Guyana Times Thursday August 15, 2019

P10

“Our health is our wealth, not uprising of oil & gas” – youth parliamentarian Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4016

THE BEACON OF TRUTH thursday, august 15, 2019

PRICE

H2H legal challenge

GECOM cannot remove names from National Register of Registrants – CJ orders Pages 3 & 7

..."other options" can update voters' list

…“We are vindicated” – Jagdeo

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Immigrants P9 can crowd out local workforce – Finance Ministry …says immigration creating demands on treasury

Doctor robbed at Sophia P2 Health Centre

…says H2H a “complete waste of time and money”

Anna Regina Secondary scores top spot at CSEC

…Queen's College tops CAPE …Guyana records best performance this year …Maths remains stagnant below 50%, English improves

Pensioner P8 nabbed with cocaine in shoes at CJIA

See stories on pages 9, 10 & 11

Riana Toney (19 Grade ones)

Alex Abraham (18 Grade ones, 2 Grade twos)

Charrandat Naraine (18 Grade ones, 1 Grade two)

Mid-year report

Samuel Haynes (18 Grade ones)

Donlee Castello (17 Grade ones, 3 Grade twos)

GPL wallowing in $4.2B deficit P10

CJIA sexual assault

DPP recommends charges P13 against Deputy CEO

Floodwaters in Region 3 P2 persist owing to deplorable canals, clogged drains

2 News

thursday, august 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Doctor robbed at Sophia Health Centre

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doctor attached to the C Field Sophia Health Centre, Greater Georgetown, was on Wednesday left in a state of shock after he was attacked by a bandit pretending to be a patient at the medical facility.

Reports are at about 14:00h, while he was on his cellphone in the compound of the health centre, the man, pretending to be in pain, walked into the compound and approached the doctor. The thief snatched the cellphone and dashed out of the compound.

Guyana Times was told that persons in the vicinity saw what had occurred and

alerted the security guard.

“We didn’t even hear anything because he didn’t scream, is a little while after then some people who saw come and say well the doctor get rob,” a security guard at the health facility informed.

By that time, the suspect had already managed to escape and was nowhere to be found.

This publication spoke with one of the eyewitnesses, who expressed dismay at the incident.

According to the woman, the incident occurred quickly and as such, after realising what had transpired, it was too late for assistance

Sophia Health Centre

to be given.

“Like up to now, I can’t believe, because the bai [doctor] stand up right here and he just was on his

phone and he came in so nobody was like paying attention to him then all of a sudden he just spring up and grab the phone and run

out. It happen fast before anybody could react he was long gone,” the woman related. The matter has since been reported and the police are investigating.

In July, an orthopaedic doctor was robbed at gunpoint just outside one of the theatres at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

A female doctor was also robbed between the X-ray area and the laboratory.

The doctor was reportedly robbed by a man dressed as a security guard, who proceeded to drag her into a washroom after she fainted from fright. She was reportedly sent home on oneweek sick leave according to sources.

These robberies and many others which occurred at the facility forced the hospital’s administration to

place staff on high alert.

The advisory is cautioning the staff to: “Be on the alert at nights when moving around the hospital complex for persons posing as patients in an attempt to rob them of their property.”

“Members of staff should avoid wearing excessive jewellery especially at nights when on duty…

Members of staff, especially females, should ensure their cell phones are properly secured in their possession when moving around the hospital complex…staff when moving around the hospital complex at night should do so in company of two or more… staff should avoid walking in the dark and desolate areas when moving in the hospital complex…members should seek assistance of security when in doubt or afraid.”

Floodwaters in Region 3 persist owing to deplorable canals, clogged drains

Farm village affected by flooding

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n Wednesday morning, several sections of Region Three (Essequibo Islands - West Demerara) were covered by floodwaters as high as two feet following hours of heavy rainfall.

Along with the A section of Wakenaam Island, heavy downpour, Essequibo River covered by floodwater [Photo by: RDC Region 3] the Regional Chair, Julius Faerber, exFaerber said. plained that the flooding was In addition, the as a result of the deplorable Chairman complained that canals and clogged drains in the regional administrathe inundated parts. tion has not been conductGuyana Times was told ing drainage works in all that communities such as of the areas, leaving more Farm Village and Zeelugt, room for flood waters to inEast Bank Essequibo were vade. He explained that the affected. But, the Chair ad- Region owns six mini excaditionally said he was in- vators; however, the conformed of water covering the tractors would choose the lands in Tuschen, as well areas they prefer to work, as Canal Number One and “so the drains are very much Two. clogged up and that contribThese villages, he said, utes to the water not coming are low and usually affected off the land as it should,” the when it rains excessively.

Chair complained.

“I know the Number Moreover, it was notTwo Canal is in a deplor- ed that the Regional able state, which contributes Democratic Council (RDC) dearly to the flood that we is not doing anything to get in both Canals One and help in this regard. He notTwo. The contractor that we ed that the Neighbourhood have there is very incompe- Democratic Council (NDC) tent. He is not able to clean is cash-strapped and unable the canals in time and that to provide any assistance creates a backup of wa- because of low collection of ter which causes flooding,” rates and taxes.

news

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thursday, august 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Thursday, August 15 – 05:00h - 06:30h and Friday, August 16 – 05:00h – 06:30h.

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Winds: East North-Easterly to Southerly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 04:54h and 17:15h reaching maximum heights of 2.59 metres and 2.53 metres.

Low Tide: 10:52h and 22:04h reaching minimum heights of 0.63 metre and 0.66 metre.

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H2H legal challenge

GECOM cannot remove names from National Register of Registrants – CJ orders ...”other options” can update voters’ list

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hief Justice Roxane George has ruled that the ongoing Houseto-House Registration is not unconstitutional, but noted that it is unconstitutional for qualified persons to be removed from the list.

At the High Court on Wednesday, the Chief Justice did not grant any of the orders sought by Christopher Ram, who had challenged the constitutionality of the House-to-House Registration and wanted the court to compel the holding General and Regional Elections by September 18.

In her ruling, Justice George concluded that the House-to-House exercise being conducted is not unlawfully or unconstitutional.

However, the Court did note that it is unconstitutional for qualified persons to be removed from the list if they are not in the jurisdiction or not at their residence during the registration exercise.

She further stated that only deceased persons and those otherwise disqualified under Article 159 (2), (3), or (4) are to be removed.

Pointing out that the “right to vote and the right to be registered to vote are sacrosanct”, the High Court Judge said “residence requirements from citizens is no longer a qualification for registration”.

Ram’s lawyers, who included former Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran, had argued in the application that the current registration exercise will disenfranchise many Guyanese who are already on the list.

Furthermore, the Chief Justice had noted that while it is not up to the Court to determine whether Houseto-House should be held, it is not the only option available to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to update the list. To this end, the Court further noted that it is up to the Elections Commission to determine a way forward within the confines of the constitutional provisions.

“The Court did not agree with submissions from the CEO (Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield) that House-to-House is necessary… GECOM may have to consider other options…

GECOM cannot operate as in a normal elections cycle,” she said, adding that it has to take into consideration the December passage of the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) which has been validated by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

In fact, both Nandlall and SC Ramkarran told reporters after the decision that this aspect of the judgement is significant, since it meant that House-to-House is not mandatory, and more

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

importantly, not the only option for GECOM to revise the voters’ list.

“The Court pointed out very emphatically and very clearly that GECOM must now determine which one of the two courses of action it will chose, having regards to the timeframe that are available and that have become exigent upon the passage of a No-Confidence Motion. The Court endorsed our argument that the list can be refreshed with a suitable Claims and Objections period; so the ball is now in GECOM’s court to determine which one of the two courses it will choose, and one will obviously lead to unconstitutionality as the

CJ pointed out,” Nandlall contended.

But Lowenfield’s lawyer, Roysdale Forde, told reporters that aspect of the decision dealing with the removal of persons from the voters list is flawed.

“I believe that it is a serious ground, a serious flaw in the decision and I would advise my client to appeal. The issue was never raised as part of the pleadings in the documents,” Forde contended.

Similar sentiments were raised by Attorney General Basil Williams, who said that this is something GECOM will have to look at. In fact, GECOM’s attorney, Senior Counsel Stanley Marcus, told reporters that he will be advising the Elections body today on the way forward.

Chief Justice Roxane George

The Claudette Singhheaded Commission will be holding its first statutory meeting today since the appointment of the new Chair.

This meeting is expected to yield the Commission’s position on the way forward.

Nevertheless, another significant decision handed down by the Chief Justice on Wednesday had to do with the holding of General and Regional Elections. continued on page 7

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thursday, august 15, 2019

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

Guarding against censorship

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few days ago, the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, claimed that the Guyana National Broadcast Authority (GNBA) is targeting anti-Government broadcasting stations, both television and radio. He further accused the GNBA of engaging in censorship and of terrorising broadcast entities it perceives as being unsympathetic towards the Government.

Mr Jagdeo’s position is similar to that of broadcasters who have been cited for broadcast infractions by the regulatory body. Some have lamented a draconian approach that directly infringes on freedom of expression and the obligation to inform and educate viewers and listeners alike. This in no way suggests a right to broadcast libellous, discriminatory or inciting content. Broadcasters in question are well aware of this, and endeavour to abide by the GNBA’s broadcast guidelines.

However, aspects of the said guidelines are viewed as deliberate measures to aid in the enforcement of censorship.

Mr Jagdeo also claimed that some station managers are questioned as to why they cannot find positive things to say about the Government.

In that context, one can presume that particular question reportedly emanated from officials of the GNBA. If that were the case, then it’s extremely worrying, since it suggests that the GNBA is allegedly using its authority to force the broadcast of content favourable to the Government.

If such actions are meted out to broadcasters and others with a responsibility to inform, it’s become a direct assault on freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Fear is thereby directly infused.

Therein lies danger, since it becomes indicative of the Government seemingly using arms of the state to silence opposing views.

In August of 1950, former US President Harry S. Truman, in a special Message to the Congress on the Internal Security of the United States, said, “Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens, and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.”

President Truman clearly captures the inherit dangers of government’s actions to muzzle the opposition. He may have had foresight too, for during the period 1964-1992, the then People’s National Congress (PNC) government unleashed severe measures to stifle the then Opposition and others who opposed it. In the process, the importation of newsprint for Opposition-run presses was banned, among other things.

Some who raised their voices against the regime were beaten and/or incarcerated. Jesuit priest Father Bernard Darke was killed by a gang while photographing a demonstration against the PNC in 1979 in Georgetown. The gang allegedly was affiliated to the said PNC dictatorial government, which was brutal in its crackdown on those who dissented.

That’s the terror that President Truman alluded to, and the fear it precipitates into the mindsets of the citizenry. In Guyana, that was a few decades ago, and with the rebirth of democracy in 1992 under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) Government, one would have felt that dark and shameful past was laid to rest. Unfortunately, fears of a growing dictatorship are now being rekindled, allegedly aided by actions of the GNBA, as claimed.

Noteworthy, the Broadcast Act was amended by the current APNU/ AFC government, of which the PNC is the dominant party. One aspect is that broadcasters are mandated to provide one hour of broadcast time to facilitate Government programing under the guise of public service announcements.

In principle, no broadcaster is against airing of pertinent national messages that warn of natural disasters or outbreak of diseases, or any other necessary information. However, they oppose the imposition of that hour for the broadcast of Government propaganda, and that the choice of the timing can be dictated by the Authority.

When that is taken into consideration, along with the claim of some station managers, of allegedly being asked to broadcast content favourable to the Government, it appears that the GNBA is seemingly becoming a conduit for Government’s infringements on freedom of expression. Given that development, the GNBA’s discharging of its mandate in a consistent, professional and fair manner has unavoidably been questioned.

The relevance of the question is within the context of the content of the state media broadcast arms. Aggrieved broadcasters, who have been cited for various infractions, are hard-pressed to see any consistency, given some of what is being broadcast on the state media and the apparent free rein Government officials have through it.

With that in mind, Mr Jagdeo’s claims of the GNBA’s attempts to censor some broadcast stations drives home that inherit fear, as some sections of the media are reportedly in the process of being muzzled.

The GNBA has denied the claims, while stating it has recorded some 150 broadcast infractions for the year so far. In addition, it would have also seized nine broadcast frequencies from three entities, including from a radio station owned and operated by the PPP. These, especially the latter, make it extremely difficult to dismiss the claims of censorship, and possibly the terrorising of broadcast entities.

Relevance may be found in a quote from Henry Louis Gates Jr, “Censorship is to art as lynching is to justice.” More voices may therefore need to be heard.

Jyotsna Pattel of the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre ties a Rakhi on President David Granger's wrist on Wednesday morning at the Ministry of the Presidency. While tying the Rakhi (sacred thread) on to the President’s wrist, Sister Jyotsna Pattel said the Brahma Kumaris was pleased to celebrate the festival of Raksha Bandhan with him. She said the tying of the Rakhi not only represents a sisterly and brotherly connection, but the bond of love which each person should have for the other

Raksha Bandhan – the ties of protection

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oday, Hindus will be observing Raksha Bandhan.

The bonding between a brother and a sister is simply unique and is beyond description in words. The relationship between siblings is extraordinary and is given importance in every part of the world. However, when it comes to India, the relationship becomes all the more important as there is a festival called “Raksha Bandhan” dedicated for the sibling love. This is a special Hindu festival which is celebrated in India and countries in the Indian diaspora to symbolize the love between a brother and a sister. The occasion of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu luni-solar calendar in the month of Shravana which typically falls in the August month of Gregorian calendar.

Meaning of Raksha Bandhan

The festival is made up of two words, namely “Raksha” and “Bandhan.” As per the Sanskrit terminology, the occasion means “the tie or knot of protection” where “Raksha” stands for the protection and “Bandhan” signifies the verb to tie.

Together, the festival symbolizes the eternal love of brother-sister relationship which does not mean just the blood relationships only.

It is also celebrated among cousins, sister and sister-inlaw (Bhabhi), fraternal aunt (Bua) and nephew (Bhatija) and other such relations.

Origin of Raksha Bandhan Festival

The festival of Raksha Bandhan is known to have

originated centuries before and there are several stories related to the celebration of this special festival. Some of the various accounts related to the Hindu mythology are described below: * Indra Dev and Sachi- According to the ancient legend of Bhavishya Purana, once there was a fierce battle between Gods and demons. Lord Indrathe principle deity of sky, rains and thunderbolts who was fighting the battle on the side of Gods was having a tough resistance from the powerful demon King, Bali.

The war continued for a long time and did not came on a decisive end. Seeing this, Indra’s wife Sachi went to the Lord Vishnu who gave her a holy bracelet made up of cotton thread. Sachi tied the holy thread around the wrist of her husband, Lord Indra who ultimately defeated the demons and recovered the Amaravati.

The earlier account of the festival described these holy threads to be amulets which were used by women for prayers and were tied to their husband when they were leaving for a war.

Unlike, the present times, those holy threads were not limited to brother-sister relationships. * King Bali and Goddess

Lakshmi- As per an account of Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana, when Lord Vishnu won the three worlds from the demon King Bali, he asked by the demon king to stay beside him in the palace. The Lord accepted the requested and started living with the demon king.

However, Goddess Lakshmi, wife of Lord Vishnu wanted to return to his native place of Vaikuntha. So, she tied the rakhi around the wrist of demon king, Bali and made him a brother. On asking about the return gift, Goddess Lakshmi asked Bali to free her husband from the vow and let him return to Vaikuntha. Bali agreed to the request and Lord Vishnu returned to his place with his wife, Goddess Lakshmi. * Santoshi Maa- It is said that the two sons of Lord Ganesha namely, Shubh and Labh were frustrated that they had no sister. They asked for a sister from their father who finally obliged to their sister on the intervention of saint Narada. This is how Lord Ganesha created Santoshi Maa through the divine flames and the two sons of Lord Ganesha got their sister for the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. * Krishna and Draupadi- Based on an

account of Mahabharat, Draupadi, wife of Pandavas tied a rakhi to Lord Krishna while Kunti tied the rakhi to grandson Abhimanyu before the epic war. * Yama and the Yamuna- Another legend says that the death God, Yama did not visit his sister Yamuna for a period of 12 years who ultimately became very sad. On the advice of Ganga, Yama went to meet his sister Yamuna who has very happy and performed hospitality of her brother, Yama. This made the Yama delighted who asked Yamuna for a gift.

She expressed her desire to see her brother again and again. Hearing this, Yama made his sister, Yamuna immortal so that he could see her again and again.

