Guyana Times Sunday July 14, 2019

LOOK INSIDE !

Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 3984 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

Sunday, July 14, 2019

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Govt continues to ignore CCJ orders, Guyana's constitutional stipulations

…caretaker Govt fails to resign

$120 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Unlicensed boat operators plying Bartica route – P13 speedboat association

See story on page 3

…President yet to take up urgent meeting request with Opposition Leader CCJ consequential orders

Commissioners threaten sanctions against GECOM officials who flout orders Page 2

…say CEO duty-bound to immediately begin preparations for Sept polls

Mahdia businesswoman P12 shoots miner during attempted rape …suspect battling for life at GPHC

US pledges support for Guyana’s P12 development P12

Residents object to chemical plant in Houston

Body of Berbice welder burnt by P17 co-workers …claimed boss ordered “cremation” – Police source

Page 7

…say construction started despite EPA’s pending approval

Moses Nagamootoo lied about pharmaceutical Page 9 storage

…NEW GPC still providing storage for MoPH, GPHC, other Govt agencies

2 die in Linden Highway accident

Page 18

Aurora Gold Mine grants 7.6% quarterly bonus to P13 workers …promises to deliberate on NIS, compensation

Bourda vendors enraged over robberies at market P15

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news

SUnDAY, JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

CCJ consequential orders

Commissioners threaten sanctions against GECOM officials who flout orders …say CEO duty-bound to immediately begin preparations for Sept polls

T

hree of commissioners from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) have warned officers at the body to comply with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) directive and work towards holding elections, lest they be hit with sanctions for breaking the law.

In a statement on Saturday, Opposition nominated Commissioners Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn, urged GECOM and its Chief

The PPP-nominated Commissioners: Robeson Benn, Bibi Shadick and Sase Gunraj

Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield to awake from their slumber and immedi-

ately begin preparations for elections.

“Upon the passage of

this motion of no confidence the clear provisions Article 106 immediately became engaged, it is now the only imperative to abide with the provisions of the Constitution and its statutory related thereto,” the commissioners stated.

The commissioners cited the CCJ judgement, where the CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders had reminded the court that GECOM has to abide by the constitution and that it has a responsibility.

“Consistent with the orders of the CCJ GECOM must immediately start preparations for elections and its Chief Executive Officer Lowenfield must ensure this in accordance with his statutory functions.

Naturally, any official of GECOM who does anything inconsistent with the CCJ’s orders would be in gross contempt of the said orders and the Constitution and would thereby attract the appropriate sanctions.”

“We, therefore, join the call for the proper observance of the rule of law and declare that we stand ready, as always, to fully support the implementation of constitutionally democratic processes as is required for all of GECOM’s activities,” the commissioners stressed.

On July 12, CCJ ruled that the APNU/AFC Coalition government should have resigned and general elections be called in accordance with the “spirit and letter” of the constitution of Guyana.

Without naming a date for elections, CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders insisted that the constitution is clear and therefore the December 21, 2018 passage of the No-Confidence Motion triggered Articles 106 (6) and (7).

Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the

GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield

President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Meanwhile, Article 106 (7) states: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

According to Justice Saunders, there was no need for the court to gloss over these provisions but it is in fact the responsibility of the constitutional actors to be faithful to the rule of law and operate within parameters of the Constitution. turn to page 7

news

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SUnDAY, JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Govt continues to ignore CCJ orders, Guyana's constitutional stipulations

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…caretaker Govt fails to resign

…President yet to take up urgent meeting request with Opposition Leader

T

he Government of Guyana continues to defy both the Caribbean Court of Justice and the Constitution of Guyana by not resigning as ordered by the court, which ruled to enforce the constitution of Guyana.

With the Government being toppled following the passage of the No Confidence Vote on December 21, 2018, the CCJ ordered that Articles 106 of the Constitution of Guyana be enforced.

Article 106 (6) and (7) of the Constitution states, respectively: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.” And “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

The CCJ on the matter of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) ordered that the Opposition Leader and the President select a new Chairman as a matter of urgency.

The selection of a GECOM chairman is of paramount importance considering the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling and the President, himself, has said a Chairman can be appointed by Monday, but there has been no word on when the President and Opposition Leader will meet.

This is despite the fact that Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo took the initiative to write to President David Granger, inviting him to a meeting over the weekend or at any time. Jagdeo’s invitation even contained his personal phone number.

But up to the press conference, the Government has been lacklustre about taking up Jagdeo’s offer and has not confirmed when this meeting will take place.

When contacted by this

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Former Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

publication on Saturday, People’s Progressive Party Executive Member Gail Teixeira confirmed that the Opposition received a reply from the Government to Jagdeo’s invitation.

It is not, however, a response confirming that a meeting will take place.

The former Chief Whip noted that the two sides have been exchanging correspondence since Friday and have not settled on details for the meeting. That exchange, according to Texieira, is continuing.

“So (never mind) the bravado of the President, ‘oh we can have a Chairman by Monday’, cut away the fluff and you have more fluff,” Texieira subsequently complained during a live broadcast programme. “Because the President’s response does not say, ‘yes, I’m available to meet, let’s set up a meeting’”.

In handing down its consequential orders on Friday, the CCJ had urged Guyana’s political leaders to appoint a new GECOM Chairman with the utmost urgency. This is especially in light of its previous ruling validating the December No-Confidence Motion, thus, triggering the need for fresh elections.

Subsequently, President Granger had announced, in

his address to the nation, that a new Chairman could be appointed as soon as Monday.

According to Granger in his video address, “it is clear that elections have to be held in the shortest possible time and, therefore, it is crucial to appoint a chairman of the Elections Commission. This could be done as early as Monday if the Opposition is prepared to act in a consensual manner and in good faith”.

It is following Granger’s commitment to meet that Jagdeo subsequently wrote the Head of State, proposing that they meet urgently.

The Opposition Leader indicated to the President that he is available to meet at any time— even over the weekend— to work on a list of names for consideration for appointment to the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission in accordance with the Constitution.

Failure to adhere to Constitution

Meanwhile, the Government, in a statement on Saturday, called itself an “interim” Government – in apparent defiance to term itself as a “caretaker” as stated by the CCJ – and committed to curtailing its powers and legal authority in accordance with the Constitution and the CCJ ruling.

“This means that while

President David Granger

the Government will continue its routine management of the country, it will also address urgent issues that are in the public interest. It is also prepared to consult with the Opposition on matters which require the agreement of both sides,” the Government said in the statement.

However, no mention was made in the statement whether Cabinet and the President stood resigned, nor was an election date named in the statement.

In clear defiance of the Constitution of Guyana, the Government said it “accepts that it is an ‘interim’ Government but emphasises that Cabinet has not stopped functioning and Government must continue to provide public services. The Constitution of Guyana at Article 106 (7) states that notwithstanding its defeat in the National Assembly, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election”.

In the same breath, the Government said that it agreed with the Court that it is of greatest importance that the President and the Leader of the Opposition conclude the process of appointing a new Chairman of GECOM. According to the Government in its statement, it met with the Opposition turn to page 7

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SUnDAY, JUly 14, 2019

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

CCJ: Elections

by Sept 18

T

he eagerly awaited consequential orders from the CCJ, flowing from the consolidated cases appealed from the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) of Dec 21, 2018 and David Granger’s unilateral selection of the GECOM Chair were delivered last Friday. Ultimately, the decisions and orders of the CCJ relate to the date for holding of elections in Guyana in accordance with the Constitution. Inter alia, the CCJ summarised: a) The provisions of Article 106(6) and (7) of the Constitution apply to a No-Confidence motion. b) Thirty-three votes constitute a majority of the 65-member National Assembly. c) Mr Charrandas Persaud was ineligible to be elected to the Assembly by virtue of his Canadian citizenship, but his vote on the motion of no confidence was valid. d) Nothing in the anti-defection regime established in Article 156(3) of the Constitution rendered Mr Persaud incapable of casting his vote on that motion in the manner in which he did. e) The National Assembly properly passed a motion of no confidence in the Government on 21 December 2018. f) Upon the passage of this motion of no confidence in the Government, the clear provisions of Article 106 immediately became engaged.

There are some who seem to have some problems with comprehending the above or are deliberately obfuscating the issues in furtherance of their own narrow agendas. Caretaker President David Granger, for instance, said in his address to the nation following the CCJ’s presentation: “Guyanese, it is clear that elections have to be held in the shortest possible time…

I commit to the holding of credible elections in the shortest possible time”. But this reference to “elections in the shortest possible time” is prevarication at best and disingenuous at worst. As the CCJ pointed out: “The Judiciary interprets the Constitution. But, as we intimated in our earlier judgement, these particular provisions require no gloss on the part of the Court in order to render them intelligible and workable”.

A “gloss” in legal circles is “an annotation, explanation, or commentary on a particular passage in a book or document, to elucidate or amplify the passage”.

The CCJ went on to belabour this point: “Their meaning is clear and it is the responsibility of constitutional actors in Guyana to honour them. Upon the passage of a vote of no confidence, the Article requires the resignation of the Cabinet including the President. The Article goes on to state, among other things, that notwithstanding such resignation, the Government shall remain in office and that an election shall be held ‘within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine …’ The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has the responsibility to conduct that election and GECOM too must abide by the provisions of the Constitution”.

“The Court must assume that these bodies and personages will exercise their responsibilities with integrity and in keeping with the unambiguous provisions of the Constitution bearing in mind that the No-Confidence Motion was validly passed as long ago as 21 December 2018”.

But it appears that caretaker President Granger needs a “gloss” on these “unambiguous provisions of the Constitution”, which it had, in any event, presented in its judgements of July 18. To wit, that the valid passage of the NCM on Dec 21, 2018 had mandated elections by March 21, 2019. But the Government’s recourse to the High, then Appellate Courts placed that process “on pause”, which was reactivated with the decision by the CCJ – the ultimate Court for Guyana – on June 18, that the NCM was validly passed. By the operations of Art 106, elections therefore have to be scheduled on or before Sept 18, 2019, unless the Opposition PPP wishes to extend the date.

Having categorically declared they are unprepared to do so, the latter date now kicks in and as the CCJ declared, GECOM is not above the Constitution and must facilitate same.

GBTI Anna Regina Branch honoured top NGSA student, Venisha Lall, who shared the top spot in the National Grade Six Assessment with Dave Chowtie of Graham’s Hall Primary, as they celebrated 21 years serving the people of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Lall, who is also an early saver with the branch, will also be given a Bursary Award in September when the bank will be awarding 15 students across the country. In photo, Senior Manager - Accounts and Finance, Shawn Gurcharran hands over a gift to the young high achiever

Europe needs to stand for freedom in Venezuela

By Rick Scott

S

eventy-five years ago, American soldiers – many of them just barely 18 – stormed the beaches of France or, like my father, parachuted behind enemy lines. My father was lucky to return home from World War II. He certainly didn’t think he would. But he was so proud to serve and he was willing to put his life in harm’s way.

We sent our best and our brightest to Europe, to Africa, to Asia because the world faced an existential threat.

We faced the threat of Nazism, of communism, of totalitarianism in whatever form it took. And we faced the evil and the death that almost always comes with it.

Tens of millions died, including more than 400,000 Americans. Our best and our brightest were struck down on the beaches of Normandy, in the forests of Ardennes, and in the air above Sicily.

We honor the dead and mourn their passing. But we also remember the sacrifice they made for the sake of humanity and world peace in World War II. We fought for freedom in Europe and around the world because we had to and because America stands for freedom. That’s just who we are.

The world has changed in the last 75 years. And yet there are still corners of the world where the fight for freedom continues.

Venezuela is one of those places. I traveled to the Venezuelan border with

Crisis in Venezuela: UN sets up refugee camp in Maicao, Colombia. Humanitarian workers with the United Nations help refugees escaping Venezuela

Colombia recently. I saw death and hunger and poverty up close.

There were Venezuelan children walking for hours each way to go to school in Cucuta just across the border. Mothers and their young children trudged through dense forests and across rivers to get to the USAID facility there so they could get their only meal of the day.

This is a defining human rights issue of our time.

Nicolás Maduro is starving his own people. The scale of evil of course does not match the horrors of World War II, but it is evil nonetheless. And innocent people are dying.

And so far, Europe is failing to heed the call for freedom.

A few short weeks ago, I stood on the beaches of Normandy on the anniversary of D-Day to honor the sacrifices freedom-loving people made in support of the cause. The following day, I visited Madrid, Spain where I met with representatives for Interim President Juan Guaidó to various European nations. I also met with the U.S. Ambassador to Spain

and senior officials in the Spanish government.

It was clear from these conversations that the European Union, and Spain in particular, could do more to support the cause of freedom in Venezuela.

Spain has close cultural and historical ties with Venezuela. There are more than 250,000 Venezuelans in Spain, many eager to return home but fearing for their safety under Maduro.

But the EU and the Spanish government continue to take a back seat in the fight.

European nations often point to their economic interests: they don’t want to lose Cuba as a trading partner or tangle with China, Russia, and Iran with whom they do business.

I say that’s bunk.

Children are starving to death in Venezuela, while Maduro and his cronies enrich themselves. The leaders of China, Russia, Cuba, and Iran are active participants in Maduro’s genocide. And European nations are sitting idly by and not doing their part. The fight for freedom and democracy isn’t without cost. But it’s a cost worth paying.

