motocross accident.

Rossi's Movistar Yamaha team confirmed the veteran Italian had been hurt in a "training activity" close to his hometown on Thursday.

While Yamaha's statement did not reveal details of Rossi's injuries, his father Graziano was quoted by Italian news agency ANSA as offering a negative

prognosis.

"Valentino is not optimistic," said Graziano. "They fear there is a fracture.

"To do the radiograph they had to cut the boot, and Valentino told me he feels very bad." The 38-year-old's injuries seem likely to keep him out of next weekend's San Marino Grand Prix at Misano, at the very least. Yamaha said a further medical bulletin would be issued in due course.

Rossi suffered mild thoracic and abdominal trauma following a motocross accident in May, but did not miss any races as a result of his injuries.

The veteran sits fourth in this year's standings, 26 points behind championship leader Andrea Dovizioso. (SportsMax)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, september 1, 2017

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma tons flatten Sri Lanka

– in 4th ODI as India take 4-0 lead

T

he well-oiled Indian oneday machinery left Sri Lanka enduring another ordeal in the one-day series with the fourth match at the Premadasa Stadium on Thursday simply an extension of the continuing mismatch.

Virat Kohli won the toss and joined Rohit Sharma to pummel Sri Lankan bowlers. India piled up 375 for five on a belter of a pitch and Sri Lankan batsmen’s refusal to fight meant a 168–

run victory and a 4-0 series lead. Sri Lanka folded for 207 in 42.4 overs.

Virat Kohli struck his 29th ODI century, a 96-ball 131 that promised plenty more. Rohit (104) was the anchor as he stroked his second century in a row, his 13th ton following the 124 not out in the third ODI and 54 in the second.

The match had effectively ended by 30 overs, when the Kohli-Rohit partnership of 219

runs was broken.

Kohli’s century (131 – 17x4, 2x6) lifts him to third in the alltime list of ODI centurions. Only Sachin Tendulkar (49) and Ricky Ponting (30) are ahead. But it was all about the sheer force of his performance than statistics.

India still briefly wobbled, but MS Dhoni in his 300th ODI showed there is plenty left of his finishing abilities with a third unbeaten knock (49 no) and an unbroken 101-run stand with Manish Pandey (50 no – 42 balls, 4x4), who marked his

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma slammed centuries as India scored 375/5 in the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo (PTI)

recall with his second ODI halfcentury. Former skipper Angelo Mathews (70) got his 34th oneday fifty, but the sizeable crowd would not have been convinced Sri Lanka batsmen had the stomach to fight their way out of the current hole they find themselves in.

Commanding knock Shikhar Dhawan fell in the second over and Kohli came and began a breathtaking innings.

Young left-arm paceman Vishwa Fernando pitched it up repeatedly only to see the Indian skipper lay into him.

Kohli took 38 deliveries

apiece for each fifty. The patent cover drives and wristy flicks were all there. He was unsure only twice, regaining crease after being sent back by Rohit and while awkwardly hooking Lasith Malinga for four to backward square leg.

Sri Lanka, already down 3-0, needed to win the last two games to ensure a direct berth for the 2019 World Cup, but they didn’t remotely seem like challenging India. The sloppy fielding – Hardik Pandya and Dhoni were dropped –made things worse.

It was a big relief for Sri Lanka when Kohli finally lofted

Malinga, the stand-in skipper, to deep extra cover. It ended his wait for the 300th ODI wicket, but the 34-year-old returned 1/82 in 10 overs.

Sri Lanka made it 274 for five. Mathews, warming up as a bowler after injuries, had the promoted Hardik Pandya (19) and Rohit (104 – 88 balls, 11 x4, 3x6) caught off successive balls.

Rohit had collected his runs calmly as Kohli imposed himself.

Still, there were shots of beauty, a late cut and an insideout six off debutant left-arm spinner Malinga Pushpakumara standing out. KL Rahul fell to spinner Akila Dananjaya for the third time in his new role as middle-order batsman in one experiment that hasn’t clicked for India. But like the bowling shuffle, it didn’t matter.

Dhoni, dropped on 25, showed the old firm can help paper over such blemishes against this opposition.

He was the finisher of the innings as well as Sri Lanka’s feeble resistance with a third, unbeaten century stand, this time with Manish Pandey, who grabbed the chance with both hands. (HindustanTimes)

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Corona Beer into Q-finals tonight

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The quarter-finals of the Corona Beer Invitational tournament begin tonight at GFC

he best eight teams have progressed from the round robin stage of the Corona Beer Invitational tournament and will be fighting in the quarter-finals for entry to the semi-finals.