This mythological account forms the basis of festival called “Bhai Dooj” which is also based on the brother-sister relationship.

Reason for the celebration of this festival

The festival of Raksha Bandhan is observed as a symbol of duty between brothers and sisters. The occasion is meant to celebrate any type of brother-sister relationship between men and women who may not be biologically related.

On this day, a sister ties a rakhi around the wrist of her brother in order to pray for his prosperity, health and well-being. The brother in return offers a gifts and promises to protect his sister from any harm and under every circumstance. The festival is also celebrated between brother-sister belonging to distant family members, relatives or cousins.

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PSC looks forward to GECOM Haitians are vulnerable, carrying out its functions susceptible to political manipulation and exploitation Dear Editor, I wrote the press earlier this month, asking the Minister of Citizenship and/or our President to explain the sudden arrival in Guyana of a very large number of Haitians, reported on extensively in our media.

According to the media reports, the Haitian arrivals are carefully organised with obvious official Government support. Their arrival has coincided with a highly suspect House-toHouse Registration exercise with questionable legal authority and disputed justification.

In response to these public concerns, Minister Felix disclosed that in the last six months, 8436 Haitians arrived and 1170 are supposed to have departed. Those who have left are acknowledged by the Minister to be mostly doing so illegally, The

Minister seemed unable, however, to provide convincing documentation in support of his statement.

In the current highly-charged political environment, with the Opposition and, for instance, the Private Sector Commission, opposed to the “registration” which is being carried out without the legally required scrutineering, it is perfectly reasonable to ask the question: where are the seven thousand odd unaccounted-for Haitians?

In these circumstances, it is perfectly reasonable to also ask, not only where, but how are the Haitians occupied? They have not come as tourists and they are not authorised to work!

In reactions, these questions have been vigorously and vociferously labelled as a “xenophobic attack” meaning racism, against the Haitians.

I cannot speak for others,

but as far as I am concerned, the application of this label, in this context is utter rubbish, and, if anything, is in itself racist in character and concept.

The Haitians are our Caricom brothers and sisters and are understandably and undoubtedly fleeing their own impoverished circumstances in search of a better life and deserve our empathy and assistance.

I wonder, however, if it has occurred, at all, to those, some otherwise very intelligent people amongst them, who so readily and conveniently employ this emotive use of race in pursuit of their own unspoken agenda, that the Haitians are both vulnerable and susceptible to political manipulation and exploitation of the worst kind.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

Accolades for Irfaan Ali and others

Dear Editor, In an opinion poll being conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA), voters are showering accolades on the PPP Presidential Candidate Mr Irfaan Ali. Irfaan, as he is widely called by voters, has been standing side by side with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo (and leader of the PPP) in the street battle for early elections as legal luminary Anil Nandlall leads the fight in the courts to force the Government to abide by the Constitution and judicial rulings.

NACTA has been conducting opinion surveys in Guyana since 1990 on electoral and other socio-politico matters. In a survey conducted in June-July, a majority of voters supported the call for abiding with the CCJ ruling on the No-Confidence Motion and the holding of elections. The latest finding of the ongoing tracking poll sees an increase in that view. Voters express confidence that elections will be held this year and that the President, David Granger, should announce a date so that GECOM can commence preparation for a poll.

The latest survey also finds an increasing endorsement of Irfaan as Presidential Candidate of the Opposition PPP as compared with earlier NACTA polls conducted in February, April, and July. Voters are getting to better know and understand the PPP candidate for President and they feel he has a very good chance of being elected, especially

since he has the endorsement of Jagdeo.

Voters were asked to describe some of the positive and negative attributes of the potential Presidential Candidates. Voters describe Irfaan as hard-working, energetic, vibrant, courageous, youthful, and visionary. An increasing number of supporters believe he will make for a good President especially since he will have former President Bharrat Jagdeo at his side for advice and guidance.

Jagdeo has been described as the best Finance Minister in recent times. A large majority rated his presidency positively, saying they had a better standard of living.

On Irfaan, voters stated he was among the most effective Opposition parliamentarians after Opposition Leader Jagdeo.

Irfaan, alongside Gail Teixeira, Anil Nandlall, Frank Anthony, and others held the Government to its toes, exposing contradictions. Irfaan played a most important role in parliamentary scrutiny which is a critical tenet of democratic governance. In addition, voters say Irfaan made very insightful remarks on budgets and Government policies when he was in Government and in Opposition. They say he was effective at exposing wasteful expenditure and questionable spending that were subsequently addressed by the Auditor General.

Voters describe Irfaan as the most effective Head (Chair) of the Public Affairs Committee (some say the most effective in the history of Parliament, taking Government to task) expos-

ing flaws in Government spending and lack of accountability. Many voters also say that when he was a Minister, Irfaan was results-oriented, and they are confident that an Irfaan Presidency will get results. They note, for example, that his Housing Ministry gave out the most house lots in the history of Guyana. And that he also effectively ran the Ministry of Tourism at the same time. Many felt he was like a super Minister. During his tenure at Tourism, there was an increase in tourists in Guyana. The country received tourism awards and was spotlighted internationally.

Many voters feel Irfaan, although young, has the experience and capacity to take Guyana forward.

They say he has shown maturity, and that he understands the multi-cultural and multi-dimensional politics of Guyana. Some say he has grown from when he was a Minister and would have learned from mistakes he made when he was a Minister of Government.

They also note he has spoken well on oil and gas and that he will be able to take Guyana forward, especially in the coming energy economy.

Some voters note that Irfaan has been unfairly maligned in the media without incontrovertible evidence. Some also point out that Irfaan has recognised and owned up to mistakes in his past conduct and that he has learned from them.

They feel he will make for a much better President than when he was a Minister.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Dear Editor, The Private Sector Commission (PSC) notes with considerable satisfaction that President Granger on Thursday (8th August, 2019) met with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) under the leadership of its newly appointed Chair, Justice Claudette Singh, and offered the assurances of his government to respect and support the independence of the Commission and the role and advice of the Commission on the conducting of General and Regional Elections.

The Private Sector Commission was heartened at the appointment of Justice Claudette Singh to the post of Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission.

We look forward to the Commission carrying out its functions as required by the Constitution and in accordance with the judgment rendered by the Caribbean Court of Justice on 18th June, 2019, with regard to the holding of General and Regional Elections.

The Private Sector Commission continues to believe that it is extremely unfortunate that the Commission hastened to introduce house-to-house registration resulting from a questionable decision made under its previous Chairmanship and expects this matter will receive the urgent attention of the Commission under its new Chair.

The PSC wishes to reiterate that it is a fact that the National Register of Registrants Database (NRRD), which was compiled in 2008, has continued to be updated from continuous registration and, since that time, has been used credibly in all subsequent General and Regional Elections and Local Government Elections with the total acceptance of all the contesting political parties.

The Private Sector Commission holds firmly to the view that the National Register of Registrants Database (NRRD), compiled since 2008, supported by photographic and finger print biometrics, which has not expired, and which has benefitted from continuous registration since that time, needs only to be subject to the statutory option of claims and objections to be brought up-todate.

The Private Sector Commission wishes to emphasise that the Caribbean Court of Justice clearly advised that “given the passage of the no-confidence motion of 21st December, 2018, a general elections should have been held in Guyana by the 21st March, 2019, unless a two thirds majority in the National Assembly had resolved to extend that period”.

The CCJ further observed that:

“the National Assembly has yet to extend the period, the filing of the Court pro-

ceedings in January challenging the validity of the no-confidence vote effectively placed matters on pause, but this Court rendered its decision on 18th June, 2019. There is no appeal from that judgment”.

“Article 106 of the Constitution invests in the President and the National Assembly and implicitly in GECOM responsibilities that impact on the precise timing of the Elections which must be held. It would not therefore be right for the Court, by the issuance of coercive orders or detailed directives, to presume to instruct these bodies on how they must act and thereby pre-empt the performance by them of their constitutional responsibilities”.

“It is not, for example, the role of the Court to establish a date on or by which the elections must be held, or to lay down timelines and deadlines that, in principle, are the preserve of political actors guided by constitutional imperatives”.

The Private Sector Commission, however, recognizes that the “constitutional imperatives” are that General Elections should now, therefore, be held within three (3) months of the consequential orders rendered on 18th June, 2019, that is, no later than 18th September, 2019, and expects that the President and GECOM, as the CCJ assumed, “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 21st December, 2018”.

The Private Sector Commission continues also to be concerned that in spite of the assurances offered by President Granger in his address on 25th July, 2019, of the government’s recognition of its “caretaker” status, the President has refused to accept the requirement of Article 106 (6) of the Constitution that “the Cabinet including the President shall resign if the government is defeated by the vote of the majority of all of the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of no- confidence”.

The PSC considers it worthy of recall that when Justice Singh, in her capacity as a High Court Justice, was required to rule in 2001 on the status of a caretaker government, the Court ordered that “the President and his Cabinet, as presently constituted, shall perform their respective functions of office” subject to the following limitations: “a) no legislation shall be introduced in Parliament except those required for the proper and timely holding of fresh National and Regional Elections; b) no substantial contracts for the execution of public works shall be awarded without the permission of this Court; c) the State owned media shall only be used for elections purposes through paid advertisements”.

The Court at that time also ordered that “Parliament, as presently constituted, shall continue to function for the necessary and limited purposes of enacting such legislation as is required for the proper and timely holding of fresh National and Regional Elections…and shall stand resolved by Nomination Day”.

We wish to repeat that it is very much the business of Guyana’s business community to engage the national political process to ensure electoral democracy and democratic governance. Political actors need to understand and accept that the first and foremost requirement for business to operate effectively and to succeed is political stability, added to which there must be respect for the rule of law and political freedom.

It is the position of the Private Sector Commission and the 26 business organizations and the 29 of the largest companies in Guyana which we represent, that not only does the business community have a natural democratic right to participate in the political processes of the country, but also a Constitutional right enshrined under Article 13 of the Constitution.

Sincerly, Private Sector Commission

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7 reasons to be smoke-free

Most people don’t smoke. From yellow teeth to coughing, here are seven reasons why that’s a good thing.

Thirdhand smoke When people smoke, it creates smoke that you can see (secondhand smoke) and a kind of air pollution that you can’t see that’s called third-hand smoke.

Most middle school students don’t smoke — only about 1 in 50 does. And most high school students don’t smoke either — about 9 in 100 do.

But why do those who smoke ever begin?

There’s more than just one answer. Some kids may start smoking just because they’re curious. Others may like the idea of doing something dangerous – something grownups don’t want them to do. Still others might know lots of people who smoke and they might think it’s a way to act or look like an adult.

Fortunately, fewer people are starting smoking than a few years ago. Maybe that’s because more and more people have learnt that smoking and tobacco use can cause cancer and heart disease.

But sometimes kids can’t really think that far into the future to worry about an illness they might not get for many years.

So let’s talk about the problems that might affect kids more quickly: bad breath yellow teeth smelly clothes more colds and coughs difficulty keeping up with friends when playing sports empty wallet – cigarettes and tobacco products are very expensive!

Let’s find out more about cigarettes and tobacco Tobacco (say: tuh-BA-ko) is a plant that can be smoked in cigarettes, pipes, or cigars. It’s the same plant that’s in smokeless tobacco, known as dip, chew, snuff, spit, or chewing tobacco.

Smokeless tobacco is not lit or inhaled like tobacco in cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. Instead, smokeless tobacco is put between the lip and gum and sucked on inside the mouth.

Tobacco contains nicotine (say: NIH-kuh-teen), a chemical that causes a tingly or pleasant feeling – but that feeling only lasts for a little while. Nicotine is also addictive (say: uh-DIK-tiv). That means that if you start to use nicotine, your body and mind will become so used to it that you’ll need to have it just to feel OK. Anyone who starts smoking could become addicted to it. If you’re addicted to something, it’s very hard to stop doing it, even if you want to. Some kids get addicted right away. And adults are often addicted, which is why so many of them have a hard time quitting

smoking.

Why is it so bad for you?

Cigarettes and smokeless tobacco kill hundreds of thousands every year. In fact, each day more than 1300 people die from smoking alone.

The nicotine and other poisonous chemicals in tobacco cause lots of diseases, like heart problems and some kinds of cancer. If you smoke, you hurt your lungs and heart each time you light up. It also can make it more difficult for blood to move around in the body, so smokers may feel tired and cranky. The longer you smoke, the worse the damage becomes.

The other cost of smoking Using tobacco eats up a lot of money, too. That’s a lot of computer games and clothes you could buy instead.

What’s it like?

Usually, people don’t like smoking or chewing tobacco at first.

Your body is smart, and it knows when it’s being poisoned. When people try smoking for the first time, they often cough a lot and feel pain or burning in their throat and lungs. This is your lungs’ way of trying to protect you and tell you to keep them smoke free.

Also, many people say that they feel sick to their stomachs or even throw up. If someone accidentally swallows chewing tobacco, they may be sick for hours. Yuck.

What if my friend smokes?

If you have friends who smoke or use tobacco, you can help them by encouraging them to quit. Here are some reasons you can mention: It will hurt their health.

It will make their breath stinky.

It will turn their teeth yellow.

It will give them less endurance when running or playing sports.

It’s expensive.

It’s illegal to buy cigarettes when you’re underage.

If you think it will help, you could print out articles like this one to give to a friend who smokes. He or she may be interested in learning more about the dangers of smoking.

But people don’t like to hear that they’re doing something wrong, so your pal also could be a little angry. If that happens, don’t push it too much. In time, your friend may realise you are right.

In the meantime, it could help to talk with a parent or a school counsellor if you’re worried about your friend. When your friend is ready, a grownup can help him or her quit for good. If your friend decides to quit, lend your support. You might say it’s time to kick some butts! (kidshealth.org)

Dress-up box wands You will need: For the flower wand a piece of felt cut into a flower shape (front of wand) Another piece of the same felt cut bigger than the flower shape (back of wand, pre-trimmed). You could cut the second piece into a flower shape too, but that would mean aligning all the fussy petals when stitching the two flower pieces together which is iffy.

Other smaller pieces of felt for the centre detail of the flower

Miscellaneous ribbon

For the heart wand Two heart-shaped pieces of red felt Miscellaneous ribbon Other decoration/embellishments For the sun wand One circular piece of orange felt One circular piece of yellow felt Miscellaneous ribbon cut to 1.5-inch lengths. Best to use at least ¼-inch widths. along with appropriate-width dowels and the usual suspects: craft glue, sewing machine, and sewing thread Step 1 Complete all embellishments except for the adhesive sorts which can be left to the last.

For the flower wand, embroider silly little dots with yellow floss (all six strands) on the green circle, then top-stitch that to the navy circle, then pink the edges of the navy circle. Finally, top-stitch the navy circle to the teal flower.

For the heart wand, top-stitch about ½ inch from the edge all around both hearts in white thread, just for contrast. You could hand sew a running stitch with embroidery floss for a superior effect.

For the sun wand, do a running-stitch in a spiral in contrastingcolour thread (ie, yellow thread on the orange circle and orange thread on the yellow circle).

Step 2

Sew the pieces together.

For the flower wand, place the flower-shaped front piece on the blobbish back piece and top-stitch close to the edge of the flower outline. Leave a small opening for inserting the dowel (see the loose stitches at the bottom). Remember to back-stitch when you start and end! Then trim the back piece to a flower shape, using the front piece as a guide.

For the heart wand, sew along the outline with right sides facing in and then turn it right side out.

For the sun wand, mark equal intervals around the circumference of the circle for the ribbons. Top-stitch close to the edge of the circle, inserting ribbons about ½ inch (so about one inch sticks out) as you go. Leave a small opening at the bottom for inserting the dowel.

Step 3 Stuff the shapes, but don’t be overzealous – they are not meant to be softies but more like, er.. puffy flatties.

Assemble the wand.

Step 4

For the flower wand, insert a dowel experimentally into the opening of the flower and lightly mark on the dowel the depth of insertion. Apply strong craft glue above this point (about ½ inch) all round the dowel and stick the ends of the ribbon all around the dowel.

Let dry briefly; then apply more glue on the section of the dowel that will be inside the flower, including the adhered ribbon ends.

Insert dowel-with-ribbons into the flower – a twisty motion helps defeat the resistant stuffing.

Hand-sew around the opening to ensure a tight fit.

All done! Repeat with the other wands. (ikatbag.com)

news

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thursday, august 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

H2H legal challenge

“We are vindicated” – Jagdeo …says H2H a “complete waste of time and money”

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ess than two hours after acting Chief Justice, Roxane George delivered her decisions in the challenges to the ongoing House-to-House Registration exercise, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said that his party feels vindicated for advising their supporters and Guyanese at large not to take part in the exercise.