Seventy-five years ago,

the United States fought to free Europe. It’s time for Europe to step up and champion the cause of freedom in Venezuela.

To date, The United States has sanctioned more than 100 people and business entities in Venezuela in an effort to cut off funds to the Maduro regime. Europe needs to step up its efforts and show that it is committed to cutting off funds to human rights abusers and to pushing hard for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.

Every EU country should join the United States and recognize Juan Guaidó as the legitimate president of Venezuela.

EVERY EU country should impose significant sanctions on Venezuela and the Maduro Regime.

Every EU country should immediately stop doing business with the Cuban regime propping up Maduro and his genocide. And every EU country should demand that Maduro leave power to allow for free, fair, and democratic elections without accepting a Maduro crony or clone to take his place.

History has shown that at important moments, the world community has the ability to come together, to put our differences aside and fight for the common good. This is one of those moments.

Evil reigns in Venezuela.

The people are living under the cruel yoke of tyranny. The freedom-loving countries of the world need to stand up and fight for what’s right. If they do, I believe Venezuela will be free.

guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, JUly 14, 2019

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

The great fall of APNU/AFC CCJ was clear in ruling coalition Govt Dear Editor, The great fall of this coalition Government can be likened to the Humpty Dumpty’s fall: “…All the King’s horses and all the King’s men couldn’t put Humpty together again”. Or, in the case of the coalition, not all the trickeries, deceit, false promises and constitutional violations can put it together again!

Since the unilateral and legally flawed appointment of Mr Patterson as the GECOM’s Chairman by Granger and his coalition advisors in October 2017, it became crystal clear that the coalition’s ambition is to stay in power at any and all costs, blatantly disregarding the rule of law and the Constitution by setting the necessary foundation for its trademark rigging. This became more revealing after the successful passing of the historical No-Confidence Motion on December 21, 2018.

The coalition had never expected that their term in office will be abruptly curtailed on that night, as is evidenced by the premature bragging by Amna Ally to ‘bring it on’ before that fateful night, which brought the curtains down on the most corrupted Government ever.

Hence, there was no haste to install the remaining rigging machinery. They had assumed that it will be until late 2020. Moreover, they never expected that the NCM would be successful.

They thought that Jagdeo was bluffing! Well, they have since realised that this man does not indulge in idle pastimes.

This lustful intention to remain in power indefinitely became more revealing after the NCM, having accepted defeat the very day they

then came up with ‘Hughes absolute 34’ to start the delaying tactics even though they knew that given our Constitution, 33 is the majority once all the members of the National Assembly are present and voted. Time is of essence to survive and they began fabricating a plethora of nonsensical and spurious legal challenges to buy that time. They wasted taxpayers’ dollars they ripped off with their inconsequential journey from the High Court to the Appeal Court and thence to the CCJ for the final resting place. The coalition thoroughly embarrassed itself internationally and became a laughing stock to the world after the CCJ passed a comprehensive judgement upholding the validity of the NCM, the vote of Charrandas Persaud, and invalidated the unilateral appointment of Patterson. The CCJ rejected each and every argument put forward by the coalition.

It was a unanimous decision which should have created no further doubt and ambiguity in the minds of the coalition actors and brought acceptance. Unfortunately, they continued their deliberate obfuscation of the simple facts in their quest to remain in power.

In the meantime, the coalition had activated their Plan B. Realising that the CCJ’s decisions would not be in their favour, they began a protest against themselves to agitate for Houseto-House voter’s registration.

Even though GECOM’s legal officer advised against such a move and accepted the validity of the current Official List of Electors, which can be refreshed by claims and objections. It must be noted that just before Patterson resigned, he did follow the coalition’s instructions and ini-

tiated the House-to-House registration as its final delay tactic. He ensured that the coalition got value for money spent on him.

But they now have another ploy at hand! Even though the CCJ’s consequential orders made it clear that general elections must be held within 3 months and should have been held since March 21, 2019, the coalition is once again bent on frustrating the appointment of a new GECOM’s Chairman. This is in clear breach of giving legal effect to Article 106 of the Constitution, since GECOM and the coalition must ensure elections within 90 days. The CCJ does not have to set an election date, the CCJ made it clear that Cabinet must resign and elections held within 3 months, while the now relegated ‘caretaker’ or ‘interim’ Government must facilitate this. It is nonsensical to now say that the CCJ has not set a date since it has upheld the Constitutional requirement of 90 days within which election should and must be held.

The CCJ had also made it clear that GECOM should always be in a state of readiness should it be necessary and the continuous registration cycles placed GECOM in such a state of readiness.

Therefore, enough obfuscation by this ‘caretaker Government’. The date for General and Regional Elections should be on or before September 21, 2019.

Their Plan B can no longer be activated, rigging is now history in Guyana and the coalition’s Humpty cannot be restored!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Dear Editor, The apparent twisting of the ruling of the CCJ in handing down its consequential orders that the call by the Opposition to name an elections date was blanked by that August body is indeed disingenuous by one media house.

Editor, the Court did not blank, but rather gave clear effect and directives that elections must be held within three months from the date of its ruling that the NCM was legally passed.

So in effect, the call that elections be held by September 18, 2019 was in

fact upheld by the Court.

What it blanked was the thinking that the Government was not in a caretaker mode and it is not business as usual.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

Acting in accordance with Constitution Dear Editor, The CCJ, in its consequential orders, has challenged Guyana’s political leaders to act in accordance with the Constitution and within the requirements of what it has ruled to be a valid NCM. Our leaders must

act at this stage, not in the interest of winning the next election, but in the interest of a free, fair and credible election in the shortest possible time.

After putting in place arrangements for a credible election, their political cam-

paigns must be designed to win the next election.

It is their political campaigns, not the electoral process that must be designed to win elections.

Regards, Wesley Kirton

A luta continua!

Dear Editor, The post-judgement rulings of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) were surprising for their brevity.

After six months of legal proceedings, all the CCJ felt was required by way of consequential orders was to read aloud Article 106 of the Guyana Constitution and remind that it is clear and then further point out the provisions that apply.

“These provisions need no gloss on the part of the Court to render them intelligible and workable. Their meaning is clear and it is the responsibility of constitutional actors in Guyana to honour them,” Saunders said.

By its use of the word ‘clear’, I believe the CCJ has erred grievously. There are two schools of thought about the APNU/AFC Government – dense or obtuse. Both of these characterisations face difficulty with the ruling.

For the ‘dense’, the CCJ is ascribing an innate intelligence quotient (IQ) to persons occupying Government office; without a modicum of evidence to support such an assessment. Given the level of asininity displayed in public utterances and the submissions made to the Court, one cannot expect anything to be ‘clear’ to such persons. The school of the ‘deliberately obtuse’ suffers even more, for after six months of pretended misunderstanding, the CCJ has simply said ‘read the article, apply the provisions and act with integrity’. This leaves very little room for ‘face-saving’ manoeuvres— a shame-faced acceptance that APNU/AFC has been engaged in delay tactics and will now comply is the best outcome, pariah status and personal sanctions the worst.

The CCJ reiterated the

No-Confidence Motion was appealed and the threemonth time limit will commence from when the CCJ eventually upheld it on June 18, that under the Constitution, after a NoConfidence Motion is passed by the National Assembly, the President and Cabinet must immediately resign but the Government is allowed to stay in place in a caretaker role until the fresh election is completed within three months.

Compliance with Article 106 of the Constitution. Clear enough?

Editor, Unlike the Judges of the CCJ, I harbour no illusions about APNU/AFC IQ’s and have furthered girded my loins for the struggle ahead. APNU/AFC are stupid or playing stupid, either way— a luta continua!

Yours truly, Gomati Kalicharran

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Foundation

being. Coach your teen on how to make friends and network.

Be assertive Help your child to develop healthy self-esteem and advocate for themselves. Knowing how to share their wants and needs will bring them closer to fulfilling their goals.

You can ease your teen’s transition into adulthood.

Protect your children when they’re young, and then gradually give them more responsibility so they can acquire the skills they need to live on their own when the time is right. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

A

s a parent, your job is to take care of your children until the day arrives when they can strike out on their own. While they graduate from high school knowing how to read and write, other skills are just as critical that may not get covered in the classroom.

Before your teen leaves home, ensure they’re ready to live independently while making a positive impact on the world.

Take a moment to run down this checklist of essential life skills your teen will need to learn before living on their own.

and off. Provide common-sense warnings and share your own experiences.

Practical life skills:

Clarify core values The values your teen chooses will guide their behaviour.

Point them in a promising direction by ensuring they can articulate their beliefs and put them into action.

Manage time Be a positive role model for establishing priorities and dealing with distractions. Show your teen how to use a calendar and work towards meeting a deadline.

Study efficiently While your teen may not be enrolled in geometry classes much longer, they will continue to benefit from knowing how to learn. Encourage your child to embrace reading. Demonstrate how to recognize key concepts and design self-tests on any material.

Stick to a budget The choices your teen makes today will help to determine how much debt they accumulate during college and what their options will be when they graduate. Give them a head start on developing financial responsibility by assigning them tasks such as managing their allowance.

Eat well Healthy eating habits start early too. Bring your teen along for grocery shopping and invite him/her to join you in preparing dinner. Stress the importance of eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and other whole foods. Teach your child essential basic cooking techniques.

Clean up Kids who grow up doing chores are more likely to take care of their first apartment and personal possessions. Take the time to teach your kids how to vacuum, dust, and do their laundry.

Stay safe Talk with your teen about protecting themselves online

Handle emergencies Does your teen know what to do if they have a fender bender or there’s a severe storm in the forecast? Review how to respond to common emergencies.

Social and psychological life skills:

Give generously Your teen is more likely to succeed if they help others to do the same. Encourage them to share their resources and volunteer their services.

Act mindfully Mobile devices are shortening the average attention span. If you want your teen to understand the power of mindfulness, you’ll need to teach by example. Give them your full attention when they’re talking, and turn the TV off if possible.

Manage stress Developing mindfulness will help protect your teen from depression and anxiety. They can also learn to relax by engaging in physical exercise and/or working on a hobby.

Master phone etiquette Even if your teen spends much of their waking life on the phone, they may not communicate effectively. Train your kids to identify themselves and speak clearly. Rehearse scheduling appointments or calling a professor.

Talk face-to-face Your teen may be more comfortable on social media than having a conversation in person. Hold regular family meals where they can practice having real-time conversations.

Make it a family rule that no devices are allowed at the dinner table.

Cultivate relationships Supportive relationships are vital to health and well-

Have you had ‘the talk’ with your teen:

SECURITY IN A DIGITAL AGE

P

arents, it’s time to have “the talk” with your teen.

No, not the conversation about the birds and the bees, the social media talk. The 2015 Social Media & Technology Overview from Pew Research shows 92 per cent of teens go online daily, with most teens going online multiple times each day. So, how can you protect your teen online?

Start with a conversation

It’s your job as a parent to protect and guide your child in the right direction and it all starts with open communication.

First, discuss a set of rules. You may get some push-back initially. For example, no phone after midnight, only allowing use of the home computer for a certain amount of time each day, set data restrictions and limitations for smartphones and a discussion about appropriate websites and apps. After you’ve established a set of online rules that work best for your family, enforce them. You don’t have to be strict, just firm. Not only will it help to keep the kids safer online, it will make them feel more comfortable talking to you when other serious issues come up.

Give your teen the facts

We live in a world of oversharing. From photos and status updates to personal information and sensitive data, our habit of sharing has gone overboard, and teens may be the worst offenders. Employers and even universities use social media to filter candidates. One misstep on social media can get your teen into some pretty hot water, holding them back from finding a job or getting into the college of their dreams.

When it comes to tragic occurrences or stolen information, many people don’t believe in can happen to them. Online predators can blend in on social networks and seek out your teen. A survey published in the journal “American Psychologist” showed one in 25 children ages 10 to 17 have received a sexual solicitation online where the solicitor attempted to make offline contact. This scary statistic is very real and it can happen to anyone who’s online.

With how much time they spend on social media, direct them to LifeLock’s Twitter feed. Here they’ll see the many newsworthy identity theft cases and data breaches that happen all the time, as well as pick up on tips to create strong passwords and safeguard documents.

Teach your teen about online security

Identity theft is no joke; however, most teens think they’re invincible. In reality, they are prime targets for identity theft since they have perfect credit records and do not regularly check credit reports. Identity thieves can use the information that teens provide willingly on social media sites. Information such as pet’s name, name of their school, family names and other information is commonly used as security prompts. Hackers can use this information to steal a person’s identity. And it goes way beyond just hacking email. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

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SUnDAY, JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Residents object to chemical plant in Houston …say construction started despite EPA’s pending approval

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esidents in Houston, Greater Georgetown on Saturday came together to urge that the authorities step in and prevent the construction of a chemical facility in a residential area that also features schools.

The chemical facility in question is being constructed by Nalco Champion on John Fernandes property.

Residents are contending that they were not consulted before the decision was made to set up the facility. Moreover, the residents claim that despite reaching out to the Environmental protection Agency, they have been slow to act.

“We are aware that Nalco has an interest in putting up a chemical facility at the John Fernandes inland terminal. We have a number of issues with respect to having a chemical facility in an area where you have residents.

And that is what we’re trying to bring to the floor today.”