The tournament which began with 12 teams is now down to the business end.

In the first two quarter-finals slated for tonight at the Georgetown Football Club ground, the matchups will make for intriguing contests as the resurgent Camptown FC take on Northern Rangers at

19:00hrs.

Camptown has the ability to steamroll opponents but needs to be disciplined and consistent if they are to progress beyond the quarter-finals.

The Northern Rangers started off slowly but have been consistent performers.

They enter the quarter-finals on the back of a three game winning streak and obviously will seek to make it four. In the second quarter-final of the night, the unbeaten Western Tigers will take on the youthful Pele FC side at 21:00hrs.

The Tigers maintained their unbeaten run on Monday when they emerged as 2-1 winners over the Police FC. Pele, who started off the tournament on solid footing, has turned in uneven performances. However, on any given day their talented young players can make light work of any opposition.

The remaining games will feature Santos versus Police FC and GFC facing Riddim Squad. Both of those games will be played at GFC on Sunday.

Tamim Iqbal picks up demerit point Classified for Mirpur misconduct

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angladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has been given an official reprimand and one demerit point for breaching the ICC’s Code of Conduct on day four of the Mirpur Test against Australia. Tamim was penalised

for “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”, according to an ICC release.

Tamim admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Jeff Crowe, meaning there was no

need for a formal hearing.

Tamim was sanctioned for two particular violations on Wednesday, beginning in the first session of the day when, according to the ICC release, he “debated continuously with the umpires while the Australian batsmen were changing their gloves regularly. Shortly thereafter, he approached Matthew Wade and gestured towards him to leave the field upon his dismissal”.

Since Tamim already had one demerit point to his name, received during the second Test against Sri Lanka on March 16 this year, he is now two demerit points away from a ban. Should he accumulate two more demerit points within 24 months of his March offence, he will face a ban of one Test, two ODIs or two T20Is, whichever comes first. (Cricinfo)

sports

21

BCB senior 50 overs competition

Port Mourant, Young Warriors & Blairmont secure wins T

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) senior 50 overs competition continued on Wednesday at three venues across the county as players continue to sharpen their skills for the upcoming Cricket Guyana Inc.’s Local Franchise Cricket scheduled to commence on September 2, 2017.

At the Port Mourant Community Center, hosts Port Mourant defeated the Albion Cricket Club by 7 wickets in their match which was reduced to 32 overs due to overnight rain.

Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the Port Mourant bowlers restricted Albion to 115 for 9 wickets. Bowling for Port Mourant, Joel Seitaram took 2 for 14 in his 5 overs, Troy Gonsalves 3 for 22 in his 6 overs while Yudendra Harinarine, Demetri Cameron, Omesh Mathura and Parmeshwar Chatterpaul took one wicket each.

In Albion’s batting innings, Gudakesh Motie Kanhai top scored with 20 off 19 deliveries. Anthony Bramble hit 19 off 15 deliveries while Ritesh Omrao 16, Steven Kamaludeen 18 and Joshua Harrichand 13 were the other batsmen to make an impression. All the other batsmen failed to reached double figures, as the Port Mourant bowling attack continued to prove a puzzle to the Albion batsmen.

Port Mourant’s batting was spearheaded by a brilliant 42 off 48 from opener Joshua Ramsammy and 47 off 59 balls from middle order batsman Joel Seitaram.

Veramootoo Senwasane contributed 10 while Andy Mohan was left not out on six . Port Mourant reached the target in 25 overs while only losing three batsmen in the process.

Bowling for Albion, Steven Kamaludeen, Gudakesh Motie Kanhai

and Kelvin Omram took one wicket each with bowling figures of 19 for 1 in 2 overs, 16 for 1 in 7 overs and 17 for 1 in 5 overs respectively.

Port Mourant won by seven wickets.

At the Young Warriors ground in Cumberland, Young Warriors ( YWCC) defeated Tucber Park by 20 runs. Batting first, YWCC scored 110 for eight wickets. Linden Austin and Seon Hetmyer each scored 29 while Vishal Mohabir made 13 and Alex Algoo 12.

