Guyana Times Thursday August 22, 2019

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

Issue No. 4023

THE BEACON OF TRUTH thursday, august 22, 2019

GECOM hopes to advise President

"soon" on elections …Commissioners tight-lipped on meeting with Chair See story on page 3 …another meeting set for Friday

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Parika family P11 robbed by knifewielding bandit

It is just not right – Deodat Indar on foreign companies mapping up P9 opportunities here

Glamour opens new branch at MovieTowne Bandit caught, beaten in foiled Albouystown P12 robbery Drinking spree murder lands porter in jail P8 2014 triple murder trial

Judge, jury hear murder accused threatened to “burn down” building P12 Varsha Mangar (centre) and her MovieTowne branch team on Tuesday during the launch of the new store (Shaconeil Burnette Photo)

Embarking on H2H did not take into account NCM – CJ Page 2

…reminds Commission cannot proceed with its business as usual Page 7

American Airlines ECD man plane suffers kills wife, blowout at CJIA attempts ...China Harbour threshold lights cause accident – Airport suicide

Page 7

Ganja trafficker jailed for 5 years …fined $10.8M

P8

Brazil's Bolsonaro accuses NGOs of setting fires in Amazon rainforest P16

2 news

thursday, august 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Embarking on H2H did not take into account NCM – CJ …reminds Commission cannot proceed with its business as usual

T

he Chief Justice (CJ) has delivered her written ruling on the NoConfidence Motion (NCM), issuing a stern reminder to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) that an NCM was passed, and as such, the body cannot ignore this and proceed as though it’s business as usual.

This reminder is contained in paragraph 113 of acting CJ Roxane George’s almost 50-page document.

According to the written judgement, former GECOM Chairman James Patterson’s order to begin House-toHouse Registration did not take into consideration the December 21, 2018 passage of the NCM. “The fact is that the July 2018 decision, and that made in 2007 at the

GECOM Chairperson Retired Justice Claudette Singh

171st Meeting of GECOM, to conduct House-to-House Registration, were not made in the context of an NCM,” the CJ wrote in her ruling.

“The NCM is an extraordinary circumstance that GECOM must bear in mind

in its decision-making as it conducts the House-toHouse Registration and for that matter, any verification process that has as the objective, the compilation, or revision of the list of electors for the required upcoming elections”.

Justice George acknowledged that GECOM is an independent body pursuant to Article 161 and 162, which is not subject to the control of any other authority. But she also noted that GECOM is also subject to the Constitution and laws, thus, the Commission “cannot act as though it is in a normal registration or election cycle”.

“As such, since GECOM is seeking to register electors, GECOM may have to consider other options in-

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George

cluding what other methods of verification of the list may have to be utilised, whether in conjunction with or separately from the house-tohouse exercise”.

“Indeed, the CEO/CR deposed that the preparation of the Official List of Electors permits the registration of every qualified elector during the registration exercise or a Claims and Objections period,” the judgement states.

Patterson’s National Registration (Residents) Order of 2019, setting July 20 as the date for GECOM to commence House-toHouse and for it to conclude in October, was gazetted in July. However, the order was signed by Patterson since June 11. The CCJ invalidated Patterson’s appointment via its ruling on

June 18, with the retired Judge stepping down from his post at GECOM soon after.

With the clock ticking and elections months overdue, GECOM has not yet made a decision with regards to the holding of elections or any other matters, even after the Chairperson, Justice Claudette Singh, has now had two meetings with the six commissioners since her appointment last month.

The new GECOM Chair met with both Opposition and Government-nominated commissioners for the first time last week, but no decisions surfaced regarding the next course of action with respect to House-to-House Registration.

The meeting reportedly lasted a few hours, after which PPP Commissioner Bibi Shadick told the media that the Commission’s “businesses” were discussed. She stated that the matters will be addressed once the Chief Justice’s ruling is submitted in written form.

“We have a new Chairperson…we have a new dispensation. There were no decisions taken today. We didn’t have benefit of the Chief Justice’s decision as yet. It has to be given out when it is completed,” Shadick had told media operatives.

She also met with the commissioners on

President David Granger

Wednesday, where they have still not decided on how to proceed regarding elections and the ongoing House-toHouse (H2H) Registration.

In fact, there was a marked reluctance to get into specifics with the press on how this latest meeting with the GECOM Chairperson went.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP)-nominated commissioners were tight-lipped, only commenting that a further meeting will be held on Friday.

However, the Commission does hope to advise President David Granger “not long from now” on their preparedness for the polls. This is according to Governmentnominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander, who noted that while discussions on the way forward have started, outstanding matters still need addressing.

news

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thursday, august 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Thursday, August 22 – 09:00h – 10:30h and Friday, August 23 – 10:00h – 11:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, August 22 – 08:10h – 09:40h and Friday, August 23 – 09:10h – 10:40h.

GECOM hopes to advise President “soon” on elections …Commissioners tight-lipped on meeting with Chair …another meeting set for Friday

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals are expected throughout the day. There will be clear skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 08:38h and 20:58h reaching maximum heights of 2.40 metres and 2.39metres.

Low Tide: 02:09h and 14:31h reaching minimum heights of 0.75 metre and 0.86 metre.

PPP Commissioner Robeson Benn

E

ven after meeting for a second time since the new Chairperson was appointed, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is yet to decide on how to proceed regarding elections and the ongoing Houseto-House (H2H) Registration.

In fact, there was a marked reluctance to get into specifics with the press on how Wednesday’s meeting with GECOM Chairperson Retired Justice Claudette Singh transpired. People’s

determine what is done”.

However, Alexander noted that given the time frame, this is no longer an option. He said that other options will be explored collectively, noting that they will be in a position to advise the President “not long from now”.

It has now been over a week since the High Court ruled that H2H Registration, while constitutional, should also be tempered by the need for early elections. Her written ruling was delivered on Wednesday.

In her written ruling, acting Chief Justice Roxane George reminded parties that a No-Confidence Motion was passed, and as such, the body cannot ignore this and proceed as though it’s business as usual.

Previous meeting

It would not be the first time the Commission has met but failed to reach a decision on H2H Registration.

Justice Singh met with both

PPP Commissioners Sase Gunraj and Bibi Shadick leaving the GECOM meeting on Wednesday

wednesday, AUGUST 21, 2019

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Progressive Party (PPP)nominated Commissioners were tight-lipped, only commenting that a further meeting will be held on Friday.

However, the Commission does hope to advise President David Granger “very soon” on their preparedness for the polls. This is according to Government-nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander, who noted that while discussions on the way forward have started, outstanding matters still need addressing.

In response to questions about what options are open to the Commission, Alexander explained that Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield organised a presentation on different scenarios for election preparation. Alexander denied reports that the meeting went ‘horribly’ against the Government side.

“There may be other methods (of sanitising the list). For instance, if we had invoked Regulation 40 the same objective would have been achieved. Regulation 40 speaks to the role of the Chief Immigration Officer and the Chief Registration Officer.

It provides for the Chief Immigration Officer to provide the Chief Registration officer with information on persons who have departed the country and provides the Chief Registration Officer to

Opposition and Governmentnominated Commissioners for the first time last week, but no decisions surfaced regarding the next course of action with respect to House-to-

Government Commissioners Desmond Trotman, Alexander and Charles Corbin in conversation

House Registration.

The meeting reportedly lasted a few hours, after which PPP Commissioner Bibi Shadick told the media that the Commission’s “businesses” were discussed. She had stated that the matters will be addressed once the Chief Justice’s ruling is submitted in written form.

In her ruling, Justice George had concluded that the House-to-House exercise being conducted is not unlawful or unconstitutional. However, the Court did note that it is unconstitution-

Vincent

al 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 are no longer a qualification for registration”. turn to page 9

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, august 22, 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

Drug usage in schools

J

ust about a year ago, the Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) made public that the use and sale of the drug ecstasy was discovered in five schools. Known as a recreational drug, it has harmful side effects including addiction, and can cause altered sensation. CANU’s announcement might have come as a surprise to many and it’s extremely worrying. What is clear is that some young people have and are been exposed to a drug that also affects the brain and one that also has reportedly been used as a date rape trap.

Sadly, drug use in some schools is not new. Unfortunately, young minds are involved in cigarette smoking and consumption of alcohol, to other substances that are far more harmful. Some are bold enough to capture the effects through unsavoury activities they engage in afterwards— evident from videos that circulate. CANU’s Deputy Head Lesley Ramlall noted that looking at the videos, especially those involving young girls, is really worrying for society.

Clearly, this will now attract attention and the expectation would be for the implementation of measures to eliminate this illegal practice, especially within the school system. This will not be easy, and Ramlall did allude to the related challenges honing in on how would you get to the man at the top— the established leader. Law enforcement will have to up the ante in all aspects— including intelligence— to holistically deal with this situation which has a frightening potential to become a wider problem.

While CANU must be commended for making the discovery and alerting the nation, it raises concerns over how long it might have been ongoing; whether the schools were aware, or whether they have the capacity to aid in identifying drug sales and use within. The drug trade tends to operate within a network and at this point, it may difficult to know how extensive it may be in the schools and whether the actual use is confined to the five.

Another reality is that young people will experiment, unfortunately with harmful things. This is where the Education Ministry will have to be more innovative to derive mechanisms to build capacity among teachers, so that they can be able to spot any possible sign. Once again, this will not be easy, given the innovativeness of those involved. That aside, there must be some signs, including changes in students’ behavioural pattern and performances depending upon the extent of usage. This is not just for ecstasy, but other drugs as well.

The teachers will need to be supported in this fight and it may very well demand a relooking of policies at a higher level for the implementation of effective combating mechanisms. This would need some urgency given that some young people, who represent the future, are involved. It will take the involvement of all: parents, teachers, the Ministry of Education, and law enforcement.

Crucial, is sustained education on the harmful effects of drug use, for which the media should be encouraged to be a part of.

It has to be national given what’s at stake. Maybe this could be the opportunity for the establishment of a structured school monitoring mechanism with specific responsibility. This has been touted before, for other reasons, where trained personnel could either be stationed or make visits to schools to gauge any related effects.

This will have to be thoroughly thought out, for there is the possibility teachers could feel that part of their responsibility is being usurped. They generally look for signs that could indicate a shift in behaviour and try to find a way of having it resolve. With what is now in the news, it begs the question of whether the situation has in some way moved beyond the remit of teachers; be it a lack of capacity or awareness or frankly being afraid to intervene.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, speaking on the issue, was quoted as saying law enforcement agencies were “losing the battle” now that drugs have ended up in schools. This is a battle that the nation cannot afford to lose and one which must be consistently and relentlessly fought. While the stark reality is the battle being lost at this point, it can also be seen as a failure by those in authority.

The Government came into office with a strong security portfolio and the Security Minister’s comments, though factual, not only underscores that failure, but it hints at a lack at optimism in dealing with the issue. Granted porous borders, one would want to believe that surveillance has been heightened at ports of entry. The issue again highlights the need for intelligence gathering to be strengthened so as to aid agencies in curbing the situation.

Beyond these shores, in some schools in the USA, metal detectors were forced to be installed following an upsurge of attacks on students by students in what was described as gangrelated violence. That was after the situation had festered and grown. Routine searches here may not be farfetched to take nip the ecstasy.

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Cui Jianchun and Chief of Staff (centre) of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Patrick West share a photo moment with 11 ranks of the GDF who were awarded scholarships to study in China. The 11 Second Lieutenants will be pursuing studies in the fields of Industrial, Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Computer Science and Technology, Industrial, Electronic Information Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Bio-engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering and Technology [Ministry of the Presidency photo]

US, Venezuela confirm 'secret' talks U S President Donald Trump and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro have said that talks were under way between senior officials from their governments to attempt to resolve the Latin American country's deepening crises.

"We are in touch. We're talking to various representatives of Venezuela," Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday.

He declined to say which officials were engaged in the talks, saying only that "we are talking at a very high level," and adding that "representatives at different levels of Venezuela" were involved.

Maduro confirmed the talks later on Tuesday, say-

US sanctions have further strained Venezuela's collapsing economy

ment that I preside over," in a message broadcast on radio and television.

He described the talks as "secret meetings in secret places with secret people that nobody knows".

"Just as I have sought dialogue in Venezuela, I have sought a way in which

He followed up his address with a post on Twitter, saying Venezuela was "seeking to normalise the conflict that exists with the US empire," and ending with: "I believe in dialogue, I believe in Peace!"

Maduro's comments came a day after Vice President Diosdado Cabello denied allegations that he was in secret talks with members of the US administration.

Political stalemate

Translation: I reaffirm that we are seeking every option for dialogue so that President Donald Trump hears Venezuela's truth and the voice of the Bolivarian Revolution. We seek to normalise the conflict that exists with the US empire. I believe in dialogue, I believe in peace!

ing that "for months, there has been contact between senior officials of the United States, of Donald Trump, and the Bolivarian govern-

President Donald Trump really listens to Venezuela," Maduro said, also without confirming which officials were involved in the talks.

Earlier this month, Maduro blamed Washington when he cancelled scheduled talks with his country's Opposition led by Juan Guaido, the speaker of the National Assembly who proclaimed himself interim President in January.

Maduro and a delegation representing Guaido have been meeting in Barbados as part of talks sponsored

by Norway to resolve a political stalemate in the country that is suffering from a hyperinflationary economic collapse.

Venezuela has been rocked by political unrest since Maduro was sworn in for a second term on January 10, following elections largely boycotted by the Opposition and criticised by the US, the European Union and others.

Tensions escalated on January 23 when Guaido declared himself interim President.

"We're staying out of it, but we are helping it, and it needs a lot of help," Trump said of Venezuela.

"It's an incredible tribute to something bad happening, and the something bad is socialism," he said.

The US is one of more than 50 countries that recognise Guaido as Venezuela's interim President, prompting Caracas to break diplomatic relations with Washington.

The US has been attempting to pressure Maduro through sanctions to step down and hold presidential elections, something he has steadfastly refused to do.

There was no immediate comment from Guaido on Tuesday, but Opposition politicians are travelling to Washington to speak to US officials this week, at least four sources told Reuters news agency. Guaido is expected to deliver remarks early on Wednesday.

Russia, China, Iran and Turkey- along with some leftist regional allies - continue to support Maduro.

Oil-rich but cash-poor, Venezuela is suffering one of the worst economic crises in its history, with a quarter of its 30 million people in need of aid, according to the United Nations.

The UN estimates that at least four million Venezuelans have fled their country because of the economic situation, which has resulted in severe shortages of food and medicine.

The mass exodus has prompted Latin America's largest-ever refugee crisis.

(Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

thurSday, august 22, 2019

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

Norton’s distasteful grumbling: an opportunity to be relevant Dear Editor, Please permit me some space on your letter pages to address the balderdash about myself and my son’s departure from the PNCR that was reportedly uttered by PNCR Executive Member Aubrey Norton.

If the newspaper article is accurate then Norton’s distasteful grumbling could be deduced as an opportunity to be relevant and a needed display of loyalty to the “elitists” at Congress Place. But the competition seems stiff because, since our resignation, beneficiaries of largesse are busy trying to do damage control.

However, I would like to address some untrue statements that Norton reportedly made or insinuated.

1. Myself and son were neither paid nor promised any money or favour to join the People’s Progressive Party/Civic. It is appalling to think that we could have been bought like objects just to satisfy our immediate self-gratification. Our involvement in politics is to help the underprivileged and see Guyana develop. Had we desired power and wealth, we would have stayed with this Government

where bribery and kickbacks are the order of the day.