“There are a number of

chemicals that will be housed at that facility. You have Xylene, emulsion breaker, asphalt inhibitors among others. We don’t know the severity of these chemicals.

Furthermore, they said they will have a lab there.

Williams questioned what could be the purpose of a lab at the location and whether the United States (US) based company planned to start mixing chemicals. In addition, Williams claimed that Nalco does not have a comprehensive emergency plan.

As a consequence, she said, the community at large is in danger.

Businessman Kent Phillips, another Houston resident, noted that prior to John Fernandes buying the land, it was supposed to be for residential purposes. He noted that this is what he and other residents were told before they purchased their own properties.

“On my transport, it stated that this is going to be an upscale housing develop-

Businessman and resident Kent Phillips

ment in Houston gardens.

And what you see would have just been houses. I bought in 2010. Before I started building, I saw containers going up. We were told that the land was bought by John Fernandes for houses for their staff.”

“After a few years, we were told that they would have hundreds of meters free and hundreds of meters of trees as a buff. That container terminal was not supposed to be there in the first place.

Govt continues to ignore CCJ... three times in the past week to “hammer out” the list of six nominees in accordance with the CCJ guidelines. It noted that the process has not been completed.

Shifting responsibility

The statement, however, also goes back to shifting the responsibility for an election date to GECOM, even though the President is responsible for proclaiming a date in accordance with the Constitution. In addition, GECOM itself has said previously that it will be ready whenever a date is set.

“With this No-Confidence Motion, it means once the date is set, it will be held… it is our constitutional mandate to conduct the General and Regional Elections and

Local Government Elections (LGEs) whenever they are constitutionally due; so whether it is in the 90 days, then it is GECOM’s responsibility to conduct elections,” Public Relations Officer (PRO) of GECOM Yolanda Warde was quoted saying by the State media on December 27, days after the No-Confidence Motion was passed.

In its statement, however, the Government stated “the Elections Commission is responsible for holding elections and not the Executive.

GECOM, therefore, has to advise the President of its readiness to conduct elections”.

“The Government maintains that credible elections are the hallmark of a democratic State. Credible elec-

FROM PAGE 3

tions are dependent on, in part, the integrity of the Official List of Electors,” it states.

PSC

Meanwhile, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) expressed its concern and noted that the President and Opposition Leader need to appoint a Chairman of GECOM as “a matter of urgency”. The PSC also noted that this must be done from the list submitted by the Opposition Leader.

“Within the spirit of the orders of the CCJ, the PSC, therefore, expects the President, GECOM, and all the political actors to act responsibly by adhering to the Constitution and the ruling of the CCJ,” the statement says.

The John Fernandes Inland Terminal where Nalco plans to build the chemical plant

So before, everything started with the terminal and now it starts with the chemical plant they’re building.”

The residents emphasized that not only is the plant hazardous to them, but can have a ripple effect on the whole city. Besides the danger to residents, Private Sector Commission (PSC) Executive and resident, Ramesh Dookhoo, noted the danger a chemical spill could pose to other businesses.

“They have five wells in

the vicinity of D’Agauir Park and Thirst Park, the whole company depends on water for its business, this matter will be reported to our overseas franchise holders and experts are on their way to Guyana to decide how we will handle this matter,” he said.

The EPA had previously put an ad in the print media informing the public of Nalco’s application for approval to construct the chemical storage facility.

The facility, located at John

Fernandes inland terminal in Industrial site, Ruimveldt, would service Exxon Mobil’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel during oil production.

But though the application for approval is pending, one resident pointed out that construction works have already begun and materials were being assembled at the site. Efforts to contact officials from the EPA, including Director Dr. Vincent Adams, were futile.

Commissioners threaten sanctions...

“Upon the passage of a vote of no confidence, the Article requires the resignation of the Cabinet including the President. The Article goes on to state, among other things, that notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and that an election shall be held within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine.”

Furthermore, the CCJ President noted that with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM also responsible for the conduct that elections, it there-

fore means that the elections body “too must abide by the provisions of the Constitution.

He went onto to point out that elections should have been held on March 21, 2019 following the December passage of the Opposition Sponsored-motion but that process was on "pause" pending the legal proceedings. That process, he added however, was no longer on pause following the court’s June 18, 2019 ruling, which upheld the validity of the no confidence motion and thus triggering the need for fresh elections. This means that general and regional elections would have to be held on or before September 18, 2019 to be consistent with the three months’ constitu-

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tional deadline.

At present, GECOM is without a Chairman. Since the regional court ruled that former GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson was appointed unconstitutional, he has resigned. As such, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and President David Granger have been trying to find a replacement to carry out the necessary early elections.

At the same time, GECOM lawyer Stanley Marcus had revealed during the CCJ hearings that the commission has already started house to house registration and has spent millions in preparation of this. Attempts to contact Lowenfield or other officials from GECOM were futile.

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SUnDAY, JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Anti-national...

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…President our Eyewitness must confess that whatever regard he had for the now officially “caretaker President” David Granger has been dissipated with his “address to the nation” following the CCJ’s consequential orders.

Previously, I’d suggested that Granger might be suffering from “dogmatic subjectivism” – the mental defect in some folks who assume that whatever they believe has to be the “TRUTH”, regardless of contrary FACTS that are presented to them.

They tend to carry on with righteous fervour in defending their positions and are invariably dismissive of other views. Remember when caretaker Granger dismissed Justice George’s judgement that a nominee for the GECOM Chairmanship didn’t have to be a judge and it was her “perception”? And he was entitled to his? But your Eyewitness is now convinced that Granger is callously willing to lie, cheat, or steal to remain as the President of Guyana – and he fully well knowingly crafts his utterances toward that end.

Take his outright lie about the Opposition Leader resubmitting some of the names from his previous 3 lists of nominees for the GECOM Chair: “It is unfortunate that, despite the meetings between the two sides, the Leader of the Opposition rejected the idea of acting in a consensual manner. He chose to put forward candidates for the post who have been rejected previously”. Imagine he’d assert this when he’s on record (the tapes are circulating on the blogsphere!!) in front of the media saying that he’d agreed to have those named resubmitted!!

But it is Granger’s traducing of our Constitution – even as he unctuously bleats “the Constitution of Guyana is sacrosanct and supreme” – that’s beyond the pale and for which all right-thinking Guyanese must denounce him for being anti-national. For Granger to now become a tag team with GECOM to call for “credible elections” is merely to circumvent the workings of the Constitution!! GECOM is supposed to always be ready for elections because the Constitution allows elections after dissolutions and after NCMs!! GECOM can’t hold the Constitution to ransom!!

The CCJ went beyond the call of duty to be circumspect in handing out their orders in recognition of the co-equal status of the other branches of Government – especially the Executive. So rather than ordering a specific date for elections – when the Constitution’s Art 106 is absolutely clear that this date must be THREE MONTHS after the passage of the NCM – they simply said: “The Court must assume that these bodies and personages will exercise their responsibilities with integrity and in keeping with the unambiguous provisions of the Constitution bearing in mind that the No-Confidence Motion was validly passed as long ago as 21 December 2018”.

But obviously “integrity” is an unknown quality for Granger!!

…President must be fought Old people say we don’t need flambeau to show us what’s clear in bright daylight! And it’s as clear as day that Granger and his PNC are up to no good on their obstreperous delaying of elections. At a minimum, we’ve seen they’re using the extra time to dole out the national patrimony to their cronies and families. At the maximum, they surely need the time to put Plan B in place to rig the elections in their favour.

Now that the CCJ’s spoken authoritatively, the GECOM ploy must be exposed for what it is – a ploy to delay elections. The GECOM Legal Council has declared that H-t-H registration isn’t necessary. Furthermore, a report from a UNDP team declared, “It is the view of the Mission that there is no certainty that a new voters’ list will have more credibility than the current list”.

Your Eyewitness feels that Civil Society – in addition to all the Opposition parties— should imitate what the PCD did in the 1980’s.

This time for elections within 3 months!! …defeat Let us remember Churchill’s words at this time: “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills, we shall never surrender!!

Elections by Sept 18!!

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

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SUnDAY, JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Moses Nagamootoo lied about pharmaceutical storage …NEW GPC still providing storage for MoPH, GPHC, other Govt agencies

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rime Minister Moses Nagamootoo continues to come under fire over false remarks regarding the storage of pharmaceuticals with Chairman of NEW GPC, Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop categorically denying that he ever had any conversation with the PM. Speaking at the commissioning of a drugs’ bond in Kingston, Georgetown, last Wednesday, Nagamootoo said that he had spoken with Dr Ramroop back in 2015 and, among other things mentioned, had pleaded with him for a “piece of the bond” owned by NEW GPC to store the Government’s pharmaceutical supplies. The Prime Minister claimed that because this was not done, they were forced to use the Sussex Street drugs’ bond, which had stirred much controversy.

However, in an interview with Guyana Times, Dr Ramroop emphatically denied that any such conversation with Nagamootoo had taken place.

In fact, he pointed out that the Prime Minister sought to convey the impression that his Government was facing immense pressure from NEW GPC to exit its warehouse, thereby forcing them to sign with Larry Singh for the Sussex Street facility. This, the NEW GPC Chairman said, is far from the truth.

“During the years when the then Ministry of Health (MOH) operated a Prequalification System for pharmaceutical suppliers, provision of storage was an integral part of the Supply Chain Management System.

But even before then, NEW GPC kept goods for both MOH and Georgetown Hospital Corporation (GPHC) at multiple locations. Later, as the demand for space grew, NEW GPC commissioned a 70,000 sq ft pharmaceutical warehouse and continued to provide storage for the Government. After the May 2015 General Elections, the Prequalification System was scrapped in favour of

open public tendering,” Dr Ramroop said, reminding that this was a well-worn campaign issue.

He further outlined that public tendering meant that there was no requirement for suppliers to provide long-term storage but regardless, his company continued providing storage to the State. “ I m p o r t a n t l y , A section of NEW GPC’s storage facility NEW GPC also to cease and desist from makmade an offer for rental of ing statements that you canspace to the Government not support”, refuted that the since due to its very nature, Sussex Street facility was pharmaceuticals required ever a house and challenged specific conditions and there the PM to support his rewas a cost attached to main- marks. taining same. Nothing came “…it was ‘fit and propof that but a few months af- er’ for a pharmaceutical ter the elections, the inven- bond… Moses, I dare you, tory gradually swelled to a the Government and the point again where it could be general public to conduct said that NEW GPC restart- a comparison between the ed to provide storage to both Sussex Street Bond and the MOPH and GPHC. Initially, Government Bonds (old and it was supposed to have been temporary but then more inventory arrived and it became permanent. Needless to say, NEW GPC continues to provide storage to MOPH and GPHC to this day,” the NEW GPC Chairman explained.

Commending the Public Health Ministry for completing another one of its own storage facilities, Dr Ramroop noted that NEW GPC is also providing storage services to other State agencies. This is the second time in a matter of days that the Prime Minister’s remarks have spurred reactions from businessmen.

PM benefiting

In fact, during his remarks, Nagamootoo had referred to the controversial drugs’ bond on Sussex Street, Charlestown, as “more or less a house”.

This prompted the owner of the facility, Larry Singh, to place an ad in the local newspapers condemning the PM’s utterance. The ad titled, “Notice to Moses Nagamootoo

new), using all the WHO (World Health Organisation) requirements, the temperature maintenance requirements, fire sprinkler, accessories, cold storages, and the forklift that is required for use in a drugs’ bond and officially publish the result,” the ad detailed.

Singh went on to say in the publication that Nagamootoo’s remarks are further misleading since he never visited the bond.

“…as far as I’m aware, you have never visited the bond or check the real estate what the building was before it became a drugs bond, and is in no position to contradict the Honourable Minister of Health (Volda Lawrence who had said in Parliament that the facility fits stringent specifications required to store expensive equipment such as a CT scanning machine) as to the stability of my building as a bond,” he stated.

Larry’s largesse

Singh, who has links to the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) – one of the parties in the APNU faction of the coalition – went on to say, “I have been in business in excess of 40 years, the opinions you have expressed about my experience and the suitability of the bond are political rhetoric rather than

fact. You are well aware about my vast business experiences and has, in fact, personally benefited from my largesse as a result of these businesses… I truly hope this is not a political stunt or a way to get votes because your words are misleading”.

The 2016 deal between the coalition Government and Singh for the rental of the Sussex Street facility was marred with controversy after the contract was solesourced. Furthermore, it was revealed that the deal saw Government paying a VATexcluded monthly rental of $12.5 million.

In fact, Minister Lawrence had disclosed in the National Assembly in June 2018 that from July 2016 to March 2018, a total sum of $264.5 million was paid to Linden Holdings Incorporated, the company owned by Singh.

After years of coming under public pressure over the deal, Government eventually scrapped the contract last year.

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SUnDAY, JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Local Content Policy ready – Energy Director …acknowledges political situation will cause legislative delay

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he Director of Energy, Mark Bynoe, has revealed that the long-awaited Local Content Policy has been submitted to the Department, which in turn will be submitted to Cabinet.

He was, however, quick to note that with the political situation with Government, there will be

a delay on the policy being enacted to legislation.

At present, Guyana has a caretaker Government after the Caribbean Court of Justice ruled that the APNU/AFC Administration toppled after the No-Confidence Motion was validly passed on December 21, 2018.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Saturday, Bynoe was reluctant to give further details but would only say that a “press conference” would soon be scheduled to answer further questions relating to the policy.