Chief Justice George on Wednesday ruled that while the H2H Registration process is not unconstitutional and refused to set a definitive date for General and Regional Elections as mandated by the Constitution following the passage of the December 21, 2018, motion of no confidence, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) cannot remove the names of persons who are already on the National Register of Registrants (NRR). In light of that sig-

nificant pronouncement, Jagdeo said that it is exactly what they fought for.

“So we are vindicated in telling people not to register. Your names cannot be removed from the register whether they have participated in the enumeration exercise or not, whether they live abroad, or they have gone in the interior and not at home. Nobody, not even GECOM, can now remove your name from that database and so this is key for us,” he said.

“That is what we were fighting [for] all along because we felt that they were going to deregister thousands of people. Removing their names simply because they couldn’t find them at home or that they have gone abroad on vacation or something of that sort. So now that’s the key thing,” Jagdeo added.

Jagdeo made the state-

GECOM's H2H...

Ram had sought a conservatory order compel the CEO and others to host early elections on or before September 18, 2019 in compliance with the constitutional provisions in Article 106 (6) and (7) and the rulings of the CCJ. However, Justice George, in her ruling, posited that the High Court cannot name a date for when elections ought to be held, especially since this was not done by the country’s highest court – the CCJ. “It is not the role of the [High] Court to establish when elections are to be held… The CCJ did not and could not name a date for when elections are to be held… therefore, this court cannot decisive a date when elections ought to be held,” the Chief Justice ruled.

But that aspect of the de-

cision did not sit well with the lawyers representing Ram. In fact, Nandlall told reporters that they will appeal this, since there just cannot be no date for when early elections are to be held, especially since the passage of the NCM was validated, thus, triggering constitutional provisions that caters for early polls.

“It cannot be open-ended. The CCJ judgement could not have meant elections will never be held unless Parliament agrees [to an extension of the elections date by two-thirds of all sitting Member of the National Assembly]. Suppose Parliament does not agree?

There is always a timeframe implied; the Constitution must be obeyed at its earliest convenience. And so in relation to that, respectfully, I

ments at a press briefing following Wednesday’s ruling.

This decision not to remove names from the present NRR and Official List of Electors (OLE) undercuts the major argument of the Government that they are "bloated" by some 200,000 names, which the H2H programme was supposed to winnow out. It is very certain that the new list will be even larger than the old one and will need the Claims and Objections period the Opposition had recommended in the first place to clean it up.

The former President said the ruling is a major step forward and that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) hopes that GECOM will now respect the CJ’s ruling and move swiftly in the direction of the Claims and Objections period so that the Official from page 3

am not impressed with that aspect of the ruling and that certainly will excite the review of an appellate tribunal.

We must have a second opinion…,” Nandlall declared.

Furthermore, during Wednesday’s ruling, Justice George also dismissed the applications filed by AG Williams for the Court to dismiss Ram’s challenge, and one filed on behalf of the Chief Elections Officer for the Chief Justice to recuse herself from hearing the case.

The Court awarded costs in the sum of $500,000 to Lowenfield and other parties against whom Ram’s case was filed. However, both GECOM and the AG will have to pay 75% and 80% of that sum for the cases of the applications they filed that were dismissed.

List of Electors (OLE) can be updated.

Complete waste of time and money

The H2H Registration order was published in the Official Gazette on June 11 and came into effect on July 20 some two days after the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruled that then Chairman, Justice James Patterson was unilaterally appointed using a flawed process.

However, GECOM under the guidance of Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield went ahead with the H2H process in order to extract a new OLE. The Government supported the move by claiming that young persons are disenfranchised and that the list is bloated by over 200,000 names, a claim GECOM rebuked.

CJ George on Wednesday ruled that Guyanese previously registered and residing overseas could not be removed from the database unless they are dead or becomes disqualified based on Article 159 of the Constitution.

In light of that, Jagdeo said that the entire H2H exercise has been a waste of

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

time and money.

“The entire House-toHouse exercise as done so far has been a complete waste of time and money because they cannot remove people from the NRR who have already registered…. So that means that the NRR what we have used to extract the OLE for all elections before remains intact and when the enumerators come around now whether you’re home or not, whether you registered or not, once your name is on the NRR and you voted in the last elections then they cannot remove your name.

Your name will be on the updated NRR and the OLE extracted from that NRR,” he noted.

The Opposition Leader said that they are not re-lit-

igating the issue of having the courts set a definitive date for elections.

He pointed to Article 106 of the Constitution which mandates elections three months after the successful passage of a NCM. He said that the PPP/C was being lenient in accepting September 18, 2019, as the date for the end of the threemonth period but since the Government refuses to acknowledge that, they are now forced to revert to the March 21, 2019, date.

“The Government has been unconstitutional and a usurper since March 21 and that makes everything they have done from that period null and void. Now we have a longer period to look back at their actions…the CCJ said that the Constitution does not need glossing over.

President Granger needs to honour our Constitution with integrity…we only have to deal with him because we need somebody who has constitutional authority to move things forward based on Article 106 (7),” Jagdeo said.

There is the possibility to determining GECOM’s next plan of action when newly appointed Chair, Justice Claudette Singh, meets with all the Commissioners for the first time today.

8 News Pensioner nabbed with cocaine in shoes at CJIA A View from afar… thursday, august 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

sixty-six-year-old man was arrested by ranks of the Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) after he was discovered with almost 300 grams of cocaine at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

The suspect was found with the illicit drugs hidden in his shoes. The pensioner, who was US-bound, was taken into custody and is assisting with investigations. He is expected to be arraigned today.

Earlier this year, a 24-year-old waitress was jailed for 4 years and fined $13.1 million after she was found with over four kilograms of cocaine stashed in storybooks and other items at CJIA. Rena Jagernauth, a Panama-bound passenger, was arrested after a search of her suitcase unearthed the substance.

The cocaine was found stashed inside four children’s storybooks, deodorant and perfume bottles, a makeup kit and other personal items that were inside her suitcase.

A little later in the year, four men were arrested by CANU ranks after they attempted to smuggle cocaine in fire extinguishers destined for an international location.

The law enforcement agency had said that its agents raided a house at 26 Timehri, East Bank

Demerara (EBD) and intercepted the cocaine.

In September 2018, Shellon Yolanda Barrow of lot 135 Victoria Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, was arrested at CJIA after she was attempting to board a Jamaica-bound flight with the over 1 kilogram of cocaine concealed in a false wall of her hard cover carry-on suitcase.

That arrest came days after a Guyanese woman, Alica Coppin, had revealed to Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) at the JFK International Airport in New York that she had inserted a quantity of the narcotics into her vaginal cavity and swallowed another amount.

Just before that arrest, another New York-bound Guyanese, hairdresser Karen Stuffle, was busted

by CANU ranks at the CJIA with 100 cocaine pellets, totalling 1.42 kilograms, stashed in her vagina and stomach.

She was subsequently sentenced to four years imprisonment and fined $2.3M for the crime.

In July of 2018, 19-yearold Anesha Hardy of South Ruimveldt was jailed for 3 years and also handed a hefty fine after she was arrested by CANU ranks at CJIA after having admitted to swallowing some 119 cocaine pellets.

Hardy, who was an outgoing passenger destined to

T

The cocaine found in the pensioner’s shoes

JFK Airport, was stopped by a CANU rank who had received information of her motives.

She was escorted to the hospital where an x-ray showed the pellets in her stomach.

On July 5, 2018, 37-yearold Natasha Blair was also jailed for three years after she attempted to smuggle a quantity of cocaine through CJIA to the US. Blair, who was travelling with an 11-month old baby, was scheduled to board Caribbean Airlines flight BW726 destined for John F Kennedy International Airport.

It was reported that when Blair checked in her luggage at Caribbean Airline counter, a CANU rank acting on information, approached her and informed her of his suspicion that she had ingested and inserted narcotics.

Blair was cautioned and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where an x-ray was conducted. It revealed foreign objects in her stomach and pelvic area.

It was disclosed that the pellets found in the woman stomach weighed 322 grams, while the object in her pelvic area weighed 210 grams.

Elderly man released on bail for allegedly stealing bull

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yan Robinson was charged and released on bail on Wednesday when he made his first court appearance before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The 55-year-old man of Charlestown, Georgetown, denied the charge, which stated that on August 11, 2019, at Georgetown, he stole one bull valued at $180,000, which was the property of Abdul Azeez.

In his address to the court, the man stated, “I had to do what I had to do.”

The prosecution is contending that at about 23:45h on August 11, the Virtual Complainant heard a noise coming from his backyard and upon checking, he observed Robinson tying a rope around the bull’s neck and pulling the animal out of the yard.

According to the prosecution’s case, the VC shouted at Robinson but he continued pulling the bull. A

report was made and following an investigation, Robinson was charged.

While the prosecutor did not object to bail being granted to the defendant, she asked that conditions be imposed.

Robinson was released on $50,000 bail on the condition that he reports every Monday to the Ruimveldt Police Station until the hearing and determination of the case. The case will continue on September 25, 2019.

Ryan Robinson

Taxi driver charged for sexually assaulting teen

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taxi driver was slapped with a sexual assault charge and appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Wednesday when he made his first court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Rohan Singh of Lot 52 Block CC Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, was not required to plead to the

indictable charge, which stated that on May 22, 2019, at Farm, East Bank Demarara, he touched a 16-year-old in a sexual way without her consent.

According to the prosecution’s case, on May 22, the victim stopped the taxi which was driven by the accused. The victim then indicated that she was going to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre to vis-

it a friend, however, while on the way to the hospital, the accused turned the car into Farm and pushed his hand under the virtual complaint’s shirt, rubbed her belly and attempted to kiss her. The matter was reported and the accused was subsequently arrested. He was released on $100,000 and the case will continue on September 11, 2019.

Rohan Singh

…of our oil he discussion on our oil discoveries has tended to become quite polemical over the four years since we confirmed “there’s oil under them waters” off our shores. But as usual, with any discussion – polemical or otherwise – in our dear mud land – the polarisation and clashes produce more heat than light. But with the FPSO on the way from Singapore slated to arrive next month to deliver first oil by early next year as projected, we do need a perspective, don’t we??

The world renowned and credible “Bloomberg Business” just offered a “capitalistic” one: “The world’s newest petro-state isn’t ready for a tsunami of cash…Guyana is investigating oil leases at a rocky political moment”. While one might not expect the report to give too many column inches to the critics of the contract, to its credit, it doesn’t shy away.

Referring to the 1999 contract signed with the PPP government, the report said, “Given all the unsuccessful exploration, Exxon secured the rights to Stabroek under terms so generous that they would come back to haunt the country”. But it provided an interesting timeline to the Exxon Lisa Strike. Then it went on to say: “In 2016, Exxon had a problem. Its deal with Guyana was 17 years old, and under the complex terms of the agreement, the super major was running out of time to find more oil.

This was an opportunity for Guyana’s new government, now led by Granger, to update the 1999 contract and extract better terms…. Instead, in October 2016, the Government and Exxon modified the terms of the existing 1999 deal”.

Why??

Looking ahead, the report laments: “Crucially, however, Guyana—a poor former colony, first of the Dutch, then of the British—is unprepared for what’s coming. Its petroleum laws were written in the 1980s. The Department of Energy has an annual budget of $2 million. Five years after Exxon’s discovery, the country still hasn’t finished crafting relevant new laws or even established a regulatory body to oversee exploration and production. Last year, the Government set up a sovereign wealth fund to soak up as much as $5 billion in oil revenue per year by 2025, but there are no plans for how to spend it”.

Why re-elect such a clueless Government? …on Indian Independence Today’s the 72nd anniversary of India’s Independence from the British empire. This event doesn’t resonate as much as it did when the “sun never set” on that empire and dozens of countries such as ours, remained under its thrall.

But it’s truly said that “the past is never dead: it’s not even past”. Just as the departing British left the open sores of the partition of India that left more than a million dead, and that sore has just exploded in Kashmir, we’ve been left with our own sore to deal with.

Our “Independence” from Britain under the PNC came in the wake of instigated ethnic violence that took 176 lives and uprooted thousands of families as villages were ethnically cleansed. It facilitated the rigging of elections for 28 years by the PNC just to keep out the PPP and solidified the racial/ethnic cleavages that are presently roiling our politics and our country once again.

To its credit, India is at last starting to pull itself out of its British-fostered underdevelopment.

When will we? …on US immigrant visas There’s been some noise about the Trump administration insisting that potential wards of the State won’t be allowed in as immigrants. So why the simultaneous dog whistle that immigrants work and undercut American workers’ wages?

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

9 Anna Regina Secondary scores top spot at CSEC news

thursday, august 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

By Rupa Seenarine

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iana Toney of the Anna Regina Secondary School is this year’s highest achiever at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination, after securing a whopping 19 Grade Ones.

The 16-year-old student, who hails from Queenstown Village on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supernaam), told Guyana Times that she was speechless after learning of her achievement.

Aspiring to become a microbiologist, she insisted that it was done through months of dedication and numerous sacrifices.

In an elated tone, the top performer expressed, “I’m excited, overjoyed and shocked.

It wasn’t something that I expected. I know that I completed all my SBAs (School Based Assessments), worked past papers, studied very hard in the night and went to all my lessons. Presently, I would like to be a microbiologist because I’m interested in Biology.”

While Toney has not yet defined where she will be pursuing her studies, she indicated that it will definitely materialise in the near future. Gratification was given to her parents and many teachers since they “were instrumental in every way possible”.

In the second position was Alex Abraham of St Roses High School, who swept 18 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos. He was followed by Charrandat Naraine of the Anna Regina Secondary School, who secured 18 Grade Ones with one Grade Two. Meanwhile, Queen’s College managed to produce two students within the top five performers.

Samuel Haynes gained fourth place with 18 ones and was overly proud of his accomplishment. Living all the way in Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara meant travelling a long commute to school every day but he persevered and even took extra lessons to boost his capabilities.

“I grew up all my life in

Riana Toney

Alex Abraham

Charrandat Naraine

Samuel Haynes

Donlee Castello

Buxton and indeed, I always knew I had the potential to do great things with the help of God but this is truly a surprise and sigh of relief. I’m very ecstatic about being a top performer,” Haynes told this publication in an interview.

Praises were also bestowed upon his family and teachers for their continuous support. The 16-year-old was genuinely vocal about his journey towards this success as he recalled, “It called for a lot of organisation and discipline. Work-related things were done at nights and then studies or anything related to retaining was done in the mornings when I could focus. Of course, these routines shifted according to certain circumstances.”

His colleague, Donlee Castello, followed in the fifth position and indicated his aspiration to create a dent in the political arena. Having secured 17 Grade Ones and three Grade Twos, his career choice is a lawyer.

Castello voiced his support for young leadership and while a Grade Three is considered a passing grade, he was sceptical about only receiving Grades Ones and Twos, which he successfully did.

“I am a bit speechless at the moment. I must give all the glory to God because I mean, I wanted to do great but he came through and answered my prayers.

Thankfully, I didn’t get any Grade Threes. I’m still speechless here…” Castello excitedly exclaimed.

He added, “I want to be a lawyer and then eventually drift into politics because I have a passion for change”.

Castello lived some distance away, in the community of Tuschen, West Coast

Demerara, and this posed a challenge. He would use the journey to Queen’s College as an opportunity to make up for whatever sleep lost after studying all night.

“I had to sacrifice a lot of things, like television shows, games and so on. I would pull an all-nighter and be-

cause I lived a very far distance, I would sleep on my way to school. The problem I had was finding this balance between doing my SBAs and studying at the same time,” the 17-year-old relayed.

Other students in the top ten roster included Chetram Harrinarine of the Saraswati

Vidya Niketan (SVN), who secured 17 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos; and Manoj Lachhman, also of SVN, who gained 17 Grade Ones and one Grade Two. They were followed by Vijay Sharma of Queen’s College with 16 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos; Keisha Jaisingh of

SVN with 16 Grade Ones and two Grade Threes and; Jhashodra Ramnarain of JC Chandisingh Secondary, who secured 16 Grade Ones and one Grade Two. Some 11,467 students were registered to sit the examinations this year with 67,000 subject entries.

Immigrants can crowd out local workforce – Finance Ministry …says immigration creating demands on treasury

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n the wake of reports that thousands of immigrants are unaccounted for after entering Guyana legally, even the Finance Ministry has acknowledged the risk posed by immigrants on the labour market.