Furthermore, Norton has conveniently forgotten that President David Granger’s Cabinet best exemplifies greed for immediate self-gratification. After gaining power, his Cabinet increased their salary, breaking their campaign promise of reversing “fat cat” salaries.

2. Norton associated us and the PPP/C with filthy lucre. It seems that Norton has evidence that would be important for a police investigation and should not withhold same. Norton should ask Robert Corbin and Amna Ally about the Dannys’ contribution of time, energy and millions of dollars to the party, whilst he was fighting to be noticed. It’s a shame that he is still struggling in the great quest to find relevance in a party that treats him as chief jack about. Perhaps his role as an Executive Member is to curse out and find spurious arguments.

3. Norton accused us of being weak and vacillating persons who could defect easily. Apparently, he and the PNCR did not value our decades of service and contribution to the party and the

Patterson’s promises did not end well the 1st time Dear Editor, I write to offer a warm welcome back to my parliamentary colleague, Mr David Patterson; the Public Infrastructure man seems to have been hibernating in a back room, Patterson has returned to the pages of our nation’s newspapers in his inimitable splashy style.

Mr Patterson announced a 188-megawatt natural gas plant would be built by the Government, no cost or feasibility study was referenced, it would seem with no parliamentary oversight in place, anything can be said or promised during the election season. Patterson was accompanied by Larry London (of D’Urban Park fame) when he turned the sod for the construction of a new Civil Aviation Authority headquarters, despite no source of financing yet identified for this impressive-sounding building. The Patterson style!

While Mr Patterson is in ‘announcement’ mode, the people of Guyana would have been pleased if he could have explained how US$9000 from the Chinese Consortium appeared in his personal bank account and if he could have produced evidence of transfer of the said US$9000 to MARAD. The people await announcements that the Auditor General has found the $600 million missing from the D’Urban Park Project; A completion date for the CJIA extension project; an explanation of how the CJIA cost the taxpayers, millions of US dollars more for a smaller airport

than originally paid for by way of ‘fixed price’ contract; he would have come clean on how the Harbour Bridge feasibility study has cost 10s of millions more than approved

by Cabinet and which has now been referred by the Public Procurement Commission to the Auditor General for forensic investigation.

Patterson has taken every other opportunity for ‘announcements’, a ‘Skype call’ from a Virgin-Atlantic Airlines executive was parlayed into ‘Virgin coming’. Mr Patterson fears no embarrassment, taking to social media to claim credit for the expected increase in rice production; the fact is the rice farmers have demonstrated great resilience and tenacity resulting in an upswing in production despite adverse budget measures of the APNU/AFC that include application of 14 per cent VAT on machinery, sending up cost of acquisition; increase of land and water charges; the lack of assistance with drainage and irrigation; the removal of fertilizer subsidies and the virtual neglect of farm to market access roads.

The mango season is upon us and we can expect more glib statements and empty promises from Mr Patterson and his colleagues. The people of Guyana have seen this play before; Mr Patterson’s promises did not end well the first time, maybe he should have done a feasibility study before returning to the limelight.

Yours truly, Bishop Juan A Edghill

departure was the correct decision.

Also if weak and vacillating means respecting the rule of law; wanting an enabling business environment; desiring proper social services for youths, women and the underprivileged; engaging in pro-Guyana oil and gas deals, and having a transparent procurement process then yes, we are. At least we are not bullies who are disregarding the rule of law to hold on to power at all costs to benefit cronies.

4. If indeed, persons are leaving the PPP/C and joining the coalition, then they should not be afraid of contesting the General and Regional Elections. In fact, PPP/C’s victory in both Local Government Elections should not be a problem. After all, the coalition has strength in numbers. Perhaps a little advertisement could act as encouragement to others unless their new members are ashamed to be affiliated with them publicly.

5. What is the good life?

How do we measure the good life? Who are the beneficiaries of the good life? Could Norton say whether the good life means getting a salary of $700,000 plus? Does the good life entail leaving on your AC of the State-owned vehicle whilst you dine just to ensure that it is at the right temperature when you reenter with

the girls from bambam alley?

Does the good life mean creating ruckus for a prohibited parking spot? Does the good life mean awarding contracts to close relatives whilst ignoring the small contractors who were promised 20 per cent of infrastructure works?

Does the good life mean building a mansion after just three years in office?

6. If the coalition knew anything about prudent management of a country, the cost of living would have reduced. And, the heavy taxation burden faced by citizens would have been removed.

But, the Government prefers to tax the working class to finance their lavish lifestyle. They boast about buses, boats and bicycles for school children but took away the $10,000 grant and placed VAT on school uniforms.

They have made homeownership challenging owing to burdensome tax on building materials. Importantly, they cannot be trusted to manage the oil and gas sector which is evident from poor deals they are making on behalf of Guyanese.

To every Guyanese reading this letter, please be patriotic and walk away from this impotent Government.

Vote for the PPP/C. Yours truly, Dave Danny Sr Dave Danny Jr

Stop wasting money Dear Editor, Last night I was going through my stories on Snapchat, and I noticed one of my followers posted GECOM’s House-to-House team re-registering them. I have been following this matter keenly as I was very concerned about my status on the list.

On August 14, 2019, the Chief Justice stated: “residency is not a qualifying requirement for registration pursuant to Article 159 (2) and therefore the names of persons which are currently on the list of registrants and voters who are not registered during the House-toHouse Registration exercise cannot be removed unless the persons are deceased or become disqualified pursuant to Article 159 (2) with the provisions for such removal in the NRA to be complied with”.

This made me very elated as I will not be removed from the voters’ list and my rights will not be violated.

The right to be registered to vote and the right to vote are sacrosanct and fundamental.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which Guyana has acceded establishes the right to vote as a matter of international human rights law and provides that every citizen has a right to vote.

Now my issue today is the wasting of resources with the House-to-House exercise. The Chief Justice ruled that it isn’t unlawful but it’s

more of a means of verification. Editor, I was registered during a period of Continuous Registration, where I actively went into the GECOM office near my house and signed myself up. Why not open a period of such?

Chief Justice R George, SC, stated: “The NCM is an extraordinary circumstance that GECOM must bear in mind in its decision-making as it conducts the House-toHouse Registration and for that matter any verification process that has as objective the compilation or revision of the list of electors for the required upcoming elections”.

Bearing in mind all that has passed since December 21, 2018, should GECOM be focusing all resources on getting an election in the shortest possible time. As a constitutional actor, they should be concerned with Guyana becoming unconstitutional.

Besides that, they should realise how finite resources are, and pouring resources into an activity that can be done in another manner is simply not the most advisable thing to do.

Therefore, Editor, I am appealing to all sound-minded Guyanese to see the light and join me in a call for an end to House-to-House Registration.

Stop wasting money that can be allocated to ensuring we have credible elections.

Regards, Nutana Singh

Every vote is a golden one during the 2019 general elections Dear Editor, Are votes during the Guyana general elections in 2019 as golden as I think they are or should be?

I understand that the Chief Justice in a recent ruling stated that the current House-to-House Registration is legal and at the same time, no name should be taken off the current voters’ list. I guess that would be with the exception of all deceased persons since the last general elections in 2015. I just need some clarification on the following: For someone not registering during the current Houseto-House Registration cycle, but whose name is on the current voters’ list from 2015, will they be allowed to cast their vote?

I happen to know a bedridden patient at the Palms called “The Geriatric Home” on Brickdam, and from a recent visit, I jokingly inquired from the individual if she will be voting? She respond-

ed with laughter that she would love to vote, but is not sure what provisions would be made for her and others in that condition to exercise that right. Does she actually have any voting rights as a senior citizen?

Is it GECOM or the Government’s responsibility to put in a place a system for having those senior citizens cast their respective vote? Why not have a special day allotted for such an exercise similar to the Disciplined Forces? What about the homeless persons on the streets, do they have any voting rights?

From inquiries, I was told that prisoners have no voting rights. Is that accurate? This election in 2019 is huge and why not make an exception and have prisoners cast their votes? Again, set aside a special day for GECOM personnel to visit all prison locations and let those votes come in.

Yours faithfully, T Pemberton

Unlawful grazing of cattle at Continental Park, Plantation Peters Hall Dear Editor, I am a resident of Continental Park, Plantation Peters Hall, on the East Bank of Demerara, who would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all of the residents of the area to vent through the letters column of your newspaper about the complete disgust and frustration of everyone residing there as it relates to the unlawful grazing of cattle in the neighbourhood.

When we purchased our properties in the Continental Park area, there were certain stipulated conditions on the agreement of sale, conditions that we are expected to maintain, like not being able to operate a mechanic shop there, and not being able to rear livestock, and not being able to subdivide or sublet the properties to multiple families etc, conditions we understand would be necessary to maintain a successful residential investment and which we strictly adhere to.

However, for more than two years now, there is an urban cattle rancher who incidentally does not reside in the area, but who herds a huge kine of cattle into the area early each morning and leaves them to graze in this residential neighbourhood until late at night.

In support of the country’s green agenda, most residents of the area have taken the time and expended their financial resources to landscape their properties including the front beyond their gates and fences. They have planted special grass, special flowering plants, and nice shady trees. They have been painstakingly pruning them, watering them and fertilising them.

To everyone’s chagrin, however, these cows are allowed to roam freely all day long and well into the night, posing a traffic hazard, preventing the children of the neighbourhood from riding their bicycles, and from going to their neighbour’s

house to play with their friends due to the fear of being attacked and trampled upon.

These cows defecate and urinate everywhere. They munch and lunch on the grass, they eat all of the foliage that they can find, and they create large holes in the ground, particularly when the ground is soft due to the rain. They rub themselves on objects such as letterboxes, parked cars, and plants, damaging them in the process.

Reports of this nuisance to the Eccles/Ramsburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council are of little use as these appeals fall on deaf ears and nothing is done about it. The cows are not impounded, the owner is not charged for these violations nor is he made to stop this daily grazing exercise.

Most egregious of all is the fact that when the herder is spoken to about the inconvenience being encountered by the residents as a result of the grazing of the cows, he becomes abusive and belligerent.

I would like to plead with those in authority to do something to help us out of this mess, Sincerely, Kishore Das

6

thursday, august 22, 2019

Page

Foundation What happens if you keep playing sports when you’re injured?

A

nature journal is simply a place to record one’s observations of nature. It might include sketches or drawings, written descriptions or notes, poems, photographs, natural objects such as leaves or flowers, or scientific data such as lists or wildlife tallies. There are no rules when it comes to nature journals! This activity is great whether you are a kid or an adult. We should all keep one.

Nature journals help us see, understand, and appreciate the natural world around us.

They help us tap into our senses, develop our observation skills, and discover our creative side. Very importantly, they help us slow down and relax, and that can be hard to do in this busy world, no matter your age.

Kids might be kids, but they experience stress, too. Often their schedules are so packed with school, homework, studying, dance classes, music classes, sports, and other activities that they don’t have much downtime – many parents put a lot of pressure on their kids to always achieve. Some kids stay indoors because of their parents’ worries, and they eventually develop these same fears. Of course, many kids are inside glued to their televisions and video games. Point being, kids today often don’t get much time to be outside to just explore.

Grown- ups see nature journals as having multiple benefits for children – sparking imagination and creativity; giving a “secret” boost to academic progress and scientific thinking; helping children make connections between their

lives and the natural world around them; helping them study interactions between wildlife and flora or between animals of the same or different species; and giving opportunities for reflection on what was observed in the past to what is being observed now. Plus, it gives children a chance to slow down or even sit still.

Nature journals are super easy to make with a just a few materials you likely have around the house. All you need is some paper, thin cardboard or a thick paper such as cardstock, a rubber band, a stick (appropriate for the size you make your journal), scissors, a hole punch, and possibly a ruler or pencil if you need it.

What if you keep playing when you have a sports injury? What are the effects? – Ryan

Next, punch two holes on one side of one piece of cardboard, where you’d like the hinges to be. Don’t get too close to the edge, but don’t go too far away from it, either, else you will have trouble opening and writing in the journal. Then align the cardboard with sections of paper and/or the other piece of cardboard to punch matching holes on the rest of the journal pieces.

You want everything to be lined up as perfectly as possible, especially the holes (you can always trim edges later if you need to). When you are done, stack everything up with the cardboard on the outside as the cover.

Take the rubber band and loop one end over the stick, then through a hole.

Stretch the rubber band along the back and through the other hole, looping it on the other end of the stick.

And that’s it! Time to gather pencils and other drawing tools! Decorate as you wish.

By the way, journals don’t have to be large. Perhaps it would be handy to have one that fits in a pocket.

Spend time outside, putting whatever you want inside the journal, like a tiny spider on the tip of a flower or the heavy pollen sacs on a busy bee. Note details, such as lobes or veins o n a leaf or long antenna on an insect.

Once you get started, you’re likely to see things you didn’t notice! (Adapted from great-

W

hen it comes to sports injuries, the old days of “just suck it up” or “play through the pain” are over. Doctors, trainers, and most coaches now know that playing through a sports injury can cause damage that keeps you on the bench longer. Playing through an injury may even end your sports career entirely.

Continuing to play if you have an injury can make that injury worse. A small stress fracture that might have healed quickly can grow into a more serious, more painful fracture that will take longer to heal. Returning to play too soon after a concussion increases your risk of serious brain injury.

But, in addition to worsening an existing injury, playing when you’re already injured means you also can get hurt someplace else. That’s because you may be playing in a way that’s not natural for your body — it protects the injured area but puts other areas at risk.

stems.com)

So what should athletes do?

First, stop playing as soon as you notice an injury and talk to your coach or doctor. Then keep resting until you are fully healed and your doctor gives the go ahead (even if you feel sort of OK and there’s a big game coming up, don’t play unless your doctor says you can).

Second, condition your body. Sports medicine experts recommend training and conditioning as a way to prevent injuries from happening in the first place. For an evaluation of your strengths and weaknesses, talk to your coach or trainer, or visit a sports medicine centre. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, and some of them are things you might not be aware of or expect.

A good athletic trainer or coach can evaluate you and then give you workouts and conditioning exercises that are targeted to your individual needs. These help you build up the weaker areas of your body so there’s less risk of overall injury.

Sports medicine centres in children’s hospitals are a good bet. Trainers and therapists who work with young athletes know more about developing bodies and the kinds of injuries teens can get than trainers who work with adults.

If you already have an injury, these experts can give you conditioning exercises targeted to your body so that it both heals and grows stronger. *Names have been changed to protect user privacy. (kidshealth.org)

7 ECD man kills wife, attempts suicide A news

thursday, august 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Nabacalis, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man attacked and stabbed his wife to death on Wednesday following an argument over an extramarital affair. After killing his wife, the miner then attempted to take his own life.

Dead is Vinetta Headley-James.

Reports are the 44-year-old woman was killed at about 12:50h

during a heated argument with her husband, 45-yearold Sherlock James.

This newspaper was told that the incident occurred at the couple’s Lot 68 Nabacalis Sideline Dam, ECD home. Guyana Times understands that James would spend long periods in the interior, and had accused his wife of cheating on him.

Three days ago, the cou-

Dead: Vinetta Headley

ple was involved in a heated argument over the allegations when James assaulted the mother of his three children and then fled the scene. However, he returned home on Wednesday and according a close relative, his wife attempted to put his clothing outside.

This led to a confrontation and James cautioned his now dead wife against putting his belongings out of

the home. During the confrontation, an angry James ran into the kitchen, where he picked up a knife and attacked his wife, stabbing her to her neck. After being stabbed to her neck, the woman ran into the yard and collapsed. She was picked up and rushed to the hospital by the couple’s eldest daughter.