Bowling for Tucber Park, national Pacer Romario Shepherd took 2 for 24, Nial Smith 1 for 13, Devon Clements 1 for 16, K Pellew 1 for 25, Omar Weatherspoon 1 for 19 and Deon Sinclair 1 for 12.

In their reply, Tucber Park only managed 91 for the loss of eight wickets as Hakeem Hinds scored 32, Steve Deonarine 26, and Devon Clements 19. All the other batsmen failed to reach double figures.

For YWCC, Kasim Khan took 1 for 12, Linden Austin 1 for 20, Vishal Mohabir 2 for 18, Seon Hetmyer 1 for 9 and Suresh Dhanai 2 for 16 off his 2 overs.

In West Berbice, at the Blairmont Community Center, hosts Blairmont Cricket Club defeated West Berbice by 10 runs. Batting first, Blairmont scored 193 for 9 as Martin Singh hit 51, Parmanand Ramdhan 34, Z. Inshan 21 and Derick Mc Calmon 13.

Bowling for West Berbice, Renison Mitchell took 4 for 36 in 5 overs, Steffon Adams 2 for 31 in 4 overs and C. Nurse 2 for 40 in 5 overs. In West Berbice’s reply, A. Bailey scored 60, C. Nurse 23 not out, R. Estriado 14, Rendell Bobb 22, and Samuel Adams 16.

West Berbice managed 183.

In Blairmont’s bowling innings, Parmanand Ramdhan and S. Baksh took 3 for 41 and 2 for 39 respectively.

counterparts.

“We have a good mix of experience and youth that should adapt to English conditions quickly,” Browne said.

“Coming off the series win against India in the Caribbean in July, our expectations is to see the team play a highly competitive game and bring that T20 Caribbean atmosphere to England.”

The full squad reads:

Carlos Braithwaite, R o n s f o r d Beaton, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Ashley Nurse, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton, and Kesrick Williams.

CWI said spinner Samuel Badree is unavailable due to a prior commitment. (SportsMax)

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easoned veterans Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Marlon Samuels and Sunil Narine have been named in a 13man Windies squad to face England in the NatWest International T20 scheduled for Saturday, September 16 at the Emirates Riverside, Durham.

ICC World Cup hero Carlos Brathwaite will lead the side that Chairman of Selectors Courtney Browne believes has the right mix of youth and experience to do well against their English

Chris Gayle

22 Development of sports Celtics, Cavs finalise in the hinterland high blockbuster trade: reports on Norton’s agenda T GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, september 1, 2017

M

inister of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton has revealed that the development of sports in the hinterland regions of Guyana is high on his agenda.

Dr. Norton will officially head the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport from today in addition to his current portfolio as Minister of Social Cohesion.

Speaking to the media, the Minister noted “we are looking forward to promoting the youth involvement in the upper Mazaruni games, we were there and we saw the different villages providing athletes, footballers, volleyballers and so on… the heritage games will provide an opportunity for athletes from the hinterland communities to come and participate and play sports against each other”.

Norton, an avid lover of sport and former President of the Beacon Football Club takes over from Nicollett Henry who has been posted to the Education Ministry.

Minister Norton pointed out that sports cannot be separated from education as “we would want our sports men, we would want our youths to have full access to education and to improve on their level of education, to have all the opportunities, it must be made available to them and they must be able to utilise whatever opportunities is presented.”

Another issue that will be tackled immediately is

Minister George Norton will now assume the responsibility for the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport

the settlement of the issues surrounding the cricketing fraternity. Dr. Norton said that he will be taking steps to resolve whatever conflict lies within the fraternity for the interest of everyone.

Additionally, the Minister indicated that in assuming the new portfolio, a number of changes will be made. One of those he said is the 2018 budget for the two departments which he will head. The Minister in closing noted that he is happy and humble to be given the opportunity and responsibility to serve and develop the youth population in Guyana who he referred to as “agents of change”.

Guinness Cage Indoor tournament

he Boston Celtics agreed to send the Cleveland Cavaliers a 2020 second-round draft pick via the Miami Heat to complete the blockbuster trade that sent four-time All-Star guard Kyrie Irving to the Celtics, multiple media outlets reported Wednesday.

The Cavaliers sought additional compensation for the deal that brought Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and an unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick via the Brooklyn Nets to Cleveland because of Thomas’ hip injury.

The Celtics resisted the Cavs’ attempt to get another first-round pick or a young star to compensate Cleveland for its reluctance to sign-off on Thomas’ injury, which Boston said it was transparent about.