According to the Finance Ministry’s mid-year report for 2019—which was unveiled by Finance Minister Winston Jordan – the influx of immigrants has the potential of pressuring the local labour market by reducing opportunities for Guyanese.

“The influx of immigrants has the potential of crowding out employment of local workers across several sectors,” the report stated, adding that this can also end up “creating pressure in the labour market”.

In addition, the Finance Ministry’s report also noted that the influx of immigrants has created, and continues to create, demands on the treasury— which has to set up systems to ensure that migrants are registered and have access to basic social services. Here, the report singles out Venezuelans, who have come to Guyana in droves fleeing economic deprivation from their em-

battled homeland.

“Government, through the Multi-agency coordinating committee for migration, continues to monitor the situation closely in order to assess and address potential socioeconomic threats and risks,” the report also stated.

Recently, Minister Jordan received much criticism after he had pointed out, and even gave justification, for the fact that foreign workers were being given preference by employers for undertaking tasks at lower rates of pay than Guyanese.

At the time, Jordan was speaking at a People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) press conference.

He was quoted in sections of the media as saying that “the fact that you can go in a country of a native and get a job, what does it suggest? Many things, for one, the labour cost in that country is very high, because if I am prepared to cut grass for $1,000 but the native wants to cut grass for $1,500 who are you going to employ? Most obviously, the $1,000… and I would go for the $1,000”.

Last year, the Citizenship Ministry had revealed to the

Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament that over 22,000 persons entered Guyana from January to April. The Ministry had revealed that of this number, only 6, 170 had departed. In addition, it was shown that there were no records of 17,615 immigrants departing from 2013 to 2018.

A breakdown of the statistics showed that over the past 7 months, over 8,500 Haitians entered the country, but a fraction of that number left. In 2017, 3,515 Haitians came but only 291 departed. Moreover, according to media reports, up to April last year, 1,238 came and 85 departed.

Back in March of this year, it was revealed that despite having thousands of Haitians enter Guyana unaccounted for last year, the coalition Government had sought to extend the time that Haitians spend in Guyana to an automatic six months.

This was detailed in a letter dated January 31, 2019, addressed to then Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and copied to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Citizenship

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Minister Winston Felix, and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan.

However, the influx of immigrants is not limited to the Haitians. In 2017, a total of 44, 747 Cubans came to Guyana, but 7, 255 were unaccounted for. Recent figures released by the authorities indicated that for the first seven months of the year, 41,272 Cuban nationals came to Guyana via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Meanwhile, the figures indicated that some 11,119 Trinidad and Tobago nationals arrived in Guyana between January and July of 2019. Total arrivals taking into account all nationalities stood at 135,220.

10 news

thursday, august 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mid-year report

GPL wallowing in $4.2B deficit

…cash shortfall linked to decline in rate collection

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s if the criticism it receives for countrywide power outages was not enough, a report from the Finance Ministry has revealed that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is in the throes of a $4.2 Billion deficit.

According to the Finance Ministry’s mid-year report, this deficit— which was recorded at the end of June 2019— was attributed to a decline in sales collection.

The report noted that there was a 61 per cent collection rate for government accounts. Actual billed sales fell below budget by three per cent.

“In addition, there was reduced income from investments in treasury bills as well as from services provided by the company. These

A vessel that reportedly disrupted GPL’s cable

services include new connections, reconnections, tampering charges and service investigation”.

“Total current expenditure amounted to $16.4 billion, $925 million less than the same period in 2018.

Fuel costs were $1.4 billion more than budgeted, due to payments made in January 2019 for a fuel shipment received in December 2018, as well as fuel purchased and

supplied to Skeldon Energy Inc (SEI)”.

The report noted that both GPL and SEI have a working capital agreement and as such, the cost will be offset. In addition, it was noted that in the first half of the year, fuel rebate to customers was $2.2 billion or 13 per cent of local sales. This is a slight increase from $2.1 billion or 13.2 per cent of local sales in 2018.

There is also the impact of repairs to their submarine cables. According to the midyear report, GPL was forced to reschedule some of its capital projects as a result of these repairs. With all its challenges, the Ministry noted that GPL is expected to close the year with a $9.5 billion deficit.

After persistent power outages, GPL had revealed in June that the 69kV submarine cable on the riverbed along the channel of the Demerara River, connecting its Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston power stations was damaged.

It was subsequently reported that a second GPL submarine cable was disrupted owing to another maritime accident that occurred four days after the disrup-

“Our health is our wealth, not uprising of oil & gas” – Youth Parliamentarian

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s debates got underway at Public Buildings on the first sitting of the fifth annual Youth Parliament on Wednesday, Devastie Ramdin, who is assuming the role as Public Health Minister, told the House that the nation’s health is the country’s greatest wealth and not the nascent oil and gas sector, as she pointed to the need for advanced healthcare systems.

Ramdin moved a motion to enhance efforts to curb

records. With [the] influx of substance abuse in schools, I am afraid in the next five years our spot of outstanding performers may come to a dreadful end.”

It was on this note that the young Parliamentarian pointed out, “If we are to enhance efforts to curb substance abuse in schools, we will preserve our pass rates.

We really cannot turn a blind eye to the nightmare plaguing our youths and future leaders of tomorrow.

The effort need to be en-

Youth Parliamentarian Devastie Ramdin, serving as Public Health Minister, makes her presentation

substance abuse in schools.

In doing so, she argued, “We can all attest the fact that Guyana has been outstanding in the academic track

hanced to curb substance abuse in schools. After all, our health is our wealth… our health and not the uprising of oil and gas”.

A section of the Youth National Assembly

In addition to substance abuse, the young parliamentarians also debated the proposed ban on single-use plastics, modernisation of the Copyright Law and Intellectual Property Legislation and discipline in schools.

Each of the 35 speakers was allotted seven minutes to present their arguments on the respective areas. At the end of the day’s proceedings, the judges tallied the scores of the participants before announcing the winning team, best Speaker of the National Assembly and best debater.

This year, over 70 young secondary school and University of Guyana (UG) students are getting the opportunity to experience the parliamentary setting.

Youth Parliament 2019 commenced on August 10 and is expected to wrap up on August 18.

Three students from each administrative region were selected to represent their region, but Region Four has four students representing it.

The nine-day event includes training sessions and is slated to see two days of heated debate. The students will be debating motions on topical matters, with the most important motion to be presented on oil and gas and how it can benefit Guyanese.

In excess of $5 million was spent for the event last year. However, even though the figure was not disclosed, this year’s event is expected to be much costlier.

tion of the 69kV submarine cable. This 13.8kV submarine cable, which rests along the upper Demerara River within proximity of Craig, East Bank Demerara, was dislodged by a barge sailing along the Demerara River.

As a result of this incident, West Demerara customers from Vriesland to La Retraite were without electricity while efforts were underway to alternatively power these customers from the Vreed-en-Hoop substation.

Guyana records best performance at CSEC this year …Maths remains stagnant below 50%, English improves

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uyana has recorded its best performance at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations for 2019 after a record-breaking 73 per cent overall pass rate.

This was revealed during the official announcement of the results on Wednesday at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) building at Kingston, Georgetown.

According to Education Minister Nicolette Henry, this figure showed improvement when compared to 69.1 per cent— the pass rate recorded last year. The performance improved across 21 subject areas, while seven showed constant figures.

Another seven subject areas that demonstrated declines were namely: Caribbean History, Economics, English B, Integrated Science, Human and Social Biology, Textiles and Clothing, and French.

One of the key subject areas—Mathematics— remained constant at 43 per cent, while there was some improvement for English Language, with a 77 per cent overall success as opposed to 67 per cent in 2018.

For the science subjects, there were improvements in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and both double and single awards Agricultural Science. This followed for the business subjects, being evident in Office Administration, Principles of Business and Principles of Accounts; whereas, Electronic Documentation Preparation and Management maintained constant.

For humanities and expressive arts, Religious Education increased to a 100 per cent pass rate. This was also seen for Industrial Technology Building, Electrical and Mechanical— having secured over 90 per cent.

The Minister sought to mention that outstanding indications were presented in 13 subjects, having secured a 90 per cent acceptable score between grades one to three.

“I think this has been a very good year for us in terms of our examination performance in the education sector…We have done well enough to be comfortable to see that we are on the right trajectory and I believe education is on a good path,” Henry posited.

Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson pledged continuation to effective education delivery. He stated that the results point to “signs of hope” and the fact that Guyana is on a developmental trajectory. Building capacity among stakeholders is one thing that they are seeking to improve in the future, along with increased standards for educators.

“We will forever seek to develop programmes that will cultivate leadership because we recognise that leadership is important…In order to enjoy great achievements of the sector, we will see to promote standards for our teacher educators, for example those in our teaching college. We think this is paramount because what we are seeing is a testimony, that as we continue to move in this direction, we will see greater improvement,” Hutson stated.

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Guyana, India pledge to deepen bilateral cooperation

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resident David Granger on Wednesday accredited a new Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr K J Srinivasa, who has committed to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

The Indian diplomat handed over his letters of credence to President Granger at the Ministry of the Presidency.

After accepting the credentials, the Guyanese Head of State reflected on the already strong relationship the two countries share in the 53 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

This, he noted, continues to be enhanced with high-level contacts between officials of the two states such as during his visit to New Delhi in March 2018 for the First Summit of the International Solar Alliance

(ISA). Guyana had signed and ratified the Framework Agreement of the ISA, which he recommitted to during his state visit.

“Guyana looks to continue its cooperation with India in pursuit of its goal of becoming a solar state – a key component of Guyana’s Green State Development Strategy. The Strategy – our road map towards becoming a green state – emphasises the protection of our environment, the preservation of our biodiversity, the promotion of renewable energy and the adoption of practical measures to guarantee climate adaptation. Guyana looks forward to intensifying its cooperation with India during your tenure as High Commissioner,” the President said.

Meanwhile, the newly accredited Indian High Commissioner, Dr Srinivasa, also recognised

High Commissioner Dr K J Srinivasa and his wife along with President David Granger

the consistent engagement between officials from the two countries. He further acknowledged the immense opportunities that exist for both Guyana and India to further enhance bilateral relations, especially in the areas of agriculture

Queen’s College tops CAPE

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aving managed to produce some of the country’s top CSEC and CAPE performers over the years, Queen’s College Secondary School (QC) has once again secured another success as the institution managed to produce 11 of the country’s top 15 performers at the 2019 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

This data was disseminated by the Education Ministry during the official release of the 2019 CAPE results at the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD) on Wednesday.

Pass CSEC and CAPE top performer, Michael Bhopaul of QC was named the top student for this year’s examination after securing Grade One passes in eight units, being in his second year. Bhopaul recorded passes in Communications Studies1, Integrated Mathematics1, Applied Mathematics2, Biology2, Chemistry2, French2, Pure Mathematics2 and Physics 2. The teen was named the second-highest CAPE performer for 2018 and the country’s top CSEC performer back in 2017.

In addition, Leonardo Gobin copped the second position with eight Grade One passes, followed by Diego Barnett securing third place with seven Grade Ones and two Grade Twos, along with Zane Ramotar, who came in fourth with seven Grade Ones, all of whom are students of QC. The country’s top CSEC performer for 2018, Christian Pile, was also among QC’s top students, securing the eleventh place with six Grade Ones and a Grade Two, followed by his classmate, Pretha Smith, who secured the twelfth position with six Grade One passes.

Examinations review

For the year 2019, a to-

CAPE top performer, Michael Bhopaul

tal of 880 candidates sat the CAPE examinations from a total of ten secondary schools and five private centres, while 923 candidates wrote the exam for the year 2018. Meanwhile, this year’s subject entries were documented to be 4223 while last year’s entries were at 4224, these figures, therefore, show a slight decline in the country’s candidate and subject entries as well as its pass rate. A .7 decline was experienced this year as the overall pass rates stood at 93 per cent whereas 93.68

per cent was attained last year. The gender distribution of the overall pass rate was documented to be 35 per cent males and 65 per cent females.

Furthermore, an increase was noted in the number of candidates securing Grades One and Two passes, as students obtained a 100 per cent pass rate in 31 units along with 75 per cent or more in another 30 units.

In 2019, integrated mathematics remained consistent with 83.35 per cent, while Caribbean studies and communication studies continue to record an over 95 per cent pass rate. Digital media and animation and gaming design were written electronically and also continues to record 100 per cent passes.

Four of the ten school centres recorded increases in their overall pas rates namely: Bishops’ High, Mackenzie High, New Amsterdam Secondary and St Joseph’s High. The Christiansburg Wismar Secondary offered four units at CAPE for the first time and gained a pass rate of 92 per cent.

and food processing, oil and gas, renewable sources of energy, forestry, drug and pharmaceuticals, health infrastructure, education, among others.

“India is committed to

Guyana’s overall development and India’s participation in the development process in various sectors of Guyana’s economy would continue which would help in bring[ing] the two countries closer. Guyana’s leading role in environmental issues and low carbon development strategy has been recognised all over the world and India would like to benefit from Guyana’s experience in this field,” the newly accredited High Commissioner noted.

Dr Srinivasa went on to highlight that the two countries, as Commonwealth members, share common views on many international issues facing humanity, particularly in the United Nations (UN) and other international organisations.

To this end, he expressed gratitude for the support

Guyana has given in various elections to the UN bodies while noting that India is counting on this continued support in its claim for permanent membership of the expanded Security Council.

“I am deeply aware of the greatest responsibility bestowed on me and it would be my endeavour to take our bilateral relations including trade on a higher trajectory through continued engagement and solid interactions between the business communities of the two countries,” the Indian diplomat noted.

Dr Srinivasa, whose last posting was in South Africa, has replaced former High Commissioner, V e n e k a t a c h a l a m Mahalingam, who recently concluded a five year tenure here.

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thursday, august 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Relocation of vendors

Only 27 of 106 completed stalls occupied – M&CC

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he Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is once again urging vendors at the Stabroek Market Wharf to vacate the dilapidated structure and occupy the new vending area at Russell Square, especially since some 106 stalls are already completed there.

According to the M&CC, 121 vendors who plied their trade at the wharf had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to va-

cate the area. However, although 106 stalls are completed at the former bus park to facilitate the vendors, only 27 of the stalls are occupied.

The municipality explained that vendors complained to the Mayor, Ubraj Narine, about security and sanitary facilities. Already, the City Engineer, Kenson Boston, has completed the washroom facilities.

Back in September 2018,

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.

Although the vendors were told to remove from the area since then, persons still opted to continue plying their trade at the collapsing structure.

During a recent visit to the structure, several persons were seen vending at the dilapidated facility.

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

Manholes

Mayor Ubraj Narine

missing from the structure’s floor. The remaining woodwork was rotted and covered in garbage at a number of different sections.

Meanwhile, come next week, City Hall will be commencing the installation of 40 manhole covers in Georgetown under the City Engineer Department.

The acting City Engineer, Kenson Boston, recently told a statutory meeting that the installation is expected to commence in the Albouystown and Charlestown areas. He, therefore, advised persons to take extra caution given the danger exposed manholes pose.

In the past, several persons were injured as a result of manhole injuries.

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thursday, august 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

CJIA sexual assault

DPP recommends charges against Deputy CEO

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PP recommends charges against Deputy CEO The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, on Wednesday advised the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to institute charges against the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) for sexual assault, based on evidence obtained.

In a brief statement on Wednesday, the DPP said that the file of assault committed by the Deputy CEO on a female at the airport has been returned to the Force.

It was alleged that the sexual assault occurred in the office of the DCEO on July 30, 2018, while the du-

ty-free staff was in a meeting with him.

The victim claimed that she was inappropriately hugged and kissed on her lips by the accused. In her complaint letter the day after the incident, which was seen by this newspaper, the woman explained that she went to the DCEO to have an issue with her boss’ vehi-

cle resolved.

After a commitment was given to have security remove the clamp on the vehicle, the woman said she got up to leave and the senior official did the same, but walked around his desk to hug her. She recounted that the act was “inappropriate”. She pulled away but the man allegedly kissed her

on the lips.

The victim said she immediately turned and headed for the door, but was intercepted by the senior official, who placed his hand on the door to keep it shut and then allegedly kissed her again, for a longer time.

According to the woman, she left afterwards in shock and was so upset about the incident that she vomited all day.

The woman had reported the matter to the airport’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Human Resources Manager and she was assured that the matter would be investigated.

However, months have passed and she had not heard anything; after inquiring she received a

WhatsApp message stating that the issue was “addressed” but with no details about any actions being taken.