However, she succumbed while being treated at the

CC Nicholson Hospital, ECD. James was later discovered lying a short distance from his house with a stab wound to his neck, which is suspected to be self-inflicted.

He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he is receiving treatment under guard.

The police are continuing their investigations.

American Airlines plane suffers blowout at CJIA ...China Harbour threshold lights cause accident – Airport

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nother American Airlines flight was delayed on Wednesday morning after the aircraft suffered a blowout from a raised runway light at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), leaving over 100 passengers stranded.

The incident occurred just after midnight as American Airlines flight AA1512 was taxiing down the runway for takeoff to Miami.

Guyana Times understands that the aircraft ran over the temporary runway lighting, which damaged the wheels of the plane.

bles are usually run underground and the lights into the ground but because of the ongoing extension works, temporary cables are being used.

“That is just a temporary arrangement but when the runway is extended fully, [the cables and lights] will go back down underground as it would normally be,” the official had stated.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, American Airlines said that the temporary runway lights were not visible, hence the aircraft, an Airbus A319, ran over the ca-

The temporary lighting system was installed to facilitate current extension works at the CJIA runway.

Earlier this month when there was a failure in the runway lighting system, a senior airport official had explained to this newspaper that the runway light ca-

ble and damaged some tyres.

“The cable appears to be part of a temporary runway light solution which was not visible to the crew and no previous notice was issued to pilots… No injuries were reported and passengers were bussed back to the gate,” the missive from the US-based

airline detailed.

But the CJIA in a statement also on Wednesday insisted that the appropriate Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was previously issued on the temporary lighting systems being used.

The appropriate Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was previously issued to advise of these works and for pilots to exercise caution when in the vicinity of the threshold,” the CJIA said.

Nevertheless, after Wednesday’s incident, all 128 passengers and five crew members aboard the American Airlines aircraft were transported via buses from the aircraft back to the Terminal Building.

The CJIA said the runway was reopened at 04:40h for flight operations after the

aircraft was relocated.

According to the American Airlines statement, the flight was rescheduled to leave at 02:00h on today.

In the meanwhile, the airline is in contact with the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), which has been called in to probe the incident.

Additionally, the CJIA said an internal investiga-

tion has also been launched to determine the circumstances leading to the aircraft coming into contact with the lights.

This is the second incident involving an American Airlines flight in the last two weeks. Last week, passengers on another American Airlines flight faced delays after the plane experienced compression issues while in

air, forcing it to return to Guyana. Those passengers were transported the following day.

These issues come as American Airlines is gearing up to expand services here in Guyana with the commencement of non-stop flights from Georgetown to New York City in December. Currently, the airline only operates flights to Miami.

8 News

thursday, august 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS Drinking spree murder lands porter in jail

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man who allegedly killed his drinking buddy during an argument over who should have the last shot of vodka was on Wednesday remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Callis Rodrigues, a porter, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The charge stated that on August 17, 2019, at Kumaka Water Front, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini), the 20-year-old murdered Oswald Henry.

According to the prosecution’s case, at about 21:30h, the men were imbibing at a shop when they began to argue over who

should take the last shot of vodka in the bottle.

It was reported that Henry allegedly held on to the bottle and Rodrigues became annoyed, picked up a piece of wood, and reportedly dealt Henry several lashes about his body.

The injured man fell unconscious and was rushed to the Kumaka District

Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The matter was then reported, an investigation was carried out, and Rodrigues was arrested.

Rodrigues was remanded to prison and the case will call again at the Aquero Magistrate’s Court on September 30, 2019.

nied the offence.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that on August 19 at about 11:00h, ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch went to Brown’s residence to carry

out a search.

According to the Prosecutor, the compressed cannabis was found in the house and both Brown and Pompey were arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Pompey, in her address to the court, stated that she was only a mere guest at the home when the search was conducted.

The Chief Magistrate, after listening to the facts, sentenced Brown to five years behind bars and fined him.

Meanwhile, Pompey was released on $200,000 bail. Her case will continue on August 29.

Ganja trafficker jailed for 5 years …fined $10.8M

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n Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) resident, who was nabbed after Police ranks unearthed 27 kilograms of cannabis at his home, was on Wednesday jailed for five years and fined $10.8 million when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Errol Brown of Lot 125 Eccles, East Bank Demerara appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, along with Shellyann Pompey, 28, of Craig, East Bank Demerara, who was arrested with Brown.

The charge stated that on

August 19, 2019 at Brown’s Eccles, EBD home, they had in their possession 27.318 kilograms of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

Brown admitted to the charge, while Pompey de-

Father of 5 jailed for armed robberies

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father of five was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to two counts of armed robbery along with possession of illegal gun and ammunition.

Raheem Abdul, a vendor of Lot 17 Broad Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, admitted to the four charges when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The first charge stated that on August 17, 2019, at Lombard Street, Georgetown, while being in the company of others and armed with a gun, he robbed Amos Ramcharan of $70,000 and a phone valued at $42,000. The court further heard that on the same day and at the same location, while being in the company of others and armed with a gun, he robbed Qumar (only name given) of a phone valued at $39,000.

The third charge stated that on August 17, 2019, at

Raheem Abdul

Broad Street, Charlestown, he had in his possession three live rounds of .38 ammunition when he was not the holder of a firearm licence. The last charge stated that on August 17, 2019, at Broad Street, Charlestown, he had in his possession a .38 revolver when he was not the holder of firearm licence.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that Abdul and the victims are known to each other since they are vendors on Lombard Street, Georgetown.

The prosecutor informed the court that at about

03:30h on August 17, the victims were plying their trade on Lombard Street, when Abdul and two other individuals, who were armed with handguns, approached them. According to the prosecutor, the men pointed the guns at the victims’ heads and demanded that they hand over their valuables.

The court heard that Abdul began demanding more money from Ramcharan and placed the gun to the man’s head and started a countdown while threatening him.

In fear for his life, the vendor then led Abdul to his

bus and handed over a purse containing cash and documents.

After retrieving the items, Abdul along with his accomplices made good their escape on bicycles. The incident was reported to the police and based on information received, the police swooped down at a house in Broad Street, Georgetown, where they arrested Abdul.

A search was also conducted at the house and the stolen articles along with the gun and matching rounds were found in his possession.

He was subsequently arrested and positively identified by the victims.

Magistrate McLennan sentenced Abdul to three years for each of the robbery charges. He was then sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and fined $50,000 for the illegal firearm possession charge along with two years’ imprisonment and a $50,000 fine for illegal ammunition possession.

However, the sentences will run concurrently.

Mahdia man jailed for B&E Chinese store

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20-year-old man was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment after he admitted to a breaking and entering charge when he appeared on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Calvin DeSantos, a miner of Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), stood before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and admitted that between August 17 and 18, 2019, at Campbelltown, Mahdia, he broke and en-

r e t n E & k Brea tered the shop of Lee Xin Zuang and stole $300,000 and $200,000 worth of Digicel phone cards.

The prosecution’s case contended that on August 17, 2019, at about 19:10h,

the Virtual Complaint secured her business place and retired to bed. However, the following day, at about 06:00h, the businesswoman observed that the shop’s door was open and upon in-

spection, she noticed that the articles mentioned were missing.

The VC then proceeded to review the CCTV footage and noticed DeSantos entering the shop and leaving with the articles.

The matter was then reported to the Mahdia Police Station and DeSantos was subsequently arrested.

The Chief Magistrate, after listening to the facts presented, sentenced DeSantos to two years’ imprisonment.

Talking frankly…

T

…about our politics here appears to be something schizophrenic about the PNC’s politics nowadays. After insisting for fifty odd (very odd!!) years that it was “multiracial”, in 2015 it fessed up that it really wasn’t. Of course, it had the odd (very odd!) members from other ethnic/racial groups, but by and large, they were quite monochromatic. The new leadership represented by Granger and his army cohorts figured they couldn’t keep up the façade any longer. Maybe army types are trained to be a bit more hard-nosed in reconnoitring a terrain??

By then, the PNC had already decided that the answer to the question “what’s in a name?” was “PLENTY” – when the name was PNC!! Based on its history, the PNC represented treachery (betraying the nationalist cause for a deal with the colonialists); disloyalty (jettisoning its partner, the UF, which had provided the numbers to get into government in 1964); discrimination (jobs only with a PNC party card); incompetence ( “square pegs in round holes” invented to describe their appointments!); clueless (wrecking the economy); and vicious (murdering Walter Rodney) etc.

They changed their name in time for the 2011 elections to “A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)” under the “outsider” David Granger. They’d corralled 4 “parties” that collectively had barely secured a single seat to Parliament since 1992. They insisted that “National Unity” was now achieved!! By 2015, they rethought their assumption and worked out a coalition with the multiracial AFC – which had secured some 10% of the votes at the 2011 elections. After their 2015 razor-thin victory (4000 votes/1 seat!) they claimed NOW they’d achieved “national unity”!!

Now, with the AFC, at best, they might’ve pulled over let’s say 6% votes from the PPP base?? Now how could that make the coalition a “national” coalition?? But you’d think they’d at least put on a pappy show to lull the unwary, wouldn’t you? But no…the schizophrenia was manifested when instead of at least ACTING in a national fashion to encompass all Guyanese concerns, the coalition, shut down 4 sugar estates and threw 7000 workers into the breadlines!!

And they did this when even the CoI they’d appointed to make suggestions on the way forward for the sugar industry recommended otherwise!! But hold it!! Maybe they’re not schizophrenic at all! Maybe they’re just practicing real-politik after the AFC didn’t even murmur a word of dissent, much less protest the sugar closure!! Their mouth had been muzzled by the 50% salary increase and the perks of office!!

The question is, now that the Guyanese people have seen through the charade of the PNC’s “multiracial” pretentions, will they revert back to their real name for the next elections??

P(unishment) N(ever) C(eases)??

…on qualification for voting The PNC jumped on the H2H limb to delay the NCMmandated elections. But of course, like with their “halfman” ploy to define “majority” on their other limb, they came up with a “reason”. They claimed the present NRR and OLE which were used for last year’s LGE was “bloated” with some 200,000+ names.

But if a new NRR (from which the OLE is extracted) was created from the H2H registrations, a whole lotta folks were going to be “deregistered”: they wouldn’t be there to be registered. Trouble was, folks warned the PNC that because residency wasn’t one of the requirements for voting, the process would be invalidated if a single name were removed? And, of course, that’s what Justice George ruled!

But a lot of people might still be removed during the Claims and Objections period. Art 159 (3) states folks who’re insane or of unsound mind can’t vote.

Isn’t this what the PNC’s doing by dragging out the elections date after the NCM? How much more of this can we take? …on Law scholarships The PNC Government just announced scholarships for law students headed to – or already at – Hugh Wooding to complete their LEC. But aren’t high fees one of the ways to ensure law remains an elite fraternity?

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

news

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thursday, august 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

“It is just not right” – Deodat Indar on foreign companies mopping up opportunities here

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he former President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar, on Wednesday lamented that foreign companies, particularly those from the Caribbean region, are coming to Guyana and “mopping up” all of the opportunities springing from the budding oil and gas industry.

“Guyanese always behave like we gotta do the Treaty of Chaguaramas to the ‘T’ or else we gon go to hell; but damn with that, I’m sorry to say that, because if I go to Trinidad, I can’t go and set up my business, and I can’t do what they coming [here and do]. If I go to Barbados, or the U.S., or any other country, you can’t go and do the things we see happening here. Somebody needs to stand up and move out the politics and move back all the grand standing and call a spade a spade. It is just not right!” Indar con-

Former GCCI President Deodat Indar

tended.

At the time delivering a presentation at a public panel discussion at Duke Lodge on Wednesday, on the third draft of the Local Content Policy (LCP) which was recently released by the Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Energy, Indar noted that while this third draft is a “step up” from the previous two, there are still several issues with the document.

He explained that one

GECOM hopes...

Anti-corruption advocate Christopher 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.

from page 3

“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 NoConfidence 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 means that House-to-House is not mandatory and more importantly, not the only option for GECOM to revised the voters’ list.

of the issues has to do with the ‘test of locality’ and the definition of local companies. According to the former GCCI President, a local company cannot be one that is recently established, which is the case with many of what he referred to as ‘shop fronts’; that is, small companies being established with the ‘big guns’ behind them.

Indar noted that before the LOC was in the pipeline, the GCCI had drafted a policy of its own, which outlined the four ‘test of locality’ components to determine a local company.

“A Guyanese company can’t be somebody just off the radar, who go and register something at the High Court,” he noted.

Indar advanced that the residency requirement of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Income Tax Act is ‘183 days in Guyana’. That, he noted, is archaic.

“It only deals with individuals, not institutions; so what you have are laws in Guyana that are draconian, and the oil and gas activity and level development is 100 years up. How you gonna work like that? Those things have to change, and (you have to) deal with what you have in the country,” he stressed.

He posited that local content needs to be looked at in the context of now, and not in the future.

“I’m not anti-foreign business, but you have a lot of foreign businesses that are here and are mopping up every single thing, and Guyanese are left to watch it happen and can’t do anything,” he posited.

Private sector bodies have been in the forefront of local stakeholders pushing for a Local Content Policy, especially since oil production is expected to commence in the first quarter of next year. In fact, earlier this week, the

A section of the gathering at Wednesday’s panel discussion on Local Content Policy

GCCI lamented the sloth attending preparation to regulate the oil and gas industry.

The Local Content Policy would guide the State in guarding against local companies being bypassed for the awarding of contracts and services in preference for foreign companies and workers.

Transparent investment

Over the past weeks, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had also raised concerns about foreign investors coming here and striking underhand deals with the caretaker coalition Government.

Two week ago, Jagdeo had disclosed that ‘carpetbagger’ investors, including some from Trinidad, are entering into secret deals with Government and are cleaning up prime real estate in Guyana.

But his statement did not sit well with some foreigners looking to come and invest here, particularly those within the Caribbean region.

In fact, days later, a spokesperson from the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the comments made by the Guyanese politician is “currently being discussed.”

However, the Opposition Leader last week defended his remarks by saying that there is nothing wrong with foreign investors coming here, but he insisted they should be transparent in their transactions. “(We don’t want) carpetbaggers flowing through here and, before we know it, there are no opportunities for our people; and that is what is being done. Not that I have anything against Trinidadians or anyone else coming here as investors, but what I have problems with is when this Government -- in this period of illegality and (in)a caretaker role -- went to an Investors’ Conference in Trinidad paid by taxpayers, and after the investors conference, was working out private deals,” Jagdeo stated.

According to the Opposition Leader, investors were giving money to Government officials who went to the Investors’ Conference in Trinidad last month, and in exchange they were being given tracts of lands in prime locations across Guyana, including at Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara, Wales on the West Bank of Demerara, and even along the alignment of the East Bank to East Coast bypass road.

He noted, too, that negotiations for the land that was earmarked for the now cancelled Specialty Hospital are ongoing, or the land has already been reallocated.

Jagdeo had previously disclosed that many ‘carpetbagger’ investors are coming here to take advantage of underhand deals, and are benefiting from land giveaways at a time when the Government should be in a caretaker mode.

The Opposition Leader noted that this situation is particularly worrying especially in the absence of a Local Content Policy to protect Guyanese interests.

“Let me tell you something about local content: Before the Government changes, almost all of the opportunities that are gonna be available for our people are gonna be gone… There is no Local Content Policy. We will become second class citizens in this country because this Government doesn’t care, and is not looking out for Guyanese, and is part of these deals,” he stressed.