The Department held a press conference in May where

Bynoe had expressed the hope of having the consultancy phase completed by June.

The Government’s Energy Department Head had assured that the document would be ready before first oil, which is now due in a matter of months.

This commitment was given more than three years after oil was first discovered off Guyana’s coast by United States oil giant ExxonMobil.

Meanwhile, only recently, acknowledging that the passage of the No-Confidence Motion would delay the full implementation of the necessary frameworks ahead of first oil slated for early 2020, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Nicholas Boyer posited, however, that the governing coalition had sufficient time to put systems in place, especially since oil in commercial quantities was discovered simultaneously when it entered office over four years ago.

“I don’t think we have the time but I think we should have been doing this from a while now because these things have been talked about for a year or two now. We can look at the date that the Petroleum Bill was laid over, we can look at the date the first consultant,

Anthony Paul, was hired for the draft Local Content Policy.

These didn’t start yesterday.

So if I had to say if are we doing a good job in terms of implementing, [I’d say] no because we spent money, we’ve taken action and we failed [to put key regulatory infrastructures in place],” Boyer told reporters on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, former Private Sector Commission Chairman, Desmond Sears spoke about the fact that there is need for a stronger Local Content Policy as the draft legislation is still missing key elements as to how it will achieve its goals.

According to Sears, the need for local content policies and practices being embedded within the legislative framework is critical at this point, given that oil production is expected within a few months’ time.

Although the importance of this legislation cannot be underscored enough, he mentioned the inadequacies of the current draft, prepared by the Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Energy.

However, as important as the legislation is, he pointed to the equal prominence balance would take, given that a strong LCP can scare away investors.

Director of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe

Like the Private Sector, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party has also blasted the Government for its failure to have this key piece of legislation produced.

The Local Content Policy will guide the State in guarding against local companies being bypassed for contracts and services with foreign companies and workers being favoured.

The draft Local Content Policy has been criticised for lacking provisions which would safeguard against exploitation by companies. It had been reported that the document does not cater for issues such as how to avoid procurement fraud, conflict of interest and favouritism, among others. (Davina Ramdass)

NEWS

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SUnDAY, JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Sawmill attendant slapped with wounding charge Caretaker Government in Guyana

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OAR was formed and decided to contest the elections set for 17 Jan 2001 in accordance with the Herdmanston Accord.

However, a dispute between the PPP Government and the PNC Opposition over one of the agreed reforms – the number of “geographical” seats – prevented the necessary legislation being passed and the elections had to be delayed to March 19. I remember the PNC suggesting that the PPP Government should resign and a coalition Government should govern during the interregnum. An all-party committee, however, decided that the PPP should remain in office but that its powers should be reduced.

I point this out against the background of the CCJ’s ruling that since the Cabinet and President should resign directly upon the passage of a No-Confidence Motion – effectively July 18 when the CCJ so ruled – and that elections should be held in accordance with the governing Art 106 – 3 months afterwards, or Sept 18 – the PNC-led coalition only has “caretaker status”. It noted, “It is important, however, that the Court makes this point. In mandating that the Government shall remain Ravi Dev in office notwithstanding its defeat and the resignation of the President and the Cabinet, Article 106 envisages that the tenure in office of the Cabinet, including the President, after the Government’s defeat, is on a different footing from that which existed prior to the vote of no confidence”. Chancellor CummingsEdwards, citing Hogg, the Canadian constitutional expert, was right to note that: “…The Government continues in office as a caretaker Government or an interim Government until the next elections ensue and a President is appointed (or reappointed) depending on the results of that election”.

By convention, the Government is expected to behave during this interim period as a caretaker and so restrain the exercise of its legal authority. It is this caretaker or interim role that explains the three-month deadline, in the first instance that the Article lays down, in principle, for the holding of the fresh elections.

The “convention” the CCJ alluded to is quite prevalent in most other parliamentary democracies – such as Canada, India, Australia, and New Zealand etc. – to cover the activities of the Government between the dissolution of Parliament for new elections – for whatever reasons – and the formation of a new Government and are actually called “Caretaker Conventions”.

The agreement between the PPP, PNC and other parliamentary parties forged by the “all-party” committee for the reduced powers of the PPP Government between 17 Jan and 21 march, 2001 is a prototype for such a Caretaker Convention here in Guyana.

In its “Introduction: The Caretaker Convention” The Canadian Government declares: “The conventional restriction limiting the extent to which the Government should exercise its authority applies whether it has lost a vote of confidence in the House, whether the Prime Minister has asked for dissolution on his or her own initiative, or whether Parliament has been dissolved in advance of an election date set by legislation. It also applies to the outgoing Government during any post-election transition to a successor Government. This caretaker period begins when the Government has lost a vote of no-confidence or Parliament has been dissolved. It ends when a new Government is sworn in, or when an election results returning an incumbent Government is clear”.

This does not mean that Government is barred from making decisions or announcements, or otherwise taking action, during the caretaker period. It can and should do so where the matter is routine and necessary for the conduct of Government business, or where it is urgent and in the public interest – for example, responding to a natural disaster. In certain cases where a major decision is unavoidable during a campaign (e.g., due to an international obligation or an emergency), consultation with the opposition parties may be appropriate, particularly where a major decision could be controversial or difficult for a new Government to reverse.

In short, during an election, a Government should restrict itself – in matters of policy, expenditure and appointments – to activity that is: A) routine B) Non-controversial C) Urgent and in the public interest D) Reversible by a new Government without undue cost or disruption or, E) Agreed to by opposition parties (in those cases where consultation is appropriate).

As a long term friend of Guyana, perchance the Canadian Embassy can bring this convention to the notice of the PNCled caretaker Government. They appear to have forgotten its 2001 restrictions on the PPP Government in an analogous situation.

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23-year-old man, who hails from Amelia’s Ward was granted bail in the sum of $50,000 by Magistrate Annette Singh when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court

on a charge of unlawful wounding.

Lennox Estwick, a sawmill attendant of Lot 640 Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden was charged in connection with the incident

which the Court heard has left the Virtual Complainant (VC) with a three centimetre laceration on the head.

The prosecution indicated that Estwick was previously convicted for a similar

incident.

As a condition for bail, Estwick is required to report to the Officer in Charge of the Amelia’s Ward Police outpost every Friday until the completion of his trial

Lindener fined for disorderly behaviour in Police Station

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21-year-old was last week fined $8,000 by Magistrate Annette Singh when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s

Court on a charge of disorderly behaviour.

Linden McCurdy, a porter of Block 22, Wismar, Linden admitted that on

July 8, he behaved in a disorderly manner at the Wismar Police Station in Linden.

Addressing the Court, he told the presiding

Magistrate that he was sorry for his actions.

The fine carries a default sentence of a week in prison.

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SUnDAY, JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

US pledges support for Guyana’s development

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he governments of Guyana and the United States of America (USA) have once again pledged their commitment to support and cooperation, as they aim to strengthen bilateral agreements with each other.

This message was conveyed during a reception at the US Ambassador’s residence on Friday evening to celebrate the country’s 243rd Independence Anniversary.

President David Granger – whose US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch Administration is now a caretaker other’s internal affairs, mutual respect Government following the Caribbean Court of Justice’s ruling for each other’s territorial integrity that it was toppled after the successful and sovereignty, cooperation for mutupassage of a No-Confidence Motion on al benefit, respect for international law December 21, 2018 – who delivered re- and treaties and the maintenance of marks at the event, recognised that the international peace and security” the two countries have shared excellent re- President said.

On that note, the Head of State lations since the establishment of forhighlighted the numerous cooperation mal diplomatic ties back in 1966. programmes and investments made “Our countries have cultivated a strong, stable and sound relationship by the United States, which have conover the past 53 years. Guyanese are tributed to the country’s national debound by history, kinship and friend- velopment and social change. In addiship to the USA, the largest econo- tion, the President underscored that my and the third-largest country in Guyana looks forward to continued cothe world. Guyana and the USA have operation with the country as it is a founded their friendship on the princi- significant trade and investment partples of mutual non-interference in each ner.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch pledged her country’s continued support and cooperation in Guyana’s future development.

“We continue to collaborate with Guyana in preparation for this new days; partnering on the security front to make Guyana safer and more secure; partnering on the governance front to improve transparency and accountability and to reduce corruption; partnering on the economic front to increase trade and US investments in Guyana.

Our partnership will continue to thrive and be successful with strong US and Guyanese leadership,” she explained.

The Ambassador also used the opportunity to urge all of the country’s leaders to play their role in ensuring that Guyana is positioned for success.

“I urge all Guyanese, Government officials, leaders and members of the Opposition, civil society and youth to help your country on its journey to success,” Lynch asserted.

The event was attended by both members of the now caretaker Government and the Opposition – People’s Progressive Party – along with members of the diplomatic community and civil society.

Mahdia businesswoman shoots miner during attempted rape …suspect battling for life at GPHC

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36-year-old miner who allegedly attempted to rape his former employer is currently battling for his life at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after he was shot three times by the woman.

Reports are that late on Thursday night, the now wounded man was imbibing at his former employer’s premises at Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Reports are at about 00:45h on Friday morning, the man sneaked into the woman’s mining camp and then entered her sleeping area as she was asleep. He allegedly attempted to remove her underwear when she woke up and reached for her firearm, which was in close range.

The woman fired three shots towards her perpetrator. He received gunshot wounds to his stomach and arms.

The police were subsequently contacted and the woman, who is a licensed firearm holder, informed the cops that she shot the man in self-defence.

The suspect was rushed to the Mahdia Hospital but

as a result of the extent of his injuries, he was airdashed to the city and taken to the GPHC where his condition has been listed as critical.

Meanwhile, the businesswoman is assisting Police with investigations.

Just last month, a 46-year-old miner was hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, charged for engaging in sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent on August 10, 2018.

Odingo Emanuel also known as “Dingo” of Bamadai Landing, was not required to plea to the charge when it was read to him by Chief Magistrate Ann MacLennan.

The matter was held in-camera.

Bail was granted in the sum of $250,000 and the matter was then transferred to the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court.

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SUnDAY, JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Aurora Gold Mine grants 7.6% Unlicensed boat operators plying Bartica route – speedboat association quarterly bonus to workers …promises to deliberate on NIS, compensation

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urora Gold Mine (AGM) on Saturday issued notices to its workers, granting them their second quarterly bonus and further committing towards progress on unionisation, compensation and other issues that were raised when the workers initiated strike actions.

One miner shared that since the appointment of new human resources personnel, they have seen improvement in working conditions.

A letter was issued to employees by the Chief Operation Officer, Suresh Kalathil, granting the second quarterly bonus of 7.6 per cent on July 25, while asserting that the formula for the next bonus will be reviewed.

The notice, seen by this publication, indicated that a Site Compensation Committee will be established by August 31, to review “compensation related issues including those related to contract employment”.

By October, the final report will be produced.

Contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) will also be reviewed.

As it relates to severance payments, Kalathil stated, “In all cases where termination of employment is required, AGM will abide by the Employment Legislation and Regulations of Guyana. As this topic relates to the possible Aurora Mining Alliance, I state that no decision has been made yet regarding this possible venture”.

Nevertheless, they have

Speedboats at the Parika Ferry Stelling

Aurora Gold Mine

agreed to foster discussions on the unionisation of workers, a factor which was heavily opposed in the inception.

Town hall meetings will be held with staffers to ensure that the yearly target is achieved.

Canadian-based Guyana Gold Fields is the parent company behind AGM’s operations. Earlier this month, over 200 workers had downed their tools and initiated strike actions for two days after calls mounted for them to be officially represented by a union and other improved working conditions and wages. They are demanding better wages, better quality food and laundry services, out of town allowance, missing NIS contributions and severance payments.

While some opted to head home during the strike, others headed down to the Social Protection Ministry’s Labour Department after leaving the mines. This publication spoke to several workers, including one who revealed what concerns drove the workers to

strike.

“There were certain concerns raised by those who were contract workers for four years and so on, and they haven’t been given any confirmation. There are cases where some workers are truck drivers and others are utility operators. That means they can operate many other equipment. And they’re paid on the same rate as the truck drivers,” the worker said.

Because of these actions, the company stated that three days without operation resulted in an estimated 22,500 ounces of unprocessed ore. Despite this, the company claimed a few days ago that Aurora Gold Mine recorded a 45 per cent increase in gold production.

It produced 37,000 ounces of gold for the second quarter of 2019 and a total of 74,000 ounces for the first half of the year.

On this note, the company said that it is on track to achieve its 2019 production, which ranges from 145,000 to 160,000 ounces of gold.

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number of persons have been plying the Bartica-Parika speedboat route without requisite documentation and licensing. This is raising concern among boat owners about loss of income and safety of passengers.

Speaking with Guyana Times, President of the Bartica Speedboat Owners Association Stephen Belle explained that the organisation comprises of over 50 water taxis.

Each boat would take turns to load passengers and transport them along the route.

Their operations have been affected by persons who are unlicensed to operate these small vessels.

“We have an association and they have 53 boats.

These boats are all licensed and they all have certificates of seaworthiness. What has been happening is that we have boats without license or captain plying the same route with us,” the boat captain relayed.

Officials from the maritime administration are present at the Ferry Stelling

and loading sites but Belle pointed out that these matters are overlooked.