When further questions posed to the airport Heads went unanswered, the woman reported the matter at the Timehri Police Station.

The incident was subsequently reported in the media.

Following reports in the media about the incident, the airport pass of the concessionaire staff was revoked.

The airport later confirmed that a senior official was being investigated for sexual misconduct and was sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into the com-

such, the PRO ascertained that a team of engineers are presently investigating and

a representative that they would but well, we still have the problem, like nothing ain’t fix or I don’t know if they even inspected to see where the problem was coming from” the woman told this publication.

A Meten-Meer-Zorg, WCD, resident also complained of similar issues with his water system.

The man told this newspaper that he was also experiencing a shortage of pota-

ble water. He explained that on Tuesday, his water system completely stopped.

“I can’t say but like something happen at the pump station because I hear is not me alone, but I went out there and I ain’t really see anything…thank God for the rain because it really help me out” the man explained.

This publication was also informed that residents of De Willem, WCD, were also experiencing similar water woes.

The Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) when contacted said that the matter was investigated and reported that no issue was found at the well station in sourcing the affected areas with water.

However, a major breakage is suspected and as

Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack

plaint.

Nevertheless, a few days later, the DCEO was back on the job while the complainant remained at home.

A police source confirmed that the official was placed on $20,000 station bail.

Sections of WCD without potable water

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large section of the West Coast of Demerara has been without potable water for the past week and residents are annoyed at the development, which is being called a regular occurrence.

Reports indicate that the water pressure has been low for over two weeks and residents are forced to spend lengthy periods using small containers to “catch” water.

However, as of the past week, the water has completely stopped and residents are unaware as to the cause.

Guyana Times spoke to a number of the residents who are complaining of being significantly inconvenienced.

One De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara (WCD), resident complained of having to purchase water for chores and hygiene purposes since she has no other alternative.

According to the woman, she is currently constructing a home and as such, the water system is the only means of getting water.

“I don’t have any water tanks or water barrels or anything at the moment, so I have no other means of getting water other than from the pipes and since they aren’t working, I literally have to purchase bottle water to shower and do dishes and so on and that is not cheap at all, it’s a struggle,” the resident complained.

She noted that she attempted to make contact with the Guyana Water Incorporated but was given the royal run around.

“I called and I told them that we weren’t getting water, well I actually told them to check into the matter because the water pressure was low and I was told by

checking the distribution networks to have the matter rectified swiftly.

14 News Health workers build Presidential Guard found unconscious dies skillset via partnership …Granger calls for inquiry T thursday, august 15, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

President David Granger interacting with relatives of the dead man at their home [Photo by: MoTP]

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32-year old Police constable, who was attached to the Presidential Guard Service, on Wednesday morning died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Winston Cooper was picked up in an unconscious state on July 1 at Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, but succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday.

Acting Crime Chief Michael Kingston confirmed the death of the guard during an interview with this publication. Kingston explained that a Post-Mortem Examination will be conducted on Friday.

Cooper’s relatives were visited at their Lot 761 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, home

by President David Granger, accompanied by Police Commissioner (ag) Nigel Hoppie on Wednesday. The Ministry of the Presidency in a statement said that the

President spoke with Cooper’s mother, Loraine Peters, and other family members.

Granger has since called for a “thorough” investigation to be conducted.

“As you know, he’s a member of the Presidential Guard…what I will ask the Commissioner to do is to conduct an inquiry to find out how [this incident] could have happened,” the Head of State said.

The Constable was taken to GPHC at about 05:30h on July 1. This publication was told that the man had been nursing head and other injuries about his body.

Cooper is suspected to be a victim of attempted robbery, since it is more than likely that he was approached by bandits who demanded his valuables and may have been beaten for failing to comply with the request, a source has said.

Cooper’s backpack, which

Dead: Constable Winston Cooper

was found near his body, had his Police uniform inside, and sources say his assailants may have fled the scene after realising that he is a cop.

Other reports conversely suggest that the Presidential Guard may have been a victim of a hit-and-run accident.

o better understand the roles of other medical professionals, healthcare workers were on Wednesday facilitated in a workshop to build collaboration between these stakeholders to improve the health sector by learning from them.

The two-day workshop was facilitated by the Department of Medical Sciences and saw participation from the Pan-American Health Organisation. The aim is to embark upon an Inter-Professional Education and Collaborative Practice in Guyana.

Inter-Professional Education (IPE) is generally defined as two or more professionals learning about each other’s practices to improve health outcomes. This will materialise throughout the engagements to develop a practice-ready workforce.

Representative of PAHO, Paul Edwards recognised that a fragmented healthcare contributes to the inability to service all medical needs.

When individuals discuss their work with other persons, it also helps with leadership and the ability to digest new ways of addressing problems. Furthermore, the prevalence of complex health complications requires input from more than one professional.

“Many health systems throughout the world are fragmented. That is a fact also here in Guyana to a certain extent and therefore struggle to manage on health needs.

Present and future workforce

PAHO Representative Paul Edwards

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

are tasked with providing health services in the phase of increasing complex health issues,” Edwards reiterated.

Meanwhile, Dean of the Medical Sciences Faculty at the University of Guyana, Dr Emmanuel Cummings stated that the institution has somewhat implemented joint collaboration between different medical fields.

“Each healthcare professional is given an opportunity to show his or her work and importance because each one of them do contribute in their own way, in their own speciality, in their own training to universal healthcare coverage,” the Dean highlighted.

Bridging the gap between these healthcare units requires data to prove that it is indeed working. This was shared by Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, who insisted that preparations must be made for the oil industry and the demands which will be presented.

“The health sector has a dynamic role to play as our country prepares for the economic thrust that will soon take place with the advent of the oil and gas sector. The faster we incorporate and implement IPE into our health agenda, the better positioned our health sector will be to respond to the demands that are upcoming in our society.”

The Minister added, “We must remember that our ultimate goal envisions universal health coverage for all.

Everyone, everywhere with no one left behind, and it is my belief that we can draw up the competencies inherited in each health discipline.

Then we will be able to maximise our resources to provide a comprehensive health package.”

Guyana has submitted proposals for the implementation of an IPE action plan. It is one of 19 countries within the region to acknowledge the benefits of these partnerships.

MMA-ADA threatens court action against Region 5 farmers over unpaid charges

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he Mahaica Mahaicony Abary-Agricultural D e v e l o p m e n t Authority (MMA-ADA) is now threatening to take legal action against scores of farmers within Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), who utilise drainage and irrigation services but fail to pay required charges for same, as agreed.

This intention was disclosed by General Manager of the MMA-ADA, Aubrey Charles on the sidelines of a signing ceremony between the Authority and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) on Tuesday.

The General Manager, whilst engaging the media on the challenges faced by his entity pointed out that rice farmers within the Mahaica-Berbice region have adopted a habitual behaviour of not paying service charges on time. He added that farmers presently owe in excess of $1 billion for irrigation and drainage services.

“Farmers are required to pay charges for the management and maintenance of all drainage and irrigation works. One of the big challenge that we face currently is farmers are not paying their rates in a timely man-

ner. Matter of fact, farmers currently owes the MMA in excess of one billion dollars and that is causing a big strain on the Authority [to] maintain all the drains, canal structures with the limited resources that are available at our disposal,” Charles stated.

The MMA-ADA official further explained that a number of farmers have recently begun expressing worries over the rapidly deteriorating state of main roadways into rice lands.

But according to him, the roads cannot be fixed without monies being spent.

Nevertheless, Charles made mention of the Authority’s efforts to rehabilitate the roadways given that the farmers account for over 45 per cent of the country’s overall rice production.

“A group of farmers came and they met with me, and they were pointing out the deterioration of the road network. I had to inform them that the maintenance of all the drainage and irrigation as well as the roads, it cost about fourteen million dollars per month and the farmers are not paying, they’re way behind the fourteen million which it cost to operate and maintain the system….

General Manager of MMA-ADA, Aubrey Charles

So, on one hand, the MMA is trying its best so as to make the roads accessible and on the other hand, we appeal to farmers to pay their charge,” he explained.

On this note, the General Manager underscored that the MMA-ADA will take legal action against the farmers to have them pay in full the outstanding monies owed to the entity. This, however, is the Authority’s last choice but will be resorted to if the monetary figures keep increasing “Of course yes, that option is last resort and we have been appealing to farmers, we’ve wrote them letters and as we speak, we have a list which we are fine-tuning it and those persons whose name appear on that list will be taken to court so that we can have our monies to run the system.”

15 Family of ‘critical’ Berbice welder calling for justice news

thursday, august 15, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

…says driver of car yet to be charged

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he family of 26-yearold Irfaan Ahmad, a father of one who is presently on life support at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after being struck down on Wednesday last is calling for justice.

Ahmad’s sister, Shabeena Ahmad, told Guyana Times that her brother’s condition has not improved and fam-

ily members are at a loss as to why the driver of the motorcar, who is an overseas-based Guyanese, is yet to be charged.

According to his sister, it was only after several inquiries were made at the Blairmont Police Station that ranks went to the scene of the accident to take measurements. This was two days after the incident oc-

curred. Shabeena Ahmad revealed that her family was then told by an investigating rank that the driver cannot be charged since Ahmad has not succumbed.

“She tell me that we cant charge the man because your brother still alive that we have to wait to see what happen with my brother,” the woman revealed.

Further, she told this

2 slapped with burglary charge

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duo, who are known to the court, were remanded to prison on Wednesday, for a breaking and entering and larceny.

Twenty-five-year Dexter Forde and Alfred Singh, 28, both of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that between August 10 and August 11, 2019 at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, they broke and entered the home of Natasha David and stole $860,000 worth of articles, property of same.

Police Prosecutor Traceyann Gittens, who presented the facts to the court stated that on August 10, 2019 the woman secured her home at about 23:30h and

Dexter Forde

Alfred Singh

retired to bed. The woman was awakened by a noise at about 05:00h and observed her house ransacked and articles missing.

The matter was then reported and upon reviewing CCTV footage, the investigating ranks saw the defendants breaking into the woman’s home. Further investigation was carried out and the men were arrest-

ed and charged with the offence.

The court further heard that Forde was recently released on bail for a similar matter and it was while out on bail he committed this new crime. Hence, prosecutor Gittens asked that both men be remanded to prison.

Magistrate Daly, after listening to the facts, remanded the men until September 11.

Employee charged for allegedly stealing from boss

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woman, who allegedly stole from her employer, was charged and granted bail on Wednesday when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Thirty-eight-year-old Ivana Cummings appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly and denied the charge which stated that between

the May and July 2019, she stole $287,000 from Hope Nester.

Magistrate Daly released the woman on $50,000 bail.

As a condition for bail, she was instructed to report at the Brickdam Police Station every Monday until the completion of the matter.

The matter was adjourned for September 25.

Ivana Cummings

Injured: Irfaan Ahmad

publication that her family made inquiries as to whether the man’s passport has been confiscated by Police since he does not reside in Guyana but this also elicited a vague response.

“The Police tell we that she can’t tell we that, but

I don’t understand how we brother deh battling for he life but they aren’t telling us anything. Only Sunday they even bother to go and take measurements on the road when he get knock down since Wednesday… she called me this morning (Wednesday) again to find out my brother condition.

Like maybe to find out if he pass away but I can’t understand how only then the driver can be charged when he already attempted the escape the scene, how wasn’t he charged with that?” the woman questioned.

She noted that her family is fearful because if the driver escapes, justice will not be served.

The accident victim, a Sheildstown, West Coast Berbice (WCB) welder was

struck down while making his way home from work at the Blairmont Estate.

This publication understands that Ahmad was at Sheildstown when he was struck from behind by a white motorcar. As a result of the impact, the man was thrown from his bicycle into the corner of the road. The driver of the car was instructed by persons in the area to take the injured man to the hospital and he complied. The injured man was rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital.

Ahmad is nursing two broken arms and legs, a disconnected hip, spinal injuries and swelling to his brain.

When contacted, ranks at the Blairmont Police Station were unable to give an update on the investigation.

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thursday, august 15, 2019

Regional

Argentina's Macri unveils economic Colombia murders: Anger as ‘relief’ measures after poll shock Indigenous leaders are buried

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rgentine President Mauricio Macri has announced a series of ‘relief’ measures, days after a defeat at the polls triggered economic turmoil. In a televised speech, he announced income tax cuts and increases in welfare subsidies. Petrol prices will be frozen for 90 days, he added. Macri said the measures would help 17 million workers.

The move comes after Opposition centre-left candidate Alberto Fernández won presidential primaries at the weekend. The result dealt a severe blow to Macri's chances of re-election. On Monday, the Argentine peso and stock markets plunged over concerns that Fernández could take Argentina back to populist economic policies.

The peso fell again on Wednesday following

President Macri's popularity has been damaged by painful austerity measures

President Macri's attempts to shore up support. Macri was elected in 2015 pledging to boost Argentina's ailing economy with liberal economic reforms. But a recovery has yet to materialise and more than a third of the population is living in poverty. Tough austerity measures have pushed up prices

for public services and dented Macri's popularity.

Argentina is currently in recession and posted 22% inflation for the first half of the year, one of the highest rates globally.

"The measures I take and that I am going to share with you now are because I listened to you. I heard what you wanted to tell me on Sunday," he said during his eight-minute nationwide broadcast.

"These are measures that will bring relief to 17 million workers and their families."

President Macri said tax cuts would see workers in the private sector receiving an extra 2,000 pesos (US$33) a month until the end of the year and public sector workers an extra 5,000 pesos. He said the minimum wage would also rise. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Over 100 writers to present work at CARIFESTA

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ver 100 Caribbean and specially-invited non-Caribbean writers will present their work at an unprecedented literary bonanza during CARIFESTA XIV, August 16-25.

CARIFESTA, the Caribbean’s premiere arts and culture festival, has made an open call to all regional authors to read from their published and unpublished work.

The response has been staggering, according to the NGC Bocas Lit Fest, organisers of CARIFESTA XIV literary events. Over a hundred re-

quests to participate flooded the host website within a week. Registration is now closed but this enthusiasm speaks to the rich wealth of stories, essays and poems being produced in the region and bursting to get out. The daily Open Mic sessions, organised in the genres of fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and spoken word, run from noon 17-24 August at the festival hub: the Grand Market in the Queens Park Savannah, in the CARIFESTA Book Fair tent.

The Open Mic will inter-

weave with themed readings by leading regional writers and local book giants, including Michael Anthony, Willi Chen, Paul Keens Douglas and Earl Lovelace; all of them will be presenting new work to a diverse Caribbean audience. Among the international stars is Ng?g? wa Thiong’o of Kenya, the world renowned, multi award-winning writer and Distinguished Professor of Comparative Literature and English at The University of California at Irvine (UCI).

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Gang leaders in St Kitts hand over guns to authorities

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he St Kitts & Nevis government says it is encouraged by the decision by gang members to voluntarily hand over as many as 30 illegal weapons adding that the move augurs well for the peace and security in the twin island Federation.

Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris said that the Cabinet had met in a special session earlier this week to receive a report from the acting Police Commissioner, Hilory Brandy and his assistant, McCarta Browne and commended the law enforcement authorities for “this historic development”.

“It is instructive that gang members volunteered to give up their weapons as a sign of their commitment to peace. This is a very good move. And we encouraged them to bring forward all guns in their possession,” Harris said, adding that “every illegal firearm recovered by our law enforcement represents one less dangerous weapon available to injure and kill our people”.

“With these 30 guns,

M

embers of the Indigenous Nasa group in Colombia have laid to rest two of their members who were killed on Saturday. The two were shot dead when gunmen opened fire on the bus they were travelling in to a local fair.

They were the latest Indigenous activists to be targeted among a resurgence of violence by dissident rebel groups and paramilitaries. Thirty-six members of the Nasa group have been killed so far this year, a steep rise from previous years.

Members of the Indigenous guard are not armed but carry a staff adorned with the red and green colours of the Nasa group.

A group of them were travelling by bus from the town of Caloto to Toribío in south-western Colombia to attend a coffee fair when

Hundreds of Nasa people turned out to bid farewell to the killed men

they came under fire.

Kevin Mestizo, 23, and Eugenio Tenorio, 46, were killed and five other people, including a seven-yearold boy, were injured in the attack. Colombian Interior Minister Nancy Gutierrez said a dissident group of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) was behind the attack.

The Farc rebel group signed a peace agreement with the government in

2016 and ordered its fighters to lay down arms.

Not all the Farc rebels agreed with their leadership's strategy though and some broke away to continue fighting the state and engaging in criminal activities, such as drug trafficking and extortion.