The Opposition Leader noted thus, “We have to have a Local Content Policy -- within the month of a new PPP government -- that emphasises Guyanese benefitting from these things.”

10 news

thursday, august 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

MMA rice farmers call for dams to be fixed before harvest

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ith less than one week before farmers in the Mahaica Mahaicony AbaryAgricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) Scheme start harvesting their rice, concern is being raised over the state of access of dams in the scheme.

Jamal Azees

On Wednesday, some of the farmers highlighted their plight to Guyana Times.

According to one farmer, there is only one tractor in the community big enough the drive through the access road without being stuck.

On the Wednesday, even

they refer to as 290 and 185 tractors.

None of those can make it through the MMA access dam. According to the farmers, it is not the entire dam which is in a bad shape.

They pointed out five sections of which it impossible for them to pass over the access road. In some of those areas, the dam has deteriorated to the extent that it is now lower than the water level in the adjacent canal.

“I don’t see farmers in my area, who are basically small farmers, getting into those areas to spray for paddy bugs, fertilise their crop and basic crop husbandry,” one farmer related.

Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal blamed the MMA for the situation, saying that the agency has been paying little or no attention to what has been happening there.

“Farmers are finding it very difficult to transport their produce in and out.

Also, many of them will have to visit their fields frequently because of the heavy infestation of paddy bugs. I spoke to a number of small farmers who would have raised con-

The Regional Chairman and farmers at Onverwagt on Wednesday

that farmer told this publication that he too was having difficulties traversing on what should be an access road. Most of the small farmers have machines, which

cerns about them not having access to their fields because of the deplorable state of the Main Canal Dam,” Ramphal noted.

Jamal Azees has 30 acres

A tractor stuck on the all-weather dam

of rice cultivation, and for him, it is a nightmare getting to his cultivation.

“The dam is in a terrible state. Bad! This is the access dam next to the canal.

It should be an all-weather road. It is just like the canal right now. You have to go into the canal to pass some places. You have to stop half-way and walk the rest.

My field is about four miles from here; it took me about two and a half hours to reach here and I’m only halfway,” he said.

Another farmer, Rabindranauth Saywack, has 45 acres at Hopetown, but he cannot access his fields from that village.

“Access from Number 22 to the concrete bridge is out of the question. No tractor can pass there; not even the big tractors. So, I end up having to travel around to the Onverwagt Road and then going all the way up to Hopetown on what is supposed to be a Main Access Road— an all-weather Road.

That is only an access road in words; it is worst that an earth dam. We now have to park about a mile before and walk to cross the main canal with a small boat and then walk another half mile to get the way of my farm lands,” the farmer explained while adding that it is no longer profitable to cultivate rice under those conditions because the cost to take fer-

tiliser to his fields would exceed proceeds from his crop.

“It is 45 days now for the rice. I don’t see it being possible because of the cost to transport 15 bags of fertiliser with a small boat; a Honda 5 horsepower engine.

It is about $10,000 and then you have to add $45,000 to the cost of production and if you multiply that by three, you would recognise how

much more money I have to spend”.

However, the MMA said it is cash strapped, but Ramphal, who is a member of the MMA Board, disagrees.

“They are funds that can do some of these works.

Apart from that since farmers are being faced with so many difficulties, I am calling on the MMA to reduce that exorbitant increase that they would have imposed on farmers a few years ago. This is the time to withdraw that huge increase and allow the farmers to pay the regular rate. They are faced with tremendous financial difficulties at this time and we cannot pressure them or else we will push them out of business families will be suffering. This is the time where we can see uncaring-

Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal

ness of this Government because if they sob care about farmers, they would have come in a long time ago and subsidised MMA to ensure the farmers have a better livelihood,” the Regional Chairman argued.

Delinquent City Hall begs for rates and taxes payment to pay NIS debt

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ayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine is appealing to residents in the capital city to pay their rates and taxes so that City Hall, which has been delinquent in its payments to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), can pay off its debt.

It was recently reported that City Hall owes NIS some $218 million. The Mayor said that the treasurer and finance Committee are exploring options to have this issue resolved.

“They are looking at how we can be able to honour those obligations,” he said while adding, “We are appealing to the public to pay their taxes so we can get our NIS and so clear.

Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine

Everything is about money and to be honest, City Hall is really cash-strapped where we can’t afford it.

On this note, the Mayor admitted that the situation becomes so severe at times that the Council is unable to pay staffers some months.

According to the Insurance Act, it is a criminal offence if entities fail to pay their contributions by the due date. Those who refuse to pay can be prosecuted.

Last August, City Hall workers took to the streets in front of City Hall as they protested the non-payment of NIS contributions among others. It was reported that City Hall deducts the NIS contributions, PAYE, and credit union dues from the earnings of workers but do not pay the relevant agencies.

It was explained that on many occasions workers have visited the NIS and were unable to get any money for spectacles or sick leave since the Council has been delinquent in its payments.

Following the protest, the then Town Clerk, Royston King met with the workers’ union and a payment plan was agreed to, to address these concerns.

NIS deficit

With agencies like City Hall failing to pay up their contributions, NIS recorded a whopping $748 million deficit during the first half of this year.

This was evident in the Finance Ministry’s Half Year report which explained that the insurance scheme recorded an overall deficit of $748.4 million for the year, compared to the $715.6 million it recorded in the same half-year period for 2018. Revenue collection so far for 2019 was $11.9 billion, 9.7 per cent more than the same period for 2018.

“This improved position resulted from higher wage bands, on account of an increase in wages and salaries, as well as improved collection of outstanding contributions from delinquent employers,” the report says.

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thursday, august 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Parika family robbed by knife-wielding bandit

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Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) family were in the wee hours of Tuesday morning attacked in their home by a knife-wielding bandit, who carted off with a sum of cash and jewellery.

The Singh family was robbed at about 03:00h.

Reports are the family were awakened by a noise emanating from a section of the lower flat of their two-storey home.

According to 45-year-

old Babita Singh, she was asleep when she heard a noise and got out of bed to investigate. She told Guyana Times that as she was about to exit her bedroom, which is located on the lower flat, she was attacked by a lone bandit.

The woman recounted that frightened, she screamed for her husband, but had a knife placed to her neck by the perpetrator.

As her husband ran to her rescue, the woman re-

layed that he was told to hand over valuables or his

wife would be killed.

“The man had a mask on,

he hold me up and he press the knife to my neck so my husband couldn’t have done anything because he tell he if he aint listen that he gone kill me,” the woman related.

Singh told this publication that scared, her husband handed over a sum of cash and jewellery to the man who quickly fled through a window.

“After he run out, my husband run out behind he to see where he going but

me holler and call he back inside because I didn’t want he get hurt and then we went to check on the kids that were asleep upstairs,” the woman recalled.

The family then sounded an alarm alerting neighbours to the incident and the Police were notified.

Singh was later taken to the hospital where she was treated for a wound which she sustained to her neck. The Police have since launched an investigation.

2 ambulances, 100 hospital beds donated to Govt

T

wo ambulances and 100 hospital beds were donated to the Public Health Ministry on Wednesday by Food for the Poor and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

A simple handing-over ceremony was conducted at the Ministry’s Brickdam, Georgetown head office.

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence said the donation is a good example of public-private partnerships.

Over the past few months, the Minister said Food for the Poor has been working in Regions Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Three (Essequibo Islands – West Demerara) and Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) with

A few of the beds which will be dispatched to health institutions across the country The two ambulances that were handed over

the Ministry on various initiatives.

Meanwhile, the senior manager at Food for the Poor, Jimeel Davis, reiterated the agency’s commitment to assisting those in need.

“This is the third container in the last 12 months (we are donating). It shows our commitment to the Ministry of (Public) Health in helping this nation to become better (and) healthier,” he said.

NALICO/NAFICO awards policyholders’ children successful at NGSA

T

he North American Life, Fire and General Insurance Companies Limited (NALICO/ NAFICO) recently presented bursary awards to 16 children of policyholders, who recently sat the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and ob-

tained exceptional grades.

The students who received the awards are: Aleah Hema, LaSadie Saul, Kalief Sobers, Lloyd M Stanton, Akiro A Moore, Leandra Portor, Gayatri A Singh, Tyrese Bess, Carlos Luckie, Niall Asif Phagoo, Sanya

A Noel, Leanna Woolford, Shauntel Anderson, Isiah A Cambridge, Nandishraj Singh and Samara P Langford.

The award is expected to be paid to the students for five consecutive years, provided that they meet the minimum requirements for the receipt.

The donation of the beds, he added, came as a result of a request from the Ministry.

It was noted that the beds will be dispatched to Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Eight, along with a few other hinterland areas.

On the other hand, Minister Lawrence noted that the ambulances, PXX 9370 and PXX 9371, will serve Regions Three and Four. The ambulances cost $15.5 million each.

12 news

thursday, august 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

2014 triple murder trial

Judge, jury hear murder accused threatened to “burn down” building

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s hearings commenced into the trial for the 2014 murders of Clarissa Rozario, Theresa Rozario and Hilrod Thomas, a total of two witnesses including a sibling of the deceased teens, took the stand on Wednesday to offer evidence into the case.

In the courtroom of Justice Brassington Reynolds, John Pyreandy was the first be called to the witness box, and told the court that he has been a businessman for the past 25 years as he went on to positively identify the two murder accused, Ganga Krishna and Avishkar Bissoon, who were seated in the prisoner’s dock.

Further, Pyreandy told the court that he operated a business in the lower flat of a three-storey wooden and concrete building that was situated at lot 65 King and Robb Streets, Georgetown – the location that the witness said that he spotted Krishna several times prior to the deadly blaze.

On this note, the witness disclosed that on one occasion, he observed Krishna at the premises with a blowtorch connected to two gas cylinders in his car, he added that another individual, whom he identified

Murder accused: Avishkar Bissoon

as Bissoon, was also present with the first accused, as they were removing the grilles from the building.

The court heard that on another occasion, the number one accused was at the said location speaking to a group of persons, claiming that the property belonged to him after which he proceeded to use threatening language.

According to Pyreandy, he approached Krishna and told him to leave but the accused refused to do same and as such, a phone call was made to the Brickdam Police Station and a patrol car visited the location.

“I approached him and ask him to leave, he turned to me and said the proper-

ty is his own. I told [him] he has to be a mad man and his reply to me was, ‘we’re going to see who is a mad man when I burn it down’. I made a phone call to Brickdam Police Station and spoke to Sergeant Lewis and a patrol was sent….the sergeant addressed Mr Ganga about going to the property and warned him again” the witness stated.

But according to the witness, Krishna still went ahead with issuing threats as they were leaving the police station together.

Pyreandy communicated that “While we leaving the station together, he turned to me and said I will regret all the money I invested in it, I responded that you’re gonna go to jail. He said I’ll get people to burn it down for me”.

When asked by Prosecutor Seeta Bishundial what he recalled of November 17, 2014, Pyreandy told the court that on the day in question, he received a call and as a result, he left for his business location. The witness further explained that upon arrival at the location, he observed that the third floor of the building was completely burnt, while adding that he didn’t see Thomas nor his

Murder accused: Ganga Krishna

daughters.

Meanwhile, an emotional Zamara Dillon, during her testimony, informed the court that she was the sister of the now dead teens and the daughter of Thomas, who is also deceased. Dillon disclosed that 14-yearold Clarissa Rozario was a Fourth Form student of St Johns College while her 11-year-old sister, Theresa Rozario, was a First Form student of the New Guyana Trust College and they both resided with their father at lot 65 King and Robb Streets.

Dillon, through tears, told the court that on the day of their deaths, she was preparing for work when she got a phone call, which resulted in her rushing to the building where her family resided. The witness added that upon arrival at the scene, she saw the burnt building that had already collapsed with smoke emanating from same, but saw neither her father nor sisters.

The trial is set to continue today, and the remaining witnesses will be called to offer evidence.

he struggled to enter the house. The suspect attempted to break the window in his bid to escape but was caught by occupants of the house and dealt a sound trashing.

“I hear the sound and thinking somebody trying to get in the house. My room was right by the window so when I peep through, I see the man climbing by the window. The same time Enid [the proprietor] like she wake up and she and the grandson start beating he,” the woman explained.

“Apparently, they went beating he while he was by the window so he couldn’t escape. Like the window was too small for him to pass through. By God’s grace, they see him or else I don’t know what were to happen to them,” she added.

When Police ranks arrived at the scene, the suspect was still trapped in the window and was visibly wounded. He was removed and handed over to the police as investigations are continuing.

Bandit caught, beaten in foiled Albouystown robbery

T

he attempted robbery on a James Street, Albuoystown, Georgetown home was foiled in the wee hours of Tuesday morning when the alleged bandit was caught as he was about to enter through a window and given a justified thrashing.

A neighbour told Guyana Times that rustling sounds were heard at about 01:10h which alerted the owner.

By then, an inspection was made and the 25-yearold man was caught between the windows as

13 NMWU secures 52% in survey to represent miners news

thursday, august 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

…to be granted certification by Labour Department

T

he National Mine Workers Union (NMWU) has secured a 52 per cent vote in a recent survey conducted by the Labour Department, making it the official representative body of workers of Aurora Gold Mine, operated by Guyana Goldfields Incorporated.

One of the workers informed Guyana Times on Tuesday that support was thrown behind the Union since it had been supporting their struggles since 2015.

As such, they are examining the prospects that would be achieved, having obtained a voice to negotiate demands and better working condi-

tions.

Meanwhile, President of the Union, Sherwayne Downer expressed on Wednesday that they are now awaiting official certification documents from the Labour Department.

“As of August 20, the Trade Union Certification Board made a pronounce-

ment. It was announced that the National Mine Workers Union has won 52 per cent in the survey conducted by the Department of Labour and so the Union is officially the legal bargaining agent for Aurora Gold Mines employees. It was a survey and not a poll so no other union were present. The miners solely

threw their support behind the NMWU. We are awaiting a certificate of recognition from the Department of Labour,” Downer expressed.

However, they will continue strides to advocate for the rights of miners. This development, he noted, is a victory for the AGM workers.

He added, “It is a victory for the workers of AGM.

Caribbean Voice to take domestic violence campaign countrywide

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he Caribbean Voice (TCV) is seeking to mitigate the growing rate of domestic violence with campaigns throughout each administrative region in Guyana while providing community counsellors for long-term assistance.

“Over the years, the Caribbean Voice along with a number of NGOs and faith-based organisations have been doing awareness on suicide prevention on World Suicide Prevention Day. We’re hoping this year that we would be able to do

Managing Director of TVC, Bibi Ahamad with their new volunteer, Davindra Bridgemohan

This was shared on Wednesday by Managing Director Bibi Ahamad as she highlighted the many activities that are lined up to spread awareness on domestic violence and suicide prevention. On September 10 the organisation will host its annual candlelight vigil.

it on a larger scale throughout the country. The intent is for the community itself to be able to deal with its social ills to a lesser extent,” she explained.

The goal of these vigils is to involve all groups of persons within communities and reach out to those that need support. Persons from

the community are trained to detect violence in its early stages before it becomes fatal. Ahamad recalled that over 400 persons were assisted in the past with mental illness, abuse and suicide.

Meanwhile, for the domestic abuse campaign, activities will be extended to other Caribbean territories.

“We have helped an excess of 400 persons. Most of them are still a work in progress because, for counselling someone, it does not happen one or two times.

It’s an ongoing process.

Every one of us volunteer.