Passengers are travelling with the undocumented boats, thus stymieing their earnings as well.

“This has been affecting us a lot because right now, every nine days we’re working. These boats are under the maritime administration. They are managed by the Association and these boats have all the required documents to load under maritime supervision.

Every now and then, these boats come and steal passengers. The maritime people are right there and they do nothing about it”.

The President of the association expressed that the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) was notified about the issue as well as the subject minister.

However, they are yet to respond to these concerns.

“It’s under watch of the Police, the Maritime officials at Parika and nobody is doing anything about it. I highlighted this problem to the Maritime Administration many times. I even wrote

the Minister without any response. Currently, there are about ten persons without documentation. As far as I know, this has been going on for the last eight years,” said Belle.

This publication understands that the boats are required to meet certain standards before transporting passengers across the river. Older persons are also tasked with declaring any medical problems which they may have.

One operator who plies the Wakenaam route expressed that unlicensed boats can be dangerous for passengers since they are crewed by inexperienced persons who do not know the channel.

Earlier in the year, boat operators were tasked with placing MARAD decals to identify certified vessels.

However, travellers pay less attention to these indications.

He explained that some licensed owners are charging more than the expected fares, causing some persons to resort to the cheaper medium.

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NGSA results 2019

Region 10 records 10% decline in Social Studies R

egion 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Education Officer Rabindra Singh, in his analysis of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) 2019 Examination results for the region, told the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) at a recent statutory meeting that the results are not much different from that of last year, despite the successful performance of a few students. He noted, however, that systems are being put in place to correct the underperformance.

Singh noted that a ten per cent decline in Social Studies and a five per cent increase in the Mathematics is of great concern and warrants urgent attention.

According to him “too much focus is being placed on the Math and English”, resulting in an overall pass rate of 51.1 per cent for Mathematics and 65.6 per cent for the English as

Education Officer Rabindra Singh

against Social Studies falling below 50 per cent and Science with 52.7 per cent.

He also noted that the schools along the Berbice River such as DeVelt, Kimbia and Mount Carmel did exceptionally well. They had students placed at A-list schools, despite the shortage of teachers as well as qualified teachers.

The Department has already begun taking actions to improve performance by host-

ing a one-week training sessions for all teachers in Sub Region 2 of which 96 teachers attended.

The Council also unanimously voted to commence reconstruction on the Christianburg Primary School.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian and Councillors urged the Regional Education Officer to collaborate with Parent Teacher Association (PTA) bodies and look at ways in which the RDC could help to strengthen the students in their areas of weaknesses.

Countrywide decline

While there has been a countrywide improvement in students’ performance in Mathematics, the other subjects recorded a whopping decline.

The pass rate for each subject is calculated by the number of students

Minister of Education Nicolette Henry

who would have obtained 50 per cent or more. Only Mathematics saw an increase from last year’s statistics with an upward trajectory from 38.3 per cent to 42 per cent. However, the overall performance of English dropped from 60.6 per cent to 57.4 per cent. The same followed for Science with figures decreasing from 46.8 per cent to 46.4 per cent and Social Studies with 46.1 per cent to 39 per cent.

EPA partners with WWF to strengthen management of Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) industry in Guyana

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he Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Guyana Country Office of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Guianas, and with support from the Netherlands Commission on Environmental Assessment, successfully executed a one-week training workshop, from July 8-12, 2019.

Facilitated by two experts, Giel Hendriks and Peter Nelson from the Netherlands Commission on Environmental Assessment, the workshop aimed at building capacity of local organisations to strengthen management within Guyana’s mining sector.

Approximately 35 participants, representing 17 agencies in the environmental conservation and management arena, benefited from this training workshop, which was focused on increasing human resource capital and capability to undertake strategic environmental assessment (SEA) for the ASGM and other sectors.

Through the lens of the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) Undoubtedly, mining contributes significantly to Guyana’s socio-economic landscape. However, it comes at a cost, one mainly borne by the environment. Biodiversity loss, reduced water quality and quantity, social conflicts resulting from land use, as well as acute and chronic health risks are some of the issues associated directly or indirectly with mining.

Therefore, in an effort to make more evidence-based decisions to transform the sector, this partnership comes at a critical juncture in Guyana’s development: as the country rolls out its vision for a green and inclusive economy through its Green State Development Strategy: vision 2040 (GSDS).

The GSDS promotes three key messages: management of natural resource wealth; support for economic resilience, and building of human capital and institutional capacity.

This training was designed to help environmental planners and managers take a more strategic and evidencebased approach when devising solutions to the issues and challenges in the environmental management arena, with focus being placed on policies, plans and programmes.

Speaking on behalf of the EPA at the opening ceremony, Senior Environmental Officer Mr. Collis Primo lauded the partnership, particularly as the EPA continues to strengthen and increase its capability to respond to its evolving work portfolio as it prepares to monitor and regulate emerging sectors, principally oil and gas.

Country Manager of WWF Guyana Office, Ms. Aiesha Williams, said the exercise was nestled in the EPA’s governance of thematic areas, specifically under the Shared Resources Joint Solutions Programme.

“This programme aims to safeguard international public goods around climate resilience, food security, and water provisioning,” she explained.

Also delivering remarks were Mr. Carlos Todd from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and Ms. Uma Madray from the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).

The EPA and the ASGM industry Further, the EPA, under the Environmental Protection Act, Cap. 20:05, Laws of Guyana and complementary regulations, has the responsibility to regulate all activities related to mining and its development.

Noting the position of the GSDS and EP Act, and given the continuous expansion of the ASGM industry, it is critical that the EPA develop a mechanism to ensure that all ASGM operators are regulated. It is against this backdrop that the need for specific training on the development of a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) for the ASGM industry was seen as a critical need for the Agency.

In this regard, the EPA sees the SEA as a tool that can be used to identify critical environmental and social safeguards to be incorporated into any plans, permits and policies for the industry, and to strengthen the overall regulatory framework.

What is a SEA? Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is the process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of plans and programmes prior to their final adoption.

The premise of SEA can thus be simply stated: Environmental impact assessment (EIA) on its own is not enough. Only a relatively small proportion of the proposals and decisions made by governments are subject to examination. SEA rounds out and scales up the coverage from projects to include policy, plans, programmes and other proposed strategic actions with potentially important environmental effects. The objectives of SEA are to provide for a high level of protection of the environment, and to promote sustainable development.

Optimally, SEA is a proactive tool to anticipate and prevent environmental damage.

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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SUnDAY, JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Vendors still plying trade on dilapidated Stabroek Market Wharf The so-called resource curse has already permeated Guyana – The political economy of the resource curse

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t is intriguing how countries with oil or other natural resource wealth have failed to grow more rapidly than others without.

This is the essence of a widely known academic paradox referred to as “the natural resource curse”. Though there is a very rich volume of academic literature on this theory, the author of this column is of a strongly held view that what is referred to as the natural resource curse in academia is, from a pragmatic perspective, all nonsense, to put it mildly.

What is the basis for such a strongly held premise by this columnist? To put this differently, it means that oil, gold, bauxite, and all the rich natural resources that Guyana is blessed with is a curse. But, radically speaking, how could any of these be a curse? The outright truth is that there is no such thing as a natural resource curse, despite the empirical evidence that validates such a notion. The real and true curse is the political economy; that is to say, the politicians who control and administer policies, and manage the resources of a country, and not the resources of a country that are cursed.

This is a fundamental reality that one ought to understand.

In fact, the position put forward herein on the resource curse is also supported by some academics. Authors like Wright and Czelusta (2004), in their paper titled ‘the myth of the resource curse’, contend that the resource curse hypothesis seems anomalous, since on the surface it has no clear policy implication, but stands as a wistful prophecy. The authors argued that countries afflicted with the “original sin” of resource endowments have poor growth prospects. The danger of such supposedly neutral ruminations is, however, that in practice they may influence sectoral policies. Minerals themselves are not to blame for problems of rent-seeking and corruption. Rather, it is largely the manner in which policymakers and businesses view minerals that determines the outcome.

Further, Wright and Czelusta (2004) put it nicely in concluding that “minerals are not (curses) at all in the sense of inevitability; the curse, where it exists, is self-fulfilling.”

To contextualise these arguments, last Friday, June 12, 2019, the Caribbean Court of Justice, Guyana’s final court of appeal, made its final pronouncements on the no-confidence case. The CCJ has ruled in unambiguous terms that, while it cannot order the President what to do, the involved parties have a responsibility to respect the Constitution of Guyana.

The CCJ simply interpreted the Constitution and made it clear that elections have to be held in three months.

Common sense dictates that though the CCJ cannot order the President to set a date; obviously, if the President has a responsibility to respect the Constitution and abide by its dictates, this effectively means that the date would have to be in three months from when the court ruled. The Court even went on to state that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) also has a responsibility to abide by the provisions in the Constitution, and that is: to hold elections in three months’ time; since the Opposition Leader made it clear that his party would not be extending the life of the Government in the National Assembly. That time has long gone.

It would appear, however, that the Government, now being officially pronounced by the CCJ as a caretaker Government, has selectively and conveniently cited parts of the CCJ judgment which emphasise that the Court cannot order the President to set a date. These are skilful legal tactics of misrepresentation of the facts – the nature of law in any case.

The danger of this kind of behaviour for the economy is farreaching. These are indicators that many are of the perception that elections will not be held within the three months, as stipulated – implying disregard for the CCJ’s ruling.

Without getting into all the details, and in short, the political reality that is now before us is that this is precisely how a country suffers from not the resource curse, as contended in this article, but by the curse of the political economy.

It can be deduced with almost absolute certainty and clarity that the ruling politicians of the day will not give up power easily; the fight is on for control of the country’s resource, particularly the impending oil wealth.

In the meanwhile, Venezuela -- whether coincidentally or strategically -- has again broken its silence, at a time when Guyana is in a fragile state, to demand that Guyana withdraw the border dispute case from the International Court of Justice, and has reiterated that it does not, and will not, recognise any of that court’s ruling.

Will there be a regional war over the oil resource while Guyana is seemingly plunging into a state of fragility internally?

Will the international community intervene to put Guyana back on the path of stability? That might be the country’s only hope, and it has to be timely, before a war instigated by Venezuela starts in the region. The moment Guyana becomes weaker and weaker, the enemy might attack!

(For comments, questions and responses on articles featured in this column, readers can reach the author at jbinsights@outlook.com).

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A section of the remaining ceiling at the Wharf

A vendor operating at her stall on the deteriorating Wharf

lthough vendors at the Stabroek Market Wharf were told to remove from the area since September last, some delinquent sellers chose to remain at the facility although the structure is on the verge of collapse.

As such, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown has taken a decision to have the Wharf completely cordoned off by month end to prevent ongoing operations from happening at the facility due to its deteriorating state.

At a recent statutory meeting held by the Council, it was revealed that persons are still plying their trade on the wharf despite its condition.

Acting Town Clerk, Sharon Harry-Munroe in responding to a question at the meeting said “Persons, though they would have built their

More alarming, however, the Council said it understands that persons are even living on the wharf although they were advised to move.

Business ongoing at a Stabroek Market Wharf stall

stalls, they continue to operate from the wharf so what we would have indicated is that when the last set of persons sign their Memorandum of Understanding, the six weeks thereafter as they completed building the stalls we will close off those stalls [on the wharf] because what you find, like I said, a number of persons are there sleeping, they’re living, they’re doing all sorts of things”.

She added that the area was previously blocked off and one entrance was left open so that vendors could store and access their stocks, however, months would have elapsed and persons are abusing this liberty.

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Bourda vendors enraged over robberies at market …4 break-ins recorded in 1 week

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Bourda Market

fter four breakins at the Bourda Market in one week and countless robberies on the streets, merchants are considering whether to continue selling or wait until proper security measures are in place.

This publication was informed by one vendor that his stall was broken into last Monday and several items were stolen.

Similar incidents followed on Thursday and on Friday where other persons were robbed.

Razak (only name given), who has been plying his trade of perishable goods for some years, said it is the worst they have seen in recent times. On Monday, he was greeted by several items missing

and a broken lock on one of the entries in the morning hours. However, security cameras were not working to determine who committed the act.

According to him, they are operating in an unsafe zone where the promises of adequate streetlights and security cameras were made but never installed.

“I come and see the window open and when I look through, almost everything inside gone. I didn’t know what to do cause nobody really does be here in the night…no working security camera and no proper light.

They saying how long, since they fix the road that we getting upgrade but the reality is that nothing happening,” the man lamented.

The market is crowded

during the day with bustling customers, making the area an easy target for bandits to rob persons and escape. Vendors are under the impression that these offences are carried out by petty thieves who scour the area during the day to rob customers and return in the night.

However, several persons claimed that they are afraid to make reports to the City Constabulary since officers would victimise them for tax documentation among other things.

“People don’t want to file the report because when you go to there, they asking for paper to see if you paying for the stall and then they coming at the stall to check if you selling when you should, instead of looking at the bigger issue. How can we get help if that’s what they’re doing?” the vendor questioned.

Due to continued losses, some persons are sceptical about their safety and if they should continue selling at the marketplace.

At the last statutory meeting, it was revealed that two persons are in custody for recent offences of the same nature.

Since February last year, Bourda Street was

rehabilitated and vendors were given new dimensions to have their stalls reconstructed. From then on, some persons opined that

streetlights should have been installed.