Colombian military intelligence reports estimate the dissidents to number between 1,750 and 3,000.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Bahamas encourages public debate on proposed legislation banning plastics

A

ccording to CANA, the Bahamas government has released the Environmental Protection (Control of Plastic Pollution) Bill 2019 that would apart from prohibiting the import, distribution, manufacturing, possession and sale of single-use plastic bags and food containers also make it illegal to release balloons into the air.

“No person shall release any number of balloons at or about the same time if such balloons are filled with gas that causes them to rise in the air,” according to the proposed legislation, adding that anyone found guilty of having intentionally released balloons into the air could be fined up to

US$2,000 for a first-time offence, and in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine of US$500 per day during the time the offence continues.

The bill also makes provisions for subsequent offences, resulting in fines of up to US$3,000 and a further fine of US$700 per day for continuing offences.

It notes that in the case of balloons that are released by businesses, directors, managers, secretaries or other officers, the bill imposes a fine up to US$5,000.

“Where an offence under this section has been committed by a body corporate and is proved to have been with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect or default on

the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, such director, manager, secretary or other officer as well as the body corporate commits an offense and is liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000.”

However, the legislation would not apply to businesses that manufacture expanded polystyrene in the country for export.

Bahamas is joining a number of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries that have banned single-use plastics, with Nassau hoping to put the legislation in place by next year. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

Mexico pushes US to designate El Paso shooting an act of terrorism

M Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris and Premier of Nevis, Mark Brantley, look on the different types of guns recovered through the peace initiative

the total firearms now taken from the streets total 43.

These 43 guns represent a significant number but more than this, they represent a significant removal of weapons which could be used to injure, harm and kill our people,” he added.

Harris said his coalition government believes that the loss of one life is one life too many and remains committed to do all that it can to contain, reduce and eventually eradicate gang related homicides which have been

the principal cause of violent deaths in the Federation.

“There is no magic wand.

And the culture that provided fertile ground for gang development will take time to be effectively reordered for the better. Our country is too small, too limited in its manpower resources to lose persons, particularly our young, in the prime of their lives to gang related violence. We have since 1995 been paying too great a price in the blood of our people”.

exico’s government on Wednesday amplified its assertion that the Aug 3 mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, was an act of terrorism against Mexicans, urging the United States to ensure the attack was designated as such.

Speaking after meetings on Tuesday between US and Mexican government officials about the incident, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard told a regular government news conference that steps needed to be taken to prevent future killings.

“It’s very important to persevere, to specify, clarify and demand that measures are taken so that this is not repeated, and the first measure is to classify it for what

it is, an act of terrorism that seeks to take Mexican lives,” Ebrard said.

Twenty-two people, including eight Mexican citizens, were killed in the shooting at a Walmart store in the US border city, an event Mexico quickly said it would investigate as a terrorist act.

A four-page statement believed to have been written by the suspected shooter, Patrick Crusius, and posted on 8chan, an online message board often used by extremists, called the El Paso attack “a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas”.

And, according to an El Paso Police affidavit released on Friday, Crusius told Police while surrendering that he had been target-

ing “Mexicans”.

“There will be those who say, ‘No, no, no, this isn’t terrorism, it’s just one person,’” Ebrard said, alongside Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

“Well, it needs to be said that the man who carried out this despicable, abominable and appalling act is part of a network, but he also uploaded a manifesto to the network”.

“What he says is terrible, but it’s not that he’s mad; he is in possession of his faculties,” Ebrard added.

The Mexican government has said it may also request that the suspected perpetrator be extradited to Mexico for trial, which Lopez Obrador reiterated at a public event later on Wednesday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, august 15, 2019

17

Around the World

Hong Kong protesters offer India floods, landslides kill more than 270 apologies, China doubles F down after airport clash

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hina said on Wednesday Hong Kong’s protest movement had reached “near terrorism” and more street clashes followed ugly scenes the previous day when protesters set upon men they suspected of being Government sympathisers.

The United States said it was deeply concerned at news of Chinese police forces gathering near the border, urged Hong Kong’s Government to respect freedom of speech, and issued a travel advisory urging caution when visiting the city.

By nightfall, Police and protesters were again facing off on the streets, with riot officers shooting tear gas almost immediately as their response to demonstrators toughens.

Ten weeks of increasingly violent confrontation between Police and protesters have plunged Hong Kong into its worst crisis since it reverted from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

Flights resumed on

Anti-Government demonstrators apologise for Tuesday’s clashes with Police at the airport in Hong Kong China August 14, 2019

Wednesday amid heightened security at Hong Kong airport, which is one of the world’s busiest, after two days of disruptions sparked by protesters swarming the airport and, late Tuesday, detaining there two men they suspected opposed them.

China’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing called the behaviour at the airport no different to terrorism and said it must be severely punished.

In chaotic scenes that

would once have been unthinkable for Hong Kong, a peaceful sit-in at the airport turned violent late on Tuesday as protesters confronted and held a man they believed was an undercover Chinese agent.

It was not clear whether the scenes of violence might have eroded the broad support the movement has so far attracted in Hong Kong, a major financial hub. The protests have also hit the city’s faltering economy.

loods and landslides have killed more than 270 people in India, displaced over one million and inundated thousands of homes across six states, authorities said after two weeks of heavy monsoon rains.

The states of Kerala and Karnataka in the south, along with Maharashtra and Gujarat in the west, were among the hardest hit by floods that washed away thousands of hectares of summer-sown crops and damaged roads and rail India deployed the army to work with the local emergency personnel for search, rescue and relief operations [STR/Reuters] lines.

At least 95 people were 54 people died and 15 are ing to weather officials. killed and more than 50 are missing after rivers burst In Maharashtra, which missing in Kerala, where their banks when author- includes the financial capiheavy rainfall triggered doz- ities released water from tal, Mumbai, 48 people died ens of landslides last week dams. Several structures at but floodwaters were recedand trapped more than 100 the ancient town of Hampi, ing, said a state official. others. a World Heritage Site, were In Madhya Pradesh, About 190,000 people are also flooded. the biggest producer of soystill living in relief camps Nearly 700,000 people beans, heavy rains killed 32 in the State, said Chief have been evacuated in the people and damaged crops, Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, state. authorities said. but he added some were reHeavy rainfall is exIn Gujarat, 31 peoturning home as floodwa- pected in the next two days ple died in rain-related inters receded. in parts of Karnataka, cidents, while landslides In neighbouring Maharashtra and Gujarat, killed nearly a dozen people Karnataka, home to the as well as the central state in the northern hilly state of technology hub Bengaluru, of Madhya Pradesh, accord- Uttarakhand. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Syrian rebels shoot down Government Suicide bomber 'kills 6' in Chad; warplane in northwest including soldier R

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t least six people have been killed after a female suicide bomber blew herself up in western Chad, according to security sources, in an attack blamed on Boko Haram, a Nigeriabased armed group.

Sources told news agencies on Wednesday that the attack happened shortly after midnight in the compound of a traditional chieftain in Kaiga-Kindjiria district in Lac province Four guards were among the dead, and five people were wounded, the official said.

The death toll of six was

confirmed by Chadian army spokesman Colonel Azem Bermandoa, and by a local NGO. Sources told Reuters news agency that the attacker walked into the compound and detonated her bomb just as people were preparing to go to bed.

A provincial security official said a woman wearing an explosives-laden belt "blew herself up near the home of a traditional chief".

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Boko Haram rarely claims responsibility for attacks.

Kaiga-Kindjiria lies in Lac province, which

(Excerpt from Reuters)

abuts the vast Lake Chad - a region shared by Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria.

The area is a stronghold for Boko Haram itself and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) splinter group.

Violence in the region has killed more than 30,000 people and displaced about two million since 2009 when Boko Haram first launched an armed campaign with the intention of carving out an Islamic caliphate in northeast Nigeria.

Boko Haram has carried out at least 10 cross-border attacks in Chad since 2018, mainly targeting army positions. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

ebels shot down a Syrian warplane in the Opposition stronghold of Idlib province on Wednesday as Russianbacked Government forces closed in on a strategically important town, rebel sources and a war monitor said.

A pilot who ejected from the plane was captured, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which reports on the war using a network of sources.

The jihadist Tahrir al-Sham, the most powerful insurgent group in the area, said its fighters had shot down a Sukhoi 22 jet

that had taken off from a Syrian airbase in Homs province.

The jet was downed near Khan Sheikhoun, a rebel-held town that was hit by a sarin gas attack in 2017 and is now being targeted in a Russian-backed Government offensive.

Government forces seized new ground from rebels near Khan Sheikhoun on Wednesday, advancing to within a few kilometres (miles) of the town. A rebel commander told Reuters that the town, in Opposition hands since 2014, was in “great danger”.

The northwestern Idlib

region is part of the last major stronghold of the opposition to President Bashar al-Assad.

Assad’s side had struggled to make any gains in the area in an offensive that got underway in late April.

But since the collapse of a brief ceasefire this month, it has managed to take several significant positions, including the town of al-Habeet on Saturday.

The advance toward Khan Sheikhoun threatens to encircle the last remaining pocket of rebel-held territory in neighbouring Hama province, including the towns of Morek, Kafr Zeita and Latamneh. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

Plastic particles falling out of sky Boris Johnson: Brexit opponents with snow in Arctic

E

'collaborating' with EU

B

oris Johnson has accused MPs "who think they can block Brexit" of a "terrible collaboration" with the EU. The Prime Minister said the EU had become less willing to compromise on a new deal with the UK because of the opposition to leaving in Parliament.

He said this increased the likelihood of the UK being "forced to leave with a no-deal" in October.

But some MPs said his claim they were collaborating with the EU was a "wicked lie" and a "big deflection exercise".

The EU has said the agreement struck by Theresa May is the only deal possible.

Speaking during a

Facebook event hosted at Downing Street, Johnson said he wanted to leave with a deal but "we need our European friends to compromise".

"The more they think there's a chance that Brexit can be blocked in Parliament, the more adamant they are in sticking to their position."

His comments come after former Chancellor Philip Hammond said the PM's negotiating stance increased the chance of a no-deal before the latest Brexit deadline of October 31.

Hammond told BBC Radio 4's Today programme a no-deal exit would be "just as much a betrayal of the referendum result as not leaving at all".

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Many of those who voted against the deal had concerns over the backstop, which if implemented, would see Northern Ireland staying aligned to some rules of the EU single market.

It would also see the UK stay in a single customs territory with the EU, and align with current and future EU rules on competition and State aid. (Excerpt from BBC News)

ven in the Arctic, microscopic particles of plastic are falling out of the sky with snow, a study has found.

The scientists said they were shocked by the sheer number of particles they found: more than 10,000 of them per litre in the Arctic.

It means that even there, people are likely to be breathing in microplastics from the air - though the health implications remain unclear.

The region is often seen as one of the world's last pristine environments.

A German-Swiss team of researchers has published the work in the journal Science Advances.

The scientists also found rubber particles and fibres in the snow.

Researchers collect-

ed snow samples from the Svalbard islands using a low-tech method - a dessert spoon and a flask.

In the laboratory at Germany's Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven, they discovered far more contaminating particles than they'd expected.

The lead scientist, Dr Melanie Bergmann, told BBC News: "We expected to find some contamination but to find this many microplastics was a real shock."

Addressing their potential effects on people, Dr Bergmann explained: "We don't know if the plastics will be harmful to human health or not. But we need to take much better care of the way we're treating our environment."

The researchers think microplastics are being

Fragments of plastic are found at high concentrations in Arctic seawater

blown about by winds and then - through mechanisms which are not fully understood - transported long distances through the atmosphere.

The particles are then "washed" out of the atmosphere through precipitation, particularly snow.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, AUGUST 15, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES

Don’t let someone tell

(March 21- you what you want or need.

April 19) Size up your situation and

do what’s in your best interest. Spend time exploring possibilities and sharing your plans with a loved one.

TAURUS Keep your life simple, (April 20- practical and within your May 20) financial means. Don’t let stubbornness be your downfall. Be realistic and moderate. You cannot buy love.

dilbert

You know what’s expectGEMINI ed of you if you want to get (May 21June 20) ahead, so don’t give anyone a chance to redirect you or take over your plans.

Personal and physical improvements can be initiated.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Think before you act. If someone pressures you to spend money or do something you shouldn’t, consider it a red flag and question his or her motives.

Listen and follow instructions carefully. There will be no room for error, especially when dealing with professional, legal or financial matters. Don’t let someone else’s mistake fall in your lap.

Look for something to do VIRGO (Aug. 23- that is enjoyable and also Sept. 22) good for your health and emotional well-being. A personal pick-me-up will boost your confidence. Romance is on the rise.

Calvin and Hobbes

Get into the swing of things and take part in (Sept. 23- events that excite you.

Oct. 23) Updating your appearance or consorting with people who motivate and inspire you should be your focus.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Keep a close watch over others’ actions. If someone tries to undo what you’ve worked so hard to put in place, implement long-term solutions and keep moving forward.

Travel, learning and SAGITTARIUS communication are high(Nov. 23lighted. You can accomDec. 21) plish plenty if you are proactive and passionate about what you want to achieve.

Romance will enhance your personal life.

YESTERDAY’S WORD

solution for LAST PUBLISHED puzzle

Money, legal and health CAPRICORN issues may pose problems (Dec. 22if you aren’t quick to interJan. 19) vene and make some positive changes. Avoid joint ventures, indulgent behavior and leaving decisions up to others.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Set sail for your target and don’t stop until you reach your destination. You have plenty to gain if you are forward-thinking and persuasive. A partnership will improve your life.

PISCES Stick to what’s doable (Feb. 20- and don’t let anyone talk March 20) you into something risky, unhealthy or that costs more than you can afford.

Simplify your life

thurSday, august 15, 2019

19

Inaugural Euro T20 Slam cancelled at two weeks’ notice T

he inaugural season of the Euro T20 Slam has been cancelled, just two weeks before the tournament was scheduled to start.

The tournament’s organisers have released a statement saying that “the board of the Euro T20 Slam, funding partners and franchise owners of this exciting new T20 tournament have reluctantly come to the decision that staging of the event will not be possible in 2019”. The statement did not expand upon the specifics behind the decision.

Various marquee players had been drafted to play in the league, including Rashid Khan, Eoin Morgan, Dale Steyn, Babar Azam and Faf du Plessis. The league is organised by the same consortium that runs the Global T20 in Canada, which was marred by player protests understood to concern unpaid wages.

“We want to ensure that the inaugural staging of the Euro T20 Slam provides the best springboard to making this a truly

flagship event on the global cricket calendar,” the statement said. “As such, we believe the right course of action is to postpone the Slam to a further date. This will give us the necessary breathing space to ensure we are ready to go.

“We will work with the three cricket boards, our principal investors, the franchise owners, players and other stakeholders within the game to ensure we fulfil any commitments we have made to the extent possible. We want to ensure the goodwill and integrity that we have built up rolls on into 2020.”

Warren Deutrom, Chief Executive of Cricket Ireland, has said the board was “deeply disappointed with the decision”.

“However, we fully empathise with the rationale that has led to the tournament’s postponement,” Deutrom said. “The excitement and energy that the Euro T20 Slam had generated since it was announced has demonstrated a high level of interest amongst the Irish public in seeing world-

Rain washes out opening day of Lord’s Test

The last time an entire day of Ashes cricket was washed out was in the Oval Test in 2013

J

ust like had happened last year, a Test at Lord’s will begin only on the second scheduled day’s play. Poor weather ensured that neither England nor Australia needed to change into whites, nor did their captains need to meet in the middle for a toss.

As against India last summer, the ‘home of cricket’ welcomed rain for almost all of day one. Just as it was then, the next four days have 98 overs of play scheduled to make up for lost time.

Despite the lack of toss or exchanging of team sheets, there was confirmation of two certainties: Jofra Archer will make his Test debut, and Josh Hazlewood has been confirmed as a starter for Australia, ahead of left-armer Mitchell Starc.

The latter was confirmed in Justin Langer’s postmatch press conference,

but the circumstances around the former were more ceremonial. Ahead of a potential 3pm toss and 3:30pm start, the closest we got to play, Archer was presented his Test cap by fellow Bajan English Test cricketer and best mate Chris Jordan.

Without Jordan, Archer would not have made the move over to the United Kingdom, specifically Sussex, and he owes much to the 30-year-old’s guidance and continued support.