Here in Guyana, we have three trained psychologists and a batch of online counsellors so we network to help people.”

This year’s CSEC student, Davindra Bridgemohan, who would have performed exceptionally despite being diagnosed with cerebral palsy, is their newest member. He has been appealing to youths about the importance of their lives in society and introducing ways to combat suicidal thoughts.

“God gave us this precious life as a gift and we should appreciate it. The moment you are ready to quit is usually right before the moment a miracle can

happen. The World Health Organisation estimates that approximately one million people die each year from suicide. Suicide does not end the chances of life getting worse, it eliminates the possibility of it getting any better,” Bridgemohan said.

The fast-food franchise, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), has partnered with the organisation in their quest to eliminate suicide and all forms of domestic violence. Training Manager of the establishment, Charissa Rampersaud expressed, “Even if one life is saved through our small token in this massive undertaking, then we could have accomplished something”.

NMWU President Sherwayne Downer

As President of the Union, I vow to go above and beyond to ensure that those employees, who would have trusted and placed confidence in us, will be on the receiving end of the highest level of effective representation”.

In July, over 200 workers had downed their tools and initiated strike actions for two days after calls mounted for them to be officially represented by a union and other improved working conditions and wages.

During the strike, the workers had claimed that they were threatened with having their internet connection disconnected, which is vital to ensure communication from their CuyuniMazaruni location to the coast. turn to page 15

14 News

thursday, august 22, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

NDC Chairmen call out REO for disparaging remarks

Bath-Woodley Park NDC Chairman Khrisna Sewlall

“S

everal roads cannot be fixed, community grounds slashed and drains cleaned because of one person: the REO, Ovid Morrison.” This is according Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairman Khrisna Sewlall, who was responding to statements made by Regional Executive Officer of Region 5, Ovid Morrison, that officials in Region 5 (Mahaica/ Berbice) have been stymieing development there.

According to Morrison, some NDC leaders are deliberately withholding reporting on issues in some communities, and that is usually due to their political bias, and because they are putting politics ahead of their own community development. He, however, said the problem is fortunately not widespread.

However, his disparaging remarks about the NDC heads did not sit well with several of those chairmen, and they have called out the REO for accusing regional officials of putting politics before development.

Following the accusations, which were made public on Monday, two NDC Chairman have responded by saying that this same REO has been stifling development in their NDCs. Chairman of the Bath/ Woodley Park NDC, Khrisna Sewlall, told this publication that officials from the NDC have to make an appointment before they are able to discuss issues with the REO in order to get projects going, and he is often unavailable to speak with them.

According to Sewlall

Rosignol-Zee Lust NDC Chairman Ramnauth Pooran

they were recently told that they have to wait six weeks before the REO can fit them in on his schedule.

Similar sentiments were shared by Chairman of the Rosignol/Zee Lust NDC, Ramnauth Pooran, who told this publication that the NDC is waiting on the REO

Drains are clogged at the Rosignol-Zee Lust NDC

to sign vouchers for their 2018 work programme.

According to Sewlall, the NDC’s major concern is that it cannot get to execute projects on a timely basis. “After having approved these projects at the statutory meeting of the Bath/Woodley Park NDC, cheques are written and vouchers are prepared to purchase materials, but the vouchers would have to be endorsed by the Local Government Department of the Regional Democratic Council, especially the REO,” he said.

He explained that, in some instances, it would take weeks for that to be done.

“I have to make an appointment to see the REO in order to get these vouchers approved. This is one of the reasons why our projects are being delayed. One of the reasons, one of the concerns, is that after having submitted our proposed work programme for 2019, specifically for work done with the subvention, we have to wait for long periods.”

Sewlall said the major project the NDC had had in its 2019 budget was to rehabilitate Saga Street at Bath Settlement.

“Now we are in the month of August, and that street is in a deplorable state and we haven’t got any feedback from the engineering department nor the Local Government Department.

The rehabilitation of Saga Street, Bath Settlement is one the major projects for the NDC this year but the REO is yet to sign the voucher for the funds to be spent

We are frustrated,” he said.

The NDC chairman also referred to President David Granger’s claims of empowering the local arms of Government.

“Right now we feel that there is no need for an NDC, because the REO does what he wants to do with our Council. Our projects are at a standstill… This is frustrating. If we want to purchase material to repair a bridge, we have to take the quotation to the REO, and he will choose whoever he wants to purchase from, then we will prepare the vouchers; and we have to take it back again to him before cheques can be written. Democracy at the RDC is frustrating.”

According to this NDC chairman, in excess of $6 million is sitting in the

NDCs bank account after residents would have struggled to pay their taxes.

However, the NDCs hands are tied and it cannot provide the needed development to those residents. The chairman blames the REO for this state of affairs.

According to the Chairman, six weeks have passed and the NDC has not been able to meet with the REO for him to look at some vouchers which were prepared by the NDC in order for projects to be executed.

Meanwhile, a correspondence from the Ministry of Communities to the NDC in the month of May indicated that $2.5 million was approved for the NDC to carry out its work programme, but according to Sewlall, the NDC is yet to receive the money. turn to page 15

news

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thursday, august 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Local drama group Glamour opens new branch at MovieTowne spotlighted at Carifesta XIV ‘D

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n expanding its business in Guyana, Glamour Designer Brands on Tuesday evening opened its new branch, Glamour Beauty, at MovieTowne, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Owner, Varsha Mangar has partnered with several US companies to offer high-end products such as Versace and Dolce and Gabbana to Guyanese at the new location.

Among those companies are Clarins and Essence Corp, which will be offering the Guyanese public fivestar skincare products, fragrance and cosmetics.

Makeup artist and fashion icon, Clinton Duncan of the Guyanese high-end Artists’ Society will act as the branch’s resident makeup artist and manager.

According to Mangar,

she is excited about the new venture since her dream of providing products to Guyanese that were previously not being offered is being realised.

“As a Guyanese woman, it was impossible to have top of the line branded products in beauty Guyana.

As a kid when I saw my mom doing her bedtime skincare routine and as a young lady I bought all of the fashion magazines and I remembered using the sample fragrance and rubbing it on my skin when I would find them because we really didn’t know what it was like unless you’re going on vacation if you’re lucky enough to have a Visa or if your family sends it in a barrel or something like that. So there was a block there and no one had access to skincare and to beauty

and fragrances and it went to the point where everyone bought online but gone are those days,” Mangar assured.

Prices are expected to meet the pockets of Guyanese as Mangar further assured that her store will provide affordable products.

“Glamour Beauty is here to bring the prices down, you should not pay more than you would pay at a US retail price. When you walk into Macy’s or Sephora, our prices are the same so you can have confidence in shopping here,” Mangar assured.

Glamour Designs has been operating for the past 10 years and is known for being a fashion leader, offering Guyanese the latest and trendiest in clothing, fragrance, and much more.

NMWU secures 52% in...

They were also demanding better wages, better quality food and laundry services, out of town allowance, missing NIS contributions among others.

Three days later, the Canadian-based company indicated that persons were returning to work on a phased approach and it is anticipated that full production will resume short-

ly. Three days without production has resulted in an estimated 22,500 ounces of unprocessed ore.

A letter was then issued to employees, granting the second quarterly bonus of 7.6 per cent on July 25, while promising that the formula for the next bonus will be reviewed. However, most of these promises were yet to be fulfilled af-

from page 13

ter weeks had elapsed and some miners had threatened to initiate strike actions once more.

“This is not something big we’re asking for. These things are basic workplace facility we’re asking for. I don’t know why AGM taking so long to treat their workers properly,” one miner was quoted as saying.

rama Night’ at Carifesta XIV was filled with Guyanese folk tales and poetry. From a powerful spoken-word act promoting unity to empowering women, members of the National Drama Company outdid themselves.

For about an hour, onlookers sat with their eyes transfixed on the stage as the acts unfolded at Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA) in San Fernando, Trinidad.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) reported that, starting with the gripping short play ‘The Tadja’, to a powerful spoken-word act calling for an end to violence against women and girls, things really moved along when the Guyanese actors began their storytelling segment, thrilling the audience and keeping listeners on the edge of their seats with folk tales about our Baccoo and Massacuraman, among other things. Onlookers and patrons were enthralled with the performance.

Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Albert Ishmael, a Guyanese residing in the twin-island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, said he was amazed. “I was really excited to see Guyana on stage, and Guyana did not disap-

Scene from the Guyana National Drama Company’s performance at Drama Night at SAPA in San Fernando, Trinidad during Carifesta XIV (DPI photo)

point… As a Guyanese national living in Trinidad and Tobago, I am so happy that they are here showcasing what our beautiful country has to offer,” Ishmael is quoted by the DPI as saying.

Trinidadian Grace John said her interest was aroused after seeing the televised version of the Guyana delegation’s presentation ‘A year in a day’. “Because I was watching and I saw Guyana on television, I thought it would be the same production. However, when I came, I realised it was more theatrical…but it was great, it was on point. I enjoyed it,” she said.

Her fellow countryman, Kareem Salhab, said the

performance made an impact with citizens, and he hoped that others would act on the message imparted by the performance. “I thought it was really impactful, especially the spoken word. I think that it touched a lot of the issues that we face in terms of abuse, misuse of our resources that we would later depend on; and by doing that, they have opened the eyes of many of the spectators with the hope that they will react to the message given,” he remarked.

Members of the National Drama Company will next grace the stage at the Queen’s Hall Theatre with their production titled ‘Laugh of the marble queen’.

NDC Chairmen call out...

The chairman explained that in order for the NDC to receive the second half of the money, eighty percent of the work programme must be completed. He expressed concern that this is the month of August and they are still waiting on the funds to be released for the NDC. “Several roads cannot be fixed, community grounds slashed and drains cleaned because of one person: the REO, Ovid Morrison,” he charged.

Meanwhile, Rosignol/ Zee Lust NDC chairman Ramnauth Pooran said a lot

of issues that are occurring are unsatisfactory.

He explained that, annually, the NDC prepares a budget for the following year, but that is of little significance.

“We have not been able to execute works planned in the 2018 budget which was prepared in 2017, and we are in the second half of 2019. Our streets are very bad.”

According to this NDC chairman, NDC officials recently met with the REO to discuss the 2020 budget.

“We think it’s a waste of time, because we don’t get

from page 14

the work approved; and, in the end, we are always left stagnated,” he declared.

Pooran said that within the NDC area there are a lot of streets with huge potholes.

The chairman said residents have been visiting the NDC office on a daily basis, demanding assistance after paying their taxes.

Many yards become flooded when it rains, he added. Pooran also spoke of being affected by some of the issues which Sewlall claims are affecting the Bath/Woodley Park NDC.

thursday, august 22, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

16

Regional

Brazil's Bolsonaro accuses NGOs of setting fires in Amazon rainforest B

razil’s rightwing President Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday accused non-governmental organisations (NGOs) of setting wildfires in the Amazon rainforest to damage his government’s image after he cut their fund-

ing.

Environment and climate experts disputed his unfounded claim as a “smoke screen” to hide the disman-

he said he had “no written plan,” adding “that’s not how it’s done”.

The former army captain turned politician said the slashing of NGO funding by his government could be a motive.

“Crime exists,” he said.

“These people are missing the money”.

Bolsonaro’s latest comments enraged environmentalists, who are increasing-

result of his anti-environmental policy”.

Bolsonaro, a long-time sceptic of environmental concerns, wants to open the Amazon to more agriculture and mining, and has told other countries worried about rising deforestation since he

took office to mind their own business.

Congressman Nilto Tatto, leader of the lower house environment caucus, said

alight. He attributed this year’s spike to illegal deforestation since it has not been unusually dry.

“NGOs working in the Amazon do not use fire in farming. On the contrary, they encourage rural communities to avoid fire,” said Nobre, senior researcher at Sao Paulo University’s Institute for Advanced Studies.

Former presidential candidate and environment minister Marina Silva took to

Twitter to criticise Bolsonaro.

“The Amazon is on fire,” she wrote. “The president says NGOs may be behind this.

The lack of commitment to the truth is a chronic pathology. This irresponsible attitude only aggravates an environmental disaster in Brazil”.

Speaking later on Wednesday, Bolsonaro also took aim at the Paris climate accord, saying that if it were so good, the United States would have stayed in it. But he added that for the time be-

ing, Brazil would remain in the pact.

French President Emmanuel Macron warned in June he would not sign the EU-Mercosur trade treaty if Bolsonaro pulled Brazil out of the Paris accord.

Earlier this month, Norway and Germany suspended funding for projects to curb deforestation in Brazil after becoming alarmed by changes to the way projects were selected under Bolsonaro. (Reuters)

Mexico judge approves recreational cocaine for 2 users

A

A charred trunk is seen on a tract of Amazon jungle that was recently burned by loggers and farmers in Iranduba, Amazonas state, Brazil

tling of protections for the world’s largest tropical rainforest and said farmers clearing land were the cause of a surge in forest fires.

“Everything indicates” that NGOs are going to the Amazon to “set fire” to the forest, Bolsonaro said in a Facebook Live broadcast.

When asked if he had evidence to back up his claims,

ly concerned by his attitude toward the Amazon rainforest, a vital bulwark against climate change and to which Brazil is home to more than half.

“This is a sick statement, a pitiful statement,” said Marcio Astrini, Greenpeace Brazil’s public policy coordinator. “Increased deforestation and burning are the

Bolsonaro’s “stunning” attack on NGOs was an attempt to obscure his administration’s destruction of 30 years of Brazilian environmental protections.

Climate scientist Carlos Nobre said farmers seeking to clear land for cattle pastures wait for the dry season when forests become combustible and then set them

fumes to emanate from a containment area on the compound on Tuesday.

Orderlies discovered the reaction, contained the spill, and disposed of the chemicals in the proper manner.

Another reaction between the chemicals occurred on Tuesday morning and orderlies once again

contained it.

Communications Officer Denise D’Abadie assured that an investigation has been launched to discover whether all safety protocols were followed. She said the situation has been contained and operations at Nestle Caribbean are continuing as normal. (Trinidad Newsday)

Mexican judge has granted two people the right to recreational cocaine use, in the first ruling of its kind, the organisation behind the cases said.

The court said it would allow both claimants to "possess, transport and use cocaine" but not sell it, according to Mexico United Against Crime (MUCD).

MUCD, which seeks to end the country's "war on drugs", called the ruling a "historic step".

The decision must be reviewed by a higher court before it is enforced.

MUCD said the Mexico City court ordered the country's health authority, Cofepris, to authorise the two claimants' use of cocaine.

A Cofepris official told

Mexico's health regulator has moved to block the court order

the AFP news agency that it had taken steps to block the court order, which was handed down in May. The official said that such authorisation would be outside of its legal remit.

The ruling will only come into effect if a panel of judges side with the original decision. If they do approve the ruling, it will only apply to

the two people who brought the cases, whose identities were withheld.

In a statement on Tuesday, MUCD said the cases represent "another step in the fight to construct alternative drug policies that allow [Mexico] to redirect its security efforts and better address public health". (Excerpt from BBC News)

Barbados: Visitors plead Trinidad: Chemical leak at Nestle guilty to drug trafficking

O

rderlies at Nestle Caribbean, Trinidad had to contain an “interaction between spilt chemicals” which occurred twice between within the week.

In a conversation with the corporate communications office, Newsday was told the reaction caused

T

hree visitors who were charged with separate drug trafficking incidents over the weekend all pleaded guilty when they appeared in the District B Magistrates Courts, Barbados on Tuesday.