Later that year, City Constable Andrew Foo had confirmed the increase in

market crime, which he believed was gang related. At that time, both Stabroek and Bourda Markets were under surveillance.

Murder of prisoner

Matter cannot be solved without inmates’ help – Prisons Director

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nless inmates— who witnessed the beating to death of prisoner, Shaheed Ali, at the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on April 2— assist investigators, then it is highly unlikely that the culprit(s) will be held accountable for Ali’s murder.

Over three months have elapsed since Ali, who was on remand on a murder charge, succumbed to injuries he received from beatings at the prison.

Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels told <<<Guyana Times>>> on Saturday that at present, there has been no new development into the probe which commenced months ago.

“So far, I don’t have any new information but I know we are still seeking to see any prisoner within there who may have information to come forward and speak.

Even though we would take the necessary steps to protect the identity of whoever would give us information, persons will still have their

hesitation,” Samuels said.

However, he noted that although the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is spearheading this investigation, his office is still trying to assist; which can lead to the apprehension of the guilty person(s).

Meanwhile, the GPF is yet to provide an update to the Prison Service on the results of its findings, which would most likely be provided when the probe concludes.

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

On April 2, 2019, Ali of Albouystown, Georgetown was in Bay One at the Lusignan Prison at about 22:58h when several other prisoners beat him following a dispute.

The injured inmate was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted as a patient.

He, however, died three days later.

Just last month, one week after 23-year-old Samuel

Dead: Shaheed Ali

Little of Lot 1 Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, was remanded for breaking and entering and larceny, he was killed in the Lusignan Holding Bay by another inmate.

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

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

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SUnDAY, JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Body of Berbice welder burnt by co-workers

…claimed boss ordered “cremation” – Police source

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he body of a welder who mysteriously died in the interior was burnt by his co-workers even before the police could investigate his death.

Thirty-four-year-old welder, Yogindra Steve Ramkarran of Number 72 Village, Berbice, was discovered dead by his colleagues about 100 feet from the camp he was employed at in Berbice on July 4, 2019, but it is unclear as to what led to his demise.

According to a senior police source close to the investigation, Ramkarran was al-

legedly consuming alcohol at a shop a short distance away from the camp on July 3 and after the business closed, he left to return to the camp.

However, he was not seen again until his co-workers found his body the following morning. This newspaper was told that the workers informed their employer and they were allegedly informed to burn the body.

“They said the boss told them that he was in contact with the family and told them to burn the man’s body. But the boss, who is the owner, said he never

Vendors still plying...

As a consequence, she told this newspaper in a later interview, the persons will be prohibited from entering the area after this month-end.

City Constables will be placed to ensure this is enforced. This move was recommended by the Mayor.

He said, “Town Clerk, you [should] issue a notice and put a timeline and if they bypass the timeline, the City Police will go and shut the stalls down at the wharf. The reason for that, I believe that if anything happens there we can be in serious trouble so you have to, as the Chief Administrator of this City, you ought to put these systems in place”.

When Guyana Times visited the wharf on Saturday afternoon, several persons were seen vending plantains, vegetables, salted fish and peanuts among other things below a roof that looked as though it would collapse at any time.

In fact, several zinc sheets had already been blown off by heavy winds, leaving behind

the mere frames. The lasting roof, according to vendors, is incapable of keeping the rainfall from affecting them.

Along with the horrific roofing, several boards were missing from the structure’s floor. The remaining woodwork was rotted and covered in garbage at a number of different sections.

Moving along, this publication observed a man showering in one of the abandoned stalls.

Two vendors, who did not want to state their names, told this newspaper that their stands have been completed and they intend to move over soon to the new location at the former Route 42 bus park.

A male vendor, however, complained that City Hall expects them to remove from the area, although they were forced to stand the expense of building new stalls at the park.

To make matters worse at the already crumbling structure, the wharf was partially blazed in November. It is suspected that the fire may have

told them to do that. They just burnt his body to ashes even before we [Police] could get there to investigate so as it is, we don’t know how he died because there is no body to conduct a post-mortem on,” the police source explained.

He stated that it is suspected that Ramkarran was murdered, adding that one of the workmen had taken a photograph of his body before it was destroyed by fire.

“From the photograph taken in the worker’s phone, it looked like a stab wound on Ramkarran’s chest. But

FROM PAGE 15

been started by a female, who had an argument with another vendor.

Prior to this, on September 13, the wharf was cordoned off with the intent of barring vendors from utilising the unsafe area.

This move was highly criticised by vendors although they were given the notice to vacate the area. Back then, the former Town Clerk, Royston King, had called a press conference where he said the vendors will be accommodated at minibus parks for at least two years, until the wharf is rehabilitated.

Vendors who ply their trade in the Stabroek Wharf area were brought to tears that morning when they were confronted by City Hall staffers cordoning off the entrances to their vending area.

This move came approximately two weeks after the M&CC had issued a notice informing the vendors of their plans to remove them from the deteriorated area in order to facilitate rehabilitation works there.

Yogindra Ramkarran

we will never know because they burnt his body to ashes and while we have some of the ashes, obviously we cannot tell his cause of death.

We arrested five of them but due to no evidence, we had to release them. We even approached the High Court for an extension to hold them but that request was denied,” the police source ex-

plained.

However, a file has been sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice on the way forward. Ramkarran’s case is still open and investigations into his death continue, the police officer noted.

The now dead man’s sister, Somwattie, had told Guyana Times on Sunday last that at that time, although over three days had passed since news spread of her brother’s death, she along with her other siblings were clueless about the entire situation.

“My husband called the sawmill where Steve was employed at and the owner told him that Steve died and that they are making preparation to bring his body out from river.”

However, the distraught

woman had stated that three individuals, who worked at the sawmill, arrived at her residence on Friday afternoon and they related to her family that her brother’s body was decomposed and could not be removed from the location where it had been found.

“They say that the body had to burn right there or bury right there but we did not see a picture with him to know if it is Steve. I don’t know what happened with Steve. The first call my sister gave me, she told me Steve was in an accident with a truck but when my husband called the boss man, he said like Steve had fight or maybe he had a few drinks since July 1st was holiday…I don’t know if he fight with anyone but I don’t know nothing,” the grieving sister related.

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2 die in Linden Highway accident Caribbean legislators condemn attacks on immigrants

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A Police rank at the scene of the accident on Saturday evening

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wo persons are now dead and at least three others seriously injured following a two-vehicle smash up on the Linden- Soesdyke Highway on Saturday evening.

Reports are the accident occurred at about 20:00h at the One Mile turn on the highway and involved a motorcar and a SUV. Guyana Times understands that the motorcar, HC 2554, was travelling in the eastern direction heading up the highway, while the SUV was coming from the opposite direction when the two vehicles crashed

head on.

At the time, the hire car, which operates at the Soesdyke junction to transport residents to communities on the highway, had passengers in the vehicle.

Upon colliding with the other vehicle, the car reportedly spun around before coming to a halt. A woman, who was in the passenger seat of the car, went flying into the front windscreen. She reportedly died on the scene.

Her identity was not immediately known. The driver of the SUV also died, while the driver of the hire car is said to be in a critical condition.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the occupants in the SUV had just left the creek and that the driver was allegedly drunk. It is unclear how many persons were in the vehicle and their condition.

The injured persons were rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where the woman was pronounced dead on arrival.

The others were treated and some transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for further treatment. The driver died while receiving medical attention at the GPHC.

wo Caribbean American legislators have strongly condemned United States President Donald J Trump’s attacks on the Caribbean and other immigrant communities ahead of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency’s planned sweep on Sunday.

Trump said on Friday that ICE will conduct the nationwide raids to arrest and deport undocumented Caribbean and other migrants.

But Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, the son

of Grenadian immigrants, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that they were “disgusted” by Trump’s ongoing onslaught on immigrants.

“I am disgusted that Donald Trump has issued ICE raids across 10 of our nation’s largest cities, including New York City, to begin on Sunday,” said Clarke, who represents the largely Caribbean 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York.

“These ICE raids are nothing more than a bigoted strategy that terrorises more than 2,000 immigrants and will cause the separation of even more families. Trump’s immigration policies are inhumane and reflect the dark-

est parts of our history.

This must come to an end,” she added.

“I vow to remain a leader in Congress who is working to protect our beloved immigrant community while resisting Donald Trump. And I encourage immigrants within New York’s 9th Congressional District to contact my office to understand their rights,” Clarke said.

Williams, who has held a series of events to distribute “Know Your Right” literature at sites across New York City, in anticipation of potential raids, noted that “Trump wants to dismantle immigrant communities in this country one way or another. (CMC)

sunDAY, july 14, 2019

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Simona Halep beats Serena Williams to win 1st Wimbledon title S imona Halep has won her first Wimbledon title. In the process, she crushed Serena Williams’s latest bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam success with a devastating 56-minute display of athleticism.

The Romanian won 6-2 6-2 in front of an incredulous Centre Court, running after everything the American threw at her.

“It was my best match,” the 27-year-old said after her second Grand Slam title, following her 2018 French Open success.

For 37-year-old Williams, it was a third major final’s defeat in 12 months. “She played out of her mind! It was a little bit ‘deer in the headlights’ for me,” she said.

Halep showed no nerves, as expectation weighed on Williams. Williams, like in last year final’s defeat by Angelique Kerber, seemed weighed down by public and personal expectations, as she quickly fell 4-0 behind in the opening set.

Halep had said beforehand that she had no pressure on her, and that is exactly how she played. From the outset, she looked relaxed and confident, attacking her opponent’s serves and keeping the rallies long and

deep to force the American into making errors.

While Williams closed h e r eyes a t changeovers to try to regroup, Halep kept her eyes on the prize, and kept her cool to take the victory on her second match point, when the American sent a forehand into the net.

Halep’s level never dropped in an almost perfect display, in which she made just three unforced errors to Williams’s 26. “I knew that I (had) to be aggressive, be 100% for every ball; and that I don’t have to let her come back into the match, because she’s so powerful and so strong,” Halep said. “She knows how to manage every moment, so I knew that I (had) to stay there; which I did pretty well today.”

Defeat means Williams’s

wait for a first Grand Slam title since becoming a mom continues, as does her pursuit of an eighth Wimbledon singles title.

“I definitely knew that she was just playing her heart out,” the American said.

“I felt like, ‘Okay, what do I need to do to get to that level?’

W h e n someone plays lights Halep out, celebrating during the match

there’s really not much you can do.

You just have to understand that that was their day today.”

Halep stuck to the perfect game plan Seventh seed Halep, in her first major final since winning the French Open last year and

Albion Community Centre CC concludes successful academy T

he 19th edition of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club academy, which commenced on Monday July 8, concluded yesterday, Saturday July 13.

With this year’s academy having as its main objective exposing young cricketers to the fundamentals of cricket, the academy was certainly successful.

All outstanding participants were awarded at the end on the six-day academy, which was sponsored by Devandra Bishoo.

Berbice Under-15 batsman Tameshwar Mahadeo was awarded ‘most promising player’; Shiv Harripersaud was awarded ‘most disciplined participant and most promising fast bowler’; Kumar Deopershad was awarded ‘most promising spin bowler’; Ari Afrizal Kadir was awarded ‘most promising batsman’, and Damion Cecil was awarded ‘most promising wicket-keeper’.

Nicholas Leps was awarded ‘most promising fieldsman’; Pavendra Ganesh was awarded ‘best overall attendance and punctuality’, and Timothy Brigbhukan was awarded ‘most participating student’.

The Albion Community Centre Cricket Club was launched over five decades

ago with a mission to produce vibrant and wellrounded cricketers a n d individuals who would, in turn, contribute to development taking place in societies and the country as a whole.

This cricket club has, over the years, produced both Guyana and West Indies players. Narsingh Deonarine, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Devandra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Jonathan Foo, Anthony Bramble, and Gudakesh Motie are among those produced by the club.

This year’s cricket academy saw a total of 43 attendees between the ages of 8 and 18 years old benefiting. Each day’s fun-filled interactive session commenced at 08:00h and concluded at 16:15h.

Participants were exposed to various vital skills, techniques and guidelines in regard to discipline, basic mathematics, substance abuse, cricketers as ambassadors, importance of education, importance of physical fitness, motivation, basic English, tips

on public-speaking and communication, etiquette and social graces, c a p t a i n c y, laws of cricket, FirstAid guide for sports, and leadership.

Omarnauth Outar, Orvin Mangru, Prem Kanhai, Sean Coonjah, Wazim Shariff, Angela Haniff, David Brigbhukan, Pooran Mangal and Veerasammy Permaul were among those who contributed significantly to this programme.

Gudakesh Motie, Devandra Bishoo, Bisham Surujnarine, Anthony Bramble, Ramesh Kasinath, Kelvin Umroa, Karran Arjpaul and other senior members of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club all played a role in the coaching sessions.

The Albion Community Centre Cricket Club hereby extends sincerest gratitude to BCB president Hilbert Foster, who on behalf of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) donated a quantity of trophies, medals, information booklets and learning aids, cricket balls and a bicycle to the success of the academy.

having lost her world number one ranking, flew under the radar at these championships while much of the focus was on Williams and her record chase.

But she executed the perfect game plan - stifling Williams’s biggest weapon in her serve and it was credit to her returning ability that Halep restricted the American to just two aces, when she had fired 45 during her other matches.