Cleveland finally agreed to complete the deal late Wednesday night with the

second-round pick.

Both teams risked walking away from the deal that had been announced on Aug. 22. The options included voiding the trade completely or renegotiating.

been an indication that this is something messing up my career,” Thomas told ESPN on Tuesday. “Maybe I am not going to be back as soon this season as everyone wants me to be, but I’m going to be back,

The Cavaliers felt the Celtics were not completely forthcoming about the length of rehabilitation facing Thomas, who suffered the hip injury in March. The Celtics claimed they provided the necessary information to the Cavs. “There’s never been an indication that I wouldn’t be back, and there’s never

and I’m going to be the same player again. No doctor has told me anything different than that.”It remains unclear when Thomas will return to action.

The 2020 pick that Cleveland will receive from Miami was sent to Boston in the Zoran Dragic deal in July 2015. (The Sports Xchange)

Upsets the order of the day on opening night

S

ophia was among the early casualties of the Guinness Cage Indoor football tournament which began on Tuesday evening at the National Gymnasium when they were soundly beaten 3-0 by newcomers MBK All Stars.

Also on the casualty list was Broad Street after being edged 2-1 by Ol Skool Ballers and Tucville who were needled 1-0 by West Demerara’s Showstoppers.

Teams from the Mining Town of Linden found the going tough with Guinness national champions Dave & Celena All Stars losing in a penalty shootout against Pike Street while Silver Bullets exited the competition after going down to Tiger Bay 1-2. However, some of the other top teams advancing to the Group stage

Action on opening night

are Sparta Boss, West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’, Tiger Bay, North Ruimveldt, Albouystown ‘A’ and ‘B’, Hustlers, Future

Stars, Back Circle, Champion Boys, Mocha and Leopold Street.

Over $800,000 in prize monies and

trophies will be up for grabs with the winner set to receive $400,000 and the championship trophy, while second, third and fourth placed finishers will take home $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 along with trophies respectively.

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

Among the other sponsors on board are: Star Party Rentals, Faye Joseph, Claude Geddes Recreational Sports Club, National Sports Commission, Windjammer International Hotel & Cuisine, Woodpecker Trophies & Sport, Y.K Investments & Pawn Shop, Henry Chase, Jai Signs, Trophy Stall of Bourda Market and John Fernandes Ltd.

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, september 1, 2017

23

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2017

C

o m i n g off their impressive 99run win over the Barbados Tridents in Barbados on Tuesday night, the Guyana Amazon Warriors will go into Friday night’s game in the 2017 Hero CPL against the Jamaica Tallawahs at Sabina Park full of confidence.

The Warriors scored 158 for 8 and then proceeded to dismiss the home side for a paltry 59 runs, the lowest total in the CPL this season.

Swing bowler Sohail Tanvir was the main destroyer taking five wickets for only three runs as he ripped through the Tridents top order to set up the emphatic victory.

Riyad Emrit, who has been appointed the captain of the Warriors said the win has lifted the team heading into their clash against the Tallawahs who dusted the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Wednesday night.

“Sohail has been terrific. He hasn’t been getting

the wickets before but he has been bowling well at the top of the innings so to see him get five wickets in the last game; I have never seen that kind of swing bowling in a very long while. There was nothing more we could ask of him, and the team spirit has been excellent and we are confident coming into this game,” Emrit told SportsMax.tv.

He said, however, that he is wary of the threat that the two-time champions pose, especially while playing at home.

“We’re not overconfident, Jamaica has been playing very good cricket at home and they are a tough team to beat but that win against the Tridents has boosted our confidence more.”

For the 2017 Hero CPL, the Warriors have not been

Guyana Amazon Warriors captain Riyad Emrit and Jamaica Tallawahs coach Paul Nixon at a press conference

the potent force they have been in previous editions.

So far, they have won only four of their nine matches.

However, Emrit suggested that this season there will

be a reversal of fortune.

“Previously, the Amazon Warriors used to win at the beginning and taper off at the end, now it’s probably the reverse and we’re hop-

ing that we peak at the right time. I think we are improving every game and that’s the most important thing in T20 cricket,” he said. (SportsMax)

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

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League

Pg 23

Pg 22

Celtics, Cavs finalize blockbuster trade: reports

Valentino Rossi feared to have broken leg in training accident

Kyrie Irving

Valentino Rossi

Pg 19

Valentino Rossi was hurt in a motocross accident on Thursday

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