The late start could change how England approach this match. They are one-nil down in the Ashes, with four to play, and in Jack Leach - the left-arm spinner who replaced Moeen Ali in the squad - they have someone to provide a new point of attack against Australia’s twin-centurion in the first

Archer was presented his Test cap, but rain eventually didn’t even allow toss on Day 1

Test, Steve Smith.

However, with a bit more juice in the wicket, and with further overcast conditions expected throughout the match, England could decide on an all-pace attack.

Sam Curran, the left-arm seaming all-rounder from Surrey, who was ‘man of the series against India last summer’, could be given the nod.

It is also understood that Kent batsman Joe Denly will keep his place, despite being under pressure after returning just 18 and 11 at Edgbaston. That, though, is also subject to change, should England have other ideas upon returning to Lord’s on Thursday. (Excerpted

from Cricbuzz)

Rashid Khan, Eoin Morgan and Imran Tahir pose after the Euro T20 Slam draft

class cricket hosted here in Ireland. We hope that the interest will carry on until 2020, when the Slam will finally get underway.

“We will continue to engage with the event organisers to ensure all commitments are met to their fullest extent, including any receivables owing to Cricket Ireland itself. We will additionally be seeking increased comfort (in being assured) that the organisers will be able to avoid a repeat of this year’s challenges in future editions.”

Malcolm Cannon, Chief Executive of Cricket Scotland, said: “While this was a very difficult decision to make at this late stage, we believe that it is the right one,

and one which leaves us with a great opportunity to launch the Euro T20 Slam next year with its deserved noise level.”

Betty Timmer, Chair of KNCB, said: “As said, it is extremely disappointing that the Euro T20 Slam is not going ahead in 2019. With the scheduled opening games only two weeks away, the KNCB was looking forward to this exciting new event that would have brought cricket much closer to the Dutch fans.”

It should be noted that some of the big names that featured in the 2018 edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League had opted out of the 2019 edition to participate in the Euro T20 Slam, which had clashed with the CPL’s schedule. (Excerpted from Cricinfo)

Neymar: Paris St-Germain rejects Barcelona & Real Madrid bids for Brazil forward

B

arcelona and Real Madrid have made unsuccessful offers for Paris St-Germain forward Neymar, says BBC Radio 5 Live’s Guillem Balague.

Neymar’s former club, Barcelona, are believed to have offered 100 million euros (£92.4m) plus Philippe Coutinho. Ivan Rakitic was also discussed with the French club as part of the deal for the 27-year-old Brazil international.

Real has put forward a deal that includes money as well as Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez. PSG asked for Vinicius Junior, but Real did not put his name in the frame.

Neither bid has been accepted, but it is thought that PSG would prefer to sell to Real.

Neymar became the world’s most expensive player in 2017 when PSG paid him 222 million euros (£205m) so he could buy himself out of his contract at Barcelona.

The striker has scored 34 league goals in two seasons for the French champions, although injuries interrupted both of those campaigns.

PSG fans on Sunday held up a banner telling Neymar to “go away”, as he missed his side’s Ligue 1 opener against Nimes after sporting director Leonardo said on the eve of the game that talks about the Brazilian’s exit were “more advanced than before”.

(Excerpted from BBC. COM)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursday, august 15, 2019

Bishoo urges youths to remain focused ...as 5-day BCB Tulsi Dyal Singh cricket camp commences

BCB players and coaches along with Devandra Bishoo at the Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh cricket academy

T

he Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB) Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh 5-day cricket academy commenced on Tuesday last at the Albion Community Centre Ground with 70 of that county’s best junior cricketers in attendance.

On the second day of the academy, former West Indies leg-spinner Devandra Bishoo graced the academy with his presence, and offered some important advice to the participants. Having gained experience from participating in 36 Test matches and 42 One Day Internationals (ODIs) for the West Indies, Bishoo was able to advise those at this academy to enjoy every bit of training, and the cricket on offer.

He was keen to emphasise the importance of training as he shared on his journey in cricket. “Growing up, I always wanted to play cricket; and nothing beats when you are getting paid for something you love”, Bishoo declared.

Bishoo described as average his junior years as a player, but said he was always among the wickets, especially at inter-county level. Having last played international cricket in March 2019, the leg-spinner explained that the transition from under-19 to senior cricket is very challenging.

“I worked harder, and (Sewnarine) Chattergoon told me (that) at least two good seasons for Guyana at the senior level may give you a shot at West Indies’ selection”, Bishoo disclosed.

Head Coach of this BCB academy, Cricket West Indies’

Level Three Coach Winston Smith, said: “This academy includes the best players from Berbice at the under-13, under-15, under-17 and under-19 levels”, and this academy will help the players to play cricket at a higher level, since he and his coaching team will offer everyone an advanced level of coaching.

Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB’s) Public Relations Officer, Director of the Academy, Simon Naidu, explained that this academy will get the youths’ fitness levels up to par as they prepare for the upcoming Inter-county season in 2020.

Besides Smith, quality personnel Delbert Hicks, Balram Samaroo, Leslie Solomon and Ameer Rahaman are overseeing academy.

BCB President, Hilbert Foster, was at the opening ceremony on Tuesday last, and for 90 minutes, spoke to the participants of the academy.

He emphasised the importance of listening and learning, advising them that the BCB is investing heavily in the future of young cricketers, and they should embrace the opportunity to develop themselves. He also discussed the history of Berbice Cricket, and spoke on peer pressure and basic public manners.

Devandra Bishoo addressing the participants

The academy concludes on Saturday, August 17, when the BCB will honour top achievers at a special closing ceremony.

Foster and his BCB team are expressing gratitude to Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh for the US $2000 he has invested in staging the academy. (Brandon Corlette)

Windjammer, ISG on Blairmont CCCC Academy begins with U-13s’ participation as opening board 1320 Heat W day highlight i n d j a m m e r International Cuisine and Comfort Inn, a local hotel and restaurant provider located at 27 Queen Street Kitty, Georgetown, and Industrial Supply of Guyana Inc (ISG), a subsidiary of the Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited (MACORP) located at Providence, East Bank Demerara, have joined the sponsorship team for the much anticipated “1320 Heat”.

“The 1320 Heat” is an international drag race meet organised by the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC). It is scheduled for staging at the South Dakota Circuit’s Drag Strip on Sunday, August 25th, and there is every expectation that the event “is going to be huge”.

When Windjammer’s Managing Director Carey Griffith presented the GMR&SC with the sponsorship cheque on Wednesday, he told the media, “We are really happy to be back on board again with motorsport. We’ve sponsored circuit racing and endurance racing before, and while this isn’t our first drag racing venture, we believe that this event is going to be huge.”

Windjammer had in the past provided accommodation for foreign racers who had come to Guyana to participate in various events staged by

T Steve Ghisiawan of ISG handing over his company’s sponsorship to Lankey Mohamed of GMR&SC

the GMR&SC, including the last international drag race meet.

“Why are we onboard with this?” Griffith asked rhetorically. “We just love racing, especially motorcycles; and like I said before, we feel that it is time we show a little bit more support to racing.”

He spoke of the buildup to the international drag-racing meet billed for later this year, and indicated that

Windjammer is already putting together packages for competitors from Suriname.

In brief comments, GMR&SC Executive Committee member Motilall Deodass welcomed Windjammer ‘back into the fold’, and said, “They are undoubtedly a huge part of racing locally. We have always enjoyed a great partnership with them, and this time it’s no different.”

Participants stand opening day of the Blairmont Cricket Academy with VP Shabeer Baksh (extreme left)

he Blairmont Community Centre Cricket Club (BCCCC) academy commenced on Tuesday, August 13, at the Blairmont Community Centre ground with 34 participants in attendance and BCCCC president Mohamed Hussain and vicepresident Shabeer Baksh encouraging attendees to take the game of cricket seriously.

Being held under the theme “Options for Youths”, sessions in this academy will run from 14:00h to 17:00h daily until August 25.

In their first indoor engagement, the innovative Hussain and Baksh enlightened the youths on the various careers available in cricket. the opening day saw 15 of the participants being at the Under-13 level, and Baksh disclosed that he was happy to see them, especially since they constituted almost half the attendees at the academy. He thus lauded the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) for its initiative in hosting tournaments for Under-13s players.

BCB president Hilbert Foster will today visit the

academy, while former West Indies fast bowler and Guyana Cricket Board Territorial Developmental Officer Colin Stuart has confirmed that he would visit the academy on Friday, August 16.

Seeking to target youths on the West Coast of Berbice from age 10 to 16, this academy has talent identification as its priority.

Youths will have opportunity to join the academy as it progresses, since systems are in place. The coaching sessions will have both indoor and outdoor components spearheaded by qualified coaches and cricketing personnel. In addition to the cricketing knowledge on offer, participants will be exposed to health classes, career opportunities, and leadership and other disciplines which develop young cricketers into rounded individuals.

The BCCC will this Saturday host a day of fun for the academy participants at the Cotton Tree ground. Persons interested in joining the academy are invited to contact BCCC vice-president Shabeer Baksh on 628-6767. (Brandon Corlette)

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thursday, august 15, 2019

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21

Indigenous Heritage Football Games’ NWD qualifiers…

Five Star school Oronoque, but dominated by PK United

A

lthough the sunshine was brilliant, the Fitzburg ground at Port Kaituma, NWD was still muddy. That, however, did practically nothing to prevent the Five Star Football Club from producing an excellent display of sportsmanship as they administered a 5-1 hammering on Oronoque Football Club when the Indigenous Heritage Football Games’ qualifiers got underway in Matarkai.

Watched by a sprinkling of spectators that included MATARKAI's Heritage Committee representatives Ronaldo Rodrigues and Ignatius Adams (DEO), this mining community football club got off to a flying start in the first half of the game, with Ronaldo Abrams and Karl Thompson each booting a goal to end the first half 2-nil in favour of Five Star.

Upon resumption of play, Oronoque FC’s star player Jamol James managed to pull one back, but that only stoked the appetite of the gold-outfitted

‘hungry’ miners from five Star FC, whose deeper dig into the recesses of their resolve produced a goal each for Tian Mendonca, Ewart Mingo and Mark Williams to sink the Heritage hopes of Oronoque FC, who have suffered back-to-back losses.

In the other fixture, 2017 Indigenous Heritage Games Football champion and double semifinalists, PK United FC, took on Sebai FC, who had earlier defeated Oronoque in the opening encounter at Fitzburg.

With now more than 300 spectators in attendance, the local star-studded PK United FC team, fielding a couple of players with National and Georgetown club experience, defeated Sebai 5-nil. The lads from the reservation were visibly tired, and so were unable to convert a couple of easy chances.

Top PK strikers Cordell Dybala Mitchell and Keanu Williams each blasted a double, while Orlando Cupido chipped in with a lone goal.

Members of the victorious PK United FC

With Five Star FC and PK United FC both having recorded wins, their highly anticipated matchup was a thriller, but PK United prevailed 3-nil over Five Star, and now head the points table with 6 points, even as they still have one more game to go.

They are likely to emerge as the MATARKAI champions.

PK United football prodigies Cordell Dybala Mitchell and Keanu Williams have continued their rich form, each hammering home a goal in the game against Five Star to become joint leading

goal-scorers of the tournament with a triple each.

Their team mate and senior custodian, Cornel St Romain, belted the other single in the game against Five Star to join the goal-scorers of the playoff.

Everest Masters brush aside Belle Vue Senior team …Mohamed’s century highlights day of play

E

verest Masters cricket team brushed aside the Belle Vue Senior team in an epic showdown last Monday at the Everest Cricket Club.

In that 25-over encounter, the Everest side dominated the entire game, taking their tally to 2-0 over Belle Vue. Winning the toss and batting first, Everest Masters posted a behemoth total of 245/2 in their allotted 25 overs. Like a one-man army, Saheed Mohamed smashed five boundaries and eight maxi-

mums in his innings of 101, before retiring hurt.

To add insult to injury, Hemraj Garbarran and Sahadeo Hardaiow blasted quick-fire scores of 47 and 45 runs respectively, while Guyanese cricketing legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul capped the innings with a quick-fire 45 that included 3 boundaries and 4 maximums. Krishna Singh and Safraz Baksh each took a wicket for Belle Vue. Needing 246 for a win, or at least 10 runs per over,

the Belle Vue side succumbed to pressure and were dismissed for a paltry 127 in 23 overs.

The only batsmen to make any significant contribution were Ajula Bowman with 31 (4x4 1x6), Davendra Narine with 26 (3x4) and Krishna Singh with 17.

Bowling for the Masters, Basil Persaud took 4 for 7 from 5 overs, Saheed

Saheed Mohamed scored a brilliant century

3rd Urban Benjamin Memorial Race set for Sunday in Region 2

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Everest Masters

Mohamed took 3 for 12 from 4 overs, and Rajesh Singh and Besham Singh each took a wicket.

Saheed Mohamed was adjudged ‘man of the match’.

The winner’s trophy was sponsored by the Rockaway Group of New York, while the ‘man of the match’ trophy was sponsored by Trophy Stall.

he Evolution Cycling Club will be staging its 3rd Urban Benjamin Memorial Cycle Race this Sunday, August 18, on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two. Scheduled to start at 9:00h outside the Charity Primary School, this race will head to Supenaam and return to the starting point for its finish, covering a distance of 74 miles.

All of Guyana’s top cyclists are slated to participate in this race, and a furious battle for supremacy is anticipated.

In the 2018 edition of this race, team Evolution’s Christopher Griffith stormed to victory ahead of 32 other competitors in the Seniors’ category in a time of two hours, 59 minutes and 53 seconds (02:59:53).

In the Under-45 category of that same race, Warren “40” McKay bested Junior Niles; while, in the Over-45 category, Ian Jackson emerged supreme over Andrew Spencer and Amit Sankar, who settled for second and third places respectively.

In the Juniors’ category, Adelie Hodge defeated Ajay Gopilall and Ralph Seenarine, who finished second and third respectively; while in the Mountain Bike category, Ozia McAuly defeated Quincy Punch and Holio Melville into second and third place respectively.

The entrance fee for participation in this race is $2,000 per person. Cyclists desirous of participating in this race but needing transportation to Essequibo are asked to assemble at the National Sports Commission on Homestretch Avenue at latest by 6 hrs on Saturday August 17, 2019. The bus will depart promptly at 6:30 hrs, and the vehicle transporting the bicycles would be gone with it.

All participants are hereby being cautioned that they would be responsible for their own accommodation and meals in Essequibo.

Kindly note that the return ferry departs at 16:00 hrs on Sunday and it is the responsibility of each cyclist to be ready and on the bus for the return trip at 13:00 hrs.

This event will cater for Elite Racers, Masters and Juniors/ Juveniles.

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thursday, august 15, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Cevons spars in GABA’s corner with tournament sponsorship C

evons Waste Management has joined a long list of sponsors who are putting power in the Guyana Boxing Association’s punch for the recently renamed Winfield Brathwaite Boxing Tournament.

This three-day tournament will be staged this weekend, and seven Caribbean countries, inclusive of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Lucia and Cayman Islands, are slated to participate.

At a simple ceremony held at the Cevons offices in South Ruimveldt Georgetown, Administrative Manager Allana Mc Cullock presented the sponsorship cheque to GABA President Steve Ninvalle, and highlighted the company’s reasons for their generosity.

“On behalf of Cevons Waste Management, we want to continue supporting the GABA and any other sporting activity, or any other way in

which we can help out with sponsoring. We like to get on board with these things because it’s very important to the youths of the community and it’s good that they can actively be involved in something positive,” Mc Cullock explained.

Expressing gratitude, Ninvalle spoke of the company’s longstanding relationship with the GABA. “We would have only had to seek out the assistance of Cevons Waste Management and we had a response in one day, and it was a positive response. It is not the first time that Cevons has been supportive of our efforts. they would have been behind-thescenes for some time, and we hope that this would not be the last time.”

After three years of being named the Caribbean School Boys and Juniors tournament, the tournament has been renamed to honour one of Guyana’s most successful

Cevons Waste Management’s Allana Mc Cullock hands over the sponsorship cheque to GABA President Steve Ninvalle

pugilists.

Ninvalle took the time to share why this decision was made by the GABA. “And that is one of the reasons why we have renamed the tournament, so it can

be not just a Caribbean tournament anymore. It can be a tournament that encompasses the region, all across the Americas and even further afield. So I will hope that next year we see a much

bigger and better tournament,” Ninvalle said.

Disclosing that Commonwealth 1978 Gold Medallist Winfield Brathwaite was very elated at the decision, Ninvalle said it is important to honour legends.