Halep’s movement around the court contrasted with that of a sluggish Williams, who at one point was urged to “Wake up!” by one shouter from the crowd;

and her tenacity in the rallies forced the American to overcook her shots through what felt like desperation at times.

A break in the first game set the tone, with Williams firing wide before a Halep hold to love underlined her determination to win. The net helped Halep in the next game, with her shot scraping over but Williams’s return bouncing back at the American.

With just 11 minutes on the clock, Halep had won the first four games; and she barely slowed, facing just one break point, which she saved.

Williams started to get herself a bit more into the match early in the second set, but when she came to the net for a volley with the whole court at her disposal and managed only to find the net, giving Halep the break, she must have known it was not going to be her day.

Halep won the next three games in a row, falling to her knees with her arms raised to the sky in celebration as Centre Court rose to its feet in appreciation of one of the greatest Wimbledon final performances ever seen. (Excerpted

from BBC.Com)

20 Rising Stars surge forward in NAMILCO Under-17 League at Bartica guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, july 14, 2019

T

he Under-17 League at Bartica, which is sponsored by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in partnership with the National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO), continued on Thursday at the Bartica Secondary School Ground.

Having been put on a short pause to accommodate some of the other BFA programmes, play in this league recently resumed. Rising Stars FC, already dominant in the series, added to their points position by defeating Lazio FC seven goals to nil.

Scoring for Rising Stars, Tyrese Gomes Jr. recorded two goals, as did Joshua Jones; while Regan Kippins, Ashton Dutchin, and Daniel Williams each recorded a single goal for their team.

Rising Stars had wasted no time in wading into their opponents as soon as the match commenced.

Flexing their muscles, they amply demonstrated why they are table-toppers in the league. They continually flustered Lazio, and constantly forced them to play defensively.

The nifty Tyrese Gomes Jr blasted in two goals in

the early stage of the match to place Lazio at a twogoal deficit. Nothing worked for Lazio in this match, and switching tactics and making substitutions were all in vain, as Rising Stars scored the last five goals to close the casket on Lazio’s hope of a comeback.

With a format similar to that of the Frank Watson Under-15 tournament, the NAMILCO Under-17 tournament will first be played at the Regional Member Association (RMAs) level, before there is a grand playoff with the nine winners to crown a national champion.

The league is part of the Youth Development Programme of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) through its Regional Member Associations, and is being held in partnership with the National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO).

Clubs competing in this tournament are Beacons, Lazio, Rising Stars, Potaro Strikers, Mil Ballers, Wolves United, Rivers View, and Agatash United.

Play in the series continues, with Agatash United FC duking it out with Mil Ballers FC.

Goal-scorers of the Rising Stars-Lazio FC showdown

Geraint Thomas battles back after suffering 2nd Tour De France crash G

eraint Thomas bounced back from a second crash in the Tour de France, to keep his hopes of a successful title defence intact after a frenetic finale to stage eight.

As Thomas De Gendt of Belgium soloed to a typical breakaway win, Thomas followed with two of his teammates, as they chased Michael Woods down the day’s penultimate descent. It took a furious pursuit from Thomas, aided by his teammate Wout Poels, to get the 2018 champion back among the group of main contenders for overall victory.

“We were behind Woods and his team,” Thomas said. “It was just unfortunate that he crashed in front of us and took us out, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. I was straight back up and into the group.”

But with attacks ahead, it took some time for Thomas to catch up.

“It was hard, for sure. It was okay getting back to the group, but riders were getting dropped in front of me over the top [of the climb], so I had to close that gap. It was a big effort, but that’s an encouraging sign that I had the legs to do it,” he said.

Thomas’s effort supported his principal Dave Brailsford’s claim that he is in the form of his life. Speaking at the start in Mâcon, Brailsford had said the defending champion was “as good as, if not better than, he’s ever been”.

Brailsford admitted that he and his team had been “pretty excited” to see Thomas attacking at the first summit finish last Thursday in the Vosges. “It was always going to be about that final ramp,” Brailsford

said. “We knew that. When Geraint went [on the attack] it was pretty exciting to see how strong he was, to be honest.”

Thomas, whose buildup to his title defence was hampered by a lack of racing and a bad crash in June, has raced a lot less than many of his rivals, something Brailsford accepted could be an advantage.

“He’s not carrying big latent fatigue theoretically, so he should be able to carry that into the guts of the race,” Brailsford said. “When it gets really hard later on, as long as he’s fuelling well and recovering well, he should be competitive.”

But the warning signs are there for Ineos. Thomas has now crashed twice, which will be jangling nerves inside his team management group, while Julian Alaphilippe and Thibaut Pinot of France have both exploded the race on the Côte de la Jaillière, with Alaphilippe retaking the yellow jersey he lost on Thursday’s stage to La Planche des Belles Filles.

If Thomas has reasserted his status both within his team and the peloton as a whole, then his Colombian teammate Egan Bernal appears to have become a little subdued. Brailsford, however, insists that the 22-year-old is not wilting in the Tour’s hothouse. He said: “No, not at all,” before acknowledging that the great expectations on the Colombian’s shoulders may have become something of a burden.

“If you had a choice of Geraint carrying that or Egan, then Geraint’s got more experience and he’s been there, seen it and done it. There still is a lot of optimism [about Egan]. We’ve got two athletes at

different ends of their life cycles, and there’s definitely a difference. If you look at how well they ride a bike, they’re both extremely talented, but it’s easy to get dragged into managing people at their talent level rather than their age. You see them as leaders or co-leaders at this level, and coach them in that way rather than remembering, ‘Hang on, he’s only 22.’ You get glimpses of brilliance and then glimpses of the 22-year-old.

“I’m just mindful that he’s 22. We have to keep an eye on him and support him, while Geraint is a 33-year-old who’s won this race before, is worldly-wise, and has a lot of poise in this circus and shrugs off people going on about five seconds.”

Bernal, riding his second Tour, had endured what Brailsford called a “baptism of fire” last July, when French ire towards Chris Froome, in the aftermath of his abandoned Salbutamol investigation, was at its peak.

“Egan, with the whole team, had a hell of a tough time. That was aggressive and frightening,” Brailsford said. “The difference in the reception this year is night and day.”

But he denied that the friendlier atmosphere was because Froome had been forced out through injury.

“I wouldn’t say that,” he said. “I ride my bike every day in Ineos kit up the climbs, and French people at the roadside are asking, ‘How’s Chris?’ so that’s pretty telling, I think. It’s a very different and positive environment.” (Excerpted from The Guardian)

sunday, july 14, 2019

21

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he first night’s play in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ 2019 Georgetown futsal tourney generated much excitement at the Cultural Centre Tarmac on Mandela Avenue, as some of the big names in this shorter format of football did what was expected of them by putting on a show for the boisterous crowd.

The night’s first encounter saw LA Ballers thumping Trap Squad by an emphatic 5-0 margin. Jaleel Hamilton led his team to victory with a brace in the 5th and 15th minutes, while Nicholas McArthur (3rd), Rashawn Ritch (5th) and Simeon Moore (12th) each contributed one to the tally of five.

After playing to a stalemate in regulation time, Albouystown ‘A’ and Upsetters turned to penalty shootout to decide the winner; and Albouystown prevailed 3-2 on penalties.

G. Owadr was the man of the hour for the John Street squad, as his Guinness Goal (a goal scored in the final minutes of the game counts for two goals) saved the day for his team in their encounter

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he 33rd annual Sir Garfield S o b e r s International Schools Cricket tournament, scheduled for play from July 8-22 in St Michael, Barbados, is currently being played.

W h i l e Queen’s College are reaping the fruits of their efforts, the same cannot be said for The Business S c h o o l ,

which have thus far lost four consecutive matches.

In their most recent match, they faced the Hamilton Lashley Foundation, and lost by 3 wickets in a match reduced to 22 overs because of wet conditions.

Batting first, the Business School were in trouble from the get-go, losing key wickets up front and not being able to utilise the ‘power-play’ overs to their advantage.

Their batsmen were soon back in the pavilion as the Guyanese side crumbled under pressure, being dismissed for 80 in 18.4 overs. Wayne McPherson top-scored with 20, Ushardeva Balgobin made 18 and Ariel Tilku 13. Bowling for the Hamilton Lashley Foundation, Tireak Williams tok 4-7, Shakeem Boyce 2-12, and Vashdeo Persaud 2-10.

In response, the Hamilton Lashley

Foundation, although losing wickets at key moments, prevailed in the contest as Tireak Williams produced a matchwinning 22 not out, while Kodi Braithwaite and Delon Prescod scored 12 and 10 runs respectively.

Bowling for The Business School in a losing effort, Christopher Harry took 4-34.

In an invited comment, Business School manager Omesh Dhanram said, “We have lost four games on the trot, so now we are basically playing for a position in the tournament. We are hoping to win our first game, as we can see the chemistry of the team growing more and more in each game. Despite the team not being accustomed to the conditions, we have seen drastic improvement in the team, and will be aiming to win our next game.”

– Coutinho’s agent accuses Barca of secretly plotting Neymar swap

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Judgement Yard to take a win.

Ryan Hackett was responsible for the team’s three goals.

Gold is Money also had a walk in the park against Globe Yard. Jermin Junior (13th) and Michael Pedro (17th) netted one each for the 2-0 victory.

The Georgetown submeet is the final regional competition before the National Championships next month.

“They must tell the truth!”

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settling their differences at the penalty mark. Dellon Kelly (5th), Selwyn Williams (8th) and Stephon McLean (13th) each scored a goal for Back Circle; while a goal in the 7th and a Guinness Goal in the 19th from Carl Griffith earned Norton Street 3 goals. Back Circle triumphed by 4 goals to 3.

The experienced Sparta Boss made light work of

Business School lose 4 in 4

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against North Ruimveldt. The score was thus settled at 2-0.

A hard fought battle between Alexander Village and California Square, which made for good entertainment, ended with Alexander Village prevailing 2-1.

Leon Yaw opened the scoring for Alexander Village in the 2nd minute, and Meshach Barrett levelled the scores for California Square. A clean strike by M. Murray again gave Alexander Village the lead, which they managed to keep until the final whistle was blown.

As the night wound down, the action became more intense as play became more urgent on the hard court.

Stabroek Ballers put up a fight, but eventually proved no match for the experienced North East La Penitence. Keifer Brandt (5th and 7th), Kelvin Moore (9th) and Alwyn Moore (13th) were responsible for the North East 5 goals scored.

A Guinness Goal in the 18th off the boots of Shamar Welch was not enough to pull the game back for Stabroek.

One of the most thrilling encounters of the night saw Back Circle and Norton Street

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

hilippe Coutinho’s agent has accused Barcelona of lying about wanting to keep the forward, and says the LaLiga champions are surreptitiously seeking to package him in a deal for Neymar.

Kia Joorabchian, Coutinho’s representative, claims Barca officials Pep Segura and Josep Maria Bartomeu have given private assurances that the Brazilian remains required at Camp Nou. Joorabchian claims the club’s promises have not been consistent with their actions, and he believes his client has been shown a lack of respect.

He feels Coutinho, who has struggled to make an impact in two seasons at Barca, is being used as a makeweight in the pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar, who is unsettled in the French capital.

“The president [Bartomeu] was clear: he had no intention of selling the player to any club,” Joorabchian told

RMC Sport.

“With that, and out of respect for Barcelona’s decision to keep him, we chose not to look at the market for our player, and we have not offered the player to other clubs. But I learned -- and it’s a fact -- that [Barca adviser] Andre Cury is saying totally different things. Andre Cury is pushing for Coutinho to be included in the transfer for Neymar.

“As I said, Coutinho has no offer from any other clubs because we respected Barcelona’s decision, but they do not respect the word they gave to us. We have been silent in this period, but it will not be allowed for Barcelona

to lie about the player. They must tell the truth! And if they want Coutinho to leave, they have to say it. With the player, we will decide what is best for his future.”

Coutinho will face fresh competition for a starting spot if he remains at Barca following the club’s capture of Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid on Friday. Liverpool could offer an escape route, as they reportedly consider bringing the 27-year-old back to Anfield, where he was jeered during the Champions League semi-finals in May. “Liverpool lies very deeply in his heart,” Joorabchian told Sky Sports. “He’s a big fan of them. It would be very difficult for him to go to a direct competitor of Liverpool.” (Sportsmax) Phillipe Coutinho

22

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SUnDAY, july 14, 2019

P&P 35-lap cycle race…

Walter Grant-Stuart prevails

W

alter Grant-Stuart has defied all odds to emerge victorious in the 19th edition of the P&P Insurance 35-lap cycle race that was held on Saturday in the inner circuit of the National Park.

Considered differently-able because he had lost an arm in an accident, this indefatigable rider bested the opposition in one hour, 17 minutes and five seconds to emerge champion in a race that pedalled off at 11:25h.

Calculating the race brilliantly, Stuart thrilled excited spectators by lapping flagging cyclists by a

Michael Anthony continued to prove his worth as a star sprinter by completing the race ahead of the Berbician Romello Crawford, who rode in third.

The 2019 National Cycling champion Jamaul John rode in fourth position, while 2018 National Cycling champion Curtis ‘Chappy’ Dey completed the race in fifth.

In the main event, wherein 20 cyclists were on show, Team Evolution followed Dey to achieve sixth position. Briton John, Paul De Nobrega, Paul ChooWee-Nam and Andre Padlock Green completed the top 10 wheelsmen.