Annika Andrea Henry, 32, of Sevens Road, Maypen PO, Clarendon, Jamaica;

20-year-old Serena Daniella Gentles of #7290 Meyer Drive Malton, Mississauga, Ontario; and 59-year-old Osbourne of #14 Aretena Place, Queensbury, Kingston, Jamaica were charged with possession of cannabis, possession with intent to supply, trafficking and importation of cannabis

in separate incidents.

They were all remanded to HMP Dodds until August 22, pending sentencing, when they appeared before Magistrate Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell.

Henry and Osbourne arrived from Jamaica on Friday and Gentles came into the island from Canada.

(Barbados Nation News)

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, august 22, 2019

17

Around the World

Hong Kong protesters clash with Police, angry New ruling body ushers at lack of prosecutions after subway mob attack in Sudan's complex shift

T

housands of Hong Kong residents held a sometimes scrappy anti-Government protest on Wednesday at a suburban subway station that was attacked by a mob last month, angry that nobody has yet been prosecuted for the violence.

Some masked protesters clashed with Police, spraying fire extinguishers from the inside of Yuen Long station as others smeared the floor with cooking oil, beer and detergent to stop the Police advancing.

Some blocked station exits with bins, booths and other station furniture as others sealed roads outside the station, aiming green laser beams at the lines of shield-bearing officers.

Others threw empty fire extinguishers at Police lines.

Protesters fire nitrogen extinguishers during a standoff at Yuen Long MTR station, the scene of an attack by suspected triad gang members a month ago, in Yuen Long, New Territories, Hong Kong, China August 21, 2019

Many inside the station sat quietly.

It was the latest in a se-

ries of demonstrations since June against a perceived erosion of freedoms in the

former British colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

It also marked a return to aggression after a brief lull in tensions following a huge peaceful march on Sunday.

But the standoff stopped short of full pitched battles with Police refraining from using tear gas or attempting to storm protester lines.

Only one rock was seen hitting a police shield and most protesters were headed home before midnight.

The protest marked the night of July 21, when more than 100 white-shirted men stormed the Yuen Long station hours after protesters had marched through central Hong Kong and defaced China’s Liaison Office - the main symbol of Beijing’s authority. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Merkel: Backstop alternative 'possible within 30 days'

G

erman Chancellor Angela Merkel has suggested an alternative to the Irish border backstop - a key Brexit sticking point - could be found within 30 days.

Speaking at a news conference alongside Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Berlin, she stressed it would be up to the UK to offer a workable plan.

The PM said he was "more than happy" with that "blistering timetable".

In his first overseas visit to a fellow leader, Johnson is meeting Merkel after he told the EU the backstop - which aims to prevent a hard Irish border after Brexit - must be ditched if a no-deal exit was to be avoided.

He will meet French President Emmanuel Macron today, before attending the G7 summit on Saturday alongside other leaders including US President Donald Trump.

The EU has repeated-

ly said the withdrawal deal negotiated by former PM Theresa May, which includes the backstop, cannot be renegotiated.

And - despite Merkel's comments - that message was echoed by Macron on Wednesday.

At the news conference, the German chancellor said a realistic alternative to the plan would require "absolute clarity" on the post-Brexit future relationship between the UK and

the EU. He added that alternatives to the backstop had not been "actively proposed" under his predecessor Theresa May - but he was pressed by Merkel to spell out what such alternatives might look like.

The Prime Minister has insisted he wants the UK to leave the EU with a renegotiated withdrawal deal, but the UK must leave on October 31 "do or die". (Excerpt from BBC News)

P Chidambaram, India's former Finance Minister, arrested

F

ormer Indian Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram has been arrested on charges of corruption and money laundering.

He is being investigated over allegations that he cleared foreign investments in exchange for bribes while he was Finance Minister.

Chidambaram, 73, has denied the allegations.

A senior member of the main opposition Congress party and an MP since 1984, he has also served as Home Minister.

He was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday evening amid chaotic scenes as supporters and media surrounded his car while being driven away.

The night before, officials arrived at his home in capital Delhi to question him, but said he was not at home.

Hours before his arrest, Chidambaram approached the Supreme Court, a day after the Delhi High Court rejected his application for bail.

His lawyer told the court that the Bharatiya Janta Party-

Chidambaram is a former Finance Minister

led Government is carrying on a "politically-motivated vendetta" against Chidambaram and his son, Karti, who is also implicated in the case.

Chidambaram is accused of clearing foreign di-

rect investment worth tens of millions of dollars to the INX Group in 2007 when he was Finance Minister. Karti Chidambaram allegedly received kickbacks from INX at the time that the investment was cleared by the Finance Ministry.

Both men are being investigated by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which investigates financial crimes.

The CBI arrested Karti Chidambaram in 2018, but he was later released on bail.

He is a Congress MP from the southern state of Tamil Nadu. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Trump calls Danish leader's statement on selling Greenland nasty

P

resident Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed offense over the Danish Prime Minister’s statement that selling Greenland was “absurd,” adding that a US purchase of the autonomous Danish territory was just an idea.

“I thought the Prime Minister’s statement was ... nasty,” Trump told reporters at the White House before departing for a veterans’ event in Kentucky. “It

President Donald Trump

was an inappropriate statement.”

Instead of calling the idea “absurd,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen should have simply told him her country was not interested in a sale, he said.

Frederiksen’s comments spurred Trump on Tuesday to cancel his September visit to Denmark.

Trump confirmed to reporters on Sunday he had recently discussed the possibil-

ity of purchasing the world’s largest island, though he said such a move was not an immediate priority.

White House Economic Adviser Larry Kudlow has said Greenland is a strategic place and has a lot of valuable minerals.

Trump said on Tuesday the United States has long pondered purchasing Greenland, and that he considered it a good idea. (Excerpt from Reuters)

to civilian rule

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is the Head of Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council

M

ilitary and civilian members of Sudan's newly formed ruling body have been sworn in at the presidential palace in the country's capital, Khartoum.

The Sovereign Council, comprising of six civilians and five soldiers, is to rule Sudan for a little over three years until elections can be held. It replaces the Transitional Military Council (TMC) that took power in April after longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir was forced out of office following months of mass protests against his nearly three-decade rule.

The Council's inauguration on Wednesday comes days after the TMC and the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC), an alliance of protest groups and opposition parties, signed a final power-sharing deal.

General Abdul Fattah al-Burhan, who also headed the TMC, was sworn in

as the Council's Chairman on Wednesday morning, according to the State-run SUNA news agency. He will lead the Council for 21 months, after which a civilian leader appointed by the protest movement will take over for the next 18 months.

Al-Burhan, 59, wore a green beret and a camouflage uniform as he took his oath before Sudan's top Judge, one hand on the Quran and the other holding a military baton under his arm.

Nine other members of the Council took their oath of office shortly afterwards.

The 11th member, a civilian, will be sworn in at a later date, SUNA said.

"With the start of the transition period, we have entered the most complex phase, the phase of building and reform," said a spokesman for the Sudanese Professionals Association, a key part of the FFC.

Two killed in 1st Kashmir gun battle since lockdown began

T

wo people, including a police official and a rebel, have been killed in a gun battle in Indian administered Kashmir, Police said.

The clash in Baramulla district’s Ganie-Hamam area on Wednesday was the first to be reported by the authorities since India revoked the autonomy of the Muslim-majority region it administers and imposed a curfew and communications lockdown earlier this month.

A statement sent to Al Jazeera by the police said rebels fired a grenade wounding two policemen, one of whom died later in the hospital.

The Kashmiri rebel killed in the gun battle has been identified as Momin Gujri, a resident of Baramulla and member of the rebel group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the statement added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan said three of its civilians died in Indian gunfire from across

the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border dividing the disputed territory.

The Press Trust of India news agency quoted officials as saying one Indian soldier died and four were wounded when Pakistani troops opened fire on forward posts and villages along the LoC in the Poonch district on Tuesday.

Protests have erupted in Kashmir’s main city of Srinagar in response to the Indian Government’s controversial move to abrogate Article 370 of the Indian Constitution - which accorded the Jammu and Kashmir state a degree of autonomy.

US President Donald Trump, who had previously spoken of his willingness to mediate, once again said on Tuesday he would raise the issue over the weekend with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi when the two leaders will be in France for the G7 summit. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, august 22, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES

Take a moment to go

(March 21- over all the little details April 19) that could pose a problem

if they’re not implemented properly. Trust the facts, not what others try to lead you to believe.

TAURUS Slow down and enjoy the (April 20- moment. You have plenty to May 20) look forward to, so relax and lower your stress for now.

Refuse to let anyone rile you up emotionally.

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You’ll have a choice to GEMINI make, but first consider the (May 21June 20) validity or source of the information you have been given. Keep your life simple and frugal, and surround yourself with trustworthy people.

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If you make a change, you’ll make a difference.

How you use your knowledge, experience and skills to help others will influence the way you are viewed.

Earn respect and gain popularity.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

A snap decision made while under emotional pressure will cause anxiety. If you aren’t sure about something or someone, trust your instincts and take a step back.

Live and learn. The exVIRGO (Aug. 23- perience and knowledge Sept. 22) you receive interacting with people who have something to offer will be enlightening.

A change is favored and romance is encouraged.

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Be smart and take care LIBRA (Sept. 23- of business on time. If you Oct. 23) do your best, it won’t matter if you can’t please others. It’s how you feel about what you do that counts.

SUDOKU

Take the plunge and SCORPIO (Oct. 24- make a change you’ve been Nov. 22) considering for some time.

Follow your creative instincts and turn your dream into reality. Romance will enhance your life.

SAGITTARIUS Explore your options, test your knowledge and (Nov. 23communicate with people Dec. 21) who can offer insight into the dos and don’ts that will make your journey stressfree. Implement a healthier lifestyle.

solution for last published puzzle

Home improvements CAPRICORN will enhance your relation(Dec. 22ship with a loved one. Do as Jan. 19) much of the work yourself as you can to save a bundle. A commitment will add to your security.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Refuse to let emotional instability take the reins. If you are uncertain, ask questions. If you feel left out, say so. If you want something, make a request.

Don’t be fooled by the PISCES hype. If something sounds (Feb. 20too good to be true, take the March 20) time to do some thorough research. Positive change is the result of hard work, discipline and practicality.

thursday, august 22, 2019

19

England quietly confident – in Steven Smith’s absence

A

fter eight consecutive Ashes Tests without a win, England come to Headingley full of confidence; while Australia, who can retain the Urn with one win in the next three Tests, are on the ropes.

Welcome to Test cricket in 2019, where conventional wisdom is inverted.

The mood around the respective teams owes much to two men. The first man is Jofra Archer, the man whom Justin Langer had said before the second Test that Australia were planning to “keep wearing down, and get him back into his second or third and fourth spells.” Archer’s fifth spell in the first innings was the fastest of the Test, according to CricViz, and he ended with not only figures of 5 for 91 from his 44 overs, but by having struck a psychological blow by striking both Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne with vicious bouncers.

The second man is Smith himself, who will miss the Leeds Test after suffering a delayed concussion from that Archer blow.

The debate will roll on as to whether he should have been allowed to come back out to bat, but the cold hard facts are that Australia will be without the man who has scored 35 percent of their runs off the bat this series, despite missing one of their innings. In his absence, Tim Paine will be desperate for David Warner (18 runs at 4.50) and Usman Khawaja (91 at 22.75) to step up, while Cameron Bancroft is surely one lean Test away from being dropped for Marcus Harris.

But for all the doom, Australia have plenty with which they can reassure themselves.

Labuschagne impressed with a determined effort in the fourth innings at Lord’s, after being floored by the first legitimate ball he faced and looking horribly scratchy in the immediate aftermath; while Travis Head has quietly enjoyed an excellent start to the series.

And they have plenty of recent experience of playing without Smith. If they were un-

Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer had good performances in the second Test

convincing without him in the home series against India, they still lost it only 2-1.

Further, at a ground renowned for giving assistance to the seamers, their attack holds the edge over England’s. Pat Cummins is the leading wicket-taker in the series, and has given Jos Buttler in particular a torrid time: Cummins’s 59 balls to Buttler have brought about the same number of scoring shots as dismissals (three each).

James Pattinson is expected to replace Josh Hazlewood, after being left out at Lord’s to ensure he was “cherry ripe”, while Peter Siddle has fond memories of Headingley, after ripping through England there with 5 for 21 back in 2009. Incidentally, that Test was the last in the Ashes in Leeds, and while England have won two of their last three games there by an innings, they have also lost six of their last ten at the ground dating back to 2008.

England have plenty of problems of their own. Trevor Bayliss admitted this week that Jason Roy, who has just 40 runs in four innings so far this series, “probably

Djokovic and Osaka top seeds for US Open

W

Novak Djokovic

to replace him.

That said, Paine suggested that Australia are yet to decide their XI, and it is possible that Siddle could be the man to miss out.

Labuschagne will continue at No. 4 after his second-innings fifty, and Bancroft will likely be given another chance at the top of the order as Harris waits in the wings. It would have seemed improbable in the aftermath of his stellar World Cup that Mitchell Starc would not play any of the first three Tests, but it looks as though he will miss out again.

Australia (probable): 1 David Warner, 2 Cameron Bancroft, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Marnus Labuschagne, 5 Travis Head, 6 Matthew Wade, 7 Tim Paine (capt & wk), 8 Pat Cummins, 9 James Pattinson, 10 Peter Siddle, 11 Nathan Lyon.

orld number one players and title holders Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka have been named top seeds for the U.S. Open, which starts on Monday in New York.

Threetime U.S. Open champion Djokovic, who comes into the tournament having won his fifth Wimbledon title, is followed in the seedings by 2017 winner Rafael Nadal.

Roger Federer will begin his quest for a 21st Grand Slam crown as the third seed. He is followed by Austrian Dominic Thiem,

Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, and Germany’s Alexander Zverev.

Former champions in the list of 32 men’s seeds include Marin Cilic (2014) of Croatia, who is 22nd, and Stan Wawrinka (2016) of Switzerland, who is 23rd.

French Open winner Ash Barty is seeded second, behind Japan’s Osaka. She is followed by Czech Karolina Pliskova and Wimbledon champion Simona Halep.

American Serena Williams, last year’s finalist who is seeking a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title, is seeded eighth, while former winner Sloane Stephens is 11th. Angelique Kerber, the 2016 champion, is seeded 14th. (Excerpt from Reuters)

is suited to the middle order”, but it is expected that the attempt to turn him into a Virender Sehwag-style opener will continue this week.

Joe Root failed in both innings at Lord’s, registering the first golden duck of his Test career in the second innings, and another difficult Test for him will surely result in a move back down the order.

Joe Denly, meanwhile, has reached double figures in every innings, but has failed to pass 30, let alone 50. He knows that with Ollie Pope fit again, and on standby as a concussion replacement after making a Championship double hundred this week, he can hardly afford another underwhelming showing.

The bowling attack is likely to be unchanged, though with Root’s captaincy under scrutiny after his perceived over-use of Archer last week, Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad can expect to play bigger roles.

Jack Leach has good memories of the ground, after bowling Somerset to a Championship victory there in 2016 with 6 for 64; though spinners have averaged 34.87 at Tests in Leeds since 2014, compared to 30.94 for pace bowlers.

Form guide

England: DLWWL (last five completed matches, most recent first) Australia: DWWWD Team news Despite Bayliss’s admission that Roy is probably better suited to the middle order, England are unlikely to make any changes to the order of their top four, and are expected to name an unchanged XI. Roy was hit on the helmet in the nets on Tuesday, and will be assessed once more before he is cleared to play. It seems likely he will still play, but his Surrey team-mate Ollie Pope is on standby if he does not, which would likely see Denly move up to open and Pope take his spot in the middle order.