“And Winfield Braithwaite, our only Commonwealth Gold Medallist in boxing, he’s very enthused about the fact that we would have named

this tournament after him.

It’s important that we keep honouring these past heroes that we have while they’re still alive,” Ninvalle explained.

T h e tournament will be hosted at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, and will run from Friday August 16 to Sunday August 18.

Tickets for the stands are priced at $500, while ringside tickets cost $1500. Ringside season passes can be purchased for $4000.

The 20-member Guyanese squad will be looking to make this the fourth year that they have won the tournament.

Other sponsors of the tournament include Courts Guyana, the National Sports Commission, and Associated Packers Industry. (Jemima Holmes)

Darren Bravo to return in McIntosh is 1st winner of Let’s Bet Sports’ Fantasy League Windies colours during 3-day warm-up

A

s the One Day International (ODI) series and T20 International series between India and West Indies closed its curtains, both teams will shift their focus to the longer format. West Indies and India will battle in the two-match Test series starting in Antigua and concluding in Jamaica.

Before the players get down to the real deal, the Indians and some of the West Indies Test players will prepare for the Test series with a threeday warm-up match on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua from 09:30h local time. Among those Test players from the West Indies, the Test squad will feature Darren Bravo.

This was confirmed by West Indies Head Coach Floyd Reifer ahead of the first match of the India tour.

“At this stage (Darren) Bravo has to play a lot of cricket, he agreed to play the three-day against the Indian senior team before going into the Test match,” Reifer revealed to a Cricket West Indies media operative. The former Test Captain and current Head Coach Reifer

further added that this is a case for Bravo to spend some time in the middle. After he was out of international cricket for two years, this would be difficult for Bravo.

“Once he gets that time in the middle and plays more cricket, there is no doubt that Bravo will feature in our cricket,” Reifer concluded.

Bravo featured in the ICC Cricket World Cup for West Indies and had a poor run, which led to his omission from the limited overs which led to his absence for the West Indies white-ball squads to the current India tour.

The elegant left-handed Bravo, who is more than often compared to the great Brian Lara, has had a string of low scores during the ICC World Cup. Bravo’s last six ODI innings, where he batted were 01, 17, 06, 03*, 00 and 19. He has, however, featured in 52 Test matches for West Indies, scoring eight centuries and 17 fifties, averaging 38.43. His last Test was played in February 2019 against England, where he had two scores of six.

The first Test between West Indies and India will bowl off August 22 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium Antigua, while the second and final Test will commenced on August 30 at Sabina Park Kingston Jamaica. (Brandon Corlette) Darren Bravo

Delroy McIntosh receives his Premier League jersey from Brand Ambassador Rawle Toney

D

elroy McIntosh, of Bartica, is the winner of week one of the Let’s Bet Sports’ Barclay’s Premier League Fantasy League, and he received an authentic English Premier League jersey for his efforts. McIntosh racked up 100 points to come out as the week one winner, while Keno Washington, also of Bartica, was second with 98 points. He won a $500 voucher to either play online, or at any lottery/Let’s Bet Sports’ agent countrywide.

Brand Ambassador Rawle Toney was on hand to make the presentation yesterday at the Guyana Lottery Company Corporate Headquarters at Lamaha Street, Georgetown.

At the presentation, Toney highlighted that this is the first of many winners and encouraged others to join the league as they too could be winners.

The Fantasy Premier League is an online game based on the Barclay’s Premier League (BPL) in England, in which fans can assemble an imaginary team of real life footballers and score points based on those players’ actual performance on the pitch.

Participants are asked to select 11 players from the BPL within a £100 budget to form their Fantasy team. At the end of the season, in May 2020, a winner will emerge and two jerseys directly from the BPL will be up for grabs.

Guyana Cup 2019

Track in immaculate condition ahead of Sunday’s meet

A

ll roads will lead to the Rising Sun Turf Club in Rising Sun Village, West Coast Berbice this Sunday, when the 13th edition of the Guyana Cup International Horse Race meet gallops off. This year, over $18million in cash and prizes are up for grabs, and the steeds will have a clear and immaculate track to trample on come Sunday.

Images by Kaieteur Sport of the horse race track— which is located a meagre 45 minutes from Georgetown— suggests that all systems are in place for a fun filled day.

Over US$50,000 cash in prize money will be handed out to

the top performers on race day and a grand mega-concert featuring eight international artistes is planned after the event.

The event will feature a nine-race programme. The details of the races and prize money are listed below: * C Class and lower feature race over a distance of one mile for – $2million * Three-year-old Guyana Bred – $1million * G3 and lower – $400,000 * L3 and lower (open to non-winners from Trinidad & Tobago) – $350,000

* Two-year-old Guyana bred over – $300,000 * J3 and lower over seven furlongs – $300,000 * L Class for Colts – $250,000 * L Class Philly and Mare – $250,000 Some of the top animals expected to be on show come race day will include Just Call Me Bass, Crown the King (Jamaica), Doublin Fashion (USA), Chameli (Jamaica), Safara (Jamaica), Southern Express (T&T), Silver & Things (T&T), Sitarr (T&T), Kentucky Woman (T&T), Super Easy (T&T) and She’s a Princess.

23

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thursday, august 15, 2019

Unbeaten Kohli 100 and dazzling Iyer 50 give India 2-0 series’ win T

o share the three-match ODI series 1-1, what West Indies needed was a win. And their single biggest opportunity to take a massive step towards victory came in the sixth over of the second innings, when Virat Kohli, only on 11, inside-edged a flick to Shai Hope, only for the wicketkeeper to drop the catch.

Had that catch off Keemo Paul been taken, India would’ve been 45 for 2 -- chasing 255 in 35 overs -- with both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in the pavilion. Instead, it brought a resolve within Kohli to play percentage cricket, and handed West Indies no further chances, as India clinched the series 2-0 with 15 balls to spare.

By no means was it all Kohli. Shreyas Iyer, for the second game in a row, earned a half-century from No. 5, and rescued India from a precarious position of 92 for 3, after both Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant had been lost in the same over.

What India needed from the start were 7.29 runs per over, but the duo’s fifth-wicket partnership at a run-rate of 7.66 ensured India were always within distance of the required run-rate.

At the halfway stage of the match though - one that was delayed by more than three hours due to rain - West Indies had made a competitive 240 for 7 after the game was reduced to 35 overs a side.

DLS calculations added a further 14 runs to their score, and a 255 target seemed imposing.

India also started poorly, Rohit Sharma’s run-out due to a miscommunication with Dhawan in the third over pegging them early. This was followed by the Dhawan-Pant dismissals - which both came as either batsman attempted to take on left-arm spinner Fabian Allen. But then just like in the 2nd ODI, Iyer’s fluent strokes allowed Kohli to gauge the game’s tempo, and together they found regular boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking.

It wasn’t all slam-bam from

the duo, though. They began tentatively for a few overs, looking to reach the team hundred after the doublewicket blow. But once Iyer was settled, he broke free with two sixes in two deliveries off Allen, and capped it off with another off Roston Chase in the next over.

From the other end, Kohli mauled Jason Holder with consecutive fours, and punished Paul with an insideout drive through the covers.

Iyer continued marauding the bowlers under cloudy skies, but fell looking for another six over long-off in the 29th over.

Trying to clear Kemar Roach over the boundary, Iyer found Holder near the rope, and was out for a 41-ball 65.

But by then the 120-run partnership had brought the equation down to only 43 runs off 40 deliveries. Kohli, in particular, was flawless after the dropped chance. He played along the ground for a while thereafter, crunching Roach through the covers or hammering Allen through backward point. When two top-order wickets fell swiftly, Kohli allowed Iyer to be the aggressor, taking the backseat and cruising towards a halfcentury.

But in a chase Kohli is a different breed, and once he reached his fifty, Kohli systematically began dismantling the opposition bowlers, finding the occasional four in between a whole lot of running.

When Iyer fell in the 29th over, Kohli was already on 89, and soon reached his 43rd ODI hundred in the 31st over via a flick to deep midwicket.

In the same over, he became the first man to score 20,000 international runs in a decade.

When Kohli raised his bat, India needed just 18 off four overs, and a few more boundaries from Jadhav and Kohli brought the curtains down on a rain-hit ODI series.

Earlier in the day, after opting to bat first, West Indies rode on a 115-run stand between openers Chris Gayle

and Evin Lewis to finish on 240 for 7 in 35 overs. The duo rattled along for more than 11 an over in the first third of their innings, before wickets and rain delays slowed the team down.

Before this game, Gayle had scored 11 runs in 55 balls in this ODI series. So when the match began, quite the same was expected from him - a sedate start to see off the early swing, after which he’d look to build an innings. But early signs showed this game wouldn’t be quite like the previous two.

The number 301 - his ODI count - had replaced the famous 45 on the back of his jersey, and murmurs began that this could be Gayle’s final ODI. While none of that was confirmed, the manner in which Gayle played - smacking eight fours and five sixes in a 41-ball innings - suggested it was a swansong, with 86% of his runs coming via boundaries, and his strike rate ending up north of 175.

The onslaught began fairly early, rare for the Gayle of 2019.

After playing out a maiden over to start, Gayle launched a Mohammad Shami free-hit over midwicket in the second over to make his move, and when he returned following a 15-minute rain delay, there was more big hitting in store.

Shami faced the brunt of Gayle’s hitting. Length balls were either swatted over the bowler’s head or through midwicket, while fuller balls were lifted over cover. After the end of a 20-run sixth over, West Indies were already at 49.

But it wasn’t just Gayle who was finding the sweet spot, as Lewis looted runs off the other two seamers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed.

Lewis was quick to spot Bhuvneshwar’s change-ups in the fifth and seventh overs, and both times swatted the ball into the second tier. One hit a pillar so hard that it ricocheted back onto the ground.

After nine overs, West Indies were 97 for no loss. This after they had begun with a

maiden.

Gayle reached h i s half-century in the tenth over, acknowledged by a sparse Portof-Spain crowd that had been awoken by the kind of batting that West Indies had been missing through this series.

Clearing his front leg, Gayle hammered a full delivery from Khaleel over midwicket to bring up his 54th ODI half-century, and followed i t up with an

audacious one-handed six next ball over long leg. Four came off the next ball, over mid-off, and West Indies ended the 10th over at 114 for 0.

With the first Powerplay done, Virat Kohli had to look for a change in plans, and he brought on Yuzvendra Chahal.

The move worked straightaway, with Lewis top-edging a slog to long-on. It was another ‘whatif’ innings from Lewis, to follow up his 65* and 40 in the first two matches.

The dismissal did not seem to slow Gayle down, as he smacked Khaleel for another four in the next over, past point; but he fell next ball, making room to hit Khaleel down the ground but failing to find the elevation. He found a diving Kohli at mid-off. Gayle left to hand-shakes from the India fielders and a jig with Kohli, before trodding off the ground.

At 12 overs, West Indies were 121 for 2, but with two new men in the crease, India had fought back into the game.

Assisted by an outfield that had slowed down thanks to the rain, India managed to plug the flow of boundaries.

Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope were looking to use the cushion given them by their

openers, and quick overs between spinners Chahal and Kedar Jadhav kept things in check. But as Jadhav completed the game’s 22nd over, the rain returned, and off the teams went for another three hours.

When the teams returned at 2.35pm local, the game was reduced to 35-a-side. With only 13 overs left, and eight wickets in hand, Hetmyer and Hope looked to up the scoring rate.

But Hetmyer fell for 25 in the 25th over, foxed by a slower ball from Shami; after which Hope was bowled by Ravindra

Virat Kholi

Jadeja, making room and looking to cut one that wasn’t short enough.

A Nicholas Pooran pull off Chahal in the 29th over infused some life into the crowd that had gone silent after the two quick wickets, and when Jadeja returned for his final spell, he was

welcomed with two slogsweeps over cow corner.

Shami got the late breakthrough with Pooran chipping him to long-on.

And while a 15-run final over from Khaleel gave West Indies a bit of momentum at the break, they could not make full use of it come the game’s second half.

3

SCOREBOARD West Indies Innings (35 overs maximum) CH Gayle c Kohli b Ahmed 72 E Lewis c Dhawan b Chahal 43 SD Hope † b Jadeja 24 SO Hetmyer b Mohammed Shami 25 N Pooran c sub (MK Pandey) b Mohammed Shami 30 JO Holder (c) c Kohli b Ahmed 14 CR Brathwaite c †Pant b Ahmed 16 FA Allen not out 6 KMA Paul not out 0 Extras 10 (b 1, lb 2, nb 1, w 6) TOTAL 240/7 (35 Overs, RR: 6.85) Did not bat: RL Chase, KAJ Roach Fall of wickets: 1-115 (Evin Lewis, 10.5 ov), 2-121 (Chris Gayle, 11.4 ov), 3-171 (Shimron Hetmyer, 24.5 ov), 4-171 (Shai Hope, 25.4 ov), 5-211 (Nicholas Pooran, 30.1 ov), 6-221 (Jason Holder, 32.5 ov), 7-236 (Carlos Brathwaite, 34.4 ov) BOWLING O M R W B Kumar 5 1 48 0 Mohammed Shami7 1 50 2 KK Ahmed 7 0 68 3 YS Chahal 7 0 32 1

KM Jadhav RA Jadeja

4 5

0 13 0 0 26 1

India Innings (target: 255 runs from 35 overs) RG Sharma run out (Allen/ Roach) 10 S Dhawan c Paul b Allen 36 V Kohli (c) not out 114 RR Pant † c Paul b Allen 0 SS Iyer c Holder b Roach 65 KM Jadhav not out 19 Extras 12 (lb 4, w 8) TOTAL 256/4 (32.3 Overs, RR: 7.87) Yet to bat: RA Jadeja, B Kumar, Mohammed Shami, KK Ahmed, YS Chahal Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Rohit Sharma, 2.4 ov), 2-91 (Shikhar Dhawan, 12.2 ov), 3-92 (Rishabh Pant, 12.4 ov), 4-212 (Shreyas Iyer, 28.2 ov) BOWLING O M R W KAJ Roach 7 0 53 1 JO Holder 4 0 39 0 KMA Paul 5 0 39 0 FA Allen 6 0 40 2 RL Chase 7 0 43 0 CR Brathwaite 3.3 0 38 0

CONCACAF Nations League

31 local players called up for training camp A

s the countdown begins to the start of the CONCACAF Nations League in the September-November window, a 31-man Guyana-based provisional squad has been selected to begin training this Thursday at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre, Providence.

The squad, comprising four goalkeepers, 11 defenders, 10 midfielders and six forwards, also has seven first-timers who will be competing for a chance to earn their debut in the senior national squad.

According to Charles Pollard, the Golden Jaguars Assistant Coach and lead for the Guyana-based team preparation, the squad was selected by a technical panel, including Head Coach Michael Johnson: “We’re continuously looking for players with the right combination

of technical skill, heart, and commitment to represent Guyana. I believe this squad reflects that”.

“While the majority of the squad is taken from those who were part of the previous training programme, we have brought in some new players who have shown credible performance in the recently-held tournaments and who have to fight for a place when the short list was made. One of those players is young Ryan Dowding, who performed well during the recently-concluded GFF-KFC U-20 tournament. Careful consideration was made to the squad selection by a technical panel including Head of Recruitment, Faizal Khan; Goalkeeper Coach Eon De Viera; Fitness Coach Wilson Toledo; Head Coach Michael Johnson, Technical Director Ian Greenwood and myself”.

Pollard said the first sessions will prioritise fitness, which will be led by Toledo.

“Fitness in the sport, especially during this time, can never be underestimated; so while some of the guys have been actively engaged in tournaments, others may not have been so active, so the fitness regime will test this to determine their overall readiness and will also point us to areas to focus on”.

The fitness evaluation is scheduled for Saturday.

Guyana will play three home and three away matches as follows: September 6: Aruba v Guyana in Curacao October 9 – Guyana v Jamaica in Guyana October 11: Antigua & Barbuda v Guyana in Antigua October 14 – Guyana v Antigua in Guyana November 15 – Guyana v Aruba in Guyana November 18: Jamaica v Guyana in Jamaica

thurSday, august 15, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Unbeaten Kohli 100 and dazzling Iyer 50 give India 2-0 series’ win See story on page 23

Guyana Cup 2019

Track in immaculate condition ahead of Sunday’s meet

Cevons spars in GABA’s corner with tournament sponsorship Page 21

Page 23 Preparatory works on the Rising Sun Turf Club track were completed this week

Cevons Waste Management’s Allana Mc Cullock hands over the sponsorship cheque to GABA President Steve Ninvalle

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