The outstanding cyclists of the P&P Insurance Brokers (Brandon Corlette photos)

Michael Anthony sprinting his way past Jamaul John and Romello Crawford

huge margin.

In the battle for second position, Linden’s

In the intense 35-lap main event, Briton John set the tone early to lead the way, grabbing two sprint

prizes in the process. Grant-Stuart and Jamaul John also each took two sprint prizes.

Earlier, the 12-14 boys race saw the Corentyne lad Steve Bhimsen emerging victorious. He completed the three-lap race in eight minutes 25 seconds.

Sherwin Sampson, who also won a sprint prize, rode in second position, while Mark Lewis came in third.

In the Veterans under-50 race, Seqan Hubbard completed the 5-laps in eleven minutes 34 seconds for first place, while Jaikarran Sookhai and Ian Jackson came in second and third respectively.

Jackson won the Veterans Over-50 category, followed by National Masters Champion Andre Spencer and Kennard Lovell third.

In the 10-lap Juveniles category, Sherwin

Sinclair aiming to capitalise on previous regional U-19 experience

By Brandon Corlette

J

unior Sinclair, the Most Valuable Player in the Hand-in-Hand 2019 Inter-County tournament, will be making a second homecoming to the Guyana Under-19 squad.

Sinclair will have opportunity to travel to St Vincent and the Grenadines for the second time in as many years when the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional U-19 tournament bowls off on July 25, 2019.

Speaking exclusively with this reporter, Sinclair declared it a privilege to be playing for Guyana for a second successive year.

“I think my experience from last year was invaluable. I gained a lot from the senior guys last year, who shared their knowledge with me, and I will be aiming to do the same”, Sinclair declared.

Sinclair scored 376 runs in the intercounty tournament, the most this year.

He explained that his inter-county season had gone according to plan. “I set goals for myself, and I achieved all those; so it was a great one for me, and winning the threeday tournament was good”, Sinclair added.

With the CWI Regional U-19 tournament set to be played in the One Day 50-Over format only, Sinclair emphasized the importance of fitness and preparation.

“Presently, I am working on my fitness and batting technique; and since this tournament will play in the One-Day format, I have to be fit and ready,” Sinclair explained.

This right-handed opening

b at s m a n , who bowls brilliant off-spin and is an able wicket-keeper, says he is ready for the challenges in the upcoming CWI Regional U-19 Sinclair bowls his off-spin after taking 11 wickets in the tournament (Brandon Corlette photos)

Sampson rode in first position in a time of 28 minutes and 13 seconds, while Jonathan Ramsuchit and Steve Bhimsen followed.

Aditya Dookaram won the BMX boys’ 2-lap race, while Uttamkumar Isurdeenn received a special award.

This racing programme was sponsored by P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultancy agencies for a 19th consecutive year. Last year’s champion of the main event was Jamaul John, who completed the race in one hour, 16 minutes and 51 seconds.

Cycling will continue next Saturday in Berbice, where all the top cyclists in the country will traverse the highways in the ancient county. (Brandon Corlette)

Road to Mecca VI…

Wilson says final squad to be announced in a week and a half

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

Junior Sinclair bats during the 2019 Inter-county tournament

tournament. Sinclair said he believes his experience would prove beneficial to the team, since, as an all-round player, he would be able to provide in every department.

Showing great resolve as he spoke with this reporter, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club player said he anticipates playing a major role in Guyana’s U-19 success.

As an aggressive batsman, Sinclair has a clear idea of the conditions prevailing in St Vincent. “I think the conditions are flat in terms of some pitches (spinning) more than some,” he said.

One of Guyana’s more successful youth cricketers, Sinclair revealed that his brother, Jason Sinclair, and Coach Julian Moore have always helped him along the way.

“My brother has played a major part in

my cricketing life. He has been there from the inception,” Sinclair explained. Moore has coached Sinclair from the U-15 level, and is currently his U-19 national coach.

Sinclair has thanked the Almighty, and has expressed gratitude to all the members of the Hilbert Foster-led RHTY&SC, who have greatly assisted him in his cricket.

Having played at all three levels for Guyana junior teams, Sinclair has set his sights on representing West Indies U-19.

This CWI Regional U-19 tournament will be used as a yardstick to select the team that would play South Africa in South Africa in January 2020.

The Guyana U-19 are five-time defending champions of the CWI Regional U-19 One-Day tournament, and would be aiming to continue building on that dynasty when the 2019 CWI Regional U-19 tournament bowls off in two weeks’ time.

he UG Trojans, having had a successful 2018/2019 campaign season in which they won at least 80 percent of their matches against some top teams in Guyana, owe it to themselves to lift the champions’ title, as they were unable to participate in the recent University Games in which they were defending champions.

At least that is how Trojans’ Head Coach Warren Wilson feels about his side.

He disclosed that, with their current successes, they will now focus their attention on the “Road to MECCA VI”, as they aim to take their current form into the competition and continue their domination.

“Road to Mecca VI” will be staged this month, July 2019, and despite the inclement weather, the UG Trojans are relentlessly pushing themselves in a stringent training regimen as they aim to make 2019 their most decorated year.

Speaking with <<Guyana Times Sport>>, Trojans Coach Warren Wilson said in regard to the team’s preparation as competition time approaches, “Everything is coming well so far. The squad has been doing pickup games.

However, the selection process of the team has been changed, as I have introduced a performance rating system to the team.

“This can be used to measure a player’s productivity on the court, but with-

Trojans’ Coach Warren Wilson

in another week and a half, we should have the final 12 selected to represent the Trojans at ‘Road to Mecca VI’.

But, in general, the team’s overall game play has drastically improved.”

He indicated that, even as a coach, he also is in a growth phase, saying he has learned from his mistakes to grow as a coach. He added that before heading into the competition, he would be working on the management of the team during pressure situations, since he observed that, at times, team management was responsible for the team losing vital games.

Lifting the trophy, he said, would mean a lot to the team, as it would be a good boost to the morale of its members, since they were unable to participate in the University Games in Colombia. He noted that winning the championship trophy would not be easy, but he promised that the Trojans will not go down without a fight.

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, july 14, 2019

23

England, New Zealand square off to be 1st-time world champions I

t was four summers ago when a dead-on-themat English team bought into Brendon McCullum’s brand of cricket to instill some life in their 50-Over cricket, and begin a journey of outMcCulluming New Zealand in their Home Series.

The philosophy of play prospered between MCG and Lord’s under Eoin Morgan’s leadership, and against New Zealand at Lord’s, they await its logical conclusion. New Zealand, on the other hand, have slowly slipped into a more dour mode under Kane Williamson. Not a scream to hear, not an expression to picture, the New Zealand skipper just jogged his way towards his teammate, shook hands, and made a claim for the final berth after having beaten possibly the closest contender to the hosts for the title - India.

For all the noise of “It’s coming home!” and how it will inject a fresh lease of life into the game in England, Williamson, too, stands an equal chance – even though odds don’t stack up in his favour - to create his own legacy as a captain. New Zealand have been underdogs through the tournament, but Sunday’s game is a chance to go a step further than where his muchdecorated predecessor took New Zealand.

New Zealand weren’t the most impressive

side through the course, with issues aplenty.

In fact, with rules other than NRR, the kind that Pakistan would’ve liked, they would’ve probably not even made it to the semis. When they lost, they lost badly, and when they won, in most cases it was simply a scrape through. But when it all bottles down to that one nervejangling moment in that one nerve-jangling match, recent history should leave them warmer of the two.

And there’s no better place they can fancy themselves to be at against England than Lord’s. The noise is there; the cup is being demanded; and yet, at the home of homes, England don’t have the best of records. More importantly, they have withered in key moments, and even with one piece missing in that perfect jigsaw - like it was seen in Jason Roy’s absence - they have looked bereft of their powers. Even their much-celebrated lower order has failed at times to pitch in and make an impact when really needed.

What England have to their favour in a match-up is the contest between their pace attack and New Zealand’s under-firing batting

line-up. Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes have been deadly with the new ball, backed-up well by Liam Plunkett and Mark Wood in the middle overs. New Zealand’s batting, barring the occasional rescue acts by Colin de Grandhomme and James Neesham, has largely been shouldered by Williamson and Ross Taylor.

The tournament is one game away from shutting shop, but the openers and Tom Latham are yet to find their footing, which makes England’s attack, even in the absence of a left-armer to exploit the Lord’s slope, potent. While this remains the clear disparity going into the final, what could eventually differentiate the two sides could be what tightens the challenge: England’s top order against New Zealand’s new-ball attack. It was what held them up in their respective semifinal encounters, with both emerging triumphant and paving the way for the July 14 date; but on the day, the better of the two could be what will define their maiden World Cup triumph.

Only one can blink in London, only one can smile. The Piranhas will remind them all along, “You’ll have to laugh, or you’ll cry”.

What to expect: Pitch looks to be a good one (for Lord’s). Historically, it’s quite a low-scoring

ground in ODIs, and England don’t have the finest of records here. The weather should be good, a bit warm.

Team News

England With no injury concerns, there seems to be little reason for a change. New Zealand have three left-handers in their top 6, but Moeen Ali’s ordinary form doesn’t warrant a spot for him in the XI, especially with Mark Wood and Liam Plunkett doing a good job.

New Zealand With England pacers using the cross seamers effectively, the New Zealand batsmen have prepared hard for that in the nets. However, the concern for them is that three of their batsmen have not hit form as yet. Colin Munro is expected to be drafted in, in place of the misfiring Henry Nicholls.

What they said: “New Zealand are an extremely tough side, with a lot of experience, a lot of skill. They were the best side in the group stage, and they improved, very similar to us, from the group stage to the semifinal performance. So we are striving to improve on our performance. No doubt they will.”- Eoin Morgan. (cricbuzz)

Guyana looking to medal at 2019 Pan-Am Games

By Jemima Holmes

E

ight sporting disciplines, namely athletics, badminton, boxing, rugby, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo and squash, will be represented

by Guyana at this year’s Pan American Games, slated for Lima, Peru from July 26 to August 11.

The 42-member contingent will comprise both athletes and officials, with at least one manager or coach accompanying each participating athlete.

President of the Guyana O l y m p i c Association, K.A. JumanYassin, while not trying to pressure the Guyanese contingent, has expressed hope that one or more participants would bring home a medal to the ‘Land of Many Waters’.

“I’m hoping that our players will compete well.

I’m hoping for medals, but the important thing is for each athlete to do their best. It’s for each athlete to see in their mind that they could win, for each of them to picture themselves on that podium. Unless they do that, it’s not going to happen,” Juman-Yassin stated.

Meanwhile, various coaches are optimistic about their athletes’ chances. For instance,

Coach Julian Edmonds, who is responsible for the track and field team consisting of Winston George, Aliyah Abrams, Brenessa T h o m p s o n , E m m a n u e l Archibald and possibly Jania McCalmont, explained that the team is a strong one that has been working continuously.

“So, the team, it’s a good team.

It’s one with everybody on top of their game, and we’re hoping to well,” Edmonds explained.

Meanwhile, table tennis has a lone contender in Chelsea Edghill, who is currently training in Portugal.

Her local coach, Idi Lewis, shared some aspects of her preparations leading up to the tough competition.

“Right now she’s in Portugal, she’s training like 6 hours a day, sometimes 6 days a week.

I’m constantly in touch with her, looking at video clips. We talked about some issues she was having in Guatemala at the Qualifiers. I’m expecting good results at the Pan-Am Games, because we’re not going there to participate, we’re going to compete,” Lewis shared.

For the first time ever, a female squash team has qualified for the Games, and the ladies are elated about

Athletics Coach Julian Edmonds

Squash’s Mary Fung-A-Fat

this fact. According to Mary Fung-A-Fat, Ashley Khalil, Taylor Fernandes and herself are ready for whatever challenge the event holds.

“This is the first time the women’s team ever qualified for Pan-Am; so I think it’s a great time for the women to step forward, and we’re excited (about) it.

We went to a training camp with a former W o r l d Number One Coach,

and we had a good training block, and since then we’ve been preparing just as well,” Fung-A-Fat explained.

Meanwhile, the Ramdhani siblings, Narayan and Priyanna, w i l l compete a t badminton, while Justin Choy spars in taekwondo.

Young talent Keevin Allicock will participate in boxing, while a rugby team led by Claudius

Butts and including Lancelot Adonis, Richard Staglon, Peabo Hamilton, Vallon Adams, Patrick King, Jamal Angus, Godfrey Broomes, Avery Corbin, D w a y n e S c h r o e d e r, Ozie McKenzie, Ronald Mayers and Selwyn Henry will compete in that

discipline. Daniel Scott and Nikita Fiedtkou will represent Guyana in the pool.

Nalini McKoy is the Chef de Mission.

Guyana’s 28 athletes will be motivated to make some impressive strides in Peru, since the country has gone without a Pan American medal since the Guadalajara games in Mexico in 2011.

SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

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England, New Zealand square off to be 1st-time

world champions Guyana looking to medal at 2019 Pan-Am Games

P&P 35-lap cycle race…

Pg 23

Walter Grant-Stuart prevails Pg 22

GOA President KA Juman-Yassin (centre) and Chef de Mission Nalini McKoy (sitting right) are flanked by athletes and other officials

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