Stokes will continue at No. 5, while Sam Curran’s run carrying the drinks is expected to continue, though England will consider bringing him in for Chris Woakes.

England (probable): 1 Jason Roy, 2 Rory Burns, 3 Joe Root (capt), 4 Joe Denly, 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Jos Buttler, 7 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Stuart Broad, 11 Jack Leach.

Despite an exceptional display of oldschool line-and-length bowling in the first innings at Lord’s, Hazlewood is set to miss out, with Pattinson - now “cherry ripe” after his omission from the second Test - expected

Pitch and conditions

Headingley’s reputation as an archetypical English ground is unlikely to change with this Test, as the pitch has some grass on it and should provide some level of assistance to the seamers. Since 2009, seamers have taken 246 wickets in Tests at the ground, compared to just 52 for spinners, though slow bowlers have enjoyed some level of success as games have worn on and wickets have deteriorated.

After rain threatened to wreck the second Test, this week should be much better.

Light rain is forecast for the night before the game, and there will be plenty of cloud cover on the first two days, but the sun should manage to peek through by Saturday.

There is barely a ticket going for the first four days, though there are plenty spare for day five on Monday.

Stats that matter

* England have lost six of their last ten Tests at Headingley, and haven’t beaten Australia at the venue since 2001. * This will be the first Ashes Test in Leeds since 2009. Only one player from each side - Stuart Broad and Peter Siddle - will play in both. * This is only the second time in David Warner’s Test career that he has registered four consecutive single-figure scores. * Jason Roy averages 17.00 in three ODI innings at Headingley - his lowest ODI average at any English ground. * Not since 1997 has a side gone into a third Ashes Test winless and gone on to win the series.

Quotes

“It changes a lot of batters’ approach towards our attack as well. It brings a number of the other guys more in the game, if you like, in a strange way. It is great to see him come into Test cricket and have such an impact. I’m sure he’ll make for some tasty viewing this Test match as well.”

Joe Root, England’s captain, is looking forward to letting Jofra Archer off the leash.

“You don’t sit and tell people how to bat, we’ve spoken about our processes as players, making sure you’re well planned and well prepared; that’s all you can do. When you go out in the middle, it’s about watching the ball and reacting to it. We know, going into this Test, that we’re going to be very well prepared and very well planned. So that’s all you can do.”

Australia captain Tim Paine feels his side are ready to combat Archer’s threat. (Excerpt from Cricinfo)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursday, august 22, 2019

BCB President makes donations to YWCC, BCCCC – urges Sports Ministry to look into attitude of Region 6 official “O

n every one of my visits to the seven clubs and one sub-association, I have met and held discussions with the dedicated bunch of administrators and a passionate group of members who are committed to the overall development of cricket in their clubs. From what we took over in February, 2018, I can safely say that there have been (drastic) changes in Berbice, and we are now on the right track to a height never achieved before”.

Those were the words of Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President, Hilbert Foster, after he had completed visits to the Blairmont Community Centre Cricket Club (BCCCC) and the Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) as part of his countywide visits to clubs and sub-associations affiliated with the Berbice Cricket Board.

Last Thursday, Foster, accompanied by BCB Treasurer Dr. Cecil Beharry, visited the BCCCC and firstly spoke to the 40 members of the Club’s Annual Cricket Academy.

He advised the youths to take advantage of the Club’s investment in their careers, and to develop a culture of discipline, hard work and dedication. He committed the BCB to assisting the Club in every way possible, and to provide coaches on a monthly basis as part of an aggressive coaching drive across Berbice.

Meeting with the newly elected BCCCC Executives, led by Club President Mohamed Hussain, Foster urged them to uphold the high standards of this Club, which in the past had produced players like Roy Fredericks and Brandon Bess for the West Indies. Other outstanding players produced by the BCCCC include Adrian and Leslie

Amsterdam, Naresh Roopnarine, Khaldeen Bux, Seon Glasgow, Nigel Deodat and Javed Karim.

Foster announced that his administration has been able to raise sponsorship for a two-day first division tournament, which would start shortly; and that the BCB would be hosting some 30 tournaments at all levels in 2019.

Foster has, on behalf of the BCB, donated to the BCCCC a large quantity of items, including two water pitchers, scorebooks, cricket balls, school bags, educational materials, Youth Information Booklets, educational posters, and trophies.

Foster answered every question posed to him by BCCCC Executives, including youth selection policy, umpiring, youth coaching, and assistance to clubs.

On Saturday, the hard working BCB President visited the Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) at the Cumberland Ground in East Canje, after visiting the No. 63 Beach for the graduation ceremony of the BCB Cricket Academy. He was informed that the YWCC had held its election for office bearers and popular banking executive Imran Sacoor was elected President.

Foster urged the new executives to put the YWCC’s business in order as quickly as possible, as a very packed schedule would attend the rest of 2019. He also urged the YWCC to invest heavily in a junior section, as this would ensure the club’s future.

BCB Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu, who accompanied Foster on this visit, handed over a donation of a five-gallon water pitcher and a scorebook to the Club.

The BCB has said it wants to make it

Members of the Young Warriors Cricket Club pose with BCB President Hilbert Foster

quite clear that President Hilbert Foster has never sought to force any club to hold elections, as has been falsely stated by the Government Sports Officer in Region 6.

The decision of the Whim National Cricket Club and the Young Warriors Cricket Club to hold their annual elections was made by their respective membership.

The BCB has also said it would like to condemn, in the strongest possible way,

the attitude and behaviour of this Sports Officer, and as well would like to urge this official to properly discharge his duty to develop sports, and not to use his position to engage in personal battles. The BCB would also like to urge the Director of Sports and the Minister of Sports to look into the attitude of this official, who should be working along with all organisations to develop sports in Berbice.

BCB launches 2nd annual Chris Binnie wins record 9th Carib Squash singles title Cricket Balls Project – seeking assistance from friends of Berbice Cricket

G

uyana’s most vibrant and progressive Cricket Board, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), last week launched its second Annual Cricket Balls Project -an initiative designed to raise funds to purchase cricket balls for distribution among BCB-affiliated clubs.

With support of some of its former executives, the BCB last year raised more than $800,000, which was used both to purchase cricket balls for BCB-affiliated clubs and cricket gear for some of that county’s most promising youth players.

BCB President Hilbert Foster, who over the last 18 months had spearheaded a major restoration of Berbice Cricket, has said that unlike most cricket boards in the West Indies, the BCB is fully committed to assisting all clubs that fall under its purview to fulfill their mandates to develop cricketing talent.

Last year, proceeds from the Balls Project and contributions from the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, (RHTY&SC) MS, had assisted more than 80 clubs with cricket balls worth in excess of $1.1 million. The objective this year is to assist close to 90 clubs with cricket balls worth in excess of $1.3 million. The RHTY&SC, MS, has started the process by donating over $600,000 worth of balls to 46 clubs across Berbice. Those clubs that have a youth development programme have benefited more than once.

Foster, who has worked tirelessly to transform Berbice Cricket from the deteriorated level inherited in February 2018, has said that funds raised from this current Balls Project would ensure remaining clubs receive balls, while more of those promising cricketers at the Under-15 level would receive cricket gear.

The BCB is also endeavouring to purchase pitch covers, which would be stored at the historic Albion Community Centre Cricket Ground, and be used at all major BCB matches in an effort to cut the loss of time due to rain.

Management of the BCB would, in 2019,

BCB President Hilbert Foster

be assisting clubs with close to $5 million worth of balls, raincoats, scorebooks, bicycles, water pitchers, school bags, Youth Information Booklets, educational materials, stumps, trophies, medals and special prizes for events. The present BCB Executives took control of an account with $42,935 in February, 2018, and have since raised close to $18 million in cash and kind for Berbice Cricket.

The BCB is urging all Berbicians, and even non-Berbicians, to contribute to its fund-raising initiative. A special appeal is being made to former Berbice and Guyana players who are currently residing overseas, and to former Executives of the Berbice Cricket Board.

Persons desirous of assisting in this regard can contact the BCB Office on 3332375, or email foster hilbert@ yahoo.com A former President and longtime Treasurer of the Berbice Cricket Board has also been authorized to raise funds for the project via his vast array of friends and contacts. The BCB Management wishes to reassure all potential donors that all funds would be used for the purposes intended, and would be accounted for.

Chris Binnie stands in delight with his silverware

J

amaica’s Chris Binnie has surged to his record-breaking ninth singles title at the Caribbean Area Squash Association’s (CASA) Senior Championships currently ongoing in Guyana.

The victory was sweeter because he won without dropping a single game.

In the final, Binnie squared off against his long-time regional rival Cameron Stafford of the Cayman Islands, who was looking for revenge after having lost in the finals to the Jamaican on several previous occasions.

Stafford, however, fell to the Jamaican once again 11-8, 11-2, and 11-5.

With the win, the Jamaican has further distanced himself from his regional peers, having not lost a match at the prestigious championships for the last eight years.

This is among the reasons why he believes his ninth title was special.

“Winning the Caribbean Championships this year is particularly sweet for me, because I was sidelined with an injury earlier this summer, so there were doubts that I would be able to defend my title;

but, thankfully, I am fit and healthy, and I was able to get the job done,” he said afterwards.

Senior National Team Manager Douglas Beckford said Binnie demonstrated his superior qualities during the final.

“In the final, Chris was tested briefly by Cameron in the first game, but once he asserted himself, he won the next two games easily. He has lifted his game above the standard of most players in the region, and that is why he has been able to do what no other player in the entire Caribbean has ever done,” Beckford said.

There was more good news for Team Jamaica, as former national champion Dane Schwier won the consolation category of the men’s competition after beating Barbadian Zaki Williams 11-5, 11-7, 2-11, 2-11, 11-7.

Next up, the players will contest the team competition, wherein Jamaica is among the favourites to take the men’s title. That segment of the tournament got underway on Wednesday, August 21, and is scheduled to wrap up on Saturday, August 24. (Excerpt from Sportsmax)

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, august 22, 2019

21

India, West Indies set for today’s opening Test

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aving won each of the completed limited overs’ fixtures against the West Indies, India would be looking to begin their ICC World Test Championship campaign on a positive note today, August 22, in the first Test against the Windies, being played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua from 9:30am local time.

The poor showing in the one-day internationals and the T20Is notwithstanding, West Indies will go into the first Test with some sense of confidence, which will stem from their series victory over England at home earlier this year.

Key to the hosts' chances will be the form of captain Jason Holder, who was recently declared the Men's Test Player of the Year in the Annual Cricket West Indies Awards. The all-rounder has, since January 2018, accumulated 565 runs at 51.36, while also picking up 40 wickets at 13.35. Holder will be keen to continue setting the benchmark for his players, not just in the Tests against India, but throughout their WTC run.

"The games are going to be much more competitive, and it brings a lot of purpose to the Test matches you play," he said.

India, on the other hand, will rely on experience to kick-start their campaign. No.1 on MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings, they will look to reinforce their position at the top of the standings. Virat Kohli, who has Steve Smith closing in on him in the batting rankings, will also be keen to maintain the distance between himself and the contenders for the No.1 spot. The India skipper scored a double hundred in Antigua in 2016.

Test specialists like Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Ravi Ashwin will be on the international circuit after more than seven months.

India played their only Test this year in January, the last of four Tests in Australia. While Pujara was named Player of the Series, as India won their maiden series Down Under, Rahane's form has been on the wane.

The India vice-captain's last century came in August 2017, and with Rohit Sharma waiting in the flanks, Rahane will be keen to make amends.

Ashwin, the off-spinner, will be raring to return to the Sir Viv Richards Stadium. He picked up seven wickets, all in one innings, and also scored a century there in 2016.

Remember that the last time India and Windies last locked horns in whites in October 2018 at Hyderabad, India pranced to a comprehensive 10-wicket victory. While Roston Chase made an impressive century in the first innings, it was Umesh Yadav who stole the show in that game. The right-arm pacer returned 10 wickets in a Player of the Match performance, taking India to a 2-0 sweep of the series.

Other notable efforts were Prithvi Shaw's 70, Rishabh Pant's 92, and Jason Holder's five-wicket haul.

What they said Jason Holder (West Indies): "This is a fresh group, different faces coming into the Test squad. The first series we had this year was a success. I know the guys would be ready to go against India here in this second series of the year."

Virat Kohli (India): "The games are going to be much more competitive, and it brings a lot of purpose to the Test matches you play. It [World Test Championship] is the right move, and at the absolute right time."

Shimron Hetmyer has been searching for runs in recent times

Conditions While there is no forecast of rain for all five days, partial cloud cover is expected for most of the Test. This might aid the pace attack on both sides, particularly on the hard pitch of the first couple of days. Fast bowlers have historically taken most Test wickets on this surface, with Roach, Holder and Shannon Gabriel leading the charts.

But there is often support for spinners too, as evidenced by Ashwin's fabulous performance there in 2016. (ICC)

Caribbean Hopes Training Camp…

Guyana set to battle for top Malachi Moore has honours in 2019 Caribbean GUYANA creditable performance Mini and Pre Cadet Table TIMES in your area?

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Guyanese participant Malachi Moore at the conclusion of the camp (front row left)

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he Caribbean Hopes Training Camp, hosted by the Dominican Federation of Table Tennis and the Caribbean Regional Table Tennis Federation from August 11-19 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has concluded.

Aimed at providing nurturing and giving early exposure to young table tennis talents, the Caribbean Hopes camp was conducted under the guidance of Venezuela’s experienced ITTF expert Luisana Perez. After an intense 8-day schedule in which players were encamped playing and training for two 3-hour sessions per day, with each day commencing at 09:00h and concluding at 18:30h, the players emerged better-skilled individuals.

The 10 Caribbean countries that participated in the camp included Jamaica, Guyana, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and Aruba.

While he did not make the selection, Guyana’s’ lone participant, Malachi Moore, had a great outing, having won several matches and performing creditably. the experience will surely augur well for him in the future.

Luisana expressed thanks to all the participants for their commitment during the week. “We really made a great team. We focused on the objectives of control and direction, as well as foot work and service,” he said.

“The most important topics were the objectives of the training session, the exercises, and the evaluation of systems to identify talents. All the information received made us aware that we must keep up-to-date in the way we teach table tennis, especially to children,” Sergio Martínez said.

Matters closed with the players receiving certificates, and Juan Vila, President of the Dominican Republic Table Tennis Federation, thanking all concerned.

The Hopes Programme is a series of activities at national, regional, continental and world level featuring education, training camps, competition and talent identification. The Hopes Programme is part of a seamless high-performance pathway that offers training and development opportunities for players and their coaches from the under-11 level to the under-21 level.

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The Guyanese team

uyana will begin their quest for top honours in the 2019 Caribbean Mini and Pre Cadet Table Tennis Championships in the Dominican Republic, as such, with the competition commencing, the Guyanese contingent have been grouped into their respective categories.

The 11 years and under boys’ team will be represented by Malachi Moore, Caribbean Hopes Participant and Ebo McNeil (Debutant Linden Region 10), as they have been grouped with Jamaica and the Dominican Republic in group two.

Meanwhile, the 11 years and under girls’ team will be represented by National Cadet Champion Jasmine Billingy, the talented Samara Sukhai, and athletically gifted Akira Watson, seeded two in group 3 along with Trinidad and Tobago and the Dominican Republic team.

In the boys’ 13 years and under team championships, Guyana will field two teams. Team one being National 13, 15, and 18 years and

under boys’ champion Jonathan Van Lange, the talented Krystian Sahadeo, Dhanesh Persaud and Colin Wong in team two. Van Lange and Sahadeo seeded 2 in group 4 with Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Dominican Republic.

While Dhanesh Persaud and Colin Wong seeded 3 are group 1 alongside Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

Dominican Republic, as host, are allowed to field 4 teams, while visiting delegations can field two teams in each category of the team events given that these championships are developmental— which allow the host to field. Teams can be maximum of three players, minimum of 2 two players with play utilising the corbeling system, which has play in team events using the format of singles, singles, doubles and reverse singles.

Team Guyana will be hopeful as they were only able to bag two silver medals in the 2018 edition of the tournament.

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thursday, august 22, 2019

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Fruta Conquerors FC rolls out annual summer camp C

ontinuing to be a pillar of encouragement to youths in the Tucville community of Georgetown, Fruta Conquerors Football Club has rolled out its summer programme for yet another year.

While in the past this programme has been held over longer periods, this year’s summer camp will run for one week, and a concise list of activities and objectives has been set for achievement.

In excess of 50 students were in attendance on Wednesday morning when Guyana Times Sport visited the Fruta Conquerors facility in Tucville.

This year’s summer camp will focus not only on football skills and training, but moreover on building other life skills. Fruta Conquerors President, Colin Gittens, explained some of the programmes that will be offered.

“We have two trained teachers to do remedial studies with them. Then we have other persons from different entities to give speeches on various areas, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

We (also) have professionals like Astel Collins who will do motivational speaking. So this programme is for development.

It also helps us to scout new talent within the area, and gives us opportunities to meet with the parents,” Gittens shared.

Speaking from a technical standpoint, club coach Sampson Gilbert explained why

the children’s response to the annual summer camp is so excellent.

“Because we actually employ an interactive programme (in which) the level of reception is great. Having fun is most important in sport generally. So when you come to these programmes, this is a vocational summer camp, and so we don’t try to overdo when it comes to academics, although we have remedial reading and some math. We want to have other life skills that are not commonly taught,” Coach Gilbert explained.

The camp began over a decade ago with the backing of another company, but the task of sponsorship has since been undertaken by the Guyana Beverage Inc(GBI).

Brand Manager Angelica Rodney explained why the company continues to play such an integral role in the Club’s activities.

“At GBI, we’ve been committed to sports, especially football, over the years, and we’re so happy to be on board with Fruta Conquerors Football Club’s summer camp for 2019. We see it as a way of giving back to the community, and we’re happy to be a part of, and support, that,” Rodney said.

Footballer Jeremy Garrett, a product of the same summer camp some years ago, disclosed how the camp assisted in his advancement.

“It was a very good stepping stone for my career. Being a part of the summer programme is where I learned to actually bal-

Coach Gilbert Sampson conducting a session with students at the summer camp

ance my education and my sporting talent, and I think that it is a platform for other youngsters coming up to inherit their talent on and off the field,” Garrett said.

The summer camp was also graced by the presence of Guyana Football Federation President, Wayne Forde, who was pleased with the continued development of the foot-

ball club and its efforts to keep the sport alive in the community.

“It’s a good example, as a club, that is being set, and we’re very proud of the work that Fruta Conquerors has done over the years, and continues to be an example of how a club should be and how it should be managed,” Forde explained. (Jemima Holmes)

Investment in young players a Glasgow, Samaroo are top awardees positive sign for Guyana cricket at successful Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh Cricket Academy

…Guyana Under-19 trio are beneficiaries of CGI contracts

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espite all the circumstances attending cricket in Guyana in terms of administrative issues, Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) has continued to invest in its players, and recently publicised its revamped academy contract structure.

The competitive 3-tier contracts for the 2019/2020 season has seen some young players making their way into the set-up, commencing their training on Monday last.

Fresh from the Guyana Under-19 stint in St Vincent and the Grenadines, 3 players: Kevlon Anderson, Kevin Umroa and Ashmead Nedd, received their maiden contracts – ‘C’ contracts. They are happy with this new development in their careers, and will now be exposed to intense training under tutelage of qualified coaches from Monday to Thursday on a weekly basis.

One may ask how Guyana became five-time Regional 4-Day champions.

The CGI Academy contract is certainly among those reasons for Guyana’s success in Regional cricket. Academy players benefit not only i n terms of fitness, but they gain knowledge from the Guyana Jaguars players, some of whom have played Test cricket.

For these Under-19 players, this ‘C’ class contract, worth Gy$50,000 per month, signals the beginning of greater things to come for them.

The ‘B’ class contract, which is valued at Gy$75,000 per month, has already been given to some prospective Guyana Jaguars players: Kemol Savory, Ronaldo Ali Mohammed, Raymond Perez and Kevin Sinclair.

The ‘A’ class contract, which is valued at Gy$100,000 per month, has already been given to Trevon Griffith, the experienced left-handed opener Akshaya Persaud, Anthony Adams, and new and improved off-spinner Richie Looknauth. All these contracts are for the 2019/2020 season.

The La Bonne Intention (LBI) fa-

cility, progressively moving towards completion, will be used as the first class training facility for players. This academy process provides outstanding players with Kevlon the opportunity Anderson to benefit more financially from local contracts, especially in cases where they may have narrowly missed out on Regional Franchise contracts, or have been noticeably recognised by CGI for exceptional performance in the locally conducted training and preparatory programmes.

The directors of CGI credit the Academy structure with providing unwavering support to the five-time champions the Guyana Jaguars, ensuring that replacement players are well prepared and equipped to excel at the regional and international levels.

Holders of any of these 3-tier Academy contracts will have the additional benefit of being attended by the usual management staff, with two (2) Academy coaches, a physiotherapist, and a strength and conditioner person.

(Brandon Corlette) Ashmead Nedd

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Kevin Umroa

he curtains came down on the 2nd annual Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh Cricket Academy during a presentation ceremony at No 63 Beach, Upper Corentyne. The 70 students of the Academy and the coaching panel on Saturday last visited the historic No 63 Beach for the final coaching session, fun cricket matches and closing ceremony.

Guyana Under-19 player Seon Glasgow copped the Male Cricketer of the Academy while former National Youth female player Marian Samaroo won the female award after being selected by the panel of five coaches headed by Level Three Coach Winston Smith.

Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster hailed the Academy as an overwhelming success and another fruitful investment into youths by the very vibrant Cricket Board. Foster stated that all of the objectives of Academy were achieved and all of the young cricketers have emerged as better players, have a better knowledge of the game and understood their roles as sports ambassadors.

Foster urged the attentive cricketers, in the blazing heat at the No 63 Beach, to remain focused and to put into practice what they have learnt on the daily practice. He committed the BCB to continue investing heavily into their future in an effort to get everyone to fulfil his/ her full potential on the cricket field. Foster, as he has done since his election in February 2018, spoke on the importance of education, personal discipline and saying no to the evil ways of Satan.

He also informed the youths that under his leadership, the BCB would on an annual basis organise tournaments from the Under-13 to Under-21 levels, and would continue to organise dozens of developmental programmes every year. The hosting of a Two-Day First Division Tournament, Social Skills Programme, and construction of an all-weather outdoor practice venue, gears for promising youth players, and the publication of a Youth Information Booklet are some of the upcoming investments of the BCB into youth development.

Head Coach Winston Smith hailed the hard work, discipline and dedication of the players.

Smith praised the BCB for its very aggressive coaching programme and urged the youths to take full advantage of the Hilbert Foster-led administration investment in their future. The Level Three coach also announced that regular Coaching Clinics would be held for the rest of the year as the BCB strives to prepare for the

Top players

2020 Inter-county Tournaments.

Director of the Academy and BCB Public Relations Officer, Simon Naidu, expressed satisfaction at the outstanding work of Smith, Leslie Solomon, Delbert Hicks, Balram Samaroo and Ameer Rahaman. He noted that the Academy had a 98% daily attendance rate, but the BCB has noted the absence of about five players for the entire Academy without an excuse. This form of indiscipline, Naidu stated, would form part of the BCB consideration in the selection of all 2020 Inter-county Teams.

Apart from Seon Glasgow and Marian Samaroo, the following players also received awards: a) Most Discipline - Doorsammy Mahadeo b) Most Discipline (Junior) Shiv Harripersaud c) Most Improved - Ramsammy Ramnauth d) Most Committed - Shamar Angel e) Most Promising- Trisa Hardat f) Most Improved (Female)- Ashmini Muniswar The BCB would like to express gratitude to Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh for his US$2 000 investment, GuySuCo Vemen Walter, Orvin Mangru, Imran Khan, RHTY&SC, Roger Mc Donald. Special thanks also to the Town Clerk of Rose Hall Town Council for the release of Winston Smith.

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, august 22, 2019

Angostura to keep fans refreshed during CPL 2019 T

he Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 welcomes Angostura® Lemon Lime & Bitters as the Refreshment Partner for the 2019 tournament. Drink breaks will be named LLB breaks, and the brand will have Refreshment Zones at CPL T20 matches. Angostura® Lemon Lime and Bitters will be looking to refresh fans across the region during the Twenty20 cricket tournament which takes place from 4 September to 12 October 2019.

The House of Angostura is well known worldwide for its Angostura® aromatic bitters, and has incorporated that flavour into its now popular beverage: Angostura® Lemon Lime and Bitters.

Associated with sport and the cricket fraternity for several years, the brand boasts legendary cricketer Brian Charles Lara as one of its first ambassadors.

CPL Commercial Director Jamie Stewart commented, “It is wonderful news for fans and for the CPL that Angostura® Lemon, Lime & Bitters, one of the region’s great & truly global brands, is joining

the CPL Partner family.

“As a young Australian growing up in Perth in the 1970s, LLB, as it was known, was an extremely popular drink mixed by bartenders around the country. It is a true pleasure, all these years later, to welcome this tremendous company and its signature offering: Angostura® Lemon Lime and Bitters, as the ‘Refreshment Partner’ of CPL. “Fans have lots of fun opportunities to look forward to, as both parties look to bring this long-term partnership to life.”

On the introduction of Angostura® Lemon Lime and Bitters to the tournament, Chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited, Mr. Terrence Bharath, stated: “As we celebrate our 195th year as a company, the House of Angostura is proud to collaborate with the Caribbean Premier League as the Refreshment Partner of the Tournament through our Angostura® Lemon Lime and Bitters (LLB) brand. With both entities having significant global reach, we are extremely excit-

Santos FC has most transfers in GFF pre-season window …245 transfers registered

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his pre-season window saw more movement of players across Regional Member Association clubs than has been the trend in recent years. If this trend is an indication that coaches have recognised and acknowledged the deficiencies of their respective clubs, and have therefore sought to improve their club’s performance in those areas on the pitch, then this augurs well for the quality and competitiveness of Guyana’s football, going forward,” said GFF’s President, Wayne Forde, in an invited comment on the last transfer window.

The window, which lasted two months -- from June 1 to July 31 -- recorded a total of 245 transfers across Guyana and one international transfer across CONCACAF Member Associations.

Of the local transfers, the Elite League club Santos FC received the largest number of transferred players – 20 - during the window.

Santos was followed by the non-Elite Club Moco Moco FC of the Rupununi Football Association, with a total of 13 transfers; and the Guyana Police Force FC with a total of 12 transfers. Capital FC, from the Upper Demerara Football Association, followed closely with 10 transfers.

Apart from Santos FC and the Guyana Police Force FC, other Elite Clubs recorded transfers as follows: Fruta Conquerors (6),

Guyana Defence Force (6), Buxton United (4), Milerock (4), Den Amstel (3), Ann’s Grove (3) and Victoria Kings (2).

The next transfer window is scheduled from January 1st –January 31st,

2020.

Meanwhile, Fruta Conquerors FC had some contrasting numbers to Santos FC, only recording 6 transfers. When questioned about their motive, Coach Sampson Gilbert disclosed that the club is mainly looking to improve and upgrade their Under-20 players, rather than bring new players from other clubs into the senior team.

“There wasn’t much influx. We had a few players that came to the club, but the system that we work on is not just about the personnel, but about the programme.

So we’re looking to bring some of our younger players from the Under-20 that the coaching staff thinks are potent enough to migrate to the senior team,” Gilbert explained.

ed to bring the exhilaration of the CPL T20 tournament to the Caribbean and the rest of the world, in line with the growth aspirations for our Angostura® Lemon Lime and Bitters brand, and maximising our marketing efforts. We look forward to this thrilling partnership”.

The company is also focused on sport and youth development, and will partner with the CPL to host a cricket kids camp in its home market of Trinidad & Tobago.

The 2019 CPL gets underway on Wednesday, September4, at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago.

Meanwhile, the Guyana leg will kick off with three games on September 5, 7 and 8. The Guyana Amazon Warriors will take on the St. Lucia Zouks on September 5, The St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots on September 7, and the Barbados Tridents on September 8.

The second phase of the Guyana leg will see the Warriors facing off against the Jamaica Tallawahs on October 3, and a repeat of last year’s final against Trinbago Knight Riders on October 4.

Tickets for the first three home games at the National Stadium, Providence, are currently on sale at the ticket office at 238 Camp and Quamina Streets.

West Indies 1st Test squad…

Miguel Cummins replaces Keemo Paul C

Fruta Conquerors Coach Sampson Gilbert

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ricket West Indies’ (CWI’s) Interim Selection Committee has named Miguel Cummins to replace Keemo Paul for the first Test match of the MyTeam11 Series, which is co-sponsored by Skoda and KEI. In this first Test, the West Indies will face India at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua during the period August 22-26, but Paul, the livewire all-rounder, has a left ankle injury and will miss the match. He will, however, remain in Antigua to continue his rehabilitation.

The 21-year-old Paul has been replaced in the 13-member squad by experienced fast bowler Miguel Cummins, 28, who made his debut three years ago against India in Jamaica. He had a memorable second match in Saint Lucia, when he had match figures of 9-102, including a career-best 6-48 in the 2nd innings.

Interim Head Coach Floyd Reifer said: “With Keemo ruled out for this match, it’s good to have someone with Miguel’s quality back in the squad, as he brings experience to the team. Watching him in the last ‘A’ Team series against India ‘A’ and (in) the training sessions, h i s

lengths have improved. He’s a very hard worker and (he’s) a wicket-taker. I’m sure, if given the opportunity to play, he will make a valuable contribution in our bid to win this series.”

The Barbadian fast bowler is no stranger to Test matches. He has played 13 of them and has taken 27 wickets, with his best bowling figure being 6-48 against India back in the 2016 tour to the Caribbean.

This occurred in the third Test, which India won by 237 runs, but Cummins made a name for himself by bagging three wickets in the first innings, and followed this up by taking six in the second innings, including top guns Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravi Ashwin who was in red hot form in the 2016 series.

This match marks the start of the ICC World Test Championship for both teams, as it represents the new two-year Test league to find out the best Test team in the world. In this Series, each team can earn 60 points for a win or 20 points for a draw, and this is the first of six Test Series which West Indies will play.

It was a monumental moment for Cummins when he took six wickets against India in 2016

thursday, august 22, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Angostura to keep fans refreshed during CPL 2019 Miguel Cummins replaces

Keemo Paul

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in West Indies Page 23

squad for 1st Test

Fruta Conquerors FC rolls out annual summer camp Page 22

Some participants of the summer camp along with GFF President Wayne Forde, Fruta Conquerors President Colin Gittens, Coach Sampson Gilbert and Guyana Beverage Inc’s Angelica Rodney

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